Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival
July 7, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuskegee Airmen featured in the 2012 Lucas Films “Red Tails” are coming to the Truckee Tahoe Airport July 7 as part of the 2012 Inaugural Truckee Tahoe AirFair & Family Festival.
A fundraising event for youth programs in Truckee/North Tahoe, the festival combines flying demonstrations, skydiving acts, airplane rides, and an aircraft exhibit. Children’s activities include a participatory bike rodeo with ramps and an obstacle course, giant bubbles, face painting, arts and crafts, and stilt walkers. There will also be live music by SambaDa, and a food court, and beer garden.
The Tuskegee Airmen, Les Williams, and Le Roy F. Gillead, both Grand Marshals for the event, will be available to meet with children and adults. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. They played an important role in World War II. Videos and interviews are available on the AirFair & Family Festival Facebook page.
“The participation of the Tuskegee Airmen is a true honor,” said AirFair & Family Festival Chairman Tim LoDolce. “They will also be honored on Friday, July 6 at a Pre-AirFair dinner in Hangar One.”
Entry to the AirFair is free, although various activities require a fee. The opening ceremony, set for 11 a.m., will feature special performances by the “Just-In-Time Skydivers” and the Red Star Formation Flying Group.
“Don’t miss the opening ceremony,” LoDolce said. “It will truly wow spectators. Smoke, a flag, and cheers will explode. The Red Star formation flying team, soaring in YAK 52s, and the ‘Just-in-Time Sky Diving Team’ are going to make the Truckee sky come alive.”
From 8 a.m. to noon, youth ages 8 to 17 can fly free as an Experimental Aircraft Association “Young Eagle.” The Young Eagle rides are subject to weather conditions, and parents must accompany their children at time of sign-up. Prior notice of those children interested in a free flight is highly recommended in order to assist AirFair planners with organizing planes and pilots. Interested parents should call EAA Young Eagle Coordinator Michael Golden at 530.587.8017 for more information.
The AirFair will feature a wide variety of aircraft on the ramp and in the air, including the World War II era B25 Old Glory and the P51 Man O’ War. Rides on the Man O’ War will be available, with profits going to the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The CAF is the premier Warbird organization, now operating 156 vintage aircraft in Honor of American Military Aviation. Ride fares are tax deductable.
The AirFair & Family Festival is being produced by the Truckee Tahoe Airport District, along with the cooperation of several Truckee local non-profit organizations including the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1073, KidZone Museum, and the Truckee Optimist Club. This fundraising event replaces the annual KidZone Family Festival and the Truckee Optimist Club’s Cannibal Cruise.
The Truckee Tahoe Airport District is the “Golden Wings” sponsor of this event, meaning that they are paying for all the operational costs. All other sponsorship monies and proceeds go directly to local youth programs. Info: truckeetahoeairfair.com
Trails Within Yoga and Wellness Center to Open
Trails Within, a yoga and wellness center, is set to open in Graeagle, Calif. early June. Trails Within will offer a regular schedule and a variety of yoga and meditation classes, for both the experienced student and the new beginner. Starting in June, Trails Within will also host a four week beginner series on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. suitable for those who are brand new to yoga and might be looking for an easy introduction. Owner and yoga instructor Emily Williams said, “My hope is that Trails Within helps to build community, foster health, and wellness and encourage a deeper connection to the beauty of the Sierra Nevada that surrounds us. My desire is to infuse yoga and wellness with outdoor activities, and to inspire life-long health.” Trails Within has scheduled two backpacking retreats for this August where participants will spend several days enjoying the beauty of the Sierra while learning with new friends. Each backpacking retreat has a different focus, ranging from yoga and meditation, to Qi Gong and Chinese Medicine. Trails Within will provide events and workshops on a regular basis geared toward healing. Info: 7481 Highway 89 #111, Graeagle, Calif., (530) 836-1500, trailswithin.com
Tahoe Truckee Plan to Improve Third Grade Reading Selected as Finalist for National Award
A plan to ensure that more Tahoe Truckee children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade has been chosen as a finalist for the All-America City Award, sponsored each year by the National Civic League. The plan was submitted by a community coalition that includes the Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee, First Five Nevada County, and the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. This group of community organizations started a local effort, Tahoe Truckee Reads, to improve third grade reading levels. Tahoe Truckee is one of 32 finalists selected through a peer review process from a field of more than 100 entries across the country. Winners will be announced July 2 in Denver, Colo. Students who have mastered reading by third grade are more likely to continue their academic success and stay in school. Laura Brown, Excellence in Education Foundation Executive Director said, “We are ecstatic that our plan was selected as a finalist for the award. More than anything this validates the passion and creative ideas our community has for supporting our students.” The Tahoe Truckee Reads plan offers a framework for the Tahoe Truckee community to enhance current programs and relationships as well as try new and targeted intervention strategies for increasing third grade reading levels. As a charter member of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Community Network, Tahoe Truckee will have access to a Promising Practices Clearinghouse, an online help desk, peer-learning opportunities, meetings with national experts and policymakers, and a foundation registry designed to expand and replicate successful programs. Info: Phyllis Jordan, pjordan@thehatchergroup.com or Stacey Mink, stacey@thehatchergroup.com
Heart Rate Training and Sport Nutrition Seminar
Join Alpenglow Sports and Tahoe Peak Endurance for a two-part seminar on heart rate training and sport nutrition. This is a free community event, and athletes of all ages and types are encouraged to attend. Part of Adventure Sports Week Tahoe, the seminar will cover everything you need to know about heart rate training and how to keep you fueled, healthy, and recovered for your next adventure. Whether you are an ultra-runner, triathlete, cyclist, or backpacker, come enjoy food and drink while learning from some of Lake Tahoe’s finest athletic resources. The part one seminar features Training to the Beat of your Own Heart with Colleen Conners-Pace. Part two seminar features, How to Fuel for your Exercise Regime with Jill Whisler. Colleen is certified as an exercise physiologist, level 1 USA triathlon coach, a certified ACSM health fitness instructor, an EMT, and member of the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. Jill is a registered dietitian, a certified health fitness specialist, certified adult and pediatric weight management, and presents nationwide for many corporate wellness programs. Info: June 18, 6:30 p.m., Alpenglow, 415 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, (530) 583-6917
