Santa Claus

The Brewery Arts Center, Carson City’s premiere epicenter for the arts since 1975 announced Tuesday the return of Big Bad VooDoo Daddy and its Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party that will be featured at Casino Fandango’s new Grand Ballroom on Dec. 4.

The last big weekend of the summer is on its way, but if you’ve got a hankering for ribs, you can get them now. The annual Rib Cook-off in Sparks kicks off five days of barbeque heaven today – keep an eye open for our local champion, Carson City BBQ. Carson City BMX celebrates the end of the summer with a party at this evening’s practice. Songstress, Latisha Lewis, leads the band during tonight’s Jazz Night at Living the Good Life; if you’ve got some chops, bring an instrument and join the jam.

WEDNESDAY, August 29: Things to do in Carson City

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Don’t worry, you’ve still got four months for your holiday shopping, but Santa needs to hire a few helpers. The annual Polar Express on the V & T is getting ready to steam up and they are auditioning for elves etc. to lend a hand. The Nevada Arts Council has a new exhibit featuring Basque artwork; attend this evening’s artist reception to learn more about these unusual carvings. The ESL at Home program works quietly behind the scenes to bring better English language skills to non-native speakers.

The V&T Railway Commission is looking for upbeat, energetic performers to portray characters from the movie and recreate the story of “The Polar Express” aboard the historic V&T Railroad in Carson City.

Bright eyes and wide smiles by the dozens shined Sunday night as Santa Claus made his way though the capital city after sunset Christmas Eve, carried by patrol vehicles in a caravan led by the Carson City Sheriff’s Office Reserve Organization.

Before you break into the cookies, you might want to consider a morning bike ride with Muscle Powered; it won’t do anything for the calories, but it may assuage some guilt. If you’re over 21, then test your luck at the Senior Citizen’s Center. BINGO today raises money for the Meals on Wheels program that feeds home-bound seniors. You’ve got one last chance to see Santa Claus. Find him at the Carson Mall until 5 p.m. and then he’s off for his midnight ride.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety Capitol Police Division partnered Thursday with Toys For Tots for the annual toy donation event held at the State Capitol Building in Carson City.

If you’re anything like me, there are still plenty of last-minute preparations for the holiday. Luckily the shops and businesses around Carson City are there with open arms. Find something one of a kind at the Carson Mall Craft Fair, drop it off at the Rainbow Girls Assembly #7 gift wrapping booth, and grab lunch while you wait. Breakfast with Santa at the Fox Brewpub serves as a toy drive for area kids and as no-fuss way to get start the day with a full belly. Read on for a weekend full of holiday happenings.

SATURDAY:

There are some fairly excited kids throughout the valley. This last Friday before Christmas marks the beginning of winter break. The Carson City Library invites everyone in the community to participate in the annual Winter Read-a-thon with a goal of 90,000 minutes read (or listened to) over the next two weeks. Sign up on-line or at their kick-off event this afternoon. Comedian John Mencarelli headlines Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget, and you’ll find the Rebekah Chase Band on stage in their Loft. Even more awaits, so read on and have a great day.

Friday, Dec. 22

Thursday, December 21 is the winter solstice, making it the longest night and the shortest day of the year. With Christmas just a few days away, the holiday activities are still going strong. Share your wish list with Santa at Red’s Old 395 tonight and you’ll walk away with a free photograph. Your ugliest sweater is invited to make an appearance at the Carson Cigar Company; bring a white elephant gift if you’d like to participate in the gift exchange.

The 14th annual Holiday With a Hero campaign culminated Wednesday in Carson City at Walmart after months of fundraising. At least 240 homeless children from across the Carson City School District met with Santa Claus before being paired with first responder heroes for a Christmas shopping spree.

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.

Winter is settling in, even if our mountains are lacking their snowy blanket. It’s chilly out there, but the members of Muscle Powered head out for a walk and a hike every Tuesday unless the rain or snow is falling. Join them tonight for a walk around downtown Carson City to take in the twinkling lights and decorations; there will even be a stop afterward for a warm beverage. If you’d rather exercise your brain, the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras and DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub are your choices.

