gift items

When COVID-19 reached Carson City in March, establishments and local businesses were forced to close during the statewide shutdown.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the Nevada State Museum took an optimistic approach to improve and expand its online network. The shutdown offered new opportunities for museum director Myron Freedman to connect with staff members virtually through Zoom Video Communications and update local visitors on social media.

The public is invited to attend the 20th annual Feast of Chocolate Event hosted by the American Association of University Women on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Carson Plaza and Event Center, 211 E. 9th Street, Carson City.

For 20 years I have been bringing Christmas events to Downtown Carson City, beginning in 2000 when I had my retail store on Telegraph Square with Santa and his real reindeer. The Santa Parade was created in 2007 and was always the Saturday after the Silver and Snowflake festival originating at Telegraph Square to bring awareness to the existing businesses in the area.

The Carson City Chamber continues to search for new items for their artisan store to launch in time for holiday gift giving. This year, the Chamber partnered with Silver State Industries to introduce the first in several series of collector’s puzzles featuring iconic Carson City scenes.

We’ve got one heck of a weekend on its way, and it’s starting right now. Start off with a trip to the Governor’s Mansion with something non-perishable for the annual Share Your Christmas Food Drive: you won’t even have to leave the warmth of your vehicle. Break a leg to Wild Horse Children’s Theater and to the Proscenium Players. Both troupes begin the run of their winter plays tonight at the Brewery Arts Center. It’s a Christmas Shopping Extravaganza at Fuji Park. You’ll find a plethora of vendors, crafters, and artisans waiting to help make your holiday shopping hassle-free.

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:

The weekend is coming and bringing with it the annual Silver Saddle Ranch Open House, the Methodist Church’s Drive-Through Living Nativity, the return of the

If you’re looking for a new career, it may be time to head back to school – Carson High School, that is. The Carson City School District is looking to fill a number of positions and is holding a job fair this afternoon. See what the talented students in the Symphony Youth Strings program have been up to at tonight’s "Around the World in Music" concert at the Community Center. A special candle lighting ceremony to remember loved ones takes place this evening at Fitzhenry’s Funeral Home. All those who have lost someone are welcome to participate. Don’t let a little Bah Humbug ruin your day.

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.

December has arrived, and all things holidays are on the way. The annual Silver and Snowflakes Tree Lighting Celebration tonight will shut down traffic on Carson City for a little while. Sleigh rides, caroling, the Empty Bowls Soup Fest, and a performance by the Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers are just some of the planned festivities. Stay downtown for comedy at the Carson Nugget, Improv at the Brewery Arts Center, or a live DJ at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar and at Battle Born Social. Keep reading, though, that’s just the tip of the Friday happenings iceberg.

FRIDAY:

Today we say goodbye to November, and in just one month we’ll be ringing in the new year. The weekend promises to bring a plethora of fun times to our town, but you can get the party started tonight. Verbal Kint, the acoustic incarnation of Keyser Soze, takes the stage at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint; get there early for a good seat and great food. Kids will love meeting Santa, singing carols, and watching the fireworks at Gardnerville’s Kickoff to Christmas in Heritage Park this evening.

THURSDAY:

We are days away from a winter wonderland: halls will be decked, and everything will be merry and bright. On Thursday, Gardnerville will flip the switch on its holiday lights, with help from Santa. Friday, the capital city hosts the Silver and Snowflakes Tree Lighting Celebration, as well as the very yummy Empty Bowls Soup Fest. Saturday, in addition to Carson City’s monthly downtown wine walk and the annual Holiday with a Hero Crawl, Minden holds its annual Christmas Parade.

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.

Black Friday, small business Saturday, cyber Monday: I didn’t name these, but I can truly get behind Day of Giving Tuesday. Carson City is home to several great charities and non-profits that could use your financial love. Throw a few dollars at your favorite one if you’re able. It’s not warm outside, but a brisk hike will warm you up. Muscle Powered shows off one of Carson City’s great trails every Tuesday afternoon. If you’d rather exercise your brain, DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub or the Geeks who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras are a great mix of friends and friendly competition.

Let's get this show on the road. The long holiday weekend is behind us, and I hope everyone ate too much. Mondays are a little quiet in our capital city, but that doesn't mean that there is nothing to do. You'll find several changing art exhibits throughout town, so visiting them every few months gives you the chance to experience new art. Monday Night Football is always a fun time to cheer on your team; this week you'll see the Texans and the Ravens battle it out. For family-friendly karaoke, the Fox Brewpub is the place to be.

MONDAY:

Catmandu Fundraiser on the Wine Walk! Visit the Catmandu table in front of Touched by Angels Gift Shop at 205 John Street from 1-5. T shirts, cat theme gift items,cat toys, raffle for a quilted cat bag and more! Join us and support the cats of Carson City!

The Fourth Annual Fall Festival and Chili Cook Off will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex. Admission is free to the event, and all attendees receive a free ticket for a door prize drawing. Vintage cars, a cake walk, vendors offering all manner of gift items, household furnishings, and personal care items will be available, as well as a number of drawing prizes.

Local authors and artists will participate, and the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, the Lake Tahoe Cancer League, and Christmas Cheer will be accepting donations.

The second annual Fall Festival and Chili Cook Off will return to the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The event will begin at 10:00 am and run until 4:00 pm. Admission is free, and door prizes will be given away every fifteen minutes. There will also be a drawing for one hundred dollars cash, given to one attendee.

For the second year, the Carson City Chamber will be putting on their successful Home and Garden Show at the Carson Mall giving area and regional residents a chance to know local businesses and learn what’s new in home and gardening.

Twenty-five vendors are set to display their goods and services with Costco, Home Depot and Greenhouse Garden Center taking the center stage as they create vignettes to show what can be done to improve home and garden. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.