Tahoe City Parks and Recreation Department’s inaugural Breakfast with Santa at Rideout Community Center is Dec. 3 from 8:30-10:30am.

This family event is co-sponsored by the Tahoe City Rotary Club.

The event includes a pancake breakfast, photo opportunities, letters to Santa, ornament decorating, and of course, Santa. The event is $9 for children and $5 for adults.

Register in advance to reserve a spot and don’t forget your camera.

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

The 25th annual Santa Paws Benefit is Dec. 3 from 11am-4pm.

The website has more info.

Once a year, the Lake Tahoe Basin’s night sky erupts with a flurry of shooting stars — the Leonids Meteor Shower.

Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Tahoe Institute for Natural Science and Space Science for Schools is having an event Nov. 17 from 7-9pm. It is a free, family friendly gazing party.

Bring your lawn chairs, warm blankets, winter jacket and hat, snacks and hot chocolate. Minimal hiking involved. (Directions to the trailhead will be provided upon registration for this event).

You must register in advance online.

For more information, call (775) 298.0012 or email Tom at programs@tahoerimtrail.org.

This event is subject to cancellation due to a cloudy or snowy weather forecast. Registrants will be notified via email.

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s last Business After Hours Mixer of the year is Dec. 8 from 5:30-8:30pm hosted by the Shops at Heavenly Village.

More than 15 chamber member businesses will be participating in the BAHM.

Begin at the Marriott Grand Residence with complimentary valet parking. Once inside, check in to receive your passport of participating businesses, wristband, raffle tickets, and free ice skating voucher to use for the entire night.

Cost is $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. Tickets are available at the door or they may be purchased in advance by calling Emily at (775) 588.1728, ext. 303.

On Nov. 12 from 9am-1pm, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies will inspect child passenger safety seats and install new ones at their Lake Tahoe station in Stateline.

Child passenger safety seats will be available to Nevada residents who cannot afford one. (Proof of residency required.)

For further information, contact the department at (775) 586.7251.

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 pre-emptively 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 Nov. 8 from 6-8pm at the South Tahoe High School library.

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.

To reserve a space in this Start Smart Class contact the California Highway Patrol at (530) 577.1001.

The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee will meet Nov. 18 from 10am-3pm at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

LTFAC will address issues related to federal activities at Lake Tahoe.

Items on the agenda include a facilitated workshop to discuss a strategic work plan for fiscal year 2012, and a public comment period.

LTFAC consists of 20 members representing a broad array of constituencies.

All Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

Placer County is having an open house Nov. 15 from 3-7pm to present information on biomass energy production.

The open house will be at the Squaw Valley Public Service District offices.

Private and public specialists in air emissions, biomass energy technology, sustainable biomass supply assessments, biomass logistics planning and forest management will be present at this informal open house to discuss the latest concepts of biomass energy production. While there will be no formal presentations, the meeting will feature displays and graphics and will provide opportunity for one-on-one or small group discussions with the specialists.

Placer County will release an environmental document that discusses a possible biomass energy facility at Placer County’s Cabin Creek property in 2012. The Notice of Preparation is expected to be available by year’s end. Public comment for this proposed project will not be taken at the Squaw Valley meeting.

Fresh Ketch’s Pray for Snow Party is Nov. 16 at 7:30pm.

Cool Black Kettle and Headphone Union will be playing at the South Lake Tahoe restaurant.

Time to find some outdoor gear or sell what you are done using.

The Nov. 19 Backcountry Ski and Gear Swap is being put on by Hope Valley Outdoors and Future Business Leaders of Lake Tahoe.

The swap is located at Lake Tahoe Community College from 9am-3pm that Saturday. Gear can be dropped off on Nov. 18 from 5-8pm and Nov. 19 from 7-9am.

Unsold gear must be picked up from 3-5pm Nov. 19.

Organizers are looking for: Alpine touring skis, boots and bindings; telemark skis, boots and bindings; cross country skis, boots and bindings; splitboards; skins; collapsible poles; snowshoes; snow safety gear, avalanche probes, shovels, study kits, backpacks and newer transceivers; clean and modern clothing; winter camping gear. .

For more information, contact Geoff at (530) 307.0225.