Announcements

West Shore Garden Tour
Lake of the Sky Garden Club will host its 22nd annual garden tour, the West Shore Garden Tour, from Tahoe City to Homewood, on July 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. View seven gardens, including two lakefronts. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by contacting Anne Chartier at (530) 546-4902 or annechartier@marykay.com. Tickets also may be purchased at local Tahoe-Truckee nurseries. For more information, visit www.lake-of-the-sky.org.

Grants available
The Tahoe League for Charity is accepting grant proposals from nonprofit organizations. Applications must be postmarked on or before July 30. Send two short paragraphs, one stating the purpose of your organization and the other paragraph stating your needs and the amount for which you are applying to: Tahoe League for Charity, P.O. Box 1524, Tahoe City, CA 96145. Attn: Grants Chair. For information, contact Ellen McBride at (530) 448-4155.

Meeks Bay Auxiliary volunteers
Meeks Bay Fire Ladies Auxiliary seeks volunteers to help with summer fundraisers. On Aug. 1, help sell donated books and baked goods in downtown Tahoma. These two sales raise funds to purchase equipment for the fire district and new members are always welcome as greeters, bakers and volunteers on the day of the events. If you are interested in volunteering, call Carol Endicott at (530) 525-1970.

Author Gabrielle Burton
Gabrielle Burton will be in Truckee for a book reading and signing at Bookshelf at Hooligans from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on July 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and present throughout the day from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Emigrant Museum on July 31.
Burton has studied Tamsen Donner, the pioneer heroine of the Donner Party, for more than 35 years and published two books in the last year about Donner. It's known that Tamsen Donner kept a journal, but the journal was never found. In “Impatient with Desire,” Burton imagines Tamsen's lost journal, particularly during the months she was trapped in the Sierra Nevada with her dying husband and five starving daughters. Donner got her children out of the mountains, but chose to stay with her husband and the decision cost her life.
“Searching for Tamsen Donner” is about a modern family trying to balance work and love and the impact of Donner's influence on Burton and her family. Because Burton was trying to be writer and mother simultaneously, her husband and five daughters traveled everywhere with her. Learn more about the author at www.gabrielleburton.com.

Nutrition workshop
Tahoe Yoga Institute presents a Nutrition Workshop with Carl Pomey on July 30, Aug. 6 and 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Subjects to be covered include sports, food as the best medicine, prevention, metabolic typing, analysis tools, weight control, mental and physical strength, hormone health, vitamin and herb overview, children health and meal planning. The cost is $35 per session. For more information or to register, call (530) 583-8212.

Local video makes finals
The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation AmeriCorps Team’s video, “Carrying Our Community,” was selected as a finalist in the National AmeriCorps Video Contest. This 45-second piece showcases the amazing work AmeriCorps are doing in the community and around the nation.
Now the top five videos are open to public voting to select the top three winners. To cast your vote for the local team, visit www.americorpscontest.org/publiccontent/video/contestants.aspx. The deadline to vote is July 30.

Oneness during Wanderlust
Join an experiential journey into higher states of consciousness with an awakened monk that is visiting from the Oneness University in India and enjoy music by Angelika at the Squaw Valley Chapel located at 440 Squaw Peak Road in Olympic Valley from 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Oneness moves people away from conflict to peace, joy and connectedness. The evolution in one’s consciousness manifests as positive changes in all spheres of life. Learn more about the Oneness University and the Oneness Blessing. For more information, contact the Squaw Valley Chapel at (530) 581-4011.

Awakening oneness
A Oneness event takes place at the Center for Spiritual Living in the Boatworks Mall at 700 North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 2. Emphasis in on higher states of consciousness with an awakened guide that is from the Oneness University. In addition, hear Angelika. Angelika’s music appeals those who long for freedom and the beauty of the divine. Oneness and the Oneness Blessing is a non-denominational doorway to healing, joy and peace. For more information, call (530) 581-5117.

Great Lakes of the World
GLOW is a continuing series of international symposia organized to promote interaction and communication between scientists and communities across the world. The GLOW VI conference on Aug. 1 to 4 at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences at Incline Village deals with the concept of ecosystem approach in the Great Lakes of the World. This concept was developed by Dr. Jack Vallentyne in the management of the North Lake Tahoe is an outstanding example of linking ecosystem science to management with a lot of success stories and lessons to learn. For more information, visit www.aehms.org.

