Barbecues are a fun summer tradition when operated in a safe manner. Only use approved lighter fluid. Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquids to start the charcoal.

Never add additional fluid once the fire has been started because it is extremely dangerous.

After your barbecue, place the used coals in a metal container with a tight fitting lid.

Leave the container on a non-combustible surface for at least three days before discarding them in the trash.

Have a fun and safe barbecue season.

— Sallie Ross-Filgo, SLTFD

The Kiwanis Aktion Club community spaghetti feed is Aug. 8 from 6-8pm.

The fundraiser benefits the Kiwanis Aktion Club, the only community-service club for adults living with disabilities. It provides members an opportunity to develop initiative and leadership skills in serving their communities, while enabling their integration into society.

The event is at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

The cost is $8 per person or $25 for a family.

The top of the 1960’s local map (courtesy of Theresa and Darrell Eymann) depicts a pier and breakwater extending zigzag on the lake from the end of Sacramento Avenue in Al Tahoe. This is where Frank Globin built an overwater chalet and dance pavilion in the summer of 1929 on the Lake Shore Park Pier (photo from Pomona Public Library Frasher Fotos Collection).

1929 was during a record-setting low water level, making construction easy on the dry shoreline.

Today people know this area as Regan Beach. Photo/Bill Kingman

Extending diagonally from the chalet and pavilion was a long breakwater and pier built by Al Sprague which served the Steamer Tahoe. Sprague was the land owner and developer who named “Al Tahoe” after himself.

The chalet and dance pavilion were razed in the early 1960s along with Globin’s historic Sacramento Avenue hotel which had been mostly destroyed by fire.

— Bill Kingman

“Men’s Health – Live & Love Longer” is the topic of Dr. Paula Crenshaw’s Sept. 4 lecture.

The free event is from 6-7pm at Kahle Community Center (295 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline).

Learn about how to help prevent heart disease and why does it strikes earlier in men, about eating well, cancer prevention, prostate cancer advice on screening, prevention and treatment, and keeping your sex life healthy.

For more info, call (530) 543.5537.

• Twenty-four cadets graduated from the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy on June 29 in a ceremony at the Lake Tahoe Community College theater. Three were on a fire with a U.S. Forest Service fire crew within days of the ceremony.

• The Fields Advisory Committee of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority meets Aug. 12 from 4-6pm at Lake Tahoe Airport.

• Railroad Earth’s 3rd annual Hangtown Halloween Ball will run Oct. 24-27 at El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville.

• Here is next week’s Sierra roadwork schedule from Caltrans.

• Those interested in participating in next year’s Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy program must attend an orientation program Aug. 8 at 6 pm at the Lake Tahoe Community College cafeteria. For questions, call Leona Allen at (530) 541.4660, ext. 554.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Granite Bay, is sponsoring a public forum on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to list the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and the northern distinct population segment of the mountain yellow-legged frog as endangered species, the Yosemite toad as a threatened species, and designate critical habitat of these species.

The forum is Aug. 6 at 2pm at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sierra Building, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora.

Presenting information on the proposed listing will be:

· Mike Applegarth, El Dorado County.

· Kelly Wooster, Calaveras County.

· Randy Hanvelt, Tuolumne County.

· Steve Brink, forester.

· Mark Baird, Siskiyou County.

· Alex Pitts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

McClintock will be joined by Rep. Devin Nunes and staff members from other congressional offices whose constituents would be impacted by the designations.

The Truckee Donner Public Utility District is hosting two free water conservation events.

There will be a free toilet exchange at Tahoe Donner’s Aug. 10 Waterpalooza. Qualifying TDPUD water customers can bring up to three old toilets and exchange them for new, water-saving toilets.

The event is from 11am-4pm at the Tahoe Donner Driving Range, 12850 Northwoods Blvd.

Call (530) 582.3931 for details and to see if you qualify for the free toilet exchange.

TDPUD Conservation Garden Party & Seminar is Aug. 12 from 5:30-7:30pm at Truckee Donner PUD, 11570 Donner Pass Road.

This event is to learn about water conservation for gardens, erosion and storm water control, and a chance to tour the Patricia S. Sutton Conservation Garden, as well as talk with experts on plant selection, irrigation, and landscape materials. This event includes presentations by experts and a host of local exhibitors to help implement water-saving ideas.

A recirculated draft environmental impact report has been prepared for the California Highway Patrol Communications Facilities Replacement Project in Truckee.

The public review period is extended to Sept. 13.

To view a copy of the recirculated draft EIR, click here.

The proposed project would replace and upgrade CHP telecommunications facilities at the CHP Truckee office in order to meet the CHP’s enhanced radio system requirements.

The proposed project includes construction of a new self-supporting, four-leg, 120-foot-tall tower and an equipment vault, as well as underground utility line installation and fence installation. Upon completion of construction, two existing towers at the office would be removed; these towers are approximately 55 feet and 92 feet in height.

For questions regarding this project, contact Denyelle Nishimori at (530) 582.2934 or dnishimori@townoftruckee.com.

South Tahoe Public Utility District is putting on a water meter and conservation workshop.

It will be Aug. 14 at 6pm at the district office at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

Topics will include understanding the rate structure, how to read your bill, and info about free conservation services.

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

• Learn about Truckee’s railroad history at Truckee History Day on Aug. 10 from 10am-4pm at the Regional Park.

• Comedian, TV star and talk show host Whitney Cummings will be at MontBleu in Stateline on Aug. 9 at 9pm.

• The final All Comer track event of the season is Aug. 8 from 5-8:30pm at the South Tahoe Middle School oval.

• Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project public meeting will be at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach on Sept. 4 at 6pm, followed by a question and answer period.