UNR’s College of Engineering is hosting its inaugural Girls in Engineering camp this summer. The weeklong camp, designed for ages 13-15, aims to encourage more area girls to consider engineering as a career path.

The camp is designed to provide an introduction to a range of engineering disciplines through hands-on, interactive lessons such as bridge building, bottle rockets and chemical engineering experiments.

Engineering campers make small boats out of concrete. Photo/Provided

In addition to introductory engineering activities, the girls’ camp has a number of specially designed components. Female engineers, including College of Engineering faculty and graduate students as well as local professionals through the Society of Women Engineers, will provide the bulk of the instruction.

Other events include a field trip to GE to visit women employed in prominent engineering roles and a career panel and mentoring luncheon where campers will be seated with professional engineers to provide one-on-one advice.

Nationwide, women received just over 18 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in engineering in 2011, a number that has remained relatively flat over the past few years, according to research from the American Society for Engineering Education.

The camp will be on the UNR campus from 9am to 3 m, June 24-29. Registration fee is $250, and scholarships and financial aid are available.

For complete registration details, go online. Contact Elyse Bozsik at ebozsik@unr.edu with questions.

The Rat Pack will be alive and well when the Cal Neva Resort in Crystal Bay hosts a tribute to the original kings of cool.

Two performances are scheduled July 6 – featuring “Frank”, “Dean” and “Sammy” in the illustrious Frank Sinatra Showroom – where Sinatra himself performed.

The show is co-produced by Sinatra Nation LLC and Rat Pack Events as a salute to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. The show features Dave Halston as Frank, Nicholas Brooks as Sammy and Bob Caudle as Dean.

Tickets for the 5:30pm and 8:30pm performances may be purchased online. Tickets are $28 in advance.

For the fourth consecutive year, Western Nevada College will graduate its largest class in history. The class of 2013 is 505 students strong, with 530 degrees and certificates being issued.

The graduates span 60 years, from the youngest at age 17 and the eldest at 77.

Commencement ceremonies are May 20, 11am in Carson City at the Pony Express Pavilion, 888 N. Saliman Road and May 21, 7pm in Fallon at the Barkley Theatre at Oats Park Art Center, 151 Park St.

Nursing graduates will participate in a Pinning Ceremony on May 20, 3pm at the Carson Nugget.

The following are 2013 WNC graduates from Lake Tahoe:

• Whitney M. Gielow, Stateline, Associate of Applied Science – Nursing

• Faith Bechtol, Stateline, Associate of Arts – Deaf Studies

• Christopher L. Chorn, Zephyr Cove, Associate of Applied Science – Management

• Dana Rachael Nott, Zephyr Cove, Associate of Arts

• Eric Gower, Casey Marie Rise, Caitlin Ann Robinson, Tihisha Rachel Vaccaiah, all from South Lake Tahoe, Associate of Applied Science – Nursing.

The Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics will open May 25.

The collection includes official Olympic items such as skis, racing bibs, official results, promotional literature and participation mementos. Exhibits will show rarely seen conceptual drawings prepared by Walt Disney for planning of the VIII Olympic Winter Games.

Walt Disney’s artistic centerpiece of the Olympic Park was the elevated stage of the Tribune of Honor. It was backed by an 80-foot tall Tower of Nations displaying the crests of the 30 participating nations and flanked by statues of athletes in the style of snow sculptures. Photo/Bill Briner

Selections from the photographic collection of official Olympic photographer Bill Briner will be a central feature. Dozens of never before exhibited banners, souvenirs and spectator memorabilia from the Batiste Family Collection will be on display. The collection includes items from the pre-Olympic days of Squaw Valley Ski Area.

Special displays will honor local ski industry pioneers Wayne Poulsen and Alexander Cushing.

The exhibits will eventually include tributes to current and past Tahoe-area Winter Olympians and prominent skiers.

Visitors will learn the history of skiing in the Sierra and the story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games. Interpretive posters will present excerpts from two recent ski history books, “From Longboards to the Olympics” by Mark McLaughlin and “Snowball’s Chance – The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games” by David C. Antonucci.

The new exhibit is presented by Tahoe Museum LLC, a public benefit organization founded by Sacramento-area physician Stan Batiste and Antonucci. The Auburn Ski Club, Squaw Valley Museum Foundation and private Olympic memorabilia collections from Wendall Broomhall, Martin Hollay, and Dave Newton are contributing rare artifacts and photos to the displays.

Channel Properties, owner of the Boatworks Mall, is hosting the museum as a public benefit and at no cost to the exhibitors.

The museum will be open from 10am-6pm on the second floor of the Boatworks Mall, 760 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City. A grand opening ceremony is planned for early summer 2013.

Admission is free, with donations accepted.

The Sierra Human Resources Association is presenting Dealing with Difficult Customers, Service Recovery Strategies on May 23 from 9am to noon.

This is in partnership with the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee Donner Chambers of Commerce.

