Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Rocklin, and Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, R-Rocklin, along with local chambers of commerce, California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, and Lawyers Against Lawsuit Abuse, have teamed up to host a series of workshops for small businesses focused on Americans with Disability Act issues.

These events are in response to the alarming number of lawsuits being filed in the region against small businesses for minor ADA/accessibility issues like having incorrect railing height or parking lot striping color. Many of these businesses have been forced to close their doors because they can’t afford to operate after settling these lawsuits.

During the workshops, Assemblywoman Gaines will provide information on her two measures, Assembly Bills 1878 and 1879, aimed at curtailing frivolous ADA lawsuits and pinpointing conflicting state and federal ADA regulations.

Attendees will also receive a walk-through of what they need to know about ADA lawsuits including how to reduce their risk of being sued, and what to do if they have already have been sued.

Panelists will also include Tom Scott, executive director for California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse and David Peters, CEO and general counsel for Lawyers Against Lawsuit Abuse who has been consulted in more than 850 ADA lawsuits throughout the U.S.

Rocklin: March 26, 6-8pm, Rocklin Sunset Center – Main Hall 2650 Sunset Blvd.

Orangevale: March 27, 7-9am, Orangevale Community Center – Auditorium, 6826 Hazel Ave.

Placerville: April 25, 7-9am, Town Hall, 549 Main St.

Truckee: April 30, 6-8pm, Truckee Donner PUD – Board Chambers 11570 Donner Pass Road.

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board anticipates considering waste discharge requirements for the U.S. Forest Service, LTBMU South Shore Fuel Reduction and Healthy Forest Restoration Project at the April 11-12 meeting in South Lake Tahoe.

The Forest Service wants to start working on the project this summer.

Written comments are being accepted until noon April 2. Comments received after that date and time may not be given full consideration in preparation of the recommended Order to be presented to the Board for adoption. The documents may be viewed and downloaded.

George Cella may be contacted for more information at (530) 542.5426.

The 4th annual memorial celebration in honor of Sgt. Timothy Smith will be April 7 at Sierra-at-Tahoe.

This year we will also benefit Operation Rebound.

The celebration of life pot luck after skiing will be at the American Legion Post 795 starting at 4pm.

Music will be provided by the Cash Only Band.

Skiers will meet at 11am in the Aspen Room at the resort.

Reserve a spot by calling (530) 416.9100 or email mountainsbuddyblue@yahoo.com.

Unity at the Lake is offering “Basics of Prayer” classes.

The class will be taught by Stew Bittman, Unity’s co-spiritual leader, and will be offered March 25 from 11:30am-1pm and March 29 from 6:30-8pm.

Classes will be in the annex at Unity’s spiritual center, 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

For more info, call (530) 544.2266.

The El Dorado County Mental Health Division in South Lake Tahoe is hosting the Mental Health First Aid course.

MHFA is an interactive, internationally-recognized 12-hour course that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Participants should develop skills and knowledge to help connect individuals in crisis with appropriate professional, peer, and self-help care.

The free class is March 28 and March 29 from 9am-4pm at South Lake Tahoe branch library.

To register, email janet.stevens@edcgov.us or call (530) 573.7963.

To help communities get broadband service sooner, or to enhance existing service, the Sierra Economic Development Corporation needs to learn where service is available now and who still wants it.

With community feedback and guidance, SEDCorp says it can facilitate the earlier expansion of high-speed Internet service networks in Placer, Nevada, Sierra, El Dorado and eastern Alpine counties.

A meeting on this topic is planned for March 29 from 10am-2pm at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall, 100 East St., Auburn. Admission is free, and there will be a $2.00 charge for lunch.

RSVP to (530) 823.4703. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged.

• The Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe has canned food available for anyone who needs some assistance. The center at 3501 Spruce Ave, Ste. B is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm.

• Tahoe Best Friends’ Puppy Kindergarten Class is every Thursday from 7-8pm. Call (530) 542.2336 to reserve a spot in the nine-week series.

• Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation has given an $8,000 grant to the Mountain Area Preservation Foundation for its project Connecting the Landscape – Martis Valley to Mount Rose.

• Mustang Ranch brothel owner Lance Gilman is running for Storey County commissioner.

• Find out what the Tahoe Pipe Club has to say about the March 14 runoff in the basin by watching this video.

Unity at the Lake is having an open house March 24 from 1-4pm at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

There will be food, camaraderie, children’s activities and fun for all ages.

The music ministry, OneVoice, will perform throughout the day.

For more info, call (530) 544.2266.

The Tahoe Derby Dames flat track roller derby team is raising money by “Egg’n” people’s houses March 25 through April 7. For a $20 donation, the Dames will place 25 plastic eggs containing discounts and coupons from local businesses on lawns and porches throughout South Lake Tahoe. Some lucky houses will win gift certificates and other prizes. Desks can also be egged with 15 eggs with a $15 donation.

Participating businesses include Meeks, Beach Hut, Overlands Meat and Seafood Co, Pet Station, Fox and Hound, Rubicon Heating, Safe Haven Chiropractic, Kahle Community Center, The Skatehouse and more.

Visit the team’s website to sign up.

• A banner on the parking garage at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport has Emerald Bay spelled incorrectly. (See photo.)

• The annual Douglas County lake schools fundraiser ‘Treasures of Zephyr Cove” is April 21 at 6pm at MontBleu in Stateline. For more information, click on the poster.

• Tahoe Best Friends’ youth and adult dog six-week training class begins March 22 at 6pm. Call (530) 542.2336 for reservations.

• Sorensen’s Resort on March 30 at 5pm is offering a food and wine class taught by Anne Wiles of Anne Wiles Gourmet. All courses are paired with a selection of wines from Sorensen’s wine list. Bring a cutting board, apron, and good knife. Cost is $95. Call 800.423.9949 to reserve a spot.

• Three South Shore kids – Logan Chapman, Drue Champan and Lacey Robinson – will be in “My Son Pinocchio … Geppetto’s Musical Tale” at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City in April and May.

• LTUSD Performing Arts presents Spring String Fling on March 21 at 7pm. The concert with more than 100 students is free at South Tahoe Middle School.