If conditions are favorable, the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations on April 10. 

Operations may take place near Tahoe City, Glenbrook, Round Hill, Lower Kingsbury Grade, South Lake Tahoe, and Meyers. Weather permitting, operations may continue over the next several weeks. 

To receive prescribed fire notifications, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.   

Each prescribed fire operation follows a prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke.

Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size and environmental conditions.

By Tony Berendsen

The total solar eclipse of 2017 is coming to the United States on Aug. 21. Now is the time to start planning your eclipse experience.

There are only 4½ months left before eclipse time and the Lake Tahoe area will only see a partial, so to experience totality you will have to travel north. You will not be alone because millions of people excited to see this spectacle will flock to see it with you.

Plan your trip carefully. With so many people traveling to the eclipse path, I recommend arriving a day or two early, otherwise you might get stuck in traffic and miss the event. Also, camping sites, motels, and hotels will be sold out, so don’t wait too late to decide on your location.

Image showing the phases of the eclipse. Photo/Rick Fienberg

Of course wherever you live in the States you will be treated to at least a partial eclipse on the 21st, so one option is to stay home. Partial eclipses are fun to view and there is a good chance the weather will be clear in our area at 9am when the moon begins its path across the sun. From Lake Tahoe the moon will cover most of the sun, but it will not be safe to look at without eye protection. I highly recommend that you purchase eye protection now before the supplies run out.

Decide how you are going to view the eclipse, and remember you don’t need eye protection to see the total eclipse phase, but you cannot look directly at the sun during any of the partial phases without proper eye protection. Viewing can be as simple as building a pinhole camera (trees with leaves are natural pin hole cameras, just look at the ground during a partial eclipse and see hundreds of eclipse images) or as complex as taking images with a camera.

Whether you are planning to view a partial or total eclipse Celestron has put together some affordable solar viewing packages as part of the Eclipsmart product line. Two of my favorites are 2X power glasses, and the Deluxe 3-piece Sun observing kit, which includes wrap around viewing glasses, observing guide, and a solar filter that can be used with a DSLR or cell phone camera. 

For those of you interested using a solar telescope, and don’t have one, Celestron’s Eclipsmart Travel Scope 50 is a great option  ,and if you already have a telescope and need a solar filter I recommend Thousand Oaks Optical.

If you are planning to go to the path of totality, I highly recommend taking an image as a remembrance of the event. Totality will only last about two minutes for this one, so it will go by fast. That being said, you don’t want to spend all of your time looking through the camera lens because you will be missing one of the most amazing personal experiences of your lifetime. Plan and rehearse your image ahead of time so you can maximize your personal viewing time and still get an image to take home. You will need a solar filter for your camera for the partial phases of the eclipse.

There is a lot of information available on imaging an eclipse, so I suggest spending some time learning about the different phases of the eclipse, what to look for and when, also how to prepare your camera to take the image of a lifetime. The American Astronomical Society is a great place to start doing research and has some great tips on imaging .

I hope all of you can get a chance to see the total solar eclipse in August. It’s a great opportunity, since this one is in our own back yard. I guarantee you will not regret doing some homework and plan, plan, plan … totality is coming.

Tony Berendsen runs Tahoe Star Tours. He may be reached at 775.232.0844 or tony@tahoestartours.com.

Zephyr Cove Tennis Club will be offering tennis lessons at the end of the school year and in the summer for ages 4-12.

To get youngsters back in the groove after the winter, a free clinic will be offered June 3 from 11am-1pm. This will be a refresher for those who have played before and an introduction to the sport for newcomers.

Space is limited and preregistration is required by calling Kahle Community Center at 775.586.7271 or Douglas County Community Services at 775.782.9828. If weather cancels the June 3 lesson, it will be rescheduled for June 4 at the same time.

Brooklyn Laramore practices her forehand at Zephyr Cove Tennis Club. Photo/ZCTC

For those looking to build upon their skills, three sessions will be available in June and July:

·       Session 1: June 6-8 and June 13-15:

4- to 7-year-olds from 3:15- 3:45pm

8- to 12-year-olds from 4-5pm

·       Session 2: June 20-22 and June 27-29

4- to 7-year-olds from 3:15-3:45pm

8- to 12-year-olds from 4-5pm

·       Session 3:  July 11-13 and July 18-20

4- to 7-year-olds from 1-1:30pm

8- to 12-year-olds from 2-3 pm.

The six-day sessions for 4- to 7-year-olds are $35 each; 8- to 12-year-olds are $75. To sign up for and pay for these lessons, go online: http://www.zctennis.com/schedule/kids-clinics. Space is limited.

For all of the clinics – free and paid – a limited number of rackets will be available. It is important to come dressed ready to play, which means athletic wear and non-marking shoes. Be sure to bring water and wear sunscreen. Arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

By Megan Harrod, USSA

Not only does Squaw Valley’s Marco Sullivan have the most inviting smile and demeanor on and off the mountain, he’s a four-time Olympian who has stood on top of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup podium in Chamonix, France.

He also holds the record among American downhillers for the most downhill World Cup starts, with 105—Bode Miller (Franconia, N.H.) has 104—locked in during the Kvitfjell, Norway World Cup in 2016 and he is the mastermind behind the American downhiller concept. He also might have the biggest and most dedicated official fan club there is. Because he’s just that darn likable. Seriously. He has a heart so big and a spirit so warm he could melt the snow off the mountain.

Like many other hard-charging U.S. Ski Team athletes, Sullivan grew up in Squaw Valley, crushing Lake Tahoe and skiing for the Squaw Valley Ski Team. In fact, one of his earliest memories was crushing it down a snow-covered gravel hill in his backyard at the age of 3. That’s where his passion for the mountain all started, and it carried him through a 15-year career with the U.S. Ski Team.

Marco Sullivan celebrates with teammates and fiance Anna Goodman following the final run of his career at U.S. Alpine Championships in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2016. Photo/USSA

While he was on the team, Sullivan created his personal website, americandownhiller.com. Little did he know that website would grow into something much bigger than himself, including a series of webisodes created by Ski Racing and POC, a line of clothing and accessories by POC, a Spyder speed suit for the American downhiller men, and now, a business—with the introduction of the American Downhiller Speed Skills Camp at Mammoth Mountain this spring. 

The American Downhiller crew’s mission? To empower young ski racers to approach their career with champion-grade passion, genuine curiosity and formidable tenacity. Sullivan and teammates came together in this endeavor in an effort to pay it forward to the next generation of American Downhillers.

“My ex-teammates and I have spent the majority of our adult lives learning how to ski fast and practicing those skills over and over,” said Sullivan. “We are part of a small group who have lived that journey and we feel the need to pass along what we have learned to the next generation of kids who want to represent their country as downhill ski racers.”

Those “ex-teammates” Sullivan speaks of? None other than the legendary Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl), Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah), Alice McKennis (New Castle, Colo.), Leanne Smith (North Conway, N.H.), Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley) and former U.S. Ski Team World Cup downhill coaches Johnno McBride and Chris Brigham. Talk about an all-star staff.

Their vision for the camp stems from the fact that competing at the World Cup level is extremely difficult, and lessons learned by athletes and staff en route to becoming the best in the world are invaluable. As Sullivan noted, “The whole American Downhiller crew is very enthusiastic about passing those lessons on to the next generation of racers. Ultimately, I want American Downhiller to be the link between current World Cup racers and the kids who are chasing that dream of becoming the best.” 

Sullivan is looking forward to creating that bridge and staying connected to the sport that has helped him grow into the special soul he is. After one year of retirement, Sullivan has reflected on just how special it is to live the life athletes experience, traveling the world and seeing places most would only dream of. What does he miss most about traveling the “white circus”?

“It was always cool rolling into town and being part of the show,” Sullivan reflected. “Nice hotels, all the best amenities, racers on the World Cup are definitely spoiled and that was always fun. I skied a ton this winter, mostly with powder skis and mostly when nobody was watching so that was fulfilling in a different kind of way.”

Indeed it was a good year in California, with record snowfall and a ton of opportunity to get some good skiing in with former Alpine Canada World Cup athlete Anna Goodman—also his future wife.

Sullivan ended his career with the U.S. Ski Team in style, donning lederhosen and that signature Marco Sullivan grin in Sun Valley in 2016. Plus, you can also find him as a NASTAR pacesetter – inspiring kids to ski as fast as he can. We asked Sullivan our three questions on what he believes makes a champion.

U.S. Ski Team: In your words, what makes a champion?

Marco Sullivan: A champion to me is someone who fulfills their dream. We all have something that we want, but to go after that and make it a reality takes courage, confidence and hard work. Champions have the ability to find their own path, amid all of life’s distractions, and achieve their dreams.

U.S. Ski Team: Do you remember the first time you felt like a champion?

MS: At the 2002 Olympics, after a great result in the downhill, I was standing in the finish area with my parents, family and friends. We were all so happy, and I understood then that it was not about me, it was about the moment and the journey that everybody had taken to get there. Champions have the ability to make everybody around them a better person and that moment inspired me through the rest of my career.

U.S. Ski Team: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for U.S. Ski Team athletes who want to be sitting where you are today?

MS: Set your goals high and surround yourself with people who will inspire you and help you along your path. Whatever you truly want in your heart you can achieve it. Don’t get distracted, but also don’t take yourself too seriously, and have a lot of fun along the way.

The women cyclists will be in Lake Tahoe May 11-12 for the Amgen race. Photo Copyright 2016 Carolyn E. Wright

By Kathryn Reed

With the Tour of California a little more than a month away, the cyclists are expected to be in town later this month to start training.

This will be the third consecutive year the women will race in Tahoe, with Heavenly Mountain Resort being the start and finish line again.

Carol Chaplin, executive director of Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, gave a brief update about the event to the City Council on Tuesday. She went over the tremendous international exposure this elite bike race brings to the region via the media.

She said Day 2’s route that goes from Heavenly, over Luther Pass, has two laps around Diamond Valley, goes up Kingsbury Grade, to Pioneer Trail and then up Ski Run Boulevard will be the most difficult leg for any Amgen race – women or men.

Day 1 will be replay of the past couple years, with the women riding clockwise around the lake.

Councilwoman Brooke Laine asked about the condition of roads and safety. Chaplin said race organizers do defer road conditions to the host entities – so LTVA is working hard with Caltrans and NDOT to ensure roads are ready for the riders. This includes the condition and being able to get around construction that might be in progress.

With that said, Chaplin added, “In Europe they often race on cobblestones.”

Kristin Armstrong, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and the 2016 second place finisher of the Tour of California, has retired. She will be in town as an ambassador, giving a talk at Sierra House Elementary School and possibly South Tahoe Middle School.

By Case Keefer, Las Vegas Sun

With the NFL and NHL on the way, many have wondered whether Major League Baseball would be the next major professional sports league to bring a team to Las Vegas.

It’s not blind speculation, either. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred gave the possibility credence during a spring training press conference in Phoenix. For now, legalized gambling is the only game in town when it comes to Major League Baseball — and it’s booming.

The state’s casinos have set a record for total amount wagered on baseball three years in a row. That’s partly because of the popularity and preponderance of preseason proposition wagering, with hundreds of options available at sports books.

Read the whole story

Lake Tahoe Grizzlies – Pee Wee A Team: (l-r, first row kneeling and sitting) – Drew Gunderson, Will Posey, Tadi Wright, Charlotte Sonntag, Blaise Broadhurst, and Brennan Monroe; (op row, l-r) Head Coach Mike Gunderson, David Salcido, Assistant Coach Jeff Posey, Carson Oleson, Hayden Cannon, Health Fellows, Assistant Coach Dave Monroe, Jacob Pratt, Patrick Webster, Assistant Coach Jake Pratt, Lauren Romsos, and Assistant Coach Shane Romsos.

The Lake Tahoe Grizzlies Pee Wee A and Bantam B hockey teams won their respective divisions at the state tournament last weekend at Sharks Ice in San Jose.

The wins represent the first time in California state championship history where two teams from one hockey club took home the gold in the same year.

Mike Gunderson, head coach of the Grizzlies Pee Wee A Team, said, “These kids worked their tails off all year long and it really paid off for them. It’s easy to lose focus over such a long season, especially with the ski season we just had, but they never lost sight of their goals. You’d be hard pressed to find a more diverse group of personalities anywhere but they bonded and pulled it together when it mattered most. I am super proud of each one of them and their families should be too.”

Assistant Coach, Shane Romsos, remarked, “These young men and women deserved this after leading the regular season standings in the Northern California. I can’t wait to raise the banner at our home rink!”

Lake Tahoe Grizzlies – Bantam B Team (l-r, front row) Goalies Tammer Bohatch and Devon Cole; (second row) Andrey Shemyakin, Adin Burns, Quinn Proctor; (third row) Head Coach Ken Wood, Diego Honda, Pablo Honda, Noah Sorrenson, Petey Sullivan, Nate Cimino, Mason Croskery, Wallace Sonntag, Ty Gunderson, Assistant Coach Gary Gramprie.

The Pee Wees regular season standings were 10 wins, two losses and three ties.

The Bantam Team had a dominating regular season as well going 11-2-1.

Their performance at the state tournament was similarly amazing, going undefeated for the tournament. Bantam Head Coach Ken Wood said the team played as a team, everyone contributed, and that makes a huge difference in this sport, especially considering that nearly half of the players commuted from Mammoth and Bishop to participate this season. 

Assistant Coach Gary Gramprie noted the team’s statistics as a reason for success: “Our team’s power play broke other team’s backs, scoring about 80 percent of the time during the regular season, and 100 percent in the state championships.”

He also recognized that the team only had 11 players this season – “all contributed in different ways.”

South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena operator, Van Oleson said, “The success of both teams will further help to put Lake Tahoe on the hockey map.”

Pee Wee A is a division of youth hockey that includes youngsters aged 11 and 12. Bantams are ages 13 and 14.

— Provided to Lake Tahoe News

Mild, spring-like weather is expected in the Lake Tahoe Basin for the start of the week. Winter, though, is in the forecast.

By the weekend it’s possible snow will be falling. If not the white stuff, then rain will be coming. Expect both.

The National Weather Service in Reno is forecasting a high of 60 in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday and by Sunday it will 38.

Plan on the wind being a factor in this system as well.

Overnight lows are going to be near or below freezing for the week.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

By Jim Krajewski, Reno Gazette-Journal

After much discussion, nothing changed.

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s board of control had been scheduled to vote on a proposed new 5A/4A classification at Thursday’s meeting at the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno.

But it was decided that more information is needed and the proposal will be brought back at the June meeting. If the board members do not vote on the issue then, it would be brought back at the September meeting.

Read the whole story

Weather and conditions permitting, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations beginning April 3. 

Operations may take place near Tahoe City, Glenbrook, Round Hill, Kingsbury Grade, and Meyers.  Operations may continue over the next several weeks, as conditions allow. 

To receive prescribed fire notifications, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us. 

Each prescribed fire operation follows a prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke. This information is used to decide when and where to burn.