genoa candy and coffee

Can you believe it? It’s the last weekend of July and the kids will be headed back to school in no time. Don’t be dismayed though, plenty of summer fun can still be found. Sign the kids up for the Capital City Kids’ Triathlon at the Carson Aquatic Center. Head out to Mills Park for a few laps on the train or a picnic. Don’t miss out on making a bowl for the Empty Bowls project at the Farmers Market; or let the kids run off to the bounce house while you make a bowl yourself.

SATURDAY:

• Capital City Kids' Triathlon: Swim, Bike, Run at the Carson Aquatic Center: 841 N. Roop St. (registration begins at 7:30am, must check in 30 minutes prior to start time; $25 same day registration; ages 13-18 8am start; ages 11-12 8:45am start; ages 9-10 9:30am start; ages 7-8 10am start; ages 4-6 10:30am; must provide own bike and mandatory helmet)
• Poker Ride and Ice Cream Social hosted by Nevada All State Trail Riders at Silver Saddle Ranch: 4901 Carson River Rd (sign in 8am; $20 per poker hand; hikers, cyclists, and horse riders will each have own trail; begin at 9am)

Thunderstorms are on the horizon, so seize the day and enjoy the sunshine while it’s here. Muscle Powered has organized a monthly trash mob to help keep our trails clean, join them at US Bank to help out. The Ghost Walk returns: meet behind the Firkin and Fox for some local haunted history. Teens will enjoy a ‘Night at the Library’ with pizza and games. And as always, the Nevada State Railroad Museum beckons: this week with rides on the Steam Train available.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)
• Muscle Powered One Hour Trash Mob: located at the south side of East College Parkway near the I-580 overpass where the multi-use path meets the sidewalk. Parking is available at US Bank/Dotty's Casino (8am-9am; Gloves, trash bags, and water will be available)
• Weekly Live Auction at Good Time Auctions: 3579 E Hwy 50, Suite 211 (Preview 8am-3pm; Live Indoor Auction 3pm)

I hope you’re hungry, Carson City. Hungry and adventurous. The annual Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair hits Glen Eagles this weekend, and there will be plenty to sample. If you need something cold to drink, head to 7-ELEVEN for a free small slushee from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in celebration of Seven Eleven Day. The Farmers Market is always a good bet on Saturday mornings for sampling all the yummy stuff that grows nearby.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Young Eagle Flights (Weather Permitting; 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
• Garage Sale to benefit CASI (Carson Animal Shelter Initiative) at 611 Marsh Road, located at the end of East Fifth St. (8am-?)

Happy birthday, America! Today we celebrate our independence, and what better way than with a carnival. You might as well stay at Mills Park all day, the fireworks display starts when it gets dark. Tune into Magic 95.5FM and you’ll hear the choreographed music to go along with the oohs and aaahs. Where ever you choose to watch fireworks, please be safe. There are thousands of visitors in the Northern Nevada area this weekend, and law enforcement will be out in full force.

SATURDAY: Independence Day

• Free Swim for Active and Retired Military at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm; outdoor pools only)
• Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk and Concert in the Park with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra at Heritage Park, Gardnerville (5K, $20 per person and family rates, free for active/retired military; register 7am-7:45am; Run/Walk begins 8am, Patriotic costumes encouraged; 8am Carson Valley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast $7; Free Kids Obstacle Course 8am; Free Concert begins 11:30am)

Bikes, and cars, and brews: oh my! Downtown Carson is awash in activity on Saturday. Battleborn Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly features the Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge, vendors, a brewfest, moustache competition and more. The Karson Kruzers are hosting their annual car show at Fuji Park, but will be making their way downtown after it’s over, so there will be plenty of cool cars to admire. Mojo Green takes the stage at 7 p.m. and you can head into the Carson Cigar Company to enjoy Reno’s newest Pink Floyd Tribute Band, Scarlett Moon at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY:

• Karson Krusers’ Run Whatcha Brung Car Show at Fuji Park (registration 7am-9am; show and vendors until 6pm; parade to downtown 6pm)
• Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers Fundraising Yard Sale on Ophir Circle, off Richmond (8am-3pm; help send them to perform at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)

The solstice couldn’t come at a better time: we need some long days to get through all the fun stuff Carson City has crammed into one weekend. The annual Powwow at the Stewart Indian School runs Friday through Sunday, so you’ll have plenty of time to see the dancing, peruse the crafts, and eat an Indian Taco. Don’t miss the Fly-in and Open House at the Carson City Airport: fun for the whole family. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of Carson City’s favorite events: the Taste of Downtown. Music, food, and more from Carson Mall to Williams Street. Have a great time, and be safe.

