Shopping isn’t always a harmless endeavor, especially when stores are crowded.

Washoe County sheriff’s deputies are offering some cautionary words for those going out this holiday weekend as well as those making purchases online.

Some tips:

• Stay alert. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement or store security.
• Avoid shopping alone; there is added safety when shopping with a companion.
• Always lock vehicles and keep valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk or locked compartment.
• Park and walk in well-lighted areas.
• Don’t overload yourself with packages. Maintain visibility and mobility to avoid potential threats.
• Be wary of strangers approaching you for any reason. The holiday season is notorious for con-artists who may attempt to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• Avoid carrying large amount of cash and valuables, and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Read credit card statements and bank statements as soon as you get them to make sure there are no unauthorized charges. If there is a discrepancy, report it immediately.
• Always type a website address yourself or access it through trusted search engines.
• Never click on an email link taking you to a purchase site. The link may take you to a fraudulent site.
• Don’t allow online sites to maintain your credit card information. Although it’s convenient, this is risky.
• When having items shipped to your residence, make sure they are taken inside timely, preventing thieves from taking them or realizing nobody is home and potentially leaving yourself exposed to a burglary.
• Whenever possible, use a credit card instead of debit card or check. Credit cards have an additional level of consumer protection in the event of a fraudulent purchase or disputed transactions.

With kitchen fires being one of the main reasons for a fire in a house, firefighters want people to extra careful this Thanksgiving.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. In 2014, nearly four times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day.

“Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires,” Lynne Tolmachoff, CalFire’s chief of public education, said in a press release.  “That is why it is important to always watch what you are cooking and never leave it unattended. One critical safety measure is to ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home. It’s an added measure to protect you and your family from fires in your home. ”

To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, CalFire offers these tips:

·         Remain in the kitchen while you’re cooking, and keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking or roasting, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

·         Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them or pull them over.

·         Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.

·         Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.

·         When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors.

·         Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

·         Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.

A music festival and memorial event to honor fallen Carson City sheriff’s Deputy Carl Howell has been set for Aug. 19, 2017, at Battle Born Harley-Davidson in Carson City.

The event will be put on by the Last Response Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization established by Carson City resident Don Alexander and a handful of community members.

The festival, which organizers hope to draw at least 5,000 people, will serve as a fundraiser for Howell’s children. All proceeds will be placed into a trust fund for their benefit.

For more info, go online.

On Aug. 15, 2015, Howell, a former U.S. Marine and nine-year veteran with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call where he was killed in the line of duty. He left behind a widow and four children.

The second installment of Tahoe City’s Alpenglow Sports’ 11th annual Winter Film Series is Dec. 1.

At 7pm (doors open at 6:15pm) prominent Canadian ice climber and paragliding pilot Will Gadd will continue the series at Squaw Valley’s Olympic Village Lodge. Gadd, one of the top outdoor adventure athletes in the world, will show “30 Trips of a Lifetime in 60 High-Speed Minutes: Winning the X Games, Ice Climbing Niagara Falls, and Paragliding Over the Grand Canyon.”

Gadd, known as “Captain Adventure,” is a living legend. He continually pushes the boundaries of ice climbing and, even after having won every major title from the World Cup to the Winter X Games, still manages to impress. Always eager to rise to a fresh challenge, Gadd also broke the world distance record on a paraglider not once, but three times. He was also the first person to cross the U.S. by paraglider after a grueling seven-week trek.

The second annual Tahoe Film Fest is Dec. 1-4.

Many of the award winning films in the lineup were previously screened to rave reviews, such as “Before the Flood” produced by and starring Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, at nationally and internationally recognized events like Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. While environmental films will take center stage, 22 films including American independent and documentary films and select foreign films will be screened at the Incline Village Cinema and the Village Cinemas at Northstar.

National and international guests will join the festival including directors Roland Emmerich, Agustin Castaneda, Tom Donahue, Guillermo Ivan, Roberto Sneider and actors Paul Rodriguez, Maria Conchita Alonso, Andrew Keegan, Rafael de la Fuente, Reynaldo Pacheco, Patricia De Leon, Sol Rodriguez, Kendrick Sampson, David Castro, Travis Hope and others.

The final night of the Tahoe Film Fest includes a gala benefiting the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP) at Northstar.

For detailed information about the films and to view film trailers, go online. To purchase Tahoe Film Fest tickets, go online.

Giorgio

Giorgio is one of seven dogs who was transferred to Tahoe from a Central Valley shelter last week. Four of the dogs in this group have already found a new home.

Giorgio is a nice 1-year-old Chihuahua mix. He loves to play. He would greatly enjoy regular interaction with other dogs either at home or on play dates. He is great with kids and we think he is fine with cats, although he has not had much exposure to them.

Giorgio is with two other little dogs at the shelter and they are a bit noisy, but take them out of the kennel and you’ll see their true personality.

Giorgio is neutered, microchipped, tested for heart worm, and vaccinated. He is at the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Meyers, along with many other dogs and cats who are waiting for their new homes. Go to the Tahoe animal shelter’s Facebook page to see photos and descriptions of all pets at the shelter.

Call 530.573.7925 for directions, hours, and other information on adopting a pet.

For spay-neuter assistance for South Tahoe residents, go online.

— Karen Kuentz

By Sarah Litz, Reno Gazette-Journal

John Abbott opened his mouth to have his cheek swabbed for DNA collection.

The 64-year-old from Susanville said he knew it wasn’t much, but it was the least he could do to find his uncle, who was a prisoner of war during World War II.

“Right now, there’s this big, empty hole,” Abbott said. “Maybe I can hope for closure. Maybe this (sample) will help.”

Abbott along with another 160 people from Nevada, California, Oregon and Idaho gathered at the Grand Sierra Resort on Saturday morning to be briefed on what the government is doing to help bring loved ones home. Personnel from the Department of Defense, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory met with families to inform them and the public of the efforts being made to account for missing service members.

Read the whole story

Toyota Corolla remains a top performing go-to vehicle. Photos/Larry Weitzman

By Larry Weitzman

Toyota is a default brand. It is the brand that the public understands to always be reliable, trustworthy, high quality, competent, economical and with decent performance. I could end my Road Beat on Corolla here, but let’s examine why the Toyota reputation is so well deserved.

Corolla is in its umpteenth generation (11th) as Toyota’s compact to the world, with well more than 40 million sold since the model was created in 1966 and by 1974 it was the best-selling car in the world and has remained so or at near the top since then. It surpassed the VW Beetle as the bestselling model by 1997.

This new generation was introduced two years ago and has remained without significant changes since then. Outside the body remains crisp with some aggressive styling. I am still not a fan of the upside down frown grille. But the side view is excellent, as is the strong rear end. My special edition had some special touches in sportiness in the good looking blacked out 17-inch alloy wheels (shod with big 215/45 series tires), badging and trim, especially on the inside.

Specifications
Price $17,300 to about $24,000 with destination
Engine
1.8L DOHC 16 valve inline four cylinder with VVT-I 132 hp @ 6,000 rpm
128 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission
CVT
Six speed manual
Configuration
Transverse front engine/front wheel drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.3 inches
Length 183.1 inches
Width 69.9 inches
Height 57.3 inches
Tread (track) (f/r) 59.8/59.9 inches
Ground Clearance 5.6 inches
Weight 2,845 pounds
Fuel capacity 13.2 gallons
Trunk volume 13.0 cubic feet
Steering lock to lock 3.19 turns
Turning circle 35.6 feet
Wheels 17X7 inch alloys
Tires 215/45X17 inch all season radials
Co-efficient of drag 0.30
Performance
0-60 mph 8.90 seconds
50-70 mph 4.71 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 8.46 seconds
Top Speed Well into triple digits
Fuel economy EPA rated 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 42-44 mpg on the highway at legal speed and 33-35 mpg overall in rural country driving.

Sizing is compact all the way with a 106-inch wheelbase supporting a 183-inch body that is 70-inches wide. However, inside is mid-size volume of 110.5 cubic feet, 97 cubes in the passenger compartment and 13 cubes in the good size trunk. Even with a moonroof, it remains in the 110 cube mid-size category.

Under the hood is a contemporary 1.8L DOHC inline four cylinder putting out 132 hp at 6,000 rpm along with 128 pounds of twist at 4,400 rpm. While a six-speed manual is standard, go with the excellent CVT automatic that hooks up to the front wheels. Performance is about mid-pack with 0-60 mph taking 8.90 seconds, which is almost identical to my test of a 2014 Corolla that averaged 8.84 seconds. That’s consistency. Passing times were almost identical as well with this edition knocking off 50-70 mph simulated passing runs of 4.71 seconds on a level highway and 8.46 seconds up a steep grade (7percent). The CVT makes the Corolla very responsive and actually feel quicker than it is.

