New book -- The Ice Age

This just published by my cousin:

The Ice Age
Kirsten Reed
Download cover
A teenage girl is in the passenger seat; the driver is an older man. As they criss-cross America, destined for who knows where, she watches him and wants…what he is, what he has. She sees the black looks and knowing smiles they attract but believes they are safe in their small, charmed world of backroads, motels and diners.
Her companion knows the road does not go on forever.
The Ice Age is a brilliant new take on the road novel. It evokes Kerouac and Nabokov in equal measure, describing an irresistible arc through the shining, translucent moment at the end of childhood. Earthy, lyrical, laced with sly humour and sharp observation, Kirsten Reed’s superb debut presents a young protagonist to fear and rejoice for—and a young writer to watch closely.
Praise for The Ice Age:
‘Compelling—the twenty-first century love child of Lolita and Huck Finn.’— Christos Tsiolkas
‘At its core, this is a story about loss of innocence, ambiguously portrayed…There is a creeping unease about the ordinary…The language here is lush and sensuous, with stark imagery (‘iceberg eyes’) and wonderfully sharp observations. The novel effortlessly seduces the reader with its compelling characterisation and lingering sense of menace. The central character's reckless hunger for experience of all kinds is a heightened version of the necessary adolescent journey from innocence to knowledge.’— Australian Bookseller & Publisher
‘This road trip, told with energy and enthusiasm, picks up the reader, too, and takes them on the journey, which has twists and turns.’— Launceston Examiner

Things to do in South Tahoe this summer

South Lake Tahoe summer savings meet family budgeTS day in, night out


“Priceless” Memories Await Families Visiting Nation’s No. 1 Destination
(South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev.) – Lake Tahoe, the nation’s No. 1 travel destination (Orbitz, 2008) and “backyard destination” to several nearby metro areas is within reach for value-conscious Americans this summer.

South Lake Tahoe’s (http://www.BlueLakeTahoe.com) one-of-a-kind attractions create “priceless” memories, particularly when paired with free activities available throughout the area. And travel savings are helping families experience trips beyond “staycations”. Gas prices are anticipated to be 41 percent lower than last season’s national average and air fares into Reno/Tahoe International Airport are as low as $49 from Oakland, San Jose and Las Vegas, and $79 from Los Angeles on Southwest Airlines (www.flysouthwest.com).

Here are several ideas for pairing priceless Tahoe experiences with free – or next to free – activities to create an ideal Day In, Night Out:

Priceless Experience #1: Zipping with Value
Whether it’s by air, land or water, South Lake Tahoe has a plethora of activities for recreational to extreme outdoor enthusiasts. This summer, visitors can experience a 525 foot drop, on an elevated zip line ride that propels riders at 50 mph over tree tops with an eagle’s view of Lake Tahoe on the Heavenly Flyer. The zipline is the longest in the continental U.S. at 3,300 feet.

When you need to get your feet back on the ground, try a scenic hike. There are more than 300 miles of trails to choose from featuring the pristine natural beauty of Tahoe’s mountain and meadow terrain. Easy, moderate and difficult excursions are available throughout the basin. Popular trails include Tahoe Rim Trail, Mt. Tallac/Glen Alpine Trail, Cascade Falls, Heavenly Gondola or Angora Lake.

Priceless Experience #2: Rockin’ Deals
South Lake Tahoe’s six casinos – MontBleu, Harveys, Harrah’s, Horizon, Bill’s and Lakeside Inn are the ideal venue for new-found vim and vigor, with the latest in 24-hour gaming, cabaret shows, live music, night clubs and headline entertainment. And most offer restaurants and entertainment discounts as members of free players’ club. Harveys Outdoor Concert Series venue combined with comfortable mountain temperatures and fresh air make for a memorable concert experience and a perfect opportunity to rock out under the stars. The summer line-up includes Wilco, June 28; San Francisco Blues Festival presents “Blues at The Lake”, July 11; REO/Styx, July 17; Kenny Chesney, July 29; Earth Wind & Fire with Chicago, Aug. 1; Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, Aug. 16; Toby Keith, Aug. 30 and Chickenfoot: Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith and Michael Anthony, Sept. 5. Details: 1-800-HARRAHS, www.SouthShoreRoom.com or www.TotalRewardsTahoe.com.
Headliner entertainment sounds even better when combined with free or discounted live music at favorite nightlife hotspots, including music on the beach at The Beacon Bar & Grill at Camp Richardson Resort & Marina, Riva Grill and Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa; reggae, rock and hip hop shows at Whiskey Dicks Saloon along with an eclectic mix of reggae, rap, funk and blue grass at The Divided Sky and Mo’s Place. Mc P’s Pub Tahoe features live local bands, a line-up of draft beers (including seasonal local brews from the Mt. Tallac Brewing Company) and no cover charge. Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Harveys also has live music and dancing without a cover charge. The Tudor Pub and Rojo’s offer great ambiance, live music, DJs and karaoke.

