We are sorry to say that the Angora wildfire is still burning. Officials have stated that their goal for containment of the fire is 7/3/2007. This is due to the weather, producing gusty winds, the amount of fuel for the fire in the form of dry brush and trees, and the rugged terrain which makes it difficult for firefighters to traverse. Damages are estimated at over $150,000 million dollars so far. At this point, the cause of the fire is unknown, but human activity is suspected.

California’s lieutenant governor  Garamendi, has declared the Angora fire a federal emergency. At that time Schwarzenegger was out of the country, Garamendi however has said that he expects the federal government to declare the Tahoe Basin a federal emergency. When Governor Schwarzenegger returned from Europe today, he toured the damaged areas. Giving praise to the 1,800 plus firefighters battling the Angora Fire, he also put a message out for potential tourists that it was safe to come to the Lake Tahoe Area. As for federal relief, he stated that homeowners would not see federal help immediately, but the small business would be first in line for relief.

Therefore, it is very important for people who have the means, to donate to the various organizations which are aiding in the relief effort for the approximately 3,500 residents who have evacuated the area and lost their homes. You will find these organizations listed below.

Unfortunately it has also been stated that residents of Lake Tahoe, and relief organizations should be on the lookout for scammers who prey on disasters like this. If you are a resident and feel you are being victimized please call the following number: 1 (800) 927-HELP. California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has stated that these types of people who prey on people in distress will be dealt with severely.

HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP!!!!!!!

“The Lake Tahoe Humane Society is assisting pets and their human companions during the Angora fire crisis.

The Society is ready to match foster homes with pet owners who have been evacuated.

The Society will provide financial aid for veterinary care of pets injured from fire conditions.

The Society has a current need for dog crates with doors, and towels, small litter pans or the equivalent. Call about other special needs.

The Society also has instant ID tags for cats and dogs. They can be used for a temporary phone contact.

To donate or pick up pet supplies, come by 1221 Emerald Bay Road.

To contact the Society, call 542-2857.”(Tahoe Daily Tribune)

• Carson City residents wanting to help victims of the Angora fire can bring items to Casino Fandango. The casino is accepting donations at its front entrance, 3800 S. Carson St. Anyone with questions can call the casino at 885-7000.

• The Eagles Wings Christian Fellowship in South Carson is also accepting donations of clothing and bedding for those displaced by the Angora fire. The church is at 150 E. Roland Ave., off of Snyder Avenue south of the Carson Lanes Bowling Alley. Contact Diane Pepka at 841-9623 for information.

• Carson Valley Christian Center - 1095 Stephanie Way in Minden - is now accepting donations of supplies and/or money. The church is accepting donations of blankets, water, deodorant, children’s Tylenol, disposable gloves, clothing or canned goods. Any money that is received will be used to purchase supplies or provide support for fire victims. Contact the church at 267-0151.

• The American Red Cross shelter center has been set up at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center (530) 542-6056. They’re taking monetary donations and have info on housing.

• The Sierra Recovery Center in South Lake Tahoe is accepting donations for those affected by the Angora fire. The center is at 1137 Emerald Bay Road. Residents are asked not to take items to the evacuation center.

• Donations of goods and money are being accepted at the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Administration Building, 866 Oriole Way, Incline Village. Contact them at 831-0351, ext. 0 or by e-mail at: info@nltfpd.net. Donations are also being accepted at the Incline Village General Improvement District Administration Building, 893 Southwood Blvd. (775) 832-1100.

• Raley’s, which has eight employees who lost homes in the fire, is setting up donation boxes company-wide to the Tahoe Fire Relief Fund, benefiting the American Red Cross to collect funds for those affected by the fire. All donations in these cash boxes will support the Tahoe Fire Relief Fund. Raley’s will also have an Add-A-Buck program, where customers will have the option to add one, five or ten dollars at the time of their checkout to go directly to the Tahoe Fire Relief Fund. Raley’s has been providing fire crews with food and water as more firefighters enter the South Lake Tahoe area to help contain the fire.

• The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, working with the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross, is accepting bottled water, canned goods, blankets, towels and clothing. North Lake Tahoe area businesses and individuals can donate needed items at the Rideout Community Center located 740 Timberland Lane, just off Highway 89 on the West Shore and approximately seven miles south of Tahoe City. Donations can be made between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• Donations will also be accepted at this week’s Sunday Concert at Commons Beach between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Volunteers are needed to man the Rideout and Commons Beach drop-off locations. Contact the Tahoe City Downtown Association at 530-583-3348 or email at tcda@visittahoecity.com if interested.

• Sierra Recover Center 530-541-5190 is accepting donations including clothes (especially children’s clothes), water, pillows and blankets. Deliver to 1137 Emerald Bay Road. At the “Y” go left onto Hwy 50, about an 1Ú8 mile on the left side. It’s across from blue and white gas station!

• IVGID is accepting non-monetary donations, i.e. blankets, toiletries, water, etc. Bring items to the 893 Southwood office Monday and Tuesday and IVGID will have these items delivered.

• E-mail TahoeBusinessesWhoCare@gmail.com or FireRelief@gmail.com formed by Kay Bradford through the Tahoe Douglas Rotary

• Angora fire fund through the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce to U.S. Bank; P.O. Box 17640 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151

• Harrah’s Lake Tahoe is planning a major fundraising concert to benefit those affected by the Angora fire. Spokesman John Packer said performers from across the nation have contacted the gaming organization with interest in participating.

US Bearings & Drives in Sparaks have set up donation boxes for the victims of the Angora fire. They are asking for blankets and non-perishable food. Call 775-284-4737.

Sierra Place Retirement is offering free accommodations to senior citizens affected by the Angora Fire. Phone 775-841-5820 for more information.

Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique in South Meadows is taking donations for fire victims. They are asking for things like blankets, pillows, warm clothes, bottled water, diapers, baby formula, baby food, etc. They are also taking monetary donations. Call 775-829-7886 for more information.

If you have an extra room you would like to offer to those who are displaced by the fire you can call 530-542-6056.

Four Paws is taking small pets for people with Pet Network. Call 530-542-2377.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care will take injured wild animals. Call 530-577-2273.

Rockwood Tree Service. Beth Moxley’s company will donate chippers and cutters to clean up the areas of devastation. Call 775-832-0777 for more info..

Red Cross. Hotels and Motels have donated rooms to evacuees. A shelter has been set up at the Rufus Allen recreation center at 1180 Rufus Allen Boulevard. Phone 530-542-6056.

Jenny Austin is donating her services by transporting large animals, such as like horses. Call 775-291-8677.

June 26th, 2007 by Jeremy

Harvey’s Casino and Resort will be presenting the legendary funk band Earth Wind & Fire as part of Harvey’s Outdoor Concert Series.  They will perform on Friday, July 13th.  Ticket prices range from $55 to $85 and are available through http://www.ticketmaster.com/

Come see Sammy Hagar & the Wabos, playing at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Casino & Resort. This concert kicks of Harvey’s Lake Casino & Resorts summer concert series at Harvey’s Outdoor Arena. The show will be on Sunday June 17^th. For those of you who had tickets for the shows which were canceled due to illness in May, do not need to exchange your tickets, all may tickets will be honored. The pricewill be $55 in advance and $60 at the door. There will also be community wide activities that weekend as it is “Opening Day Lake Tahoe”, a community wide event.

For more information on upcoming events in the Tahoe area, stay tuned to www.tahoetourist.com. For more info about Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Casino visit www.harrahs.com/casinos/harrahs-lake-tahoe/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml.

Last week when we visited Tahoe the water was choppy and very unfriendly. Yesterday things were much more peaceful and inviting. It will be a dry and hot summer with water low throughout the region, but much fun can still be had. South Lake Tahoe has water skiing, hot air balloons, swimming, fishing, golfing, kayaking and fun at the Mont Bleu, Harrahs, Harveys, Bill’s, and all the other casinos working hard to make this summer filled with awesome fun.

If memory serves, Mont Bleu is getting ready for it’s first anniversary with some nice events. Everything seems to be coming up at the end of this month with Memorial Day kicking off the summer season. I’ll get the camera out a bit later and see if I can’t toss up some pictures of Tahoe from last night. Until then, enjoy!

A Taste of Tahoe:

By Ronda Moll

Just as the majesty of the tall pine trees complement the beauty of the crystalline waters of Lake Tahoe, so does the cuisine of the many fine restaurants visitors can expect to find from Stateline to South Shore.

Whether it’s grabbing a burger and fries or relishing a savory bit of filet mignon, the dining options at the lake are limitless and can accommodate any appetite.

Atmosphere is essential to any successful restaurant and for such establishments as the Riva Grill, Llewellyn’s, and the Fresh Ketch Restaurant, mesmerizing lakeviews and exceptional cuisine complement each other like the perfect wine selection at dinner.

Known for a classic, Tahoe style ambiance, The Riva Grill located at the Ski Run Marina, has a generous redwood deck that allows its guests to soak in the smell of the tall pine trees and of course the hypnotic view. Entrée selections can range from coconut prawn appetizers and chicken sandwiches for lunch, to herb crusted halibut or a generous steak for dinner. What attracts patrons even more is the “Wet Woody” a frozen concoction of seven different kinds of rum, named after the classic wooden Chris Craft boats that once dotted the lake’s shore. Sipping on one of these tropical sensations while gazing out at the snow-capped mountains and pale blue water indeed provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day of leisure.

The paradise feel can be captured once again, in a sleek and sophisticated bar known as the Coco Havana Club. Located at the top of Harvey’s Resort and Casino Hotel, the Coco Havana Club is akin to a 1940s nightclub. Situated inside of the resort’s culinary high point, Llewellyn’s, this smart bar complements the innovative continental cuisine patrons have come to expect from this elegant restaurant. Boasting spectacular views, both the Coco Havana Club and Llewellyn’s provide an intimate and relaxing ambiance with the idea of luxury in mind.

For a more casual dining experience, the Fresh Ketch Restaurant at the Tahoe Keys Marina, offers the perfect blend of nautical décor with sunny decks and succulent seafood. From fish and chips to fish tacos, the lunch menu is informal. Weather permitting customers can enjoy a cool glass of iced tea on the sunny deck, while watching the peaceful lull of sailboats sitting peacefully in their slips. For that yacht club feel dinner is hosted in a formal dining area.

With so many restaurants and so little time, it is impossible to list every establishment that puts the “taste” in Tahoe, but if sushi is a favorite, then the Naked Fish, is one of the most popular sushi bars in the area. For those looking for the perfect ravioli, Passaretti’s Italian Restaurant has authentic dishes and leaves its patrons feeling full and satisfied.

Just as skiing through untracked powder or jet skiing on the lake are the perfect activities for making a memorable Lake Tahoe vacation, so does ending the day with a great meal while watching the sun set on another perfect day at Lake Tahoe. Be sure to visit: www.LakeTahoeLodging.com http://www.LakeTahoeLodging.com/article_taste.asp to find out more about these fine places and to view an enhanced web enabled copy of this article.

About the Author

About the author: Travel writer, Ronda Moll has experience as a business editor, staff reporter and licensed Realtor in the Lake Tahoe Area. If you’re planning your next vacation or want to learn more about things to do and places to go in Lake Tahoe, please visit http://www.LakeTahoeLodging.com to get vacation planning and vacation rental information and tips. Email: tahoe@clientbydesign.com