Volunteers are key to the success of Camp Sunrise, a bereavement camp for children, and are needed for the camp June 17-19. The Barton Foundation’s annual Camp Sunrise will be at Galilee Camp & Conference Center in Glenbrook.

Camp Sunrise is founded on the understanding that every child deserves the opportunity to grieve in a safe, supportive and understanding environment. The camp is funded by the Barton Foundation and is a program of Barton Hospice.

Designed for children ages 7-14, the camp was created for children who have experienced the death of a family member.

The children receive grief education and support from trained counselors and social workers, and they are able to work through any bereavement issues they may have. The weekend is designed to leave them with a more positive outlook for the future.

Volunteer opportunities are available for: lead counselor, camp operations staff, camp weaver, musician, story teller, photographer, life guard and nurse.

Residents of South Lake Tahoe, Minden, Gardnerville and the Carson City areas may apply to attend. For more information to volunteer or to register, go online or call (530) 543.5614.

By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

Awesome. Stunning. Wild.

Superlatives described the Sierra’s snowy situation Friday after a powerful spring storm layered the mountains in feet of fresh snow, building on amounts already deposited during what many are calling the heaviest winter season in years.

“It’s so crazy,” said Penny Pritchard as she and her roommate Christina Medefesser shoveled several feet of fresh snow that had buried cars overnight at their Donner Lake home.

A native of Bend, Ore., and a Tahoe-area resident for seven years, Pritchard knows something about snow. Or thought she did. “This is by far the most snow I’ve ever seen,” said Pritchard, 25. “I’ve never seen snow this high.”

At Alpine Meadows ski resort — which received more than 3 feet of fresh snow over the 24 hours prior to Friday morning — this winter is one for the record books. Seasonal snowfall at Alpine’s lodge thus far is more than 46 feet.

It’s the most snow Alpine has recorded since a record winter of 1994-95, when the lodge received 55 feet over the course of the year.

At Alpine’s upper elevations, some 65 feet of snow has fallen so far this season.

“We’re on track to have one of the snowiest winters in our history,” Alpine spokeswoman Rachael Woods said. “It’s incredible to see the change here over the last three weeks.”

At Soda Springs west of Donner Summit, entire houses are buried in snow, sitting by the road as hummocks of white.

Read the whole story

By Carlos Alcalá, Sacramento Bee

Avalanche danger goes up when snow falls down as heavily as it has in the Sierra this week.

Two snow slides involving people have been reported to the Sierra Avalanche Center since Tuesday.

One slide, during Thursday’s big storm, carried enough snow to push a Subaru in motion across Highway 89 near Squaw Valley, according to the center’s website.

No one was injured in that incident. A skier was partially buried by an avalanche near Mount Rose in Nevada on Tuesday, suffering chest and face injuries.

Up to 150 inches of new snow have fallen over the last week, with 45 inches falling in one 24-hour period at Squaw Valley.

The National Weather Service in Reno forecast up to 18 additional inches to fall at higher elevations in the Tahoe basin today.

Read the whole story

After 20 years near Stateline, Alpen Sierra Coffee Co. is closing up its retail operation.

Its last day is this Sunday, closing the door at 6pm.

Alpen Sierra has positioned itself as a signature South Lake Tahoe business, with a coffee roasting company based in the Carson Valley.

The economics and desire to downsize with the goal of focusing on its core product of wholesale coffee contributed to the business decision, a worker confirmed.

About 10 employees who work at the retail shop on Lake Tahoe Boulevard near the Village Center will be out of a job.

–Lake Tahoe News staff report

By Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times

Geraldine A. Ferraro, the savvy New York Democrat who was embraced as a symbol of women’s equality in 1984 when she became the first woman nominated for vice president by a major party, died Saturday at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She was 75.

The cause was complications from multiple myeloma, her family said.

Ferraro was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer, in 1998. She did not disclose her illness publicly until 2001, when she went on NBC-TV’s “Today” show and said she had beaten the cancer into remission with thalidomide, the once-banned drug that had proven effective with some end-stage cancers. The cancer recurred, but she again went into remission after therapy with a new drug.

Read the whole story

By Sacramento Bee

An El Dorado County marijuana grower who was convicted of the attempted murders of his brother-in-law and his nephew has lost his bid for a parole, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said.

A state Parole Board panel ruled Tuesday that Silvestre Gonzalez, now 49, could not apply for another parole for 10 years, said Deputy District Attorney Jamie Verwayen, who appeared at the hearing on behalf of the DA’s Office and the victims’ family.

The victims had innocently wandered near Silvestre Gonzalez’ pot grow and a guard shot them.

Gonzalez was convicted of two counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms, plus an additional year for each term, The Bee reported.

Read the whole story

By Laurie Brazil

STATELINE  — Blowing wind and a week filled with snowstorms couldn’t keep the Lake Tahoe community from showing their support for the 2011 Business Expo Friday night.

This year’s event, which was entitled “Pedal to Prosperity,” was designed to tie in to the Amgen Tour – the nationally acclaimed bike event scheduled here in May.

At the MontBleu convention center, 72 booths represented businesses, ski resorts, government agencies, restaurants, and several local nonprofit groups. Although most vendors were located locally or in neighboring cities, a few came from as far away as Sacramento.

The ballroom was abuzz with a lot of chatting, laughter, remote interviews on radio or TV, but the most activity centered around those places that had food or drink to share. A popular trend was to gather many of the freebies that were offered to promote the various groups featured at the booths.

Some attendees bid on the silent auction items or entered in several of the evening’s drawings. A few lucky folks walked away with a custom designed necklace and rode away with a beautiful beach cruiser.

The prevailing attitude was that this year’s event, coordinated by the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, was not only instructional, but also provided many chances to socialize and sample delicious food.

Sonoma Sensations, Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company is slated for April 26 at 6pm.

Many of the new rock stars of wine hail from Sonoma. Check out some sensational new discoveries from Napa’s competitive neighbor.

The cost is $25 in advance, $30 at door and includes five wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts are on wines

tasted.

RSVP 530-544-9463.

Fabulous France, Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company is scheduled for April 19 at 6pm

Take a trip across the French countryside. Après has your passport to Bordeaux, the Loire, the Rhone and more.

It costs $30 in advance, $35 at door and includes

five wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts are on wines tasted.

RSVP 530-544-9463.

There’s Zinfully Delicious! Tasting Tuesday at Après Wine Company on April 12 at 6pm

From subtle to spicy, our big bold Zinfandels will zing you into spring. The cost is $25 advance, $30 at door. It includes five wines and appetizer pairings. Discounts

on wines tasted.

RSVP 530-544-9463.