Poet and literary translator Sholeh Wolpé will be at Lake Tahoe Community College on Oct. 12 at 8pm in the Roberta Mason Library for a free reading.

Wolpé will sign copies of her books, which will be for sale at the event, and answer audience questions..
 
Wolpé is an Iranian-born poet, writer, and translator whose works include four collections of poetry, two plays, four books of translations, and three anthologies.

Wolpé’s modern translation of “The Conference of the Birds” by the 12th century Iranian mystic poet Attar (W.W. Norton) has been hailed by Reza Aslan as a translation that “is sure to be as timeless as the masterpiece itself.” Wolpé ’s writings have been translated into 11 languages and are included in numerous American and international anthologies and journals of poetry and fiction.

St. Theresa’s Bread & Broth 4 Kids’ Cram-A-Cruiser event is Sept. 30 at Grocery Outlet in South Lake Tahoe from 10am-3pm.

Help cram a police cruiser full of food of food to aid South Lake Tahoe children in need.

Bread & Broth 4 Kids packs bags of food each week for local school kids to take home over the weekend. Students at Sierra House Elementary, Bijou Community School, Tahoe Valley Elementary and South Tahoe Middle School who qualify for the free lunch and breakfast program are also eligible to receive weekend food through Bread & Broth 4 Kids.

Each weekend the children receive three dinners, two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks to take home when food provided at school is not available.

Funded completely on donations, Bread & Broth 4 Kids appreciates food and cash in order to bag the weekend food. During the 2016-17 school year, 140 students received the weekly bags, and this year’s goal is 150 each week.

Needed donations:

Canned soup and meals such as Ravioli, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chili
Instant cups of macaroni and cheese
Cup Of Noodles and Top Ramen
Canned Tuna and Chicken
Packets of instant oatmeal
Granola bars
Individual serving boxes of cereal
Beef jerky
Raisins and fruit snacks
Peanut butter and jelly
Crackers with cheese or peanut butter.

Individual serving sizes are needed so the children can carry them home. Many families do not have means to cook so items requiring no preparation, water or easy heating are necessary. Bread & Broth purchases fresh fruit each week to be placed in the food bags.

Tahoe Donner’s annual Fall Festival celebration will be Oct. 14 from 11am-5pm at Northwoods Clubhouse.

Now its eighth consecutive year, this annual harvest festival features a full day of seasonal-themed events and activities. Admission is free with the option to purchase food, drinks and participate in certain activities.

There will be an expansive pumpkin patch and maze, barbecue, seasonal beers, art and craft vendors, plus live music and performances by local entertainers. Kid activities include pony rides, a carnival area, bounce house, caramel apple decorating, pumpkin carving, face painting, trampoline bungee jump, and much more.

New this year, Wild Things, leaders in animal education and conservation, will present two educational presentations bringing spectators up close and personal with a variety of rescued wildlife.

Dog owners are invited to bring their four-legged friends to participate in the popular doggie dip event taking place at the clubhouse pool. Dogs must be on leash when not in the pool area.

The Nevada Recycles program’s statewide recycled art contest is designed to increase Nevadans’ awareness and interest in recycling.

Entrants must be Nevada residents and projects must be composed of used recyclable materials. Submission of an entry form and photos of artwork are due Oct. 22.

There will be cash prizes for first, second and third place in five categories: kindergarten-grade 5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, class project, and adult.

Materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, tires, electronics, appliances, plastic bags, bottles, batteries and aluminum cans. Fastening materials may include tape, glue and/or string.

In 2016, Nevada’s recycling rate was 22.4 percent.  Based on residential and commercial sector data, Nevadans (including the influence of the tourist population) throw away about 5.5 pounds of trash, per person, per day. That’s approximately 3 million tons of trash that enters a landfill each year.

Winners will be announced prior to America Recycles Day, which is Nov. 15. More information about the contest, along with submission guidelines, is available online.

To some, the ocean is a fearsome and dangerous place. But to others, it’s a limitless world of fun, freedom and opportunity, where life can be lived to the full. A documentary presented by Patagonia and directed by Keith Malloy, “Fishpeople” tells the stories of a unique cast of characters who have dedicated their lives to the sea.

The film investigates the universally transformative effects of time spent in the ocean.

While “Fishpeople” features surfers, it’s not actually a surf film. Instead, it’s a documentary that explores the lives of six people who have been transformed by the sea in completely different ways: professional surfers Matahi Drollet and Dave Rastovich, deep-water diver Kimi Werner, open-ocean swimmer Lynne Cox, photographer Ray Collins, and youth worker Eddie Donnellan.

Doors open at 6:30pm Oct. 19 at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City. Tickets are $7. Cold beers will be served and donations benefit the League to Save Lake Tahoe.

The 2018 Genesis G80 Sport is competing with Mercedes and BMW. Photos/Larry Weitzman

By Larry Weitzman

This is my third go around with the new Genesis G80, now in an updated Sport version. Offered in RWD and AWD, it is designed to be a significant player in today’s era of super sedans, like Mercedes AMG or BMW M cars.

How could a Korean compete in these lofty automotive circles? In the same way Genesis competes with other luxury sedans, by offering more for less. In fact, this car is so good, I expect BMW will file a lawsuit attempting to outlaw the sale of this new Genesis.

Genesis begins by sculpturing a sedan with world class looks, starting with an aggressive, strong front end, broad, long relatively flat hood, a single upper character line connecting the entire body all ending in a flowing rear end with a slight kamm tail. Genesis is a great looking ride.

With its long 119-inch wheelbase, Genesis is classified as a large car stretching out 197 inches while maintaining a svelte wide of 74 inches. Interior volume is 108 cubic feet with a 15-cubic-foot trunk. At 4,519 pounds, Genesis is no lightweight. AWD will add another 155 pounds.

Specs and Techs
Price $56,225 to $58,725
Engines
3.3L turbocharged, direct injected DOHC 24 valve V-6 365 hp @ 6,000rpm
376 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,300 to 4,500 rpm
Transmission
Eight speed automatic
Configuration
Longitudinal front engine/Rear Wheel Drive/All Wheel Drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 118.5 inches
Length 196.5 inches
Width 74.4 inches
Height 58.3 inches
Track (f/r) 64.1/65.3 inches
Ground clearance 5.3 inches
Weight (RWD/AWD) 4,519/4,674 pounds
Trunk capacity 15.3 cubic fee
Passenger volume 107.7 cubic feet
Fuel Capacity 20.3 gallons
Steering lock to lock 2.55 turns
Turning circle 36.2 feet
Wheels 18X8/19X8.5f; 19X9r inches
Tires 245/45X18/245/40X19f; 275/35X19r
Coefficient of drag 0.27
Performance
0-60 mph 4.94 seconds
50-70 mph level 2.40 seconds, uphill 2.99 seconds
Top speed will be mined blowing
Fuel economy EPA rated at 17/25/20 mpg combined. Expect 22-23 mpg in suburban/rural driving. 31-32 mpg on a level highway at 70 mph.

Powering up the G80 Sport is the same 3.3L direct injected, DOHC, 24 valve turbo V-6 engine used in the Genesis G90. Belting out a 365 hp at 6,000 rpm and a healthy dose of twist (376 pounds at 1,300-4,500 rpm), Sport becomes a veritable animal sending prodigious power to the rear wheels (AWD is an option) via a super slick eight-speed auto cog swapper. The power is so stupendous it hits like a hammer, no make that a sledgehammer.

And the numbers don’t tell the real story. Zero to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds at 4.94 seconds. That’s supersedan numbers. Passing is also mind boggling with a 50-70 mph level pass requiring 2.40 seconds and the same run up a steep grade only slowing the Chrondex to 2.99 seconds. Interestingly, these times are virtually identical to the G80 V-8 (4.92/2.44/2.99) which has 420 peak hp at the same 6,000 rpm and 383 pounds of twist at 5,000 rpm. The reason the lesser hp Sport performs as well as the V-8 is because of the prodigious torque curve of the V-6 turbo.

And the numbers don’t tell the real story. First there is a hint of turbo lag or maybe fly by wire lag, a tenth or two. But during real passing maneuvers on Highway 50 in the four lane passing zones I would nail the go pedal and the car behind me also passing would too. But I pulled away from them so fast the vacuum created probably sucked all the coolant out of their radiator or else he thought maybe he hit the brake instead of the gas pedal as his image literally disappeared in my rear view mirror. I have never had that happen before. Astounding. This car inspires confidence.

Fuel economy wasn’t that bad, in fact maybe quite good considering. While the EPA rates the G80 Sport at 17/25/20 mpg city/highway/combined, you can expect better. My two-way highway fuel economy test at 70 mph averaged 31.9 mpg with the engine spinning an idle like 1,700 rpm. Overall the G80 averaged 22.6 mpg in 425 miles of mostly aggressive driving. My Carson City round trip averaged 25.1 mpg with massive traffic on the return home. In rural country driving 23 mpg should be the norm. The G80 Sport is guilt free.

