Content for the weekly community briefs section is selected from e-mail submissions to editor@tahoebonanza.com. Please include the 5w’s: who, what, when, where and why, website and contact information.

Free Tax Preparation

---

---

There is still time to get your taxes done for free. Households with income under $51,000 may qualify for free preparation of federal and California tax returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The program is operated by Tahoe Family Solutions (TFS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening the family fabric in the Tahoe Basin. This tax season, the TFS tax assistance site has already prepared tax returns for more than 40 households, with more than $60,000 in refunds generated.

From now through April 13, appointments are available on Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. All tax preparation sessions will be held at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center, 948 Incline Way in Incline Village. For more information or to make an appointment, call Tahoe Family Solutions at 775-298-0004.

---

---

Newcomers Coffee

The first Saturday of every month (next one is April 6) a coffee is hosted for 10 or so newcomers to the North Tahoe area, 10 a.m.-noon at the eLearning Café, in Raley’s Center next to Azzara’s in Incline. Last month new residents from the UK and South Africa attended, a reminder how difficult it is for international residents in particular to meet locals. Great coffee and treats provided by IV Coffee Lab. Welcome new residents from all walks of life. If you are new to Incline, please RSVP to kek@elearningcafes.org and tell something about yourself, why you moved here, and one thing you would like to know about Incline. Businesses or organizations may put 10 sets of welcoming materials together. See you the first Saturday of each month!

Rotary Club Meets

The Rotary Club of Incline Village meets Mondays at noon at the DW Reynolds Non Profit Center, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village. For information call Judy Spees at 775-832-7006. On April 1, newest member G. Wayne Glass, Phd, will speak about his work with the U.S. Senate and as a professor of international relations at USC.

Maundy Thursday Service at Village Church

Tonight, March 28, at the Village Church at 7:30 p.m. will be the Maundy Thursday service. This hour-long service is a special Service of Darkness that commemorates the last supper. Maundy means mandamus, or commandment, which the Lord gave — to “Love One Another.” The service will highlight the Lord’s Supper or communion, which is open to all believers, and scripture readings as the sanctuary becomes progressively darker. Music will be provided by the choir and three Nevada Opera performers: Jon Fay, Karen Bennett and Rebecca Earl. The Rev. Dr. Dick Randall will preside. The church is located at the corner of McCourry and the Mt. Rose Highway with the entrance at 736 McCourry.

Art And The Environment: The Art Of The Anthropocene

Join UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center for its monthly lecture series featuring “The Art of the Anthropocene.” Presented by William L. Fox, Director of the Center for Art + Environment at the Nevada Museum of Art, April 18, 5:30 p.m. no-host bar. Presentation begins at 6 p.m., Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, 291 Country Club Drive, Incline Village. Cost: $5 donation suggested.

Fox is the Director of the Center for Art and Environment at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. Fox’s presentation will be an illustrated journey of art made during the Anthropocene, an informal geologic chronological term that serves to mark the evidence and extent of human activities that have had a significant global impact on the Earth’s ecosystems. The artwork ranges from landscape painting to earthworks and beyond.

In the 1790s a beginning of understanding, through exploration and science, the Earth is a set of interrelated physical systems. By the 1990s we began to understand how profoundly we had perturbed those systems. Artists have made work all along in response to our evolving sense of living in the Anthropocene, the epoch from 1790 onwards that is defined by an increasing consumption of fossil fuels. At first artists sought to represent the systems of the world; now they want to change them.

Fox has variously been called an art critic, science writer, and cultural geographer. He has published 15 books on cognition and landscape, numerous essays in art monographs, magazines and journals, and 15 collections of poetry. Fox has researched and written books set in the Antarctic, the Arctic, and the deserts of Chile, Australia, and the United States. He is a fellow of both the Royal Geographical Society and Explorers Club, and recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and National Science Foundation. He has been a visiting scholar at the Getty Research Institute, the Australian National University, and National Museum of Australia.

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) hosts science lectures each month with experts in topics pertinent to the region. Speakers include authorities on various environmental issues, scientific research and related regional topics of interest. For additional information, visit http://terc.ucdavis.edu/calendar/ or contact Heather Segale at 775-881-7562 or hmsegale@ucdavis.edu.

Incline Village Library News

Display cases: Pottery from students in the Fine Arts Department of Sierra Nevada College. Wednesday, April, 3, 10 and 24, 4-4:45 p.m. Story Time. Children of all ages are welcome for stories, songs, games, and crafts! Friday, April 5 and 19, 2-4 p.m. Lifescapes. Writing program where seniors are given an opportunity to write and share their memories. New members are always welcome. Lifescapes is a project sponsored by the Washoe County Library System (WCLS), Osher Life long Learning Institute (OLLI), and the Dept. of English, UNR. Saturday, April 13, 4-5 p.m. Amelia Bedelia Reception. Bedelia is well known by beginning readers for getting into trouble because she is very literal-minded. Enjoy her antics as she “changes” the towels and “dusts” the furniture. Families of all ages welcome. One free book per family while supplies last. Wednesday, April 17, 4-4:45 p.m. Bruka’s Theatre “Snow White.” Bruka proudly presents “Snow White,” investigating the original story and how it was handed down by word-of-mouth from generation to generation until the Brothers Grimm recorded it in the late 1800s. Experience this live and always hilarious theatre performance incorporating physical theatrics, improvisation, and audience interaction. Friday, April 19, 7-8 p.m. Terry Jones will speak about his book “On Innovation.” Jones, the founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com, Chairman of Kayak.com and CIO of Sabre, Inc. has a proven track record of leading companies whose innovations have changed an industry. This program is offered in conjunction with National Library Week and is sponsored by the Tahoe Library Coalition. Saturday, April 20, 3-4 p.m. Extreme Sports. Professional athletes will talk about their experiences and explain what it takes to get into their particular sport. This program is offered in conjunction with National Library Week and is sponsored by the Tahoe Library Coalition. April 21-27, National Volunteer Week “Celebrating People in Action.” National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. A big “thank you” to the dedicated volunteers at the Incline Village Library who work many hours to support the services of the library. Saturday, April 27, 2-4 p.m. Meal Planning Workshop. Alea Milham, author of “Premeditated Leftovers,” editor of Saving in Nevada and Savings.com will teach this two-hour workshop. Learn how meal planning can transform your grocery budget, reduce the time you spend in the kitchen, and get tips for healthy, delicious meals. For more information about library programs and hours visit http://www.washoecountylibrary.us. Incline Village Library, 845 Alder Ave., Incline Village, 775-832-4130, http://www.washoecountylibrary.us.

