The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee will meet Nov. 18 from 10am-3pm at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

LTFAC will address issues related to federal activities at Lake Tahoe.

Items on the agenda include a facilitated workshop to discuss a strategic work plan for fiscal year 2012, and a public comment period.

LTFAC consists of 20 members representing a broad array of constituencies.

All Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

For more information on the Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee, go online.

Placer County is having an open house Nov. 15 from 3-7pm to present information on biomass energy production.

The open house will be at the Squaw Valley Public Service District offices.

Private and public specialists in air emissions, biomass energy technology, sustainable biomass supply assessments, biomass logistics planning and forest management will be present at this informal open house to discuss the latest concepts of biomass energy production. While there will be no formal presentations, the meeting will feature displays and graphics and will provide opportunity for one-on-one or small group discussions with the specialists.

Placer County will release an environmental document that discusses a possible biomass energy facility at Placer County’s Cabin Creek property in 2012. The Notice of Preparation is expected to be available by year’s end. Public comment for this proposed project will not be taken at the Squaw Valley meeting.

On Nov. 12 from 9am-1pm, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies will inspect child passenger safety seats and install new ones at their Lake Tahoe station in Stateline.

Child passenger safety seats will be available to Nevada residents who cannot afford one. (Proof of residency required.)

For further information, contact the department at (775) 586.7251.

• Fresh Ketch’s Pray for Snow Party is Nov. 16 at 7:30pm. Cool Black Kettle and Headphone Union will be playing at the South Lake Tahoe restaurant.

• William Cottrell, physician with Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, will begin serving patients in the Carson Valley on Nov. 14.

• Bearpaw Footwear is making a donation as well as dedicating a portion of the profits from its 2012 flip-flop collection to the League to Save Lake Tahoe.

• Sierra Nevada College has hired Lynn Gillette to be president. He has been executive vice president and provost at the college for the past four years overseeing all academic departments as well as the registrar’s office, financial aid, information technology, admissions, student affairs, food services, library, and academic support services.

• Early tickets for South Lake Tahoe’s SnowGlobe sold out in 10 minutes on Nov. 4. More tickets coming.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Winter Recreation Lunch on Nov. 17 at noon, with an 11:30am registration check-in at the Olympic Village Lodge (formerly Olympic Village Inn), 1909 Chamonix Place in Olympic Valley.

This event is geared to provide insight about winter happenings, including events, festivals and activities, to frontline, front desk, cashier, wait staff and concierge employees, along with business owners and managers. Attendees may give a brief presentation at the lunch, as well as provide 80 brochures or other pieces of collateral to be distributed during the event. This luncheon sells out, so early sign ups are recommended. Deadline to register is Nov. 11.

Cost is $30/person for chamber members and $40/person for non-members and includes lunch.

For more information about the event, to register or provide collateral, call Kym Fabel, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce manager, at (530) 581.8764 or kym@puretahoenorth.com. Go online to download a registration form, then go to Programs and Documents.

During a two-day workshop writers can learn techniques and tools to bring their family history to life, how to create a compelling narrative and how to research family history.

“Grandma Went to Woodstock: Writing a Family History” is for anyone who has always wanted to write their family story.

The session, led by Bona Fide Books Publisher Kim Wyatt, includes lots of how-to information and time for questions. Handouts will be provided.

The Nov. 19-20 10am-2pm class is $49. Sign up online or by calling (530) 573.1513.

Bona Fide HQ is located at 1069 Magua St., No. 4, Meyers, behind the Getaway Café.

Linda Dean, from the Senior Information and Assistance Program for El Dorado County, on Nov. 15 at 3pm will provide an overview of programs and assistance available to older adults in El Dorado County.

At the conclusion of the program participants may complete a survey about what services they would like.

The meeting is at the library in South Lake Tahoe — 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.

For additional information, call (530) 573.3185.

• Jen Huntley, who spends part of her time in Reno and part at a family cabin in Twin Bridges, has published her first book – “The Making of Yosemite”.

• National Ski Areas Association says Vail and Heavenly have the best Skier Safety Week Programs.

• The 18th annual Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe Golf Tournament raised $39,614 during the Oct. 17 event at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Funds will support various programs for area youth.

• With Veterans Day approaching, it’s not just the men and women who deserve recognition. Reckless redefines what a war horse really is.

• The Springmeyer family, who owns the Highway 50 property where the decades-old amusement park was in South Lake Tahoe, has had the structures disassembled to avoid liability issues.

South Lake Tahoe is looking for people who live in the Bijou neighborhood who want to give back to the area.

The Bijou Neighborhood Cleanup Day is Nov. 8 at 10am.

Meet at Bijou Community School in front of the Family Resource Center at 10am, where collection bags and gloves will be dispersed.

For more information, click on flyer.

For an elegant evening of Champagne, hors d’oeuvres, fine wine, and a catered dinner, look no further than the Valhalla Holiday Gala on Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 10:30pm at the Grand Hall.

This holiday party benefiting the Tahoe Tallac Association features live music and a silent auction. The Tallac Site will be decorated in a winter motif, with the signature fireplace roaring.

Evening attire is recommended, and free valet parking will be provided.

Tickets are $75 or $85, and may be purchased online or by calling (530) 541.4975.

Proceeds from the event are directed to the Tahoe Tallac Association, formed in 1979 with the goal of assisting the U.S. Forest Service in restoring the three estates on the Tallac Historic Site and producing the Valhalla Arts & Music Festival each year.