gifts

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.

Since we don’t know what the new tax law for 2018 and later will be, it is difficult to decide what to do before 12-31-17. The proposal indicates the Standard Deduction will be increased and the use of Itemized Deductions on Schedule A of form 1040 will be reduced.

‘Tis the week before Christmas / And all through the brain / The madness is roaring / Like a freight train.

I wrote this little spin on the Night Before Christmas to acknowledge you. A sparkling tree and stockings hung with care don’t come without someone putting up the tree and stuffing the stockings.

The Carson Mall is pleased to host Santa Claus, but we all know he soon must leave to tend to his important duties at the North Pole. If you haven’t yet had a visit or photo with Santa, here are the times for you:

Silver Springs, Nevada – This week’s Silver Stage Food Pantry news includes recognition for several groups that recently added support to the Pantry: Dollar General Stores, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 8071) of Virginia City, Northern Nevada Motorcylcle Association, and Safe Project of Reno.

Muscle Powered, Citizens for a Walkable and Bikeable Carson City, recently received a $2000 grant from Nevada Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board to facilitate a video competition to create public service announcements about the dangers of texting and driving.

Much of my gardening life for most of the year is about doing: fertilizing, mowing, watering, raking, digging, transplanting and pruning. Now, with winter upon us, I have more of a chance to reflect on how the landscape actually looks as I sit in a sunny window watching the birds, the sun rise or set, the deer wandering through, or the weather blowing clouds around.

The Carson City Senior Center collected more than 550 gifts from area residents and businesses for homebound seniors this year. The Carson City Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program delivers almost 300 meals to homebound seniors daily. In the past year, the Center has provided over 79,500 hot meals.

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.

Thanks to kind community donations, Santa will be bringing a bit of Christmas Joy Saturday to homebound and low-income seniors often left out during this seasonal celebration.

“I cannot believe the number of donations we received this year – so much more than we could anticipate," said Gwen Pradere, found of Friends to All, Inc.

Join gallery artist Dianne Butrick for a jewelry making extravaganza! At only $10 per pair that you make, you will leave with unique earrings, either for yourself or as gifts! Everyone loves Dianne’s jewelry – now you can take advantage of her guidance and supplies!

While you are there, finish up all your shopping by supporting local artists and gifting very unique gifts!

The event is this Saturday, December 16th from 12:00 noon-5:00 pm at Carson City Art Gallery, 110 S Curry Street, corner of 2nd. For more information please 775-313-8628.

The Rainbow Girls will hold their annual Christmas gift wrap operation at the Carson Mall in Carson City Dec. 16-24. Bring your gifts to us and we will wrap them with love and care. This is our yearly fundraiser and a appropriate donation for the size and amount of gifts is requested. We are located at the South end of the mall outside of JoAnn's.

Join gallery artist Dianne Butrick for a jewelry making extravaganza! At only $10 per pair, you will leave with unique earrings, either for yourself or as gifts! Everyone loves Dianne’s jewelry – now you can make your own with her guidance and supplies!

The event is this Saturday, December 16th from 12:00 noon-5:00 pm at Carson City Art Gallery, 110 S Curry Street, corner of Second Street. For more information please 775-313-8628.

Welcome to Wednesday. If you haven’t had a chance to tell Ole’ Nick what you’d like to see under the tree, then wander over to Red’s Old 395 for a complementary picture and a moment on his lap. See what our local crafters and artisans have to offer at the Christmas Craft Show inside Carson Mall. It’s karaoke night at Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge for those over 18. Families with younger ones will be interested in the Polar Express playing on the big screen at the Galaxy Theater.

WEDNESDAY:

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.

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

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.

Carson City Sheriff's Office Sgt. Daniel Gonzales sits down with It's Your City host Cortney Bloomer to talk about the annual Holiday with a Hero project and Saturday night's Holiday Crawl.

Location: League to Save Lake Tahoe Education Center and Store, South Lake Tahoe. Cozy up by the fire with us and enjoy an evening of light appetizers, drinks, and live music from violinist Ellen Flanagan. Shop discounted prices on Keep Tahoe Blue holiday gifts. Make your own free Lake Tahoe keepsake using reclaimed, lake-shaped wooden pieces.

Please carpool as parking is limited and the Lake will thank you! The office is located at 2608 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe.

RSVP to www.keeptahoeblue.org/wonderland

For questions, please email events@keeptahoeblue.org.

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.

There are three opportunities on Saturday, December 2 to buy unique holiday gifts while supporting Comstock communities and local arts at the same time! The Silver City Arts group is sponsoring a pop-up show and sale by local photographers who will share their work at the Silver City School House at 385 High Street (10am-4pm).

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division is asking for help in identifying a suspect in a vehicle burglary and a credit card fraud investigation.

A momentous congratulations goes out to the students who voluntarily and competitively placed in the 2017 Carson City School Board Sponsored American Citizen Essay Contest with first place at the high school level going to CHS 9th grade Honors English student Marissa Messmann, second place to CHS 12th grade College Readiness Senior English student Jessica Preston, and third place going to 9th grade Honors English student Matteas Klatt.

Some people do all of their holiday shopping on Black Friday. Others do their best to avoid shopping completely and spend the day after Thanksgiving relaxing at home. The tone of Black Friday can be equally mixed with retail businesses large and small.

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:

Ready for the long weekend filled with friends, family, and food? Get in the celebratory spirit with some live jazz at Living the Good Life or country dancing at Carson Lanes. If you’re over 18, you are welcome to check out the karaoke party at Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge. A young wizaard discovers his destiny on the big screen; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at Fandango’s Galaxy Theater is a perfect family-friendly outing.

WEDNESDAY:

Learn basic wire wrapping techniques with Jo Ann Grace.
A great opportunity to create last minutes gifts!
December 14, 6:30-8:30 pm.
Class is $40 and includes supplies and refreshments.
Limited to six students.
Create jewelry using colorful tumbled glass and sea glass.
Sign up at Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, 405 North Nevada, Carson City.
Class is held at Artsy Fartsy Creative Center, 220 A West Telegraph.
For more information, call 775-721-9314.