Christmas music

Dear Friends: On a cold Christmas Eve in 1914, German, French, and British Soldiers hunkered down in the muddy trenches that had become their home during World War I. Between those trenches was a war-torn expanse of ground that was simply referred to as “no-man’s land.”

This week's Senator Square features guest writers Ananda Campbell and Bridget Gordon-Johnson who explain Monday homeroom academic strategies. Campbell is a CHS Library Media Specialist and Carson City School District Library Coordinator. Gordon is a CHS counselor. This is their report:

Heading into the weekend, there’s a bevy of activities around the Carson City region. Several fundraisers, including the annual “Share Your Christmas” Food Drive will be available throughout the Carson City, Minden and Reno areas on Friday. You can visit the North Pole safely as part of a drive-thru Santa's Village experience at V&T Railway in Carson City, beginning Friday into the weekend. A living nativity scene will be featured at First United Methodist Church on Saturday and Sunday. Combined with train rides in Virginia City, the state capital will be buzzing with excitement. Read on for more information.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Sparks is pleased to present an evening of new and traditional Christmas music. Adam and Alissa Teachout Brian Gallagher and Angelese Pepper will perform using piano, marimba and cello. There will be some singalong as well.

Happy Sunday Carson City! We’ve got a bunch of great events for you today in our capital city! Check below to see what’s going on today:

Happy Saturday Carson City! Tired of the fog yet? Well, there's a big storm that's scheduled to push in tomorrow, so it'll be interesting to see how that changes the weather.

Either way, we've got a ton of excellent events scheduled throughout the weekend, fog or no! Check below to see what's happening int he capital city for today and tomorrow.

Heading into the weekend, there’s a bevy of holiday events around the Carson City region over the next three days. Events include the Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights, the 24th annual Parade of Lights in Gardnerville, the annual Project Empty Bowls dinner held at the Carson Mall, a Holiday Crawl in downtown Carson City and much more! The Santa Train will roll into the Carson City Railroad Museum for weekend train rides. Visit the 2019 Santa Events Roundup below for more information.

Enjoy holiday traditions at the La Posada Celebration which is happening Saturday, Dec. 14 from noon to 3 p.m. at Carson Nugget Hall in the Aspen Building on Western Nevada College’s Carson City campus.

Consort Canzona, a select group of instrumentalists and singers specializing in early music, will present “Something Old, Something New” concerts this holiday season on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m., at Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church, 3680 Highway 395 (just south of Best Buy) in Carson City. Admission is free, donations welcome.

The Capital City Community will, once again, welcome the holidays with a free concert in the Boldrick Theater in the Carson City Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.

Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, also known as TOCCATA, presents its 14th annual performance of Handel’s beloved “Messiah,” along with seasonal carols. We bring the holidays to you, performing in Gardnerville and Genoa, as well as north and south Lake Tahoe and Reno. Just choose your venue: a beautiful Gardnerville church or an elegant golf club ballroom.

There will be activities for the entire family at the second annual La Posada Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 14 from noon to 3 p.m. at Carson Nugget Hall in the Aspen Building on WNC’s Carson City campus.

Carson Valley Community Theater presents, “Christmas Through the Years”. Take some time out of your busy holiday schedule and join our talented local performers while we reflect on the meaning of Christmas through song.

Our music will revive your memories of the joys of the holidays, as we sing some forgotten favorites and many tunes that we have grown to love.

You won’t want to miss this holiday performance. December 27, 28, and 29. Evening shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm.

As we approach the holiday season and Christmas draws nigh, let us share with you some Christmas memories.

Both Ron and James grew up in the same area of the country, albeit at different times. Ron grew up in the 1950s and 1960s in a small town in Illinois across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. James grew up during the 1970s in a suburban area of the city on the Missouri side of the river. James’s mother even attended the high school that was the arch-rival to Ron’s in his sports, cross-country and track.

Dancers and artists put Latin American culture on display Saturday at the second annual La Posada Celebration held at Western Nevada College in Carson City.

There are only two more Saturdays until Christmas, and Santa Claus is back in Carson City again this weekend ahead of the big holiday.

This Saturday, Dec. 15, marks the annual Cookies with Santa celebration in Carson City at Cafe at Adele’s, offering Christmas cheer to all who attend and providing gifts for children in need. The joy-filled event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with cookies, cocoa and cider served, and Santa on hand to hear last-minute gift wishes.

Home Ranch for the Holidays, a celebration of the season that includes a vintage toy exhibit, music and treats, returns to Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The community is welcome at the second annual La Posada Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 12-3 p.m. at Carson Nugget Hall in the Aspen Building on Western Nevada College’s Carson City campus.

