winter

Ski resorts, local businesses, visitors and residents welcomed several inches of snow during Tuesday's storm, lending hope that the winter will be a good one for both outdoor sports and the South Lake Tahoe economy.

Heavenly Mountain Resort is reports 8" of new snow and they will have almost half of their runs open Wednesday. Sierra-at-Tahoe received 9" at the base, 10" at the summit and will have five lifts and 13 trails open. Over at Kirkwood, they received 16" of new snow and have four of their 15 lifts open.

On behalf of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, I would like to thank Barton Health employees and physicians for their incredible generosity.

More than 647 employees in 35 departments participated in a fundraising drive for the South Lake Tahoe Warm Room. Employees and physicians raised $2,040 in funds and donated more than 3,000 items – approximately $8,000 in value – totally more than $10,000 in donations.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the system heading to the Sierra. They have put in a Winter Storm Warning from noon Tuesday, November 24 to 4 a.m. on Wednesday. Since the storm is coming from the north, forecasters expect snow to hit Washoe County by 10 a.m. and South Lake Tahoe by 12:00 p.m.

Holiday travelers can expect roads to be impacted with heavy snow Tuesday afternoon and evening, and slick roads on Wednesday.

A high wind warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Monday until noon on Tuesday, prior to the snow falling.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, most lane closures will be restricted from 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 25 until 8 p.m. Sunday, November 29.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

The National Weather Service is calling for a new storm to bring snow to Lake Tahoe late Monday night into Wednesday, affecting holiday travelers.

In today’s world, the reasons for being prepared seem to be escalating. From threats of terrorist attacks to huge storms that could knock out the power supply, the only way you can make sure your family will survive is to take steps to ensure you are prepared. It’s not always going to be possible to count on the government or community resources in times of trouble, so taking some time to put together your own emergency provisions can be the determining factor in whether your family eats or even survives the emergency.

Who were the first residents of the Lake Tahoe basin? How do you convey the word "SOS" in Morse Code? What is the 1930's cabin tour? If you don't know the answers to these questions, ask a third grader.

In the month of October, 220 students from third grade classes in Lake Tahoe Unified School District took field trips to the Lake Tahoe History Museum where they spent a morning with hands on displays, singing and docent led museum tours.

The school tours started in 2010 when Jackie Dumin, the Tallac Site Director for the U.S. Forest Service, developed the program.

The Loft at Heavenly Village has been in the works for months, and now it's just a few weeks from opening day on December 15.

The new indoor, year-round live theater is in a newly created space above the current Heavenly Village Cinemas created by PR Entertainment. It will include a bar and lounge, 107 seat theater and Italian restaurant featuring Chef Lisa Devenchezi-Miller, who also owns of Capisce? in South Lake Tahoe.

The inaugural Winter Bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature stocking stuffers, gifts for Hanukkah and Christmas, and small prizes for attending. Food will be offered for sale by Seniors, Inc. The Senior Center is located at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

The SnowGlobe Music Festival announced Thursday additional artists to the 5th anniversary of the three-day celebration in South Lake Tahoe December 29-31, 2015. Hosted in the heart of California’s breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains, the unique outdoor winter festival offers over 50 world-class artists performing multiple stages and culminating in an impressive NYE firework show. By day, time is spent enjoying the many alpine adventures available in the stunning setting of Lake Tahoe.

After Monday's and Tuesday's snowstorm in Lake Tahoe, two more large ski resorts have announced their opening date, well ahead of planned.

Squaw Valley an Alpine Meadows have been making snow, and combined with what Mother Nature brought, they are able to open. Alpine Meadows is opening for the season on Thursday, November 12 at 9:00 a.m., a month ahead of the planned December 11 scheduled date. They plan on operating Kangaroo Chair as well as limited dining options.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

Kick off the winter with a good old fashioned dodgeball tourney! Join Sierra-at-Tahoe at Steamers Bar & Grill on November 12 for live music, drink specials, giveaways, and a dodgeball tournament in anticipation of the 2015-16 winter season, and this year there should even be snow on the ground!

