Tahoe Donner News February 2019

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TAHOE DONNER N

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LOVING LIFE IN TAHOE DONNER TD FAMILY ENJOYS EVERY MINUTE

UPCOMING ELECTION INFO

FAT BIKING

10

06

A NEW WAY TO ENJOY TD TRAILS

08

FEBRUARY 2019

GET MORE FIRST TRACKS.

YOU’VE GOT TIMELY SNOW REMOVAL.

530.582.0300

info@elementsmtn.co

www.elementsmtn.co

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INSIDE THE REPORT:

28

45-Day Notice: Proposed Architectural Standards Fee Changes

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

02

Message from the Board President

06

Run for the Tahoe Donner Board of Directors

08

FAT BIKING

A new way to enjoy Tahoe Donner trails

FEATURES

07

Vote in Tahoe Donner Elections

18

10

20

Architectural Standards Office Year in Review

The Lubrano family makes the most of every minute in Tahoe Donner

25

Local Public Agency Updates

Board Meeting Recaps

THE BUZZ:

EVENTS, DINING + UPDATES

14

Covenant Complaints + Enforcement Year in Review

24

31

Quick Calendar

Amenity Updates, Programs + Events

16

Club Updates

GPC Update: ”You own it – be a part of it“

'WE LOVE IT ALL'

Briefs

03

Giving Fund Grant Highlights

22

30

17

Dining Hours + Specials

19

Best of Tahoe Donner: Winter Fun for Everyone

32

Where in the World Is TD News?

26

THAI RED CURRY BOWL Chef David Smith shares a favorite from Alder Creek Cafe

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

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VOLUME 20 | NO. 02

FEBRUARY 2019 EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION TEAM Christina Schwartz Lindsay Hogan Joe Lewandowski Jen Malone

Drew Deurlington Derek Moore Amber Barrett

SENIOR MANAGEMENT Robb Etnyre | General Manager retnyre@tahoedonner.com Michael Salmon | Director of Finance msalmon@tahoedonner.com Miguel Sloane | Director of Operations msloane@tahoedonner.com Annie Rosenfeld | Director of Risk + Real Property arosenfeld@tahoedonner.com Forrest Huisman | Director of Capital Projects fhuisman@tahoedonner.com Mike Peters | Director of Food + Beverage mpeters@tahoedonner.com Christina Schwartz | Director of Marketing + Member Relations cschwartz@tahoedonner.com Miah Cottrell | Director of Information Technology mcottrell@tahoedonner.com Tom Knill | Director of Human Resources tknill@tahoedonner.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President | Jennifer Jennings jjennings@tahoedonner.com Treasurer | Jeff Connors jconnors@tahoedonner.com Secretary | Don Koenes dkoenes@tahoedonner.com Director | Michael Fajans mfajans@tahoedonner.com Director | Suzy Knisley sknisley@tahoedonner.com Board of Directors board@tahoedonner.com

POSTMASTER: Periodical postage paid at

Truckee, California and additional mailing offices.

Send address changes to Tahoe Donner News, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161; (530) 587-9400, Fax (530) 587-9419

EMAIL: comdep@tahoedonner.com ADVERTISING SALES: CC Media + Publishing is the exclusive advertising representative: (775) 327-4200 | laura@cc.media

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 TO A DOMESTIC ADDRESS. 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.

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT Tahoe Donner was so beautiful over the holidays – mountains covered in snow and generally ice-free roads. Even during some bitterly cold days, Tahoe Donner members and guests were out enjoying the slopes, the warming fires and the hot tubs.

Michael cites three key long-term issues for Tahoe Donner: addressing amenity overcrowding, the employee housing shortage and maintaining the financial viability of the association. The board welcomes Michael.

His term expires in June.

However, sad and shocking news came to our community over the holidays when we learned that Darius Brooks had passed away.

Darius was elected to the TD Board of Directors in 2016 with a focus on representing Tahoe Donner’s second homeowners. He was the only board member to short-term rent his Tahoe Donner home, yet he was also the strongest advocate for rules on shortterm rentals. Darius believed that reasonable rules would forestall more restrictive measures such as those enacted in South Lake Tahoe and his hometown of Telluride, CO. We will miss Darius’s passion and perspective, and our deepest condolences go to his family and friends.

To fill the director position held by Darius Brooks, the board drew from the pool of applicants for the prior board opening. At our Jan. 9 meeting, we appointed Suzan (Suzy) Lynn Knisley. Her term will also end in June of this year. Suzy and her husband, Bill, have owned a home in Tahoe Donner for 36 years and currently split their time between Tahoe Donner and Arizona. Suzy brings a wealth of experience to the board, having served previously for two terms starting in 2007. Suzy was elected president of the board twice. During her tenure, she led the campaign to purchase the Euer Valley and supported the purchase of the McGlashan Springs property. Suzy’s current priorities for Tahoe Donner include improving fire safety and maintaining our amenities and open space to serve the needs of Tahoe Donner members.

At our Dec. 15 meeting, the board appointed Michael Fajans to the director position vacated by Jeff Schwerdtfeger.

Seven highly qualified members applied for the position. We thank them for their interest in serving on the board.

Michael Fajans and his wife, Merle, have been Tahoe Donner property owners for over 23 years. Michael is a retired planning consultant who focused on transportation projects. From his primary home in Berkeley, Michael served on the board of directors of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit for nine years. In Tahoe Donner, he has been an active member of the General Plan Committee (GPC) and is interested in forging closer relationships with the Town of Truckee and other local jurisdictions.

Even though it is snowing as I write this, know that your board is constantly considering how to improve fire prevention and emergency procedures in Tahoe Donner.

The Jan. 26 meeting will have multiple items related to these subjects. If you are interested in this topic, view the video of the meeting at tahoedonner.com.

In the summer of 2018, the board adopted emergency rules banning outdoor wood fires. Given that wildfire prevention is an issue every summer and fall, the board may propose a standard rule which would apply during times of high fire hazard. If the board votes to proceed, many options will be (Continued on p. 4)

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12470 Skislope Way $530,000 12233 Muhlebach Way $535,000 13444 Davos Drive $449,000 11746 Kitzbuhel Rd. $755,000 14390 Copenhagen Dr. $615,000 12441 Northwoods Blvd. $437,000 11530 Lausanne Way $836,000

Sharp Real Estate Team sells Tahoe Donner

FREE WINE TASTING AT THE LODGE

WINTER SUPERSTARS WEEK

CAPTAIN NORDIC’S DRESS-UP DAY

DATE: Friday, Feb. 8 TIME: 5-6:30PM WHERE: The Lodge Restaurant & Pub

DATE: Feb. 16-23 WHERE: Downhill Ski Resort SCHEDULE: See page 14

DATE: Sunday, Feb. 24 WHERE: Cross Country Ski Center MORE XC: See page 15

Sample Boen Pinot Noir and Groth Sauvignon Blanc, then stick around all night for special pricing on glasses and bottles.

Find out if you have what it takes to win medals in ski and snowboard races, patrol sled pull and other fun competitions.

Call today to schedule a tour of homes or to request a market value of your property. www.TheSharpTeam.com 530.587.8574

Wear retro gear and bright colors as we honor the spirit of legendary kids‘ coach Mark Nadell, AKA Captain Nordic.

FEBRUARY

EVENTS + MEETINGS FEB. 1

Kids Night Out

FEB. 3

Big Game Parties at TD Restaurants

FEB. 6

Architectural Standards Committee Meeting

FEB. 10

Tahoe Donner Challenge

FEB. 14

Covenants Committee Meeting

FEB. 14

Finance Committee Meeting

FEB. 14

Valentine’s Day Snowshoe Tour

FEB. 14

Valentine’s Dinners for Two at The Lodge

FEB. 15

Friday Night Snow Tubing

FEB. 16

“Hands-On” Wax Clinic

FEB. 16

Kids Night Out

FEB. 16-23

Winter Superstars Week

FEB. 18-22

Snowplay Open with Extended Hours

FEB. 23

Board of Directors Meeting

FEB. 23

Carnival and Glowstick Parade

FEB. 24

Captain Nordic’s Dress-Up Day

All events are weather-permitting. See full event list at tahoedonner.com/events.

Janie Sharp CalBRE 00769865

Kristi Hood CalBRE 01443341

Janice Berg Anna Kennerley CalBRE 01981853 CalBRE 01965897

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

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(Continued from p. 2)

evaluated. Any new proposed rule will have a 45-day comment period.

The board is committed to fully funding the needs of Tahoe Donner’s award-winning Forestry program. In 2019, Tahoe Donner will have a third chipping crew to work on the street-side piles of woody debris.

In addition, staff and member volunteers are working to improve our emergency plans. They are collaborating with Town of Truckee emergency officials. Every tragic wildfire brings new ideas about emergency planning. Tahoe Donner will learn from those experiences. Our goal is to have the most robust emergency plan in the state.

As we saw in early January, emergency evacuations are an issue during times other than the fire season. On the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 6, with a significant winter storm, the last of holiday traffic and westbound I-80 closed, the Truckee Police Department estimates that some 30,000 to 50,000 occupied vehicles were stranded in west Truckee. It took many hours for Tahoe Donner residents to return home from resorts or even a trip to the store. I am sure that many Tahoe Donner members and visitors were unable to return to their primary homes to the west. The local emergency officials recognize that the gridlock was unacceptable, and they are working on a comprehensive regional communication strategy for those days when they believe gridlock may happen.

A valuable tool for residents and visitors is to subscribe to Nixle by texting Truckee’s ZIP code (96161) to 888777.

Short-term rental (STR) registration is now open. We appreciate those members who have already registered their properties.

Staff members report that the registrations are going smoothly. The board understands that the new rules are controversial, and that there are strongly held views on both sides. Some people believe that the board went too far in adopting the rules; others believe that we did not go far enough. Prior to adopting the rules, the board reviewed the hundreds of comments, both verbal and written, that we received on the draft rules, and made numerous changes to the rules as a result of member comments. Staff and the board will continue to evaluate the STR Rules and the Covenants Rules to ensure that we are doing the most good for our community with the least possible amount of intrusion. As always, your comments are welcome and helpful as we strive to strike the right balance.

Finally, I hope everyone has a chance to visit Alder Creek Adventure Center this winter. It is a great place to start your cross country skiing or snowshoeing adventure. The food at Alder Creek Cafe and the offerings at Trailside Bar make for a very enjoyable day.

Happy winter!

JENNIFER JENNINGS | BOARD PRESIDENT

STAY IN THE KNOW. SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY EMAILS:

TAHOEDONNER.COM/SUBSCRIBE

TAHOE DONNER CONTACTS Area Code (530)

MEMBER SERVICES Northwoods Clubhouse Open Daily 8AM-5PM 587-9400 | info@tahoedonner.com | Live chat on website

AMENITIES Beach Club Marina 587-9460 Bikeworks 582-9694 Cross Country Ski 587-9484 Downhill Ski Resort 587-9444 Equestrian Center 587-9470 Forestry 587-9432 Golf Course 587-9443 The Lodge 587-9455 Pizza on the Hill 582-9669 Recreation Hut 587-9413 Campground 587-9462 Tennis Center 587-9474 Trails 582-9672 Trout Creek 587-9437

marina@tahoedonner.com bikeworks@tahoedonner.com xc@tahoedonner.com ski@tahoedonner.com equestrian@tahoedonner.com forestry@tahoedonner.com golf@tahoedonner.com lodge@tahoedonner.com pizza@tahoedonner.com troutcreek@tahoedonner.com campground@tahoedonner.com tennis@tahoedonner.com trails@tahoedonner.com troutcreek@tahoedonner.com

ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS Architectural Standards Rod Whitten aso@tahoedonner.com

General Plan Michael Sullivan iceman40@mac.com

Covenants Fred Zapponi fzapponi@tahoedonner.com

Giving Fund Suzanne Sullivan tdgf@tahoedonner.com

Elections Bette Rohrback electionscommittee@ tahoedonner.com

Member Engagement Richard Mackler mec@tahoedonner.com

Finance Corey Leibow financecommittee@ tahoedonner.com

ASSOCIATION TASK FORCE CHAIRS ASO/ASC Charles Wu charles@aventechcapital.com

STR/Amenity Access Laura Lindgren lindgrenlauram@gmail.com

Equestrian Nan Meek nanmeek@sbcglobal.net

ASSOCIATION CHARTERED CLUB PRESIDENTS

MEMBER SURVEY 2019 WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK This survey will be distributed to all Tahoe Donner members to gather important feedback regarding membership needs, desires, and opinions about Tahoe Donner.

VISIT TAHOEDONNER.COM/SURVEY

9-Holers Women's Golf Shellie Poplin shelliepoplin@gmail.com

Quilt Club Linda Brush sewlinda@aol.com

Bridge Club Pat Callahan mrscallahan36@gmail.com

Rowing Club Dot Mace dotmace@me.com

Equestrian Club Susan Terrell terrellsf@earthlink.net

Senior Alpine Ski Denny Mosher dennymosher@comcast.net

Friends of TD Trails B.R. Levine tdtrails@gmail.com

TD 4-Wheelers Club Bill Ratcliff club@td4wheelers.org

Hiking Club Robin Reese rbtahoe@sbcglobal.net

Tennis Michele Forsberg minkeysf@sbcglobal.net

Junior Golf Club Jean Lai jslai@comcast.net

Women’s Golf Bettye Carmichael ibboop@suddenlink.net

Men’s Golf Keith Williams krwilliams37a@gmail.com

LETTER TO THE BOARD Provide feedback to help improve the overall association. Submit your comments and concerns to board@tahoedonner.com.

Learn more at tahoedonner.com/feedback.

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

5

THE REPORT

MAKE AN IMPACT RUN FOR THE TAHOE DONNER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Tahoe Donner board of directors needs you! Make an impact on your association and help guide the direction and success of our mountain community. Two board vacancies will be filled this June, and all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply by April 30 at 4PM. Full-time and part-time residents welcome!

WHAT IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS? The board of directors is a five-member team of unpaid volunteers elected to govern the financial management and general operation of Tahoe Donner Association while acting in the best interests of our nearly 25,000 members. Managing a budget in excess of $24 million, the board oversees the physical management of the association’s common areas, operation of the resort amenities, and enforcement of the land-use restrictions and architectural standards that create the unique character of Tahoe Donner.

WHAT SORTS OF ISSUES COME BEFORE THE BOARD? • • • •

Determining the amount of the Annual Assessment Deciding which major projects should be pursued Governing operations of the association in conjunction with the GM Deciding on appeals from members who disagree with rule enforcement • Balancing the wants of the membership with the needs of the association

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF BOARD MEMBERS? Board members are elected to a three-year term during which they are expected to attend regular monthly board meetings that usually last an entire day. Significant time is often required to review and research information to prepare for meetings. Additionally, there are occasional special meetings, and each board member serves as liaison to one or more of the committees serving the association, all of which meet regularly. Teleconferencing is available for some commitments.

WHO CAN JOIN THE BOARD? Candidates must own at least 25% of a residential property within Tahoe Donner, and be in good standing with the association.

Full- and part-time residents are encouraged to run. Association employees, those who co-own property with current board members, and those who’ve already served two consecutive elected terms of office are not eligible.

THE BOTTOM LINE! Being a board member is a valuable and rewarding experience that should be undertaken by those who see it as an opportunity and have the time to serve their fellow neighbors while protecting and enhancing the assets of the community. It is serious business, but also a responsibility worth doing well in order to safeguard the investments of every owner.

HOW TO RUN FOR THE BOARD? 1 Beginning March 29, pick up an application from

Member Services at Northwoods Clubhouse or online at tahoedonner.com/boardelections.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY APRIL 30 AT 4PM. After certification of eligibility to serve on the board, candidates are invited to:

2 Submit a candidate’s statement to be included in the

election packet sent to property owners

3 Participate in the following Election Committee-

sponsored Candidate Engagement Events: • Friday, May 3, 2019 Candidate Video + Info Meeting • Saturday, May 11, 2019 Candidate Meet and Greet • Saturday, May 25, 2019 Candidates Night • Saturday, June 8, 2019 Candidate Meet and Greet

For more information, visit tahoedonner.com/boardelections or email electionscommittee@tahoedonner.com.

YOUR VOTE CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE OF TD YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR INVESTMENT

Your lives are busy. You may only be in Tahoe Donner a few weekends of the year. Work, traveling or taking care of your family’s needs all impact your life. While voting for your HOA may not be your first priority, your vote is very important. It is your voice to ensure your enjoyment of Tahoe Donner.

LAST CALL

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION + EARN $10 IN MONEY AT TAHOEDONNER.COM/CONTACT-UPDATE

YOU SELECT THE TAHOE DONNER BOARD OF DIRECTORS! The board: • Determines the price of Annual Assessment dues, ski ticket and season pass rates, Peak Period pricing, Daily Access Fees, homeowner fines and more • Creates and enforces our Covenants Rules, including rules for common areas, private property, short-term rentals and more • Sets the vision and goals for TD, as well as the annual budget • Makes strategic decisions on how and when to spend association funds for large and small capital projects or to start or discontinue a service or amenity offering

EXAMPLES OF PAST BOARD DECISIONS • Construction of the Alder Creek Adventure Center • Expansion of Trout Creek Recreation Center and the Equestrian Center • Approved the purchase of new winter operation grooming machines and snowmaking equipment • Approved the Trails Master Plan • Introduced Peak Period pricing for guests and public, and more

$10 GOOD AT

ALL TD AMENITIES

• Ski tickets • Driving range • Rentals

• Lessons • Fitness classes • and more!

Not valid towards alcohol, retail sales or during Peak Periods. Other restrictions may apply.

YOUR VOICE COUNTS! VOTE IN THIS YEAR'S TAHOE DONNER BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION – JUNE 2019! Stay tuned for key election dates and information.

DID YOU KNOW?

AN IMPORTANT MEMBER VOTE IS COMING THIS FALL The Tahoe Donner Governing Documents were last updated 27 years ago. Governing Documents include HOA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Covenants Rules (C&Rs). The association is working to update these documents with current legal standards. An association-wide vote is required to approve these changes. Keep your eyes open for key dates and details and be sure to vote.

Valid for all households that update their contact info from Oct. 1, 2018 - Feb. 28, 2019 $10 coupon to be digitally provided in March 2019.

CA Civil Code 4041 requires updated contact info annually.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

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FEATURE

FAT Biking

By JAMIE BATE

Fat Biking Gear Fat bikes and their oversized tires may look awkward and impractical, but make no mistake, this relatively new cycling niche can be fun for the whole family.

Fat bikes got their name from their tires, which are 4+ inches wide, allowing them to be run with very low pressure and empowering riders to float on top of packed snow where a mountain bike would dig in and get stuck. Combine the large tires with the wide gearing range of a mountain bike and, viola, the trail-tackling possibilities become endless.

From Alaska’s Iditarod Trail to the deserts of New Mexico, the evolution of fat biking began with the need to travel more efficiently over snow and sand than a conventional mountain bike allows. The first fat bikes were made in the early 1900s, but the modern era of fat biking began in the 1980s and intensified in the mid-2000s when commercial models became available.

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center (TDXC) offers a fleet of rental fat bikes, which are allowed on some TDXC groomed ski trails when conditions permit. Spring can be the best time for consistently good fat biking conditions.

“Conditions have to be just right for fun fat biking,” says Sally Jones, manager of TDXC. “We only allow fat bikes on the trails when conditions are firm enough for fun and safe riding without damaging the surface for our skiers. We make that call each evening and post the next day’s fat biking information on the Grooming Report webpage.” Find it at tahoedonner.com/xc.

