U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will begin prescribed fire operations above Andria Drive on Kingsbury Grade on Feb. 14.

The project will begin with approximately 5 acres and may expand depending on the weather. Operations will continue through the week and possibly the weekend, weather permitting.

Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke from this prescribed fire project area. Smoke may be visible on Kingsbury Grade. The Forest Service strives to minimize the impacts of smoke on local communities. Smoke-sensitive residents should consider staying indoors and keeping doors, windows and outside vents closed.

To directly receive prescribed fire updates, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Forest Service staff will post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, and update the local fire information line at (530) 543-2600, No. 6.

• U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Karlton rejected the plaintiffs’ — Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore — request that he preside over the Homewood lawsuit rather than the randomly assigned judge, William Shubb. TRPA calls this a victory. Karlton is the judge who heard the shorezone case that TRPA lost.

• South Tahoe High Performing Arts Department presents “The Royal Family” by George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber on March 23, 24, 30, 31 at 7pm and March 25 and April 1 at 2pm. Ticket information will be posted online one week prior to opening night.

• Marni Elise Pershnicke of South Lake Tahoe has made the dean’s list at George Fox University. She is a senior studying social work at the Oregon college.

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

• Chuck Bluth’s restaurant (Lanza’s) in Stateline has a new name – Sul Lago – as well as new menu (starting today), to go along with the new service, chef and atmosphere.

Dressed to the nines, with leash in hand. That is what Feb. 18 is all about at the Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe.

A Champagne celebration to people’s best friends wouldn’t be the same without them present, which is why the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe invites pooches and their people to the fourth annual gala.

Support the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe while enjoying a black-tie evening of dinner and dancing. Tickets are $150 for one person and one dog. Call (530) 587.5948 to purchase tickets. The event starts at 5:30pm.

Don’t be alarmed if you see and hear Blackhawk helicopters today. It’s all in the name of training.

A big search and rescue training event is going on Sunday at Vikingsholm where medics will be working as though there are victims on the cliff.

The public will not be allowed in the area.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

• Eight wineries of the El Dorado Winery Association will be pouring Syrahs on Feb. 16 from 5:30-7:30pm at the El Dorado Hills California Welcome Center, 2085 Vine St., Ste. 105, El Dorado Hills.

• North Lake Tahoe Realtor Alison Elder was awarded 2011 Realtor of the Year by Chase International.

• Unity at the Lake’s silent meditation is each Tuesday and Friday at noon at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (across from the rec center). Meet in the small chapel in the Annex.

• Another reason to be a vegetarian: Beef prices are expected to climb 10 percent in the next two years because the U.S. has the smallest cattle herd since the 1950s. According to the USDA, a pound of hamburger sold for $2.38 on average in December 2010 compared to $2.92 a year later – an increase of 23 percent.

• Carson City was named the country’s No. 3 Family Destination for its old west heritage, special events and value by away.com.

Caltrans is having a public meeting in Meyers on Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 8pm at the Lake Valley Fire Protection District building.

The main topic will be the proposed changes to the speed limits in the area. Also to be discussed is the issue of pedestrian crossings in Meyers.

Robert Rupp and Rene Hoogendijk will give two lectures in March about hips.

The Barton Health officials will talk about alternative treatments for people with hip pain.

The first meeting is March 7 from 6-7pm at Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe.

The second is March 21 from 6-7pm at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village.

• The 50th annual Lake Valley Firefighters’ Ball is March 2 at 8pm at MontBleu in Stateline. Click on the flyer for more info.

• The South Lake Tahoe women’s center received a grant to build an emergency shelter in Alpine County, which will include permanent offices. It will be able to house three families with up to 12 beds, but it will be open to people outside of Alpine County.

• Each Wednesday at 6:30pm Unity at the Lake has Book Study at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (across from the rec center). “The Storm before the Calm” by Neale Donald Walsch is the current book. For more info, call (530) 544.2266.

• The free ski shuttle that was going to happen on the North Shore during Presidents Day weekend has been canceled.

• South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center is sponsoring a fun trip on Feb. 23 from 7:30am-6:30pm aboard the M.S. Dixie II and at the city pool. The cost is $25. Preregister by calling (530) 542.6056, or drop by the pool 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Unity at the Lake has moved into a sanctuary at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe after 17 years of meeting in the senior center.

Sunday celebration services are at 10am with Stew and Hillary Bittman and music by OneVoice. Sunday meditation is at 9:15am in the Annex.

Youth empowerment program and childcare are provided during the celebration service.

For more info, call (530) 544.2266 or go online.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Sierra Human Resources Association are offering “The Manager as Coach” Feb. 14 from 8:30am to noon at Cedar House Sport Hotel, 10918 Brockway Road, Truckee.

This workshop is designed to bolster leadership effectiveness, including how to juggle your priorities, deliver feedback, and handle concerns and difficult situations, as well as correct behavior and conduct an effective performance review.

Registration is $59/person for chamber and SHRA members and $69/person for non-members. To register and for more information about the workshop, call Laura Moriarty of SHRA at (530) 573. 0224 or North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Manager Kym Fabel at (530) 581.8764.