parks

If you are a South Lake Tahoe area resident and want to be involved in your community, the City Council is looking for you!

They are now collecting applications for two-year appointments to the Airport Land Use Commission, Building/ADA Board of Appeals, Parks & Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. Some of the openings are for City residents only while others just need to live in the Lake Tahoe basin portion of El Dorado County.

There are an estimated 500 unpermitted, illegal marijuana grow houses on the South Shore according to local law enforcement. In the city limits, South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler estimates there are 300 houses where marijuana is growing illegally with another 200 in the El Dorado County portion of the South Shore according to SLEDNET’s Matt Underhill. (SLEDNET stands for South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team, a joint drug enforcement task force)

The League to Save Lake Tahoe invites volunteers to come stabilize stream banks, pull invasive plants and restore trails for the 17th annual Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day on September 27 at Tahoe Paradise Park in Meyers.

The park lies along the Upper Truckee River, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary. Volunteer efforts will have a tangible effect on reducing sediment flow into the river, and help Keep Tahoe Blue. This is the League’s third year hosting the event at this location.

9/8/14 6:45 p.m. update: The Meadow Fire in Yosemite grew considerably overnight and has burned about 2,582 acres so far. What started as a small fire after lightning on August 16 got out of control on Sunday.

According to Yosemite's website, it is burning within the Little Yosemite Valley on both sides of the Merced River. All trails in the area are closed. Earlier Monday, approximately 100 hikers and backpackers were evacuated from the fire area in LYV. The fire is burning in Yosemite Wilderness.

Northstar California Resort invites golfers and foodies alike to compete in the first annual Tees and Tastings tournament Thursday, August 28. The tournament will feature a two-game, nine-hole tournament with four beer and cuisine pairings throughout the front green of the Northstar Golf Course. Winners will receive tickets to the Wine & Brew Walk event, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 6 during the 29th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival.

Tees and Tastings Schedule

Author and Sierra Nevada Native, Gary D. Noy, returns with his newest book, "Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Schemers, Bigots, and Rogues." This interesting collection highlights unusual or lesser-known stories of the Sierra Nevada experience with the focus of this presentation being the Yosemite Valley Grant Act of 1864, which brought the valley under government control and is considered the beginning of the California State Park system.  This year is the 150th anniversary of that event. The legislation was introduced by an El Dorado County resident, John Conness.

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There are a few buzz words that are evidently going to be used during the El Dorado County District 5 Supervisor race this summer and fall.

Economic Vitality - An economy with sufficient jobs, products and services to support the community. A sufficient tax base provides citizens with police and fire, parks and recreation and public services needed by the population.

The City of South Lake Tahoe imposed a single use, plastic bag ban for grocery stores in the city limits in October of 2013. The original ordinance was for grocery stores to implement the new policy on January 15, 2014 and for all other retail outlets to begin on October 15. During the June 17th City Council meeting, three Council members decided that the ban on all other retail outlets should be postponed and the final vote on that will be during this week's Council meeting.

The California State Parks and the Sierra State Parks Foundation will again be hosting Living History Day at Pine Lodge, a celebration of the anniversary of the lodge also known as the Ehrman Mansion, at Sugar Pine Point State Park on July 26, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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The US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project, also known as the Loop Road Project, is halfway through an Environmental Impact Study which should be released in about nine months.

There will be a free tennis clinic for all local children at the Zephyr Cove Tennis Club on Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15. The event is being sponsored by the Douglas County Parks and Recreation, Coyote Grill and the tennis club.

The clinic is open to all Lake Tahoe basin kids ages 8 and older.

There is a park and ride system for Sand Harbor in place once again for the summer of 2014.

In it's third year, the Tahoe Transportation District’s East Shore Express, the shuttle bus provides rides Incline Village to Sand Harbor. They are able to do so with a federal grant and funds gathered from the selling of Lake Tahoe License Plates.

Get your East Shore Express map.

There is a proposed "Forest Order" that would require proper storage of food and refuse at developed National Forest System recreation sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Bears are attracted to anything edible or scented. Improper storage of human food sources and refuse is a leading cause of human-bear conflict. Without a Forest Order in place, Forest Service law enforcement are unable to require visitors to employ proper food and refuse storage practices. The proposed Forest Order would require use of bear-resistant dumpsters and food lockers designed to prevent access by wildlife.

