Tahoe Donner News May 2017

NEWS

2016 MAY 2017

AFTER P16

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Hiking, biking, spending time with family.

You come up here to relax.

We’ll take care of the rest.

Simplifying Mountain Life Paint and Stain

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530.582.0300

Driveway Sealing

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Deck Restoration

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Snow Removal

JUNIOR GOLF AT TAHOE DONNER Our junior program focuses on teaching sound fundamentals in a safe and fun environment.

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NEW GOLF APP valuable features and information.

Download yours today!

NEW FOREST THREAT A tiny bark beetle has the potential to cause huge damage in our local forests.

Stay informed and be on the lookout.

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health and fire safety, there are some changes and additions to covenants rules.

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10

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Let's Get Together Your source for TD events and specials

Photo Contest Grab your camera (or phone)!

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2017 Election The board of director election is coming up

Concert on the Green Get ready for some more fantastic shows!

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Capital Projects An at-a-glance look at current projects

TDGF Donates The Giving Fund supporting at-risk youth

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Board Meeting Read a recap of the March 25 meeting

Tree Trimming Help eliminate risks of fire and outages

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Monthly Calendar Don’t miss our May events

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45-DAY NOTICE

TAKE NOTE

Treasurer’s Message Parting thoughts from Steve Miller

Our latest app is loaded with

To clarify minimum standards of forest

DEPARTMENTS

Where in the World is TD News?

TD News travels the world

$2,000 Donation Elements Mountain Co. generously gives Snowman Winner Snowman contest winner announced

Schools Win Award Local school district wins "green" ribbon

P28 COVER PHOTO: GRETCHEN SPROEHNLE

tahoedonner.com |

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VOL. 18, NO. 05

WELCOME

MAY 2017 EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION STAFF Brinn Talbot Gretchen Sproehnle Ashley Quadros Derek Moore Kyle Kelly Drew Deurlington

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President

Jeff Bonzon, jbonzon@tahoedonner.com

Vice President

Ron Wulff, rwulff@tahoedonner.com

Treasurer

Steve Miller, smiller@tahoedonner.com

Secretary

Jeff Schwerdtfeger, jschwerdtfeger@tahoedonner.com

Director

Darius Brooks, dbrooks@tahoedonner.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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

Email

comdep@tahoedonner.com

Advertising Sales Creative Concepts Media + Marketing is the exclusive advertising representative; phone 530-582-4100.

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. 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.

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| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

It certainly was an exciting winter here in Tahoe Donner. There have been many lessons learned about what a big Sierra winter can produce. I hope most of you reading this message own properties that escaped damage, and to those of you not so lucky, I wish you the best.

I am currently serving in my sixth year on the board and per our governing documents I am ineligible for re-election for a period of one year. As such, I was honored when asked to alter tradition and replace the board president’s monthly message with one of my own. Given my tenure and my position serving as treasurer, I’d like to provide some context and background to the annual financial report included in this month’s magazine. I hope you find the story as assuring and satisfying as I do.

Thinking back, I’m remembering my first year on the Tahoe Donner board and I really couldn’t believe it was snowing. It was March, 2012 and from the dais I was listening to Tahoe Donner’s Director of Finance Mike Salmon give the board his financial recap for February and year to date of that year. The atmosphere in the room was tense as the grim news was revealed. I turned away from the board meeting conversation to contemplate the green fairway grass, patchy white from the half inch of wet new snow. Typical of the winter of 2011-2012, the sun appeared for a

moment. I turned back to the room to face the fact that Tahoe Donner’s budget had suffered a $727,000 negative variance since the beginning of the winter season. Our downhill ski area, cross country ski center, and snowplay did not open until January 24 that year due to lack of snow and with still marginal conditions causing limited operations in March, our revenue remained weak.

Our operating fund member’s equity, which was at $727,000 at the end of October leading into the season, had dwindled to $888 (yes, less than a thousand dollars). If the upcoming summer’s revenue was poor, as it was the previous year, we were looking at having to borrow from the reserve replacement fund to continue operating into the end of the fiscal year. To make matters worse, a more precise reserve replacement study was showing that, at the then current savings (assessment) levels, the fund was going to run negative in approximately 10 years. The only good news was that we had negotiated the purchase of Euer property—which was soon to close escrow—giving our members summer access to the eastern portion of this beautiful valley for the first time in our history.

Furthermore, Forestry was finally looking forward to planning for their new building on a 20-acre site which we had also just purchased.

(Continued on p. 4)

May

M AY 5 & 1 9

FOR ADDITIONAL MAY EVENTS SEE

LET’S GET TOGETHER ON PAGE 10 KIDS NIGHT OUT

Kids ages 4–9 are invited to an evening of games, dinner, arts and crafts, our Friday Night Movie and even a bedtime story. See page 11.

M AY 1 3 - 1 4

MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

Treat the moms in your life to a special weekend celebration at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub. See page 15.

M AY 1 3

TENNIS CLINICS BEGIN

Join us for the ever-popular tennis clinics including cardio, mini camps, evening clinics and more. See page 10.

M AY 1 8

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Calling all musicians and music lovers. Join us from 6:30–9 p.m. for a fun-filled evening! See page 15

Jaime Waltman and Matt Warren of Elements Mountain Company flank Dick Gander, chair of the TD Giving Fund committee to present a check for $2,000 confirming the company's continued role as founding partner of the Giving Fund. This partnership pays for most of the administrative costs of the Giving Fund, meaning that nearly 100 percent of member contributions go directly to grants supporting our greater community.

ALL EVENTS ARE DEPENDENT ON CONDITIONS. PLEASE CHECK TAHOEDONNER.COM OR CALL 530-587-9400 FOR UPDATES.

M AY 2 6

BIKEWORKS OPENING DAY

Stop in for bike rentals and repairs, clothing and accessories. Ask about guided rides and kids camps! See page 12.

M AY 2 6

BEACH CLUB MARINA OPENS

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at the Beach Club Marina on Donner Lake.

See page 11.

tahoedonner.com |

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(Continued from p. 2) Fast forward to our current state. As of the end of March of this year, our members’ equity in the operating fund stands at an astonishing $5,397,000. For the winter season of November 2016 through March 2017, our major public amenities—the downhill and cross country ski areas, Snowplay, and our three restaurants— show net operating profit of $1,600,000. Yes that is correct, PROFIT. Our reserve replacement funds stand at $12,155,000 with an annual assessment component, necessarily adjusting for inflation and growth, sufficient to fund maintaining current standards into the foreseeable future. For operating revenue, we saw 18 consecutive months of record revenue from amenities, and again in the first four months of 2017, the streak only briefly broken in December 2016 because of rainy weather.

This turnaround did not happen overnight.

We didn’t know it at the time, but we were to suffer through three more drought years and several summers of heavy smoke from fires, until the winter of 2015-16 brought early and adequate snow. Yet quick action by senior management as well as significant policy changes debated in committee and instituted by your board meant that we have never since suffered those types of rapid declines.

That first bad winter caught us off guard after many “normal” winters in a row with steady and expected profits from our winter public amenities. To recover, drastic measures were required. Just to name a few, our staff was mandated to take unpaid time off.

A hiring freeze was put in place and staffing was maintained at bare bones. Expenses were heavily scrutinized. And, by year's end we were back on budget!

Along with management’s rapidly tightening up of all expenditures, our committees instituted new policies designed to put Tahoe Donner on a more conservative financial path.

First, the operating fund policy, controlling all public and private operating units of the HOA, was adjusted so that minimum mandated reserve funds, which previously had stood at $500,000, were raised to a more conservative and growth adjustable 10 percent of operating revenues, or $1,100,000 in the 2017 budget. Reserve policy was rewritten, requiring the board to follow a minimum of a 10 percent increase in the reserve replacement component of the annual assessment, until adequate 25 percent funded was achieved.

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| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

(Of course, any board at budget time, could, hopefully citing appropriate logic, increase or decrease this number.) And, the most critical factor in coping with the coming drought years—net operating results assumptions— were dramatically cut back to conservatively reflect the additional uncertainty created by that first bad winter. Though these changes did result in an assessment level which rose at a faster pace than had previously been the case, I have always believed that maintaining superior service levels would eventually equate to higher usage levels by our members and thus better value for your investment in Tahoe Donner. Furthermore, a strong financial position, which we now exhibit, creates an environment where we can rationally plan for reinvestment back into the community without special assessments.

The future is bright for Tahoe Donner.

Snowmaking at downhill proved its worth this season, allowing that amenity to be open during the critical December holiday season, even after all the rain. Through a major effort, the General Plan Committee (GPC), led by Michael Sullivan, has just completed a final draft of the new amenities master plan. It lays out a method for all members to see how and why development fund investments are to be made and the step-by-step process of communicating to and getting feedback from members at each decision point. I hope you

will read page 10 of the new master plan document, “Improvements which are needed to achieve Tahoe Donner’s vision.” Some examples are for GPC subcommittees to study how to refurbish our largest amenity revenue source, the 45-year old downhill ski area; the trails master plan 5-year development application—which finally received Nevada County approval—to begin implementation this summer; and the Trout Creek redesign to continue the architectural and engineering plans stage to create more space and user efficiencies without increasing the footprint.

I’ve probably gone on too long already, but I can’t leave the board without giving a huge grateful thank you to all our dedicated and talented committee members who have graciously volunteered their time to help make Tahoe Donner a better place to live and visit, and who have also put up with my innumerable questions—not to mention browbeating—over the years. I would also like to thank all of Tahoe Donner’s staff, across all levels, who work incredibly hard at managing and maintaining this complex organization and whose doors have always been open to me so that I can gather the information required to make studied decisions.

‘Til next time,

STEVE MILLER | BOARD TREASURER

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Broker has not and will not verify this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Real Estate Licensees affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of NRT LLC., Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. CalBRE License #01908304.

TAHOE DONNER CONTACTS Member Communications (area code 530)

Member Services 587-9400 info@tahoedonner.com General Manager 587-9431 gm@tahoedonner.com Contact Member Services to be transferred to other departments.

