To the community,

Select a fresh tree with good color and firm, flexible needles that do not easily pull from the branches.

Place the tree in plain water immediately after re-cutting the trunk at least one-half inch above the old cut.

The container you use for your tree should hold 2 to 4 quarts of water.

The longer you wait to place your tree in water, the greater the chances are that it will lose the required moisture content to keep it fresh through the holiday season.

Never place your tree on a wooden stand.

Locate the tree away from sources of heat. Avoid placing the tree near heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, large appliances, such as TVs, and direct sunlight.

Be careful not to block a door or other exit with the tree or rearranged furniture.

Use mini-lights on your tree and never place candles on or near your tree. Remove your Christmas tree as soon as possible after the holiday.

Never burn your Christmas tree or wrapping paper in the fireplace. The rapid burning and excessive heat can damage the firebox and chimney creating a serious fire hazard.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department wants to wish everyone a fun and safe holiday season.

Sallie Ross-Filgo, SLTFD

To the community,

Our “yarn folk” have outdone themselves again this year. Nearly 700 warm and wonderful handmade items were donated to the Caps for Kids program.

Thanks to Christmas Cheer, as every year they get your gifts to the people who have need of all these goodies: yarn animals, hats, scarves, socks, booties, slippers, headbands, blankets and mittens – your generosity is just incredible.

Audrey has a blast diving into the caps. Photo/Provided

Thank you – Mary Ann, Virginia, Toni, Yoko, Mary, Bea, Nancy, Janice, Raelene, Mary Lou, Bobbi, Hotsue, Harriette, Diana, Valerie, Sandra, Patricia, Kathe, Wanda, Jan, Page, Pat, Hope Lutheran Church Hands of Hope and the anonymous elves who dash in and out without leaving their names.

Your gifts are truly from the heart.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all,

Cindy Beberg, aquatics coordinator South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation Department

To the community,

Tahoe Parents Nursery School would like to thank the Optimist Club and Tahoe Gymnastics for their contributions to our fall 2010 fundraising which helps to fund our nonprofit, parent-cooperative preschool. We would also like to thank the U.S. Forest Service Taylor Creek Visitor Center and the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department Station 1 for providing a fun, educational experience to our preschoolers and their parents during our fall field trips.

Our philosophy “together we’re better” is truly rooted in our tremendous community support and for this we are truly appreciative.

Happy Holidays.

Jennifer Webb, Tahoe Parents Nursery School publicity chair

To the community,

Bread & Broth members would like to express their sincere gratitude to Heavenly Mountain Resort for recently adopting a Day of Nourishment.

On Nov. 15, executives of the resort were on hand to enthusiastically serve more than 140 meals. The generous donation of their time and money is greatly appreciated. Sandy Bobman, Bread & Broth volunteer coordinator, raved that “the Heavenly volunteers were wonderful. They stepped right in and helped with everything from prep to serving, and even stayed to clean up.”

Bread & Broth's Diane Weidinger, center, is flanked by Heavenly's Tom Fortune, Casey Blann, Nancy McCoy, and Pete Sonntag. Photo/Provided

Bread & Broth is able to continue its mission of feeding the hungry of South Lake Tahoe in large part because of the generosity of the local community. A $250 sponsorship covers the cost of food and beverages for the approximately 100 folks who visit each Monday evening.

To find out how your business can Adopt A Day of Nourishment, contact Connie Blue at midwest2tahoe@yahoo.com or (530) 544.4945.

Bread & Broth team

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Dec. 7, 2010, Sacramento Bee.

Anational audience was treated to a fascinating debate Monday on Proposition 8, broadcast live from the old appeals court building in San Francisco before a federal three-judge panel. Passed by voters 52 percent to 48 percent in 2008, that constitutional amendment eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.

Regardless of the outcome in the courts, state Sen. Tom Harman, R-Huntington Beach, who was a 2010 primary candidate for attorney general, has a legislative agenda.

Asserting that “direct democracy” through the initiative process is “under siege,” he plans to introduce what he’s calling the “Ballot Box Defense Act.” It would require California’s attorney general to defend any voter-approved initiative or constitutional amendment.

Just what is the problem he’s seeking to solve? In a Saturday opinion piece in The Bee, he notes that Attorney General Jerry Brown declined to defend Proposition 8 in court. “As an expression of the people’s will, initiative statutes should be shown deference by California’s elected officials and zealously defended when challenged in court,” Harman wrote.

Hmmm. Doesn’t California’s attorney general, the state’s chief law officer, have the duty to uphold the California Constitution?

Read the whole story

To the community,

It’s that holiday time of year and the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department would like to encourage everyone to think of those less fortunate members of our community. At all the city fire stations, you can drop off any new or like-new condition used toys into the Christmas Cheer Barrels. Any donations will be gratefully forwarded to needy households this holiday season.

Also, the city fire department will again be handing out candy canes from the decorated fire truck driving throughout the community.

From Dec. 10 through Dec. 24 each night, the holiday truck will make its way through specific sections of the city. Here is the schedule. These scheduled dates will be dependent on the weather, and may be changed due to driving conditions or emergency responses.

South Lake Tahoe firefighters hope to see many of you on our routes this holiday and would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous season.

Sallie Ross-Filgo, SLTFD

By Tony Hazarian, Auburn Journal

The Amgen Tour rolls through town in 168 days, bringing thousands of cycling fans and a world television audience in the millions. Is Auburn ready?

