Michele Copen, author of “The Heart Thieves: Enchanting French Bulldog Puppies”, will be signing her new release at Scraps Dog Company, 6120 Mae Anne Store at Robb Drive in Reno on Oct. 23 from 12:30-3:30pm.

Along with the book signing event, there will be a French bulldog costume contest with prizes.

The book is a full-color, limited printing, collector’s book.

The book has been created by the author and photographer of the multi-award-winning book, A French Bulldog for Every Season.

“My goal with this book was to take my artistic experience and style expertise and blend them with the love I have for animals in general and my passion for the French Bulldog breed in particular. I worked on the book part-time for three years. The result is my contribution to the world of French Bulldogs,” Copen said in a release.

Join the Friends of the Library for the first meeting of the monthly book club on Oct. 20 at 3pm. This month members will be reading selected works from poet

laureates.

Picket Pin of the High Sierra – Book Reading is Oct. 16 at 2pm. Local author Carol Timmerman will be reading and discussing delightful new children’s book “Picket Pin of the High Sierra”.

Thomas the Tank Engine Party is Oct. 23 at 2pm. Celebrate Thomas with stories, games, crafts and lots of fun.

The South Lake Tahoe branch of El Dorado County Library is on Rufus Allen Boulevard.

Secretariat

Rated PG

4 bagels out of 5

By Howie Nave

I don’t know why, but there’s just something about a biopic that I really look forward to seeing. That and because I grew up at the time this story was unfolding (in high school) and because my younger sister had a horse at the time. Whatever the reason, I was already anticipating a cool flick even before screening it.

OK, that, and the fact that Diane Lane was starring as one of the principle players. From the outset I knew this was going to be a good flick because I recognized a few of the fillies that were extras in “Seabiscuit” that came out a few years ago. And much like that movie that was uplifting during the time of the Great Depression, “Secretariat” also came out at a time when the country was embroiled over the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam War and those long lines at the gas pump.

Diane Lane makes "Secretariat" worth seeing.

Heck, the way things are going now we could sure use another happy horse story now that’ll be turned into a movie say 30 years from now?

Before I get started I promise not to incorporate lame horse racing terms to sound cute and witty. So many critics have done that this past week that they all sound like literary hacks and that’s being kind, trust me. Some have been so bad it was like reading the equivalent of “Last Comic Standing” from someone who came in last place and decided to take up reviewing movies as a way to get noticed for their other, horrible deficiency of writing something.

Even though the title would suggest the horse as the main focal point it’s really the people surrounding the star that makes the movie so worth seeing. As I mentioned, Diana Lane is so good as Penny Chenery Tweedy, Secretariat’s owner that you know not only did she do her research well, but literally hung out with the still living Ms. Tweedy to get every nuance nailed to perfection. To say that this role was tailor made for Lane would be an understatement and even though it’s still a little too early to predict I could see an Oscar nomination here in the Best Actress category.

Her character overcomes all odds and is driven to success never taking no for an answer even at the risk of losing the farm (literally) when her mother passes away and her dad (played marvelously by Scott Glenn) is incapacitated. Lane’s character becomes the driving force that makes everyone else’s character fall into place.

One of the standout roles goes to John Melodic as the Secretariat’s trainer, Lucien Lauren. Given the kind of roles Malkovich has had before I thought he was going to drug the horse, but then realized they were all on the same team (whew).

It’s incredible thinking back that this horse would be a Triple Crown winner because I can still remember when the pundits doubted her winning one of the most grueling thoroughbred races. In an era of everything being 3-D in the animated and horror genres it really is refreshing to see a movie that shuns any special effects, but is compelling enough just on its story that one hopes more filmmakers will start focusing on all ages that want to see a movie that truly lifts the spirit. Kudos for director Randall Wallace and writer Mike Rich (based on the book “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack) for making this project come to fruition. I know this is going to sound a little too sentimental to some, but I’ve always believes sports are a great metaphor for life, but when a horse can drive you to tears if you know the back-story and not just crossing the finish line, then you know you’ve just experienced a really good movie.

“Secretariat” is rated PG for brief mild language with a running time of two hours.

Howie Nave is host/emcee/manager of The Improv at Harveys. You can hear him Monday-Friday 6 to 10am on KRLT FM-93.9.

Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico and honorary chairman of the OUR America Initiative, will speak at a special town hall meeting in South Lake Tahoe on Oct. 20.

Johnson will focus on key issues such as: lowering taxes, cutting deficits, his opposition to continued nation-building in Afghanistan, the failure of the war on drugs and a return to common-sense governing. Since the launch of OUR America last year, Johnson has traveled to 28 states, where he has met with various student and political groups that are concerned with the increase in government spending and the future of the American economy.

The meeting is hosted by Steve Kubby, who is also a candidate for South Lake Tahoe City Council.

The meeting will be at the Inn by the Lake, 3300 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe from 8:15-9:30pm.

For more information about the event, contact Steve Kubby at Steve@kubby.com.

A forum for City Council candidates will earlier from 6-8pm.

