World Water Issues Film Festival
October 28 and November 11
The earth has vast amounts of water, yet less than one percent of the world’s fresh water is accessible for direct human uses. How is this precious resource being co-opted by the bottled water industry? Is our tap water safe or tainted with rocket fuel and pharmaceuticals? How should we manage our water supply in light of increasing scarcity and pollution? Sierra Nevada College and the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center host the World Water Issues Film Festival to explore these vital issues. On October 28 Tahoe Water Suppliers Association will screen ‘Poisoned Waters.’ Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Emmy Award-winning producer Hedrick Smith dives headfirst into the contamination of America’s great waterways, in particular Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay. Poisoned Waters forces viewers to take a closer look at the state of our ecosystems and drinking water. Join staff from the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association to discuss local issues related to our own drinking water. The film festival will culminate with a Student Association for International Water Issues (SAIWI) Presentation and Panel Discussion on November 11. SAIWI is a student organization at the University of Nevada, Reno, working to develop an understanding of global water issues and promote community empowerment through education and water resource development. Hear presentations by students and community members who have participated in water development projects around the world. Learn about successful projects that make a difference, and find out how you can get involved locally and globally. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $5 donation requested. No-Host Bar. Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, 291 Country Club Drive, Assembly Rooms 139 and 141, Incline Village, http://terc.ucdavis.edu, 775-881-7562.
Haunted Historic Tour of Truckee
October 21
Many people have visited the Kruger White House in historic downtown Truckee and seen a black dog run by them, only to have it vanish into thin air before their eyes. Could it be a ghost? Take the Historic Haunted Tour of Truckee for tales about the old west, shootouts and what remains. The evening begins with a glass of wine at Trio Wine Bar, in the Kruger White House, where you’ll enjoy live music by double-neck guitarist Ian Ethan Case and neo-classic Celtic World musician Chris Waltz. Later, you’ll visit the Old Jail Museum, The Pharmacy, The Truckee Hotel and The Pour House. Silent auction following the tour. The Tour is a fund-raiser for the non-profit organizations Trails and Vistas and the Truckee Donner Historical Society. This event is for adults only, but don’t be spooked: childcare is provided by ‘Professor Higginbody’s Halloween Night Out’ at the KidZone Museum. $10 per child, for parents attending the tour, includes gooey pizza and oozy science activities for children 2 years and older, from 5 to 9 p.m. Call KidZone Museum, 530-587-5437, to register. The Truckee Hotel is offering a 15 percent discount for Haunted Tour guests. truckeehotel.com, 530-587-4444. 5:30 p.m. $25 ticket includes a glass of wine. Tickets at trailsandvistas.org. 10292 Old Donner Pass Road, Truckee, 530-582-0893.
SiGBA Green Building Tour
October 17
Get on the bus for the Sierra Green Building Association (SiGBA) Green Building Tour. Registration begins at Tahoe City Public Utilities District at 9 a.m. and the bus leaves at 9:30 for the home tour featuring five beautiful homes along the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe. The guided tour includes lunch, and residents, designers, and builders will be on hand to show what it’s like to build and live in homes that use everything from local and recycled materials, renewable energy sources, and straw-bale construction, to local earthen plaster interior finishes. SiGBA is leading the Sierra region into a new sustainability era. Its mission is to educate and promote effective environmental design and building practices in the Sierra Nevada communities through education, networking, and green business promotion. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $25 for SiGBA members and $40 for non-members. sigba.org, 949-306-3465.
Climate Change
October 18
Grass roots groups from around the world are planning the International Day of Climate Action, mobilizing citizens around the world to make their voices heard regarding the need for tough action on climate change. The event is timed to send a clear message to world leaders before they convene to finalize the new United Nations Climate Change Treaty in Copenhagen this December. The rationale for the event is described on the website 350.org, which explains that the target for the amount of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere should be set at 350 parts per million. The present level of CO2 in the atmosphere is 389 parts per million. Organizers plan to photograph participants holding a banner with a statement of local support for tougher atmospheric standards. The photograph will be taken following the close of the Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual Conference at 2 p.m. 8318 North Lake Boulevard, on the beach, in front of the North Tahoe Event Center, 350.org, 775-881-7566.
NTPUD Irrigation Training
October 26 to 30
The North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD) and Rain Bird Services Corporation‘s Training Services have partnered to bring irrigation training to the North Tahoe Event Center. Classes include: Introduction to Irrigation and Installation, Irrigation Technician’s Course, and Landscape Irrigation Design. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with lunch provided. Students receive a certification of completion and the opportunity to receive Continuing Education (CEU) credit from the Irrigation Association. 530-581-7070 x4344.
