february tahoe donner news

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FEBRUARY

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Tahoe Donner News is the official monthly publication of Tahoe Donner Association, which is located at 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: February Tahoe Donner News

FEBRUARY

Page 2: February Tahoe Donner News
Page 3: February Tahoe Donner News

Table of Contents

04

16

27

FEATURES

16 Snow-less Holiday Fun Reader submitted moments

20 Community Spotlight Dick Gander

DEPARTMENTS

02 President’s Message Weather extremes

03 Monthly Calendar Something for everyone

04 General Manager’s Message Start of winter

06 Important Member News Seeking candidates

10 Let’s Get Together TD events & happenings

29 Bulletin Board Update your home

31 Where in the World is TD News? TD News travels the world

TAKE NOTE

08 A New Way to Travel Share the ride - ZimRide

11 A Bright New Year The new tahoedonner.com

13 February Deal at Pizza Buy two get one FREE

24 Snow Chains and Silver Lining Lake Tahoe golf in January

27 Snowman Contest - Update Time to get creative

A Christmas Day family hike along Donner Ridge above Tahoe Donner

Page 4: February Tahoe Donner News

In January 1959, there were serious con-cerns about the next year’s 1960 Olympics because the ground was dry that January at the base of Squaw Valley. But the February storms pattern dumped 104 inches in 10 days, bringing great relief and a total record snow-fall for a single month of 189 inches (15.75 feet). Also in 1959, the US Navy launched a Vanguard II rocket into orbit, the first US weather satellite designed to photograph storm cloud formations from space - initiat-ing the three to five day weather forecast.

I remember being in Tahoe Donner in January of 1981, warm enough outside for just a t-shirt, working on completion of my cabin, and there was no snow or skiing to be found. The following winters of 1982-83 saw the biggest snowfalls I remember in the Sierras. A series of powerful snowstorms hammered the Sierras with a two-day total of 80 inches recorded at Echo Summit. I had rented my cabin to a family that wanted to know what it was like to live a winter in the Tahoe basin before moving there. That Janu-ary 1982 marked the second greatest one-day snowfall recorded of 67 inches. The family had to tunnel into the front door, the snow reached above the second story window and with power lines down they had to heat and cook on the wood stove.

In the 20s and early 30s, Lake Tahoe fell below its rim eight years in a row and the Truckee River dried up. The most extreme low total snowfall years, below 500 centime-ters (16.4 feet) were 1881, 1885, 1924 and 1977.

Snowfall from the Sierra Mountains provides homes and farms with one third of their water usage and this year’s recent recorded electronic reading of snowpack statewide is finding this season among the driest to date: 81 percent lower than normal and the fourth driest in the past 30 years. Echo Summit reported one-seventh of an inch. Fortunately, we have most of the win-ter ahead of us. With a history of extreme

SUZY KNISLEY | PRESIDENT

Everyone has snow on their mind, and so I did a little research on the extremes of our annual snowfall in the Sierras and how unpre-dictable it can be from year to year. The Cen-tral Sierra Snow Laboratory in Soda Springs maintains the recorded history of both the annual “Total Snowfall” and “Maximum Snow Depth” from 1879 to 2011. The largest total snowfall in the Sierras was recorded in 1938, with the second largest in 1952 at over 2000 centimeters or approximately 70-75 feet of total snowfall. That was followed by 1880, 1890 and 2006 at just under 2000 centimeters. 2011, while reaching only somewhat over 1500 centimeters of total snowfall, nearly matched the maximum snow depth for those extreme epic snow years just mentioned.

In January 1911, no measurable snow could be found on Donner Summit. However, later in the month at elevations above 5000 feet, downbursts of snow were estimated at 12 inches an hour and the year finished with an average snowfall.

WELCOMEVOL. 13, NO. 2FEBRUARY 2012

EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION STAFF

Amanda BirchenoughBrittany FeltonAmanda Wallace Kirt Zimmer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Suzan Knisley, [email protected]

Vice President Tom Johns, [email protected]

Secretary Steve Miller, [email protected]

Treasurer Ron Wulff, [email protected]

Director Jay Lempinen, [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

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 constitute an endorse-ment or recommendation by Tahoe Donner Association or its Board of Directors of the products, services, or views contained therein.Tahoe Donner News (ISSN 1550-6061) is the official monthly publication of Tahoe Donner Association, which is located at 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161. Each membership parcel receives one subscription. Additional subscriptions are available at the cost of $25 each. Cost to produce and distrib-ute 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.

On the Cover

Amanda Wallace throws a snowball during the first snowstorm of 2012.Photo by Tahoe Donner Association.

UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER EXTREMES

(Continued on pg.5)

Page 5: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 3

FebruaryWii NightSundays, 6:30 – 8 p.m.Test your skills on the 150 inch screen! Enjoy a pizza from Pizza on the Hill while challenging competitors in Wii tennis, baseball, golf, bowling, Mario Kart and much more. Free!@ Northwoods Clubhouse

Trivia Night Thursdays, 6:30 – 8 p.m.Join in the fun at trivia night. Enjoy a pizza from Pizza on the Hill, show off your brain power and win cool prizes. Free! @ Northwoods Clubhouse

Family Movie Night Fridays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.Bring your favorite pillow and blanket, kick your feet up, and enjoy both classic and new G and PG rated movies. Free! @ Northwoods Clubhouse

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

25 SATURDAY

Children’s Glowstick Parade and CarnivalSaturday, February 25@ Downhill Ski Area

This event is a kids’ version of the Torchlight Parade with glow sticks for children 10 and under who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Snowbird run. Come early to secure a spot in the parade and get glow sticks by playing our free carnival games. Carnival starts at 4:30 p.m. with parade at 6:30 p.m. Parade sign-up starts at 4:30 p.m. in the base lodge.

7 TUESDAY

Full Moon SnowshoeTuesday, February 7Meet at 6 p.m. @ Trout Creek Recreation Center

Enjoy the full moon on a scenic snowshoe hike. Please pre-register 24 hours before the event by calling the front desk at Trout Creek Recreation Center (530) 587-9437. The cost of the hike is $7.50. Snowshoe rentals are $7.50. We suggest participants dress in warm layers and bring a hat and gloves, headlamp or flashlight, and water. The group will meet at Trout Creek and caravan together to the hike destination. *If there is no snow, we will take a full moon hike.

14 TUESDAY

Valentine’s Day SpecialTuesday, February 14@ The Lodge Restaurant and Pub

Spend the holiday with us. Take advantage of our No Corkage Tuesday and impress your sweetheart with a sentimental bottle of wine. Also enjoy our special Valentine’s Day menu. Please call (530) 587- 9455 to make your reservation.