Fuel economy is better than the EPA numbers of 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined. On the highway on cruise control at 70 mph the trip computer recorded an average of 44 mpg on a two-way 20 mile run. Highway mileage is helped by the CVT providing a super low final drive ratio and only 1,850 rpm at 70 mph. And with the CVT, stepping on the throttle provides an instant “downshift” for performance if needed. And the CVT is absolutely seamless and smooth although it can be programed by the driver to simulate shifts. Average fuel economy for a round trip from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50 was an excellent 39 mpg. Corolla returned 28.9 mpg for the 6,000 foot climb from Placerville to Echo Summit. Overall the Corolla averaged between 33-35 mpg in rural country driving.

While Corolla may not be your weekend autocrosser or track car, handling is still quite competent. My special edition was helped with upgraded wheels and tires, but slow steering (3.2 turns lock to lock), a torsion beam rear end and a ride set up for more comfort than sport prevents the Corolla from being considered as a competitor in an F1 race, a GT contest or a drift competition. But the other 99 percent of drivers will find the Corolla quite handy and nimble. My special edition did remarkably well in the twisties even when pushed hard, holding its line with minimal body roll, good steering accuracy and following the exact course charted. It was more than fine. It does come with stabilizer bars at both ends. Its 35 foot turning circle will make tight parking lot maneuvering a snap.

Ride quality for the Corolla is good, compliant and well controlled. In other words, it is comfortable. And with its extremely slow turning engine it is smooth and quiet on the highway with no road or wind noise. A big improvement over prior generations.

The S and upgraded special edition also gets you four-wheel disc brakes (front ventilated) and they are strong. All the safety acronyms are present including smart stop technology plus eight airbags are standard and a dozen or more other features or devices. But I have to emphasize that your best safety device is good judgment and attentiveness. Nothing will replace that until we are driven by robotic, autonomous cars which is a day we may all rue. With the government controlling the highways and traffic and you program your autonomous car to go somewhere, your computer response may be that you have a slot reservation in 42 minutes to get started, sort of like our air traffic control system when it gets busy. Headlights are good.

With the special edition you get an upgraded, tasty interior with lots of red accents including piping on the very comfortable seats. Done in Toyota’s SofTex, imitation leather, it’s some of the best in vinyl and the animals must really appreciate that. The instrument panel has all the correct gauges plus and easy to use center stack. This is a car you get in everyday and drive. It will be an enjoyable trip wherever you go.

Pricing for this Corolla starts at a reasonable $20,635 plus $865 the train ride from a window sticker that says Detroit. A base car stickers for $17,300 plus destination. My tester had only two upgrades, a NAV/audio package ($1,200) and a moonroof ($850) bringing the total to $23,550. I would forget the moonroof and save the money. Special edition floor mats are standard and the great looking, attention getting Absolutely Red paint is a no cost color choice. Go with it.

Larry Weitzman has been into cars since he was 5 years old. At 8 he could recite from memory the hp of every car made in the U.S. He has put in thousands of laps on racetracks all over the Western United States.

Truckee Donner Public Utility District will again swap out old, incandescent holiday lights for free energy efficient LED holiday lights for customers.

The LED holiday light exchange begins Nov. 21 at 8am and will continue while supplies last during regular business hours at the TDPUD office located at 11570 Donner Pass Road.

Bring a current TDPUD electric bill along with up to three strands of old incandescent holiday lights. The TDPUD will replace them with your choice of up to 60 feet of warm white or multicolor LED lights. These energy-efficient holiday lights can save between 80 and 98 percent on energy costs versus the old-style incandescent lights.

Eligible customers can also receive other free light bulbs (CFLs, seven types) and information on the district’s energy and water savings programs.

For more information, call 530.587.3896.

The Tahoe Fund is looking for environmental organizations to partner with to help solve environmental challenges at Lake Tahoe.

Organizations have until Jan. 29 to submit project ideas online.

The Tahoe Fund is seeking projects for its 2017 Signature and Premier Project Portfolios. These are late-stage projects that will improve Lake Tahoe’s environment by enhancing the water quality of the lake, restoring watersheds, providing healthier forests, improving transportation and fostering outdoor recreation.  The organization also seeks projects to build a greater sense of stewardship in the Tahoe basin.

The organization is raising funds for two 2016 Signature Projects: the new Taylor Creek overlook that will improve the visitor experience for the people and bears at the basin’s most popular visitor center; and the Rubicon/Lighthouse Trail Restoration at Bliss State Park.