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One thing was evident as the special Polar Express Train departed the depot east of Carson City: You don't have to have kids with you to enjoy the annual holiday favorite on the historic V&T Railroad.

Santa comes in all shapes, sizes, and apparently, vehicles. Hop aboard the Santa Train at the Nevada Railroad Museum. It’s an out-of-this-world Alien Santa at the annual Zen Christmas at A to Zen. A cookie-loving Santa can be found at Adele’s during their annual toy drive for the Ron Wood Resource Center. If your ‘kids’ are the four-legged kind, then head over to PetSmart or Paws to Pur-fection Dog Grooming for your holiday photos. In addition to the Santa-mania, you’ll find a downtown Carson Beer Crawl, two plays at the Brewery Arts Center, and plenty of music.

Santa and his usual suspects gather for the annual Cookies with Santa, Saturday Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Café at Adele’s, in what has become one of the season’s most anticipated events and part of the fabric of family traditions and community.

You are in for a Holiday Treat today; the annual Carson City Symphony Winter Concert with Victorian Dancers in beautiful costumes takes to the stage. Take in a play at the Brewery Arts Center or play BINGO at the Senior Center. The Santa Train, the Living Nativity at the Methodist Church, and a remembrance ceremony at Walton’s Chapel are on the list, too. Sunday’s aren’t sleepy this time of year, so read on and take a look at your options.

The Carson City area is awash in entertainment, shopping, and family-friendly options this weekend. Santa Claus is popping up all over, including at Benson Feed for the annual CASI Pet Photos with St. Nick and aboard the train at our Railroad Museum’s Santa Train. The musical ‘Honk, Jr’ for the young ones and Love/Sick for the older crowd are on the stage at the Brewery Arts Center. Spend the day at the Silver Saddle Ranch: their annual Holiday Open House is the perfect time to explore their trails and learn more about the working ranch’s preservation.

Dog Town Canine Rescue will host a Holiday Boutique Booth this weekend at the Carson Mall. The booth will be there Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The air may be brisk, but the view from C-Hill is rewarding. Meet up with Muscle Powered in the Curry Street parking lot behind the Railroad Museum for their afternoon conditioning hike. Get the little ones to the Carson Library for story time today; the Library will be undergoing some much needed sprucing up and will be closed for up to two months starting Dec. 10. Community Roots in Dayton hosts an open house to show off their collection of gifts, flowers, and more.

THURSDAY:

DAYTON, Nev. — Community Roots garden center has expanded to offer unique gifts, floral arrangements, and holiday centerpieces and is now located at 209 Dayton Valley Road. Part of the nonprofit Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey, Community Roots and Shoots' proceeds help support community and school gardens, teen job skills programs and more.

With December arriving we are counting the days until Christmas. So deck the halls, get some jingle bells and wassail away this holiday season. Here's what's happening now through Christmas around Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton and Virginia City areas.

Even Santa Claus enjoys his time aboard Carson City's famed trains. With appearances at the Brewery Arts Center, Santa can be found throughout the area, including the Nevada Railroad Museum. Elsewhere, let the arrows fly during the Clearcreek Bowmen’s Holiday with a Hero fundraising 3-D shoot. Enjoy a Small Town Christmas in Dayton this evening. The festivities take place in ‘Our Park,’ at the western edge of town. An ugly sweater contest, hot chocolate, caroling, tree lighting and home-town fun are on the menu. Keep reading, there’s even more in store for today.

The rumors of Santa Claus coming to town are true. The jolly old man is making several appearances today, and is feeling photogenic. Take a ride with him at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, join him on the ‘Elf Crawl’ from the Capitol to the Carson Mall, or tell him your wish list at Debug Computers. Adults have a hard choice to make: the monthly downtown wine walk and the Holiday with a Hero Pub Crawl both take place today, and I’m not sure I’d recommend attempting both.

The Carson Mall is pleased to invite all of you to a series of “events within an event.” During the Carson Mall Christmas Craft Fair, running through December 24th, there will be several limited-time events.

CARSON CITY, Nev. – After months of research, the Carson City Senior Center is rolling out its new visual identity which showcases the vitality, companionship and support Carson City seniors enjoy – and expect – at the Senior Center.

