montbleu

There’s nothing like having a hearty and tasty meat loaf dinner to make you feel like you’re eating at home. Thanks to the “Adopt A Day of Nourishment” sponsor MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa and our hardworking Bread & Broth volunteer cooks, that is exactly what B&B’s dinner guests enjoyed at the December 28 Monday evening dinner. The meat loaf was a big hit and despite big “first servings” portions, when “second serving” was announced, many diners returned for a second helping.

4:30 p.m. update 12/31/15:

The woman who was a focus of a search in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday was found by Douglas County Sheriff's Search and Rescue.

At 3:30 p.m., April Torres was located on the roof top of Edgewood Tahoe Golf Resort. She has been transported to Barton Hospital. Her medical condition is unknown.

MontBleu surveillance employees spent the day searching through their films and the last time she was seen on film was when she left the casino on foot and went to the corner of the Loop Road and Highway 50.

The investigation continues.

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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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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.

The Loop Road project in South Lake Tahoe has undergone changes, from being a federally funded project to realign Highway 50 to evolving into a community development project that promises to beautify, provide new gateways and gathering places. Without this plan being a federal project allows local control and development.

The revamped US Highway 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project will be presented to the community during an open house on Tuesday, December 1 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

After the kids have finished up their trick-or-treating, the South Lake Tahoe nightlife gives adults a lot of opportunity for some ghoulish fun.

Opal's Exotic Halloween Bash inside MontBleu. The sexy thrills and sultry chills are at Opal as you dance and drink the night away with our wicked go-go dancers and drink specials. $10 - Ladies drink free until Midnight. $5,000 in prizes for the exotic costume contest! Doors open at 10:00 pm.

The Tahoe Chamber announced the nominations Tuesday for the 2015 Blue Ribbon Awards. There were 150 nominations received from the community for their annual awards program that recognizes exceptional South Shore businesses for excellence in service, entrepreneurship and experience among other areas.

From quality shopping, accommodations, recreation and dining options to the myriad service providers and businesses, the Blue Ribbon Awards honor all that business should be. This important awards program salutes those businesses that are making significant contributions to the South Shore economy.

Location

More than 250 people packed the Riva Grill Thursday night for Barton Foundation's 6th Annual Signature Cocktail Contest.

The winner of the event, Riva Grill's Erick Martinez, is no stranger to the podium. Attendees voted his Blue Linen “Best Cocktail.” The drink combined Tahoe Blue Vodka with lavender, mint, cucumber, and St. Germain. Martinez, who also received the most tips and was voted “Most Congenial Bartender.” Erick received “Most Congenial Bartender” in 2014 and “Best Cocktail” in 2013.

Events include Sample the Sierra, The Sternwheeler Races, The +Ironman Triathlon in Lake Tahoe, The Reebook Spartan World championships, +TrailsAndVistas concert and hiking experience, and Oktoberfest 2015.

Notable Concerts
Skid Row and Sammy Hagar #LaborDay weekend in #LakeTahoe, plus Eric Burdon and the Animals, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Andre Nikatina and Rappin 4Tay with The iinTerCepTerz and DeeDay the Scorpion, plus two big festivals in the area:

The Tahoe Transportation District recently appointed Russ Nygaard as transportation capital program manager to oversee the planning, design and execution of the agency's capital projects.

With 26 years engineering experience in transportation and bridge projects, Nygaard will perform project management duties and assist with funding procurement and budget maintenance while ensuring all federal requirements are met and executed on schedule.

Each year the Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club holds their signature fundraiser, the St. Patrick's Day Celebration, and because of this they are able to give away tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, grants and gifts to members of the community.

On Friday, local non-profits were handed the fruits of the Rotarian's labor at their annual community donation day.

This year, the following groups received a donation either at the meeting or during the school year:
Zephyr Cove Elementary School
Boy Scouts Troop 468
Boy Scouts Troop 594
WHittell High Boosters

With the three-day weekend starting for many on Friday, visitors started arriving in South Lake Tahoe early Thursday. If the amount of congestion on local roads and the crowds in the grocery stores are any indication, this is going to be a very busy holiday!

An estimated 50,000 to 55,000 people will be using South Lake Tahoe hotels, motels, campgrounds, timeshares and vacation home rentals. Another 50,000-70,000 will be enjoying the fireworks from the South Shore. This includes full time residents, part time residents and drive in day visitors.