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:

It may be Monday, but the next one on the way is Christmas. If you still have some loved ones on your holiday shopping list, the Craft Fair at the Carson Mall is sure to have something for everyone. Monday also means football. Watch the Falcons take on the Buccaneers at Living the Good Life. You’ll find good food, good drinks, and the game on all of their screens. Put some swing in your step at Carson Lanes. The High Sierra Swing Dance Club meets weekly to learn some new dance moves and put them into action. Santa has been spotted at Red’s Old 395: from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

It’s beginning to look, and sound, a lot like Christmas. Let the Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble entertain you with the in the warmth and magic of the holiday season during their free Winter Wandering concerts. ‘Elf’ is a modern holiday classic, and you’ll find it on the big screen today and Wednesday at the Galaxy Theater. Track down Santa at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada; a family membership to the museum makes a great gift for anyone with little ones. Keep reading for even more Sunday fun day activities.

One thing was evident as the special Polar Express Train departed the depot east of Carson City: You don't have to have kids with you to enjoy the annual holiday favorite on the historic V&T Railroad.

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.

The owner of Slot World in Carson City, Mike Pegram, has made a $10,000 contribution to Holiday with a Hero after serving more than 700 plates of food Saturday to patrons of Betsy's Big Kitchen restaurant inside the casino.

Friday has finally arrived, and it has brought some nightlife with it. Enjoy the Trippin King Snakes on stage at the Max Casino. The Carson Nugget gives you comedian John Hilder in Carson Comedy and the band Adrenaline playing in ‘The Loft.’ Kids will love the Wild Horse Children’s Theater production of ‘Honk, Jr.’, while ‘Love/Sick,’ performed by the Proscenium Players, is meant for an older audience. Let Roska Entertainment take you into late-night with their weekly dance party in Battle Born Social’s Sage Lounge.

FRIDAY:

Time to make some joyful noise in the capital city. The annual community holiday show at the Brewery Arts Center features John and Cherie Shipley, with the special addition of the Joyful Noise Children’s Chorus. These chilly December evenings are perfect for checking out the lights and decorations around the area. Candy Cane Lane, the drive-thru display at Carson Valley Inn in Minden, runs every night. Nevada Christmas, a private home in the Stephanie Way neighborhood, goes all out with a light show that’s choreographed to music.

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:

I’m always surprised at how busy Tuesdays can get around here. Every week you can discover a new trail with Muscle Powered, get your boot-scootin’ boogie on at Carson Lanes, or test your trivia knowledge at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint and at the Fox Brewpub. Today, however, you can also enjoy the monthly Mile High Jazz Band gig at Comma Coffee, with a special serving of poetry. Christmas Beers are on tap at Cowboy Liquors for their weekly tasting event.

It’s the beginning of another work week, and a chilly one, at that. Take an hour to get yourself grounded and ready for what life throws your way during ‘Motivation Monday’ Yoga at the Adams Hub. Learn something new in the kitchen at this month’s cooking demo and dinner at the Dayton Community Center.

You are in for a Holiday Treat today; the annual Carson City Symphony Winter Concert with Victorian Dancers in beautiful costumes takes to the stage. Take in a play at the Brewery Arts Center or play BINGO at the Senior Center. The Santa Train, the Living Nativity at the Methodist Church, and a remembrance ceremony at Walton’s Chapel are on the list, too. Sunday’s aren’t sleepy this time of year, so read on and take a look at your options.

Betsy’s Big Kitchen in the Slot World Casino has been taken over by Holiday With a Hero. All day Saturday Slot World is donating 100% of the proceeds from the cafe to the Holiday with a Hero program which provides a proper Christmas to nearly 300 local underprivileged students. The event runs until 8 p.m.

A Carson City Christmas tradition for more than three decades, the annual Santa Train has hit full steam at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (NSRM), located at 2180 South Carson Street.

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.

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.