September 23 to 29, 2020

september 23-29, 2020

local. independent. fresh.

get outside

entertainment eat & drink south lake’s

six-string master

fire, fear & red flags

preview of

2020-21 ski season hiking ceramic art

with a purpose

tahoe

history arts delivering the fun since 1982

BOAT RENTALS & FUEL DOCK Fuel dock 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Boat Rentals 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEATHER PERMITTING

Wye

Grove St.

MARINA

TA H O E C I T Y, C A Truckee

Homewood

Jackpine

TA H O E C I T Y

Incline Village

TA H O E C I T Y

TA H O E C I T Y

MARINA L A K E TA H O E • C A L I F O R N I A

MARINA

L A K E TA H O E • C A L I F O R N I A

(530) 583-1039 · TahoeCityMarina.com

fun. unique. everywhere.

September 23-29, 2020

8

TM

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

6 Courtesy Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Volume 39 | Issue 20

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

14

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

Courtesy Joe Taylor

Cover Photography production@tahoethisweek.com

E-NEWSLETTER Court Leve

SUBSCRIBE

to our monthly e-newsletter at TheTahoeWeekly.com

in this issue

making it happen Publisher & Editor In Chief Katherine E. Hill publisher@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 102 Sales & Marketing Manager Anne Artoux anne@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 110 Art Director Alyssa Ganong production@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 106 Graphic Designer Justeen Ferguson graphics@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 101 Entertainment Editor Sean McAlindin entertainment@tahoethisweek.com Food Editor Priya Hutner priya@tahoethisweek.com Family Editor Michelle Allen michelle@tahoethisweek.com Copy Editor Katrina Veit Contributing Writers John Dee, Barbara Keck, Bruce Ajari, Mark McLaughlin, David “Smitty” Smith, Priya Hutner, Katrina Veit, Kayla Anderson, Lou Phillips, Sean McAlindin, Tim Hauserman, Alex Green, Lisa Michelle, Cam Schilling, Alex Silgalis

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

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

TAHOE WEEKLY is published weekly throughout the summer and biweekly the rest of the year, with occassional extra issues at holiday times by Range of Light Media Group, Inc. Look for new issues on Wednesdays.

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

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

SEPT. 23-29, 2020 FEATURES

HEEDING WILDFIRE DANGER FROM THE PUBLISHER

“It’s not if there is a fire but when,” says Christina Restaino, director of Tahoe Living With Fire, in the fifth part of our series on tourism impacts in the Tahoe Sierra. In this edition, we shift from the impacts of litter on our communities, to address the wildfire dangers that are a growing threat to the region and communities across the West.

While the fires remain under investigation, most wildfire are caused by humans – a cigarette butt carelessly tossed out a car window, an illegal campfire, even charcoal grills have sparked wildfires. This summer there are been illegal campfires locally from dispersed campers, bonfires on the beaches of Lake Tahoe and firepits roaring at vacation homes. Thankfully, there have been no major eruptions from these as firefighters were quick to extinguish them.

In 2007, two wildfires raged in the Tahoe Basin caused by humans – the 3,100 acre Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe erupted from an illegal campfire and less than two months later the Washoe Fire destroyed homes in Talmont outside of Tahoe City when Red Flag Warnings were ignored and a charcoal grill caught on fire. Locals still remember the fear of these wildfires.

While factors like lightening do cause some fires, the rest can be avoided by understanding and following burn bans, which are in effect, and Red Flag Warnings. There’s no doubt that the increased number of visitors to our communities due to the pandemic brings with it increased wildfire danger from illegal campfires, fire pits, beach bonfires, charcoal grills and cigarette butts.

As I was editing Priya Hutner’s story, “Fire, fear & red flags,” I also signed up for Reverse 911 and for Nixle for the Town of Truckee, through which I-80 runs as the primary evacuation route for North Lake Tahoe where I live. I was already signed up for Placer Alerts. But, I don’t have a To-Go Bag ready, as fire officials urge, and have started putting that together. We all need to do our part to stay safe and be ready for wildfire dangers – locals and visitors alike.

“WINERIES OF THE SIERRA FOOTHILLS” Wine columnist Lou Phillips is taking a sabbatical from his writing duties for a few months, and in its place we’ll be featuring excerpts from the second edition of “Wineries of the Sierra Foothills: Risk-Takers & Rule-Breakers,” a guidebook to Sierra Foothill wineries.

The guidebook, published by Range of Light Media, features 20 winemaker stories, plus original recipes created to pair with landmark wines. A directory of all 286 Sierra Foothill wineries is organized to make wine touring easy. Sales from the book go directly to Tahoe Weekly and the book is available on Amazon. Email books@tahoethisweek.com for bulk discounts.

WIN A TAHOE SLAB TABLE Our Donation Giveaway to win a custom table from Tahoe Slab continues until Oct. 5.

Tahoe Slab is creating a custom, handcrafted 24” x 48” English walnut and Tahoe Blue epoxy coffee table for our giveaway. The table is valued at more than $2,000 and supporters will be entered into the giveaway with every $20 donation to Tahoe Weekly until Oct. 5. Enter by donating at paypal.me/TahoeWeekly. Watch the table’s creation at @tahoeslabfurniture on Facebook and @tahoeslab on Instagram. 

Ski Season Update Fire, Fear & Red Flags Peter Lassen III

6 8 13

GET OUTSIDE Sightseeing

4

Lake Tahoe Facts

5

Summer Fun Events

7 12

THE MAKERS Joe Taylor

14

The Arts

14

THE LINEUP Wesley Orsolic Live

15 15

FUN & GAMES Horoscope & Puzzles

16

EAT & DRINK Slow Food Lake Tahoe

17

Veggie Wraps

18

Tasty Tidbits

18

Andis Wines

19

on the cover The Milky Way shimmers over Secret Cove on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe. This limited edition image titled “Secret Night” is a new release by local photographer Sky Emerson. Prints in different sizes and mediums are available at the Lake Tahoe Photo Gallery in Kings Beach, as well as online at laketahoephotogallery.com. | SummitSide.com, @SummitSidePhotoVideo

3

LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

Readings taken on Friday, September 18, 2020 ELEVATION :

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

6,226.64 |

IN 2019:

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

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

West Shore

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 South Lake Tahoe

Truckee

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

4

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

Vikingsholm Castle

Emerald Bay

6,228.14

225

200,000 AF

175

100,000 AF

75

50

25

150,000 AF

Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

TROA.NET

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

Tahoe Science Ctr OPENING TBD

Truckee

2 PROSSER 11,061 CAPACITY: 29,840 (530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov CAPACITY: C 9,500 5 features exhibits DONNER 4,690 The Emigrant Trail Museum and artifacts on the Donner Party (1846-47) at 8 INDEPENDENCE 1,3763 CCAPACITY: 18,300 Donner Memorial State Park. See the towering Pioneer Monument.

A TART 20,400 40 MARTIS 1,052 CAPACITY:

Gatekeeper’s Museum

Tahoe City

Truckee River | FLOW AT FARAD 497 (530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org Featuring historic photos, the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum and historical memorabilia. TART

KidZone Children’s OPENING TBD Museum

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 OPENING TBD

Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

TROA.NET

Truckee

Sat.-Sun. & holidays truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com Learn about the historic railroad. Located in a caboose next to the Truckee Depot. TART

Truckee

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

Find more places to explore

Lake Tahoe Museum

VISITORS’ CENTERS

South Lake Tahoe

Museum of Truckee History

East Shore

IN 2019:

CAPACITY: C 226,500

Emigrant Trail Museum

Thunderbird Lodge CLOSED

High Camp OPENING TBD

Kings Beach

497

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

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

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

Ticket required. TART

STAMPEDE 19,9661

FLOW AT FARAD

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

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.

Olympic Valley

|

6,226.64 |

200,000 AF

North Shore

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

Taylor Creek Visitor Center South Lake Tahoe

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

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

Tahoe City Field Station

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

ELEVATION :

175

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

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

Readings taken on Friday, September 18, 2020

150,000 AF

West Shore

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

CAPACITY: 18,300 C 8

125

Eagle Rock

North Shore

50

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

Calm waters on Lake Tahoe along the shoreline at William B. Layton Park in Tahoe City, home to the Gatekeeper’s Museum. | Katherine E. Hill

LAKE LEVEL A 20,400 40 MARTIS 1,052 CAPACITY: Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

25

East Shore

CAPACITY: 9,500 C 5

INDEPENDENCE 1,3763

Check schedules & openings before visiting.

Cave Rock

CAPACITY: 29,840 2

125

DONNER 4,690

CAPACITY: C 226,500

100,000 AF

ATTRACTIONS

PROSSER 11,061

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

75

SIGHTSEEING

STAMPEDE 19,9661

6,228.14

225

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Truckee

Thurs.-Mon. | (530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org Housed in the original Depot, built in 1901. Exhibits cover different eras in Truckee history. TART

Old Jail Museum

Truckee

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

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

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

Open by appt. | (530) 659-2378 | truckeehistory.org One of a few surviving 19th Century jailhouses used from 1875 until May 1964 (summer tours). TART

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

Olympic Museum OPENING TBD

U.S. Forest Service | Tahoe City

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

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

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

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

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

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 Summit Historical Society

Soda Springs

donnersummithistoricalsociety.org At the corner of Old Hwy 40 & Soda Springs Rd. 20-mile interpretive driving tour along Old 40. TART

Boots McFarland by Geolyn Carvin | BootsMcFarland.com

September 23-29, 2020

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

Truckee

DONNER TAHOE DONNER LAKE

BOCA RESERVOIR OLD GREENWOOD RENO-TAHOE PROSSER RESERVOIR INTERNATIONAL TRUCKEE BOCA RESERVOIR AIRPORT STAMPEDE RESERVOIR AIRPORT OLD GREENWOOD TRUCKEE BOCA RESERVOIR PROSSER RESERVOIR AIRPORT Donner Lake PONDEROSA TRUCKEE RENO-TAHOE PROSSER RESERVOIR STAMPEDE RESERVOIR BOCA RESERVOIR DONNER AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL PONDEROSA Summit SCHAFFER’S RENO-TAHOE MILL LAKE AIRPORT RESERVOIR PROSSERSTAMPEDE RESERVOIR INTERNATIONAL ra T PONDEROSA m i eR AIRPORT STAMPEDE RESERVOIR ho a SCHAFFER’S MILL T INCLINE VILLAGE a r SCHAFFER’S MILL Rim T MOUNTAIN oe a r NORTHSTAR ah im T R T SCHAFFER’S MILL INCLINE VILLAGE oe r ah MOUNTAIN R i m TT INCLINE VILLAGE OLD BROCKWAYh o e INCLINE VILLAGE NORTHSTAR a MOUNTAIN T CHAMPIONSHIP INCLINE VILLAGE NORTHSTAR Truckee MOUNTAIN WEST EAST River OLD BROCKWAY INCLINE VILLAGE SNORTHSTAR OUTH CHAMPIONSHIP OLD BROCKWAY INCLINE VILLAGE CHAMPIONSHIP OLD BROCKWAY INCLINE VILLAGE CHAMPIONSHIP DEEPEST COON ST.