Amenities Beach Club Marina 587-9460 marina@tahoedonner.com Bikeworks 582-9694 bikeworks@tahoedonner.com Cross Country Ski Area 587-9484 xc@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 Tahoe Donner Campground 587-9462 campground@ tahoedonner.com Tennis Center 587-9474 tennis@tahoedonner.com Trails 582-9672 trails@tahoedonner.com Trout Creek Rec. Center 587-9437 troutcreek@tahoedonner.com Tahoe Donner Association Committee Chairs Architectural Standards, Rod Whitten aso@tahoedonner.com Covenants, Al Noyes alandjosi@gmail.com Elections, Bette Rohrback truckeebette@yahoo.com Finance, Art King aiking156@att.net General Plan, Dwight Walker walker.dwight@outlook.com Giving Fund Chairman, Dick Gander tdgf@tahoedonner.com Tahoe Donner Association Chartered Club Presidents Bridge Club, Pat Callahan mrscallahan36@gmail.com Friends of TD Trails, B.R. Levine tdtrails@gmail.com Rowing Club, Dot Mace dotmace@me.com Senior Alpine Ski, Michael Eyton-Lloyd hmsmike1@aol.com Tennis, Michele Forsberg minkeysf@sbcglobal.net 9-Holers, Lynette Powell lynette.powell@sbcglobal.net Men’s Golf, Patrick Gemma patgemma1@att.net Women’s Golf, Bettye Carmichael ibboop@suddenlink.net Hiking Club, Robin Reese rbtahoe@sbcglobal.net Quilt Club, Linda Brush sewlinda@aol.com Junior Golf Club, Jean Lai jslai@comcast.net TD 4-Wheelers Club, Bill Ratcliff td4wheelers@gmail.com Equestrian Club, Susan Terrell terrellsf@earthlink.net

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2017 SNOWMAN CONTEST WINNER THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2017 SNOWMAN CONTEST PARTICIPANTS! First year Tahoe Donner residents Lynn Faris, daughter Diana Kaplenko, and grandchildren Carson Kaplenko (age 3) and Bryce Kaplenko (age 5) had a blast building a snowman in front of their new home on Falcon Point Place. Since the snow was so dry over Martin Luther King Day weekend, Bryce and Carson helped pour some water onto the snow so that it would stick together better. It was most definitely a science experiment for the kids with lots or trial and error! The snowman crumpled several times during the building, but their persistence paid off. In the end, their snowman was nearly six feet tall, which is their tallest snowman to date!

The Kaplenko family received a $50 gift certificate to dine at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub.

ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST

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Would you like to have your photo published? We’re holding our annual photo contest for Tahoe Donner members! Grab your camera or go through your photo archives and select your best images that fit the following categories. We’ll select our favorites; winners in each of the three categories will be published in the October issue of the Tahoe Donner News and will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Lodge Restaurant & Pub.

Deadline: Sunday, September 3, 2017 Who may enter: Contest is open to all Tahoe Donner members of any age.

Three Categories: Action, Nature, and People. All photos must be taken at Tahoe Donner.

Guidelines: Entrants must submit photo(s) that fit in one of the three categories, and photos must be taken at Tahoe Donner. Photo must be in digital format; high resolution JPG file required. Limit five entries per person. Important: Entrants must be prepared to sign a release form for any persons appearing in photos and also to give Tahoe Donner Association usage rights to submitted images.

How to enter: Simply email your digital photo submission to comdep@tahoedonner.com. In your email, include the name of the photographer, category, date the photo was taken (approximate date OK), and a short sentence or two about the photo. If your photo is one of our top selections, we will contact you for additional information. Winners will be announced in the October edition of Tahoe Donner News.

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| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: CAN'T-MISS SUMMER EVENTS

TWO NIGHTS; FOUR TRIBUTE BANDS JULY 1–2 What’s better than a summer evening in the High Sierra? Not much, but add in some great quality live music in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Tahoe Donner driving range and you’ve got the makings for a perfect Sierra summer evening. On July 1 and 2, Tahoe Donner presents its Summer Concert on the Green, featuring four different tribute bands over two nights. It’s another throwback experience with bands covering Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Steely Dan, plus energetic cover band Wonder Bread 5 performing tunes from the '70s, '80s, '90s and current hits. You won’t want to miss this music event... four great bands, two great summer nights! See more at tahoedonner.com.

SIERRA CREST TRAIL RUN, AUG. 5 Starting at our very own Alder Creek Adventure Center, the Sierra Crest 30 and 50k is an exciting point-to-point trail run that takes advantage of some of the Tahoe Donner and Donner Summit region’s best singletrack. The courses offer scenic views of some of the Northern Sierra’s most stunning terrain, including the Euer Valley, Frog Lake Cliffs, Summit Lake, Castle Peak, and other incredible peaks of the Sierra Crest. Registration closes Saturday, July 29 at 11:59 p.m. More details: sierracrest50k.org.

TAHOE DONNER to DONNER SUMMIT

August 5, 2017

50k and 30k Point-to-Point Runs on Scenic Single Track Trails & Dirt Roads Registration now open at ultrasignup.com

sierracrest50k.org tahoedonner.com |

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FEATURE

INTRODUCING YOUR VIRTUAL GOLF CADDY

DOWNLOAD THE TAHOE DONNER GOLF APP TODAY The snow is quickly melting and that means the opening of the Tahoe Donner Golf Course is fast approaching. New this year is the Tahoe Donner Golf Course mobile application which is now available to download to your smartphone for free. Designed by Gallus Golf, the industry leader in custom course mobile apps with over 600 course clients, the Tahoe Donner Golf app doubles as your personal virtual golf caddy designed to enhance your day on the greens.

HELPFUL FEATURES AND VIDEOS The mobile app is packed with helpful features and easy navigation.

Whether you’re a veteran member, or new to playing Tahoe Donner, the app provides a visual map of the entire course with a detailed descriptive overview and helpful tips on how to approach and play each hole.

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| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

The app even provides a hole-by-hole fly-over video to help reduce

smartphone such as current specials, restaurant news, lessons and

unnecessary surprises.

tips, golf league news, and tournament info. Plus, be the first to know

CUSTOMIZED GPS SYSTEM Its customized GPS system lets players access accurate yardage from anywhere on the course, including bunkers and water hazards, as well as the distance to the front, center and back of the green. You can even measure the distance of each shot.

PERSONALIZED PROFILE; INTEGRATION WITH EZ LINKS Besides its caddy intel, the app helps personalize and streamline your game. Direct integration with EZLinks allows you to book tee times directly from your smartphone. After creating your personal profile, use the app’s virtual scoreboard to automatically track your scoring statistics and how your play is trending for later reference. The app can

about tee time deals. “A few morning tee times for Saturday just opened up. Click to book now.” There are even opportunities for surprise and delight offers, which reward frequent players.

In short, the Tahoe Donner Golf app allows you to: • Get GPS on the course • Book tee times with a few clicks • Keep score and track games • Follow live leaderboards • Monthly golf challenges • Share on Facebook • View food and beverage menu

track your game with friends across gross/net formats like Skins, Sta-

• View playing tips

bleford, Stroke and Par scoring. After playing a round, post your score

• Receive latest course news

to your handicap account easily with the press of a button. Had a great game? Share your results with others on email, Facebook and Twitter with the app’s built-in social sharing features.

STAY INFORMED WITH TIMELY MESSAGES Lastly, the Tahoe Donner Golf app will keep you informed of course news and deals that are of direct interest to you based on criteria you’ve included when setting up your profile. For example, as a Tahoe Donner member based in Truckee, you can receive messages directly to your

• Track scoring stats and more • Stay informed on the latest course info, including deals and special events Download the app, come out and play, and experience the challenge and beauty of the award-winning Tahoe Donner Golf Course. Find the Tahoe Donner Golf Course app on iTunes and Google Play. You can also scan the QR code for more information (see ad, opposite page).

We’ll see you on the course soon!

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The 2017 clinic schedule is set and this summer we will continue to offer many of your

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ENT E R C s i n t en I VAT E A M

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clinic favorites, from heart-pumping cardio

WEDNESDAYS: 4.0+ MEN’S NIGHT 5–7 P.M. COST: $3 MEMBERS, $6 GUESTS

tennis to instructional theme classes, live ball,

FRIDAYS: LADIES DAY, 9–10:30 A.M.

Ladies Day Drill and Play as well as many

SUNDAYS: MIXED DOUBLES,9–10:30 A.M.

newer programs including mini camps. All of our scheduled clinics and play dates are slated

The 2017 tennis season will officially begin with our opening day on Saturday, May 6.

With what felt like an endless winter coming to an end, we now look forward to putting our feet on firmer ground and hitting tennis and pickleballs until the end of our season in late October. Check out the Summer Fun Guide, the Tahoe Donner website, the monthly tennis calendar and of course, all the upcoming issues of Tahoe Donner News for the latest

to begin on Saturday, May 13.

Ladies Drill and Weekly Play Dates The easiest way to get out and play tennis

This tennis club-sponsored event gets the season started off with a bang as it gets you out on the courts for a great afternoon of team tennis. The exciting format will have you buzzing from court to court as you fight for

care of the rest. With our schedule of weekly

every point to help your team to victory.

organized play dates, you will get all the ten-

DATE: SUNDAY, MAY 28

nis you need without having to worry about finding a fourth or making calls.

TUESDAYS: MEN’S DAY, 9–10:30 A.M. TUESDAYS: 3.5+ LADIES NIGHT 5–7 P.M. COST: $3 MEMBERS, $6 GUESTS

during the 2017 summer season.

WEDNESDAYS: LADIES DAY DRILL

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

Memorial Weekend Season Kickoff

this summer is to just sign up and let us take

your Tahoe Donner Tennis Center has to offer

10

AND PLAY, 9 A.M.–12 P.M. 90-MINUTE CLINIC/90 MINUTES OF PLAY. COST: $22 MEMBERS; $27 GUESTS

ROUND ROBIN: 2–5 P.M. BBQ AND POTLUCK: 5 P.M.

Ninth Annual NTRP Tournament at Tahoe Donner The Tahoe Donner Tennis Center is hosting

ASHLEY QUADROS

Clinic Schedule

its ninth annual NTRP tournament on Friday, June 2–Sunday, June 4. The NorCal branch of the USTA has designated this year’s event a TOY (Tournament of the Year) in the 3.0, 4.5 and 5.0 divisions with 1.5x the ranking points up for grabs. Signup is available online at www.norcal.usta.com.

