By Kathryn Reed

It’s one thing to impersonate a living star; it’s another to share a stage with that person.

That is exactly what two veterans of Carnival Cabaret did Saturday night. Sean Paul, who is the current Dolly Parton in the female impersonation show at Horizon in Stateline, and Kevin Wiley, who has had that role in the past, was part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Dollywood.

Sean Paul as Dolly Parton in Carnival Cabaret. Photo/Yon Ju Kim

“It’s a great opportunity to work with a country legend. I’m still kind of speechless over the whole thing,” Paul said before the Aug. 28 event. “This will be the first time I will have met her. She has seen me before. I have gone to her concerts dressed like her.”

News about Paul and Wiley’s trek to the Nashville Performing Arts Center could not be released beforehand because they were part of the surprise for the guests.

The event is one of many Parton is having to commemorate this being the 25th year of Dollywood, which is a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Through her nonprofit she has a literacy program that this year coincidentally gave out 25 million books to a youngster. The program started as a tribute to her father who could not read and write.

Miley Cyrus and her dad, Billy Ray, were expected to be in the audience. After all, Parton is Miley’s “fairy godmother”. They, with Kenny Rogers and other country stars, were part of an hour-long television show with Parton celebrating Dollywood that aired earlier this summer.

Before Saturday’s event Paul was fretting about how he would hold up in 4-inch heals for eight hours. After rock climbing Tuesday, blisters covered a good portion of his feet.

Thousands of people impersonate the buxom country star. The men with ties to Lake Tahoe and Sandy Anderson, a woman who impersonates Parton with Legends in Concert, are the three who performed “9 to 5” with the real Parton on stage last night.

Paul took one of the outfits his mom, Kris Scheramann, made for him. She makes most of his costumes.

He has been performing Parton in shows for almost 20 years, having started in Las Vegas.

Sean Paul

“I’ve always had a fondness for Dolly Parton music,” Paul said.

Wiley now lives in Los Angeles where he is an executive for Magic Castle in Hollywood. He was Carnival Cabaret’s Parton before Paul took over.

The El Dorado County Health Services Department, Public Health Division in South Lake Tahoe is offering the booster vaccine which protects against pertussis (whooping cough) at low cost during next week’s Tuesday farmers’ market.

The vaccine will be available at the Health Department’s booth at the market at the American Legion Hall on 2732 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe on Aug. 31 from 8am-1pm.

Individuals may also schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine at the Health Department clinic by calling (530) 573.3155. The cost for the vaccine is $10.

The booster pertussis vaccine, called Tdap, is given in one dose and is recommended for anyone over the age of 7 who has not previously received the vaccine or who is not fully immunized. Childcare providers, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and people who have contact with pregnant women and infants are also encouraged to be vaccinated against pertussis. Parents who wish to have their child immunized must bring their child’s immunization record. Tdap is a combination vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

El Dorado County health officials continue to see a record number of pertussis cases in the community, with 38 cases reported so far this year, compared to three last year. California has had eight deaths due to pertussis since the beginning of this year, all among young children who were primarily infected through an adult. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection that can lead to severe coughing fits and be fatal to babies. Symptoms of pertussis typically start with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever is rare.

By Kathryn Reed

Gusts of 40mph did not stop the annual Lake in the Sky Air Show, but it did prevent some planes from landing.

The show at Lake Tahoe Airport wraps up Aug. 28 at 3:30pm with closing ceremonies.

Stunt pilots are defying Mother Nature, what with her high winds and sprinkles, as they race straight up, seem to stall, float down tail first and level themselves as though it’s no big deal.

Planes of various sizes are at Lake Tahoe Aiport for the air show. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Various sizes of military planes and helicopters arrived at the South Shore airport late this week for the event. Many are accessible to the public to climb into.

Air Force pilot Steve Cochran was showing Jimmy Donnelly, 4, of Hayward which throttle makes the plane go fast.

“It’s the best office in the world,” Cochran said from the cockpit.

Navy Sgt. Matt Vasquez strapped Scott Vernon, 30, of Portland into a hook-up that would prevent him from falling out of the helicopter while operating a 50-caliber machine gun. That’s exactly what this bird has been used for in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some planes date to World War II, while others are used now.

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By Dan Reed, USA Today

Lots of luck catching another flight if you’ve been bumped or miss a connection.

Commercial airlines in the USA have never been as full. Seven of them — Delta, American, United, Continental, US Airways, AirTran and Alaska — reported filling at least 87 percent of their seats in July.

Even Southwest, always the industry’s laggard in load factor, beat the industry’s average over the previous six Julys of 84.6 percent by filling 84.9 percent of its seats.

At Reno-Tahoe International Airport, load factor data for June — the most recent available — showed was 80.7 percent across all airlines. The fullest flights were Delta Airlines, with a total load factor of 90.1 percent for the month of June, followed by American Airlines at 89.6 percent. The lowest load factor was by Southwest, at 67.3 percent.

