I Love Carson City's Weekend Event Summary: Dec. 5-6

Have you been naughty or nice this year? You’ll have no problem finding Jolly Old St. Nick this weekend. At Debug Computers where, in exchange for a donation to Holiday with a Hero, you can get a photo with the man in red. The Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is a good place to grab a candy cane, some hot cocoa, and tell him what you’d like to find under the tree. Photographs with Santa are available at the Carson Mall Wednesday through Sunday. Genoa’s annual Breakfast with Santa has three seatings beginning at 8:30 a.m.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Country Christmas Craft Fair and Shopping at the Stagecoach Community Center: 8200 Hwy 50 East, Stagecoach (8am-3pm; Benefit for Crystal Pacheco)
• Breakfast with Santa at the Genoa Town Hall, Genoa (three seatings for Breakfast: 8:30am, 9:40am and 10:50am; $5, kids 4 and under free; Seating is limited; For details or to purchase tickets, contact the Genoa Town Office 775-782-8696 or stop by the office at 2289 Main St.)
• Carson Colony's Christmas Craft Fair in the gymnasium of Carson Colony: 2900 S. Curry St. (9am-7pm; Indian tacos and over 50 vendors)
• Food Drive and Sock and Glove Tree for Do Drop In at Evergreen Gene’s: 1811 N. Carson (9am-5pm)
• Dog Town Canine Rescue Holiday Jewelry Boutique in the Tahoe Room at the Courtyard by Marriott (9am-5pm)

Craft Fairs galore! The Carson Colony on S. Curry St. has over 50 vendors and yummy Indian Tacos. Carson Lanes hosts a craft fair all weekend. Dog Town Canine Rescue is hosting a fundraising Holiday Jewelry Boutique at the Courtyard at Marriot. Artists and artisans are showcased at St. Mary’s Art Center in Virginia City.

• Holiday Craft Fair at Browsers Corner Bookstore: 911 E. Washington (9:30am-6pm)
• Carson City Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Trains leave every half hour 10am-3pm; $5, children 2 and under who sit in an adult's lap are free; Refreshments, including hot cocoa, available for purchase from the Warren Engine Company)
• Pet Pictures with Santa to benefit CASI at Benson’s Feed: 2750 Hwy 50 East (10am-2pm; Pictures are $15, includes 4x6 printed copy and a digital copy to share)
• Nevada State Prison Preservation Society Member Meeting in the Courtroom of the Nevada State Prison (10am; If you are not a member, please consider joining us)
• Silver Saddle Ranch Holiday Open House at the Silver Saddle Ranch off Carson River Rd. (10am-2pm)
• Artists and Artisans Art Faire on the Comstock at St. Mary’s Art Center: 55 R St., Virginia City (10am-5pm; Winter Exhibit Artist Reception 12pm-5pm)
• Douglas Co. Historical Society Holiday Gala at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center: 1477 Hwy 395, Gardnerville (10am-5pm; Free admission; Take Selfies with Santa, Annual Cookie Walk downstairs from 10am until sold out)
• Nevada Day Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• Arlington Square Ice Rink (Sessions 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-10pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)
• Monthly meeting of F.E.A.T. (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) in the back room at Comma Coffee (10:30am)
• Hohl 4 the Holidays: Nevada Humane Society Adoption Event at Michael Hohl Subaru: 2910 S. Carson St. (11am-3pm; No adoption fees, All dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped)

Pet lovers are in for a treat. Grab your pooch and head to Benson’s Feed for pet photos with Santa; it will benefit the Carson Animal Shelter Initiative. If you are looking for a four-legged friend, then Michael Hohl is your best bet. They’ve teamed up with the Nevada Humane Society for an adoption event; all adoption fees are waived. Take the young reader in your life to the Carson City Library where they can read to a therapy dog and take home a free book during ‘Love on a Leash.’

• WARF Cat and Kitten Adoption Event at Petco on Topsy Lane (11am-4pm; all cats are fixed, vaccinated and micro-chipped)
• Pictures with Santa at Debug Computers: 591 S. Saliman Rd. Ste 2 (11am-2pm, first come first served; free picture in exchange for donation to ‘Holiday with a Hero’)
• Pictures with Santa at the Carson Mall (11am-6pm)
• Winter Craft Fair at Carson Lanes (11am-7pm)
• Candy Cane Express Train at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (12pm AND 2pm; $18/$9 kids)
• Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Tasting and Pairing Luncheon at the Bistro at Tahoe Ridge Winery (12pm-1:30pm; $20; RSVP 775-473-1790)
• Annual NHRA/NASCAR Party at Ed’s Doghouse (12pm)
• Love on a Leash: read to a therapy dog and receive a free book at the Carson City Library (1pm; ages 17 and younger; park at the Community Center or at Smith’s Grocery)
• Downtown Business Association's Wine Walk: sign up at Bella Fiore Wines, the Carson Nugget, Cactus Jacks, Carson Jewelry and Loan, Remedy's Bar, or Touched By Angels (1pm-5pm; $15)
• Vintage folk music by Hallie Kirk at Comma Coffee (1pm-5pm)
• Sierra Nevada Ballet Presents ‘Peanutcracker: The Story in a Nutshell’ at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center (2pm; $11/$6 kids)
• Babes In Toyland presented by Wild Horse Children’s Theater in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall (2pm; $10, $5 kids)
• Wine Tasting at Genoa Candy and Coffee in Carson Lanes (4pm-8pm; $5 for five tastes)
• "Festival of Lessons and Carols" Holiday Concert with Consort Canzona at the Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church: 3680 Hwy 395 S (5pm; free, donations welcomed)

