Circle the Lake on the Tahoe Rim Trail

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) has announced its 12th Annual Thru Hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Two groups will circle the 165+ mile rim of the Tahoe Basin on one of the most unique multi-use trails in the world. This event offers participants an experience of a lifetime, the opportunity to meet new hiking friends, and lasting memories of traveling through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northern Sierra Nevada and Carson Range. Online registration begins Jan. 2 2013. For more information, see the TRTA web site.

New sushi in TC

Tahoe City Sushi is a new arrival to the North Shore food scene. The restaurant is located behind the Gear and Grind in the heart of Tahoe City. It’s a small seven table establishment with a six person sushi bar, owned and operated by longtime Sushi chef Vanessa Fiedler, who moved to Tahoe from the foothills to open this place They’ve only been open about two months but both their credit card machine and liquor license should be online before the winter holidays. When we visited last week they couldn’t yet sell us any hot sake or beer, but they can certainly sell you some fabulous sushi. They have all the staples covered - starting with a good miso soup and edamame. Tahoe City’s nigiri and rolls are definitely something special. Their unagi (fresh water eel) is some of the freshest and best we’ve ever tasted. The Placer Gold is a unique roll with spicy tuna and prawns on the inside, wrapped with salmon and avocado, drizzled with three sauces and garnished with green onions and tobbiko. Another stand out roll is the Landshark with grilled albacore, unagi, spicy sprouts, cucumber, avocado and a touch a lemon. Quite honestly, anything you order will not disappoint, look for Tahoe City Sushi to be around for many years to come. Find them at 690 North Lake Tahoe Blvd. Open every day but Sunday.

Ski for free and benefit Lake Tahoe

Looking for yet another reason to enjoy Tahoe’s record snowfall this winter? The new non-profit Tahoe Fund is partnering with nine Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts in California and Nevada to offer a free lift ticket for every purchase of a Lake Tahoe license plate.

“This is a simple and inexpensive way to show support for Lake Tahoe while enjoying the spectacular skiing Tahoe resorts have to offer this year,” said Cindy Gustafson, president of the Tahoe Fund.

Plate sales fund bike trails, lakefront parks, interpretive programs and other tangible projects that enhance the Tahoe experience for residents and visitors alike.

Patrick Wright, executive director of the California Tahoe Conservancy, praised the ski areas for offering such a great deal. “For less than the price of a typical lift ticket,” he said, “you can ski all day, help fund a park or a trail, and improve the look of your car.”

Newly-issued Tahoe plates are $50 in California and $61 in Nevada.

The Tahoe Fund (TahoeFund.org) works with the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Nevada Division of State Lands as well as public and private entities to identify and obtain funding for on-the-ground projects that support conservation, recreation and environmental education in the Lake Tahoe basin.

The Conservancy redesigned the California plate earlier this year, and turned to the Tahoe Fund to help boost sales in both states. The California and Nevada Tahoe plates now generate about $1.5 million annually for conservation and recreation projects in the Tahoe basin.

Jim Lawrence, administrator of the Nevada Division of State Lands, said the Plate for Powder Program supports the Tahoe Fund’s mission to better connect people to the natural and cultural resources of Lake Tahoe. “Buying a Tahoe license plate should be a New Year’s resolution for anyone who wants to help protect and enjoy this special place,” he said.

Tahoe’s ski areas were quick to embrace the collaborative bi-state effort. “It’s a win for our companies, our customers, and our communities,” said Art Chapman, Tahoe Fund board member and owner of, JMA Ventures, LLC which owns both Homewood and Alpine Meadows. “We all gain with increased funding and awareness of Tahoe’s irreplaceable resources and recreational assets.”

The Plate for Powder Program kicks off on Jan. 6, 2011 and continues throughout the remainder of the 2010–2011 season, or until tickets are sold out. Participating ski areas include Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Homewood, Heavenly, Northstar-at-Tahoe (downhill and Nordic), Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Tahoe Donner (downhill and Nordic) and Tahoe Cross Country.

To purchase a Tahoe plate and receive your complimentary lift ticket, visit www.tahoeplates.com or www.tahoefund.org.

New Bakery in Tahoe City

Have you ever been to a bakery that is healthy and actually has baked goods that taste great. If the answer is no, then you need to try the Sugar Pine Cakery.

The owner was a regular at the Tahoe City Farmers Market this summer and decided, with the urging of customers, to open a local shop. In addition to special orders, she offers freshly baked goods daily. When I walked through the door, I was overwhelmed by the smells and the visual delicacies that she produced. Everything looked healthy and most of all tasty. I am really glad she is here, it gives people a choice of places to patronage. I also love to see successful businesses here in the Lake Tahoe area.

To be sure she is open check out her website. www.sugarpinecakery.com

The Sugar Pine Cakery is located in Lake Forest near Lake Forest Glen and St Francis Lakeside Complexes. Whether you are a full time resident or a visitor, I encourage you to visit her while you are here. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones staying nearby at Lake Forest Glen or St.Francis Lakeside. What could be better than starting the morning by heading down the street for fresh baked goods. I am sure we will be seeing her at the Tahoe City Farmers Market this summer as well.

