South Lake Tahoe trying to solve problems created by Lakeview Commons’ success
By Kathryn Reed
While Thursday night concerts have been a success at Lakeview Commons based on attendance, the complaints about it being something less than a family event dominated a portion of the afternoon session of Tuesday’s South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting.
Mayor Claire Fortier said the number and types of calls she has received has her constituents saying families don’t want to go back to the concerts.
Her colleague said it’s not quite that bad based on his experience of being at all but one show.
Rob Giustina of OnCourse Events talks about all the trash people leave in the neighborhoods by Lakeview Commons. Photo/Kathryn Reed
“I’m concerned it could go that way real easy if we don’t take proactive action now,” Councilman Tom Davis said in terms of the free event turning away families.
Police Chief Brian Uhler responded by saying, “We will have a heavy presence at Lakeview.”
He said people smoking marijuana would be cited and that officers also have the authority to cite anyone who throws a cigarette butt on the ground.
Pot and tobacco smoke are the predominant complaints, along with the literally thousands of cigarette butts that are picked up each week by volunteers. (Having a card for medicinal marijuana will not stop cops from telling someone to take it elsewhere.)
The council at its Aug. 21 meeting is expected to entertain an ordinance that would ban smoking of all kinds at city parks – which would include Lakeview Commons.
“There shouldn’t be any smoking at all, whether it’s cigarettes or marijuana. We need an ordinance to cover that,” Davis said.
The other thing the city needs to do is bring its special use permit and park rules into compliance. Permits can be granted for alcohol, but park rules say no alcohol ever.
Right now OnCourse Events, the promoter of Live at Lakeview, has a beer garden. (Wednesday paddleboard does as well, as do the Derby Dames at Bijou Community Park. Even the city has operated a beer booth at Bijou Bash.)
In September, the council will also be looking at refining what it wants from concessionaires in the future, what is allowed and not allowed. The businesses operating at Lakeview Commons and Regan Beach are only there for this season.
Standup Paddle, which operates the boathouse at Lakeview, is being taken to court by Beachcomber Lake Tahoe, a private resort on Lakeview Avenue. The dispute is over the paddleboard’s tent on El Dorado Beach blocking the view of Beachcomber guests.
City Manager Nancy Kerry told Lake Tahoe News the city is not named in the complaint and that staff is trying to facilitate a resolution. If that doesn’t happen, Beachcomber could be asking a judge on Friday to tell Standup Paddle to move its tent.
When the city first awarded the contract to the South Tahoe company to operate the boathouse it was not envisioned the beach would become an extension of the building for doing business. But there is nothing in Standup Paddle’s contract preventing it from using all of El Dorado Beach.
And not part of OnCourse’s contract is cleanup. Still, owners Rob and CarolAnne Giustina along with an employee and any volunteers who show up each Monday between 8-10am fill multiple large trash bags. (Meet at the fire pit to help each Monday.)
“We do the beach, but the heavy focus is the neighborhood,” Leslie Schultz with OnCourse told Lake Tahoe News.
Crews go down about three blocks on Lakeview Avenue and to Tallac Avenue along Harrison Avenue.
The reason to do this on Monday instead of Friday is so anything left from the weekend gets picked up, too.
The city takes care of the cleanup in the street level area of Lakeview Commons.
Rob Giustina’s thinking is the neighborhood is already impacted by the music; it shouldn’t be troubled by the litter left behind.
But what shocked the Giustinas and Schultz as they picked up trash this week was the abundance of cigarette butts and people leaving empty bottles on the side of the road. They also can’t believe people are bringing their dogs to such a crowded event – and to a location that doesn’t allow canines.
Giustina said they put up 12 signs saying no alcohol, no smoking, no dogs. The response by many was – no compliance. Plus, multiple announcements are made about the smoking – whether it’s tobacco or weed – that it impacts the enjoyment of others.
Giustina is a firm believer this is “everybody’s park” and wants to make sure everybody is comfortable coming to his free Thursday concerts that will go on through Sept. 6 from 4-8:30pm.
Success always has draw backs because you can’t please everyone all the time.
But just think how this took the problems away from other areas that have benefited from this large ash tray,2012 love-in ,the rest will not have to work so hard,and do enjoy quite places on the water front while the flies swarm the frebbies.
That’s why you pay 200 plus bucks for Tobys and Neils that’s going to rock,while the mess stays outside the walls,leaves it’s concerns to those who got clean it up,enforce public laws.
See you on the front 10 rows of the shows at Harveys,peace.
The drama goes on at south shore. It is inspiring to see the government focus resources at the troubled west end of the hiway 50 corridor. Unfortunately a lot of people don’t have/want to blow $200 on a few hours of recreation, maybe that is why it is called commons beach.
If this place can turn itself around, it most likely will not be overnight. At least some people have and are putting in a huge effort where a person can recreate without paying precious cash. It is a start to a hopefully much better experience.
How about this:
One week feature The Wiggles, then the next The Sex Pistols. Problem solved!
I take my daughter down to the paddleboard races on wednesday and have decided that the music event probably isn’t something for us.
No big deal, everything isn’t for everybody.
Lakeview Commons is a great success, I like seeing the people walking slackline up on the grass, seeing the crowd there in the sunset with the music playing.
Cigarette butts suck though, and the trash is ridiculous. Thanks to all who are towing the line over there.
Instead of relying on volunteers to come out weekly to pick up after the crowds or having the police ticket people, the long term solution is educating the attendees on the impact of cig butts and garbage on the beach!!! Change the Theme of Thursday night events to one of Keeping Tahoe blue and sustaining tahoe instead of drinking beer and smoking pot. I am not saying you can’t have a beer garden but maybe have a juice bar too and hand our recycle bags to all the attendees and have the bands talk about perserving Lake Tahoe. You have a captured audience so what an opportunity to reform this group! Have a great day and Thanks for Keeping Tahoe Alive!
I have been to all of the Shows
I’ve taken my Grandaughter to most of them she has had a great time
Burgers and Beers is whats happening
maybe Clair and Hal and Bruce should get there lazy butts to the event
then they would know first hand
Thanks to Rob and all the volunteers who work to keep the beach clean and beautiful. We’re lucky to have this group and venue!
So, Police Chief Brian Uhler responded by saying, “We will have a heavy presence at Lakeview.” Is this the best use of their time and our resources? I would love to see a butt-dropper get a ticket but I’m not sure that is where our cops need to focus their attention.
Heads up criminals. The cops will be busy on at the beach on Thursdays.
Why is it that some people want life to be so antiseptic? Life isn’t always rated G, so maybe some should take this as an opportunity to explain to our kids that some behaviors are not as acceptable as others. And if your child is to young to understand that, then they are quite possibly to young to notice that anything might be out of the norm.
Amen Biggerpicture!
I, too, have stopped going to the Wednesday night stand up paddle board races because of the very loud volume and style of music. I had thought we’d have some nice folk and Hawaiian beachy type music alternated in as well, but it seems to be all hard rock, just one style. So? I wonder who the “target market” is for this beach? The stand up paddle board sport started in Hawaii, yet nothing at the beach reflects that.
South Lake Tahoe has a bad reputation because it deserves a bad reputation.
Look at the marketing over the past 10 years, you got the types of people that you targeted.
I live in Belmont most of the time & we passed a NO-SMOKING in parks or community places (like library sites, etc.). It makes a huge difference – you don’t have to inhale the pollution or deal with the butts in common areas.
Also, I would prefer more beach-type music on Wednesdays — Parrot-Head, Raegae, Hawaiian, etc.
Thanks to Rob and volunteers for thier time! They have taken the initative to make sure that the neighborhood stays cleaner and that is so appreciated! :) Nothing seems to get done if you wait for the next person to do it. We live in Lake Tahoe YAY FOR US! Let’s try and keep it one of the most amazing places on earth !
If we are going to consider success simply shear numbers of people than this event fits the bill, but I pray that we step back and rethink this event. Yes, I have stopped taking my nine year old to this ADULT event. I don’t consider my life “antiseptic” at all because I cant tolerate the stench of “skunk” (weed) permiating the air. I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only one that feels this way. What did the city think was going to happen when they put this event in the hands of a company that plans snowboarding events. Most of the bands are reggae or “stoner” bands. I feel horrible for the poor homeowners in that area. They’re houses have definitely lost value due to the fact that they are now part of a PARKING LOT. I will go one more time. That will be on the 23rd when some of OUR VERY OWN LOCAL MUSICIANS will be playing jazz. I pray that will bring out a different sect of our south lake society. When the park was being built I thought music nights would be an amazing event. I thought it would be mostly local musicians that could be showcased for those coming from outside the area to see and appreciate. When I looked at the roster I realized that the two bands that had recently been voted “best of Tahoe” had been left off. Where are our local musicians like Lavish Green or Trey Stone. They were voted the very best by OUR locals. Why can’t we show them off? I hope next year we can take back our park and make it ours again.
Why not have the jail inmates clean up the beach and commons area on Fridays and Mondays. They could be given time off their sentences to encourage participation and save the taxpayers money. Dressing them in stripes would hopefully discourage them from wandering too far.
Maybe one day we will have leadership that will take the time to think these things out and anticipate the problems before they happen. Yes, we do need enforcement there to clean up the smoke be it weed or cigarettes.
We are lucky to have people like Rob Guistina and Chris from Stand Up Paddle who are trying to make a difference (Chris, sorry you are dealing with a lawsuit). True Tahoe-boys.
I think rotating in more beachy music, maybe even classical, and local bands is a great idea. The music should fit the setting. We try to hire local for construction, why not for music? Perhaps we need a clause in the contract that gives preference or mandates that local musicians be hired. People like Nile, Steve Walker, Lavish, Trey and some of our classical music ensembles.
Talk to Officer George at the SLT jail. He runs the Sheriff’s Work Release Program. Some of the work release folks are assigned to the Clean Tahoe Program. That would be an ideal fit, they could go the the beach each morning and deal with the aftermath of an evening event. If that doesn’t work, perhaps some of our local service clubs would be willing to adopt Tahoe Commons as a project. It would also be nice to have a total ban on any type of smoking in our parks, but there will always be those that ignore the prohibition.
Thanks for this article Kae. Prohibiting smoking will stop the problem with butts on the beach. I like the idea of using the venue to promote Keeping Tahoe Blue.
Note: Are these our local kids who are leaving trash? If so, we really need to correct that disregard. If not locals, we need to make it clear that’s not how we do things in Tahoe.
Thank you to On course productions, you’re doing great work. I realize it’s not an easy job and cleaning up after everyone…WEEKENDERS included, is a thankless job. I’m sure many of the butts and trash you’re picking up aren’t just from the Thursday shows. I appreciate your efforts to bring this community together with free music (*and shouldering the load of the many litterbugs.)
Create a “Smoking Garden/Zone”, and let the majority of the space be non-smoking, this will make it easier for clean-up and fire prevention.
It’s great that some are willing to volunteer, aka working free, while certain businesses profit off the Thursday shows. Don’t know how long that’ll last until some start saying, “Hey, why aren’t the beer garden people paying for the cleanup?” A more sustainable way of handling that situation will need to be found!
And I don’t know how Stand Up Paddle got such a hold on our City Govt? They got that concession by bidding LESS than the competition! And this even though they had LESS experience in business than the competition! But hopefully at least they’re well-insured so as to protect our City from any lawsuits?
My name is Trey Stone. I am a local musician in Tahoe. When commons park was being built I looked forward to one day playing there. When I inquired about the Thursday concert series I was told that they didn’t want many local musicians. That they were trying to “revitalize” south lake Tahoe by bringing in bands from outside the area. I hope this changes as I would one day like to bring my band there. There are so many venues that bring outside music here. We have many talented struggling musicians right here that could benefit greatly from this gig at Lakeview Commons. It would be wonderful to have the opportunity to represent our community to the many tourists that come to appreciate our local flare.
Am I the only one that finds it odd that the “Beachcomber” is run by the spouse of a city council member? Especially when you consider the fact that the city approved the concession license for the Bracketts? Hmmm….so the lawsuit seems a little off to me.
My entire family has enjoyed several of the Thursday night events. Yes, the music style dictates the crowd but that should not be a surprise. I think with a little more crowd control, the Thursday night music events can still be an enjoyable family event. Almost every local I talk to (and no, I’m not a 20 or 30 something) end up going to the commons or have been there and thoroughly enjoyed it. I say squash this frivolous lawsuit, monitor the crowd a bit more and keep this fun community event alive.
I thoroughly enjoy the Thursday evening music at the lake. A bit more variety might be nice, you know, a little country maybe, a little Hawaiian. . . ? The music last week was very loud and the crowds have been becoming progressively more “loose”. Over the weeks they’ve seen that there is no enforcement of the “no alcohol except in the beer garden” and no smoking and no dogs rules. The cigarette smoke was overpowering last week because it was hot and there wasn’t any breeze at all. And the folks dancing while swinging their lit cigs around seriously need a talking to. Mostly I felt bad for the little kids and the numerous lame dogs I saw. The event was loud, crowded, hot, smokey, and no doubt confusing for any creature under 4 feet tall.
Like I said, perhaps a little more variety in the choice of music would encourage a less loaded and more family friendly crowd.
Thanks, though, for even starting these events. It’s so nice to have something for the locals!
OK, this is an easy one: BAN SMOKING.
This will fix the cig butts problem, the litter problem and you won’t be able to ‘hide’ the pot smoking.
BAN CIGARETTE SMOKING NOW.
ban cigarette smoking. yes. NOW
We appreciate everyone’s comments on how to improve the event and make it a better experience for the community.
We would like to comment on some of those opinions:
Smoking at the park: Currently there is no ban on cigarette smoking in parks in South Lake Tahoe. We have made a conscious effort to address the situation each and every week with both signs and public announcements. However, we cannot enforce something that is not illegal. If the city of South Lake Tahoe wants to initiate new legislation, we will gladly comply and welcome their enforcement.
The same is true for the dog situation. While city signs and our own signage display “No Dogs”, people continue to bring their dogs to this crowded event. We are dog owners and lovers ourselves and are surprised at how people are unaware of how potentially unsafe this is with the crowd, other unknown dogs and children present. There is no clear ruling or enforcement of animal control laws at this park Friday through Wednesday. That makes enforcement impossible on Thursdays.
Regarding the types of music and local bands. We are long time locals here and support local musicians in other arenas. Live at Lakeview was designed to get our community together and experience something new. Would we have the same crowd and response if these were bands you could see for free at local bars 2-3 times a week? Perhaps in the future or for another event we would use local bands for openers but we were looking to reach out to a wider demographic this year. Many of these bands brought fans to the event and put “heads in beds” in our local hotels. We mean no disrespect to any local musicians. In fact, we are working with our local CASA group on an event at Lakeview Commons on August 31st and looking for local bands to participate. Please feel free to contact us.
Regarding musical styles and genres, we have tried to bring a variety with each week’s performances. If there wasn’t a style you liked this season, perhaps there will be in the future. You can’t please everyone.
Regarding the trash and cigarette butts, this is an ongoing problem here and in our larger global community, not relegated to a weekly summer event. Hopefully our community will reach out and find a way to communicate the need for respecting the environment. We are sure we are not alone when we notice how a large percentage of smokers leave their trash or flick their cigarettes out at a stop light or walking along the bike path.
Regarding the trash, there are many viable ideas about who should clean it up however none of those suggestions will come to pass this summer season. We clean up during the event and immediately following until about 10pm each week as part of our permitted event. We volunteer, as a staff and personally, to come and additionally clean up the neighborhood on Mondays. We welcome anyone to participate in this clean up process with us on Thursdays or Mondays. We meet at the park from 8-10am Mondays.
We hope none of these situations discourage the local community from coming down to enjoy the Live at Lakeview Summer Concert Series. As a business, we have invested a great amount of financial resources and time to bring this event to our community. We appreciate your continued support.
Best regards,
On Course Events
This place sounds like a disaster area most civilized folks will want to stay away from on Thursday evenings. However if you like beer, cigs and smoking weed you’ve found your paradise on the beach. Remember you can’t please everyone. Sounds like one social class is trying to control another from reading the replies. I like the idea of putting the criminals to work though.
Wow Bob, that seems a little stereotypical if you ask me. I am in my 40’s, have children in the district,own a home and cars and pay my taxes and have been an active PTA member for years. I don’t think you can classify everyone who enjoys a beer in the beer garden as part of the same “social class,” in such a derogatory manner. I don’t smoke anything but I do have a healthy respect for others rights and individuality. I can enjoy a beer with other friends and still want other guests to keep it clean and respect the environment. I don’t have to enjoy weed, ciggarettes or getting loaded on the beach to be able to appreciate the community gathering that the Lakeview Commons area has been establishing. Keep it clean folks…and hopefully it will stay.
I have to second Trey Stone’s comment. There are plenty of talented musicians that have been overlooked or ignored. Trey on the beach would be a spectacular event. We are lucky to have a world class talent like Trey living in our town. Support local musicians!I also support a no smoking rule.
Bob, You have an extremely high opinion of yourself and your supposed superior “social class”. Don’t tell me, you’re a huge Rmoney supporter that’s ready to “take our country back” from the rabble and re-instate the righteous aristocracy.
you mean gaper/burner beach..
OMG. For years, I have watched community events on the North Shore/Truckee with great envy–wondering why we can’t pull this off on our end?
FINALLY, our community is coming together in a way that celebrates all members of our town. So, there are stoners. So, people smoke. So, people have dogs. This is Tahoe. Lived here long? Don’t like it? Don’t go. Super easy fix. But, please don’t ruin it for the rest of us. You are probably the same people running Snow Ball out of town.
The Giustinas and Bracketts are doing phenomenal things at that beach–working hard to make sure that we have a COMMUNITY. If you knew either parties, you would know that they are more committed than any of us to create a safe, family environment–try talking to them.
Ask yourself what you have done to foster a sense of community here?
I am a teacher who has lived here my whole life, and I believe that this idea is a fabulous work-in-progress. So, allow for some growing pains.
Stop shaking your fist: open it up, bend down, pick up some cig butts–and smile.
Many years ago I worked with Rob Giustina.We worked on the same truck pickin’ up trash for STR. Haven’t seen him in awhile but he’s a a good guy and glad to see he’s involved with these concerts and the community. I’ll admit I haven’t been to one of these events so I don’t know what the vibe is. I just hope they book some locals and maybe something geared more to a slightly older crowd,(if you know what I meen).
Good to hear Rob is still pickin’ up trash! I am too and I’ve been retired for three years!
Take Care Rob, Old Long Skiis
Need to disagree with the “chief” – took out of town family with children 10 and 13 one Thursday night . Sick/dopers lit up all around us at the beach level – how embarrassing to us and SLT! Stop all smoking now. Need to project clean outdoor entertainment/ parks to our residents and guests! Enforcement is fine – make $ for the city.
With every venue you will find cigarette and weed stank in the air.
I myself don’t like weed, however, when you attend a show in the casinos, indoor or outdoors, you will find the stench in the air.
My suggestion to you – If you don’t like it, don’t attend.
On another note, eveyone knows the Beachcomber is an eye sore. I believe they need to focus their energy on sprucing up the joint and leave good people alone.
Kudos to On Course- We love the shows!!!
I would recommend that if you don’t like the Lakeview Commons, please stay inside, avoid enjoying life and engaging with others who may be different from yourselves.
Every outdoor concert doesn’t have to be a festival.
Lifetime Resident,
YOU ROCK! And to those that feel this isn’t as family oriented as YOU would see fit, then we always have the choice of the Taylor Creek Visitors Center presentation every Thursday in July and August.
COEXISTANCE!
lifetime res. said it best ….but if you don’t like the bands then don’t go , i don’t complain while waiting in line at vex about how horrible the music is and you won’t see me at a snow globe throwing trash around either cause i don’t like the music, but i don’t care that it goes on …why should i ?
rob and chris are well above most of you when it comes to supporting the community ,what have you done? you try booking bands for a community , maybe a sha na na or don ho tribute band to drive everyone away , then everyone will complain about how dead and lack luster it is , learn to adjust or beat it!
but i see more events ,more music,more fun in the future if everyone can deal with each other.
To chief slow roller
Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to personally bash my band and my talent. Yes, I have played at the brothels for “Street Vibrations” event. If you saw me playing there”…… You must have been enjoying all the brothels have to offer yourself. I wont judge you for that. The gold record hanging on my wall and the 40 plus years I have been gainfully employed playing music tell me your opinion of me is none of my business. I have lived in this community for 18 years now. I have played countless benefit concerts and South Lake Tahoe has shown me love and support in return. I can guarantee that I raise more money for the charities in Tahoe than most.
It is so offensive that our local musicians might be Allowed to open for the highly paid out of town bands. We are “lucky” enough to play in bars in Tahoe but not a new community venue like lake view commons? I would be willing to bet that whoever is organizing the CASA benefit wants local musicians to donate their time and talent for no pay. I’m behind that 100%. But in return we should also be given some of these payed gigs. The city is financing all these out of town bands, we are just asking for what’s fair.
I’m just trying to raise awareness that our local musicians need community support as much as we give to and support our community.
Btw, I’d like to add that year after year my band has raised more money to support the Tahoe City Commons free concert series than any other band. In fact, I’ll be playing there this coming sunday. North Tahoe really loves and supports their own.
Again, chief slow roller, I’m sorry my music isn’t your thing, but kindly have class enough to not hide behind your “chief slow roller” name. I’ve used my full real name, how about you? Support local music!
all the things said are true. its a beautiful spot , a beautiful idea, some parts of the plan were not worked out. i saw zero law enforcement presence either time i went… a fight could have broke out in a second with all the drugs and drink. the cigarette smoke is over the top. i thought most people in tahoe were here to be healthy. having the work program people clean up the site is a great idea, but the staffers should pick it up that nite. i believe a good vendor would be a free vet check , for all the dogs in need of medical attention i saw. leave your dogs at home its too loud and confusing for them… im going to go one more time and give it a chance to work….it could be a wonderful thing. smoke your pot at home before you go.. its illegal in public.
The local musicians like Trey spend to much time reading their own press releases.
I know what your Tahoe press releases say Business is Hurting, PubworksTV, Joestirumup and whatever other aliases you use here: “Local loser is run out of town and now hates everything and everyone in town because of personal and business epic failure.”
Dicky boy,
The winners up an left the SLT and California for freedom and opportunity, they don’t exist in California and SLT.
The problem with SLT is all the losers stayed there. Winners saw the writing on the wall and moved out.
NOW the liberals can fix the mess they made.
But like with their leader Obama, it’s always blamed on someone else.
Liberal, government controlled loser town… it’s simple YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
Biz, SLT (or anywhere in El Dorado County) liberally controlled? Do you EVER pay attention to how the city or county electorate votes? (Ted Gaines,Tom McClintock, etc,etc,etc,)?
Picture,
They’re run by Liberals, Period.
El Dorado County, South Lake Tahoe, California are all run by liberal, big government, big business central planners type liberals.
What does your point have to do with anything. You’re government is a progressive liberal organization.
Do you do not see it that way?
Then tell me what are they, free market conservatives?
How blind to history, down right ignorant really Americans are.
Wake up.
Biz, wake up? I think maybe you ought to go to bed!
Yo Trey Sorry I should have said that your music is not that good
the only band to come from our little town that was good enough to be on the national stage was the Live Wire Choir
I’ve been here 37 years all the locals know who I am
the real issue is the Wine Snobs vs the Riff Raff
This town never did know how to handle success.
Nick, your really funny….meet at high noon and bring your guitar. We,ll see who’s good
This is literally one hour of clean-up for 4 or 5 people. (even less if we put out some cig butt/trash dispensors in the proper areas or designate a smoking area) This is events 101.
I am sure the cops can roll through and ask folks to chill out on the cannabis and we can add some luau music to the line-up if that is what you people really thing Hawaiians listen to.
This is a great community event and if it’s not for you then piss off and go somewhere else. I for one love seeing my friends and neighbors over a few beers and music at the beach set to music. Good job to all that have organized this.
PS I have seen plenty of local bands play at this event so if you didn’t make the line-up perhaps you should be practicing more.
For all uou pot smokers…why don’t you smoke before you go to the concert instead of AT the concerts. The high usually last a few hours. Stop the pot smoking in public. Weed problem solved!
Ask the local bands how much they were paid.
There is no beer garden at the Wed night paddle board events. There was a beer garden at the Lake of the Sky event, but it was on a weekend.
The beer drinkers and pot smokers need to watch their language too. It is not a “family” event to sit next to people in which every other word is f$%^ and s*&@.