Lake Tahoe area projects are recipients of Propositions 84 grant dollars for rivers and parkways, it was announced Sept. 14.

Proposition 84 was approved in 2006. The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act authorizes $5.388 billion in general obligation bonds to fund safe drinking water, water quality and supply, flood control, waterway and natural resource protection, water pollution and contamination control, state and local park improvements, public access to natural resources, and water conservation efforts.

Area recipients are:

• Placer County Department of Public Works – Snow Creek Wetlands Restoration — $1,000,000. Restore 2.4 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat and create 0.6 miles of raised boardwalk Class 1 trail.

• Placer Land Trust – Canyon View Riparian Restoration and Trail Project — $334,662. Restore one linear mile of Sierra Canyon Creek and create a 1.5-mile loop trail with visitor amenities.

• Truckee River Watershed Council – Coldstream Canyon Floodplain Restoration — $271,260. Expand existing floodplain in the Truckee River watershed from 3.8 to 6.3 acres, and restore riparian habitat at Cold Creek by excavating 15,200 cubic yards of stream bank material to slope the stream and form benches.

— Compiled by Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

Skip driving, skip Reno, skip Sacramento. The fastest way to get to Lake Tahoe is via Gary Air.

Trish and Dave Guerrieri are flying clients in their Cessna 182 into Lake Tahoe Airport. The Bay Area couple, who have a second home in South Lake Tahoe, received clearance last week from the FAA for their charter service.

Gary Air charter service is flying into Lake Tahoe Airport. Photo/Provided

The Cessna carries two to three passengers – plus gear – including skis and snowboards.

For years, the South Bay couple has been acting as an air taxi broker. For the last five years they’ve been booking flights to Tahoe for other pilots as the broker.

“If our plane is not the right plane for the mission, we can still act as a broker to find people another operator who suits them best,” Guerrieri said.

It’s not just South Lake where the couple will fly to – it’s any airport. Regionally, that could be Truckee, Minden or Reno.

In the months they’ve been waiting for the FAA clearance, inquiries have been coming in from second homeowners and skiers. The Guerrieris anticipate creating a ride-sharing program for people who want to go to the same place but don’t want to charter the entire plane for themselves.

One thing they have over commercial airlines is no need to book two weeks in advance for the best rate. Their rates start at $250 person. Someone flying back and forth the same day will likely get the best rate.

From the website people can get quotes about fares.

The plane is based at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose. Having the plane near the population base is more economical than keeping it at the most popular destination.

Dave Guerrieri, who is the pilot, expects to fly mostly during the day – when it is safest with the optimal flying conditions.

It’s not just people recreating in Tahoe who the Guerrieris anticipate using their service. Their plane, they say, is ideal for shuttling the businessperson between multiple cities in a day. It also gets the Tahoe resident out of the basin and back again.

“I don’t think we will have an office in South Lake Tahoe. With everything so easy on the Internet, we don’t need to man an office (there),” Guerrieri said.

They aren’t worried about the ongoing recession impacting their business, saying they’ve seen the charter industry beginning to rebound in the Bay Area.

The couple brought their plane to the air show at Lake Tahoe Airport in August. They were also a sponsor of the Tour de Tahoe bike ride Sunday.

Details:

Website

Email: info@GaryAir.us

Phone: (408) 729.4359

Prices: Start at $250/person from the South Bay to South Lake Tahoe

By Kathryn Reed

It was a somber morning. A time to honor the longevity of one life and the shortness of two others.

The Rev. John Grace, who claims to be retired, was honored by South Lake Tahoe on Sept. 14 for his service to the community. The Catholic priest turns 90 on Sept. 18.

The sons of Patty Smith and Brad Williams were also honored Tuesday. Both died in combat.

Tim Smith, 25, of South Lake Tahoe died in April 2008 in Iraq.

Brandon Williams, 21, of Gardnerville was killed in October 2006 while fighting in Iraq.

Both parents spoke of the outpouring of love from the community and how the continued support helps them carry on.

Sept. 20 is being recognized as Sgt. Timothy M. Smith Day in South Tahoe – his birthday. A potluck for the occasion will be at the American Legion Hall. For more information, call (530) 577.9222.

Mayor Kathay Lovell honors the Rev. John Grace. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Patty Smith, left, listens to Mayor Kathay Lovell.

South Tahoe police officers surround Sgt. Brad Williams.

Soroptimist International Violet Richardson Award applications are available. Soroptimist of Tahoe Sierra and Soroptimist of South Lake Tahoe will work collaboratively to determine final winners of the award as each club will have five recipients with a cash award of $100 each and a chance to be forwarded for consideration at the regional level.

The award is for young women who volunteer efforts on the South Shore.

