The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala is March 18 from 6:30-9:30pm at Heavenly’s California Lodge on Saddle Road in South Lake Tahoe.

The event will feature a Champagne toast, heavy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a cash beer and wine bar. Advance tickets are $40. They may be purchased by calling Foundation Director Aimi Xistra-Rich at 530.314.9285 or by e-mail at aimix@heavenlyfoundationteam.org.

Tickets will also be available at the door of the event for $45; however, advance purchase is recommended, as quantities are limited.

Lake Tahoe Marathon is more than just running 26.1 miles.

A multitude of events are Sept. 22-25.

Go to the website for more information.

Lake Tahoe residents receive a 15 percent discount on any of the Lake Tahoe Marathon events.

Just put Tahoe Local in the promo box when registering on the website.

Lake Tahoe Bowl is having a fundraiser for the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center on April 20 from 6-8pm.

If you are interested in participating in the 3rd Annual Bowl-a-Thon or would like to make a donation to support local children affected by child abuse and sexual assault, contact Taylor for more information at (530) 544.2118 or tlafferty@sltwc.org.

Helly Hansen’s Big Mountain Battle returns to Squaw Valley for the third year on March 19. The event was postponed earlier this winter due to heavy snowfall at the resort.

The Big Mountain Battle’s Squaw Valley stop is a favorite among local skiers. The event will challenge teams of two to ski and snowboard a big-mountain course on Squaw Valley’s legendary terrain. Teams are tracked in real time by Flaik GPS devices as they hit virtual checkpoints, strategically placed across the mountain.

First-place finishers will win $2,000 worth of Helly gear, prizes from sponsors Thule, Powder and Dakine, and free entry to the final Battle in the Bowls in Aspen/Snowmass on March 27. Second- and third-place finishers will also be awarded an array of prizes from sponsors.

Cost for the event is $85 per team and includes two Helly Hansen base layers, valued at $45 each as well as a year-long subscription to Powder magazine. For more information and to register, go online.

Hundreds of brave souls with warm hearts will take the plunge in the chilly waters of the South Shore at Zephyr Cove to raise much needed funds for Special Olympics Northern California and Nevada.

The Polar Plunge on March 19 is not a swim. It’s a party. Dress up in a crazy costume, dip your big toe or your whole body and then off to the post plunge party.

2011 schedule:

10am – Registration

11:30am – costume parade and judging

Noon – Plunge

12:30pm – Post Plunge Party.

For more information, see the flyer.

The 26th annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival is Sept. 9-11 at the Village at Northstar in Truckee.

Back bigger and better than ever, culinary aficionados and hungry travelers will return to the Village at Northstar for chef battles, free outdoor grilling demonstrations, celebrity chef luncheon, gourmet marketplace vendor fair, grape stomp, wine walk, art and sculpture exhibit, winemaker dinners, live entertainment, along with food and wine pairing seminars. Most events are outside.

Patty Sheehan, World Golf and LPGA Hall of Famer, in partnership with The Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA, are bringing The Legends Tour to Hidden Valley Country Club in Reno June 3–6.

The official three-day tournament, Patty Sheehan & Friends, boasts a field of 40 LPGA Legends competing in a two-day, stroke play tournament for a $225,000 purse. In addition to Sheehan, LPGA Hall of Famer Betsy King, LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley and 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Rosie Jones have confirmed that they will be teeing it up in Reno this June.

Tournament week begins June 2 with a junior clinic for girls of The First Tee as well as professional practice rounds and an evening pairings party for sponsors and guests. The Patty Sheehan & Friends Pro-Am is set for June 3. The first round kicks off tournament play on Saturday with the final round Sunday. A Monday Pro-Am has been added due to demand.

Tickets for Patty Sheehan & Friends are $10 per day and are available online. Admission for ages 17 and under and military personnel is free.

Tournament proceeds benefit the newly-formed Patty Sheehan Foundation designed to support local charities and the Reno community.

The North Tahoe Public Utility District’s Annual SnowFest pancake breakfast is March 12 from 8:30-10:30am at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach.

Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children, and includes pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee. All proceeds from the event go to the Youth Trust Fund.

The Fund provides scholarship opportunities for children in the District to request funds in order to pursue recreational activities that may not otherwise be available to them. This past year the fund paid for $900 in scholarships for eight deserving youth to participate in youth leadership classes and athletic tournaments.

Tahoe Cross Country hosts its 10th annual Gourmet Ski Tour March 13.

Bring skis or snowshoes or rent gear for the 1-3pm trek along a one-mile trail filled with food and wine kiosks.

Cost is $30 adults, $25 ages 13 to 17, free for 12 and younger. Price includes an afternoon trail pass. Dessert in the Yurt will go until 5pm.

The ski center is at 925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City.

For more information, go online.

Caregiving is a difficult and often challenging role that one can undertake, and taking the opportunity to share information and feel connected to others who are providing care is a vital step to perform this task to the best of your ability.

Take the opportunity March 10 from 5:30-7:30pm at South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe to become connected and rejuvenated at your local support group.

Refreshments will be served. Free respite care is available to qualified caregivers. Pre-authorization is required for respite services.

For information, call (530) 621.6151.