Get in the Act
Get in the Act offers Camp Broadway at Rideout Community Center in Tahoe City for students entering grades 4th to 6th from Aug. 2 to 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 pm. The camp introduces students to the magical world of the performing arts. To register, contact Tahoe City Parks and Recreation at (530) 583-3440 ext. 10 or www.tahoecitypud.com.

Youth Backcountry Camps
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys are offering a five-day, four-night backpacking trip focused on outdoor leadership and personal development from Aug. 2 to 6. The camp engages young adults between the ages of 14 and 17 who love the outdoors and want to learn more about backpacking, trail operations, ecology and outdoor leadership skills in an advanced wilderness setting. The cost for the camp is $149. For more information, call (775) 298-0238 or e-mail programs@tahoerimtrail.org.

KidZone camps
KidZone is offering a number of summer camps. Farm camps are for children ages 4 to 6 years old and take place Aug. 2 to 5 and Aug. 16 to 19. Family Camp at Sagehen Creek is offered Aug. 20 to 22 and includes camping and exploring. Spend three days and two nights at the Sagehen Field Station stargazing, exploring insects, snakes and other natural creatures with Michael Ross and University of Nevada, Reno educators. Activities also include creating arts and crafts, live bluegrass music, storyteller Jeff Ullman and a barbecue dinner followed by an ice cream social. More information is available at www.kidzonemuseum.org and by calling (530) 587-5437.

Social media training
The Parasol Community Collaboration is offering a Hands-On Social Media series for volunteers and employees of non-profit organizations. The three-part series covers building a social media strategy on Aug. 3, creating and enhancing a Facebook Page on Aug. 10 and an introduction to Twitter on Aug. 17. Classes take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the DWR Center, 948 Incline Way, in Incline Village.
The instructor is Jaime Olive, a Parasol Community Collaboration member. For more information and to register, call (775) 298-0119 or e-mail pcc@parasol.org.

Celebrate dogs at Truckee Thursdays
Downtown Truckee Thursdays is going to the dogs on Aug. 5, when the popular weekly summer event pays tribute to our furry friends with a pet costume contest and parade.
The week’s event is presented by the Donner Truckee Veterinary Hospital with nonprofit partner the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Costumed pets and their owners are asked to check in at the main SnowBomb event tent next to the Truckee train depot at 5 p.m. Parade and judging will begin at 5:30 p.m. Scraps Dog Bakery will provide wonderful prizes to the top three best dressed canines.
To continue the animal theme, the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is raffling a specialized road or mountain bike to one lucky winner worth more than $3,000. The winner will choose between a 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert or a 2010 Specialized Roubaix Expert Compact bike from Paco’s Truckee Bike and Ski. The winning ticket will be drawn at 8 p.m. at the Truckee Thursday main stage; you need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are $20 each or six for $100, tickets are limited so chances of winning are good.
To purchase tickets, call or visit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe at (530) 587-5948 or at Elijah Bleu’s House of Coffee, Lakeside Pizza, Paco’s Truckee Bike and Ski, Tahoe Dave’s Ski Shop or Wild

Cherries Coffee.
Truckee Thursdays continues through Aug. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m., and features children’s activities, live music, art, the Foothills Farmers Market, a beer garden, various catering and food vendors of all kinds. Additionally, many of the local merchants showcase special wares on the sidewalk outside of their stores. For more information, call (530) 584-1222.

Inaugural Heritage Week
North Lake Tahoe’s Historical Society announces the first Heritage Week from Aug. 9 to 15. The week of festivities includes a Washoe Culture Day, Annual Home Tour, Archeology demonstration and guest lecture, around the Lake historic Bus Tour with Mark McLaughlin, Tahoe City Historic Walking Tour, Old Time Tahoe Picnic and Movie in the Park. For more information, visit www.northtahoemuseums.org or call (530) 583-8717.

Heritage Trail bus tour
The annual Heritage Trail takes place Aug. 7 and 8 and features free admission to 19 museums from Roseville to North Lake Tahoe. This year, for the first time, there will be a Mountain-Lake Bus Tour on Saturday. It will leave from the Sugar Bowl parking area on Donner Pass Road. The stops include the Donner Summit Historical Society Museum, Western SkiSport Museum, the Gatekeeper’s Museum and Watson Cabin in Tahoe City. All passengers on this tour are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.
Two additional bus tours depart from the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. The Saturday tour, Discover the Mountains, will stop at the Big Bend Visitor Center, Golden Drift Museum, Colfax Area Heritage Museum, and the Forest Hill Divide Museum. The Sunday tour, Explore the Valley, stops at the Griffith Quarry Museum, Maidu Museum, Roseville Historical Society Carnegie Museum, Roseville Telephone Museum and the Rocklin Historical Society Museum.
Call (530) 889-6500 to reserve a place on any of the bus tours or visit www.theheritagetrail.blogspot.com for details.

Summer dance camps
InnerRhythms announces Dancers Intermediate Intensive for ages 11 to 14 takes place Aug. 2 to 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for intermediate to advanced dancers with a minimum of three years experience. The class costs $125. An advanced workshop takes places from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 9 and 10 for ages 12 and above. Students must have pointe experience for the two-day intensive that costs $150. For more information call InnerRhythms Training Centre at (530) 550-8464 or visit www.innerrhythms.org.

Parasol workshops, seminars
The Parasol Community Foundation offers free educational seminars throughout the summer. A basic Women’s Estate Planning session facilitated by Julia Gold takes place on Aug. 18 and Beyond Basics takes place on Aug. 25. Both classes are held from 4 to 6 p.m. Gold is a tax and estate-planning attorney who will address issues specifically facing women. Financial Planning Basics with Greg Crawford of Sierra Wealth Management, Mike Bosma with the Bosma Group and Matt Grey with McDonald Carano Wilson takes place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.
The seminars take place at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center at 948 Incline Way in Incline Village. To RSVP, call (775) 298-0184.

Wine walk sponsor, merchants
Sponsorship and merchant participation in the Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop on Oct. 2 are available. This annual favorite, now in its seventh year, has established itself as one of Truckee’s preeminent events with nearly 1,000 participants.
Local businesses sponsors and those that participate as an event venue receive exposure to wine, food and shopping enthusiasts. Merchant participation is limited to the first 35 venues that sign up and costs $350. Sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $2,000. Interested businesses should contact Switchback PR + Marketing at (530) 550-2252.
Tickets are $30 in advance ($40 day of the event) and are available online, at the Pour House, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce and the West Street Wine Bar in Reno. For more information, visit www.truckeewinewalk.com.

Meals on Wheels fundraiser
The nonprofit Sierra Senior Services is working to raise about $23,000 to purchase a new Subaru or other dependable four-wheel drive vehicle for its Meals on Wheels program. At the program’s inception in 2002, three cars were donated in used condition. As maintenance costs mount and heavy use deems the cars unreliable, vehicle replacement has become mandatory.
The agency delivers about 24,000 meals annually to eligible seniors who live in the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas. Deliveries span both covers Nevada and Placer Counties. Drivers travel 30 to 60 miles daily, depending on route needs, which vary as eligible recipients change. Two of the three vehicles travel Donner Summit and Brockway Summit and often travel on private dirt roads in isolated areas.
Donations may be made to Sierra Senior Services, Box 4152 Truckee, CA 96160, or at the office at 10040 Estates Drive in Truckee. For more information, call (530) 550-7600 or visit www.sierraseniors.org. To make donations in person, look for the booth at Truckee Thursdays or at the monthly Pancake Breakfast in the Community Dining room at the Truckee Donner Senior Apartments on Aug. 1 and Sept. 5.

Shakespeare Festival
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival will perform “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” in an abridged format during the 2010 season at Sand Harbor. The performance will be produced under the direction of Artistic Producer Charles Fee from Tuesday to Thursday and on Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 22.
As well, the Reno Philharmonic has expanded the music series to Monday and Friday nights. Performances will include Sugaray on Aug. 9, Cecilia Noel on Aug. 13, Mrs. Robinson on July 30, Royal Crown Revue on Aug. 6, Karen Briggs on Aug. 16, and Orgon on Aug. 20. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.laketahoeshakespeare.com. See Steals & Deals for family packages in this edition.

Dave Frommer’s soccer camp
Dave Frommer’s Soccer Camp offers summer sessions for boys and girls ages 5 through 14 for all levels featuring a professional coaching staff and an emphasis on skill development and fun. The camp is offered Aug. 16 to 20 in North Lake Tahoe. Camp takes place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and free extended supervision is available from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Additional programs include team trainings and coaching clinics. For more information, visit www.davefromersoccer.com or call (415) 383-0320.

Lake Tahoe Music Festival
Lake Tahoe Music Festival is in full swing. Concerts include Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia at Old Greenwood on July 29, the Festival’s first foray into country music with Wynonna at Northstar-At-Tahoe on July 31, Natalie Cole at Northstar on Aug. 5 and Michael McDonald at Northstar on Aug. 7.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and performances begin at 7 p.m. Picnics are welcome and gourmet food and wine are available for purchase. Tickets, ranging from $25 to $63, are available at www.tahoemusic.org, by phone at (530) 583-3101, in person at the Festival office on 10775 Pioneer Trail, Suite 210 in Truckee and at the Tahoe City Visitors Center.

Wine country giveaway
Alumni of the Tahoe Truckee Leadership Program provide scholarships to support emerging leaders. To help fund the scholarships, there is a Wine Country Giveaway summer raffle for $10 per raffle ticket. Sales are limited to 200 tickets. The prize includes a one-night stay at the Parducci Wine Cellars guesthouse in Ukiah, which sleeps two to four people, winery tour, Parducci’s award-winning biodynamic and organic wine tastings, a ride through the Redwoods on the historic Skunk Train and a VIP tour of the locomotive. The package is valued at $688.
Tickets are available at Citizens Bank in West Truckee, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, Prudential Realty in Tahoe City and Truckee, Town of Truckee and North Tahoe Business Association in Kings Beach. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Maria Kiss at (530) 550-3226.

Snow blower recall
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of The Toro Company’s Power Clear 180 Single Stage Snow Blowers. The recalled snow blowers have model numbers 38272 and 38282. Serial numbers included in the recall range from 310000001 through 310999999. The model and serial number can be found on a decal on the lower right side of the snow blower. The blowers were sold at Toro dealers and The Home Depot stores from November 2009 through May 2010.
Exposure to ethanol in gasoline can cause the carburetor needle to become corroded. A corroded needle can stick in the open position and allow fuel to leak from the carburetor, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Consumers should immediately check to see if their snow blowers are included in this recall and contact an authorized Toro service dealer to arrange a free repair. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. For more information, call (877) 738-4440 or visit www.toro.com.

Adoption Days
Meet your new best friend at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe’s adoption days every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Truckee Corporation Yard on Riverview Drive. If you don't meet your match, come back because there are always new animals looking for homes. For more information, visit www.hstt.org or call (530) 587-5948.

Creative writing workshops
Tangled Roots Writing presents creative writing workshops in downtown Truckee. Join Saturday Escape from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21 and explore creative writing of any genre. Each workshop is different and provides the opportunity to connect with a writing community, generate new material, play with language and meaning, explore craft and form and develop a writing practice in a supportive environment. The workshop is open to all levels of experience. The workshop is $35 and includes coffee. To register, contact Karen Terrey at (530) 386-3901 or tangledrootswriting@gmail.com.

Burn permits suspended
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that residential burn permits have been suspended in Nevada, Yuba and Placer counties. All fires or smoke reported by citizens will be considered a wildfire and a full suppression response will be dispatched to the scene. Anyone who burns in violation of the suspension may be issued a citation and could face cost recovery charges for the fire suppression response. The burn ban will remain in effect until enough rainfall accumulates in the fall to warrant lifting the suspension. For more information visit www.fire.ca.gov.

Volunteer for Tahoe Rim Trail
Meet people, learn new skills, get outdoors and make a difference with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. Contact Janice Barbour at janiceb@tahoerimtrail.org or (775) 298-0012 to discuss current volunteer opportunities.

Health screening
Tahoe Forest Health Systems offers low cost health screenings including complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, vitamin D and Hemoglobin A1C tests from 7 to 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Patients should fast for 10 to 12 hours prior to the lab tests. Tests are available for individuals 18 years old and older. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call (530) 587-3769.

Cousteau tickets available
The Siebens Binz-Tahoe Forum is bringing Alexandra Cousteau to Lake Tahoe.
Tickets are now available to hear Cousteau, granddaughter of renowned pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and a passionate international advocate for water quality and policy. She will be the featured speaker at the forum at Sierra Nevada College on Aug. 28 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are free, but are required for entry. To RSVP and for more information, contact Michelle McFall at (775) 831-1314 or mmcfall@sierranevada.edu, or visit www.sierranevada.edu/forum.

Totally Tahoe summer camp
The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe offers Totally Tahoe Summer Camp for children entering grades K through 7 every week through the end of August. In addition to weekly theme activities, there are field trips to Roller Kingdom, Wild Island, Buck's Beach, North Tahoe Regional Park and Magic Carpet Golf. Camp is $50 per week, and scholarships are available. To register, stop by The Club at 8125 Steelhead in Kings Beach or call (530) 546-4324.

Friday adventures
Northstar Resort Kid’s Adventure Program will be offered Thursdays to Mondays through September. The Adventure Program offers nature hikes, games and activities. Programs are offered for ages 4 to 12 for $69 for the day, including lunch and snacks. To register or for more information, call (800) 466-6784.

Restaurant Week
Lake Tahoe’s first Restaurant Week, showcasing High Sierra fine dining, and giving local food aficionados and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the best in mountain cuisine, will be held from Sept. 5 to 12.
There are no passes, tickets or coupons needed to take part in Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week. Instead guests simply visit their favorite participating restaurants – both new and established eateries and bistros are taking part – offering three-course, prix-fixe menus throughout the Tahoe-Truckee region for $20, $30 and $40 per person. For more information, call (530) 583-2138 or visit www.tahoerestaurantweek.com.

SATELite Festival
Squaw Valley USA will host the first SATELite Festival from Sept. 10 to 12 to unite adventurers, artists and consumers for film premiers, photo exhibits, cycling events, wine and dining experiences and live music, all in support of conservation. The event is a community-based event celebrating the beauty of nature and the steps that all must take to preserve it. Participation in the festival is free, compliments of event sponsors and donors, and tickets to additional activities including dinners, concerts and symposiums will be available. For more information, visit www.satelitefestival.com.

Community chipping, recycling
There will be a free Defensible Space Cleanup and Yard Waste Drop–Off for Incline Village and Crystal Bay residents on Sept. 11. Residents can bring an unlimited amount of yard debris to a location to be announced from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of District residency (Nevada drivers’ license or IVGID recreation card) will be required to drop-off materials. Customers are responsible for unloading materials as directed by Waste Management personnel. Remember to tarp your load, and lining a truck bed with a tarp will facilitate unloading. Acceptable items include natural woody debris such as pine needles, bark, pinecones, tree branches (under 4 inches diameter and 4 feet in length), brush, yard trimmings, dry grass and dead leaves. No garbage, stumps, construction debris, nails, dirt, rocks or soil will be accepted. Also, no commercial customers. For more information, call (775) 832-1284.
As well, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is offering free curbside chipping through November. Call (775) 831-0351, ext. 8118 or visit www.nltfpd.net to make an appointment.

Sugar Pine seeks grant
The Sugar Pine Foundation of Tahoe has been selected as a finalist in Redwood Creek Wines’ Greater Outdoors Project, which will award $140,000 in grants to organizations that preserve, protect and provide access to the great outdoors. To vote for the Foundation, visit www.redwoodcreekwine.com through Aug. 31.
The Sugar Pine Foundation is dedicated to restoring white pines and has identified 35 sugar pines in the Tahoe Basin resistant to blister rust, an incurable exotic fungus killing white pines in Tahoe and beyond. Sugar Pine staffers hope to collect the seeds of these 100-foot tall trees and plant their progeny in fire scars, old logging landings and other deforested areas to ensure the survival of white pines. The grand prize contest winner will receive a $50,000 grant, while all other contestants will receive $10,000.

Trails & Vistas art hike
Trails and Vistas creates experiences of art in nature and this year’s annual art hike, hosted by Squaw Valley USA, takes place Sept. 11 and 12.
Explore dancing with sculptural elements at InnerRhythms Dance Theatre’s Masters Dance Class with visiting aerialist Jodi Lomask, the Artistic Director from San Francisco dance company Capacitor on Saturday, July 31. Capacitor, a modern dance company, is this year's featured artist in Trails and Vistas. All skill levels are welcome. The class takes place on Saturday, July 31. Call InnerRhythms at (530) 550-8464 to sign up for the class.
Tickets for Trails and Vistas, which has sold out for the past three years in a row, are available at www.trailsandvistas.org and through the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.trailsandvistas.org for more information.

River friendly landscaping rebate
The Truckee River Watershed Council and the Sierra Nevada Alliance have kicked off a River Friendly Landscaping campaign to help homeowners deal with issues that can impact water quality. Of special interest are homes on steep slopes, sites with highly compacted soil and homes that are close to surface water on the north shore of Donner Lake, Tahoe Donner and the Truckee River corridor in Placer County and along East and West River streets.
Evaluations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. While any homeowner in any neighborhood can participate in the program, homes in the focus areas will be given priority. Interested property owners should call (530) 550-8760 to schedule a free site evaluation. Based upon the assessment, an engineering consultant will design a plan with recommendations (free of charge) for the property based on erosion control issues. When the project is completed, River Friendly Landscaping staffers will once again visit the property. Upon certification of completion, the homeowner will be eligible for up to a $400 rebate. In addition, each month, two homeowners who voluntarily comply with the BMP directives will receive two Reno Aces tickets.

New Toastmasters in Truckee
Toastmaster International is starting a new club that will meet from noon to 1 p.m. at Truckee Donner PUD located at 11570 Donner Pass Road. The new club was started to accommodate interested parties who are unable to join the existing morning meeting. Toastmasters provide an affordable and supportive means of improving and practicing public speaking skills. Toastmasters have been around for more than 85 years and offers a proven and enjoyable way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills. For more information, contact Carmen Carr at (530) 550-5192 or carmen@carmencarr.com, or visit www.toastmasters.org.

Truckee chipping program
Truckee Fire Protection District is offering its seasonal chipping program and is taking requests to chip cut limbs, trees and brush. The service is free for residents. Chipping is done on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to groups of parcels or neighbors working together. Materials that can be chipped include limbs, small trees and brush. The maximum diameter is 12 inches. No loose pine needles or pinecones, dirt or rocks on brush or root balls. Limbs/brush need to be neatly stacked with the cut end towards the road. Material needs to be stacked alongside the roadway or driveway where the truck and trailer can safely access them without causing any damage to the property.
All materials can be either chipped into a pile, broadcast onto the property or in some cases hauled away per the owner’s request.
Call (530) 582-7850 from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for more information or to schedule chipping, or visit www.truckeefire.org.
Green waste: Within the Town of Truckee limits only, pinecones, pine needles and vegetative waste may be disposed of using the Green Bags for Green Waste curbside collection program. Green bags will be collected on trash day each week through Oct. 31 and green bags are recycled. Residents must purchase approved green bags from Mountain Hardware or Tahoe Supply Company.
For questions regarding the Green Bags for Green Waste or the Pine Needle and Vegetative Waste Collection Event, call (530) 582-2909.

Hospital Auxiliary volunteers
The Tahoe Forest Hospital Auxiliary is looking for committed adult volunteers to assist to work in the Gift Shop, for secretarial work in the Human Resources department and to cuddle in the Children’s Center.
To be part of the Tahoe Forest Auxiliary team and help with a valuable community service, contact the Director of Volunteer Services Criss Rojas at (530) 582-6643.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for volunteers to mentor boys and girls in Truckee and Kings Beach. Adults and high school sophomores, juniors and seniors can be mentors. Donations also are needed to support the program. Call Peggy Martin at (530) 587-7717 or e-mail peggy@bigsofnc.org.

Low-cost spay/neuter program
The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe also offers a voucher program for qualifying applicants; the program is based on income. Those that qualify can receive vouchers for sterilizing their pets: $25 male cats, $35 female cats, $40 male dogs and $50 female dogs. Call (530) 587-5984.

For Goodness Sake
For Goodness Sake is a non-denominational spirituality center that offers special programs, workshops, classes and activities every Monday through Friday.
On Thursdays, there is Fundamentals of Ascension and Self Mastery with Christian Steele from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Fridays, there is Abraham-Hicks Group with Dinny Evans from 8:30 to10 a.m.
On Mondays, join The Artist's Way with Kira Yannetta from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., T'ai Chi Chih with Chris Worcester from 6 to 7 p.m. and Meditation with Jon L from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, Earleen Norris's Wisdom Circle meets from 10 a.m. to noon, Simply Sitting in Silence with Cathy Nason begins at 12:15 p.m., a Buddhist meditation class with Leisa Peterson takes place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. and A Course in Miracles with Richard Mallett is offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. On Wednesdays, partake in Attitudinal Healing with Dinny Evans from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Power of Thought with Vertical Dimension from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
For Goodness Sake is located at 10157 Donner Pass Road in Truckee. For more information and to confirm class times and offerings, call (530) 550-8981 or visit www.goodnesssake.org.