tahoe donner news - january 2011

Table of Contents

1017

27

Features

10 Carmel Studios Community Spotlight

17 Snowplay Tubing & Sledding Departments

03 Monthly Calendar A look @ Jan. Events

04 President’s Message New Projects for the New Year

06 Lets Get Together TD Events & Happenings

28 Taking Care of Business Board Meeting Minutes

29 Bulletin Board Reminder

32 Where in the World is TD News? TD News Travels the World

articles

20 Volunteer: Ron Wulff Harley Man to Board President

22 Security Update Safe Guard Your Home

23 Zumba Try the latest fitness craze

24 Day Excursions A Fun Adventure Close to Home

31 Craft/DIY Create your own Snowstorm

2 | Tahoe Donner News | January 2011

WelcomeVol. 12, No. 1JaNuary 2011

I hope that everyone had a great Christ-mas and a good time on New Year’s Eve. Now we start a new year with a lot to look forward to. Tahoe Donner has a lot of projects forecast for the future, which

brings me to a topic that is important all year, every year – committee volunteers. The com-mittees that assist the board are always look-ing for members to fill in open spots. At this time, the General Plan Committee, currently working on a 20 year plan for future building replacement, new recreation construction and enhancement of existing facilities, has two openings. You do not have to live full time at Tahoe Donner to serve on any of the commit-tees. Attendance at meetings can be done by teleconferencing. The Finance Committee has been working with the General Plan Commit-tee on this 2030 plan and also has an opening. The Election Committee also has an opening. If you go to wwww.tahoedonner.com and click on the members tab at the top right of the home page, the members page will come up. Committees are number four on the naviga-tion on the right side of the page. The contact information for each committee chairman is listed there, as is the committee charter. Volunteering on one of the committees is a great way to get involved in the workings of Tahoe Donner.

Now is also the time to think about the Board of Directors election that takes place in June. There are two positions that are up for election this year. If you are interested in serving on the board, I would strongly urge you to attend the next three or four regularly

scheduled board meetings to get an idea of what is involved. There is a time commitment with these positions that goes beyond just the meeting days. Each director is also a liaison with a committee, which means attending their meetings, prep time before the meeting days, and board training for new and sitting directors. So be prepared to have some flex-ibility with time to attend these meetings. If you think that the board position might be too time consuming, then consider becoming active by joining one of the committees.

Financially, Tahoe Donner has had a good year. Most of the operations are good to budget and the result is that we should end up between $400,000 and $500,000 ahead of budget. With the Downhill Ski Area and Cross Country Center open, a lot of snow is a fine start to the beginning of 2011. So get out the skis or the snowshoes and enjoy the great out-doors here in Tahoe Donner. Afterwards the spas and steam room at Trout Creek Recre-ation Center are available to relax those tired muscles. Happy New Year!

eDITorIal aND ProDucTIoN STaFF

Matt chappell | Jill OberlyAmanda Wallace | Kirt Zimmer

BoarD oF DIrecTorS

president Ron Wulff, [email protected]

Vice president Robert Burks, [email protected]

secretary Don Berryman, [email protected]

treasurer John Dundas, [email protected]

Director Suzan Knisley, [email protected]

Board of Directors [email protected]

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

email [email protected]

advertising Sales Tahoe Guide is the exclusive advertising representative for the Tahoe Donner News. Call (530) 448-3065 or (530) 587-1393 or go to www.tahoeguide.com/go/tdnews for rate information.

Publishing InformationTahoe 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 con-stitute 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 subscrip-tion to Tahoe Donner News at a cost of $12 annually, taken from member dues. Additional subscriptions are available at the cost of $25 each. This cost, however, is offset by advertis-ing revenues generated by this publication. Periodicals Postage Paid at Truckee, CA, and additional mailing offices.

on the coverSlide into the Winter fun at Tahoe Donner Snowplay area. Photo by ComDep

Ron Wulff | President

TahoeDonner.com | 3

JanuarysunDayWii Night6:30 p.m. @ Pizza on the Hill

tuesDayNo Corkage TuesdayBring a bottle of wine with your meal and we’ll waive the corkage fee.

WeDnesDayWild WednesdayEnjoy Happy Hour all night long. Food and drink specials @ The Lodge

thursDayTriva Night6:30 p.m. @ Pizza on the Hill

FriDayFamily Movie Night6:30 p.m. @ Northwoods Clubhouse

SomeThINg For eVeryoNe!

22 saturDay

snow CarnivalPlace: Downhill Ski AreaTime: 10:30 a.m.

Come participate in a day of events for kids. Events will include: a match time race, a sled pull, a bounce house, ice cream and more.

18 tuesDay

Full Moon tour and dinnerPlace: Cross Country CenterCost: $15 season pass holder $20 non-passholder

Enjoy a fullmoon ski or snow-shoe tour followed by dinner at the day lodge. RSVP to (530) 587-9484. Space is limited.

17 mOnDay

sierra skogsloppet Place: Cross Country Center Time: Registration at 8:30 a.m. Race begins at 10 a.m.Fee: Adults $25, Juniors $18

A 15km freestyle race and fun-draiser for the Truckee High School Nordic team.

5 WeDnesDay

First night of night skiingPlace: Cross Country CenterTime: 5 – 7 p.m.Vist tdxc.com for more details

Night skiing takes place every Wednesday night in January and February. Enjoy our 2.5 kilometer loop.

8 saturDay

dual Gs seriesPlace: Downhill Ski AreaVisit skitahoedonner.com for more details

Compete during one weekend or all four of this fun race series. The results will be combined for your best three finishes from all four events to decide whose name will go on the permanent trophy as the fastest man, woman and child at Tahoe Donner.


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MANAGER oF ThE YEAR

EMPLoYEE oF ThE YEAR

Kevin Kuehne | GolF Course suPerintendent

Ben GWeRdeR | AssistAnt Forester

As a golf course superintendent, one has to pay incredible attention to detail. Kevin Kuehne’s detailed-oriented approach when it comes to his job is evident in the constantly high quality conditions of the Tahoe Donner Golf Course.

Kevin is an excellent ambassador for the association and enjoys inter-acting with the golf course patrons. Kevin is constantly communicating with staff, the membership and guests on the daily conditions of the golf course. During the season, Kevin can often be found at the first tee soliciting thoughts and concerns from golf patrons regarding the condi-tions of the course.

