May 30 to June 5, 2019

M AY 3 0 - J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 9

TRUCKEE

CRAW THAW MUSIC FESTIVAL

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD A TRAIL

POOL TIME // EXPLORING HISTORIC MARKLEEVILLE // THE MULTIVERSE OF WORMHOLE TAHOE // SIERRA ESSENTIALS SEASONINGS //

FIND A SUMMER FULL OF EVENTS AT

SQUAWAL PINE.COM Ch a mb e r | CV B | Re s o r t A s s o c ia t io n

TM

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

Krista Tranquilla

Volume 38 | Issue 12

Courtesy Tahoe Rim Trail Association

May 30-June 5, 2019

14

SUBMISSIONS

12

Events & Entertainment Submit at TheTahoeWeekly.com Click on Events Calendar Editorial Inquiries editor@tahoethisweek.com

16

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

MAKING IT HAPPEN Publisher & Editor In Chief Katherine E. Hill publisher@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 102 Account Executive Erik Schultz erik@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 110 Account Executive Felicity Monsees felicity@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 111

IN THIS ISSUE MAY 30-JUNE 5, 2019

Art Director Alyssa Ganong production@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 106 Graphic Designer Justeen Ferguson graphics@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 101

FEATURES Historic Markleeville

6

Entertainment Editor Sean McAlindin entertainment@tahoethisweek.com

Sierra Stories

8

Food Editor Priya Hutner priya@tahoethisweek.com Family Editor Michelle Allen michelle@tahoethisweek.com Copy Editor Katrina Veit Contributing Writers John Dee, Barbara Keck, Bruce Ajari, Mark McLaughlin, David “Smitty” Smith, Priya Hutner, Katrina Veit, Kayla Anderson, Lou Phillips, Sean McAlindin, Tim Hauserman, Alex Green, Lisa Michelle, Cam Schilling

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

TRAIL BUILDING IN TAHOE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Trails provide a roadway into the back country of the Tahoe Sierra. From the easy hike to Meeks Creeks Falls in Meeks Bay to backpacking the Tahoe Rim Trail, the trail systems provide access to public lands for hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers and horseback riders. Maintaining these trail systems and building new trails takes a joint effort by local, state and national agencies and nonprofits to make it a reality.

It Takes a Village

14

OUT & ABOUT Lake Tahoe Facts

4

Sightseeing

5

Events

6

Golf Column

9

FAMILY FUN Pool Time

10

For the Kids

11

Sean McAlindin explores the complex nature of trail building in the Tahoe Sierra, and the dedicated groups and volunteers that build our trails from navigating environmental policies to fundraising to breaking rock in his story “In Takes a Village to Build a Trail.”

ARTS & CULTURE

Sean’s story is part of Tahoe Weekly’s ongoing coverage of public access and use of public lands in the back country. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com; click on Public Access under the Out & About menu. 

Horoscope, Hocus-Focus & Sudoku

11

Crossword & CryptoQuip

13

Krista Tranquilla

12

The Arts

13

FUN & GAMES

MUSIC SCENE

Ultimate Tahoe Summer Bucket List Take the challenge and check off items on our Ultimate Tahoe Summer Bucket List.

Share your photos #TheTahoeWeekly. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com; click on Out & About.

In this edition:

#17, #54, #64

ON THE COVER

Otis McDonald

16

Entertainment Calendar & Live Music

16

Wormhole Tahoe

19

LOCAL FLAVOR Sierra Essentials

20

Tasty Tidbits

20

Wine Column

21

Chef’s Recipe

22

A pair of ospreys build their nest on the shores of Lake Tahoe in late May. Photography by Sky Emerson, Summit Side Photography. | SummitSide.com, @SummitSidePhotoVideo

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

Facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly & Instagram

@TheTahoeWeekly 3

TheTahoeWeekly.com

LAKE TAHOE FACTS |

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

GRAY ’S CROSSING

COYOTE MOON

TAHOE DONNER

Reno & Sparks

TRUCKEE AIRPORT

Donner Lake Donner Summit

OLD GREENWOOD

Truckee

BOCA RESERVOIR

DONNER LAKE

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR

GRAEAGLE MEADOWS

ho Ta

N

GRIZZLY RANCH WHITEHAWK RANCH NAKOMA

Incline Village

Tahoe Vista

TAHOE CITY

RESORT AT SQUAW CREEK

Tahoe City

Alpine Meadows

LAKE FOREST

Dollar Hill

TAHOE CITY MARINA

Sunnyside SUNNYSIDE

l

Ta h o e R i m

GOLF COURSES

ai Tr

NORTH TAHOE

NV

TAHOE VISTA REC AREA

HOMEWOOD

SAND HARBOR

Lake

Glenbrook o Ta h

OBEXER’S

e Ri m Tr a i l

Meeks Bay

Fed By: 63 streams and 2 hot springs

Cave Rock

Only Outlet: Truckee River (Tahoe City)

Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F

Emerald Bay

Zephyr Cove South Lake Tahoe

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

Stateline

Fannette Island

TAHOE KEYS

Cascade Lake

LAKESIDE

R i m Tr ail

Average Snowfall: 409 inches

Fallen Leaf Lake

Meyers

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT

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

Shoreline: 72 miles

BIJOU

CAMP RICHARDSON

Ta h oe

Natural rim: 6,223’

Size: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide

SKI RUN

Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F

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.

EDGEWOOD TAHOE

CAVE ROCK

Watershed Area: 312 square miles

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.

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.

CA

MEEKS BAY

Maximum depth: 1,645 feet

Volume: 39 trillion gallons

Tahoma Age of Lake Tahoe: 2 million years

Carson City

Homewood

CASINOS

Lake Clarity: 2018: 70.9 feet avg. depth.

1968: First recorded at 102.4 feet Average depth: 1,000 feet

Marlette Lake

Spooner Lake

Tahoe

Eagle Rock

DEEPEST POINT

COON ST. BOAT LAUNCH

SIERRA BOAT CO.

INCLINE VILLAGE CHAMPIONSHIP

Crystal Bay

Kings Beach

Carnelian Bay

Olympic Valley

BOAT RAMPS

INCLINE VILLAGE MOUNTAIN

OLD BROCKWAY

FEATHER RIVER PARK

MARINAS

eR

NORTHSTAR

Truckee River

WEST EAST SOUTH

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

i m Tr a

il

SCHAFFER’S MILL

PLUMAS PINES

RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

PROSSER RESERVOIR

PONDEROSA

FREEL PEAK

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

TAHOE PARADISE

Permanent Population: 66,000

LAKE TAHOE

Number of Visitors: 3 million annually

Kirkwood

Markleeville

Why is the lake blue?

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

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NEW SHOW EVERY 2 WEEKS- PERFORMS NIGHTLY

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T H E L O F T TA H O E . C O M

May 30-June 5, 2019

SIGHTSEEING

Clouds give way to blue skies in Tahoe City in late May on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. | Katherine E. Hill

Explore Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe

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

Fannette Island

Emerald Bay

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

TART/South Tahoe

Heavenly

South Lake Tahoe

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

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

West Shore

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

High Camp

Olympic Valley

(800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com Aerial tram rides with views of Lake Tahoe, Olympic Heritage Museum, events and more.

Ticket required. TART

Kings Beach

North Shore

northtahoebusiness.org Kings Beach is a popular spot for dining and shopping with the North Shore’s largest sandy beach located in the heart of town.

Free parking at North Tahoe Beach, Brook Street, Minnow and the Christmas Tree lot on Hwy. 28. TART

North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden

Incline Village

Summer | Free (775) 586-1610, ext. 25 | demogarden.org Demonstrations of lake-friendly landscaping using native and adaptive plants, water conservation, soil stabilization techniques, defensible space from wildfires & BMPs. Self-guided tours & clinics. TART

North Tahoe Arts Center

Tahoe City

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

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

Summer | (530) 583-3279 | terc.ucdavis.edu This 1920s-era building features a history of the field station, current UC Davis research projects, interactive exhibits and demonstration garden. Ages 8+. TART

Tallac Historic Site

South Lake Tahoe

(530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org Once known as the “Grandest Resort in the World” as the summer retreat for three San Francisco elite families with the Baldwin Estate, Pope Estate & Valhalla. Grounds open yearround. South Tahoe

Taylor Creek Visitor Center South Lake Tahoe (530) 543-2674 | fs.usda.gov Features Stream Profile Chamber to view slice of Taylor Creek, nature trails & more. South Tahoe

Thunderbird Lodge

East Shore

May-October | thunderbirdtahoe.org The former Whittell estate. This magnificent lakefront home features the Lighthouse Room, Old Lodge, 600’ underground tunnel (with a former lion cage) and Boat House, home to the “Thunderbird,” a 1939 wooden boat. Ages 6+ only.

No on-site parking. Tours by reservation only.

Truckee truckeehistory.org | truckee.com The historic town of Truckee was settled in 1863, and grew quickly as a stagecoach stop and route for the Central Pacific Railroad. During these early days, many of Truckee’s historical homes and buildings were built including The Truckee Hotel (1868) and the Capitol Building (1868). Stop by the Depot for a walking tour of historic downtown. Paid parking downtown. TART

Vikingsholm Castle

Emerald Bay

IN 2018:

C PACITY CITY:: 40 0,870 ,8 BOCA 12,457 CAPA

STAMPEDE 208,585 PROSSER 16,478 DONNER 7,373

CAPACITY: C 226,500

CAPACITY: 29,840

CAPACITY: 9,500 C 50

INDEPENDENCE 16,863 MARTIS 991

6,228.92

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

CAPACITY: 18,300 C

CAPACITY: A 20,400

Truckee River |

FLOW AT FARAD

Donner Summit Historical Society

2,210

Soda Springs

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

Gatekeeper’s Museum

Tahoe City

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

KidZone Children’s Museum

Truckee

Tues.-Sun. | Locals’ first Tues. half price (530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org For kids up to age 7 with interactive exhibits, science & art classes, the BabyZone & the Jungle Gym. TART

Lake Tahoe Museum

South Lake Tahoe

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

Old Jail Museum

Truckee

(530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org One of a few surviving 19th Century jailhouses of its kind in the West used from 1875 until May 1964 (summer tours). TART

200,000 AF

North Shore

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

6,228.43 |

175

Tahoe City Field Station

ELEVATION :

150,000 AF

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

Readings taken on Friday, May 24, 2019

125

West Shore

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

LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

100,000 AF

Eagle Rock

North Shore

75

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

Tahoe City

50

East Shore

25

Cave Rock

Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

Olympic Museum

225

ATTRACTIONS

TROA.NET

Olympic Valley

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

Tahoe Maritime Museum

Tahoe City

(530) 583-9283 | tahoemaritimemuseum.org Features self-guided tours, exhibits and handson activities for kids on maritime history. TART

Tahoe Science Center

Incline Village

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

Truckee Railroad Museum

Truckee

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

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

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

Watson Cabin

Tahoe City

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

MUSEUMS Donner Memorial Visitor Center

Truckee

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

Boots McFarland by Geolyn Carvin | BootsMcFarland.com 5

OUT & ABOUT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Out

&ABOUT

OUTDOORS & RECREATION, EVENTS & MORE

EXPLORING

historic Markleeville

EVENTS CALENDAR M AY 3 0 - J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9

O

n a hilltop above the quaint town of Markleeville, a century-old schoolhouse stands proud. Preserved in white, the structure appears timeless under a sapphire sky. In the distance, most of Raymond Peak is covered in thunderheads. A heavy iron door creaked, drawing me back in time and into the old Alpine County jailhouse.

A blue-eyed mannequin startled me from behind his cell door. His grin seemed to sharpen. I left to meander around the back of the jailhouse and discovered a graveyard of rusted farm equipment resting in a lush meadow. Neighboring the meadow is a silver ore stamp mill, a six-ton Basque bread oven and the Alpine County Museum

Check off

Summer Bucket List #54 on our Ultimate Tahoeat TheTahoeWeekly.com

Tahoe’s Clarity

up by 10 feet A return to more normal weather and streamflow conditions in 2018 saw Lake Tahoe’s annual clarity value improve dramatically to 70.9 feet, as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com. This represents a 10.5-foot increase over the 2017 value, according to the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

“Two people per square mile,” the free postcard

The five-year average lake clarity is currently 70.3 feet, an increase of almost a foot from the previous five-year running average. | tahoe.ucdavis.edu/secchi

in the Alps Haus Cafe advertised, but failed to mention the ghosts that allegedly haunt every CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The century-old Markleeville schoolhouse; Pat Russell enjoys Walking tour book; The old jail; Stamp mill at the Alpine County Museum.

establishment in town. with exhibits that highlight a bygone era.

This is just a taste of the history and recreation waiting in Markleeville.

In the first blue light of morning, I woke at the Turtle Rock Campground. The night in my camper was mostly quiet except for the bear who bounced the tailgate I left down. The campground sports 26 RV sites and 12 tent sites. There are no reservations or hookups, but water and bathrooms are available as is an 18-hole, disc-golf course.

The treed course offers long technical shots, as well as a few birdie holes and is enhanced with emerging red snow plants.

Late spring and early summer is typically the best time of year to enjoy a variety of dazzling wildflowers native to the area.

“Two people per square mile,” the free postcard in the Alps Haus Cafe advertised, but failed to mention the ghosts that allegedly haunt every establishment in town.

Reading “Markleeville Ghost Tales” by Karen Dustman conjures my curiosity and flavors breakfast with a lively discussion.

“I was down in the basement last week and the door slammed shut. I opened it and it slammed shut again. There’s no breeze or airflow down there,” said John Baker, owner of Alps Haus Cafe.

Sandy Matlock, owner of the J. Marklee Toll Station, sipped her gourmet coffee and added, “When we bought the hotel, I’d hear what sounded like crowds of people chattering and I’d wonder who was having a party in my yard. I’d look and no one was there.”

The hotel was originally called the Ex6

Brant Allen | UC Davis

STORY & PHOTOS BY LISA MICHELLE

change Saloon and served as a bordello.

These days Matlock is cool with her mischievous ghosts, which include an old miner named Jake and a young girl who seems to appear more often when the menfolk are around. Once Matlock informed Jake that she intended to remodel the hotel and that was how she would support her family, Jake’s spirit seemed to improve and he quit leaving the toilet seat up.

Clouds threaten rain as I shook the chill of apparitions from my mind and walked from Heritage Park to nearby Markleeville Creek. Fishing here is easily accessible; the creek receives heavy amounts of stocked trout making it the perfect place for children and beginners. Continually casting a flawless fly is a skill I’ve yet to perfect, so I practiced a few roll casts before moving on.

South of Markleeville on State Route 89, Hangman’s Bridge crosses the East Fork of the Carson River. Hiking and fishing this section of the river offers not only scenic solitude, but rainbow, cutthroat, browns and brook trout. Fishing regulations on the river are mixed — please know before you go. With more than 60 lakes and streams, Alpine County allows anglers access to world-

class fishing; many of these spots are within a short driving distance of Markleeville.

Exploring nearby hiking or biking trails can consume a day, a month or even years. This portion of the Mokelumne Wilderness is seldom visited. Waterfalls spill over granite boulders, pristine alpine lakes entice swimmers and vistas of a valley sculpted first by ice then by water are a few of nature’s gifts here. Whether you choose a difficult back-county journey or a less strenuous day hike, odds are good that the experience will enhance your character. It could be one of the reasons Jacob Markley, for whom the town is named, staked his 160-acre claim here in 1861.

If rock climbing is your thing, nearby Woodfords Canyon offers a variety of yearround opportunities. If dangling from granite walls is not your thing, I suggest you grab a copy of “A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Markleeville” by Karen and Rick Dustman, then end the day at Grover Hot Springs. Bathe in the healing thermal waters and spend the night under the stars at one of several campgrounds. Lodging is available in town at J. Marklee Toll Station, Creekside Lodge or several vacation rentals. Other nearby options include Carson River Resort or Woodfords Inn. The General Store is a great place for information, snacks, a good book or forgotten supplies. Markleeville is on State Route 89, 30 miles from South Lake Tahoe via Luther Pass. | (530) 694-2317, alpinecounty.com 

Jackass trail work on tap The Truckee Trails Foundation and U.S. Forest Service will be working on Jackass Trail this summer to adopt 1.71 miles of existing user-created trail and construct another 2 miles of non-motorized single track creating a loop system, as well as building a new, safer trailhead that avoids travel on Highway 89. Volunteers are needed. | truckeetrails.org

Bike racks

available to businesses Following the successful first phase of the “Bike Racks for Businesses” program that was introduced to agencies in 2018, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund will continue its partnership with Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition to offer low or no-cost bike racks to interested businesses in the Tahoe Basin, as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com. The program is designed to encourage locals and visitors to ride bikes around lakeside communities instead of drive. Business have until June 7 to apply. | tahoebike.org, racks@tahoebike.org

May 30-June 5, 2019

EVENTS Courtesy Valhalla Renaissance Faire

M AY 3 0 - J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9

OUT & ABOUT

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

Village Green Bird Walks

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program

Aspen Grove | Incline Village | May 30, June 6

Tahoe Forest Center for Health | Truckee | May 31

Every Thursday through June 6, TINS will be leading morning bird walks at the Village Green. 7:30-9 a.m. Free | (775) 298-0067, tinsweb.org

Annual Tourism Forum Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel | Tahoe City | May 30

The future of tourism in Tahoe needs to be sustainable. The forum will open with a continental breakfast and general session where attendees will first hear from Keynote speaker, Jessica Blotter of Kind Traveler. 8:30 a.m.12 p.m. $45-$60 | tahoechamber.org

Conversation Cafe Incline Rec Center | May 30, June 6

Join this drop-in forum with Incline Senior Program. Meet others and share interesting views, have discussion on engaging topics.

Optional continental breakfast available for fee.

10-11 a.m. $5 | yourtahoeplace.com

Help with computers Kings Beach Library | May 30, June 6

Ongoing computer help on Thursdays.

1st week: “Exploring our Digital Resources,” 2nd week: “Computer Q&A with Carl LeBlanc,” 3rd week: “Everything iPhone” and 4th week: differing themes about computers and technology. Call or stop by for the class schedule.

3-4 p.m. Free | (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov

“Wilder Than Wild” UC Davis Science Ctr | Incline Village | May 30

A one-hour film by Kevin White addressing how fire suppression and climate change have exposed forests and communities to large, high-severity wildfires. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free | (775) 831-1314, tahoe.ucdavis.edu

Orthopedic talk on shoulders & knees Tahoe Forest Center for Health | Truckee | May 30

Learn from the professionals on topics that apply to all ages on the latest surgical management procedures for shoulder and knee injuries, surgical vs. non-surgical management and the latest injury prevention strategies. 5:30-7 p.m. Free | (530) 587-3769, tfhd.com

STEP2 Annual Golf Tournament Old Greenwood | Truckee | May 31

Players will have the opportunity to enjoy 18 holes. Proceeds will benefit STEP2 to help families become self-sufficient and healthy.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. $225-$10 | (775) 787-9411, step2reno.org

SIDESHOW BOB’S Window Cleaning Since 2000

Residential & Commercial

581-2343

(530) CA & NV Licensed & Insured

This six-week class series will teach skills to help you maintain a wellness focus and improve your quality of life; techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; strategies for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance and more.

1-3:30 p.m. Free | (530) 587-3769, tfhd.com

Truckee Day Truckee River Regional Park | June 1

Join in the 16th annual Truckee Day, a townwide litter clean-up and block party. Clean up starts at 9, with block party at Truckee Regional Park from noon to 2 p.m. Check in at one of 20 stations in town. Details online.

8 a.m.-2 p.m. | truckeeday.org

Tahoe City Clean-up Day Commons Beach | Tahoe City | June 1

Check in at the Commons Beach picnic tables at 8:30 a.m. to enjoy breakfast snacks, then walk designated routes to pick up trash.

Lunch provided after clean-up. Children are welcome. Bike, walk or carpool and receive a raffle ticket. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | (530) 583-3348, visittahoecity.org

Castle Rock Hike Tahoe Rim Trail | South Lake Tahoe | June 1

As a part of National Trails Day, Sugar Pine Foundation and TRTA are offering an education and fun in South Lake Tahoe’s Castle Rock from the Kingsbury North Trailhead. This hike will travel roughly 3 miles out to Castle Rock and back. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | tahoerimtrail.org

Valhalla Renaissance Faire Celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Valhalla Renaissance Faire at Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be four stages with action and fun, more than 900 costumed actors throughout and 100 shops with wares and artistic creations.

More than 8,000 visitors attend the Valhalla Renaissance Faire, a unique entertainment experience that includes full-armored combat between knights, a Celtic music concert along with culinary delicacies, craft demonstrations, ancient music, dance and comedy. Patrons will participate in archery, javelin throws and fencing. Activities for the children will include dancing, games, crafts, puppet shows and storytelling.

No pets. | Tickets valhallafaire.com

North Tahoe Clean-Up Day

Valhalla Renaissance Faire

Paradise Park Sign Dedication

Community House | Kings Beach | June 1

Camp Richardson’s Wood South Lake Tahoe | June 1, 2

Paradise Park | Meyers | June 1

The Valhalla Renaissance Faire recreates a Renaissance village on festival weekends and includes a merchant marketplace with nearly 100 unique merchants and crafters. 10 a.m.5 p.m. $11-$38 | valhallafaire.com

Interpretive signs have been added to the Lake Baron Loop at Paradise Park in Meyers.

Come celebrate at this public event as we recognize the new signs and the organizations involved in their implementation. 10 a.m.12 p.m. Free | tinsweb.org

National Trails Day Hike

Truckee Day Community Shred Event

National Trails Day hike

Van Sickle Bi-State Park South Lake Tahoe | June 1

Truckee Town Hall | Truckee | June 1

Clair Tappaan Lodge | Norden | June 1

Registration is at the Community House.

More than 100 volunteers will take to the streets to pick up trash. Volunteers can choose or be assigned specific locations. Clean-up supplies will be provided. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | northttahoebusiness.org

As a part of National Trails Day, the Sugar Pine Foundation and the TRTA are teaming up for a morning of education and fun. Enjoy panoramic vistas with a brief visit to a waterfall, guides will delve into the natural and human history of the area, discuss forest topics and see the impacts of a wildfire burn zone. 3-mile hike. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | tahoerimtrail.org

CUT-RITE TREE & SPRAY The tree pest expert in the area CARPENTER ANT & BARK BEETLE CONTROL SPECIALIST Complete Pest Control Service — Inside & Out

Truckee residents can bring up to 100 pounds of paper to be shredded. Items that are acceptable are paper, colored paper, file folders, transparencies and window envelopes. Staples and paper clips are acceptable.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free | (530) 550-2323

Join a guided hike to explore the Tahoe National Forest. If there is snow, bringing snowshoes or come at 9 a.m. and rent a pair.

The hike/snowshoe tour will begin at 10 a.m. sharp and last about 3 to 4 hours. Bring snacks and dress in layers. RSVP required. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Free | clairtappaanlodge.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

RENTALS | TOURS | LESSONS | SALES | DELIVERY EARLY SEASON KAYAK & PADDLEBOARD DEALS

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TahoeCityKayak.com & SandHarborRentals.com 7

FEATURE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

SIERRA STORIES

BY MARK McLAUGHLIN

Building the World’s First Transcontinental Railroad | Part III mine where the mountains began. Central Pacific co-founder and general superintendent of the railroad Charles Crocker escorted Whitney out to Arcade Creek, just 7 miles east of Sacramento and in terrain nearly flat as a board. Arcade Creek was about 15 miles west of where the landscape was considered uplifted Sierra terrain, but Stanford saw the difference in distance as an additional $240,000 of much-needed capital for his railroad — if he could get it.

Due to hostile Indians and shortages of timber, water and other necessities, historians have suggested that without

T

he United States’ Transcontinental Railroad represented a transportation revolution that stitched the country together from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, exponentially boosting communication, migration and trade. Support for the epic undertaking was especially strong in states and territories along the country’s western frontier because American expansion advanced toward the Missouri River and beyond. Isolated California communities with family and business connections 3,000 miles away in the East wanted a coast-to-coast railroad the most.

E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Read Parts I & II. Click on Transcontinental Railroad under the Explore Tahoe tab.

Transcontinental Railroad history section Click on Transcontinental Railroad under the Explore Tahoe menu for articles on the history of Truckee and the Transcontinental Railroad, local celebrations, events and more.

Constructing a national railroad system of this magnitude through such rugged and remote terrain, along with extremely challenging supply logistics, was nearly unprecedented in human history — certainly since the beginning of the Industrial

Laying track for the Union Pacific Railroad circa 1867. | Courtesy UPRR Archives

Revolution. For decades the project had struggled to get legislative traction from the federal government and the engineering was considered daunting, if not outright impossible. In one of those strange twists of fate, the American Civil War shattered the entrenched political stalemate in Congress and in 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act. The bill injected the seemingly far-fetched proposal with financial capital, bonds and land, as well as critical political will. A significant amount of that political will was obtained by bribing influential congressmen and prominent capitalists with generous stock giveaways and cash.

When work on the California portion of the line started in 1863, Central Pacific Railroad had it relatively easy across the level Sacramento Valley, but it wasn’t long before they started approaching the greatest challenge anywhere: the massive granite wall known as the Sierra Nevada.

The Pacific Railroad Act had stipulated a sliding scale of loans available to Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads per mile of track laid: $16,000 per mile on flat land; $32,000 for the deserts of Utah and Nevada; and $48,000 for work in mountains.

Of course, $48,000 per mile sounds much better than $16,000 so Central Pacific president and Governor of California Leland Stanford called in the state’s official geologist, Josiah D. Whitney, to deter-

HISTORIAN & AUTHOR

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Our mission is to reduce the incidence of hunger and its detrimental effects upon individuals, families, the community and the region.

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(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.

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military organization it’s unlikely the Union Pacific segment could have been built at all.

At Arcade Creek, Crocker showed Whitney an outcropping of reddish soil indicative of foothills geology and the eminent scientist declared it the western margin of the Sierra range. He signed official papers to that effect, which were presented to President Lincoln by Aaron Sargent, a former U.S. Congressman and good friend of Central Pacific’s chief engineer Theodore Judah. After reading Whitney’s report — considered a well-respected geologist and namesake of California’s highest mountain — and reflecting on Sargent’s persuasive arguments in support of the decision, President Lincoln saw no reason to disagree and he signed off on the designation of mountain topography. From that geological chicanery came a variety of humorous quotes insinuating that “Abraham’s [Lincoln] faith moved mountains.”

Biblical references aside, the decision did move mountains, at least on paper.

Union Pacific’s initial westbound efforts in Oklahoma faced no hills at all, but the railroad had its own set of challenges to deal with. Ramshackle, fly-by-night tent cities constantly sprang up trackside to provide sordid distractions for the thousands of isolated and deprived Irish track layers and graders. These temporary pop-ups were dubbed Hell on Wheels and offered the over-worked young men nefarious forms of entertainment such as gambling, prostitutes and plentiful whiskey.

It also led to vicious fights and deadly shootings among the inebriated laborers.

These movable but sleazy encampments were disgusting by day and dangerous at night, crawling with card cheats, thugs and con men. One observer wrote about such a place in Wyoming that lasted only 60 days, describing it as “Averaging a murder a day; gambling and drinking, hurdy-gurdy dancing and the vilest of sexual commerce.”

No town lots were ever sold at a Hell on Wheels bivouac because no one expected to be there long. No such dens of iniquity followed Central Pacific’s Chinese laborers who drank no alcohol and only smoked opium on Sunday, their day off.

As Union Pacific crews pushed west, deadly attacks by American Indians trying to protect their ancestral land made worker recruitment and retention problematic.

Unlike Union Pacific, California’s nonviolent indigenous Indian population had been decimated by disease and genocide before and during the Gold Rush, so Central Pacific didn’t have to worry about armed aggression on men at its remote construction sites. Union Pacific, however, had to be ready to fight and was by necessity run like an army. Virtually all of its majority workforce of Irish immigrants were battle-hardened veterans of the Civil War, so military-style regimentation was familiar to them.

In April 1866, retired U.S. Army general Grenville Dodge was appointed Union Pacific’s chief engineer, a choice enthusiastically endorsed by fellow Union generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. Dodge was an excellent engineer and pioneering figure in military intelligence during the Civil War, but he had repeatedly declined to take on the role of railroad superintendent due to his military commitments. But Dodge and his fellow senior commanders eventually realized that building the Transcontinental Railroad would provide an enormous advantage to the United States’ armed forces for years to come, so he took the job.

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD CELEBRATIONS Historical Talk: An engineering marvel with Jerry Blackwell May 30 | 7 p.m. | Camp Richardson

Historical Talk: The Firsts with Bill Oudegeest June 1 | Truckee Tahoe Airport

Dodge brought a soldierly demeanor to operations at the end of track. Nearly all of the chief subordinates that he hired were Union Army vets and just about all of the lead graders and track layers had served in the infantry. Due to hostile Indians and shortages of timber, water and other necessities, historians have suggested that without military organization it’s unlikely the Union Pacific segment could have been built at all.

Their vast tent encampments were laid out in precise, orderly rows and structured discipline generally kept the rambunctious young men in line. Most of the employees had served in the Union Army, but there were plenty of Confederate Rebels in the labor mix, as well. When the weather turned cold the former mortal enemies were easily identified by their blue and gray military overcoats, but apparently, they worked side-by-side with little animosity between them now that the brutal conflict was over.

Stayed tuned for Part IV 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.

May 30-June 5, 2019

EVENTS Pig Roast Party CB’s Bistro | Carnelian Bay | June 1

The 35th annual CB’s Pig Roast Summer Kickoff features Happy Hour drink specials, food, music from Colburn Station, raffle prizes and a big parking-lot party in the sunshine.

This event is a fundraiser for the North Tahoe Family Resource Center. 3-10 p.m. $10 | (530) 546-4738, facebook.com

Boot Scootin’ Bash at the Beach Tahoe 4H Camp | Stateline | June 1

Come in your best western getup to celebrate National Trails Day with Tahoe Rim Trail Association. There will be a sunset, dinner, music by Sierra Sweethearts and dancing. All proceeds go to improving and maintaining the Tahoe Rim Trail system. 5:30-9 p.m. $25-$30 | tahoerimtrail.org

“The Firsts,” Historical Talk w/Bill Oudegeest Truckee Tahoe Airport Conference Room | June 1

“The Firsts,” with speaker Bill Oudegeest of Donner Summit Historical Society will cover the major events that were the first to occur over Donner Summit. This will include information about the motorcycle, bicycle and automobile. 7-8 p.m. Free | chamber.truckee.com

Tahoe Bike Challenge Area venues | South Lake Tahoe | June 1-14

Ride your bike to work, school or for fun June 1 to 14 and track your miles to earn prizes. Register online to create a team or compete as an individual. Register at lovetoride.net/tahoe and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition on Facebook. Free | lovetoride.net

Pancake Breakfast Truckee Donner Senior Apartments | June 2

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and help feed our seniors, too. Benefits Meals on Wheels/Sierra Senior Services. 8-11:30 a.m. $10 | chamber.truckee.com

OMG Fun Run Old Meyers Grade | Meyers | June 2

The fourth annual OMG Fun Run includes a free OMG t-shirt. The course gate-to-gate roundtrip is 2.6 scenic miles. The event will be held rain or shine. Refreshments will be provided. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $5-$20 | (530) 5450340, meyerscommunityfoundation.org

Donner Summit Cleanup Day Soda Springs General Store | June 2

Meet at the General Store in Soda Springs at 9 a.m.for supplies and area assignments.

Wear sturdy shoes, gloves and a hat and bring sunscreen. Volunteers will receive a ticket to a hamburger lunch at Donner Ski Ranch.

9 a.m. Free | donnersummitca.com

TAMBA Spring Gear Sale Parking Lot | South Lake Tahoe | June 2

To benefit Lily Lake Trail. Get 40 to 60 percent off outdoor gear. There will be more than 100 outdoor items for sale. 2-6 p.m. Free | facebook.com

F E AT H E R R I V E R Bike Path Cleanup Area venues | South Lake Tahoe | June 3

Courtesy Meyers Community Foundation

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

OUT & ABOUT

Pa rk Re s o rt

STORY & PHOTOS

BY ALEX GREEN

Help get South Tahoe’s bike paths clean and earn points for the Tahoe Bike Challenge. Ride a bike to the event and receive a raffle ticket.

Hosted celebration for volunteers to follow at the League to Save Lake Tahoe. RSVP online.

5-8 p.m. | clean-tahoe.org

Course Details 9 holes | par 35

Yardage

Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club

2,822

Granlibakken | Tahoe City | June 4

The NLTRA hosts this monthly event on the first Tuesday of every month. All community members are invited to attend for the latest in community news and projects. 7-8:30 a.m. $15 | gotahoenorth.com

Slope 113

Ratings 34.6

55+ Hiking Series Incline Rec Center | June 4

Join Incline Senior Programs every Tuesday for guided hikes. Meet in the recreation lobby and bring lunch, water and sunscreen, wear appropriate clothing and shoes. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $10-$13 | yourtahoeplace.com

Entrepreneurs Assembly Startup Incubator Roundtable Mountain Workspace | Incline Village | June 5 Join this fast-growing, mentor-facilitated business round table group, and learn how to start or grow your company. 6-9 p.m. | eventbrite.com

Truckee Dirt Fondo Gala Dinner North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | June 6

The gala will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction where you can get your hands on some awesome stuff while supporting ARC. Attendees will then enjoy dinner and a fun and festive live auction with bigger ticket items. 5:30-9 p.m. $185 | truckeedirtfondo.com

T

he lustrous and expansive Mohawk Valley, just north of Truckee, is a mecca for golfing and outdoor activities. Its lonesome tranquil setting can make you feel heavily removed from the grind of the city; the clock spins slower out here. The journey itself is worthy of the drive on the winding State Route 89 alongside the Little Truckee River through pine forests and groves of

The course plays 2,822 yards from the longest tees.

It’s an affordable place to get in a quick nine holes without having to spend the whole day on the golf course.

Entrepreneurs Assembly Startup Roundtable Lake Tahoe Yoga | Zephyr Cove | June 6

Entrepreneurs Assembly is a great professional networking and growth opportunity. The Roundtable workshops are confidential and provide the best practices for navigating the hurdles in creating a successful business. 6-9 p.m. Free | eventbrite.com

Truckee Dirt Fondo Truckee Tahoe Airport | June 6

A competitive gravel/dirt event with awards for top 3 riders in various age and gender groups.Course changes this year favor cyclocross bikes with big tires. Event includes a gala opening dinner, ride, festival and awards ceremony. Festival is open to the public. 6:3010:30 p.m. $125 | truckeedirtfondo.com

How to Score the Best Outdoor Photography and Comfy Sleep Alibi Ale Works | Truckee | June 6

Lucas Riley and Jonas Goldsmith talk about outdoor photography and sleep-related backpacking and camping gear. Raffle with 100% of proceeds going to Truckee Donner Land Trust. Grand prize is a Nemo sleeping bag valued at $400. 7-10 p.m. Free | facebook.com

aspens. For most of the trip, cell phone service will be lacking — removing you even more from the outside world for a while so you can appreciate the desolation.

Feather River Park Resort is off the main highway as you leave the town of Graeagle.

It sits on a 160-acre meadow surrounded by majestic Sierra mountain peaks, wrapped tight inside the arms of the middle fork of the Feather River and other small lakes and ponds. It first opened for play in 1985 and was designed by Bert Stamps, featuring 2 par 5s, 3 par 4s and 4 par 3s.

The course plays 2,822 yards from the longest tees. It’s an affordable place to get in a quick nine holes without having to spend the whole day on the golf course.

The most daunting aspect of the terrain here is the towering pine trees that line each fairway. Catch a lucky bounce and all is well, but if you manage to cut through the wooded wall into the forest, even a punch back out to the fairway can be a difficult task. The course maintenance is really on point, the greens are quick and true and the rough is trimmed even and appropriately. The playing field itself is hilly and littered with bunkers, unforgiving native landscapes and water hazards. For a small executive-style track, this course has just about all anyone could ask for: it is fairly challenging, offers a great blend of holes both distance and precision oriented, and is overall a whole lot of fun.

Sometimes nine holes is all you need to unwind, but if you’d like to get in more, there’s a daily rate, so you can play as many nines as you’d like for one price. Wander on over to one of the other championship golf courses nearby or maybe to the Graeagle Frostee for a burger or down to the river to cool off.

E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Read the Tahoe Sierra Golf Guide & local golf profiles. Click on Golf under the Out & About tab.

The Feather River Park Resort offers lodging at any one of the several cabins onsite, as well as a heated pool, tennis courts, Ping Pong, bike rentals and more. | (530) 836-2328, featherriverparkresort.com 

CoyoteMoonGolf.com

Wilder Than Wild America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride Hard Rock Hotel and Casino | Stateline | June 2

Bike the West and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society present the 27th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride. Experience spectacular scenery, clean mountain air, great food and full support by experienced ride organizers. $130 | (844) 588-7625, bikethewest.com

Homewood Mountain Resort | June 6

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District recognizes the importance of building community awareness about mitigation strategies in this new age of wildfire. This event is one of several educational community events planned during the summer months. Free

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

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9

FAMILY FUN

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Family FUN

Pool Time

S T O R Y B Y M I C H E L L E T. A L L E N | P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T D R P D

M

y son Anikin, like most kids, loves to swim. Even though he lives next to one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world, Lake Tahoe is too cold to swim in for most of the year. Fortunately for Anikin and are kids who love to swim, there are several year-round public swimming pools in the TahoeTruckee area.

Check off

Summer Bucket List #64 on our Ultimate Tahoeat TheTahoeWeekly.com

The water depth ranges from a few inches to a few feet making it ideal for small

lanes, which have open-swim and lap-swim hours. During open-swim time, several of the lanes include a diving board, water basketball equipment and a rope climb.

Adult fitness classes such as Aqua High Intensity Interval Training, Deep H2O Aerobics and water polo are held in the lap pool. There are also stroke clinics to fine-tune technique and water yoga and SUP yoga for building balance.

Group swim lessons are offered yearround and accommodate beginner to advanced swimmers. If the timing is not convenient, private swim lessons are available and offer more flexibility. Anikin has done several private lessons and really enjoys the individual attention.

children just learning

COMMUNITY POOLS

water awareness.

City of South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex cityofslt.us

Our favorite is Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District Community Swimming Pool. Built in 2016, the pool is part in the Community Recreation Center. The pool adds to the recreational opportunities the center provides to the community.

The Community Swimming Pool is in a 26,000-square-foot building and has a recreation pool and a competitive lap pool. These two large pools allow for a wide range of water activities for every age group.

For the little ones there is a shallow splash area. The water depth ranges from a few inches to a few feet making it ideal for small children just learning water awareness. The kids have fun playing in the various water features and on the small slide. Anikin has outgrown this slide, but it doesn’t stop him from sliding anyway.

The splash area has a graduated slope that leads to the other side of the recrea-

Incline Village Recreation Center yourtahoeplace.com

Truckee Community Recreation Center CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The recreation pool with slide and splash area; fun on the slide; the lap pool.

tion pool. This side of the pool is well suited for older kids. There are two lap lanes, one of which has a “big kid” slide, as he calls it, at one end. Water basketball, volleyball equipment and foam-water toys are available in these lanes.

One of Anikin’s favorite spots in the rec pool is the Current Channel, which he calls the lazy river. Much like the current of a slow river, the water in the channel pushes swimmers forward. The water flows around a water lounge at the center of the

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tdrpd.org channel. It is amusing to watch Anikin swim against the current and try to hold onto the sides of the pool. I am especially amused when he tells me he is stronger than the current and can hold on forever.

An added bonus to the rec pool is the garage doors around it, which open to an outdoor lounge area and allows for a warm flow of air during the summer.

Both pools are heated but the lap pool is several degrees colder than the rec pool, appropriate for lap practice and water fitness. Better suited for the more advanced swimmer, the lap pool has 10 25-yard

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Michelle Allen is a nearly 20-year resident of Tahoe and mother to a rambunctious 6-year-old and understands the challenges of keeping kids entertained. She may be reached at michelle@ tahoethisweek.com.

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Truckee’s Community Swimming Pool has water recreation for every member of the family. It is one of my family’s favorite places to play. It is an enjoyable way to stay active and spend quality time with the family. | tdrpd.org 

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May 9-22, 2019

For the Kids

Horoscopes

FIRE

EARTH

FAMILY FUN AIR

WATER

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

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) The Sun and Mercury in your sign indicate a go-ahead cycle. This includes both an increase in your social activities as well as paying more attention to your health and lifestyle. Exercising your ability to be flexible and open-minded is more important than ever.

Seeing things differently than you do already seldom comes easy but is important now.

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) You have and likely continue to be making new assertions. Currently, the emphasis is on learning and perhaps teaching. Much of the focus stands to be behind the scenes or with very select people and groups. Your confidence levels may be wavering, but you are determined to take risks, at least calculated ones.

Leo (Jul 22-Aug 23)

Kids Fishing Derby South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club is hosting the annual Free Fishing Derby Day at Sawmill Pond on June 1 from 8 to 11 a.m. Fishing is open to ages 14 and younger.

Tackle and bait are available with expert guidance from Tahoe Fly Fishing. There will be a fish-cleaning table for lucky fishers. Kids can enjoy free hot dogs and lemonade and a free raffle. | tahoeoptimist.com

Shoe Drive

Teen Scene

Truckee Elementary School | May 30

Kahle Community Center | Stateline | May 31

Truckee Girl Scout Troop 343 is collecting new/gently used shoes to aid impoverished countries. A drop-off box will be in the school. 9 a.m.3 p.m. Free | (530) 214-6163, facebook.com

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

Free Fishing Derby Mother Goose on the Loose South Lake Tahoe Library | May 30, June 6

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

Sawmill Pond | South Lake Tahoe | June 1

Fishing is open to age 14 or younger. Tackle/ bait available. Expert guidance from Tahoe Fly Fishing. Hot dogs and lemonade. Raffle for the kids. 8-11 a.m. Free | tahoeoptimist.com

Incline Village Library | May 30, June 6

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

Truckee River Regional Park | June 1

Bring your kids to the Truckee River Regional Park to ride the kids’ train. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com

Preschool Story Time Early Literacy Storytime South Lake Tahoe Library | May 31

Build a child’s pre-reading skills. Ages 3 to 5 with parents and caregivers. 10:30 a.m.

Free | (530) 575-3185, engagedpatrons.org

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Seeing yourself and the world and in the world in new ways continue. This is a call to think differently about how to best make a positive impression yet with the kind of results you truly want and need.

Slowly but surely you are experiencing a steady rise in your confidence levels. The key to perpetuating this momentum is to get more focused and industrious.

Libra (Sep 22-Oct 22) Creatively assessing your need, value, desire, and worth is underway. This is all part of a larger process of prioritizing as a means of making important decisions. Do you stay and persevere, or have you had enough already and are keen to try a different approach? The latter questions may rest upon your ability to get clear on a new direction.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov 21) Kids Train Ride

Toddler Story Time

Stimulating new associations is a central theme now. With much shifting and changing in your public and professional life, you have reason to be focused. Generally, your mood is positive and optimistic. Opportunity is knocking but you need to identify it and take action. Learning new skills and acquiring specific, needed tools is indicated.

The Sun in Gemini indicates a complex period for you. On one hand, you may feel quite at home and empowered. Alternately, you must contend with conflicting desires ranging from higher to lower roads of approach. One thing you are clear about is that you want to increase your lot. Yet, you know you have to be more disciplined somehow.

Sagittarius (Nov 21-Dec 21) An expansive cycle continues and includes an increase in your social network. Positively, this will prove to be a very satisfying period due to a variety of fresh experiences and opportunities. Yet, it remains that you have to give more to receive or returns and/or pay your dues. This includes some form of learning or training. Changes in your lifestyle are featured.

Capricorn (Dec 21-Jan 19) You are in the mood to be healthier and fit.

This could also include getting clear on certain fronts or is that clearing the clutter. Spring cleaning comes to mind and includes the emphasis on establishing a whole new level of organization. This type of activity stands to boost your energy and confidence levels.

Focus to create a smoother flow.

Aquarius (Jan 19-Feb 19) Changes are sweeping through on the home front. This includes creating a more aesthetically pleasing environment. Meanwhile, a social and creative cycle is inspiring you to take new initiatives. The reverse could also be true whereby you are meeting new people due to initiatives taken. Either way, deliberate effort is required.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) You have entered an important learning curve cycle. It implies ‘homework’. This could well manifest literally as with working on your home, but it could also indicate working more from or at home. Your focus is on investing your time to stimulate new flows of return, including income. It is important that you think outside of your usual box.

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) You want answers. You need to know why one choice is more important than another. The knowledge you seek may not be terribly profound but is important enough. Financial considerations linked to changes you want to make close to home are featured. While creating more beauty is indicated, making key repairs are also a priority.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 21) This is a busy time of year for many and especially you and especially this year. Plans made some time ago are now ready to be implemented.

Building, beautifying, repairing, renovating… are all likely themes. Your sights are set on investments as well. Adverse to short-term solutions, you want to do things right and once so the results are enduring.

Kings Beach Library | June 4

Each week has a different theme. Stop by for loads of fun and read books, sing songs, learn nursery rhymes, and do fun and easy crafts. 10:30-11 a.m. Free | (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov

Family Fun Friday - Cork Sailboats KidZone Museum | Truckee | May 31

These play-based activities are all about exploration and discovery. Kids are encouraged to feel, touch and learn through sensory activities. 11 a.m. Free | kidzonemuseum.org

Teen Tuesdays Incline Village Library | June 4

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

Great Skate Northstar California Resort | Truckee | May 31

Weird Science Wednesday

Join the 6th annual summer kick off party in your most colorful attire. Live DJ, silent auction, activity booths, performances and more. All ages. 5-9 p.m. | (800) 466-6784, facebook.com

Incline Village Library | June 5

Pups, PJs & Popcorn Movie Night

RUFF, Read Up for Fun

HSTT Animal Shelter | Truckee | May 31

Truckee Library | June 5

Drop the kids off in their PJ’s to watch “Small Foot,” and get cozy with pets while snacking on pizza and popcorn. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $25 | hstt.org

Come join the fun and experiment with weird wacky science. 4-4:45 p.m. | (775) 8324130, events.washoecountylibrary.us

Children can practice their reading skills by reading aloud to trained therapy animals. Kids can do crafts while waiting their turn to read.

4-5 p.m. Free | (530) 582-7846, truckeefol.org

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

MORE PUZZLES & ANSWERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

11

THE ARTS

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Arts

& CULTURE

CREATIVE AWARENESS

“Daow Aga” installed

Krista Tranquilla

C R E AT I N G A S E N S E O F P E A C E S T O R Y B Y K AY L A A N D E R S O N

A

t Krista Tranquilla’s Glenshire home, belt buckles in the shape of the world along with pendants of Lake Tahoe, bracelets with poetry and hand-drawn sketches etched on them, and earrings with trees are placed around the living room during an open studio tour.

Inscribed in a pendant is a John Muir quote: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” On another a comforting John Muir quote states: “The world is big and I want to get a good look at it before it gets dark.”

Placer County and Tahoe Public Art installed “Daow Aga” by artist Brett Moten in the Coon Street roundabout in Kings Beach on May 20. It is the second of two permanent public art pieces in Kings Beach’s roundabouts. The piece is in contrast to “Estrella” in the Bear Street roundabout installed last fall. | tahoepublicart.com

“I need to get outside to relax and here I can

Inaugural Tahoe ArtFest

walk out of my front door and immediately have a sense of peace.

Living in Tahoe helps me promote that message through my jewelry. It’s a constant reminder to take a break and get outside.”

–Krista Tranquilla Tranquilla has hundreds of pieces of jewelry featuring the great outdoors, constellations, topography maps — whatever inspires her. She started creating wearable art as a hobby when she lived on the East Coast decades ago. She studied business at Pennsylvania State University and worked a college internship at a phone company in the mid-1990s. Tranquilla didn’t really know anyone and was looking for something to do after she ended her shift.

“Everyone there was at least 20 years older than me and I happened to find a jewelry class,” she says, adding she learned the foundations of metal and silversmithing and fell in love with the craft. “It was just a hobby at the time, so in any kind of gift-giving scenario people would always get a handmade metal piece from me.”

After graduating from Penn State, Tranquilla moved to the Bay Area and got a job at a manufacturing company where telecommuting was allowed in the early 2000s. She often traveled to the Tahoe Sierra to enjoy the outdoors and eventually moved to the Truckee area, married and had children.

Tranquilla took a year off to raise her family in 2012 and contemplated what she 12

wanted to do career-wise moving forward.

Fortunately, with a supportive husband, Tranquilla could pursue her hobby of jewelry making fulltime and was able to turn it into a small business.

Around that time, Bespoke opened in Truckee. She went in with five pieces of jewelry and owner Heather River agreed to carry her line. That was the boost Tranquilla needed to get off the ground; now she has hundreds of pieces in many places in California, as well as Oregon, Washington, Texas and Washington, D.C. “I went from being the breadwinner of my family to doing nothing, so I was motivated to make this work,” she says. “But it took a while to figure out what working smart was and have that balance.”

In looking at Tranquilla’s nature pieces, it’s hard not to imagine the outdoors from where they originated. She agrees that Tahoe influences her products and that everywhere she looks she finds inspiration.

“Anything with trees in it were from photos taken in my backyard. I need to get outside to relax and here I can walk out of my front door and immediately have a sense of peace. Living in Tahoe helps me promote that message through my jewelry.

It’s a constant reminder to take a break and get outside,” she says.

When making a piece of jewelry, she admits that most of her time goes into the artwork and that her designs started out simple but are becoming increasingly more complex.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Krista Tranquilla | Daphne

Hougard; Necklace, Earrings, Bracelets, Earrings | Krista Tranquilla

“Some with the constellations I’ve spent over 40 hours to just design one piece,” she says. “I love my Orion [jewelry] I think because that was the crossover for me going from one technology to the other — that’s when I started directly imprinting onto metal.”

The constellation jewelry sells the most, along with quote-embedded pieces and jewelry that implements waves, topography maps and, of course, Lake Tahoe.

Making jewelry is a physical job — the repetitiveness of filing down hard metal took a toll on her flesh and bone. “Now I have a grinder. And I used to cut everything with a handsaw, but now I have a guillotine. I took a few classes [on how to make jewelry], but I’m mostly self-taught.

So now if I’m experiencing physical pain, I’ve realized that I just haven’t found the right tool yet.”

She is also intent on using natural products and ethically sourced metals that are environmentally friendly, such as certified recycled silver.

Krista Tranquilla jewelry is sold at Bespoke in Truckee, Trunk Show in Tahoe City and Blue Wolf Studios Tahoe in Kings Beach. You will also find her at Truckee Thursdays this summer. View her collections at Glenshire’s annual holiday open studio sale in early December or on her Web site. | kristatranquilla.com 

The inaugural Tahoe ArtFest is an art extravaganza of all genres showcasing creativity on June 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with venues along Ski Run Boulevard.

Tahoe Arts Alliance has partnered with the Ski Run Business Association to host the event the Hair of the Dog passport, ArtFest tasting cup for mimosas. Battle of the Bands, Chalkfest, visual and performing arts and more.

Hair of the Dog Passports are $20. For those who do not plan to drink and kids, this event is free. | tahoeartsalliance.org

“State of Water” book launch

A book launch of Obi Kaufmann’s “State of War” will be at Truckee Philosophy on June 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. Kaufmann is the author of “The California Field Atlas.”

Kaufmann will discuss his work and new book with bookseller and journalist Jill Sanford. “The State of Water” will be for sale at the event and is available for presale from Word After Word Books, which is hosting the event. There will be time for Q&A, book signings and conversation with Kaufmann. | wordafterwordbooks.com

May 30-June 5, 2019

THE ARTS

Puzzles

THE ARTS

“Blue Skies” Joan Davis | Mountain Workspace

MOUNTAIN WORKSPACE HOSTS

EXHIBITS Mountain Workspace, a new coworking space in Incline Village, Nev., will be hosting a series of month-long, local artist-inresidence, art exhibits in its 5,500 squarefoot facility. Artist Joan Davis will kick off the series with an artist’s wine and cheese reception on June 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to stop by to view Davis’ new work entitled “Blue Skies” and enjoy a glass of wine.

Davis is an established artist with more than 30 national museum and gallery exhibitions and numerous solo exhibitions.

In addition, her paintings are included in private and corporate collections, including the Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Her organic forms stem from her imagination and her colors reflect the emotion and energy of an experience. She resides in Lake Tahoe part time. | (775) 379-1124, mountainworkspace.com, joandavis.com

Exhibit Launch Party Tahoe Maritime Museum | Tahoe City | May 31 tahoemaritme.org

Still Life Oil Painting Workshop North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | May 31-June 2 (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

“Going Places: Sailing By Stars” Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | June 1-Jan. 19

(530) 583-9283, tahoemaritimemuseum.org

“Outboards: In-Style” Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | June 1-March 6

tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Obi Kaufmann Book Launch “The State of Water” Truckee Philosophy | June 2 chamber.truckee.com

Tahoe ArtFest Ski Run | South Lake Tahoe | June 2 tahoeartsalliance.org

Hope Valley Plein Air Workshop Sorenson’s Resort | Meyers | June 3-6

(775) 849-7769, sorensensresort.com

Knitting Group Atelier | Truckee | June 4-Dec. 31

(530) 386-2700, ateliertruckee.com

Adult Coloring Truckee Library | June 5-Feb. 3

(530) 582-7846, madelynhelling.evanced.info

Evening of Poetry Candy Webb art exhibit Incline Village Library | May 30-31

Kings Beach Library | June 5-Feb. 3 (530) 546-2021, placer.ca.gov

(775) 832-4130, library@washoecounty.us

Gathering of Artists Pine Needle Basket Weaving Workshop North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | May 30-Oct. 3

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | June 5-April 1 (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

(530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Public Tour Transcontinental Art Show Truckee Community Rec Center | May 30-Oct. 31

Truckee Roundhouse | June 6 chamber.truckee.com

chamber.truckee.com

Dad made an effort not to cause forest fires. He claimed it’s not nice to fuel Mother Nature.

Hocus Focus differences: 1. Boy’s hat is missing, 2. Girl’s skirt has a ruffle, 3. Boy’s left arm is hidden, 4. Flowers added near tree, 5. Arm is moved, 6. Girl is extending both arms.

Lake Tahoe Community College South Lake Tahoe | May 31

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

CryptoQuip

A Life in Art

13

FEATURE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

IT

TAKES A

TO BUILD

T

he next time you’re cruising down a perfectly sculpted trail with crystalclear views of Lake Tahoe in the distance, take a moment to silently thank the countless mountain bikers, hikers, fundraisers and forest rangers who work together to make these enchanted paths a reality. These are the product of thousands of hours of dreaming, scouting and organizing by members of diverse groups of citizens who care enough about this place to jump through many hoops and lift innumerable rocks to put these official routes in place.

With more than a dozen different landmanagement agencies in the area, the paperwork adds up quickly, especially when

“It takes a long time to build legal trails, but if you can get a good relationship going [with the land managers] it can be better and more sustainable,” he says. “Over the last three or four years, we’ve spent more time rebuilding trails because of the erosion problems.

People who build trails without knowing what they are doing can create a lot of problems. Trails that take a direct route down the fall line leave scars in the hillside, which lead to erosion from rain and melting snow. The key to building long-lasting and sustainable trails is including regular grade reversals in which a downhill route goes back uphill for a few yards. This allows the water to run off down a more natural

“Trail building is all about micromanaging water and making it fun for people to ride at the same time. It’s the most fun you’ll have since you we’re building a fort as a kid.”

–Curtis Johnson

Check off

Summer Bucket List #17 on our Ultimate Tahoeat TheTahoeWeekly.com

it comes to the legally required National Environmental Policy Act guidelines, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

“Pretty much across the board, none of them have a significant budget for trails,” says Curtis Johnson. “When it E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Lisa Michelle shares her adventures working on trails Follow our continuing coverage of public access to public lands. Click on Public Access under the Out & About menu.

comes to construction or maintenance, it really depends on trail partnerships with different groups for fundraising and volunteer support to help out with some of these projects.”

Johnson is the president of Biggest Little Trail Stewardship, a nonprofit formerly known as Poedunks, that maintains trails primarily in the greater Reno area. In partnership with the Forest Service, they’ve built 42 miles of single track on Peavine Peak north of the city. This year, their project focuses on building a 2-mile flow trail at Sierra Vista Park, as well as a connector to the Peavine network.

14

route rather than along the trail.

“Trail building is all about micromanaging water and making it fun for people to ride at the same time,” says Johnson. “It’s the most fun you’ll have since you we’re building a fort as a kid.”

CONNECTING TRAILS One of the most anticipated trail projects of 2019 is the Big Chief Trail, which connects the popular Sawtooth Trail along Forest Service Road 06 with Watson Lake and Northstar California in North Lake Tahoe. In an effort led

by Truckee Trails Foundation, the soft opening of the trail in the fall received nothing but glowing reviews.

“We are anxious to see how well it handles the snowmelt and our crew will certainly get out as early as possible this spring to get it ready for users,” says Foundation executive director Allison Pedley.

“After a big snow year, we anticipate the need for some heavy maintenance on a few other trails, such as the PCT [Pacific Crest Trail], but of course higher elevation trails won’t be ready for us until later in the summer.”

May 30-June 5, 2019

VILLAGE A TRAIL

FEATURE

THIS PAGE LEFT: TAMBA Trails Director Scott Brown working

on the Lily Lake Trail above Fallen Leaf Lake with Lake Tahoe in the background. | Courtesy TAMBA

STORY BY SEAN McALINDIN

RIGHT: Randy Gaa clears deadfall on

Secret Trail outside of Carson City. | Courtesy Muscle Powered

The foundation’s crews will also be working on the Western States Trail and scoping a possible connection between the Sawtooth Trail and State Route 89, as well as working with the Forest Service to improve and add 2 new miles to the popular Jackass Trail in Truckee.

Another long-sought extension now in talks is the completion of the Hole in the Ground loop, which would avoid a 5-mile pedal on pavement and logging roads from Soda Springs to Boreal Mountain Resort, thereby completing a 16 mile alpine single-track circuit high on Donner Summit.

“This is all part of our effort to bring greater connectivity and enhanced trail sustainability in this area,” says Pedley.

CARSON CITY’S MUSCLE Down the hill in Carson City, Muscle Powered has forged a strong relationship with the city of Carson City, Nev., that includes a memorandum of understanding allowing the volunteer-driven nonprofit to work on trails under city parks and recreation and open-space management. This year, they are planning to build an Ash to Kings Canyon connector, which will link the two most prominent valleys rising above Carson to each other and eventually to the Tahoe Rim Trail.

