Ed Z’berg-Sugar Pine Point State Park will have full moon snowshoes on Jan. 23, Feb. 20 and March 19. Beginners’ clinic starts at 6:30pm, tour starts at 7pm.

Adults are $25, and children 12 and under $10. Space is limited, and tickets may be purchased online under “events calendar”. Price includes parking, snowshoes and guided tour. The program lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Wear warm, layered clothing and winter boots.

By Kimberly Pierceall, AP

Casino giant Caesars Entertainment is appealing a bankruptcy court ruling that could put it on the hook for nearly $364 million.

That’s the amount a pension fund wants Caesars to pay in installments for 20 years after the company’s largest subsidiary filed for bankruptcy protection in January.

The National Retirement Fund, which manages pensions for 400,000 unionized workers from a variety of employers, wants to oust Caesars, forcing it to cover the cost of promised pensions.

The fund has estimated Caesars would need to pay nearly $6 million each quarter, or $24 million a year for 20 years.

Caesars is the parent company of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Harvey in Stateline.

Caesars has been the largest fund contributor, paying $13 million annually, according to the court’s ruling. The company has said in legal filings that it had no intention of stopping payments or leaving the fund on its own.

The fund’s counsel, Ronald Richman, said it made the decision to expel Caesars to protect the fund’s financial condition and employee benefits, fearing the fund could suffer depending on what might happen in the subsidiary’s complicated and contentious bankruptcy case. “The fund has been hurt very badly by companies that have gone into bankruptcy,” he said.

Pension funds are considered unsecured creditors, among the last groups and individuals owed in bankruptcy cases behind more senior creditors.

He said the amount the fund is seeking from Caesars isn’t a penalty but a calculation based on Caesars’ prior contributions compared to all employer contributions and the pension fund’s total underfunded liabilities.

Lawyers for Caesars have also said the fund’s demand could affect Caesars’ ability to help its subsidiary emerge from bankruptcy by promising payments to senior creditors. Caesars Entertainment Operating Corp. is hoping to shed about $10 billion of $18.4 billion in debt.

The National Retirement Fund has been skeptical, though, noting in court filings that Caesars has $2.1 billion in assets and has a market capitalization of $1.4 billion, which wouldn’t prevent the company from helping its subsidiary even with the additional fund payments.

Caesars had primarily argued in a Chicago bankruptcy court that the same protections that shield its subsidiary from claims while it’s working on a restructuring plan should also protect the parent company from the fund’s effort in this case.

Judge Benjamin Goldgar denied Caesars’ motion to extend the automatic stay on Nov. 12, saying the fund efforts weren’t directed at the bankrupt subsidiary. Caesars filed its appeal Monday.

The fund, which has $2.5 billion in assets, has been in critical financial shape. Analysts forecast it to be underfunded for the next 10 years after the recession took a toll on invested funds and as employees live longer.

Caesars’ legal tussle with the National Retirement Fund began in January when trustees of the fund voted to expel the company’s five businesses from the fund — Bally’s, Caesars and Harrah’s casino-hotels in Atlantic City, Harrah’s Philadelphia and Parball Corp. — after creditors attempted to force the company into an involuntary bankruptcy case in Delaware, and before Caesars filed for bankruptcy protection in Chicago on its own.

The timing of the bankruptcy case is still being argued in court.

By USSA

LAKE LOUISE, Alberta – After a solid three days of training, Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley) threw down a fast run on Saturday to grab third place at the Lake Louise downhill.

The downhill track at Lake Louise was yet again the creator of a comeback fairytale as Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway claimed victory by the narrowest possible margin, just 0.01 seconds, in his first World Cup speed race since an Achilles injury kept him off tour all of last season. He edged out Italian Peter Fill, who held the lead from his bib 4 start all the way until Svindal came down 16 skiers later.

In the final spot on stage, Ganong rounded out the podium at an unlikely venue for the 27 year old. He was the first U.S. Ski Team athlete on course, and his time held up for third place despite numerous attacks from the top seven skiers.

“I’ve really struggled here at Lake Louise in the past. I really didn’t do well here when I was at the NorAm level, kind of figuring it out. This year the snow is just so perfect that I was able to push hard and ski like I want to ski and be competitive. So I’m really happy with how it worked out,” said Ganong, whose best finish at Lake Louise prior to Saturday was a 10th place. “On a day like today it’s the best day to be a racer – it’s perfect conditions, perfect weather, sunny. It’s a good start to the winter.”

Pre-race favorite Kjetil Jansrud was going for broke on the hill, and his aggressive movements and direct line cost him the tenths that Svindal managed to hold. Jansrud ultimately finished ninth, 0.77 seconds off his teammate, after a rough and ragged run.

“On race day people get really over-amped sometimes. You saw that today, like Jansrud had some mistakes and some of the other favorites had mistakes because they were pushing really hard,” remarked Ganong. “For me it’s all about staying relaxed and skiing within myself and having fun and trusting in my ability.”

Ganong holds onto the American Downhillers’ denim vest this week after Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah) finished tied for 16th with Patrick Kueng and Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, N.Y.), who had to take a rerun after being flagged off course, finished tied for 24 with Bostjan Kline. Vermont native Drew Duffy (Warren, Vt.) made his World Cup debut but lost his outside ski on the bumpy terrain. He slid toward the fences but was able to get up and ski down without injury. Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley) finished 38, Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley) was 41 and Wiley Maple (Aspen, Colo.) was 49.

“Hopefully next week my teammates are knocking at the door with me. I’d be proud to hand (the vest) off to the next guy or hold onto it for another week,” said Ganong.

Tamara McKinney came to the race and cheered on Shiffrin from the finish. Photo/Tom Kelly/USSA

By USSA

ASPEN, Colo. — It was a historic day Saturday at the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational, as Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) dominated her competitors by over three seconds to take the first American women’s win at Aspen since 1981.

It had been a high and dry 34 years, with no American standing on top of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup podium at Aspen since Tamara McKinney of Squaw Valley won in 1981. And Shiffrin didn’t just break the record; she annihilated it, winning the race by 3.07 seconds. That margin broke yet another record—it was the largest women’s slalom win margin since 1968.

“It’s a special day. I was a little bit nervous, but I handled it well,” said Shiffrin. “My skis were great. Everything set up perfectly. I don’t know if the stars will ever align like that again.”

Shiffrin finished ahead of Veronika Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia and Frida Hansdotter of Sweden. “I really charged! I fought hard in the second run,” said Shiffrin, who crashed two gates from the finish in Friday’s GS. “[Friday] was a big disappointment, so I had some anger. I took that into [Saturday].”

Resi Stiegler (Jackson, Wyo.) was the only other American to make the flip, taking 15th place. It was her first race back after her knee injury.

Lila Lapanja (Incline Village)—who was racing her first World Cup—and Paula Moltzan (Lakeville, Minn.) did not finish first run.

My little box of 35mm slides is dated November 1965, the same month when the city of South Lake Tahoe was incorporated.

Here is sampling of how things have changed in 50 years:

Highway 50 and Park Avenue in 1965. Photos/Bill Kingman

Highway 50 and Park Avenue in 2015.

Caltrans no longer positions stoplight islands in the center of the pavement in snow country.

Raley’s at Stateline in 1965.

The center was remodeled more than a decade ago.

Raley’s Drug Center & Supermarket and neighboring Lawrence’s Department Store in the Crescent V Center were the anchors in 1965. Today, Raley’s and neighboring Sports LTD in the Village Center are two of the main stores.

The foreground building until recently was Teaz & Pleaz. Previously it has been a drive-up dairy, The Finishing Touch lighting store, The Dead Head, and others. Meeks Lumber is still there.

Sonora Avenue used to connect to Highway 50 about where I stood to snap this photo; that intersection is now covered by Postmarc. Across the highway, redevelopment replaced the pictured businesses with the Linear Park, which also fronts Tahoe Meadows.

The intersection of Highway 50 at Lodi Avenue had three gas stations: The 76 site is now parking for Magic Carpet Golf; the Standard station (behind in photo) across Lodi was replaced by the two-story office building; the third gas station diagonally across the highway still exists.

Meanwhile, some other locations are still easily recognized from 1965:

The American Legion Hall where Jim Burgett’s band played. The large auditorium (left in photo) collapsed under snow load just hours before a scheduled teen-age dance and was not re-built.

The Bijou Center where mostly names and color schemes have changed.

The landmark Outdoorsman building, later housing Long’s, and now Grocery Outlet. The foreground empty lot is today’s Motel 6 site.

— Bill Kingman

Views along the Roundabout trail are expansive, with Mount Tallac a constant icon. Photos/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

Solitude. Blue. Calm. Incredible. Inspirational. Awe.

This are just a few of the words that came to mind as I sat looking at Lake Tahoe from the top of Gunbarrel at Heavenly Mountain Resort last Saturday.

Now is the time to snowshoe at Heavenly – before the entire mountain is open to skiers and snowboarders.

Roundabout lives up to its name. The circuitous route is usually the easy way down the mountain to California Lodge. Going up on snowshoes, ascending about 1,600 feet to an elevation of more than 8,200 feet cannot be described as easy. The beauty, though, takes one’s breath away – or maybe it was the climb or the altitude.

AJ makes her way down Gunbarrel.

This would be an impossible snowshoe during the ski season. Too many people are on skis on what seems like a narrow path. On snowshoes its like being on a road – wide, with plenty of room.

With the recent snow, conditions are apt to be different. A week ago it was dirt and slick to begin with. Snowshoes were not needed until crossing World Cup. The need for snowshoes a week ago was to have the claws grip the icy, hard pack spots. There were a few bare stretches, but the snowshoes stayed on.

While it wasn’t necessary to have poles, it would be a good idea for anyone with knee or balance issues.

Much of the trail is graded from a snowcat.

Other than the crunching of the snowshoes against the terrain there was silence. Be sure to pause to hear the stillness and appreciate the beauty that seems to change at every corner. Various views of Lake Tahoe spill forth. Mount Tallac and Pyramid Peak standout at various times. The casinos, while dominant in some ways, seem so insignificant from this vantage point.

The amount of snow at Powderbowl looks like this chairlift will be spinning in no time.

The end point is the top of Gunbarrel and the tram. This is one view I never get tired of seeing. The whole lake unfolds in a breathtaking view that almost seems surreal.

Instead of going back the same way it’s time to see what it’s like to snowshoe The Face. A zigzag approach seems best so as not to tumble and become a snowball that careens to the bottom. It took some patience and focus because some rocks weren’t far beneath the snow.

Looking out onto the South Shore from the top of Gunbarrel and the tram at Heavenly.

At times the snow was powdery – making the snowshoes a much-needed tool. Too bad the poles were in the garage. Other spots are crusty, making the trek more of a challenge.

Instead of going all the way down this route, just like on skis, it’s possible to hookup with Roundabout to make it out on a less steep grade.

Roundabout is a great hike in the summer, too. Even then it’s rare to see other people.

—–

Getting there:

From Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe turn onto Ski Run Boulevard. Turn left on Needle Peak Road, right on Wildwood Avenue, left on Saddle Road, right on Keller Road, and a right on Sherman Way. The road dead-ends at Sherman. There is a gate there. Just start walking.

To the community,

There have been a number of news reports about the TTD’s South Shore Community Revitalization Project, commonly referred to as the loop road, where the proposals include the relocation of Highway 50, and the reduction of lanes in the casino core area. If approved, the construction to implement this project, will include the removal of about 75 residential properties in the Stateline area and a number of commercial businesses.

Bruce Grego

At this stage additional public hearings are occurring, but I have no doubt that some version of the Loop Road will be supported by the TTD and Nevada chamber. The question is how will the city of South Lake Tahoe respond. Shall the decision making process be limited to additional public hearings and polls? We have seen how government can fail to “read” public opinion concerning important land use planning proposals. How certain was the city of South Lake Tahoe when it implemented the paid parking program a couple of years ago? It conducted a number of public hearings where it interpreted public sentiment in support of this program, this interpretation was supported by City funded surveys. Yet, when offered a choice, nearly 70 percent of the voters reject this project with Measure P.

Paid parking was reversed by the voters in our community and it required that the city take down the parking meters. The loop road, once implemented, cannot be so easily reversed. Once residential and commercial properties are torn down, there is no going back.

The best measurement of public support in our community is the ballot box, not public hearings and not polls or surveys. We need to have this question placed on the ballot. “Shall the city of South Lake Tahoe support the loop road project.” Yes or no. Should we the people make this choice?”

Bruce Grego, South Lake Tahoe

An amaryllis in full bloom. Photo/Gardener’s Supply Company

By Melinda Myers

Terrariums have made a comeback and make wonderful do-it-yourself projects and gifts for beginning and experienced gardeners. They enable gardeners to continue to grow no matter the weather outdoors and can be updated and used as decorations throughout the year with some simple updating for holidays and other special occasions.

Just add a few ceramic items like a Christmas tree ornament, ceramic bunny or other adornment or two that represent the season.

Don’t know where to start?  No problem. You can create your own from an old glass jar or vase or purchase an elegant terrarium with copper bottom guaranteed to create the perfect stage for your tabletop garden. Or purchase a terrarium kit that includes the plants, container and all you need.

For the artist, young or old, and avid birder, consider a green birdhouse. These biodegradable birdhouses are made from 100 percent recycled paper and designed to last through one nesting season. You will have fun decorating it with stickers, markers or paint, making this a gift you and the birds will enjoy. Plus, once the season is over, there’s no need for cleaning.  It can simply be added to the compost pile.

Not feeling artistic? No worries. Give a decorative treat for the birds. Those with live Christmas trees can extend their enjoyment by decorating the tree with colorful birdseed ornaments once it is moved outdoors. Make your own ornaments from suet, peanut butter and birdseed or purchase ready-made ones.

And no green thumb is needed for this DIY holiday beauty. Easy care waxed amaryllis bulbs are self-contained and easy to grow. The bulb is sealed in gold or silver wax, making it both decorative and low maintenance. There’s no watering or container needed. Just set it in a bright location and wait for the floral display to appear before your eyes. You’ll be enjoying big blooms for several weeks.

Stay on your diet as the holiday approaches with a sugar-free advent calendar. You can make your own from felt and fabric glue or start a family tradition by purchasing a handcrafted advent calendar like the wooden bird cottage advent calendar that celebrates nature and the holiday. Each day leading to Christmas you’ll remove a bird from its cubby in the cottage. Peg it to the birdhouse and watch the flock grow.

Your friends and family will know Christmas is coming each year when you break out the calendar.  It’s sure to provide years of memories and could soon become a family heirloom.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books.

·       Tahoe Donner cross country ski area is open.

·       The Canyon Springs project applicants have asked for the hearing before the Truckee Planning Commission to be continued from Dec. 1 to an unspecified date so they can submit more information.

·       Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Don Jardine of Markleeville to another four-year term on the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. He has been on the board since 2008.

·       Toogee Sielsch of South Lake Tahoe talks in this interview about how to control beavers.

·       Here is the Sierra roadwork schedule from Caltrans for this week.

To the community,

The South Tahoe High Sober Grad Night Task Force would like to thank the following businesses and individuals who helped make our annual event for the graduating seniors such a success. The kids loved the evening and it couldn’t have been made possible if you weren’t a part of it.

Once again, Heavenly Mountain Resort and the Vail Resorts Epic Promise Grant Program gave us a venue that is second to none. Thanks to Ed Cook Tree Service, Thomas Haen Co., California Highway Patrol, BlueGo, South Tahoe Refuse Co., Lake Valley Fire Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, STAR Volunteers and the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, they all gave us their valuable time and support.

Many thanks to the following businesses and families:

