Zen

January doesn’t have to be dreary. Just grab a coat and head out the door. Whether you want to rummage through antiques at Carson Mall, make crafts with the kids at the Children’s Museum, or enjoy some live music, you’ll find something to do on the list below.

SATURDAY:

• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)

It’s finally Friday, my fellow Carsonistas. Whether you are young or not as young as you used to be; single, coupled up or looking for family-friendly; introverted or extroverted, there is likely something on this list for you. Carson City offers all sorts of stuff to get you out of your home and mingling with your neighbors. I don’t know what tickles your particular fancy, so I just make sure I’ve got everything listed that I can find. Everything is in order of its ‘start time’, so take a gander at the list and have a great day!

FRIDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Nate Clark's exhibition ‘Leeway’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Brave the chilly January air with an easy walk along the V and T Rail Trail at the north end of town. The weekly walk, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department, heads to the new MAC center in case of wet weather. Learn more about this crazy weather at Sierra Place Senior Living with a presentation by weather historian Mark McLaughlin. Don't miss the Mile High Jazz Band at Comma Coffee tonight. History lovers will want to head up to Virginia City for a lecture at St. Mary's of the Mountain Catholic Church.

TUESDAY:

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)

Are you ready for Friday, Carson City? Live music abounds with the Whitehats at Living the Good Life, Stereo Galaxy at the Westside Pour House, and Road Daddy helping Firkin and Fox celebrate their eighth anniversary. Learn some line dance at Yaple’s Ballroom, then head to Carson Lanes for DJ Cowboy Bobby’s dance night. Enjoy a showing of local indy films at the Performance Hall the Brewery Art Center or join the BAC Blowhards at Improv Night in the Black Box Theater. Take the family over the rainbow and see the opening night of Youth Theater Carson City’s performance of ‘The Wiz.’ Check out the list for all your options.

FRIDAY:

• Christmas Tree Recycling Curbside Pick-up (place tree outside on your regular trash day; If trees are longer than three feet, please cut them up into sections no longer than 3 feet; Remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and bases)
• Monthly ‘Breakfast with Supervisor Brad’ Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7am-8am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)

A lot of people will tell you it’s never a good idea to play with fire, but for the folks of Controlled Burn, fire can be art. A new community practice group is starting up at A to Zen and everyone is welcome to come learn what it takes to dance with fire. The Carson City Classical Cinema Club is growing and has moved its monthly movie viewings to the Black Box Theater at the Brewery Arts Center. If you aren’t a member yet, it is just five dollars to enjoy Prince and the Pauper tonight.

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

A Sunday matinee is a perfect family friendly activity. If you find yourself at the Galaxy Theater this afternoon, check out the booth sponsored by NDOT and the Head Injury Association of Northern Nevada. You may walk away with a free bike helmet or be the lucky winner of a bike from Bike Habitat.

SUNDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Food Drive; Sock and Glove Tree for Do Drop In at Evergreen Gene’s: 1811 N. Carson (10am-5pm)

The gift wrap has been shredded, the eggs nogged, and the carols sung. Now it’s time to show off our great city to your out-of-town visitors. The Nevada State Museum, the twinkling Capitol, and the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada are a good place to start.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)

We all know that when a bell rings an angel gets its wings, thanks to Christmas classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Head down to the Brewery Arts Center for a free viewing and share the movie with your friends, family, and community. The Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers are one talented bunch and their performance of ‘Yes Virginia: The Musical’ is sure to be a hit with young and old alike.

SUNDAY:

Ready to break a world record, Carson City? High school senior, Taylor Weddell is organizing an attempt at the World’s Largest Human Christmas Tree for her senior project. Grab everyone you know and head to Carson High at 10 a.m. Bundle up, and get ready for a good time. Hot beverages will be available to help keep you warm.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• EAA Sierra Chapter #403 Pancake Breakfast at the Chapter Building: 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am; $5; Everyone Welcome)

Welcome to Friday. Here's what's going on around Carson City today and tonight. Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? There's still plenty of places to stop by this weekend, from the Carson Mall to downtown. Here's what you'll find going on today.
FRIDAY:

•*’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
•*Artists Walter McNamara and Lynda Yuroff featured in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Ready for more snow? Let’s just hope that the clouds clear by tonight because the Geminids Meteor Shower is at its peak tonight and tomorrow. Don your ugliest sweater for the Carson Victory Rollers’ Red and Green Scrimmage, and bring a toy for their Toys for Tots drive. If you haven’t caught Wild Horse Children’s Theaters production of Babes in Toyland yet, grab the kids and get down to the Brewery Arts Center for their final performance.

SUNDAY:

The clock is ticking for last minute shoppers. Luckily, Carson City has great options for everyone on the list. Telegraph Square in downtown will be hopping with a Santa parade, vendors, and a pirate ship, in addition to great shops. The Brewery Arts Center is hosting a weekend-long art sale with one of a kind options throughout the campus. Art is a great gift, and making it is even more fun. Carson City Pottery is holding an open house today; a gift certificate for a pottery class is perfect for all skill levels.

