Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to summer, and at Palisades Tahoe that means the return of the annual Made in Tahoe Festival. From May 27 to 28, local artisans and business owners will line the streets of the Village to showcase their talents, products, and inspiration while local entertainers perform from midday to dusk.
Featuring more than 85 Tahoe Basin and Truckee artisans, entrepreneurs, and organizations, this free, family-friendly event celebrates all things inspired by or created in Tahoe. Starting at 11 a.m. on both days and going until 5 p.m., the Made in Tahoe festival is the perfect way to spend a sunny, summer weekend. Come check out headliners Bread & Butter on Saturday, as well as Peter Joseph Burtt and The King Tide on Sunday. All proceeds from the Made in Tahoe bars benefit the Tahoe Food Hub and in the past have raised over $60,000.
Throughout the day, peruse the more than 85 vendor booths that will line the Village streets. Both days will also include continuous music on the Events Plaza and First Street stages. The community stage, located near the Funitel in the Tram Plaza, is where festival-goers can enjoy live dance, showcase performances, and participate in fun, interactive workshops presented by Tahoe Flow Arts Studio and Truckee Dance Factory. Tahoe Flow Arts will also be performing Iconic Women in Music in honor of their iconic artistic director Kelly Smiley’s untimely passing last fall.
Enjoy an array of local beverage offerings from Alibi Ale Works, Truckee Brewing Company, Fifty Fifty Brewing Company, Truckee River Winery, and Tahoe Blue Vodka, to name a few. Visit the Palisades Tahoe website for the full festival schedule.
This event is partnered with the Truckee School of Music and Tahoe Food Hub and sponsored by the North Tahoe Community Alliance, whose mission is to enhance the region’s vibrancy and advocate for sustainable year-round visitation and responsible travel practices while supporting local businesses.
~ Palisades Tahoe press release
New Real-Time Emergency Mapping Tool
WASHOE COUNTY
Washoe County Emergency Management, in collaboration with North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, City of Sparks, City of Reno, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, is rolling out a new public safety map that will help residents identify the location of current large-scale emergencies, evacuation areas and road closures.
Perimeter is a new mapping software that allows first-responders to enter incident locations and draw a perimeter around evacuation zones or map road closures, and instantly share with the public.
This does not replace the alert notification system that residents have signed up for, but rather provides more comprehensive and up-to-date information as part of the alert. A link will come through in the alert and individuals can simply visit the public map and see if they are in an affected area.
“This is particularly important for tourists and visitors who may not know street or neighborhood names and may not be aware that they’re in an evacuation zone,” Washoe County Emergency Manager Kelly Echeverria said. “That’s why it was so important to us to find a tool that is user-friendly for the public and for the first responders who will be entering information.”
This map will only be updated during emergency events, such as flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, etc. Washoe County Emergency Management will notify the public in and around an evacuation zone when an event triggers the activation of the Perimeter application.
Perimeter was created in 2018 by programmers in Sonoma County during a season of widespread wildfires and subsequent flooding. Washoe County introduced this program to Nevada and is piloting it for Washoe County, Carson City, and Douglas County.
You can access Washoe County’s Perimeter public map by visiting perimetermap.com. No sign-up or download is required. The map is responsive to desktop and mobile devices. During an emergency, the map will also be available at emergencywashoe.com.
To sign up for Washoe County emergency alerts, visit washoecounty.gov.
~ Washoe County enews
Urgent Care Clinics New Hours of Operation
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Urgent care locations in Tahoe City and Truckee through Tahoe Forest Health System will have new operating hours beginning June 1. TFHS’s dedicated urgent care clinics will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at these two locations.
Patients of all ages can visit urgent care clinics with any injury or illness that is not life threatening but requires treatment prior to being seen by a primary care provider. TFHS urgent care clinics offer a high level of service, including ready staff and onsite diagnostic services, such as x‐ray and lab testing.
Learn more about the different types of care available and location information at tfhd.com/urgent‐care.
~ TFHS press release
THE JUNIPER AWARDS: The Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Juniper Awards. Courtesy photo
Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund Accepting Nominations
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
The Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Juniper Awards.The no-strings-attached monetary awards will be given to recipients in six categories: art, music, winter olympics, trade school, medical care, and community impact. We ask the Truckee/Tahoe community to nominate deserving local individuals in these categories.
Jeff Hamilton, who died of pancreatic cancer in January 2023, lived his life with commitment, fearlessness, and imagination. The fund’s selection committee looks forward to receiving nominations for individuals in our community whose work embodies these characteristics.
