December 15 to 28, 2021

local. independent. fresh.

december 15-28, 2021

the original guide to tahoe & truckee since 1982

sparkling wines for the holidays

Tahoe music, events

donner party hero Charlie Stanton

& festivals winter edition

capturing the history of Sierra skiing

Mark McKay

on the cusp of stardom

LEGENDARY TERRAIN AT A STEEP DISCOUNT TAHOE SUPER 4-PACK Hurry, prices go up after December 24

The famous Tahoe Super 4-Pack is back. Ski or ride 4 days this winter for as little as $88/day. New this season choose between the Tahoe Super 4-Pack with no black out dates or the Midweek 4-Pack for even more savings

fun. unique. everywhere.

11

in this issue

Cathy McClelland

TM

V&T Railroad

Volume 40 | Issue 25

December 15-28, 2021

P.O. Box 154 | Tahoe Vista, CA 96148 (530) 546-5995 | f (530) 546-8113 TheTahoeWeekly.com Facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly @TheTahoeWeekly

DECEMBER 15-28, 2021

24

FEATURES

SNOW Museum

SUBMISSIONS

Donner Party Hero

Events & Entertainment Submit at TheTahoeWeekly.com Click on Events Calendar

6

Music, Events & Festivals Winter Edition 11 19

GET OUTSIDE

27

Editorial Inquiries editor@tahoethisweek.com Entertainment Inquiries entertainment@tahoethisweek.com

Sightseeing

4

Lake Tahoe Facts

5

Events

7

Ice Skating & Tubing

8 9

Cover Photography production@tahoethisweek.com

A SNOW-FILLED TAHOE HOLIDAY

Winter Paths

making it happen

FROM THE PUBLISHER

FUN & GAMES

Publisher/Owner & Editor In Chief Katherine E. Hill publisher@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 102 Sales & Marketing Manager Anne Artoux anne@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 110 Art Director Abigail Gallup production@tahoethisweek.com Graphic Designer Lauren Shearer graphics@tahoethisweek.com Website Manager LT Marketing Entertainment Editor Sean McAlindin entertainment@tahoethisweek.com Food & Well Being Editor Priya Hutner priya@tahoethisweek.com Family Editor Michelle Allen michelle@tahoethisweek.com Copy Editor Katrina Veit Contributing Writers John Dee, Barbara Keck, Bruce Ajari, Mark McLaughlin, David “Smitty” Smith, Priya Hutner, Katrina Veit, Kayla Anderson, Lou Phillips, Sean McAlindin, Tim Hauserman, Alex Green, Lisa Michelle, Cam Schilling, Alex Silgalis TAHOE WEEKLY is published weekly throughout the summer and biweekly the rest of the year, with occassional extra issues at holiday times by Range of Light Media Group, Inc. Look for new issues on Wednesdays.

Subscribe to the free digital edition at issuu.com/ TheTahoeWeekly. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com.

TAHOE WEEKLY, est. 1982, ©2007. Reproduction in whole or in part without publisher’s express permission is prohibited. Contributions welcome via e-mail. The Weekly is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Member: North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, North Tahoe Business Association, Incline Community Business Association, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, Tahoe City Downtown Association, Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, Tahoe South Chamber of Commerce and Alpine County Chamber of Commerce. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Please recycle your copy.

What a difference a few weeks make in the Tahoe Sierra. In our last edition, I was talking about the great hiking and mountain biking conditions and now we’re enjoying several feet of new snow just in time for the holidays. And most local ski resorts have opened or are opening soon due to this fresh snow.

I’m expecting this to be another extremely busy holiday season, and while we’re all glad that you’re here visiting for the holidays, please be patient and kind to our locals. Everyone is short staffed and supply chain issues are adding to the problem. So, spread holiday cheer as you visit, relax and unwind during your vacation. Here’s a few tips to help make this your best holiday in Tahoe: • Book everything in advance online as early as possible.

• Expect long lines for everything and long waits for dining out without a reservation.

• Expect traffic everywhere and at all times. Avoid this by taking local transit, TART Connect ondemand shuttles, and using the park and ride ski lots to Palisades Tahoe and Northstar (starting Jan. 1). Check with the ski area you are visiting as many also offer local shuttle service.

• Only sled in designated sledding areas. Sledding on the side of a road is dangerous, illegal (you can get a ticket or your car towed), and it’s disgusting to sled in roadside snow that is filthy with road salt, dirt, oil, trash and other debris.

• Be prepared for hazardous road conditions with chains and extra supplies in your car. Read my “Winter Driving Tips” story at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

• If you’re staying in a vacation rental, be prepared to shovel your driveway, your walkway and your car if there’s a snowstorm. Check in advance if your rental offers snowplow service to clear your driveway.

• You also need to be prepared to stay where you are in case of heavy snowfall and hazardous road conditions. When in doubt, ask a local neighbor. If they aren’t going out, you shouldn’t either.

• Pack out your trash including broken sleds and put everything in a bear-proof container. Bears can be out year-round.

WELCOME NEW FACES

I’m excited to welcome some new faces to Tahoe Weekly (albeit only through virtual meetings these days). I’m happy to welcome back our former Art Director Abigail Gallup to that position once again.

Graphic Designer Lauren Shearer is joining our team handling all the ad design for us along with managing our website with Lindsay Thayer of LT Marketing.

I’m happy to have all these talented locals helping produce each edition of The Tahoe Weekly, which is available free on all of our platforms – in print and at TheTahoeWeekly.com, @TheTahoeWeekly on Facebook and Instagram, and through our ezine at issuu.com/TheTahoeWeekly. 

on the cover

Summer Hatcher performs as the Snow Queen in the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective’s 2019 production of “Tahoe Nutcracker.” This year’s performances will be held from Dec. 17 to 19. Find more holiday celebrations to enjoy in our Tahoe Music, Events & Festivals guide available in this edition and at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Photography by Jen Schmidt | @jenschmidtphoto, courtesy Lake Tahoe Dance Collective

Horoscopes & Puzzles

18

THE LINEUP

Mark Mackay

20

Live

20

THE MAKERS

Cathy McClelland The Arts

24 24

EAT & DRINK

South Tahoe Breweries

25

Tasty Tidbits

26

Sparkling Wine

26

Russian Tea Cakes

27

bears & wildlife BEAR EMERGENCIES BEAR League (530) 525-7297 (24 hours) | savebears.org A bear walking nearby or through your yard is not an emergency unless it is trying to enter your home or car.

INJURED ANIMALS Lake Tahoe Wildlife Center, South Shore (530) 577-2273 | ltwc.org The Wildlife Shelter, North Shore (866) 307-4216

E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE

to our e-newsletter at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Tahoe

21st annual

downhill ski guide winter 2021-22

AVAILABLE ONLINE

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LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Readings taken on Thursay, December 9, 2021 ELEVATION :

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

6,223.49 |

IN 2020:

C ACITY CITY:: 40 CIT 0,870 BOCA 12,362 CAPA

SIGHTSEEING

West Shore

Eagle Rock, one of the lake’s famous natural sites, is a volcanic plug beside Highway 89 on the West Shore. TART

Explore Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 542-2908 | cityofslt.us Urban Trailhead at base of Heavenly Gondola with local exhibits and programs. South Tahoe

Fannette Island

Emerald Bay

(530) 541-3030 | parks.ca.gov Lake Tahoe’s only island is located in Emerald Bay & is home to an old tea house. Boat access only. (Closed Feb. 1-June 15 for nesting birds.)

Heavenly OPENS NOV. 19

South Lake Tahoe

(775) 586-7000 | skiheavenly.com Enjoy a 2.4-mile ride on the gondola to the top with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley. South Tahoe

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

$10 parking | parks.ca.gov (530) 525-7232 Park | (530) 583-9911 Tours Sugar Pine Point State Park is home to the historic Ehrman Mansion (open for tours in the summer), see boathouses with historic boats, and General Phipps Cabin built in the late 1800s. TART

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

North Tahoe Arts Center

Tahoe City

(530) 581-2787 | northtahoearts.com Featuring exhibits of work by local artists and works for sale by local artists. TART

Tahoe Art League Gallery

|

Truckee

FLOW AT FARAD

IN 2020:

227 Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

CAPACITY: C 226,500

6,225.63

225

200,000 AF

6,223.49 | 175

150,000 AF

100,000 AF

ELEVATION :

TROA.NET

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

Museum of Truckee History

Truckee

Vikingsholm Castle

Emerald Bay

225

200,000 AF

175

150,000 AF

125

100,000 AF

CAPACITY: 29,840 PROSSER 11,061| truckee.com truckeehistory.org Thurs.-Mon. | (530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org The historic town of Truckee was settled Housed in the original Depot, built in 1901. Exhi9,500 5 DONNER 4,690 CCAPACITY: in 1863, and grew quickly as a stagecoach bits cover different eras in Truckee history. TART 8 stop and route for the CentralCCAPACITY: Pacific 18,300 Railroad.

INDEPENDENCE 1,3763 During these early days, many of Truckee’s Old Jail Museum CLOSED Truckee CAPACITY: A 20,400 4 MARTIS 1,052 and historical homes buildings were built in(530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org cluding The Truckee Hotel (1868) and the Capitol Building (1868). Stop by the Depot for a walking One of a few surviving 19th Century jailhouses | FLOW FARAD 227 Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS) Truckee River tour of historic downtown.

Paid AT parking downof its kind in the West used from 1875 TROA.NET until May 1964 (open for tours in summer). TART town. TART

Olympic Museum

Olympic Valley

Parking fee | Tours in summer only (530) 541-3030 | (530) 525-9529 ADA parks.ca.gov or vikingsholm.com Tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle, see Eagle Falls and Fannette Island (the Lake’s only island), home to an old Tea House, and explore snowshoeing trails. TART

(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com Palisades Tahoe, host of the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960, celebrates its Olympic History with the symbolic Tower of Nations and Olympic Flame at the entrance to the valley. The Olympic Museum at High Camp features historic memorabilia and photographs. TART

Watson Cabin CLOSED

Tahoe Science Center

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 544-2313 | talart.org Featuring local artists, workshops. South Tahoe

Tahoe City

Readings taken on Thursay, December 9, 2021

Truckee River C ACITY CAPA CITY:: 40 CIT 0,870 BOCA 12,362

50

North Shore

Find more places to explore

North Shore

visittahoecity.com Tahoe City is popular for shopping and dining with historical sites. At the junction of highways 89 & 28, visitors may see the Tahoe City Dam, Lake Tahoe’s only outlet, and Fanny Bridge. Peer into Watson Cabin (1909) in the center of town for a glimpse at pioneer life. Free parking at Commons Beach, Grove Street, Jackpine Street, and 64 acres at Highways 89 & 28. TART

Tallac Historic Site West Shore

75

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 Street, Minnow and the Christmas Tree lot on Hwy. 28. TART

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

STAMPEDE 19,9661

Kings Beach

CAPACITY: 18,300 C 8

LAKE LEVEL A 20,400 4 MARTIS 1,052 CAPACITY: Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

75

Donner Summit

Eagle Rock

CAPACITY: 9,500 C 5

50

(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com Aerial tram rides with views of Lake Tahoe, Olympic Heritage Museum, ice skating, events and more. Ticket required. TART

Donner Summit, just west of Truckee, holds the record for the United States’ snowiest April.

On April 1, 1880, a storm dumped 4’ of snow on the Sierra Nevada west slope within 24 hours.

A massive snow slide near Emigrant Gap buried Central Pacific Railroad’s tracks under 75’ of snow, ice and rock. For the rest of the month, storm cycles continued to flow in, dropping a total of 298”.

CAPACITY: 29,840

INDEPENDENCE 1,3763

Olympic Valley

25

High Camp

Drive through one of the area’s natural wonders at Cave Rock, the neck of an old volcano. The area is named for the small caves above Highway 50 that were cut by waves when Lake Tahoe was 200 feet higher during the ice ages.

Truckee

CAPACITY: C 226,500

125

DONNER 4,690

25

East Shore

PROSSER 11,061

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

Snow blankets the beach at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area on the North Shore after an early December storm. | Katherine E. Hill

ATTRACTIONS Cave Rock

STAMPEDE 19,9661

6,225.63

South Lake Tahoe

(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 yearround. South Tahoe

Tahoe City

Tours in summer only (530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org Watson Cabin, built by Robert Watson and his son in 1909, is the oldest building in Tahoe City and on the National Register of Historic Places. TART

Donner Memorial Visitor Center

Truckee

(530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov The Donner Memorial State Park features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party (184647) at the visitor center, and see the towering Pioneer Monument. TART

Soda Springs

donnersummithistoricalsociety.org Museum at the corner of Old Highway 40 & Soda Springs Road. Take the 20-mile interpretive driving tour along Old 40. TART

Gatekeeper’s Museum

Tues.-Fri. & by appt. | Free (775) 881-7566 | tahoesciencecenter.org University of California, Davis, science education center at Sierra Nevada College. Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3D movies and docent-led tours. Ages 8+. TART

Truckee Railroad Museum

MUSEUMS

Donner Summit Historical Society

Incline Village

Tahoe City

(530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org Featuring historic photos, the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum and local historical memorabilia. TART

KidZone Children’s Museum

Truckee

Wed.-Sat. (530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org For kids up to age 7 with interactive exhibits, science & art classes, the BabyZone & the Jungle Gym. TART

Truckee

Sat.-Sun. & holidays truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com Located in a caboose next to the Truckee Depot. Exhibits include the train’s role in logging, fighting snow on the railway, the role of Chinese emigrants and a children’s area. TART

Western SkiSport Museum

Donner Summit

Closed for the season | Free (530) 426-3313, ext. 113 | auburnskiclub.org Showcasing the history of skiing, exhibits include antique ski and snowshoe equipment, and a pair of 8-foot-long skis used by legendary mail carrier John “Snowshoe” Thompson. TART

VISITORS’ CENTERS Kings Beach Kings Beach State Rec. Area (Thurs.-Mon., July-Aug.)

