Lavish Green, a South Lake Tahoe favorite band, celebrates its 15^th anniversary at Whiskey Dicks Saloon on July 3 at 6pm.

TOCCATA, the Orchestra and Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area, is launching its 2010 Big Blue Summer MusicFest, July 2 at 7:30pm at St. Theresa Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe with a concert series entitled “Rhapsody in Tahoe Blue — A Celebration of American Music.”

For more information, go to www.toccatatahoe.com.

The 26th Annual I-CAN Run/Walk kicks off at 8:15am on July 10 in Incline Village. Proceeds benefit two nonprofits; the Children’s Cabinet at Incline Village and Incline High School Athletics Program.

This fun family tradition offers a 5K and 10K Run with chip timing, a 5K Walk, and a 1K Kids Run on a combination of flat forest trails and safe scenic roads starting and ending at Aspen Grove Park. Strollers and dogs welcome. This early morning event begins with registration at 7am. Opening ceremonies begin at 8am and the kids race starts at 8:30am sharp.

Cost for the race is $35 adult pre-registration, $40 race day registration, and $10 for all participants through grade 12. Registration fee includes before race snacks and lunch, the 26th Annual I-Can Run/Walk T-shirt, and the opportunity to support two nonprofits.

Prizes will be presented to the first, second, and third place male/female winners in the 5K -10K as well as medals to the top three male and female runners in each age category. Ribbons for all kids and medals for the top three finishers in each age category.

For more information and to register online for the race, log onto www.i-canrun.org or email info@i-canrun.com or call (775) 842.9890.

El Dorado County is asking off-road enthusiasts to support its Yellow Bandana Campaign to eradicate the infamous “white flowers” on the world-famous Rubicon Trail. White (toilet paper) flowers are found where off road enthusiasts have failed to follow proper human waste disposal and sanitation procedures while on the Rubicon.

Last year the Central Valley Water Quality Control Board issued a Cleanup and Abatement Order to El Dorado County and the U.S. Forest Service to address water quality issues stemming from the use of the Rubicon Trail. Since then El Dorado County has identified the trail location, installed various best management practices such as waterbars, and rock filters, and completed a user count.

Off-road coalition Friends of the Rubicon with support from Rubicon Trail Foundation has organized a Volunteer Day on June 26 from 8:30am-4pm. More than 100 volunteers are expected to work with county staff on trail improvements from the Loon Lake Kiosk to Gatekeeper, a famous trail obstacle. The day also marks the official kick-off to the Yellow Bandana Campaign.

The California State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Division is also supporting El Dorado County’s efforts through a $1.2 million grant. The county plans to hire dozens of seasonal workers this summer with the grant funds to advance trail improvements before next winter.

More information about the Rubicon Trail and the Yellow Bandana Campaign is available at www.YellowBandanaCampaign.com.

A 30-foot contemporary version of the Statue of Liberty arrived at Ski Run Marina on Thursday morning.

Sculptor Matthew Welter created the work from cedar.

It will be erected on June 30 and it will be on display through October. For the next week the artist will be creating the pedestal.

Lady Liberty -- the modern version -- is hauled into the Ski Run Marina on June 24. Photo/Kathryn Reed

At different times this summer Welter will be carving sculptures at the South Lake Tahoe marina.

To celebrate Adopt-A-Cat Month there will be a mobile adoption at the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A. Center from 11am-2pm June 26.

The center is located at 1221 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe.

Cats and kittens from the El Dorado County Animal Services Shelter will be showcased. Look for the Mobile Adoption trailer in the driveway.

For more information, call (530) 542.2857.

By Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee

RENO – Former CalPERS board member Alfred Villalobos, facing accusations that he bribed pension fund officials, broke his silence Wednesday, persuading a bankruptcy judge to unfreeze some of his assets so he could reopen his business.

The Stateline, Nev., resident, who earned more than $50 million helping Wall Street clients win business from CalPERS, testified that he’s been squeezed financially since a California judge froze his assets in May. By placing his real estate and other assets under control of a receiver, the judge forced the shutdown of his Arvco Financial Ventures investment banking firm and left him unable to pay basic living expenses, Villalobos said.

“The receiver called and canceled my credit cards,” he said.

Judge John Peterson ordered the receiver, David Pasternak, to turn over the assets of Arvco, including about $250,000 in cash, to Villalobos. The Arvco firm isn’t a defendant in the California case.

Read the whole story

On June 24 from 5-10pm, Clean Tahoe and the Dinner Table Project will be the beneficiaries of the $1 All-You-Can-Eat Chili fundraiser at the Coyote Grill in Round Hill.

In addition to the money raised from the chili sales, the Coyote Grill is giving us 20 percent of all sales from the evening.

To Lake Tahoe News,

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary cites the first definition of the word ethic as the “discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation.”

As a member of the City Council, I believe we have ethical issues that the council should deal with. At the center of my concern is the presence of Bruce Grego on the council. It appears that he has conflicts of interest.

Bill Crawford

When the council approved the creation of RD Area Two, I raised the issue that Mr. Grego, who voted yes on RD Area Two, may be in conflict because his office is in Area Two. The city attorney said there was no conflict because Mr. Grego has a month-to-moth lease with his landlord.

After the meeting, I asked the city attorney to show me the lease. The city attorney said the lease was verbal. Thus, the city attorney had taken Mr. Grego’s word on the subject.

Several times I have requested to know the exact terms of the lease. And I have been told several times by the city attorney that he is working on my request. As of June 23, 2010, nothing has been disclosed.

The important point is this: If Mr. Grego is in conflict, the vote on RD Area Two most likely is not valid and would be nullified. So it is a serious matter and full disclosure of the terms of the lease is needed.

And Mr. Grego’s landlord is a client of Mr. Grego and has been for several years.

Another possible conflict for the council with Mr. Grego is that his landlord has property on Ski Run Boulevard. The so what is this: Councilman Grego voted on the Ski Run Boulevard BID. Thus, the situation is complex and tricky. His landlord is his client and is involved on Ski Run Boulevard. A tangled web, perhaps.

Thus, it is not beyond reason to suggest, or believe, that if Councilman Grego’s landlord benefits, then the councilman might benefit monetarily. And the appearance is there.

I am saying all of the above because I am tired of waiting for the city attorney to demand disclosure. The pubic interest is at state.

And it is Time for Mr. Grego and the city attorney to read Webster’s definition of ethic[s] and do their duty and obligation.

Bill Crawford, South Lake Tahoe city councilman

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort is having a party July 2-4 that includes skiing and mountain biking. Chairs 1 and 2 will turn all three days. Sunday Chair 6 will be added.

• Truckee’s Old Greenwood golf course on July 11-14 is hosting the Annika Academy with Annika Sorenstam.

• Squaw Dogs, a pet store, opened this month in the Village at Squaw Valley.

• Tahoe Grill in South Tahoe is now serving lunch.

• The annual Oscar de la Renta fashion show fundraiser for the League to Save Lake Tahoe is Aug. 7 at 11am at a private home in Lake Tahoe. For tickets, call (530) 541.5388.