The opportunity for citizens to submit their names for possible nomination for the 2010-11 Grand Jury is now available.

The grand jury acts as an investigative body to ensure that county, special district, and city government is being effectively run. The grand jury is not a jury for a trial. The judges of the Superior Court shall select names from those submitted, as well as other nominees, and currently seated grand jurors who wish to be held over, to be put into the jury pool. Nineteen jurors are then selected in a random drawing from this pool. Jurors serve for a period of one year. Final selection will take place the end of June and you must be present.

The El Dorado County Grand Jury generally meets two or more times per month to conduct its regular business. In addition to the monthly business meeting, members frequently meet in committee meetings to study particular concerns and problems. Each grand jury sets its own meeting schedule.

Jurors are also called upon to confer with government officials and other citizens in order to gain information and insight as to the matters that are under investigation. While being a grand juror is not a full-time job, it does require a substantial time commitment. This time includes attendance at the monthly business meetings and committee meetings, investigating, and preparing written reports.

Meetings are compensated at the maximum rate of $15 per day of meeting, plus a mileage expense is compensated at the rate payable to employees of El Dorado County for each mile actually and necessarily traveled for purposes of said sessions or committee work. No other compensation is provided.

The grand jury is an excellent vehicle for committed men and women to keep government close to and responsible to all of our county;s citizens. Applicants must be Untied States citizens, at least 18 years of age, have resided in the county for at least one year at the time of the swearing-in date, and cannot hold an elected office.

Qualified citizens who have an interest in this type of service may pick up an application form at the Superior Court, 495 Main St., Placerville. The application is also available online at www.edcgov.us/grandjury or call (530) 621.6451 and request an application/questionnaire to be mailed to you.

May 7 is the deadline for submitting your application for grand jury service. Submit to the El Dorado County Superior Court, attn: Holly Warren, Judicial Secretary, 495 Main St., Placerville, CA 95667.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association in partnership with Sierra Nevada Journeys is offering three 3-day, 2-night Youth Backcountry Camps for high school students to promote service learning and introduce participants to backpacking.

There will also be one 5-day, 4-night backpacking trip focused on outdoor leadership and personal development. Camps are limited to 12 participants.

The camps will be July 11-13, July 16-18, and July 21-23. The 5-day trip will be from Aug. 2–6.

The TRTA Youth Backcountry Camps engage young adults between the ages of 14-17 who love the outdoors and want to learn more about backpacking, trail operations, ecology and outdoor leadership skills in an advanced wilderness setting. Participants learn valuable lessons and gain outdoor experiences that will help them to connect with the environment and infuse environmental stewardship into their lives, allowing them to spread their new found knowledge and skills throughout their community.

Several topics incorporated will be:

* Map and Compass Orienteering

* Leave No Trace: 7 Principles for Minimum Impact Recreation

* Shelter building skills

* Flora and Fauna Identification

* Backcountry survival skills

* Team building exercises

* Leadership skills

* Trail building!

Additionally, participants will perform a day of service learning on the trail and get their hands dirty doing actual trail maintenance under the supervision of an experienced TRTA Crew Leader.

Each camp has the capacity for 12 students with the exception of the 5-day which can accommodate only 10 and will be fully supported by TRTA and SNJ staff. The cost for the program is $99 for sessions 1, 2 and 3 (scholarships are available) and $149 for the longer camp. Through a generous donation from REI, participants are provided with all necessary camping gear and food for the program. Participants only need appropriate footwear and clothing and a passion for the outdoors!

For more information, and for prerequisites for this course, please call the TRTA office at (775) 298.0238 or email programs@tahoerimtrail.org.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors authorized the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association to spend up to $202,260 in budgeted infrastructure funds on bike trail signage, bus shelters and bear-proof trash cans.

The approved funds will result in the installation of five bus shelters in the north Lake Tahoe area, 24 informational map signs along 19 miles of trails, and 13 bear-proof trash cans located at transit shelters.

The bus shelters will be located on the westbound side of Highway 28 east of Tahoe City near old Mill and Fabian roads, eastbound at National Avenue in Tahoe Vista, and in the north and southbound stops on Highway 89 at Sunnyside.

The shelters will include paved turnouts, sidewalks and bear-proof trash receptacles. Construction is expected to begin this spring on the estimated $153,000 project.

The bike trail signage project will include the design, production, construction and installation of 24 informational map signs to be located along the Tahoe City Public Utility District’s 19 miles of multipurpose trails. The signs will include “You Are Here” features as well as identify location of nearby restrooms, transit stops, recreation areas, business districts and provide trail etiquette information. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring on the estimated $29,260 project.

Up to $20,000 is approved for the installation of 13 bear-proof trash cans. The receptacles will be placed at existing heavily-used transit shelters in the North Lake Tahoe region serving the county’s TART system. The cans will include containers for regular and recyclable trash.

The new signage, bear-proof trash cans and bus shelters will be paid for with funding from the county’s Transient Occupancy Tax dollars, used for Tahoe area capital improvement projects.

You might be late for wherever you’re supposed to be if you didn’t set your clock forward one hour as daylight saving-time began at 2am today.

By Kathryn Reed

Sorry guys, but you aren’t invited — at least not as a competitor.

Iron Girl is rolling into the South Shore on Sept. 19. This women’s only triathlon will have participants swimming in Lake Tahoe (wetsuits OK) near Lakeside Beach for 800 meters, then riding their bike 24 kilometers to Cave Rock and back to the casino corridor, and then running through the streets of Nevada and California at the state line for a 5K.

“We have been talking to Iron Man and Iron Girl for a couple years,” said Mike Frye, events coordinator for Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “We signed a three-year contract. If we make this thing rock, we will get an Iron Man out of this.”

Iron Girl events is part of the larger, better known Iron Man. The women’s division was launched six years ago.

“Iron Girl’s mission is to empower women toward a healthy lifestyle,” according to their website. No one from their Florida offices returned phone calls.

Their events are growing in size at a rate of more than 20 percent a year, with the average age being 35, according to Frye.

The goal is to have 500 participants the first year, with that translating into an infusion of $200,000 into the South Shore economy.

Who the local competitors might be remains to be seen. Nancy Harrison of South Lake Tahoe won her age group and placed second overall in last summer’s Xterra event in Incline Village. It’s running on asphalt that has her questioning the Iron Girl.

“I might consider a team. I would love to be the cyclist,” Harrison said. “Lately I really don’t enjoy running, especially when it’s on the road.”

But she hasn’t ruled out doing it solo and not as a team.

“I’m very excited the event is coming to Tahoe. Because it;s in town I may have to come out of retirement,” Harrison said.

Erika Mathews who runs Moxy Fitness on the South Shore often uses events as training for her clients. She is still weighing her options before committing to the Iron Girl being one of the goals she sets.

One of the things LTVA has been trying to do is lure event promoters to the South Shore. The tourism agency then helps streamline the permitting process. Hoteliers and retailers point to events being the difference between cash registers ringing and them being silent.

Other events in the works

Another athletic event coming to the South Shore is Thin Air Distance Festival Aug. 12-15.

It’s possible to run a marathon in four days, or a half in two days.

“It speaks to a lot of people. Not everyone has time to train to run a marathon,” Frye said.

John DuCray out of Sacramento is putting on the event. Part of the proceeds will benefit local high school running programs and recreational teams in the area.

Events include a 10K, 12K, 21K, 5K, free 1 mile for those 14 and younger, and family-stroller fun walk. Individuals and teams are invited.

Courses are throughout the South Shore, with one being at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

About 400 people are expected the first year.

Also on the books for this summer is Hot August Nights. It is expanding from Reno to the South Shore July 30-Aug. 1.

Hot rods will cruise down Highway 50 from Lakeside Inn and Casino to Ski Run Boulevard and back.

The first week of registration 250 people signed up their vehicles.

Another event the LTVA wants to tap into is Street Vibrations, the annual motorcycle event in Nevada.

By Lindsey Sine, USSA

ARE, Sweden — The U.S. Freestyle Moguls Team isn’t slowing down for anyone as Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) and Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) went 1-2 and Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) took third during the dual moguls competition in Sweden on Saturday.

In total the U.S. put all six women in finals for the second day in a row with three in the final round of four.

“I feel fantastic. With it being the first dual, that’s always a different ballgame. To win that as well as being able to win singles is really satisfying,” Kearney said.

Kearney went head-to-head with teammate Bahrke who had an incredible day, save for a wipeout when skiing in the final with the winner.

With one World Cup left in the season, while Bahrke is looking forward to her competition, it is bittersweet when combined with her plans to retire at the end of the season.

With her level of consistency, Bahrke is hoping to end her career in moguls with similar success to what she’s had this season.

“Having been on the podium for the last four times my expectations are high, but I’m just excited that it’s going to be my last run and see how I’m doing,” Bahrke said.

Kearney and Bahrke also led the way for three other teammates racing into the top-10 with Eliza Outtrim (Steamboat Springs, CO) just missing the podium in fourth, Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) in sixth and Laurel Shanley (Squaw Valley, CA) in ninth.

On the men’s side, Deneen put himself on the podium for the second consecutive day, including knocking off hometown favorite and Friday’s winner Jesper Bjoernlund. The 2009 World Champion said it felt good to ski five runs so consistently.

Next up, the team makes their way to Sierra Nevada, Spain for a World Cup in a venue that will be completely new to them, and they’re all excited to see what the course there will hold for them.

2010 FIS Freestyle World Cup Dual Moguls

Men

1. Guilbaut Colas, France

2. Maxime Gingras, Canada

3. Patrick Deneen, Cle Elum, WA

4. Mikael Kingsbury, Canada

5. Bryon Wilson, Butte, MT

–

8. Joe Discoe, Farmington, ME

15. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME

22. David Babic, Washington, VT

34. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA

37. Jeremy Cota, Carrabassett Valley, ME

Women

1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT

2. Shannon Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA

3. Jennifer Heil, Canada

4. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO

5. Chloe Dufour-LaPointe, Canada

–

6. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT

9. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA

13. Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO

Auditions for the musical “Footloose” are April 6 at 7pm at Duke Theater, Lake Tahoe Community College.

