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Tahoe Regional Young Professionals is teaming up with Startup Weekend Tahoe to send two of its members to the 54-hour business startup event in Truckee, March 7 – 9, 2014. TRYP’s Startup Weekend scholarships include business pitch coaching by local strategist, Megan Arneson, in preparation for the event’s open mic idea pitching. Applications are available at www.TahoeTRYP.org and must be submitted via email to TahoeTRYP@gmail.com by Friday, Feb. 21, 2014.

Hello!

My name is Keely Kapsoff and after reading an article that was posted up in Incline I realized that I too needed to write a story about my concern with the recycling program in Tahoe.

Well it all started a few years ago when I moved back here and I brought my recyclables into the dump, I did this for many months and realized that every time I gave the guy a bag he would just throw it on top of all the trash. I asked many employees why we don't just have a place to put all the blue bags? All responded that there is a conveyor belt and it sorts it.

CORTINA d'AMPEZZO, Italy – Julia Mancuso from Squaw Valley, CA continued to gain momentum toward Sochi with seventh Thursday in an Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G in Cortina for her best race of the season. Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) added to the U.S. momentum with ninth, her best super G finish since 2007. Austria’s Elisabeth Goergl won the race, which was a replacement for the canceled super G race last weekend due to a powerful winter storm that sidelined the weekend’s speed events.

Selected among several local outstanding youth Josh Kornbeck will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the California Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. As the new Youth of the Year for Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, 16-year old Josh is a true example of an extraordinary young man recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

There are more local additions to the U.S. Olympic team than the three South Lake Tahoe athletes who were named to the U.S. Olympic team. Two local doctors are also headed to Sochi for the winter games.

Terrence Orr, MD, and Jonathan Finnoff, DO, both physicians with Tahoe Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, will volunteer as team physicians at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

With Tahoe South’s two annual fireworks celebrations meeting all state and federal standards throughout their 30-year history, area tourism officials strongly denounced a lawsuit that could threaten the annual July Fourth and Labor Day events as totally unnecessary.

In November, Joseph and Joan Truxler, of Zephyr Cove, Nev., filed a federal lawsuit against the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and Pyro Spectaculars North alleging the twice-annual fireworks shows violated the Clean Water Act.

Julia Mancuso of Squaw Valley finished 13th in the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup in Zauchensee, Austria, her best finish in this Olympic season. The race was won by Elisabeth Goergl of Austria who hadn't won a downhill race in two years.

Sustaining a season ending knee injury, Lindsay Vonn has announced that she won't be competing in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia in February.

South Lake Tahoe was voted the Best Ski Destination in a highly contested USA Today reader ski poll conducted over the past four weeks.

Citing the beautiful views and fantastic skiing, voters were able to choose their favorite ski destination daily. Sun Valley, Idaho came in second with North Lake Tahoe in third, which shows everyone how popular Lake Tahoe skiing is as a whole.

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.

This year’s Festival of Trees and Lights was once again a huge success. The six-day event is a collaborative effort between Barton Health staff, community and Auxiliary volunteers, and sponsors. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, decorated a tree or a wreath, donated an auction item, or sponsored one of our many events! A special thanks to Barton Foundation’s volunteer steering committee who worked all year long to ensure the event was a magical experience.

Benjamin Wade and Christian DeLeon were hired as the new LTCC soccer coaches at Tuesday night's Lake Tahoe Community College Board meeting. Both coaches will head up the newly established intercollegiate soccer program at the college. Wade will be the men's head coach and DeLeon the women's.

Voters chose Lake Tahoe as "America's Best Lake" in 2012 and the local area is now up for another top honor as "America's Best Ski Destination."

The Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority is seeking votes from the local community through the month until the contest's end on December 30 at 8:50 pm PST. Online votes can be made daily on the voting site. North Lake Tahoe is also in the running along with Sun Valley, Idaho and other big resorts.

The holiday season is upon us. This is a time of year to reflect on the year that was and the year that soon will be. From a personal standpoint, it’s a time to reflect on the priorities in life; faith, family, friendship, health and happiness.

From a professional standpoint, it’s a time to take a few steps back and assess our progress, gauge our growth and prepare ourselves for the year to come.

The County of El Dorado and the Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, are pleased to announce that Brian Richart has accepted appointment as El Dorado County’s new Chief Probation Officer. A unique position under California law, the Chief Probation Officer is appointed by the judges of the Superior Court, with the Board of Supervisors setting the salary and benefit levels. Due to the importance of this position, the Superior Court worked collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Department and county officials to select the best possible candidate.

More than 175 nominations were received by the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce for their annual Blue Ribbon Awards. During a recent celebration, awards were given to the following businesses and individuals:

Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence Club –Timber Lodge

In order to prepare for the 2nd Annual Light Up South Lake Tahoe on December 7, local businesses are encouraged to show their holiday spirit by decorating their storefronts with lights and other decor. The City of South Lake Tahoe is helping defray the cost of lights by offering 2 long strands for the price of 1 strand, which is just $12.

The Landing Resort & Spa, Lake Tahoe’s first lakeside five-star luxury resort, has hired British celebrity chef Maria Elia to oversee its new Jimmy’s Restaurant, serving wood-fired Greek seafood and locally sourced California cuisine.

Grammy Award winning island music superstars Shaggy & Ravon and the legendary group Black Uhuru will headline separate shows at the Lake Tahoe Fall Harvest Reggae Jam at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa Nov. 19 and Nov. 29.

Expedition Kirkwood will be holding free backcountry awareness clinics at the Sports Basement stores at the Presidio and on Bryant Street the weekend of Dec. 2-3.

“Most incidents that occur in the backcountry happen because people are not prepared to be there,” explains Jon Copeland, Director of Expedition Kirkwood. “Two of our goals at Expedition Kirkwood are to educate people on making smart decisions when in the backcountry and to train them on how to make a predetermined plan.”

Humor and distinctive footwear shone through in a contest to find a spokeswoman for the Carson Valley. In September, the Carson Valley Visitors Authority announced its nationwide search for a “storyteller on horseback.” Fifteen women answered the call and in video submissions, which ranged from a poetic ode to the Carson Valley to a distinctive pair of pink stilettos, made their case to be the area’s spokeswoman.

Called one of America's favorite Christmas stories, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a funny, memorable, and outrageous family play. In this Christmas tale, Mrs. Bradley, struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant, is faced with casting the Herdman kids- probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem- and the fun- when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! A cast of over 20 local kids ages 7 to 13 help bring the show to life.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is currently reviewing the opening brief filed by regional plan litigants who, according to the Agency, are continuing their misinformation campaign about the updated environmental plan that is supported widely by environmental advocates, business groups, and state and local leaders.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort announced that South Lake Tahoe local and professional skier Kyle Smaine will join the Sierra Resort™ Pro Team this season. Smaine was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe and learned to ski at Sierra Resort.

“I’m excited to join the Sierra-at-Tahoe family. I love the mountain. It’s where I learned to ski with my family. The laid-back vibe, and focus on terrain parks have kept my friends and I coming back year after year. It is a natural fit, and I’m excited to shred at Sierra-at-Tahoe this season,” said Smaine.