Hear the “Tales of Picket Pin of the High Sierra” on Aug. 14-15 from 10-11am or 12:30-1:30pm.

Author, illustrator, and master storyteller Carol Timmerman will share her book about a Belding squirrel’s journey through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Along the way he learns about the history and geography of the area, meets animals named after historical figures and learns why gold miners called these little squirrels picket pins.

Meet the author at the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum, 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe.

For reservations and questions, call (530) 541.5458 or email laketahoemuseum@att.net.

The author will sign your purchased book on the days of the event. She has given the museum a special price on the sale of her book with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the museum.

This free event is sponsored by The Lake Tahoe Historical Society.

Longtime South Lake Tahoe resident and businessman Robert “Bob” Kimball passed away July 23 at age 76 in Pukalani, Hawaii, where he had lived for the past eight years.

Mr. Kimball and his twin brother, Don, owned and operated the M.S. Dixie and Zephyr Cove Resort until the sale to Aramark in December 1999.

Bob Kimball

Mr. Kimball was active in the South Lake Tahoe business community and served one term as president of the Tahoe Douglas Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his wife, Marlu’ twin brother, Donald; sister, Janet; three children; three step-children; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

By Guy Clifton, Reno Gazette-Journal

More than a third of 100 registered Hot August Nights participants responding to a Reno Gazette-Journal survey think the addition of an event in Long Beach, Calif., next year will hurt the Reno festivities next year, while 25 percent think it will help Reno.

And only two of the registered participants polled this week said that they would attend the trio of Hot August Nights events planned in Reno, Long Beach and South Lake Tahoe next year.

“I’ll probably go to Long Beach when I’m on my way here,” said Dick Block, 63, of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., who has entered his 1937 Ford in Hot August Nights each of the past six years. “But I’m retired. I don’t know if a lot of people will do that. I think stretching it over two weeks like that, you run the risk of burning someone out.”

The Reno Gazette-Journal surveyed 100 registered entrants in Hot August Nights, all from outside Nevada. United States and Canadian provinces that were represented included California, Iowa, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia. The unscientific survey was conducted Wednesday and Thursday at several venues, including downtown Reno, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Victorian Square in Sparks, and the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Read the whole story

Pat Ronan, owner of Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa in South Lake Tahoe, is hosting a benefit for Tahoe Arts Project that will feature the music of Niall McGuiness, Trey Stone and Rocky Sleight.

Bring food, beverages, blankets and low back chairs, but no pets.

A suggested donation of $10 per person will support Tahoe Arts Project’s mission of bringing professional performing arts into the schools and community of South Lake Tahoe.

The event is Aug. 12 from 7-9pm.

Lakeshore Lodge and Spa is Behind Heidi’s Restaurant on Highway 50.

Call (530) 542-3632 for more information.

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — Eagerly giving up their diamond rings, three women and a roomful of people saw a guy put them in tissue. But they weren’t in the tissue as he tore it up. They ended up in a box with a bow.

While this might seem ordinary, it wasn’t. No one saw the guy put them in the box and we were sitting right in front of him.

Tony Clark, center, has Sarrah and Jeff tie him up at MontBleu on Aug. 6. Photos/Kathryn Reed

“I don’t understand.” That was the feeling I had the whole time watching Masters of Magic at MontBleu. And for the entertainers on the casino’s stage that’s just how they like it.

Magician Tony Clark joked, “The more you drink, the more magic you see.” The sober truth is the sleight of hand and illusion displayed brought forth remarks of “That was cool.” and “How did he do that?” from the children and parents in the audience.

Sitting up close means a good chance of becoming part of the entertainment. Clark brought Jeff and Sarah on stage to help tie his wrists. A little adult humor was thrown in that likely went over the heads of the kids in the crowd.

Clark had put his watch in his back pocket. The couple made sure the rope was secure, solid – nothing funny about it. Before anyone could say abracadabra, Clark was no longer tied up in knots and his watch was back on.

