vision

In case you haven't been inside the former Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe lately, it sounds like it might be time to do so.

The Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel just finished $5M in renovations and has started the next phase, a $3M project that will add alpine mountain ambiance touches to its premium and balcony suites, lobby, banquet rooms and pool area.

The terms of three board members of the South Tahoe Public Utility District are up this fall and STPUD is holding an election in consolidation with El Dorado County Elections on November 4 to fill them.

Chris Cefalu, James Jones and Eric Schafer all have their terms ending on December 1.

The filing period opens on Monday, July 14 at 9 a.m. and will close on August 8 at 5 p.m. . If an incumbent fails to file for their term by the last day of the filing period, the time will be extended for 5 days, ending Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at 5:00 p.m

Late-Nite Productions is proud to present the return of THRIVE live in concert! Homegrown reggae music from Santa Cruz, CA plus special guest Weapon from South Lake Tahoe!

This is happening on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Whiskey Dick's Saloon located at 2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe. Tickets are $10 adv at Whiskey Dicks & Beach Hut Deli (South Lake Tahoe) or online at www.Ticketweb.com or $12 day of show.

Since 2008 Santa Cruz based Pop/Rock/ Hybrid-Reggae band Thrive has been paving its path in the music world.

Studies show that an average of 4.6% of a population are in need of services to treat a serious mental illness at any given time. That number doubles in a population where people live below 200% of the poverty level (an annual income of $23,340 for 1 person, $47,700 for a family of 4 for example).

With the current population of El Dorado County at approximately 181,000, that means anywhere between 8,329 and 16,114 people are in need of Mental Health Services.

This year, Lake Tahoe Community College is marking 40 years of providing excellence in education to the Tahoe Basin. As the college prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala this weekend, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest thanks to our community—for its support, energy, time, donations and commitment to helping us provide access to quality college education for all members of our community.

The Draft Tahoe Valley Area Plan and accompanying documents were released Wednesday, paving the way for finalization after agency and public review and upcoming comment periods. After community meetings and months of review and planning, the "Town Center" concept has been adopted along with "Greenbelt" portions.

The plan reflects the City of South Lake Tahoe's effort to rekindle the economic vitality and spirit of the Tahoe Valley Community. The plan outlines the community's strategy for resurrection.

The Sierra Nevada, with its beautiful blue lakes, towering granite mountains, forests with trees that appear to touch the clouds, thundering rivers and waterfalls, and hidden valleys has long been the domain of dreams, attracting the good and the bad, the adventurous and the delusional.

April 1, 2014 (Stateline, Nev.) -- Lakeside Inn and Casino announced the United States Forest Service would be processing a permit for livestock grazing in Rabe Meadow, land adjacent to the hotel/casino for the purpose of raising prime Angus beef for Brazilian Barbecue at its Latin Soul restaurant. Rabe Meadow has historically supported cattle grazing during summer periods on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

Residents of Meyers and the surrounding South Lake Tahoe community have been actively participating in what is called the "Meyers Area Plan." During the last community meeting on February 26 several concerned citizens spoke about what they wanted, and didn't want, to see their in their town.

El Dorado County officials took the numerous public comments made both at the meeting and on-line and have created potential revisions to the Draft Meyers Area Plan.

Several South Lake Tahoe residents showed up at the presentation of the Tahoe Area Plan at the airport on Thursday. Most agreed that the area known as the "Y" needs to be changed with an area plan, but which direction to a take to a final plan is where people differ.

The evening consisted of a presentation by John Hitchcock, who is on loan to the city from the TRPA for this project as Planning Project Manager. After he spoke the group broke out into three breakout sessions, each focuses on one of three choices presented as the future concept for "Y" area.

On February 26th, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., the Meyers Community Advisory Council (MCAC) will be hosting a community workshop to discuss and compare the existing Meyers Community Plan with the proposed Meyers Area Plan. All residents and businesses in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County on the South Shore are invited to actively participate in the realization of this vision and are encouraged to offer input.

An additional public workshop will be held on March 19th, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, to review the Proposed Meyers Area Plan.

The following is an opinion article and does not necessarily reflect the views of South Tahoe Now:

They came to have their opinion heard. They came to call for the closure of the airport. They came to support the airport. They came to be a part of the South Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan process.

