olive oil

The last week of 2018 is flying by and the year's final weekend is upon us.

Daytime temperatures should warm up into the 40s today and near 50 by Sunday, so get out and enjoy the bright winter sunshine and fresh, crisp December air.

Hello Carson City. The weekend approaches and we're still wondering how we went from Thanksgiving to Christmas so fast. We are coming into Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. Besides having to put on an extra layer of clothing and setting the thermostat a couple degrees warmer, conditions outside are what can be expected as we head into 2019: Cloudy to sunny with a continued chill in the air.

Good morning Carson City, today is Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. Even though we've now passed Christmas, (that happened quickly didn't it?) we still have the New Year's holiday ahead. Speaking of the countdown to 2019 we've begun compiling an events listing for New Year's Eve parties around the area.

Hello Carson City and welcome to the day after Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018. For those keeping score, there are 5 days until New Year's 2019, 84 days until the first day of spring, 177 days until the first day of summer and 336 days until Thanksgiving.

Bid farewell to Autumn, because today is the first full day of Winter.

This is also the last weekend before Christmas Day, which means the last Santa Trains of the season at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Santa Claus also leaves his North Pole headquarters at the Carson Mall Sunday in preparation for his big night.

As your loved ones age, your relationship may move in to new stages full of opportunities to bond and enjoy shared experiences.

For all the darkness lovers out there, today is for you, because it's the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The almanac says sunrise on Friday morning is at 7:14 a.m. and sunset is at 4:39 p.m. Friday afternoon, giving the Carson City area just a little over nine hours of sunlight.

Deer are more visible in Carson City this time of year, but it's not because Santa Claus is coming to town exactly one week from now.

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

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why: Because Santa Claus is coming to Carson City!

Hello and good day Carson City. We are headed into Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. The weekend is nearly here and your continued generosity never ceases to amaze. Ahead Friday is the annual KTVN Share Your Christmas Drive-By Food Drive held locally at the Governor's Mansion and at Minden's Carson Valley Inn. It is also the 6th annual Project Empty Bowls at Carson Mall, which has become a local soup for the soul favorite stop.

In the final stretch of the work week, today is Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. For those keeping score, there are four days of Hanukkah remaining, we are 19 days away from Christmas and 26 days until 2019. Here's what's happening today:

In this week's edition of It's Your City, host Cortney Bloomer sits down with Genevieve Frederick, founder and executive director of Pets of the Homeless, a national nonprofit organization based in Carson City.

Pets of the Homeless is a program that provides people in need and pets in need with resources to help their pets. Funds collected go directly to pay for the veterinary, nutritional and other care of pets of homeless individuals across the country.

This time of year, the Nevada state capital is filled with traditions. One that has grown especially endearing to the Carson City community is the annual Pets of the Homeless fundraiser presented by Carpa Nevada, LLC and Downtown Coin.

CARSON CITY — Mark Estee, chef and restaurateur, capped off a 6-month series of Healthy Lifestyles programming and curriculum at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada’s William N. Pennington Teen Center with a full menu of Local Mushroom Risotto, Panzanella Salad and Sabayon with Berries.

Carpa Nevada, LLC and Downtown Coin in their third year of partnership have presented a check for $803 to Pets of The Homeless, a non-profit focused on feeding and providing emergency veterinary care to pets of the homeless.

Tommy Linnett, executive chef at The Union Carson, presented the next class in the series, Celebrity Chef Cooking Classes – A Healthy Lifestyles Program, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, Wednesday.

I love pistachios, so when I found out how nutritious they are, I was delighted.

Pistachios contain fiber, essential vitamins and minerals like B6, thiamin, copper, phosphorus and potassium. In fact, two ounces of pistachio kernels have more potassium than a large banana.

For one more month and for the third year running Carson City's own Chef Don Pepe is giving all profits on the sale of olive oils and balsamic vinegars to the capital city based national nonprofit Pets of the Homeless.

The Bleu Cafe in Carson City was host to a cooking demonstration and show put on by professional Chef Don Pepe, owner of Carpa Nevada, LLC in Carson City, Saturday evening to more than two dozen guests.

We are in the midst of a hot summer that is drawing folks out of the kitchen and in front of the grill. For my family, in particular, whether we are hosting a party or just a typical Sunday barbecue, there’s something incredible about being outside, gazing at the sun settling in the Sierra Nevadas while a bratwurst or fresh piece of salmon is sizzling on the grill.

Silver City, Nevada- Silver City townsfolk are invited to show visiting cultural researchers their favorite local hiking spots on Tuesday, July 18 at 9:00 am.

The morning walk with “conversation artists” Sue Mark and Bruce Douglas of marksearch is sponsored by the Resident Artist Program in Silver City. Sue explained that she and Bruce "would like to walk with townspeople and see some of their favorite and/or important sites in town." She said they'd also like to learn about locals’ favorite hiking spots.

Silver City residents are invited to a potluck dinner with the current guests at the Resident Artist Program in Silver City on Saturday, July 1.

The April 2017 and summer 2017 guests of the Resident Artist Program in Silver City will be Sue Mark and Bruce Douglas of Marksearch. A husband-wife artist team who describe themselves as “cultural researchers, creator of conversations, and locators of lost history,” they make interactive public projects that invite people to reflect upon their communities.

I hope you got your fill of naps last weekend because this weekend is chock full of fun to be had for all. You can Wine Walk until you Holiday Crawl downtown. Take your pick of craft shows in town. Kids won’t want to miss the Santa Train at the State Railroad Museum or one of the two performances of ‘The Peanutcracker’ at the Community Center. Whether you’d like to spend the days indoors or out, there is something for all ages in the Carson City area this weekend.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)

Retirement was the green light for Dayton resident Michelle O'Brien to start working again.

Once she retired after 20 years of state service with the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, O'Brien decided she would finally have the time to devote to soap-making, a hobby that has grown into a creative endeavor.

A mountain of star-filled concerts, blockbuster festivals, heart-pounding athletic competitions, fireworks, and tee-to-green celebrity golf action are on-tap this summer at Tahoe South.

Tahoe South Favorites

Be Greek For The Weekend at the annual 2016 Greek Festival. Authentic Greek cuisine crafted by the members of the St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church infuses the neighborhood with scents of oregano, olive oil and lemon. Traditional Greek dance, music, desserts, and imports create a Mediterranean atmosphere and a family friendly environment. Sharing the Greek culture with the community for nearly 40 years, The Reno Greek Festival has proven to be a signature celebration in Reno, Nevada. Limited advance tickets are $12 (includes $10 of food) and regular admission will be $5 at the door.

Pets of the Homeless, the only national nonprofit organization that is focused on feeding and providing emergency veterinary care to pets of homeless people, has received over $52,000 from a number of foundations in 2015.

On the surface, olive oil and balsamic vinegar have little to do with homelessness. But here in Carson City, they have become a big deal.

Last month, noted area Chef Don Pepe, owner of Carpa Nevada LLC, sold more than $1,000 worth of his fine imported Portuguese olive oil and balsamic vinegars through Downtown Coin in Carson City.

The entire proceeds, totaling $400 in profit, were then donated to “Pets of the Homeless,” a Carson City-based non-profit organization that helps provide food and veterinary care for homeless companions nationwide.