Priceless Experience #3: Fish Out of Water
When visiting Lake Tahoe it’s hard to resist its tempting blue waters. Round Hill Pines Beach & Marina-H2O Sports, Camp Richardson Resort & Marina, Zephyr Cove Marina, Ski Run Boat Company, Action Watersports and Tahoe Keys Boat & Charter Rentals offer various boating activities including water skis, wave runners, kayaks and pedal boats, as well as fishing tours, charters on yachts, sailboats, parasails and sternwheeler sightseeing cruises on the Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II.

To create an even more memorable day on the water, travelers can combine boating activities with family-friendly fishing. The Tahoe Trout Farm does not require a license and the owners will even provide bait and tackle as well as clean the fish you catch. Areas within the Tahoe Basin offer a license for just $15. In addition, the Taylor Creek Visitor Center is the hub for many interactive self-guided tours with hiking trails surrounding the area providing opportunities to view and learn about wildlife. The Stream Profile Chamber has served as the primary attraction at the Forest Service Visitor Center complex at Taylor Creek since it was constructed in 1968.

Priceless Experience #4: Tee It UpVisitors looking to tee it up will find 45 courses within a 90-minute drive of South Lake Tahoe. The 6,300-foot elevation gives golfers an extra boost – about 10 percent – on each shot.

South Lake Tahoe courses include Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, the site of the American Century Championship, recognized in years past in Golf Digest’s Top 100. Located in a mountain meadow surrounded by the High Sierra, the championship18-hole Lake Tahoe Golf Course is centrally located while Bijou Municipal Golf Course offers a beginner-friendly 9-hole, par 33 course with pro shop and rentals.

A build-your-own picnic from local grocery stores and delis, such as Sprouts Natural Café, Grass Roots Natural Foods, The Cork & More and The Pizzeria can be paired with a day of golf. After a picnic visitors can stroll around any of South Shore’s famous beaches, or four major shopping areas, The Shops at Heavenly Village, The Village Center, Ski Run Marina and The Factory Stores at the Y.

Priceless Experience #5: Pamper and Pedal
Relax and decompress with massage therapies, reflexology, aromatherapy, holistic skin treatments and hair and nail care. The area has several day spas and fitness centers for a day of indulging and replenishing, including the new Integrated Wellness Center and Spa, Onsen, Body Essentials, Elements, Waters and A Massage at Tahoe. For a complete list visit www.bluelaketahoe.com.

Pair the pampering with adventurous scenic bike rides. Shoreline Ski & Sports, Sierra Ski & Cycle Works, Camp Richardson Mountain Sports Center or Anderson’s Bike Rentals can provide recommendations based on riders’ abilities and have deals on wheels for the entire family. Two paved bike paths offer a leisurely ride well suited to families. The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is relatively smooth and flat and meanders around Historic Camp Richardson, the Tallac Historic Site, and Fallen Leaf Lake. The South Lake Tahoe Bike Path runs through town, beginning at El Dorado Beach and crossing both Trout Creek and the Upper Truckee River.

Priceless Experience #6: Dining on the Lake
No trip to South Lake Tahoe is complete without checking out the stunning lake views accompanied with the local fare. Popular places to soak in views of South Shore and enjoy haute cuisine include 19 Kitchen • Bar atop Harveys, Beacon Bar & Grill, Blue Water Bistro, Chart House, Edgewood Restaurant, Fresh Ketch, Freshies, Riva Grill and Zephyr Cove Lodge. Grab your camera and take in a free breathtaking sunset at any of the lakefront view restaurants or along the beaches.

