The little hamlet in South Lake Tahoe known as Meyers – originally known as Tahoe Paradise – is holding a Farmers Market on Sunday evenings from 2pm to 7pm until September 12. 2010.

The Meyers California Certified Farmers Market is sponsored by the Lions Club of South Lake Tahoe.

Fresh produce will be available from 2-7 p.m. every Sunday and will be held in the parking lot by The Divided Sky and the Meyers Downtown Cafe.

Don’t forget to ride your bike and be sure to sample the fine restaurants in Meyers that you know will be serving the featured seasonal, organic and regionally-produced food they bought that Sunday.

Join the interactive forum “Solar Energy – Sense or Non-Cent$?” at Resort at Squaw Creek on July 7 at 7:00pm where local experts Bob Moore, Art King and Donald Priest will address how solar energy relates to energy independence and security, public policy, environmental considerations and costs compared to other energy sources. It’s all part of  the Squaw Valley Institute’s  new “think tank” exploratory endeavor series.

Energy is one of a handful of critical issues facing the United States today. Competitively priced energy is fundamental to a growing economy, but energy choices have an increasingly larger impact on the environment and energy independence. The passionate endorsements of and heated attacks on various energy alternatives are indicative not only of the urgency of making intelligent choices but also of the lack of knowledge about each of the choices. Informed citizens are fundamental to the success of a democracy and our citizens are woefully uninformed about our future energy alternatives.

“The format will be classroom style with an emphasis on participation and interaction. The goal is to educate, not advocate for or against solar,” says Bob Moore. “Participants will be given access to a website with links to all the materials as well as pointers to more in-depth information.”

“We hope these new types of enrichment opportunities add a new dimension to Squaw Valley Institute’s established year-round programming,” said John Wilcox, founder and president of the Institute.

Background of “solar” team:

Bob Moore recently retired from the Electronic Design Automation (automating design of semiconductors) business after 25 years. Most of that time was spent at Cadence Design Systems as well as two startup companies that were acquired by Cadence. Before that, Moore worked at Hewlett Packard in their workstation division in Colorado. Bob has held a variety of executive positions in marketing and business development with an emphasis in strategic and business planning. His education includes a Bachelor of Mathematics from Dartmouth College and MS Computer Science from the University of Colorado.

Art King graduated from University of Oregon in 1974 with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. He spent his entire career (34 years) with Moss Adams, a Western Regional Certified Public Accountant firm. He became partner in 1985. He was managing partner of the Santa Rosa office from 1994 to 2001, and of the Seattle office from 2001- 2006. From 2006 to 2009 he was Regional Managing Partner. He also served on the firm’s executive committee.

Donald Priest is a land development consultant. He retired in 1999 as President of Dominion Land Management Company (DLMC), Richmond, Virginia. DLMC developed planned residential communities, as well as industrial and other properties in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. Priest also served as Vice President of Summit Enterprises, Inc., a venture capital firm in Woodbridge, Virginia; President of Preizac Corporation, a real estate development consulting firm; Associate Professor of Planning at the University of Virginia; and Staff Vice President in charge of research and education at the Urban Land Institute. He also served as chair of ULI’s Norfolk/Richmond District Council. Priest holds a Master’s degree in City Planning from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Stanford University.

Tickets are $10, students and children free. For tickets or more details on this event, visit www.squawvalleyinstitute.org or call 530.581.4138.

Anyone interested in participating in future energy-related educational programs is encouraged to contact the Institute.  Squaw Valley Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting programs having artistic, cultural and educational values. The Institute presents lectures, performances, forums, exhibitions and classes in the unique mountain environment of Squaw Valley, North Lake Tahoe, Truckee and surrounding communities, bringing together visitors, residents and friends in the truest sense of community.

The Truckee Trails Foundation website provides updates on the mountain bike trail, roads and bikeway conditions in North Shore and Truckee.

Each trail update includes an open status, trail type, difficulty, directions to the trail head, and a description of the trail – written by a local who knows the trail.

And, there’s even a Google Map for each dirt trail so you can pinpoint your ride. Sweet!

It is so well done.  Truckee has one more reason to brag.

Truckee Trails Foundation Goal:

To provide the Truckee area with a network of trails and bike paths for fun, adventure and alternative transportation.

Truckee Trails Foundation is a committed group of community-minded people focused on the development of a local trail and bikeway system. Our goal is to connect people and places, reduce dependence on automobiles and improve physical, social, and environmental health for the community.

We owe a big fat thank you to the foundation, and the business and individual supporters, for providing this useful tool so we know if a trail is open before we go (and waste gas getting there!) and, above all, know which routes to use for riding and commuting.

But wait! We can do more.