Win a New Subaru

How would you like to win a new 2013 Subaru Impreza at the Tahoe Biltmore? Sign up for a players’ club card and start earning tickets to win whether playing slots or table games. There will be weekly Saturday drawings of $500 in free slot play. All tickets will be entered into the drawing drum for the car giveaway. The brand new 2013 Subaru Impreza will be given away on Saturday, April 6.

The more you play, the better chance you have to win. For more information, drop by the Players Club/Cage at the Tahoe Biltmore or call the Marketing Hotline at 775-833-6739.

Forget First Chair, Catch Last Tracks

Take part in Diamond Peak’s Last Tracks, every Saturday afternoon through the end of the ski season. While skiers and boarders are known for lining up to catch the first chair of the day, riders at Diamond Peak take advantage of a late-day lift ticket price of just $29 that includes two hours of skiing before taking the last chair up to Snowflake Lodge for incredible views, wine, appetizers and one final run down a freshly groomed trail. Last Tracks is Diamond Peak’s signature event — no other resort provides the Last Tracks experience, complete with views of Lake Tahoe.

Make Last Tracks reservations at http://www.diamondpeak.com or guest services. In addition, private Last Tracks events are also available for groups looking for a one-of-a-kind slope-side experience. Find more information online or call 775-832-1235.

For more information about Diamond Peak visit http://www.DiamondPeak.com or call 775-832-1177.

Join the Knitters Guild

The Knitters Guild meets 1-3 p.m. every Wednesday in the library of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. Members knit and crochet warm clothing and blankets for needy families in the North Lake Tahoe area. Anyone with basic knitting or crocheting skills is welcome to attend and plenty of supplies are available. For information call Peggy Harrison at 775-831-9402.

Youth Advisory Council Meetings

The YAC addresses issues of education, employment, recreation, youth development, volunteerism and leadership. They are responsible for fun programs, events and initiatives that promote positive youth development and involvement in schools, communities and governments. This is a great way to get involved in the community and develop your job and college applications. There is free pizza each meeting and you are encouraged to bring friends. Also, please follow them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/IVGID.YAC for updates. Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month, 1:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center.

Call 775-832-1310 or check out http://www.inclinerecreation.com/classes_programs/teen_programs for information.

Rotary Club of Incline Village Meets Weekly

Rotary Club of Incline Village, meets Mondays at noon, Parasol Building, 948 Incline Way. Contact President Gary Finch at 775-831-7813.

Homework Help Club Tutors Needed

Tahoe Family Solutions’ Homework Help Club offers free after-school homework assistance to students in first through third grade. They are looking for volunteers to commit to helping these students one day a week to achieve their reading, math and homework goals. Homework Help Club is offered at the Elementary School on weekdays from 3-4:15 p.m. (2:15 – 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays). Contact Sharon Silva at 775-298-0201 or e-mail SharonS@tahoefamily.org if you are interested in becoming a part of this positive change in your community.

Incline Middle School Reading Volunteers Needed

Incline Middle School, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11:54 a.m.-12:24 p.m. Incline Middle School is looking for community volunteers to read one on one with students one day a week. For information call 775-832-4220.

Veteran of the Month Program

Governor Brian Sandoval announced the Veteran of the Month award to recognize Nevada veterans who contribute their time and energy to support the veteran and military communities. Governor Sandoval and Director Cage will sign each certificate and the award will be presented to the recipient each month at a presentation ceremony.

The guidelines and a nomination application can be downloaded from the NOVS website at http://www.veterans.nv.gov and can be sent to the NOVS office in Reno. Everyone is encouraged to send nominations for consideration.

NOVS is responsible for the administration of two State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, a State Veterans Home and a State-wide Veterans Service Officer program. NOVS is instrumental in connecting Nevada’s veterans and their families with benefits and assistance from both the State and Federal government. For more information, call 866-630-VETS or visit http://www.veterans.nv.gov.

Local Artists and Collectors Wanted at Incline Library

Local artists and collectors interested in displaying collections at the Incline Village Library are needed. The Incline Village Library is looking for artwork and collections to display on the library’s four wall spaces and two glass cases in bi-monthly exhibits. For details about how to show your work or collection at the Incline Village Library, please contact Art Display Coordinator Molly O’Day at 775-832-4130, noon-6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.