History lesson

Join Friends of the Library as author Neal Cobb, a Reno native of a certain age who grew up during the zenith of its day, tells the incredible history of this incredible town at the April 13 Reno Now and Then II Book Talk. Through historic photos and contemporary re-photography of selected locations, the author illustrates the tension between growth and stability that characterizes Reno. This presentation will evoke fond memories in old-timers while newcomers will find a better understanding of the town just down the hill.

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Come meet the direct descendants of Original Tuskegee Airmen and hear their personal stories, plus historical facts about the famed “Red Tails,” the first African-American fighter pilots of World War II. Learn about American history that you won’t find in a history book. See real World War II artifacts pertaining to the famed 99th and 332nd Red Tails Squadrons! See and hear real combat footage and video of some of the Original Airmen. Memorabilia available for purchase in support of the Tuskegee Airmen Heritage Chapter’s scholarship program and educational assistance fund.

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Fritzi Dangberg was not your typical rancher’s daughter. Born in 1907, Fritzi’s family was one of the most influential in Nevada’s Carson Valley, with a stake in several businesses and a livestock ranch that included tens of thousands of acres and animals. Her family’s prosperity made life comfortable and gave Fritzi many opportunities: college, travel and notable friends. While her heart was always at the ranch, her mind and spirit were ready to conquer the world.

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Author and Sierra Nevada native, Gary Noy, returns to South Lake Tahoe to present an illustrated lecture on historical material from his newest book "Gold Rush Stories: 49 Tales of Seekers, Scoundrels, Loss and Luck" on Saturday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m.

His book features forty-nine unique, interesting and sometimes hard to believe, stories from the California Gold Rush.

Not only is he a great author, Gary is a phenomenal storyteller. You won't want to miss this history lesson. A book sale and signing will follow the program.

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Mountain Resort Television reporter Laura Mate gets a history lesson on the Osgood Toll House, Lake Tahoe's oldest standing commercial building and they talk to David Solo, President and CEO of Special Olympics Nevada.

Lake Tahoe’s railroad history will come to life with a presentation by Jerry Blackwill, vice president of Strategic Planning for the Truckee Donner Railroad Society on Tuesday, April 5 at the South Lake Tahoe Library at 6:00 p.m.

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Author Ellen Osborn will share her book, "Lovely & Comfortable Heritage Lost", giving us a unique history of El Dorado County, beginning with the early days of the gold rush and the first conflicts with the Native American tribes of the region. Her book also traces the evolution of California's Highway 50 from its beginning as the Native American trade trail that became a popular Gold Rush route and explains why it has come to be called one of the most storied and romantic roads in American history.

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Mark McLaughlin, award-winning, nationally published author, professional speaker, and photographer returns to the SLT Library with the compelling presentation: The History of Lake Tahoe and the Comstock.

The 1859 discovery of silver in western Nevada and the development of the Comstock brought entrepreneurs of all types to the region. It also brought disastrous consequences for the Tahoe basin and its environment. But one timber baron was a visionary who saw beyond the denuded lake-side slopes to dream of a paradise for tourists and nature lovers.

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Award-winning author David C. Antonucci will present an illustrated talk at the South Lake Tahoe library on January 7, 2014 at 6 pm. He will speak about the 1960 Winter Olympics held at Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe. Antonucci will feature his most recent book, "Images of Sports: The 1960 Winter Olympics" which will be available for sale and autographing.

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The regional plan cleared a critical hurdle. No fanfare. No high fives. Not even a story in the local press. Yet an unprecedented moment in Lake Tahoe history transpired last week that may shape the Tahoe Basin for decades to come. That moment was the agreement reached by the Bi-State Consultation group, which should serve as the foundation for the new TRPA regional plan.

But first a little history lesson.