By Kathryn Reed
Metal trash cans have one useful purpose – being a safe receptacle for ashes. When it comes to deterring animals, forget about it. The metal absorbs food smells that attract bears, raccoons and dogs.
That was some of the information dispensed by Clean Tahoe personnel in its annual report. The nonprofit’s 2007-08 fiscal year ended Sept. 30.
A new problem was the need to clean up after construction trucks leaving the Angora burn area. Clean Tahoe crews were out on Lake Tahoe Boulevard at least once a week picking up debris.
Assisting with the cleanup are work release crews from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department. However, the 976 who picked up trash totaled the fewest number of participants in six years.
For 2007-08, Clean Tahoe collected 78 tons of trash in South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County. Crews responded to 2,969 service calls. This is down from the 3,482 the previous year, but up from the 2,717 calls in 2005-06.
Ellen Nunes, program manager, said Clean Tahoe’s bus stop contract is now with South Tahoe Area Transit Authority instead of Area Transit Management. She said STATA has hired a contractor to handle snow removal.
“It should be smoother this winter,” Nunes told the South Lake Tahoe Basin Waste Management Authority board.
Clean Tahoe has regular routes and set areas, like Linear Park, where crews pick up litter. Personnel also respond to calls of garbage or larger items dumped along roadways.
Fewer appliances were part of the mix this past year. This is attributed to Sierra Pacific Power’s refrigerator buy-back program and No E-Waste free drop-off events.
Clean Tahoe hosts the annual Community Cleanup day in June at South Tahoe Refuse. It also is responsible for coordinating the local Coastal Cleanup day in September.
Clean Tahoe is also part of the recently formed consortium of local entities called Recycle Tahoe.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Supreme Court paves path of social justice
By Kathryn Reed
Few issues related to social progress have been decided by the people. The men and women in black robes whose job it is to uphold the Constitution of individual states and the United States tend to make the really big decisions.
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954. It crushed segregation in schools and other public venues. But white people didn’t automatically let in people who didn’t look like them.
Even with a black man about to take the highest oath of office in the United States on Jan. 20, discrimination is alive. An undercurrent of racism ran throughout the presidential campaign. Discrimination was evident with the passage of Proposition 8 on Nov. 4. It was evident on South Shore schools in November during Challenge Day.
One person who knows all about discrimination is Melba Beals. She harbors no resentment toward the people who reviled her, who nearly killed her, who treated her as though her black skin made her less than human.
Beals brought her story to South Tahoe Middle School in November, four days after about 100 of those students participated in Challenge Day.
Challenge Day is about challenging preconceived ideas. It’s about realizing fellow students and others in the community aren’t so different from the person in the mirror. Tears flowed Nov. 20 as students broke down stereotypes, acknowledged the hurt they had inflicted on others and that they are not alone in their struggles.
High school students participated in Challenge Day the day before.
It seemed appropriate to have Beals on campus that next Monday. Even though her experience as one of the nine black students to first attend Central High School in Little Rock in 1957 is something local students find in history books, her story is apropos in today’s climate as the country is at a major crossroad of change.
Until November, only little white boys had a role model of what a U.S. president looks like.
Through her quiet, non-inflammatory rhetoric, Beals told this rainbow colored mass of students seated on the floor in front of her about being scared, about the courage it took of everyone on the side of justice, about how life evolves for the better for all.
Girls can point to Title IX in the federal education code for giving them equal rights in athletics. This didn’t get approved until 1972.
Without it, the hoopla regarding Joann Allister at South Tahoe High wouldn’t even be an issue. The varsity softball coach and PE teacher is under fire from some parents and players because they don’t like everything she does.
During closed session at the Nov. 18 Lake Tahoe Unified school board meeting more than a dozen people spoke. Because it’s a personnel matter, testimony is confidential.
The board ruled Allister will be told to adhere to Ed Code rules – like letting athletes stay properly fueled and hydrated for competition. Her job will be posted before the start of the season and she will be allowed to apply for it along with anyone else.
In the future, after the end of each season for each sport at STHS, parents will have the opportunity to anonymously fill out a survey about the coach that will be evaluated by Vice Principal Jack Stafford.
Another social issue gripping the South Shore is the passage of Proposition 8, which makes it illegal for gays and lesbians to marry. The populous, 52.3 percent, said OK to this California measure.
About 100 locals marched near El Dorado Beach on Nov. 15 during a nationwide rally in support of gay marriage. It was a cornucopia of gays, lesbians, heteros, couples and singles of various colors and ages.
The issue is winding its way through the courts. Some wonder how a change to the state Constitution took a simple majority vote, whereas it takes a two-thirds majority to pass taxes.
Those in support of gay marriage are hoping the men and women in black robes do for gay marriage what they did for desegregation and equal rights on the ball field.
Few issues related to social progress have been decided by the people. The men and women in black robes whose job it is to uphold the Constitution of individual states and the United States tend to make the really big decisions.
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954. It crushed segregation in schools and other public venues. But white people didn’t automatically let in people who didn’t look like them.
Even with a black man about to take the highest oath of office in the United States on Jan. 20, discrimination is alive. An undercurrent of racism ran throughout the presidential campaign. Discrimination was evident with the passage of Proposition 8 on Nov. 4. It was evident on South Shore schools in November during Challenge Day.
One person who knows all about discrimination is Melba Beals. She harbors no resentment toward the people who reviled her, who nearly killed her, who treated her as though her black skin made her less than human.
Beals brought her story to South Tahoe Middle School in November, four days after about 100 of those students participated in Challenge Day.
Challenge Day is about challenging preconceived ideas. It’s about realizing fellow students and others in the community aren’t so different from the person in the mirror. Tears flowed Nov. 20 as students broke down stereotypes, acknowledged the hurt they had inflicted on others and that they are not alone in their struggles.
High school students participated in Challenge Day the day before.
It seemed appropriate to have Beals on campus that next Monday. Even though her experience as one of the nine black students to first attend Central High School in Little Rock in 1957 is something local students find in history books, her story is apropos in today’s climate as the country is at a major crossroad of change.
Until November, only little white boys had a role model of what a U.S. president looks like.
Through her quiet, non-inflammatory rhetoric, Beals told this rainbow colored mass of students seated on the floor in front of her about being scared, about the courage it took of everyone on the side of justice, about how life evolves for the better for all.
Girls can point to Title IX in the federal education code for giving them equal rights in athletics. This didn’t get approved until 1972.
Without it, the hoopla regarding Joann Allister at South Tahoe High wouldn’t even be an issue. The varsity softball coach and PE teacher is under fire from some parents and players because they don’t like everything she does.
During closed session at the Nov. 18 Lake Tahoe Unified school board meeting more than a dozen people spoke. Because it’s a personnel matter, testimony is confidential.
The board ruled Allister will be told to adhere to Ed Code rules – like letting athletes stay properly fueled and hydrated for competition. Her job will be posted before the start of the season and she will be allowed to apply for it along with anyone else.
In the future, after the end of each season for each sport at STHS, parents will have the opportunity to anonymously fill out a survey about the coach that will be evaluated by Vice Principal Jack Stafford.
Another social issue gripping the South Shore is the passage of Proposition 8, which makes it illegal for gays and lesbians to marry. The populous, 52.3 percent, said OK to this California measure.
About 100 locals marched near El Dorado Beach on Nov. 15 during a nationwide rally in support of gay marriage. It was a cornucopia of gays, lesbians, heteros, couples and singles of various colors and ages.
The issue is winding its way through the courts. Some wonder how a change to the state Constitution took a simple majority vote, whereas it takes a two-thirds majority to pass taxes.
Those in support of gay marriage are hoping the men and women in black robes do for gay marriage what they did for desegregation and equal rights on the ball field.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tahoe bald eagle counts in January
Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Counts begins in January
South Lake Tahoe, Calif.--- The US Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is coordinating the annual mid-winter bald eagle count on Friday, January 09, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 1200 Noon, and the public is invited to participate. The purpose of the Midwinter Bald Eagle survey is to monitor the status of Bald Eagle wintering populations in the contiguous United States by estimating national and regional count trends, overall and by age class.
This year there will be an additional bald eagle count on Friday, January 16, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 1200 Noon to participate in. There are 26 stations located around the lake and the Forest Service would like to get these completely filled on both dates. A possible third survey may be conducted at a later date to be determined.
The count is part of the National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey that was initiated by the National Wildlife Federation in 1979 in the U.S. This year the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is coordinating efforts in our part of the country this winter. The results of the count will be combined with those from elsewhere in the state and across the nation to generate an index (an indirect measure) of bald eagle populations across the U. S. Please visit the following website to learn more about the history and results of these annual surveys for several routes in the National migration flyway at http://ocid.nacse.org/nbii/eagles/.
Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group is using satellite transmitter technology to investigate the life history of bald eagles wintering and breeding in California in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Water and Power. A summary of the results can be found at http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/baea.htm.
A total of 10 bald eagles (8 adults and 2 immatures) were observed at 25 locations within the Lake Tahoe Basin in January of 2008.
If you would like to participate, please RSVP no later than December 19, 2008 to Rena Escobedo at 530.543.2733 or rescobedo@fs.fed.us to be included in the bald eagle mid-winter count. Volunteers will receive complete instructions.
You must be able to positively identify bald eagles and determine their age (adult or year of juvenile based on plumage) from a distance. Binoculars, the survey form and map, warm clothing, and a good field guide are essential for the survey. If you have a spotting scope or can borrow one, please bring it to your survey location.
If you have any questions, please contact Rena Escobedo at 530.543.2733 or rescobedo@fs.fed.us
South Lake Tahoe, Calif.--- The US Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is coordinating the annual mid-winter bald eagle count on Friday, January 09, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 1200 Noon, and the public is invited to participate. The purpose of the Midwinter Bald Eagle survey is to monitor the status of Bald Eagle wintering populations in the contiguous United States by estimating national and regional count trends, overall and by age class.
This year there will be an additional bald eagle count on Friday, January 16, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 1200 Noon to participate in. There are 26 stations located around the lake and the Forest Service would like to get these completely filled on both dates. A possible third survey may be conducted at a later date to be determined.
The count is part of the National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey that was initiated by the National Wildlife Federation in 1979 in the U.S. This year the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is coordinating efforts in our part of the country this winter. The results of the count will be combined with those from elsewhere in the state and across the nation to generate an index (an indirect measure) of bald eagle populations across the U. S. Please visit the following website to learn more about the history and results of these annual surveys for several routes in the National migration flyway at http://ocid.nacse.org/nbii/eagles/.
Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group is using satellite transmitter technology to investigate the life history of bald eagles wintering and breeding in California in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Water and Power. A summary of the results can be found at http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/baea.htm.
A total of 10 bald eagles (8 adults and 2 immatures) were observed at 25 locations within the Lake Tahoe Basin in January of 2008.
If you would like to participate, please RSVP no later than December 19, 2008 to Rena Escobedo at 530.543.2733 or rescobedo@fs.fed.us to be included in the bald eagle mid-winter count. Volunteers will receive complete instructions.
You must be able to positively identify bald eagles and determine their age (adult or year of juvenile based on plumage) from a distance. Binoculars, the survey form and map, warm clothing, and a good field guide are essential for the survey. If you have a spotting scope or can borrow one, please bring it to your survey location.
If you have any questions, please contact Rena Escobedo at 530.543.2733 or rescobedo@fs.fed.us
Free bus rides in Tahoe New Year's Eve
FREE RIDES ON NEW YEARS EVE AND MINOR REROUTES DUE TO INCREASED TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV –- The South Tahoe Area Transit Authority will provide free shuttle service, free transportation and reroute several bus routes on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.
Starting at 7 p.m., the Stateline Transit Center will be closed. All passengers should make their transfers between routes on Heavenly Village Way next to Heavenly Village Cinemas and Raleys until 2 a.m. New Year’s Day. This will affect Routes 20X, 21X, 23, 50 and 53. In addition, Routes 20X and 23 will not serve the casinos directly due to increased traffic congestion. Please walk to Heavenly Village Way to board buses.
Free shuttle service will be provided between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. along Red Route 10 from the Visitor Center , to the Blue Lake Parking Lot on Ski Run Boulevard and Shops at Heavenly Village via US Highway 50 every 30 minutes.
Starting at 10:00 PM until end of service – BlueGO Routes 20X, 23, 50 and 53 will provide FREE rides to all passengers. BlueGO OnCall will charge normal fares with reservations 60 in advance. The routes on which free rides will be offered are Kingsbury Express service to Carson Valley , the U.S. 50 line, the Bijou line and Ridge Resorts service.
For additional BlueGO Transit Information call 530.541.7149. You can also visit the BlueGO website at www.bluego.org. Helpful representatives will be able to help you plan your trip on BlueGO.
BlueGO is a service of the South Tahoe Area Transit Authority which consists of members representing the City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, Douglas County, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, The Ridge Resorts, Harrah’s, Harveys, Lakeside Inn, MontBleu, Horizon and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Collectively, these partner agencies provide a coordinated transit system to reduce vehicle miles traveled on the south shore of Lake Tahoe and to improve the quality of life through the implementation and management of innovative transit solutions.
Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV –- The South Tahoe Area Transit Authority will provide free shuttle service, free transportation and reroute several bus routes on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.
Starting at 7 p.m., the Stateline Transit Center will be closed. All passengers should make their transfers between routes on Heavenly Village Way next to Heavenly Village Cinemas and Raleys until 2 a.m. New Year’s Day. This will affect Routes 20X, 21X, 23, 50 and 53. In addition, Routes 20X and 23 will not serve the casinos directly due to increased traffic congestion. Please walk to Heavenly Village Way to board buses.
Free shuttle service will be provided between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. along Red Route 10 from the Visitor Center , to the Blue Lake Parking Lot on Ski Run Boulevard and Shops at Heavenly Village via US Highway 50 every 30 minutes.
Starting at 10:00 PM until end of service – BlueGO Routes 20X, 23, 50 and 53 will provide FREE rides to all passengers. BlueGO OnCall will charge normal fares with reservations 60 in advance. The routes on which free rides will be offered are Kingsbury Express service to Carson Valley , the U.S. 50 line, the Bijou line and Ridge Resorts service.
For additional BlueGO Transit Information call 530.541.7149. You can also visit the BlueGO website at www.bluego.org. Helpful representatives will be able to help you plan your trip on BlueGO.
BlueGO is a service of the South Tahoe Area Transit Authority which consists of members representing the City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, Douglas County, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, The Ridge Resorts, Harrah’s, Harveys, Lakeside Inn, MontBleu, Horizon and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Collectively, these partner agencies provide a coordinated transit system to reduce vehicle miles traveled on the south shore of Lake Tahoe and to improve the quality of life through the implementation and management of innovative transit solutions.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
South Lake Tahoe's gay mayor
Birdwell, state’s 1st gay judge, now mayor of S. Lake Tahoe
by Tammye Nash
The Dallas Voice
Sunday Dec 21, 2008
When Texas Gov. Ann Richards appointed him as judge for Dallas County’s 195th Judicial District Court early in 1992, Dallas lawyer Jerry Birdwell suddenly found himself in the eye of a storm of controversy.
The appointment made Birdwell the first openly gay judge in the state. And Dallas County Republicans wanted to make sure people in Dallas County knew it.
"They held press conferences practically every day asking that I resign because they said I was committing a crime every night when I went home," Birdwell recalled this week. "They were talking about sodomy, of course."
Birdwell didn’t resign. But the Republicans got their wish that November when their candidate defeated Birdwell in his bid for re-election, as part of a Republican sweep in Dallas County.
Now, 16 years later, the situation is much, much different: Democrats are the ones sweeping elections in Dallas County, and when Birdwell was elected mayor of South Lake Tahoe on Dec. 9, no one there cared one bit about his sexual orientation.
"I’m living in California now, where it doesn’t make any difference if you’re gay," Birdwell said in a telephone interview on Wednesday, Dec. 17. "It’s just not an issue like it was in Dallas when we were there. Nobody cares.
"The state voted yes on Prop 8, and I tell you, any of us out here were certainly startled to see it," he acknowledged. "It did wake us up, I can assure you, just like it did everyone across the nation. But really, most people don’t really care if someone is gay."
And, Birdwell added, he’s happy with the way Dallas County is trending, too.
"It feels good to see it, I tell you for sure," he said. "It’s like the old days when I started practicing law in Dallas, when the Democrats controlled the courthouse. It’s nice to see a lot of my old Democratic friends on the benches there now."
But Birdwell isn’t tempted to return to Dallas. He’s satisfied with his career and life in South Lake Tahoe, where he and his partner, Kevin Chandler, own and operate the Black Bear Inn bed and breakfast.
"I have always wanted to live in snow country, and I’ve always enjoyed skiing. And yes, in the back of my mind, I have always wanted to own a bed and breakfast," he said.
When Gov. Ann Richards appointed him to the bench in 1992, Jerry Birdwell became the first openly gay sitting judge in Texas. Local Republicans, he said, held daily press conferences calling for his resignation, on the grounds that he committed the crime of sodomy every night.
"We built the lodge out here and opened up on March 5, 1999.
We’re just about to have our 10th anniversary," he continued. "And we have thoroughly enjoyed running the inn and living in a small mountain community." But Birdwell also found time in his new life to be active civically - and politically - in his new community. He is in his third year of a four-year term on the South Lake Tahoe City Council, and is just starting his one-year term as mayor of the city of 25,000.
Birdwell also points out that things in South Lake Tahoe work a little bit differently than they do in Dallas.
"The way it works here in California, we have general law cities and charter cities, and most of them are general law cities," he said. "In the charter cities it works the way it does in Dallas: City council members are elected to represent specific districts, and the mayor is elected at large by the citizens of the city.
"But South Lake Tahoe is a general law city. And in general law cities, they have five to seven city council members elected at large to represent the community, and then the council members elect one of their number as mayor."
Birdwell has also been involved in redevelopment in the community and with the business improvement communities. And he was president of the local lodging association.
"It’s a lot different than city life," he laughed. "Here, you tend to wear several hats at once."
Bu regardless of his commitments to public life, the lodge is always Birdwell’s top priority. And he is very proud of the successful business he and Chandler have built together.
"We’ve been listed as one of the 10 best B-and-Bs in California, and we’ve been featured on ’Vacation Living’ on Home and Garden TV. They filmed a segment for the first episode of ABC’s ’The Bachelor,’ and in the spring of 07, they filmed another ’Bachelor’ here," he said. "It’s a good life here."
by Tammye Nash
The Dallas Voice
Sunday Dec 21, 2008
When Texas Gov. Ann Richards appointed him as judge for Dallas County’s 195th Judicial District Court early in 1992, Dallas lawyer Jerry Birdwell suddenly found himself in the eye of a storm of controversy.
The appointment made Birdwell the first openly gay judge in the state. And Dallas County Republicans wanted to make sure people in Dallas County knew it.
"They held press conferences practically every day asking that I resign because they said I was committing a crime every night when I went home," Birdwell recalled this week. "They were talking about sodomy, of course."
Birdwell didn’t resign. But the Republicans got their wish that November when their candidate defeated Birdwell in his bid for re-election, as part of a Republican sweep in Dallas County.
Now, 16 years later, the situation is much, much different: Democrats are the ones sweeping elections in Dallas County, and when Birdwell was elected mayor of South Lake Tahoe on Dec. 9, no one there cared one bit about his sexual orientation.
"I’m living in California now, where it doesn’t make any difference if you’re gay," Birdwell said in a telephone interview on Wednesday, Dec. 17. "It’s just not an issue like it was in Dallas when we were there. Nobody cares.
"The state voted yes on Prop 8, and I tell you, any of us out here were certainly startled to see it," he acknowledged. "It did wake us up, I can assure you, just like it did everyone across the nation. But really, most people don’t really care if someone is gay."
And, Birdwell added, he’s happy with the way Dallas County is trending, too.
"It feels good to see it, I tell you for sure," he said. "It’s like the old days when I started practicing law in Dallas, when the Democrats controlled the courthouse. It’s nice to see a lot of my old Democratic friends on the benches there now."
But Birdwell isn’t tempted to return to Dallas. He’s satisfied with his career and life in South Lake Tahoe, where he and his partner, Kevin Chandler, own and operate the Black Bear Inn bed and breakfast.
"I have always wanted to live in snow country, and I’ve always enjoyed skiing. And yes, in the back of my mind, I have always wanted to own a bed and breakfast," he said.
When Gov. Ann Richards appointed him to the bench in 1992, Jerry Birdwell became the first openly gay sitting judge in Texas. Local Republicans, he said, held daily press conferences calling for his resignation, on the grounds that he committed the crime of sodomy every night.
"We built the lodge out here and opened up on March 5, 1999.
We’re just about to have our 10th anniversary," he continued. "And we have thoroughly enjoyed running the inn and living in a small mountain community." But Birdwell also found time in his new life to be active civically - and politically - in his new community. He is in his third year of a four-year term on the South Lake Tahoe City Council, and is just starting his one-year term as mayor of the city of 25,000.
Birdwell also points out that things in South Lake Tahoe work a little bit differently than they do in Dallas.
"The way it works here in California, we have general law cities and charter cities, and most of them are general law cities," he said. "In the charter cities it works the way it does in Dallas: City council members are elected to represent specific districts, and the mayor is elected at large by the citizens of the city.
"But South Lake Tahoe is a general law city. And in general law cities, they have five to seven city council members elected at large to represent the community, and then the council members elect one of their number as mayor."
Birdwell has also been involved in redevelopment in the community and with the business improvement communities. And he was president of the local lodging association.
"It’s a lot different than city life," he laughed. "Here, you tend to wear several hats at once."
Bu regardless of his commitments to public life, the lodge is always Birdwell’s top priority. And he is very proud of the successful business he and Chandler have built together.
"We’ve been listed as one of the 10 best B-and-Bs in California, and we’ve been featured on ’Vacation Living’ on Home and Garden TV. They filmed a segment for the first episode of ABC’s ’The Bachelor,’ and in the spring of 07, they filmed another ’Bachelor’ here," he said. "It’s a good life here."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Comment on Tahoe's bus service
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) wants your comments on how we can make bus service better (BlueGO, Tahoe Area Regional Transit/TART and Tahoe Transportation District/TTD shuttles) better in the Tahoe Basin . You can provide your comments in many ways – by mail, phone, fax, internet, e-mail – even in person.
Join us at the Transit Forum in South Lake Tahoe ( South Shore ):
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 3:00 p.m.
El Dorado County Library
1000 Rufus Allen Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA
BlueGO Routes 40, 50, 52 and 53 along with BlueGO OnCall provide service to the workshop location. Call (530) 541-7149 or go to www.bluego.org for schedule info.
Join us at the Transit Forum in Sunnyside ( West Shore ):
Monday, January 12, 2009 - 1:30 p.m.
Rideout Community Center
740 Timberland Lane
Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) (Tahoma to Incline Village provide service to the workshop location. Call (800) 736-6365 or go to www.placer.ca.gov/tart for schedule info.
If you can’t attend any of the above workshops, submit your comments in any of the following ways:
By Mail: John Andoh, TRPA, PO BOX 5310 , Stateline , NV 89449 By Phone: (775) 589-5284 By Fax: (775) 588-4527
By E-mail: jandoh@trpa.org
Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009 to TRPA for inclusion in the public record.
Join us at the Transit Forum in South Lake Tahoe ( South Shore ):
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 3:00 p.m.
El Dorado County Library
1000 Rufus Allen Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA
BlueGO Routes 40, 50, 52 and 53 along with BlueGO OnCall provide service to the workshop location. Call (530) 541-7149 or go to www.bluego.org for schedule info.
Join us at the Transit Forum in Sunnyside ( West Shore ):
Monday, January 12, 2009 - 1:30 p.m.
Rideout Community Center
740 Timberland Lane
Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) (Tahoma to Incline Village provide service to the workshop location. Call (800) 736-6365 or go to www.placer.ca.gov/tart for schedule info.
If you can’t attend any of the above workshops, submit your comments in any of the following ways:
By Mail: John Andoh, TRPA, PO BOX 5310 , Stateline , NV 89449 By Phone: (775) 589-5284 By Fax: (775) 588-4527
By E-mail: jandoh@trpa.org
Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009 to TRPA for inclusion in the public record.
V-Day 2009 in South Lake Tahoe
V-Day South Lake Tahoe will hold an open casting call for the 2009 production of Eve Ensler’s “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” on Monday December 8th from 6:30-8pm. This is the sixth year we have been granted the privilege of producing a benefit production of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play The Vagina Monologues and other artistic works. New this year we have the wonderful opportunity of producing something different. A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer: Writings To Stop Violence Against Women and Girls is a groundbreaking collection of monologues by world-renowned authors and playwrights, edited by Eve Ensler and Mollie Doyle. Please be prepared to do a cold reading of one of the monologues we will provide for you. The performance date will be March 21, and rehearsals will take place Friday evenings in February. V-Day SLT has raised more than $15,000 to end violence against women in this community through benefit productions of "The Vagina Monologues." Join us this year as we debut another exciting play by Eve Ensler, with all proceeds benefiting Tahoe Youth and Family Services and the South Lake Tahoe Women's Center. For more information, please contact Debra Scolnick at debzdoodle@gmail.com.
TRPA budget woes
For Release Immediately December 4, 2008
TRPA CUTS COSTS, STREAMLINES OPERATIONS IN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Lake Tahoe, Stateline , NV – Because of declining revenue and deepening budget constraints, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is taking a number of measures to cut costs and streamline its operations, Agency officials said today.
Additional belt-tightening measures may be taken in coming months, depending on how the continuing economic downturn unfolds. Because of project application fee decreases and other budget impacts, the Agency is taking a hard look at all expenses and overall operations.
“We are certainly not immune from the effects of the current economic crisis and are facing some of the same dire circumstances as our local government partners,” said John Singlaub , Executive Director. “We are committed to weathering these tough times with minimal impact on our efforts to protect and restore Lake Tahoe .”
The following measures have already been implemented by TRPA:
Beginning in January 2009, all public meetings will be re-scheduled to the Stateline office to reduce meeting location costs.
Hiring freezes and internal job restructuring.
Operational efficiencies and cost reductions in information technology and office expenditures.
Training, travel and salary increase freezes.
The Agency is also considering more difficult choices:
Staff furloughs and associated office closures one day each month for the foreseeable future.
Job sharing and work reduction.
Closure of the north shore satellite office in Tahoe City .
“We hope the community will understand that public service is an integral component of our mission and we regret any impacts to this area,” Singlaub said. “By moving board and planning commission meetings to our main office, we recognize the additional distance imposed on community members who participate but we simply can’t afford the extra facilities costs unless budget conditions improve,” he said.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Dennis Oliver at 775-589-5235, or email doliver@trpa.org .
###
TRPA CUTS COSTS, STREAMLINES OPERATIONS IN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Lake Tahoe, Stateline , NV – Because of declining revenue and deepening budget constraints, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is taking a number of measures to cut costs and streamline its operations, Agency officials said today.
Additional belt-tightening measures may be taken in coming months, depending on how the continuing economic downturn unfolds. Because of project application fee decreases and other budget impacts, the Agency is taking a hard look at all expenses and overall operations.
“We are certainly not immune from the effects of the current economic crisis and are facing some of the same dire circumstances as our local government partners,” said John Singlaub , Executive Director. “We are committed to weathering these tough times with minimal impact on our efforts to protect and restore Lake Tahoe .”
The following measures have already been implemented by TRPA:
Beginning in January 2009, all public meetings will be re-scheduled to the Stateline office to reduce meeting location costs.
Hiring freezes and internal job restructuring.
Operational efficiencies and cost reductions in information technology and office expenditures.
Training, travel and salary increase freezes.
The Agency is also considering more difficult choices:
Staff furloughs and associated office closures one day each month for the foreseeable future.
Job sharing and work reduction.
Closure of the north shore satellite office in Tahoe City .
“We hope the community will understand that public service is an integral component of our mission and we regret any impacts to this area,” Singlaub said. “By moving board and planning commission meetings to our main office, we recognize the additional distance imposed on community members who participate but we simply can’t afford the extra facilities costs unless budget conditions improve,” he said.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Dennis Oliver at 775-589-5235, or email doliver@trpa.org .
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Monday, December 1, 2008
Boating rules change at Lake Tahoe
Beginning Nov. 1 the only place to launch boats at Lake Tahoe will be at facilities where qualified aquatic invasive species inspectors are present.
Inspectors can require vessels be decontaminated if they are deemed a risk of introducing invasive species such as the quagga or zebra mussel. Mollusks have invaded lakes across the country, causing serious environmental and economic consequences. They are carried on watercraft that is not adequately cleaned, drained and dried.
The rules were unanimously approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board in September. The goal is to inspect every boat that enters lakes in the basin, which includes Fallen Leaf Lake. Even canoes are being hosed off.
For information, call Dennis Oliver at (775) 589-5235, or email doliver@trpa.org.
Inspectors can require vessels be decontaminated if they are deemed a risk of introducing invasive species such as the quagga or zebra mussel. Mollusks have invaded lakes across the country, causing serious environmental and economic consequences. They are carried on watercraft that is not adequately cleaned, drained and dried.
The rules were unanimously approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board in September. The goal is to inspect every boat that enters lakes in the basin, which includes Fallen Leaf Lake. Even canoes are being hosed off.
For information, call Dennis Oliver at (775) 589-5235, or email doliver@trpa.org.
USFS counting beavers
unedited Tahoe Mt. News story
By Kathryn Reed
Small, football size rodents beware – Forest Service officials are tracking you.
Wildlife biologists are looking for mountain beaver habitat, but don’t actually expect to see any of the critters. It’s all part of a study to see how many of the animals are living in the Benwood Meadow watershed.
“We are not getting the numbers we would like to see,” Rena Escobedo, USFS wildlife biologist said.
One definite habitat sighting was confirmed by mid-August in the Benwood watershed. Last year’s study in the Big Meadow watershed yielded about 20 sightings.
This year’s team started near Round Lake on the Christmas Valley trail on July 29 and is expected to wrap things up this month. They are following the Upper Truckee River down to the bridge that crosses South Upper Truckee Road.
“We walk the whole water area. We will heavily search the area, very slowly,” Escobedo said.
Biologists look for hay piles to indicate a beaver’s home. Beavers clip vegetation at a diagonal and then pile it outside their burrow to dry before using it to line the inside.
Mountain beavers are not marine mammals and don’t build dams. Squirrels are closer relatives. Their faces are small, their tails stubby. They can travel from watershed to watershed. These beavers have been around for about 40 million years.
They need water. They tend to favor low flowing water year-round and semi-soft soil so they can dig a hole into a bank. One beaver may call a 75-square-foot area home.
They live alone. Youngsters are kicked out at 3 months. Males serve one purpose.
The mountain beavers were studied extensively in the 1930 and 1950s. The data collected on the South Shore will be sent to the regional office in Vallejo for analysis.
By Kathryn Reed
Small, football size rodents beware – Forest Service officials are tracking you.
Wildlife biologists are looking for mountain beaver habitat, but don’t actually expect to see any of the critters. It’s all part of a study to see how many of the animals are living in the Benwood Meadow watershed.
“We are not getting the numbers we would like to see,” Rena Escobedo, USFS wildlife biologist said.
One definite habitat sighting was confirmed by mid-August in the Benwood watershed. Last year’s study in the Big Meadow watershed yielded about 20 sightings.
This year’s team started near Round Lake on the Christmas Valley trail on July 29 and is expected to wrap things up this month. They are following the Upper Truckee River down to the bridge that crosses South Upper Truckee Road.
“We walk the whole water area. We will heavily search the area, very slowly,” Escobedo said.
Biologists look for hay piles to indicate a beaver’s home. Beavers clip vegetation at a diagonal and then pile it outside their burrow to dry before using it to line the inside.
Mountain beavers are not marine mammals and don’t build dams. Squirrels are closer relatives. Their faces are small, their tails stubby. They can travel from watershed to watershed. These beavers have been around for about 40 million years.
They need water. They tend to favor low flowing water year-round and semi-soft soil so they can dig a hole into a bank. One beaver may call a 75-square-foot area home.
They live alone. Youngsters are kicked out at 3 months. Males serve one purpose.
The mountain beavers were studied extensively in the 1930 and 1950s. The data collected on the South Shore will be sent to the regional office in Vallejo for analysis.
Barton checkups
unpublished Oct. 08 Tahoe Mt. News column
By Kathryn Reed
For someone who doesn’t like doctors, I booked two medical appointments the same week. This is huge – especially since it didn’t involve annual poking or squeezing.
I did freak out the woman doing the blood draw at Barton’s Express Lab when I told her I tend to faint around needles. Her colleague came to her rescue. Neither could find a vein in my writing arm, so to the left they went.
I don’t know yet if my cholesterol is OK, but I didn’t faint. Hopefully, I won’t fall over when I get the results.
The wellness panel costs $40. It includes 23 lab tests, including a chemistry panel and hemogram. Draws for the rest of 2008 are on Oct. 18, Oct. 21, Nov. 15, Nov. 18, Dec. 16 and Dec. 20. Call (530) 543-5855 for an appointment.
Later that week I went to Barton University on Emerald Bay Road for one of the free quarterly checkups.
Alicia took me behind a screen to look for any signs of skin cancer. She asks questions, looks at anything I think is suspicious. She took a peak round my chest, back, face and hairline. Nothing to worry about.
She said the black speck I recently noticed on my neck isn’t anything to worry about until it grows a bit. My sister, who is a nurse practitioner and until this summer worked in an oncology office, said it wouldn’t hurt to get a full head to toe check from a dermatologist. It’s on my proverbial list of things to do.
Back at Barton, Carla was my next medical expert. She works for Dr. Kyle Swanson, who was called into emergency surgery just before I arrived. I told Carla about my right knee that has been hurting since ratcheting up my cycling routine during the summer. When I was 20 I put it through a car stereo. I’ve never had surgery on it and only on occasion do I feel it skiing or playing tennis. Cycling has been a different story.
Carla said I could have arthritis and cartilage may have built up. Surgery would clean it up. She said I could get an injection. We all know how I feel about needles. Knives give me that same fuzzy feeling. She then suggested Aleve for pain. I can do that.
With shoes off and blue booties on, I sauntered over to Suzanne. She used an ultrasound device on my right ankle to test the bone density of my whole body. I’m above average and a low risk for osteoporosis – at least at what was nearly age 43.
Dr. William Cottrell went over the results with me. He explained that bone is my bank and that when I start early menopause I will withdraw from that bank every day. He was adamant that I should start taking vitamin D supplements.
“Vitamin D is the new hormone. Think of it that way,” he said.
The next station had me on my back. Ken, Romie and Karen, all registered nurses, took my blood pressure for the peripheral arterial disease scan. People who have PAD are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
It’s normal for one side to have a higher blood pressure than the other. Sure enough, my left arm and left leg registered 118, while the right side was 104 both times. The experts said I am not at risk for PAD.
The screenings amount to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars worth of free tests. About 170 people were seen in September. Reservations are necessary.
The next one will be Nov. 21. So far diabetes and sleep disorders are part of the panel. Call (530) 543-5537 to make an appointment.
By Kathryn Reed
For someone who doesn’t like doctors, I booked two medical appointments the same week. This is huge – especially since it didn’t involve annual poking or squeezing.
I did freak out the woman doing the blood draw at Barton’s Express Lab when I told her I tend to faint around needles. Her colleague came to her rescue. Neither could find a vein in my writing arm, so to the left they went.
I don’t know yet if my cholesterol is OK, but I didn’t faint. Hopefully, I won’t fall over when I get the results.
The wellness panel costs $40. It includes 23 lab tests, including a chemistry panel and hemogram. Draws for the rest of 2008 are on Oct. 18, Oct. 21, Nov. 15, Nov. 18, Dec. 16 and Dec. 20. Call (530) 543-5855 for an appointment.
Later that week I went to Barton University on Emerald Bay Road for one of the free quarterly checkups.
Alicia took me behind a screen to look for any signs of skin cancer. She asks questions, looks at anything I think is suspicious. She took a peak round my chest, back, face and hairline. Nothing to worry about.
She said the black speck I recently noticed on my neck isn’t anything to worry about until it grows a bit. My sister, who is a nurse practitioner and until this summer worked in an oncology office, said it wouldn’t hurt to get a full head to toe check from a dermatologist. It’s on my proverbial list of things to do.
Back at Barton, Carla was my next medical expert. She works for Dr. Kyle Swanson, who was called into emergency surgery just before I arrived. I told Carla about my right knee that has been hurting since ratcheting up my cycling routine during the summer. When I was 20 I put it through a car stereo. I’ve never had surgery on it and only on occasion do I feel it skiing or playing tennis. Cycling has been a different story.
Carla said I could have arthritis and cartilage may have built up. Surgery would clean it up. She said I could get an injection. We all know how I feel about needles. Knives give me that same fuzzy feeling. She then suggested Aleve for pain. I can do that.
