El Dorado county has funds available as low-interest rate loans for home repairs to income-qualified homeowners in the unincorporated areas of the county. Funding is provided through the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the County’s Housing Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Funds.

These Housing Rehabilitation loans must be used to correct health and safety issues and to meet code compliance standards. Program loan funds may be used to repair or replace roofs, foundations, plumbing, electrical, heating/air conditioning systems, termite damage and more. The home must be located in an unincorporated area of the County.

To qualify, the household income must fall at or below 80 percent of the area median, based on household size. Current annual maximum household income limits are: one person, $42,650; two persons, $48,750; three persons, $54,850; four persons, $60,900; five persons, $65,800; six persons, $70,650; seven persons, $75,550; eight persons, $80,400. This program is designed to provide financing for homeowners with positive equity in their home and who would not qualify for other types of financing due to limited income. Interest rates are as low as three percent for a 15-year loan of up to $40,000. In certain limited circumstances, interest-only or deferred payment terms may be available to eligible borrowers.

For more information about this program, visit the El Dorado County web site at www.edcgov.us/humanservices or call the El Dorado County Housing, Community and Economic Development Block Grant Programs at (530) 642-4863. Loans are available to eligible homeowners on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

The snow removal route map can be accessed at www.cityofslt.us/snowremovalmap

The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched a live snow removal route interactive map on the City’s website earlier this week. Snow plows were dispatched on city routes to test the GPS (Global Positioning System) system which displays snow removal activity and the map recorded and displayed their activity.
 
Updates to the live snow removal route map are provided as streets are plowed every eight (8), sixteen (16), and twenty-four (24) hours. The Street Superintendent for the City of South Lake Tahoe would like to reminded residents to please park all vehicles out of the City Right-of-Ways when snow conditions exist. Also please place mail boxes and trash cans as far back off the roadway as possible. This will greatly enhance the speed and efficiency of the snow removal operations.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun the annual closure of forest roads around the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Fall closure dates are established by the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM also establishes target opening dates after the winter season.

These dates are dependent on soil conditions in order to avoid resource damage and erosion potential. You may consult the MVUM for specific roads and dates by visiting http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/TravelManagement.

Once the gates are closed, forest users are reminded to park safely off the roadway, park only in designated spots and avoid parking in front of gates. For more information on gate closures, contact the Forest Supervisor’s office at (530) 543-2694 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/RecAreaStatus.

The program is available for both owners and tenants, and single & multi family dwellings qualify.

LEAD SAFE TAHOE – GET THE LEAD OUT!

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FACTS ABOUT LEAD BASED PAINT & EXPOSURE:
An estimated 38 million homes in the U.S. contain lead-based paint.

When paint remains intact or encased behind paneling or siding, it does not present an immediate hazard. However, when lead-based paint begins to deteriorate, it’s a serious health risk.

Lead poisoning is a very serious environment hazard threatening children throughout the United States, affecting an estimated 310,000 to 440,000 children under the age of 6.

Today at least 4 million households have children living in them that are being exposed to lead. There are approximately half a million U.S. children ages 1-5 with blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), the reference level at which CDC recommends public health actions be initiated. Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. Because lead exposure often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized.

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WHAT IS THE LEAD SAFE TAHOE PROGRAM?
Lead Safe Tahoe is a program funded by the federal government to reduce lead hazards in homes where children live or regularly visit.

The City’s grant will cover the cost to:
* Test for lead paint hazards
* Construction to control lead paint hazards that may be identified
* The cost to have children’s blood lead level tested.

The best part is the program is available to eligible individuals and families whether they rent or own their home. And the program is provided at NO COST to homeowners or tenants.

What are the requirements?
* The residence is within the City of South Lake Tahoe limits and was built before 1978.
* Children under age 6 must reside in or frequently visit the home – 60 hours per year
* Meet the low income eligibility requirements set by the HUD/Housing and Urban Development Department.

Where are lead-based hazards found?
* Homes, apartments, public buildings and day care centers built before 1978 often have lead-based paint hazards.

Who is at risk?
* Lead is highly toxic and can harm everyone, but it’s even more dangerous to children under the age of 6. Kids under 6 are at greatest risk, because their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
* Newborns
* Pregnant women and women of child-bearing age are also at increased risk, because lead ingested by the mother can cross the placenta and affect the unborn fetus.
* Unborn babies
* Other adults – even low levels of exposure can cause high blood pressure and hypertension, fertility problems, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain

Lead-based paint is the leading cause of exposure to lead in the home.

Are there symptoms?
You can’t tell if a child is lead poisoned just by looking. Sometimes there are no symptoms. The best way is to get a blood test from their pediatrician. It’s quick and simple. Many people mistake the symptoms of lead poisoning for other common illnesses like a cold or flu.

Kids may develop behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, speech and language problems, poor muscle coordination and aggressive patterns of behavior. It can also cause nervous system and kidney damage, as well as decreased muscle and bone growth.

In more rare instances, high levels of lead can cause severe mental disabilities, convulsions, coma or even death.

How does the poisoning occur?
Most children are poisoned by invisible lead dust that is released when paint is peeling, flaking, chipping, or chalking.

The dust settles on floors and other surfaces. From there it can easily get on children’s hands or toys and into their mouths. Lead-based paint dust can also be on interior surfaces such as window sills, walls or doors.

How do children get lead poisoning from lead in paint, dust and dirt?
* By chewing and sucking on things with lead dust on them, like their hands and toys
* By chewing and sucking on painted surfaces, like window sills
* By breathing in lead dust
* By eating paint chips, dirt or mud that contains lead based paint dust

Lead dust is heavier than environmental dust. It’s also sticky and may taste sweet to children and pets. Frequent and thorough cleaning of high risk areas like floors, entryways, and windows is necessary to reduce lead hazards.

Dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together, such as when windows and doors are opened and closed.

Children may also be poisoned by playing in bare soil which can contain lead from paint that has peeled or chipped from outside walls.

Lead dust may not be visible, but may be present in your home or in the dirt surrounding play areas.

Lead enters the body through the mouth or nose. Kids are known for putting their hands and toys in their mouths, so they ingest it during play or during every day activities. It is not absorbed through the skin.

For more information about the program please visit http://www.cityofslt.us/index.aspx?NID=521

You can’t miss this new event “Dawgs on the Run”. Everyone knows that South Lake Tahoe is very dog friendly, but this September they’re taking it to the next level!

Bring the whole family to Lake Tahoe’s Canine Community Carnival, “Dawgs on the Run”. Saturday, September 15th  from 10am to 4pm.

Featuring Vendors, Music, Shopping, Dog Games, Kids Games, Tahoe Dog Contest, Food, Fun and More. Proceeds go to local animal non-profits!

Attractions for kids includes Face Painting, Hand Puppets, Can toss, Cut out photos and More. There will be plenty helpful information such as Wilderness Laws, First aid for your pet, Puppy Mills, Good food vs Bad, Microchip and Tattoo. Your dogs will have a blast too!

Raffles, prizes and contests are also part of the event.

For more information please visit the event’s official website http://www.dawgsontherun.org

There are several apps about South Lake Tahoe filled with information about the local area, activities, events and etc. From all the apps available “Lake Tahoe Vacations” stands out. If you compare you will agree that it has the most amount of helpful information about South Lake Tahoe than any other app.

The Lake Tahoe Vacations App is originally designed for rental guests vacationing at properties managed by Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways. But it can just as well be used by visitors interested in finding out about what the Lake Tahoe Area have/has to offer while on vacation.

You don’t have to be a guest of Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways to get this customized experience. Just download the App and use it as a visitor. You still have access to all the area restaurant, event, and activity recommendations. While you are here, check out all of the great rental properties Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways has to offer. The App contains all the property information you need to book your next vacation with Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways Each property listing contains detailed information and photos. In case you want to check out the properties before booking, the App allows you to view the properties in a map view – so you can take a drive or walk by.

Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways manages over 80 rental properties in the South Lake Tahoe Area. Download this App to unlock the secrets for having a great time on your next vacation. Guests of Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways will receive an invitation to download the App before their arrival. The App contains all the information each guest needs to know before, during, and after their stay. From pre-arrival tips, directions to the property, property tips, area information, to restaurant, event, and activity recommendations – this App has everything you need to spend more of your vacation having fun! If you get lost, don’t worry. The App allows you to locate your rental property using your phone’s GPS. Likewise, all of the restaurant, event, and activity recommendations may be viewed on a map to locate the closest to you at any time. Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways has combed through all of the area restaurants, events, and activities, and hand selected only the best to recommend to you. Now you can vacation like a local!

