Events planned to celebrate Earth Day

The Nevada National Guard is set to host an Earth Day Celebration on Wednesday and Western Nevada College will observe the holiday with a film festival Thursday.

The National Guard celebration will feature numerous displays concerning recycling, alternative energy projects, cleaning "green" and the history of Earth Day.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. at the Office of the Adjutant General, 2460 Fairview Dr.

Local vendors will also display some "green" products. Tours of the solar/wind hybrid test site at the Office of the Adjutant General campus will also be available.

The National Guard is also set to present an informational briefing on its future solar energy projects and its intent to team with private organizations to complete these projects. The briefs will occur at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

To expedite entry through the security gate, please bring state or federal identification.

For information, call Chief Warrant Officer Jim Groth at (775) 887-7290.

Western Nevada College celebrates Earth Week with an all-ages film festival on Thursday. "The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival" will begin at 7 p.m. in Marlette Hall, Cedar Building and run about three hours.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $8 or $5 with a WNC ID.

Running from five to 35 minutes each, the films will showcase a wide range of filmmaking from animated shorts to real life adventures and experiences. Two of the films have direct ties to Nevada and Lake Tahoe.

"Not only will you be entertained, but also motivated to help make our world a better place," said festival organizer Valerie Andersen in a press release. "You'll experience the adrenalin of outdoor adventures, explore important issues and movements, see how others have made a difference, and maybe, think about what you could do to help."

"180 Degrees South" " A new film told through the eyes of climber/surfer/writer Jeff Johnson during a six-month voyage to South America to climb a mythical peak called Corcovado.

"AK The Hard Way" " Made by a Tahoe filmmaker, the film follows three skiers at different points in their ski lives. They embark upon a 3,000-mile road trip from Squaw Valley to the glacial peaks of southern Alaska, with stops at Mt. Baker, Whistler, and Smithers, BC. The skiers skip the helicopters for the "earn your turn" experience.

"Fridays at the Farm" " Feeling disconnected from their food, a photographer/filmmaker and his family decides to join a community-supported organic farm. Moving from passive observer to active participant, the filmmaker photographs the natural processes of food cultivation. Features lush time-lapse and macro-photography sequences compiled from nearly 20,000 still images.

"American Outrage" " Carrie and Mary Dann are feisty elderly Western Shoshone sisters who have always grazed their livestock on the range outside their ranch in north central Nevada.

That range is part of 60 million acres recognized by the U.S. as Western Shoshone land in the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. In 1974, the U.S. sued the Dann sisters for trespassing on United States Public Land without a permit.

Their dispute swept to the United States Supreme Court and eventually to the United Nations.

The film examines why the U.S. would spend millions prosecuting and persecuting two elderly women grazing a few hundred horses and cows in a desolate desert.

"The Good Life Parable: An MBA Meets a Fisherman" " A businessman meets a fisherman on a small island. He tries to teach the fisherman about business but the fisherman teaches him about life.

"Global Focus - Russia - Marina Rikhvanova" " As Russia expanded its petroleum and nuclear interests, Rikhvanova campaigned to protect Siberia's Lake Baikal, one of the world's most important bodies of fresh water, from environmental devastation brought on by these polluting industries.

"Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars" " In 2006, Governor Rick Perry of Texas fast-tracked an initiative that would give a private enterprise, TXU, authority to produce 11 new coal plants, all using antiquated technology that would lead to disastrous results in terms of air quality. But a coalition of mayors statewide worked tirelessly to commence a battle for clean air. The movement was bipartisan, and included Republican representatives, ranchers, farmers, and ordinary people.

"The Truth About Aerial Hunting of Wolves" " Alaska is truly our nation's last frontier. It is also the last place in the U.S. where a few hunters still use aircraft to chase and kill wolves and other animals.

More than 30 years ago, Congress put an end to aerial hunting. But Alaska is exploiting a loophole in federal law to resume the practice. SOME DISTURBING FOOTAGE.

"Litterball" " A short film that illustrates the power of vision. If everyone wore rose-colored glasses, our positive outlook could change the world. Solutions are as easy as changing perspective.

"Carpa Diem" " Before sleeping, a child in her apartment is lovingly watching a fish in the aquarium.

In the meantime her younger brother is being mindless of the open tap the water flowing out of the washbasin ... a waste that could turn into a tragedy.

"Renewal" " In communities across America, people are rolling up their sleeves in practical and far-reaching ways. Offering a profound message of hope, this film shows people driven by their spiritual and religious convictions, being called to re-examine what it means to be human and how we live on this planet.

The full-feature film presents eight individual stories of Americans around the nation in different faith traditions who are working to become better stewards of the environment.

For more information please contact Katie Leao at (775) 445-3324.

WHAT: National Guard Earth Day Celebration

WHERE: Office of the Adjutant General, 2460 Fairview Dr.

WHEN: 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Wednesday

CALL: Chief Warrant Officer Jim Groth at (775) 887-7290

WHAT: The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Western Nevada College's Marlette Hall in the Cedar Building

CALL: Katie Leao at (775) 445-3324