Everyone loves a parade, and you have two to choose from. Virginia City’s Christmas on the Comstock parade begins at 5 p.m. The Parade of Lights in Douglas Co. begins at Heritage Park in Gardnerville and ends at Minden Park. If you head up earlier in the day, swing by the Douglas County Cultural Center and Museum for their annual holiday gala.

• 20th Annual Parade of Lights –begins at Eddy Street in Gardnerville, continues down Highway 395 to Esmeralda Avenue in Minden, down Esmeralda and finishes at Minden Park; after-party on Esmeralda Avenue and in the CVIC Hall (5pm-6:15pm; Hwy 395 will be closed between Buckeye and Waterloo 4pm until 6:15pm)
• Christmas on the Comstock: Virginia City Parade of Lights (5pm)
• Moonlight and Mistletoe Christmas Party in the Sagebrush Room of the Carson City Senior Center: 911 Beverly (5pm, dinner 6pm; $40, benefits the Meals on Wheels Program; dinner, dancing, raffle, silent auction)
• 10th Annual Holiday Open House at Quail Ridge Animal Hospital: 937 Mica Dr. Ste 18 (5pm-8pm)
• Live Music with Tom Miller at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint: 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd. (5:30pm-8:30pm; no cover)
• Holiday with a Hero Holiday Crawl in Downtown Carson City (6pm-11pm; $20, first drink will be free, then discounted drinks and food will be available at participating bars, restaurants, and booths)

--Live Music with the Whiskey Heroes at the Plaza St. Stage
--Live Music with Stereo Galaxy at the Telegraph Square Stage
--Live DJ at the Blue Bull AND at Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar in the Carson Nugget
--Acoustic Music with Adam Bergoch at Lake Tahoe Brewing Co.

Downtown is hopping today. The monthly Downtown Business Association wine walk begins at 1 p.m. and is always a blast. New this year is the Holiday Crawl, a fundraiser for Holiday with a Hero, which begins at 6 p.m. Vendors, live music, and costumes take over the side streets and food and drink specials are available all over.

• High Sierra Swing Dance Club Member Appreciation Dinner- Holiday Dance in the Brewery Arts Center Ballroom (Dinner catered by Mitch Tufts 6pm-7:30pm, $10 for non-members; Dance 7:30pm-10pm, $10)
• Star Party at Western Nevada College’s Observatory: 2699 Van Patten Ave (6pm-10:30pm; free; weather permitting -NOT open if it is snowing and/or there is snow on the roads)
• Dinner and Show: Elves in Tights to benefit Dayton Food Pantry in the Dayton Valley Country Club’s Banquet Room: 101 Palmer Drive, Dayton (6pm, doors open 5:30pm; $30, Must RSVP with Carol at 775-246-9622)
• Live Music at Bella Fiore Wine (6pm-9pm)
• Live Music with Catfish Carl at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (6pm-10pm)
• Live Music with Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher at Glen Eagles Restaurant (6:30pm-10:30pm)
• Sierra Nevada Ballet Presents ‘Peanutcracker: The Story in a Nutshell’ at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center (7pm; $11/$6 kids)
• Babes In Toyland presented by Wild Horse Children’s Theater in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall (7pm; $10, $5 kids)

Theater, dance, and music are easy to find this weekend. The talented kids of Wild Horse Children’s Theater are performing Babes in Toyland. A kid-friendly abbreviated version of the Nutcracker ballet can be found at the Community Center: Sierra Nevada Ballet presents ‘Peanutcracker: The Story in a Nutshell.’ The talented vocalists of Consort Conzona are giving a free concert at the Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church on Highway 395, just south of Best Buy.

• Live Acoustic Music: Mike Epps and Chris Harris with special guest Baer in the A to Zen ‘Zen Den’: 1803 N. Carson St. (6pm doors; 7pm start; $5 cover, you get $5 store credit)
• Live Music with Rebekah Chase at Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• Painting Class at Van Gogh and Vino (7pm-10pm; $30 per painter)
• Christmas in the Sierra Concert: David John and the Comstock Cowboys at Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City (7:30pm, doors open 6:30pm; $25/$15 kids)
• Live Music at Max Casino: formerly the Carson Station (8pm-12am)
• Live Music with the Whitehats at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• Rock’n N Bowl’n at Gold Dust West (8pm)
• Karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill (8pm)
• Karaoke with J and M Productions at Beercade: 1930 N. Carson St. (8pm)
• Karaoke at Westside Pour House (9pm)
• Dancing with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (9pm)
• Live DJ and Dancing at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm)

Exhausted yet? There’s still plenty of weekend left. Craft fairs at Carson Lanes and the Carson Colony are sure to have something for that hard to buy for person on your list. Fight the chill with chili at the Carson Bulldog Wrestling Club’s Chili Cook-off at Yogurt Beach. Dayton lights up its tree tonight at ‘Our Park,’ so dress in your ugliest sweater and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies at their ‘Small Town Christmas’ celebration.

SUNDAY:

• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Carson Colony's Christmas Craft Fair in the gymnasium of Carson Colony: 2900 S. Curry St. (9am-5pm; Indian tacos and over 50 vendors)
• Food Drive; Sock and Glove Tree for Do Drop In at Evergreen Gene’s: 1811 N. Carson (10am-5pm)
• Carson City Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Trains leave every half hour 10am-3pm; $5, children 2 and under who sit in an adult's lap are free; Refreshments, including hot cocoa, available for purchase from the Warren Engine Company)

Santa’s waiting for you at the Nevada State Railroad Museum: train rides begin every thirty minutes. I recommend that you don’t ask him for a Red Ryder BB Gun, though. Catch ‘A Christmas Story’ on the big screen at Galaxy Theater tonight if you don’t remember why.

• Arlington Square Ice Rink (Sessions 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-9pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)
• Spirit of Christmas Event at Gaia Wellness and Yoga: 1475 Hot Springs Rd. Ste 1 (10am-4pm; vendors and refreshments)
• Raiders Booster Club at the Eleventh Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes (vs Kansas City Chiefs; 10:05am; for more info contact Rick Good at 775-267-4271)
• Bingo fundraiser for CASI at Carson City Senior Center (doors 11am, 12:30pm-4pm; $10, must be 21+)
• Winter Craft Fair at Carson Lanes (11am- 4pm)
• Pictures with Santa at the Carson Mall (11am-5pm)
• Northern Nevada Corgis Meet and Greet at Fuji Park (12pm)
• Candy Cane Express Train at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (12pm AND 2pm; $18/$9 kids)
• Carson Bulldog Wrestling Club Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off at Yogurt Beach: 3228 N Carson St, Ste 5 (12pm Chili Drop Off, 12:30pm Celebrity Judging, 1pm Chili Feed until it’s all gone; Bowls are $4 for adults, $2 ages 12 and under)
• Sunday Funday: Free game of pool with drink purchase at Westside Pour House
• Carson City Historical Society Christmas Party and Annual Meeting at the Bliss Mansion (1-4pm; $30, RSVP to D. D. Spencer at 775-741-7897)
• All Ages Family Day: Painting Class at Van Gogh and Vino (1pm-4pm; $15 per painter)
• Weekly Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
• Babes In Toyland presented by Wild Horse Children’s Theater in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall (2pm; $10, $5 kids)
• Projections Photography Holiday Open House and Toys for Tots Drive: 251 Jeanell Drive (2pm-6pm)
• PoP Up Story time at the Carson City Library (2pm-2:20pm; park at the Community Center or at Smith’s Grocery)
• Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)

The Capital City Community Band’s annual winter concert is free at the Community Center: it’s sure to be ‘A Swinging Christmas.’ Sing-along to your favorite carols at the Carson City Library’s Holiday Karaoke.

• Holiday Karaoke Sing-along Party at the Carson City Library (3pm-5pm; park at the Community Center or at Smith’s Grocery)
• ’A Swinging Christmas’ Free Concert with the Capital City Community Band at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center (3pm-5pm)
• Pre-Christmas Prime Rib Dinner and Tree Trimming Party at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (doors open 4:30pm; $25, includes salad, dinner, and dessert at 5pm; dinner seating limited, please RSVP for dinner; Bring an ornament and receive a free cocktail)
• A Small Town Christmas: Caroling, Tree Lighting, Santa, and Ugly Sweater Contest at Our Park in Dayton (5pm-8pm; bring a gently used coat or non-perishable food for a chance to be the official tree lighter)
• Wine Glass Candle Holder Painting Class at Van Gogh and Vino (7pm-9:30pm; $30 per painter)
• Classic Movie Night: A Christmas Carol at Galaxy Theater –Fandango (7pm; $7, or $15 for two people and a large popcorn)

Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.

My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go here for events beyond Monday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ here on Carson Now. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information. If you have an event that I have overlooked, feel free to send me an email at ILoveCarsonCityNV@gmail.com.