See what Saturday Mornings at SNC (formerly Senior Saturdays), the award-winning joint offering of Sierra Nevada College and Incline Village Parks & Recreation Senior Programs, are all about. Share your morning coffee with SNC’s faculty and other knowledgeable locals as they present bite-size offerings of intellectually stimulating material. An optional continental breakfast will be provided for $3.

Date: Oct. 16th — Global & Local Music Experiences

Professional musician and professor of Music Studies at Sierra Nevada College, Donna Axton will share some of the musical experiences she has had during the 14 years she spent touring the world as a pianist in Hoyt Axton’s Country Western, Boogie Woogie, Gospel, Rock and Roll Band. A 30-year native of Lake Tahoe, Axton sometimes feels like music is her first language, and English is her second. Having rubbed elbows with the likes of Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Ringo Star, Axton’s discussion will present a broad range of her experiences in the music world.

Axton has directed the Sierra Nevada College Concert Choir, which consists of SNC students and faculty as well as vocally talented members of the community, for the past five years and accompanied it for the previous 20 years. She teaches classes in music theory, music history, conducting, composition, and piano. Donna received her B.A. from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA; and her M.A. in Music from UNR.

Time: 10am–noon

Where: Prim Library, Sierra Nevada College, 999 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Fee: $3 Optional Continental Breakfast

For details on course offerings, please visit www.Inclineseniors.com or call (775) 832.1310.

By Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times

QUINCY — “This is the easy part,” says Barry Rice, half-sliding, half-falling down a ravine through a latticework of dead branches.

Decades ago, lush stands of Darlingtonia californica — emerald plants coiled like fanged cobras ready to pounce — grew at this spot in the northern reaches of the Sierra Nevada.

Deep in the ravine, the air is hot and dead. Pieces of bark that have sloughed off trees make every step a danger — nature’s equivalent of a thousand forgotten skateboards cluttering a driveway. Slate tinkles underfoot, and the ground feels like stale angel-food cake: stiff yet porous.

Read the whole story

Here’s a revolutionary idea: it’s possible for brides-to-be to not only have fun planning their nuptials, but they can also enjoy the actual day stress-free.

Not a believer?

Change your mindset and plan to attend Tahoe Unveiled on Oct. 16 at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, Olympic Valley, where brides will have an opportunity to meet with industry professionals to sharpen their vision of the perfect Tahoe wedding.

Tahoe Unveiled’s flowing floor plan will feature various design showcases and displays that are sure to inspire. Sipping Champagne and noshing on tastings from local caterers, it’s designed to make attendees feel relaxed and primed for addressing wedding details with the region’s wedding vendors.

Featured on the presentation roster is Scott Corridan, In-Style magazine celebrity wedding planner and couture wedding gown designer, whose seminar is irreverently dubbed “Boobs and Butts,” which promises to bust myths.

Also, on the agenda is photographer Catherine Hall whose award-winning images have been exhibited in galleries around the world and have appeared in a variety of prestigious publications including the New York Times, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style and Elegant Bride.

In addition to Catherine Hall, Tahoe Unveiled will also host A Day In Your Life, Johnstone Studios and Jessie LeMay Photography. Bellisima Floral, Diana’s Floral and Martha Bernyk Floral Design will share floral inspiration. Cortney Knudson, Kiss and Makeup and Kolor By Kori will be on hand for hair and make-up. Other top-shelf vendors include Tunnel Creek, Wild Goose, Moodys, NorthTahoe Catering, Paper Moon, Swoon Bridal, Crux Events and Party Rents, Hip Entertainment, We Aint Saints, Massage on the Lake, Doxa Studios, La Tavola and Aiko Designs.

Tickets include access to event, wine, Champagne, appetizers and gift bag. Tickets are $25 per person when purchased in advance at www.tahoeunveiled.com and $35 per person at the door.

By Susan Voyles, Reno Gazette-Journal

Reno’s old City Hall building on Center Street has been gutted, and out of the rubble will rise the city’s first children’s discovery museum.

“Carson City has a smaller children’s museum, but there’s never been anything like this,” said Melinda Lyons, the project manager.

With nearly $20 million already raised, a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to be held today and construction is set to begin this week on the museum, which is expected to open late next year.

And it can’t happen soon enough for some customers.

Clara Swobe, the daughter of Nevada Discovery Museum chairwoman Caryn Swobe, complains she’ll be 7 by the time the museum opens. That’s a long time for a 6-year-old.

“I want to go there every day,” said Clara, who was the first child to tour the building and view the architect’s renderings of the planned exhibits.

Read the whole story

Celebrate Earth Science Week with the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center in Incline Village.

Hands-on science activities and demonstrations will begin at 3pm Oct. 13.

Special 3-D visualization lab presentations will be shown at 3:30 and 4:30pm. Green building tours will be available at 4pm and the grand finale will include a full-group, interactive presentation on earth sciences, including Earth’s energy, the Carbon Cycle, and the Green House Effect at 5pm

This for children ages 8-14.

It is free.

Location: Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, 291 Country Club Drive, Incline.