·       After six years providing leadership and direction to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Mary Bennington will be retiring at the end of May. Morgan Fessler, director of operations, will take over.

·       The second annual Mothership Classic hosted by Arcade Belt Co. on Squaw’s KT22 raised $49,000 for the High Fives Foundation, a nonprofit in Truckee that gives grants to athletes recovering from major injuries.

·       Diamond Peak has extended its season to April 17.

·       South Lake Tahoe will celebrate Earth Day on April 23 from 10am-3pm at Bijou Community Park.

·       The free summer music series at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe will run on Thursdays from 4:30-8:30pm, June 30-Aug. 25.

Ski Run Marina in the 1950s. Photo/Del Laine collection/Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Known variously as Sapphire Bay, Boundary Bay, Bijou Park, Seagrave’s Beach and Taylor’s Landing since the mid-1800s, this area is today’s Ski Run Marina. The white bridge crossing the channel existed until 2008.

Ski Run Marina in 2014 from the same location as the photo above. Photo/Bill Kingman

When the original M.S. Dixie debuted in 1972 as a cruise ship, it used the sandy Ski Run beach to load and unload its passengers. After locating to different sites including the Timber Cove Pier, its lasting home port was Zephyr Cove.

The M.S. Dixie at Ski Run Marina in 1972. Photo/Bill Kingman

A winter storm with severe winds and waves flooded and submerged the aft portion of the Dixie on Zephyr Cove beach in the 1970s. It was restored and continued operating until the early 1990s when it was replaced by the new M. S. Dixie II, the largest ship on Lake Tahoe. An earlier Then and Now relates the fate of the old Dixie.

Tahoe Queen at Ski Run Marina in 2014. Photo/Bill Kingman

In 1982, a new competitor, the paddle-wheeler Tahoe Queen, arrived in segments on trucks that could fit through the Cave Rock tunnel. The TQ was re-assembled at the Tahoe Keys Marina where it was launched in early 1983. It then operated from the Ski Run Marina where it initially was accessed via that historic white bridge (early picture above) that crossed this channel.

The former competitors now are moored side-by-side at Zephyr Cove while the lake water level is low and the Tahoe Queen is being updated. Photo/Bill Kingman

Today, Aramark owns and operates both ships. The former competitors now are moored side-by-side at Zephyr Cove while the lake water level is low and the Tahoe Queen is being updated.

— Bill Kingman

Incline Village General Improvement District is proposing a sewer and water rate increase.

Average water rates would go up by 2.4 percent and sewer rates by 3.8 percent.

The board is also proposing amendments to its Sewer and Water Ordinances. More information is available online.

There will be a public hearing on the 2016-17 budget on May 18 at 5:30pm at the Chateau.

·       People may drop off unused prescriptions on April 30 from 9am-1pm at the Gateway Shopping Center in Truckee or old vacant fire station in Tahoe City.

·      High Fives Foundation’s Silver Tie Gala is April 29 starting at 6pm in the show room at Dolan Lexus located on South Virginia Street in Reno. More information is available online.

·       Barton Health physicians and staff voted Amanda Weavil as their favorite doctor.

·       Kevin Monsma, superintendent of Pollock Pines Elementary School District and superintendent/principal of Silver Fork Elementary School District, has been tapped to be associate superintendent of Educational Services for El Dorado County Office of Education.

·       April 11 is National Pet Day. According to Vacasa, out of 190,038 reservations in 136 markets South Lake Tahoe captured 14 percent of the market.

Don’t Trash the Lake will be the topic of an April 20 talk at Lake Tahoe Community College.

Single-use plastics are the No. 1 trash item found in Tahoe beach-cleanups. Learn about steps to take to reduce waste, manage trash, be bear aware and keep plastic out of Lake Tahoe.

Local experts will talk about trash cleanups, recycling efforts and recent messaging campaigns to encourage locals and visitors to clean up their act.

The free talk will be from noon-1:30 in the Creekside Room at the college.

Tahoe Women’s Community Fund’s inaugural grants are designed to help a slews of entities on the South Shore.

Recipients include:

• $10,000: Bread and Broth for Kids
• $4,000: Sierra House School, Tahoe Valley School, and Bijou School (LTUSD) — books for school libraries and classrooms
• $4,000: Tahoe Turning Point, Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Project
• $4,000: Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless , South Lake Tahoe Warm Room

To honor recipients and all grant applicants, there will be a Grants Gala on June 3 from 6-8 pm at the Beach Retreat in South Lake Tahoe. Tickets ($35) will go on sale April 25.

For more info, go online.

The 54th annual Lake Valley Firefighters Ball is April 8 at MontBleu in Stateline.

South Tahoe High School grad Robbie Gallo and his Vokab Kompany will provide the tunes for dancing. There will also be a photo booth and silent auction.

The event is from 7-10:30pm.

The $32.64 tickets are available online. All proceeds benefit the Lake Valley Volunteer Firefighter’s Association. Must be 21 to attend.

El Dorado County Court Appointed Special Advocates has scheduled a May 3 training for new volunteers.

CASAs advocate for the best interests of children in local court system. CASAs are child advocates, tasked with getting to know a particular child and their specific needs. CASAs communicate those needs and the child’s voice to the court. This information is critical in the decision-making process of juvenile court proceedings.

To register for training, submit an application online. For more info, call 530.573.3093 or email alexis@casaeldoardo.org.

The annual Heavenly ski patrol party is April 2 at the Hard Rock in Stateline from 7-11pm.

It combines activities, entertainment, and food and beer. This year there will be a three-ring circus theme with carnival games, live music, clowns, a balloon animal artist, bearded men and women, an avalanche dog shaved to look like a lion.

The Heavenly Ski Patrol fund supports Special Olympics Team Tahoe, Live Violence Free, St. Baldrick’s, Bread & Broth and many other local organizations.

Entry to the event is:

• $5: Entrance and one season pass raffle ticket
• $15: Entrance, one season pass raffle ticket, a plastic beer stein and unlimited refills
• $25: Entrance, one season pass raffle ticket and a glass beer stein with unlimited refills.

This is for all ages.

·       Kelly Shanahan is retiring after 22 years as an OBGYN in South Lake Tahoe.

·       Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District board meets March 31 from 6-8pm at the park.

·       El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel is conducting a survey regarding the parks and trails in the district.

·       Texas native Granger Smith will be appearing in concert at TJ’s Corral at the Carson Valley Inn on May 28.

·       Barton Foundation’s Tiki Tee Off Golf Tournament and Lei Up Luau Lunch is June 3.