By Kathryn Reed

From a distance, Cascade Falls is more impressive than it is when you are right on top of it.

With the abundance of snow still in the higher elevations, the water may be tumbling well into summer. It is definitely rushing at a rapid pace now.

Cascade Falls is rushing fast this time of year. Photos/Kathryn Reed

The main fall is 200-feet long. This year a couple offshoots are nearby and visible when walking the trail.

Rated “easy” by the U.S. Forest Service, this trail that is accessed at the far end of the Bayview Campground near Emerald Bay is extremely popular. If seclusion is what you are looking for, drive on by. If the grandeur of Mother Nature is what’s calling you, hike the less than 1 mile to the falls.

I wouldn’t recommend it for little dogs, but that didn’t stop others on the trail this particular Monday. And I definitely would not walk it in sandals, but still, people were.

Cascade Falls is one of those waterfalls that is more impressive at a distance or to listen to than it is to see up close.

Approaching along the granite-lined trail the noise of what sounds like a freight train grows louder. Then the falls come into view. It’s one of those moments to remember because pictures can’t do this scene justice.

It’s as though a spigot is attached to the wall of granite in this corner of Desolation Wilderness. The catch basin is the private Cascade Lake.

At the top of the falls are what looks like several waterways tripping over the smooth granite dotted with trees and bushes. They form one large swath as they go over the side, forming the waterfall.

Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe are visible from the top.

Now is the best time to see Cascade Falls because the water is gushing. Just don’t be in a rush – people and beauty are apt to slow you down.

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder

By Kathryn Reed

With each swipe of the tissue, a little bit more of the man behind the makeup emerged. “I am what I am” is all about going from a feminine woman to a masculine man – in appearance and mannerism.

“He did the finale, which is one of the hardest numbers to perform,” said Dan Gore, producer of “Carnival Cabaret” at the Horizon in Stateline.

Edward Murillo ready to take the stage in 'Carnival Cabaret' at Horizon. Photo/Provided

Gore was speaking about Edward Murillo, a senior at South Tahoe High School.

Delving into the world of female impersonation is what Murillo chose as his senior project. On Wednesday he will go before a panel of judges from the school and public at large as the final part of the project. He already received an A for the performance on stage and a B for his paper.

“It was a big jump for me. I’ve been in shows at high school, but I’ve never been someone you looked at right there. I was always in the background,” Murillo said.

For two nights in May he performed the final act of the female impersonation show.

“The makeup was the hardest part. It was an hour’s worth of makeup,” Murillo said. “It’s easy to mess up. Depending on how big of a mess-up you might have to start all over again.”

He watched the other performers apply their makeup and from there combined their styles to create his. Murillo said he learned the most from Kevin Wiley – especially his eyes.

“He was able to tell me how to make me look normal for my tone of skin,” Murillo said.

This was the first time Gore had a high school student in one of his performances. He would do it again.

“He was eager to be part of this. He was here many days when he did not need to be,” Gore said of Murillo.

Gore explained to the 18-year-old, “This project is about the art form and not the lifestyle. The lifestyle is something else. (The show) is the art form.”

It’s an art form that is not as robust as it once was where productions with 30 or 40 performers were on both coasts, playing to sold-out houses.

Not all men who dress as women are gay. Murillo said his research found 50 percent of men who dress in drag are heterosexual.

“They find some reason they are more comfortable in women’s clothing,” Murillo said. “I find it annoying guys can wear only tuxes and girls can wear all different colors, sparkles and express how they feel.”

He doesn’t even think wearing heals is a big deal.

Murillo isn’t sure where this experience will take him. He plans to attend Lake Tahoe Community College in the fall. He said his dad sees job opportunities in the world of female impersonation. He said his mom hated the project and would not tell her friends about it.

“I said, ‘Why does it matter?’ It’s acting,” Murillo said.

When his classmates found out what his senior project was he said most were supportive, and the ones who already didn’t like him were the ones to talk smack.

Many were in the audience last month to watch his debut as a female impersonator. So was his teacher. Collectively he wowed them based on receiving an A for the performance.

Carnival Cabaret runs Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm at the Horizon. Tickets are discounted most nights in June, with Saturday being full price at $31.85.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews expect to conduct prescribed fire operations in the Timberland area on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore beginning June 8.

The project would continue throughout the week if favorable weather conditions persist, with the goal of completing 10 acres.

State and local fire management agencies may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this period.

Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas.

This and other prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfire risks to communities and critical resources. Smoke management is part of every prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actual or potential smoke impacts on community areas.

Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes in the Tahoe Meadows led by experienced guides.

Enjoy views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk.

Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses.

Bring a flashlight, a wind-proof layer and water.

This may not be the best hike for children under 10 years old. Please, to respect the night sounds, no dogs.

Dates:

June 25, July 25, Aug. 24, Sept. 23 and Oct. 23.

Details:

TRTA membership is required to attend. (Memberships start at $20 for one year.)

Space is limited, sign up in advance. All Full Moon Hikes will start at the Tahoe Meadows Trailhead.

