HAPPY HOLIDAYS
DECEMBER
14 Table of Contents
16
FEATURES
16
A Year in Review Big Moments. Bigger Memories.
30
Are You and Your Car Ready for Winter? Winter Survival Kit
ARTICLES
11
Capital Projects Update Large Scale Tahoe Donner Projects
14
Membership Input Euer Valley Use Information
29
Forestry Where Do We Go From Here?
30
DEPARTMENTS
02
President’s Message The Latest at Tahoe Donner
03
Monthly Calendar A Look at Holiday Events
04
General Manager’s Message Accomplishments for 2011
06
Let’s Get Together TD Events & Happenings
28
Bulletin Board Committee Meetings
32
Where in the World is TD News? TD News Travels the World
VOL. 12, NO. 12
WELCOME
DECEMBER 2011 EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION STAFF Amanda Birchenough Amanda Wallace Kirt Zimmer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Suzan Knisley, suzylynn@mindspring.com
Vice President
Tom Johns, btjtd@aol.com
Secretary
Steve Miller, stephen.m.miller@wellsfargoadvisors.com
Treasurer
Ron Wulff, rwulff@sbcglobal.net
Director
Jay Lempinen, jjlempinenlost@sbcglobal.net
Board of Directors
board@tahoedonner.com
Postmaster Send address changes to Tahoe Donner News, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161 (530) 587-9400, Fax (530) 587-9419
comdep@tahoedonner.com
Advertising Sales Tahoe Guide is the exclusive advertising representative for the Tahoe Donner News. Call (530) 448-3065 or (530) 587-1393 or go to tahoedonner.com/magazine.html for rate information.
Publishing Information Tahoe Donner Association holds the exclusive service mark right to “Tahoe Donner.” Any unauthorized use of such will be regarded as an infringement of that service mark right and is prohibited. The inclusion of advertising in this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Tahoe Donner Association or its Board of Directors of the products, services, or views contained therein. Tahoe Donner News (ISSN 1550-6061) is the official monthly publication of Tahoe Donner Association, which is located at 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161. Each membership parcel receives one subscription. Additional subscriptions are available at the cost of $25 each. Cost to produce and distribute this publication is offset by advertising revenues. Periodicals Postage Paid at Truckee, CA, and additional mailing offices. Member letters to Tahoe Donner are published in the Members section of tahoedonner.com, where publishing guidelines are available.
SUZY KNISLEY | PRESIDENT I am looking forward to the first big snowfall of the season and the chance to enjoy winter sports at Tahoe Donner. In October, the association closed escrow on the first half of the Euer Valley purchase. The second escrow for the remainder of the Euer Valley purchase is scheduled to close in December, securing our winter and summer amenities for perpetuity. At the October board meeting, the board approved a 2012 annual assessment of $1375 per unit, an increase of $45 or 3 percent from 2011. The capital portion of the annual assessment ($680 or 49 percent) received all of the increase, in order to continue systematically saving for the replacement of our aging equipment and facilities. The operating portion of the annual assessment ($695 or 51 percent) remains the same for the fourth consecutive year, with the continued vitality of our membership’s amenity access, solid growth in our downhill and cross country public amenities, as well as sound financial management
of our operating costs. The recreation fee now includes Snowplay access, so members not paying the recreation fee will pay a daily rate for Snowplay access. The recreation fee increased $5 or 2 percent to $225, effective May 1, 2012. Included in this December issue of Tahoe Donner News is the association’s 2012 Budget Report. This report provides a comprehensive summary and detailed information regarding your association’s finances. I would like to thank management and the Finance Committee for their efforts over the past few months - preparing, reviewing, and communicating the myriad of details of our complex association budget. The board and staff look forward to continuing our efforts in 2012 to make Tahoe Donner the best place to be. With best wishes to all of the Tahoe Donner members, their family and friends, and to all of the staff who support our activities, I wish everyone the very best of holiday joy and memorable celebrations of the season.
December 2 5 S U N D AY 1 1 S U N D AY
Wii Night Sundays, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Test your skills on the 150 inch screen! Enjoy a pizza from Pizza on the Hill while challenging competitors in Wii tennis, baseball, golf, bowling, Mario Kart and much more. Free! @ Northwoods Clubhouse
Project MANA Can Drive Sunday, December 11 @ Cross Country All day event Project MANA (Making Adequate Nutrition Accessible) is the hunger relief organization serving the North and West Shores of Lake Tahoe and Truckee. Bring cans and dry food and receive a trail pass.
Christmas Day Hours 12 – 5 p.m. @ Cross Country 12 – 4:30 p.m. @ Snowplay 12 – 4:30 p.m. @ Downhill Come join Santa for a half day of skiing and riding fun at the Downhill Ski Area
2 6 M O N D AY
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
3 1 S AT U R D AY
Trivia Night Thursdays, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Join in the fun at Trivia night. Enjoy a pizza from Pizza on the Hill, show off your brain power and win cool prizes. Free! @ Northwoods Clubhouse Family Movie Night Fridays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Bring your favorite pillow and blanket, kick your feet up, and enjoy both classic and new G and PG rated movies. Free! @ Northwoods Clubhouse
Boxing Day Snow Building Challenge Monday, December 26 @ Snowplay Can you build the largest snowman of them all or the most creative snow castle of the winter? Your imagination is the limit! Bring the whole family down and show us your special sculpting talents! Prizes will be awarded.
