By Chelsea Phua, Sacramento Bee

Moments before stepping inside an El Dorado Hills coffee shop, Vern Pierson pecked away at his BlackBerry. He was sending an e-mail message to his secretary about the caseload handled by a prosecutor.

It was only 8:30am, and Pierson, El Dorado County’s district attorney, already had his plate full. He confessed he is a workaholic.

Vern Pierson

“My wife will tell you this,” Pierson quipped.

As the district attorney of a rural county of about 178,000 people, Pierson runs a small shop, with 22 prosecutors.

But his office has 11 pending homicide cases, nearly four times as many as neighboring Placer County, which has nearly double the number of prosecutors and population of El Dorado County.

Read the whole story

By Allen Pierleoni, Sacramento Bee

Book lovers are blogging about their favorite subject, appearing online at a near viral rate.

Their sites cover every genre, along with aggregated book news, best-seller lists, author interviews and related links.

Book bloggers – BBs – even held their own convention recently in New York City. And it looks like their credibility within the established publishing industry is growing. For instance, BBs were given media credentials to attend this year’s BookExpo America, the industry’s showcase trade fair.

The day after BEA closed, the first Book Blogger Convention opened. BBs from around the nation hosted panel discussions in front of overflow audiences that included executives from some of publishing’s biggest houses.

Read the whole story

Lake Tahoe Chautauqua continues its quest to blend the insights of historical research with the fun of theatrical entertainment as it presents “Hot Dogs to Haute Cuisine” at Sand Harbor State Park on Aug. 19 beginning at 6pm.

For those unfamiliar with this entertaining and educational presentation, Chautauqua format is simple: for this summer’s show, a performer, in the guise Babe Ruth will share “firsthand stories about important episodes in the character’s life”, said Ginny Liebner Yates of the Chautauqua festival.

Following this appearance, “a tall, gangly woman with a preposterous voice and joy of life who revolutionized the art of cooking will tell her tale as Julia Child.” After the monologue, the audience and performers engage in a lively give-and-take.

Finally, the scholar emerges from character to respond to questions that could not be answered in character.

Babe Ruth is perhaps the greatest sports hero in American history. But, the “Sultan of Swat” or “The Bambino,” as he came to be known, was more than a ballplayer, he was a public figure whose popularity transcended that of any game.

Julie Child will take the stage to depict a picture of what her life entailed back in the 1960s. The audience will learn about how Child brought her love of French cooking to the American public.

Prices are: $25 upper gallery, $35 for lower gallery and reserved are $50 and $55. Tickets are available by calling call 800.747.4697 or by visiting www. LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.

Award-winning jazz guitarist Terrence Brewer will bring his creative improvisation to the Moody’s Bistro & Lounge in Truckee on Aug. 20 and 21 at 8:30pm.

Brewer, a jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, and musical director, will infuse a taste of San Francisco jazz into the Truckee nightlife scene. His show will incorporate his passion for creation and innovation through improvisation, ensuring no two shows are exactly alike.

Terrence Brewer

One of the Bay Area’s most in demand musicians, Brewer has led his own instrumental and vocal groups in more than 1,400 shows throughout California in the last six years, many to sold-out audiences.

Brewer also possesses the rich experience of performing with legendary artists such as Pete Escovedo, Michael McDonald, Herb Gibson, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Kim Nalley, Duwaan Muhammad, Calvin Keyes, Bruce Forman, Scott Amendola, Khalil Shaheed, Ed Kelly, Michael Zilber, Tuck and Patti, Chuck Bennet, and many others. In addition to performing with legendary jazz artists, Brewer’s fate led him to study with musical greats such as Charlie Hunter, Duck Baker, and Mark Levine.

Kaleb James Martin Curtzwiler died Aug. 9, 2010. He was 28.

Mr. Curtzwiler was born Jan. 27, 1982, at Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe.

The 2000 South Tahoe High School graduate was an avid soccer player. Although he did not ski competitively, it was a sport he participated in with his family and one that he excelled at.

Kaleb Curtzwiler

The day after he graduated from high school he joined the Navy. His father, Kenny Curtzwiler, who was an officer, swore him in. Mr. Curtzwiler served for five years, rising to the rank of E5.

After the military he spent the first couple years on the East Coast working for Micron Technology, before returning to his roots of Lake Tahoe.

Mr. Curtzwiler had recently signed up to enlist in the Nevada National Guard.

