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Tahoe is a wonderland. Every season creates not only beautiful landscapes, but also new opportunities to get outside and play. For those of us that enjoy playing in the outdoors there are some simple practices we can all engage in to spread cheer all year and everywhere.

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In the show “The Crown” the queen educates Margaret Thatcher on proper behavior while stalking a stag. She mentions the importance of dressing properly, speaking quietly, and avoiding wearing perfumes. The same is true for spending time outside while visiting Tahoe.

A visit with Santa Claus is challenging this year due to the pandemic, but Douglas County has been able to create a COVID-safe event with its partners.

Santa Claus and his elf Doug will be spreading some holiday cheer on December 21 in a Drive-Through Cookies and Cocoa with Santa event at the Douglas County Community and Senior Center.

Families are invited to drive through the Christmas Lane to enjoy music, crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, all from the safety of their vehicles. Letters for Santa will also be collected and socially distanced complimentary photos will be taken.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Nicholas Abelow CFP, an independent financial advisor at Abelow Pratt and Associates in South Lake Tahoe has obtained the Chartered SRI Counselor™ (CSRIC) certification. The CSRIC™ program was developed in collaboration with industry-group leader US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. It provides financial advisors and investment professionals with information about the history, definitions, trends, portfolio construction principles, fiduciary responsibilities, and best practices for sustainable investments.

In response to the recent increased number of COVID-19 cases in the South Lake Tahoe region, the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Self Sufficiency office located at 3368 Sandy Way in South Lake Tahoe is temporarily reducing the hours that the lobby is open to the public. Beginning Monday, December 14, 2020, the lobby will be open to the public Monday - Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for persons needing to conduct business in person.

We are ready for some glad tidings this holiday season. While we look forward to the spirit of generosity and warmth the season brings, many are also hoping the New Year will deliver a meaningful reset. Propelling ourselves forward and out of crisis will require fortitude and drive. The pending vaccine is a bright spot on the horizon, but there are other positive indicators for better days to come.

A previously announced matching donation by Tahoe Blue Vodka of $100,000 has received its first match from Vail Resorts. The Tahoe Fund said Vail contributed $25,000 in support of its campaign to remove trash around all 72-miles of Lake Tahoe with Clean Up The Lake.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Overland Meat & Seafood Company will once again pay-it-forward in South Lake Tahoe and give away hamburger to those in need of some help with putting food on the table during these trying times. The new giveaway day is Monday, December 14 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Brian Cohen, owner of the popular market in South Lake Tahoe, will be continuing what they have now done four different times since the beginning of the pandemic. So far they have given away thousands of pounds of hamburger to people in the community.

It was the first year the Lucky Beaver Bar and Burger at Stateline held a toy drive for the South Shore, and it was a big success with organizer Dreu Murin saying over $10,000 worth of toys donated to children in the community.

Christmas Cheer, the South Lake Tahoe nonprofit that helps feed locals in need all year was also in need of toys to help bring joy during such trying times. Tom Davis of Christmas Cheer joined up with Murin and other community members to organize the event which brought toys from far and wide to Lake Tahoe on December 6.

State health insurance exchanges, like Covered California and Nevada Health Link, are now in open enrollment - the time when we can sign up for coverage for the year ahead. It’s always a good idea to make sure you and your family have health insurance, and with the current surge of COVID-19, you don’t want to be uncovered. Luckily, there are many options for families and individuals to enroll virtually, including free, bi-lingual enrollment services offered here in our community.

The Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe has donated $8,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. It will be split up to support two funds at the club, $3,000 directly to the Club to support their ongoing operations and $5,000 towards its new building.

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office today announced the reactivation of the
County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases and its impact on County hospitals. It includes personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, County Public Health department and the County’s Chief Administrative Office.

With winter just around the corner, all visitors to California’s National Forests should continue to plan ahead before visiting and recreate responsibly once there. Early snowfall has already begun on some forests and road conditions will begin to impact access so please ensure that your vehicle is snow ready before you go.

Douglas County has recently seen an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in an extremely short period of time. This is part of a regional and statewide trend in rapidly increasing confirmed COVID-19 infections and they are experiencing strain to their healthcare system and first responders.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Following a special meeting on Monday to certify the November 3 election and say goodbye to outgoing councilmembers, newly elected Councilmembers Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich will be sworn in at the beginning of Tuesday's regular meeting.

The 9:00 a.m. meeting on December 1 will also include the following agenda items:

The COVID-19 virus is widespread throughout the South Lake Tahoe community. Transmission is taking place at its highest rate to date largely due to cooler weather moving gatherings indoors. Any gathering outside of your immediate household is now the largest vehicle for spread.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors extended the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial
hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The District’s COVID-19 Rate Relief Program offers a 50% credit up to $3,000 for the next quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“We’re extending the rate relief program because our community just entered another phase of restrictions, which could cause economic hardship for our customers,” says Randy Vogelgesang, Board President.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The holidays can be stressful for those worrying about not only buying gifts, but for the basics of putting food on the table.

Tuesday's Pinehaven Fire in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno burned quickly inside a 1,200 acre perimeter, taking with it five structures and damaging another 15. One of the homes lost belonged to the O'Brien family who lost their second home in 19 months.

The family of four, soon to be five, had recently moved back in after losing it the first time to an electrical fire when it was under construction. Mom Marie "Mimi" O'Brien is 37 weeks pregnant, expecting their third son in just three weeks.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fund has kicked off its annual Request for Projects process, a time they seek applications seeking funds of $5,000 to 1,000,000 to complete their goals to help preserve Lake Tahoe.

The funding for projects are designed to restore Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity, create healthier forests, improve transportation, create more sustainable recreation, and inspire greater stewardship in the region.

For more than half a century, collaboration and partnership have been the bedrock of Lake Tahoe’s preservation. I speak often of the epic collaboration needed to restore our environment and lift up our communities. The creation of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) 50 years ago challenged us to bring people together to pull this majestic lake back from the brink. Today, TRPA is the backbone for 80 organizations and thousands of property owners working toward the common goals of clean water, a healthy watershed, and resilient communities

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The local Cricket Wireless store wants to help those in need fill their Thanksgiving tables this season.

From now until November 21, local families can stop by the Cricket store at 3442 Lake Tahoe Boulevard and register for a free turkey or any other necessities needed for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Sign up during the following times:
Monday - Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday - 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The death of a pet can be devastating, and for some, the grief can be more intense than human loss. To help, the Humane Society of Tahoe Truckee (HSTT) has launched a Pet Loss Support Group for grieving pet parents. This group will help those experiencing this loss, or anticipated loss, of their furry friend.

Building professionals are invited to join a free virtual workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 18 to learn how to design, build, and retrofit homes to withstand wildfire.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2013 he showed up to the Bachelorette Mansion in a heavy suit of armor, but what nobody knew at the time what that extra weight was nothing compared to the pain Diogo Custodio had been carrying his entire life.

The North Lake Tahoe resident was a contestant on Season 9 of The Bachelorette, vying for the love of Desiree Hartsock. While Diogo was on the show looking for love and to be a knight in shining armor, it wasn't to be with Desiree as he didn't make it past the first week.

But he is the winner in what came next.