Torchlight Parade on New Years Eve Saturday, December 31 @ Downhill Sign-up is 4:30-5:45 p.m. with a 6 p.m. start time. For intermediate skiers and riders ages 10 or older who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Race Course run. Come early to secure a spot in the parade. A DJ and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. TahoeDonner.com |
3
FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER’S DESK
ROBB ETNYRE | GENERAL MANAGER As we enter the last month of the year, I thought it might be useful to reflect on the association’s accomplishments for 2011, as we continue to focus toward achieving our Strategic Vision:
Tahoe Donner is a vibrant and desirable mountain community, with modern recreational facilities, events, programs, and leading customer service, surrounded by accessible and healthy natural resources. Ensuring that the association is surrounded by accessible and healthy, natural resources has been a particular focus this year, resulting in the acquisition of the 160 acre McGlashan Springs property and 482 acres in the Euer Valley. In addition, a series of community meetings were held to develop a comprehensive Trails Master Plan, which focused on quantifying and developing a long-term program for improving the 35 miles of trails within the association’s 7,000 acre boundary, while also connecting to other regional trail networks. Also, Tahoe Donner’s Forestry Department treated over 150 acres of common area for fire safety and planted in excess of 5,500 new conifers over 24 acres. On the customer service front, a new Stored Value program was introduced permitting members to add monetary value to their membership ID card profile, allowing redemption throughout our community, thereby alleviating the need to carry cash or credit cards. The Tahoe Donner News magazine was expanded to bring our membership more relevant information on not just the association but also the greater Truckee community. Weekly Member News and Weekly News email blast were revamped to provide more dedicated informational topics that are important to the membership. New at the end of this year will be the launch of a Tahoe Donner Suddenlink TV Channel. Our winter amenities received greater attention in customer service this past winter, which included new early morning Cross Country
4
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
skiing hours, while the Downhill Ski area expanded the scope and quality of our lesson programs resulting in tremendous growth from the previous season: Group Lessons – 18% increase, Private Lessons – 27% increase, Snowflakes – 10% increase, and TD Tykes – a whopping 69% increase. Trout Creek Recreation Center opened a new stretching room to alleviate hallway congestion, and The Lodge continued to show its value to the membership with a robust 9% increase in volume over the previous year. New and improved events and programs covered a great deal of ground in 2011, including a new Kids Club on-site child drop-in program at Trout Creek Recreation Center, an amazing Robert Cray Band Concert, the new “Bike Works” operation featuring mountain bike rentals at the Beach Club Marina, and the heavily attended and expanded Fall Festival and Halloween events at Northwoods Clubhouse. Local community outreach has also been a key element the association has embraced by supporting over 40 local organizations from youth sports league sponsorships to charity auction product donations. As we celebrated the association’s 40th Anniversary this year, with 5,791 single family homes, 127 multiple zoned units of the 6,471 assessed properties and over 25,000 members; it is obvious that the membership has outgrown the majority of our aging facilities. Of course, the 2030 General Plan outlines the main program to address large development fund projects, however much work has already begun, in order to address the more obvious and immediate facility shortfalls. Purchasing a new Forestry facility was perhaps the most significant solution identified thus far to support our ongoing efforts to modernize our outdated and inadequate facilities. Other projects completed include resurfacing Tennis Center courts 10 & 11, developing a long-term plan to replace our amenity and way finding community signage, as well as new drinking fountains on the Golf Course. Lastly, we will finish out the year by holding a series of membership meetings to discuss the long-term summer use of the newly acquired property in the Euer Valley. In my next article, I will cover our 2012 plans to achieve our collective vision of ensuring Tahoe Donner is a Vibrant and Desirable Mountain Community!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS
On Target with Quality Workmanship for over 26 years • Residential & Commercial Painting • Specializing in Natural Wood Restoration • Interior, Exterior & Pressure Washing • Environmentally Safe Products
• Free Estimates • Credit Cards Accepted • 530-587-7298 530-448-6151
TAHOE DONNER CONTACTS Member Communications (area code 530) Member Services
587-9400
info@tahoedonner.com
General Manager
587-9431
gm@tahoedonner.com
• All Work Guaranteed • Cal Lic. 803922 • accuratepainting@sbcglobal.net www.accuratepaintingtruckee.com
Contact Member Services to be transferred to other administrative departments.
Amenities Alder Creek Campground 587-9462
campground@tahoedonner.com
Beach Club Marina
587-9460
marina@tahoedonner.com
Cross Country Center
587-9484
xcski@tahoedonner.com
Downhill Ski Area
587-9444
ski@tahoedonner.com
Equestrian Center
587-9470
equestrian@tahoedonner.com
Forestry
587-9432
forestry@tahoedonner.com
Golf Course
587-9443
golf@tahoedonner.com
The Lodge
587-9455
lodge@tahoedonner.com
Pizza On The Hill
582-9669
pizza@tahoedonner.com
Recreation Info Hut
587-9413
troutcreek@tahoedonner.com
Tennis Center
587-9474
tennis@tahoedonner.com
Trout Creek Rec. Center
587-9437
troutcreek@tahoedonner.com
Tahoe Donner Association Committee Chairs
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Contact The North Woods Group for all of your real estate needs this year...
We’ll feature your home on TDHomes.com... sm The Top website for Tahoe Donner Real Estate!
Architectural Standards, Jason Wooley aso@tahoedonner.com Covenants, Al Noyes
anoyes@sbcglobal.net
Elections, Nan Carnal
ncarnal@sfsu.edu
Finance, Jim Stang
jcstang@sbcglobal.net
General Plan, Chris Nelson
nelson9025@sbcglobal.net
Tahoe Donner Association Chartered Club Presidents Bridge, Sharilyn Nelson
nelson9025@sbcglobal.net
Friends of TD Trails, B.R. Levine
brlevine@gmail.com
Rowing Club, Dot Mace
dotmace@sbcglobal.net
Senior Alpine Ski, Jeff Bonzon
jdbonzon@yahoo.com
Tahoe Donner Green, Sue Sorensen
tahoedonnergreenclub@gmail.com
Tennis, Linda Stewart
pindagold@yahoo.com
Nordic Ski Club, Carol Ozimek
president@tdnordicskiclub.org
9-Holers, Hilary Ward
hilary2@aabol.com
Mens Golf, Ralph Shindler
tdmensgolf@gmail.com
Women’s Golf, Denise Kosak
deezak12@hotmail.com
Hiking Club, Robin Reese
rbtahoe@sbcglobal.net
Quilt Club, Linda Brush
cbrush4110@gmail.com
www.TDHomes.com 866-303-9180
back: Dave Donnelly, David Wright, Pete Griffin, Bob Colquhoun front: Jessica Ferguson, David Hipkins, Bruce Watkins Affiliated with Keller Williams Boice Realty. Each office is independently owned & operated. *Statistics are based on TSBOR MLS data for Tahoe Donner Single Family Homes.