Kevin has increased golf course operational efficiency by signifi-cantly reducing yearly water costs. Kevin and his crew installed four PRV’s (Pressure Reducing Valves) at critical points in the golf course’s irrigation system. Not only do the valves address water conservation at the course promoting green business practices, but savings to the association are estimated at $25,000.

A credit to his management skills, Kevin goes above and beyond to nurture respect, collaboration and camaraderie among his team. Kevin assembled a talented team of workers who worked efficiently and pro-ductively around him.

Kevin is the ultimate team player and his motivation for Tahoe Don-ner to succeed is an inspiration to fellow employees. Great job, Kevin!

TahoeDonner.com | 5

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member communications (area code 530) Member Services 587-9400 [email protected]

General Manager 587-9431 [email protected]

Contact Member Services to be transferred to other administrative departments.

amenitiesAlder Creek Campground 587-9462 [email protected]

Beach Club Marina 587-9460 [email protected]

Cross Country Center 587-9484 [email protected]

Downhill Ski Area 587-9444 [email protected]

Equestrian Center 587-9470 [email protected]

Forestry 587-9432 [email protected]

Golf Course 587-9443 [email protected]

The Lodge 587-9455 [email protected]

Pizza on The hill 582-9669 [email protected]

Recreation Info hut 587-9413 [email protected]

Tennis Center 587-9474 [email protected]

Trout Creek Rec. Center 587-9437 [email protected]

Tahoe Donner association committee chairsArchitectural Standards, Jason Wooley [email protected]

Covenants, Paul Thomas [email protected]

Finance, Jim Stang [email protected]

General Plan, Chris Nelson [email protected]

Tahoe Donner association chartered club PresidentsBridge, Sharilyn Nelson [email protected]

Family Interest, heather Sloane [email protected]

9-holers, hilary Ward [email protected]

Rowing Club, Dot Mace [email protected]

Senior Alpine Ski, Pete Tierney [email protected]

Tahoe Donner Green, Sue Sorensen [email protected]

TDMGC, Robert heath [email protected]

Tennis, Linda Stewart [email protected]

Nordic Ski Club, Jacky Poulsen [email protected]

Women’s Golf, Denise Kosak [email protected]

hiking Club, Robin Reese [email protected]

Quilt Club, Linda Brush [email protected]

If you have a question about defensible space or fire prevention, Ben will have the answer. Ben is the assistant forester for the association. As Bill Houdyschell’s right hand man, his job duties include grant management, crew assignments and defensible space visits to Tahoe Donner properties. Ben is also involved in setting-up and administering forestry projects at all of the association’s amenities.

Ben assists in conducting safety meetings for the Forestry Depart-ment. He also takes the time to assist forestry team members with additional safety knowledge. In 2010, the Forestry Department had an impeccable safety record, which is a testament to Ben’s constant atten-tion to detail.

During the busy summer season, Ben helps to keep all aspects of operations for the Forestry Department running smoothly and effi-ciently. Not a day goes by without a property owner calling to commend Ben on his professional demeanor and expertise in helping with for-estry and fire issues on their property. Ben takes pride in all tasks that he completes. His extreme patience makes Ben not only an excellent spokesperson for the Forestry Department, but for the association as a whole. Way to go, Ben!


reNTal aND reTaIl TIPS For a Day oN The SloPeS

Happy New Year and welcome to the 2011 winter ski season! The Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area is open seven days a week. Rental and retail outlets are open daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Our rental shop is stocked with the latest ski gear from Elan and Volkl and snowboards from Burton. Rental helmets from Smith Sports are available for children and adults. You can also check out our demo skis from Dynastar and Volkl and telemark skis from K2.

Retail products are located in both the rental shop and the ticket office. Affordably priced outerwear from Columbia Sportswear,

Smith helmets and goggles, ski and snowboard gloves and mittens from Kombi and Turtle Fur hats are just some of the items available. You can also find souvenirs and logo wear and sundry items such as sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and hand and toe warmers. Tahoe Donner members get 10% off all non-sale retail merchandise.

A daily basket check for smaller items such as shoes, backpacks and lunches is available in the ticket office along with an overnight ski/snowboard check. A limited number of 24 hour ski lockers are also available for rental.

TahoeDonner.com | 7

some helpful tips for renters: • If you have lessons scheduled, arrive at

least an hour early; an hour and half for busy weekends and holiday periods.• If you are skiing/snowboarding for

multiple days, you can keep your equipment overnight. Additional days of rentals are discounted. You can either take your equipment home with you or store it overnight in one of our lockers or ski/snowboard check.• Wear the correct clothing – waterproof

pants and jacket, gloves or mittens and proper ski or snowboard socks. If needed, you can purchase socks right there in the rental shop!• You will need to know the height,

weight, shoe size and ability level of each person renting. • Always bring sunscreen, lip balm and eye

protection. Goggles are recommended for snowy days, and remember that it is possible to get sunburned even on cloudy days. Sun care, sunglasses and goggles are available for sale at both the rental and ticket locations.• Helmets are strongly recommended

and are actually required for children 12 and under that are taking lessons. You can rent a helmet for $5 per day or you can purchase one of several different models from our retail department.• For a complete list of all ski area rates,

visit our website at skitahoedonner.com.• Remember to always ski/snowboard

within your ability. Private and group les-

sons are available for all levels and are a fun way to improve your skills. We offer a great package deal that includes lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson. Our hill offers family friendly terrain for all levels of skiing and is the ideal area for beginners of all ages. Visit Tahoe Donner Downhill – “the Best Place to Begin!”

We incorporated more improvements to the food and beverage options this year. We have made some changes to the snack bar to offer a few more items that we have not been able to offer in years past. We are working in conjunction with Pizza On The Hill to offer pizza by the slice on weekends and holidays. We are also offering smoothies, nachos, hot chocolate and fountain drinks. In addition to those changes, we have built and installed a beautiful outdoor kitchen on our deck. You can grab a bite to eat and sit by the fire pits or grab a slice of pizza and enjoy the view from our new windows in the lounge.

Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area hosts fun events for the whole family throughout the season. Come participate in a day of

events for kids at our annual Snow Carnival on Saturday, January 22. The event will include: a match time race, a sled pull, bounce house, ice cream and more. The fun begins at 10:30 a.m.

On Saturday, January 8, we will be host-ing the first in our Dual GS Race Series. You can compete during one weekend or all four of this fun race series. The results will be combined for your best three finishes from all four events to decide whose name will go on the permanent trophy in the Lodge as the fastest man, woman and child at Tahoe Don-ner. Prizes will be awarded at each event as well as a chance to race side-by-side with your friends. For more information, visit us online at skitahoedonner.com.

The Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area has gone social. Follow us on Twitter and add us as a friend on Facebook to get instant updates on events and conditions and access to exclu-sive deals and discounts. See you on the slopes!Tahoe donneR downhill ski AreA stAFF

back: Pete Griffin, Bob Colquhoun, David Wright, Dave Donnellyfront: Bruce Watkins, Jessica Ferguson DeClercq, David Hipkins

Affiliated with Keller Williams Boice Realty. Each office is independently owned & operated. *Statistics are based on TSBOR MLS YTD data for Tahoe Donner Single Family Homes. ** Median DOM

Have your home featured onTDHomes.com... Tahoe Donner’s® top ranked Real Estate Website!

Jan 1 - Dec 15 Houses Sold* Average Price Days on Market**2010 209 $579,119 522009 208 $606,283 72

2008 188 $742,717 68

2007 175 $739,678 80

2006 169 $820,948 56

2005 249 $814,332 45

Contact us for today’s stats!

“Follow us on Twitter and add us as a friend on Facebook to get instant updates on events and conditions.”


DRE#00313415 ©2009 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity

Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

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croSS couNTryShow your support for the Cross Country Center and scan your

season pass every time you ski. With the sale of season passes online this year, some of the cards will need to be updated so they scan correctly. Please help us out by scanning your pass. January is a great month to tune up your skiing technique. We offer month-long clinics to season pass holders for $50. Gary Schmitt is teaching a one-hour classic clinic at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Chauncey Parker is teaching a one-hour intermediate to advanced skate clinic at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays or Thurs-days. Andrea Miller is teaching a women’s intermediate skate clinic on Wednesdays from 9:30 – 11 a.m. These are great clinics to get ready for The Great Race.

We are preparing for the season of night skiing. Night skiing will be open from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, in January and February. Our race series runs Wednesday nights on January 5 and 19, as well as February 2 and 16. It’s a 5km course starting at 6 p.m. and is over in about 30 minutes so everyone can enjoy the course. Night skiing tracks are unique in California. We are one of the few ski areas that offer 2.5km of lighted tracks. So come try out our nightlife. The cost for night skiing is $14 for adults (ages 13–59) and $12 for seniors (ages 60–69). Kids 12 and under and adults 70 and older always ski for free at Tahoe Donner Cross Country!

Speaking of nightlife, we are going to invite our customers out on Tuesday, January 18, for a full moon ski or snowshoe tour with appetiz-ers followed by dinner afterwards. Call (530) 587-9484 for reservations as space will be limited. Cost is $15 season passholder, $20 non-pass-holder and includes a limited edition TDXC wine glass, yours to keep!

On Tuesday, February 1, we will host one event that is part of a series of orienteering competitions that will be held in the Tahoe Basin. Come join the fun. Check-in and registration are from 9 a.m. – noon. Individ-ual starts occur from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Courses close at 2:30 p.m.

We also have a Truckee Junior High and High School Nordic team fundraiser race Monday, January 17. The race name is the Sierra Skog-sloppet and is a 15km freestyle race. Come support the teams; this is a fun race to ski or watch.

There are more clinics and classes though out the month. For more information, visit the website at tdxc.com.

See you out on the tracks!JoJo ToeppneR | tdXC MAnAGer

The loDgeHelp us celebrate winter with our Welcome Winter Party on Friday,

January 21. Enjoy Happy Hour in the entire restaurant from 5 – 6:30 p.m. as well as live music from 6 – 9 p.m. Wear your favorite winter sweater for our “Best Sweater Contest.”

The Lodge is the perfect place to relax and catch up with friends after a day on the slopes. Check out our special offers, available weekly during non-holiday periods.

happy hourEnjoy Happy Hour at The Lodge Sunday–Thursday from 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Receive 25% off the Starters, Salads and Soup menus plus drink specials. Happy Hour is valid in the pub only.

TahoeDonner.com | 9

Truckee Located in the

Truckee River Regional Park 10500 Old Brockway Rd.

The Truckee Ice Rink features: Skate Rentals Snack Bar Fire Pit Group/Private Lessons Group & Party Rentals

TDRPD Residents: Adult $4, Child $3 Non-Residents: $5Skate Rentals: $2

Season Passesalso available!

Rink Hotline: (530)587-6172

www.TDRPD.com

Truckee Donner Recreation & Park District 530-582-7720

OpensDec. 11th

Ice Rink!

no Corkage tuesdayBring in your favorite bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal and we’ll

waive the corkage fee on Tuesday nights.

wild wednesdays Enjoy Happy Hour all night long every Wednesday night. For more

information or to make a reservation, contact The Lodge at (530) 587-9455.

PIzza oN The hIllTake a break from the slopes and enjoy a pizza lunch. Pizza On The

Hill is open for lunch on the weekends all winter long. Cheer on your favorite team and enjoy weekend football playoff action on our 120” HD screen. Join us for a Winter Wonderland Party on Saturday, January 29. Live music plus $3 Coors Light drafts and $4 red or white wine all night. Don your favorite winter hat for our Coolest Winter Hat contest to be held at 7 p.m.

happy hourEnjoy Happy Hour at Pizza On The Hill Thursday – Monday from 5 –

6 p.m. Receive 25% off the entire menu plus drink specials including $2 Coors Light drafts. Happy Hour is valid on dine-in orders only.

half Price Pizza hourGrab a pie on your way home from the mountain. Order a pizza from

5 – 6 p.m. on Sundays and receive half price on cheese, pepperoni or veggie pies. This offer is valid for take-out only, limit 10.

Special offers not valid during holiday periods. For more information, contact Pizza On The Hill at (530) 582-9669.

Full mooN SNoWShoe TourSHave you ever enjoyed a moonlit night in the snowy woods?

Participate in a full moon snowshoe hike with your friends and a guide on Wednesday, January 19, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Explore the trails of Tahoe Donner under the light of a full moon. An experience you won’t forget! Date and time are subject to change in the case of inclement weather. Cost is $7.50 per person if you have your own snowshoes; $15 with snowshoe rental. Call the recreation coordinator at (530) 582-9646 for more details or to inquire about snowshoe rentals.

WINTer recreaTIoN eVeNTSWe offer a variety of events and programs to help you explore the

beautiful Sierra and enjoy the Tahoe Donner community. Check our multitude of programs and special events, guaranteed to keep you entertained and active all winter long.

wii nightWant to play golf, race a go cart or even sky dive this winter? You can

every Sunday night from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Pizza On The Hill as part of Nintendo Wii Night. Pick from a variety of Wii games and challenge other players on our 120” HD screen.

