SnowGlobe neighbors change their tune from a year ago
For most people, SnowGlobe is going on and they don’t even know it.
Snow on the ground to help absorb the sound, turning the stage 180 degrees, lowering the maximum decibel level and enforcing the maximum level allowed, and not allowing bands to play past the designated ending time are contributing to a better experience for neighbors of the venue.
“Around 4pm (Saturday), Day 1 of the event, I turned to my husband and said, ‘Snowglobe must be delayed because I don’t hear anything.’ My kids even went outside and they were upset they didn’t hear anything! It was great; we had dinner without the windows shaking, we could hear ourselves speak, I wasn’t going out of my mind, it was awesome!,” Gia Schraubens told Lake Tahoe News. “I don’t know if it’s the snowload absorbing the bass, changing direction of the stage, the guy walking around monitoring the decibel level, the city employees and SnowGlobe employees working diligently or what it is, perhaps a combination of everything, but it’s great and all is good in Al Tahoe this year!”
Wiz Khalifa, one of the headliners, wows the audience Dec. 29. Photos/Bron Fong
Instead of bothering with going to all three days of the South Lake Tahoe music festival, a group of women from Southern California were enjoying a Sunday of skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort.
The event on the grounds of the ball fields next to Lake Tahoe Community College is attracting a diverse crowd from all over the country. Ages are from teens to their grandparents’ ages. But most appear to be thirtysomething.
Sunday’s event will at 10pm, like the night before. Monday’s festivities will conclude with fireworks after the music ends at 12:30am New Year’s Day.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Merchants all over the city are telling us sales are up. Attendees are, for the most part, considerate and not trashing areas or parking in front of business. Talked to some today – everyone seems to be having a good time, and making money! So far, so good!
Instead of beating them up, sounds like we should thank the former city council members for approving the changes to the venue and allowing it to occur again.
I had a lot of praise for the volume of last nights performance. Tonight is considerably louder. What happened?
Good.
All those kids pay your social security, you can let them have 1 night.
I do hope that they stay off your lawn.
Probably a different set of musicians and music. Turn up the TV and enjoy tourists spending time and money in town.
John…was just thinking the same thing.
The event is going very well. 11k to 12k attendees expected tonight. During our daily operations debriefing today, the transportation issues were discussed and to resolve them, the producers have arranged for more organized shuttle information; better prep at the conclusion and more information to attendees about which shuttle to take.
Sound: John I see your posting above, the sound limits are still below the limits set by the agreement. As of 7:30 p.m. tonight, time of this posting, the sound continues to be monitored and everyone is following the limits very well. I was on site and the bands this evening were of a different type than last night. I spoke with the producers about the sound and they said that last night’s bands had volumes that rose and fell off and many were well below the limits, which were greatly appreciated and we let them know that. Tonight’s bands may be at max levels here and there. But as long as they stay at or below the limits, they are following the agreement. Monitors are on site throughout the evening. Call the hotline if you want to report a sound concern (hotline is monitored hourly and we’re recording calls).
We sent out crews to mark the walking paths better so walking attendees can be safer and stay out of the streets (drive carefully around Al Tahoe Blvd please).
Trash is hardly noticeable. I saw many festival goers making sure to “leave no trace” by picking up others as well as their own trash. There is a large crew this year dedicated to trash and facility maintenance.
Emergency teams are on site and a full medical tent is there for those who need it. The emergency crews report mostly the attendees just need to wear good gloves, shoes, and hats. The warming tents are awesome I might add! As for law enforcement, things are relatively calm.
As city staff, we are pleased with the cooperation we’ve received from Snowglobe founders, producers and staff. They have indicated they want to be good community partners and are going to great lengths to work with us to achieve that goal.
SnowGlobe Hotline – 530-542-7429.
Councilmembers and I are heading out to check sound in the neighborhoods, because even though we have sound monitors around the event, sometimes the sound in the neighborhoods is still of concern. Feel free to give me a call if you have any concerns you’d like me to check 530-307-3237.
~Nancy
Excellent info. Thank you, Nancy. Great job.
Council/Nancy, Check out volume in Montgomery Estates areas. Has gotten louder than during your 7:44 post. Ends at 10:00-something, right? Only another hour or so!