TahoeDonner.com |
5
LET’S TOGETHER We hope you’re planning on spending the holidays with us at Tahoe Donner! From downhill and cross country skiing to tubing and sledding, the list of family outdoor activities is endless. Bookmark tahoedonner.com to stay on top of all the winter fun or become a fan of Tahoe Donner on Facebook to view and share photos, enter contests and keep in the loop with all things Tahoe Donner. We’ll see you out there!
6
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
Friday Family Movie Night
PR
S
NT
REC
EV RAMS &
E
TA
NER
ION T A RE
DON HOE OG
Bring a pillow and blanket, kick your feet up and enjoy either a classic or new movie starting at 6:30 p.m. every Friday at Northwoods Clubhouse. Movies in this series are rated G and PG.
Here is this month’s Family Movie schedule: December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30
Furry Vengeance Snow Dogs The Wild How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Princess Bride
For more information, please contact Trout Creek Recreation Center at (530) 587-9437.
Wii Night Play a friendly game of Wii on the big screen each Sunday from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Northwoods Clubhouse.
Kids Night Out 5 - 9 p.m. Friday, December 2 Kids 4 – 9 years old are invited to join in the fun with crafts, dinner, a movie as well as cookies and milk. Registration must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling (530) 582-9646. Cost: $15 per child.
Special Holiday Kids Day at Northwoods Clubhouse Saturday, December 17 Kids 4 – 11 years old are invited to join in the fun with reindeer games, arts and crafts in Santa’s workshop, build a snowman outside and enjoy pizza and snacks. It’s a great time to drop the kids off and finish up your last minute holiday shopping. Registration must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling (530) 582-9646 or on shoptd.tahoedonner.com. Cost: $45 per child for the full day or $25 from 2 – 6 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Sunset Snowshoe 4:15 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 31 Registration must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling (530) 582-9646 or on shoptd.tahoedonner.com. Group meets at the Trout Creek Recreation Center.
NER
ARE
A
PL N OW
AY
PU
BLIC AM
EN
I
TY
ON OE D I TA H L SK L I Winter has arrived and “the skiing H N OW is out there.” It’sD that time ofPyear to E N I UBLIC AM glide through the Euer Valley or climb to Drifter Hut and take in the beautiful views. Dust off those skis and enjoy the winter wonderland of Tahoe Donner Cross Country.
S
NER
TY
SKIING AT TAHOE DONNER
ON OE D H A T
PU
BLIC AM
E
T RY
NIS N E T TER N E C
O TA H
ED
ER ONN
CEN
TER
PR
I VAT E A M
EN
B C LU H C BEA ARINA M Y
TY
N CO U S S CRO I N
PR
IT
NER
Y
DON
IT
OE TA H
I V AT E A M
TahoeDonner.com |
EN
7
CARPET • UPHOLSTERY Call for your FREE Estimate
DRY IN 1 HOUR! • Environmentally Safe • Pet Friendly • Satisfaction Guaranteed
Truckee/Northshore
ON OE D TA H
S
NER DON E O T RY TA H OUN
SS C PU
BLIC A
N ME
I
PL N OW
AY
PU
BLIC AM
EN
I
JOJO TOEPPNER | TDXC MANAGER
NIS N E T AY TER N E C N OW P L S
CH C A E B IN MAR PR
I V AT E A
IT
Y
B
TY
CRO
NER
We are very excited about our upcoming season and hope you will join us for fun events in December. On Monday, December 26, we will have our Boxing Day snow building challenge. Can you build the largest snowman of them all or the most creative snow castle of the winter? Your imagination is the limit! E R and show us N Ndown Bring the whole family E DO O H TA sculpting talents! Prizes will be your special P ROn Tuesday, EN awarded. January 3, we will have I VAT E A M I N E P a tubing punchU card M measure how many B L I C Ato runs you can do in one day. Winners will be recognized. Check out tahoedonner.com for our full holiday schedule. We look forward to winter fun!
TY
530.550.1252
ROBERT MCCLENDON DOWNHILL SKI AREA MANAGER
TY
Woman Owned Business
the hill, so bring out all the kids. Come spend your New Year’s Eve with us, on December 31. Torchlight Parade sign-ups are at 4:30 p.m. with the event kicking off at 6 p.m. This event is for intermediate skiers and riders ages 10 or older who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Race Course run, but it is also a great event to be a spectator. We have a lot more planned for the rest of the season. See you on the slopes!
The ski season is off and running. We hope you have purchased your season pass and will start enjoying the special 7 a.m. ski for all season pass holders. This is a brand new perk for our season pass holders. Join us Monday – Friday, except for holiday periods, for some great early morning skiing! We will also have new clinics available at that morning hour. Start your day off right, sign up for a clinic with one of our talented instructors and work on improving your technique and endurance! This month we kick off the holiday season with the MANA can drive on Sunday, December 11. Bring in canned or dry foods to help those in need and we’ll give you a trail pass for the day. Our Christmas hours are 12 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 25 so our employees can enjoy the morning with their families. In case you didn’t get your new skis for the holidays, we’ve got you covered. Make it a point to come NER to our Demo Day on Tuesday, December N EA R27. E DO O H IA K All you need is a trail pass and TA pass or season S ILL H N you can try the W latest equipment from Salomon, I DO EN PU Fischer, Madshus, Atomic Rossignol. Test B L and IC AM them all out; compare brands and decide which one fits your skiing style best. We are looking forward to this season and seeing you soon!
