5/25-5/31
No one can predict how late Northern California’s unusually lengthy rainy season will hang around, but one thing’s for sure — there’s still plenty of snow in them thar mountains. As recently as last weekend, fresh snowfalls have left a foot of new powder at the higher elevations, and diehards who don’t want to say goodbye to the snowiest winter in many years will probably have a few options all the way into June. The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association reports that both Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley will remain open for skiing and snowboarding at least through Memorial Day — which means schussing down the slopes in sunny, 70-degree conditions in the daytime, then hitting the clubs and casinos or the Jazztrax Smooth Jazz Festival (Friday through Sunday at Squaw Creek) at night. Or you could take a dip at Kings State Beach. Visit MyTahoeVacation.com for up-to-the-minute reports on snow conditions or book lodging and lift ticket packages at 1-888-434-1262. – Kelly Vance
Skiing and snowboarding. Credits: Al Cameron
5/29-5/30
Oh, Ohlone
Head for Coyote Hills
Bev Ortiz and the rest of the instructors at Coyote Hills Regional Park (8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont) want to teach you how to eat, drink, and even play dice like an Ohlone. This Sunday there are two workshops on the culture and folkways of the Bay Area’s favorite indigenous tribe. From 10 a.m. to noon, Ohlone Plant Foods demonstrates manzanita cider, roasted peppernuts, acorns, medicinal teas, and other herbal products used by the Ohlones. Then from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., learn about the Shellmound Open House and the 2,000-year-old Ohlone culture in the Fremont area. Then on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m., there’s a Walnut Dice Make It and Take It Workshop — you can create your own set of California Indian gambling dice from black walnut shells and bits of shell (cost: $12-$17). For more info: 510-795-9385 or ch*****@*****ks.org – Kelly Vance
WED 5/25
Dunk ‘n’ Run
What’s an aquathlon? A combination running and swimming event with short distances, ideal for training for triathlons and for overall conditioning. Today’s (Wednesday) H2Go Aquathlon Series #4 at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park in Pleasanton, the fourth and final race in a series sponsored by Endeavor Sports, Inc., consists of a 1,000-yard swim in Shadow Cliffs Lake plus a 5K run around the park, held in the late afternoon. The race is run in waves, with race-day registration ($40) beginning at 4 p.m. and races starting at 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women finishers. Shadow Cliffs is at 2500 Stanley Blvd., Pleasanton. For more info, go to EndeavorSports.com/Events/Events.html — Kelly Vance
