Switchback Supports TTCF
Switchback PR + Marketing, Inc. was recently named the agency of record for the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation (TTCF). Switchback will assist the Foundation in educating the community about its mission to build philanthropy and support a broad array of regional nonprofit organizations. ‘This is a great way to maximize our pro bono efforts as the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation contributes to scores of worthwhile regional non profit organizations,’ explains Brinn Wellise, president/owner of Switchback. ‘We are thrilled that an agency as successful as Switchback has agreed to provide pro bono services to Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation,’ says Lisa Dobey, the foundation’s CEO. 530-550-2252 or switchbackpr.com
Adventure Risk Challenge Names New Executive Director
Jennifer Gurecki was recently appointed as Executive Director for the youth development organization Adventure, Risk & Challenge. Gurecki replaces Katie Zanto, who is stepping down and will work as an Advisory Council and staff member. Zanto founded the program and served as executive director for the past five years.
Boat Inspections at Lake Tahoe
Beginning in June, boaters launching at Lake Tahoe will pay a fee to help fund an inspection program to prevent the introduction of such aquatic invasive species as the quagga and zebra mussel. Fees will range from $10 to $60 depending on vessel size. When a vessel comes out of the Lake, an inspection seal will be attached to boats so that they do not have to be inspected again (as long as the boat returns with the seal intact). ‘We are committed to keeping Lake Tahoe free of these destructive aquatic invaders and in order to remain successful are turning to the boating community for assistance,’ said Ted Thayer, TRPA’s natural resource and science team leader. 888-TAHO-ANS, protecttahoe.org.
New Boat Launch Fees at Lake Forest Ramp
Effective May 18, a new boat launch fee will replace the existing daily parking fee at the Lake Forest Public Boat Ramp. Because of new requirements to staff all Lake Tahoe launches with qualified invasive species inspectors, the Tahoe City Public Utilities Department (TCPUD)’s Board approved the new fees to cover increased costs: current$10 daily parking fee will be eliminated, and parking will be first-come-first served. Summer launch passes will cost $175 ($225 for non-residents), and annual passes $275 ($325 non-residents). These new launch fees will occur in addition to fees charged by TRPA for the inspection of vessels entering Lake Tahoe. For additional information, call 530-583-3796 x 33.
Got Skiing Artifacts and Memorabilia?
A group planning a new museum in Lake Tahoe wants to know about your photographs, films, scrapbooks, ski equipment, or other artifacts from the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, or artifacts that tell about the history of winter sports in the Western United States. The Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation will begin a master planning process for a proposed new museum of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, at Squaw Valley USA, and the skiing heritage of the Western United States. If you have objects or items that may be of interest, contact Linda Williams at 530-581-8701 or svomuseum@gmail.com.
TDPUD Exceeds 2008 Energy Goals
The 2008 Energy Efficiency in California’s Public Power Sector Report put the Truckee Donner Pubic Utility District (TDPUD) at the top of the list for energy efficiency and cost effectiveness among the state’s 39 publicly owned electric utilities. Although California utility companies are only required to spend at least 2.85 percent of their retail sales on public benefit programs including energy efficiency efforts, the TDPUD spent 3.51 percent on public benefits and energy conservation programs. The 2008 report calculated that TDPUD programs reduced energy usage by 3 percent by investing in cost-effective energy efficiency programs that focus on lighting, appliances, weatherization, heating, and hot water use. For a complete listing of the 2009 programs (many of which provide free services and products and/or cash rebates) visit tdpud.org or call 530-582-3931.
Award Winning Tahoe Coast Guard Station Offers Classes
This year’s boating season will kick off a free Vessel Safety Check Day at Meeks Bay Marina on May 23. Boaters interested in a free Vessel Safety Check either at their home or at one of the boat ramps should call Joe Harris at 650-279-9159. About Boating Safety will be held in Truckee on May 16, and will cover boating laws, safety equipment, navigation, boat handling, knot tying, handling emergencies and more. For reservations call Jerry Gilmore at 530-587-3334.
Suddenly in Command, a class for Lake Tahoe female boaters, will be taught by women for women on June 6 in Incline Village, and will cover trailering, line handling, knot tying, launching, first aid, communication, required equipment, and basic boating operating principles. For reservations call Division Commander Dee Dee Kincade of the Lake Tahoe Coast Guard Auxiliary at 775-831-7192. For the second year in a row, Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe was awarded the Commodore Robert Phifer Award, given to the Coast Guard Small Boat Station that has the best relationship with its Auxiliary unit.
Saving Lives
The Truckee Firefighters Charitable Fund and the Truckee Fire Protection District (TFD) recently purchased two AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) to be available at public special events. AEDs are computerized devices used by healthcare providers and lay rescuers, which can help restart a victim’s heartbeat after cardiac arrest. The TFD is designing an orientation meeting for people interested in learning how they work, and hopes that other organizations will partner to provide additional AEDs for the community. For info, 530-582-7850.