TY
R NNE ER E DO RT O EN E H N C N TA DO REA EN IA HO AR KI A STT
ROS
SE
BLIC A
NI CB O U EN AM
MARIAH MCCLOSKEY RECREATION COORDINATOR
TY
AM CTA S
TY
OU PGR PU
TY
December is here! Remember to come try LIC C I N out your new gear on Christmas Day. The ski E PU BLIC AM ssett TD Guide Ad 5.278x2.403_Layout 1 4/14/11 11:32area PM opens Pageat1 12 p.m. Santa will be cruising
NER
O NDonner S S Senior Tahoe IK OE D N R TA H T E N O Alpine Ski Club EW TER
O W LU H C T H R L C O N OIO NA BEA A PR M
PR EN I V AT E A MN PR E I V AT E A M
Y
ND
R ER C ALD NER DON E O T RY H
IT
S E I L L E NI EQU P UH N M B A W L IC I DO N PU ME TY
EEK
I CUSN D TO AR U G Q A P C A MB HE
BE
HE EN EI C UH ATPT BL AM
I
Y
IT
P N TPAR & R E M E N LIS
VAT E A skier, it is not too late to join the group. TDSASC focuses on alpine skiing, organizing over 20 ski days at reduced rates at Northstar, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, Homewood and Sugar Bowl, plus and ski and racing clinics at the Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. The Holiday Party is December 8 at The Lodge. Membership information, forms and schedules of winter and off-season activities can be PR EN R I VAT E A M N NatE tdski.com. We are accepting renewals O found D OE TA H and new applications now.
A
TY T
OOD W H T NOR POOL
I E AT T H E M E N PU
E
TY
ELQ U
NEEKR NE DO R E C O TAAHL D E R
AT
RDS A U A I G R IFE E ST
RE
A
E RN E R NN R DO DON EO E O NTE H TA TA H N CE
IR
S
N B I K CIfE you are a senior Tahoe Donner alpine
IT
Y
BLIC A
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
ED
ER ONN
AR EGU
O TA H
LIF B
E
E E AT T H E H
DS
KS
S
RE
IR
B
P
A
R
AT
8
NE DON
OR W E IK N TA
E LS & R
DINING OPTIONS The Lodge Restaurant & Pub Opens at 5 p.m. daily. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (530) 587-9455.
Happy Hour at the Pub (through December 15) Drink specials and 25 percent off tasty starters, soups and salads from 5 – 6:30 p.m., Sunday – Thursday.
No Corkage Tuesdays (through December 13) Bring your own bottle of vino to enjoy with your meal and we’ll waive the corkage fee on Tuesdays nights. It’s the perfect time to enjoy that favorite bottle of wine you’ve been saving at home. Offer only valid during non-holiday periods.
WildER Wednesdays (through December 14)
Quality Carpet Care Experience & Service Your Family Can Trust
Tahoe’s premier carpeT and upholsTry cleaning company Tile, Stone, and Grout Cleaning/Restoration Fast Dry Times · Environmentally Conscience Providing the very best service at a fair & competitive price A reputation built on reliability & on-time appointments
call Today!
530/550-9299
“There is a difference.”
Happy Hour specials all night long in the entire restaurant! Enjoy 25 percent off small plates, soups and salads, plus drink specials.
Three Course Meal Deal (through December 15) $25 for a delicious three course meal and glass of house wine. Valid Sunday – Thursday through December 15. Offer not valid with any other promotion or special event.
Pizza on the Hill
Learn about caring for your carpet at: www.qualitycarpetcaretahoe.com
Open from 5 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday – Monday. Special holiday hours: Open from December 22 – January 3, except for December 25. Closed Christmas Day.
Slowvember Meal Deal (through December 12) Choose any pizza on the menu with two trips to the salad bar for only $18. Offer not valid on Friday nights.
Football Fever Every Sunday and Monday with $.50 wings, $12 Coors Light pitchers and $3 Coors Light drafts.
Happy Hour Specials from 5 – 6 p.m. every day. Stop by after work to catch up with friends and relax with $3 Coors Light drafts and $4 glasses of house wine.
Thursday Night Trivia Test your trivia skills from California history to sporting events. You never know what questions are going to be on the list from week to week. Trivia is from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and the winner receives a certificate for a free pizza!
Half Price Pizza Hour A family favorite; order a cheese, pepperoni or veggie pizza for half price from 5 – 6 p.m. on Sundays. Offer valid for takeout only, limit 10. For more information, or to place your order, please call Pizza on the Hill at (530) 582-9669.
TahoeDonner.com |
9
10
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
LARGE-SCALE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE Cell Tower at the top of Eagle Rock Ski Lift
Downhill Ski Area Parking Lot Improvement
Tahoe Donner Association is currently in contract negotiations with a cell tower company for cell tower construction and lease agreement at the top of Eagle Rock Ski Lift. Negotiation meetings for land use and rental agreements have been ongoing for the last several months. We believe we are close to solidifying the agreement, which will then be presented to the board of directors. Once the board of directors approves moving forward with the agreement, the cell tower company will begin the design, local and state permitting and approval process. Construction will begin during the following 12 month period.
The Downhill Ski Area Parking Lot Expansion project continues to move; however, due to a delay in agency approvals, construction must be delayed until 2012. A breakdown of communications, homeowner correspondences and project milestones is as follows: • 148 Neighbor Notification letters were sent out on Friday, May 6, 2011 to homeowners on Slalom Way, Snowpeak Way, and Viking Way. Of the 148 letters, four email responses with comments and concerns; (2)Viking Way, (2) Slalom and Snowpeak; additionally, we received (1) email in response to the email blast on the project • TD News May 2011: A project notification was published • Member email blast: Wednesday, May 11, 2011, was published mirroring Neighbor Notification and invitation to Project Workshop • Project Workshop: Held on Friday, May 20, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at the Northwoods Clubhouse
(Continued on the next pg.)
A+
CLEANING
To schedule an appointment call: References available
P RESIDENTIAL P COMMERCIAL P CONSTRUCTION
Reliable, experienced, professional cleaners available seven days (and nights) a week.