Incline Village 969 Tahoe Blvd. (800) 468-2463 Stateline 169 Hwy. 50 (775) 588-4591 Tahoe City 100 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 581-6900 Truckee 10065 Donner Pass Rd. (Depot) (530) 587-8808 U.S. Forest Service | Incline Village 855 Alder Ave. (775) 831-0914 (Wed.-Fri.)

U.S. Forest Service | South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Museum

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 541-5458 | laketahoemuseum.org Features Washoe artifacts and exhibits on early industry and settlers. South Tahoe

35 College Dr. (530) 543-2600

U.S. Forest Service | Tahoe City 3080 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 583-3593 (Fridays)

U.S. Forest Service | Truckee 10811 Stockrest Springs Rd. (530) 587-3558

TRANSIT Boots McFarland by Geolyn Carvin | BootsMcFarland.com 4

North Tahoe & Truckee (TART) | laketahoetransit.com South Tahoe | tahoetransportation.org

National Forest access info fs.fed.us/r5/webmaps/RecreationSiteStatus

December 15-28, 2021 YOUR BUSINESS COULD

lake tahoe facts | AUBURN SKI TRAINING CENTER

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BOREAL

Donner Summit

Your business’

Reno & Sparks

PLUMAS-EUREKA STATE PARK

TAHOE DONNER

Truckee Donner Lake

SPONSOR THIS PAGE

Read about how the lake was formed, Lake Tahoe’s discovery, lake clarity and more at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Explore Tahoe.

RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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Email

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WEST EAST SOUTH

DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

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NEVADA NORDIC ra Rim T

il

DONNER SKI RANCH

LOGO here

h Ta

SUGAR BOWL SODA SPRINGS

Tahoe Vista

PALISADES TAHOE SQUAW CREEK

DEEPEST POINT

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

Tahoe City

Ta h o e R i m

Eagle Rock

CASINOS

Spooner Lake

Tahoe

il

West Shore

Maximum depth: 1,645 feet (501 m)

Lake

Sunnyside

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.

o Ta h

East Shore

e Ri m Tr a i l

SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK

Meeks Bay

Natural rim: 6,223’ (1,897 m)

CA

Only Outlet: Truckee River (Tahoe City)

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).

Cave Rock

Watershed Area: 312 square miles (808 sq km)

Zephyr Cove

Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F (5.61˚C) Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F (11.1˚C)

Emerald Bay Eagle Lake

Average Surface Temperature in July: 64.9˚F (18.3˚C)

Cascade Lake

Highest Peak: Freel Peak at 10,881 feet (3,317 m)

Fannette Island

R i m Tr ail

Number of Visitors: 15 million annually

Stateline

Lake Tahoe is as long as the English Channel is wide.

BIJOU PARK / LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

South Shore Ta h oe

Size: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide (35 km long, 19 km wide)

HEAVENLY

Average Snowfall: 409 inches (10.4 m) Permanent Population: 66,000

South Lake Tahoe

CAMP RICHARDSON

Fallen Leaf Lake

Meyers

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)

Glenbrook

Homewood Tahoma

Fed By: 63 streams and 2 hot springs

Carson City

NEVADA NORDIC

HOMEWOOD

Age of Lake Tahoe: 2 million years

Average depth: 1,000 feet (304 m)

Marlette Lake

NV

Dollar Hill

GRANKLIBAKKEN

a Tr

Lake Clarity: 2020: 63 feet avg. depth (19.2 m) 1968: First recorded at 102.4 feet (31.21 m)

Crystal Bay

TAHOE XC

CROSS COUNTRY SKI AREA

SNO-PARK

Incline Village

Kings Beach

Carnelian Bay

Lake Tahoe is located in the states of California and Nevada, with two-thirds in California.

DIAMOND PEAK

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK

Olympic Valley

DOWNHILL SKI AREA

North Shore

NORTHSTAR

Truckee River

ROYAL GORGE

oe

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT

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).

FREEL PEAK

ECHO LAKES

Learn about the natural history of the Tahoe Sierra

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Kirkwood

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE

HOPE VALLEY

Hope

Markleeville Valley

KIRKWOOD

lake tahoe facts How the lake was formed About 3 to 5 million years ago, the valley that would become the Tahoe Basin sank between parallel fractures in the Earth’s crust as the mountains on either side continued to rise. A shallow lake began to form in the resulting valley.

Roughly 2 to 3 million years ago, erupting volcanoes blocked the outlet, forcing the lake to rise hundreds of feet above its current elevation, and eventually eroded down to near its current outlet.

Between 1 million and 20,000 years ago, large masses of glacial ice covered the west side of the Tahoe Basin. Current geologic theory suggests an earthen berm (moraine) left by a receding glacier near Olympic Valley acted as a dam, causing the lake level to rise and then draw down rapidly when the dam catastrophically failed. Between 7,000 and 15,000 years ago, a four-mile segment of the West Shore collapsed into the Lake causing a massive

submerged debris avalanche, widening the Lake by three miles and creating McKinney Bay.1 The Tahoe Basin is mostly granite, with little topsoil, and therefore few nutrients have washed into the lake to promote the growth of algae and other organisms that make water murky.

As well, 40 percent of the precipitation falling into the Tahoe Basin lands directly on the lake.

The remaining precipitation drains through the decomposed granite soil found in marshes and meadows, creating a good filtering system for water.

Urbanization of the Tahoe Basin has eliminated 75 percent of its marshes, 50 percent of its meadows and 35 percent of its steam zone habitats.

About 85 percent of all wildlife in the Tahoe Basin use these habitats.

About the lake Lake Tahoe is located in the states of California and Nevada, with two-thirds in California. It is fed by 63 streams and two hot springs.

The Truckee River is Tahoe’s only outlet and flows from the dam in Tahoe City east through Reno and eventually drains into Pyramid Lake in the Nevada desert.

However, water releases are not permitted when the lake surface level falls below the natural rim at 6,223’ (1,897 m). The lowest lake level on record (measured since 1900) was 6,220.26’ (1,896 m) on Nov. 30, 1992.

The Lake of the Sky appears blue in color as other colors in the light spectrum are absorbed and blue light is scattered back.

Lake clarity The University of California, Davis, operates the Tahoe Environmental Resarch Center, which monitors, among other things, the clarity of Lake Tahoe. Clarity has been measured since 1968 and was first recorded at 102.4’.

The waters of Lake Tahoe were clear to an average depth of 63’ (19.2m) in 2020. Lake

Why is the lake blue?

The Lake of the Sky appears blue in color as other colors in the light spectrum are absorbed and the blue light is scattered back.

Tahoe is losing clarity because of algae growth fueled by nitrogen and phosphorus.

Lake Tahoe’s discovery The first recorded discovery of Lake Tahoe by white explorers was on Feb. 14, 1844, when John Charles Frémont and Charles Preuss spotted the lake from atop Red Lake Peak. The lake went through several names before it was officially named Tahoe in 1945.

Tahoe is a mispronunciation of the first two syllables of the Washoe’s word for the lake – Da ow a ga, which means “edge of the lake.” n

Learn more: Visit the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village or tahoesciencecenter.org. Sources: Tahoe Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, “Tahoe Place Names” and David Antonucci (denoted by 1).

5

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C A P T U R I N G T H E H I STO RY O F S I E R R A S K I I N G

BY E D DY A N C I N AS

W

hen the 1960 Winter Olympics came to a close 62 years ago, 20,000 spectators in Blyth Memorial Arena and many thousands more around the world, knew they had witnessed an event like none other in Olympic history, one still remembered by athletes and spectators as the best.

With that in mind (50 years later), Russell Poulsen, the youngest member of Olympic Valley’s pioneer Poulsen family, invited local ski-history enthusiasts to establish a foundation to build a unique, one-of-a-kind museum where the stories of those seminal Olympics and the 100+ years of Sierra ski history that preceded the event, would be preserved and displayed for locals to enjoy and the world to see.

In 2015, after eight years of analysis and input from consultants and community members, a site was chosen at the soonto-be-renamed Squaw Valley Park at

Watch the trailer for “Magic in the Mountains” at TheTahoeWeekly.com the entrance to Olympic Valley. As an Olympic and ski history museum, it would be close to the site of the games and the iconic center of winter sports in the West.

Generations of local skiers and loyal supporters have waited years for a modern, accessible facility where the evolution of Western skiing, with its rich history, adventurous entrepreneurs and athletes can be studied and shared with future

Sno-Parks reopened Courtesy SNOW Sports Museum

partnered with the museum to complete the environmental impact report, which will enable the museum foundation to begin a capital campaign to build the museum.

In January, a collection program, funded by Auburn Ski Club, will begin the process of collecting, identifying and recording memorabilia and artifacts. In addition to donations from the public and private collectors, the collection will include artifacts stored at Auburn Ski Club’s Western SkiSport Museum on Donner Summit, followed by the Stan and Maryann Batiste Collection at Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City

Generations of local skiers and loyal supporters have waited years for a modern, accessible facility where the evolution of Western skiing, with its rich history, adventurous entrepreneurs and athletes can be studied and shared with future generations. generations. Their donations, along with grants from Placer County and local foundations, have made it possible for the museum foundation to hire consultants and staff, create and maintain a website to submit an application for official designation as an Olympic museum and to complete branding studies, which resulted in a new name: Sierra Nevada Olympic and Winter (SNOW) Sports Museum.

As every nonprofit in the country knows, 2021 was a difficult year in which to keep the public informed on progress, raise funds and maintain enthusiasm. The year 2022 will be a pivotal year for SNOW Sports Museum. Placer County has 6

and the Olympic collection at the top of the tram at Palisades Tahoe. This program will inform exhibit designers and allow museum planners to determine where there are gaps in the collection.

More information on this program and preservation workshops for volunteers are on the website.

As well, the SNOW Sports Museum will be collecting and sharing the stories of local athletes participating in the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in 2022.

The Museum recently released its 202122 Vision Report with more information on the Museum’s goals and exhibits available online. | thesnowmuseum.org

DOCUMENTARY ON 1960 OLYMPICS “Magic in the Mountains” a featurelength documentary that tells the remarkable story of how Squaw Valley, a little-known ski area in California (now called Palisades Tahoe), won the bid for the 1960 Winter Olympics, recently premiered to benefit the SNOW Sports Museum.

The film, which also examines how Walt Disney helped to change the ways in which the Games were presented was produced

by Coolfire Productions in partnership with Palisades Tahoe and the Museum.

Directed by Cody Stokes, the documentary features never-before-seen archival footage from the 1960 Olympic Games and interviews with participating athletes and attendees, according to a press release from Coolfire Productions.

Production started in February 2019 and continued to shoot interviews until the pandemic hit. Interview subjects included participating athletes, historians, former Disney executives, family members of the Squaw Valley Founders and volunteers from the games. Coolfire relied on archival footage, as well as partnering with Walt Disney Archives and the Walt Disney Family Museum archives, according to the release.

“There was a tremendous amount of footage to go through from all of the found footage, to archival footage and then the interviews we shot. It’s incredibly challenging, but creatively rewarding,” stated Stokes in the release.

For updates about the film and where it can be streamed, rented or purchased in the future, visit magicinthemountainsfilm. com. n Eddy Ancinas is a writer and author of “Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows: Tales from Two Valleys” and vice president of the SNOW Sports Museum. | eddyancinas.com

Eldorado National Forest has reduced the Caldor Fire closure area and announced the reopening of the Iron Mountain, Meiss and Echo Lake Sno-Parks for the winter.

Other areas between Highways 50 and 88 remain closed, so check the current orders with the U.S. Forest Service before planning any outings.

Sno-Park permits are required to use the parks and are available for purchase online or from a participating vendor. Visit the website for a list of vendors. Permits are not available for purchase at the parks.

Read our Ice Skating & Tubing chart in this edition at TheTahoeWeekly.com for locations of local Sno-Parks and tubing areas. | (916) 324-1222, ohv.parks.ca.gov

Trails restoration fund launched As the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association and Tahoe Rim Trail Association continue to assess the extent of the damage from the Caldor Fire, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund has launched the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund to aid in the extensive trail restoration work that will be required.

