Sierra and Northstar-at-Tahoe resorts continued their longstanding commitment to their communities and constituents during the 2009-10 season with charitable contributions in excess of $225,000 to community and environmental programs.

“Part of our role as members of the Tahoe business community and as global citizens is finding ways to give back throughout the season. We look for ways to make meaningful contributions to the organizations that surround and support our guests and employees during the entire year,”  John Rice, general manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe, said in a statement.

Buckle Up Big Air at Sierra 2010

Throughout the winter season, Northstar and Sierra responded to requests for donations from regional schools and nonprofit groups with more than $78,000 in lift tickets and other products. Each resort then also supports local organizations with targeted donations.

The following is a summary of the philanthropic efforts for Sierra:

Barton Memorial Hospital Foundation – Sierra Resort donated $70,000 in lift tickets to Barton Memorial Hospital Foundation during the annual Snowsports Week in February. Barton Foundation then sold the tickets through retail shops in town for a discounted price of $35, raising approximately $30,000 for local organizations benefiting children and wildlife.

Local Sports – On Community Day, April 19, Sierra raised $5,100 from the day’s lift ticket sales. The money was donated to sponsor local sports teams including South Tahoe High School’s baseball, softball, basketball and football teams, as well as the High Sierra Soccer League, to name a few.

Buckle Up Big Air – To honor the memory of Greg Smith, one of Sierra Resort’s freestyle team members and friend to many local skiers and riders, and bring awareness to seatbelt safety, Sierra Resort hosted the 4th Annual memorial slopestyle event, Buckle Up Big Air, raising $2,500. Part of the funds raised went to the Greg Smith scholarship fund for the Sierra Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists families whose children want to be a part of Sierra Resort’s competitive teams. The remaining funds will go to create a memorial terrain feature in Sierra Resort’s terrain parks, where Smith spent many days with his friends.

Local Students – More than 332 complimentary season passes were made available to local students with a “Straight A” report card, a donation valued at more than $33,000.

Ryan Shreve Memorial Fire Fighters Race – In memory of Ryan Shreve, a South Tahoe local and firefighter, Sierra Resort hosts an annual race for South Tahoe firefighters. Proceeds from the annual race are used to produce flyers that educate people about Second Impact Syndrome. The flyers have been placed on all ALS equipment in El Dorado County and the Sierra Resort first aid clinic.

The following is a summary of the philanthropic efforts of Northstar:

Excellence in Education – Northstar  hosted “Ski for Education Day” on Jan. 3 to benefit Excellence in Education, a local education-based foundation that provides grants, resources and partnerships to benefit local schools. The resort donated approximately $25,000 to the nonprofit organization.

Truckee Community Christmas – In an annual tradition, Northstar initiated a contest between employees on the mountain vs. those in the Village at Northstar aimed at which area of the resort could collect the largest contribution on behalf of Truckee Community Christmas. This season, Northstar Resort employees donated canned food that filled a 10-foot x 20-foot truck and more than $1,800 in cash to Truckee Community Christmas, a local project that has helped hundreds of families and seniors at Christmas time with food, toys, gifts, warm coats and food gift cards.

Tahoe Women’s Services Ski Day – Nearly 900 skiers and snowboarders came out to support Tahoe Women’s Services at Northstar. Full-day adult lift tickets were sold at a discounted price of $25, resulting in nearly $22,000 raised for the organization. Tickets were valid April 1 through the end of the winter season on April 18. Tahoe Women’s Services provides delivery of emergency food and shelter, counseling, legal assistance and advocacy to women and families in need.

Truckee Humane Society – Northstar Resort raised $330 to benefit the Truckee Humane Society through the sale of pet “season pass” photos. The resort also hosted a $25 ski day on Feb. 7 that raised an additional $6,500 for the Humane Society. The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is dedicated to saving and improving the lives of pets through adoption, community spay/neuter services and humane education programs.

Skate for Local Students – Northstar raised $500 to benefit programming at Donner Trails Elementary School located on Donner Summit at an ice skating fundraiser at the resort on Dec. 14.

Sierra Avalanche Center – Northstar Resort donated the proceeds of 300 ticket sales priced at $40 each to the Sierra Avalanche Center, a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers who are dedicated to promoting safe backcountry travel. The donation of $12,000 helped to provide funding for the daily avalanche forecast for the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass on the north and Sonora Pass on the south.

Auburn Ski Club – Northstar Resort donated 100 lift tickets to the Auburn Ski Club for the Biathlon Race they held at the Northstar Resort Biathlon Range on March 21.