E OF EFIT G A T EN EN PERC CEEDS B HIGH RO EE A L L P E T RU C K L BA N D S TH SCHOO
530-414-8850 TahoeDonner.com |
11
• 18 individuals were in attendance: 2 board members; 2 staff members; 4 General Plan Committee members, one of which is a resident on Viking and another on Slalom; 10 homeowners • Request for Proposal for Engineering Services: Released May 25, 2011, Awarding of Engineering Services: K.B. Foster, June 28, 2011 • Request for Proposal for Construction Services: Release September 8, 2011 • Town of Truckee Planning Commission Submittal for Project Amendment occurred July 26, 2011 • Project Workshop On-site: Held on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Downhill Ski Area Tiered Parking lots • 6 individuals were in attendance: 3 staff members; 3 homeowners • Planning Commission Meeting: October 12, 2011, Project proposal was delivered with a presentation with one public comment; the Planning Commission postponed deliberation and decision on the project until the November 9, 2011, meeting
Forestry Facility The board of directors announced at the September 24, 2011, monthly board meeting that the association had entered into escrow for a 20 acre parcel on the periphery of Tahoe Donner property, which contains a large facility suitable for the Forestry operations.
Cross Country Facility The beginning phases of identifying facility space needs began over the summer and into the fall. Management and the General Plan Committee reviewed the preliminary space needs and program requirements, and have begun to engage in membership discussion through the board of director lead at monthly board meetings. At the October 22, 2011, board meeting, the board of directors engaged the membership in discussion of summer uses of the facility. We encourage the membership to continue to participate as the planning process for the upcoming facility will continue through the winter and spring at monthly board meetings and focused project workshops.
Tennis Courts 10 and 11 Replacement For the many tennis players who visited the Tennis Center this summer we thank you for your patience and understanding during the weeks of construction. Tennis court specialists removed approximately two inches of existed asphalt, installed new concrete and a new court surface, and replaced the aged and sagging fencing. This project was identified as a high priority due to problematic bubbling of the court surface which affected play on both courts. The courts were reopened at the beginning of August providing tennis players beautiful new courts.
12
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
There were several other large improvements made to the Tennis Center this summer and fall including new shade cabanas, new flooring in the breezeway and seating along the competition bench. There are several improvement projects scheduled for the upcoming year including a new Quick Start Court for the children’s tennis program, improvement of the practice courts and fencing, and large fencing replacement of the aged and sagging fencing along the front of the first nine courts.
Pizza on the Hill Kitchen Upgrade and Meeting Room Improvement Pizza on the Hill closed down operations for most of April and May for a kitchen fire suppression system and cooking hood upgrade. While these items are not exactly what gets people excited, they do assist in the great product and services Pizza on the Hill turns out to the membership. While Pizza was closed, we took the opportunity to finish the look created by the Pizza on the Hill remodel in 2009 by wrapping the aesthetic improvement out into the entrance of Pizza on the Hill as well as into the heavily utilized Meeting Room. If you haven’t had the chance to see the improvements, order a pizza to go or bring the family down to enjoy the diverse menu offering, or schedule a pizza party in the meeting room for a birthday, anniversary party or family get-together.
ANNIE ROSENFELD DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND RISK MANAGEMENT
TahoeDonner.com |
13
MEMBERSHIP INPUT FOR EUER VALLEY USE
O
ver the last year, Tahoe Donner engaged in discussions and signed a purchase agreement with John and Robert Euer to buy approximately 482 acres of Euer Valley. As a result of the discussions, management began a planning process to reach out to membership and identify a plan for collecting input over the next six months on the future uses of Euer Valley. Tahoe Donner Association management and its board of directors will reach out to meet and listen to the membership in order to appropriately plan, protect and maintain the Euer Valley. We will host a series of membership meetings, distribute information through the various communication channels available to membership, and give the membership an opportunity express opinions in the upcoming membership survey.
MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATION METHODS AND TOOLS Tahoe Donner will communicate the membership input process in the following ways:
TD News Tahoe Donner will provide updates on the entire process from education about the area to reaching out for input from the membership in Tahoe Donner News each month.
Monday Weekly Email and Wednesday Member News Email Distribution Information regarding upcoming meetings and links to updated website content will be distributed through the Member News Email.
Project Specific Email There will be a project specific email where membership can email their comments: euervalley@tahoedonner.com.
Website We plan to communicate most of the Euer Valley use information on tahoedonner.com as well as all literature for process and status updates.
Survey The upcoming membership survey will include questions about the Euer Valley use. Be sure to fill out your survey and share your own personal feedback.
Meetings A series of meetings will be held to garner membership input, plus develop draft rules and uses of Euer Valley.
14
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
EUER VALLEY USE MEMBERSHIP INPUT MEETINGS A total of four (4) input meetings will be held in November and December. Members in good standing will be given a forum to voice their ideas, suggestions, concerns, etc. The purpose of these scheduled meetings is to hear what membership has to say, with the following objectives: 1. Hear the membership’s comments, desires, and ideas for the Euer Valley. 2. Create a forum for open discussion on the Euer Valley where all concerns are brought to the table. 3. Obtain verbal and written comments, desires, and ideas for the Euer Valley. Meeting Dates and Locations are:
tee, management and members in good standing will focus and work on recommendations for rules and uses in Euer Valley. Objectives for the focus meetings are: 1. Prepare draft recommended rules for Euer Valley; 2. Prepare draft recommended uses for Euer Valley. Outcome Meeting: An outcome meeting will be held to further communicate the outcome of the meetings, as well as board of directors’ action on rules and uses for Euer Valley.