il

il

The Lost Sierra

il

North Shore

Incline Village Incline Village Crystal Incline Village Kings Bay WHITEHAWK Tahoe Vista RANCH Crystal Beach Carnelian BayTahoe Vista NAKOMA Crystal Kings Bay Olympic Tahoe Vista POINT FEATHER Kings Crystal Bay Beach BOAT LAUNCH SIERRA Carnelian Bay Valley RIVER PARK BOAT CO. Kings Beach DEEPEST Bay Olympic Carnelian Bay COON ST. POINT SANDDEEPEST BOAT LAUNCH SIERRA Beach Olympic TAHOE COON ST. NORTH Valley Carnelian Bay CITY HARBOR BOAT CO. POINT Marlette BOAT LAUNCH TAHOE SIERRA RESORT AT DEEPEST Valley Olympic Lake BOAT CO. COON ST. Tahoe SAND SQUAW CREEK POINT BOAT LAUNCH SIERRA NORTH Dollar Hill TAHOE CITY HARBOR Valley LAKE TAHOE VISTA SAND City BOAT CO. TAHOE RESORT AT MARINAS NORTH FOREST TAHOE CITY REC AREA HARBOR Tahoe SQUAW CREEK TAHOE SAND Alpine RESORT AT Dollar Hill NORTH CITY LAKE HARBOR TAHOE VISTA Tahoe City SQUAW CREEK TAHOE TAHOE TAHOE NV Dollar Hill RESORT AT CITY Meadows FOREST REC AREA LAKE TAHOE VISTA City Tahoe SQUAW CREEK Alpine Dollar MARINA Carson FOREST Hill RECTAHOE AREA LAKE TAHOE VISTA City Meadows Alpine CITY City Sunnyside FOREST TAHOE REC AREA MARINA BOAT RAMPS Carson AlpineMeadows CITY SUNNYSIDE TAHOE MARINA Carson City CITY Meadows Sunnyside il Spooner Lake a MARINA Tr Carson City Sunnyside SUNNYSIDE City il SUNNYSIDE Sunnyside ra GRAEAGLE MEADOWS

Tahoe Vista

Lake

HOMEWOOD

e Ri m Tr a i l

CAVE ROCK

Ta h o e R i m

Zephyr Cove CAVE ROCK Cave Rock South EDGEWOOD CAVE ROCK Lake Tahoe Zephyr Cove TAHOE EDGEWOOD CAVE ROCK Stateline Emerald Bay Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F Zephyr CoveSouth TAHOE Fannette Island South Lake Tahoe Zephyr Cove SKI RUN Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe South Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F Fannette Island LAKESIDE Stateline Emerald Bay TAHOEEagle Lake Tahoe SKI RUN Fannette Island Stateline Lake KEYS Emerald Bay64.9˚F BIJOU SKI RUN Average Surface Temperature in July: Watershed Area: 312 square miles

CAMP RICHARDSON

Highest Peak: Freel Peak at 10,881 feet Average Snowfall: 409 Tr ail R i minches Ta h oe

Permanent Population: 66,000 T Ta h oe

aho e

CAMP RICHARDSON CAMP RICHARDSON Ta h o e R i m Tr ail

Cascade SKI RUN Lake TAHOE

TAHOE KEYS

Meyers

R i m Tr ail

ra

R i m T il Number of Visitors: 15 million annually

Learn about the natural history of the Tahoe Sierra

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Shop tahoe Level 3 (Advanced) Sommelier

Louis Phillips

TAHOE LAKESIDE KEYS LAKESIDE

KEYS

Leaf Lake

FREEL Meyers TAHOE PARADISEPEAK FREEL LAKE TAHOE Meyers AIRPORT PEAK LAKE TAHOE Meyers Echo Lakes AIRPORT LAKE TAHOE

TAHOE PARADISE

Sommelier Services

Helping Businesses and Collectors Become More Successful for Over 30 Years

BIJOU

LAKE TAHOE

Kirkwood Kirkwood

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

Lake Clarity: 2019: 62.7 feet avg. depth.

1968: First recorded at 102.4 feet Average depth: 1,000 feet Maximum depth: 1,645 feet 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 AIRPORT

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.

Natural rim: 6,223’

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

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

FREEL PEAK

TAHOE PARADISE LAKE

Hope Valley TAHOE Markleeville

LAKE TAHOE

Hope Valley Markleeville

Kirkwood Hope Valley Hope Markleeville Valley Markleeville

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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.

Ads as low as $100 per issue. E-mail anne@tahoethisweek.com

NOW ndAVAILABLE

HISTORIAN & AUTHOR

MARK MCL AUGHLIN’S

2 edition

NEWEST BOOK - UPDATED EDITION

Organic

Meal Delivery Service for Individual &

We Train Your Staff, Profitize Your Wine, Program, Represent Your Collection Sale and Make Your Fundraiser Money

Make Your Non-Profit Fundraiser a Success

LAKESIDE

TAHOE PARADISE

WineGuru123@gmail.com - (775) 544-3435

Most Wine Sales Programs Underachieve, We Can Fix That For You

for details

Size: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide

Stateline

PEAKSouth Shore

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT Fallen

Kirkwood

EDGEWOOD TAHOE

BIJOU CAMP RICHARDSONBIJOUFREEL

Call or email today for your no-cost profit consult.

Don’t Get Taken When Selling Your Collectible Wines

anne@tahoethisweek.com

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.

Cave Rock

EDGEWOOD

Cave Rock TAHOE

Fannette Island

o Ta h

m Tr a i l

CA

MEEKS

BAY Cave Rock

MEEKS BAY

e Ri

Meeks Bay

m Tr a i l

Only Outlet: Truckee River (Tahoe City)

MEEKS BAY

Tahoma

e Ri

Tahoma Age of Lake Tahoe: 2 million years MEEKS Tahoma BAY Meeks Bay Fed By: 63 streams and 2 hot springs Meeks Bay

o Ta h

OBEXER’S

o Ta h

Meeks Bay

m Tr a i l

Homewood

East Shore

e Ri

Homewood Glenbrook Glenbrook OBEXER’S

West HomewoodShore HOMEWOOD CASINOS Tahoma OBEXER’S HOMEWOOD

Email

Volume: 39 trillion gallons

Glenbrook

o Ta h

Ta h o e R i m

Glenbrook Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock OBEXER’S

Eagle Rock

Tahoe

T

Homewood

AIRPORT

Family Meals

O rd e r b o o k s d i re c t a t

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

• Word After Word Bookshop • Gratitude Gifts • Mind Play

Group presentations · In-home talks (530) 546-5612 · mark@TheStormKing.com

HEALTHY. ORGANIC. LOCAL. WITH

the

Seasoned

Sage

theseasonedsage.com

il

a SUNNYSIDE Eagle Tr Rock GOLF COURSES l ai HOMEWOOD Tr

Ta h o e R i m

Ta h o e R i m

GRIZZLY RANCH

LOGO here

Incline Village

il

N

PLUMAS PINES

Your business’

Reno & Sparks Reno & Sparks RENO-TAHOE Reno & Sparks INTERNATIONAL

Truckee

Truckee Truckee

DONNER LAKE

Reno & Sparks

GRAY ’S CROSSING

GRAY ’S CROSSING OLD GREENWOOD

COYOTE MOON PONDEROSA COYOTE MOON

Donner

DONNER LAKE

OLD GREENWOOD TRUCKEE GRAY ’S CROSSING AIRPORT COYOTE MOON TAHOE DONNER

TAHOE DONNER

er Summit

t

YOUR BUSINESS COULD

SPONSOR THIS PAGE

(772) 913- 0008

Call to set up your

personal menu

Purchase your copy at Amazon.

Bulk orders available at books@tahoethisweek.com

5

TheTahoeWeekly.com

GET outside

the outdoors | recreation | events | mountain life

Ski resorts announce 2020-21 plans

Courtesy Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

S TO RY BY K AT H E R I N E E . H I L L

S

ki resorts throughout the Tahoe Sierra are getting ready for the 2020-21 winter ski season. While all regional resorts will be open for skiing and riding, the season will look different with face mask requirements in place at all local ski areas along with other pandemic safety protocols in place. Some ski areas will require reservations to access the mountain, while others will only require reservations for lessons and rentals. Walk-up day tickets, however, will be limited or not offered at all at nearly all of the ski areas.

Along with other planned improvements in snow making at several local ski resorts, many have also put touchless systems in place for ticket and food purchases, and increased the use of RFID lift tickets, or radio-frequency identification tickets, for gate access.

For loading the chair, most resorts are asking that guests self-group with their party and load together. High-capacity lifts and closed cabins will be loaded to comply with physical distancing requirements. The most important thing, say resort representatives, is to prepare in advance for tickets, lessons, gear and food before visiting.

North Tahoe and Truckee area ski resorts laid out what the winter will look like at the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association’s Ski Season Roundtable on Sept. 17. Other regional ski areas have also announced plans for the season. Here’s a look at what to expect from some local resorts.

BOREAL & SODA SPRINGS OPENS 3RD WEEK IN NOV.

Boreal and Soda Springs will focus on opening safe and maintain safety protocols throughout the season to stay open, said Amy Ohran, general manager and president.

Boreal, which is typically one of the first to open for the season, and Soda Springs will open the third week in November to ensure there is adequate terrain for distancing. | rideboreal.com, skisodasprings.com 6

• Reduced day-use capacity • Phased day ticket model where guests will choose a start time • Season passes sales reduced • No reservations for passholders • Expanded use of RFID tickets • Will start with private lessons only and evaluate later

DIAMOND PEAK OPENS DEC. 10

Diamond Peak will not require reservations for its passholders, but it is capping season pass sales like most ski areas. The resort will also offer some limited indoor dining using a reservation system. | diamondpeak.com • • • •

Expanding seating for dining on the snow Touchless system with all sales through the website Modified group lessons with smaller groups More private and family-style lessons with new offerings for ages 3 to 6

GRANLIBAKKEN OPENING TBD

Granlibakken, one of the region’s favorite spots for sledding, will be limiting the number of people on its sled hill and will likely use a reservation system. It will also push all tickets sales through its website. | granlibakken.com • No indoor dining in the ski lodge • Expanding outdoor dining with outdoor food options

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT OPENING TBD

Homewood will be reducing its season pass sales by 25 percent and reducing onmountain capacity by the day and there will be no in-person interactions. Guests area encouraged to use their car as their lodge. | skihomewood.com • Advance ticket purchase required with parking spot reservations • Order food online

HEAVENLY & KIRKWOOD

SQUAW VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS

HEAVENLY NOV. 20 | KIRKWOOD DEC. 4

OPENS NOV. 25

Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz announced on Aug. 27 that the company will require guests to wear face coverings to get on the mountain and in all parts of resort operations, including in lift lines and riding in lifts and gondolas.

