natural

Kyle Horvath, Director of Marketing with the Carson City Visitors Bureau, heads over to the new/currently being built animal shelter in Carson City, and talks about a couple places to head over to after some mountain biking or a long day outside, Sassafras and next door... The Carson Hot Springs Resort, which is fed by a natural lithium hot spring.

Agave Azul is the newest family owned and operated authentic Mexican restaurant on the South Shore. Owners Pedro and Juillermina Mendez and their son Jose Mendez invite the public to join them for a Cinco de Mayo Tahoe Chamber ribbon cutting on May 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m..

Agave Azul will offer $5 margaritas and patron shots, and 50% off appetizers as part of the special celebration.

Six meadows in the southern portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin will be restored using a combination of tree removal, prescribed fire, stream channel repair, planting vegetation and rerouting trails starting in Spring 2017.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) made the announcement today of what is being called the Restoration of Fire Adapted Ecosystems Project.

The U.S. Forest Service and California Tahoe Conservancy will be finishing their fourth and final year of creating a new channel for the Upper Truckee River near the South Lake Tahoe airport. To accomplish their final tasks, the meadow and river will be closed to the public for much of the summer in order to divert the water into the new channel, relocate fish and mussels, and finish up vegetation projects.

When Lake Tahoe reached its natural rim on April 9, it was the first time in 300 days that it had done so. Water supply forecasters now expect the lake to rise another 1.2 feet this summer (0.8 feet on the low end to almost 1.9 feet on the high end).

Water supply forecasts are made by the US National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Forecast Center in coordination with the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The wet winter has proven useful for Lake Tahoe. For the first time in 10 months, the lake reached the its natural rim Saturday, April 9, 2016. This last happened in June of 2015 when the lake stayed at or slightly above the rim for a 5 day stretch between June 10th and June 15th. Prior to that, the lake had been below the rim since October 16, 2014.

Construction details of this summer's project at Cave Rock will be revealed during a Lake Tahoe community meeting on Thursday, April 14 in the Zephyr Cove Elementary multipurpose room from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is hosting the public meeting to tell residents about the project that will enhance traveler safety on U.S. 50 in the Cave Rock area.

On Thursday, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded more than $7 million for seven watershed restoration and forest health projects around the lake. Thirteen different applicants submitted 32 grant requests totaling $30 million, but with just $13,950,000 to give out, it was a very competitive process.

The money comes from Proposition 1, the $7.545 billion water bond approved overwhelmingly by California voters in November 2014. It was divided around the state to agencies like the Conservancy for water supply infrastructure projects.

Spring is back and officially stars this Saturday the 19th, and with the change of season upon us, our thoughts turn to Easter celebrations, spring cleaning and much-needed home improvement projects. Before you take on your springtime projects keep an eye on possible hazards that will affect your furry family members.

Easter Treats and Decorations

With most of the country turning their clocks back and switching to Daylight Saving Time on March 13, the National Sleep Foundation is leading the observation of National Sleep Awareness Week to highlight the importance of drivers being aware of the potential dangers of the time shift.

“Many people have a hard time adjusting to the time change, and it can affect their driving,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Even the most careful drivers become confused and use poor judgment when they are sleepy.”

As the Tahoe Paradise Park Improvement District celebrates their 50th anniversary, the district's board of directors, along with community volunteers, determined that it is time to create a master plan for the park which is located in the town of Meyers.

The draft master plan will be the subject of a community meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at the California Conservation Corps meeting room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will conduct travel surveys with visitors and residents at several recreational and commercial locations throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin starting Friday, Feb. 19, 2016.

Do you like natural materials, a modern use of metal and class or a combination of several styles in the look of buildings, signage and landscaping?

The City of South Lake Tahoe held their second public workshop on design standards for the community at City Hall on Wednesday evening, and have invited everyone to participate in an online survey.

Results from tonight's event, combined with those received online will be compiled and brought back to the public in a final meeting around March 9, though the date hasn't been officially set as of yet.

