skiing

The AAUW – South Lake Tahoe Branch is a branch of the American Association of University Women, a national organization of more than 170,000 members and supporters. Founded in 1881, the AAUW has been the voice heard at the national level promoting education equity for girls and women.

The AAUW today seeks to continue to unite graduates of educational institutions and be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.

Like many residents and visitors of Lake Tahoe, I have had the good fortune of running, hiking, swimming, skiing, dining, lodging and otherwise living in and around Lake Tahoe nearly all of my life. Tahoe has played a vital role in the development of my most treasured relationship, with my wife Lisa, where we both learned to care for much more than ourselves, and where we were married 25 years ago on the west shore.

James Anthony Biller was born in Ventura, CA, July 10, 1951, to Jack and Marjorie Biller. Growing up in Ventura, he surfed, sailed, played water polo for the Ventura High Cougars, and was one of the best swimmers Ventura High had ever seen, getting his varsity letter and pin as a sophomore and setting swimming records that stood for many years after he graduated in 1969. That Jim had a love of the beach, sailing, and everything that had to do with the water was obvious to everyone around him.

Featuring some of the biggest names in skiing and snowboarding, the inaugural Tahoe Backcountry Awareness Week will culminate with the Athlete Summit on Thursday, December 17. The free virtual event, designed to encourage those planning to venture into the backcountry to educate themselves before doing so, will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a live Q&A period with Michelle Parker, Jeremy Jones, Elyse Saugstad, Cody Townsend and Amie Engerbretson.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a minimum three-week long Stay-at-Home order going into effect on December 10 at 11:59 p.m. there are new rules that affect South Lake Tahoe visitors and residents.

The Sacramento Region, of which South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County are part of, has dropped below 15 percent availability in the ICUs across the region, prompting the new order. More than thirty million people in California now fall under the order after a deadly surge of the coronavirus has crossed the state.

Eric Michael Berg tragically and unexpectedly passed on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the age of 32. The severity and duration of his addiction to alcohol was almost entirely hidden from his friends and family. He passed just hours before family intended to bring him to a medical detoxification facility.

Sugar Bowl Resort and Royal Gorge Cross Country will open for the 2020/21 winter season on Friday, November 27, 2020 with new safety procedures.

“We are eager to welcome our guests back to the mountain and are thrilled that opening day is just a week away,” said Greg Dallas, President and CEO of Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge. “Our team has worked tirelessly on a reopening plan that keeps the safety of our guests and staff as the top priority.”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Opening day at Heavenly Mountain Resort is planned for Friday, November 20, with ski and snowboard operations exclusive for all pass holders until December 8.

This year there are many changes due to COVID-19 and Vail says their goal is to prioritize pass holders, including those who have the Epic Day Pass. Those with passes need to reserve their day on the slopes as does the general non-pass holding public.

There will be no ticket sales at the Vail ski resorts this season and all is conducted virtually except for sightseeing rides.

Dear Voters: Everyone knows what goes downhill, but the South Tahoe Public Utility District knows how to recycle it into 381,000 kilowatts of electricity per year. A recent feature article by the Association of California Water Agencies pointed out that STPUD is one of only a handful of utility districts in the entire world that can claim 100% reuse of wastewater and bio solids. Here’s how. We use centrifuges instead of the usual pollution causing burners. That allows us to make fertilizer for ranch land.

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. - Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced Tuesday that it is making a commitment to change the name of the legendary California mountain destination and remove the word "squaw."

What the new name will be is unknown at this time and work to determine what it will be is beginning immediately. They will announce the new name after the winter season concludes in 2021.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded scholarships to a group of local students from South Tahoe High, George Whittell High, the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy and Lake Tahoe Community College. The club, serving the community since 1959, has given out over one-million dollars to local graduates over the years.

George passed away peacefully in his home in the presence of family on August 5, 2020.

George was born in New York City, NY. He attended Brooklyn Technical
High School, Notre Dame University, and Carnegie Mellon University, where he
met his wife, Elaine, and acquired his MBA. He and his wife were married for 57
years. In 1995 they moved to Lake Tahoe where George and his wife have been
real estate brokers for the more than 25 years. Nonetheless, his first and foremost
concern was always his family.

