December 6 to 19, 2018 by Tahoe Guide (Tahoe Weekly)

IN THIS ISSUE // DEC. 6-19, 2018

THE DEBATE OVER

Tahoe

SNOWMOBILE ACCESS MUSIC, THE ART OF THE CRAFT COCKTAIL // PROJECT eARTh AMBASSADORS PERFORMANCE ART FOR CHANGE // EASY GIANT REFINES ITS ROOTS //

EVENTS & FESTIVALS WINTER EDITION

Truckee Dance Factory’s Twisted Nutcracker & Tale of the Rat King* Truckee Community Theatre: It’s a Wonderful Life & Christmas Chaos*

Santa’s Brunch* Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Ski with Jonny Moseley Farm to Table Dinner with Olympians*

Family Friendly Holiday Yoga*

Farm to Table Dinner with a Movie*

Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides

Retro Ski Après Party at Alpine Meadows

Ice Garden with Train Rides

Squaw Alpine Foundation’s White Out Soirée*

Ski or Tube with Santa

B E YO N D M E R RY WO N D E R L A N D

Reno Jazz Orchestra Holiday Showcase* Squaw Valley Institute’s Community Concert*

Christmas Eve Dinner* Sunset Happy Hour*

Live Ice Carving Demonstrations

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration, Carnival, Parades and Disco

Ugly Sweater Après Party

High Five the Year*

Toccata-Tahoe presents Handel’s Messiah*

INFORMATION & TICKETS AT SQUAWALPINE.COM/HOLIDAYS

*indicates a ticketed event

Santa Storytelling

ELEVATE YOUR APRÈS FASHION Drop in for a glass of champagne and hors d’oeuvres . Shop the newest luxe winter fashions from Alp-n-Rock! You won’t want to miss a chance to win one of the hottest new jackets of the season valued at over $300.

Christmas Shoppe Ornaments • Cards Santas • Unique Gifts

Christmas Trees North Shore’s Finest Selection Noble Fir, Silvertip, Swags, Garland

Flower Shoppe

Custom Arrangements • Poinsettias Orchids • Worldwide Delivery • Order Early

Fri, Dec.14th @ 4-7 pm | Sat, Dec.15th @12-4 pm

OPEN HOUSE

Friday, Nov. 30 from 12-6pm Refreshments • Shop Local Located at The Resort at Squaw Creek

High Sierra Gardens 866 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV Open Every Day 9am-5pm | (775) 831-7390 | HSGardens.com

Visit our Christmas Shoppe in Christmas Tree Village, too!

FULL BAR

ESPRESSO DRINKS

KID FRIENDLY

Expires December 20th

2 for 1 Dinners 7 Nights a week 2-course min. per person Please present ad when ordering

530.583.1874

400 SQUAW CREEK ROAD

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

WATCH YOUR FAVORITE SPORTING EVENTS

Breakfast SERVED 8AM UNTIL 2PM

Dinner 5PM | last seating at 9PM

Lunch 11:30-3PM

HAPPY HOUR 4:30-6 pm daily | Tuesday All Night! Martini Mondays $7

CHICKEN & WAFFLES • SMOKED TROUT BENNIE GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE OPTIONS • PLUS ALL YOUR FAVORITES

spindleshankstahoe.com | 400 Brassie Ave, Suite B · Kings Beach | (530) 546.2191

TheTahoeWeekly.com

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

Anne Brigman

Volume 37 | Issue 34

IN THIS ISSUE DEC. 6-19, 2018 9 12

Music, Events & Festivals

OUT & ABOUT 5

Sightseeing

Events

7 13

ARTS & CULTURE eARTh Ambassadors

The Arts

FUN & GAMES 16

MUSIC SCENE

TAHOE WINTER FUN Fresh snow has blanketed the Tahoe Sierra over the last few weeks allowing nearly every downhill ski area in the region to open by the end of November, along with several of the crosscountry areas. It’s time to get out and play in the wonders of wintertime in the Tahoe Sierra. It’s also time to make plans to enjoy the best winter festivals and events happening in the Tahoe-Reno region with our Tahoe Music, Events & Festivals winter guide. Enjoy anything from celebrations for the kids, to the Mountain Festival and SnowGlobe, to culinary indulgences (there’s a lot around s’mores this winter), to stargazing and snowshoeing, to classical concerts and holiday celebrations. You won’t want to miss this jam-packed guide with great events for everyone in this edition.

Entertainment Calendar & Live Music

Public access for snowmobilers

Easy Giant

Writer Sean McAlindin has spent the last few months looking at the issue of public access for snowmobilers on Forest Service lands as officials in five Forest Districts are in the process of examining how much land is available for over-snow vehicles in the future. The issue is broad reaching since access for snowmobilers is already severely limited in the Sierra Nevada, and the new plans could limit access even more.

LOCAL FLAVOR Tasty Tidbits

The Art of Mixology

Wine Column

Chef’s Recipe

ON THE COVER The snow has arrived in the Tahoe Sierra in time for winter fun from family friendly events to outdoor music and recreation to on-mountain fun. Read the Tahoe Weekly’s Tahoe Music, Events & Festivals winter edition to plan all of your winter merriment. On the cover, kids delight in making snow angels at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. | Photography by Keri Oberly, Tahoe Donner

Sean interviewed Forest Service officials, snowmobile user groups and environmental groups, which sued the Forest Service to spur the current round of reviews, to examine this issue that will impact all recreationalists on public lands.

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

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

TAHOE WEEKLY is published weekly throughout the summer and biweekly the rest of the year, with occassional extra issues at holiday times by Range of Light Media Group, Inc. Look for new issues on Thursdays. Subscribe to the free digital edition at issuu.com/ TheTahoeWeekly. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com. TAHOE WEEKLY, est. 1982, ©2007. Reproduction in whole or in part without publisher’s express permission is prohibited. Contributions welcome via e-mail. The Weekly is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Member: North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, North Tahoe Business Association, Incline Community Business Association, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce, Tahoe City Downtown Association, Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, Tahoe South Chamber of Commerce and Alpine County Chamber of Commerce. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Please recycle your copy.

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

The Tahoe Weekly is committed to covering issues of the public’s access to public lands, and our coverage in the past has also examined the public’s ability to access popular back-country areas that have been hampered by declining public parking areas and snow removal of the available parking. Follow our coverage at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Back Country under the Out & About tab. 

Find us at TheTahoeWeekly.com | Keep up-to-date at 4

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Food Editor Priya Hutner priya@tahoethisweek.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Lake Tahoe Facts

Horoscope & Puzzles

Photography production@tahoethisweek.com

Entertainment Editor Sean McAlindin entertainment@tahoethisweek.com

Sierra Stories

Family Fun

Editorial Inquiries editor@tahoethisweek.com

Graphic Designer Justeen Ferguson graphics@tahoethisweek.com, ext. 101

FEATURES Snowmobile Access

Events & Entertainment Submit at TheTahoeWeekly.com

Entertainment Inquiries entertainment@tahoethisweek.com

Easy Giant

Courtesy Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

SUBMISSIONS

Facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly & Instagram

@TheTahoeWeekly

Dec. 6-19, 2018

Donner Summit

Truckee Donner Lake

TRUCKEE AIRPORT

DONNER MEMORIAL STATE PARK

h Ta

SUGAR BOWL

WEST EAST SOUTH

DOWNHILL SKI AREAS

ra Rim T

Tahoe Vista

ALPINE MEADOWS

Dollar Hill

Lake

GRANKLIBAKKEN

Spooner Lake

Tahoe

Ta h o e R i m

CASINOS

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

DEEPEST POINT

Marlette Lake

Sunnyside a Tr

Maximum depth: 1,645 feet

TAHOE CROSS COUNTRY

Tahoe City

SNO-PARKS

Average depth: 1,000 feet

Crystal Bay

Kings Beach

Carnelian Bay

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK

SQUAW CREEK

DIAMOND PEAK

Incline Village

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK

Olympic Valley SQUAW VALLEY

NORTHSTAR

Truckee River

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AREAS

MT. ROSE

RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

DONNER SKI RANCH

ROYAL GORGE

SKY TAVERN

SODA SPRINGS

CLAIR TAPPAAN

BOREAL

Reno & Sparks

TAHOE DONNER

AUBURN SKI TRAINING CENTER

Eagle Rock

NEVADA NORDIC

Glenbrook

Carson City

Volume: 39 trillion gallons There is enough water in Lake Tahoe to supply everyone in the United States with more than 75 gallons of water per day for 5 years.

Homewood o Ta h

HOMEWOOD

e Ri

DID YOU

m Tr a i l

Tahoma

SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK

Meeks Bay

KNOW

CA Cave Rock

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

Zephyr Cove

Average Water Temperature: 42.1˚F

Emerald Bay

Average Surface Water Temperature: 51.9˚F

Cascade Lake

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

Ta h oe

R i m Tr ail

Average Snowfall: 409 inches

Fannette Island

South Lake Tahoe

Stateline HEAVENLY

CAMP RICHARDSON

Fallen Leaf Lake

BIJOU PARK / LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Meyers

LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT

FREEL PEAK

ECHO LAKES

Natural rim: 6,223’ Lake Tahoe sits at an average elevation of between 6,223’ and 6,229.1’. The top 6.1’ of water is controlled by the dam in Tahoe City and holds up to 744,600 acre feet of water.

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

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

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

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE

HOPE VALLEY

Markleeville

KIRKWOOD

LAKE TAHOE

How the lake was formed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TheTahoeWeekly.com

SIGHTSEEING

Getting up above the clouds. | Courtesy Hanna Bernard

ATTRACTIONS

BOCA 6,821

South Lake Tahoe

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

(530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org Once known as the “Grandest Resort in the World.” Grounds open year-round. BlueGo

Eagle Rock

Truckee

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

Explore Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe

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

Fannette Island

Emerald Bay

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

Heavenly

South Lake Tahoe

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

Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

West Shore

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

High Camp

Olympic Valley

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

Kings Beach

North Shore

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

North Tahoe Arts Center

Tahoe City

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

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

PROSSER 7,408 DONNER 3,073

CAPACITY: C 226,500

CAPACITY: 29,840 9 CAPACITY: 9,500 C 50

INDEPENDENCE 14,614

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

Vikingsholm Castle

Emerald Bay

(530) 541-3030 | (530) 525-9529 ADA parks.ca.gov or vikingsholm.com Tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle, see Eagle Falls and Fannette Island. TART

Watson Cabin

Tahoe City

(530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org The oldest building in Tahoe City and on the National Register of Historic Places. TART

CAPACITY: 18,300 C

CAPACITY: A 20,400

Truckee River |

FLOW AT FARAD

Old Jail Museum

Donner Memorial Visitor Center

Truckee

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

287

Truckee

(530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org One of a few surviving 19th Century jails. TART

Olympic Museum

Olympic Valley

(800) 403-0206 | squawalpine.com Celebrate the home of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Tower of Nations. Olympic Flame. Olympic Museum at high camp. TART

Tahoe Maritime Museum

MUSEUMS

Donner Summit Historical Society

MARTIS 879

6,228.08

Measured in Acre Feet (AF)

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

STAMPEDE 199,405

West Shore

IN 2017:

Tahoe City

(530) 583-9283 | tahoemaritimemuseum.org Self-guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities. TART

Measured in Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)

Tahoe Science Center

225

Tallac Historic Site

Truckee

6,226.86 |

200,000 AF

Donner Summit

ELEVATION :

RESERVOIR CAPACITY

175

visittahoecity.com Historical sites and Commons Beach. TART

Readings taken on Friday, November 30, 2018

150,000 AF

Drive through one of the area’s natural wonders, the neck of an old volcano.

LAKE LEVEL Lake Tahoe Natural rim 6,223’

125

North Shore

100,000 AF

Tahoe City

East Shore

Cave Rock

TROA.NET

Incline Village

Free | (775) 881-7566 | tahoesciencecenter.org Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3D movies and docent-led tours. TART

Truckee Railroad Museum

Truckee

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

Western SkiSport Museum Donner Summit (530) 426-3313, ext. 113 | auburnskiclub.org Showcasing the history of skiing. TART

TRANSIT: NORTH LAKE TAHOE & TRUCKEE | laketahoetransit.com / SOUTH LAKE TAHOE | bluego.org

Soda Springs

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

Gatekeeper’s Museum

Tahoe City

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

KidZone Children’s Museum

Truckee

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

Lake Tahoe Museum

South Lake Tahoe

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

Boots McFarland by Geolyn Carvin | BootsMcFarland.com

Out

OUTDOORS & RECREATION, EVENTS & MORE

EVENTS CALENDAR

Features of the new guidebook include detailed trip descriptions and topographic maps, along with tips on gear and equipment. The book is now available for sale online. White will do a presentation and book signing on Jan. 5 at the Galena Creek Visitor Center. | unevadapress.com

The project removes an existing pier near the center of Kings Beach State Recreation Area that does not reach water during low lake levels and rebuilds a 488-foot pier on the eastern side of the property where it will be able to function during low lake levels and provide a landing for motorized and human-powered watercraft. | trpa.org

The Shadow Campaign Alpenglow Sports | Tahoe City | Dec. 6

Watch the fifth installment of DPS Cinematic’s critically acclaimed “The Shadow Campaign.” Tickets can be purchased for $5 online or at the door night of. Proceeds to benefit a nonprofit. 6:30 p.m. $5 | alpenglowsports.com

Entrepreneurs Assembly Startup Roundtable

The sixth annual Alpenglow Mountain Festival returns from Feb. 16 to 24, 2019, with registration opening on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m., as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

A great professional networking and growth opportunity, roundtable workshops are confidential and provide the best practices for navigating the hurdles in creating a successful business. 6:45-9:15 p.m. | eventbrite.com

The nine-day festival in North Lake Tahoe is a celebration of human-powered mountain sports, events, clinics, equipment demonstrations, critically acclaimed film and more. The event showcases more than 80 individual events and is almost entirely free. | alpenglowsports.com

Know Before You Go

Free shuttle

Truckee Community Christmas

Mountaineer, the new on-demand transit services powered by Downtowner, an app-based micro-mass transit service, began operation in Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows on Dec. 1, as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Residents and guests in Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows will be able to use the in-valley transit service at no cost by downloading the Mountaineer app. Mountaineer will run daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Olympic Valley and on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Alpine Meadows through April 30. Dog-friendly and ADA vehicles are available. | ridedowntowner.com

benefits SWEP

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has approved the Kings Beach State Recreation Area Pier Reconstruction Project, as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

Mountain Festival

in Squaw, Alpine

Tahoe Film Fest

STAY HUMAN

Author Mike White has penned “50 of the Best Snowshoe Trails Around Tahoe,” which offers snowshoers of all levels and experience a widerange of excursions from flat and easy to steep and strenuous. It includes snowshoe routes at Mount Rose, the Carson Pass, Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, Highway 89, Truckee and Donner Pass.

for Kings Beach

&ABOUT

Lake Tahoe Yoga | Zephyr Cove | Dec. 6

Shoreline of Tahoe | Stateline | Dec. 6

A free avalanche awareness presentation by the Sierra Avalanche Center. See the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen, how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches. 7-8:30 p.m. Free | facebook.com

Drop off locations | Truckee | Dec. 6-12

Donate food, toys, warm clothes, time or money to Truckee Community Christmas now until Dec. 12. Check Web site for drop-off locations. Free | (530) 587-2757, truckeecommunitychristmas.com

Huck it for Holland PlumpJack’s | Olympic Valley | Dec. 7

Squaw Valley Ski Patrol is throwing a raffle and silent auction event at PlumpJack in The Village at Squaw Valley as a benefit for Amy Holland, a member of the ski patrol who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. There will be an after party at Auld Dubliner. All are welcome. 5-9 p.m. | facebook.com

Lifescapes Incline Village Library | Dec. 7

A memoir-writing program for seniors. 2-4 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, washoelibrary.us

SCIENCE FAIR

trail book

New pier

OUT & ABOUT

UP THE OKAVANGO

New snowshoe

DEC. 6-20, 2018

Dec. 6-19, 2018

Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP) presents the fourth annual Tahoe Film Fest from Dec 6 to 9. The lineup features 27 environmental and independent feature-length and award-winning films and documentaries. Special guests and filmmakers will be present at many of the films and VIP Special Events at the Crystal Bay Club. Tahoe Film Fest benefits SWEP, which educates local kindergarten through Grade 12 students about the environment and how to be a steward of the environment through science, outdoor and service learning projects. Some of the highlights of this year’s film fest include: “FREE SOLO” a film about Alex Honnold, the first free climber to scale El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. “MOMENTUM GENERATION” about a ragtag group of teenage surfers on Oahu in the 1980s who redefined surfing forever. “THE PUSH,” about Grant Korgan, who fractured his spine snowmobiling in the Sierra Nevada back country and his push two years later to travel 100 miles to the South Pole. “UNSTOPPABLE,” about Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost one arm to a shark at age 13 and her amazing journey now as a mother and an athlete still looking for that one big wave. “STAY HUMAN,” from world-renowned musician Michael Franti, who explores in this captivating and stunning documentary what it means to be human. “LIVING IN THE FUTURE’S PAST,” a documentary on environmental challenges produced and narrated by Jeff Bridges. Films will be shown throughout the region at Incline Village Cinema, Truckee Community Arts Center, Truckee High School, Crystal Bay Casino and Northstar Cinema. An All Access Pass good for all films and VIP Special Events is $60. Tickets for individual films can be purchased, as well. | tahoefilmfest.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

OUT & ABOUT

TheTahoeWeekly.com

EVENTS

DEC. 6-20, 2018

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Festive Fridays Downtown Truckee | Truckee | Dec. 7, 14

friends from near and far to celebrate Mark Nadell and his beloved sport of cross-country skiing. Demo equipment. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Free | (530) 426-3313, auburnskiclub.com

moderate level snowshoe hike at various locations throughout the Tahoe area. 10 a.m.2 p.m. | (775) 832-1310, yourtahoeplace.com

from Richard Blair, free cocoa, cider and cookies. State Park parking fees apply. 12-4 p.m. Free | (530) 583-9911, sierrastateparks.org

Celebrate the holiday season in historic downtown Truckee. Free parking and holiday activities. 4-6 p.m. Free | historictruckee.com

Community Avalanche Beacon Seminar & Practice Session

Santa’s Workshop Maker Market

Snowshoe to Dry Lake Dry Lake | Truckee | Dec. 8

Community Christmas Mixer

Join Carmen Carr on her monthly guided hikes and snowshoe trips. 9 a.m. Free | (530) 448-1643, carmencarr.com

Tahoe City Winter Sports Park | Dec. 11

Join Alpenglow Sports for a night of avalanche safety training in partnership with outdoor industry-leading brands. 5 p.m. Free | alpenglowsports.com

A festive and interactive community and family event featuring local makers and gift market. Santa will be in his workshop with a Make an Elf Hat activity for kids. 12-8 p.m. Free | (518) 727-7559, truckeeroundhouse.org

Winter Lecture Series

Community Tree Lighting

Tahoe Maritime Museum | Tahoe City | Dec. 11

The Chateau | Incline Village | Dec. 15

Raley’s Shopping Center | Incline Village | Dec. 7 Join a holiday mixer. 4-7 p.m. | northernlightstahoe.com

Tree Lighting Celebration

Tahoe Adventure Film Festival MontBleu Resort | Stateline | Dec. 8

Meyers Community Foundation will hold the eighth annual Tree Lighting with Santa, popcorn and hot cocoa. 5 p.m. Free | meyerscommunityfoundation.org

This fun high-energy evening will fuel your passion for action and ignite your senses for adventure, highlighting the best adventure sports films of the year and showcasing the action sports world’s best talent. 6:30 p.m. $23-$28 | (530) 318-1688, laketahoefilmfestival.com

Holiday Tree Lighting

The Movie to Keep Squaw True

North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach | Dec. 7

Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema | Tahoe City | Dec. 8, 9

Divided Sky/Downtown Cafe | Meyers | Dec. 7

Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live performances, holiday crafts, soup, cookie decorating, hot cocoa and coffee. Santa arrives by fire truck at 5:30 p.m. 5-7 p.m. Free | northtahoebusiness.org

Pray for Snow Party Sky Tavern | Reno | Dec. 7

Fire, s’mores, food, drinks, an auction, music, and a raffle. This family friendly event will be inside and outside the lodge, so make sure to dress warmly. 6 p.m. $5 | skytavern.org

The odyssey of Tahoe locals and big mountain snowboarders Nick Russell, Gray Thompson and freestyle superstar, Danny Davis. 7 and 9 p.m. | tahoearthauscinema.com

Barton Foundation Festival of Tree & Lights MontBleu Resort | Stateline | Dec. 7-9

A multi-day holiday extravaganza, featuring lavishly decorated trees and wreaths, local entertainment, kids’ craft area, photos with Santa, and a Teddy Bear Hospital. | bartonhealth.org

AIARE Level 1 Course Donner Summit | Truckee | Dec. 7-9

Avalanche Airbag Party

Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 8-20

Alibi Ale Works | Truckee | Dec. 12

Search for Santa and his elves on the slopes, ice sculptures, breakfast with Santa, ice skating performances starring Disney characters, a Ferris Wheel, virtual reality, ski simulator, magic shows, symphony orchestra and a Heavenly Rail Jam. | tahoesouth.com

Snow Dance Party Tahoe Cross Country | Tahoe City | Dec. 8

Snow Dance Party with music for dancing, free refreshments and snacks. Take your picture and pick up a pass. Enter the Snow pool for $5 to guess when there will be enough snow for grooming. Bring the kids. | tahoexc.org

“Free Solo” Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema | Tahoe City | Dec. 8-13 A stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of the free soloist climber Alex Honnold as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park -- without a rope. | tahoearthauscinema.com

Truckee Community Christmas invites you to join a Toy Donation Party. 5 p.m. | truckeecommunitychristmas.com

Zano’s Pizzaria | Truckee | Dec. 9

Cross Country Ski Center | Truckee | Dec. 9

Attend a free clinic to see if teaching crosscountry skiing is for you. | tahoedonner.com

“Giving Back” Business Panel Sierra Nevada College | Incline Village | Dec. 10 Leaders of local nonprofits will lead a discussion of how members of the business community can Give Back. Light breakfast available. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | (775) 831-1314, sierranevada.edu

S.A.F.E. AS Clinics Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Dec. 8, 9

An intro to Avalanche Safety and FUNdraiser Day with classroom and on-snow training, morning yoga, lunch, apres party and raffle. Women, ages 14 and older. Special guest Kimmy Fasani. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. | (800) 403-0206, facebook.com

Mountain Minds Monday Pizza on the Hill | Truckee | Dec. 10

Tahoe Silicon Mountain’s monthly networking group for people that live, work or vacation in the Truckee/Tahoe/Reno area. Members are involved in the tech industry or are small business owners. 6-8 p.m. $5 | tahoesiliconmountain.com

55+ Snowshoe Hikes Captain Nordic Day Auburn Ski Club Training Ctr | Truckee | Dec. 8 Don your wildest attire, and gather with

Area Venue | Incline Village | Dec. 11, 18

Trekkers of all abilities are welcome to join IVGID Senior programs for a weekly light to

Creative crafts for kids, story time, sleigh rides, live music, caroling, and Santa & Mrs. Claus. Food, beverages, and sleigh rides available for purchase. The Pro Shop will be open for holiday shopping. 4-6 p.m. Free | yourtahoeplace.com

Jazz and Jingle Mingle Tahoe Maritime Museum | Tahoe City | Dec. 15 Enjoy a evening of jazz with West Shore Jazz, a hearty soup dinner and ornament craft table, drinks, mulled wine and holiday treats. RSVP by Dec. 7. 4-6 p.m. $30-$40 | (530) 5839283, ext. 103, tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Santa Ski Day Mt Rose Ski Tahoe | Reno | Dec. 15

Come ski and snowboard dressed in your finest Kris Kringle red & white. | (775) 8490704, skirose.com

Christmas Bird Count Incline Village/Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau | Dec. 14

Celebrate the holidays and indulge in unique soups and libations. RSVP by Dec. 7 to greg@ gotahoe.com. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | gotahoenorth.com

Kick-Off Party Diamond Peak Ski Resort | Incline Village | Dec. 14 Celebrate the 2018-19 season with music, food, prizes and more. All ages. 4:30-7:30 p.m. | (775) 832-1177, diamondpeak.com

Holiday Open House Truckee Library | Truckee | Dec. 15

Come out and join Friends of the Truckee Library, as well as local author Joanne Meschery for a holiday open house at the Truckee Library. She will be signing copies of “Truckee: An Illustrated History of the Town and Its Surroundings.” 12 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free | (530) 582-7846, truckeefol.org

Maritime Museum Open House Learn to teach cross-country skiing

6th Annual Holiday Bazaar Fundraiser for the performing arts and No Plastic Tahoe. The marketplace opens at 5, followed by live performances at 6. Tea lounge. Live music and dancing at 8 p.m. Bring your own cup. 5-10 p.m. | tahoeflowartsstudio.com

Go beyond the basics and learn about other safety gear for back-country travelers. Join us for this fun party to learn about all sorts of fun toys then blow off an airbag pack. 6:30 pm. 6-8 p.m. | blog.tahoemountainsports.com

Holiday Soup Fest

TDXC Passholder Appreciation Party

Tahoe Flow Arts Studio | Tahoe Vista | Dec. 8

North Lake Tahoe Visitors Center Tahoe City | Dec. 11, 12

Heavenly Holidays

Toy Donation party

Catch up with your skiing buddies, meet new friends and learn what’s new this winter at Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center. 5-7 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

Guest Services Training

This is the story about how we band together to defend one of the most special places in the Sierra Nevada from overdevelopment. | tahoearthauscinema.com

Gain knowledge and skills to become more confident in the back country. | backcountrybabes.com

Tahoe Donner Cross Country | Truckee | Dec. 8

Spike Wimmer will share maritime stories from his adventures as a tugboat captain. 5-6 p.m. Free | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Provide staff with resources they need to shine in customer service this winter. A 1-hour visitor service training to hear the latest information on what’s new in North Lake Tahoe. Free | gotahoenorth.com

“Range of Mystery” Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema | Tahoe City | Dec. 7

Truckee Roundhouse Makerspace | Truckee | Dec. 15

Tahoe Maritime Museum | Tahoe City | Dec. 15

Celebrate the season with a Holiday Open House with visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ornament and cookie decorating, hot cider and more. Holiday attire encouraged. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Holiday in History Lake Tahoe Historical Society History Museum South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 15 Free tours of the museum and 1930s log cabin decorated for Christmas. At 5 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive. Free sleigh rides, ukuleles serenades, carols by South Tahoe Choral Association, family activities, holiday food and cocoa. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free | gem.godaddy.com

Holiday Open House Donner Memorial State Park | Truckee | Dec. 15 Join Sierra State Parks Foundation for family fun, celebrating the community and pioneer spirit with an activity-packed day: craft activities, guided history and nature walks, free gift wrapping, storytelling and photo booth, music

Alpina Coffee Cafe | South Lake Tahoe | Dec. 16

The Christmas Bird Count is regarded as the largest and oldest citizen science project in the world. Volunteers head out into the winter to count birds for a day. Meet at Alpina Coffee Cafe to go birding in East Cove. Register online. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free | tinsweb.org

Far West Auction & Dinner Tahoe Yacht Club | Tahoe City | Dec. 16

Auction and dinner to benefit the Nordic Ski Programs with a Mexican dinner, raffle, auction and no-host bar. Semi-formal Nordic attire. Space is limited. Tickets at the door. 5:30 p.m. $20-$40 | farwestnordic.org

Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Dec. 19, 20

Let Santa’s Reindeer take you on a special holiday path between Merry Wonderland and The Village at Squaw Valley. Complimentary sleigh rides are offered on a first-come, firstserve basis. Sleighs can accommodate two to six guests per ride. 2-5 p.m. Free | squawalpine.com

Gar Woods Dirty 30 & Chamber Mixer Gar Woods | Carnelian Bay | Dec. 20

Come celebrate the evolution of one of Tahoe’s most recognized establishments and toast to the holiday season with friends and colleagues. With 1988 throwbacks, a festive photo booth, DJ Sawyer and holiday Woody’s. Bbring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots. | gotahoenorth.com

River Talk Truckee River Watershed Council office Truckee | Dec. 20

Join a short, informational River Talk about past and present threats to the Truckee River and how to help restore and protect it. Learn how human impact has damaged the Truckee River Watershed and hear about the work the Watershed Council is doing to reverse this damage. RSVP (530) 550-8760, ext. 5. 8-9 a.m. Free | truckeeriverwc.org

Conor Tourmarkine | Sierra Snowmobile Foundation

Dec. 6-19, 2018

FEATURE

THE DEBATE OVER

SNOWMOBILE ACCESS FOREST SERVICE EYE PLANS ON SNOWMOBILES STORY BY SEAN MCALINDIN

LOCAL SNOWMOBILERS

Lake Tahoe is situated at the confluence of a cornucopia of protected lands managed by federal agencies, California and Nevada state parks, and a myriad of conservation agencies.

are biting their gloves in anticipation of the U.S. Forest Service’s release of its final decision regarding the use of snowmobiles and other over-snow vehicles (OSVs) in five national forests in the Tahoe Sierra. At stake is more than 4 million acres of public lands stretching through 200 miles of the Sierra Nevada running through Lassen, Plumas, Tahoe, Eldorado and Stanislaus national forests. These forests are all in the process of finalizing their proposed action plans for an updated over-snow travel management policy that could take effect as early as the winter of 2019-20. The issue of back-country access by the public is far reaching and important to winter recreationalists from skiers to snowmobilers in the Tahoe Sierra given the nature of land ownership in the region. Lake Tahoe is situated at the confluence of a cornucopia of protected lands managed by federal agencies, including the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; California and Nevada state parks; and a myriad of conservation agencies, ranging from the California Tahoe Conservancy to the Nature Conservancy and the Truckee Donner Land Trust, among others. In March, Lassen National Forest was the first to release its draft decision, a proposal that would reduce the amount of public lands accessible to motorized snow vehicles by more than 200,000 acres, and includes the introduction of 17 public OSV crossings of the Pacific Crest Trail and a 12-inch minimum snowpack requirement for cross-country travel. On Oct. 31, Eldorado National Forest became the second district to release its decision. Individuals and organizations who have already commented on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) can object to the draft decision during the 45-day review period, which closes Dec. 17. General public comment is now closed. Tahoe National Forest is scheduled to release its draft decision in mid-January and Stanislaus National Forest on Feb. 15, according to Forest Service public affairs officers. Plumas National Forest released its DEIS on Oct. 25 for public comment. Plumas officials announced on Dec. 3 that it would extend the comment period until Jan. 24, 2019, due to the impacts of the Camp Fire.

Other regional Forest Service branches such as Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, which manages parts of the three forests that enter the Tahoe Basin, and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest south of Tahoe have yet to release any official drafts of proposed action but are required to do so in the near future. “We’ll most likely get started in 2020,” says Humboldt-Toiyabe spokesperson Erica Hupp. “Sometimes it’s better not to be the first one out of the gate.”

A DEBATE OVER PUBLIC LANDS

National forest lands are the property of the people of the United States, managed by the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As such, they were historically open to unrestricted use by motorized vehicles. The land management decisions currently underway are the culmination of a process that began in 1972 when President Nixon issued an executive order requiring federal land-management agencies to minimize environmental impacts and conflicts associated with the use of off-road vehicles on federal public lands. While the Forest Service completed the requirements for dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles, it neglected to perform that same analysis for OSVs. Three groups — Snowlands Network, Winter Wildlands Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity — sued the Forest Service in 2011 to perform that analysis. The result was a 2013 settlement to complete the analyses for winter travel in the Tahoe, Eldorado, Plumas, Lassen and Stanislaus national forests. Over-snow vehicles are defined as “a motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow and run on a track and/or as ski or skis, while in use over the snow,” according to the Federal Register. “Based on public feedback and our own interdisciplinary team, each National Forest that sees significant OSV use is required by the National Environmental Policy Act to access potential environment impact and put forth updated land use designations,” said Tahoe National Forest public information officer Joseph Flannery. The result of the settlement has led to a broad range of alternatives for each forest ranging from no 9

FEATURE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Alyssa Ganong

THE SIERRA NEVADA | NATIONAL FOREST & WILDERNESS AREAS LASSEN COUNTYto Lassen

to Lassen PLUMAS COUNTY

WILDERNESS AREAS PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST LAKE TAHOE BASIN MANAGEMENT UNIT ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST

Sierraville Reno

SIERRA COUNTY

HUMBOLDT-TOIYABE NATIONAL FOREST

Little Truckee Summit Jackson Meadows

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

NEVADA COUNTY

Truckee Incline Village

Tahoe City

GRANITE CHIEF

PLACER COUNTY

Blackwood Canyon

Carson City

LAKE TAHOE

South Lake Tahoe

ELDORADO COUNTY

MT. ROSE

Hope Valley

DESOLATION

ALPINE COUNTY

AMADOR COUNTY CALAVERAS COUNTY

MOKELUMNE

Blue Lakes

MONO COUNTY

TUOLUMNE COUNTY

CARSON-ICEBERG change to the current OSV plan to an up to 86 percent reduction in land available to motorized oversnow vehicles in the Stanislaus National Forest due to its proximity to Yosemite National Park and other wilderness areas, as represented by its non-motorized users preferred alternative in the proposal. After going through the drafting and public comment process, the forest supervisor of each branch is responsible for deciding on a final plan based on feedback to the multiple alternatives put forth by the public, as well as extensive research of the environmental impacts of OSVs through the forests. “Our decision wasn’t even close to being made during the draft, so we are going to be responding to comments and actively listening,” says Flannery. “We want our decisionmaker, Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano, to have a range of alternatives to choose from.”

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?

The 45-day public-comment periods for Tahoe and Eldorado national forests earlier this year were a wakeup call for the local snowmobiling community to make sure their voices were heard during the decision process on the lands they ride for pleasure

and to access remote back-country skiing locations. At the time, many in the snowmobiling community felt blindsided as they scrambled to organize to have their concerns taken seriously. “We recognized the OSV community wasn’t being heard,” says Dennis Troy, founder of Sierra Snowmobile Foundation, which formed to represent snowmobilers during the review of the OSV plans. “One of the reasons we formed was there wasn’t any good local organization yet.” Since then, Troy and snowmobilers throughout the Tahoe Sierra have banded together to rail against suggested closures of popular snowmobiling areas such as Castle Peak and Carpenter Valley north of Truckee, Bucks Lake Road in Plumas County, Loon Lake in Eldorado County and Echo Summit in South Lake Tahoe. Decisions on other popular zones such as Mount Rose and Relay Peak in North Tahoe and Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore are also in the works to be decided on by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit once it begins its public process next year. “Tahoe’s a special place because there is a great balance right now that accommodates all users in a fair manner,” says Troy. “In some of the alternatives you now have a minority being excluding so others can have preferred access.”

The Sierra Snowmobile Foundation position is that the Forest Service plans are being designed to unfairly restrict snowmobilers’ access to public lands. Tahoe National Forest received more than 2,000 public comments on the May proposal following the announcement of its five alternatives. The debate between skiers, snowmobilers and environmentalists became so heated that the Forest Service opted to take the comments down from public view following a rash of personal online attacks by some of the public. “I think that from the release of the proposal to where we are now we have done a great job of engaging our public,” says Flannery. “For the people we didn’t directly reach out to at the beginning, we had a chance to reach out to them after we put out the draft EIS. I think we are going to be responding to the comments and actively listening.” One red flag brought up by many veteran snowmobilers is potential implementation of designated Pacific Crest Trail crossings in many of the proposals. “We all know conditions are constantly changing up there,” says foundation member Kevin Bazar. “The best place to cross the crest can change from year to year.” Other potential objections include the 12-inch snow minimum, the loss of all areas below 4,000 feet where it historically doesn’t snow much and significant cuts into some of the only high-country ski terrain in the Tahoe Sierra that is still accessible to snowmobiles. “I think the biggest thing is maintaining access to areas that have been used historically by OSVs,” says Troy. “Our end goal is really trying to preserve that access. We were all back-country skiers long before we were snowmobilers, but right now you have some people advocating for closing areas that are barely accessible to foot travel in the winter. And once we lose this access, we never get it back.” Another concern expressed by the Snowmobile Foundation was that Plumas National Forest originally set the deadline to accept final objections by vested parties until Dec. 9, then the catastrophic Camp Fire broke out on Nov. 8, parts of which are within the Plumas National Forest. Officials have since said they would extend the comment period to Jan. 24, 2019. The dates for two Open Houses will be announced the week of Dec. 10. “We’re still reviewing it and reaching out to the local community who have been impacted by the fire,” says Troy.

DIFFERENT VISIONS FOR PUBLIC USE

The snowmobiling community’s sense of being squeezed out is rooted in the fact that many higher elevation areas in California and Nevada are comprised of wilderness areas and national parks that are inaccessible by law to motor vehicles.

TAHO NATION FORE

FEATURE

Courtesy Hanna Bernard

TAHOE ATIONAL FOREST

Courtesy Luke Allen

Dec. 6-19, 2018

NATIONAL FOREST USAGE | BY THE ACRE NATIONAL FOREST

TOTAL ACREAGE

*CURRENTLY

*FOREST

*PREFERRED

TIMELINE FOR DECISION

LASSEN

1,150,020

964,030

762,920

632,400

FEIS & Draft Record of Decision Released March 29, 2018. Comment period closed.

ELDORADO

615,037

458,600

337,100

125,200

FEIS & Draft Record of Decision released Oct 31, 2018. Stakeholder Comment Period ends Dec. 17, 2018.

TAHOE

811,740

636,002

406,895

275,972

DEIS Released April 13, 2018. FEIS & Draft Record of Decision expected January 2019.

STANISLAUS

898,099

684,505

140,895

97,763

DEIS Released Aug. 23, 2018. FEIS & Draft Record of Decision expected Feb. 15, 2019.

PLUMAS

1,147,825

864,826

651,877

DEIS Released Oct. 25, 2018. Comment Period closes Jan. 24, 2019.