With shoes off and blue booties on, I sauntered over to Suzanne. She used an ultrasound device on my right ankle to test the bone density of my whole body. I’m above average and a low risk for osteoporosis – at least at what was nearly age 43.
Dr. William Cottrell went over the results with me. He explained that bone is my bank and that when I start early menopause I will withdraw from that bank every day. He was adamant that I should start taking vitamin D supplements.
“Vitamin D is the new hormone. Think of it that way,” he said.
The next station had me on my back. Ken, Romie and Karen, all registered nurses, took my blood pressure for the peripheral arterial disease scan. People who have PAD are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
It’s normal for one side to have a higher blood pressure than the other. Sure enough, my left arm and left leg registered 118, while the right side was 104 both times. The experts said I am not at risk for PAD.
The screenings amount to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars worth of free tests. About 170 people were seen in September. Reservations are necessary.
The next one will be Nov. 21. So far diabetes and sleep disorders are part of the panel. Call (530) 543-5537 to make an appointment.
Angor -- John Mauriello in escrow
unedited Oct. 08 Tahoe Mt. News story
Editor's note: This is a monthly article following one of the hundreds of people who lost their homes in the Angora Fire in summer 2007.
By Kathryn Reed
John Mauriello is about to move out of the Angora burn area – a place he thought would be home until his last breath.
He closes escrow Oct. 20 on a house in Christmas Valley. As of press time he was waiting to confirm numbers with his insurance company – The Hartford through AARP – to make sure they matched what he is expecting as the final payout.
His lot on Mount Olympia Circle is helping pay for the new home.
“It’s time for me to move,” Mauriello said. “I’ve got to get out of the burn area.”
The 69-year-old retiree has been renting in the burn area for the bulk of the time since the June 2007 wildland fire swept through his neighborhood and decimated his home and 253 others.
He had made an offer earlier in September on a different house, but the wobbly stock market shook the seller’s confidence and that person backed out.
After much consternation, Mauriello has been told he owes El Dorado County zero dollars when it comes to his tree removal bill. One more step in moving on.
Mauriello has been spotted at various events in the last month. On Sept. 19 he attended the art auction for Tahoe Lost and Found. Melissa Lanitis Gregory was the force behind this project to raise money to replace the $2,000 worth of books destroyed by the fire. It was Mauriello’s lost pizza recipe that inspired the project.
The auction raised $2,080. The “extra” $80 will help create a landmark in the burn area.
“There was some very good artwork,” Mauriello said. But he is not buying anymore substantial items until he is permanently settled.
He is still buying kitchen gadgets. Ask him about trying to find a stainless steel funnel or how time consuming it is to can tomatoes. That rant could fill the whole paper.
Mauriello also attended the Oct. 1 meeting hosted by the county to discuss taking Lake Tahoe Boulevard from four to two lanes. He and several others spoke out saying the road is just fine. Many ridiculed the idea, especially when no study has been done on the number of cyclists using the road or how many might use a trail or lane if it were built.
Contentious only begins to describe the atmosphere at Lake Tahoe Airport that night. Nerves are still frayed from Angora. Anything that would thwart emergency vehicles from getting to the neighborhood will not go over well with residents.
“Why did they try to disguise it under an enhancement program?” Mauriello asked the next day. That’s what the information the county sent out called it. “If you want a bike lane, I have nothing against it. I’m a biker, but let them build another bike lane next to (the road).”
He has driven a bus for Heavenly and knows what the roads are like on a blustery winter day with tourists pouring out of town. He is fearful that shrinking the number of lanes will cause more head-on collisions, reduce the response time for emergency vehicles and create hazardous situations.
Even though Mauriello is likely to leave the neighborhood soon, his passion for what he believes is right has not waned. Just ask him about replanting Angora Ridge.
Editor's note: This is a monthly article following one of the hundreds of people who lost their homes in the Angora Fire in summer 2007.
By Kathryn Reed
John Mauriello is about to move out of the Angora burn area – a place he thought would be home until his last breath.
He closes escrow Oct. 20 on a house in Christmas Valley. As of press time he was waiting to confirm numbers with his insurance company – The Hartford through AARP – to make sure they matched what he is expecting as the final payout.
His lot on Mount Olympia Circle is helping pay for the new home.
“It’s time for me to move,” Mauriello said. “I’ve got to get out of the burn area.”
The 69-year-old retiree has been renting in the burn area for the bulk of the time since the June 2007 wildland fire swept through his neighborhood and decimated his home and 253 others.
He had made an offer earlier in September on a different house, but the wobbly stock market shook the seller’s confidence and that person backed out.
After much consternation, Mauriello has been told he owes El Dorado County zero dollars when it comes to his tree removal bill. One more step in moving on.
Mauriello has been spotted at various events in the last month. On Sept. 19 he attended the art auction for Tahoe Lost and Found. Melissa Lanitis Gregory was the force behind this project to raise money to replace the $2,000 worth of books destroyed by the fire. It was Mauriello’s lost pizza recipe that inspired the project.
The auction raised $2,080. The “extra” $80 will help create a landmark in the burn area.
“There was some very good artwork,” Mauriello said. But he is not buying anymore substantial items until he is permanently settled.
He is still buying kitchen gadgets. Ask him about trying to find a stainless steel funnel or how time consuming it is to can tomatoes. That rant could fill the whole paper.
Mauriello also attended the Oct. 1 meeting hosted by the county to discuss taking Lake Tahoe Boulevard from four to two lanes. He and several others spoke out saying the road is just fine. Many ridiculed the idea, especially when no study has been done on the number of cyclists using the road or how many might use a trail or lane if it were built.
Contentious only begins to describe the atmosphere at Lake Tahoe Airport that night. Nerves are still frayed from Angora. Anything that would thwart emergency vehicles from getting to the neighborhood will not go over well with residents.
“Why did they try to disguise it under an enhancement program?” Mauriello asked the next day. That’s what the information the county sent out called it. “If you want a bike lane, I have nothing against it. I’m a biker, but let them build another bike lane next to (the road).”
He has driven a bus for Heavenly and knows what the roads are like on a blustery winter day with tourists pouring out of town. He is fearful that shrinking the number of lanes will cause more head-on collisions, reduce the response time for emergency vehicles and create hazardous situations.
Even though Mauriello is likely to leave the neighborhood soon, his passion for what he believes is right has not waned. Just ask him about replanting Angora Ridge.
Defensible space v. insurance companies
unedited Nov. 08 Tahoe Mt. News story
By Kathryn Reed
South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Lorenzo Gigliotti isn’t leaving defensible space issues up to his staff. When calls started rolling in from residents who had their home owners’ insurance dropped, he took a look at some of the properties.
“Allstate says defensible space is 300 feet. In most cases that is well out of the control of the owner and beyond the state requirements,” Gigliotti said.
Lisa and Paul Huard had Allstate for 25 years, never filed a claim and were issued a non-renewal notice this summer. They met with Allstate agent Bob Harder after the Angora Fire of summer 2007 to assess their coverage. They increased it, paid more and now feel like their money was merely used to pay off claims elsewhere in the state.
They’ve filed a complaint with the state Department of Insurance. While the wheels of bureaucracy turn at a glacial pace, they opted to switch to Ameriprise.
State law requires companies to let a policyholder know at least 45 days in advance of a non-renewal. And they must provide specific reasons.
Allstate told the Huards that trees, the house next door and their then shake roof were issues even though when they spoke to Harder a year ago he said it was OK to wait a year to replace the roof.
The Huards put on a new roof this summer. They have removed trees. The California Tahoe Conservancy has treated the lot next to them. On the other side is a house. Behind them is Barton Meadow.
“It kills me to see those commercials that say you are in good hands with Allstate,” Lisa Huard said. “Corporate said I was denied by the underwriters.”
Harder referred calls from the Tahoe Mountain News to corporate.
“Allstate is inspecting properties in high-risk wildfire areas throughout California to help identify potential issues well in advance of our customers’ policy renewal date. If any issues are identified, and those issues are corrected or resolved prior to the renewal date, Allstate will renew its current customers’ homeowner policies, subject to applicable Allstate underwriting guidelines,” said Pete DeMarco, Allstate spokesman. “Allstate is taking responsible steps to manage our risk so that the company is in a financially strong position. Every property is unique, and greater clearance requirements may be warranted in particular situations.”
He would not speak to specific cases.
Allstate is the third largest insurance company in the state, with approximately 850,000 homeowners’ polices. It will not say how many of those are in Lake Tahoe or the vicinity. DeMarco said the company has no intention of pulling out of the area. However, it is not issuing new policies to Lake Tahoe home owners.
What others say
According to Jason Kimbrough with the state Department of Insurance, the agency will only track complaints about non-renewal notices from the burn area. It hasn’t received any. Nor does the state keep track of companies leaving Lake Tahoe, nor does it have a record of the number of companies operating here.
The Insurance Information Network of California, a trade organization for the insurance industry, says non-renewals are declining in the state. Tully Lehman, spokesman for the group, said companies are always assessing how much risk they have in certain areas.
Jesse and Sondra Garner are two other locals who received a non-renewal notice. The Montgomery Estate residents got a letter in March from United Services Automobile Association, a company that predominately insures military personnel. USSA had insured the house for more than decade.
The company sent an inspector to evaluate the property.
“We are very active about defensible space,” Jesse Garner said. “We initially said goody, bring it on because we are the best in the neighborhood.”
He is even a member of his neighborhood’s fire safe chapter.
He said the inspector was complimentary of the work they were doing. On June 4 an underwriter called to say their policy wouldn’t be renewed as of Aug. 11. The 11-page report was faxed to the Garners.
“It was so full of bogus bull. It is just laughable,” Garner said.
Someone on the phone old him the issue was that he lives in a wooded area.
The Garners are now with AAA – at lower rates.
AAA is obviously writing new policies in South Lake. They were one of the companies with good reviews from victims of Angora.
However, company spokesman Matt Skryja said, “Things are status quo, but currently we are reviewing our guidelines and practices.” He would not elaborate.
State Farm is another agency that is continuing to write policies.
“We have no concerted effort to not renew policies because of wildfire exposure,” said Vince Wetzel, State Farm spokesman. “We constantly look at the homes we insure on a case by case basis. We look at defensible space and we look at the risk they have like outdated roofs and the overall condition of the home to make sure it is in the best state possible to withstand wildfire.”
Defensible space
When it comes to assessing the threat of fire, DeMarco said, “Allstate’s brush requirements are based on many safety factors that may impact firefighters’ ability to access and defend the property. We look at factors such as the width of streets, distance to a water source, the amount of combustible vegetation, the degree of the slope, and the readability of road signs or difficulty in finding the property.”
The state requires a non-combustible area from zero to 5 feet from the property. From 5 to 30 feet the area should have limited flammable vegetation, with no ladder fuels and be well irrigated. Out to 100 feet the fuel zone should be reduced by paying attention to the horizontal and vertical space between trees and shrubs.
A guide to defensible space is “Living With Fire: A guide for the homeowner” which was put out by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. For more information, go to www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe.
Even though this is supposed to be the bible Lake Tahoe homeowners are to live by, fire officials say it is a “guide” and not something written in stone. This leaves some residents a bit perplexed.
Leona Allen with Lake Valley Fire does defensible space inspections for that department. She can mark trees to be cut based on defensible space, while TRPA assesses forest health.
She likes to ask residents how comfortable they would be to have a softball size ember land on their property or dwelling. That’s the size that were flying around Angora and catching houses on fire. An ember caught her deck on fire, which caught the house on fire and made it a total loss in June ’07.
At the home of Jacke Crump and Cheryl Murakami, Allen talked about the direction of prevailing winds being factor, praised them for having firewood stored inside as opposed to outside where it would be considered an accelerant,
Crump found some of the decisions arbitrary, and questioned leaving some of the clumps of trees and wondered about the canopy of some trees being so close.
“Big trees are more resistant to fire,” Allen said. “It’s not arbitrary. It’s more individual to each property.”
The key is when flames next erupt, that it stays a ground fire and doesn’t become a crown fire.
The basin-wide policy set by TRPA says homeowners must have a permit to cut a tree that is more than 14 inches in diameter. Some homeowners want more control of protecting their property from fire.
In the Cold Creek area, Allen looks over the work that has been done since she issued a defensible space inspection checklist to the owners. It’s remarkable how few pine needles are scattered – a TRPA no-no pre-Angora. It’s not that erosion measures have been voided, it’s just that basin fire chiefs were able to rewrite some of the rules.
The owners, who chose not to use their names, have joined the local fire safe council.
The back has been thinned of threatening brush. White thorn, bitter brush and manzanita are still there – just not in a growth pattern this is combustible or that could be consider ladder fuels. The Squaw carpet is good for erosion and defensible space.
Allen said willows, aspens, birch and all deciduous trees are good.
Lake Valley may be reached at (530) 577-2447 and South Lake Tahoe at (530) 542-6180. Fallen Leaf and Tahoe-Douglas fire departments also want to help homeowners with defensible space.
By Kathryn Reed
South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Lorenzo Gigliotti isn’t leaving defensible space issues up to his staff. When calls started rolling in from residents who had their home owners’ insurance dropped, he took a look at some of the properties.
“Allstate says defensible space is 300 feet. In most cases that is well out of the control of the owner and beyond the state requirements,” Gigliotti said.
Lisa and Paul Huard had Allstate for 25 years, never filed a claim and were issued a non-renewal notice this summer. They met with Allstate agent Bob Harder after the Angora Fire of summer 2007 to assess their coverage. They increased it, paid more and now feel like their money was merely used to pay off claims elsewhere in the state.
They’ve filed a complaint with the state Department of Insurance. While the wheels of bureaucracy turn at a glacial pace, they opted to switch to Ameriprise.
State law requires companies to let a policyholder know at least 45 days in advance of a non-renewal. And they must provide specific reasons.
Allstate told the Huards that trees, the house next door and their then shake roof were issues even though when they spoke to Harder a year ago he said it was OK to wait a year to replace the roof.
The Huards put on a new roof this summer. They have removed trees. The California Tahoe Conservancy has treated the lot next to them. On the other side is a house. Behind them is Barton Meadow.
“It kills me to see those commercials that say you are in good hands with Allstate,” Lisa Huard said. “Corporate said I was denied by the underwriters.”
Harder referred calls from the Tahoe Mountain News to corporate.
“Allstate is inspecting properties in high-risk wildfire areas throughout California to help identify potential issues well in advance of our customers’ policy renewal date. If any issues are identified, and those issues are corrected or resolved prior to the renewal date, Allstate will renew its current customers’ homeowner policies, subject to applicable Allstate underwriting guidelines,” said Pete DeMarco, Allstate spokesman. “Allstate is taking responsible steps to manage our risk so that the company is in a financially strong position. Every property is unique, and greater clearance requirements may be warranted in particular situations.”
He would not speak to specific cases.
Allstate is the third largest insurance company in the state, with approximately 850,000 homeowners’ polices. It will not say how many of those are in Lake Tahoe or the vicinity. DeMarco said the company has no intention of pulling out of the area. However, it is not issuing new policies to Lake Tahoe home owners.
What others say
According to Jason Kimbrough with the state Department of Insurance, the agency will only track complaints about non-renewal notices from the burn area. It hasn’t received any. Nor does the state keep track of companies leaving Lake Tahoe, nor does it have a record of the number of companies operating here.
The Insurance Information Network of California, a trade organization for the insurance industry, says non-renewals are declining in the state. Tully Lehman, spokesman for the group, said companies are always assessing how much risk they have in certain areas.
Jesse and Sondra Garner are two other locals who received a non-renewal notice. The Montgomery Estate residents got a letter in March from United Services Automobile Association, a company that predominately insures military personnel. USSA had insured the house for more than decade.
The company sent an inspector to evaluate the property.
“We are very active about defensible space,” Jesse Garner said. “We initially said goody, bring it on because we are the best in the neighborhood.”
He is even a member of his neighborhood’s fire safe chapter.
He said the inspector was complimentary of the work they were doing. On June 4 an underwriter called to say their policy wouldn’t be renewed as of Aug. 11. The 11-page report was faxed to the Garners.
“It was so full of bogus bull. It is just laughable,” Garner said.
Someone on the phone old him the issue was that he lives in a wooded area.
The Garners are now with AAA – at lower rates.
AAA is obviously writing new policies in South Lake. They were one of the companies with good reviews from victims of Angora.
However, company spokesman Matt Skryja said, “Things are status quo, but currently we are reviewing our guidelines and practices.” He would not elaborate.
State Farm is another agency that is continuing to write policies.
“We have no concerted effort to not renew policies because of wildfire exposure,” said Vince Wetzel, State Farm spokesman. “We constantly look at the homes we insure on a case by case basis. We look at defensible space and we look at the risk they have like outdated roofs and the overall condition of the home to make sure it is in the best state possible to withstand wildfire.”
Defensible space
When it comes to assessing the threat of fire, DeMarco said, “Allstate’s brush requirements are based on many safety factors that may impact firefighters’ ability to access and defend the property. We look at factors such as the width of streets, distance to a water source, the amount of combustible vegetation, the degree of the slope, and the readability of road signs or difficulty in finding the property.”
The state requires a non-combustible area from zero to 5 feet from the property. From 5 to 30 feet the area should have limited flammable vegetation, with no ladder fuels and be well irrigated. Out to 100 feet the fuel zone should be reduced by paying attention to the horizontal and vertical space between trees and shrubs.
A guide to defensible space is “Living With Fire: A guide for the homeowner” which was put out by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. For more information, go to www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe.
Even though this is supposed to be the bible Lake Tahoe homeowners are to live by, fire officials say it is a “guide” and not something written in stone. This leaves some residents a bit perplexed.
Leona Allen with Lake Valley Fire does defensible space inspections for that department. She can mark trees to be cut based on defensible space, while TRPA assesses forest health.
She likes to ask residents how comfortable they would be to have a softball size ember land on their property or dwelling. That’s the size that were flying around Angora and catching houses on fire. An ember caught her deck on fire, which caught the house on fire and made it a total loss in June ’07.
At the home of Jacke Crump and Cheryl Murakami, Allen talked about the direction of prevailing winds being factor, praised them for having firewood stored inside as opposed to outside where it would be considered an accelerant,
Crump found some of the decisions arbitrary, and questioned leaving some of the clumps of trees and wondered about the canopy of some trees being so close.
“Big trees are more resistant to fire,” Allen said. “It’s not arbitrary. It’s more individual to each property.”