Other requirements will include maintaining physical distancing on chairlifts and gondolas, including restrictions or reductions in the number of people on lifts. Ski schools will be open as will on-mountain dining, but with changes to help keep guests safe.

As well, there will be a mountain access reservation system and limits on lift tickets to prioritize passholders. | skiheavenly.com, kirkwood.com

Squaw Valley president and CEO Ron Cohen said that the resort will be tightly controlling all advance tickets sales and has temporarily suspending all walk-up tickets, but that the resort will not require reservations for passholders. Mountaineer transit will also be operating this season. | squawalpine.com

MOUNT ROSE OPENS WHEN CONDITIONS PERMIT

Usually the first ski resort to open in the Tahoe Sierra, Mount Rose is taking a different approach this season and will be opening the top first when conditions permit and offering a number of ways to reach the bottom to spread out its visitors, says marketing director Mike Pierce. As well, the resort has increased its snow making and improved snowmaking storage. | skirose.com • Opening first to passholders only • Season pass sales will be capped • Advance reservations only for day tickets

NORTHSTAR OPENS NOV. 20

“We’ll be more focused on the core of our business, which is skiing and riding,” says Deirdra Walsh, vice president and general manager. Restrictions will also be consistent at all Vail resorts, she said, which include Kirkwood and Heavenly in the Tahoe Sierra. | northstarcalifornia.com • Passholder access only from opening day on Nov. 20 to Dec. 7 • Face masks required for all guests and employees indoors and outdoors.

• A reservations system will be required for all guests • No in-person ticket sales. All sales will be online only • Ski and ride school will be open • Limiting indoor dining with a focus on to-go food • Free parking at Village View and Castle Peak lots

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE OPENING TBD

Sierra-at-Tahoe has announced that it doesn’t plan on using a reservation system for its season passholders. And, guests will not be required to ride a chairlift with people they do not know and will be asked to self-group with members of their party. | sierraattahoe.com • Face coverings will be required in all indoor spaces, the base area, when loading/unloading a lift, as well as whenever physical distancing cannot be achieved.

• Daily staff wellness checks • Lodge capacity will be limited • Restaurants redesigned for grab and go options with limited seating available

SUGAR BOWL OPENS NOV. 27

Sugar Bowl, which has temporarily halted its season pass sales for the season, may reopen sales if COVID restrictions are lifted in the future, says Jon Slaughter, marketing and sales manager. The resort is also encouraging guests to “use your car as your base lodge,” he said. | sugarbowl.com • No reservations for passholders • Reservations will be required for day lift tickets, lessons and rentals • No walk-up ticket sales • No indoor dining, to-go only offerings • Indoor spaces will be set up as warming zones • Expanded RFID gates

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK OPENS NOV. 27

The Tahoe City Winter Sports Park will be operating this season by reservation only for ice skating, sledding and cross county and snowshoe rentals. | tcpud.org

TAHOE CROSS COUNTRY OPENING TBD

The cross-country center will offer online daily ticket sales and outside ticket sales, but no indoor offerings will be available. Skiers should arrive prepared to ski as there will be no areas available to change or put on gear indoors. | tahoexc.org • Trail ambassadors will monitor trails use and access, and offer public education • Limited touch rental procedures in place • Outdoor facility available for rentals • Food options will be available; but seating outside or in cars only • Nordic ski swap tentatively scheduled for Nov. 14

TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTY NOV. 27 | DOWNHILL DEC. 11

Tahoe Donner Cross Country is working to providing snowmaking at the center for the 2020-21 season, said general manager David Mickaelian. | tahoedonner.com • • • •

Online tickets sales in place Limited indoor dining with preorder food options Private lessons; group lessons not likely Provide on-mountain picnic experience 

September 23-29, 2020 GET OUTSIDE ADVERTISEMENT

Summer Fun

SKI SEASON PASSES ON SALE Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more Summer Fun Activities.

Always check operating schedules before visiting.

GEOCACHING

PUBLIC POOLS

OLYMPIC VALLEY

INCLINE VILLAGE

High-tech treasure hunt on mountain using GPS to find 10 caches. Free with Aerial Tram ticket; GPS rentals available. Opening TBD. TART

25-yard, 8-lane indoor pool at Incline Recreation Center, swim lessons, aqua fitness, 1-meter spring diving board, inflatable slide (weekends). Daily rates & memberships available.

CRUISES

OLYMPIC VALLEY

“SIERRA CLOUD”

Catamaran cruises. Daily cruises, parasailing and rentals.

Swimming Lagoon & Spa at High Camp at Squaw Valley, free form lagoon with 50-meter lap lanes, two islands with waterfalls and native boulders. Opening TBD. TART

“TAHOE GAL”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

Daily cruises.

25-yard indoor/outdoor year-round pool. Lessons.

Opening TBD. BlueGo

DISC GOLF

TRUCKEE

DONNER SKI RANCH

25-yard indoor pool with 6 lanes, 1-meter spring diving board, swim training, hydraulic lift at Tahoe-Truckee High School. Opening TBD. TART

(800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com

(775) 831-4386 | awsincline.com

(800) 218-2464 | tahoegal.com

(530) 426-3635 | old40barandgrill.com 18-hole course. Free to play; must register at restaurant.

Practice basket.

(775) 832-1300 | inclinerecreation.com

(530) 542-6056 | citiofslt.com

18-hole course at Incline Park at 980 Incline Way. Free. Daily dawn-dusk. TART

TRUCKEE

(209) 258-7277 | kirkwood.com Experience disc golf at 7,800 feet with the notorious DiscWood disc golf course. The 18-hole course weaves through the trees and over mountainous terrain. Free. Scorecards and maps may be picked up at the General Store.

MARKLEEVILLE

(530) 694-2140 | alpinecounty.ca.gov Located at Turtle Rock Park Campground.

OLYMPIC VALLEY

(530) 583-6985 | squawalpine.com 18-hole course at Squaw Valley’s High Camp. Disc rentals. TART

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE A mostly flat and moderately wooded course is located at Bijou Community Park featuring 27 holes covering 8,324 feet. The course features mixed tees with varied fairways with slight elevation changes. On Al Tahoe Boulevard off Highway 50. BlueGo

SKATE PARKS INCLINE VILLAGE

(775) 832-1300 | inclinerecreation.com Intermediate/advanced area with two, 5-foot tall bowls with a spine, 3-foot box and 2.5 foot bowl for beginners. Street course on top, with 8-foot flat rail, 6-foot down rail, four stairs and a 10-foot downward ramp. Corner Hwy. 28 & Southwood. Daily dawn-dusk.

TART

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE Bijou Community Park features a skateboard park on Al Tahoe Boulevard off Highway 50. BlueGo

TRUCKEE

(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com

18-hole course at North Tahoe Regional Park, off National Avenue. Parking $5. Daily dawn-dusk. TART

WOODWARD TAHOE

(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com 18-hole course at Truckee River Regional Park, off Brockway Road. Dogs must be on leash. Free. Daily dawn-dusk. TART

TAHOEDONNER.COM/SKISEASONPASSES

Community Recreation Center offers 29’ climbing wall & 12’ bouldering wall. All ages & levels. Lessons available. Opening TBD. TART

(530) 546-4212 | northtahoeparks.com

TRUCKEE

LEARN MORE + BUY NOW AT

(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com

Truckee River Regional Park with several bowls with a spine and channel, a long rail and ledges. Knee and elbow pads and helmets required. Free. Daily dawn10 p.m. TART

TAHOE VISTA

Purchase Now and Receive Buddy Passes, Discounts + More

(530) 582-7720 | tdrpd.com

ROCK CLIMBING WALLS

KIRKWOOD

Free Ski Days at Neighboring Resorts Restrictions apply

(800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com

INCLINE VILLAGE

(775) 832-1300 | inclinerecreation.com

No Blackout Dates at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort or Cross Country Ski Center

ADVENTURE CHALLENGE SEPT. 19 - OCT. 18 A new adventure challenge competition full of team bonding, discovering new places, learning new things, and having fun!

COMPETE & WIN PRIZES! 1

Register your team at visittahoecity.org/explorathon

(530) 426-1114 | rideboreal.com Featuring two skateparks – The Sierra Skatepark and the Eastern Sierra Skatepark. Plus, indoor skate park inside The Bunker.

2

Download the Goosechase app on Android or IOS 3

Join the Tahoe City Explorathon Game- start playing by entering your unique game password provided when you register

TRUCKEE

4

(530) 550-2225 18 holes at Sierra College Campus. Free. Daily dawndusk. TART

Invite your teammates to join the game by sharing your team name and team password

ZEPHYR COVE The Zephyr Cove course is 18 holes covering 5,256 feet with holes of varying lengths. On Warrior Way. BlueGo Chamber | CVB | Resor t Association

Call (530) 546-5995, ext. 110, to be listed in Summer Fun.

visittahoecity.org/explorathon 7

|

TheTahoeWeekly.com

“It’s not if there is a fire but when.”

–Christina Restaino

FIRE, FEAR

& RED FLAGS S TO RY BY P R I YA H UT N E R

he skies in the Tahoe Sierra EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth part

in a series covering the tourism impacts that locals and visitors alike have experienced this summer. Read Part I, “Tahoe’s tourism tipping point,”

orange post-apocalyptic haze. The air quality has been unhealthy for weeks. People

Part II, “Grappling with garbage &

are on edge, not just from COVID, but

grievances,” Part III “Trash kills bears”

from the massive number of wildfires

and Part IV “Microplastics: Tahoe tiniest trash” at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

Download the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist at TheTahoeWeekly.com

ABOVE Heavy smoke over Donner Lake | Priya Hutner RIGHT A wildfire caused by an illegal campfire. | Courtesy U.S. Forest Service

8

has been blanketed by an

burning in California and the West.

Campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills are banned. National forests are shut down, and the state is on fire.

