science

Millions of people visit our region each year, and the shoreline is where most of them go to enjoy the beauty and the cold, famously clear water of Lake Tahoe.

The shoreline is also where a challenging mix of planning issues converge: Protecting the environment and our lake’s awe-inspiring scenery, managing recreation access, and respecting private property rights.

Join Tahoe Heritage Foundation and the US Forest Service at Taylor Creek Visitor Center for this Friday's Evening Program: Astronomy at Taylor Creek with Fleischmann Planetarium! July 22nd at 8:30 pm at the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater. This event is open to the public and is a $5.00 donation to the Tahoe Heritage Foundation.

Steve Leonard died peacefully in the company of his family on Thursday, July 7 , 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen Leonard; children, Tess and Benjamin Leonard; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Brenda Leonard; brother, Jack Leonard ; nephews, Jon and Sam Leonard, and Lance Rominger. He is preceded by his parents, John and Opal Leonard, and sister, Sharon Leonard.

A chemical discovered in a UC Davis lab may be a new, innovative tool to control depression. Studies involve an enzyme (soluble epoxide hydrolase or sEH) which is found in many species from bugs to humans. Research in animal models of depression suggests that sEH plays a key role in modulating inflammation, which is involved in depression. Years of research and discovery around this enzyme led from investigating insect biology to translating the basic science into a potential therapy for man.

Fourteen students from Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley received $19,500 in scholarships from the Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for their academic achievement and plans to pursue a career in medicine or science.

“It is our hope to give a head start to our future doctors, nurses, physical therapists, medical techs, biologists, psychologists, and first responders,” says Joanne Donmoyer, an Auxiliary and Scholarship Committee member. "The medical and science professions are very important in Tahoe, and we would be so pleased if some of our young people returned and served our community.”

The commumity is invited to the Lake Tahoe Community College's Class of 2016 commencement on Friday, June 24 at South Tahoe Middle Schoolat 6:00 p.m. 174 students are graduating, 40 with honors, eight with highest honores, 36 with departmental certificates and 61 with a transfer degree that guarantees them a seat in a California State University this fall.

The theme of graduation this year is based on a William Arthur Ward quote: "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."

Some lessons in school can carry forward into life lessons teaching the student both the material new to their minds as well as accessing their innate skills. This year for the first time the fifth grade at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School in Meyers, California had just such an opportunity.

The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Division is gearing up for another summer season full of adventure, learning, fun and great memories. The Recreation staff is proud to host the annual “Spring Into Summer” Kick-Off Party on Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is designed to highlight summer programs, introduce recreation instructors and provide tours of the Recreation and Swim Complex in a fun and festive environment.

At the 2016 Amgen Tour of California, the biggest and most prestigious pro cycling race in America, the young development team Axeon Hagens Berman is making a name for itself and its riders – and three of them share a look at what's for breakfast on the road.

The 144 pro cyclists (18 teams) in the 8-day race aim to consume the same amount of calories they burn on the bike, which at Amgen, depending on the length and toughness of the day, can be anywhere between 4,000 to a whopping 8,000 calories!

California State Parks Foundation has created a way for people to enjoy their parks while volunteering for a day. This is happening across the state in response to budget cuts.

Park Champions is having their first workday at Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park on Thursday, June 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to remove invasive plants in order to restore habitat for the birds and the bees. Tools, training and snacks provided. The Sierra State Parks Foundation will also offer volunteers a free guided tour.

Can you make a homemade pizza with a 3-D printer? A gun? A movie prop? An iPhone case?

The answer is "yes" and you can find out about the endless possibilities of printing with a 3-D printer, and what its potential is in the future at the next Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation's Speaker Spotlight Series.

Interior designer, Jessie Marchesseau, recently opened Revive Interior Design – a full-service interior design and home staging firm that serves communities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Marchesseau, originally from Montana, has lived in the Lake Tahoe region for more than 15 years and has worked in local interior design and real estate industries for more than a decade. In addition to being a Tahoe local, Marchesseau has sold and designed homes in both California and Nevada, and understands the complexities of mountain and lake living.

