Big Brothers Big Sisters giving tree goes up Friday

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County’s “Big Tree of Giving” — displaying gift tags with a “wish list” item for each one of the agency’s “Littles”— will be up at Mountain Hardware in Truckee from Friday, Nov. 20, through Dec. 17.

Donations need to be returned to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Office no later than Dec. 17 to make sure they are delivered to the child for the holiday season.

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Cash donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters for gifts and match activities will also be accepted at Mountain Hardware in the donation box under the tree. Or those wishing to donate via credit card can do so online at http://www.bigsofnc.org through the PayPal link.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is also in need of male mentors. For more information, please see http://www.bigsofnc.org.

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Donner Trail El’s Thanksgiving dinner is Saturday

Donner Trail Elementary School’s PTO will host the 33rd annual Thanksgiving dinner Saturday, Nov. 21, at Sugar Bowl’s Mount Judah lodge starting at 5:30 p.m.

This annual event raises funds to help support programs such as physical education, science & technology, field trips, art and music for the children at Donner Trail Elementary.

Dinner Tickets may be purchased at the door. The dinner is $18 for adults and $5 for children 12 years of age and under.

For information, to donate, or to purchase raffle tickets please, contact the PTO at 530-582-2720 or ptodonnertrailschool@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook.

Author reception Saturday at The Bookshelf

Jeff Sullivan, author of “Photographing California V2 South: A guide to the Natural Landmarks of the Golden State,” will be at The Bookshelf in Truckee Saturday, Nov. 21, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Jeff is an award-winning landscape photographer and has been exploring California over four decades. For the past five years, he has been recording his favorite 300+ locations from Yosemite to San Diego.

Refreshments will be served at Saturday’s author reception at the bookstore at 11429 Donner Pass Road (in the Westgate Shopping Center). Visit bookshelfstores.com.

2016 SnowFest! queen candidates sought

Local candidates are once again being sought for the 35th annual SnowFest! Queen Contest.

The queen is chosen based on several criteria including money raised (which is split between their nonprofit sponsor and SnowFest!), their essay and interview, as well as their GPA and resume. Judging is done by the SnowFest! Queen Committee.

The 2016 SnowFest! Queen will be crowned at Opening Ceremonies at Gar Woods, on Thursday, March 3, 2016.

Candidates must be girls, 16 or older, who are students at any one of the local high schools in North Tahoe, Incline and Truckee. The deadline to enter is January 16. However, fundraising tickets will be available to sell beginning in December. so candidates are encouraged to sign up as early as possible.

Contact the SnowFest! office at 530-583-7167 or email info@tahoesnowfestival.com for information.

Beginning Italian classes

Local resident Anna Goodwin teaches a class for beginning Italian learners. This level begins to develop the skills of understanding and speaking Italian.

The course is tutorial based with a combination of whole class activity and group work; use of audio-visual material as teaching aids (videos, tapes and CD, books, and internet websites).

To participate,e you’ll need the book ‘Italian Now,” available on Amazon for $10. The 8-week session costs $185. It takes place beginning Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at Anno’s home. Call her at 530-587-6054 for information.

Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus holiday concert set for Dec. 11-13

The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus will host its annual holiday concert series Dec. 11-13 at the Community Arts Center on Church Street.

The 60-voice chorus, under the direction of Susan K. Horst, will be joined by the Truckee Tahoe Youth Chorus and accompanied by a delightful string quintet. Concertgoers will have the opportunity to participate in an audience sing-a-long concluding with the traditional Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Friday and Saturday evening concerts begin at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. General admission tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $5 for children under age 18. Tickets are available at Cabona’s, The Office Boss, the TDRPD office, online at http://www.truckeechorus.org and at the door.