Reno Gazette-Journal editorial

When the International Olympic Committee finally got around to choosing a host for the 2016 summer games on Friday, it made the right decision. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was a worthy winner, bringing the Olympic Games to South America for the first time and recognizing that nation’s position as one of the top economies in the world.

How the IOC’s choice of Rio de Janeiro may affect the hopes of many in Northern Nevada to one day bring the winter games back to the Reno-Tahoe area is difficult to gauge.

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Denise Sloan Smart, (l-r) Pamela Stoddart, Sharon Bishop and Mona McNinch.

By Denise Sloan Smart

RENO — Frigid weather didn’t keep thousands of women and men from showing up early Sunday morning at UNR for the annual Race for the Cure 5K race, hosted by the Susan G. Komen Northern Nevada Affiliate.

Most of us just walked or ran faster to keep warm.

Official numbers aren’t in yet for attendance, but a sea of pink-garbed folks streamed through the three-plus mile course around the university campus helped raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

Runners and walkers wore official registration numbers as well as pink signs proclaiming “In Memory of” or “In Celebration of.”

I wore a pink sign that read “In Celebration of Jan,” my friend who is currently waging a severe battle with breast cancer that has spread to her brain.

A man in front of me wore a pink sign that read “In Memory Of Mom, I Miss You.”

Thousands of breast cancer survivors each carried a pink balloon with the amount of time they have been a survivor. The numbers ranged from many years to one month.

Representing the Barton Health team, known as the Barton Beauties, were Sharon Bishop and Pam Stoddart, both from the Barton Community Clinic; Mona McNinch from Tahoe Family Medicine; Marla Handsaker, RN at Barton Memorial Hospital and a five-year survivor; and Karen Tucker, RN for LTUSD and a four-year survivor; and this reporter who is Barton’s communications specialist.

As the six of us covered the gently sloping course, chatting and shedding layers as the sun came out to warm us, our friendships grew. And we raised money to boot for a great cause.

In the last three years, the Northern Nevada Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation has granted more than $87,000 in funds to Barton Health to pay for free mammograms to anyone who qualifies. There are no age limits, they are available to men and women and financial need is the only qualifier.

Call (530) 543.5632 for a one-page application, or stop by the Barton Community Clinic for an application.

Denise Sloan Smart works for Barton and has been a journalist in South Lake Tahoe for more than 20 years.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit lifted fire restrictions for Forest Service lands Tuesday.

Additionally, Forest Service Fire Chief Kit Bailey, in conjunction with local fire chiefs, opened residential burning the same day. Residential burning must be conducted between 8am and 6pm with a valid burn permit.

Although the Forest Service is lifting the additional fire restrictions imposed in the summer, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit adopted a set of fire regulations in 2004 that restricts where campfires are allowed year-round. Most of the Lake Tahoe backcountry is essentially stove only and a valid campfire permit is required. This same regulation applies within the Desolation Wilderness, where a “stove only” regulation has been in place for more than 10 years. Developed campgrounds usually allow for campfires year-round in the facilities provided.

To obtain more information about backcountry fire regulations and and how to obtain a campfire permit, call the Forest Supervisor’s office in South Lake Tahoe at (530) 543.2694. To learn more about camping and fire regulations on-line, visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/regulations/rules.shtml. To learn more about residential burning, local restrictions and permits, contact your local fire department or fire protection district.

Even when fire restrictions end, the Forest Service asks residents and visitors to continue to use caution with campfires, camp stoves, barbecue grills and cigarette smoking.

The Young Americans, a group of more than 40 college-age performers, will host three days of music, dance, theater, self-esteem, self-worth, and fun in Tahoe Nov. 1-3.

On Nov. 3 at 7:30pm will be a performace featuring the Young Americans and all the kids who participated in the workshops. All this will be held at the South Tahoe Middle School Multipurpose room.

On Nov 1, 2009 at 1pm begins the workshop.

The cost is $65 dollars and each participant will get a T-shirt.

The last time the Young Americans were in Tahoe more than 160 kids in grades K-12 took part.

Information on signing up is available by calling Lisa or Ashley at (530) 541-3041 or stopping by 2264 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Unit 6, South Lake Tahoe.

The Young Americans website is www.youngamericans.org.

Jacqueline Mittelstadt addresses the South Lake Tahoe City Council on Tuesday.

By Kathryn Reed

Jacqueline Mittelstadt on Tuesday may have addressed the City Council for the last time in open session as South Lake Tahoe’s city attorney.

