wine

Can you believe that it’s the last day of April? The last few months have zipped right along while we were waiting for winter, but now it’s time to start embracing spring before summer arrives. The annual Genoa Cowboy Festival kicks off tonight with a Barn Dance and Bar-be-que, and Virginia City hosts its famous Chili on the Comstock competition this weekend, but Carson City has a great line up of fun for you, as well, this weekend. Start out with some great live music tonight with the Trippin King Snakes at Carson Cigar Co., Chris Costa at Living the Good Life, or Glen Eagle’s regulars, Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher.

THURSDAY:

• Outdoor Pools: Half-Price for Everyone at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm)
• Fifth Annual Dining Out For Life at Adele’s (25% of proceeds donated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)

Today is Denim Day. Get the blue jeans out and help raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Thanks to Advocates to End Domestic Violence, custom, handmade denim coffee sleeves will be placed on the cups of coffee purchased throughout the day at local Carson City coffee houses: Comma Coffee, Carson Coffee, San Rafael Coffee Company, the Roasting House in Virginia City, and the Pony Espresso in Dayton. For more information on AEDM go here.

WEDNESDAY:

• Denim Day for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts

Tuesdays are an excellent day for a stroll. Carson City Parks and Recreation and Muscle Powered both offer a guided walk/hike along one of our valley’s many trails. This morning enjoy beautiful views from the Virginia and Truckee Trail on the west side of Carson; it is also an excellent trail for biking. Later today, tag along with Muscle Powered for something more challenging. They will be exploring around Centennial Park on the far northeast side of Carson City. Check out BikeCarson.org for some great pictures and overviews of area trails, or go here for the Carson City website’s list of public trails.
TUESDAY:

• Carson City Sheriff’s Office’s Crosswalk Safety Operation
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Just remind yourself that these April showers bring May flowers, and the balmy spring weather is returning in just a few days. This weekend has indoor and outdoor activities aplenty, so you can choose the degree of wind and rain you want to deal with.

Friday at last! Are you ready for live music, dancing, and comedy? Check out the list below to get the low down on all that Carson City has to offer today.

FRIDAY:

• Last Day: ‘The Observation and Conclusion’ by artist Joseph Watson at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building
• ’The Driest State: Nevada Watersheds’ by artist Nolan Preese at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)
• Everything Half-off at Browser's Corner Book Store: 711 E. Washington (9:30am-6pm)

Do you feel like I do, Carson City? If you love living here, than the answer is yes. It’s Wednesday in our fair capital city and that means jazz and blues: jazz jam tonight at Sassafras and lunchtime blues and Americana at Comma Coffee. If you’re feeling a little bit country, than head over to Carson Lanes for some line dance instruction in the Eleventh Frame Lounge. For those of you in Dayton, may I suggest you see what the talented students at Dayton High are up to: their annual Night of the Arts is open to the community and showcases art, theater, music, and culinary savvy.

WEDNESDAY: Earth Day

• Nevada Arts Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts
• Last day: ‘Always Lost: A Meditation on War’ in the Second Floor Atrium of the Legislature Building

The Stewart Indian School is the site of today’s ‘Easy Walk’ led by the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department. If you can’t join them this morning, make a point of exploring this treasure on your own. A podcast is available to guide you through the history of the site, complete with narratives from some who spent their youth there. Memorabilia from the school is on display at the Nevada State Museum and plans for a cultural center are in the works. Their cemetery is the final resting place of one of the area’s most famous Native American residents, basket-maker, Dot-so-la Lee. For more information on the Stewart Indian School go here.
TUESDAY:

• Nevada Tourism Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• ‘Always Lost: A Meditation on War’ in the Second Floor Atrium of the Legislature Building

You have to adapt to changes in life or you won't survive, a Lake Tahoe area ski resort management executive and Tahoe South stalwart John Rice told business leaders this week at a Lake Tahoe Community College forum.

"Change is happening, Clearly we're in a drought, whether it's here for short term, or long term, time will tell," said Rice, the vice president and general manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe, long considered one of the nation's best managed, economically and environmentally efficient ski resorts. "The ski industry has the most to lose in a drought."

What gorgeous weather we have this weekend! Head over to Eagle Valley Middle School for a rummage sale benefiting their LEGO Robotics Team; you may find something fun for your patio. The Spring Fling Stop and Shop at the Plaza Hotel will help you spruce up your wardrobe. Or head up to Silver City for the big closing sale at Doodad’s Emporium. If you find yourself in Gardnerville, the First Annual Summer Splendor Showcase and Expo features vendors galore.

SATURDAY:

• Last Day to buy tickets for High Sierra Swing Dance Club Spring Ball Dinner and Dance on April 25 ($35; To reserve a will-call ticket, call Rika at 530-307-8937 or Idie at 775-443-8870 by; no tickets will be sold at the door.)
• Escape From Prison Hill Half Marathon and 10K begins at the Silver Saddle Ranch (8am-12pm; Half-Marathon: Packet Pickup/Race Day: $50, 10K: Packet Pickup/Race Day: $40)

The Carson City Band Association, Inc. is proud to host its 12th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser. All proceeds raised at this event will benefit the Carson High School Band programs. Your support helps these vital programs remain strong for our future musicians.

