By Howie Nave

The filmmakers had to know there’d be a lot riding on the latest “Star Trek” reboot because of director J.J. Abrams setting the bar so extremely high with his first two installments (turning over the directing helm to Justin Lin).

With the death of the original Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) diehard Trekkies and sci-fi fans in general were probably going to be very critical on how this film would address the loss seeing that Nimoy was in the first two outings. However, what nobody expected was the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin (who played Russian navigator Chekov) who died at 27, barely two months before the movie was to open, making this his last in the reboot franchise, which is horribly sad. There’s talk already that in the next sequel the filmmakers are already writing in how his character will be killed off.

That said “Star Trek Beyond” offers up some pretty amazing special effects. Even though there were some poignant moments of sentimentality to offset the wild ride in space, I wish just for once the storyline wasn’t centered so much around humans in conflict with one another but more about species from other worlds having issues with one another and maybe include our species as part of the problem but not the main story.

The title may say “Beyond” but it’s more like a “Throwback Thursday” from a Federation that apparently has screwed things up once again. That aside, I really enjoyed that the characters of Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) have a lot more depth to them. And yes, the relationship between Spock and Uhura (Zoe Saldana) is the most human that “Star Trek” fans (hate to always say “Trekkies”) will be surprised given his Vulcan species. Spock is actually more human than he is Vulcan at times.

Oh, and speaking of all things sentimental, pay particular attention when the crew of the Starship Enterprise takes a break from outer space docking at the spaceport known as Yorktown where we see what I believe is an inside nod to the original Sulu, George Takei, where the rebooted Sulu (John Cho) shares a hug with his husband and their daughter. Nice touch.

Fortunately, when the action kicks in (and man does it ever) it literally goes over the top thanks to director Justin Lin who directed four of those “Fast & Furious” movies. What he did with wheels on the ground he does even better in outer space. As far as evil alien characters go, the one known as Krall (Idris Elba) is a formidable foe who hates humans and the Federation so he wreaks havoc on the Enterprise, stranding the crew on the alien planet of Altamid. Again, proving I’m probably the biggest sci-fi geek out there, the makeup of Krall looks a lot like Louis Gossett Jr.’s Jeriba Shigan from the 1985 movie “Enemy Mine.” Maybe it’s a nostalgic nod to that sci-fi flick too since “Star Trek Beyond” tends to go retro throughout.

Oh, one more observation: The crew’s chemistry between one another is really phenomenal and seeing the interaction between Dr. Bones McCoy (Karl Urban) and Spock taking jabs at one another is hilarious. And Scotty (Simon Pegg who also co-wrote the script) is a delight to see as he matches wit with a friendly female alien Jaylah (Sofia Boutella) who Scotty calls “lassie.” Would we expect anything less?

“Star Trek Beyond” clocks in at two hours and is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence.

Howie Nave is host/emcee/manager of The Improv at Harveys. You can hear him Monday-Friday 6 to 10am on KRLT FM-93.9.

By Susan Wood

STATELINE – In some respects, diehard Eagles fans might have wanted to quickly get to the end of Sunday night’s Don Henley concert at Harveys.

As one of the lead singers and songwriters for the iconic band from the 1970s and ’80s, Henley’s musical history was rocked last January when his counterpart, Glenn Frey, died.

It took getting to the end of the show during the highly-anticipated encore to hear an appreciation of his fellow artist and bandmate.

“For Glenn,” Henley said quietly before busting into “Desperado,” a touching ballad Frey and Henley wrote together about an outlaw surrendering to love.

Flannel shirt-clad Henley was an artist of fewer words and less flash than most performers who have graced the stage for the casino’s summer outdoor concert series. Big “no” signs were on both sides of the stage announcing the prohibition of photos and video, and fans were threatened with being tossed out of the venue if their cameras/phones came out again.

Don Henley is almost a regular on the Harveys stage. Photo/LTN

Henley was always known more for his behind-the-scenes songwriting and environmental activism than a crowd-pleasing, Hollywood style anyway — unlike Frey, who also became an actor (hint: “Miami Vice.”)

The duo, with the help of guitarists Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmidt and Don Felder, wrote some of the biggest chart toppers of our time including “Hotel California” and “Life in the Fast Lane” – which the Eagles performed on the same stage two years ago. This time, Henley delivered the blockbusters with the help of a vastly talented 15-person ensemble that almost drowned out his obviously aging, weakened voice once known for beautiful harmonies.

Albeit a bit awkward in lovelorn duets with him, his three young, female backup singers stole the show at times – especially Lara Johnston’s torchy rendition of “I Don’t Want to Hear It Anymore.”

