Column: Carson City the place to be in 2000

I heard an interesting statistic the other day. Of all the people who are planning to do something special to bring in the year 2000, 65 percent still have not made plans. We are less than 50 days from the big night!

If you know you want to do something special, but you are not sure what, we might have the answer for you. Invite your friends and relatives to Carson City for a special countdown to the millennium celebration. Carson City's Countdown to the Millennium Committee has been planning a week of activities for the whole family. You can plan something special and still be home on New Years Eve if you are worried about an infestation by that pesky Y2K bug.

On Monday, Dec. 27, the Stewart Indian Museum will hold an all-day demonstration of Native American crafts such as traditional fans, pine needle basket weaving, traditional dances, fry bread and more. The museum and gift shop, which features native arts and crafts, will be open all week long. Call 882-6929 for details.

The Nevada State Museum will open the very special exhibit of antique slot machines in the Assembly Chambers of the Capitol Building. In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the invention of the three-reel bell slot machine, the collection will feature more than 25 rare slot machines owned by Marshall Fey, grandson of the inventor Charles Fey. This is the only time and the only place in the world this collection can be seen. Admission is free and the exhibit will run until mid-February.

Tuesday, Dec. 28, will feature the Brewery Arts Center BAC Stage Kids and a special performance of scenes from Guys and Dolls Junior at 2 p.m. The King Street Gallery and The Artisans Store will be open all week, show casing art and fine crafts from local artists. There will also be demonstrations by artisans. The BAC is also planning a commemorative exhibit of memorabilia of its other lives, such as a brewery and a newspaper office. Call 838-1976 for tickets and times.

On Wednesday, Dec. 29, Advocates to End Domestic Violence will host a Midday Taste of Downtown, a lunchtime movable food festival. For information on tickets and locations, call 883-7654. At 2 p.m. Proscenium Players, under the direction of Maizie Jesse, will perform scenes from My Three Angels at the Brewery Arts Center.

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada will prepare a time capsule on Thursday, Dec. 30. Filled with predictions on the future from children all over the world, the time capsule will be sealed for 25 years. The museum will offer free admission all week and several arts and crafts classes. For information call 848-2226.

Also on Dec. 30, Carson City Host Lions Club will present a boys basketball tournament and reunion of the 1975 championship team at Carson High School a 7 p.m. Look for an appearance by Sen. Mark Amodei who was on that winning team.

On Friday. Dec. 31, the Nevada State Railroad Museum will offer rides on their famous steam locomotives. The museum will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Boys and Girls Club and the Carson City Recreation Department are planning a Millennium Blast for Kids ages 7 to 18 at the community center gym from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Y2 Karaoke, inflatable bouncers, video games and a DJ are just some of the planned activities. There will even be a Quiet Room for kids who actually want to sleep. Call 887-2290 for ticket prices and information.

After you have settled the kids in at the Millennium Blast, you can head for one of several local casinos planning New Years Eve parties. The Carson Nugget, Carson Station, Pinon Plaza and the Ormsby House are all planning special parties and dinners to bring in the year 2000 in style. Many local restaurants are also planning special seating for New Years Eve. Call the individual properties for details.

Here is another helpful hint: If you are planning on a houseful of visitors during the holidays, you can call 800-NEVADA-1. One of our friendly operators can connect you to a local lodging property offering reasonable rates for your visiting family. Or maybe you want to spend the night in a hotel or motel and turn the master bedroom over to grandma and grandpa!

Whatever you do, plan on doing something special for the millennium. After all, this is a once in a many lifetimes experience. Make it memorable!

Candy Duncan is the executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors' Bureau.