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Homeowners in the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) area are encouraged to take advantage of their free curbside chipping service through the month of October.

The chipping crew is still actively responding to requests and will be available through the month as long as conditions permit.

The Lake Tahoe Basin saw continued environmental improvement over the last four years, but faces major challenges from climate change, according to a draft 2015 Threshold Evaluation Report released by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

The report offers a detailed assessment of the health of Lake Tahoe and its treasured natural environment as indicated by 178 threshold standards in nine categories: Air quality, water quality, soil conservation, vegetation, fisheries, wildlife, scenic resources, noise, and recreation.

The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Department is offering two American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard Training courses. The courses are being taught by City employee, Liz Terzian and will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will be trained and certified to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illness until EMS (emergency services) take over.

In the 2004 California election, voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), mandating a one percent increase in income taxes for individuals with incomes over $1 million to expand mental health services. The MHSA funds mental health services that are "recovery and resiliency" focused to children and their families, transitional age youth, adults and older adults. MHSA programs must provide integrated service experiences that are client and family driven, wellness, recovery and resilience focused, culturally competent, and include community collaboration.

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund is holding their 2nd Annual Membership Dinner on October 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Harrah’s Tahoe. All are welcome to attend, enjoy and learn about this opportunity to make a difference together through collective giving.

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund was launched to leverage the power of our collective giving to make a broad and lasting impact on the communities of Lake Tahoe. Through a simple grant making process, the annual proceeds from membership provide financial support to nonprofits that address pressing issues facing the community.

For the first time since 2008, El Dorado County’s Public Housing Authority will open its Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List. The Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program (formerly known as Section 8) is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provides rental assistance to income qualified individuals and families. Applicants must be United States citizens or have eligible immigration status.

I am one of the candidates running for the Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees representing area 4.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is inviting Nevada children in grades K-5 to enter their drawing contest about stormwater pollution prevention. They want to engage and inform the younger generation on this important topic.

Winners will become published artists, with the first place student’s artwork featured on the cover of the 2017 NDOT Stormwater Program brochure, and the second and third place students’ artwork featured inside of the brochure. All student artwork meeting contest requirements will be shared on the NDOT @loveNVwaters social media pages.

Crews working on the SR28 Shared Use Path/Safety/Stormwater project in Incline Village will start a 24-hours-a-day schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and then from Monday, Sept. 26 to Friday, Oct. 7.

The Nevada Department of Transportation has announced the updated late-September/early-October construction schedule to meet their original Phase 1 completion date of October 20.

Motorists should anticipate delays of up to 30 minutes with one-lane flagger controlled closures near Hidden Beach, one mile south of Incline Village. (During Phase 1, the average wait time has been 5-15 minutes.)

Don’t ignore flea and heartworm treatments

Start your engines! Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to team up with him for a day of family fun at Day Out with Thomas: The Ready, Set, Go Tour 2016. Children everywhere can join Team Thomas when the #1 Engine pulls into VIRGINIA & TRUCKEE RAILROAD on October 21, 22, 23 and 28, 29 30. Day Out with Thomas: The Ready, Set, Go Tour 2016 is presented by Fisher-Price.

Location

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - To reduce fuels in the forest, as well as to promote forest health, the thinning of trees will resume between Fallen Leaf Lake and Camp Richardson Corral this week. Crews will also be working in the Spring Creek Homeowners Tract.

Whole tree and mechanical cut-to-length (CTL) tree removal will take place in these areas over the next several months, weather permitting and some areas will be closed for public safety as they do the cutting.

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.

Some of the best developed climbing on the South Shore is on the numerous granite boulders scattered throughout the community of Meyers so it seems fitting that the 2016 Tahoe Bouldering Competition will take place there on September 17.

Former Bay Area residents and Touchstone employees Jen and Chris Bloch have taken on organizing the competition which was formerly known as the Meyers Climbing Festival.

There are new sponsors, more prizes and a large cash purse for winning participants. Also on tap are vendors, beer, food and much more.

A collaborative planning process to enhance and protect the 72 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline has begun, and they would like public input to complete the plan.

There will be two workshops this fall to help guide creation of a Shoreline Plan that not only protects the scenic shoreline, but enhances recreational access to the lake.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is seeking community input during the workshops which will be held on the North Shore on Wednesday, Sept. 21 and at the south end on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Starting in Fall 2016, Tahoe Youth & Family Services will begin contracting with Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County to bring suicide prevention education and resources to residents of South Lake Tahoe.

The combined effort will provide community-wide awareness programs and mental health stigma reduction outreach. Suicide survivor grief support groups will also begin at the Tahoe Youth & Family Services’ counseling office at 1021 Fremont Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. Funding for the new program comes from an El Dorado County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) grant.

The Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra will be holding their 14th annual SeptOberfest at MontBleu Resort on Thursday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m.

This annual fundraiser benefits local youth and families and is always a fun time full of great food, beer, wine and silent auction. Besides a full German buffet there will also be live auctions, envelope prizes, music, dancing and a stein holding contest.

All silent auctions items can be previewed on the Kiwanis website.

In celebration of the end of summer in South Lake Tahoe, the annual pyrotechnic extravaganza will explode over the lake at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 4.

The show features a simultaneous music broadcast that can be heard on local stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL - AM 1490.

Fireworks will be visible from many viewing areas around the South Show, but here are some of the sweet spots to get a front row seat:

Dear Hopeful,

I know you're of the canine set, but I need some hints and tips to share with my feline friends.

Signed,
Meowwww

Dear Meowww,

Of course, always love to help friends of ALL animals! Here are my TOP TEN useful, and surprising cat tips:

Cats Dig Running Water

El Dorado County health officials have received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that a dead bird found in the Placerville area has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first for 2016. The bird, a Western Scrub Jay, was found on August 23, 2016. There have been no reported cases of human infection with West Nile virus this year in El Dorado County.

Woodcutting permits on the Eldorado National Forest have been changed to allow larger standing dead conifer trees to be cut for firewood. A minimum of tTwo cords of wood can be cut for $15 per cord.

"This change in our woodcutting permits will encourage removal of potentially dangerous roadside hazard trees," said forest supervisor Laurence Crabtree. "Fire and bark beetles have left a lot of dead trees which could fall across forest roads, particularly the less traveled roads in the back country."

It had been months of planning and training for former South Lake Tahoe resident Ric Llewellyn as he prepared to swim across the Lake Tahoe in an effort to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

On Wednesday, August 24, all of the preparation was put to test for the endurance athlete as he entered the 68 degree water at Emerald Bay for the 8.5 mile swim across the lake.

With President Barack Obama visiting Lake Tahoe for a landmark 20th annual Lake Tahoe Summit this month, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has published a special summit edition of Tahoe in Depth.

This special edition of the award-winning newspaper tells the story of 20 years of summits at Lake Tahoe—from the organization and importance of the first-ever summit and the successful work it sparked, to major issues such as climate change that will confront the Tahoe Region in the decades to come.

The historical Celio Ranch in Meyers will be the scene for Burlap & Denim, a new fundraiser for Bread & Broth 4 Kids, on Saturday, September 10 from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy a Tri-Tip BBQ prepared by the South Lake Tahoe Fireman's Association, dancing to live music, a silent auction, games, a country selfie booth and spirits, all at the Celio Ranch which is over 150 years old. Tours of the ranch by members of the Celio family will also be available.