(Continued on pg. 26)

TahoeDonner.com | 11

Featuring Fine Art Photography of homeowners Elizabeth & Olof Carmel

carmel Gallery

FeaTure

What makes a great photograph? For Elizabeth Carmel, Truckee- based photographer and Tahoe Donner resident, it’s about creating unique landscape images that are about more than just documenting a place, leaving a viewer feeling as if they are seeing it for the first time.

Photography has always been something that Elizabeth has enjoyed. She was even a photographer for the high school yearbook staff. How-ever, attending the University of California, Berkeley, she ended up pursuing a career in land use planning and environmental science.


“Both Elizabeth and olof are avid cross country skiers and had come up to Truckee to ski at Tahoe Donner’s Cross Country Center for years.”

In 1994, Elizabeth was hired by Tony Lashbrook to work for the newly created Town of Truckee as a planner. Both Elizabeth and Olaf are avid cross country skiers and had come up to Truckee to ski at Tahoe Donner’s Cross Country Center for years. When it came to relocating to Truckee from El Dorado County, they knew that was the amenity they wanted to be close to.

After working as a professional planner for 15 years, Elizabeth once again found herself drawn to photography. Since she was a teenager, the digital revolution had changed photography quite a bit and Eliza-beth found the concept of developing images on the computer and printing them without a darkroom intriguing. Since that time, she gave birth to her daughter, gave up her job as a planner and has spent the last ten years pursuing and mastering the art of digital photography. Along the way she has won several awards for her work and published two books.

Her first book, “Brilliant Waters, Portraits of Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and the High Sierra” was self-published. After first coming up with the idea for a photography book, Elizabeth found it difficult to find a publisher willing to take on such a project. Elizabeth and Olaf decided to take a leap of faith and publish the book themselves, founding Hawk Peak Publishing. While there some bumps in the road along the way, the couple ultimately found that having complete artistic control was a blessing. Elizabeth’s second book, “The Changing Range of Light, Portraits of the High Sierra,” takes on the subject of climate change through photography. For the book, Elizabeth collaborated with scientists Robert Coats, Ph.D. and Geoffery Schaldow, Ph.D. The preface of the book discusses her attempt to portray the adverse effects that global warming is having on the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Elizabeth’s stunning photographs are complemented by facts and statements from the scientists.

Elizabeth shoots with a large format Hasselblad camera that gives her work incredible detail, extraordinary depth and unparalleled color. In 2006, Elizabeth was one of 12 photographers in the world selected as a Hasselblad Master.

Elizabeth and Olaf’s works are on display in The Carmel Gallery located on Donner Pass road in Downtown Truckee. Photography works at the gallery range in size from 10 x 15” to 6 x 10 feet in size.


“Elizabeth shoots with a large format hasselblad camera that gives her work incredible detail,extraordinary depth and unparalleled color.”


The gallery also includes collections of sculpture, woodwork, glass-work, jewelry and furnishings. “It’s wonderful to work with guests to the gallery who are interested in our work. We feel very blessed to meet so many wonderful people who enjoy our fine art prints and who sup-port the gallery,” says Elizabeth.

As an inspiration, Elizabeth looks to the late Galen Rowell, who she believes helped put color landscape photography on the map. Rowell’s Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop, California, was one of the inspira-tions for the Carmel’s gallery in Truckee. Elizabeth also admires the business sense of Peter Lik, who is also a landscape photographer and operates several galleries around the country.

When it comes to working as a husband and wife team, Elizabeth says, “It would be difficult to pursue this career alone. Olaf and I cri-tique each other’s work and collaborate on how best to run our busi-ness. He and I designed our new gallery building and he built it himself. If it were not for his skills as a builder, we would not have such a great gallery space. We enjoy travelling together and both support each other’s artistic efforts. Over time we have worked to develop different photographic styles.”

As landscape photographers, both Carmels believe in the importance of permanently protecting public lands. They offer their support and photographic skills to many local organizations including the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the Truckee Trails Foundation and many more. The couple is also committed to eco-friendly business practices. In constructing their gallery, they used green building materials including recycled barn wood floors.

To print their photographs the Carmels use 100% cotton canvases and Crane Papers, which are tree free. Cotton fibers are a renewable resource able to be replace within a single growing season. They are also naturally brighter and more durable than wood fibers. For their framing materials, the Carmels use moldings made from recycled wood and come with an environmentally preferred product certification.

As small business owners, the Carmels understand the value of not only recycling and reusing materials to run an efficient and cost- effective business, but also as photographers to ensure that those majestic landscapes they love will be there for them to document long into the future.

So how do you go from urban planner to award winning photog-rapher and gallery owner? Elizabeth offers some advice for budding recreational photographers: “Take lots of images, develop your own distinct style and establish your presence online with a website and social media.” Setting up the perfect shot also takes time, patience and preparation. On a blue bird winter day, one may find Elizabeth driving around with her cross country skis in her car, scouting out great vistas for future reference. “The great shots require capturing the image at sunrise or sunset. I have a list of places to get to when we have a beauti-ful winter morning or evening,” she says. The results speak for themselves.

Visit the GalleryThe Carmel Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.9940 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CAthecarmelgallery.com


toboggan to tow it back home. The modern use of toboggans is much more fun.

The traditional toboggan is made of bent, parallel pieces of wood that are all bound together to form the shape of the tail in the letter “J” while on its side. Modern sleds, which we have at Snowplay, are made from plastic but resemble the traits of the original winter toboggan.

On a sled, once you begin your descent, you more or less travel a line determined by the

FeaTure

Sledding & Tubing

January is a great time of year to enjoy some classic activities like snowshoeing, ski-ing and even sledding and tubing, just a quick jaunt from your doorstep. Sledding or tobog-ganing is a traditional form of transportation and originated within the indigenous people of northern Canada, where toboggans were used to aid transport during hunting and gathering. These people hunted caribou, moose and deer. Imagine hunting caribou in a snowstorm and then envision using a


natural flow of the course and gravity. You can lean either way to carve a turning arc, but your arc is much less controlled than you would think. The Skeleton and Bobsleigh events of the Olympics are the pinnacle of this sport, where individuals run a set course against the clock reaching forces of up to 5G.