Business plans, promotional and advertising campaigns, and sales and marketing initiatives are wasted efforts if poor customer experience is driving away people because they are not getting what they want. It costs up to five times more to attract new customers than it does to retain existing customers.

In this interactive workshop, guest and customer facing staff will learn to avoid indifference and diffuse tension build up from three stages of increasingly difficult customers using a proven and powerful service recovery formula.

The cost is $29 for SHRA/SHRM members, $39 for chamber members, $49 for non-members. Volume discounts for four or more from the same company apply. Register online.

Beverages and snacks will be provided at 8:30am.

For more information, call Laura Moriarty at (530) 573.0224 or go online.

The event is at at the Hampton Inn located at 11951 Highway 267 in Truckee.

On June 6, Meyers’ publisher Bona Fide Books will release “Why I Farm: Risking It All for a Life on the Land” by Sierra Valley Farms owner Gary Romano.

A book signing will be that evening from 6-7 at Campo restaurant in Reno.

In “Why I Farm,” third-generation farmer Romano speaks from experience about today’s most vital issues: how to live with purpose and how to protect our food supply. The author documents a disappearing way of life and issues a wake-up call, describing his metamorphosis from a small boy growing up on a farm to adult white-collar worker and his ultimate return to the land. He details specific issues that small farms face today, and how they will challenge our food future. This book is his attempt to educate and enlist farmers and consumers in a call to action.

Romano owns and operates the 65-acre Sierra Valley Farm in Beckwourth and hosts the state’s only certified organic on-farm farmers’ market each Friday from 10am-2:30pm from May 31 through mid-September. Romano also has “Dinners in the Barn” and can be found weekly at the Tahoe City and Truckee farmers’ markets. His next book, “July & Winter: The Growing Seasons of the Sierra for Farmers and Gardeners” is a how-to guide to growing in the challenging Sierra climate. It will by published in 2014 by Bona Fide Books.

Campo is located at 50 N. Sierra St. in downtown Reno. “Why I Farm” is available June 6 through Bona Fide Books, local bookstores and gift shops, at Romano’s farmers’ markets and on Amazon. Go online for more information about Romano’s market and other events.

By Catherine Van, KOLO-TV

CARSON CITY — As the weather keeps getting nicer, more people will start leaving their cars behind and opting for two-wheel transportation. This season, you’ll have a chance try riding the hog safely and at an affordable price.

“I just love the freedom, riding out in the open wind and it’s just a wonderful feeling,” Rory Cass said.

Cass has been riding his motorcycle for more than 20 years, but still wanted to learn some safety skills he can apply on the road.

“You have no protection so it’s really up to you, it’s really up to everyone on the road, but it’s really up to you,” he said.

He is taking a three-day beginner’s course at the Western Nevada College tore-learn the fundamentals of riding a bike safely.

“It’s a good class for safety. It identifies some issues you might encounter on the road and just basic handling characteristics on the motorcycle and just techniques that will keep you safe,” Blair Harklerod, rider coach said.

Students can also earn the M endorsement to add to their driver’s license. They sit through classroom instruction, but also get some hands-on experience outside as they go through drills and techniques on the bike that will keep them safe on the road.

“People will sometimes get fixated on looking for cars and big objects when the motorcycle is right there,” Harklerod said.

It’s required by law for motorcyclists to wear a helmet and protective eye-wear, but it’s also recommended that they wear gloves, over the ankle boots and reflective gear to stay visible and safe.

Remember, if you’re riding as a passenger, it is illegal not to wear a helmet as well.

“I didn’t think it would be this involved and I’m really impressed. I’m really enjoying it,” Cass said.

Classes will run through early November a the Carson City Campus. The course costs $106.

Balto

Balto is a 10-month-old Labrador-pit bull mix who is very sweet. He is house trained and has lived with small children.

Bonus: Balto understands English and Spanish.

He loves to play with other dogs, but he does play rough so he needs to meet your dogs before going home.

Balto is neutered, microchipped, 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 online to see photos and description 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 Shanna Kuhlemier

During the late 19th century and with the completion of the transcontinental railroad, new local industries started to emerge in Truckee.

At this time, the local dairy industry was established due to the ease of transporting products to lucrative markets. This area in the Sierra was a dairyman’s heaven. The region provided summer pasture for herds brought in from Central California, and in earlier years, there were reportedly 15 to 20 dairy farms close to Truckee that yielded enormous quantities (60,000 pounds) of “premium quality” butter that, in turn, was sold at “premium” prices throughout the west’s urban markets.

The McIver dairy in Truckee is getting new paint. Photo/Provided

Two dairies are occasionally alluded to around historic Truckee. The Von Flue dairy was originally located on the south side of the Truckee River, occupying the lands around present-day River Street. The McIver Dairy was located along Donner Pass Road just north of Interstate 80. Both were significant contributors to early community development and the economic growth of our region.

