Snow — it could be the word for the next several days as the storms are lining up off the coast. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Tahoe Rim Trail Association is sponsoring free guided snowshoe treks every Saturday through the end of March. Great for all abilities and children older than 10.

Dates for January are:

Jan. 16

Where: Page Meadows

Distance: 3 miles

Level: Easy

Hours: 2-3

Page Meadows 10am

Jan. 23

Where: Castle Rock

Distance: 4 miles

Level: Easy

Hours: 2-3

Kingsbury North Trailhead off of Kingsbury Grade 10am

Jan. 30

Where: Martis Peak

Distance: 8 miles

Level: Moderate- Advanced

Hours: 4-6

Martis Peak Road 10am

Jan. 30 Full Moon Snowshoe Trek

Where: Tahoe Meadows

Distance: 2-3 miles

Level: Easy

Hours: 2

Tahoe Meadows 6:30pm

You must sign up in advance for these treks by calling the TRTA office at (775) 298.0012 or email programs@tahoerimtrail.org.

By Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee

CalPERS investment deals generated a total of $125.1 million in commissions for the most successful placement agents, the controversial middlemen at the heart of an influence-peddling scandal at the big pension fund.

A fresh disclosure of documents today by CalPERS shows that one-time board president William Crist was among those earning fees as a placement agent. Crist has been paid approximately $800,000 to secure CalPERS investments on behalf of a British investor, Governance for Owners Group LLC, and will continue to be paid through next January.

Read the whole story

Publisher’s note: The following was written for Lake Tahoe News in 1960. LTN was a weekly print publication at the time owned by Flip Brandi. Del Wright, the writer, is better known to those on the South Shore as Del Laine.

By Del Wright

It’s going to take me years to sort out all my memories of the Olympics.

I’ll never forget the Opening Ceremony and the way the sun burst out at the cannon salute, after snowing hard all day … or the lump in my throat as the athletes paraded past … or the hush of expectancy as Andy Lawrence skied down Papoose Peak with the Olympic Torch … or the way the Olympic Flame roared into life.

I’ll never forget Jean Vuarnet’s brilliant Downhill victory, proving that nice guys do win … or the sheer delight on the face of Yvonne Ruegg when she realized she’d won a gold medal with her Giant Slalom run … or the sobs of Elwira Seroczynska when she tripped and fell on her way to a speed skating record … or the Finnish relay team, anchored by the great Veikko Hakulinen, beating the Norwegian entry by a mere two yards … or Chick Igaya twisting his way down the slalom … or the sportsmanship of the competitors, always ready to congratulate a top performance or a good try … or the complete mastery of figure skaters Carol Heiss, Dave Jenkins, Barbara Wagner and Bob Paul … or being at the finish line the day seven national and international records were broken in the ladies 1000 meter speed skating … or watching Georg Thoma of Germany become the first middle-European to win the Nordic combined … or yelling myself hoarse at the hockey games … or watching those wonderful, crazy fools soar off the jumps … or sitting with Lidija Skoblikova, Russia’s double gold medalist, at a hockey game and teaching her to yell “go-go-go” while she taught me to yell “shaibu”, the Russian word for “one goal!”

I’ll never forget the staff I had the good fortune to work with on this assignment, either. Walt Little, who masterminded the whole coverage, kept his sanity and sense of humor beyond all reasonable expectation. Sarah Link took a back seat to no other working photographer when it came to pulling out pictures of the winners and dramatic sights of these games. And I’ll never forget the day that my cohort in coverage, Jeanne Ireland, hurriedly typed up a story and THEN discovered she’s grabbed a Swedish typewriter.

I’ll not soon forget the sight of the Russian journalists chortling over Dear Abby … or the mortification, of the Japanese journalists over the showing of their hockey team … or the excitement I felt when my Canadian and French press friends gave me tips that turned into good stories.

In fact, there’s so many things I won’t ever forget, I can’t recall half of them!

To me, the real memory of the Olympics is not bound up entirely in the champions, or the records made and broken, or the close races, or the sportsmanship of the contestants, or the colour of the ceremonies or the excitement of the crowd.

When I think of these Olympic Games I’ll always remember Kyung Soon (Yim) of Korea.

Kyung is a skier.

Out of all the skiers in the world he was the last of sixty-four men to run the slalom.

The slalom is run twice. Ernst Hinterseer of Austria boomed through the 69 gates in the less than a minute on his second run.

Kyung was last man again. He started off by smashing into a gate. He got his feet back under him and hiked back up to the gate and started down again.

He spilled again. And he hiked back up to get the gate.

Two more falls, many wide sweeping turns, and 2 minutes 35 and 2 tenths seconds later, Kyung made it across the finish.

With the biggest grin I’ve every seen.

And the crowd gave him the biggest hand of the day.

Publisher’s note: On Jan. 17 read about the recent gathering of those involved with the 1960 Games at Squaw.

By Kathryn Reed

Slowly, Maria Barrows-Crist is rebuilding her business, Kindertown day care.

With each court appearance, her confidence builds that she will be allowed to stay open indefinitely. Because the state still has not provided El Dorado County Judge Steve Bailey with the documents he has repeatedly requested the onus is now on Barrow-Crist’s attorney, Mike McLaughlin, to do so.

This was the direction of the judge at this week’s conference hearing in South Lake Tahoe.

The state Department of Social Services wants to shut the center down based on 15 citations. Barrows-Crist takes issue with the allegations, as do many parents.

El Dorado County officials and others in the child services industry met with Lake Tahoe News last year. No one would directly speak out why Kindertown should be closed, yet it was clear this was their belief. They all emphasized their goal is what’s best for children. But their words and actions are not in sync so their agenda is not clear.

Barrows-Crist admits she is struggling because families don’t know what to do since she is still embroiled in a legal battle. The state wanted to close her down last year, but outcry from the community and intervention from Bailey prevented that from happening.

“I’ll be on an enrollment campaign next week,” she told Lake Tahoe News.

Her general day care is filling up. She has 20 openings in the state preschool program.

She hit a low of 35 children and is sitting at 67 this week. At one point Kindertown had 120 kids.

Barrows-Crist is worried the money she gets from the state Department of Education will go to El Dorado County’s program because her future is still cloudy.

By Alliance Action Sport

Halfway through the Wendy’s Invitational Men’s Superpipe Prelim Elijah Teter of Meyers sat comfortably in first, and he wanted it to stay that way, “I want to go to finals bad. I want to clean up this second run and definitely go bigger.” Teter’s wish was granted after a blow out victory, “I’m feeling great man, I’m looking forward to going as big as I can in Saturday’s Final.”

Danny Davis and JJ Thomas will meet Teter in the Final. They both are pre-qualified in Snowbasin after their smooth performances in Breckenridge.

Read the whole story

By Kathryn Reed

With the steady increase in helmet use by skiers and boarders, it’s hard to know if making usage mandatory is necessary. But that is exactly what one California lawmaker wants to do.

State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, introduced legislation Thursday to require anyone on the slopes younger than 18 to wear a helmet. This would be similar to the bicycle helmet law that took affect in California several years ago.

“Helmets are designed to reduce the severity of head injuries, but they are most effective at providing protection from a direct blow to the head at speeds of 12mph or slower,” according to the National Ski Areas Association.

While this national group advocates helmet use, studies have proved that in most fatalities on ski slopes that a helmet would not have saved that person’s life based on the severity of the impact.

Actress Natasha Richardson died of a head injury following a fall during a lesson at Quebec’s Mont Tremblant ski resort last year. She was not wearing a helmet. Helmets weren’t being discussed when Sonny Bono died at Heavenly Mountain Resort in 1998 after running into a tree.

Athletes making a living on the slopes now all seem to wear a helmet. One-time Olympic hopeful snowboarder Kevin Pearce was reported on Thursday to be in serious condition with a severe brain injury at University Hospital in Utah from a fall last month.

In the United States, 48 percent of skiers and riders wear a helmet and 77 percent of kids 9 and younger do, while 66 percent of those ages 10-14 do, according to the NSAA.

The organization’s research shows that as one’s ability increases, the likelihood of that person wearing a helmet goes up.

“California’s ski slopes are perhaps the last area of recreation where we do not have basic safety standards in place for children,” Yee, who is a child psychologist, said in a press release. “Despite repeated warnings from public health experts, professional athletes, and ski resorts, each winter brings news of hundreds of unnecessary tragedies for the failure to wear a helmet. With this legislation, we can significantly reduce instances of traumatic brain injury or death for such a vulnerable population.”

The Canadian Standards Association recommends alpine skiers and snowboarders wear helmets because they can reduce the risk of head injury by 60 percent. Ten months ago the agency approved standards for helmets. Now it’s up to manufacturers to meet those specs.

In October, Vancouver-based Intrawest and home to next month’s Olympics, issued a statement encouraging skiers and snowboarders wear helmets at its North American resorts. The headgear is mandatory for kids in its learn to ski programs. Next season helmets will also be mandatory in the company’s freestyle terrain parks.

This is the first season all Vail Resorts (which owns Heavenly) must wear helmets while on the job.

A 14-year-old Meyers boy was taken into custody Jan. 14 on suspicion of felony arson.

Because of his age his name is not being released.

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies went to 3574 Memory Lane early Monday on a suspicious circumstance call. They found a broken window and smoke pouring from what was supposed to be an unoccupied second home.

Lake Valley firefighters extinguished the fires inside the house.

“Investigation revealed that multiple fires had been purposely set throughout the residence in an apparent effort to cause extensive damage. Continued investigation revealed suspect shoe print evidence at the scene,” sheriff’s Lt. Les Lovell said in a press release. “These prints indicated a single arsonist was most likely the responsible party.”

Investigators followed leads that led them to the suspect.

“… the mother allowed a visual inspection of shoes her son wears. One set of shoes matched the shoe prints found at the arson scene,” Lovell said. “When confronted with this evidence, the boy admitted to being at the site of the arson.”

El Dorado County Board of Supervisors,

We are calling on you to allow churches of El Dorado County to immediately provide temporary, rotating winter sheltering through at least April 2010. As you are aware, this is the second winter without any shelter and this is intended to be a temporary solution during the coldest months of the year while United Outreach develops the long term shelter at Perks Court.

