By Cy Ryan, Las Vegas Sun

CARSON CITY — Players of progressive slot machines may see bigger jackpots in the future thanks to some companies’ desire to compete with large lottery payouts in other states.

The three-member Nevada Gaming Control Board conducted a workshop Wednesday on a petition by IGT and Bally Technology to change regulations that aim at get more players to spend their money on the progressive machines.

The proposed amended regulation would allow a Nevada company with a network of progressive machines to tie the Nevada progressive machines into the slots owned by the company in other states where gambling is legal.

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By Mari-Jane Williams, Washington Post

It’s hard to discipline children. You can’t hit them. Timeouts are not effective. Now, a study out of the University of Pittsburgh says yelling at teens and tweens — particularly when it involves cursing or insults — can be just as harmful as hitting. So what can you do?

Remember that the word “discipline” originally meant to teach, so look for opportunities to coach your child, not just punish him for a misstep.

“Discipline implies setting limits and boundaries,” said Vicki Hoefle, mother of six in Middlebury, Vt., and author of “Duct Tape Parenting.” “But the way we do it is, ‘I’m going to punish you when you do something I don’t like.’ It’s a completely wasted moment.”

No one wants to yell at their kids, and we usually feel bad when it happens. But most of us didn’t know it could be as damaging as the spankings we got when we were growing up.

The University of Pittsburgh study released in September looked at 967 middle school students over a two-year period. Those whose parents used “harsh verbal discipline” such as yelling, cursing and using insults were more likely to be depressed or have behavior problems. The study found it was also not effective in getting children to stop what they were doing, and that it was damaging even to children in homes that were generally warm and loving.

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By Dan Morse, Washington Post

Chris Cox, the colorful chain-saw sculptor who has taken it upon himself to clean parts of the Mall during the government shutdown, is easy to spot: bushy beard, big South Carolina flag, oversize orange dolly that he uses to cart off garbage.

On Saturday afternoon, Cori and Dominick Langella, who had driven down from Binghamton, N.Y., walked up to him.

“You’re the reason we’re here,” Dominick said. “We’re here to support you.”

The couple and more than 200 others gathered at the Mall on Saturday to help Cox pick up garbage. Many were drawn by a cleanup rally sponsored by several groups that were motivated by the man.

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By Steven Thomma, McClatchy

WASHINGTON — Despite a promise of transparency, President Obama has run a secretive government that’s chilling the flow of information to reporters while it tries to channel its version of news through its own government media, according to a new report from a journalists’ group.

The report says the Obama administration has curbed the disclosure of government information, limited the use of the Freedom of Information Act, launched a program of internal surveillance to stop people from talking to reporters and conducted an unprecedented number of investigations of journalists.

The search for leaks, the report’s author said, is the most aggressive since President Richard Nixon.

“In the Obama administration’s Washington, government officials are increasingly afraid to talk to the press,” says the report by Leonard Downie Jr. for the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“There’s no question that sources are looking over their shoulders,” Michael Oreskes, a senior managing editor of the Associated Press, says in the report.

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Lake Tahoe Airport in 1963. Photo/Dave Borges

Lake Tahoe Airport today. Photo/Bill Kingman

Lake Tahoe Airport is a public airport also known as Tahoe Valley Airport (TVL).

The 1963 photo of TVL (courtesy of Dave Borges) shows a Lockheed L-049 Constellation propliner used by Paradise Airlines which served Salinas, San Jose, Oakland and Lake Tahoe until a fatal accident on Genoa Peak in 1964.

Nineteen different carriers — small, medium, large — have served TVL since 1963.

The airport has been without a scheduled commercial airline passenger service since 2000. The baggage conveyor and carousel have been removed. The FAA control tower is closed.

However, a fixed-base operator has continued to serve general aviation at TVL. The airport terminal building in my 2013 photo currently houses the city offices of South Lake Tahoe plus a restaurant and few other businesses.

— Bill Kingman

Meiss Meadow with the old house and barn in the distance. Photos/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

A golden meadow stretches for what looks like miles. It’s barren and beautiful at the same time. Stevens Peak (10,059 feet) and Red Lake Peak (10,063) are nearby.

A cabin and barn are remnants of civilization from an era long gone.

Meiss Meadow.

Besides being the starting point of the Upper Truckee River, this section of Alpine County was once bustling with cattle.

A couple women on horseback offer a glimpse of what this area might have been like a century ago. Hitching posts are still out front.

Water flowing in the river behind the house is good for the dogs that have come along with their people.

The buildings were constructed by Louis Meiss (pronounced mice) who emigrated from Germany in the 1800s with his parents. Meiss bought 1,000 acres – which included what is now known as Meiss Meadow – in 1878. It was all about cattle crazing at that time.

In 1936 the land was sold to another family. In 1965 the U.S. Forest Service acquired the property. The structures are of historical significance.

Today is it a hikers paradise. There are a few ways to get to Meiss Meadow – after all it is an intersection of the Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim trails. For those on the PCT, they have 1,000 miles to get to Mexico or 1,400 more miles and they’ll be in Canada.

We started on a recent Sunday from Big Meadows trailhead off Highway 89. Signs of fall are evident from the start as aspens and other flora are turning shades of yellow.

Big Meadows never disappoints. It’s like being in a bowl of beauty with 360-degree views of Sierra serenity.

