holiday season

Nevada's Department of Transportation, Highway Patrol, City of South Lake Tahoe and Caltrans all had words of advice for travelers this holiday weekend. Roads will be full of cars, and the added threat of high winds and a snow storm will create issues for those not prepared on the road.

One would think a car filled, bumper-to-bumper highway would be the most dangerous place for drivers to be during the holiday season, but no, crowded parking lots lead the list.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has warned there are increased hazards of parking lot traffic during the holidays. Nationwide there are over 50,000 accidents in parking lots and garages resulting in 60,000 injuries and over 500 deaths. In fact. almost 20 percent of all accidents involving vehicles taking place where most might think driving 5 mph or less would lead to safer conditions.

In an effort to save lives, the Nevada Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will be looking for motorists and their occupants who are not buckled up during their "Joining Forces" event November 14 through December 10, 2016 on Nevada roadways.

Experience the Magic of the holiday season! Stroll through the Gingerbread Village, watch the Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will feature a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the meadow, and watch local youth perform seasonal music on the ice rink from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

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The Christmas spirit has been evident all through the South Shore over the past few weeks as many people and non-profit agencies have been blessed with donations of money, food and gifts to help make the holidays a bit brighter.

Here are some of the many Santas who've been busy at work:

The South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge and Women of the Moose filled up 40 boxes with hams and food for families at Tahoe Valley Elementary school. The students decorated the boxes.

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Now that the gift giving season is upon us, many people may have model airplanes, drones or quadcopters on their wish list. There are some new rules in place that all users of the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) need to know.

The Federal Aviation Administration today that all UAS units weighing between 0.55 pounds and 50 pounds must be registered by February 19th, 2016.

After the arrest last week of two people stealing packages off doorsteps in South Lake Tahoe, big city problems of holiday package theft are no longer something that happens elsewhere.

First lets tackle the “to eat a Christmas Tree or to not eat a Christmas tree” issue. The tree itself is not particularly dangerous if a few needles are ingested, it will most like come right up via kitty or doggie vomiting. The bigger concern is the stagnant tree water as it is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should they drink it. Speaking of the Christmas Tree make sure you securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.

The annual Barton Foundation Festival of Trees and Lights opened Wednesday at MontBleu with tree judging and the Senior Stroll.

The winners of the designer and school trees and wreath contests:

Designer Tree Category

Best Interpretation of Theme: No Place Like Home, by Cyndy Brown – Carlton

Most Elegant: Tantalizing Tango, by Belen Urrutia

Most “Out of the Box” (Creative): Steampunk Christmas, by Jeri Oishi & Enchanted Florist team

Best of Show: Tantalizing Tango, by Belen Urrutia

LTUSD Trees:

Lights, trees, action! Lake Tahoe community members and visitors are invited to celebrate the holiday season at the seventh annual Festival of Trees and Lights.

The family-friendly festival runs from December 2 through December 6 at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa. This year, all proceeds will support prevention programs and trauma services for Barton Hospital’s Level III Trauma Center.

This holiday season... GO LOCAL & WIN!

November 28, 2015 - January 1, 2016

Shop locally at any South Shore business during the holiday season and enter to win weekly prizes
from Tahoe Chamber with the chance to win the amazing grand prize!

Participating is easy - simply fill out our form on a weekly basis to enter to win weekly prizes.

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For three days, historic Valhalla comes alive for the Holiday Season. Celebrate at the 20th Annual Valhalla Holiday Faire, in the Grand Hall,from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Enjoy the festively decorated rustic estate at this free event, which will feature a Christmas tree, holiday music, 30 local vendors and artisans, as well as performances by the South Lake Tahoe Children’s Choral Society with a special appearance by Santa Claus!

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It is time once again for traditional South Lake Tahoe kick-off of the holiday season over the last 24 years, the Tahoe Toy Run.

Motorcycles full of toys for local youth in need will make their 25th run down Highway 50, this year from the airport to Sonney's BBQ Shack on October 3 starting at 10 a.m.

