The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidates Forum for the offices of El Dorado County judge, sheriff and assessor.

The forum is May 25 at 6pm at the South Tahoe Senior Center at 3052 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

Two-time Olympic freestyle medalist Shannon Bahrke will be the guest of honor at the inaugural Tails in Tahoe weekend June 5-6.

The two-day event will include a host of pet-related activities aimed at raising awareness about animal well-being and funds for the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Events will be in Tahoe City and the River Ranch Lodge.

The weekend kicks off June 5 with the K-9 Encounters Pet Expo at the Boatworks Mall Green in Tahoe City. Activities will include Humane Society pet adoptions, a dog wash, a Kids Pet Art Show, the North Tahoe Frisbee Fetch Championships, an agility demonstration by the Ready 2 Run Agility Club, an “Ask a Trainer” session by Ace K-9 Academy, the Strut Your Stuff with Your Mutt Fashion Show and the Hometown Hero presentation to Shannon Bahrke. Live music and an outdoor BBQ will complement the afternoon activities, which run from noon-3pm.

On June 6, the River Ranch Lodge hosts the Seventh Annual Truckee Duckee Derbee and the Dogz in Dudz Contest on its outdoor deck. The rubber duck races are called the “most unpredictable two minutes in Tahoe,” as the rubber duckies must negotiate the fickle currents and eddies of the Truckee River. Cost to sponsor a duck is $10 and the top five ducks are awarded a portion of the overall pot.

The Dogz in Dudz Contest precedes the Derbee and prizes will be awarded to the most stylish and creative canines. There is no cost to enter the contest. All canine companions are encouraged to wear their favorite K-9 T-shirts (think Black Dog, Big Dog, Naughty Dawg). A special prize will be awarded to the crowd favorite.

Live music, a huge raffle and an outdoor barbecue add to the festivities.

Bahrke, who has two canine companions, will serve as the head judge for Dogz in Dudz Contest.

The TDD pre-race party starts at 2pm with live music and registration for Dogz in Dudz. The costume contest will start at 3pm followed by the TDD at 4pm.

For more information and pet-friendly accommodations go to gotahoenorth.com or call (530) 581.0181.

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.

Theatre of Arts Discipline (TOAD) will present “Steel Magnolias” at the Carson Valley Arts Council’s Copeland Cultural Arts Center ArtBar in Minden on May 20 and 21 at 7pm and on May 22 at 2pm.

The original stage play, written by Robert Harling, is the moving story of a close-knit circle of friends whose lives come together at a beauty parlor in modern-day Louisiana.

Directed by Rich Garrett, TOAD’s production features young adults from the Carson Valley area – starring Justine Cawthorne as Shelby, Emily Tuggle as M’Lynn, Brynn Garrett as Truvy, Victoria Martin as Annelle, Ashley Barrett as Ouiser, and Brittney Kinsey as Clairee.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors. Purchase tickets by calling (775) 219.3577 or by emailing toadinc@gmail.com.

Although tickets are available at the door, it is advisable to purchase early since seating is limited.

Coined “A Sunday run you’ll never forget,” the Lake Tahoe Marathon will bring about 3,000 racers to Lake Tahoe Sept. 22-26 to run the 26.2 miles down the West Shore, along with a host of other events.

In addition to the event’s popular marathon (Sept. 26 starting in Tahoe City), runners and walkers may choose from the Tahoe Triple, three marathons in three consecutive days (starting Friday); 20-Mile Power Walk and Run, a non-competitive event (Sunday); 72-Miler (Saturday); 3-Day Triathlon (starting Friday); Marathon Relays for two- and five-person teams (Sunday); Half Marathon (Sunday); 10K, starting at Emerald Bay’s Inspiration Point and 99 percent downhill (Sunday); 5K (Sunday); 35- or 72-Mile Bike Races (Saturday); Kayaking and Swimming events (Friday); A La Carte Marathons (Friday and Saturday); free Kids Fun Run (Saturday); Race Directors Fun Run (Wednesday) and Speed Golf, run one of the Lake Tahoe’s most scenic golf courses playing with three clubs (Thursday).

New this year is the Tahoe Double Dare, two laps around the lake in opposite directions (a special one-time only event); half mile, 1-mile and 2.5-mile swims and the Triple or A La Care Marathons, with different finishers medals for each of the three different marathons (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

For more information or to register (fees vary for events), call (530) 544.7095 or visit the Lake Tahoe Marathon website at www.laketahoemarathon.com. The website is also home to a course map and profile, event descriptions and 2009 race results.

The 18th annual Truckee Home & Building Show and Regional Green Building Symposium is May 29-30 from 10am-5pm at Truckee High School. The school is located at 11725 Donner Pass Road in Truckee.

The cost is $6.

For more information, go to truckeehomeshow.com or call (530) 587.3477.

The SATELite Festival at Squaw Valley Sept. 10-12

The weekend includes an array of activities including films and music, art and symposiums, and dinner and drinks all in support of conservation. The event is a community-based event celebrating the beauty of nature and the steps that all must take to preserve it. Participation in the festival is free, compliments of event sponsors and donors, and tickets to additional activities including dinners, concerts and symposiums will be all benefit SATELite’s 2010 cause.

For more information about the SATELite Festival and the 2010 environmental cause and sponsors click here.