On the third Wednesday of each month at 3pm the Friends of the Library read and discuss a variety of critically acclaimed books.

Meetings are in the library conference room; 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

Dates and books:

Dec. 21: Bring your favorite poem to share

Jan. 18: “Triangle: The Fire That Changed America” by David Von Drehle

Feb. 15: “The Big Burn” by Timothy Egan

March 21: “Tahoe Beneath the Surface” by Scott Lankford

April 18: “Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein

May 16: “The Irresistible Henry House” by Lisa Grunwald

June 20: “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay.

For additional information, call Jeanne Benin at (530) 541.1371.

The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus of Sierra College, directed by Susan Horst, Chris Nelson and Tom Acord, will present its holiday concert “Sing Christmas” at the Resort at Squaw Creek on Dec. 10 at 7pm and Dec. 11 at 2pm.

“Sing Christmas” is an eclectic array of delightful, celebratory seasonal music, spanning the globe as well as the centuries. A little gospel, Latino, baroque, and contemporary arrangements are part of the mix.

The chorus will be accompanied by a string ensemble comprised of Tahoe and Reno musicians, and will again bring the kids up for the traditional audience sing-a-long.

Tickets are $15 for adults and may be purchased online, from chorus members, or at the door. Students and children are admitted free. Group rates are also available.

Angel is a lovely purebred Persian cat who was relinquished to the shelter because of her owner’s poor health.

Angel is affectionate, and she even likes to be brushed – to her, any attention is better than none.

She is declawed on her front paws.

Angel is spayed, microchipped, 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.

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

Publisher’s note: John Matthews is a resident of Reno.

By R.M. Schneiderman, Newsweek

John Matthews had long been a shadowy presence in his son Dan’s life. Every six months it was a new city, a new state, a new apartment. Dan, who lived with his mother, suspected something illegal was going on. He was estranged from his father and even used his stepfather’s last name, Candland. Once, when Dan was 16, Matthews called him from a pay phone to say he was going underground and might appear on the television show America’s Most Wanted one day. Months later, when they reconnected, neither brought it up.

Matthews, who is now 59, recognized how he must have looked to his son: a troubled Vietnam veteran, a paranoid man who wandered between jobs and marriages, despised the government, and always kept a camouflage backpack filled with food, water, and clothing by his bedroom door. “Danny always figured I was trash,” Matthews says. “Or a bad person.”

Now they were outside the federal courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City; Dan, 33, had no idea why. A grizzled man in a Stetson hat smoking a Toscanelli cigar introduced himself as Jesse Trentadue, attorney at law, and led them into his office across the street. There, Matthews divulged the secret he had harbored for two decades: while his family thought he was hiding from the law, palling around with white supremacists and other antigovernment activists, he was working as an informant for the FBI, posing as an extremist to infiltrate more than 20 groups in an effort to thwart terrorist attacks. “[Dan’s] eyes got bigger and bigger,” the lawyer recalls. For Dan, the revelation brought sanity to a childhood of mystery and frustration. Finally, he says, “it all made sense.”

It is rare for an informant to unmask himself, especially one who has found his way into the violent world of heavily armed bigots. But Matthews had developed a fatal lung condition and a drastically weakened heart, and he wanted his family to know his true identity before it was too late. “I ain’t gonna be around for more than a couple of years longer,” he says. “So I figure whatever’s gonna happen is gonna happen.”

Read the whole story

By Blair Anthony Robertson, Sacramento Bee

In the past 15 or 20 years, there have been countless technical advances in clothing for athletes and active folks.

Clothes got smarter and so did we.

New high-tech, petroleum-based synthetic garments wicked, warmed and breathed, and they made those who skied, hiked, hunted, ran and bicycled all the more comfortable.

They seemed to do everything but run your 10k for you or make you resemble the second coming of Jean Claude Killy on the double black diamond.

But the latest advance in active wear involves looking to the past. Think of it as the ultimate high-tech fabric – in sheep’s clothing.

Outdated and all but overlooked for decades, wool, insist its many proponents, wicks better, warms better, looks better and is kinder to the planet. It also passes the sniff test – it’s anti-microbial, meaning it resists absorbing odors.

With the early days of winter weather upon us in Sacramento and in the Sierra, it’s worth assessing the recent history of good, old-fashioned wool – how it nearly got muscled out of the way by those new-fangled fabrics that attempted to do some of the things – but not everything – wool has always done.

Read the whole story

By Kathryn Reed

At 13, Stephanie Hernandez doesn’t have the life experiences to write lyrics about the angst of a woman scorned, but she does have the voice and conviction to deliver the words for the world to hear.