Drove throughout the surrounding areas and sound seemed reasonable for the most part. Drove through Sierra Tract, Pioneer Village, Al Tahoe to Glenwood and throughout. Councilmember Swanson was with me and we spoke to several folks as well. Councilmember Conner was out and about today as well talking with folks.
Went to Montgomery Estates and there are pockets of sound that seem louder than other areas, particularly those areas high on the hills of Alice Lake & Cold Creek where those homes are exposed without much between them and the open space. The physicist who advised us on sound this past year explained that sound can bounce off trees and actually be catapulted to higher ground… while that may “sound” crazy, no pun intended, it could explain why the homes on higher ground are hearing the concert more so than other locations.
However, when I rolled up my car windows it was very faint. A dog in the street barking at me (probably for driving so slow through the neighborhood) overrode the sound as well. But four hours of it could be disturbing, I apologize for that.
And yes, just one more evening now.
Also, all Councilmembers have been staying very involved in this event. Some have attended our daily debriefings and prep. They are attending the event, checking it out before and during the shows, talking with producers and they are out in the community talking with businesses and attendees. They are taking a very active role in staying informed or involved and making sure the agreement provisions are adhered to as well as hoping for a successful event.
Thank you to all of the community for their patience and understanding; to our City Council for setting a good policy to bring the event back and staying involved; to our City staff from street crews to public safety enduring these freezing temps to ensure the public’s safety and protect the public’s facilities; thank you to the College crew they are out in force and on site daily and throughout the event as well.
~Nancy
I could not here it once I left the campus tonight, but once I arrived home I could, we are uphill, and that’s the same thing I heard, sound travels uphill. It still is way lower than last year.
The event was sold out tonight!
Hey Nancy and JoAnn- I have an off the subject question. I live near the Keys and my streets are a mess, can you send a plow by?
The Snow Removal in this City is the worst I’ve seen in 40 years, Where are the plows and blowers ??
Nancy Kerry, Angela Swanson and JoAnn Conner,
Thank you all for taking an active part in regards to all the complaints about SnowGlobe. The noise, transportation issues and trash removal.You girls get the Old Long Skiis much coveted
“Stamp of Approval”. A Job well done!
Tonight is going to be noisy even if there was no SnowGlobe. Bunch of drunk idiots setting of fireworks, the occasional shotgun blast and all the mayhem that goes along with New Years Eve.
Gonna get cold again tonight Globers. Dress warm. The weather service is calling for 0 degrees tonight. So for all you not going out into that cold and forbidding night, bring in an extra load of fire wood.Stay warm, Old Long Skiis
Now maybe the city can work as hard to collect the TOT taxes that have slipped through its fingers to the tune of 5 to 10 million dollars over the last few years. What is the city afraid of? in not collecting taxes due?
Now that the politicals have done something right for a change they are all visiting their sawbones to have their arms put back in place from patting themselves on the back. Pathetic.
Old Long Skies:
I’m with you and think that these women have done a fantastic job of taking a pro-active approach to this. I especially commend City Manager Nancy Kerry for acknowledging last year’s problems rather than dismissing them, taking steps to mitigate those circumstances so this event can work well for nearly everyone, and for opening the lines of communication in both directions so that she and other City representatives are communicating with the public and the public has the opportunity to communicate with them. This “identify the problem then identify the solution” management style is refreshing to see, and its use is long overdue at every level of government.
Skies–Sending Happy New Year Wishes from one geezer to another. Be well in 2013!
the snow globe experience will become the template for future, successful events. happy new year.
Joe Doaks:
Have you ever seen “Debbie Downer” on Saturday Night Live? The following is a link to a Thanksgiving video which is pretty funny. It starts immediately after the Christina Aguilera fragrance ad. Enjoy.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/debbie-downer/32806/
Good to hear feedback on the fly from the city re Snowglobe. Comments re good to make money at locals expense are stupid. Some of us could care less if the town makes money. Ever heard of retirement?
The city should consider contracting with the county for snow removal in the residential neighborhoods during these special events when city efforts are directed elsewhere and periods of heavy snowfall. I agree with X Local, this is the worst snow removal in the city in decades.
Great Job Nancy and council! We drove down Al Tahoe Blvd. last night at 8:00 and could not believe how well the traffic was being handled. I commend the efforts and it takes a lot of strength to stay the course after last year’s fall out! Thank you all for your hard work!!!
I have not seen one blower this year! New plow guys knock down signs and leave big berms. Plow went over our street 3 times for a 6″ storm and now MIA last 4 days. This is the worst I have seen in 41 winters.
Nancy — Thank you for your response.
I would like to congratulate the city on making the right decision in keeping this event. I raise my cup to more smart decisions this year!
Bob…Some food for thought: a lot of retired people/2nd home owners think that what happens in our community finance/revenue wise doesn’t affect them. But, it does. Roads, schools and services all add to the value of your home. I’d assume you shop here, but if we were broke and nobody came, would there be the type of shopping you wanted after everything closed up?
If you rent and the area is going bankrupt and not making money, services dry up… you may not get the renters you desire for the money you desire.
Just something to think about.
OK — Who OK’d the fireworks at the end of last nights set? It was entirely too loud and a possible fire danger to set off fireworks in the middle of a forest.
I completely agree with “40yearlocal” above. The Montgomery Estates area had the music rumbling through our house in the late hours thankfully stopping when they were supposed to but when it keeps up your 6 yr old and 1 yr old children, how is that right? It was no bother the first night, but the other 2 nights it was bad. I am definitely a community supporter, but when an event interferes with my household and childrens peace, that’s just not right in any way. Are we supposed to have to relocate for those days?
I drove through Montgomery Estates New Year’s Eve about 11:00 pm and heard nothing. Nancy Kerry drove through the night before and heard very little, especially when she closed the windows of her car. What street are you on – maybe we can figure it out for next year.
I live in that area and it was fine, you could hear some but not a problem at all. The fireworks were no worst than the 4th, come on people let it go this town needs Snow Globe.
Fire hazard? There is 4 feet of snow on the ground.
I do still think that downtown is a far better location for this. Maybe then we could loosen up on them a bit.
Just another point. Its great Snowglobe was well managed and it seems like the community will tolerate it. But, if this is the future of South Lake, then the venue will not work. There is no way we can run 4, 5 or 6 of these a year in that area. But, that is probably what we need to do to build a real event base that will affect the economy in any real sense.
John, agreed, but maybe we could hold one same sized event in the summer, with a different music genre, and then some smaller events?
The point, John, is to keep more money in South Lake Tahoe. By holding this mid-town, we got the benefit of merchants and lodging from the Y to Stateline showing increased sales. The bus service helped us with people staying in South Lake Tahoe. Putting it at Stateline means most of the money and the crowd stays there. It still uses our police and fire services, but we would get much less benefit from it. SnowGlobe paid for our public services; Stateline never has.
Joann, there is not even a single chance business in Nevada didnt benefit from Snowglobe. But more importantly, there is also not a single chance the few Nevada businesses would be able to provide the services and goods festival attendees will want.
Joann, the gondola and the area around it are in California.
JoAnn, your us vs. them attitude is destructive. Your lack of education and experience in business development makes you unqualified for the position you are in. Your last statement illustrates that.
Goodgrief, most of the employees that work for the casinos live in the City and you think they hurt the city? Unbelievable!
JoAnn Conner- to answer your previous post…the sound was near wagon train trl and it sounded just like someone booming there car music in front of my driveway. It was not all night nor everyday, we heard nothing Saturday at all…Though Sunday evening and Monday it rumbled through our house. Though it thankfully stopped on time. It would not be an issues if kids and adults could sleep through it, though not in our house. I support any event that brings money and entertainment into the community, as long as it doesn’t disturb myself or others. My hat is off to Nancy and other folks who put it together as it definitely was not as bad as previous year, and nice to know they’re looking out for the folks when it comes to the sound and safety of the event.
So snowglobe got MOST of the sound issues fixed. Good.
Now they need to get the transportation/human services part fixed. Do they care that a girl died because they didn’t spend the money to have enough buses to accommodate the crowds on a bitter cold night? I sure as heck hope so.