Girls on the Run – In thanks to the LUNA Chix organization for their assistance with winter clinics, Northstar donated $100 to the local Girls on the Run chapter that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.

For donation criteria or to submit a donation request from either resort, visit www.sierraattahoe.com/donations or www.northstarattahoe.com/donations.

Paul Oakenfold, touted as one of the world’s renowned DJ/producers by various outlets including CNN, Rolling Stone, BPM and Remix, will get the party hopping Memorial Day Weekend at MontBleu casino in Stateline on May 28.

Kenneth Thomas, an Oakenfold prodigy who toured with him during two world tours, and Trevor Simpson are the opening acts.

In 2007 Oakenfold released his Greatest Hits & Remixes through Perfecto/Ultra Records –- a 20-selection strong collection of his seminal recordings. The tracks range from original productions to singles “Starry Eyed Surprise” “Ready Steady Go,” and “Faster Kill Pussycat,” featuring Brittany Murphy.

“Starry Eyed Surprise” reappeared in early 2005 as part of Diet Coke’s ad campaign for their re-launch of the beverage using Splenda.

General admission tickets are $30 plus tax and available by calling MontBleu at 800-BE-LUCKY and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 9pm, and the show starts at 10pm.

Carson Valley Arts Council hosts an evening of performances by youth on May 15 from 7-9pm at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center Purple Cow ArtBar in Minden.

The monthly event at CVAC and organized by Theatre of Arts Discipline (TOAD), invites young people ages 5-18 to perform prepared pieces in whatever genre they choose – from poetry and monologue recitation to singing and dancing.

Kris Garrett, Artistic Director of TOAD, called the event an “open mic night for kids,” at which youth can share and embrace each others talents. It is free to perform and free to be in the audience, with open sign-ups and as many performers included as time allows.

For additional information, visit www.cvartscouncil.com/cvacevents or call (775) 781.0150.

Stevie Nicks, the legendary American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced more than 40 Top 50 hits and has sold nearly 120 million albums, is set to hit the stage for the first time ever at Harveys Outdoor Arena in Lake Tahoe on Aug. 6 at 8pm.

Tickets for the Stateline show go on sale May 22 at 10am.

Stevie Nicks will play Tahoe in August.

The voice and songwriting talent of Nicks, as a solo artist and as a member of Fleetwood Mac, is truly the stuff of legend. Indisputably, one of the most successful female artists in rock history, she is noteworthy for an extraordinary career that includes multiple Grammy awards, numerous Gold and Platinum awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975, Nicks and her band released an eponymous collection of recordings that went straight to No. 1. The follow-up album, Rumours (1977), became a record-setting hit. It spent more than 31 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200; and earned the group a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978. Nicks’ song “Dreams,” inspired by the group’s dissolving relationships, was the band’s first No. 1 single.

In between releasing albums with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks recorded her first solo album in 1981, Bella Donna, which went on to sell over 5 million copies. Stevie continued on at a prodigious rate, recording 1982’s Mirage with Fleetwood Mac and her second solo effort, The Wild Heart, in 1983. Throughout the next decade, she continued to tour and turn out independent records as well as albums with Fleetwood Mac, including the solo effort, The Other Side of the Mirror (1989), Behind the Mask with Fleetwood Mac (1990), and a solo compilation, Timespace (1991).

In 1997, Fleetwood Mac reunited and released The Dance. The related tour earned them $36 million. Nicks also put out a boxed set dubbed Enchanted, and added two songs to the soundtrack for Practical Magic (1998). That same year, Fleetwood Mac was given one of the greatest honors in the world of rock: induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her last solo album of original material, Trouble in Shangri-La, earned her a Grammy nomination and she just performed over 80 dates in 2009 with Fleetwood Mac. Last year she also released an amazing live DVD & CD compilation entitled, Live In Chicago.

Tickets are $49.50, $89.50, $159.50 plus applicable service charges.

Tickets available at all Ticketmaster locations and online at www.apeconcerts.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

By Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal

Catherine Atack is leaving her post as executive director of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival after seven years with the organization.

In an interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal on Friday, she said that she resigned from the festival about three weeks ago, and that her last day is Friday. She is leaving, she said, to take a job with a Los Angeles-based company that serves foster youth in Los Angeles County.

“It’s a terrific opportunity for me to go there and kind of start a new endeavor,” she said. “It’s a personal move for me as well. Obviously, because I’m leaving the area and going to a larger metropolitan market.”

