Highway 28 between Ponderosa Ranch Road in Incline Village and Highway 50 at Spooner Summit will be closed June 18-20 from 9pm to 5am.

This is so a contractor working for the Nevada Department of Transportation can put down a flush seal to preserve the life of the road.

“If we were doing it during the day, traffic control would be for two weeks and there would be huge lines of traffic,” NDOT spokesman Scott MacGruder told Lake Tahoe News.

People who live along Highway 28 will be allowed to access their homes.

The Mount Rose Highway to Interstate 580 south to Highway 50 is the suggested route for getting to Carson City for those usually use Highway 28.

To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Lincoln Highway, the communities along Nevada’s historic Highway 50 will reward travelers with complimentary commemorative coffee mugs during the month of June.

The Lincoln Highway became the United States’ first paved coast-to-coast road for the automobile. It paralleled many parts of the Pony Express route.

The Lincoln Highway Association has set two official tours to start June 22 in San Francisco and New York. The West tour route from San Francisco will go through Nevada’s Pony Express Territory on Highway 50 to Fallon overnight on June 24 with a second overnight in Ely on June 25.

Mug locations:

Dayton Chamber

Dayton Museum

Fernley Chamber of Commerce

Fallon Convention Center

Austin Courthouse/Austin Chamber

Eureka Opera House

Ely’s White Pine Public Museum

Great Basin National Park.

Six Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery, exiled in Southern India, will return to South Lake Tahoe June 23-30.

They will put on a slide show of monastic life, conduct various Buddhist philosophy teachings and discussions, a Green Tara Empowerment, and a Vajravidarin Healing Ritual over the eight-day visit. They will also offer healings, teachings, and cultural performances including an evening of music and exchange.

Business blessings, house blessings, land blessings, and personal healings are available by appointment.

The Gaden Sharste Monastery was originally founded in Tibet in the mid 1400s and remained an institution of philosophical study prior to its destruction in 1959 when China invaded Tibet. This visit is hosted by the Tahoe Tibetan Cultural Exchange and the South Lake Tahoe Community.

For more information or to schedule a blessing, or personal healing, contact Melanie at TahoeMel@gmail.com.

By Kathryn Reed

If South Lake Tahoe adopts an ordinance banning plastic bags, it is likely it would not be the law of the land until 2014. This is because the ordinance as written takes three months to be implemented and the council isn’t likely to vote on it until late summer, early fall.

A group of bag-ban supporters were at today’s City Council meeting advocating the electeds implement the ordinance that was voted down in January. The advocates came back with more information as was requested by the council at the time.

No longer does the city have a Sustainability Commission. It was axed at the same meeting the bag ban was defeated. But a group has formed to be a committee focusing on sustainable issues in the city.

Karen Fink, who is part of that group, pointed out that consumers are already paying for bags from stores – it just isn’t overt. There also isn’t a choice because it’s incorporated into the price of goods sold, much like any overhead expense.

Most of the 76 communities in the state that have plastic bag bans allow stores to use plastic and paper at a 5 or 10 cent charge per bag to the consumer.

Some talk on June 11 was about whether the fee would impact lower income individuals unjustly.

Julie Lowe, a plastic bag ban proponent, told the council, “It’s more of a problem with the affluent. We consume more and waste more. I feel the low income are way ahead of us.”

Darcie Collins with the League to Save Lake Tahoe said her group supports the ban. While no one from the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce spoke, it was relayed that that board and the majority of the membership support a ban.

Supporters also believe such a ban would send a message to tourists that South Lake Tahoe is environmentally friendly.

Mayor Tom Davis said with the League, Sierra Club and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency having offices on the South Shore that in itself shows the area is environmentally friendly.

Davis and Councilwoman JoAnn Conner remain strong voices against the ban. Davis in particular said he does not see a problem. This was right after he cited how much trash Clean Tahoe picks up. He also said he drove around town and didn’t see an issue with plastic bags blowing around.

But the errant bags are found at the bottom of waterways, in bushes, meadows and elsewhere that a motorist would not see.

Conner said recreationists she knows don’t believe there is a problem either.

“We’re still looking at legislating personal behavior,” Conner said.

Councilwomen Angela Swanson and Brooke Laine are in lockstep in wanting the issue to come back for a vote. Swanson was not at the January meeting and Laine was not on the council then.

Councilman Hal Cole wants something done about the bags, but also would like some leeway for nonprofits like the food banks that fill bags for the needy to take with them.

Even though the California Legislature earlier this year voted against a statewide ban, the California Grocers Association came out in support of it.

The Loyal Order of the Moose 1632 of South Lake Tahoe’s second annual yard sale is June 15-16 from 9am-5pm.

In addition to the lawn being full of bargains, there will also be a silent auction.

Members of the Moose Lodge and Women of the Moose will be selling baked goods.

All proceeds will go to help support local and national Moose charities including the South Lake Tahoe Cancer League, Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe and Moose Heart.

To donate items (or make a monetary tax deductible donation), contact Robbie at (530) 542.3929.

The lodge is at 961 Eloise Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

By Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee

In a conflicting series of events for embattled El Dorado County Supervisor Ray Nutting, the state’s political watchdog agency supported him Monday against a conflict-of-interest allegation at the same time he faced felony prosecution for alleged political malfeasance in his county.

Nutting’s troubles stem from a series of state payments he received for clearing brush on his 340-acre timber ranch under a fire safety program. El Dorado County and state prosecutors have charged him with felonies for not disclosing that money as an elected official and voting to fund two local fire districts that distribute the funds on the state’s behalf.

After its own review of Nutting’s actions at the supervisor’s request, the state Fair Political Practices Commission’s enforcement division in Sacramento said in an advisory letter Monday that the supervisor did not have a conflict of interest when he voted to fund two fire districts.

Ray Nutting

The enforcement division, however, did determine that Nutting failed to declare $22,000 of state fire prevention income in 2009 and recommended that commissioners impose a $400 civil fine at their June 20 meeting.

The FPPC issued its findings Monday in Sacramento as El Dorado Superior Court Judge Daniel B. Proud formally announced in a Placerville courtroom four felony counts against Nutting on charges of filing false documents, perjury and conflict of interest stemming from Nutting’s alleged failure to disclose some $70,000 in state income for brush clearing on a family ranch.

Under a related criminal complaint made public Friday, Nutting faces seven misdemeanors for illegally soliciting money from two county workers and a major construction contractor to bail himself out of jail May 28.

Nutting was scheduled to be formally charged Monday. But in a small county twist, Proud promptly put off the arraignment and withdrew, citing his personal relationship with the supervisor.

“It’s my decision to recuse myself,” Proud said. “I’ve known Mr. Nutting for a long time. I think he was the coach for my son’s wrestling team.”

In its letter, the FPPC noted that Nutting had received fire protection grant awards administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the regional Sierra Coordinated Resources Management Council, which includes the two local fire conservation districts.

The FPPC said Nutting could vote on general funding for the two conservation districts. Adrianne Korchmaros of the political oversight agency’s enforcement division wrote that the supervisor acted properly because the board votes didn’t involve a direct personal financial gain in violation of the California Political Reform Act.

“Because the decision by the Board of Supervisors to partially fund El Dorado County Resource Conservation District and the Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District will flow to the public generally and does not uniquely benefit you, the conflict of interest provisions of the Act will not apply,” Korchmaros wrote.

The FPPC letter to Nutting noted that the Sierra council “was indirectly involved” in the Board of Supervisors’ decisions to “partially fund two of its member agencies” distributing the fire funds. But it told the supervisor there was no evidence in Nutting’s votes of a “material financial effect on your personal finances.”

Nutting’s defense lawyer, David Weiner, seized upon FPPC correspondence to assert that his client is facing excessive prosecution. “The significance of it is that there is really not much there,” Weiner said.

