Glenn Gibb passed away on Dec. 14, 2011, after a six-month illness.

Glenn was born May 30, 1947, in Boise, Idaho. The first 12 years of his life were spent in Idaho where he learned to fish, hunt and golf. During his high school and college years, Glenn resided in the Bay Area where he attended UC Berkeley, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree. In 1973 Glenn earned a doctorate in dental surgery from UCLA and continued his education at UC San Francisco, earning a specialty degree in orthodontics in 1975.

Glenn Gibb

Spurred by his love for outdoor activities and adventures, Glenn moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1975 where he established his orthodontic practice and continued to fish, hunt, golf, as well as ski, sail, and enjoy the lake from any and all types of watercraft. Glenn loved to create beautiful smiles; he was South Lake Tahoe’s only fulltime orthodontist for 30 years. Glenn was a member of the Barton Hospital medical staff, on call to handle orthodontic emergencies throughout the tenure of his practice.

Glenn is survived by his wife Cathy DiCamillo; daughter Rebecca; sons Scott and Garrett; granddaughters Teagan and Jane; and brothers Bob and Greg.

In lieu of flowers, Glenn would be honored by a contribution to the National Marrow Donor Program, or a cancer-related organization.

A remembrance of Glenn’s life will be Jan. 7, 2012, at 2pm at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline.

Patricia Noble Whitely died peacefully on Dec. 12, 2011, at the age of 85.

She was born in Oakland on Aug. 15, 1926, to Lois and Kendall Noble. She attended San Francisco State University during World War II and completed her education at Lake Tahoe Community College.

In 1953, Pat married a medical student, Jim Whitely. They moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1956, where he would become the areas first year-round physician.

Pat had a deep commitment to the community, serving in many roles. She was a charter member of the Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, was a charter member and co-founder of the Tahoe Parents Nursery School, performed with The Lake Tahoe Children’s Theater and the Lake Tahoe Theater Company, was a member of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe which presented her its Woman of Distinction award for her work with equal opportunity employment issues, was elected to two terms on the Lake Tahoe Unified School District board serving as president twice, was a charter member of the Lake Tahoe Historical Society, served as an elder of the Lake Tahoe Presbyterian Church and was a scholarship supporter through the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation.

Pat was a wonderfully bright, witty and charming woman who loved and was devoted to her family, her friends and her community.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Whitely, and her brother, William Noble. She is survived by her daughters, Diane Stepnitz (Stan), Linda Litton (Gary), Karen Pavlakis (Mike) and Jane Griffin-Callahan (Tom) and her grandchildren, Abby Stepnitz, Eli Alston-Stepnitz (Kimberly), Rachel Litton-Mueller (Fabian), Allison and Hannah Litton, Jack Maloney and Colin, Jake and Hunter Griffin.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the Patricia Whitely Scholarship Fund, c/o Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 14387, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151.

By Carlos Alcalá, Sacramento Bee

Placerville lives on its Gold Rush history and can’t escape the past, including a famous public hanging in the 1840s.

As a result, Main Street today is dotted with businesses bearing names with historic allusions such as Prospector’s Cafe and Hangtown Hot Dogs.

Residents are once again struggling with that legacy, debating the fate of an effigy strung from a Main Street building that has been unoccupied for three years.

Residents argue over whether the building is an eyesore to be torn down or a historical treasure.

“I think something needs to be done to improve the landscape of that corner, and soon,” said Shari Fulton, who owns a cafe directly across from where the dummy hangs.

Is the dummy a valuable tourist magnet, an ugly image of frontier justice, or worse: a reminder of bigotry against people of color?

The argument has been carried out on Facebook pages where a love-it-or-leave mentality is strong.

“If someone can’t take our history, then don’t come here,” wrote one poster, Julie Brian.

Read the whole story

By Steve Kubby

Local medical marijuana patients are in a panic, because of the new South Lake Tahoe city ordinance that takes effect today. Frustrated and frightened patients complain that it is impossible to get their landlords to sign notarized letters giving permission for them to grow — even though they already know and allow their tenants to do so. Apparently, landlords are reluctant to sign something that would incriminate them for violating federal law and the Controlled Substance Act.

Patients must also register in public records that they are growing, a clear violation of their Fifth Amendment rights. Too bad for you if the city decides you are not in compliance, their ordinance allows them to publish your name in the newspaper and fine you $1,000 per day. As a result, few patients have registered and are now on alert for an unwelcome visit from the city.

Steve Kubby

The current cultivation ordinance punishes bona fide patients by creating expensive and difficult barriers to rights already granted to them by the voters of California. In contrast, the city rewards illegal growers, because nearly anyone can qualify, provided they have enough money and time to jump through all the hoops, give their landlords money under the table, and get a medical recommendation for the right price. Under the new system that starts today, illegal growers and out-of-towners will be flocking to the city of South Lake Tahoe by the thousands, something none of us wants.

We believe our best option at this point is to put our own model ordinance on the ballot instead. We have already verified that we need 856 validated signatures to qualify. Below is the current version of the citywide voter initiative that we will be filing.

South Lake Tahoe Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance

The People of the City of South Lake Tahoe, California, do enact as follows:

Section A. Findings, and Orders

The People of the City of South Lake Tahoe find and order all of the following:

(1) Adults 21 years and older, who are bona fide medical marijuana patients, may produce up to 6 mature outdoor flowering plants, or up to 12 mature indoor flowering plants per person; or a total number of plants cultivated per household not to exceed 12 mature flowering plants outdoors or 24 plants indoors. The cultivation shall take place in an indoor or outdoor space or area not visible to the public.

(2) No taxes, fees, laws, rules, regulations, zones, local city or county zoning requirements may be adopted or enacted to defeat, deny, or prohibit the purposes of this Act, or to defeat, deny, or prohibit adult medical marijuana patients, 21 or older or from engaging in the activities authorized and protected by this Act.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent a property owner from prohibiting marijuana cultivation on their property or conduct that damages their property, so long as that is clearly stated in their rental agreement or lease.

(4) This Act preempts and nullifies any and all conflicting local regulations, but allows for a greater number of plants if a physician has written a letter or recommendation that states that these limits are insufficient for their patient.

(5) No regulations, taxes, or fees shall be enacted or imposed upon marijuana for qualifying patients or their caregivers.

(6) Elected, appointed, hired employees, officers, and officials of the City of South Lake Tahoe shall not directly or indirectly cooperate with or assist federal, state, or county officers or officials, volunteers, or employees who eradicate marijuana, act for seizure or forfeiture, or demand entry without a warrant or to defeat any liberally construed purpose of this Act, nor may any state or local agency contract to eradicate marijuana that is being grown, manufactured or stored under the provisions of this Act. Violation of this clause shall be a felony, punishable by up to one year in prison.

(7) The City of South Lake Tahoe is ordered to protect and defend all provisions of this Act from any and all challenges or litigation, whether by persons, officials, cities, counties, the state or federal governments.

(8) Child Protective Services is hereby enjoined from seizing any child or infant, based in whole or part on the cultivation or presence of marijuana in a home.

(9) South Lake Tahoe City Police are hereby enjoined from arresting anyone age 21 or older for any marijuana related offense, which is protected by this Act.

(10) This Act shall become effective immediately upon passage and may be applied retroactively to protect patients or caregivers from civil or criminal prosecution.

(11) Patients and caregivers shall have the right to transfer their marijuana to other patients or collectives and be paid a non-taxible remuneration for their out of pocket expense and their time.

(12) The City of South Lake Tahoe is hereby enjoined from banning or limiting the number of medical marijuana collectives, dispensaries or delivery services operating within the City.

Section B. Severability

If any of the provisions of this Act, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall not be affected, but shall remain in full force and effect, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

Steve Kubby is CEO of Strategic Campaigns LLC and serves as chief officer and campaign chairman for a new California voter initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Wine.

By Kathryn Reed

The list of Christmas movies I regularly enjoy runs the gamut from “Frosty the Snowman” to “It’s a Wonderful Life”. It decided it might be time to branch out a bit so into my Netflix’s queue went two films I had not seen before that came recommended from friends.

The first was “Bad Santa”. Wow. I’m going to be thinking twice about the next time that friend recommends a movie. It was just bad. Really bad.

The next was “The Christmas Cottage”. This is one I would definitely recommend.

It is based on one holiday season in the life of Thomas Kinkade while he was in college.

Kinkade grew up in Placerville, which adds a fun, regional twist to the movie. (An aside in the film is how in the late 1970s the chamber president was trying to turn the area into the Christmas tree capital as a way to lure tourists.)

It’s one of those feel good movies that makes you have hope in humanity – especially this time of year when it can be so consumed with commercialism.

It also gives insight into a famous painter’s humble beginnings, the inspiration for his work and why light is central to his artistry.

This film that came out in 2008 would be good for all ages.

While the movie clearly indicates it is based on true events, a more complete bio about the artist maybe fund on the Original Thomas Kinkade Gallery website. That gallery is in Placerville.

Acquiring an easement from the California Tahoe Conservancy is allowing Placer County to accept a $1 million grant from the state Natural Resources Agency to restore wetland and riparian habitat.

Had the CTC not taken action this month, the grant would have been void in January.

The county wants to clean up the former concrete batch plant in Tahoe Vista. The plant provided material to pave Highway 267. Lisa O’Daly, CTC environmental planner, told the board Dec. 16 that fill on the south end of the property is between 4 inches and 4 feet thick.

