By Diane Pomerance

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) sponsors October as Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month to encourage Americans to turn their houses into homes by adopting a shelter dog. Each year, millions of dogs enter our nation’s shelters, yet of the almost 59 million owned dogs in this country, fewer than 20 percent are shelter adoptees.

I am an activist who has owned more than 40 shelter dogs, thinks it’s a shame more people don’t adopt from a shelter, because the most faithful, healthy and loving dogs are waiting there for new homes.

People sometimes don’t go to animal shelters to adopt a dog. They think, ‘I don’t want to inherit someone else’s problem,’ or they simply think all the dogs there are abused or hard to train, or that they won’t be able to find the breed that they want. All of those notions couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, up to nearly 60 percent of dogs in shelters are not strays, but pets whose families had to give them up because of a loss of income or a change in location. These are faithful, loving dogs who just need a home and some love.

The key is to know how to choose the right pet for your family. Here are tips to help families do just that:

* Breed – Check online about the different breeds, their temperament, health and physical characteristics. Find out all you can about the specific animal from shelter workers and volunteers.

* Lifestyle — Think about your lifestyle and personality in terms of the kind of dog that would be more compatible with your home and your living situation.

* Activity level — Assess the activity level and exercise requirements of the dog you are considering. Are you able to walk your dog several times a day and play with him?

* Age — Figure out what age of the animal is best suited to you and your family. Which is more compatible with your age and lifestyle? Do you want an active puppy that needs attention and training, a middle-aged dog with established behaviors, or an older, less active dog?

* Time – Do you have enough time for a quality relationship with a dog? Like children, they require attention, companionship, patience and interaction. They also require socialization and obedience training.

* Budget – Research the costs of not only adopting a pet (adoption fee), but veterinary care, including spay/neuter, vaccinations, potential injuries or illness, regular checkups, toys, accessories, etc. Factor in costs of food, pet sitters or boarding while you’re away. Keep in mind many pet shelters offer these services as part of the adoption fee, or at a discounted rate because many are not-for-profit organizations supported by private donations.

* Space – Do you have sufficient room for a dog to move, eat and sleep comfortably? Further, are you legally allowed to have a dog on the premises/in your community? If you rent, make sure you are legally allowed to have a pet.

* Shelter — Find out as much about the shelter from which you are adopting your pet as possible – what is its reputation? Is it a kill or no-kill shelter? What is the track record of the successful adoption of its dogs?

Adopting a shelter dog is a lifetime choice, as these pets will likely spend the rest of their lives with you, and it is not something that should be taken lightly. That being said, it is a positive choice, and one that will bring joy and love into your home and provide your family a loyal, caring companion.

Diane Pomerance has a doctorate in communications from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and is widely regarded as a pet expert. She has written seven books about animals.

By American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Every Halloween, kids across the country parade neighborhoods in search of the most glorious prize: candy. The build-up for Halloween is almost as exciting as the day itself with pre-Halloween festivities like pumpkin-picking, pumpkin carving and selecting the perfect costume for the big day.

And though the holiday calls for fun, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses the importance of taking proper precautions to avoid injuries this Halloween.

A nine-year study examined holiday-related pediatric emergency room visits between 1997 and 2006. Results of this study show Halloween among the top three holidays producing the most ER visits:

• Finger/hand injuries accounted for the greatest proportion of injuries on Halloween (17.6 percent).

• Of the finger/hand injuries sustained on Halloween, 33.3 percent were lacerations and 20.1 percent were fractures.

• Children ages 10-14 sustained the greatest proportion of injuries (30.3 percent).

AAOS tips:

• Never let children carve pumpkins. Adults carving pumpkins should remember to use specifically designed carving knives, rather than kitchen knives, as they are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin skin. Carve the pumpkin in small, controlled strokes, away from oneself on a strong, sturdy surface.

• Carving knives should be kept in a clean, dry, well-lighted area. Any moisture on the tools, hands, or table can cause the knife to slip, leading to injuries.

• Should a pumpkin carver cut a finger or hand, make sure the hand is elevated higher than the heart and apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be necessary. Additionally, it may be wise to follow-up with a hand surgeon to make sure everything is okay and nothing needs repair.

• Be considerate of fire hazards when lighting jack-o-lantern candles or use non-flammable light sources, like glow sticks or artificial pumpkin lights. Alternatively, try painting pumpkins for a fun, creative option and removes the risks of carving.

• Halloween costumes should be light and bright, so children are clearly visible to motorists and other pedestrians. Trim costumes and bags with reflective tape that glows in the dark.

