Squaw Valley wants to have a coaster similar to Heavenly’s. Photo/LTN file

By Kathryn Reed

Squaw Valley wants to build a coaster similar to what Heavenly Mountain Resort has at the top of the gondola.

The Timberline Twister would be near the base of the resort between the Far East and Red Dog chairlifts in an area that is zoned for this type of use.

The resort is in the preliminary stages of getting this built. Several agencies need to approve it, including Placer County, Squaw Valley Fire Department, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Placer County Air Pollution Control District.

The dissenters are already lining up.

“Does KSL really think Tahoe needs another manmade attraction?” Tom Mooers of Sierra Watch asked in a press release. “Aren’t the mountains and the lakes attractive enough already?”

To the visiting public, the answer to the second question would be “no” – at least if Heavenly is any indication. The South Shore resort has increased its non-winter offerings on the mountain, to which people are saying yes to.

Andy Wirth, president and COO of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, told Lake Tahoe News, “Unsurprisingly, Sierra Watch continues to try to mislead the community with the deliberate exaggerations and contrivances they’ve concocted.”

The ride is not a traditional roller coaster like something at Six Flags. They are closer to the ground, might have a small loop, are scenic in nature, and are not loud. They are gravity powered for the most part.

Summer recreation is a growing trend at ski resorts as they try to become year-round destinations. Activities outside of winter sports also helps them as climate change takes hold and in normal years cuts the season short.

Heavenly’s coaster was offline this summer because it was severely damaged from the record snowfall last winter. Squaw plans to work with industry officials to help prevent the same outcome with its coaster.

By Bubba Brown, Park Record

For Michael Cook and the rest of the volunteer ski patrollers who have staffed Park City Mountain Resort over the last several decades, it’s the end of an era.

The resort recently eliminated its National Ski Patrol volunteer program, announcing the decision to both the volunteers and full-time patrollers last month in a staff email from senior ski patrol manager Bill Gray. The email, obtained by the Park Record, cites a desire to improve the customer experience as the reason for the change.

“As our resort has grown significantly over the past few years, and in order to deliver our vision for the guest experience, we have decided to staff and further develop our patrol program using only employees and eliminating the NSP volunteer patrol program,” the message states.

Read the whole story

By Tanya Mohn, Forbes

High-tech, health and engineering are among the fields people typically think about when it comes to robust workforce opportunities, but travel is one of the most potent job creators of any American industry. In this country, workers who began their careers in travel and tourism achieved higher peak salary than most other industries.

Those are the results of a new study that analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to highlight the significant economic power of the travel industry in America, the quality of the industry’s jobs, and the large number that are created by small businesses.

“Travel: America’s Unsung Hero of Job Creation” was released by the U.S. Travel Association, a trade group, to correspond with the Labor Day holiday, a peak travel period, to underscore how travel fuels economic recovery, creates promising career paths and spurs small business growth.

Read the whole story

By Todd Prince, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Two casino operators have called on members of Congress to move ahead with immigration reform as some employees may lose their right to stay in the United States.

The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it was winding down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, or DACA, which provided temporary resident status for immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children. The law affects 13,000 in Nevada, many of whom work in some of the state’s many leading casinos.

“Caesars Entertainment has DACA employees, and as is the case for all of our immigrant employees, we support their efforts to become U.S. citizens,’’ said Richard Broome, executive vice president of public affairs and communications. “The company also continues to support comprehensive immigration reform.’’

Read the whole story

More than 40 restaurants are participating in the Excellence in Education Foundation’s Dining for Schools fundraising program this year.

Each cardholder receives 50 percent off an individual dinner entrée at participating restaurants in the Truckee and North Tahoe area. Some restrictions apply.

The Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation is a private, a nonprofit organization that was created to enhance public education within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. The foundation’s mission is to raise money and provide grants, resources and unique partnerships to benefit students, teachers and the overall educational community.

Dining for Schools cards are available starting Sept. 15 for $50 per card, and are non-transferable, with all proceeds benefiting the Excellence in Education Foundation. Cards are valid Sunday through Thursday only (holidays excluded) from Sept. 24-Dec. 14 and April 15-June 14.

