Carson City Vistiors Guide

EXPERIENCE ★ Adventure ★ Culture ★ Dining ★ Shopping

2015 Ca rs o n C i t y Vi si to r s G u i d e

Welcome to Carson City...

As a lifelong Carson City resident and third-generation Nevadan, I love this area.

I grew up snow skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer and hunting in the fall. The outdoors has always been a big part of my life.

I also enjoy walking hand in hand with my wife along the Capitol grounds, then going out for a nice dinner.

I think you’ll enjoy doing those things while you’re here, too.

But of all the things that make Carson City great, what really makes it stand out is the people who live and work here.

Not only will you find friendly service when you go out to a restaurant here, you’ll probably be able to meet the chef.

You’ll likely see the owner or general manager out on the casino floor. You may even catch a glimpse of Nevada’s governor in front of the Legislature or walking through downtown.

It’s the waitress, the front desk clerk at a lodging property, the taxi driver, the employee at the state museum, the local artist … all of them will make your visit here an exceptional one.

We’ve featured some of these people in this guide. For a full list of sights to see and places to visit while you’re in town, check out our Visit Carson City app on your mobile device or go to visitcarsoncity.com.

I hope you enjoy your stay … and make a friend while you’re here.

Joel Dunn

Carson City Visitors Bureau Executive Director jdunn@visitcarsoncity.com

716 North Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701 775.687.7410 visitcarsoncity.com

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contents dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 shop Carson City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 gaming & lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 walking map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 arts & culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The 2015 Carson City Visitors Guide is an advertising supplement published by the Nevada Appeal in cooperation with the Carson City Visitors Bureau .

WRITER/EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY LAYOUT & DESIGN ADVERTISING SALES

TERI VANCE CATHLEEN ALLISON TERRI THOMAS BRAD BANCROFT

terivance@rocketmail . com cat@nevadaphotosource .com tthomas@sierranevadamedia .com bbancroft@nevadaappeal .com

About our cover photo

Whether you are hiking or mountain biking, the Ash Canyon trail in Carson City provides panoramic city and mountain views. Download the Visit Carson City app on your smart device for exact location.

Photo by Cathleen Allison

Pictured from top to bottom: Salmon from Adele’s Restaurant and Lounge.

Casino Fandango President Court Cardinal talks with a patron on the casino floor.

Rupert’s Precision Gemcutting owner Tobin Rupert works on a a piece of jewelry in his shop.

Runners enjoy the old V&T Trail at sunrise

Each office is owned independently

visitcarsoncity.com

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★ dining

Find traditional Vietnamese and other Asian food selections at Carson City’s Pho Country.

For a complete list of restaurants, download the Visit Carson City app on your mobile device.

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Ask a local ...

Where should visitors eat in Carson City?

“The Lake Tahoe Brewing Co. Their lemon honey pizza is amazing. Their atmosphere is absolutely inviting. They don’t have any loud TVs. It’s just people hanging out with people.

It’s really a community.”

Sena Lloyd | Carson City Library director, 49ers fan, dog lover

“I like Pho Country and L.A. Bakery. I like the traditional Vietnamese soup at Pho Country, and the lamb gyros are my favorite at L.A. Bakery.

After visiting those countries, I know their food is authentic.”

Katie Leao | Director of Western Nevada College’s foundation, mom, wife, cyclist, golfer

“Paul Schat’s Bakery. They have fresh pastries and delicious sandwiches.

I like the hot pastrami.”

Cathy Erskine | Legislative assistant, hiker, avid reader

visitcarsoncity.com

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f Marcos Brito, second from left, says family is what makes the San Marcos Grill successful. Marcos is seen with his father Alvaro Brito, left, and his uncles Javier Brito and Nicanor Brito.

Carrying on a

familia tradition >> San Marcos Grill 260 E. Winnie Lane, Crossroads Center 775-882-9797, www.sanmarcosgrill.com 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

[ 8 ] visitcarsoncity.com

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or as long as Marcos Brito can remember, he’s felt at home in the kitchen. “Both of my parents worked, so as a little boy I would babysit my brother and sisters,” he said. “If they wanted something to eat, I would go make it for them.”

Now his siblings — and many other family members — work with him in the restaurant, San Marcos Grill, he owns with his father, Alvaro.

And Brito, 33, still finds his passion over the stove.

After graduating from the California Culinary Academy, Brito opened the Carson City restaurant in November 2007 with his father.

They began by serving traditional Mexican fare, using recipes passed down through their family.

As the restaurant has seen success, Brito said, he feels more free to experiment.

“Now that the restaurant is a little more stabilized, I feel like I can go back in the kitchen and do what I like to do,” he said. “Lately, we’ve been introducing a lot of different foods. We’re about to begin on our fourth installment of a menu update.”

Some of the dishes he’s most excited about are the seafood meals, like the mariscos guerrero, a seafood and rice dish he’s working on.

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“It makes me happy that we’re all together,” he said.

While some may find mixing family and business to be a bit of an overexposure, Brito has not tired of his business partner.

“I see my dad every day, and I’m okay with that,” he said. “I absolutely love him.”

For all that he has, he said, he owes it to his customers.

“We are really grateful for Carson City and how they have responded to our business and more so our family throughout the years.”

In return, Brito said the restaurant does its best to make the customers happy. “My parents, myself, all of us, we try to talk to all of our customers when they come in,” he said. “We try to make them feel welcome.”

He said they made a concerted effort choosing bright colors and a festive atmosphere, including a happy hour every day from 4-6 p.m.

Enjoy one of their unique margaritas and perfectly seasoned fish tacos for an authentic Mexican dining experience. Don’t miss Happy Hour daily from 4 - 6 p.m.

“The flavors are very traditional,” he said, “but it has a blend of seafood that I really like.”

He’s also gotten good feedback on his mango chicken that features a mango glaze with fresh mango slices.

“We wanted it to be lively,” he said. “We didn’t want it to be dark and gloomy.” However, all of that just supports what’s happening in the kitchen. He said customers would not return if they weren’t satisfied with their meals.

“I don’t think people would torture themselves over and over just because there are cool colors,” he said. “It’s the food.” ★

start the morning or afternoon off right...

Brito moved with his family to Lake Tahoe in 1996 from Southern California, where his father spent his career running restaurants.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Brito started working in fine dining restaurants in South Lake Tahoe while still in high school. The chefs would sometimes let him put together the daily specials.

“Being able to implement my own ideas into food, that’s when it really grew on me,” he said. “All my life it’s been food.”

And when it’s not food, he said, it’s probably motorcycles. Road racing them.

“It makes me exhilarated going so fast and getting through the course,” he said. “It’s dangerous for sure, but I like it a lot.”

He also enjoys mellowing out every once in a while, fishing with his family. And family, he said, is the most important thing to him.

Even with the success of his business, what he’s most proud of is the opportunity it has afforded his family.

After he graduated from college, he recalled, the family seemed to be headed in different directions. His parents were planning to move from South Lake Tahoe, he wasn’t sure where he would go and his brother and sisters were looking at different schools.

But once they opened the restaurant, it was soon full of uncles and siblings. His aunts stop by throughout the day to visit with his mom. “They help out and just kind of chitchat,” he said.

His siblings are all enrolled in local colleges or universities.

come try our breakfast or lunch!

enjoy hearty plates of delectable food that will get your morning and afternoon going!

Breakfast • Lunch • Coffee and Espresso Cakes • Morning Pastries • Desserts Cupcakes • Catering Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Diabetic Items Voted one of the best restaurants in Carson City

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Adele’s chef and owner Charlie Abowd tours Nancy’s Green Barn Farm in the Dayton Valley. Abowd makes a point to use local meat and produce when possible.

Chef has passion for cooking, calling for service

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harlie Abowd, a fourth-generation chef going back to his family in Lebanon, has made a life of feeding people.

“I feed people who want to be fed, and I have a passion for that,” he said. “But my calling is feeding those people who need to be fed.”

Abowd, 63, credits several factors, down to the building itself.

“It’s a very attractive building,” he said. “It kind of asks you to come walking in.”

And it continues to be a welcoming atmosphere once you’re inside.

Abowd and his wife, Karen, have owned Adele’s – the restaurant his parents, Paul and Adele, opened in 1977 — for 19 years.

“Adele, my mom, was known as a gracious hostess,” he said.

“And now, that’s Karen.”

“I use a lot of Middle Eastern family traditions in what I do, even in my mainstream foods,” Abowd said. “I have some classic Lebanese dishes on my menu today.”

Most importantly, however, he has had a relentless dedication to the quality of the food.

The continental restaurant in downtown Carson City has been successful for 38 years, a rare feat in the business world and even more impressive in the food industry.

>> Cafe at Adele’s 1112 North Carson Street 775-882-3353 www.adelesrestaurantandlounge.com

[ 10 ] visitcarsoncity.com

“I’m always micromanaging every aspect of the the food that comes out of the kitchen,” he said. “We’re always trying new things and refreshing the menu, without totally reinventing the wheel.”

When it comes to getting ingredients, Abowd makes it a point to shop locally. He will often buy a lamb or pig from kids in agriculture organizations like 4-H and FFA. He goes to local ranches and farms for produce and other meats.

“Socially, it’s just part of what we should be doing,” he said. “There’s a face involved there. You’re making someone sustainable.”

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As Abowd’s business has grown, so has his philanthropy. The service he holds most dear is his membership in an informal group that indiscriminately feeds the homeless and hungry every Sunday.

One word:

delicious

Abowd and his wife volunteer monthly.

“We don’t try to save anybody. We don’t try to preach religion. We just go to feed,” he said. “If you’re high, we’re going to feed you. If you’re a drug addict, we’re going to feed you. If you’re a prostitute, we’re going to feed you. No questions asked.”

He said the classic face of the homeless — worn and weathered – isn’t always true. He said it’s often a single mother with young children.

“They will sit down on the curb and put their plate down in front of them,” he said. “It’s as comfortable as a child sitting down to a dining room table in a middle-class family. Those visions keep you coming back.”

