Hyundai continues to be a leader in the luxury car market. Photos/Larry Weitzman

By Larry Weitzman

Genesis is talking of becoming a stand-alone brand. It is no longer a Hyundai. That happened with the introduction of its super luxury ride the G90 about a year ago. Not much has changed since the Road Beat last visited the G80 three years ago. It’s hard to believe its been three years, but it was time to see how the G80 stands up to the competition, if there is any.

When introduced, its design was ground breaking and it still is. From the aggressive, powerful front end, the svelte window line to the slightly kammed tail, the G80 is still a looker. It’s a big midsize or a smaller full size. Wheelbase is huge at 118 inches and it stretches out a full 196 inches, but it is only 3 inches longer than some other midsize entry level luxo models. G80’s narrow 74-inch width make tight places a breeze. Inside are large car volumes and dimensions with almost 110 cubes in the cabin and another 15 cubes in the well-shaped trunk.

And at a 0.26 co-efficient of drag, it is slick to the wind as you will see later.

Under the expansive hood lies a standard 3.8L DOHC, 24 valve, direct injected V-6 that belts out 311 hp at 6,000 rpm plus a stout 293 pounds of twist peaking at 5,000 rpm. Behind this longitudinally mounted unit is a slick eight speed auto cog swapper that comes with standard paddle shifters. The result is world class performance knocking down an average 0-60 mph acceleration elapsed time of just 5.74 seconds which is a tenth and a half quicker than my previous tester. That is quick, very quick.

Specs and Techs
Price $39,450 to about $55,000
Engines
3.8L DOHC 24 valve V-6 311 hp@ 6,000rpm
293 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 rpm
5.0L DOHC 32 valve V-8 420 hp @ 6,000 rpm
383 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission
Eight-speed automatic
Configuration
Longitudinal front engine/Rear Wheel Drive/All Wheel Drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 118.5 inches
Length 196.5 inches
Width 74.4 inches
Height 58.3 inches
Track (f/r) 64.1/65.3 inches
Ground clearance 5.3 inches
Weight (RWD/AWD/5.0L) 4,138/4,295/4,541 pounds
Trunk capacity 15.3 cubic feet
Fuel Capacity 20.3 gallons
Steering lock to lock 2.55 turns
Turning circle 36.2 feet
Wheels (3.8/5.0) 18X8/19X8.5f; 19X9r inches
Tires (3.8//5.0) 245/45X18//245/40X19f; 275/35X19r
Cabin volume 107.7 cubic feet
Coefficient of drag 0.26
Performance
0-60 mph 5.74 seconds
50-70 mph level 2.64 seconds, uphill 3.47 seconds
Top speed electronically limited to 149 mph
Fuel economy EPA rated at 18/27/22 mpg combined. Expect 23-25 mpg in suburban/rural driving. 32-33 mpg on a level highway at 70 mph.

If that doesn’t get your attention, passing performance is also world class with a 50-70 mph simulated passing run of just 2.64 seconds backed up with an uphill run of 3.47 seconds. All these times are an improvement over my original test (5.89/2.97/3.86 seconds). While it appears to be the same car, maybe some beneficial tweaking was performed. And it is a great sounding V-6 with the smoothness and sounds emulating a V-8. This G80 flat out rocks, so much so its hard to stay out of the responsive, delicious throttle, yet it’s so easy to drive lightly.

Even with all my aggressive driving, in 400 miles of flogging the G80 averaged 23.8 mpg with almost no miles on a freeway.

While the EPA rates the G80 at 18/27/22 mpg city, highway, combined expect better. On the highway with the cruise control set at 70 mph with the engine spinning just 1,800 rpm, in a two-way run the G80 averaged 33 mpg. In a 200-mile round trip from Placerville to Carson City, the G returned 26.7 mpg and overall in 400 miles of driving including all testing meaning about two dozen full throttle runs, the G averaged 23.8 mpg. Zero to 60 mph in well under six seconds and 24 mpg overall. Pretty amazing.