Students in these programs gain more than a finer appreciation of music. They also learn teamwork, discipline, confidence and leadership. This years' Wine Tasting will be held Saturday, April 25, at the Empire Ranch Golf Club on Fairway off Highway 50 East beginning at 5 p.m.

Are you looking for a good time tonight? You’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s live music, comedy, karaoke, swing dancing, or the monthly World Dance Open Floor performance, Carson City has something for everyone. The inaugural Cinderella Father-Daughter Dance is at Carson High School tonight, so grab your favorite princess(es) and enjoy a night of magic.

FRIDAY:

• Capital City Farm Days Celebrates All Things Agriculture at Fuji Park (8am-2pm; free, open to the public)
• Final Day of ’Second Skin’ by artist Sarah Lillegard at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• Last Day to get $12 Vouchers for the Reno Aces vs. Albuquerque game Sunday at Mark Twain Elementary School, 2111 Carriage Crest Drive

What’s up, Carson City? Hopefully you’ve got your taxes wrapped up for the year. If you’ve left it until the last moment, you can get them filed online or head to the post office until 5 p.m.; for those who need a last minute postmark, the Reno Main Post Office at 2000 Vassar Street will accept tax returns for postmarking up to 12 midnight.

WEDNESDAY: Tax Day

• Oral Health Awareness Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts
• ‘The Observation and Conclusion’ by artist Joseph Watson at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

This Tuesday is a day for celebrating. You can choose to celebrate Library Week with a look at an amazing collection of old west memorabilia. Cake awaits at the fourteenth anniversary program of Mile High Jazz at Comma Coffee, in addition to some great musicians and vocalists. Or help Youth Theater Carson City celebrate the end of their third season of performances with a fun-filled night of entertainment, raffles, awards and more at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center.

• TUESDAY:
• Williams Street Entrance to Mills Park closed
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Where to begin? How about with a Slurpee? 7-Eleven is having a ‘bring your own cup’ day and if your vessel fits through a ten inch cut-out hole, then you can fill it up for $1.49. Get creative! Take that slushy treat with you to the kick-off of the Carson City BMX season at the Livermore Sports Complex. Play some games at Nerdvana as they celebrate International Tabletop Day, or enjoy the bounce house, face painting, games and more at the WNC Deaf Fun Day to cap off Deaf Pride Week.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Young Eagle Flights (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
• Gigantic Sale to benefit local charities at St Paul's Lutheran: 1201 N. Saliman (8am-1:30pm; fill a bag $3 starts at 12pm)
• Spring Craft and Vendor Faire at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church: 1837 Mountain St. (9am-3pm, free)

Tickets are going fast for the Sixth Annual V&T Wine, Cheese and Dessert Train, sponsored by the Carson Tahoe Health Auxiliary.

The V&T train event will be held on Saturday, April 18, departing Carson City Eastgate Depot at 10 a.m. for a trip through the Comstock to Virginia City. The train will return to Carson City at 4 p.m. Tickets are $70 per person. Your ticket includes: Wine, Cheese and Dessert to and from Virginia City.

We are now 100 days into the year 2015; where does the time go? Hopefully, with help from my list, you've spent it exploring the food, drink, music, theater, art, museums, and outdoor fun stuff that Carson City has to offer. Let me tell you, there’s plenty of fun to come! Tonight, you can check out Mo’z Motley Blues at the Brewery Arts Center or the Whitehats at Westside Pour House. It’s also opening night for the kids of Youth Theater Carson City: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the Community Center at 7 p.m.

FRIDAY:

• Carson School District Spring Break
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)
• ’Second Skin’ by artist Sarah Lillegard at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Wednesdays are such a good day for music in Carson City. Lunchtime blues at Comma Coffee, Three Olives and a Twist leading the Jazz Jam at Sassafras, tunes to dine by at Z’ Bistro, Glen Eagles, and Living the Good Life. Shake yourself out of the mid-week doldrums with some Line Dancing at Carson Lanes. Check out the list for all your options.

WEDNESDAY:

• Carson School District Spring Break
• Latino Lobby Day at the Legislature
• Customer Appreciation Month: free glazed donut with medium drink at Dunkin Donuts

There are plenty of things to do today; if you don't believe me, just take a look at the list! After enjoying a free spirits tasting at Red’s this afternoon, stick around for a movie with the Carson City Classic Cinema Club. This month is ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy:’ a 1965 Charlton Heston flick about Michelangelo and the painting of the Sistine Chapel.

Court Appointed Special Advocates is holding an information hour this evening for those who would like more information on how to volunteer.