And he will continue to come back. “My life is not going to be judged by the stack of money I leave behind,” he said. “It’s what we’ve done for the community that counts.” ★

Turning setback into success

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As a result of the economy crash, Ali Arbabha was laid off from his engineering job in 2009. As he searched for new employment, he found prospects were slim.

So he came up with a new plan.

Along with his culinary arts teacher wife, Leila Tavokoli, they opened a wholesale bakery business. In 2012, it evolved into L.A. Bakery, a cafe and eatery in Carson City.

With a focus on organic, sustainable and local ingredients, Adele’s offers a varied menu of fresh seafood, steaks, pasta and much more.

Whether you’re beginning your day with breakfast, gathering with friends for lunch or planning a romantic dinner, Cafe at Adele’s provides an unforgettable dining experience that brings locals and out-of-state visitors through its doors time and again.

“This is excellent,” Arbabha said. “A lot of people love to come here to eat.”

The bakery offers a wide selection from sandwiches to soups, smoothies and pastries, as well as catering.

“We offer healthy, organic and gluten-free choices,” Arbabha said.

And they’re not afraid to experiment, always coming up with new recipes and combinations, like their pecan cherry scone.

“We have different stuff all the time,” he said. “We rotate our pastries. People like variety.”

It’s not just with their pastries. He said they sell out of their vegan soups daily, which include flavors such as lemon artichoke, coconut corn sweet potato chowder and cream of zucchini.

“We do weird things here, but it tastes amazing,” Arbabha said. “We play with our recipes.”

They also create custom cakes.

★

>> L.A. Bakery 220 W. John Street 775-885-2253 www.labakerycafe.com

1112 North Carson Street • Carson City, NV 89701 Call for reservations: (775) 882-3353

adelesrestaurantandlounge.com

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adelesrestaurantandlounge

visitcarsoncity.com

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★ shop local

Shop Carson City

Jeffery Pace rearranges artwork in his Artsy Fartsy gallery.

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ason Brown spent a recent afternoon shopping at Rocking and Rolling in downtown Carson City. He bought an old-spoon necklace and some blue-lace agate and smoky quartz for his children’s rock collection.

“Jeanette has all the cool ones, and she polishes them herself,” he said.

He said he stops in every couple of weeks to see what new items owner Jeanette Champagne has in the store — a variety of jewelry she makes herself , along with crafts and artwork from other Nevada artists.

“She’s got a good eye,” Brown said. “She’s a good filter. She picks out all the best stuff.”

Champagne said many of her customers return frequently.

“I have the best customers in the world,” she said. “Usually, when they start talking to each other, they find they have something in common.”

Pace’s gallery features work from 65 Northern Nevada artists, many of whom are among the finest in the region.

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“We really have amazing artists in Northern Nevada,” he said. “It’s all about the artists and the artwork.”

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He also offers layaway.

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“Artwork isn’t just for the upper class,” he said.

“It’s for everybody who loves it.”

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2. It supports the community Jeanette Champagne offers a wide selection of Nevada artists in her Rocking and Rolling shop, 402 N. Curry St., along with her own work.

Michelle Popejoy specializes in custom jewelry at the Jewelry Bench located downtown.

“I’m really big on made in Nevada,” she said. “I like keeping the money in the community and letting the artists have a voice.”

“Everybody deserves to have an original, one-of-a-kind hanging in their home,” said Jeffery Pace, owner of the Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, 220 W Telegraph St. “With artwork starting off at $40 to $50, there’s really no reason to go to another store and buy something made in another country.” [ 12 ] visitcarsoncity.com

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Whether it’s interacting with storeowners and customers or finding a one-of-a kind gift, there are many reasons to do your shopping in Carson City.

1. You deserve it

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Tobin Rupert works on a ring at his Rupert’s Precision Gemcutting shop.

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Julie Grady, owner of Due Sorella, works on a display in her eclectic store.

3. It’s economical Michelle Popejoy owns the Jewelry Bench, 209 S. Curry St., which specializes in custom pieces.

“I try really hard to beat the Internet on diamond prices,” she said. “If I can do it, I will.”

4. It’s original From digging the stone — often in Nevada — to cutting and setting it, Tobin Rupert, owner of Rupert’s Precision Gemcutting, 2800 S. Curry St., offers unique and top-quality jewelry.

“We custom cut all our gemstones,” Rupert said.

“A precision cut maximizes the sparkle and luster of a gemstone. They’re cut mathematically perfect, so when light goes in all it can do is bounce around and come back out the top.”

Julie Grady, owner of Due Sorella (Two Sisters), 202 N. Curry St., offers a combination of new, repurposed, vintage and antique items.

“It’s everything I love,” she said. “People tell me, ‘I feel better after I come into your store.’ It reminds you, there’s no place like home.”

During the holiday season, the Greenhouse Garden Center, 2450 S. Curry St., transforms into a winter wonderland, with each tree decorated in its own theme, like sports, music, shoes and purses.