The Conservancy’s interest in granting the easement is the project restores a stream environmental zone and increases public recreation via bike trails.

Board Chairman Larry Sevison abstained from the vote because he owns property in the area. Members John Hooper and Angela Swanson were not at the meeting. The remaining board members voted to approve the easement.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

• Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent Jim Tarwater has been invited to be a speaker at the AVID annual Conference in Orland to share LTUSD’s progress in infusing Advancement Via Individual Determination concepts in grades 4-12. LTUSD is the only AVID District in the world. The organization is paying Tarwater’s expenses.

• Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline is one of three green buildings to receive the Livable Buildings Awards for 2011 by the UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment.

• Lake Tahoe Community College academic year 2012-13 will have its winter break coincide with Lake Tahoe Unified’s. School will resume Jan. 17, 2013.

• Caltrans has released its Sierra and El Dorado-Tahoe roadwork schedules for this week.

By Marisol Bello, USA Today

One in 45 children in the United States — 1.6 million children — were living on the street, in homeless shelters or motels, or doubled up with other families last year, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness.

The numbers represent a 33 percent increase from 2007, when there were 1.2 million homeless children, according to a report the center is releasing Tuesday.

“This is an absurdly high number,” says Ellen Bassuk, president of the center. “What we have new in 2010 is the effects of a man-made disaster caused by the economic recession. … We are seeing extreme budget cuts, foreclosures and a lack of affordable housing.”

The report paints a bleaker picture than one by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which nonetheless reported a 28 percent increase in homeless families, from 131,000 in 2007 to 168,000 in 2010.

Dennis Culhane, a University of Pennsylvania professor of social policy, says HUD’s numbers are much smaller because they count only families living on the street or in emergency shelters.

“It is a narrower standard of homelessness,” he says. However, Culhane says, “the bottom line is we’ve shown an increase in the percentage of homeless families.”

The study, a state-by-state report card, looks at four years’ worth of Education Department data. It assesses how homeless children fare based on factors including the state’s wages, poverty and foreclosure rates, cost of housing and its programs for homeless families.

The states where homeless children fare the best are Vermont, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Maine.

It finds the worst states for homeless children are Southern states where poverty is high, including Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, and states decimated by foreclosures and job losses, such as Arizona, California and Nevada.

Read the whole story

By Kathryn Reed

Putting children first. Ensuring their needs are met. Taking a pledge to do so. Helping shape policy.

Those are the goals of Small World, an organization launched Dec. 1 in South Lake Tahoe. But it’s not just about Tahoe – it’s about children throughout the country, throughout the world. And it’s not just parents uniting to have a voice. It’s other relatives and concerned people.

“I’m looking at what decisions we are making as people or collectively through government. What is the impact of those decisions on our children or on children across the globe,” John Friedrich said.

Friedrich was thinking about this Small World concept before his daughter was born more than five years ago. Having recently moved back to Tahoe with his family, he believes now is the time to put his idea into action.

The first meeting of like-minded individuals is Dec. 21. More information about it may be obtained by emailing smallworldaction@gmail.com

“The idea is putting the good of all children, the best interest of children at the center of decision-making,” Friedrich said.

While there is no hard and fast agenda for the first meeting, there is also no preconceived action plan. Friedrich doesn’t see any concern not being able to be tackled.

He wants people to think about their actions – whether it’s dropping bombs and knowing whom those deadly devices will hit, to environmental and natural resources policies and their impacts on kids, to access to health care, to the food available to them.

Reinventing what’s being done is not the goal. Instead, Small World will bring like-minded people together. From there they may partner with other organizations already working on behalf of children.

What makes this a unifying vision is parents throughout most of the world want the best for their children. Small World intends to give them a voice beyond their home.

In the short time Small World has been active, more than 100 people in 18 states and three countries have signed the online pledge to: “… help create a peaceful, livable, just planet for all children on earth.”

As Small World spreads, the idea is community networks will evolve to be a voice in their town, then as a whole to be a louder voice for children on a broader scale.

“The vision would be people speaking out for the interest of all children would collectively have a stronger voice and definitely influence policy decisions,” Friedrich said.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews are scheduled to resume prescribed fire operations Dec. 20 on the West Shore in the Bunker Road area of Tahoe City.

Crews expect to complete one-fourth of an acre and operations may continue through the week.

Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke from these prescribed fire project areas. Smoke may be visible on Highway 89 on the West Shore. The Forest Service strives to minimize the impacts of smoke on local communities. Smoke-sensitive residents should consider staying indoors and keeping doors, windows and outside vents closed.

To directly receive prescribed fire updates, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Forest Service staff will post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, and update the local fire information line at (530) 543-2600, ext. 6.

Other federal, state and local fire management agencies may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this period.