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INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has started a series of virtual field trips for teachers that have been designed with flexibility in mind during this ever-changing school year.

Using a variety of technologies, the TERC Education Team has converted some of their most popular field trips to a virtual format:

Aquatic Food Web (Grades 3–4)
Formation of Lake Tahoe (Grades 4–6)
Geology of Tahoe (Grades 4–5)
Trees of Tahoe (Grades 3–5)
Tahoe Forest Health (Grades 5–6)
Climate Change (Grades 6–8)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though the 70s have been great temperatures for the past few weeks, it was inevitable that the weather patterns would change just as daylight saving time did. A strong cold front will push through the Sierra and western Nevada on Friday bringing gusty winds, much colder temperatures, and chances for rain and snow showers, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Daylight-saving time comes to an end for 2020 on Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 a.m. in much of the United States. Clocks will move back one hour as standard time starts its run.

The practice of having the time change started in the early 1900s as a way to make better use of daylight during the spring and summer months, so there is an extra hour of sunlight in the evening instead of the morning.

I have read a number of candidate statements and articles about their hopes and aspirations for our community. I applaud each candidate that is running for local office; the challenge is getting their messages to voters.

I must say, however, despite all of the objectives that the candidates seek to achieve while in office, they are missing an important point. It is not only what you want to accomplish, but how to do so.

My history of involvement has spanned decades in our community and the positions that I have taken are of public record.

After listening to some TedX speeches and my own observations and common knowledge of science, I have come to understand one of the major problems of renewable energy that I believe will make most of the wind mill and solar panel energy producing processes obsolete within a few years.

In 2020, Red Ribbon Week, the nation's largest and longest running drug-use prevention campaign, turns 35 and will be observed October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week has informed millions of kids and parents about the danger of drugs and alcohol, influencing positive choices and behaviors. However, one “drug” that may not receive as much attention lately is nicotine. which is highly addictive.

There will be an in-person meeting of the Tahoe Paradise Recreation & Park District board on Thursday, October 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. They will be meeting at the park's club house, 1011 W San Bernardino Ave, South Lake Tahoe.

The agenda for the meeting includes:

Reports:
Project committee : Joe / Tom / Greg
Grant committee: Judy /Tom
Events committee: Judy/ Jenn

Discussion and Action:
Park maintenance update: Greg
Regulatory Liaison Committee: Tom / Board
Reviewing lease agreement for park house: Board
Park Policy update: Tom
Resolution for Grants: Judy

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a change in the normal Halloween celebrations due to coronavirus, volunteers with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society have created a map to local homes decorated for the season. This is a great way to enjoy the holiday in a socially distanced manner.

LTHS has added the map to their website and will have printed copies at the museum starting October 20.

There are no specific address listed, just a pumpkin placed in the area of a home found to have a display for all to enjoy by walking, biking or driving by.

Autumn’s reflections have begun and Lake Tahoe’s forests and wildlife are preparing for the winter. While fall is generally a treasured time of year at the lake, a sense of uneasiness hangs in the crisp air as we brace for the next phase of the COVID crisis.

Summer was record breaking on many fronts. Businesses and agencies with major staff and budget shortages were suddenly required to manage the pandemic, following strict protocols. Trash overflowed on our pristine beaches and roadways. Follow that with more than 8,300 wildfires and 4 million acres burned in California alone.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are three open seats on the South Tahoe Public Utility Board of Directors this election season, two for a four-year term and one for a two-year term.

South Tahoe Now reached out to the candidates and below are their answers to a set of questions. For the two four-year terms, incumbent Kelly Sheehan is running for reelection, Duane Wallace is running after being appointed to fill Jim Jones's spot on the board until this election, and they are joined by David Peterson.

The free virtual screening of the Wilder Than Wild film has been extended through October 25.

If you missed the first presentation, you're in luck!

The award-winning documentary Wilder Than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future reveals how fire suppression and climate change have exposed Western landscapes to large, high-intensity wildfires. The sixty-minute film explores strategies that are being developed to help mitigate the impact of these fires.

On October 31, 2016 I wrote an editorial "Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork" due to a growing vibe of discourse and anger across the country as well as in South Lake Tahoe.

Since we are once again in the midst of a contentious national election I saw a need to once again look at the definition of community as we focus on our local situation in El Dorado County and Douglas County.

com·mu·ni·ty:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their meeting Tuesday, the City Council approved the Winter Operations COVID Compliance Business Protection Grant Reimbursement Program which will reimburse local businesses for PPE and the equipment they need to operate safely during the winter months.

