Open Mic

Everywhere you look, we are ready for Halloween: skeletons and cobwebs, pumpkins and monsters, witches and headstones. Tonight is the real deal. There have been several Halloween celebrations already, but nothing beats trick-or-treat night. Get started at the Carson Mall, then head over to the Nevada Humane Society for even more candy. The Downtown Business Association welcomes the costumed kids to their Candy Crawl. But there’s nothing quite like the historic west side when it comes to Halloween.

Finally, Nevada Day weekend is here. State offices are closed, the kids are off school, and Carson City is hoppin’. Join the Downtown Business Association for the ‘Passport to Downtown’ with live music, a raffle, craft and vendor show, and a family fun center, complete with petting zoo. Stick around for the annual fall Blinky Man Costumed Nighttime Bike Ride Pub Crawl with Lights. Halloween festivities, a carnival in Mills Park, and opening night of the La Ka Lel Be Pow Wow are on today’s list, as well.

Oh, wow, I just got a glance at the date. With the gorgeous weather planned for today, it’s hard to believe that Christmas is two months away. Let’s celebrate the holidays right in front of us first. The kids aren’t going to want to miss out on the Carson City Boo-nanza: trick or treating at the Community Center, crafts and activities at the Library, and Hotel Transylvania on the screen at the Aquatic Center. DJ Trivia is looking to expand their team of Trivia-masters: head to Red’s Old 395 tonight if you’d like to audition, or just play.

I hope you’ve got your Halloween costume ready. A week of various Halloween activities, trick-or-treats, and festivities for the kids begins tomorrow with the first ever Boo-nanza: a family-friendly collaboration between the Community Center, Carson City Library, and Aquatic Center. Tonight, the over 21 crowd gets to enjoy a costume contest at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget, with many more parties on the way.

Well, that was an abrupt change in weather. Today will definite feel like fall, so bundle up. The Halloween festivities for the over 21 crowd get started tonight with parties at Living the Good Life, Ed's Doghouse, and Jimmy G's Cigar Bar. If your costume isn't ready yet, you'll still have plenty of opportunities between now and Oct. 31. A hypnotic fundraiser for Mark Lindquist takes place at Silver Oak Golf Course this evening.

Every season brings a new kind of beauty to our valley. Just like the changing leaves, our art galleries are constantly evolving. You’re almost out of time to enjoy the ART from UNR display in the Community Development Building behind Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. If you attend the Capital City Arts Initiative's Nevada Neighbors talk tonight, you’ll have plenty of time to check it out. CCAI has invited curator Michele Quinn to present an illustrated talk on the rising art scene in Las Vegas.

I don’t know what is about Tuesdays in our valley, but they’re hopping. Join Parks and Recreation as they take a walk to the Kings Canyon Waterfall, one of Carson City’s not-so-hidden treasures. Enjoy the Carson High Orchestra during their Fall Concert at the Bob Boldrick Theater tonight at 7 p.m. It’s Adult Coloring Night at the Carson City Library: bring your favorite doodle book, or choose from one of theirs. Know-it-alls can strut their stuff during DJ Trivia at Fox Brewpub, or at the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint.

Air quality around our area is fairly poor, due to the multiple fires in Northern California, so indoor activities are recommended for anyone having a hard time with the smoke. Luckily, Carson City has just the ticket. Get your jazz on at Living the Good Life; Cherie Shipley is hosting tonight’s jam. Kick up your heels during country line dance lessons at the Eleventh Frame Lounge inside Carson Lanes. You’ll learn something new every Tuesday and Wednesday night. Pizza is on the menu for dinner tonight.

I’ve said it before: Tuesdays are pretty busy around Carson City. Mile High Jazz Band gets the night jumping at Comma Coffee. The Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz and DJ Trivia are always a good way to stretch one’s intellect. Take a walk on the wild side, well, art side of Carson City with today’s special Easy Walk hosted by Muscle Powered: you’ll get a glimpse of all our downtown art show, including the newest exhibit at the Courthouse Gallery showcasing Susanne Forestieri . Keep reading, and you’ll be impressed with Tuesday, too.

TUESDAY:

This weekend is going to be packed. Vintage Airstreams will line the streets, a wine walk, the Aviation Roundup in Minden, Virginia City’s Outhouse Races, Oktoberfest at Fandango: and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Get a jump on the festivities tonight with plenty of live music, two artists’ receptions, karaoke, comedy, or the Witchcraft and Wizardry Ball at the Boys and Girls Club. Join in solidarity with our famous city to the south by wearing blue and silver today and attending the Candlelight Vigil at the Capitol Building.

FRIDAY:

You’ll need to share the road this morning. It’s the Nevada Walk to School Day and more kids will be walking and biking their way through your neighborhood. Virginia City is in for a crappy weekend, but they asked for it. The annual Outhouse Races begin with a parade down C Street at noon both days. Learn more about our local Sherriff’s Department today during ‘Coffee with a Cop’ at Dunkin Donuts. Join the Carson Library this evening for their family movie and craft.

Every week I bring you all the happenings in Carson City, my hometown of over 35 years, but I was born in Las Vegas. I’m heartsick over what transpired Sunday night, but equally comforted by the outpouring of support this community has shown. Nevada Day is just weeks away, and I am truly grateful to be Battle Born. Get geared up for our Admission Day with the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt – clues start today, so get out your history books and your hiking boots. Thinking caps are recommended at DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub or the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras.

Rumble, rumble, rumble. Street Vibrations brings quite a bit of traffic to the area, so please drive safely amoungst the swarms of bikes. Battle Born Harley is hosting one heck of a party, so head down there for bikes, brews, and lots of live music. For something quieter, the final weekend of 'Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe' at the Brewery Arts Center is a great alternative. Funny lady and local favorite, Kat Simmons, is this week's featured performer at Carson Comedy inside the Nugget - stick around downtown and enjoy Southbound Train at the Westside Pour House.

Street Vibrations is a celebration of all things motorcycle, but today the only cycle that truly matters is the three-wheeled one that belongs to Glen Lucky. A lot of towns have local celebrities; most everyone has seen Glen Lucky on the side of the road, pushing his bike to take him further. Today, the Nevada State Museum invites everyone to help Lucky celebrate his 65th birthday, complete with cake and a huge group photo.

Calling all Geeks. After a long hiatus, the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz has returned to Carson City, and is setting up shop inside Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint on Tuesday nights. Grab your smartest friends for a fun night of yummy drinks, great food, and nerdy competition. It's National Register to Vote Day - Carson residents can go to the County Clerk's office in the Courthouse. While you're there, head to the CCAI Gallery on the second floor to catch the last few days of the 'Industrial Art: Sports Edition' exhibit.

One might think that the end of summer means that the fun times are over: they would be wrong. This list of happenings in the Carson City area isn’t getting any shorter. The annual Genoa Candy Dance is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, and this weekend welcomes the first ever Silver State Arts Festival at Fuji Park, as well. The first ever Community Garage Sale at the Community Center offers one-stop bargain hunting. Swing into the season at the monthly dance party hosted by the High Sierra Swing Dance Club.

SATURDAY:

Go Big Blue! It’s Homecoming night for Carson High School; head over to the football field tonight to see the Carson Senators take on the North Valley High Panthers. The Carson Nugget is a hotbed of activity tonight for the over 21 crowd. Catch Johnny Steele at Carson Comedy or flashback to the eighties in ‘The Loft’ as New Wave Craze takes to the stage. Break a leg to the cast of ‘Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe.’ The Proscenium Players’ newest production opens tonight in the Brewery Arts Center’s Black Box Theater.

FRIDAY:

It’s beginning to feel a lot like autumn; it’s time to pull those scarves and sweaters out of the closet. Speaking of chilly, let Chili’s Restaurant take care of dinner tonight and you’ll be lending a hand to Bordewich Elementary School – just make sure to mention the ‘Give Back’ fundraiser. Sacramento arts administrator, Dianne Cripe, will speak about public art as part of the Capital City Arts Initiative’s lecture series, ‘Nevada Neighbors.’ You’ll find poet J. Paul Horgan at Browser’s Corner Book Store, across the street from the Library.

Ahoy, mateys. ‘Tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so don’t ye be a scallywag. Set forth on an adventure to th’ historic west side wit’ Carson City Parks and Recreation. Bring ye brainiest mates along to DJ Trivia at ye olde’ Fox Brewpub, and don’t forget to order ye some supper and grog. Siren of the sea, Canyon White, will be entertaining at Living the Good Life. Enjoy an evenin' wit' local authors at the Minden Library; with a mighty pen, they be signing their latest works. Keep readin' fer all ye Pirate Day options.

Autumn is coming. It seems our days of 80+ degree weather is over, but so are rainy days we’ve seen this week. The Carson Aquatic Center welcomes everyone to a ‘Dive-in Movie’ on their new LED screen: Finding Nemo is a perfect flick for the whole family. Funnyman Adam Stone headlines this week’s Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget for those needing a good laugh. The Carson Area Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will gather to honor those who have given their all and have yet to come home during a POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Grounds.

