This Week: South Lake Tahoe to honor Olympians

March 10--If South Lake Tahoe were a country, its medal count from the 2014 Winter Olympics would be higher than that of the vast majority of nations that competed. The community (actually the hamlet of Myers just southwest of South Lake Tahoe) can claim credit for two of the nine gold medals won by the United States.

On Saturday, South Lake Tahoe will honor its three USA team members with a procession from South Tahoe High School down Highway 50 to Myers, ending at the Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, where Jamie Anderson, Maddie Bowman and Hannah Teter have all trained. The Olympians will depart the high school at 1 p.m. via fire truck. Various politicians will also be on hand, and the event will include live music, a raffle and autograph signings.

Anderson, 23, won a gold medal in Sochi in the inaugural snowboard slopestyle competition. Bowman, 20, took gold in the freestyle skiing halfpipe.

Teter, an Olympic veteran at 27, didn't make it to the podium in Sochi; she finished fourth in the snowboarding halfpipe. But she still has plenty of Olympic bling, having won a gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics and a silver in 2010.

- Mary Lynne Vellinga

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IN THE NEWS

Groups hold health fair at Colonial Heights Library

The Sacramento County League of Women Voters and the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities are hosting a health fair Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd. in Sacramento. Specialists with Covered California will be on hand to answer questions for the public. The deadline to enroll in the state's new health insurance program, which was created under the federal Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare, is March 31.

Behind the News: UC Davis' Center for Reducing Health Disparities promotes health and well-being in diverse communities through research, training, continuing education and other methods. It was selected as a Covered California partner because of its expertise in educating underserved groups about health care.

Info: (916) 264-2920

Renovations close Folsom DMV office for two months

The California Department of Motor Vehicles field office on East Bidwell Street in Folsom will be shut down for renovations for two months starting at 5 p.m. Friday, state officials said. The office is expected to reopen on May 28, according to the DMV.

Behind the News: Changes involve new floors, paint, furniture and a reconfiguration of the counter to ensure compliance with federal disabled access law. DMV officials said residents can do some business online at www.dmv.ca.gov, such as registration renewals. Nearby field offices are in Carmichael at 5209 North Ave, Sacramento at 4700 Broadway, and Placerville at 2919 Cold Springs Road.

AAA survey checks gas prices Tuesday

Gasoline prices in the Sacramento area have been moving up in recent weeks and could pass the $4-a-gallon threshold before the Memorial Day weekend in May. On Tuesday, AAA will release its monthly statewide gasoline prices survey, breaking down at-the-pump costs in jurisdictions throughout the state.

Info: Check www.sacbee.com for details.

Around Town

Old Sac hosts St. Patrick's Parade on Saturday

Sacramento's 18th annual St. Patrick's Parade kicks off from Second and L streets Saturday in Old Sacramento. More than 60 units and 1,000 marchers will be featured, including Irish dancers, bagpipers, bands and military regiments. A Family Fun Zone, open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on K Street between Front and Second streets, has been added to the event.

Co-op offers class on how to eat healthy on a budget

The Sacramento Natural Food Coop Learning Center</org>, 1914 Alhambra Blvd., is offering a course, "Eating Healthy on a Budget," that focuses on menu planning, food budgeting and money-saving shopping tips. A taste of simple, low-cost and healthy meals will also be available. The class at 7 p.m. Wednesday is $10, or $5 for students with a Community Discount Program card.

Info: www.sacfoodcoop.com or call (916) 868-6399

Guild Theater screens animal rescue film

Filmmaker Keegan Kuhn and staff members of Animal Place will be present for a question-and-answer session at a 7 p.m. screening Thursday of their documentary "Turlock!" at the Guild Theater, 2828 35th St. in Sacramento. The movie chronicles the rescue of 50,000 hens that had been abandoned without food and water at a factory farm in the Stanislaus County town of Turlock. Admittance is $10.

Info: www.turlockrescue.org

Capitol Pops season debuts at auto museum

The Capitol Pops Concert Band kicks off its 17th season with a free 7 p.m. concert Friday at the California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front St. in Sacramento. Auto-themed music will be part of the two-hour show. The museum is offering free admission to all visitors at 6 p.m.

Info: www.calautomuseum.org

Roles of women pioneers featured at Sutter's Fort

Historian Cheryl Stapp, author of the book "Sacramento Chronicles: A Golden Past," will give three presentations Saturday at Sutter's Fort about the roles of frontier women in California. The presentations at 27th and L streets are part of the fort's "Hands on History: Hard Working Women of the Frontier" event, which includes activities demonstrating the contributions of pioneering women to the economic well-being of their families. Admission is $7; $5 for youths (ages 6-17) and free for children ages 5 and younger.

Info: www.suttersfort.org or call (916) 445-4422

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