V&T

This Saturday, northern Nevadans can learn what it takes to become a homeowner as the Nevada Rural Housing Authority will host a seminar that gives potential home buyers the tools needed to navigate the buying process.

Don’t let finding something fun for Labor Day be laborious, just keep reading. Virginia City hosts a noontime parade to celebrate. You’ll want to stick around as the Comstock Civil War Reenactors wage a “Battle for ‘C’ Street.” Join your neighbors at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for the annual Interfaith Potluck Picnic and food drive for Friends in Service Helping (FISH).

Time for some Sunday holiday adventure. The Carson Nugget has something special tonight, a Van Halen Tribute Band plays two concerts in their upstairs ballroom. For a lazy afternoon in the shade, you’ll find live music on the porch of the Genoa Bar. The Tahoe Orchestra brings their annual 9/11 Memorial Concert to St. Gall’s Church in Gardnerville. Virginia City is trapped in a time loop during Civil War Days. Don’t forget to get your grub on at the annual Rib Cook-off in Sparks. Read on for more events for both Sunday and Monday.

It’s nice that the beginning of the school year is almost immediately rewarded with a three-day weekend. You’ll find annual events like Civil War Days in Virginia City and the Best in the West Rib Cook-off in Sparks, in addition to smaller happenings like the monthly Downtown Carson City Wine Walk and a roller derby double-header. If you haven’t made plans to head for the hills, take a look at your options and have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.

SATURDAY:

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.

Bill passed Aug. 4 and is once again with his beloved Ardell. They’re both at peace after long battles with Parkinson’s.

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.

Time to get July off to a fun start. The downtown Wine Walk is a great way to spend the day exploring new shops, galleries, and restaurants. If you’re feeling competitive, head down to the Carson Mall for their watermelon and hot dog eating contests. The summer concerts at the Brewery Arts Center continue with a singer/songwriter showcase.

SATURDAY:

• — Sierra Chef Farmers Market at Genoa Town Park, on Nixon in Genoa (8am-1pm; An assortment of fresh produce, herbs, eggs and more, crafts, and local food items and specialties)

A very happy Fourth of July to everyone. Listed below is my collection of celebrations in Northern Nevada. You’ll find them listed by their start time, so read through the list for all your options. If there is not a city/town listed after the location, then the event is happening in Carson City. Carson Valley doesn’t have a fireworks celebration, but they get the day off to a great start with a fun run, bbqs, concerts, and more. Be prepared for traffic if you want to watch at the lake, and a designated driver is suggested no matter where you end up. Have a safe holiday and enjoy.

Fourth of July celebrations abound in the Carson City area. Fireworks can be found in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and at both north and south shore of Lake Tahoe. There are several daytime events going on this week so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great Independence Day.

Independence Day isn’t until Wednesday, but the red, white, and blue celebration starts now. For a complete listing of upcoming Independence Day events and fireworks displays in the area, you can go HERE. See the trains under steam at the Nevada State Railroad and ride the rails to your heart’s content.

The Nevada Commission on Tourism on Monday approved more than $1 million in grant funding to rural communities to promote tourism through marketing projects. Among the Carson City area programs funded through the marketing grants:

Show your support for Virginia City, Nev., by making a patriotic monetary donation to its world-class July Fourth Fireworks Show. Launching from the Silverland Inn & Suites located on E Street and sitting at 6,200 feet, it promises to be one of the region’s longest displays with visibility from nearly anywhere in town.

This is going to be an epic Fathers’ Day weekend. Carson City Off-Road sponsored by Epic Rides has taken over downtown with everything mountain bike and plays host to a free Music Festival in McFadden Plaza. Don’t miss Arts and Culture Day at the Nevada State Railroad Museum with unlimited rides on the Steam Train, special vendors, and more. Stewart Indian School will be a hotspot of activity with the annual Fathers’ Day PowWow underway. This is just the tip of the iceberg, read on for more fun than you’ll know what to do with.

SATURDAY:

Carson City is in the midst of the NEA’s Big Read, with True Grit by Charles Portis at the designated book. Julie Buntin’s tome, ‘Marlena: A Novel,’ is the chosen Nevada Reads book, and Nevada Humanities has brought the author here for a discussion and reading. Find Ms. Buntin at the Nevada State Library and Archives at lunchtime or hear her thoughts at the Minden Library this evening. Keep an eye to the skies if you’re interested in today’s Muscle Powered hikes; they will walk on the indoor track at the Multi-purpose Athletic Center if it’s rainy.

