State
TERC: Lake Tahoe’s guardians
Tahoe’s best bloody marys
PRESENTED BY: FIFTYFIFTY BREWING co.
BENEFITTING: HUMANE SOCIETY OF TRUCKEE-TAHOE
saturday · AUGUST 12 · 2 to 9pm THE VILLAGE AT PALISADES tahoe
Famedfor its crystal clear waters, Lake Tahoe draws each of us to enjoy its unique beauty. But that beauty is always in peril – from invasive aquatic species to microplastics (much of which comes from trash left on beaches that break down over time) to pollution and a myriad of other issues. Researchers with the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) have worked diligently for decades to understand the threats to Lake Tahoe and to find solutions (like the innovative approach to use the invasive mysis shrimp for dog treats).
TERC released its 2023 State of the Lake in late July, detailing the rapid jump in lake clarity that occurred in 2022, with the lake’s clarity reaching 71.7 feet compared to 61 feet in 2021. The decline of the mysis shrimp and subsequent reemergence of our friends, the daphnia zooplankton, are credited with that rise in clarity (read an overview of the State of Lake in this edition). Although researchers say the mysis will rise again; their eggs can lay dormant for 100 years until conditions are right for them to hatch.
I learned this alarming fact after reading Kayla Anderson’s feature “Tahoe’s guardians: Researchers’ work to protect Lake Tahoe’s clarity” in this edition. Kayla spent the day on TERC’s science vessel with researchers measuring lake clarity, monitoring pollution and performing other studies on the lake. This is just one of many projects that TERC researchers work on day after day (even during the winter months) to protect Big Blue from its many threats.
There are many easy, simple things everyone can do – even kids – to help protect Lake Tahoe. Pack out all trash (if there’s not a trash receptacle, take it with you). Pick up dog poop (the EPA classifies it as toxic as pesticides). Report invasive species, algae blooms and trash at tahoe.ucdavis.edu/citizen-science. Download the Tahoe Tessie AR gaming app for grades 3 to 5 and play games while learning about the science of Lake Tahoe. Make a donation to fund TERC research projects at give.ucdavis.edu/TERC. Visit the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, Nev., to learn more about TERC and its research projects. The center is fun for all ages. | tahoe.ucdavis.edu/tahoesciencecenter
EAST SHORE
CAVE ROCK
This iconic sight is part of an old volcano. Take in the view from Cave Rock State Park.
THUNDERBIRD LODGE
May-October | thunderbirdtahoe.org
The former Whittell estate. This magnificent lakefront home features the Lighthouse Room, Old Lodge, 600’ underground tunnel (with a former lion cage) and Boat House, home to the “Thunderbird,” a 1939 wooden boat. Ages 6+ only. Tours by reservation only.
NORTH SHORE
GATEKEEPER’S MUSEUM
(530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org
Featuring historic photos, the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum and historical memorabilia in Tahoe City.
TAHOE CITY visittahoecity.com
Popular for shopping and dining with historical sites. Visit the Tahoe Dam, Lake Tahoe’s only outlet, and Fanny Bridge. Peer into Watson Cabin (1909) for a glimpse at pioneer life. Free parking at Commons Beach, Grove St., Jackpine St. and Transit Center.
TAHOE CITY DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
Tours by appt. | (530) 583-3279 | tahoe.ucdavis.edu/tcdg
This 1920s-era building features a history of the field station, current UC Davis research projects, interactive exhibits and demonstration garden. Grounds open Memorial Day-Labor Day. Ages 8+.
TAHOE SCIENCE CENTER
Tues.-Sat. by reservation
(775) 881-7566 | tahoesciencecenter.org
University of California, Davis, science education center at at UNR Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nev. Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3D movies and docent-led tours. Ages 8+.
in 1960, celebrates its Olympic History with the Tower of Nations with its Olympic Flame and the symbolic Tower of the Valley at Highway 89. The Olympic Museum at High Camp features historic memorabilia and photographs. Tram ticket required.
HEAVENLY
(775) 586-7000 | skiheavenly.com
Enjoy a 2.4-mile ride on the gondola to the top with panoramic views, along with zip lines, climbing wall, tubing, coaster and more. Ticket required.
LAKE TAHOE MUSEUM
Thurs.-Sat. & by appt. (530) 541-5458 | laketahoemuseum.org
Washoe artifacts and exhibits on early industry and settlers. Pick up walking tour maps.
TAHOE ART LEAGUE GALLERY
(530) 544-2313 | talart.org
Featuring works by local artists & workshops.
OLD TRUCKEE JAIL MUSEUM
By appt. only | (530) 659-2378 | truckeehistory.org
One of a few surviving 19th Century jailhouses used from 1875 until May 1965. Volunteers needed.
TOWN OF TRUCKEE
truckeehistory.org | truckee.com
Settled in 1863, Truckee grew quickly as a stagecoach stop and route for the Central Pacific Railroad. During these early days, many historical homes and buildings were built including The Truckee Hotel (1868) and the Capitol Building (1868). Stop by the Depot for a walking tour of historic downtown. Paid parking downtown.
TRUCKEE RAILROAD MUSEUM
Open Sat.-Sun. & holidays truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com
Learn about the historic railroad. Located in a caboose next to the Truckee Depot.
WEST SHORE
EAGLE ROCK
KINGS BEACH northtahoebusiness.org
Kings Beach is a popular spot for dining and shopping with the North Shore’s largest sandy beach located in the heart of town. Free parking at North Tahoe Beach, Brook St., Minnow and the Christmas Tree lot on Hwy. 28.
NORTH TAHOE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
(775) 586-1610, ext. 25 | tahoe.ucdavis.edu/NTDG
Featuring lake-friendly landscaping using native and adaptive plants. Self-guided tours & clinics. On the campus of UNR Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nev.
NORTH TAHOE ARTS CENTER
(530) 581-2787 | northtahoearts.com
Featuring works by local artists & workshops in Kings Beach and Tahoe City.
WATSON CABIN
Open Sat. & Thurs. (during Farmers’ Market) (530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org
Watson Cabin, built by Robert Watson and his son in 1908, is the oldest building in Tahoe City and on the National Register of Historic Places.
OLYMPIC VALLEY
HIGH CAMP
(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com
Aerial tram rides with views of Lake Tahoe, Olympic Heritage Museum, events and more. Ticket required
OLYMPIC MUSEUM
(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com
Palisades Tahoe, host of the VIII Winter Olympic Games
TALLAC HISTORIC SITE
(530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org
Once known as the “Grandest Resort in the World” as the summer retreat for three San Francisco elite families with the Baldwin Estate, Pope Estate & Valhalla. Grounds open year-round. Tours in summer.
TAYLOR CREEK VISITOR CENTER
(530) 543-2674 | fs.usda.gov
Features Stream Profile Chamber to view slice of Taylor Creek, nature trails & more.
DONNER SUMMIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY donnersummithistoricalsociety.org
At Old Hwy 40 & Soda Springs Rd. 20-mile interpretive driving tour along Old 40.
EMIGRANT TRAIL MUSEUM
(530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov
The Emigrant Trail Museum features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party (1846-47) at Donner Memorial State Park. See the towering Pioneer Monument.
KIDZONE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Tues.-Sat. | (530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org
Interactive exhibits, science & art classes for kids up to age 7. BabyZone & Jungle Gym.
MUSEUM OF TRUCKEE HISTORY
Open Fri.-Sun. | (530) 582-0893 museumoftruckeehistory.com
Housed in the original Depot, built in 1901. Exhibits cover different eras in Truckee history.
NORTHSTAR northstarcalifornia.com
Ride the Big Springs Gondola up to 8,610’ for views of Tahoe and Truckee.
Eagle Rock, one of the Lake’s most famous natural sites, is a volcanic plug beside Highway 89 on the West Shore. Trail to top is on the south side.
FANNETTE ISLAND
(530) 541-3030 | parks.ca.gov
Lake Tahoe’s only island is in Emerald Bay & is home to an old tea house. Boat access only. (Closed Feb. 1-June 15 for nesting birds.)
HELLMAN-EHRMAN MANSION
Parking fee | parks.ca.gov
(530) 525-7232 Park | (530) 583-9911 Tours
Sugar Pine Point State Park is home to the historic Ehrman Mansion. See boathouses with historic boats and General Phipps Cabin built in the late 1800s. Tours May 27-Sept. 30.
VIKINGSHOLM CASTLE
(530) 541-3030 | (530) 525-9529 ADA parks.ca.gov | vikingsholm.com
Tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle (interior tours June 15-Sept. 30), see Eagle Falls and Fannette Island (the Lake’s only island), home to an old Tea House.
TRANSIT
North Tahoe & Truckee (TART) | laketahoetransit.com South Tahoe | tahoetransportation.org
ROAD CONDITIONS
California road conditions roads.dot.ca.gov, (800) 427-7623
Nevada Road conditions nvroads.com, (877) 687-6237 or 511 (while in Nevada)
VISITORS’ CENTERS
Kings Beach State Rec. Area (Thurs.-Mon.,
Read about how the lake was formed, Lake Tahoe’s discovery, lake clarity and more at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Explore Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is located in the states of California and Nevada, with two-thirds in California.
LAKE CLARITY:
2022: 71.7 feet depth (21.9 meters)
1968: First recorded at 102.4 feet (31.21 m)
AVERAGE DEPTH: 1,000 feet (304 m)
MAXIMUM DEPTH: 1,645 feet (501 m)
Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the U.S. (Crater Lake in Oregon, at 1,932 feet, or 589 m, is the deepest), and the 11th deepest in the world.
VOLUME: 39 trillion gallons (147.6 trillion liters)
There is enough water in Lake Tahoe to supply everyone in the United States with more than 75 gallons (284 liters) of water per day for 5 years.
NATURAL RIM: 6,223’ (1,897 m)
Age of Lake Tahoe: 2 million years
Fed By: 63 streams and 2 hot springs
Only Outlet: Truckee River (Tahoe City)
64.9˚F (18.3˚C)
Highest Peak: Freel Peak at 10,881 feet (3,317 m)
Average Snowfall: 409 inches (10.4 m)
Permanent Population: 70,000
Number of Visitors: 17 million annually
Lake Tahoe sits at an average elevation of between 6,223’ and 6,229.1’. (1,897-1,899 m) The top 6.1’ (1.8 m) of water is controlled by the dam in Tahoe City and holds up to 744,600 acre feet of water (91,845 m).
SIZE: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide (35 km long, 19 km wide) Lake Tahoe is as long as the English Channel is wide.
SHORELINE: 72 miles (116 km)
Lake Tahoe has a surface area of 191 square miles (307 km). If Lake Tahoe were emptied, it would submerge California under 15 inches of water (.38 m)
Sources: Tahoe Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, “Tahoe Place Names” and David Antonucci (denoted by 1).
Ona beautiful Tahoe blue day, there’s no other place I’d rather be than on the lake. Fortunately, the weather aligned to allow for me to go out on the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center’s (TERC) boat with staff research associate Katie Senft and summer interns Megan Root and Katie Fielder. I tag along to see how researchers measure lake clarity.
Our all-woman crew launch from Tahoe City Marina and first head east to visit Tahoe Buoys No. 1 and No. 4 (TB1, TB4). Owned by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), these are monitoring stations that relay information to the satellites above, sending back near-real-time data to both UC Davis and NASA JPL researchers about how the lake is changing.
Soup pots filled with water at the stations collect deposits, which could be smoke, pollen, bugs and other types of particles at TB4. A plastic one at TB1 collects nitrogen and phosphorus deposits, things that affect the lake’s clarity. Read the annual State of the Lake Report released in late July in this edition or at tahoe.ucdavis.edu/stateofthelake to learn more about lake clarity.
On our way from TB1 to Emerald Bay, Senft tells me how the mysis shrimp population crashed at the end of 2021 in Lake Tahoe. These shrimps were introduced to the
lake in the late 1960s and had fully established themselves by 1971. But instead of being food for lake trout as intended, the mysis instead ate all the good zooplankton that helped filter the water and keep it clear. Senft believes that the mysid shrimp population plummeted because Tahoe’s native zooplankton started coming back, something they are still researching.
“We realized that they lay resting eggs in the sediment that can stay dormant for at least 100 years and then they hatch when the conditions are good,” Senft says. She explains that the Daphnia zooplankton are the “good girls,” who clone themselves when conditions are favorable to keep their species alive.
“It’s always nice to see when the environment comes back naturally without human intervention,” Senft says. We make our way across the lake and into Emerald Bay, firing up the generator to give power to run the winch. Senft cleans the mesh net for a zooplankton collection to see what organisms are living in the bay. We check the water depth (65 meters or about 197 feet) and she drops the net to about 60 meters, pulling it back up to see the zooplankton stuck to the mesh. Fielder and Root wash it into an attached cup using a squirt bottle to get a more accurate sample. Red and brown plankton flecks wiggle around in the water
“IT’S ALWAYS NICE TO SEE WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT COMES BACK NATURALLY WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION.”
– KATIE SENFT
Senft pulls out another instrument called a LISST that measures particle size and count and then a Seabird that looks at conductivity, temperature and depth.
“It allows us to do a full temperature profile all the way to the bottom,” Senft says. Next, she takes out a 10-inch-wide white disk attached to a weight, called the Secchi disk, created by Father Pietro Angelo Secchi, a scientist, astronomer and advisor to the Pope (learn about Father Secchi at the Aug. 10 TERC Talk). The disk is lowered into the water until it cannot be seen anymore. The disappearance of the disk indicates the transparency of the water.
To keep as much consistency as possible, UC Davis TERC researchers do Secchi readings on the shady side of the boat, within an hour of solar noon. We lose sight of the disk at 11 meters but can see it at 10 meters, so Senft records that day’s reading at 10.5 meters (34.45 feet).
“If we don’t have perfect 20/20 vision then we wear corrective lenses,” Senft says. There are only four people who’ve historically taken Secchi readings on Lake Tahoe since UC Davis has been monitoring Lake Tahoe and Senft is one of them.
“The first was boat captain Bob Richards [retired] and Brant Allen, who just retired, and now Brandon [Berry] and I are taking over,” Senft says.
She explains that all the Secchi readings are all close together between the four of them, a good sign of accuracy.
The deepest Secchi disk reading was within the last year when the disk could be seen 30 meters down (98.43 feet ) into the water. It was after an upwelling event in which gusty winds drove icy water to the surface, creating phenomenal clarity.
On the way back to the marina, Senft lights up whenever talking about her 13 years with UC Davis TERC.
“I honestly didn’t think anything like this existed. If you were to tell me when I was young that I’d get paid to do this, I wouldn’t have believed it,” she says. | tahoe.ucdavis.edu
Note: This story highlights just a few of the many projects underway by researchers to study and protect Lake Tahoe. n
AUG. 10
“Deep Waters to Deep Space: Father Angelo Secchi’s Amazing 19th Century Science”
AUG. 30
“The High Sierra: A Love Story” author Kim Stanley Robinson
6-7:30 p.m. | Granlibakken, Tahoe City RSVP ucdavis.edu
The Tahoe Environmental Research Center, TERC, at the University of California, Davis, released its annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report in late July, describing 2022 as one of rapid biological change. Most notably in 2022, Lake Tahoe’s average annual clarity was 71.7 feet compared to 61 feet in 2021. The 2023 report presents data collected during 2022 and puts it in context with historical records. It also serves as an important resource for restoration, management and monitoring decisions. The entire report is available at tahoe.ucdavis.edu/ stateofthelake.
UC Davis researchers have been monitoring the second deepest lake in the United States continuously since 1968, and the report provides an update for nonscientists on a variety of factors affecting the health of Lake Tahoe.
The report details changes in lake clarity and the possible links to a sudden decline in the Mysis shrimp population. Extensive algal blooms in the nearshore of the lake and new data on microplastics are also detailed. Other topics include new monitoring and modeling efforts, lowered nitrogen and phosphorus levels and research into the efficacy of no-wake zones.
“The lake is in a state of rapid change, which presents us the opportunity and the challenge to better understand the lake with more and smarter monitoring,” Schladow said. “Within 2022 we had more changes throughout the lake than we’ve experienced over decades.”
The biggest change in the lake had to do with the rapid improvement in clarity from August through December 2022, which was the best measured since the 1980s. This was preceded by the population collapse of Mysis shrimp, a species introduced to the lake decades ago, and other changes in the lake’s native phytoplankton and zooplankton.
“There are many complex processes occurring that we don’t fully understand,” Schladow said. “We need to better understand them to continue moving forward.”
As part of research on this topic, an acoustic doppler current profiler was installed in June at 300 feet below the surface on the west side of the lake to provide continuous water velocity measurements and “to track the expected resurgence of the Mysis shrimp in the coming years,” the report’s executive summary stated.
In other positive developments, restoration and management efforts continued to reduce nutrient and fine particle loads entering the lake. Total nitrogen coming into the lake from the Upper Truckee River, which is the largest source of water into the system, was 11.1 metric tons per year compared to the mean annual load of 17.3 metric tons per year.
Other biological changes included huge swings in the algal population and their rate of photosynthesis. As the water level fell in 2022 and temperatures increased, so did the makeup of the algal community, with a Cyanobacteria comprising the greatest number of phytoplankton. More areas of attached algae, or periphyton, were also noted in 2022. Some 16 miles of beach were fouled by decaying algae washing up on the beaches.
Schladow said that researchers are studying the link between the invasive Asian clams and increased algal growth. The Asian clams filter water “to bring in algae, they concentrate it, they use about 10 percent of it, and they excrete the rest. The result is that excrement is about 10 times as concentrated in nutrients,” which feeds the algal blooms, he said at a July 20 talk following the release of the State of the Lake report.
• Water levels in the lake change throughout the year based on weather, inflows and outflows. A wet November and December filled up the lake, bringing it almost to maximum capacity.
• Microplastic pollution is an issue in Lake Tahoe, where samples show levels akin to San Francisco Bay. “What goes into Tahoe, stays in Tahoe,” Schladow said. “It’s a worry for every aquatic system.”
• TERC has 25 stations around the Lake Tahoe Basin that relay real-time measurements, as well as autonomous underwater vehicles, satellites, drones and helicopters. New, machine learning technology helped to better monitor beaches and nearshore areas.
• Extreme weather froze Emerald Bay and led to a longer period of vertical mixing in Lake Tahoe. n
Katherine E. Hill contributed to this report.
The 49th annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance will again be staged at the historic Obexer’s Boat Company in Homewood from Aug. 10 to 13; with Aug. 11 and 12 open to the public. The concours experience honors restored and well-preserved wooden boats and features shopping, live jazz music, cuisine prepared by local chefs, the Watering Hole bar and silent auction.
A single-one-day pass is $40 per person; a two-day pass is $50. Ages 12 and younger enter free. Separate tickets are required for Terry’s Tour, Wine Village, Awards Barbecue and Roar Off. | laketahoeconcours.com
Friday, Aug. 11
Four days before the Caldor Fire erupted in Grizzly Flats in August 2021, tall-tree hunter Michael Taylor located “a special grove of towering white fir” as he was scanning the LiDAR imagery for Eldorado National Forest in the vicinity of Pollock Pines outside Lake Tahoe, according to a release from the Sugar Pine Foundation.
Four days later, the Caldor Fire ignited less than 10 miles away from the grove. Luckily the grove survived the fire and in July, Taylor visited the site with photographer Joshua French. In a deep, steep-sided drainage, the enormous white fir towered above Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine and even sugar pines. White fir typically grow fast and die young and are not known to reach great age or impressive heights.
Taylor and French measured and photographed the tree, which they dubbed “Firetop,” and found it to be 265.87 feet tall, more than 16 feet around and more than 5 feet in diameter. Though slightly scorched by the fire at its base, Firetop is alive and the new-world champion white fir.
Taylor and French plan to bring this new world record white fir to the attention of Eldorado National Forest and the public to ensure that it is managed responsibly and hope to see a buffer zone established around the grove to protect it.
Read more about other record-setting trees in the region at TheTahoeWeekly.com. | sugarpinefoundation.org
DISC GOLF
EAST SHORE
INCLINE VILLAGE
(775) 832-1300 | inclinerecreation.com
18-hole course at Incline Park at 980 Incline Way. Free. Daily dawn-dusk. TART
NORTH SHORE
NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK
(530) 546-4212 | northtahoeparks.com
18-hole, o National Ave. Parking $5. Daily dawn-dusk. TART
PALISADES TAHOE’S HIGH CAMP
(530) 583-6985 | palisadestahoe.com
18-hole course. Disc rentals. Tram ticket required. TART
SOUTH SHORE +
BIJOU COMMUNITY PARK
A mostly flat and moderately wooded course with 27 holes covering 8,324 feet. On Al Tahoe Blvd. o Hwy 50. BlueGo
DISCWOOD (209) 258-7277 | kirkwood.com
Experience disc golf at 7,800 feet at Kirkwood Resort.The 18hole course weaves through the trees and over mountainous terrain. Free.
