February 7 to February 13 by Tahoe Guide (Tahoe Weekly)

FEB. 7-13, 2019

RIDING FAT

EXPLORE TAHOE’S SNOWY TRAILS BY BIKE

OLD TRESTLE DISTILLERY BOTTLING THE SPIRIT OF TRUCKEE

LIFE AS A TAHOE WEATHERMAN // THE PASTIME CLUB A DIVE BAR WITH MUSIC IN ITS SOUL // NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS’ HILL COUNTRY ROOTS // SLEDDING AT HISTORIC GRANLIBAKKEN

SquawAlpine.com/TS4

Feb. 7-13, 2019

Volume 38 | Issue 3

P.O. Box 87 | Tahoe City, CA 96145 (530) 546-5995 | f (530) 546-8113 TheTahoeWeekly.com

SUBMISSIONS Events & Entertainment Submit at TheTahoeWeekly.com Editorial Inquiries editor@tahoethisweek.com

Entertainment Inquiries entertainment@tahoethisweek.com Photography production@tahoethisweek.com

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Chuck Patterson

Publisher & Editor In Chief Katherine E. Hill publisher@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 102 Sales Manager Anne Artoux anne@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 110 Art Director Alyssa Ganong production@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 106

IN THIS ISSUE FEB. 7-13, 2019

Graphic Designer Justeen Ferguson graphics@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 101 Entertainment Editor Sean McAlindin entertainment@tahoethisweek.com Food Editor Priya Hutner priya@tahoethisweek.com Family Editor Michelle Allen michelle@tahoethisweek.com

FEATURES

TAHOE A WINTER WONDERLAND

FUN & GAMES

Tahoe Weatherman

Sierra Stories

Fat Tire Biking

Sledding at Granlibakken 10

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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

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 Thursdays. 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.

… the mighty Sierra, miles in height, and so gloriously colored and so radiant, it seemed not clothed with light but wholly composed of it, like the wall of some celestial city... Then it seemed to me that the Sierra should be called, not the Nevada or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light. –John Muir

The weather – or more specifically when the next snowstorm will be – is a constant point of discussion for locals and visitors alike. You can’t go into a local coffee shop or bar, get fitted for your new rentals or try on a new ski jacket without the topic coming up. Few are as tuned into the next big storm as is weather forecaster Bryan Allegretto for Open Snow, who puts together the Tahoe Daily Snow forecast. Priya Hunter talked to Allegretto on his “Life as a Tahoe weatherman” for this edition, in which he jokes he’s the “most well-known, loneliest guy in Tahoe.”

OUT & ABOUT Lake Tahoe Facts

Sightseeing

Events

Family Fun

Horoscope & Puzzles

LOCAL FLAVOR Tasty Tidbits

Old Trestle Distillery

Wine Column

Chef’s Recipe

ARTS & CULTURE Matt Bansak

The Arts

Writers Sean McAlindin and Michelle Allen explore fun ways to enjoy winter in Tahoe in this edition – Sean on a fat bike exploring local trails and Michelle with a day of sledding with the kids at historic Granlibakken.

MUSIC SCENE

North Mississippi Allstars

Priya also spent time recently with Master Distiller Jake Holshue sipping his Old Theory Gin 001, which was the first release by Old Trestle Distillery in Truckee. Look for releases of vodka, rye and bourbon in 2019.

The Pastime Club

Entertainment Calendar & Live Music 14

Win great Tahoe prizes Tahoe Weekly is looking for feedback from our readers by taking a quick 5-minute survey. And, to encourage you to give us your 2 cents about Tahoe Weekly, what we cover or don’t cover, we’re offering great prizes every week from a sledding party to ski tickets and more. We’ve already given away lift tickets to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain Resort; don’t wait to miss your chance to win. Go to TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on the link for Take the Reader Survey. Be sure to give us your e-mail to enter the contest. 

Find us at TheTahoeWeekly.com | Keep up-to-date at

ON THE COVER JT Holmes enjoys skiing chutes in the Mount Rose Wilderness. Photographer Matt Bansak is a frequent contributor to Tahoe Weekly magazine, along with numerous other publications. Priya Hutner interviewed Matt for a feature in this edition and at TheTahoeWeekly.com “Matt Bansak: Living and Capturing the Dream.” | MattBansak.com, @Matt.Bansak.Photography

Facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly & Instagram

@TheTahoeWeekly 3

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Donner Summit

Truckee Donner Lake

TRUCKEE AIRPORT

DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

h Ta

SUGAR BOWL

WEST EAST SOUTH

DOWNHILL SKI AREAS

ra Rim T

Tahoe Vista

ALPINE MEADOWS

Dollar Hill

Lake

GRANKLIBAKKEN

Spooner Lake

Tahoe

Ta h o e R i m

CASINOS

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

DEEPEST POINT

Marlette Lake

Sunnyside a Tr

Maximum depth: 1,645 feet

TAHOE CROSS COUNTRY

Tahoe City

SNO-PARKS

Average depth: 1,000 feet

Crystal Bay

Kings Beach

Carnelian Bay

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

SQUAW CREEK

DIAMOND PEAK

Incline Village

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK

Olympic Valley SQUAW VALLEY

NORTHSTAR

Truckee River

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AREAS

MT. ROSE

RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

DONNER SKI RANCH

ROYAL GORGE

SKY TAVERN

SODA SPRINGS

CLAIR TAPPAAN

BOREAL

Reno & Sparks

TAHOE DONNER

AUBURN SKI TRAINING CENTER

Eagle Rock

NEVADA NORDIC

Glenbrook

Carson City

Volume: 39 trillion gallons 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.

Homewood o Ta h

HOMEWOOD

e Ri

DID YOU

m Tr a i l

Tahoma

SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK

Meeks Bay

KNOW

CA Cave Rock

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

Zephyr Cove

Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F

Emerald Bay

Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F

Cascade Lake

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

Ta h oe

R i m Tr ail

Average Snowfall: 409 inches

Fannette Island

South Lake Tahoe

Stateline HEAVENLY

CAMP RICHARDSON

Fallen Leaf Lake

BIJOU PARK / LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Meyers

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT

FREEL PEAK

ECHO LAKES

Natural rim: 6,223’ 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.

Size: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide Lake Tahoe is as long as the English Channel is wide.

Shoreline: 72 miles Lake Tahoe has a surface area of 191 square miles. If Lake Tahoe were emptied, it would submerge California under 15 inches of water.

Permanent Population: 66,000 Number of Visitors: 3 million annually Kirkwood

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE

HOPE VALLEY

Markleeville

KIRKWOOD

LAKE TAHOE

How the lake was formed

About 3 to 5 million years ago, the valley that would become the Tahoe Basin sank between parallel fractures in the Earth’s crust as the mountains on either side continued to rise. A shallow lake began to form in the resulting valley. Roughly 2 to 3 million years ago, erupting volcanoes blocked the outlet, forcing the lake to rise hundreds of feet above its current elevation, and eventually eroded down to near its current outlet. Between 1 million and 20,000 years ago, large masses of glacial ice covered the west side of the Tahoe Basin. Current geologic theory suggests an earthen berm (moraine) left by a receding glacier near Olympic Valley acted as a dam, causing the lake level to rise and then draw down rapidly when the dam catastrophically failed. Between

7,000 and 15,000 years ago, a four-mile segment of the West Shore collapsed into the Lake causing a massive submerged debris avalanche, widening the Lake by three miles and creating McKinney Bay.1 The Tahoe Basin is mostly granite, with little topsoil, and therefore few nutrients have washed into the lake to promote the growth of algae and other organisms that make water murky. As well, 40 percent of the precipitation falling into the Tahoe Basin lands directly on the lake. The remaining precipitation drains through the decomposed granite soil found in marshes and meadows, creating a good filtering system for water. Urbanization of the Tahoe Basin has eliminated 75 percent of its marshes, 50 percent of its meadows and 35 percent of its steam zone habitats. About 85 percent of all wildlife in the Tahoe Basin use these habitats.

About the lake Lake Tahoe is located in the states of California and Nevada, with two-thirds in California. It is fed by 63 streams and two hot springs. The Truckee River is Tahoe’s only outlet and flows from the dam in Tahoe City east through Reno and eventually drains into Pyramid Lake in the Nevada desert. However, water releases are not permitted when the lake surface level falls below the natural rim at 6,223.’ The lowest lake level on record (measured since 1900) was 6,220.26’ on Nov. 30, 1992. The Lake of the Sky appears blue in color as other colors in the light spectrum are absorbed and blue light is scattered back.

Lake clarity The University of California, Davis, operates the Tahoe Environmental Resarch Center, which monitors, among other

things, the clarity of Lake Tahoe. Clarity has been measured since 1968 and was first recorded at 102.4’. The waters of Lake Tahoe were clear to an average depth of 59.7 in 2017. The lowest average depth on record was 64.1’ in 1997. Lake Tahoe is losing clarity because of algae growth fueled by nitrogen and phosphorus.

Lake Tahoe’s discovery The first recorded discovery of Lake Tahoe by white explorers was on Feb. 14, 1844, when John Charles Frémont and Charles Preuss spotted the lake from atop Red Lake Peak. The lake went through several names before it was officially named Tahoe in 1945. Tahoe is a mispronunciation of the first two syllables of the Washoe’s word for the lake – Da ow a ga, which means “edge of the lake.” 

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

Feb. 7-13, 2019

SIGHTSEEING

A quiet day at the lake looking out at Tahoe City and Granlibakken’s ski hill. | Courtesy Granlibakken

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

Explore Tahoe (530) 542-2908 | cityofslt.us

South Lake Tahoe

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 (800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com

Olympic Valley

Aerial tram rides, Olympic Heritage Museum, ice skating, events and more. Ticket required. TART

Kings Beach northtahoebusiness.org

North Shore

Settled in 1863 as a stagecoach stop. TART

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

Emerald Bay

Watson Cabin

Tahoe City

(530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org

The oldest building in Tahoe City and on the National Register of Historic Places. TART

MUSEUMS Donner Memorial Visitor Center (530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov

Truckee

The Donner Memorial State Park features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party. TART

donnersummithistoricalsociety.org

Soda Springs

Gatekeeper’s Museum Daily | (530) 583-1762 northtahoemuseums.org

(530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org

Tahoe Art League Gallery South Lake Tahoe

Features Washoe artifacts and exhibits on early industry and settlers. South Tahoe

visittahoecity.com

Historical sites and Commons Beach. TART

Tahoe Science Center

381

Incline Village

3066 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (530) 541-5255

Stateline 169 Hwy. 50 (775) 588-4591

Tahoe City 100 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 581-6900 Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

Truckee 10065 Donner Pass Rd. (Depot)

TROA.NET

(530) 587-8808

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

U.S. Forest Service | Incline Village

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

855 Alder Ave. (775) 831-0914 (Wed.-Fri.)

truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com

Truckee

Exhibits include the train’s role in logging, fighting snow on the railway, the role of Chinese emigrants and a children’s area. TART

(530) 426-3313, ext. 113 | auburnskiclub.org Showcasing the history of skiing. TART

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

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

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

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

Truckee

Lake Tahoe Museum

North Shore

FLOW AT FARAD

South Lake Tahoe

Featuring historic photos & memorabilia, and the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum. TART

Featuring exhibits of work by local artists and works for sale by local artists. TART

Tahoe City

Truckee River |

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

Tahoe City

Interactive exhibits, science & art classes, the BabyZone & the Jungle Gym. TART

Featuring local artists and workshops. South Tahoe

Tahoe City

Self-guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities. TART

Kings Beach

Museum and 20-mile interpretive driving tour along Old 40. TART

North Tahoe Arts Center

(530) 544-2313 | talart.org

CAPACITY: 18,300 C

A 20,400 MARTIS 867 | CAPACITY: (530) 583-9283 tahoemaritimemuseum.org

VISITORS’ CENTERS

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

Western SkiSport Museum Donner Summit

Donner Summit Historical Society

KidZone Children’s Museum

Free | (530) 581-2787 | northtahoearts.com

Games. Tower of Nations. Olympic Flame. Olympic CAPACITY: 9,500 C DONNER 2,980 Museum at high camp. TART 50

Truckee Railroad Museum

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

Tahoe City

Olympic Museum Olympic Valley C 226,500 STAMPEDE 198,734 CAPACITY: (800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com 29,840 9 Winter Olympic PROSSER 6,356 Celebrate the homeCAPACITY: of the 1960

Tahoe Maritime Museum

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

6,227.95

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

CAPA PACITY AC CITY:: 40,87 CITY 40,870 70

INDEPENDENCE 14,587

IN 2018:

225

West Shore

Truckee

6,227.08 |

200,000 AF

Eagle Rock

BOCA 5,702 truckeehistory.org | truckee.com

ELEVATION :

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

150,000 AF

The Summit, just west of Truckee, holds the record for the United States’ snowiest April in 1880 when a storm dumped 4’ of snow in 24 hours.

Readings taken on Friday, February 1, 2019

125

Truckee

Once known as the “Grandest Resort in the World.” Grounds open year-round. South Tahoe

LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

100,000 AF

Donner Summit

South Lake Tahoe

Drive through the neck of an old volcano.

Tallac Historic Site

(530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org

East Shore

Cave Rock

175

ATTRACTIONS

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 541-5458 | laketahoemuseum.org

Old Jail Museum (530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org

Truckee

One of a few surviving 19th Century jails. TART

Boots McFarland by Geolyn Carvin | BootsMcFarland.com

OUT & ABOUT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Out

&ABOUT

OUTDOORS & RECREATION, EVENTS & MORE

Bryan Allegretto

EVENTS CALENDAR FEB. 7-14, 2019

L I F E A S A TA H O E W E AT H E R M A N S T O R Y B Y P R I YA H U T N E R

t’s 4 a.m., the temperatures are in the single digits, the wind is howling, and Tahoe weather forecaster Bryan Allegretto is just rising to make a cup of coffee and look at weather models for the day. Those who live in Tahoe and those who visit routinely use Open Snow and wait patiently for Allegretto’s daily forecast: Tahoe Daily Snow. Allegretto, co-founder of Open Snow, gives the daily lowdown on weather for Tahoe, as well as the daily forecast for Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Allegretto has always loved storms, especially snowstorms, hurricanes and nor’easters. His father was superintendent for the New Jersey state parkway and received the latest updates on weather and storms and then prepared the plows for the roadways.

Valentine’s Day

Flash Mob

Grab a friend and join Tahoe SAFE Alliance for the annual One Billion Rising International Flash Mob on Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Depot in downtown Truckee, to raise awareness of violence against women. Wear your dancing shoes and something red (or whatever makes you feel bold/great). Learn the dance in-person on Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. at 12047 Donner Pass Rd., Suite B6, Truckee, or online at One Billion Truckee/ Tahoe on Facebook.

“ I was obsessed with snow and storms. My

Depot eyed for

friends nicknamed me the weatherman as a

Bryan Allegretto and his wife, Mikayla and their children spending some vacation time together before winter. | Courtesy Bryan Allegretto

kid. I’d tell them when it was going to snow.” –Bryan Allegretto “I was obsessed with snow and storms. My friends nicknamed me the weatherman as a kid. I’d tell them when it was going to snow,” said Allegretto, explaining that he would sit in his father’s office while his dad received faxes from the National Weather Service. “I’d look out the window and stare at the streetlights, waiting for the first flakes of snow and then run and tell him it was happening. I got the bug and have been tracking snow ever since.” Allegretto attended Kean University in New Jersey to study meteorology. After some issues in his personal life he began questioning his major. “I wanted to chase storms not sit at a desk,” he says. He took a year off from school and traveled and eventually went back to school for business and economics. “I wanted a job in the ski industry,” he said. He began exploring places to move to so he could ski. He watched the Weather Channel religiously and tracked average snowfall around the country. That’s when he decided to move to Truckee and started working at Northstar California in the accounting department. It was during his tenure there he’d offer his colleagues in 6

Bryan Allegretto out and about in the snow. | Courtesy Bryan Allegretto

the marketing department his weather insights. Eventually someone suggested he start a blog. In 2006, he began forecasting for Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe and then eventually begin to cover the Tahoe Basin and Tahoe Weather Discussion was born. Friends of Allegretto suggested he meet Joel Gratz from Colorado who was writing the Colorado Powder Forecast, a similar blog. Both were working on building a Web site and app when the two decided to forge a partnership and created Open Snow. What happens when Allegretto’s forecast is off ? Well, he definitely hears it from his readers. “That’s when I started keeping track of

my forecasts. How you deliver the weather is an artform,” he says. He uses words such as “maybe,” “could,” “possibly,” “definitely” and “will” when he writes. After every storm he posts what he reported and what actually happened. His forecasts have an average variance of 1.6 to 1.7 over the last two seasons. Allegretto describes himself as a perfectionist, Type A personality and tends to get upset when his forecast is off. “When I write my blog, I write it like I am writing to my friends in the office,” he says. In any case, Allegretto has honed his own formulas for predicting and forecasting levels of snow. After his 4 a.m. wakeup, he studies the models and researches what is occurring across the U.S. and around the world. He writes his blog, posts it, then works on the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows blog and posts their weather stats. It takes many hours to get his reports together and he tries to send the main blog out by 7 a.m. Once that is completed, he hits social media, then reviews the 10 a.m. weather models and gears up to ski. He skis at all of resorts and sends out reports and videos from his location. At 3:30 p.m., he heads home, has dinner with his wife and children and is in bed soon after he puts his children to bed. Then it’s up at 4 a.m. and repeat. “I’m the most well-known, loneliest guy in Tahoe,” he jokes | opensnow.coms 

railroad museum Truckee-Donner Historical Society will present the business plans for a permanent museum in the Truckee Railroad Depot on Feb. 12. The meeting is open to the public will take place at 6 p.m. in the Truckee Town Hall Council Chambers. | Truckee HistoryRailroad Museum on Facebook

New

co-working spaces There are two new co-working spaces now open in the Tahoe Sierra in Carnelian Bay on the North Shore and in Truckee. Waterman’s Landing is now offering coworking space by day or through monthly memberships at its lakefront location in the cafe. Waterman’s is also open for winter paddleboarding and kayak rentals, with guided tours as conditions permit. | watermanslanding.com The Tributary Collective, a new women’s co-working space in Truckee, recently hosted its grand opening. The Collective was founded by locals Kat Schliemann and Jennifer Kobert and is offering monthly memberships. They will also be hosting networking events. The Collective is located at 1198 Trails End Court, Suite 2. | thetributarycollective.com

Feb. 7-13, 2019

FEB. 7-14, 2019

OUT & ABOUT

EVENTS

Visit the Event Calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for a complete list of events. Help with computers

Guided Snowshoe Tours

Kings Beach Library | Feb. 7, 14

Clair Tappaan Lodge | Norden | Feb. 9

South Lake Tahoe Warm Room Open House South Lake Tahoe Warm Room | Feb. 7

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless invites the community to tour South Lake Tahoe Warm Room. 5:15pm. 3-6 p.m. Free | (775) 573-0822, tahoehomeless.org

Guided Snowshoe Tours are on Saturdays at 10 a.m. to explore Tahoe National Forest. Bring snowshoes or rent a pair. | RSVP (530) 426-3632 10 a.m. $10-$20 | (530) 426-3632, facebook.com

Interpretive Ski Tours Diamond Peak Ski Resort | Incline Village | Feb. 9 Diamond Peak will offer a series of free guided on-mountain tours. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | (775) 832-1203, facebook.com

Building Resiliency in Youth Stargazing Snowshoe Tours

Sierra Nevada College | Incline Village | Feb. 7

Northstar California Resort | Truckee | Feb. 9

Join a talk on Building Resiliency in Youth with Dr. Mark Servis, Dr. Kathleen Tebb, and Peter Mayfield. 5:30-7:30 p.m. | (775) 8817560, tahoe.ucdavis.edu

Guests of all ages will enjoy an easy to moderate snowshoe walk with an unobstructed view of the cosmos. 5 p.m. | (800) 466-6784, northstarcalifornia.com

Winter Speaker Series Disco Tubing

Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley | Feb. 7

Caroline Gleich is a professional ski mountaineer and adventurer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Raffle and bar proceeds benefit Protect Our Winter. 7 p.m. | alpenglowsports.com

Virtual Reality Studio Incline Village Library | Feb. 8

SnowVentures Activity Zone Olympic Valley | Feb. 9

Families can spin, slide and speed down the snow tubing lanes to vibrant DJ tunes as the night is illuminated with colorful lights and lasers. 5-7 p.m. | squawalpine.com

Experience the canals of Venice, ride a roller coaster or walk with dinosaurs on the second and fourth Fridays. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

Winter Fireworks

Share the Love Workshop with David Rendall

Ability Bash Fundraising Gala

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Feb. 8

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Feb. 9

This presentation and workshop with David Rendell will show you how to help your kids become more of who they are. 8:30-10:30 a.m. | eventbrite.com

Pop-Up Park Soda Springs | Feb. 8

Boreal Pop-Up Park’s are back for another season, with the latest park on the mountain for one weekly only. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | facebook.com

Mountain Host Tours Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Feb. 8-10

Join the Squaw Valley Mountain Hosts offering free Mountain Tours for intermediate or advanced skiers and riders. 9:30 a.m. | (800) 403-0206, squawalpine.com

Join this weekly class and learn skills to help maintain a wellness focus, improve quality of life; techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; and more. 1-3:30 p.m. Free | (530) 587-3769, tfhd.com

Tahoe National Forest

For a guided snowshoe tour through the beauty of Tahoe National Forest, meet at Clair Tappaan Lodge on Saturdays in February and March. The snowshoe tour will begin at 10 a.m. and last two to three hours. Bring snacks and dress comfortably in layers. Hot chocolate and tea will be available before and after the tour. The tour is $20, $10 for lodge guests. Arrive by 9 a.m. Space is limited. Call ahead to reserve a spot. Tours will be given on Feb. 9, 16 and 23, and March 2, 9, 16 and 23. | (530) 426-3632, Clair Tappaan on Facebook

Village at Squaw | Olympic Valley | Feb. 9

Enjoy a fireworks celebration every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Free | (800) 403-0206

Achieve Tahoe’s annual gala continues to be one of North Lake Tahoe’s premier fundraising events. Enjoy social hour, first class dinner, silent auction, raffle and presentations. 6-10 p.m. | (800) 403-0206, achievetahoe.org

First Tracks Homewood Mountain Resort | Feb. 10

Include a hot breakfast at 7 a.m. and the ability to load the Madden Chair as early as 8 a.m. Free to passholders, $99 non-passholders. 12 a.m. | skihomewood.com

PassHolder First Tracks Heavenly Mountain | South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 11

55+ Snowshoe Hikes

Pipe Keepers Intro Training

Area Venue | Incline Village | Feb. 12

North Lake Tahoe | South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 13

Trekkers of all abilities are welcome to join a weekly snowshoe hike. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | (775) 832-1310, yourtahoeplace.com

Tahoe Maritime Museum | Tahoe City | Feb. 12

South Shore Networking Mixer

Denise Jaffke and Eric Stackpole present on Emerald Bay’s new Underwater Trail and the SS Tahoe. 5 p.m. | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Riva Grill | South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 13

Tahoe Talks: Racism in America

Valentine’s Day Snowshoe Tour

Incline Village Library | Incline Village | Feb. 12

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center Truckee | Feb. 14

Guest experts are Dr. Christina Frederick of Sierra Nevada College, Dr. Precious Hall of Truckee Meadows Community College and Andrew Barbano of NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch. 6:30 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130

Seniors to Seniors

Unheralded Women Tech Stars

Tech-savvy seniors from Incline High School will be available to help with technology-related questions. 2-3:30 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130

Pizza on the Hill | Truckee | Feb. 11

Pipe Keepers is a citizen science program to address the threat of stormwater pollution entering Lake Tahoe. All ages. 2-4 p.m. Free | (530) 541-5388, donate.keeptahoeblue.org

Winter Lecture Series

Passholders to Heavenly can enjoy First Tracks every Monday morning. 8:30-9 a.m. | (775) 586-7000, facebook.com

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program Tahoe Forest Center for Health | Truckee | Feb. 8

Snowshoe through

Courtesy Clair Tappaan

Ongoing computer help. Call or stop by for our class schedule. 3-4 p.m. Free | (530) 5462021, placer.ca.gov

Incline Village Library | Incline Village | Feb. 13

All attendees will receive one free drink. 5:30-8:30 p.m. | facebook.com

Bring your significant other to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a guided snowshoe hike under the stars on Tahoe Donner’s crosscountry ski trails. Please dress for the conditions, bring a headlamp or flashlight, and book early because space is limited. Cost includes guided tour, trail pass and equipment rental (if needed). 5-7 p.m. $35-$70 | (530) 587-9484, chamber.truckee.com

Tahoe Silicon Mountain, a local network of entrepreneurs and professionals welcomes attorney Dick Schulze of Holland and Hart to present at Mountain Minds Monday. 6-8 p.m. $5 | chamber.truckee.com

Map and Compass 101 Good Morning Truckee

TRTA office | Stateline | Feb. 9

Knowing how to use a map and compass will greatly reduce your chances of getting lost. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $40-$50 | tahoerimtrail.org

Truckee-Tahoe Airport | Truckee | Feb. 12

Open to the public. Includes a hot breakfast and raffle ticket. 12-8:30 a.m. $12 | truckee.com

MARKETPLACE Call (530) 546-5995, ext. 110, to be included in Marketplace.

SV Snow Removal

❄ Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows ❄ 12 years experience ❄ Local references ❄ We use shovels & snow blowers Call Bob at (530) 412-2703

Advertise in MARKETPLACE

Color

1 col x 2” $60 | 2 col x 2” $100

We accept Visa or Mastercard. Reservations required. Morning flights only for best weather conditions. The earlier, the better. All flights are weather permitting. 48 hour cancellation policy. Flights are from Carson City Airport.

All ads included in free digital edition. 7

FEATURE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

SIERRA STORIES Ope ration Haylift Saved Nevada’s Cat t l e I ndus t ry | P a r t I

BY MARK McLAUGHLIN

t’s been 70 years since one of Nevada’s worst winters wreaked havoc across the high desert. Virtually no winter seasons have been as brutal as that of 1948-49, when drifting snow and record-breaking cold waves shut down the Silver States’ major highways for weeks, isolating many rural communities. The extreme conditions nearly decimated Nevada’s extensive livestock industry as cattle and sheep became helplessly snowbound on the range without food. Weather conditions were so severe that a small group of desperate ranchers in hard-hit eastern Nevada devised an unusual plan to reach their starving livestock cut off from grazing by deep snow. Ranchers and state officials were inspired by the besieged citizens of West Berlin, who at the time were receiving emergency shipments of food and fuel airdropped by U.S. military planes in the Berlin Airlift. The Nevadans organized Operation Haylift, a massive relief effort using U.S. Air Force C-82 cargo airplanes, known as Flying Boxcars, to deliver alfalfa and save their starving animals. Operation Haylift was collaboration on a grand scale, involving more than 1,000 men and women of the Armed Forces and National Guard, as well as civilians from Nevada and California who came to the rescue like a modern cavalry. The drama began when a vigorous storm system roared into the Silver State right after Thanksgiving 1948. Nearly 1 foot of snow fell in some places with wind gusts in excess of 70 mph. More storms followed. The relentless snowfall forced residents in parts of the state to bore tun-

nels through 10-foot drifts. Deep snow thwarted grocery deliveries and gasoline was doled out on an emergency basis. Cattle country near Elko and Ely was soon smothered by 2 feet of snow. More than 40 inches of the white stuff buried the noted mining camp Jarbidge, located in the northeast corner of the state. Between storms, the snow cover and clear skies allowed daytime heat to radiate back

Weather conditions were so severe that a small group of desperate ranchers in hard-hit eastern Nevada devised an unusual plan to reach their starving livestock cut off from grazing by deep snow. into the atmosphere, causing nighttime temperatures to plummet. On Christmas Eve, the mercury slid to 8 degrees below zero in Elko and to 17 below in Ely. Las Vegas residents and visiting tourists were spared the worst of the snow but were shocked when the temperature nosedived to 17 degrees. People stayed home and kept close to their stoves. They didn’t go to the movies or holiday parties. As temperatures slid into the single digits in western Nevada,

LEFT: Freezing cattle. | Courtesy Churchill County

Museum; RIGHT: Loading a cargo plane. | Courtesy Churchill County Museum

pipes froze and broke in dozens of Carson City homes. In Reno, the deepening frost buckled city streets. When the bitter cold froze Virginia City’s water mains, several sections of town were cut off for weeks. Heavy snow fell in the Tahoe Sierra, which helped protect infrastructure from the frigid temps plaguing the Great Basin. Despite the severe cold, some ranchers were optimistic. The previous winter had been one of the driest in Nevada history — Reno recorded less than 1 inch of precipitation in all of 1947-48 — and the growing Sierra snowpack held promise for abundant water in the spring. Elko County ranchers reported ample hay supplies, but in Nye County feed was reported poor and most watering holes around Eureka were frozen. Comparatively mild winters in the previous decade had led some to risk grazing their animals on the open range instead of rounding them up into home-ranch corrals for the winter. Centered around Ely and Pioche, these stock operators were caught with their cattle herds and sheep flocks in the hills and open range. Aware of the extraordinary success of the ongoing Berlin Airlift, George Swallow, an Ely rancher and spokesman for the United Stockmen’s Association of eastern Nevada, told the Reno Evening Gazette: “Either stock will have to be shipped out, or feed is going to have to be shipped in — quick! The stock out here simply can’t last much longer under pres-

HISTORIAN & AUTHOR

MARK MCL AUGHLIN’S NEWEST BOOK

Our mission is to reduce the incidence of hunger and its detrimental effects upon individuals, families, the community and the region. O rd e r b o o k s d i re c t a t

TheStormKing.com or pick up a copy at: • Geared for Games • Alice’s Mountain Market located at Squaw Valley

• Word After Word Bookshop • Gratitude Gifts • Mind Play

Group presentations · In-home talks

(530) 546-5612 · TheStormKing.com 8

WEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION: MONDAYS TAHOE CITY

WEDNESDAYS KINGS BEACH

3:00pm to 3:30pm Fairway Community Ctr. 330 Fairway Dr.

3:00pm to 3:30pm Community House 265 Bear St.

TUESDAYS TRUCKEE

THURSDAYS INCLINE VILLAGE

3:30pm to 4pm Sierra Senior Center 10040 Estates Dr.

3:00pm to 3:30pm St. Patrick’s Church 341 Village Blvd.

(775) 298-4161

ProjectMana.org

ent conditions … there is no doubt that this winter is the worst since the so-called ‘White Ruin of 1889-90.’ ” Back in 1890, similar conditions killed 70 percent of the state’s livestock herds when there were no planes to save the day. Nevada Gov. Vail Pittman happened to be in Washington, D.C., for President Harry Truman’s inauguration. He alerted the newly elected Chief Executive and Congress of his state’s desperate situation. President Truman promptly declared the region a disaster area and authorized an emergency $50,000 grant. Almost overnight, county, state and federal agencies joined forces to force open Nevada highways so trucks could distribute feed and haul water to struggling ranchers. Cargo airplanes would be used to reach the marooned herds out on the range. Despite the encouraging news from government agencies, ranchers were anxious as livestock continued to die. Lincoln County Sheriff Jack Fogliani reported finding 20 cattle near Pioche “huddled together in a small draw — all dead on their feet. We are losing some of our snow here but we still have 28 inches on the ground.” In an interview with the United Press, Elko rancher Arthur Carter said, “Snow is so deep the cattle can’t move around any more, and I guess the sheep are really snowed under. I’ve been out with the cowboys every day for a week now trying to take feed to the cattle and to bring them in, but the wind blows so hard that the trails you open blow shut right behind you. Sheep just stand around in bunches and smother under the snow. They won’t do anything to save themselves, and you almost have to force them to eat when they’re like this. The cattle are a little smarter. They’ll eat the hay and the grain if they can get to it.” General Mark W. Clark from the Navy airbase at Fallon took charge as coordinator of Operation Haylift. He secured 36 Flying Boxcars from McChord Field near Tacoma, Wash., and ordered a rapid commencement of the emergency airlift. The goal was to save an estimated 35,000 head of cattle and 100,000 sheep marooned in White Pine, Nye and Lincoln counties. Ranchers had tried to move the animals to neighboring states for grazing, but California was already overstocked with 60,000 head of transplanted cattle and heavy snowstorms in Arizona and New Mexico had covered grazing lands there. The scale of the potential disaster was massive, and it would require an unprecedented, Herculean effort to save nearly 140,000 animals and Nevada’s ranching industry. Stay tuned for Part II in the next edition and at TheTahoeWeekly.com.  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. Check out his blog at tahoenuggets.com or read more at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on History under the Explore Tahoe tab.

Feb. 7-13, 2019

RIDING FAT

FEATURE

The view south along the Pacific Crest from Andesite Peak.

E X P L O R E TA H O E ’ S S N O W Y T R A I L S B Y B I K E STORY BY SEAN MCALINDIN

It’s a frosty January

morning when I arrive at The BackCountry. I’m not talking about the millions of acres of wilderness and national forest in the Tahoe Sierra, but the cozy, little outdoor shop on Donner Pass Road in Truckee. I’d arranged with owner Mike Schwartz to borrow his superlight Borealis Fat Bike for a demo ride. “You want it to freeze at night, so you gotta go in the morning,” says the veteran mountain man and outspoken member of Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, who published an online guide to the Sierra Nevada’s best off-piste skiing years ago. “Snowmobile tracks are pretty much a guarantee for firm snow. There are

FAT-TIRE BIKING Gear | Bike, snow pants, jacket, boots, gloves, goggles, helmet Best conditions | Early morning during freeze/thaw cycle before snow begins to melt, snowmobile tracks and snow-covered roads

TOP: Sean McAlindin enjoys a tranquil ride off

of Brockway Summit. | Austin Taylor; LEFT: Snowcovered bike trails await the intrepid Tahoe traveler. | Sean McAlindin

Groomed trails | Kirkwood, Northstar and Tahoe Donner Cross-Country rent fat-tire bikes and maintain snow-biking trails. Nevada Nordic and Tahoe City Winter Sports Park allow fat-tire biking, but not rentals.

“SNOWMOBILE TRACKS

Rentals | Many local bike shops offer fat bike rentals in the winter.

ARE PRETTY MUCH A

FREE PUBLIC WINTER ROADS

GUARANTEE FOR FIRM

Coldstream Canyon in Truckee. Park on Coldstream Road south of I-80, Exit 184

SNOW. THERE ARE

Forest Service Road 06 in Truckee, park on Thelin Drive in Sierra Meadows

ENDLESS SNOW-

Mount Rose Summit, park on the side of NV State Highway 431

COVERED ROADS IN

Fiberboard Freeway in Truckee, park at Brockway Summit on CA State Route 267 Boca Reservoir in Truckee Jackson Meadows in Tahoe National Forest Hope Valley off Highway 88 Carson Pass in Alpine Valley

LOCAL SNOWMOBILE TRAILS Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Snowmobiling under the Out & About tab. endless snow-covered roads in our area, so you just have to look around for places to ride. When the snow gets frozen from a freeze/thaw cycle, you can ride it pretty much anywhere.” After picking up the bike from The BackCountry’s friendly staff, I head out to see what I can find. My first thought is to visit Coldstream Canyon or the Tahoe National Forest along State Forest Road 06. However, as I drive along the Truckee River on this beautiful winter morning I resolve to continue on toward the mothership of Lake Tahoe. I know that Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours regularly run tours from the top of Brockway Summit off Highway 267 so I make that my first stop. When I pull into the parking lot a big, friendly man named Dave tells me that he’s almost finished parking tour clients for the day, but he’d probably have more space in an hour or so.

Since time is of the essence for attaining the best conditions on this chilly, partly sunny, winter’s day, I continue on toward Mount Rose. As usual the snow is about twice as deep up at the top of the 8,911-foot pass than at lower elevations; I park and unload my bicycle along the icy shoulder of NV State Route 431. My jumbo tires feel like balloons as I pedal along the slick pavement toward the established snowmobile track. At 10 a.m. the snow is already sticky, yet I’m able to make progress through the woods and into an open meadow. It’s the perfect place to get a feel for the bike. The studded tires grip well on the crunchy hard-packed snow, but sink deep on anything that’s too powdery or slushy. After tooling around in my snow gear for a while, I head back to Brockway for a trail better traveled. Back on the summit of CA State Route 267, I find ample parking and begin my tranquil journey along Mount Watson Road, or what is more popularly known as The Fiberboard Freeway, 11 miles of paved road from Brockway to Lake Watson. Schwartz’s bike handles comfortably on this well-packed, frozen boulevard, which has retained its stiffness due to the welcome shadows of thick forests lining the way. As I mount my first significant climb, a snowmobile tour comes cruising by. The customers encourage me onward as I pedal frantically to make headway up the snowy slope. For every ounce of effort I use, I am rewarded with only 50 percent of the output because my tires slip ever so slightly in the warming snow. By the time the last snowmobiler passes me, I reach the top with my lungs burning from exertion in the frigid air.

OUR AREA, SO YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK AROUND FOR PLACES TO RIDE.” –Mike Schwartz Fortunately, I’m rewarded with astounding views of Lake Tahoe’s snow-covered peaks with an inversion layer of clouds sitting on this magical freshwater sea. Now it’s time for the fun part. As a make my way onto the slope, I slowly, but surely gain momentum. The little bumps that I rolled over on my way up become authentic whoop-dedoos on the way down. My chubby tires come to life as I barrel around a pitched corner and into a bombed-out straightaway. At times, I feel as if I’m about to skid out and find a little bit of downward pressure helps to keep me moving forward. For a moment, it almost feels a more like skiing than mountain biking at all. I fly into the meadow below with abandoned glee and skid marks to spare. Although it took me all morning to find the right conditions, I now see what this fat-tire biking thing is all about: cold snow, warm gear, an adventurous attitude and just the right amount of easygoing humor. | thebackcountry.net  9

FAMILY FUN

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Family FUN S L E D D I N G AT H I S T O R I C

GRANLIBAKKEN

as fast as they could, sometimes even running and juming onto their sleds and speeding off down the hill, trying their best to slide for as fast and as long as they could.

Break the Brick

This four-week series will introduce ages 12 through 17 to the logical, sequential nature of coding and how it can be applied to programming robots. Kids will become familiar with basic block programming and apply this knowledge to have robots perform basic tasks. 12 a.m. | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

Mother Goose on the Loose South Lake Tahoe Library South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 7, Feb. 14

Jump start your child’s brain development with this award-winning program that combines music, movement and literature. 10:30 a.m. | (530) 573-3185, engagedpatrons.org

Toddler Story Time Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 7, Feb. 14 Becket Norbutas, left, and Anikin Allen liked holding hands while going down the sled hill. | Cindi Sparks

The older boys were trying to go

FEB. 7-14, 2019

Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 7, 14

STORY BY MICHELLE ALLEN

estled in a forested valley in Tahoe City, Granlibakken is a great destination for winter fun with the family. Even though it is less than a mile from downtown Tahoe City, Granlibakken feels like a private mountain retreat. It is secluded, scenic and serene. The trees loom high over the property, which is rich in history. Granlibakken was originally part of the historic Tahoe Tavern property and was first used in the early 20th Century by extreme tobogganers who would divert water from a nearby spring to create an icy surface for fast sliding. In the 1920s, it became known as Olympic Hill, which became a premier location for ski jumpers from around the world to come and hone their skills and break records. Fast forward to today and you will still find Olympic Hill bustling with skiers, snowboarders and sliders. On one beautiful, sunny day, me, my son, Anikin, and our friends, Beckett and Emerson Norbutas, their mom, Cindi Sparks, and Gage Goosen spent the afternoon on the sled hill. When we arrived we first stopped at Rusty’s Café to grab a bite to eat. Featuring delicious Mexican fare,

FOR THE KIDS

Beckett Norbutas enjoys a fast ride down the sled hill. | Katherine E. Hill

Rusty’s Café is housed a cozy, rustic cabin originally built in 1947. It offers the perfect spot for a snack break or to warm up with a hot chocolate or spiced cider. After fueling up, we got our tickets and helmets at the ticket counter inside the Café and headed to the sled hill. At the bottom of the hill, we grabbed our saucers and started the hike up to the top. After a steep, but short walk we made it to the top where there is a ledge for staging. We sat down on our saucers and took off. The sled hill is fast and exhilarating and took a little courage to push myself off the first time. After a few laps, we discovered the left side of the hill was the fastest ride. The older boys, Emerson and Gage, were trying to go as fast as they could, sometimes even running and jumping onto their sleds and speeding off down the hill, trying their best to slide for as fast and as long as they could. Meanwhile, Anikin and Beckett were a little more cautious. They waited until the sled hill was clear before they would go. Sometimes they held hands or held onto each other’s sleds as they slid down the hill together. Cindi and I took quite a few laps, but after a while, the boys were making such fast laps, we hung out slope side and took pictures and videos. As we stood there, I noticed a young girl (maybe 3) hiking up the hill with purpose

then sitting on her own sled and flying down the hill. I marveled at how fearless she seemed. Maybe some ski jumping is in her future? The kids continuously made laps as the sun fell behind the ridgeline above us and the cold temperatures set in. The friendly mountain staff started breaking down as we approached the sled hill closing time of 4:30 p.m. They were courteous and allowed the kids to continue sledding while they finished up. We thanked them as we headed to Rusty’s Café for hot drinks. The kids enjoyed hot chocolate with hot spiced wine for me and Cindi. It was a great day and after enjoying the sun, the snow and the beauty of the resort we left tired but with big smiles on our faces. However, I didn’t anticipate how sore I would be the next day. Just a reminder of how easy it is to feel young at heart simply by sitting on a sled and speeding down a hill. Those early tobogganers definitely had the right idea. Granlibakken is not only a great sledding, skiing and snowboarding destination, but also offers terrain for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and the Treetop Adventure park featuring rope systems and zip lines for ages 5 and older. In addition, Granlibakken offers lodging and conference facilities, a Day Spa, onsite yoga classes, and the Cedar House Pub in the Main Lodge. Open nightly Thursday through Sunday and daily during holidays, Cedar House offers fireside dining, delicious food and a full bar (look for the coupon in this edition of Tahoe Weekly). Although it is a wonderland for winter sports, it can also be an all-inclusive reprieve from the daily grind. Spend some time at Granlibakken and discover the charm and beauty of a quintessential Tahoe ski resort. | granlibakken.com 

With stories, puppets, music and movement for ages 18 months to 3 years. 11:1511:45 a.m. | (775) 832-4130

Share the Love Workshop with David Rendall North Tahoe Event Center Kings Beach | Feb. 8

This presentation and workshop with David Rendell will show you how to help your kids become more of who they are. It’s about encouraging them to be more different and more unique, not more average and more mediocre. While enjoying a light breakfast and a free copy of his book, “Freak Factor.” 8:30-10:30 a.m. | eventbrite.com

Early Literacy Storytime South Lake Tahoe Library South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 8

Build a child’s pre-reading skills with this engaging and interactive program designed to support a child’s early literacy development for a lifelong love of reading and learning. Suitable for children ages 3 to 5 with parents and caregivers. 10:30 a.m. Free | (530) 575-3185, engagedpatrons.org

3D Movie Night Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 8

Movie night presents “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” Bring blankets and pillows, we supply the movie and popcorn. 6-8 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130, events.washoecountylibrary.us

Teen Scene Kahle Community Center Stateline | Feb. 8

Kids in grades 6-12 can shoot hoops, play volleyball, climb the rock wall and play arcade or video games. 6:30-9 p.m. $5 | (775) 586-7271

Jan. 10-23, 2019

FAMILY FUN

Photo Credit | Photographer?

For the Kids

Fathers and daughters

dance the night away

Kahle Community Center is hosting its annual Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dance on Feb. 8 at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe. Be the coolest dad in town and dance the night away with your daughter. This is a special evening for daughters and their fathers (or adult male chaperones) to visit with friends from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Harvey’s Convention Center. Refreshments will be served and a photo keepsake is available for an additional fee. The cost is $10 per person and registration is suggested. | douglascountynv.hosted.civiclive.com

Friday Fun Nights

Wednesday Morning Club

Northstar California Resort Truckee | Feb. 8

Kahle Community Center | Stateline | Feb. 13

Join the fun in the heart of the Village as the disco lights surround the ice skating rink every Friday night with drink specials, complimentary face painting and live music. | (800) 466-6784, northstarcalifornia.com

A supervised fun and safe program for kids on these school calendar late start days. Children need to be dropped off at Kahle Community Center and DCSD busses will transport students to ZCES. 7-10 a.m.

Craft Day Kids Arts Saturdays North Tahoe Arts Tahoe City | Feb. 9

Children, ages 4 and older, can create a new project with instruction from artists. Each Saturday features a new project. Parents must stay with their children and are encouraged to create as well. 1-3 p.m. $5-$10 | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Preschool Story Time Kings Beach Library Kings Beach | Feb. 12

The Kings Beach Library hosts a Preschool Storytime every Tuesday from 10:3011am. Each week has a different theme. In a lively, silly and casual environment kids work on multi-sensory pre-literacy skills. Stop by for loads of fun, and read books, sing songs, learn nursery rhymes, and do a fun and easy crafts. 10:30-11 a.m. Free | (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov

Teen Tuesdays Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 12

Offers kids a fun way to explore different ways to learn about technology. A new activity each week. 4-5 p.m. Free | (775) 832-4130, libraryaware.com

Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 13

The library invites children in kindergarten to fifth grade to make aown DIY craft and take it home. The library will provide all the materials. 4 p.m. | events.washoecountylibrary.us

RUFF, Read Up for Fun Truckee Library | Truckee | Feb. 13

The Truckee Library has joined forces with the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe to bring the RUFF (Read Up For Fun) Program to children in the library. Children can practice their reading skills by reading aloud to trained therapy animals. Kids can play and do crafts while waiting their turn to read. 4-5 p.m. Free | (530) 582-7846, truckeefol.org

Make and Take Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 13

Children in Kindergarten to fifth grade are invited to make a DIY craft and take it home. The library will provide all the materials and directions. 4-4:45 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us

Paws2Read Incline Village Library Incline Village | Feb. 14

Children can practice reading to friendly therapy dogs and receive a free book. All ages welcome. 4-5 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us

Visit the Event Calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for a complete list of events.

KIDS $84

byop

6 & UNDER SKI FREE ADULT LIFT TICKET online rates $94 weekends

$20 off adult ticket

Bring Your Other Pass Deal

Purchase lift tickets & rentals online

Upcoming Events:

2/4-10: IVGID Community Appreciation 2/9: Interpretive Ski Tour Wednesdays 55+ ski clinics 2/15: Moonlight Snowshoe Hike

DiamondPeak.com • (775) 832-1177 11

THE ARTS

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Arts

& CULTURE

CREATIVE AWARENESS

New

kids book released

Matt Bansak

LIVING AND CAPTURING THE DREAM S T O R Y B Y P R I YA H U T N E R

any a Tahoe Weekly cover has featured the photography of Matt Bansak, who has an eye for capturing the perfect extreme sport shot, majestic landscape and the beauty of Tahoe. Working remotely as a Web designer offers Bansak plenty of time to play in the outdoors. A self-proclaimed insomniac, he tends to work at night, which enables him to spend his days skiing, sailing, kite surfing and doing the many things he’s passionate about. Bansak coached the Olympic Valley Freestyle and Freeride Team, known as SquawFree, for years and decided to take the year off to spend the winter pursuing personal ventures. He is passionate about enjoying each day to its fullest and waking up to a new adventure.

Rebecca Holloman has penned her second children’s book, “Lake Tahoe + Four Cousins = A Winter Adventure.” The book is a follow up to her first book, “Lake Tahoe + Four Cousins = Adventure.” Both books feature the illustrations of Terri Sopp Rae and are available for sale on Amazon. The book will also be available at the Tahoe City Visitor Center soon.

New Tahoe

“ Photography is

literary

an artform that offers a unique perception

journal

of the world. I’ve developed an appreciation and

Student writers and professional authors will share works from the new Kokanee Literary Journal in a free reception on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Roberta Mason Library at Lake Tahoe Community College.

try to capture the world so I can share it with others.” –Matt Bansak “I surround myself with other talented athletes in Tahoe and have good mentors like Rob and Scott Gaffney and John Morrison,” says Bansak. Bansak grew up in Connecticut and lived in Vermont before moving to Tahoe 10 years ago. “I had never been to Tahoe, but it had the combination of everything I wanted in a place. I clicked around Google with geo-tags to explore places that had both mountains and lakes,” he says. Bansak’s passion for the outdoors and love of photography has led him to capture epic photos. His adventures have found him traveling the globe from Norway to Antarctica to the Amazon with Truckeebased Ice Axe Expeditions or to the Ruby Mountains shooting for Ruby Mountain Helicopter Skiing. A big part of approaching photography for Bansak is to garner the amazing shot while being present in the world. “It’s easy to fall into the trap of staring into your phone, fumble with settings and not appreciate where you are. Sometimes I am so focused on the shots I have to 12

remind myself to just be there and be present,” he says. When on assignment, Bansak has to think about his photo shots from the many perspectives he’s navigating while skiing, taking photographs and being safe. His back-country safety and avalanche courses have taught him how to stay aware of the conditions he and others are skiing in. Getting the shot is as important as the safety of the team and therefore he discusses the goals and potential risks on each shoot. “I appreciate art. Photography is an artform that offers a unique perception of the world. I’ve developed an appreciation and try to capture the world so I can share it with others,” he says. He also believes in making the most of each day. “If it’s too icy for most people to ski, those are the days I get out,” says Bansak, who grew up skiing on the East Coast, where conditions can vary. “I get to explore Tahoe with a kite or in the back country. Here in Tahoe, if the resorts are on wind

ABOVE: Kiting selfie off Bristlecone Beach.

| Courtesy Matt Bansak; BELOW: Scenic night shot on the East Shore. | Courtesy Matt Bansak

hold, it’s a good day for kite surfing; if it’s not windy enough to kite surf there’s always ice skating. There are so many ways to enjoy this place,” says Bansak, who kite surfs on Lake Tahoe year round and sails every Wednesday in the Beer Can Regatta Series. According to Bansak, his greatest strength is his disposition: “I find positivity in all situations — positivity and hope. I have a consecutive-month ski streak going. I’ve skied at least once a month for the last 98 months in a row and almost all in Tahoe.” Bansak enjoys his life fully whether in pursuit of the next great shot, developing a new Web site or getting out and exploring his many outdoor passions. “I am just here to take the journey, he says. “I yearn to go everywhere; it’s just a matter of where to go first. The most important thing is not saying no to anything.” | mattbansakphotography.com 

The Kokanee is an annual literary journal published by LTCC that features written pieces and artwork created by LTCC students, alumni, faculty, staff and from authors who have visited the college. The Kokanee will be available for sale that night and will be available in the LTCC Bookstore. | ltcc.edu

Author

Jeremy Evans talk Sierra Nevada College presents the next Writers in the Woods Literary Series on Feb. 8 and 9 with author Jeremy Evans. Evans will give a free talk on Feb. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m.; the talk is open to the public. On Feb. 8, he will conduct a workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop is free to students and $50 to community members. | sierranevada.edu

Feb. 7-13, 2019

Arts

THE ARTS

THE

Visit the Event Calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for a complete list of events. 2019 CR Johnson Memorial Lion Heart Art Show

Photo Credit | Photographer?

Riverside Studios | Truckee | Feb. 8

“Ethiopian Wolf” Ali Armstrong | Truckee Community Recreation Center

INSPIRED BY TRUCKEE

Truckee Public Arts Commission in partnership with Truckee Cultural District hosts “Fall into Art” through February at Truckee Community Recreation Center. The exhibit showcases local artists who represent the breadth and vibrancy of Truckee as a cultural district with inspiration from the autumn season. Among the featured creators are painters bringing to life works of art inspired by the natural world: Ali Armstrong, Sara Smith, Aimee Had, Monika Johnson, Mark Larson and Bridget O’Neill. Functional art on display includes Greg Zirbel’s birdhouses inspired by Truckee historic landmarks, Krista Tranquilla’s handmade jewelry art and Mountain Forge iron sculptures. | tdrpd.org

Fab N Funky North Tahoe Arts Tahoe City | Feb. 7-24

Fab N Funky is North Tahoe Arts’ annual art exhibit and sale. Stop by our ARTisan Shop for great deals on handmade art by local artisans. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Kokanee Journal Reading Roberta L. Mason Library South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 7

Student writers and professional authors share their works from the new Kokanee Literary Journal in a free event that all are welcome to in the Roberta Mason Library. 6 p.m. | ltcc.edu

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Feb. 7-15

An exhibit in Corison Gallery featuring college-level artists (undergrad and graduate) from the Tahoe/Reno/Carson area. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an arts program at an area college. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Riverside Studios hosts the 8th Annual CR Johnson Memorial Lion Heart Art Show, an art fundraiser for the CR Johnson Healing Center. The show will feature local artists using 12”x12” panels of wood to create masterpieces in any medium. Each piece will be available for purchase. Panels will be hung for the remainder of February. 4-8 p.m. | chamber. truckee.com

The Pleasure of Looking: Popular Film and the Formation of Identity Sierra College, Tahoe | Truckee | Feb. 8

In his talk, Professor Justin Gifford will outline the fundamental principles of film theory and then use these ideas to explore both classic and contemporary movies. Enjoy complimentary refreshments at 6:30 p.m., with the program from 7 to 8:15. 7-8:15 p.m. | sierracollege.ticketleap.com

Writers in the Woods Sierra Nevada College Incline Village | Feb. 8-9

Jeremy Evans is a journalist and an outdoor adventure writer. He is the author of In Search of Powder: A Story of America’s Disappearing Ski Bum and The Battle for Paradise: Surfing, Tuna and One Town’s Quest to Save the Wave. 7-9 p.m. | (775) 831-1314, sierranevada.edu

Alibi Ale Works Truckee | Feb. 10-March 10

Atelier and Alibi Ale Works Truckee present Knit and Sip every second Sunday. Bring a friend and your yarn project. 5-7 p.m. | alibialeworks.com

Knitting Group Atelier | Truckee | Feb. 12-Dec. 31

The group is open to all knitters, crocheters, loom artists every Tuesday. whatever your thread, you are welcome. This is a not a class, it’s a group intended for individuals who enjoy the company of other yarn artists. Bring a project or start a new one. 4-6 p.m. | (530) 386-2700, ateliertruckee.com

Colors of Lake Tahoe Sierra Nevada College Incline Village | Feb. 14

Artist Deborah Lawrence Shafer’s “Colors of Lake Tahoe” is on exhibit in the Prim Library featuring artworks from a collaboration between scientists at UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the artist. Schafer created the artworks using spectral measurements of Lake Tahoe taken by TERC scientists. Reception on Feb.14 5 to 7 p.m. | (775) 831-1314, sierranevada.edu

Silk Painting Workshop North Tahoe Arts Tahoe City | Feb. 7-May 23

Let the

Join silk artist Louise Noel for a one day journey into the joyous world of silk painting. Students will explore many different silk painting techniques and leave with a wearable work of art, as well as enough materials to make another creation at home. No experience necessary. All materials included. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

“Tahoe Art League Presents” Call To College Artists

Knit & Sip

Lake Tahoe Community College South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 7-March 23

The annual “Tahoe Art League Presents” art show is running concurrently with a show in the Foyer Gallery by Catherine Lockner and a show of artist printmakers in the Halden Gallery. | talart.org

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MUSIC SCENE

Music SCENE TheTahoeWeekly.com

LIVE MUSIC, SHOWS & NIGHTLIFE

North Mississippi Allstars’ HILL COUNTRY ROOTS STORY BY SEAN MCALINDIN

Feb. 8 | 9 p.m. | Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

AMERICAN ROOTS

rothers Luther and Cody Dickinson grew up surrounded by American roots music in the hill country of northwestern Mississippi. “It’s not too far from Memphis, but it gets rural really quick,” Luther says. “It’s an enlightened little spot. It’s laid back and there’s a lot of good music. My dad and his friends were all musicians. Everything social our family did was all music-based. It was Memphis is the 70s. There was an artistic counterculture. I always knew I was going to be a guitar player.” In their early years, their father Jim Dickinson, noted record producer and leader of Mud Boy and the Neutrons, discouraged his boys from following in his musical footsteps. “He said it was a hard life, don’t do it, blah, blah, blah,” says Luther. “But once we started writing originals, he was like, alright. He took us under his wing and showed us how to record. We started a family band and he and his friends taught us how to play roots music.” In 1996, Luther and Cody started the North Mississippi Allstars and hit the road with proto-jam bands such as Medeski Martin & Wood, Galactic, Gov’t Mule and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. “The scene in North Mississippi was so fun with all the great music that was happening at the time,” he says. “Everyone was so generous. To this day, people still invite me to sit in and play with them. There is no better learning experience than jumping in with a band that really knows how to play together.” 14

“ The scene in North Mississippi was so fun with all the great music that was happening at the time. … There is no better learning experience than jumping in with a band that really knows how to play together.” When they weren’t on the road, Luther and Cody came home to hill country where they played low-key sessions with blues legends such as Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside and Otha Turner. “We grew up on Jimi Hendrix and Allman Brothers,” says Luther. “I remember I was 15 years old my first time jamming in a garage with a real band. It demystified it for me.” Although Luther admits he wasn’t a natural guitar player from the start, he always had an innate knack for creating material. “I could write songs better than I could sing them,” he says. “It’s just like skiing. You gotta push yourself and hang out with athletes who are better than you.” The hard work paid off. Luther landed a lead guitar slot with The Black Crowes from 2007 to 2013. North Mississippi Allstars have been going strong for 22 years with Luther and Cody standing side by side. “It’s a really fun endeavor,” says Luther. “If you got a brother band and you can get along, it’s easy to keep it together. There can be a telepathic level to the music

–Luther Dickinson if everything is sympathetic. It definitely cuts down on rehearsal. Musical families are such a widespread phenomenon; there’s definitely something to be said for it.” The Allstars have recently been recording in Memphis and at their home studios in Hernando, Miss. They plan to release their 20th album later this year. “What I’m into is roots music,” says Luther. “We grew up with rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, blues, gospel, punk rock and rap. I just love that our generation of musicians — be it G-Love or Beck or whoever — took the influences that were available for us and made our own type of music from it.” As far as the trajectory of traditional blues and roots music in America, Luther believes it is an artform always evolving. “America is such an interesting place historically and the art reflects it,” he says. “If you sink deep into the well of the history of the blues it gets into an ugly American history lesson pretty quick. Luckily enough, we’re telling our own stories.” | crystalbaycasino.com 

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

CALENDAR

FEB. 7-14, 2019

FEBRUARY 7 | THURSDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. Robin Orr Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 2:30 p.m. Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m. Live Music Glen Eagles Restaurant & Lounge, Carson City, 6:30-9 p.m. Live Music Cottonwood Hilltop Restaurant, Truckee, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Paul Covarelli & George Sauerbier Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6:30 p.m. Thirsty Thursday with DJ Trivia MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 7-9 p.m. Throwback Thursdays Lex Nightclub, Reno, 7 p.m. YBN Nahmir Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 7-11 p.m. “The Dresser” Bruka Theatre, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Bill Dawes Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare in Love Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Aida Rodriguez Reno Tahoe Comedy, Reno, 7:30 p.m. BYU Jazz Legacy Edward C Reed High School Auditorium, Sparks, 7:30-9 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Magic Fusion Starring Matt Marcy The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9-10:15 p.m. SunSquabi Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m. Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 9:30-11:55 p.m. Decoy Carson Valley Inn, Minden Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

FEBRUARY 8 | FRIDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Ike & Martin Jake’s On The Lake, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Live Music Glen Eagles Restaurant & Lounge, Carson City, 6:30-9 p.m. Jill Cohn Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6:30 p.m. Comedy Happy Hour Presents: Aidan Park Lex Nightclub, Reno, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Live Music Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Aida Rodriguez Reno Tahoe Comedy, Reno, 7 p.m. Tresed w/ Night Rooms, Erin Drive The Holland Project, Reno, 7-10 p.m. Carson Comedy Club Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. “The Dresser” Bruka Theatre, Reno, 7:30 p.m. “Sirens” Restless Artists Theatre Company, Sparks, 7:30 p.m. Bill Dawes Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare in Love Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Feb. 7-13, 2019

MUSIC SCENE

The Pastime Club A DIVE BAR WITH MUSIC IN ITS SOUL STORY BY SEAN MCALINDIN

Elvis Cantú & Josh Sorheim | Feb. 8 | 9 p.m. Jake Nielsen | Feb. 22 | 9 p.m.

Elvis Cantu

f you’ve ever been to the Pastime Club — either at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. — you’d know that there isn’t any other place quite like it in Tahoe Sierra. From the swirly neon sign glowing in the window to the Harley Davidson chopper stationed above the classically elongated bar, Pastime Club is a scrappy saloon amid the posh shops and fancy restaurants of downtown Truckee. Although no one knows the exact history of the 90-year-old Salvador Daliesque desert mural of emaciated longhorn cattle, bleak cacti and feral coyotes, the story goes it was done by a local man named Bill Englebright whose parents

play when we had friends in town.” Some of the first acts Diesner booked were Rasta rockers The Expendables and Solvang punks Mad Caddies. “I pretty much focus on anything that will put people in the seats,” says Diesner. “I like punk, but it’s not always a good business decision. I grew up in a Santa Cruz ska scene that veered into reggae.” As far as what genre tends to be the most profitable on the Donner Pass strip, Diesner says it really depends on the night. “Tahoe is kind of a weird market for music,” he says. “A lot of business on the weekends comes from tourists, as well as locals. I can book all I want for the locals,

“ It’s a dive bar. You can put lipstick on a pig, but you can’t change what it is.” owned a local bottling plant in nearby Boca to pay off a bar tab. The building itself has been a drinking establishment of some sort since 1896, according to owner Keith Diesner; he bought the place in 2003 and hasn’t changed it much except for installing a stripper pole at the end of the bar near the stage. “The rationale was [the customers] were dancing on the bar anyways, so we might as well give them something to hold onto,” he says. Although Diesner doesn’t know the full musical history of the joint, which also used to be a brothel, he does mention that the owner before him was the lead singer of a house band called P.O.S. (You can guess the acronym.) “It’s a dive bar,” he says. “You can put lipstick on a pig, but you can’t change what it is.” Diesner went to Los Gatos High School where he was friends with musicians in a popular second-wave ska band, Skankin’ Pickle. “Back when I was working with the old owner, we used to have a lot of blues music,” he says. “But blues was a dying sound for today’s generation. I had some good connections at the time with bigger bands from Santa Cruz that would come up to

–Keith Diesner

but our revenue really depends on the crowds. We’re a mixed grab bag. You never know what you’re going to get when you walk in. In essence, I book what I like to hear and if they don’t like it at least I get to hear it.” One example of Pastime’s eclectic booking is Elvis Cantú, an up-and-coming rockabilly star from San Antonio, Texas, who recently returned from a tour of Japan. “Tokyo is one of the great cities of the world,” says Cantú. “Doing so many shows in a row would be crazy for every other city, but you can play four shows back to back and have a different crowd every night. All over the world, rockabilly is huge.” Cantú relocated to Grass Valley last year after scoring a record contract with Wild Records out of Hollywood. He plays 1950s rockabilly music with a heavy Ray Charles influence on an Eastman H-44 Richie Valens replica guitar “When you come to one of my shows, even if you’ve never danced before, you are probably going to that night,” he says. “A couple songs into it, the whole house is rocking. The one-of-a-kind artist will be performing with fellow Wild Records honkytonker from Buffalo, Minn., Josh Sorheim. | Pastime Club on Facebook 

MUSIC SCENE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

JEFF JONES BAND

Feb. 9 | 2 p.m. Village at Squaw | Olympic Valley

Feb 15. | 6 p.m. Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge | Tahoe City Feb. 16 | 6 p.m. Tavern 6330’ | Northstar WARM, EASYGOING and genuine, Jeff Jones embodies the feeling of the music he makes. Jones is a natural with engaging stage presence and a multidimensional approach to classic rock. | squawalpine.com, sunnysidelodge.com, northstarcalifornia.com

TOM SEGURA

COMEDY

Feb. 9 | 8 p.m. Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev. TOM SEGURA IS a comedian originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Known for his Netflix specials “Completely Normal” and “Mostly Stories,” Segura has also made television appearances that include “Conan,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “How To Be A Grown Up” and multiple standup appearances on Comedy Central. | grandsierraresort.com

MOUNTAIN ROCK

FEB. 8 | FRIDAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m. Ramon Ayala Reno Ballroom, Reno, 8 p.m. Live Music Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8-11:55 p.m. Twelfth Night Theatre Palisades, Pacific, 8 p.m. Valentine & Dawson Hellfire Saloon, Reno, 8-11 p.m. The Higgs w/Coburn Station Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 8:30-11:45 p.m. Krystal Paul Harrah’s, Reno, 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Jakes’s Garage MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 8:30-11:30 p.m. North Mississippi Allstars Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m. Lil Debbie Whiskey Dicks, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m. Mike Schermer Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m. Magic After Dark starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 9-10:15 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Elvis Cantu & Josh Sorheim Pastime Club, Truckee, 9 p.m. Bill Dawes Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m. Aida Rodriguez Reno Tahoe Comedy, Reno, 9:30 p.m. Soul - Funk - Disco Party The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. Spag Heddy I Up Reno, Reno, 10 p.m. WCR 5 Year Anniversary ft Digital Ethos The BlueBird Nightclub, Reno, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Ramon Ayala After Party at El Jefe’s Cantina Reno, 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Decoy Carson Valley Inn, Minden Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

FEBRUARY 9 | SATURDAY Major Motion Pictures · Independent Films Live Music · Dance Performances

Alita: Battle Angel Feb. 14-28 The Mountains Are Pretty folk opera with Tahoe Flow Arts March 2-3 Evolution of Organic with Tahoe Food Hub & director Q&A March 7 Captain Marvel March TBD Visit TahoeArtHausCinema.com for showtimes, schedule, events + tkts

THE COBBLESTONE CENTER 475 N LAKE BLVD., TAHOE CITY, CA | 530-584-2431

Free Jazz Concerts on Tap Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. DJs at Big Blue View Bar Homewood Mountain Resort, Homewood, 12-3 p.m. Jeff Jones Band Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 2 p.m. Winter Music Series Squaw Valley, Truckee, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Live DJ Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 3-6 p.m. Elizabeth Pitcairn and TOCCATA Cornerstone Community Church, Incline Village, 4-6 p.m. Bandit and Fisher Music for Theater The Potentialist Workshop, Reno, 5-10 p.m. UFC 234 Harrah’s, Reno, 5-10 p.m. Poppin’ Pistons National Automobile Museum, Reno, 6-9 p.m. Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Mike Badinger Cedar House Pub, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m.

Live Music Glen Eagles Restaurant & Lounge, Carson City, 6:30-9 p.m. Cap’N Kosher Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6:30 p.m. Aida Rodriguez Reno Tahoe Comedy, Reno, 6:30 p.m. Live Music Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Magic Fusion Starring Matt Marcy The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7-8:15 p.m. Hockey Dad + HUNNY w/ Queen of Jeans The Holland Project, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Come in from the Cold Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno, 7 p.m. Chris Botti Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Classix Series: Timeless Masters Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Carson Comedy Club Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. “The Dresser” Bruka Theatre, Reno, 7:30 p.m. “Sirens” Restless Artists Theatre Company, Sparks, 7:30 p.m. “Violet Sharp” Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Timeless Masters Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Bill Dawes Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare in Love Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Jon Nakamatsu w/Reno Phil Orchestra Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Reno Phil’s Classix Series: Timeless Masters Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 7:30-9:45 p.m. Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m. Tom Segura Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 8-11 p.m. One Way Street MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Los Lobos Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m. Mike Schermer Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m. Carribean Soul Bar of America, Truckee, 9-10 p.m. John Moons Birthday 2019 The Bluebird, Reno, 9 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Kingfinger Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 9 p.m. Bill Dawes Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m. Aida Rodriguez Reno Tahoe Comedy, Reno, 9:30 p.m. Ignite Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m. The LAST SinfulNV Party Faces NV, Reno, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Decoy Carson Valley Inn, Minden Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe The Reno Jazz Orchestra presents Jazz in the Schools Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno

FEBRUARY 10 | SUNDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m.