The key is when flames next erupt, that it stays a ground fire and doesn’t become a crown fire.
The basin-wide policy set by TRPA says homeowners must have a permit to cut a tree that is more than 14 inches in diameter. Some homeowners want more control of protecting their property from fire.
In the Cold Creek area, Allen looks over the work that has been done since she issued a defensible space inspection checklist to the owners. It’s remarkable how few pine needles are scattered – a TRPA no-no pre-Angora. It’s not that erosion measures have been voided, it’s just that basin fire chiefs were able to rewrite some of the rules.
The owners, who chose not to use their names, have joined the local fire safe council.
The back has been thinned of threatening brush. White thorn, bitter brush and manzanita are still there – just not in a growth pattern this is combustible or that could be consider ladder fuels. The Squaw carpet is good for erosion and defensible space.
Allen said willows, aspens, birch and all deciduous trees are good.
Lake Valley may be reached at (530) 577-2447 and South Lake Tahoe at (530) 542-6180. Fallen Leaf and Tahoe-Douglas fire departments also want to help homeowners with defensible space.
Angora contractors fined
unedited Oct. 08 Tahoe Mt. News story
By Kathryn Reed
When Cal-OSHA sweeps into the Angora burn area, subtlety is not the operatives’ strong suit.
They file out of vans. Disperse. And then they set off a chain of cell phone calls from one contractor to the next as they alert their brethren about the state inspectors.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Industrial Relations, which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is under, did not have statistics detailing which contractors have been fined, what the infractions were or what the amount was.
Steve Yonker of Yonker Construction in South Lake said his firm was fined $150 for having a blade on a saw pinned back and not having the correct railing on scaffolding.
Yonker has five houses under construction in the burn area.
Erin Wiseman of Mcintyre Enterprises said one of their subcontractors incurred a “token” fine. She said her company has not been fined.
Most of the contractors who were contacted by phone or at the job site said Cal-OSHA protects workers and the companies. Most added that if inspectors look hard enough, infractions can be found on any job.
Some of the routine violations have to do with not wearing proper clothing – long-sleeves, hard hats and steel toed boots are required.
Some workers had hard hats. Some said it’s too cumbersome when working in tight corners. Gloves are required, but contractors say this impedes dexterity.
Safety glasses are required. Masks are mandated when dealing with paint. Cords can’t be frayed. Tools can’t be modified. First aid kits are mandatory. Safety posters must be visible. Fall protection from roof work is required.
Chris Spann of Erickson Carpentry out of Reno keeps a 5-inch thick project safety manual in his truck – a Cal-OSHA requirement for the two houses on Mule Deer Circle he is working on.
“They are out here to keep us from getting hurt,” Spann said of Cal-OSHA. He said safety issues are a priority with his company and that being fired for not following the rules is a real possibility.
Michael Brady owns a painting company under the same name. He had to take off his mask to talk to a reporter. He hasn’t seen any state inspectors, but said he is a stickler for safety and has all of his workers’ comp and liability insurance in order.
Ladder falls are some of the more common mishaps at a construction site. A homeowner on Mule Deer said he witnessed a non-injury fall behind his house on Sept. 30. Owners on Mount Olympia Circle know about a drywall guy falling from a ladder. Drake Niven knows of three ladder falls in early September.
Niven is building four houses in the burn area, with one being complete. He’s all for safety, but believes Cal-OSHA has some ridiculous mandates like regulating when workers take water breaks. He believes his crew can figure out when they are thirsty and hungry without being told.
“Construction is a dangerous job,” Niven said. “No matter how anal you are, OSHA is even more anal.”
By Kathryn Reed
When Cal-OSHA sweeps into the Angora burn area, subtlety is not the operatives’ strong suit.
They file out of vans. Disperse. And then they set off a chain of cell phone calls from one contractor to the next as they alert their brethren about the state inspectors.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Industrial Relations, which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is under, did not have statistics detailing which contractors have been fined, what the infractions were or what the amount was.
Steve Yonker of Yonker Construction in South Lake said his firm was fined $150 for having a blade on a saw pinned back and not having the correct railing on scaffolding.
Yonker has five houses under construction in the burn area.
Erin Wiseman of Mcintyre Enterprises said one of their subcontractors incurred a “token” fine. She said her company has not been fined.
Most of the contractors who were contacted by phone or at the job site said Cal-OSHA protects workers and the companies. Most added that if inspectors look hard enough, infractions can be found on any job.
Some of the routine violations have to do with not wearing proper clothing – long-sleeves, hard hats and steel toed boots are required.
Some workers had hard hats. Some said it’s too cumbersome when working in tight corners. Gloves are required, but contractors say this impedes dexterity.
Safety glasses are required. Masks are mandated when dealing with paint. Cords can’t be frayed. Tools can’t be modified. First aid kits are mandatory. Safety posters must be visible. Fall protection from roof work is required.
Chris Spann of Erickson Carpentry out of Reno keeps a 5-inch thick project safety manual in his truck – a Cal-OSHA requirement for the two houses on Mule Deer Circle he is working on.
“They are out here to keep us from getting hurt,” Spann said of Cal-OSHA. He said safety issues are a priority with his company and that being fired for not following the rules is a real possibility.
Michael Brady owns a painting company under the same name. He had to take off his mask to talk to a reporter. He hasn’t seen any state inspectors, but said he is a stickler for safety and has all of his workers’ comp and liability insurance in order.
Ladder falls are some of the more common mishaps at a construction site. A homeowner on Mule Deer said he witnessed a non-injury fall behind his house on Sept. 30. Owners on Mount Olympia Circle know about a drywall guy falling from a ladder. Drake Niven knows of three ladder falls in early September.
Niven is building four houses in the burn area, with one being complete. He’s all for safety, but believes Cal-OSHA has some ridiculous mandates like regulating when workers take water breaks. He believes his crew can figure out when they are thirsty and hungry without being told.
“Construction is a dangerous job,” Niven said. “No matter how anal you are, OSHA is even more anal.”
Lakeview Commons takes shape
unedited Oct. Tahoe Mt. News story
By Kathryn Reed
Construction could begin in the spring to revitalize El Dorado Beach, including the pedestrian-bike trail and day use area.
This is the first phase of what has been known as the 56-acre project. It has been renamed Lakeview Commons. The dictionary definition of commons is “a tract of land belonging to or used by the community as a whole.”
The emphasis of the project since its infancy has been to create a place for locals that tourists might also enjoy. The initial phase is 4.7 acres, with 3.6 acres of that being touched by construction. The remaining acreage on the mountain side of the highway includes Campground by the Lake, library, city rec complex and other established uses.
One might say Lakeview Commons is in its toddler years as it begins to show real personality. Complete build out is anticipated for 2017.
What’s going on?
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency staff requested clarification on the original permit application that was filed Aug. 8. Answers were submitted earlier this month. The TRPA has 30 days to review that information.
California Tahoe Conservancy funded the planning phase and has set aside $8 million that could be used for construction. El Dorado County owns the two main parcels. South Lake Tahoe has a 55-year lease that expires in July 2023 for about 40 of the 56 acres. The lease can be extended if the use remains essentially the same.
The city owns more than 15 acres in the area. The lakefront area from Fremont Avenue to almost Rufus Allen is city property. A wedge next to it is owned by Inn by the Lake. El Dorado Beach is county property.
The initial phase of Lakeview Commons starts at Lakeview Avenue and goes to Rufus Allen Boulevard, and includes the shoreline to the highway.
An application is expected to be filed with the city’s planning department this month. Lahontan Water Board will be the next agency brought into the mix.
If permits are in hand, the plan is to go out for bid in late January or early February. The initial project could take one building season.
However, funds for the multimillion dollar project are not all in the bank. Grants will be sought as well as other revenue streams.
Caltrans is an integral player in this massive undertaking. The transportation gurus have for years had the Highway 50 project on the books. The Trout Creek to Ski Run Boulevard project, which encompasses Lakeview Commons, is in the design phase and should be in September 2009, with construction starting the next year.
The lakeside portion by El Dorado Beach is considered a water quality improvement project. Therefore Caltrans can’t dedicate dollars to sidewalk improvements there. The agency does have money for sidewalks and lights on the campground side.
Caltrans is responsible for the unsightly drain on the east edge of El Dorado Beach that transports unfiltered gunk from the highway into the Lake. The pipe is on city property and was put there via an easement.
As part of Caltrans’ 2010 construction project a water filtration system will be put in. One option is a Delaware Sand Filter. Caltrans spokeswoman Shelly Chernicki does not know if the old pipe will be removed, needed or replaced with something more aesthetically pleasing. Some sort of pipe will have to take the filtered water to the Lake.
Design elements
The concept on the lakeside is to have the area terraced from the retaining wall to the sand. Access to the beach will not be steep like it is now. In the future people in wheelchairs, using walkers or those who don’t like stairs will be able to get to the water.
The terraced area will have seating and mountain vegetation.
“Toward the east end we are still pursing a cantilevered walkway to open that area … to eliminate the conflicting use on the bike path,” said Peter Eichar, CTC program analyst.
No changes will be made to the parking area, nor improvements made to the boat launch. Bike racks will be added. A bi-level concessionaire building and restroom will be erected that will include storage for non-motorized boats for private individuals.
“The important message is this project will be a model of sustainability and green design,” said Deb Vreeland, project manager. “It reflects the forward thinking of the city and county. It will be the signature project to initiate a new generation of building on the South Shore.”
The CTC board in December will be asked for money to further the planning in the campground area of Lakeview Commons. Those plans have not progressed since January when the City Council and county Board of Supervisors approved the initial concept. Those plans call for an amphitheater, possibly removing some campsites, moving the city’s corporation yard and county’s vector control, and creating walkways.
One concept is to move the weekly summer farmers market to Lakeview Commons. On Sept. 9 the City Council viewed a video of the San Luis Obispo market which incorporates more than just fresh veggies. Something in this vein is likely to be what South Tahoe’s market evolves into.
Jim Coalwell, who runs the local market, said he is in favor of this location. He envisions being able to expand the market’s offerings. He prefers a covered area because the winds in Tahoe can wreak havoc on the canopies the vendors use today.
On a side note, Coalwell said the market will be back at the American Legion Hall in 2009.
By Kathryn Reed
Construction could begin in the spring to revitalize El Dorado Beach, including the pedestrian-bike trail and day use area.
This is the first phase of what has been known as the 56-acre project. It has been renamed Lakeview Commons. The dictionary definition of commons is “a tract of land belonging to or used by the community as a whole.”
The emphasis of the project since its infancy has been to create a place for locals that tourists might also enjoy. The initial phase is 4.7 acres, with 3.6 acres of that being touched by construction. The remaining acreage on the mountain side of the highway includes Campground by the Lake, library, city rec complex and other established uses.
One might say Lakeview Commons is in its toddler years as it begins to show real personality. Complete build out is anticipated for 2017.
What’s going on?
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency staff requested clarification on the original permit application that was filed Aug. 8. Answers were submitted earlier this month. The TRPA has 30 days to review that information.
California Tahoe Conservancy funded the planning phase and has set aside $8 million that could be used for construction. El Dorado County owns the two main parcels. South Lake Tahoe has a 55-year lease that expires in July 2023 for about 40 of the 56 acres. The lease can be extended if the use remains essentially the same.
The city owns more than 15 acres in the area. The lakefront area from Fremont Avenue to almost Rufus Allen is city property. A wedge next to it is owned by Inn by the Lake. El Dorado Beach is county property.
The initial phase of Lakeview Commons starts at Lakeview Avenue and goes to Rufus Allen Boulevard, and includes the shoreline to the highway.
An application is expected to be filed with the city’s planning department this month. Lahontan Water Board will be the next agency brought into the mix.
If permits are in hand, the plan is to go out for bid in late January or early February. The initial project could take one building season.
However, funds for the multimillion dollar project are not all in the bank. Grants will be sought as well as other revenue streams.
Caltrans is an integral player in this massive undertaking. The transportation gurus have for years had the Highway 50 project on the books. The Trout Creek to Ski Run Boulevard project, which encompasses Lakeview Commons, is in the design phase and should be in September 2009, with construction starting the next year.
The lakeside portion by El Dorado Beach is considered a water quality improvement project. Therefore Caltrans can’t dedicate dollars to sidewalk improvements there. The agency does have money for sidewalks and lights on the campground side.
Caltrans is responsible for the unsightly drain on the east edge of El Dorado Beach that transports unfiltered gunk from the highway into the Lake. The pipe is on city property and was put there via an easement.
As part of Caltrans’ 2010 construction project a water filtration system will be put in. One option is a Delaware Sand Filter. Caltrans spokeswoman Shelly Chernicki does not know if the old pipe will be removed, needed or replaced with something more aesthetically pleasing. Some sort of pipe will have to take the filtered water to the Lake.
Design elements
The concept on the lakeside is to have the area terraced from the retaining wall to the sand. Access to the beach will not be steep like it is now. In the future people in wheelchairs, using walkers or those who don’t like stairs will be able to get to the water.
The terraced area will have seating and mountain vegetation.
“Toward the east end we are still pursing a cantilevered walkway to open that area … to eliminate the conflicting use on the bike path,” said Peter Eichar, CTC program analyst.
No changes will be made to the parking area, nor improvements made to the boat launch. Bike racks will be added. A bi-level concessionaire building and restroom will be erected that will include storage for non-motorized boats for private individuals.
“The important message is this project will be a model of sustainability and green design,” said Deb Vreeland, project manager. “It reflects the forward thinking of the city and county. It will be the signature project to initiate a new generation of building on the South Shore.”
The CTC board in December will be asked for money to further the planning in the campground area of Lakeview Commons. Those plans have not progressed since January when the City Council and county Board of Supervisors approved the initial concept. Those plans call for an amphitheater, possibly removing some campsites, moving the city’s corporation yard and county’s vector control, and creating walkways.
One concept is to move the weekly summer farmers market to Lakeview Commons. On Sept. 9 the City Council viewed a video of the San Luis Obispo market which incorporates more than just fresh veggies. Something in this vein is likely to be what South Tahoe’s market evolves into.
Jim Coalwell, who runs the local market, said he is in favor of this location. He envisions being able to expand the market’s offerings. He prefers a covered area because the winds in Tahoe can wreak havoc on the canopies the vendors use today.
On a side note, Coalwell said the market will be back at the American Legion Hall in 2009.
Indian gaming and Reno
All lit up, but no one to serve by Ed Vogel , Las Vegas Review-Journal
Updated: December 1, 2008, 9:32 AM EST
LINCOLN, Calif.
On a sunny Monday afternoon in late September, the parking lots outside of the Thunder Valley Casino are jammed with cars.
Inside the Indian casino, dealers are doing a bang-up business with players anchored to most seats around the blackjack tables and slot players keeping most of the 2,700 slot machines busy.
A dejected Margaret McDonald, 67, mutters mild profanities as she waits outside the casino for the free bus to carry her from Thunder Valley, 25 miles northeast of Sacramento, back to her Santa Rosa home. She has lost her gaming budget at the slot machines.
Jump ahead two weeks.
On an almost identical pleasant Monday afternoon in Reno, most parking spaces are unoccupied in the parking garages next to the Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and Eldorado hotel-casinos.
More than two-thirds of the blackjack and roulette tables in each casino are closed for a lack of players, and only a handful of gamblers sit in front of slot machines.
The Silver Legacy race and sports book has fewer players than the 17 TV sets tuned to the American League Baseball playoff game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox .
On the second floor of these casinos are dozens of shops where you can buy jewelry, ice cream and Harley-Davidson motorcycle souvenirs, or toss a coin on a plate and win a big stuffed animal.
The vast majority are devoid of customers.
Like the streets of Reno these days, the Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus casinos are immaculately clean.
They offer far more amenities than Thunder Valley, Cache Creek, the Jackson Rancheria and other major Indian casinos in Northern California.
What they lack are players.
Indian gaming, coupled with the recession, has turned Reno into an afterthought for some gamblers.
A dozen players waiting for buses outside the Thunder Valley all said they dislike making the trek over the snowy Sierra Nevada in the winter.
Summer is fine for trips to Reno, they said, except this year because of higher gasoline prices.
If they have a weekday urge to gamble, it is just much more convenient to take a quick free bus trip to Thunder Valley than to waste three hours driving on Interstate 80 into Reno.
"I like Reno," McDonald said as her bus arrived to take her home. "But I won't drive there in the winter."
Back in Reno, 79-year-old North Dakota resident Brian Beckson stands along an almost pedestrian-free Virginia Street.
"Reno is nice," he said. "This is the first time I have been here since 1962. I wouldn't come here in the winter. It gets cold and snowy."
Silver Legacy officials declined comment.
Both Indian gaming and the severity of the recession have contributed to the downturn in gaming in Washoe County, said Ellen Oppenheim, president of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.
"People are staying closer to home and trimming their budget a little bit," said Oppenheim, whose organization recently laid off 16 employees. "Those who game may come here three or four times a year and also go to Indian casinos a couple of times. Ten years ago they didn't have the Indian casino option."
But Oppenheim said the convention authority's studies show only 15 percent of visitors come to the Re no area strictly because of gaming, but 90 percent end up playing in casinos. Visitor totals have declined "a little bit," but still approach 5 million a year, she added.
Gaming no longer is the "first hook" the convention authority uses to promote the area to visitors, she said. Instead the agency emphasizes special events, the area's scenic beauty, and 18 nearby world-class ski resorts.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, Washoe County casinos won $997 million, the first time in 11 years that the area's gaming revenue dropped below $1 billion. Gaming revenue continues to fall in the county, dropping 205 percent in September. Revenues are down 9 percent overall since the fiscal year's start.
The casinos in Douglas County along Lake Tahoe's south shore won $320 million, $25 million less than in 1990.
Reno's last new casino, the Silver Legacy, opened in 1995, although there since has been major expansion at the Peppermill and Atlantis.
Fitzgeralds had planned to lay off 475 employees in closing its downtown Reno casino in November.
In contrast, gaming has made the Auburn United Indian Community tribe, owners of Thunder Valley, richer than anyone could have dreamed five years ago.
Tribal spokesman Doug Elmets and the Indians won't release information on the casino's profits or the per capita shares distributed to the tribe's 255 members, of which five work at Thunder Valley.
"Put it this way: the kids can go to a tribal school, a private school or any college in the country," said Elmets, a Sacramento public relations company owner who began working for the tribe when it was broke. "They can go to Choate or Exeter," he said, referring to pricey private schools.
Tribal members receive per capita distributions of $300,000 to $500,000 annually, according to estimates.