Junior Tennis Camps The Junior Tennis Camps are a welcome addition to the summer program as we look to immerse our tennis players of the future in up to three hours of daily instruction and playbased learning. The program will feature a

• 20-Play Package 18-holes Anytime, any day

$1,000

• 10-Play Package 18-holes Anytime, any day

$550

• 10-Play Guest Package 18-holes Anytime, any day

$700

• 5-Play Package 18-holes Anytime, any day

$295

Thursday Trivia Night Enjoy a pizza from Pizza on the Hill while showing off your brain power from

For public pricing and additional

6:30–8 p.m. You may even win free prizes!

Kids Night Out, May 5 and 20 Kids ages 4–9 are invited to an evening of games, dinner, arts and crafts, our Friday Night Movie and even a bedtime story. Parents can enjoy a night out while our trained staff

info, please see tahoedonner.com/golf for

looks after your little ones. Space is limited.

details.

Preregistration and payment is required

JAMES MURTAGH | GOLF MANAGER

flexible schedule to fit your child's other activ-

48 hours in advance by going online to tahoedonner.com/shop.

ities and a highly trained staff to help bring out

DAYS/TIMES: FIRST FRIDAY AND THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 5–9 P.M.

the passion for this great sport of a lifetime.

WHERE: NORTHWOODS CLUBHOUSE

This program and the rest of the junior clinic

C LU B B EACAHR I NA M

schedule will start Monday, June 19.

PR

forward to a great summer of fun at Tahoe

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Tennis is finally here and we are looking

I V AT E A M

EN

COST: MEMBERS $20, GUESTS $25

Open Mic Night, Third Thursday of Every Month It’s Open Mic Night in Northwoods

Donner Tennis. Please give us a call at

Clubhouse. Hosted by Michael Golden, join

530-587-9474 or stop by the pro shop for a complete list of events or more information on all the tennis activities at Tahoe Donner this summer.

Opening day is May 26! You can bring your kayaks and SUPs in for storage if you purchased a spot. We will not be offering parking and shuttle service from the high

See you on the courts.

IAN MINDELL | DIRECTOR OF TENNIS

us from 6:30–9 p.m. and be ready for a funfilled evening! We will supply an amplifier, but please bring your own instrument. This event is offered on the third Thursday of

school this season. We will be running

every month.

shuttle service July 4 from noon till midnight

ROGER BURNS | RECREATION SUPERVISOR

(or until everyone has been transported after the fireworks are over). Parking will be at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area parking throughout the day. Shuttle service is free.

E

We look forward to seeing everyone this

TY

URS O C F L GO

lots and the shuttle will do a continuous loop

PU

BLIC AM

EN

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season.

ALI KOVACH | BEACH CLUB MARINA MANAGER

Golf Season Passes and Packages

multi-play pack. We are looking at a June 2

• Weekday Pass Plus Sunday 12 p.m.–Friday 11:50 a.m.

N E DO

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TI ON A E R C E R

O TA H

• Junior Pass Ages up to 17, valid after 12 p.m.

$330

• Weekday PM Pass Monday–Friday, after 1:30 p.m.

$669

NT

S

$1,210

PR

EV RAMS &

E

• Unlimited Pass Seven days per week, no restrictions $1,590

I VAT E A M

EN

this summer. Opening soon!

now’s the time to purchase your golf pass or

Member Options:

PR

Join us for a dip in one of our pools

With golf season right around the corner,

opening date, conditions permitting!

EEK R C T U T RO C ENT E R R EC Y

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Friday Family Movie Night Free! Bring your favorite pillow and blanket

TROUT CREEK RECREATION POOL POOL OPENS: SATURDAY, MAY 27 POOL CLOSES: SUNDAY, SEPT. 24

Saturday, May 27–Friday, June 23 Weekdays | 3–7 p.m.

Weekends | 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

to Northwoods Clubhouse. Kick your feet up

Saturday, June 24 – Sunday, Aug. 27*

and enjoy both classic and new movies. The

Daily | 10 a.m.–7 p.m.*

fun begins at 6:30 p.m. every Friday night.

*On July 1 and 2, the pool will close at 3 p.m.

All movies are rated G or PG.

for Summer Concert on the Green

tahoedonner.com |

11

Monday, Aug 28–Sunday, Sept. 24

the Builder, Oscar the Grouch, Goofy, Yukon

Monday through Friday. Both camp offerings

Weekdays | 3–7 p.m.

Cornelius, and Angry Birds all tempted their

take place throughout summer and may be

Weekends | 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

fate flying down from Eagle Rock and launch-

booked in advance on ShopTD.

ing off the big kicker jump.

Monday, Sept 4

See you on the trails soon.

It was fun seeing everyone’s smiles on the

10 a.m.–7 p.m.

DAVE WALKER | TAHOE DONNER BIKE PROGRAM MANAGER

slopes. Be a part of the excitement next year.

NORTHWOODS POOL POOL OPENS: SATURDAY, JUNE 24

MIKE WELCH | TICKETS, RENTAL AND RETAIL MANAGER

POOL CLOSES: MONDAY, SEPT 4

Saturday, June 24–Sunday, Aug. 27

RE

Monday, Sept. 4

N TA

SH

E LS & R

son on Friday, May 26. This year, bikers will be treated to several new and expanded offerings, including special mountain bike skills clinics ER ONN

AR EA I K S L L I D OW N H ED

TY

O TA H

PU

BLIC AM

EN

I

Thank you to our members and guests for a great ski season—this one will go down in the record books! With 515 inches of total snowfall and a large turnout this season, the best word to describe the year is “epic.”

Ironically, it was our snowmaking that kicked off the season and saved our snowpack on some early rain days; then Mother Nature kicked in and delivered big. We appreciate the patience our skiers demonstrated.

The Downhill Dummy Contest at the end of the season last month had some great entries.

This year’s theme was cartoon characters. The Minions, SpongeBob’s friend Patrick Star, Bob

RE

Our one-on-one private clinics are by reservation only and are available all summer at a cost $99 per person (48 hours notice required). build upon their current mountain biking skills and improve their flow and trail speed.

Let our professionals be your guide in this exclusive Tahoe Donner Bikeworks offering.

Our new biking series takes place on select dates from June 1 through Aug. 5. Topics covered include maintenance, learning the fundamentals, biking basics, and there are even biking series exclusive to women and young girls. See tahoedonner.com/bikeworks for details.

Lastly, our popular bike camps are back

School and Angry Birds, built by the Ski Star, built by the ick Patr d frien ob’s ngeB Spo rental shop.

ASO built Bob the Builder, which won “Best Air.”

Tennis, anyone? Even if you’re not an avid tennis player, you should still consider joining the Tahoe Donner Tennis Club. The club

with contact information to use for leveled

are free.

Over the course of two hours, attendees will

Tennis Club

social events, competitive formats, a roster

and a variety of biking series, some of which

camps and week-long camps that take place

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

ARE INTE

provides fun activities for all levels of play,

that allow for one-on-one private instruction

again this year. We have two-day weekend

12

UB

P

Tahoe Donner Bikeworks opens for the sea-

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

S

S

R KS S

B I K E WO

Weekends only | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

CL A N I O J M

NER

IR

Monday, Aug. 28–Sunday, Sept. 3

DON

BER

A

OE TA H

EM TD M EET

ST

Daily | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

singles or doubles play, and the ever-popular Burger Bash events that provide family fun while challenging your inner the tennis player with free clinics by our pros, competitive round robin play, and an awesome BBQ to end the day.

Applications are available online at www.tahoedonnertennisclub.com or at the Tennis Center pro shop. The friendly staff is more than willing to explain the many benefits available to you as a member of the Tahoe Donner Tennis Club. Thanks, and I hope to see you on the courts!

MICHELE (MICKEY) FORSBERG | TENNIS CLUB PRESIDENT Tahoe Donner Quilt Club Tahoe Donner Quilt Club continues to meet

Staff in the ticket offi

ce built Ticket Office

Minions.

on the first and third Wednesdays of each

Championship Tournament will be held on

day with Tahoe Donner Junior Club is an

month from 1–3 p.m. in the Meadow Room

Aug. 3, 2017.

afternoon of all play and no work.

behind Pizza on the Hill in Northwoods Club-

The kids receive mini clinics from Tahoe

For more information, please contact Jean

house. All levels of expertise are welcome! We

Donner golf pros and spend time putting. For

or Russ Lai at rslai@comcast.net. Look for our

help each other out and love our show and tell.

younger players, positive reinforcement is

newsletter and application in the pro shop in

Please contact Linda Brush at sewlinda@aol.

important and putting best provides that rein-

early June if you are new to the program. This

com if you have any questions.

forcement in this venue. These activities occur

will be the 20th year for the Tahoe Donner

from 2 to 3 p.m. They play putting games

Junior Golf Club and we’ll kick off the Junior

that are designed to be fun and, at the same

Golf Club season on June 22, conditions per-

time, provide practice in distance and speed

mitting. We’re looking forward to seeing old

control. When they are on the course, the

friends and meeting new members!

younger players will have one or two adults as chaperones to ensure safety. Parents do not get involved in the activity. The kids play their own round of golf. Most often with the less experienced players, we play a scramble where everyone hits a tee shot, then they select the best shot and they all play from that point.

This minimizes the potential for frustration, and keeps the pace of play at a good rate.

This year we are adding something new for parents. To add value to this experience, we want the non-golfing parents to become involved in the game by offering free clinics for them while the kids are on the course.

This allows parents to understand what the kids are doing, and to some extent, appreciate A few examples of quilts made by the Quilt Club.

Junior Golf Club Another golf season is upon us, and it is never too early to begin thinking about Junior Golf at Tahoe Donner. Originally the club

the challenges they face. We believe bringing adults into the loop will further reinforce the experience, and increase the probability that the children will continue with the game because it is done as a family experience.

After 6 p.m., a junior and one adult can play

was formed to allow kids to experience and

Tahoe Donner for only $20. This is good rein-

play the great game with peers. It is a good

forcement for the junior, and a great opportu-

opportunity to meet new friends and to spend

nity to share an experience with your child.

9-Holers Women’s Golf Club The 9-Holers will kick off the 2017 golf season with our Spring Breakfast on May 18 at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub. Following breakfast is optional pre-season golf at Ponderosa (weather permitting). We are scheduled for our opening day of regular play at Tahoe Donner once the course is open for the season.

These outings are just the beginning of a season filled with great golf and many social events. If you are thinking of joining the 9-Holers, then this is definitely the time to join.

If you have knowledge of golf and course experience, you will enjoy playing with us! All Tahoe Donner property owners are eligible to play. If you are not a Tahoe Donner property owner, we would love you to join us too. We have a limited number of spaces, so get your application in!

You can download an application at tahoedonner.com/recreation/golf/clubs or pick one up at Northwoods Clubhouse in the Member Services office. Please direct

time with existing golf friends. The club is

In helping to build on the family experience,

open to all juniors, ages 17 and under, who

The Lodge is offering a 20 percent discount on

have had some on-the-course experience and

food for the families of juniors who partici-

who have a basic understanding of the rules

pate in the Thursday play days. The discount

and etiquette of golf. We have many beginner

is available only on Thursdays that the child

players as well as a few very accomplished

participates in the play day. Also, parents of

players. We meet every Thursday afternoon

participating juniors will get Golfers’ Happy

at the practice area for mini clinics, putting

Golf Club offers the opportunity for non-prop-

Hour in The Lodge. What a great way to spend

games and a 9-hole round of golf. Check-in

erty owners to join the club and thus play in

a Thursday afternoon; check your junior into

begins at 2 p.m. with tee times starting at 3

all the tournaments? This means that as a

the program, watch your children on the

p.m. The club dues are $10 for the season. This

property owner you may invite a friend to join

putting green and see them off on their round

helps pay for snacks and prizes for our play

the club and they may participate in all club

for the day. Then, it's your turn to spend some

days, and pays some expenses for the club

events. Simply pick up an application from

time with the golf pros of Tahoe Donner or

tournament at the end of the season. Save the

Member Services at Northwoods Clubhouse or

join friends for a game of golf. While you are

dates: July 6, 2017 will be our Ice Cream Social

from the bulletin board outside the pro shop

waiting for the kids to complete their rounds,

with free ice cream and toppings, right before

at Tahoe Donner Golf Course; complete it and

enjoy Golfers’ Happy Hour on the deck, and

our normal Thursday play day; and the Club

mail to the address listed on the application.

finish it off with a discounted dinner. Thurs-

Alternatively, there is a drop box outside the

any questions to our club president, Lynette Powell, at lynette.powell@sbcglobal.net or call 530-582-1738.

Tahoe Donner Men's Golf Club Did you know that the Tahoe Donner Men's

tahoedonner.com |

13

pro shop where the application and check can be placed. Once one becomes a member, they will receive timely information on all club events by email. We have over a dozen tournaments scheduled for the 2017 season as well as the weekly Wednesday games.

Invite a friend and come join the TD Men's Golf Club!

Upcoming Events:

the club is for anyone with a 4WD vehicle who

June 2017

likes to explore new places via less-traveled

Member Potluck Social (See

club website for details) July 23–25

dirt roads. We stopped at a Mexican restau-

Women’s Invitational Golf

Tournament* Aug. 8–9

over Mount Rose Highway. It was a great day!

Team Match Play

*Please mark our Invitational dates on your

Nevada Mountains and our own wonderful

No problem. There are quite a few gals at the

Tahoe Donner. With the snow depth this year,

Ridge and at Lincoln Hills who would like

we’re exploring Nevada for the next several

to play. Each foursome can have a maximum

months. El Dorado Canyon, south of Dayton,

of two members. If you need a guest, please

Nev. was our second run, which occurred on

email Robin (rbtahoe@sbcglobal.net) and she

April 29. This run was moderate but we’ll have

will arrange one for you; you can even meet

some easy runs this summer and fall.

Tahoe Donner 4 Wheelers Club The club held its first trail run this year venturing out of the snow to Prison Hill in Carson City, Nev. It’s called Prison Hill, because it sits

Tahoe Donner Women’s Golf Club Hopefully, after watching the exciting Masters Golf tournament, you have an itch to hit the links! Even though as of April snow was still falling, there is no excuse for not practicing your swing. Here are a few good ideas: Set up an indoor practice putting mat; practice chipping whiffle balls; stretch and strengthen in yoga for golfers; or watch golf tips on YouTube or television.

The Tahoe Donner Women’s Golf Club (TDWGC) plays 18-hole rounds on Tuesdays, May through October. In addition to the weekly golf games, TDWGC organizes fun and competitive golf events. Please join us as a guest to see how fun and friendly we are.

For details, visit our website: www.tdwomengolf.org. Interested in joining our club?

Email TDWGC Membership Director, Kathie Schwartz, at jerryandapple@aol.com for an application or go to https://sites.google.com/site/tdgolfwomen/ home, and click on the application. Interested parties may also pick up an application from Member Services at Northwoods Clubhouse.

For any additional TDWGC inquires, email tdwgclub@gmail.com.

14

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

The Nevada high desert is sure a stark contrast from the beautiful snow-covered Sierra

calendar and notify your guests. No guests?

and play in advance if you’d like to.

TDWGC Invitational FUN ! ’s Golf Save the Date for this Summer of Broadway” Invitational! Theme - “The Best

rant for a delicious dinner on the way home

above one of Nevada’s correctional facilities.

It was a little unnerving hearing the shots from the correctional officer firing range far below our vantage point on one of the tall rock outcroppings, but the views of the snow-

We’re working on a new website and we’ll have the year’s schedule posted there once the site goes live. The club is up to 110 members and continues to grow. Remember, it is always safer to explore the backroads with other suitable vehicles to avoid getting stuck on a trail alone. For more information about the club or to join, contact us via email at td4wheelers@gmail.com.

DEAN EPPLEY | CLUB MEMBER

capped mountains were spectacular!

On this trip, we did some winch practice and drove the trails negotiating some steep ascents and rutted trails. We even did some bouldering (on foot) with the dogs and Katelyne, the always adventurous 6-year-old on the trip.

We had five vehicles this outing—all Jeeps this time, but remember

The club stretches their feet

to explore Prison Hill.

12850 Northwoods Blvd.

530-587-9455 tahoedonner.com/the-lodge

The restaurant is open daily for dinner starting at 5 p.m.

Daytime Operations The Lodge Pub and T-9 Grill will both be open daily in conjunction with Tahoe Donner Golf Couse opening for the season. T-9 Grill will be offering breakfast, lunch and snack options and lunch service will be

• 50 percent off entrée coupon for mom We love our moms so much, we want to make sure they know it. We are giving each mom that comes in for dinner on Mother’s Day weekend a voucher for 50 percent off her entrée, good for her next visit.

Must be in for dinner May 13 or 14 to receive voucher. Voucher is good for 50 percent off any item from the entrée section of the menu. Offer valid from May 15 through June 15, 2017, excluding May 26–28.

National Chardonnay Day, May 25

In honor of National Chardonnay Day, we’re giving you a free available in The Lodge Pub, as prepared by the T-9 Grill, from 11:30 a.m. chardonnay tasting from 5–7 p.m. Stop on by!

SPECIAL EVENTS

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS

Cinco de Mayo Party, May 5*

Golfers’ Happy Hour

We are celebrating with the

Upon Tahoe Donner Golf Course opening for the season, our unfor-

following deals: • Mexican food specials by Sous Chef Freddy Zarate

gettable Golfers’ Happy Hour will return for the season, too. Golfers will enjoy Happy Hour from 1–4 p.m. every day in the Pub. Not valid until the course opens or on Memorial Day weekend, May 26–28.

• $5 margaritas

Happy Hour*

• $3 Coronas

Offered daily for all of May! Enjoy drink specials and 25 percent off

• Happy Hour all night in entire restaurant

shared plates, soups and salads in the Pub, valid every day from 5–6:30

Mother’s Day Weekend Celebrations, Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14*

into hours of 4–6 p.m. Not valid Memorial Day weekend, May 26–28.

Mothers and their families will enjoy the following all weekend long: • Free glass of champagne for mothers (limit one per mom)

restaurant and Pub. Enjoy food and drink specials, plus 25 percent off

p.m. in the Pub. After the golf course opens, happy hour will transition

Wild Wednesdays*

• “Extra-special” specials by Chef Lew

Get wild and enjoy Happy Hour specials all night long in the entire shared plates, soups and salads.

No Corkage Tuesdays*

• Crafts for the kids from 5–7 p.m. each day

Bring in a special bottle of wine from home to savor in the dining room and we’ll waive the corkage fee on Tuesdays.

PIZZA ON THE HILL 11509 Northwoods Blvd 530-582-9669 tahoedonner.com/pizza-on-the-hill

Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 5–8:30 p.m.

Ask about our specialty pizzas!

MAY SPECIALS Kids Eat Free on Mondays!

Get dinner for yourself, and your child eats free! On Mondays, kids may choose an individual-size pizza (two toppings), or one item from the designated kids menu and enjoy it for free!

Guidelines: To receive a free kid’s meal, it must

Happy Hour* Enjoy $4 Coors Light, $5 draft beers and $5 house cabernet or chardonnay by the glass; plus, enjoy half-price wings. Offered from 5–6 p.m., Thursday – Monday.

Brat ’n Beer Special* Everyone loved our Brat ‘n Beer special so much in April, we “brat” it back again for all of May! Get a bratwurst sandwich and a side of fries with ANY beer for just $10, valid all month long.

$10 Pizza Sundays* It’s pizza for just $10! Grab this deal

be accompanied by the purchase of a pizza or

every Sunday at Pizza on the Hill. Valid for

entrée. One child per entrée or two children

cheese, pepperoni and even sausage pizza.

per pizza. This deal is not valid with any other

Take advantage of this deal for up to six

promotion or special.

pizzas, available to-go or dine-in. Offer not valid May 28.

ONGOING EVENTS Thursday Night Trivia It’s time to test your smarts! Trivia lovers— this is your chance to win big! Don’t miss our Trivia Night at Pizza on the Hill. See page 11 for details.

Friday Family Movie Night Enjoy a movie on our big screen for FREE. See page 11 for details.

Open Mic Night, May 18 Calling all local musicians and live music fans: join us for Open Mic Night this month!

