·       State Sen. Ted Gaines, R-El Dorado, and Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, have introduced legislation that would make it a serious state crime to fly a drone over a wildfire.

·      Dan Bern is having a release party for his CD “Hoody” on July 31 at 8pm at Sierra Valley Lodge, 103 Main St., Calpine. Tickets are $7 and $10. For more info, call 888.477.9288.

·      July 11 is the 35th annual Death Ride bike event in Alpine County.

·      It’s time to signup for Douglas County adult softball leagues. For more info, call 775.782.5500.

·      A section of the Legacy Trail in Truckee (at and near the Martis Creek Bridge) will be closed July 16 from 7am-5pm for asphalt repairs.

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce in partnership with South Lake Tahoe is offering a Create Your Business Plan workshop on July 22.

The goal is by the end of the workshop participants will have a completed draft of a business plan.

Topics covered during the workshop will include business vision and mission, overall business objectives, competitor analysis, unique selling proposition, business strategies, budget, income projections, startup capital and an action plan that describes what specific tasks entrepreneurs must complete now and going forward as they grow their businesses. This workshop is ideal for those thinking about starting a new business or current business owners who need to update or fine-tune their existing plans.

The workshop will be from 1-5pm at the chamber, 169 Highway 50, Stateline. The cost of the workshop is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. For more detailed information or to register for the event, go online.

How economic growth in Reno will impact the Lake Tahoe Basin, its workforce and its local economy will be the topic of a lunch on Aug. 7.

Mike Kazmierski, CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, will help facilitate a discussion to dig deeper into the possible scenarios  for Tahoe associated with development in Reno. The goal is for participants to identify steps to take for the Tahoe region to ensure its workforce, businesses and economy are prepared for what’s next.

The event is from noon-2pm at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. This lunch is presented by the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce and the Tahoe Prosperity Center. Registration is $25 and includes lunch. Reservations may be made online.

·       Placer County Board of Supervisors this month adopted an ordinance that will prohibit camping on most county-owned properties beginning Aug. 6.

·      Construction of Bijou Bike Park in South Lake Tahoe starts next week.

·       El Dorado County Auditor-Controller Joe Harn has been dismissed from the Kelly Webb lawsuit.

·      Local historian Dave Long will give a free public presentation on the role of fish hatcheries and sport fishing in the Lake Tahoe basin on July 11 from 10am-noon at the UC Davis Field Station in Tahoe City.

·      Tahoe Cross Country is naming the top of the Lakeview Trail “Kevin’s Crest”, in memory of Kevin Murnane. Murnane, who was general manager of the ski area, died earlier this year.

Magic Dan brings a fast-paced program that is educational and fun to the Douglas County Public Library Lake Tahoe Branch on July 16.

He fills his performances with positive messages that reinforce reading and self-esteem.

Magic Dan is celebrating 20 years as a magician.  He has entertained thousands of children of all ages.  \

The show starts at 1:30pm at 233 Warrior Way in Zephyr Cove.

For more info, call 775.588.6411.

·      Tahoe Arts Project brings Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of  “Aladdin” to South Tahoe Middle School’s multipurpose room on July 10 at 3pm and 6pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more info, call 530542.3632 or email tahoearts@aol.com.

·      The Bicycle Advisory Committee of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority will meet July 10 from 9-11am at Lake Tahoe Airport.

·      The Fields Advisory Committee of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority will meet July 15 from 5-7pm at Lake Tahoe Unified School District board room on Al Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

·      There will be a meeting about the Tahoe City Lodge on July 9 at 6pm at Tahoe City Public Utility District board room, 221 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City.

·      There will be an art show at the Round Hill Square from July 10-12, 212 Elks Point Road, Round Hill. The following weekend (July 17-19) it will be at the American Legion, 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

There will be a veterans resource day in Truckee on July 13.

People working for Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Granite Bay, have assembled veterans’ advocacy groups and community resources to provide veterans with the information to access benefits. Representatives from Nevada and Placer counties veterans service offices will be there to provide information on filing claims with the Veterans Benefits Administration.

Service providers like American Legion and VFW representatives, and community program sponsors that help active
duty military, wounded warriors, and military families will be on hand.

The event is at Truckee Veterans Hall, 10214 High St., from 11am-1pm

For more info, call Joel Scott or Adam Pugh at 916.786.5560 .

Reservations are being taken for the Placer County Sheriff Office’s Community Awareness Academy.

This year participants will tour the new South Placer Jail in addition to several other field trips.

There are eight classes, each of which covers a different topic. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from Sept. 1-24. Participants will hear from members of the department’s special units and, in addition to touring the jail, morgue, 911 dispatch center, and the air operations hangar.

Classes are in the Community Room at the Placer County Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Auburn from 6-9pm.

The academy is intended to provide the citizens of Placer County with an overview of the sheriff office’s functions, policies and procedures, as well as getting them involved in their community. The goal of the academy is to provide a greater awareness and understanding of law enforcement’s role in the community. Attendees must be at least 18, work or reside in Placer County and agree to submit to a minor background check.

The deadline for making a reservation is Aug. 6. To reserve a spot, call Community Services Officer Kim Rivera at 530.889.6922 or email krivera@placer.ca.gov.

·      Lake Tahoe made this list for best places to swim before you die.

·      Check out this photo essay to see where USA Today thinks people should be dining in the Tahoe-Reno area.

·      Here is the El Dorado-Tahoe roadwork schedule from Caltrans for this week.

·      Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Granite Bay, will host a town hall meeting in Truckee on Sept. 2 at 6pm. The meeting will be at the Truckee Tahoe Airport Community Room, 10356 Truckee Airport Road in Truckee.

With thunderstorms seeming to be the norm these days, South Lake Tahoe is reminding residents that sand bags are available at no cost year-round.

The sand lot is located at 1160 Rufus Allen Blvd., next to Campground by the Lake.

At the back of the lot is a large sand mound, shovels and bags. Residents fill their own bags and transport back to their own residence. The limit is 10 bags per visit.

Access to sand bags is available during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4pm.