“When we traveled overseas, these colorful ornaments and balls were things we were able to collect,” said owner David Ruf. “It reminds us when we put up our trees of the memories we have.

That’s what we’re trying to do here.” ★

He’s even designed his own signature cuts.

>> To see a complete

“I let the stone talk to me,” he said. “It wants to be cut the way it wants to be cut. You just have to listen.”

list of stores and all that Carson City has to offer, download the Visit Carson City app on your smart device or go to VisitCarsonCity.com.

5. It’s fun “We love whimsical and eclectic,” said Sue Jones, who owns the Purple Avocado, 904 N. Curry St., with her husband, Stan. “We definitely buy with that in mind. We have something different for everyone.”

Rocking and Rolling shop offers a wide variety of made-in-Nevada artwork, including these fun sandstone signs.

Rocking and Rolling shop owner Jeanette Champagne shows some of the turquoise jewelry available in her store. visitcarsoncity.com

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★ recreation

Swimmers play in the Carson River at the Ambrose recreation area in June.

For a complete list of outdoor recreation sites, download the Visit Carson City app on your mobile device.

Ask a local ...

What is your favorite outdoor experience?

“My favorite is the backside of Prison Hill, we call it Dead Truck Canyon. You start out at Silver Saddle Ranch and you go either north or south. It’s just wonderful.”

Bob Crowell | Carson City Mayor, father, outdoor enthusiast [ 14 ] visitcarsoncity.com

“If I was in town for the day, I would mountain bike the seven steps in Ash Canyon from the trailhead behind Western Nevada College’s observatory.

It’s fun. It’s a challenge. You get some great views of the whole city.”

Kelli DuFresne | Mountain biker, mother, history buff

A DREAM COMES TRUE for Jeff Potter

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eff Potter first presented the idea of building a trail to traverse the mountains of west Carson City, connecting Ash Canyon to Kings Canyon, in 2007.

After years of planning and obtaining the proper permissions and permits, he and other organizers broke ground on the trail in 2012.

Now he and fellow volunteers are driving up after work and on their days off to build the final features and put the finishing touches on the 7-mile trail, which starts at 5,600 feet and climbs about 1,100 feet to the highest point. It should open in spring 2015.

“For seven years, I’ve been walking it and walking it,” Potter said. “I dream about it.” Potter, a lifelong mountain bike enthusiast, said the trail was born of selfish desires. “I wanted a trail for my friends and me to ride,” he said. When he started approaching city leaders about his idea, the answer in a nutshell was, “Okay, you do it.” For him, it was an obvious solution. A volunteer with Muscle Powered, a walking and bicycling advocacy group in Carson City, he also had extensive trail-building experience and training.

“It’s a passion of mine, why not go for it? Then I can have quality control over it. I can keep coming back and fine tuning it.” While the goal has always been to create a multi-use, non-motorized trail accessible to all levels of fitness — most of the grade is below the recommended 10 percent — Potter said the work itself has had its own rewards.

“The other day, I was lying down in a grove of trees,” he said. “This huge eagle flew over me, just about 20 feet up. When you come back out here and see some of the views, it’s just a peaceful feeling.”

Potter, 52, grew up in Southern California. His zest for mountain biking and hiking drew him to the Lake Tahoe area, specifically to visit the Flume Trail. So when a position opened up at a post office in Carson City in 1989, the mail carrier applied. To increase his odds, Potter cut off his trademark ponytail, showing up for his interview looking clean cut and professional.

It worked. He was offered the job almost immediately — and just as quickly started growing his hair long again. “The post master later said if I would have looked like this then, he never would have hired me.” ... continued on next page

Jeff Potter hikes on a portion of the Ash to Kings canyon Trail last October. visitcarsoncity.com

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A group of volunteers, led by Jeff Potter at front, hike in to work on the Ash to Kings Canyon Trail last October. The trail will be completed in spring 2015.

Potter ... from previous page It was a serendipitous move, as he met his wife of 23 years, Amy, while delivering the mail along his route. He said Amy has gotten used to him disappearing for hours, most recently with dogs Rex and Billy, while walking, riding or building trails.

He said other volunteers are making a bigger sacrifice. “Me, I’m just obsessed,” he said. “But for these guys taking the time, they do it because they share a vision.”

While the Ash to Kings Canyon Trail is unofficially known as Jeff’s Trail, Potter is quick to point out that it has been a group effort, starting with the support from then-open space manager Juan Guzman, who opened the first doors.

“Me, I’m just obsessed. But for these guys taking the time, they do it because they share a vision.”

— Jeff Potter

[ 16 ] visitcarsoncity.com

Muscle Powered has spearheaded the effort and Great Basin Institute built a portion of the trail. Grants and other support came from the city, U.S. Forest Service and Nevada State Parks. Private partners like Lumos & Associates have also contributed.

“It’s such a team effort,” Potter said. He knows all the volunteers by name and easily rattles off their strengths and contributions.

“If you look at all the rock work, we can attribute that to Oliver Lieder,” he said. “He set the standard for us when he came on the crew for what we needed to achieve.” He lauds Bob Rigsby and other retired volunteers for their hard work and many hours. “If it wasn’t for them, we would not be built on time,” he said.