An overflowing crowd showed up at the South Lake Tahoe City Council chambers Thursday night to hear about the process involved in preparing the upcoming plan for the future of the airport, why a new plan is needed and what it takes to replace the outdated 1992 Master Plan.

"Its not often you can come to City Council and look back to see how we got where we are today with such incredibly great news in such a short time," said South Lake Tahoe City Manager Nancy Kerry during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Kerry highlighted the path the city has been on over the last 12 years, from the years leading to the recession, what happened during the recession, and where the city is headed now that there is a net positive cash flow of over $1,000,000.

As 2013 draws to a close, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of many this year. It was just a few short years ago, in the midst of the Great Recession, both public agencies and private companies throughout the basin were in the middle of layoffs, service reductions and unemployment hovering above 17%. Concerns regarding economic recovery were significant. Rather than buckling under, we buckled down, got things done and prepared for recovery.

Two local businesswomen, Marianna Lucido and Suzette Waite, have teamed together to start a new company called Lake Tahoe Cosmetics. Their vision is to offer women a complete, affordable cosmetics line that gives them a finished, glamorous look, and also fits the lifestyle of living in Lake Tahoe. These products are made with the highest quality ingredients that create a light and natural feeling and provide a flawless, long-lasting look that is compatible with our mountain climate.

If you own a bar or pub in the Lake Tahoe area that is in need of a makeover, then a new Cooking Channel series is looking for you! The network has created a new makeover series that will feature chef and hospitality consultant Eddie Russell as he changes the way America experiences pub food.

He is on a pilgrimage to enlighten cooks, barkeeps and grillers of the nation's watering holes that they can provide food that is both delicious and sophisticated. He will teach staff they can have fun while being professional and that a watering hole doesn't have to smell!

The City of South Lake Tahoe's vision to recreate a community that encourages revitalizing commercial and residential areas got one step closer today with the TRPA's adoption of the South Lake Tahoe Tourist Core Area Plan. The area involved is the Highway 50 corridor from Fairway Ave at Bijou, up and down Ski Run Boulevard, and up to the Stateline.

Outdated development and pollution in the core of South Lake Tahoe could be on their way out with the adoption today of the City of South Lake Tahoe Tourist Core Area Plan by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board.

Bob and Tammy Hassett, current operators of Camp Richardson and Meeks Bay Resort have been selected to run the concession at Round Hill Pines Resort according to Cheva Heck of the U.S. Forest Service. The current lease is held by the Forvilly family and is set to expire on December 31, 2013. Frank Forvilly has operated Round Hill Pines since 1971 and just found out yesterday that they weren't awarded the new contract.

The Coalition Coordinator is responsible for facilitating the successful implementation of projects, programs and activities to accomplish the mission of the Drug Free Communities (DFC) support program grant as established by the South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition (the Coalition) and managed by Tahoe Youth & Family Services. The Coalition Coordinator will mobilize the community to prevent and reduce youth substance use by effectively representing the Coalition and building partnerships and support in the community.

"We will never, never forget" were the words spoken by U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, 4th District of California, as Gold Star Peak was dedicated in South Lake Tahoe today. A bronze memorial plaque commemorating the peak was unveiled during the ceremony held at Lakeview Commons. Mayor Tom Davis told the group gathered, "We're proud to be able to have a memorial we can view every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year." The plaque is placed near beach level with a clear view of Gold Star Peak.

It has been 17 years since President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore stood on the shores of Lake Tahoe and issued a challenge. They urged the frequently fractious perspectives in the region to come together in support of the restoration of Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe design professional and award winning business owner Linda McCall was recently named Decorator of the Year, the highest design award presented by Decorating Den Interiors, North America’s largest interior design and home furnishings franchise company.

Her winning room makeover featured a dramatically designed family room that featured a warm and elegantly casual enclave that reflected her client’s penchant for an eclectic mix of Nantucket and Asian styles.

Lake Tahoe Community College’s 2020 Vision Session planned for this Saturday, June 8 has been canceled. The college and community are mourning the loss of several members of our college family.

Out of respect for those who passed and their family members and friends, LTCC is postponing the visioning session until Fall 2013. An announcement with a new date and time for this important session will come soon.