Even though it lasted just 19 months, the Pony Express played an important role in the western expansion of the United States. The Pony Express was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications prior to the telegraph.

With the threat of the Civil War there was a need for faster communication with the growing number of people living in the West. Three men understood this need (William H. Russell, William B. Waddell, and Alexander Majors) and created the Pony Express.

South Lake Tahoe's Blue Ribbon Choir will be joining British-American rock icons, Foreigner, on the MontBleu stage Saturday evening.

Several month ago the band, famous for such hits as "I Want to Know What Love Is,""Feels Like the First Time," "Cold as Ice," and "Hot Blooded," contacted Dave Davis of MontBleu about their desire to have a local choir join them on stage during their South Shore show.

Davis contacted Paul Kushner, the Blue Ribbon Choir director, to see if his group would be interested.

He said "yes!"

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

Since 2003 there has been Leadership Lake Tahoe and a few hundred people can now say they've graduated from this worthwhile program. What started as an annual joint venture between the two Chambers of Commerce that served the South Shore is now a biennial leadership experience.

I was a member of Leadership Lake Tahoe in 2006 and I can say that it changed my life.

May 1-3 Mark Pitta / Jack Coen @ Improv at Harveys
Genoa Cowboy Festival feat. Lacy J Dalton and the Dalton Gang, The Western Flyers, Richard Elloyan, Steve Wade, Larry Maurice, Mike Beck, Gary Allegretto, Walt Cheney, Belinda Gail, All Hat No Cattle, Sourdough Slim, Tony Argento, Ken Gardner, John and Betsie Elliott, Ed and Connie Kretschmer, The Mountain Girls, Cowboys By Night, McAboy Lane, CW & Mr. Spoons, Don S. Thompson, Michael Fischer, Dianna Borges, Kim Copel @ Genoa, NV
Live music w/ Steve & Tom @ Gar Woods
May 01 1 year anniversary party w/ DJ Trek @ Xhale

For the past several years, South Lake Tahoe has been a part of Hot August Nights with a few days of local show and shines, cruises and concerts prior to the big annual event in Reno.

This is no longer the case.

Without funding or a local venue to take on the "South Lake Tahoe Experience," Hot August Nights is bypassing the lake in 2015.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board released their February casino win/loss figures today, and the South Shore casinos experienced a "win" of $15,575,141. This amount is up 5.66% from February of 2014.

For the fiscal year, the South Shore is up $2,934,706 over last year.

When reviewing the whole state of Nevada, the Boulder Strip did the best with a 10.59% increase in gaming win. The biggest loss when compared to last year was the Las Vegas Strip which saw a 4.38% decrease with their take of $531,348,04.

The 3rd annual Dancing With the Tahoe Stars is quickly becoming a community favorite. A capacity crowd filled MontBleu Casino Resort to watch ten local celebrities paired with professional dancers vie for the mirror ball trophy.

South Lake Tahoe teacher Lisa McDaniel and Lake Tahoe Unified School Board Member Ginger Nicolay-Davis each ended up with the top honors in the first ever tie. The tiebreaker combined judge's scores, ticket donations and crowd noise.

February 01 Unkle Funkle @ McP's
Super Bowl Party @ Himmel Haus
Seraphin @ Northstar
February 02 Mark Wilson @ McP's
Ben Fuller @ West Shore Cafe
DJ Lambchop @ Fat Cat Cafe
February 03 Coop Da Loop, Dub Coling, Resonant Language @ Whisky Dick's
Buddy Emmer Blues Band @ Harrah's
Open Mic w/ Lucas Arizu @ Fat Cat Cafe
February 4-8 Alan Havey / Joe Dosch @ Improv at Harveys
February 04 Zebuel, Haylestorm, IJV @ The Grid
Chris Emmington @ fat Cat Cafe
February 05 The Saddle Tramps @ Hard Rock Hotel
Taking Root @ Rojo's

The South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts (STAR) gave a total of $15,000 to three area non-profits this holiday season to feed families as well as secure essential upgrades to community centers/programs.

STAR gifted $5,000 to Christmas Cheer All Year’s Food for Families, which resulted in $11,400 worth of fresh food from Raleys supermarket. Through this initiative Raleys was able to purchase items at wholesale while selecting various items that were in more demand. For every $1 donated to Christmas Cheer results in more than $2 worth of food.