Muscle Powered Crew Leader Ward Knous’ knowledge of the area from years of backcountry skiing made it easier to map out the trail. “When you ask him to make a connection, he already knows it,” Potter said.

While his original motive to create a trail he could enjoy is still valid, he said, he knows it will serve many more.

An informal survey over the summer showed about 300 users a month, about half mountain biking and half hiking — and that’s before it was even finished. “It just contributes to the quality of life,” he said, standing on the trail on an evening in early fall. “This is my favorite time,” he said. “When you’re at 6,700 feet and you can see all the long shadows from the sun setting going into the city.” ★

Ask a local ...

Where is your favorite place to enjoy a beer?

“I’ve seen all of the bars and joints in Carson.

I like the Firkin and Fox and El Charro Avitia for beers and bar food.”

Rich Hardcastle | Hunter, dirt biker

“I would recommend Red’s Old 395 if you’re a beer connoisseur because they have a lot of beer on tap. But if you’re looking to dance and listen to music, then it would be the Westside Pour House.”

Rob McQueary| Owner of Armac Construction, guitar player in Double Shot

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★ gaming & lodging

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The Gold Dust West Casino offers live blackjack and poker games for people to try their luck.

For a complete list of casinos, download the Visit Carson City app on your mobile device.

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Carson City local shares his

passion

for the capital Carson Cessna, sales and marketing coordinator at the Hampton Inn, talks about working and living in Carson City.

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s the sales and marketing coordinator for the Hampton Inn, Carson Cessna, 28, is often the first person visitors meet when planning their trips to Nevada’s capital.

“I love facilitating a fantastic experience in Carson City,” he said. “I take a lot of pleasure in being able to show people a side of Carson City they wouldn’t be able to see without a local showing them the ropes.”

Although he shares a name with the city, Carson didn’t move to Carson City until he was 11.

“It was just a twist of fate that brought us here,” he said. “My mom just found my name in a baby book.”

His love for the city was not instantaneous. “I hated it,” he said.

“I thought it was backwards and closed-minded.”

But by the time he graduated from Carson High School in 2005, his opinion started to shift.

“Over time, I came to realize there are all walks of life in this community. It’s a small pond with a lot of opportunities.”

His change of heart came as he began to pursue his interests in theater and music.

Carson City “spoke to me as an artist,” he said. “It seems like the right place.”

And the Hampton Inn, he said, is the right job as he continues to pursue his music, playing keyboards and bass in his band Big Remote.

“I needed a job that would allow me to take off and play shows,” he said. “It’s a job you can take absolutely anywhere.

And being a creative, I didn’t have the corporate skills I needed when I got here.

“It informs what I do with music. Learning how to represent a corporate brand has taught me so much how to represent myself as a musician and also as a band.”

When he’s not working or playing, he’s most likely hanging out at home with his girlfriend and fellow musician Jen Scaffidi, walking his dogs or running.

His favorite trails for walking his dogs?

It’s a tie between the trail at the base of C Hill and the Prison Hill Trail.

His most common running route is in south Carson City, down Koontz Lane and along Silver Sage Drive.

When guests ask for a good place to go for a run, he’ll often point them to the paved path around Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, the trailhead a quarter-mile up Arrowhead Drive from the intersection with Carson Street.

If they want to hike close to town, he’s been directing them to the new Clear Creek Trail. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s absolutely breathtaking.”

When looking for a bite to eat, Cessna recommends Taqueria Uruapan, 4601 Goni Road, or L.A. Bakery, 220 W John St. “It’s to die for,” he said.

In his job, Cessna often works with corporate guests and visitors coming into town for large sports tournaments. While he enjoys working with all people, he said, he particularly likes meeting people traveling from more underdeveloped countries.

“They have a totally different perspective and you get to hear the most interesting stories from them,” he said. “It definitely puts how privileged we are into perspective.”

And from his perspective, Carson City is home.

“I see myself staying here for the foreseeable future,” he said.

“I love it.” ★

visitcarsoncity.com

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Casino Fandango General Manager Court Cardinal can often be found on the casino floor.

Success

begins with the guests >> Casino Fandango 3800 S. Carson Street, 775-885-7000 Open daily 24 hours a day

[ 20 ] visitcarsoncity.com

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ourt Cardinal started his career in casinos as a bar back and bartender at the Clarion Casino in Reno when it opened in 1991.

Although he worked his way up to management, it is his experience in those early years that informs his leadership style at the Casino Fandango, where he has been general manager, president and part owner since it opened in 2003.

“In the normal business philosophy, employees are at the base, the guests in the middle and ownership at the top,” he explained.

He said he flips the pyramid upside down, putting employees at the top.

“If the employees are generally happy, it’s going to trickle down so the players and guests have a pleasurable experience,” Cardinal said. “When the guests are happy, that’s going to trickle down to the success of the business.”

However, Cardinal, 49, doesn’t rely wholly on the trickle-down theory.