This sport can be traced back as far as 1882, when Swiss soldiers constructed a toboggan track between Davos and Klosters. Not to be confused with the Davos neighborhood of

Tahoe Donner. The original members of our sports advisory board, Andrea Mead Lawrence (Slalom, Giant Slalom – Gold Medalist) and Bill Disney (Speed Skating – Silver Medalist) helped create our amenities and they would certainly appreciate an area dedicated to snow play located right here in Tahoe Donner, much closer than traveling to Switzerland.

Sledding is also a winter tradition that played a role in one of Truckee’s original

town leader’s vision for the area. Charles F. McGlashan dreamed of making Truckee a premier winter sports destination.

Charles F. McGlashan dreamed of making Truckee a premier winter sports destination. In 1909, McGlashan and some residents from the town held the area’s first Great Truckee Winter Carnival, which hosted such activi-ties as ice skating, tobogganing and ski jump-ing. The following year, McGlashan built a steam powered toboggan lift to shuttle


Winter’s here! My name is Bella and i just love winter. i love skiing, making snow angels and having an excuse to drink hot cocoa. i especially love sledding! The feel-ing of the wind running through my hair, and the rush of happiness! unfortunately, by my house, there are no sledding hills, so i go to Snowplay. Snowplay is really fun! They have super big hills to sled on and you go super-duper fast! The people there are really nice and they’ll even spin your tube if you want. My whole family likes Snowplay too. My mom and dad like to go to Snow-play because the sleds are big enough for them to fit. My little sister likes to go to Snowplay because they have a little kid hill too! Snowplay is awesome! if you haven’t been there yet, you should definitely try it out. Come as soon as possible, because Snowplay is great!Bella Sloane

WOrDs FrOm thisissue’s cOVer Girl

“Sledding is also a winter tradition that played a role in one of Truckee’s original town leader’s vision for the area.”

sledders and winter sports enthusiasts up and down Hilltop. In 1913, the Truckee Chamber of Commerce took over the Winter Carnival event and gathered as many as 700 participants. Imagine 700 partici-pants at Snowplay!

As you can see, sledding and tubing are great activities and have been on the radar of locals here in Truckee since the town changed its name from Coburns Station. Not only is sledding a great past time of the old days, but it is also a simple activity, has a short gear list, is inexpensive, great fun and when done at Tahoe Donner Snowplay, it is much safer given the designated sledding zones.

hours of OperationFridays: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.Saturdays and Sundays: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

holiday hours of OperationNew Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Additional days of operation include:Monday, January 17; Monday, February 21 – Thursday, February 24; and Monday, April 4 – Thursday, April 7, with hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

admission FeesTahoe Donner Members FreeTahoe Donner Guest Adult (over 13 years old) $9Tahoe Donner Guest Child (4–12 years old) $5Public Adult (over 12 years old) $14Public Child (4–12 years old) $7Ages 3 and under Free

special eventsTube for Time on Saturday, January 1The fastest run wins. Heats will run every half hour from 1 – 2:30 p.m.


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So-CAL hARLEY MAN To BoARD PRESIDENT

The story of how Ron Wulff met his wife is a funny one. It was 1971 and he was living with a bunch of guys in Manhattan Beach, each with motorcycles. The bikes didn’t all fit in the garage, so Ron’s chopped Harley – the narrowest of the bunch – was assigned to the house.

“The first time she saw me was when I was rolling my chopper into the living room,” he laughs. “She thought she had a bunch of motorcycle maniacs in the neighborhood.”

Quite to the contrary, Ron was a motorcycle cop with the California Highway Patrol. The fact that he worked the night shift and kept odd hours might have added to the mystery, but eventually Kelly came to understand that he was an upstanding citizen. Eventually they married and had three boys – Morgen, Logan and Regen.

When the kids were young, Ron and Kelly decided that they wanted better school options, and Ron was able to work out a transfer to Rock-lin. Friends introduced them to Tahoe Donner and they loved it. “I sold a 1960 Porsche Cabriolet, which gave us enough money to buy a condo here,” he says. More and more often, their leisure time was spent enjoy-ing everything the Sierra has to offer.

As the boys got into their teen years, they approached their parents and said that they would like to attend high school in Truckee. Ron got another transfer and a full-time life at Tahoe Donner began. Kelly worked at a real estate office and both of them got involved in a variety of volunteer activities. Ron coached soccer for several years, including three at Truckee High School – two of them as state champions.

The couple became interested in policy decisions being made by the Tahoe Donner board at the time. “When the policy changed from unlimited family members to four, I went to a meeting to understand why,” he remembers. “I was told that the national average for a family was 4.3 people and it was based on that. I said, ‘What am I going to do with my .3?’”

Following large increases in annual assessments which concerned him, Ron ran for the board and was elected. Today the president of the board happily launches into a number of projects that he and his col-leagues have tackled over the past decade. For instance, they weren’t happy with a lack of accounting for Truckee Special Service Area (TSSA) funds for transportation projects. They negotiated more slurry seals and other road maintenance, and now Tahoe Donner gets a full accounting of those expenditures.

As he discusses similar projects, it’s clear that this is a man who isn’t bored by the details but rather intrigued by the nuts and bolts of how things work. Whether it’s an old Harley or Porsche, or the gears that turn government or a homeowners association, Ron is always looking to tune the engine a bit smoother.

The road isn’t always smooth. “Things are very different here than they were 15 years ago,” he says. “There was a great deal of mistrust between homeowners and the board. Trying to get transparency back into board actions has been a big focus for us.”

Ron remembers territorial disputes between Tahoe Donner mem-bers who supported different amenities. He has his favorites, too – ahh, those weekly barbecues at the marina – but knows he can’t choose favorites when making board decisions.


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Sometimes those decisions aren’t perfect, as Ron remembers with regret how The Lodge building project had to be downsized after it was approved by members. “It was a very unfortunate experience, and one that made me leery of the promises of architects,” he says. “We had to ‘value engineer’ it down. You learn from things like that.”

Now capital projects are no longer funded by special assessments. Annual contributions are made to reserve funds, and that (among other advantages) gives the board and staff flexibility to deal with changing

“Even in the face of strong accusations, Ron keeps a cool demeanor and sticks to the facts.”

circumstances during the long planning and construction period some projects require.

Sometimes that old mistrust of board actions still bubbles up, as happened occasionally during recent town hall meetings regarding a proposed forestry facility. Ron has served as a police officer at a few large riots around Los Angeles, so he can handle it when things get a little lively at board meetings. Even in the face of strong accusations, Ron keeps a cool demeanor and sticks to the facts. “I guess it’s all those years of having people yell and scream at me (as a CHP officer) and not being able to yell back,” he smiles, saying that you can’t take it person-ally. “Hey, we got some great ideas from members at those meetings.”