Priceless Experience #7: Saddle Up, Settle Down
Families can connect with nature by saddling up at Zephyr Cove Stables or Camp Richardson Corral for a horseback riding tour through varied terrain, offering different vantage points of Lake Tahoe. Also, the ultimate way to reconnect to nature is camping. Lake Tahoe has a variety of offerings from cabins and lodges, to RV parks, campgrounds and state parks. Among visitors favorites are Nevada Beach, Zephyr Cove RV Park and Campground, Tahoe Valley Campground and Campground by the Lake. Pair the great outdoors with the Valhalla Arts and Music Festival, film nights, classical chamber music concerts, theatre productions and art galleries inside the Valhalla Boathouse Theater or Valhalla Estates starting at $5. For a complete summer schedule visit www.valhallatahoe.com.

For information about lodging packages, headliner entertainment, summer activities and events, visit www.BlueLakeTahoe.com. The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SouthShoreTahoe, for real time updates on events, promotions, conditions and what’s happening in South Lake Tahoe.

For information about South Shore Lake Tahoe, contact the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority at 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or www.BlueLakeTahoe.com.

Tahoe Writers Works book release June 17

Join Tahoe Writers Works for a
Publication Release Party
at the Blue Angel Cafe
Wednesday, June 17th, 7:00–9pm
Free to public
Edge, Volume 3
Featuring readings and book signing by local poets, essayists, fiction writers
and artwork by local artists
Writers:
David Anderson • Ray Hadley • Jonathan Purver • Daniel Ward
Andrea Wexelblatt • Daniel Wexelblatt
Artists:
Mae Crauder-Davis • DJ DeProspero • Bruce Rettig • Kristen Schwartz
Carole Sesko • Adam Wexelblatt

Prescribed burns in Tahoe basin

Date Sent: June 15, 2009Prescribed Fire Activity- Meeks Bay and Ward CanyonUS Forest Service Fuels Management Crews will be conducting prescribed fireoperations today in Meeks Bay and Ward Canyon. The Meeks Bay project isapproximately 20 acres. The Ward Canyon project is approximately 30 acres.Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fireproject areas.This and other prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfirerisks to communities and critical resources. Smoke management is part ofevery prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actualor potential smoke impacts on community areas.To learn more about the efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks inthe Tahoe Basin, visit:http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/documents/fuel-reduction-projects/10-year-plan/LTBCFP_Public_Presentation_8_3.pdfTo view maps that described current prescribed fire project locations,visit:http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/fire/index.shtmlTake a few moments to visit an excellent web site and learnabout Prescribed Fire vs. Wildfire at:http://www.smokeybear.com/good-bad.asp

Bus service to El Dorado County Fair

Greetings all,

This year, the South Tahoe Area Transit Authority (BlueGO) in conjunction with the El Dorado County Fair Association will be providing shuttle service to the El Dorado County Fair in Placerville!

From Thursday, June 18, 2009 to Sunday, June 21, 2009 – take BlueGO to the El Dorado County Fair in Placerville!

A special bus route (Route 65 – Placerville) will operate from Kingsbury Transit Center direct to the Green Gate at the El Dorado County Fair with stops along US Highway 50 at all BlueGO stops, including Stateline Transit Center, Visitor Center, South Y Transit Station in South Lake Tahoe and Lira’s Supermarket in Meyers.

Three round trips from Stateline, South Lake Tahoe & Meyers will operate during fair days departing South Lake Tahoe and Stateline area at 10:40 am, 4:40 pm and 10:40 pm (Sundays 8:40 pm). Departure from Placerville is at 12:30 pm, 6:30 pm and 12:15 am (Sunday 10:15 pm).

Purchase a BlueGO Day GOPass for $9.00 (general fare 18-59 years old) or $6.00 for Discount riders* and get $1.00 discount off fair admission. One way fares are $4.00 one way for General fare and $2.00 for Discount riders or use two tokens. If you have a local Day GOPass, you can upgrade for an additional $2.00 ($1.00 for discount riders) or an additional token.

Free parking is available at the Kingsbury Transit Center (across from Lakeside Inn), Horizon Casino Resort, South Y Center next to the South Y Transit Station, Lake Tahoe Airport, Lira’s/Tahoe Paradise Golf Course in Meyers or South Y Center next to the South Y Transit Station. Paid parking is available at Stateline Transit Center off Bellamy Court.

Pick up a BlueGO Fair Shuttle Rider Alert on board buses, at the transit centers or at major points of interests, visit www.bluego.org or call (530) 541-7149 for more details. For additional BlueGO Transit Information call 530.541.7149. You can also visit the BlueGO website at www.bluego.org.

Please pass the word to all!

John Andoh
BlueGO Transit Administrator
South Tahoe Area Transit Authority

Transit Planner/Administrator
Tahoe Transportation District
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

Mailing: PO BOX 499
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

Office: 128 Market Street, Suite 3-F
Stateline, NV 89449

Telephone: 775.589.5284
FAX: 775.588.0917
Email: jandoh@trpa.org
BlueGO Transit Information (530) 541-7149

Paddling Lake Tahoe

Navigating Tahoe: Committee wants lodge-to-lodge kayaking program
By Kathryn Reed • Special to the RGJ • June 12, 2009


Even though nonmotorized boating has been a recreation activity since the Washo Indians were the predominate residents at Lake Tahoe, it wasn't until a handful of years ago that the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Association came into being.
Bob Kingman, who worked for the California Tahoe Conservancy at the time, is credited with coming up with the idea. From there, a group of people dedicated to tourism at the lake formed the association.
"Our purpose is to promote kayaking use on the lake, boat safety and some of the other issues like invasive species," said Dennis Liebl, a current and founding member of the LTWTA.
This month, the second edition of the water trail map will be available via the nonprofit's Web site (www.laketahoewatertrail.org) for $8.95.
Puttering around the entire 72-mile shoreline is not recommended for the beginning paddler. Gliding across Lake Tahoe takes some muscle, especially when the afternoon winds kick up and a headwind whips across the bow. Despite what can be adverse conditions at times, the number of kayakers plying the emerald waters keeps growing. Canoeing and paddle boarding also are becoming more popular on this alpine lake.
The water trail committee is in the beginning stages of creating a lodge-to-lodge kayaking program. The idea is that people would paddle from one room to the next. Their belongings would be moved for them. Talk of a guide being available on the water and special activities like massages and paddler-only dinners are being discussed.
A major obstacle is the lack of lodging facilities on the East Shore. Not even camping opportunities exist there. This creates a long excursion for paddlers and one of the major reasons why traveling around the entire lake is not recommended for novices.
Another reason the East Shore, which is mostly in Nevada, can be troubling for paddlers is how public and private property are defined.
In California, the public might access land that is below the high-water mark. With the basin in its third drought year, this exposes a vast amount of land. In Nevada, a public easement does not exist on private property. This makes landing on a private beach in Nevada similar to trespassing.

A survey of human powered boaters that was taken late last summer and released this spring shows the No. 1 concern isn't even on the water -- it's parking, or the lack of it.

Storage for nonmotorized boats exists in Incline Village. Lakeview Commons, which is in the planning stages in South Lake Tahoe, will have a similar facility. The theory is that kayakers will bike or use public transit to get to the launching facility so then the parking issue doesn't exist.
Survey takers said the main reason to paddle on Lake Tahoe is scenic beauty. Huge granite boulders are prominent on the East Shore. Some areas offer views of extraordinary lakefront homes. Osprey and eagles are a common sight. Of course, the mountains are always a feast for the eyes.
Visiting kayakers mostly hail from California and Nevada, at 57.2 percent and 33 percent, respectively. The bulk of the Nevadans are from Reno and Sparks, which accounts for 66.7 percent, with Carson City and Douglas County residents accounting for 29.3 percent.
The sport, however, does not seem to appeal to everyone.
"We are finding the people who are kayaking on the lake tend to be affluent and tend to be older," said Sue Rae Irelan, the California Tahoe Conservancy's liaison to the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee.
The CTC works with other public land owners, including both state parks systems, utility districts, U.S. Forest Service and business owners. Signage is one of their projects for the coming years. Irelan said the plan is to let people on the water know there might be no public access for several miles, as well as indicate where public landings are allowed.
Education also is a major component of what the public land owners are doing. This year getting the word out about the threat of invasive aquatic species is the priority.
"The message we are sending is that whenever you move a boat from one body of water to the next it ought to be cleaned, drained and dry," Irelan said. "When it's taken out of the water, they need to be turned over and drained so the water goes back into the water it was taken from."
Each spring and fall, the water trail committee hosts an event. Fun and education are the emphasis. For those without a kayak, several retailers around the lake rent them. Water trail maps are usually available there, too.

