Our deep appreciation goes out to all our Members and their families who have lost loved ones in military service. Your service to your high ideals and fellow countrymen are much appreciated. Much love and well wishes to you this Memorial Day weekend.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Kathleen
This Thursday, April 30th, marks the beginning of an underwater exploration project wherein Lake Tahoe’s three tsunami-producing fault lines will be evaluated. The Undersea Voyager Project, an ocean exploration team from Southern California, will use a submarine and remotely operated vehicle to study the lake bottom of both Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake before beginning a five-year expedition to study the Earth’s oceans. Lake Tahoe’s clarity provides excellent diving conditions for the crew who will conduct dive projects through May.
A news article on the project reported UVP captain and CEO, Scott Cassell as saying “Our mission is to learn more about Lake Tahoe’s health, so its beauty can be preserved for future generations. If we can’t save Lake Tahoe, how can we save the world’s oceans?”
Our town is preparing for the arrival of the Undersea Voyage Project and I will share more of the project findings in future posts. To find out more information on the aquatic exploration of Lake Tahoe click here: http://underseavoyager.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67:depths-of-lake-tahoe-to-be-explored-by-undersea-voyager-project&catid=1:latest-news.
Want to be closer to the action? Contact us at 530.541.8022 for Bonus Time. We’d love to have you visit us in Tahoe.
Kathleen
Well, today I could tell it was really spring in Tahoe. The last of the snow is melting off but the spring flowers are not yet in bloom. That sort of middle ground repeats itself in most areas of everyday life up here. No more bulky coats but an abundance of knit hats, cyclists on the roads but sweaters still on the dogs, Easter Egg hunts scheduled along with the last of the ski events… yes, it’s spring at the South Shore.
While overall travel to Tahoe may be waning with the economic conditions, many of our owners have figured out a thing or two and are making repeat trips to the resort on Bonus Time. I’ve been telling you for a long time that Bonus Time is available, and I think some of you still don’t believe it, I still hear people saying “Maybe it’s available, but not the weekend.” WRONG. Changing to the Sunday-Sunday reservation week opened up weekend Bonus Time within the first month and it’s been available ever since. If you don’t believe me - call. I dare you. Okay, maybe that was too juvenile, but I’m telling you the truth about this, so you may as well try it for yourself.
And, with local business competing for a now smaller tourist base, deeper discount offers are hatching just like baby chicks. The paper is full of advertisements for great specials on dining and entertainment events and we’ve negotiated some great bargains on your behalf - so it’s the perfect time to do a lovely getaway for an exceptionally low cost all the way around.
If using the pool is important to you - call reservations to work around our annual maintenance. We’ve got a short window to do our necessary maintenance items, but we’ll give you the information we have so you can make the best travel decision for yourself.
Happy Easter, Blessed Spring, and many good wishes for a blossoming year!
Kathleen
While the resort is functioning as usual and Spring Skiing is all the rage (the snow’s great), we’re gearing up with all the preparations for this year’s General Election.
Sometime this week you’ll be receiving an envelope with all the information pertinent to this year’s Annual General Election of the Americana Vacation Club Board of Directors. The Member Meeting will be Saturday, May 16th at 10:30am, but you do not have to attend to vote. A Proxy Ballot is included in the mailing and by filling out that ballot and mailing it in as directed, your vote will be cast at the meeting.
Jennifer Cewinski is our Election Coordinator, so if you have any questions about the ballot, please don’t hesitate to give her a call at 530.541.8022.
Hope you are all adjusting well to the Daylight Savings Time change.
Happy Travels,
Kathleen
Today is Valentine’s Day, a big day in Tahoe this year because Valentine’s Day is falling on the Presidents’ Day Holiday Weekend. People are giddy today for all kinds of reasons - they’re with there loved ones, they’re in our beautiful winter wonderland AND they’ve got three day weekends. No wonder there are so many smiles about the property!
I was going to write a little about the two holidays, but the History Channel’s website has so much information - I’m pointing you in that direction. Check out this article on the History.com site: http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day.
History.com also has a wonderful video prepared for Presidents’ Day… here’s the direct link to watch it: http://www.history.com/video.do?name=presidents&bcpid=1766638505&bclid=8696193001&bctid=1416853180 . Remember when you knew the dates of Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday? I don’t think I know more than those two, but there’s a great American President’s Gallery on the History.com site if you want to refresh yourself.
Enjoy the holidays and many hugs and chocolate kisses from Jennifer and all of us here at the Americana.
Kathleen
As I write this post, Victor Sarabia, our Activites Supervisor, is working hard to get everything ready for today’s Superbowl Party. We’ve got owners who come back every year to be part of the excitement in the Solarium, and what a great way to get to know fellow owners - hooting and hollering together watching the game. Consider coming up next year; it’s a blast!
_____
Snow and snowpack is a big deal around here - and not just from the winter sports perspective. This week the official second snowpack measurement of the winter season occurred, with water content results being reported by California water scientists at 61% of historical average.
It’s amazing to consider that our beautiful Sierra mountain snow, lakes and rivers serve as the water supply of hundreds of thousands of people. Many a time when my husband and I have been hiking off trail we’ve come upon the public utility markers and equipment that control the delivery of mountain water to the lowlands. We’ve even occassionally spoken with hydrologists and water managers who keep a close eye on the water accumulation up top that feeds the cities and farmlands far below. (Boy, what dream jobs… hiking through the mountains for a living.)
You can read for yourself what the Ca. State Hydrogologists are reporting in the following articles:
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090130/NEWS/901309995&parentprofile=search
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-snowpack30-2009jan30,0,523320.story
Also, if you’re interested in knowing more details about water reservoirs and the rivers that feed them, you’ll like the data provided on the Ca. Department of Water Resources website:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/EXECSUM
Appreciating the beautiful ”water” and the practical application of the necessary ”water” never ceases to amaze me!
___
If you want to see our snowpack… roads are clear and mountains are gleaming white. Come visit on Bonus Time… just give Jennifer and the Front Desk crew a call at 530.541.8022 eleven days in advance of your travel dates.
See you in Tahoe,
Kathleen
From what I’ve been reading lately, Bill Harrah was ahead of his time when he built Harrah’s South Shore Room. Name acts who performed in the opening years said the South Shore Room was THE place to play. There’s a great article about those early days in the Sacramento Bee… click here to read the article. http://www.sacbee.com/122/story/1510011.html.
This year’s concert series celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the South Shore Room and features 12 performances including Dave Mason (Jan. 17), Don Rickles (Jan. 23&24), Smokey Robinson (Feb. 7) and Styx (February 20). You can find the whole roster of performances at www.southshoreroom.com. You can use that link to purchase tickets for the events online or you can call Harrah’s Box Office at 1.800.786.8208.
Another good reason to come to Tahoe on Bonus Time!
Happy Travels,
Kathleen
Here in Tahoe the year is beginning with a BANG. No, that’s not the sound of fireworks (although there were a lot of those on New Year’s Eve). That “BANG”, well maybe it’s more like a “BOOM”, is the sound of avalanche control as the mountains are being made safe for travelers.
Skiing and Boarding are definitely the activities of choice for the majority of people in town today. Folks at the Americana are boarding the ski resort shuttles to start their day with an adrenaline rush down the mountain. From my perspective in office space on Ski Run Boulevard, I see car after car loaded with gear going up the road to Heavenly’s California Lodge. This is not a honking-horns bunch, it’s more like a “can’t wait to fly down the mountain” amusement park line.
In the summer, you can’t see it - but now, well NOW, we’re the ski town real deal… people walking everywhere with skis or boards across their shoulders, gear-laden cars, families laughing together, snow balls ripping through the air towards unsuspecting friends and smiling, smiling, smiling everywhere. People can’t wait to get out on the snow.
Heading out of town, as I was coming in, were the snowmobilers going to their favorite Sierra riding areas with machines in tow and gloves on the dashboard. I also passed a runner in winter undies going full out on the snow next to Highway 50. Yesterday, it was the gleam off a cross-country skier’s goggles that caught my attention. Whatever your winter sport, it’s a great time to be outdoors in Tahoe.
So, as cars continue to go up Ski Run toward Heavenly, I sign off to get some other things done; looking forward to the time I’m among those playing in the snow!
Many joyful and loving moments to you in this New Year!
Kathleen
We’ve been holding our breath for many weeks as calls come in asking “Is it snowing yet?”. Well, we can finally say “YES”. We had our first storm yesterday and down here at lake level we’ve got a lovely few inches of snow, with two more big storms coming this week. We couldn’t be more pleased.
True to the normal Tahoe environment, our storm day went something like this… grey clouds, snow-snow-snow, SUNNY SKIES, grey clouds, snow-snow-snow, SUNNY SKIES, etc. It’s just plain difficult for Tahoe to be other than sunny… it’s a wonderful dilemma.
Many of you are travelling to the resort to see the new Mountain Modern style unit remodels. I’ve had comments from owners who usually trade out with RCI that they can’t wait to come and see their home resort again. Well, we’re booked solid for the holidays, but beginning again in January, just give us a call a week and a half out from your desired stay and we’ll tell you what we’ve got available. The Front Desk has the most recent check out information (which creates the Bonus Time) and you can reach them at 530.541.8022 for the most current Bonus Time availability.
Our Resort Manager, Jennifer Cewinski, has the Americana decked out in our holiday best. Our new Maintenance Manager, Dainer Bailey, has the Americana looking festive, classy and welcoming. We’re cutting our teeth on night photography, but we’ll have photos posted for you soon so that you’ll have at least a hint of how good it looks here!
We’re wishing you and your families a joyful and loving holiday season.
Kathleen
We recently mailed out invitation codes that will allow you to interact and leave comments on the website. Here are the steps you need to take to register:
To view the newsletter click on the newsletter icon 
. You will be prompted for a password. The password to view the newsletter is the invitation code we mailed to you. This is for security purposes as the newsletter can only be viewed by invitation.
I hope this helps answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.
I encourage you to leave a comment and start enjoying your site.
Kathleen