Almost always in the audience at board meetings is Kelly, the self-described “Homeowner from Hell.” Ron grins at the description. “She’s a very opinionated lady, and I get all of those opinions,” he says. “We’re very passionate about this place and very interested in these issues.”

Ron’s volunteer work doesn’t end with Tahoe Donner. He’s a member of Rotary, the Optimists Club and volunteers for wineries in Amador. He and Kelly are members of the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) and have helped out at many ZAP events.

When you add it all up, it’s an impressive life of public service. That ruffian pushing his chopper so many years ago turned out to be a pretty special guy.


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SECURITY UPDATE

Tahoe Donner Association is one of the largest property owner asso-ciations in the United States and is somewhat unique in that the major-ity of homes are “vacation or second homes” (owned by owners whose primary residence is elsewhere). These “second homes” are particularly vulnerable to home burglaries. Although the home burglary rate in Tahoe Donner is relatively low for its size (24 burglaries during the period from 2007–2009), they do occasionally occur. The risk of being burglarized can be greatly reduced by taking simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing to would-be burglars. • Burglars often cruise neighborhoods looking for absentee owners

or such tell tale signs that the property is a “second home” and not currently occupied. These signs include newspapers or other deliveries which have not been picked up (phone books, parcel deliveries, etc.).• Another favorite trick is the “wrong number telephone call” to find

out if the owner is home before attempting to enter a residence. They often represent themselves as someone they are not in order to determine if the residence is occupied or not. Burglars may knock at your door and ask for simple directions or may ask you where a particular family may live.• Thefts of purses or other small valuables are commonly grabbed by

burglars who enter an opposite door when the resident is seen working outside in the yard.

discourage burglars by following these simple rules:

• Keep exterior doors and windows locked, even while you’re at home. In the majority of residential burglaries, forced entry is not used. Why? Because doors and windows are found unlocked. Install a one-way door viewer and have visitors identify themselves before opening the door. Never admit strangers under any pretext. If someone comes to your door requesting to use your phone “to call for directions” or “to get help for their disabled vehicle,” tell them you will retrieve the cordless phone – then lock the door before retrieving it. Offer to make the call for them so you don’t have to open the door, giving them immediate access. • Use proper exterior lighting and keep bushes and shrubs trimmed.

One of a burglar’s worst enemies is light. Hiding places can be eliminated with proper outside lighting. Energy saving motion detection devices are available that will turn on perimeter lights immediately if movement is detected outside your home. Place a light over every door. Make sure entryways are well lit. • Always keep garage doors closed and locked. Thieves know that

many valuables are kept in garages (tools, snowblowers, etc.) and quite often there is a door inside the garage that leads to the

(Continued on pg. 30)


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scheDuleTuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.Saturdays: 11 a.m. Trout Creek Recreation CenterInstructor: Courtney Murrell

Download a complete fitness schedule and class descriptions at tahoedonner.com


D O N N E R PA SS ROA D

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Are you interested in finding some pre-cious moments of Sierra history, or perhaps some eerie views into Truckee’s colorful past? The Truckee Donner Historical Society, Inc. located by Meadow Wood Park behind the Public Utility District in Truckee, is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursdays.

Spend time scouring the photography archives to view past moments of the Sierra. At the Truckee Donner Historical Society, photographic finds of the historic Sierra are endless and the image archive is organized very well. A quick note of an images’ descrip-tion number and a small fee will yield owner-ship of a print or a digital file which you can bring home from your outing to share with your friends and family.

Keep this in mind; there are many images to look through, so plan your time wisely. You

Excursion Check List:

Car

Coffee/Tea

Warm Coat

Scarf

Inquiring Mind

Magnifying Glass

may be searching for something in particular, but as soon as you embark down your journey, you will be presented with many insightful images of the past – so many that a tangent may fast forward you to closing time.

If history is something you enjoy, you may also find that searching through the image archive is simply not enough. If so, take a look online at www.truckeehistory.org to find many more brain-stimulating adventures – from a Jail House Tour to a great archive of online articles with such titles as “Death By Inches,” “Chief Truckee,” “Sierra Air Mail Pilots, Heroes of the Sky” and many more.

This is the first part of 2011’s Day Excursion column. Stay tuned to upcoming issues for more great excursions. If you have an idea to share, email [email protected].

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BULLETINBoARD

It’s early January and winter is really here. The issue of blowing and/or pushing snow onto adjoining properties always pops up around this time. I’m sure that everyone is aware that your snow should stay on your property. Unfortunately, not everyone takes the steps to ensure that this happens. Please, when you clear your

driveway, or have it done, make sure that you or your contractor blow or push your snow only onto your own property. Also, please keep in mind that the Town of Truckee has the right to place snow from the streets in the front 20’ of our lots. Some folks are under the impression that their property starts at the edge of the asphalt street. Typically, property lines start between 15’–20’ from the edge of the asphalt. That means that the town has the right to push and/or blow snow up to 35’ from the edge of the street.

While garbage is a much more significant problem in the summer, we still need to dispose of it properly in the winter months. Many properties now have metal garbage can enclosures. One of the things that continually surfaces is that enclosures are not being closed securely or the latches are no longer secure. Please keep in mind that homeowners are responsible for all of their guests or renters,

The Architectural Standards Committee reviewed the following plans in November 2010.

Unit/Lot Street Address Square Feet Project11/473 13295 Cristallina Wy 3,232 House01/294 17165 Northwoods Bl 388 Deck08/153 11145 Sitzmark Wy 3,030 House11/260 14611 Swiss Ln 96 Shed

hoMES oN ThE RISE

including uninvited animals that get into trash or destroy a garbage can enclosure. Please make sure that you, your guests or renters close your garbage can enclosure securely.

If you have any questions regarding this or any of our rules, please call us at (530) 587-9407, email us at [email protected], fax us at (530) 587-9427, or come in to see us at Northwoods Clubhouse.aRChiTeCTuRal STandaRdS STaff


trivia nightPut on your thinking cap, grab your friends and head over to Trivia

Night at Pizza On The Hill every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. Show off your knowledge and win prizes.

Family Movie nightCozy up by the fireplace, kick up your feet and enjoy a movie every

Friday night at Northwoods Clubhouse. Family Movie Night starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information and a schedule of upcoming movies, visit tahoedonner.com.

