In 1938 and 1939, after being featured in an article in the Sacramento Union, Dorothy’s quilts and doll clothes won ribbons in the California State Fair’s home arts competitions. The quilts have remained in Dorothy’s family, and after years of loving use have retired to be displayed in her daughter’s Folsom home.

Beginning in this year’s State Fair California Creative Arts competition, Dorothy’s family is generously sponsoring an annual Special Award in the Quilt Show in her honor: $250 to the winning entry in Division 195 Class 4 – Mini Quilts that most reminds them of Dorothy. The deadline to submit entry forms for the competition is Friday, April 19, 2013.

All adult California creative artists are invited to enter this competition. Applicants may visit the California State Fair website at http://www.bigfun.org/participate-in-the-fair/compete-at-the-fair/adult/ to consult the California Creative Arts Competition Handbook, which details the important information on entry rules. Entry fees may be required depending on the competition entered.

For more information on the Quilt Show and the California Creative Arts Competition, visit www.bigfun.org or contact Stephanie Jurkowski, sjurkowski@calexpo.com or (916) 263-3194.

The State Fair will run July 12-28, 2013 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. For more information visit www.bigfun.org.

Our 2013 Family Catalog showcases easy-to-epic adventures for families looking to unplug from technology and reconnect as a family,” says Steve Markle, O.A.R.S. marketing director. “Introducing kids to the fun of splashing around in rivers can help foster a new generation of adventurers and a deeper appreciation for the environment.”

The adventure line up embraces the iconic rivers of America’s West, including the Grand Canyon plus lake, mountain and sea journeys in British Columbia, Alaska, Costa Rica, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos.

“While families are unplugging and reconnecting, our guides take care of the meals, all the activities and camp set-up is a breeze. Our trips are all-inclusive and virtually every night features riverside, beachfront accommodations with a view,” says Markle.

The 22 family adventure vacations featured in the 2013 Catalog include classic family rafting trips as well as a selection of thoughtfully designed multi-sport family adventures.  The trips are presented as those appropriate for ages four years and up and then for ages seven and up. Another section, Epic Excursions, outlines rafting and multi-sport programs for families with teens.

Of special note is a guest article by a single mother, Tricia Slavic, who was bemoaning the fact that taking her youngsters camping—by herself—was more than she could handle.

“Then, last summer, a friend who had just returned from an O.A.R.S. trip suggested that it might be just the thing I was looking for—an outdoor vacation in which all I had to do, essentially, was just show up,” she writes. “After years of keeping our family afloat by myself, it was an amazing gift to just sit back and let someone else do the work.”

Multi-generational families factor often into the O.A.R.S. mix. Last summer, a family separated by several states and three generations met up on the Gorges of the Lower Salmon River in Idaho. The group numbered 17, with ages from eight to 71.

“The kids have never done anything like that before … they said that it was one of the best things that ever happened to them,” reminisced Eunice Albright, the grandmother.

On each trip a “Fun Director” leads nature walks and activities. Some of the guides like to get the whole gang involved in fingernail and toenail painting! In general, just four to six hours per day are spent rafting, after which rafts can be turned upside down to become water slides before moving onto land to play glow-in-the-dark bocci ball horseshoes or tug-of-war.

Trips range from two days / one night to 11 days / 10 nights. Adventures recommended for families with young children are on waters with lower class rapids, which are rated “easy.”

The 2013 O.A.R.S. Family Adventures Catalog is available free of charge at oars.com/catalog or by calling (800) 346-6277 or emailing info@oars.com.

O.A.R.S. video library features an array of informative segments, including a brand-new family adventures video: http://www.oars.com/videos/oars-family-rafting

About O.A.R.S.
Some 500,000 guests later, O.A.R.S. has been providing whitewater rafting vacations since 1969. Over the decades the company has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport adventure, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines around the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries, including one-day and weekend escapes. In 2012, for the sixth consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler recognized Mindy Gleason, O.A.R.S. Reservation Manager and International Adventure Travel Consultant, as Condé Nast Traveler’s standalone Top Travel Specialist in the River Rafting category. In 2013 Outside, America’s leading multimedia active-lifestyle brand, named O.A.R.S. one of the top two outfitters in the world in its annual Active Travel Awards recognition program.

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Follow O.A.R.S.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oars_rafting
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OARS.rafting
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/oarsweb
Blog: http://www.oars.com/blog/

“The events will take place on Gunbarrel and World Cup runs at the California base, which is a great location for spectators to watch the thrills of bumps and aerials.”

