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"The Genes of Jeans" Join the Friends of the Library as genealogst Kathleen P. Clemence presents J.W. and AnnieDavis: Their Riveting Lives. As the well-known inventor of riveted work pants, much has been written about Jacob William “JW” Davis, some fact and some fiction. The fact that the world’s favorite item of clothing was invented and patented in Reno by him is unknown to most locals and denim fans worldwide…but not for long. Having followed numerous paper trails, Clemence will present the true story of Davis and his family, based on documented evidence.

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The 8th annual Barton Festival of Trees & Lights at MontBleu got underway on Thursday with the Senior Stroll, complete with an ukulele concert and treats.

Judging of the decorated trees also took place. A team of local media, chamber members and educators viewed the trees and judged them on criteria including elegance, theme and creativity.

The Best of Show and Best Interpretation of Theme awards went to "Woodland Queen."

Ring in the holiday spirit at Barton Health’s eighth annual Festival of Trees & Lights. The winter celebration features events and entertainment starts Thursday, December 1 and continues through Sunday, December 4 at MontBleu Resort on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.

“The Festival of Trees & Lights provides a warm and family-friendly atmosphere to inspire people to get into the spirit of holiday giving,” says Kindle Craig, the director of the Barton Foundation. “All the money raised goes back into the community and supports health and wellness programs.”

The newest lakefront resort being built on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is set to open in June, 2017, and reservations for the 154 room Edgewood Lodge are already being taken.

On a tour this week of the new lodging property located within the grounds of the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, work crews could be seen working on the swimming pool, the rooms, lobby, spa, restaurant, the stone fence and all other aspects of the resort which will give visitors a new taste of luxury.

All candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.

Tamara Wallace, 46, Retired Businesswoman/Chamber Exec

Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations?

It is an exciting time to live on the South Shore – during a critical point in our region’s evolution and potential. It is time to set our course: moving away from bickering and blaming, exclusionary special interests and single-industry dominance to consensus-building and proactively choosing progress. Whether we live in Nevada or California, everyone benefits from uniting towards a sustainable vision for the South Shore.

Measure P will be a key initiative on the City of South Lake Tahoe’s Nov. 8 ballot as a tourist-only tax to help rebuild the area’s aging Recreation Center.

Without raising taxes on local residents and businesses, Measure P will bring an estimated extra $2 million a year to support the community. The Lodging Association has voted unanimously to support further recreation in South Lake Tahoe. If passed by a two-thirds vote, Measure P will increase transient occupancy tax by 2 percent to 12 percent.

I've never met anyone that likes taxes, but we pay them to fund the things we need in our lives: fire protection, law enforcement, education, roads, and services, just to name a few.

In November, Measure U is before the voters of South Lake Tahoe. A "yes" vote will add an extra 1/2 percent to the sales tax on non-food items purchased in the city limits. Currently, the tax is eight percent so the increase works out to be an extra five cents on every ten dollars purchased. It is estimated the tax increase would bring in an extra $2.5 million to the City.

Sierra at Tahoe created "Keep Sierra Clean Day" ten years ago to help protect the environment before the winter season sets in.

Its a year round job, but this fall event gets friends and neighbors, locals and visitors together on the mountain to give it a good clean up.

Volunteers will ide the chairlift, clean the mountain and collect prizes, and sneak in a great peek at the view while at it!

There will be a free lunch and live music by Mic Smith.

The second annual WordWave Festival will take place October 21-23, 2016, on the shore of South Lake Tahoe at the Tallac Historic Site. Some of the most creative and inspiring writers, musicians, and performers from around the country will be on the South Shore to share their talents at this three-day event. The festival will be interactive, featuring readings, workshops, panels, plays, open mics, guided hikes, and oral storytelling.

It’s time for the residents of South Lake Tahoe to employ one of their greatest characteristics with regard to affordable housing – creativity. Creativity is a prerequisite to thriving and sustaining in this town, it always has been. How many times has someone off the hill asked how you can make a living being here? We do it by willing it with creative, even experimental ideas, and now we need to do that together to put a halt to a terrible trend with housing.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe has launched a program that recognizes Tahoe-based businesses taking action to protect Lake Tahoe.

So far, nine local businesses have pledged their commitment to Keep Tahoe Blue: Azul Latin Kitchen, Ernie’s Coffee Shop, High Sierra Gardens, Lake of the Sky Outfitters, RISE Designs, Tahoe Blue Vodka, Tahoe Sports & Entertainment, Tahoe Training Camps, and The Free Bird.

