kids

A photograph hangs in our father’s home—Needham Grammar School, Lodi, California, class of 1944, 120 kids from a different time. Amazingly, Dad could name a fair number of those classmates 70 years later.

A teacher for 25 years, the former students of South Tahoe High School will remember having Mr. Campodonico for history or civics. Vince held an optimistic belief in society and citizenship that he practiced all life long. He was always planning a trip, back from a trip or on a trip. Vince enjoyed people and would want us to say his goodbyes to his friends and family.

The anticipation from youngsters was contagious on Friday night during Barton's Festival of the Trees. Not only did they have hot chocolate and popcorn, but kids were making ornaments, writing letters to santa, watching the performers from Marcia Sarosik Dance and South Tahoe high, but the jolly guy himself was there, listening to all of the wish lists.

Teddy bears of all shapes, sizes and conditions were taken to the Teddy Bear Hospital where doctors and nurses from Barton Health examined, x-rayed and bandaged the bears who weren't feeling too well.

"This was the best school assembly ever," said a South Tahoe High Junior after hearing youth motivational speaker Mike Smith on campus Wednesday. "His message was amazing."

Smith spoke of how the words that you say can leave a mark on someone’s life forever. And if you’re a bully, that mark is a scar.

Like many visitors to South Lake Tahoe, Steve and Janet Wozniak love visiting our mountain paradise and come to town as often as possible. It was on one of their frequent trips to the Hard Rock Cafe inside Harvey's Lake Tahoe that they met Kimberly Templeton, Lake Tahoe Sales Manager for the chain and a friendship formed.

Wozniak, co-found of Apple Computer, and his wife Janet were in town Wednesday night to help raise funds for Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD).

Many of us have driven on Highway 395 between South Lake Tahoe and Southern California. I’ve done that route many times myself on the way to and from San Diego and Disneyland. As heading South, the Owens Valley opens up after leaving the town of Bishop, just over 200 miles from Tahoe. You’ll pass through the town of Independence, and six miles later you’ll find yourself at the Manzanar National Historic Site (the town has an ironic name as you’re about to find out).

Page & Sage has been serving students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District for three years, giving children in need a backpack of food and a book to take home over the weekends when they don't receive free lunches and breakfasts at school.

When Liberty Utilities in South Lake Tahoe found out about the program they began a food and donation drive in order to help fill the program's shelves. They gathered boxes and cans of food and almost $300 in cash.

The LTCC men's soccer team holds the top spot in the Golden Valley Conference with a 7-0-1 league record and an overall 13-4-3 record in their inaugural season. They will take their five game winning streak into the post-season on Saturday as they try to make their way to a state title.

The team is currently ranked #9 among the community colleges in California, #13 nationally.

As part of their mission to give back to the community and protect the environment, Vail Resorts gave away 49 grants to Lake Tahoe area groups during a ceremony on Tuesday at Heavenly Valley.

In keeping with its mission to bring more arts to more people, El Dorado Arts Council is thrilled to announce its new partnership with BATS, Bringing Art to Schools, an art appreciation and art history program for South Lake Tahoe students in kindergarten through fifth grade. BATS students both learn about classic works of art—their meanings, styles, and the movements that informed them—and create their own art based upon a selected theme.

Stroll through a holiday wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights on decorated Christmas trees and holiday decor! Vote for your favorite tree in the Festival's "People's Choice Award" contest. Settle down to watch the entertainment, bid in the silent auction, enter the raffle, get a family photo with Santa, and take the kids to Teddy Bear Hospital. Kids can stop by the Gingerbread Junction, where they can write a letter to Santa and drop it in the giant mailbox for express delivery to the North Pole.

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The rush was on in 1864 to make Nevada a part of the union. Congress was in a hurry to have the support of the Republican dominated Nevada territory for President Abraham Lincoln's reelection. The three electoral votes Nevada would bring helped bring the end of slavery when Lincoln was re-elected just 9 days after Nevada became a state.

The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition announced today that last month's Drug Take Back Day netted 40 pounds of prescription drugs.

Pouring rain and below average temperatures may have kept some people away, but the take back day was still deemed successful since there are now 40 pounds of drugs being kept out of the hands of kids and the environment.

Last Spring's event took in over 55 pounds.

South Lake Tahoe may be a small city of around 23,000 residents but it isn't immune to the big city problems of gangs.

