December 16, 2020 to January 12, 2021

local. independent. fresh.

december 16, 2020-january 12, 2021

virtual tahoe

nutcracker

fun, safe

winter activities

back country 101 truckee’s claim to cold & snow

cooking with kids for the holidays

delivering the fun since 1982

Shop tahoe

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS Ads as low as $100 per issue.

E-mail anne@tahoethisweek.com

Custom

Diamonds From Heaven No two are alike

HISTORIAN & AUTHOR

MARK MCL AUGHLIN’S NEWEST BOOK - UPDATED EDITION

Order books direct at TheStormKing.com or pick up a copy at:

Steve Schmier’s

Steve Schmier’s

Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City | 530.583.5709

Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City | 530.583.5709

All sales benefit Tahoe Weekly

NORTH TAHOE ARTS Presents the Annual

Holly Arts Fair 2nd edition

THROUGH JAN. 7, 2021 11am-4pm, 7 days a week

NORTHTAHOEARTS.COM · 380 N. LAKE BLVD. · TAHOE CITY

M. Miller Bogner Skea RH+

Steve Schmier’s Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City | 530.583.5709

The Resort at Squaw Creek is Closed but

Dale of Norway Alp n’ Rock Vuarnet Zeal

we are OPEN for holiday shopping!

Daily 10am-6pm

or call to make a private appointment

530.583.1874 400 SQUAW CREEK ROAD OLYMPIC VALLEY,Valley, CALIFORNIA 530.583.1874 400 Squaw Creek Road Olympic CA

NOW AVAILABLE Purchase your copy at Amazon.

Bulk orders available at publisher@tahoethisweek.com

• Geared for Games • Alice’s Mountain Market located at Squaw Valley • Donner Memorial State Park

• Word After Word Bookshop • Gratitude Gifts • Mind Play

(530) 546-5612 · Mark@TheStormKing.com

ALL RIDES ARE

FREE

Erik Bergen

Just hop on the bus.

TAHOE TRUCKEE AREA

REGIONAL TRANSIT

WINTER 2020/2021 BUS SERVICES

Transit Service Highlights · Hourly Mainline (Tahoe City–Incline Village) · Hourly Hwy. 89 (Tahoe City–Squaw Valley) · Hourly Hwy. 267 (Crystal Bay–Northstar) · Hourly Hwy. 89 (Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, Truckee)

FREE Park and Ride Weekends | President’s Day To/from Squaw Valley, Northstar, and all Winter Recreation

· Hourly Hwy. 267 (Crystal Bay, Northstar, Truckee) · Hourly Truckee Local Route

From area Park and Ride lots December 2020: 26—27 2–3, 9-10, 16–17, 23–24, 30–31 January 2021: February 2021: 6–7, 13–15, 20–21, 27–28 March 2021: 6–7, 13–14, 20–21, 27–28 Go to TahoeTruckeeTransit.com for Park and Ride details.

89

I-80 South Shore Dr.

Donner Lake

Old Highschool PARK &

RIDE

TRUCKEE Gateway Center

Donner Memorial State Park

Regional Park

H

Depot

Brockway Rd.

28 Grove St.

INCLINE VILLAGE

28

28

P

North Tahoe Event Cntr.

CRYSTAL BAY Hyatt

Diamond Peak

PARK &

RIDE Tahoe City Transit Center

TAHOE CITY

P

Granlibakken

Homewood Mountain Resort

TART is taking several precautions to keep passengers and employees safe. Visit TruckeeTahoeTranist.com for details.

P

Tahoe Bilitmore

Minnow

CARNELIAN BAY

P

Sand Harbor

SUNNYSIDE

89

Covid-19

431

KINGS BEACH

P

89

Truckee Airport Town Hall

RIDE

National /28

Alpine Meadows

RENO

I-80 PARK &

TAHOE VISTA

SQUAW VALLEY

Hourly service on Highway 267 and Highway 89 to/from Truckee.

267

P

NORTHSTAR

Deerfield Dr. | Crossroads

89

Daily Regional Routes

Henness Flat

LAKE TAHOE HOMEWOOD TAHOMA Sugar Pine Point

MEEKS BAY

TART PUBLIC BUS

P PUBLIC PARKING

PARK & RIDE to Northstar, Squaw Valley and Winter Recreation

MASK UP. ADVENTURE OUT..

TahoeTruckeeTransit.com – Text “TART” to 24587 Take the North Lake Tahoe Express: Daily airport shuttle from 5:30am–midnight. NorthLakeTahoeExpress.com | (866) 216-5222

fun. unique. everywhere.

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Volume 39 | Issue 27

Chris Carney

in this issue

TM

DECEMBER 16, 2020JANUARY 12, 2021 FEATURES

Winter Fun Back Country 101 Truckee’s Claim to Cold & Snow

8 12

TAHOE’S PANDEMIC ROLLER COASTER RIDE

16

FROM THE PUBLISHER

GET OUTSIDE

Sightseeing 6 Lake Tahoe Facts 7 Events 8 THE MAKERS

Breuners Furniture 17 The Arts 17 FUN & GAMES

Horoscope & Puzzles

18

THE LINEUP

Virtual Tahoe Nutcracker Holiday Events

19 19

EAT & DRINK

Cooking with Kids Baked White & Green Pasta Bodega del Sur

20 21 22

on the cover Brennan Lagasse skis above Emerald Bay. Ming Poon and Lagasse, both Tahoe locals, were chasing powder and trying to get in a few shots. “Throughout our friendship, we’ve been lucky to share some amazing moments, many of which have been published,” says Poon. Photography by Ming Poon, mingpoonphotography.com @ming.t.poon

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

4

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m on the longest roller coaster riding the ups and downs of the pandemic as restrictions are imposed, lifted, reimposed, lifted and now reimposed again.

And, I’m not having fun.

Once again, a state-mandated shutdown is in place on the California side of the Tahoe Sierra, which covers the majority of our region. The only difference this time is that I knew it was coming and had a few days’ notice to prepare, whereas in March we were all blind-sided.

Having to reassess your business position, sales projections and our publication on the fly has left us all spinning.

Luckily, the little bit of notice let us shift this edition from a normal 2-week edition to a onemonth edition, which will now be out until Jan. 13. It also gave me a chance to switch out some of our content before we went to press to ensure that everything was still allowed under the new guidelines. I quickly penned a new piece for this edition on “Winter activities that are safe and open” to share with our readers. One of the upsides of writing about what to do in Tahoe for more than 20 years is that I can make these changes quickly.

However, this change means we cancelled our Dec. 30 edition in order to assess how this shutdown will impact our economy, our community and our businesses. The complete order is available at covid19.ca.gov, which remains in effect until the end of December. Here’s a quick look at what this means in California: • Non-essential travel is not allowed across the state of California.

• Hotels & lodging are closed. This includes short-term rentals.

• Gatherings of any size are prohibited.

• Bars, wineries, personal services & hair salons must close.

• Retail can stay open with a cap of 20% capacity.

• Restaurants must stop all on-site dining & only provide take-out or delivery.

• Ski resorts & outdoor activity providers can remain open.

• Local recreation with members of the same household is encouraged.

• The travel advisory to quarantine after any out-of-state travel is still in place.

• Masking & physical distancing are mandatory.

Restrictions are different in Nevada with reduced capacities for most businesses including for lodging and at casinos and restaurants. Visit nvhealthresponse.nv.gov for details.

Once the shutdown order is either lifted or extended beyond the three-week timeline after the New Year, we’ll be assessing our January print schedule to see if we need to make changes regarding our Jan. 13 edition.

What won’t change is that we’re still working on our 14th Annual Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Guide and we’ll continue to make our content, including local happenings and hundreds of trails and outings to enjoy safely, available for free at TheTahoeWeekly.com, @TheTahoeWeekly on Facebook and Instagram, and through our e-newsletter. n

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

E-NEWSLETTER

TheTahoeWeekly.com

SUBSCRIBE

DONATE TO TAHOE WEEKLY

to our e-newsletter at TheTahoeWeekly.com

12

PayPal.me/TahoeWeekly Checks P.O. Box 154, Tahoe Vista, CA 96148

P.O. Box 154 | Tahoe Vista, CA 96145 (530) 546-5995 | f (530) 546-8113 TheTahoeWeekly.com Facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly @TheTahoeWeekly

SUBMISSIONS Events & Entertainment Submit at TheTahoeWeekly.com Click on Events Calendar Editorial Inquiries editor@tahoethisweek.com Entertainment Inquiries entertainment@tahoethisweek.com Cover Photography production@tahoethisweek.com

making it happen Publisher & Editor In Chief Katherine E. Hill publisher@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 102 Sales & Marketing Manager Anne Artoux anne@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 110 Art Director Alyssa Ganong production@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 106 Ad Production graphics@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 101 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.

LOCK IN YOUR HOLIDAY SKIING TODAY!

TRUCKEE

RENO

Looking to get on the mountain during the Holidays? Get your tickets TODAY because the SOONER you purchase your lift tickets,

INCLINE VILLAGE

to sell out, so make sure to reserve your place on the mountain.

Located only 10 minutes from Incline Village.

Visit our website for full details.

TAHOE CITY

LAKE TAHOE

the better the savings! With capacity limits, all tickets are subject

CARSON CITY

SKIROSE.COM STATELINE We recommend all tickets be purchased by advanced online reservations as tickets are subject to sell out due to capacity limits.

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Donner Summit

Truckee

The Summit holds the record for the United States’ snowiest April in 1880 with 4’ of snow in 24 hours.

Tallac Historic Site

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org Grounds open year-round. South Tahoe

Eagle Rock

West Shore

One of the lake’s famous natural sites, a volcanic plug on the West Shore. TART

Truckee truckeehistory.org | truckee.com Settled in 1863 as a stagecoach stop. TART

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 542-2908 | cityofslt.us Urban Trailhead at base of Heavenly. South Tahoe

Fannette Island

Emerald Bay

(530) 541-3030 | parks.ca.gov Lake Tahoe’s only island, home to an old tea house.

Heavenly

South Lake Tahoe

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

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

West Shore

$10 parking | parks.ca.gov (530) 525-7232 Park | (530) 583-9911 Tours Located in Sugar Pine Point State Park.

