Movie about Mount St. Elias to run at Squaw Valley this Friday

A very special screening (only one in North America) of a documentary film called "Mount St. Elias: the Longest Ski Descent Ever" will be happening this Friday night, at 8pm in Squaw Valley. This film is near and dear to my heart, as it not only tells a story of the individuals who succeeded in summiting and skiing this 18,000 foot behemoth in Alaska, but it also weaves the real life attempt to do the same by my friend of many years ago, Aaron Martin, who lost his life during his descent. I am looking forward to seeing this story unfold on the big screen with all it's visual beauty, but also am looking forward to finally feeling like I can have closure on this chapter of my world, and the world of so many others whom Aaron affected. He was a bigger than life, and his adventures in climbing and skiing demonstrated this. He left us nearly 8 years ago, but his goofy smile still burns in my memory, and his great bear hugs, I can still feel. To learn more about Aaron's attempt, you can read an excellent write up here:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1025636/1/index.htm

If you want to come check it out for yourself, you can buy tickets at Uncorked, in the Squaw Village, for $20 in advance, or purchase tickets at the door for $25. Screening will be in the Plaza Bar, at Squaw Valley USA. Doors open at 7pm. Hope to see you there.

Prudential CA Realty creates "Giving Day"

Prudential Ca/Nv/Tx Realty is giving back to local communities this year, by creating "Giving Day", being held universally on March 6, 2010. Each local branch will decide who to help out on this day, and the Truckee/Lake Tahoe branches have chosen the Sierra Senior Center in Truckee as our participant. In conjunction with the already wildly popular Meals on Wheels program, Prudential employees will donate their time that day to help cook meals and deliver them to homebound seniors, as well as serve the seniors living at the Senior Center. The event will be documented through still and action photography, and will be presented with all other branches' efforts as a collaborative visual piece shown to the corporate leaders of Prudential and Mason McDuffie. Way to go, Prudential, for Giving Back to our wonderful community and our seniors!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Need I say more? Thank you, Pacific Storm!

50 Year Storm to Hit this Winter?

This summer has seen strange weather, but rather than be annoyed by it, I thought it would be more prudent to talk about what the cold rain in June, and hot temps in July might mean: El Nino! Yes, it's been the buzz-word all summer, but according to meteorologists, the funky early start to our summer could actually mean that a well-constructed El Nino phenomenon is happening. In the past, El Nino winters have meant everything from a dry winter to wet, flood-like winters. But it can also mean enormous amounts of snow! And if our early start to this phenomenon means anything, we could very well have a "50 year" storm on our hands this season. Great news for all who bought into Squaw's killer pass deal this year! Winter is just a few short months away, and I'm on the edge of my seat already! Show us what you got, El Nino!

Truckee doesn't escape High Temps

As I drove away from Squaw Valley's Art and Wine Festival yesterday, at 6:00 pm, my car temperature gauge read 93 degrees. "What????" I knew it was hot, as indicated by the smaller turnout this year for wine aficionados, but 93? Really? That got me curious about our weather history, so I thought I would share this tidbit of information I found on our local weather guru Mark Mclaughlin's website:
Our average high temperature in the Truckee region in July from 1961-1990 was 81.2 degrees. I've had a hard time compiling the data from July 2009, but I would reckon to guess that our average high this month to date would be around 87-88 degrees. I'm just spit-balling here, but with another 5 days forecasted to be in the high 80's to low 90's, I'd say that this is one of the hottest months I can recall since I moved here 18 years ago! Global warming or just natural climate change? The jury's still out on my end, but regardless, I think this unusually hot weather reminds us all that no matter our viewpoint, it's a good thing to take care of our planet. Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, People!