Nominate Your Sierra Favorites for National Geo Map
The National Geographic Society has partnered with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Sierra Business Council to create an interactive website and print MapGuide. The public is invited to make nominations inspiring history buffs, adventurers, backpackers, foodies, birders and sightseers to discover unique destinations in the Sierra Nevada.
Sierra residents and visitors, community organizations and local businesses can nominate sites at sierranevadageotourism.org. A favorite local restaurant, farm, winery, hiking or biking trail, swimming hole, museum or artist gallery are samples of the type of nominations the partners are looking for in the map.
This project launched in the Yosemite Gateway region on Aug. 19 at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. A series of forums throughout the Sierra will be held to solicit nominations from the entire region in the coming months. Info: sbcouncil.org/events.
Tahoe National Forest Welcomes the Truckee Hotshots
Recently, 21 Truckee Ranger District firefighters known as the Truckee Handcrew blazed through comprehensive certification testing to come out on the other side as the Truckee Hotshots. They now join the ranks of 125 other elite hand crews throughout the United States.
Hotshot crews are groups of highly skilled wildland firefighters specially trained in wildland fire suppression tactics. They are often called upon to respond to the most challenging fire situations. They are trained and equipped to work in remote areas for long periods of time with little logistical support.
The Tahoe National Forest has developed and supported two other Hotshot crews over the last 30 years: the Tahoe Hotshots stationed at Camptonville and the American River Hotshots stationed at Foresthill.
Hotshots info: fs.fed.us/fire/-people/hotshots/index.html. Truckee Hotshots info: Debby Broback, Truckee Ranger District, 530-587-3558.
California to Borrow $350K from North Tahoe Fire
The State of California plans to borrow about $350,000 from the North Tahoe Fire Protection District. Under the 2009-10 state budget adopted July 28, the state can borrow up to 8 percent of a local governmental body’s property tax revenue. The state must repay the funds with interest by the year 2013.
Nita Wracker, administrative manager for NTFPD, said the state hasn’t yet withdrawn the funds, which is expected in October.
The state is similarly borrowing from other local agencies, such at the Tahoe City Public Utility District, which set aside more than $400,000 over two years for the state to borrow.
Wracker said it still isn’t clear if the state will come after more funds as the year progresses.
TCPUD Response to Proposed Cell Tower
On August 25, the Tahoe City Public Utility District Board of Directors heard a presentation regarding the proposed installation of a 150-foot ‘Pine Tree’ radio tower on district property in the Chamberlands. This mono-pole tower would provide antenna service for two cellular telephone companies and the United States Coast Guard’s new search and rescue radio system, Rescue 21.
Following staff, expert and public presentations, the board directed staff to prepare a draft lease agreement with SBA Network Services (tower builder and cellular representative) to include the following points:
• That SBA offer post-project radio frequency exposure surveys for homes within 1,000 feet of the proposed structure to ensure that the RF levels are below the appropriate standards; and
• That SBA provide a report to the board documenting their efforts to position the tower further back from the proposed site to reduce impacts on the surrounding neighbors.
Info: 530-583-3796, tahoecitypud.com.
League of Women Voters Seeks Members
The local League of Women Voters group is in its organizational stage, actively recruiting members. Recognizing a need for a non-partisan, educational perspective on local, state, and national issues, they will form study groups and work to influence policy through advocacy. The proposal to convene a California Constitutional Convention is on the agenda. Second Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the TDPUD, 11570 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, lwv.org, 530-582-0726.
Buoy Owners Must Meet October 15 Deadline
Orange notice tags will begin showing up on buoys around Lake Tahoe over the next few weeks as part of an effort by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to get the word out that a permitting and registration deadline of Oct. 15 is approaching for all moorings such as buoys and boatlifts.
Those who fail to meet the deadline risk penalties such as buoy removal. The orange tags are a follow-up notification to the two that were mailed to lakefront property owners in November 2008 and July 2009.
The permitting and registration program will help fund much-needed enforcement on the lake to address the proliferation of unauthorized buoys in Tahoe, as well as scientific monitoring programs.
Permitting and registration may be completed over-the-counter and applicants with minimum requirements are usually issued TRPA registration tags the same day.
Electronic forms are available at trpa.org and may be submitted by mail or in person at the TRPA office at 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.
Drop Off Your Hazardous Waste
Sept. 19, Oct. 10, and Nov. 7
Looking for a free and convenient way to dispose of hazardous wastes that are collecting in your house or garage? Those products labeled ‘DANGER,’ ‘CAUTION,’ ‘WARNING,’ ‘FLAMMABLE,’ or ‘POISON’ are considered household hazardous waste (HHW) and should NOT be disposed with regular garbage. Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal residential customers can dispose of these items FREE between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on these upcoming Saturdays: September 19, October 10, and November 7. Customers must call 530-583-0148 in advance for appointments.
Acceptable items include: used motor oil/filters and other automotive fluids, paints, varnishes, solvents, antifreeze, household cleaners, gasoline and other flammables, herbicides, pesticides, vehicle and small household batteries, compressed gas cylinders (smaller than 5 gallons), medications and used hypodermic needles (sharps).