Community Ski/Ride Pass
The Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation’s 2009-2010 community ski/ride passes are now on sale. One of the most popular ski pass programs in the region allows people to sample 13 different North Tahoe ski resorts for just $369 – about $14 a day. Passes are completely transferable, allowing more flexibility and a greater variety of uses. Two passes per resort. Valid Monday through Friday, with some Sundays included. Participating resorts include Diamond Peak, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, North Tahoe Regional Park, Mt. Rose, Sugar Bowl, Royal Gorge, Tahoe Cross Country, and Tahoe Donner Cross Country and Downhill. Also included are Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA. Local merchants including Mumbo’s Mountain Outfitters, Paco’s Bike and Ski, Porters Sports, Totally Board and Tahoe Dave’s Skis and Boards offer passholders free demos, services and great discounts. ttcf.net, 530-587-1776.
Truckee Parade and More
October 30
Truckee’s Annual Halloween Costume Parade begins at Truckee Train Station and marches through downtown to the Community Center where children can trick-or-treat in the building for candy and prizes. 6 p.m. sharp. Continue the Halloween festivities by trick-or-treating in Downtown Truckee, where stores will be open until 8 p.m. If you still haven’t had enough Halloween fun, be sure to visit the Truckee Hotel Haunted House to experience the ghosts and ghouls in one of the oldest buildings in Truckee. 530-582-7720.
Trail of Treats and Terror
October 29
Free, community-wide safe family Halloween event. This annual extravaganza will start at two locations this year. Park in the Incline Middle School parking lot or the Sierra Nevada College parking lot. A shuttle will run between the two parking lots to deliver you back to your vehicle. Families follow a trail by foot that visits several community locations for trick-or-treating. Wear costumes and bring flashlights. This event is a collaboration between Parasol Community Collaboration-DWR Center, IVGID, Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe School, Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation and Parasol AmeriCorps Program. Please bring old eyeglasses to donate for this ‘Sight Night’ event. From 4 to 8 p.m. 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, pcc@parasol.org, 775-298-0119.
Truckee River Day
October 18
Help restore the Truckee River. Work on projects restoring meadows, planting native plants and maintaining trails to improve water quality. Volunteers of all ages welcome. Celebration at Granite Flat Campground, on Highway 89, just south of Truckee, at the end of the day. Sign up at truckeeriverday.org, 530-550-8760.
October Country Festival
Weekends in October
The Boys and Girls Club, Truckee Book and Bean, and the Museum of Modern Mythology and Pop Culture present a month-long celebration of Halloween, Mythology, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. The festival’s title is taken from the book ‘The October Country,’ by Ray Bradbury, who will be honored throughout the month. Movies, readings, slideshow lectures, exhibits of modern myth memorabilia, and more. The human unconscious seems to solve the problems of a volatile world in these mythological tales; they inspire and educate us, and serve as models of culture in caricature. The goal is to encourage the study of myth, literature, and media by offering an outlet for the community to share creative visions and promote individual talents. Local talent is invited to participate with art, music, poetry, dance, etc. Friday and Saturday events begin at 7 p.m. On Sunday, October18, Children’s Spooky Readings begin at 10:30 a.m. All events are free and are listed on the website. 10009 West River Street, Truckee, modernmythmuseum.com, 530-582-8302.
Spirit Store
Through Halloween
It’s that time of year – the only time when it’s good to be the scariest house on the block. Time for the spooky decorations. Dress the Party’s Haunted Spirit Store has everything you need for your Halloween festivities – scary props, lighting, costumes, party supplies and more. A portion of all proceeds benefit local charities. They are open Sundays through Halloween from 12 to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays. 774 Mays Boulevard, Suite 13, Incline Village Center, dressthepart.org, 775-832-7278.
Squaw Halloween Festivities
October 23 through 31
Enjoy a scavenger hunt, guess the weight of the big pumpkin, and safe trick-or-treating in the Village at Squaw Valley. All day. squaw.com, 530-583-6985.
Winterizing
October 24
Villager Nursery wants you to be prepared for winter. Learn to put your garden to bed so it rises as healthy and strong in the spring. Protect your plants from animals and the winter weather. Harvesting, cutting back perennials, tying trees and shrubs, mulching, preparing your lawn, putting away tools, and more. Samples provided. $10. Biosol and Villager brown tree-tape, stakes, trunk wraps and more in stock. From 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. 10678 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, villagernursery.com, 530-587-0771.
Hoots, Howls and Growls Family Fun Hike
October 24
This TRTA hike for families with children 5 years and older follows an easy, level one, two-mile interpretive loop in Tahoe Meadows. The hike is broken up with games, stories and hands-on activities. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wear gloves, beanies, mittens, long underwear, warm socks and winter jackets. Bring water and flashlight. No dogs. Free. 1/2 mile southwest of Mt. Rose summit on Hwy 431, tahoerimtrail.org, 775-298-0012.
LTOL Halloween Open House
October 27, 28 and 29
Trick-or-treat at Lake Tahoe On Line (LTOL) during the week before Halloween. They’ll have a large Halloween village of decorative houses on display and treats for goblins of all ages. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 12219 Business Park Drive, (near the airport) in Truckee, ltol.com, 530-582-2080.
