To the community,

Regarding the Barton Ranch Complex article, published April 9: The Lake Tahoe Historical Society (LTHS) appreciates and thanks Lake Tahoe News (LTN) for bringing this story to the attention of the community. If not for the LTN story, this issue would have continued to rest on the back pages of another local newspaper. Our concern is that there has not been adequate time for the community to be aware of the situation, become informed of the circumstances, and have sufficient time to craft informed responses to the draft Negative Declaration the property owners prepared and submitted to the city.

As I was quoted in the article, the issue is whether the ranch will be given a fair opportunity to survive. The society recognizes the property owners’ rights and agrees with a 2011 city staff report regarding the Barton Ranch Complex (BRC) that stated, “Plans for this historic ranch should be economically viable to the property owner.”

The city staff report describes the historical importance of the ranch and cites various regulatory rules to be considered with regard to projects on the ranch. The report goes on to say, “Demolition of the structures associated with the Barton Ranch Complex requires review and approval of the TRPA Governing Board.”

The TRPA Regional Plan and Code of Ordinances includes detailed language that describe its responsibilities to historic resources and the TRPA reviews required for the issuance of permits affecting those resources. Until the LTN article was published there has been no information in the press regarding TRPA involvement in the BRC permitting and/or the draft Negative Declaration process. At what point does the TRPA become involved in BRC permitting?

The TRPA issued a permit to the property owners in 2010 to demolish two historically insignificant buildings at the rear of the ranch. In that permit, TRPA instructed the owners, “Due to its designation as historic resource, no additions, modifications or removal of any other structures located in the Barton Ranch Complex is allowed.”

It seems to us the TRPA needs to be involved in the current process.

At last year’s tourism summit, travel to historic resources was featured as a growing interest of visitors. Developing this property as a cultural resource for the community and its visitors would certainly provide a wholesome family attraction. A history center would provide a shoulder season draw for visitors looking to enjoy Tahoe’s beautiful and less crowded fall season. Perhaps the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) has surplus real estate it could offer the owners in trade for the ranch. The ranch property could be combined with the adjacent CTC acreage. The CTC acreage is currently proposed to become part of a greenbelt that when combined with the BRC could become a community park.

It has been asked why the LTHS waited until the last moment to get involved. The society first became aware of the owners’ intention to demolish the ranch in early December 2013 and attempted to meet with the property owners to discuss options and visit the property. The property owners received our inquiry, but declined to meet with the LTHS. The property owners have not made any recent attempts to reach out to the LTHS on this matter.

The LTHS would like to request more time and opportunities for increased community involvement to determine the future the ranch. The society plans to prepare a response to the draft Negative Declaration to request more time to explore options. The ranch has languished in its current condition for several years; a few more months will not make a difference

The LTHS is at a great disadvantage in this situation. The LTHS has been told by the TRPA that the society is not recognized by the agency as a nominator of resources for the agency’s historic resource register. The LTHS believes community support and involvement are necessary to preserve the Barton Ranch.

The society is a nonprofit organization. It relies solely on membership dues, donations, and fundraisers for financial support. The society receives no financial support from the city, county, state, or federal governments. The society is an independent entity and not a part of the larger El Dorado County Historical Society. The business of the society and activities at the museum are performed by a very small group of dedicated and active volunteers.

There are sources of funding available to historical societies through larger organizations and grants, however, finding, writing, and supporting gifts and grants can be time-consuming, complicated, and in some cases it takes money to obtain money.

If you are interested in preserving the history of Lake Tahoe, especially the history of the south end of the lake, including Meyers, please consider becoming a member of the Historical Society, and if you’re able, become an active volunteer.

Sincerely,

Lee Vestal, chair, Historic Sites Committee and board member Lake Tahoe Historical Society

The Food Bank of El Dorado County will be in South Lake Tahoe to host a hunger response network meeting April 23 from 10-11am at the American Legion Hall.

Hunger response agencies, organizations and individuals in South Lake Tahoe who would like to attend this meeting are asked to contact Carey Fong at 530.621.9950 or cfong@foodbankedc.org.

The Food Bank is seeking assistance from the South Lake Tahoe community to conduct a hunger study to be able to understand the area’s needs and how the Food Bank can better serve the Tahoe community.

The Food Bank will bring its Mobile Food Pantry that day, too. It will be at the American Legion while others are meeting.

The Food Bank will provide one allocation of groceries per household.

Each week the Food Bank travels to a different city within the county distributing enough food for up to 150 families.

For more information on how to give or get help, call us at 530.621.9950 or email info@foodbankedc.org.

South Lake Tahoe is having a community cleanup day on May 3 at 9am at Regan Beach.

Meet in front of the building at Regan Beach. City parks staff will gloves and trash bags.

The city will have monthly neighborhood meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm at the Parks & Recreation at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. The next meeting is May 13.

Nevada’s food and agricultural exports have surged by 17 percent in the last two years.

Food and agriculture products are Nevada’s ninth largest export category followed by precious metals and stones. The top four markets for Nevada food and agriculture products in 2013 were Canada, China, Mexico and Japan.

