Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. Visit http://www.sierrasun.com to submit events online. Please limit descriptions to 50 words. E-mail submissions may be 150-300 words. Items published in the print edition news space permitting.Visit your Veteran Service RepresentativeJames (Jim) Foley, one of two Veteran Service Representatives (VSRs) in Nevada County, does an outreach to the Truckee/Tahoe area at the Joseph Center, 10075 Levon Ave., Truckee. He will be in the building Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to noon.Foley is glad to meet with any veteran or dependent regarding compensation or pension, education, etc. andamp;#8212; any VA questions or problems are open for discussion.The main office is located in the Grass Valley Memorial Building, 255 S. Auburn St., 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Walk-ins welcome Monday and Friday and with Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays reserved for appointments. If anyone has a question about the VA or its practices call 530-273-3396 or drop in to see them.Happy children learn bestAfter reading the article, andamp;#8220;If We Donandamp;#8217;t Let Our Children Play, Who Will Be the Next Steve Jobs?andamp;#8221; it was apparent Steve valued his exploratory play in childhood as key to becoming a creative inventor. Sharing years of study and experience in educating children, Amparo Leyman, who works with the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, Discovery Museum of San Jose and Papalote Childrenandamp;#8217;s Museum in Mexico City, will talk about how to help our children develop creative minds and healthy bodies. Parents will participate in a hands-on activity and hear how critical the parental role is in every aspect of educating children to contribute to their positive growth and development for a fulfilling and flourishing adult life. This is especially key for daughters, who are less likely to become scientists or engineers. Lecture in Spanish with state-of the art audio translation provided by Angelica Stone, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 5-7:30 p.m., North Tahoe Event Center, Kings Beach, free ($5 donation for dinner appreciated). Babysitting is provided. Reservations are mandatory. E-mail Romina at operations@kidzonemuseum.org to reserve dinner or babysitting.Lecture for adults by Amparo Leyman along with hands-on activity and dinner. This must see event brought to you by KidZone Museum, First 5 Placer County and Placer Mental Health.School Bus Transportation Public Meeting A public meeting will be held to discuss options for budget reductions including a potential increase to buss pass fees, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the District Office, 11603 Donner Pass Road, Truckee. For questions please contact Nanette Rondeau, director of transportation at 550-0745.Experts and InsightsThrough thought provoking images, well-told stories and excerpts from John Muirandamp;#8217;s journals, Foothill College English professor Scott Lankford will trace Muirandamp;#8217;s high-stakes alliances with timber barons, railroad moguls and tourism titans at Sierra College, 11001 College Trail (across from Savemart), Truckee, Friday, Nov. 18. As part of the Dean Lecture Series, Experts andamp; Insights, Lankford will present Muirandamp;#8217;s forgotten battle to create Lake Tahoe National Park.Discover insights about Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club and delve into how the struggle to save Lake Tahoe changed thoughts on conservation and development throughout the U.S. Lankfordandamp;#8217;s presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude by 8:50 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. The lobby opens at 7 p.m. for complimentary coffee, tea, cookies and socializing. Experts andamp; Insights is open to the public at no cost. Reservations required at 530-550-2225 or e-mail with andamp;#8220;Experts and Insightsandamp;#8221; in the subject line to kbateman@sierracollege.edu. Visit http://www.sierracollege.edu.Sierra Family Services Open HouseThis open house provides an opportunity to announce our new name and celebrate our new look. The new name, Sierra Mental Wellness Group, reflects a commitment to support mental wellness, personal strength, united families and clean and sober living through a variety of counseling and community support services. They invite community agencies and collaborative friends to share in the celebration Thursday, Nov. 17, 3-5:30 p.m., 2690 Lake Forest Road, Tahoe City. For more information, please call 530-581-4054.Tahoe Maritime Museum open houseJoin the Tahoe Maritime Museum Saturday, Nov. 19, for an Fall Open House free for all Tahoe/Truckee/Reno area locals. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to check out the main exhibit, Gar Wood’s Tahoe Legacy, drive the boat simulator, and enjoy fun and educational childrenandamp;#8217;s activities throughout the day. Special artifacts will also be on display for the Open House only. It will be a fun day for all ages, take the entire family to 5205 West Lake Blvd., Homewood. Take your ID or some other form with proof of residency, $5 admission for non-locals. Children 12 and under free as always. Visit http://www.tahoemaritimemuseum.org or call 530-525-9253Soroptimist seek applicants for Womenandamp;#8217;s Opportunity AwardsRecipients to receive cash grants for educational expenses. Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to go back to school can now obtain applications for the Womenandamp;#8217;s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist International of Truckee Donnerandamp;#8217;s major service project. Applications are available by contacting Noel Trim at 530-308-3566 or via e-mail at soroptimistnoel@gmail.com . Completed applications and references must be returned to Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner by Dec. 15, 2011.Winter Film Series returnsWinter is right around the corner and to celebrate, Alpenglow Sports is commencing their 4th annual Winter Film Series. Local hero Dave Nettle launches the series in true Tahoe fashion, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. at the Sawtooth Ridge Caf, 877 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, Calif.Join Nettle for an evening of stories and images from his most recent trip to the spectacularly remote granite walls in the heart of central Asia. Along with veteran Sierra climbers Jim Barnes, Paul Adams and Reuben Shelton, Nettle andamp;#8217;s show will highlight a trip into an amazing and rugged part of the world. In true Nettle fashion, the story culminates with the groupandamp;#8217;s one-day ascent of the Russian Tower via the world-famous, and highly coveted, 2,500 vertical-foot Perestroika Route.All shows are free and designed to motivate, inspire and educate. Amazing raffle prizes from gracious sponsors Sherpa. All proceeds to benefit Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC), an amazing organization making positive change.Please come early for good seats. Call Alpenglow Sports at 530-583-6917 with questions.