The South Tahoe Middle School eighth-grader will be traveling to Anaheim next weekend to audition for “America’s Got Talent” – the popular NBC television show now in its sixth season that features potential stars competing in song, dance, comedy, juggling, magic and other talents. The end prize is $1 million.

Stephanie Hernandez

Hernandez recorded Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” for her demo tape and plans to sing Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” at the tryout Dec. 11.

Considering Perri got her break performing the single on “So You Think You Can Dance” and Underwood won “American Idol”, Hernandez may be smart in picking music from established female television winners.

Excitement – at least on Friday – filled her more than nerves or butterflies. She admits that may all change in a week. While Hernandez considers the stage her friend, this audition will be the biggest stage she has performed on.

“I love the feeling of getting to connect with the audience. I embrace the energy and feed off of that,” Hernandez told Lake Tahoe News.

She credits her dad’s side of the family for her singing ability. She’s been singing since age 3.

Country is her favorite genre, but she also likes jazz and punk.

She will be on stage today in Stateline as part of Miss Marcia’s Lake Tahoe Shining Stars. Hernandez enjoys dance and acting, but it’s singing that she is passionate about.

Hernandez can’t imagine singing not being a focal part of her professional life in the future. And she wants Lake Tahoe to remain her home base.

She can be heard walking down the halls at school humming. In the shower, it’s full on vocals.

To keep her throat relaxed her former voice coach, Susy Grubb, told her about sucking on black licorice and taking a teaspoon of honey.

“It clears the throat so the higher notes seem more clear,” Hernandez said of the honey. “I do this when my throat is not the greatest and before I perform.”

Hernandez can’t say enough good things about her family, friends and everyone at STMS who have helped her reach this point. It was school receptionist Jo Walker who after hearing Hernandez kept prodding her to send in the tape. Teacher Carol Murdock was integral in creating the video. And Principal Beth Delacour is making sure her grades aren’t suffering with all of these distractions. She is an AVID student and has people in her corner who want her to focus on going to college, too.

But this week the spotlight is on her voice – and what she is going to wear. That she still hadn’t figured out as of Dec. 2. And shoes? And her hair? She admits there are lots of things to finalize this coming week that go well beyond singing.

If she’s picked, then it’s more tryouts in Las Vegas before going to Los Angeles.

——–

Hernandez will likely be giving a recap of her experience and a demo of sorts at the Dec. 13 Lake Tahoe Unified School District 6pm board meeting.

By Robert Schimmel

I began this column a few days ago with various ideas and differing directions that had yet to coalesce into a final “platform” of content when distractions intervened and two days slipped by more quietly than a whisper. But the pace and activity belied the whisper, and then came news Nov. 30 of the passing of the very talented and accomplished fine artist, Reiko Hervin, that threw me into a mental spaghetti bowl of disjointed musings, heartbreaks, anger, projections, appreciation and fondness.

Death is seldom timely, and in Reiko’s case it came completely unannounced, even after three-plus weeks of grim facts and medical overtime that began to give hope for a recovery from her horrific traffic accident. And thus the nonplussed emotion that at the same instant wanted to rage within me for the defense and return of such a kind and talented individual committed to her artistic passion and the creation of beauty.

Robert Schimmel

One didn’t have to know Reiko well (she and I were just casual art friends) to feel her joy for life and her chosen occupation as well as see this exuberance in her lovely face and gorgeous paintings. Although a local in activity while living with her husband, Kurt, and son, Heroki, in Wellington, Reiko’s background was clearly international, and the love she had for art and painting came from her upbringing and studies in Japan.

My understanding is that she moved to the United States in 1993 and pursued her art career and romance with watercolor continuously to the present. Relating to her passion and also being a teacher, I watched with high regard her efforts and the results she achieved the last several years as her watercolor classes and student followings increased. There is no lack of instruction or talent in her field of art, and the students of hers I met always had praise and appreciation on their lips. Clearly, she’d begun to receive the recognition and success, in its best sense, that was well earned and never taken for granted.

"When time stands still"

So what makes someone like Reiko unusual and able to live what might be considered such a joyful and productive life? It could be something as simple as a dream or vision for one’s life that is being actively pursued, because even she had her share of hardship to which she claimed no excuse or victimization. There seems to me to be some dreamer in all of us, and, when you add the creative propensity and mindset of an artist, this often equates to a willing acceptance of the “debt” for even a portion of the dream’s manifestation. To this end Reiko lived her dream and even spelled it out in her website name, www.reikodreamart.com, and upbeat promotions.

I believe artists and all creative individuals have an innate responsibility to “pay it forward” by modeling the kind of spirit that nurtures joy, love, peace, gratitude, generosity, etc., and inspires others. Likewise, these same artists have a unique product that results from the gift they are given which may, to some degree, be a tangible legacy of wonderful and timeless memories for those close and who follow. We have been blessed by just such an artist who has touched many and will positively influence many more for years to come.