Sugar Pine Cakery is located at 2923 Lake Forest Rd, Tahoe City.

Submitted by Toni Smith of Better Homes and Gardens Mason McDuffie Real Estate.

Forest Service to convene forums on future of Sierra, Cascades

The US Forest Service is convening the first in a series of forums on the future of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades and the people who live, work and recreate there.

The dialogs will focus on the future of the two mountain ranges and the national forests, providing an “opportunity for learning, shared meaning, aligned actions and understanding different perspectives,” according to the Forest Service.

The first session, at 9:30 a.m. November 4 in Sacramento, will focus on ecological restoration. In an interactive workshop setting, participants will be asked to identify and discuss strategies for implementation and identify key components of success when planning for ecological restoration. The outcomes of this and future Dialogs will inform future Forest Service decisions.

All meetings will be open to the public. Anyone is welcome to participate.

The first session will be at the Garden Pavilion at McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento at 5640 Dudley Blvd.
McClellan, CA 95692.

Good news from Martis Valley

By Tom Mooers,
Sierra Watch:

Ten years ago, when Sierra Watch set out to secure a better blueprint for Martis Valley, we committed to not only stopping irresponsible development but, also, creating long-term solutions.

The Martis Fund is a great example.

Founded in 2006 as a collaborative project of Sierra Watch, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation, and DMB/Highlands Group, the Martis Fund manages funds raised by real estate sales at Martis Camp and awards grants to secure open space, promote habitat restoration, and create workforce housing in the Martis Valley region.

Earlier this year, the fund committed a matching grant of up to $30,000 a year for five years to the Truckee River Watershed Council.

According to David Welch, Sierra Watch founder and Martis Fund President, “Martis Fund grants play an important role in ensuring our vision for a healthy Martis Valley, and we’re confident our matching grant will encourage more involvement in Truckee and beyond.”

Conservation Planning for Northstar is another success.

The Northstar property – totaling nearly 8,000 acres – is the largest parcel in Martis Valley. Straddling Highway 267, climbing to the rim of the Tahoe Basin, spreading towards the Truckee River and down to the Martis Valley floor, it’s clearly an important piece of the Tahoe-Truckee Region.

Ten years ago, the future of Northstar was uncertain. Landowners and developers were creating plans for substantial ski-centered development. Sierra Watch worked with our conservation allies to ensure that those individual development plans fit into a broader, responsible blueprint.

Our collaborative agreements cap development – protecting nearly 90% of the property from future subdivisions, generate funding for future land purchases, directly protect priority conservation land, and create a science-based plan for permanently protected open space.

This fall, Northstar is working with Sierra Watch, Mountain Area Preservation Foundation, and our planning experts to ensure new ski facilities fit into our collaborative Habitat Management Plan.

“Sierra Watch provided an unparalleled level of expertise for sustainable planning when they assisted in the development of Northstar Resort’s Habitat Management Plan.” says Tim Beck, Executive Vice President of Planning, Booth Creek Ski Resorts. “Now used in practice, the plan governs how Northstar Resort balances habitat protection and enhancement while also working to provide a great recreational experience.”

And it’s another great example of our strategic foresight – and long-term commitment – to Martis Valley.

Build trail on National Trails Day

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is celebrating National Trails Day June 5th with a family fun hike and opportunities for volunteers to help build the trail. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at Van Sickle CA/NV Bi-state Park off Lake Parkway in Stateline, NV.

The day will start with a morning celebration where TRTA will recognize the 1000th member of the “165 mile club” — those who have hiked the entire rim. Then volunteers and staff will build trail for the first time this season. People of all skill levels, physical abilities and ages are welcome. No experience necessary. All volunteers will receive a free lunch. After an hour of trail building, TRTA will host a volunteers party at the urban trail head in South Lake Tahoe, followed by the family fun hike at Kahle Park from 10 am to noon for kids ages 6 to 12.

For more information, go to www.tahoerimtrail.org or email trails@tahoerimtrail.org.

Help save the Sugar Pines

Come help the Sugar Pine Foundation plant fungus-resistant sugar pine seedlings in Zephyr Cove, NV on Saturday, April 10th and Saturday, May 1st! Meet at the Zephyr Cove Library (233 Warrior Way) at 10am. Planting instruction, seedlings, tools and refreshments will be provided. If you can, please bring your own trowel or a shovel! Kids are welcome! The event will run from approximately 10am-noon.

The Sugar Pine Foundation is a South Lake Tahoe-based non-profit organization that is working to restore white pines in the Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. Tahoe’s white pines are threatened by a non-native, incurable fungus called white pine blister rust. The Sugar Pine Foundation finds trees that are resistant to the fungus and plants their progeny. By volunteering at our planting events, you will be helping to plant the healthy forests of the future! For more information, please visit www.sugarpinefoundation.org. See you there!

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