The U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Nov. 9 at 11am.

The audio of the test will last 30 seconds. This will result in a total test time of approximately 45 to 60 seconds (including the data burst tones).

The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for radio, television, and cable.

The national-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the president of the United States to address the public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wire line providers across all states and territories. Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS participants, and others in the EAS community have been working toward making this test a reality.

Jenny Anderson has her Lake Tahoe News T-shirt. The snow that is supposed to arrive Thursday and through the weekend could get you a shirt, too.

Send a picture of yourself with the white stuff to info@LakeTahoeNews.net — and feel free to write something about this fall tradition in Lake Tahoe.

Better get your blower tuned up.

Include your full name, mailing address and T-shirt size. The next nine people seen shoveling will be sent a Lake Tahoe News T-shirt.

The other way to get a T-shirt is for subscribers to send in a check of $40. In addition to the T-shirt, you will be added to our special NEWS list. People on this list are qualified for special benefits like ticket give-aways — like tickets to the annual Soroptimist wine tasting on Nov. 11 and the Festival of Trees and Lights’ family night Dec. 2 .

(Subscribe by putting your email address in at the bottom right of the home page. Then you will receive the morning digest.)

Send checks to Lake Tahoe News, P.O. Box 13406, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151 or pay via credit card through PayPal on the website at the bottom right of the home page.

Please include your email address so we can ensure you are subscribed to receive the daily digest.

Please don’t forget to include your mailing address and shirt size – S, M, L, XL or 2X.

All things South Shore related will be on the agenda of what is being called the inaugural joint session between the South Lake Tahoe City Council and Douglas County Commission.

While the electeds will begin the Nov. 4 meeting with lunch at noon at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, the formal meeting begins at 1pm. It is expected to last at least three hours.

Topics on the agenda include the South Shore Vision Plan, Loop Road, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Regional Plan Update, and regional partnerships.

• Time to sleep in – at least for an hour. On Nov. 6 at 2am those in California and Nevada — and other places — return to standard time.

• Lake Tahoe Community College’s DVD borrowing program has more than 1,000 discs – to view – for free.

• There will be a Veterans’ Day observance at the American Legion Hall in South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 11 at 11am.

• Tahoe Maritime Museum in Homewood is having a free open house Nov. 19 from 10am-5pm for all Tahoe/Truckee/Reno area locals.

• The Friends of the Library Book Sale in South Lake Tahoe is Nov. 5 from 10am-3pm. The library is on Rufus Allen Boulevard.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews are scheduled to resume prescribed fire operations in the Angora Fire area near Mule Deer Circle on Nov. 2, weather permitting.

Operations may continue through the weekend.

Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke from this prescribed fire project area. Smoke may be visible on Lake Tahoe Boulevard. 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, ext. 6.

Dolores Garcia, a well-respected member of the El Dorado County Board of Education since 1996, recently passed away which created a vacancy in trustee area three.

The board will appoint her replacement Nov. 29. All interested residents of the newly aligned Supervisorial District III are encouraged to apply. The applicants must to submit a letter of application and a candidate information sheet to Vicki L. Barber, El Dorado County superintendent of schools. To request the candidate information sheet, call Janet Maruniak (530) 295.2217 or email jmaruniak@edcoe.org.

Regular El Dorado County Board of Education meetings are the first Tuesday of each month, with occasional special meetings.

Applicants chosen to participate in the interview process will be notified by Nov. 23.

The term expires on Nov. 30, 2012.

Carson City’s Old West meets the North Pole this holiday season as the Polar Express train will take weekend railway runs across the frosty Northern Nevada landscape Thanksgiving through Dec. 23

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is one of the officially licensed Polar Express Train Ride events nationwide this holiday season. This historic 100-year train, complete with decorated passenger cars and Christmas music, leaves the Carson City Eastgate Depot (located seven miles east of downtown Carson City) and travels nearly two miles before staging at Santa’s mythical North Pole retreat. The Polar Express departs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4pm, 5:30pm and 7pm, Thanksgiving weekend through Dec. 23.

Tickets include keepsake silver bell, hot chocolate, cookies, entertainment and reading of Polar Express. Tickets are free for children 2 and under, $25 for ages 3-12 and $34 for 13 and older.

Early reservations are recommended. To book tickets, call (775) 687.7410.

Billed as “holiday makeover presentations”, the Nov. 7 5:30-7pm presentations are free.

Topics include “Skin Fitness” and non-surgical approaches to facial rejuvenation with Ronald M. Gemberling and “Healthy Diet and Exercise 101” with Paula Crenshaw. The doctors will answer questions afterward.

RSVP to (530) 544.7744.

The talk is at 2209 South Ave., Ste. D (across from Barton Memorial Hospital main entrance).

The Tahoe City PUD and Recreation Department’s annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is Nov. 5 from 10am-3pm inside the Rideout Community Center, 740 Timberland Lane, Tahoe City.

The event will feature a variety of artists and craftsmen from around the Lake Tahoe Basin selling fine handmade products. Included will be fine jewelry, photography, handmade wood products, pottery, glass items, and much more.

For more information, contact Shaunat (530) 583.3440, ext. 14.

Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s Holiday Fair is Nov. 6 from 9am-3pm at St. Theresa’s Grace Hall, South Lake Tahoe.

The Attic is selling its finest “treasurers” that have been collected throughout the year. Clothes, books, linens, purses, toys, glassware, silver, dishware, jewelry and Christmas items will be available.

Santa will visit from 10:30am-1pm.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase.The bake sale will feature the auxiliary’s famous cheese balls.