During the major hits of the Eagles, Henley could have held the microphone out the whole time, as many fans knew the words.

The singer-guitarist, who usually plays the drums, but not this evening, took to the stage a half-hour late with the Eagles’ harmonic “Seven Bridges Road.” Then he launched into his solo career with “Dirty Laundry” about the nasty side of the news business.

Many in the crowd yelled the lyrics –“Get the widow on the set,” as if live with a broadcast news editor.

Then, Henley continued with the edgy atmosphere.

“Look, all the rich people are late,” he said, pointing down to the empty seats up front. Stretches of vacant rows could be seen throughout the concert.

But to the enthusiastic, seemingly older fans there, the idea of Henley promising a two-hour performance to go through four decades of music brought out a cheer.

“It’s hard to cram the history of civilization in six minutes,” Henley admitted to the audience after the stirring rendition of a song about the Native Americans’ plight.

In between an assortment of old Eagles tunes such as that heavy synthesized “The Last Resort,” “One of these Nights” and “Witchy Woman,” Henley dusted off a few from his solo career.

Hits like “Sunset Grill,” “Boys of Summer” and the appropriate-to-the-election-season “End of the Innocence,” accompanied a “Tears For Fears” rock hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. To that, the crowd erupted into cheers and danced.

Henley also sprinkled a few songs from his latest release called – “Cass County.” His first solo album in 15 years was inspired by experiences in the small Texas town that he grew up in. The collection bears a strong resemblance to old country crooner tunes, complete with some high-powered duets.

He teamed up with Rolling Stones leading man Mick Jagger and country star Miranda Lambert on “Bramble Rose” and performed it that night. He also sang “That Old Flame,” a tune he performed with more a peer, country singer Martina McBride on the album.

Henley even provided a hint of his existence growing up in a small town with “Train In the Distance,” a coming of age tune any young lad wanting to escape to a better life could relate to. Henley performed that duet with country singer Lucinda Williams on the album.

The Harveys Outdoor Summer Concert Series continues with electrifying country artist Keith Urban on Wednesday and Friday nights; former lead man for the Commodores Lionel Ritchie on Aug. 13; pop group Steve Miller Band on Aug. 18; red rocker Sammy Hagar on Aug. 26; and soul artist Stevie Wonder on Sept. 2.

Lake Tahoe Dance Collective’s signature event — Lake Tahoe Dance Festival — is July 27-29 at Tahoe City’s Gatekeeper’s Museum.

The festival presents contemporary pieces alongside great works of the past.

The festival is directed by longtime friends and collaborators Constantine Baecher and Christin Hanna.

This year’s program features four performances by leading professional dancers and two workshop pieces, including contemporary new works by Christian Burns and Baecher, an excerpt from “Swan Lake,” and a selection from “Agathlon” by mid-century choreographer Erick Hawkins.

On Thursday there will be a post-performance conversation with artists about their lives as dancers and the works they present in the festival; and Friday features a 5pm pre-performance conversation on “What to Watch for When You Watch Dance.” Both talks are complimentary with the purchase of Lake Tahoe Dance Festival tickets.

Tickets for the festival are available online.

Phoebe

Phoebe is a 2-year-old terrier mix who came to the shelter from a hoarding situation. She came with three other dogs, probably related to her, who look like terrier-pugs, or possibly Affenpinscher mixes.

She is a cute dog who will need a patient owner to help her see that people aren’t scary. She likes the officers at the shelter, but runs away from most others. Phoebe and the others are crate trained, but will need help with house training.

Phoebe is spayed, microchipped, tested for heart worm, and vaccinated. She 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

Zoe Roth cannot escape being known as Disaster Girl. Photo/Dave Roth

By Amanda Green, Refinery29

Zoe Roth, 16, is not a pyromaniac. But it’s true that, a few weeks ago, she and a friend spent two hours trying to light a campfire in Lake Tahoe, where Zoe’s working a summer restaurant job.

“Everything was wet, and it was so frustrating,” she laughs. “I was, like, ‘C’mon, this is my meme!'” That meme, known as Disaster Girl, shows 4-year-old Zoe smiling slyly at the camera while a house burns in the background. She looks adorable … and creepy as hell.

For the record, Zoe didn’t start that fire in the photograph. She was watching TV with her brother, Tristan, one Saturday morning in January 2004, when her mom said a house down the street was burning. Dave Roth, Zoe’s dad, quickly gathered the kids and his new digital camera.

