weekends

The 2016 Virginia & Truckee Railroad season chugs full steam ahead starting Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29. Authentic period steam trains ride through the heart of Nevada’s 1860s silver boom towns where legends of the Wild West were born and live on today along the original 16-mile route between Carson City and Virginia City, Nevada.

As the curtain rises on a stage full of tap-dancing feet this May, audiences will applaud one of the grandest, most intense celebrations of musical theater released on Broadway.

It is the quintessential song-and-dance spectacular, 42nd Street. The award-winning Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company presents the musical at the Carson City Community Center, weekends, May 6 through 15.

A road safety audit that the Federal Highway Administration released this week for U.S. Highway 50 in Meyers, Calif., documents safety concerns for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians that agencies are now working together and with the public to improve through the Meyers Corridor Project.

As the curtain rises on a Carson City stage full of tap-dancing feet this May, audiences will applaud one of the grandest, most intense celebrations of musical theater released on Broadway. It is the quintessential song-and-dance spectacular, "42nd Street."

What a wonderful community we live in. Music, theater, hiking, biking, wining, dining, walking, TED-talking, animal loving, state governing, and so much more are available in our valley. The days are getting longer and there is so much in store for us in the coming weeks and months as we journey into summer. Take a good gander at my list of what’s going on in the Carson City area. It is always arranged chronologically by start time.

SATURDAY:

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Representatives from Michael Hohl Subaru in Carson City presented Katie Leao, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada with a check in the amount of $7,685 Tuesday, March 29, from the Subaru Share the Love event which took place from Nov 19, 2015 through Jan. 2, 2016.

In a surprising change of events, once former candidate for Carson City Mayor, Chris Carver, today rescinded his withdrawal letter filed last Friday. NRS 293.202(2) allows candidates to rescind a withdrawal of candidacy within 7 days (weekends excluded), of the last day for filing (March 18th). The Carson City Clerk accepted the "Rescission of Withdrawal of Candidacy at 1:31PM this afternoon.

Wild Horse Children's Theater wants YOU to take a magical journey to "A Whole New World" in our summer production of Disney's "Aladdin, Jr., at the Carson City Community Center. Auditions are open to those ages 5-18.

Auditions will be held Thursday, April 14 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall at 511 W. King Street in Carson City. Performances are weekends July 1 - 10, 2016.

What’s a cat to do? Wild Horse Children’s Theater is proud to present Disney’s The Aristocats, Kids at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall at 511 W. King Street in Carson City. Performances are weekends March 11-20, Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm & 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm.

Local business and area non-profit join forces in a new fundraising effort. Dutch Bros. is sponsoring a Dutch Luv Day to benefit Food For Thought in Carson City. This Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2016, Dutch Bros. will donate $1 to Food For Thought for every drink purchased at the Carson City location during their regular business hours:5 am till 11 pm.

For more than two decades, the historic mining town of Virginia City, Nev. has gone nuts over St. Patrick's Day weekends. Literally. The Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, known around these parts as the Comstock's own testicle festival, is a play on words.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum offers a world class opportunity for photographers to bring their cameras back in time, taking shots of historic railway equipment in a spectacular and authentic setting. Join us in Ely, Nevada to photograph perfectly preserved engines, rolling stock, buildings and a remote setting that perfectly captures the era when railroads ruled the west.

This weekend is your last opportunity to experience Carson City Historical Society's "Teapots and Such" exhibit. Creamers, sugar bowls, and other tea accessories are on display. Teapots for this exhibit are different from those shown last July.

Just about every night is family game night at Nerdvana, a local gaming supply and collectibles store in east Carson City.

Store co-owner Jim Williamson describes he and his son’s venture as a family and veteran-oriented business that specializes in providing a venue for table top games.

“The business model is community,” he said. “People can come in and use the tables at no charge. It’s a place for them to bring their families” for role-playing games and tournaments.

Why is The Godfather so popular among conservative men?

A Mafia film with some famously violent scenes and dealing with the problems of a family of criminals? A story that ends with the underworld boss fully in control after dispatching his enemies with extreme prejudice?

True, the earnest opening lines are: “I love America. America has made my fortune.” An awesome beginning, but that’s not the reason.

Much of the reason lies with the backstory we heard about how Francis Ford Coppola came to produce and direct the film and co-author its script with Mario Puzo, who wrote the book.

Celebrating its 27th year, the popular Santa Train took a new approach to this year’s programming by enhancing the event with upgraded amenities, expanding to 3 weekends, and optimizing participation by launching a new online ticketing system.

Dr. Todd Gray, DDS and Dr. Heather Parsons, DMD of Valley Pediatric Dentistry, thought this year provided an outstanding opportunity to assist the museum’s efforts by encouraging local businesses to help sponsor the event through donations for holiday decorations and supplies not provided by the museum budget.

