Granted, the only skis I ever slap on are the long skinny ones for flat land coasting.  Therefore I am not an expert on the overall conditions on the surrounding Lake Tahoe ski resorts.  I do realize that the fact we are here in January and there is no snow to be seen on the roads, rooftops, tree limbs . . .okay just about anywhere are strong indicators that the current weather conditions are not necessarily typical for this time of year.  And yes, everyday I hear folks (the same ones that were complaining about all of the snow last June and recent October) saying that they can’t remember it EVER being this dry. So, I guess it is safe to assume, especially with all of the dooms-day media blasts, that the winter sport of downhill skiing is non-existent in Lake Tahoe.

NOT SO – once again, that’s the trouble with assuming.  Instead of relying on rumors, one needs to check out the reality for themselves.  And that is exactly what I did.  Okay, not exactly.  I mean I didn’t slap on a set of those trendy curvy metabolic shaped boards and a cute bunny outfit to try out the slopes myself.  BUT, I did talk with folks that were actually on the slopes at Heavenly yesterday and today.  And the reports were, much to my surprise, pretty positive.  Even those coming from some of the Tahoe locals.  Yes, the number of runs are limited – very limited – very, very limited.  Yet from what I am told, there are no lines, no crowds, stunning blue skies, pleasant temperatures and pretty darn good snow (helped a bit by the snow machines.)  Just ask Aaron & Ainsley from Australia (pictured above.)

Undoubtedly (okay, I am assuming here and we know how that goes) the big snow will come.  And when it does, everyone will be singing and dancing and giving praise (for about 2 weeks) and along with the snow, the crowds will return and there will be a party on the mountains.  But for now, from what I am told, there are some pretty blissful experiences awaiting on the downhill runs. In fact, our fellow Pinnacle REALTOR® Ike Marr seems to be talking more Lake Tahoe real estate on the slopes than in the office.  Now that’s what I call “bringing the good life home.” Someone has to do it.  Way to go Ike!

REALTOR® Ike Marr on Top, As Always

Here’s something that should bring a smile to most faces. There may be Olympic Gold in Tahoe’s future—California and Nevada have agreed to make a run at hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics at Lake Tahoe.   The Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition has a memorandum of understanding between California and Nevada leaders to try to convince the U.S. Olympic Committee to back their bid for the Games to be held at Lake Tahoe.  If the U.S. Olympic Committee backs the bid, then the bid goes to the International Olympic Committee. Keep those toes and fingers crossed.

And finally, South Lake Tahoe’s Crime Reduction Program Celebrates One Year!  A program designed to reduce crime in residential complexes at the South Shore celebrated its one-year anniversary.  Since the program’s inception, more than 85 participants have been certified in phase one of the three-step certification process.  The three phases consist of an eight-hour training, a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design inspection and holding a “safety social” supported by law enforcement.

Now get back to those snow dances.  We need it!

The Montgomery Estates Community Watershed Program is intended to better address the needs of communities and environmental agencies, as well as to reform outreach and education to local communities regarding environmental development strategies.  The program focuses on area wide planning, and on community-based conservation strategies, as opposed to parcel-by-parcel planning.  The program is intended to increase water quality, increase road operations, and increase environmental compliance.

State and local agencies will be monitoring the Montgomery Estates Community Watershed Program which encompasses El Dorado County road rights-of-way within Montgomery Estates including the Cold Creek, Golden Bear, Lake Christopher, and Meadow Lakes subdivisions. If the pilot program is successful, local and state agencies may continue approaching environmental programs in Lake Tahoe on a community-wide basis.  Go community teamwork!

This December 4 between 11 am and 4 pm, the community of Markleeville will be bursting with all the lights and decorations of Christmas. If you are looking to kick start the holiday spirit, grab your family and head on out for a day of pure fun. There will be handcrafted gift items, jewelry, pottery, wreaths, pillows, coloring books, and much more, available all over town, in businesses, and perhaps on a porch or two. The following information was provided by our friend, Evelyn Yonker (owner of the Markleeville Art Gallery located at 14841 Highway 89 in Markleeville),  “there will be carolers gathering around the Christmas Tree at the Court House at 1 pm for a performance then they will stroll around town.  Santa and Mrs. Santa will be in the Wolf Creek Restaurant by the fireplace at 11 am waiting to hear all the kids wishes for Christmas. The Wolf Creek Restaurant will have discounted food choices that day. The General Store has tree cutting permits for $10. There will be cobbler prepared by Little Antelope Pack Station in front of Intero Real Estate. The Markleeville Art Gallery will have a new glass ornaments, wool hats, soaps, jewelry as well as a 10% off all the fine art in the gallery for December 4th only. There will be lots of cookies, cocoa and cider available and you might find chestnuts roasting over an open fire. The museum will be open and free for the day. If there is enough snow there will be a snowshoe tour and you can make a snowman in the park. At 2 pm the Library will have story time, cookie decorating and Santa promises to come visit. At the Post Office, Margaret will be stamping your Christmas Cards. The Alpine County Chamber will have free maps of the town and other items for sale and free coffee. The gas station will have bird feeders and yule logs to decorate. You might even see an artist painting our beautiful town.

You can always check the Markleeville Gallery for updated information.  This is the first year for this event and they are hoping to make it a yearly happening in Markleeville.  It is approximately 50 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.  Just follow CA-89 (Luther Pass Rd) and watch for signs to Markleeville/Jackson/CA-88.)

image by Theresa Souers

Folks, grab your cameras and get your “booties” over to Taylor Creek during the next couple of weeks.  The colors are starting to turn, although it doesn’t appear as dramatic as years past.  MORE importantly, the Kokanee Salmon are partaking in their annual spawn in full glory.  As if that isn’t enough, one of our local black bear families are likely to make an appearance while dining on the feast displayed before them.   Be sure to bring kids of all ages and while you are there, check out the informational hike along the Rainbow Trail.  There you will learn about Taylor Creek, the evolution of meadows, walk along the creek to observe the salmon, and visit the stream profile chamber to see the underwater environment of Taylor Creek.  This is one of the many reasons, Fall is our favorite time of the year.  I truly can’t think of anywhere I would rather be.

If you, or someone you know is interested in helping out with this program scheduled for the end of October and beginning of November, please check out the following:

WOW WEEK VOLUNTEER TRAINING ~ Tuesday, October 18th, 3:30 – 5:30pm at the Tahoe RCD.  Contact
Sarah Ford, sford@tahoercd.org, 530-543-1501 ext. 114.

The lake is stocked with about 1,000 lbs of Rainbow Trout weighing 1-4 lbs. each for this event. Close to 100 kids took part in the fishing derby that day and competed for 3 top prizes including savings bonds in the amounts of $100, $50 and $20 for the 3 biggest fish caught. The savings bonds were donated by El Dorado Savings Bank. The South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge also supplied the fishing poles, bait, tackle and a free lunch for each participant (food for the lunches was donated by Lira’s Market). The Moose Lodge also provided a free raffle for the kids with many prizes including new fishing poles.

There were many local sponsors which helped make this event a success including El Dorado Savings, Lira’s Market, Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra, Bill Cherry and Steve Dunn from Tahoe Paradise park, Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s, The Sportsman and Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters.

image by Theresa Souers

It was an emotional and moving ceremony that took place at this year’s Reno Balloon Races. Not only was it the 30th Anniversary but the Sunday event which we attended was on the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attack.  Neither of these two anniversaries were in our minds as my sister, Lynette and I headed off for a girls’ weekend of what we call a “StayCation” (basically staying at home for a vacation. After all, we live in Lake Tahoe which is a vacation destination.)

The last time we visited this event was shockingly, 18 or so years ago.  Boy were we in for a shock when we found ourselves in the midst of a huge traffic and pedestrian pilgrimage at 4″dark thirty” in the morning.  “Where did all these people come from?” In fact, it is reported that over 150,000 attended the three day event held at the San Rafael Park in Reno.  So there we were, hiking through the dark with cameras and tripods in tow looking for a magical spot in which to put our shutters in motion.  Turns out, one couldn’t miss.

