• The second annual Sample the Sierra festival has been confirmed for the afternoon of Sept. 4 on Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. The event features regional artisans, music, food, beer and wine and represents one in a slate of activities planned for Labor Day weekend, including a fireworks show. For more information, visit www.samplethesierra.com or call (775) 588.1728 or info@tahoechamber.org.

• The Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week is planned for May 28 through June 5. The theme this year is “Get Defensive: We’re Counting on You!” The focus of the week will be to promote community based defensible space activities. Fire agencies, fire safe chapters and local organizations will collaborate to hold community cleanup days including offering free chipping and pine needle pick ups and hosting neighborhood meetings and educational activities. Check the Living with Fire website at www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe to find out about events.

• The Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys are organizing backcountry camps starting in July. The programs offer opportunities for teenagers to develop backcountry skills. The dates are: July 6-8, July 28-30 for session 1; July 24-26, Aug. 14-16 for session 2. Interested parties may register at www.sierranevadajourneys.org.

• The Tahoe Maritime Museum is putting on a summer launch party on May 28 from 5-8pm. Refreshments will be served.

• Bethany Drysdale, who has promoted Nevada’s tourism attractions for more than five years for the Nevada Commission on Tourism, will head the public relations department starting April 23, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki announced. Drysdale has served as the public relations specialist for NCOT for six years. She replaces Chris Chrystal, who is retiring as manager April 22, after a 48-year career in news reporting and public relations that included 13 years with NCOT.