(Open for tours in the summer.) TART

High Camp

Olympic Valley

(800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com Aerial tram rides, Olympic Heritage Museum, ice skating, events and more. Ticket required. TART

Kings Beach

North Shore

northtahoebusiness.org Home to the North Shore’s largest sandy beach, in the heart of downtown. TART

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

South Lake Tahoe

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

C ACITY CITY:: 40 CIT 0,870 ,8 BOCA 12,362 CAPA

Museum of Truckee History

Vikingsholm Castle

Truckee

C 226,500 STAMPEDE 19,9661 CAPACITY: Thurs.-Mon. | (530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org Housed in11,061 the original Depot, CAPACITY: 29,840 2 built in 1901. ExhiPROSSER bits cover different eras in Truckee history. TART 5 DONNER 4,690 CCAPACITY: 9,500

(530) 541-3030 | (530) 525-9529 ADA parks.ca.gov or vikingsholm.com

Watson Cabin CLOSED

Tahoe City

(530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org The oldest building in Tahoe City. TART

MUSEUMS Truckee

(530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov The Donner Memorial State Park features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party. TART

Donner Summit Historical Society

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

VISITORS’ CENTERS Kings Beach

Kings Beach State Rec. Area (Thurs.-Mon., summer)

Incline Village 969 Tahoe Blvd. (800) 468-2463

Tahoe City 100 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 581-6900

Truckee River | Olympic Museum

276

Truckee 10065 Donner Pass Rd. (Depot) (530) 587-8808

FLOW AT FARAD Olympic Valley Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

Celebrate the home of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Tower of Nations. Olympic Flame. Olympic Museum at high camp. TART

Tahoe Science Center CLOSED

TROA.NET

U.S. Forest Service | Incline Village 855 Alder Ave. (775) 831-0914 (Wed.-Fri.)

U.S. Forest Service | South Lake Tahoe 35 College Dr. (530) 543-2600

U.S. Forest Service | Tahoe City Incline Village

3080 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 583-3593 (Fridays)

Free | (775) 881-7566 | tahoesciencecenter.org

U.S. Forest Service | Truckee

Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3D movies and docent-led tours. TART

10811 Stockrest Springs Rd. (530) 587-3558

Truckee Railroad Museum

Donner Memorial Visitor Center

6,227.56

(530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org CAPACITY: A 20,400 0 MARTIS 1,052

(800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com

Tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle, see Eagle Falls and Fannette Island. TART

IN 2019:

Stateline 169 Hwy. 50 (775) 588-4591

One of a few surviving 19th Century jails. TART

Emerald Bay

6,225.67 |

Old Jail Museum1,3763 CLOSEDCCAPACITY: 18,300Truckee INDEPENDENCE 25

Explore Tahoe

ELEVATION :

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

225

Historical sites and Commons Beach. TART

Readings taken on Monday, December 14, 2020

200,000 AF

visittahoecity.com

Drive through the neck of an old volcano.

LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

175

North Shore

150,000 AF

Tahoe City

75

East Shore

50

Cave Rock

The bears have also been outside enjoying this beautiful winter weather. | Coldstream Canyon, Truckee | Alyssa Ganong

125

ATTRACTIONS

100,000 AF

SIGHTSEEING

Truckee

truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com Exhibits include logging, fighting snow, Chinese emigrants and a children’s area. TART

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

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

Soda Springs

donnersummithistoricalsociety.org Museum & 20-mile driving tour along Old 40. TART

Gatekeeper’s Museum

Tahoe City

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

KidZone Children’s Museum CLOSED

Truckee

(530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org Interactive exhibits, science & art classes, the BabyZone & the Jungle Gym. TART

Lake Tahoe Museum

South Lake Tahoe

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

Boots McFarland by Geolyn Carvin | BootsMcFarland.com

Don’t miss any Tahoe Fun! | Sign up for our newsletter at TheTahoeWeekly.com

facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly | @TheTahoeWeekly | TheTahoeWeekly.com issuu.com/TheTahoeWeekly 6

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021

lake tahoe facts |

CLAIR TAPPAAN

Donner Summit

Truckee Donner Lake

TRUCKEE AIRPORT

MT. ROSE

RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

DONNER SKI RANCH

ROYAL GORGE

SKY TAVERN

h Ta

SUGAR BOWL

ra Rim T

SQUAW VALLEY SQUAW CREEK ALPINE MEADOWS

Tahoe Vista

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

Crystal Bay

Dollar Hill

Lake

GRANKLIBAKKEN

Spooner Lake

Tahoe

l

Eagle Rock

Carson City

NEVADA NORDIC

East Shore

o Ta h m Tr a i l

SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK

Meeks Bay

Cave Rock

Lake Tahoe sits at an average elevation of between 6,223’ and 6,229.1’.

The top 6.1’ of water is controlled by the dam in Tahoe City and holds up to 744,600 acre feet of water.

Zephyr Cove

Size: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide

CA

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Age of Lake Tahoe: 2 million years Watershed Area: 312 square miles

Emerald Bay Eagle Lake

Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F

Cascade Lake

Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F

Fannette Island

South Lake Tahoe

South Shore Ta h oe

R i m Tr ail

Average Snowfall: 409 inches

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

Stateline HEAVENLY

CAMP RICHARDSON

Average Surface Temperature in July: 64.9˚F Highest Peak: Freel Peak at 10,881 feet

Fallen Leaf Lake

Meyers

Shoreline: 72 miles

BIJOU PARK / LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT

Lake Tahoe has a surface area of 191 square miles. If Lake Tahoe were emptied, it would submerge California under 15 inches of water.

FREEL PEAK

ECHO LAKES

Permanent Population: 66,000

Volume: 39 trillion gallons

Natural rim: 6,223’

e Ri

Tahoma

Lake Tahoe is the 2nd deepest lake in the U.S. (Crater Lake in Oregon, at 1,932 feet, is the deepest), and the 11th deepest in the world.

There is enough water in Lake Tahoe to supply everyone in the United States with more than 75 gallons of water per day for 5 years.

Glenbrook

Homewood

HOMEWOOD

Learn about the natural history of the Tahoe Sierra

Maximum depth: 1,645 feet

Marlette Lake

NV

Tahoe City

West Shore

Average depth: 1,000 feet

DEEPEST POINT

TAHOE CROSS COUNTRY

Sunnyside Ta h o e R i m

CASINOS

Lake Clarity: 2018: 70.9 feet avg. depth.

1968: First recorded at 102.4 feet

Incline Village

Kings Beach

Carnelian Bay

SNO-PARKS ai Tr

DIAMOND PEAK

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK

Olympic Valley

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AREAS

North Shore

NORTHSTAR

Truckee River

DOWNHILL SKI AREAS

oe

N

WEST EAST SOUTH

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

il

SODA SPRINGS

Reno & Sparks

TAHOE DONNER

AUBURN SKI TRAINING CENTER BOREAL

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

Number of Visitors: 15 million annually Kirkwood

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE

HOPE VALLEY

Hope

Markleeville Valley

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.

KIRKWOOD

Steve Schmier’s Jewelry

Located in the Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City · SteveSchmiersJewelry.com · 530.583.5709 7

TheTahoeWeekly.com

GET outside

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

Visit our calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for more events.

the outdoors | recreation | events | mountain life

20th annual

Meadows

winter 2020-21 HILL

BY K AT H E R I N E E .

Courtesy Squaw Valley Alpine

Winter activities

DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE

Tahoe

downhill ski guide

TheTahoeWeekly.com

T H AT A R E S A F E A N D O P E N S TO RY BY K AT H E R I N E E . H I L L

Check out the 2020-21 Tahoe Downhill Ski guide.

Ski resorts will be open

T

hings are in flux across the country, but thankfully, outdoor recreation is open for you to enjoy for your mental and physically wellbeing. I know when I’m stressed, a walk along Lake Tahoe or a snowshoe in the woods does wonders for my soul. With much of the Tahoe Sierra now experiencing more restrictive safety protocols, there’s still lots for you to enjoy.

Remember to adhere to local guidelines, make reservations in advance (several days at least), expect delays during busy times, be patient, be kind and always wear your masks as its required in both California and Nevada. And, have fun.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AT

biathlon

scenic gondola

nordic skiing

cat skiing

childcare

back-country access

tubing & sledding

military discount

night skiing

utv tours

ice skating

fat tire biking

mini snowmobiling

roller coaster

snow shoeing

face masks required

Truckee launches

Courtesy Tahoe Truckee Litter Group

litter program

SKIING & SNOWBOARDING Downhill skiing and snowboarding are one of the safest activities to enjoy.

You are naturally distanced for good reason from everyone else on the slopes, just keep a safe distance while loading the lifts. All our ski areas are open (or opening soon) and are allowed to operate.

Day lift tickets are limited or prohibited in some areas and reservations are required for everything else from rentals to possibly your lunch, and most places are not accepting cash. Plan in advance, buy a season pass if it’s still available and visit one of our smaller resorts if your favorite one is at capacity. Plan on afternoon and midweek visits and have a Plan B ready.

Read our 20th Annual Downhill Ski Guide at TheTahoeWeekly.com for all of the details by resort of what to expect this season.

TIPS FOR WINTER FUN • Plan ahead & prepare.

• Make reservations for everything.

• Dispose of waste properly by carrying trash bags & packing out all your trash.

• Properly dispose of take-out food containers; recycle if you can & take home anything that wouldn’t fit in a trash bin.

• Don’t overstuff trash bins.

If it doesn’t fit, take it with you.

Unsecured trash is a hazard to wildlife and our waterways.

• Don’t leave sleds behind; the plastic will contaminant local waterways including Lake Tahoe.

• Leave what you find.

• Be considerate of others.

• Wear your mask (it’s required).

8

SNOWSHOEING One of the easiest winter activities to enjoy is snowshoeing. It’s as easy as walking, any age can enjoy it, snowshoe are inexpensive to buy or rent, and you can go almost anywhere including your backyard, local parks and many local trails.

You’ll need poles to make uphill travel easier, but they aren’t required. I use the same poles for hiking and snowshoeing, and I replace the baskets depending on what I’m using them for.

Find local snow trails to enjoy at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Many local ski areas also have snowshoe trails available.

As with everything else, make your reservations early for rentals and tickets.

NORDIC SKIING I used to enjoy snowboarding, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing in the winter until injuries and four surgeries ended my downhill riding. Now, I anxiously await the chance to cross-country ski and snowshoe each winter. I enjoy skiing at the groomed areas around the region. Tahoe Cross Country is my personal favorite, but I also try to visit several ski areas throughout the season.

I also enjoy skiing at the local parks with groomed trails and off-piste into the woods. I have a hybrid setup, meaning my skis are great on groomed trails but also do well when I’m off-piste on packed snow, but aren’t great on fresh powder. A setup – skis, boots and poles – are rather inexpensive, but you’ll need local advice

Tahoe City Winter Sports Park | Courtesy TCPUD

to get what’s best for you. Visit one of our local outfitters and they can recommend a setup that’s best for your needs.

ICE SKATING Ice skating is another great winter activity to enjoy with the entire family and most of our local ice skating rinks are open. They, too, have reduced capacity limitations so be sure to make reservations for tickets and rentals, if you need them, before visiting. Find local ice skating rinks at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

TUBING When I was a kid living in Connecticut for a few years, my brother would spend hours crafting the most amazing tubing lanes for us to enjoy. He would start at the top of the hill, weave through our yard, pack a lane to cross the driveway, through a snow fort he built and down into the forest that we would enjoy with our sister throughout the winter. We still talk about that sledding run and enjoy building fun features to enjoy with my nephew in my sister’s backyard now.

Tubes or plastic sleds are inexpensive and fun, and like many other winter activities, you can do it in your backyard, at a local sledding hill or Sno-park, or at a tubing area. Many of the ski areas also offer tubing. Again, plan in advance and make reservations. You’ll find a list of local tubing areas at TheTahoeWeekly.com. 