A sound system and stage will be set up for participants, but musicians need to bring their instruments. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. Note: event happens simultaneously with Trivia Night.

tahoedonner.com |

15

*Promotions cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon and are not valid during holiday periods.

DINING OPTIONS

THE LODGE RESTAURANT & PUB

*Promotions cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon and are not valid during holiday periods.

MORE DINING

ELECTION

ALDER CREEK CAFE AND TRAILSIDE BAR

After you fill out your ballot, don’t forget to sign the outer envelope!

15275 Alder Creek Rd. 530-587-9484 tahoedonner.com/aldercreekcafe

Cafe and Bar Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

MAY SPECIALS We can’t let The Lodge Restaurant & Pub and Pizza on the Hill have all the fun. Come out and join us on our beautiful back patio that overlooks the meadow as you enjoy one of our many special offerings this spring.

The following offers are valid through May 25:

Burger and Beer for $10 Monday–Thursday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., get a Smash Burger (angus beef, charred red onions, cheddar, tomato jam, roasted garlic aioli and baby arugula on a whole-wheat bun) and pair it with any of our draft beers for only $10!

Friday Free Tastings Join us each Friday for a free beer and wine tasting from 2–5 p.m. The chef also creates an appetizer special each week, in addition to offering our regular menu.

Saturday Hops and Grapes Special Every Saturday when you order a lunch entrée, add on a beer or glass of wine for just $4.

Game Day Sunday Come watch the NBA and Stanley cup playoffs with $6 Bloody Marys and mimosas.

Daily Happy Hour Enjoy $4 select drafts, $4 house chardonnay or cabernet every day from 2–5 p.m.

Live Music Saturday, May 6 From 1–4 p.m., enjoy live music with us, and from 1-5 p.m., you can enjoy happy hour specials, too.

16

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

2017 ELECTION: Two director positions are open for election.

You will receive election materials, including voting instructions and each candidate’s statement, for this year’s board of directors election approximately the fourth week in May. These statements are the sole work of their authors (the association does not edit them in any way); their purpose is to give owners insight into the perspectives of the individual candidates.

For more information, plan to attend Candidates’ Night on Saturday, June 17, from 7–9 p.m. at the Northwoods Clubhouse. This is an opportunity to hear candidates present their positions and views for the future of Tahoe Donner and for members to ask the candidates questions. (Note: as provided by the amended restated bylaws, if one, but no more than one, eligible candidate submits a timely application for this election, the board of directors will declare that candidate elected and the director election concluded.)

Please read the election materials carefully. California law has made association elections more technical, and as specified in our director election materials, specific detailed procedures must be followed to comply with these laws and for your vote to be counted.

To cast your ballot, you must seal the ballot in one

PLACE YOUR VOTE! envelope, which is then sealed in another envelope. The outer envelope must bear specific information about you (name and property designation) and your signature. PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN THE OUTER ENVELOPE WHERE INDICATED. Likewise, please do not make extraneous marks on the ballot itself. If these steps are not followed exactly, according to California law, the ballot is disqualified.

Please participate in these elections and cast your vote for the candidate you feel will best represent you on the board. If you have questions, contact the elections committee (electionscommittee@tahoedonner.com) or Megan Rodman at 530-587-9431.

CAPITAL PROJECTS AT A GLANCE CAPITAL PROJECT

IDEA SELECTION

PROJECT SELECTION

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

FINAL DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION

REVIEW

Post Project Review May 1

WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS Member Forum held March 31 Presented to Board April 22

ASSOCIATION MASTER PLAN

Post Project Review to be Scheduled

SUMMER TRAIL GROOMING ALDER CREEK ADVENTURE CENTER ADDITIONAL STORAGE

Under Construction

Post Project Review to be Scheduled

TROUT CREEK RECREATION CENTER POOLISIDE LOCKER ROOM REMODEL Obtaining Quotes From Architects

TROUT CREEK RECREATION CENTER SPACE REALLOCATION Options Being Evaluated

CLUSTER MAILBOX CONSOLIDATION

GLACIER WAY EXPANDED PARKING

Awaiting AMP Priority

EQUESTRIAN CENTER PHASE 3

Awaiting AMP Priority

DOWNHILL SKI AREA STUDY

Starting RFP

EMPLOYEE HOUSING

POST PROJECT

Project Task Force Study Recommendations Completed

This chart shows the current status of capital projects as they progress through the six-stage Capital Projects Process. For more detail, visit tahoedonner. com/major-projects/ and click on Active Projects. Suggestions are always welcome. If you have an idea for an improvement project, new amenity, facility or service at Tahoe Donner, please complete the form located at tahoedonner.com/member-area/capital-projects/ and click on Submit Your Ideas.

tahoedonner.com |

17

BULLETIN BOARD

A NEW FOREST HEALTH ISSUE During the storm events of December and January, we witnessed

residue from pine trees on the ground and damaged trees after storms.

storms bringing heavy, wet snow and high winds. This weather caused

This residue can also be created by logging, tree maintenance, firewood

havoc with the trees in the Truckee area. Lodgepole pine trees did not

cutting and wildland fire. They only attack the different species of pine.

fare well as they tend to be less resistant to diseases, have higher inci-

The adult beetles winter either in trees or in the ground. When the tem-

dence of structural defects and usually grow near one another, making

perature warms, the adults emerge and inhabit the woody residue. Once

them tall and skinny and reducing stability. Other pine trees includ-

the eggs are laid, they develop into adults in approximately 45 days,

ing Jeffrey pine, sugar pine and western white pine also experienced

which is much faster than other bark beetles who spend winter in the

broken tops, trees snapped in half, broken branches and some uprooted

trees and appear as adults the next summer. The population can quickly

trees. All this activity has left the forest floor littered with tree debris,

develop into an outbreak. Now the adults can attack and kill weakened

especially where lodgepole pines dominate the forest.

trees and the tops of healthy trees. The Ips beetle can also weaken trees

Enter the Ips beetle. Ips is a bark beetle that takes advantage of fresh

Bark Beetle

Mountain Pine Beetle

Jeffrey Pine Beetle

Red Turpentine Beetle

Hosts

to the point they are attacked and killed by other bark beetles.

Life cycles per year

Lodgepole, ponderosa, sugar and western white pines

Usually 1 generation per year

Jeffrey pine

Usually 1 but 2 generations possible during long dry summers

# of eggs

Interesting facts

Up to 100

Most damaging bark beetle in the West. In TDA, there is always an endemic population with tree mortality highest during drought periods.

50 to 60

Usually attacks trees with slow growth rates, wind thrown trees and overmatured trees. We had a small problem with this beetle in the mid-90s.

100

Largest bark beetle in California, but does not usually kill the host; they usually attack only weakened or dying trees.

all pine species

1 generation per year

White, red and grand fir

Usually 1 but 2 generations possible during long dry summers

100 to 300

Trees may survive an attack; the top may die or the entire tree may be killed. We have experienced issues with this beetle during periods of drought.

Pine Ips

all pine species

2 generations, in dry years 3 to 4

Up to 200

Adults winter in the ground. These beetles can kill small trees or the tops of larger trees; has not been a problem to date in TDA.

Western Pine Beetle

Ponderosa and Coulter pine

2 to 3 generations per year

60

This is the beetle causing the death of ponderosa pines on the west slope of the Sierra.

Fir Engraver Beetle

18

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

1 A piece of bark from a Ponderosa pine tree shows damage inflicted by ips beetles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carole Chiles Fuller/released)

It is important that as a community we work together to remove this beetle and eventual fire threat. If you notice damage to your trees, please call the forestry department to arrange for a visit from staff to

$60

2 3

advise on a path to alleviate this potential problem. Forestry crews will be addressing the damaged trees and slash issues in the common areas.

FORESTRY INSPECTION NOTICE The forestry department plans on inspecting properties for forest health issues as soon as the snow melts to help accelerate the process of removing hazards. Forest health issues include dead trees, storm damaged trees, and an overabundance of pine debris on the forest floor.

Opening Doors to Tahoe Donner Since 1980 Let our experience work for you

This serves as written notice as required by the Tahoe Donner

This is the perfect time to sell!!

Association Covenants and Restrictions that these inspections will occur between the middle of May and the start of July this

We Sell Tahoe Donner!

year. These inspections will occur between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. We plan to complete 25 to 50 inspections per day during this period. Inspectors will walk through the property to complete the inspections. All properties with dead, dying or damaged trees will receive a Notice of Required Maintenance Forest Health letter and an inspection report of their property. The letter will give property owners 30 days to complete the maintenance.

Janie Sharp

#tahoedonnerassociation

530-587-8574

Kristi Hood

facebook.com/tahoedonner twitter.com/tahoedonner instagram.com/tahoedonnerassociation

tahoedonner.com |

19

FEATURE

JUNIOR GOLF CLUB CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF TRADITION

BY ASHLEY QUADROS

20

Paige Peters swings her club and watches her ball fly in 2016. Photo courtesy of Naomi Peters.

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

Jean Lai, right, with husband Russ on a customized mini course at Tahoe Donner. Jean has been the Junior Golf Club's leader for nearly 20 years, with Russ as her assistant. This year, Russ will relieve his wife of some of her duties. Photo courtesy of the Lais.

“Fore!”

Look out—here comes the Tahoe Donner

Junior Golf Club, back and better than ever this year. They’re rolling into their 20th season this summer, which kicks off on June 22. The club began modestly in 1998, by a few moms with teenage daughters who wanted a club where juniors could play together. It has since transitioned into a staple club offering in Tahoe Donner that helps turn youngsters up to age 17 on to the wonderful world of golf.

In its first season, the club consisted of four juniors, Rene Trudeau (who went on to become a golf pro), Krista Anderson, Olivia Johnson and Stephanie Lai. Lai’s mother,

funds provided by our many local supporting

prizes and snacks, it is kept intentionally low

businesses, and solicits prize donations from

at just $10, so there is plenty of overhead that

the various local golf courses,” said Russ Lai.

Lai works to cover.

