Lake Valley needs help clearing hydrants. Photo/Provided

Lake Valley Fire Protection District is looking for people to adopt one of the more than 1,000 fire hydrants in the area.

Employees aren’t able to shovel and maintain all of them in a timely manner even though state law says they must be free of obstructions and immediately identifiable.

The district said some hydrants remain buried all winter. That is why officials are asking community members to adopt the hydrant closest to their home or business, and keep it clear of snow and debris.

When maintaining a hydrant, a 3-foot clear space should be maintained around it and to the road’s edge.

For more info, call 530.577.3737.

·       The El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program in South Lake Tahoe needs volunteer drivers to deliver lunchtime meals to homebound seniors. For information, call 530.621.6160.

·       Justine Martin and Andrew Horejs are opening MoonHouse Brewhouse at 2040 Dunlap Drive in South Lake Tahoe in the old Grass Roots building

·      South Lake Tahoe disc jockey Keenan will be at Whiskey Dicks Saloon in South Lake Tahoe every Tuesday. Must be at least 21 to attend. Doors open at 9pm. No cover.

·       Late-Nite Productions presents Thick as Thieves, a South Lake Tahoe rock and blues band, that will put on a free show Feb. 6 at Whiskey Dicks Saloon in South Lake Tahoe for those older than 21. Doors open at 9pm.

·       Carson Valley Trails Association’s annual meeting is March 1 from 5:30-7:30pm at  the Douglas County Community and Senior Center, 1329 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville.

After nearly a year of discussions, the Tahoe Transportation District is implementing a pilot program to provide interregional and out of area transportation for adults 60 years of age and older and individuals with disabilities.

There will be monthly trips to Sacramento, Placerville-western El Dorado County, North Lake Tahoe-Truckee, and Reno-Carson City.

The goal is to bring those living in outlying neighborhoods to programs and services in the community, as well as provide transportation to regional programs and services they are unable to access without assistance. Trips will be scheduled every Tuesday between 11am ad 3pm. The regional trips will be scheduled based on number of passengers, destination, and appointment times. If severe weather is forecasted, the trip may be canceled.

To schedule a ride, call 530.541.7149, ext. 3.

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund has $22,000 to give to area nonprofits or public schools.

Grant categories include children, poverty and housing, education and literacy, and mental health and wellness.

The application deadline Feb. 29 at 5pm. Recipients will be announced April 1.

For more info, go online.

·       Royal Gorge cross country ski area is closed because of flooding.

·       Rediscovering Gershwin takes place Feb. 21 and Feb. 23 at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts in Reno.

·       Here at this week’s roadwork schedules for El Dorado-Tahoe and Sierra from Caltrans.

·       Sierra Snowkite Center at Soda Springs is back in business after two winters of no snow.

This is reminder that starting Feb. 1 it will cost people to comment on Lake Tahoe News — $10/month or $100/year. For those who subscribed to LTN prior to this policy change there is no change in that annual payment amount.

This change was first announced Jan. 1 and it is posted at the bottom of the About page as well.

Payments may be made online or checks sent to: Lake Tahoe News, PO Box 13406, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151.

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We see value in the comments section and want them to continue.

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— LTN staff

Twin Bridges in the 1950s. Photo/Del Laine Collection, Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Twin Bridges on Highway 50 was a rest spot for many years, complete with a cocktail lounge. It was also on the annual wagon train route.

Twin Bridges in 2014. Photo/Google Earth

Wintertime travel could require chains on vehicles driving Highway 50, and Twin Bridges often was specified as a chains enforcement boundary, making it a popular stop for removing  or installing chains. Unlike Nevada which allowed chains or snow tires for winter driving, California at the time mandated chains only, no snow tires. As of May 1, 1990, the California Vehicle Code 27460 then included “…or snow tires.”

Perhaps related to the eased requirements, the historic commercial rest stop no longer exists at this site.

— Bill Kingman

El Dorado County offers general civil legal services to county residents 60 years of age or older through the Senior Legal Services office.

Individuals may meet with an attorney to get legal advice, solve problems, mediate disputes, prepare legal documents, and be represented in specific types of elder abuse issues.

The Senior Legal Services office is located in the Placerville Senior Center, and is open from 7:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday. The staff also travels around the county to see clients in South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Greenwood, and Pioneer Park, and will visit disabled seniors in homes and care facilities.

Additionally, Senior Legal Services provides a wealth of self-help materials and legal educational programs on topics of popular interest to clubs, retirement groups, and other senior organizations.

There is no charge for the services provided through Senior Legal Services. The program is funded through the Older Americans Act as well as the county and through donations by clients and their families. To make an appointment, call 530.621.6154.

·      A staff member of Rep. Tom McClintock’s office will be at Lake Tahoe Airport on Feb. 1 from 10-11:30am to discuss issues facing the district, which includes the California side of Lake Tahoe, as well as any difficulties people may be experiencing with a federal agency

·       Elegant Evening, Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra’s annual fundraiser, is April 23 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe from 5:30-9:30pm. Tickets are $65 and include a seated meal. Entertainment is by local Trey Stone.

·       Truckee was named Small Community of the Year by Infill Score and Curbed Ski Town of the Year.

·       In U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Rankings the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe is a Gold Badge winner for being one of the best hotels in the United States.

The physics of snow formation, symmetry of snow crystals, why snow is white, different types of snow, the various qualities of snow, how these different types of snow affect skiing-snowboarding, waxing for snow conditions, and the different properties of man-made snow will all be discussed Feb. 18.

Benny Bach from UNR’s physics department is the guest speaker that night at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center on the campus of Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village.

Registration is required for the talk. The program will begin at 6pm with refreshments and no-host bar starting at 5:30pm. A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door.