Salmon Run for Tahoe Tallac at MontBleu Oct. 20

"Run Salmon Run," a community art project and fundraiser for the Tahoe Tallac Association, will be held at MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa on Oct. 20 from 5-8 pm. Thirty-five fiberglass fish designed by local artists will be featured at the live auction emceed by veteran radio personality George Alm of KTHO.

Valerie Kuda, project organizer, was inspired to celebrate Tahoe's favorite fall fish. Kuda paired local artists with participating sponsors like Dog Dog Cat and the Cork N' More to create a unique design on 4" x 24" fiberglass salmon. Throughout the summer, the artists embellished their fish, culminating in the auction at Montbleu, with funds going to the Tahoe Tallac Association.

"It's like a runway show for fish," says Tahoe Tallac Board Member Brenda Knox. "The level of creativity is astounding." The high bidder of the fish can display it at their business or over their mantel, says Knox.

Local artists such as Jared Manninen, Kristen Boles and Gina Stowell donated their time to create a fish, and had fun with their creations. "It was interesting working with three- dimensional object, and great doing something that benefits the community," said Manninen, whose fish currently resides with the Lake Tahoe Visitor Authority.

The Tahoe Tallac Association was formed in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of assisting the Forest Service in restoring the three estates on the Tallac Historic Site and developing the site as a historic center while sponsoring as well as producing the Valhalla Arts & Music Festival held annually on the Heller Estate of the Tallac Historic Site. The site is listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites.