Business Briefs

The Nevada Commission on Tourism is launching an adventure competition called "The Nevada Passage Wide Open."

The event to be staged May 6 and 7 features adventure competitions designed to further establish Nevada as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

The athletic challenges will be similar to hose featured in NCOT's syndicated reality television show, "The Nevada Passage." Last year's inaugural event had the athletes hand picked.

Individuals can register online at www.nevadapassage.com or by calling (877) 751-8880.



Chamber offers scholarship

The Tahoe-Douglas Chamber of Commerce has established a scholarship to be awarded annually to one or more graduating seniors from Whittell, Douglas and South Tahoe high schools.

The applicants must graduate, be "in good standing" and have plans to continue their formal education in the fall.

Information: call (775) 588-4591 or see a school counselor. The application deadline is March 31, 2006.



Dickson opens Zephyr Cove site

Dickson Realty has opened an office in Zephyr Cove, expanding its reach to 12 offices throughout South Lake Tahoe, Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Incline Village and Truckee. The real estate company has 350 agents working out of these offices.



RSN expands to Colorado town

Resort Sports Network, which services Lake Tahoe, has expanded its reach to Steamboat Springs, Colo. by partnering with a local television station owned by High Angle Media.

The Steamboat station will reach nearly 9,000 cable subscribers in a resort destination area with lodging properties that serve one million skiers annually.



Area resort, inn on CNN Web site

The Black Bear Inn on Ski Run Boulevard and Sorensen's Resort near Hope Valley were featured last week on CNN's Web site, which picked up a Ski magazine issue on luxury accommodations made of logs.

The Black Bear Inn was listed as a romantic getaway. Sorensen's was noted for its rustic ambiance.



LTVA seeking a few good bears

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is seeking applications from South Shore charitable organizations to benefit from its summerlong Bears by the Lake.

The deadline for CeleBEARtion is Wednesday for applicants and organizations with a 501(c) 3 status that have an interest in wildlife preservation and education or social service groups with a youth focus. For more information call: (530) 544-5050.



Gas going up in the nation again

Retail gas prices across the country climbed an average of 11 cents in the past two weeks, according to a new survey.

The weighted average price for all three grades increased to $2.38 a gallon by Friday, according to Trilby Lundberg, who publishes the semimonthly Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations around the country.

Gas prices are 38 cents higher than they were a year ago, Lundberg said Sunday.

Among stations surveyed, the priciest was $2.63 a gallon in Honolulu.

Among California cities surveyed, Sacramento had the best price for regular at $2.38. The most expensive was $2.59 a gallon in San Diego.



- Staff and wire reports compiled by Susan Wood