Valentine’s Day Sunset SnowshoeTuesday, February 14 Meet at 4:30 p.m. @ Trout Creek Recreation Center

Grab your sweetheart and join us for a romantic sunset snowshoe from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. We suggest participants dress in warm layers, bring a hat and gloves, headlamp or flashlight and water. Meet at Trout Creek Recreation Center and we will caravan to our hiking destination. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Call (530) 587-9437. Cost is $7.50 for hike. Snowshoe rentals are $7.50. *If there is no snow, we will take a sunset hike.

Page 6: February Tahoe Donner News

4 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER’S DESK

ROBB ETNYRE | GENERAL MANAGER

were on budget as of the beginning of December, the lack of winter revenue resulted in a preliminary net operating result loss of approxi-mately $250,000 beyond budget for 2011. However, as a matter of policy, Tahoe Donner does maintain a minimum operating fund con-tingency of $500,000 to cover these types of uncontrollable weather impacts to our operating budget.

Additionally, as we started the new fiscal year of 2012 without snow, I’m reminded of how our Tahoe Donner business model under-scores the importance of sound and timely management practices focused on the members and our public customers in a far greater manner than any other common interest development I’m aware of in the United States. While it is too early to predict how the entire year will play out financially, I want the membership to know that the Tahoe Donner management team has taken immediate proac-tive steps to reduce unnecessary operating expenses associated with the lack of early winter revenue. However, while the entire team shifted gears to realize necessary early season savings, we will also be shifting back into full winter programs to provide our membership and the public alike with the best experience possible in our great mountain community. As we move through the balance of the winter, we will continue to review our long-term financial projections for the year to ensure we can continue to deliver quality customer service and programs to benefit the membership, while also following timely and responsible management and financial practices.

Winter 2012 is just starting, so get out those skis, goggles, and gloves – Tahoe Donner’s winter activities are open! After record snow levels this past winter, followed by an extremely wet spring and only three months without snow in the middle of the summer, we were also challenged with no precipitation in December or early January. Luck-ily, our membership has continually embraced these challenges with a positive attitude and strong inclination to take part in outdoor adven-ture - whether with an extra jacket on the golf course, or mountain biking and hiking when they would normally have been well engaged in winter sports. I’m also very proud of the Tahoe Donner team that has embraced the many challenges of this past year and adapted to every changing condition to provide a wealth of programs and ser-vices to our membership, particularly over this past holiday season. So, now that the snow is here, let’s all get out and enjoy the winter fun.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the negative fiscal impact the lack of snow this winter, particularly over the holidays, has had on our operating budget. As you may recall, Tahoe Donner operates a user-based amenity system, allowing each individual member to decide how to spend their money on each activity and amenity, while also allowing some amenities to be open to the public to assist in revenue generation. Overall, the association only assesses $4.5 million or 33 percent of annual operating cost, requiring management to generate the remaining $8.8 million to successfully provide the wide range of amenities and services our membership enjoys. So, for 2011, while we

Page 7: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 5

.detarepo & denwo yltnednepedni si ecffio hcaE .ytlaeR ecioB smailliW relleK htiw detailffiA*Statistics are based on TSBOR MLS data for Tahoe Donner Single Family Homes.

Have your home featured onTDHomes.com...The Top website for Tahoe Donnersm

Real Estate!

Contact us for today’s stats!

back: Dave Donnelly, David Wright, Pete Griffin, Bob Colquhounfront: Jessica Ferguson, David Hipkins, Bruce Watkins

www.TDHomes.com866-303-9180

Jul 15-Jan 15 # of Houses Sold Average Sales Price2011 123 $551,9052010 134 $567,0472009 138 $606,8122008 105 $712,3142007 81 $767,476

TAHOE DONNER CONTACTS

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, Al Noyes [email protected]

Elections, Nan Carnal [email protected] Finance, Jim Stang [email protected]

General Plan, Dick Gander [email protected]

Tahoe Donner Association Chartered Club PresidentsBridge, Sharilyn Nelson [email protected]

Friends of TD Trails, B.R. Levine [email protected]

Rowing Club, Dot Mace [email protected]

Senior Alpine Ski, Jeff Bonzon [email protected]

Tahoe Donner Green, Sue Sorensen [email protected]

Tennis, Linda Stewart [email protected]

Nordic Ski Club, Carol Ozimek [email protected]

9-Holers, Hilary Ward [email protected]

Mens Golf, Ralph Shindler [email protected]’s Golf, Denise Kosak [email protected]

Hiking Club, Robin Reese [email protected]

Quilt Club, Linda Brush [email protected]

weather pattern changes, we are all hoping for a big snow storm soon and plenty of spring skiing, my favorite. In the meantime, Cal Fire has announced a ban on fires in the mountains because it is dry enough for a forest fire, even in winter. Take care to not dump any coals from the fireplace or wood stove onto the ground outside. The coals can burn for hours in the dry pine needles and reach your house or wood deck and unexpectedly catch fire.

The weather is great for hiking and you can get in shape for skiing at Trout Creek Recreation Center with lots of programs for when the snow does fly this winter, so enjoy the beautiful Sierra Mountains and activities in Tahoe Donner. With ownership of the Euer Valley and major building replacement projects planned, this is a good year to con-sider the influence you could have in Tahoe Donner by running for the Board of Directors in 2012. Look for me enjoying dinner at The Lodge thinking about snow flurries.

WELCOME (continued from pg. 2)

Page 8: February Tahoe Donner News

6 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

One of the most effective ways to contribute to the

success and vitality of Tahoe Donner Association is

to volunteer to serve on the board of directors. The

restated bylaws establish a five-member board with

each director elected for a three-year term. This

year, one (1) of the five seats on the board is up for

election. Owners with the appropriate interest and

qualifications are encouraged to seek election to

the board of directors. Applications will be available

April 1, 2012; the deadline for submitting completed

applications is May 1, 2012, at 4 p.m. The following

questions and answers provide an overview of the

board’s role and responsibilities as well as specific

requirements to serve as a director.

MEMBER NEWS:ASSOCIATION SEEKS CANDIDATES FOR THE 2012 TAHOE DONNER BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

What is the board of directors?Tahoe Donner Association is governed by an elected board of direc-

tors. The directors are elected by owners and oversee the financial management and general operation of the organization. The annual budget of the association, including revenue, expenses, required reserve funds, and annual assessments are in excess of $18 million per year. Operations include the physical management and maintenance of the association’s common areas, operation of the resort amenities, and enforcement of the land-use restrictions/architectural standards that create the unique character of Tahoe Donner.

Fiduciary relationship and responsibility Members of the board of directors have a fiduciary relationship with

the owners of the association. This fiduciary relationship imposes obli-gations of trust and confidence in favor of the association and its own-ers. This responsibility requires members of the board to act in good faith and in the best interests of the owners of the association. It means that board members must exercise due care and diligence when acting on behalf of the community and it requires them to act within the scope of their authority. The fact that the association is a not-for-profit cor-poration, or that the members of the board are volunteers and unpaid, does not relieve them from the high standards of trust and responsibil-ity that the fiduciary relationship requires.

What sort of issues come before the board? Within applicable legal constraints, the board determines everything

from the amount of the annual assessment to which major projects should be pursued by the association. It governs the general over-all operation of the association in conjunction with the association’s general manager. It decides appeals from association members who disagree with rules enforcement efforts, gives guidance to the associa-tion’s committees on topics ranging from financial planning and fiscal monitoring to what, if any new rules should be established. Important items for review over the next two years include: continued implemen-tation of the 2030 General Plan, fiscal monitoring of the association’s amenities, Maintenance Facility Project, and utilization of open spaces.

Qualifications of directorsArticle VII, Section 2, of the restated bylaws, requires that candi-

dates for election to the board satisfy the following qualifications:

• Be an owner of at least a 25 percent separate interest (residential property) within Tahoe Donner; • Be in good standing with the association, meaning that all

assessments with respect to all separate interests owned have been paid current and the candidate is not subject to any suspension of membership privileges;

No candidate is eligible if a co-owner (another holding an interest in a property of the candidate) will be serving on the board at the same time as the candidate; no employee of the association shall be eligible to serve on the board; and no owner can serve for more than two elected consecutive terms of office.

Page 9: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 7

Your fellow owners will be looking for and will vote for candidates with qualifications they feel will best support the association’s interests and welfare. Direct experience in management, finance, resort opera-tions are all experiences that would serve the needs of the association well. Those with other skills, experience and knowledge relevant to association operations and governance would also be welcome candi-dates for the open director’s position on the board.

Time commitment Being an effective director does require time. Regular board meet-

ings are held once per month, normally on the third Saturday. A briefing packet is prepared by staff for each meeting, and a significant amount of time is required to review and research information, including occa-sional meetings with staff to clarify particular issues, in order to be well prepared for the board meetings. Monthly board meetings usually last most of the day, depending on the agenda items and number of member appeals from enforcement actions taken.

There are also occasional special meetings to review items that cannot wait until monthly meetings. Additionally, each board member serves as liaison to one or more of the committees serving the associa-tion; this involves additional regular meetings. The times and number of meetings are held at the convenience of the committee chair and depend on the particular task being addressed.

Is it necessary to be a permanent resident in Tahoe Donner to serve on the board?

There is no requirement to be a permanent resident of Tahoe Donner. It is desirable to have representation from owners who are part-time residents. However, the time commitment may make that difficult for some owners. The association is equipped for teleconferencing for those times when it may be difficult to attend meetings.

What is involved in running for the board? First, you must submit an application by May 1, 2012, 4 p.m. Applica-

tions will be available April 1, 2012, in the Member Services office at Northwoods Clubhouse or can be mailed to you on request. Second, you must submit a candidate’s statement that will be reproduced and included in the board election packet sent to property owners in late May. Third, you may participate in a Candidates’ Night where you will have the opportunity to directly present your ideas about serving on the board to property owners and answer property owners’ questions.

The bottom line!Serving as a director for Tahoe Donner Association carries many of

the very same duties and responsibilities as overseeing any other large business. Being a board member is a valuable and rewarding experi-ence that should be undertaken by those who see it as an opportunity to serve their fellow neighbors while protecting and enhancing the assets of the community. It is serious business and also a responsibility worth doing well in order to safeguard the investments of every owner.

NAN CARNAL | ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR [email protected] (530) 550-5228

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To schedule an appointment call:

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Page 10: February Tahoe Donner News

8 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

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CHECK OUT THE NEW WAYS TO TRAVEL

RIDESHARE SERVICE TO TAHOE DONNER TAKES OFF

share the ride

When you’re stuck in traffic on the high-way, it’s a disturbing sight: all those cars with one driver clogging the lanes. In fact, 75 percent of automobile seats are empty on America’s highways. But keep the faith: a Bay Area company is doing its part to lower that number and get folks to and from Tahoe more quickly.

Zimride is a web site that matches drivers with riders. Let’s say you live in El Cerrito and want to head to Truckee for a weekend of skiing. Zimride shows drivers near you who will be making the trip at times that might work for you.

Does it seem a little creepy to get in a car with a stranger? Zimride allows passengers to get background on their potential driver, using information from Facebook. In fact, you might even notice that some of your other friends know the driver. Similar to eBay, you can see what other people’s experi-ences have been with the driver.

“Good dude, good conversation – thanks again!” John H says of Chet M on the web site. You can also get a little insight on the vehicle you’d be riding in; Chet’s rig is a “Tahoe proof” Ford F-150 4x4 with plenty of room for your gear.

This is no free ride, and that’s the appeal for drivers. Picking up a rider can more than cover the cost of your trip. Passengers enter how much they are willing to pay for the trip. Before committing, both parties can send messages back and forth to work out the details and get to know each other a

little better. For passengers, it’s almost always cheaper and more convenient than renting a car, not to mention more interesting.

“The reality is that lots of folks are making strong social connections on these trips and become close friends,” says Zimride COO John Zimmer. “It’s fun to have someone to talk with on a long trip and maybe introduce each other to new music.”

If all those benefits weren’t enough, for a limited time Zimride is sweetening the pot with up to $40 of free gas for drivers. That’s in addition to what the passenger pays. That starts to put it in the “no brainer” category for many people.

No wonder Zimride is really hitting its stride, with $6 million in venture capital and a quickly growing user base. The company has already helped users travel over 100 million miles and created over $50 million in savings in vehicle operating expenses. The service has been particularly popular with corporations and college students. The goal is to hit 300 universities by the end of this year.

Check it out for yourself at zimride.com/tahoedonner. Maybe we’ll soon all be zipping down I-80 with big smiles on our faces, chat-ting with our new friends about how bad the traffic used to be.

“The reality is that lots of folks are making strong social connections on these trips and become close friends,” says Zimride COO John Zimmer.

Page 11: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 9

FREE SKI SHUTTLE SET FOR PRESIDENTS WEEKEND

The Truckee-Tahoe Free Ski Shuttle mentioned in last month’s issue ended up being cancelled for Martin Luther King weekend due to the unexpected dry weather and subsequent lack of riders. But things are looking much better for President’s Week, and the shuttle is scheduled to run February 18-20.