The Olympic flame will burn brightly in the Sierra in 4,091 days, if Jon Killoran has anything to say about it. The region should be ready, Killoran said, because the benefits are as broad and deep as the high mountain powder that jump-started this year’s ski season.

“This is a game-changing event, and a way to rebrand this entire area,” Killoran said Tuesday at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce’s weekly public affairs forum. “And no, it’s not too early to be talking about it.”

Killoran is referring to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. As chief executive officer of the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition, Killoran is on the road these days sharing his passion and drive to bring the Games back to the Sierra after a 62-year wait.

More importantly, he wants people to understand the 12-year window between now and 2022 is much narrower than it looks.

In fact, the Reno-based coalition has only two years to submit its proposal to the U.S. Olympic Committee, which will decide whether to forward the bid to the International Olympic Committee. The IOC deadline is in 2013, with a final selection made in 2015.

Read the whole story

To the community,

The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when thieves and con artists prey on innocent victims caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. So keep these tips in mind for a safe and happy holiday season.

Around the house:

* Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes or just going down the block.

* We all want our homes to reflect the joy of the season, but avoid displaying gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.

* Inside and outside decorations should not impede a clear vision of your property.

* Set your indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer.

* Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.

* When leaving town, have a trusted friend or neighbor take care of your home by picking up the newspaper and mail.

* If you’re planning an extended absence and want extra patrol/vacation check contact the Sheriff’s Office STAR program (530) 621.7545.

Shopping:

* If you can shop with someone else and stay alert to your surroundings.

* Carry your purses closed and snugly against your body; carry wallets in front pants pocket or coat pocket.

* Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

* Take your time when making purchase. Be sure to collect your license, credit cards or check book and your receipt.

* If you must use and ATM, choose one in a safe well-lighted area.

* Take care in protecting your PIN, by shielding the ATM keypad.

Home shopping and package delivery:

* Request a signature confirmation of delivery. By doing this, the deliverer will have to wait until you’re available or deliver the package to a neighbor.

* If you have an understanding boss, have your packages delivered to you at work.

* Track packages online to see exactly when they’re sent to your house for delivery. If you’re out of town at the time, phone a neighbor to pick up the package for you.

* Leave special instructions for where to deliver the packages. A good place is on the side or back of the house, so that the package is out of site from the road

Vehicle safety:

* Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car. Set your alarm or use and anti-theft device.

* Park as close to your destination as possible and take notice to where you have parked.

* Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave items in your vehicle place them in the trunk or cover them.

* Look inside your car and around it as you approach. Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.

* Park in well lighted areas.

Operation identification:

* The idea behind Operation Identification is to deter property related crime and to assist the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office in identifying stolen property and returning it to its lawful owners

* Mark gifts with your California driver’s ;icense number. Do not use your Social Security number.

* On items that cannot be engraved, photograph them.

Although this is a large list, most of the tips are relatively easy to apply and by doing so you could reduce the chances of being a victim. If you find yourself a victim of a criminal act, report it immediately to your local law enforcement agency. The El Dorado Sheriff’s Office wishes you a safe and joyful holiday season.

Lt. Bryan Golmitz, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office

To the community,

Tahoe Community Church Food Pantry would like to thank MontBleu Casino and the students of Whittell High School for their generous donations to our Food Pantry.

MontBleu Casino and its employees continued their tradition of the last several years, and generously donated 36 turkeys to our food pantry. This enabled us to feed 123 families in need this Thanksgiving, with a turkey and all the fixings.

Whittell High School students in Key Club and Leadership had their yearly canned food drive, and donated the items to our food pantry. The 2,732 canned food items arrived and filled our bare shelves. The Whittell student body also donated another 180 canned food items.

Thank you Harrah’s-Harveys casinos for the use of their freezer for turkeys storage.

Thank you to all for your support, which helps us to continue to feed those in need.

Kathy Pavich

To the community,

The Brotherhood Motorcycle Club wishes to thank local business and community members here in South Lake Tahoe and Stateline for their generous donations for our annual fundraiser Hogg Wild XV.

We raised a total of $1,000 during the Hogg Wild raffle.

Because of our communities’ generosity, we were able to provide 86 turkeys to families in need this Thanksgiving.

The giveaway at the American Legion Post 795 was a huge success thanks to the following individuals, businesses and community members: Thanks to Jim and Christine from Lira’s Market for putting the dinner packages together, they really stepped up when the other stores would not. Thanks to Joanne, Wilma, Virginia and Jody from Christmas Cheer, who were there to help distribute the turkeys at the Legion. Thanks to Lake Tahoe News and the Tahoe Daily Tribune for promoting the giveaway in print and online. Thanks to KRLT radio’s Paul Middlebrook at KTHO for letting us go on the air live the day of the giveaway to help promote it. A big thanks goes out to Tom Davis and the employees at MontBleu for donating additional turkeys that day for us to give away. Last, but by no means least, a special thanks to John, Carol and Mary from the American Legion, who were kind enough to open the Legion Hall for us to carry out the giveaway so we were not out in the cold.

The Brotherhood Motorcycle Club could not have done this without the more than $4,000 in raffle prize donations from our wonderful community and numerous individuals for our annual event.

Also, a special thanks to Clint Schue and The Brothers Bar for hosting our event.

Thank you South Lake Tahoe.

Brotherhood Motorcycle Club