More than 1,800 cyclists are expected to turn out for the Sept. 13 7th Annual Tour de Tahoe — Bike Big Blue around Lake Tahoe.

For the “recreational” bicyclists, the Lake Tahoe Boat Cruise and 35-mile Half Ride features a sightseeing cruise on the Tahoe Queen paddle-wheeler, continental breakfast while crossing to Tahoe City, then the 35-mile ride to the Horizon at Stateline begins.

For the more seasoned bicyclists, the 72-mile Tour de Tahoe route around Lake Tahoe is not only scenic, it is also one of the only bi-state bike rides in the country. The route circumnavigates the highways around Lake Tahoe in a clockwise direction and has 2,600 vertical feet.

The fun ride is fully supported, with numerous rest stops.

Cyclists start between 6:30 and 7:30am.

KTHO AM-590 (www.kthoradio.com) will be broadcasting live from the event to keep motorists and residents informed.

Information is at www.bikethewest.com, (775) 588.9658 or tgft@bikethewest.com.

By El Dorado County Health Services Department

El Dorado County Animal Services is advising pet owners in the Cornelian Drive area of Meyers in South Lake Tahoe to be watchful of their dogs, after receiving several reports of dogs from that neighborhood that were exhibiting unusual illnesses, including seizures.

“We know of at least four or five dogs that have become sick over the past several weeks,”said Lt. Robert Gerat. “We aren’t sure what is causing the dogs to become sick, but we wanted to let the neighbors know so that they can take precautions and alert us if they see anything out of the ordinary in that community.”

All of the dogs that became sick are believed to be outdoor dogs that were allowed to roam free. Two of the dogs have died. Animal Services is investigating the situation to try to determine the cause.

“The dogs may have ingested something as they were roaming in the neighborhood, but we haven’t found anything specific yet,” Gerat said. The area where the illness has been observed is a small Meyers neighborhood just off Highway 89 that is bordered by the following streets: Cornelian Drive, Lindenwood Drive, Pinewood Drive and Mulberry Drive.

Animal Services is advising the neighbors in the affected area do the following:

To keep your pets safe, don’t allow them to roam free off of your property. When walking your dog, keep him/her on a leash.

If your dog exhibits unusual illness, particularly symptoms of seizure, consult with your veterinarian, and report the situation to Animal Services.

If you see anything unusual in that area, including any suspicious activity, report this to Animal Services.

“If this is a case of someone intentionally trying to harm animals, we are definitely concerned,” Gerat said. “We will investigate any leads we receive.”

Anyone with information should contact Animal Services at (530) 573.7925.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District board meeting. The agenda is online at http://ltusd.csbaagendaonline.net.

Bohdi

To the community,

I was hiking Aug. 19 with five women and four dogs to Margaret Lake. (Margaret Lake is the first trailhead on the right after passing Caples Lake. It’s about 1.5 miles in. Nothing too strenuous — a beautiful hike.)

Halfway back we encountered the largest rattlesnake I have ever seen right off the trail. The consensus is the snake was about 3 inches in diameter. Huge. And about 1 foot off of the trail.

The hike leader ran the dogs past it and yelled back to us about it. We tried to hurry around it, but my dog Bohdi and Judy’s dog Darlin came back to it. They started to fight it and it was striking at the dogs. We were yelling our heads off and they kept fighting it and everything happened so fast.

Then Judy stepped in and grabbed the dogs and pulled them away — stepped right over the snake. We ran up the trail.

Bohdi looked OK, so we went about 60 yards or so up the trail and stopped to try to get our hearts back to normal. While we were discussing the event, Bohdi went back down the trail to fight the snake again.

Of course I was screaming at him at the top of my lungs, but to no avail. He finally came back and sure enough he had been bit right below his nose. He was bleeding. We started back ASAP and he started swelling up.

We were 45 minutes from the trailhead and another 45 minutes from home.

He’s OK now. He did not need the anti-venom, which as of then was not carried by any of the vets in this area. Closest one I was told is Placerville, though I think a place in Carson City carries it at $700 a pop.

Bohdi got antihistamine, pain meds, antibiotics and steroids. We have to keep the bite mark really clean because apparently the skin can die in that area and may have to be cut out.

Judy’s dog immediately had an eye that was closed shut. Darlin’ eventually lost her eye.

Had the snake put venom in them, they probably would not have made it all the way back. A doctor happened to be at the trailhead with Benadryl, which helped both dogs quite a bit.

So, if you are hiking, apparently we have rattlers in the area that we did not know about. This was the first time these ladies had heard about rattlesnakes here and they hike like 50,000 miles a year.

Lori Tupaj, South Lake Tahoe

Michael McGovern, 6, left, and his brother Nicky, 5, play ball at Camp Richardson Resort Sunday Sept. 6, 2009 with cousin Stephanie Hinds, 21, of San Diego. Photos/Lisa J. Tolda

Labor Day is often about playing and not laboring. Be sure to visit the gallery page to see an array of photos of people playing at Lake Tahoe this Labor Day weekend. If you are wondering how the summer tourism season has been for the Lake Tahoe Basin, then read all about it on these pages on Tuesday.

View the Labor Day 2009 Gallery

One of the best fireworks shows is on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. The display begins when the sky is black.

Summer is finally here.

Remember to call your dad today.

Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the United States. Most government offices will be closed.

Did you send your mom a card or call her today?