The shuttle will take skiers from Truckee to Northstar California Resort or Squaw Valley, and back again at the end of the day. Two park and ride lots will be set up. Shuttles will run from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on those days with pick-ups every 30 minutes. The park and ride lot dedicated to Squaw Valley will be located between the Truckee High School (11725 Donner Pass Road) and the Sierra Mountain Community Education Center, also known as the former Sierra Mountain Middle School. The entrance to this lot can be accessed via a driveway that runs past the fire house, which sits adjacent to Wild Cherries Coffee House. The other park and ride lot, for skiers headed to Northstar California Resort, is located at the Truckee Town Hall, 10356 Truckee Airport Road, which is just off Route 267 on the way to Northstar.

For more information, visit facebook.com/FreeSkiShuttle.

Page 12: February Tahoe Donner News

10 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

LET’S TOGETHER

PRIVATE AMENITY

TROUT CREEK

REC CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

GOLF COURSE

BEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

AQUATICSBEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

LIFEGUARDSRENTALS & REPAIR

S

TAHOE DONNER

BIKEWORKS

PRIVATE AMENITY

BEACH CLUB

MARINA

PRIVATE AMENITY

TENNIS

CENTER

TAHOE DONNER

SPECIAL EVENT

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

DOWNHILL SKI AREA

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

CROSS COUNTRY

PUBLIC AMENITY

ALDER CREEK

CAMPGROUND

PRIVATE AMENITYNORTHWOODS

POOL

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

SNOWPLAY

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

TAHOE DONNER

RECREATION

SHARE INTERESTS

MEET TD MEMBERS

JOIN A CLUB

Friday Family Movie NightBring a pillow and blanket, kick your

feet up and enjoy either a classic or new movie starting at 6:30 p.m. every Friday at Northwoods Clubhouse. Movies in this series are rated G and PG.

Here is this month’s Family Movie schedule: February 3 Mr. Popper’s PenguinsFebruary 10 Hoodwinked Too!February 17 The Wizard of OzFebruary 24 Underdog

For more information, please contact TroutCreek Recreation Center at (530) 587-9437.

(Continued on the next pg.)

Full Moon Snowshoe February 7

Join us for a fun guided snowshoe hike from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7. We sug-gest participants dress in warm layers, bring a hat and gloves, headlamp or flashlight, and water. We will serve hot chocolate. Meet at Trout Creek Recreation Center and we will caravan to our hiking destination. Reserva-tions must be made 24 hours in advance by calling (530) 587-9437. Cost of the hike is $7.50 with your own equipment, or $15 with snow-shoe rental.

*Please note: if there is no snow, we will take a full moon hike.

Kids Night Out at Northwoods Clubhouse 5 - 9 p.m. Friday, February 3

Kids 4 – 9 years old are invited to join in the fun with crafts, dinner and a movie as well as cookies and milk. Registration must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling (530) 582-9646. Cost: $15 per child.

Tahoe Donner Senior Alpine Ski Club

If you are a senior Tahoe Donner alpine skier, want to enjoy year-round sports activi-ties and a great social environment, the Tahoe Donner Senior Alpine Ski Club (TDSASC) is for you.

Page 13: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 11

(Continued on the next pg.)

TAHOE DONNER WEB SITE GETS A MAKEOVER

Have you seen the new TahoeDonner.com? The site has been rede-

signed, reorganized and offers new functionality for users.

Navigation for the site has been greatly simplified. The VISIT area

includes a number of pages that are designed to help you plan your trip

to Tahoe Donner. PLAY leads to all of Tahoe Donner’s amenities, neatly

categorized for public and members-only. DINE leads to The Lodge

Restaurant & Pub and Pizza on the Hill, as well as banquet event infor-

mation. MEMBERS has a deep focus on association business affairs.

Live Chat still links to a Tahoe Donner staff person (during office

hours) who can answer your questions in real time, right on your

screen. You can also easily subscribe to weekly email updates of all the

great events at Tahoe Donner and more. A calendar of events is now

on the home page for you to easily view what’s going on. Need to know

how to get to a certain amenity? All addresses on the web site link to

Google Maps, giving you detailed directions from any location.

Our ski facilities have new interactive trail maps on the site. You can

easily break down maps by trail type and difficulty, to give you more

information and plan out your adventure.

Tahoe Donner homeowners are encouraged to visit and use the “Up-

date Your Profile” page in the Members section, so the association

can be sure all your latest information is on file. Once you’ve cruised

around the web site for a while, let us know what you think. A ques-

tionnaire is on the home page. Thanks for your feedback as we con-

tinue working to improve your web experience!

TDSASC focuses on organizing over 20 ski days at reduced rates around the Tahoe basin, skills and racing clinics at Tahoe Donner Downhill, and ski trips through the country and Europe. We are also planning a cross country and snow shoe day this February. Monthly potlucks are always fun and a great way to meet the other ski members.

Off-season activities include day hikes, ski conditioning workouts, bike and kayak trips, tennis and golf tournaments, BBQ’s and holi-day parties.

The club welcomes all Tahoe Donner Alpine skiers, 55 years and above, who ski at a proficiency level of intermediate, advanced, or expert. (An intermediate skier is defined as one who can comfortably ski the Tahoe Donner Downhill.) Membership information, forms and schedule of events can be found at tdski.com. We are not just a winter club. Come join the fun!

Page 14: February Tahoe Donner News

12 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

(Continued on the pg. 14)

PRIVATE AMENITY

TROUT CREEK

REC CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

GOLF COURSE

BEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

AQUATICSBEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

LIFEGUARDSRENTALS & REPAIR

S

TAHOE DONNER

BIKEWORKS

PRIVATE AMENITY

BEACH CLUB

MARINA

PRIVATE AMENITY

TENNIS

CENTER

TAHOE DONNER

SPECIAL EVENT

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

DOWNHILL SKI AREA

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

CROSS COUNTRY

PUBLIC AMENITY

ALDER CREEK

CAMPGROUND

PRIVATE AMENITYNORTHWOODS

POOL

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

SNOWPLAY

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

TAHOE DONNER

RECREATION

SHARE INTERESTS

MEET TD MEMBERS

JOIN A CLUB

February 4: Tahoe Donner Points Series – Slalom

Join us for a fun points series race. Prizes are awarded at each race and the overall series winners will get their names engraved on the permanent plaque in the Base Lodge. Sign

PRIVATE AMENITY

TROUT CREEK

REC CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

GOLF COURSE

BEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

AQUATICSBEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

LIFEGUARDSRENTALS & REPAIR

S

TAHOE DONNER

BIKEWORKS

PRIVATE AMENITY

BEACH CLUB

MARINA

PRIVATE AMENITY

TENNIS

CENTER

TAHOE DONNER

SPECIAL EVENT

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

DOWNHILL SKI AREA

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

CROSS COUNTRY

PUBLIC AMENITY

ALDER CREEK

CAMPGROUND

PRIVATE AMENITYNORTHWOODS

POOL

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

SNOWPLAY

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

TAHOE DONNER

RECREATION

SHARE INTERESTS

MEET TD MEMBERS

JOIN A CLUB

FEBRUARY WINTER EVENTSPlease note this is a tentative schedule and is subject to change due to weather conditions.