Suspension is a sophisticated five-link system in all four corners with coils and high-performance gas shocks. Solid stab bars are at both ends. Steering is a quick 2.55 turns lock to lock and standard 18X8 inch wheels are shod with meaty 245/45 series rubber. While you may think the ride is soft, body roll is well controlled and it is truly amazing how well the G80 blasts through the twisties. Those meaty tires have excellent predictable grip and it goes through transitions quickly and smoothly. Genesis handles well and is a pleasure to drive aggressively, even this base model that came with no optional equipment. As you will read later, you will want for nothing as the standard equipment list is long and complete.

Genesis could be used in place of the word smooth. The ride is about “as good as it gets,” an almost perfect blend of softness with just the right amount of solid. The body and structure are bank vault solid. It is a wonderful thing about modern cars as exemplified by this Genesis. Quiet is also another word synonymous with Genesis. With the engine spinning a low 1,800 rpm at 70 mph, the Genesis is inaudible and wind and tire noise are nonexistent.

Safety is standard with Genesis. Besides the compliment of usual safety gear and acronyms, is auto emergency braking. Lane Keep Assist is standard. Headlights are fab with Bi-xenon and auto high beams. Brakes are strong and powerful. As I wrote, safety is standard.

Inside is a luxo leather interior. The driver’s seat is great for long distance, but the passenger seat wasn’t as good. Instrumentation is perfect with three separate trip computers and a big tach and speedo flanking. The center stack was easy to use. Simple and elegant and no college course necessary to learn. It’s like plug and play.

As mentioned above, Genesis has a huge interior with the rear seat legroom of a limo. And the trunk is also huge, an easy four golf bagger.

Now to the coup de grace, this G80 stickers for $41,750, plus $975 for the boat from Ulsan, Korea. Imagine $42,725 for a complete world class performing luxo ride that even looks better. I could go on with the superlatives, but I think you already get that. This is a fabulous car for an even better price. It’s called value extraordinaire.

Larry Weitzman has been into cars since he was 5 years old. At 8 he could recite from memory the hp of every car made in the U.S. He has put in thousands of laps on racetracks all over the Western United States.

Lake Tahoe Community College’s annual student art exhibition opens May 20 in the commons area.

The opening receptions will be that Sunday from 2-5pm, with awards ceremony at 3:30pm.

There will be approximately 400 works of student art on display, ranging from digital art to printmaking and sculpture. All of the artwork displayed represents student production over the past year.

The work submitted for this exhibition will be juried for special honors in 18 categories. A first, second, and third prize, as well as honorable mentions, will be awarded in each category. A “best of show” recognition will also be awarded for the one work of art that is most outstanding according to the juror’s opinion.

Selecting this year’s special honors will be Sacramento-based artist and exhibition coordinator of the gallery at Blue Line Arts in Roseville, Tony Natsoulas.

Local high school and college students can meet aviation executives and local business leaders at a special networking event at the Truckee Tahoe Airport on May 17.

It’s the featured event during the Pathways to Aviation Career Week, designed to illustrate the aviation industry’s greatest workforce issues, promote career opportunities, and connect industry leaders with its next generation.

The networking event, which starts at 5:30pm at the airport’s terminal building, will address industry trends and needs and encourage students to talk careers with aviation and business leaders.

The aviation industry is facing a severe workforce shortage.

Events and activities taking place during Aviation Career Week are free. For more information, go online.

Slow Food Lake Tahoe in partnership with the UCCE Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe is offering a five-week series of workshops at the Truckee Demonstration Garden.  

Each Wednesday from May 16 until June 13 from 5:30-7pm the master gardeners will provide a history lesson on each plant, planting instructions, and attendees will receive free cultivars to take home.

Not sure how to grow an organic garden? Join us for one more Wednesday evening for Grow-Your-Own Organic Gardening 101 at the Truckee Demonstration Garden. On June 20 from 5:30-7pm soil scientist and SFLT board member Heather Cullen will cover the basics of soil, how to grow a healthy soil food web, the high-altitude plant requirements, site selection, garden design and layout and more.

Spring gardening skillshares:

May 16 – Potatoes

May 23 – Onions

May 30 – Berries

June 06 – Lettuce and kale

June 13 – Tomatoes

June 20 – Organic Gardening 101.

For more info, email truckeegarden@gmail.com.

