Friday Travel Ticker: Storm watch

July 06--NOAA's Climate Prediction Center says there's a 70% chance this hurricane season of nine to 15 named storms (with top winds of 39 mph or higher), of which four to eight will strengthen to a hurricane. That would make the number of storms for the season, which runs the last half of the year, about average. ... Hundreds of striking Air India pilots have ended a 58-day strike following a court order for them to return to work. About one-third of the airline's 1,500 pilots were on strike over unpaid salaries and training issues. Their absence led to dozens of canceled flights for the beleaguered state-owned carrier. ... An Italian judge has lifted the house arrest order for the captain of the shipwrecked Costa Concordia cruise liner. But Capt. Francesco Schettino must remain in his hometown near Naples during the criminal investigation regarding the accident off the Tuscan coast that killed 32 on Jan. 13. ... Relive Mark Twain's Western experience in a fireside conversation, Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Performing Arts Center in Incline Village. ... Truckee's largest horseback riding facility, Piping Rock Equestrian Center, is kicking off the summer season with guided trail rides, based on a guests' riding skills and interests. Adults and children can enjoy a daily trail ride for $75 per person. Saturday sunset rides are available for $125 for adults, $75 for children. Info: (530) 582-6780. ... Receive $100 in gift cards to dine, shop or relax when booking a "Discover Claremont" lodging package this summer. The package requires a one-night stay. Gift cards that can be redeemed at more than 130 locally owned restaurants and pubs, boutiques, day spas and salons, and other local businesses. Info: www.discoverclaremont.com. ... Redlands is devoting a week to honoring its cowboy heritage, starting on July 22 with a screening of John Ford's classic 1962 film, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." For info, click here. ... Travel quote of the day: "It was a splendid population ... that gave to California a name for getting up astounding enterprises and rushing them through with a magnificent dash and daring and a recklessness of cost or consequences, which she bears unto this day -- and when she projects a new surprise the grave world smiles as usual and says, 'Well, that is California all over.'" (Mark Twain)