research

Airbnb spends $8 million lobbying against San Francisco ballot initiative

Affordable housing advocates say it would open up more housing and help reduce the city's skyrocketing housing prices.

Airbnb has spent more than $8 million and hired a top political operative to defeat a San Francisco initiative on the ballot Tuesday that could threaten the growth of one of the most valuable global technology companies.

Proposition F, which would limit short-term rentals, was brought by affordable housing advocates fed up with the city's housing stock being used as rentals for tourists while residents face skyrocketing rents and evictions.

End of daylight saving time; Myths and Truths of why we change our clocks

Daylight saving time comes to an end on Sunday morning, November 1, at 2 a.m.

This is from CNN:

Ready or not, Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Loved by some, loathed by many, our biannual clock twirling ritual has wide-ranging and often surprising implications.

From energy use to our very health, here's a look at some of the mythology and facts surrounding DST.

It doesn't seem to be a huge energy saver

TRPA approves settlement for Tahoe Keys Marina violation

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday approved a $7,500 settlement agreement with the Tahoe Keys Marina and Yacht Club, LLC.

The settlement is for the Tahoe Keys Marina and Yacht Club’s unauthorized grading and creation of coverage at a California Tahoe Conservancy property located near the end of Venice Drive in South Lake Tahoe. The property impacted by this violation is not classified by TRPA as a stream environment zone or wetland.

Metatatic Breast Cancer deserves more

October is pumpkin spice and jack o lanterns and crisp mornings and pink ribbons. It is Halloween and homecoming and races “for the cure”. For people like me, with metastatic breast cancer, it is “Pinktober” and a reminder that we will never be cured, because despite 30 years of awareness and fundraising, 40,000 Americans still die every year from metastatic breast cancer, just as many as died in 1970.

South Lake Tahoe breast cancer survivor shares her story

September 11 evokes a different meaning to South Lake Tahoe resident Christine O’Farrell. In 2002, on the one-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Christine was on the operating table at Barton Memorial Hospital facing a new threat: cancer.

Christine had been diagnosed with an aggressive case of breast cancer. At the time, she was 42 years old and working at Barton’s Home Health and Hospice for quality assurance and infection prevention. Her three children were 14, 12, and 9.

How El Niño will influence Lake Tahoe's winter subject of talk

Event Date: 
October 29, 2015 - 5:30pm

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) will host Dr. Kelly Redmond, regional climatologist for the western United States with the Desert Research Institute, on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Extreme athlete Erik Roner dies in Squaw Valley skydiving accident

Sky diver Erik Lars Roner, an MTV extreme athlete, was killed Monday when he flew into a tree during a charity golf event at Squaw Valley Monday morning, authorities said.

Roner, 39, of Tahoe City, Calif., was part of a team doing a performance for a charity golf tournament when he hit a tree and became entangled about 9:45 a.m., the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.

Roner was pronounced dead at the scene; all other skydivers landed safely, officials said.

The accident occurred at an annual golf fundraiser for the Squaw Valley Institute in Olympic Valley.

Superintendent to discuss student test score results at meeting

Last spring, Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) students in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th grades took a new style of state testing. The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) was an on-line assessment that measured their problem solving and critical thinking skills.

LTUSD Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater will present the results to the School Board Trustees during Tuesday's board meeting.

What is a Chautauqua?

This is the second year the Lake Tahoe Historical Society has put on a Chautauqua, yet many people are unsure of what one is.

Chautauqua was a very popular adult education movement in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Named after Chautauqua Lake where the first was held, Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s.

Former US President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is "the most American thing in America."

Meeting the aquatic invasive species challenge at Tahoe

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are one of the most serious challenges facing Lake Tahoe. They continuously threaten to damage its unique environment and famed water clarity and degrade the world-class recreational experiences residents and millions of visitors enjoy each year.

Fortunately, Tahoe is a national leader in fighting AIS, with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and 40 public and private partners working to prevent, detect, and remove harmful infestations.

