new year

The New Year is getting off to a phenomenal start with snow falling at Lake Tahoe. It seems long ago since we’ve had snow around the lake, but as California and Nevada continue to grapple with four years of drought and water shortages, the snow couldn’t be falling at a better time.

Nevada’s New Year’s resolution is to ensure that travelers go home with more stories than souvenirs. With the lineup of events scheduled in early 2016, that is sure to ring true. As always, Nevada will offer fun, unique events for visitors of all interests and ages that will guarantee unforgettable experiences. Kick off the New Year at one of these Nevada-only events:

Swing into the New Year with the Mile High Jazz Band at "Cool Jazz in January," a big-band event with vocalist June Joplin, at Comma Coffee tonight, January 12, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson Street, is across the street from the state legislature building in Carson City. General admission is $5 at the door; free for age 18 and under.

With the New Year upon us let me begin this document by wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. May the year 2016 bring peace and happiness to each and every one of you.

This New Year will be a busy one for Carson City. Foremost on our minds, perhaps, is the Downtown Street Narrowing Project due to begin early February/March depending on weather conditions. One of the goals stated by Carson City staff is to have this project complete in time for the Nevada Day parade. We should, however, keep our chief consideration foremost: “Let's do it Right.”

Sunday’s are excellent for relaxing. Join Dharma Zephyr for a day of meditation and reflection after the hustle of the holidays and start this new year grounded. The Gold Hill Hotel on the way to Virginia City has begun a monthly history event featuring dinner and a presentation. Dress in your best Comstock-era finery for a chance to win the costume contest.

SUNDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

We all have a favorite time of year and mine is Girl Scout Cookie Season. Pre-sales begin today, so track down your favorite scout and order some Thin Mints. Speaking of yummy treats, join the Experimental Aircraft Association for donuts this morning and learn more about our local chapter. Have a great weekend, Carson City. Check out the list below for all of your local options.

SATURDAY:

• Girl Scout Cookie pre-sales begin
• Seniors Swim Free at Paradise Salon and Spa: Executive Pointe off College Pkwy (7am-5pm, except during class times; 55 and older; indoor adult warm saltwater pools)
• Coffee and Donuts with Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am-12pm, all welcome)

Bring some art into your new year with one of our many art exhibits. The Nevada Artist Association has just switched up their gallery and has a New Year’s show to offer you. The group also works with the Carson Visitor Bureau and showcases a different artist each month in the Visitors’ Center: currently Bob Hickox. Comma Coffee is hosting a reception this evening for the January artist in their revolving Backseat Gallery, so head down at 5 p.m. for some finger food and the unveiling.

I recently responded to some questions from Brett Fisher, an editor and writer for Carson Now about New Year’s resolutions for an article he was writing. It was a good article about the challenges we all face whenever we want to make changes in our lives.

Douglas and Lyon County law enforcement agencies and the Nevada Highway Patrol will step up traffic enforcement in both counties beginning this week as part of the first Joining Forces effort of the new year, officials said Monday.

Nevada Humane Society wants you to ring in the New Year by making a resolution to neuter your male dog or cat during their Happy Neuter Year campaign. At this time, the only appointments left are for small, male dogs and male cats.

Welcome to Monday, Carson City. The holidays have passed and it’s time to embrace the new year. If you’re looking for some new hobbies and habits, try swing dancing. The High Sierra Swing Dance Club meets weekly at El Charro Avita. If you’re looking for more quality time with your family, then Nerdvana’s Family Game Night is a great way to have fun with the kids. Recycling your Christmas tree (sans decorations, of course) is an easy way to get your carbon footprint headed in the right direction.

MONDAY:

The monthly tradition continues with the Downtown Business Association wine walk. Saturday, Jan. 2, the festivities begin at 1 p.m. This event happens rain, snow, or shine, so bundle up and head out to celebrate a new year with your friends and neighbors.

The celebratory crowd at the casino core at south shore Lake Tahoe was once again light compared to previous years with anywhere between 5,000-10,000 revelers. Of those, 18 people were arrested in the casino core area of Stateline during the evening, said Douglas County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Pat Brooks.

Party-goers ring in the New Year at the annual Friends of the Carson City Library New York New Year's Eve Black and White Ball at the Carson Plaza Event Center on Thursday night.
Happy New Year Carson City!

Happy 2016, Carson City. A new year has been rung in and I hope you aren’t too hung over. Get a jump on any healthy new year’s resolutions with the annual First Day Hike. You can choose between Morgan Mill on the far east side of Carson City, the dunes of Washoe Lake State Park, or some history with a short hike to the Rock Point Mill in Dayton. Bundle up, though, it's cold out there. Let the party continue with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life or DJ Cillo at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar.