Our mountain hamlet has white gangs, a black gang, hispanic gangs, motorcycle gangs and even white supremacists and sometimes they cross racial lines in order to beef up numbers. The gang names won't be mentioned in this article because of the advertising value it would give them as they try and recruit children and new members.

Last week's arrest of three gang members for a home invasion robbery brought the comment to the forefront..."Tahoe has gangs?"

The 12th Annual Treat Street has moved to a new location, and because of the expected storm, it's now inside!

Bring your children to Trick or Treat in a safe, dry and fun environment at the 12th annual Treat Street Friday, October 31st at the South Lake Tahoe Airport. Local Businesses and non-profits will hand out candy and other treats inside the terminal.

There will be a spooky haunted house, games and a live radio broadcast. Costumes are encouraged so bring your little ones decked out!!!

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My name is Dr. Frederick “Fritz” Wenck, DDS, and I’ve been closely involved with Lake Tahoe Community College since its beginning in 1974, when I was elected one of the first LTCC Board of Trustees members. I’d like you to consider, just for a minute, what would happen if the college’s Measure F bond effort failed to pass this Election Day.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) approved two grow domes to be installed at Sierra House Elementary School. Ground is being broken on the project area this weekend and the project is expected to be completed by the end of November.

Last year, a government shut down caused the annual South Lake Tahoe festival that honors the Kokanee Salmon to be canceled, though nobody told the fish. Highway 89 was lined with cars since people had to walk in to view the fish spawning as well as enjoying fall foliage.

"Big" describes the fish caught by the winners of the 13th Annual South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge Kids' Fishing Derby last Sunday at Tahoe Paradise Park's Lake Baron. Records were broken, including biggest fish and number of trophy fish caught. The mark was set early, as Casey Holder landed a 4 lb 9 oz trout in the opening minutes of the Derby. At least 50 trout weighing in at over 2 pounds were pulled in by the participating children, many weighing over 3 pounds! It didn't take long for Chance Rice to bring in the day's ultimate winner, a 4 lb 10 oz beauty!

Two agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be in South Lake Tahoe next week to provide parents with information they need to know about social media and their children.

FBI Special Agents Scott Scoffed, Sacramento Cyber Crime Squad and FBI Special Agent Glenn Norling, South Lake Tahoe Resident Agent, will present a one hour presentation that will cover socializing on line, how to correctly use mobile devices, making a computer safe and protecting kid's privacy and how to talk to kids about their use of social media.

Beers, brats, and music are on tap at Camp Richardson Oct. 4-5, as Oktoberfest returns to the shores of Lake Tahoe. Now in its 20th year the annual event will showcase seven different autumn themed brews ranging from Drake’s Hefeweizen to Ninkasi Total Domination IPA.

A $2,500, one week vacation at any Resorts West property in the world. $10,000 for a hole-in-one on all par 3s. 18 holes at Edgewood. Flat screen TV. Closest to the pin awards. Sports memorabilia. Golf trips. Dozens of raffle prizes. Two meals and beverages. Titleist Pro V1 balls. And every dime benefits South Tahoe kids. The 21st annual Boys and Girls Club tournament is October 13 with playing spots as well as sponsorship options now available.

The value exceeds $500, but the fee is just $225 to play with all monies going to help local kids with educational and recreational programs.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority would like to thank all of our community members, visitors, businesses and agencies who have helped keep our Lake Tahoe beaches clean throughout a busy summer season. Debris on Lake Tahoe’s beaches affects everyone’s enjoyment of the lake, and trash and debris on the beaches and streets can easily find its way to the lake and adversely impact lake clarity, water quality and wildlife.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District is renewing their focus on raising the attendance rates of students in the district's seven schools. Not only is being at school essential to a good education, it's also essential to the District's budget.

On Tuesday, the LTUSD Board will vote on a proclamation to declare September as "Attendance Awareness Month." They want parents, students, teachers, staff, administrators and the community to focus on "Every School Day Matters" and help keep kids in school.

During the 2013/14 school year, the attendance rates were:

Bijou - 92.3%

On Sunday, August 17 Valhalla presents the final in the free Concert on the Lawn series. This is a special free kids concert featuring the acclaimed children’s act the Banana Slug String Band. Their music is original and full of inspiring positive messages about taking care of each other and the environment. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic and join sit on the Grand Lawn at Valhalla from noon to 2:00 p.m.