He said he identified early on the needs in Carson City and went about filling them, creating a campus that includes the casino, a Courtyard Marriott hotel and the Fandango movie theater.

As such, it has earned the Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner for five consecutive years in the Nevada Appeal’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

“That’s one thing I’m extraordinarily proud of,” Cardinal said. “It’s a great place for people to visit.”

He’ll even suggest an itinerary.

“Make a whole experience out of it,” he said. “Stay at the Marriott, and go see a movie. Dine in one of our restaurants, and play your favorite table game or slot machine. It’s all right here for you.”

Having come up through the food and beverage side, Cardinal takes particular pride in the casino’s five restaurants.

“I think we have the best food around,” he said. “I’d put our steakhouse up against any, not just in the area, but on the whole West Coast.” ★ Try the Fandango rolls at the Sushi Bar inside the Casino Fandango.

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Driving Range • Lessons by PGA Pros • Fully-stocked Pro Shop • Restaurant and Bar • Banquets and Weddings

* Seasonal Weather Conditions Permitting

w w w. e a g l e v a l l e y g o l f . c o m Call for Current Specials, Conditions & Tee Time Reservations

775-887-2380

E aglE VallEy golf 3999 Centennial Park Drive • Carson City, NV 89706

visitcarsoncity.com

[ 21 ]

Jonathan Boulware has served as general manager of the Gold Dust West Casino since 2008.

Connecting with locals A

lthough Jonathan Boulware, 48, grew up down the street from casino mogul Steve Wynn, he had never considered a career in gaming.

But when the two ran into each other at a University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball game years later, Wynn sold Boulware on the idea.

“He told me it was a growing industry and that I should consider going into it,” Boulware recalled.

He heeded the advice, and shortly after graduation joined Wynn’s company at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

After working for large gaming corporations, he found his true passion after taking a job at the Station Casinos.

>> Gold Dust West 2171 Highway 50 East 775-885-9000 Open daily 24 hours a day [ 22 ] visitcarsoncity.com

“I love the locals casinos,” he said. “You get more of an opportunity to create relationships with your guests.”

That’s why, he said, moving to Carson City in 2008 to take over as general manager of the Gold Dust West Casino was the perfect fit.

“Of all the jobs I’ve had, this is the best,” he said. “It’s also the most difficult, but the best.”

While many guests are attracted by the hotel and casino, the Gold Dust West offers a variety of experiences.

“Fortunately for us, we are a fully integrated property,” he said. “We have the hotel, restaurant, casino and bowling center all under one roof, in addition to an RV park.”

They also offer banquet halls, patios and the parking lot for other groups and events, including concerts.

“We’re not just one-dimensional. We’re really diverse,” Boulware said. “And with the freeway, we are one of the closest access points to get to downtown Carson City.” ★

Carson City Lodging Properties Americas Best Value Inn

Hardman House

Rodeway Inn Trailside Inn

Carson Inn

Holiday Inn Express

Roundhouse Inn

City Center HotelÂ

Mill House Motel 3251 S. Carson St. 775-882-2715

310 S. Carson St. 775-882-1887 Ext 136

Courtyard by Marriott

Motel 6

Silver State Inn

Days Inn

Nugget Hotel

Silver Queen

Frontier Motel

Nugget Inn

Stewart Street Inn

Gold Dust West Hotel

Pioneer Motel

Super 8

Hampton Inn & Suites

Plaza Hotel & Conference Center

Wyndham Garden Carson Station Casino Hotel

Comstock Country RV Resort

Gold Dust West Good Sam RV Park

2731 S. Carson St. 775-882-2007

1930 N. Carson St. 775-461-3274 800 N. Carson St. 775-882-5535

3870 S. Carson St. 775-887-9900

3103 N. Carson St. 775-461-3701 1718 N. Carson St. 775-882-1377 2171 Hwy 50 East 775-885-9000

10 Hospitality Way 775-885-8800

917 N. Carson St. 775-882-7744

4055 N. Carson St. 775-283-4055

2749 S. Carson St. 775-885-7710 651 N. Stewart St. 775-882-7711 555 N. Stewart St. 775-883-6565 907 S. Carson St. 775-882-3046

801 S. Carson St. 775-883-9500

1300 N. Carson St. 775-883-7300 1400 N. Carson St. 775-882-3446

Saint Charles Hotel

1464 Rand Avenue 775-841-7200 201 W. Caroline St. 775-882-5534 323 N. Stewart St. 775-883-6607

2829 S. Carson St. 775-883-7800

900 S. Carson St. 775-883-0900

RV Parks Camp-N-Town 2438 N. Carson St. 775-883-1123

5400 S. Carson St. 775-882-2445

2171 Hwy 50 East 775-885-9000

For more information, go to visitcarsoncity.com or download the Visit Carson City app on your mobile device. visitcarsoncity.com

[ 23 ]

★ walking map

The Kit Carson Blue Line Trail

E

xplorer Kit Carson’s legacy is alive along the 2.5-mile path bearing his name. This trail has 24 landmarks running through Carson City’s residential district. Take this map with you and explore the Blue Line Trail for your self.