Trail builders anticipate there will be increased maintenance needs on these trails over the next 10 years as trees come down and stump/root holes collapse.

Donations to the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund will be used to repair the diverse CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

December 15-28, 2021 GET OUTSIDE

even ts

Events are subject to change & cancellation; always check in advance for current schedules.

2021 Christmas Bird Count

Truckee Chamber Mixer

Area venues | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 15

Truckee Train Depot | Truckee | Dec. 16

AIARE Avalanche Training

Virtual Reality Studio

Donner Summit | Truckee | Dec. 15-16

Incline Village Library | Incline Village | Dec. 16

8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Free | tinsweb.org

avtraining.org

5-7 p.m. Free | business.truckee.com

4-5:30 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130 events.washoecountylibrary.us

Customer Appreciation Party Tahoe Mountain Sports | Truckee | Dec. 15 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free tahoemountsinsports.com

Festive Fridays Historic Downtown | Truckee | Dec. 17 Free | historictruckee.com

Heavenly Holidays

Tree Lighting & Toy Drive

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 15-29

West Shore Cafe | Homewood | Dec. 17 5-8:30 p.m. | westshorecafe.com

10 a.m. | skiheavenly.com

Eastern Sierra History Talks Holiday Art Show & Silent Auction Alpine Co.Community Center | Markleeville Dec. 15-17

Wylder Hotel Hope Valley | Markleeville Dec. 18, Dec. 24, Dec. 26 2 p.m. | wylderhotels.com

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free | alpinecounty.com

Holiday Bazaar Holiday Party with Santa Incline Village Library | Incline Village | Dec. 15 3-5 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130 events.washoecountylibrary.us

The Coachman Hotel | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 18 12-5:30 p.m. Free | facebook.com

Holiday Bazaar Holiday Wrapping Station Incline Village Library | Incline Village Dec. 15-17, Dec. 20-23

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130 events.washoecountylibrary.us

Mountain Lotus | Truckee | Dec. 18

3-7 p.m. Free | mountainlotusyoga.com

Mini Music Makers Sierra Brooks Lodge | Loyalton | Dec. 18

2-4 p.m. | (209) 202-9238, musicasierra.org

Northern Lights Area venues | Incline Village | Dec. 15-29 northernlightstahoe.com

Parade of Christmas Tree Lights area venues | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 15-17

Friends don’t let Friends teach Friends

Santa Claus Skiing into Town Heavenly Mountain | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 18

Book lessons now to ensure availability for the holidays! Call 775-832-1177 to book.

Purchase lift tickets, rentals & season passes online.

DiamondPeak.com

8 a.m.-3 p.m. | (775) 586-7000 tahoesouth.com

$5-$ | liveviolencefree.org

Santa Stop RUFF Truckee Library | Truckee Dec. 15, Dec. 22, Dec. 29

4-5 p.m. | (530) 582-7846 madelynhelling.evanced.info

Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week virtual & area venues | Tahoe City Dec. 15-18 takecaretahoe.org

The Chateau | Incline Village | Dec. 18 Free | yourtahoeplace.com

Winter Warmth Giveaway North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach Dec. 18

Textured gold, shiny diamonds, what a great combination!

12-3 p.m. Free | (775) 230-1066

Your Favorite Characters Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 18-19, Dec. 26-29 3-6 p.m. | tahoesouth.com

Trail of Lights Area venues | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 15-25 $0-$25 | business.tahoechamber.org

Christmas Vespers by Candlelight Sierra Brooks Lodge | Loyalton | Dec. 19 6 p.m. | musicasierra.org

Truckee Community Christmas donations area venues | Truckee | Dec. 15

Baby Story Time

Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series

11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | events.washoecountylibrary.us

truckeecommunitychristmas.com

Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley | Dec. 16

Incline Village Library | Incline Village Dec. 21, Dec. 28

7 p.m. Free | alpenglowsports.com

River Talks Locals’ Night Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley Dec. 16 6-9 p.m. Free | (530) 412-7034 destinationhotels.com

Preschool Storytime Truckee Library | Truckee | Dec. 16, Dec. 23

virtual | Truckee | Dec. 21, Dec. 28

4:30-5 p.m. Free | 530.550.8760 x5 truckeeriverwc.org

Tuesday 55+ Snowshoe Hikes area venues | Incline Village | Dec. 21, Dec. 28 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $17-$21 yourtahoeplace.com

10:30-11 a.m. | (530) 582-7846 madelynhelling.evanced.info

Toddler Time Incline Village Library | Incline Village Dec. 16, Dec. 23

11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130 events.washoecountylibrary.us

EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

S i n c e 19 7 7 . L o c a t e d i n B o a t w o r k s M a l l a t t h e Ta h o e C i t y M a r i n a Steve S c hmie r s J ewe lr y.c o m . 5 3 0 . 5 8 3 . 5 70 9

7

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Ice Skating & Tubing

your

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Find more family-friendly activities to enjoy.

ICE SKATING

is waiting.

HANSEN’S RESORT

(530) 544-3361 | hansensresort.com

EDGEWOOD TAHOE

(888) 769-1924 | edgewoodtahoe.com Open air rink. Rentals available.

HEAVENLY

HEAVENLY VILLAGE

(530) 542-4230 | theshopsatheavenly.com Open air rink. South Tahoe

(530) 562-1010 | northstarcalifornia.com Open air rink. Free access. TART

Off Highway 207. Bring equipment. South Tahoe

Indoor facility open year-round. South Tahoe

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

Blizzard Mountain offers two lift-accessible snow tubing lanes, snow play and sledding area.

(530) 583-1516 | wintersportspark.com Ice skating & rentals. Clubhouse. TART

(530) 659-7453 | sierraattahoe.com

TAHOE SNOWMOBILE TUBING

(530) 542-3294 | tahoesnowmobiles.com

TRUCKEE

(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com At Truckee River Regional Park. Skate rentals, broomball leagues, ice dancing & hockey lessons. Skate rentals & season passes available. TART

Two locations at Tahoe Paradise & Stateline, Nev. Reserve online.

Opens Dec. 18.

TAYLOR CREEK (530) 543-2600

Highway 89, north of Camp Richardson Road. Bring equipment.* South Tahoe

SLEDDING & TUBING

TUBETAHOE

OPEN AS CONDITIONS PERMIT.

(530) 600-2304 | tubetahoe.com

EAST SHORE

500 feet of machine-groomed tubing lanes in Meyers.

Equipment provided. South Tahoe

SPOONER LAKE (775) 831-0494

State park open for snow play. Bring equipment. Parking fee.

Opening TBA

TRUCKEE & BEYOND

BOREAL MOUNTAIN rideboreal.com

HOPE VALLEY AREA

Tubing open to everyone 42” and taller; smaller children are limited to snow play area only. Personal sleds not permitted.

Night sessions available. Reserve online.

CARSON PASS (209) 295-4251

Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Bring equipment.*

Winter for Fun Everyone!

(775) 586-7271 | douglascountynv.gov

On Lake Tahoe Blvd. Bring equipment. South Tahoe

(530) 542-6262 | cityofslt.com

(775) 832-4404

Tubing at top of gondola with four lanes.

SAWMILL POND

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

petnetwork.org

skiheavenly.com

KAHLE PARK

NORTHSTAR

adopt & save a life at

400-foot-long groomed tube run on Ski Run Blvd. First-come, first-served.

DONNER SKI RANCH

HOPE VALLEY

donnerskiranch.com

(775) 882-2766

Tubing hills with moving carpet.

Highway 88 at Blue Lakes Road. Bring equipment.*

DONNER SUMMIT (530) 587-3558

MEISS MEADOW (209) 295-4251

South side of I-80, Castle Peak exit. Bring equipment.*

Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Bring equipment.*

KINGVALE RESORT

(530) 427-5090 | kingvaleresort.com Snow park open Friday-Monday. Bring sleds. Plastic sleds available to buy. Tubes not allowed. Parking & snow park fee, cash only.

NORTH SHORE

INCLINE VILLAGE Snow Play Area on Fairway Blvd., next to the Chateau, on the driving range. Bring equipment.

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA

MOUNT ROSE

SODA SPRINGS

Near the Mount Rose summit, enjoy sledding in Tahoe Meadows off Highway 431. Bring equipment.

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK

(530) 546-0605 | northtahoeparks.com End of National Avenue off Hwy 28. Rentals not available this season. TART

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

northstarcalifornia.com TART skisodasprings.com

Mountain Adventure offers kids tubing carousel, all-age tubing, Snow Jeep rides, Start Park, snow play area and mini snowmobiles. Reserve online.

TAHOE DONNER

(530) 587-9437 | tahoedonner.com At Trout Creek Recreation Ctr. No personal sleds. Reserve online.

(530) 583-1516 | wintersportspark.com

Sledding & cross-country trails. Rentals available. Clubhouse. Reserve online. TART

YUBA PASS

(530) 994-3401 Highway 49 at Yuba Pass. Bring equipment.*

OLYMPIC VALLEY WEST SHORE

PALISADES TAHOE

(530) 452-4511 | palisadestahoe.com Tubing area. TART

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING · SLEDDING SNOWSHOEING · ICE SKATING

(530) 543-2600

Snowplay area off Hwy. 89, 3 miles south of Tahoe City.

Bring equipment.*

SQUAW VALLEY PARK placer.ca.gov

Free snowplay area. Free parking to access cleared walking paths in Olympic Valley to Tahoe City. Bring equipment. TART

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

HOMEWOOD ADVENTURE CENTER

On top of Echo Summit with machine-groomed sledding, tubing & snowplay. First-come, first-served.

At Homewood Mountain Resort with Magic Carpet. Reserve online.

Opening TBA

ECHO LAKE

Highway 50 at Echo Lake Road. Bring equipment.*

TCPUD.ORG/WINTER Visit tcpud.org/winter for more Know Before You Go tips, details on sessions, season passes, and reservations.

8

530.583.1516 251 NORTH LAKE BLVD. TAHOE CITY

(530) 525-2992 | skihomewood.com

TAHOE CITY

(530) 644-2324

RESERVE ONLINE AT

(530) 581-7533 | granlibakken.com

ADVENTURE MOUNTAIN

(530) 659-7217 | adventuremountaintahoe.com

Limited walk-ups will be permitted, but not guaranteed.

GRANLIBAKKEN

Machine-groomed snow play area; no tubes or toboggans allowed. All ages. Reserve online.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

FOR THE ‘21-22 SEASON

BLACKWOOD CANYON

Gentle slope on Highway 89 South, one-eighth mile south of the wye. Bring equipment. TART

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE WEATHER DEPENDENT. * Sno-park permits required. Go to ohv.parks.ca.gov/snoparks or find locations at (916) 324-1222.

BUS & SHUTTLE SCHEDULES

North Tahoe & Truckee: laketahoetransit.com (TART) | South Tahoe: tahoetransportation.org

December 15-28, 2021 GET OUTSIDE

Winter Paved Walking Paths

DOGS OK

BOOT-PACKED PATH

PLOWED PATH

PAVED MULTIUSE TRAILS CHECK CONDITIONS AT TAHOEBIKE.ORG.

• Keep dogs leashed • Pedestrians must yield to bikes • Don’t stop on the trail; move to the side • E-bikes allowed on most paths; check in advance • Cyclists call out when passing pedestrians • Limited service in winter. Pack out all trash, including dog waste bags.

BIKES OK

OLYMPIC VALLEY

OLYMPIC VALLEY Easy | 4 miles RT | tcpud.org A 2-mile trail runs beside Squaw Valley Road to the ski area from the Squaw Valley condos to Victoria Road, with views of the meadow and surrounding peaks. Public parking at Squaw Valley Park or Village at Squaw. Electric assist OK. TART SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

AL TAHOE BOULEVARD Easy | 3.2 miles RT Connections Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Highway 50) and Pioneer Trail with access to Lake Tahoe Community College.

EAST SHORE

EAST SHORE TRAIL Easy-moderate | 6 miles RT | tahoefund.org Runs along Lake Tahoe and connects to Hwy. 28 from south end of Incline Village, Nev., to Sand Harbor State Park. Parking near Ponderosa Ranch Road. Electric assist OK. Paid parking. TART NORTH SHORE

CAMP RICHARDSON BIKE PATH Easy | 6 miles RT The trail parallels State Route 89 (Emerald Bay Road) for more than 3 miles, offering access to a number of local historic and recreational amenities. Limited parking.

SAWMILL TO MEYERS

INCLINE VILLAGE Easy | 7.4 miles RT | washoecounty.us Walking path runs along Hwy. 28 through Incline Village.

Access to shopping and parks. Paved between both intersections of Southwood Blvd. Boot packed between east intersection of Southwood Blvd. and Country Club Drive. TART

LAKESHORE BOULEVARD

Easy | 7 miles RT Section cleared along Sawmill Road starting at Lake Tahoe Boulevard then connects to run along Highway 89 to Meyers ending at Luther Pass Road.