FRIDAY: New Year’s Day

CARSON CITY — The new year brings 50 new laws into effect in Nevada. The 2015 Legislature, which adjourned in June, approved the bills to become fully or partially effective Friday. Most bills took effect on passage or on July 1.

If you’re out and about between Carson City, Reno, Virginia City and Lake Tahoe, be sure to bundle up. Temperatures will begin to fall into the teens and remain below average, with lows in the single digits, through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

In a remarkable interfaith gesture, various religions are getting together in Reno to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year in a unique and divine manner away from the glitter of the casinos.

Coordinated by religious statesman Rajan Zed, “Multi-faith New Years’ Eve Service” hosted by Reno Buddhist Center (RBC) will include Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i, Shinto and Native American prayers.

As Carson City residents prepare to welcome 2016, there is something to be said about the annual tradition of making New Year’s resolutions.

The practice can be traced back to ancient Babylon, where Babylonians would make promises to their gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects at the start of every new year. The concept of making a new year resolution is now widely practiced today around the world.

Unfortunately, the world has a history of breaking New Year’s resolutions about as long as it does of making them.

New Year’s is upon us and with it comes a time of resolution. Many of our resolutions deal with personal desires to improve upon ourselves. How about a resolution that benefits everyone you will come into contact with New Year’s Eve and the rest of 2016?

Happy New Year, Carson City. Dinner, dancing, champagne, and more await you whether you want to head downtown or head to your favorite watering hole. Make sure to make your reservations now or you could miss out on some delicious options. The Carson City Sheriff Department will be out and about to make sure the roadways stay safe, so please designate a driver or call a cab.
AAA TIPSY TOW: 1-800-222-4357 (Free Tow from AAA 6pm until 6am Jan. 1 – you do NOT need to be a AAA member. Stay safe tonight!)
CAPITAL CAB: 775-885-0300

Hello Fellow anglers, a new year will soon be upon us. With the new year brings the Topaz Lake Fishing Derby beginning Jan. 1, and ice fishing in the Sierra. For those California anglers it is time to purchase a 2016 fishing license.

On New Year’s Day, the fourth annual memorial “Walk and Wave” will be held for Ed “The Waver” Carlson, in downtown Reno. Participants will walk and wave to others, as Ed did during his lifetime, through Downtown Reno north along Virginia St. and then east along E. Fourth St.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration at Lake Tahoe starting on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.

Due to the high volume of celebrants within the Stateline casino core area during this event, U.S. Highway 50 may be closed to vehicle traffic in the evening if necessary for public safety.

UPDATE: This New Year's Eve event listing has been revised some as of Wednesday. Go here for the latest. Have a safe, happy and prosperous new year!
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Ring in the New Year at one of Carson City’s many hot spots. Champagne toasts, live music, and party favors await almost no matter where you’re headed. Please designate a driver, call a cab, or take advantage of AAA’s Tipsy Tow and get home safely.

Snow showers will return to the Sierra and Carson City area as a weather system, known as a "slider" moves into the region Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Cafe at Adele’s welcomes the musical stylings of jazz vocalist Sherre Carne’s accompanied by keyboardist Jimmy Vermilion, beginning at 9:30 p.m., in the lounge on New Year’s Eve.

“We always have such a wonderful welcoming of the New Year and we are happy to have Sherre sing us into it,” said Chef Charlie Abowd.

Carson City revelers can ring in the New Year in the grand style of the Big Apple during the annual New York New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball 6-10 p.m. Dec. 31.

Partygoers will celebrate with the East Coast as the ball drops on Times Square at 9 p.m. Pacific Standard Time as part of the celebration, which benefits Carson City Library.

Celebrate New Year’s Day 2016 with Nevada State Parks. Guided hikes led by park rangers and local volunteers will be offered at State Parks throughout Nevada as part of the nationwide First Day Hikes Program. Nevada State Parks is waiving entrance fees for all first day hikers.

The Friends of Carson City Library are giving away two free tickets to the New York New Year's Eve party to the person who finds them hidden in a book in the Browsers Corner Book Store.

A new clue will be revealed each day until the tickets are found.

Clue #1: Come in to Browsers Corner Book Store for a warm welcome. Guess what? The book you are looking for isn't straight ahead. Think numbers 3,4,5 and don't strike out!

Clue #2: Don't look high and don't look low, look straight ahead for a large paperback book.