Blue skies, plenty of snow — and the calendar says mid-April. Enjoy the slopes while they’re still open.

Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By Kathryn Reed

East West Partners is surviving life after bankruptcy.

The Avon, Colo.-based company is ready to break ground on 16 townhomes along the ski run at Northstar-at-Tahoe that leads to the village.

The Truckee segment of the company filed for bankruptcy in February 2010, emerging from the proceedings last summer.

Harry Frampton of East West Partners entered the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in Vail in 2010. Photo/Kathyrn Reed

“It had no impact on what our company does elsewhere,” Harry Frampton, managing partner with East West told Lake Tahoe News of the bankruptcy filing in California.

East West developed the Village at Northstar and the Ritz-Carlton at mid-mountain. The hotel did not face bankruptcy based on the ownership structure.

However, Frampton admits the December 2009 opening of the high-end hotel, “Was probably the worst time to open a hotel in the last 50 years.”

The combination of the collapse of the real estate market as East West was bringing properties online and its financial partner (which at the time was a unit of Morgan Stanley) withdrawing support led to the bankruptcy.

“We have a new investor who is investing $40 million to allow us to continue developing for the next 10-plus years,” Frampton said. “East West Partners has the development rights to a little over 1,000 units, all ski-in, ski-out.” And all are at Northstar.

The units being built this construction season are slated to sell for between $1.4 million and $1.8 million. They are about 2,000 square feet and are mostly three bedrooms.

The project is called Home Run, after the run at the resort.

Much of East West’s development has been in Colorado ski towns. Frampton said it costs between 20 and 25 percent more to build in California compared to Colorado – for the same unit – even when its Vail and Beaver Creek — and even when the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency isn’t involved. TRPA’s reach does not extend to Truckee.

Frampton said part of the expense has to deal with more substantive snowloads in the Sierra, while other costs like building fees are more, and the process takes longer, which adds to overall costs.

By John Schumacher, Sacramento Bee

Imagine having eight days to showcase California to friends or relatives who come visiting every year.

Where do you take them? Which places are left out? How is the itinerary changed each year to keep the visits fresh and interesting?

Heading into its sixth year, the Amgen Tour of California pro bicycling race keeps trying to answer those questions, with officials eager to tweak the route to keep riders challenged and interested.

San Jose is the only city to host a race stage all six years. Sacramento has served as a host city for the past five.

With the route constantly changing, though, and with dozens of cities applying to host stages each year, no one takes for granted they’ll remain in the Amgen lineup.

Fifty communities sought host spots in this year’s race, set for May 15-22.

Santa Rosa, hometown of three-time Amgen winner Levi Leipheimer, was left out this year but will host the overall start of the race in 2012, committing a reported $580,000 to secure that role.

That effort makes folks elsewhere nervous. Starting the race in Santa Rosa could cause Sacramento to be bypassed. Lake Tahoe officials also are concerned, after working long and hard to land the 2011 overall start only to discover that honor for 2012 already is locked up.

“Everywhere I go, I tell people, ‘Don’t expect this is an automatic every year,’ ” said John McCasey, executive director of the Sacramento Sports Commission. ” ‘Don’t get smug about great concessions and great crowds. Don’t get smug we’re the state capital. But don’t doubt for a second those things don’t matter.’ ”

McCasey said tour officials told him early in the race’s existence they would change venues and routes, mixing it up and making it unpredictable.

Sacramento has ample hotel space, a major gateway airport to the region and proximity to Lake Tahoe. But with Santa Rosa, San Francisco and San Diego among communities not in the 2011 race, McCasey and others are bracing for the year they’re left out.

“It’s going to come, just like it came with Santa Rosa this year,” McCasey said. “I think we would be disappointed, but I think we want this race to be successful on a long-term basis.

“The win-it-all-every-time mentality doesn’t work on this tour.”

Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, said she’s not sure how her area fits into Amgen’s future plans after landing a spot in the race for the first time.