The Town of Truckee in partnership with local businesses has launched a new litter abatement initiative, the Grab a Bag Program. This community-driven program will help remove litter from Truckee’s streets, trails and around local businesses.

Residents and visitors can engage in the program by visiting a participating business, each identified by a “Grab a Bag Here” sign in the window, ask for a bag and conduct a litter pickup. When participants bring back the filled bag, they are eligible to win a prize or discount at the discretion of the business. The bags may be disposed of at Truckee Town Hall.

Participating businesses include Alibi Ale Works, CA 89, Coffeebar, Cornerstone Bakery, For Goodness Sake, Full Belly Deli, Little Truckee Ice Creamery, New Moon, Pacific Crest Coffee, Tahoe Mountain Sports and Truckee Rents. | keeptruckeegreen.org

events Forlorn Hope Reprise Donner Memorial State Park Museum Truckee | Dec. 16

Three extreme athletes will follow the footsteps of the fifteen desperate people from the 1846 Donner Party who left to bring back help to those starving and trapped at Donner Lake. 6:30-7:30 a.m. | (650) 492-0935, forlornhope.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Courtesy North Lake Tahoe Resort Association

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 GET OUTSIDE

Northern Lights Festival returns The communities of Incline Village and Crystal Bay, Nev., host the return of the annual Northern Lights Festival through Dec. 31 with variety of safe and seasonal events.

Throughout the month, enjoy the Holiday Lighting driving and walking tour around Incline Village and Crystal Bay; a map of locations is available online or at the D.G. Menchetti Visitor Center.

The Hyatt Regency welcomes everyone to stop in and see its magical Gingerbread replica of the Hyatt Regency created with more than 600 pieces of Gingerbread and hundreds of combined pounds of sugar, butter, Fondant and more throughout the month. On Dec. 31, Crystal Bay Casino will be hosting Diggin Dirt to ring in the New Year. Reservations are required for events and are subject to change. | northernlightstahoe.com

9

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Winter Fun Everyone! for

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Mommy and Me Support Group

Warm Coat Drive

Barton Health | South Lake Tahoe Dec. 16, 23, 30

North Tahoe Event Center Kings Beach | Dec. 16-18

Donate lightly used and in great condition coats to a community members as part of the Hanakkah Coat Drive. Drop to Church of the Mountains in Truckee until Dec. 16 or North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach until Dec. 18. Meera Beser (7750 230-1006 10 a.m.3 p.m. | (775) 230-1006, facebook.com

Virtual Read Up For Fun Facebook | Truckee Dec. 16, 23, 30, Jan. 6, 13

Our volunteers tell a story to one of the therapy animals on Facebook. 4-4:30 p.m. Free | (530) 582-7846, madelynhelling.evanced.info

Truckee Community Storytime

Tahoe Nutcracker

Facebook | Truckee Dec. 16, 23, 30, Jan. 6, 13

Virtual | Tahoe City | Dec. 16-25

Join Truckee Library on Facebook Live for extra special Storytimes with local local community leaders. 10:30-11 a.m. Free | (530) 582-7846, madelynhelling.evanced.info

The holiday classic set in 1919 Tahoe will be live-streamed this year. Register to receive a link. 6-9 p.m. | laketahoedancecollective.org

Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week Virtual | Tahoe City | Dec. 16-18

Virtual Story Time Facebook | Incline Village | Dec. 16-31

SLEDDING · CROSS COUNTRY SKIING SNOWSHOEING · ICE SKATING

Join this virtual suport group for infants &and toddlers. 1-2 p.m. | bartonorthopedicsandwellness.com

A new Virtual Story Time features one of Washoe County Library System’s own Story Time stars. Videos will remain available during our closure. Join the Washoe County Library Virtual Story Time group on Facebook. 11 a.m.

Free | events.washoecountylibrary.us

Level UP Webinar: Building Emotional Wellness and Resilence to Lead Tahoe Chamber South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 16

This Level UP webinar will share how emotional well being can be built through five steps to manage emotions more quickly and easily. 12-1:30 p.m. | facebook.com

Each day, a series of short videos developed by community leaders, will provide detailed information on specific back-country safety topics and avalanche education opportunities, including a Q&A with professional athletes. | takecaretahoe.org

Light up the South Shore: Holiday Lights Contest Area venues South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 16-25

We’re dreaming of a bright Christmas, so get out your jingle bells, your silver bells, your boughs of holly and your lights. Enter your home or business in the holiday lighting contest. Judging will be from Dec. 18 to 21. $25 | business.tahoechamber.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE ‘20-21 SEASON

Custom Totally New!

RESERVE ONLINE AT

TCPUD.ORG/WINTER No walk-ups will be permitted.

Face mask/covering is required at the park this season.

Visit tcpud.org/winter for more Know Before You Go tips, details on sessions, health and safety protocols, season passes, and reservations.

530.583.1516 251 NORTH LAKE BLVD. TAHOE CITY 10

Choose from these beautiful designs, or bring in your own stone, and let us design one for you!

Located in the Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City · SteveSchmiersJewelry.com · 530.583.5709

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 GET OUTSIDE

Shop Local for the

Courtesy North Lake Tahoe Resort Association

holidays Support locally owned, small businesses that are struggling during the pandemic by shopping at local shops in the Tahoe Sierra this holiday season. To encourage local shopping, local groups are offering incentives to do so: Go Local Passport | Tahoe Chamber is hosting the Go Local program until Jan. 1. Shoppers receive entries to win up to $500 by shopping at participating businesses. | golocaltahoe.com North Lake Tahoe Shop & Win | The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and regional business associations have teamed up for a 5-week holiday shopping scavenger hunt.

The contest will run through the Goosechase app, which is free to download and use. Once players join the contest on the App, they will see more than 100 challenges to complete for points.

Each week a team/player will be selected to win prizes and at the end, the

team/player who acquires the most points will win a grand prize.

#ShopLocal365Truckee will be entered to win gift cards. | truckee.com

The program is in being held in conjunction with the Takeout Tahoe campaign. | gotahoenorth.com/shopandwin

Shop #TeamTahoe | Shop #TeamTahoe is a collaboration of local shops, businesses and artists in support of the burgeoning mountain creative culture that Truckee and North Tahoe have become known for. Through Dec. 22, shoppers that visit brick and mortar or online shops of participating businesses and post about it on Instagram with the hashtag #TeamTahoe will be entered to win local prizes. | Rules @tahoemodern

Shop Local 365 Truckee | The Truckee Chamber of Commerce is hosting the #ShopLocal365Truckee program to encourage local shopping, but also to encourage purchasing services such as car repairs, haircuts, gym classes and dining locally.

Shoppers that purchase products or services from local businesses, take a selfie and post it to social media with the hashtag

BE A DRIVING FORCE

FOR TAHOE

Check everyone off your list at Mountain Hardware and Sports.

shop.mountainhardwareandsports.com

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

BUY OR RENEW A TAHOE LICENSE PLATE. 96% of the fees generated from license plates help fund projects that improve the Tahoe environment.

So, you can play in some deep powder without having to dig deep to make a difference. Visit, TAHOEPLATES.COM.

A simple way to make Tahoe better.

11

Sierra Avalanche Center executive director David Reichel digs an observation snow pit high on Carson Pass. | Chris Carney

TheTahoeWeekly.com

BACK COUNTRY 101

T R A I N I N G , G E A R E S S E N T I A L TO BAC K - C O U N T RY T R AV E L S TO RY BY S E A N M c A L I N D I N

E

ndless sheets of untouched white spread across magnificent mountain vistas with only you and a few friends to claim it. It’s a back-country dream that has lured many to the Sierra Nevada in search of solitude, serenity and adventure.

But what is the risk? And how does one prepare for it?

This winter season, as coronavirus limits capacity at area ski resorts, back-country travel is predicted to soar in the Tahoe Sierra. If you are new to off-piste winter exploration, it is essential to understand some basic information that is critical to every safe and successful outing. Otherwise, your back-country fantasy could soon become a dangerous situation for everyone involved.

Wayne Poulsen and his buddies shuttling Highway 40, circa 1932. | Courtesy Glen Poulsen

events Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week Until Dec. 18 Daily video series & live virtual panel | Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

Free takecaretahoe.org/backcountry .....

Backcountry Film Festival Until Dec. 31 Benefits Tahoe Backcountry Alliance | winterwildlands.org

12

What is the back country?

In a nutshell, back-country travel means moving through any area that is not maintained or supervised by resorts or other entities. In the back country, your safety is 100 percent reliant on yourself and those with whom you are traveling. There is no ski patrol and even if you are able to reach emergency services by phone or radio, search and rescue may be many hours away.

Back-country travel is a commitment both in terms of risk and preparation. While the rewards of tranquility, fresh powder and communion with nature are immense, the potential hazards are equally real.

You can spend decades perfecting these skills, but there are a few basics everyone should know before stepping foot into the winter wilderness. One of the most important things is you must already be an expert-level downhill skier before you tackle backcountry skiing.

We’ve put together a handful of simple concepts to help you plan any potential back-country travel this year, including recommendations for gear, training, guide services, avalanche awareness and more.

Get the gear Safe back-country travel requires a unique set of equipment that may be purchased at a number of area sports shops. Rather than buying online, it’s always a good idea to support a local vendor. Their knowledgeable staff will also help you find the right gear for your needs and provide an invaluable local perspective on

how to prepare for the Tahoe Sierra back country. They also offer demos and rentals for those looking to give it a try before committing to a big purchase.

Back-country travel options You won’t get far through the Tahoe Sierra’s snowy back-country on your feet alone. Just ask the Donner Party. Here are the most common options for accessing winter recreation outside of a resort.

Alpine touring skis | This is the most popular choice for back-country winter mountain travel today.

When paired with climbing skins, this setup features a detachable rear binding that allow skiers to hike uphill in order to access the mountains. The heel can be resecured when it’s time to go downhill for normal alpine turns.

Telemark skis | This old school touring setup is now more of a niche sport. The skis are the same, but the binding features a permanently free heel. You’ve probably seen them on the mountain styling their unique dropped-knee turns.

Splitboard | Basically, it’s a snowboard that breaks in half to form two skis for uphill travel. Thanks to local advocates such as Jeremy Jones, splitboards have soared in popularity in recent years. After all, there’s no feeling quite like snowboarding through untouched powder and earning your turns is the best way to get there.

Cross-country skis | Perfect for trails, but difficult to use on deep snow or steep pitches, you probably won’t venture too far from the beaten path on cross-country skis. However, they are a light, simple option for exploring mellower areas closer to home.

Snowshoes | Tried and true, the original backcountry mode of travel is easy to use. Although not as efficient as skis, these classic tools can take you to many special, untouched places if you’re willing to put in the effort. If you are new to the game and looking to explore the back country with minimal hassle, this is the way to go.

Snowmobiling | In addition to having all the safety gear and training, you’ll also need to be an expert-level snowmobiler already before you venture into the back country. As well, you also need to be your own mechanic. There’s no one to call if your sled breaks down.