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A public hearing, hosted by the El Dorado County Mental Health Commission, will be on Sept. 7 from noon-1pm to receive input on the El Dorado County 2010-11 Mental Health Services Act Plan Update.

The hearing will be conducted via teleconference at two locations:

El Dorado County EMS Agency, 415 Placerville Drive, Ste. K, Placerville and El Dorado County Public Health, 1360 Johnson Blvd, No. 103, South Lake Tahoe.

The draft plans include updated information on proposed MHSA program activities and budgets for this year. Plans under review include: Community Services and Supports, Workforce Education and Training, and Prevention and Early Intervention. The draft plans are posted on the El Dorado County Health Services Department, Mental Health Division’s website at www.edcgov.us/mentalhealth/mhsa.html.

Copies may be obtained by contacting Stephanie Carlson at (530) 621.6315. Comments may be emailed to mhsa@edcgov.us.

By Kathryn Reed

Meandering through the classrooms during the open house of the Stadium View building, an excitement permeated the walls. Students were excited – this from youth not accustomed to going to school before Labor Day; teachers giddy; administrators joyful; school board members relieved; and the public appreciative and awed by the transformation.

Realtor Deb Howard knows the upgrades to facilities and programs at the campus will in turn help her business. Families moving anywhere almost always inquire about schools. She said on Thursday that the campus, which she has seldom visited since her last child graduated in 1999, will be a selling point for her.

South Tahoe Middle School Principal Beth Delacour couldn’t stop smiling. Even though she doesn’t want to change schools, she’s excited about sending her kids to STHS with all the changes that have and will continue to occur during the next few years.

Proving why the STHS building is called Stadium View. Photos/Kathryn Reed

The $64.5 million facilities bond passed by voters in 2008 has been supplemented with $30 million in matching funds from the state. The bulk of the money is being spent at the high school, though every campus will see upgrades.

Blight is how the City Council views South Lake Tahoe, but it’s not how what’s happening on Gardner Mountain can be described.

When South Tahoe High School students start classes Monday, the second new building in four months will be theirs to learn in.

Thursday was a day to have a tour from a student of the two-story Stadium View building – appropriately named for the views to the football field; as well as the Career and Technical building that opened in April.

Superintendent Jim Tarwater and Principal Ivone Larson both spoke of how the programs being offered in the new facilities will prepare students for whatever they want to do after high school, be it college or work.

Math is one of the main subjects that will be taught in the Stadium View building. Da Vinci Algebra is a course the faculty created to blend math and art, and taught by instructors in both disciplines. The first in the nation course was just approved by the University of California as an accredited class.

“We want to make it exciting for kids,” Larson said of math as she gave a handful of people a tour of the building.

In the future, math and construction will be woven together.

The point is this generation should never have to ask, “When I will I use this?” when it comes to math principles. They will learn practical applications in high school.

Jamie Greenough, who teaches environmental science, couldn’t stop talking about what she will be able to do with her classroom, the greenhouse that is in the back of the room, the 3-D television that allows students to experience things like a tsunami, and the groundwater filtration system that still needed to be installed.

Connie Hunt was busy that day organizing her room. In the back are two dental chairs just waiting for someone to open wide. The dental program has been integrated with what Lake Tahoe Community College offers to make the transition seamless for those pursuing dental hygiene or dentistry.

What might seem like little touches are throughout. Windows open to provide fresh air. Tables in some rooms are really three put together to make one round table – which gives instructors more options. The AVID room can be one big room or two smaller rooms.

“Counselors were working up to 5 (Thursday) morning on the master schedule. As more students see this, they want in,” Larson said, going from room to room. No two seem a like. Each seems to be specialized. And that’s just how it was designed to be – unique and functional.

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The 3rd Annual John Reichert Memorial Classic Car Show is Sept. 11 from noon-2pm at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area. This event is open to the public; both spectators and those who wish to show their cars.

John Reichert was a member of the North Tahoe Public Utility District Recreation and Parks Commission who passed away in 2008 and was involved in the development of the Friends of the Park Fund. This fund goes to support capital projects in the North Tahoe Regional Park. Current fundraising is focused on raising money for a new children’s playground.

A barbecue benefiting the North Tahoe Public Utility District Friends of the Park Fund will be available during the show.

Anyone wishing to show their car should contact Dave Shelton to RSVP at (530) 583.3787 or tahoed@gmail.com There is no cost to participate, but a count of cars is important to determine the car layout in the parking lot.

The Last Exorcism

Rated PG-13

2.5 bagels out of 5

By Howie Nave

As a fan of horror movies, I have to give credit upfront to director Daniel Stamm (“A Necessary Death”) for delivering a movie in this genre with a PG-13 rating. Forget about language usually a horror flick with a gore factor of 7 (out of 10) easily warrants a bump up to an R rating.