“Tahoe Donner also provides various prizes

Lai noted her husband has always had some

such as boat rentals at the marina, or ski

involvement with the club since its inception,

passes.” She makes sure every junior golfer

helping regularly with tournaments, which

wins a prize at their Junior Club Champion-

can take several weeks of planning. After he

ship Golf tournament that takes place every

retired from work in 2008, he took on a more

August.

active role in the club and is heading the club’s

“It is fun to watch the kids as they select

efforts this summer to relieve his wife of some

their prizes,” said Jean Lai. “The two most

of her duties. “I like to call Jean's new role

popular prizes seem to be a large jar of Jelly

a promotion,” he said. “We have promoted

Bellies and a ‘spider web’-style chair.” While

her from COO, chief operating officer, to

the club’s annual enrollment fee is meant to

CEO, chief executive officer—someone who

help cover the costs of some club activities,

gives the orders and instructions, and does

Jean Lai, served as the group’s leader. The girls stayed in the club through high school and after they moved on, Jean Lai continued volunteering to keep the club alive. Nearly 20 years later, Jean Lai is still leading the charge.

As her husband, Russ Lai, explained, “Since the girls left, Jean has done 100 percent of the leg work.” And this leg work is more demanding than meets the eye.

Over the years, Jean Lai has kept busy planning club tournaments and social events, finding volunteers to help chaperone the junior golfers on the course (contact the club if you’d like to help), and reaching out to local businesses for support. “Jean actually goes to Reno to shop for [tournament] prizes using the Jean and Russ Lai head out for an afternoon of fun with members of the Junior Golf Club.

Photo courtesy of the Lais.

tahoedonner.com |

21

nothing,” he jested, noting thoughtfully that the club would not have

youngest children, Kellan Peters, 8, and Cassidy Peters, 5, followed in

survived as long without his wife’s dedication.

their older siblings’ footsteps.

Her dedication comes right from the club members themselves. “The

Cassidy Peters started last year when she was 4 years old as well, and

thing that kept me going was the kids and their parents,” explained

already, she has a favorite hole. “It was the 5,” she said. “Because the

Jean Lai. “I could not have run the club without the parents’ help each

ball went in the bushes.” She added that she also likes hole 6 because

week. The kids were great and it was fun to see how they matured

she can get the ball on the green. In contrast, older brother Kellan

over the years and the sense of accomplishment they had as their skills

Peters prefers hole 12 best because he can get birdies on it while eldest

developed. Watching the smiles on their faces when they finally hit a

siblings Cole and Paige Peters each prefer hole 17. From birdies to

good shot on the course or when they found that they could make new

bogies, the Peters kids have a blast as members of the Junior Golf Club.

friends playing golf—this to me is the most rewarding part of having

“I like the tournaments at the end the best,” said Cole Peters, who won

run the club for almost 20 years.”

his division last year, along with Paige Peters.

Junior Club parent, Naomi Peters, couldn’t agree more. “There is no one like Jean and Russ,” she said. She and her husband Greg, an avid golfer, have all four of their children enrolled in the club. “From the beginning, they are really great leaders for getting kids to enjoy and follow the rules,” she explained. “My kids don’t follow rules that great but they don’t even question it with them.” She added that the Lais are big on golf etiquette and require all the kids to shake hands and introduce themselves before playing their round, in addition to following the rules of golf. At the same, they make sure it’s a lot of fun, introducing games and mazes throughout the season and family events, like the annual ice cream social.

Cole Peters shows off his prize after winning his division in the 2011 Junior Club Championship Golf tournament. Photo courtesy of Naomi Peters.

The Peters kids, Cole, 7, and Paige, 4, participating in the 2011 Junior Golf Club chip and putt contest with Grandpa Bob chaperoning. Photo courtesy of Naomi Peters.

Because of all this fun, every child in the Peters family eventually joined the club. Cole Peters, turning 13 this month, was the first of his family to join the club when he was 7 years old. He enjoyed it so much, sister Paige Peters, 10, wanted to join the club, too. Naomi Peters recalled the first time Paige went to the club; she was very shy and only 4 years old at the time, so she didn’t know how it would go, but she was pleasantly surprised to find Paige “super excited” when she picked her up. Paige told her she had a lot of fun and was given Oreos and chocolate chip cookies—a weekly perk of the $10 club fee. Naturally, the two

22

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

Kellan and Cassidy Peters. Photo courtesy of Naomi Peters.

is tic-tac-toe in which a nine-square course is set up with two players putting their balls into any square of their choosing to get three squares in a row for the win. “The game itself is designed to help them learn direction and distance control,” explained Russ Lai, who added the winners are rewarded with candy.

“There are other games set up, and the kids rotate through them. Keeping them engaged in the game of golf by having fun at their respective skill levels is still the mission of the club.”

Through these games, junior golfers like Chloe Mitchell, 9, have greatly improved. “My putting has gotten much better,” she said. “I have learned the rules of golf. I like playing golf on the course.” In addition to improving during her two seasons with the club so far, Mitchell noted her favorite hole on the course is 18. “I like the big hill and the water,” she Isaac Mozen can’t help but smile after discovering he got a hole-in-one! Proud father Eddie Mozen explained, “He used a 5 iron, the hole played 195 yards uphill, the ball dropped straight into the hole, a ‘slam dunk.’ No roll.” Photo courtesy of Eddie Mozen.

Winning tournaments and playing well

the golf experience continues to be the focus

said. She also shared one exciting experience on the course. “Once I got caught in a hail storm during TD golf,” she said. “We had to race in on the carts!”

is a common goal among the junior golfers.

of this club,” said Jean Lai. “We really want to

“Every now and then one of them gets a hole-

provide an environment that simply makes the

Golf Club and as long as kids are respectful

in-one,” said Russ Lai. Junior golfer Isaac

kids want to continue with the game. We do

and willing to follow golf etiquette and rules,

Mozen, 15, happens to be one of those golfers.

not stress practicing, and through the games,

they may join the club. While most the Junior

In June 2016, he hit a hole-in-one on hole 4,

they learn to improve.”

Golf Club members have parents who golf,

but ironically, it isn’t actually his favorite hole on Tahoe Donner Golf Course. “My favorite

Kids in the club play a variety of games throughout the season. A popular club favorite

There is never a dull moment in the Junior

this isn’t the case with all, and the club this year is hoping to get non-golfing parents more

hole at Tahoe Donner is number 15, Double Trouble,” said Mozen. “I had my first eagle there with the club. It’s a great hole because the more you cut off the easier it gets, and it's a pretty easy hole to get eagles on, for me at least.”

Mozen, much like the Peters children, has been a part of the Junior Golf Club for a number of years, signing up when he was 7 years old and returning every year thereafter. “What I enjoy most about the club is that when I go there almost everybody knows me, and it allowed me to play golf with other kids my age—instead of my parents,” said Mozen, who noted both of his parents love golf but take it more seriously than him.

While many enjoy the competitive nature of golf—including some members of the Junior Golf Club—the Lais stress the importance of having fun first and foremost, especially at tournament time. “Having fun and expanding Isaac Mozen enjoying one of his first Tahoe Donner Junior Golf tournaments at age 7, pictured third from the left in the red-striped shirt. Photo courtesy of Eddie Mozen.

tahoedonner.com |

23

and full swing. There

golf for just $15, too. During peak season, this

is no cost to partic-

deal is also honored, but after 6 p.m. and at a

ipate and the only

cost of $20 for the parent (junior still free).

requirement is your

“I don’t know a lot of courses that would

child must be a club

let kids play 9 holes in the afternoon,” said

member.

Naomi Peters. They have tried other courses

“These clinics are

with their children and they have not been

geared more toward

as welcoming. “Tahoe Donner is warm and

an adult who has

friendly and relaxed, and not intimidating for

never played golf,

you to want to learn to play compared to other

but advanced golfers

courses.” Along with staff, she feels Russ and

are welcome,” said

Jean Lai are about as welcoming as they come.

Murtagh. His team

“They just have such good energy and they are

will adjust coaching

patient,” she said. “I just can’t imagine anyone

based on each indi-

else running the club like they do.”

vidual skillset but

Chloe Mitchell readies herself before putting the ball. Photo courtesy of mother, Elisa Garvey.

involved in the sport, too. The Lais brain-

“It’s been a great program,” said Murtagh.

their goal is to turn

“Some years are bigger than others. It varies

non-golfing parents

every year. Some years it’s all young kids,

onto the sport so the

another year it’s older kids who are advanced.

junior golfers and

It’s the next generation of golfers, which is

their parents can golf

why it’s important to get juniors involved.”

together. “Our belief

Isaac Mozen agreed, crediting the Lais for

is that the family

his love of golf. “If it wasn’t for them, I would

who shares the game,

have probably quit golf a long time ago [but]

stays with the game,”

they showed me how much fun golf can be,”

said Russ Lai.

he said. “Russ’ games were fun and I was able

stormed with Tahoe Donner Golf Manager

Another way to stay with the game is to

James Murtagh to unveil a new offering for

take advantage of Tahoe Donner’s junior golf

Junior Golf Club parents. This season, three,

deal. During pre- and post-season, juniors age

30-minute free clinics will be offered exclu-

17 and under may golf 9 holes on foot for free

consider signing your child up for the Tahoe

sively to club parents (dates to be announced

at Tahoe Donner Golf Course after 5 p.m., if

Donner Junior Golf Club, where all juniors are

soon) and topics include: putting, chipping

accompanied by an adult—and that adult can

welcomed into a fun and learning-driven envi-

to show off my skills, even before the round started.”

To start the first chapter of your summer,

NEW WEEKLY CLUB PERK ALL SUMMER LONG, THE LODGE RESTAURANT & PUB IS OFFERING A 20 PERCENT FOOD DISCOUNT TO JUNIOR GOLF FAMILIES, IF THE JUNIOR GOLFER PARTICIPATES IN THEIR THURSDAY PLAY DAY. THIS OFFER IS ONLY VALID ON THURSDAY PLAY DAYS AND MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER SPECIAL OFFER OR PROMOTION. The 2016 Junior Golf Club finishing off another fantastic year. Photo courtesy of the Lais.

24

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

ronment. It’s not just about golf and hitting a ball on the green, but the adventures that are had by all and the people who make junior golf at

Serving Truckee/Lake Tahoe

Tahoe Donner special year after year, and hopefully, for another twenty

Residential • Commercial

seasons to come.