An empty backpack sits unfilled by my closet. I’ve yet to put together an emergency go-bag and think I really need a plan if a fire breaks out. All it takes is one ember from a grill, a cigarette butt thrown on the ground or a couple that wants to reveal the gender of their child with a pyrotechnic display to set the forest in flames.

Fires started earlier than usual this year. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 7,900 wildfires have burned more than 3.3 million acres in California this year to date. Fire season generally peaks in the fall when the environment is at its driest.

When weather conditions indicate wildfires could occur, the National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings for communities to be prepared for extreme fire behavior that may happen within 24 hours. Red Flag Warnings are issued when there is a combination of warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

The Tahoe Sierra has seen a large number of Red Flag Warnings issued for the area since August.

Along with the damage that fires can bring to forests and communities, air quality from these fires has been hazardous. The AQI (Air Quality Index) measures the quality of the air and the higher the number the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. The scale runs from 0 to 500, with 500 being life-threatening.

The Tahoe Sierra’s AQI has been abysmal. It has averaged 170 in Truckee for weeks and in Tahoe Vista hit 400. At these levels, it is best to remain indoors with windows closed and not exercise outdoors. Smoke can cause eyes to burn, a searing sensation in the throat, headaches and for some people, severe respiratory issues.

Fighting fires falls to many local, state and national agencies and fire districts including the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team and the Tahoe Living With Fire program that focus on fire preparedness and prevention.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, an interagency collaborative working group, was formed after the Angora Fire in 2007 on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. The group is proactive about fuel management in the Tahoe Basin, works with Tahoe Living with Fire and provides information and resources for fire prevention and preparedness. The team consists of

September 23-29, 2020

TO-GO BAG ESSENTIALS Important documents (bank, IRS, trust, investment, insurance policy, birth certificates, medical records)

Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

ATM, credit and debit cards

Flashlight and extra batteries

Driver’s license

First aid kit & first ad book

Passport

Whistle to signal for help

Medications

Camping bags for each person, tents and gear for shelter

Prescription glasses Cell phone and charger Computer backup files and computer Inventory of home contents (consider making a video inventory now)

Photographs of the exterior of the house and landscape Personal toiletries Enough clothing for 3-5 days Family heirlooms, photo albums and videos 1 gallon of water per person for 3 days 3 day supply of food for each person Pet food, carrier and medications Photos of cars and each person and pet in the family

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Can opener for food Local road map Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing for cold weather Fire extinguisher Matches in a waterproof container Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

“Ken Aronson and Leigh Golden know the opportunities the airport offers our youth - a place to learn, innovate and become inspired. I’m proof.”

Blake Sortor, 23 year-old corporate pilot raised in Truckee and inspired at the Truckee Tahoe Airport.

Paper and pencil Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

AronsonGoldenforTruckeeTahoeAirportBoard.com Paid for by the Committee to Elect Aronson & Golden FPPC #1428476

representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.

20 years

e o h a T u o y k Th a n Celebrating 20 Years

of service to the Lake Tahoe Boating Community The Tahoe Living With Fire program’s emphasis is to educate and help homeowners, residents and communities prepare for wildfire. This includes how to create defensible space, how to retrofit a home for wildfire, how to evacuate livestock and animals. And, they also educate people about the role that fire plays in the ecosystem.

“We live in a fire-prone ecosystem,” says Christina Restaino, director of Tahoe Living With Fire.

A series of dry lightning strikes over the last month have started many fires in California and in the Tahoe Sierra. Restaino explains that historically lightening is what causes many of the fires in mixed conifers forests.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Call Steve at (775) 287-1089

for our full service, low rate guarantee.

TahoeBoatManagement.com 9

TheTahoeWeekly.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

There are three kinds of fires: Ground fires usually started by lightning and burns on or below the forest floor where dead vegetation becomes dry enough to burn. Surface fires, which are the most common, burn along the forest floor and move slowly, killing or damaging trees. Crown fires that spread rapidly by wind and move quickly by jumping along the tops of trees. Fire feeds on fuel on the forest floors from pine needles, pinecones, dead logs, bark and small trees.

When the forest floors burn, small trees catch fire and create what is called ladder fuels, which can jump to the forest’s canopy.

“Fires are burning at high severity, making the fires run faster, and creating more damage ecologically, and to human life, property and health. Climate change is a part of this, too, and it’s a very significant one. We are getting these hotter temperatures, and when the temperatures are hotter, the relative humidity is also lower. The fuels on the forest floor are drying quicker and earlier in the season,” explains Restaino.

Being in a drought year hasn’t helped the wildfire situation and scientists say that fire seasons are growing longer in the West.

“It’s becoming a longer fire season and starting earlier. It’s directly tied to changes in the timing of spring snowmelt runoff and why these conditions are becoming so explosive for wildfires,” says Restaino.

The cause of some of the fires currently burning in California remains undetermined and are still awaiting

BANNED Campfires Fire pits & recreational fires Charcoal grills Burning debris Target shooting in some locations Fireworks All fire during Red Flag Warnings including gas grills and smokers

BE PREPARED Air quality index | airnow.gov Cal Fire | fire.ca.gov Incident Information System fire tracking inciweb.nwcg.gov Reverse 911 | smart911.com Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team | fireadaptednetwork.org Tahoe Living With Fire | tahoelivingwithfire.com Emergency evacuation kit | redcross.org or ready.gov/kit U.S. Forest Service | fs.usda.gov

10

investigation. Restaino, however, admits that often it’s an illegal campfire that has escaped and with so many more people in the Tahoe Sierra that fire danger has increased. And, these fires are often fast-moving and destructive.

Restaino says the fire danger has increased this summer due to the growing number of visitors using the outdoors for recreation in the Tahoe Sierra. She admits that the organization struggles with getting its message to second homeowners and to vacationers.

It puts together outreach campaigns, uses social media, puts up banners and posters, and typically hosts events.

“It’s hard to message, especially for people that don’t live in the mountains,” says Restaino. Educating people that don’t live in the Tahoe Sierra needs to be addressed, she says, noting that cigarettes, bonfires, illegal campfires and fireworks are a few of the things that people from urban areas don’t realize can spark a raging fire in the forests.

Preventing wildfires remains essential throughout fire-prone regions like the Tahoe Sierra, which includes staying informed on local conditions, creating defensible space around homes, adhering to burn bans that are in effect now, complying with restrictions during Red Flag Warnings and disposing of cigarette butts properly.

Restaino says it’s important to be proactive, prepared and knowledgeable about the dangers of fire, even when on vacation. She recommends Twitter as one of the best sources to follow when it comes to fire updates. Follow hashtags of the fires in the area and the local sheriff or police department. She also suggests signing up for Reverse 911, an alert notification system used for emergency alerts, and to tune in to local radio stations and listen for instructions.

“It’s not if there is a fire but when,” says Restaino.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE Defensible space is essential to mitigate wildfires, says Restaino. Many fire districts will inspect residential properties free of charge and identify areas to improve defensible space, including having trees and shrubs at least 30 feet from a home.

“Sixty to ninety percent of homes burned are burned from ember exposure and not from active flames approaching the house. Embers are generated from lack of good defensible space, like woodpiles next to your home or hundreds of pinecones around your house or shrubs under the window,” explains Restaino.

Other prevention measures include using well-irrigated perennials in landscaping or using low-growing or non-woody deciduous plants; creating islands of plants with space between; creating separation between layers of vegetation; and avoiding the use of mulch as it is combustible.

As well, homeowners should eliminate ladder fuel, which includes ground vegetation that could allow fire to climb from the ground to trees like tall grasses, shrubs or low-hanging tree branches. The Tahoe Living Fire website, tahoelivingwithfire.com, provides detailed information on defensible space measures.

September 23-29, 2020

ALL RIDES ARE FREE!

SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS

Just hop on the bus.

City of South Lake Tahoe | cityofslt.us Douglas County | douglascountynv.gov El Dorado County | ready.edso.org Nevada County | mynevadacounty.com Placer County | placer.ca.gov Town of Truckee Nixle alerts | local.nixle.com Washoe County | washoecounty.us

TART Daily Regional Routes TART Night Service TART Truckee Local Route

Covid-19: Social distancing and safety precautions are in place to keep riders and drivers safe.

TahoeTruckeeTransit.com

Come Play With Us! PLAN FOR FIRE WHEN CAMPING

Have a plan and leave early. Stay informed and if you can’t get out from your neighborhood or campsite, consider getting into a water body. Wear only cotton or wool clothes, including long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, a hat and boots. Carry gloves, a face covering, water to drink and goggles. Keep your cell phone, a flashlight and portable radio with you at all times. Have enough water in the car for three days.

Make sure to have an emergency go bag ready for evacuation and pack the car when fire warnings are issued. 

ABOVE Fire at Donner Lake. | Court Leve FAR LEFT A crew of firefighters working at the I-80 fire. | Court Leve LEFT Fire on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. | Court Leve

Fu l

PREPARE FOR EVACUATION

lS

R

er v i c e B

est

ar

Whether camping in a developed area or in the back country, make sure to have a plan in the event of a fire.

Look at the weather forecast before leaving, check to see if there’s a Red Flag Warning and determine which direction are the winds coming from. Explore the ingress and egress of the camp area to make sure there is a way to get out. And be sure to apply for a permit in Forest Service areas so rescuers know where to look in case of an emergency.

a uran

Fun for the whole family!

t

COVID-19 Restrictions may apply

GolfTahoeCity.com · 251 N. Lake Blvd.,Tahoe City · 530.583.1516 RENTALS | TOURS | LESSONS | SALES | DELIVERY

NIGHTLY SUNSET KAYAK TOURS $5 OFF Rentals & Tours

Must mention ad at booking & present upon arrival.

TAHOE CITY

Shop at 521 North Lake Blvd.

Rentals on the water at Commons Beach SAND HARBOR STATE PARK

Rentals next to the boat ramp

Reservations 530.581.4336 | TahoeCityKayak.com & SandHarborRentals.com 11

TheTahoeWeekly.com

eve nts

Virtual Walk with

Obi Kaufmann

Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day - Fall Upper Truckee River South Lake Tahoe | Sept. 26

Courtesy Matchstick Productions

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day through this hands-on restoration event. Help improve ecosystem function and the wildlife habitats that surround Lake Tahoe. Healthy forests and meadows act as natural pollution filters to Keep Tahoe Blue. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free | keeptahoeblue.org

Matchstick Productions 2020 ski film “Huck Yeah” is packed with the best skiers in the world charging hard and having fun in some of the most spectacular locations.