In 1998 Truckee purchased the McIver property. A year later, the Town Council approved “Paint the Dairy Day” — a collaborative project between the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe Community Project, the Truckee Donner Historical Society and the town. The project provided for the repair and painting of all three of the historical buildings.

In 2013, CATT Community Project has been kind enough to grant the project another painting and repair. Project leaders include Mike Nethersole, MD Construction, Kelly Brothers Painting, Kelly Moore, and Josh Root, Root Design Electric.

The interpretive sign is being developed by the Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, 4th- and 5th-grade crew and the Brisbin Crew as part of their history learning curriculum and as a service learning project. And the Donner Summit Historical Society (Bill Oudegeest) is building the sign as part of their Highway 40 Scenic Bypass Project.

On May 24 at 1pm will be the unveiling of the interpretive sign.

Other community partners include: Rotary of Truckee, Village Nursery, and the Truckee Donner Historical Society.

Shanna Kuhlemier works for the town of Truckee.

By Mike Nichols

If anyone wants to know the benefit of the CalStar Membership Program, all they have to do is talk to longtime members Mike and Sally Neitling of South Lake Tahoe. Mike Neitling used CalStar’s services twice in 2012, perhaps saving his life, and his membership saved him from any out-of-pocket costs associated with the two flights.

Neitling, 61, was finishing up his vacation on Nov. 2, 2012, and wanted to complete some chores at his home before returning to work. One of those chores was to wash the outside windows of his house. Home alone at the time, he grabbed a ladder, along with some cleaning materials, and climbed up to the second floor of the three-story home. In an instant, the bottom of the ladder slipped and Neitling was abruptly heading for the cement driveway below.

“I didn’t want to land on my head, so I sort of twisted around and I ended up landing on my backside,” he said. “I knew I was in trouble because I was in excruciating pain and although I could move around a bit, I couldn’t stand.”

CalStar pilot Kris Hunt, from left, flight nurse Ted Langevin, Mike Neitling and flight nurse Stephen Poehls. Photo/Provided

Neitling yelled out, but no one could hear him. Finally after about 10 minutes, several public utility workers came to his aid. They quickly called 911 and within minutes a ground ambulance took Neitling to Barton Memorial Hospital. His physicians quickly diagnosed Neitling with a broken pelvis, and even worse he had severed an artery inside the pelvis and he was bleeding heavily internally.

“My blood pressure dropped to 50 over 30,” he said. “I asked a physician if I was bleeding out, and he didn’t answer me. I think I already knew the answer.”

Neitling was given four pints of blood at Barton and a call was put into to CalStar 6 in South Lake Tahoe to transport him to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

The CalStar flight crew, including pilot Kris Hunt and flight nurses Ted Langevin and Stephen Poehls, arrived within minutes and loaded Neitling into the helicopter. During the flight to Renown, Langevin and Poehls gave Neitling an additional two pints of blood.

“The flight crew was terrific,” he said. “They kept me updated all the way to Renown. It was very clear to me that they were not only very caring people, but also people who truly knew what they were doing.”

Neitling reflects today that had it not been for CalStar, he may not have survived.

“If I would have had to be transported by ground ambulance, it would have taken about an hour and 15 or 20 minutes and I probably would not have made it.”

The CalStar flight from Barton to Renown took 20 minutes.

Once at Renown, Neitling was given two more pints of blood and physicians worked to fix the ruptured artery. They were successful in stopping the bleeding, and the next day Neitling was in surgery to have a metal plate inserted to secure his pelvis.

After recovering from surgery, Neitling spent a week at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center for physical therapy.

“They predicted I would be in a wheelchair for about 45 days, and they wanted to make sure I would be able to handle it. I was supposed to be at the center for two weeks, but I worked hard and was out in a week.”

Neitling has now returned to work as a surveillance supervisor at Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe.

“If it were not for CalStar, along with some excellent medical care, I probably wouldn’t be here today,” he said.

This was the second time in a year that Neitling was flown by CalStar. In July 2012 he was camping with friends and family on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe when his heart rate suddenly jumped to about 180 beats per minute. Because he had experienced previous heart issues, he was transported by ground ambulance to Barton Memorial Hospital, and subsequently taken by CalStar to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center for observation. He was subsequently released with no serious health ramifications.

Neitling and his wife, Sally, have lived in South Lake Tahoe for 40 years.

“About 10 years ago, we knew we wanted to become CalStar members,” Neitling said. “I ski, I golf and I love the outdoors,” he said. Among other things, he is a part-time ski instructor at Heavenly Mountain Resort. “The membership seemed to be an excellent investment.”

Sally Neitling expressed her appreciation to CalStar as well. “Please know that we are so grateful for your skill and knowledge in saving [Mike],” she said. “I want to offer many thanks to all of you for the flight and for being here in Tahoe.”

Mike Nichols is the director of Development and Outreach for CalStar.