tour

We made it, Carson City! It’s Friday, and the first day of summer is this weekend. The Reno Rodeo has begun, and there are several days to get in on the action. Tonight, Carson City BMX is hosting Race for Life, and anyone with a bmx bike and a helmet can participate in helping them raise funds for a good cause. The annual Powwow kicks off at the Stewart Indian School with Grand Entrance at 7 p.m. Head to Comma Coffee and celebrate eleven years of World Dance Open Floor: just watch or sign up to show your moves.

FRIDAY:

• Reno Rodeo (Ticket prices range from $12 - $27) and Carnival (4pm-12am) at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Stargazers can enjoy two guided tour events offered Friday and Saturday through Nevada State Parks.
The first is a laser-guided tour of starry wonders with professional stargazer Gigi Giles at Spooner Lake State Park.

Astronomy goers will be pleased with this unique and educational experience as they peer through the provided high powered telescopes and astronomical binoculars in the tranquil mountain air at an elevation of 7,000 feet.

The Carson City Historical Society's 2015 annual garden tour took place Saturday where guests were able to walk or drive through Carson City and view magnificent homes and gardens. It was clear along the tour that those participating put an extraordinary amount of time and creative effort into their gardens and homes.

David Ruf of Greenhouse Garden Center sent over a crew Friday to the Nevada State Prison to assist the Carson City Chamber of Commerce in “prettying up the place” ahead of the chamber's 70th anniversary party.

Nevada State Prison has not received any tender loving care since it closed in 2012 and the entry yard was full of weeds. While the Chamber doesn’t want to make the prison “too pretty,” since it is, after all, a prison, we want to make sure the facility at least looks somewhat presentable for the showcase event to take place within the prison yard on June 29.

I don’t mean to make this hard on you, but you have some decisions to make. All day, all night, all weekend long, there are numerous activities throughout our area. Take a good look at the list, grab your friends, family, and kids, and have a great weekend. The Experimental Aircraft Association is hosting the Ford Tri-Motor this weekend, and has Young Eagles flights for the kids: registration and orientation is at 8 a.m. Head over to Eagle Valley Golf for free family golf day.

The weather app on my phone says that it’s supposed to be a sunny weekend hitting a high around 91 degrees. That sounds like summer to me! Get out and enjoy our valley and the surrounding towns, there will be plenty of good times. Carson Valley Days has begun in our neighbor to the south, complete with carnival at Lampe Park. Tonight, welcome a new exhibit in the CCAI Gallery at the Courthouse: a reception for the artists of ‘Industrial Arts’ begins at 5 p.m. Meet the Journey of Hope bike riders at Western Nevada College; plenty of activities for everyone.

FRIDAY:

• Industrial Art at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• Annual Rummage Sale for the Dayton Valley Historical Society at the Carson and Colorado Depot at the corner of Hwy 50 East and Main St., Dayton (8am-6pm)

The Carson City Historical Society's 2015 Garden Tour is Saturday, June 13. This walking and driving tour includes some very special Carson City homes and gardens.

The self-guided tour begins at 11 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m. More than a dozen carefully selected homes and gardens, some new to the tour, some old favorites, will be available for public viewing for this special event. We are pleased to announce that the Krebs-Petersen House will be opened for your admiration. This was the location of John Wayne's last movie, "The Shootist."

Megastar and multi-talented artist Justin Timberlake will join superstar athletes and entertainers for the first time this summer at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. The much-decorated performer is an avid golfer who plays to a six handicap and is renowned in the sport for his philanthropic endeavors.

Wednesdays are good for music in Carson City. Nothing like a good jam to get you over the workweek hump. Start out at lunchtime with blues at Comma Coffee. Enjoy music with dinner at Living the Good Life or Glen Eagles. The party is at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint, though. Tonight they are hosting a Canadian country-tinged, psycho punk rock n’ roll band called The Creepshow. Named as “One of the top bands you need to know about” by Alternative Press, a band like this doesn’t wander into our valley often.

WEDNESDAY:

• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E. Proctor St. (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

While virtually the entire town of Virginia City remains true to its 1850s heritage, today’s visitor is now able to connect with the past through the future with the integration of free Wi-Fi. The “VC Visitor” access provides free 24-hour access with a simple email login for visitors in the business district.

Western Nevada College invites the community to participate in the second annual Journey of Hope Friendship Visit to WNC in Carson City on Friday. Presented by WNC and the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, the event is a stop on a cross-country cycling trip by The Ability Experience, which brings awareness and support to people with disabilities. Festivities run from 5 to 8 p.m.