Healing Solutions to Life's Challenges, a series of inspiring talks presented by the South Lake Tahoe Christian Science Church, will be held at the Beach Retreat Lodge at Tahoe on Saturday, May 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Talks will focus on the role of prayer in finding solutions and healing problems and will feature three members of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.

RSVP - TalksThatInspire.org, The event will be simulcast in Spanish by Jorge Perez C. S. of San Francisco.

Let the games begin, again! Dodgeball, table tennis, badminton, music, food, bounce house, science fair and more are all on tap for the 3rd annual Community Games on the Lake Tahoe Community College campus on Saturday, May 7 from noon to 4:00 p.m.

The LTCC Coyote athletes will train young soccer players and other kids activities include face painting and a scavenger hunt. But, its not all for kids, tournaments for adults will create a lot of excitement.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency presented Lake Spirit Awards to four people who possess a strong personal commitment to preserving Lake Tahoe at today’s Governing Board meeting.

The Lake Spirit Awards honor people making real progress at restoring Lake Tahoe. Created in 2011, the awards are a way to recognize those individuals whose passion for Tahoe results in progress and environmental improvements.

What does a police officer do after they retire?

Hunt for Bigfoot, of course.

That is what South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Donna Kingman said she'll be doing after hanging up her shield after 29 years of working in the community. Her official last day is April 30, but Thursday was her last shift working in uniform.

Of course, she won't be hunting for Bigfoot in cold, shaded areas as she'll be seeking sun and a life of being "footloose and fancy free."

During their April 19 meeting, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Lake Tahoe Unified School District’s Safe Routes to School Master Plan. With this approval, the Supervisors support plans to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety around Lake Tahoe schools through infrastructure upgrades, education and encouragement programs, and better enforcement of traffic laws.

When people visit Tahoe for the first time, they marvel at the extraordinary natural landscape and fresh, clean air. At the same time, some are shocked at the dilapidated condition of the built environment: rundown buildings, crumbling infrastructure, and tired-looking development. The paradox is compelling. Despite TRPA’s mandate to harmonize the natural and human-made landscapes so that they blend together, outdated development that preceded environmental standards now serves as blight in our community.

Kids, families, teachers*, and anyone interested in making scientific discoveries and learning something new should head to the Lake Tahoe Community College for the inaugural South Lake Tahoe Science Expo on Thursday, March 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Always an annual event on the north shore, this will be the first time it heads south. Students will visit the expo during school, but the whole family is invited to the Thursday evening event, which promises to make science fun!

A South Lake Tahoe couple has taken over the ownership at Tahoe Tot Spot, a place where the younger set can enjoy activities, interactions with other kids, crafts and more.

Julie Pardysz was relocating to Colorado and had the business up for sale. The Tot Spot was on the verge of having to close as no buyers were coming forward. At the last minute, Jen and Chris Bloch made an offer to keep the doors open.

Over the past eight building seasons, a bi-state collaborative effort of the South Tahoe Public Utility District, U.S. Forest Service and the other area water agencies has enhanced the Lake Tahoe Basin's water infrastructure to better fight wildfires.

Erica Mirich has been hired by the League to Save Lake Tahoe to be their new Director of Development.

A competitive national search brought Mirich back to Lake Tahoe previously served as director of development for the Lake Tahoe School in Incline Village. Most recently she served as senior director of annual giving for the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, Calif.

Mirich holds a master’s degree in science education from Harvard and brings classroom experience as a science educator.

The Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation’s Speaker Spotlight Series continues on Wednesday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board/Aspen Room when renewable energy expert Dr. Eric Munsing presents, “Cars that Run on Sunshine: Making Electricity Greener.” This is a free event, and the entire community is welcome to attend.

Through a new educational program spearheaded by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and other basin partners, Lake Tahoe Unified School District students are taking full advantage of winter to learn about avalanche safety, winter animal survival and the science of snowmaking.