The tour’s growing international prestige has ratcheted up competition to participate, she said, and continuing to change stage routes has made the race more interesting.

“What we thought we brought to the table is the Alpine environment that was similar to the Alpine environment of European races so well-established,” Chaplin said. “It is a little stressful to think this could be a one-time shot.”

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• The annual Reno River Festival is May 6-8 at Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield.

• City National Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary City National Bank has acquired substantially all of the assets and deposits of Las Vegas-based Nevada Commerce Bank in a purchase and assumption agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. City National’s 10 branch offices in Nevada include six in Las Vegas and one each in North Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City and Minden. The bank also has a loan production office in Stateline.

• HomeAway Inc. – the worldwide leader in online vacation rentals – has added seven online partners to the HomeAway Software for Professionals Group, including ReserveMyHome.com which has short-term vacation rentals in Lake Tahoe.

• This article gives some insight into why Nevada casino bigwigs want online poker to be legal.

• CASA El Dorado County starts its next training on May 18.

• The Emmy-nominated reality television series “Undercover Boss” will feature CEO and Co-Founder Shelly Sun of BrightStar Care on April 17 at 10pm on CBS. BrightStar has an office in Reno.

In an effort to impact the health of the Lake Tahoe region, Barton Foundation recently opened its grant opportunities for programs and organizations benefiting the underserved and/or have the greatest impact on the health status of the community. The total grant amount available for 2011 is $25,000.

The community’s most pressing health needs such as obesity — nutrition, physical fitness, oral and mental health will be the focus.

Last year, the Barton Health Community Advisory Committee received 22 grant proposals, with nine local recipients receiving more than $26,000 in Barton Health grants.

The 2011 Barton Health Grant proposals will be reviewed by the CAC and final grant recipients will be approved by the foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Grant proposals will be accepted through June 30 and grantees will be notified in September. Funding and awards will be provided by the foundation at the third annual Philanthropy Day Celebration on Nov. 4.

To print the Barton Health grant proposal form, log on or call (530) 543.5614.

Grant proposals must be submitted in person or by mail to the Barton Foundation at 2092 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 600, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.

Tahoe City Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Spring Eggstravaganza and Easter Egg Hunt is April 23.

It will be at Commons Beach in downtown Tahoe City on starting at 10am.

Activities include face paint, games, music and more. The event is free.

For more information on this event or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Shaun at (530) 583.3440, ext.14.

To the community,

The 2011 Elegant Evening at Harrah’s was quite a success and that was due, in the most part, to the generosity of businesses and friends in our community.

The Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra wish to thank everyone who attended this fun and worthwhile event and also those that donated to make it so profitable for the programs and organizations that we as a group support.

As always, every dollar raised goes back into our town, schools, programs and students.

It was very well-attended and beautifully decorated thanks to the assistance of Harrah’s and their fabulous staffs and delicious food. A special kudo to Paul Ellbogen, Paul Voss, Robin Eissinger, Karen Lantz-Feith, Linda Hunt, Mary Wood and the banquet/catering staffs for their hard work and monetary assistance. hard work and monetaryPlease support the following businesses and friends who were patrons of our 2011 Elegant Evening:

Advanced Cosmetic Dermatology & Surgery, Advocacy for Youth International — Kim Gayner , Alpina Café, Alpine Carpet One, Alpine Clothing Company, Alpine Computers, Altitude Salon & Spa — Sherry Hawks, American Red Cross, Andrea Sorrentino Salon, Angel Touch — Anna Terry and Wendi Elvin, Angie’s Signs, Anytime Fitness, Apres Wine Bar, Bags For All Reasons, Balance Body Studio, Balancing Your Business, Barbara Gustafson, Barton Memorial Hospital, Beauty Control: Linda LaFavor-Coyle, Bent Glass Art Studio, Bio Spirit Spa, Bistro Danielle, Bleu Wave, Bliss Salon, Blue Dog Pizza, Body Essentials, Bonita Paulis, Brian Walker Photography, Café Girasole, Calstar, Capisce?, Carol Hug, Cathy Huffman, Cedarville Vineyard, Charlee Puentes at Altitude, Chart House, South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation Department, Crossfit — Steve Wetterer, CV Sports, Deb Howard & Co., Dianne Ross, Dick’s Fuller O’Brien Paints, Dirk Yuricich Photography, Disneyland, Dog Dog Cat, Dollar Signs & Graphics, Dona Baxter-Mobile DJ, Dorothy Davis, Paul and Cookie Rork, Sports Performance Chiropractic — Adam Spindler, Dylan Silver, Eagle Valley Golf Course, Ed Cook Tree Service, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, El Dorado Savings Bank, Ellen Nunes, Embassy Suites Resort Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay Salon, Eric Linkugel Photography, Ernie’s Cafe, Event’s Ink, Evieivyover, Expanding Adventures — Linda Keel, Fasta Pasta, FBI, Floral Vineyard & Khristophers, Fox Gasoline, Freshies, Genasci & Stigers Family Dentistry, Genoa Lakes Golf Club and Resort, Genoa Lakes Supper Club, George Alm, Getaway Café, Grassroots Natural Foods, Grocery Outlet, Hampton Inn & Suites at Truckee, Harrah’s Donations Committee — Linda Hunt, Harrah’s Harvey’s Lake Tahoe and John Koster and his amazing team, Heaven Scent Salon, Home Depot, Hot Gossip, House of Ski, Hunan Garden, Inn by the Lake, Jamba Juice, Jeff and Billie Lea Parker, Jim Stamates, Joanne Reuter — RAH, Jo Anne Wood, Joe and JoAnn Tillson, John and Betsy Williams, John’s Cleaners, Kahle Community Center, Kalanis, Kathay Lovell, Kathe Brooks, Kat’s Home Décor, Keith Price , Ken and Nancy Rollston, Kerry and Wendy David, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, KizmeTech, Kiwanis Sunrisers Club, KRLT, KTHO, Lake Tahoe Golf Course, Lake Tahoe Holidays, Lake Tahoe Master Framing, Lake Tahoe News, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Lakeside Inn & Casino, Les Schwab Tire Center, Lindsey Felsch, Lisa Ryczkowski-Nigon, Live Out Loud, Marcia Sarosik Dance Studio, Maren’s Art ala Maren Linkugel, Marie Schweitzer, Markleeville Art Gallery, Mary Kay Cosmetics — Leticea Hansen, Midkiff & Associates Inc., Mikaela Bianchi, Mind & Body Fitness, Mirabelle French Cuisine, Mo’s Place, Mountain Yoga, Mt. Rose Ski Resort, Nails by Lisa Quick, Naked Fish, Nancy Gayner, Nel’s Hardware, New Day Nail & Hair Day Spa, North Face, North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, Off the Hook, Orchid’s Thai, Outside TV, Overland Meat Co. , Pacific Crest Gallery, Pam Brekas, Peter Darvas, Picchetti Winery, Pine Cone Resort, Pottery by Lynn, Powder House, Princess Productions, ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Randall Hazeltine, Riva Grill, Robert Huckaby, Robert A. Mancinelli, Ron Wood , Ross Groelz, Round Hill Jewelers, Round Hill Pines Beach, Rural Squirrel, Safeway, Scotty’s Hardware, Scusa’s On Ski Run, Sherna Kopple-Svensson, Sidestreet Boutique, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Sierra Pizza, Signs of Tahoe, Ski Run Boat Company, Skin and Hair Wellness, Soaring NV, Sorensen’s Resort, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Sprouts Natural Foods Cafe, Staples, Stateline Brewery, Steamers Bar & Grill, Studio 6 Hair Design, Sunridge Golf Course, Susan Welch, Svadhyaya Yoga & Wellness Center, Tahoe Bowl, Tahoe Cakes by Grace, Tahoe Carpet Care, Tahoe Daily Tribune, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club, Tahoe Grille, Tahoe Keys Deli, Tahoe Keys Liquor, Tahoe One-Hour Cleaners, Tahoe Paradise Golf, Tahoe Ridge Winery, Tahoe Season’s Resort, Tahoe Trading Post, Tahoe Valley Pharmacy, Tep’s Villa Roma, The Free Bird, The Soul Experience, Thunder Canyon Country Club, Thunderbird Preservation Society, Wade Morgan, and Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express.