With hopes of generating enthusiasm among young people and using themes of robotics, aviation and aerospace to do it, Carson City Airport's annual open house returns to the skies above the capital city on Saturday, June 20, after a year hiatus.

More than 6,000 visitors attended the event in 2013. This year’s open house, which runs from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., is free to the public. Activities will feature interactive displays, flybys, plane and helicopter demonstrations, robotics demonstrations, food and beverages, bounce house and many more family activities.

The 2015 Stewart Father’s Day Powwow in Carson City is June 19-21 at the Stewart Indian School Campus. Hosted in partnership with the Nevada Indian Commission and the Stewart Father’s Day Powwow Committee, the annual powwow includes quality Native American arts and crafts vendors and is also a time for alumni, former employees, families and friends to gather at the former campus.

I’m hoping everyone had a great weekend. Now that we’ve moved into June, the events will just keep coming. Blinky Man and the Historical Society Garden Tour are coming up on Saturday. Fathers’ Day weekend brings the Pow Wow at Stewart Indian School and the Taste of Downtown. The last weekend of the month welcomes Battleborn Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly with the Twelve Annual Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge to downtown. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. We still need to survive Monday.

MONDAY:

• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E. Proctor St. (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

The Tantabulations Hand Bell Ensemble began their "How the West Was Rung" summer 2015 tour with a performance at the Governor's Mansion Saturday evening. The ensemble performed a variety of classical, jazz, pop tunes and original handbell compositions.

First things first. Saturday afternoon could be expecting some wet weather, so be prepared. I can’t predict what events may be affected by it, or if the rain will even show up. No worries for you wine walkers, though, downtown will be hopping: rain, shine, or blizzard. Head over to Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery and wish them a happy fourth anniversary, Jeffery will be serving up one of his signature Sangrias. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church won best wine walk stop last month and will have live music. Don’t forget to spend some time inside Westside Pour House: ARTistically INKlined pop-up gallery returns and proves that tattoo artists are first, and foremost, artists.

SATURDAY:

• Street Vibrations Spring Rally: Downtown Reno
• Reno Tahoe International Film Festival – go to www.RTIFF.org for schedule and locations
• Sierra Lutheran High School's 13th Annual Golf Classic at the Silver Oaks Golf Course (7am Check-in, Shotgun start at 8am; $125 for a single player or $400 for a team of four)

Don't miss this opportunity to see Tintabulations play in the state's capital. Tintabulations will be playing at the Govenor's Mansion in the Nevada room at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The concert, entitled “How The West Was Rung,” is an homage to the ensemble's Summer 2015 tour of their home state of Nevada in celebration of its Sesquicentennial, as well as a reference to their musicianship quickly becoming known in the handbell world as "west coast style."

Nevada residents and visitors are invited to “Discover Nevada State Parks” on Saturday, June 13. Park visitors will receive free day use admission and free fishing (no license required) at all of Nevada’s 23 State Parks.

It’s the first Wednesday which means that Comma Coffee is hosting an art reception for their Backseat Gallery. Don’t miss the exhibit by Su Limbert in the Legislative Gallery, the session is over and the exhibit closes at the end of the week. While you’re downtown head over to the BRIC building on Proctor for the BRIC Art 5 exhibit. By the Nevada State Museum you’ll find the Nevada Arts Council: their gallery is exhibiting Pasha Rashat.

WEDNESDAY:

• All Day Golf Special at Empire Ranch Golf Course ($33 includes cart)
• Wings of Freedom Tour Honoring WWII Veterans: P-1 Mustang, B-17 Flying Fortress, and B-24 Liberator on display at the Minden-Tahoe Airport: 1146 Airport, Minden
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Today is National Leave the Office Early Day, so get out and enjoy the day if you can: play some golf, wander around an art exhibit, or join up with Muscle Powered on their weekly hike. Get nostalgic with Donkey Kong; the video game debuted this day in 1981. Or you could binge watch Leave it to Beaver: Jerry ‘the Beav’ Mathers was born this day in 1948.

TUESDAY:

• One Putt Jr. Academy at Silver Oak Golf Course (sign in 7:45am, 8am-10am; $40 per class or $200 for six classes classes includes Green Fees, Pull Cart, Golf Clubs, Gatorade; space limited, ages 7-12)
• Last week: ‘Forevermore’ by artist Su Limbert at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

Battle Born 1864 ‘Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly’ and the Twelve Annual Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge take place in scenic downtown Carson City on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 and run in conjunction with the Karson Krusers’ Run Whatcha’ Brung Show and Shine Car Show at Fuji Park.