Thank you for the gift, Reiko, and my (our) heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to your family.

Robert Schimmel is a professional artist and teacher in South Lake Tahoe as well as host of “Lake Tahoe Art Scene” on KTHO radio on Thursdays at 5:15pm.

By Kathryn Reed

Clicking of tap shoes fill the room. Girls in skirts from the 1930s. High school boys in suspenders and vests.

It must be “42nd Street” – on Viking Way.

Alec Niven plays the lead dancer Billy Lowler, while Jack Percival has the lead non-dancing role as Julian Marsh. Tall and thin, the two young men look like they could be from that era eight decades ago.

South Tahoe High students practice a number from "42nd Street". Photos/Kathryn Reed

“This is a lot different (than other shows). There are a lot more dance numbers,” Niven says, taking a break from rehearsal on Thursday.

Percival says the number of set changes also makes it a more complicated show.

In less than a week, one of South Tahoe High School’s largest productions will be performed. Theater director Liz Niven didn’t want to go small when it came to breaking in the new theater. The bigger the better – something memorable – she told Lake Tahoe News as the Theater Arts and Design Academy was being worked on last summer.

Feet rapidly move, arms wave, bodies are gyrating – all in unison – all under the watchful eye of Marcia Sarosik.

They are in the Sound Stage room where a wall of mirrors allows them to see themselves. A flat screen television has a direct feed to what is going on in the theater.

Using an iPod to deliver the music (it will be live music during the performances), Sarosik watches her charges clack their shoes – the girls all with a slight heel to contend with.

Alec Niven plays Billy Lowler.

Sarosik has been an integral part of each high school musical, and the dance instructor for some of these students since they were little kids.

She knows the play well, having seen it four times – at Harrah’s, on Broadway, and twice in up state New York. The latter was with South Tahoe High School graduate Bubba Romagnolo on stage.

Romagnolo returned home in October to spend a few days helping to choreograph the show and inspire the students.

On Thursday, the set was still being painted and looked far from finished.

Today is hat day. Each must be unique to complement the stylish dames who will parade across the stage.

More than 100 people are involved with the production – from actors to set designers to the orchestra. Key adults include Bob Grant as musical director, Casson Scowcroft as orchestra conductor, and Drake Niven as technical director.

“The theater being new is adding extra challenges,” Sarosik admits. “The sound and lighting are more challenging.”

Everything is new. But it’s also smaller, with less seating. This is one reason why instead of having the usual four productions in one weekend, there will be six shows covering two weekends.

————-

"42nd Street" involves a sea of fast moving tap shoes.

Performances of “42nd Street” at South Tahoe High School:

• Dec. 9 7pm

• Dec. 10 7pm

• Dec. 11 2pm

• Dec. 16* 7pm

• Dec. 17 7pm

• Dec. 18 2pm

Advanced tickets are available by calling Lori Nelson at (530) 541.4111, ext. 235. Cost: $15 general admission, $10 adults 60-plus, $5 students, Super ASB free after all ticket holders are seated.

* Performing Arts Booster Association is celebrating the opening of the theater with a fund raiser called “Stars Night Out” on Dec. 16 that will feature dinner at 5:30pm served by the high school’s culinary arts students. Dessert will be served during intermission. Cast members will make appearances. Cost is $40 and includes the show. Contact Kathy Percival at (775) 527.3556 or Madonna Doyle at (530) 545.9734 for “Stars Night Out” tickets. Dinner seating is limited.

Alpenglow Sports’ second installment of its annual Winter Film Series is “Norway’s Wild West” on Dec. 8 at 7pm at the Sawtooth Ridge Café in Tahoe City.

Join Salt Lake City ski mountaineering icon Andrew McLean for a three-part trip to Norway’s Spitsbergen archipelago. Situated in the Arctic Circle, the area provides world-class skiing, trekking, sailing and adventure. Tour through abandoned Russian ghost towns, dodge Polar Bear tracks in the fog, and savor the world’s most expensive snowmobile ride in a land where the sun never sets.

McLean and a host of other ski mountaineers descended on the region in the spring.

The show is free and is designed to motivate, inspire, and educate.

The Sawtooth Ridge Café will serve dinner specials beginning at 5:30pm. Call Alpenglow Sports at (530) 583.6917 with questions.

Maple is a beautiful 6-year-old Weimeraner who needs a special home. As is true of most dogs of this breed, she needs lots of exercise, she will jump fences if given the chance, and she is not crazy about being left home alone.

She would do best in an active home with another dog.

But Maple is very sweet and affectionate, and has lovely manners – she is worth the extra attention she needs.

Maple is spayed, microchipped, 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.

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