I don’t mean to make this hard on you, but you have some decisions to make. All day, all night, all weekend long, there are numerous activities throughout our area. Take a good look at the list, grab your friends, family, and kids, and have a great weekend. The Experimental Aircraft Association is hosting the Ford Tri-Motor this weekend, and has Young Eagles flights for the kids: registration and orientation is at 8 a.m. Head over to Eagle Valley Golf for free family golf day.

First things first. Saturday afternoon could be expecting some wet weather, so be prepared. I can’t predict what events may be affected by it, or if the rain will even show up. No worries for you wine walkers, though, downtown will be hopping: rain, shine, or blizzard. Head over to Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery and wish them a happy fourth anniversary, Jeffery will be serving up one of his signature Sangrias. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church won best wine walk stop last month and will have live music. Don’t forget to spend some time inside Westside Pour House: ARTistically INKlined pop-up gallery returns and proves that tattoo artists are first, and foremost, artists.

SATURDAY:

• Street Vibrations Spring Rally: Downtown Reno
• Reno Tahoe International Film Festival – go to www.RTIFF.org for schedule and locations
• Sierra Lutheran High School's 13th Annual Golf Classic at the Silver Oaks Golf Course (7am Check-in, Shotgun start at 8am; $125 for a single player or $400 for a team of four)

It’s a Railroad kind of weekend in Carson City. The historic 1885 Glenbrook Steam Engine will be on display Saturday, all steamed up with the Inyo at the Nevada Railroad Museum. You will want to arrive before the dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. to get the best photos. The V and T Steam Engine #25 will be running all weekend if you want to take a ride. It’s also opening weekend for the Virginia and Truckee that departs from the Eastgate Depot for Virginia City. Roundtrips sell out fast, so make sure to get a reservation if you want to go.

SATURDAY:

• Memorial Day Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course (free 18 holes with Military I.D.; free bucket of balls if wearing red, white, and blue; free draft beer if wearing camouflage)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)
• Early Spring Farmers Market in the south parking lot of the Greenhouse Garden Center (9am-1pm)

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City! Get things started with ska/reggae band, Taking Root at Sassafras; some African-infused blues at the Brewery Arts Center with Peter Joseph Burtt; or Atomica at the Casino Fandango. The Spoke Bar and Grill is rocking with the Remains, and the Chaser Band is playing at the Westside Pour House.

FRIDAY:

• Memorial Day Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course (free 18 holes with Military I.D.; free bucket of balls if wearing red, white, and blue; free draft beer if wearing camouflage)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Bundle up, Carson City. We aren’t afraid of a little wind, are we? The Dangberg Home Historic Ranch is celebrating our infamous Washoe Zephyr this weekend with kite making, demonstrations, and more. The Friends of the Silver Saddle Ranch would love to see you at their open house on Saturday; if you’re an early riser, join them on a 7 a.m. bird walk. The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is hosting their annual Cops and Kids Open House, so head to the courthouse for some fun.

SATURDAY:

• Bird Walk at the Silver Saddle Ranch: Carson River Road (7am)
• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)

There is no place like home, and for most of you reading this, that home is Carson City. One of our greatest prides is the Western Nevada Musical Theater Company: don’t miss the final weekend of ‘Music Man’ at the Community Center. Today caps Bike to Work week; if you brave the rain this morning, you will be rewarded with free coffee at several coffee houses around town. The annual Bike Week party is on Third St., by Firkin and Fox, starting around 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Bike to Work Week

• National Bike to Work Day: Free coffee for bicycle commuters at Comma Coffee, Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar, Carson Coffee, Capital Coffee, LA Bakery, and Starbucks (7am-9am; show your helmet)
• Last Day: White Pine County Artistry by artist Dawn Dot Star at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

Happy Mother’s Day, Carson City! Several family friendly events are occurring around town this weekend. Take a ride on the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the Ferris Wheel at RSVP’s Spring Fair and Carnival. A Harmonica and Strings Concert at Empire Elementary School showcases what some of our talented students can do. Get up early and head over to the Carson City Airport if your youngster has any interest in planes: Young Eagles flights are happening today if the weather permits.

