Donner Lake Turkey Trot Cancelled!! November 13th 2011
November 12, 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
October 27, 2011
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!
October 11, 2011
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
June 26, 2011
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 . . . .
Truckee Redevelopment Makes Loans for Downtown Businesses
June 10, 2011
A trip through Historic Downtown Truckee makes one aware of empty storefronts there. Sadly many businesses have moved on for various reasons not the least of which is the downturn in the economy. In the interest of sparking some sort of enthusiasm towards starting up a commercial venture in the downtown area, the Town of Truckee has initiated a program which will provide low interest loans of up to $50,000 for an expanding business or a business moving into a vacant space in the Redevelopment Area (which is essentially the Downtown area). According to David Griffith, the Town’s Economic Development Specialist, “The loan can be used for costs including tenant improvements, design, permit fees and exterior facade improvements.” “The interest rate is one percent annual simple interest and must be repaid in full if the business moves, is sold or closes.”
When contacted today on the availability of these funds David said that the program is still active and ready to go. So far only one business has made application. Contact David at 530 582-2910 or by e-mail at dgriffith@townoftruckee.com to get in on the offering. Opportunity knocks for those who are awake enough to hear it!!!
Additionally, the Town has resolved to make the permit process for this type of endeavor much simpler, vowing to process tenant improvement plan check applications for existing commercial buildings in three business days. According to Community Development Director John McLaughlin: “We want to be part of the solution to grow our local economy and work in partnership with the business community.” The Town’s building counter is open Tuesday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and there is no appointment necessary to submit plans.
If you are interested click here to read more information about applying for this and other related loans.
