New Stuff to do this Holiday Weekend!

Dec. 24

Sunday

Kid’s Cookie Race: Children ages 4-12 can win cookies in cross country races beginning at noon Dec. 24 at the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, 9411 Hillside Drive, Soda Springs, Calif. Free. Details: 800-500-3871.

Santa Photos at Shoppers Square: Santa is available daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of Ben Franklin Crafts at Shoppers Square, 213 E. Plumb Lane. Details: 323-0430.

Entertainment Discount Book: The 2007 coupon book that offers two-for-one discounts on restaurants, shops, travel, sports and family activities in the Reno, Lake Tahoe, Sparks and Carson City areas is on sale to benefit the Temple Emanu-El. Cost: $25. Details: Estelle at 746-5305 or Linda at 825-5600.

Boomtown Family Fun Center: The center has more than 200 video and prize-redemption games, an antique carousel, an indoor miniature golf course, the Rodeo Rider and the MaxFlight virtual reality roller coaster. The 3-D Motion Theater is showing “Glacier Run,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “Mad Racers,” “Cosmic Coaster,” “Aqua Ride,” “Haunted Mine Shaft” and “Magic Carpet Ride.” A party room is available for rental. Located at Interstate 80, Garson exit No. 4 in Verdi. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Cost: $1, carousel; $2.75, nine-hole miniature golf; $4.50, 3-D motion theater; MaxFlight, $4.50; $10-$14 for all-day passports. A family pass of four is $40 on Wednesdays. Details: 345-8701 or www.boomtownfuncenter.com.

Grand Sierra Fun Quest: Featuring carnival style tossing games. The center has more than 175 prize-redemption and video games, Q-Zar laser tag center, MaxFlight Motion Roller Coaster, a six-person space battle video game in the Galaxian Theater and a Tumble Town “soft play” area for children younger than 8. Clay Quest is a ceramics painting studio. Located at 2500 E. Second St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Clay Quest is open from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Cost: Clay Quest, $4 to $20; Laser Tag, $6; Tumble Town, $5 all day; Galaxian, $1; MaxFlight VR2002, $10 for two people; $25 VIP wristband. Details: 789-2386.

Dec. 25

Monday

Christmas Community Dinner: Harrah’s Reno sponsors a holiday meal for those in need from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Salvation Army’s Rehabilitation Program, Valley road and Timber Way. Free. Details: 688-4555.

COMING UP!!

“Jungua, Descendants of the Dragon”: This show features acrobatic acts and martial arts in the Chinese tradition beginning at 8 p.m. Dec. 26-30 in the Grand Sierra Resort Theatre, 2500 E. Second St. Cost: $20, $12.50 for children ages 12 and younger. Details: 789-2285.

“A Real Magic Holiday”: Celebrate the holidays with Kalin & Jinger’s seasonal show of magic and family fun at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26-27 and at 3 p.m. 30 at Magic Underground in the Pioneer Center, 100 S. Virginia St. Cost: $25.92 adults, $20.95 seniors, $15.95 children age 12 and younger. Sunday matinees: $19.95 adults, $14.95 seniors, $9.95 children age 12 and younger. Details: 324-6007.

Family Fun Movie Tuesdays: Children can watch “Whistle For Willie,” “Officer Buckle and Gloria” and “The Talking Eggs” starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Drive. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Details: 787-4100.

Tournament of Games: Compete against others in board or computer games at the library starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Mendive Community Library, 1900 Whitewood Drive. Free. Details: 353-5989.

Royal Crown Revue: The retro-swing band plays at 9 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Crystal Bay Club Casino in Crystal Bay. Cost: Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Details: 833-6333.

Sierra Nevada Classic Wrestling Tournament: High school athletes from Nevada, California, Washington and Oregon battle for top honors from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27-28 at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells Ave. Cost: $3-$8, event passes $10 and $15. Details: 688-5751 or www.sierranevadaclassic.com.

David Spade: The comedian performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Cost: $60. Details: 800-427-7247.

Kathy Griffin: The self-proclaimed D-List comedian performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 28 in the Silver Legacy’s Grande Exposition Hall. Cost: Tickets are $35, $45 and $55, available through Ticketmaster outlets and the Silver Legacy, www.silverlegacy.com. Details: 325-7401 or 800-687-8733.

Jonny Lang: The blues guitarist plays a special acoustic show at 8 p.m. Dec. 29-30 in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Cost: Tickets are $55, available at the Nugget, Tickets.com outlets or 800-648-1177. Details: 356-3300 or www.janugget.com.

Lorie Line, Traditions of Christmas: The family concert features a visit by King Herod and St. Nicholas, also music by the Pop Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing, 100 S. Virginia St. Cost: $39.50 and $49.50, $44 seniors and $33 children ages 4-15. Details: 686-6600.

DJ Dan: The club DJ performs at midnight Dec. 29 at the Opal Lounge at Montbleu. Cost: Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at door, available through Ticketmaster outlets and Montbleu. Details: 800-648-3353.

Jackie Greene and Tim Bluhm: The singer-songwriters perform at 9 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Crystal Bay Club Casino in Crystal Bay. Cost: Tickets are $20 in advance, $17 day of show. Details: 833-6333.