Illusionist Danny Cole completely changed outfits before our eyes. From red suit to black; ties came and went. But no one ever saw him get undressed. His wardrobe just changed right before our eyes without us knowing how.

Much of the time the audience was silent. They must have been like me – too busy trying to figure out what was going on, scratching their heads and unable to put their hands together.

Bryson Lane juggles sickles.

I know my lack of applause had nothing to do with not being appreciative of what was going on before me – instead, it had everything to do with wanting them to go a little slower, maybe, just maybe then I would figure out how they did it.

Bryson Lane takes juggling to a new level with sickles being tossed in the air as he chomps on a stick that has a spinning ball on it.

Joel Ward makes Stacey disappear into a box that he seems to slice in half. Somehow she reappears in the audience.

This is one of the shows that leaves you entertained as well as frustrated because you keep wondering how they do what they do.

Joel Ward seems to cut Stacey (in the box) in half.

The hour-plus show features Tony Clark, Joel Ward, Bryson Lang, Danny Cole and assistant Stacey. It runs through Sept. 5, Wednesday-Sunday at 8pm at MontBleu casino in Stateline. Cost is $19.95 for adults, $12.95 for ages 17 and younger. For more information, call (775) 588.3515.

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — Cancer. It’s one of the deadliest words in the English language. But with events like Relay for Life, a cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.

The fifth annual Relay on the South Shore is going on now at Kahle Community Park in Stateline.

Cancer survivors start the South Shore Relay for Life on Aug. 7. Photos/Kathryn Reed

It all began with survivors of cancer making the first lap. Then caregivers followed. Many wore sashes saying which group they belong to. Most were smiling. They clearly had something to celebrate.

It’s all about raising money for the American Cancer Society. Going into Saturday’s festivities that started shortly after 4pm more than $40,000 had been collected.

Fundraising by the various teams, individuals paying $10 to walk and money still to be tallied from Taste of Tahoe could bring this year’s event to about $60,000 – which would be double what was raised in 2009.

Jenn Boyd, who coordinated this year’s Relay for Life, said the plan is to expand Taste of Tahoe next year because of how successful it was. This year 10 restaurants donated a portion of a week’s worth of proceeds to Relay.

People can show up any time between now and 6am Sunday. Relay will be going on all night – signifying how cancer doesn’t sleep. Or listen on KRLT-93.9FM or KTHO-96.1FM – both radio stations plan to broadcast live for part of the event.

Cancer survivor Esther Carlen gets a hug from comic Howie Nave.

The dog walk is from 7-8pm – then all four-legged walkers must leave the park.

Michael Clark and Band will play from 8-10pm.

The luminaria ceremony is from 9-10pm. People write on or decorate paper bags that are then illuminated with a candle. It’s hard to not cry reading about friends and family who have died and about just as many who have survived.

Deep Fried Mojo will entertain the group from 10pm-midnight.

Event organizer Jenn Boyd at work.

A massive Twister game will go on for about an hour starting at midnight.

Coffee and a light breakfast will be available at 5am. Closing ceremonies and awards are at 6m.

To get involved with Relay for Life 2011 or find out more information about it, call Jenn Boyd at (702) 278.1932 or email boydjenn@gmail.com.

Alternative Energy Home presentation by Ben Solomon at Sierra Nevada College on Aug. 31.

Learn how to develop your own net energy producing, alternative energy home. The program consists of images and description of the development of the Alternative Energy Program at SNC from 1971 to the present, and the conversion of the Solomon house from a “tract” house to a net energy producer.

The material will include helpful information for home owners to reduce their energy consumption and thereby lower utility bills as well as improve home comfort.

Solomon is a professor of Alternative Energy at Sierra Nevada College. He has worked in the energy field since 1971, and has developed many devices and techniques for conserving and harnessing energy.

Time: 5:30pm No-Host Bar. Program begins promptly at 6pm.

Cost: $5 donation requested.

Location: Assembly Rooms 139 and 141, Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, 291 Country Club Drive, Incline Village.