*IN ACRES

In fact, the Sierra Nevada contains one of the longest stretches of contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48. From Granite Chief in the north to Bright Star in the south, there are 22 separate parcels of protected land including the vast swaths of John Muir, Ansel Adams and Golden Trout, along with three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Because so much of this land is protected, snowmobilers rely heavily on national forests for access to the high country. Snowmobilers who live and recreate in the Tahoe Sierra often travel hours to locations where snowmobile use is allowed from Plumas and Lassen to the north down to Sonora Pass in the Stanislaus Forest to the south. Hanna Bernard is the organizer of Sierra Tahoe Snowmobile Club, a group that helps people get together to safely enjoy the outdoors on snowmobiles. “It’s really sad,” she says. “We’re getting squeezed into smaller and smaller areas. We have so little left that we are on top of each other.” Bernard alludes to areas in Hope Valley and Carson Pass including Forestdale Road beyond Red Lake by the boundary of the Mokelumne Wilderness that were closed to snowmobile travel after a 2007 decision by District Ranger Gary Schiff of Carson Ranger District Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. “These are places that you’d never ski to because they are too far away,” Bernard says. “We are just local sledders so it’s really tough to fight against someone who’s never even been to Tahoe. They have all the money. I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease. They really wouldn’t want to have any snowmobiles at all apparently.” Local snowmobile groups have questioned the role of groups involved in the litigation in 2011 that spurred the current reviews of OSV use in the Forest Service districts arguing that none of the organizations are based in the Tahoe Sierra and therefore cannot best represent those who use public lands in Tahoe. The nonprofit Winter Wildlands Alliance based in Idaho is dedicated to protecting winter wildlands for human-powered snowsports and is an alliance of more than 100 organizations in the United States, which includes the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance and

OPEN TO OSVs

SERVICE PROPOSED ACTION

NON-MOTORIZED USER ALTERNATIVE

the Friends of Plumas Wilderness. The mission of the Snowlands Network, a nonprofit based in Los Gatos, is to promote opportunities for back-country, non-motorized winter recreation. The Center for Biological Diversity out of Arizona is a

“They’re noisy. They’re polluting. They mark up the snow. They are impactful machines,” he says. Troy maintains, however, that concerns about pollution from snowmobiles are overblown and based on decades-old studies, and he envisions a future with clean, electric snowmobiles. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates exhaust emissions for snowmobiles, as it does for passenger vehicles and E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Click on Winter under the Out & About tab for links to each Forest Service district plan and to the groups involved Follow Tahoe Weekly’s ongoing coverage of public access issues. Click on Back Country under the Out & About Tab

science-based nonprofit whose mission is to protect animal and plant species at risk for extinction. Environmental groups on the other end of the spectrum maintain that they are simply holding the government accountable to complete its legally required analysis of environmental impact. “The perception is that we are working hard to take away snowmobiling, but that isn’t really the case,” says David Page of Winter Wildlands Alliance. “We tried to look at where historic sledding took place and preserve that as much as possible. We’re not anti-snowmobile; we are working to find places where people can go where there aren’t snowmobiles. I guarantee you the snowmobilers are being listened to.” “We are trying to reduce conflict,” says Jim Gibson, vice president of Snowlands Network. “People go up looking for primitive conditions and the wonderful quiet of the woods. Having a motor vehicle come by defeats the whole purpose. We are advocating that the Forest Service set aside areas for quiet recreation. What we’re looking for is to identity places we can go to not encounter snowmobiles.” Gibson insists Snowlands is not against snowmobiles, but he is concerned about the damage they cause to the environment.

recreational vehicles including boats and personal watercraft. Some local organizations with encyclopedic knowledge of the Tahoe back country, like the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, have made specific suggestions pertaining to closures in hopes of respecting the historic use of both motorized and human-powered users, for example, keeping an area such as Castle Peak’s north bowl open to motorized vehicles while restricting several steep chutes to non-motorized users only. Meanwhile, the Tahoe National Forest is assuring the public that all comments are being fairly weighed in the upcoming decision by Ilano. “I think that from the release of the proposal to where we are now we have done a great job of engaging our public,” says Flannery. “Our decision wasn’t even close to being made during the draft, so we are going to be responding to comments and actively listening.” According to Flannery, after releasing the draft decision in January, Tahoe National Forest will allow 45 days for comments by previously engaged parties before finalizing and enacting the plans. “Anytime someone introduces new information, we have an obligation to go over it and add it to our process,” he says. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the proposed action was modified once again.”  11

FEATURE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

SIERRA STORIES BY MARK McLAUGHLIN

Alpine Skiing Debuts at 1936 Winter O l y m pi c s Hannes Schroll in 1937.

Olympics be limited to cross-country skiing and jumping competitions with no alpine skiing where Europeans dominated. The FIS finally convinced its Scandinavian members to allow a men’s and women’s slalom and downhill combined event for 1936. To prepare for this upcoming Olympic competition, the National Ski Association decided to select America’s first official national

The April 1935 Olympic alpine trials at Mount Rainier, Wash., represented the

he 1930s was the breakout decade for ski sport in California and across much of the nation. Despite an economic depression, increasing numbers of Americans took to the slopes. In the first two decades of the 20th Century, winter sports evolved from individuals enjoying casual ice skating, sledding and tobogganing to organized, competitive cross-country ski races and ski-jumping events. Early in the decade, European ski instructors imported a new, dynamic, parallel turning style known as the Arlberg technique, first developed in Austria. Ski equipment evolved, too. Stiff wooden skis got shorter and easier to turn, bindings improved and uphill rope-tow systems were popular for alpine skiers who wanted lots of turns and runs during the course of a day. It was a huge improvement over the previous era of an arduous climb up a mountain for one long schuss back down. In California, the construction of a year-round highway leading to Yosemite Valley and the area’s stunning beauty pushed Yosemite National Park to the forefront of the state’s winter sports development. At Yosemite, skating rinks, toboggan slides, cross-country ski races and High Sierra mountaineering tours combined with world-class alpine scenery to offer California’s best competition against the splendor and reputation of the European Alps. The Truckee-Tahoe region had been in the winter sports business for years,

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but it was at Yosemite that the Golden State thought it had its best chance to compete against Europe’s famed, worldclass resorts. By the winter of 1932, skiers could access a slope that had been cleared of trees and brush for skiing by the National Park Service. Development of the Badger Pass Ski Area moved forward with a new experimental electric lift installed for the winter of 1935. This cable-drawn toboggan could carry only a few skiers at a time, but it sure beat sidestepping up the slope for each run. The April 1935 Olympic alpine trials at Mount Rainier, Wash., represented the beginning of U.S. national downhill racing competitions. It was slow in coming. The Europeans had been hosting contests for about 20 years and the International Federation of Skiing (FIS) had held its first annual world alpine championships in Switzerland in 1931. But in the United States, the National Ski Association had still not organized an event to pit top Eastern and Western racers against each other in order to determine a national champion. The Americans were under pressure to prepare their best amateur downhill racers for the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The 1936 Games were going to be the first to allow alpine ski events. Despite the popularity of the sport in both Europe and the United States, Scandinavian countries had insisted that the Winter

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beginning of U.S. national downhill racing competitions. alpine team by holding an Olympic tryout at Mount Rainier. The event also doubled as the first U.S. Alpine-combined nationals. These pre-Olympic contests represented the beginning of U.S. national downhill-racing competitions. The competitions brought together America’s top racers, coaches and the sport’s leaders for the first time. The betting money was on American skier Richard “Dick” Durrance, followed by Hjalmar Hvam and Hannes Schroll. Durrance, a freshman at Dartmouth, had spent six years in Garmisch-Partenkirchen learning to ski among Europe’s top racers. At age 17, he became the fastest in his age bracket in the 1932 Bavarian championship race. The following year, Durrance placed 16th in the world-famous Arl-bergKandahar downhill and finished 35th in slalom in a field of 80 elite Eur-opeans. In 1935, Durrance was consid-ered America’s top speedster. Norwegian-born Hvam had immigrated to the U.S. in 1929. In 1932, he won the national Nordic-combined championship at Tahoe’s Olympic Hill (now Granlibakken). Indicative of Hvam’s exceptional athletic ability, three years after his victory in cross-country and jumping events at Tahoe, the Nordic champ was entered to compete in the downhill and alpine combined. But few knew much about Schroll from Austria, a surprise entrant at the competition. Known as the “Red Devil of the Tyrol,” Schroll had a reputation for ripping down the mountain. In 1934, Schroll had flashed to first place in the challenging Marmolata Race in the Italian Alps; his trophy was presented to him by Dictator Benito Mussolini. The victory earned Schroll a trip to the United States to demonstrate his abilities as one of Austria’s best competi-

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tors. It was also a ticket to safety out of a troubled Europe that in a few years would explode into war. Schroll was 26 years old when he stormed the fledgling U.S. racing circuit. He was dashing, athletic and so fast on his boards that he had won more than 100 international ski titles in Europe. Schroll quickly proved his chops by crushing the competition at Mount Rainer. On race day the course was plagued by poor visibility and icy rutted snow that some felt left the results too much to chance, but Schroll flew down the cloud-shrouded racecourse with confidence, yodeling as he went. Schroll finished a stunning 1 minute 7 seconds ahead of Durrance who took second place. With his superior technique and daredevil style, Schroll also easily won the slalom, which gave him a sweep of the downhill, slalom and the combined. But on his victory, Schroll was immediately hired as director of Yosemite Ski School at Badger Pass, a professional, paid job that eliminated him from Olympic competition. The 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen were the last Games held before World War II forced their suspension. German leader Adolph Hitler presided over the opening ceremonies. Before the Games, the International Olympic Committee declared that ski instructors could not compete because they were professionals. Angry Austrian and Swiss skiers boycotted the alpine events with the exception of a few Austrians who E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Hannes Schroll “The Red Devil from Tyrol” Granlibakken birthplace of Tahoe skiing decided to represent Germany. Medals would be awarded based on the combined times of the downhill and slalom races. Emile Allais of France, who later become Squaw Valley’s first head of Ski School, placed third. Durrance performed the best of any American, coming in 10th place. The men’s gold medal winner was Germany’s Franz Pfnuer, who skied the two courses on his long and cumbersome jumping skis.  Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlin is a nationally published author and professional speaker. His award-winning books are available at local stores or at thestormking.com. You may reach him at mark@thestormking.com. Check out his blog at tahoenuggets.com or read more at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on History under the Explore

Dec. 6-19, 2018

OUT & ABOUT

Family Fun Mother Goose on the Loose

RUFF, Read Up for Fun

South Lake Tahoe Library | Dec. 6, 13, 20

Truckee Library | Dec. 12, 19

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

Toddler Story Time Incline Village Library | Dec. 6, 13, 20

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

Teen Center Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe Kings Beach | Dec. 6, 7, Dec. 10-14, Dec. 17-20 Teen Center at Boys & Girls Club for 7th graders and older. Computers, TVs, video games, books, pool table and board games. Open gym Wednesday-Friday 6-7 p.m. 7 p.m. | (530) 546-4324, bgcnlt.org

Early Literacy Storytime South Lake Tahoe Library | Dec. 7, 14

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

Teen Scene Kahle Community Center | Stateline | Dec. 7, 14 Kids in grades 6-12 can shoot hoops, play volleyball, climb the rock wall and play arcade or video games. 6:30-9 p.m. $5 | (775) 586-7271

Kids Night Out Truckee | Dec. 7

Kids ages 4 to 9 are invited to an evening of fun at Northwoods Clubhouse while parents enjoy a night on the town. 5-9 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

Breakfast with Santa Rideout Community Center | Tahoe City | Dec. 8 Pancake breakfast with Santa. Kids activities and family fun. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. $2-$20 | tcpud.org

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

Games and Lego Bricks Zephyr Cove Library | Dec. 12

Play a variety of board and card games provided by the library, or build something creative with Lego bricks. 3:30-5 p.m. | douglascountynv.gov

Craft Day Incline Village Library | Dec. 12

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

My Reading Buddy South Lake Tahoe Library | Dec. 12

Read animal stories with a dog partner and win fuzzy prizes. A trained canine listener, animal books and tutor provided free. Program provided by the Lake Tahoe Humane Society 4-5 p.m. Free | (530) 573-3185, engagedpatrons.org

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

Kids Night Out Northwoods Clubhouse | Truckee | Dec. 15

Kids ages 4 to 9 are invited to an evening of fun at Northwoods Clubhouse while parents enjoy a night on the town. 5-9 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

Snowball Festival Soda Springs Resort | Dec. 15, 16

Bring the kids to the airport at 10 a.m. to watch Santa fly in on a special plane. Then they can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free | chamber.truckee.com

Santa Brunch

Story Telling with Santa

Chateau at Incline Village | Dec. 8

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Olympic Valley | Dec. 19

Truckee Airport | Dec. 8

Join in the fun for a festive Brunch with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his elves. This family event features many fun activities including a delicious brunch, a magic show, arts and crafts, raffle prizes, a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and much more. | (775) 298-0004, yourtahoeplace.com

The Snowball Festival returns to Soda Springs with The World’s Biggest Cup of Hot Cocoa, arts and crafts, face painting, custom balloons, photo ops, holiday snow tubing, snow parkour, a bounce house, a DIY hot cocoa bar and craft beer for E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT adults from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15, TheTahoeWeekly.com 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.

Watch a video of at the Snowball Festival

All ski tickets purchased during snowball dates allows access to the festival, which also includes Tubing at Tube Town or Planet Kids. | skisodasprings.com

Environmentally friendly powder coating New vinyl re-strapping and sling replacement Wrought iron furniture, fences, art, architectural structures, automotive parts and more Pick up and delivery Family owned & operated

BEFORE

Head to Merry Wonderland after the slopes for a fireside storytelling with Santa. He will be sharing traditional Christmas stories, songs and folklore. He’ll also be sharing milk and cookies for all to enjoy. 3 p.m. Free | squawalpine.com

Kids art workshops

Weird Science Wednesdays

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Dec. 8

Incline Village Library | Dec. 19

North Tahoe Arts presents Kids Art Saturdays for ages 5 to 12. Each workshop allows kids to make a project to be taken home. Volunteer artists guide students in the workshops. | northtahoearts.com

Snowball Festival

Incline Village Library | Dec. 13

At the Snowball Festival, there are activities for everyone: arts and crafts, face-painting, custom balloons, photo ops, holiday snow tubing, snow parkour, a bounce house and The World’s Biggest Cup of Hot Cocoa. Planet Kids will have a holiday menu of chili, a DIY hot cocoa bar and craft beer for adults. 10 a.m.4 p.m. | skisodasprings.com

Santa’s Fly-In

Jake Pollock | Soda Springs

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

Come join the fun and experiment with weird wacky science. 4 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, washoecountylibrary.us

AFTER

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For Spring & Summer

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Bilingual Story Time Incline Village Library | Dec. 19

Features stories, finger plays and wiggle action as part of the experience to encourage a love of books. | (775) 832-4130

THE ARTS

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Arts

& CULTURE

CREATIVE AWARENESS

Roundabout

art installed

Project eARTh Ambassadors PERFORMANCE ART FOR CHANGE S T O R Y B Y K AY L A A N D E R S O N

ahoe Flow Artists created Project eARTh Ambassadors using performance art to spread awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. The No Plastic Tahoe initiative is the eARTh Ambassadors first major project, which aims to eliminate as much plastic as possible in the Tahoe Basin. “The Tahoe Flow Artists use movement as a vehicle for change,” says Tahoe Flow Arts owner Kelly Smiley, adding that using live performers to convey their message helps the environment and is entertaining.

“Estrella” | Roger Berry

The first of two public art pieces for Kings Beach’s roundabouts has been installed, with “Estrella” by Roger Berry installed on Nov. 12 at the Bear Street and State Route 28 intersection, as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Installation of the second piece, “Da o wa ga” by artist Brett Moten, is expected to take place in spring 2019.

“We’ll go to a crowded beach, turn on a loudspeaker and start dancing and people stop what they’re doing and listen. Then they want to help out.”

ABOVE: Great Spirit Performance at Made in Tahoe

Festival 2018. | Courtesy Cheri Sugal Photography; Mermaid gatherings for summer beach cleanups. | Courtesy Meredith Calderas; TOP RIGHT: Performers from the eARTh production in December 2017. | Courtesy Kelly Smiley

“We have a platform,” says Abi Collomb Gregor, Smiley’s friend and cocreator of No Plastic Tahoe. “We’ll go to a crowded beach, turn on a loudspeaker and start dancing and people stop what they’re doing and listen. Then they want to help out.” The idea to start eARTh Ambassadors came in February 2015 after Smiley did a yoga training in Nicaragua. She noticed the amount of plastic and waste compared to its neighbor Costa Rica and realized that her studio in Tahoe was the perfect place to try to implement change. As the studio put on public and private performances with a focus on protecting the

H O L I D AY BAZAAR D E C . 8 | 5 - 1 0 P. M .

Tahoe Flow Arts | Tahoe Vista 14

–Abi Collomb Gregor

earth, the Tahoe Flow Arts Earth Ambassadors started to gain notoriety. Flash forward to December 2017 when Tahoe Flow Arts put on its first full-length performance introducing the eARTh Ambassadors and their mission. Held at the Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema in Tahoe City, the performances led the audience through scenes of the earth’s destruction caused by human error, then showed how to change the path of the future through love and conservation. Community members and Tahoe Flow Arts students used aerial silks, hoops, yoga, tap and dance skills to communicate the cause. Music was performed, as well. For instance, a song written and performed by 15-year-old Truckee resident Madison Burns was featured. The sold-out show raised more than $2,000 in donations for No Plastic Tahoe. Created under the eARTh Ambassadors umbrella, Smiley and Collomb formed No Plastic Tahoe to try to completely eliminate single-use plastics in the Tahoe Basin. This year, the sixth annual Tahoe Flow Arts 2018 Holiday Bazaar will be held at the studio in Tahoe Vista on Dec. 8 will be a no-plastic event with local vendors, a silent auction and live music and dance performances, including trapeze, acrobatic and aerial acts; belly dancing and more. Guests are being asked to bring their own cups or to purchase stainless-steel Klean Kanteen cups at the event. “[Holiday Bazaar] is totally free. It’s our way of giving back to the community and

also spreading information about our cause. This year we will take the opportunity to really tell people what we’re doing and promote our number-one goal of eliminating single-use plastic in the Tahoe Basin,” Smiley says. More long-term goals include creating reusable coffee cups, sippy cups and a smartphone app that shows water-filling stations around the Basin. “We want to make this trendy and cool,” Smiley says. “Our biggest mission is instilling these habits into daily life.” She realized how little trash her family now produces just by eliminating plastic — to the point where they almost don’t need a trash service. E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Watch a performance of “eARTh”

Collomb concurs: “I feel I’ve learned an excessive amount since starting this and I think about how I can conserve on a daily basis.” “It’s been an amazing journey so far, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Smiley says. | (530) 546-2343, tahoeflowartsstudio.com 

The name Estrella is Spanish for star, which is a nostalgic reference to Berry’s time spent in Tahoe, particularly his childhood memories of gazing at the stars in Tahoe’s night sky. While creating the piece for Kings Beach, he reflected on these memories and realized that from any angle viewers will always be able to enjoy the Tahoe stars through the installation, just as he did as a child. This inspired the piece’s name. | tahoepublicart.com

New book on

memoir writing

Author Karen Dustman of Markleeville has released the new book, “Writing A Memoir: From Stuck to Finished.” Dustman has helped preserve life histories for more than 20 years, and enjoys teaching in-person Life Story writing classes. She’s the author of more than a dozen history and personal memoir books and hundreds of magazine articles. “Writing a life story can be a challenge, especially if you’ve never written a memoir before,” said Dustman in a press release. “But family stories are among the most precious legacies we can leave. This book is designed to help folks to finally capture those important life stories and get them down on paper.” The book’s stepby-step approach simplifies the process, from assembling a toolbox to creating the finished product. The book is available for pre-order on Kindle, with the paperback version available soon at amazon.com.

