Unity at the Lake presents a book study on “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. Different people express love in different ways. Understanding these different “languages” can be a key ingredient to success in relationships, not only with a spouse or partner, but also with children, parents, friends, and even with ourselves.

Everyone is welcome — even without reading the book.

The event is May 16 from 6:30-8pm.

Unity at the Lake is located at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, directly across from the recreation center sign.

A love offering will be accepted.

For more info on all activities and office hours, call 530) 544.2266 or go online.

By Timothy Sandoval, Sacramento Bee

Traditionally, there has been a friendly rivalry between different branches of the military.

But it was more like cooperative teamwork Wednesday when more than 50 veterans from the Army, Navy, National Guard and Marines learned together how to prevent and extinguish wildfires at the California Conservation Corps’ Placer Center in Auburn.

On the third day of a four-day training program, the vets learned how to lay down hose when they battle a fire, clean up after fires to ensure they will not reignite and use flares and other firefighting equipment.

“It’s a good program because not only do you get to spend more time with veterans, you also get to spend more time with different types of veterans,” said Jacob Delaney, 21, who served in the Iraq War. “All around you start to realize the different jobs and the different branches that everyone comes from, and their experiences will help you in the long run.”

The four crews of veterans came from San Bernardino, San Diego, Placer County and South Lake Tahoe. They all arrived at the Placer Center on Friday and have been living in tents on the training area’s lawn.

Read the whole story

Motorists on Nevada highways can expect delays starting May 14.

On Highway 50 at Glenbrook to junction at Highway 28 the outside lane (east/north bound) will be worked on. A portable concrete barrier rail has been set off the open lane line approximately three feet to allow and accommodate bicyclists. This lane closure is expected to last for two months.

A contractor will be working on Highway 28 between Incline Village and Sand Harbor. Travel will be reduced to one lane in this area on weekdays for the next few weeks. Flaggers will be present.

On Highway 28 from Incline Village to Crystal Bay there will be work. Also a pipe crossing will be installed on Second Creek on Monday. This will require the street to be closed for the day. A detour will be in effect.

The gas line relocation work is continuing in the round-about area of highway 28 ad 431.

By Bill Lindelof, Sacramento Bee

State Fish and Game wardens on Tuesday confiscated a stuffed raptor and a wolverine from a Georgetown bar.

The mounted red-tailed hawk and the wolverine, sporting a hat and clenching a cigarette between its teeth, were on display at the Georgetown Hotel and Bar until wardens got a tip.

Wardens removed the species because having them dead or alive violates state fish and game code.

One code section states that there are nine mammals that are against the law to kill or possess for whatever reason, even if they are stuffed and no matter how old, said Andrew Hughan, Fish and Game spokesman.

Read the whole story

A plea agreement has a South Lake Tahoe man going to jail for one year on voluntary manslaughter charges.

Had Brad Macewan, 56, gone to trial in the death of his roommate and been found guilty of murder – the first charge levied against him – he faced 25 years in prison. Instead, he pleaded on one count of felony voluntary manslaughter. This month he was sentenced to one year in jail and five years probation.

It is customary for defendants to be given a reduced sentence based on behavior and work time. Macewan will not be entitled to those credits.

Upon his release he will also have to abstain from all use and possession of alcohol, per the judge’s order.

Macewan was roommates with Patrick Lee Rego, 52. In July 2011, Macewan called police before dawn saying Rego was not breathing and had sustained a head trauma.

 — Lake Tahoe News staff report

Tahoe Rim Trail Association is participating in the American Hiking Society’s 20th annual National Trails Day event June 2.

Volunteers are needed to build trail and being part of a guided hike around Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

The event begins at Van Sickle Bi-State Park off Lake Parkway in South Lake Tahoe.

To participate, register online or contact Lindsey at (775) 298.0239 trails@tahoerimtrail.org.

Trail work is from 9am–4pm. Volunteers of all skill levels and physical abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. No prior experience necessary. Volunteers will receive free lunch provided by REI and the TRTA. The event will conclude at 4pm with a volunteer party at Explore Tahoe, including free food and drink.

This event opens the fourth trail-building season of a multi-year project, which will connect the Tahoe Rim Trail with Van Sickle State Park, re-route the TRT off paved roads, and provide stunning views of Lake Tahoe to more people.

Volunteers must wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, boots, and work gloves; bring sunscreen, bug spray, water and a backpack. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association will provide hard hats, trail building tools and crew leaders.

Ivone Larson, Margaret McKean, and Ken Gerrard were recognized at this weeks Lake Tahoe Unified School District board meeting for their efforts in reducing the chemicals in the district.

Larson, principal at South Tahoe High, wrote a grant that brought $3,000 to implement a Cleaning for Asthma-Safe Schools program at STHS and Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School.

