Genoa

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

Friday, July 3:
July Third Fireworks and Beach Party at the North Tahoe Events Center on Kings Beach, North Lake Tahoe (4pm-10pm, free; vendors, contests, games, music and more; Fireworks 9:30pm; FRIDAY)

Saturday, July 4:

Carson City:

Come on out Sunday, July 5th to "Sip, Shop & Stroll" Main Street in Genoa. The drinks will be Rum-based, the non-profit recipient will be Carson Valley Arts Council and the entertainment will be "Nigel St. Hubbins". Returning sippers bring your glass and save $2 off of the $12 admission. A completed passport will get you a chance at $100 in Genoa Bucks. More fun contests throughout the day. Check-in is on the porch of the Masonic Lodge. Cheers!!

The 6,000 people attending the outdoor reggae festival Saturday night at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe in Stateline were evacuated briefly because of lightning in the area.

Several strikes of lightning in the South Lake Tahoe area Saturday evening prompted the necessity to get the people out according to Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin. He said he was opening the venue back up as soon as the area was safe from strikes. As of 6:45 p.m. Saturday, the lightning was in the ridge area around Glenbrook.

UPDATE 10PM: As of 9:35 pm, crews are responding to the fires. Two fires have been reported above Jacks Valley, one above Autumn Hills, one above Job’s Peak Ranch and one near Fay Luther Canyon. The fires are going to be monitored through the night and will be addressed during the daylight hours.
No structures are in danger at this time, said Sgt. Pat Brooks of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
***

Bikes, and cars, and brews: oh my! Downtown Carson is awash in activity on Saturday. Battleborn Brews, Bikes, and Bubbly features the Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge, vendors, a brewfest, moustache competition and more. The Karson Kruzers are hosting their annual car show at Fuji Park, but will be making their way downtown after it’s over, so there will be plenty of cool cars to admire. Mojo Green takes the stage at 7 p.m. and you can head into the Carson Cigar Company to enjoy Reno’s newest Pink Floyd Tribute Band, Scarlett Moon at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY:

• Karson Krusers’ Run Whatcha Brung Car Show at Fuji Park (registration 7am-9am; show and vendors until 6pm; parade to downtown 6pm)
• Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers Fundraising Yard Sale on Ophir Circle, off Richmond (8am-3pm; help send them to perform at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)

UPDATE: A historic moment in Carson City as The Pony Express rode through downtown Carson City this morning, stopping off at the Carson City Home Station No. 1 at the Nevada Day Store & Trading Post on W. Telegraph Street.

Pony Express Rider Grant Bell brought in the mail and exchanged it with PXP rider Paula Walkins. They are on their way to Jacks Valley Road and Genoa.
***
After some delays, the Nevada Division of the Pony Express was about 15 miles out of Fort Churchill at 9:10 a.m. and are expected to be riding into the Carson City Home Station around 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, organizers say.

The Pony Express was in operation for just over a year and a half, but its legacy has proven to be a timeless testament to ingenuity and can-do spirit. In an era of limited transportation, a letter could leave St. Joseph, MO and arrive in Sacramento, CA ten days later. Broken into segments of five to twenty miles between stations, the Pony Express traversed eight states and 1,966 miles.

The solstice couldn’t come at a better time: we need some long days to get through all the fun stuff Carson City has crammed into one weekend. The annual Powwow at the Stewart Indian School runs Friday through Sunday, so you’ll have plenty of time to see the dancing, peruse the crafts, and eat an Indian Taco. Don’t miss the Fly-in and Open House at the Carson City Airport: fun for the whole family. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of Carson City’s favorite events: the Taste of Downtown. Music, food, and more from Carson Mall to Williams Street. Have a great time, and be safe.

Chautauqua performer Kim Copél will portray Genoa Candy Dance creator Lillian Virgin Finnegan in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Sunday, June 28, at 10:00 am.

Locally known as the woman who started the Genoa Candy Dance in 1919, Lillian Virgin Finnegan is presented in 1914 after women gained the right to vote in Nevada. She was a suffragette and worked closely with Governor Emmett Boyle during his terms in office.

