Snowboard contest, fiestas at Summit

The Kinko De Mayo snowboard rail contest and piñata bonking fiesta is May 3 at the Summit at Snoqualmie's Summit West base area. Cost is $20. Registration is 10-11 a.m.; participants younger than 18 need a parent's signature.

At Alpental ski area, celebrate Cuatro de Mayo, May 4, with live mariachi music and a costume contest, and Cinco de Mayo, May 5, with a fiesta to celebrate the last day of the ski area's season. Details: www.summitatsnoqualmie.com.

Comment on

Wonderland Trail repairs

Mount Rainier National Park is looking for public comment on proposed repairs to the scenic Wonderland Trail in the Carbon River Valley.

About a half-mile of the trail was wiped out during flooding in November 2006. The damaged area is two miles east of the Ipsut Creek Campground and is now being bypassed with a spur trail to the Northern Loop Trail.

Preliminary options include allowing trail use to continue as is; repairing the damaged section of trail in the existing alignment along the Carbon River; formalizing the bypass via the Northern Loop Trail and closing the damaged section of trail; or relocating the damaged Wonderland section to higher ground above the Carbon River flood zone.

Submit comments to: Superintendent, Mount Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Ave. E., Ashford, WA 98304, or use the Web form at http://parkplanning.nps.gov. Deadline is May 15.

Polish your fly casting, for a good cause

There will be a fly-casting clinic 9 a.m. Saturday at Tolt-McDonald Park in Carnation hosted by Northwest Casting for Recovery, which benefits breast-cancer survivors.

Nationally certified volunteer fly-casting instructors will provide tips. Fly fishermen can attend one morning or afternoon session for $50, or both for $75. Private two-hour lessons are also available from $100 to $125. Space is limited. Details: 425-868-7593 or e-mail Marilyn Vitale at marilynvitale@verizon.net.

All proceeds support a fall fly-fishing retreat for Washington breast-cancer survivors. Details: 206-948-4352 or www.castingforrecovery.org.

Magnuson boat launch closed for renovation

The Magnuson Park boat launch at 7400 Sand Point Way N.E. in Seattle is closed for renovation and will reopen May 15.

Work includes replacing the existing boat ramps with new underwater planks, rebuilding the piers and adding an extension float on the northern pier for improved ADA access.

Alternative ramps to use for larger boats are the Atlantic City Boat Ramp on the south end of Lake Washington or, for smaller boats, Sunnyside Boat Ramp on the ship canal. Details: www.seattle.gov/parks/magnuson/boating.htm.

Ride motorcycles

through vineyards

Register now for the Moteur de Vine, a benefit motorcycle ride May 17 through the vineyards of the Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain.

The ride, led by local winery and vineyard owners Bill denHoed, Scott Pontin and Dick Beightol, will include winery visits, a catered lunch at Columbia Crest Winery in Paterson, and a barbecue dinner. Cost is $100 for a single rider, or $150 for doubles (must be 21 or older). Register online at www.moteurdevine.com.

The event will benefit the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center to be located in Prosser.

Sun Mountain again

earns Four Diamonds

Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop has again earned the American Automobile Association's prestigious Four Diamond rating for both its restaurant and resort.

This is the 15th consecutive year the resort has won the award, based on inspection by AAA professionals. Of 60,000 properties evaluated in North America, 3.2 percent earn the high rating. Twenty lodgings in Washington state have earned the award, based on service, amenities and surroundings.