Dec. 6-19, 2018

Arts

THE

and independent films presented by Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships. 6 p.m. | tahoefilmfest.org

The T-Files: the Search for Tessie Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | Dec. 6-Jan. 6

CELEBRATE

This exhibits presents the stories of monsters that have a significant history, passed down from indigenous peoples, medieval travelers or reputable explorers. Along the way, the museum invites visitors to join us in the search for Lake Tahoe’s own monster, Tahoe Tessie. | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

THE ART OF

ANNE

BRIGMAN Photographer, poet, critic and mountaineer Anne Brigman is best known for her figurative landscape images made in the Sierra Nevada in the early 1900s. Rediscover her groundbreaking work in this major retrospective organized by the Nevada Museum of Art. The largest presentation of Brigman’s work to date, the exhibition features more than 250 photographs drawn from significant private and public collections on display until Jan. 27. Brigman’s photography was considered radical for its time. To objectify her own nude body as the subject of her photographs at the turn of the 20th Century was groundbreaking; to do so outdoors in a near-desolate wilderness setting was revolutionary. Read more about the exhibit at TheTahoeWeekly.com; click on Art & Culture. | nevadaart.org

After Audubon: Art, Observations and Natural Science Nevada Museum of Art | Reno | Dec. 6-April 21

Contemporary artists such as Penelope Gottlieb, Kara Maria and Donald Farnsworth pick up from where John James Audubon left off in new, celebratory and sometimes critical ways. | (775) 329-3333, nevadaart.org

Lifescapes Incline Village Library Incline Village | Dec. 7-Aug. 7

A memoir-writing program for seniors. 2-4 p.m. | (775) 832-4130, washoelibrary.us

Knitting Group

“The Bubble” (1906) Anne Brigman | Nevada Museum of Art BFA Exhibit: Meiasha Gray

Holly ARTS

Sierra Nevada College | Incline Village | Dec. 6-10

North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City | Dec. 6-31

Meiasha Gray is an artist who works mostly in the mediums of clay and photography. She reveals to the viewer the ephemeral textures of time and sound through a processed approach and handling of materials. Reception Dec. 6 5 to 7 p.m. with Artist Talk at 5:30 p.m. | sierranevada.edu

Wolfdale’s | Tahoe City | Dec. 6-31

Andy Skaff’s love of the West provides the inspiration for his light-filled, vibrant landscapes and cityscapes. His work ranges from classic, impressionist paintings to abstract distillations of familiar subjects. | askaff.com

Art at the Airport TruckeeTahoe Airport | Truckee | Dec. 6-Jan. 22

Art At The Airport, a program now in its fifth year, features local and regional artists. The current exhibit in the Truckee Tahoe Airport’s main terminal building run until Jan. 22, and features three local artists: John Echols, Abigail Gallup and Morgan Levay. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free | (530) 587-4119, truckeetahoeairport.com

Bethany Laranda Wood: The West at Hand Nevada Museum of Art | Reno | Dec. 6-March 3 While working in the field with the Land Arts Program of the American West, Bethany Wood collected images and impressions of major land features, such as Spiral Jetty and the Bingham Copper Pit. Her works take some of the largest land interventions in the West and transforms them into small intricate sculptures. | (775) 329-3333, nevadaart.org

Handmade gifts by local artisans to help fill holiday stockings. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

Nevada Museum of Art | Reno | Dec. 6-14

Payton Roberts’ work is a reflection of his transient life experiences and nostalgic encounters. His art takes a comedic view of life, while referencing pop culture, commercialism and consumerism. | sierranevada.edu

California Landscapes

Laid Bare in the Landscape

McKinley Arts & Culture Center | Reno | Dec. 6-28

Nevada Museum of Art Reno | Dec. 6-Jan. 27

BFA Exhibit: Payton Roberts Sierra Nevada College | Incline Village | Dec. 6-7

“California Landscapes” is a selection of paintings from David Yapp that document the landscapes of the Sierra Nevada. When working with oils, Yapp creates his paintings using a combination of brushes, palette knives and sgraffito techniques to create a multi-layered relief to the painting. Reception Dec. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free | (775) 334-6264, reno.gov

Tahoe Maritime Museum Tahoe City | Dec. 6-Jan. 6

This exhibition assembles photographs, films and performance documentation by women artists who situate the nude female body in outdoor landscapes. “Laid Bare in the Landscape” brings together a range of imagery: from beautiful and sensual self-portraits, to sometimes-surreal and provocative statements by feminist artists beginning in the 1970s. | (775) 329-3333, nevadaart.org

Maya Lin: Pin River—Tahoe Watershed

So popular was the Lake among boaters that many local marinas partnered with some of the most prestigious builders in the country in order to satisfy the needs of the Tahoe boating community. This exhibition explores the special relationship between boats, buyers and Tahoe, and the people that brought them together. | tahoemaritimemuseum.org

Nevada Museum of Art | Reno | Dec. 6-20

Gig Depio: Americana with Cadmium Orange

Nevada Museum of Art | Reno | Dec. 6-April 21

Carson City Courthouse Gallery Carson City | Dec. 6-Jan. 31

“Pin River—Tahoe Watershed” is a largescale wall installation made from thousands of straight pins showing the perimeter of Lake Tahoe and its tributaries. | (775) 329-3333, nevadaart.org

Paul Valadez: Selections from the Great Mexican-American Songbook

The Capital City Arts Initiative “Americana with Cadmium Orange” by artist Gig Depio. “I was initially painting pictures of popular historic towns and landscapes of Nevada,” says Depio. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free | visitcarsoncity.com

Using vintage sheet music as his backdrop, Paul Valadez re-envisions the idea of the songbook, integrating nostalgic images with Spanglish text, resulting in a dichotomy of oblique visual ideas that are equal parts humor and social commentary. 10 a.m. | (775) 3293333, nevadaart.org

“History of Transportation”

Tahoe Film Fest

Nevada Museum of Art | Reno | Dec. 6-Jan. 6

Truckee Community Arts Center and other locations | Truckee | Dec. 6-9

American artist Helen Lundeberg’s “History of Transportation” traces a progression of labor from the Native American era to the dawn of the airline industry in the 1940s. On view through Jan. 6, 2019. | (775) 3293333, nevadaart.org

Atelier | Truckee | Dec. 11-31

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

Tahoe Writers Works James Turrell: Roden Crater James Turrell is an artist whose media are light and space, and for the last 40 years he has been carefully sculpting the cinder cone of an extinct volcano near Flagstaff into one of the world’s largest and most-important land based sculptures. Turrell first studied psychology and mathematics before earning a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1966. | (775) 329-3333, nevadaart.org

Dealers of Dreams Andy Skaff exhibit

THE ARTS

Tahoe Film Fest presents a select group of films and special events that create a unique mixture of celebrities, film buffs, students, entertainment industry professionals and the community. Featuring environmental, Latino

Bona Fide Books | Meyers | Dec. 11

An open workshop for writers of any genre. 6:30 p.m. | (530) 600-4070, tahoewritersworks.com

High Sierra Writers Barnes & Noble Bookstore | Reno | Dec. 12- 26

Join the High Sierra Writers every Wednesday. All genres. Bring your work. Both get and give critique. 7 p.m. Free | (775) 826-8882, highsierrawriters.org

Nevada’s Christmas Sale & Indian Art Market Indian Colony Gym | Reno | Dec. 14-Dec. 15 Buy direct from more than 50 local and visiting All Indian Artists and Exhibitors. Authentic hand crafted items and gifts, free door prize drawings and free admission. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free | (775) 432-9740

Holiday Open House Truckee Library | Truckee | Dec. 15

Come out and join Friends of the Truckee Library, as well as local author Joanne Meschery for a holiday open house at the Truckee Library. She will be signing copies of “Truckee: An Illustrated History of the Town and Its Surroundings.” Enjoy holiday cheer, booksigning, food, drinks, music, games for kids and more. 3 to 4:30 p.m. Free | (530) 582-7846, truckeefol.org

Gathering of Artists North Tahoe Arts Tahoe City | Dec. 19-April 15

This free program offers artists the opportunity to meet other artists and work together in a shared studio space. Artists are invited to bring their latest projects to work on in shared studio space. On first and third Wednesdays. | (530) 581-2787, northtahoearts.com

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

FUN & GAMES

TheTahoeWeekly.com

Horoscopes

FIRE

EARTH

AIR

WATER

Puzzles

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

Sagittarius (Nov 21-Dec 21)

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

Santa has to be a Sag. The jolly jiggle, snicker and giggle with a jester’s smile that seems to say, ‘I bet you have been naughty and not just nice.’ ‘Truth be told, there is change in the air,’ he says with a twinkle entwined with a cold hard stare. ‘The time has come again to venture out,’ piercing the air with an excited shout.

Who are you, asks the Cheshire cat? You may want to say, ‘I know’, but you know you don’t as much as you might like or lead others to believe. The high side of this is that there is much more to you than you can know. Shedding skins of prior perspectives meanwhile leaves you feeling less than sure and half as certain as either one of you have felt for a while.

Capricorn (Dec 21-Jan 19)

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)

You’ve got to get in to get out, is that age-old wisdom whispering in your ears. Decoding the cipher reveals a riddle you must solve. A chamber of secrets where mystics dwell sends you seeking sanctuary. Yet to soothe this burn, you are challenged to learn to think with your heart and feel with your mind. Perhaps by now, you see the answer you seek is empathy.

Every day is a new day, especially these days. This change implies that the pleaser is leaving, at least for a little while. It is time to tackle your truth, though it will tilt the scales. Shoulders down and eyes fixed, forfeiting propriety and forging possibility finally feels feasible. Appropriate aside, spontaneity resides, yet you need faith since you will find it may offend friends.

Aquarius (Jan 19-Feb 19)

Leo (Jul 22-Aug 23)

The time has come to bring it down to earth, to give it life that begins with birth. This thing you ponder is called personal power and now is the time, this is the hour. Yet to do so you must depart with the past. After all, you know, nothing and no one is destined to last. Doing so will take time, you see, it’s the price to pay, to set your gifts free.

Beginning with a big bang, you yearn to rear the year triumphantly. While it may not be all brass and drums, you would like to rind a few bells. Seeking attention as such may sound so assertive yet the whole world is your stage. To succeed set your sights to chance a dance and to set a pace worthy of your pride.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)

You have something special you are meant to share. It is linked to knowledge with which to make others aware. The gifts you have must not be hidden; neglecting this task is strictly forbidden. You will need to organize all your thoughts, so expect some turns and plan to pull all the stops. The journey begins, the moment is now, focus to teach and show them how.

Sagittarius time is sounding trumpets summoning you to scale new heights. The themes implied include the needs of the many over the few, including you. So, what can you do to do what you can and count yourself among the many? Some would say that to win the day in such a way that strikes this balance, all your efforts must feel like play.

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

You have entered an adventurous cycle, in mind, body, and soul. You will need this spirit since you have entered the garden of the forking paths. Mars conjunct Neptune meanwhile means a thick fog has rolled in. So, you may be feeling like you must grope and grasp to find your path. Yet, hungry as you may be, eating those red white-dotted mushrooms will make many more paths.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 21)

Like a shark player at the table, you find yourself holding your cards close as you jest with jokes. Returns are yours, yet may appear to be bouncing back just as fast. Strategic steps are necessary as you plan to process your payload. A treasure trove to share teases your fancy, yet your confidence levels are yielding despite your dashing demeanor.

Libra (Sep 22-Oct 22)

Zig and zag are back. Some cycles send us scurrying and it takes strategic focus not to feel scattered. You may feel turned and tumbled and it is all you can do not to stumble as you ascend up the ever steeper slope. Since you feel strong, it may seem as though you are secure, yet for some reason, you may also feel scared. Step by step is simpler, even if each step crisscrosses over the other.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov 21)

So you see since Sagittarius season started and possibly sooner you are seeing the world as with new eyes. Simple as it sounds this is simply not so. Some say seeing satisfies all the other senses, save for the sixth. Sensing seemingly simple scenarios with the psychic sense seems to send some screaming, so since this is not so for Scorpio, seems you may be seeing something special, you see.

CryptoQuip

That guy doesn’t eat nearly as much roughage as he claims. He’s definitely a fiber fibber.

Hocus Focus differences: 1. Skirt is smaller, 2. Shirt neckline is different, 3. Arm is moved, 4. Flag is missing, 5. Fence is different, 6. Number is missing.

T A H O E

Add your events at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Events Calendar.

INSIDE LIVE MUSIC ARTS & CULTURE FRIVOLITY CULINARY DELIGHTS THE GREAT OUTDOORS HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS NEW YEAR’S EVE

HOE W EEK LY

No. 1

The source for events, music & entertainment TheTahoeWeekly.c om issuu app iTunes & Google Play facebook.com/Th eTahoeWeekly @TheTahoeWeekl y

WINTER EDITION DEC. 6, 2018–APRIL 15, 2019

Join the fun at Squaw’s Merry Days & Holly Nightsfrom Dec. 14-31 at the Village at Squaw in Olympic Valley. Check out more holiday festivities on page 32. | Courtesy Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

RENO WIND SYMPHONY | FEB. 25

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Classix Series: Unexpected Evolution Jan. 12-13 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. Virtuosic string trio Time for Three joins the Reno Phil. The group will perform a piece written specifically for them by composer Chris Brubeck. | pioneercenter.com

Winter Journey

LIVE MUSIC

Courtesy Reno Wind Symphony

Jan. 31 | UNR Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev.

Nevada Chamber Music Festival Dec. 27-31 | Area venues | Reno, Nev. The 15th annual festival features unique concerts showcasing world-class musicians and the best in classical music, culminating with a New Year’s Day celebration, presented by the Reno Chamber Orchestra. | renochamberorchestra.org

Cantus Vocal Ensemble Feb. 5 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. The 58th season of University of Nevada, Reno Performing Arts Series offers Cantus Vocal Ensemble, which knows how to hit that sweet spot, keeping you fully in the moment during the show and unable to get the songs out of your head afterwards. | unr.edu

Classix Series: Timeless Masters Feb. 9-10 | Pioneer Center | Reno Nev. Featuring works by classical masters Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, piano and orchestra will be on glittering display at this concert. Audience favorite and Van Cliburn-winning pianist, Jon Nakamatsu, returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. | pioneercenter.com

Reno Chamber Orchestra Feb. 16-17 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. Michael Morgan, longtime music director of the Oakland Symphony as well as artistic director of the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra and music director emeritus of the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, will guest conduct a program that includes Schumann’s great Cello Concerto and Richard Strauss’s Baroque-flavored music. | renochamberorchestra.org

Reno Wind Symphony Feb. 25 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. Reno Wind Symphony will perform “Lord of the Dance.” | renowindsymphony.com

SnowGlobe Music Festival

Danú

Dec. 29-31 | Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe

March 5 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev.

This is the only festival in Tahoe that gets everyone outdoors moving and dancing to some of the hottest DJs to hit the lake culminating with fireworks to ring in the New Year. | snowglobemusicfestival.com

The 58th season of University of Nevada, Reno Performing Arts Series continues with Danú, one of the leading traditional Irish bands of the 21st Century. | unr.edu

Celtic Music Series

Glorious Guitar

Jan.-May 2019 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City Nov.

March 14 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev.

The Celtic Music Series presents local, regional and internationally recognized traditional, acoustic Celtic music artists every third Saturday of the month from October through May, except December. | breweryarts.org

Apex Concerts, Nevada’s finest chamber music series, celebrates its eighth season with Glorious Guitar featuring Jason Vieaux. | unrmusic.org

The BRRR-Roque Masters Jan. 5-13 | Area venues TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will begin the 2019 Season with Baroque chamber music masterpieces from Handel, Bach and Vivaldi, featuring soloists from within the orchestra. | toccatatahoe.org

Play for a Day

Reno Wind Symphony March 17 | Atlantis Casino Resort | Reno, Nev. Reno Wind Symphony will perform “Luck of the Irish.” | renowindsymphony.com

Reno Chamber Orchestra March 30-31 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev.

Amateur musicians can play with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and get tips from professional musicians. Rehearsal is at 2 p.m. and the performance is at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Washoe County schools. | renophil.com

As the grand finale to the season, Robert Franz, associate conductor of the Houston Symphony, music director of the Windsor Symphony and longtime music director of the Boise Philharmonic, leads music by Ravel and Brahms. Pianist Steven Vanhauwaert makes his first appearance and joins forces with the University of Nevada, Reno Symphonic Choir and Chamber Singers. | renochamberorchestra.org

Jazz Education Network Conference

WinterWonderGrass

Jan. 9-12 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev.

March 29-31 | Squaw Valley Ski Resort | Olympic Valley

Part music festival, part networking, part education and all inspiration with four full days of performances, workshops, panel discussions, research presentations and live clinics. Plus the JENerations Jazz Festival with live mentoring clinics and the third annual JEN Scholarship Concert. | jazzednet.org

WinterWonderGrass mixes up the finest ingredients of Tahoe lifestyle and mountain culture. The festival brings the best of bluegrass, acoustic roots and Americana music. National, regional and local musicians headline. The event features California craft beers, wines, spirits and local food in a winter wonderland. | winterwondergrasstahoe.com 

Jan. 6 | Billinghurst Middle School | Reno, Nev.

Apex Concerts, Nevada’s finest chamber music series, celebrates its eighth season. This concert features baritone Randall Scarlata and pianists Gilbert Kalish and Hyeyeon Park, piano. Featured music will be Schubert’s “Winterreise” and “Lebensstürme for Piano Four Hands.” | unrmusic.org

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

ARTS & CULTURE

“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” | JAN. 25-27

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Dec. 8 | MontBleu Resort and Casino | Stateline, Nev.

This 16th annual festival will showcase the best outdoor sports talent in the world. The night includes special guest speakers, action photo displays, break-dancers, DJs and a few surprises. | laketahoefilmfestival.com

“Over the River and Through The Woods” Dec. 11 & 14 | Reno Little Theater | Reno, Nev.

A play about matchmaking efforts from a bachelor’s grandparents from Ageless Repertory Theater. | renolittletheater.org/art-at-rlt

“Annie,” the Broadway Musical Dec. 14-16 | Boys & Girls Club of North Lake | Kings Beach

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, “Annie” has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some great musical theater hits, including “Tomorrow.” | bgcnlt.org

Golden Dragon Acrobats Dec. 14-29 | Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev.

The spellbinding artistry and amazing athletics of the world’s leading Chinese acrobatic troupe will thrill you. | caesars.com

Courtesy Truckee Community Theater

Reno Latin Dance Fest Jan. 3-6 | Silver Legacy Casino Resort & Circus Circus | Reno, Nev.

This Latin dance festival hosts workshops taught by professional instructors, night parties with hours of social dancing, Latin DJs and an evening showcase where couples and teams from all over the nation perform. Enjoy an array of styles such as bachata, salsa, cumbia, hip-hop and the now popular kizomba. | renolatindancefest.com

“Artificial Jungle” “The Golden Girls”

Jan. 11-27 | Restless Artists Theatre | Reno, Nev.

Until Dec. 22 | Good Luck Macbeth Theatre | Reno, Nev. In this holiday special, the girls are back — in drag. Grab your wit and a slice of cheesecake. | goodluckmacbeth.org

Chester Nurdiger lives in the back of his pet shop with his mother and his bored wife. One day they hire a drifter to work in the shop. Sparks are ignited between the wife and the slick drifter; they plot to murder Chester and feed him to the piranhas. | rattheatre.org

Tahoe Film Fest

“The King and I”

Dec. 6-9 | Area venues | North Lake Tahoe

Jan. 18-20 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev.

Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships’ annual environmental film festival will present an important section of new and exciting productions from the U.S. and Latin America that have been screened in various festivals throughout the world. | tahoefilmfest.org

Two worlds collide in this musical, based on the 2015 Tony Awardwinning Lincoln Center Theater production. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, “The King and I” boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers” and “Something Wonderful.” | pioneercenter.com

“The 39 Steps” Dec. 6-23 | Restless Artists Theatre | Reno, Nev. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theater. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Awardwinning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, more than 150 zany characters, an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good oldfashioned romance. | rattheatre.org

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Dec. 7 | Truckee High School | Truckee Arts For the Schools presents this internationally renowned powerhouse, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, which offers exquisite, contemporary performances by diverse choreographers. | artsfortheschools.org

“Seussical, Jr.”

Jan. 18-Feb.2 | Brüka Theatre | Reno, Nev. Written by Ronald Harwood and directed by Dave Richards, this play is an elegy to a bygone era of the world of back stage. | bruka.org

“Barefoot in the Park” Jan. 18-Feb. 3 | Reno Little Theater | Reno, Nev. In this popular play written by Neil Simon, the first few days of the posthoneymoon period for newly minted attorney Paul and bride Corie are innocent, exuberant and full of wisdom. | renolittletheater.org

“Fiddler on the Roof” Jan. 25-27 | Community Arts Center | Truckee

This musical draws from Dr. Seuss’ characters and stories. | sierraschoolofperformingarts.org

This award-winning musical is set in the little village of Anatevka. The story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, he tries to marry off his daughters and instill in them a sense of tradition in the face of growing antiSemitism in Czarist Russia. | truckeecommunitytheater.com

“Mary Poppins Jr.”

“Galileo”

Dec. 7-9 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City, Nev.

Feb. 1, 22, 23 | Brüka Theatre | Reno, Nev.

With unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and an irresistible story, this magical family musical is practically perfect for the start of the holiday season. | wildhorsetheater.com

Brüka’s Theatre for Children celebrates the magic of science and genius through the eyes of a child. | bruka.org

Dec. 7-8 | Damonte Ranch High School | Reno, Nev.

“The Dresser”

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Writers in The Woods Feb. 8-9, 22-23, March 1-2, April 5-6 | Sierra Nevada College Incline Village, Nev. This literary series features poets, writers and essayists, who give readings followed by Q & A from the audience on Friday night. On Saturday morning, they teach a workshop. | sierranevada.edu

“Sirens” Feb. 8-24 | Restless Artists Theatre | Reno, Nev. Sam and Rose are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on a cruise in the Mediterranean, until Sam hears the most sublime music, jumps overboard and winds up with a Siren. There on her island he must struggle with the terrors of middle age, the tortures of creative failure and the desire to live in his past. And he must find a way to win his wife back. | rattheatre.org

“Something Rotten”

December 15th

Feb. 15-17 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. Set in 1595, this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write a hit play. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s first musical. | pioneercenter.com

Ailey II Feb. 22 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, the company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training and community programs for all people. | pioneercenter.com

BROADWAY COMES TO RENO NOW ON SALE

JANUARY 18-20

PIONEERCENTER.COM BOX OFFICE M-F 11A-6P / 866.553.6605

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

September 29, 2018 through January 27, 2019

TEDx UNR Feb. 23 | Reno Sparks Convention Center Explore new ways of thinking, learn something new and stoke your curiosity in an environment full of intrigue and optimism featuring 21 speakers including entrepreneurs, journalists, techies, authors, therapists, artists and more. | tedxuniversityofnevada.org

My pictures tell of

my freedom of soul,

“Ahknaton” March 1-23 | Brüka Theatre | Reno, Nev. This fascinating and powerful play written by Agatha Christie discovers the ancient legend of a forgotten Egyptian king. | bruka.org

Dancing with the Stars March 8 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev. TV’s biggest dance show is returning to Reno. The show will feature fanfavorite professional and troupe dancers in a new production showcasing every type of dance style as seen on the hit ABC show from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop. | grandsierraresort.com

of my emancipation from fear. —Anne Brigman, 1913

“Violet Sharp” March 8-24 | Reno Little Theater | Reno, Nev. Set against the backdrop of one of America’s most notorious crime — the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping case — Violet Sharp is about an immigrant domestic servant who is suspected of committing the crime of the century. | renolittletheater.org

Melodrama March 9 | Community Arts Center | Truckee This old-fashioned melodrama is Truckee Community Theater’s spring fundraiser. The audience gets to hiss at the villain and cheer for the hero. The performance includes olios, a collection of songs popular in the Victorian era. | truckeecommunitytheater.com

“The Wizard of Oz, the Musical” March 15-17 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. | pioneercenter.com

“End Days” March 15-31 | Restless Artists Theatre | Reno, Nev. Sixteen year-old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father hasn’t changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. A 16-year-old Elvis impersonator has fallen for her hard and the Apocalypse is coming. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all. | rattheatre.org

“Corteo: Cirque de Soleil” March 21-24 | Lawlor Events Center | Reno, Nev.

A Visionary in Modern Photography

Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts | E. L. Wiegand Gallery 160 West Liberty Street in downtown Reno, Nevada

Lead Sponsor Wayne and Miriam Prim Major Sponsors The Bretzlaff Foundation; Carol Franc Buck Foundation; the Satre Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada; Louise A. Tarble Foundation Sponsors Carole K. Anderson; Barbara and Tad Danz; Nancy and Harvey Fennell | Dickson Realty; Nancy and Brian Kennedy; Mercedes-Benz of Reno, an AutoNation Company; Whittier Trust, Investment & Wealth Management

Anne Brigman, The Breeze (detail), 1909/printed 1915, gelatin silver print. 9 ⅝ x 7 ⅜ inches. Wilson Centre for Photography.

Old-fashioned vaudeville and clowning techniques combine with a nouveau circus sensibility in a blend of wry wit, breathtaking acrobatics, nonstop creativity and unusually theatrical intimacy. | unr.edu 

Jen Schmidt | Diamond Peak

ULLRFEST | FEB. 1 & 2

FRIVOLITY

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Retro Après Ski Party

Glowstick Parade & Carnival

Dec. 29 | Alpine Bar | Alpine Meadows

Feb. 23 | Tahoe Donner Downhill

Pay tribute to the good ol’ times and get ready to say goodbye to 2018. Grab your best retro après ski gear and meet Jonny Moseley, host of an unforgettable throwback party. There’ll be a live DJ mixing classic beats from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. | squawalpine.com

A light parade and carnival for kids. Children 10 or younger who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on our Snowbird run will be given glowsticks. | tahoedonner.com

White Out Soirée Dec. 29 | Squaw Valley Conference Center | Olympic Valley

SnowFest! Feb. 28-March 10 | Area venues

This dazzling evening is filled with delicious food, dancing and merrymaking to celebrate the holiday season and support Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Foundation. Guests will enjoy an outstanding silent auction and rockin’ music. | squawalpine.com

Every spring since 1982, North Lake Tahoe has come alive with 10 funfilled days and nights of events and activities for all ages. On and off the mountain, at North Tahoe’s resorts and lakeside neighborhoods, enjoy on-snow events, special events, parades, races, parties, concerts, theater and more. | tahoesnowfest.org

Winter Fireworks

Subaru Winterfest

Jan. 5-March 30 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley

March 2-3 | Sierra-at-Tahoe | Twin Bridges

Enjoy a winter fireworks celebration every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. | squawalpine.com

Enjoy live music by emerging artists, along with s’mores and craft coffee, daily giveaways and test the latest gear. | sierraattahoe.com

Snowshoe Cocktail Races

Subaru WinterFest

Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 16 & 30 | Camp Richardson | South Lake Tahoe

March 10 | Boreal | Soda Springs

Think you have what it takes to run with a full cocktail tray in hand through obstacles up and down the beach while wearing snowshoes? We have great prizes for the fastest (and cleanest) at the obstacle course finish line. | camprichardson.com

Demo the latest equipment from Nordica and LibTech, grab great giveaways and hot chocolate, support Adaptive Sports Chapter, participate in the Subaru scavenger hunt or take a photo in the giant Subaru Adirondack chair. | rideboreal.com

Winterpalooza

Monster Jam

Jan. 26 | Snowplay Area | Tahoe Donner

March 22-24 | Reno Livestock Events Center

Winterpalooza may be the most exciting day of the year at Snowplay, with tube racing, snowman building, relay races, a snowstrider course and much more. | tahoedonner.com

Watch some of the best tricks and stunts from Monster Trucks, ATVs and Speedsters with fun for the entire family. | monsterjam.com

Kid-O-Rama Feb. 16-24 | Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows offers a weeklong kids’ extravaganza. Kid-O-Rama offers non-stop fun for kids of all ages. Check out the Big Truck Event featuring fire trucks, snowplows and grooming machines. There are also street parties and kids’ concerts, a game and craft room and more. | squawalpine.com

UllrFest Feb. 1 & 2 | Diamond Peak Ski Resort | Incline Village, Nev. The 10th annual UllrFest is a benefit weekend to raise funds for the Diamond Peak Ski Team. It kicks off Friday night with a torchlight parade, bonfire, party and live music. There are also a gala and auction at The Chateau. Dress in Ullr attire; the event is named for the Scandinavian god of winter and snow. | diamondpeak.com

Dummy Downhill March 24 | Diamond Peak Join the fun at the 19th annual Dummy Downhill. Participants build a dummy on skis (or a snowboard) that gets launched off a jump on Show-Off while spectators cheer them on from the Base Lodge Deck. This wacky event is fun for the whole family. | diamondpeak.com

Downhill Dummy Contest April 14 | Tahoe Donner Downhill Join Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort for the annual end of season bash. Enjoy food and beverage specials, a bounce house, live music and the traditional Downhill Dummy event, in which teams build unique dummies to send sliding down the hill and off a massive jump. | tahoedonner.com 

Courtesy Resort at Squaw Creek

CULINARY

HOLIDAY MIXOLOGY | DEC. 8, 15, 22, 28-30

DELIGHTS

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Art of the Mixology

Moonlight tour & dinner

Sundays | Ritz-Carlton | Northstar

Dates TBA | Alpine Meadows

Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe hosts Art of the Mixology during the winter. This entertaining, educational experience will feature freshly cut herbs, classic ingredients such as bitters and infused liquors to create three unique cocktails paired with appetizers. | RSVP ritzcarlton.com/laketahoe

After Alpine Meadows closes and the winter moon rises, experience a snowshoe tour to the mid-mountain Chalet at Alpine Meadows and enjoy an intimate seated dinner. | squawalpine.com

Holiday Mixology Dec. 8, 15, 22, 28-30 | Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley Learn how to make three delicious craft cocktails with Six Peaks Grille master mixologist Tamaneaka French. Participants will use fresh, seasonal ingredients provided. | RSVP (530) 581-6610

Wine Walk Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9 & April 13 | Carson Mall | Carson City, Nev. Come sip and shop at the Carson Mall on the second Saturday of the month from 2 to 6 p.m. | Carson Mall on Facebook

Reno Wine Walk Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 16 | Riverwalk District | Reno, Nev. Enjoy a wine tasting along the Truckee River in the Riverwalk District on every third Saturday of the month. | renoriver.org

Get S’more Saturdays Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 23 & March 9 | Kings Beach Shop, dine and get s’more out of participating Kings Beach businesses from 3 to 6 p.m. Head to participating eateries and shops for treats, artist demos, live music and more, then stroll to the outdoor gathering area at Las Panchitas where there will be s’mores, heaters and fire pits, plus multiple chances to win raffle prizes.

Reno Beer Crawl Dec. 22, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23 | Reno, Nev. If you’re visiting Reno on the fourth Saturday of the month, you will enter the wacky world of the Reno Beer Crawl. Purchase a commemorative cup or glass and get drink specials at as many as 20 different locations. It’s an easy walk (or crawl) to each beer crawl location all in the heart of downtown Reno. | renobeercrawl.com 24

S’morey Time Dec. 27, Jan. 3 & 21, Feb. 21, & March 28 | Village at Northstar Gather ‘round the fire pit and listen to the story of how Tahoe came to be while roasting s’mores and enjoying warm beverages. Fun for the whole family. | northstarcalifornia.com

Farm to Table Dinners Dec. 27-28 | Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley On Dec. 27, enjoy a Farm to Table Dinner with an Olympians. On Dec. 28, enjoy one with a movie. The family-friendly dinners are created by chefs in collaboration with the Tahoe Food Hub and local farmers. Enjoy a buffet-style meal with a majestic view of the winter wonderland. | squawalpine.com

S’moresapalooza Dec. 29, Jan. 19 & Feb. 23 | Village at Northstar Want s’more reasons to love Northstar? At 4 p.m. come to the Village Overlook to celebrate Northstar’s sweetest tradition, s’mores. See how the creative culinary team puts a spin on the traditional s’more with different s’more stations, but come early as these s’mores will go quickly. | northstarcalifornia.com

Friday Night Tasting Notes Jan. 4-April 5 | Plaza Bar | Olympic Valley Kick off the weekend with Friday Night Tasting Notes every Friday. Tantalize your taste buds with a tasting of craft beers or specialty spirits from our favorite breweries, wineries and distilleries from 3:30 to 5 p.m. | squawalpine.com

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Carson City Wine Walk Jan. 5, Feb. 7, March 7, April 4 | Downtown | Carson City, Nev. On the first Saturday of every month, participants can stroll to 35 locations for wine, entertainment and special deals for wine walkers. | downtowncarson.org

Mountain Family Dinners Jan. 12, Feb. 2 & March 16 | The Lodge at Big Springs | Northstar All aboard the gondola for this unique dining experience. Ride up to The Lodge at Big Springs where hot wine and hot cocoa await, followed by a family-style interactive dinner. Finish the evening with s’mores around the fire pits. | northstarcalifornia.com

Last Tracks Tasting Feb. 9-April 13 | Diamond Peak Ski Resort | Incline Village, Nev. On select Saturdays, participants can take advantage of a late-day lift ticket followed by a final chair ride up to Snowflake Lodge for wine or craft beer tastings and appetizers. Then enjoy one final run down a freshly groomed trail. | diamondpeak.com

Banana Split Extravaganza March 16 | Tahoe Donner Downhill Help devour an incredible 200-foot banana split at 1:30 p.m. for free. Grab some spoons because this will be one tasty monster. | tahoedonner.com

Beer & Gear March 16-17 | Homewood Mountain Resort Homewood’s annual Beer & Gear test event returns March with a new twist. Participating ski and snowboard brands will be matched with a brewery to create a ski and sip pairing and enjoy free demos. | skihomewood.com 

Holidaa Partt, Specialtt Merrr-Cocktaill All Welcomm Nov. 23rr-Dee 25tt

Pioneer

Now servinn bruncc Saturdaa, Sundaa & Mondaa! Pioneer Cocktaii Club | 521 N. Lakk Blvv. Tahoo Citt, CC | (530) 523-0402 25

Sunset Snowshoe Tours

Stars & S’mores

Dec. 7-April 15 | Area venues

Dec. 21, 28 | Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe | Northstar

Watch the sun cast a purple alpenglow onto the Sierra while trekking through Tahoe’s peaceful forest. Experience the solitude of winter at this special time of day while learning local natural and human history. Offered every Friday, December through April. | tahoeadventurecompany.com

Participants meet at the resort’s Fireside Terrace for a fireside astronomy session with telescopic viewing followed by s’mores around the outdoor fire pit. | tahoestartours.com

Sunset Snowshoe Tours Dec. 8, 15, 22, 26, 29 | Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley Enjoy a guided snowshoe tour of Squaw Valley against the beautiful backdrop of Tahoe’s alpenglow, while learning about the history of how the Olympic Valley came to be what it is today, as well as a bit about the flora and fauna. | destinationhotels.com/squawcreek

S A.F.E. A.S. Clinic Dec. 8-9 | Squaw Valley Ski Resort | Olympic Valley Women, ages 14 and older, interested in snow and avalanche safety in and out of bounds can attend a S A.F.E. A.S. Clinic. The Intro to Avalanche and FUNraiser Day offers classroom and on-snow training, morning yoga, lunch, aprés party and raffle. | squawalpine.com

Avalanche Seminar & Beacon Practice Dec. 11 | Tahoe City Winters Sports Park Join this free session at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park Sports in which attendees will better understand avalanche beacon function and the recent technological advancements of these vital back-country tools. | alpenglowsports.com

Airbag Party & Master the Tech Night Dec. 12, Jan. 9 | Area venues Learn about Garmin GPS systems and the new Inreach Satellite Communicators to see how they work and how they might save your life in an emergency back-country scenario. Then participants will dive into airbag packs and go into all the tech features. Raffle benefits Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. | Tahoe Mountain Sports on Facebook

Christmas Bird Count Dec. 16 | South Lake Tahoe Join Tahoe Institute for Natural Science for its annual Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count is regarded as the largest and oldest citizen science projects in the world dating back to 1900. TINS has coordinated the South Lake Tahoe count since 2004. | tinsweb.org 26

THE

Chris Bartkowski | Tahoe Star Tours

GREAT OUTDOORS

STARS & S’MORES | DEC. 21, 28

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Disco Tubing Dec. 22-24, 28-31, Saturdays thru March 23 | Squaw Valley Olympic Valley Families can spin, slide and speed down the snow tubing lanes to vibrant DJ tunes as the night is illuminated with colorful lights and lasers splashed on the mountainside from 5 to 8 p.m. | squawalpine.com

Full Moon Snowshoe Dec. 22-April 19 | Area venues Tahoe Adventure Company offers full moon snowshoe treks monthly during the winter. Enjoy instruction, natural history and hot drinks and snacks. No experience is needed. | RSVP tahoeadventurecompany.com

Friday Fun Nights Dec. 28-April 5 | Village at Northstar Join the fun in the heart of the Village as the disco lights surround the ice skating rink every Friday night with drink specials, complimentary face painting and live music. | northstarcalifornia.com

Stargazing & Snowshoes Dec. 29, Jan. 5, 26, Feb. 9 & 23 | Northstar California Guests will enjoy an easy to moderate snowshoe walk with an unobstructed view of the cosmos. Meet at Northstar California Resort’s Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center. Suggested for age 10 and older. | northstarcalifornia.com

Ski with a Ranger January-March | Heavenly The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management invites participates to Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly. Tours begin at the top of the gondola every Monday and Friday at 1 p.m. starting in January. | skiheavenly.com

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series

Full Moon Snowshoe Tour

Jan. 3, Feb. 7, 21 | Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley

Jan. 19 | Tahoe Donner Cross Country

Back for its 13th year, the Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series will be showcasing its best lineup to date. Locals and athletes share stories of their incredible adventures in the mountains. | alpenglowsports.com

Experience the full moon like never before with a guided snowshoe hike on Tahoe Donner’s cross-country ski trails from 5:30 to 8 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

National Winter Trails Days

Full Moon Snowshoe Tours

Jan. 6, 26 & 27 | Area venues

Jan. 19, Feb. 16 & March 16 | Sugar Pine Point State Park | Tahoma

National Winter Trails Days celebrates enjoying the outdoors in the winter with local events throughout the Tahoe Sierra at local cross-country resorts. The El Dorado Backcountry Ski Patrol hosts demos, avalanche safety demos, ski repair, clothing and equipment and more at Loon Lake on Jan. 26 and 27. | wintertrails.snowsports.org

Enjoy a guided full moon snowshoe tour through the park and along Lake Tahoe’s shore to learn about local and natural history from 6:30 to 9 p.m. | sierrastateparks.org/events

Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count Jan. 11 | Area venues Tahoe Institute for Natural Science will be coordinating the 38th annual mid-winter Bald Eagle count and volunteers are invited to participate. There are 26 stations located around the Tahoe Basin. | tinsweb.org

Interpretive Ski Tours Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9 & April 13 | Diamond Peak Join a free, guided interpretive tour of the mountain while learning about natural and local history. | diamondpeak.com

Moonlight Snowshoe Hikes

Avalanche Awareness, Level 1 Jan. 25-27, Feb. 1-3, 22-24, March 1-3, 8-10 | Area venues Sierra Avalanche Center offers a 24-hour course that introduces avalanche risk management for motorized users. Learning will occur through a mix of classroom and field practice, with an emphasis on field practice whenever possible. | sierraavalanchecenter.org

Burton Qualifier Jan. 26 | Boreal The Burton Qualifier is the premiere amateur snowboard contest series offering local riders of all ability levels and ages the chance to come together for a fun day of riding, cash prizes and the opportunity to go to the finals at Boreal for the third year. | events.burton.com

Jan. 18, Feb. 15 & March 15 | Diamond Peak Join a Community Snowshoe Hike to Diamond Peak’s Snowflake Lodge for ages 10 and older. Enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa at the top. | diamondpeak.com

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Silver Belt Series Feb. 2, March 2 & April 9 | Sugar Bowl

Spend the day by Lake Tahoe at NORTH LAKE TAHOE’S ONLY ALL-INCLUSIVE WINTER RECREATION FACILITY

A Sugar Bowl signature, the Silver Belt Series, returns for the 2018-19 winter season with three events: D-Money’s (Feb. 2), Banked Slalom (March 2) and Quad Crusher (April 9). D-Money’s will evolve in its third season to an on-mountain scavenger hunt. Using GPS technology, teams of two will plot their course through Sugar Bowl’s challenging terrain in a race for time. This adventurous new event format will offer intermediate, advanced and kids’ categories. | sugarbowl.com

The Sheep Show Feb. 7-9 | Reno Sparks Convention Center | Reno, Nev. The Wild Sheep Foundation’s premier outdoor and mountain-hunting expo includes an exhibit hall filled with more than 400 North American guides and outfitters and top-of-the-line retailers of gear, art, taxidermy and outdoor items. | wildsheepfoundation.org

Community Cup Race Series Feb. 11, 25 & March 11 | Homewood Mountain Resort Homewood introduces a new community race series modeled after summer club sport leagues. Held on three Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m., the series requires no previous race experience and will be open to all skier levels ages 21 and older. | skihomewood.com

