Regional artist Jeff Myers will give a class in lariat basket making and leather tooling on May 24, sponsored by the Carson Valley Arts Council (CVAC) at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center in Minden.

The six-hour class begins at 9:30am and costs $55 plus $10 for materials, which will be provided by the instructor.

Myers uses coiled nylon lariat rope, of various colors and textures, and incorporated pieces of intricately tooled leather, to build uniquely designed, rustic baskets. Myers, who spent many years as a Montana cattle rancher, said that his baskets turn the old lariats he accumulated over years of “working cattle and tying gates” into legitimate art pieces.

Myers’ baskets have been wildly successful, and he frequently partners with the Nevada Arts Council in arts outreach efforts. He guarantees his students leave class with completed baskets of their own.

For registration or additional information,visit www.cvartscouncil.com or call (775) 782.8207. Limited space available.

Carson Valley Arts Council hosts an evening of performances by youth on May 15 from 7-9pm at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center Purple Cow ArtBar in Minden.

The monthly event at CVAC and organized by Theatre of Arts Discipline (TOAD), invites young people ages 5-18 to perform prepared pieces in whatever genre they choose – from poetry and monologue recitation to singing and dancing.

Kris Garrett, Artistic Director of TOAD, called the event an “open mic night for kids,” at which youth can share and embrace each others talents. It is free to perform and free to be in the audience, with open sign-ups and as many performers included as time allows.

For additional information, visit www.cvartscouncil.com/cvacevents or call (775) 781.0150.

Start Smart is aimed at helping newly licensed and future licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. The program was created in an effort to preemptively reduce the incidence of teen injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicle collisions.

Teen drivers and their parents/guardians are invited to attend and participate in a Start Smart class. Recent statistics have shown that in California teenage drivers are injured and are dying in automobile accidents at an alarming rate.

Through candid conversations, officers in attendance will address these facts and provide examples of driving tendencies that put young drivers at risk. This program will help you understand that driving is serious and a poor choice behind the wheel of a car can put your life and the lives of others in jeopardy.

The next class will be May 18 from 6-8pm at the South Tahoe High School Library. All classes are.

This will be the last Start Smart Class of the 2009-10 school year.

To reserve a space in this Start Smart Class, call (530) 577.1001.

North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce’s annual Summer Recreation Luncheon is June 9 with an 11:30am registration, and buffet lunch staring at noon, at Sunnyside Resort, 1850 West Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City.

This event is geared to provide insight about summer happenings, including events, festivals and activities, to frontline, front desk and concierge employees, along with business owners and managers. Attendees can give a brief presentation at the event, as well as provide 80 brochures or other pieces of collateral to be distributed during the lunch.

This event sells out, so early sign ups are recommended. Deadline to register is June 4. Cost is $25/person for chamber members and $30/person for non-members and includes lunch.

For more information about the event, to register or provide collateral, call Kym Fabel, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce manager, at (530) 581-8764 or kym@puretahoenorth.com. To download a registration form, click to www.NorthLakeTahoeChamber.com, then Programs and Documents.

North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce’s 24th Annual Business Expo is June 2 from 5-7:30pm at the North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 North Tahoe Blvd., Kings Beach.

Prizes, raffles and merchandise values will be available at this festive and interactive community event.

For more information about the event, call Kym Fabel, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce manager, at (530) 581.8764 or kym@puretahoenorth.com.

Did you know that the Tahoe Rim Trail Association is still building new trail? Join us at 6:30pm on May 19 at REI in Reno for a presentation by the TRTA.

Learn how to become a trail steward. As a volunteer you will learn new skills, meet like-minded people, and give back to your community trail system. No experience is necessary.

Workdays are every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday (9am-4pm) throughout the spring/summer. We will discuss our two exciting trail building projects The Rim to Reno Trail System and The Daggett Trail System. Check out www.tahoerimtrail.org for more info.

Smart Marketing Strategies for Tough Times No. 2 is May 21st from noon-2pm at MontBleu in Stateline. The lunch will be followed by an optional social media workshop, from 2-3:30pm at no extra charge for any businesses interested in one-on-one help with Facebook and Twitter.

Featured guest speaker, David Thiemann, returns for a second installment of last year’s Smart Marketing Strategies for Tough Times with Digital Marketing Demystified. Attendees will learn how to take advantage of interactive ways to target customers, including social media marketing, video, online advertising and directories, search, mobile, email blasts, e-newsletters and more.

Thiemann is publisher for Windsor Now and Sales & Marketing Director for Northern Colorado Communications Group, based in Greely, Colo.

Reservations are required by May 14. Fees are $30 for Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce members and $45 for non-members (materials and lunch included). To make reservations, call (775) 588.1728 or go to www.tahoechamber.org.

May 30 – Unity at the Lake One Heart Drum Ministry – Tahoe Senior Center – 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe at

11:30am after Sunday Celebration Service.

Express the heartbeat of God within. Come and share the healing energy of creating rhythms together. Bring your drums and shakers — or just come and dance. No experience necessary; some instruments provided. Love offering. For more info, call (530) 544.2266 or visit www.unityatthelake.org.

May 10 at noon – Unity at the Lake Healing Circle – Star Tahoe Bldg., 2489 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. 27, South Lake Tahoe.

Affirm and align in consciousness with the truth that we are already whole. Simply one of the best ways to align our minds with Divine Mind and claim our Divine Inheritance. Bring a healing request to share in this powerful and prayerful ceremony. Love offering. For more info, call (530) 544.2266 or visit www.unityatthelake.org.

Incline Village Community Clean Up Day is June 5 from 10am-noon at D.W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village.

Participants of all ages are welcome, however children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The Incline Village Community Clean Up Day is part of The Great Tahoe to Truckee Community Clean Up, a regionwide community clean up taking place in neighborhoods all over the Truckee-Tahoe North Shore on June 5.

For more information, call the Waste Not Hotline at (775) 832.1284 or email Wastenot@ivgid.org.