Warren Miller’s “Children of Winter” at Crystal Bay Casino

Warren Miller’s 59th movie, “Children of Winter” proves to be a big hit among ski movie experts! Amazing photography, awesome locations, daring and inspiring skiers and boarders. This show is fun for the whole family. Intermission drawing includes lift tickets to Northstar and great gear from Dave’s Skis & Boards.

Q: Why should people come out to Crystal Bay Casino to catch the showing of “Children of Winter?”

A: The people, the scene and the entire vibe, and of course the movie. But the entire scene is so fun and positive. It’s great reuniting with ‘winter friends’ again. I’m sure I’m not alone. There are people I only see during winter, on the hill or maybe at various movie premiers. It’s a great time to catch up and collectively ‘think snow.’

Warren Miller Ski Movie Premier / Thanksgiving Weekend / Crystal Bay Casino

You don’t want to miss out on Warren Miller’s 59th incredible ski movie “CHILDREN OF WINTER”. Outrageous locations, incredible photography, meticulous production and some of the world’s best, most daring and acclaimed skiers and boarders. Fun for the whole family. Chances to win ski tickets, gear and other goodies! Read an interview with Daron Rahlves about “Children of Winter”.

Thanksgiving Weekend North Lake Tahoe / Truckee Premier:

 North Lake Tahoe / Truckee Premier:
       When: Friday & Saturday; Nov. 28 & 29 (Two shows each night)
       Where: Crystal Bay Club
       Time: 6:30 PM & 9:15 PM 
       Tickets: $12 at ALL Dave’s Skis & Boards (Truckee, Squaw valley, Tahoe Cioty and Kings Beach),
                     Crystal Bay Club and on-line at (www.CrystalBayCasino.com)

Struggling Homeowners Still Have Options

Wall Street Journal - November 12, 2008   By:June Fletcher

What if You Don’t Qualify for a Loan Modification?On Tuesday the Federal Housing Finance Agency — noting that foreclosures have increased 150% over the last two years — announced a new streamlined plan to try to staunch the “downward spiral” of foreclosures by modifying loan payments for millions of borrowers. (”Fannie, Freddie Unveil Plan to Modify Loans“)

The program, is an extension of the Hope Now alliance, and follows similar efforts by large lenders such as Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp., and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., to stem foreclosures. It will be implemented in mid-December, the agency says.

But not everyone who is feeling the pinch will get help. (See “Who’s Eligible“) Just because your house may have dropped in value since you bought it, lenders aren’t going to give you a break — the latest terms apply only to those who can’t pay due to hardship and are at imminent risk for losing their homes to foreclosure.

But if you’re in financial trouble and don’t qualify under the rules — for instance, if you can’t pay the mortgage on your vacation home rather than your primary residence — you still have options.

Who’s Eligible for Help?

Under the FHA plan, lenders will modify interest rates or forgive a portion of the principal, to bring the ratio of mortgage payments, including homeowners’ association dues, to 38% of income. Among the requirements for borrowers:

• Must have a loan on a primary residence that was made before Jan. 1, 2008.
• Must contact loan servicers and cooperate on supplying need information.
• Must be at least 90 days behind on payments.
• Must not have filed for bankruptcy protection.
• Must certify that a hardship, such as job loss or illness, has affected their ability to repay, and that they did not purposely default to get a loan modification.

Here are some suggestions:

• Contact a reputable credit counseling agency to see what your options are besides foreclosure. The Department of Housing and Urban Development links to free or low-cost counselors. The non-profit National Foundation for Credit Counseling has an online tool for locating members nearest your home.
• Call your loan servicer to see who owns your loan; then call the lender to try to work out a deal. FHFA says that borrowers who don’t meet the requirements for the new streamlined process can still be considered for loan modifications customized to their personal circumstances.
• Sell a family car, take a second job, ask relatives for help or do whatever else you can to raise enough cash to pay the mortgage until the housing market improves. If zoning laws allow it, think about renting out rooms or a finished basement.
• Consider a short sale, where a lender agrees to take less than the balance of the loan. You avoid foreclosure, though you may have to pay taxes on the shortfall. While short sales have become common in places where home prices have fallen precipitously, bear in mind that you must find a patient buyer, since many lenders are overwhelmed by short sales and are slow to respond to offers.
• If you cannot come to an agreement with your lender, ask about transferring title in return for the cancellation of your debt, known as “deed in lieu of foreclosure.” (This may not be possible if your property secures other debts.) Although you’ll lose whatever equity you might have in the home, your credit won’t be as damaged as it would be if you go into foreclosure.
• If all else fails, look into filing for bankruptcy. While it will be a black mark on your credit for as long as a decade, under certain circumstances, you may be able to work out a payment plan that allows you to keep the house. For more information, visit the Department of Justice’s Web site

Truckee Activities / Calendar

Truckee Activities/Calendar

Lake Tahoe Activites

We make it easy for you to plan ahead for your trip to Lake Tahoe. Everything About Lake Tahoe is the official Tahoe Activity site where you’ll find everything from lodging to leisure; outdoor recreation to casino nightlife to wedding planning and other travel needs. You’ll also find a convenient calendar of events for Lake Tahoe, Truckee and the surrounding areas.