The film debuts locally with drive-in showings at Tahoe Art Haus in Tahoe City from Sept. 23 to 26 with advance tickets only.

“Prepare to have your mind blown as Hoji, Sam Kuch, Bobby Brown and the breakout girl posse The Blondes, have the time of their lives shredding and stomping,” according to Matchstick. “This film is a balance of personal action segments and location/story-based segments that not only show progressive skiing but interesting stories.” | tahoearthauscinema.com “Make Believe” | Teton Gravity Research premieres its new film “Make Believe” on Sept. 23 at Wind El Rancho Drive In in Sparks, Nev. The film will be followed by the world premiere of the snowboard film “Blank Canvas.”

“Inspiration is evoked spontaneously and without intention … Sometimes it comes in the form of a photograph, a chance encounter on a chairlift, or a glimpse at a mountain never seen before. When combined with motivation, the spark of inspiration becomes a dream, and when pursued gives our lives a new purpose,” according to a press release from TGR. “For 25 years, TGR has focused on turning ‘Make Believe’ into reality, from exploring powder stashes in our backyard playground to first descents on unnamed peaks, the ethos of ‘live the dream’ has defined our adventures.”

Gates at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30. Tickets are $30 per vehicle and includes the first two people, $10 each additional passenger. The event includes prize giveaways. | Tickets tetongravity.com

th

30 Birthday CELEBRATION & FUNDRAISER

Sat., Sept 26 | 11a-5pm Live Music from 1-4pm

Sun., Sept 27 | 11a-3pm Arts & Fine Crafts for Sale Silent Auction Free Baked good coupon with Purchase

Watch the event teaser at TheTahoeWeekly.com The event is hosted by Heyday Books in partnership with Sierra State Parks Foundation, the Shane McConkey Foundation, Sierra Club’s “Stop Clearcutting CA Campaign,” Mountain Area Preservation and Word After Word Bookstore in Truckee. POW ambassador, Tahoe born pro-skier and local environmentalist Amie Engerbretson will do the introduction and moderate a live Q&A with Kaufmann following the event. Tickets for general admission start at $10. | walkwithobi.eventbrite.com

Tahoe City Explorathon

Area venues | Incline Village | Sept. 23-26

Tahoe City Explorathon is a month-long digital activity challenge-based event. Participate in challenges that encourage adventure, team bonding, discovering new places, supporting local businesses and having fun.

Earn points for completing activities. Sign up today and compete to win prizes. Free | visittahoecity.org

Join Scott Fitzgerrell and UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center Director Geoff Schladow. Using the app they will collect valuable water quality, algal growth and microplastics data. Pre-registration required. 7:30 a.m. Free | tahoe.ucdavis.edu

Downtown Tahoe City | Sept. 23-30

Yuba River Cleanup Area venues | Tahoe City | Sept. 23-27

For the 23rd year, South Yuba River Citizens League needs volunteers to haul out garbage, divert recyclables from the landfill and keep the Yuba clean, safe and healthy. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free | (530) 265-5961, sierranevadaalliance.org

Virtual author talk South Lake Tahoe | Sept. 23

12

Obi Kaufmann, author of “The Forests of California,” will take audiences on a virtual journey across burned forests in the Sierra Nevada to address the growing threat of wildfires in California, fire suppression and beneficial fire, habitat recovery and conservation and how to minimize the ecological footprint on Sept. 25 at 11 a.m.

Kayak Lake Tahoe for Citizen Science Tahoe

“Snowshoeing Around Lake Tahoe: Must-Do Scenic Treks”

northtahoearts.com 380 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City

Chicken in a Barrel South Lake Tahoe | Sept. 26, 27

Courtesy Heyday

Matchstick, TGR debut ski films

Free Outdoor Movie Nights

Author Kathryn (Kae) Reed will show photographs and tell stories from her adventures that are now available to everyone in book form. 6 p.m. Free | facebook.com

Obi Kaufmann, “Forest of California” Virtual author talk Tahoe City | Sept. 25

Obi Kaufmann, author of “The Forests of California,” will take audiences on a virtual journey across burned forests in the Sierra Nevada to address the growing threat of wildfires in California, fire suppression and beneficial fire, habitat recovery and conser-vation and how to minimize the ecological footprint.

11 a.m. $10 | walkwithobi.eventbrite.com

Enjoy free outdoor movies every Saturday (date night) and Sunday (family night). The movie begins at dusk, 8:45 p.m. 8:45 a.m.

Free | tahoesouth.com

Community Clean Up Day Area venues | Kings Beach | Sept. 26

This 25th annual clean up will take place rain or shine in Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay and Crystal Bay. More than 100 volunteers will take to the streets to pick up trash. Last year, more than 4,000 pounds of trash was collected. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free | (530) 546-9000, northtahoebusiness.org

Tahoe’s Trash Pick Up Challenge Area venues | South Lake Tahoe | Sept. 26

Tidy up in your neighborhood, or one of the litter hot spots listed in the signup form. You can clean up any day, any time. The monthlong quest for a clean Tahoe ends on Sept. 26 with one final push. This will be a physically distanced, RSVP-only cleanup event, where to remove trash from various waterways. Free | tahoesouth.com

Truckee River Cohousing Virtual Tour Virtual Event | Truckee | Sept. 27

Explore a future neighborhood on the Truckee River virtually. Truckee River Cohousing will share the spaces they are creating via photos, videos and conversation. Now more than ever, social distancing is showing us the value of vibrant local communities. 4-5 p.m.

Free | chamber.truckee.com

Kings Beach Clean Vibe Crew Kings Beach State Recreation Area | Sept. 28

Join Sean “Chango” O’Brien, local and North Tahoe Business Association board member, alongside numerous other community members every Monday morning (socially distanced). “Come for the trash, stay for the donuts.” 8-10 a.m. Free | facebook.com

Baby Storytime on Facebook Truckee Library | Truckee | Sept. 28

Join Miss Amy for songs, books, and early literacy tips for babies during this Facebook Live event. Free | facebook.com

LEGO Challenge on Facebook Live Truckee Library | Truckee | Sept. 29

Miss Amy will read a story to inspire your brick creations then show you some examples that you can create at home. 4-4:30 p.m.

Free | facebook.com/nevadacountylibrary, mynevadacounty.com

Tahoe Rising Virtual | Incline Village | Sept. 30

Discuss challenges facing Lake Tahoe in this current pandemic – from economic, community and environmental perspectives. Keynote speakers will share their wisdom from around the country. Panel sessions with those experts combined with local Tahoe leaders enhance these conversations. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $20-$35 | tahoeprosperity.org

September 23-29, 2020 HISTORY

Peter Lassen:

MARK’S COLUMN IS

SPONSORED BY

AN AMBITIOUS TRAILBLAZER W H O G O T L O S T, P A R T I I I S TO RY & P H OTO S BY M A R K M c L AU G H L I N

I

n the fall of 1848, the Lassen Cutoff was turning into a nightmare for its namesake, Peter Lassen; the wagon train he was leading foundered in rough country west of the Applegate Trail near Goose Lake.

Situated in a high-desert basin, Goose Lake is an alkaline stretch of water with its southern reach bordering California’s present-day Modoc County in the extreme northeastern part of the state. The Applegate Trail passed near Goose Lake before heading west to Oregon’s fertile Willamette Valley. At Goose Lake, Lassen turned south, traveling along the east side of the volcano that today bears his name — Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park — en route to his ranch near the Sacramento River. The rugged topography, bedeviled by steep canyons and dense forest, frequently brought the party to a halt and forced Lassen to repeatedly backtrack with a great loss of time, energy and equipment.

It was probably about this time, as he stood disoriented in the wilderness and with increasing acrimony among the emigrants, that Lassen realized he should have explored the route beforehand. A pack train came on the group sometime in late September and found them “lost in the mountains and half starved,” but the men had few supplies to share and were in a hurry to reach California before winter closed in. By early October, the party was exhausted, emaciated and threatening to hang Lassen from the nearest tree. They abandoned their 10 wagons, converting five to small carts that were more maneuverable in the thick timber. Goods or possessions that could not be loaded onto the remaining oxen that hadn’t been eaten were abandoned. By the time they reached the Pit River, the party was too weak to go farther. Death was stalking them.

Before anyone perished, however, a wagon train captained by Peter Burnett and guided by Thomas McKay overtook the desperate emigrants. The well-supplied Burnett-McKay company had departed Oregon with 150 able-bodied men and 46 ox-drawn wagons, heading for the recently discovered California gold fields. They traveled the Applegate Trail to Tule Lake before turning southeast. Cutting trees and moving rocks, they blazed 40 miles of rough road to reach the Pit River and the drainage of the Sacramento River. Along the way they observed Lassen’s erratic path and realized that whoever was guiding the party was completely lost. After reaching the Pit River and sharing food with Lassen’s starving followers, Burnett wrote, “About ten or fifteen of our men cut out the road in one day as far as the timber extended — about 15 miles — and did it as fast as the wagons could follow.”

On Oct. 29, 1848, Lassen’s demoralized outfit finally reached his ranch in the Sacramento Valley. The shortcut turned out to be 255 miles longer than if the company had remained on the California Trail and crossed Donner Pass, but somehow Lassen convinced the emigrants to endorse him as an invaluable guide. Historians have suggested that Lassen’s route more correctly should be called the Burnett-McKay Trail

LOCATED IN

Peter Lassen’s gravesite.

since that company actually blazed it first.

Burnett optimistically wrote: “We found the pass through the mountains one of the finest natural passes in the world. The ascent and descent are very gradual and with a little labor an excellent road could

By early October, the party was exhausted, emaciated and threatening to hang Peter Lassen from the nearest tree.

be made. The route for wagons is now open, and the approaching year [1849] will witness the passage of many wagons. This route must prove of great benefit to parties of emigrants from Oregon and from the United States.”

He certainly had a politician’s gift of hyperbole. In 1849, Burnett became the first elected civilian governor of California and also served on the state’s Supreme Court.

Despite his failure as a wagon train

pilot, now that Burnett’s men had cut a rough road, Lassen doubleddown on the legitimacy of his excessively long cut-off and promptly promoted its viability in several reputable eastern newspapers. When the 1849 migration exploded the next spring with an estimated 25,000 gold-seeking 49ers taking overland trails to California that summer, Lassen was ready. He dispatched a few agents along the Humboldt River to entice gullible travelers and divert wagons to his trailhead.

