The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Sierra Human Resources Association are offering “The Art of Public Speaking: Crafting and Delivering a Winning Presentation” Sept. 14 from 8am-12:30pm at The Chateau at Incline Village, 955 Fairway Blvd.

The workshop teaches attendees how to prepare a presentation, while preparing themselves, and handle the audience in a low-pressure, encouraging and comfortable group setting. There will also be take away techniques that attendees can implement immediately to improve the structure of their next presentation.

Laura Moriarty of Tahoe Training Partners, a seasoned human resources executive and nationally known corporate trainer and frequent present of SHRA workshops, will present at the Art of Public Speaking workshop.

Registration is $69 for North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and SHRA members and $79 for non-members. Seating is limited.

To register and for more information about the workshop, call Moriarty at (530) 573.0224 or North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Manger Kym Fabel at (530) 581.8764. Attendees can also register online.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe presents the inaugural Beer Dinner at the Cutthroat’s Saloon on Oct. 1.

There will be a five-course menu created by Chefs Chris Moore and Justin Kaufman paired with select beers from Samuel Adams.

The event begins at 6pm with a reception featuring Sam Adams Light to welcome guests to the Western-inspired bar.

Tickets are $59 per person. Reservations may be made by contacting David Hamer at (775) 886.6730 or david.hamer@hyatt.com.

Toccata, the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, presents its annual 9/11 Memorial concert on Sept. 13 at 7:30pm at St. Theresa Catholic Church.

The performance will feature Mozart’s Requiem and the Violin Concerto by Samuel Barber.

Once again, the violinist will be world renowned virtuoso, Elizabeth Pitcairn, playing the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius. This instrument, which has a wonderfully rich and beautiful tone, was featured in the film “The Red Violin”.

The tickets for the concert are $40 preferred/$25 adult/$20 senior/$10 students 25 and under.

Come and treat yourself to a special evening for our community.

St. Theresa School is having its 17th annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 23 at 1:30pm at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course.

Cost is $125 a player which includes range balls, cart, 18 holes and dinner.

Dinner only is $35. There will also be a raffle. Tickets are available for purchase at St. Theresa school or on the day of the tournament. All proceeds benefit the school, a nonprofit organization. You may register at St. Theresa school, 1181 Lyons Ave., South Lake Tahoe or visit the website.

Hellen Barclay, a South Shore resident and Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra member, will be speaking about conditions of women in Kenya from a personal perspective.

The meeting is Sept. 9 7:30am at Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

Breakfast and coffee is served.

Contact (530) 409.2791 for more information.

Susan Hagen and Mary Carouba will speak Sept. 15 in Stateline about their experiences in New York City in the weeks following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The authors of “Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion” are guests of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe.

The lunch is at Harveys on the convention floor from 11:30am-1:30pm. Cost is $15. Reservations must be made by Sept. 10 by calling (530) 573.2433.

Books will be signed before and after the talk.

Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts Alan J. Zulberti on Sept. 14 from 11am-noon to talk about his three-year project in building an operational model of the S.S. Tahoe.

Built nearly 115 years after the original ship was launched at Glenbrook in 1896, the model is entirely hand-built, has a riveted copper hull with more than 5,000 rivets and is powered by the only known twin engine steam plant. Six-feet long and radio controlled, the ship provides the sounds of an actual steam whistle, a ships bell and steam cuffing. The model is quite fast with a trial run at a scale speed of 36.9 knots.

Zulberti is an active member of the San Francisco Model Yacht Club. This is his third model boat, which follows his construction of a WWII Patrol Torpedo boat, which received first place in Military and Best in Show a few years ago. The PT-588 was also the subject of a six-page feature article in a national magazine, Ships in Scale.

The model will be on hand during the slide show presentation. Lecture is free with admission. Adults $5. Members and children under 12 are free.

Tahoe Maritime Museum is at 5205 West Lake Blvd. in Homewood.

Lovers of the great outdoors in El Dorado County can gather at the fairgrounds in Placerville  for the first Gateway to the Sierra Sportsman’s Outdoor Expo.

The Oct. 1-3 expo celebrates the rich and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation in El Dorado County, from fishing and hunting to boating, archery, biking, barbecuing and more.

The expo will provide information and resources about the things people love to do in this region.

Highlights of the three-day expo include seminars and hands-on demonstrations in such topics as fly fishing, bear hunting and river guide services, as well as special hands-on demonstrations for children. Also featured are vendors in outdoor sports offering the latest know-how and equipment, clothing and accessories. A gun show will also be presented by the Buck Shop.

Barbecue fans are invited to come watch how the pros do it in the KCBS sanctioned Smokin’ for Gold BBQ Cook Off on Oct. 2. This competition features teams competing for prize money and the grand champion trophy.

On Oct. 3 everyone is invited to try their hand at the grill in the “just for fun” Open BBQ Cook Off. Following each event, expo attendees are welcome to sample the cooks’ creations during People’s Choice tasting events, five tastes for $10.

On the evening of Oct. 2, the expo presents live music and dancing on the green featuring the country tunes of the popular regional band Hired Guns. The music, from 7-11pm is included with admission to the expo or come to the concert only for $5.

Visit the website for a full list of Expo activities, vendor information and daily schedules.

El Dorado County Fairgrounds is at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville.

Tickets: Adults $8 • Children (6-12) $5 • Under 6 free • 3-Day Pass: Adults $20 • Children (6-12) $12 • Concert only $5.

The Wylie Animal Rescue Foundation (WARF) has rescued thousands of animals from certain death, but millions more were not so lucky and died — unloved and unwanted–in shelters across the country. The recent downturn in the economy has put even more pets on death row.

To help find homes for these dogs and cats, WARF is conducting a special Adoption Fair on Sept. 18 from 11am to 4pm hosted by Scraps Dog Bakery at 8675 North Lake Blvd. in Kings Beach.

A collection of adoptable dogs and cats will appear in person at the Adoption Fair — and when making an adoption at the fair, adopters will save money on fees when adopting those pets most in need. The Prizes for Pitties Program, offers a savings of $50 off the adoption of a pit bull or pit mix. The Senior for Senior program allows adopters over 55 to waive the adoption fee when they adopt a dog or cat over seven years of age. And, there is a discount of $50 on adult cat adoptions. All dog adopters will receive the training book Family Friendly Dog Training, by Patricia McConnell along with additional training handouts and a large Kong toy.

All of the money received by WARF is applied solely to helping animals. Tax-deductable donations are always needed and appreciated.

For more information, log on or call (775) 833.2319 or (530) 546.2725.

The Animal Coalition of Tahoe has planned a fun, family event where you can get a little exercise with your pooch, play poker, and maybe win some prizes.

The Sixth Annual Mutt Strut Poker Run will begin at the Super 8 Motel at 3600 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe on Oct. 10 between 11 and 11:30am.

Participants will pick playing cards at stops along a 1.2 mile route, hoping for the best poker hands. No experience is necessary.

The fun continues after the walk, with a party at Timber Cove Marina featuring music, giveaways, raffle drawings, and contests such as best trick, best smooch, and musical sit.

Poker hands may be purchased for $10 each, or three hands for $25. One free raffle ticket with each poker hand purchased.

ACT was established in January 2004 as a nonprofit, all-volunteer corporation with the goal of raising funds to support a low-cost spay-neuter program for local residents. ACT also donates 10 percent of funds raised to the El Dorado County Animal Shelter.

For more information on the Animal Coalition Mutt Strut Poker Run, call (530) 400.4766 or click here.