• A bill sponsored by state Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Rocklin, to name the Highway 50 interchange at Hazel Avenue in Sacramento County as the “Sen. Dave Cox Interchange” cleared the Senate floor with unanimous support. Cox was once Lake Tahoe’s rep in the California Legislature.

• The Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting officials and referees for youth flag football, basketball and volleyball. Contact Anthony Davis for info – (775) 782.9828 or adavis@co.douglas.nv.us.

• Here are the coming week’s roadwork schedules from Caltrans – El Dorado-Tahoe, Sierra.

• On Aug. 13 at the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre in South Lake Tahoe Jesse Kalin will take center stage performing his original music in an intimate concert setting. The show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (530) 541.4975.

• On Aug. 15 from 6-8:30 is a meeting about all things Meyers. It’s at the Lake Valley fire station in Meyers. Click on the flyer for more info.

Boarding for Breast Cancer is hosting the 8th annual Skate the Lake on Aug. 18 and 6th annual Skate the Coast on Sept. 29.

For 2012, B4BC will be dedicating funds raised by the dual events for the B4BC Survivorship Fund, which connects breast cancer survivors with health and wellness experiences in order to enhance their path of healing and long-term survivorship. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be granted to nonprofits in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles County that support the Survivorship Fund’s mission.

Since their inception, both events have attracted more than 1,000 participants who have fund-raised more than $75,000 in support of advocating an active lifestyle and raising awareness and funds for B4BC’s educational programs.

Skate the Lake will again return to North Lake Tahoe where the event has taken place since 2004. The longboard-a-thon course runs along a 28-mile portion of North Lake Tahoe, beginning and ending at the Heritage Plaza in Tahoe City (590 North Lake Boulevard) from 7:30am to approximately 9pm.

There will be a post party that will feature live music, food, drinks and more. On Aug. 19 is the first Stand Up for Survivors that invites breast cancer survivors and the community to participate in standup paddleboard demos and wellness activities.

Each participant must fundraise a minimum of $50 to register. Learn more about how you can get involved with Skate the Lake online.

Do you have a favorite app that you want to share? Would you like to learn more about what great apps are out there?

Come to Appy Hour at the South Lake Tahoe library on Aug. 21 at 5pm.

No need to sign up. Just drop in with your device to join in the fun.

The library is at 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Tahoe Arts Project is having an evening of music on the beach on Aug. 16 from 7-9pm at Lakeshore Lodge and Spa in South Lake Tahoe.

Music will be from Niall McGuiness, Trey Stone and John Shipley.

Bring blankets and low back chairs, but no pets. Sodas, baked goods and ice cream cones will be available for sale.

A suggested donation of $10 per person will support Tahoe Arts Project’s mission of bringing professional performing arts into the schools and community of South Lake Tahoe.

Call (530) 542.3632 for more information.

Patients at Barton Memorial Hospital are staying in renovated and remodeled private and shared rooms.

Barton’s goal is to provide all private rooms, but some are designed to accommodate two patients to meet an increase in patient admission on any given day. Located on the second floor of med-surge and orthopedics, each room provides private hotel-like accommodations.

Barton Hospital's rooms have been remodeled. Photo/Provided

The rooms gleam with warm paint colors, flat screen televisions, beds, curtains, chairs, cabinetry, flooring and Lake Tahoe artwork. Each room also has a newly remodeled bathroom all completed with patient comfort in mind.

• Beachtree Properties, a collection of 11 boutique hotels across the country, is launching a pilot program to provide complimentary use of customized iPads. Initially, Beachtree will offer iPads in South Lake Tahoe at Secrets Inn and Heavenly Inn, and in Maryland at Inn at Deep Creek.

• The North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association is undergoing a membership renaissance – adding new services and programs directly related to helping local businesses and increasing their bottom line. One of the most visible changes is the addition of the North Lake Tahoe Business Directory to the website.

• On Aug. 24 from 6:30-10pm is a Parents-Kids Night Out at the South Lake Tahoe Rec Center. Cost is $25 and includes pizza, swimming, games, and a movie (G or PG). Call (530) 542.6056 to register.

• El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini talks about the accident on the Rubicon Trail in this video.

• U.S. Department of Labor reports the travel industry is growing faster than the overall American economy.

On Aug. 18, the League to Save Lake Tahoe, U.S. Forest Service and Washoe Tribe are putting on a beach cleanup of Lake Tahoe’s East Shore beaches.

The event starts at 9am.

Volunteer registration will be at the Secret Harbor parking lot off of Highway 28.

Camp Tadaka is having a fun trip Aug. 16 for K-10 grades. Youths will be going to Carson Valley Swim Center.

Cost is $25 and preregistration is necessary — (530) 542.6056.

Bring lunch, swim stuff, sunscreen, hat, goggles, rash guard, and a water bottle.

South Lake Tahoe needs drivers for the Senior Center van.

Do you have two hours a week to volunteer?

This service affords seniors who do not have access to transportation to attend doctor’s appointments, pick up prescriptions, grocery shopping, and other shopping.

To volunteer, call Tracy at (530) 542.6093.

Ray Hoff, who graduated from South Tahoe High School in 1966, has been awarded NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal for Distinguished Service and Leadership.

Hoff is a professor of physics at the University of Maryland and is also director of the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology.

Ray Hoff

Hoff has 35 years experience in atmospheric research. His research interests are in the optical properties of aerosols and gases in the atmosphere and the pathways and fates of toxic organic and elemental chemicals in the environment. These diverse research interests stem from his formal training in physics, but also require a firm knowledge of atmospheric chemistry.

He has conducted research at UMBC, Environment Canada, NASA Langley Research Center, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the NASA Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Environment Research Laboratories.

— Del Laine