Read the whole story

Bass Camp Festival, an electronic dance music event, is will take place Aug. 6-7 at Lake Tahoe Hard Rock.

It is an all-ages concert.

That Saturday acts include Krewella Live, Hermitude (live), Figure b2b Protohype, Justin Jay & Friends Live , Alvin Risk. Sunday will feature performances by Nero (DJ set), Borgeous, Arty, and Chill Harris.

Bass Camp Festival IV will feature three stages, including the return of the Dancetronauts and their Bass Station Sound Ship. New for 2016 is a silent disco, a grass-and-sod chill-out field, shade structures and sails, as well as a vendor village and artist paint wall.

General admission to the two-day festival passes are just $129 in advance, or $159 day of (if available).  VIP tickets will be sold at $199 in advance and include VIP ticket for both days private bar and outdoor lounge with tenting private restrooms, special main stage viewing area, and Bass Camp Festival commemorative VIP T-shirt.

Music is from 4-11pm each day.

For tickets and more info, go online.

Tim McGraw on July 23 entertains a full house at Harveys in Stateline. Photos/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — With an arsenal of hit songs to draw from, Tim McGraw wouldn’t ever have to put out another album. But that’s not how he does things.

His 14th studio album “Damn Country Music” came out last year and it’s still getting a ton of airtime. It’s hard to listen to country radio and not hear “Humble and Kind” at least once a day. For many, that is not often enough.

But it’s even better in person, though the video is even more compelling.

The song is simple – it’s about what it means to be humble and kind; and asks us all to be a little more of each. Perhaps it hits a cord more now because of the cacophony heard on the campaign trail – and even in our local city hall.

Or maybe it’s that his words are re-emphasizing the good my parents tried to instill me.

McGraw is a veteran of this venue, having been a part of the Harvey’s Outdoor Concert Series in 2002, 2010 and 2013. Mom and I saw him here three years ago – a great memory.

Tim McGraw stats:
• Sold more than 40 million records worldwide
• 36 No. 1 singles
• 3 Grammy’s
• 16 Academy of Country Music Awards
• 14 Country Music Association Awards
• 10 American Music Awards
• 3 People’s Choice Awards      

He wasn’t needed for many of the songs as the audience knew the words well beyond the chorus.

Good music has a way of connecting the listener on an emotional level. McGraw is a master at this.

He joked Friday night, saying how he was supposed to be done by 10pm (such are the noise regulations), but that wasn’t going to be enough time to get through 27 years’ worth of hits. And he was right.

In the 16-song set, plus three encores on July 23, McGraw was able to touch on several of his albums such as:

·      1995 “I Like It, I Love It” from the album “All I Want”

·      1997 “Just to See You Smile – album “Everywhere”

·      2002 “Red Rag Top” – album “Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors”

·      2014 “Shotgun Rider” – album “Sundown Heaven Town”.

The night came to a close with “Live Like You are Dyin” from his 2004 album by the same name. Twelve years later and the words still resonate:

“I loved deeper, 
“And I spoke sweeter, 
“And I gave forgiveness I’ve been denying, 
“And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
“To live like you were dyin’.”

Hugh Thomas

Former Lake Valley Fire Protection District Chief Hugh Evan Thomas died July 17, 2016. He was 86.

Thomas was born Dec. 4, 1929, in Prentice, Wisc., to Ivan and Lillie Thomas. He graduated from Prentice High School and immediately entered the Merchant Marine Academy in New York. After two year he then joined the Army. He spent a tour in Europe doing post-war cleanup and reconnaissance.

After leaving the Army, he moved to Northern California and worked as a logger. His logging career was cut short by a major accident. Soon thereafter, he met Janet.

After getting married and having kids, the couple decided to leave Smith River for an opportunity to raise their children in Tahoe. Thomas started a job with the state of California as an agricultural inspector. When the “bug station” closed, he started his favorite career as a firefighter, where he rose through the ranks to retire as fire chief of Lake Valley.

After retirement, the couple moved to Grass Valley, spending most winters in Arizona in their fifth-wheel.

Thomas was an honest, principled man who was proud of his Scottish/Welsh heritage. He was a member of two clans and attended Scottish Games anywhere within driving distance. He was a train enthusiast and would find the nearest train tracks and sit for hours watching them pass.

When his wife became ill with Alzheimer’s disease, he lovingly cared for her almost single-handedly for 10 years until her passing. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and James.

