Spring has arrived, and most of you will be able to attest to that fact with your sneezing, sniffling and watery eyes.

If you are an allergy sufferer like I am, there are certain practices that may help you get through this glorious season of poppies and pollen.

One, drug yourself with a double dose of antihistamine, put on a pretty bonnet (or a golf hat), and head down to the Lake of the Pines "Gone with the Belles" 2008 Southern Hospitality Home Tour on Thursday.

You may have noticed the plastic pink flamingos gracing the yards of a few LOP homes this week. These birds give a clue as to which houses are featured on the Firebelles tour this year. Tickets will be at the LOP Clubhouse that afternoon starting at 1 p.m., so hurry down.

A Southern-themed luncheon is being served before the event. For lunch reservations, call Arlene Moore before 5 p.m. today at 268-6688.

Forget the layer of pollen that collects on your patio table each day. Escape the yellow plague by playing a competitive round of golf away from home.

The Higgins Diggins Lions Club is hosting their 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament on May 30. You do not have to be a Lions Club member to play in this fun event held at the Alta Sierra Country Club. For more information, call Vince Macias at 268-2711 or David Muzio at 268-1037.

With a little help in the form of pharmaceuticals, it's easy to forget about your allergies. But there is one problem for many women that is difficult to escape. One in four has been the victim of a domestic assault at least at one point during her lifetime. The American Bar Association has reported that, in recent years, 33 percent of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner.

Rose Johnson is a volunteer for Women of Worth of Nevada County. She and other members of Women of Worth are concerned with the safety of these women and their children.

Rose wants to develop a Lake of the Pines area group for this organization. Clients are women and children who are trying to escape this dangerous pattern of violence. Women of Worth helps them to re-establish themselves in a safe location away from their abuser.

If you are interested in joining this group or in donating resources that will help victims of domestic violence, contact Rose at 268-1131.

Finally, if you expect to survive this spring but have to face summer with an unemployed teenager lounging around the house, you might encourage him to start applying now for summer work.

Lake of the Pines, DarkHorse Golf Club, Holiday Market and Longs Drugs on Combie Road are all employers of teenagers. The valuable work experience they will obtain will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

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Laura Lavelle's column is for Lake of the Pines area residents to share thoughts and information. Contact her at lavelle@cebridge.net or leave a message at 477-4230.