Visit Tahoe Donner’s website for more current information on the meetings at The Lodge. Member email blasts will
Sunday, November 20, 2011 at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub in Tahoe Donner
be sent out reminding members of the meetings as well
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub in Tahoe Donner
please feel free to contact euervalley@tahoedonner.com.
as giving updated information. For questions or concerns
Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Marriot Courtyard in Fairfield, California* *Fairfield meeting to be held in the Courtyard Ballroom at 1p.m. Sunday, December 18, 20011 at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub in Tahoe Donner Focus Group Meetings: A minimum of two (2) focus group meetings will be held in January and February. The General Plan CommitTahoeDonner.com |
15
FEATURE
3 1 2
5
1. A group of smiling volunteers break for a photo at Tahoe Donner Trails Day in June. 2. Board and volunteer committee members getting ready to play golf in the annual Tahoe Donner staff and volunteer appreciation golf tournament in October. After a long and snowy winter, the Tahoe Donner Golf Course staff worked extra hard to prepare the course for the season. Great job! 3. The Fourth Annual Snowman Contest winner “Frosty” made by the Scharp family helped light Christie Lane in Tahoe Donner last year. Now is the time to start thinking about creative snowman ideas for this year’s contest! 4. Fire dancers entertain luau guests at The Beach Club Marina on a beautiful August evening. A record setting number of TD members and guests attended the event. 5. The Beach Club Marina was the place to be this summer to sail, paddleboard, kayak and just soak up the warm sunshine. 6. A crowd gathers for the Tahoe Donner Annual Membership Meeting, held June 26 to kick off the summer season!
16
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
6
BIG MOMENTS. BIGGER MEMORIES. 2011 was amazing year filled with many new and exciting endeavors throughout Tahoe Donner. We launched a new bike rental shop at the Beach Club Marina, celebrated our 40th Anniversary and won first place in the Town of Truckee Parade, enjoyed a heavy winter filled with epic powder days, and welcomed a record-breaking number of guests at our restaurants, just to name a few… As we look back at 2011, we realize we have a challenge to make 2012 even bigger and better. But don’t worry if you happened to miss anything this past year. We are stacking 2012 with lots of surprises you won’t want to miss…
TahoeDonner.com |
17
Tahoe Donner celebrated a milestone Big celebrations call for big cakes! Tahoe Donner celebrated 40 years and the creative staff at Tahoe Donner built this masterpiece for the Town of Truckee’s Fourth of July parade. We took home the gold trophy in the commercial division. That’s the best icing on the cake!
18
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
Summer concert with Robert Cray Music lovers flocked to Tahoe Donner’s major outdoor summer concert to see five-time Grammy award winner Robert Cray. This was our first time hosting a show of this size on our own, without another organization’s oversight, and it proved to be a great success. A full moon and sparkling sky topped-off the perfect Tahoe evening.
Wishing You Happy Holidays! Alison is Experienced in Standard and Short Sales Sold
11935OsloDrive.com
14293HerringboneWay.com
This well cared for cabin offers 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,024 sf & location! Nicely designed, offers easy living and southern exposure driveway. $275,000
Delightful chalet with big views, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, single level living. Light and bright, beautifully appointed, furnishings negotiable. $347,000
“ Alison is the most professional, hard-working agent with whom we have ever worked. She makes sure that every “i” is
dotted and “t” is crossed. I would recommend Alison to any discerning Buyer or Seller to get the job done and done well. ” – John & Dawn Evans
Alison Elder 530 582 8103
tahoe@alisonelder.com eldergrouptahoerealestate.com Alison sold over $28MM in Tahoe Donner since 2009
TahoeDonner.com |
19
Superheroes went downhill Capitan Underpants getting ready to “send-it” off the jump at TD’s annual Downhill Dummy and Rail Jam event. His performance awarded him the “coolest” jump of the day. Mark your calendar for this winter’s movie characters themed Downhill Dummy on April 15, 2012.
Standard Films at Tahoe Donner No big deal, just a couple pros shooting a snowboard video at Tahoe Donner Downhill in May. Chas Guldemond is pictured here, hucking himself high into the sky.
Opening Doors To Truckee, Tahoe & The Sierra Since 1980!
Price REDUCED
13449 Northwoods Blvd. Mountain Chalet
800-771-7427
3 Bathrooms 2100 +/- SF Great Location
3 Bedrooms
13060 Oberwald Way
2 Bathrooms
Price REDUCED
1820 +/-SF Large Deck Offered at $449,900
14360 Northwoods Blvd.
Price REDUCED
Offered at $545,000
11399 Sun Valley Road Single Level Living
3 Bedrooms
3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms
14668 Skislope Way
4 Bedrooms
3382 +/- SF
Lots of Upgrades
SOLD
3 Bedrooms 2.5 Bathrooms
2081 +/-SF Incredible Views
3 Bathrooms 2389 +/- SF
New Low Price
SOLD
Offered at $479,000
13345 Falcon Point Pl.
4 Bedrooms 3.5 Bathrooms 2522 +/- SF SOLD for $700,000
11516 Lucerne Lane
Great Mt. Ambiance
530-587-8574
4 Bedrooms
SOLD for $759,000
15216 Swiss Lane
1286 +/- SF
Offered at $399,000
Wheelchair Friendly
Offered at $949,900
SOLD
3.5 Bathroom
3 Bedrooms 2.5 Bathrooms 1815 +/- SF SOLD for $522,000
www.TheSharpTeam.com
DRE#00313415 ©2009 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.
20
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
A new I-DiD-A-Run mascot Tahoe Donner picked a new face for its annual I-Did-ARun event. Judges selected Donner Bear, the Margaroni’s 2-year-old Bernese mountain dog. Get your pooch ready for the 2012 event on March 11.
Monsters & tickets to Candyland Alex Savitsky and his team at Tahoe Donner Downhill made significant changes to the terrain park last winter; moving it to a new location and developing the brand new bite-size and king-size Candyland Parks. The slides, jumps, woops and swoops were a hit with the kids. We’ll see what Alex has tucked up his sleeve for this year’s features. Stay tuned…
TahoeDonner.com |
21
Bikeworks Festive equestrian BBQ’s A little girl takes a swing at the Pony Piñata, one of many activities at the Equestrian Center Summer BBQ’s. The July 2 BBQ had record-breaking attendance with fantastic food, arts and crafts, water balloon toss, horse-drawn wagon rides, campfire and s’mores, and a new dress-up station with old west and Renaissance costumes. Great fun was had by all.
22
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
Tahoe Donner Bikeworks was a new venture for the 2011 summer season. Located at the Beach Club Marina, the shop was stocked with brand new mountain bikes and cruisers for all TD members and guests to rent. The location is a perfect starting point for a nice ride around Donner Lake.