• Costumes should be flame-resistant and fit properly. Be sure the child’s vision is unobstructed from masks, face paint or hats. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall, trim or hem their costumes as necessary.

• Children should wear sturdy, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes to avoid falls.

• It is important that children walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways. They should also obey all traffic signals and remain in designated crosswalks when crossing the street.

• Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit. Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen.

• Be aware of neighborhood dogs when trick-or-treating and remember that these pets can impose a threat when you approach their home.

• It’s also a good idea to carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.

To the community,

By now you have your voter information laying on the table trying to figure out who to vote for. It’s difficult to make a clear decision with the clutter of information. It feels familiar to me because when I was a councilman years ago, votes, especially controversial ones, weren’t always clear with the dozens of calls, emails and speakers trying to convince me their position was right.

In baseball if a player hits the ball four times out of 10, he’s a hero and gets his picture on cereal boxes. As a councilmember, there is an expectation that you should get it right 10 out of 10 times.

I was proud that we balanced the budget, and designed and built the voter directed Redevelopment project No. 1 that now provides many jobs that were not there before and over $2 million to the general fund. When the mud slide closed Highway 50 in 1997, I drove to Sacramento with the chamber exec to get help from Caltrans and the governor before other cities even thought to reach out. It saved our town $1 million per day for each day we opened sooner.

I felt good going to Washington, D.C., to represent our city in order to get grants for public works projects. However, like you, I’ve read the grand jury reports about the bickering and infighting on the council. I’ve watched the dysfunctional atmosphere eat up valuable time and energy. I’ve seen the “hole in the ground” become an embarrassment. But that project can be a great opportunity with a well-balanced council in place. That’s why when I was asked by good people to get the city going again, I said yes. After six years away, I’m asking for your vote and asking you to pick two other honest, clear thinking people to balance out the council and get our city back on track. My contribution will be my experience because I can hit the ground running and I’ll use my understanding of the very complicated budget to turn things around. I think you’ll find that I’m the “right leader at the right time”.

Tom Davis, South Lake Tahoe City Council candidate

By Chuck Alvey

Reno-Tahoe Can Do Business Starts Here, a local grass-roots campaign, is a way you can personally make a difference in diversifying our economy.

As the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada and partners work to recruit and expand top companies and create jobs, there are obstacles. The one that Can Do addresses is our region’s lack of image as a business location. Research shows some people in the U.S. have a negative impression of our communities, while others have positive images. Most have no impression of us.

Most importantly, decision makers do not think of Reno-Tahoe as a business location.

If we are to continue to diversify and rebuild our economy, changing that external impression begins with you. If we don’t believe we live in a business place, no one else will either. In case you need some convincing, Bill Fruth, president of Policom Corp., an economics research firm, recently reported to EDAWN members that the single largest economic impact in our region comes from the manufacturing sector — at 30 percent. State government, namely the University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute was next, with leisure and hospitality third. In 1990, 28 percent of the work force was in leisure and hospitality. By 2009, it was 18 percent. Manufacturing increased slightly from 5 percent to 6 percent versus declines elsewhere. Business and professional services went from 7 percent to 12 percent. Education and health services saw modest gains from 8 percent to 11 percent. We have diversified our economy, but not nearly enough.

Chuck Alvey is president and CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

Read the whole story

To the publisher,

The Tahoe-Douglas Visitor Authority supports the passage of the Airport Ordinance Question 1. The Visitor Authority is responsible for the promotion of tourism in our region based on funding received from the collection of room taxes.

The Visitor Authority believes the future of the economy in our area is founded on the outdoor recreational activities available in our magnificent natural environment, complemented by amenities provided by tourist and commercial businesses locally. The Airport Ordinance supports the use of the Minden-Tahoe airport as a general aviation airport emphasizing soaring and sport aviation. These activities are consistent with the natural environment and attractive to domestic and international visitors.

Moreover, the ordinance places constraints on the use and expansion of the airport to ensure the rural character and pristine beauty of the Carson Valley are maintained. For these reasons the Tahoe-Douglas Visitor Authority support a “yes” vote on Question 1.

John Packer, chairman of the board Tahoe-Douglas Visitor Authority

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Oct. 17, 2010, Reno Gazette-Journal.

Nevadans already are burdened with a U.S. senator whose personal indiscretions have made him largely ineffective.

Now they’re being told that they should jettison a four-term senator who has risen to the most powerful post in the Congress in favor of a woman who consistently was voted least effective member of the Assembly during her four terms in the Nevada Legislature.

Even members of Republican Sharron Angle’s own party recognize the absurdity of the proposition. Such prominent Republicans as Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, Sparks Mayor Geno Martini, State Senator Bill Raggio and former Nevada first lady Dema Guinn have announced their support for incumbent Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader — and they’ve been unfairly vilified for their temerity.

