It may be your only chance ever to see such a musical

The play, called "Elfis and the Sleigh-Riders," is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Empire Elementary School. "Elfis" is a Christmas-oriented Elvis.

Fourth-graders at the school will be directed by music instructor Christina O'Neil. Fifth-grade band students will also perform.

The cost is free. For more information, contact O'Neil at Empire Elementary School at 283-1100.

Carson Middle School will also present its free annual Winter Holiday Concert, 7 p.m. in the school's gymnasium, 1140 W. King St. It will feature Singing Solons' combined choirs, CMS Honor Choir and Red Hot Bell Peppers handbell choirs. Call 283-2800.

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Our favorite Army journalist, Spc. Katherine Robinson, has started her own Web log.

You can read her opinions on a variety of topics by going to katespeak.blogspot.com, where she describes her comments as "from the mind of a Christian journalist."

Robinson, a 2000 graduate of Carson High School, used to work for the Nevada Appeal before she joined the Army as a photojournalist with the 50th Public Affairs Detachment.

If you read and respond to some of Kate's writings, you might notice that a frequent reader is her father, Eric, who lives in Carson City. No doubt Kate would appreciate having more Carson City readers, too.

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Reno/Tahoe International Airport will open its airport dog park "Gate K-9, Bark Park" on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. The bark park will provide a convenient place for passengers traveling with pets to give their dogs a restroom and run break.

It's located north of the baggage claim, near ground transportation.

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Don't let the sunshine dry up your Christmas spirit. Several programs in Carson City will help you keep that holiday excitement alive, despite the recent rise in temperatures.

With a little help from their imaginations, children can visit the North Pole on Dec. 18-22. The Nevada State Railroad Museum's Polar Express Reading and Riding Adventure will combine Chris Van Allsberg's award-winning children's book "The Polar Express" with a ride on the museum's historic motor car, a Polar Express activity and a story-related gift. Hot chocolate and snacks will be served just as they are in the story. Cost is $6.50 per passenger and group size is limited. Call 687-6953 to make reservations.

Or the North Pole can come to your kids. Santa Claus is taking reservations through Friday for up to 250 Christmas Eve visits in Carson City.

This is the 27th year the Carson City Sheriff's Reserve Officer program has organized the event.

Santa will arrive for his visit in a police car with an officer escort and, occasionally, an elf. Visits are 4:30 to 10 p.m.

The visits are free, but the reserve officers do accept donations. The money will be used to buy equipment.

To make a reservation, call Santa's Hotline at 887-2020, ext. 5005.