BACKGROUND:
I have a working solution under 10.3.  It involves making a
modification to one or more iCal files using REALbasic 5.5.5 or
modifying the files in a text editor and then using Applescript to
reload the calendars in iCal.

The only two important steps in the process are being sure to
increment the sequence number in the ics file and using an Applescript
to tell iCal to refresh itself.

The simplified version of the Applescript is simply:

tell application "iCal"
   reload calendars 
end tell


PROBLEM:
Using the same Applescript under Tiger produces no results.  

That is the script editor produces no errors yet iCal does not reload
it's calendars. Other scripted commands to iCal work such as

tell application "iCal"
   switch view to week view
end tell

FYI, I am modifying the iCal .ics files in their correct new moved
location in Tiger. I am not modifying either the plist file or the
Index file; only the .ics file.


TIPS FOR SOLUTION FINDING:

If you're testing this, the easiest way is to go to
home/library/application support/iCal/Sources/xxxxxxx.calendar and
modify one of the corestorage files.  Modify a comment you recognize
and be sure to increase the sequence number by one. Save it.    Now
try to convince silly iCal to show that data without quitting and
restarting iCal.


DESIRED SOLUTION:
The simplest solution is a way to make Applescript actually work when
calling Reload Calendars.

Next best is a kludge to make iCal refresh its calendars or specific calendar(s).

Next best is a definitive confirmation that this is indeed busted in
iCal and advice on the best way to advocate to Apple that this be
fixed.

Next best is a workaround to get my data into iCal bearing in mind that:
* I don't wish to migrate all my code to synch services.
* I can't use pure Applescript because I sometimes need to modify
calendars without iCal running.
* I can do standard cocoa/carbon calls and Applescript (with some
difficulty). The solution does not have to relate to REALbasic.


In addition to the answer fee to the person who answers this question,
 I'll gladly reward each person who gives sound comments leading
towards progress a free license to the award winning time tracking
application OfficeTime (http://www.officetime.net). OfficeTime needs
this for proper Tiger support.

OS X 10.4.1 
iCal 2.01 
AppleScript 1.10 
Script Editor Version 2.1 (80) 
REALbasic 5.5.5