Happy Tuesday, Carson City. In today’s edition: Retro holiday shopping at family-run shops, brunch with Santa, a holiday wreath-making workshop, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Family-run gems to explore: Carson City’s small shops offer retro holiday finds, from LEGO at Brick Reboot, which will host Brickmas with Nevada Santa on Dec. 8, to classic video games at Retro Replay — read the full story.

Helping hands fight hunger: Carson City Host Lions Club donated $6,000, giving $1,500 each to four local hunger relief groups to bolster food pantries, holiday baskets, and daily meals for Carson City residents — learn how you can help.

Parking program extended to 2031: Warrior Way paid parking posted $160,201.67 in revenue this past summer, netting $128,747.35 and distributing $49,683.05 to Douglas County School District and Community Services, plus $30,000 for parent boosters — get all the details.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Holiday craft sale supports Meals on Wheels
• Celebrate Carson City’s Capitol tree lighting
• Celebrate the season aboard the Santa Train
• Shop local at Carson Christmas Craft Fairs
• Enjoy Peanutcracker, an abbreviated Nutcracker
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Investing in music education: Carson City Symphony Association announced its 10th annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial instrumental scholarship for Carson City students ages 5 to 17, offering $250 to $1,000 toward lessons, camps, or master classes. Funded by Jennifer and John Webley, it honors a former board member. Applications were due Dec. 1. Get all the details.

Inside the bottling journey: After years of fans “borrowing” bottles, Fox & Hound has finally bottled its three house-made barbecue sauces for retail: mild, hot, and a Carolina-inspired vinegar. They’re in local shops (starting with The Cork and More) and online. Holiday perk: free shipping on the three-bottle set with code TRIBUNEGIFT through Dec. 25. Get the code and details.

Burrito mood unlocked: When you’re craving a hefty, customizable wrap, San Marcos Grill serves asada, pastor, carnitas, and more. Choose your filling, then get it smothered in enchilada sauce if that’s your move. Family-owned, fast, and a reliable midweek fix.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🎨 Unlock Your Inner Artist with Dana Childs | December 3rd, 10th, & 17th @ Brewery Arts Center | Wednesday (12/3) at 10:00am – Skip doomscrolling and dust off that forgotten sketchbook. Dana Childs runs a relaxed studio where you pick the medium, paint, graphite, ink, or collage, get bite-size demos, then settle in for work time with help when you want it, and quiet when you don’t.

🌿 Community Garden Workshops: Holiday Wreath Making | Session 1 @ North Tahoe Event Center | Wednesday (12/3) at 5:30pm – If your front door is still rocking last year’s tired ribbon, come fix it with a wreath you make yourself using foraged greenery from the park. Two sessions to choose from, and pricing that feels neighborly: $20 members, $30 residents, $40 non-residents.

☕ Coffee with CASA @ Eve’s Eatery | Thursday (12/4) at 10:30am – Coffee with CASA is serving caffeine and clarity about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Meet staff and seasoned volunteers, ask anything, learn how to amplify a child’s voice in foster care. Low pressure, high purpose, and yes, refills help.

🎁 Hidden Treasures Gift Shop Holiday Craft Sale @ Carson City Senior Center | Friday (12/5) at 9am – Swing through the Senior Center lobby for a cozy holiday craft sale packed with handmade goodies and festive finds. It’s the perfect place to snag heartfelt gifts and support Meals on Wheels while you’re at it. Stop by again Saturday if you need a second round of shopping magic.

☕ Hot Cocoa with a Hero @ Brewery Arts Center | Friday (12/5) at 5pm – Warm up during the Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights with a steaming cup of cocoa—or something a bit more grown-up—at City Hall and McFadden Plaza. Swing by the booths, meet some local heroes, and help bring a brighter Christmas to Carson City students in need.

This weekend

🎅 TFS Brunch with Santa @ The Chateau | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – The annual Brunch with Santa is back at The Chateau in Incline with a proper brunch, photos with the big guy, a toy drawing, and a magic show. Two sessions keep the sugar rush tidy, and tickets at TFS Thrift Store disappear faster than pancakes.

🎁 Hidden Treasures Gift Shop Holiday Craft Sale @ Carson City Senior Center | Saturday (12/6) at 9am – Browse handmade gifts, festive crafts, and cozy treasures while supporting a great cause. Every purchase helps fund Meals on Wheels, so you can feel extra good about your holiday shopping. Swing by the lobby and gift shop to wrap up your weekend with some seasonal charm.

🧶 Carson Christmas Craft Fairs @ Carson City Community Center | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Carson Christmas Craft Fairs are taking over the Community Center for three Saturdays with 60-plus vendors, food trucks, coffee, fudge, and giftable ornaments. Skip the big-box headache, shop your neighbors’ handiwork, then feel extra virtuous because the raffle backs FISH and the holiday food bank.

🛍️ Holiday Maker’s Market @ Chickadee Art Collective | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Back for its fourth year, Holiday Maker’s Market is taking over Tahoe Backyard with local artisans, Lumbre tacos, Bear Belly beers, and hot chocolate at Chickadee. Shop small, sip mulled wine, and let the carolers handle crowd control. Kings Beach cozy, no mall chaos required.

🖼️ Portrait/Figurative Painting & Drawing Open Studio with Paolo Acuna | Weekly on Sundays | September @ Brewery Arts Center | Sunday (12/7) at 12:00pm – Sundays at Paolo Acuna’s open studio mean live models, dynamic poses, and the satisfying hush of people actually focusing. Portraits, figures, or even sculpture, with guidance from Paolo if you want it, a like-minded crew, and a $20 model fee. BYO supplies, leave the perfectionism.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/3 Live Music @ Sage Leaf – 5 pm
• 12/5 Ski Season Kickoff Party @ Diamond Peak – 7 pm
• 12/11 Bluegrass Afternoon Jam @ Polecat Tavern – 3:30 pm
• 12/12 Karaoke Night @ Polecat Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/14 BAC Tamale Festival @ Brewery Arts Center – 12 pm