Club Notes: Plenty of events for 4WD fans

The California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, its member clubs and other off-roading organizations have compiled an extensive spring-summer schedule of backcountry trips geared to sport-utility vehicles and other four-wheel drive vehicles.

Most trips feature narrated runs through scenic, historical areas of the Sierra Nevada, with meal stops along the way. The trips typically involve mild off-road motoring.

Here are some of the planned outings:

• May 17 – The Capital City Mountain Goat Four Wheel Drive Club will host a Sierra Nevada run from Tyler-Foote Crossing to Alleghany, with stops at mining sites and other points of interest. Costs are $45 for adults and $20 for children ages 6 to 15; there is no charge for ages 5 and under. To register, contact Nancy Irvine at nirvine2851@gmail.com, or call (916) 334-8053 or (916) 616-1951. For more details, call Doug Sinclair at (916) 784-9379.

• July 18-21 – The 14th Lassen-Applegate Historical Trail Ride retraces the wagon trail used by thousands of pioneers in the Gold Rush era. It begins in Lovelock, Nev., and concludes in Modoc County. The cost is $250 per adult and $125 for children ages 12 and under. The trip is limited to the first 25 vehicles registered. Meals are included. For more details, contact Warner Anderson at (775) 629-9232 or wana7448@sbcglobal.net and Ron Vance at (775) 246-4099 or vance63@charter.net.

• Aug. 7-9 – The 41st Sierra Trek, one of the nation's largest four-wheel-drive events, will be staged near Cisco Grove in the Sierra Nevada. Historical tours around Meadow Lake and Lake Tahoe areas are included in the family-oriented gathering. Costs vary, depending on the number of trips selected and days spent in camp. For more details, contact Bob Reed at (925) 447-3142 or robertreed5@comcast.net.

In other enthusiasts' activities:

Shoemaker fund established

Fund information – A fund has been established to help the family of Sacramento Top Fuel drag racer John Shoemaker, who was killed during a qualifying run March 8 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield. Those wishing to contribute to the fund can make checks out to Shoemaker Family and send them to First Bank, 201 Vernon St., Roseville, CA. 95678. For more details, call (916) 786-3944.

Towe Auto Museum

Tonight – The Sierra Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society will present the 1920 silent movie, "The Mark of Zorro," with musician Bob Salisbury playing accompaniment on the museum's Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, at the Towe Auto Museum, 2200 Front St., Sacramento, 8 p.m. General admission is $10. For more information on all Towe activities, call (916) 442-6802 or visit www.toweautomuseum.org.

Sunday – Towe and the Sacramento Art Deco Society will continue their 2008 lecture series with a presentation at the museum entitled "Garbo Speaks Again," which covers the life and films of actress Greta Garbo. Doors open at 2 p.m., and Sea Miller's presentation begins at 2:30. General admission is $7.

March 30 – Musician Dave Sauer will play a concert on the museum's Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, 2 to 4 p.m. The concert is free with museum adult admission of $7.

Through April 4 – The California Region Graham Owners Club is showing seven vehicles in the museum's Car Club Cavalcade display area. Models range from 1926 to 1948.

Delta F-100 Elites

Saturday – The Delta F-100 Elites will host a truck/car show at Micke Grove Park in Lodi, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include show trophies, raffles and games. For more details, call (925) 672-1048.

Sacramento Area Mustang

Saturday – The Sacramento Area Mustang Club will tour the Aerospace Museum of California at McClellan Park. Participants will meet for breakfast at Brookfields Restaurant, 4343 Madison Ave., Sacramento, 9 a.m. All Mustang enthusiasts are welcome. For more details, call (916) 624-8558.

Thursday – The club will meet at Coco's Family Restaurant, 7887 Madison Ave., Citrus Heights, 7 p.m. All Mustang enthusiasts are welcome to attend and meet club members for dinner at 6 p.m. Call (916) 624-8558.