Taste of Tahoe is a little like the 12 weeks of eating your way through the South Shore.

Taste of Tahoe features one restaurant each week for the weeks leading up to South Lake Tahoe Relay for Life on Aug. 7. The focus is to raise money for the fight against cancer while having great food, drinks, entertainment and fun with friends, family, co‐workers and neighbors at local restaurants. Each restaurant sponsor is making a donation to the American Cancer Society for the week it’s featured.

Edgewood Brooks Bar in Stateline is hosting the initial week — May 9-15. Ten percent of sales during the week go to South Lake Tahoe Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

Nearly 30 local businesses are also sponsoring Taste of Tahoe to strengthen the community’s contribution to Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. Additional details and a schedule of restaurants can be found online.

The South Shore Relay for Life is Aug. 7‐8 at Kahle Park in Stateline.

Taste of Tahoe Restaurants

 Blue Angel Cafe

 Bistro Danielle

 Brooks Bar & Deck at Edgewood Tahoe

 Cilantro Mexican Cantina

 Chevys Fresh Mex

 Fox and Hound

 Mott Canyon

 Murphys Irish Pub and Rockwater Restaurant

 Sushi Pier

 Harrah’s Lake Tahoe

 Harveys Lake Tahoe

 Thai One On

By Carlos Alcalá, Sacramento Bee

The El Dorado Irrigation District and the U.S. government corrected a long-standing ownership oddity with a swap of land parcels this week.

The exchange comprised 14 parcels amounting to 755 acres.

Two parcels were at Silver Lake off Highway 88, where the ownership of land had long been the opposite of what logic would seem to dictate.

For years, the Forest Service has operated Silver Lake East campground, partly atop land owned by the irrigation district.

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By Austin Fay

When Karen Frates, assistant general manager of Tahoe Seasons Resort, was asked why she was at the Tahoe Tourism Town Forum, she replied jokingly, “I’m here for encouragement.”

She insinuated the 160-suite resort near Stateline is struggling, as is everyone in this recession.

The Tahoe Tourism Town Forum provided about 150 business owners primarily from the South Shore, students from Lake Tahoe Community College, and marketing and public relations professionals, a chance to collaborate with the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, and to see the new marketing campaigns.

LTSS chamber leader B Gorman speaks at Thursday's tourism conference. Photo/Austin Fay

“Get your vacation on” is the slogan for the South Shore campaign that begins in May. Fingers are crossed it will bring people to the area.

Gordon Horsley, the Nevada sales manager at Amador Stage Lines, remarked on the presence of social media at Thursday’ two-hour forum at LTCC.

“I think it’s great that we are getting that word out to local citizens about what Tahoe has to offer,” Horsley said.

A new twist on Tahoe’s image

This year’s South Tahoe television and webspots keep the emphasis on gaming elements, but lend themselves a little more toward the active lifestyle Tahoe supports, like mountain biking, hiking, cycling, skiing and water sports.

Fishing definitely has a large draw to the area, but seemed to be left out of the LTVA marketing campaign.

Victor Babbitt, from Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, said, “I didn’t see one comment or view of fishing (on the advertisements). Correct me if I’m wrong, fishing is the nation’s No. 1 outdoor recreational activity, especially for families.”

The $3 per night lodging tax collected in South Lake Tahoe through the Tourism Improvement District is a major source for LTVA’s advertising campaign.

This will be the first ad campaign by Duncan/Channon of San Francisco for the South Shore. They were brought in a year ago to replace Mering and Associates, the Sacramento firm that created the Blue World campaign.

Geotourism

Collaboration with National Geographic brought Bob Kingman from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Nicole DeJonghe from the Sierra Business Council to the Tahoe Tourism Forum to showcase a geotourism. The idea of geotourism is to sustain or enhance the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the wellbeing of its residents.

Involvement on the local level is crucial to the website’s content. The website involves people living in the communities and parks. Visitors to the website can nominate areas, historic destinations, park — everything from vineyards to artists to drive tourism to other less well-known parts of the state.

Nominations may be made at here, but will be subject to the decisions of a “Geo-council” designed to create the most original and authentic experience to tourists of the Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Range.

Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week

Lake Tahoe Community College business student and chef Donnie Thompson was enthusiastic about the plan to make Tahoe a culinary destination for a week.