Valentine Snowshoe Tour Feb. 14 | Tahoe Donner Cross Country Experience a guided snowshoe hike under the stars on Tahoe Donner’s cross-country ski trails from 5 to 7 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

Full Service Bar & Restaurant

Mountain Festival Winter Feb. 16-24 | Area venues

SLEDDING /// XC SKIING /// ICE SKATING /// SNOWSHOEING

W INTER S PORTS P ARK . COM | 530-583-1516

Alpenglow Sports presents this nine-day festival, a celebration of human-powered mountain sports with events, clinics, equipment demonstrations and films. Geared toward beginner and intermediate winterrecreation enthusiasts, the festival will showcase Nordic skiing, back-country skiing, splitboarding and snowshoeing and natural history of the region. | alpenglowsports.com

Banked Slalom Feb. 23-24 | Kirkwood

ITY N U M OM

Back for its 24th year, The Kirkwood Banked Slalom is a local favorite where top local skiers and riders battle it out over two days. Day 1 is the kid’s competition and Day 2 is for adults. Watch or participate in this intense race through Snowsnake Gully, and catch the awards ceremonies, including one for the best parent and child duo. | kirkwood.com

ES U R I P S IN

• Aerial silks/Yoga • Yoga & HIIT Yoga • Pilates • Barre

OUR C

Quad Crusher Feb. 25 | Sugar Bowl Ski Resort | Norden Sugar Bowl’s annual Quad Crusher is an endurance race staged across its four iconic peaks: Mt. Judah, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Disney and Crow’s Nest Peak. Two divisions and distinct courses make this fun for both seasoned athletes and passionate uphillers. The event will conclude with an awards celebration, food, drinks and raffle with proceeds benefiting Sierra Avalanche Center. | sugarbowl.com

The Great Ski Race March 3 | Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area | Tahoe City

• Martial arts • Cycling • Rehab therapy • Bungees and TRX

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TAHOEPERFECTWORKOUT.FITNESS

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The 42nd annual Great Ski Race challenges cross-country skiers to race from Tahoe City to Truckee. The event raises funds for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. This is one of the largest Nordic ski races west of the Mississippi. | thegreatskirace.com

Banked Slalom March 9 | Boreal Come join the 5th Annual Boreal Banked Slalom. This costume race benefits the High Fives Foundation and includes live music and a legendary après party. | Boreal on Facebook

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

McKinney Cup

Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival

March 9 | Mt. Rose

March 30-31 | Diamond Peak

The McKinney Cup, a USSF Far West Masters event, pits some the fastest skiers in the sport against each other in Giant Slalom, sponsored by Tamara McKinney in memory of members of her family, Steve, McLane and Frances McKinney. | skirose.com

What used to be simply the Diamond Peak Uphill/Downhill Dash has been expanded into a full weekend of fun and renamed the Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival. The weekend features an uphill face to the top of the mountain followed by a race back down to the finish line, along with a recreational course, ski boot races, live music, fun relays and more. Costumes are strongly encouraged. | diamondpeak.com

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

Gold Rush Festival March 23 & 24 | Royal Gorge Cross Country | Soda Springs This cross-country festival at Royal’s Gorge’s Summit Station hosts a number of races both classic and freestyle in a number of distances. There are also kids’ races and obstacle races. | royalgorge.com

Tom Sims Retro World Championships March 23-24 | Soda Springs Enjoy three days of crazy fun and rubbing elbows with legends and heroes of snowboarding’s history from The Great Race and The Beach Party Hand-Shaped Old-School Pipe Session. | rideboreal.com

Gunbarrel 25 March 30 | Heavenly GB25 in its 16th year is bigger and better than ever. With awards from leading industry manufactures from the fastest 25 laps to the Iron Man/Women award. | skiheavenly.com

IFSA Freeride World Tour Qualifier April 2-6 | Kirkwood Kirkwood opens The Cirque, terrain permanently closed to the public, for the competition. Kirkwood also offers one of the best viewing venues on the World Tour circuit; catch all the action from Devil’s Corral. | kirkwood.com

NASTAR National Championships April 4-7 | Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows NASTAR participants qualify for the championships by earning a Top 10 national ranking or a Top 5 state ranking within their age, gender and ability group. It will be an exciting week of activities with free concerts, autograph signings by NASTAR Pacesetters, a raffle, awards receptions, a Family Team Race, a Team Race for Friends, a Resort Team competition, a slalom competition and a final Race of Champions to determine overall winners. | squawalpine.com

Spring Fling Rail Jam April 6 | Heavenly Come compete or watch the fun at the base of World Cup for the annual Heavenly Spring Fling Rail Jam. | skiheavenly.com n

HEAVENLY HOLIDAYS | UNTIL DEC. 31

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

Northern Lights Tahoe

CELEBRATIONS

HOLIDAY

Courtesy Heavenly Ski Resort

Until Dec. 31 | Area venues

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told” Until Dec. 16 | Reno Little Theater | Reno, Nev. Written by John Alvarez, Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald, John K. Alvarez, Michael Carleton, and Will Knapp and directed by Libby Bakke, this play is just what the title says it is and more. | renolittletheater.org

Candy Cane Lane Until Dec. 31 | Carson Valley Inn | Carson Valley, Nev. Drive down Candy Cane Lane to see thousands of Christmas lights and a variety of scenes depicting traditional characters and images. Accompanying music can be heard by tuning the car radio to 89.9 FM. The lighted arch marks the way. | carsonvalleyinn.com

Christmas on the Comstock Until Dec. 31 | Area venues | Virginia City, Nev. Celebrate Christmas as they did in the 19th Century in this month-long celebration. Historic Virginia City hosts a Sierra Concert with the Comstock Cowboys at Piper’s Opera House, the Grinch Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl, Parade of Lights, photos with Santa and V&T Candy Cane Express. | visitvirginiacitynv.com

Heavenly Holidays Until Dec. 31 | Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe Heavenly Holidays Family Festival offers a search for Santa and his elves on the slopes, ice sculptures, breakfasts with Santa, ice-skating performances starring Disney characters, a Ferris Wheel, virtual reality, ski simulator, magic shows, symphony orchestra and a Heavenly Rail Jam. Adult highlights include holiday-themed après ski parties with a DJ inside Santa’s 16-foot interactive snow globe. | skiheavenly.com

Holly Arts Until Dec. 31 | North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City The perfect one-of-a-kind gift made by local artists and artisans will be found at North Tahoe Arts annual Holly Arts. Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. | northtahoearts.com

Magical Memories Until Dec. 31 | Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley Experience the magic of the holiday season at this annual resort-wide celebration. Holiday festivities include Gingerbread Village and holiday music, movie nights, family events and more. | squawcreek.com 30

This annual, popular, month-long festival will highlight local communities. Celebrate the season with a Santa Pub Crawl, holiday parties, ski films, music and more in Crystal Bay and Incline Village, Nev. | northernlightstahoe.com

WinterFest Reno Until Dec. 31 | Greater Nevada Field | Reno, Nev. Adults and children can ride the Holiday Express Train, a custom narrated journey around the inside of the stadium, taking you on a mission from Reno to the North Pole to deliver Santa’s Naughty and Nice list, take pictures with Santa and enjoy ice skating. | winterfestreno.com

“Siasma: A Celtic Christmas” Dec. 6 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev. Siasma, pronounced shimsa, in Gaelic means to celebrate. The story of a girl in search the light that represents the true meaning of Christmas is a heartwarming tale and charming celebration of Celtic traditions, superstitions and customs for the entire family. | grandsierraresort.com

Northstar Silent Nights Dec. 6, 13 & 20 | Village at Northstar Enjoy ice skating and s’more roasting while watching Holiday classics from 5 to 6:45 p.m. | northstarcalifornia.com

39 North Pole Village Dec. 6-8 | 39 North Victorian Ave. | Sparks, Nev. Downtown Sparks becomes a sparkling winter wonderland. Stroll through the holiday lights, enjoy visits with Santa, free rides on Engine 39 and musical performances. | 39northdowntown.com

The Polar Express Dec. 6-29 | Eastgate Depot | Carson City, Nev. The one-hour-long train rides are great family fun. Kids can even wear pajamas. The popular holiday movie is brought to life with characters, including Santa. A souvenir silver sleigh bell is offered as remembrance of a journey to the North Pole. | vtrailway.com

Festive Fridays Dec. 7, 14, 21 | Downtown Truckee Celebrate with free parking from 4 to 6 p.m., Victorian scavenger hunts, historical tours, holiday sip & shop and gift wrapping by the Girl Scouts for a $5 donation. | Festive Fridays on Facebook

“The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza” Dec. 7, 14, 21 | Brüka Theatre | Reno, Nev. The Mousehole Family is dragged into some questionable holiday cheer over 12 days of Christmas. | bruka.org

Festival of Tree & Lights Dec. 7-9 | MontBleu Resort Casino | Stateline, Nev. The festival features nonstop live entertainment, designer trees with more than 2,500 lights, a Teddy Bear hospital, photos with Santa, a gingerbread junction, Mrs. Claus gift shop and raffles. All proceeds go to Barton Health’s Cancer Wellness Program. | bartonhealth.org

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 7-9 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting rendition of this ballet. Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s moving score. A Sugar Plum party will be after the afternoon performances so children can meet the characters. | pioneercenter.com

“A Christmas Chaos” Dec. 7-16 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City, Nev. The Royal Shakespeare Company hasn’t arrived as promised to perform their rendition of “A Christmas Carol.” So the intrepid band of hapless actors and technicians must put together their own production in only a few hours. This hilarious comedy pokes fun at everything that can go wrong with a theatrical production. | breweryarts.org

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Noel Nights Dec. 7-21 | Village at Northstar | Northstar Kick off the holiday season with Noel Nights every Friday night. There will be carolers, sleigh rides, face painting, holiday crafts and pictures with Santa. | northstarcalifornia.com

TOCCATA TAHOE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS

“The Unbelievables” Dec. 7-Jan. 6 | Eldorado Resort Casino | Reno, Nev. This jam-packed, sidesplitting Christmas extravaganza features spellbinding illusionists, breathtaking cirque artists and world-class singers, dancers and variety performers from around the globe. Dark on Mondays. | eldoradoreno.com

James Rawie,

Breakfast with Santa Claus

Artistic Director & Conductor

Dec. 8 | The Chateau | Incline Village, Nev. This family event features many fun activities including a delicious brunch, magic show, arts and crafts, raffle prizes, a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. Reservations. | (775) 413-5145

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 8 | Kahle Community Center | Stateline, Nev. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and photos with Santa. | (775) 586-7271

Breakfast with Santa

2019Tahoe Symphony Orchestra Winter Fest

HÄNDEL’S MESSIAH Selections from Händel’s Masterpiece and Holiday Carol Favorites

Dec. 8 | Tahoe City Golf Course | Tahoe City Tahoe City Golf Course is the place to have a pancake breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with holiday gift vendors, arts and crafts and games. | tcpud.org

Carson Valley POPS Holiday Concert Dec. 8 | CVIC Hall | Minden, Nev. Carson Valley Pops Orchestra will delight young and old with a lineup of musical selections. The concert starts at 7 p.m. | cvpops.org

A Genoa Cowboy Christmas Dec. 8 | Town Hall | Genoa, Nev. Enjoy a pre-concert dinner followed by a holiday concert with Mary Kaye for the entire family. | genoanevada.org

Santa’s Fly-In Dec. 8 | Tahoe Truckee Airport | Truckee Watch Santa fly in on a special plane, promptly at 10 a.m. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus for a great holiday photo and a present. Enjoy hot chocolate and holiday treats. | truckeetahoeairport.com

Tahoe Flow Arts Holiday Bazaar Dec. 8 | Tahoe Flow Arts Studio | Tahoe Vista Tahoe Flow Arts Studio presents eARTH: a high-caliber mixed-media performance of acrobatics, aerialists and dance followed by a bazaar. | tahoeflowartsstudio.com

Welcome Snow Dance Party Dec. 8 | Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area | Tahoe City In the lodge, dance for snow, visit the retail store. There’ll be free refreshments and snacks. Enter the Snow Pool and choose what date we will have enough snow to groom for $5. All ages welcome. | tahoexc.org

Sat., Dec. 8 • 3pm • Cornerstone Church, Incline Village Sun., Dec. 9 • 3pm • Montbleu Theater, S. Lake Tahoe Sat., Dec. 15 • 3pm • St Gall Catholic Church, Gardnerville Sun., Dec. 16 • 3pm • St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Reno Sat., Dec. 22 • 6pm • Squaw Valley Event Center, Olympic Valley Thurs., Dec. 27 • 7pm • Free,“mini-performance” at the Heavenly ‘Holiday Village,’ Stage, S. Lake Tahoe

BRRRoque Masters Music of Bach, Vivaldi, Teleman & Händel

January 5-13

Begin the 2019 Season with Baroque chamber music masterpieces, featuring soloists from within the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.

Sat., Jan. 5 • 3pm • First Methodist Church, Reno Wed., Jan. 9 • 7pm • Trinity Lutheran Church, Gardnerville Sat., Jan. 12 • 3pm • St John’s Presbyterian Church, Reno Sun., Jan. 13 • 3pm • St Patrick’s Church, Incline Village

“Hallelujah” Dec. 8 & 9 | Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus presents a holiday concert featuring favorite classic songs old and new. | truckeechorus.org

TOCCATA “Messiah”

Purchase Tickets at ToccataTahoe.org

$5-40, 18 & under Free

Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16 & 27 | Area venues Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will conclude its 14 season with a production of Handel’s “Messiah,” along with seasonal carols that the audience will be most welcome to join in singing at locations throughout the Tahoe-Reno region. | toccatatahoe.org th

General Admission & Preferred Seating Available Soirée tickets: (787) 602-2121

ToccataTahoe.com ToccataTahoe@gmail.com Info: (775) 313-9697 Auditions: (787) 602-2121 31

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

V&T Candy Cane Express Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16 | 1870 Depot | Virginia City, Nev. On the scenic 50-minute journey over the 140-year old V&T railroad route, guests enjoy hot cocoa or cider, candy canes and cookies and singa-long carols on the festively decorated train. Listen to a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” while riding through the enchanting Candy Cane tunnel. | virginiatruckee.com

“Nightmare Before Christmas” Dec. 8-9, 14-16 | Piper’s Opera House | Virginia City, Nev. The highly anticipated return of this live production of the Tim Burton classic makes its way back to the stage of Piper’s Opera House.

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 8-9, 15-16 & 22-24 Tell Santa Clause all of your favorite toy wishes as you enjoy a breakfast buffet in Cascades from 8 to 10 a.m. | squawcreek.com

Santa Train Dec. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 | Wabuska Depot | Carson City, Nev. Nevada State Railroad Museum celebrates the 34rd year of Santa Train. Ride in rail cars pulled behind the historic V& T Railroad No. 25 steam locomotive. Santa hands out candy canes to all the riders and listens to children’s Christmas wishes. | nvculture.org

Holiday Treat Concert Dec. 9 | Carson City Community Center | Carson City, Nev. Carson City Symphony presents the 34th annual Holiday Treat concert at the Bob Boldrick Theater. The symphony will be joined by the Carson City Symphony Chorus and the Victorian Dancers. Pre-concert entertainment begins at 3 p.m. in the lobby. | ccsymphony.com

“Noël, the Girl Who Saved Christmas” Dec. 14-16 | Pioneer Center | Reno, Nev. The story of a young girl who is preparing for her starring role in a school Christmas performance, when her mother disappears. As she tries to find her mother, she encounters a diverse group of homeless folk who have lost their way in life. One particular man, Nick has lost the joy of Christmas. | pioneercenter.com

“The Twisted Nutcracker: Tale of the Rat King” Dec. 14-16 | Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley Truckee Dance Company is celebrating the season with a twist on the timeless tradition of “The Nutcracker.” A spectacular choreography of upbeat and passionate performances will thrill and amaze audiences in the lavishly decorated Merry Wonderland. | truckeedancefactory.com

Merry Days & Holly Nights Dec. 14-31 | Village at Squaw | Olympic Valley The holidays at Squaw Valley begin with a welcoming reception for Santa, who will stay around until his big night on Dec. 25, followed by an opening ceremony and glow stick parade to the Merry Wonderland and Ice Garden. Enjoy musical, dance and dramatic performances, enter contests, take sleigh rides and ski with Santa. | squawalpine.com

Christmas in the Sierra Dec. 15 | Douglas County Community & Senior Center | Gardnerville, Nev. This event features David John and the Comstock Cowboys. The concert starts at 7 p.m. All proceeds go to Young at Heart for Douglas County seniors. | (775) 782-5500

Holiday in History Dec. 15 | Lake Tahoe Historical Society | South Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe Historical Society is planning a festive day of free family fun as the museum is transformed into a Victorian Christmas scene. Tour the museum and 1930’s log cabin. Santa arrives by sleigh and there will be free sleigh rides for all. | Lake Tahoe Historical Society on Facebook

Reno Santa Pub Crawl Dec. 15 | Downtown | Reno, Nev. It’s the time of year when 15,000 Santas descend on downtown Reno to enjoy good spirits and yuletide cheer. This is the largest Santa pub crawl in the country. | renosantacrawl.com 32

Dec. 6-20, 2018 | MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Santa Ski Day Dec. 15 | Mt. Rose Get into the holiday spirit and experience the Santa Ski Day, where every ski and rider is dressed as Kris Kringle, elves, candy canes, shiny presents, Mrs. Clause and more. | skirose.com

Reno Wind Symphony-A Holiday Celebration Dec. 15 & 16 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. One of the highlights of this concert is the recitation of the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by radio personality Ross Mitchell, accompanied by the Reno Wind Symphony. Mitchell will also serve as the vocal soloist on “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” | renowindsymphony.com

“A World of Joy” Dec. 15-16, 20 | Area venues Reno Jazz Orchestra has been dazzling audiences with grand sound and soul since 1997. They embellish great music with grand Christmas tradition in the spirit of the jazz big-band stage performance. | renojazzorchestra.org

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 15-16, 21-23 | Nugget Casino Resort | Sparks, Nev. Reno Dance Company’s production of this classic holiday ballet features 20 professional dancers and 200 local children. | nuggetcasinoresort.com

Snowball Festival Dec. 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 | Soda Springs ski area Soda Springs’ Plant Kids will transform in to the North Pole from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a holiday bounce house, a giant oversized snow globe and Santa himself. Holiday music will fill the air as guests make their way through the candy cane forest or take in the thrill of holiday-themed tubing. Holiday cheer continues with joyful snow play, merry face-painters, cheerful balloon artists, delicious festive foods and a craft hot cocoa bar. | skisodasprings.com

Holiday Shows Dec. 18 | Community Arts Center | Truckee Celebrate the holidays with Truckee Community Theater. The holiday shows are “It’s a Wonderful Life” live radio play and “A Christmas Chaos.” | truckeecommunitytheater.com

Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Cirque Dec. 21-22, 24-28 & 30 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev. Holiday Dreams is a unique holiday-themed show with a fresh approach, taking the time-honored elements of the holidays — music, decorations and spirit of Christmas — and mixing them with computer animation and projection mapping, for a modern, up-to-date spin on the classic holiday show. | grandsierraresort.com

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Dec. 22 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City, Nev. Theaterworks of Northern Nevada presents this popular television special in a faithful stage adaptation. Watch the Peanuts Gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. | breweryarts.org

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 24 | Village at Northstar Come to TC’s Christmas Eve morning from 8 to 10 a.m. before Santa has to head back to the North Pole. | northstarcalifornia.com

Torchlight Parade Dec. 24 | Granlibakken | Tahoe City Granlibakken’s annual Torchlight Parade starts at 5 p.m. Ski down the holding a torch, then enjoy hot chocolate, cider, s’mores and gifts. Santa will be there for photos. | granlibakken.com

Christmas Day Breakfast with Santa Dec. 25 | Tahoe Donner Downhill | Tahoe Donner Enjoy breakfast, starting at 10 a.m., with Santa followed by a half day of skiing and riding with Santa. Lifts open at 11:30 a.m. | tahoedonner.com 

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS | DEC. 31

MUSIC, EVENTS & FESTIVALS | TheTahoeWeekly.com

New Year’s Eve Bash Dec. 31 | Hard Rock | Stateline, Nev. Get ready to kiss 2018 goodbye at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe in Guitar Plaza a DJ starting at 9 p.m. and festivities continuing all night include an New Year’s Eve Show at Vinyl. | hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com

A Rockin’ NYE & Fireworks Show

Courtesy Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Dec. 31 | Heavenly Village | South Lake Tahoe

Candlelight Labyrinth Walk Dec. 31 | Heritage Park Gardens | Gardnerville, Nev.

