The Tuesday evening party featured live music, balloons, food & drink, large Snow Festival buttons, colorful beads, and plenty of people of all ages who turned out to support the annual effort to make March a big part of the winter season for businesses, locals, and visitors.

"The evidence suggests the defendant [Brooks] was the aggressor throughout the entire incident, culminating in the unwarranted stabbing of the victim [Ash]," wrote Judge J. Richard Couzens in his ruling released January 11. "There is rational evidence that supports the charge of murder."

Gardner turned to the Internet to research mothers' clubs in the area. She couldn't find any.

"I swore to myself I would do something to change it when I could manage it," said Gardner.

Three years later, Gardner did just that. In May 2004 she founded the Tahoe Mothers' Club, a network of local parents designed to offer support and provide educational programs and activities for families. The club quickly grew from an initial 45 members to its current 150.

Tahoetopia interviewed various local authorities for this series of stories.

TCPUD
The Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) has an emergency response plan in place for sewer and water. According to Risk Coordinator, Jack Beckman, all facilities have back-up power. In addition, TCPUD can turn on or turn off all pump systems and bypass sewer lines from the main office in Tahoe City.

“It was a splendiferous afternoon,” said Dave Wilderotter, Association board member.

The fun started at 1:00 with a fly-by by a ‘ultralight’ aircraft piloted by aerial photographer Paul Hamilton of Adventure Productions in Reno. He circled just off the beach and out over the lake ten times at an altitude of about 200 feet. The crowd cheered and waved as photos were taken on each pass.

Contractors completed the initial phase of construction last week, allowing the new bridge pedestrian crossing to open on the east side of the dam. Since then, pedestrians, runners, bicyclists, rollerbladers, and strollers all have been exploring the scenic new crossing. Located on the east side of the dam, the new bridge connects the west shore and north shore bike trails and provides an alternative to the congested crossing on the older vehicle bridge, affectionately known as "Fanny Bridge".