Prescribed fires in basin

Date Sent: June 9, 2009Prescribed Fire Activity- Blackwood CanyonUS Forest Service Fuels Management Crews will be conducting prescribed fireoperations in the Grand Ave. area of Blackwood Canyon. Approximately 10acres will be completed between June 10 and June 11, 2009.Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fireproject areas.This and other prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfirerisks to communities and critical resources. Smoke management is part ofevery prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actualor potential smoke impacts on community areas.To learn more about the efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks inthe Tahoe Basin, visit:http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/documents/fuel-reduction-projects/10-year-plan/LTBCFP_Public_Presentation_8_3.pdfTo view maps that described current prescribed fire project locations,visit:http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/fire/index.shtmlTake a few moments to visit an excellent web site and learnabout Prescribed Fire vs. Wildfire at:http://www.smokeybear.com/good-bad.asp

South Shore farmers market

By Kathryn Reed

Cherries, peaches and a slew of greens are being harvested on West Slope farms and elsewhere in California for the annual farmers’ market that opened June 2.
With the American Legion not replacing its building this season, it means the fresh fruits and veggies are being sold from the usual spot on Highway50 from 8am to 1pm each Tuesday until Oct. 13.
Even though many farms south of Stockton are fretting over the amount of water being allocated, most of the growers who come to South Lake are not in that bind. Many of the local providers get their water from El Dorado Irrigation District.
“I was a little surprised they are not cutting us back. They watch the water and tell us when to irrigate,” explained Jim Coalwell, who runs the market and owns the Red Shack in Placerville with his wife, Lois.
For years EID has used a gauge about 3-feet deep on farms to measure the water content of the soil. Regulators then dole out water and tell farmers when to irrigate.
Just like last year, an April frost hit the Placerville area crops. Last year pears were hit hard. This year cherries and peaches were affected by the spring freeze.
“It was more severe that we first thought,” Coalwell said in May.
Cherries will still be available, but not in the abundance that was planned. Fewer El Dorado County peaches may make it to market as well. Some pears are expected to have some visible damage from the cold temps.
“They have frost rings, which are rust looking. A lot of them won’t be as good looking, but it won’t have anything to do with flavor,” Coalwell said of the pear crop.
With how frosts settle in, often it’s the trees at the lower elevations on a farm that get hit harder than the ones on top of the hill.
Vegetables were not affected by the spring weather. Farmers who lost tomatoes have replanted, so it means a couple weeks delay before the produce is ready to sell.
As is true each season, what comes to market is based on the growing season. Tomatoes are likely to show up mid-month. Corn will be after that.
Overall, Coalwell said last summer’s market was good despite a slow down. He blames the economy and layoffs for fewer sales. He has high hopes for this season.
“Generally speaking if people look around at these markets, there are good deals,” Coalwell said.
Plus, the product is far superior to any grocery store.
“At least you know where it’s coming from,” Coalwell said. “The main thing is you need to know your grower. If you don’t trust them, you shouldn’t buy from them.”
Most people shopping in a grocery store don’t realize how far produce is shipped in from. Most countries don’t have the stringent rules about chemicals that California has.
Pete Weed, a local chef, is serving barbecue pork and chicken this year. The crepe people have a new vending vehicle which should be better for them and their clients. Coalwell said other additions may be incorporated, but for the most part the same growers are setting up their tables.

