INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — OK, we are without snow so what can we do? It's Tahoe for goodness sake. Where else can you hit the slopes at Diamond Peak in the morning and then our golf course in the afternoon with a stop at the beach or meet the best locals around? And the locals have it really tough — hike, bike and still ski with terrific prices. Locals can certainly enjoy staycations this year in beautiful Tahoe, too. Please remember, though, that fire season is still around and we need to obey the no burn regulations.

Congratulations to Toni Neubauer for being recognized as Conde Nast Traveler's top travel specialist for Nepal. Very nice!

The Women's Club of North Tahoe will have Wendy Wise speaking about anti-aging at its noon meeting on Jan. 16 at Indu's Asian Noddles & Curries restaurant in Christmas Tree Village. For reservations call Florine Kubel at 775-831-9235.

Ullr Fest is still planned on Jan. 19-22. This annual weekend of events features the bon fire and torchlight parade along with other fun activities and recommended for all ages. For information about this go to www.diamondpeak.com.

Tahoe Safe Alliance is again offering discounted lift tickets at Sugar Bowl. Priced at $35 tickets are available for the week of Jan. 22- Jan. 26. For information contact Tahoe Safe Alliance at hayley@tahoesafealliance.org or 775-298-0010.

Don't miss the Scotch Tasting and dinner on Jan. 25 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center. The tasting features some very special selections of scotch including a 16-year-old Balblair from a special Cask Collection, the award winning 21-year-old Aberfeldy and the World Whisky of the Year Ardbeg Uigeadail plus three other amazing single malt scotches. The tasting is followed by a five-course dinner. This is a fundraiser for the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, and tickets are available at parasol.org/scotch or call 775-298-0184 for information. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold so call early, as tickets will not be sold at the door.

The Community Thank You for George and Irma LeBard will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center. All in the community are invited. Anyone interested in helping with the event — by providing food, drink, volunteering, etc., please contact Jean Eick at Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation jeane@parasol.org or 775-298-0184.

Happy anniversary to Pam and Greg Moutinho on Jan. 11.

A special happy birthday goes out Heather Paynter to on Jan. 17 from her children Cole and Alyssa. Other birthdays this week are: Justine Casaquite, James Collum and Karen Kuehnis and Leslie Wagner on Jan. 12; Franklin Fey, William Johnson and Alfredo Perez on Jan. 13; Candace Healy on Jan. 14; Bonnie Poe and Hal Paris on Jan. 15; Steven Gibbs and Martin Oilvares-Hernandez on Jan. 16; Terry Bernardi and Sergio Heredia on Jan. 17; Ramona Cruz, Gina Erb, Bobbsie Himmelright and Penelope Nelson on Jan. 18; and JoAn Hagy on Jan. 19. Happy birthday, everyone!

Deals and Steals this week are at Diamond Peak. Check out the beginner packages and invite your friends. Now is the time to learn. Enjoy our mountain paradise.

As always send in your birthdays, anniversaries, news along with the best deals and steals you can find to jeanmeick@aol.com.