INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — 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.

Boys & Girls Club to celebrate anniversary

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The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe is turning 15! Help celebrate Friday, Feb. 28 at their Quinceañera. All community members are welcome for authentic food made by Club Chef Wilcox, family friendly games and crafts, dancing and cake from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 530-546-4324 or visit http://bgcnlt.org for information.

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Incline Village Library news

Display cases: Sculptures by Mark Ross. March 4, 11 and 18, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Veteran’s Writing Workshop. Thought provoking writing and reading exercises intended to encourage all veterans, active and retired, to write about their experiences for their own benefit or to share. March 5, 19 and 26, 4-4:45 p.m. Family Story Time. Children of all ages are welcome for stories, songs, games, and crafts! March 7 and 21, 2-4 p.m. Lifescapes. Writing program where seniors are given an opportunity to write and share their memoirs. March 12, 4-4:45 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Story Time. Enjoy you’re lucky day with stories, songs, and crafts. March 13, 6-7:30 p.m. The Help with Houses Series. Real Estate Professional, Anthony Biagi will present information on what you need to know about the foreclosure process or dealing with an underwater home. March 15, noon-2 p.m. Seniors to Seniors Computer Help. A group of tech-savvy seniors from Incline High School will be available to help you with your computer-related questions. Take your laptop, tablet, phone, e-reader or other device and learn something new. March 21, 6-7 p.m. Sculptures by Mark Ross. Ross uses repurposed local materials including wood, stone, metal and semi-precious stones to produce wildly creative small structures nestled in flowing wood sculptures. Ross will discuss his unique creations at this after-hours event.

Incline Village Library, open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 845 Alder Ave., Incline Village, 775-832-4130.

Garden Club grants

Lake of the Sky Garden Club promotes an interest in gardening, with particular emphasis on the problems at high altitude, to support charitable, educational, and scientific works, as well as to initiate and participate in beautification and developmental gardening projects in the North Lake Tahoe region.

The money for these grants comes from the club’s annual garden tour. On Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Lake of the Sky Garden Club will host their 26th annual garden tour, the West Shore Garden Tour. Proceeds will fund scholarships to encourage study in landscaping, horticulture, forestry or environmental science and up to $6,000 in grants to local community garden projects.

Lake of the Sky Garden Club has grant funds available for community related garden projects in the North Lake Tahoe area. To obtain an application, call Emily Hatch at 530-582-8487 or email her at jimxem@sbcglobal.net.

The club generally meets on the last Monday of the month from March through October. For a meeting schedule and more information, go to http://www.lake-of-the-sky.org or call President Patty Lomanto at 530-582-0726.

Free tax preparation

Free preparation of federal and California tax returns is now available for households with income under $52,000.

This service helps people to receive all of the tax credits to which they are entitled. Through the April 15 filing deadline, tax preparation appointments are available Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays, March 8 and April 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All appointments at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, call Tahoe Family Solutions at 775-298-0004.

Tax returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program operated by Tahoe Family Solutions. VITA representatives are also available to meet with local businesses and other organizations to provide information about the free tax preparation services and answer questions.

If you would like to schedule a visit, contact Mike Smith at 775-830-2050 or via e-mail at msmithtahoe@gmail.com.

Republican Women’s Club to meet

The Incline Village/Crystal Bay Republican Women’s Club invites you to join them on Thursday, March 13, 11:30 a.m. at The Chateau in Incline Village.

Lisa Krasner will speak about the Constitution and how it relates to issues of today. She had been the Commission for the State of Nevada on aging and disability.

Jim Clark will talk about the upcoming vote for the margin’s tax that is a tax based on a companies gross sales. If this is passed, it would have a big effect on businesses in the state of Nevada. It would be good to learn about this issue to be informed voters.

Please RSVP by March 7 to Lorri Waldman at MemomL@aol.com, call 775-831-8039 or 774-742-1652.

Parasol announces community fund grant cycle

Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation announced the Community Fund will award up to $50,000 in unrestricted grant funding to organizations that make an impact in the regional community. As stewards of donors’ charitable dollars, Parasol’s goal is to invest in organizations exhibiting leadership in the field and challenging the status quo. Eligibility requirements: directly serve the Tahoe Basin; be recognized by the IRS as a tax exempt agency, 501(c)(3) public charity, government agency, school and/or faith-based organization in good standing; be incorporated in Nevada or California and in good standing; provide quality programs and/or services in arts, culture and heritage; community leadership/support; education and youth; environment and social services. Please visit http://www.parasol.org/communityfundgrants to download the application.

Applications and required materials are due at the Parasol office no later than 4 p.m. March 14, 2014.

Register for Veterans Legislative Symposium

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services will host a Veterans Legislative Symposium on March 8, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Silver Legacy Resort in Reno. The meeting is intended to bring together leaders and those interested in veterans issues to plan for the upcoming 78th legislature in 2015. Space is limited to 200 attendees. To attend, email pio.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov with the subject line “Veteran Legislative Symposium.” Coffee service will be provided throughout the meeting.

Chess Club

Ages 9 years to adult, free drop in chess club Sundays, 9:30-11 a.m., Incline Recreation Center Lobby. Tournament chess sets provided. A chess coach will be available. Please call to reserve your space today 775-832-1310 or go to the Recreation Center at 980 Incline Way, Incline Village.

Help young readers

Are you looking to make a difference? Incline Middle School is looking for people like you to help with its one-on-one reading program. All you need is a half hour per week and a desire to help a child become a better reader. Reading is Monday through Friday, with the exception of Wednesdays, 11:49 a.m.-12:22 p.m. If you are interested, call Liz Harrell at 775-832-4220 or email lharrell@washoeschools.net.

Community Leadership Club

Meets on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-noon, in room 213 at Incline High School, pizza is provided!

Looking for community service activities to graduate? The Community Leadership Club is a great opportunity for students to get involved, gain leadership skills and experience, while earning volunteer hours. As members of the CLC, formerly Youth Advisory Council, students will be direct volunteers for IVGID Parks and Recreation. At meetings students will brainstorm, plan and implement fun, recreational events and programs for their peers. Students will receive community service hours for attending meetings, hosting events, and volunteering for fun events in the community.