Thunder Valley even spent thousands of dollars in the spring devising a way to move swallows that had been nesting under the casino's eaves. The birds now nest in a $500,000 birdhouse built at the edge of a parking lot.
Elmets remembers the 1990s, when many tribal members were living in squalor 20 miles away in the Auburn Rancheria reservation.
"It was the most abject poverty you ever could see," he said.
"They were barely getting by in terms of food. They were living in homes that had planks for roofs and plastic sheeting for windows."
He infuriated the Reno media and gaming industry with the comment he made when the tribe opened Thunder Valley in June 2003.
"My quote was, 'The beauty of Thunder Valley is that it is between San Francisco and Reno below the snow line where no chains are required,'" he recalled.
But winter road closures aren't as common as some people believe, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Shelly Chernick said, although fear of a closure may factor into gamblers' reluctance to travel.
Last winter I-80 was closed 174 times, totaling 133 hours, as 420 inches of snow fell in the mountains, Caltrans statistics show. But only 10 closures lasted more than two hours. In the 2004-05 winter, the freeway was closed 350 hours.
With its opening five years ago, Thunder Valley quickly began to siphon off Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area gamblers who used to journey over the Sierra into the casinos of the Biggest Little City in the World.
The casino's interior, with 2,700 slots and 100 table games, was patterned after the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson.
Las Vegas-based Station Casinos operates the casino for the tribe for a 24 percent cut of gaming revenues.
Falling below $1 billion in winnings is symbolic of the troubles Reno casinos have experienced since Indian gaming emerged in Northern California, said Bill Eadington, an economics professor and the director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno.
In terms of real dollars, Eadington said Reno gaming winnings are off 35 percent since 2000.
The city no longer is a "signature market" for players, and the gaming will decline more as Indian tribes begin to construct nicer facilities that offer more than just gaming, he predicted.
That is coming soon.
The United Auburn Indian Community found sufficient financing to break ground ago on an estimated $600 million expansion project to Thunder Valley.
Thunder Valley planned to add a five-star 600-room hotel, a 3,000-seat performing arts theater and expanded gaming space to the existing casino. Completion was expected in 2010, but a tribal official announced Wednesday that the tribe will probably downsize the project when it is re-evaluated in three to six months.
Doug Elmets, a spokesman for Thunder Valley Casino, said the declining economy prompted the change.
Construction on the project had already been halted with just five of the 22 stories built.
However, the Red Hawk Casino is expected to open along U.S. Highway 50 near Placerville, Calif., late this year.
The casino, operated by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, will open with 2,000 slot machines, but has state approval to expand to 5,000 gaming devices.
The Red Hawk will capture traffic that now continues through the mountains or to casinos on the south shore of Lake Tahoe.
Eadington said gaming has "diminished in importance" to Reno, adding the city has done a better job than Las Vegas in diversifying its economy.
In September, Reno's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent, lower than Las Vegas' 7.4 percent.
But Indian gaming isn't the only thing threatening Reno's gaming industry. Elmets said the city is being hurt just as much by the recession and high gasoline prices.
"The recession has affected everyone in the casino business," he said. "People don't have the same discretionary income and are cutting back on visits. Nonetheless, this property is doing very well by virtue of its location and by virtue of the fact there is limited competition."
Eadington agrees that high gasoline prices and the economic downturn hurt Reno tourism this summer.
"But what is happening is a continuation of a trend," he added.
"Thunder Valley and Cache Creek are becoming true destination resorts. It is going to be difficult for Reno to overcome the challenge. Some will not survive."
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.
Updated: December 1, 2008, 9:32 AM EST
LINCOLN, Calif.
On a sunny Monday afternoon in late September, the parking lots outside of the Thunder Valley Casino are jammed with cars.
Inside the Indian casino, dealers are doing a bang-up business with players anchored to most seats around the blackjack tables and slot players keeping most of the 2,700 slot machines busy.
A dejected Margaret McDonald, 67, mutters mild profanities as she waits outside the casino for the free bus to carry her from Thunder Valley, 25 miles northeast of Sacramento, back to her Santa Rosa home. She has lost her gaming budget at the slot machines.
Jump ahead two weeks.
On an almost identical pleasant Monday afternoon in Reno, most parking spaces are unoccupied in the parking garages next to the Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and Eldorado hotel-casinos.
More than two-thirds of the blackjack and roulette tables in each casino are closed for a lack of players, and only a handful of gamblers sit in front of slot machines.
The Silver Legacy race and sports book has fewer players than the 17 TV sets tuned to the American League Baseball playoff game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox .
On the second floor of these casinos are dozens of shops where you can buy jewelry, ice cream and Harley-Davidson motorcycle souvenirs, or toss a coin on a plate and win a big stuffed animal.
The vast majority are devoid of customers.
Like the streets of Reno these days, the Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus casinos are immaculately clean.
They offer far more amenities than Thunder Valley, Cache Creek, the Jackson Rancheria and other major Indian casinos in Northern California.
What they lack are players.
Indian gaming, coupled with the recession, has turned Reno into an afterthought for some gamblers.
A dozen players waiting for buses outside the Thunder Valley all said they dislike making the trek over the snowy Sierra Nevada in the winter.
Summer is fine for trips to Reno, they said, except this year because of higher gasoline prices.
If they have a weekday urge to gamble, it is just much more convenient to take a quick free bus trip to Thunder Valley than to waste three hours driving on Interstate 80 into Reno.
"I like Reno," McDonald said as her bus arrived to take her home. "But I won't drive there in the winter."
Back in Reno, 79-year-old North Dakota resident Brian Beckson stands along an almost pedestrian-free Virginia Street.
"Reno is nice," he said. "This is the first time I have been here since 1962. I wouldn't come here in the winter. It gets cold and snowy."
Silver Legacy officials declined comment.
Both Indian gaming and the severity of the recession have contributed to the downturn in gaming in Washoe County, said Ellen Oppenheim, president of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.
"People are staying closer to home and trimming their budget a little bit," said Oppenheim, whose organization recently laid off 16 employees. "Those who game may come here three or four times a year and also go to Indian casinos a couple of times. Ten years ago they didn't have the Indian casino option."
But Oppenheim said the convention authority's studies show only 15 percent of visitors come to the Re no area strictly because of gaming, but 90 percent end up playing in casinos. Visitor totals have declined "a little bit," but still approach 5 million a year, she added.
Gaming no longer is the "first hook" the convention authority uses to promote the area to visitors, she said. Instead the agency emphasizes special events, the area's scenic beauty, and 18 nearby world-class ski resorts.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, Washoe County casinos won $997 million, the first time in 11 years that the area's gaming revenue dropped below $1 billion. Gaming revenue continues to fall in the county, dropping 205 percent in September. Revenues are down 9 percent overall since the fiscal year's start.
The casinos in Douglas County along Lake Tahoe's south shore won $320 million, $25 million less than in 1990.
Reno's last new casino, the Silver Legacy, opened in 1995, although there since has been major expansion at the Peppermill and Atlantis.
Fitzgeralds had planned to lay off 475 employees in closing its downtown Reno casino in November.
In contrast, gaming has made the Auburn United Indian Community tribe, owners of Thunder Valley, richer than anyone could have dreamed five years ago.
Tribal spokesman Doug Elmets and the Indians won't release information on the casino's profits or the per capita shares distributed to the tribe's 255 members, of which five work at Thunder Valley.
"Put it this way: the kids can go to a tribal school, a private school or any college in the country," said Elmets, a Sacramento public relations company owner who began working for the tribe when it was broke. "They can go to Choate or Exeter," he said, referring to pricey private schools.
Tribal members receive per capita distributions of $300,000 to $500,000 annually, according to estimates.
Thunder Valley even spent thousands of dollars in the spring devising a way to move swallows that had been nesting under the casino's eaves. The birds now nest in a $500,000 birdhouse built at the edge of a parking lot.
Elmets remembers the 1990s, when many tribal members were living in squalor 20 miles away in the Auburn Rancheria reservation.
"It was the most abject poverty you ever could see," he said.
"They were barely getting by in terms of food. They were living in homes that had planks for roofs and plastic sheeting for windows."
He infuriated the Reno media and gaming industry with the comment he made when the tribe opened Thunder Valley in June 2003.
"My quote was, 'The beauty of Thunder Valley is that it is between San Francisco and Reno below the snow line where no chains are required,'" he recalled.
But winter road closures aren't as common as some people believe, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Shelly Chernick said, although fear of a closure may factor into gamblers' reluctance to travel.
Last winter I-80 was closed 174 times, totaling 133 hours, as 420 inches of snow fell in the mountains, Caltrans statistics show. But only 10 closures lasted more than two hours. In the 2004-05 winter, the freeway was closed 350 hours.
With its opening five years ago, Thunder Valley quickly began to siphon off Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area gamblers who used to journey over the Sierra into the casinos of the Biggest Little City in the World.
The casino's interior, with 2,700 slots and 100 table games, was patterned after the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson.
Las Vegas-based Station Casinos operates the casino for the tribe for a 24 percent cut of gaming revenues.
Falling below $1 billion in winnings is symbolic of the troubles Reno casinos have experienced since Indian gaming emerged in Northern California, said Bill Eadington, an economics professor and the director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno.
In terms of real dollars, Eadington said Reno gaming winnings are off 35 percent since 2000.
The city no longer is a "signature market" for players, and the gaming will decline more as Indian tribes begin to construct nicer facilities that offer more than just gaming, he predicted.
That is coming soon.
The United Auburn Indian Community found sufficient financing to break ground ago on an estimated $600 million expansion project to Thunder Valley.
Thunder Valley planned to add a five-star 600-room hotel, a 3,000-seat performing arts theater and expanded gaming space to the existing casino. Completion was expected in 2010, but a tribal official announced Wednesday that the tribe will probably downsize the project when it is re-evaluated in three to six months.
Doug Elmets, a spokesman for Thunder Valley Casino, said the declining economy prompted the change.
Construction on the project had already been halted with just five of the 22 stories built.
However, the Red Hawk Casino is expected to open along U.S. Highway 50 near Placerville, Calif., late this year.
The casino, operated by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, will open with 2,000 slot machines, but has state approval to expand to 5,000 gaming devices.
The Red Hawk will capture traffic that now continues through the mountains or to casinos on the south shore of Lake Tahoe.
Eadington said gaming has "diminished in importance" to Reno, adding the city has done a better job than Las Vegas in diversifying its economy.
In September, Reno's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent, lower than Las Vegas' 7.4 percent.
But Indian gaming isn't the only thing threatening Reno's gaming industry. Elmets said the city is being hurt just as much by the recession and high gasoline prices.
"The recession has affected everyone in the casino business," he said. "People don't have the same discretionary income and are cutting back on visits. Nonetheless, this property is doing very well by virtue of its location and by virtue of the fact there is limited competition."
Eadington agrees that high gasoline prices and the economic downturn hurt Reno tourism this summer.
"But what is happening is a continuation of a trend," he added.
"Thunder Valley and Cache Creek are becoming true destination resorts. It is going to be difficult for Reno to overcome the challenge. Some will not survive."
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Candace Gingrich writes to her brother Newt
Letter to My Brother Newt Gingrich
I recently had the displeasure of watching you bash the protestors of the Prop 8 marriage ban to Bill O'Reilly on FOX News. I must say, after years of watching you build your career by stirring up the fears and prejudices of the far right, I feel compelled to use the words of your idol, Ronald Reagan, "There you go, again."
However, I realize that you may have been a little preoccupied lately with planning your resurrection as the savior of your party, so I thought I would fill you in on a few important developments you might have overlooked.
The truth is that you're living in a world that no longer exists. I, along with millions of Americans, clearly see the world the way it as -- and we embrace what it can be. You, on the other hand, seem incapable of looking for new ideas or moving beyond what worked in the past.
Welcome to the 21st century, big bro. I can understand why you're so afraid of the energy that has been unleashed after gay and lesbian couples had their rights stripped away from them by a hateful campaign. I can see why you're sounding the alarm against the activists who use all the latest tech tools to build these rallies from the ground up in cities across the country.
This unstoppable progress has at its core a group we at HRC call Generation Equality. They are the most supportive of full LGBT equality than any American generation ever -- and when it comes to the politics of division, well, they don't roll that way. 18-24 year olds voted overwhelmingly against Prop 8 and overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. And the numbers of young progressive voters will only continue to grow. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning, about 23 million 18-29 year olds voted on Nov. 4, 2008 -- the most young voters ever to cast a ballot in a presidential election. That's an increase of 3 million more voters compared to 2004.
These are the same people who helped elect Barack Obama and sent a decisive message to your party. These young people are the future and their energy will continue to drive our country forward. Even older Americans are turning their backs on the politics of fear and demagoguery that you and your cronies have perfected over the years.
This is a movement of the people that you most fear. It's a movement of progress -- and your words on FOX News only show how truly desperate you are to maintain control of a world that is changing before your very eyes.
Then again, we've seen these tactics before. We know how much the right likes to play political and cultural hardball, and then turn around and accuse us of lashing out first. You give a pass to a religious group -- one that looks down upon minorities and women -- when they use their money and membership roles to roll back the rights of others, and then you label us "fascists" when we fight back. You belittle the relationships of gay and lesbian couples, and yet somehow neglect to explain who anointed you the protector of "traditional" marriage. And, of course, you've also mastered taking the foolish actions of a few people and then indicting an entire population based on those mistakes. I fail to see how any of these patterns coincide with the values of "historic Christianity" you claim to champion.
Again, nothing new here. This is just more of the blatant hypocrisy we're used to hearing.
What really worries me is that you are always willing to use LGBT Americans as political weapons to further your ambitions. That's really so '90s, Newt. In this day and age, it's embarrassing to watch you talk like that. You should be more afraid of the new political climate in America, because, there is no place for you in it.
In other words, stop being a hater, big bro.
I recently had the displeasure of watching you bash the protestors of the Prop 8 marriage ban to Bill O'Reilly on FOX News. I must say, after years of watching you build your career by stirring up the fears and prejudices of the far right, I feel compelled to use the words of your idol, Ronald Reagan, "There you go, again."
However, I realize that you may have been a little preoccupied lately with planning your resurrection as the savior of your party, so I thought I would fill you in on a few important developments you might have overlooked.
The truth is that you're living in a world that no longer exists. I, along with millions of Americans, clearly see the world the way it as -- and we embrace what it can be. You, on the other hand, seem incapable of looking for new ideas or moving beyond what worked in the past.
Welcome to the 21st century, big bro. I can understand why you're so afraid of the energy that has been unleashed after gay and lesbian couples had their rights stripped away from them by a hateful campaign. I can see why you're sounding the alarm against the activists who use all the latest tech tools to build these rallies from the ground up in cities across the country.
This unstoppable progress has at its core a group we at HRC call Generation Equality. They are the most supportive of full LGBT equality than any American generation ever -- and when it comes to the politics of division, well, they don't roll that way. 18-24 year olds voted overwhelmingly against Prop 8 and overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. And the numbers of young progressive voters will only continue to grow. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning, about 23 million 18-29 year olds voted on Nov. 4, 2008 -- the most young voters ever to cast a ballot in a presidential election. That's an increase of 3 million more voters compared to 2004.
These are the same people who helped elect Barack Obama and sent a decisive message to your party. These young people are the future and their energy will continue to drive our country forward. Even older Americans are turning their backs on the politics of fear and demagoguery that you and your cronies have perfected over the years.
This is a movement of the people that you most fear. It's a movement of progress -- and your words on FOX News only show how truly desperate you are to maintain control of a world that is changing before your very eyes.
Then again, we've seen these tactics before. We know how much the right likes to play political and cultural hardball, and then turn around and accuse us of lashing out first. You give a pass to a religious group -- one that looks down upon minorities and women -- when they use their money and membership roles to roll back the rights of others, and then you label us "fascists" when we fight back. You belittle the relationships of gay and lesbian couples, and yet somehow neglect to explain who anointed you the protector of "traditional" marriage. And, of course, you've also mastered taking the foolish actions of a few people and then indicting an entire population based on those mistakes. I fail to see how any of these patterns coincide with the values of "historic Christianity" you claim to champion.
Again, nothing new here. This is just more of the blatant hypocrisy we're used to hearing.
What really worries me is that you are always willing to use LGBT Americans as political weapons to further your ambitions. That's really so '90s, Newt. In this day and age, it's embarrassing to watch you talk like that. You should be more afraid of the new political climate in America, because, there is no place for you in it.
In other words, stop being a hater, big bro.
Angora Burn area closures in Dec. 08
ANGORA HAZARD TREE REMOVAL BEGINS, CLOSURES IN EFFECT
The Forest Service will begin work on the Angora Hazard Tree Removal Project as early as next Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. The contract to perform hazard tree removal was awarded to Smith Crane and Rigging Inc. The project involves removing hazard trees that are within striking distance of National Forest System managed roads and trails.
Forest Supervisor Terri Marceron has issued forest orders to temporarily close public access to the areas where the contractor is working, due to public safety concerns. As the contractor completes work in an area, the Forest Service will reopen it to public access. The contractor will begin working along Angora Ridge Road and Forest Road 12N31 near Tahoe Mountain Road. Closures will be in effect Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., beginning December 1 and ending December 31, 2008.
The total project area encompasses about 256 acres of highly used roads and trails within the 3,100 acre Angora Fire area. Approximately one hundred sixty seven acres will be treated through a combination of mechanical removal and hand felling of hazard trees, and the remaining 89 acres will be treated through hand felling and monitoring tree mortality for future removal.
Hazard trees removed will primarily be utilized as biomass but sawlogs and fuelwood may be available. Some trees will be left in place to provide habitat for wildlife. The project includes extensive measures to protect water quality, particularly in stream environment zones, as well as sensitive wildlife habitat.
The Decision Memo for this project is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects/. Specifics of forest closure orders will be posted on the web site.
The Forest Service will begin work on the Angora Hazard Tree Removal Project as early as next Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. The contract to perform hazard tree removal was awarded to Smith Crane and Rigging Inc. The project involves removing hazard trees that are within striking distance of National Forest System managed roads and trails.
Forest Supervisor Terri Marceron has issued forest orders to temporarily close public access to the areas where the contractor is working, due to public safety concerns. As the contractor completes work in an area, the Forest Service will reopen it to public access. The contractor will begin working along Angora Ridge Road and Forest Road 12N31 near Tahoe Mountain Road. Closures will be in effect Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., beginning December 1 and ending December 31, 2008.
The total project area encompasses about 256 acres of highly used roads and trails within the 3,100 acre Angora Fire area. Approximately one hundred sixty seven acres will be treated through a combination of mechanical removal and hand felling of hazard trees, and the remaining 89 acres will be treated through hand felling and monitoring tree mortality for future removal.
Hazard trees removed will primarily be utilized as biomass but sawlogs and fuelwood may be available. Some trees will be left in place to provide habitat for wildlife. The project includes extensive measures to protect water quality, particularly in stream environment zones, as well as sensitive wildlife habitat.
The Decision Memo for this project is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects/. Specifics of forest closure orders will be posted on the web site.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tahoe Big Meadow restoration
Date: November 4, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs, Cheva Heck 530-543-2608 or Rex Norman 530-543-2627
BIG MEADOW RESTORATION PROPOSAL SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT
South Lake Tahoe Calif.-- The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking comments on the proposed action for the Big Meadow Creek Watershed Fire Regime Restoration Project. The proposed project would restore the ecological connections and functions between riparian corridors, aspen stands, meadows and adjacent Forest. Goals of the project include stimulating the growth of desirable native vegetation to sustain desirable plant and animal communities; reduce conifer encroachment, and reduce fuel loading to reduce the potential for high severity wildfires within the project area.
This project, it is currently in environmental analysis, and the Forest Service will be lead agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and is in the initial scoping stage of analysis seeking public comment. If you have information the Forest Service may not be aware of, or feel you have issues regarding potential effects of the proposed action, please send your comments to Raul Sanchez, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Dr., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this project will be most helpful if they are submitted by December 3, 2008. The office business hours for those providing hand-delivered comments are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Oral comments may be provided during normal business hours via telephone (530) 543-2600 or in person. Email comments may be sent to: comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us with the subject line: “Big Meadow Creek Watershed Fire Regime Restoration Project.”
If you would like to review the proposed action and map, they are posted on the LTBMU website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects. For further information regarding this proposed action, contact Raul Sanchez, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at (530) 543-2679, email rsanchez@fs.fed.us.
Contact: Public Affairs, Cheva Heck 530-543-2608 or Rex Norman 530-543-2627
BIG MEADOW RESTORATION PROPOSAL SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT
South Lake Tahoe Calif.-- The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking comments on the proposed action for the Big Meadow Creek Watershed Fire Regime Restoration Project. The proposed project would restore the ecological connections and functions between riparian corridors, aspen stands, meadows and adjacent Forest. Goals of the project include stimulating the growth of desirable native vegetation to sustain desirable plant and animal communities; reduce conifer encroachment, and reduce fuel loading to reduce the potential for high severity wildfires within the project area.
This project, it is currently in environmental analysis, and the Forest Service will be lead agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and is in the initial scoping stage of analysis seeking public comment. If you have information the Forest Service may not be aware of, or feel you have issues regarding potential effects of the proposed action, please send your comments to Raul Sanchez, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Dr., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this project will be most helpful if they are submitted by December 3, 2008. The office business hours for those providing hand-delivered comments are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Oral comments may be provided during normal business hours via telephone (530) 543-2600 or in person. Email comments may be sent to: comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us with the subject line: “Big Meadow Creek Watershed Fire Regime Restoration Project.”
If you would like to review the proposed action and map, they are posted on the LTBMU website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects. For further information regarding this proposed action, contact Raul Sanchez, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at (530) 543-2679, email rsanchez@fs.fed.us.
Lake Tahoe ski resort openings
November 10, 2008
Partly cloudy skies will give way to sunny days later this week, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s and nights in the 30s.
Resorts and Towns' Update: The Lake Tahoe ski season is underway, with Boreal Mountain Resort opening last week on Donner Summit. Following are anticipated opening dates for North Lake Tahoe resorts:
Alpine Meadows – opening November 26
Boreal Mountain Resort – open
Diamond Peak – opening December 11
Homewood Mountain Ski Resort – no date
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe – opening this Thursday, November 13
Northstar-at-Tahoe – opening November 22
Spooner Lake Cross Country – no date
Squaw Valley USA – opening November 22
Sugar Bowl – opening November 27
Tahoe Cross Country – no date
North Tahoe Arts offers handmade, unique holiday presents at Holly Art, opening Saturday, November 15 and running through mid-January. Visitors can peruse and purchase gifts at the North Tahoe Arts Center in the heart of Tahoe City, next to the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Center.
Squaw Valley Institute hosts A Toast to Tahoe Skiing with filmmaking legend Warren Miller as the master of ceremonies, along with local Olympians and high-profile athletes, Saturday, November 15, 6 p.m., at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley. Tickets are $85 per person.
A very “R” rated Tahoe Comedy North presents at Lakeside Pizza in Tahoe City Wednesday, November 19 at 8 a.m. Steve Brewer will headline, featuring Jon Ueberroth and Tonya Kaye as hosts, with special guest appearance by local Aaron Wilson. Tickets are $15.
Alpenglow Sports kicks off its Winter Film Series Thursday, November 20, 7 p.m., with Andrew McLean of Mountain Hardware, who will share his 10-year quest to ski the seven continents. The event takes place at Sawtooth Ridge Café in Tahoe City and is free.
The 32nd Annual An Elegant Affair, a black tie event featuring hors d’oeuvres and desserts from North Tahoe’s finest restaurants, is Friday, November 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City. Tickets are $65 per person.
Get your holiday shopping done early. The Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino in Crystal Bay hosts its inaugural Holiday Craft Fair and Flea Market Saturday, November 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark you calendar as jazz is on the menu this Thanksgiving at the Holiday Jazz Fest, November 28-29, at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino in Incline Village.
The North Lake Tahoe Express daily airport shuttle service is available to and from North Lake Tahoe and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The shuttle runs from 3:30 a.m. until 12 midnight. Fees are $35 per person, one-way, and O$60 round trip. Discounts available for groups of two or more. Reservations are required and can be made four hours in advance.
For a snapshot of upcoming special events, as well as recreational activities of recent scenes, go to www.GoTahoeNorth.com and click on the web video for the North Tahoe Minute.
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, two hours from the Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from the San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3286 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.
The North Lake Tahoe Recreation Update is part of a partnership between the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. The combined efforts of both entities are aimed to further promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
Partly cloudy skies will give way to sunny days later this week, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s and nights in the 30s.
Resorts and Towns' Update: The Lake Tahoe ski season is underway, with Boreal Mountain Resort opening last week on Donner Summit. Following are anticipated opening dates for North Lake Tahoe resorts:
Alpine Meadows – opening November 26
Boreal Mountain Resort – open
Diamond Peak – opening December 11
Homewood Mountain Ski Resort – no date
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe – opening this Thursday, November 13
Northstar-at-Tahoe – opening November 22
Spooner Lake Cross Country – no date
Squaw Valley USA – opening November 22
Sugar Bowl – opening November 27
Tahoe Cross Country – no date
North Tahoe Arts offers handmade, unique holiday presents at Holly Art, opening Saturday, November 15 and running through mid-January. Visitors can peruse and purchase gifts at the North Tahoe Arts Center in the heart of Tahoe City, next to the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Center.
Squaw Valley Institute hosts A Toast to Tahoe Skiing with filmmaking legend Warren Miller as the master of ceremonies, along with local Olympians and high-profile athletes, Saturday, November 15, 6 p.m., at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley. Tickets are $85 per person.
A very “R” rated Tahoe Comedy North presents at Lakeside Pizza in Tahoe City Wednesday, November 19 at 8 a.m. Steve Brewer will headline, featuring Jon Ueberroth and Tonya Kaye as hosts, with special guest appearance by local Aaron Wilson. Tickets are $15.
Alpenglow Sports kicks off its Winter Film Series Thursday, November 20, 7 p.m., with Andrew McLean of Mountain Hardware, who will share his 10-year quest to ski the seven continents. The event takes place at Sawtooth Ridge Café in Tahoe City and is free.
The 32nd Annual An Elegant Affair, a black tie event featuring hors d’oeuvres and desserts from North Tahoe’s finest restaurants, is Friday, November 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City. Tickets are $65 per person.
Get your holiday shopping done early. The Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino in Crystal Bay hosts its inaugural Holiday Craft Fair and Flea Market Saturday, November 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark you calendar as jazz is on the menu this Thanksgiving at the Holiday Jazz Fest, November 28-29, at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino in Incline Village.
The North Lake Tahoe Express daily airport shuttle service is available to and from North Lake Tahoe and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The shuttle runs from 3:30 a.m. until 12 midnight. Fees are $35 per person, one-way, and O$60 round trip. Discounts available for groups of two or more. Reservations are required and can be made four hours in advance.
For a snapshot of upcoming special events, as well as recreational activities of recent scenes, go to www.GoTahoeNorth.com and click on the web video for the North Tahoe Minute.
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, two hours from the Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from the San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3286 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.
The North Lake Tahoe Recreation Update is part of a partnership between the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. The combined efforts of both entities are aimed to further promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
TRPA Pathways meetings in October
For Release Immediately October 14, 2008
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED FOR TAHOE REGIONAL PLAN UPDATE
Lake Tahoe, Stateline , NV – Two community workshops have been scheduled this month to bring the public up to speed on the emerging Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced today.
The workshops, fashioned after Place-Based Planning visioning sessions held in 2006 and 2007, are an opportunity for residents to see how their input has been incorporated into the Update, which will be the master planning document for the Tahoe Basin over the next two decades.
The final document, scheduled for adoption next year, will serve as a blueprint for accelerating the attainment of environmental thresholds in the Tahoe Basin while also addressing how to revitalize communities without compromising their unique character.
“These workshops are an opportunity for those who have committed time and energy to this process to see how their vision is being transformed into an action plan for Lake Tahoe ,” said John Singlaub, TRPA Executive Director. “We are looking forward to reengaging the public and showing them their fingerprints on this plan, which is so important to the Lake and the communities that surround it.”
The first workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, at The Chateau, 955 Fairway Blvd. , Incline Village , NV . The second will be held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency offices, 128 Market Street , Stateline NV . To give community members from around the Tahoe Basin the best opportunity to participate, the agenda for both workshops is identical.
Participants will be given the latest details about the Plan Update and alternatives to be considered as part of an environmental review that will culminate in final consideration next year.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Dennis Oliver at 775-589-5235 , or email doliver@trpa.org .
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED FOR TAHOE REGIONAL PLAN UPDATE
Lake Tahoe, Stateline , NV – Two community workshops have been scheduled this month to bring the public up to speed on the emerging Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced today.
The workshops, fashioned after Place-Based Planning visioning sessions held in 2006 and 2007, are an opportunity for residents to see how their input has been incorporated into the Update, which will be the master planning document for the Tahoe Basin over the next two decades.
The final document, scheduled for adoption next year, will serve as a blueprint for accelerating the attainment of environmental thresholds in the Tahoe Basin while also addressing how to revitalize communities without compromising their unique character.
“These workshops are an opportunity for those who have committed time and energy to this process to see how their vision is being transformed into an action plan for Lake Tahoe ,” said John Singlaub, TRPA Executive Director. “We are looking forward to reengaging the public and showing them their fingerprints on this plan, which is so important to the Lake and the communities that surround it.”
The first workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, at The Chateau, 955 Fairway Blvd. , Incline Village , NV . The second will be held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency offices, 128 Market Street , Stateline NV . To give community members from around the Tahoe Basin the best opportunity to participate, the agenda for both workshops is identical.
Participants will be given the latest details about the Plan Update and alternatives to be considered as part of an environmental review that will culminate in final consideration next year.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Dennis Oliver at 775-589-5235 , or email doliver@trpa.org .
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Health issues in South Tahoe
unpublished oct. tahoe mt. news article
By Kathryn Reed
Silent witnesses. They are the victims of domestic violence.
Last October, ten life-size figures filled the front lawn of the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center. They represent the women killed in domestic violence incidents between Placerville and Reno.
This year figures will move throughout South Lake Tahoe in order to reach more people. Another silent witness will join the women; a little figure to symbolize the 2-year-old Shingle Spring toddler who was killed in the last year.
The point of the figures is to look at the empty space of the outlined “person” to realize domestic violence won and humanity lost. Plaques explain who the person was. In essence, it is giving them a voice even though the heinous crime silenced them.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
In other health related news:
El Dorado County Health Department employees will be at South Tahoe Middle School this month to administer a slew of vaccinations to sixth-graders. Seventh- or eighth-grader who missed out in past years can join in. Parental permission is necessary for all grades.
The department will be at STHS two days a week this school year – mostly focusing on drug and alcohol education.
Sixth-graders will also participate in Kids’ Day this month. Much of the emphasis is on self-esteem, bullying and setting boundaries. “That’s a putdown” can be heard in the halls this year when someone says something offensive – an indication of lessons learned last year in how to deal with unwanted comments.
Lake Tahoe Unified’s Health Committee is trying to figure out what New Conservatory Theater production to bring to town for middle and high school students. “Outspoken” – a play about many aspects of teen life – was nixed because it would interfere with year-end standardized testing.
The Health Committee needs members. Call (530) 541-2850, ext. 254 for info.
Choices for Children is offering subsidized child care to qualifying parents. Details are at (530) 541-5848.
Choices for Children, First 5 El Dorado and Lake Tahoe Collaborative are bringing back Day of the Young Child, which has not occurred for the past two years. Interested in participating? Then call (530) 541-5848.
Adult volunteers are needed for Challenge Day – Nov. 19 for STHS and Nov. 20 for STMS. Email lhuard@ltusd.org for details. From a Tahoe Mountain News story earlier this year about Challenge Day, “It showed everyone that individually each person has the power to change – to change how they treat others and how they are treated.”
By Kathryn Reed
Silent witnesses. They are the victims of domestic violence.
Last October, ten life-size figures filled the front lawn of the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center. They represent the women killed in domestic violence incidents between Placerville and Reno.
This year figures will move throughout South Lake Tahoe in order to reach more people. Another silent witness will join the women; a little figure to symbolize the 2-year-old Shingle Spring toddler who was killed in the last year.
The point of the figures is to look at the empty space of the outlined “person” to realize domestic violence won and humanity lost. Plaques explain who the person was. In essence, it is giving them a voice even though the heinous crime silenced them.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
In other health related news:
El Dorado County Health Department employees will be at South Tahoe Middle School this month to administer a slew of vaccinations to sixth-graders. Seventh- or eighth-grader who missed out in past years can join in. Parental permission is necessary for all grades.
The department will be at STHS two days a week this school year – mostly focusing on drug and alcohol education.
Sixth-graders will also participate in Kids’ Day this month. Much of the emphasis is on self-esteem, bullying and setting boundaries. “That’s a putdown” can be heard in the halls this year when someone says something offensive – an indication of lessons learned last year in how to deal with unwanted comments.
Lake Tahoe Unified’s Health Committee is trying to figure out what New Conservatory Theater production to bring to town for middle and high school students. “Outspoken” – a play about many aspects of teen life – was nixed because it would interfere with year-end standardized testing.
The Health Committee needs members. Call (530) 541-2850, ext. 254 for info.
Choices for Children is offering subsidized child care to qualifying parents. Details are at (530) 541-5848.
Choices for Children, First 5 El Dorado and Lake Tahoe Collaborative are bringing back Day of the Young Child, which has not occurred for the past two years. Interested in participating? Then call (530) 541-5848.
Adult volunteers are needed for Challenge Day – Nov. 19 for STHS and Nov. 20 for STMS. Email lhuard@ltusd.org for details. From a Tahoe Mountain News story earlier this year about Challenge Day, “It showed everyone that individually each person has the power to change – to change how they treat others and how they are treated.”
Raccoons in South Lake
sept unedited tahoe mt news story
By Kathryn Reed
Pumpkin is alive and well.
That’s the baby raccoon Ellan Scofield befriended after its mother scampered off with her other offspring and left the scrawny critter behind.
It is now with 19 other raccoons that Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is caring for. They are all expected to be released next month outside of the basin.
Raccoons have made a comeback in Tahoe after a rash of deaths about ten years ago. Rehab center officials release raccoons where there is water, crawdads and other food sources.
Scofield wasn’t too happy her little wild raccoon baby was taken from her. She said she never intended to keep it forever. She boasts of having a natural touch when it comes to caring for wildlife.
A friend of hers called LTWC earlier this summer asking how to get rid of raccoons.
“We aren’t going to trap the mama. You need to harass the mama and get her to move the babies,” said Cheryl Millham, LTWC executive director.
Scofield said it worked to a point. One baby stayed behind. Millham said she never heard back from Scofield or her friend. But Millham did get word that Scofield was caring for the baby.
That’s a no-no. Under state law a person must have a permit from the California Department of Fish & Game to care for a wild animal. Scofield doesn’t have a permit. LTWC does.
DFG got wind of what was going on and showed up at Scofield’s door and took the animal. The animal was delivered to LTWC.
But it didn’t end there.
“About a month and a half later I was charged with possession of a raccoon. They were under the impression I went out and captured a wild one, which would not be too smart,” Scofield said.
When Scofield went to El Dorado County Superior Court the charges were dropped after she and the assistant district attorney talked.
By Kathryn Reed
Pumpkin is alive and well.
That’s the baby raccoon Ellan Scofield befriended after its mother scampered off with her other offspring and left the scrawny critter behind.
It is now with 19 other raccoons that Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is caring for. They are all expected to be released next month outside of the basin.
Raccoons have made a comeback in Tahoe after a rash of deaths about ten years ago. Rehab center officials release raccoons where there is water, crawdads and other food sources.
Scofield wasn’t too happy her little wild raccoon baby was taken from her. She said she never intended to keep it forever. She boasts of having a natural touch when it comes to caring for wildlife.
A friend of hers called LTWC earlier this summer asking how to get rid of raccoons.
“We aren’t going to trap the mama. You need to harass the mama and get her to move the babies,” said Cheryl Millham, LTWC executive director.
Scofield said it worked to a point. One baby stayed behind. Millham said she never heard back from Scofield or her friend. But Millham did get word that Scofield was caring for the baby.
That’s a no-no. Under state law a person must have a permit from the California Department of Fish & Game to care for a wild animal. Scofield doesn’t have a permit. LTWC does.
DFG got wind of what was going on and showed up at Scofield’s door and took the animal. The animal was delivered to LTWC.
But it didn’t end there.
“About a month and a half later I was charged with possession of a raccoon. They were under the impression I went out and captured a wild one, which would not be too smart,” Scofield said.
When Scofield went to El Dorado County Superior Court the charges were dropped after she and the assistant district attorney talked.