By Rick Gross

Cash has a role to play in a diversified portfolio for long-term investors in any market situation, particularly when interest rates and volatility are on the rise. If you have a portion of your portfolio in cash, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve reviewed your cash position, read on.

Rick Gross

The role of cash

For many investors, cash helps protect a portion of income against market volatility and provides the ability to generate a competitive return. Cash is also important to maintaining a degree of liquidity in case of a financial emergency. This is particularly true for retirees and those preparing to retire. Sustaining several months or even a year or two of easily accessible income provides cash flow to meet daily essential and lifestyle expenses.

The environment changes for cash

With short-term interest rates hovering near zero percent, investors have become accustomed to very limited returns on money put to work in cash. This environment is progressively changing. Since December 2015, the Federal Reserve (the Fed), which has notable influence in the fixed income marketplace, has steadily raised short-term interest rates. Many investors believe rising rates may be a turning point that signals better returns ahead for cash savings.

For example, the yield on three-month U.S. Treasury Bills was as low as 0.20 percent at the end of March 2016. Two years later, the rate stands above 1.7 percent.1 Other forms of short-term savings are also generating higher rates as the market changes.

As the environment for rates changes, it’s important to note another persistent trend in the market: increased volatility in stocks. Investors with a diversified portfolio likely have experienced market swings as they position a portion of their assets toward growth. While market swings are a normal occurrence for the investor, having a chunk of assets in cash equivalent vehicles can help cushion the impact of market volatility on your portfolio.

Ways to seek yields on your cash

Amid these environmental changes, you may be tempted to tuck your cash in a bank savings account and accept that you may earn a less-than-competitive interest rate. Yet, the potential for better returns means it’s worth evaluating other options. While there are a variety of cash solutions, the following are three common vehicles that could work as an alternative or supplement to your current strategy:

·       U.S. Treasury Securities. There are a variety of securities available that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. In recent months, yields on shorter-term securities (Treasuries with maturities of less than one year) have been rising faster than those for longer-term Treasury bonds, such as 10- and 30-year bonds. This creates a modest opportunity for cash investors to get more bang for their buck while providing access to the money in short order.

·       Certificates. These are short-term, guaranteed investments from private institutions that typically offer competitive yields and flexible solutions that can be structured to suit your needs. Many investors choose certificates using a laddering strategy, which means owning certificates with different maturity dates. As each certificate matures, the proceeds are reinvested into new certificates. Since a portion of the laddered savings continues to mature periodically, the investor maintains a degree of liquidity while generating yields.

·       Money market mutual funds. Money market funds are a portfolio of short-term, highly-liquid securities that offer investors a stable and diverse place for their cash. Funds may include U.S. Treasury or municipal securities, and certificates, among other options. Many funds provide tax-advantaged gains, because they invest in municipal securities at are exempt from tax at the federal and/or state level.

As you evaluate these and other cash strategies, remember to keep your overall portfolio in mind. How your savings are allocated between cash and cash-equivalent vehicles should align with your unique goals, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon. Talk to a financial advisor about how to most effectively position your cash assets in today’s market.

1 “Daily Treasury yield curve rates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Rick Gross is a financial advisor and private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in South Lake Tahoe.

Amy

Amy is an 8-year-old girl who has been at the shelter for almost two months. She likes to sit on laps and is independent, and she does well with other cats. Part of her adoption fee has been paid.

Amy is spayed, microchipped, tested for FIV, and vaccinated. She is at the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Meyers, along with other dogs and cats who are waiting for their new homes. Go to the Tahoe animal shelter’s Facebook page to see photos and descriptions of all pets at the shelter. 

Call 530.573.7925 for directions, hours, and other information on adopting a pet. 

For spay-neuter assistance for South Tahoe residents, go online. 

— Karen Kuentz

The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., will visit Douglas County for the first time from May 31-June 4.

Eastside Memorial Park in Minden will host the wall.

The Moving Wall’s visit will provide a remembrance site for community members who have not been able to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

There will be an opening ceremony on June 1 at 10am, candlelight vigil on June 2 at 9:30pm, and closing ceremony June 3 at 7pm.

Visitation is allowed around the clock.

By Melinda Myers

Give mom a gift that provides beauty all season long with minimal care. A basket, container or garden bed filled with these award-winning annuals is sure to generate a smile and enjoyment all summer long.

If mom likes to garden, provide her with a few seeds, potting mix and a container. Include a few new varieties of traditional favorites. Marigold Super Hero Spry is a compact French marigold with 2 inch dark maroon and golden yellow flowers. The striking bicolor blooms top 10- to 12-inch-tall plants. Best of all, mom will have flowers eight weeks from the time she sows the seeds until frost.

Canna South Pacific Orange is a compact vigorous variety with large leaves and blossoms that attract hummingbirds. Photo/All-America Selections

Surprise mom with a container of instant beauty. The 2017 All-America Selections (AAS) winner Calliope Medium Dark red is beautiful alone or mixed with other flowers in containers, hanging baskets or in-ground gardens. It was selected by AAS, a nonprofit national plant trialing organization, for its outstanding performance for home gardens.

Brocade Fire and Brocade Cherry Night are two more winning geraniums selected for their striking foliage and colorful blooms. The semi-double orange flowers and green and bronze foliage are sure to brighten any garden location or container. The green edged bronze leaves and red blooms of Brocade Cherry Night will surely impress mom and any of her visitors.

Or provide some added seasonal interest with Pinto Premium White to Rose geranium. Mom will enjoy watching the flower petals change from white to pink to rose-pink. The change occurs over time, providing interesting color combinations throughout the growing season.

Help mom bring the birds, butterflies and bees to her garden with a few sunflowers. They’re easy to start from seed right in the garden and mom will enjoy the motion and color the visiting pollinators provide. Don’t let a lack of space stop your mother from enjoying these colorful beauties. Suntastic Yellow with Black Center produces 5- to 6-inch flowers on 20-inch plants; perfect for containers and small space gardens.

Grow the taller, 4- to 5-inch-tall Ring of Fire sunflower for its unique blooms. The flower’s chocolate brown center is surrounded by a ring of red and golden tipped petals. Mom can cut a few blooms to enjoy in a vase and allow the rest to set seed for wildlife to enjoy.

Add more wow to mom’s garden with Onyx red ornamental pepper. The dark black foliage contrasts nicely with the shiny red fruit. Its stunning beauty adds ornamental appeal to containers and garden beds. Ornamental peppers are edible but very hot, so it’s best to look and not taste. Or include the family-friendly Chilly Chili ornamental pepper for all the beauty without the heat. Perfect for families with young children that like to explore. The abundant upright fruit changes from yellow to orange to red, providing a wonderful display throughout the season.

Bring the tropics to your mom’s patio or deck with cannas.  Their large foliage and bright colored flowers make any home feel like an exotic escape.  South Pacific Orange, South Pacific Scarlet and Tropical Rose are compact vigorous varieties suited to containers and the garden. The large leaves add drama to the garden and once their blossoms emerge they’ll provide lots of color and hummingbird appeal.

Make this Mother’s Day one you and your mother will remember throughout the summer. Give her a gift of winning beauties to brighten her containers, gardens and uplift her spirits all season long. 

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening.” She hosts the Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” gardening DVD series and the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV and radio segments.

By Melinda Myers

Elevate your gardens to waist high level for convenience and easy access. Elevated gardens are easy on your back and knees and are perfect for the patio, balcony, deck or any area where a bit of planting space is desired. Place them near your kitchen door, grill or table for easy cooking and serving access. You’ll be able to plant, weed and harvest with minimal bending or even from a chair.

Purchase one on wheels or add casters to the legs of your elevated garden for added mobility. Then wheel it into the sun or shade as needed each day or out of the way when you entertain.

Elevated gardens are an easy and convenient way to add planting space.
Photo/Gardener’s Supply Company

Set the garden in place first. Once it’s filled with soil, it will be very heavy and difficult to move. Those gardening on a balcony should confirm the space will hold the weight of the elevated garden you select when filled with soil and mature plants.

Make sure you have easy access to water. Since this is basically a container, you will need to check the soil moisture daily and water thoroughly as needed. Fill the elevated garden with a well-drained planting mix that holds moisture while providing needed drainage.

Incorporate a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer at planting. It contains 85 percent organic matter, feeding the plants and soil. Slow release fertilizers provide plants with needed nutrients for several months, eliminating the need for weekly fertilization.

Grow a variety of your favorite herbs and vegetables like basil, parsley, compact tomatoes, and peppers. Support vining plants or try compact ones like Mascotte compact bush bean. Add color and dress up your planter with flowers like edible nasturtiums and trailing herbs like thyme and oregano which will cascade over the edge of the planter.

Maximize your growing space by planting quick maturing vegetables like radishes, beets and lettuce in between tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and other vegetables that take longer to reach their mature size. You’ll be harvesting the short season vegetables just as the bigger plants need the space.

Further increase your garden’s productivity with succession plantings. Fill vacant spaces that are left once a row or block of vegetables are harvested.  Add more planting mix if needed.

Select seeds and transplants that will have time to reach maturity for harvesting before the growing season ends.  Broccoli, cabbage, compact Patio Pride peas, lettuce, spinach and other greens taste best when harvested in cooler fall temperatures.

Replace weather-worn flowers with cool weather beauties like pansies, nemesias, dianthus, alyssum and snapdragons. Fertilize the whole planter so new plantings and existing plants have the nutrients they need to finish out the season.

Protect your fall flowers, herbs and vegetables from hard frosts with floating row covers. These fabrics allow air, light and water through while trapping the heat around the plant.

Once you discover the fun, flavor and ease of waist high gardening, you’ll likely make room for more elevated planters for your future gardening endeavors.  

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening.” She hosts the Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV and radio segments.

Bart Sullivan

Fifty-year South Lake Tahoe resident Bartholomew “Bart” Jeremiah Sullivan, known as Papa, died April 11, 2018. He was 90.

He was born in San Francisco on Feb. 19, 1928.

Loving father to Debra Sullivan, Pam Sullivan, Karen (Randy) Burns, Diane (Jeff) Resler, Scott (Carol) Sullivan, and Dan (Deni) Sullivan. Proud Papa to his grandchildren Alicia Mackey, Bridgette Garrison, Emily (Dan) Erwin, Robyn (Joe) Tamburini, Hannah Sullivan, Connor Sullivan, Joshua Sullivan, Aaron Sullivan, Ally Sullivan, Matt Sullivan, Tess Sullivan and his great-grandchildren Noah Garrison, Nathan Garrison, Sydney Erwin, James Tamburini, Kenzie Erwin, Maxine Tamburini, and Danny ‘Sully’ Erwin. He is also survived by brother in-law Jack Ahern, sister in-laws Ruth Sullivan and Maureen Sullivan, along with many loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Eugenia “Jeanne” Sullivan, parents Barney and Mary Sullivan, brothers Pat (Peggy), John, Frank (Jane), Mike, sisters Helen Ahern and Mary Ann Sullivan, son-in-law Rodney Mackey, grandson Brian Burns, and nephews John Sullivan and Jack Ahern.

Bart was a native San Franciscan, son of Irish immigrants, who grew up in St Mary’s Park in San Francisco in a large and fun loving family. He attended St John’s grammar school and Sacred Heart High School.

He began his career as an engineer with Pacific Bell where he met his wife Jeanne. Their courtship was interrupted when he served in the U.S. Army as staff sergeant to the judge advocate during the Korean War. He returned to San Francisco to continue his career, marry Jeanne, and start a family. They made their home in Santa Rosa until 1968 when they moved their family to South Lake Tahoe where Bart continued his career with Pacific Bell, retired, and enjoyed the good life in Tahoe.

He was a devout parishioner of St. Theresa Catholic Church and regularly attended the 8am daily Mass. He loved spending his time gardening, playing the lottery, and attending sporting events, dance recitals, and anything else his grandkids were involved in. Bart was devoted to his family above all else.

He will be missed by all who knew him for his sense of humor, his laughter, and his kindness.

A funeral Mass will be said on May 17 at 10am at St. Theresa Church, 1041 Lyons Ave., South Lake Tahoe, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to an animal shelter/rescue of your choice.