The North Lake Tahoe Ironman is in need of 3,500 volunteers to help during a five-day period.
While the race is Sept. 20, volunteers are needed Sept. 16-21.
The triathlon begins with a 2.4-mile swim at Kings Beach, then a 112-mile bike ride over Brockway Summit to Squaw Valley, and ending with a marathon that loops through Lake Tahoe and returns to Squaw Valley.
Go online to volunteer.
By Julie Dugdale, Outside
The disheartening rate of glacial retreat in the face of climate change isn’t a new concern for scientists and outdoor enthusiasts. But ski behemoth Whistler Blackcomb has a particularly vested interest.
As one of two North American resorts to offer summer skiing and snowboarding on a glacier, the revered ski area—specifically, Blackcomb Mountain’s Horstman Glacier—has become a summer training destination for ski and snowboard teams from around the globe.
The problem: A couple of sparse snowfall years combined with rising summer temperatures have caused the glacier’s mass balance to dwindle, which puts the resort’s summer season—and the revenue it generates—at risk.
The proposed solution: snowmaking. The idea is to stabilize the glacier’s movement enough to support resort operations and, ideally, to reverse the recession—eventually.
John Smoltz, who spent the bulk of his Hall of Fame career pitching for the Atlanta Braves, signs a golf bag that will be auctioned off for charity. Photo Copyright 2015 Carolyn E. Wright
Charities are a big part of the annual American Century Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.
Each year a number of local charities benefit from the event, with checks given when all the fun is over.
This is the second year Vessel Bags will provide personalized custom golf bags for each of the 92 participating celebrities. They will then be auctioned via social media.
All proceeds will benefit the Stowers Institute for medical research, named in honor of James Stowers, founder of American Century Investments. Last year’s auction raised more than $60,000. Public bidding on all celebrity golf bags is online.
Shane Battier, who won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat, is raising money for his charity while playing at the ACC. Photo Copyright 2015 Carolyn E. Wright
Shane Battier, retired NBA player, has set up a fundraiser called Take Charge Save Par. Supporters of the Battier Take Charge Foundation may pledge any amount for each par Battier makes during the three-day tournament. For more information, go online.
The tournament at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline is Friday-Sunday.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Mark Mulder watches son Dax, as his other children Xander, 7, and Tatym, 5, look on. Photo/Carolyn E. Wright/Copyright
By Kathryn Reed
STATELINE – The next generation of celebrity golfers was on the links at Edgewood Tahoe on Wednesday.
Mark Mulder – a two-time All Star pitcher with the Oakland A’s and current ESPN analyst, made July 15’s practice round a family event. After the adults took their turn on the 17th hole it was time for 7-year-old Xander to tee off. Following him was little brother Dax. The 3-year-old took two tries with his pint-sized club before he whacked it straight down the fairway.
Former Kansas City Chief’s head coach Herm Edwards, left, gets advice from Edgewood Tahoe pro Ron Blum. Photo/Carolyn E. Wright/Copyright
The annual American Century Championship is a mix of frivolity and serious golf. Some of the 92 celebrities are there to have fun, while others are competing for a chunk of the $600,000 purse. The three-day tournament starts Friday.
Musician and sometimes actor Justin Timberlake, who is playing in the event for the first time, drew a sizeable crowd Wednesday that was several people deep. At the driving range he was getting advice from Jack Wagoner.
Tennis player James Blake is back playing the sport that made him famous, at least in exhibition matches. Photo/Carolyn E. Wright/Copyright
Wagoner, a two-winner of this event, was looking sharp.
The sports book at Harrah’s-Harveys has four-time champion Billy Joe Tolliver at 7:2 odds to beat defending champ Mark Rypien. Rypien is at 5:1 to win it, Timerlake is 40:1. In the cellar is Charles Barkley with 5,000:1 odds to win the 26th annual tournament. Barkley is a crowd favorite. He likes this event so much he postponed hip surgery so he could play here.
Ex-49er QB Steve Young signs autographs; including the jersey of Mason Saso, right. Photo/Carolyn E. Wright/Copyright
The fans, well, they appreciate the antics – especially on hole 17 – as well as the competition. Mostly they come to see Hollywood stars and athletes in person, with many seeking autographs and photos.
Twelve-year-old Mason Saso of Colusa was wearing a Steve Young jersey that looked more like a night shirt. And while he is clearly too young to have seen the former 49er quarterback in action, most of his family are fans of the team so that’s how he got hooked.