TAHOE PARADISE PARK tahoeparadisepark.com
9-hole course in Meyers.
TURTLE ROCK PARK CAMPGROUND
(530) 694-2140 | alpinecounty.ca.gov | Closed for repairs
Located in Markleeville.
ZEPHYR COVE
18 holes covering 5,256 feet with holes of varying lengths. On Warrior Way. BlueGo
TRUCKEE
DONNER SKI RANCH
(530) 426-3635 | donnerskiranch.com
18-hole course. Free to play; must register at restaurant.
SIERRA COLLEGE
(530) 550-2225
18 holes on campus. Free. Daily dawn-dusk. TART
TRUCKEE RIVER REGIONAL PARK
(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com
18-hole course, o Brockway Road. Dogs must be on leash. Free. Daily dawn-dusk. TART
GEOCACHING
OLYMPIC VALLEY
(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com
High-tech treasure hunt on mountain using GPS to find 10 caches. Free with Aerial Tram ticket. TART
MINI GOLF COURSES
SHOPS AT HEAVENLY
theshopsatheavenly.com
10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
VILLAGE AT NORTHSTAR northstarcalifornia.com
Free. First-come, first-served. TART
PUBLIC POOLS
INCLINE VILLAGE
(775) 832-1300 | inclinerecreation.com
25-yard, 8-lane indoor pool at Incline Recreation Center, swim lessons, aqua fitness, 1-meter spring diving board, inflatable slide (weekends). Daily rates & memberships available. TART
OLYMPIC VALLEY
(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com | Closed Swimming Lagoon & Spa at High Camp at Palisades Tahoe, free form lagoon with 50-meter lap lanes, two islands with waterfalls and native boulders. TART
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
(530) 542-6056 | cityofslt.com
25-yard indoor/outdoor year-round pool. Lessons. BlueGo
TRUCKEE
(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com
Lap & recreation pool. Kids swimming area, slides.TART
ROCK CLIMBING WALLS
TRUCKEE
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER
(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com
O ers 29’ climbing wall & 12’ bouldering wall. All ages & levels. Lessons available. TART
SKATE PARKS
EAST SHORE
INCLINE SKATE PARK (775) 832-1300 | inclinerecreation.com
Intermediate/advanced area with two, 5-foot tall bowls with a spine, 3-foot box and 2.5 foot bowl for beginners. Street course on top, with 8-foot flat rail, 6-foot down rail, four stairs and a 10-foot downward ramp. Corner Hwy. 28 & Southwood. Daily dawn-dusk. TART
SOUTH SHORE
BIJOU COMMUNITY PARK
cityofslt.us
Bijou Community Park features a skateboard park on Al Tahoe Boulevard o Highway 50. BlueGo
SKATEHOUSE @skatetahoe
40’x80’ warehouse with indoor skate rink. 867 Eloise, South Lake Tahoe.
TAHOE CITY
SCOTTY LAPP MEMORIAL SKATE PARK scottylappmemorialskatepark.org
4,000-square-foot pop-up park behind the old Blue Agave building. Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-sunset until the snow flies.
TART
TRUCKEE
TRUCKEE RIVER REGIONAL PARK
(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com
Truckee River Regional Park with several bowls with a spine and channel, a long rail and ledges. Knee and elbow pads and helmets required. Free. Daily dawn-10 p.m. TART
WOODWARD TAHOE
(530) 426-1114 | rideboreal.com
Featuring two skateparks – The Sierra Skatepark and the Eastern Sierra Skatepark, and indoor skate park at The Bunker.
Schedules subject to change. Check Lake Tahoe conditions | tahoe.ucdavis.edu/lake-conditions
BOAT INSPECTIONS
INTERSTATE AIS HOTLINE (844) 311-4873
Inspections are required for Lake Tahoe, Echo Lakes, Fallen Leaf Lake, Donner Lake, area reservoirs, Lake of the Woods, Webber Lake and Lakes Basin waters.
LAKE TAHOE, FALLEN LEAF LAKE & ECHO LAKES
(888) 824-6267 | tahoeboatinspections.com | Inspections first-come, first-served. Appointments: (888) 824-6267
Inspections open 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. until Sept. 30.
NORTH SHORE | Alpine Meadows: Hwy. 89 at Alpine Meadows Rd.
EAST SHORE | Spooner Summit: Junction of Hwys. 28 & 50. No vessels more than 30’.
SOUTH SHORE | Meyers: At the junction of Hwys. 89 & 50.
DONNER LAKE
(530) 550-2323 | bit.ly/donner_boating
Current Lake Tahoe sticker applies to boats on Donner Lake (inspections at above stations). OR, self-inspection through Town of Truckee to obtain a no-fee sticker. Info at bit.ly/donner_boating.
RESERVOIRS, WEBBER LAKE, LAKE OF THE WOODS & LAKES BASIN WATERS
(888) 824-6267 | truckeeboatinspections.com
Mandatory self inspections are in place at Prosser, Boca, Jackson Meadows & Stampede reservoirs and all lakes in Sierra and Nevada counties. Forms available at ramps or online.
CALIFORNIA BOATER CARD
CALIFORNIA REQUIRES BOAT OPERATORS TO PASS A MANDATORY BOAT SAFETY EDUCATION COURSE. Everyone ages 50 years and younger who operate a boat must have the card; this includes non-residents. californiaboatercard.com
INDEPENDENCE LAKE
(775) 322-4990
Independence Lake Rd., 20 miles north of Truckee
Restricted to on-site watercraft: kayaks, tubes & small motor boats available on first-come, first-served basis. No outside craft. Call for schedule.
PROSSER RSVR.
(530) 587-3558 | Hwy. 89, 2 miles north of Truckee 10 mph speed limit strictly enforced. No fees for parking or launching. Mandatory inspections.
WEBBER LAKE
(530) 582-4711 | Henness Pass Rd., 26 mi. north of Truckee 5 mph speed limit. Boat ramp & trailer parking. Self inspection required. Sierra County Inspection form at sierracounty.ca.gov.
PUBLIC PIERS
Limited to loading & unloading. Fenced piers are private
DONNER LAKE
DONNER LAKE
37 public piers on north shore from the boat ramp east.
LAKE TAHOE
| E AST S HORE
(775) 831-0494 | Hwy. 28, 2 miles south of Incline Village 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Parking lot open with limited parking for nonmotorized launch only. Picnic area, beach, Visitors’ Center, food, restrooms. Sealed boats only.
TAHOE VISTA REC. AREA
(530) 546-4212 | Hwy. 28, Bottom of National Ave. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Picnic area, beach, restrooms.
AREA LAKES
BOCA/STAMPEDE RSVR.
(530) 587-3558 I-80, Hirschdale exit 45 mph speed limit. No launching fee. Parking fee. Subject to closure during low water levels. Mandatory inspections.
DONNER LAKE
(530) 550-2318 I-80, Donner Lake exit 2 boat lanes, fish cleaning station, restrooms. Call for hours.
GAR WOODS
Carnelian Bay
Access to restaurant, small beaches. Restrooms.
GROVE STREET
Center of Tahoe City
Open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Located east of Commons Beach. Restrooms at Commons Beach.
KASPIAN PICNIC AREA
West Shore
4 mi. south of Tahoe City. Picnic area, beach. Restrooms.
KINGS BEACH
Bottom of Racoon St.
Pier adjacent to town, public beach, picnic sites. Restrooms.
SKYLANDIA PARK
Lake Forest Small beach, picnic facilities. Restrooms.
SUGAR PINE POINT
Tahoma
Hiking, Ehrman Mansion tours, nature trail. Restrooms.
The Gatsby Tea and Vintage Fashion Show returns in partnership with Great Basin Institute, which will host the event at the Pope and Baldwin estates on Aug. 12 and 13 in South Lake Tahoe. Come to the Valhalla Grand Lawn on Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. for tea sandwiches, sweet treats, tea and a glass of champagne to toast the end of prohibition. The Jazz Messengers will play from 1 to 2 p.m. on an outdoor stage as guests are seated for the tea and again from 3 to 4 p.m. after tea is served while the vintage fashion show takes place. Proceeds benefit Tallac Historic Site. Tickets are available online. | valhallatahoe.showare.com
shuttles. The shuttles will load sharply at 8 a.m. and head to Sugar Pine Point State Park. At 9 a.m., the skate-bike-roll will start down the West Shore, out to Palisades Tahoe and back to Commons Beach by 1:30 p.m. Participants can also join at the 8-mile drop-in point by meeting at noon in front of 22 Bistro at the Village at Palisades Tahoe. Following the event there will be an award ceremony and celebration at 2 p.m.
The two-day event will support B4BC’s mission of staying healthy and active to help prevent breast cancer and benefit the nonprofit’s education, prevention and survivorship programs. | classy.org
The 17th annual Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival is on Aug. 12 and 13 at Kings Beach State Recreation Area. Celebrate stand-up paddleboarding with two days of paddle tours, live music and fun on the beach. There will be a Kona Beer Garden and food from area restaurants including Mamasake, Jake’s on the Lake, Island Ice and more. Stroll among local vendors’ and retailers’ booths and try out SUP rentals.
Register for races including grom, 2-mile, 5-mile and 10-mile among others. Registration is open online. | tahoenalu. com
Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) will host its 19th annual Skate the Lake on Aug. 5 and 6. The fundraising event will start on Aug. 5 with a Community Celebration from 12 to 7 p.m. at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. There will be live music from Honey Vixen, Bear Whiskey, Fragile Like a Bomb and more. There will be food and drinks, yoga, a silent auction and raffles. All are welcome to come by to register for Skate the Lake, grab a goodie bag and meet the other skaters.
On Aug. 6, the 28-mile skate starts with skaters meeting at 7:30 a.m. at 64 Acres in Tahoe City for check-in and
Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, aka Pine Lodge, is turning 120 this summer and Sierra State Parks Foundation is hosting a birthday event on Aug. 12 at Sugar Pine Point State Park in Tahoma. The
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
BOARDING FOR BREAST CANCER’S
SKATE
REGISTER
Help support water insecurity. 11AM–1PM AUGUST 6
Food, drink, music, raffle + more!
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free family-friendly event has children’s activities. There will be fashions from the 1930s, historic cars of the time and behind-the-scenes tours of this magnificent 1903 summer home. Don’t miss the cake cutting on the front porch at 2:30 pm. There is a $10 parking fee in the park. | sierrastateparks.org
Trail users on the multi-use Legacy Trail in Truckee will find messages stenciled in chalk along the path. From educational “Share the path” and “Keep right” reminders, to more tongue-incheek messages such as “Friends don’t let friends block trails” and “It’s okay to be shy, but if you’re about to pass, say hi,” according to a press release.
The goal of the Take Care Tahoe campaign is to reduce trail-user conflicts and collisions on paved paths. The two biggest issues are large groups blocking the entire trail by walking side-by-side and bikes going too fast around pedestrians.
The public is encouraged to share feedback and new message ideas on Take Care Tahoe’s website and social media channels. Any new message ideas that are submitted have the potential to become new stencils.
In addition to the Legacy Trail, the campaign will be introduced on the Trout Creek Trail in Truckee once construction is completed. In the future, it may also be expanded to other regional multi-use paved trails. | takecaretahoe. org
Clean Up The Lake, known for its efforts to remove trash from Lake Tahoe and other area lakes using divers, launched the Environmental Dive Center at Lake Tahoe opening on Aug. 14, according to a press release. There will be a grand opening celebration on Aug. 17.
The EDC will be a hybrid between a conservation dive school and an environmental science center located in Incline Village, Nev. It will include a classroom for all environmental dive courses that will double as a boardroom, a location for environmental film screenings, a space for litter categorization and data collection events, as well as more opportunity for engaging experiences including an expansion of internship programs and on-site visits for youth groups and classrooms. These courses will also teach Clean Up The Lake’s submerged litter cleanup methods, AIS survey techniques and host Tahoe Keepers sessions. The first certified students of the EDC are members of The Washoe Tribe of NV & CA. | cleanupthelake.org
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2
Storytime
Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 11 a.m., (775) 5886411, library.douglascountynv.gov
Museum Open House
Gatekeeper’s Museum, Tahoe City, noon to 4 p.m., (530) 583-1762, northtahoemuseums.org
Meyers Mountain Market Farmers Market Tahoe Paradise Park , South Lake Tahoe, 3-7:30 p.m., (805) 857-4103, meyersmtnmarket.org
Movies on the Beach
Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 6 p.m., (530) 583-3796, tcpud.org
Wild Wednesdays
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, South Lake Tahoe, 6-7 p.m., (530) 577-2273, ltwc.org
THURSDAY, AUG. 3
Gr8Ful 4 H2O Celebration
Fifth Element Healing Center, Kings Beach, all day, (530) 448-4220, 5ehc.love/events/gr8ful-4-h2o
Tahoe City Farmers Market Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., (775) 831-8015
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 events
THURSDAY, AUG. 3 CONT’D
Family Storytime
Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us
Preschool Storytime
Tahoe City Library, Tahoe City, 10:30 a.m., (530) 5462021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library
Paddling Tours on Donner Lake
Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, 10:30 a.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org
IV Quad
Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 3 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries
Incline Village Farmers Market
Incline Village Farmers Market, Incline Village, 3-6 p.m., (775) 339-1203, nevadagrown.com
Truckee Thursdays
Downtown Truckee, CA, Truckee, 5 p.m., historictruckee.com
Movies in the Park
Kings Beach Elementary School field, Kings Beach, 7 p.m., northtahoeparks.com
FRIDAY, AUG. 4
Gr8Ful 4 H2O Celebration
Fifth Element Healing Center, Kings Beach, all day, (530) 448-4220, 5ehc.love/events/gr8ful-4-h2o
Community Forum
Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 9-10 a.m., (775) 833-5252, ivcba.org
Washoe Cultural Tour
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 10 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Romano’s Certified Farmers’ Markets
Sierra Valley Farms, Beckwourth, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ski Run Farmers Market
Ski Run Farmers Market, South Lake Tahoe, 3-8 p.m., skirunfarmersmarket.com
Cool Car Cruizen Fridays
Shops at Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m., theshopsatheavenly.com
SATURDAY, AUG. 5
Gr8Ful 4 H2O Celebration
Fifth Element Healing Center, Kings Beach, all day, (530) 448-4220, 5ehc.love/events/gr8ful-4-h2o
The Great Gravel Grind
Tahoe XC, Tahoe City, 7 a.m., (530) 583-5475, tahoexc.org
TRT Thru Hike
Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Stateline, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., (775) 298-4485, tahoerimtrail.org
Lego Block Party
South Lake Tahoe Library, South Lake Tahoe, 10-11 a.m., (530) 573-3185, eldoradolibrary.org
Naturalist Talk
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 11 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Guided Kayak Tours
Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org
Inaugural Beer Fest
The Hangar, South Lake Tahoe, noon to 6 p.m., (530) 578-0089, facebook.com/thehangarlaketahoe
B4Bc’s 19th Annual Skate the Lake Commons Beach, Tahoe City, noon to 7 p.m., (310) 991-4136, b4bc.org
Weekly Social Run & Hangout
Trout Creek Pocket Park, Truckee, 6 p.m., donnerpartymountainrunners.com
Gr8Ful 4 H2O Celebration
Fifth Element Healing Center, Kings Beach, 11 a.m.1 p.m., (530) 448-4220, 5ehc.love/events/gr8ful-4-h2o
B4Bc’s 19th Annual Skate the Lake Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., (310) 991-4136, b4bc.org
Blairsden Community Farmers Market Blairsden Garden Center, Blairsden, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., (530) 836-2541, blairsdengardencenter.com
Naturalist Talk
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 11 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Guided Kayak Tours
Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org
Brunch in the Barn
Sierra Valley Farms, Beckwourth, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pedals + Pints Block Party Fundraiser
South Lake Brewing Company, South Lake Tahoe, noon, (530) 578-0087, southlakebeer.com
TUESDAY, AUG. 8
Farmers Market
American Legion Hall parking lot, South Lake Tahoe, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., eldoradofarmersmarket.com
Truckee Tuesday Farmers Market
Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., facebook.com/truckeecertifiedfarmersmarket
Family Storytime
Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries
Preschool Storytime
Kings Beach Library, Kings Beach, 10:30 a.m., (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library
Reading Furends
Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 3:30 p.m., (775) 588-6411, library.douglascountynv.gov
Bilingual Storytime, Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe Truckee Library, Truckee, 4:30-5 p.m., (530) 582-7846, nevadacountyca.gov/336/Truckee-Library
Barton Performance Golf Series Barton Health, South Lake Tahoe, 5:30-6:30 p.m., (530) 541-3420, bartonhealth.org/tahoe/home.aspx
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9
Lake Tahoe Summit
Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Kings Beach, 10 a.m. to noon, RSVP takecaretahoe.org
Storytime
Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 11 a.m., (775) 5886411, library.douglascountynv.gov
Meyers Mountain Market Farmers Market Tahoe Paradise Park , South Lake Tahoe, 3-7:30 p.m., (805) 857-4103, meyersmtnmarket.org
Movies on the Beach Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 6 p.m., (530) 583-3796, tcpud.org
Wild Wednesdays Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, South Lake Tahoe, 6-7 p.m., (530) 577-2273, ltwc.org
THURSDAY, AUG. 10
Tahoe City Farmers Market Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., (775) 831-8015
Family Storytime Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us
Preschool Storytime Tahoe City Library, Tahoe City, 10:30 a.m., (530) 5462021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library
Paddling Tours on Donner Lake
Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee, 10:30 a.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org
Incline Village Farmers Market
Incline Village Farmers Market, Incline Village, 3-6 p.m., (775) 339-1203, nevadagrown.com
Paws to Read
Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 4 p.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us/libraries
Truckee Thursdays
Downtown Truckee, CA, Truckee, 5 p.m., historictruckee.com
Movies in the Park
Kings Beach Elementary School field, Kings Beach, 7 p.m., northtahoeparks.com
FRIDAY, AUG. 11
Concours D’elegance Wooden Boat Show
Obexer’s Water Sports, Homewood, 10 a.m., (530) 525-7962, obexersboat.com
Washoe Cultural Tour
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 10 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Romano’s Certified Farmers’ Markets
Sierra Valley Farms, Beckwourth, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ski Run Farmers Market
Ski Run Farmers Market, South Lake Tahoe, 3-8 p.m., skirunfarmersmarket.com
Cornhole Tournament
Alder Creek Adventure Center, Truckee, 5-8 p.m., (530) 587-9400, tahoedonner.com
Cool Car Cruizen Fridays
Shops at Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m., theshopsatheavenly.com
Nature Journeys Family Day
Headwaters Science Institute, Soda Springs, 10 a.m., (530) 426-3063, headwatersscienceinstitute.org
Concours D’elegance Wooden Boat Show
Obexer’s Water Sports, Homewood, 10 a.m., (530) 525-7962, obexersboat.com
The Great Gatsby Festival
Tallac Historic Site, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m., (530) 544-7383, thegreatbasininstitute.org
The Market at Markleeville
Downtown Markleeville, Markleeville, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., alpinecounty.com
Naturalist Talk
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 11 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Guided Kayak Tours
Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org
Poker Ride
Alder Creek Adventure Center, Truckee, noon, (530) 587-9400, tahoedonner.com
Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 2-9 p.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Dinner in the Barn
Sierra Valley Farms, Beckwourth, 4:30 p.m.
Tahoe Yoga Festival Launch Party
The Hangar, South Lake Tahoe, 5 p.m., (530) 494-9268, omnitahoe.com
Weekly Social Run & Hangout
Trout Creek Pocket Park, Truckee, 6 p.m., donnerpartymountainrunners.com
Marlette 50K & 10 Miler
Spooner Lake State Park, Incline Village, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., (530) 546-1019, bigblueadventure.com
Tahoe Yoga Festival 2023
Heavenly Ski Resort, South Lake Tahoe, 8 a.m., (530) 494-9268, omnitahoe.com
The Great Gatsby Festival
Tallac Historic Site, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m., (530) 544-7383, thegreatbasininstitute.org
Blairsden Community Farmers Market
Blairsden Garden Center, Blairsden, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., (530) 836-2541, blairsdengardencenter.com
Naturalist Talk
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 11 a.m., (800) 403-0206, palisadestahoe.com
Guided Kayak Tours
Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org
Free Admission Day at Gatekeeper’s Museum & Watson Cabin
Gatekeepers Museum, Tahoe City, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., (530) 583-1762, northtahoemuseums.org
TUESDAY, AUG. 15
Farmers Market
American Legion Hall parking lot, South Lake Tahoe, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., eldoradofarmersmarket.com
Truckee Tuesday Farmers Market
Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., facebook.com/truckeecertifiedfarmersmarket
Family Storytime
Incline Village Library, Incline Village, 10:30 a.m., (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us
Preschool Storytime
Kings Beach Library, Kings Beach, 10:30 a.m., (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov/2093/Library
Reading Furends
Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 3:30 p.m., (775) 588-6411, library.douglascountynv.gov
Barton Performance Golf Series
Barton Health, South Lake Tahoe, 5:30-6:30 p.m., (530) 541-3420, bartonhealth.org/tahoe/home.aspx
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16
Storytime
Zephyr Cove Library, Zephyr Cove, 11 a.m., (775) 5886411, library.douglascountynv.gov
Meyers Mountain Market Farmers Market
Tahoe Paradise Park , South Lake Tahoe, 3-7:30 p.m., (805) 857-4103, meyersmtnmarket.org
History Talk
Truckee Tahoe Airport, meeting room, Truckee, 5 p.m., (530) 582-0893, truckeehistory.org
Movies on the Beach
Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 6 p.m., tcpud.org
Wild Wednesdays
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, South Lake Tahoe, 6-7 p.m., (530) 577-2273, ltwc.org
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
A practical mood has steadily emerged and it is now entering a stride phase. Positively, you are in the mood to be productive and constructive. Casting a critical, engineering eye at every aspect and angle is likely. Hardly a light and playful mood, you may feel compelled to carry a double load.
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
You yearn to deepen bonds with family especially, but friends too and possibly even neighbors. You want both peace and security with an emphasis on how each reinforces the other. Improving relations and healing old rifts and wounds may also emerge as are oriented to increase a community spirit.
Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21)
For all the creative inspirations that Leo tends to inspire, Venus retrograde may be crashing the party. You may yearn for too much attention or too little. Feelings can be overanalyzed while rational thinking is intercepted. Try not to overanalyze replacing it with simply seeing without judgment or reaction.
Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22)
Reflections on all that you have, past experiences, and future dreams and desires are all vying for your attention. Yet, the pull of Venus retrograde is strong in every way and you could be experiencing an inner tug of war. Focus to put each aspect in its place and aim for a balanced perspective.
Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 23)
Striking the balance between giving and getting attention may prove a little more challenging than usual with Venus retrograde. As is often the case, it is a question of degree. What constitutes too much or too little? Fortunately, the active Virgo factor represented by Mercury and Mars will help you to discern.
Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 22)
The Mercury and Mars emphasis in your sign is the ideal combination for selfexpression. The Leo factor will also support you to be more creative behind the scenes in your den, studio, lab or garage, for example. Aim to be both a crowd pleaser and to enjoy your creative process yourself.
Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
The scales may be swinging wildly these days. If so, blame the influences of Venus retrograde. The good news is that you can be at peace knowing that the influence is temporary. The bad news is that you have a month to go. As ever, the key is to be aware and, in this case, increase your focus to be centered.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
The Leo drama and desire for attention is extra strong for you this year. Positively, you will be seen, heard, heeded, recognized
and rewarded for past efforts and earned accomplishments. If this is not the case, reflect on how you can do things differently and what adjustments in your attitude and approach may be needed.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
A natural desire for freedom is amplified by the Sun and Venus retrograde in Leo for you. That said, the emphasized Virgo factor suggests that you either recognize or circumstances are reminding you that true freedom is the result of discipline. Use this combined energy to do the work to break free.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You have been ushered into the deep end. A six-week cycle is indicated during which time you are destined to cut the fact in terms of ego attachments and lower desires. So, it is simply a matter of identifying unnecessary wants that probably cost you one way or another and then eliminating them.
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 19)
Opportunities are knocking, yet in order to take full advantage you are challenged to be both as genuine and authentic as you can. This includes your ability to realistically exercise self-honesty in terms of your current reality. Sober and realistic acceptance of what must be done to capitalize is the key.
Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Circumstances currently are pushing you to give more. This would prove true even if you are on vacation. One way or another, you are wise to show up to give more and expect less. If you can achieve this, you stand to increase your influence and generate the returns they imply.
BY MARK MCLAUGHLIN
Tahoe City celebrates its 160th anniversary of its 1863 birth on Aug. 8. The establishment of this Euro-American settlement at the headwaters of the Truckee River opened the door to various industries including tourism at Lake Tahoe, but also initiated a seismic shift in the human and cultural geography of the Tahoe Basin.
Before the pioneers’ arrival, the Washo, an indigenous Native American tribe, considered Lake Tahoe their ancestral home and spiritual center. The word Washo is derived from the ancient name Washiw, later Wa She Shu, which means “the people.” For hundreds of generations, when weather and snow conditions moderated in the spring, young adults in the tribe would migrate from the high-desert valleys of today’s Western Nevada to Lake Tahoe to hunt, fish and harvest berries and medicinal plants.
When the warm days of summer arrived, the remaining members headed for the sacred lake they called “da ow aga.” According to the Washo, Da.ow is the root word for lake, often pronounced with a ‘t’ sound. Da ow aga refers to Lake Tahoe specifically.
Topographical engineer John C. Frémont is credited with being the first Anglo-American to report seeing Lake Tahoe, based on a journal entry dated Feb. 14, 1844. Frémont had previously surveyed the Rocky Mountains, but this was his first mapping mission of the geographical region he later named the Great Basin.
Seven months later, the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy wagon train ascended the Truckee River to Donner Lake. A half-dozen rode ahead on horseback and followed the main branch of the river south to its source. These six pioneers were the first non-Indians to reach the current site of Tahoe City. They headed down the West Shore and probably followed the Rubicon and the middle and north forks of the American River to reach the Sacramento Valley. During the second half of the 19th Century, Tahoe City was relatively slow to develop. Unlike the bustling railroad town of Truckee where train passengers could easily stop and visit, summer travel to the North Shore meant a 15-mile stagecoach ride along the Truckee River Canyon that cost $16.50 roundtrip. On arrival in Tahoe City in the 1870s, tourists could rent rooms at
A.J. Bayley’s 84-room Grand Central Hotel, the largest building in town or visit William Pomin’s Tahoe House, a boutique hotel with a lively saloon. On the wharf, the steamer “Governor Stanford” waited to transport passengers to various resorts around the lake. Other than summer tourism and logging, Tahoe City’s early economy relied on commercial fishing. Italian and Portuguese fisherman netted or line-caught Tahoe’s prized silver trout to supply local hotel dining rooms, as well as for export to San Francisco’s priciest restaurants. There was a hatchery near the lake’s outlet where visitors paid a fee to catch dinner.
Nutritious wild timothy hay was sold to livestock ranchers at the south end of Big Blue. Delivery businesses providing supplies to the Comstock mines also needed grass and hay to feed their draft animals. Extensive herds of dairy cows and flocks of sheep grazed in lush West-Shore meadows, but once autumn arrived businesses closed and all but a few people left town for the winter.
The town’s permanent year-round population grew incrementally, but Tahoe City hit the big time at the turn of the 20th Century when a Comstock-era timber baron named Duane Bliss got out of the logging business and into the tourist trade. He launched “Tahoe,” a sleek steamship to transport visitors in grand style. Bliss also laid a railroad track from Tahoe City to Truckee, eliminating the stagecoach and increasing tourist volume and comfort. Finally, he constructed the Tahoe Tavern, a luxurious hotel just south of town with open verandas and manicured landscapes
Big winters are nothing new to Tahoe City residents, but old timers still remind us that we have it easy compared to the early days. Consider the winter of 1938 when cold storms dumped 17 feet of snow and blocked Tahoe City food deliveries for two weeks. When more blizzards pummeled the region, an emergency air drop was organized in San Francisco. Two planes flew in to deploy boxes of bread, meat and fresh fruit and vegetables on the snow-covered Tahoe City Golf Course.
In 1952, snow piled so deep that residents used second-story windows to enter or exit their homes. Winter 2023 was certainly memorable, but still 219 inches shy of Tahoe City’s record 535 inches in 1952.
The region’s reliable snowfall inspired young, Tahoe City skiers to form the Lake Tahoe Ski Club in 1928. Their goal was to organize winter activities and competitive events for the snowbound community. It was the beginning of an organization that has had an indelible impact on the nation’s ski history. This early enthusiasm for skiing culminated in the 1960 Winter Olympics but the region’s bragging rights as a mecca for winter sports has only increased over the decades.
The transition from stoic mountain individualism to accommodating throngs of tourists required some effort. When a reporter from the San Francisco Bulletin newspaper visited Tahoe City in 1886, she observed that locals were “a queer class of people – old hunters, miners, and inn keepers. Their knowledge of the inclinations and desires of tourists is exceedingly limited.”
It’s safe to say that in the modern era, the missing “knowledge of what visitor’s desire” has been achieved and nurtured to the fullest.
To learn more about Tahoe City history visit Watson Cabin open Sat. & Thursday (during the Farmers’ Market) or the Gatekeeper’s Museum open Wed.-Sun. | northtahoemuseums.org n
Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlin is a nationally published author and professional speaker. His award-winning books are available at local stores or at thestormking. com. | mark@thestormking.com
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Until Aug. 8
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Wed., Aug. 2
Open House | 1-4 p.m. | Gatekeeper’s Museum
Waterfront Wednesdays 4-8 p.m. | Movies, yoga & local artisans, Commons Beach
Thursdays
8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Farmers Markets, Commons Beach
Saturdays All day | Sidewalks Saturdays, downtown businesses
Sundays 4-7 p.m. | Concerts on Commons, Commons Beach
Tues., Aug. 8
Tahoe City Day
8 a.m. | Yoga at Gatekeeper’s Museum, yogaroomtahoe.com
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Town Cleanup
10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Watson Cabin Open
Take a Historic Walking Tour Read Mark McLaughlin’s two-part story at TheTahoeWeekly.com
Kings Beach artists Cathy Strand and Cathy McClelland sat on a ski chairlift together and dreamed of having a casual, neighborhood, opento-the-public art tour to showcase North Lake Tahoe’s local talent that became the annual Kings Beach Art Tour now featuring two dozen local artists. This year’s art tour features 24 artists in seven locations, all within a 1.4mile distance. There are two studios in Tahoe Vista that will be featuring new artists: Lauren Chorey will be on 7697 Pinedrop Lane and painter Monique Argent will be at 7820 Lincoln Green along with five other artists. The rest of the artists will be on the east side of Highway 267 in Kings Beach, near each other.
“As always, this is my favorite thing that I look forward to all year. It’s a wonderful way to show my artwork and reconnect with people. There’s a special feeling about this tour, the camaraderie we all have with each other and personally, I think it’s better than any other set up I’ve seen,” says Strand, who just attended an open studio tour in San Luis Obispo a few months ago. “I like showing off my studio and the process that I
use to create my work.”
Strand sees people coming back year after year and is excited to host fellow artists Mary Faucher and Geoff McGilvray at her house on 8580 Loch Leven Ave. this year.
“Everyone has a different motivation in attending. If you like a particular kind of art, I suggest going to the website to see what medium you’re most interested in and then planning your route around that. Or think of it as a good walk and start on Speckled and walk down to Tahoe Backyard,” said Strand.
Since the art tour is on two days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees can also split it up into two sections, visiting the Tahoe Vista/west Kings Beach locations one day and the main Kings Beach studios the next.
I’ve ridden my bike up National Avenue in Tahoe Vista and cut over to Cathy McClelland’s house on Lincoln Green, then worked my way over to Tahoe Backyard. A lot of people were doing the art tour on e-bikes last year, too. Download the map at northtahoebusiness.org/kings-beach-art-tour. n
“Have Your Cake and Eat It Too” Virtual Exhibit MELHOP GALLERY º7077, Glenbrook, Aug. 2-16, 10 a.m., melhopgallery.com
Through Tahoe’s Lens:
Early 20th Century Photography
Gatekeepers Museum, Tahoe City, Aug. 2-16, 11 a.m., (530) 583-1762, northtahoemuseums.org
Discovering Lake Tahoe Historical Maps 1849-1932
Gatekeepers Museum, Tahoe City, Aug. 2-16, 11 a.m., (530) 583-1762, northtahoemuseums.org
Martin Gollery Exhibit
North Tahoe Arts, Tahoe City, Aug. 2-16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.org
Summer Art Show
Tahoe Art League, South Lake Tahoe, Aug. 3-13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., (530) 544-2313, talart.org
Christine Miller High Exhibit
North Tahoe Arts-Kings Beach, Kings Beach, Aug. 3-14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., northtahoearts.org
Pop-Up Makerspace
Truckee Workspace, Truckee, Aug. 3-10, 3:30-4:30 p.m., (530) 582-7846
First Fridays
Kara Harris loves fashion, clothing and costumes. I was always amazed when she’d come out to shovel the snow in a long fur coat, looking as if she were ready to go dancing. She made shoveling snow look fashionable.
Harris wants to make people feel sexy and comfortable; her clothing line does just that. She fashions bell bottoms, kimonos, unitards and colorful catsuits.
“I grew up in a very artistic family. My mom and dad are both artists. My brother is a graphic designer. I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but I felt like I couldn’t draw, so I went to school for fashion merchandising,” says Harris.
Her first class at Truckee Roundhouse was learning to make overalls. She learned how to sew with a four-thread Serger Sewing Machine to create her designs, which she admits was complicated. Harris worked hard to master the complicated sewing machine. She also took online classes with a designer in Los Angeles.
Playing and exploring textures and Harris’ bold use of colors are evident in her creations. She loves the feel and use of unique fabrics. She uses different types of velvets and embossed velvets for some of her creations. Some of her designs are made with fire-safe fabrics for fire dancers and flame throwers. She custom designs costumes and clothing for her clients. They can pick their fabrics and colors and she offers custom sizing, as well.
Catsuits have intricate braiding that stand out and shine while also being stretchy and comfortable. They are perfect for festival season or a night out dancing.
The velvet unitards with bell-bottom flares are bright and beautiful, made with lush purples, vibrant greens and flaming reds.
Her love of tarot cards led her to name her brand Queen of Wands Creations.
Todd Borg’s latest book, “Total Flight,” released on Aug. 1, and is the 21st in the Owen McKenna Tahoe Mystery series. The book is about a doctors’ reunion in Tahoe and a murderous ex-con, who is stalking the now-grown son of his murder victim and the detective who tracked him down 20 years ago. He will be signing books on Aug. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Word After Word Books in Truckee and on Aug. 6 at 8:30 a.m. at The Red Hut Café in Carson City, Nev. | toddborg.com
Muse, Tahoe City, 3-8 p.m., museartreclaimed.com
Meet the Artist: Eric Christensen
Marcus Ashley Fine Art Gallery, South Lake Tahoe, Aug. 4-5, noon to 5 p.m., marcusashley.com
16th Annual Artist Studio Tour
Tahoe Art League, South Lake Tahoe, Aug. 4-6, noon to 5 p.m., (530) 544-2313, talart.org
Fiber Art Craft Time
South Lake Tahoe Library, South Lake Tahoe, Aug. 4-11, 1-3 p.m., (530) 573-3185, eldoradolibrary.org
Kings Beach Art Tour
Multiple locations in Kings Beach to Tahoe Vista, Aug. 5-6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., northtahoebusiness.org
Leeann Brook Exhibit
Piper J Gallery, Truckee, Aug. 5-16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (775) 220-0325, piperjgallery.com
Todd Borg Book Signing
Word After Word Books, Truckee, Aug. 5, 4 p.m., (530) 536-5099
Writers in the Woods Featuring Brynn Saito & Brian Turner
University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Aug. 5, 7-8:30 p.m., unr.edu
Poetry at the Backyard
Tahoe Backyard, Kings Beach, Aug. 9, 6-8 p.m., tahoebackyard.com
Meet the Artist – Alexander Volkov
Marcus Ashley Fine Art Gallery, South Lake Tahoe, Aug. 11-12, noon to 5 p.m., marcusashley.com
Saturday Makers Market
After years in the fashion industry, Harris wanted to explore her passion for designing clothing and for photography.
“I started going to festivals and that’s where I feel like I really came into my style. I loved how everyone expressed themselves and could be whoever they wanted,” says Harris, who is inspired by the Burning Man culture. She added that attending themed, costumed parties inspired her love of dressing up.
Harris became a member of Truckee Roundhouse and Judi Morales, a master seamstress and teacher, was her mentor.
“I hope to embody the Queen of Wands and the energy of that card. The queen is creative, bold and comfortable in her own skin,” she says.
When asked about her personal fashion style, Harris says, “I think I’d say my style is fairytale, whimsical, mystical and witchy.”
Harris is certain her designs will make the wearer feel confident, comfortable and sexy.
“All it takes is one thing, like a cool little kimono or bell bottoms, to change your look,” she says. | queenofwandscreations.com n
Abigail GallupEnjoy First Fridays at Muse, an outdoor artisan fair, from 3 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 4. with art, music, food, drinks and fun in Tahoe City. Muse holds First Fridays every month through Oct. 6. | @museartreclaimed
Tahoe Backyard, Kings Beach, Aug. 12, 3-7 p.m., tahoebackyard.com
“I started going to festivals and that’s where I feel like I really came into my style. I loved how everyone expressed themselves and could be whoever they wanted.”
– Kara Harris
Prepareto get funky fresh at one of the best local dance parties of the summer.
At Brews, Jazz & Funk on Aug. 12, festival-goers can sip on an array of tasty beers from 10 breweries spread throughout the Village at Palisades Tahoe while enjoying an amazing lineup of live music by ALO, Monophonics and Sal’s Greenhouse. All proceeds from the event benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe
feel an expectation to put on a great live show. We love what we’re
out there and we want people to be a part of it. Expect a lot of love. I’m sure it will be a beautiful day and good
Led by the guitar wizardry of Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, ALO is a California rock band that encompasses so much more. Born from 90s childhood friendships in Saratoga and honed at the University of California at Santa Barbara, this band’s music is adventurous, untamed and bursting with love, freedom and community. Throughout their 30-year vision quest, ALO somehow finds a way to feel crisp, yet classic as the quartet of friends searches for special magic in every performance.
Sal’s Greenhouse is a lively collective formed out of Oakland in 2010. Their vibe is fundamentally funk-driven and incorporates soul, rock and R&B to create a sound uniquely their own. Their upbeat, catchy EP, “Bloom,” came out in 2020. They’re led by vocalist and
baritone saxophonist Sally Green.
“We’re a fun, high-energy, feel-good, dance band,” says Green. “I really enjoy having women empowerment shine through in my writing, too. I talk a lot about being confident.”
Green discovered the baritone sax after her alto was stolen during freshman year of high school. She was bombing her auditions at summer music camp on a junky loaner, until a camp counselor found her a decent bari to try.
“I fell in love with it,” she says. “I love how powerful it is. It’s a huge instrument, so I feel like such a badass playing it. The vibrations you feel are almost indescribable. It’s deep, heavy and strong.”
Bay Area psychedelic soul sextet Monophonics is fronted by lead singer and keyboardist Kelly Finnigan. He joined the band in 2011 after growing up in a musical family in Los Angeles. His father, Mike Finnigan, was a professional keyboardist who played on Jimi Hendrix’s third and final studio album, “Electric Ladyland.”
Monophonics’ music puts a juicy spin on classic R&B, gospel, Motown and soul.
“A lot of that stuff is still so new and fresh,” says Finnegan. “We pay homage to a sound that represents the best of it.”
Their 2022 album “Sage Motel” was inspired by the imaginary world created
by Finnigan based on a retro motel in Oakland.
“I used to drive by it all the time,” says Finnegan. “I kept wondering, ‘What’s happening inside those walls?’ It’s about all the lives behind those closed doors. Inside each room, someone is going through something. It might be good or it might be bad. That’s intriguing to me as a storyteller. It felt like an interesting path to go down and it unfolded into bigger story and concept.”
All three bands are excited to return to the Village at Palisades for what’s sure to be a dance party for the ages.
“The audience should expect energy,” says Finnegan. “They should get ready to be involved. People pay to come to these performances; we believe we owe them something for their hard-earned money and time. We feel an expectation to put on a great live show. We love what we’re doing out there and we want people to be a part of it. Expect a lot of love. I’m sure it will be a beautiful day and good vibes.” | palisadestahoe.com n
“We
doing
vibes.”
— Kelly Finnigan
BY PRIYA HUTNER
“Little Shop of Horrors”| Aug. 2-6, 8-13, 16-20 |
Sand Harbor | East ShoreIt’s a balmy evening and the lake is still full of kids playing and paddlers attempting to remain on their boards. I gaze out to the mountains in the distance as I enter the amphitheater for the 51st production at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
This year’s production is “Little Shop of Horrors.” Jennifer Pennington joins me for the show. We find our seats, pour a French Rose glass and settle in to enjoy the evening. The curtains open and the drama began.
The musical is campy — part comedy, part science fiction — with a dash of RomCom and a bevy of songs. The story features Seymour, an orphaned florist assistant, in love with his co-worker; he cultivates a most unusual plant.
Jennifer and I laugh a lot and thoroughly enjoy the show. One of the lovely features of the event is you can dine at your seat or bring in wine and a picnic-style meal. Food and beverages are available on-site.
The staff and volunteers are friendly and help direct us to our seats. The acting and singing is outstanding. The deliciously funny adaptation will delight people of any age. The setting is phenomenal with Lake Tahoe and the mountains as a backdrop.
The production runs through Aug. 20. It’s a perfect evening to bring a date or family members to enjoy this year’s production. The show was fun and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival adaptation was delightful in every way. | laketahoeshakespeare.com
BLUEGRASS
Aug. 4 | Sugar Pine Point State Park | Tahoma
Talented Northern California pickers Broken Compass Bluegrass, Josh Brough String Band, ISMAY and students of Tahoe Truckee School of Music arrive for the annual BIG BLUEgrass Benefit Concert in the backyard of the idyllic Hellman-Ehrman Mansion in Sugar Pine Point State Park.
This family-friendly, outdoor event, in what could be the most beautiful venue in the Tahoe Sierra, began as a nod to Warren Hellman, the founder of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and the great-grandson of Isaias Wolf Hellman who built the estate where the concert occurs. It has since evolved to feature a wide range of regional acts in folk, bluegrass, country/western and even rock ‘n’ roll in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your lawn chair.
To add to the fun, there’s food from Big Blue Q, beer from Sierra Nevada Brewing and wine from Highway 12. All proceeds go to restoration projects and educational programming of California State Parks. CONTINUED ON PAGE 25
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25
“Parks need your support now more than ever,” said Heidi Doyle, Sierra State Park Foundation executive director. “BIG BLUEgrass is one way to have a great time at the lake while giving back to the park that we all enjoy year-round.”
Come back on Aug. 12 when the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, also known as Pine Lodge, celebrates its 120th birthday with festivities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | sierrastateparks.org
Aug. 15 | Bluesdays | Palisades Tahoe
guitar and began playing professionally before he was 18. He burst onto the scene in 1987 with an award-winning debut album and has since released a dozen LPs, each filled with soul-stirring songs pulled from his own bluesdrenched heart. | palisadestahoe.com
Aug. 8 | Valhalla Tahoe | South Lake Tahoe
Aug. 4 | Music on the Beach | Kings Beach
For the past seven years, Sang Matiz has fused Afro-Brazilian and Peruvian beats with the contemporary rhythms of pop, jazz and funk. They’ve perfected their original blend of influences into catchy, syncopated melodies featuring flamenco-styled finger picking. It kind of sounds like the Gypsy Kings and Jamiroquai had a musical baby in the jungles of South America. Tahoe Weekly is a sponsor. | northtahoebusiness.org
Robbie Gade & Friends
Jason’s Beachside Grille, Kings Beach, 6 p.m.
Grooves by the Green
Pavilion at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub, Truckee, 6-8 p.m.
Music on the Beach: Free Concert Fridays
Kings Beach State Recreation Area, 6-8:30 p.m.
Classical Tahoe: In the Air
Ricardi Pavilion, Incline Village, 7 p.m.
Dierks Bentley
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Fever Dream
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Rustler’s Moon
Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Carnelian Bay, 8-11 p.m.
Dueling Pianos
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Live Music
Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.
Chris Cain is known for a soulful stew of Memphis-style electric blues with deep, powerful vocals and unforgettable guitar riffs. Blues music played continuously on his home stereo and family outings were often trips to concerts. He attended his first B.B King concert at the tender age of 3.
At age 8, Cain taught himself to play
Tahoe Improv Players celebrate its 30th year of turning audience suggestions into hilarious scenes. They are Lake Tahoe’s longest-running comedy show and always bring creativity, spontaneity and sheer wittiness to every performance. It’s simple — you show up, Tahoe Improv Players make stuff up and you laugh. Plus, you can’t beat the venue, the historic Boathouse Theatre on the Heller Estate along the banks of Lake Tahoe. | valhallatahoe.com
with Tahoe Star Tours at the Cosmoarium!
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2
Music in the Park
Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
The Alex Lucero Band
Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 3
40 Watt Hype
Lakeview Commons, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night
Cottonwood Restaurant, Truckee, 6-9 p.m.
Wolves & Friends Live
The Good Wolf, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Live After Lakeview
Lakeview Social Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.
The Afters Live Music
The Woods Restaurant & Bar, S. Lake Tahoe, 8:30 p.m.
We have an exciting lineup at two locations: SPOONER LAKE + NORTHSTAR SKI RESORT.
Joining us this summer, operating our amazing Celestron Telescopes: KC Rodrigue, Masters of Computer Science, emphasis on quasars and machine learning.
Space is something that nearly everyone gets excited about, and we have really unique dark sky locations around Lake Tahoe to show the starry skies.
For details + tickets visit: TahoeStarTours.com
Live Music
Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.
Karaoke Nights
Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 4
Big Bluegrass Benefit Concert
Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, 4-8 p.m.
Sunsets Live Music Series
Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 5-7 p.m.
Live Music
Sunnyside Resort, Tahoe City, 5:30 p.m.
Brodie Stewart
Lake Tahoe AleWorX, S. Lake Tahoe, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series
Shops at Heavenly Village, S. Lake Tahoe, 5:45 p.m.
Arty the Party
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.
Magic After Dark Starring Robert Hall
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.
Live DJ
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.
Karaoke Nights
Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 5
Drag Brunch
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10:30 a.m.
Live Music
Beacon Bar & Grill, South Lake Tahoe, 1-5 p.m.
Music by the Meadow
Pizza On the Hill, Truckee, 5-7 p.m.
Brodie Stewart
Lake Tahoe AleWorX, S. Lake Tahoe, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series
Shops at Heavenly Village, S. Lake Tahoe, 5:45 p.m.
Robbie Gade & Friends
Jason’s Beachside Grille, Kings Beach, 6 p.m.
Music in the Meadow
The Brewing Lair, Blairsden, 6 p.m.
Summit Haus Live Music
Sugar Bowl Resort, Norden, 6-8 p.m.
Classical Tahoe: Drumroll, Please
Ricardi Pavilion, Incline Village, 7 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Fever Dream
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Rustler’s Moon
Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Carnelian Bay, 8-11 p.m.
Dueling Pianos
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Live Music
Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.
Arty the Party
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.
Live DJ
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.
Karaoke Nights
Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.
~ KC RODRIGUE
“ ”Brad Elligood Tahoe Improv Players Sang Matiz
Sean Hodge
Lake Tahoe AleWorX, South Lake Tahoe, noon to 4 p.m.
Live Music
Beacon Bar & Grill, South Lake Tahoe, 1-5 p.m.
Concerts at Commons Beach
Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 4 p.m.
SoL Sunday Summer Concert Series
– Margret’s Funk Band
SoL Cannabis, Washoe City, 4:15-7:45 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.
Ron & Maureen Ashley Oasis Chamber Music
Series: Telemann: Musique De Table
Ron & Maureen Ashley Oasis, Incline Village, 5 p.m.
Gas Station Sushi
Lake Tahoe AleWorX, South Lake Tahoe, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Ron & Maureen Ashley Oasis Chamber Music
Series: Telemann: Musique De Table
Ron & Maureen Ashley Oasis, Incline Village, 7 p.m.
Moe’s Summer Concert Series
Moe’s Original Bar B Que, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Live DJ
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.
MONDAY, AUG. 7
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 8
Bluesdays
Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 6-9 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring Nick Paul
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Tahoe Improv Comedy Players
Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Tuesday Night Karaoke
The Paddle Wheel Saloon, Incline Village, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9
Hot August Pipes
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Incline Village, 5 p.m.
Music in the Park
Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Jessica Malone Band
Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 10
100th Free Show Ft. Ronkat Spearman’s Katdelic
Lakeview Commons, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30-8:30 p.m.
ViceGrip
RMU Truckee, Truckee, 6 p.m.
Open Mic Night
Cottonwood Restaurant, Truckee, 6-9 p.m.
Wolves & Friends Live
The Good Wolf, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.
Foo Fighters
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Live After Lakeview
Lakeview Social Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.
The Afters Live Music
The Woods Restaurant & Bar, South Lake Tahoe, 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Dueling Pianos
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Live Music
Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.
Beats Antique w/ Special Guest
The Crown Room, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m.
Tahoe Paradise Park | Music in the Park
Tahoe Paradise Park, South Lake Tahoe, 5-8 p.m.
Live Music
Sunnyside Resort, Tahoe City, 5:30 p.m.
Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series
Shops at Heavenly Village, S. Lake Tahoe, 5:45 p.m.
Jeff & Kelly
Jason’s Beachside Grille, Kings Beach, 6 p.m.
Grooves by the Green
Pavilion at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub, Truckee, 6-8 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.
Jazz at RMU Truckee
The TreeTones Jazz Ensemble, Truckee, 7-9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Fever Dream
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Rustler’s Moon
Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Carnelian Bay, 8-11 p.m.
Dueling Pianos
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Live Music
Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.
Arty the Party
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.
Magic After Dark Starring Robert Hall
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.
Live DJ
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.
Drag Brunch
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10:30 a.m.
Live Music
Beacon Bar & Grill, South Lake Tahoe, 1-5 p.m.
Art Walk
Black Bear Lodge, South Lake Tahoe, 3 p.m.
Hot August Pipes
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Incline Village, 5 p.m.
Music by the Meadow
Pizza On the Hill, Truckee, 5-7 p.m.
Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series
Shops at Heavenly Village, S. Lake Tahoe, 5:45 p.m.
Jeff & Kelly
Jason’s Beachside Grille, Kings Beach, 6 p.m.
Music in the Meadow
The Brewing Lair, Blairsden, 6 p.m.
Summit Haus Live Music
Sugar Bowl Resort, Norden, 6-8 p.m.