Lake Tahoe cycling events

By Kathryn Reed

Finally, a bike ride just for you.
At least that’s the thinking of the Alta Alpina Cycling Club as it stages the inaugural Riding the Wild Sierra on June 13.
The day is really three rides in one. One is billed as Build Your Own Challenge. Cyclists may design their own ride by choosing from several Sierra passes to pedal up and down. Another option is through the club’s website, the ride consulting team will create a course based on a rider’s desires, experience and mileage target.
For those who want to push themselves, the 8 Pass Challenge is the ticket. Half of the ride is above 7,000 feet. During the approximately 200 miles, cyclists will climb about 20,300 feet.
“It’s what we believe is the world’s hardest double century,” said Michael Bayer, ride director.
Kingsbury Grade, Luther Pass, Carson Pass, Blue Lakes Road, Ebbetts (there and back) and Monitor (up and back) account for the eight passes.
A less rigorous ride that may be enjoyed by novices and families is the Kid Carson Challenge. It comes in 7-, 16- and 27-mile options.
“Part of our mission as a club is to promote cycling,” Bayer said. That’s one reason the group is putting together the multi-event ride.
Alta Alpina, which has about 300 members throughout the Lake, Carson and Markleeville areas, had partnered with the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce for about 18 years to put on the Death Ride. That relationship ended two years ago.
Bayer said the chamber ended the relationship and won’t help promote the club’s Riding the Wild Sierra, even though it starts and ends at Turtle Rock Park in Alpine County.
Teresa Burkhauser, executive director with the Alpine chamber, begs to differ. She says the riding club wanted out of the Death Ride and has not kept the chamber in the loop about the new ride.
The 29-year-old Death Ride, at a capacity of 3,000 riders, is sold-out. It’s the chamber’s main fund-raiser, as well as a key source of income for the nonprofits associated with the ride.
Alta Alpina relied on the Death Ride as its main funding source for cycling programs. The goal is to have Riding the Wild Sierra grow into a profitable endeavor.
Cycling season is definitely here. America’s Most Beautiful Ride (www.bikethewest.com) was June 7, Riding the Wild Sierra (www.altaalpina.org) is June 13, Death Ride (www.deathride.com) is July 11, Tour de Tahoe (www.bikethewest.com) is Sept. 13, and Great Lake Tahoe Cycle Race (www.laketahoemarathon.com) is Sept. 26.

Youth theater workshop-performance

PETER PAN
YOUTH THEATER WORKSHOP
Workshop Dates July 14th – 25th
Performances July 24th and 25th
Don’t miss the opportunity to have your child be part of the program
whose past participants have gone on to leading roles in high school,
college and professional productions. Everyone who enrolls in the
workshop will be cast in the classic favorite "Peter Pan".
Participants will work on acting, singing, dancing, improvisation,
auditioning and other theater skills. The workshop is being presented
by the Sierra Tahoe Children’s Theater Company, a non-profit
organization, under the direction of Liz Niven, Marcia Sarosik and Bob
Grant.
EVERYONE WILL BE CAST. The workshops begin Tuesday, July 14th
at 9:30. Participants entering 3rd thru 9th grade end at 12:30 each day.
Workshop cost is $155. Participants entering 1st and 2nd grade will end
at 11:05 each day with a workshop cost of $140.
Please detach and mail the pre-registration form below with a $30 deposit to
Sierra Tahoe Children’s Theater c/o 2107 James, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
For Info, call 541-7211 or e-mail to stwkshop@gmail.com. The workshop will be held
at Tahoe Valley Elementary School.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

South Tahoe looking for stimulus bucks

Dear Members of the Media

Attached you will find a Press Release announcing the City’s efforts to seek $5 Million dollars in stimulus funding through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program – Round 2 (NSP2).
The opportunity is a competitive grant. Funds will be used to stabilize the housing market, purchase, rehabilitate and resell foreclosed homes, and create jobs in doing so.

You can help deliver $5 million in funding to our community! The federal government is going to award funds to communities that pull resources together to help stretch the funding.
The grant requires firm commitments of support to be submitted with the application – see attached documents explaining the process.

Media who wish to help obtain the grant can offer to provide discounted advertising for the program, (we’ll need to promote the program if funded). In addition, right now the media can help by running with this story – and let us know the cash-value of that contribution and we’ll include it in the grant application. For example, if you talk about it on your radio program or online or offer the program ad space, that is a contribution we could really use to help bring the funds to South Lake Tahoe.

I’ve attached the Press Release and documents referenced in the Press Release.

Please call if you’d like more information, and if you are able to get the word out for the community or if you are able to offer discounted or donated ad space to help bring stimulus dollars to South Lake Tahoe. Thank you for all your help!