For more information or to sign-up call (775) 298.0238 or email programs@tahoerimtrail.org.

Experience summer birding and wildflowers on a free guided hike June 26 and July 3.

Hike Description: The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, and the Lahontan Audubon Society are sponsoring this easy hike through verdant meadows. Enjoy a profusion of birds and wildflowers as the group searches for such species as Mountain Bluebird, Red-Breasted Sapsucker, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Pine Grosbeak in Tahoe’s flower-covered alpine meadows.

Bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent and plan to finish before lunch.

Free, but reservations are required.

Meet at Page Meadows in Tahoe City at 7:30am.

For more information or to sign-up, call (775) 298.0238 or email Kirk Hardie krhardie@yahoo.com.

By Kathryn Reed

An electrical snafu that could be heard outside the Ross Dress for Less store sent one employee to the hospital, knocked out power for more than three hours to the South Lake Tahoe shopping center, and had fire and building inspectors puzzled.

“There’s a lot of voltage in that panel. There’s a lot of safety measures. There are grounders and breaking devices that should have prevented this,” said Dave Walker, South Lake Tahoe building official.

Fire crews keep people from the South Lake Tahoe Ross store June 7 because of an electrical problem. Photo/Kathryn Reed

He was in front of the store hours after the 3pm explosion waiting for NV Energy crews to arrive. Power was restored to the center at 6:30pm, with Denny’s on the corner of Highway 50 and Al Tahoe Boulevard the last business to get power.

(Rite-Aid has generators to keep the lights on.)

Fire Marshal Ray Zachau said he did the initial inspection on the store before it opened in March 2007. A fire inspection is then required every year. The panel was the same one used by Albertson’s, the previous tenant.

Neither Zachau nor Walker would venture a guess why so much energy was emitting from the electrical box. A metal shelf being carried by an employee came in contact with the box, which caused an electrical arc. Under normal conditions that contact should not have done anything.

“I’m really surprised we didn’t have a fatality today,” Zachau said.

The long-time employee’s name was not being released Monday. The store manager, who did not give her name, referred questions to corporate. They have not responded to Lake Tahoe News’ inquiries.

The manager believes the employee, who was conscious when taken to Barton Memorial Hospital with flash burns, would not have to stay overnight.

Zachau said there was a lot of damage to the electrical system in the store. The arc was so powerful it dimmed the lights across the street at the police department.

No one at the store was answering the phone at 7pm. It’s not known when the store will reopen.

Denny’s missed the late afternoon crowd, but was able to serve dinner.

“Another half hour and we might have been in trouble,” Assistant Manager Heather LaCroix said. But a few hours being closed unexpectedly sure beat the incident in 2009 when a gas explosion at the restaurant had it shuttered for several months and sent several people to the hospital.

June 13 marks the start of the next series of positive focus dog training classes designed to promote bonding, dependable good behavior, and fun activities with your dog.

This series includes Puppy Kindergarten, Adolescent Dog Obedience, and Brilliant Buddy Advanced Obedience.

To assure individual attention, class size is imited to 10 participants. Preregistration is required. Classes are at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center. Only positive reinforcement methods are used – no choke chains, pinch collars, or physical restraint. The instructors are certified staff from Dog Training by PJ.

For information and to register, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A. at (530) 542.2857.

By Central Valley Business Times

The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers that course through most of the Central Valley covering an area from Fresno to Shasta, are second on a list of the ten most endangered rivers in the nation, says American Rivers Inc.

California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta supplies drinking water for 23 million people, irrigates the most productive agricultural land in the country, and provides critical habitat for the Pacific salmon fishery and millions of migratory birds.

“However, outdated water supply and flood management systems have decimated the ecosystem and closed the commercial salmon fishery all while leaving Californians ever more vulnerable to droughts and floods,” says American Rivers.

Read the whole story

Every Monday in June, people are invited to express themselves at the Summer Trans Dance Series.

Led by Ann Thennes, participants are encouraged to let their energy connect and flow with nature. A fitness, dance, movement teacher at Lake Tahoe Community College for 15 years, Thennes uses meditation through dance.

The series takes place at the Valhalla Grand Hall at 6pm and is free of charge.

Thennes works with the elements, energies, rhythms and animals that surround the Tahoe basin and has experience in classical ballet, West African dance and free form dance meditation.

The Summer Trans Dance Series is part of the line-up of the annual Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre festival located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe at the historic Tallac Site.

For more information, click here.

Every Monday in June, people are invited to express themselves at the Summer Trans Dance Series.

Led by Ann Thennes, participants are encouraged to let their energy connect and flow with nature. A fitness, dance, movement teacher at Lake Tahoe Community College for 15 years, Thennes uses meditation through dance.

The series takes place at the Valhalla Grand Hall at 6pm and is free of charge.

Thennes works with the elements, energies, rhythms and animals that surround the Tahoe basin and has experience in classical ballet, West African dance and free form dance meditation.

The Summer Trans Dance Series is part of the line-up of the annual Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre festival located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe at the historic Tallac Site.

For more information, click here.