McKean, a nurse for the district, helped change the mindset by looking at what cleaning products were being used in schools.

Gerrard, custodian, was able to go from seven products to three, which also saves the district money.

May is 31 tidbits about Lake Tahoe News month.

LTN tidbit No. 12:

We realize it’s not ski season, but we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge all the hard work Curtis Fong does when it is snowing or should be snowing.

For five months of the year Fong provides the daily ski report for Lake Tahoe News. It’s usually posted between 7 and 8am. During the season it can be accessed from the top of the page under Ski Conditions.

Fong writes about downhill and cross country areas throughout the greater Lake Tahoe area. He also add some events other skier related facts.

Here is information about becoming a paid subscriber.

By Cheryl Millham

To some, Cliff Swallows are a blessing. To others, they are a cause.

There are three species of swallows in Tahoe: Cliff, Barn and Tree.

The one swallow I will be talking about is the Cliff Swallow. People have called them the Mud Birds because they build their nest from mud. It is amazing to watch them build the nest with one little ball of mud at a time. They are busy little birds and can have the nest finished on one day.

Once the nest is completed, it is illegal to knock down the nest, either by hand, or by washing it down with water.

In the United States, all swallows are classified under the Migratory Swallow Treaty Act of 1918 s migratory insectivorous birds, which means swallow are federally protected birds.

Swallows eat mosquitoes. Lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the most disease carrying insect in the world.

Cliff Swallows make their mud nest under eaves of buildings.

I received a call from a young mother complaining about the swallows making a big mess. She said that there were about 16 mud nests on one side of her house and wanted to get rid of them. The swallows were making a big mess on the sidewalk below, because, when the little baby swallows have to “go pooh”, they turn around and stick their bottoms out the opening. This is what keeps their nest clean.

Cliff Swallow nests at the top of the A-frame at Lake Tahoe Airport. Photo/LTWC

I explained to the lady that they are protected under federal law because they are insectivorous. Our tax dollars were used to fund a study to find out that a Cliff Swallow can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in a day — per bird. The woman paused and then admitted that she has not had to put on mosquito repellent on her kids. In fact, she said, they hadn’t had any mosquitoes around when they were outside.

I explained the droppings are easy to wash off with a hose and when all the babies leave the nest, then she can knock or hose down the nest.

Her whole attitude changed. She said the Cliff Swallows were welcomed at her home.

Last week, I got a notice from the California Department of Public Health about West Nile Virus, which is carried by mosquitoes which bite a sick bird or animal. (You cannot get virus from the dead bird or animal, but only by the mosquito who bit it.) Since the best mosquito hunters are swallows (during the day) and bats (at night), we all should do what we can to protect both.

April 22-28 was West Nile Virus Awareness Week. To date, there have been 3,146 WNV human cases in California, which led to 110 deaths. Last year, 2,497 birds were tested, of which 28 percent tested positive for WNV. 108 dead tree squirrels were tested with 22 percent positive.

So, now is the time to walk around your house and empty any containers that have filled with melted snow or rain water so you will not be breeding mosquitoes.

The phone number to call for WNV is simple — 877.WNV.BIRD. If you find a dead bird or squirrel, call the WNV hot line. Get a plastic bag, put your hand in the bag, pick up the bird or animal, then pull over the plastic bag and tie it shut. Call the WNV hot line.

Remember, you cannot get WNV from the dead bird. Only from the mosquito.

Cheryl Millham is executive director of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Careon the outskirts of South Lake Tahoe.

Publisher’s note: This is reprinted from the March-April 1989 Lake Tahoe Historical Society newsletter.

It is an unassuming building situated in the high visibility spot on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe that is shared by the Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Center. Inside there are many forms of art, information, artifacts and pictures that help to preserve and display the history of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The museum’s first location, in a small rustic cabin situated behind the Al Tahoe Fire Station, was not so visible but those who found their way to this first informal museum were fascinated by the artifacts, by the society members who were so enthusiastic about the history of the area and by the ambiance inside this tiny building. The Historical Society asked the residents of the area to help with the collection of artifacts and memorabilia for the museum and received more than the building could display. From this nucleus they created and operated this museum every summer from 1970 to 1983.

Six years ago the museum was moved to its current site, offered by the city when the library moved to new quarters. A much larger space for exhibits was available to a more chronological, story-oriented museum could be designed. There was also more room for collection and improved preservation activities. Since then displaces have been expanded and redesigned several times a conservation techniques have been improved. The number of yearly visitors has tripled in the past two years. The museum was open every day of the week in the summer of 1988 and two or three days a week that winter.

The museum received a new look in 1988 with new display cases, a video area, special changing exhibits, new books and sale items in the museum shop. There is an exciting new railroad exhibit set to be opening in the spring. The museum’s goal is to display items that cover the history of the entire basin at the Lake Tahoe Museum.