Monday, May 3, 2010
YOU are the Next American Idol!
Ski with an Olympic Medalist!! What could be more fun and exciting!!
“I grew up in Tahoe City and started skiing when I was three years old and grew up at all of the different resorts around Lake Tahoe. I made my first turns at Homewood Resort. When I knew a little bit more about what I was doing I expanded her horizons and bought a season pass at Alpine Meadows and then moved to Squaw Valley to fine tune my skills when I started skiing freestyle.
People always ask me how I got into the sport of Freestyle and the truth is that I was brought in kicking and screaming. When I was 12, the head coach of the Squaw Valley Freestyle Team and a good friend of my family, Ray deVre, decided that I had what it took to be great at Freestyle. He saw that I was athletic, an unruly child, and just a little crazy. He would call me every day and after a couple of months I told him I would come out and try it if he’d stop pestering me.
The moment I stepped out onto the mogul course I tumbled all the way to the bottom and immediately fell in love with the sport. Back in the day when freestyle was truly “freestyle” we had to compete in all three disciplines which are ballet (I know what you’re thinking), moguls, and aerials. I wasn’t always destined to become a world class mogul skier; I actually made my first junior national team in ballet with the music of Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll.” As time wore on and I began competing at the national level I found out that mogul skiing was my true love and eventually specialized in it. During all of my early skiing madness I was also playing softball and track (not my strong sports), soccer, biking, and water skiing. At school I had learned how to play the trumpet and played in three different bands (symphonic, wind ensemble, and jazz band). I also maintained a 3.5 GPA through all of high school.
When I graduated high school and the time finally came to make some decisions about my future I made the tough choice of moving away from home and moving to Salt Lake City. I was accepted at the University of Utah and my goals were to make the U.S. Freestyle Team, make the University of Utah soccer team, or play trumpet in the University of Utah marching band. I tried out for the soccer team. I didn’t make the team, but I won the United States Ski Team Selection Event in December of 1998 and earned a spot on the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. So at that point I did not have to try out for the marching band, thank goodness because I am a much better skier than trumpet player. My first year on the team, I skied to my first podium in Japan and was elevated to the “A” team, where I have remained since then. The rest is history. I kept improving on the World Cup circuit with an impressive 22 podium finishes and ultimately skied my way to an Olympic silver medal. In Whistler I was blessed in my final Olympic competition with a Bronze medal which is a fantastic way to end my career as a freestyle skier."
Friday, April 30, 2010
Coveted Class Creations from LTS Students!
“Under the Sea” - Class Project
This underwater scene was created using mixed-media methods. The process was FUN for the youngest group at Lake Tahoe School. First, they placed pieces of multicolored tissue paper dipped in glue to the canvas. Then, using brushes they painted the entire surface with water color paints. The Pre-K 4 students painted and decorated wooden fish. The Pre-K 3 class decorated gold fish netting which was cut into animal shapes and permanently applied them to the canvas. Every time you look at this piece in your home, you might just be inspired to book a Caribbean vacation!
Value: Priceless
Donor: Pre-K 3 and 4
“Autumn Harvest” began with the students applying a faux finish background to the canvas. Wire sculptures were made and applied to the acrylic painted tree. The students then embossed their names on metal and these were applied using a permanent adhesive bond. The students also embossed and cut-out metal leaves that were applied. Half spheres were painted with metallic paint and applied to the canvas. This is a beautiful, whimsical piece that will make a statement in any room in your house!
Value: Priceless
Donor: Kindergarten and 7th Grade
“Winter Reflection” - Class Project
This piece began with a multi-layered background. The sky was faux painted while the lower parts were painted solid to create background scenery. The students used metal embossing to create their names, which frame the piece. Snowflakes, animals and other objects were cut out of metal, engraved and applied to the canvas. Winter, in this work of art, is a time of year to be celebrated with its colorful, reflective accents!
Value: Priceless
Donor: 3rd and 4th Grades
"Spring Fling" Class Project
Spring Fling is a mixed-media collage made by 1st and 6th grade students. The collage incorporates hand-made Japanese Rice Paper. The tree is painted with acrylic paint. Animals, painted in water color were added as accents. Additionally, the first graders thumb-printed flowers with acrylic paint. A UV resistant matte finish was sprayed on at the end to preserve this beautiful piece for years to come.
Value: Priceless
Donor: 1st and 6th Grades
“Summer Days” - Class Project
Framed in metal embossed names, this piece will be bright and fun in any room. The background is sponge-painted and the tree is painted in acrylic and enhanced with Lino-cut printing of leaves. The artwork in and around the tree are the 2nd graders ideas of “summer knowledge” depicted in Pen and Ink on hand-made paper. The poetry surrounding the tree is hand written by the students in permanent ink. A UV matte finish was sprayed on the piece to keep it looking “fresh” for years to come.
Value: Priceless
Donor: 2nd and 5th Grades
Thursday, April 29, 2010
October Break on the Big Island of Hawaii!
Spectacular Hollywood Beach Oceanfront Home!
Step out on your deck in the morning and Hollywood Beach unfolds in front of you, just south of Ventura, California and minutes from the Oxnard Airport.
Make Yourself at Home on Stinson Beach
Only steps away, the cottage offers two more bedrooms - one with a queen bed and one with two bunk-beds (4 beds) as well as a full bath.