1,800 cyclists to bike around the lake in Sunday's Tour de Tahoe

The 13th annual Tour de Tahoe bicycle ride around the lake is on Sunday, September 13. More than 1,800 riders are expected to take on the 4,000 feet of climbing involved in the ride which continues to gain in popularity. Besides recreational riders there will also be teams riding to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

2015 Lake Tahoe Basin fire season update

Early in 2015, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), as well as our partners at the National Weather Service, predicted 2015 to be a significant year for wildland fires throughout the Western States. A combination of a sustained period of drought, coupled with weather that is conducive to nearly perfect burning conditions, have challenged local firefighting resources. Those predictions have rang very true as we continue to hear about new fires occurring almost daily all over the Western States. This year will go down as one of the most hazardous years for wildland fire.

Ultimate online bicycling guide covers Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Carson Valley

An online biking guide for cyclists of all abilities in the South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Carson Valley and California Alps just been released. Bike Tahoe: Tahoe’s Ultimate Bicycling Guide, features 65 of the most popular bicycle rides in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin, and can be visited at www.BikeTahoe.org. This is a “responsive web site” meaning that it automatically resizes the content format to fit the screen size of the device being used (smart phone, tablet, laptop).

Third ‘Born Bad’ bear from same litter euthanized at Lake Tahoe highlights biology debate

Are some bears just born to be bad? Or do they learn from other bears that raid garbage cans, break into cars and homes and eventually have to be killed because they’ve lost their fear of humans?

Scientists have researched this classic debate over “nature” and “nurture” among black bears for decades, from Yosemite National Park in the Sierra to central Florida and the Adirondacks in upstate New York.

More trash being found on South Lake Tahoe beaches

Its becoming a concern at beaches and venues around the country: increased trash left behind. Lake Tahoe sees massive amounts of trash on beaches after big weekends, especially the 4th of July, but the basin is not alone.

Headline in North Carolina: Residents upset with beach equipment and other trash left behind on shores.

Headline in Los Angeles: Trash left behind from the Made in America festival in downtown Los Angeles.

Headline in Indianapolis: Trail of trash left behind at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Inaugural Butterfly Effect 5K Run, Walk, and Stroll for Thyroid Cancer Awareness

Lake Tahoe’s Movement of Wings (LTMW) will bring the Incline Village and Lake Tahoe communities together on September 5 from 9-12 p.m. to raise awareness for thyroid cancer. LTMW aims to provide a fun, community-generated event that will provide support and a proactive way to fight this disease, while promoting a healthy lifestyle in one of the most beautiful places to run, Lake Tahoe. Proceeds will be donated to ThyCa.

Chase a sunrise in Lake Tahoe with 100 of your friends

Event Date: 
August 29, 2015 - 4:15am

What's not to love about sunrises and sunsets in Lake Tahoe? While it is fairly easy for most to catch a sunset, very few actually get to experience a sunrise because of the early hour.

"Chasing Sunrise" is a community that understands that with each sunrise, we are given a choice to make: we can either stay in bed waiting for life to come to us or we can get up and get after it, chasing what we want.

Lake Tahoe earthquake faults topic of next UC Davis talk in Incline

Event Date: 
September 17, 2015 - 5:30pm

Courtney Brailo from the University of Nevada Reno Seismological Lab to discuss faulting and geologic history of the Lake Tahoe region using newly acquired LiDAR imagery at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) on September 17.

A $5 donation is suggested for this event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. with refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30 - 6 p.m. at 291 Country Club Drive in Incline Village (between Tahoe Boulevard/SR 28 and Lakeshore Blvd.) on the campus of Sierra Nevada College.

The nutritional power of phytonutrients

Hippocrates, a physician and philosopher of health, said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

Food is often underestimated as an effective medicine. One collection of ingredients gaining attention are phytonutrients. Phytonutrients, sometimes called phytochemicals, are nutrients found in plants that contribute to its vitality. They can be found in a variety of plant-based foods and research shows when humans consume phytonutrients, they interact with the body and promote healing.

Help scientists study Lake Tahoe by downloading app and going to the beach

A new smartphone app encourages Lake Tahoe beach-goers of all ages to help scientists better understand conditions around the lake.

Report: Groundwater pumping in California has land sinking

Vast areas of California's Central Valley are sinking faster than in the past as massive amounts of groundwater are pumped during the historic drought, state officials said Wednesday, citing new research by NASA scientists.

The data shows the ground is sinking nearly two inches each month in some places, putting roads, bridges and vital canals that deliver water throughout the state at growing risk of damage.

Make going back to school a breeze

Most kids and parents have a mixture of excitement and nervousness about starting a new school year. This is normal. However, parents can help ease the transition from summer vacation to the school routine. Here are some tips to prepare you and your student for the upcoming academic year.

Land purchased to prove thinning forests can increase water supply

More than 10,000 acres of scenic meadows, forests and trout streams in the Sierra Nevada 10 miles west of Lake Tahoe have been preserved in a deal in which environmentalists hope to prove that thinning out overgrown forests can increase California's water supply.

The Northern Sierra Partnership, an environmental group based in Palo Alto and founded by longtime Silicon Valley leaders Jim and Becky Morgan, joined with the Nature Conservancy and the American River Conservancy to buy the land for $10.1 million from Simorg West Forests, a timber company based in Atlanta.

Electrofishing project helps both hungry and Lake Tahoe nearshore

Scientists have found a way to put some of the 51,000 pounds of harvested fish to good use at the same time they are ridding Lake Tahoe of invasive species.

In the first three years of a cooperative pilot program between the University of Nevada Reno and California Fish and Wildlife, unwanted fish have been donated to needy families.

Herbicides may be used on invasive species in Tahoe Keys

The underwater scenes could be straight out of "Creature of the Black Lagoon." Long feathery tendrils of green plants, growing at alarming rates in the Tahoe Keys and attracting fish not before known in the crystal blue waters of the lake.

The plant described here is better known as the Eurasian Watermilfoil. It is joined by another nuisance non-native plant, the curlyleaf pondweed, in creating problems in the waters of the Tahoe Keys.

Rebirth and rebranding of Reno/Sparks will affect Lake Tahoe

Once considered rundown and dirty, Reno, as well as neighboring Sparks, is experiencing a staggering rebirth. Only eight percent of their economy now comes from the gaming and tourism industry, with the remainder coming from a boom of the relocation of manufacturing and distribution companies.

What is evident is that the Reno of today is not the Reno of 25 years ago. It isn't even the same Reno of four years ago.

Automated External Defibrillators installed at City buildings

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department installed Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in all city staffed buildings this week including the airport, Parks and Recreation Swim Complex, Motor Pool, Senior Center, Transit Center, Services Center and at the Police Department.

Children's Environmental Science Day 2015

Event Date: 
August 2, 2015 - 12:30pm

The public is invited to the 16th annual Children's Environmental Science Day presented by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center on Sunday, August 2 at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. The event will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will continue until 3:30 p.m., with a free Mumbo Gumbo concert at 4:00 p.m.

2015 State of the Lake report released: A bluer lake is from reduced algae

Scientists have determined that Lake Tahoe’s iconic blueness is most strongly related to algae, not clarity. In a report released today from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, researchers found the lower the algal concentration, the bluer the lake.

In the “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report 2015” report, research shows clarity is controlled by sediment. Blueness is controlled by algal concentration, which in turn is driven by the level of nutrients available to the algae.

Whittell senior wins Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarhip

Whittell High School senior Daria Sharon was announced as the recipient for the seventh annual Gene Upshaw Scholarship Award at this year’s American Century Championship.

Her academic achievements and dedication to sports and community service made her the premier candidate to earn this scholarship, valued at $5,000.

