vegetables

There will be no better place to be Thursday, July 14, than at Cafe at Adele’s in Carson City for the eighth annual Concert Under the Stars, A Benefit for The Greenhouse Project, when the summer air fills with the unstoppable rhythm, blues and funk sounds of Tower of Power, who have delighted crowds since they first began playing in Oakland, Calif.

Shirley’s Farmers Markets and the Sands Regency are back in 2016 as hosts for the Downtown Farmers Market at the Sands. Every Thursday from June 9 to August 25 between 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., local farms and other vendors will converge under the large tent in the Sands parking lot located south of 3rd Street in Reno.

The Early Spring Farmer's Market in downtown Carson City, a prelude to the Third and Curry Saturday Farmer's Market held throughout the summer, opened on May 7 and runs four Saturdays through May 28, Marketing Manager Linda Marrone said.

Several hundred plants spanning 60 varieties, including vegetables, squash, strawberries, melons, cucumbers, herbs, and perennial and annual flowers will be available May 7 at Carson City’s Greenhouse Project behind Carson High School.

April Fool’s Day is past and I hope no one was fooled into planting their tomatoes outside yet! However, I’m sure some avid gardeners have planted their “very hardy” vegetables: asparagus crowns, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, lettuce, onions, parsley, peas, spinach and turnips.

With all the nice weather we have been having, gardeners’ fingers itch to plant and prune. Any gardener who has been here for a number of years, knows this is a false spring.

Although people new to the area may be wooed into thinking planting time is here, I caution “Let the gardener beware.” We will see the return of cold weather and freezing temperatures. For example, I lost all my apple and lilac blossoms last year with one short overnight freeze in April.

More than 30 volunteers and University of Nevada, Reno staff and students spent a sunny, yet windy, winter day last week building six hoop houses that will be used to grow vegetables year-round to benefit Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada food programs.

Soul and funk supergroup Tower of Power will headline the 2016 Concert Under the Stars, a fundraiser for the Greenhouse Project in Carson City. The concert outside of Cafe at Adele’s, will be July 14. Ticket sales will be announced soon, said Adele’s owner Charlie Abowd via his Facebook page.

The annual Turkey Trot is a fun 5 or 8K run around the west side of town Thanksgiving morning. Costumes, silliness, and good times had for all. Sign up this afternoon at St. Teresa school. Living the Good Life is a good go-to for Tuesday night fun with bar games and trivia. Pizza lovers should head to Brugo’s for their weekly beer specials and a special tasting with High Sierra Brewery.

TUESDAY:

• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

It’s Monday, but this week should fly by. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so you probably want to start thawing your bird. There are still many organizations collecting food for families, so consider dropping off a frozen turkey at Salvation Army, or something non-perishable in one of the many bins around town. If helping kids is a passion, you’ll want to attend the informational meeting at the office of the Court Appointed Special Advocates this evening. CASA is always looking for people who’d like to make a difference to a child.

MONDAY:

The countdown to Turkey Day has begun, and living in Carson City gives us plenty to be thankful for: Beautiful views, our own deer herd, great shops, yummy restaurants, talented actors, artists, and craftsmen, and wonderful people. Get in the spirit of giving with a new tattoo from Hooligan’s Ink to benefit the Austin House. For something less permanent, drop off a turkey at one of the contenders in the Salvation Army’s Battle of the Bars. Giving your time is valuable, too. The Muscle Powered Trash Mob meets once a month to help keep Carson’s trails clean and litter-free.

Happy Friday, Carson City. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly suggest tracking down some tickets for Mary Poppins. The cast and crew of the Western Nevada Musical Theater Co. knock it out of the park with this production. Carson High School’s annual Craft Fair begins tonight; a plethora of crafters, artisans, and vendors will be there to help with your holiday gift list. It’s West Coast Swing night at Yaple’s Ballroom, so put on your dance shoes and kick the weekend off right.

FRIDAY:

The Polar Express takes its first trip of the season today, and I hope you got your tickets. The annual event always sells out. Check here for ticket information; you may get lucky. Take the kids to the Carson City Library for weekly story time and check out CCAI’s Industrial Art Exhibit while you’re there. Today is the last day it will be on display. Hear stories of Old Virginia City at the Gold Hill Hotel. Or take a trip to the Nevada State Museum: the bombing of a Basque village during the Spanish Civil War and the affect it had on the United States is the topic of this month’s Francis Humphry lecture.
THURSDAY:

• American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout: Take a One Day Stand Against Tobacco at Western Nevada College (college campus is smoke-free for the day)
• ’Lines and Fields: Abstract Narrative Paintings’ by Liz Penniman at the Western Nevada College Main Gallery in the Bristlecone Building

We have plenty of things to look forward to this weekend: Mary Poppins' final shows, the annual Craft Fair at Carson High, the opening of the Polar Express. Just don’t forget that fun can be had every day in Carson City. Tonight, enjoy line dancing at Carson Lanes. Ladies enjoy pool and drink specials at the Ormsby Club. The ever-popular Geeks Who Drink trivia game makes its weekly appearance at Lake Tahoe Brewing Co. And Living the Good Life is proud to bring Liam Kyle Cahill to the stage as part of his acoustic folk rock ‘Turkey Tour.’