Justin Timberlake is destined to be this year’s gallery favorite. Photo/Carolyn E. Wright/Copyright
“He’s a great football player,” the youth said of Young. “He played for my favorite team.” That alone was reason enough for him get the QB to sign the back of his jersey with big No. 8 on it.
This is the third year Sharon Cornelius of South Carolina has headed west for the tournament.
“I just love the camaraderie. Everyone is so nice,” she said as she waited for players to come by.
Cornelius is on a quest over the next few days to get several photos of her with the celebrities. She won’t be alone.
Lake Tahoe Water Trail maps are good for all types of human powered vessels.
Photo/©Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is a 72-mile water route along the shoreline segmented into seven day trips, including more than 50 public launch and landing sites or “trailheads,” paddle route itineraries, and navigation tools to help paddlers have a safe and fun adventure.
Waterfront attractions, historic sites, bird watching sanctuaries, picnics on the beach and lakeside restaurants are along the trail.
Water trail maps include paddle routes to match ability levels, paddle shops, water safety and aquatic invasive species prevention tips.
Seven Day Trip Maps include details about parking, on-site facilities and amenities, as well as public beach access to nearby hiking trails, restaurants, shopping, historic sites, lodging and campgrounds. The Day Trip Maps are free to download from the Water Trail website.
The waterproof and tear resistant four-color map includes underwater and land topography, latitude/longitude coordinates, GPS waypoints, and a detailed listing of shoreline services and points of interest for Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake to help boaters navigate our water world. The Map & Guide can be ordered online or found at Lake Tahoe locations and paddle shops listed on the Water Trail website.
The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will resume work this week at Angora Creek near South Lake Tahoe.
Crews will construct 700 feet of stream channel to replace the existing Angora Creek channel, which was rerouted and straightened in the early 1900s to accommodate livestock grazing. Seneca Pond, constructed in 1964 when the area was under private ownership, will be returned to a wetland. The project is designed to minimize stream erosion, improve native bird, fish and amphibian habitat and enhance stream bank vegetation, such as willow, alder, sedge grasses and wildflowers.
The Forest Service will use heavy equipment to reshape the pond into a meadow and dig the new channel. For safety, the public should stay away from heavy equipment working in the area.
Work is expected to be complete by the beginning of September.
For more information, contact Craig Oehrli or Stephanie Heller at 530.543.2600.
By J.D. Morris, Las Vegas Sun
Change is coming to Nevada sports books.
At the state level, lawmakers recently approved a bill that allows groups of people to place wagers as a single entity.
Meanwhile, the industry is preparing for an even bigger transformation at the national level: the spread of legal sports betting throughout the country.
Senate Bill 443, passed by the Legislature this spring and signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval in June, permits business entities to place wagers at sports books. The idea is business partners can come together and marshal their resources to place bets for the benefit of the group.
The sixth annual SiriusXM Celebrity Fantasy Football Draft will be at Hard Rock Lake Tahoe on July 15.
The event features a variety of celebrities and SiriusXM personalities together on stage to draft their fantasy football teams for the 2015 season. Participating in this year’s draft will include NBC and Pro Football Focus analyst Cris Collinsworth; actor Dennis Haysbert; actor/comedian Rob Riggle; former U.S. Soccer star Brandi Chastain; Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus; actor John O’Hurley; NASCAR driver Ty Dillon; and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio hosts John Hansen, Pilar Lastra and Lisa Ann.
The event will begin at 1pm and will take place in front of a live audience at the Hard Rock.
SiriusXM hosts Bruce Murray and pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton will emcee the event, which will air live nationwide on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
The UCCE Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe will host the Tahoe in Bloom Garden Tour on July 25 from 9am-2pm.
Six gardens will be featured, each with its own theme. Effective use of native plants, having a garden using less water, attracting wildlife and pollinators to the garden, and how to remove lawn area and still achieve an enjoyable landscape are just a few of the examples people will see on this tour.
Tickets are $20. They are available at Nel’s Garden Center, Aspen Hollow Garden Center, Tahoe Outdoor Living, and Sun Basin Nursery. Tickets are limited.
In the past, this event was sponsored by the Lake Tahoe Historical Society.
For more information about Master Gardener events and other gardening information, call 530.621.5528.
The fourth year of drought has finally caught up to Donner Lake.
This body of water that is fed by snowmelt is nearly 3 feet below average for this time of year. There is no way it will reach its maximum capacity. This hasn’t happened in 20 years.
The lake is at 5,932.57 feet; where as the high water level is 5,935.8 feet.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report