songwriter

Eclectic is a word often overused when describing small businesses. A to Zen in Carson City, however, has earned the moniker.

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.

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:

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:

Every year, the Veterans' Administration holds a talent contest open to all U.S. Veterans. This year, a bronze medal was won by Carson City veteran David Kotzebue.

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.

Wheatstone Bridge will brings its unique stylings of Americana, folk and Celtic to Carson City this Saturday, Nov. 11 with a performance at the Brewery Arts Center.

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.

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.

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.

As Nevada Day 2017 approaches, it seems more important than ever to celebrate the importance of community, the goodness that exists in our state, and renew a sense of pride in our home.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My daily list of activities might be called ‘things to do in Carson City,’ but I frequently include happenings from the surrounding valleys. Today, it’s the Thirsty Third Thursday wine walk in downtown Gardnerville that gets the spotlight. Dayton’s weekly Farmers Market can be found this afternoon in front of ‘Community Roots’ on Highway 50. It’s probably past patio weather, but there is plenty of room inside of Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar for all of tonight’s karaoke lovers.

THURSDAY:

The weekend is creeping closer and there are a few things worth getting excited about. The annual Reno National Air Races began yesterday and run through Sunday, if high-flying and death-defying gets your blood pumping. Not to be outdone, Virginia City welcomes the Ferrari Hill Climb to the truck route this weekend – leave the hairpin turns to the professionals. Today you’ll have Ev Musselman on stage at Living the Good Life to help erase your workweek worries.

Head to bed early tonight, the Great Reno Balloon races are best enjoyed by early risers. Not to be outdone, Virginia City has discovered that camels and emus are even more hilarious to race. You’ve got plenty to look forward to this weekend, but don’t discount today. Jimmy Mallett will sing you back to yesteryear at Living the Good Life. You’ll get your motor running at Battle Born Harley Davidson’s weekly bike night.

THURSDAY:

In the blink of an eye, a three-day weekend will be here. No need to wait for the Best of the West Rib Cook-off, though – bar-be-que is already on the menu in Sparks’ Victorian Square. Dangberg Historic Home Ranch is hosting the last of its Twilight Concerts of the season, so grab a picnic dinner and the family for some live music in a beautiful setting. You don’t need a motorcycle to enjoy Battle Born Harley Davidson’s Bike Night – their full bar is a fun time, no matter your wheel count.

THURSDAY:

The question of the day at the Nevada State Museum is ‘who.’ Jenni Jeffers, a wildlife biologist, will answer that question at this month’s lecture focusing on the nearly dozen species of owls that call Nevada home. Those over 55 are in for a treat: the Carson City Hot Springs is offering free admission to their outdoor pools today. It may be a nice enough evening for patio karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar, but if not, there is plenty of room inside for everyone that wants to take a turn at the mic.

THURSDAY:

It’s a wine-walking kind of day: join in the thirsty Thursday fun in downtown Gardnerville and stick around for the coffee and dessert after-party in Heritage Park. Sneak in an afternoon musical getaway with No Comprende at the Carson Mall. Take a melodious trip around the world with Tom Green: instruments from all over are the focus of a lecture and concert tonight at the Brewery Arts Center. Keep reading and let Thursday surprise you.

THURSDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

Are you itching for the weekend? It will be musically magical with a plethora of Jazz and Beyond Music Festival events throughout town. It’s a classic car lover’s dream come true, as well, with Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks. But don’t get ahead of yourself, today has some great options for a good time. Enjoy some air conditioned entertainment with the Carolyn Dolan Band at the Carson Mall. ‘Elvis, Marilyn and the Space Aliens’ and their place in the movies is the topic of this month’s Douglas County Historical Society’s lecture.

There are some things that one never thinks they will see in their lifetime. I must admit, the Carson City Freeway was one of those things. But lo and behold, the new 580 extension opened its last leg to traffic yesterday. The hot summer temperatures continue, so seek indoor entertainment during the day and keep cool.

Happy Thursday, Carson City. Help move the workweek along by doing something fun. You’ll always find the boys of J and M Productions running the karaoke show at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. Living the Good Life has music every night Tuesday through Saturday, and tonight it is Dougie L’s turn to entertain. The Café at Adele’s is always a good choice for date night, but when they also have music on their veranda, you’ve got all the ingredients for a memorable night.

THURSDAY:

I’m sending good thoughts to those in the California fire zones: with as bad as the smoke is here, I can only imagine how bad their eyes burn. Free ice cream and a concert featuring the Capital City Community Band can be found tonight at the First United Methodist Church on King Street. You’ll find free pool, a nice beer selection, and great drinks at Remedy’s Bar on Williams Street tonight. Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery celebrates the paper and book sculptures of mother-daughter team, My Thousand Words, at a meet and greet reception tonight. Keep reading for a plethora of ways to spend the day.

It was pointed out to me that this is a week full of palindromes – a bit of fun word play with something that is the same forward and backwards. July 11, __17 is also 7.11.17, tomorrow 7 12 17, and so on. Coincidentally today, 7/11, is also free slurpee day at your neighborhood 7-Eleven. A full moon and a performance by the Mile High Jazz Band in the Comma Coffee Courtyard. Living the Good Life goes acoustic with singer/songwriter Canyon White.
TUESDAY:

The Carson Tahoe Health Foundation is pleased to announce the date for HopeFest7, a free outdoor concert with headliner, Tyrone Wells. All proceeds from food, drink, and raffle tickets sales directly benefit local cancer patients undergoing lifesaving medical treatments, providing support for basic needs that go beyond the hospital walls.

The Brewery Arts Center continues its unforgettable season of free concerts under the stars in Carson City this Saturday with headliner blues legend Guitar Shorty and opening act Reno Indie artist Grace Hayes.

It’s wine walk weekend, and depending on what kinds of days off you get, potentially the beginning of a four-day weekend. We will be celebrating the birthday of the United States of America on Tuesday, but there are some fun events to enjoy now. Catch the Parade of Trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park. Keep reading for all the exciting options in Carson City and beyond.

SATURDAY:

The first half of 2017 has slipped away, and the next half is bringing a boatload of fun. Hit the town tonight. You'll find comedian Justin Rivera at the Brewery Arts Center for an all-ages show. Everyone is invited to the open mic at A to Zen hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter Canyon White. The party never stops at Living the Good Life: they'll start with Carolyn Dolan and Peter Supersano on the stage and then let Soul Connection take it into late night. Have a great day, a great weekend, and a great rest of the year.

FRIDAY: