Local SaveMeFromForeclosure.com representative Paul Romero is putting together a “Free Foreclosure Help” event on Dec. 12 from 9am-2pm at Romero’s Barber Salon at 2572 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe.

Bring your latest mortgage statement with you to find out if you qualify to have your monthly payments reduced, or if there is another option for you to escape foreclosure.

For more information, call (530) 318.2662 or visit www.SaveMeFromForeclosure.com to get the free report “How to avoid foreclosure, What other people won’t tell you” and set up a free consultation.

Five green businesses were singled out for their contribution the green movement.

The businesses are: Tahoe Truckee Airport District, Granlibakken Conference Center and Resort, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences and Integrated Environmental Restoration Services Inc.

Keep the Sierra Green and the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and area sponsors gave out the awards this month.

Sierra-at-Tahoe and Alpine Meadows are open today. Winds could pose a problem today at resorts that typically have to have chairs on wind hold. For all the details about what’s going on today on the slopes, check out the ski report by Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

Letter to the Publisher,

In our community there is a legitimate concern that city government withholds information that citizens have a right to know, which has created a perception of secrecy.

I believe the perception is justified when considering the blowup in the Poland case and the closed meetings on the subject of the city attorney. In the air there’s a feeling of a Star Chamber operation.

I believe that the city manager and certain members of the City Council have an attitude that is authoritarian. Such an attitude is accompanied by the thought that those who hold power are infallible, that public opinion should be discounted. Hence, government doesn’t have to disclose information because the public can’t be trusted with the information.

The authoritarian mind rejects the idea that citizens share a spirited and political equality. I believe, as the poet said, that if we do not meet people as equals, then we do not meet them at all.

Much of the secrecy behind closed doors is justified under the label of “personnel matters” that is often a cover up of mismanagement. Example: The city manager, city attorney [now gone] and a majority of the council did not want to report out a split council vote on the Poland appeal. Why not?

The fact is that behind closed doors, I learn who my colleagues really are.

Bill Crawford, South Lake Tahoe city councilman

By Siobhan McAndrew, Reno Gazette-Journal

On Jan. 1, 2007, when Jim Gibbons was sworn in as Nevada’s 29th governor, Dawn Gibbons, his wife of 23 years, looked at him adoringly — a happy, proud, loving spouse who was sure she was loved in return.

Dressed in a red velvet suit, with her signature blonde hair perfectly styled, she beamed at his every word, and smiled when she and her husband kissed at the end of the ceremony. The next day, at a second public swearing-in ceremony, they held hands — the same pose photographed so many times before.

Now, she says being first lady has ‘been a nightmare since Day 1.’

Read the whole story

By Kathryn Reed

Even the body heat of hundreds of holiday revelers could not keep teeth from chattering. The cold night air didn’t seem to matter to the children who awaited Santa’s arrival and the lighting of South Lake Tahoe’s Christmas tree.

For more than 20 years, Santa arriving via a Borges horse-drawn sleigh has been a tradition in this ski town.

Jenny Arias, 4, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas. Photos/Kathryn Reed

The Tahoe Schools Choirs sang famous carols that the audience joined in on. This started Friday evening’s festivities outside the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority center in the heart of South Lake Tahoe.

Mayor Jerry Birdwell was on hand to say a few words. One little kid thought he was Santa.

Once the real Santa arrived, sleigh rides were provided for free, Santa’s lap was available to all the good boys and girls, Dianna Maria De Borges was signing copies of “Sleigh Rides in Lake Tahoe: Memoirs of Sam Borges,” and hot cocoa and cookies warmed people up.

The tree, with its big balls, bows and candy canes, magically became aglow at the hands of Santa. A menorah was also lighted in honor of Hanukkah, which begins the night of Dec. 12.

Tahoe Schools Choir sings carols.

People stood in line for a sleigh ride.

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Jerry Birdwell

Publisher’s note: The first prototype camera was installed this week. A handful more will put on Lake Tahoe mountaintops this summer.

By Jenifer Gee, Auburn Journal

Six kids from Meadow Vista have designed one project that just might change the world.

Recently, Sony Europe announced the test launch of the Forest Guard system, which was an idea that originated from members of the Lego Guards team in Meadow Vista.

In May 2009, the team traveled to Denmark and won an international competition for their idea on how a combination of cameras and screen savers can help residents in wooded areas keep an eye out for wildfires in the forests surrounding them.

Read the whole story

Reno Gazette-Journal

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport will add eight new flights, and some will start this month.

Four flights will be added on a seasonal basis for holiday and ski travel through the first quarter of 2010, and four more will be added on a year-round basis, airport officials said.

In January, the number of flights from Reno-Tahoe will grow to 63, marking the first increase in the number of departures since the jet fuel crisis began in July of 2008.

Read the whole story

South Tahoe High School Performing Arts Department will be performing Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” Dec. 10-13 in the STHS Little Theatre.

You may remember the old movie classic starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Well, this new stage version (it played on Broadway for the first time just last year) has been updated with some absolutely wonderful chorus numbers while keeping the old favorites.

Under the direction of Nanette Niven is a star-studded cast with seniors Christopher Yarrow, Nick Kushner, Catie Kushner, Chelsea Wightman, Will Caglia, and Emily Dixon in the leading roles. A bevy of talented actors, singers and dancers make up the musical chorus with choreography by Marcia Sarosik and vocal instruction by Bob Grant.

A full orchestra, under the direction of STHS music instructor Casson Scowcroft includes students and professionals.

Showtime is 7pm Dec. 10-12 and 2pm Dec. 13.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors, free for Super ASB.

Tickets are available at the door or from the STHS ASB Office (530) 541.4111, ext. 285 between 10am-3pm.

These performances will be the last major shows in the theater before it is remodeled and becomes part of the Tahoe Arts and Design Academy. If you have ever performed on the Little Theatre stage, you’re invited to join the cast on stage for the finale during the Sunday matinee.

Dear South Lake Tahoe Community,

It’s that holiday time of year and the SLTFD would like to encourage everyone to think of those less fortunate members of our community. At all the city fire stations, you can drop off any new or like-new condition used toys into the Christmas Cheer Barrels. Any donations will be gratefully forwarded to needy households this holiday season.

Also, the city fire department will again be handing out candy canes from the decorated fire truck driving throughout the community. Starting on Dec. 10 through Dec. 24 each night, the holiday truck will make its way through specific sections of the city.

The truck leaves Station 2 each night at 5pm and will drive through each neighborhood until 8pm. These scheduled dates will be dependent on the weather, and may be changed due to driving conditions or emergency responses.

You can also visit Santa’s House at fire Station 2, across from South Tahoe Middle School, Dec. 13-21 from 6-8pm.

Christmas Truck Schedule 2009

Dec. 10 Main Areas

Dec. 11 Keys/Venice

Dec. 12 South Y/Tata/Barton

Dec. 13 Keys Blvd./State Streets

Dec. 14 Tahoe Island

Dec. 15 Stateline/Pioneer Trail

Dec. 16 Gardner Mountain

Dec. 17 Springwood/Bijou Pines

Dec. 18 Glenwood

Dec. 19 Heavenly Valley

Dec. 20 Ski Run

Dec. 21 Al Tahoe

Dec. 22 Sierra Tract

Dec. 23 Stateline/Hotels

Dec. 24 Hwy. 50/Shopping Centers