Food For Thought, Inc. in Carson City published its annual Holiday Letter and announced its 2014/2015 distribution numbers. During the 2014/2015 school year, Food For Thought’s Backpack Program distributed 13,509 bags of food that contained 54,036 meals to food insecure elementary, middle and high school children in Carson City. In the summer of 2015, the program provided free lunches to children at two locations within Carson City. The innovative 2015 Summer Program served over 4,500 meals.

Semper fidelis is more than just the motto of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). It is a phrase to live by. Every year since 1948, the USMC has faithfully delivered Christmas joy to millions of needy children around the country.
That faithfulness will stand to benefit around 3,000 children this year in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

The Polar Express on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad has sold out for the fifth consecutive year, with more than 15,000 passengers securing rides to the North Pole.

A wait list sign-up is available online here that could offer a last chance to ride the Polar Express in 2015. Tickets for next year’s holiday train go on sale in August 2016.

Heritage trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, a capital tradition, are all set for the holiday season.

Trains operate during the weekends of December 5-6, December 12-13, and December 19-20. To order your tickets now click the "Get Tickets" tab on the NSRM Facebook page here.

Carson City is about to see the unveiling of its newest downtown eatery, Mystique Restaurant and Lounge.

Owner Yvette Barrett has had her work cut out for her. It has taken three months of major renovations to get the space at 318 North Carson Street — formerly home to the Sassafras restaurant — ready to open the first week of December.

The new upgrades, paint, carpet, fixtures, equipment and flooring are intended to create an atmosphere that is warm, elegant and welcoming, Barrett said.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum transforms into Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book, The Polar Express, this Christmas season.

Children of all ages are welcome on a special ride from Ely, Nev. to the North Pole. Hot chocolate and cookies are served while listening to the Polar Express story and music from the Polar Express soundtrack.

Santa’s helpers are on board, and Santa Claus awaits the train’s arrival at the North Pole, where he presents children with the special gift of a silver bell.

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company gets into the festive spirit beginning Friday with a magical production to marks its 25th season with the Broadway blockbuster musical "Mary Poppins."

“The entire company is bursting with excitement for this production,” said producer and director Stephanie Arrigotti. “Anyone who has seen the stage version of this show will understand their excitement.”

Happy Wednesday, Carson City. One of my favorite weekends of the year is just around the corner. Nevada Day is something special here in the capital city: the parade, beard contest, fam fest, and so much more. Go here for the official Nevada Day website and here for a schedule of events, courtesy of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce. Parade day falls on Oct. 31 this year, and when that happens, trick or treating in Carson City gets bumped up a day to Friday. If you can’t wait that long to wear your costume, head to Carson Lanes for their Halloween Line Dance Party.

WEDNESDAY:

• Artists Walter McNamara and Lynda Yuroff featured in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

If you are a newcomer to our area or if you have never been there, fall is a great time of the year to visit Apple Hill, one of our favorite destinations. And, if you are a newcomer, about now you are probably wondering, “What and where in the heck is Apple Hill?”

As the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company celebrates its 25th anniversary with a long-awaited production of “Mary Poppins,” weekends, Nov. 6 through 21, the company is also reflecting on the impact it has made in Northern Nevada.

In addition to the high quality theatre that it has offered the region, many former student/performers have gone on to careers in Hollywood, on Broadway, in academia and more.

Carson City Pumpkin Patch
October 10th through October 30th
Good old fashioned fun for the whole family!
NO Admission Fee
Games and Face Painting – some weekdays and on weekends
Special Nevada Day Party on October 30th

4849 Cochise Street south Carson – two blocks south of Clear View Drive, just off 395 – Look for the Great Pumpkin!

Monday through Saturday: 10:00 am. - 6:00 pm.
Sunday: 11:00 to 6:00
Call: 775-291-7631
Facebook page: Red Horse Ranch LLC

Remote Area Medical, an organization dedicated to providing free, quality health care services, will host free pop-up clinics during the next two weekends for adults and children in Lyon County and Carson City.

There are no eligibility requirements and identification isn't necessary. Services are provided on a first come basis. The first pop-up clinic will be this weekend in Yerington, Oct. 9-11, and the second will be in Carson City the following weekend, Oct. 16-18.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the first week of fall beginning Sept. 23, 2015 and beyond. Nevada Department of Wildlife fishing reports for Western Nevada waters are not included.

Do you like shopping, Carson City? Check out the Vintage Fair at Du Sorrella downtown. The last Farmers Market of the season is at Third and Curry, so get your fix of fresh fruits, veggies, honey and more before the leaves fall. Wild Horse Children’s Theater is hosting a huge Warehouse and Multi-family sale; if you need a Halloween costume, you won’t want to miss it. The Teixeira Pavilion at Mills Park is where you’ll find the Autumn Earth Spirit Faire with vendors, workshops, and more.