Once you’re familiar with your bike the riding is surprisingly efficient, but you should be prepared for a workout, and plan your route to match your fitness and riding ability. The best beginner trails are Cup of Tea and Piece of Cake. The “singletrack” snowshoe trails can be more challenging but fun for the more experienced riders. Test your skills on the Tim’s Trek and Cougar trails before tackling the hillier terrain.

You should always confirm what trails are open for biking, and be ready to yield to skiers and snowshoers who have right of way on the trails.

In addition to adult-sized bikes for rent, TDXC has two fat bikes for kids (riders must be at least 4.5 feet tall). So yes, fat biking is something the whole family can do together regardless of the weather. Go forth on a fatty and have fun.

Approach a fat bike ride as you would a vigorous snowshoe trek or a day on Nordic skis.

• Wear a low-profile skull cap and wicking base layer for warmth. Merino wool is always a good option.

• Choose outerwear for wind protection and water resistance. If the trail is slushy, expect things to get messy.

• Wear warm tights, preferably with a cycling pad.

• Since hands are mostly static when cycling, lobster-claw gloves that allow for gear shifting are best at keeping your digits together and warm.

• Winter-specific shoes or boots work well with flat pedals. Footwear with stiff soles is best for efficient pedaling and power output.

• Bring shades that you’d wear for Nordic skiing.

• ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding a bike!

TDXC Fat Bike Rentals A daily fat bike ticket or fat bike season pass is required to access the TDXC trail system. Fat bikes are available for rent daily on a first-come, firstserved basis. The member rental rate is $32 for up to 2 hours. A fat bike daily ticket or season pass is required, with day tickets starting at $23 for members. Learn more at tahoedonner.com/fatbiking.

TDXC Fat Biking: Know Before You Go Day tickets are available from 8:30AM when conditions permit. Half-day rates begin at 1PM. All trails close at 5PM. Riders must confirm that trails are open for riding, and respect non-riding days/times as specified on the daily Grooming Report.

Riders must only ride on trails designated for fat biking on that day. Biking on non-fat bike trails, off-piste or on wet, muddy areas can increase the risk of injury and cause lasting damage to Tahoe Donner’s trail system.

Only purpose-built fat bikes are permitted.

Bike tires must be wider than 4 inches and have pressure of less than 10 psi.

Riders may not ride on groomed trails if tires are leaving a rut deeper than one inch.

Ride single-file to leave room for skiers to pass.

Avoid riding in the middle of the trail, as it is often soft.

Stay out of the classic ski tracks.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

9

FEATURE

‘We Love It All’ From the Archery Range to the Downhill Ski Resort, the Lubrano Family Makes the Most of Every Minute in Tahoe Donner

By JOE LEWANDOWSKI | Photos by COURT LEVE and THE LUBRANO FAMILY

From their first afternoon in Tahoe Donner, Aaron and Mary Lubrano were hooked. At the time, Mary was a nursing student living in Utah, and Aaron was stationed in Alameda for the U.S. Coast Guard. They met in the Bay Area and wanted to see more of each other, and some friends with a house in Tahoe Donner suggested it as a more centralized location for them to meet.

“On our first day up here I remember we did archery, we did tennis, we went to the pool and we went for a hike,” Mary says. “We were like, ‘This is great. You can do all of this in one afternoon here?’”

That was 18 years ago. Today, the Lubranos and their three boys – Paxton (11), Keeler (8) and Alden (5) – live in Tahoe Donner, remarkably close to where it all began.

“We ended up buying the house across the street from our friends’ house,” Mary says, clearly smitten on many aspects of small town life. “We looked around and we just loved the feel of Tahoe Donner. We looked at all of the surrounding neighborhoods, but it just felt like the most in the mountains here. That, and the amenities really just pulled us in here. We love it all.”

“When you ski in the neighborhood where you live, there are no four-hour drives home sitting in traffic on a powder day.”

– Mary Lubrano, Tahoe Donner member, homeowner and full-time resident

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

11

FEATURE

Driveway Leads to Downhill With three boys at different ages, it can be tough to find activities that the whole family can do together. But thanks to their long driveway and backyard easement with perfect pitch and no traffic, Paxton, Keeler and Alden all discovered an early love of snow sports.

“I started snowboarding when I was 18 months,” Paxton says. “I started skiing when I was about 2.”

“I actually didn’t do skiing for my first sport, I swam for my first sport,” Keeler adds. “I just sort of jumped into the pool.” He skis now, too, and so does their brother Alden, who’s already thinking about a future as a ski patroller (see sidebar).

“All three of the boys were in Tahoe Donner ski programs since they were able,” Mary says. “So in other words, potty trained.” They all began in TD Tykes, a weekly program for skiers age 3-6 and snowboarders age 5-6. Alden is now in TD Tykes for Kindergarten Kids,

Sunday Funday Secret Cruise in for a Half-Day for $30 or Less “My whole goal is to avoid crowds. Lots of the resorts turn into such a rat race,” Mary Lubrano says. Especially on weekends, which is when the Lubrano family plans their activities most carefully.

“We usually Nordic ski in the mornings,” she says. “We mostly go downhill skiing in the afternoon. After 12:30PM it’s super cheap, and by then everyone’s leaving and you pretty much have the mountain to yourself. Not dealing with the hassle of the crowds is a big perk to us.

“And after skiing you can enjoy the deck at the ski lodge.

A spring Sunday afternoon like that – it’s my favorite.”

On Sunday afternoons or anytime, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is one of the best values in Tahoe. For group and private lessons, the grooming report and special deals, see tahoedonner.com/downhill.

and the older boys love to both downhill and cross country ski after learning in TD youth programs.

“Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is so convenient and it’s great for all levels, which is big for our family with skiers of all abilities,” Mary says. “The older two can go off on their own and we can still see them everywhere, and Aaron or I can just ski with the little one.

And when he wants to be done after a couple laps, we can just sit in the ski lodge and watch the other two.”

Paxton and Keeler say they like to ski together – sometimes.

“I like the fact that you can go fast, but I don’t like that you can go out of control,” Keeler, the middle child, says.

“I’m a lot faster,” Paxton says. “And when Mom and Dad come they tele-ski and like turning a lot so I usually have to wait at the bottom of the hill.”

Once Guests, Now Hosts “We have a lot of people that visit, and we love taking them to the Downhill Ski Resort,” Mary says. “The price is right, especially for people who are traveling and have young children. When they have kids that are learning, there’s no better place. It’s the perfect place to go. Whenever we take visitors there, they love it, especially financially.”

HAVE STORIES TO TELL.

Even experienced skiers and riders may prefer Tahoe Donner on storm days, Mary says. She recalls a houseguest’s long and ultimately unsuccessful trip to another local ski area last season after a big spring storm.

“When he came home he said everything was shut down, nothing was open, then he sat in traffic for four hours. I told him we took lap after lap of fresh powder at Tahoe Donner, then it took 10 minutes to get home. When you ski in the neighborhood where you live, there are no four-hour drives home sitting in traffic on a powder day.”

Lose yourself in paradise.

775.954.4135 or visit atlantiscasino.com/spa Join Club Paradise Rewards today. Earn 3% back in comp points while you dine, stay or spa. Must be 21 to enroll. atlantiscasino.com/clubparadise

Alden Lubrano: Future Ski Patroller On any given day it’s likely that at least one of the five Lubranos will hit the trails at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center (TDXC). Four of them are there for fun and exercise, but for the fifth, there’s a higher purpose.

“My youngest, Alden, is convinced he’s a ski patroller at TDXC,” Mary says. Aaron, her husband, used to volunteer as a patroller at TDXC, and Alden took notice.

“One day last year, when he was four, he said, ‘Hey Mommy, let’s play Cross Country Ski Center. You’re Sally and I’m going to be ski patrol.‘” When Mary told Sally Jones, manager of TDXC, about Alden’s game, she gave him a ski patroller badge – and some duties.

“She’d give him little jobs to do, like check the water in the Coyote Hut,” Mary says. “Alden loves it.”

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

13

THE

BUZZ EVENTS. DINING. UPDATES. DOWNHILL SKI RESORT

SNOWPLAY FEB. 18: SKI/SNOWBOARD FREESTYLE

Impress our international panel of judges with tricks, dancing and your own unique style. All ages welcome. Starts at 2PM.

FEB. 19: WEIGHTED PATROL SLED PULL Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is open 8AM-4:30PM daily, with lifts operating 9AM-4PM. Check conditions, book lessons and read FAQs at tahoedonner.com/downhill.

SKI + SNOWBOARD LESSONS

We are known as “The Best Place to Begin,” with ski lessons for ages 3+ and snowboard lessons for ages 5+. Book private or group lessons with great instructors at tahoedonner.com/downhill.

WINTER SUPERSTARS WEEK FEB. 16-23

Our favorite week of the year features daily competitions in a range of all-ages events that reward speed and style. Sign up on the day of the event, and stay for the medal ceremony at 4PM daily. See full details and schedule updates at tahoedonner.com/winter-superstars.

FEB. 16: ALPINE SKI + SNOWBOARD RACE

Race down Snowbird Run in this fun timed event for ages 4-8, 9-14 and 15+.

Racers get three runs, helmet required.

Starts at 1PM.

FEB. 17: LUGE RACING

Lugers ages 4-8, 9-14 and 15+ get three runs down our special course. Helmet required. Starts at 1PM.

Snowplay is Truckee’s spot for sledding, tubing and family fun. Entry includes the use of provided sleds and tubes (no personal equipment is permitted). Entry is free with a paid Recreation Fee. See rates and rules at tahoedonner.com/snowplay.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Sign up as an individual or with a team.

Two heats. Starts at 2PM.

Fridays | 1:30-4:30PM Saturdays-Sundays | 9:30AM-4:30PM

FEB. 20: SKI/SNOWBOARD BOOT FOOT RACE

EXTENDED HOURS – SKI-SKATE WEEK

Racers ages 12 and under and 13+ wear ski or snowboard boots and run in two heats. Starts at 12PM.

FEB. 21: HOCKEY SHOOTOUT

Try your accuracy from three different shooting lengths. Shoot as many goals as you can in 30 seconds. Starts at 12PM.

FEB. 21: TABLETOP CURLING

Play solo or with a partner in this fun and competitive event for all ages. Starts at 12PM.

FEB. 22: BIATHLON-STYLE COMPETITION

Skiers and riders ages 4-8 and 9-14 get three runs down Snowbird for this fun speed-meets-accuracy event. Starts at 2PM.

FEB. 23: CARNIVAL + GLOW STICK PARADE

Enjoy fun and festive carnival games inside the base area ski lodge starting at 4:30PM, then join skiers and snowboarders age 10 or younger (who can ski or ride unassisted) for a colorful group run down the mountain with glow sticks at 6:30PM.

Feb. 18-22 | 9:30AM-4:30PM

FRIDAY NIGHT SNOW TUBING FEB. 15 | 1:30-6:30PM

Can you sled and tube as fast once the sun goes down? Find out at our monthly Friday night event.

RECREATION FREE TRIVIA NIGHT WEDNESDAYS | 6:30-8PM Gather your smartest friends and head to Pizza on the Hill for dinner, drinks and trivia.

FREE FAMILY MOVIE FRIDAYS | 6:30-8:30PM

Join us at Northwoods Clubhouse for a free family-friendly flick.

KIDS NIGHT OUT FEB. 1 + 15 | 5-9PM

Kids ages 4-9 are invited to dinner, games and more while parents enjoy a night on the town. Register online.

CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER

TROUT CREEK REC CENTER

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center (TDXC) is open 8:30AM-5PM daily, with special 7AM Early Bird access for season passholders when conditions permit.

Check the Grooming Report at tahoedonner.com/xc.

The Rec Center is open 6AM-10PM daily. Access is free with a paid Recreation Fee, otherwise the Daily Access Fee is required.

2019 DAILY ACCESS FEE

SKI IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS

Improve your skiing by joining a fourweek clinic series. Available monthly.

Mondays Rock Your Skating – “Stuck” Beginners Tuesdays Sisters in Skating – Intermediates Wednesdays Sisters in Skating – Beginners Thursdays Sisters in Skating – Advanced Fridays • Shake It Up, Step It Up, Skate It Up! Advanced Beginner/Intermediate • Seniors Learn to Ski – Beginners • Seniors Learn to Ski – Improvers Sundays Team TDXC – Intermediate/Advanced

TAHOE DONNER CHALLENGE FEB. 10 | 9-11AM

This annual event is a fun challenge to ski what you think is the fastest route to multiple checkpoints on the XC trails.

Register at tahoedonner.com/xc.

EQUESTRIAN SUMMER 2019 HORSE BOARDING

Reservations for daily, weekly and monthly horse boarding for summer 2019 are now open for members, and begin for non-members on March 1.

Submit your 2019 application at tahoedonner.com/equestrian.

HORSEMANSHIP CAMPS

Riders ages 8-14 can learn the fundamentals of horsemanship, safety and riding skills at our half-day, weeklong riding camps. Reservations open in March, camps start in June. See website for details.

*All prices subject to change.

VALENTINE'S DAY SNOWSHOE TOUR FEB. 14 | 5-7PM

Bring your significant other to celebrate Valentine's Day with a guided snowshoe hike under the stars. Sign up at tahoedonner.com/xc or (530) 587-9484.

Member Guest with member Guest without member* Children 6 and under

$8 $10 $15 Free

*Transferable Guest Card required

RECREATION POOL HOURS The Recreation Pool is open 10AM-7PM Saturdays and Sundays only through spring. It is also open 10AM-7PM Feb. 16-24.

“HANDS-ON” WAX CLINIC FEB. 16 | 3-5PM

Bring a pair of skis and join Toko Wax guru Roger Chaney for a “hands-on” glide wax clinic in the TDXC Public Wax Room. Sign up in ShopTD or by calling (530) 587-9484.

CAPTAIN NORDIC'S DRESS-UP DAY FEB. 24 | 9AM-5PM

Dress in your best retro ski gear or bright colors for a fun day on the trails to remember the spirit of local kids coaching legend Mark Nadell, AKA Captain Nordic.

This is a free event and prizes are awarded for the best dressed!

RENOVATION UPDATES

• Renovation to increase usable space began Jan. 8. The gym and pools are open during construction, which is 7AM-7PM daily.

• Entrance has been relocated to east side of building (former Kids Club area). Look for the blue entrance sign.

• Parking is recommended on the side of the lot closest to Northwoods Boulevard for easy access to the new entrance.

• For your safety, stay out of construction zones.

• Kids Club is closed during construction.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

15

THE

BUZZ: CLUBS TD 4 WHEELERS CLUB We have a multitude of great activities planned for 2019, including a spring Moab trip, a Death Valley trip in the fall, monthly trail runs, socials, stargazing, trail maintenance, the Summer Concert on the Green, the Fourth of July Parade, Trails and Ales and a great BBQ at the Wheeler Sheep Range site. For the 2019 schedule, check out the club website, TD4wheelers.org.

Membership is only $10 per family per year, and signup is easy on the website.

We do runs from easy to difficult – it’s a great way to learn about backroad and off-road driving, recovery equipment and navigation. Our club follows “tread lightly” principles and works hard to make places we visit better. If you have any questions about the club or our activities, use the “Contact Us” page online.

Unlike competitive sports, the goal in off-roading is getting everyone through safely and learning about the places we visit. The history of the region is really interesting, and it’s humbling to think how easily we can get to places compared to the struggle of the pioneers. We really enjoy the cooperative nature of the club and learning new things.

SENIOR ALPINE SKI CLUB The TD Senior Alpine Ski Club is into its most active time of the year.

We get together at local ski areas on most Mondays and Thursdays during January, February and March.

We meet at the ski slope and set up groups based on ski ability level. A member of the club leads the group around the mountain to help those less familiar with the terrain.

In January we traveled to Mammoth for four days of skiing and socializing, and this month we have a group going to Steamboat Springs for a week. On Feb. 27 we have a race clinic at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort. On Feb. 28 we have a race day at the ski hill for clinic attendees or anyone else that wants to participate in friendly, low-pressure race.

These are always fun days for all. On the evening of Feb. 28 we’ll have a potluck dinner and social gathering for all members.

WOMEN'S 9-HOLERS GOLF CLUB Our members inform us that the golfing weather is fine! They are, of course, playing at different latitudes and elevations right now. Member Molly Stuart gives a thumbs-up to the Wailua Municipal Golf Course in Kauai, for example, and tells us that she had a great couple of weeks in lovely Hawaii.

Molly Stuart on the 18th hole at Wailua Municipal Golf Course in Hawaii

The rest of us are relishing the winter splendor here. We are busy skiing, sledding with the kids, and taking advantage of snowy views during our indoor pursuits, such as making music, art and delicious food. Because many of us love to walk our beautiful home course during the season, we are also hitting the treadmills and classes at Trout Creek Rec Center to stay fit. To keep in touch this winter, we are enjoying local social events, such as our January luncheon.

WANT TO JOIN THE FUN? Please visit our website at tdski.com for club information as well as details and dates for upcoming events. If you’d like to join, contact one of the board members listed on the website or just click on the tab to sign up.

We are always looking for those who enjoy downhill skiing.

For those of you looking ahead to next spring, our membership signups will begin March 1, and our kickoff breakfast will be May 23 at The Lodge, with a round at Ponderosa Golf Course afterwards. If you have questions about our club or want to learn how the group fits your golf style, please contact Shellie Poplin at shelliepoplin@gmail.com.

QUILT CLUB

As the snow falls, we look back fondly to our time together enjoying places that you can’t easily get to. Here is a photo of wildflowers at the Grouse Ridge Fire Lookout. Ahh, the beautiful Sierras! Join us on a future run – you’ll enjoy it!

The Charity Quilt pictured is made from a Dresden Plate quilt block pattern. These Dresden squares were donated to the Tahoe Donner Quilt Club by Donna Gogain. Her mother, Louise Huffine, beautifully handpieced them. Sue Klabunde assembled them with sashing, backing and binding, and Dot Ferneyhough donated her time to quilt it. It was given to the Sierra Senior Services to offer as a silent auction item at their January spaghetti dinner to benefit our local Meals on Wheels program.

Truly a labor of love.

Tahoe Donner Quilt Club is a group of amazing ladies with many talents and interests. We meet at Northwoods Clubhouse on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1-3PM. The quilters are all skill and experience levels, and we learn from each other. For questions, please contact Marilyn Dundas at md11792@outlook.com.

THE

BUZZ:

DINING FEBRUARY HOURS

FEBRUARY HOURS

PUB HAPPY HOUR

PRESIDENTS WEEK EXTENDED HOURS

FEBRUARY HOURS Lunch 11AM-3PM Mon-Fri 11AM-4PM Sat-Sun

Grab-and-Go 8:30AM-5PM daily

Trailside Bar 11AM-5PM Sun-Thu 11AM-8PM Fri-Sat

Dinner 5-8PM Fri-Sat

SPECIAL LUNCH HOURS Feb. 16-24 | 11AM-4PM

FRIDAY + SATURDAY DINNERS

Weekly | 5-8PM Chef David Smith presents a casual cafe menu with healthy, locally sourced ingredients.

BIG GAME PARTY

Sunday, Feb. 3 | 3-7PM Watch the big game on our huge screen and enjoy $6 food specials including a soft pretzel with jalapeño and white cheddar cheese sauce, or chicken wings with ginger soy glaze or hot sauce and ranch, carrots and celery. Trailside Bar open.

15275 ALDER CREEK RD

DOWNHILL SKI BAR + GRILL FEBRUARY HOURS

Grab-and-Go | 8AM-4:30PM Breakfast | 8-10:30AM Lunch | 11AM-3PM The Bar | 11AM-5PM

SUN DECK + OUTDOOR BBQ

Weekends | 11AM-2:30PM Relax on the deck when conditions permit with firepits, lots of outdoor seating and epic views.

11603 SNOWPEAK WAY

Sun-Thu | 5-6PM Get drink specials and 25% off pub fare, soups, salads and appetizers in The Lodge Pub. Not valid Feb. 17-21.

PRESIDENTS WEEK: PUB OPENS AT 4PM

Feb. 16-23 The Pub menu and drinks will be available in our cozy setting for après ski or any occasion.

NO CORKAGE TUESDAYS Bring a special bottle of wine and we'll waive the corkage fee. Not valid Feb. 19.

WILD WEDNESDAYS

Enjoy Happy Hour pricing all night long throughout the entire restaurant. Not valid Feb. 20.

BIG GAME PARTY

Sunday, Feb. 3 | 3PM Join us in The Pub starting at 3PM for Happy Hour pricing through the end of the big game.

VALENTINE'S DINNER FOR TWO

Wed-Sun | 5-8:30PM Mon-Tues | Closed

Feb. 16-23 | 11:30AM-8:30PM We will be open for lunch and dinner during the Presidents Week holiday period.

HAPPY HOUR

Wed-Sun | 5-6PM Enjoy food and drink specials including $4 Coors Lights, $5 drafts and $6 house wines. Not valid Feb. 15-24.

FREE TRIVIA NIGHT

Wednesdays | 6:30-8PM Gather your smartest friends, order pizza and play for great prizes. All ages welcome. Canceled Feb. 20.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT

Fridays | 6:30-8:30PM Bring your PJs and order pizza for a new family-friendly film each week.

BIG ON THE PIG

Every Thursday night at Pizza on the Hill we will have a menu devoted to “the little piggy that could!” Nachos, street tacos, sliders, mac ’n‘ cheese, pizza and more. Plus great $3 beer specials.

Thursday, Feb. 14 Bring that special someone for an unforgettable night featuring threecourse "Dinner for Two" specials in addition to the regular menu. Dining for Schools and other coupons not valid.

$13 PIZZA SUNDAYS

FREE WINE TASTING

Friday, Feb. 8 | 5-6:30PM Sample selections by Boen Pinot Noir and Goth Sauvignon Blanc, then stick around for special pricing.

Sunday, Feb. 3 | 2:30-8:30PM Watch the game on our 6x9 foot HD projection screen or three large TVs, and enjoy Happy Hour specials throughout the game.

12850 NORTHWOODS BLVD (530) 587-9455

11509 NORTHWOODS BLVD (530) 582-9669

Let us do the cooking with up to six cheese or one-topping pizzas for $13 each for dine-in or take-out. Not valid Feb. 17.

BIG GAME PARTY

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

17

*All offers listed are valid during non-holiday periods and are not valid with any other promotions or coupons. Offers subject to change.

Dinner served 5-9PM The Pub opens at 5PM

THE REPORT

HIGHLIGHTING GRANTS

$16,000 for Local Health and Human Services

By THE TAHOE DONNER GIVING FUND GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE This is the first in a series of articles highlighting the local nonprofit organizations to whom we awarded grants in November 2018. A full listing of 2018 grants and scholarships can be found at tahoedonner.com/giving-fund.

Thanks to your generosity, the Tahoe Donner Giving Fund awarded four grants to local organizations in the area of Health and Human Services in 2018. We hope to reward even more organizations like this in 2019, which we anticipate will be our most generous year yet. on raising injury prevention awareness and providing resources and inspiration when injuries occur.

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER of Truckee in support for their Mediation and Legal Assistance Program for low-income community members’ civil and family law matters.

“The Tahoe Donner Giving Fund helped the Family Resource Center of Truckee further its mission of providing direct services and education to more than 1,000 households annually,” says Elizabeth Balmin, director of the Mediation and Legal Assistance Program. “It is Truckee’s one-stop, safety net location where vulnerable families and individuals obtain education, advocacy and professional services for free in a welcoming and supportive environment.”

“Thank you for the support and the help of spreading the awareness of the organization,” says Roy Tuscany, founder and CEO of High Fives. This grant will help grow healing opportunities for adaptive athletes at the CR Johnson Healing Center in Truckee, a facility that provides resources for all modalities of healing. The facility sees over 4,000 visits per year, all at low or no cost to the injured athletes.

CHOICES TRANSITIONAL SERVICES to purchase new laptop computers for use by developmentally disabled clients during programs, research projects and field trips.

Choices was established in 1988 and provides progressive programs and services to adults with developmental disabilities.

SLOW FOOD LAKE TAHOE to use for a new native plant garden, signage and overall garden expenses.

HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION in support of personalized outpatient therapy sessions for 10 locals who have suffered a life-altering injury. The High Fives Foundation focuses

“We will use the granted funds to buy supplies, seeds, plants and equipment necessary to run the garden, expand our growing capacity by refurbishing the few remaining 20- to 30-year-old garden beds, and to support paid internships for one or two students to work in the garden. Thank you again for making it possible to do this wonderful work in our community!”

“One of Slow Food Lake Tahoe's main projects is operating the Truckee Demonstration Garden,” says Andrea Schaffer, member of the Slow Food Lake Tahoe board of directors. “We utilize this garden to teach community members how to garden in our challenging mountain climate, as well as to donate all harvests to help feed underserved populations during our summer harvest season.

“These grants allow us to provide individualized services to the people in our programs and help them develop skills that help them to be self-sufficient and productive members of our community,” says Nancy Chance, executive director of Choices. “Many of the people in our programs learn job skills through volunteer work throughout Truckee, and we also have some very accomplished artists who sell their work in the community.”

A heartfelt Thank You to all who donated to the Giving Fund in 2018. Here’s to making 2019 our most generous year yet!

The Tahoe Donner Giving Fund is chartered by the TD Board of Directors. All contributions are voluntary tax-deductible gifts from TD members and friends. The Giving Fund is administered through the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. For more information on the Giving Fund or to make a contribution, visit

GIVING FUND

our web page at tahoedonner.com/giving-fund. Contact tdgf@tahoedonner.com with questions or to volunteer for the committee. Thank you to our founding partner, Elements Mountain Company, for their continued support.

FOUNDING PARTNER

FEATURE

BEST OF TAHOE DONNER

WINTER FUN FOR EVERYONE

By JOE LEWANDOWSKI

Whether this February is sunny or stormy, deep or dreary, mild or magical, one thing is for sure: there will be plenty to do in Tahoe Donner, no matter the weather.

Here are a few of our favorite upcoming events for the month ahead. Some take place indoors, others outside, some are for families and others for lovers – in other words, it’s another epic month with something for everyone. Find more events in The Buzz on page 14, or at tahoedonner.com/events.

BEST SCREEN TIME:

SUPER BOWL PARTIES AT TAHOE DONNER RESTAURANTS

BEST VALENTINE’S DATE:

If you don’t feel like buying a new TV and can’t make it to Atlanta for the real thing, Tahoe Donner restaurants offer three great chances to watch the big game (or at least the commercials). The Lodge Pub and Pizza on the Hill will both offer Happy Hour pricing throughout the game, while Alder Creek Cafe will stay open late with $6 specials, including pretzels and chicken wings. Huge screens, great company, epic deals – the only way it gets better is if you win your office pool.

Raise your heartrate (and that special someone’s) with a guided snowshoe hike under the stars on Valentine’s Day – the perfect way to gain some new perspective and enjoy epic sunset views on the TDXC trails. Call (530) 587-9484 to reserve. After your hike, check out the “Dinner for Two” specials at The Lodge to indulge in delicious creations from Chef Lew Orlady. Where the night goes from there is up to you…

SUNDAY, FEB. 3 | STARTING AT 2:30 + 3PM

BEST CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN-ADVENTURE:

TAHOE DONNER CHALLENGE SUNDAY, FEB. 10 | 9-11AM

Think you’ve mastered the trails at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center (TDXC)? Prove yourself by skiing the fastest route to multiple checkpoints at this annual Nordic race. You can choose to ski to every checkpoint or just pick a couple then compare your time with friends over a drink at Trailside Bar. Best of all, every participant has a chance to win spot prizes on the trails, so get ready for a fast, fun day.

SNOWSHOE + DINNER FOR TWO THURSDAY, FEB. 14 | 5PM

BEST PLACE TO WIN A MEDAL:

WINTER SUPERSTARS WEEK FEBRUARY 16-23

Speed and style unite for a week of family-friendly fun and games at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort. From ski/board, luge and boot races, to tabletop curling, to the finale carnival and glowstick parade, there’s something new every day. Most events have winners in multiple age groups, and each day wraps up with a medal ceremony at 4PM. Spring will be here soon enough – enjoy your chance to be a Winter Superstar.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

19

THE REPORT

COVENANTS COMPLAINTS + ENFORCEMENT 2018 YEAR IN REVIEW

By ANNIE ROSENFELD, Tahoe Donner Director of Risk and Real Property Tahoe Donner increased its communication to members regarding the Covenants Rules and enforcement procedures established by the association in 2018. Covenants Rules pertain to people’s behaviors such as noise, lighting, parking, trash, amenity use and business activities within the Tahoe Donner subdivision boundaries. This has included information about how members can report and make a complaint, along with the need for timeliness of reporting to help address issues in a more expeditious manner. This education engagement has been through monthly informative pieces in Tahoe Donner News, reminders in member eblasts, website improvements and Nextdoor postings.

COVENANTS HEARINGS WITH FINES IMPOSED

NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS

AUGUST

• Starting at the end of September 2017, Covenants enforcement staffing moved from 5-day coverage to 7-day coverage.

• A dedicated complaint phone line, (530) 414-8166, was established, along with after-hours staffing coverage, initially Friday-Sunday and holidays. The after-hours complaint coverage was increased at the end of this summer, moving to 7-day coverage.