But the trail in front of us is a bit congested even though it’s the off-season. Mountain bikers and horses share this trail with those on two legs. Numerous backpackers are headed home, most having stayed overnight at Dardanelles Lake. Once we get beyond the turn off for that lake we see very few people. We are headed toward Round Lake.

We don’t fish, but reports are those with poles can find Lahontan cutthroat trout at Round Lake.

We stop briefly for a bite to eat and to let AJ have a swim. The chill in the air and slight breeze have us moving on soon.

The terrain after Round Lake changes from typical Tahoe pines to a more expansive, openness with varied foliage. It feels a bit more like the Alps with the meadows at this elevation. Though at the same time thoughts of “Little House on the Prairie” come to mind.

We stop again at Meiss Meadow; by the barn to enjoy the scenery. Then we walk a short ways toward Carson Pass to see the golden grasses in that section of the meadow. It’s almost like there is too much to see, that you want to stay a little longer to make sure you capture it all in your mind. It’s both peaceful and rugged.

—-

Notes:

• It is 2.7 miles from Big Meadows trailhead to Round Lake, 2 miles from Round Lake to Meiss Meadow. And it’s another 2 miles to Showers Lake from the meadow.

• To get there from South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 50 west, turn left onto Highway 89 toward Hope Valley. The Big Meadows trailhead parking is about 4 miles from the intersection of highways 50 and 89. The trailhead is back down Highway 89 on the other side of the road. There are a few wide spots to park on the highway.

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder (Click on photos to enlarge.)

To the community,

Bread & Broth would like to thank Barton Hospital Auxiliary for sponsoring an Adopt A Day of Nourishment on Sept. 23.

With their donation of $250, B&B was able to serve 120 guests a full course dinner and provide a safe gathering for those in need. In addition, auxiliary members George Ramirez and Louise Mitchell, who is also a B&B volunteer, helped with the dinner’s setup and cheerfully greeted and served the evening’s dinner guests.

“Thank you for letting me help and pay back to the community,” commented Ramirez at the end of the evening. This is a common theme for those who volunteer at their sponsorship dinners and experience firsthand the spirit of good will that comes with helping others.

Due to generous donors like Barton Hospital Auxiliary, B&B is able to improve the lives of many less fortunate members of our community by serving meals every Monday at St. Theresa Church’s parish hall and every Friday at South Lake Tahoe Presbyterian Church.

Bread & Broth would like to commend Barton Hospital Auxiliary for their many contributions to the community of South Lake Tahoe and is thankful for their support of B&B by Adopting a Day of Nourishment.

To help B&B as a donor or sponsor, please contact me at (530) 542.2876 or carolsgerard@aol.com.

Carol Gerard, Bread & Broth

• The South Tahoe Public Utility District board is having a workshop Oct. 16 from 1-4pm to review the strategic plan and discuss funding for the capital improvement plan. The meeting is at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

• The American Planning Association picked C Street in Virginia City as one of the “great places in America”.

• Cool fall temps have delayed the repaving and bridge repair work along the South Lake Tahoe bike path that parallels Highway 50 and goes behind Meek’s. Work is now slated for May 2014.

• Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are hosting a hiring fair Nov. 2 from 9am-2pm at the Olympic House at Squaw Valley.

• The Nov. 19 South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting is canceled.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday signed Senate Bill 630, which renews California’s partnership with Nevada and reaffirms the states’ commitment to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s bi-state Compact.

“Today, California reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the state of Nevada to protect and enhance the beauty of Lake Tahoe,” Brown said in a statement.

Signing of SB630 ends bickering between California and Nevada — for now. Photo/LTN

This legislation delivers on the commitment Brown and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval made earlier this year to work with legislative leadership in both states to develop amendments to bills in the Nevada and California state Legislatures that repeal Nevada’s planned withdrawal from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact and California’s proposal to re-establish a California Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

“Nevada and California have a long history of working together to protect Lake Tahoe and this new law ensures that legacy of collaboration will continue,” Sandoval said in a press release. “Lake Tahoe truly is the Jewel of the Sierra and with the signing of this law both states can continue to ensure the protection of the environment and help enhance the economy of the region. I want to thank Governor Brown and Senator Pavley for their support and dedication to protecting the Tahoe basin.”

Nevada’s companion legislation, SB229, was signed by Sandoval in June.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

By Catey Hill, MarketWatch

Forget trick-or-treating. This year, the kids may be twerking for candy.

Americans will spend $2.6 billion on Halloween costumes this season, according to data released this week by the National Retail Federation. While that’s down slightly from last year, they’ll still shell out $1 billion for children’s costumes, $1.2 billion for adult costumes and $330 million on pet costumes.

So what will we be for Halloween this year? As usual, traditional costumes like witches and Superman are among the most common for both adults and children.

The retail federation finds that 5 million adults are planning to dress up as witches, by far the most common costume for adults, followed by Batman, whom 2.9 million Americans plan to be. Other popular adult costumes include: vampire, zombie, pirate, action/superheros, Superman, Dracula and cat. For children, the most popular costumes, in order of popularity, include princess, animal, Batman, action/superhero, Spider-Man, witch, zombie, Disney princess, Superman and fairy.

While those may be the most popular costumes, you’re likely to see a lot of surprising ones as well, including a twerker, meth dealer and dragon-birther. “Costumes related to TV shows are more popular than ever,” says Mark Bietz, the vice president of marketing for HalloweenCostumes.com, who’s seeing a ton of people buying Duck Dynasty costumes.

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