Mr. Curtzwiler was using the GI bill to attend Lake Tahoe Community College. He was a straight A student with a goal of becoming an environmental engineer.

While on summer break he was working for the janitorial firm that cleans the offices for the city of South Lake Tahoe.

Kaleb Curtzwiler represents the second K in K&K Services, the company his father founded. He worked for the company at various times.

A memorial will be at the family home on Aug. 17 from 2-7pm at 2189 Blitzen Road in Christmas Valley. The Nevada State Honor Guard will honor Mr. Curtzwiler with a ceremony, including bagpipes, at 4pm.

Mr. Curtzwiler is survived by his parents Pam and Kenny Curtzwiler of Meyers; sister Hannah Curtzwiler of Meyers; brother Marshall Curtzwiler of Meyers; grandmother Irene Curtzwiler of Fremont; aunts Susan Curtzwiler and Lisa Curtzwiler of Fremont; uncle Bill Curtzwiler of Fremont; cousins Eric and Greg Curtzwiler; best friend Josh Newton; girlfriend Michelle Clarke of South Lake Tahoe; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks everyone to hug a child.

By Claire Bradley, Investopedia.com

At a time of economic doom and gloom, it’s easy to forget that tourism still keeps many states afloat – to the tune of billions of dollars. As of 2009, tourism brought $704 billion to the United States, employing an estimated 17.4 million people. So which states rake in the biggest bucks from its visitors? Here’s the top 10.

1. California

Hiking to the top of Mount Tallac is a draw for many visitors to Lake Tahoe. Photo/Kathryn Reed

The Golden State is the tourism powerhouse of America, generating $87.7 billion annually in 2009, and accounting for 851,000 jobs. With its national parks, tourist attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and various theme parks, plus expansive beaches and wine country, California has a variety of tourist hotspots throughout the state. What’s interesting to note is that Californians are their own largest pool of tourists – roughly 80% of visits are made by Californians themselves.

Read the whole story

By Daniel Lyons, Newsweek

If you had to declare a winner among Internet media companies today, the victor easily would be Arianna Huffington. Her site, The Huffington Post, attracted 24.3 million unique visitors last month, five times as much traffic as many new-media rivals, more than The Washington Post and USA Today, and nearly as many as The New York Times. HuffPo’s revenue this year will be about $30 -million—peanuts compared with the old-media dinosaurs, but way better than most digital competitors. And HuffPo has finally started to eke out a profit.

Those numbers, however, don’t fully convey the site’s place in this new-media world. What began five years ago as a spot for Huffington and her lefty celebrity friends to vent about the Bush administration has become one of the most important news sites on the Web, covering politics, sports, entertainment, business—along with plenty of tabloidy stuff to drive clicks, like photos of “Jennifer Aniston’s topless perfume ad.” HuffPo’s mission, Huffington says, is “to provide a platform for a really important national conversation.”

Arianna Huffington

It’s a humid July afternoon in New York—Huffington’s 60th birthday—and she’s sipping San Pellegrino water and nibbling on apple slices in her tiny office on the third floor of a building in New York’s SoHo. Minions rush in and out, bringing chocolates, messages, and a BlackBerry, with her ex-husband, former Republican congressman Michael Huffington, on the line. Arianna has just come from speaking at an advertising conference—she gives more than 100 speeches a year, addressing techies and publishing types, who view her as the patron saint of new media, the queen of bloggers, the one person who’s figured out the future of journalism.

Read the whole story

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Sierra Human Resources Association are offering “Get In the Zone: A Workshop for Working Women” on Aug. 18 from 8am to 12:30pm at Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge, 725 Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City.

The workshop is geared to strengthen participants’ sense of purpose in their work and align them with the needs of their organization or chosen career and life. It will also provide attendees with take-away tactics for career advancement and life enrichment, including a self-assessment connecting to what gets them in the zone, powerful decision-making tools, help in getting unstuck with a better sense of focus and ability to concentrate, along with networking skills and best self introductions.

The speakers are President Laura Moriarty of Tahoe Training Partners, a seasoned human resources executive, nationally known corporate trainer and frequent present of SHRA workshops, as well as Cathy Norris of Live Your Passionate Life.

Registration is $69 for North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and SHRA members and $79 for non-members. Seating is limited.

To register and for more information about the workshop, call Moriarty at (530) 573.0224 or North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Manger Kym Fabel at (530) 581.8764. Attendees can also register online at www.sierrahra.com.