“We are more or less the labor arm for the city,” says Muscle Powered president Randy Gaa. “The more you dig into it, you’ll find it’s like a big community. I think what attracted to me building and maintaining trails is when I was out there using them and enjoying them, they were really awesome awe-inspiring vistas.

I felt it would be really cool to give back.

It’s cathartic.”

COMMUNITY TRAIL BUILDING Considering the vast amount of granite, steep grades and immense terrain, trail building in the Sierra Nevada takes not only tremendous human effort, but money and lots of it. Oftentimes, professional crews with heavy equipment are required to make the trails safe, functional and sustainable. This is where interagency collaboration is key. For an upcoming project to build a flow trail in the Forest Service land above the King’s Beach grid, several community partners have joined forces to make it happen.

“We’re all in it together and we all bring what we can to the party,” says Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “For the new trail in Kings Beach, the Forest Service did environmental work, TAMBA [Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association] will

help build it and Tahoe Fund assists in securing the funding to get it done. We are lucky to live in a place where people are so generous and love trails and are willing to contribute in a meaningful way. Everybody gets to ride the trails and people give in the ways they can.”

The greatest example of community trail-building efforts to date would probably have to be the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Its association was formed as a whole in 1981 as the dream child of Glen Hampton, a Forest Service recreation officer.

“He saw that recreation in the Tahoe Basin was really concentrated in a few areas, so he dreamt up the system and recruited a ragtag team of volunteers that worked for 17 years building the trail,” says association operations and marketing manager Justine Lentz.

Upcoming projects for the Tahoe Rim Trail’s 300 volunteers include rerouting from logging roads to single track in areas ranging from Mott Canyon in Stateline, Nev., to Ward Creek outside of Tahoe City and Martis Peak above Brockway Summit.

“These are our lands and it’s our responsibility to maintain them,” says Lentz.

“Our trail sees over 440,000 users annual and they aren’t all from people from the Tahoe Basin. We have 5.7 million annual visitors, so keeping a dispersed system maintained is important for the user experience. Recreation funding has been pretty slashed as of late, so we’ve been leaning on nonprofits and volunteers to handle the day-to-day management piece.”

A VISION OF SINGLE TRACK Any story about trail building in Tahoe would be remiss without mentioning the incredible work of TAMBA, which has multiple projects in the works this year. Tahoe Fund recently approved a campaign to raise funds for TAMBA to complete construction of the Lily Lake Trail this summer, agreeing to double every dollar donated until they reach a goal of $75,000. This will connect the Glen Alpine Trailhead to Angora Ridge Road, both of which are popular entrances to Desolation Wilderness. It is extremely challenging terrain to build on with massive boulder fields, dense fields of willows and shrubs condensed by the snow and steep switchbacks that require rock walls to reinforce.

One big-picture goal of TAMBA is to connect a loop of single track that circles Lake Tahoe by using parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail and diverting others around Desolation and Mount Rose wilderness areas, which are not legally accessible to bicycles or machinery, including chainsaws.

They are also introducing an adopt-a-trail program and working to add improved signage throughout the trail network.

Eventually, local mountain bikers hope to have a network of single track that connects from Downieville to Mammoth and possibly at some point, from Canada to Mexico.

“If you’re dreaming, then dream big,” says Scott Brown, a TAMBA trails director. “We like to work hard, get dirty and learn new skills. It’s really fun, rewarding, challenging work and you get to see the results.” 

OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: TRTA Executive Director Morgan Steel on

a steep section of exposed rock. | Courtesy Tahoe Rim Trail Association MIDDLE LEFT: Jeff Potter walks with Rex along Wild Horse Trail outside of Carson City. | Courtesy Muscle Powered MIDDLE RIGHT: TRTA volunteers, from left, Matt Rump, Donna Maher, Tom Fullerton and Jamie Goodspeed celebrate a job well done. | Courtesy Tahoe Rim Trail Association BOTTOM: TRTA trail volunteers Robbie Kay and John McKenna move giants boulders on Echo Summit. | Courtesy Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Lend a hand Biggest Little Trail Stewardship | bltsnv.org Muscle Powered musclepowered.org TAMBA | tamba.org Tahoe Fund | tahoefund.org Tahoe Rim Trail Association tahoerimtrail.org Truckee Trails Foundation truckeetrails.org

15

MUSIC SCENE

Music SCENE TheTahoeWeekly.com

LIVE MUSIC, SHOWS & NIGHTLIFE

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

Otis McDonald’s

CALENDAR

M AY 3 0 - J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9

B R AV E N E W W O R L D

MAY 30 | THURSDAY

STORY BY SEAN McALINDIN

W

16

FUNK

“ Interaction on social media channels is just what I was looking for. It’s fun because the fans are deciding what’s good and what isn’t.”

–Otis McDonald “I think the rhythm is where you can get infinite possibilities. The purpose is to get people to move their bodies.”

By using samples not only as a background layer (as classic 90s gangster rap hits did with Motown classics), but rather playing around with these repetitive audio loops as a compositional tool though midi-controlled tempo and pitch modulation, Bagale is able to discover previously unheard musical ideas that take on a shape of their own.

“I got to a place of not giving a f***,” he says. “From having that attitude, not feeling like I have to fit in, has made a big difference in my success. It let me follow my instinct, my ear and my heart, making music that’s true to me.”

After working out of his home for many years, Bagale recently moved into historic Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco.

This sacred space was ground zero for the creation of classic albums such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Déjà Vu” and Herbie Hancock’s iconic funk masterpiece “Head Hunters.” In the hallways hang gold records. The original sound-absorbing curtain with its dark blue-greenish hue still hangs there, unknown stories wafting from its magnanimous folds.

“It smells like the 60s — in a good way,” says Bagale. “I think of all the incredible albums recorded here that influenced me growing up.” | truckeecrawthaw.com 

TRUCKEE CRAW THAW MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 31 5 p.m. | DJ Bazooka Zac 6:30 p.m. | The Lique 8 p.m. | Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers JUNE 1 12 p.m. | DJ Bazooka Zac 12-4 p.m. | Family activities and games 4 p.m. | Farrow and the Peach Leaves 5:30 p.m. | Failure Machine 7 p.m. | Otis McDonald 8:30 p.m. | Jazz Mafia’s Heaviest Feather JUNE 2 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Wildfire Refuge Brunch 12 p.m. | DJ Bazooka Zac 12:30 p.m. | Brass Mafia 2 p.m. | John Courage 3:30 p.m. | Frankie Boots

Photo Credit | Photographer?

hile some lament the digital revolution as end times for the music industry, others see a golden opportunity in an era of artistic independence.

Take for example the marketing strategy concocted for San Francisco all-star funk producer Otis McDonald’s upcoming album, “People Music.”

Over the course of 15 weeks, McDonald, whose real name is Joe Bagale, released 30-to 60-second snippets of the raw recordings. The final 10 to make the album cut were chosen based on an mathematical analysis of total views, average views per week and likes versus dislikes.

“Interaction on social media channels is just what I was looking for,” says Bagale, who will play at this year’s Truckee Craw Thaw Music Festival in downtown Truckee. “It’s fun because the fans are deciding what’s good and what isn’t.”

The preferred tracks are now being mastered in Hollywood by Bernie Grundman who worked on 1980s masterpieces such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Steely Dan’s “Aja.” With vinyl being the lone exception, record sales have plummeted since their early 90s heyday as the rise of audio-file sharing has diluted profits for artists who receive minute fractions of a cent on streams of their music. Yet, true to his opportunistic mindset, Bagale doesn’t equate streams to sales.

“I compare streaming to radio play,” he says. “It tells you more about potential. The narrative has to change.”

Bagale got his start voluntarily producing tracks for Facebook and YouTube’s free audio libraries. As folks accessed this treasure trove for the correct vibe of their self-made videos, the irresistible funk of Otis McDonald became a popular choice.

“I lot of the other tracks were kind of generic, so I think I stood out,” he says.

Some of those videos went viral thereby inadvertently sharing Bagale’s music with a much wider audience then he could have otherwise reached. When folks in the comment section began to ask whose music it was, they discovered the wide world of Otis McDonald. Although Bagale can’t discuss the details of the contracts, his royalty-free audio files are now being commissioned by Facebook and YouTube.

“I thought it was an interesting groundfloor opportunity,” says Bagale. “It’s like handing out millions of business cards hoping you get a bite from a few people.”

Bagale now works on television commercials and film scoring and his submission for the new theme song to National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” is up for final consideration.

“With my music, you hear one foot in the old with a fresh approach and still putting in that human element,” he says.

Dave Leather Sassafras, Carson City, 6-8 p.m.

Full Draw Film Tour Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno, 6-11 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Truckee Tahoe School of Music Open Mic Goose & Chey’s, Tahoe City, 6-10 p.m.

Long Beach Dub Allstars, the Aggrolites, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Keyzer S Virginia Street Brewhouse, Reno, 7 p.m.

Dirty Birdie Bingo/DJ The Polo Lounge, Reno, 7 p.m.

“Little Women, The Musical” Community Arts Center, Truckee, 7 p.m.

The Rat Pack Is Back Harrah’s, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Ronnie Bullard Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

“The Foreigner” Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Stampede Country Music & Dance Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Karaoke Davidson’s Distillery, Reno, 8 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

MAY 31 | FRIDAY Kris Diehl The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.

Live Music Hard Rock - Hotel Lobby, Stateline, 3-6 p.m.

Truckee Craw Thaw Music Festival downtown, Truckee, 5-8 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Live music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 6-9 p.m.

Peter DeMattei Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

“For Love of a Comstock Girl” Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City, 7-9 p.m.

Live Music Sands Regency Casino, Reno, 7-11 p.m.

“Little Women, The Musical” Community Arts Center, Truckee, 7 p.m.

Live comedy Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The Rat Pack Is Back Harrah’s, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Ronnie Bullard Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Reno Jazz Orchestra May Hall Concert Union Hall, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

May 30-June 5, 2019

MUSIC SCENE

THE INAPPROPRIATORS

JUNE 1 | SATURDAY Valhalla Renaissance Faire Camp Richardson’s Wood, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

“Galileo, Stars in His Eyes” Downtown Reno Library, Reno, 10:30 a.m.

RJO Saturday Workshops Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Truckee Craw Thaw Music Festival downtown, Truckee, 12-8:30 p.m.

Kris Diehl The Idle Hour, South Lake Tahoe, 2 p.m.

Live Music Hard Rock - Hotel Lobby, Stateline, 3-6 p.m.

“Galileo, Stars in His Eyes” South Valleys Library, Reno, 3 p.m.

Summer Vibes Sierra Well, Reno, 4-10 p.m.

Mountain Folk’s Micro-Fest 2019 The Lost Marble Ranch, Beckwourth, 4 p.m.

Paul Coverlli Boomtown Casino, Verdi, 5-9 p.m.

Dinner Murder Mystery SureStay Plus Hotel, Reno, 5:30-9 p.m.

Rhythm and Rawhide Downtown Reno Ballrooms, Reno, 6-10 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Live music Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, 6-9 p.m.

Social Science: Sound Check The Discovery, Reno, 7-10 p.m.

“For Love of a Comstock Girl” Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City, 7-9 p.m.

June 1 | 10 p.m.

Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev. THE INAPPROPRIATORS are Tahoe’s wackiest new indie group featuring members of Horsemouth, No Deal and Dead Winter Carpenters singing songs about circumcision, foreplay, transgender bathrooms, cold-water masturbation and sister swapping. | crystalbaycasino.com

CASUAL

MOUNTAIN BAND

COMEDIC ANTI-ROCK

Live Music Sands Regency Casino, Reno, 7-11 p.m.

Layne McAvoy as Mark Twain Art Truckee, Truckee, 7-9 p.m.

“Little Women, The Musical” Community Arts Center, Truckee, 7 p.m.

Live comedy Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The Rat Pack Is Back Harrah’s, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Michael Franti & Spearhead Harrah’s, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Three Dog Night Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m.

Ronnie Bullard Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Reno Jazz Orchestra May Hall Concert Union Hall, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

“The Foreigner” Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

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

Country “Ladies Night” The Saint, Reno, 8 p.m.

Adrenaline Virginia Street Brewhouse, Reno, 8 p.m. awakebutstillinbed + Pity Party The Holland Project, Reno, 8-11 p.m.

Paula Poundstone Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 8 p.m.

DRINKING WITH CLOWNS

“The Foreigner” Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

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

The Clairvoyants Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 8-10:30 p.m.

Nevada Hazzurd Virginia Street Brewhouse, Reno, 8 p.m.

Preacher Lawson MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Casual Mountain Band Alibi Ale Works, Truckee, 8 p.m.

Panda Fat Cat Bar & Grill, Tahoe City, 8:30-11:30 p.m.

Monique Jade Band MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 8:30-11:30 p.m.

Guitar Town Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Live Music Jimmy B’s Bar & Grill, Reno, 9-11 p.m.

Live Music Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 9 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Ronnie Bullard Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m.

DJ in Center Bar Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Wormhole Tahoe Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 10 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

May 31 | 8 p.m.

Alibi Ale Works | Truckee

Heavenly Village Outdoor Concert Lineup The Shops at Heavenly Village will host free outdoor concerts every Friday and Saturday evening through Labor Day from 6 to 9 p.m. with a few Sundays added in the middle of July. The events showcase the talents of both regional and national musicians. This week feature The Wiz Kid on May 31 and Neon Playboys on June. 1.

Concerts are held either between Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery and Fire + Ice or in front of Azul Latin Kitchen. Parking is $5 after 5 p.m. Read the complete lineup at TheTahoeWeekly.com; click on Music Scene. | theshopsatheavenly.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Major Motion Pictures · Independent Films Live Music · Dance Performances

Aladdin May 23-June 13

CASUAL MOUNTAIN Band brings together members of local bands Lost Whiskey Engine, Coburn Station, Chili Verde and Sneaky Creatures to form a one-of-a-kind, mountain-rock supergroup. | alibialeworks.com

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE

North Lake Tahoe Express Daily airport shuttle 6:00am–midnight Every Day Low Fares $49 One way per person $98 Round-trip per person Large group discounts NorthLakeTahoeExpress.com (866)216-5222

Cartoons, Cereal & Mimosas June 9,10-11:30 am Toy Story 4 June TBD Spider-Man: Far From Home July TBD The Lion King July TBD Visit TahoeArtHausCinema.com for showtimes, schedule, events + tkts

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

NorthLakeTahoeExpress.com 17

MUSIC SCENE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

ALBOROSIE June 2 | 10 p.m.

MontBleu Resort Casino | Stateline, Nev. SICILIAN-BORN rude boy Alborosie performs his affecting brand of Kingston town root rock with Jesse Royal. | montbleuresort.com

MIKE MAHER

THRASHGRASS

June 1 | 4 p.m.

The Lost Marbles Ranch | Beckwourth LOCAL SINGER/SONGWRITER Mike Maher brings his gripping mixture of punk rock and bluegrass to Mountain Folk’s Micro-Fest 2019. He’ll be joined

by David’s Beck’s introspective Mountain Folk, Adrienne Anila’s ladylike Americana and the futuristic folk rock of Subra Doyle. | thelostmarblesranch.com

TOCCATA’S

“CLASSY CLASSICS”

CLASSICAL

June 2 | 4 p.m.

The Chateau | Incline Village, Nev. June 4 | 7 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church | Gardnerville, Nev. June 7 | 7 p.m. | St. Teresa’s Catholic Church | South Lake Tahoe June 9 | 4 p.m. | South Reno United Methodist Church | Reno, Nev. TOCCATA TAHOE Symphony and Chorus, under the direction of Maestro James Rawie, will present Mozart’s Concerto No. 3 for Horn and Orchestra in E flat Major, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Mozart’s Arias and Duets and Grieg’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor. | toccatatahoe.org 18

REGGAE

JUNE 1 | SATURDAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Guitar Town Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Live Music Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 9 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

John Palmore Boomtown Casino, Verdi, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Ronnie Bullard Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m.

DJ in Center Bar Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.

The Inappropriators Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 10 p.m.

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10:30 p.m.

Wynona and the Big Noise Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno Music & Mulligans Dayton Valley Golf COurse, Dayton Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

JUNE 2 | SUNDAY Conscious Dance River School Farm, Reno, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Live Music Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Valhalla Renaissance Faire Camp Richardson’s Wood, South Lake Tahoe, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Truckee Craw Thaw Music Festival Downtown, Truckee, 12-3:30 p.m.

“Little Women, The Musical” Community Arts Center, Truckee, 2 p.m.

“The Foreigner” Reno Little Theater, Reno, 2 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 2-5 p.m.

“Sister Acts: From Opera to Broadway” St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Reno, 3-4 p.m.

Classy Classics, 2019 The Chateau, Incline Village, 4 p.m.

The Robeys Boomtown Casino, Verdi, 6-10 p.m.

Ghostemane Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 7 p.m.

“For Love of a Comstock Girl” Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City, 7-9 p.m.

Ronnie Bullard Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Field Medic The Holland Project, Reno, 8-11 p.m.

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Alborosie w/Jesse Royal & Dubfyah MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

JUNE 3 | MONDAY Lav Andula, Asymptote, Elleanor Burke, Trust Fall Bibo Coffee Co, Reno, 5-8:30 p.m.

West Coast Swing Dance Carson Lanes Family Fun Center, Carson City, 5:30-10 p.m.

Karaoke Polo Lounge, Reno, 7-11 p.m.

Motown on Monday The Loving Cup, Reno, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

JUNE 4 | TUESDAY Jamie Rollins Boomtown Casino, Verdi, 6-10 p.m.

Bingo Tuesday’s with T~n~Keys MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Live Music Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 7 p.m.

Classy Classics, 2019 Trinity Lutheran Church, Gardnerville, 7 p.m.

Rob Little Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Latin Dance Night at Alibi Ale Works Alibi Ale Works, Truckee, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

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

The Spirit of the Beehive, Strange Ranger, Blackstallion The Holland Project, Reno, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe

JUNE 5 | WEDNESDAY Unplugged Truckee Philosophy, Truckee, 6-9 p.m.

Live Music CB’s Bistro, Carnelian Bay, 6-9 p.m.

The Jokers Wild Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 6-9 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

Wednesday Night Showcase Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7-8:15 p.m.

Jordan Feliz Spirit Filled Church, Sparks, 7 p.m.

Rob Little Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

Country Line Dancing/Karaoke Virginia Street Brewhouse, Reno, 9 p.m.

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

May 30-June 5, 2019

T H E M U LT I V E R S E O F

Wormhole Tahoe STORY BY SEAN McALINDIN

May 31 | 10 p.m. | Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev. July 3 | After the fireworks | Tahoe Biltmore | Crystal Bay, Nev. Sept. 4 | The Great Depressurization | The Bluebird | Reno, Nev.

C A L E N D A R | M AY 3 0 - J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9 JUNE 6 | THURSDAY Dave Leather Sassafras, Carson City, 6-8 p.m.

North Tahoe Jazz Band North Tahoe High School, Tahoe City, 6 p.m.

Spring Concert Truckee High School, Truckee, 6 p.m.

Luke Stevenson Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, 6-10 p.m.

“ It’s about creating an experience that transports you. You feel like you might be in a big city or at a musical festival or something. We bring this bigger,

ELECTRONIC

D

oes life seem drab and unfulfilling?

Are you burnt out by your daily routine and the numbing repetition of pop radio blather? Do you need a new perspective before giving into the soul-numbing monotony? Then maybe it’s time for you to enter the worm hole.

EDM events production company Wormhole Tahoe got its official start in 2016 with Liam Kelly spinning records at Tahoe City’s Fat Cat Bar & Grill. When Jason Hagar and Garron Johnson relocated to Tahoe’s North Shore they brought with them the vision and ethic of Wormhole Oakland, a loose collective of Bay Area forward-thinking artists and musicians.

After connecting with Bass Tribe Tahoe’s Alexa Pace to complete the essential elements of the wormhole, regular shows at Moe’s Original BBQ took place throughout 2017.

Wormhole Tahoe now focuses on producing monthly events that transcend ordinary existence and take listeners on a journey of mind, body and soul.

“It’s about creating an experience that transports you,” says Pace. “You feel like you might be in a big city or at a musical festival or something. We bring this bigger, larger entertainment experience to smaller, live-music venues in North Lake Tahoe.”

Wormhole Tahoe manages its own production and artist bookings while collaborating with regional artists such as painters and craft vendors to create a vibrant, eccentric atmosphere at their oneof-a-kind gatherings.

“This is Tahoe,” says Pace. “There are so many creative people here. Everyone comes together and helps each other to make something special. We are building a grassroots movement.”

The core group of Pace, Hagar, Kelly, Johnson and newest member Amy Archer meet weekly to discuss future bookings and draw up concert plans.

“We choose artists based on how much potential draw they have in the area, but most importantly what style of music they play,” says Pace. “We try to showcase local talent, as well as national and internationally touring artists to curate a lineup that the majority of people in the area will enjoy.”

Pace grew up in Los Angeles attending

raves on the weekends with friends. Although she didn’t expect much of scene when she arrived in Lake Tahoe 10 years ago, she was pleasantly surprised to find a tight-knit community of artist and electronic music lovers who congregated for Bass Heavy gigs at The Grid Bar and Grill in King’s Beach and legendary parties of the area godfather Steve Emmerich’s, the Fresh Bakin’ series.

“It’s a really supportive community,” says Pace. “It’s not so competitive. In cities it can be like me against them, but it’s not like that at all in Tahoe so that makes it special. Above all, we love doing it. It’s a business, but our main goal is to be passionate about it. It’s kind of our baby.”

Many of the Wormholers gather each summer at Camp Questionmark in Black Rock City at Burning Man where more than 70,000 people come to see live music throughout the course of the festival. In recent years, high profile DJs such as Skrillex and Diplo have appeared for free alongside local masterminds while lighting designers create a live show from their rocket ship controllers from behind the scenes.

“As the music is going on, the speed, the color, the shapes of the lights, lasers and projections become a visual representation of what you are hearing,” says Pace. “In this day in age, you go to any big festival — people and all of their senses are being hit.

We think this makes such an impact on the overall vibe of the thing, hearing the music and seeing the music. It’s kind of like ‘Wizard of Oz’ with the man behind the curtain sort of thing. You’re not just gonna get some guy up there pressing buttons. It’s a visual and auditory show that hopefully moves you.”

If you have second thoughts about what lies beyond the Wormhole, have no fear; it is a welcoming place of beauty, wonder, freedom and love.

“It’s so pretty and kind of weird,” says Pace. “People act funny and different than they would in real life. I love seeing people let loose. Society can be so boring sometimes and humans are such amazingly creative creatures. It’s great to see people just being silly and throw out the rule book for a couple hours. Why not? What else are you going to do? It feels good.” | wormholetahoe.com 

MUSIC SCENE

larger entertainment experience to smaller, live-music venues in North Lake Tahoe.”

–Alexa Pace

Stephen Lord Boomtown Casino, Verdi, 6-10 p.m.

Dirty Birdie Bingo/DJ The Polo Lounge, Reno, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Matt Marcy The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 7-8:15 p.m.

The Rat Pack Is Back Harrah’s, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Rob Little Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” Lake Tahoe Community College, Duke Theater, South Lake Tahoe, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

“The Foreigner” Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Stampede Country Music & Dance Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Karaoke Davidson’s Distillery, Reno, 8 p.m.

New Wave Crave Silver Peak On The River, Reno, 8-11 p.m.

