Happy Friday, Carson City. In today’s edition: Tamale festival, Christmas craft fairs, holiday treat concert, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

A flavorful family fiesta: Second annual Tamale Festival returns to Carson City’s Brewery Art Center on Sunday, Dec. 16, with tastings, kids activities, artisans, and tamale contests offering $250 prizes after last year’s sellout — get event and vendor details.

Winter shelter rotates monthly: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is hosting Night Off the Streets in December, open nightly 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., with 8:45 p.m. shuttle pickup at 119 E. Long St — get hours and shuttle details.

From classroom to spotlight: Carson High senior Jose Salinas and music teacher Nick Jacques will march in the 137th Rose Parade, Salinas with Bands of America and Jacques with Saluting America’s Band Directors — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Donate socks to those in need
• Get free food and health screenings
• Paint a festive Dear Santa canvas
• Enjoy mule-drawn holiday wagon rides
• Join Unsilent Night’s holiday soundwalk
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

From Inclined Burgers and Brews: Biggest Little Steakhouse has opened in Northstar’s Village in the former Michael Mina Bourbon Pub space, promising approachable, lower-priced steaks and phone-based ordering. Locals get 30% off on Tahoe Tuesdays starting Dec. 20 with ID. They are open for the holidays and plan a New Year’s Eve with two seatings, a midnight toast, and fireworks. Get all the details.

Plan ahead for Tahoe travel: Lake Tahoe officials are pushing an “Anything But One Person Per Car” winter, investing in free-to-rider options to cut gridlock on two-lane roads. Use park-and-ride shuttles (running weekends through April 12, 2026), on-demand microtransit like TART Connect and Lake Link, and resort shuttles instead of driving solo. If you’re in traffic, you’re part of it, so hop a shuttle. See all the transportation options.

Need a hair refresh: Whether you’re plotting a seasonal color switch or trimming the ponytail era, Whyld Beauty Co. unites independent stylists offering customized color, hand-tied extensions, and spa extras. Online booking and walk-ins keep scheduling easy, so you leave with hair that behaves.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

👨‍👧 Parent’s + Kids Night Out @ North Tahoe Event Center | Friday (12/12) at 5:30pm – Drop the kids for an evening of games and a big-screen movie while you enjoy three blissful, child-free hours. They’ll laugh, play, and scarf their BYO snacks, and you’ll remember what it’s like to breathe in public. Advance registration required—because chaos, but organized.

🎤 Karaoke Night at Polecat Tavern @ Polecat Tavern | Friday (12/12) at 7:00pm – Warm up those vocal cords and channel your inner rockstar with thousands of songs and room onstage for your whole hype squad. It’s a smoky-free, 21+ night of belting, cheering, and maybe a little liquid courage from the full bar. Perfect for anyone who believes the best Fridays end with a mic drop.

This weekend

🎄 Carson Christmas Craft Fairs @ Carson City Community Center | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Time to shop local at the 10th Annual Carson Christmas Craft Fairs at the Community Center. Over 60 vendors with ornaments, sourdough, fudge, spread across three Saturdays, and a raffle benefiting FISH and the food bank, so you can pretend you planned ahead.

🏺 Carson City Potters and Ceramicists Bazaar @ Ogres-Holm Pottery | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Think you know your mug from your vessel? This bazaar gathers Carson City’s potters, sculptors, polymer artists, and students for a sale where you can meet the makers. Browse, chat, watch technique demos, then retire that “vintage” chipped mug, and bring home something freshly fired.

🔔 Silver Bell Limited @ Nevada State Railroad Museum | Saturday (12/13) at 4:00pm – Skip the mall chaos and hop a 30-minute holiday ride in a V&T coach, complete with Santa, an elf, and a silver bell the kids will not stop ringing. Post-ride cocoa, cookies, and carolers await, with 28 seats aboard. $30 adults, $20 kids.

🐶 National Monkey Chihuahua Adoption Day @ PetSmart | Sunday (12/14) at 11:00am – Prep your heart, and your lap, for National Monkey Day’s cutest crossover: Chihuahua Rescue Truckee Meadows is popping up at the PetSmart play yard with adoptable wiggle-butts. Swing by to adopt, foster, or collect free serotonin, then brag that you saved a life.

🎭 Three Spectacular Weekends of Holiday Entertainment @ Carson Valley Community Theatre | Sunday (12/14) at 2:00pm – Settle in for a festive mashup of improv, holiday tunes, and the beloved classic It’s a Wonderful Life performed as a live radio play. With rotating shows across multiple weekends, there’s something for every flavor of holiday spirit—chaotic, musical, or nostalgic. A cozy seasonal tradition that makes small-town theatre feel big.

🎵 Holiday Treat Concert @ Bob Boldrick Theatre | Sunday (12/14) at 4:00pm – If you know all the words to Deck the Halls, come let the Carson City Symphony, Carson Chamber Singers, and Victorian Dancers do the heavy lifting, then join the singalong finale. Lobby treats at Bob Boldrick Theater, tickets $18, seniors and students $15, kids free.

Next week

🍺 Monday December 15th at Saltwater Tavern at 6:30 @ Saltwater Tavern | Monday (12/15) at 6:30pm – Saltwater Tavern turns into a civilized art studio, with Lynzie Ruecker guiding your masterpiece, a full bar, and NVious Bites slinging $10 charcuterie or fruit cups. Mistakes welcome. This 21+, non-smoking night is low pressure, so reserve your canvas and claim a seat early.

🃏 Poker Night @ Saltwater Tavern | Monday (12/15) at 7:00pm – Ante up for a free-roll Texas Hold’em tournament that’s all skill, zero buy-ins, and absolutely no shady back-alley chip deals. With limited seats, volunteer dealers, and strict etiquette, it’s the perfect blend of friendly competition and bar-night bragging rights. Make the list early—once the 14 stacks are spoken for, you’re just a spectator with a beer.

🍽️ December 16th Tuesday at San Marcos Grill @ San Marcos Grill | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:30pm – Holiday guilt got you? Let Krampus judge your brushstrokes at a paint-and-sip in San Marcos Grill, with local fave Lynzie Ruecker at the helm, and a full dinner and bar menu. Pre-purchase your spot, bring the 12+ crowd, and claim seats early.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/12 Karaoke Night @ Polecat Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/13 Three Spectacular Weekends of Holiday Entertainment @ Carson Valley Community Theatre – 2 pm
• 12/13 2 Year Anniversary and Keith Alan Barnett’s Birthday Party @ Polecat Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/14 Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Favorites @ Cornerstone Community Church – 3 pm
• 12/15 Poker Night @ Saltwater Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/17 Live Music @ Sage Leaf – 5 pm
• 12/19 Tahoe Phil 20th Annual Messiah @ St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – 7 pm
• 12/20 Michael J and more @ Saltwater Tavern – 6 pm
• 12/21 Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night @ Brewery Arts Center – 5:30 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Carson City edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Georgia Chase (Chase International – ZC)

This single-story Mountain Cottage edges the third fairway at Clear Creek Tahoe. A chef’s kitchen with stainless, granite, and big island opens to a firelit family room. Glass sliders lead to a paver patio with BBQ, firepit, and sunset views. The primary suite adds a vaulted clear alder ceiling, a second fireplace, and a spa-style bath. Sunrise kisses granite outcroppings from the front porch.

Landscaped grounds feature boulder walls and a secure dog yard. Steps to Summit Camp for Har-Tru tennis, pool, waterslide, pickleball, bocce. Social membership includes lakefront beach club, ski house, trails, and wellness clubhouse.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →