Parents’ Night Out
Parents’ Night Out is going to be held tonight, Friday, June 7th, June 21, July 5, July 19 and August 2 at First Baptist Church of Tahoe City. Kids ages birth through 12 years are welcome to attend and the church is asking for a donation of $10 per child, which a maximum of $20 per family per evening. Som activities for the evening will include crafts, music, Bible stories, and a movie. Dinner will not be provided, so please make sure your children have eaten before they arrive.
As this is a drop-in program, no pre-registration is necessary. The church is located at 390 Fairway Drive in Tahoe City. For more information call the church at 530-583-1534.
Hiking Shirley Canyon in Squaw Valley
Hiking in Shirley Canyon is a delight with both kids and dogs.
Shirley Canyon is located at the base of Squaw in Squaw Valley and the trail starts at the end of Squaw Peak Road. There are numerous trails which follow the creek up to Shirley Lake; this is one of them. It follows Squaw Creek about 2½ miles each way to Shirley Lake, passing gorgeous waterfalls and canyon boulders. (Top of tram to Shirley Lake adds considerable distance.) Going uphill, stay to the left of the creek; going downhill, stay to the right. The trail diverges and disappears at times but just keep following the creek and you’ll get there. The hike is somewhat difficult and takes 2½ – 3 hours. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes and take plenty of water.
Easy Tahoe Hikes for Kids and Dogs: Eagle Rock on Tahoe’s Westshore
Eagle Rock on Tahoe’s West shore is great hike for anyone. Located on Tahoe’s West shore just past Blackwood Canyon (Barker Pass Road) you can park on the side of the road. You can’t miss the rock. It’s right before Tallack Street. Easy acces parking a great spot to bring a breakfast and watch the sunrise or just for a quick stop.
It only takes about 10 – 15 minutes to get to the top and the views are incredible. With this gorgeous spring weather, there’s not excuse not to take a little hike.
The best parking is south of the rock, but the easiest route to the top is from the north. With a little help and encouragement, even small kids can make it to the top and look down at some of the area’s lakefront estates.
Tahoe Spring Pet Safety Hazards
The spring and summer weather at Tahoe is excellent and our pets love it too. Make sure your furry friends are safe and healthy this season by following the tips listed below from Southwest Veterinary Hospital.
Unintended access to the outdoors- Make sure your screens on your door and windows are in place and in tact. Cats are especially good at escaping through damaged or unsecured screens
Spring cleaning chemicals- If you use cleaning supplies around your home, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pet. Commercial cleaning products almost always contain chemicals that are toxic to pets (and people too!). Make sure you follow label instructions and store cleaning supplies away from pets.
Mulches, Plants and Flowers- Cocoa bean mulch is known to poison dogs because this mulch is made from cacao beans (a form of chocolate bean). It has a rich chocolate aroma that entices animals to eat it. Flowering plants, both inside and outside welcome the spring season. However, there are certain plants that can be dangerous for your pets. Check with your local garden center for information on safe mulches, plants and flowers. Some dangerous local favorites include:
• Lilies – Even a tiny amount, can cause kidney failure in cats
• Tulips
• Daffodils – The bulb being most toxic, can cause intense gastric irritation, cardiac and central nervous system problems and seizures
• Azalea and Rhododendron – They contain toxins, which can damage the heart and nervous system.
For a more extensive list of toxic plants, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control website http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Fertilizers- Fertilizers are often used to get those springtime plants and lawns looking their best. Pay close attention to what the product labels say for warnings, as certain products labeled for use in one species of animal could be harmful to others.Most fertilizers cause only mild gastrointestinal symptoms if eaten, but there are a few to watch out for including:
• Blood meal contains nitrogen which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even serious inflammation of your dog’s or cat’s pancreas. Some blood meal has added iron which can also be toxic to your pet.
• Bone meal contains animal bones ground down to powder. This powder is very attractive to many dogs. If your pup ingests a large quantity of bone meal, it can form a very big, very hard mass in her stomach which can obstruct her digestive tract and require surgery.
• Rose and plant fertilizers can contain disulfoton or another type of organophosphate. It takes the ingestion of just a tiny amount of disulfoton to kill a good-size dog.
• Iron is commonly added to fertilizers. Elemental iron can cause toxicity if ingested by your pet. Signs of iron toxicity include vomiting, bloody diarrhea and heart and liver problems.
Tahoe City Dog Park!
Tahoe City Dog Park
Tahoe City’s very own dog park is located at 211 Grove Street (Grove Street at Highway 28) and is open from dawn till dusk. The park has benches, trash receptacles and is fully fenced. Remember to be a responsible pet owner by cleaning up after your pooch. See you at the dog park!