George loved Lake Tahoe and spent many hours skiing and hiking. His favorite

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue recently held ceremonies for the hiring of three new firefighter/paramedics and the promotion of three to the rank of captain. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ceremonies were small and held at the fire station during their shifts.

Captain/Paramedic Mike Taormina

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has unveiled his plan for the state to reopen under phase one starting May 9, 2020. Outdoor malls, restaurants, hair salons, and barber shops are among those able to reopen with new standards for safety.

"We must stay safe so we can stay open," said Sisolak of the ability to move into phase 2 by the end of May, or sooner.

"The beginning of the reopening of our economy is not the end of the coronavirus," said Sisolak during a press conference Thursday afternoon. "It's still with us, as strong as ever. It will not go away until there's a vaccine."

Following their earlier announcement of temporarily closing all ski resorts due to the coronavirus COVID-19, Vail Resorts today announced all of its North American resorts and retail stores will remain closed for the 2019-20 winter ski season. These closures are amidst the continued challenges associated with the spread of virus across the globe.

Dependent on the COVID-19 situation and weather conditions, Heavenly may reopen in late April/early May. The company may also consider reopening Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia.

I support the upcoming Measure B and believe all voters should be informed as to the importance of passing this $52/year bond issue. As a 47-year resident, I have developed a very high degree of respect for and confidence in the Lake Valley Fire Protection District and it’s publicly elected Board of Directors.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 2nd annual Pink Heavenly will be held on Saturday, March 21 at Heavenly Mountain Resort. The Barton Foundation is inviting community members and visitors to register now and start fundraising for the fun event.

All proceeds from the slopeside fundraising event benefit Cancer Support Services at Barton Health, dedicated to improving the lives of community members fighting cancer.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One of South Lake Tahoe's Golden Girls, Maddie Bowman, has announced her retirement from competitive halfpipe freeskiing on Monday.

In an announcement, U.S. Ski & Snowboard said Bowman, Olympic gold medalist, X Games gold medalist and seven-year member of the U.S. Freeski Team, is stepping away and leaving in her tracks a lasting legacy of triumph, perseverance, and progression.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Thanks to recent snowfall and with the Thanksgiving holiday in mind, Sierra-at-Tahoe will be running lifts a day early, on Friday, November 29, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a pre-Opening Day event.

Lift tickets will be available for purchase at ticket windows for just $10, with half of all proceeds to be donated to the Food Bank of El Dorado County.

Operations will be limited, with Easy Rider Express and Rock Garden scheduled to spin, conditions permitting.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort announced Tuesday they have changed their opening days due to unusually warm November weather that limited their snowmaking production.

They were both planning on opening this Friday, Nov. 22. At this time, Heavenly will target Wednesday, Nov. 27 and Northstar will target Friday, Nov. 29 to open for skiing and snowboarding. Kirkwood will announce an opening date in the coming days.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ken Harrison has been hired to take the helm of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue. The former battalion chief with the Orange County Fire Authority is bringing years of experience to the lake.

The City hasn't had anyone in the permanent fire chief position since the departure of Jeff Meston retired in February of this year. Battalion Chief Jim Drennan and retired Chief Bruce Martin have shared the duties over the past eight months.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Vail Resorts has announced the hiring of Matt Jones for their new Vice President and General Manager at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

Jones has been with Vail since 1998 and has held several positions in Human Resources since that time, most recently as Vice President of Human Resources where he oversaw the Colorado Resorts and employee housing initiatives. He’s also been a member of various boards including the Epic Promise Foundation and Vail Resorts’ Emergency Grants Committee.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Chris Kiser has been announced as the new executive director for the Barton Foundation. He will be overseeing fundraising efforts to improve healthcare for the Lake Tahoe community through philanthropy.

There will be a community meet and greet for Kiser at Lake Tahoe Aleworx on Tuesday, August 27 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Krista Kline Carson passed away peacefully on July 9, 2019 surrounded by family and friends after a 3½ year battle with cancer. Always positive, always upbeat she would constantly describe her life as AWSOME! She was a positive force for everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her husband Jesse Kalin (Philip) Carson, daughter Trella Ruth Carson, parents Don and Gwen Kline, brother and sister-in-law Scott and Jen Kline, step-daughter Madison Merz, step-son Travis Steidle and uncles, cousins and other relatives too numerous to mention.