Washoe Lake State Park

It’s Monday, Carson City, whether you’re ready for it or not. The sunny days ahead are getting longer, and the clear skies tonight should make for a beautiful view of the full moon. Enjoy something beautiful at one of our many art galleries in town: they rotate often, so there is always something new to see. Check out the whole list for all of today’s options.

MONDAY:

The annual Eagles and Agriculture event kicks off this week in the Carson Valley, a wildlife viewing exhibition that attracts hundreds of visitors to the area to see birds of prey feeding and nesting below the eastern slopes of the Carson Range.

But Carson City residents don't have to leave the Eagle Valley to catch glimpses of raptors. We've got them in our own backyards.

Friday has arrived, Carson City. Kick off the weekend with live music at Westside Pour House, Living the Good Life, Glen Eagles, or Sassafras. Capital City Arts Initiative is proud to welcome a new exhibit to their gallery in the Carson City Courthouse. Check out the new exhibit and hear from the artist, Jeff Hantman, tonight at the opening reception. Laugh it up with Ester Steinberg at Carson Comedy in the Nugget or head to the Brewery Arts Center for an evening of Improv with special guests the Reno Improv Group.

FRIDAY:

Time for the weekend, Carson City, and that means time for a new list of things to do in our lovely valley. Art, music, history and more await throughout town, so take a gander at the list and enjoy!

SATURDAY:

• Flying Pig Flea Market at Fuji Park (8am-3pm; $1 admission)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)

State parks has a couple of nearby events coming up next week. Washoe Lake State Park will offer up a full moon hike along the Deadman’s Creek Trail. Walkers and hikers will explore the park by the light of the full moon on this moderate, one mile, round-trip hike to the gazebo overlooking Washoe Lake.

Happy 2016, Carson City. A new year has been rung in and I hope you aren’t too hung over. Get a jump on any healthy new year’s resolutions with the annual First Day Hike. You can choose between Morgan Mill on the far east side of Carson City, the dunes of Washoe Lake State Park, or some history with a short hike to the Rock Point Mill in Dayton. Bundle up, though, it's cold out there. Let the party continue with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life or DJ Cillo at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar.

FRIDAY: New Year’s Day

Celebrate New Year’s Day 2016 with Nevada State Parks. Guided hikes led by park rangers and local volunteers will be offered at State Parks throughout Nevada as part of the nationwide First Day Hikes Program. Nevada State Parks is waiving entrance fees for all first day hikers.

Ready to break a world record, Carson City? High school senior, Taylor Weddell is organizing an attempt at the World’s Largest Human Christmas Tree for her senior project. Grab everyone you know and head to Carson High at 10 a.m. Bundle up, and get ready for a good time. Hot beverages will be available to help keep you warm.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)

Ready for more snow? Let’s just hope that the clouds clear by tonight because the Geminids Meteor Shower is at its peak tonight and tomorrow. Don your ugliest sweater for the Carson Victory Rollers’ Red and Green Scrimmage, and bring a toy for their Toys for Tots drive. If you haven’t caught Wild Horse Children’s Theaters production of Babes in Toyland yet, grab the kids and get down to the Brewery Arts Center for their final performance.

SUNDAY:

The clock is ticking for last minute shoppers. Luckily, Carson City has great options for everyone on the list. Telegraph Square in downtown will be hopping with a Santa parade, vendors, and a pirate ship, in addition to great shops. The Brewery Arts Center is hosting a weekend-long art sale with one of a kind options throughout the campus. Art is a great gift, and making it is even more fun. Carson City Pottery is holding an open house today; a gift certificate for a pottery class is perfect for all skill levels.

SATURDAY:

Washoe Lake State Park north of Carson City will offer two opportunities to learn about past holiday traditions and local history plus a unique full moon hike on Christmas Eve.