He also set up crude advertisements along the way to re-enforce the messaging, including a billboard installed at Lassen Meadows, the juncture where wagons must leave the California Trail to follow the Applegate-Lassen route. The billboard promised that the gold diggings were only 110 miles ahead, which was far from the truth. Those who got an early start that year ignored Lassen’s persuasions, but when influential wagon-company captains took the bait, they left notes behind alerting travelers that they were heading for Lassen’s Ranch. Their decisions inspired thousands behind them to take a chance on the supposed nine-day shortcut to the Sacramento Valley. It was like lemmings heading for the cliff.

Unlike the generally well-equipped, family-dominated wagon trains in the mid-1840s, in 1849 it was a rush to riches by thousands poorly outfitted for the trail.

Most did not intend to stay and settle California permanently, so they brought just enough food and gear to get to the gold mines. Speed was of the essence and any shortcut seemed worth the risk. Other than a higher danger for Indian attack, Lassen’s trail wasn’t physically worse than the difficult Truckee or Carson routes,

MARKETPLACE

TAHOE CITY, TRUCKEE, SQUAW VALLEY & KINGS BEACH TahoeDaves.com

but the extra 200 miles consumed time, supplies and added strain to draft animals and wagons. Between 7,000 to 9,000 took the Lassen-Applegate turnoff that summer and the heavy traffic contaminated water sources and denuded grassy meadows. By late summer, watering holes were undrinkable, choked with dead horses, mules and oxen that had stampeded in thirst. Abandoned wagons, possessions and gravesites littered the trail. As they stumbled along, 49ers cursed Lassen in the bitter belief they’d been duped; survivors called it “The 1849 Trail of Death” or the “Death Route.”

Read Parts I & II at TheTahoeWeekly.com Winter came early that year while there were still thousands struggling on the Carson, Truckee and Lassen trails. Memories of the tragic 1846 Donner Party incident inspired massive relief operations to hurry the 49ers along before snow closed mountain passes. California’s military governor authorized $100,000 in emergency funding and private citizens donated thousands more. The humanitarian effort undoubtedly avoided the loss of hundreds, if not thousands of lives. The Carson and Truckee routes were cleared by early November, but rescue efforts on Lassen’s Trail continued until December. Lassen’s reputation was tarnished, and he lost his ranch and most of his money in the Gold Rush. Ten years later, Lassen was murdered near Black Rock Desert. His murder was blamed on Indians, but it was rumored that white men killed him, still bitter about his shortcut.  Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlin is a nationally published author and professional speaker. His award-winning books are available at local stores or at thestormking.com.

You may reach him at mark@thestormking.com.

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

SIDESHOW BOB’S Window Cleaning Since 2000

Residential & Commercial

581-2343

Tree Trimming & Removal • Brush Chipping Yard Clean-Up • Defensible Space

Wood Splitting & Stacking • Stump Grinder • Crane Work Licensed & Insured

Juan Estrada • 530-546-8493 • 530-412-2220

(530) CA & NV Licensed & Insured - Since 2000 -

Rooster to Cricket Maintenance

• Landscaping • Deck Repair

• Painting/Staining • Window Cleaning

530.412.1105

13

TheTahoeWeekly.com

THE makers

Painting to benefit climate group

creative awareness | arts & culture | the makers movement

“Big Bear Hope” | Sara Smith

Joe Taylor CERAMIC ART WITH A PURPOSE S TO RY BY K AY L A A N D E R S O N

A

t the grassroots Kings Beach art tour held in August, ceramics maker Joe Taylor is perched in front of a beautiful array of one-of-a-kind hand-sculpted pots, bowls, jars, vases, coffee mugs and more.

His style shines through in his craft, from the ceramic fermenting crocks to the pots shaped with serene faces, beckoning one to grab them by their ears.

Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Sierra Nevada College. He dabbled in all types of aesthetics but found his love of ceramics when he took a job as an art specialist at the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. With the club’s ceramic kiln, he taught kids how to make coffee cups and funny little animals.

“I was frustrated that a lot of my friends were … being driven out of Tahoe due to high rent prices, so I took photos of houses in my neighborhood that were always vacant and sculpted smaller versions of them, then put them up on Craigslist for rent.”

–Joe Taylor “(Ceramics) is great for all elementaryage students because it helps them develop their fine motor skills,” Taylor says. He did that for 4.5 years before taking a job at Tahoe Expedition Academy teaching students from pre-K to high school everything from the basic principles of art to how it applies to the modern world.

“We were studying things like how ancient cultures used ceramics to alleviate some of the uncertainties in their lives, such as creating clay vessels to hold water and food while also keeping a connection to the earth,” he says.

Explore Tahoe’s vibrant arts scene

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

“With middle school we ask ourselves a lot, ‘What is art? What is craft?’ And the changing value of manmade objects,” Taylor adds.

There are two sides to Taylor’s own work, though, which includes Sierra Ceramics functional ware and large sculptures and wall hangings.

“I like [pots, bowls, mugs and flasks] as handmade items. Each one is a little different and a little bit strange, like there’s a story behind them,” he says.

14

Local fine artist Sara Smith is inspired by the natural world and uses her art to engage people with environmental preservation. Smith recently completed a large 48-inch-by-48-inch painting in participation with students from the Lake Tahoe and Reno areas. The painting, titled “Big Bear Hope,” is on display at Riverside Studios in Truckee. In honor of the student school strike movement calling for climate action, Smith will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Big Bear Hope” to the Citizens’ Climate Lobby North Tahoe chapter.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Salt kiln at Walker Lake; Taylor in front of his work at the Kings Beach art tour; Taylor’s housing sculptures.

The fine art sculptural side of his work is what he uses to express his views. For instance, he’s currently in the middle of a project that brings to light Tahoe’s housing shortage problem.

“I was frustrated that a lot of my friends were moving away, being driven out of Tahoe due to high rent prices, so I took photos of houses in my neighborhood that were always vacant and sculpted smaller versions of them then put them up on Craigslist for rent,” he says.

These small, playful, abstract house sculptures range from 36 to 60 square inches; he named them after real Craigslist long-term rental listings.

“This is a project aimed at bringing awareness to the lack of affordable housing in the Tahoe/Truckee area. The houses on display are sculptures of homes that sit empty in our local neighborhoods most or all of the year. If these homes were available as rentals it would greatly strengthen our community by allowing our workforce to live locally long term,” Taylor says.

The miniature house sculptures will soon be available for sale and the proceeds will go toward raising money to help people put down deposits on a long-term housing lease.

In comparing both sides of his business, Taylor enjoys making small functional art like unique coffee cups, as well as making large, coiled statues that are 5 to 6 feet tall.

While Taylor works out of his art studio in Kings Beach, he fires his ceramics at one of the three wood-fired anagama climbing kilns at Penryn Workshop in northern California and he also uses a small propane-gas salt kiln that’s on his

dad’s property in Walker Lake.

“What’s cool about wood firing is that the pots that come out are unpredictable.

That wood ash builds up and gets hot enough to melt into the clay and create a unique glaze that also acts as a food safe surface,” Taylor says.

However, an anagama kiln takes a team of people and a lot of wood to manage while his salt kiln in Walker Lake is smaller and a lot less work.

“I can get it hot in a little over 16 hours and then I add table salt into the chambers. The way that the salt melts creates a unique glaze that comes out smooth like glass but with a bit of a ripple to it,” Taylor says.

While he’s involved in the ceramicsmaking process from start to finish, his favorite part is still the sculpting.

“I’m more thinking with my hands, letting go of the chatter of my brain of trying to make sense of it, following my intuition.

I try to let the clay lead me,” Taylor says. | sierraceramics.com 

th e a rt s Call for Artist Submissions Glass Garage Collective | Stateline | Sept. 23-March 6 1 p.m. | glassgaragecollective.com

Virtual Art Hike “Full Circle” virtual | Tahoe City | Sept. 23-Oct. 1 trailsandvistas.org

North Tahoe Arts Birthday Art Festival & Fundraiser Community Center Patio | Tahoe City | Sept. 26-27 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | (530) 581-2787, northttahoearts.com

Rasjad Hopkins Exhibit Scott Forrest Fine Art South Lake Tahoe | Sept. 26-Oct. 25 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | (310) 213-3333, maketahoe.com

“Big Bear Hope” started as a participation-art event sponsored by Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Under Smith’s guidance, young artists were invited to express their feelings on the issue of climate change by painting words and symbols on the large canvas. A theme of hope emerged and Smith used this to inspire her completion of the painting where a bear and the students’ expressions are incorporated. | saralsmith.com

North Tahoe Arts hosts fundraiser North Tahoe Arts will celebrate 30 years at its Birthday Art Festival & Fundraiser on Sept. 26 and 27 at Tahoe City’s Community Center Patio.

Original art, prints, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, note cards, eclectic wall hangings and more will be available for sale at the COVID-19-compliant event.

Patrons who purchase any piece of art will receive a gift certificate for a free baked good from Whole Treats Bakery in Truckee. There will also be a silent auction for art pieces created by local makers.

The nonprofit’s festival will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 27. The patio setting is located above Commons Beach.

The fundraiser will help support a comprehensive range of visual art programs and events. These include: The Artisan Shop, youth art programs, art workshops and future ARTour and North Lake Tahoe Plein Air Festival events. | northtahoearts.com

THE lineup live music | shows | nightlife

festivals | entertainment

Wesley Orsolic SOUTH LAKE’S SIX-STRING MASTER S TO RY BY S E A N M c A L I N D I N

Watch Orsolic perform

“Livin’ in a World” at TheTahoeWeekly.com

“I knew what sounded good, but I was really not sure what I was doing theoretically,” he says. “I thought I was old. I’d already seen so much. Every five years, I sort of reinvent myself and get into other styles of music. You meet so many musicians when you’re involved like that. Everything explodes in front of you.”

Orsolic traveled to Los Angeles where he was offered a recording contract with Motown Records. Because it stipulated the full surrender of his publishing rights, he declined.

Bass Camp

releases tracks

Tahoe-based record label Bass Camp Music has released two new tracks including “Can You See It” from Esper featuring Courtney Drummey, which the label calls a “monster hybrid trap track.” It has also released “Give Them My Love” from The Hotel Lobby, described as a swing-inspired house track. | Bass Camp Music on Facebook

l i ve SEPTEMBER 25 | FRIDAY Live Music Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6 p.m.

Live Music Gar Woods Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay, 7-10 p.m.

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

SEPTEMBER 26 | SATURDAY Sunsets Live Music Series Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 5-7 p.m.

Live Music Gar Woods Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay, 7-10 p.m.

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

W

hile Jimi Hendrix was lighting up guitars from Monterey to London, little did he know a young boy in Croatia was listening.

Wesley Orsolic was born in the Eastern European country’s capital city of Zagreb.

He discovered guitar by the age 6 through his father. Completely self-taught, he studied American masters such as B.B. King and Wes Montgomery, often practicing up to 10 hours a day.

“I have this analytical part of my brain where I try to understand where everything comes from,” Orsolic says. “I listened to so much American blues. I really loved it and understood that for real.”

At age 14, he played his first major concert for more than 7,000 people on the coast of the Adriatic Sea with three-piece rock combo, HAD. Popular Croatian music magazine Jukebox listed him as one of the top guitarists in the country.

He signed with Croatia Records touring Europe and eventually the world.

“It happened to me relatively easy,” he says. “I saw this sea of people and it felt great. My career started and I basically experienced all that rock ‘n’ roll.”

After a decade of playing with some of the best musicians in Europe, Orsolic moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music.

September 23-29, 2020 THE LINEUP

SEPTEMBER 27 | SUNDAY Kandys Alibi Ale Works, Truckee, 5 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 28 | MONDAY BanJoe and the Grizzlies Old 40 Bar & Grill, Norden, 6-9 p.m.

OCTOBER 1 | THURSDAY

FUNK, JAZZ & BLUES

“ Every five years, I sort of reinvent myself and get into other styles of music. You meet so many musicians when you’re involved like that. Everything explodes in front of you.”

“There is an ugly part of this business I really don’t care for,” he says. “I’ve always worked for myself. I was living off of royalties I earned in Europe, so I just didn’t like the deal.”

Orsolic stayed on in the U.S., quickly making friends and collaborating with musicians from Tower of Power, Santana, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Prince, War and Steely Dan to name a few. He started a cover band out of Las Vegas called Raw Nature, which toured the West Coast for years. Regular shows at the now-defunct Turtles club in South Lake Tahoe led Orsolic to move there permanently in 2000.

“The music business has changed so much,” he says. “You can’t live off recordings. And I really don’t want to travel anymore. Right now, nobody can make a living.

You get stuck as a musician. It’s really not a reliable business to stay in. You have to love it to stay in it. As long as people like listening to what I do, I’ll keep doing it.”

SOUTH LAKE’S SIX-STRING MASTER A true virtuoso, Orsolic draws on an encyclopedic knowledge of blues, jazz and funk to create a distinctive sound all his own.

“I have to hold back because my brain loves coming up with a zillion ideas on the fly,” he says. “Sometimes I turn things upsidedown just to see what can I do with this.”

Listening to him play is like taking a tour through the greatest guitar stylists of all time. One minute he emotes Duane

–Wesley Orsolic Allman’s Southern rock, the next Mark Knopfler’s flawless fingerstyle, Eric Clapton’s clean precision blues or Jeff Beck’s jazz-infused harmonies.

“It’s not that I wanted to play like somebody else,” says Orsolic. “I would pick and choose and make something that is pretty much my own. Especially nowadays, I just play what I want to play. I don’t want to be a copy machine. It doesn’t make sense to me. Even if I play a cover, I put my heady twist on it.”

Orsolic had more than 50 bookings cancel this summer due to the pandemic. At home, he practices and writes regularly, trying to make the best of a rough situation.

He’s hopeful he can get back to performing soon with a local trio featuring drummer Liz Broscoe and keyboardist Todd Holway.

“There are always opportunities to get back and improve your skills,” he says.

“I have this creative side and some days I just have to write. Being a musician you can always go back to your instrument and lose yourself for a couple hours working on something. I sure do miss playing for people. You’re basically doing this to share and communicate. It’s speaking to people through music.” | wesleyorsolic.com  Sean McAlindin is a writer and musician living in Truckee, who loves a secret powder stash just as much as a good jam. You can reach him at entertainment@tahoethisweek.com. Other writings and original music are available at seanmcalindin.com.

Live Music Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6 p.m.

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

Open Mic Classic Cue, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

OCTOBER 2 | FRIDAY Dylan Casey’s, Zephyr Cove, 5-8 p.m.

Live Music Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee, 6 p.m.

Live Music Gar Woods Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay, 7-10 p.m.

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

Major Motion Pictures · Independent Films Live Music · Dance Performances

Our pop-up drive-in runs Thursdays-Sundays through September.

Drive-In MSP’s Huck Yeah!

Sept. 23-26

Theater Tenet Plays through Oct. 1 The Dark Divide Oct. 1-8 Visit TahoeArtHausCinema.com for showtimes, schedule, events + tkts THE COBBLESTONE CENTER 475 N LAKE BLVD., TAHOE CITY, CA | 530-584-2431

15

TheTahoeWeekly.com

YOUR BUSINESS COULD

SPONSOR THIS PAGE

Michael O’Connor, Life Coach Astrologer SunStarAstrology.com

Your business’

LOGO here

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Email

anne@tahoethisweek.com

for details

FIRE

EARTH

Horoscopes Puzzles

AIR

WATER

Libra (Sep 22-Oct 22) Relationships can prove complicated and disorienting at the best of times. With Mars retrograde, this may seem doubly so. As usual, the resolution lies in achieving win/win attitudes and behavior patterns.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov 21) Mars is your co-ruling planet along with Pluto.

So, with it retrograde in Aries, you will feel the need to work to get extra clear regarding what efforts are being directed at your own needs and goals and what is required of you with your responsibilities with others.

Sagittarius (Nov 21-Dec 21) Mars retrograde is here to teach you to accept that you can only do what you are doing. In other words, doing one thing and wishing you were doing another is a sure path to frustration. Focus on what is at hand and what seems obvious in the flow.

Capricorn (Dec 21-Jan 19) There may be something of a battle raging within. Yet, ironically, doing so may be facilitated by gaining perspective from others. However, be aware that this does not mean shifting the responsibility of the work you need to do onto them.

Aquarius (Jan 19-Feb 19) Communications is a fine art. Keys to clear communication include empathy, non-assumption, and translation. The first includes tuning-in to who others are and what their responsibilities are. Check-in so you are clear and certain that your empathetic efforts are on mark. Make sure that your interpretation is accurate.

Mars retrograde will prove especially strong for you as it is your ruling planet. Making use of what power it offers, attending to unfinished projects will match it well. As you finish what you started, your confidence levels will rise, and with them your self-esteem. In this regard, you will be ahead of the game even though you are focusing on what has emerged as behind you…

Taurus (Apr 20-May 21) Are you harboring hurts, frustrations, and anger? If so, you can trace them to their burial ground in your subconscious mind. You will know that you are as you experience feeling unsettled, uneasy, depressed, or generally grumpy or inexplicably distracted. If so, you have two basic choices, get clear on what they are, and resolve them or find out how you can simply let them go.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) Mars retrograde for you will synchronize with a process of separating fact from fantasy, dreams from reality, subjective perspectives from more objective ones, and so on. It may be that both sides have their place, but the real question is how are you feeling these days? You may feel like you are right in the muck with matters and can’t get out. It will help to calm down and step back for a while to reflect.

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) The focus now is on feeling secure. This may well include where you live and how and is linked to your career and/or the overall state and quality of your social status. You may feel that people are circumstances are holding you back. However, it may be that it is your own attitudes, perspectives, and expectations that are in the way. Change your mind and the rest will follow.

Leo (Jul 22-Aug 23) Freedom is a big word on your mind currently.

At worst, you feel very impatient and feel justified in resorting to fanatical attitudes and measures. Unfortunately, these will likely result in the opposite of freedom. Among your better strategies now is it to take some time out and to remove yourself from the drama.

Rest assured, it will still be there when you return.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Having desires is one thing and taking action to fulfill them is another. The goal now is to get clear on the former and get going on the latter. Recognize that successful and accomplished people tend to be disciplined and diligent. In other words, they work hard.

Getting clear on what you want, desire, and need is a central theme now. It includes a process of deciphering the same regarding significant others in your life so that you are clear regarding what is yours and what is theirs. This process will support you to be really clear regarding your personal story and perhaps also what constitutes shared goals and objectives.

CryptoQuip

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)

I’ve definitely been going bald lately. To be honest, I find that very dis-tressing.

Hocus Focus differences: 1. Tree is larger, 2. Fence is missing, 3. Hubcaps are different, 4. Earring is different, 5. Windshield is gone, 6. Wall has been extended.

16

EAT &drink

September 23-29, 2020 EAT & DRINK

food & libations | recipes | delicious events

Feed. Cultivate. Educate.

S L OW F O O D A D D R E S S E S N E E D S D U R I N G C OV I D

Email news to editor@tahoethisweek.com

S TO RY BY BY P R I YA H UT N E R | P H OTO S C O U R T E SY S L OW F O O D L A K E TA H O E

T

Donner Creek Brewing

Courtesy Donner Creek Brewing

Opens

Husband and wife team Greg Speicher and Wendy Lautner recently opened Donner Creek Brewing, Truckee’s newest brew pub serving brews made in-house, as well as other local and popular brews on draft and a curated selection of craft beers, hard seltzer’s and ciders.

Donner Creek features a menu of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches on the panini press, which includes sweet, savory, spicy and classic options priced at $9 or less. Look for other additions to the menu in the future.

“Our concept revolves around connecting people and providing a comfortable, low-key, family friendly place to relax and enjoy good food and drink,” says Lautner.

“As outdoor and adventure enthusiasts ourselves, we warmly welcome hikers, bikers, skiers, riders, kayaker’s and anyone who is drawn to Truckee’s vast outdoor playground. That influence is reflected a bit in our decor.”

Donner Creek is open daily from 3 to 9 p.m. with indoor and outdoor seating at 11448 Deerfield Dr., Suite 3, in Truckee. | Donner Creek Brewing on Facebook

he summer bought a bounty of greens to the food insecure to the community garden at the Truckee River Regional Park. Large heads of lettuces, kale, arugula and spinach and hearty root veggies and squashes grew to epic proportions in Slow Food Lake Tahoe’s Food Bank Garden under the watchful eye of Katie TownsendMerino, directress of the garden. The produce grown was donated to Sierra Community House, formerly known as Project MANA. Slow Food Lake Tahoe was not without challenges this year due to the pandemic.

Staff had to cancel Truckee Community Farmers Market for the 2020 season, as well as the popular Community Soup Night. They had to rethink its gardening classes and workshop offerings and how to safely engage volunteers during COVID-19.

“ We moved all of our food-growing classes online. We needed to readjust our volunteer schedule and rework how to package all of the food. … It was a lot of work in response to the virus.”

–Katie Townsend-Merino “We moved all of our food-growing classes online. We needed to readjust our volunteer schedule and rework how to package all of the food for Sierra House. It was a lot of work in response to the virus,” explains Townsend-Merino, who took classes through University of Nevada, Reno to learn how to sanitize appropriately and disseminate and package the vegetables, as well as learn safety precautions such as wearing aprons and masks.