Become an individual member for just $35, and we can help keep this trail system alive and maybe even help it expand into South Shore and beyond.

Check it out at www.truckeetrails.org.

Learn simple techniques to defend your home against flying embers and tour the demonstration garden at the Sierra Nevada College to see examples of Lake Tahoe’s native and adapted plants.

Besides gardening techniques, you’ll be treated to food, fun and games at the North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden at Sierra Nevada College located at Tahoe Blvd. & Country Club in Incline Village.

For more information, please contact Gretchen Huie at the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District at 775-586-1610 ex. 25, ghuie@ntcd.org

July 8 will focus on Firewise landscaping, a must for every Tahoe resident.

Green Thumb Thursdays are held every Thursday from 5:30-6:30 pm and are sponsored by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District.

All of the speakers volunteer their time and expertise, and the Tahoe RCD thanks them with a gift — a Tahoe native plant.  Of course! Walk the talk.

July 1 – Drip Irrigation
Debbie Hillel, El Dorado County Master Gardener

Water meters are coming to Tahoe this year through 2012. Prepare to conserve water, save money and reduce soil erosion. Sign up for a water use survey and become eligible to participate in local PUD rebate programs.

July 8 – Firewise Landscaping
Robin Stanley, El Dorado County Master Gardener; Mark Stanley, retired CDF; and Jessica Mahnken, Nevada Fire Safe Council

Enjoy an attractive landscape while protecting your home and community from wildfire. Receive a free Home Landscaping Guide for Lake Tahoe.

July 15 – Good Bugs and Garden Pests
Lynn Wunderlich, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, El Dorado and Amador Counties

Integrated Pest Management is the best way to outsmart garden pests while minimizing use of harmful chemicals.

July 22 – Building Healthy Garden Soils
Craig Witt, Full Circle Compost

Learn how to nurture your soil so it is healthy and productive year after year.

July 29 – Landscaping with Stone
John Roos, Innovative Garden Design

Learn about materials selection and building techniques for landscaping walls, paths, and borders.

August 5 – Selecting and Maintaining Landscape Trees
Brock Axthelm, Landscape Architect

Caring for landscape trees starts in the nursery and ends with our future generations. Get informed on tree selection, placement, planting & maintenance.

August 12 – Invasive Weed Plant Swap
Ian Turner, AmeriCorps member serving Tahoe Resource Conservation District

Don’t let invasive weeds crowd you out. Identify and manage Tahoe’s invasive weeds. Attendees are eligible for the invasive weed plant swap.

August 19 – Water Conserving Gardening
Kit Veerkamp, El Dorado County Master Gardener and Landscape Architect

Learn basic principles of low water landscaping, and discuss plant selection and planting techniques.

August 29 – Landscaping for BMPs
Jen Cressy, Tahoe Resource Conservation District

Meet BMP regulations while creating an attractive and sustainable landscape.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Cressy at jcressy@tahoercd.org, 530-543-1501 x107.

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s mission is to promote the conservation and improvement of the Lake Tahoe Basin’s soil, water, and related natural resources by providing leadership, information, programs, and technical assistance to all land managers, owners, organizations, and residents.

The Nifty 50 Trolley based in South Lake Tahoe will offer service to Tahoma on the west shore where you can board the TART (Tahoe Area Regional Transit) bus and travel on to Tahoe City, Truckee, Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista and Incline Village.

Better yet, you get a FREE Transfer for the TART (Tahoe Area Regional Transit) Bus in Tahoma. This route will operate daily through September 6, 2010; then Sat & Sun ONLY Sept 11 – Oct 3, 2010. When this route is not operating you can use the BlueGO OnCall service at (530) 541-7149 option (1).

The North Shore/Emerald Bay connection is funded by the US Forest Service.

Click here for the Emerald Bay/North Lake Tahoe bus and trolley schedule.

This free community event for children (ages 6+) and their families includes hands-on science activities designed to create an awareness of the unique ecology of Lake Tahoe.

The 11th annual Children’s Environmental Science Day will be held at the historic hatchery research station and the site of the new Eriksson Education Center, located in Tahoe City, CA at 2400 Lake Forest Rd.

This free community event for children (ages 6+) and their families includes hands-on science activities designed to create an awareness of the unique ecology of Lake Tahoe and teach about the various areas of environmental science. In addition to the UC Davis scientists, community organizations provide hands–on activities to teach children about the unique ecology, function, restoration and preservation of Lake Tahoe.

Check out the new education center exhibits and enjoy interactive games, get up close with fish and zoo plankton from Lake Tahoe, learn about wetlands, get your face painted with native wildlife, learn how to fly fish, test the water quality of a stream, visit with local scientists, tour the historic fish hatchery and research lab, eat free ice-cream, see a live-animal presentation and much more!