WEDNESDAY:

• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Anna Louise Darden and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

You could almost bet on strange weather in Northern Nevada. The Sierra Valley Forums are hoping to answer some of your questions about the extreme weather at the Brewery Art Center this evening. Get to toe-tapping at El Charro’s tonight; beginning swing dance lessons are on the menu. Flex your mind with trivia at Living the Good Life. Get your jazz fix at Sassafras: Rocky and Judith are hosting a jam.

TUESDAY:

• Kit Carson Toastmasters Weekly Meeting at Grandma Hattie’s (6:30am; for info call Frank 775-885-7579 or KitCarsonToastmasters@gmail.com)
• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

All aboard, Carson City. The Polar Express returns to the Virginia and Truckee Thursday. This annual tradition features hot chocolate, caroling, and a read-along of Chris Van Allsburg's Christmas story, in addition to a visit to Santa at the North Pole.

No need to wait for black Friday or Small Business Saturday to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Western Nevada College’s annual Craft Fair is today, as is Santa’s Village at the Carson City Senior Center. Support local artists and crafters while finding a one of a kind gift for your loved ones. If you have a book-lover on your list, a book signed by local author Ken Beaton is easy to acquire. Browser’s Corner is holding a meet and greet with him this evening.

THURSDAY:

Today is Veterans’ Day: a day to commemorate the men and women of the Armed Forces that have fought, and possibly died, for our country. Thank you for your service. Several places around town are offering something special for our Veterans today: free coffee, free breakfast, free lunch, etc. You’ll need to bring proof of service. Tonight, everyone is invited to the party. Check out the Junebugs at Living the Good Life. The Portland pop-folk band returns for a night of fun and dancing.

Do you want to build a snowman, Carson City? That may be ambitious with our first dusting of snow, but I’m sure you could finagle a snowball or two.

It was rainy last night in our valley, but this evening should see some snow. A winter wonderland isn’t always easy to drive in, so please slow down and be careful. Monday always brings karaoke at the Firkin and Fox, so go sing your heart out. Football lovers will probably be watching the Bears-Chargers game. For those of you with swing in your step, head to El Charro Avita for intermediate dance lessons and the High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s weekly ‘night out.’

MONDAY:

If you are a newcomer to our area or if you have never been there, fall is a great time of the year to visit Apple Hill, one of our favorite destinations. And, if you are a newcomer, about now you are probably wondering, “What and where in the heck is Apple Hill?”

This is mid-October and whether or not you are ready, be advised that winter is sneaking up on us.
As one who has lived in Carson City most of my life, I have learned through the years that one day the weather can be gorgeous and then the next day: Bam, the countryside is covered with a deep layer of snow.

And once the snow arrives, it is followed by ice and cold weather, which will normally be with us into the month of March.

Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 are the dates for the 34th Annual Eldorado Great Italian Festival on North Virginia Street in downtown Reno. If you have never attended the festival, you have missed out on a great way to enjoy a Saturday or Sunday (or both) in early October.

It’s that time of year again, when sponsors are sought to support the Celebrity Chef and Harvest Dinner, hosted by Cafe at Adele’s in Carson City and now in its sixth year.

A major donor, (composed of one donor or many) for the amount of $5,000 is still needed. The $5,000 match is collected through donations both large and small, by dinner patrons.

Urban Roots is holding their annual fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 4. The event takes place from 4:30 to 8:30pm in the FarmHouse at Urban Roots, 3001 W. Fourth St., in Reno. This special event features local food, drinks, art, and presentations to showcase the sustainability of garden education in northern Nevada.

1:22 a.m. on September 23 in Carson City was the official start of the Fall season, and with the arrival of that special season of the year that lasts until December 21 (the beginning of the Winter season), there are all kinds of activities occurring that might be of interest to you.
Here are some of them:

California fishing seasons closing:
If you like to fish in the State of California, be advised that many of its creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs will be closing on Nov. 15, and will not re-open until the last Saturday in April 2016.

Fall foods:

Readers often ask me when vegetables are ready for harvest. Some veggies have a long harvest window, but others may be tasty one day and bitter the next. Of course, if a freeze is expected, many of our vegetables end up being harvested early. I’ve ripened many a green tomato on the windowsill.

If you are looking for a good day trip north of Carson City, with plenty of opportunities to fish, photograph, sightsee or shop, climb aboard and take a ride with stops along the way as you head to Plumas County.

Mary, a reader from Gardnerville said, “I have a terrible time with earwigs, my most dreaded pest; and the sight of them makes me cringe.” Yes, earwigs do look alarming with pincers at their hind end. They even bother seasoned gardeners who normally have an attitude of “live-and-let-live.”

As I reported last year, some newcomers moved into our Carson City neighborhood, and their arrival produced some good news and some bad news. The good news about the new arrivals: