The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Tahoe Mountain Bike Patrol and Nevada State Parks will be hosting a trail work day Aug. 11 to work on the Sunflower Hill Trail fro 8:30am-4pm.

The Sunflower Hill Trail is a 2.6 mile multi-use trail that creates an alternate route to the steep and dusty Hobart Road just east of Marlette Peak. It has been built primarily by volunteers from various mountain bike groups in cooperation with Nevada State Parks.

The trail has been a work in progress for nearly five years. Through multiple work days over the last two years, volunteers have constructed the trail to the highest sustainable trail standards established by the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

This will be the fourth trail day so far this year and should be the day that the connection is made between the bottom and top sections that have already been built. There may be additional trail days for finishing touches to the trail tread, but actual construction of the trail should be complete with a good turnout on Saturday.

Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes; and bring a lunch, water, and sun protection. Crews will meet at 8:30am at the Lakeview Gate, located at 4500 Hobart Road, Carson City. It is about a 3-mile drive to the worksite and then about a mile hike in to the work location. Mountain bikers are welcome to ride in and meet crews on the trail.

For additional information or to RSVP, email info@tahoebikepatrol.org.

By Kathryn Reed

South Lake Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Unified School District officials are meeting this morning to figure out how the ball fields in the community will be managed.

The district owns most of them and the city maintains most of them. In the past the Community Athletic Coordinating Council has collected the fees. That practice has ended.

City Manager Nancy Kerry told Lake Tahoe News that not all of the money for field use was collected this year and that staff is tracking down those dollars. She does not believe any illegal or unethical activity occurred, but that it was bad management.

She believes it should be the city or school district collecting the money.

South Tahoe High's softball field's expense keeps rising. Photo/LTN file

Another item to be discussed today is scheduling. In the past the city had done this.

Kerry said the former head of recreation had spoken with the superintendent of the district about LTUSD taking over scheduling and that both sides had agreed to that.

“Part of the meeting is to clarify roles,” LTUSD CFO Deb Yates told her board.

Superintendent Jim Tarwater said CACC would be taking on an advisory role.

Kerry said an issue is that “most of the members of CACC have their own special reason to be in the group.”

Chuck Leonard, who is chair of the CACC, also is chair of the Measure R ball fields committee.

Measure R dollars were part of the school board’s discussion on Aug. 7. The district is going to ask for $59,800 from Measure R funds for South Tahoe High School’s softball field. At the meting they agreed to take another $44,5000 out of special reserves for that field, too. This is in addition to the $160,557 the board approved June 12.

The Office of Civil Rights still needs to give its blessing of the proposed improvements in relation to how they comply with equality issues. Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX and state law have all played a role in this much-maligned field that has come under scrutiny from a variety of entities.

The public is invited to a free Community Open House at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine State Park on Aug. 12 from 10am to 1pm to learn about what is new at the park and the venues that are available to rent for private events.

State Sen. Ted Gaines, D-Rocklin, will be attending the event to lend his support to the state park on the shore of Lake Tahoe.

Funds generated through the rental of these venues return to the local park units. The senator will be greeting visitors at the Children’s House between 11am and noon.

Sierra Parks Foundation will be on hand to share its vision for keeping local parks open and provide an overview of the current restoration efforts that are in progress on the property.

Park entrance fees will be waived for the duration of this event as well as tour fees for the historic Hellman-Ehrman Mansion for the 10am, 11am and noon tours.

For information, call (530) 525.5060 or email lssec@parks.ca.gov.

Former backcountry ranger Cheryl Surface will lead a bus tour of the backcountry of Spooner with the topic being Water History of the Comstock.

Surface will tell stories about Red House, Hobart Reservoir, Marlette Lake, the Flume trail and the Marlette Water System.

Bring lunch, water, a light jacket and camera. Comfortable shoes are best because there will be limited walking.

The event is Aug. 11 from 9am-4pm. Adults only and space is limited to 12 people. Call (775) 749.5980 for reservations.

While cooking in your camper or RV, open a window or two for ventilation.

This is important due to the fact that cooking in a confined space can deplete your oxygen supply. Remember, the air we cook with is also the air we breathe.

Another precaution to take while camping is to periodically check your propane appliances, hoses, and fittings for leaks. Statistics show that a leak in one of these areas is a primary cause of fire.

On behalf of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, have a safe and fun camping season.

— Sallie Ross-Filgo, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department

By Ed O’Keefe, Washington Post

Did you know that U.S. athletes owe taxes any time they win a medal? Republican lawmakers — clearly seizing on Olympic fever and general displeasure with the tax code — want to change that.

After winning gold in London, an Olympic athlete also stands to earn a $25,000 honorarium. Silver medalists receive $15,000 and bronze medalists are slated to leave London with a $10,000 payday. Current U.S. tax law requires athletes to add the value of medals and honorariums to their taxable income — just as any winning game show contestant would have to pay taxes on a new car or toaster oven.

But Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, introduced legislation Wednesday that would exempt American medal-winning gymnasts, rhythmic gymnasts, swimmers, divers, synchronized divers, runners, cyclists or water polo players from paying taxes on their Olympic winnings.

Read the whole story

Professional stargazer Gigi Gileslaser will lead a tour of starry wonders at Spooner Lake.

View the night sky with high-powered telescopes and astronomical binoculars at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket and flashlight.

The event is Aug. 18 from 8-10pm. Meet at Spooner Lake Park off Highway 28. No pets allowed.

The 2nd annual Meyers-Lake Tahoe Climbing Festival and Bouldering Competition is Sept. 15.

The contest is for all ability levels — beginners to pros. The competition will highlight more than 100 problems ranging from V0 to V12 and new areas.

Nearly 100 people completed last year.

This event will also include booths for local adventure and climbing businesses, dyno competition, slack line comp, youth speed climbing, food, music and awards.

The event starts at 3pm.

For more information and to register, go online.

Lake Tahoe pets are invited to star in a calendar project to benefit local Tahoe pets in need. Pets are eligible to become a 2013 Tahoe Pet Calendar Cover Pet, Pet of the Month or be part of a Tahoe Pets on Parade montage.

Photo submission deadline is Aug. 31.

This is sponsored by the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Information, photo tips, entry rules and a submission form are available online or by dropping by the office at 1221 Emerald Bay Road.

The calendar theme is pets at Tahoe.

The submission fee is $20 per entry. Every paid entry – whether selected or not – receives a free calendar upon publication. All proceeds benefit local Tahoe animals in need. The Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A. has been serving the pets and people of the Greater Lake Tahoe Basin for 45 years. All proceeds from the Tahoe Pet Calendar Project will stay in Tahoe.

The Nevada and Placer County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting Sept. 4 and Sept. 6 to review and vote on project proposals that will benefit the National Forests.

The meeting on Sept. 4 will be at the Truckee Ranger Station, 10811 Stockrest Springs Road Truckee, beginning at 9am. The meeting on Sept. 6 will be held at Tahoe National Forest Headquarters, 631 Coyote St., Nevada City, at 9am.

Depending on percentages approved by each county, approximately $150,000 could be available for Nevada and Placer counties.

Project proposals need to be submitted by Aug. 23 to Ann Westling, RAC Committee Coordinator, 631 Coyote St., Nevada City, CA 95959 or awestling@fs.fed.us. Proposals should be submitted as a hard, signed copy as well as electronically and should include a letter of support from the district ranger.

All projects must meet the legislative criteria:

• Must benefit National Forest System land and;

• Improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure;

• Implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems; and

• Restore and improve land health and water quality.

Project proponents are also encouraged to include letters of support from partners and/or community organizations. Project proposal forms are available from Tahoe National Forest offices, all RAC members and online.