April is a big month for Live Violence Free. It is national Child Abuse Prevention, as well as, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The entire month is dedicated to honoring victims and survivors of both child abuse and sexual assault. With 80 percent of sexual assault victims being under the age of 30 and a report of child abuse made every ten seconds, it is vital we stand up against the dangers of the abuse. As two of our primary focuses at LVF, we are illuminating the truths and celebrating the efforts to combat the violence directly impacting our community.

An innovation in aquatic invasive species protection was unveiled last week at the Water Sports Industry Association’s 2014 Summit that could make Lake Tahoe and recreational water bodies around the nation safer from the spread of invasive species, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) said Friday.

El Dorado County Animal Services in South Lake Tahoe has temporarily suspended dog adoptions at its shelter as a precaution after identifying at least two cases of parvovirus this week. The dog kennel area at the shelter will be closed until March 11, while shelter staff investigate, perform additional deep cleaning and disinfecting of all kennels and monitor the current dogs on site.

Last week’s winter storm dropped up to three feet of fresh natural snow on Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort, creating a winter wonderland and allowing the resorts to open more terrain for skiers and riders hoping for a white holiday season.

The Nevada Division of State Parks has approximately $214,000 in grant funds available for motorized recreational trails projects. These funds from the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration are for motorized projects only. Applications are due Friday, January 31, 2014 by 5:00 p.m.

Federal, state, city and county governments, special governmental districts, trail organizations and private individuals are potentially eligible for the grants.

Another group of locals successfully completed the South Lake Tahoe Citizen's Academy. The graduates were presented with certificates at Tuesday's city council meeting. The 16 graduates are Anita Boel, Brandi Bannister, Brooke Martone-Ballachey, Gia Richards, Greg Carlson, Jennifer Story, Jonathan Moore, Julie Stewart, Karen Kuentz, Mike Allen, Mike Peron, Peter Gochis, Peter Spellman, Rachel Roberts, Scott Fair, and Scott Weavil. Most are pictured here with Mayor Tom Davis.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Department Captain Randy Pershon has been appointed to the Judicial Council Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee. This committee makes recommendations improving the processing of cases in drug courts, domestic violence courts, peer courts, and other community-based treatment courts. They also propose rules, standards, and forms; reviews and recommends legislation; identifies potential funding sources; oversees the treatment court grant process; and acts on assignments referred to it by the Judicial Council.

Focused on enriching the guests’ overall experience, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is excited to offer new additions for the 2013-14 season that will offer guests an enhanced on-mountain and overall experience. A new 9,000 square foot structure and plaza will improve the base area experience, enhance the overall après atmosphere, and give guests a place to gather and celebrate winter in the mountains. The Burton Star Wars™ Experience continues to grow with the Burton Star Wars™ Echo Base, a learning experience for kids ages 7-12.

With a vote of 3 to 2 in favor, the City Council today voted to ban single use carry out plastic bags in the South Lake Tahoe city limits. This issue was passionately debated by council members and the 8 citizens that offered their comment during today's City Council meeting. The city council is expected to finalize the ordinance later this month. The ban will take effect in grocery stores and farmers markets three months after adoption and will apply to all retail establishments after one year. Pharmacies,restaurants, and non-profits are exempted.

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors conceptually adopted a $587 million balanced budget for fiscal year 2013-14 at a special budget hearing held September 16.

Chief Budget Officer Laura Schwartz presented the numbers to the supervisors. Focusing on the General Fund which pays for many of the county’s discretionary programs, Schwartz highlighted an $11 million increase in fund balance from the initial budget approved earlier this summer. The change in fund balance represents a combination of increased revenue and decreased spending within county departments.

The City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County wants the help of all locals in creating a new plan for parks, recreation facilities, trails and programs. The area's recreation opportunities attract and serve residents locally and visitors from around the world.

Complete this questionnaire to provide input to help the City and County make decisions about parks and recreation in the South Shore area of El Dorado County. Anyone ages 10 and over is encouraged to respond.