Northern Nevada Christmas Past will be a family-friendly, Christmas-themed slide show that covers past holiday traditions combined with local history from Virginia City, Fort Churchill, Buckland Station and other areas of Northern Nevada. Rangers will also discuss origins of holiday traditions, including Santa Claus, candy canes and Christmas trees.

The countdown to Turkey Day has begun, and living in Carson City gives us plenty to be thankful for: Beautiful views, our own deer herd, great shops, yummy restaurants, talented actors, artists, and craftsmen, and wonderful people. Get in the spirit of giving with a new tattoo from Hooligan’s Ink to benefit the Austin House. For something less permanent, drop off a turkey at one of the contenders in the Salvation Army’s Battle of the Bars. Giving your time is valuable, too. The Muscle Powered Trash Mob meets once a month to help keep Carson’s trails clean and litter-free.

Ready for the weekend, Carson City? The weather should hold up on Saturday, but no promises on Sunday. Hit the slopes if you are so inclined, several Tahoe resorts have opened for the season. Runners should head out to Washoe Lake State Park for the first of the Be Bold, Run in the Cold series sponsored by Ascent Runs. If you prefer something warmer, head to Crossroads Lounge for their Grand Re-opening. It’s under new ownership and is sure to have something to keep you toasty.

SATURDAY:

Bowling, books, music, and art: that’s what Monday is made of. Monday’s are always a good day to head to Carson Lanes Bowling Alley. Enjoy specials on games and shoe rentals, so bring the whole family. Karaoke at Firkin and Fox will liven up your evening. A new exhibit opens in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council. It’s in the same building as the Visitor’s Center. Celebrate your favorite saucy book at the Carson City Library. It’s Banned Book Week, and it’s surprising to see what books have been banned over the years.

The Dog Days of Summer have hit town, so grab your favorite four-legged friend and have fun. CASI is hosting the ‘pooch plunge’ at the Carson Aquatic Center so that your pooches can beat this late September heat. Join the Nevada Humane Society at Lake Tahoe Brewing Company for the first annual ‘Brew-paw.’ Adoptable pets, a raffle, and more await. Don’t miss out on the downtown walk Sunday following coffee and mimosas at Adele’s. The ‘wag-n-walk’ will end up at the Visitor’s Center where you will be rewarded with a special pet tag.

It’s a blast from the past weekend. Get started with some history at the Dangberg Home Historic Ranch with the Naughty Tea Mistresses. A walking tour of our haunted past begins at the corner of Third and Curry with the Downtown Ghost Walk. Celebrate Prohibition-style at the Brewery Arts Center: the annual Speakeasy Swing Dance Party wants to see you in your finest zoot suit or flapper dress. Head back to the Eighties at Living the Good Life; DJ Bobby G is spinning the hits from yesteryear.

The Northern Nevada Astronomical Group will conduct a star party and astronomy program at Washoe Lake State Park. There will be a short slide presentation and a variety of telescopes set up for viewing stars and planets. Participants should bring lawn chairs and a jacket since it will be cooler after dark. Red flashlights are recommended as they do not affect night vision.

I apologize, Carson City. You have some decisions to make. There is quite a bit going on whether you want something family friendly, adults only, indoors, outdoors, or a combination of it all. The weekly Farmers Market at Third and Curry St. is always a good way to start the weekend. Yummy food, a bounce house for the kids, and beautiful flowers are hard to argue with. Keep reading for enough fun to make your head spin!

SATURDAY:

• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• 21st Annual Silver Dollar Car Classic at Mills Park (8am-4pm show and shine, music, and vendors; Registration 8am-11am; Pancake Breakfast 8am-10:30am; Judging until 4pm)

Nevada's bats and the truth and legends around them will be the featured lecture at Washoe Lake State Park on Saturday, Aug. 1 In addition to seeing photos of some of the 1,232 species of bats found around the world, visitors will have the opportunity to hear the sounds that bats make as they hunt their prey.