The event will also be an opportunity for Squaw’s Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso, Olympian Marco Sullivan and Olympic hopeful Travis Ganong to compete in a world-class event on home-turf. Squaw Valley last hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships in 2002, which proved to be a great success for Squaw athletes. In 2002, Marco Sullivan came in first in the super G and Julia Mancuso came in third in the GS.

“We’re absolutely honored to be hosting the 2013 U.S. Alpine Championships,” said Andy Wirth, Squaw Valley’s president and CEO. “Squaw has a very proud heritage of hosting the Winter Olympics and producing a great number of Olympians and world class athletes. We are excited to offer unique and challenging terrain for the competitions on what are some of the most spectator-friendly courses that the Alpine Championships has ever seen.”

After a successful Audi FIS Alpine World Cup in Europe, the 2013 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships will welcome World Championship medalists back to America including Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah), Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.), and Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, Calif.), in addition to fellow Squaw locals Marco Sullivan and Travis Ganong.

“It’s really cool to see all the great stuff happening at Squaw,” said Olympic gold medalist and Squaw local Julia Mancuso. “To have U.S. nationals back just shows the commitment to racing and its roots here in Squaw Valley. It’s nice to be able to stay home and race in my backyard – which I also consider to be the best resort in America – so I am psyched.”

Mancuso upped her already impressive major championship medal total to eight with super G bronze at the Schladming, Austria World Championships on February 5, 2013. Mancuso owns a record of 15 U.S. titles and is the defending giant slalom and super G champion.

Ligety captured gold during the February World Championships in super G, super combined and giant slalom to become the first man to win triple gold at a World Championships since ski legend Jean Claude Killy in 1968.

Teen phenom Mikaela Shiffrin is the defending U.S. slalom champion and became the youngest American World Champion since Diann Roffe in 1985 when she took slalom gold at age 17.

The three champions will compete alongside their teammates and the best young alpine athletes in the nation for U.S. titles in super G, giant slalom, slalom and combined when the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships return to Squaw Valley for the first time since 2002.

“Squaw Valley is an amazing example of how the longtime legacy of ski racing has fostered a culture that continues to motivate great athletes today,” said Bill Marolt, USSA president and CEO. “Our U.S. Ski Team athletes and USSA clubs from around the country will find Squaw Valley to be an amazing host with a world-class venue and depth of experience to produce a great Championships.”

2013 NATURE VALLEY U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Media Credential Application and Lodging Information: http://www.squaw.com/us-national-alpine-championship-media-request

Complete Schedule: http://www.squaw.com/us-national-alpine-championship

Wednesday, March 20
Men’s giant slalom
Thursday, March 21
Women’s giant slalom
Audi Ski Challenge

Friday, March 22
Men’s and women’s super G
Opening Ceremonies
U.S. Ski Team Autograph Session

Saturday, March 23
Men’s slalom
U.S. Ski Team Day – Dawn Patrol and ProAm Race

Sunday, March 24
Women’s slalom

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Doug Haney
U.S. Ski Team
Chief Press Officer
dhaney@ussa.org
518.524.4674

Amelia Richmond
Squaw Valley
Public Relations Manager
arichmond@squaw.com
530.452.7111

About Squaw Valley
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is internationally renowned for legendary terrain that spans 3,600 skiable acres, six peaks and 30 chairlifts, and ranges from an expansive mountaintop beginner area to unrivaled expert steeps, trees and bowls. Off the mountain, families relax in The Village at Squaw Valley around the cozy fire pits or enjoy a host of restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries. Guests can stay in one of The Village at Squaw Valley’s one, two or three bedroom suites, each with a fireplace, kitchen and balcony, for the ultimate slopeside lodging experience.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows recently joined forces, bringing the two ski resorts under common ownership. Skiers and riders can now access 6,000 skiable acres, 43 lifts and 270+ trails at Squaw and Alpine Meadows on the Tahoe Super Pass or any lift ticket.

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Here’s a list of some favorite Irish-flavored spots for one of my favorite holidays. The green beer will be flowing, the hot food dished out and the Irish-themed music will shift into high gear.

Tahoe-Douglas Rotary St. Patrick’s Day Celebration The luck of the Irish kicks off two days early at the annual this annual event which features a traditional Irish buffet, wine tasting, and one of the region’s biggest silent auctions. The event is from 6-10 pm, Friday, March 15 at the Lake Tahoe Harrah’s Convention Center.