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) are the focus of an upcoming open house hosted by the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) on February 25, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They will be providing information and asking for public input on developing three preliminary applications for the OHV Cooperative Funds grants that will be submitted to the State of California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR).

The westbound, lakeside Cave Rock tunnel entrance will get a makeover this summer, one that will stop rocks from falling onto Highway 50, add lighting to the inside of the tunnel as well as adding water quality improvements.

Devin Cartwright, Supervisor with the Nevada Department of Transportation's Roadway Design Division, spoke to the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association Thursday, giving them a overview of the project that will bring with it one lane of traffic in each direction, causing some traffic delays, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week from May to October, 2016.

South Tahoe High's Principal Chad Houck made a phone call to parents last week, warning them of the increased use (and subsequent detection) among teens of what is known as "vaping."

Vaping is to "inhale and exhale the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device." The devices are vaporizers, and what goes inside them became popular as a way to cut back on smoking cigarettes starting in 2007, but a 2014 Science News study showed that vaping did not boost quit rates.

Last week we had the opportunity to attend a field trip at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Thanks to a grant written by STEEC member, Devin Middlebrook (TRPA Environmental Education Specialist), EPIC Promise (through Vail Resorts – Heavenly) covered the cost of transportation, lift tickets for the tram ride, use of snowshoes, and presenters. The day was well planned and all went smoothly.

We learned much about our environment including local animals, avalanche safety and snowmaking. And luckily we enjoyed a “blue bird” day at the top of the tram!

The latest round of funding through the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) includes more than $3 million for projects to help reduce wildfire risk in Lake Tahoe communities.

The funding award for Lake Tahoe is part of nearly $40 million going to projects around Nevada to reduce wildfire risk, conserve landscapes, restore wildlife habitat, and improve public recreation. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced the funding awards this January.

The ski resorts are welcoming new snow as a storm that passed through left behind up to 15 inches of it behind on the slopes. Crews are cleaning up the roads around the lake with many controls in place.

There is an avalanche warning for slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible according to the National Weather Service.

As of 9 a.m., chain controls are up on Highway 50 over Echo Summit, requiring all cars to have chains unless 4WD with snow tires on all four wheels from 3 miles east of Kyburz to Meyers.

Recently, I had the chance to visit the much-hyped Tahoe: A visual History at the Nevada Museum of Art. Located in the hip, CalAve District wedged between downtown and midtown Reno, the museum offers locals to the region a taste of world-class art collections. During events like Art Town (a marathon of a hundred-or-so art related events in Reno during the month of July), the museum offers innumerable pieces from local and global artists alike.

As we welcome in 2016, the City of South Lake Tahoe would like to reflect on the accomplishments of 2015. The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2015.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.
· FY 15/16 budget adopted on time and without use of alternative revenues (3rd consecutive year).
· Adopted 5-year Financial Forecast and 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.

Three local community groups were recently awarded grants form the South Lake Tahoe Rotary Club. The Drug Store Project was given $1,000, H.E.R.O Scholarship Fund $2,000 and the Sierra House Elementary 5th Grade Nature Bridge $1,500.

The Drug Store Project, which is operated under the guidance of Tahoe Youth and Family Services will use the money to continue its annual youth drug awareness and avoidance program in 2016. This is program is designed to reduce future drug experimentation/use/abuse and increase student knowledge about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

The visions are big for a new recreation center in South Lake Tahoe. A large indoor aquatic center, a senior center with services, a modern and sustainable building. A large gymnasium

Almost 50 people attended the first of four community meetings to discuss what the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center will provide, how it will look and function. New Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Austin Sass were at the meeting long with members of the Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, and other citizens.

Joy Barney was recently honored for her dedication to the U.S. Forest Service's educational programs in the Lake Tahoe basin.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) Conservation Education Program Specialist was awarded the Gifford Pinchot Pacific Southwest Region Interpreter and Conservation Educator of the Year Award. Named in honor of the first Chief of the Forest Service, the annual award is a national honor given to Forest Service employees for achievement in environmental interpretation and conservation education.