With that said, any movie title having the word, “Last” in it means the studio is going to be giving us more depending on the box office receipts of the first one. There is no “last” in Hollywood, remember? Cher, Barbra Streisand and The Eagles have had several farewell tours only to pop back up on the radar screen again when they ran out of money or needed to remind the public they were still living. OK, back to the exorcism at hand.

"The Last Exorcism" is full of plenty of cliches.

I’ve always liked the concept of a movie within a movie. In this case a documentary being filmed by a preacher showing he can rid the devil from a girl (it’s always a young lady that gets possessed have you noticed?). We’re introduced to the Rev. Cotton Marcus (played by Patrick Fabian) who is your typical showman of a preacher who is so good even he can’t seem to believe it. He has his congregation believing him so thoroughly (and blindly) that Marcus actually wants to prove that he isn’t as sincere as they believe he is. Maybe he was trying to redeem himself to God on Earth so he could be allowed access into heaven?

So he gets his to prove how fabricated he is when a request comes his way involving an exorcism. This, by the way is where the title of the movie gets mentioned because this is going to be … ”The Last Exorcism” he ever does. Marcus wants to remove the wool from the people he had been pulling over their eyes for so long that he gets a golden opportunity with this request.

OK here is where the clichés start to kick in. First, the exorcism is to take place in the back woods of Louisiana (where else?) with his documentary film crew in tow. Second, we’re introduced to a teenage girl named Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) who hasn’t recovered fully from the death of her mother. Her father, (Louis Herthum) has been home schooling her and summons the reverend because he believes his daughter has been killing the animals on the farm so obviously it must be the work of the devil.

I’m actually on the same page as Reverend Marcus thinking that folks who live out in the swamplands have a little bit too much time on their hands.

The final cliché kicks in when Nell starts going into complete, “creep mode” (but fortunately we’re spared any pea soup spewing out of her). The camera work will obviously remind you of another movie within a movie concept: “The Blair Witch Project.” As I recalled I almost vomited in the theater as that film crew was running through the forest with very limited lighting. Here at least the crew vomits in one place without having to do the exercise part (OK make that exorcise) but the lighting is just as limited. What helps the film is the use of no “name actors” because had there been some huge bankable star in the leading role it would have been more fun to critique. I was hoping that Jennifer Aniston would have had the lead here and that the preacher involved would not have been trying to drive the devil out of her but try in vain to exorcise the bad decision-making as to why she chooses the scripts for the movies she makes.

Howie Nave is host/emcee/manager of The Improv at Harveys. You can hear him Monday-Friday 6to10am on on KRLT FM-93.9.

By Paul Burgarino, Contra Costa Times

ANTIOCH — Calm has returned to Walnut Avenue.

Drive through the rural neighborhood during the day and you may spot a flock of chickens strutting across the road or a child riding a bicycle in the dirt. At night, activity is even more sparse.

Nearly a year ago, that was anything but the case.

The Antioch compound where Jaycee Lee Dugard was kept for 18 years. Photo/KTVU-TV

On Aug. 26, 2009, this unincorporated Contra Costa County tract just outside Antioch became the epicenter of media coverage around the world when longtime residents Phillip and Nancy Garrido were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping Jaycee Dugard and holding her for 18 years in the backyard of their Walnut Avenue house.

The spotlight eventually dimmed, but the sordid tale of the Garridos’ arrest and accusations of the sexual captivity of Dugard still resonate among residents, who say their lives were disrupted and the neighborhood unfairly stigmatized as a haven for sex offenders.

The neighborhood of large lots and isolated properties is “back to normal,” said Helen Boyer, who lives next to the fenced-off Garrido house — which had a hidden backyard lair that authorities said shielded Dugard and the two daughters she bore Garrido. The house today stands vacant, its fate undecided.

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By Reno Gazette-Journal

Jaycee Lee Dugard, born May 3, 1980, was 11 years old and attending Meyers Elementary School in South Lake Tahoe when she was abducted at 8 a.m. June 10, 1991. Dugard allegedly had two daughters by Phillip Garrido, who authorities said kidnapped her. The girls are now 15 and 12. Dugard and her daughters live in Southern California with her mother, Terry Probyn, and stepsister. She released a video in March saying she appreciated the support she has received and that she’s doing well. She reportedly is working on her GED, has a driver’s license and plans to go to college.

Phillip Garrido was born April 5, 1951, in Pittsburg and graduated from Lincoln Union High School in 1969. He was a musician. He used drugs, LSD in particular, in excess. He moved to Reno in 1971 and was married in 1973 to a dealer at a local casino. His first wife divorced him in 1980 after his conviction for kidnapping and rape. He ran a business-card printing company in Antioch, Calif. He also ran an organization called “God’s Desire” and a website called “Voices Revealed.” He said he could “speak in the tongue of angels” and control voices “that are unearthly in nature.”

Phillip and Nancy Garrido

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