Meyers Landfill update
unedited sept tahoe mt. news
By Kathryn Reed
For the past two years the bulk of mediation discussions between the U.S. Forest Service and multiple defendants, primarily El Dorado County, has centered on transferring the old Meyers Landfill to the county.
Everyone agrees the dump site off Pioneer Trail is contaminated. How to remedy the situation, who should own the land and what it should be used for in the future come with multiple answers.
“We should have been able to resolve this case through mediation. But for mediation to succeed, you need the decision-makers in the room and with the Forest Service we don’t have the decision-makers in the room,” said Tom Bruen, special counsel representing the county and the South Lake Tahoe Basin Waste Management Authority, which includes South Lake Tahoe, and El Dorado and Douglas counties. “We are trying to change the Forest Service’s decision on the transfer. If we cannot, then we need to figure out where we go next. We have not made that determination.”
In mediation the Forest Service is represented by Department of Justice lawyers who are there to just talk about remediation at the dump site. But defendants want the land transfer to be part of the overall discussions and see the issues intertwined.
“Essentially, we aren’t pursuing anymore (discussion) of transfer of land to the county because the EPA informed us because the groundwater plume would be on U.S. Forest Service land we would retain significant oversight responsibility and cost even if the main landfill mass were transferred,” said Cheva Heck, USFS spokeswoman.
Asked why not transfer all acreage affected by the dump, Heck said the decision not to do this is because affected land has value to the federal agency.
The county could ask Congress to overrule the Forest Service. El Dorado Supervisor Norma Santiago said she has talked to people working for California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Details of those discussions were unavailable.
The Meyers Landfill was used from 1947-71. Twenty years later the feds sued a slew of entities for cleanup costs. Vinyl chloride, a carcinogen produced when household waste breaks down, is the main contaminant under the sealed 26-acre plot, although methane and other gases pose problems. The Environmental Protection Agency has deemed it a Superfund site.
By Kathryn Reed
For the past two years the bulk of mediation discussions between the U.S. Forest Service and multiple defendants, primarily El Dorado County, has centered on transferring the old Meyers Landfill to the county.
Everyone agrees the dump site off Pioneer Trail is contaminated. How to remedy the situation, who should own the land and what it should be used for in the future come with multiple answers.
“We should have been able to resolve this case through mediation. But for mediation to succeed, you need the decision-makers in the room and with the Forest Service we don’t have the decision-makers in the room,” said Tom Bruen, special counsel representing the county and the South Lake Tahoe Basin Waste Management Authority, which includes South Lake Tahoe, and El Dorado and Douglas counties. “We are trying to change the Forest Service’s decision on the transfer. If we cannot, then we need to figure out where we go next. We have not made that determination.”
In mediation the Forest Service is represented by Department of Justice lawyers who are there to just talk about remediation at the dump site. But defendants want the land transfer to be part of the overall discussions and see the issues intertwined.
“Essentially, we aren’t pursuing anymore (discussion) of transfer of land to the county because the EPA informed us because the groundwater plume would be on U.S. Forest Service land we would retain significant oversight responsibility and cost even if the main landfill mass were transferred,” said Cheva Heck, USFS spokeswoman.
Asked why not transfer all acreage affected by the dump, Heck said the decision not to do this is because affected land has value to the federal agency.
The county could ask Congress to overrule the Forest Service. El Dorado Supervisor Norma Santiago said she has talked to people working for California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Details of those discussions were unavailable.
The Meyers Landfill was used from 1947-71. Twenty years later the feds sued a slew of entities for cleanup costs. Vinyl chloride, a carcinogen produced when household waste breaks down, is the main contaminant under the sealed 26-acre plot, although methane and other gases pose problems. The Environmental Protection Agency has deemed it a Superfund site.
LTUSD test scores
unedited sept tahoe mt. news story:
By Kathryn Reed
Academic gains are being met throughout much of Lake Tahoe Unified. The problem is the bar is so high district administrators don’t think they or most districts will ever reach the goals outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
With the Sept. 4 release of the Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress reports, LTUSD is doing OK. Every school but South Tahoe Middle School met its API goal – a state requirement. STMS was off by 10 points this year, but had gained 60 points the prior year.
Statewide, 53 percent of the schools made API growth targets in English language arts and math.
LTUSD’s goal is to have students at grade level, especially as fifth-graders transition to the middle school and when eighth-graders move to the high school.
“Where we are really positive is this year our full day kindergarten kids are in second grade and they are performing at grade level. That extra time in kindergarten and preppie K made a big difference,” Superintendent Jim Tarwater said.
The API index ranges from 200 to 1,000, with 800 being the goal. Districtwide, LTUSD went from 736 to 741. The district met the state’s goal of a five point gain.
AYP is the federal component of the standardized tests that are taken each spring. Those goals are a bit more unattainable because of including English learners and special education students in the total mix. NCLB says by 2014 most students should be performing at proficient or advanced.
Tarwater said it’s an unrealistic goal.
“Giving kids impossible goals to make is not what we do. And you should not do it to educators,” he said.
Bijou and STMS are now in their fifth year of being program improvement schools. PI means a school is not hitting the federal mark. Tahoe Valley and Sierra House elementary schools are in their first year. The district is in its second year.
Even though the schools and district could be taken over by the state if the performance continues this way, Tarwater doubts that will happen when nearly 1,000 schools are in the same boat. He predicts most of the state will end up PI.
Nonetheless, teachers and administrators have been a road of academic rigor for several years. The Quality Education Investment Act that brings money to Bijou pays for smaller class sizes in grades four and five.
Also at that school is a governance team consisting of Tarwater, Principal Karen Tinlin and teachers.
At the middle school, Read 180 and other programs have been instituted. Kids who are behind two grade levels or more are getting intensive extra hands-on attention.
Tarwater points to the API improvements as proof that the district is faring well academically.
“To me the API is the best that California uses. We are starting to move (forward),” Tarwater said. “The feds with the AYP is ridiculous.”
By Kathryn Reed
Academic gains are being met throughout much of Lake Tahoe Unified. The problem is the bar is so high district administrators don’t think they or most districts will ever reach the goals outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
With the Sept. 4 release of the Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress reports, LTUSD is doing OK. Every school but South Tahoe Middle School met its API goal – a state requirement. STMS was off by 10 points this year, but had gained 60 points the prior year.
Statewide, 53 percent of the schools made API growth targets in English language arts and math.
LTUSD’s goal is to have students at grade level, especially as fifth-graders transition to the middle school and when eighth-graders move to the high school.
“Where we are really positive is this year our full day kindergarten kids are in second grade and they are performing at grade level. That extra time in kindergarten and preppie K made a big difference,” Superintendent Jim Tarwater said.
The API index ranges from 200 to 1,000, with 800 being the goal. Districtwide, LTUSD went from 736 to 741. The district met the state’s goal of a five point gain.
AYP is the federal component of the standardized tests that are taken each spring. Those goals are a bit more unattainable because of including English learners and special education students in the total mix. NCLB says by 2014 most students should be performing at proficient or advanced.
Tarwater said it’s an unrealistic goal.
“Giving kids impossible goals to make is not what we do. And you should not do it to educators,” he said.
Bijou and STMS are now in their fifth year of being program improvement schools. PI means a school is not hitting the federal mark. Tahoe Valley and Sierra House elementary schools are in their first year. The district is in its second year.
Even though the schools and district could be taken over by the state if the performance continues this way, Tarwater doubts that will happen when nearly 1,000 schools are in the same boat. He predicts most of the state will end up PI.
Nonetheless, teachers and administrators have been a road of academic rigor for several years. The Quality Education Investment Act that brings money to Bijou pays for smaller class sizes in grades four and five.
Also at that school is a governance team consisting of Tarwater, Principal Karen Tinlin and teachers.
At the middle school, Read 180 and other programs have been instituted. Kids who are behind two grade levels or more are getting intensive extra hands-on attention.
Tarwater points to the API improvements as proof that the district is faring well academically.
“To me the API is the best that California uses. We are starting to move (forward),” Tarwater said. “The feds with the AYP is ridiculous.”
LTUSD administrators change positions
unedited sept tahoe mt. news:
By Kathryn Reed
It’s Sept. 2 and someone new, yet oh, so familiar is greeting middle school students this first day of school.
Beth Delacour has always been about kids.
“I love being with the kids. It’s what my sole needed,” Delacour said.
Her nearly eight-year stint in the district office as director of Human Resources is over. (It was only supposed to be three months.) She replaced Jackie Nelson at principal of South Tahoe Middle School. She took an $11,000 a year pay cut to return to a campus.
Her old job has been redefined. Jim Watson, who was approved at the Sept. 9 board meeting to be HR director, will also handle staff development. This will be an easier transition for the Sierra House Elementary principal because he has been doing the staff development piece for the past few years.
Almost 20 people had applied for the position. On Sept. 10, Watson’s principalship was posted. It will be listed for 15 days. Like Delacour, Watson will do two jobs until someone replaces him.
Delacour said a number of people in the district have administrative credentials, so it’s possible the next principal will be a familiar name. She also said even though school has started, vice principals outside the area are apt to apply.
Superintendent Jim Tarwater said changing the job description of what is now Watson’s job is natural. As the district intensifies professional development, the HR manager has familiarity with the 200-plus teachers in Lake Tahoe Unified.
Watson won’t take on Delacour’s other job -- being co-principal of the Environmental Magnet school with Tarwater. Tarwater handled the bulk of the load. Now he has sole ownership of principal at the Meyers school. He starts most days there before going to the district office.
“We are trying to figure out how to work things out ... if we need to jockey people around. That is a work in progress,” board President Sue Novasel said of the magnet school staffing situation. She believes it’s been good to have the district’s leader out there, but knows this just adds to his workload.
Tarwater isn’t eager to give up that aspect of his job description. He likes the interaction with kids, parents, teachers and staff.
The state monitors the administrator to teacher ratio. LTUSD has 13 administrators, but could have 18. This saves the district about $500,000 a year.
While Tarwater seems to have more to do without Delacour, it won’t come with more pay. The superintendent had his annual review this summer. It came with a one-year extension to his contract, so it expires in 2011. It’s routine to keep adding a year so the contract stays at three years. No raise was given.
“Overall, we gave him a very satisfactory review. There’s always little tweaks to in the system to work on,” Novasel said. “Mostly we are making sure he keeps the lines of communication open. He tends to try to work too hard and take on too many assignments. We’d like him to delegate more.”
Retirement isn’t a word Tarwater is ready to entertain, though he said maybe in five years. But he doesn’t think he would make a good retiree.
“I would love to be able to walk away from this with good facilities and good programs and know each kid is getting the best that they can, especially for this community and these kids,” Tarwater said. “They have a lot tougher road. There is more poverty than people think and a lot of influences with drugs.”
He admits when he came here he didn’t realize the nuances of the town or the struggles within the district. Tarwater said passing Measure G in November will go a long way to putting the district where he wants it and it needs to be.
By Kathryn Reed
It’s Sept. 2 and someone new, yet oh, so familiar is greeting middle school students this first day of school.
Beth Delacour has always been about kids.
“I love being with the kids. It’s what my sole needed,” Delacour said.
Her nearly eight-year stint in the district office as director of Human Resources is over. (It was only supposed to be three months.) She replaced Jackie Nelson at principal of South Tahoe Middle School. She took an $11,000 a year pay cut to return to a campus.
Her old job has been redefined. Jim Watson, who was approved at the Sept. 9 board meeting to be HR director, will also handle staff development. This will be an easier transition for the Sierra House Elementary principal because he has been doing the staff development piece for the past few years.
Almost 20 people had applied for the position. On Sept. 10, Watson’s principalship was posted. It will be listed for 15 days. Like Delacour, Watson will do two jobs until someone replaces him.
Delacour said a number of people in the district have administrative credentials, so it’s possible the next principal will be a familiar name. She also said even though school has started, vice principals outside the area are apt to apply.
Superintendent Jim Tarwater said changing the job description of what is now Watson’s job is natural. As the district intensifies professional development, the HR manager has familiarity with the 200-plus teachers in Lake Tahoe Unified.
Watson won’t take on Delacour’s other job -- being co-principal of the Environmental Magnet school with Tarwater. Tarwater handled the bulk of the load. Now he has sole ownership of principal at the Meyers school. He starts most days there before going to the district office.
“We are trying to figure out how to work things out ... if we need to jockey people around. That is a work in progress,” board President Sue Novasel said of the magnet school staffing situation. She believes it’s been good to have the district’s leader out there, but knows this just adds to his workload.
Tarwater isn’t eager to give up that aspect of his job description. He likes the interaction with kids, parents, teachers and staff.
The state monitors the administrator to teacher ratio. LTUSD has 13 administrators, but could have 18. This saves the district about $500,000 a year.
While Tarwater seems to have more to do without Delacour, it won’t come with more pay. The superintendent had his annual review this summer. It came with a one-year extension to his contract, so it expires in 2011. It’s routine to keep adding a year so the contract stays at three years. No raise was given.
“Overall, we gave him a very satisfactory review. There’s always little tweaks to in the system to work on,” Novasel said. “Mostly we are making sure he keeps the lines of communication open. He tends to try to work too hard and take on too many assignments. We’d like him to delegate more.”
Retirement isn’t a word Tarwater is ready to entertain, though he said maybe in five years. But he doesn’t think he would make a good retiree.
“I would love to be able to walk away from this with good facilities and good programs and know each kid is getting the best that they can, especially for this community and these kids,” Tarwater said. “They have a lot tougher road. There is more poverty than people think and a lot of influences with drugs.”
He admits when he came here he didn’t realize the nuances of the town or the struggles within the district. Tarwater said passing Measure G in November will go a long way to putting the district where he wants it and it needs to be.
Tahoe's Li'l Smokey recovering
unedited sept tahoe mt. news story:
By Kathryn Reed
A dismal real estate market is forcing Kirkwood Mountain Resort to examine how it’s going to pay for future on mountain improvements.
The plan for years was that real estate sales would fund the resort improvements. Approval last year of the resort’s master plan was the last hurdle to adding lifts, lodges and other amenities. Or so management and owners thought.
Real estate sales at Kirkwood have tumbled and therefore created an unexpected financing hurdle. To overcome that obstacle the resort is looking to generate cash.
Mountain Springs Kirkwood is the umbrella corporation that operates Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Realty, Mountain Utilities and Kirkwood Development.
With public hearings under way for Kirkwood Mountain Utility District to acquire Mountain Utilities, it was a logical time to look at other aspects of the company.
“If you are going to play with certain pieces of the portfolio, it has other impacts on the portfolio,” said David Likens, CEO of Mountain Springs Kirkwood. “There are always options to ski resort operations. Nobody in our area is thinking about taking over another local ski resort. Right now we are still having discussions. We are exploring all of our opportunities. We are constantly looking at the right way to structure our equity and debt capital.”
Both Tim Cohee, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Mountain Springs Kirkwood, and Likens say the resort is not for sale. But the structure may be different in the near future. Cohee said before the ski season and maybe as soon as Halloween the financing changes will be in place.
“One of the options we are looking at is the option where the company creates a financing relationship where the resort becomes a management company,” Cohee said. “The way it worked at Booth Creek (owners of Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe) is they sold the resorts so they could be leased back to the current management. That would not affect the other businesses like Mountain Utilities and the real estate company.”
When the changes took place at Booth Creek a couple years ago guests did not notice any difference in how things were operated. If something like this occurs at Kirkwood, Cohee said the current management team will stay in place.
Even though the resort is looking at all of its options, a household name is not expected to be the final player in the financing deal.
“The beauty of it is this positive financing would allow us to move forward. We would be in a terrific position when we see the real estate business rebound,” Cohee said.
Cohee is now splitting his time between real estate and marketing the ski resort. Allon Cohne, who had been head of marketing, left earlier this year for the East Coast.
Other news at Kirkwood – season pass sales are up 200 percent over last year; the Tri-county Technical Advisory Committee had a meeting Sept. 5 (too late for deadline) about permitting the propone fired micro plant in Amador County.
By Kathryn Reed
A dismal real estate market is forcing Kirkwood Mountain Resort to examine how it’s going to pay for future on mountain improvements.
The plan for years was that real estate sales would fund the resort improvements. Approval last year of the resort’s master plan was the last hurdle to adding lifts, lodges and other amenities. Or so management and owners thought.
Real estate sales at Kirkwood have tumbled and therefore created an unexpected financing hurdle. To overcome that obstacle the resort is looking to generate cash.
Mountain Springs Kirkwood is the umbrella corporation that operates Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Realty, Mountain Utilities and Kirkwood Development.
With public hearings under way for Kirkwood Mountain Utility District to acquire Mountain Utilities, it was a logical time to look at other aspects of the company.
“If you are going to play with certain pieces of the portfolio, it has other impacts on the portfolio,” said David Likens, CEO of Mountain Springs Kirkwood. “There are always options to ski resort operations. Nobody in our area is thinking about taking over another local ski resort. Right now we are still having discussions. We are exploring all of our opportunities. We are constantly looking at the right way to structure our equity and debt capital.”
Both Tim Cohee, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Mountain Springs Kirkwood, and Likens say the resort is not for sale. But the structure may be different in the near future. Cohee said before the ski season and maybe as soon as Halloween the financing changes will be in place.
“One of the options we are looking at is the option where the company creates a financing relationship where the resort becomes a management company,” Cohee said. “The way it worked at Booth Creek (owners of Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe) is they sold the resorts so they could be leased back to the current management. That would not affect the other businesses like Mountain Utilities and the real estate company.”
When the changes took place at Booth Creek a couple years ago guests did not notice any difference in how things were operated. If something like this occurs at Kirkwood, Cohee said the current management team will stay in place.
Even though the resort is looking at all of its options, a household name is not expected to be the final player in the financing deal.
“The beauty of it is this positive financing would allow us to move forward. We would be in a terrific position when we see the real estate business rebound,” Cohee said.
Cohee is now splitting his time between real estate and marketing the ski resort. Allon Cohne, who had been head of marketing, left earlier this year for the East Coast.
Other news at Kirkwood – season pass sales are up 200 percent over last year; the Tri-county Technical Advisory Committee had a meeting Sept. 5 (too late for deadline) about permitting the propone fired micro plant in Amador County.
Kirkwood Mountain's ownership issues
unedited sept. mt news article:
By Kathryn Reed
A dismal real estate market is forcing Kirkwood Mountain Resort to examine how it’s going to pay for future on mountain improvements.
The plan for years was that real estate sales would fund the resort improvements. Approval last year of the resort’s master plan was the last hurdle to adding lifts, lodges and other amenities. Or so management and owners thought.
