Nearly $6 million in federal transportation funds for projects that improve non-motorized mobility, historic preservation for transportation-related projects, scenic accessibility, safe routes to school and more are available through the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program.

Governmental agencies, tribal governments, school districts, private schools and nonprofit organizations can sponsor TAP applications. Each eligible application received will be evaluated using scoring criteria detailed on the application website. Projects require a minimum of 5 percent matching funds from the sponsor, and must be able to receive administrative clearance for a notice to proceed with construction within three years.

Under the program, there are two broad types of eligible activities: transportation infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. 

More information on project eligibility requirements may be found online.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and South Tahoe Refuse are partnering to make giving to Christmas Cheer easy. 

The LTVA’s Drive and Drop for Christmas Cheer takes place Dec. 4-9, 9am-5pm. Drive through the visitor center parking lot at 3066 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe to donate food or toys into the bins provided by STR.

Cash donations should be brought into the center.

STR is also having its annual Community Holiday Food & Toy Drive Dec. 4-8. 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 1,000 people each month, year-round, and the need for wholesome meals is even more important to families with children who are out of school at the holidays. 

All veterans and the community are invited to Veterans Healing Camp for a family Christmas party on Dec. 16 from 3-7pm.

The celebration will feature a potluck dinner, live music and singing with Randy Ide, games, ugly Christmas sweater contest, white elephant gift exchange, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Veterans Healing Camp is a nonprofit located in the heart of Silver Springs that is dedicated to helping local veterans make a successful transition from military to civilian life. The mission is to provide a safe place for fun, activities, and fellowship. The goal is to help educate veterans to overcome fear and anxiety to live a healthy and productive life.

Veterans Healing Camp is at 1775 Highway 50 in Silver Springs.  For more info, call 775.781.2394.

Caltrans is replacing three overhead changeable message signs with new advanced variable message signs. The new signs will be installed in the following locations:

• Interstate 80 westbound – Truckee – Donner Pass Road/Highway 89
• Interstate 80 westbound – Davis – Pole Line Road bridge
• Highway 50 eastbound – El Dorado Hills – Latrobe Road.

Full freeway closures are scheduled for:

• Midnight Tuesday through 4am Wednesday on westbound Interstate 80 in Truckee between Highway 89 and the Donner Pass Road
• 10pm Dec. 3 to 2am Dec. 4 on westbound Interstate 80 in Davis between Mace Boulevard and Richards Boulevard
• Midnight Dec. 4 to 4am Dec. 5 on eastbound Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills just east of the interchange with Latrobe Road.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead for delays or use alternate routes. California Highway Patrol officers will be escorting traffic through the full closures using rolling blocks of traffic with full closures anticipated to be less than 30 minutes.

The new AVMS signs have increased energy efficiency, offer more options for messaging and offer higher visibility to provide motorists with real-time information for safe and efficient travel.

Now through Christmas Eve, shoppers may enter the Show Your Love – Shop Local Holiday Contest by picking up a free contest card at participating retailers in Kings Beach, Tahoe City, West Shore, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Incline Village, and Truckee.

Make a purchase at a participating retailer and get a sticker for every $25 spent. Contest cards with 12 stickers will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a chance to win a North Lake Tahoe staycation including lodging, dining and activities valued at more than $2,000.

Cards with four stickers will be entered into a drawing for a $500 cash prize.

Get a jump on holiday shopping at the Shop Local Holiday Faire Kickoff Party on Nov. 29, 5-8pm at the Tahoe City Visitors Center. It will include shopping, live music, gift card raffle, and holiday fun.

Go online for a list of participating retailers and contest details.

·      The Beach Retreat in South Lake Tahoe is being transformed into a winter wonderland the month of December. Twinkling lights and holiday decor will cover every inch of the resort and stay on display until mid-January. Go online for event details.

·      Out of the 20 resorts nominated by a panel of pro skiers and snowboarders, USA Today and 10Best readers selected Squaw Valley best ski resort for the third consecutive year.

·      Christmas tree permits in the Lake Tahoe Basin are sold out. Permits may still be available in other locations outside the basin. For more information, go online.

·      Ted Kennedy, who is the main partner in the restaurant group that owns Base Camp Pizza, Azul and California Burger Company in South Lake Tahoe as well as the pizza joints in the Northstar and Squaw Valley villages, now owns X Crows inside Hotel Becket in South Tahoe.

·      Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s 2018 summer season will feature “MacBeth” and “Beehive: the 60s Musical.”

·      Violations of the South Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Rental Ordinance may be reported to 530.542.6100.

·      Help guide the future of Squaw Valley Park by taking a quick online survey.

·      State Sen. Ted Gaines, R-El Dorado, has been named a “champion of manufacturing” by the California Manufacturing & Technology Association.

·      Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is bringing back the Merry Days & Holly Nights, two weeks of spirited events and activities Dec. 16-31. For details, go online.

·      The annual holiday tree lighting at North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach will be Dec. 1, 5-7pm. Santa arrives by firetruck to light the tree and greet attendees. Santa will take photos with kids, music performances by the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, the Children’s Choir, free holiday crafts, soup, hot cocoa and more are part of the festivities.

·      North Lake Tahoe Resort Association is looking for three marketing committee members. The term runs January 2018-December 2020. If interested, submit a letter and resume to Anna Atwood at anna@gotahoenorth.com by Nov. 27. 

·      The Sierra Nevada Freeride Club is hosting Sierra Nevada Avalanche forecaster Andy Anderson and pro skier Cody Townsend for a night of avalanche awareness. The free talk is Nov. 30, 7-9pm at Sierra Nevada College, room139/141 at TERC.

·      Tahoe Paradise Recreation and Park District is accepting applications until Dec. 1 for a board member to fill out the term of Sue Novasel, which expires Dec. 7, 2018. For more info, call 530.545.0193 or email info@tahoeflyfishing.com.

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

·      The Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee of Placer County will meet Nov. 28 at 4pm at the administrative building in Tahoe City to discuss the Tahoe City Lodge design.

South Lake Tahoe Cancer League will begin its See’s Candy sales on Nov. 27.

The temporary storefront is in the Raley’s Y center near Starbucks. It will be opne daily from noon-5:30pm, through the end of the year.

This the the Cancer League’s biggest fundraiser of the year .

Volunteers provide transportation for cancer patients for free. Small grants are also available to help with people while they are in treatment.

The Adopt A Child Christmas Tree is decorated with wish list items from more than 150 Live Violence Free family members.

People have until Dec. 11 to pick a child to buy gifts for. All gifts must be delivered to LVF no later than Dec. 15.

All children’s gifts are to be unwrapped. Adult gifts may be wrapped. Suggested amount spent on a gift is $50.

Live Violence Free is at 2941 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

For more info, call 530.544.2118, ext. 7640.