TUESDAY:

• Carson School District Spring Break
• Customer Appreciation Month: free small iced tea today at Dunkin Donuts
• Father-Daughter Cinderella Ball Tickets Available at the Carson High School Admission Desk (8am-2pm; $25, $5 additional princess)

It’s a good weekend to be a kid in Carson City. Easter egg hunts, bounce houses, fun and games abound: I’ve made family friendly events easy to find by putting them in bold in the list. It’s a good weekend to be an adult, as well, with the Downtown Business Association wine walk and a few adults-only egg hunts.

WINE WALK! Are you excited? Of course you are. Last month broke records with the number of participants at the Downtown Business Association wine walk, so let’s keep up the momentum and head downtown for Carson City’s best monthly event. The flowers are blooming and that makes our capital city that much more beautiful to meander through. Fun fact: It’s National Walk Around Things Day, so downtown is the perfect destination. Grab your friends and family and plan on a great afternoon.

Please join us for our 2015 Community Leader of the Year Ceremony and Benefit honoring our First Lady Kathleen Sandoval for her service and dedication to youth and families in Carson City.

First Lady Sandoval has worked as an advocate of foster youth, children and families in-need in Carson City and Northern Nevada. Ron Wood Family Resource Center will honor the First Lady on May 16 from 2pm – 6pm at the Governor’s Mansion.

Busy weekend ahead! It’s a wine walk weekend in addition to the Easter festivities, but don't let Friday pass you by. Head to Sassafras tonight to catch the Trippin King Snakes or Living the Good Life for music by Jamie Rollins. If it’s laughs you're after, First Friday Improv at the Brewery Arts Center will have you in stitches or head to the Carson Nugget for comedy night with this week’s funnyman, Huck Flyn.

Come experience your creative side with friends while enjoying a glass of wine? We provide all the materials, you only need to bring yourself and your open mind for fun and creativity! Artist Mark Tompkins will guide you every step of the way as you create your own Watercolor masterpiece all in one evening. Space is limited and the fee includes your first glass of wine or beer with a bar available to you throughout the process. April 18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm $45 per person.

The Carson Valley Pops Orchestra will present an eclectic mix of music and announce the 2015 Scholarship winners at their Annual Spring Concert on April 11 at the 7pm at the Carson Valley CIVC Hall.
Led by Conductor Bill Zabelsky and Assistant Conductor Stephanie Reynolds, local musicians will delight you with their zesty line up of Bacchanal (from "Samson and Delilah"), Pavane for a Dead Princess by Ravel, Irish Tune from County Derry and American Patrol.  Back by popular demand is Bugler's Holiday featuring the Pops' trumpet section

It is now April. There is still hope for some late season storms, but the flowers blooming around town are ready for spring now. In this area, the weather seems to be whatever you aren't prepared for, so don’t put away those winter clothes just yet, and keep an eye on the weather report: a hard frost can undo the hard work you've put into your garden.

Watch out, Carson City, April Fools Day brings mischief. Today also brings some cooler temperatures and wind gusts, but that’s no reason to stay at home. Plenty of live music tonight.

It may be a day for pranks, but child abuse is no joke; join the Advocates to End Domestic Violence at the Legislature for the annual planting of Pinwheels for Prevention.

Get a glimpse of the world beyond at the Carson City Library: Dixie and Rob Jennings-Teats discuss their time living in Indonesia and Malaysia.

WEDNESDAY:

Huck Flyn has worked with such stars as, Rob Schneider, Elaine Boozler, Margaret Cho, Vic Dunlop, Brad Garrett, Kevin Nealon, Bobby Slayton, Chris Titus, along with music acts such as, Joe Walsh, Eddie Money, Johnny Rivers, Three Dog Night, Lone Star & many, more.

Huck’s first comedy gig was opening for The Amazing Jonathon and his second gig was opening for Bill Engvall; not a bad start. Flyn, who brought his guitar and musical talent into the act, was an instant hit.

Yesterday was a day for walking in the park, but today is a day for Walken: Christopher Walken, that it. Happy birthday to him. (Go here for more cowbell.) If you are interested in a nice stroll though, join Carson City Parks and Recreation for their Tuesday morning ‘Easy Walk.’ If you want more of a challenge, Muscle Powered has a moderate conditioning hike in the afternoon.

The horticulture world is fascinating with many topics to explore. Did you know that “the average carrot travels over 1,800 miles to get to our dinner plate?” Or that “93 percent of our food dollar pays processors, packagers, distributors, wholesalers, truckers and the rest of the infrastructure that a global food system demands?”

Finally, with the fact that “preschool children served home-grown produce are more than twice as likely to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day as kids who rarely eat home-grown produce,” more people are interested in growing their own.

The sun is shining, the flowers blooming, the birds chirping, the wind gusting, and Carson City is hopping! Easter fun can be found this weekend at the annual EGGstravaganza at Carson Tahoe Medical Center, the Children’s Museum, the Carson Mall, and the Brewery Arts Center.

Head over to Mills Park for the Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration, complete with military vehicles, exhibits, and more. For demonstrations from soldiers with an even older history, the Nevada Civil War Volunteers will be in Dayton Saturday.