Please visit tahoedonner.com for the most current schedule.

up at the start of the race course. This is slalom race format. The time that counts for the race is the combined time of your first two runs. Make as many runs as you want after that for bragging rights.

Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Cost: $5 for two runs, $1 per run after that.

February 11: Tahoe Donner Points Series – Dual GS

Join us for this fun points series race. Prizes are awarded at each race and the overall series winners will get their names engraved on the permanent plaque in the base lodge. Sign up at the start of the race course. This is a dual GS race format, so you can compete side by side against your friends or family. The time that counts for the race is the combined time of your first run on each course. Make as many runs as you want after that for bragging rights.

Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Cost: $5 for two runs, $1 per run after that.

February 25: Children’s Glow Stick Parade and Carnival

This event is a kids’ version of the Torchlight Parade with glow sticks for children 10 and under who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Snowbird run. Come early to secure a spot in the parade and get glow sticks by playing our free carnival games. Music and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Carnival starts at 4:30 p.m. with parade at 6:30 p.m. Parade sign-up starts at 4:30 p.m. in the base lodge.

February 7: Full Moon Tour and dinnerLimited seating. Call (530) 587-9484 for reservations.

February 8: Night 5 kilometer freestyle race

Race starts at 6 p.m. Registration at 5 p.m.

February 12: Paco’s Valentine’s 15 kilometer freestyle race

Race starts 10 a.m. Registration at 8:30 a.m.

February 15: Night 5 kilometer freestyle race

Race starts at 6 p.m. Registration at 5 p.m.

February 26: Free Demo Day!*

Equipment from Salomon, Fischer, Rossignol, Atomic and Madshus. *Trail pass required.

February 29: Night skiing 5 - 7 p.m.

February is a great month to tune up your skiing technique. We are offering new 7 a.m. clinics for season pass holders. Packages are $55 and include four one-hour clinics.

Instructor Schedule

Monday - Nancy FiddlerTuesday - Glenn EldrigeWednesday - Gary SchmittThursday - Chauncey ParkerFriday - Andrea Miller

Page 15: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 13

Trout Creek Massage - Valentine’s Day Special

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and Trout Creek Massage is offering a special Valentine Rose Oil Massage! Love this holiday with a full body massage that will melt your tension away and relax your mind with the warm aromatherapy of blended rose oil. Book a treat-ment for yourself, your loved one or spend time together and indulge in a couples massage. Trout Creek Massage Therapists offer a range of services including relaxation, deep tissue, sports massage, prenatal massage and energy work. Treat your body.

Schedule your appointment today. Call (530) 587-9437.

PRIVATE AMENITY

TROUT CREEK

REC CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

GOLF COURSE

BEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

AQUATICSBEAT THE HEAT

TAHOE DONNER

LIFEGUARDSRENTALS & REPAIR

S

TAHOE DONNER

BIKEWORKS

PRIVATE AMENITY

BEACH CLUB

MARINA

PRIVATE AMENITY

TENNIS

CENTER

TAHOE DONNER

SPECIAL EVENT

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

DOWNHILL SKI AREA

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

CROSS COUNTRY

PUBLIC AMENITY

ALDER CREEK

CAMPGROUND

PRIVATE AMENITYNORTHWOODS

POOL

PUBLIC AMENITY

TAHOE DONNER

SNOWPLAY

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

TAHOE DONNER

RECREATION

SHARE INTERESTS

MEET TD MEMBERS

JOIN A CLUB

(See more dining options and specials on the next pg.)

** February Special **

Buy two pizzas andget one FREE!

Pick up your 3 for 2 Deal coupon at Trout Creek Recreation Center, Downhill Ski Area, Cross Country Ski Center, The Lodge, Member Services o�ce or ask for a coupon when you first arrive at Pizza on the Hill.

Coupon must be presented for this special deal.Complimentary pizza must be of equal or lesser value.

Deal cannot be combined with any other coupon or o�er.

Page 16: February Tahoe Donner News

14 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

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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2 Bathrooms

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15975 Northwoods Blvd.

4 Bedrooms

3 Bathrooms

2148 +/- SF

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3 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

1498 +/- SF

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3 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

1584 +/- SF

SOLD for $335,000

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3 Bedrooms

2.5 Bathrooms

2369 +/- SF

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DINING OPTIONS The Lodge Restaurant & Pub

Opens at 5 p.m. daily. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (530) 587-9455.

Happy Hour at the PubDrink specials and 25 percent off tasty starters, soups and sal-

ads from 5 – 6:30 p.m., Sunday – Thursday. Offer only valid during non-holiday periods.

No Corkage Tuesdays*

Bring your own bottle of vino to enjoy with your meal and we’ll waive the corkage fee on Tuesdays nights. It’s the perfect time to enjoy that favorite bottle of wine you’ve been saving at home. Offer only valid during non-holiday periods. *Not valid February 21.

WildER Wednesdays*

Happy Hour specials all night long in the entire restaurant! Enjoy 25 percent off small plates, soups and salads, plus drink specials. Offer only valid during non-holiday periods. *Not valid on February 22.

Super Bowl Party, Sunday, February 5

The Pub opens at 3 p.m. for the game. Enjoy Happy Hour specials through the entire game and stay for dinner in the dining room, which opens at 5 p.m.

Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14

Spend the holiday with us. Take advantage of our No Corkage Tuesday and impress your sweetheart with a sentimental bottle of wine to enjoy with our special menu. Please call (530) 587- 9455 to make your reservation.

Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party, Tuesday, February 28

Join in the Cajun fun with live music from 6 – 9 p.m., $4 hurricanes and a special New Orleans menu, just for the party. Wear your most outrageous Mardi Gras outfit. Prizes will be awarded. Plus, we’ll have plenty of beads to hand out. Get your dancin’ shoes ready! We promise a grand old time.

February 18 – 25 – Special Hours and Events

The Pub will open at 4 p.m. and offer food from the small plates menu until 5 p.m. The Lodge opens at 5 p.m. and guests can order from the full menu. Don’t forget about Happy Hour from Monday – Thursday, which will be an extra hour from 4 – 6:30 p.m. during this special time.