C O N T I N U E D O N PAG E 14

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 GET OUTSIDE

Open for sledding, skiing, and family fun!

Purchase your tickets online | Granlibakken.com/winter 725 Granlibakken Dr., Tahoe City | (530) 583-4242

13

TheTahoeWeekly.com C O N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 12

Essential safety gear

Essential equipment to carry.

The sierraavalanchecenter.org avalanche forecast.

While hypothermia and trauma from collision with a tree are always risks, the biggest hazard of the back country comes in the form of an avalanche. According to avalanche.org, there were 23 fatalities by avalanche in the United States during the 2019-20 winter season.

The following gear is essential to keep safe in avalanche terrain – if you know how to use it.

Beacon | When someone is buried in an avalanche, a signal beacon can lead rescuers to their location. This specialized equipment requires proper training and hours of practice to use effectively in a situation where seconds can mean the difference between life and death.

Probe | This collapsible pole allows rescuers to pinpoint the location of a burial victim. It can also be used to indicate various layers and depth of snowpack.

Shovel | This is the essential tool for digging out a buried skier. It also comes in handy when accessing avalanche conditions during ascent and digging a snow cave if you happen to be caught in the back country overnight.

observations and incidents from throughout the region.

Back-country users may also submit their observations to Sierra Avalanche Center online.

Keep in mind this information is merely a guidepost; conditions are constantly changing depending on time and location. It’s up to you to access conditions on the ground as you travel through the back country and plan your expedition accordingly.

Get involved The Tahoe Sierra is fortunate to have a strong backcountry community that works hard to share information and fundraise for important projects. Here are a couple of local programs that offer training, information and the opportunity to meet like-minded adventurers.

Tahoe Backcountry Alliance | As the voice of the human-powered winter back-country community, the Alliance’s mission is to advocate for and inform the community on critical issues affecting winter backcountry recreation around Lake Tahoe. In the past year, they have secured parking for the iconic Donner Lake Run on Donner Summit, implemented a microtransit shuttle program on the West Shore, formed plans to install a trailhead counter program, and helped organize the Tahoe Backcountry Awareness Week through Dec. 18 to educate the public about the dangers of the back country and why training is imperative before you go.

Tahoe Backcountry Women | Tahoe Backcountry Women is a Facebook group for women in the Tahoe region to network for the purpose of sharing experiences about back-country skiing. It sponsors events throughout the winter to seek to gather women together and promote education about back-country skiing.

Where to go

Airbag pack | More and more back-country users are wearing backpacks that contain an inflatable pouch that can be deployed in the event of an avalanche to help keep them afloat and protect their head and neck from deadly impact.

Climbing skins | These grippy sheets of fabric stick to the bottom of your alpine touring skis or splitboard to allow for uphill travel in variable conditions.

In addition to sport-specific gear, all back-country travelers should be prepared at minimum with warm layers, water, high-calorie food, a headlamp, a helmet, a communication device (not a cell phone; there is no service in the back country) and a first aid kit.

Get the training Tahoe Backcountry Alliance plans to install informational signage along the route of Donner Lake Run. | Courtesy Tahoe Backcountry Alliance

resources AIARE courses | avtraining.org Avalanche information & education avalanche.org Sierra Avalanche Training Center sierraavalanchecenter.org Sno-Park Permits (916) 324-1222, ohv.parks.ca.gov Tahoe Backcountry Alliance tahoebackcountryalliance.org Tahoe Backcountry Women | Facebook 14

The best gear in the world isn’t worth much if you don’t know how to use it. Several area guide services offer avalanche training and guided back-country tours. It’s an investment well-worth making, especially when life and limb are in the mix.

These courses will teach you how to recognize avalanche terrain, access the risk and respond in the event of an emergency. A number of local nonprofit groups and professional guide services, including several downhill ski areas, offer American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)-certified training along with introduction to back-country skiing and splitboarding excursions in the Tahoe Sierra.

There are also snowmobile-specific avalanche courses available. Call early as courses for the 2020-21 season are filling up fast. Find local courses at avtraining.org.

Check the conditions Sierra Avalanche Center is the No. 1 resource for current back-country conditions in the Tahoe Sierra.

Their daily avalanche report is issued by 7 a.m. each day with an up-to-date danger scale and general conditions available on their website or sign up for the daily report by email. They also maintain a database of

The Tahoe Sierra is known for its endless supply of back-country exploration. You could ski here for a lifetime and never take the same line twice. If you’ve taken the time to prepare and train, there are a number of locations that can be great for first-time personal outings.

Please note, that while the zones listed below are popular with beginners, they are by no means inherently safe. Many back-country travelers have been rescued here, and some have died. We cannot stress enough the importance of seeking adequate guidance before venturing into any back-country area.

Skiers and snowboarders should be experts riders already before attempting to ski any back-country line. In addition, we always recommend going with a local guide service as weather and terrain can change quickly in the remote Sierra Nevada.

Many areas require Sno-park passes, which may be purchased online from the California Highway Department or from local shops.

Sunrise Bowl | This low-angle bowl above Tahoe Donner in Truckee is a fantastic spot for getting the hang of your back-country skills. From the trailhead atop Glacier Way head for the ridgeline before descending to Ski Slope Way. Mount Rose Highway | Mount Rose Wilderness is a vast winter playground between Incline Village and Reno, Nev. A popular beginner option is to park at the summit for snow play near the highway. Skiers seeking the bowls of Tamarack Peak park a bit further east by the first big switchback. While this zone has been a first-time tour for many folks, it has also seen major avalanches.

Castle Peak | Park at the Sno-park at the Castle Peak exit off Interstate 80 to access the trail in Castle Peak Wilderness. A steady climb leads to the ridge line and the Pacific Crest Trail where numerous options await. This area high on Donner Summit has been the site of multiple rescues over the years and is easy to get lost once you leave the trail. As always, be prepared and make conservative decisions.

Blackwood Canyon | This relatively flat canyon becomes steeper as you go and is easily accessed from the Sno-park south of Tahoe City. It is a popular spot for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.

Waterhouse Peak | From the summit of Luther Pass, this South Lake tour features world-class tree skiing in relatively moderate avalanche terrain. The twin summits offer mellow runs, old growth forest, amazing views and an easy 1,500-foot climb. n

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 GET OUTSIDE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Tahoe Big Year Area venues | South Lake Tahoe

Hosted by Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, the year-long event cultivates a thriving community of nature and wildlife enthusiasts. With two categories to compete in -- Adult and Youth -- the whole family can join in. Free | tinsweb.org

Backcountry Film Festival Virtual | Tahoe City | Dec. 16-31

Winter Wonderlands Alliance offers this screening to benefit Tahoe Backcountry Alliance. For details on local screening, visit the website’s tour page. $15-$30 | winterwildlands.org

“Shop Local” Scavenger Hunt Area venues | Tahoe City | Dec. 16-Jan. 3

“Shop Local” Scavenger Hunt, via the Goosechase App, will feature shopping and dining districts throughout North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City will be featured. | gotahoenorth.com

Preschool Storytime Virtual | Truckee | Dec. 17, 24, 31

Get ready to read, dance, sing, and play.

10:30-11 a.m. Free | placer.ca.gov

Winter Warmth and Wellness Distribution North Tahoe Event Center Kings Beach | Dec. 19

Health and hygiene items including diapers, toilet paper and food boxes will be given out and warm winter clothing. Those who who need diapers must sign up. 2-5 p.m. Free | (775) 2301066, tahoeneighborhoodtable.blogspot.com

Incline Village Community Blood Drive Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino | Incline Village | Dec. 21

Join a community blood drive in partner-ship with Vitalant. Vitalant will also be conducting COVID-19 antibody testing. Schedule an appointment at bloodhero.com. 10 a.m.4 p.m. | facebook.com

Living Room Conversations Zoom | Truckee | Dec. 21

We are in constant relationship with each other in all aspects of our lives. In this conversation, “Increasing Harmony and Prosperity,” we explore the elements that enrich our lives and look for ways to increase our joy. 5:30-7 p.m. Free | madelynhelling.evanced.info

Virtual Self-Massage & Easy Movement Tahoe Forest Center for Health Truckee | Dec. 22, 29, Jan. 5, 12

Get ready to improve mobility and range of motion through the use of foam rollers, stretching and other myofascial release techniques.

9-10 a.m. $10-$45 | chamber.truckee.com

First Tuesday Breakfast Club Virtual | Kings Beach | Jan. 5

This community forum presented by North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is an opportunity to learn about community news and project information. 7-8:30 a.m. | business. nltra.org

Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series Virtual | Tahoe City | Jan. 7

Five times per winter, a premier outdoor athlete presents an inspirational tale of adventure. Every show is free. 7-9 p.m. | wildboundlive.com

Motorized Avalanche Classes: Level 1 Online | Truckee | Jan. 12, 13

These classes are free, thanks to funding from the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. Free

Retracing steps of Donner Party Four extreme athletes will set out on Dec. 16 to follow the 1846 route of the Donner Party’s Forlorn Hope. Over five or six days and 100 miles, they will go from Donner Lake, over Donner Pass and down to Johnson’s Ranch, near Wheatland in the Central Valley.

Give a gift and receive a Lake Tahoe Coin.

The general public knows the outlines of the Donner Party, fewer know the story of the Forlorn Hope, 17 people who left Donner Lake on Dec. 16, 1846, in a bid to get help and rescue their friends and families, according to Bill Oudegeest of the Donner Summit Historical Society.

Only seven arrived in the Central Valley, emaciated, exhausted and near death, leaving bloody footprints behind them Now 174 years, Bob Crowley, Tim Twietmeyer, Jennifer Hemmen and Elke Reimer will take on the challenge of crossing the Sierra in winter. There is the driving curiosity to get some idea of what the original Forlorn Hope went through as they overcame obstacles. The group spent seven years researching from primary and secondary sources and field trips to learn as much as possible about the Forlorn Hope and their route. To the best of their ability, the goal is to provide a historically accurate map of the Forlorn Hope journey and explore the multi-dimensional persona of each member.

The team will leave on Dec. 16 from Donner Memorial State Park. The public can track their route online. | forlornhope.org

USFS adds 120 acres on Brockway Summit The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced the purchase of 120.4 acres parcel of undeveloped land on the North Shore on Dec. 10 on Brockway Summit, according to a press release.

These parcels are part of a much larger property on the north side of the ridgeline outside of the LTBMU owned by Sierra Pacific Industries and next to Northstar ski area. All other private lands on the LTBMU side of the ridge have been previously acquired by the Forest Service from Sierra Pacific’s predecessors in ownership.

The purchase is part of the Forest Service land acquisition program established by Congress in 1980 that directs the LTBMU to acquire environmentally sensitive lands around the Tahoe Basin to safeguard them from potential development in order to protect the water quality of Lake Tahoe.

This property is one of the few remaining large properties in the Lake Tahoe Basin that was suitable for acquisition by the Forest Service. | fs.usda.gov/ltbmu

R

eceive a limited-edition, commemorative silver Tahoe coin when you donate to environmental stewardship initiatives at Lake Tahoe. Minted at the historic Carson City Mint, these coins blend Lake Tahoe’s spectacular beauty with the region’s history while celebrating the bi-state partnership that’s protected the lake for fifty years.

The coin features artwork from local artists Eleanor BonBon and Adam Carlson.

Donations support Tahoe In Depth newspaper, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Take Care Tahoe, Washoe Tribe, and the Nevada State Museum. The Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin Environmental Education Fund is in partnership with the Parasol Community Foundation.

Only a limited number of coins are available!

Learn more at trpa.org/coin

15

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Truckee’s Claim to Cold & Snow S TO RY & P H OTO S BY M A R K M c L AU G H L I N

T

he weather forecast called for clear skies and a low temperature of 21 degrees. A typical winter morning across much of the United States, right? Not quite. That was the prediction for Aug. 13 and 16, 1993, at Truckee, one of the coldest towns in the contiguous 48 states. That year, Truckee recorded the nation’s lowest temperature 62 out of 365 days, more than any other community in the lower 48. The average minimum temperature at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport for July and August in 1993 was a nippy 31 degrees, nearly 7 degrees below normal.

Out of the nearly 8,000 reporting weather stations in the U.S., Truckee frequently registers the lowest daily temperature in the nation.

Climatologists blamed the unusually chilly temperatures on the violent 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, a volcano in the Philippines. That blast, the most powerful in a century, spewed 20 million tons of volcanic debris more than 15 miles into the atmosphere. Stratospheric winds distributed these materials and sulfur aerosols around the globe, where they remained suspended in the upper atmosphere, reflecting incoming solar energy back into space and cooling the planet. The Pinatubo event may likely have contributed to Truckee placing first in the coldest in the nation competition not only in 1993 but also in 1991 and 1994 also.

The Pinatubo eruption chilled the average global temperature to its lowest level since the early 1920s. Within two years, the atmospheric cooling induced by this volcano nearly matched the entire global warming of the last 100 years. Even without massive volcanic eruptions disrupting worldwide temperatures, during the summer months Truckee ranks as one of the coldest locations in the country, excluding Alaska. Out of the nearly 8,000 reporting weather stations in the U.S., Truckee frequently registers the lowest daily temperature in the nation. Perhaps counterintuitively, these national lows don’t happen during the winter ski season as one might expect. The crisp temperatures are more noteworthy because they occur from

Cold snap at Donner Lake, circa 2007.

June through early October, when residents and visitors are more interested in warm weather sports like golf, boating and fishing.

For more than 20 years during the 1980s and 90s, Dr. David H. Hickcox, a geography professor now retired from Ohio Wesleyan University, compiled the daily temperature extremes in the United States.

For nearly all those years, Truckee ranked in the top 10, and usually in the top 5 for cumulative national low temperatures. Dr. Hickcox’s selected criteria for cold spot status did not pertain to a community’s annual average temperature (climate); rather it was determined by tallying up the number of days per year any given location recorded the lowest or highest temperature in the nation.

In that category, Truckee was a regular contender. Other regional players are Mammoth Lakes, Boca Reservoir, Olympic Valley and the undisputed champ – Bodie.

Similar to frosty spots like Stanley, Idaho, West Yellowstone, Mont., and Gunnison, Colo., altitude and topography are primary factors in Truckee’s elite status as a nationally recognized cold spot. Located at the TruckeeTahoe Airport, the official National Weather Service thermometer is 5,900 feet above sea level. Since the atmosphere cools at an average rate of about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet gained in elevation, Truckee’s average low temperatures are about 20 degrees cooler than sea level locations.

Topography also plays a vital role in this equation. At night, cool air from high mountains surrounding the airport sinks down-

slope and pools in the Martis Valley, a highelevation basin where the airport is located.

The cold dense air settles and creates a chilled microclimate. The airport thermometer is located within this sink, which contributes significantly to Truckee’s low readings. In fact, due to this atmospheric inversion, morning temperatures at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport are often significantly lower than Donner Pass at 7,000 feet.

High pressure tends to dominate West Coast weather during the summer and fall.

This large, semi-stationary air mass forces storms far to the north, reducing wind and stifling the atmospheric mixing that raises overnight surface temperatures. Stagnant air does not disturb the cold pool trapped in the basin. In addition, air under the dome of high pressure contains little moisture. With low levels of humidity there is no water vapor to trap and hold the sun’s daytime heat. As soon as the sun sets, temperatures plummet. The same principle applies to arid deserts, known for scorching heat during the day followed by frigid nights. Truckee’s average minimal morning temperatures near the airport range in the upper 30s during summer.

Another component that contributes to Truckee’s extreme temperature fluctuations is its distance from any large body of water.

Oceans and large lakes like Lake Tahoe, heat up and cool off slowly while land surfaces gain and lose heat more rapidly. Truckee’s afternoon temperatures are usually significantly warmer than those recorded at Tahoe

HOME

SIDESHOW BOB’S Window Cleaning Since 2000

581-2343

16

nationwide. In contrast, Truckee’s greatest total of daily low temperatures was just 62 in 1993.

But Truckee has another claim to fame that hasn’t changed. According to the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno, it is among the snowiest places in the country, ranking third among western communities with an average annual snowfall of 207 inches — just 3 inches shy of Mammoth Lakes. In his 2007 book, “Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book,” Christopher Burt ranks Truckee as the snowiest town in the U.S. with a population more than 10,000.  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.

Call (530) 546-5995, ext. 110, to be included in Home Improvement.

- Since 2000 -

Rooster to Cricket Maintenance

Serving the

Truckee/ Tahoe Area New Construction Custom Homes Additions & Remodels

Residential & Commercial (530) CA & NV Licensed & Insured

Read Mark’s story on the Snowiest places in California. at TheTahoeWeekly.com

I M P R OV E M E N T

SV Snow Removal

d We only work in Squaw Valley d 12 years experience d Local references d We use shovels & snow blowers Call Bob at (530) 412-2703

City, but at night plunge quickly and are usually at least 10 degrees colder by sunrise.

Truckee’s temperatures may be chilly on early summer mornings, but the town’s reputation as a cold spot is considered a tonguein-cheek joke among those who enjoy the region’s relatively balmy winters. Situated just 200 miles downstream from the Pacific Ocean, average temperatures in the Tahoe Sierra, particularly during winter, are much milder than the real cold spots in the Rockies and Northern Plains.

In the final years of his extreme temperature competition, Dr. Hickcox decided to mix it up a bit. In 1999, the criteria were changed to include data from small hamlets with populations of 100 people or less, as well as remote automated recording stations, many of them located in high-altitude basins. The National Weather Service only considers towns with a minimum of 2,500 inhabitants in their daily survey of the nation’s highest and lowest temperatures.

The new rules pushed Truckee and other top tier cold spots to the margins and a new No. 1 emerged.

The abandoned ghost town of Bodie, situated in a sink at 8,300, perennially ranks as the No. 1 location in the U.S. with the most daily lows. In 2001, rangers at Bodie reported the coldest temperature in the country on 167 days, which blew away all competition

775-302-0232 | parraconstructionllc.com Lic # CA: 974622/ NV: 0086046A

• Landscaping • Snow Removal

• Painting/Staining • Window Cleaning

530.412.1105

Advertise in MARKETPLACE

Color

1 col x 2” $60 | 2 col x 2” $100 All ads included in free digital edition.

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 THE MAKERS

THE makers

creative awareness | arts & culture | the makers movement

Breuners Furniture B R E AT H I N G N E W L I F E I N TO FA M I LY L E G AC Y Events are subject to change & cancellation; always check in advance for current schedules.

Visit our calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for more events.

th e art s Art Attack Virtual Art Club Virtual | Truckee | Dec. 16-Dec. 30

This Zoom event is especially for teen and tween artists, ages 10 to 18. There will be an activity demonstrated, drawing, painting, collage, etc. It’s also a time for participants to show off their work to the others in the group. 4-5 p.m. | (530) 4702695, madelynhelling.evanced.info

Call for Artist Submissions Glass Garage Collective Stateline | Dec. 16-March 6

Calling all artists for “We Are All Guests Here” project to all participants to submit art on the theme: People + Place. Glass Garage Collective is a media and correspondence platform founded in 2020. 1 p.m. | glassgaragecollective.com

Holly Arts Fair North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Dec. 16-Jan. 7 Shop local for holiday gift items. North Tahoe Arts is opening its gallery to add nine new artists in addition to the 19 regular artists. Jewelry, fabric art, bags, knitted items, mosaics, sculpture, ornaments, wall art and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | (603) 942-5177, northtahoearts.com

Art Explorations w/Diana Facebook | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 22-29

Join Teacher Diana on Facebook and Instagram as she shares her favorite art activities for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as showcase some simple drawing exercises. 10:30 a.m. | facebook.com

O

n a chilly sunny day at Soaring Ranch in Truckee, sisters Heidi and Gretchen Breuner show up emitting a warm, friendly and welcoming demeanor, excited to tell their story about the unseen events that caused them to reopen their 148-year-old family business.

Originally started in 1856, Heidi and Gretchen’s great, great-grandfather John Breuner moved to California during the Gold Rush yet instead of going after the precious shiny metal itself he ended up finding a niche by making cradles for gold panning instead. The idea soon turned into a full-fledged furniture business where he made heirloom, hand-carved walnut dressers, desks and more, eventually expanding Breuners to include brick and mortar stores from Sacramento and San Francisco all the way to the East Coast.

Over the years John’s sons, grandsons and great-grandsons kept Breuners alive for the next century and a half before closing its doors in 2003.

“Our grandfather (Wallace) and his sons ran that store based on excellent customer service and how they treated their staff,” Gretchen says.

“He always said that every person there was the reason for their success,” Heidi adds.

Fast forward to today, and Heidi and Gretchen live in Reno next door to each other and had the idea last fall to give their mom a coffee table in the shape of Lake Tahoe as a surprise. Their grandfather Wallace and his sons built five cabins on the West Shore of Tahoe in the 1940s that are still owned by the family, so the sisters thought that the table would make a memorable and unique gift. However, they never put too much thought into it since Heidi’s business, Swap Ts, was taking off. The family went all in on the kids’ T-shirt patch swapping venture when Covid-19 struck, creating a domino effect that halted production. Within 48 hours, Gretchen, Heidi and Heidi’s husband, Derek, were unemployed.

That’s when they got the family tools out and started building their mom’s table.

In the Breuners’ workshop. | Courtesy Breuner Furniture

S TO RY BY K AY L A A N D E R S O N | P H OTO S C O U R T E SY B R E U N E R S F U R N I T U R E

Completed in March, the sisters gave her the gift and shared a photo of it to social media.

Immediately, they had nine orders for Tahoe tables come in and they revived the family furniture business.

“The quality of furniture is what we’ve always been known for, as well as our customer service,” Heidi says about the renewed interest in Breuners. Well, that and the attachment people tend to have to their family’s heirloom furniture that they grew up with.

“I always hear stories of how much a furniture piece means to their family and the way they were treated when they bought it.

It brings me to tears. I’m humbled by the appreciation people have of Breuners Furniture,” Gretchen adds.

Personally, I have fond memories of being a little girl going into a Breuners Furniture store in Sacramento with my parents, taking in the smell of walnut and running my hands across the smooth, polished wood before heading over to the kids’ department. My parents loved that store.

Since they’ve relaunched the business in early 2020, they’ve heard quite a few stories from people about what Breuners means to their families. Now, the sisters work out of their garages relying on the sturdy tools that they inherited from their grandfather.

“I was routing a bench the other day with

a tool that my grandpa bought in 1970 and thought, ‘He has to be looking down and smiling at us right now.’ It just oozes family,” Heidi says.

“All the tools we’re working with, you don’t get that quality of craftsmanship anymore,” Gretchen adds.

The Breuners now specialize in making live edge and hardwood tables and are in the process of implementing some ideas about how to make more sleek, functional furniture like the Hideout chair/convertible table. The Breuners also enjoy making custom pieces.

“We like to be able to offer something custom because it’s fun for us to make,” Heidi says, noting that one of their favorite recent projects was a bar top table in the shape of California lined with redwood sourced from the state.

“I find myself sitting in a chair and running my hand over a table thinking, this is really good sanding. Making furniture gives you a real appreciation of others who do it,” Gretchen says with a smile.

The sisters plan on continuing to carry on the family name making handmade quality wooden furniture that lasts for generations.

“I just hope that when we can gather again it can bring a sense of joy to gather around a Breuners table,” Gretchen says. | breunersfurniture.com 

17

TheTahoeWeekly.com

YOUR BUSINESS COULD

SPONSOR THIS PAGE

Michael O’Connor, Life Coach Astrologer SunStarAstrology.com

Your business’

LOGO here

Email for details

EARTH

AIR

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

anne@tahoethisweek.com

FIRE

Horoscopes Puzzles

WATER

Sagittarius (Nov 21-Dec 21)

The desire to take new leads and strides continues. Like an icebreaker plowing through thick ice, the going is slow and arduous, yet you are determined. The momentum will increase in the coming weeks but will require you make specific changes in your daily routine.

The emphasis now is upon relationships.

Features of the plot surround themes of authority and of spirituality. Listening to the guidance of your heart is more important than over. Call it an override of your lower mind with your higher mind in full command. Only those who truly understand will realize that all you can do is surrender to your inner authority.

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)

The flow of events both in your own personal life and on the larger social stage has prompted a good deal of reflection. Thinking critically about things is leading you to consider new perspectives. Deepened feelings of love for significant others is indicated. Enjoy the warmth of these before they shift to a more sober cycle starting next week when duty sounds the call.

Capricorn (Dec 21-Jan 19)

Leo (Jul 22-Aug 23)

Unfortunately, although you find yourself behind the scenes, it is likely that you are not idle or resting. In fact, quite the opposite may be true. Since early summer, circumstances have been pushing you to get to the bottom of things. Call it a renovation process requiring you to strip away the old structure.

Finding the sweet spot between a creative, passionate charge and low-lying worries, is a complex you must manage now. Taking this time to huddle in close to home to recharge is likely and ideal now. Yet, there is also work to be done in your privacy. Much is destined to shift very soon in your world and the change will prove exciting, dramatic and expansive.

Aquarius (Jan 19-Feb 19)

Keeping an open mind and not drawing conclusions due to a steady stream of conflicting information is part of the plot. The challenge is to be aware yet present and appreciative of the process. Finding your place in it all has and continues to be a bit murky.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)

Nestling in close to home remains a strong impulse for you currently and this emphasis will continue for a while yet. Positively, this constitutes a creative and industrious cycle which you are happy to engage. Deep thoughts ranging from politics, psychology to philosophy and ethics are on your mind. What is right, true, best and necessary…?

Expanding your public and/or professional front continues. Your sights are set on the future and you are determined to remain as realistic as you can. Starting projects now that you can work on for literally the coming months and years is ideal and important.

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

You continue to deal with sobering considerations regarding your future, but you are finally ready to make some big decisions. A spirit of adventure will guide your reasoning process. You have probably been working extra hard these past few years and you are ready for some ROI and R&R.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 21)

You have been contending with some deep changes these past few weeks. Positively, they are the kind that is liberating you from prior restrictions. You remain determined to be practical and realistic, yet also yearn for change. Specifically, you are ready to engage in more creative projects.

Libra (Sep 22-Oct 22)

A barrage of thoughts, ideas and communications are vying for your attention. At worst, you may be contending with lingering fears linked to concerns of an uncertain future. Other players on your stage are presenting direct challenges to your comfort zone, physically, mentally and emotionally. The only ‘out’ is to see beyond habitual self-concepts and patterns of perception.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov 21)

For the sake of your financial future, you are moved to diversify. This could apply to your approach, your portfolio and overall strategy. Naturally, you want to feel secure, and exercising your ability to think critically feels important. Beliefs may seem like a luxury now as circumstances push you to contend with realities. Outline all of your options so you can see them objectively.

If someone had a wide variety of moral principles, would you call it ethic diversity?

CryptoQuip

Hocus Focus differences: 1. Bandanna is backward, 2. Picture has been added, 3. Shade is lower, 4. Bucket has no water, 5. Boy’s hat is different, 6. Broom handle is taller.

18

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 THE LINEUP

THE lineup

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

Visit our calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for more events.

live music | shows | nightlife

Celebrate

the holidays

Home for the Holidays with Reno Phil Orchestra Until Dec. 25 | Virtual | renophil.com Light Up the South Shore: Holiday Lights Contest Until Dec. 25 | South Lake Tahoe business.tahoechamber.org Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus “Here We Come A-Caroling” Until Dec. 31 | Virtual | truckeechorus.org AVA Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” with Reno Phil Until Dec. 31 | Virtual | avaballet.com Griswold Challenge Holiday Light-Decorating Contest Until Dec. 31 | Area venues | Sparks, Nev. 39northdowntown.com Shop Local Scavenger Hunt Until Jan. 3, 2021 | North Lake Tahoe venues Goosechase app “Tahoe Nutcracker” Dec. 10-25 | Virtual laketahoedancecollective.org Santa’s Drive-Thru Christmas Dec. 11-24 | V&T Eastgate Depot | Carson City, Nev. | vtrailway.com Zooming Through the Holidays with Tintab Chamber Ringers Dec. 12, 13 | Virtual | youtube.com/tintabulations V&T Candy Cane Express Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20 | F Street | Virginia City, Nev. virginiatruckee.com Run with Rudolph Dec. 12 | Western Nevada College | Carson City, Nev. | ascentruns.com Reno Wind Symphony “A Holiday Celebration” Dec. 12 | Virtual | renowindsymphony.com Joyful Noise Dec. 13 | Virtual & Carson City Community Center Carson City Symphony on Facebook Jagged Live in NYC: A Broadway Reunion Concert Dec. 13 | Virtual | pioneercenter.com Reno TubaChristmas Mid-December | Virtual | tubachristmas.com Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday E-Xtravaganza Dec. 18 | Virtual | nevadagmc.org Santa’s Workshop’s Got Talent Dec. 18-19 | Virtual Santa’ s Workshop’s Got Talent on Facebook Reno Jazz Orchestra Holiday Variety Shows Dec. 19, 20 | Virtual | renojazzorchestra.org Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s “The Snow Must Go On” Dec. 20 | Virtual | laketahoeshakespeare.com

Virtual Tahoe Nutcracker C E L E B R AT E S T H E H O L I D AY S E A S O N S TO RY BY S E A N M c A L I N D I N

Until Dec. 25 | Free | Virtual | laketahoedancecollective.org

B

allet’s greatest holiday tradition returns this season with a twist, or should we say, a pirouette. Lake Tahoe Dance Collective is streaming a virtual production of “Tahoe Nutcracker” for free through Dec. 25.

“People’s faces light up when you talk about it,” says artistic director Christin Hanna. “It has a beloved place in our hearts.”

Last year, the Collective produced its first season of the classic Christmas ballet to rave reviews. Set at the historical Tahoe Tavern in Tahoe City in 1919, the story recalls young Clara’s magical journey with a Nutcracker Prince who comes to life after she saves him from a battle with the evil Mouse King. The diverse cast stars Christopher Charles McDaniel as the Prince and Gabrielle Rodda as Clara.

Last year’s production will be streamed this year for free for audiences to enjoy.

“Nutcracker is a production that almost every company does and I think it’s important to put a local spin on it,” says Hanna. “I’ve worked closely with [North Lake] Tahoe Historical Society over the years. It was slightly more glamorous then, going from a train to a boat to get to your destination. It’s a beautiful time in costume design, the change in era from Victorian to Edwardian. We’re not quite into flappers yet, but it is the beginning of modern America when people are losing the corsets.”

At the time, the world was also dealing with a pandemic: the Spanish Flu. A century later, coronavirus dashed plans for the 2020 dance season. Yet, true to the inherent grit and optimism of ballet dancers, the Collective has found ways to adapt and keep its passion for the arts alive during uncertain times.

DANCING THROUGH THE SNOW In lieu of its annual summer festival on the shores of Lake Tahoe, the Collective held a virtual event in July featuring videos of performances and interviews with featured artists. Although the nonprofit raised $11,000 in donations, that pales in comparison to the typical haul of its signature event. Nutcracker is usually the biggest earner of every company’s repertoire that helps pay for more adventurous pursuits and the Collective will be collecting donations for its free stream this holiday season.

Sadly, Hanna lost her longtime mentor, the revered German dance master Wilhelm Burmann, to complications from coronavirus in March.

“As a teacher of dance, I’m always trying to hone and explore new things, just the right way to give a certain correction so it clicks,” she says. “Of course, this is a tradition passed down from teacher to student

Courtesy Lake Tahoe Dance Collective

The holidays look different this season, but that hasn’t stopped the holiday cheer as local dance and theater companies, musicians and community groups are hosting holiday events to enjoy virtual or to enjoy in your pod while distancing from others. For the most up-todate information, visit the Events calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

festivals | entertainment

DANCE

Along with a video presentation of its 2019 production, the Collective’s virtual offering includes artist interviews and an intermission baking class with Chef Zac Young to keep the holiday cheer alive. from year to year. He was very well-known for getting the best out of his dancers.

To keep his memory alive and connect my dancers with that lineage is something I feel very responsible for.”

After the initial shutdown, outdoor classes resumed in May at a vacant lot in Tahoma with dancers masked and socially distanced.

“We wear point shoes and our feet bleed,” laughs Hanna. “So, wearing a mask is relatively not that bad.”

Later in summer, the Collective reopened its Tahoe City studio to limited numbers, but that was shut down again in November as virus rates started to rise.

Now, they are back to dancing in their kitchens using Zoom.

“We can all take the beautiful parts of our daily lives for granted until they are taken away,” says Hanna. “Those first few classes outside were really magical. It was a real saving grace.”

For many young dancers, it was the only safe social interaction they could have.

“I think they have a greater understanding of how important dance is in their lives,” says Hanna. “Whatever else is going on you can walk into the studio,

be prepared for class, focus on your body, your technique, your musicality. Whatever unpleasantries may be going on in your life, that can be avoided for a couple hours while you’re working on an artform. It’s almost like meditation.”

Along with a video presentation of its 2019 production, the Collective’s virtual offering includes artist interviews and an intermission baking class with Chef Zac Young to keep the holiday cheer alive.

“I hope it brings a combination of remembering what we can do altogether on the stage,” says Hanna. “I hope it does make the myth that much more, but also keeps the faith that we will be back. I have a vision of families streaming it, having dinner and making cookies. I hope it brings some joy and beauty into people’s lives … This is the time for the arts to inspire and entertain and to take you to another realm. It’s one of the few escapes we have.” | laketahoedancecollective.org  Sean McAlindin is a writer and musician living in Truckee, who loves a secret powder stash just as much as a good jam. You can reach him at entertainment@tahoethisweek.com. Other writings and original music are available at seanmcalindin.com.

19

TheTahoeWeekly.com

EAT &drink

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

food & libations | recipes | delicious events

Cooking with Kids F O R T H E H O L I D AY S S TO RY BY P R I YA H UT N E R

C

hristmas and Hanukkah dinner will look different this year. Going to Grandma’s house might not be a possibility. For many of us, it might well be a holiday at home with only our children.

With this in mind, rethinking the holiday dinner is on the menu for a lot of families.

If you have kids, it might be a great time to get them in the kitchen to help with the festivities.

What might dinner look like from the perspective of a child? Let’s break it down by age. For families with children younger than 6, keeping them engaged can be an exciting task but don’t expect it to be a neat affair. Simple and easy is the route for this holiday meal. Most 7 to 12-year-olds can handle several cooking tasks, including cooking a whole dinner. Depending on the household, think expansive, introducing meals that are different from the norm.

For the teenagers creating a cultural dinner could allow them to explore what others eat during the holidays.

One of the best things about a holiday dinner is planning the meal, choosing what you don’t usually eat the rest of the year.

India’s favorite is linguine and clams.

pepperoncini peppers and marinated artichokes. Everything gets warmed and melted in the oven. This appeases the vegetarians in the family. The 8-year-old carnivore in the family requested doubledredged fried chicken or a burger for Christmas dinner. He makes excellent garlic bread.

After planning out the Christmas Eve menu, dessert is India’s passion. This year, she’s decided to make cannoli for dessert (last year, it was a yule log). Our family loves food, so we tend to get a bit out of hand with our menu. The key for most holiday dinners is keeping it simple. Teaching young people the virtues of preparing a celebratory meal is fun and educational.

EASY WAYS TO HELP

One of the best things about a holiday dinner is planning the meal, choosing what you don’t usually eat the rest of the year.

My family starts with a Christmas Eve feast. This is our big dinner. By Christmas night, the family is tired, and dinner is no longer the main event. In the past, I forgo dinner with the family and prepare Christmas dinner for 25 to 30 friends, but this year that won’t happen.

Asking the kids what they’d like to help prepare a fun way to celebrate. This year, we start with French onion soup, kale salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and pomegranates, and a lemon dressing (India, the 12-year-old in our family, loves kale), and linguine and clams with garlic bread. Hot Italian grinders with roasted

Keeping it easy isn’t that hard. Pigs in a Blanket appetizers are tasty and fun to make. Italian is a wonderful holiday dinner to prepare for all ages. Meatball parmesan is generally a kid-friendly meal, and rolling meatballs is a great way to engage kids from ages 3 to 13. A pasta dish is also a perfect meal for young palates from baked ziti to lasagna or simple spaghetti to accompany meatballs. For a vegetable, something green, and definitely let your children pick and cook their side vegetable.

I recommend chocolate mousse for dessert.

Hand over those beaters and let the whipping of cream commence for dessert.

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

vegetables are also on our menu. It’s served open-faced with roasted red onions, red peppers, zucchini and portobello mushrooms. I drizzle Italian dressing on the bread and water mozzarella,

20

installs self-serve beer, wine Lake Tahoe AleWorX Y recently installed a self-pour beer and wine wall powered

by PourMyBeer. Lake Tahoe AleWorX Y’s sister locations, AleWorX Stateline and Cocktail Corner, have been operating with this technology for the past two years. AleWorX Y is now offering 15 screens offering 30 taps for guests to choose from.

The technology eliminates a host of touchpoints and creates a clean and stress-free environment. The team at AleWorX Y offers hand sanitizers and manages intermittent cleaning, but ultimately it is the reduction of touchpoints thanks to the self-pour system that presents it-self as a great option for guests. Lake Tahoe AleWorX Y is located at 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd., in South Lake Tahoe. | laketahoeAleWorX.com

INVOLVE THEM IN PLANNING

Enjoy the tastes of Tahoe

AleWorX

INVOLVING TEENAGERS With teenagers in the house, appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates, buffalo chicken wings or fried zucchini sticks with ranch dressing are easy to prepare and delicious ways to get them involved with dinner.

For the teenagers with developed tastes, try a prime rib, seafood cioppino with mushroom risotto, and roasted asparagus with grated parmesan Reggiano cheese.

Want to create an elegant and memorable dinner for the teenage vegetarian? Con-

sider a vegetable Sheppard’s pie, vegetable paella, vegetarian cioppino or potatoes latkes with sour cream. Many teenagers lean toward simpler foods. If you lean toward a more casual dinner, homemade pizza, steak or chicken nuggets could be the way to go.

For dessert for kids of any age, making Christmas cookies is always a winner or try a holiday ice cream sundae bar with lots of toppings. However you celebrate this year, all of us at the Tahoe Weekly wish you a happy holiday.  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.

SUPER EASY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE From the kitchen of Priya Hutner 1 C dark chocolate chips 1½ C heavy whipping cream ½ C fresh raspberries

Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave, stirring every 25 seconds until melted and set aside, allowing to cool while whipping cream.

Beat whipped cream until you have stiff peaks. Set aside a ½ cup for topping.

Fold melted chocolate into remaining cream, fold gently.

Place into a glass dish or individual dishes and chill for 1 to 4 hours. Top with additional whip cream and raspberries.

Fresh meat and seafood market Jake’s On the Lake in Tahoe City has opened a fresh meat and seafood market The new market features fresh, quality meats and seafood priced per current market rate, and each serving is portioned and packaged in-house. Selections include Maine Lobster Tail, Kurobuta Bone-in Pork Chops, Prime Ribeye and much more. Order online. | jakestahoe.com/meatmarket

Moody’s Market opens Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats has expanded its offerings with Moody’s Market featuring grab and go items including organic salads and sandwiches, Charcuteries plates, wine and cocktails. Moody’s is also offering its menu for curbside pickup. | moodysbistro.com

Local pens book on herbs, spices Tahoe resident and nutrition writer Cal Orey is releasing ” The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Timeless Treasures” on Dec. 29.

The book is the ninth in the popular Healing Powers series.

“The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices” explores the many ways fresh herbs and dried spices can provide medicinal powers, home cures, weight loss benefits, beauty treatments and adventurous flavors and textures to enhance plant-based dishes. | calorey.blogspot.com, kensingtonbooks.com

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 EAT & DRINK

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

Baked White & Green Pasta S TO RY BY P R I YA H UT N E R

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

Organic

asta is the perfect comfort food. For most of my life I was a vegetarian except as a young child, a short stint while living in New York. Shortly after moving to Truckee, I dated a hunter and one Thanksgiving he showed up with venison and goose. Since then, I’ve adapted a balanced program of eating that includes being vegetable forward and enjoying clean proteins.

Find more of Priya Hutner’s recipes

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

This pasta dish goes back to my ashram roots where I was one of the vegetarian chefs. I cooked Sunday dinner for hundreds of residents and guests. I love this winter pasta dish. 

“This pasta dish goes back to my ashram roots where I was one of the vegetarian chefs.”

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.

BAKED WHITE AND GREEN PASTA From the kitchen of: Priya Hutner Serves 4-6

1½ boxes ziti, penne or rigatoni 1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets 2 C sautéed fresh spinach 1 T olive oil 2 T butter 1 C heavy cream or half and half (can substitute Greek yogurt or unsweetened non-dairy milk) 1 small container ricotta cheese 8 oz. soft goat cheese or cream cheese 1 C of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1½ C mozzarella cheese, shredded (reserve ½ cup to top pasta) 2 t garlic powder 2 t salt 1 t course ground pepper

Family Meals

HEALTHY. ORGANIC. LOCAL. WITH

the

Seasoned

Sage

theseasonedsage.com

P

Meal Delivery Service for Individual &

Famous for our Mexican Dinners

(772) 913- 0008

(530) 587-3557

personal menu

10186 Donner Pass Rd - Truckee

Call to set up your

be kind be calm be helpful

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta al dente (a little less time according to directions on box). Rinse and place pasta in a large bowl, add butter to warm pasta and drizzle with olive oil, set aside.

In separate bowl mix cheese, broccoli, spinach, cream and spices together. Pour over pasta be mindful to gently mix without breaking the noodles.

Place pasta into a 9 x 13 glass baking dish, sprinkle with remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and cover with foil. Bake covered for 35 to 45 minutes.

Uncover and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown and longer if you like crispy noodles on the top layer.

Serve with garlic bread.

ChristyHill.com 115 Grove St., Tahoe City CA 530-583-8551 21

TheTahoeWeekly.com

WINERIES OF T H E SIE RRA FOOT H ILLS

Level 3 (Advanced) Sommelier

Bodega del Sur Winery

Louis Phillips

Creative American Cuisine in an Elegant Log Cabin

Call or email today for your

NO-COST PROFIT CONSULT WineGuru123@gmail.com - (775) 544-3435 We Train Your Staff, Profitize Your Wine, Program, Represent Your Collection Sale and Make Your Fundraiser Money Don’t Get Taken When Selling Your Collectible Wines

Offering Nightly takeout with our full menu 40% off Wine Holiday Specials Open at 5pm | 9983 Cove St., Kings Beach, CA

530-546-7529 | souledomain.com

Most Wine Sales Programs Underachieve, We Can Fix That For You Make Your Non-Profit Fundraiser a Success

SOMMELIER SERVICES

Helping Businesses and Collectors Become More Successful for Over 30 Years

Kings Beach Full Service on Patio & Takeout orders

Full

Bar

12:00pm-8:00pm

S TO RY BY BA R BA R A K E C K | P H OTO S BY J O H A N M A R T I N

B

ack when Evelyn and Victor ReyesUmana bought a winery in Calaveras County, there was not much focus in the U.S. wine business on growing and using Spanish grape varietals. It was a risk in many ways to give the winery a Hispanic name and to decide to produce wines that reflected the deep, rich flavors of wines generally produced in Chile, Argentina and Spain.

Today, this is a successful woman-owned business and Bodega del Sur wines have secured their place in the California wine scene. These good wines with a Latin flair are produced in its own winery, located on the site of a former gold mining camp near San Andreas in the Sierra Foothills.