Jeff created the fund to alleviate financial burdens on recipients so they can spend more time doing what they love; he knew that this support would ultimately help strengthen the roots of our community.
Nominations close Sept. 15. For more information and to nominate, visit our website: jeffhamiltonlegacyfund.com, or contact the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation or Carolyn Hamilton at carolyn4hamilton@gmail.com
~ Carolyn Hamilton
HOME: “Providing pre-reviewed ADU plans is an efficient, affordable opportunity for Placer County to support our community’s high demand for housing,” said principal planner Nikki Streegan. Courtesy rendering
County Offers Pre-Reviewed Accessory Dwelling Unit Plans
PLACER COUNTY
Placer County property owners now have an opportunity to bypass lengthy review processes to build a one, two, or three-bedroom accessory dwelling unit to house a family member or generate rental income.
Placer County has released new pre-reviewed ADU plans that meet the 2022 California Building Standards Code that went into effect Jan. 1. The plans will save property owners thousands of dollars, reduce or eliminate restrictions imposed by homeowners associations, and will speed up the planning process.
Plans allow for the owner or builder to select heating, roofing, and siding. Each plan includes snow load engineering, foundation plans, and the capability for solar panels and battery-power backup batteries.
An ADU can be used for many purposes, such as independent space for a family member or college student, or to provide the property owner with rental income. ADUs increase property value and can help meet the county’s need to offer more affordable and workforce housing in the community.
Plans can be purchased for $1,200, a vast reduction from standard fees for unreviewed ADU plans that can add up to $9,000 or more. Property owners can preview renderings, floor plans, elevations, and additional information at placer.ca.gov/accessoryhomes prior to purchase.
Placer County is offering three plan types:
A one-bedroom, two-story, 661-square-foot unit with a garage.
A two-bedroom, 746-square-foot unit with an optional garage.
A three-bedroom, 1,194-square-foot unit with an optional garage.
Placer County’s participation in the pre-reviewed ADU plan program is part of a regional partnership with Nevada County, City of Grass Valley, City of Nevada City, Sierra County, and the Town of Truckee.
~ Placer County press release
TAKE IT SLOW: Take Care Tahoe’s traffic safety campaign has free signs available to the public. Courtesy photo
Free Yard Signs Encourage Drivers to Take it Slow
LAKE TAHOE
Summer in Tahoe means warmer weather and wildflowers, but it also means more cars driving around the lake. Take Care Tahoe is taking on traffic safety by distributing free yard signs to the public that encourage drivers to “Take it Slow, Tahoe.”
The message of “Take it Slow, Tahoe” captures the attention of drivers and creatively incorporates artwork to remind them why driving safely is so important: to protect people and animals. The signs are part of the larger campaign that launched in summer 2022.
Yard signs are available for pick-up at eight locations around Tahoe, including:
All three Raley’s locations: South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Truckee
South Lake Tahoe Library
TRPA offices at Stateline
Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village
North Tahoe Public Utility District offices in Tahoe Vista
Tahoe City Community Center
“Traffic safety is a significant issue around the lake, especially during the summer,” said Noah Shapiro, Take Care Tahoe coordinator. “With these free yard signs, we are calling on our community to help us share the importance of driving slowly — on main roads and in neighborhoods — throughout the Tahoe Basin.”
Find more information about sign pick-up, including addresses and pick-up times for specific locations, at takecaretahoe.org.
~ Take Care Tahoe press release
Board Approves Renovations of Justice Court Community Center
INCLINE VILLAGE
Incline Village Justice Court Community Center Renovations Project consists of converting a portion of the existing Washoe County Community Center to serve as the relocated Incline Justice Court. The renovation will include a courtroom, judge’s office, judge’s assistant office, bailiff/security office, district attorney’s office, court clerk’s office, public defender’s office, security screening area, and additional security measures.
Washoe County received two bids for the project, and the board of commissioners voted to award the contract to Miller Electric Company, doing business as PEC Contracting and Engineering, in the amount of $561,600. The approved action included a separate project contingency fund in the amount of $84,240 for the total project not to exceed $645,840.
~ Washoe County enews
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TRUCKEE TRAILS: Local nonprofit launches new listening tour to improve trails. Courtesy photo
TRUCKEE TRAILS: Local nonprofit launches new listening tour to improve trails. Courtesy photo
Truckee Trails Foundation is All Ears
TRUCKEE
Responsible for maintaining and building new trails in the Truckee region, Truckee Trails Foundation is launching the “Better Together Listening Tour”, with the first event set for Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at Alibi Ale Works in Truckee. This hour-long get-together will focus on trail runners. More listening events are scheduled over the next five months focusing on other uses for the Truckee Trails network including mountain biking, hiking/backpacking, road cycling, and gravel riding.