Thomas is survived by his children, Randy Thomas (Andrea), Scott Thomas (Cathie), and Shelley Muller (Tom); brother, Griffith (Shirley); several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services will be July 29 at 11am at the United Methodist Church, 620 North St., Woodland. A reception will follow at the home of his daughter and son-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mayo Clinic, Designation: Alzheimer’s Disease Research; or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Rain barrels are making a comeback as droughts and watering restrictions are on the rise. Photo/Gardener’s Supply Company

By Melinda Myers

Too much or not enough water and never when you need it seems to be a common lament of gardeners. Reduce the impact of these weather challenges while conserving water, saving money on water and sewer bills, and growing beautiful gardens with the help of rain barrels. These century old devices are making a comeback as droughts, watering restrictions and storm water runoff are on the rise.

Contact your local municipality before getting started. Some communities have regulations and guidelines for using rain barrels and many offer rebates to homeowners who install them.

Start your conversion to rain barrels one downspout at a time.  You can capture as much as 623 gallons of water from 1,000 square feet of roof in a 1-inch rainfall.  This can be a lot to manage when first adapting to this change of habit.  Taking little steps allows you to successfully match the use of rain barrels to your gardening style and schedule.

Make your own or purchase one of the many rain barrels on the market. Regardless of which vessel you choose there are some features to consider when adding a rain barrel to your landscape.

Make sure the top is covered to keep out debris and mosquitoes. Or select one with a solid lid and opening just large enough to accommodate the downspout.

Look for one with a spigot low on the barrel, so water does not stagnate at the bottom. Use the spigot to fill watering cans or attach a hose. Elevate the barrel on cinder blocks or a decorative stand for easier access and to increase water pressure.

Make sure there is an overflow outlet to direct excess water away from your home’s foundation. Or use it to link several barrels together, increasing your water collecting capacity. A downspout diverter is another way to manage rain barrel overflows. When the rain barrels are full this device diverts the water back to the downspout where it is carried away from your home’s foundation.

And the good news is you don’t need to overlook beauty for function. You’ll find many attractive options in a variety of shapes and sizes in garden centers and online catalogs. Some include a recessed top for storing accessories or growing a potted plant. You’ll find ones with decorative finishes that mimic a basket weave, fine terra cotta or wood. Those with a flat backside fit right next to the house, saving space.

Rain water is naturally softened and free of flouride and chlorine; great for plants. Do not use rain barrel water for drinking, cooking or your pets. Avoid concerns of contamination from roofing materials and debris by only using the water for ornamental plants.

Maintenance is easy. Check for and remove twigs and debris that may collect and block the flow of water. Clean the inside of the barrel at least once a year with an environmentally friendly detergent. Those in cold climates need to drain the rain barrel and cover the opening or turn it upside down for winter storage. Make sure to divert the water away from the house once the downspout is disconnected.

Don’t worry about mosquitoes. Covering the opening with a fine screen and using the water on a regular basis will minimize the risk. Or use the eco-friendly bacterial agent Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) that kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for pets, people and wildlife.

Now is the time to start putting rainwater to work for you and your garden. Look for convenient locations for collecting and using rainwater from the roof of your home, shed or garage. A little effort put in now will result in benefits for years to come.

Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening” and the “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook”. 

Inyowen John Shelton

Inyowen John Shelton died June 20, 2016. He was 29.

Inyowen was a Tahoe baby who came into the world smiling. Being part Hidatsa and Chippewa, he was a steward of the Earth. He was wise for his years – a young sage and a scholar of all things, especially of the natural.

He loved to work with his hands and excelled at everything; art was in his blood. Inyowen was a painter of beautiful landscapes and custom homes. He played a mean, self-taught guitar.

An avid peak bagger, he slept on all the summits becoming one with the mountain. He shared the mountains with his friends. A woodsman, an eco-warrior, a river rat, sculptor, skater, a boarder, botanist, geologist, jeweler, a weaver, counselor, an animal magnet, and a hugger of trees in clouds; passions too many to include.

He was a misanthrope and a philanthropist. He cracked wise and enriched lives.

He is survived by his mother, Peg Standridge; brother Lukanyon Glen Shelton; son Vincent Michael Shelton; father Dwight Grinnell; aunt and uncle Amy and Mike Saladin; cousins Lilah and Connor Saladin; and many friends.

His life will be celebrated Aug. 2 from 3pm until twilight at Camp Richardson beach picnic area. Donations for his son, Vincent, may be made in lieu of flowers.

Bring swim attire to do a summer plunge for Yo. You may bring a small natural artifact or other bit of good medicine to be placed in his ledgestone monument soon to be under the Palisade Glacier in Big Pine Canyon, his new home.