Page 17: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 15

Pizza on the Hill Open from 5 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday – Monday. Open for lunch

on Saturdays and Sundays once the snow falls.

Happy HourSpecials from 5 – 6 p.m. every day. Stop by after work to catch

up with friends and relax with $3 Coors Light drafts and $4 glasses of house wine.

Mexican Mondays

Every Monday with $1.95 beef and bean tacos and $10 pitchers of Pacifico.

Thursday Night Trivia

Test your trivia skills from California history to sporting events. You never know what questions are going to be on the list from week to week. Trivia is from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and the winner receives a certifi-cate for a free pizza!

Sunday Wii Night

Play a friendly game of Wii on the big screen each Sunday from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Northwoods Clubhouse.

Sunday Half Price Pizza Hour

A family favorite! Order a cheese, pepperoni or veggie pizza for half price from 5 – 6 p.m. on Sundays. Offer valid for take-out only, limit 10. For more information, or to place your order, please call Pizza on the Hill at (530) 582-9669.

Superbowl Party, Sunday, February 5

Watch the game on our 120 inch HD projection screen with Happy Hour specials and half price nachos. Join the football pool and win great prizes. Party starts at 3 p.m.

February 17 – 24 – Special Hours and Events

Pizza on the Hill will be open every day during this holiday period. Swing by for a tasty pizza pie or delicious Mexican entree.

Don’t miss our Pizza on the Hill Special Deal of the Month

See details on page 13.

Page 18: February Tahoe Donner News

16 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

SNOW-LESSHOLIDAY FUN

Despite no snow over the holidays, many Tahoe Donner members still found plenty of fun outdoor activities to partake in. Ice skat-ing on glassy lakes usually hidden by snow, mountain biking on dirt trails, casting a line and hooking a fish in the sunshine and playing spring like tennis after the New Year are just a few of the things members did to pass the time. Take a look…

A once in a l ifet ime experience! January 16 ice skat ing on

Tenya Lake in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Nat ional Park.

December 28 mountain bik ing on the Emigrant Trai l . “It was a great ride.” - Jason Wooley.

Page 19: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 17

Matthew Ritterbush’s big catch on Pyramid Lake.

Group enjoying a hot chocolate break on the Monday

January 9 Ful l Moon Hike near Negro Canyon overlook.

Couldn’t ask for a better sunset for the New Year’s Eve sunset hike.

TD kids took a free plane ride with the Young Eagles Program. Submitted by Denise Brun

Chis McCormick dusted off his clubs

and played a round in January.

Page 20: February Tahoe Donner News

18 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

January 6 - Andrew & Tommy’s catch

at Donner Lake.

We started a snow fal l contest;

alas, our snow wishes didn’t work.

New Year’s Day hike on top of Donner Summit.

Page 21: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 19

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Logan and Taylor Snow hik ing at the Emerald Bay overlook on New Year’s Eve.

Since the New Year has been without fresh snow for ski ing and the temps are spring-l ike, a few Tahoe Donner tennis players found their way to the courts on January 3, 2012. The photo includes Emily Farrel l, Lesl ie Kahn, Bonnie French and Bobbi Specht. We started a snow fal l contest;

alas, our snow wishes didn’t work.

Page 22: February Tahoe Donner News

20 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

Page 23: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 21

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Take a gander at the new chairmanof the General Plan Committee

Story on the next page. Photo taken while hiking off of Glacier Way.

Page 24: February Tahoe Donner News

22 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

Bassett TD 1-12 Ad 2.556x2.403 pr3_Layout 1 1/31/10 6:0

The new chairman for Tahoe Donner’s Gen-eral Plan Committee (a.k.a. “the GPC”) is very accustomed to tackling major projects. After all, once you’ve helped some of the world’s largest companies solve their problems, what we have here doesn’t seem quite so complex.

Dick Gander is retired now, but not so long ago he was a “global client partner” for the German business software company SAP. (If you’re looking for a comparable company, think Oracle.) In that role, he worked with the company’s biggest clients such as Apple, Intel, Chevron and Conoco Phillips. Before that, he was a partner with Ernst & Young Consulting.

At SAP, Gander worked on a wide variety of projects like supply chains, points of sale and customer relationship management systems. As he says in his own understated way, “The breadth of business issues was substantial.”

Gander and his wife Karolyn bought their Tahoe Donner home in 1995, as a getaway from their busy lives in the Bay Area.

“We must have looked at 100 houses,” he recalls. “But we just kept returning here because it had everything.”

It was also about what Tahoe Donner didn’t include: stress.

“As part-timers, we’d come up weekends and holidays and it was largely about decompress-ing and doing a few things,” he says. “We didn’t take advantage of all the activities that we do now… fishing, skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, Trout Creek and just getting to know people.”

TAKE A GANDER... (continued from pg. 21)

Back in ’95, there was only one house on Gander’s street that was occupied by a full-time resident. Now the Ganders are among three such families on the street. They have connected with their community by getting involved with the Senior Alpine Ski Club and through Dick’s involvement on the General Plan Committee.

Gander praises his colleagues on the com-mittee as “mostly longtime homeowners, with a lot of passion about doing the right thing for the membership.” The committee recently saw the first year of its 2030 General Plan approved by the board of directors, with “provisional” approval of the remaining years which is broader in its direction. The plan is a conceptual document that guides the devel-opment and replacement of Tahoe Donner’s facilities and infrastructure. Already the com-mitted volunteers who crafted it are seeing how it might play out differently than they’d originally imagined.

Instead of creating a new building on exist-ing Tahoe Donner land, the board and staff listened to member feedback and purchased a new piece of land with an existing building – all at a substantial savings to the association.

While Gander and the General Plan Com-mittee don’t have the authority to make final decisions on funding or facility details, they do provide much of the background research that informs those decisions. “It’s kind of like life as a consultant,” Gander says. “You make your recommendation on the best solution, and there’s a certain bit of selling, but it’s their decision.”

Gander has been around Tahoe Donner long enough to learn from previous capital projects that eventually came to be seen as flawed in some way – such as The Lodge, which is regarded by many as undersized for the membership’s needs. Combined with his professional experience, the past will influ-ence how he plans for the future.

“The cross country skiing building is tied in with other things like the equestrian center, the Euer Valley, day camp programs and bike rentals... what we’ve had to do is take several projects that were amenity based and look at them as a whole.”

“The cross country skiing building is tied in with other things like the equestrian center, the Euer Valley, day camp programs and bike rentals,” says Gander. “What we’ve had to do is take several projects that were amenity based and look at them as a whole.”

The building for Tahoe Donner’s Forestry Department is another example of a proj-ect that changed from the original concept.