Hard copies of the brochures are available at:

* Douglas County Library, Zephyr Cove

* El Dorado County Library, South Lake Tahoe

* Whittell High School

* South Tahoe High School

On Sept. 30 Kathy Strain, an instructor at Lake Tahoe Community College and a consultant with the California State Parks, will speak about the issue concerning the Upper Truckee River, its effect on Lake Tahoe Golf Course and what the proposals are to address this issue.

Soroptimist International Tahoe Sierra meet at 7:30am at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center.

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra will host Tony O’Rourke, South Lake Tahoe city manager, on Sept. 16 at 7:30am at the Lake Tahoe Senior Center in South Lake Tahoe.

This year the Oct. 2 Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop is expanding the event with two activities that bookend the main event.

Kick off the weekend at the Sierra Senior Services’ Stomp Out Hunger grape stomp on Oct. 1 from 5–7pm at the Truckee River Winery Tasting Room, 11467 Brockway Road in Truckee. Each four-member team will vie to produce the most juice in two minutes. Teams are comprised of a stomper, a strainer, a container holder and a grape re-filler.

A fundraiser for Sierra Senior Services, the cost is $150 for each four-member team and there are 12 team slots available.

The participation fee includes light appetizers, wine tastings and friendly competition. Spectator tickets, which also include wine tastings and appetizers will be available for an additional $20 per person. For more information, call Sierra Senior Services at (530) 550.7600 or visit www.sierraseniors.org.

The next day, as the Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop event winds down, folks are encouraged to parlay their fun with a stop at the Dragonfly After Party. The $15 ticket includes passed appetizers, a no-host bar and live funk-style music.

Tickets for the seventh annual Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk and Shop are $30 in advance ($40 day of) and are available online at www.TruckeeWineWalk.com. A $3 service fee applies for online sales. The Oct. 2 event is from noon-4pm.

Each ticket includes wine tastings with more than 30 wineries, five food tickets, commemorative glass, program/passport and goodie bag. The passport program proved to be a popular addition to last year’s festivities. Attendees are encouraged to get their program maps stamped at each venue they visit and they must visit shops in different areas of town as designated on the map to be eligible to be entered in the Wine, Walk & Shop raffle.

For more information, call (530) 550.2252 or visit www.TruckeeWineWalk.com.

Annual Kokanee trail runs are Oct. 3.

The Half Marathon starts at 9am. The children’s half-mile Tadpole Trot will begin at 9:15am. The 5K and 10K Trail Runs begin at 10am.

There will be a course briefing 10 minutes before the start of the race.

Walkers welcome in the 5K and 10K.

On-site registration begins at 8am at the Taylor Creek Snow Park. You can save yourself some time on race day by registering at Camp Richardson Resort Oct. 2 from noon to 4 pm.

Taylor Creek Snow Park is 3.5 miles north of the South Lake Tahoe Y on Highway 89. Parking at the immediate event site is limited. Satellite parking is available at the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center and Camp Richardson Resort (approximately half to 1 mile away). Participants are encouraged to arrive early to allow for the extra time needed to walk to the event site. Carpool whenever possible.

All net proceeds benefit the Tahoe Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization which supports U.S. Forest Service environmental education programs at Lake Tahoe.

For more information, email kokaneetrailruns@yahoo.com or call (530) 577.0700 (530) 318.0516 or go to the website.

Meyers Community Roundtable Committee meeting is Sept. 22 at 5:30pm at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School.

Meeting agenda includes:

• Upper Truckee River Project: review & discussion concerning project’s affects to Lake Tahoe Golf Course and Washoe State Park

• Highway 50 Echo Summit Closure Report

• Highway 89 road repair project

• Emergency Preparedness Guide hand-out

• Government reports

• Public forum

For more information, call Sue Novasel at (530) 577.4857.

The Wylie Animal Rescue Foundation (WARF) has rescued thousands of animals from certain death, but millions more were not so lucky and died — unloved and unwanted–in shelters across the country. The recent downturn in the economy has put even more pets on death row.

To help find homes for these dogs and cats, WARF is conducting a special Adoption Fair on Sept. 18 from 11am to 4pm hosted by Scraps Dog Bakery at 8675 North Lake Blvd. in Kings Beach.

A collection of adoptable dogs and cats will appear in person at the Adoption Fair — and when making an adoption at the fair, adopters will save money on fees when adopting those pets most in need. The Prizes for Pitties Program, offers a savings of $50 off the adoption of a pit bull or pit mix. The Senior for Senior program allows adopters over 55 to waive the adoption fee when they adopt a dog or cat over seven years of age. And, there is a discount of $50 on adult cat adoptions. All dog adopters will receive the training book Family Friendly Dog Training, by Patricia McConnell along with additional training handouts and a large Kong toy.

All of the money received by WARF is applied solely to helping animals. Tax-deductable donations are always needed and appreciated.

For more information, log on or call (775) 833.2319 or (530) 546.2725.