7-Eleven (Emerald Bay), A & M Construction, AAA Roofing, AAds-Myers Inc., Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe, Ahern, Aloha Ice Cream , Alpine Family Practice, Altitude Salon, Americana Vacation Club, Anderson Bike Rentals, Applebees, Artifacts, Jon and Cecilia Bachelder, Baja Fresh, Steve and Barbara Bannar, Barton Memorial Hospital, Base Camp Hotel, Base Camp Pizza Company, Beach Hut Deli, Beach Retreat and Lodge at Lake Tahoe, Bear Beach Café, Bed Bath and Beyond, Bert’s Café, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Bio Spirit Day Spa, Bliss Skin Care Studio, Blue Angel Café, Blue Dog Gourmet Pizza, Bohemian Beads
Melissa Bornstein, Boulder Exterminators, Boyd’s Barber, Brewery at Lake Tahoe, Peter and Julie Butler, Butter Muffin, Cabin Fever, Café Fiore, Cakes by Grace, CalStar, Camp Richardson & Beacon, Carina’s Vacation Home, Carpenters Local Union #1789, Casey’s, CC Pirates, Chevy’s, Champion Floors to Go, Cloutier Enterprises, Rudy’s Plumbing and Heating, Cold Stone Creamery, Ed and Susan Cook, Robert Comlossy, Jay Conroy, Party Guy Extraordinaire, Costco Wholesale, Coyote Grill, Crystal Bridge, Crystal Dairy, Cut Loose Hair Design, Davey Paiva Realty, Deanna Maddox Brothers DDS, June Denny, Deputy Sheriffs Association of El Dorado County, Divided Sky, DIY Home Center, Domino’s Pizza, Downtown Café, Edgewood Companies, El Dorado Community Foundation, El Dorado Savings Bank, Eliot Building Company, Emerald Bay Center for Women’s Health, Escobar Training Center, Fasta Pasta, Feldman, McLaughlin & Thiel, Fragrance Vault Free Bird Café, Freshies, Frito Lay, Gaia-licious Global Gifts, Genasci & Stigers DDS, Getaway Café, Gift Shop of Lake Tahoe, Goodfella’s Pizza, Grand Central Pizza and Pasta, Grocery Outlet, Gunbarrel Tavern & Eatery, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Hatch Electric, Heaven Scent Salon, Heavenly Village Cinema, Holmgren’s Tree Service, Indigo Hair Studio, Ted and Amy Jackson, Jamba Juice, Jill’s Classic Cabinetry-Jill Berg, John Dalton Construction, Jon Hetherton Insurance, Joseph Tillson Attorney at Law, Joy’s Looking Good, Just Kuts, Kahle Community Center, Kalani’s, Lauri Kemper, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nancy Kerry, Kevin Cassidy DDS, Kiwanis Club of South Lake Tahoe, Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra, Lake Monster Tattoo & Body Piercing, Lake of the Sky Outfitters, Lake Tahoe Education Foundation, Lake Tahoe Golf Course, Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s 4WD Club, Lake Tahoe Holidays, Lake Tahoe Ice Arena, Lake Tahoe Pizza Company, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Lake Tahoe Yoga, Lakeside Napa Auto Parts, Noah Largent, Lavender Hair Design, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Les Schwab Tires, Lilly’s Tire Service, Los Mexicanos Restaurant, Lovin Lake Tahoe, Loyal Order of Moose South Lake Tahoe Lodge #1632, Luigi’s Tahoe Pizzeria, MacDuff’s Public House, Magic Carpet Golf, Mary’s Draperies and Interior Design, Mike and Lori McKeen, McP’s Tap House, Menegon’s Ace Hardware, Michael’s Hair Salon, MontBleu Resort Casino, Ross Molesworth SLTPD, Mountain Yoga, Nel’s Tahoe Supply, Jackie Nelson, Nikki’s Chaat Café, Novasel and Schwarte Investments, Off the Hook, Orchids Authentic Thai, Overland Meat Company, Pamela Pilates, Paradise Beauty Supply, Paradise Nail & Spa, Payne’s Massage, Pepsi Bottling Company, Pier Sun Tanning, Port of Subs, Preston Development, Primo’s Italian Bistro, Pro-Clean – Audie Leonard, Pro Leisure, Rear View Miracles, Red Hut, Redwood Printing, Remember Us Too, Riva Grill, Revive Tahoe, Richard T. Jones III Construction, Paul and Cookie Rork, Douglas and Diane Rosner, Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe, Round Table Pizza. Rude Brother’s Bagel & Coffee Haus, Safeway Food and Drug
Salon be Savvy, Catherine Schoen, Rebecca Schwebke, Scotty’s Hardware, Sessions Salon, Kelly Shanahan, Sidestreet Boutique, Sierra Athletic Club, Sierra Community Church Young Adult Group, Sierra Ski and Cycle Works, Sierra Tahoe Vacation Resort/Lodge at Lake Tahoe, Sierra Windows & Doors, Simpson’s Jewelers, South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation, Soroptimists International of Tahoe Sierra, South Lake Tahoe Educators Association, South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club, South Lake Tahoe Police Officers Association, South Shore Bikes, South Tahoe Educators Association, South Tahoe Refuse, South Tahoe Stand Up Paddle, Sprouts, Staples, Starbucks at the Y, Stardust Tahoe Management, Stardust Vacation Club, STHS Booster Club, Christopher and Mary Strohm, Studio 4, Styles 4 Less, Sublime Beauty, Sunsational Tans, SUP Tahoe, Sushi Pier Tahoe, Tahoe Basics, Tahoe Bowl, Tahoe Douglas Elks Lodge No. 2670, Tahoe Fracture and Orthopedic Medical Clinic, Tahoe Girl, Tahoe Hair Co., Tahoe Hula Hoops, Tahoe Key’s Delicatessen, Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, Tahoe Quick Lube, Tahoe Rock n’ Ride, Tahoe Sand & Gravel, Tahoe Seasons Resort, Tahoe Sports Ltd., Tahoe Toys & Treasures, Tahoe Turning Point, Tahoe Valley Pharmacy, Tahoe’s LED Glow Store, Taqueria Jalisco, The Bead Store – Phyllis Palmieri, The Spot, TJ Maxx, Toast Tahoe, U.S. Bank, Video Library, Village Board Shop, Vinny’s Pizzeria, Walmart, Curtis and Holly Warren,Wattabike, Frederick Wenck DDS, What a Girl Wants, Wildwood DIY Boutique, William Cherry and Associates, Women of the Moose Chapter 408, Yellow Submarine Sandwiches, Zephyr Cove Resort and Lake Tahoe Cruises, and Caral Zezula … and all of the awesome community volunteers who donated their time and talents.

Paula Petterson, committee member