A memorial fund has been established for the family of Sam LaCara through the El Dorado Community Foundation. Donations by credit card may be made by calling (530) 622.5621. Donations in the form of a check made payable to the Sam LaCara Memorial Fund can be sent to:

Sam LaCara Memorial Fund

c/o El Dorado Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1388, Placerville, CA 95667.

Individuals may send sympathy wishes to:

c/o Placerville Union School District office, 1032 Thompson Way, Placerville, CA 95667

LaCara’s family is requesting in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Sam LaCara Memorial Fund at the El Dorado Community Foundation.

• MontBleu is hosting the Lake Tahoe Body Building Competition Aug. 26-28.

• Did you know subscribing to Lake Tahoe News is free? Go to the bottom right of the home page, enter your email address. This gets you an email each morning listing what has been posted in the last 24 hours.

• South Lake Tahoe has written a check for $10,000 to Armstrong Teasdale LLP as a retainer for the law firm to handle the MV-STATA transportation lawsuit.

• Kragen Auto Parts in South Lake Tahoe is gone and O’Reilly Auto Parts is in its place.

• Life Time Fitness will have a presence at the Amgen Tour of California as it produces a group ride May 14 for age-groupers in conjunction with the kickoff of the cycling event in South Lake Tahoe.

• Looking to share a ride to the slopes in Lake Tahoe? Check out this website.

Caregiving is a difficult and often challenging role that one can undertake, and taking the opportunity to share information and feel connected to others who are providing care is a vital step to perform this task to the best of your ability. Take the opportunity on Feb. 10 from 5:30-7:30pm at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe to become connected and rejuvenated at your local support group.

Refreshments will be served. Free respite care is available to qualified caregivers. Pre-authorization is required for respite services.

Questions? Contact the Family Caregiver Support Program at (530) 621.6151.

Rep. Tom McClintock will be the keynote speaker at the annual Placer County Republican Party Lincoln Reagan Dinner on Feb. 12.

The Republican candidates for the 4th Assembly District special election are also on the agenda.

The event is from 6:30-8:30pm at the Timber Creek Ballroom at Sun City in Roseville. Cost is $60/person, $110/couple in advance.

For more information, call (916) 672.8446.

The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers for the Tahoe-Truckee area. There are openings for Disaster Action Team members, instructors, outreach, special events, fund development, public affairs and leadership positions.

The Capital Region Chapter responded to more than 400 local disasters throughout our 11 county area last year, providing emergency shelter, food, clothing and supplies. Each year local Red Cross instructors certify nearly 60,000 people in CPR/AED, first aid, water safety, lifeguard training and disaster preparedness classes.

To begin training and join our local American Red Cross team, contact Lynn Felsch, Emergency Service Coordinator at (530) 391.8234 felschl@sacsierraredcross.org.

Genoa and the Carson Valley Arts Council are looking for volunteers to assist with the 2011 Genoa Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, taking place in Genoa  May 5-8. A variety of positions are available for volunteers to work at the Cowboy Festival. The event will feature nationally known Cowboy poets and musicians, workshops, western art, cowboy food, trail ride, and a Mother’s Day brunch and concert.

Entertainers include David John and the Comstock Cowboys, Dennis Golden, Tom Weatherby, Sourdough Slim, Dave Stamey, Belinda Gail, Doris Dailey, Wylie & The Wild West, Paul Zarzyski, Richard Elloyan, Cody & Kaye, the Old West Trio, All Hat No Cattle, and the Saddle Cats.

Those interested in applying must submit a volunteer form, available at the Town of Genoa, the Carson Valley Arts Council or online. Town offices are located at 2289 Main St. in Genoa,  and the CVAC is at 1572 Highway 395 in Minden. Completed forms may be submitted via mail to: Town of Genoa Cowboy Festival, P. O. Box 14, Genoa, NV 89411 or faxed to (775) 782.2779.

For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets online visit the Genoa Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival website at www.cowboypoetrygenoa.com. Information and tickets are also available by contacting the Town of Genoa offices at 775-782-8696 or Carson Valley Arts Council at 775-782-8207.

Services for Vee Gay will be at Our Lady of Tahoe Catholic Church in Zephyr Cove on Feb. 12  at 10:30am.

A reception immediately following the service will be at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline.

• Lake Tahoe Community College’s Rail Jam is Feb. 12 from 2pm-midnight.

• South Tahoe Middle School has a new website.

• Lake Tahoe Community College will have the first round of interviews for the next president on April 18-20. The board will interview the finalists May 11-13.

• Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space has trail maps online. Look for “Park Trail Map” on the left side of the home page.

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Help raise awareness and support for women’s heart health by wearing red on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 4.

Continuing 43 years of fundraising for the South Shore community, Tahoe Douglas Rotary presents its 43rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 19 from 6-10pm at MontBleu in Stateline.

The benefit brings friends and neighbors together for entertainment, a traditional Irish dinner buffet, adult-beverages, and a huge silent auction.

Tickets are on sale from local Tahoe Douglas Rotarians or by calling 800.576.8372 or by sending an email to stpaddy@tdrotary.com. Tickets are $50. A limited number of VIP tables with 10 special-reserved seats are also available for $550 each.

Additionally, the auction bidding starts early this year with an online pre-auction that opens Feb. 15.

All South Tahoe High School parents are invited to Spring Term Welcome on Feb. 3 from 5-7:15pm.

This night gives parents an opportunity to meet their student’s teachers, review course descriptions, course objectives, homework requirements, and grading procedures. Parents will learn more about the school and the programs.

A reception will be in the library from 5-5:0pm. Several student groups and community organizations will be represented. Classroom visitations will begin at 5:40pm.