By Emerson Marcus, Reno Gazette-Journal

The theme of the 73rd annual Nevada Day Parade is “The Great Outdoors.” Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesperson Chris Healy will preside as the grand marshal for the event, which is Saturday in Carson City.

We spoke with UNR history professor Bill Rowley and former state archivist Guy Rocha to determine five of the top outdoorsmen and women who contributed to Nevada’s history.

5. Sarah Winnemucca

Although Winnemucca doesn’t necessarily fit with the great explorers of the West, she leaves a legacy as of one of the most influential outdoorswomen in state history.

Winnemucca’s speeches and writings brought the Paiute Indians and other tribes to the forefront of national discourse on Indian relations.

“She urged education among the Paiutes and worked to help them get along in a white-dominated world,” Winnemucca biographer Sally Zanjani said.

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To the community,

To make a big impression on the big financial institutions, primarily Bank of America and Wells Fargo, move your business to a smaller, local bank; refinance your mortgage with a local lender; do all you can to avoid any business with the “robber barons”.

Doing this on a nationwide scale might make them appreciate us.

It will hurt.

Lynne Bajuk, South Lake Tahoe

By David Siders, Sacramento Bee

Even as Gov. Jerry Brown announced his plan Thursday to reduce pension benefits for public employees across the state, its prospects of passing intact appeared dim.

California’s powerful labor interests objected to major parts of the plan, and the leaders of the Democratic-controlled Legislature – neither of whom attended Brown’s announcement – reacted warily.

Brown said he thinks the Legislature will “rise to the occasion,” but even he wasn’t sure of the outcome.

In the Legislature, he said, “There isn’t a history of curbing pension benefits.”

Nevertheless, Brown promised pension changes in his campaign, and the proposal could blunt Republican criticism of his labor ties as he prepares next year to ask voters to raise taxes.

“He looks great asking for it,” said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at University of California, San Diego. “This is kind of like Obama’s jobs bill. He can take a stand, even though he knows it may be dead on arrival.”

Brown proposed at a Capitol news conference increasing the retirement age for newly hired state and local government employees and offering them less generous retirement benefits, a package he will ask the Legislature to put before voters in November 2012.

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The annual Tree of Remembrance Interfaith Ceremony hosted by Barton Hospice and Foundation is Dec. 7 from 5:30-6:30pm at Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church (2733 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe).

This event gives attendees the opportunity to reflect on the memories they share and celebrate the lives of those they have lost.

Barton Hospice encourages everyone to take this opportunity to honor those they will forever cherish. Attendees will be able to say the name of the person in remembrance and light a candle in their honor. Music and song will be performed by OneVoice of Unity. Handmade porcelain ornaments, glazed with iridescent mother-of-pearl, will be available for $15 each. All proceeds will benefit Barton Hospice.

For information, call Barton Foundation at (530) 543.5614.

Barton Auxiliary blood drive is Dec. 5 from 11am-6pm at the South Lake Tahoe library (1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.).

To help the Lake Tahoe community stay healthy this season, Barton Health is providing free seasonal flu vaccines to children ages three to 18 residing in South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 19 from 1-5pm at Barton Family Medicine, 1090 Third St., South Lake Tahoe.

Anyone 19 and older may receive the flu vaccine for $20 and the pneumonia vaccine for $35. There is no appointment necessary to receive the vaccination(s); individuals will be treated on a walk-in-basis. Both vaccines are reimbursable for standard Medicare patients. Medicare HMOs cannot be billed.

Questions can be e-mailed to publicrelations@bartonhealth.org or call (530) 543.5615.

Billed as “holiday makeover presentations”, the Nov. 7 5:3-7pm presentations are free.

Topics include “Skin Fitness” and non-surgical approaches to facial rejuvenation with Ronald M. Gemberling and “Healthy Diet and Exercise 101” with Paula Crenshaw. The doctors will answer questions afterward.

RSVP to (530) 544.7744.

The talk is at 2209 South Ave., Ste. D (across from Barton Memorial Hospital main entrance).

To help the Lake Tahoe community stay healthy this season, Barton Health is providing free seasonal flu vaccines to children ages 3 to 18 who reside in South Lake Tahoe.

The shots will be given Nov. 5 from 9am-1pm at Barton Family Medicine (1090 Third Street, South Lake Tahoe).

Anyone 19 and older may receive the flu vaccine for $20 and the pneumonia vaccine for $35.

There is no appointment necessary to receive the vaccination(s); individuals will be treated on a walk-in-basis.

Both vaccines are reimbursable for standard Medicare patients. Medicare HMOs cannot be billed.

Questions can be emailed to publicrelations@bartonhealth.org or call (530) 543.5615.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe on March 3 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $55 — 800.786.8208.

Los Lonely Boys at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe on Feb. 11 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $35 — 800.786.8208.