The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce wants help planning for 2016.

The chamber is asking people to take a survey. It is available online until Nov. 30.

The survey includes opportunities for feedback about how the chamber performs in several areas, as well as opportunities for business owners to request desired programs, workshops and services.

For more information, call 775.588.1728.

South Lake Tahoe is reminding business owners of the snow removal ordinance.

Business owners are responsible for sidewalks that are on or immediately adjacent to their business or property. It is the responsibility of all businesses to keep their sidewalks and walkways clear of all dirt, ice and snow.

The code reads:

“It shall be the duty of all owners, and their tenants, of real property within the city whose property borders, or is in an easement, any improved sidewalk or walkway to maintain the sidewalk or walkway in a safe condition for its use by pedestrians and other members of the public. The duty created by this section shall include the duty to keep the sidewalk or walkway free and clear of all dirt, sand, gravel, filth, rubbish, ice and snow.”

Dawn Sumner from UC Davis and the NASA Mars Science Laboratory team will be giving a talk a Sierra Nevada College on Jan. 28.

The Curiosity rover is exploring Gale Crater on Mars. The NASA Mars Science Laboratory team has discovered lake and river deposits that show that ancient Mars was habitable by Earth-like life, although they have yet to find evidence that life was present. As the mission continues, the team will keep searching for evidence of life and exploring the clues to a changing climate on ancient Mars. Sumner will describe the evidence for ancient lakes and flowing water on Mars as well as what it is like to work on this type of mission.

Registration for this event is required. The program will begin at 6pm with refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30-6pm at 291 Country Club Drive in Incline Village.

The program begins at 6pm. A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door.

For more information or directions call 775.881.7566.

The El Dorado County board of education is formulating an application process in order to fill the superintendent vacancy.

The electeds met Nov. 23 to talk about the procedure. They expect to finalize the process at the Dec. 1 meeting. It’s possible someone could be appointed in January.

The board members said they want to receive public input throughout the process.

The vacancy was created when Jeremy Meyers resigned earlier this month following two DUI arrests in a five-month span.

The term ends in 2018.

For now Robbie Montalbano and Ed Manansala, deputy superintendents, are running the office.

There will be a planning meeting regarding the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex renovation on Dec. 8 from 5:30-8:30pm at the rec center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.

The city is seeking ideas on how to revamp the recreation and swim center. This is an opportunity to offer input on design and other ideas.

This workshop will include an introduction of the project objectives, solicit community input on recreation activities for potential inclusion in the center’s amenities, and discuss how this blends with neighboring properties.

·       Here are the El Dorado-Tahoe and Sierra roadwork schedules for the week from Caltrans.

·       Scholarships are available for students entering Sierra Nevada College’s master’s teaching programs.

·       It’s time to signup for youth basketball programs at Kahle Community Center in Stateline. For more info, go online.

·       Diamond Peak has moved its opening day to Dec. 3.

Christian Science Church at the Y.
Photo/Lake Tahoe Historical Society

The Christian Science Church on Highway 50 near the Tahoe Valley Y was built in 1935 by Lora Knight of Emerald Bay. She is most famous for building the historic Vikingsholm and the teahouse atop Fannette Island. She also was a benefactor of Christian Science churches in Reno and Santa Barbara.

The church building in the 1950s. Photo/Del Laine Collection, Lake Tahoe Historical Society

In the early 190s the church had vacant land on both sides. Highway 50 was a two-lane road.

A reading room was added at left, and South Lake Tahoe Fire Station No. 3 is just to the right. Photo/Bill Kingman

Still in continuous use after 80 years, this is the oldest church at Lake Tahoe.

My thanks to Cindy Cowen for her research assistance.

— Bill Kingman

El Dorado County Connections – One Stop has free services to help people who need a job.

Through the youth program, unemployed and underemployed youth can receive help with job searches and placement, paid on-the-job training, money for vocational or technical school tuition and more.

Free orientation sessions about employment services offered through the county are open to the public every Wednesday at 10am at 3047 Briw Road in Placerville. Preregistration is not required. Some services are limited or have income restrictions.

Connections One – Stop also has an office in South Lake Tahoe at 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., open Monday-Friday from 10:am-4pm. The center have access to job boards, free computer terminals and the Internet.

For more information, please call 530.573.4330 in South Lake Tahoe.

Squaw Valley Institute will host a discussion led by Anna Cummins, Marcus Eriksen and the 5 Gyres Institute on Dec. 3 at the Resort at Squaw Creek that will examine the five gyres around the world, and offer tangible methods to reduce plastics pollution locally and worldwide.

The talk is also designed to raise awareness about the great Pacific garbage patch and its effects.

Doors open at 5pm and the presentation begins at 6pm.

The evening also features a Trashion Fashion Show, live auction, art exhibits, interactive education stations and a raffle to benefit Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships.

Seating is limited. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for students and children. SVI members are admitted free.

The Resort at Squaw Creek is offering complimentary valet parking for those who bring a new, unwrapped toy for their Magical Memories Toy Drive.

South Lake Tahoe is hosting an open house on Nov. 30 at 3pm to celebrate the incorporation of the city 50 years ago.

It is free and open to everyone.

The event will be at Lake Tahoe Airport.