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Guest Columnist: How to Avoid Medicare “Gaps”

Medicare helps to pay for a wide variety of health services, from flu shots to hospital stays, and from preventive health screenings to hospice care.

But it doesn’t cover everything. And it doesn’t cover all your out-of-pocket costs.

Many services covered by Medicare require co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You can purchase supplemental insurance to cover these “gaps” in Medicare.

Such coverage is called Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap. Some Medigap policies also cover certain benefits that Medicare doesn’t, like emergency care in a foreign country.

Men wanted in connection to El Dorado County homicide captured in Carson City

3/15/18 UPDATE: Two men arrested early Wednesday at a Carson City home have been identified and now face murder charges in El Dorado County, Calif.

Chase Bomar, 19, and Cody Bomar, 21, were taken into custody after Carson City Sheriff’s Office SWAT responded to assist El Dorado County authorities at a home in the 1200 block of Palo Verde Drive.

The men were wanted in connection to the fatal stabbing of Jeremy Fortuin, 42, of Pollock Pines. The stabbing happened on Pony Express Trail in Cedar Grove on the west slope of El Dorado County.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Soroptimist international of Tahoe Sierra

The Soroptimist international of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) organization has a long history of service to the community. This wonderful group of women chose to sponsor a Bread & Broth Adopt A Day of Nourishment on Monday, March 5th, as their continuing commitment to serve those in need. The SITS members representing their organization at their sponsorship dinner were Jean Bergner, Julie Nelson, Shelly Martinez, Carolyn Robinson and Joanne Shope and Wendy David, B&B Volunteer Team #1 lead cook.

City surveying public on replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day

During the last few South Lake Tahoe City Council meetings, members of the community have been speaking before the council to encourage the City to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

A website dedicated to the change has been created by KeepTahoeTrue.org. The speakers from the group have asked Council to change the name "to do the right thing" and honor those who were here prior to Columbus's arrival.

To see how the rest of the community thinks about this possible move an online survey has been created.

USFS hosts Desolation Wilderness volunteer workshop in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is looking for hard-working, dedicated volunteers that are interested in helping to preserve one of our nation’s most beautiful wilderness areas, Desolation Wilderness. Interested and committed individuals are invited to attend an informational open house on Thursday, March 15, 2018, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and/or Saturday, March 17 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Supervisor’s office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, California 96150.

High speed pursuit ends in Carson City with suspect dead

A high speed pursuit on U.S. Highway 50 East through Lyon County ended when the suspect vehicle left the roadway near Flint and Highway 50 in Carson City. The suspect reportedly had a gunshot wound to the head when he was found by law enforcement officers and died at the scene.

The vehicle was a white Dodge Durango rental vehicle with California license plates. The vehicle pursuit, according to police scanner monitors, reportedly started at USA Parkway, then into Dayton and Mound House, exceeding speeds of 100 mph. No officers were injured.

California State Parks seeking volunteers for Earth Day work at Grover Hot Springs

Event Date: 
April 21, 2018 - 9:00am

The 20th annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup is taking place at 40 parks up and down the state of California on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The closest park with a project the public can work on is Grover Hot Springs.

Work there will be to continue maintenance of, and improvements to, the Native Plant Demonstration Garden including irrigation and weed removal, Grover Meadow invasive weed removal and landscape enhancements such as trash pickup, raking, clearing fire rings.

New York City consumes the most cannabis in the world: 77.44 metric tons a year

The biggest cities in the world stand to make a lot of money from marijuana legalization.

That’s the takeaway from an economic study cultivation tech company Seedo published following the 2018 Cannabis Price Index detailing the cost of marijuana. It looks at marijuana use, legality, cost, and calculates the potential taxes in 120 cities across the world.

Former SLT judge questions timing of state ethics board action

Steven Bailey, the retired El Dorado County judge now running for attorney general, suggests a state disciplinary investigation tied to his tenure on the bench “was timed to coincide” with his campaign for the Republican nomination.

City hires Thomas Stuart as new HR analyst

The City of South Lake Tahoe announced their hiring of Thomas Stuart as their new Principal Human Resources Analyst. Prior to joining the City, Stuart was a Director of Human Resources for Alvarado Group Services, a construction company with over 200 employees located in the Central Valley of California.