Evening dive-in movie The Trout Creek Recreation Center Pool was full of innertubes and families at its first Dive-In Movie, Finding Nemo, on a perfect Tahoe summer night. We’ve got a few new ideas brewing for next summer…
Come enjoy our mountain resort experience…
Featuring the French-inspired California cuisine of acclaimed San Francisco chef Traci Des Jardins. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Escape to our forest sanctuary where nature abounds, bringing water and the woods into balance and harmony through modern, results-oriented treatments.
Located mid-mountain on Northstar-at-Tahoe™,13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court, Truckee, California (530) 562-3000 www.ritzcarlton.com/laketahoe
TahoeDonner.com |
23
Exceptional Equipment. Professional People.
We donate a dollar
Snow clearing
to Truckee Donner
updates delivered
Land Trust for every
daily by email.
signed contract.
Call 800.452.3060 • www.snowtech.net • CSLB #825998 • 17356 Northwoods Blvd.
24
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
Fall Festival & Halloween Pirates, cotton candy, pumpkins, caramel apples, and hidden treasure were just a few things attendees enjoyed at our October Tahoe Donner events. The Second Annual Fall Festival was held on a beautiful fall day – great for pony rides, face painting, archery and live music. This year’s Haunted and Not-So-Haunted Houses were tons of fun for everyone involved, including the Tahoe Donner crowd, pictured below.
When Disaster Strikes...
...Call the Restoration Experts We specialize in restoration and remodeling after damage from flooding, snow, ice, wind or fire. As insurance claims experts we know how to quickly turn disasters into dream rooms for the cost of repair. When things look their worst, call Handcrafted Structures, the restoration and remodeling experts.
SINCE 1983 •
CA LIC#B442468
DAMAGE RESTORATION • INSURANCE REPAIR • GREEN BUILDING
5 3 0 -5 8 7 -1 6 8 9
www.handcraftedstructures.com Call today for a FREE property risk audit before disaster strikes
TahoeDonner.com |
25
Setting new records Pizza on the Hill and The Lodge Restaurant & Pub recorded best-ever business months this summer. We hope you were able to enjoy some of the great summer activities at both of our restaurants. Pizza on the Hill is always a family favorite, and many enjoyed bingo, trivia night, the summer concert series and Friday night outdoor movies. The deck and grotto at The Lodge were popular all summer long with live music, happy hour specials and great lunch options for golfers and the general public. Expect to see more fun events at both places this winter.
26
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
TahoeDonner.com |
27
BULLETIN BOARD
B
elow is the schedule of Architectural Standards Committee meetings for the first half of 2012 and the last dates that plans can be submitted to the Architectural Standards Office to be on the agenda for that meeting. As a reminder, if you want to make any changes to the outside of your house or to any other structure on your property, including adding a fence, you must have a permit. We notify owners of adjacent properties of proposed projects so that they may have the opportunity to comment. For that reason, all submittals must be made at least three weeks prior to scheduled meetings so that we have enough time to send appropriate notification to your neighbors. Please remember that you must make an appointment to submit your plan. We are not able to accommodate drop-ins because there is up-front work to be done before you submit your plans. Please call (530) 587-9407 to schedule an appointment. Meeting Dates: Wednesday, January 4 Wednesday, January 18 Wednesday, February 1 Wednesday, February 15 Wednesday, March 7 Wednesday, March 21 Wednesday, April 4 Wednesday, April 18 Wednesday, May 2 Wednesday, May 16 Wednesday, June 6 Wednesday, June 20
Deadlines for Submittal: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Wednesday, December 28, 2011 Wednesday, January 11 Wednesday, January 25 Wednesday, February 15 Wednesday, February 29 Wednesday, March 14 Wednesday, March 28 Wednesday, April 11 Wednesday, April 25 Wednesday, May 16 Wednesday, May 30
As an early reminder, Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal Company will pick up Christmas trees in front of your house on January 17, 2012. All trees and branches must be cut into pieces that are a maximum of three feet long. All ornaments, lights, stands, garland, tinsel, flocking and other material must be removed. If you miss that date, put the tree in your back yard and in the spring take advantage of the Forestry Department’s Chipping Program. Trees will not be picked up from the corner of Slalom Way and Northwoods Boulevard. If you have any questions about the program, please call the Forestry Department at (530) 587-9432. If you are doing exterior insurance work on your home due to winter damage from last season, please call our office and give us a description of the work being done. Often times the work is “like-for-like” and a quick call can help us update your file with notes. If there are material or color changes to the exterior, please contact our office to see if a permit is required from Tahoe Donner. Remind your contractor that all new exterior work requires permits from both Tahoe Donner and the Town of Truckee.
HOMES ON THE RISE The Architectural Standards Committee reviewed the following plans in October 2011: Unit/Lot 04/163 05/368 06/352
Street Address 14252 Tyrol Rd 13630 Weisshorn Av 14323 Wolfgang Rd
Selling in Tahoe Donner since 1980
28
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
Square Ft. 2,623 192 3,107
Project Addition/Garage/Deck Addition House and Garage
FORESTRY WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
T
he initial phase of the property owner defensible space program (2008 - 11) is nearing completion. There are a few properties not in compliance, which we are working with, but the majority of the 5,498 properties have been certified compliant. The membership should celebrate and take great pride in the fact that Tahoe Donner has joined a short list of communities in the state of California that have an effective defensible space program and all properties have fulfilled the requirements of Public Resources Code 4291. The Forestry department would like to personally thank each property owner for their understanding, participation and efforts to help make Tahoe Donner fire safe. As property owners have completed their defensible space work, the Forestry department has been working on increasing fire safety in the adjoining common areas. Not only did the defensible space program look at fire safety but also forest health. When a member of the forestry staff visits a property for defensible space, they take note of any hazardous trees or trees that are either diseased or under attack from bark beetles and provide the owner with information and the route to proceed with the given situation.