Mustache Harbor
The Crown Room, Crystal Bay, 7 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Fever Dream
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Rustler’s Moon
Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Carnelian Bay, 8-11 p.m.
Dueling Pianos
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Live Music
Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.
Arty the Party
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.
Live DJ
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUG. 13
Live Music
Beacon Bar & Grill, South Lake Tahoe, 1-5 p.m.
Concerts at Commons Beach
Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 4 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.
Moe’s Summer Concert Series
Moe’s Original Bar B Que, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Sam Hunt
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Bally’s, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Dueling Pianos
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Live DJ
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.
MONDAY, AUG. 14
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 15
Bluesdays
Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 6-9 p.m.
Magic Fusion Starring David Goldrake
The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Tuesday Night Karaoke
The Paddle Wheel Saloon, Incline Village, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16
Music in the Park
Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.
Hot August Pipes
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Incline Village, 7 p.m.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Village, 7:30 p.m.
Loud as Folk: A Singer-Songwriter Showcase
Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.
Alex Ramon Magic Show
Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.
Sweet, sticky and golden, honey is one of the bee’s greatest gifts. Bees are imperative to our ecosystem. They are responsible for pollinating most of the fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts essential to the human diet. Over the last decades, bee populations have been declining, with bees dying in record numbers, jeopardizing the global food system. A single colony can pollinate 3 million flowers per day. Honey is a staple in many diets around the world and it is healthier than refined sugar. Honey is also medicinal and has been used for healing burns, wounds and curing infection for centuries. Honey is antibacterial and antifungal.
George Serdyukov, owner of Lost Sierra Honey Co., has been a beekeeper for more than 20 years. He produces delicious wildflower honey and makes beeswax candles.
“I keep bees from Portola to Quincy with bee yards in between. This year, we have about 400 hives and at this time of year, probably between 40 to 60,000 bees in each hive. Each hive can produce 60 to 100 pounds of honey on average, “ says Serdyukov.
He adds that the queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day, which means lots of honey. But it isn’t always easy and he has seen his fair share of bees that die.
Clover honey is one of Serdyukov’s favorite varieties of honey. He uses it for cooking. One of his specialties is a sriracha honey sauce. He also uses his dark mountain wildflower honey to make barbecue sauce and marinades.
Serdyukov drizzles honey on cheese for appetizers, along with honeycomb and apples. Serdyukov also makes honey mead for his personal use.
Honey can be used in countless recipes including baked goods, sauces and marinades. Honey is also lovely in tea to soothe a sore throat or sweeten the palate.
Lost Sierra Honey Co. has a booth at the Truckee Certified Farmer’s Market and Truckee Thursdays. He also frequents Romano’s Certified Farmer’s Market in Beckwourth and the Blairsden Community Market Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for details on local farmers markets. His Wildflower Honey is delicious.
My good friend, Massimo Massarotti
is also a beekeeper. He and his wife Molly Knickerbocker have numerous hives on their property. The honey from their hives is delicious. Masserotti educates people on how to raise bee and is concerned about the plight of the bees. He also rescues unwanted hives.
He is committed to bringing awareness to the plight of the bees. Massarotti is involved with Fly Ranch – Burning Man Project. The Fly Ranch Bee Team Project is experimenting and monitoring how bees flourish at the ranch in Gerlach, Nev. Every six weeks, they host a bee team campout.
Amina Harris, director of UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center, is an educator who works to bring understanding to the world of bees. I attended a presentation she offered at UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center in Incline Village, Nev., last July. Harris explained that there are more than 300 varieties of honey bees, which are essential to the food supply, farming and the ecosystem with 30 percent of food coming from pollinated products. She brought several types of honey for us to taste with varying flavors dependent on the flowers the bees pollinated. Harris explained that some wildflower honey tastes like caramel or have a buttery
flavor, while other honey might taste flowery or tend to be herb forward.
Harris also had us try mead, which is made from honey, and it was delicous. Mead is one of the oldest alcholic beverages on record. I happen to love mead. Black Rabbit Meadery in Reno, Nev., produces and makes mead. Owners Will Truce and Jake Conway produce their mead with Al’s Bees Honey
Al Sindlinger bottles his honey at the meadery and uses Al’s Rabbit Brush and alfalfa honey for its rich flavor. Truce explains that mead is simply made with honey, water and yeast.
“We are a young company making a fairly niche product.We we make a very unusual style mead, which is a cider style mead,” explains Truce. The Black Rabbit Meadery is open daily and hosts live music, bee talks and mead-making workshops. I can’t wait to visit the Meadery to sample their mead and eat handpies. n
Priya Hutner is a food writer, personal chef and owner of The Seasoned Sage, a meal delivery and catering company.
| TheSeasonedSage.com, priya@ tahoethisweek.com
From the kitchen of George Serdyukov
¼ C of honey
¼ C of sriracha (or more if you like it spicier)
½ t sesame oil
Mix together. Add a splash of sesame seeds (or more if needed). Serve over meat or chicken.
Spread crackers with goat cheese, fresh ground pepper, sliced peppered salami, micro greens, a drizzle of Lost Sierra Honey and top with diced black garlic.
The Hangar presents the inaugural Beer Fest on Aug. 5 from 12 to 6 p.m. in South Lake Tahoe with more than 20 breweries. The fundraising event will include food trucks and live music to benefit Child Advocates of El Dorado.
Tickets are $45 and include unlimited samples, a commemorative glass and access to a taproom for the day. This event is for ages 21 and older.
Parking is limited; a complimentary bike valet will be available. Alternative transportation is encouraged. | thehangarlaketahoe.com
There’s something about a Bloody Mary that complements outdoor activities in Tahoe, whether you’re looking to consume one before or after a day at the beach or after hiking, biking, golfing or simply trying to cure a hangover. Here are my picks for some of the best Bloodys in Tahoe.
The Tiki Bar on the sandy shores of South Lake Tahoe claimed the second-place prize in both the People’s Choice and the Judge’s Choice in last year’s Tahoe Blue Vodka Bloody Mary Competition (this year’s event is on Aug. 13). The Tiki Bar makes a lot of them.
Many people book their Tahoe vacation at Beach Retreat & Lodge just to go to the Tiki Bar. And I believe it because its drinks are amazing. The Bloody Mary mix is made with a hint of jalapeño and combined with Tahoe Blue vodka, served with orchids on top and chili salt on the rim.
“Our Bloody Mary is all about simplicity and focus on the detail,” says Tiki Bar manager Dreu Murin.
The Tiki Bar serves about 50 to 60 Bloody Marys a day, but it’s the Sneaky Tiki signature drink that it sells the most — 2,000 to 3,000 a year. | tahoebeachretreat.com
Walking into Whiskey Dick’s on the South Shore on a late Thursday afternoon with Tom Petty playing on the speakers, I noticed a few people saddled up on the stools, drinking Pabst and watching sports on flatscreen TVs. Whiskey Dick’s won the Judge’s Choice Award last year at the Bloody
Craft & Logic tap house has opened in downtown Truckee offering a wide selection of crafts beers on tap, as well as serving “elevated pub fare.”
Craft & Logic is located at 10192 Donner Pass Road, in the former Hoppy Duck location. Open from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Monday. | craftandlogictaproom.com
Mary competition. So, I tried one of the saloon’s Bloodys and the first word that came to mind was “refreshing.” It’s not as heavy or spicy as the others I’ve had, which makes a Bloody Mary aficionado like me want more. I did catch a glimpse of their secret recipe and know what sets it apart, but you’ll have to go in and ask about it yourself. |
Whiskey Dick’s Tahoe on FacebookBuckaroos Saloon in Gardnerville, Nev., clinched the People’s Choice Award in last year’s Tahoe Bloody Mary Competition. Even the other participating bartenders told me that if I was writing about Tahoe’s best Bloody Marys, I had to include Buckaroos. In the nine years the bar has competed in the competition, owner Chris Reiner and his team have won 22 trophies.
“We make a different Bloody Mary every year. We do extravagant ones some years, experiment with different flavor profiles,” Reiner says.
The Bloody Mary competition also inspired Reiner to create the Battle Born Bloody Company and its mixes are used at Lake Tahoe AleWorX in South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, Nev.
“We put lots of garnishes on the people’s tasters and this year our recipe is going to be geared toward breakfast,” says Reiner. “We’ve had a lot of success with our Bloody Marys over the years and we enjoy it. We look forward to it. And I think this is going to be our best one yet.” | Buckaroos Saloon on Facebook
These venues at Tahoe Donner offer Bloody Marys in different ways — one
in summer at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub and one in winter at the Ski Grill + Bar were equally delicious. The one I had at the downhill ski area’s bar on a cold snowy day was thick and warmed me right up, while the one I had at the golf course was more thirst quenching and made it easier to swing a club afterwards. | tahoedonner.com n
Pacific Crest Coffee has opened a second location in a restored vintage trailer in Tahoe City. The trailer is located at the corner of Grove Street and North Lake Blvd. at the Pepper Tree Inn. Open daily from 7:30 to 3 p.m. | pacificcrestcoffee.com
Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Taste of Gold, is on Aug. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening under the pines on the mountain campus, with award-winning California wines and a sampling of tasty treats from Lake Tahoe area restaurants and eateries. Proceeds support student programs.
New this year, VIP Sponsors will have exclusive access to the wine and beer tastings and bites from 5 to 6 p.m. before the event opens to regular ticket holders. The event will be held by the Coyote Legacy Plaza, located near the PE Building.
Tickets are $75 per person; participants must be age 21 and older. | ltccfoundation.org
Slow Food Lake Tahoe is again offering its Salmon Buying Club, a fundraiser in partnership with Eskimo Girl Salmon. This collaboration brings high-quality, wild-caught Alaskan salmon directly to the Tahoe-Truckee community. Order a 20-pound box of filets or portions. Ordering closes on Sept. 15; boxes will be available for pick up in Truckee River Regional Park on Sept. 30. Details and ordering are online. | slowfoodlaketahoe.org
Truckee Optimist Club presents the 16th annual Truckee BrewFest on Aug. 5 at Truckee River Regional Park. From 1 to 5 p.m. enjoy craft brews and homebrews from more than 30 Northern California and Nevada breweries, live music from Down the Rabbit Hole, dancing, barbecue and silent auction. The event benefits youth programs and scholarships.
Tickets are $45 presale and $50 at the door, $5 for designated drivers and $10 for spectators. participants must be 21 and older. No dogs. Sponsored by Tahoe Weekly. | truckeeoptimist.com
