Carson Wine Walk offers surprises about our town

Last Saturday was hot but the wine was cool (if it was white) and the downtown a whole new world for those of us who have never hiked it. For $10, Wine Walkers got an inscribed goblet, a map and best sampling wishes from the Carson Nugget. We did the walk for the first time last weekend and it was an eye-opener. Who would have thought that downtown would harbor a shop selling outdated military uniforms, including some of those oversize Soviet caps from cold war days. Or RAF uniforms or used .50 caliber shells. So much we miss when we scurry through downtown intent on errands. The tourists know our town better than we do.

Wine Walks take place the first Saturday of the month. Do yourself a favor and take visitors on the walk. You'll be educated about your hometown and they will be impressed.

On Tuesday the Mile High Jazz Band played inside, not under the stars as planned, due to thunder storm threats. The sounds were fine, especially the bit by alto sax player ("What a Wonderful World", "Basin Street Blues") Howard "Speedy" Garfin. The MHJB is a well-rehearsed outfit, led by David Bugli from the piano. More younger people are showing up of late, good news for jazz fans who want to keep the music genre well and alive.

MORE WINE TALK

Learn about exquisite wines from the Southern Hemisphere at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn's wine seminar Wednesday. Featured wines include those from Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Cost is $40. See www.plumpjack.com.

HERBIE IN TOWN

Jazztasters are in for a treat Sunday when Herbie Hancock plays at the Grand Sierra Casino Theater in Reno. His appearance is part of Reno's Artown festival. Last time we heard Herbie live was in UC Berkeley where he teamed up with Wayne Shorter on the sax for sometimes baffling jazz. Herbie offers tamer modern jazz with a few oldie hanger-ons here. Music starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $40 and $55. Call 789-2093.

PARIS IN STATELINE?

The Folies Bergere dances away at MontBleu Thursday through Saturday. This is a Las Vegas version of the French classic revue. It's a steal at $25 a ticket and the show is at 8 p.m. Many, many lovely dancers.

ANYONE FOR

THE STARS?

Experience the starry sky at the Northstar Resort Star Tour Friday. Star guides amateur astronomer Tony Berendsen and University of Nevada, Reno and Astronomy Professor Dr. Melodi Rodrigues of the Northern Nevada Science Coalition will be on hand to highlight Jupiter. Visit ww.northstarattahoe.com.

LAKE MUSIC

The Lake Tahoe Music Festival is offering a free evening concert this Saturday at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Popular regional band Jo Mama performs during this tribute to the festival's 25-year history, entertaining with everything from Beatles' tributes to Disney classics for the kids. Click to www.tahoemusic.org.

Frederica von Stade headlines a special fund-raiser performance at Granlibakken Monday July 23 with proceeds benefiting the Festival's Educational Outreach Program. The world renowned mezzo-soprano and opera star will certainly entertain the crowd.

Homewood Mountain Resort, the Festival's new home, hosts Maestro Timm Rolek and the Lake Tahoe Music Festival Orchestra Thursday, July 26, for a performance of "Mozart in the Mountains," featuring such as "Sinfonia Concertante" and "Symphony No. 40." The evening will officially open with a guest appearance from Hannah Canty, the 2006 Rotary Club Competition winner.

FROM THE VAULTS

We were living in Europe in 1969 but somehow missed "The Libertine," one of many Euro-trash Italian sex comedies. (This is not to be confused with Johnny Depp's recent film of the same name.) The DVD brings back a long gone era, when a mildly sexy film could be banned in the United States as this was. Catherine Spaak stars in this comedy during which she finds herself widowed as well as the inheritor of her late spouse's love nest. It would probably win a PG-13 rating these days. Mildly amusing. Not rated, 96 minutes.

• Contact Sam Bauman at 881-1236 or Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com.