Real estate sales at Kirkwood have tumbled and therefore created an unexpected financing hurdle. To overcome that obstacle the resort is looking to generate cash.
Mountain Springs Kirkwood is the umbrella corporation that operates Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Realty, Mountain Utilities and Kirkwood Development.
With public hearings under way for Kirkwood Mountain Utility District to acquire Mountain Utilities, it was a logical time to look at other aspects of the company.
“If you are going to play with certain pieces of the portfolio, it has other impacts on the portfolio,” said David Likens, CEO of Mountain Springs Kirkwood. “There are always options to ski resort operations. Nobody in our area is thinking about taking over another local ski resort. Right now we are still having discussions. We are exploring all of our opportunities. We are constantly looking at the right way to structure our equity and debt capital.”
Both Tim Cohee, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Mountain Springs Kirkwood, and Likens say the resort is not for sale. But the structure may be different in the near future. Cohee said before the ski season and maybe as soon as Halloween the financing changes will be in place.
“One of the options we are looking at is the option where the company creates a financing relationship where the resort becomes a management company,” Cohee said. “The way it worked at Booth Creek (owners of Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe) is they sold the resorts so they could be leased back to the current management. That would not affect the other businesses like Mountain Utilities and the real estate company.”
When the changes took place at Booth Creek a couple years ago guests did not notice any difference in how things were operated. If something like this occurs at Kirkwood, Cohee said the current management team will stay in place.
Even though the resort is looking at all of its options, a household name is not expected to be the final player in the financing deal.
“The beauty of it is this positive financing would allow us to move forward. We would be in a terrific position when we see the real estate business rebound,” Cohee said.
Cohee is now splitting his time between real estate and marketing the ski resort. Allon Cohne, who had been head of marketing, left earlier this year for the East Coast.
Other news at Kirkwood – season pass sales are up 200 percent over last year; the Tri-county Technical Advisory Committee had a meeting Sept. 5 (too late for deadline) about permitting the propone fired micro plant in Amador County.
By Kathryn Reed
A dismal real estate market is forcing Kirkwood Mountain Resort to examine how it’s going to pay for future on mountain improvements.
The plan for years was that real estate sales would fund the resort improvements. Approval last year of the resort’s master plan was the last hurdle to adding lifts, lodges and other amenities. Or so management and owners thought.
Real estate sales at Kirkwood have tumbled and therefore created an unexpected financing hurdle. To overcome that obstacle the resort is looking to generate cash.
Mountain Springs Kirkwood is the umbrella corporation that operates Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Realty, Mountain Utilities and Kirkwood Development.
With public hearings under way for Kirkwood Mountain Utility District to acquire Mountain Utilities, it was a logical time to look at other aspects of the company.
“If you are going to play with certain pieces of the portfolio, it has other impacts on the portfolio,” said David Likens, CEO of Mountain Springs Kirkwood. “There are always options to ski resort operations. Nobody in our area is thinking about taking over another local ski resort. Right now we are still having discussions. We are exploring all of our opportunities. We are constantly looking at the right way to structure our equity and debt capital.”
Both Tim Cohee, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Mountain Springs Kirkwood, and Likens say the resort is not for sale. But the structure may be different in the near future. Cohee said before the ski season and maybe as soon as Halloween the financing changes will be in place.
“One of the options we are looking at is the option where the company creates a financing relationship where the resort becomes a management company,” Cohee said. “The way it worked at Booth Creek (owners of Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe) is they sold the resorts so they could be leased back to the current management. That would not affect the other businesses like Mountain Utilities and the real estate company.”
When the changes took place at Booth Creek a couple years ago guests did not notice any difference in how things were operated. If something like this occurs at Kirkwood, Cohee said the current management team will stay in place.
Even though the resort is looking at all of its options, a household name is not expected to be the final player in the financing deal.
“The beauty of it is this positive financing would allow us to move forward. We would be in a terrific position when we see the real estate business rebound,” Cohee said.
Cohee is now splitting his time between real estate and marketing the ski resort. Allon Cohne, who had been head of marketing, left earlier this year for the East Coast.
Other news at Kirkwood – season pass sales are up 200 percent over last year; the Tri-county Technical Advisory Committee had a meeting Sept. 5 (too late for deadline) about permitting the propone fired micro plant in Amador County.
Lake Tahoe environmental summit
unedited sept. tahoe mt. news article:
By Kathryn Reed
“The fire danger in the Forest is higher than it was when the 16,000-acre Power and 8,000-acre Fred’s fires started in 2004. It’s higher than 2001 when the 16,000-acre Star Fire started, and it’s higher than 1992 when the 24,500-acre Cleveland fire started.”
Those are the prophetic words of Bob Patson with the Eldorado National Forest as written in the Aug. 31 San Francisco Chronicle.
That day Sorensen’s Resort was threatened by fire and evacuated for the first time in its history. About 200 acres were consumed near highways 88 and 89. It was dubbed the Burnside Fire because of the name of the road where the blaze started.
With no measurable rain this summer, wicked winds over Labor Day and sporadic red flag warning days, fire is an increasing risk throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin even as summer fades to fall.
At the annual environmental summit on Aug. 16 more money was allocated to help deal with the lingering issue of overgrown forests in the basin. It, more than Lake clarity, was the focus of the pundits.
Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne that day allocated $140 million for wildfire protection, conservation, restoration and capital improvement. The bulk of the funds goes to Nevada because the money is from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.
Where does the Lake Tahoe money go?
• $6.6 million for hazardous fuels reduction projects at Lake Tahoe and $4.4 million for the Carson Range in Nevada;
• $24 million for Lake Tahoe restoration projects includes $19 million for watershed and habitat improvement, $270,000 for air quality and transportation, more than $500,000 for recreation and scenic, and $3.75 million for science and research;
• $30 million to ensure that the full $300 million federal funding commitment will be met for the Environmental Improvement Program.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to be at Valhalla for the 12th annual festivities. Instead, he had surgery on his meniscus in Los Angeles. Hostess Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., hobbled to the stage and had to be carted off via car because she had fallen the day before at Meeks Bay. It turned out she had broken her ankle. Even though she made it to the summit, the injury kept her from going to the Democratic National Convention later that month.
By Kathryn Reed
“The fire danger in the Forest is higher than it was when the 16,000-acre Power and 8,000-acre Fred’s fires started in 2004. It’s higher than 2001 when the 16,000-acre Star Fire started, and it’s higher than 1992 when the 24,500-acre Cleveland fire started.”
Those are the prophetic words of Bob Patson with the Eldorado National Forest as written in the Aug. 31 San Francisco Chronicle.
That day Sorensen’s Resort was threatened by fire and evacuated for the first time in its history. About 200 acres were consumed near highways 88 and 89. It was dubbed the Burnside Fire because of the name of the road where the blaze started.
With no measurable rain this summer, wicked winds over Labor Day and sporadic red flag warning days, fire is an increasing risk throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin even as summer fades to fall.
At the annual environmental summit on Aug. 16 more money was allocated to help deal with the lingering issue of overgrown forests in the basin. It, more than Lake clarity, was the focus of the pundits.
Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne that day allocated $140 million for wildfire protection, conservation, restoration and capital improvement. The bulk of the funds goes to Nevada because the money is from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.
Where does the Lake Tahoe money go?
• $6.6 million for hazardous fuels reduction projects at Lake Tahoe and $4.4 million for the Carson Range in Nevada;
• $24 million for Lake Tahoe restoration projects includes $19 million for watershed and habitat improvement, $270,000 for air quality and transportation, more than $500,000 for recreation and scenic, and $3.75 million for science and research;
• $30 million to ensure that the full $300 million federal funding commitment will be met for the Environmental Improvement Program.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to be at Valhalla for the 12th annual festivities. Instead, he had surgery on his meniscus in Los Angeles. Hostess Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., hobbled to the stage and had to be carted off via car because she had fallen the day before at Meeks Bay. It turned out she had broken her ankle. Even though she made it to the summit, the injury kept her from going to the Democratic National Convention later that month.
Dog park opens in S. Lake Tahoe
unedited sept. tahoe mt. news story:
By Kathryn Reed
A Hollywood movie director could not have scripted a better opening act for the Bijou Dog Park. As if on command, one of the four legged stars barked just after South Lake Tahoe City Manager Dave Jinkens said, “I know we are all enthusiasts.”
On the first play day, big dogs, small dogs, skinny dogs, well groomed dogs, mixed breeds, pure breeds, retired show dogs and puppies showed up to test the South Shore’s only dog park.
Pit pulls, Labrador and Golden retrievers, Schnauzers, Dachshunds, various terriers, a Finnish Spitz, a Doberman pinscher, shepherd mixes and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, which just got accepted into the American Kennel Club in 2003, all scampered about the park.
The $35,000 dog park takes up nearly 1 acre. It’s sectioned off for big and small dogs, with the big guys having a bit more space to run. It will be open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Sean and Georgette Riley have a big dog of sorts and therefore had Jersey Girl on that side of the fence. Even though other dogs wanted to play, this 10-week-old black Lab preferred to stay close to mom.
“You are looking at all these wood chips as chew heaven,” Georgette Riley said to her puppy.
Grass, wood chips and drinking fountains are in both enclosures. The Lake Tahoe Humane Society donated the fountains. City Councilwoman Kathay Lovell and husband Lt. Les Lovell of El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department donated one of the benches in the memory of their sheriff’s K-9 Jake.
The city rec department would love to expand the grass area, plant an aspen grove, add more seating and put in other upgrades. Donations are being accepted.
Lennie and Judy Schwartz were on hand for the official opening Aug. 18, this despite having to put their 14-year-old yellow Lab down last October.
“It’s great to have a place for dogs,” Lennie Schwartz said as his wife was busy with duties as a Humane Society board member.
Kenji, a Shiba Inu, patrolled the fence line of the small dog area while his human Ken Parker watched.
“I call him and he won’t come. But he can’t get out here,” Parker said.
On the big dog side, the canines seem oblivious to their people. It’s all about their four legged friends – chasing, running, sniffing and sometimes tackling.
It gives new meaning to the dog days of summer.
By Kathryn Reed
A Hollywood movie director could not have scripted a better opening act for the Bijou Dog Park. As if on command, one of the four legged stars barked just after South Lake Tahoe City Manager Dave Jinkens said, “I know we are all enthusiasts.”
On the first play day, big dogs, small dogs, skinny dogs, well groomed dogs, mixed breeds, pure breeds, retired show dogs and puppies showed up to test the South Shore’s only dog park.
Pit pulls, Labrador and Golden retrievers, Schnauzers, Dachshunds, various terriers, a Finnish Spitz, a Doberman pinscher, shepherd mixes and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, which just got accepted into the American Kennel Club in 2003, all scampered about the park.
The $35,000 dog park takes up nearly 1 acre. It’s sectioned off for big and small dogs, with the big guys having a bit more space to run. It will be open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Sean and Georgette Riley have a big dog of sorts and therefore had Jersey Girl on that side of the fence. Even though other dogs wanted to play, this 10-week-old black Lab preferred to stay close to mom.
“You are looking at all these wood chips as chew heaven,” Georgette Riley said to her puppy.
Grass, wood chips and drinking fountains are in both enclosures. The Lake Tahoe Humane Society donated the fountains. City Councilwoman Kathay Lovell and husband Lt. Les Lovell of El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department donated one of the benches in the memory of their sheriff’s K-9 Jake.
The city rec department would love to expand the grass area, plant an aspen grove, add more seating and put in other upgrades. Donations are being accepted.
Lennie and Judy Schwartz were on hand for the official opening Aug. 18, this despite having to put their 14-year-old yellow Lab down last October.
“It’s great to have a place for dogs,” Lennie Schwartz said as his wife was busy with duties as a Humane Society board member.
Kenji, a Shiba Inu, patrolled the fence line of the small dog area while his human Ken Parker watched.
“I call him and he won’t come. But he can’t get out here,” Parker said.
On the big dog side, the canines seem oblivious to their people. It’s all about their four legged friends – chasing, running, sniffing and sometimes tackling.
It gives new meaning to the dog days of summer.
DCSC board of ed candidates
unedited sept. tahoe mt. news story:
By Kathryn Reed
Douglas County School District’s board of education has two contested seats on the November ballot – one in the valley, the other at the Lake.
Lake representative Cindy Trigg, 54, is going after a second term. Greg Felton, 44, wants to unseat her in his first quest for elected office.
Both are Stateline residents. Trigg’s son graduated this year from UNR after having gone through the Lake schools. Felton has three children in Lake schools and a fourth if his Chilean exchange student counts. Both have good things to say about Whittell High School and Principal Sue Shannon. Both support the bond initiative on November’s ballot. Both agree healing needs to continue to smooth over discontent from the last few years over strife caused by consolidation and radon.
The new guy
“I’m running because I think our kids deserve fundamentally sound schools. They deserve the opportunity to find their potential,” Felton said. “I will study the issues carefully. I will consider a wide range of solutions to problems. I believe I am pretty rational. I don’t believe in several aspects the incumbent is satisfying these areas.”
Felton believes he is more of an independent thinker than his opponent. He says being called a one issue candidate is false. Although radon first drew him to attend school board meetings, Felton says his interest in schools and the district go beyond radon.
“I think the really good teachers are not paid enough and I think others are not doing a quality job and they are overpaid,” Felton said. He would like to institute a more merit based pay scale for teachers.
With state budget cuts impacting all schools in Nevada, Felton wants to be more aggressive with seeking alternative funding sources like private foundations.
He wants the district’s side of issues to be told in a clearer manner.
“I’m afraid the perception is funds are not managed well. Some of it may be PR. I don’t think the school district has done a very good job of conveying the fundamentals of where money comes from and where it goes,” Felton said.
It’s his perception that too often decisions are made prior to the meeting and that comments from the public are just “tolerated.”
He is satisfied Zephyr Cove’s radon levels have been reduced, but questions why more is not being done at Whittell and why the valley schools are not being tested.
Felton is not completely satisfied with how Superintendent Carol Lark is running the district. During her evaluation process he offered his assessment. He stopped short of having it incorporated into public record.
“I commented on staff and how she managed them,” Felton said.
When Felton isn’t campaigning, his day job is working for a private company investigating aircraft accidents.
The incumbent
Trigg is running on her record – one she is proud of. She points to student achievement through critical content, common assessments, requiring all students in AP classes to take the AP test, and collaboration between teachers at various grade levels, as goals she and the board have achieved.
“Another accomplishment was the hiring of the new superintendent and the bridge we are building between the valley and the Lake schools,” Trigg said. That bridge is something she wants to reinforce in her next term.
Trigg took a lot of heat in the last year from parents who believed she, the board and staff were ignoring their concerns about radon.
“While I agree we didn’t do everything right, we learned a lot and we accomplished what we needed to. The school opened on time,” Trigg said of radon and Zephyr Cove. “The issue was made more difficult. It was confused with consolidation.”
Declining dollars, Trigg said, will continue to be an issue in the next four years. She said the district is saving money through energy efficiency and has eliminated jobs through attrition.
“I think our students deserve for us to be paying attention to their education needs. If we have to make cuts, we need to pay attention to student achievement,” Trigg said. “I feel I am very ethical, have a lot of integrity and I have been very honest.”
Although the school board in nonpartisan, Trigg is an ardent Democrat who is spending much of her non-DCSD time campaigning for Jill Derby, who is running for Congress.
By Kathryn Reed
Douglas County School District’s board of education has two contested seats on the November ballot – one in the valley, the other at the Lake.
Lake representative Cindy Trigg, 54, is going after a second term. Greg Felton, 44, wants to unseat her in his first quest for elected office.
Both are Stateline residents. Trigg’s son graduated this year from UNR after having gone through the Lake schools. Felton has three children in Lake schools and a fourth if his Chilean exchange student counts. Both have good things to say about Whittell High School and Principal Sue Shannon. Both support the bond initiative on November’s ballot. Both agree healing needs to continue to smooth over discontent from the last few years over strife caused by consolidation and radon.
The new guy
“I’m running because I think our kids deserve fundamentally sound schools. They deserve the opportunity to find their potential,” Felton said. “I will study the issues carefully. I will consider a wide range of solutions to problems. I believe I am pretty rational. I don’t believe in several aspects the incumbent is satisfying these areas.”
Felton believes he is more of an independent thinker than his opponent. He says being called a one issue candidate is false. Although radon first drew him to attend school board meetings, Felton says his interest in schools and the district go beyond radon.
“I think the really good teachers are not paid enough and I think others are not doing a quality job and they are overpaid,” Felton said. He would like to institute a more merit based pay scale for teachers.
With state budget cuts impacting all schools in Nevada, Felton wants to be more aggressive with seeking alternative funding sources like private foundations.
He wants the district’s side of issues to be told in a clearer manner.
“I’m afraid the perception is funds are not managed well. Some of it may be PR. I don’t think the school district has done a very good job of conveying the fundamentals of where money comes from and where it goes,” Felton said.
It’s his perception that too often decisions are made prior to the meeting and that comments from the public are just “tolerated.”
He is satisfied Zephyr Cove’s radon levels have been reduced, but questions why more is not being done at Whittell and why the valley schools are not being tested.
Felton is not completely satisfied with how Superintendent Carol Lark is running the district. During her evaluation process he offered his assessment. He stopped short of having it incorporated into public record.
“I commented on staff and how she managed them,” Felton said.
When Felton isn’t campaigning, his day job is working for a private company investigating aircraft accidents.
The incumbent
Trigg is running on her record – one she is proud of. She points to student achievement through critical content, common assessments, requiring all students in AP classes to take the AP test, and collaboration between teachers at various grade levels, as goals she and the board have achieved.
“Another accomplishment was the hiring of the new superintendent and the bridge we are building between the valley and the Lake schools,” Trigg said. That bridge is something she wants to reinforce in her next term.
Trigg took a lot of heat in the last year from parents who believed she, the board and staff were ignoring their concerns about radon.
“While I agree we didn’t do everything right, we learned a lot and we accomplished what we needed to. The school opened on time,” Trigg said of radon and Zephyr Cove. “The issue was made more difficult. It was confused with consolidation.”
Declining dollars, Trigg said, will continue to be an issue in the next four years. She said the district is saving money through energy efficiency and has eliminated jobs through attrition.
“I think our students deserve for us to be paying attention to their education needs. If we have to make cuts, we need to pay attention to student achievement,” Trigg said. “I feel I am very ethical, have a lot of integrity and I have been very honest.”
Although the school board in nonpartisan, Trigg is an ardent Democrat who is spending much of her non-DCSD time campaigning for Jill Derby, who is running for Congress.
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