The city’s legal counsel has been embroiled in a personnel brouhaha ever since she brought to light issues about how much outside legal counsel the city had retained and the bills associated with those alliances.

It was in early September on a 3-2 vote that the council decided to continue with terminating her contract. But specifics about what the council is upset with have not been disclosed.

The locks have been changed and her computer access has been taken away.

Originally the council intended to take up her employment status up in closed session. The previous week Mittelstadt had requested the matter be in closed session with a court recorder or in open session.

Issues about opening meeting laws and attorney-client privilege were brought up yesterday afternoon.

The outcome was that the council will discuss her job status Oct. 20 in closed session with a court recorder.

Patrick Enright, who was hired as assistant city attorney-redevelopment specialist, it the acting city attorney. Enright and Mittelstadt came aboard in June.

Mittelstadt is on paid administrative leave — making more than $10,000 a month to live in Lake Tahoe. She signed a six-month lease where she is living — so through the end of November.

After the meeting she said she’d like to keep working for the city, recognizing it would be a bit rocky upon her initial return. However, she believes things can be worked out.

The two sides disagree about whether the Employer’s Resource Management Association — known as ERMA complaints — need to be resolved before Mittelstadt could be terminated.

One has been filed against Mittelstadt and Enright, and subsequently Mittelstadt has filed one.

An interesting twist is the council agreed to discuss City Manager Dave Jinkens’ actions in regards to personnel issues at the next meeting — Oct. 20 — in closed session.

By News 4-KRNV

Authorities in Placer County last week arrested three North Lake Tahoe residents for allegedly cultivating an illegal marijuana farm.

Placer County Sheriff’s deputies charged Christopher Egger, 23, Steven Day, 48 and Mathew Steele, 28, with growing marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy, according to a news release issued by Sgt. John Giovannini.

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El Dorado County sheriff’s candidates’ forum presented by El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 19.

7am – Check in/registration/breakfast buffet/networking

7:30-9am – Program

Holiday Inn Express in Town Center

$12/(916) 933.1335 to RSVP

Washoe County deputies responding to a welfare check of an elderly couple on Monday night in Incline Village found one person dead and another needing medical attention.

Deputies arrived at the Lakeshore Drive condo about 8pm and located a 73 year old  man who had apparently been stabbed to death. A 72 year old female was unconscious and needing medical assistance. She was transported by Care Flight to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

An autopsy is scheduled on the victim.

Investigators do not believe this was a random act.

The city of South Lake Tahoe and MontBleu Resort, Casino and Spa announce the return of the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival on Dec. 12.

Like no other film festival in the world, the 2009-10 TAFF’s high-energy, fast-paced evening showcases the best action sports films of the year and fuels your passion for adventure. Once again, this year’s festival will feature action sports photos from legendary Aurora Photos, special guest speakers, go-go dancers, DJ Kos and of course a few special surprises.

“Forget sitting around for days in tiny theaters and searching film premiers for the best action and adventure of the season,” Todd Offenbacher, TAFF founder and event host, world adventurer and popular TV host for the Resort Sports Network said in a press release. “We put together a line-up of the best films of the year and showcase them in one night of energy, excitement and fun.”

This year the TAFF has partnered with the Sierra Avalanche Center to host the biggest raffle in the event’s history. Prizes include Lake Tahoe resort season passes, a trip with Points North Heli Adventures, a afternoon with Pacific Crest Snowcats, and enough gear and swag to stock any adventurer enthusiast’s garage.

This year’s event opens at 6:30pm with an action sports photography display from legendary Aurora Photos followed by the main event at 7:30pm. Tickets are available online at www.LakeTahoeFilmFestival.com or at the MontBleu Resort, Casino and Spa Box Office.

All films are available for purchase in their full format from the filmmakers.

The Tahoe Adventure Film Festival is presented by Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Title sponsors include Charter Media, Points North Heli Adventures, Aurora Photos, RSN TV, La Sportiva, Ski Lake Tahoe. Additional sponsor support provided by Red Bull, Tahoe Daily Tribune, Tahoe 360, Lake Tahoe Entertainer, Marmot, Tahoe Arts and Mountain Culture, Tahoe Fracture and Orthopedic, MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa and the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

The Official TAFF After Party will directly follow the film festival at Blu.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District wants to boast some more about its test scores. For the district’s take on the matter, click on: ltusd release.