By Lenita Powers, Reno Gazette-Journal

More cargo and passengers are moving through Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a harbinger of better economic times ahead for the area, Krys Bart, the airport’s chief executive officer, said last week.

“Airports are early indicators of the economy and these numbers are a sign of recovery for our community,” Bart said.

Cargo moving through the airport jumped by almost 20 percent in November compared to the same month last year, and the percent of passengers has risen by 1.7 percent since July 1, the start of the airport’s fiscal year.

The larger jump in cargo compared to the more modest increase in passenger traffic also follows the normal airport indicators of an economic upturn, Bart said.

“Cargo rebounds first because it is directly related to business activity,” she said. “If we have increased business activity, we should see increased wages and more disposable income, and then we should see increased passenger activity, too.”

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For the past eight years, the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee Leadership Program has been creating opportunities for potential leaders to broaden their understanding of the region and its issues while developing and honing their leadership skills.

Led by Shannon Beets, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and associate provost at Sierra Nevada College, the program tasks participants with designing a one-year action plan to improve Tahoe with less than $5,000 to work with, culminating in real-world projects that benefit their communities.

Beets, and a veteran team of SNC professors, use books, workshops, lectures and applied learning activities to enable participants to explore current ideas in the field of leadership and give them the skills to implement those ideas in their jobs and in their community. The program provides a structured and supported environment for the necessary phases of project development and execution, including program rationale, needs assessment, proposed budgeting and time line, community outreach and collaboration, and strategic communication plans.

The five-month program runs from January through May, with meetings scheduled Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 2, April 6 and May 11.

The North Lake Tahoe-Truckee Leadership Program is a collaborative project of the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, and the North Tahoe Business Association.

For more information about the program, contact Katrina Midgley at (775) 831.1314, ext. 7517 or kmidgley@sierranevada.edu.

By Marek Warszawski, Fresno Bee

There’s a simple reason why snowshoeing is the fastest-growing of all winter sports. Ease.

Unlike downhill skiing, snowboarding or even cross-country skiing, snowshoeing doesn’t have a steep learning curve or require any special skills. Just step in, fasten a few buckles and go. Even poles are optional (at least on easy jaunts).

Snowshoeing can be a relaxing stroll through snow-hushed woods, or it can be a demanding physical activity that burns up to 800 calories per hour. It all depends on where you go – and how hard.

Oh, and it’s inexpensive, too. Rental equipment costs about $20 per day (compared to $50-$60 for other winter sports) and there’s no need to buy a lift ticket or even stand in line. Ever.

Now you just need to know where to go. With that in mind, here are my five favorite snowshoe treks in the Southern Sierra, from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia.

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Members of Scout Troops 468 and 594 collaborated with the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe to earn their carpentry badge. The Scouts worked on three projects for the club: a trek bench around a tree, a cabinet to store two-way radios, and two ping pong table tops.

All participating Scouts earned their carpentry merit badge for their efforts. The Boys & Girls Club benefited from the results.

The Scouts enjoy the fruits of their labor as they sit on and show off the bench they built. Photo/Provided

Leaders and carpenters who donated their time and talents were Kim Felton, Joey Buchan, Chuck Montgomery and Ian Patterson.

To find out more about the Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgclt.org.

By Jim Sanders, Sacramento Bee

Want a free nip of booze before you lug those grocery bags home?

Happy New Year!

Cookies, crackers and other food tastings have been common at supermarkets for years, but a new state law expands the concept to wine, beer and hard liquor began Saturday.

Alcohol samples are expected to be offered sporadically, at best, but manufacturers hope that Californians will be more likely to buy their product if they can try it.

“There are some great Scotches out there that maybe cost $20 or $30 a bottle, or great tequilas, and you’re reluctant to spend that kind of money, it’s only human, until you’ve had the chance to taste it,” said Mike Falasco of the Wine Institute.

Opponents of the new law contend that adult consumption of alcohol in grocery stores will send a message to kids that drinking is no big deal, and that communities will be hurt by increased alcohol sales spawned by the new marketing tool.

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By Kathryn Reed

Lake Tahoe will have a new state Senator in Sacramento on Thursday and at the same time will be without a representative in the Assembly.

This is because on Jan. 4 Ted Gaines soundly won the special election for the 1st Senate District seat. He garnered 63. 2 percent of the vote (81,945 votes) to Ken Cooley’s 36.8 percent (47,743).

Ted Gaines

At 10:30pm, Gaines Tweeted, “Just received a very nice message from Ken Cooley. I’m honored to serve the 1st District in the Senate & looking forward to getting to work.”

The election was necessary to fill the seat left vacant by Dave Cox’s death in July. No one won more than 50 percent of the vote in November, necessitating the runoff between Republican Gaines and Democrat Cooley.

Gaines is from Roseville, but has a second home on the North Shore and is familiar with Lake Tahoe issues.

Cooley is the mayor of Rancho Cordova.

Gaines, 52, was re-elected in that same November election to his third term as assemblyman. He will now have to resign from that position. His wife, Beth, is considering running for that seat.

Gaines is familiar with much of his Senate district, with about a third of being part of his Assembly district. The Senate seat encompasses parts of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento and Sierra counties.

Yellow Starthistle Control and Preventing the Spread of Invasive Weeds workshop in El Dorado County.

Date: Jan. 28

Time: 1:30-3pm

Location: Planning Commission Room – Building C, El Dorado County Administrative Offices, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville.

Register online at http://ucanr.org/ystworkshop1-28-11 or contact Nancy Starr at (530) 621.5503 or njstarr@ucdavis.edu. Walk-in registration available at the event if space allows.

Bad Ass Blends — Reds & Whites on Jan. 25, 6pm, at Apres Wine Co. at 3668 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. G, South Lake Tahoe.

Cost: $25 advance, $30 at door.

Hear singer/songwriter Dorsey Williamson play his original tunes Jan. 15 from 6-9pm at Apres Wine Co. at 3668 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. G, South Lake Tahoe.

No Cover, no RSVP necessary.

Reggae-rock artist Rebelution will be at MontBleu in Stateline on Jan. 16 at 8pm.

Tickets are $18.50 in advance, $23.50 that day. Doors open at 7pm.

Iration will be opening.