Content for briefs is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. E-mail for print submissions may be 150 words. Items published in the print edition news space permitting.

Kings Beach Library has new computers

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Spring into the Kings Beach Library and check out four brand new public use computers! The computers were funded by the generous Friends of the Kings Beach Library. While visiting, plant the seed of summer fun by perusing gardening and hiking books, wildflower identification guides and maps to plot your next adventure. KBL carries all the Tahoe Rim Trail sectional maps and as well as guidebooks. On March 28, 2-3 p.m., Doug Greenwood of Alpensoftware will teach a class on the depth and breadth of Google: search engine, maps, gmail, Android operating system, time management tools, and more. This free class is part of the twice monthly technology series. Pre-school storytime continues every Tuesday from 10:30-11 a.m.. Please join a zany time! The rotating art display features the fine watercolors of local artist Abby Meyer. National Library Week is April 14-21. Be sure to check out all the North Lake libraries for fun and informative events. Kings Beach Library is located at 301 Secline Street. 530-546-2021 to sign up for computer classes or for more details on anything mentioned above.

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Forest Charter School Information Meetings

A K-12 Personalized Learning Program serving Placer, Nevada, Sierra and Yuba Counties. Block classes, co-ops, independent study, college Preparatory classes, WASC accredited, Truckee office is located at 10725 Pioneer Trail, Pioneer Commerce Center, Sierra Building. Call 530-550-7205 or visit http://www.forestcharter.com. Informational meetings, 5-6 p.m. each night

Monday, April 15, Tree Top Co-op for fifth and sixth grade. Wednesday, April 17. K-12 program meeting. Tuesday, May 7, K-12 program meeting.

Dog Training Classes at Savvy Dog Training and Education Center

Calling dogs of all ages! Puppy II — Adolescent Basic Manners classes are starting Monday, April 22 and Thursday, April 25. Puppy Socialization and Adult Manners/Basic Obedience classes start on Wednesday, April 24. Want to do something fun with your dog? Try “My Dog Can Do That!” — Teaching Tricks which begins on Monday, April 29. Find more information about all classes on-line at http://www.thesavvydog.net or call 530-448-9808. Instructor Carla Brown, CPDT is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator for the AKC. The Savvy Dog Training and Education Center is located at 11448 Deerfield Drive, C-1 in the Deerfield Plaza by Truckee Bagel in Truckee.

Parasol Announces Community Fund Grants

The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation is offering an unrestricted grant cycle highlighting leadership. The funds available for the cycle total $50,000 with an approximate average grant size of $5,000. Parasol encourages nonprofits that address community needs and demonstrate the capacity to provide unduplicated programs or services that will positively impact the Tahoe region now and for future generations to apply.

Requirements for the grant: Must 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 with respective state; provide quality services and programs to the Tahoe Basin in arts, culture and heritage, community development, education and youth, environment or social services.

Applications and supplemental materials are due by April 1, 2013. For more information and application form visit www.parasol.org/resources and click on Grant Opportunities to locate Community Fund Grants.

Become a volunteer Literacy/ESL tutor

Join Read Up!, the Nevada County Adult Literacy Program based at the Truckee Library. Tutors are dedicated community volunteers who wish to help interested students fine tune their reading, writing and speaking skills. Tutoring is a free service of Nevada County.

A free five-hour tutor training class will be provided at a convenient time for all new volunteers. Literacy/ESL tutoring is an enjoyable and productive way to give back to your community. To become a tutor, you must read, write and speak English well. For ESL tutoring, it would help if you had some knowledge of Spanish. You must be 18 years of age or older, be available two hours per week, be patient and flexible and have excellent communication skills plus know how to listen.

Contact Rolann Aronson, Truckee Read Up! Coordinator at 530-575-7030 for information.

Kindred to offer Spring Break classes

Spring Break Full Day Sessions for students ages 5-14. Monday, April 1, Printmaking, making a printing block. Block printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later paper. Students should bring clothing/bags/etc. to print on in the afternoon. Tuesday, April 2. Birdhouse’s “NeatTweet” Style – Upcycle and local history master Greg Zirbel will share some woodworking tips and tricks while creating mini birdhouses and talking local history with the kids. Wednesday, April 3, Drums, Rhythm & Culture with Laurie Martin of Rhythm U and Juice Secrets. Rhythm is a universal language that bridges differences of culture, race, and gender. For children of all ages, playing a drum or rhythm instrument in a safe and fun environment gives them a new voice in which they can express themselves and interact with others. Then put that energy into fun visual and drinkable creations. Thursday, April 4, Dream Box and Compost Pudding. Ever want a place to keep precious dreams and wishes? Students will start with a wood box and using paint, words and aspects of collage turn it into a treasure. Then a little snack…compost pudding is not only fun to make, but is sure to give students a little extra boost for a hike in the afternoon.

For more information visit http://www.kindredtruckee.org or find them on Facebook. Located at 10015 Palisades Drive, Ste. A4, Truckee.

Creative Writing: Exploring the Creative Process

What do you do to get creative? Do you wait for muses to deliver your inspiration (otherwise called procrastination)? Through fun writing prompts, lively discussions, and in-depth readings, this playful and productive class will open your mind to new approaches to your own creative process. We’ll experiment with catalysts for inspiration from the Surrealists and Oulipo to art and cross-genre works. This class is for all levels of writers looking to find new connections and infuse imagination into their writing.

Karen Terrey has an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She teaches English as an Adjunct Professor at Lake Tahoe Community College, and works as a writing coach in Truckee through her business Tangled Roots Writing. Her poems are published in various journals, including Sierra Nevada Review, Rhino, Meadow, Edge, WordRiot, Puerto Del Sol, and Wild Apples. Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m., April 4-25. Tuition: $89. Instructor: Karen Terrey, MFA. Location: Sierra College, Tahoe-Truckee campus.

For Sierra College class information or sign up call 916-781-6280 or email: ghage@sierracollege.edu or Terrey at 530-386-3901.

Beginning Guitar for adults announced

The Tahoe Music Institute is currently registering adult students for a beginning/early intermediate guitar class. The class, taught by Kerry Andras, is focused on learning the basics of playing guitar and covers topics such as tuning, chords, strumming, chord progressions, music theory, singing, folk and campfire songs. Classes meet Wednesday nights, 6-7 p.m. at the Tahoe Music Institute located at 2810 Lake Forest Road in Tahoe City. Call Shauna at 530-581-0618 or email shauna@tahoemusicinstitute.com for details or to register.