Bob Dog Pizza at Meyers Station is hosting a fundraiser for Tahoe Valley Elementary School PTA annual Walk-A-Thon on Sept. 29 from 11am-9pm.
Mention Tahoe Valley when ordering for 25 percent of the profits to be donated back to TV PTA to fund field trips.
Bob Dog Pizza is located at 3141 Highway 50 in Meyers.
Call (530) 577.2364 to info, to order for pick up or for delivery.
The Forest Service will soon begin removing conifers (cone-bearing trees) from meadow, aspen groves and upland forest areas along Scotts Lake Trail, off Big Meadow Trailhead near Luther Pass on Highway 89.
The project should not affect access to the trail, but the Forest Service is asking that users remain on the trail at all times. A contractor will use crews with chain saws for the thinning project, which is likely to begin this week.
Big Meadow before thinning. Photos/Provided
The tree-thinning is part of a larger project, the Big Meadow Creek Watershed Fire Regime Restoration project. Prior to the recent history of active fire suppression, ground fires occurred naturally.
Past logging and grazing have also affected the area’s vegetation. Ultimately, excessive conifer growth can reduce or eliminate aspen stands and meadows and lead to forest die-off from insect infestation, drought or fire.
During this portion of the project, 55 acres of meadow, aspen and forest upland habitat will be treated. In all, the project aims to treat as many as 640 acres. Crews will pile material for burning. Piles generally must cure for about two to three years before they’re dry enough to burn. Once forest thinning and pile burning are complete, the Forest Service will begin meadow burns that more closely simulate the natural role fire once played in the ecosystem.
Big Meadow after thinning.
The Forest Service has designed the project to reduce or avoid impacts to air quality, wildlife habitat, stream environment zones, recreation and other resources.
The project is funded by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. For a complete project description, go online. Go to the links on the left and navigate to land and resource management and then projects and plans.
Bob Dog Pizza at Meyers Station is hosting a fundraiser for Tahoe Valley Elementary School PTA annual Walk-A-Thon on Sept. 29 from 11am-9pm.
Mention Tahoe Valley when ordering for 25 percent of the profits to be donated back to TV PTA to fund field trips.
Bob Dog Pizza is located at 3141 Highway 50 in Meyers.
Call (530) 577.2364 to info, to order for pick up or for delivery.
The Family Caregiver Support Program in collaboration with the Active Aging Program is putting on a six-week caregiver series starting Oct. 24.
The classes will take place at Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe.
For more information, click on the flyer.
• Oct. 3 is a blood drive sponsored by Barton Health at the South Lake Tahoe branch libray from 11am-6pm.
• InnerbalancePR (IBPR), a public relations service devoted to promoting responsible companies, has moved its corporate offices to Incline Village.
• Bloomberg/Businessweek ranked Reno took No. 44 on the list of “America’s 50 Best Cities.”
• Although no snow has fallen in Lake Tahoe in September – for a change – Heavenly Mountain Resort says it will open Nov. 18 for the 2011-12 season.
• Todd Kelly is Squaw Valley’s ski and snowboard team program director.
The winter boating season starts Oct. 1. Lake Tahoe boat inspections are moving from the off-site inspection locations back to launch ramps.
Sand Harbor’s boat ramp will be open Thursday through Monday 6am-2pm and Cave Rock’s launch hours will be 6am to 4pm starting Oct. 1. These hours will be in effect until March 31, 2012.
Remember to keep current Tahoe Inspection seals intact to streamline inspections. Plan ahead to be familiar with new requirements and inspection locations. Launch ramps may be closed during periods of inclement winter storms.
For more information on launch locations and hours of operation, up-to-date weather closures or any other questions, call 888.824.6267 or go online.
U.S. high school students and their teachers may participate in the Bill of Rights Institute’s sixth annual Being an American Essay Contest.
The Being an American Essay Contest explores the founding principles outlined in the Constitution. The contest is administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit educational organization in the Washington, D.C. area devoted to educating young people about the Constitution and Founding principles. The 2011-12 contest is sponsored by the History Channel.
Students are asked to share their thoughts on the Constitution by answering the following question: “How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?”
The top three student winners from each of the five geographical regions will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250. Teacher sponsors for each student winner will also receive a cash prize of $100.
Further information, including submission criteria, lesson plans and background information on the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Founders and the Founding principles are available online.
To the community,
The 12th Annual Sunset Gala Bali Bash hosted by South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center at the beautiful Bali inspired home of Dr. Sean Degnan on Sept. 17 was a success.
This event which supports programs and services for people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse would not have been possible without the support of individuals and businesses in our community who generously made a donation to the gala despite the current state of our economy.
Thanks to the donors listed below, the event raised nearly $20,000.
Event sponsors: Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe, Barton Memorial Hospital, Paradise Real Estate, ReliaPro Painters, El Dorado Savings Bank, Creegan Builders, Merrill Lynch and Genasci Stigers Family Dentistry.
Food and beverage donors: Amador Cellars, Applebee’s Bar and Grill, Chevy’s, Cork and More, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, La Promesa, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Lakeside Inn, Mandarin Garden, Miraflores Winery, Mont Bleu Casino, Nepheles, Nikki’s Chaat Café, Orchid’s, Scott Harvey Wines, Sugar Pine Bakery, Tahoe Cakes by Grace, and Tep’s Villa Roma.
Silent auction donors: 4 Seasons Soup and Salad, Alpine Eyecare, Andy Eshkar, Apple Mountain Golf Resort, Barbara Gustafson, Brian Walker, Chart House, Cherish Your Moment Photography, Cooper Vineyards, David Girard Vineyard, Dirk Yuricich Photography, Dr. Lipkin Chiropractic, Dr. Lusby D.D.S, Dr. Wenck D.D.S, Ed Cook Crane and Tree Service, Edgewood Golf Course, Egon Kementi, Elements Day Spa, Elevate Wellness Center, Eric Hellberg, Fat City Food Company, Gaialicious and Nourish Life Coaching, Genasci & Stigers Family Dentistry, Harrah’s & Harveys, Health Through Harmony, Inn by the Lake, In-N-Out Burger, Interior Motives, Jack Androvich, Jared Manninen, Jarvis Gallery, JF Photography, Jill Sanders, Jodar Vineyards and Winery, Kathay Lovell, Kelly Smith & Dr. Cassidy, Leigh Wayne Miller, Linda LaFavor’s Beauticontrol, Lira’s Supermarket, Lulu’s Hair Design, Marcus Ashley Fine Art Gallery, Melina Wallisch Photography, Mont Bleu Resort Casino and Spa, Mountain Yoga, Nails by Lillian, NJ Thompson, Off the Hook, Overland Meats, Perry Creek Winery, Pilates with Gina, Rearview Miracles, ReliaPro Painters, Reno Truckee Paint Mart, Riva Grill, Russel Ketenjian, Scotty’s Hardware, Shoreline Sports, Sierra at Tahoe, Sierra Vista Winery, Simpson’s Jewelers, Sorensen’s Resort, South Tahoe Parks and Rec, Steamers, Stella Ortega, Tahoe Beach and Ski Club, Tahoe Health Touch, Tahoe Seasons Resort, Tahoe Standup Paddle, The Fresh Ketch, The Ridge Resorts, Vincent Cortis, V’s Creative Cooking, Yimmiys, and Zumba Fitness.
In addition, thank you to all who attended and special thank you to Russel Ketenjian who provided beautiful music for the evening and Ramsay Devereux for delighting guests with captivating fire dancing.
Sarah Sanchez, development coordinator South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center
Publisher’s note: Lake Tahoe News is profiling the six candidates who will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for the South Tahoe Public Utility District board. They are being published in the order they were submitted. Randy Vogelgesang is running for the seat vacated by Marylou Mosbacher.
Name: Randy Vogelgesang
Age: 54
How long have you lived on the South Shore?: 25 years
What water company supplies your home? Your work?: South Tahoe Public Utility District
Randy Vogelgesang
Job/profession?: Civil and structural engineer
What stands out to you in the 2011-12 budget?: The thing that stands out the most is the decrease in revenues from rates, taxes and grants. The district will have the difficult task of prioritizing expenditures, looking for increased sources of revenues and cutting expenses without raising rates.
