The National Great American Smokeout, which asks smokers to give up tobacco for 24 hours in hopes that they will quit for good, is Nov. 18.

Smoking cigarettes remains the No. 1 preventable cause of premature disease and death in the United States, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 21 percent of Americans and 14 percent of Californians are smokers.

The Great American Smokeout is a national event sponsored by the American Cancer Society, traditionally on the third Thursday in November each year.

Resources include calling 800-NO-BUTTS or going to www.californiasmokershelpline.org. The American Cancer Society also has stop smoking resources on their website at www.cancer.org.

The Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation’s 39th annual Concours d’Elegance is Aug. 12-13 at the Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay. For more information on the show and the 2011 Wooden Boat Week visit www.LakeTahoeConcours.com

One campaign financial form was turned in today for the South Lake Tahoe City Council race. It is for Angela Swanson.

Sustainable Tahoe’s first basinwide green networking event in South Lake Tahoe is Nov. 18 from 5:30-8:30pm at Embassy Suites.

Regional leaders, owners, staff and advocates of green technology, conservation, alternative transportation, clean energy and sustainable innovation will unite to network and start the next wave of action toward sustainability.

The event will focus on bringing these community leaders together to meet, collaborate, and share resources under one vision of creating a sustainable destination of the Lake Tahoe basin.

The event will include a tour of recent sustainability initiatives by the Embassy Suites. The tour will also look at Explore Tahoe.

A 2011 Tahoe Expo is being planned for the summer to showcase possibilities for a new Tahoe economy.

For more information, go to www.SustainableTahoe.org or call (775) 883.0831.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Winter Recreation Luncheon on Nov. 10 at noon, with an 11:30am registration check-in, at the Olympic Village Lodge (formerly Olympic Village Inn), 1909 Chamonix Place in Olympic Valley.

This event is geared to provide insight about winter happenings, including events, festivals and activities, to frontline, front desk and concierge employees, along with business owners and managers. Attendees can give a brief presentation at the luncheon, as well as provide 80 brochures or other pieces of collateral to be distributed during the event.

This luncheon sells out, so early sign ups are recommended. Deadline to register is Nov. 5. Cost is $28/person for chamber members and $35/person for non-members and includes lunch.

For more information about the event, to register or provide collateral, call Kym Fabel, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce manager at (530) 581.8764 or kym@puretahoenorth.com. Download a registration form, then go to Programs and Documents.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors met in Tahoe City at the Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge on Oct. 19 and addressed numerous Tahoe issues that were on the meeting agenda.

Here is a summary of those actions:

* Renamed Gun Club Road to National Avenue, including the portion of North Avenue, north of National Avenue in the Tahoe Vista area;

* Amended the Alpine Meadows General Plan to change the land-use designation from community recreation, green belt, park and open space to single-family residential one dwelling unit per acre. The amendment applies to 1 acre of the 4.77-acre parcel to allow for the construction of one single-family dwelling;

* Approved a request from the Planning Services Division granting an automatic two-year time extension for certain land use entitlements including administrative review permits, use permits, design site review and variances that had not expired as of July 1, 2010. This action is designed to assist developers and land and business owners who face the prospect of having their land use entitlements expire before they can obtain financing or have their project constructed due to the current decline in the economy;

* OK’d spending up to $500,000 of budgeted infrastructure funds from the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association for the Northstar multipurpose trail environmental analysis;

* Amended the existing Waddle Ranch Grant Agreement with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to provide $220,000 in advanced funding and reduce Placer County’s overall funding obligation by $440,000 contingent on an equal match of $220,000 from other funding sources to be secured by TPL. In May, 2007, supervisors approved a contribution to the TPL and Truckee Donner Land Trust towards purchase of Waddle Ranch in Martis Valley. Waddle Ranch is a 1,461-acre open space property, of which 595 acres is in Placer County;

* Approved a yearlong services agreement between the Office of Economic Development and the North Tahoe Business Association of $65,000 for marketing, special events and business support services. In addition, a similar agreement was made with the Tahoe City Downtown Association;

* Approved a loan purchase agreement with Central Pacific Bank of $1.4 million plus closing costs not to exceed $10,000 on first mortgage loans on properties owned by BB, LLC,located at 8611 and 8623 North Lake Blvd. in Kings Beach for a proposed mixed-use development project fronting the north side of North Lake Boulevard, between Coon and Fox streets. BB, LLC owns most of the approximately 4-acre project site and the Placer County Redevelopment Agency owns one parcel on Salmon Avenue within the proposed project;

* Funded an agreement not to exceed $500,000 between the Redevelopment Agency and the North Tahoe Public Utility District for the development of the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Project, including parking and a bus shelter;

