Sassafras

The long holiday weekend has ended, but the school district’s winter break has just begun. The Carson City Library invites everyone to participate in their Winter Read-a-thon; cuddle up with a book during these cold winter days. New Year’s Eve is just days away and the annual Black Tie Gala thrown by the Friends of the Carson City Library still has tickets available. Go HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

Last week, a basketball game among rivals Douglas High and Carson High inspired more comradery than animosity as it raised money for the teens injured in the Nov. 9 rollover. Tonight, an alumni hoops battle takes place to raise more money; go cheer them on, we are all winners in this game. The weather should be wonderful for this afternoon’s downtown walk with Muscle Powered. The Friends of the Carson City Library bring author J.L. Pattison to Browsers Corner for their November meet and greet.

Just one week to go until Thanksgiving. You’ll have from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. to drop off your donation to the Holiday for the Hungry Frozen Turkey Drop at the Carson Nugget; you’ll see the FISH truck on Carson Street and can drop it off without leaving your car. Sherry Rupert, Executive Director of the State of Nevada Indian Commission, is tonight’s speaker at the Nevada State Museum. Learn about the future of the Stewart Indian School, and probably some interesting things about its history. The Polar Express begins its seasonal run this weekend.

It’s time for Tuesday. Every week you’ll find a new trail to discover with Muscle Powered; this week it’s the Linear Ditch Trail which runs from Governors Field to the Moffet Open Space Trail. Jakki Ford takes the mic when the Mile High Jazz Band hits the stage at Comma Coffee. Sierra Forums gives free presentations on a diverse blend of topics with area experts. Sustainable Living is the subject of tonight’s forum at the Brewery Arts Center.

Tiffani’s 5th annual Sealed Toy Drive has commenced with 17 drop off locations in and around Carson City. The "sealed" toy drive allows hospitalized children who have to stay in their room, or are unable to play with used toys, a chance to receive a small gift basket of toys and games to play with over the holidays.

The day may start out cold and wet, but nothing can rain on a three-day weekend. Tomorrow we observe Veterans Day, and say thank you to those who have fought for freedom and liberty. It definitely feels like soup weather, so it’s only appropriate that the Carson Chamber of Commerce is hosting one of their ‘Soup’s On’ Lectures.

It’s wintry out there, but if you aren’t afraid of the wind-chill, enjoy a walk along the Linear Ditch Trail with Parks and Recreation. Spaghetti is on the menu at J’s Old Town Bistro in Dayton. You’ll be helping out the Lady Dust Devils Basketball program while enjoying delicious pasta. Join the Carson City Classical Cinema Club for this month’s flick, The Fabulous Dorseys, and make sure you’re there for the trivia portion. Speaking of trivia, Tuesdays are packed with it. Sassafras hosts the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz and you’ll find DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub.

We’ve got a wine walk weekend coming our way, come rain, snow, or shine. This one could get a little blustery; there’s a storm moving in. I’m just grateful that Mother Nature waited until after the parade and trick-or-treat night to send us some winter.

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.

Carson City is once again celebrating the cult classic, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," with a party and screening of the original musical this Friday, Oct. 27. This is Proscenium Players, Inc. and Brewery Art Center's 3rd annual event, so come down and support your local theater community while having a great time.

The countdown continues. Nevada Day is observed Friday, so get ready for an action-packed three-day weekend. Head down to Old Town Dayton for their annual Haunted Hayrides into History. You’ll find games, refreshments, Ghostly Pioneers, and it’s the perfect place for your costume. The Boys and Girls Club invites you to their ‘Lights on Afterschool’ event with an ice cream social, face painting, games, bounce house, S.T.E.M. labs and more. A Dodgeball battle at the Multi-Purpose Athletic Center raises money for Domestic Abuse Awareness.

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.

Tricks, treats, and fun for all ages is what Halloween is about. You’ll find numerous reasons to don a costume in this year’s list of everything Halloween. Parties for the adult crowd, haunted houses, and trick or treating are just the tip of the broomstick. Everything is listed chronologically by start time. If it is located outside of Carson City, I’ve put the name of the town in bold face.

The weekend is almost here, bringing with it early Halloween parties, the Advocates to End Domestic Violence ‘Light up the Dark’ Run/walk, and even more fun at the Nevada Railroad Museum. For now, you may as well enjoy the day we’ve been given.

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.

There have been quite a few exciting changes to downtown this year. Today we celebrate the grand opening of the Union Carson eatery, taphouse and coffee bar with a ribbon cutting and tasty fundraiser. $20 gets you a few hours of food, beer and wine, and great live music, and it’s all for a great cause. Artist Adrienne Harrington is the star of this evening’s reception at Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery. The Gold Hill Hotel hosts a weekly lecture series: learn more about the near-by historical ghost town, Bodie, while enjoying a meal. Hoops with Heroes at Dayton High School pits the varsity and j.v.

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:

It’s hard to see straight when the weekend approaches. The Downtown Business Association hosts their monthly wine walk on Saturday, but that is just the tip of the fun-time iceberg. Due Sorella, also known as Two Sisters, welcomes their annual Autumn Vintage Faire to the large parking lot behind them and the Airstreams on Main event brings shiny trailer nostalgia with them. Join the Annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center this evening – just remember to bring a jacket, it’s getting chilly once the sun goes down.

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.

There’s more than one way to travel in Nevada, and our railways are the topic at both of Carson City’s museums. Learn about the Glenbrook Steam Engine’s history and what it took to get her back on track at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Steven Drew will lecture on the railroads of Lake Tahoe at the Nevada State Museum tonight. Get in the Street Vibrations mood at Battle Born Harley. A concert featuring Justin Lee, in addition to bikes and brews, will kick off their celebration. Families will want to attend the outdoor movie in McFadden Plaza.