Tickets are available for a Saturday crawfish feed and evening with Oakland Raiders Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice. The event will be at TJ's Corral at Carson Valley Inn, beginning at 7 p.m.

This is the kick off to the 5th Annual Mike Tice Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada.

Tickets for the crawfish feed charity event are $40 and includes food, beer and live music provided by "Decades."

The Sunday, June 21, golf tournament held at the Genoa Lakes Golf Course is sold out.

I don’t mean to make this hard on you, but you have some decisions to make. All day, all night, all weekend long, there are numerous activities throughout our area. Take a good look at the list, grab your friends, family, and kids, and have a great weekend. The Experimental Aircraft Association is hosting the Ford Tri-Motor this weekend, and has Young Eagles flights for the kids: registration and orientation is at 8 a.m. Head over to Eagle Valley Golf for free family golf day.

Dayton is dishing up fun this weekend with their annual Oodles of Noodles festival. Sunday features a pet parade, live music, and more. The Sequicentenial of the Civil War will be remembered at the Dayton Cemetery; just take Main Street up the hill and to the left. Street Vibrations Spring Revival roars into Reno this weekend, and Virginia City is sure to have its share of bikers, as well. So please drive carefully.

SUNDAY:
• 14th Annual Oodles of Noodles Cook Off and Festival: Live Entertainment, Pet Parade, Great Food, Vendors and Crafters, Civil War Re-Enactments, Old West Gun Shows, Motorsports and more in Old Town Dayton (Noodle Tasting Saturday Only; Pet Parade at 10am, $5 entry)
• Sundaes on Sunday: Carson City Library’s Grand Opening Sunday in the Secret Garden (2pm-4pm)
• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30am-11am, $7)

First things first. Saturday afternoon could be expecting some wet weather, so be prepared. I can’t predict what events may be affected by it, or if the rain will even show up. No worries for you wine walkers, though, downtown will be hopping: rain, shine, or blizzard. Head over to Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery and wish them a happy fourth anniversary, Jeffery will be serving up one of his signature Sangrias. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church won best wine walk stop last month and will have live music. Don’t forget to spend some time inside Westside Pour House: ARTistically INKlined pop-up gallery returns and proves that tattoo artists are first, and foremost, artists.

SATURDAY:

• Street Vibrations Spring Rally: Downtown Reno
• Reno Tahoe International Film Festival – go to www.RTIFF.org for schedule and locations
• Sierra Lutheran High School's 13th Annual Golf Classic at the Silver Oaks Golf Course (7am Check-in, Shotgun start at 8am; $125 for a single player or $400 for a team of four)

I have a confession to make. I love Carson City. I’m fifth generation Nevadan, and have been in Carson since I was three years old. I created a Facebook page called ‘I Love Carson City’ almost three years ago because I was getting tired of hearing ‘nothing ever happens in Carson’ or worse ‘I would have gone to that if I had known about it.’ That is why I do what I do. I am a long time local. I love my valley: the people, the views, the restaurants, the parks, the bands and artists. Community is what community does. We are as great as we want to be. Support your local venues, artists, non-profits, and they can do wonders. Read my list of things to do: I follow almost every local Facebook page and check out over 30 websites weekly to keep it as up to date as possible.

So much is going on today that I don’t even know how to fit it in this introduction.
FRIDAY:

• Monthly ‘Breakfast with Supervisor Brad’ Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)
• Street Vibrations Spring Rally: Downtown Reno

It’s now official. Systems Consultants, the private computer firm in Fallon that conducts the annual computerized drawings for Nevada’s big game hunting tags, has posted the results of the 2015 drawings at its website huntnevada.com for the entire world to see.

Local Works of Art Professional watercolorist and arts instructor, Dana Childs is embarking upon a major painting project that includes creating a series of watercolors of the Sierra Nevada as well as supporting a local youth art painting project in our local town of Genoa if the initial goal is met.

It’s a Railroad kind of weekend in Carson City. The historic 1885 Glenbrook Steam Engine will be on display Saturday, all steamed up with the Inyo at the Nevada Railroad Museum. You will want to arrive before the dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. to get the best photos. The V and T Steam Engine #25 will be running all weekend if you want to take a ride. It’s also opening weekend for the Virginia and Truckee that departs from the Eastgate Depot for Virginia City. Roundtrips sell out fast, so make sure to get a reservation if you want to go.