For more information, contact Heather Segale at (775) 881. 7562 or email hmsegale@ucdavis.edu.

By Kathryn Reed

“It’s a dog’s life” is being taken to a whole new level at Tahoe Best Friends.

Reaching down to pet one of her four legged customers, Paige Rice calls him by name. She knows all of their names. So do the other workers at this canine hotel in South Lake Tahoe.

This is no ordinary place to board a dog.

Harley sees no reason to greet a visitor at Tahoe Best Friends. Photos/Kathryn Reed

“He had to have a couch to lay on and they have a couch to lay on,” says Edith Mankiewiez of Mr. Dutch, her shepherd-husky mix. “They let dogs do the normal things they do at home.”

The Stateline resident uses Tahoe Best Friends as doggie daycare three to four days a week. If she’s late coming back from her job in Carson City, she calls the boarding facility to say Mr. Dutch will be having a sleepover.

About a year ago, Rice started the business out of her home. The desire by a growing number of dog owners to have a facility without kennels or cages led her to expand the business a little more than a month ago. Now she occupies about 2,000-square-feet of indoor space across from South Tahoe Refuse’s recycling center, with about another 1,000-square-feet of outdoor play area.

Maureen Stuhlman is second in charge of the center.

One thing Stuhlman said dog owners like is being able to bring their own food so no intestinal issues arise with changing brands.

Windows to the outdoors and between the three indoor dog areas create airiness. One room is devoted to little dogs, another for big, the other for training. Doors can be opened so it’s one big romper room.

Dogs of all sizes, breeds and ages tromp in and out. A wrestling match of sorts is going on in one corner. It looks like a pool party out back. Others are loafing on comfy couches and chairs by the fireplace or near the television.

A log cabin feel is what Rice is creating.

Shy dogs or ones lacking in social skills are introduced to the rest of the brood gradually. At most there are 25 dogs on any given day.

Zeke is Susan Frailey’s first dog. The 11-month-old black Lab first visited Tahoe Best Friends at about 12 weeks old. Socialization was a big reason she picked this place.

“I feel like I’m taking my son to a really great day care,” the Meyers resident said. “He is super excited every time we go there. We get to day care and he is so happy and ready to go play.”

Zeke it at the center a couple days a week and spends the night when Frailey is out of town.

Lori MacDonald also liked the socialization aspect of Tahoe Best Friends when it came to finding a place for Miso. The teacup Yorkie was 5 months when she first stayed over.

The MacDonalds were in Tahoe earlier this summer staying at their timeshare that doesn’t allow dogs. They had Miso spend the night, but picked her up during the day to play with them.

“The way she was introduced to the other dogs, they did is slow and one at a time,” the Bay Area woman said. “She had not been around a lot of dogs before.”

She said Miso didn’t do any of that shaking or backing up that dogs are prone to do when they go to the vet or groomer. In fact, she made friends with a Great Dane and was eager to return to the center for the night.

“The hardest thing was explaining to my boys (ages 8, 11 and 13) that they could not spend the night. They could have spent hours there,” MacDonald said.

Someone does spend the night – one of the 10 employees. A bed folds into the wall, but when it’s down one ore more dogs are often sharing space with the human.

With the center backing up to a residential area, the rules are owners can get their dogs between 7am and 7pm. Not much barking goes on. Mostly it’s playful snarling that can be heard or a little dog ready to come out of the room.

For more information about Tahoe Best Friends, call (530) 542.2336 or click here.

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By Kathryn Reed

A letter from the landlord listed what needed to be done – or else.

Unable to do the work herself or pay for someone to do it, June Echeverri was worried. The 76-year-old’s health doesn’t allow her to maintain her yard like she once did. Her daughter who lives with her is on disability.

June Echeverri looks at how her yard is being re-done. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Every spring Tahoe Verde has a spring checkup list for people living in the mobile home park. Echeverri didn’t think she would be able to check anything off the list.

