Spirit of America

Today’s the day. Archie, the Reno Aces mascot, has been entrusted to once again oversee the grand opening of the Carson City Fair at Fuji Park. The soft opening of the accompanying carnival begins at 6 p.m. with one dollar rides. It’s Miss Scarlet with the lead pipe in the Observatory as the Carson City Library hosts a super-sized game of Clue for teens. Families will enjoy Beauty and the Beast, complete with a craft, if they sign up for the Library’s movie night. See what Teddy Roosevelt has to say at Dangberg Home Historic Ranch Park during tonight’s Chautauqua.

The Carson City Fair gathers steam today: they’ll be setting up the carnival, judging the items in the exhibit hall, and the 4-H kids are showing off what their dogs can do. It’s a play-doh afternoon at the Carson City Library, in addition to their weekly Pajama Story time on Tuesday evenings. The Carson Nugget is hosting a job fair to fill a plethora of positions in their restaurants and on the casino floor.

It’s almost like Christmas Day for some of us locals: the long awaited Taste of Downtown has finally arrived. Food, drink, live music, rubbing elbows with friends and neighbors, and a new wine-tasting add-on make this one of the best parties of the year. The morning brings an unparalleled opportunity: you’ve got one chance to walk, run, or bike right down the middle of the freeway before the new bypass is open to vehicle traffic alone. Grab your favorite four-legged friend and head to Adele’s: Dining for Dog Town is a delicious way to help out this amazing rescue organization.

A whirlwind of a weekend is on its way and you may as well get it off to an incredible start. Stop by Living the Good Life and celebrate their third anniversary with an outdoor concert featuring Soul Connection. Telegraph Square has a stage set up for the Taste of Downtown tomorrow, so the Carson High Class of ’77 is hosting a street party with Prey for Son tonight. All Carson Alums (along with everyone else) are encouraged to come say hello.

I’m sending good thoughts to those in the California fire zones: with as bad as the smoke is here, I can only imagine how bad their eyes burn. Free ice cream and a concert featuring the Capital City Community Band can be found tonight at the First United Methodist Church on King Street. You’ll find free pool, a nice beer selection, and great drinks at Remedy’s Bar on Williams Street tonight. Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery celebrates the paper and book sculptures of mother-daughter team, My Thousand Words, at a meet and greet reception tonight. Keep reading for a plethora of ways to spend the day.

The weekend is inching closer, and bringing with it one of Carson City’s favorite events – The Taste of Downtown. The annual fundraiser for the Advocates to End Domestic Violence brings everyone downtown for samplings from our local restaurants, live music, and a good time had by all. Stay busy and the week will just fly by.

It is going to be a beautiful Tuesday: toasty, but not too hot, and with a nice afternoon breeze. As the summer goes along, kids get a little antsy. Take your grade schooler up to Silver City for their annual Bike Safety Rodeo and you’ll leave confident that they know the rules of the road. Hit the dance floor tonight. You can learn some beginning swing dance moves at El Charro Avita. Grab your partner and head to Carson Lanes for lessons in country line dancing and a good time with DJ Cowboy Bobby Truesdale.

TUESDAY:

Take it easy today, that’s what Sundays are for. An afternoon porch party at the historic Genoa Bar combines live music by Deception and slushy rum runners. Dutch oven cooking is a camp-time favorite, and the rangers at Mormon Station State Park will be giving a demonstration on how easy and delicious it can be. They’ll give out samples until the pot runs dry, so get their early for something yummy. Keep reading for more lazy Sunday happenings.

SUNDAY:

What to do, what to do? That’s the question that starts most every weekend. If you’ve got kids, test their mettle at the annual Capitol City Triathlon. Open to kids of all ages, they will bike, run, and swim their way to the finish line. The third annual Sassabration event kicks off with a multi-colored, costume bike parade from the Brewery Arts Center to the celebration at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint. Multiple bands, vendors, non-profit booths, free swimming at the Carson Hot Springs, not to mention the yummy food and drink available make this a not-to-be-missed festival.

I hope your dancing shoes are handy because the music will have you on your feet. Local favorites, Jelly Bread, take the stage at McFadden Plaza as part of the Fridays at the Fox series. Start the weekend with some belly laughs: either with Kevin Farley at the Brewery Arts Center or with Mrs. John Hughes at the Carson Nugget. Break a leg to our talented friends and neighbors participating in this year’s Senior Follies. ‘As Seen On TV’ marks the twentieth year the variety show has showcase local talent.