“We used to do it down in San Diego where I went to culinary school and it’s phenomenal,” he said. The idea is serving lunches and dinner at $20, $30 and $40 per person (menu and price up to restaurant), while attracting people to the culinary scene in Tahoe. The event is planned for Sept. 5-12 — Labor Day Week.

Restaurant owners will update menus and prices in the coming months here.

Other Events Planned in Tahoe:

More than 1,000 women are expected to show up for Iron Girl, the sister event to the Iron Man, it is planned for Sept. 19.

Hot August Nights, a three-day event of classic cars, automotive exhibits and vendors, has branched out into Lake Tahoe. The Reno-based Hot August Nights attracts more than 800,000 people.

Caregiving is a difficult and often challenging role that one can undertake, and taking the opportunity to share information and feel connected to others who are providing care is a vital step to perform this task to the best of your ability. Take the opportunity on June 10 from 5:30-7:30pm, South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe to become connected and rejuvenated at your local support group.

Refreshments will be served. Free respite care is available to qualified caregivers. Pre-authorization is required for respite services. Questions? Please contact Penny with the Alzheimer’s Association at (530) 541.2304 or the Family Caregiver Support Program at (530) 621.6251 or (530) 621.6151.

Beginning at 11am May 1, fiesta-loving skiers and riders can head to the High Camp Lagoon & Spa at Squaw Valley for Monster de Mayo — piñatas, Mexican eats, and disc jockey by the pool.

Entry to Monster de Mayo is $6 for all skiers and riders with a lift ticket or season pass.

The Monster de Mayo Fiesta will kick off with Wacky-Tacky Snow Golf at High Camp. Teams of two will take on five holes of golf on the snow to win prizes including lift tickets, golf games, golf gear and goggles. Registration is $5 per person. Squaw will provide the snow golf balls, but teams must bring their own golf clubs.

At 1pm, the Monster de Mayo pool party will commence at the High Camp Lagoon & Spa. DJ Royal will spin Latino beats for the Fiesta and Mexican-style barbecue will be available for purchase on the pool deck. Party-goers can play games of piñata on the hour or hit the ball around on the on-snow volleyball net.

More information on Monster de Mayo is available on www.squaw.com or by calling (530) 583.6985.

South Lake Tahoe police are issuing a warning to local businesses concerning a company called National Fire & Safety Inspection Co. which may be performing fire inspections they are not licensed to perform in South Lake Tahoe.

In February, two males arrived at a local business in the Y area and advised employees they were there to conduct a mandatory fire inspection. They had uniform shirts with a logo and looked official. They completed an “inspection” and sent the business a bill for several hundred dollars.

The business did not pay the bill and instead contacted the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department for more information.

While this case is still under investigation, it appears this company is attempting to scam local businesses by arriving unannounced, performing unauthorized inspections, and billing the company hoping to get paid.

Local fire inspections are conducted by Fire Marshall Ray Zachau from the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department. There are legitimate companies that service fire alarms in businesses, but business owners should already know their legitimate alarm service providers and be expecting service/inspections.

If any business has “Fire Inspectors” show up to conduct an inspection, business owners and/or employees are encouraged to confirm the service has been requested and when in doubt, contact Fire Marshall Ray Zachau at (530) 542.6160.

To the community,

As the Earth Week comes to a close, we feel a sense of pride for our community. Not only has our community grown in sustainable and environmentally responsible practices, but you continue to support the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day event. As the sun gods smiled upon us, as the music played through the village and the Trashion Show was underway- we looked out into the crowd of thousands and were so pleased at the community support for this event.

We want to personally thank everyone who has been and is still involved with the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day event, and all the many events that happened that week, including SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic Film Festivals, Squaw Valley Institute’s speaker and Slow Food Tahoe’s event at Bistro 22. We are proud of our volunteer committee, business partners and sponsors that made these significant community events a reality. Without the generosity and hard work of our many volunteers, the Tahoe Earth Day Foundation couldn’t do what we do. In addition, the Squaw Village Neighborhood Company has been an essential part of the success of this event, and we are so thankful for their support over the years.

In honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, we encourage you to examine what you can do individually to help make a change. Whether simply supporting local farmers by purchasing locally, or cutting down on the daily paper towel usage at home – we can all make a difference even in very small ways.

Please save the date for the 41st year of Earth Day – and we hope to see you all again on April 23, 2011.

Lisa Cashel and Emily Williams, co-chairs Tahoe Truckee Earth Day

By Kathryn Reed

It wasn’t the usual Wednesday Soroptimist lunch.

On this particular afternoon it all about four girls who aren’t even members – but they might be one day.

Jacquelyn Baines, Lauren Andrew, Morgan King and Gabriella Tracy – all seniors at Whittell High School – were recognized as Young Women of Distinction by Soroptimist International South Lake Tahoe.

Whittell's Young Women of Distinction. Photo/Provided

“They are all absolutely wonderful girls,” Principal Sue Shannon told Lake Tahoe News before the lunch at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.

She has watched these women enter the Zephyr Cove school as freshman and grow into young women who she eagerly helped honor on Wednesday. She also didn’t hesitate to write letters of recommendation for each girl to help them get into college.

Shannon on Baines: Jacquelyn is an outstanding student in academics, leadership and athletics. She is a quiet leader who leads by modeling the acceptance of responsibility, positive interactions with other students, and by setting high expectations for herself. She has worked diligently to maintain her current overall weighted grade of 4.33. She maintains her high GPA while participating in athletics and leadership. Jacquelyn has been a member of the WHS varsity volleyball team for four years. Jacquelyn has assumed many leadership roles at WHS. In the future Jacquelyn hopes to combine majors of architecture and interior design.”

Shannon on Andrew: “Lauren is an outstanding student in the areas of academics, sports, music and leadership. She has maintained an overall 4.236 gpa while consistently pursuing AP and honors courses. Lauren is greatly respected by students and staff for her work ethic, her interpersonal skills, her school spirit and her sense of responsibility. She has served as captain of the varsity volleyball team as well as an officer in both Key Club and National Honor Society. In the future Lauren hopes to be teacher, probably in the area of science.”

Shannon on King: “Morgan is an exemplary student in academics, athletics, leadership and the promotion of school spirit. Morgan has maintained a 4.2 cumulative weighted GPA while pursuing multiple honors and Advanced Placement classes. She currently serves as secretary to the Whittell High School National Honor Society. One of Morgan’s strengths is her desire and ability to help others. Morgan has a tremendous sense of responsibility and follow-through when she is responsible for school projects. Morgan is an excellent athlete. In addition to pursuing dance lessons her first two years, she has been on the varsity cross country and track teams for three years. She has been named to the all-state cross country team and all-state academic teams. Morgan plans to pursue a career in business management.”

Shannon on Tracy: “Gabriella is a superior scholar, an excellent athlete, and a highly involved Whittell student. Gabriella has maintained a GPA of 4.3 while pursuing multiple AP and Honors classes. She was named the Whittell Student Academic Athlete of the Month in recognition of her outstanding scholastic and athletic achievements. She was also named to the Nevada All-State Academic Soccer and Basketball Teams. Gabriella is a respected quiet leader among her peers. In the future, Gabriella plans to attend a four-year university and major in the areas of biology and pre-medicine.”

Publisher’s note: The police activity resulted in Tahoe Valley Elementary School in South Lake Tahoe being locked down for 40 minutes.

By Kerry Benefield, Santa Rosa Press Democrat

A third arrest was made Wednesday in connection with the deadly stabbing that erupted during a birthday party in west Santa Rosa on Saturday night.

Edward Scuitto, 24, of Santa Rosa was arrested by South Lake Tahoe Police and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department in South Lake Tahoe. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two gang-related enhancements and a parole violation.

He was booked into El Dorado county jail and is being held without bail, according to police.

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Help the Sugar Pine Foundation plant fungus-resistant sugar pine seedlings in Zephyr Cove on May 1.

Meet at the Zephyr Cove Library (233 Warrior Way, Zephyr Cove) at 10am.

Planting instruction, seedlings, tools and refreshments will be provided. If you can, bring your own trowel or a shovel. Kids are welcome.

The event will run from approximately 10am-noon.

The Sugar Pine Foundation is a South Lake Tahoe-based nonprofit organization that is working to restore white pines in the Tahoe basin and surrounding areas. Tahoe’s white pines are threatened by a nonnative, incurable fungus called white pine blister rust. The Sugar Pine Foundation finds trees that are resistant to the fungus and plants their progeny.