Tahoe Donner is fortunate to receive a great deal of free advice from experienced professionals like Gander and his predeces-sor as GPC chairman, Chris Nelson. For more information about Tahoe Donner’s commit-tees, visit the Members section of TahoeDon-ner.com. All members are encouraged to get involved. Most who have done so consider it interesting and fun.

Page 25: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 23

Exceptional Results. And More.Alison Elder led Tahoe Donner real estate sales in 2011 with over $11,000,000

in transactions.* Selling or Buying a Home? Contact Alison.

Alison Elder530 582 [email protected]

Alison sold over $30MM in Tahoe Donner since 2009

“ I am committed to providing excellent service and giving back to our community.”

Views! Open floor plan that’s light & bright, great kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, fantastic family room with overflow space, wet bar. Big 2 car garage, large sunny decks. $329,000

Enjoy amazing views of Lookout Mountain from the tree tops & open great room design. 2,425 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, big decks & comfortable living. Priced to sell. $395,000

14165WolfgangRoad.com 12003LausanneWay.com

Alison is Experienced in Standard and Short Sales

“�Alison�and�the�entire�Elder�Group�provided�exceptional�attention�to�detail�for�every�aspect�of�our�transaction�to�sell�our�Tahoe�Donner�primary�home.�She�developed�an�effective�sales�and�marketing�strategy�that�delivered�timely�results.�We�highly�recommend�that�anyone�who�is�interested�in�buying�or�selling�a�home�talk�to�Alison...�you’ll�have�no�regrets!” – Kevin and Kim Bumen, Tahoe Donner Sellers and Home Buyers

Visit TahoeDonnerHomesforSale.net for property information.

Pending Sold Pending

13684HillsideDrive.com� $775,000 11941NorthwoodsBlvd.com� $605,00012966HanselAve.com� $459,900

For Sale New Listing

*Sales data based on TSMLS stats 12/31/11 for SFR, lots, condos.

Page 26: February Tahoe Donner News

24 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

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DRY IN 1 HOUR!

Hopefully by the time you read this, Truckee will have received enough snow for Tahoe Donner to open the Downhill Ski Area and Cross Country Ski Center.

As I sit down to compose some thoughts about the upcoming golf season, I can’t help but wonder what is going on with the weather and how it significantly influences both winter and summer amenities at Tahoe Donner.

Regardless of where one stands on the subject of climate change, there is no doubt that the weather continues to act unpredict-ably across the planet with dire consequences for many regions. As a golf professional, I have worked for 14 years at three different moun-tain golf courses and have never experienced a dry winter like this. I have also never expe-rienced summers like the past two where the golf course did not open until June because of too much snow on the ground. In fact, last year we couldn’t open all 18 holes until June 24 - the latest in the history of Tahoe Donner!

If there is a silver lining to these unseason-ably dry conditions, it will hopefully be to help us open the golf course at its scheduled time of May 25 – or perhaps even sooner. It’s still too early to determine the timing and effect of our winter and spring storms. When you think about it, the factors that lead to exceptional revenue generation at the ski amenities - abun-dant snow and fortuitous timing of storms - frequently conspire to handicap financial performance at the golf course and bring late openings and a slower than normal turf recovery and growth process. Conversely, a dry winter and/or an early spring can lead to a longer golf season, which equates to more golf rounds and increased revenue at the course, but at the expense of the ski amenities.

The golf season is still several months away, and hopefully TD skiers will still get to

LAKE TAHOE GOLF IN JANUARY, SNOW CHAINS AND SILVER LINING

enjoy at least two months of skiing, but when May rolls around, we are banking on a longer golf season in 2012 compared to the past two years. I’ve been reading the tea leaves and see reasons to be optimistic. According to online and print reports substantiated by my golf industry contacts, the golf courses in the San Francisco Bay area and the Sacramento region exceeded budgeted rounds in December and January due to warmer and drier days. This makes sense because mild, pleasant weather encourages people to participate in outdoor activities, such as golf, especially if skiing isn’t widely available.

When people are golfing at Old Greenwood in the dead of winter, you definitely have to suspect that something strange is going on with our local weather. On that note, if you are wondering why Old Greenwood could open for 11 holes of golf in January but Tahoe Don-ner remained closed, I simply respond with two words: altitude and ice. The extra 500+ feet makes a world of difference in terms of climate, conditions, snow cover - we still have some - and the amount of ice on the course.

You might think that the overall lack of snow might be helpful for the golf course, but ironically it poses a potentially serious threat to the quality and health of our greens. A layer of ice in varying degrees of thickness - up to 2 inches - has formed on many of our greens. This is a byproduct of the snow we received back in November, which continues to melt during the warmer days and re-freeze each night. The greens are particularly vulnerable to ice damage due to their low height. Believe it or not, a well-timed blanket of snow is a bless-ing for the golf course. The snow insulates and protects our greens over the winter, provided enough snow remains on the greens through spring. Ideally the snow melts by early May.

PUBLIC AMENIT

Y

TAHOE DONNER

GOLF COURSE

(Continued on pg. 26)

Page 27: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 25

LAKE TAHOE GOLF IN JANUARY, SNOW CHAINS AND SILVER LINING

Kevin and his crew devised a plan to clear the greens using a walk-behind aerator with solid tines to break up the ice, followed by snow blowers and shovels. Kevin’s crew even made snow chains for the aerator so that it can drive on the ice.

Page 28: February Tahoe Donner News

26 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - 530-550-0110M-F 9-6:30 | SAT 9-6 | SUN 11-4

12047 Donner Pass Road - West TruckeePhone orders gladly accepted w/ Sears Card

Since we did not get that beneficial blanket of snow in November or December, we are dealing with the consequences. Superinten-dent Kevin Kuehne has suffered many sleep-less nights lately worrying about the most appropriate course of action that will protect the greens, or at least minimize the amount of ice damage. As you can see in the accom-panying photo, Kevin and his crew devised a plan to clear the greens using a walk-behind aerator with solid tines to break up the ice, followed by snow blowers and shovels. Kevin’s crew even made snow chains for the aerator so that it can drive on the ice. This process

has improved the situation; however, the fact remains we are concerned about what condi-tion the greens will be in when we reopen the golf course this spring.

The fact that our stellar reputation is based in large part on having arguably the best putting surfaces in the High Sierra makes protecting these assets even more critical. By the way, ice damage is a concern every winter at any mountain golf course in the country, but the current amount and severity is beyond what any of us have witnessed in recent memory. Rest assured that Kevin, Jess and Roy are investing the necessary time, energy

and strategies to ensure that the greens come out of winter in the best possible shape consid-ering what they are up against.