“We value all of our employees in the City with each and every one of them making great contributions to the community. With the addition of Tom as our Human Resources Analyst, we can ensure that our employees are being treated impeccably,” said Acting City Manager Jeff Meston.

South Tahoe Action Team graduates honored at meeting

A new group of local volunteers graduated from the South Tahoe Action Team (STAT) program during Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting.

There were 16 citizens participate in this session of the STAT training.

Aging and Caregiving educational series in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
April 16, 2018 - 1:00pm

The Family Caregiver Support Program of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency is pleased to present a free “Aging and Caregiving” educational series in South Lake Tahoe. This series will be held weekly on Mondays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning April 16, 2018, and ending May 21, 2018, at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel located at 4130 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

The educational series will give instruction and support for people who provide care for a family member or friend aged 60 years or greater.

The series will feature a different topic each week:

SLT Rotary Club brings back dinner theater to Lake Tahoe Golf Course

Event Date: 
March 23, 2018 - 6:00pm

After the success of last year's Dinner Theater, Lake Tahoe Golf Course has partnered with the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe to bring another adult farce to the community, Divorce Southern Style by Jennifer Jarrett. On March 23 and April 6 there will be 3-course, handcrafted meal served in the beautiful Lake Tahoe Golf Course Clubhouse on March 23 and April 6.

Robert Plant and the Sensational Shape Shifters headed to Lake Tahoe with Los Lobos

Music icon Robert Plant is bringing his Carry Fire tour to the lake on June 23, 2018 at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys. He will be performing with his band, The Sensational Space Shifters. Los Lobos will be their opening act.

The English singer, songwriter, and musician is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin. He formed The Sensational Space Shifters in 2012 and since then they have toured and released albums, the latest of which is Carry Fire.

Choices for Children seeking child care providers in South Lake Tahoe

If you are a parent looking for child care, you have probably encountered some challenges. There is currently a shortage of child care slots in El Dorado County. Many child care facilities who offer care are full and have waiting lists. This situation is very frustrating for parents and their employers. In order to work, parents are forced to juggle child care between friends, neighbors, and family members which can often be inconsistent and unreliable. Parents may also be forced to consider a child care situation of questionable quality.

SnowGlobe on the South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda

The March 6 South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting will include discussion on the annual music festival, SnowGlobe.

Council members will hear from the concert promoters, city staff and the public and decide one of three options: Continue with existing agreement but add additional conditions, continue as is, or consider terminating the agreement for the Dec. 29-31 event.

They will also hear from the Tahoe Prosperity Center on their funding request of $20,000, a vote on the final subdivision map for Gondola Vista estates

Placer County sustainability workshop in Kings Beach

Residents are invited to become involved as Placer County develops a Sustainability Plan which will outline ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage climate risks that threaten property value, natural resources and Placer quality of life

There will be two community workshops in March where the public can learn about the plan’s purpose and goals and how to become involved in the planning process.

Liberty Utilities wants customers prepared as blizzard heads to Lake Tahoe

Liberty Utilities is reminding customers to be prepared for possible extended power outages due to incoming winter storms.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning and avalanche watch starting Thursday morning for the Sierra and Lake Tahoe areas citing that this weather pattern could be the biggest snowstorm of the season.

”Although we prepare for extreme weather impacts to our electric system, we remind customers that power outages may occur and we encourage them to be prepared,” said Travis Johnson, Liberty Utilities’ VP of Electric Operations.

AlertWildfire mountaintop camera network tracked 240 western wildfires in 2017

Mountaintop cameras from the University of Nevada, Reno spotted or tracked 240 fires in Nevada and California in 2017. This helped to keep firefighters more situationally aware and able to mount appropriate responses more rapidly over tens of thousands of square miles of forests and rangelands, including rural communities.

This is a new and expanding tool for fire managers who oversee the wildland and wildland/urban interface.

New Mexican Bistro opens in Meyers

El Fresco Mexican Bistro has brought a new flavor to the heart of Meyers.