SATURDAY:

• Memorial Day Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course (free 18 holes with Military I.D.; free bucket of balls if wearing red, white, and blue; free draft beer if wearing camouflage)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)
• Early Spring Farmers Market in the south parking lot of the Greenhouse Garden Center (9am-1pm)

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City! Get things started with ska/reggae band, Taking Root at Sassafras; some African-infused blues at the Brewery Arts Center with Peter Joseph Burtt; or Atomica at the Casino Fandango. The Spoke Bar and Grill is rocking with the Remains, and the Chaser Band is playing at the Westside Pour House.

FRIDAY:

• Memorial Day Specials at Empire Ranch Golf Course (free 18 holes with Military I.D.; free bucket of balls if wearing red, white, and blue; free draft beer if wearing camouflage)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

Bundle up, Carson City. We aren’t afraid of a little wind, are we? The Dangberg Home Historic Ranch is celebrating our infamous Washoe Zephyr this weekend with kite making, demonstrations, and more. The Friends of the Silver Saddle Ranch would love to see you at their open house on Saturday; if you’re an early riser, join them on a 7 a.m. bird walk. The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is hosting their annual Cops and Kids Open House, so head to the courthouse for some fun.

SATURDAY:

• Bird Walk at the Silver Saddle Ranch: Carson River Road (7am)
• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)

Western Nevada College has announced that it will graduate 515 students for the 2014-15 academic year. The 2015 commencement ceremony will take place on Monday, May 18, 11 a.m. at the Marv Teixieira Pavilion in Mills Park, in Carson City.

The class of 2015 will receive 568 degrees and certificates.

 Here are the names of the 2015 graduates:

There is no place like home, and for most of you reading this, that home is Carson City. One of our greatest prides is the Western Nevada Musical Theater Company: don’t miss the final weekend of ‘Music Man’ at the Community Center. Today caps Bike to Work week; if you brave the rain this morning, you will be rewarded with free coffee at several coffee houses around town. The annual Bike Week party is on Third St., by Firkin and Fox, starting around 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Bike to Work Week

• National Bike to Work Day: Free coffee for bicycle commuters at Comma Coffee, Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar, Carson Coffee, Capital Coffee, LA Bakery, and Starbucks (7am-9am; show your helmet)
• Last Day: White Pine County Artistry by artist Dawn Dot Star at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building

Happy Mother’s Day, Carson City! Several family friendly events are occurring around town this weekend. Take a ride on the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the Ferris Wheel at RSVP’s Spring Fair and Carnival. A Harmonica and Strings Concert at Empire Elementary School showcases what some of our talented students can do. Get up early and head over to the Carson City Airport if your youngster has any interest in planes: Young Eagles flights are happening today if the weather permits.

SATURDAY:

• 23rd Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive (leave your donation of non-perishable food items at your mail box for mail carrier to pick up)
• Greenhouse Project Annual Spring Plant Sale and Live Music with Hick’ry Switch at the Carson High Greenhouse: 1111 Saliman, off Robinson –behind the buses (8am-1pm)

Breakfast is such a great way to start out the day, and local favorite, the Cracker Box, has been serving it up for 35 years. Join Supervisor Brad Bonokowski for his monthly meeting with residents, or wait until 9am for a short presentation from the Mayor honoring the restaurant. Their lunch menu is delicious, as well, but you may want to join Supervisor Karen Abowd during her monthly walkabout of Mills Park instead. It’s a good day to connect with our local leaders! If you’ve driven down Williams St., you’ve seen the RSVP Spring Festival and Carnival. It will be there all weekend, so you’ve got a few days to indulge in cotton candy and fried twinkees.

FRIDAY:

• Monthly Breakfast with Supervisor Brad Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7:30am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

The first Tuesday of every month belongs to the Carson City Classic Cinema Club. Every month they meet for a classic movie, trivia and discussion. Join them at Red’s Old 395 for The Big Trees with Kirk Douglas. Few performers are more classic than the Three Stooges: on this day in 1934 the released their first short film, Women Haters.