SIERRA BOULEVARD Easy | 1.2 miles RT Connects from Lake Tahoe Boulevard to Barbara Avenue.

Easy | 5 miles RT | washoecounty.us Runs along Lake Tahoe Boulevard and connects to Hwy. 28 at each end of Incline Village. Park at Preston Field on Hwy. 28. Electric assist OK. TART

SKI RUN BOULEVARD

NATIONAL AVENUE

Easy | 7 miles RT | cityofslt.us Follow the bike trail along South Shore, with sections along Lakeview Commons, Reagan Beach and playgrounds. Public parking at Parks and Recreation lot on Rufus Allen Boulevard.

Easy | 1.8 miles RT Starts on shore of Lake Tahoe at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area and continues up National Avenue past Grey Lane.

Parking at Tahoe Vista Recreation Area. TART

PINE DROP TRAIL Easy | 3 miles RT | northtahoeparks.com Located at North Tahoe Regional Park the trail connects to to Pinedrop Lane off Highway 267. Parking fee.

TAHOE CITY TO CARNELIAN BAY Easy-moderate | 8+ miles RT | tcpud.org First 2.5 miles mostly level with a half-mile climb up Dollar Hill. Cross Highway 28 to access 2.2-mile section to Fulton Crescent above Carnelian Bay. Public parking at 64 Acres, Commons Beach, Jackpine and Grove Street. Electric assist OK. Section from Dollar Hill to Fulton Crescent bootpacked only. TART

TRUCKEE RIVER CANYON Easy | 9+ miles RT | tcpud.org 4.5 miles from the Tahoe City wye to Alpine Meadows Road, with trails continuing to Olympic Valley. The trail is scenic, separate from the highway, and is mostly flat terrain with a few short, gentle grades with trout fishing, river rafting and picnicking along the way. Connects with Squaw Valley Road or continue to Truckee. Public parking at 64 Acres and Squaw Valley Park at Squaw Valley Road. Electric assist OK. TART

Easy | 1.2 miles RT Connects from Lake Tahoe Boulevard to Pioneer Trail.

SOUTH SHORE BIKE PATH

TRUCKEE

DONNER PASS ROAD Easy | 5.4 miles RT Runs through the heart of the town of Truckee from the west end to historic downtown Truckee.

DONNER PASS ROAD TO MOUSEHOLE Easy | 1.8 miles RT Runs along Highway 89 connecting Donner Pass Road to the Mousehole.

JOEGER DRIVE Easy | 1.2 miles RT Connects from Soaring Way and runs along Joeger Drive to River View Sports Park.

STEVENS LANE TO ALDER DRIVE Easy | 2 miles RT Runs from Stevens Lane along Donner Pass Road, turns down Rue Ivy to connect to Alder Drive. Park at U.S. Forest Service office on Stevens Lane.

TROUT CREEK TRAIL Moderate | 3 miles RT Wooded path from Trout Creek Park (paid parking) in downtown Truckee to Northwoods Boulevard (parking free).

WEST SHORE

TAHOE CITY TO MEEKS BAY Moderate | 25+ miles RT | tcpud.org Mostly separate from the highway, the trail includes a few miles of highway shoulder and residential streets.

Terrain is varied with a few steep sections. Access to picnicking, beaches and playgrounds. Public parking at 64 Acres. Electric assist OK. TART

TRUCKEE LEGACY TRAIL Easy | 10 miles RT | tdrpd.org Stretches from downtown Truckee to Truckee River Regional Park, River View Sports Park and Glenshire.

Park at either park or East River Street. Electric assist OK. TART

BUS & SHUTTLE SCHEDULES

North Tahoe & Truckee: laketahoetransit.com (TART) | South Tahoe: tahoetransportation.org

9

TheTahoeWeekly.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

trails that provide experiences for hikers, mountain bikers and other recreational users. Trail restoration efforts will leverage innovative, sustainable designs to protect the environment and minimize climate change impacts. | tahoefund.org

Pines to Mines Trail Ok’d The Nevada County Board of Supervisors voted in November to move forward with the 80-mile Pines to Mines Trail connecting Truckee to Nevada City.

The multiuse, non-motorized trail will user portions of existing trails including the Trout Creek Canyon Trail, the Donner Lake Rim Trail, the Hole In The Ground Trail, the Spaulding Lake Trail and the Pioneer Trail.

When finished, the trail would also connect to the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail.

Back-country safety week returns Take Care Tahoe presents the second annual Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week from Dec. 13 to 18 offering free, virtual and in-person educational sessions focused on back-country safety. In themed events, participants will learn about everything from why training matters and how to prepare, to how to use safety equipment, back-country etiquette and more.

TART and TART Connect

Free Bus and On-Demand Shuttle Service

Professional athletes Michelle Parker, Jeremy Jones, Elyse Saugstad and Claire Hewitt-Demeyer will be featured in the events. Advance registration is required for online and in-person events. | takecaretahoe.org

Year-round routes between Incline Village, Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Tahoe City, Olympic Valley, Truckee, and Northstar.

events CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Ski with Santa Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area | Truckee Dec. 25 11:30 a.m. | tahoedonner.com

Ferris Wheel Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 27-29

11 a.m.-9 p.m. $5 | tahoesouth.com

Stuff A Bear Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 27-29 1 p.m. $15 | tahoesouth.com

Village Ice Sculpture Contest

SCHEDULE

Daily Regional Routes

The trail is a joint effort by the Truckee Trails Foundation, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Bicyclists of Nevada County and Gold Country Trails Council.

Dec. 14 | Back-country trip planning | Virtual Dec. 15 | “Buried” showing | Tahoe Art Haus Dec. 17 | Backcountry Safety Summit | Alpenglow Expeditions Dec. 18 | Glacier Way Trial Cleanup, Backcountry Beacon Hunt & Lake Tahoe Snowmobiles Meetup & Beacon Park | Area venues

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 27 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Lego Robotics Incline Village Library | Incline Village Dec. 28-29 3-5 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130 events.washoecountylibrary.us

Night Service North Lake Tahoe and Truckee.

Truckee Dial-a-Ride Door-to-door service 7-days a week.

Park and Ride Weekends and President’s Day.

“ When I dream of Tahoe I see the sun and snow.”

THE TAHOE COLLECTION Reversible pendant shown.

TahoeTruckeeTransit.com/Winter22

pendants • earrings • charms • more collections

I VAW I N T O N J E W E L R Y . C O M 10

T A H O E

WINTER 2021-22 EDITION | DEC. 15-APRIL 15

INSIDE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS PERFORMING ARTS THE GREAT OUTDOORS ARTS & CULTURE CULINARY DELIGHTS

#1

Courtesy Winter Wondergrass

The source for events, music & entertainment

TheTahoeWeekly.com facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly @TheTahoeWeekly issuu app iTunes & Google Play

Winter Wondergrass | April 1-3

11

Courtesy V&T Railroad | Polar Express

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Holiday Celebrations The Polar Express | Until Dec. 23

Holiday Celebrations Parade of Christmas Tree Lights

Christmas in the Sierra

Until Dec. 17 | Christmas Tree Lane | South Lake Tahoe

Dec. 17 | Douglas County Community Center | Gardnerville, Nev.

Visit a parade of festive trees on Christmas Tree Lane hosted by local business owners.

Download the online map for more details. | liveviolencefree.org

“Guilty Christmas” Until Dec. 17 | Valhalla Grand Hall | South Lake Tahoe

This concert features David John and the Comstock Cowboys. | visitcarsonvalley.org

Holiday Concert Dec. 17 & 18 | CVIC Hall | Minden, Nev. Carson Valley Pops Orchestra will delight with a lineup of musical selections. | cvpops.org

This play by David Hamilton and Mark D. Williams is a fast-paced musical comedy written specifically for the Tahoe audience. Look for songs about winter driving, running for city council and quarantine. | valhallatahoe.com

Home for the Holidyas

“A Christmas Carol”

The spirit of Christmas and Hanukkah comes to life as the 17-piece Reno Jazz Orchestra and headlining vocalists present “Home for the Holidays.” | renojazzorchestra.org

Until Dec. 18 | Bruka Theatre | Reno, Nev. Brüka Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” written by Charles Dickens and is adapted and directed for three actors by Michael Grimm. | bruka.org

The Polar Express Until Dec. 23 | Eastgate Depot | Carson City, Nev. The hour-long train rides are great family fun. Kids can even wear pajamas. | vtrailway.com

Santa’s Christmas Wonderland Until Dec. 26 | Eldorado Resort Casino | Reno, Nev. Santa’s Christmas Wonderland features glittering costumes, sensational sets, a dazzling cast and the highest kicking chorus dancers this side of the North Pole. | eldoradoreno.com

Trail of Holiday Lights Until Dec. 31 | South Shore venues

Dec. 17 & 19 | The Theatre | Reno, Nev.

“Tahoe Nutcracker” Dec. 17-19 | North Tahoe High School | Tahoe City Lake Tahoe Dance Collective offers this holiday classic set in the ballroom of Tahoe Tavern in 1919 with professional guest artists, community members and local dancers. | laketahoedancecollective.org

Christmas with the Filharmonic Dec. 17-Jan. 3 | Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev. The Filharmonic, an LA-based a cappella 5-piece vocal group, brings their unique blend of hip-hop, pop and 90s nostalgia. | caesars.com

Santa Stop Drive-Thru Dec. 18 | The Chateau | Incline Village

Local businesses and homes light up their homes for the Trails of Holiday Lights for everyone’s enjoyment and for bragging rights. Free map online. | tahoechamber.org

The holiday fun starts at this festive drive-through event. See Santa and Mrs. Claus and bring along a prewritten letter for Santa to drop in the North Pole Express Mailbox. | yourtahoeplace.com

Christmas on the Comstock

Handel’s “Messiah”

Until Dec. 31 | Area venues | Virginia City, Nev.

Dec. 18 & 19 | area venues

Festivities include the Believe Again Christmas Challenge shopping spree worth $1,000, two weekends of fireworks shows, the evening Train O’Lights, a Christmas play, Parade of Lights, a saloon crawl, holiday artisan craft fair and community celebrations. | visitvirginiacitynv.com

Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will conclude its 16th season with a production of Handel’s “Messiah,” along with seasonal carols. | toccatatahoe.org

Northern Lights Tahoe

This holiday-themed show takes the time-honored elements of the holidays and mixes them with computer animation and projection mapping for a modern, up-to-date spin. | grandsierraresort.com

Until Dec. 31 | Area venues This annual, popular, month-long festival will highlight local communities. Celebrate the season with a holiday parties, sip & shops, music and more in Crystal Bay and Incline Village, Nev. | northernlightstahoe.com

Heavenly Holidays

Holiday Dreams Dec. 18-Jan. 1 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev.

Christmas Vespers by Candlelight Dec. 19 | Sierra Brooks Lodge | Loyalton

Until Dec. 31 | Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe

Spend an evening in peace and stillness immersed in contemplative song, chanting, prayer and candlelight. | musicasierra.org

Heavenly Holidays Family Festival ice sculptures, breakfasts with Santa, ice-skating performances starring Disney characters, a Ferris Wheel, live music and a New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring Gin Blossoms. | skiheavenly.com

Great Basin Carolers

Noel Nights

Enjoy the sounds of the season with live caroling from the Great Basin Carolers from 4 to 7 p.m. | palisadestahoe.com

Dec. 17 | Northstar Village | Truckee From 6 to 8 p.m. gather at the ice rink for live music, photos with Santa, a Letters to Santa location, face painting and balloon animals. | northstarcalifornia.com

Festive Fridays

Dec. 20-24 | Village at Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 22-23 | Bally’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev. Reno Dance Theater will be performing the holiday classic.| ballyslaketahoe.com

Dec. 17 | Downtown Truckee

Holiday Movie Skate Night

Historical tours, holiday sip & shop and search for the “Snow Flake” at specific locations throughout downtown to win gift cards from downtown businesses from 4 to 6 p.m. | historictruckee.com

Dec. 24, 25, Jan. 1 | Northstar Village | Truckee

Christmas Trombone Ensemble

Ski With Santa

Dec. 17 | Airport Gardens | Reno, Nev.

Dec. 25 | Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area | Truckee

This free event at noon from Reno Wind Symphony will start the magic of the holidays. | renowindsymphony.com

After the presents are open, take a few runs with Santa himself, with a half-day of skiing and riding.| tahoedonner.com

12

Enjoy free, family-friendly holiday movies while on the ice rink including “The Grinch,” “The Polar Express” and “Trolls-World Tour.” | northstarcalifornia.com

Courtesy Winter Wondergrass

Decemember 15-28, 2021 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Disney Princess-The Concert Feb. 25 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev. This all-star quartet of Broadway and animated film icons celebrate all the Disney princesses in an evening of songs, animation and stories, alongside their magical music director and enchanting prince. | grandsierraresort.com

Martha Graham Dance Company March 8 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates the exhilarating return to live theater with this performance of iconic Graham classics alongside a stunning new work by one of today’s top choreographers. | pioneercenter.com

“She Kills Monsters” March 10-19 | LTCC Duke Theater | South Lake Tahoe “She Kills Monsters” is a surprisingly sweet tale of friendship, loss and acceptance. blackicetheatreco.com

10-Minute Play Festival WinterWonderGrass | April 1-3

Performing Arts Magique Until Jan. 29 | The Theatre | Reno, Nev. Magique is loaded with special effects, dazzling costumes, a catchy soundtrack, multimedia backdrops, synchronized lighting and grand illusions. | wethetheatre.com

Northstar Winter Music Series Until March 26 | Northstar Village | Truckee Cozy up around a fire pit or break out the ice skates and enjoy live music from 2 to 5 p.m. in The Village on Saturdays through the end of March. | northstarcalifornia.com

Après Music Until April 1 | Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge | South Lake Tahoe On Fridays and Saturdays enjoy free, live music at Tamarack from 3 to 5 p.m. skiheavenly.com

March 11-13 | Community Art Center | Truckee With the help of writing teacher Karen Terrey, Truckee Community Theater helps novice and aspiring playwrights to create 10-minute plays, directed by different directors. truckeecommunitytheater.com

Dancing with the Stars: Live!

March 26 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev. The show will feature fan-favorite professional and troupe dancers in a new production showcasing every type of dance style as seen on the hit ABC show from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop. | grandsierraresort.com

Apex Concerts: Emerson String Quartet March 31 | Hall Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. The quartet performs two masterpieces of chamber music: Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ” and the String Quintet in C Major by Schubert. | unr.edu

WinterWonderGrass April 1-3 | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley WinterWonderGrass brings the best of bluegrass, acoustic roots and Americana music, along with California craft beers, wines, spirits and local food in a winter wonderland. winterwondergrass.com

Disney’s “Moana, Jr.” Dec. 10-12 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City, Nev. This coming-of-age story follows Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. | wildhorsetheater.com 20 TH annual

Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live Dec. 16 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. Hist Emily Connor and movie-riffing robots, Tom Servo, Crow and GPC, take viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the film “Making Contact,” imposed by mad scientist, MegaSynthia. | pioneercenter.com

Reno Latin Dance Fest Jan. 6-9 | The Row Reno | Reno, Nev.

presents

IN-PERSON:

Jan 13 - 17

Nevada City

•

•

2022

Grass Valley

ONLINE: JAN 13 - 23

This Latin dance festival hosts workshops taught by professional instructors, night parties with hours of social dancing, Latin DJs and an evening showcase where couples and teams from all over the nation perform. | renolatindancefest.com

“The Lightning Thief” Jan. 14-23 | Community Art Center | Truckee This annual teen production features students grades 7 to 12 in a Percy Jackson musical. truckeecommunitytheater.com

Classix Series Jan. 15-16, Feb. 12-13, March 5-6 & April 2-3 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. The Reno Philharmonic presents its Classix Series this winter with performances monthly from January to April. | renophil.com

“Fiddler on the Roof” Jan. 18-23 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. A wonderful cast and a lavish orchestra tell this heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives and the timeless traditions that define faith and family. pioneercenter.com

Apex Concert: Masters and Apprentices Jan. 26 | Hall Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. The tradition of student teacher relationship is reinforced in the repertoire: the friendly duos by Jean-Baptiste Barrère, Mendelssohn and Connesson, a clarinet sonata by Lowell Liebermann and the majestic Clarinet Trio by Johannes Brahms: a work inspired by Mozart and Beethoven. | unr.edu

“Waitress” Feb. 4-6 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county, shows Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. | pioneercenter.com

WILDANDSCENICFILMFESTIVAL.ORG 13

Courtesy Backcountry Safety Week

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week | Until Dec. 18

The Great Outdoors Winter Trail Series

Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count

Monthly | area venues | Carson City, Nev.

Jan. 14 | area venues | Lake Tahoe

Ascent Runs offers one race a month from until March, no matter the weather, from a run with Rudolph to a run through mud. | ascentruns.com

Tahoe Institute for Natural Science will be coordinating the 41st annual mid-winter bald eagle count.| tinsweb.org

Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week

Play Forever Fridays

Until Dec. 18 | Virtual & in-person

Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 18, April 8 | Boreal Mountain | Soda Springs

This year’s event features free virtual and in-person educational sessions focused on backcountry safety. | takecaretahoe.org

Ski or ride for a $25 lift ticket at Boreal Mountain; the price includes a $5 donation to local nonprofits. | rideboreal.com

55+ Snowshoe Hikes

Moonlight Snowshoe Hike

Until March 29 | Area venues | Incline Village, Nev.

Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18 | Diamond Peak | Incline Village, Nev.

Trekkers of all abilities are welcome to join IVGID’s Senior Program for light to moderate level snowshoe outings at various locations. | yourtahoeplace.com

Join a Community Snowshoe Hike to Diamond Peak’s Snowflake Lodge for ages 10 and older. Enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa at the top. | diamondpeak.com

Christmas Bird Count

Eagles & Agriculture

Dec. 15 | South Lake Tahoe

Jan. 27-30 | area venues | Carson Valley

Join Tahoe Institute for Natural Science for its annual Christmas Bird Count. | tinsweb.org

Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series

Take ranch tours to spot eagles and owls, enter the annual photo contest, hike the area and take workshops all about these magnificent birds of prey. | business.carsonvalleynv.org

Dec. 16, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, 17 | | Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley

Tahoe Junior Freeride Quail Ride

The Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series showcases locals and athletes, who share stories of their incredible adventures in the mountains. | alpenglowsports.com

Feb. 6 | Homewood Mountain Resort | Homewood

Avalanche Training

Watch the region’s youngest competitors put down their best lines on Homewood’s iconic Quail Face.| skihomewood.com

Dec. 18 | Turtle Rock Community Center | Markleeville

The Great Ski Race

The Nickolay Dodov Foundation is hosting this free educational event for the Alpine County East Slope. All are welcome. | nickolaydodovfoundation.com

March 6 | Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area | Tahoe City

Snowshoeing Tours

The annual Great Ski Race challenges cross-country skiers to race from Tahoe City to Truckee. | thegreatskirace.com

Dec. 18 & 31, Jan. 16, Feb. 12 | Wylder Hotel | Hope Valley

Subaru Winterfest

Take a moonlit meadow snowshoe tour and relax afterwards with a hot chocolate and cookies. | wylderhotels.com

March 14-15 | Boreal

Full Moon Snowshoe Tours

U.S. Freestyle Championships

Dec. 18-March 28 | Area venues

March 23-27 | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley

Tahoe Adventure Company offers full moon snowshoe treks monthly during the winter. tahoeadventurecompany.com

The U.S. Freestyle Mogul Championships returns to Palisades Tahoe and spectators will be able to watch the country’s best moguls athletes compete for national titles. | palisadestahoe. com

Snowshoe Star Tours

The Subaru Winterfest returns this season to Boreal with fun activities. | rideboreal.com

Dec. 22, Jan. 14, Feb. 20, March 4 | area venues

Pride Ride

Tahoe Adventure Company and Tony Berendsen present a guided snowshoe followed by telescopic tours of the night sky. | tahoeadventurecompany.com

March 24-26 | Homewood Mountain Resort

Snowshoe Stargazing Tours Dec. 29, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 5 | Northstar XC Center | Truckee Enjoy an easy-to-moderate snowshoe walk with an unobstructed view of the cosmos.

Tours are led by Tony Berendsen, each featuring a science-based talk. | northstarcalifornia.com

The annual Pride Ride will return, featuring a fun weekend of festivities on and off the mountain including live DJ and dance parties, slalom drag race, Rainbow Ridge Pride Parade and more. | skihomewood.com

Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival March 26 | Diamond Peak | Incline Village, Nev.

Jan. 7-8 | Reno Events Center

Competitors race to the top of the mountain using whatever human-powered method they prefer then ski, snowboard, snowshoe or run back down to the finish line. Costumes encouraged. | diamondpeak.com

Professional Bull Riders: Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour brings the excitement and top levels of cowboy and bovine talent that fans have come to expect. | pbr.com

Pain McShlonkey

Reno Rumble

USASA North Tahoe Series Rail Jam

March 26 | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley

Expect grinding rails, epic stunts and plenty of side hits to make each line unique. skihomewood.com

Dress up in outrageous ski duds and come out for a day full of belly laughs, camaraderie and philanthropy in celebration of legendary skier Shane McConkey. Festivities include the Extreme Small Mountain Invitational and a downhill race, where pros and amateurs battle it out on snowblades for the Golden Saucer trophy. | shanemcconkey.org

Tahoe Junior Freeride Series

Sierra Skogsloppet XC Ski Race

Jan. 8-March 14 (select dates) | Area venues

March 27 | Tahoe Donner XC Ski Center | Truckee

Tahoe Freeride will take place at various Tahoe ski areas, starting at Sugar Bowl and ending at Mt. Rose in March. | tahoefreeride.org

This cross-country race event is organized by local school cross-country ski teams as a fundraiser and will start at 10 a.m. | tahoedonner.com

Jan. 8, Feb. 27 | Homewood Mountain Resort | Homewood

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C HI NA B EF ORE COM MU N IS M

The Wait is Over, Shen Yun Returns Be among the first to see Shen Yun live in-person

Experience the beauty of traditional Chinese culture —free of communism.

Every year Shen Yun premieres a brand-new performance, complete with new works of choreography and orchestral music, as well as new costumes, digital backdrops, and storylines. It’s an enormous artistic undertaking and a performance you don’t want to miss.

Your safety is our priority For the safety of both our audience and artists, we’re following the health and safety guidelines issued by the venue, as well as federal and state guidelines.

March 19–20, 2022 RENO Pioneer Center of the Performing Arts

ShenYun.com/CA

Courtesy Diamond Peak

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

UllrFest | Feb. 4

Arts & Culture 39 North 3rd Thursdays Dec. 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 17 | Victorian Square | Sparks, Nev. This event includes good food, cold drinks, live entertainment, crafts, chef demos, movies on the big screen and art. | 39northdowntown.com

Eastern Sierra History Talks Until Feb. 20 | Wylder Hotel | Hope Valley History talks with David Woodruff around the fire ring about the people and events that helped shape the area and more on select dates. | wylderhotels.com

Sparks Art Walk Dec. 16 | Victorian Square | Sparks, Nev. Don an ugly sweater and join the Art Walk Sip and Shop with artisans, makers and crafters selling local goods from 4 to 6 p.m. Docent art tours at 4 p.m., live music and an ugly sweater contest. | Sparks Art Walk on Facebook

Wreaths Across America Dec. 18 | Garden Cemetery | Gardnerville, Nev. Honor veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of the country’s fallen heroes and by the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud. | visitcarsonvalley.org

Film Stream Film Festival Dec. 18 & 19 | Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Film Stream Awards is a festival dedicated to adventure and documentary features and short films, series and episodic content. | filmstreamfestival.com

Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Jan. 8 | Bally’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev. Lake Tahoe is home to year-round opportunities for adventure so it is only fitting that it would play host to the celebration of adventure of all kinds. Show at 7:30 p.m., after party at 10 p.m. | laketahoefilmfestival.com

Wild & Scenic Film Festival Jan. 13-17 | Nevada City & Grass Valley The 20th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival with filmmakers, celebrities, leading activists, social innovators and world adventurers. | wildandscenicfilmfestival.org

UllrFest Torchlight Parade & Party Feb. 4 | Diamond Peak Ski Resort | Incline Village, Nev. UllrFest kicks off with a torchlight parade, bonfire, party and live music. | dpsef.org

Kid-O-Rama Feb. 19-26 | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley Enjoy a week’s worth of family fun to the resort with a full slate of kid-focused events and activities on and off the snow. | palisadestahoe.com

SnowFest!

Feb. 25-March 6 | Area venues Every spring since 1982, North Lake Tahoe has come alive with 10 fun-filled days and nights of events and activities. | tahoesnowfest.org

Pi Day

Whether you’re taking on a DIY project, outfitting your Tahoe home, or gearing up for your next winter adventure Mountain Hardware and Sports has what you need to take on life in the mountains.

March 14 | Diamond Peak | Incline Village, Nev. It’s an opportunity to try to recite the infinite digits of Pi (3.14159.....) and to eat pie. There will be pieces of pies around the mountain and there may be some special prizes for those who can recite the most digits of Pi. | diamondpeak.com

Dummy Downhill March 20 | Diamond Peak | Incline Village, Nev.

11320 Donner Pass Road | 10001 Soaring Way #105 | Truckee, CA

Join the fun at the annual Dummy Downhill. Participants build a dummy on skis (or a snowboard) that gets launched off a jump on Show-Off while spectators cheer them on from the Base Lodge Deck. | diamondpeak.com

Spring Festival

mountainhardwareandsports.com 16

April 7-30 | Andelin Family Farm | Sparks, Nev. Celebrate the start of spring with a family-friendly festival on the farm with the arrival of baby animals and spring blooms. | andelinfamilyfarm.com

Courtesy Palisades Tahoe

Decemember 15-28, 2021 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Snowshoe Tour & Dinner | Dec. 19-March 12

Culinary Delights Sunset Happy Hour Ongoing | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley As the sun sets behind the snow-capped Sierra, enjoy a unique après experience on select dates at High Camp at Palisades Tahoe from 4-6 p.m. starting Dec. 26. Take in the sights of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding peaks while enjoying happy hour food and drink specials. | palisadestahoe.com

Wine Walk 3rd Saturday | Riverwalk District | Reno, Nev. The Wine Walk along the Truckee River is from 2 to 5 p.m. on every third Saturday of the month. | renoriver.org

Snowshoe Tour & Dinner Dec. 19-March 12 (select dates) | Chalet | Alpine Meadows Join a guided snowshoe tour to the mid-mountain Chalet to enjoy a four-course, Bavarianinspired meal with wine pairings. Snowshoes are provided. Must be age 21 and older. palisadestahoe.com

First Tracks Breakfast Jan. 9 | Homewood Mountain Resort | Homewood Early birds looking for the freshest snow can load Madden Chair from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and take laps on Old Homewood Express before the slopes open to the public. Grab a breakfast burrito at the bottom of Madden Chair and hit the slopes. Free to passholders. skihomewood.com

Brew HaHa Jan. 29 | Nugget | Sparks, Nev. Join Sierra Arts Foundation for a night of incredible live entertainment, great brews, fascinating art and more from 7 to 11 p.m. | sierraarts.org

Last Tracks Feb. 2-April 6 (select dates) | Diamond Peak | Incline Village, Nev. Participants can take advantage of a half-day lift ticket followed by a final chair ride up to Snowflake Lodge to experience views, wine or craft beer tastings paired with appetizers.

When the event is over, participants enjoy a final run down a freshly groomed trail. diamondpeak.com

Achieve Tahoe Gala Feb. 5 | Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley Brush off your formal wear and get ready for a night of good food and fun to help build health, confidence and independence in children and adults with disabilities. achievetahoe.org

Leprechaun Crawl March 12 | Downtown Reno, Nev. With more than 70 bars, restaurants and nightclubs within walking distance, downtown Reno has established itself as the undisputed bar crawl capital. | crawlreno.com

17

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Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 23) Creative inspiration and social expansion combine to uplift your spirits. While the need to be committed to making key changes remains, this is a time for some celebration. The change part requires some measure of surrender and adaptation to the changing times. Work inwardly to prepare mentally and emotionally to put flexibility and willingness on alert.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 22) The Gemini Full Moon will shine its light on your career and social status in general this week. Your focus is sober and practical as you implement strategic thinking and actions. This includes financial interests and investments. A push to expand your outreach will become increasingly apparent and overlap into 2022.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22) The urge to go on an adventure must contend with more sobering realities close to home. You might be wondering how necessary it is to travel and is it worth the effort and/or expense. Redirecting your focus to other activities that can satisfy the itch to experience some form of liberation may be the answer.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21) Weighing your options and doing the math is a likely focus of late. Diversifying your financial portfolio or opportunities to stimulate new streams is featured.

Where, when and how to best invest your time, energy and money are prominent questions on your mind. This trend will not only continue, it will deepen as well.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Whether by choice or circumstance, you have and continue to take some strong leads and initiatives.

Practical considerations are guiding your focus. You are determined to work smarter than harder and are busy analyzing how best to do it. Exchange of ideas with significant others feels important and necessary.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19) By the end of this week the Sun will enter your sign marking Winter Solstice. This annual transit tends to activate new initiatives over the course of Capricorn

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 19) A visionary activation occurred at the time of the eclipse and now it is culminating. Positively, it is synchronizing with creative inspirations. Yet, these are likely to lead you inward more than to venture out.

Happy to analyze the world, plan and strategize from behind the scenes, you may not emerge from your den much despite the festive season.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20) The full light of Luna will shine brightly in your skies illuminating new insights and realizations. These might include better understanding the workings of your subconscious mind. Discussions about dreams both experienced at night and regarding the future are in the script. Expect to be seen and heard so think twice before committing words.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19) An exuberant and brazen mood has been extra active these past weeks. Yet, as the Moon culminates, be careful of a ‘go big or go home’ attitude. Attending to your practical affairs has and continues to take center stage as you focus to receive returns for your efforts over the years. Venus retrograde could overemphasize material ambitions so aim for balance.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20) Themes of change and transformation linked to your public and professional life continue to shake your world. These may include some pleasant surprises as a wave of positive influence comes to the rescue. Yet, you will still have to exercise discipline and contraction if you are to meet the opportunities of expansion implied.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21) As the Moon waxes to full in your sign, circumstances will nudge you to balance self-assertion with desires for harmony on relationship fronts. This process could inspire new visions, philosophies and understanding. Dealing with practical affairs adds a sobering note with reminders that death is a part of life.

Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22) Health is ever an important topic and remains a central theme for you. As you undergo a steady process of returns for past lifestyle habits you are given the opportunity to understand. Of course, you can also make changes now. Be willing to reach out to others more focused and knowledgeable in this regard such as a wellness coach or guideline.

What amorous little sounds might you hear from people who are nestling comfily?

Cuddle calls.

CryptoQuip

18

December 15-28, 2021 HISTORY

The 175th Anniversary of the Donner Party Adventure C H A R L I E S TA N TO N : Unsung Hero of the Donner Party

BY M A R K M c L AU G H L I N

C

harles Tyler Stanton was an unlikely hero in the saga of the Donner Party.

Stanton had brown eyes, a full beard and was blessed with a strong constitution, but in stature he stood just 5 feet, 5 inches in his stockings. Despite limited formal schooling, the 35-year-old businessman was well read and self-educated in botany and geology. Schoolteacher Tamsen (Tamzene) Donner was also a botanist and the two became fast friends after Stanton joined the wagon train in July as a hired teamster driving George Donner’s wagons.

During the journey to California, Stanton kept up regular correspondence with his older brothers Philip and Sidney.

The long and detailed letters that were published in New York newspapers offer insight into what kind of man Charlie was.

He was born on March 11, 1811, in Pompey, N.Y., the youngest of seven children. Philip Stanton remarked that even as a young boy Charlie was generous and always ready to sacrifice his own interests for the welfare of others; he was the favorite among all the siblings. When Charlie was 20, his widowed mother’s health began to fail while they were living in Syracuse, N.Y. A devoted son, he quit his clerical job in a store and took care of her until her death in March 1838.

After her passing, he moved to Chicago where he worked in the mercantile trade until his business failed. Charlie later read Lansford Hasting’s popular but error-filled book, “The Emigrants Guide to Oregon and California.” The glorious depictions of the Pacific Coast inspired Charlie to leave his “dull and monotonous life” and head west.

In a May 12, 1846, letter written from the jumping-off point of Independence, Mo., Charlie wrote: “Well it may surprise you perhaps that I am going to start for California tomorrow. If you have never read Hastings’ [book] Oregon and California, get it and read it. You will see some of the inducements which led me to this step.

I am in hopes to get through safe which I think there is little danger as we go in such large crowds that we shall be law unto ourselves and a protection to each other.”

From that point on, Philip Stanton wrote: “I had a map of the California Trail lying on the table before me, and whenever I received a letter from Charlie, I would trace out his course on the map, which enabled me to travel along with him.”

In his first selfless act on the California Trail in September 1846, Charlie Stanton and William “Big Bill” McCutchen left the struggling Donner Party near the presentday Utah-Nevada border to reach California and procure supplies from Captain John Sutter at his fort — the future site of Sacramento. Stanton was a bachelor with no family members in the wagon train so some of the pioneers were skeptical about his return. McCutchen, who had a wife and young daughter in the party, accom-

panied Stanton as an insurance policy that someone would return with help. Two men also stood a better chance in case of Indian hostilities.

On their arrival in California, Sutter provisioned Stanton with seven mules loaded with supplies and dispatched two Indian vaqueros, Luis and Salvador, to help assist the westbound Donner Party over the Sierra and into the Sacramento Valley.

Ironically, McCutchen remained at the fort, claiming that he was too ill and weak to travel. But Stanton was determined to return to his newfound friends with any help that he could provide. Stanton and the vaqueros pushed over Truckee (Donner) Pass shortly before winter storms closed in. The diminutive hero reconnoitered with the Donner Party near present-day Reno, Nev., on Oct. 19 and distributed much-needed food and provisions to the increasingly desperate group. The infusion of protein and news that the Sacramento Valley was only 130 miles away boosted everyone’s spirits.

The vanguard of the wagon train reached Truckee (Donner) Lake on Oct. 31. (The Donner families would only make it as far

As the only member with knowledge of the terrain over the pass, the indomitable Charles Stanton stepped up to lead the pioneers over the mountains. as the Alder Creek Valley, about 5 miles north of the present-day town of Truckee.)

During the first week of November, snowstorms struck and snow began piling up. As the only member with knowledge of the terrain over the pass, the indomitable Stanton stepped up to lead the pioneers over the mountains.

Approaching Donner Pass the snow was nearly waist deep, but Stanton forced Sutter’s mules to break trail for those behind him. It was of no use. True to form, the fractious group had stopped to torch a pine tree and bask in its warmth. Stanton’s entreaties could not persuade the others to push forward. That night another foot of snow fell and the pass was blocked for good. The party retreated to the east end of the lake, built cabins and hunkered down for rescue. No one came.

Food supplies were insufficient and as people began to die of starvation, Stanton volunteered to lead a snowshoe party to

Read more local history at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Food Distribution We’re delivering perishable food bags weekly IN TRUCKEE & NORTH LAKE TAHOE.

Charles Stanton. | Courtesy WikiTree

the Sacramento Valley in a desperate bid to sound the alarm of their dire predicament.

On Dec. 16, during a break in the weather, 17 people equipped with 8 pounds of dried beef and some sugar and coffee set out.

In a few days the “Forlorn Hope” reached Summit Valley a few miles west of Donner Pass, but Stanton was exhausted, starving and snow blind. Each day he fell farther behind.

On Dec. 21, the first day of winter, Stanton was left by the campfire to die alone. And although it broke their hearts to desert such a noble man, no one in the snowshoe party could do anything to help him. His last words were, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

After crossing the dreaded Donner Pass four times in a Herculean effort to help virtual strangers, Stanton’s life ended there. He was an empathetic and admirable hero who gave his all to save the Donner Party. Despite that, it was unfortunate that this wagon train seemed to do everything wrong to jinx itself.

In 1848, Philip Stanton wrote that it was no surprise that his kid brother “was willing to yield up his life in endeavoring to relieve his perishing companions. His death was indeed a sad and terrible fate; yet it is a consolation, mournful though it be, that the last acts of his life were devoted in the laudable effort in assisting others.” 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.

You may reach him at mark@thestormking.com.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: To acknowledge the historical significance of the Donner Party and its window into an important era in the West, I will occasionally write a column chronicling the progress and challenges of this cursed wagon train as it made its way to California. The columns will be available in future editions of Tahoe Weekly and my previous columns are available at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Donner Party under the Explore Tahoe menu.

Delivery staff and volunteers are following best practices and wearing masks. Please follow social distancing and NOT interact.

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TheTahoeWeekly.com

l i ve live music | shows | nightlife | festivals | entertainment

Mark Mackay O N T H E C U S P O F C O U N T RY S TA R D O M

BY S E A N M C A L I N D I N

Tahoe Truckee School of Music Fundraiser | Dec. 28 | 6 p.m. | Community Arts Center | Truckee Heavenly Holidays NYE Celebration | Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe

DECEMBER 15 | WEDNESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

“Guilty Christmas” Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Karaoke Classic Cue, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 16 | THURSDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

“Guilty Christmas” Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Nashville recording artist Mark Mackay is stuck in the sweet

T

he odds of becoming a successful rock star are around 0.000002 percent, meaning only two out of every million wannabe icons will ever reach their goal.

And that’s if you’re already talented, driven and charismatic. Yet, these sobering statistics don’t stop countless artists from dreaming.

Based on these figures, country-rock recording artist Mark Mackey has already come farther than most. From nurturing musical ambitions since high school, he’s now opened arena tours for Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, .38 Special and REO Speedwagon to name a few. His most popular song on Spotify, the folk-tinged crooner, “Always Rains in Portland,” is nearing 800,000 plays.

While Mackay’s been close to signing with major record labels more than once (the pandemic nixed the last deal), he’s holding out for an opportunity to release his substantial catalog of original music on his own terms.

“At the end of the day, you have to do what makes you happy,” he says. “That’s the only thing that wins out in this business if you want to have a real career that goes on for a while. You can’t fake it. You can’t sing songs you don’t believe in. You can’t write songs you don’t like. As painful as it is sometimes, I just do what I love to do.”

Make no mistake, Mackay’s songs are worth believing in. His second EP “LeavWatch Mark Mackay perform at

markmackayofficial.net

ing California” combines influences from Laurel Canyon to Nashville to create a musical pastiche as good as anything on country radio today. Hints of Tom Petty, Glen Campbell and Keith Urban find their way into Mackay’s smooth, authentic voice.

His deftly crafted songs complete with pop hooks belie unpretentious lyrics and reallife storytelling.

20

spot between obscurity and omnipresence as he awaits the “For me, a good song is about feelelusive record deal. | Courtesy Mark Mackay ing,” he says. “I’m always trying to write something that’s genuine. And it’s funny I didn’t go to school for it,” he says. “A big — after you write hundreds of them, you part of it is honing your craft.” can relisten and know which ones make Mackay majored in guitar performance you feel something.” and started gigging in L.A. clubs. A show The album title is an ode to Mackay’s at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill led roots. He was raised in the South Bay Area to a cross-country tour. When a moneybefore attending University of Nevada, swindling scam led to the downfall of the Reno to be a broadcast news journalist. restaurant chain, the tour was cut short, “I didn’t think I could have a music cabut not before Mackay connected with an reer,” he says. “The very first day my teacher agent in Nashville who started booking explained we would make no money. If he him as a main stage opener.

Now, he’s in a holding pattern, sitting on more than 160 original songs while await“At the end of the day, you ing the elusive record deal.

“So much of that stuff is out of my have to do what makes hands,” he says. “The ultimate dream was always to sell out football stadiums all over you happy. That’s the only the world. I want to have fun out there playing and letting people connect with thing that wins out in this the music. We are building a movement.

I’m very lucky we get to play these stages business if you want to for people all over the country with acts big and small. Whatever it is, I just keep have a real career that on going.”

Before opening for Gin Blossoms in goes on for a while.”

South Lake Tahoe on New Year’s Eve, Mackay will play a Dec. 28 concert with his five-piece band as a fundraiser for Tahoe Truckee School of Music. hadn’t said that, I don’t know where I’d be “Fundamentally, it’s all I’ve ever wanted today.” to do,” he says. “All I know is that music Mackay instead moved to Truckee where speaks to me. Every day there is something he worked in the ski industry selling gear else that inspires me and makes me excited for Rossignol and Atomic. When the salto get out of bed in the morning and keep ary wasn’t enough, he took a job in medical doing it. And until that goes away, I’ll sales. Six months later, he found himself never stop.” | markmackayofficial.net n floating on the ocean in Oahu when he decided to change his life.

Sean McAlindin is a writer and musician living in Truckee, “I didn’t want to do it anymore,” he says.

“I quit my job. I put notice on my apartwho loves a secret powder stash just as much as a good jam. You can reach him at entertainment@tahoethisment. I sold my car.” week.com. Other writings and original music are available His next call was to Musicians’ Institute College of Contemporary Music in Los at seanmcalindin.com.

Angeles. It was 2014.

“I wouldn’t have had the success I did if

DECEMBER 17 | FRIDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Live Music Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe, 3-5 p.m.

Tahoe Nutcracker North Tahoe High School Theater, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

“Guilty Christmas” Valhalla Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 8-11 p.m.

Blues Survivors: John Mayall & Walter Trout Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harvey’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Karaoke Classic Cue, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic After Dark: Robert Hall Unfiltered The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DJ Arty the Party Harrahs Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live DJ Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

December 15-28, 2021 THE LINEUP

DECEMBER 18 | SATURDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

DJ Cat Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe, 12-2 p.m.

Winter Music Series Northstar Village, Truckee, 2-5 p.m.

Live Muisc Whiskey Dicks, South Lake Tahoe, 2-11:30 p.m.

Live Music Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe, 3-5 p.m.

Live Music Tahoe Wine Collective, Tahoe City, 5-7 p.m.

Tahoe Nutcracker N. Tahoe High School Theater, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

The Dead South Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harvey’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DJ Arty the Party Harrahs Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live DJ Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Film Stream Film Festival Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe

DECEMBER 19 | SUNDAY Heavenly Holidays Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m.

Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Live Music Cutthroat Brewing Company, Markleeville, 2 p.m.

Tahoe Nutcracker N. Tahoe High School Theater, Tahoe City, 2 p.m.

Bluebird Days Winter Music Series Wylder Hotel Hope Valley, Markleeville, 2-5 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.

Christmas Vespers by Candlelight Sierra Brooks Lodge, Loyalton, 6 p.m.

Live Music Tahoe Tap House, Tahoe City, 7-10 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Chippass Live American Legion, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Film Stream Film Festival Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe

DECEMBER 20 | MONDAY Heavenly Holidays Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m.

Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Women’s Singing Group Commons Beach, Tahoe City, 4-5:30 p.m.

Great Basin Carolers Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 4-7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 21 | TUESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Great Basin Carolers Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 4-7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Tuesday Night Blues Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Long Beach Dub All Stars Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 22 | WEDNESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Great Basin Carolers Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 4-7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

The Reno Dance Co. Nutcracker Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Karaoke Classic Cue, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 23 | THURSDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Great Basin Carolers Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 4-7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

The Reno Dance Co. Nutcracker Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 24 | FRIDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Live Music Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe, 3-5 p.m.

Great Basin Carolers Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, 4-7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harvey’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Karaoke Classic Cue, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic After Dark: Robert Hall Unfiltered The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DJ Arty the Party Harrahs Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live DJ Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DECEMBER 25 | SATURDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

DJ Cat Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe, 12-2 p.m.

Winter Music Series Northstar Village, Truckee, 2-5 p.m.

Live Muisc Whiskey Dicks, South Lake Tahoe, 2-11:30 p.m.

Live Music Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe, 3-5 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos Harvey’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DJ Arty the Party Harrahs Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

DJ David Aaron Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live DJ Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

DECEMBER 26 | SUNDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Live Music Cutthroat Brewing Company, Markleeville, 2 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.

Live Music Tahoe Tap House, Tahoe City, 7-10 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Live DJ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 27 | MONDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 28 | TUESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Tuesday Night Blues Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Titou The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 29 | WEDNESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 12-9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Real Magic Winter ‘21-’22 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas With The Filharmonic Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Taphouse, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Karaoke Classic Cue, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

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TheTahoeWeekly.com

THE makers

creative awareness | arts & culture | makers’ movement

Cathy McClelland

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C R E AT I N G A S P I R I T U A L C O N N E C T I O N

BY K AY L A A N D E R S O N

C

athy McClelland has been an artist most of her life; her imagination took form after she saw “The Nutcracker” ballet when she was 5 years old. She was impressed with the pageantry, the costumes, the colors and the dance and started painting shortly after that. “‘The Nutcracker’ is where the magical part of my journey started,” McClelland says.

She was born and raised in Fairfield where McClelland’s neighbor gave her space to paint; she had her first art show when she was 8 years old at a local library.

McClelland studied illustration at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. It was there where she learned the basics of graphic design, drawing and other art forms, which helped her carve a creative career path in North Lake Tahoe when she moved here in 1979. A couple who owned Hot Cha CHA dress shop and Cantina

Courtesy Filmstream

Filmstream Film Festival debuts

“ I hope that my paintings speak to somebody’s heart; I want them to “Happy Time at Tahoe” | Cathy McClelland

heal people.”

Los Tres Hombres saw her work and hired McClelland to create their logos, menus and paint a mural on the side of their restaurant in South Lake Tahoe; it was the first mural she did. McClelland also worked as the art director for The Tahoe Weekly in the late 1990s.

As people started noticing her work, McClelland soon branched off, doing murals all over the country and in people’s homes in Tahoe. She completed a few murals on canvas for Mike Love of the Beach Boys for his Incline Village, Nev., home.

Explore Tahoe’s vibrant arts scene

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

She completed panels that he put up like wallpaper in his home’s alcoves. She created many murals for 30 years and says she is grateful for the people and businesses who gave her the ideas and then trusted what she did with them.

Over the past few decades, McClelland also got into giclee printmaking, ceramics and mixed-media sculptures. A few years ago, she created and released a Star Tarot deck and is working on her second edition now. It’s amazing to see the intricacy of designs that integrate the symbolism, nature, 24

Cathy McClelland at work in her studio | Cathy McClelland

-Cathy McClelland

mysteries of life and cycles of spiritual evolution in these tarot card decks, meant to help one delve into a deeper understanding of the world around her or him.

Along with working on the second edition Oracle deck, McClelland is continuing to paint animals, goddesses, fairy spirits, labyrinths and other magical images in various sized artworks. She uses acrylics most often, crafting her pieces on watercolor or gesso boards. McClelland says working on a 9-inch-by-12-inch painting in acrylics can take a full day to manifest and dry when she’s using a wet-on-wet process.

“As the subject matter evolves, it can take 3 to 4 days,” she says.

Sometimes an art piece can even take months if McClelland steps away from a

piece for a while to get a new perspective on it.

“Each piece has its own kind of timing.

I like to look at them like children. I go through this love/hate relationship as it evolves into this piece and then they’re off on their own and speak to somebody else in a different way. I think that all paintings that exist are for somebody out there,” she says.

While she admits that her artwork isn’t for everyone, she has found her audience.

“I’m different from other artists because [my art] speaks to that spiritual realm.

Sometimes people will come into my booth and just start crying. I think it moves their totality of the world. I hope that my paintings speak to somebody’s heart; I want them to heal people,” she says.

While managing her art business is a lot to balance, McClelland hopes to continue to explore new ideas and expand on the platform she has created, taking the magical/spiritual realm to a deeper level.

“I don’t think artists ever retire. My goal is to have more time to create, and I hope that my artwork can improve people’s lives,” she says. | cathymcclelland.com n

The Filmstream Film Festival debuts on Dec. 18 in Heavenly Village featuring films dedicated to outdoor adventure short films.

The program will include adventure and documentary features and short films; series and episodic content including “Hardlined,” “Range Finder,” “Tales from Cascadia,” “The Stomping Ground” and “To What Remains/Project Recover.”

There will be filmmaker conversations, panel discussions and live music events online. | Tickets filmstreamfestival.com

the art s Decorate an Ornament Truckee Library | Truckee | Dec. 15-17 3-4:30 p.m. Free | (530) 582-7846 madelynhelling.evanced.info

For Heart’s Sake Exhibit For Goodness Sake | Truckee | Dec. 15-28 12 p.m. | goodnesssake.org

FOREST=FIRE Exhibition TD Community Recreation Center Truckee | Dec. 15-Jan. 30 8 a.m. | nevadacountyarts.org

Holly Arts Fair North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City Dec. 15-Jan. 7

11 a.m.-5 p.m.

530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Village Ice Sculpture Contest Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 27 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

EAT &drink

December 15-28, 2021 EAT & DRINK

food & libations | recipes | delicious events

Sierra Sips

SOUTH SHORE’S BREWERIES

BY P R I YA H UT N E R

F

rom hazy IPAs to barrel-aged beer and slow-brewed lagers, the South Shore is the perfect place to explore local craft beers.

There are more than a dozen local breweries creating craft beers in the Tahoe Sierra, and in this final installment of my series on local breweries, I’ll be highlighting those on the South Shore.

You can create your own pub crawl using our inaugural Sierra Sips map or read about the region’s other breweries at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

South of North Brewing, South Lake Brewing, Cold Water Brewing and Sidellis also collaborated over the summer to produce “Tahoe Together” West Coast IPA to raise money for the Tahoe Together Caldor Fire Relief, a fund for food and beverage workers impacted by the wildfire.

SOUTH LAKE BREWING Largest production brewery Chris Smith, head brew master, and his wife Nicole opened South Lake Brewing Company in 2017 with a commitment to creating a community-based taproom and production brewery. They survived the pandemic and evacuation from the fires last summer to rise out of the ashes and continue to brew unique craft beers. The 14

Sierra Sips Tahoe Weekly presents

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Great Basin Brewing Company Reno

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5525 S. Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502 | greatbasinbrewing.com

Sierraville

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Donner Creek Brewing

11448 Deerfield Drive | donnercreekbrewing.com Pico brewery focused on locally grown hops

FiftyFifty Brewing

11197 Brockway Road, Suite 1 | fiftyfiftybrewing.com Barrel-aged gems from Truckee’s oldest brewery

The Good Wolf

Northstar

10990 Industrial Way B103 | thegoodwolfbrewing.com

our Sierra Sips map

Incline Village

Forest beer from local sources

Old Trestle Distillery

West River St. | Tasting room opening fall 2022 | oldtrestle.com Gin, vodka & bourbon using locally harvested botanicals

Kings Beach

Olympic Valley

Truckee Brewing Co. a. 10736 Pioneer Trail, Suite 1 b. 1001 Soaring Way (opening Jan. 2022) truckeebrewco.com

Alpine Meadows

Focus on high-quality ingredients

Truckee River Winery

10061 S. River St. | truckeeriverwinery.com Specializing in single-vineyard varietals

NV

Tahoe City

North Shore

Carson City

Alibi Ale Works Brewery and Barrel House

204 E. Enterprise St., Incline Village | alibialeworks.com

Alibi favorites & Barrel House exclusives (bring your own food)

Crafted with an eye to experimentation & variety

Homewood

Bear Belly Brewing Company

8428 Trout Ave, Kings Beach | bearbellybrew.com Small batch brewery

South Shore

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Cold Water Brewery

2544 Lake Tahoe Blvd. | tahoecoldwaterbrewery.com 7-barrel brewhouse featuring all-grain beer

Sidellis Brewery

3350 Sandy Way | sidellis.com

Specializes in rotating, small-batch brews

South Lake Brewing Company

1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd. | southlakebeer.com

16 craft brews on tap with styles for every beer lover (bring your own food)

South of North Brewing Co.

932 Stateline Ave. | southofnorthbeer.com Locally handcrafted ales

Stateline Brewery

4118 Lake Tahoe Blvd. | statelinebrewery.com

Emerald Bay

Available at

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Alibi Ale Works Incline Public House

931 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village | alibialeworks.com

South Lake Tahoe

Stateline

READ OUR STORY ON

TheTahoeWeekly

TRUCKEE’S EXPANDING BREWERY SCENE IN THIS EDITION ON PAGE 16

Crafting house & seasonal favorites

Revive 15

3135 Harrison Avenue | revivecoffeewine.com

Meyers

TheTahoeWeekly.com DESIGN BY ALYSSA GANONG | TAHOE WEEKLY

Kirkwood

taproom offers 16 different beers at any given time. Food trucks offer food options on the weekend and make it easy to enjoy a meal while tasting beer.

“We brew all of our beer in-house and are South Lake Tahoe’s largest production craft brewery,” says Jenna Brown, marketing and merchandise manager.

Two of their flagship beers include the Marlette Sunrise Blood Orange Blonde brewed with honey, malt and blood-orange puree that provides a sweet fruity, clean and refreshing flavor and Fog Nozzle Hazy IPA, a New-England-style IPA. “This is one of our most popular beers.

Hazy IPAs are all the rage. People are all about hazy IPAs,” Brown says.

Fog Nozzle is full of fruity notes and is brewed with a variety of hops.

South Lake Brewing is now serving seasonal darker beers with a Barrett Brown on tap. Along with a couple of new coldstyle beers like the Park Rat Cold Pale Ale and Steeze Cat Cold IPA. “This is a newer style of beer using a

Enjoying a round at South Lake Brewing. | Courtesy South Lake Brewing

different brewing and fermentation process brewed in cold conditions for a few weeks.

So that’s some of the newer, exciting stuff we’ve been working on,” says Brown.

“I think just another thing about our taproom that makes us unique is we are really community-focused. We’re familyfriendly, kid- and dog-friendly and a hub for the whole community,” she says.

In addition to their taps, they sell canned beers through several Tahoe and Bay Area region retailers. They also have a beer membership program and are open daily. Outdoor seating on chair lifts and beer flights offered on skis, adds to the enjoyment and love of beer at this brewery.

SOUTH OF NORTH BREWING Brews for every palate South of North Brewing keeps several hazy IPAs, barrel-aged sours and stouts, as well as regular stouts and porters, on tap.

At any given time, there are 15 beers on tap. In addition to their brews, they pour several guest taps from local breweries to highlight some of the other microbreweries in the region.

“We want to make sure that we hit every kind of palate that’s out there in terms of beer style. I definitely think that our wide variety of beers really sets us apart from a lot of breweries in town,” says general manager Savannah Rudross.

“Our most popular beer is our First Light Blonde, which is light, easy drinking and aptly named after the first light of day. Our second most popular beer is our Motorcycle Mama IPA,” she says.

South of North Brewing also offers a selection of pub food to accompany the variety of beers on tap and is open nightly.

COLD WATER BREWERY Hand-crafted all-grain brews Cold Water Brewery & Grill crafts their distinct beers on site. Their seven-barrel

brewhouse produces roughly 200 gallons of fresh-tasting beer per batch. They have 14 beers on tap and offer IPAs, pale ales, stouts, porters, Kolschs, lagers and ambers.

“We are a boutique-style brewery and have a full spectrum of beers. We honor and feature all types of beer,” says owner Debbie Brown.

The brewery and grill go beyond pub food and offer a full menu with a selection of seasonal California comfort food.

“We are a scratch kitchen. Everything is made from scratch. We offer beer and food pairings as well,” says Brown.

The family-friendly brewery and grill is open seven days a week with indoor and outdoor seating.

Sidellis Brewery Microbrewery and restaurant Owners Chris Sidell and his husband Ellwood Ellis take their home brewing to a new level with their small microbrewery along with brewer Steve Canali. They are a small microbrewery and offer five yearround brews, seasonal brews and several barrel-aged beers. Wine and cider are also on the menu.

Sidellis Lake Tahoe Brewery and Restaurant is open Wednesdays through Sundays. The taproom offers beers on tap with snacks and sandwiches with indoor and outdoor dining.

MOUNTAIN BREWS Newsman turned brewer Taylor Flynn is the owner of Mountain Brews and is also the publisher of “Tahoe Mountain News.” This newsman-turnedbrewer is creating a unique niche on the South Shore.

When we spoke, Flynn and co-brewer Colleen Dulin were finishing a New England Pale Ale. Dulin is a fan of dark beers and they have two darks on tap, a Brown Nut Ale

and Oatmeal Stout. Some unique brews include an Apricot Blonde made with organic apricots and a Cranberry Sour made with organic cranberries.

“Our West Coast IPA is big in every way with a 9.5 percent ABV. It’s our flagship beer,” says Flynn.

The brewery is downstairs beneath “Tahoe Mountain News” offices and located in an industrial area.

“We are off the beaten track with really good beer,” says Flynn.

“We are also known for our cozy cabinstyle environment with a roaring fire,” says Dulin. Mountain Brews is open Fridays and Saturdays. n Priya Hutner is a food writer, personal chef and owner of The Seasoned Sage, a local meal delivery and catering company. Priya has been creating and preparing meals from an early age. She has worked in the restaurant industry in New York City, attended catering school, and was the head chef and executive director of a nonprofit spiritual community in Florida. Visit her website at TheSeasonedSage.com. Send your comments, story ideas and food tidbits to priya@tahoethisweek.com.

Cold Water Brewing (530) 544-4677 tahoecoldwaterbrewery.com

Mountain Brews (530) 545-9338

Sidellis Brewery (530) 600 3999, sidellis.com

South Lake Brewing (530) 578-0087, southlakebeer.com

South of North Brewing (530) 494-9805, southofnorthbeer.com

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TheTahoeWeekly.com

Sparkling wines

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS FOR FREE

F O R T H E H O L I D AY S

Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com to add your Event for our print & online calendars.

BY L O U P H I L L I P S

Click on Events; then the blue Add Event button.

HeyChef! owner Holly Verbeck. | Courtesy Hey Chef!

HeyChef! receives “W

ell, did you hear the good news?

There’s gonna be some bad blues …” (I cannot resist a rock ‘n’ roll rhyme from Ry Cooder.) What I mean coming down your way is bubbles. As goofy as this opening may be, please, do not let it deter you from reading on because there is no wine category that is currently overachieving like sparkling wine in all of its glorious forms and fashions. And with New Year’s celebrations on the horizon, it seems fitting to dive deeper into our Champagne glasses.

THE GLASS MATTERS Speaking of which, I highly encourage you to consider your glass of choice for bubbles. The standard flutes, although lovely to look at and clink, really mute the aromas and flavors of sparkling wines. Let’s not even consider the Marie Antionette versions, which are an abomination. Instead, reach for what is commonly called a Riesling glass, which is wider than a flute, but smaller than a bowl type.

CLASSIC SPARKLERS Let’s start with the familiar right here in California, which I propose is the worldwide leader in quality-price ratio bubbles.

The qualifier here is to start around the $20 price point; below that is risky business.

Look for Napa, Sonoma or Mendocino on the label and you will be getting a stellar sipper. Even at the entry level, the major players — think Chandon, Scharffenberger, Mumm — use primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are the classic Champagne grapes and source from cool-climate vineyards, which are best for Sparkling

If you are having a larger event, consider a variety of these styles. wines. The value proposition continues up the price range because even their luxury cuvees deliver bang for your buck.

Italy is a wellspring of sparklers, so let’s go there next. A few issues back we explored the new quality variations of Prosecco (available at TheTahoeWeekly.com).

Italy also features Lambruscos, Moscatos and traditional method Sparklers.

Spanish Cavas are good value propositions and have unique flavor profiles that come alive with food and make for excellent holiday meal matches.

BOLD SPARKLERS So now let’s get weird. How about those crazy Aussies who take, big, bold, tannic Shiraz grapes and somehow make a festive sparkler that can stand up to the boldest holiday feast. These meals tend to feature roast game, birds and red meats, and darn it, if Sparkling Shiraz dances with these just as well or better than the still versions.

If dessert includes berry pies or chocolate whatever, well, rock on.

If you are having a larger event or want to enjoy a Sparkling selection pre-tasting, consider a variety of these styles that can be bonding and celebratory events on their own. n Lou Phillips is a Level 3 Advanced Sommelier in Tahoe and his consulting business wineprowest.com assists in the selling, buying and managing wine collections. He may be reached at (775) 544-3435 or wineguru123@gmail.com.

hospitality

award

Holly Verbeck and her company, HeyChef!, are the recipient of the 2021 Global Hospitality Award for Best Lake Tahoe Culinary Staffing Company. Each year, LUXlife selects business professionals and companies that demonstrate excellence in their market for the world’s most discerning clientele.

Holly and her husband, chef Grog Verbeck, co-founded HeyChef! in Truckee in 1997 to provide in-home culinary services. Holly is also a contributing editor and columnist for Food & Beverage magazine and launched a consulting company MakeYourBusinessCook! In 2020. | heychef.com

tasty tidbits

TAKE-OUT, INDOOR & OUTDOOR DINING

Aroma Sensory Workshop Tahoe Wine Collective | Tahoe City | Dec. 15

Fine Italian Food & Spirits

6-8 p.m. | tahoewinecollective.com

Breakfast with Santa Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 18

8-10 a.m. $15-$20 | facebook.com

Snowshoe Tour & Dinner

Famous for our BREAKFAST DAILY 9AM-2PM

LUNCH DAILY 11:30AM-3PM

DINNER 5PM CLOSED MONDAY EVENINGS

spindleshankstahoe.com 400 Brassie Ave. · Kings Beach · (530) 546-2191

26

Mexican Dinners (530) 587-3557 10186 Donner Pass Rd - Truckee

The Chalet at Alpine Meadows Tahoe City | Dec. 19, Dec. 21

4:30 p.m. $95 | palisadestahoe.com

Locals Love Lanza’s!

(530) 546-2434 7739 N Lake Blvd - Kings Beach

LanzasTahoe.com

Wine Tastings The Idle Hour Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 22

5-8 p.m. | (530) 600-3304 tahoesouth.com

December 15-28, 2021 EAT & DRINK

F RO M T H E S E AS O N E D SAG E

MADELINE’S RUSSIAN TEA CAKES

BY P R I YA H UT N E R

Lakeview Dining OPEN DAILY 12-9PM

FEATURING: Slow-Roasted Prime Rib | Baby Back Ribs | Full Bar

Steaks | Seafood | Pasta | Gourmet Hamburgers | Kid’s Menu

jasonsbeachsidegrille.com

•

(530) 546-3315

8338 NORTH LAKE BLVD., KINGS BEACH, CA

EST. 1982

M

y grandmother, Madeline, made cookies every Christmas. She baked for days and gave family and friends each a tin of assorted cookies. I loved her chocolate-chip cookies, but I especially loved her Russian Tea Cakes. This simple buttery cookie is a holiday winner. n

Cooking is a meditation for Priya, it is from that place she curates her menus and recipes to create delicious and nutritious meals for The Seasoned Sage, her company catering to client’s culinary preferences and dietary restrictions. She is also working on a series of cookbooks.

Visit her website at TheSeasonedSage.com or contact her at priya@theseasonedsage.com.

Authentic Mexican made from scratch daily

Kings Beach

Indoor & Patio Dining 12:00pm-8:00pm

Full Bar

CLOSED ON MONDAYS

(530) 546-4539 - 8345 North Lake Blvd. - Across from the State Beach in Kings Beach

Madeline’s Russian Tea Cakes From the kitchen of: Priya Hutner 1 C butter, softened ½ C powdered confectioner’s sugar (set aside 2 T

be kind be calm be helpful

for rolling cookies in) 1 t vanilla extract 2 C flour ¼ t salt 1 C walnuts, chopped Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix butter, sugar and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt and walnuts and add to butter mixture.

If you have time, chill for 30 minutes; if not, roll mixture into balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. I use parchment paper or silicone mats.

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and roll in powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container.

EARTH TO TABLE ChristyHill.com 115 Grove St., Tahoe City CA 530-583-8551 27