MacDuffs Public House Feast on traditional Irish favorites and soak in the atmosphere on St. Patrick’s Day at Tahoe South’s European-styled restaurant and pub. Along with corned beef and cabbage, the menu features a Steak and Guinness Stew, Real Shepherd’s Pie and Bangers and Mash.

Murphy’s Irish Pub Tahoe South’s traditional Irish pub is sure to please with live music, food and drink specials and non-stop Irish fare. Get there early. While there’s plenty of room, the bar fills up fast.

McP’s Pub Tahoe Music, food and drink specials are in the mix with kegs of Guinness that will have been chilling for days at just the right temperature. Follow them on Facebook for menu and music updates.

MontBleu Resort, Casino & Spa Kick it up with some mighty, mighty “Improg” Irish-fused music — a blend of progressive and improvisational, with Umphrey’s McGee on St. Patty’s Day, March 17. Creators of the improg sound, the Chicago band has a devout fan base. Meanwhile, the St. Patty’s Day frolic continues with a spring break twist at Onsen Beach & Nightclub for a Pool Party after party. A $100 cash prize hot body contest, live DJs and poolside aerialists will help the Irish festivities go on all night. VIP cabanas and bottle service are available by calling (775) 586-2000.

How do you plan to spend your St. Patty’s weekend?

Erin Frederick works for Weidinger Public Relations, the agency that oversees public relations efforts for Tahoe South.

A maximum of 300 hikers will be allowed (about 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers) each day on the Half Dome Trail beyond the base of the subdome.

Like last year, permits will be distributed by lottery via Recreation.gov. We will hold a single preseason lottery with an application period in March and will hold daily lotteries during the hiking season. Backpackers should apply for Half Dome permits with their wilderness permit.

On each application, people can apply for up to six permits (six people) and for up to seven dates. Applications will only be successful if the number of permits requested is available on at least one of the requested dates. If enough permits are available for more than one of the requested dates, permits will be automatically awarded to the highest priority date, as entered by the applicant. Applicants may apply as the trip leader only once per lottery. Multiple applications with the same trip leader will be removed from the lottery.

The applicant must specify the name of the trip leader and may specify the name of an alternate. Each person may apply as a trip leader only once per lottery. People applying multiple times as trip leader will have all their lottery applications canceled. Permits will only be valid if the trip leader and/or alternate specified on the permit is part of the group using the permits. The group with trip leader or alternate must be present together at the base of the subdome, where rangers will check for permits. The names of the trip leader and alternate may not be changed once the application is submitted, and their permits are not transferable.

Preseason Lottery
Two hundred and twenty-five permits for each day will be available through a preseason lottery. The application period for this lottery will be from March 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013. Applicants will receive an email with lottery results on April 15 (or can get results online or by calling Recreation.gov). We are planning on the Half Dome cables being up May 24, 2013 through October 14, 2013, but these dates could change based on conditions.

(You can view graphs that show how many Half Dome permit applications were submitted for each day during the 2012 Half Dome season.)

Daily Lottery
Approximately 50 permits will be available each day by lottery during the hiking season. These permits will be available based on the estimated rate of under-use and cancellation of permits (the exact number may change through the summer). The daily lotteries will have an application period two days prior to the hiking date with a notification late that night. (So, to hike on Saturday, you would apply on Thursday and receive an email notification of results late on Thursday night. Results will also be available online, or by phone the next morning.) The application period will be from midnight to 1 pm Pacific time.

Daily Lottery Success Rate: For mid-June through August, 2012, an average of 86 permits were available each day via the daily lottery. About 21% of lottery applications were successful, on average.Beginning early September, a larger number of permits were available during weekdays (due to fewer initial applications in the spring lottery), providing a much better chance of success. September weekends remained busy with fewer permits available, resulting in a 20-30% success rate.

To apply for a permit, visit Recreation.gov or call 877/444-6777 (call center is open from 7 am to 9 pm Pacific time; online requests can be made any time during a lottery period).

Two separate fees are collected. The first fee, which is charged at the time you submit an application, is $4.50 (online) or $6.50 (by phone). This non-refundable fee, which is per application (not per person), is charged by Recreation.gov for the costs of processing your permit application.

The second fee is $8 per person and is charged only when you receive a permit. (This fee also applies to wilderness permit holders.) This fee pays for park rangers checking for Half Dome permits and providing Half Dome visitors with hiking and safety information. The $8 fee is fully refundable if you cancel your permit more than two days before the hiking date specified on your permit or if the cables are not up on the date for which your permit is valid.