“The goal of this first event is to get direct feedback from the trail-running community in conjunction with our event partner, Donner Party Mountain Runners,” said Jeff Patrick, Truckee Trails’s new vice president over philanthropy and marketing. “We want to better understand how trail runners use the trails, what’s missing, and possible locations for new trail building endeavors. All of this will help shape our trail development plans to better serve trail runners moving forward.”
Truckee Trails invests over $1 million every year in building and maintaining the regional trail network. The organization is responsible for the maintenance of nearly 180 miles of non-motorized trail in the Tahoe National Forest, Truckee Ranger District (with the exception of the Jackass/Donkeytown Trail). In the past six years the Truckee Trails crew has built 27 miles of new trail, including major mountain bike, hiking and trail running trail development in the Waddle Ranch and Sawtooth areas.
This first listening event is sponsored by Tahoe Mountain Sports. All attendees will receive a 10% discount card that is valid at both the Tahoe Mountain Sports and Tahoe Mountain Life stores in Truckee. For more information and to register, visit truckeetrails.org.
~ Truckee Trails Foundation press release
Camp Wamp Receives Grant for Forest Management
SODA SPRINGS
The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers summer camp programs for children with physical disabilities, been awarded a generous grant from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation’s Forest Futures program. The grant will support fuel reduction efforts as part of Camp Wamp’s forest management program.
This is not the first time that Camp Wamp has received support from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, as the foundation has been a long-standing partner of the camp and has provided grants for various projects in the past. Responsible forest management for the safety of the participants and staff is a top priority at Camp Wamp. By implementing a comprehensive forest management program, the camp will ensure the preservation and health of the surrounding woodland, allowing campers to continue enjoying its wonders for generations to come.
“We are extremely grateful to the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation for their continued support,” said Steve Wampler, founder and CEO of Camp Wamp. “This grant will enable us to make significant improvements to the health and resiliency of our ecosystem, while also enhancing the safety of our campers and staff during wildfire season.”
Forest Futures is a comprehensive regional strategy for regenerative forest solutions and aligned community education and protection. The program is funded by the Forest Futures Campaign Fund, which individual and corporate donors support.
For more information about the Stephen J. Wampler Foundation and their programs, please visit stephenjwamplerfoundation.org. To learn more about the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and its Forest Futures program, visit ttcf.net.
~ Stephen J. Wampler Foundation press release
Affordable Connectivity With Oasis Broadband Internet
TRUCKEE
Oasis Broadband Internet, a leading local internet service provider in Nevada, El Dorado, and Placer counties, is pleased to announce that it is now offering the Affordable Connectivity Program to all eligible households. The ACP is an initiative by the Federal Communications Commission, aimed at increasing access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet for low-income households.
The ACP provides eligible households with a monthly discount on their internet bill and a one-time discount on a computer or tablet. This is a significant benefit for low-income households, many of whom struggle to afford reliable internet access. By partnering with the ACP, Oasis is able to offer even more affordable internet options to its customers.
The Lake Tahoe area, the foothills, and surrounding communities are home to a large number of rural residents, many of whom have limited access to high-speed internet. These communities can now access reliable internet services that are essential for work, education, and daily life at more affordable prices.
For more information about Oasis Broadband Internet and the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit oasisbroadband.net or call (530) 883-5161.
~ Oasis Broadband Internet press release
Business Briefs
Palisades Tahoe Employee Housing
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Palisades Tahoe has acquired two properties as part of the resort’s ongoing efforts to address workforce housing needs. The resort has purchased the Tahoe Vistana Inn in Tahoe Vista, which has a total of 30 units of varying size, and a multi-unit property in Kings Beach, which has a total of 8 units/cabins of varying sizes.
The Tahoe Vistana Inn will accommodate a variety of employees, including international and domestic, seasonal, and full-time year-round team members. The property has a selection of room types including hotel-style rooms as well as larger, multi-room apartments, and will house approximately 50 employees. The property includes a landscaped, park-like area, specifically designed to provide an inviting and picturesque setting. The Kings Beach property is intended for employees seeking a longer-term solution to housing. With eight cabin-style units, the property can accommodate close to 15 employees, depending on occupancy, and some of the units have fenced yards to allow for dogs.