Young visitors to the Lake Tahoe History Museum have been enjoying old-fashioned games and crafts when stopping ball all summer, now they can enjoy them during the new three-hour long History Club adventure on Wednesday, August 17.

Visitors and locals are invited to join in on the club's activities which have been designed for children to experience activities from the past, learn a new skill, play a game, and use their imagination.

Due to limited class size, reservations are required. The cost is $20 per child.

South Lake Tahoe natives Nicole Riegel Smith and Chris Smith have returned to their hometown, this time as college graduates with an expertise in brewing beer and a desire to open a new business on the South Shore.

Plans have been submitted and the work will soon begin on the Smith's venture. South Lake Brewing Company. They have signed the lease for the long vacant Ace Hardware building on the corner of Tata Lane and Lake Tahoe Blvd.

1. Bargains. Admit it, that’s why we shop at thrift stores. We love bargains. At the new Goodwill store located at 1069 Emerald Bay Road in the former Pier 1 building, you’ll find 8,000 square feet of high-quality donated clothing, furniture and household items, as well as a wide variety of brand-new products at low prices. Don’t we all want our paychecks to stretch a little bit further? And if you’re lucky…

Summer in South Lake Tahoe is already known for its outdoor entertainment – great beaches, hiking trails, kayaking, mountain biking, and more. I don’t often hear talk about South Lake Tahoe as a theatrical hub, but that really should change.

For two weeks every year, Lake Tahoe area commuters, students and recreational riders get on their bikes instead of in the cars to get to where they need to go. This year's event started on June 1 and goes until June 14 so there are just a few days to make your bike rides count.

In addition to all the other reasons to participate (including that it is fun & free), the data collected goes to help show the need for bicycle paths and other infrastructure when we apply for grants and other funding.

To keep Tahoe cherished and known for its beauty, locals try in their best efforts to “keep Tahoe blue.” Sadly, negative effects in our ecosystems come from humans which could damage the clarity of the lake and the air quality. Bad air quality comes from numerous sources, such as car emissions, uncontained fires, and contributors to toxic runoff into the forest; these sources of pollution must be stopped.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers team are partnering with the Lake Tahoe Outreach Committee and other Lake Tahoe organizations to host community events and educational activities June 6-13. As visitors flock to the outdoor recreation wonderland that is Lake Tahoe the trails, beaches and forests are experiencing an increase in use and the associated impacts of trash, trail erosion and shoreline degradation.

Get ready for some sunshine and happiness at the "Y" area of South Lake Tahoe. Rainbow Sprinkles Donuts and Frozen Yogurt is coming this summer, and locals and visitors alike are in for a treat.

Jody Filgo and Sallie Ross-Filgo have been planning their dream for a long time, and now they have the space to do it, the old donut shop next to Raley's.

They got the keys on Tuesday and popped the sign up in the window, letting people know what is coming.

Most people don't like taxes, or having any new ones, but South Lake Tahoe voters will have the choice in November to vote on two ballot measure that would bring about two tax rate hikes, one that only tourists will pay, and another that will be paid for by both locals and tourists.

If passed, the ballot measures will accomplish two things: replace the recreation complex and repair the City's roads and/or replace the aging fleet.

Just as it is when the topic of vacation rentals is on the South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda, a large, and at times, angry, crowd gathered.

The task at hand Tuesday was to review changes to the current Vacation Home Rental (VHR) Ordinance which included 11 changes which will take effect 30 days after the June 7 Council meeting if approved.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has released a "Flash Vote," looking for community input on ideas for both locals and tourists in the community. But, people only have two days to vote as "the flash" is over on May 13 at 1:15 p.m.

What small projects would you like the City of South Lake Tahoe add that would cost $10,000 or less? Would it be new lines on the soccer fields, or shelter around bus stops? Or, would you like to spend $10,000 on something new along the bike trails or city parks? The ballot also asks for other opinions and ideas and takes just a few minutes to complete.

There was once a time when having a beautiful lake, spectacular scenery and non-stop action and gambling was enough for the tourist to visit South Lake Tahoe and the South Shore.

This is no longer the case and the community needs to become future ready.

Carl Ribaudo, owner of Strategic Marketing Group, spoke at the Future Ready Tourism Forum at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel on April 26, 2016.

While change is always tough Ribaudo said, South Lake Tahoe needs to be prepared as the tourist shifts from making a transaction when coming to Tahoe to wanting an experience.