Ellen Nunes will talk about her art at Benko Art Gallery, 3979 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe on April 20, 5-8pm.

The Psychology of Humor is the title of Kim Bateman’s lecture this month in Incline Village.

From mockery (the Darwin Awards) to sarcasm (National Sarcasm Society – like we need your support), comedy can be viewed as a diagnostic tool for the investigation of enduring questions about the human condition.

Bateman’s talk will be April 26 starting at 6pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. Cost is $5.

The event will be at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center on the campus of Sierra Nevada College.

On May 5 at noon author Sue Owens Wright will give a free talk at the South Lake Tahoe Library. She will present the fifth book in her Beanie and Cruiser mystery series, “Ears for Murder.”

Bob LaPerriere, a retired medical doctor and historian, will be sharing stories of the woes of immigrants traveling to California for the Gold Rush in a talk on May 8.

These adventurers were subjected to numerous devastating diseases at a time when doctors were unable to provide specific treatment and many of the doctors were really not doctors. Thousands died from various epidemics at a time in history when the most advanced medical treatment consisted of bleeding, cupping, puking, purging and the use of “drugs” such as mercury and arsenic.

LaPerriere will explore these experiences using quotes from diaries of the time to illustrate and bring the past alive. 

The event starts at 7pm at Camp Richardson’s Historic Hotel, 1900 Jameson Beach Road. Cost is $3 to attend, free for Lake Tahoe Historical Society members.

Mark McLaughlin will discuss his award winning book, “Snowbound! Legendary Winters of the Tahoe Sierra” on May 19 from 5-6:30pm at Donner Memorial State Park visitor center. Cost is $5. Parking is free.