There will be activities for the entire family. The event is free and open to the public.

A long weekend is just beginning. Tonight, funnyman Steven Briggs kicks off three nights of comedians at Carson Comedy inside of the Nugget Casino. Whiskey Tavern on Highway 50 East hosts a Friday night karaoke party. Enjoy the music stylings of Tom Miller during dinner at Living the Good Life, then stick around for some dancing.

The temperature today will seem more spring-like than we expect for December, but you may as well take advantage. Muscle Powered is headed up Prison Hill this afternoon; grab a friend, a friendly dog, and your camera for a fun time. You’ll always find Thursday karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar hosted by the boys of J and M Productions. Jimmy Rollins takes the stage at Living the Good Life, and Dave Leather sings the blues at Sassafras. Where ever the day takes you, have a good one.

THURSDAY: Dec. 28

I hope everyone is enjoying these last few days of 2017. While the Carson City Library is getting a much-needed refresh, you'll find limited services at the Adams Hub on Proctor. Get your fill of twinkling holiday lights while you can, the displays at Carson Valley Inn and at Nevada Christmas only run through Friday night.

WEDNESDAY: Dec. 27

The long holiday weekend has ended, but the school district’s winter break has just begun. The Carson City Library invites everyone to participate in their Winter Read-a-thon; cuddle up with a book during these cold winter days. New Year’s Eve is just days away and the annual Black Tie Gala thrown by the Friends of the Carson City Library still has tickets available. Go HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

Before you break into the cookies, you might want to consider a morning bike ride with Muscle Powered; it won’t do anything for the calories, but it may assuage some guilt. If you’re over 21, then test your luck at the Senior Citizen’s Center. BINGO today raises money for the Meals on Wheels program that feeds home-bound seniors. You’ve got one last chance to see Santa Claus. Find him at the Carson Mall until 5 p.m. and then he’s off for his midnight ride.

If you’re anything like me, there are still plenty of last-minute preparations for the holiday. Luckily the shops and businesses around Carson City are there with open arms. Find something one of a kind at the Carson Mall Craft Fair, drop it off at the Rainbow Girls Assembly #7 gift wrapping booth, and grab lunch while you wait. Breakfast with Santa at the Fox Brewpub serves as a toy drive for area kids and as no-fuss way to get start the day with a full belly. Read on for a weekend full of holiday happenings.

SATURDAY:

There are some fairly excited kids throughout the valley. This last Friday before Christmas marks the beginning of winter break. The Carson City Library invites everyone in the community to participate in the annual Winter Read-a-thon with a goal of 90,000 minutes read (or listened to) over the next two weeks. Sign up on-line or at their kick-off event this afternoon. Comedian John Mencarelli headlines Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget, and you’ll find the Rebekah Chase Band on stage in their Loft. Even more awaits, so read on and have a great day.

Friday, Dec. 22

Thursday, December 21 is the winter solstice, making it the longest night and the shortest day of the year. With Christmas just a few days away, the holiday activities are still going strong. Share your wish list with Santa at Red’s Old 395 tonight and you’ll walk away with a free photograph. Your ugliest sweater is invited to make an appearance at the Carson Cigar Company; bring a white elephant gift if you’d like to participate in the gift exchange.

On a morning like this, I realize that I need to ask Santa for some windshield wipers. Stay safe out there, Carson City, the roads are wet. The Carson Library is usually a great place to retreat on days like this, but you’ll find their doors closed for the next few weeks: time for a makeover. If you’d like to check out a book or use the wireless internet, you’ll find a ‘pop-up’ library in the Community Center this week, and in the Adams Hub on Proctor Street next week.

Winter is settling in, even if our mountains are lacking their snowy blanket. It’s chilly out there, but the members of Muscle Powered head out for a walk and a hike every Tuesday unless the rain or snow is falling. Join them tonight for a walk around downtown Carson City to take in the twinkling lights and decorations; there will even be a stop afterward for a warm beverage. If you’d rather exercise your brain, the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras and DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub are your choices.

It may be Monday, but the next one on the way is Christmas. If you still have some loved ones on your holiday shopping list, the Craft Fair at the Carson Mall is sure to have something for everyone. Monday also means football. Watch the Falcons take on the Buccaneers at Living the Good Life. You’ll find good food, good drinks, and the game on all of their screens. Put some swing in your step at Carson Lanes. The High Sierra Swing Dance Club meets weekly to learn some new dance moves and put them into action. Santa has been spotted at Red’s Old 395: from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.