It’s possible to be a good steward of the Truckee River and have a beautifully landscaped property, according to Robie Litchfield, a landscape architect, who serves on an advisory committee for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

Litchfield, of Truckee’s L&P DesignWorks, says many people believe gravel is the only remedy for eroding slopes. However, there are plenty of attractive ground cover materials that can also be used locally to reduce soil erosion, which eventually makes its way into the Truckee River. This fine sediment reduces clarity and is a form of pollution.

Jake Hudson recommends erosion control best practices measures to Andy Otto. Photo/Talia Henderson/TH Multimedia

“Low profile grasses, wildflowers, perennial and ground covers under 18 inches in height, as well as turf, are acceptable means of soil stabilization, while not compromising defensible space,” Litchfield said in a press release.

She notes that some adapt better to typical Truckee weather cycles and others are less water thrifty.

Fortunately for many Truckee homeowners the voluntary program River Friendly Landscaping provides not only free soil erosion advice, but in some cases financial assistance and incentives. Many of our town’s residents have the pleasure of living close to magnificent bodies of water such as Donner Lake, the Truckee River, and Donner and Alder creeks. The Truckee River Watershed Council and the Sierra Nevada Alliance have combined efforts to launch a campaign, which aims to reach local homeowners with landscaping advice to remedy the negative impact these parcels have on our region’s water quality.

Properties of special interest include homes on steep slopes, sites with highly compacted soil, and homes that are close to surface water. There are four identified neighborhoods: north shore of Donner Lake, Tahoe Donner, and the Truckee River corridor in Placer County, and along East and West River streets. Site evaluations will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. While any homeowner within the Truckee River watershed can participate in the program, homes in the focus areas will be given priority.

Interested property owners are encouraged to call (530) 550.8760, ext. 3 to schedule a free site evaluation. Based upon the assessment, an engineering consultant will design a plan with erosion control recommendations, free of charge. When the project is completed, River Friendly Landscaping staffers will once again visit the property. Unlike Truckee’s counterparts who live in the Tahoe Basin, where such requirements are mandatory, this program is implemented on a strictly volunteer basis. Acting as a good steward of our area is a powerful incentive to sign up for the program, however there are additional perks.

An added bonus is that upon completion, the homeowner will be eligible for up to a $400 rebate for materials and labor costs. Besides the joy of helping to protect the water quality of the Truckee River – an important local asset – homeowners are eligible for additional incentives. Each month, two homeowners who voluntarily implement the erosion control measures will receive two Reno Aces tickets.

The River Friendly Landscaping program is a joint project by the Truckee River Watershed Council and the Sierra Nevada Alliance. The program has been funded by the California through the state Water Resources Control Board.

Homeowners are also eligible to receive a complimentary full-color guide to landscaping in the Sierra Nevada. Published by the Sierra Nevada Alliance the 160-page manual offers great landscaping inspiration with dozens of photographs and how-to tips.

Award-winning Nevada schoolteacher Janet Bremer will give a Chautauqua presentation of Comstock socialite Marie Louise Mackay at a free event at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Mackay came to Nevada during the “Rush to Washoe,” but her husband’s drug and alcohol addiction left her a widow with a young child. In 1867. she married John Mackay, one of the four “Silver Kings” of the Comstock and her fortune changed. Her husband’s mining success made fine living and world travel possible and Mrs. Mackay became a wealthy socialite who lived in Virginia City, San Francisco, Paris and London. The Mackay family endowed the University of Nevada’s School of Mines in 1908.

What: Chautauqua presentation of Marie Louise Mackay

When: Aug. 14, 10am

Where: The park is located at 1450 Highway 88, Minden, one-half mile south of the Carson Valley Swim Center. A map and further information can be found at parks.nv.gov/hr.htm or by calling (775) 783.9417.

Who: The event is open to the public and is a part of a speaker series offered by Nevada State Parks.

Cost: This is a free outdoor program.

Contact: Mark Jensen, (775) 783.9417, dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov

More: Janet Bremer, a resident of Henderson, is a retired educator who has been named Nevada Social Studies Teacher of the Year and Mining Teacher of the Year. She helped create the “McCaw School of Mines” at Henderson Elementary School and remains involved with the school on a volunteer basis. She is also a board member of the Clark County Museum Guild. She has been researching the life of Marie Louise Mackay since 1994.

Chairs and shade shelters are provided by the park. Visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs and encouraged to bring water. Pets should be left at home.