Hall of Fame honors for former South Lake Tahoe orthopaedic surgeon

Former South Lake Tahoe orthopaedic surgeon and U.S. Ski Team doctor, J. Richard Steadman, MD, will be inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Hall of Fame on Friday, July 10th, during the Society’s Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. AOSSM Hall of Famers are individuals in the sports medicine community who have contributed immensely and set themselves apart from others in the field.

City Council addresses temporary craft shows in South Lake Tahoe

The South Lake Tahoe City Council once again addressed temporary craft shows on Tuesday, discussing many issues from displays, appearance, juries, and subjective verbiage including "quality," "nice" and "tidy," all of which were all part of the draft city ordinance they were reviewing.

Dealing with craft shows is nothing new for the council, having voted in 2013 to limit the number of shows in city limits to four per site with a maximum of eight per summer season.

Keep Lake Tahoe's beaches clean: "Stash It. Don't Trash It."

The aftermath of the thousands of people who flocked to South Lake Tahoe's beaches last Fourth of July was a ghastly sight. South Lake Tahoe made headlines around the world for the embarrassing amount of trash left on the beaches. It took hundreds of volunteers days to pick up the thousands of pounds of garbage left on the beautiful beaches.

Signs in South Lake Tahoe to start showing travel times

Motorists who have traveled California's highways have noticed signs with travel times posted to them, alerting them with travel times to major destinations.

Just in time for the July 4th holiday weekend, South Lake Tahoe will be getting their own set that will alert drivers the time it will take them for destinations between South Lake Tahoe and Placerville.

'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign by South Lake Tahoe Police Department

The Fourth of July is one of America’s favorite holidays. And why not? Families and friends gather to celebrate our country with food, parades, parties, picnics and fireworks.

Ready to Run?

Event Date: 
July 8, 2015 - 6:00pm

Running has advantages. It burns more calories per minute than walking. It’s a powerful stress reducer. Running also reduces the risk for heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression. If you’re active and want to try this vigorous exercise, here’s where to start.

Your “Sweet Spot”
Proper running technique is more important than shoes! Try running barefoot. Where your foot lands, usually between your heel and fore-foot, is your “sweet spot.” Land on your sweet spot, roll forward, and push off. Now, try with shoes.

The Right Shoe

Pine pollen making annual presence known

If you've been in Lake Tahoe this week you know that it is pine pollen season. The light winds have even made the annual spreading of the yellow powder even more evident, that is, if the sneezing and pollen covered cars weren't enough of a clue.

As a long time resident of South Lake Tahoe I just take the arrival of pollen as I do the changing of the seasons, but I thought a little research would help us understand causes, and cures, a bit more.

Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee to meet in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 22, 2015 - 9:00am

The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee (LTFAC) is scheduled to meet from 9 a.m. to noon, June 22, 2015, at the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Supervisor’s office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., 96150. LTFAC will address issues related to federal activities at Lake Tahoe.

Items on the agenda include an overview of committee history, review of committee charter, update on status of Lake Tahoe Restoration Act and Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, and discussion of Committee’s future strategy.

League to Save Lake Tahoe summer party to highlight new education center

Event Date: 
June 19, 2015 - 5:00pm

The public is invited to the League to Save Lake Tahoe's free Summer Kickoff party at the League to Save Lake Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, June 10 at 5:00 p.m. Music, food, fun, prizes and education will all be part of the evening's activities.

The party will feature the grand re-opening of their Fritzi & David Huntington Environmental Education Center. Featuring cutting-edge interactive displays, the Education Center’s overhaul has improved the agency's ability to educate and engage the public about how to protect Lake Tahoe and the threats facing the Lake.

Location

League to Save Lake Tahoe
2608 Lake Tahoe Blvd
United States

Water guzzling marijuana plants adding to California drought issues

California cannabis growers may be making millions, but their thirsty plants are sucking up a priceless resource: water. Now scientists say that if no action is taken in the drought-wracked state, the consequences for fisheries and wildlife will be dire.