Truckee Fire Protection District also offers American Heart CPR classes every second Wednesday of the month at the Gateway Station at 11473 Donner Pass Road. To sign up, call 530-582-7850. The $30 fee includes an instructional book, pocket mask key chain, and a CPR certification card that is good for two years.
Source Water Protection Workshops
May 26, 27
Free trainings on Source Water Protection (SWP) in the Tahoe Basin will cover resources and methods for promoting cooperative efforts between individuals, groups, and agencies involved in managing and protecting local water resources. The workshops will provide information on local policy development, lessons learned, and the Tahoe Regional
Planning Agency’s regulatory approach. Both are open to the public; however, the May 26 training is geared for residents, homeowners, and visitors; and the May 27 session is tailored for water and wastewater utilities. Both trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Tahoe Conference Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach. Register in advance at rcac.org under Trainings and Events. Stevan Palmer at spalmer@rcac.org or 775-750-1884, or Rita Whitney at rwhitney@trpa.org or 775-588-4547 x258.
Tahoe Donner Green Club Event
May 27
The Tahoe Donner Green Club will kick off the 2009 Environmental Presentation Schedule with Jeff Brown from UC Davis’s Sagehen Research Center. Brown will show slides of Sagehen’s environmental research, and discuss upcoming activities for children and adults at Sagehen this summer. The free event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Tahoe Donner’s Northwoods Club House, and is open to the public. JGelwicks@aol.com
Welcome to Kings Beach
On April 21, the Kings Beach community unveiled a new gateway monument sign by PR Design & Engineering Inc. Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery spoke strongly of the importance of this ‘tangible evidence of a step forward toward the redevelopment of Kings Beach.’
Kings Beach Rec Area in New Hands
California State Parks and the North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD) have announced that NTPUD will turn operations of the six-acre Kings Beach State Recreation Area (KBSRA) back over to California State Parks. NTPUD has been in charge of operations for nearly 30 years. This was a mutual decision made by both entities. State Parks and NTPUD have formed a transition team to coordinate the changeover.
Closures on Routes 28 and 50
State Route 28 from U.S. 50 to Sand Harbor will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. each Friday, through May 22. The road will be open to all vehicles every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 7 p.m. Travel on U.S. 50 will be reduced to one lane for one mile in each direction from Spooner Summit, Sunday at 7 p.m. through Friday at 5 a.m. of each week. Flaggers will be present.
Eureka: Tourists Hold It All Together
Tourism is a key part of the economy of North Lake Tahoe and Placer County, generating significant benefits in the form of tax revenue, direct expenditures, and earnings and employment, according to a recently published 61-page study. The study proposed a series of actions to further develop North Lake Tahoe tourism, and recommended maintaining the Placer County TOT allocations at least at historic levels.
WASTE NOT Pine Needle Recycling Program Extends
Incline Village residents may drop off clean pine needles (no cones, trash, branches, or stumps) seven days a week, at Diamond Peak Ski Resort (1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, Nev.) through August 16. Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please empty pine needles out of bags at the site. From May 25 to 29, pine needle recycling collection week, residents may place up to six bags of needles curbside, on their normal trash collection day, to be collected separately for recycling. Clear plastic bags are preferred for needles; if using black bags, label them for recycling (labels at IVGID Public Works, 1220 Sweetwater Rd., or Administration Offices, 893 Southwood Blvd.) Waste Not Hotline at 775-832-1284, or email rms@ivgid.org.
Eat Out With your Dining for Schools Card
Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation’s Dining for Schools’ cards are valid at all participating restaurants, Sunday to Thursday, April 19 through June 11. Cards cost $45 each, and entitle the purchaser to unlimited 50 percent off entrees at participating Truckee and North Shore restaurants. The card program is one of three key fundraisers for the Excellence in Education Foundation. 530-550-7984 or exed@ttcf.net
CALL TO ACTION Acts
Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation awarded $5,000 each to the Family Resource Center of Truckee and the North Tahoe Family Resource Center. The funds were part of the $115,000 raised during the three-hour CALL TO ACTION phone-a-thon last month. The one-time emergency funds offer support for medical, heating, electric, rent, childcare, transportation, and food expenses to qualifying North Lake Tahoe/Truckee residents. Remaining funds will be distributed in May and November to local nonprofits. ttcf.net or 530-587-1776.
Cut It Up
Tahoe National Forest (TNF) firewood permits are now on sale for $15 per cord with a two-cord minimum and an annual 10-cord maximum per household. Permits are available at all Ranger Stations, the Forest Service Headquarters, or by mail (applications online at fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/). Firewood season will last at least until November 1. The permits allow removal of dead and down wood on TNF system lands only unless otherwise signed. For more info, call the woodcutting hotline number on the permit for the Ranger District where you plan to cut.