Bikers will start lining up the airport, which is located at 1901 Airport Road in South Lake Tahoe, at 10 a.m. for a 12 p.m. departure.

They will then proceed down Highway 50/Emerald Bay Road on the way to the party at Sonney's at 787 Emerald Bay Road.

A free Handbell Concert by Tintabulations, a community handbell ensemble from Reno. This talent group will present their concert series entitled “How The West Was Rung”, an homage to the ensemble's home state of Nevada in celebration of its Sesquicentennial. Classical, jazz and pop tunes are all part of the concert, as well as impressive original works for bells written by some of the nation’s foremost handbell composers. Performing on 120 bells and chimes, the 15 musicians that comprise Tintabulations prove that bell ringing can be entertaining year round and not just at the holiday season.

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The League to Save Lake Tahoe is giving the gift of a pristine Lake Tahoe this holiday season. They are looking for shoppers who not only want to buy someone a cool gift, but for people who want to invest in the future of Lake Tahoe.

Not only can people make monetary donations they can also buy gifts which include the iconic Keep Tahoe Blue bumper stickers, tshirts, kayaks, coffee mugs and books.

During the past year, the League did the following to help keep the lake blue:

Engaged 891 volunteers

The employees of South Tahoe Public Utility District are making donations to Christmas Cheer and Live Violence Free this holiday season. For the past month, staff has collected donations of food, toys, and more than $200 in cash for Christmas Cheer. They have also generously given of themselves filling wish lists for 15 families of Live Violence Free, who they hope to make the season a little brighter.

“I like participating because I know that these gifts go directly to the community” said District employee Matthew Mendoza.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and the South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Company team up this holiday season to make giving to Christmas Cheer easier than ever. The LTVA’s Drive and Drop for Christmas Cheer takes place Monday, December 8 through Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drive through the Visitor Center parking lot at 3066 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe, and drop your donations of food or toys into the bins provided by South Tahoe Refuse.

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Sallie from the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department has these tips to make your Christmas fire safe:

Select a fresh tree with good color and firm, flexible needles that do not easily pull from the branches.

Place the tree in plain water immediately after re-cutting the trunk at least ½” above the old cut. The container you use for your tree should hold 2 to 4 quarts of water. The longer you wait to place your tree in water, the greater the chances are that it will lose the required moisture content to keep it fresh through the holiday season. NEVER place your tree on a wooden stand.

Traveling off the hill to enjoy some Black Friday deals in Carson City? There are some unique small businesses that are inviting you to stop by while in the capital city.

“Everybody deserves to have an original, one-of-a-kind hanging in their home,” said Jeffery Pace, owner of the Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, 220 W Telegraph St. “With artwork starting off at $40 to $50, there’s really no reason to go to another store and buy something made in another country.”

It didn't look good for a 39 pound bear cub after being caught in a 400 square mile fire in the state of Washington. Suffering from 3rd degree burns, the cub was found under a horse trailer in Methow Valley, WA.

A state Department of Fish and Wildlife officer captured her, and a volunteer pilot flew Cinder to California. When she arrived at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC) on Aug. 4.

The newest holiday tradition in South Lake Tahoe doesn't involve caroling, Rudolf or Christmas stockings. What is does involve is a group of community members enjoying the holiday season while wearing their best Winter White outfits and raising money for charity.

Kick off the holiday season in South Lake Tahoe at the Barton Auxiliary's Holiday Faire at St. Theresa's Parish Hall on November 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by and get holiday gifts, decorations, and treats - including the Auxiliary's famous cheese balls - will be for sale. Santa Claus will be there between 10am and 2pm. For more information about the Holiday Faire, call The Attic at 530-541-3378.

The Parish Hall is located at 1041 Lyons Avenue.

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A fantastic handbell concert will be presented by the Friends of the Library on June 14 when they host Tintabulations, a community handbell ensemble from Reno.

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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.