The majority of these exports – 94.8 percent – comprise 10 product categories that include cereals, flour and starches, beverages and spirits, grains and seed, fruits and vegetables, trees, plants and sugar-based products.

Export sales in 2012 were $117.4 million, while 2013 exports were $137 million.

“This is great news for Nevada’s food and agriculture industries,” Jim Barbee, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture, said in a statement. “We look forward to further growth and increased job creation throughout the sector.”

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, for every $181,000 in export sales, one job is created and pays 17 percent better than a job not associated with exporting. In Nevada, that means 756 high end jobs were created in 2013 due to the state’s food and agriculture exports.

State exports in 2013 for all industries totaled $8.7 billion, down from $10.26 billion in 2012. The largest decrease was seen in precious metals and stones, which could be explained by a drop in the price of gold.

 — Lake Tahoe News staff report

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and South Lake Tahoe Police Department are hosting prescription drug disposal events on April 26.

Expired or unused prescription drugs (excluding sharps and liquids) may be dropped off for free disposal. Remove or cross out name of patient.

Locations include:

• Safeway parking lot, 1020 Johnson Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, 10am-2pm
• EDSO, 300 Fairlane, Placerville, 10am-2pm
• Sheriff’s substation, 4354 Towne Center Drive, Ste. 112, El Dorado Hills, 10am–2pm
• Cool Physical Therapy, 5000 Ellinghouse Drive, Ste. 100, Cool, 10am-2pm.

The Wings of Freedom Tour of the WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American P-51 will be at the Minden-Tahoe Airport from June 2-4.

The B-17 is one of eight in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the world.

People may explore the aircraft inside and out. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. WWII vets are free.

A 30-minute flight is $450 per person. For reservations and information, call 800.568.8924.

Tours been at noon June 2 and go to 5pm, 9am-5pm June 3 and 9am-noon June 4.

Woodcutting permits for the Tahoe National Forest may be purchased beginning April 17.

The price for permits is $15 per cord with a two-cord minimum and an annual 10-cord maximum per household. Permits may be obtained at all TNF Ranger Stations, the Forest Headquarters or by mail. Applications for mail-in permits can be found online under “Passes and Permits.”

Firewood season will extend through Dec. 31; however, districts may close roads prior to that date if rain or snow makes them impassable.

In general, the woodcutting permit allows removal of dead or down wood on TNF lands unless otherwise designated. It does not allow cutting on private land. Trees may not be cut if marked with paint, wildlife signs, boundary signs, and other official signs or in areas closed to woodcutting.

Woodcutters are required to keep a serviceable shovel at least 46-inches long and an approved fire extinguisher (2 pound dry chemical or 1 pound foam type – ABC or greater) within 25 feet of where saws are being operated. All gasoline-powered saws and other internal combustion engines such as motorized splitters must have a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrester installed. Transportation load tickets will be issued along with the permit.

For more information, call 530.265.4531.

• Maddie Bowman posted online that she was having surgery April 10 to repair damaged cartilage “so I can get back to doing rad stuff.”

• “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will be performed at the Silver State Charter School Performing Arts Building, 900 Mallory Way, Carson City on May 2, 3, 9, 10 at 7pm and May 3, 4, 10, and 11 at 2pm. The $11 general admission tickets are available online.

• Prints and cards are being made on an antique book press and an etching press at Bona Fide HQ — 1069 Magua St. No. 4, Meyers. The Print Club meets the third Monday of each month. The next meeting is April 21 from 6-9pm. Bring supplies or $10.

• Tahoe Donner has hired Rob Weizer as the head golf pro.

• Here are the El Dorado-Tahoe and Sierra roadwork schedules from Caltrans for this week.

By Paul Takahashi, Las Vegas Sun

Nevada has a relatively low percentage of residents who say their teachers are well-respected, according to a Gallup poll released last week.

The public opinion company conducted telephone surveys with at least 600 adults in every state between June and December 2013, asking them whether they believed teachers in their city are well-respected.

The majority of Nevadans — 62 percent — said they believe their teachers are well-respected. However, that percentage was the lowest in the nation.

Read the whole story

To the community,

I came to South Lake Tahoe in 2008 and while house hunting I stopped in to look over our South Lake Tahoe Public Library. I told my husband I had to see what the library looked like. I would not make a final decision on moving here unless I saw that there was a suitable library to sustain my love of reading and researching.

Once I moved here I quickly became involved in the community and now serve in many capacities that involve the use of our library. I am a child advocate of El Dorado County and have brought my children from foster care to the library for programs and library materials. With my joining the friends, I worked to restart an adult book club, have served on the board, conducted a grant supported summer art program, and now lead the World Explorers Pen Pal Club. Through these programs I have seen young children, parents, grandparents, community citizens from all walks of life thoroughly enjoy and learn from library resources and programs.

My present work with teens in the Juvenile Treatment Center has led me to search out young adult books throughout the library system for possible recommendation for our book club. The friends have supported book purchases and possible grants for funding. As part of the friends, I have organized a group of givers for World Book Night, now in our second year. On April 23, we will be giving away books all over the city. These programs, provided at our library, serve all ages in our community in so many ways besides the books on the shelves. Please support Measure L to keep our library open as a vehicle for providing for so many of our community needs.