In the handling department, the state of the art suspenders combined with an almost hydraulic feeling electric power rack that is quick at 2.55 turns lock to lock and staggered alloys measuring 19 x 8.5 and 19 x 9 inches shod with low profile 245/40 and 275/35 all season rubber. The result is incredible cornering power, accuracy and feel. It certainly belies its 4,500-pound curb weight like it’s a thousand pounds lighter. Cornering speeds were about 10 mph higher than other test vehicles while still having the feeling of being quite comfortable. Superb turn-in and off and on center feel are also standard equipment. Amazing.

And then there is the ride quotient. Awesome. This is one of the, make that it is the smoothest and quietest ride yet, except for when dipping into full tilt boogie when the engine makes some incredible sounds. Wonderful.

Brakes maybe be a little too sensitive, but the stopping power is amazing. All four rotors are ventilated and the fronts resemble 30-pound turkey platters at over 14 inches in diameter with four pot calipers. Massive. Every other safety acronym is standard in the G80 Sport and the LED headlights with dynamic bending could be used for the U.S. Open tennis tournament if there were a power failure.

Inside is a magnificent interior of leather, soft touch materials and carbon fiber. Seats are spectacular with power in every axis plus heating and cooling. Ditto for the steering wheel. Rear seating is equally comfortable with copious leg and shoulder room. Instrumentation is complete down to the tire pressure monitor which on the last day of my test became an important tool. Gauges are clear and Swiss watch precise including the heads up which became important because glancing at the speedo at supra legal speeds could be dangerous. Just take a look at the interior and you will understand right down to the contrasting perforations in the leather seating surfaces.

Pricing starts and ends at $55,250 plus $975 for the luxury suite on the boat from Ulsan, Korea. AWD will add about 155 pounds and $2,500. While there is no question G80 Sport is the best supersedan buy on the market, you will buy it for the car itself and forget about the propeller or three pointed star badging. Koreans again out Japanese the Japanese and now the Germans.

Larry Weitzman has been into cars since he was 5 years old. At 8 he could recite from memory the hp of every car made in the U.S. He has put in thousands of laps on racetracks all over the Western United States.

By Donald Wood, Travel Pulse

A new study revealed that almost 30 percent of Americans plan to take a fall vacation this year.

According to AAA, 28 percent of United States citizens expect to make time to travel between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Fewer crowds and children, more favorable weather and a better value are some of the reasons travelers prefer vacations in the fall.

For autumn travelers, a road trip in the family vehicle is the most common form of transportation, with 62 percent of survey respondents driving to their destinations.

Read the whole story

2017 has been a year of extremes. It was the hottest summer on record (or close to it for many locations) after the 2016-17 winter with flooding, blizzards, historic snowpack, and crazy winds.

What will this winter bring?

Join Chris Smallcomb, warning coordination meteorologist and Tim Bardsley, senior hydrologist from the National Weather Service in Reno, for an in-depth look at potential impacts and predictability.

Registration for this event is required. The program will begin at 6pm Oct. 26 on the campus of Sierra Nevada College.

Seating is open at 5:30pm to guests who have preregistered, open seating starts at 5:50pm, and the program begins at 6pm. A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door.

The October El Dorado County aging and care-giving series will focus on Alzheimer’s.

All talks are free. They are from 1-3pm at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel in South Lake Tahoe.

Topics include:

·      Oct. 16: Speakers from the Alzheimer’s Association will about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help people incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.

·      Oct. 23: Candace Stewart, author of “Welcome to Planet Alzheimer’s,” will discuss how to successfully communicate with the person in your life who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

·      Oct. 30: Volunteers and staff from the sheriff’s department will discuss in-home safety for Alzheimer’s patients, emergency evacuation planning for caregivers and what to do when a dementia patient goes missing.

·       

Patches

Patches is a 5-year-old Rat Terrier mix who likes other dogs. Patches is a happy boy, he is very confident and though he isn’t a barky dog he would make a good watch dog. He weighs about 8 pounds.

Patches is neutered, microchipped, tested for FIV, 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 to the Tahoe animal shelter’s Facebook page to see photos and descriptions 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 to online or call the animal shelter. Vouchers are available there also: bring $25 and a copy of a photo ID and a local utility bill.

— Karen Kuentz