Enter to win the Mustache competition, the 'Fast Draw' contest, the pin-up girl contest, or the tattoo competition. Meet the Naughty Tea Mistresses, the Carson Victory Rollers Roller Derby Team, and the Nevada Pony Express Riders.

It’s National Say Something Nice Day which can be a little difficult on a Monday, but the sun is shining, June has begun, and the Legislature is on its final day: I’m sure you can find something. Head out to the Minden-Tahoe Airport and check out the WWII-era planes on display as part of the Wings of Freedom tour. Or enjoy some time with your shoes off in one of Carson City’s many parks: it’s also National Go Barefoot Day.

MONDAY:

• 120th Day of the Nevada Legislative Session
• Last Week: ‘Forevermore’ by artist Su Limbert at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

On Saturday, June 6, the Carson City Library will present “Tintabulations,” a community handbell ensemble from Reno in the library Digitorium, beginning at noon.

The concert, entitled “How The West Was Rung,” is an homage to the ensemble's Summer 2015 tour of their home state of Nevada in celebration of its Sesquicentennial, as well as a reference to their musicianship quickly becoming known in the handbell world as "west coast style."

Carson City area casinos saw another month of gaming revenue gains with a 6.16 percent increase last month over figures in April 2014, according to figures released Friday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Low maintenance, drought tolerant lavender provides Nevada's small farms with many options for producing value-added products and year-round sales.

Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute offers a daylong workshop “Lavender, Producing Value-added Commercial Products” on Friday, June 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Jeanne Dini Center, 120 N. California St., in Yerington. Cost is $30 for those registering by June 12, $40 afterward. Lunch is included, and seating is limited. Online registration is available at www.wnc.edu/ce/sci/.

I’m not going to tell you what to do, but if you’ll accept a suggestion, find yourself a hamburger. It’s National Hamburger Day during National Hamburger Month, so you might as well celebrate at the Experimental Aircraft Association's weekly burger lunch. If you like random trivia, head over to Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar in the Nugget for their trivia night. Or burn off that burger with some salsa dancing at El Charro Avita or country line dancing at Beercade.

THURSDAY:

• CCAI Exhibit: Tuscarora, by artist Ron Arthaud at the Carson City Community Center’s Sierra Room (available during public meetings and most evenings 5pm-8pm)
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

The V&T Steam Engine #25 will be running all weekend if you want to take a ride. It’s also opening weekend for the Virginia and Truckee that departs from the Eastgate Depot in Carson City for Virginia City. Round trips sell out fast, so make sure to get a reservation if you want to go.
SUNDAY:

• Memorial Day Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course (free 18 holes with Military I.D.; free bucket of balls if wearing red, white, and blue; free draft beer if wearing camouflage)
• Carson City BMX races at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex (Signups 9am-10am)

It’s a Railroad kind of weekend in Carson City. The historic 1885 Glenbrook Steam Engine will be on display Saturday, all steamed up with the Inyo at the Nevada Railroad Museum. You will want to arrive before the dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. to get the best photos. The V and T Steam Engine #25 will be running all weekend if you want to take a ride. It’s also opening weekend for the Virginia and Truckee that departs from the Eastgate Depot for Virginia City. Roundtrips sell out fast, so make sure to get a reservation if you want to go.

SATURDAY:

• Memorial Day Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course (free 18 holes with Military I.D.; free bucket of balls if wearing red, white, and blue; free draft beer if wearing camouflage)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)
• Early Spring Farmers Market in the south parking lot of the Greenhouse Garden Center (9am-1pm)

The weekend is almost here, and it’s one of those wonderful three day ones. You’ll find festivities all over, but I know better than to try to guess what kind of weather we’ll see. Rain is predicted, but the weather is the one thing we don’t bet on here in Northern Nevada. Keep dry today at the Senior Celebration at the Nugget sponsored by the Senior Service Network. Tap into the steamy south tonight with the Southern Drawl Band. The Brewery Arts Center is the only Nevada venue on their coast to coast tour, and this Country, Southern Rock, Trop Rock, Bluegrass blend of music is sure to be a great show!

THURSDAY:

• CCAI Exhibit: Tuscarora, by artist Ron Arthaud at the Carson City Community Center’s Sierra Room (available during public meetings and most evenings 5pm-8pm)

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in historic Virginia City with the annual Celebration of Heroes Parade Saturday, May 23 at noon. Taking place along C Street, the parade honors the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.