Take a moonlit walk under a blue moon, the second full moon in the month of July, and learn about the history of Washoe Valley. This is a moderate, 2.5 mile hike through the sand dunes and dry lake bed. Bring a flashlight and good walking shoes. Sandals are not recommended.

It’s a great day for music in Carson City. Check out the Jazz Jam at Sassafras or bring an instrument to the Jam with Josh and Janera at the Firkin and Fox. Glen Eagles features Terri and Craig in the lounge for some, and you’ll find Lynne and Mick at Living the Good Life for dinner entertainment. Kick up your cowboy boots at Line Dancing lessons in the Eleventh Frame Lounge at Carson Lanes.
WEDNESDAY:

They look menacing and are usually seen walking around late at night on the desert floor. Learn all about scorpions during this week's campfire talk on Wednesday. Park Rangers will discuss types of scorpions in Nevada, how their venom works on victims and why they glow under a black light.

Participants in the annual Wildfire Awareness Half Marathon and 5K Runs in Washoe and Clark counties raised more than $15,000 for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

I hope you’re hungry, Carson City. Hungry and adventurous. The annual Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair hits Glen Eagles this weekend, and there will be plenty to sample. If you need something cold to drink, head to 7-ELEVEN for a free small slushee from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in celebration of Seven Eleven Day. The Farmers Market is always a good bet on Saturday mornings for sampling all the yummy stuff that grows nearby.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Young Eagle Flights (Weather Permitting; open to ages 8-17; registration 8am at the Airport Terminal Building, orientation 8:30am; free) Coffee and Donuts (8am-12pm, all welcome) at 2500 E. College Pkwy
• Garage Sale to benefit CASI (Carson Animal Shelter Initiative) at 611 Marsh Road, located at the end of East Fifth St. (8am-?)

The solstice couldn’t come at a better time: we need some long days to get through all the fun stuff Carson City has crammed into one weekend. The annual Powwow at the Stewart Indian School runs Friday through Sunday, so you’ll have plenty of time to see the dancing, peruse the crafts, and eat an Indian Taco. Don’t miss the Fly-in and Open House at the Carson City Airport: fun for the whole family. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of Carson City’s favorite events: the Taste of Downtown. Music, food, and more from Carson Mall to Williams Street. Have a great time, and be safe.

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.

It’s a good weekend for the arts. Consort Canzona presents a free concert on Sunday: “Madrigals and Dances: A Celebration of Renaissance Music.” The ‘Music Man’ wraps up its successful run at the Community Center. The Capital City Community Band performs old favorites at Western Nevada College. And you won’t want to miss the Zephyrus Brass Quintet on the Dangberg Ranch lawn.

SUNDAY:

Bundle up, Carson City. We aren’t afraid of a little wind, are we? The Dangberg Home Historic Ranch is celebrating our infamous Washoe Zephyr this weekend with kite making, demonstrations, and more. The Friends of the Silver Saddle Ranch would love to see you at their open house on Saturday; if you’re an early riser, join them on a 7 a.m. bird walk. The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is hosting their annual Cops and Kids Open House, so head to the courthouse for some fun.

SATURDAY:

• Bird Walk at the Silver Saddle Ranch: Carson River Road (7am)
• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)

The Washoe Valley Alliance will play host to a full day of festivities on Saturday, May 16, 2015 during the second annual Celebrate Washoe Valley event at Washoe Lake State Park.

Celebrate Washoe Valley is a special event created to help educate, inform and engage the community about the importance to maintain the natural beauty and preservation of the Washoe Valley.

The Washoe Valley Alliance will play host to a full day of festivities on Saturday, May 16, 2015 during the second annual Celebrate Washoe Valley event at Washoe Lake State Park.

Celebrate Washoe Valley is a special event created to help educate, inform and engage the community about the importance to maintain the natural beauty and preservation of the Washoe Valley. Admission is free to attendees courtesy of Washoe Lake State Park and guests will enjoy live music and complimentary food provided by the Boy Scouts.