The evening is packed with world-class music, games, fireworks and the world’s only Gondola Ball Drop followed by fireworks. Entertainment includes an outdoor concert with local bands and DJs, as well as Mark McGrath and Sugar Ray. | skiheavenly.com

New Year’s Eve at Northstar Dec. 31 | Village at Northstar Ring in the New Year with live music, ice skating and roasting s’mores by the fire at Northstar. Enjoy a fireworks exhibition and family fun. | northstarcalifornia.com

The Loft’s New Year’s Eve Party Dec. 31 | Heavenly Village | Stateline, Nev. The “Magic Fusion” show features mind-bending tricks of master magicians and guest DJs spinning music until 2 a.m. | thelofttahoe.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration & Fireworks Dec. 31 | Village at Squaw | Olympic Valley Ring in the New Year in style with free live music in The Village, fireworks and all-night parties. Enjoy the Torchlight Parade, a kids’ torchlight parade, fireworks and more. | squawalpine.com

High Five the Year Dec. 31 | Olympic Village Lodge | Olympic Valley High Fives Non-Profit Foundation presents High Five the Year at the Olympic Village Lodge. At midnight, amidst beats from outstanding DJs, all attendees can ring in the New Year with a champagne toast. This is one event you won’t want to miss. | squawalpine.com

CBC New Year’s Eve Dec. 31 | Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

The community is invited to Gardnerville’s fourth annual New Year’s Eve event from 6 to 9 p.m. Luminaries will light the way. Labyrinths are used as a way to quiet the mind and recover a balance in life. Walk to create hopeful tomorrows. | (775) 782-8027

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with California Honeydrops and special guests Achilles Wheel, with an after party with Jelly Bread. | crystalbaycasino.com

New Year’s Snowshoe Tour

New Year’s Time Machine

Dec. 31 | Tahoe Donner Cross Country

Dec. 31 | Tahoe Biltmore | Crystal Bay, Nev.

Celebrate the New Year with a guided snowshoe hike on Tahoe Donner’s cross-country ski trails from 5:30 to 8 p.m. | tahoedonner.com

Enter the Time Machine with SkiiTour, Morillo, All Good Funk Alliance, Friend. and The Rhino at the Tahoe Biltmore. It’s a costume New Year’s Eve celebration. Bust out your favorite throwback costumes and step out of time. | freshbakin.com

Tahoe New Year’s Eve Dec. 31 | Granlibakken | Tahoe City Spend a special Tahoe New Year with a delicious New Year’s buffet dinner, followed by dessert, dancing and a champagne toast. Children will enjoy movies playing all night long and kid-friendly activities. A balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight will ring in the New Year in style. | granlibakken.com

All That Glitters Dec. 31 | MontBleu Resort Casino | Stateline, Nev. Celebrate New Year’s Eve inside MontBleu and enjoy an all-access pass to two parties in Opal Ultra Lounge and the Showroom. There will be go-go dancers, bands, DJs and more. | montbleuresort.com 

New Year’s Eve Light Parade & Fireworks Dec. 31 | Tahoe Donner Downhill | Tahoe Donner This fun free event is for intermediate skiers and riders, ages 10 and older, who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark. Come early to secure a spot in the parade. Signups are from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. with a chair loading time at 6:15 p.m. Fireworks show will follow. | tahoedonner.com

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Dec. 31 | Kirkwood Ski Resort | Kirkwood Ring in the New Year with an evening of fun with the Kirkwood Torchlight Parade followed by a spectacular fireworks display viewable from the Village Plaza. Enjoy live music, a bonfire, 80s-themed after part at The Cornice and a free toast at 9 p.m. | kirkwood.com Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more live music, event and entertainment options. 34

LIVE MUSIC, SHOWS & NIGHTLIFE

Easy Giant Refines its Roots

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

CALENDAR

DEC. 6-20, 2018

DECEMBER 6 | THURSDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Line Dancing Hellfire Saloon, Reno, 6:30-9 p.m. DJ Trivia MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 7 p.m. Ririe Woodbury Dance Company Tahoe Truckee High School, Truckee, 7-9 p.m. Eddie Ifft Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. The 39 Steps Restless Artists Theatre, Sparks, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Siamsa - A Celtic Christmas Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Free Radicals and Lab 2 Fall Concert Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Acoustic Wonderland Sessions Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, Sparks, 8 p.m. Stampede Country Night Thursdays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m. Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 5 Star Saloon, Reno, 9 p.m. Spin Thursdays Peppermill Casino, Reno, 10 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

DECEMBER 7 | FRIDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 2-4 p.m. Pray for Snow Party Sky Tavern, Reno, 6 p.m. Brother Dan Palmer Washoe Camp Saloon, New Washoe City, 7 p.m. Live Music Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 7-11 p.m. “Mary Poppins, Jr.” Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 7 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 7-9 p.m. Dweezil Zappa Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno, 7-11:30 p.m. Eddie Ifft Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Carson Comedy Club Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. The 39 Steps Restless Artists Theatre, Sparks, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m. Paulina Rubio Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, 8 p.m. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

MUSIC SCENE

Music SCENE Dec. 6-19, 2018

STORY BY SEAN McALINDIN

asy Giant’s first four releases have established Chris Emmington and company as the most popular recording artists ever to come out of the Truckee/ Tahoe region. “Holy Wave” of 2015 was the raw beginning recorded in Emmington’s Tahoe City apartment with keyboard wizard Ryan Taylor before he began his productive collaboration with snowboard legend Danny Davis. “To The Moon” was released when Emmington relocated to Oslo, Norway, on a songwriter’s visa. This poignant moment in time continues to be the most popular record so far. Then, 2017 proved to be a creatively fruitful year for the artist because he also put out the “Sierra Sierra” EP featuring the mind-altering madness of single, “House of the Wizard.”

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PSYCHEDELIC SURF ROCK

All-time 10 Most Popular Songs by Tahoe-Reno bands BAND

See the top 25 at TheTahoeWeekly.com

MOST POPULAR SONG

PLAYS ON SPOTIFY As of Nov 26, 2018

Easy Giant

My Salty Jente

444,249

Hellbound Glory

Bastard Child

400,553

7 Seconds

Satyagraha

296,946

Black Sunshine

Once In My Life

94,346

Zebuel

Hangover Blues

66,255

Dead Winter Carpenters

Find Your Home

50,642

Everyday Outlaw

I Can’t Sing Country

42,110

Truckee Tribe

Bitch Baby

30,030

Peter Joseph Burtt & The Kingtide

Ghost Posting Letters

26,797

Moondog Matinee

Sweet Heroine

22,458

All the while Easy Giant has attracted a steady fanbase of listeners through their strategic relationship with the international snowboarding community. The latest LP, “Old Rev,” delivered in November brings the sound of the project back to where it all began: Southern California psychedelic, surf rock. “Wind” begins of at the intersection of Rishikesh and Huntington Beach capturing the spiritual aspect of early 1960s rock with the sensation that surfing became. Like a rider on a steep curl, there is sense of urgency in Emmington’s voice as electric guitars blare in between uncanny vocals fading to feedback like the almost invisible clouds left behind a slow-motion launch off a foam-crested roller. The singer’s voice is layered at least as deep as the surf as “Sunriser” meets us with antique synth interwoven with Emmington’s channeled gibberish. His mad insistence continues, keyboards shrieking and pealing into jangly fuzz guitar and fat, unapologetic bass. It’s all slightly anxious, foxing and heady, full of the raw key changes and obscure lyrics that have always been Easy Giant’s mark.

Emmington’s penchant for eclectic yet memorable riff s, take on new life in this return to the psycho-spiritual side of surf rock. Both songs are so far each less than 3 minutes long as is the case with over half of tracks on the album. We sometimes forget there can be so much trippiness in short recordings; they keep you on your toes so it’s aurally activating. “Leer Jet” starts out with an aggressive Flea-esque bass line that drops into a lush indie rock jam to give The Fleet Foxes a run for their money. “It’s only getting colder, it’s getting wonderful,” he sings on this flawless 142beats-per-minute airplane ride through disorienting psychotropics toward somewhere presumably better. He’s relaxed, energized and in the pocket with every song delivering an almost undecipherable Pink Floyd pearl from a long-lost California abalone. “Sandman” chills the mood back down with a horn-infused, falsetto swing before “The Tube” brings back that familiar sound for a song about surfing a giant wave. I can imagine Brit pop teenyboppers dancing Austin Powers-style on shore as this one plays out of the Big Kahuna.

The stellar “Old Dance” is an unsettlingly slowed-down version of a Talking Heads played by a 1963 garage band that you can’t help me move to. Once again, Emmington uses old-time signatures imposed over four-four time to create an Oriental groove of sine-wave transitions. It sounds like a 2020 New World mashup of re-reversed George Harrison guitar licks spun out on the midnight beach of celestial Goa. The riff for title song “Old Rev” comes in with so much tapping echo that it creates a swirling universe all its own. Tribal beats are joined by lush vocals and warbling synth to create the beautifully textured sound of Easy Giant fully realized. That there is immense space for jamming in this formula speaks volumes to the notoriously raucous indie band’s live concerts. They recently visited a sold-out Alibi Ale Works in Truckee in November as a part of the Absinthe Films world tour for the third year. “Mars Rover” has that Dr. Dog lo-fi sound matched with a high-pitched harmony that makes it easy to see why this is already the most popular song on the album with more than 12,000 plays E X C L U S I V E C O N T E N T AT

TheTahoeWeekly.com Listen to “House of the Wizard” within the first month of release. It’s upbeat and fun in a carefree sort of way. The song ends at 2 minutes, 26 seconds and there is a 20-second gap before deepbass forest of “Garden” comes in almost as an afterthought perusing the longforgotten swing of lust and anarchy laid low by the tides of change. You can listen to Easy Giant on Spotify, Apple Music or any other major digital platform. | easygiantmusic.com 

MUSIC SCENE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

JOURNEY Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev.

LIVE YOUR DREAMS as you sing along to the verifiable rock classics of Journey, such as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Faithfully” and “Any Way You Want It.” I wish I could be there with my Uncle Chris and Aunt Kimberly rocking out. They are my family’s version of 1980s romance at its best. | grandsierraresort.com

LITTLE

STEVEN & THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

CLASSIC ROCK

BLUES ROCK

Dec. 8 | 8 p.m. Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev. FOR TEACHERS, this concert includes a TeachRock workshop at 6 p.m. and free entry with one guest to the concert courtesy of E Street Band guitarist and Jersey Shore artist of his own right, Steven Van Zandt. He takes Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul around the world on the Soulfire Teacher Solidarity Tour to help educators connect to their students through music. | caesars.com/harrahs

Major Motion Pictures · Independent Films Live Music · Dance Performances

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Dec. 6

Warp Wave’s Range of Mystery Dec. 7

The Movie to Keep Squaw True Dec. 8-9

Free Solo Dec. 8-13

Mary Poppins Returns Dec. 19-Jan. 10

Visit TahoeArtHausCinema.com for showtimes, schedule, events + tkts

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

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre and the Reno Phil’s The Nutcracker Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 8-10 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Eddie Ifft Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m. Arizona Jones Bar of America, Truckee, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. DJ Show Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Ririe Woodbury Dance Co. Tahoe Donner Park & Recreation, Truckee Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno “Seussical, Jr.” Damonte Ranch High School, Reno

DECEMBER 8 | SATURDAY

. Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. “Mary Poppins, Jr.” Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 2 p.m. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre and the Reno Phil’s The Nutcracker Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 2-4 p.m. TOCCATA Handel’s “Messiah Cornerstone Church, Incline Village, 3 p.m. Holiday Bazaar Tahoe Flow Arts Studio, Tahoe Vista, 5 p.m Live Music Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 7-11 p.m. “Mary Poppins, Jr.” Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 7 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 7-9 p.m. Eddie Ifft Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Carson Comedy Club Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. The 39 Steps Restless Artists Theatre, Sparks, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Contra Dance Southside Cultural Center, Reno, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m. Jackson Galaxy Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 8 p.m. Sluka Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 8 p.m. Trippin’ King Snakes Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City, 8 p.m. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre and the Reno Phil’s The Nutcracker Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 8-10 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Pink Talking Fish + After Party w/ Tracorum Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m. FreQ Nasty, David Starfire and Dub Kirtan All-Stars The BlueBird Nightclub, Reno, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Eddie Ifft Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m. Arizona Jones Bar of America, Truckee, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. DJ Show Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Marc Rebillet The Stone House, Nevada City, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. VOLAC at 1up 1up, Reno, 10 p.m. 3rd Anniversary Party The Loft, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno “Seussical, Jr.” Damonte Ranch High School, Reno

AUSTIN

QUATTLEBAUM

PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOLK

Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. Dark Horse Coffee Roasters | Truckee AFTER TRAVELING the East Coast and Deep South, Southern gent and banjo slinger Austin Quattlebaum has traveled up the California Pacific to Truckee for an intimate performance in the historic downtown venue. Get your tickets ASAP. | darkhorsetruckee.com

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

DECEMBER 9 | SUNDAY Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 2 p.m. “Mary Poppins, Jr.” Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 2 p.m. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre and the Reno Phil’s The Nutcracker Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 2-4 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 2 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 2-4 p.m.

Charles Sweet

DEC. 7 | FRIDAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

ART ROCK

Dec. 7 | 8 p.m. Cargo Concert Hall | Reno, Nev. THE CONSUMMATE master Dweezil Zappa on his “Choice Cuts Tour” plays the best and most bizarre music of his father Frank — and whatever else he feels like playing. This is family art rock at its best. You can’t tell me what to do. | cargoreno.com

Dec. 6-19, 2018

MUSIC SCENE

TATANKA

TOCCATA MontBleu Resort, Stateline, 3 p.m. Celebrate Napa Sonoma Grocery Company Reno, 5-10 p.m. Shadow of Intent, Depths of Hatred Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 7 p.m. Eddie Ifft Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Composers’ Concert Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Karaoke with Rock Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

Dec. 14 | 10 p.m. Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA dub reggae group Tatanka makes a visit to the Red Room for some late-night booty shaking and irie vibes just three steps down from the slots. | crystalbaycasino.com

THE

MOSSWOODS

DECEMBER 10 | MONDAY Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 2 p.m. High Desert Holidays McKinley Arts & Culture Center, Reno, 7-8:30 p.m. Karaoke Polo Lounge, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Open Mic Whiskey Dicks, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 11 | TUESDAY Canyon Jam/Open Mic Living the Good Life, Carson City, 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night with James Ames Washoe CAMP Saloon, New Washoe City, 6:30-9 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Buddy Emmer and guest Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

DECEMBER 12 | WEDNESDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open Mic with Doug Tarrant Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City, 7 p.m. Wednesday Night Showcase Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 7 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Saints and Sinners Wednesday Night Blues Syndicate The Saint, Reno, 8 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke 5 Star Saloon, Reno, 9 p.m. Chris Robinson Brotherhood Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m. Wacky Wednesday Karaoke Reno Pizza Baron, Reno, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

DECEMBER 13 | THURSDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Line Dancing Hellfire Saloon, Reno, 6:30-9 p.m. DJ Trivia MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 7 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Acoustic Wonderland Sessions Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, Sparks, 8 p.m.

REGGAE

Stampede Country Night Thursdays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 5 Star Saloon, Reno, 9 p.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m. Spin Thursdays Peppermill Casino, Reno, 10 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

DECEMBER 14 | FRIDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Twisted Nutcracker and the Tale of the Rat King Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Olympic Valley, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Brother Dan Palmer Washoe Camp Saloon, New Washoe City, 7 p.m. Live Music Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Super Heroes Nightingale Concert Hall, Reno, 7 p.m. “Annie” Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach, 7 p.m. Austin Quattlebaum Dark Horse, Truckee, 7 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 7-9 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Carson Comedy Club Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Noël the Musical Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 8 p.m. Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m. Colt Ford Virginia Street Brewhouse, Reno, 8 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m.

DJ Show Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Tatanka Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 10 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

DECEMBER 15 | SATURDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Noël the Musical Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 2 p.m. “Annie” Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach, 2 p.m. Handel’s “Messiah” St. Gall Catholic Church, Gardnerville, 3-6 p.m. Great Basin Carolers Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 4 p.m. Dinner & Dance Sierra Valley Grange Hall, Loyalton, 5:30-10:30 p.m. A Genoa Cowboy Christmas Genoa, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Live Music Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Reno, 7-11 p.m. “Annie” Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach, 7 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 7-9 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Ybn Nahmir, Ybn Cordae, Ybn Almighty Jay Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Carson Comedy Club Carson Nugget, Carson City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. TCT Improv Troupe Art Truckee, Truckee, 7:30-9 p.m. Jamey Johnson Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 8 p.m. Chris Costa Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m. Bootleggers Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City, 8 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Weight of the Tide Virginia Street Brewhouse, Reno, 8 p.m.

NEO-SOUL

Dec. 7-8 | 8 p.m. Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats | Truckee THE MOSSWOODS, a six-piece band from Oakland featuring saxophone, trumpet and the spot-on vocals of Nancy Lake, comes to Truckee’s downtown jazz bar to get everybody — including the ghosts — dancing for the weekend. | moodysbistro.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

MUSIC SCENE

TheTahoeWeekly.com

C A L E N D A R | DEC. 6-20, 2018 DEC. 15 | SATURDAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Blackalicious Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, 9 p.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9:30 p.m. DJ Show Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Stateline, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Chizzle Lex Nightclub, Reno, 10 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno The Twisted Nutcracker and the Tale of the Rat King Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Olympic Valley

DECEMBER 17 | MONDAY Karaoke Polo Lounge, Reno, 7-11 p.m. Open Mic Whiskey Dicks, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 18 | TUESDAY Open Mic Night with James Ames Washoe CAMP Saloon, New Washoe City, 6:30-9 p.m. Buddy Emmer and guest Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m. “It’s a Wonderful Life” & “A Christmas Chaos” Olympic Village Lodge, Olympic Valley Holiday Shows Community Arts Center, Truckee

DECEMBER 16 | SUNDAY

Courtesy Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

Noël the Musical Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, 1 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 2 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 2 p.m. A Christmas Chaos Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, 2-4 p.m. Handel’s “Messiah” St. Rose of Lima Church, Reno, 3 p.m. Great Basin Carolers Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 4 p.m. Gary Delena Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Felly Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Every Christmas Story Ever Told! Reno Little Theater, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Journey Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 8 p.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m. Karaoke with Rock Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, 9 p.m. Laugh Factory Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno

“Taming of the Shrew” coming to Tahoe The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2019 featured productions featuring William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” his uproarious battle of the sexes directed by Sara Bruner, and “Million Dollar Quartet,” a Tony-winning rock ‘n’ roll tribute inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins directed by Hunter Foster, as first reported at TheTahoeWeekly.com. The 2019 Showcase Series lineup will be announced in Spring 2019. Tickets are on sale at laketahoeshakespeare.com. 38

The Twisted Nutcracker and the Tale of the Rat King Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Olympic Valley

DECEMBER 19 | WEDNESDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open Mic with Greg Lynn Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City, 7 p.m. Wednesday Night Showcase Ceol Irish Pub, Reno, 7 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Saints and Sinners Wednesday Night Blues Syndicate The Saint, Reno, 8 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke 5 Star Saloon, Reno, 9 p.m. Wacky Wednesday Karaoke Reno Pizza Baron, Reno, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

DECEMBER 20 | THURSDAY Live Music Glen Eagles, Carson City, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Great Basin Carolers Village at Squaw, Olympic Valley, 4 p.m. Jazz for the Holidays Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Olympic Valley, 6:30-9 p.m. Line Dancing Hellfire Saloon, Reno, 6:30-9 p.m. DJ Trivia MidTown Wine Bar, Reno, 7 p.m. Golden Girls Live: Holiday Special Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, Reno, 7:30 p.m. Golden Dragon Acrobats Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7:30 p.m. Acoustic Wonderland Sessions Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, Sparks, 8 p.m. Holiday Dreams Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, 8 p.m. Stampede Country Night Thursdays Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m. The Mousehole Family Christmas Extravaganza Brüka Theatre, Reno, 8 p.m. Karaoke The Pointe, Reno, 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 5 Star Saloon, Reno, 9 p.m. An Evening At the Improv Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m. Spin Thursdays Peppermill Casino, Reno, 10 p.m.

