The Internet — and a Funeral For a Friend.

This weekend I had the opportunity to participate in the funeral of a friend. This was not a normal funeral nor was it a normal friend. Let me explain.

About 4 years ago I became involved in social media through Twitter. On Twitter one of the first persons I met was a blustery, humorous and seemingly likable guy named Clint Miller. His hashtag was @theRealClint. In February of 2011, Clint became aware that he had contracted testicular cancer and he was determined to fight the disease. In support of him, a lot of his friends in social media (980 to be exact) joined him on his Facebook page. There I got to know all about testicular cancer and how devastating it is if it goes undetected, for sure enough Clint had found out too late about his situation and the big “C” had spread to his brain.

Over the course of the year, through the magic of Facebook, we were able to follow his trials, tribulations and even his victories (small as they were). His sense of humor buoyed all of us up even in the face of the inevitable.

This past Saturday (December 17, 2011), I attended Clint’s funeral — streamed online from the Lutheran Church in Lolo, MT. How sad to see his small son speaking from the pulpit about how his Daddy had left him a talking book, so he would always remember his voice. But also, how wonderful that the internet was able to provide all of us (his friends from as far away as Ireland) in his support group the opportunity for such a cathartic event. We all needed it. We will miss Clint profoundly.

RIP Clint Miller — Thanks for your friendship.

Donner Lake Turkey Trot Cancelled!! November 13th 2011

In its 34th year, advertised as running no matter what — rain or shine, the Auburn Ski Club was forced to cancel the Donner Lake Turkey Trot scheduled for Sunday, November 13, 2012.

Citing the concern over the slipperiness of the road, the Truckee Police Department put the kibosh on the race on Thursday afternoon.  Sorry everyone — a lot of disappointed runners out there.

I’m going to try to make it around the lake tomorrow without slipping — by myself — not in a race — if you would like to join me, be there at 10:30 am.

Parking in Truckee Update

Recently published in our local newspaper The Sierra Sun, there have been some changes to the Downtown Parking Policy.

Since its origination about 3 years ago, the paid parking in downtown Truckee has continued to be a contentious matter.  The tourists don’t like it because it is confusing and expensive, the locals don’t like it because they have never had to pay to park and now they are incensed by the requirement.  Downtown employees are stymied by the pay-to-park situation and how that affects their bottom line.  Well, over the past year, the town and the townspeople have been carrying on discussions and it seems that they have reached agreement on several new policies that will take effect on November 14, 2011.  They are as follows:

1)  2 hours of free parking at the Beacon gas parking;

2)  free overnight parking at the Beacon parking lot (6pm to 10 am) — awesome idea for those who find themselves having to take a taxi home after socializing;

3)  revised, easier to understand labels on the current parking meters;

4)  downtown will carry a flat rate of $1.50 per hour; Jibboom and West River Streets’ flat rate will be $1.00 per hour;

5)  when using a credit card with the meter, there will no longer be the $2 mimimum;

6)  no more parking at the Old Assumption Catholic Church lot;

7)  downtown employees will be allowed to park for free all day with free employer distributed permits.

According to the article in the Sierra Sun, these changes are temporary and will not become permanent until everyone is satisfied that they will work.

Propane Tank Users in The High Sierras, Use Caution!

Last year the quantity of snow that fell in our region had some devastating effects on local homeowners.  Besides the fact that many decks were crushed under the weight of the snow, there was a real crises involving propane.

I just had the opportunity to speak with Brent Armstrong of North Tahoe Fire District.  This Fire District is on the warpath to avoid experiencing another year where propane leaks cause fires and possible loss of life and injury.

Apparently in 1983 there were some code changes that required retrofitting the propane tanks but over the years, and with the introduction of natural gas to our area,  the importance of complying  lost its sense of urgency and some tanks have slipped through the cracks.

In an effort to put some teeth into compliance, North Tahoe Fire has set a deadline of  November 1st for the Alpine Peaks and Ward Canyon areas.  What this means is that anyone who is not in compliance by that time will not be able to have their tank filled.   The remainder of their district will be taken in a sort of grid like pattern until all homes are covered.  If you live in the Northshore, you can contact Brent at armstrong@ntfire.net or (530) 583-6911 for more information.  Or you can check it out here.

If you are the owner of a home ANYWHERE in the Truckee-Tahoe-Donner Summit area that has propane service, be sure to contact your local fire district and your propane supplier to make sure you are in compliance with the current code.  It is the ONLY safe way.

Sagehen Hike

Took a little hike to Sagehen Creek on Thursday.  This hike is located up Highway 89 north and it is an annual rite of passage for Truckee locals to visit the meadow with all of the blue flowers.  There seems to be only one week during the early summer when these flowers are blooming altogether and they make a beautiful sight.  In any event, we will have to go back next week, I am afraid, because the creek has overflowed its normal banks and made it nearly impossible to get to the meadow.  Next week, with water shoes . . . .

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