To the publisher,

Praise be for the words of caution. Know that every company exploring and producing offshore will do everything to find answers and solutions to prevent this from happening again.

The U.S. stopped almost all research and development for nuclear power as a result of the Three Mile Island accident and “The China Syndrome” movie.

Japan experienced two nuclear bombs; yet, since 1973, nuclear energy has been a priority for Japan. It’s advances in nuclear recycling and “closed cycle” production is of interest to many developed countries.

Know that green energy will be subsidized and expensive — well into the future.

Know that gasoline and diesel will power our vehicles — well into the future. We must not burn food for fuel.

Know that oil spills can kill birds, but so can wind turbines.

We should pursue, reasonably and safely, all sources of energy below the water and the ground.

Merlyn Karst, Denver

Summer Kickoff is for teenagers throughout the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. It will be at the ball fields at Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe on June 4 from 4-7pm.

It’s sponsored by all the agencies that are part of the Youth Task Force.

There will be a soccer tournament, open mic, urban art demonstration, food provided by Embassy Suites South Lake Tahoe, and more. Employers who have jobs for teens will be there.

For more information, contact Amy Jackson at (530) 307.4046.

Lake Tahoe Community College culinary arts students will be preparing three-course lunches to be served in the college’s Creekside Room on Wednesdays from May 26 through June 16 from noon-1pm.

These lunches are open to the general public, but there is limited availability and reservations are required. To make a reservation, e-mail Culinary Arts instructor Steve Fernald at fernald@ltcc.edu or call Christina Proctor at (530) 541-4660, ext. 334.

The lunches are $10.

The South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena is offering a curling orientation and clinic May 22 from 1-3pm.

Curling is a great sport similar to shuffleboard played on ice. Although it is often played with significant strategy and skill, it can be enjoyed by all ages after a short lesson.

Prepare yourself by logging on to www.curlingbasics.com to learn the fundamentals of the game.

Cost is $12 and enrollment is limited.

Sign up at the arena at 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, or call (530) 542.6262.

By Kathryn Reed

Farm fresh produce is headed to Lake Tahoe as the annual farmers’ market season begins.

Tahoe City gets things going May 27 at Commons Beach. The 8am-1pm market is every Thursday through September.

South Lake Tahoe’s market opens five days later – June 1 – in the parking lot of the American Legion on Highway 50. It, too, goes from 8am-1pm. The Tuesday event will run through Oct. 5.

Jim and Lois Coalwell are ready for another season to begin June 1 in South Tahoe. Photo/Kathryn Reed

“It’s been cold down here so things are slow,” Jim Coalwell, who runs the South Lake Tahoe certified market, told Lake Tahoe News on Monday. He and his wife, Lois, run the Red Shack in Placerville. “We had a couple bouts of hail which probably did do damage.”

Coalwell has heard 30 percent of the cherry crop in El Dorado County has been damaged from the winter that won’t end. Some of the pears will have brown spots from the weather. They may not be pretty, but the flavor will be there, he said.

It is possible peach season will be delayed because the temperatures have been cool. Still, it’s peaches, cherries and greens that are expected to dominate the booths on opening day.

Vendors come from as far south as Fresno to sell their goods in Tahoe.

The South Tahoe market has room for 25 growers. However, several of them take two booth spaces.

“Because of the economy people are trying to get into farmers’ markets,” Coalwell said.

He has been fielding calls from all over the state from people wanting to get into the six markets the El Dorado County Certified Farmers Market Association puts on. The Placerville market opened May 15. New this year is one in Folsom.

Growers aren’t sure what to expect from the clientele in Tahoe. On the South Shore the numbers were down in 2009 compared to other years.

“It didn’t seem to have the enthusiasm it’s had. We had our regulars, but it didn’t have as much of a community event type feel,” Coalwell said of the market last year. “I think people were hurting.”

With the unemployment rate in the city nearing 18 percent, it’s likely people may not be shopping for fresh, farm grown produce like they have in the past. Plus, the population seems to keep dwindling.

Another 19 spaces in South Tahoe are for prepared food and other vendors. Bread, cheese, tamales, lavender, jams-jellies, salsa, fish, kettle corn, pottery, photography – all will be available.

Market organizers are going to help with the plastic bag conundrum. Coalwell has bags that say “please reuse” on them. A barrel will be at the market for people to recycle their bags.

The Foothills Farmers Market runs the Tahoe City market, as well as the one in Tahoe Donner on Tuesdays; and the Thursday markets in Truckee and Kings Beach.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will conduct mechanical forest thinning operations north of Zephyr Cove Resort along the west side of Highway 50 as part of the Round Hill Fuels Reduction Project beginning as early as May 18.

Approximately 10 acres will be treated, which will include tree thinning and surface fuels reduction to improve forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Some excess slash material may be piled for prescribed burning at a later date. Work is expected to continue for up to two weeks depending on weather conditions. Operations will not occur on Memorial Day weekend.

In order to facilitate safe and efficient fuels treatment, the public is asked to voluntarily avoid the area while work is under way.

For questions, contact Duncan Leao at (530) 543.2660.

The Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce is having its 12th Annual Summer Golf Classic, June 9 at Tahoe Donner Golf Course.

There have been a number of improvements done to the course in recent years including rebuilding and repositioning of bunkers around the greens, adding new fairway bunkers, expanding fairway corridors, and constructing four sets of tee boxes for varying abilities. Nominated by Golf Digest in 2007 for best remodeled golf course in the U.S.

The four-person scramble ensures every golfer has a great time.

Entry fee is $130 for chamber members; $145 for non-chamber members and includes green fee, cart, lunch and awards ceremony. Call (530) 587.2757 to register or email info@truckee.com.

The South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena is offering a curling orientation and clinic May 22 from 1-3pm.

Curling is a great sport similar to shuffleboard played on ice. Although it is often played with significant strategy and skill, it can be enjoyed by all ages after a short lesson.

Prepare yourself by logging on to www.curlingbasics.com to learn the fundamentals of the game.

Cost is $12 and enrollment is limited.

Sign up at the arena at 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, or call (530) 542.6262.

CVAC hosts Trio Brio at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, ArtBar, in Minden for a concert of chamber music on June 19 at 7pm.

David Brock (piano), Pat Crane (viola), Darrell Moore (clarinet), and guest artist will play selections by Mozart, Max Reger, Max Bruch and Chopin, in a romantic and spirited classical program.

Trio Brio players are members of TOCCATA, the Orchestra & Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area. By involving an abundance of local, talented artists, the organization works to keep choral and orchestral music alive and relevant in the Reno-Tahoe area.

An artist’s reception for Lou Ann Yang will be at CVAC’s Copeland Cultural Arts Center in Minden on June 5 from 1-4pm.

Yang, who has always loved to draw, has studied watercolor intensely since entering retirement. She will present a whimsical study of clouds, in watercolor.