* Directed staff to resubmit comments reflecting Placer County’s position on the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Regional Plan Update related to land use, transportation, noise, soil conservation, water quality and stream environment zone sub-element policies that were not fully vetted in the TRPA staff report to the Governing Board;

* Authorized the filing of a California Tahoe Conservancy planning grant application of $435,000 for the North Tahoe Bike Trail project. The 8-mile North Tahoe Bike Trail Project is located north of Highway 28 between Dollar Hill and Tahoe Vista in Placer County;

* Authorized the temporary borrowing of Treasury funds of approximately $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2010-11, by the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

By John Diaz

No matter what happens in the final World Series games of this magical season, we can retire the cute but inaccurate slogan “Giants baseball: torture.” As a Giants fan of nearly a half century, I know torture. This is not it. This season has produced moments that will be recalled by Giants fans who were not even born today, just as I get a thrill every time I hear the Russ Hodges call of Bobby Thomson’s pennant-winning 1951 home run over the Dodgers or watch newsreel footage of Willie Mays’ over-the-shoulder catch against the Cleveland Indians in the last World Series the Giants won, for New York, in 1954.

“Uuuuu …. rrrrrrrrriiii …beeee.”

I will never hear that chant again without thinking of it reverberating through the corridors as joyous fans left AT&T Park after Juan Uribe knocked in the winning run for the Giants over the favored Phillies in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.

Torture?

Torture is the many seasons that came and went without a lasting memory.

John Diaz is The Chronicle’s editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com.

Read the whole story

By Virginia Matus-Glenn

South Lake Tahoe has many hidden treasures and I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about one of my favorites. I’m an avid reader and at first glance it appears that if you live here and want a book without going to Carson City or Reno, you’re limited to the local libraries. And for our many visitors, even this isn’t really an option.

But that’s where our “treasure” comes to the rescue. The Bookworks is located 3330 Lake Tahoe Blvd., No. 9, in the mall next to Freshies restaurant. It’s the collection of shops next to the Bank of America on the corner of Fremont Street and Highway 50.

Bookworks offers deals on books, while helping families. Photo/Virginia Matus-Glenn

The signage is limited so you really have to look for it. (There are some other interesting shops and offices there, so take time to explore.)

The Bookworks is a tiny store packed with a wonderful collection of newer books, old books, hardbacks and paperbacks. The books are well organized and the all-volunteer staff can help you find whatever you’re looking for.

Amazingly, it’s the only bookstore in South Lake Tahoe.

The prices are great — averaging $3. The selection is varied and changes regularly.

If you read for pleasure, come see what they have to offer. If your teen is taking a sophomore English lit class at South Tahoe High School, come check to see if last year’s sophomores donated their books and you’ll save a bundle. If you collect books on a certain topic, they just might have exactly the book you want.

All Bookworks sales directly support the South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center, which provides free services and programs for local children and families. The store relies on donations from the community and many readers bring in as many books as they purchase. Because the Family Resource Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit donations are tax deductible.

As a member of the board of the Family Resource Center, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to discover my favorite South Lake Tahoe “hidden secret”.

By Kathryn Reed

Sometimes the standard hot chocolate just isn’t enough to warm me up. I need a little more, um, medicinal touch to truly warm the insides.

I am not one to mix drinks. I don’t understand proportions – or least how to balance them to make something drinkable. That’s why Sue is the mixologist in the household.

One day, we think it was two winters ago, I said I was tired of the same old “winter” drinks and wanted something new. That’s how the Suz-a-Hottie (a take off on a hot toddy) came about.

“I just thought of the flavors and was convinced they would blend well,” Sue said of how created the drink.

With the weather changing and last month being so blustery, I asked her to make one of those famous drinks. I had never been in the kitchen while this had happened before.

Apparently the bartender starts the production by eating a marshmallow or two as a “reward,” as she calls it.

A few things are great about this drink – it’s hot, I’ve never had it at a bar, and it also satisfies a sweet craving – especially if marshmallows are involved.

We’re pretty sure there is zero nutritional value to it. And we certainly don’t recommend driving or operating any heavy equipment after drinking any alcoholic beverage. This is something to drink while sitting in the hot tub, writing stories or watching the Dolphins lose.

Suz-a-Hottie

Water

Hot cocoa

Peppermint Schnapps

Kahlua or Baileys

Cream de menthe

Fill mug ¾ full with water. Microwave until hot. Stir in hot cocoa. Pour in shot of ½ Schnapps, ½ either Kahlua or Baileys. Add dash of cream de menthe. Stir. Drink.

A Veterans Day Musical Salute by the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Performing Arts Department will be Nov. 10 at 7pm at South Tahoe Middle School multipurpose room.

It is free.

STHS Symphonic Band members practice. Photo/JJ Clause

It is a musical tribute to all veterans. Nearly 350 students in the sixth-12th grade bands, orchestras and choirs will perform an hourlong concert of patriotic music.