Local

FOOD & WINE, RECIPES, FEATURES & MORE

TA S T Y TIDBITS

Dec. 6-19, 2018

LOCAL FLAVOR

flavor

The Art of the Craft Cocktail S T O R Y & P H O T O S B Y P R I YA H U T N E R

Courtesy Tahoe Trail Bar

Tahoe Trail Bar partners with Sprouts

Tahoe Trail Bar, a brand of plant-based energy bars based in Tahoe, are now available in Sprouts Farmers Markets throughout Nevada and California. Tahoe Trail Bar recently received non-GMO certification by the Non-GMO Project, an organization that verifies and ensures healthy and safe-to-eat foods. Partnering with Sprouts Farmers Markets further expands Tahoe Trail Bar throughout the western United States. | tahoetrailbar.com

Cornerstone Bakery opens Tahoe Weekly readers have been asking about the new bakery in the works in downtown Truckee, and we’re glad to report that Cornerstone Bakery is open. As those who sampled their offerings during Truckee Thursdays over the summer already know, Cornerstone Bakery makes everything from scratch offering a variety of pastries daily along with espresso drinks and tea. They also create custom cakes for any occasion. Located at 10087 West River St. | Cornerstone Bakery on Facebook

t was a chilly Sunday afternoon and the snow guns were blowing hard preparing for opening day at Northstar California. People lounged in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe while others sat outdoors on the deck around a fire pit preparing to watch the sun set. It was an excellent time to learn how to make cocktails that warm the soul on a cold night. The art of making a cocktail is a mustknow for any hostess or host, especially with the holidays on the horizon. The RitzCarlton Lake Tahoe offers a delightful opportunity in which to cozy up and learn how to craft the perfect winter cocktail from master mixologists. I attended their Art of Mixology class with Tahoe Weekly publisher Katherine Hill and Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe communications director Shawna Faris and

The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe offers a delightful opportunity in which to cozy up and learn how to craft the perfect winter cocktail from master mixologists. her husband David. The class was held at the Manzanita bar in the hotel’s large open living room. We introduced ourselves to a couple from San Francisco also taking the class. A lovely charcuterie plate with assorted meats, cheeses and nuts awaited us. Nubbia Gamez, our gracious mixologist, welcomed us and introduced the class: “Today we will learn how to prepare a few of our new winter cocktails.” On the menu were her original creation, the White Christmas Margarita, as well as a Nutty Irishman, Old Fashioned and Negroni.

Tahoe to June Lake Former long-time Olympic Valley resident Jamie Schectman has opened the T-Bar Social Club in June Lake in the former Sierra Inn. T-Bar will feature year-round entertainment including live music, a speaker series, ski and snowboard films and more. All of the events will also be live streamed. Also planned for the property is June Pie, a New York-style pizza restaurant, and the 4,000 square-foot Balance Rock Saloon with a multi-use event center. | balancedrocksaloon.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

White Christmas Margarita cocktail with lime and strawberries.

WHITE CHRISTMAS MARGARITA “I decorate the cocktail with red berries and lime so it’s red, white and green,” she said. Her secret was cream of coconut, which gave the drink a slight white hue. She placed the ingredients on the bar and explained that cocktails are a balance of spirits, liquor and sweetener. Her margarita was prepared with 1½ ounces of tequila, ½ ounce of triple sec, 1 oz. of lime juice,

1 teaspoon of Coco Lopez and 1 teaspoon of agave. Gamez offered a few variations such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier instead of triple sec. She shook the mixture in a copper cocktail shaker for 30 seconds with a bit of ice and strained the beverage into a glass. The delicious cocktail had a subtle hint of coconut and was rich and creamy. It boasted a lovely combination of sweet and tangy with a hint of the tropics, perfect for the holiday season.

NUTTY IRISHMAN The Nutty Irishman was a combination of four spirits: Jameson Irish Whiskey; Frangelico, a hazelnut-flavored liquor; Disaronno amaretto, an almond-flavored liquor; and Bailey’s Irish Cream, a blend of whiskey and cream. Gamez poured a half ounce of each spirit into a glass coffee mug; we had our choice of coffee or hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream. It was a wonderful winter nightcap or holiday morning beverage — absolutely nutty, sweet scrumptiousness.

OLD FASHIONED Next was a choice between a RitzCarlton Negroni or an Old Fashioned. We were split — three for an Old Fashioned and three for a classic Italian Negroni cocktail. She decided to teach us how to make both. “Any bourbon is a whiskey, but not any whiskey is a bourbon. Bourbon is only made in the U.S.,” she said. Gamez prepared two Old Fashioned drinks with rye and one for me with bourbon. The rye Old Fashioned was a

The Ritz-Carlton Old Fashioned with brandy-soaked cherries; TOP: Nubbia Gamez shows the class the ingredients needed to make a Negroni cocktail.

bit smoother while the bourbon had a dash more kick. She used agave as the sweetener in this twist on the old-school classic cocktail. “Never shake an Old Fashioned; blend it by stirring,” she said, adding that shaking dilutes the components of the cocktail.

RITZ-CARLTON NEGRONI The Ritz-Carlton Negroni was fabulous and one of Gamez’s personal favorites. She poured a touch of St. George absinthe just to coat the glass, then added ¾ oz. of Hendricks Gin, Campari (an infusion of herbs and fruit) and Dolin vermouth. She added a dash of Angostura bitters and then rubbed the rim with an orange peel and squeezed the oils into the glass. She stirred the mixture for 20 seconds. The Art of Mixology is a delightful and unique way to spend a winter afternoon or host a special event such as a birthday or bachelorette party. The class is offered on Sundays from 3 to 4 p.m. or by special arrangement. The cost is $60 per person. Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance. | ritzcarlton.com, (530) 562-3050 

LOCAL FLAVOR

TheTahoeWeekly.com

TA S T Y T I D B I T S Visit the Event Calendar at TheTahoeWeekly.com for a complete list of events. S’mores Saturdays

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

Downtown | Kings Beach | Dec. 15

Farm Shop Tahoe Food Hub Tahoe City | Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20

Courtesy NTBA

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

Get S’more Saturdays Back for its second year, Get S’more Saturdays is an après winter activity the family won’t want to miss. North Tahoe Business Association in partnership with 12 shops and eateries hosts events from 3 to 6 p.m. in downtown Kings Beach on Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 23 and March 9. Attendees go to participating businesses and track visits on a play card that includes a map, then stroll to the outdoor gathering area at Las Panchitas to redeem play cards with three or more visits for free s’mores and raffle tickets to win valuable prizes throughout the season. Each participating business will offer something unexpected such as complimentary beverages and appetizers, specialty menu items, artist demos and more. | northtahoebusiness.org

Get S’more Saturdays is a shop & dine promotion is open to all ages and takes place downtown at 12 shops and eateries. Enter their doors and receive s’more, track your visits on a free play card, stroll to the outdoor gathering area decked out with heaters and fire pits, to redeem play cards for free s’mores, plus chances to win prizes. 3-6 p.m. | northtahoebusiness.org

FiftyFifty Eclipse Release Party FiftyFifty Brewing Co. | Truckee | Dec. 6

Reno Wine Walk

Enjoy tastings of 2018 and previous years Eclipse, plus other 50/50 barrel-aging projects, commemorative bottle of Eclipse, Eclipse logo glassware, and beer-inspired appetizers, 5-11 p.m. $95 | brownpapertickets.com

Riverwalk District | Reno | Dec. 15

Chocolate & Wine

Reno Santa Pub Crawl

Art Truckee | Truckee | Dec. 7

Downtown | Reno | Dec. 15

Art Truckee hosts a Chocolate and Wine Tasting event with Dorinda’s Chocolates and Life Wine, along with acoustic music by Peter DeMattei. Participants must be age 21 and older. Reservations are required. 6-9 p.m. $15 | arttruckee.com

Stroll along the Truckee River in the Riverwalk District for a wine tasting. Strollers and pets are not advised because of large crowds. 2-5 p.m. $20 | renoriver.org

It’s the largest Santa Pub Crawl in the country as thousands of merry-makers descend upon downtown to enjoy good spirits & yule-tide cheer. 7:30 p.m. Free | renosantacrawl.com

Make a Difference Monday Wine Walk at the Carson Mall

Truckee Philosophy | Truckee | Dec. 17

Carson Mall | Carson City | Dec. 8

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

Art of Mixology The Ritz-Carlton | Truckee | Dec. 9, 16

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

Join us for amazing food and drinks on Monday at Philosophy, with 5 percent of proceeds to benefit Mountain Area Preservation. The event will go from 3 to 9 p.m., with a short presentation by MAP at 6:30 p.m. 3-6p.m. | truckeephilosophy.com

Third Thursday Tasting The Pour House | Truckee | Dec. 20

Enjoy a wine tasting each month. 5-7 p.m. | thepourhousetruckee.com

Santa Pub Crawl Incline Village | Incline Village | Dec. 15 Our mission is to reduce the incidence of hunger and its detrimental effects upon individuals, families, the community and the region.

WEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION:

Famous for our Mexicans! (530) 587-3557 10186 Donner Pass Rd - Truckee

MONDAYS TAHOE CITY

WEDNESDAYS KINGS BEACH

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

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

TUESDAYS TRUCKEE

THURSDAYS INCLINE VILLAGE

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

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

(775) 298-4161

Come out in your most festive attire and join the Santa Pub Crawl in locations in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. A complimentary shuttle will be provided with frequent stops at participating locations. 8-11 p.m. | northernlightstahoe.com

ProjectMana.org

Holiday Dinners

500+ CRAFT BEERS

1/2 Price Entrées Sunday through Thursday with coupon | Ends December 20th

CIDERS // WINES // COCKTAILS

Happy Hour MON-FRI 3-6pm

Daily Happy Hour 7 days a week | 3:30-5:30pm until December 21st

Weekend Brunch Starting at 11:00am

$99 Rooms now through December 20th

2285 River Road Alpine Meadows, CA. 96146 | 530-583-4264 | www.RiverRanchLodge.com

brewforia.com

Under the Village Ski Loft

800 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

(775) 298-7660

LOCAL FLAVOR

Dec. 6-19, 2018

STORY & PHOTOS BY LOU PHILLIPS

QUALITY SCOTCH WHISKY & AMERICAN WHISKEY Part I

pirit aficionados know that a dram or two of quality whiskey makes for a rich and warming quaff on a cold winter’s night not only because it is as rewarding served warm or on ice, but also because the best are complex and thought provoking and a lovely social lubricant. All are reason enough for this two-part journey on quality whiskeys, starting with the two most influential whiskey nations, Scotland and the United States.

Scotch malt whisky is required to be aged a minimum three years in used oak barrels, usually bourbon barrels, even if there is no age indication on the label. This barrel process contributes significantly to the spirit’s flavor by adding coconut, vanilla and spice and complementing the heather, leather and bite that are the calling cards of fine scotch.

High-end American whiskey is equally delicious and

20% OFF ENTIRE FOOD BILL Sunday through Thursday not valid with any other offer | Expires Dec 19, 2018

JasonsBeachSideGrille.com

•

(530) 546-3315

8338 NORTH LAKE BLVD., KINGS BEACH, CA

complex, but quite different in style and flavor profile.

Whiskey and rye.

At its base quality, whiskey is a grain mash that is fermented, distilled and aged in oak barrels. But, as with most things, the real interesting devils are in the culturally influenced, scientific and artistic details.

Top-notch scotch.

With scotch the first thing to know is that you are looking for the term malt whisky not grain whisky on the label because this will be the traditional version made from malted barley that has been peat-smoked and distilled twice in a copper pot. Peat-smoke levels vary from area to area and the good stuff stays true to the classic double distillation and retains flavors.

Single-malt versions come from a single distillery — not from a single barrel — and are typically labeled with their barrel-age years. This creation process is incredibly time and resource intensive and the terroir where the barley and peat grow is considered the gold standard. Yes, the best scotch whiskies rival Grand Cru wines in price. The good news for many is that a quality blended scotch malt whisky, which indicates it comes from multiple distilleries, can be of top-shelf quality, as well, and there are values to be had. High-end American whiskey is equally delicious and complex, but quite different in style and flavor profile. This is because they are not peat smoked, the aging barrels are new and the primary grain is corn. The outcome is a richer whiskey with some sweetness from the new oak, deep caramel and fruit flavors and the same vanilla, coconut, spice of malt scotch. Tennessee, aka Lincoln County, whiskeys are filtered through maple charcoal giving them a smoky and smooth profile. The best Americans also bring solid structure making them age worthy although they tend to peak earlier than Scotch. When I give whiskey presentations, people are always amazed how much the differences between top-notch scotch and American whiskeys parallel the differences between Old- and NewWorld wines — and as with wines, vive la difference.  Lou Phillips is a Level 3 Advanced Sommelier in Tahoe and his consulting business wineprowest. com assists in the selling, buying and managing wine collections. He may be reached at (775) 5443435 or wineguru123@gmail.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more wine columns. Click on Wine Column under the Local Flavor tab.

Helping Collectors Sell, Buy and Manage Their Collections Assisting Businesses Build Effective Wine Programs Making Your Wine Events Really Special Expertise and Ethics Public and Private Wine Classes

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We Can Train Your Staff, Maximize Your Wine Program and Help With Your Fundraiser

WineProWest.com 3 Sommelier Louis Phillips Level 30+ Years Experience WineGuru123@gmail.com - (775)

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Kings Beach Lunch Specials Daily Early Bird Special 4-6pm

Dinner Special 4-10pm

$3.50 Margaritas $3.50 Dos Equis $2.50 Draft Bud

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Eclectic old world Ambiance Home made Pastas Wide-ranging Wine list DINNER AND BAR NIGHTLY FROM 5-9 PM Reservations Recommended

Happy Hour

Sun-Thurs | 5-6 pm

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TheTahoeWeekly.com

C H A N T I L LY C R E A M IS A DREAM Fine Italian Food & Spirits

Locals Love Lanza’s! (530) 546-2434 BAR - 4:30 p.m. DINNER - 5 p.m.

7739 N Lake Blvd - Kings Beach

LanzasTahoe.com

B Y C H E F D AV I D “ S M I T T Y ” S M I T H

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FALL SPECIAL

2 - FOR - 1 ENTRÉES

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2-course Minimum Per Person

THE SOULE DOMAIN

Excludes Saturdays

CREATIVE AMERICAN DINING IN AN ELEGANT LOG CABIN

Buy 1 entrée, get second entrée of lesser value FREE

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Must present this coupon

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SOULEDOMAIN.COM

Not valid with other offers

EXPIRES D EC. 19, 2018

was asked by my friends I was having coffee with what this edition’s article was going to be. I had a few things working around in my head, but I wasn’t really sure. A lot of the ideas seemed great, but I would have wanted to do a little testing first to get my version of the recipe down. And then one of our group came to the table with extra whipped cream on her cocoa.

Chantilly Cream is always sweetened and usually flavored with a touch of vanilla

Next to Tahoe Biltmore - Crystal Bay, NV

or some other flavoring.

Nightly 5-6 p.m.

I asked them if any one of them would be interested in a recipe for whipped cream. I didn’t get much of a response until one friend asked about Chantilly Cream. She informed me it was one of her favorite foods, but she could never get it exactly right. That was when I finally agreed to write about what I consider to be one of my easiest recipes to date. So the first question is: Is there a difference between whipped and Chantilly cream? The answer is: kind of. When most people talk of whipped cream, they are usually referring to Chantilly cream. That is, they are talking about sweetened whipped cream used for desserts. Whipped cream is just that — cream that has been whipped. It does not always have sweetener added. One example of how you would use unsweetened whipped cream is in oysters Rockefeller; whipped cream is combined with hollandaise sauce on top of the oyster and browned under a broiler.

Chantilly Cream is always sweetened and usually flavored with a touch of vanilla or some other flavoring. Someone else then said that Chantilly Cream is always lightly whipped to just a soft stage. Although some people, including some chefs I’ve known, think Chantilly Cream is only cream sweetened and softly whipped, that does not have to be the case. Sweetened cream whipped to a stiff enough consistency to pipe through a pastry bag in order to decorate a dessert is still Chantilly Cream. All you need for the cream to be considered Chantilly Cream is the sweetener. If you whip it a little too much, just fold in a little cream to bring it back. If you whip it to butter, about the only thing left is to try it on a piece of toast. Some people swear by powdered sugar because it will dissolve and incorporate into the cream easier. That is true, but I have noticed that powdered sugar gets old much faster than granulated sugar. It will actually pick up the flavor of the plastic bag and taste bad. Because whipped cream is such a delicate flavor, I will normally go with whatever I happen to have around and use the fine granulated sugar if there is any available. Just be sure to taste the powdered sugar before using it to make sure it is fresh. For a simple dessert, try a small bowl of fresh berries with Chantilly Cream and enjoy.  Smitty is a personal chef specializing in dinner parties, cooking classes and special events. Trained under Master Chef Anton Flory at Top Notch Resort in Stowe, Vt., Smitty is known for his creative use of fresh ingredients. Contact him at tmmsmitty@gmail.com or (530) 412-3598. To read archived copies of Smitty’s column, visit chefsmitty.com or TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Chef’s Recipe under the Local Flavor tab.

CHANTILLY CREAM Local’s Lakefront Menu 3-Course $35.00 sunday - thursday excludes holiday periods

ChristyHill.com 115 Grove St., Tahoe City CA 530-583-8551 42

From the kitchen of: Chef David “Smitty” Smith 1 C heavy cream 2 to 3 T sugar 1 t pure vanilla extract (or other flavoring to taste)

Place the bowl in the freezer for a little while. Use an oversized bowl because the cream will double in volume and the extra room will make whipping easier. Add the ingredients into the bowl and whip together until it is at the desired consistency you like. Look for silky consistency unless you are going to pipe it out of a bag for decorating, in which case you will want it a little stiffer. You can add a little more sugar or vanilla, so taste it just as it starts to thicken.

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Stocking Stuﬀers Located in Historic Downtown Truckee and conveniently nestled between Sweets Candies and Uncorked Wine Bar, Word After Word Bookshop opens its doors to the Truckee Tahoe Community and all who visit.

Get them a gift that makes their taste buds sing! O rd e r b o o k s d i r e c t a t

Open Daily 10:30am-6pm

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Located in Downtown Truckee 10091 Donner Pass Road

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TAHOE CITY , CA.

ABOVE THE BLUE AGAVE

PineappleTahoe.com The Cobblestone - (530) 583-1388 475 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA @pineapple.tahoe

The Snow Has Arrived! Don’t Dream Of A White Christmas, Ski It MT. ROSE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR THE SEASON, AND WE’RE ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM INCLINE VILLAGE

SEASON PASS “OCTOBER” SALE RATES ARE STILL AVAILABLE! … BUT NOT FOR LONG M

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MY pass +

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holiday

adult 16+/child 6-15

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value

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premier

$599/$275

Non-Holiday/8 Void Days

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Holidays 2018/19:

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Christmas - Dec 26-29, MLK - Jan 19-20, President’s - Feb 16-17

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HIGHEST BASE IN TAHOE - 8260’ • FAST AND EASY TO GET TO • BREATHTAKING VIEWS

Best Rates on Lift Tickets and Season Passes at skirose.com

WHERE THE SNOW IS