FRIDAY:

The sun keeps shining and the summer fun keeps on coming. Great live music tonight can be found on the Veranda at Adele’s, at Living the Good Life, on the stage at Sassafras, in the Glen Eagles Lounge, and at Battle Born Harley Davidson's Bike Night. The Carson Library starts the day with story time for the little ones, and ends with an exciting science presentation featuring Fire and Ice. Learn a little about Nevada with photographer Ernie Winters at the Gold Hill Hotel. He’ll take you back in time with color photographs of Virginia City in the 50s.

Are you ready for one of the best Wednesdays of the year? The annual Concert Under the Stars just gets bigger and better every year. Food trucks, a silent auction, an exciting live auction, and of course, some amazing music – this year, the Family Stone will be rocking the Brewery Arts Center Minnesota Street Stage. For some quieter entertainment, Doug Watson appears as ‘Will Rogers’ at Dangberg Home Historic Ranch. Take the kids to Galaxy Theaters tonight and introduce them to a timeless favorite, The Sandlot.

It was pointed out to me that this is a week full of palindromes – a bit of fun word play with something that is the same forward and backwards. July 11, __17 is also 7.11.17, tomorrow 7 12 17, and so on. Coincidentally today, 7/11, is also free slurpee day at your neighborhood 7-Eleven. A full moon and a performance by the Mile High Jazz Band in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Living the Good Life goes acoustic with singer/songwriter Canyon White.
TUESDAY:

The summer sun offers so many wonderful options: an early morning bike ride, a trip to Virginia City on the historic V and T railroad, or maybe a picnic and some live music in a park. All these and more are available today. Beat the heat with a trip to the movie theater – The Sandlot will take you back in time. The Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair continues at Glen Eagles. The Corvettes have taken over at Michael Hohl. Over 50 members of the Reno Corvette Club are competing for bragging rights and a trophy. Keep reading for even more summer fun.

What are you in the mood for? The Third and Curry Farmers Market is always a great place to start off your weekend. Kids won’t mind getting up early for the Young Eagle airplane flights at the Carson City Airport – they are free of charge for kids 8 – 17, you just need to be on time for registration. The Annual Chili Cook-off returns to Glen Eagles this weekend; with live music, a craft fair, and lots of yummy stuff to eat, raising money for Honor Flight has never tasted so good. Keep reading, there is plenty more in store.

SATURDAY:

Whether you are looking for a night on the town with friends or something for the whole family, Carson City has got you covered. The Friday night concerts in the McFadden Plaza will get everyone movin' and groovin' - especially when a band like Mojo Green hits the stage. Kids will love the Dive-in Movie night at the Carson Aquatic Center. Moana will be playing on their big, new LED screen. The Trippin' King Snakes kick off the Summer Concert Series at Living the Good Life, followed by a DJ into the wee hours of the morning. Keep reading and prepare to have a great day.

And just like that, it’s almost the weekend. Karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar takes over their patio- a perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and sing a little song. Enjoy live music, a good drink and yummy food at Living the Good Life. Show off your chrome at the Silver Dollar Cruise Night – this week you meet up at the Courtyard by Marriot next to the Casino Fandango. If you love your chopper, then Bike Night at Battle Born Harley Davidson is your best bet to get the party started.

THURSDAY:

Happy Wednesday, Carson City. The long holiday weekend is over, but you can keep the good times rolling. The Fox Brewpub is hosting their monthly Whiskey Wednesday tonight, complete with raffle prizes and of course, whiskey. The Classic Cinema Club pushed back their monthly movie viewing by a day, so head over to the BAC Performance Hall to watch ‘Three Came Home.’ Keep Tahoe Blue will be starting the day at numerous beaches; their annual clean-up is necessary after the fireworks.

Let the good times roll. Head over to Mills Park in Carson City for the annual RSVP Carnival and catch some high-flying skate-boarding action. You’ll find the historic Wungnema House open for tours at the very east end of the park. One price gets you unlimited rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and plenty of photo opportunities with their historic steamer. The classic thriller, Jaws, plays on the big screen at the Galaxy Theater, just in case you forgot what might be hiding in the water. Here's what's happening today:

It’s wine walk weekend, and depending on what kinds of days off you get, potentially the beginning of a four-day weekend. We will be celebrating the birthday of the United States of America on Tuesday, but there are some fun events to enjoy now. Catch the Parade of Trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park. Keep reading for all the exciting options in Carson City and beyond.

