• Reno Tahoe Helicopters based out of Lake Tahoe Airport received its air carrier certificate from the FAA. This allows the company to offer charter services for air taxi in the United States, including tours to Napa, Calistoga, and Sonoma.

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

• Diamond Peak has delayed its opening; with not set date on the calendar.

• Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is putting on two plays in 2015 – “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Fantasticks”. Discounted tickets are on sale through Dec. 31.

• There will be a handbell concert at Hope Lutheran Church of the Sierra (930 Julie Lane, South Lake Tahoe) on Dec.14 at 6pm.

The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority is seeking applicants to the Bicycle Advisory Committee.

The seven-member committee meets monthly. There are four open positions for two-year terms. The other three positions will expire in January 2016, and will be filled for two-year terms at that time.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee expects to continue to have work until 2030.

The application deadline is 5pm Jan. 16. The application can be obtained by mail or email from the South Lake Tahoe City Clerk, 1901 Airport Road, 530.542.6004 or eapalazzo@cityofslt.us.

The JPA will meet to consider and appoint members Jan. 23 at 9am at the South Lake Tahoe City Council Chambers, 1901 Airport Road, South Lake Tahoe. If unable to attend, applicants should advise JPA staff John Upton at 530.541.0525 or rkupton@aol.com.

Daron Rahlves will talk about his role in one of the most talked about ski films of the year at the Backcountry Ball, a fundraiser for the Sierra Avalanche Center, on Dec. 12.

Rahlves, a former Olympian, World Cup Champion and Sugar Bowl Resort ski ambassador, will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at Sweetgrass Productions’ “Afterglow’”short film, where he skied steep Alaska spines at night wearing a LED lightsuit. Rahlves wore a suit fitted with 7,000 LED lights, and skied through landscape illuminated only by spotlights and the glow of the LED lighting from his lightsuit.

The fundraiser at Sugar Bowl Resort’s Mt. Judah Lodge will also feature a slideshow from ski photographer Grant Barta, music,  silent auction, dinner and drinks. Dual-logo Sierra Avalanche Center and Sugar Bowl Resort pint glasses will be available for $10 and include the first beer.

The event supports Sierra Avalanche Center, the nonprofit that funds the daily avalanche advisory in the Northern Sierra and delivers avalanche awareness programs around the Tahoe.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased online under the “upcoming events” tab. Doors open at 5pm, dinner is served at 6pm and the presentation begins at 7pm.

The Tahoe Steakery, circa 1960s. Photo/Private Collection

At the Tahoe Steakery people would select their steak from the refrigerated display. Then it would be cooked to order.

The Steakery was near the state line. Photo/Don Lane

Between the Steakery and the state line was a Harrah’s parking lot on the California side. Now the site is Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel — aka the old Embassy Suites.

The steakhouse evolved through the years. Photo/Bill Kingman

Prior to being razed for redevelopment in 1991, the sign read “Paul Kennedy’s Steak House.” The parking lot is fenced and a hotel construction crane is seen at top right in the photo.

Redevelopment wiped out a lot of old Tahoe. Photo/Bill Kingman

Today, the steak house would be where the white van is parked.

— Bill Kingman

Lake Tahoe Historical Society’s annual Holiday in History is Dec. 13-14.

Santa Claus will arrive by sleigh Dec. 13 at 5pm at the senior center to hear children’s requests, phone calls to the North Pole may be made from the cabin, and the with menorah will be lighted.

The decorated museum with a period Christmas tree will open for free that Saturday from 11am-7pm and Sunday 11am-3pm.

Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum is at 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

Douglas County libraries are hosting a winter break Lego building challenge.

The challenge is to build an original structure with an animal theme. Bring thecreation to the Minden or Zephyr Cove library between Dec. 15 and noon on Jan. 7.

Lego prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winner in each age category. Children and adults may participate; one entry per person. Children under age 4 must use Duplo bricks. Winners of the contest will be announced Jan. 14.

Winning entries will be displayed at the Minden library through Jan. 31. Complete rules and entry forms are available at the Minden and Zephyr Cove libraries and online.

A specialty Nevada license plate supporting safe bicycle and pedestrian programs is now available through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.

The specialty plate displays a “Share the Road” message and bicycle and pedestrian image. The plates cost $61, then $30 for renewal. Proceeds of $25 per plate will provide grant money for nonprofit and government organizations to plan and construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities, as well as support bicycle and pedestrian safety, education and other programs. The grant funding will be awarded by the Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and administered through the Nevada Department of Transportation.

The Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board was created by the Legislature to promote safe bicycling and pedestrian facilities and programs and advise state agencies on safe bicycle and pedestrian policies, program and facilities.

The specialty license plates are available for purchase at Nevada DMV offices. They must be purchased in person. There is also a $5 plate transfer fee.

• Learn about agency efforts to address stormwater pollution and how to get involved at a Dec. 10 5:30-7pm symposium hosted by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and League to Save Lake Tahoe at Lake Tahoe Community College in the Aspen Room.

• EXL Media team of Lake Tahoe is celebrating its 20-year anniversary of providing media campaigns to local, national and global clients.

• Diamond Peak Resort has installed two electric vehicle-charging stations.

• Sugar Bowl Resort will open for top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding Dec. 6.

• Alert Tahoe is a new, one-of-a-kind, fire camera and multi-hazard tracking system that Graham Kent with the UNR Seismological Laboratory will be talking about Jan. 8 at 6pm at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center in Incline Village. Cost is $5.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and the South Tahoe Refuse Company are teaming up this holiday season to make giving to Christmas Cheer easier than ever.

The LTVA’s Drive and Drop for Christmas Cheer takes place Dec. 8-13 from 9am-5pm. Drive through the visitor center parking lot at 3066 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe to drop donations of food or toys into the bins provided by South Tahoe Refuse.

South Tahoe Refuse is also having its Community Holiday Food & Toy Drive Dec. 8-12. Leave canned/packaged food or toys curbside on your regular collection day, or drop off at South Tahoe Refuse, 2140 Ruth Ave., South Lake Tahoe during business hours.

Christmas Cheer feeds more than 450 families all year.

For more information, call 530.541.5255.

• Show your season pass, lift ticket, or mountain employee ID from any resort to get a free drink token between 4-7pm at Lakeside Inn in Stateline.

• Bob Roper has been named administrator of the Nevada Division of Forestry in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

• The 4th annual Shred for Sushi is Dec. 10 staring at 4pm for those 13 and younger, and at 6pm for the open class. The event raises money for Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. It’s free to attend, $20 to compete. It will be in the parking lot at Sushi Pier in Stateline. For more info, call 775.588.8588.

• A free website boasting an array of career-related services is being offered by Lake Tahoe Community College (www.collegecentral.com/ltcc). Current students and graduates of LTCC can use a number of online tools to find and apply for jobs, while local employers can use it to post jobs and search for qualified applicants.

• Barton Memorial Hospital is seeking community volunteers to serve on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. Patient and family advisors provide a voice that represents patients and families of patients that receive care at Barton Hospital. Advisors must be past patients or family members of patients. For more information, call Christine O’Farrell at 530.543.5537.