Read the whole story

Showcase your business to hundreds of local residents and meet new customers at the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce’s 24th Annual Business Expo on June 2 from 5-7:30pm at the North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 North Tahoe Blvd., Kings Beach.

Booth fees are waived for restaurants and caterers serving food.

Prizes, raffles and merchandise values will be available at this interactive community event. The expo also offers free admission, along with free parking, for attendees, food and beverages, and is open to both chamber and non-chamber members.

Booths fees are $195 for an inner booth, $245 for a wall booth, $125 for a nonprofit inner booth and $175 for a nonprofit wall booth. Registration fees include electricity, Internet access, parking, 6-foot table, table linen and skirting, and signage.

Deadline to register is May 20. To download a registration form, click to www.NorthLakeTahoeChamber.com, and then Programs and Documents.

For more information about the event, call Kym Fabel, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce manager, at (530) 581.8764 or kym@puretahoenorth.com.

Blood drives at Lake Tahoe Airport are a thing of the past.

The “why” behind the decision to not have them there is not a consistent message, but the outcome is the same.

Some South Lake Tahoe officials are saying with a new restaurant opening this month it won’t be convenient. However, a restaurant has been in the building for years.

Other officials say the Barton Auxiliary blood drives outgrew the space.

Others point to FAA regulations.

The Parks and Recreation Department is now in the mix trying to come up with a solution and location.

Contact Dan Kerr, president of the Barton Auxiliary, at (775) 588.2376 if you can help find a permanent place in case the city doesn’t come through.

By Denise Sloan Smart

When nearly 450 Latino community members showed up at the first Latino Family Health Day in 2009, organizers were excited, amazed and thrilled.

“We knew there was an enormous need for these free medical screenings for this population, all provided in Spanish, but we certainly didn’t expect this large of an enthusiastic turnout,” said Delicia Spees, executive eirector of the Family Resource Center, a nonprofit group dedicated to helping the Latino families in our community. “Needless to say, we were thrilled with the turnout and the eager participation in more than two dozen health screenings for the entire family. We know this year’s event is going to be even better.”

Sylvia Hurtado, right, Barton’s Occupational Health Services assistant, provided vision screening at last year’s Latino Family Health Day. Photo/Provided

The second annual Latino Family Health is May 26 at Bijou Community School from 3-7pm.

More than two dozen free medical screenings and health-related booths will be available, in Spanish for the Latinos, and in English for the entire community. This event will serve as one of Barton’s free health checks, which are offered as a community service to help keep all of locals healthy.

“We’re pleased to open Bijou School for this important health event,” said Karen Tinlin , principal of Bijou Community School. “We’re also impressed that, in this economy with all the nonprofits not receiving the usual support they receive, Barton Health is teaming up with so many other area non-profits to bring these many free health screenings to our community, when we all need them most.”

Barton Health spearheaded the event and is providing nearly a dozen of its departments that are working with the Latino Affairs Commission, Barton Foundation, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center, Family Resource Center, El Dorado Public Health Department, Embassy Suites, physician Jenifer Norris of Alpine Family Practice, Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, South Tahoe Public Utility District and South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club.

Barton gladly issues an invitation to other area non-profit organizations that would like to offer a health-related service at this event to call Sue McLaughlin at (530) 543.5615.

There will be lots of children’s fitness activities and crafts, more than 20 interactive health related booths and medical screenings, barbecue, food and fun for the entire family and plenty of Spanish speaking representatives. Everyone in the community is invited to participate.

Bijou Community School is at 3501 Spruce Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

Denise Sloan Smart is Barton Health’s communications specialist.

By Michael Doyle, Modesto Bee

WASHINGTON — Combat was a good career move for award-winning war poet Brian Turner, though it took a toll.

The native of California’s San Joaquin Valley now has a deep, dark pool of memories from which to draw. He dips down, if he dares, and there they are.

He’s been learning “how to write about the ghosts that live among us, whether we recognize them or not,” Turner said.

Now, the former Army sergeant has a second volume of poems out influenced largely by his service in Iraq with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The collection called “Phantom Noise” follows up on “Here, Bullet.”

Read the whole story

Lori Thomaselli was inspired by Earth Day to do a little something special and to show her daughter what an impact they could have in this new community they moved into over the winter.

Last Sunday, Thomaselli organized more than 20 children within the Tahoe Valley Townhome complex on Tata Drive in South Lake Tahoe to clean up the trash and debris that had been left from the winter months.

South Tahoe residents embrace Earth Day. Photo/Provided

After the two-hour clean up, Thomaselli, along with the Tahoe Valley Townhome management, provided pizza and prizes to the kids for their participation.