SATURDAY:

My snow dance worked! The weather should start clearing up for the next few days, so the roads should be clear. There’s no need to leave our valley though, great things are happening. The annual Share Your Christmas food drive goes on for most of the day: you don’t even need to leave your car, just drive up to the Governor’s Mansion, and someone will get your donation to the right place. Unwind, decompress and relax at a number of our great bars and restaurants.

Have you been naughty or nice this year? You’ll have no problem finding Jolly Old St. Nick this weekend. At Debug Computers where, in exchange for a donation to Holiday with a Hero, you can get a photo with the man in red. The Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum is a good place to grab a candy cane, some hot cocoa, and tell him what you’d like to find under the tree. Photographs with Santa are available at the Carson Mall Wednesday through Sunday. Genoa’s annual Breakfast with Santa has three seatings beginning at 8:30 a.m.

SATURDAY:

I love Carson City. Our downtown makes every season special: flower baskets in the summer, daffodils in springtime, the changing leaves of autumn, and winter means the Nevada Christmas tree at the Capitol. Tonight is the night when the light switch gets flipped. Join Santa and our community tonight at the annual Silver and Snowflakes tree lighting. Enjoy carolers, hot cocoa, and more in Telegraph Square during the Christmas Faire. Don’t miss the talented members of Wild Horse Children’s Theater: they’ll be singing at 4 p.m.

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:

Ready for the weekend, Carson City? The weather should hold up on Saturday, but no promises on Sunday. Hit the slopes if you are so inclined, several Tahoe resorts have opened for the season. Runners should head out to Washoe Lake State Park for the first of the Be Bold, Run in the Cold series sponsored by Ascent Runs. If you prefer something warmer, head to Crossroads Lounge for their Grand Re-opening. It’s under new ownership and is sure to have something to keep you toasty.

SATURDAY:

Go Big Blue! The Carson Senators head into the varsity football regional finals against North Valleys High School. Bundle up and cheer on our high school. Sierra Lutheran High School’s theater department is presenting Borrowed Time; break a leg. Mary Poppins returns for its second weekend at the Community Center. The Western Nevada Musical Theater Company has outdone themselves this season, so hurry and get tickets or you may miss out.

FRIDAY:

Model train lovers are in for a special treat. It’s National Model Train Month and local aficionados are opening their doors and showing off their sets. Grab a tour guide from Hobbytown by the Denny’s Restaurant, and all aboard for a fun day. The Classic Cinema Series returns to Galaxy Theater with a showing of Die Hard. Yippy-ki-yay.

SUNDAY:

Welcome to the weekend, Carson City. The temperatures will be brisk, but nothing a scarf and sweater can’t help guard against. The real cold shows up late Sunday and brings with it a good chance for snow. Mary Poppins would advise we bear it with a spoon full of sugar.

Break a leg, Western Nevada Musical Theater Company! The Broadway musical, Mary Poppins, opens today and is sure to be one of their best productions yet. For those who don’t know their lines, head to Improv at the Brewery Art Center and see what you can come up with on the fly. Live music hits the stage at Westside Pour House, Glen Eagles, Living the Good Life, and Comma Coffee.

FRIDAY:

• Monthly ‘Breakfast with Supervisor Brad’ Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7am-8am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)

FRIDAY: Nevada Day Observed and Trick or Treat Night in Carson City ONLY
•*NAA Art Exhibit by Mark Kyle and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
•*Free Admission to the Nevada State Museum (8:30am-4:30pm; coin press demonstrations 10:30am-12pm AND 1-3pm)
•*Free Admission to the Nevada State Railroad Museum (9am-4:30pm; McKeen Motorcar Rides $8, $4 kids 10am-4pm)
•*Nevada Day Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)

Here’s the 2015 Nevada Day event lineup and Halloween happenings, Thursday through Sunday. For all Halloween events go here. For everything Nevada Day, check out the official Nevada Day website here. Otherwise, see the event listing below.

THURSDAY
RSVP NEVADA DAY CARNIVAL, MILLS PARK IN CARSON CITY
Carnival rides for adults and children, live music, food booths, craft vendors & more. Hours: 10/29: 5pm - 9pm; 10/30-31: Noon - 9pm; 11/1: Noon - 8pm

Here is a comprehensive list of fall festivals, Halloween parties, and fun for all. Items in italic are for those 21 and older only.

One last weekend until Nevada Day, and the ghosts and ghouls are coming out of the woodwork. Learn our haunted history with the Downtown Ghost Walk. For thrills and chills, don’t miss the Second Annual Carson Creepy Short Horror Film Competition in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall. For a complete list of all Halloween activities this week go here.

SATURDAY:

Time to kick off the weekend. Here's a list of what's going on today in Carson City.

FRIDAY:
•*Nevada Day Treasure Hunt is over: MEDALLION FOUND at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
•*’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
•*Artists Walter McNamara and Lynda Yuroff featured in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
•*NAA Art Exhibit by Mark Kyle and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)