Beginners

Head to bed early tonight, the Great Reno Balloon races are best enjoyed by early risers. Not to be outdone, Virginia City has discovered that camels and emus are even more hilarious to race. You’ve got plenty to look forward to this weekend, but don’t discount today. Jimmy Mallett will sing you back to yesteryear at Living the Good Life. You’ll get your motor running at Battle Born Harley Davidson’s weekly bike night.

THURSDAY:

Six years ago, shots rang out and Carson City was thrust into the middle of a tragedy. Four people died in the IHOP shooting, three of them National Guard members. Today, they will be honored again during the annual Remembrance Run. If you are driving along Fairview, please give them some extra room. Wheeled Truck Wednesday at the Brewery Arts Center is a ‘weather permitting’ event, so keep your eye out for rain clouds.

It’s back to school and back to work, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Get your kicks on the dance floor in Carson Lanes’ Eleventh Frame Lounge; DJ Bobby will teach you how to line dance. The Classic Cinema Club presents Edmond O'Brien and Pamela Britton in ‘D.O.A.’ Get there at 6:30 p.m. for discussion and film trivia. For the true trivia junkies, the Fox Brewpub hosts DJ Trivia tonight – all ages are welcome and there are prizes at stake. Halloween lovers of all ages will want to participate in the upcoming production of ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ at Piper’s Opera House.

Labor Day commemorates the men and women whose sweat made this such a great country and has been a national holiday since 1894. Celebrate this unofficial end-of-summer with a trip to the lake, a backyard bar-be-que, the parade in Virginia City, or one of the many fun events going on around town. Head over to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for their annual Inter-faith Potluck Picnic and don’t forget to bring some silverware and something yummy to share.

MONDAY: Labor Day

The great thing about Labor Day weekend is that it just keeps going. The Best in the West Rib Cook-off offers up family fun, live music, and plenty of bar-be-qued delights all the way through Monday. For those with younger kids, consider a day at Mills Park. This is the last weekend for summertime train rides through the cottonwoods. Join Muscle Powered at Silver Saddle Ranch by the Carson River for a bike or hike this morning. Bring water and a camera, you never know what wildlife will make an appearance.

SUNDAY:

Summer is holding on for dear life, and sending a miniature heat wave our way for this long weekend. For those of you not in Black Rock City, the Carson City region offers plenty of recreation and entertainment. Downtown will be hopping with the Farmers Market, monthly Wine Walk, and this season’s last outdoor concert at the Brewery Arts Center – and that’s just Saturday! Keep reading for three days of good times.

SATURDAY:

In the blink of an eye, a three-day weekend will be here. No need to wait for the Best of the West Rib Cook-off, though – bar-be-que is already on the menu in Sparks’ Victorian Square. Dangberg Historic Home Ranch is hosting the last of its Twilight Concerts of the season, so grab a picnic dinner and the family for some live music in a beautiful setting. You don’t need a motorcycle to enjoy Battle Born Harley Davidson’s Bike Night – their full bar is a fun time, no matter your wheel count.

THURSDAY:

Welcome to Wednesday, Carson City. The middle of the week may be known as hump day, but the Brewery Arts Center wants it to be something to look forward to. Wheeled Food Wednesday features family fun, community, and plenty of yummy eats from local food trucks. It’s generally thought that Carson City was named after Kit Carson, but that’s only partially true. The Carson River was named for the explorer, while Carson City was named for the river that runs through it. Learn more about this important high desert watershed at Dayton State Park.

Labor Day weekend approaches. In addition to being a wine walk weekend in lovely downtown Carson City, the annual Best in the West Rib Cook-off in Sparks and Virginia City’s Civil War Days promise to make it a weekend packed with fun. Join Parks and Recreation for an easy walk through our historical east side or get your heart rate up with Muscle Powered this afternoon as they trek through Voltaire Canyon. Job seekers may find what they're looking for at the Carson Nugget: all experience levels are welcome for their Job Fair featuring several casino, hotel, and restaurant openings.

It’s the Wildcats turn to head back to campus. The fall semester at Western Nevada College kicks off today. The Reading Partners Program is welcoming volunteers that would like to lend a hand to kids learning to read. Attend their short seminar today and you’ll be on your way helping instill a love of reading to the next generation. Get on the dance floor at Carson Lanes. You’ll find a beginner’s swing dance class, one for intermediate dancers, and a few hours of open dancing to show off your new moves.

MONDAY:

Weekends fly by way too quickly. Enjoy the last few days of August with a ride to Virginia City aboard the Virginia and Truckee Steam Train. Take a peek inside the historic Wungnema House on the east side of Mills Park, courtesy of the Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation. If you are over 21, try your hand at BINGO in the Carson City Senior Center. Even if you aren’t a big winner, the Meals on Wheels program benefits from your afternoon of fun.

SUNDAY:

You’ll see some pretty interesting vehicles on the road these next few days, as travelers from all over head to Burning Man. If you aren’t off to the Playa yourself, there will be plenty of fun around town to keep you and your family occupied. The second annual Family Fun Day in Mills Park is your best bet for kids of all ages. This week’s free concert at Brewery Arts Center features the Dusty Green Bones. Don’t forget your dancing shoes; they’re sure to keep you on your feet.

SATURDAY:

As Carson City becomes more bike-friendly, it is important that residents and visitors are able to safely navigate around our community by bike. While having bike lanes and paths is one part of creating a bike-friendly community, it’s also important for people on bicycles to understand how to ride safely.

The question of the day at the Nevada State Museum is ‘who.’ Jenni Jeffers, a wildlife biologist, will answer that question at this month’s lecture focusing on the nearly dozen species of owls that call Nevada home. Those over 55 are in for a treat: the Carson City Hot Springs is offering free admission to their outdoor pools today. It may be a nice enough evening for patio karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar, but if not, there is plenty of room inside for everyone that wants to take a turn at the mic.

THURSDAY:

I’m really hoping for rain. Unfortunately, rain brings thunder and lightning with it, and we are already suffering the effects of lightning. Thanks and praises to the men and women fighting the fire in Voltaire Canyon and for all of your hard work keeping those neighborhoods safe. Smoke may be bad around the valley, so find something indoors to enjoy: our plethora of art exhibits and galleries offer up something beautiful. Hit the road with Smokey and the Bandit at Galaxy Theater. If you have an interest in the digital arts, the Wired Wednesday group meets tonight at Paradise Salon. On the agenda is a discussion of their upcoming short film competition and a recap of last week’s Jukebox International Film Festival.

WEDNESDAY:

We are starting to see a little bit of a cool down, which makes a summer stroll all the more enjoyable. Join the Friends of the Nevada State Museum for a walking tour along the blue line; you’ll learn more about this historical district and the people who lived there. The Kings Canyon Waterfall is always spectacular, and today’s Muscle Powered Conditioning Hike will take you there and show off some amazing views of our valley. Thinking caps are optional at the Fox Brewpub during tonight’s DJ Trivia.

TUESDAY:

What a day we have in store. Sure, it’s off to school for the kids in Carson City, but this will be a day to remember for another reason, the solar eclipse. A huge swath of our country will see a total solar eclipse, but here in Carson City, only 81 percent of totality will be achieved. That means there is NO time that you can look at the sun without risking injury. I repeat: do NOT look directly at the sun. The Jazz and Beyond Music Festival bids farewell to another year with a free concert in McFadden Plaza featuring the talented members of the Mile High Jazz Band.

The concerts in the Capital Amphitheater have always been a local favorite: blanket and a picnic are all you need to make the most of this Sunday afternoon. Flashback to yesteryear at the Virginia City ‘Way it Was Rodeo.’ The Trippin King Snakes take the stage at the Genoa Bar Porch Party. Food and drink will be available, and it’s a great way to wind down the weekend.

SUNDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

Make this weekend something special. School starts up on Monday and it will be Halloween before we blink an eye. The Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival at Battle Born Harley boasts a full day of live music, vendors, activities and family fun. Bowers Mansion plays host to the annual Bluegrass Festival – bring a picnic and enjoy. Downtown Carson City will see the first of three monthly Beer Crawls; if you get there early, head over to Remedy’s to witness their yearly Bloody Mary Competition. There is something for everyone this weekend, so keep reading and find your fun.

It’s a wine-walking kind of day: join in the thirsty Thursday fun in downtown Gardnerville and stick around for the coffee and dessert after-party in Heritage Park. Sneak in an afternoon musical getaway with No Comprende at the Carson Mall. Take a melodious trip around the world with Tom Green: instruments from all over are the focus of a lecture and concert tonight at the Brewery Arts Center. Keep reading and let Thursday surprise you.

THURSDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

This summer is flying by and the fun is heating up.

The Jazz and Beyond Music Festival has buddied up with something new this year. Today and tomorrow, the Jukebox International Film Festival features fifteen contestants competing in four categories. Youth Theater Carson City and Western Nevada Musical Theater alum, Grant Davis, is back in town to show support for ‘Something Like Summer,’ the Australian musical he stars in. Make sure you’re in McFadden Plaza around 5 p.m. Davis will be performing songs from the movie and music from his debut album on the Third Street Stage.

I’ve got some bad news for the kids in Douglas County – it’s back to school for you today. Carson kids still have one last week to enjoy their summertime freedom and Lyon County has until Aug. 31. Don’t let Monday get you down, though, there’s still plenty to enjoy. Head down to Carson Lanes for beginning and intermediate swing dance lessons, then stick around to put your new moves to the test. The Jazz and Beyond Music Festival continues with a free outdoor concert in McFadden Plaza.

The Silver Saddle Ranch is always beautiful, but an afternoon filled with live bluegrass and western music, food, and family fun, makes today’s ‘A Day at the Ranch’ your best bet. Beat the heat up at Lake Tahoe as the Annual Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival wraps up its competition at Kings Beach. Learn some Dutch Oven cooking tips at Mormon Station State Park, just get their before all of their breakfast casserole and bacon bomb samples are gone. Read on for even more things to do.

SUNDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

The valley is alive with the sound of music: the Jazz and Beyond Music Festival, to be specific. Just about everywhere you go, you’ll be treated to something to soothe the soul or get the toes tapping. Get the kids up early for the Young Eagle Flights at the Carson City Airport – they’re free, but you need to be on time for registration. Keep reading and you’ll find a number of ways to enjoy this sunny summer weekend.

SATURDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

• -- Hot August Nights

Do you want to learn how to speak Spanish? United Latino Community is offering a Beginning Spanish Language Class for Beginners.

Classes are ongoing, weekly, every Wednesday, from 5:15 until 6:30 p.m.

Where: United Latino Community, 1925 N. Carson St.

Learn pronunciation, basic conversation, and cultural tips. The class is free, but donations are welcome. Fun and laughter included. Please reserve your seat by email: cathleen@carsonulc.org, or call 671-7455.

Are you itching for the weekend? It will be musically magical with a plethora of Jazz and Beyond Music Festival events throughout town. It’s a classic car lover’s dream come true, as well, with Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks. But don’t get ahead of yourself, today has some great options for a good time. Enjoy some air conditioned entertainment with the Carolyn Dolan Band at the Carson Mall. ‘Elvis, Marilyn and the Space Aliens’ and their place in the movies is the topic of this month’s Douglas County Historical Society’s lecture.

What to do on a Wednesday? If you travel down this list, you’ll find the new Wheeled Food Wednesdays at the Brewery Arts Center featuring a line-up of local food trucks and family fun. Jazz and Beyond brings you a free outdoor concert with Lake Effect in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Chris Bayer transforms into Major Ormsby at Dangberg Home Historic Ranch’s Chautauqua tonight. Get on the Highway to the Danger Zone and it will take you to Top Gun on the big screen at Galaxy Theaters.

A jazzy Tuesday has arrived. Catch the Millennial Bugs this evening as they perform in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Take the kids up to Silver City this morning and they’ll get a chance to explore the Community Garden, learn about the plants and flowers, and participate in an activity. The Deputy Howell Memorial Concert is just a week and a half away. Attend the meeting for volunteers and help this event go off without a hitch.

TUESDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

• -- Hot August Nights

I must admit, the rainy cool-down has been a nice break from what was a very hot July. You may see a little more of the wet stuff this afternoon, so have a back-up plan for outdoor activities. Find some inner peace with the Monks of Nechung Monastery. They’ll lead meditation and teach about the Buddhist philosophy and compassion during their visit to the Brewery Arts Center. High Sierra Swing Dance Club is shaking things up. Their weekly night out has a new home at the Eleventh Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes, and now both beginners and intermediate lessons will precede the open dancing.