Locals Tim and Kristi Cain moved into the space vacated by Verde and spent weeks creating the new restaurant and menu. They own "Freel Perk" next door so they were excited to offer cuisine that fits not only their active lifestyle, but features a large menu with tapas, 11 breakfast choices, fajitas, tacos, burritos, salads, veggie bowls, soups and much more.

Widespread prescribed fire operations continue around Lake Tahoe

Members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes local, state and federal agencies, will continue prescribed fire operations this week in multiple locations around the Tahoe Basin, weather permitting. North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California Tahoe Conservancy and U.S.

Luke Bryan heading to Lake Tahoe for outdoor concert

Country music star Luke Bryan is bringing his What Makes You Country Tour 2018 to town when they stop at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Concert Series on the South Shore at Harveys.

He will be in Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.

This will make a big week of country in Lake Tahoe with Keith Urban on July 21 and 22 and Chris Stapleton on July 26.

Popular Southern California-based band Slightly Stoopid will return to the South Shore to kick-off the 2018 Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series at Harveys Outdoor Arena on Saturday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m.

Volunteers needed for Lake Tahoe area student science expos

Volunteers are desperately needed for two upcoming student science events: The 2018 Science Expo March 12-16 in Incline Village and SLT Science Expo April 3-6 in South Lake Tahoe.

Being a volunteer is fun and easy! All science activities will be ready to go and minimal training is required, This year's activities focus on Life Science, Health and Nutrition, and include activities focused on the topics of organisms and ecosystems, inheritance and adaptation, and health and nutrition.

Vagina Monologues opens to full house in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
February 24, 2018 - 7:30pm

The 16th annual Vagina Monologues in South Lake Tahoe opened to a full house Friday at the Lake Tahoe Community College Duke Theater and there is one more chance to see this local performance.

Emanate Art Gallery opens at The Crossing in South Lake Tahoe

Entrepreneurs continue to be a part of the renaissance in South Lake Tahoe, bringing new businesses and experiences throughout the town.

Three long-time locals have become part of that vibe and opened Emanate Gallery in The Crossing at Tahoe Valley at the Y and will be celebrating with a grand opening weekend February 24-25 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Benjamin Sullivan, a 2010 South Tahoe High graduate, joined Angela and Ron Cabrera in opening the new gallery, complete with its own full service custom frame shop and unique delivery services.

Best in the Basin nominations being accepted by TRPA

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is accepting project nominations for its annual Best in Basin awards program through Saturday, March 31.

TRPA created the awards program as a way to recognize projects that demonstrate exceptional planning and design and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

Myanmar delegation visits forest thinning projects in Lake Tahoe

Seven delegates from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar stopped by Lake Tahoe last week to learn about the Forest Service’s role in natural resource management in the Tahoe Basin.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management (LTBMU) hosted the group and took them on a field trip to see recent forest thinning operations near Pope Beach and Emerald Bay.

Free consulting available for South Lake Tahoe small businesses

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Small businesses in the South Lake Tahoe area are now able to receive mall business consulting through a partnership between Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) and the Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Heavenly

The team members from Heavenly Mountain Operations Snow Surfaces work really hard to make skiing at the resort a truly enjoyable experience. On February 12th, the Adopt A Day sponsor crew from the Snow Surfaces Operations brought the same dedication to helping the Bread & Broth volunteers provide a tasty meal and fun evening to the grateful dinner guests.

Prescribed burns sending smoke into air around Lake Tahoe

Smoke from prescribed fire operations can be seen above South Lake Tahoe from points all around the lake.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes local, state and federal agencies, has numerous locations around Lake Tahoe where they will be burning overgrown vegetation.

USFS seeks Desolation Wilderness volunteers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Do you love the wilderness? Are you committed to preserving its’ breathtaking beauty? Do you love working with people and spending time in the outdoors? Can you match your motive for volunteering to the mission and priorities of the Forest Service? Most importantly, do you have the time, willingness and dedication to volunteer and help preserve one of our most popular back-country natural areas near Lake Tahoe?

Slightly Stoopid to kick off concert season in South Lake Tahoe

Popular Southern California-based band Slightly Stoopid will return to the South Shore to kick-off the 2018 Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series at Harveys Outdoor Arena on Saturday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m. This will be their fifth outing at the award-winning summer concert venue.