Sometime after 5 am (still not quite awake and not sure of the time) the announcer let the massive audience know that the show was about to begin.  And boy howdy, what a show.  The dawn patrol which featured brightly illuminated balloons against a black sky was enhanced with a setting full moon. With the rising of the sun, music filled our ears and balloons were lifting off the ground.  Throughout the morning, the announcer would remind the viewers and vendors to pause for a moment of quiet memory at the corresponding times to the terrorists attacks.  At one point, as “Proud to Be an American” was playing over the sound system, balloons lifting over our heads, the morning sun rays beaming over our shoulders and planes flew overhead in the missing pilot formation, Lynette and turned to look at each other in total bewilderment.  We were both overcome with emotion and literally sobbing.  I can’t explain it but you would have had to have been there.  And let me say, that song has an entirely new meaning for me.  To top it all off, immediately following the planes in their missing pilot formation, the exact formation flew overhead yet this time, performed stunningly by a flock of geese.  That’s when we knew we were in the midst of true magic.  Check it out for yourself.

The Candy Dance generally features approximately 300 exhibitors of arts and crafts as well as scrumptious food ( check out the 3,000 pounds of homemade candy at the Genoa Town Hall.) from vendors across the United States.  No matter what you are seeking, you can plan on finding it there.  Plants, quilts, clothing, Christmas decorations, (oh heck, let your imagination fly.)  This year’s theme is “Proud to Say Made in the USA.  Qualifications for entry into the faire include the vendors verifying that a minimum of 75% of the product must be made here in the states.  Proceeds from the faire are used to fund town services which include roads, drainage and recreation projects.

Jaime Hits the Trail

Owning a home in Lake Tahoe means you own property in one of the most naturally beautiful areas of the country, often referred to as a “national treasure” by the Associated Press.  With mountain views, forest views, and lake views, and with access to almost any kind of sport you can think of, it makes sense why people want to live in the Lake Tahoe Area.  Owning a home in Lake Tahoe also means belonging to a caring, engaged community, committed to making sure the Lake Tahoe Area remains beautiful.

The Lake Tahoe Area has several programs in place that help to preserve this pristine landscape.  The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), a government agency collaborative, is charged with protecting Lake Tahoe for the benefit of current and future generations. The TRPA’s vision is for a Lake Tahoe environment that is “sustainable, healthy and safe for the community and future generations.”  In line with its vision, the TRPA has introduced Best Management Practices, which are methods to help developed properties function more like natural, undisturbed forest or meadowland.  Best Management Practices for residential properties usually fall into four categories: vegetating and mulching undisturbed soils; infiltrating stormwater runoff from surfaces; paving dirt driveways and roads; and stabilizing or retaining steep slopes and loose soils.  Best Management Practices help ensure properties in the Lake Tahoe Area remain naturally beautiful for generations to come.

The Lake Tahoe community has implemented other measures to help maintain the naturally beautiful environment in the area as well.  Lake Tahoe Area residents have helped keep the Tahoe Area beautiful by participating in forest restoration projects.  The Sugar Pine Foundation recently carried out two forest planting days, with the help of the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe, the Rose Foundation, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of South Lake, and the Soroptimist Club of South Lake.  The forest planting days centered on volunteers planting more than 2,500 sugar pine seedlings and saplings in needed forest restoration areas.

Furthermore, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery offers a Tire-Derived Grant Program to promote markets for recycled-content products derived from waste tires generated in California and decrease the adverse environmental impacts created by unlawful disposal and stockpiling of waste tires.   The Lake Tahoe Unified School District applied for up to $91,434 for a new synthetic field at Viking Stadium in South Lake Tahoe.  The new field will save over 500,000 gallons of water annually and utilize more than 24,000 recycled tires.

It is very easy to see why one would want to buy property in the Lake Tahoe Area.  The Lake Tahoe Area boasts naturally beautiful properties as well as many ways to enjoy the environment, from taking in views to skiing or hiking; Lake Tahoe is a great place to call home.