These changes have improved the complaint and violation investigation timing, from up to a 2-day delay to same-day acknowledgment, member contact and violation investigation.

NOTABLE RULE CHANGES

• The board approved new and amended Private Property Rules in August relating to restrictions on lights and noise after 10PM-7AM and prohibition of renting residences for the purpose of weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, etc.

For more information on these private property rules and all Covenants Rules, visit tahoedonner.com/covenants.

• The board approved new Short-Term Rental (STR) Rules in October which includes required registration, response to complaints, occupancy maximums and more.

For more information, visit tahoedonner.com/str.

The Covenants Committee met every month last year. The committee sat and presided over a total of 55 hearings in 2018, a marked increase over the 24 hearings in 2017, for properties with complaints brought forth spanning from illegal tree removal, storage, garbage, and parking to noxious activities: noise, lighting, dogs crossing property lines, aggressive behavior and barking, and business activities. A summary of violations which were heard and fines levied can be seen to the right.

There were a total of 440 complaints last year, and of these, 266 were actual violations of Tahoe Donner rules, the majority of which were first time violations. We are encouraged to see an increase in complaint submittals and attribute this in part to the homeowner education over the last year. A year-to-date complaints detail is on page 21. You will see the top two complaint and violation types for the year are again storage and garbage spills.

VIOLATION

# OF HEARINGS

FINE

FEBRUARY Fire Safety

1

$ 1,000

Fire Safety

5

5,000

Inoperable Vehicle

1

200

Vegetation Removal

1

3,000

Fire Safety

5

7,000

Forest Health

2

2,000

Noxious/Business Activity

1

400

Noxious Activity

1

200

2nd Garage Spill

1

400

Forest Health

2

2,000

Fire Safety

6

6,000

Dumping Ashen Material

1

200

Forest Health

2

3,000

Fire Safety

2

4,000

Noxious Activity

6

1,400

Fire Safety

2

3,000

Noxious Activity

2

400

Parking Limitation

2

400

Vegetation Removal

1

2,500

Noxious/Business Activties/ Parking off Pavement

1

600

Noxious/Business Activity/ Light Pollution

1

1,200

Business Activity

1

200

Fire Safety

5

6,000

Forest Health

3

7,000

55

$ 57,100

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

GRAND TOTAL

COMPLAINT CATEGORY

2017

2018

Garbage Spill

56

66

Storage

42

70

Noxious Activity

32

Non-Covenants

HOW TO MAKE A COVENANTS COMPLAINT 1

Call (530) 414-8166 (8AM-5PM and 8-11PM daily)

63

2

Email compliance@tahoedonner.com

30

22

3

Submit at onestop.tahoedonner.com

Forestry

20

5

WHAT INFORMATION TO PROVIDE

Parking

15

50

When making a complaint, be prepared to provide:

Lighting

20

63

Storage Misc.

12

0

Comment/Concern/Opinion

6

32

Dilapidated Vehicle

3

1

• • • • • •

Business Activities

3

9

No Permit ASO

3

0

Garbage Misc.

2

1

Private Property Machinery

2

0

Common Area

2

0

Inoperable Vehicle

1

0

Camping

1

3

Animal Control

1

21

Fire Safety

0

20

Vehicle/Commercial

0

6

Firearm (BB Gun)

0

1

Noise

0

5

Hunting

0

1

Lighting Misc.

0

1

GRAND TOTAL COMPLAINTS

251

440

GRAND TOTAL ACTUAL VIOLATIONS

144

266

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT Tahoe Donner staff will make every effort to contact the owner of the property being complained about, share details about the complaint and request voluntary compliance. Staff will: • Call the primary phone number on file and speak to the owner or leave a message • If no answer, call additional phone numbers on file to speak with or leave message for owner or designated contact • Email the owner via any email on file • Send follow-up email to the complainant confirming attempts to contact owner

COMMON RULES VIOLATIONS PARK ON PAVEMENT

Parking vehicles off-pavement, on another person’s property or on access easements, is prohibited.

NO OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

MONTHLY COVENANTS COMPLAINTS

Snowmobiles, motor-powered bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-road motorcycles and

90 85

off-road use of any motorized vehicle is prohibited on Association-owned properties, except for TDA Operations.

2017

80

2018

75

Your name, address and email Address of property being complained about Nature of complaint with times occurring Evidence: photos, video, etc.

How this behavior is affecting you What actions have been taken (e.g., called police)

70 65 60

RESPECT QUIET HOURS

55

Loud music, barking dogs and late-night partying are prohibited from 10PM-7AM.

50 45 40 35 30 25

LEASH UP

20

Pets must be on leash at association facilities and must be within voice control on Truckee streets.

Don't forget to pickup after Fido, too.

15 10 5 0

Jan

Feb March April

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

21

THE REPORT

GPC TO MEMBERS:

“YOU OWN A PART OF IT – BE A PART OF IT!” IT’S THE NEXT LEVEL OF OWNERSHIP

By THE GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE

WHAT THE GPC IS, AND IS NOT

GPC: that’s the General Plan Committee, and it’s at the heart of the member-led planning process that makes recommendations to the board about Tahoe Donner amenities, infrastructure and other projects that draw from the Development Fund and Reserve Replacement Fund. Those are the funds where a portion of members’ Annual Assessments are held for use in maintaining, upgrading or replacing buildings and land that belong to the homeowners association.

The GPC is strictly an advisory board. It makes no funding decisions and spends no money. It makes only recommendations, and only after thorough investigation of the problems, potential solutions, available options, pros and cons, expenses of taking action and the costs of doing nothing. Sometimes that takes months, and sometimes it takes years.

It’s a fascinating process. And it’s something every member can do.

BE A PART OF IT

Every member owns a shared interest in Tahoe Donner common facilities: Alder Creek Adventure Center, Beach Club Marina, Downhill Ski Resort, Golf Course, The Lodge, Northwoods Clubhouse, Trails and Open Space, Campground and Trout Creek Recreation Center.

more fun to be a part of it! Every member can take their ownership interest to the next level by participating in Tahoe Donner’s member-led planning process.

All members are invited to participate in the work of the GPC. It doesn’t matter if you have a small amount of time or lots of it, whether you live in Tahoe Donner full-time or parttime – there’s a place in the GPC’s subcommittee system for every member willing to work. Members can attend any GPC meeting, and it’s a good way to get to know the members, staff and issues. The meeting schedule is posted at tahoedonner.com/gpc.

WHO’S ON IT

General Plan Committee members are appointed by the TD Board of Directors.

There are nine regular voting members and up to two alternate, non-voting members, plus three non-voting liaisons: one each from the board and the Finance Committee, plus the director of capital projects as staff liaison. Association members are welcome to attend all GPC meetings, and meeting minutes are posted online.

Association members are invited to volunteer for GPC subcommittees – there’s one for each amenity, plus special projects and support functions such as GPC communications, demographics and more. It’s simple to volunteer; just email GPC Chair Michael Sullivan at gpc@tahoedonner.com to let him know your area of interest.

But why just own it? It’s more interesting and

HOW IT WORKS

Every GPC subcommittee uses the board-approved Capital Projects Process (CPP) to evaluate, track and document capital projects.

The CPP is called a stage-gate process: projects go through stages of activity, and at the conclusion of each stage, the board reviews the project’s progress before opening the gate to fund the next stage.

It’s a “best practice” used by well-managed companies for maintenance and construction projects worldwide.

Below are the six stages of the CPP. If you’re interested in more detail, the complete CPP is online at tahoedonner.com/capitalprojects.

BE THE GPC — BE INVOLVED

You know you want to get involved, but you don’t know how? It’s simple: just email GPC Chair Michael Sullivan at gpc@tahoedonner.com to let him know your interest. He’ll help you get involved in a GPC subcommittee that matches your interest and time availability, large or small, with a Tahoe Donner amenity that can use your help.

Thank you to all the members – past, present and future – who volunteer for GPC and other committees and help to make Tahoe Donner the place we love to be.

STAGES OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS PROCESS: IDEA DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT SELECTION

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

FINAL DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

POST-PROJECT REVIEW

PA S T ACCOMPLISHMENTS ALDER CREEK ADVENTURE CENTER Home to cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking in winter, equestrian and mountain biking in summer, Alder Creek Cafe and access to our great trail system.

THE LODGE RESTAUR ANT & PUB The old deck was transformed into an enclosed porch, the golf pro shop was expanded, the kitchen was remodeled, and a new sun deck was added. Now there’s room for more members to enjoy The Lodge.

PRESENT PROJEC TS TROUT CREEK RECRE ATION CENTER Renovation and expansion are currently underway in a two-phase project that will increase usable space to enhance member safety, satisfaction and experience, as well as to meet building code compliance and regulations.

TR AIL S + OPEN SPACE Work continues on the maintenance and upgrades approved in the 2013 Trails Master Plan, while the Trails and Open Space Subcommittee works on updating this plan for the future of our trails system.

FUTURE ENDE AVORS DOWNHILL SKI RESORT This subcommittee is looking at ways to improve our aging ski lodge, regrading Mile Run, adding additional snowmaking for Eagle Rock, improved parking, future pricing models and developing an overall amenity master plan.

E XPANDED SNOWMAKING The initial snowmaking investment resulted in more days of skiing that are not dependent on the whims of the weather, and helped the association’s bottom line.

Additional snowmaking is under investigation.

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

23

THE REPORT

ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS OFFICE 2018 YEAR IN REVIEW

By SHERYL WALKER, Architectural Standards Office Manager The Architectural Standards Committee (ASC) members saw an increase in projects and revisions over last year and have done a wonderful job reviewing over 327 projects (increase of 27 over prior year) and 165 project revisions (increase of 54 over prior year) in 2018, of which thirty-five projects were new homes to be construction in Tahoe Donner also an increase of four houses from 2017.

2018 ASC APPROVED NEW HOME PROJECTS 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2018 YTD new house projects submitted compared to previous year-end totals.