Other Republicans offer a particularly dubious rationale for supporting Angle: Get rid of Reid now; we can deal with Angle in six years.

Reid, seeking his fifth term in the Senate, is far from perfect, but he remains an effective advocate for Nevada’s interests in the nation’s capital, a skillful politician who has used his position to make a difference in his home state and help the nation work its way out of some very difficult times. He should be re-elected.

Read the whole story

To the community,

This is just a reminder regarding an important gathering and conversation about the Tahoe economy and its arts alternatives that is taking place this Saturday at the Ski Run Marina.

“Liberty” takes on lots of significance when it is figured in as a major component of financial freedom. Please attend and encourage others to do so. We, the South Shore in particular, need to look hard and deeply at how the business of art can offer economic help and long-term sustainability to our business and employment base.

Take a long look at the poster — this will be a fun time. And it’s an important initial step in re-educating our citizenry and city as to how we can get and keep more “ga$” in our engine. Getting to know the “players” and others with this common concern is our goal. We are not reinventing the wheel, just realigning it.

Let’s talk and then act. The art$ are good for business.

Robert Schimmel, Tahoe Art League

By Garry Bowen

In the last article written, “Entrepreneurial Spirit Needs to Resurface to Save Tahoe” (Oct. 3, Voices), the seeming focus was on the “glory days”, as one respondent described my take on what made South Lake Tahoe’s economy so vital in the late 1950s and, in particular, the entire ’60s. Another derided the idea of “living in the past”, which only reminded me nostalgically that the “glory days” were in fact long gone.

Does that then mean that entrepreneurial spirit has no place in Tahoe ever again?

Well, if you would be kind enough to notice, that review of business entrepreneurial skill was necessary in order to put in appropriate perspective the idea that there is another kind of entrepreneurial spirit to consider when thinking of Tahoe’s future.

Garry Bowen

Civic entrepreneurship is the form needed to beckon business entrepreneurs to town in ever-increasing numbers; as the civic function will have to be awakened to adequately attract those who want to make a life here. In a very real sense, another community spirit will have to emerge based on a necessary but contemporary paradigm shift: that of sustainable economic development.

The new, but already highly-touted Prosperity Plan is in many ways our newest flavor of the month — similar to the description above, in that there are already folks positioning themselves to play heroic roles in its inception without even noticing that by its very creation the current gap is now actually wider than before doing it. We are once again ill equipped to proactively go forward.

The infrastructure now needed to realize balance is Redevelopment Area 2, with the prudent set-aside of funding to get it off the ground, so to speak, but the progenitors of such directions are beset by the influence of the Peter Principle. The marketing /promotional folks all seem to be champing at the bit to reinvent the town without a proper sense of what they have to work with.

Geotourism — everything from Apple Hill to Fannette Island to Vikingsholm to the Flume Trail to the earlier America’s Most Beautiful Playground campaign are, in one form or the other, already here or have been. Why haven’t they been considered as an attractive package before now?

As a matter of fact, now that it’s mentioned, they’ve all been here forever.

So, what is missing?

The Prosperity Plan has three clusters, two of which are geared to sustainable economic development: green building and sustainability, not to mention that health and wellness are also in that category by default. Given the difficulty of the electorate’s ability to embrace TRPA’s internal desire to make a shift which includes transect zoning’s rightful place in sustainable economic development, (even though, for their part, TRPA have not even been administering Dr. Robert Bailey’s IPES scoring the way he envisioned it) then the burden of “half-fast” thinking will still encumber us, in not fully realizing what we are working with – to make a point, the group paid to create a prosperity plan will move on, while sleeping dogs continue to lie.

The new reality in the world, which fortunately can embrace Tahoe’s need to renew itself, is actually of the same dimension as that of all environmental care and concerns in a sustainable way: develop in a way that is simply and completely conducive to life. This is fundamental to sustainable development: reduce the error of our ways, thereby reducing the very costs associated with those errors, inevitably leading to more “found” money. Simple, elegant, and profound are all prerequisites that may be necessary to meet Tahoe’s looming imperatives.

Or, in the words of Leonardo Da Vinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Why complicate everything all the time?

Sustainable economic development can also, for Lake Tahoe’s immediate future prospects, be thought of as the ultimate civic engagement process, along with the actual and pragmatic realization that we are all in this together. We all recognize the tremendous need to change, but are always either jockeying for position to control it, or finding ways (ego or hubris) to argue about how to go about it. Both of these ways are unsustainable. Our direction, as now being portrayed, will continue to be ecotistic.