So where do we go from here? We cannot allow the material to accumulate and the forest to grow, pushing the development away from being fire safe. The Forestry department has just finished developing an eight-year, rotating program to help maintain the great work completed under the four-year program. Under the new program, the Forestry department will be inspecting 750 properties a year focusing on the 30 feet around the structure while looking at the entire property. If you want to know ahead of time when your property will be inspected again, please contact the Forestry department.
Also, in December of 2010 Tahoe Donner became the first community in the Truckee area to be recognized as a Firewise Communities/USA. The requirements for this recognition include maintaining a Firewise Board, investing at least $2/capita in Firewise projects, maintaining a Firewise plan and holding a Firewise day. Firewise Communities is a program of the national fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA is an international non-profit organization seeking to reduce loss of life and property from fire. They provide education, codes and standards, training and research advocating fire prevention.
TahoeDonner.com |
29
ARE YOU AND YOUR CAR READY FOR WINTER? It’s that time of year again! The snow is sticking, roads can be slick and switching to snow tires or studs is a must. It’s also essential to make sure your car is well-equipped for the winter driving season.
so be prepared! You can usually expect a lot of shoveling and digging in these situations. In addition, we hope you’ll take our advice and have your Winter Survival Kit with you.
Do you have your survival kit prepared?
Winter Survival Kit Suggestions:
You may laugh, but in all seriousness everyone should have a Winter Survival Kit for their car as well as know some simple but helpful tips. A small percentage of Tahoe Donner homeowners live here yearround, but many travel from far way to be with us. If you are one of the latter TD residents, we suggest you always check the winter weather advisory before heading out for your trip. If you are driving up during a storm, be prepared to stop along the way. Typically, travelers only deal with slow traffic and routine chain control checkpoints, but everyone should always be prepared for Interstate 80 to be closed due to weather conditions. Please use caution while driving and remember there aren’t many gas stations heading east once you pass the last Auburn exit. Make sure to fill-up your tank! It would be shame to be that family stranded on the side of the road. Sadly, being stranded can happen. Even the best of us mess up, drive a little too fast and sometimes smash into a snow bank or berm. Once that happens, there’s always the lovely task of figuring out how to get the vehicle back on the road. It isn’t fun and is very time consuming,
30
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
• Shovel - to dig yourself out • Ice scraper/snow broom - to clear the ice off and snow • Flashlight – to bring light to the darkness • Chains – even if you have four-wheel drive and snow tires, there are times (epic storms) everyone can use these • Gloves – to keep your hands warm while shoveling • Spare warm clothes – will come in handy if you are cold or what you’re wearing becomes wet • Sleeping bag or blanket – for the times you may be stuck at night or it’s a bitter cold day • Bottled water – to stay hydrated while you wait • Snack – you can never know how long you will wait for assistance or the road to open * We also suggest you also have an Emergency Roadside Kit handy for year-round traveling.
Helpful hints: Do not leave your car running! Has the road ahead of you suddenly closed, or have you happened to get your car stuck in the snow? Are you freezing and thinking it’s a good idea to hunker down inside your vehicle, crank the heat and wait? You don’t want to hear it, but please do not leave your car running idle while you wait for help. You may be warm, but it can be dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poising. If your vehicle is stationary for a considerable amount of time, and the snow is pounding down, there’s a chance the fumes may build around the car and eventually fill the car! You don’t want that to happen to you, so please be careful! This is also another reason why we list extra blankets and warm clothes on the Winter Survival Kit suggestions. Rubber floor mats to the rescue! Is your car stuck? Are your tires spinning on the ice? Do you have rubber floor mats in your car? If all these apply, place your rubber floor mat a close as possible to the back side of your tire. With a little luck, your car will roll back and gain some traction, which will hopefully get you out of your slick situation. These are just the basics and you can never be too prepared. You might have a few tricks you’ve learned through the years. We are excited for another big Tahoe winter and can’t wait to take some epic turns in fresh powder. Travel safe, and be smart on the road. We look forward to seeing you at Tahoe Donner soon!
TahoeDonner.com |
31
Vienn a
Marsh a and Ralph were v Gugge isiting nheim their s who w on, Jo as wor s hua, k ing in summ Munic er. He h r this e they Liecht are at enstei the n Mus eum in Vienn a.
m AmsteJ.rDd., a A ri & Robin
Dana, Dave, & Lynne wit h Leslie son R ieger the r a cr uise on Shilling af te itzerthrough Sw R hine R iver ce. n ra any and F la nd, Germ
The Black Sea
Frank and Susan Yee aboard the Nautica, while cruising the Black Sea. Twelve exotic ports of call were explored with a final landing in Istanbul.
Italy
n on his trip Claude Za mania n, Charlie, and with his oldest so to France and Claude’s pa rents was ta ken in Ita ly. This photo nqua Terra. Ita ly along the Ci
Email your “Where in the World” photos to: comdep@tahoedonner.com. Please submit only .jpeg of 300 dpi or higher for printing. Photos must include a copy of TD News. Please list the names of everyone in the picture, where and when it was taken, and a short description of your captured experience.
32
| Tahoe Donner News | December 2011
Jeremy Schneir
John Biebl
Christy Curtis Jane Sheppard
Val Videgain
Kristi Hood
Janie Sharp
WadeHoliday
Our Team Redefines Service In Real Estate Sandra Giesen
Manon Celaya-Willingham
Carleen Long
Matching Exceptional People with Remarkable Properties
Mark McDonnell
Ellen Grace
Lynn Richardson
Maura Mack
Rich Harter Mark Via
Truckee • Tahoe Donner • Glenshire • North Lake Tahoe • Sierra Valley
CaliforniaMoves.com Facebook.com/cbnorcal
Marlene Boggs
Tamara Perlman
Tahoe Donner 17400 Northwoods Boulevard 530.587.7474 Carrie Hoyt
Bret Churchman
Glenshire 10095 Dorchester Drive 530.587.6051
©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC. DRE License # 00313415
Megan Jitloff
Dinny Evans
Dionne Pope Keri Paulson
Herschel Deardorff Nicki Deardorff
Heather Tone
Mike Lombardi