Banff back in Bishop

Hot on the heels of perhaps the largest, and most prestigious, mountain festivals in the world, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour has once again hit the road, with stops planned in about 285 communities and 30 countries across the globe. And, once again, one of those stops will be in the Eastern Sierra.

Join Wilson’s Eastside Sports when the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the spirit of outdoor adventure to Bishop at the Tri-County Fairgrounds on April 2-3 at 7 p.m., nightly.

This year’s tour features a collection of some inspiring and thought-provoking action, environmental, and adventure mountain films. Traveling from remote landscapes and cultures to up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports, the 2009/2010 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is produced by Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre, and features award-winning films and audience favorites from approximately 300 films entered in the annual festival in Banff.

Bishop screenings will feature different films each night, as varied as a 3-minute film on the serenity of skiing powder snow in Japan, an hour-long film on retracing the literary footsteps of Farley Mowat in Canada, a 24-minute film on a free solo of Half Dome, and a 45-minute film on a tandem bikerider sharing his bike with strangers as he cycles from Alaska to Cape Horn.

Tickets and info: contact Wilson’s Eastside Sports at www.eastsidesports.com or 760.873.7520.

Youth funding

Non-profit, youth sporting organizations operating in Mammoth Lakes can apply to receive Youth Sports Funding from the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Applications are available at the Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Office or online at www.visitmammoth.com/companyinfo.

Special attention will be given to non-profit programs which have a high percentage of participants that are Mammoth Lakes area full time residents (including Crowley Lake and surrounding areas).

Submit completed applications to the Town of Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Office, located at 2520 Main Street (adjacent to the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center) by Thursday, April 22, no later than 5 p.m.

More info: call Stephanie Daniel, 760.934.2712, ext. 1237.

Big Read returns

After last year’s success, Mono County Libraries are again participating in the nationwide Big Read. This year, the bilingual program features “Sun, Stone, and Shadow: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories.”

Mono County librarian Ana Danielson said the county’s Big Read program kicks off on Friday, April 16, at the Mammoth Lakes Library, with performances from a Mariachi band.

Piñata and bookmark art contests will be held countywide through May 5, along with Big Read-themed Story time editions, foreign film nights, book discussions, workshops and other cultural exhibitions, such as ballet performances.

Art lovers will want to check out the replicas of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera artwork, which will be on display at the library through April 30.

Info: 760.934.4777.