Friday, January 7: MarmadukeFriday, January 14: Kit Kittredge: An American GirlFriday, January 21: James and the Giant PeachFriday, January 28: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief

kids night outKids ages 4–9 are invited to join in the fun the first Friday of every

month from 5 – 9 p.m. for a fun evening of games, dinner, arts and crafts, our Friday Night Movie and even a bedtime story. Parents, enjoy a night out while our trained staff looks after your little ones. Cost is $15 per child. Space is limited; pre-registration and payment is required at least one day in advance. Register online at shoptd.tahoedonner.com. Kids Night Out for January will be held on Friday, January 7. For more information, contact the recreation coordinator at (530) 582-9646.

NorDIc SkI cluB NeWSGliding over record breaking November snows, the Tahoe Donner

Nordic Ski Club is making strides into its fifth season in high spirits. New club president, Carol Ozimek, kicked off the season with a very successful potluck on December 11, which included abundant good food and much laughter. The following individuals round out the 2010–2011 club board: club founder, Jacky Poulsen, vice President of treasury and membership; Jerry Blackwill, webmaster; Katia Campbell, vice presi-dent of activities; Evor and Peri Vattuone, vice president’s of publicity.

The 2010–2011 agenda includes skiing and snowshoeing activities as well as social events. Anyone wishing for company on the cross country or snowshoe trails should check out this friendly and energetic group at tdnordicskiclub.org. The website includes a long list of both club and Tahoe Donner activities as well as classes and events with possibilities for a busy and fun-filled season.

The Tahoe Donner Nordic Ski Club always welcomes new members, regardless of ability levels. Browse the above website or contact the club president at [email protected] for more information. See you on the beautiful trails!

TeNNIS IN WINTerHappy New Year from the Tahoe Donner Tennis Center! We hope

you are having a great winter season on the slopes and trails. Look-ing outside at the snow filled yards and streets, it seems like tennis is a long way off. Don’t be fooled, because tennis season is right around the corner. Tennis Center staff has been working hard this winter on the upcoming summer of tennis at Tahoe Donner. However, tennis enthusiast, will want to take note of a few important upcoming dates.

The USTA Team Tennis season and the SAP Open are going to start off your tennis year right.

The USTA adult team league begins registration on Monday, Janu-ary 10, and continues with sign-ups until Sunday, February 13. We are planning on continuing with our Men’s 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 teams and the Women’s 3.5 team, for the upcoming spring season. We are also looking to add a Women’s’ 3.0 and 4.0 team to the mix to get our tennis com-munity out on the courts early and often. The teams will need to consist of at least 12 players, so please let me know of any interest that you have in playing this spring. We are also looking for volunteers to captain and co-captain teams and help gather recruits for a fun season of league play. Remember your friends and guests are able to join our teams as long as they are willing to pay the $35 non-resident team fee and the applicable guest fees for any play outside of the scheduled USTA match dates. Sign-up early and get those rackets ready for a fun season of com-petitive tennis at Tahoe Donner.

The SAP Open in San Jose has been drawing quite a crowd the last few years as it continues to be a stopping point for the ATP elite. Last year’s winner, Fernando Verdasco, beat Andy Roddick in a thrilling three set final before a sold out crowd at the HP Pavilion. The SAP Open and the Tahoe Donner Tennis Center have teamed up to help you see world class tennis up close and personal. A luxury bus will pick you up at the Tennis Center on Saturday, February 12, and shuttle you to the HP Pavilion in time for the feature semifinal on Saturday night. You will get to watch the action from your lower bowl sideline seat, followed by a night’s stay at the beautiful Doubletree Hotel. Enjoy the Sunday final in the same sideline seat. A quick bus trip back finds you home on Sunday night. What a great way to spend a little over 24 hours watch-ing some of the best players on the ATP Circuit battle it out for ranking points and over $500,000 in prize money. Scheduled to appear at this year’s event are 2009 US Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro as he battles his way back to the top of the game from a season ending wrist injury in 2010. Gael Monfils, Sam Querrey, Mardy Fish, James Blake, Tommy Haas, Lleyton Hewitt, as well as defending champion Fernando Verdasco, will be on hand vying for the 2011 title. The package valued at over $350 has been discounted to Tahoe Donner for only $199 for a double occupancy and $259 for a single occupancy. Please call (760) 580-2067, for more information and make sure to sign up early as space will be limited.

As you can see, even with snow on the ground we can still think warm tennis thoughts and get the tennis sneakers lined up at the door, ready for that first day of tennis at Tahoe Donner. Look for our summer schedule online in the near future at tahoedonner.com, tahoedonnertennis.com or tahoedonnertennisclub.com. Once again, all the best in the New Year and see you on the courts!ian Mindell | direCtor oF tennis

geT reaDy To ruNIs your pooch ready to run? Once again, Tahoe Donner will go to the

dogs as part of the seventh annual I-Did-A-Run on Sunday, March 13. Look for more details in upcoming issues of Tahoe Donner News and Weekly News Emails.

(Continued from pg. 9)


Mountain High Pie

Enter our Fourth Annual Snowman Contest. It’s simple to partici-pate, build your snowman or snow creature, take a photograph with you and the snowman and then email your image along with a short story about your snowman adventure to [email protected]. This year we will be awarding the best snowman builders with a $50 gift certificate to Pizza On The Hill. Photo submissions will be accepted through the end of March. However, if want your photo to be eligible for publication in the March issue of Tahoe Donner News, submissions must be turned in by February 6, 2011. We will post all submissions on the Tahoe Donner Flickr account at flickr.com/photos/tahoedonner. Thanks for participating and have a great time building your snowman.

FoURTh ANNUAL SNoWMAN CoNTEST

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regular BoarD meeTINg mINuTeS SummaryNovEMBER 20, 2010• Consent Calendar: Approved 4-0 (Burks Absent)

· Sierra Tinker Bells Garden Club (request to dissolve chartered club) · General Plan Committee Resignation (Scott) · General Plan Committee Appointment (Miller) · Finance Committee Resignation (Nigg) · Health Insurance Renewal Policy

• Financial Reports: Approved 5-0 The board approved the unaudited October preliminary financials with one modification.

• Golf Course Pedestrian Access Survey: Disapproved 4-0 (Burks Absent) The board decided not to send out a survey regarding non-golf recreation when the golf course is closed.

• Committee Rosters for 2011: Approved 4-0 (Burks Absent) The board approved the committee member roster with one exception.

• Recruiting Plan for Committee Volunteers: No Action The board discussed the development of a volunteer recruitment plan and agreed to place this item on the January agenda.

• Timeshare Verses Fractional Ownership: No Action The board discussed the differences between these two types of ownership.