TUESDAY:

• ’The Driest State: Nevada Watersheds’ by artist Nolan Preese at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

The 2015 operating season begins this weekend at Nevada State Railroad Museum. Come on down and take a ride on the Edwards Motorcar Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides are $4 for Adults; $2 for Children ages 4-11 and museum members; and FREE for Children ages 3 and under. The first Sunday of the month always sees a pancake breakfast at the Elk’s Club; let them take care of the cooking and clean-up!

SUNDAY:

• First Sunday Breakfast at the Elks Club: 515 N Nevada (bar opens 7am; 8:30-11am, $7)

Have you picked your pony yet? The Kentucky Derby is today, but that is far from the only thing running today. Chili on the Comstock is hosting their inaugural Fun with the Runs 5K Saturday at 10 a.m. The 1926 Edwards Motor Car is running, too, and ready for rides at the Nevada Railroad Museum. The wine walk is always a good time, and with Mother’s Day next weekend, it can’t hurt to peruse the shops before you run out of time to pick the perfect gift.

SATURDAY: Kentucky Derby Day:

22 is 22 Too Many: WNC Veterans Suicide Awareness March: park south of Bully’s Restaurant, walk continues up College Parkway to Western Nevada College (10am)

Genoa Cowboy Festival: Cowboy Breakfast hosted by Douglas Lodge #12 F&A Masons -Served in the historic lodge building ($5; 8am to 12pm; Pancakes with syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage and coffee; Proceeds benefit the Masons’ local scholarship programs)

The Genoa Cowboy Festival is just starting, and I suspect that’s where Calamity Jane would be spending her birthday. If not there, than maybe up in Virginia City: today marks the first ‘Flashback Friday’ of the year, when all of the museums have free admission. Tonight she could catch some laughs at Carson Comedy in the Nugget or at the Brewery Art Center for First Friday Improv. Saturday she'd likely trade in her six-shooter for a wine glass, because it is Wine Walk Weekend.
FRIDAY:

• ’Drink One for Dane’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser at Dutch Bros Coffee
• Genoa Cowboy Festival: A variety of daytime events are FREE at the Cowboy Festival including: Chautauquas, Living History Tours, Musical Performances, Cowboy Poetry, Melodramas, and Historical Reenactments

Virginia City, Genoa and Incline Village on the shores of Lake Tahoe have been selected among Nevada's 10 most unique towns in the online publication the culturetrip.com.

Noting Nevada is the seventh largest state by area, the website describes the Silver State comes with a "great deal of open space, varying landscapes, and many small towns dotting the terrain." The CultureTrip.com website has previously featured Carson City and Virginia City area landmarks, museums and restaurants as unique or must-see stops for travelers.

Can you believe that it’s the last day of April? The last few months have zipped right along while we were waiting for winter, but now it’s time to start embracing spring before summer arrives. The annual Genoa Cowboy Festival kicks off tonight with a Barn Dance and Bar-be-que, and Virginia City hosts its famous Chili on the Comstock competition this weekend, but Carson City has a great line up of fun for you, as well, this weekend. Start out with some great live music tonight with the Trippin King Snakes at Carson Cigar Co., Chris Costa at Living the Good Life, or Glen Eagle’s regulars, Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher.

THURSDAY:

• Outdoor Pools: Half-Price for Everyone at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm)
• Fifth Annual Dining Out For Life at Adele’s (25% of proceeds donated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)

Can you believe that it’s the last day of April? The last few months have zipped right along while we were waiting for winter, but now it’s time to start embracing spring before summer arrives. The annual Genoa Cowboy Festival kicks off tonight with a Barn Dance and Bar-be-que, and Virginia City hosts its famous Chili on the Comstock competition this weekend, but Carson City has a great line up of fun for you, as well, this weekend. Start out with some great live music tonight with the Trippin King Snakes at Carson Cigar Co., Chris Costa at Living the Good Life, or Glen Eagle’s regulars, Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher.

THURSDAY:

• Outdoor Pools: Half-Price for Everyone at the Carson Hot Springs (7am-10pm)
• Fifth Annual Dining Out For Life at Adele’s (25% of proceeds donated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)