Steamers' Bar & Grill - 2236 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe
6:00 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Team Check-in & Bracket Creation
7:00 p.m. - General Admission & Opening Ceremony
7:30- 10(ish)p.m. - Dodgeball Tournament on the back patio

Dodgeball Participant Details:

The long awaited first storm of the winter has hit the Sierra Nevada, much to the excitement of ski resorts, skiers and those wanting an end to the drought.

While this weather front isn't supposed to leave much behind at lake level, the upper elevations may see over a foot of snow.

Here is the updated weather forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10am. High near 41. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Potholes in our streets are a popular discussion item in Tahoe. Some potholes are simply holes in the asphalt paving, while others are actually low spots located over a utility pipeline. This summer, several articles have addressed potholes at various lengths. The South Tahoe Public Utility District (District) would like to provide some information concerning the “utility” potholes. There are multiple types of “utility” potholes:

1. Manhole structure on sanitary sewers (stamped STPUD)
2. Manhole structure on storm drain sewers (usually slotted)

Hear from a team of experts about how to stay injury free during the upcoming winter season at the next lecture offered by Barton Health on Wednesday, November 4. Terry Orr, MD, from Tahoe Center for Orthopedics will share what happens when a knee injury occurs and LTCC anatomy professor Beachy Orr, PhD will teach about the anatomy of the knee. Two of Barton Health's certified athletic trainers, Andy Borah, ATC and Jeremy Vandehurst, ATC, will also lead participants in exercises to get the winter season going.

Posh Finds will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, October 30. Since opening in 2014, the clothing store has filled a need in the South Shore community for gently used women’s clothing and accessories. The ribbon cutting provides an opportunity for the community to check out this locally owned store and shop for the winter season.

Owned and operated by Krystal Garcia, Posh Finds offers a range of stylish clothing that is gently used and gentle on your wallet. Posh Finds was born out of Garcia’s interest in affordable fashion.

Get into the holiday spirit and support community health at the forty-fifth annual Holiday Faire on Sunday, November 8. Community members and visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend this merry event at St. Teresa Grace Hall.

Every year, Barton Auxiliary volunteers and employees from The Attic Thrift Store select their favorite holiday and winter donations to sell at the Holiday Faire. Items available for purchase include holiday decorations, jewelry, antiques and collectibles, purses, gifts, and winter wear.

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations next week in multiple locations around the Lake Tahoe Basin. Operations are planned near Incline Village, Tahoe City, Meyers, Stateline and Zephyr Cove. Operations may continue over the next several weeks as conditions allow.

Current Projects:
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District - 8 acres near Warrior Way
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District - 25 acres near Hwy 50/Kingsbury Grade

Over the past three years, a new master plan for the South Lake Tahoe airport has been in the creation process, from the awarding of a $315,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2012 to community outreach to Tuesday's presentation on a final design plan.

There's an old joke about the seasons in Lake Tahoe: There are two seasons in Lake Tahoe. Winter, and Road Construction.

While the "winter" comment may not be as it once was, there is no question about "road construction" as it now goes from May through October.

Part of living in the mountains is sharing our best weather months with construction workers, road controls and traffic cones. Residents get that. But what drivers went through during the 2015 construction on highways 50 and 89 was not only inexcusable, it was preventable.

The newly formed Interact Club of South Lake Tahoe just finished up their first community service project of the school year, a clothing drive. Knowing that some of their classmates may not have the clothing needed to keep warm during winter, the students started a clothing drive.

The clothing will be kept in a room managed by the South Tahoe High Booster Club that will also have non-perishable food items to distribute to students in need. Twice a week that room will be open to students to visit and get needed food and clothing. Those dates will be announced at a later date.

Expect to see smoke in the Christmas Valley and Meyers areas of the South Shore as the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit begins prescribed fire operations on Saturday, October 17. They plan to start the season by burning 122 acres of hand piles near Grass Lake Road off southbound Highway 89. They will continue on the project over the next several weeks as conditions allow.

Expect to see smoke travel in a north/northeast direction.

While many have found the warm temperatures enjoyable, others want the fall season to get underway so winter and snow can head into South Lake Tahoe.

Another glimpse of fall starts Thursday with a 40% chance of scattered showers during the day and evening. Rain doesn't last long, with the area of low pressure moves out, leaving upper 60s and sunny skies starting Monday.