[ 24 ] visitcarsoncity.com

1. Nevada State Capitol

101 N. Carson St. Architect’s fee: $250. Stone: free and came from the State Prison quarry. (1870-71)

2. State Library & Archives

100 N. Stewart St. 1992 structure incorporates old State Printing Building.

(1885-86)

13. Chartz House

412 N. Nevada St. Named for Alfred Chartz, outstanding lawyer and pardoned state prisoner. Chartz was neither the builder nor the first owner, but was the most noted resident. (1876)

14. Curry House

406 N. Nevada St. Built by Abe Curry, one of Carson City’s founders. (1871)

3. Kitzmeyer Furniture

15. Dat So La Lee Home - Cohn House

4. Paul Laxalt Building

16. Stewart-Nye Residence

5. Nevada State Museum - Mint

17. St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church

6. Foreman-Roberts House Historical Museum

18. Carson Brewing Company

7. Bliss Mansion

19. Rinckel Mansion

Factory & Undertaking Parlor 319 N. Carson St. The furniture included a line of coffins. (1873) 401 N. Carson St. Former U.S. Post Office First federal office constructed in Nevada. (1891) 600 N. Carson St. Over $49 million were coined here, 1870-93. (U.S. Mint 1869) 1207 N. Carson St. Gothic revival house originally built in Washoe City, was moved to Carson City on a V&T flat car in 1873. (1859) 608 Elizabeth St. Built by the lumber magnate Duane L. Bliss. 15 rooms, 9 marble fireplaces. Built of clear sugar pine and cedar from his Lake Tahoe mill. (1879)

8. Bender House

707 W. Robinson St. Named for 1874 owner, an agent for the V&T Railroad.

(1866-70)

9. Governor’s Mansion

606 N. Mountain St. Land: $10. Completed after 30 years of debate. (1908-09)

10. Krebs-Peterson House

500 N. Mountain St. Featured in John Wayne’s last film,“ The Shootist.” (1914)

11. Yerington House

512 N. Division St. Named for second owner (1869), a key figure in the V&T Railroad. (1863)

12. Orion Clemens House

331 W. Proctor St. Built for famed Washoe basket weaver by her employer, Abe Cohn. (1895) 108 N. Minnesota St. Built by Stewart. Later owned by Territorial Governor Nye. (1860) 511 W. King St. Original wood frame is now faced with brick. (1870-71)

449 W. King St. Home of “Tahoe Beer” for over a century, now the Brewery Arts Center. (1864) 102 N. Curry St. Built with labor-saving devices from the 1876 Centennial Exposition. (1875-76)

20. E.D. Sweeney Building

102 S. Curry St. One of Carson City’s earliest commercial buildings. (1859-60)

21. Ormsby County Courthouse

100 N. Carson St. Designed as part of the State Capitol complex. (early 1920s)

22. Former Nevada Supreme Court

198 N. Carson St. Originally also housed the State Library. (1936)

23. Heroes Memorial Building

198 N. Carson St. Twin of the Ormsby County Courthouse. (1921)

24. St. Charles-Muller Hotel

302-304 S. Carson St. One of the most elegant hotels of the day. (1862)

502 N. Division St. Frequent guest: brother Samuel (Mark Twain). (1863-64) visitcarsoncity.com

[ 25 ]

★ arts & culture

A young boy participates in the annual Stewart Father’s Day Pow Wow at the historic Stewart Indian facility.

For a complete list of museums and art galleries, download the Visit Carson City app on your mobile device.

Ask a local ...

What would you recommend visitors do or see while in town?

“That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child.

At first blush, I would have to say the Nevada State Museum.”

Brian Sandoval | Governor, dad, history buff & sports enthusiast

“I like the farmers markets. You get a lot of people from different counties with different kinds of produce and arts and crafts, like jewelry and belt buckles.

It’s what Nevada is supposed to stand for – all kinds of people coming together.”

Miranda Hoover | Assistant to the Senate Majority Office in the Nevada Legislature, student, basketball player

Unique one-stop shopping with something for everyone!

EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare | Get Nailed Gordon’s Photo Service | Play Your Own Music Bobby Page’s Dry Cleaners | eNSiGNAL Verizon

QUICK STOP TO SHOP Boot Barn | Bridger Mountain Boutique Bealls | Crimson Moon | JoAnn Fabrics Sierra Gifts | Sportsman’s Warehouse Bellissimo | Action Home Furnishings

FAST & FRESH DINING CHOICES Charley’s Grilled Subs | Dutch Bros. Coffee Little Caesars | Paul Schat’s Bakery Thai Thai | Francisco’s Mexican Restaurant

CARSON MALL

ShopCarsonMall.com | 1313 South Carson Street | Carson City, Nevada 89701 visitcarsoncity.com

[ 27 ]

Painting her

authentic self W

hen Deana Hoover looks at a person, she sees beyond the appearance.

“I wish people could see themselves the way an artist sees them,” she said.

“People are so amazingly beautiful, but we tend to judge ourselves by what we see in the mirror or what we perceive, and that’s not the truth. When you see people in their element, there’s something so magical about it.”