What boards, commissions, or other experience, including volunteering, do you have?: I have been a longtime member of the Building Board of Appeals for the city of South Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Engineers, Architects & Surveyors organization.
Is there any individual, group or organization you would not take campaign money from? Why?: I would evaluate all campaign donations on an individual basis and would not accept from any group or individual that would create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
What is the No. 1 reason someone should vote for you over another candidate?: When making decisions on behalf of the ratepayers I plan on using the same common sense, fiscally conservative, approach that has worked well for my business.
California law mandates water meters be installed. What is your solution to make the fee equitable for those on meters and those without one?: We need to take a closer look at the metered rate structure. I don’t think it is acceptable to have customers using the same volume of water paying very different amounts for the next dozen years. The current metering amounts are based on average usages in order to remain revenue neutral to the district. However, the district is composed of full-time and part-time residents, neither of which fit the average. Until all customers are metered, I would like to lower the metered rate portion of the bill as much as possible without jeopardizing future grants. The meter installations need to be done at a more accelerated pace to minimize these inequities.
To get the remaining 60 percent of South Tahoe PUD customers on meters it will cost $15 million. As a board member, where will you get the money to pay for the meters?: Grant money has helped and of course should still be sought, but the installation of meters needs to be treated like all other infrastructure upgrades and budgeted for. It has been known for many years that meters were coming, but inaction has caused this fiscal problem.
Do you believe the district should spend money on lobbying efforts in Sacramento and/or Washington, D.C.? Why or why not?: Only if it can be shown that the results of the lobbying have financial value.
What do you know about STPUD getting money from the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act?: The money from the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act helps with water line upgrades for fire suppression. Unfortunately, like most government money in these tight times, the amount will decrease.
How do you balance the economic situation of the community with the infrastructure needs of the district?: It is important to make sure the infrastructure is maintained and upgraded, a poorly maintained system can be more costly in the long run. However, each project considered needs to be evaluated based on its necessity, and less expensive options should be considered given the state of our economy.
With 38 percent of a customer’s sewer bill going to meet the needs of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act and $100 million already invested in Alpine County to take STPUD’s wastewater, would you leave things as they are? If yes, why? If no, what would you change and how do expect to accomplish those changes?: The district is required to pump its recycled water out of the basin; this water is used by Alpine County ranchers for irrigation. The treated water is valuable for agricultural uses and could be used to generate revenue. We should also actively pursue hydroelectric power generated by the export C-line. The district’s purchase of Diamond Valley Ranch appears to have been a good long-term strategic decision because it ensures uses for our export water.
What should be done with the land STPUD owns where the old post office was on Black Bart?: The district should consider demolition of the building on this property. The building has little value as there are zoning issues and there is no water and sewer service. However, if any opportunity that makes fiscal presents itself, it should be considered.
There has been a three-year wage freeze for employees. What are your thoughts on employee raises and benefits?: Most of the ratepayers that I know have had their income decrease in the past three years. Wages and benefits for the districts employees should be comparable to the private sector.
When would you vote for a hike on water and sewer rates and why?: In this current economic environment we will need to prioritize our spending and cut costs wherever possible. I see no reason to justify a rate hike in these tough economic times.
Lukins Brothers Water District – any comments?: The Lukins Brothers Water District has some serious infrastructure problems which would be very expensive to bring up to even minimum standards. It would not be in our best interest to even consider absorbing this district unless it, and all of the anticipated upgrades, is completely funded by grants.
What should be the main priority of South Tahoe PUD?: The priority of the district is to serve the public. I think the district and its employees provide an excellent product and we should strive to continue this high level of service while keeping a constant eye on spending.
What should be the main priority of a South Tahoe PUD board member?: The priority of the board is to represent the public and oversee how the district spends our money. The key word in STPUD is public and I will always keep that in mind when making decisions.
Tell readers something about yourself that most people don’t know: My wife, Cathy, and I have lived in South Lake Tahoe for more than 25 years and have two kids now in college. Before moving to Tahoe I worked for several years for a large public utility company in Southern California. When I first came to town I was in the ski business at Heavenly, then Kirkwood and more recently I was on the board of the South Tahoe Amateur Hockey Association.