This event is perfect for families or groups with kids ages 6 and up with an interest in the environment, nature, science and discovery.

Immediately following the kids events, you’re invited to stay for the Open House and Chamber Mixer from 4-6 pm and enjoy a grand opening celebration and toast, food and beverage provided by Sawtooth Ridge and live music by Dan Copeland.

If you have any questions regarding this event please contact Leanne Burns by phone (775) 881-7560, ext. 7474 or by email at lkburns@ucdavis.edu.

Named in honor of longtime Truckee resident and dedicated TDPUD board member Patricia S. Sutton, the demonstration garden showcases ways to achieve beautiful landscaping in a high Sierra climate, while saving precious water and money. The free event will honor Patricia S. Sutton, officially open the conservation garden and launch the District’s new web-based water-wise garden resource.

The demonstration garden features a native and drought tolerant plant exhibit, lawn replacement alternatives, a hardscaping exhibit, and a mulch and weed barrier exhibit. Other interesting garden highlights include a reclaimed redwood lumber bridge constructed from an old TDPUD water tank and a water efficient irrigation system.

“The TDPUD is committed to conservation in our community and this water-wise demonstration garden is a key tool to help our customers maintain beautiful landscaping while saving water and money. We are also pleased to recognize Patricia S. Sutton’s service to this District and our community by naming the garden in her honor.” said TDPUD Board member Ron Hemig.

Grand opening attendees will be treated to complimentary refreshments and giveaways including low-flow water hose spray valves and TDPUD stainless steel water bottles. TDPUD board members, the Sutton family, and friends will be on hand for the event as well. TDPUD customers and friends are all invited to attend this special event.

Admission is free to the Patricia S. Sutton Conservation Garden, which is located adjacent to the TDPUD building at 11570 Donner Pass Road. After the official opening event, the garden will be open to the public during daylight hours.

After the grand opening event, additional information including the garden design, water-wise plant and material lists, great information on gardening techniques, and links to suppliers who participated in the garden can be found on the new TDPUD conservation garden web-page at www.tdpud.org.

The TDPUD is a non-profit, publicly owned utility agency overseen by a locally elected board of directors. TDPUD provides the greater Truckee area with reliable and high quality water and power services while guiding the community to conserve resources. For more information about the TDPUD, call 530-587-3896 .

Bring your natural, woody yard waste to one of the following three locations on Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 7:30am to 2:00pm.

North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista, Tahoe Cross Country, at 925 Country Club Drive in Tahoe City or Homewood South Lodge (Tahoe Ski Bowl) on the West Shore.

Acceptable items include tree limbs and brush, pine needles, yard trimmings, dry grass and dead leaves. Debris should be no more than 4 feet in length and stems should be no more than 4 inches in diameter.

Unacceptable items:

No garbage or hot ashes, stumps, construction debris, nails, dirt, or sod or rocks, No large trailers or commercial customers please.

Each trip is limited to 3 yards, or approximately 20 bags; or 3 yard capacity trailer. To facilitate offloading, line trucks with a tarp prior to loading. All sites will be monitored by TTSD personnel. Customers will be served on a first come, first served basis. Customers will be responsible for unloading material as directed by TTSD personnel. Event ends promptly at 2:00pm.

The District will be scheduling one free event per month. Future dates will be posted at www.ntfire.net

For more information, contact: Lewis Grove, grove@ntfire.net, (530) 546-4347

Not only can you buy recycled decorative paper to make your own gift cards at Events Ink in South Lake Tahoe, you can get it with wildflower seeds in it.

The wheels go round and round with these 2 entrepreneurs.

Cynthia at Events, Ink in South Shore saves every scrap of paper she uses to create her customized invitations.

About 10 pounds a week!

Instead of throwing it away, Cynthia gives it to Mistia Mullins who makes recycled paper out of it, some with wildflower seeds embedded.

Then Cynthia makes more invitations, cards and favors, and it starts all over again.

She says the recycled papers are a big hit for brides and party throwers who want to be more eco-friendly. Especially the recycled wildflower cards that plant the memory of the big day.

To help Cynthia gather more recycled paper, please visit her store and check out her full line of party supplies, gift cards, recycled decorative papers with seeds, and invitations.

You’ll be impressed by the large selection and even more impressed by Cynthia and her creativity.

Events, Ink
290 Kingsbury Grade, Suite 4

Located just off of Kingsbury Grade (SR 207) and Highway 50 in the Kingsbury Center in South Shore.

Contact Cynthia at (775) 588-0484 or Cynthia@Events-ink.com