Nancy Kerry, MPA
Sustainability Commission Liaison
Redevelopment & Housing Manager
City of South Lake Tahoe
Ph: 530-542-6043
Cell: 619-549-8608

Tahoe beach fees

BEACH AND CAMPGROUND FEE INCREASES FUND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS South Lake Tahoe, Calif. -- Higher fees at beaches and campgrounds operated by California Land Management on National Forest System lands will cover the costs of improved services this summer. At Pope, Baldwin, Nevada and Meek's Bay beaches, the electronic fee stations are now gone. Entrance kiosk attendants will now be available from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., most of the summer to collect fees, make change and provide information assistance. The attendants will also screen canoes and kayaks for Quagga mussels and other invasives, to prevent the introduction of these damaging species to Lake Tahoe. Day-use fees will increase $2.00, to $7.00 per vehicle to cover the cost of these services and increasing costs for trash removal and other beach maintenance. These fees also contribute to the construction of the new handicapped accessible restrooms at Pope and Baldwin beaches. This is the first fee increase in ten years. Season passes to the beaches are $70 and are good for the Fourth of July weekend. Day-use fees for the Fourth of July at Pope, Baldwin and Nevada beaches will again be $20 this year, to cover increased security and facility maintenance costs on the holiday. Camping fees have increased $3 at Nevada Beach (now $28, $32 for premium sites), Fallen Leaf (now $28), Meeks Bay (now $23) and William Kent (now $23) campgrounds. Campers will no longer have to pay the previous $9 reservation fee, and the nightly fees are still among the lowest in the Lake Tahoe Basin. CLM is implementing a new computer reservation and registration system at these sites, which will allow faster check-in and permit campers to select the site they want before they arrive. For more information, contact Bob Becker at (530) 543-2600.
###

Barton health grants

Barton Foundation to Award Community Health Grants

South Lake Tahoe - In an effort to positively impact the health of everyone in the South Lake Tahoe community, the Barton Foundation will be awarding their first annual Barton Health Grants. The goal of the grants is to provide funding to programs and organizations that benefit populations that are underserved and/or can have the greatest impact on the health of our entire community.

“The Barton Foundation recognizes that there are many worthwhile health-related programs within our community that are not offered by the hospital” said Kindle Craig , Executive Director of the Barton Foundation. “This is our first effort to help provide the financial support to other organizations that are offering programs focused on such issues as nutrition, fitness, and preventive care and to those programs aimed at specific populations within our community such as seniors, infants, the Latino population, etc.”

Barton Health Grant proposals will be reviewed by the Barton Community Advisory Committee and the final grant recipients will be approved by the Barton Foundation Board of Trustees. Funding for the Barton Health Grants will be provided by the Barton Foundation.

Grant proposals are accepted now through Aug. 31. Grantees will be notified in September and awards will be given at the first annual Barton Philanthropy Luncheon in November.

How to submit a grant proposal:
Grant proposals can be submitted online at www.bartonhealth.org/grants or in person at the Barton Foundation office at 2092 Lake Tahoe Blvd. suite 600 , South Lake Tahoe . For more information, call 530-543-5612.

The Barton Foundation was founded in 1990 to support Barton HealthCare and since that time has contributed more than $2 million to support the health care needs of the South Lake Tahoe community. In 2008, the Foundation raised more than $493,000 to help purchase new medical equipment and provide services such as free mammogram screenings for low-income women and men, Spanish language diabetes education classes, training for hospice and home health nurses and much more.

The mission of the Barton Foundation is “Inspiring philanthropy for the health of our community” which will ultimately generate the funding to deliver on the Foundation’s vision: “To positively impact the lives of everyone in our community.”
For more information on the Foundation, call 530-543-5614.

Spooner renovations

Contact: Steve Hale, 775-884-8112 For Immediate Release on June 29, 2009 - Stop Date is September 30, 2009
SPOONER SUMMIT PICNIC AREA CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONSCarson City, Nevada…The Spooner Summit Picnic area located on Hwy 50 will be closed for renovations from June 4, 2009, through the end of the summer. Once completed, there will be new day use picnic sites, additional parking to access the Tahoe Rim Trail and new pavement surfacing. Access to the Tahoe Rim Trail will be rerouted around the construction zone and will be signed. Parking will be limited to the highway pullout near the existing picnic area entrance. Partners for the renovation project include the Nevada Department of Transportation and the U.S. Forest Service. This project is funded though a Federal Highways Administration grant. For more information about the renovations or this release, please contact Steve Hale at 775-884-8112.
-END-