SATURDAY:

The first half of 2017 has slipped away, and the next half is bringing a boatload of fun. Hit the town tonight. You'll find comedian Justin Rivera at the Brewery Arts Center for an all-ages show. Everyone is invited to the open mic at A to Zen hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter Canyon White. The party never stops at Living the Good Life: they'll start with Carolyn Dolan and Peter Supersano on the stage and then let Soul Connection take it into late night. Have a great day, a great weekend, and a great rest of the year.

FRIDAY:

Sunny days are here again, and Carson City gives you plenty of ways to enjoy it. It’s the boys in blue versus the fire fighters in today’s Battle of the Badge Blood Drive. Bikers won’t want to miss the weekly party at Battle Born Harley with house band, the Smoken Rabbits; all vehicles are welcome to join in the fun and get some grub from the Rollin Pizza Pie food truck. The whole family will enjoy tonight’s Twilight Concert with the Sextones at the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch. Learn about Virginia City ghosts with authors Sandie LaNae and Arlene Laferry at the haunted Gold Hill Hotel.

As the summer continues, the kids can get restless. Beat the heat indoors with bowling specials at Gold Dust West and Carson Lanes. BMX racing is fun for all ages, and you can check it out for yourself at the weekly practice night at the Livermore Sports Complex on Edmonds. Grab your smartest friends for DJ Trivia at the Westside Pour House, just get there early if you want to order dinner, too. Hosts John and Cherie Shipley invite you to the jazz jam at Living the Good Life; you never know who’ll join them on stage.

WEDNESDAY:

It’s Tuesday, and that means it’s time to explore another one of Carson City’s great walking trails with Parks and Recreation. The Ambrose Carson River nature area in on the list for today, so grab some water and sunscreen and enjoy the fresh air. Learn about CASA, and what they do for the children of our valley, during an informal meet-and-greet at San Rafael Coffee. It’s all hands on deck for the Deputy Howell Memorial Music Festival; a meeting for the volunteers is tonight at Battle Born Harley Davidson. Grab your cowboy boots and head out to Carson Lanes for line dance lessons.

The Nevada Artists Association opens its "Sprit of America" art exhibit that will be on display now through August 4. The NAA's gallery is located at Carson City's Brewery Arts Center.

How much fun can you pack into a weekend? That isn’t purely a rhetorical question – it’s more of a challenge. Grab the kids for a day at the Dangberg Home Historical Ranch where storytellers are the featured guests. Locals are in the spotlight at the Rockabilly Riot, the Iron Rebels Car Show is for resident cars only. The bells are ringing at the First United Methodist Church. Handbell Ensemble group, Tintabulations, presents a free concert at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY:

Let the good times roll, Carson City. Cars, chrome, choppers, and kruzers are in abundance. Run Whatcha Brung at Fuji Park is open to any and all cars that can get themselves there. The Rockabilly Riot and T Bucket Alliance at Mills Park is an American Graffiti flashback. Cheer on our local motorcycle cops at the Extreme Motor Challenge, or hop on your own bike and go on a poker run with the Lords of Iron Motorcycle Club.

SATURDAY:

The Nevada Artists Association invites all local and regional artists and photographers to enter it's "Spirit of America" art show. The exhibit, to be shown at the NAA gallery which is located at Carson City's Brewery Arts Center, is open to non-members as well as members.

The Nevada Artists Association Gallery has announced its winners for this years annual Photography exhibit. Local and regional photographers, NAA members and non-members, were invited to enter their photos for this judged event.

Living in the dusty, dry high desert means that we escape cancerous car rot. Additionally, it’s probably the reason that Northern Nevada is a mecca for classic cars and the shows that celebrate them. The Silver Dollar Classic Car Show has long been Carson’s kick off to the hot, melty August nights that follow – the Max Casino is where it all begins. Head to Red’s Old 395 for an appreciation party to those who fight our wild fires and say a hello to Smokey the Bear. Trey Stone makes an appearance at Living the Good Life and Whiskey Tavern welcomes you to their karaoke stage.