FAITH has developed a very well organized and structured process based, in part, on other successful nomadic homeless shelter concepts and on the lessons learned from Grace Place, the former El Dorado County shelter.

Furthermore, it would be implemented completely by volunteers with absolutely no cost to El Dorado County taxpayers and with absolutely no need for any government services.

Many of us have been trying to work within the system for the last few months, with some very well meaning, responsible, county staff, performing their due diligence, to get this accomplished. However, we continue to be hindered by zoning laws, and other impediments, and have not yet been successful.

While we understand the need for these laws to protect the health, welfare, and safety of all El Dorado County citizens, how could there possibly be any more threat to the health, welfare and safety of our citizens than freezing to death on a park bench, as Ms. Susan Mobley did in March of 2008, or as a another man did in his tent a few months ago, or getting hit and killed crossing the street in October of 2009?

Further, we have been recently informed that there are now at least three precedential court cases that are directly on point that allow churches to be exempt from local zoning ordinances with respect to sheltering homeless citizens.

We have also been informed that the city of Placerville has determined that at least two churches may proceed with this plan.

It is already January, time is of the essence, and we are very simply asking that you decide to immediately give us temporary authorization to proceed, while continuing to meet and develop a mutually acceptable solution.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Parr, coordinator of Feeding And Inspiring The Homeless (F.A.I.T.H.)

By Lindsey Sine, USSA

PARK CITY — It was all smiles and tears for Heather McPhie (Park City) and Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City) who finished first and third, during the Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, putting them at the top of Olympic selection with two events remaining.

Beneath clear, cold skies, skier after skier took to the hillside of snowy bumps at Deer Valley, throwing out the best tricks they could in an attempt to boost their chances of making the 2010 Olympic Team.

Tying for her win, McPhie was overwhelmed with the joy that came with her first World Cup victory and fought back tears when she explained what the moment meant to her.

“I’ve believed in myself for a long time, but you never know – there are so many variables. I just wanted to give it everything I had and I did,” McPhie said. “My parents are here to see my first podium, and my family and friends. I have so much support.”

According to McPhie, being able to overcome such a strong field in her hometown means a lot to her, and potentially her future as an Olympian.

“This is so exciting! We’re at Deer Valley, and with six U.S. girls in the top 12, to end up on top is unreal,” McPhie said. “I hope and can’t wait to walk into Opening Ceremonies representing my country. There are still so many days and so much more training before that.”

The firey Bahrke, who famously won her silver medal in2002 on the same Deer Valley course, had a feeling about Thursday’s competition.

“I just felt like today was going to be my day. I was a little bummed because I went a little big and set it a little hard on my back flip, but I was so happy to be on the podium. With this good a team and it just really means the world to me.”

Bahrke was relieved to have a solid finish, but in what she says will be her last season of competition, she wants her shot at the gold.

“Until today I was one of the last in line, so for me to be on the podium is just incredible, I’m really excited,” Bahrke said. “I really hope I’m going to be there [Olympics] too. I’m going just keep plugging away and try to get a win like Heather.”

While Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) already has her Olympic spot locked in, the Vermonter is still in the hunt for wins, which she says are within her, despite her finishing eighth.

In the hunt for Olympic berths with just two more events to go, McPhie and Bahrke moved up to the top level of selection with their top threes. Up to four women will be named to the team on Jan. 26 at a press conference in Deer Valley.

In the men’s competition Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) led for the U.S. men in fourth, while Australia’s Dale Begg-Smith won.

“Fourth place isn’t bad. I can think of 56 other guys that would love that place. I’m really happy with my run right now and I want to keep doing it,” Deneen said.

Night finals action begins at 8pm Friday for aerials and Saturday for moguls at Deer Valley Resort.

Park City, Jan. 14, Moguls

Men

1. Dale Begg Smith, Australia, 26.12

2. Guilbaut Colas, France, 25.48

3. Dmitriy Reiherd, Kazahkstan, 25.10

4. Patrick Deneen, Cle Elum, WA, 24.85

5. Jesper Bjoernlund, Sweden, 24.84

–

6. Jeremy Cota, Carrabassett Valley, ME, 24.44

8. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 23.76

9. David Babic, Washington, VT, 23.43

11. Dave DiGravio, Farmington, ME, 23.02

13. Shane Cordeau, Sun Valley, ID, 19.32

16. Bryon Wilson, Butte, MT,10.50

– (16 make finals)

21. Jimmy Discoe, Ridgway, CO, 22.44

38. Joe Discoe, Ridgway, CO, 20.09

57. Nate Roberts, Park City, UT, 8.38

Women

1-T. Heather McPhie, 24.59

1-T. Jennifer Heil, Canada, 24.59

3. Shannon Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA, 24.18

4. Margarita Marbler, Austria, 24.14

5. Aiko Uemura, Japan, 23.93

–

6. Michelle Roark, Denver, 23.88

7. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV, 23.84

8. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 23.65

11. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 22.00

13. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 21.25

16. Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO, 14.82

– (16 make finals)

43. Emiko Torito, Denver, 2.58