Community Briefs

Mother's Day McKeen Motorcar runs at Railroad Museum

Treat Mom to a ride aboard the newly restored Virginia & Truckee McKeen Motorcar at the Nevada State Railroad Museum for Mother's Day.

McKeen Motor Car excursions take place Saturday, May 8, every 40 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mother's Day riders receive a special commemorative ticket.

Young adult author to speak at WNC

The public is invited to attend a classroom discussion at Western Nevada College on Wednesday by author Heidi Ayarbe, whose published works are geared toward young adult readers. Ayarbe, who grew up locally, will speak at 7 p.m. in Bristlecone Building Room 343.

The author will discuss her writing and publishing experiences, including how she garners story ideas, her writing process, and the obstacles she has faced. The lecture is being offered to students from English Professor Marilee Swirczek's creative writing class.

Ayarbe is a 2009 recipient of the International Reading Association's Children's and Young Adult's Book Award, with three published novels, "Freeze Frame," "Compulsion" and "Compromised." For information, contact Swirczek at 445-4284.

The train departs from the Wabuska Depot on the Nevada State Railroad Museum grounds.

Tickets may be purchased at the depot the day of the event. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 11. Members ride for half-price.

Since the completion of its restoration last year, the McKeen Motorcar has only made a limited number of public runs.

"The McKeen is a valuable artifact and will only be run on a limited basis now and in the future, so we encourage visitors to take this opportunity to ride this one-of-a-kind piece of railroad history," said Frank Ackerman of the Nevada State Railroad Museum.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum is on South Carson Street U.S. 395 at Fairview Drive. For more information, call (775) 687-6953 or go to www.NevadaCulture.org.

Program offers look at petrogyphs, pictographs

As part of an in-depth look at our state's petroglyphs and pictographs, Pat Barker, retired Bureau of Land Management state archaeologist, will explore the different styles of rock art which are spread across the state, and investigate possible meanings for this enigmatic art form.

Sponsored by the Nevada Rock Art Foundation, the event includes a free public lecture at 6 p.m. May 11 at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City.

For more information, call 323-6723.

AMGEN Tour to close highways in California

On May 15, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, will support the AMGEN Tour of California Bicycle Race around Lake Tahoe.

In support of this event, Highway 50, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, and State Route 89, Emerald Bay Road, north of the Y will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 10:10-10:45 a.m. It will again close at from about a12:45-1:15 p.m.

The timing for the second closure can vary greatly depending on the speed of the race and how spread apart the riders get for their second lap through the city.

Please plan ahead any trips you may be taking. The public is encouraged to come out and watch these world class athletes.