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

Performances are June-7-14.

By Jon Chown, Register Pajaronian

Boxes are used to store just about everything under the sun, so with the growing problem of plastic water bottles polluting our parks, ocean, beaches and communities, why isn’t water being sold in boxes?

The idea dawned on Watsonville resident Dean Bassi about two years ago and when he shared it with his wife, Michele, she agreed. Today, Michele is preparing for this weekends Natural Product Expo West in Anaheim, where she will unveil her new product H20 Box.

Read the whole story

Powder is the word of the day. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By Garry Bowen

Imagine, if you will, being seated at your favorite family restaurant, and the server arrives promptly, takes your entree order, and then invites you to indulge yourself at their newly-revamped salad bar, beckoning with an offer that includes our colorful, fresh, and tasty homegrown produce. Would that make your choice of eating place a secure choice to revisit, and inspire you to tell others of the experience?

That is now a realistic plan taking shape in South Lake Tahoe for both our neighbors and our visitors.

Garry Bowen

In mid-December, some key players in town created a year-end present for the community, consistent with the work of the city’s Sustainability Commission, South Tahoe Refuse, Embassy Suites, both Marriotts, Zephyr Cove Resort, and a smattering of restaurants, they are partnering on a time and motion study to determine routing of all food waste to a composting facility in Carson Valley. Part of that determination will also factor in bringing back to Tahoe a high-quality, balanced compost to grow high-quality yields of the most productive vegetables, those that offer the most value and the least loss of nutrients through travel, not to mention much better taste and the value of freshness. We will also offer space for the citizens to work, to grow special varieties, and to learn from each other.

In mid-September, an article under the title, Sustainable Food Initiative Gaining Traction in Tahoe appeared in Lake Tahoe News. That article was timed to coincide with (1) National Organic Month, and (2) that day’s South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting, in order to share with the council and residents a project important to South Lake Tahoe’s revitalized future, and as well the well-being of the entire community. It is geared to be completely sustainable in providing the highest level of sustenance for all, from now on.

The article proposed “a comprehensive idea to cover all the points” of that discussion about food production and its proper place in a sustainable community which was soon to be introduced and done in such a way as to be fun and engaging for the entire South Shore. As it is to be year-round, educational programs can be included.

Progress is now far enough along to announce a proposed Community Garden project with far-reaching implications for the future local economy. The two project parts, soil and a growing facility can now be explained in more detail, in preparation for a more formal rollout in the near future.

The first part of a considered garden is the growing medium, comprised of fresh compost and organic matter, with which growth is achieved by the absorption of minerals, nutrients and light. The second part is considered the production medium, which includes soil, but also surroundings conducive to the best growth. For this project, a specially-designed solar geodesic dome will allow a community gathering place and be as well truly year-round by virtue of an added LED lighting system enhancing growth through the use of special growth spectrum. There is also a water tank for thermal mass, heated by the sun, which creates the proper inside humidity, monitored by an automatic vent on its roof. These features accommodate optimum growing conditions within the sphere, which is why a system whereby all snow and rain water can be captured is currently being explored prior to final plans. Snow and rain water (considered hard, sometimes needing to be softened) are high in mineral content, excellent for growing high-quality produce, as, for example, minerals are mostly what’s leached out of the soil in the “agribasket” of Central California. With this Tahoe design, it will be possible for us to remineralize soil through simple gravity and water flow.

But what is food growing without organic soil?

In having one of the best in the West soil entities right in our backyard, Full Circle Compost is partnered with the others mentioned above to make the most Sierra-conducive soil possible. As food waste is considered mostly alkaline, some of the forest waste (mostly acid) created by the ongoing fuel reduction projects will be added to make a very balanced soil — this is important as the more balanced the soil, the less water is necessary to gain the same yield. By absorbing and retaining water better, the forces of photosynthesis are better served to provide a better product.

The garden will be oriented to a particular form of organic gardening, biodynamics, requiring the best obtainable soils, and will be designed specifically to increase the overall yield while at the same time reducing the drudgery of too much stooping, without sacrificing any of the essential nutritional value of anything grown there. In this way, the overall design can be celebrated by all partners as a major contribution to community, dedicated to beneficial health & nutritional value.

With these pieces in place, South Lake Tahoe can consider itself on a measured path of taking charge of a considerable aspect of their own health and well-being, while being able to offer to the outside world a commitment that no other community has — it’s the best that money can buy, readily available to all most of the time.

To find out more, visit the work-in-progress website, or contact Garry Bowen at either tahoefuture@gmail.com or at (775) 690.6900.

Garry Bowen has lived on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe most of his life. He has an extensive background in global sustainability issues.