There were funds left over from the first business reimbursement program which gave up to $2,500 back to those who had to purchase items needed to operate safely.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Change is in the air for the Lake Tahoe region this week. We'll be saying goodbye to the 80s and 90s, and hello to more seasonable 60s and 70s.

By the end of the week there is even a slight chance of rain and upper-elevation snow (yes, I said that word).

High pressure will produce warm afternoons, dry conditions, and mainly light winds through mid-week. Mornings will remain cool to chilly. Areas of smoke and haze will linger into Monday or Tuesday. Cooler, breezy, and wet conditions are possible Friday through next weekend.

California’s Water Year 2020 has come to a close and while parts of Southern California experienced above average precipitation, Northern California was mostly dry.

The water year ended below average and further demonstrated the impact of climate change on the state’s water supply, according to a report released by the Department of Water Resources (DWR).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He was the star running back of Benicia High School before graduating in 2015. He led the Panthers with 901 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns his senior year and was named their Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Less than one year later he was in South Lake Tahoe with a group of men accused of fatally shooting Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. over a drug deal at the Beverly Lodge.

The reminder to schedule a breast cancer screening test comes on strong during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. This month, let each splash of pink you see be an encouragement to get screened with a self-exam, physician exam, or a mammogram.

It’s also a good time to get a feel for your own unique breast density, and establish a baseline to help identify warning signs of breast cancer, including:

- A lump in the breast or armpit
- Swelling or thickening of all or part of the breast
- Dimpling or skin irritation of breast skin
- Localized, persistent breast pain

Teens 4 Tahoe, an environmental stewardship group formed by six teens in collaboration with the nonprofit Tahoe Fund, will host a free virtual screening of the award-winning documentary Wilder Than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future on October 4, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The virtual event, proposed by the teens living in Tahoe and around the Bay Area, will be the group’s first effort to help educate their peers about wildfire preparedness. It will include viewing of the one-hour long documentary followed by an online Q&A session with Kevin White, the film’s producer.

The Tahoe Climate Change Action Network (TCCAN) is hosting a week of online events with opportunities to connect individual, community and regional efforts to the global movement to ensure we are counting down to a better, carbon neutral future.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - National Forest trails, trailheads, beaches and other day-use areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin will re-open for day-use only beginning Saturday, Sep. 19, 2020. Camping and overnight stays will not be permitted, and campgrounds will remain closed. Resorts will reopen for day-use only. Emergency Fire Restrictions will remain in effect through Nov. 30. I’ve attached the Forest Orders for your awareness.

The prohibition of the use of any ignition source on all National Forest System lands (campfires, gas stoves, etc.) throughout California remains in place.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The local grass roots activist organization, IRunWithMaud - South Lake Tahoe, is holding a peaceful protest/neighborhood rally at Lakeview Commons on Sunday, September 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The rally is to celebrate free speech and will include local speakers. The South Lake Tahoe City Council recently read a proclamation that all of South Lake Tahoe including Lakeview Commons are "free speech" areas to be used for traditional public forums allowed under the First Amendment.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a good time check in with yourself and loved ones. So many of us are struggling to keep our mental health in check right now. It’s normal to feel anxious about the impacts of COVID-19. Preventing our worries from consuming us can reduce stress and uncertainty—and even more severe behavioral health issues like suicide.

The 26th annual Lake Tahoe Marathon scheduled for October 9-11 has been canceled for 2020.

Due to the volume of participants and required bus transportation to starting points, the popular three-day event was canceled since gathering and social distancing protocols couldn't be met. The date for the event will be October 8-10, 2021.

Organizer Les Wright of South Lake Tahoe sent out the following letter to participants this week:

The odds of being able to have the 25th Lake Tahoe Marathon this year on Oct 9-11th have dropped to about 1%.

Sierra-at-Tahoe has spent the summer developing new operational procedures regarding COVID-19 for the 2020/21 ski and ride season. They have released their new guidelines for this winter that allow everyone to enjoy the resort while staying safe and socially distant.

:These decisions have been made in compliance with local, state and federal regulations, as well as Sierra’s commitment to the National Ski Area Association’s “Ski Well, Be Well” initiative," said Sierra-at-Tahoe representatives in a press release.