In light of the anemic ski season, it is under-standable that people are turning their atten-tion to golf, among other activities. Winter, however, is far from over and I have joined others in doing my own snow dance with the hope that a portion of the ski season will be salvaged. In the meantime, I continue to make preparations for a successful 2012 golf season and look forward to providing a stellar pre-view of what’s in store in the May TD News.

Wax your skis!

ED LEINENKUGEL | DIRECTOR OF GOLF

Believe it or not, a well-timed blanket of snow is a blessing for the golf course. The snow insulates and protects our greens over the winter...

Page 29: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 27

Due to limited amounts of snow, we are revamping some of the details to our popular Snowman Contest. It’s time to really get creative. We know you’re up for the challenge! We’re altering this year’s contest so that snowmen can be made out of lots of different items including bags of leaves,

flower pots, wood piles and even items you might intend to throw away. The only guideline your creation must meet is that it must have a face like a snowman. The rest is up to you!

Email a photo of your creation along with a short story about how you came up with your idea to [email protected]. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 9. Prizes will be awarded to the best creations. Top-ranked creatures will be featured on Facebook and Tahoe Donner News.

CHANGE OF RULES:FOURTH ANNUAL SNOWMAN CONTEST

Page 30: February Tahoe Donner News

28 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

• Consent Calendar: Approved 4-0 (Director Knisley absent) · Property casualty insurance renewal 2012 · Senior Alpine Ski Club bylaw revisions · General Plan Committee resignation (Gelwicks) · General Plan Committee alternate appointment (Werschky) · Elections Committee appointment (Dundas) · Elections Committee charter revisions · Trout Creek locker fees

• Director of Finance and Accounting report: No Action The board received a report on the Preliminary December Financials and took no action.

• Committee tasks for 2012: No Action Discussion took place regarding tasks for the Covenants Committee for 2012.

• Euer Valley Operating Plan: Direction Given Discussion took place regarding proposed “Operating Rules” for the Euer Valley. The board suggested revisions to the proposed rules and placed this item on the February 25 board meeting agenda for further consideration.

• Development Fund Policy: No Action The board was provided with a presentation on a new Development Fund Policy. Following discussion, this item was placed on the February 25 board meeting agenda for further consideration.

• 2012 Board of Director Elections: Approved by Consensus The board was provided with a presentation on a new Development Fund Policy. Following discussion, this item was placed on the February 25 board meeting agenda for further consideration

JANUARY 21, 2012

Page 31: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 29

BULLETINBOARD

We are focusing on reviewing the maintenance of homes in Tahoe Donner. Each year, we look at the siding and roofs of homes (if we can see them) to ensure that metal roofs are not show-ing any shiny metal, that the rest of the house

is not in need of stain or paint, and that there are no other obvious maintenance needs. The C&Rs and ASC Rules state that homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their residence and/or lot. If, in our travels, we see that some maintenance is needed on your property, we will notify you of our observations. Our goal is to establish a dialog with you that will ensure your property is brought into compliance in a timely manner, serving both the association’s needs and your own. We realize that this is not the season for repair-ing roofs, painting and staining, so we will be looking for compliance in late spring or early summer, depending on the weather.

If you have any questions or comments, please call us at (530) 587-9407, fax us at (530) 587-9427, or e-mail us at [email protected].

ENID LONGO | ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS OFFICE

The Architectural Standards Committee reviewed the following plan in December 2011:

Unit/Lot Street Address Square Ft. Project02/124 11624 St Bernard Dr. 1,450 House

HOMES ON THE RISE

REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

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.

Minutes of Tahoe Donner Board of Directors meetings are available to members at tahoedonner.com. They can be found on the Board of Directors page in the Members section. Alternatively, members may request that a hard copy be sent to them via the postal service. To make the request, contact Bonnie Watkins at (530) 587-9431.

Page 32: February Tahoe Donner News

30 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

HOW TO MAKE AN ORIGAMI HEART

Supplies List: Square piece of paper Marker

Step 2: Fold the top point of the paper to meet the crease in the center.

Step 3: Fold the bottom point to meet the top.

Step 4: Fold the right side to meet the crease in the center. Then repeat on the opposite side.

Step 5: Now you can see the basic heart! Flip over and proceed.

Step 6: Fold the side flaps of the heart inward.

Step 7: Fold the top flaps of the heart down.

DONE!Flip over your heart and ta - da! Add a personal touch. Maybe a note with a marker?

Saint Valentine’s Day, commonly known as Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. We can’t think of a better way to show your affection for someone than to make them a few origami hearts! Get creative use a picture of a friend or loved one, maybe a piece of newspaper for great texture, or maybe some traditional pink or red paper is more your style.

Step 1: Fold in half top to bottom, side to side, then unfold.

Any square and any size will do. We sug-gest making multiple hearts in all differ-ent. Once you finish folding it’s nice to add a personal touch with a message written in marker. If you want to get tricky, write your message on your unfolded piece of paper and then make your heart.

This is also a fun project for kids to make with their parents, instead of buying the typical cartoon-themed, store-bought valentine variety that are distributed in most classrooms. This year be unique and create something handmade!

Page 33: February Tahoe Donner News

TahoeDonner.com | 31

Germany Dave and Betty Pinsky in front of the castle in Heidelberg, Germany, on their recent Rhine River cruise.

TahoeDonner.com | 31

Alaska A pair of Tahoe Donner home-

owners visited Juneau, Alaska.

ItalySharon, Bruce, Louie, Elle and Eddie Ferrigno on the Pont Vecchio in Florence, Italy.

Vienna Jill Richardson visited the Schonbrunn Palace - the sum-mer palace for the Habsburg royals, while on a cruise on the Danube River.

Australia Walt & Pat Samuelson caught

up on their reading off Lizard

Island in the Great Barrier

Reef, Australia.

Page 34: February Tahoe Donner News

32 | Tahoe Donner News | February 2012

Tahoe DonnerNot very far from home.

In fact just around the corner

at the second annual Brook-

stone block party at the Cross

family home house.

PeruSusan Domingo went to Machu

Picchu for a 14 days tour specifi-cally to be there for the 100 year

aniversary of its discovery on July 24, 1911, by Hiram Bingham. 

Email your “Where in the World” photos to: [email protected]. Please submit only .jpeg

of 300 dpi or higher for printing. Photos must include a

copy of TD News. Please list the names of everyone in the

picture, where and when it was taken, and a short descrip-

tion of your captured experience.

Jordan Marilyn and Steve Disbrow at

Jerash, one of many stops,

on a recent visit to Petra.

Lake Placid Margot and Jeff Fulmer outside

of the city limits of Lake Placid.

Page 35: February Tahoe Donner News

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Page 36: February Tahoe Donner News

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