Lake Tahoe News prefaced the query of City Council candidates with a question about “being like Whistler”. Being like Whistler is a great standard, as this writer can easily testify, having participated with the folks there 10 years ago, at the time of their Olympic bid, but even that standard can be surpassed by considering Tahoe’s rebirth as the ultimate civic engagement project. We deserve no less but only if we work smarter.

As literally everyone is supportive of clean air, clean water, good health, reduced costs, and “better bang for the buck”, then a sustainable economic development framework has something for all in the “new and improved” sense, in the same way that Whistler has exported their framework experience to literally hundreds of municipalities across Canada. Even the U.N. noticed.

In the classically facetious sense, it is not “rocket science”, but as it is founded on the only irrefutable science we have, the Laws of Thermodynamics, it immediately satisfies the powers-that-be need to make all decisions scientifically-based. In fact, decisions elsewhere based on this framework have resulted in being able to plan over 100 year time spans, versus 20 years which become 23, 24, 25 due to the conflicted nature of the goals. Global decisions on local levels (the bumper sticker of yore) – a pragmatic and sustainable concept if ever there was one.

Harvard University, whose Kennedy School of Government I’ve been working with on civic engagement issues for over a year, gleaning insight about the issues rampant in my own hometown, recently concluded, in a draft paper, that all across America the main issue is, at No. 1, stalled progress.

This indicates that Lake Tahoe needn’t feel guilty, or uptight, about its current status – we just need more awareness of how to fill the wider gap created by the Prosperity Plan, so we don’t end up falling into it (as the void that it is now) in the same way that the community spirit fell into “Ta-hole”, BlueGo, and now Lakeview Commons. And then move forward to a greater destiny.

Creativity, innovation, and civic entrepreneurship will come, but Tahoe will need to learn better how to put the horse before the cart. The only known antidote to the Peter Principle is re-education – not a bad solution in a world that, from now on, will require lifelong learning. That will be better founded on a strong sustainable orientation. It is great to be able to do the right thing, but it is even more important to do the thing right. Set the proper foundation, have the patience to do it right, and then, success for posterity, full of prosperity – for people and the planet.

Garry Bowen has a 50-year connection to the South Shore, with an immediate past devoted to global sustainability, on most of its current fronts: green building, energy and water efficiencies, and public health. He’s also in the process of planning with his classmates their 50-year South Tahoe High reunion. He may be reached at tahoefuture@gmail.com or (775) 690.6900.

To the community,

This letter will provide insight into Angela Swanson’s leadership skills and what she will bring to the SLT council. Her day job is to write and assist with the administration of major infrastructure grants. While on the school board she was able to acquire over $10,000,000 in state funding for facilities at the LTUSD.

She has the acumen to work with local, state, and federal leaders.

During her tenure at LTUSD, the board relied on Angela to provide us with both the legal and the practical information that we required.

Now, more than ever, South Lake Tahoe needs Angela Swanson’s background and communication skills that will help repair many of the troubles that our city is going through. She understands the legal processes that are required to avoid having construction stop abruptly and leave our town with long stalled projects.

Angela Swanson is right the person to move our city forward.

Larry Green, South Lake Tahoe

To the community,

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department hosted a regional extrication training over the week of Sept. 15-17, 2010. This training was attended by fire units from South Lake Tahoe Fire, Lake Valley Fire, Fallen Leaf Fire, Tahoe Douglas Fire, and CalFire.

The training “extravaganza” simulated vehicle accidents in realistic situations, such as unstable cars on boulders, on concrete barriers, on top of each other and even under a bus. The crews were able to hone their skills and actually cut the cars up with the “jaws of life” and simulate removing patients while stabilizing the scene. This kind of training is essential to swift and safe removable of victims from vehicles that have crashed and received major damage. The sooner a victim can be removed “safely” from the vehicle with medical treatment and stabilization, the greater chance of survival and receipt to a trauma center within the “Golden Hour”.

The newer car models have many dangers for responders and victims that require education and practice such as undeployed airbags, energy absorbing bumpers and extensive electrical systems. There are specialized techniques utilized to remove injured occupants to keep their injuries from getting worse or causing death. The public needs to realize that pulling victims out of a car by the untrained citizen can make the injuries worse, cause paralysis, or death.

This training was made possible by the support of our community here at Lake Tahoe. We would like to thank all of them:

Welcomes Auto Body

Emerald Bay Tow

Jack Construction Co.

Meeks Lumber

Tahoe Sand and Gravel

Scotty’s Big Rig Towing

Caltrans

City of South Lake Tahoe

Community vehicle donations.

Marty Scheuerman, SLTFD division chief