"If this activity continues on the trajectory it's on, we're looking at potentially streams going dry, streams that harbor endangered fish species like salmon, steelhead," said Scott Bauer of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Lake Tahoe concert line-up for June

May 30-31 Valhalla Renaissance Faire @ Camp Richardson
Wagon Train Rendezvous @ Zephyr Cove / Wagon Train parade
June 01 Phat Caddy Monday @ Fat Cat Cafe
June 02 DJ Dakini, Oneness, Lo-G @ Whisky Dicks
June 03 Chad Bushnell @ Hard Rock Hotel
June 03-07 Heath Hyche @ Improv at Harveys
June 04 Ike and Martin @ Jimmy's at The Landing
Lacey, LaBella, and Richardson @ Cottonwood Bar & Grill
Serina Williams, Lost Whiskey Engine @ Moody's Bistro
June 05-06 Bias and Dunn @ Bar of America
The George Souza Trio @ Moody's Bistro
June 05 Superlicious @ Hard Rock Hotel

How diet influences your health is topic at next Tahoe Center talk

Event Date: 
June 11, 2015 - 5:30pm

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center invites the community to join guest speaker Dr. Carolyn Slupsky of the UC Davis Departments of Nutrition and Food Science & Technology for a presentation that will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 11 at the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, Nev.

Native Species Festival at Taylor Creek Visitor Center

Event Date: 
May 30, 2015 - 10:00am

The Sixth Annual Native Species Festival will be held at the Taylor Creek visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This free family event is hosted by the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and is a great way to spend the day outdoors and learn about the native species of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Visitor's Center is located three miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89.

Scientists now predicting near 100% chance of strong El Nino

Climate experts say El Nino is growing stronger and could bring drought-busting wet weather to California this year. While the ocean condition is nearly guaranteed, rainfall doesn’t always follow the sea temperature increase.

On Thursday, scientists at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) said chances for El Nino this summer are close to 100 percent, with simulations suggesting by December, it could exceed the devastating 1997-1998 event that brought widespread flooding and hurricane-force winds to most of California.

Five decades of history and stories of research at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 4, 2015 - 6:00pm

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center invites the community to join renowned limnologist Dr. Charles Goldman for an entertaining public presentation on the stories and history of five decades of scientific research at Lake Tahoe and the challenges ahead. Dr. Goldman’s presentation will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 at the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, Nev.

UC Davis research at Lake Tahoe began with Dr. Charles Goldman. In 1959, Dr. Goldman formed the Tahoe Research Group and began regularly monitoring Lake Tahoe.

Forum on aquatic invasive species at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 21, 2015 - 5:00pm

What are homeowners in the Tahoe Keys doing to fight aquatic invasive species (AIS)? How successful was the pilot research project to reduce the Asian clam population in Emerald Bay, and what does it mean for future control projects? What does the latest research say about whether quagga mussels could survive in Lake Tahoe?

UNR grad students share experiences from Nepal

At least 50 people died in Nepal Tuesday after another large earthquake shook the country. University of Nevada, Reno seismologist Steve Wesnousky went to Nepal following April’s deadly earthquake to research the fault in Nepal, which is one of the world’s longest. He returned to California hours before this latest earthquake, but his doctoral students, Ian Pierce and Steve Angster, stayed behind.

They witnessed the quake and spoke with us from Kathmandu about their experience.

Chamber offers "Knock Your Socks Off" customer service training

Looking to improve your business's customer service? Want to rise above the norm?

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber), in partnership with the City of South Lake Tahoe, is offering a Knock-Your-Socks-Off Customer Service workshop on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sea to Sea for MBC at the Lake

Event Date: 
May 19, 2015 - 5:00pm

Did you know that 30% of those diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will develop metastatic disease? Did you know that the big cancer organizations only dedicate, on average, 2% of the money they raise to metastatic breast cancer research? Do you even know what metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is?

Location

Emerald Bay Center for Women's Health
1154 Emerald Bay Rd
United States

Lake Tahoe area road report for May 3 through May 10

Now that weather is favorable for roadwork, Caltrans and NDot have begun their projects around Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas.

Long term projects:

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe's West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

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