Unacceptable items include: ammunition/explosives, PCBs, medical, electronic waste and radioactive materials.
Limits & Location: There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of waste per vehicle. Info: 530-583-0148, placer.ca.gov/recycle. The Eastern Regional Materials Recovery Facility is located at 900 Cabin Creek Road off Highway 89.
Passport to Dining
Don’t miss this charity blockbuster: the fifth annual Passport to Dining event, scheduled for Thursday, October 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event serves as one of the main fundraising events for the North Tahoe Business Association. This year proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe in addition to the NTBA. Tickets are $25 for North Tahoe Business Association members, $30 for non-members and $30 at the door. Tickets include entrance into the event, all-you-can-eat-and-drink tasters from more than 25 local restaurants and wineries, live music, silent and live auction, and a commemorative glass.
Participating restaurants and wineries include Baxter’s Bistro, Bella Affair, Blue Onion Café and Catering, CB’s Pizza and Grill, Drunken Monkey, El Sancho, Lakeside Pizza, Las Panchitas, PlumpJack Squaw Valley, Pacific Crest Grill, Sobon Estates Winery, Soupa, and Twin Peaks Catering.
Event organizers have a goal of raising $10,000 through ticket sales and the silent auction, which will feature tickets to local ski resorts, lodging packages and golf packages. Tickets are available at northtahoebusiness.org, the North Tahoe Event Center, and the Tahoe City Visitor Center. Info: 530-546-9000, ntbamainstreet.org.
Funds Needed for Brockway Trail
The Truckee Trails Foundation, in collaboration with the Town of Truckee and three other partners, announced plans to expand the Brockway trail from The Rock commercial center to the Truckee River Regional Park. A half-mile swath of paved pathway may not seem life altering, but for pedestrians and bicyclists who travel on Truckee’s busy Brockway Road it represents a crucial link in safe, convenient community connectivity.
There are two ways Truckee residents can help raise the $300,000 needed for the trail. Become a member or volunteer with the foundation’s annual Truckee Trails Day slated for Sept. 20.
The foundation’s upcoming projects include collaboration with the Town of Truckee and the Truckee River Legacy Foundation on the newest stretch of the Legacy Trail: the River View Sports Park to a point overlooking the Tahoe Ice Dam Historical Site. Info: 530-587-8214, truckeetrails.org.
Excellence In Ed Recognizes Local Education Staff
The Excellence in Education Foundation will hold its annual recognition on September 18 at Northstar-at-Tahoe, which honors the foundation donors, the Linda Brown Fellows and Star Award recipients.
The Linda Brown Fellows Awards recognize district teachers who go above and beyond in fulfilling their potential as an educator, show exceptional merit or talent, provide truly outstanding academic programs, and are extraordinarily innovative and creative. The Star Awards recognize support staff, including secretaries, librarians, janitors and others who also go above and beyond in fulfilling their positions, making a positive difference and providing truly outstanding support.
On Saturday September 19, the foundation is holding a new and unique fundraising event, the Excellence in Education Luxury Home Tour. The tour showcases eight one-of-a-kind residences that feature the latest and greatest in custom home architecture, design and landscaping. Info: 530-550-7984, exined.org.
Free or Reduced-Price Meals at Home Daycares
The Continuing Development Inc./Choices for Children announces sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which helps children receive nutritious meals. The program is available to children, 0 through 12 years of age, who are in care in a licensed family daycare home.
All children at sponsored daycare homes will be offered the same meals at no separate charge, with no physical segregation or other discrimination against any child because of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
For more information about Choices for Children, contact Carol Ledesma at 530-581-5848, ext. 103.
Send Funds Fast with Wells Fargo Online
Wells Fargo customers are now able to send an ExpressSend remittance transaction through WellsFargo.com – making it possible for customers to initiate remittance transactions 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Customers can send funds to their beneficiaries in most countries through the choice of four options – account to account, account to cash, cash to cash, or cash to account – for one low transfer fee. Customers may also qualify for fee discounts based on their account relationship with Wells Fargo.
North Lake Tahoe Beach Cleanup Day
Sept. 19
The annual Beach Cleanup Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as part of the 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day. Volunteers are needed on foot and in the water (in boats, kayaks, scuba gear, etc.) to collect trash. The amounts and types of trash collected will be recorded; this data is entered into the ICC’s annual global marine debris tracking records. Last year’s ICC saw nearly 400,000 volunteers collect more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 U.S. states – the world’s largest volunteer effort. Trash bags will be provided; please bring work gloves. This event is sponsored by the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association, IVGID Waste Not and The League to Save Lake Tahoe.
Volunteers meet at either:
1. Arts’ Coffee House, 770 Mays Blvd., Incline Village. Contact IVGID Waste Not: 775-832-1284.
2. Kings Beach Recreation Area.
Info: League to Save Lake Tahoe, 530-541-5388.