But El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said Nutting is charged under separate criminal statutes that go beyond the FPPC’s civil enforcement. He suggested that Weiner and another Nutting lawyer were trying to provide cover for their client by seeking – and getting – the letter from the FPPC.

“The FPPC is an administrative agency, not a law enforcement agency,” Pierson said.

He added that Nutting is facing joint prosecution by the El Dorado County district attorney and the state attorney general’s office “related to facts and circumstances far beyond what was provided to the FPPC by Ray Nutting’s attorney.”

Mary-Beth Moylan, a McGeorge School of Law professor specializing in political law, said the FPPC case and the El Dorado County prosecution may focus on similar alleged conduct but not “the same violation of the law.” But Moylan said there were aspects of the FPPC’s actions Monday that may help both sides in the criminal case.

On one hand, she said, the FPPC letter asserting Nutting didn’t have a civil conflict of interest in his board vote “could be presented as evidence in a criminal proceeding,” adding: “I think that is going to benefit the defendant.”

But she said the agency’s finding that Nutting had failed to disclose income – and thus should pay a $400 fine – could help the prosecution “because it suggests there was a violation.”

On Monday, Proud said another El Dorado County Superior Court judge, Curt Stracener, will hold a hearing Thursday on a defense proposal to reduce Nutting’s bail.

As prosecutor James Clinchard pushed Proud to set a July 16 trial date for Nutting, Proud declined due to the uncertainty over which judge will ultimately handle the case.

He said Suzanne Kingsbury, the presiding judge of the El Dorado Superior Court, will ultimately have to decide.

Weiner said the Nutting prosecution may have to be heard before a judge from another county.

“It could be that every judge in this county who knows him may recuse themselves,” he said.

Norman Gary Lambert

Updated: June 11 8am:

Norman Gary Lambert was found safe Monday at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.  Police are not releasing any other information.

—-

Police are looking for a 74-year-old South Lake Tahoe man who has not been seen since June 7.

Norman Gary Lambert lives alone in the Spruce Avenue area. He has either dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Lambert is 5-foot-six, 108 pounds, gray hair, brown eyes and has a mustache. He was last seen wearing a gray sweat shirt under a blue jacket, blue jeans and blue backpack.

Anyone with information about Lambert’s whereabouts shoudl call (530) 542.6100.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

South Lake Tahoe sunset. Photo/Toogee Sielsch

Sunsets in the Lake Tahoe Basin have been exceptionally picturesque the last few nights.

This photo was taken by Toogee Sielsch on Trout Creek below Lake Tahoe Community College.

With no thunderstorms in the forecast to bring in interesting clouds, Mother Nature’s artistry may not be on display tonight.

In the last 72 hours, 0.07 inches of rain was recorded at Lake Tahoe Airport

A lake wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service in Reno for Tahoe from 1-8pm today. Wind is in the forecast for Wednesday, too. Temps will be in the low 70s to high 60s in the basin for much of the week.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

South Lake Tahoe’s Lead Safe Tahoe program has partnered with Lake Tahoe Community College to provide training.

The Lead Safe Worker eight-hour training for Renovators, Repair and Painters is being offered at LTCC June 22 from 8am-5pm.

The cost is $50

Up to two workers from each local company may participate.

Additional workshop fees are paid for by the city’s grant funding. Scholarships covering the entire cost of the course are available for full-time city residents who meet HUD low income requirements.

This one-day class explains how to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s RRP rule. Subjects covered include; health effects, regulations, lead safe work practices, containment, cleaning and record keeping. After passing an end-of-class exam, students will receive their RRP certificate.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required and space is limited. Call (530) 542.6011 to register.

By Susan Wood

RENO – The roots of “Why I Farm,” as told by small, third generation farmer Gary Romano, run deep.