Among our 420 guests that evening were these businesses we’d like to thank for joining us: Ross Groelz dentistry, Mountain View Management, Take Care Health, Wells Fargo Bank, Yonker Construction, Brooks & Holcomb, Sports Performance Chiropractic, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Arts Project, and South Lake Tahoe Fire Department.

Tahoe Sierra Soroptimist International

By Beth Howard, AARP

Got knee pain? Drink some soy milk. Sore back? Eat salmon. The right foods can ease your aches: Recent research suggests that some pack as much pain-fighting power as common pain medications like ibuprofen. “What we eat has a dramatic impact on levels of pain in the body,” says Beth Reardon, M.S., R.D., a nutritionist at Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Read on for the best pain remedies to put on your plate and try some delicious recipes.

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By Kathryn Reed

What was the largest penalty issued by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board — $2.75 million – was cut by about $1 million when East West Partners emerged from bankruptcy.

This week the water board decided in part how to spend the remaining funds now that the company is solvent and the bankruptcy of 2010 is in the past.

Jack Clarke of the Lahontan board makes a point April 14. Photo/Kathryn Reed

East West is the parent company of Northstar Mountain Properties’, the entity that faced the stormwater violation fines. The fines were for 11 projects that encompassed 325 acres, including work at the Village at Northstar, employee housing and trailside townhomes. Work at the Ritz-Carlton was also part of the fine, though some documents call it Highlands Resort Hotel.

The settlement agreement was entered into in February 2009. A year later East West filed for bankruptcy and all payments ceased. The settlement was brought into the court proceedings, emerging with $901,769.77 owed to Lahontan.

With some of the money having been paid prior to bankruptcy, the board on April 14 was presented with three ways to spend the $1,040,259.57.

After much discussion and comments from a few people, the board decided essentially to fund the projects that were approved in the supplemental environmental project. The SEP calls for fuel reduction projects for forest and riparian health, a watershed handbook, and a forestry handbook.

It was a yes or no vote at the time to approve the SEP, with no revisions possible, according to board Chairman Jack Clarke.

Even though Waddle Ranch watershed improvements are included in the option that was approved, staff recommends waiting to see what type of water quality projects would be beneficial to that area on the east side of Highway 267 before throwing money at it. Waddle Ranch is the 1,462-acre former cattle ranch that is now open to the public.

One option that was rejected was to turn the money over to the state water board to have it go into the cleanup and abatement account. Although it’s possible the regional board could have benefitted from this, there was not guarantee.

Comments from board members indicated they preferred keeping the money local and going toward the site where the fines originated.

“This is very tough for me. I did not like the SEP process when we first adopted it,” board member Amy Horne said. “I would like the money to be spent to provide high quality water to people in California, which may be a conflict to keep the money local. But I’m sympathetic to keep it local.”

The third option was to start all over. This would have required the most amount of staff time as well as the potential for work to be done years from now instead of this summer.

However, starting from scratch is exactly what Lisa Wallace, executive director of the Truckee River Watershed Council, lobbied for.

“Why is the fine going to benefit Northstar Mountain Properties?” she asked the board. “Allow the remaining SEP money to go to more meaningful projects.”

In the end her plea was dismissed.

The public is being asked to weigh-in on the nine-mile Martis Valley Trail that would link Truckee and Lake Tahoe.

The April 20 meeting from 5:30-7:30pm will be at the Truckee Town Hall.

Two options are under review for the 5.4-mile section from Truckee to Northstar-at-Tahoe. One is visible from Highway 267, the other is not.