This week is just flying by and the weekend is just around the corner. Mothers’ Day is this Sunday and there will be plenty of ways to spoil Mom. A trip to Virginia City on the V & T Steam Train is always memorable. The annual RSVP Spring Celebration Carnival opens tomorrow in Mills Park.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada State Railroad Museum’s historic McKeen Motor Car — built for service on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in 1910 — will be making its first runs of 2018 this weekend, May 5-6.

It seems somehow appropriate that snow was falling in Virginia City on the morning of Monday, April 16, as crews from the Nevada State Railroad Museum and Comstock Historic Center prepared the Virginia & Truckee Railroad locomotive “Dayton” for its return trip to Carson City.

With soggy weather here, some cancellations are inevitable. One thing you can count on, however, is the monthly Downtown Business Association’s wine walk; it’s a rain, shine, or blizzard event. Stay dry and well-fed with the Kiwanis annual BINGO Spaghetti Feed at the Carson Senior Center. The Brewery Arts Center hosts some pretty amazing vocalists for their newest fundraiser, ‘Evening with the Divas.’ Keep reading for even more Carson City, Carson Valley, and Dayton options.
SATURDAY:

Okay. This is one of the hardest weekend lists I’ve ever had to do. This dump of snow has cancelled some events, but others are in full force. Best I can tell, St. Patrick’s Day parties are not deterred by a little snowfall. There will be no parade in Virginia City, but the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fest is on. Head to downtown Carson for more green beer, Irish music, and corned beef and cabbage than you’ll know what to do with.

SATURDAY: St. Patrick’s Day

Lodging properties in Carson City saw a nearly 27 percent increase in revenue in 2017 — the highest in the city’s history — according to numbers released Monday by the Carson City Culture and Tourism Authority.

There is absolutely a little bit of everything this weekend. There’s somewhere to volunteer, somewhere to eat some fundraising pancakes, join in an Asian New Year Lion Dance Parade, Beer Crawl in downtown Carson City, and get your Zumba on. I think the eclectic mix of happenings is one of my favorite things about our corner of the world. Whether it’s the International Film Festival, the Vagina Monologues, or telescope viewing at the WNC Observatory: you can’t tell me there is nothing to do.

SATURDAY:

Come out and join us for free hikes each week to enjoy Nevada outdoors around Carson City! Thursday hike is to the V&T Trail-North. Meet in the dirt parking area opposite Murphy Drive on Combs Canyon Road.

Sunny days in the fifties are okay for spring, but we still need some winter to come our way. Take advantage of the warmer weather during a Winter Hike along Carson Valley’s Pinion Trail with Muscle Powered. Song and dance kids will want to audition for the upcoming performance of ‘Willy Wonka, Jr.’ If you’re a fan of song, but possibly too old to join the Youth Theater Carson City cast, check out the monthly jam in Silver City at their historic School House. All instruments are welcome, in addition to vocalists and those who just want to listen.

Take some time for something fun today. If you’ve got little ones at home, a trip to the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada is always a good bet. Get there early for their ‘Books and Brags’ program. Learn something new on the dance floor at Carson Lanes; every week they’ll cover a different line dance. It’s up the hill to the V and T Trail with Muscle Powered this afternoon. Bring a camera, the views of Carson will be enviable

TUESDAY, Jan. 23: Things to do in Carson City

CARSON CITY — After more than a year, visitors to the Nevada State Museum can watch the museum’s historic Coin Press No. 1 carry on a mission it started nearly 150 year ago in the very same building.

The V&T Flea Market has arrived for a weekend stay Saturday in the Carson Colony Gym in Carson City.

From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, vending tables full jewelry, a tools, crafts, collectibles, antiques, and souvenirs caught the eyes of many spectators and customers in attendance.

Brownies and cookies were also up for sale, filling hungry stomachs throughout the event.

The event continues Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After back to back three-day weekends, this one may feel a little short. Grab onto the hours allotted and have a good time. The monthly downtown wine walk is a great way to catch up with friends after the bustle of the holiday season. The annual Be Bold, Run in the Cold Winter Trail Series offers the Winter Round-up 5 or 10K. If staying active is a resolution, then a brisk run in our hills fits the bill. For something less strenuous, you can join our Parks and Recreation Department for a Winter Wonderland Walk along the Carson River.

Join Muscle Powered on these leader-led walks, hikes or bike rides for January 2018! Explore the many walking paths and trails around Carson City as well as learn some local history associated with many of the places we go.

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.