• Temporary/Part-time Employee Perks: No Action

This item was pulled from the agenda.

DECEMBER 18, 2010• Consent Calendar: Approved 4-0 (Burks Absent)

· General Plan Committee Resignation (Sherman) · Finance Committee Appointment (Arata) · Election Committee Appointment (Carnal) · Property/Casualty Insurance Renewal · 2010 Auditor

• Committee Tasks for 2011: By consensus, the board approved proposed 2011 activity agendas for the association’s various committees, subject to feed back from the committees at the January 22, 2011 board meeting.

• Architectural Standards Committee Review: No Action ASC Chair, Jason Wooley, provided the board with a presentation regarding the functions of this committee.


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These summaries are intended for general information purposes only. The minutes are available at tahoedonner.com, upon request in the General Manager’s office or by calling (530) 587-9431. A copy of the minutes and current agenda are posted outside the Member Services Office in Northwoods Clubhouse.

• Director of Finance and Accounting Report: Approved 4-0 (Burks Absent) The board approved the unaudited November preliminary financials.

• Resolution 2009-5 Conducting Membership Surveys: No Action The board discussed the pros and cons of rescinding this association policy. Following discussion, the board placed this item on the January 22, 2011 board meeting agenda for further discussion.

• Financial Drivers of the Association: No Action This item was placed on the January 2011 board meeting agenda.

• Committee Management: No Action Director Dundas provided the board with a presentation on the board’s responsibility to manage the association’s committees.

• Annual Disclosure Form: Approved 4-0 (Burks Absent) In order to be in compliance with the association’s Bylaws, the board approved an “Annual Disclosure Form” for Directors

• Special Board Meeting: Consensus (Burks Absent) By consensus, the board approved a Special Board meeting on January 21, 2011 for board, staff, General Plan Committee, & Finance Committees to discuss the 2030 General Plan.

• Rescission of Resolution 95-8 Adopting User Fee Policy: Approved 4-0 (Burks Absent) The Board approved the rescission of this Association policy.

• Temporary/Part-time Employee Perks: No action This item was pulled from the agenda.


WelcomeWinter Party

Friday, January 21Enjoy Happy Hour in the eintire restuarant from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Live music

from 6 – 9 p.m. Wear your favorite sweater for our “Best Sweater Contest.”

(Continued from pg. 22)

interior of the home. Before retiring for the night, take a moment to make sure the garage door is closed. Install an automatic door opener to provide added security.• Work together with your neighbors. When you are going to be

away, tell a trusted neighbor and ask them to watch your residence. Communicate with each other; be aware of the neighborhood rou- tine; call the Truckee Police Department to report any suspicious activity, vehicles, or people that may seem out of place. Residents often inform the police of suspicious persons or vehicles after the fact. If you are watching something that peaks your curiosity and/or concerns, are unsure about something or someone, call the Truckee Police Department immediately and while making the observation. Don’t wait until the theft is made and the suspects are gone – it is always better to be safe than sorry. • A home with a “lived in” or “at home” look is a deterrent to bur-

glars. Lock all outside doors and windows. At night, leave one or more interior lights on in locations not visible from windows. For extended absences, there are inexpensive plug-in timers that will turn lights on and off at times that imitate your living patterns. Leave a radio playing, preferably tuned to a talk show with the volume low. This will create the impression of conversation. Do not leave notes indicating your absence. Shut and lock the garage door. Do not hide extra keys under the door mat or behind the nearby window molding – burglars know where to look. Keep your extra key in a key lock box. Have an audible burglar alarm installed. Many types of alarms are now available to help foil an attempt to break into your home. Don’t allow daily deliveries (of mail, newspapers, or flyers, etc.) to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick them up regularly. In winter, the easiest thing a burglar can see to determine which house might not be occupied is to look at the size of the snow berm in front of the garage. If you subscribe to a plow service and they leave a berm in front of the garage, consider hiring a neighbor to remove the berm throughout the winter. • Make it time consuming for a burglar to break into your home.

Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors – install double-key dead bolt locks on doors near glass panes. Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Place wooden dowels inside the door frames or install additional locks. Special locks are available for sliding glass doors for better security. Place additional locks on windows.• What should you do if you discover that a burglary has taken place?

Do not enter the house – call 911 immediately to report what you see. The burglar may still be inside. Try to avoid disturbing any- thing (inside or outside), as you may destroy evidence that could be used to identify the suspects.

Most burglaries in the Truckee area are committed by youths 18 years of age and younger. They are not skilled professionals; they will take advantage of an easy target and many of their crimes are commit-ted since they are given the opportunity. Don’t make it easy for them.Ron neiBeRT | seCurity MAnAGer


hoW To MAKE ThE “PERFECT” SNoWSToRM

Everyone has their own superstitions on how to make it snow. Some wear t-shirts and tank tops, put a spoon under their pillow, yell snow into the freezer or leave ice cubes on their porch. The most famous of them all is performing a “Snow Dance” for Mother Nature, asking to bring on the snow. This year show the weather what you are made of and create your own whimsical window display of non-traditional snowflakes. It’s as easy as 1-2-3...

When you’re finished, fasten your finished strands to the top of your window frame with small pieces of tape. By hanging your snowstorm on the window frame, it will allow for a breeze or gust of air to ruffle the snowflakes and bring them to life. Enjoy!

Supplies List:

Multiuse Sticky Labels (1” circles)

String or Dental Floss

Glue (optional)

Glitter (optional)

Tip: Use multiple label sizes for variation in your snowflakes

step 1: Attach the string or dental floss to the adhesive side of your circular label.

step 2: Place a second label over the top of first. This will result in having the string sandwiched between the two stickers. This will create your first snowflake.

step 3: Repeat Step 1 and 2 while randomly spacing your labels along the length of your string. Snowflakes don’t fall in perfect pattern so remember variation is key to create an authentic snowstorm.

step 4: Apply a dab of glue to some snowflakes and sprinkle with glitter. Allow time to dry and continue if you wish for more sparkle.


ethiopiaDavid and Stefanie Deuber

reading Tahoe Donner News at

this Addis cafe.

switzerlandLorraine and Mike Turner

enjoyed a vacation through

Switzerland and managed to

do some spring skiing in Birg,

just below Schilthorn.

machu picchu, peruThe Corrigan family, from left to right; Emily, Rebecca and George. After a four day trek through the Andes.

sienna, italyDave and Mary Shipp with their issue of TD News.

tahoe donner news - january 2011

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