Live Music McP’s Irish Pub, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe Carson Valley Days Celebration Lampe Park, Gardnerville Nevada State Fair Mills Park, Carson City

19

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Local FOOD & WINE, RECIPES, FEATURES & MORE

flavor

Sierra Essentials seasonings ENHANCING THE SPICE OF LIFE S T O R Y B Y K AY L A A N D E R S O N

I

TA S T Y TIDBITS

Tahoe Brewfest on Tap

Beer lovers can enjoy a beautiful day of brew in South Lake Tahoe on June 1 at the third annual Tahoe Brewfest at Heavenly’s California Base Lodge.

This family-friendly festival serves up craft beers and a full spread of fresh bites from the area. The event will include games for kids and adults, music from Ike & Martin and Adam Bergoch, a silent disco and merchandise vendors. Tickets are $50 VIP, $35 general admission, $10 ages 6 to 20, and free for ages 5 and younger. The event is a fundraiser for Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. | Tickets tahoebrewfest.com

bite into a juicy, seasoned steak and savor notes of garlic, coriander and red pepper, which turn my otherwise ordinary slab of beef into a culinary masterpiece — and I consider myself a novice griller. The delicious and delightful transformation is thanks to Sierra Essentials’ Steak & Burger Rub. In 2015, Sierra Essentials owner Holly Redpath introduced five all-natural, preservative-free meat seasonings and rubs to her product line predominantly comprised of essential oils and candles because she has always had a nose for scents.

Incline Village Farmers Market Farmers Market | May 30, June 6 3-6 p.m. | nevadagrown.com

“ I wanted to make rubs

Tahoe City Farmers Market

specific to a certain need,

Commons Beach | May 30, June 6

but that were also very

8 a.m.-1 p.m. | tahoecityfarmersmarket.com

versatile. I did a lot of

Pig Roast Party CB’s Bistro | Carnelian Bay | June 1

research and felt like

3-10 p.m. $10 | (530) 546-4738, facebook.com

I knew herbs and essential

Soroptomist Wine & Restaurant Faire Fundraiser

oils well, so I started

Coyote Moon Golf Course | Truckee | June 1

experimenting.”

5-7:30 p.m. $50-$55 | facebook.com

–Holly Redpath

Best of Tahoe Chefs Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe | Truckee | June 2 4:30-10 p.m. | bestoftahoechefs.org

Redpath started her Truckee-based business in 2008 with non-GMO soy candles, artisan soaps, lip balms and more after working for Aveda and noticing how harmful dyes and preservatives are added to not only candles, but also to food. Plus, she has always been in tune with how different fragrances affect people’s moods and has been successful at putting aromatic concoctions together. She decided to test some new scent-filled combinations in the kitchen.

“I do all of my own blending of the essential oils and since food is like mood, I thought it’d be fun to try my own blending of spices,” she says.

Redpath started experimenting and eventually created five spice blends and a Himalayan salt and pepper mixture.

“Cooking is different than baking and baking is different than cooking,” Redpath says. “You have more creative freedom with cooking whereas baking is more like a science where you must follow a specific set of rules for dishes to turn out right.

“I wanted to make rubs specific to a certain need, but that were also very versatile. I did a lot of research and felt like I knew herbs and essential oils well, so I started experimenting. But Sierra Essentials is not a spice company, this is just an offshoot of products based on mood,” she says.

After testing different spices on different meats, Redpath came up with five unique 20

Pancake Breakfast Truckee Donner Senior Apartments | June 2

8-11:30 a.m. $10 | chamber.truckee.com

TOP: Seasoning a Chicken with Sierra Essentials’

Chicken Rub. | Courtesy Sierra Essentials; ABOVE: Sierra Essentials’ seasonings. | Courtesy Sierra Essentials

Sierra Essentials’ seasonings. | Kayla Anderson

mixes that include the Bay Spice, great to use on fish and shrimp; Chicken; Mesquite/Southwest; Steak and Burger; and Full of Life, which is a flavorful concoction with zero sodium for those with high-blood pressure or heart issues.

However, the seasonings aren’t just limited to meats. For instance, the Steak and Burger rub goes great with vegetables, potatoes and even in a base for noodle soup.

“You can use it on anything,” Redpath says, admitting that she likes it on hash browns.

She also recommends the versatile Full of Life blend and Mesquite/Southwest rubs. The Steak and Burger rub was blended for red meat. And while it will increase the flavor of a juicy steak, it’s perfectly okay to use on vegetables or turkey burgers.

“I use the Mesquite/Southwest rub with yogurt to make a dip or mix it with mayonnaise to put on a sandwich,” she says.

Redpath is all about spicing up life,

whether it be with candles that smell like the Tahoe Sierra or seasonings that spice up food.

“Life would be really boring if we wore the same clothes every day and ate the same food every day — it would lose its flavor. Plus, we cannot taste something without smelling it. Just try to hold your nose and eat something. It’s not that fun.

[Scents are] in everything we do even in terms of survival. Think of sensing a gas leak or smelling your mother’s roses that bring back a pleasant memory,” she says.

“Between candles, balm and essential oils, the spices go along with that because it’s all about connecting mood, aroma, and memory. I love what I do. I’m all about mood and change.”

Sierra Essential spice mixes are available at local retailers and at Mountain Valley Meats and Mountain Home Center in Truckee, as well as the Tahoe Central Market in Kings Beach or online. | (530) 448-3105, Sierra Essentials on Facebook 

Wildlife Relief Brunch Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats | Truckee | June 2

10 a.m.-12 p.m. | (530) 587-8688, eventbrite.com

Fruit: Preserve It, Serve It South Lake Tahoe Library | June 3

9 a.m.-3 p.m. $15 | (530) 621-5528, ucanr.edu

Pho Dinner Alder Creek Cafe | Truckee | June 4 6-8 p.m. $25 | projectmana.org

South Lake Tahoe Farmers Market American Legion Hall | June 4

8 a.m.-1 p.m. | eldoradofarmersmarket.com

Truckee Tuesday Farmers Market Truckee River Regional Park | June 4

8 a.m.-1 p.m. | chamber.truckee.com

Vine to Pier Dinners West Shore Cafe and Inn | Homewood | June 4 5-8 p.m. | (530) 525-5200, facebook.com

Grow Your Own Garden Class Truckee Regional Park | Truckee | June 5 5 p.m. Free | slowfoodlaketahoe.org

Stateline Farmers market Kahle Park | Stateline | June 5

4-7 p.m. | laketahoemarkets.com

Sunday through Thursday not valid w

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T

his is my favorite feature of the year, not only because it is the harbinger of months of sunny, warm days, but also because I get to help the “I only drink red” afflicted on their path to recovery.

Yes, we are going to look at the wines lighter in color and body that go oh so well with warm days and nights and can also make for better food-dancing partners any time of year.

This first installment will examine Oregon’s offerings; it will also be a good opportunity to look at what differentiates its wine regions. We’ll start in the Willamette region and sample some less-red Pinot Noirs, as well as some white and bubble quaffs.

Don’t Get Taken When Selling Your Collectible Wines

Rogue Valley Vineyards | Courtesy Rogue Valley Tourism

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soil types and focus on quality, Willamette kicks out some of the most light, lively and complex Pinot Gris and Chardonnays made anywhere. If you have only sampled Pinot Noirs from the Willamette, it’s time to branch out and try these gems.

We are going to look at the wines lighter in color and body that go oh so well with warm days and nights and can also

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make for better food-dancing partners any time of year.

LEFT: Amity Vineyards’ White Pinot Noir. | Lou Phillips; RIGHT: Swick Wines. | Lou Phillip

This region offers up two wonderful wine styles in the summer-sipper pantheon: the obvious Rosés and the new kid on the wine block, White Pinot Noirs.

The Rosés remind me of quality Provencal Grenache/Carignan-based blushes, dry and full of dry summer berry and berry-leaf flavors. Swick Wines’ version is a Pétillant Naturel, most often referred to as Pét-Nats, which are typically made with low sulpher levels and allowed to finish fermentation in the bottle. This creates a slight effervescence and a dose of earthy components in addition to the bright fruits. The far less common White Pinot Noirs usually bring flower notes to accompany barely ripe, cherry flavors. Amity Vineyards’ White Pinot is a stellar example from a seminal Willamette Valley producer.

This region also serves up lithe white quaffs from the Pinot Gris and Chardonnay grapes. With its cool climate, varied

Moving south to the Rogue Valley we find greater diversity of wine types than in its highly regulated northern neighbor.

This freedom of choice along with lower land prices and more varied climates encourages the aptly named Rogue winemakers to spread their wings and make wines from more obscure grapes such as MüllerThurgau, Kerner, Sylvaner, Gewürztraminer and other cool-climate European grapes. Wines from this region are in the hard-to-find category since most are sold at the wineries.

However, this area of southern Oregon is so beautiful and welcoming, not to mention home to major celebrations such as the world-class Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and the Britt Music & Arts Festival in Jacksonville, that they are well worth a visit.

In upcoming editions, we will be on to Europe and California on our warmweather wine tour. Read Part II in the next editions or at TheTahoeWeekly.com. 

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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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o you remember having soup as a kid?

Wait, I should amend that and ask only those readers older than age 40. The reason I make that distinction is because younger readers grew up with more storebought soup choices than older readers did. Soup is now easier to get.

When I was a kid, there was only one real choice when it came to store-bought soup and that was Campbell’s. And, there were only two flavor possibilities: tomato and chicken noodle. There was also cream of mushroom, but that wasn’t really to be eaten as a soup, but rather used in casseroles such as string-bean casserole or chicken dishes.

Today, it seems like anyone who makes any kind of food product also makes soup.

Take for example, Progresso. It was around when I was a kid offering a spaghetti sauce.

Swanson offered frozen dinners not broth.

These days you can buy soup in a can, frozen soup, even soup in a bag or pouch and there are a variety of flavors.

In the day, chicken noodle was always the choice if you were sick. No matter whether you just had a cold or the flu, Mom would heat up some chicken noodle soup to make you feel better. Tomato soup was a meal, most often served with a grilledcheese sandwich.

As a kid, I remember wondering why the tomato soup wasn’t red like tomatoes are. It struck me as a little odd. Have you ever ordered tomato soup in a restaurant or even made a batch and noticed it was more orange than red? Not carrot orange, but definitely not the deep red of tomatoes.

There is a reason for the color change and, no, it isn’t the addition of chicken stock. Although the onions, garlic and chicken stock will tend to dull the color

a bit, what turns the soup more orange is the method used to puree it. Using a blender or food processor to puree soup incorporates more air into it and it will appear orange. The better method to keep the brighter, red color is to use a food mill or force it through a strainer.

Strain the soup through a strainer with reasonably large wholes first to break it down. If there are still seeds, push it

The better method to keep the brighter, red color is to use a food mill or force it through a strainer. through a finer mesh strainer. This will keep the color a deeper shade of red. Using a blender or food processor will affect the color and the texture, but not the flavor.

This recipe is easy and uses canned tomatoes. If you want to use fresh tomatoes, try cutting them in half lengthwise and roasting them on a sheet pan for 30 to 40 minutes first. Be sure when you add them to your pot to scrape all the juice off the pan, too. Now, make a grilledcheese sandwich and some tomato soup and enjoy.  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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From the kitchen of: Chef David “Smitty” Smith 1 large onion, diced 1 20-oz. can tomatoes 24 oz. tomato juice 1 T butter ¼ to ½ bunch basil

2 garlic cloves, diced 1 12-oz. can tomato puree 24 oz. chicken or vegetable stock 1 T oil

Sauté the onion in the oil and butter on medium high until the onion starts to caramelize.

Add the garlic and sauté a few more minutes to sweat the garlic. Add all the ingredients, except the basil, bring to a boil and turn down to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. If the soup is extremely thin, you can thicken it with roux.

Puree it by pushing it through a food mill or strainer. Season with salt and pepper and start with half the basil and add more to taste after giving it a few minutes to bloom.

ROUX Equal parts butter & flour

Melt the butter over medium heat. Slowly add the flour, whisking constantly. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes, while whisking.

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