Debbie Dutton, who works at the Barton and Stateline labs, has a son who was recently in a serious car accident in Mexico.

Because of the accident Jerel Dutton lost one leg from the knee down, has a fractured skull and multiple spinal fractures. He is a graduate of Whittell High School.

Debbie and Lance Dutton are now with their son at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego.

An account has been set up to assist with expenses at Wells Fargo Bank; Jerel Dutton Benefit Fund, Account No. 9195345310.

Tahoe Mountain Soap Company has locally made, handcrafted natural soaps, lotions, dead sea salts, natural sea sponges and more all for less than $20.

These are high quality, South Lake Tahoe made, affordable gifts.

More info is available online.

St. Theresa School is the recipient of a $1,500 grant from Raley’s.

The South Lake Tahoe school was one of four schools nominated in the Northern California region.

They received the most online votes and will be presented with a check Dec. 14 at 6pm during the Christmas performance of the Nativity Play. This will take place in the gym.

The school will use the grant money to bring musical theater to all grade levels.

Stateline’s Heart Rock Herb and Spice Company has 45 blends — most qualifying as a budget gift at much less than $20.

* Drawer Sachets – Several to choose from – $3.95/cup.

* Herbal Bath Blends – 2 cups with 4 muslin bath bags in a pretty muslin bag for $12.

* Hand Crafted Spice Blends – three tin sizes along with Hostess Gift Boxes.

Visit the website for the details.

Lake Tahoe News is always eager for news to deliver to readers. Does your group have an event coming up? Then send all the basic who, what, where, when, why, how, cost, contact info to info@LakeTahoeNews.net so it can be added to the Events page.

If the event is over, consider writing a few paragraphs and sending a picture to the same address. LTN frowns on photos of people standing in a line. Show some action.

Lake Tahoe News will also publish obituaries — for free.

Do you have an opinion you want to share? Then consider writing a guest column or letter to the publisher. Or maybe your group wants to send out a thanks to the community or specific people or businesses. All of these items go under the Voices section on LTN.

Please include your name and phone number so a representative from Lake Tahoe New can call to verify the letter writer or ask questions.

CalStar memberships make great gifts and may be purchased online.

Yes, the $45 is more than the $20 budget gift. However, if it were given to a family of three or more, then the price falls into the criteria of budget gift.

• Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge is opening six weeks early – Dec. 18.

• Matt Green is the indefinite interim superintendent of the Sierra District for California State Parks, which includes Lake Tahoe. Pam Armas is now with the parks’ OHV division.

• TAMBA meeting Dec. 15 from 6-8pm in the Aspen Room (L103) at Lake Tahoe Community College, One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe. The purpose of the mountain bike meeting is to begin forming the leadership and organizational structure of TAMBA.

• North Lake Tahoe Resort Association has members taking seats on Jan. 5 — Barb Cohen representing the Small Lodging Seat, Tom Murphy re-elected in the Recreation Seat, and Wally Auerbach who will fill the General Seat.

• Hot August Nights has signed a three-year contract with Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority to have events on the South Shore in August.

• South Tahoe High grad Toni Sandoval is Santa Cruz’s newest non-sworn community services officer.

Publisher’s note: Lake Tahoe News is looking for ideas for gifts that cost less than $20 to share with readers. Read this for details.

Make the wine lovers on your list happy this holiday season with tickets to January’s Bring out the Barrel wine event at various El Dorado County vintners.

Advanced tickets may be bought online. A weekend pass for the Jan. 29-30 event is $20.

St. Theresa Catholic Church welcomes anyone and everyone to its Fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner and Festive Celebration on Christmas Day beginning at 3pm and continuing into the early evening.

The holiday event will be in Grace Hall on the corner of Highway 50 and Lyons Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

If you know anyone who would be alone on Christmas, or does not have the wherewithal to prepare a holiday meal, encourage them to come and celebrate this day with others.

If you would like to help plan, organize and implement St. Theresa Community Christmas, call Sue Jackson at (530) 544.4007 or send an email to tahoecommunitychristmas@live.com.

Publisher’s note: Lake Tahoe News is looking for ideas for gifts that cost less than $20 to share with readers. Read this for details.

Need a present for your holiday party? Want to spread a smile to all the pet lovers you know? Your purchase of a 2011 Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe “Lucky Dogs of Tahoe” calendar is a gift that gives back. All proceeds from this calendar will help save and improve lives of local animals.

Calendars are $20 and are available at several retail locations, including Truckee-Tahoe Kennels, Burger Me!, Elijah Bleu’s House of Coffee, Ace Mountain Hardware & Sports and Wild Cherries Coffee House in Truckee; Tahoe House and Scrap’s in Tahoe City; and Scrap’s and True Value Hardware in Kings Beach.

You can also purchase the calendar online. The calendars will be shipped within one business day to ensure you have them for the holidays.

For more information, call (530) 587.5948.