SATURDAY:

• 23rd Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive (leave your donation of non-perishable food items at your mail box for mail carrier to pick up)
• Greenhouse Project Annual Spring Plant Sale and Live Music with Hick’ry Switch at the Carson High Greenhouse: 1111 Saliman, off Robinson –behind the buses (8am-1pm)

Breakfast is such a great way to start out the day, and local favorite, the Cracker Box, has been serving it up for 35 years. Join Supervisor Brad Bonokowski for his monthly meeting with residents, or wait until 9am for a short presentation from the Mayor honoring the restaurant. Their lunch menu is delicious, as well, but you may want to join Supervisor Karen Abowd during her monthly walkabout of Mills Park instead. It’s a good day to connect with our local leaders! If you’ve driven down Williams St., you’ve seen the RSVP Spring Festival and Carnival. It will be there all weekend, so you’ve got a few days to indulge in cotton candy and fried twinkees.

FRIDAY:

• Monthly Breakfast with Supervisor Brad Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7:30am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Have you picked your pony yet? The Kentucky Derby is today, but that is far from the only thing running today. Chili on the Comstock is hosting their inaugural Fun with the Runs 5K Saturday at 10 a.m. The 1926 Edwards Motor Car is running, too, and ready for rides at the Nevada Railroad Museum. The wine walk is always a good time, and with Mother’s Day next weekend, it can’t hurt to peruse the shops before you run out of time to pick the perfect gift.

SATURDAY: Kentucky Derby Day:

The Genoa Cowboy Festival is just starting, and I suspect that’s where Calamity Jane would be spending her birthday. If not there, than maybe up in Virginia City: today marks the first ‘Flashback Friday’ of the year, when all of the museums have free admission. Tonight she could catch some laughs at Carson Comedy in the Nugget or at the Brewery Art Center for First Friday Improv. Saturday she'd likely trade in her six-shooter for a wine glass, because it is Wine Walk Weekend.
FRIDAY:

• ’Drink One for Dane’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser at Dutch Bros Coffee
• Genoa Cowboy Festival: A variety of daytime events are FREE at the Cowboy Festival including: Chautauquas, Living History Tours, Musical Performances, Cowboy Poetry, Melodramas, and Historical Reenactments

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.

Are you doing the TGIF happy dance? There are plenty of reasons to if you take a look at this list: live music, art exhibits, comedy, tequila tasting, karaoke, baseball, bingo, theater, and more.

Print out the flyer if you head over to Buffalo Wild Wings on Friday or Saturday: 15 percent of your bill will be donated to Western Nevada College Athletics if you do.

It’s a good weekend to be a kid: the Kerak Shrine Circus is in town! Well, it’s in Reno, but that isn’t too far of a drive for elephants, clowns, and cotton candy. Also in Reno, but intended for a slightly older audience, is the Lady Luck Tattoo and Art Expo, coincidentally held at Circus Circus.

For the outdoorsy-types you can join in the March to End Senior Hunger 5K in Dayton; the 5K Glow Run benefitting the Western Nevada College Softball Team; or join a ranger at Washoe Lake State Park for a guided hike.

It’s the International Day of Happiness and I hope song and dance make you happy. Carson City is awash with live music and theater tonight. Local favorite Stereo Galaxy teams up with Southern California performer, Loc Lion, for a show at Sassafras. You’ll find the Remains at Westside Pour House, and Jaime Rollins keeps it rollin at Living the Good Life. Just Sayin’ is this months featured talent in the Brewery Arts Center’s Eclectic Electric Series.

If you have the kind of luck that brings rain as soon as you wash your car, please drive over to Squeaky’s Car Wash at the corner of Highway 50 E and Lompa Lane. It’s their opening weekend and they are offering free car washes and raising funds for the Carson City Community Counseling Center.

If you consider yourself adventurous, then the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry in Virginia City is for you. It’s not nicknamed the Testicle Festival for nothing! If you need some liquid courage, take part in the Ball Breaker Saloon Crawl. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade heads down C Street at noon.

Are you ready to paint the town green? St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaches and there will be plenty of Irish action throughout town. The festivities start this weekend with the annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fest in Virginia City, complete with a parade and saloon crawl.