The app is free for everyone and it’s available for both iPhone and Android. Click on the link below to download your App today!

iPhone: http://tinyurl.com/7y87d4p

Android: http://tinyurl.com/6sjr926

Hike for Housing Fundraiser for:  Habitat for Humanity & Saint Joseph Land Trust

Participate in the annual Hike for Housing on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Spooner Lake Park! Hike around Spooner Lake or choose to do the more difficult hike up to Marlette Lake. Proceeds will be split between the El Dorado County Habitat for Humanity & St. Joseph’s Community Land Trust to help fund their projects.

Date:  September 15, 2012
Time:  9:00 am-3:00 pm (Registration: 9:00-11:00 am)
Location: Spooner Lake Park
Pre-registration:  $15/individual     $25/family (up to 5)
Registration at Event:  $20/individual   $30/family (up to 5)

This fun-filled day will include hiking at Spooner Lake and/or Marlette Lake and raffle prizes

For more information, call 530-541-2551 or 530-577-7762

El Dorado County’s 2012 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will begin distributing and accepting applications on Monday September 10, 2012. Federally funded HEAP helps income-eligible families pay their energy bills. If eligible, HEAP can help pay for electricity, natural gas, wood, propane, or heating oil. Benefits may be paid once per year. The amount of the benefit depends on household income and size, and the amount of the energy bill compared to income. Even if utilities are included in rent, HEAP may be able to help.

Due to limited funding, applications for 2012 HEAP will only be accepted from households with the highest energy burden that have at least one of the following living in the home:

1. Child(ren) under 5 (child’s birth certificate required)
2. Disabled individual(s) (documentation required)
3. Individual(s) over the age of 60.

Applications will be available at the El Dorado County HEAP office locations beginning Monday September 10, 2012: 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., 202, (530) 573-3490

For more information about the El Dorado County HEAP please call 530-621-6150 or check the HEAP Webpage at:

www.edcgov.us/Government/HumanServices/Family_Services/Home_Energy_Assistance_Program.aspx

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last year at this time, I remember grey weather, some rain and cold cold cold!  It definitely fit in with what I imagine England and Scotland to be during the Renaissance. It would have been pretty miserable.

But this year, there is sunshine and warmth to spare.  The 20th annual Valhalla Renasaissance Faire is back at Camp Richardson. There will be 900 costumed   jesters and queens, lords and ladies, knights and squires for two weekends.  The Faire kicks off this weekend June 2-3 which is geared towards the younger crowds with four stages hosting shows, dancing, plays and live music. Children can learn about Shakespeare, visit the animals at the petting zoo, partake in archery and games and also enjoy some Renaissance story telling. Next weekend, Pirates and Barbarians will infiltrate the camp.  There will also be a scavenger hunt and costume contests.

Jousting is the headlining entertainment for the Faire. At 12:45 pm and 3:45 pm each day for both weekends,  knights on horses will demonstrate how much strength and agility is needed to  knock one’s enemy off their horse while staying on his own.  This event draws over 8,000 visitors into the festivities.  100 merchants will showcase their crafts, arts, jewelry , woodwork and leather goods.  Food stalls will satisfy any cravings.  This is my once a year treat where  I can grab a delicious meaty turkey leg and pretend I’ve been transported back all those years.  Hope to see you there!

Please visit www.valhallafaire.com for more information.  Tickets range from $7-17.  If you donate canned food, there is a $2 discount.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with parties, margarita specials and lots of tacos and burritos at our local restaurants in South Lake Tahoe.

La Cantina  will be  celebrating from 7 – 9 pm on Saturday. Every bought drink  gives you a raffle and you can enter to win prizes with the grand prize being a beach cruiser bike!

South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center will be hosting their 9th annual Cinco De Mayo celebration at Heavenly’s California Main Lodge.  There will be a myriad of delicious food, raffles, prizes, a silent auction and even salsa dancing! The ticket cost for the festival is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

A remodeled Cabo Wabo Cantina at Harvey’s Casino will also be a throwing a bash with a whole range of Tequila brands and Mexican menu.  Also, Mont Bleu will be hosting a ‘Taco Eat Off Challenge’ at noon with $500 awarded to the winner.   Come, pick up a margarita and stay awhile won’t you?