Ready to head back to school, Carson City? The entire community is invited to attend the Open House Open Hearts Community Fair at Carson High School this evening. You’ll be treated to performances from our talented students, yummy treats created by the CHS Culinary students, and a plethora of information from community services like the library and Boys and Girls Club. Wheeled Food Wednesdays at the Brewery Arts Center is contingent on nice weather, so it’s too early to tell if the rain clouds will cooperate.

Northern Nevada is filled with very different people with a wide variety of interests. I strive to make sure that my things-to-do lists reflect the many options available to you. Today, for example, you’ll find a fundraiser for Catmandu, the monthly meeting of the fly fishing club, some country line dancing, jazz and poetry, and a walk along the historic Blue Line Trail. No two Tuesdays are alike (or Wednesdays or Thursdays, for that matter), so it’s always worth checking out. Now that we are moving into autumn, the activities in Carson City change like the leaves.

One might think that after Labor Day, it starts to get quiet around here. They would be mistaken. September is chock-full of adventure, starting with this weekend’s Virginia City International Camel Races and the Great Reno Balloon Races. You won’t want to miss the last of the Third Street Stage Concerts in McFadden Plaza: Shane Dwight is tonight’s featured performer. It’s the last day to see the Photography and Regular Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery, they’ll have their new Autumn Show on display Sunday.

FRIDAY:

Six years ago, shots rang out and Carson City was thrust into the middle of a tragedy. Four people died in the IHOP shooting, three of them National Guard members. Today, they will be honored again during the annual Remembrance Run. If you are driving along Fairview, please give them some extra room. Wheeled Truck Wednesday at the Brewery Arts Center is a ‘weather permitting’ event, so keep your eye out for rain clouds.

Labor Day weekend usually signifies the end of summer. Give it one heck of a send-off: the downtown Carson wine walk, rib cook-off in Sparks, Virginia City's Civil War Days, and the Heavenly Days carnival, music festival and car show in South Lake Tahoe are but a few of your options. Tonight, Improv at the Brewery Arts Center will get the belly laughs going. Unwind with some live music at Living the Good Life or some karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill. Artisan Gail Rogers is the featured guest at tonight's Carson City Art Gallery reception.

FRIDAY:

Welcome to Wednesday, Carson City. The middle of the week may be known as hump day, but the Brewery Arts Center wants it to be something to look forward to. Wheeled Food Wednesday features family fun, community, and plenty of yummy eats from local food trucks. It’s generally thought that Carson City was named after Kit Carson, but that’s only partially true. The Carson River was named for the explorer, while Carson City was named for the river that runs through it. Learn more about this important high desert watershed at Dayton State Park.

Weekends fly by way too quickly. Enjoy the last few days of August with a ride to Virginia City aboard the Virginia and Truckee Steam Train. Take a peek inside the historic Wungnema House on the east side of Mills Park, courtesy of the Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation. If you are over 21, try your hand at BINGO in the Carson City Senior Center. Even if you aren’t a big winner, the Meals on Wheels program benefits from your afternoon of fun.

SUNDAY:

You’ll see some pretty interesting vehicles on the road these next few days, as travelers from all over head to Burning Man. If you aren’t off to the Playa yourself, there will be plenty of fun around town to keep you and your family occupied. The second annual Family Fun Day in Mills Park is your best bet for kids of all ages. This week’s free concert at Brewery Arts Center features the Dusty Green Bones. Don’t forget your dancing shoes; they’re sure to keep you on your feet.

SATURDAY:

Congrats, Carson kids, you've just about survived the first week of school. Families can celebrate with a concert in Minden Park that will be filled with the music of Credence Clearwater Survival. Adults will enjoy an outdoor concert at Living the Good Life with Mo'z Motley Blues Band - just make sure to wish the proprietress a happy birthday. Fallon might be a few miles away, but their Cantaloupe Festival, Carnival, and Country Fair is sure to make up for the drive with delicious offerings and a fun country tribute concert.

strong>FRIDAY:

I’m really hoping for rain. Unfortunately, rain brings thunder and lightning with it, and we are already suffering the effects of lightning. Thanks and praises to the men and women fighting the fire in Voltaire Canyon and for all of your hard work keeping those neighborhoods safe. Smoke may be bad around the valley, so find something indoors to enjoy: our plethora of art exhibits and galleries offer up something beautiful. Hit the road with Smokey and the Bandit at Galaxy Theater. If you have an interest in the digital arts, the Wired Wednesday group meets tonight at Paradise Salon. On the agenda is a discussion of their upcoming short film competition and a recap of last week’s Jukebox International Film Festival.

WEDNESDAY: