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All eyes are on California this week as the Amgen Tour of California gets underway in San Diego on Sunday, May 15. One of the most important races on the international cycling calendar, Amgen brings some of the brightest cycling stars in the world to the state as they travel 782 miles in different stages from Southern to Northern California for eight days.

There was once a time when having a beautiful lake, spectacular scenery and non-stop action and gambling was enough for the tourist to visit South Lake Tahoe and the South Shore.

This is no longer the case and the community needs to become future ready.

Carl Ribaudo, owner of Strategic Marketing Group, spoke at the Future Ready Tourism Forum at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel on April 26, 2016.

While change is always tough Ribaudo said, South Lake Tahoe needs to be prepared as the tourist shifts from making a transaction when coming to Tahoe to wanting an experience.

Weather permitting, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service have scheduled prescribed fire operations again this week, starting April 25.

East Shore: Near Spooner Summit, Camp Galilee and on Kingsbury Grade near Edgewood Drive.

South Shore: Near Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, Panther Lane near South Tahoe High School, off Highway 89 near Spring Creek, and off Santa Claus Drive and West River Parkway near Christmas Valley.

Weather permitting, California State Parks, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service are scheduled to continue prescribed fire operations beginning Monday, April 11, 2016.

On the North Shore - 10 acres at Burton Creek State Park.

On the East Shore - 32 acres at Sand Harbor, 28 acres at Spooner Summit and 200 acres at Camp Galilee.

A statewide drive, "Stand Up for Keith – Team Meter Marrow Drive," is being organized by California Highway Patrol Headquarters and the CHP Santa Ana Area office to try to find a marrow donor for Officer Keith Meter, an 18-year veteran of the Department and a familiar face among the stand-up paddle community in South Lake Tahoe.

"I will not let cancer define who I am. Cancer is not going to be my story."

Those powerful words come from South Lake Tahoe local Krista Kline Carson.

The 1989 South Tahoe High graduate, wife, mother and wellness coordinator for Barton University, is battling cancer after a tumor removed from her brain was found to be Stage IV Glioblastoma Multiforme, one of the fastest growing brain cancers. On Monday, January 18 she begins a six week regime of radiation and chemotherapy.

NORTH POLE —No longer do we need to guess when the big man is coming to town.

Whether you made the Naughty or Nice list, you can track Santa Claus as he goes around the world, delivering presents on Christmas Eve thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement in Colorado Springs, Colorado, misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through operations hotline for the commander of the Continental Air Defense Command.

A special holiday treat in South Lake Tahoe will be held on Saturday, December 19 when the public can enjoy the lighted Christmas truck, Santa and Mrs. Claus, latkes and cookies, carolers and tours of the decorated museum and cabin during the Holiday in History Open House.

The annual Lake Tahoe Historical Society event will be held at the museum located at 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Victorian Christmas scene is spread throughout the museum and the historic cabin.

Schedule:

- Free museum and 1930 cabin tours all day.

When Nick Arbelaez moved to South Lake Tahoe with his fiancee Stephanie Shamo, he was taking the Assistant Soccer Coach position at LTCC and she was headed to Barton Health.

After Head Coach Ben Wade and LTCC parted ways mid-season, Arbelaez stepped in as interim head coach, leading the Coyotes to the final four for California Community Colleges.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Arbelaez was introduced to the trustees along with
other coaches and volunteers that have helped both the men's and women's soccer teams have early successes in the young programs.

The annual Light Up Lake Tahoe parade led people through town Saturday night on their way to light the Christmas tree at the Y. Carolers kept the crowd entertained, as did cocoa and cookies, as they waited for Santa to arrive via fire truck.

With temperatures sitting at 30 degrees, bundled up children and their parents, and local community members counted down the flipping of the switch for the tree which will stay lit through the holidays.

The Meyers Community Foundation will hold the 5th Annual Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4 in front of the Divided Sky and Downtown Cafe at 5 p.m.

Meet in the parking lot for popcorn, hot chocolate and other goodies provided by Sierra-at-Tahoe as the decorated Lake Valley fire truck will be on hand to flip the light switch on the big tree.

Santa Claus will be arriving by Cal Star helicopter (weather and circumstances permitting).

The event is free and open to the public.

The annual Valhalla Holiday Faire will be held at the Tallac Historic Site this weekend, inside the Valhalla Grand Hall. This is an annual holiday tradition for many, who head out to the hall to see local artists, craftspeople, Santa Claus, choirs and musical groups.

After the grand opening Friday night, the faire continues on Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 22 the hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The inaugural Winter Bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature stocking stuffers, gifts for Hanukkah and Christmas, and small prizes for attending. Food will be offered for sale by Seniors, Inc. The Senior Center is located at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Dear Henry,
I’m new to the area and not sure about how to deal with the cold weather and my dog, do you have any tips for us?
Thank you,
Bethany

Purrfect timing for this question as it actually looks like we are going to get a winter this year! Here are some winter tips for all pets.

Keep your cats inside. During any time of the year, cats that are allowed to stray can become lost or stolen, injured or killed. They can also be exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

Join us for the final day of the 20th Annual Valhalla Holiday Faire, in the Grand Hall,from 10 AM to 4 PM. Enjoy the festively decorated rustic estate at this free event, which will feature a Christmas tree, holiday music, 30 local vendors and artisans, as well as performances by the South Lake Tahoe Children’s Choral Society with a special appearance by Santa Claus! There is something for everyone. Come join in the fun.

Location

For three days, historic Valhalla comes alive for the Holiday Season. Celebrate at the 20th Annual Valhalla Holiday Faire, in the Grand Hall,from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Enjoy the festively decorated rustic estate at this free event, which will feature a Christmas tree, holiday music, 30 local vendors and artisans, as well as performances by the South Lake Tahoe Children’s Choral Society with a special appearance by Santa Claus!

Location

Mary E. "Betty" Duke, a longtime South Lake Tahoe resident, passed away on Oct. 29, 2015. She was 90.

Betty was born on Feb. 27, 1925, in Monroe, La., to Albert and Clara Olsen.

Betty was an active volunteer with many organizations. She enjoyed reading, traveling, playing piano and accordion, dancing, and the outdoors, but especially anything involving her family.

Exciting news for South Lake Tahoe, the cycling community and local tourism today when it was announced that the Amgen Tour of California will be returning to the South Shore for both men's and women's events.

Professional cyclists will return to the lake for the men's Stage 5 finish and the women's Stage 1 start on Thursday, May 19, 2016. The men will take off in Lodi, Calif. and finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort’s California Base Lodge in South Lake Tahoe. The women will also start/finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort on May 19.

Tahoe Arts Project is hosting the 4th annual Holiday Festival on Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, 2015 in the South Tahoe Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. The event will take place Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This very special event will feature art, craft and food vendors, entertainment, raffle prizes, visit from Santa and fun for the entire family. Admission is FREE!!

Tickets to board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride via the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the annual Carson City family holiday tradition, go on sale online beginning August 20. (www.vtrailway.com)

STOP RIGHT THERE. Don’t move a muscle, buster. Stay out of this book or I WILL CHOMP YOU!

Meet Bear. He's exhausted. All he wants is to go to sleep. Meet Duck, Bear's persistent next-door neighbor. All he wants is to hang out . . . with Bear

If you're a dinosaur, all of your friends are dead. If you're a pirate, all of your friends have scurvy. If you're a tree, all of your friends are end tables.

These are just a few lines out of books written by South Tahoe High School graduate Jory John who's ninth book, "I Will Chomp You," is being released on Tuesday.

In the State of California, vehicle thefts dropped 7% in 2014, marking the second straight year of decline.

For South Lake Tahoe, it was the first year of decline in three years.

In 2013, vehicle thefts in the city limits jumped 46% from 37 stolen cars to 54. Following in 2014, there was a drop of 7% when 50 cars were stolen according to figures obtained by South Tahoe Now from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

To date, 2015 is looking to be a repeat of last year with 25 car thefts through June.

The impact of vacation rentals, a popular option for tourist lodging, is a big, and controversial topic in South Lake Tahoe.

A five-course dinner paired with wines from the Caymus and Wagner Family of Wine will be held at Park Prime, the steakhouse at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe.

The menu:

Hors d’Oeuvres
Crab, mango, and avocado stack, served with a citrus vinaigrette
— paired with —
Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Second Course
Fire roasted lobster bisque
Spiked with brandy & chardonnay
— paired with —
Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands

Third Course
Colorado lamb lollipop
Cauliflower mashed potatoes, blackberry sauce
— paired with —