The band, who describe themselves as “a fusion of folk, rock, reggae and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal and punk,” bring along popular support acts Stick Figure and Pepper. Tickets are $39.50 each.

Les Mill Immersive Cycle coming to Truckee Club - THE TRIP

Event Date: 
March 3, 2018 (All day)

We are so excited to inform you of a fully immersive indoor cycle program we are bringing to Tahoe Mountain Fitness, in Truckee, CA, beginning March 3rd. This cycle program, LES MILLS IMMERSIVE: THE TRIP, is only offered at 3 other locations in all of the USA and in select cities all over the world.

Where the mind goes, the body will follow. That’s the philosophy behind Les Mills newest innovation. Much more than an exercise class, it’s an immersive sensory experience that pushes your fitness into a new dimension.

The TRIP allows you to get lost in the journey.

Location

Tahoe Mountain Fitness
12047 Donner Pass Road STE B7
United States
39° 19' 29.748" N, 120° 13' 20.4528" W

South Lake Tahoe's Sierra Boulevard study released for public review

The Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets Project is slated to start construction as soon as the building season in South Lake Tahoe gets underway in 2018. As part of the process, an The Initial Sturdy/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is now up for review and public comment. Comments can be made until March 26, 2018.

USFS asks snowmobilers to protect the land and stay in areas with adequate snow

Snowmobilers are being asked to move to areas with adequate snow coverage for their activities and to stay away from bare dirt and patchy snow areas.

With the snowpack in the Sierra at very low levels, and in anticipation of a busy holiday weekend, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) are informing snowmobile operators to also not ride across streams or over small trees or brush. Operating snowmobiles on too little snow creates ruts in the soil and crushes vegetation.

County business property statements mailed out incorrectly

The El Dorado County Assessor today discovered that Business Property Statements (571-L) mailed last week to businesses in the County included a return envelope with a Napa County address.

“We caught the printing vendor’s mistake early and are taking steps to resolve the error and ensure that filed statements are properly processed,” said County Assessor Karl Weiland. “The Napa County Assessor’s office has agreed to forward to my office any El Dorado County statements they receive.”

Weiland said less than 500 statements were mailed out with the wrong return envelopes.

Carson City show dog Adele wins Best of Breed at Westminster

Adele, a Spinone Italiano show dog owned by Carson City Deputy Director of Emergency Management Stacey Belt, won best dog out of 12 in her breed Tuesday at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show in New York City.

“We are surrounded by incredibly beautiful dogs and very dedicated owners and handlers," said Belt. “The entire city is so welcoming.”

Adele is now advancing to the Sporting Group competition, which will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 Tuesday night from 5 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time.

USFS host six Russian delegates in South Lake Tahoe

Six delegates visiting the United States from Russia stopped by Lake Tahoe last week as part of the cultural exchanges programs, Friendship Force and Open World.

The delegates first stopped in Washington, D.C. before heading to the Reno/Lake Tahoe area.

50th annual Tahoe Douglas St. Patrick's Day celebration

Event Date: 
March 17, 2018 (All day)

Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club’s 50th annual St. Patrick's Day event will be held on Saturday, March 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 10;00 p.m. at Harrah’s Convention
Center in Stateline, Nevada.

This year there will be some new twists as they hit this milestone event which started as a wine and cheese tasting above DART Liquor.

The club promises one-of-kind auction items, SURPRISE special performers, not one but TWO chances for a trip to Hawaii through our Hawaiian Raffle and their first ever Costume and Beard Contests, and much more.

This year's Community Hero Awards will go to teachers.

Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton headed to Lake Tahoe

A great classic rock show has been added to the lineup for the 2018 Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series at Harveys Outdoor Arena: The Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton will hit the stage on Friday evening, Aug. 17. Tickets are $39.50 to $139.50 and the show starts at 7:00 p.m.

Frampton and Steve Miller are the seventh show announced for the summer on the South Shore, with more acts to be announced soon.

Chesney's Trip Around the Sun Tour will stop in Lake Tahoe on July 3 for an 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets will be $69.50 to $149.50.