I would also like to thank the Covenants Committee members for their dedication and generous participation each month, which lead

2019 ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEETING DATES Below is the schedule of Architectural Standards Committee meetings for the first half of 2019, and the last date that a completed plan package can be submitted to through OneStop, the online portal, 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 or a shed, you are required to apply for a permit. All submittals must be made at least prior to the deadline so that we have enough time to review the completeness of the application and send appropriate notification to your neighbors.

Please apply online at OneStop, located under Architectural Standards in the Member Section, at tahoedonner.com.

to favorable results for the Tahoe Donner community.

2019 MEETING DATE

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL

I also want to commend my team, Darren, Ali, Matt, Lisa and Mindy

Wednesday, January 16

Friday, December 8, 2018

on a great year with increased volume levels from prior years. We

Wednesday, February 6

Friday, January 4

Wednesday, March 6

Friday, February 1

Wednesday, April 17

Friday, March 15

Wednesday, May 8

Friday, April 5

ensure that the aesthetics and minimum standards of our community

Wednesday, May 22

Friday, April 19

are upheld.

Wednesday, June 5

Friday, May 3

With close to 400 property transfers in 2018, we look forward to

Wednesday, June 19

Friday, May 17

saw new rules and programs roll out and my team adapted quickly.

Thanks also to homeowners and their hired professionals that we’ve worked with during the last year. Both committees and ASO staff have created lasting positive relationships with these homeowners to

meeting new members in the coming year.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Total Joint Program, including Anterior Hip Procedures Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care 24-Hour Emergency Care Physician MultiSpecialty Clinics Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services Tahoe Forest Women’s Center Health, Wellness, Fitness and Prevention Programs Tahoe Forest Center for Health Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory and Pharmacy Ambulatory Surgery Center Home Health and Hospice Walk-in Health Clinic and Occupational Health • Long Term Skilled Nursing Care

THE REPORT

LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY UPDATES

UPCOMING PROJECTS WILL IMPACT TRUCKEE AND TAHOE DONNER From road improvements to snow removal operations, these regional public agency projects are designed to enhance the community and increase our quality of life. Stay tuned for monthly updates, and learn more at townoftruckee.com and tdpud.org.

FREE WEEKEND TART SERVICE TO SKI AREAS

Ditch the car and enjoy the ride to Squaw Valley or Northstar with free roundtrip bus service from 7AM-7PM every weekend through March 10 courtesy of Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART).

Details at tahoetruckeetransit.com.

TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE

The Truckee General Plan Update provides an important opportunity for residents to share thoughts about how Truckee might best fulfill its community vision and how development should occur in the future. For more information, go to the Truckee General Plan Update page at townoftruckee.com and look under the Government tab.

POLICE SERVICES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Help the community and assist police officers by volunteering in the Truckee Police Services Program. From patrol services to community outreach to emergency support, you’ll play an active role in keeping the community safe and informed. For more info, find “Volunteers” on the “Police” section of townoftruckee.com.

SIGN UP FOR NIXLE ALERTS

What is Nixle?

Nixle is a community information service dedicated to helping you stay connected with Truckee/Tahoe emergency information.

Information is immediately available over your cell phone by text message, email and web updates. Your account can be customized so you receive the information that matters most to you. Whether it is where you live, work or have friends or family throughout the country, the information is immediately available to you over your mobile phone, email and computer.

What messages would I receive through Nixle?

• Alerts: many would refer to this as an emergency type alert • Advisories: less urgent need-to-know information • Community Information: day-to-day neighborhood to communitylevel information • Traffic: very localized traffic information How do I sign-up to get Nixle updates?

Subscribe at: https://local.nixle.co

Ask about monthly specials, and Tahoe Donner resident discounts.

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TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

25

FEATURE

THAI RED

Curry Bowl

From Alder Creek Cafe to Your Kitchen

By CHEF DAVID SMITH

When you’ve got a taste for fresh and flavorful mountain casual dining, we’ve got you covered at Alder Creek Cafe.

Besides daily lunch and grab-and-go goodies to fuel your winter activities, we continue to offer Friday and Saturday dinners that combine seasonal ingredients and international flair.

DEREK MOORE

The Thai Red Curry Bowl is one of our most popular items, and we’re happy to present this recipe for a DIY version you can make at home on storm days, date night or whenever the mood strikes. Be sure to stop by Alder Creek Cafe from 5-8PM on Fridays and Saturdays for our version – and many other tasty items in our convenient Tahoe Donner location.

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

RED CURRY BROTH 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped 1 yellow onion, diced 2 tbsp. olive oil 6 oz. pineapple juice ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce ¼ cup mirin 1 quart vegetable or chicken stock 4 kaffir lime leaves (use lime zest if unavailable) 3 (16 oz.) cans of coconut milk 3 oz. red curry paste 2 limes, juiced 1 tbsp. Sriracha (to taste)

Make the broth first. Sauté the onion and lemongrass in olive oil until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for a minimum of 2 hours. The longer the cook time, the more the lemongrass flavor will permeate the broth. At ACC we simmer for 6 hours and then let rest overnight. Next, strain the broth and season to taste.

BOWL TOPPINGS 2 (14 oz.) packages of rice noodles 4 bunches of bok choy, washed and diced 16 oz. button mushrooms, sliced 16 oz. firm organic tofu, diced 1 bunch cilantro 1 bunch Thai or regular basil ¼ bunch mint 1 cup cashews 2 limes

To assemble the bowls, sauté the mushrooms, bok choy and tofu until mushrooms and bok choy are soft, about 8-10 minutes. Cook rice noodles in boiling water according to directions. Place noodles in bowls, top with vegetables and tofu, then cover with broth. Top with some cashews and chopped aromatic herbs. Garnish with lime wedges. Feeds 4-6.

SHORT-TERM RENTAL (STR)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN ENFORCEMENT BEGINS MARCH 1, 2019

• Current STR owners must register by March 1, 2019 to avoid fines.

• New STR owners will need to register within a 30-day window of the first rental booking.

• All STRs are required to register with the Town of Truckee for the Transient Occupancy Tax.

• All owners, renters and vacation renters must comply with Tahoe Donner Covenants Rules. Owners must provide complete Covenants Rules and other documentation to STR renters and should obtain a signed Renter Rule Acknowledgment Form. To access the required documents, visit tahoedonner.com/str.

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27

45 DAY NOTICE: PROPOSED ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS FEE SCHEDULE CHANGES Pursuant to Tahoe Donner Covenants Rules and Restrictions Article V: Environmental and Architectural Regulation, modifications to the Architectural Standards Fee Schedule must go out for 45-day member notification prior to consideration and approval by the Tahoe Donner Board of Directors.

Changes to the Architectural Standards Fee Schedule will be considered for action by the board, which is expected to take action to adopt the proposed fee and fine schedule change – as they are presented here or with some modification – at its March 2019 meeting, currently scheduled for Saturday, March 23. The board welcomes any input you wish to offer regarding the proposed changes.

BACKGROUND

At the Aug. 15, 2018 Architectural Standards Committee (ASC) meeting, the ASC reviewed the Architectural Standards Fee Schedule. The ASC reviews the schedule every August in order to provide any recommendations for change in advance of budget drafting and the new fiscal year.

Additionally, the ASO/ASC Task Force had presented their recommendations for changes and improvements to the board of directors this fall, with subsequent board direction to the ASC and staff to consider recommendations for implementation.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROJECT FEES

At its February 2018 meeting, the board of directors decided to not approve a $170 (20%) increase, from $850 to $1,020, to the Major Project Administration Fee due to pending work by the ASO/ASC Task Force.

Board direction at the time was to come back with a proposal after the task force had completed their review. Now that the ASO/ASC Task Force recommendations are final, the committee is again proposing this increase to the Major Projects Administration Fee of 20%, from $850 to $1020, for the 2019 construction year. No increases have been made since 2017.

MAINTENANCE PROJECT FEES

Maintenance project applications and permits are free for members. A one-year permit is issued with the requirement for members or their agent to provide “before”

photos and then to close out the project by providing “after” photos. The Architectural Standards Office (ASO) has reported both to the ASC and the ASO/ASC Task Force that members and their agents regularly neglect to close out their maintenance project, even with reminders. The ASO sends two notices that the permit is nearing its expiration, and then a notice when the permit has expired. Both the committee and task force agreed that this was an area to be addressed. The purpose of any action related to this project category is to provide notice of project completion to the association.

Initially, a recommendation by the committee, agreed upon by the task force, was to require a project deposit to motivate owners/agent to close out projects. However, after further review of this recommendation, management identified that requiring a deposit would increase administrative tasks (therefore costs) both in ASO and Accounting, for the free maintenance project permit. Management is recommending, and the committee and task force agree, that a procedure can be put into place whereby if an owner does not notify the association of project completion by the end of the one-year permit, the association would provide notice to the owner for

PROPOSED CHANGES TO ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS FEE SCHEDULE Current Fine Schedule

Proposed Fine Schedule

Comments

Minor + Major Project Site Inspection

$90

$90

No change

Minor + Major Project Final Inspection

$90

$90

No change

Maintenance Project Site Inspection

No inspection fee

No inspection fee

No change

Maintenance Project Final Inspection

No inspection fee

$90

Create fee of $90 if permit is expired

INSPECTION FEES

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES Major Project Administration Fee

$850

$1,020

$170 Increase (20%)

Minor Project with Neighbor Notification Administration Fee

$465

$465

No change

Minor Project without Neighbor Notification Administration Fee

$100-125

$100-125

No change

Maintenance Projects

No administrative No administrative fee fee

No change

NEW: RESUBMITTAL FEE Full Committee Review with New Neighbor Notification

Charging $140 $140 under lowest Admin Project Fee

Create new category with $140 fee

inspection and apply a Project Inspection Fee of $90, as is consistent with all other Project Inspection Fees. This inspection would not be required, but only used to verify the project completion if an owner does not indicate that a project has been completed after multiple reminder notices that the permit is nearing expiration and then has expired.