Lou Gramm: The Foreigner front man (do we need to tell you what Foreigner played?) performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 30 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Eldorado Showroom. Cost: Tickets are $100, $70, $65 and $60. Details: 786-5700.

Cedric the Entertainer: The comedian performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Silver Legacy’s Grande Exposition Hall. Cost: Tickets are $60, $50 and $40, available through Ticketmaster outlets and the Silver Legacy. Details: 325-7401 or 800-687-8733.

Cracker: The roots-rockers behind such songs as “Low” and “Euro Trash Girl” plays at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Cost: Tickets are $37, available at the Nugget, Tickets.com outlets or 800-648-1177. Details: 356-3300 or www.janugget.com.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: The band behind such songs as “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” and “Hate Myself for Loving You” plays at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Cost: $45. Details: 800-427-7247.

AND THERE’S MORE!!!

Friday, Dec. 22

Spirit of Christmas: This show features a cast of singers and dancers beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 22-23, 9:30 p.m. Dec. 23, 7 p.m. Dec. 24-29 in the Eldorado Showroom, 345 N. Virginia St. Sing along to standards including White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Chestnuts Roasting and O Holy Night. Cost: $20.95-$38.95. Details: 800-648-5966 or 786-5700 or eldoradoreno.com.

The Buttcracker: This parody of the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” shows at 8 p.m. Dec. 22-23 at Bruka Theatre, 99 N. Virginia St. Cost: $16 in advance, $20 at the door. Details: 323-3221 or www.bruka.org.

A Hometowne Nutcracker: The Reno Dance Company performs this holiday favorite at 8 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and 2 p.m. Dec. 23 at Montbleu Resort and Casino, U.S. 50 in Stateline. Cost: $25 general, $20 seniors and students, $35 VIP booth. Details: 800-648-3353.

Improv Comedy: Appearing at 8 p.m. in the comedy club in Harveys at Stateline are Max Alexander and Graham Elwood Dec. 22-24 and Bruce Fine and Chris Mancini Dec. 26-31. Howie Nave is host for all shows. No show on Mondays. Cost: $25 Sunday, Tuesday-Friday and $30 Saturday. Details: 588-2411.

Funny Bone Comedy: Appearing at the Sands Regency is Steve Hirst Dec. 22-24 and Cowboy Bill Martin Dec. 27-31. Times: Wednesdays 8 p.m., Thursdays 8 p.m., Fridays 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Saturdays 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and Sundays 8 p.m. Cost: $12 general admission, $16 VIP seating. Details: 348-2200.

Christmas Film Festival: Christmas on the Comstock presents a classic Christmas film festival with “White Christmas” and “Meet Me in St. Louis” showing at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22-24 at Piper’s Opera House, 12 N. B St., Virginia City. Cost: $5, $3 for children. Details: 847-0433.

Sierra Arts Gallery: A reception happens from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 22 for the exhibit “Social Utterances” by Candice Nicol that is on display Dec. 18 through Feb. 10, 2007. Located in the Riverside Artist Lofts, 17 S. Virginia St. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free. Details: 329-2787.

Holiday Cafe Booksale: This sale features new and nearly new books, videos and CDs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 23 at the South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway. Free wrapping paper, ribbon and tags with each purchase. Details: 851-5190.

Young Rembrandts: Children can learn to draw cartoons at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Duncan-Traner Community Library, 1650 Carville Drive. Free. Details: 333-5134.

Saturday

Holidaze in Hicksville: Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks perform songs such as “Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit” in this holiday concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley, Calif. Cost: $20. Details: 530-271-7000 or www.thecenterforthearts.org.

Churchill Butte: Scale this mountain near Silver Springs with the sierra Club on Dec. 23. Learn about the history of Fort Churchill and emigrant wagon train routes on this 7-mile hike with a 3,000-foot gain. Free. Details: T.A. at 530-2935.

Pickled Nevada Trivia Event: This book signing event features creater of Pickles Brian Crane, local author Guy Clifton and local photographer Marilyn Newton at 11 a.m. Dec. 23 at Sundance Bookstore, 1155 W. Fourth St., Suite 106. Free. Details: 786-1188.

Parade of Christmas Lights: Hidden Valley homeowners present Christmas lights on outdoor displays for self -guided tours from 7-10 p.m. through Dec. 31. Download a map from the Web site to see the homes in the Hidden Valley area along Pembroke Drive. Maps and details at www.hiddenvalleyhomeowners.org. Free. Details: Kristy at 857-3477.

Sunday

Davis Creek Ice Skating: The frozen pond at the park is open to the public for ice skating between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily at Davis Creek Regional Park, 20-miles south of Reno on U.S. 395, Washoe Valley. Must provide your own skates. Free. Details: 849-0684.

Nevada Museum of Art: Selected works from the Hunterian Art Gallery by James McNeill Whistler are on display through Jan. 7. Selections from the John and Mary Lou Paxton collection show through Jan. 7. “Habitat, Lars Arrhenius” is on display through Jan. 28. “Voces Latinas, Works on Paper from 1921 to present” is on display through March 18. Located at 160 W. Liberty St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and later on Thursday to 8 p.m. Docent guided tours begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday and 2 p.m. on Saturday, also offered in Spanish. Cost: $10, $8 students and seniors, $1 ages 6-12, free to museum members. Details: 329-3333.