Sierra Sun

LAKE TAHOE - After two days of respite, a weaker winter storm is predicted to arrive Thursday, with another major one on its heels for the weekend. "It looks like whatever we get on Thursday will be a small event - a few inches of snow. The stronger storm will come closer to the weekend," said Mark Deutschendorf, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno. But the weekend storm ... Full Story »

I remember Dec. 7, 1941. I was 4 years old, lived on a hill above Puget Sound in Western Washington. My brother Kit was 7 months old, napping in his crib, when my Mom let out a shriek, and began rushing around the house, covering the windows with blankets, and wailing, "The Japanese have bombed Pearl harbor in Hawaii!" I remember her calling outside to the carpenter who was doing some work on ... Full Story »

Editor's Note: This is part 2 in a series of editorials about the lessons learned from the economic recession. Picture a thriving economy. What most everyone imagines are a blend of traditional, mom-and-pop businesses and a big-box or two boosted by an economic advantage - a region's geography or resources, or a combination of the two. Those economic advantages set up a town's tax base to avoid ... Full Story »

Sunday's storm moved in a bit early and caught a lot of people, including myself, off guard. I met my nephew in Dutch Flat on Sunday morning to conduct a little family business, and when I got back on the road to come home at 10:45 a.m., it was too late. It has been several years since I have been stuck on the freeway, but Sunday reminded me of some of the fun and frustration that can occur ... Full Story »

Before getting to the advice for students, have you seen David Letterman's nightly bit about things more fun to do than reading Sarah Palin's book? His writers come up with some pretty gross stuff that can make you cringe. It's amazing what you can get away with on late night TV. Sometimes it's even funny. Letterman also does a bit every night called the top 10 reasons. I needed a quick and easy ... Full Story »

Submit your holiday pictures Show off your holiday spirit by uploading your photos from events this season at www.sierrasun.com/holidayevents. Some photos will be published in the print edition of the Sierra Sun. Please include event information, and have a great holiday season this year! Project MANA Holiday Cooking Demo fundraiser Tahoe Mountain Club is proud to host ... Full Story »

To our health Do you have a Health & Wellness item for publication? Send it to Amy Edgett, Community Editor, at aedgett@sierrasun.com, subject Health Release. Deadline for Wednesday publication is the Friday previous at noon. Articles printed news space permitting. Community acupuncture and chiropractic Get an acupuncture or chiropractic treatment to reduce your stress ... Full Story »

TAHOE/TRUCKEE - Starting Dec. 17, Truckee and North Lake Tahoe residents and visitors will have a range of ski resort and night shuttle options for getting around the mountains. Both the North Lake Tahoe night shuttles, which start at 6:30 p.m., and ski resort shuttles to Northstar, Squaw Valley, Homewood, Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Sugar Bowl, Boreal, Soda Springs and Donner Ski Ranch will ... Full Story »

Winter is a time of lowered energy where nature is at rest. As part of nature our energy, as well, is at a lower level. If we were living our lives in harmony with nature and the season, we would be sleeping more and working at a lower rate. Obviously that is not generally the case as we maintain our usual busy routines. We function by the digital clock rather than nature's clock. We are also a ... Full Story »

TRUCKEE - The Wolverines beat 4A Damonte Ranch 39-38 in their first home game this past Thursday. Truckee head coach Angelo Tenorio said he was proud of his team's performance in the nonleague win, which improved Truckee's record to 1-1 on the season. "The girls played well as a team; all the girls worked hard and it was a total team effort," Tenorio said. Junior Megan Shalvis led the Wolverines ... Full Story »

The Wolverines went 2-1 and finished runner-up to Incline in the season-opening Quincy Tipoff Tournament this past weekend. After taking down Loyalton 71-43 on Thursday, Truckee defeated North Tahoe 81-62 before facing off against Incline in the championship game Saturday. The Highlanders came out on top, 76-64, to earn the championship. Senior Matt Mehan led the Wolverines with 23 points, while ... Full Story »

LAKE TAHOE - Light, fluffy snow may be great for those on the slopes, but hydrologists look for wetter, denser white stuff when it comes to raising Lake Tahoe's level. "When you get out into this powder that sinks up to your waist when you step in it, that's great," said Dan Greenlee, Water Supply Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. "It's really the wet sloppy Sierra ... Full Story »