Tis the season for visits with Santa, holiday twinkle lights, and craft fairs and festivals. In order to make your December planning a little easier, take a look at what is coming up in the Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton, and Virginia City area. Go deck the halls, get some jingle bells, and wassail away.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, you’ll see twinkling lights appearing everywhere. Carson City doesn’t light up our downtown until next Friday, but if you need an immediate fix of holiday decorations, Minden has got you covered. Candy Cane Lane at the Carson Valley Inn is a custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display. ‘Nevada Christmas’ is a private home on Chaparral Court, just off Stephanie Way, and puts the holly jollies into the holiday.

SUNDAY:      

With substantial early season snow coverage, Tahoe South is looking to double down on a second consecutive winter of remarkable conditions packed with its renowned 24-hour vibe and hospitality.

Once the turkey has been devoured, all thoughts turn toward shopping. Shop Small Saturday helps to throw a spotlight on our local gems, and the great gifts you’ll find. New this year is Museum Store Sunday with both the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum participating. Make time for family and friends at the annual Nutcracker Ballet performed by Pinkerton Ballet at the Carson City Community Center. Keep reading and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

FRIDAY:

Local seniors who participate in the Meals On Wheels program through the Carson City Senior Center will have handmade placemats created by local children delivered with their Thanksgiving meals.

With Thanksgiving just days away, the holiday season is just around the corner. The annual Holiday Craft Fair at Carson High features a plethora of handmade and locally crafted gifts for the loved ones on your shopping list. Take the plunge at the Carson Aquatic Center if you want to get a picture with Scuba Santa. Grab a coat, some friends, and your ID and head downtown for this month’s beer crawl. $15 gets you a glass and your first beer, from there you’ll pay only $1 for refills at several watering holes. There’s even more to enjoy this weekend, so keep reading for your options.

Friends to All is dedicated to bringing joy, cheer and friendship to senior citizens in the Carson City community during the holiday season. Since 1999 this group has been working to meet the needs of those with limited financial resources who are home bound or in care centers with little or no family nearby.

Although Veterans Day was observed yesterday, there are several things today that honor our former members of the military. Battle Born Harley Davidson is throwing an appreciation party complete with food trucks. Virginia City’s annual Veterans Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. and the City of Reno will commence their parade after a short ceremony beginning at 11:11 a.m. You’ll find an abundance of craft fairs in Carson City, Carson Valley, and Dayton. Western Nevada Musical Theater Co.

On Veterans Day, we take time to honor those men and women that have served in our armed forces. The holiday is observed today, meaning schools and public offices will be closed. Several locations have something special for Veterans this weekend, go HERE for a list of freebies, specials and discounts good today or tomorrow.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church in downtown Carson City at Telegraph and Division streets offers its annual Holiday Bazaar with decorated shopping areas inside the historic 150-year-old church and serving as a beginning to the holiday season for shoppers and visitors alike.

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City. Now that we are in November, thoughts turn to the holiday season. That means craft fairs. St. Paul’s Lutheran Family on Saliman welcomes you to their annual Craftique Open House. You’ll find the Young at Heart Seniors Club hosting a faire at the Douglas County Community Center. The Carson Nugget’s Sierra Room will be home to several artisans, vendors, and crafters during today’s wine walk. There’s quite a bit more, and plenty that doesn’t involve shopping, so take a look and have a great time.

SATURDAY:

The presentation of “W is for Wungnema” was held Saturday, October 7th, at the Stewart Community Baptist Church in Carson City and was a huge success. There were approximately 125–150 guests in attendance and a good time was had by all who attended.

Attention family members of any disabled American Veteran in the Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, Dayton, TRE, Topaz, Lake Tahoe, Yerington or anywhere south of Washoe Valley: We are starting an Auxiliary for DAV Chapter 7 in Carson City.

The historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad and Railway Commission in partnership with Rail Events, Inc. through Warner Brothers Consumer Products, Inc. is looking to cast additional actors and actresses for their annual production of “The Polar Express” train ride for the 2017 season.

The historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad and Railway Commission in partnership with Rail Events, Inc. will hold auditions for their annual production of “The Polar Express” train ride for the 2017 season.

Ryan Magera was surprised when Gov. Brian Sandoval dropped off a box of his mom's homemade cookies last December while he was deployed in Kuwait.

‘We hold these truths to be self-evident…’ With those few powerful words, the Declaration of Independence set a few east coast colonies on a path to becoming ‘the land of the free, and the home of the brave.’ Less than 100 years later, the great ‘Battle Born’ state of Nevada would join the fold. Let us celebrate our great country today with family, friends, and neighbors. You’ll find fireworks displays in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and both the North and South shores of Lake Tahoe.