Slow Food Lake Tahoe’s classes have always been wildly popular with how to grow vegetables at high elevations, as well as fermenting and canning classes.

“Since moving online and partnering with [UC Davis] Tahoe Environmental Research Center, UC Master Gardeners and the Tahoe Heritage Foundation, we have had 300 people in classes from throughout the Basin,” says TownsendMerino.

The nonprofit has been through a lot and yet the commitment to serve has never been stronger. According to TownsendMerino, grants and funding have been significantly reduced due to the immediate need to serve the COVID-19 issue. The organization is learning to pivot and rework its funding sources.

“We’ll be harvesting hops and partnering with Alibi Ale Works, which will offer a brew and the organization will get a percentage of each beer sold,” says Townsend-Merino.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Slow Food Lake Tahoe’s Food Bank Garden; a bountiful harvest of artichokes and purple carrots.

Teaching people how to grow fruits and vegetables at high elevation is one way the garden educates the community.

“Garlic gets planted in September and October. It takes 10 months to grow garlic up here. Fall is a great time to plant alliums like garlic and onions and come spring, they’ll all come back,” says TownsendMerino, adding that they just harvested last year’s garlic a month ago.

Perennial herbs like oregano, thyme, tarragon, mint and sage will also come back in the spring after being trimmed down.

As Slow Food Lake Tahoe prepares for winter, online classes are not yet a given.

(I personally hope they do). They will, however, work on funding opportunities, plans for expansion and a community garden where people will be able to rent a plot to grow vegetables. The plots will be wheelchair accessible with elevated gardens. She adds that the plots are perfect for anyone who has had a difficult time growing in our region.

Education is essential to TownsendMerino, whose father was a farmworker and mother was a first cousin of Caesar Chavez. Slow Food Lake Tahoe’s Food Bank Garden will also create online courses for kids; they are committed to serving a diverse community.

Enjoy the tastes of Tahoe

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

“Most of our posters are in Spanish, as well as English, and we want to serve the Latin-X community,” she says. “People with money can access good food, but people without cannot. Nutrient-dense, organic and vibrant food is expensive and food insecurity will get worse due to COVID,” she says. | slowfoodlaketahoe.org  Priya Hutner is a writer, personal chef and workshop facilitator. She is the owner of the Seasoned Sage, which prepares organic artisan meals for dinner parties and events. She also offers in-home cooking classes, parties and local pop up dinners. As a breath meditation teacher and long-time yogi, she facilitates workshops and classes that focus on gaining a deeper awareness of self. Send story ideas to priya@tahoethisweek.com. | (772) 913-0008, pria78@gmail.com, seasonedsage.com

17

TheTahoeWeekly.com

FROM CHEF SMITTY’S KITCHEN

Veggie Wraps

tasty tidbits

BY C H E F DAV I D “ S M I T T Y ” S M I T H

Tahoe City Farmers Market Commons Beach Tahoe City | Sept. 24

The Tahoe City Farmers Market is every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 8.

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

Truckee Certified Farmers Market Truckee River Regional Park Truckee | Sept. 29

The Truckee Certified Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 15. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | truckeecertifiedfa.wixsite.com

El Dorado County Certified Farmer’s Market

Fine Italian Food & Spirits

American Legion Parking Lot South Lake Tahoe | Sept. 29

Certified Farmer’s Market is held at the American Legion parking lot, on Tuesdays through Oct. 13. There are new procedures due to the coronavirus that line up with the state and county guidelines for outdoor events serving prepared and fresh food. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Free | eldoradofarmersmarket.com

Locals Love Lanza’s!

(530) 546-2434 BAR - 4:30 p.m. DINNER - 5 p.m.

7739 N Lake Blvd - Kings Beach

LanzasTahoe.com Sierra Community House Food Distribution

he show Mother Nature puts on in the high country is nothing short of spectacular.

Now, I’m no botanist, so I can’t tell you the names of all the flowers, but the array of colors were vibrant and stretched out over the mountain meadows on a recent outing. Throw in the appearance of a few of those mountain blue birds that are so bright blue it looks like someone hand painted them and I’m not sure which muscles will get the bigger workout: the legs from hiking or the finger from pushing the camera button so many times.

Find more of Chef Smitty’s recipes

at TheTahoeWeekly.com

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

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

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

T

Famous for our Mexican Dinners

I thought it appropriate to offer a nice veggie sandwich recipe for your next outing. The thing about hiking with a veggie sandwich is that the bread can get pretty soggy, so I like to make it a wrap.

Since I love flour tortillas and they hold up a little better than basic bread, that is what I’ll use.

Ciabatta bread is also great; of course, then it wouldn’t be a wrap. But, hey, use what you like since you’re the one eating it.

Since this time of year, we are still grilling, you can grill the veggies the night before while you are cooking dinner or roast them in the oven. I also like to use a combination of a thin layer of hummus and a pecan mint pesto for the spread.

Now, make a delicious veggie wrap, go for a hike and enjoy. 

I like to use a combination of a thin layer of hummus and a pecan mint pesto for the spread.

David “Smitty” Smith 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 (530) 412-3598 or tmmsmitty@gmail.com.

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

VEGGIE WRAPS

From the kitchen of: Chef David “Smitty” Smith

For 3 wraps 1 zucchini, sliced lengthwise, ¼-inch thick 1 yellow squash, sliced lengthwise, ¼-inch thick 1 portabella mushroom, sliced in strips 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced in circles 1 roasted red pepper, peeled & seeded cut into strips 1 small package bean sprouts

Food, Beer & Wine

Takeout 7 days a week. 11:30am-7:30pm

Truckee, CA 10089 W. River St. (530) 582-5000 MorgansLobsterShack.com 18

You can marinade the veggies if desired or keep it simple and drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper before grilling or roasting. Cook the zucchini and yellow squash until the white flesh turns translucent. Cook the mushroom until it is soft all the way through. When assembling, I like to spread a little humus and a thicker layer of pesto over the entire tortilla. Layer the veggies lengthwise, from top to bottom leaving about 1½ inches on one side veggie free. Start rolling the wrap and after two rolls, fold the nonveggie side over like a burrito and finish rolling. This will create the bottom and help control dripping.

September 23-29, 2020 EAT & DRINK

W I N E R IE S OF T H E S IE R R A FOOTHILLS

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

FOR TAKE OUT OR DINE IN, SEE MENUS BELOW BRUNCH & LUNCH

WINE LIST

DINNER

Andy Friedlander | Courtesy Andis Wines

H

usband and wife Andy Friedlander and Janis Akuna chose the perfect next career step for themselves when they decided to build a winery in Amador County.

True to their business background, they went about it methodically. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing when the idea first came up.

Andy had sold his commercial real estate firm in Hawaii, and Janis started wondering how best to funnel all that Andyenergy. “She told me I wasn’t challenged like I used to be, and that she didn’t want me to end up sitting in a chair drooling,” he chuckles.

“Everybody has a different palate. We make about 15 different types. … We want to make delicious, distinctive wines, and we’re doing that.”

–Andy Friedlander When she proposed they start a winery, Andy’s initial reaction was “not fit for publication.” After some thought, he said that he saw the value of the proposition.

Even more, he was eager to figure out how to make the venture successful. “I’m a businessman. This wasn’t a vanity project.

It had to make money.”

In search of a location, they quickly ruled out Napa since they thought that it had become much more commercial since they sold their second home there in 2000.

An invitation to visit friends living in Amador County presented another option.

“It was the first time I went there, and I fell in love,” he recalls. “You saw the tractors on the road. The vineyard owners were accessible and welcoming. I thought: ‘We could do this here.’ ”

They found their spot in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in 2009, purchasing a property planted predominantly with 30-year-old Zinfandel grapes; about 25 acres under vine.

Immediately they set to work applying a favorite business principle: “Surround yourself with the best people you can possibly find and use their strengths to make everything better.”

Andy’s keen eye for talent led him to a good team to get the winery under way – a creative architecture firm and a contractor who truly understood the land.

Together they designed and built a striking, modern 17,000-square-foot facility in which to produce great wine.

Relationships forged during construction continue to play an important role.

Andy describes how he came to make Andis Wines’ much-loved Semillon, which “opened doors and put us on the map.” (The 2013 vintage earned a Best of Class designation from the San Francisco Chronicle.)

Andis’ production is supported by several technical innovations that improve on the process. For instance, the fermentation and barrel rooms use swamp (evaporative) cooling, not air conditioning, for climate control. It’s a much more efficient and economical approach.

An assortment of concrete aging tanks and a tasting room with wines on tap are other examples of his willingness to venture out on the leading edge.

“Trying different things, instead of always relying on tradition, keeps it fun,” Andy comments.

Musing about what makes a good wine, Andy replies thoughtfully, “Everybody has a different palate. We make about 15 different types. I can’t say what makes a good wine. We try to make wine true to the varietal, not adjusting to fit a pre-determined flavor profile. We want to make delicious, distinctive wines, and we’re doing that.”

Andis Wine is located in Plymouth and hosting tastings outside at private tables by reservation only. | (209) 245-6177, andiswines.com. 

Plenty of Outdoor Seating Spindleshankstahoe.com | 400 Brassie Ave, Suite B · Kings Beach | (530) 546.2191

Kings Beach Full Service on Patio & Takeout orders 12:00pm-8:00pm

Full

Bar

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

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an excerpt from the

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

All sales support Tahoe Weekly.

19

Donation

GIVEAWAY FROM TAHOE SLAB FURNITURE

Donate to Tahoe Weekly for a chance to WIN a table from Tahoe Slab Furniture

Tahoe Slab Furniture has generously donated a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind coffee table valued at more than $2,000 to Tahoe Weekly. The 24”x 48” English walnut and Tahoe Blue epoxy coffee table is being built by Tahoe Slab from lumber salvaged from an orchard in Chico.

Follow the table being made @tahoeslabfurniture on FB, @tahoeslab on IG. For every $20 donated, you will have a chance to win.

The more you donate the better your chances for bringing home a gorgeous heirloom quality table.

Donations are not tax-deductible.

No purchase necessary, donations only.

Winner will be drawn at random on Monday, Oct. 5 and contacted by email.

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

HELP TAHOE WEEKLY MAKE IT THROUGH THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, HELP SUPPORT LOCAL, INDEPENDENT MEDIA THAT IS OWNED BY LOCALS, RUN

BY LOCALS, EMPLOYS LOCALS AND SUPPORTS THE LOCAL ECONOMY.