Preacher’s Pickers + Special Guests: Nat Keefe and Jeff Coleman Sierra, Twin Bridges, 1-4 p.m. “Sirens” Restless Artists Theatre Company, Sparks, 2 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 2-5 p.m. Shakespeare in Love Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 2-4 p.m. John Riley w/Reno Jazz Orchestra Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno, 2-4 p.m. Live DJ Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 3-6 p.m. Classix Series: Timeless Masters Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 4-6 p.m. Timeless Masters Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 4 p.m. Jon Nakamatsu w/Reno Phil Orchestra Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 4 p.m. Elizabeth Pitcairn w/TOCCATA MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 4-6 p.m. Reno Phil’s Classix Series: Timeless Masters Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 4-6:15 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Bill Dawes Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Franco Escamilla Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 8 p.m. Deep House Lounge The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. Rock River Carson Valley Inn, Minden Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

FEBRUARY 11 | MONDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. Robin Orr Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 3:30 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Karaoke Polo Lounge, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Magic Fusion Starring Matt Marcy The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7-8:15 p.m. Open Mic Night Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House, Truckee, 7-10 p.m. Motown on Monday The Loving Cup, Reno, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

FEBRUARY 12 | TUESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. Robin Orr Base Camp Pizza, South Lake Tahoe, 12 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Magic Fusion Starring Matt Marcy The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7-8:15 p.m. Tim Gaither Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. The Toasters/Viva Revenge/Swigs/On The Cinder Shea’s Tavern, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

FEBRUARY 13 | WEDNESDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. Wild Winter Wednesdays River Ranch Lodge, Tahoe City, 2-10:30 p.m. Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Milton Merlos MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 6-9 p.m. Live Music Glen Eagles Restaurant & Lounge, Carson City, 6:30-9 p.m. Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7-8:15 p.m. Vundabar, The Red Pears, Stirr Lightly The Holland Project, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Tim Gaither Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare in Love Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Feb. 7-13, 2019

ROBIN ORR

MUSIC SCENE

RAMÓN AYALA

Feb. 8 | 8 p.m. | Reno Ballroom | Reno, Nev.

KNOWN AS THE “El Rey del Acordeon” (the Accordion King), Ramón Ayala is a Grammy-winning Mexican musician and songwriter who received his first squeeze box at the age of 5. His father sold a pig to buy it. | silverlegacyreno.com

CHRIS BOTTI NORTEÑO

FOLK

Feb. 7 | 2:30 p.m. Outpost Brewing Company South Lake Tahoe Feb. 11 | 3:30 p.m. Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Feb. 12 | 12 p.m. Base Camp Pizza | South Lake Tahoe LOCAL FOLKSINGER Robin Orr performs a series of concerts at intimate South Lake Tahoe venues. | outpostbeer.com, theshopsatheavenly.com, basecamppizzaco.com

Nevada Wind Ensemble & Concert Winds Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Keuning The Saint, Reno, 8 p.m. Okilly Dokilly Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Keuning The Saint, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Wacky Wednesday Karaoke Reno Pizza Baron, Reno, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Open Mic Anything Goes Jimmy Bs, Reno, 9-11:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 14 | THURSDAY Live Music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 11 a.m. Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m. Tuck Wilson Granlibakken Tahoe, Tahoe City, 6-9 p.m. Live Music Glen Eagles Restaurant & Lounge, Carson City, 6:30-9 p.m. Live Music

Cottonwood Hilltop Restaurant, Truckee, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thirsty Thursday with DJ Trivia MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 7-9 p.m. Big Sandy & Reverend Horton Heat Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno, 7 p.m. The Swon Brothers The Rack, Reno, 7-11:30 p.m. “Sirens” Restless Artists Theatre Company, Sparks, 7:30 p.m. Tim Gaither Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare in Love Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Reverend Horton Heat, Big Sandy, Voodoo Glow Skulls, the Delta Bombers Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno, 8 p.m. Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Chance Hayden The Loving Cup, Reno, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Live Music Bar of America, Truckee, 9:30-11:55 p.m. Reckless Envy Carson Valley Inn, Minden Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe Keuning The Saint, Reno

JAZZ

Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev. GRAMMY-WINNING trumpeter and composer Chris Botti has become America’s best-selling instrumentalist for the past decade by crossing over into pop and working with PBS. | caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe

FUN & GAMES

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Horoscopes

FIRE

EARTH

AIR

WATER

Puzzles

Michael O’Connor is an astrologer, counselor and life coach | SunStarAstrology.com

Aquarius (Jan 19-Feb 19) You are in the mood to explore new territory. Your energy and/or enthusiasm levels are running high, yet you also have some real work to do. You may also be dealing with inexplicable mood swings and possibly even depression. At worst, you are undergoing some form of an unraveling of what once was. The key is to focus to build for the future.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) You may still feel like you are in hibernation mode, or wish you were. However, you also feel the call to explore new possibilities in your public and professional life. This is probably more the planning stage, however. The more you can plan and prepare, the better. All the while, inspirations are percolating for you to lay claim to what makes you special.

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) You are on a roll now. Seeing yourself and the world and in the world in new ways is likely, and ideal. You are determined to forge a new reality. Semblances of the prior you will remain, but change is certain. This is where cooperation comes to the fore. It is not simply about self-determination. Tune-in and ask what your higher self has to say about your direction.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 21) Changes in your public and professional life have been activated. These can manifest as promotions, but it could turn the other way according to outer circumstances and karmic conditions. Either way, you are busy behind the scenes which may include inner work. Overcoming fears and doubt demons are featured, but you may simply be revving your engines before the race.

Leo (Jul 22-Aug 23) This New Moon occurred in your solar house of relationships. If you think that sounds special, then you are quite right. It marks the beginning of a new and powerful turn. You may notice that you feel confident and your resolve is strong, and your energies are running high. Embrace this bit of good karma and show the world more of your true colors.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Changes in your lifestyle rhythms have been activated by the Aquarius New Moon. You will experience a rise in your ambitions. Mars in Aries supports a determined drive to make needed improvements. Becoming more aware of your power potential is featured. Expect to shake-it-up somehow or to be shaken and stirred.

Libra (Sep 22-Oct 22) A welcome bit of respite to play is yours to enjoy. However, it does come with some warning flags, especially on relationship fronts. It may feel as though you are fighting a battle these days. This may be especially evident close to home but is directly linked to your public and professional life. Fresh starts and initiatives are destined to occur now.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov 21) Activation of your core sense of individuality comes with this New Moon. By now, you may be noticing changes in your usual routine. You may feel inspired to work harder. This includes gaining new knowledge and skills. Yet, it also includes clearing the old to make way for the new. Whether literally or figuratively or both, clear the way.

Sagittarius (Nov 21-Dec 21) Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) Your worldview is expanding. You find yourself more open and receptive to think and interpret reality in new ways. Since ‘ right is relative’, you might as well consider new perspectives. Besides, doing so will likely open new doors of opportunity and lead you to new relationship involvements as well. This is an invitation to play and includes stretching your mind.

A busy, playful and exciting cycle is underway. It could also be described as dramatic. Sudden and unexpected turns are supporting you to feel optimistic and expansive. Yet, it is important that you trust the flow and let go of tendencies to try to control people and situations. Keep an open mind and acquire new skills and tools.

Capricorn (Dec 21-Jan 19) A rather deep cycle continues. Whether you are digging deep and getting to the bottom of things, laying claim to your hidden power reserves, or feeling like you are in over your head somehow, is for you to determine. Whatever your circumstance, this deep dive is a feature of your destiny at this time and you are wise to engage it consciously and cooperatively.

The time has come to build upon new foundations. Yet, to do so, you may first have to tackle some needed renovations. These may be directed to your attitude and approach as well as your actual home. Cooperation is a major theme for you these days. Yet, you are still required to take the lead to initiate new alliances.

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Enter

ice-carving

t’s 10 a.m. and I’m drinking gin — Old Trestle Distillery gin to be precise. The Truckee distillery recently released its first: Old Theory Gin 001. Truckee has a long history of distilling spirits dating back to the late 19th Century and Old Trestle Distillery is recreating the historical practice. Master Distiller Jake Holshue has distilled spirits across the country for a number of years, and he sits on the board of directors for the American Craft and Spirits Association. I met him in what will eventually be the Old Trestle Distillery’s gift shop and production site. Born and raised in Montana, Holshue is a big guy with a grizzled Abe Lincoln beard and a love for discussing and producing spirits, who loves experimenting with flavors. “Always a distiller, never an

“ We went down to the Truckee River in September and harvested botanicals, which truly give this gin the flavor of Truckee and capture the freshness of the season.” –Master Distiller Jake Holshue

competition

Truckee River Winery’s ninth annual icecarving competition, 2019 Wine N Ice, will take place on March 6. A part of SnowFest!, the event is dedicated to Chris Banovich and will benefit the Truckee River Watershed Council. Ten competitors will be given the chance to sculpt 300-pound blocks of ice into gorgeous, alluring and awe-inspiring sculptures. Old Trestle Distillery’s 300-gallon still.

This year’s carving competition’s theme is: “Nature Reflected.” Artists showcase their skills in manipulating the ice, while producing clear reflective pieces that shine. The top three contestants will win an assortment of prizes. The Grand Prize winner will receive a trophy, prizes and a year’s worth of bragging rights. The main attraction will be the ice-carving competition, but guests will also be able to enjoy Truckee River Winery’s wines, food from Mountain Valley Meats, beer from The Brewing Lair, local DJ Chango and many fun winter games. Registration is $50 donation; it ends on Feb. 23. Participants must be 18 years or older and provide their own carving tools. | truckeeriverwinery.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

LEFT: Master Distiller Jake Holshue showcasing

owner. I like getting my hands dirty and messy and enjoy seeing people consume my product,” says Holshue. “I taste for relaxation. The joy is in my career. My skill set is honed to make whiskey. Old Trestle’s future lies in brown spirits but here we are making gin.” I ask him why gin now, since it seems like a summertime spirit. “People’s ideas of gin are not always correct. I hope to educate the consumer. Theory Gin 001 hosts a platform of field notes with unique flavors. While all spirits shift from state to state and region to region, different flavor profiles are unique to all gins,” he says. Theory Gin is distilled with locally harvested botanicals that give the gin its distinctive profile. “We went down to the Truckee River in September and harvested botanicals, which truly give this gin the flavor of Truckee and capture the freshness of the season. We’ll harvest and utilize our area’s

botanicals as they become seasonally available for our spirits,” he says. “We believe it’s important to cultivate responsibly and respect the environment.” The Dutch invited gin and called it Genever. British soldiers came to enjoy it while fighting alongside the Dutch in the late 16th Century. “Theory 001 is a Western-style gin. It’s easy, approachable and not complex. It is a sweeter gin. Craft distilling has hit this moment of time; craft cocktails are expanding, and people can fill their home bars with these attainable products,” Holshue says, adding that unique craft tonics have flooded the market and mix well with gin cocktails. Holshue guides me through a back door; the cool air hits my face. Oak kegs are stacked to the ceiling. Large vessels rest with bubbling brown liquid and a shiny 300-gallon still dominates the production area. Holshue offers a crash course in distilling and and a bit of still history. “The pot and column still were invented by an Irishman named Aeneas Coffey,” he says. The column still was used in Scotland and is known as the Coffey Still. We walk over to the fermenter. I climb onto a step stool and gaze into a vessel of mash. Holshue warns me not to stick my head into the vat. He describes how they macerate the grain, add botanicals and begin the distillation process. He pours me a glass of Theory Gin 001. The clear liquid smells like gin. The 90 percent spirit is smooth with subtle hints of juniper and rosehips.

Theory Gin 001; RIGHT: Master Distiller Jake Holshue explains the process of fermenting.

He pours me a taste of an experimental gin he’s preparing for China. I swish the amber fluid around in the glass and hold it to my nose; it smells spicy. I take a sip and my taste buds go wild. “Licorice — it tastes like licorice,” I say, surprised. The gin he tells me is made with fennel, star anise and spices: “We are very excited to offer a grain-to-glass product made right here in Truckee.” Old Trestle Distillery will release three to four small batches of Theory Gin 001 and select offerings of vodka, rye and bourbon in 2019. | oldtrestle.com 

THEORY GIN FRENCH 75 From Master Distiller Jake Holshue

COCKTAIL 1½ oz. Theory Gin 001 ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice ¾ oz. honey-based simple syrup 2½ oz. Champagne Lemon peel for garnish SIMPLE SYRUP (Yields enough for 5 cocktails) ¼ C honey ¼ C water

Combine honey and water in small saucepan to make the simple syrup. Warm over medium heat stirring occasionally until blended. Remove from heat and let cool. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in Theory Gin 001, lemon juice, simple syrup and shake until chilled — 10 to 15 shakes. Strain into Champagne glass and top with Champagne. Garnish with lemon. 19

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Wine Walk at the Carson Mall

Tahoe Food Hub Tahoe City | Feb. 7, 8, 14

Carson Mall | Carson City | Feb. 9

Shop for yourself and taste the difference that local makes. Choose from seasonal fruits and veggies, as well as a variety of local specialty food products and pastureraised meet, eggs and dairy. 12-6 p.m. | tahoefoodhub.org

Winter Wonderland Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Reno | Feb. 7

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The Atlantis Casino Resort hosts the 3 Annual Winter Wonderland on Feb. 9 featuring food, wine and cocktail pairings, craft beers, a silent auction, and winter sports showcase from 6 to 9 p.m. at the resort to benefit the Nevada Diabetes Association. rd

Come celebrate the winter season and dress in your winter white attire and bling it up to the event of the season. This is a 21 and older event. Tickets are $45 in advance and $60 at the door. | Tickets winterwonderlandrenotahoe.com

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This third annual event features tasty bites, raffle prizes, silent auction, winter sports showcase and much more. Come celebrate the winter season and dress in winter white attire. 21+. 6-9 p.m. $45-$65 | (775) 856-3839, winterwonderlandrenotahoe.com

Wine and Chocolate Pairing Total Wine & More Reno | Feb. 7

Enjoy a guided chocolate and wine pairing. Register online. 6:30 p.m. | meetup.com

Come sip and shop at the Carson Mall on the second Saturday of the month. 2-6 p.m. | Carson Mall on Facebook

80’s Après Ski Can Release Party South Lake Brewing Company South Lake Tahoe | Feb. 9

Join an 80s themed can release of Juice Division Hazy Pale Ale, as well as another surprise beer in cans, with a night full of 80’s music, 80’s ski movies, come dressed to impress with a costume contest. Anyone wearing an 80’s costume receives discounts. 5-8 p.m. | southlakebeer.com

Art of Mixology The Ritz-Carlton | Truckee | Feb. 10

This entertaining, educational experience will feature freshly cut herbs, classic ingredients such as bitters and infused liquors to create three unique cocktails paired with appetizers. 4-5 p.m. $60 | ritzcarlton.com

Cooking Matters series Feast of Chocolate Carson City Plaza Hotel Conference Center Carson City | Feb. 9 Enjoy an abundant sampling of chocolate delicacies and participate in raffles to benefit local scholarships and American Association of University Women fellowships and programs. 1-3:30 p.m. $15-$20 | visitcarsoncity.com

Bowl Incline North Shore’s Complete

Sierra Village Apartments office Truckee | Feb. 12

Class series includes how to easily prepare and shop for delicious and nutritious foods on a budget, free recipes and meals plans, how to stretch ingredients and food dollars, and hands-on food preparation and sampling. Class is offered in English and Spanish. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | (530) 5873769, tfhd.com

Visit the Event Calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for a complete list of events.

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Feb. 7-13, 2019

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A B U B B LY T O U R STORY & PHOTOS BY LOU PHILLIPS

hat do most people think of when they consider the sparkling wines from France? You got it: Champagne. And while Champagne is lovely stuff, let’s face it, the buy-in is a bit much for most except on special occasions. But fortunately for fans of French fizz there are plenty of other delicious and food-friendly options. This was brought into full focus at a series of complex wine-pairing dinners I participated in recently. Being it was during the holidays, of course, we needed Sparklers and with the variety of flavors from the food side, we needed versions

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From Burgundy we chose the French bubbly most similar to Champagne because it is made with the same grapes — mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — that is labeled Crémant de Bourgogne. That is made with the classic Burgundy grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are also protagonists in Champagne. They are typically grown in Burgundy’s warmer

While Champagne is lovely stuff, the buy-in is a bit much … fortunately for fans of French fizz there are plenty

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of other delicious options. areas which makes for slightly riper grapes that bring a dose of red fruit notes and a softer entry than most Champagnes. Quality versions of all can be had for less than $20 and even the top cuvees we chose would get you change from a $40 bill. Best of all these wines are unique, delicious and food friendly. 

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that were able to match, balance and add to the experience. My wine-collaborator was Liz Obritsch, who runs the wine program for the pop-up dinner series at Cedar House Sport Hotel’s Stella restaurant in Truckee. It was she who suggested we go with an all-French lineup. The strategy was to procure from the lesser-known regions for their variety, quality and relative affordability. We started in the beautiful, cool Loire Valley commune of Vouvray where the Chenin Blanc grape reigns supreme. Grown in unique calcareous soils called tuffeau, this grape finds its highest expression here making delicious and complex wines. These vary from bone dry to quite sweet and from still to sparkling. Fermenting and ageing take place in steel or neutral wood to preserve the vibrant stone fruit flavors and to allow the minerality to shine, as well. They also feature a unique wooly, spicy quality that is their signature to oenophiles. Our wine tour took us next to Alsace, which is a region in northeast France that borders with Germany and is decidedly Tyrolian in character and produces wonderful wines from aromatic white grapes such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Sparklers here are called Crémant d’Alsace and the one we chose is made from Pinot Blanc, which can be character challenged elsewhere but becomes magically delicious in Alsace. This was no exception with bright Mandarin orange notes driven by bright acidity finishing with a touch of cookie spices.

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Lou Phillips is a Level 3 Advanced Sommelier in Tahoe and his consulting business wineprowest. com assists in the selling, buying and managing wine collections. He may be reached at (775) 5443435 or wineguru123@gmail.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more wine columns. Click on Wine Column under the Local Flavor tab.

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alentine’s Day is the holiday of love, meant for two: you and your significant other. There are many ways people celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is the single biggest day of the year for both flowers and chocolates to be given out. It is also a big night to go out for dinner. However, you can both stay in and make an evening of it. I’m talking about dinner and a movie. Pick a romantic movie you will both enjoy. You can go with an old classic such as, “It Happened One Night” or “The Shop Around the Corner” or one of the newer classics, such as “Sleepless in Seattle” or “When Harry Met Sally.” As for the menu, this dinner is design-ed to incorporate foods considered to be aphrodisiacs — oysters, fennel, garlic, arugula, avocado, sweet basil, nutmeg, asparagus, figs, honey, mustard, coffee, chocolate and wine.

This Valentine’s Day dinner is designed to incorporate foods considered to be aphrodisiacs — oysters, fennel, garlic, arugula, coffee,

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chocolate and wine. OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER ½ stick butter 2 T minced celery 1 T minced scallions 1 T chopped parsley 1 T chopped watercress 1 T chopped shallots 1½ T chopped spinach 1 oz. Pernod to taste, or add 1 T fennel to the sautéed ingredients 1 minced clove of garlic A few shakes of Tabasco Salt & pepper to taste

Saute all of the ingredients together. Pop open four oysters. Separate the meat from the shell, but leave it on the shell, and place in a sauté pan; top each one with the mixture. Bake in a 450-degree oven until warm — about 10 to 15 minutes — and top with a little Hollandaise Sauce.

SIMPLE SALAD Arugula Chopped Sweet Basil Leaves Avocado Red Onion, sliced Mandarin Orange, cut into segments

Arrange the greens on a plate and top with avocado, onion and oranges. Drizzle with vinegareette.

PASSION FRUIT VINAIGRETTE 1 garlic clove, minced 1 T Dijon mustard 1/3 C raspberry vinegar 1 C vegetable oil ¼ C frozen passion fruit juice concentrate 3 diced sweet basil leaves Pinch of salt & pepper

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FIG-STUFFED CENTER-CUT PORK LOIN The pork loin is easy to make and you will glaze it with honey mustard and black pepper.

Start with a 3- to 4-inch thick piece of center-cut pork loin. With a sharp, thin knife cut an “X” through the meat: Push the knife through the center of the loin, pull it out, turn the knife 90 degrees and repeat. Stuff about 5 to 8 figs through the meat, packed tightly. Rough chop a clove of garlic, pour 1 tablespoon of salt over it and using the side of your knife, rub the salt into the garlic to make a paste. Rub the paste over the loin. Sear the pork on the stove top fat side down. Flip the loin over and spoon on a glaze made of 1 tablespoon each of honey and Dijon mustard. Sprinkle the glaze with course-ground black pepper and place the pork loin in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. Repeat the glaze after 10 minutes. Cook for about 15 minutes or until medium rare (at 145 degrees). Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Place the pan back on the stove top and pour in 1 cup of water and let it reduce to make a nice pan sauce.

SIDE DISHES The pork can be accompanied with feta-mashed potatoes and asparagus. Add 2 tablespoons of feta cheese to mashed potatoes and season with fresh-grated nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. If there is any hollandaise left, use it on steamed or ovenroasted asparagus.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE Of course, there should be chocolate on the menu. For dessert, serve a chocolate mousse. Whip 1 cup of heavy cream into soft peaks in a cold bowl and place in the refrigerator. E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Try Smitty’s recipe for Hollandaise Sauce Try Lou Phillips picks for Valentine’s Day wines

Bring some water to a boil in a sauce pan and then shut off the burner. Combine 4½ oz. of chopped bittersweet chocolate or chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons of espresso in a bowl and place the bowl over the heated sauce pan. Stir often until the mixture is melted and smooth. Separate 3 eggs. Whip 3 egg whites until they start to peak and add 1 tablespoon of sugar. Whip this until soft peaks form. When the chocolate has cooled to about 99 degrees, add the 3 yolks one at a time stirring the entire time. Fold in half the whipped cream. Then gently fold in the egg whites, one third at a time. Finally, fold in the rest of the whipped cream. Put 1 tablespoon of raspberry liquor in the bottom of a wine glass. Top with the chocolate mousse. Dip a lady finger in a dark rum to serve it as a garnish. Don’t forget to decorate the table with flowers and enjoy a glass of wine. Happy Valentine’s Day.  Smitty is a personal chef specializing in dinner parties, cooking classes and special events. Trained under Master Chef Anton Flory at Top Notch Resort in Stowe, Vt., Smitty is known for his creative use of fresh ingredients. Contact him at tmmsmitty@gmail.com or (530) 412-3598. To read archived copies of Smitty’s column, visit chefsmitty.com or TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Chef’s Recipe under the Local Flavor tab.

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