It was clear by the recent Meyers-based Bona Fide Books opening party releasing Romano’s historic, semi-political account — subtitled “Risking it all for a Life on the Land” — that there’s a vested interest in the topic. About 40 people showed up at Campo restaurant in Reno on Thursday to hear the author toast, read and answer questions relating to the book. Some knew him. Others didn’t. Still, among the supportive crowd, all have a stark interest in Americans taking responsibility for what they consume and how the industry that supports them stays alive.

Small farmers are a dying breed these days. Yet, there is a segment of people associated with the Slow Food Movement who would love to buy local and fresh. Unfortunately, they do not make up the majority of Americans. Romano is among those rare outspoken farmers who want to do something about that.

Gary Romano’s book delves into the plight of the small farmer. Photo/Daphne Gauged

The Sierra Valley Farms owner joked about how farming is not a lucrative business, but one in which you can receive much reward. Few people can dictate the utter beauty of using a locally grown heirloom tomato “to make that (bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich)” with such passion.

“It doesn’t get any better than that,” he said.

The audience seemed transfixed as Romano read and explained his need to dive into the dirt.

During the question-and-answer session it became obvious the attendees bought into the message.

“What grows best in the Sierra Valley?” one woman asked.

“Greens,” Romano quickly responded.

“The key is to know where your food comes from,” renowned chef and Campo owner Mark Estee told the attentive crowd while holding up the book. Estee, who commercially buys produce from Romano’s individual farmers market in Sierra Valley, reminded those who raised a glass of Prosecco and enjoyed his culinary snacks to make sure they purchase the book.

Consequently, Romano and Bona Fide Books Publisher Kim Wyatt accommodated a line of eager buyers after the talk.

“I’m a local farmer, you’re a local book publisher. Let’s make a book,” she recounted his introduction in finding her as “a kindred spirit.”

“Why I Farm” is the latest release from Meyers-based Bona Fide Books.

“I love his family history,” she added. Wyatt also thrives in publishing local stories, as shown by the release of “Permanent Vacation,” “Tahoe Blues” and “Get Out of My Crotch.”

Romano’s quick read highlights his evolution into farming as an adult in the 1990s, decades after he was introduced to the craft and industry as a child. The book is full of pictures, descriptions and 91 years of memories of his grandfather and father’s fresh flower business that took him from the metropolis of San Francisco to the Sierra Valley north of Truckee. The book is part political in trying to find a solution for the industry and consumers seeking to support it through their food choices. It’s also part nostalgia with a sentimental twist of this close-knit Italian family.

He told Lake Tahoe News the making of the book was sometimes emotional.

“It is because I lost my brother. And with twins, you have this connection. And he knew our (family) history better,” he said of his late brother, Larry.

Wendy Baroli, co-proprietor of Girl Farm, could relate. The fourth generation farmer with Italian roots makes a living at the long-standing family craft with Jill Heaton. Even on the night of the book launch, Baroli brought lettuce for Romano. The two farm operations often barter.

Like Romano, Heaton finds it ironic that the masses tend to worry more about food grown locally at farmers markets rather than the produce of big distribution chains selling at the supermarkets. The American public often leans toward the familiar. Then, there’s the borderline absurd farmers face from the public’s fear of bug infestations to illness outbreaks.

“I think it’s very interesting their top concerns (are) how fresh is it and then the safety of it,” Heaton said, while shaking her head. “I tell people: ‘If there’s something wrong with the food, we’re done’,” she said. Heaton and Baroli have their Northern Nevada household food supply down to a science, only buying coffee, sugar and flour at the traditional grocery store.

Romano also touched on how the self-sufficiency of growing your own food is lost on a younger generation pursuing a better paycheck. So the support of other small farmers into the food web represents a welcome change in our society.

The idea of supporting each other is: “You lift one small farmer up, you lift them all”: – especially as the book points out, the farmer is not the most experienced self-promoter.

The next promotional event highlighting “Why I Farm” is June 12 at Sundance Bookstore and Music in Reno. “Why I Farm” is available through Bona Fide as well as Amazon, but the latter takes more than a 55 percent cut.