community

TAHOMA, Calif. - Santa Claus is arriving in the Lake Tahoe community of Tahoma on Saturday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m.

His arrival has been marked by a decades-long tradition of caroling, hot chocolate, presents, cider and a cookie potluck.

The event will be at the Maria Sluchak Park at SR89 and Pine Street. There will also be a Christmas tree raffled off, tickets are $1 each.

It’s a bit of a drive for Kirkwood Mountain Resort team members to travel to South Lake Tahoe to volunteer at a Bread & Broth Monday Meal dinner at St. Theresa Grace Hall, however, it is a trip that the Kirkwood folks gladly make. Every other month 4-5 Kirkwood team members participate in Kirkwood’s Adopt A Day of Nourishment and join the B&B volunteers in serving the members of the Lake Tahoe South Shore community. Often there is a waiting list of Vail folks who want to come help at the B&B dinners.

The fifth annual Zawadisha Holiday Bazaar will be held at The Landing on December 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on December 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Local entrepreneurs, artisans and the community are being connected to support the concept of shopping locally while making change globally. A portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to Zawadisha, a social enterprise founded in Lake Tahoe by Jen Gurecki and Julie Lowe. Zawadisha will invest the funds from the event into their leadership and business training program for rural Kenyan women.

Bread & Broth volunteers always enjoy the Monday Meals sponsored by the Harrah’s/ Harveys’ HEROs. This employee based organization sponsors two Adopt A Day of Nourishment dinners annually and always sends a superb team of HEROs crew members to help volunteer at their sponsorship dinner held at St. Theresa Grace Hall. On October 29, the HEROs were represented by Jeff Colameco, Patrick Frega and Darlene Winkelman, who are seasoned AAD sponsor crew members, and Jenny Haas and Veronica Vilaseca, who enjoyed their first time serving at a B&B dinner.

Many people do not get to see their loved ones as often as they would like. The holidays offer an opportunity to not only reconnect with and visit parents, grandparents and other loved ones, but to ensure that they are staying safe.

“If you are visiting your loved one and become concerned about their wellbeing, particularly if you suspect they may be a victim of neglect, self-neglect or abuse, please reach out for assistance,” said Laura Walny, Manager with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency.

Art has a way of making the creator immortal. Such is the case with Ed Laine.

The longtime South Lake Tahoe resident died Nov. 8, 2018, at home. He was 87.

Beyond a large family and rich trove of friends, Ed leaves behind a legacy as an artist. He was a quiet man who for years let his voice be heard through his work.

Born in Palo Alto on Oct. 17, 1931, to Selma Alquist and John Laine, Ed grew up in the Bay Area, having graduated from Sequoia Union High School in 1950. He attended San Jose State College, Cal Arts and the University of Oregon. In Oregon he majored in art.

The Tahoe Choir and Lake Tahoe Community College Chorus (LTCC) will be performing "A Holiday Cornucopia" in the college's Duke Theater on Saturday, December 1 at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for students and chidren under five are free. They are available at the LTCC Bookstore or at the door one hour before the performance.

The impact of the wildfires throughout California has created additional needs for blood and added importance to holiday blood donations.

Many blood drives have been canceled in the Chico area since the Paradise community was destroyed. As the days go on, poor air quality is disrupting donations at surrounding donation centers. Over 300 potential donations were immediately lost due to canceled blood drives and 500 more donations are at risk as poor air quality continues to effect donors and staff.

STATELINE, Nev. - A project to replace the roof, siding, interior flooring and add new wall padding at Kahle Community Center is now completed.

Construction was done by Shaheen Beauchamp Builders of Carson City.

The center located off Kingsbury Grade in Stateline is multi-use center with gymnasium, weight room, jogging track and class rooms, as well as a large public park.

Modifications to the roof included removing decorative dormers and all old metal roofing, reframing and adding new metal roofing.

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV - It's been 38 years in the making. On Thursday, November 15, 2018, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the final joint environmental document for the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project, also known as the "Loop Road."

Last week, the board of the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) unanimously approved the same document, the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS/EIS).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Four local young ladies are continuing to help the South Lake Tahoe community with their fundraising efforts to help different needs on the South Shore.

For the 2018 Christmas season Maiella and Milan Riva, Lily Demus and Simone Sitchon will be collecting items and money to help both Lake Tahoe Humane Society and El Dorado County Animal Shelter.

Last year the four girls collected clothing and toys for local foster youth and in 2016 they collected gloves, hats, socks, coats, and thermals for the Tahoe Warm Room.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An oversight committee will be established for the 2016 voter-approved Measure P which raised tourist accommodation tax (TOT) by two percent to build a new recreation center in South Lake Tahoe.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting the elected team reviewed criteria for the future committee, and what sectors of the community will be sought. Those chosen will take part in the review of how funds are spent and report back to the public.
"We promised the voters.

Nancy Kerry has been gone from her position as the city manager of South Lake Tahoe since March, but she finally got the credit due for her many accomplishments and contributions during a standing room only celebration Tuesday evening.

Over 75 community leaders came together to present Nancy with a proclamation signed by both Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis, their last official act with the City.

The list of tributes spoken during the evening is a lengthy one.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Rockefeller Center in New York City has a Christmas tree as a backdrop for all holiday activities in the Big City since 1933, and now South Lake Tahoe is starting what hopes to be an annual tradition. Standing at 60-feet, the local version isn't quite as big as their neighbor on the East Coast (which runs 60-100 feet and can weigh close to 30,000 pounds), but it serve as a place to warm hearts and be a center of holiday photos and fun.

Bread & Broth will be observing a special community Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, November 19 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Grace Hall at St. Theresa Church in South Lake Tahoe. This is Bread & Broth's 29th year of serving meals to those in need.

The traditional dinner will feature turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, green salad, rolls, and dessert.

The meal is free and open to all community members as it has been every Monday at Grace Hall since 1989. All are welcome!

Attendees at the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe's 48th annual Evening of Food, Wine and Beer Tasting voted for their favorite wineries, restaurants and breweries from the night at MontBleu on November 9, 2018.

Guests at the event had the opportunity to taste wines from over 30 different wineries, six breweries and 20 restaurants. Each guest voted for their favorite winery, restaurant and brewery.

This year's votes went to the following:

Best Restaurant -Sonney's BBQ Shack Bar & Grill
Best Brewery - South Lake Brewing Company

The following is a letter from Duane Wallace, past president of the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce to the Tahoe Transportation District Board. He outlines the concerns their Chamber has expressed about the US 50 South Shore Community
Revitalization Project (Loop Road) EIR process and content.

"It is on the fastest track I've ever seen," he said of the Loop Road project.

Dear Chair Teshara and Commission Members,

Twenty-six local nonprofits were awarded $78,974 Thursday in donations from the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Championship thanks to funds raised during the 2018 celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

“The continued support from our partners American Century Investments and NBC Sports means so much to this community,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “These contributions benefit so many in the South Shore a long time after the tournament ends.”

The Saint Joseph Community Land Trust (SJCLT) will hold its annual pre-Thanksgiving Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m. in Grace Hall at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Dinner will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the hall is open for dining and socializing until 8:00 p.m.

The public is invited as the board and staff of SJCLT give thanks to members and supporters for another successful year serving the community. The Knights of Columbus are the chefs and will be serving the complimentary dinner.

As the extent of the horror perpetrated in Pittsburgh is being recognized throughout not just Pittsburgh and the United States, but the world, shock and grief have followed in waves. But so, too, has the desire for action, for a concrete response to the worst anti-Semitic attack on American soil.

Rabbi Mordey & Shaina Richler, of Chabad at Lake Tahoe is remembering and honoring the victims locally with the “Pittsburgh Memorial Mezuzah Campaign,” geared to make sure that every Jewish home in the region has a mezuzah—a sacred handwritten parchment scroll that is mounted on the doorpost.

Over 1,000 Douglas County residents responded to an online survey regarding vacation home rentals (VHR) and those results are now available. The input on the surveys is equal to approximately 50 hours of public comment.

We are all aware of the large donations Lisa Maloff has made to Barton Health, Lake Tahoe Community College, Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, Whittell High School and numerous nonprofits around the basin.

To date Ms. Maloff, known as the "Angel of Tahoe," has donated $40 million throughout the South Shore. Now her loyal friend and companion Ricky Reich is spreading holiday cheer to dozens of local radio listeners.

A 26-year veteran at the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) has been hired as the next general manager. John Thiel, P.E., will be taking over for Richard Solbrig who will be retiring in January after almost 15 years at the helm.

The STPUD Board of Directors voted to hire Thiel during a closed session meeting last week.

Several South Tahoe High School fall sports teams are in the post-season and celebrating a great year of competition, and among them is the freshman girls volleyball team.

The 13 young women spent the season playing each of the nine teams in the league twice in matches from Elko to Truckee.

Coached by Ms. Megan Goldberg, who was assisted by her husband Everett, the freshman volleyball team stepped up in 18 different matches to out-serve, out-play, and out-think their opponents.