South Lake Tahoe home recently seen on "The Bachelor" for sale

If you caught the January 22, 2018 episode of The Bachelor that showed bachelor Arie Luyendyk, Jr. in many scenic spots around South Lake Tahoe you most likely saw the home the show's contestants, the bachelorettes, stayed in while in town.

That 17,000 square foot house on Sherman Way is now for sale with a price tag of $15,880,000. It has 17 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, five fire places, a swimming pool, high end features and appliances, and amazing views.

Prescribed burning around Lake Tahoe to resume

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes local, state and federal agencies, may continue prescribed fire operations this week in some locations around Lake Tahoe, weather and conditions permitting. Smoke may be present.

A) Kingsbury/ Edgewood Creek - 60 acres
B) Big Meadow - 100 acres
C) Brockway, Kings Beach - 70 acres
D) Logan Shoals to Spooner Summit - 15 acres

A map with project locations and details is available for viewing at http://www.tahoefft.org.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Tahoe Douglas Rotary

Bread & Broth really appreciates the support the Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club has been giving our Adopt-A-Day of Nourishment (AAD) program. The Rotary Club signed up for five Adopt-A-Days and on February 5, they sent another great team to volunteer while hosting their fourth AAD in the past seven months. Representing the Rotary Club at the Monday Meal dinner were Rotarians Linda Bellotti, Keith Endlich, Bob Fehskens, Greg Felton, Roberta Stillwell and Brian Williams.

Olympic viewing schedule for Jamie Anderson and Maddie Bowman

Update Saturday: Looks like weather has caused a delay in Jamie's Slopestyle. Schedule shows it rescheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday in PyeongChang - 5:00 p.m. Sunday on the west coast. Sunday prime time coverage starts at 4:00 p.m.

* * *
Opening ceremonies were held for the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea on Friday, and now the athletes hit a full schedule of events through February 25.

Washington and USC win first round of Pac 8 Championship in South Lake Tahoe

Friday marked the return of the PAC 8 college hockey championship to the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena. Last year's champion, the UCLA Bruins, return to defend their title.

Along with the Bruins, hitting the ice this weekend will also be Cal Berkeley, University of Washington, University of Oregon, UCLA and Arizona State.

In the early match up Friday, defending champs #4 UCLA Bruins lost to #5 ranked team, the USC Trojans. The score ended up at 4-3.

At 4:00 p.m., the #3 Washington Huskies and the #6 Oregon Ducks met on the ice with the Huskies winning 6-3.

South Lake Tahoe florist changes hands

The Enchanted Florist in South Lake Tahoe now has a new owner, long time local Karen Estes.

Owners Jeri and Noboru Oishi owned the popular flower shop on Emerald Bay Road for 16 years and handed over the keys to Estes on February 1, 2018.

"I love anything flowers," said Estes who had operated an online and corner market, Karen's Flower Stand.

Amgen Tour of California routes announced

The 2018 Amgen Tour of California has announced their race routes, giving cycling fans time to plot our their roadside viewing points.

The Women's Stage 2 and Men’s Stage 6 at South Lake Tahoe will both include iconic vistas, stunning lake views, highest summit in race history at Luther Pass, and the grueling Daggett Pass along Kingsbury Grade state Route 207 on May 18.

Safety along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe analyzed

Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe serves a lot of functions, from a local road for commuters both on bicycles and in cars, to a major highway to transport visitors through the city.

Proposed improvements at Heavenly released

The U.S. Forest Service has released their draft decision for proposed improvements to existing skiing and snowboarding terrain at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Much of the work will be done on runs outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin boundary.

Those proposed improvements would include selective widening of ski trails, removing trail obstacles and relocation and/or realignment of some portions of existing snowmaking air and water pipelines to improve user experience, maintain user safety, increase energy and water efficiency, and maintain native species.

Nominations open for El Dorado County Senior of the Year

Do you know an outstanding older adult or a married couple aged 60 years or older who has performed exemplary work in El Dorado County as a volunteer? Consider nominating them for the Senior of the Year Award.

The annual “Senior of the Year” award will be presented by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on May 22, 2018, at the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 330 Fair Lane in Placerville, and is hosted by the El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging and the Commission on Aging.

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