Several restaurants offer an extended period that makes the card valid from Jan. 7-April 5.  Cards may be used an unlimited number of times at any participating restaurant during the valid period.

Cards will be available for purchase at Safeway (Truckee and Kings Beach), Save Mart (Truckee and Tahoe City), Mountain Hardware and Sports (Truckee), The Store (Tahoe City), and online.

Campgrounds and facilities associated with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Upper American River Project in El Dorado County will be undergoing renovations over the next few years.

Many of these facilities will be upgraded and several new features added. The work will require some sites to be temporarily or completely closed during construction.

Here are the projects/closures:

2017

• Loon Lake boat launch closed after Labor Day.
• New restrooms at Pleasant Campground were just installed.
• Upgraded trails between Loon Lake, Buck Island Reservoir and Rubicon Reservoir. Trails will be open during renovations.

2018

• Azalea Cove Campground will be closed from May to June.
• Wench Creek Campground will be closed from May to June.
• Angel Creek Day use area will be closed from July to August.
• Gerle Creek Campground will be closed after Labor Day.
• West Point Boat Launch will be closed after Labor Day.
• Yellowjacket Boat Launch will be closed after Labor Day.
• Sunset Campground will be closed for the season.

2019 (dates to be determined)

• Sunset Campground
• Northshore RV Campground
• North Union Valley Road
• Lakeshore Drive (on the north shore of Ice House Reservoir)
• Camino Cove Campground
• Wolf Creek Campground
• Slab Creek Reservoir
• Union Valley Bike Trail: Wench Creek to Yellowjacket Connector will be open for use in 2020.

This schedule will be subject to change as the project progresses. Updated information is available online.

By Alexei Koseff, Sacramento Bee

When State University of New York and City University of New York students return to campus this fall, tens of thousands of low-income undergraduates will pay no tuition under a new scholarship program.

Rhode Island will also begin to cover tuition for nearly all recent high school graduates entering the state’s community college.

And San Francisco will, for the first time, waive enrollment fees at City College of San Francisco for any resident.

Read the whole story

Donner Pass and Moraine roads in Truckee are closed due to a gas leak in the area.

The area affected has been evacuated by fire personnel.

There is no estimated time for reopening. 

No further details were available.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

BloodSource will have a blood drive in South Lake Tahoe on Sept. 29 to meet the community need for blood and blood products.

The drive is sponsored by the Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Walk-ins are welcome. 

Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be at least 16 (16 and 17 year olds will need a signed BloodSource Parental consent form) and be generally healthy. There is no upper age limit for blood donations. Bring a photo ID and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

The blood drive will be that the city’s park and recreation center on Rufus Allen Boulevard from noon-5pm.

For more information, call 916.453.3039.

By Kathryn Reed

Some form of a burrito or taco is something I seem to eat on a weekly basis. I change up the concoctions based on what I have in the house.

Lately I have been loving the butternut squash and black bean combination. Then I go from there. While it can be a pain to deal with the butternut squash in terms of peeling it, the flavor is so worth it. There really is no substitute.

I used tequila because I’ve had it in the cupboard forever and decided I wanted to get rid of it. It does add a distinct taste. If you don’t have any, use fresh lime juice. Start with a quarter cup and go from there.

The little peppers are nice because you can get more color into a dish than just using a single bell pepper. They also seem to be a little sweeter.

Butternut Squash-Black Bean Burrito

Butternut squash, peeled and cubed

1 small yellow squash, chopped

1 small zucchini, chopped

8 mini bell peppers, chopped

Olive oil

1 bunch cilantro, rough chop

½ C tequila

½ tsp garlic salt

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp turmeric

2 15 ounce cans black beans, drained

Tortillas

Cheese, shredded

Salsa

Coat large sauce pan with oil. Add butternut squash. Cook until almost soft enough to eat. Add yellow squash, zucchini and peppers. Cook about 5 minutes. Add tequila, cilantro and other spices. Then add beans. Cook until heated through. Adjust seasonings to your liking.

Heat tortillas. Fill them like a taco or burrito. Cheese and salsa are optional.