PROJECT RESUBMITTAL FEES

The ASC also discussed Resubmittal Fees on projects that require neighbor notification. Currently, if an owner makes a material (significant) change to their project that has already been sent out to neighbor notification, or increases the scope of a project through a revision to then require neighbor notification, a fee of $140 was charged – being the lowest Administration Fee for projects that require neighbor notification (e.g., fences, solar panels w/ tree removal).

The committee agreed that this fee should be formalized as a “Full Committee Resubmittal” on the fee sheet because the occurrence of these situations have increased over recent years. Recent examples include: a new single-story house was proposed and a permit was issued, then the owner wanted to completely change the house to a two-story house and re-sited it on the lot; or a minor deck project that increased in scope to include a backyard shed or dog fence within the same permit.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS FEE AND FINE SCHEDULE

• Increase to the Administration Fee for major projects are proposed to offset increasing administrative costs like insurance and credit card processing fees. Effect would be a $170 increase to the Major Project Administration Fee. • Maintenance Inspection Fee would encourage project closure and be consistent with all other Project Inspection Fees. Effect would be a possible $90 Inspection Fee if a maintenance project owner/ agent does not notify of project completion and project subsequently expires without owner submittal of completion photos.

• Formalize Resubmittal Fee for major changes requiring new neighbor notification on a project. There is no effect to members, as the fee is currently being charged under other Project Administration Fee category.

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FOCUSED ON A

BETTER YOU

KEY DATES: February 1, 2019: 45-Day Member Notification and Comment Period begins February 23, 2019: Board of Directors meeting; hears member comment, discussion item only March 23, 2019: Board of Directors consider acting on proposed changes to the Architectural Standards Fee Schedule with or without some modifications.

Your comments are welcome via email: arosenfeld@tahoedonner.com, telephone: (530) 582-9630, US Mail: Tahoe Donner Association, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161

(530) 213-0225 www.tahoeorthopedicsandsports.com

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

29

THE REPORT

BRIEFS TD TEAM MEMBERS OF 2019 ANNUAL THE MONTH ASSESSMENT – $1,965 The 2019 Annual Assessment of $1,965 increased $65 or 3.4% over amount it had been kept at for the past three years. The assessment was due Jan. 1. Thank you to all the many members that paid on time.

For those who have not paid, you have until March 1 to avoid a $196.50 (10%) delinquency fee.

GIVING FUND DONATION WITH ANNUAL ASSESSMENT McKENZIE CUMMINGS INSTRUCTOR – SKI SCHOOL Noted by other instructors as “always in the right place at the right time,” McKenzie, a third-season winter employee, is calm and in control, positive and happy to help. She’s the epitome of a team player, and a gentle, patient instructor.

Please help us continue the good work of awarding grants and scholarships by making a donation using the Giving Fund insert, which accompanied your Annual Assessment invoice. Just complete the form, then include it and your check along with your assessment. Or, make your donation electronically anytime at tahoedonner.com/giving-fund.

WINTER REMINDERS FROM ASO For more information about the Architectural Standards Office (ASO), including office hours, visit tahoedonner.com/aso.

TEMPORARY SNOW PROTECTION If you plan to use tempered glass, Plexiglas, plywood or other approved materials to protect entryways, windows and other areas of your home this winter, you must first submit plans via ASO. ANDREA BRIDEAU-MILLER SKI SCHOOL DIRECTOR – CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER Andrea’s leadership over the years – attracting many upper-level certified instructors, clinicians and examiners – has fostered a unique training program that encourages instructors to obtain higher levels of certification, making TDXC one of the most highly qualified programs in the country.

COURTEOUS SNOW REMOVAL

Whether you use a snow blower, a shovel or a snow removal company, all snow cleared from your property must stay on your property, never moved to neighbor’s lot or public streets.

2019 BUDGET REPORT The 2019 Budget Report contains a wealth of information regarding the financial

aspects of your association. A few nuggets include: • Over $56 million in reserve assets to maintain • Over $14.2 million operating revenues budget (before assessment) • Over $7 million in planned capital expenditure investment in your association • Annual Assessment growth rates over time: 5yr – 4.2%, 10yr – 5.1%, 20yr – 5.8% and 30yr – 6.0%, with the capital portion growing at a higher rate than the operating portion The full report was included in the December 2018 issue of Tahoe Donner News and can be found at tahoedonner.com.

2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS As of press time, the association is wrapping up closing the books for 2018 and preparing for the annual financial audit, as well as the new California law (AB2912) which now mandates the board to review detailed financial records on a monthly basis. We closed out the year with positive results in December due primarily to our investment in snowmaking at the Downhill Ski Resort. The association’s preliminary operating results for the year indicate a favorable-to-budget variance of over $500,000 or 8%!

The unaudited December 2018 financials for the year can be found in the Financial Reports section of tahoedonner.com. The independent financial statement audit occurs in February, with the audit report released in March, and finally the 2018 Annual Report to membership provided in the May 2019 issue of Tahoe Donner News.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENTS The Tahoe Donner Board of Directors is deeply saddened to inform the community of the death of Darius Brooks, board director since his election in 2016. He brought his financial and environmental engineering

THE REPORT

BOARD MEETING RECAPS

expertise to the board, as well as a passion for maintaining the family-friendly nature of Tahoe Donner. Darius championed the development and adoption of short-term rental rules. Darius will be missed by the board, staff and Tahoe Donner community. We express our condolences to his family and many friends.

At the Jan. 9 board meeting, the board appointed Suzy Knisley to fill the seat left vacant by Darius Brooks. Knisley has been a homeowner for 36 years and is a past board member with a long history of leadership in Tahoe Donner. She will serve until June 2019, when the seat will go up for election with a three-year term.

WIN A WINTER

ADVENTURE

PACKAGE! #EXPLORETAHOEDONNER INSTAGRAM CONTEST

BOARD EXECUTIVE SESSION December 14, 2018

• The TD Board of Directors met in Executive Session on Dec. 14, 2018 to discuss personnel and legal issues. No action was taken.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING December 15, 2018 ACTION

• Consent Calendar 4-0 • Approval of Member to Fill Director Vacancy 3-1 • Committee Member Initial and Reappointments • Architectural Standards Committee 5-0 • Covenants Committee 5-0 • Elections Committee 5-0 • Finance Committee 4-1 • General Plan Committee 5-0 • Tahoe Donner Giving Fund Committee 5-0 • Member Engagement Committee 5-0 • Proposed 2019 Covenants Fine Schedule 5-0 • California Assembly Bill 2912 Resolutions 5-0 • Unaudited 2018 October Financials 5-0 • 2018 Audit and Tax Services Contract Award 4-0

NO ACTION

I’m not sure who had more fun. Thanks TDXC! #exploretahoedonner #dogsofinstagram 142

• • • • • • • •

Committee/Task Force Reports Proposed 2019 Committees Activities Proposed 2019 Architectural Standards Fees and Fines Schedule Tahoe Donner Amenity Access Policy 2019 Board Task Calendar and Priorities Equestrian Task Force Final Report Finance Committee Report on Tahoe Donner Fiscal Year Key Performance Indicator Report

18

More information and contest rules at: tahoedonner.com/exploretahoedonner

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS Saturday, Feb. 23 – Regular Meeting Saturday, Mar. 23 – Regular Meeting See full minutes at tahoedonner.com/boardmeetingdocs.

Provide feedback to help improve the overall association. Submit your comments and concerns at board@tahoedonner.com.

HOMES ON THE RISE The Architectural Standards Committee reviewed the following plans in December 2018.

UNIT/LOT

ADDRESS

SQ. FT.

PROJECT

09/652

13846 Pathway Avenue

1,544

House

TAHOE DONNER NEWS |

31

WHERE I N

T H E

WORLD IS TD NEWS?

RUSUTSU, JAPAN Todd Adams (left) and Gus Bean, along with Gus‘s partner Matt Yep on a birthday trip to Japan which included visits to Tokyo, Kyoto and the island of Hokkaido for backcountry snowboarding in some of the deepest snow on earth.

SERENGETI, TANZANIA Erin and Zack Lovell joined their parents on safari to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. They also visited Zanzibar before heading home.

MACHU PICCHU Katrina Rosengrant and Felipe Villena explored Machu Picchu on their vacation in Peru.

KYOTO, JAPAN Alex, Narbeh and Anahid Derhacobian visited the Golden Temple in Kyoto during their visit to Japan.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS Email your “Where in the World” photos to comdep@tahoedonner.com.

Please submit only JPG files of 300 dpi for printing. Photos must include a copy of TD News. Please list the names of everyone in the picture, where it was taken, and a short description. Note: please be patient; it could take several months to see your photo published.

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA Mike and Jan Shinn with Linda Stewart in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Leading the Tahoe Donner Market Once Again Units Sold Since 2011

Units Sold Year-to-Date

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Realtor #4 124.5 Units $66,120,000

Realtor #3 140 Units $80,720,000

60

Alison Elder 381.5 Units $230,880,000

50 40

33.5

30 20 Realtor #2 167 Units $96,530,000

15

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Agent 3

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Agent 5

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Information gathered from TSMLS 1/1/2011-12/31/2018. Volume has been rounded up to the nearest $10,000 for ease of reader review.

ELDER GROUP TAHOE

*

Information gathered from TSMLS 1/1/2018-12/31/2018. Volume has been rounded up to the nearest $10,000 for ease of reader review.

Alison Elder Real Estate Advisor, Par tner 530.582.8103 tahoe@alisonelder.com eldergrouptahoerealestate.com alisonelder.evusa.com

PARK CITY | TRUCKEE | NEWPORT BEACH | SAN FRANCISCO | LAGUNA BEACH | SAUSALITO | NAPA ©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principals of the Fair Housing Act. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. CA DRE License #01399851

TAHOE DONNER ASSOCIATION 11509 NORTHWOODS BLVD. TRUCKEE, CA 96161

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