GOLF COURSE TARGET OPENING DATE: JUNE

2

Tahoe Donner golf operations is looking forward to the upcoming golf season. Despite the record precipitation received this winter, the golf course preseason preparation looks great. Golf Course Superintendent Kevin Kuehne reports that all 18 greens are in good condition after uncovering them this last month, providing further optimism for the 2017 golf season. The current target opening date for the golf course is June 2, providing continued snowmelt and favorable course conditions.

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The driving range target opening date is May 26, just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

The pro shop will be transitioning from winter simulator operations on May 1, so the golf simulator is now closed until fall.

Golf course season passes and multi-play packs are still on sale

530.550.7938

and provide a terrific value for those who play often.

PO Box 11107, Truckee, CA 96162 BONDED & INSURED • CA LIC #764916

For any questions relating to the golf course, please contact the pro shop at 530-587-9433.

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25

TAHOE DONNER GIVING FUND

The Giving Fund Supports C o RR Student Assistance Program

BY SUZANNE SULLIVAN, GIVING COMMITTEE MEMBER AND ARIEL LOVETT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CORR

Community Recovery Resources (CoRR) is a nonprofit organization providing substance use disorder prevention and treatment services for teens and adults in Nevada and Placer Counties. CoRR focuses on families, with programs including counseling, therapy, housing, teen programs, child development, and more.

A grant of $1,500 made to the CoRR student assistance program is helping meet the needs of at-risk students in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District at North Tahoe and Truckee high schools who are experiencing the harmful effects of adolescent substance use.

Research demonstrates that 90 percent of addiction begins in the teen years. “Addiction is a chronic disease with devastating effects, driving homelessness, crime, child abuse and neglect, family suffering, loss of lives, and costing our nation more than cancer and diabetes combined, as it results in high costs in healthcare, criminal justice, and lost pro-

THE $1,500 GRANT FROM THE GIVING FUND SUPPORTS STUDENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM DURING THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR. This project is an 8-week, on-campus

ductivity,” said Ariel Lovett, CoRR’s deputy director. “In supporting our teens, we have an opportunity to make their lives better, and by reducing substance use disorders, create healthier, safer communities for everyone.”

CoRR’s student assistance program helps teenagers regain health, focus, and prepare for a bright future, giving teens tools and information to help prevent developing a disorder.

Last year, 30 students engaged in the program and approximately 85 percent completed successfully. Although anonymity is protected, teens provided anonymous evaluations, sharing what they learned. Teens write that they learned about consequences of drug use and how it affected their goals. Some of the feedback included comments such as:

• “I learned to make better choices.”

• “Staying focused on what I love.”

• They highlighted improved family relationships: “I learned that when I make better choices and stop being irresponsible, my mom respects and trusts me more.”

Many students talk about their choices to not “hang out with” students that are using; that is, to avoid the situations that can compromise their ability to be healthy and safe.

Another boy wrote, “I feel as if I improved overall as a person; I feel happier, I don’t slack off anymore, and I get things done with a lot more ease.”

Thank you, Tahoe Donner full-time and residents and second homeowners for your support of this worthy program. Learn more about CoRR at corr.us.

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teen substance use disorder prevention

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26

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

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FEATURE

IT’S TIME TO TREE TRIM Every year, Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) works to trim trees to maintain clearance between their energized power lines and vegetation—such as trees growing into power lines or trees at risk of falling—spending nearly $2.5 million since 2008 on tree trimming and removal. The TDPUD operates 134 miles of overhead power lines and maintains trees around these lines by following a tree trimming cycle. They do this, as mandated by the California Department of Forestry, to reduce the risk of trees encountering power lines, which could spark a fire or power outage.

However, it is important to understand that they do not maintain all trees in the region. When it comes to potential hazardous trees on homeowner’s property and trees near or in the overhead power lines connected to your home or business, the TDPUD reminds everyone these trees are the homeowners' responsibility to care for, maintain and trim. TDPUD recommends that each owner hire their own professional tree trimming service when managing trees near or in overhead power

explained Steven Poncelet, public information and strategic affairs

lines connected to your property.

manager.

Ensuring everyone’s safety is a top priority, so please do your part to ensure your trees pose no potential danger to your home or business, and to those around you. Potential hazardous trees may also be reported to TDPUD. Additionally, the Tahoe Donner forestry department will be inspecting properties for forest health issues as soon as the snow melts to help accelerate the process of removing hazards. Forest health issues include dead trees, storm damaged trees, and an overabundance of pine debris on the forest floor. See page 18 for details.

To learn more about the TDPUD utility tree trimming program or for questions regarding tree trimming and safety, visit tdpud.org or call 530-587-3896.

Photos courtesy of TDPUD.

The 2017 TDPUD utility tree trimming program that has begun and runs through the fall of every year. TDPUD will de-energize any overhead power line connected to your home for free, so you or your tree trimming service may perform necessary tree maintenance. Please help us minimize the risk of fire and power outages stemming from hazardous trees.

“This is part of the outreach we do annually to educate the community on the importance of trimming trees. Given the significant storm damage this winter and the impacts to electric system reliability, not to mention the public’s home safety, it is particularly important this year,”

Free Estimates 24 Hour Emergency Service

530.541.TREE • Defensible Space • Tree Trimming/Limbing • Stump Grinding • Decorative Milled Wood 530.318.4775 • Crane & Technical Rope Removal • Chipping

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tahoedonner.com |

27

45-DAY NOTICE

AMENDMENT TO COVENANTS RULES The Covenants Committee and Forestry department completed a

tion, non-recreational-use trailers and construction materials) on any

programmatic review of the homeowner defensible space program

lot shall be entirely within enclosed storage areas. There shall be no

including the procedures, rules for minimum standards and commu-

storage piles accumulated on top or outside of any enclosed storage area

nications provided to accomplish the mission of maintaining a healthy

with the exception of neatly stacked woodpiles with wood cut to fire-

forest and reducing the fire hazard to the community.

place length. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to construction

In this review three areas of the covenants were recommended for amendment to create further clarity to the member for minimum standards of forest health and fire safety. This would also provide synergy between the inspection outcomes and the minimum standards to which a member must maintain their lot or improved lot.

Additionally, through the last ten years of the defensible space program, the Forestry department has seen items which are either eyesores to the natural environment including blue tarps and/or inappropriate tree removal leaving tall stumps which pose an invasive species threat as well as eventual rotting and combustible unit. As such the committee is recommending two additional amendments in the private property rules section of the covenants rules to regulate the color of tarps used on the lot, and maximum stump height allowed.

On April 22, 2017, the board of directors approved the proposed amendments go out for 45-day member notification of board consideration of amendments.

MEMBER NOTICE Amendments to the covenants rules will be considered for action by the board of directors. The board of directors is expected to take action to adopt these procedures, as they are presented here or with some modification, at its June meeting, currently scheduled for Friday, June 23, 2017. The board welcomes any input you may wish to offer regarding this process.

Below you will find the recommended amendments and deletions to the covenants private property storage and vegetation rules, and fire safety and forest health rules. Changes/additions are noted in red.

IV. PRIVATE PROPERTY RULES Storage. Storage of personal property (including without limita-

28

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

materials placed on a lot during periods of approved construction.

If tarpaulins are utilized, they must be earth-toned in color. C&RS Article VIII, Section 1(h). (This rule applies to slide in campers, cabover campers and camper shells that are not mounted on a vehicle.)

Vegetation Removal. No person may remove, cut, or limb any tree greater than four inches in diameter (measured 3 feet above the ground) without first obtaining a permit from the TDA Forestry Department. For any trees removed from the property, the maximum stump height left shall not exceed six inches in height. No heavy equipment may be used to remove brush without first obtaining a permit from the TDA Forestry Department. C&RS Article VIII, Section 1(a) (xi).

Fire Safety. Owners of lots (both improved and unimproved) are responsible for the maintenance of their lots in a fire-safe condition.

100-Foot Defensible Space Around Structures. Property owners are responsible to maintain a defensible space zone for a distance of 100 feet (or to their property line) from all structures, including decks.

100-Foot Defensible Space from Property Lines. Property owners of all lots are responsible to maintain a defensible space zone for a distance of 100 feet from all property lines.

Roofs Free of Dead Vegetation. Property owners are responsible to maintain all roofs of any structure free of leaves, needles, or other dead vegetative growth.

Pine Needles on the Ground. Pine needles must be collected and removed within 10 feet of any structure or deck. On the rest of the property the pine needles should not be allowed to build up to over 2 inches in depth.

Ten-foot Clearance from Chimney or Stovepipe. Property owners are responsible to remove any portion of any tree which extends within 10 feet of the outlet of any chimney or stovepipe.

Chimney must have an Approved Spark Arrestor. In California,

a spark arresting cap with 1/2-inch mesh or

of Truckee and the Truckee Fire District’s

smaller screen is required on all chimneys.

safety and building codes, and according to

Ten-Foot Clearance from Propane Tank.

the manufacturer’s instructions, on private

Property owners are responsible to remove

property lots only, will be allowed. Property

any portion of any tree, brush or dry flamma-

owners wanting to build their own perma-

ble vegetation which extends within 10 feet of

nent barbeques or other outdoor fire burning

any propane tank.

devices equipped with electricity or gas,

Firewood Storage. Firewood should be

DID YOU KNOW? LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

must obtain the appropriate Town of Truckee

stacked 30 feet away from any structure.

building and plumbing permits and build to

Allowances may be agreed upon. Old, unused

the Town’s building codes. The appearance

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRITE A

or decomposed (nuisance) wood must be

design and location must be approved by the

LETTER TO THE EDITOR?

removed. Firewood rounds cannot be stored

Tahoe Donner Architectural Standards Com-

on the property. The wood must be split and

mittee if any part of the permanent structure

neatly stacked. Firewood, in any form, cannot

is over 3 feet high. The burning of yard debris

be stored on undeveloped lots.

is allowed, only after obtaining a permit from

Down Woody Material. All woody mate-

the Truckee Fire District, on permissive burn

rial between 1/2 inch and 12 inches in diame-

days as determined by the Fire District, from

ter must be removed from the property.

late fall depending on weather conditions,

Dead Tree Removal. All dead trees must be removed from the property.

Brush Removal. No brush is allowed

until no later than March 31. The first violation of these rules will result in a hearing.