Victor and Evelyn shared a dream of owning a winery and Evelyn put her heart and soul into making the dream come true. Natives of El Salvador, they moved to California with college degrees that served them well in Silicon Valley – Victor as an electrical engineer and Evelyn as a dedicated teacher of Spanish and special education at a school in San Mateo. After some years, they found a vacation home in Arnold, close to the wine region of Calaveras County.

Each vintage of Carmesi wine continues to honor

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

brave women who, as Evelyn says, “inspire and make an

Sierra Community House Food Distribution

impression on all of us.”

Fine Italian Food & Spirits

We’re delivering perishable food bags weekly in Truckee & North Lake Tahoe.

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

To sign-up or cancel, e-mail food@sierracommunityhouse.org or call 775-545-4083; Provide full name, address, phone number, birthdate and number of people in the household.

Locals Love Lanza’s!

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

LanzasTahoe.com

REOPENING DECEMBER 23 CLOSED CHRISTMAS

RD

TAKE-OUT | BREAKFAST LUNCH | DINNER spindleshankstahoe.com 400 Brassie Ave. · Kings Beach · (530) 546.2191 22

When Evelyn and Victor visited friends in Chile in 1993, their intent to own a winery solidified. In Chile, they had an opportunity to go to many small, family owned wineries. Pursuing more knowledge about wine, they took trips in 2004 and 2005 to Spain and France. With their travel focused on wine, they visited a number of important wine regions and made it a point to talk to winemakers. Producing fine wines someday became their goal.

In 2007, the opportunity arose to buy five acres in Mountain Ranch in Calaveras County. The property was perfectly sized, with a small winery already in place. They were thrilled, as they knew by then that this region of the Sierra Foothills was similar to grape-growing regions of Chile, Argentina and the Southern Mediterranean.

Vacation and weekend travel around the area near their second home in Arnold had led them to enjoy the wines produced by consulting winemaker Chuck Hovey.

With the deed to the property in Mountain Ranch in hand, Evelyn and Victor gave Chuck a call. Would he be part of Bodega del Sur’s start-up team? Together they selected Albariño, Tempranillo, Malbec and Tannat grapes from nearby growers, along with more familiar varietals such as Sangiovese, Merlot, Marsanne, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They decided to produce 10 premium quality wines as part of their normal offerings – and one special one. That’s a program that today’s winemaker, Gary Grant, has continued.

Gary has a keen understanding of the quantity and production challenges faced by small wineries.

Evelyn Reyes-Umana. | Johan Martin

Most of the effort of this family venture fell to Evelyn as Victor continued his Silicon Valley career. “For the first few years, the work of opening a tasting room, designing labels, managing a legally regulated inventory and building the brand was hard,” said Evelyn. “But I saw an opportunity to do good things for the community as part of this business, and that’s when I created the Carmesi wine.” It’s a blend that Bodega del Sur only produces when they can set aside separate lots of special grapes that meld together to make something unique that is rich in taste and deep in color.

Carmesi is a Spanish word that means “crimson, bright red, somewhat darkened with blue; purple.” It’s a word Evelyn had heard in music and read in poetry as a young girl in El Salvador. And it’s the word she chose to use for Bodega del Sur’s red blend that honored the memories of two important women in her life who persevered and built strong families against difficult odds – her mother, Maria Trinidad Aguilar de Alas, and her mother-in-law, Maria Alicia Umana.

Each vintage of Carmesi wine continues to honor brave women who, as Evelyn says, “inspire and make an impression on all of us.” The image of the woman on the label changes with each vintage and Bodega del Sur fans look forward to the story of that woman. For each bottle sold, the winery makes a contribution to The Resource Connection of Calaveras County, which provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Bodega del Sur has moved beyond the dream stage and is a solid member of the Calaveras wine scene. The tasting room is open by appointment only. | (209) 7289030, bodegadelsur.com.  EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an excerpt from the

second edition of the popular guidebook “Wineries of the Sierra Foothills: Risk-Takers & RuleBreakers” available now on Amazon.

All sales support Tahoe Weekly.

the tahoe foodie

December 16, 2020-January 12, 2021 EAT & DRINK

Dine-In

Outdoor Seating

Take-out

Delivery

Catering

Happy Hour

Private Parties

Disclaimer: Due to Covid and changing regulations please check with restaurant for hours and dining options.

This could be YOU

Morgan’s Lobster Shack & Fish Market Seafood

Advertise here for only TRUCKEE

$90 per issue

Anne Artoux (530) 546-5995, ext. 110 anne@tahoethisweek.com

10089 West River St. | Truckee, CA (530) 582-5000 | morganslobstershack.com

Spindleshanks

Fat Cat Bar and Grill All-Natural American

American Bar

Tantalizing every taste bud from breakfast to dinner, Spindleshanks has been serving loyal diners on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe for 20 years.

Owner and Head Chef Steve Marks sources the freshest ingredients for his American dishes and draws upon the flavors of Asia, Europe and south of the border to make his dishes memorable.

400 Brassie Avenue, Suite B | Kings Beach, CA (530) 546-2191 | spindleshankstahoe.com

TAHOE CITY / RENO

KINGS BEACH

Call Anne for more information.

Morgan’s brings you the freshest seafood and produce available. With fresh fish arriving almost daily and locally grown produce when in season you’ll be sure to find something new and delicious. We love traditional East Coast fare; lobster rolls, fried clams, and haddock, and wanted to share these tasty treats with our friends out west. Named Top 24 Lobster Rolls in American on Yelp!

“The local’s AND traveler’s favorite, Fat Cat Bar & Grill offers the best in fresh, quality ingredients from local and thoughtfully-sourced purveyors.

The restaurant boasts Niman Ranch all-natural beef, multiple protein options and premium craft cocktails in a relaxed ambience for the whole family. Daily happy hour specials, a vibrant nightlife and weekly events make Fat Cat the year-round choice for good fun and great food.

599 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City. | 530) 583-3355 1401 S. Virginia St, Reno, NV | (775) 453-2223 fatcatrestaurants.com *Indoor/Outdoor dining & delivery at our Midtown location. *Lakeview outdoor dining & takeout at our Tahoe City location.

Mexican

Located in historic Truckee, El Toro Bravo has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails since 1988. El Toro Bravo both in Capitola (50 years) and Truckee (28 years) were started by Delia “Grandma” Rey. Creating a menu from recipes that she grew up with, El Toro Bravo is now into its third and fourth generations as family-owned and run restaurants. When you enter El Toro Bravo you are coming into our home and treated as family. Benvenidos y Gracias!

10186 Donner Pass Rd. | Truckee, CA (530) 587-3557 | etbtruckee.com

TRUCKEE

KINGS BEACH CRYSTAL BAY / KINGS BEACH

KINGS BEACH

8345 North Lake Blvd. | Kings Beach, CA (530) 546-4539 | laspanchitas.com

The Seasoned Sage

Sommelier Services

Lou Phillips is a Level 3 Sommelier offering Sommelier Services to a variety of clients including establishing wine collections, representing your collection sale, staff training and more.

Tahoe & Truckee (775) 544-3435 | wineguru123@gmail.com

Jason’s Beachside Grille

Fine Mexican

Las Panchitas is a family-owned establishment serving traditional Mexican food to locals and visitors to Lake Tahoe since 1982. From tacos and fajitas to a long list of house specials, Las Panchitas serves up meals that are satisfyingly delicious and easy on the wallet. Wash your meal down with a frosty margarita.

El Toro Bravo

LAKE TAHOE

115 Grove St. | Tahoe City, CA (530) 583-8551 | christyhill.com

Las Panchitas

TRUCKEE

Louis Phillips

Modern American

Tahoe’s premier dining experience, the restaurant sits just 100 feet above the shoreline of Lake Tahoe offering diners a panoramic vista. Using the freshest and finest seasonal ingredients, Christy Hill offers Modern American cuisine with refined Mediterranean influences. Diners enjoy a chance to explore fine wines from around the world with an extensive list that has received a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” since 1982.

Truckee, CA (772) 913-0008 | theseasonedsage.com

American

Jason’s Beachside Grille located in the heart of King’s Beach in North Lake Tahoe is a family-friendly American restaurant offering lake views on our scenic lakefront deck and grassy sandbar area.

Savor American classics like prime rib, steaks, baked chicken, baby back ribs, salads, and more. Full bar and kid’s menu.

8338 North Lake Blvd. | Kings Beach, CA (530) 546-3315 | jasonsbeachsidegrille.com

Soule Domain

Creative American

The Soule Domain proudly uses natural, free range, and organic meats and poultry whenever possible. Our local, seasonal produce offers the highest quality of ingredients in our dishes. Chef and owner Charlie Soule brings passionate culinary skills to create twists to traditional dishes while infusing them with influences from around the globe.

9983 Cove St. (Stateline Dr.) | Kings Beach, CA 530.546.7529 | souledomain.com

Lanza’s Restaurant

Meal Delivery

The Seasoned Sage is available to prepare dinners for your family, host your next dinner party or cater your special event specializing in themed-dinner parties, Ethnic cuisine, simple elegant meals, healthy organic dinners, or diet-conscious cuisine. We design and create dinners for all occasion and take the stress out of entertaining.

Specializing in Asian Fusion, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Mediterranean.

KINGS BEACH

TAHOE CITY

Christy Hill

Italian

Lanza’s is a family-owned Italian restaurant located in Kings Beach/Tahoe Vista in North Lake Tahoe. Known for delicious, traditional, Italian dishes and huge portions. With a kid’s menu, gluten-free menu and full bar, it’s no wonder Locals Love Lanza’s.

7739 North Lake Blvd. | Kings Beach, CA (530) 546-2434 | lanzastahoe.com

23

We need your help to

Keep Tahoe Weekly ALIVE! WE’RE ASKING OUR READERS FOR DONATIONS TO HELP TAHOE WEEKLY MAKE IT THROUGH THESE CHALLENGING TIMES. HELP SUPPORT LOCAL, INDEPENDENT MEDIA THAT IS OWNED

BY LOCALS, RUN BY LOCALS, EMPLOYS LOCALS AND SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

y l k e e W e o h a T o t e t a on D

ALYSSA & ANNA CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS SKIING WITH GOOD FRIENDS AT ALPINE MEADOWS IN 2019

Alyssa Ganong

MOM, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, AND TAHOE WEEKLY ART DIRECTOR TRUCKEE RESIDENT

“ I’ve always lived a life in the mountains. To live in a place you love, doing something you love is important, and I am blessed to have found such fulfulling work in Tahoe. Working with Tahoe Weekly the past 10 years has afforded be the ability to raise my daughter in this wonderful community, sharing my love for mountain life with her and I would love to continue to be able to do so. Covid has presented so many challenges with working from home, distance learning, and for all the local small business trying to stay afloat.

We hope you can help make a difference for a small business that makes a big difference in Tahoe, and help keep Tahoe Weekly alive.

Help keep the local flavor strong in our ever changing-community.”

Donate at PayPal.me/TahoeWeekly | PayPal.com or PayPal app publisher@tahoethisweek.com or mail checks to P.O. Box 154, Tahoe Vista, CA 96148

delivering the fun since 1982