“I really didn’t know what I was going to do,” Echeverri told Lake Tahoe News. The answer came via an invitation from Habitat for Humanity to apply to be part of A Brush with Kindness, a program the El Dorado County chapter offers.

This is the first project on the South Shore the group has done. They started Monday and wrapped up in a few days.

“This program is only exterior. We do minor repairs. It can’t be for cosmetic reasons,” Carolyn Meiers explained.

Meiers has been on the Habitat board in El Dorado County for four years. The next project is in the Bijou neighborhood. That house is scheduled to be painted in September.

“The caveat is the people have to do all the prep work. They are young,” Meiers said. “It has to be scraped and brushed and ready for paint.”

About a dozen volunteers worked from 8am to 4pm at Echeverri’s home. Weeds were eliminated, fern-like plants split apart and replanted, sod eliminated, weed cloth put down, wood chips laid on top of it, a back yard water feature reconfigured a bit and more.

Landscaper Jim Doherty volunteered his efforts to remove the sod. This means no more mowing for the women.

The skirt was painted with donations from Dick Fuller Paints and Valspar Paints.

The hot water heater door was fixed and other repairs were made.

“This is a great example that there are people who care and will offer their time and energy,” Echeverri said as the crew went about their work.

For the men and women working up a sweat she provided a bite to eat each morning, snacks, water and soft drinks.

Unity Church in South Lake Tahoe raised $234 for the project – and supplied much of the labor. Meiers, along with Arlene Wolfe and Bonnie Driscoll make up Hope Lutheran’s committee that is part of all of this.

JJ Stafford decided to spend part of his Tahoe vacation volunteering his time with this Habitat project. The 21-year-old from New York has been doing this type of thing since he was 13.

Seeing the gratitude in the homeowners and hearing them say “thank you” is how he is paid.

For more information about the local Habitat for Humanity chapter or volunteering, contact Carolyn Meiers at (530) 541.4654 or email sltahoehabitat@gmail.com. The process to qualify is a bit rigorous, with distinct income requirements, proof of homeownership, tax forms and about a four-page application to fill out.

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The countdown is on for the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event, Aug. 7–8 at Kahle Community Park. With 37 teams, 10 restaurant sponsors, 26 business sponsors and seven media sponsors the committee anticipates a great turnout and to raise more money than last year’s event.

This year marks the 26th anniversary for Relay for Life, and the South Shore is celebrating its fifth year. The all-night event will be at Kahle Community Park beginning at 4pm Saturday, with closing ceremonies at 6am Sunday.

Teams, up to 12 members, take turns walking around the track throughout the event to symbolize that cancer never sleeps.

Although it is encouraged to have teams organized and raising funds prior to the event, all individuals are welcome and teams can join Saturday. In not already on a team, a donation of $10/person includes participation and Relay for Life event T-shirt.

South Shore is fortunate to be one of the only Relay for Life events that offers a Canine For a Cure Dog Walk. Please respect that Kahle has graciously allowed dogs from 7–8pm. All dogs must be on a leash and leave by 8:15pm. To ensure an accurate count for doggie-goodie bags register dogs prior to the event at Dog Dog Cat, located in the Village Center near Raley’s; otherwise, registration is available on site. A $10 donation per dog is encouraged.

Schedule of Events:

4pm -– Opening Ceremony, Survivor Lap, Caregiver Lap and entire event lap to kickoff event

4:30–6:30pm -– Live music with Martin & Vargas

5–6pm — Survivor Dinner – free meal will be provided to all cancer survivors. Food will be carnival style at various team’s campsites with suggested donations depending on type of food.

7-8pm –– Canine For a Cure Dog Walk

9-10pm -– Luminaria Ceremony with presentation from a cancer survivor

8-10pm -– Live music with Michael Clark and band

5–6sm -– Coffee and light breakfast items available for donations

6am -– Closing Ceremony & Awards

For more information about the South Lake Tahoe Relay For Life event, to register a team, ways to get involved or make a donation visit: www.sltrelay.com or www.relayforlifetasteoftahoe.com.