Dumping Ashen Materials. No person

within 10 feet of any structure. On the rest of

shall dispose of charcoal briquettes or ashen

the property individual bushes are allowed if

material of any kind on any portion of a lot, if

there is two and a half times the height of the

such creates a risk of fire or an unsightly con-

brush between bushes. No brush is allowed

dition. C&RS Article VIII, Section 1(a)(iv)

within 10 feet of the drip line of trees.

Small Tree Thinning. Individual small

for the maintenance of their lots, including the general health of the forest. TDA maintains

removal.

on its staff a state-certified forester with the

be removed 6 feet from the ground. For those less than 15 feet in height, the branches will be removed for one-third the height of the tree from the ground.

Dry Grass and Weeds. Within 30 feet of any structure, grass and weeds will be trimmed to a height of 6 inches or less. The cuttings must be removed.

No campfires, bonfires, or fireworks of any

TAHOEDONNER.COM/LETTERS.

Forester may determine that individual trees require removal. Notice to remove such trees, indicating a compliance date, will be sent to owners. Failure to remove such trees prior to the stated compliance date will constitute a violation of the association rules. Fines for

VIII, Sections (a) & (l).

Your comments are welcome.

manufactured fire burning devices, such as

• Email: arosenfeld@tahoedonner.com

outdoor fireplaces and chimineas, equipped

• Telephone: 530-582-9630

and operated in compliance with the Town

AND WE WILL POST THEM AT

After making on-site inspections, the TDA

at any time.

to prevent the escape of sparks and coals,

COMDEP@TAHOEDONNER.COM,

attaching anything to trees.

removed. C&RS Article VII, Section 2; Article

a maximum screen opening of 1/8th inch,

SUBMIT YOUR LETTER TO

Owners are prohibited from permanently

areas, or other association-owned properties

with screening and/or spark arrestors, with

TO DISPLAY YOUR LETTERS.

are conducive to the health of the forest.

such violations will accrue until the trees are

coal barbeques, smokers, and commercially

HAVE A SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE

responsibility of determining what conditions

kind are allowed on private lots, common

Commercially manufactured gas and char-

IN TAHOE DONNER NEWS, WE DO

Forest Health. Owners of lots (both

be designated by the forestry department for

than 15 feet in height, the lower branches will

NOT ALLOW US TO PRINT THEM

improved and unimproved) are responsible

trees (less than 10 inches in diameter) may

Lower Branch Removal. For trees greater

WHILE SPACE CONSTRAINTS WILL

• US Mail: Tahoe Donner Association, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA, 96161

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29

FEATURE

TTUSD ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORT PROGRAM RECOGNIZED The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) was recently

audits. Once they identified areas for improvement and implemented

recognized at the gold level as a Green Ribbon School District by the

them, they conducted post audits. Students were able to experience

U.S. Department of Education. This huge honor was accomplished

firsthand the positive impact their improvements made. The Truckee

through a tremendous multi-layered process that is underway through-

Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) valued the benefit of this

out the school district. To earn this distinction, TTUSD demonstrated

experiential learning and began providing programming support, LED

exemplary achievement in the U.S. Department of Education’s three

lights, and other measures to the school district. TTUSD has been able

key areas:

to save more than $400,000 per year in electricity and gas through

PILLAR 1: Reduce environmental impact and costs PILLAR 2: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students,

and staff

greater efficiency and rebates from both Liberty Utilities and TDPUD. TTUSD built upon their conservation program to include recycling and waste reduction at all of their facilities. The Town of Truckee

PILLAR 3: Provide effective environmental education that teaches

partnered with the district and provided recycling containers, blue

many disciplines and is especially good at effectively incorporat-

bags, and signage. The Town also provided significant grant funding

ing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

to support the sustainability slubs and provide “smart bins” and other

education, civic skills, and green career pathways.

important recycling and collection containers.

TTUSD was recognized for managing their facilities wisely by

TTUSD provides environmental education in addition to empower-

saving energy, conserving water, and reducing their impact on the

ing students to take care of their environment. For example, when the

environment. They were also acknowledged for providing innovative

Shane McConkey Foundation donated funds to TTUSD’s Food Services

educational programming that teaches students about nature and the

to reduce lunch waste, students performed lunch waste audits to mea-

importance of clean air and water while demonstrating the value of

sure their outcomes. Club members then mentored other students on

preserving the environment for future generations.

campus how to reduce at school, at home, and within their community.

Staff across the district, from the classroom to the offices, cafeterias, custodial, and beyond, reinforce the conservation efforts and serve as role models for environmental stewardship.

“The Green Ribbon Award is a huge honor and recognizes the strong partnership and work of many organizations and individuals in our district and our community,” said Rob Leri, TTUSD’s Superintendent Chief Learning Officer. “Through their leadership, initiative, hard work and dedication, we are able to make improvements each year in our sustainability efforts. And everyone wins—it’s better for our environment, we save money and precious resources and in turn can dedicate more resources to instruction.”

The district receives a great deal of support and collaboration from many other partners including TTUSD’s custodial staff, TTUSD’s maintenance staff, school site partners, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Northstar California Epic Promise, Tahoe Truckee Sierra

Eco-Action members Campaign.

the Take Care from North Tahoe School promoting

The district began their sustainability program in 2008 while undergoing significant budget cuts as a means to save money and reduce layoffs. Their facilities department teamed up with Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP) to bring true cost savings to the school district while including and empowering students to make improvements to their school’s energy, waste and water usage. Students helped evaluate energy usage throughout the district through energy

30

| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

Disposal, CHOICES, Placer County, and Sierra Cost Management.

“This collaborative effort and its environmental benefits are all ribbon worthy, but the gold of this award sits within how our students, the community stewards, will carry this experience into the future,” said Missy Mohler, SWEP’s executive director.

TTUSD plans to build on their accomplishments and will continue to encourage and model environmental stewardship throughout their district. For more information about the school's sustainability programs, visit ttusd.org.

BOARD MEETING RECAP MARCH 25, 2017

I. Social Media Update: No Action Gretchen Sproehnle, marketing communications manager, presented to the board and to the membership a summary of comments and activity across all Tahoe Donner social media platforms and on Next Door, as an additional way to stay abreast of emerging issues among the membership. The most common topics this month were snow removal services, homeowner deck expansion and building projects, a home burglary, and the Lodge Restaurant & Pub being closed for a private event.

II. Approval of Minutes: Approved 4–0 The board approved the February 25, 2017 regular meeting minutes.

III. 2016 Financial Independent Audit: Approved 4–0 The board of directors approved the results of the 2016 annual audit presented by Bobbie Hales, Gilbert Associates, Inc. IV. Elements Mountain Company: No Action Jamie Legare, partner of Elements Mountain Co. and former Waltman Construction owner, and Matt Warren, partner of Elements Mountain Co and former SnowTech owner, discussed with the board of directors and with the membership the merger of the two companies into Elements Mountain Co. V. Truckee Special Service Area-1 (TSSA-1) Fund and Long Range Transit Plan: No Action Dan Wilkins, director of public works for the Town of Truckee, presented to the board of directors an update regarding the town’s TSSA -1 fund, long-range transit plan and preliminary design for the Donner Pass Road roundabout at Donner Pass Road and Northwoods Boulevard.

VI. Consent Calendar: Approved 4–0 The board approved the following items:

• Decision Paper: Accelerate reserve replacement funds, trail segment 28-30 • Decision Paper: Uniforms for Downhill Ski Area operations • Decision Paper: Rental equipment for Downhill Ski Area rental shop VII. Tahoe Donner Lessons Learned: No Action This item was moved to the April 22, 2017 special board meeting.

VIII. Director of Finance and Accounting Report: Approved 4–0 The board approved the 2017 unaudited February financials presented by Mike Salmon, director of finance and accounting.

IX. Underground Utilities: No Action This item was moved to the April 22, 2017 special board meeting.

X. Tahoe Donner Association Master Plan: No Action The General Plan Committee, in conjunction with Forrest Huisman, director of capital projects, discussed with the board a new draft of the association master plan.

XI. Senior Management Compensation Study Update: Approved 3–0 The board of directors approved the first amendment to the professional services agreement with Romanoff Consulting to expand the compensation study from the top five highest paid positions to include all of Tahoe Donner Association’s senior management positions.

HOMES ON THE RISE The Architectural Standards Committee did not review any plans during March 2017.

tahoedonner.com |

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SWITZERLAND

h the Jungfrau as Karen and Steve McDonald wit Switzerland. a backdrop at Kleine Scheidegg,

ROME, ITALY

Victor Gold at the Colosseum

.

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS Amy and Steven Schonfeld hang ing out

AND MY VATN, ICHEoffLman in Myvatn, an area d Ed Dolly Sa ndoval an action. of active volca nic

with the Igua nas.

Email your “Where in the World” photos to: comdep@tahoedonner.com. Please submit only .jpeg files 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. Note: please be patient; it could take up to six months to see your photo published due to a large number of submissions.

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| Tahoe Donner News | May 2017

NEW TO MARKET

NEW TO MARKET

11386Z ermaT T d rive .com Fabulous remodel in lower Tahoe Donner! Offering a lovely greenbelt setting, .33 acre lot, privacy, ambiance and lots of light. This comfortable design offers four bedrooms (2 masters), large family room, BIG garage, airlock entry, 2 decks and more! Lovely.

Listed for $829,000

14394Tyrol road.com Here’s the quintessential cabin! Beautifully designed 2,457 sq. ft. retreat featuring a charming great room with river rock fireplace, four bedrooms with upstairs master suite, large downstairs family room. Lovely setting, flat driveway, two decks nestled on a .30 acre lot. Listed for $798,500

Tahoe Donner – 2017 First Quarter Statistics Units Sold at Third Quarter 2015

First Quarter

Single Family Market Statistics 2017

20

Volume

15

Units

10

16

13

5

6 0

$0 $499,999

$500,000 $749,999

$750,000 $999,999

ELDER GROUP TAHOE

3

0

$1,000,000 $1,499,999

Over $1,500,000

2016

%

$27,122,400

$41,637,818 -35%

38

60 -37%

Median Price

$662,500

$634,950 4%

Average Price

$713,747

$693,963 3%

Units Under $1 Mil

35

48 -27%

Units Over $1 Mil

3

12 -75%

*Sales statistics based on TSMLS sold/pending properties 3/31/17

Alison Elder

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

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