Along with abstracts, portraits are Hoover’s favorite art form.

>> Artist Deana Hoover To see Hoover’s work, visit the Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery 220 W. Telegraph St. For more information about classes, contact Hoover at (775) 721-4453

[ 28 ] visitcarsoncity.com

Deana Hoover paints in her studio.

“Generally, I want to paint every single person I see,” she said. “The tiniest nuance makes all the difference in the feeling of the painting.”

She now teaches classes out of her home and at the Brewery Arts Center.

She sells her work at the Arsty Fartsy Art Gallery, 220 W. Telegraph St.

Hoover, 51, has always been an artist at heart.

Although art is now her livelihood, it remains her passion.

“My memories of school are mostly of getting in trouble for doing art,” she said.

“Sometimes I just feel compelled to do something even though I can’t sell it,” Hoover said, “like a mural in my own house.”

Before she committed to making a living painting — primarily in oils — and teaching art classes, she tried living a more traditional life.

“It’s almost like I was swimming against the tide in order to do what I should do,” she said. “I’ve had office jobs, and I’ve done well at them, but it’s against the grain of who I am. It actually makes me sick. On the inside, I’m just dying.”

A painting of the Mona Lisa covers the outside wall of the Carson City home she’s shares with Scott, her husband of 30 years. The floor of her living room is painted with sand and rocks to look like a beach.

Paintings and other pieces of art adorn almost every free space.

“I do have to be mindful not to get carried away with these things because

“People are so amazingly beautiful, but we tend to judge ourselves by what we see in the mirror...”

I still do have to make a living,” she said. “But sometimes a girl can’t help herself.”

In addition to teaching art, she’s also interested in teaching people about appreciating it and is working on writing a book to that effect.

“It doesn’t need to be art appreciation in the way it is typically taught. It doesn’t matter if you know the history or understand the symbolism the painting represents,” she said. “I feel like everybody should stare at a piece of art and see what happens inside of them.

— Deana Hoover

“Effectively, art is like a mirror. When you’re looking at it, what you’re actually seeing is your own perception of your own self. Your most true self.”

It’s that emotional reaction she hopes to evoke from viewers with her own artwork.

Local artist Deana Hoover works on a sculpture at the Brewery Arts Center.

“It’s huge when someone connects with a piece of your art,” she said. “They’re connecting with a piece of you. It’s like a soul connection.” ★

visitcarsoncity.com

[ 29 ]

Sierra Picerno, age 2, from Hawaii, checks out the Columbian mammoth on display at the Nevada State Museum..

You can count on JAC Bus Services when visiting Carson City’s most popular tourist attractions

History’s

storytellers T

he Nevada State Museum is home to an impressive Columbian mammoth display as well as other artifacts from the state.

“Nevada has a great history and the Nevada State Museum is a good way to hear that history and talk to people who know it,” said Felicia Archer, spokeswoman for the State of Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. “We are the stewards of Nevada’s history. This is the place to get the story.”

Fuji Park (increased frequency and special shuttle during the Fair) Capitol Complex | Historical West Side Blue Line Path Community Center | Western Nevada College Carson City Airport | Children’s Museum | Carson Nugget

775-841-RIDE www.ridejac.com

[ 30 ] visitcarsoncity.com

The museum was once the U.S. Mint, which operated from 1870-1893, and still runs an operating coin press.

“As the former U.S. Mint, it’s well worth seeing,” Archer said.

“It’s a great stop for anyone interested in coins.”

Carson City has several other museums as well, including the Nevada State Railroad Museum.

“The railroad was once one of the largest employers in the nation,” Archer said. “Just about everyone has a family member who worked on the railroad. We have some spectacular pieces of history.” ★

In the Middle

of Everywhere

Located at the base of breathtaking Lake Tahoe, Gold Dust West Casino & Hotel is where the thrills begin and the good times never end. u u u u u u

Play at our red hot tables or any of our 400 slots!

Relax in our spacious 142 room hotel Enjoy our outdoor pool, spa, fitness room, and 24/7 Business Center Dine at the Grille, Olé Olé Restaurant & Cantina, or The Snack Bar Unwind at the Sports Bar, at our 32-lane Bowling Center, or at the Ten Pin Lounge Make a home away from home at our full amenity RV park

Experience it all and so much more!

2171 E. William St. u 775.885.9000 u 877.519.5567 u www.gdwcasino.com See Guest Services for complete details. Management reserves all rights. Must be 21 or older to gamble. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2015, Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.

LeT Off Some Steam.

Have a blast behind a V&T Railroad historic steam engine or more modern diesel with two routes to ride. The Carson City–Virginia City and Virginia City–Gold Hill narrated excursions bring the 1870s Comstock Era to life with colorful canyons, close–your–eyes tunnels and next–bend surprises.

Reserve May–October tickets today

vtrailway.com • 877.724.5007

Photograph by Peter Anthony Lerro, III V&T Railroad, Virginia & Truckee R.R. logo used by permission of Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co., Virginia City, Nevada.