The Soup and Chili Showdown is going into its third year at the Rideout Community Center in Tahoe City on Feb. 25. The Tahoe City Recreation Department is inviting all amateur and professional cooks to show off their culinary talent in this year’s event which will feature a variety of categories in the soup and chili division.

Entry into the friendly competition is free, but preregistration is required. The event is from 6-8:30pm.

For more information, contact Shaun at (530) 583.3440, ext.14.

After 35 years of doing business as the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center, the agency is changing its name.

Historically known as a refuge for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, the agency is transitioning from a safe haven to a leader in communitywide violence prevention and intervention. Officials are hoping the new name speaks to the comprehensive and inclusive nature of the agency’s vision.

The name will be announced Jan. 19 during the open house from 5:30-7:30pm at 2941 Lake Tahoe Blvd. The unveiling of the new sign and logo will take place at 6pm.

For more information, contact Leanne Wagoner at (530) 544.2118, ext. 7620.

Lake Tahoe authors Jeremy Evans and Scott Lankford are next up in Lake Tahoe Community College’s Writers Series.

The two will talk about their recent books on Jan. 25 at 8pm in the LTCC library. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase.

Evans will talk about “In Search of Powder”, while Lankford will speak about his book “Tahoe Beneath the Surface”.

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a legal update seminar for California and Nevada businesses.

The event is Jan. 24 from 9am-noon at the chamber’s conference room at 169 Highway 50, Stateline.

This employment law seminar includes updated information for managers and business professionals.

Register before Jan. 16 for a price of $39 for chamber members or $49 for non-members. After that date the cost goes up $10.

For more information or register, contact Emily Abernathy at (775) 588.1728, ext. 303 or Emily@TahoeChamber.org.

As part of its Chamber EDucation program, the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Human Resources Association is hosting a legal update for California business leaders and managers Jan. 17 from 9am-noon at Cedar House Sport Hotel, 10918 Brockway Road in Truckee.

Deadline to register is Jan. 13.

Attendees will learn about new laws that take effect in 2012 and how they impact employers, California legislative updates in regard to credit check ban, PDL amendment, commission agreements, California case law updates such as wage and hour, meal periods and harassment, along with U.S. Supreme Court and California rulings about arbitration, discrimination and class actions.

The seminar will also include significant agency regulations, opinions and trends to watch in 2012, and best practices to prepare organization for employment law compliance this year and beyond.

Special counsel Mary L. Guilfoyle of the Miller Law Group in San Francisco will lead the seminar. Guilfoyle has been practicing labor and employment law exclusively for 20 years, representing management in federal and state court in employment litigation matters involving claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.

Registration fees before Jan. 9 are $55/person for chamber and SHRA members and $65 for nonmembers. After Jan. 9, registration is $60 for chamber and SHRA members and $70 for nonmembers.

For more information and/or to register, contact Laura Moriarty at (530) 573.0224 or Kym Fabel at (530) 581.8764.

Sierra-at-Tahoe’s 6th annual Buckle Up Slopestyle Jam in memory of freestyle athlete Greg Smith that spreads seatbelt awareness is Jan. 21 from 11am-3pm.

Scott Lankford, author of “Tahoe Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Stories of America’s Largest Mountain Lake”, speaks about his book on Feb. 15 from 6-7pm.

The event is at Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead, 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

A $5 donation is requested. A $5 flat rate is offered in the Heavenly Village Parking Garage after 4pm.

For more information, call (530) 542.4637.

Mark McLaughlin, author of “Longboards to Olympics: A Century of Tahoe Winter Sports”, presents stories and photos of the men and women who made Tahoe a world class ski mecca.

The March 14 6-7pm event is part of the Explore Tahoe Winter Lecture Series.

The event is at Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead, 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

A $5 donation is requested. A $5 flat rate is offered in the Heavenly Village Parking Garage after 4pm.

For more information, call (530) 542.4736.

Scott Valentine, Earth science instructor at Lake Tahoe Community College, will talk about “Geology of the Tahoe Basin” a story of earthquakes, glaciers, volcanism and how Lake Tahoe was created on Feb. 29 from 6-7pm.

This is part of the Explore Tahoe Winter Lecture Series.

The event is at Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead, 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

A $5 donation is requested. A $5 flat rate is offered in the Heavenly Village parking garage after 4pm.

For more information, all (530) 542.4637.

Join author David Antonucci on Jan 12 from 5-7:30pm for a talk on exactly which parts of the Lake Tahoe Basin Mark Twain saw and walked.

Antonucci’s talk will focus on the results of his research for his book “Fairest Picture: Mark Twain at Lake Tahoe”.

After the talk, there will be a meet-and-great session where people may have Antonucci sign their copies of his book.

The cost is $2 per person in advance; $3 that night. The event is at Lake Tahoe Books and Art in the Village Center, 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. 10 in South Lake Tahoe.

There is plenty of free parking, but seating is limited. Call (530) 600.2020 to buy a ticket or for more information.