Regular readers of this column know the library has not escaped the budget woes associated with our flailing economy. A major portion of our yearly budget is based upon an 1/8 of a cent sales tax levied in Nevada County. When spending goes down in the community, as it has steadily over the last two years of this protracted recession, our spending at the library is also curtailed. During these ... Full Story »

TRUCKEE, Calif. - After months of debate, the school district's English Learner Program is ready to be unveiled. The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Board of Trustees will review and possibly adopt the revised program - which includes an updated EL waiver policy - at its Wednesday meeting. The EL waiver update requires potential EL students to try English-speaking courses before they are ... Full Story »

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - While reports of a massive black bear's expensive prowl and the apparent shooting of another smaller bear have made recent headlines, the 2009 bear season at Lake Tahoe has been uneventful, officials said. "It's been pretty slow, both because of the climactic conditions and because we simply haven't been responding to every call," said Nevada Department of Wildlife ... Full Story »

TAHOE/TRUCKEE - A thick frosting of white sparkling snow. The community a-buzz with excitement and energy. Cars lined up for miles at chain controls on the Interstate, sliding this way and that. It's a magical time of year. "This is such a great way to start the season," said Dave Wilderotter, owner of Tahoe Dave's Skis and Boards in Truckee, Tahoe City and Kings Beach. "It's why we all live ... Full Story »

The weather is becoming more unpredictable and fierce. Preparation for power outages is important and necessary. Care Flight recommends the following safety precautions: Plan ahead Purchase needed items for your home, office and car including: Food, flashlights, batteries, AM/FM battery powered radio, rechargeable power failure lights, wind up or battery alarm clock, and light sticks. Have a 72 ... Full Story »

TAHOE CITY - The annual SnowFest! Queen Contest has long been a favorite fundraiser and an important part of SnowFest!, the famed winter carnival. SnowFest! is inviting all local non-profit organizations to take part in this popular fundraiser, which is slated to start before the Christmas Holidays. Any local nonprofit can sponsor a Queen Candidate. In order to qualify, the organization must ... Full Story »

TRUCKEE, Calif. - Many community resource nonprofits have seen a double-whammy over the last few years - increasing demand for services and decreasing funds from the government and donors. In some cases, that's meant having to shrink services, but for the Family Resource Center of Truckee, the board and staff have actually tried to increase the list of helping options for families in need. The ... Full Story »

DOLLAR HILL - The host Lakers went 2-1 and earned third place in the inaugural Tahoe Invitational Tipoff Tournament this past weekend. "I thought it was a very successful tournament," said Lakers head coach Scott Conn. "Every single coach, on their evaluation form, said it was the best tournament they'd ever been to ... It went off without a hitch." The season-opening tournament included eight ... Full Story »

Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam SnowBomb and Squaw Valley USA will team up to host the Third Annual Coogan Kelly Memorial Rail Jam on Friday, Dec. 11. SnowBomb will donate all competitor registration fees to the Coogan Kelly Memorial Foundation. The rail jam is open to riders of all ages and talents and consists of both men's and women's ski and snowboard divisions. Registration is from 11 a.m ... Full Story »

LAKE LOUISE, Alberta - Talk about a comfort zone. Free of Friday's flurries, the field still was no match for Lindsey Vonn on Saturday, when the American great coolly captured her fifth consecutive Audi FIS World Cup downhill victory - and second in two days - at Lake Louise. "It's quite exciting for me," said Vonn, who posted a winning time of 1:50.06. "I did win two events in a row a few years ... Full Story »

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. - Saturday brought out a big crowd for the World Cup downhill - it seemed everyone wanted to see the gladiators suit up and charge down the Birds of Prey course, risking life and limb in the spirit of a friendly competition. The downhill is the one event that truly pits man against mountain. Sure, there are competitors to beat for medal to be handed out, but you have to beat ... Full Story »

TAHOE CITY, Calif. - As many as 50 state workers will be hired on a temporary basis this winter to ensure prompt snow removal takes place on major roadways leading to and from the Truckee/Tahoe region. Steve Teshara, chair of the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association Board of Directors, announced at last week's board meeting that Caltrans will gather additional workers from ... Full Story »

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. - A proposal for a new visitors and conference bureau will be presented to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. The board meets at 9 a.m. at the Rood Center at 950 Maidu Ave. in Nevada City off Highway 49. A special committee has been working on the proposal for nine months. The plan members have drafted calls for the creation of a nonprofit that would work for ... Full Story »