In addition to these properties, Palisades Tahoe owns and rents 13 apartment units in Olympic Valley, some with multiple bedrooms. The resort also secures ski leases during the winter months to house employees. Many of the resort’s transient workforces do not stay the entire season and therefore cannot sign seasonal leases so the resort rents the properties at market rate for the entire season and places employees as needed, often subsidizing a portion of the rent. The resort also completed year two of the Granite Flat campground winter lease with the U.S. Forest Service. This location includes 23 campsites suitable for employees who have an appropriate vehicle to live in.
For more information on Palisades Tahoe’s employee housing options, please visit palisadestahoe.com.
Town Awarded $4.4 Million Grant for Transportation Project
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee’s Keep Truckee Moving Project has been awarded approximately $4.4 million to meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing a new transit center/mobility hub, app-based, on-demand transit technology, and advancing the transition to a zero-emissions transit fleet. This grant will help fund transformative projects that will modernize the town’s local and regional transit systems aimed at significantly reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses, vehicle miles traveled, and associated congestion.
The Keep Truckee Moving project is a comprehensive program of projects developed to meet the current and future transportation needs of our residents and visitors while reducing the impact on the environment and by leveraging app-based on-demand technology aimed at getting our residents to and from their destinations safely and efficiently. More specifically, the project will support the following:
Purchase of two electric passenger transit vans to replace existing diesel transit vehicles in the Fiscal Year 2024/25.
Purchase of seven electric transit vans to expand the transit fleet and begin the transition to zero emissions, with a goal of 64% zero emissions by 2026.
Purchase of app-based, on-demand transit technology to allow the town and its contractors to schedule, dispatch, and manage on-demand transit service.
Funding for public charging infrastructure at the proposed Railyard Mobility Hub.
This grant will allow the Town of Truckee to continue taking steps toward a greener future. Town Manager Jen Callaway expressed her gratitude and said “We are so excited about this grant and grateful for the award as this is really a surge that will further ignite and validate our efforts to move Truckee’s mobility goals forward.”
~ Town of Truckee press release
Public Forum On Vacation Home Rentals
LAKE TAHOE, WEST SHORE
A vacation home rental public forum for the residents of Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and surrounding areas will be held on Thursday, May 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Meeks Bay Fire Station. Participants may also join the meeting remotely via Zoom.
The purpose of this public forum is to present to the public the vacation home rental program update presentation and to receive questions and comments; it is solely an information-gathering exercise.
“This forum will allow for interested parties to hear the presentation that was made to the [El Dorado County] Board of Supervisors on May 2,” said Supervisor Brooke Laine. “We welcome your questions, comments, concerns, and experiences related to the vacation home rental ordinance.”
The current vacation home rental ordinance, No. 5146, has been in effect since September 2021. On May 2, 2023, the board received a presentation on a vacation home rental program update and provided direction to staff regarding four amendments to the vacation home rental ordinance. Supervisor Laine will be assembling a vacation home rental advisory committee with herself as the single decision maker to include staff and stakeholders to explore further potential adjustments and/or amendments to the vacation home rental ordinance.
~ El Dorado County press release
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Community Coffee Talks
LAKE TAHOE
Starting this summer, Julie Regan, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, will be hosting a series of morning coffee sessions around Lake Tahoe. These hour-long sessions aim to foster meaningful discussions on critical issues affecting our diverse communities.
Responding to the community’s growing desire for enhanced communication about TRPA’s programs and upcoming projects, Regan is excited to connect with residents in an informal and engaging setting.
“I recognize the importance of hearing directly from our community members. Sitting down over a cup of coffee or tea provides an ideal platform for sharing concerns, ideas, and aspirations,” Regan said.
The inaugural Coffee Talk with Julie will take place on Thursday, May 25, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the TRPA office, located at 128 Market St. in Stateline, Nevada.
A North Shore Coffee Talk session will be held on Thursday, June 22, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Tahoe City Public Utility District, located at 221 Fairway Dr. in Tahoe City. To reserve your spot for either session, please email trpa@trpa.gov. Space is limited.
~ TRPA press release
Housing Needs Survey
TRUCKEE/TAHOE
Mountain Housing Council of Tahoe Truckee, a program of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, is asking employers, employees, and residents of Tahoe/Truckee to complete a new housing survey as part of an updated assessment of the region’s housing needs. The survey results will provide an update on the key findings of the 2016 and 2021 Truckee North Tahoe Regional Workforce Housing Needs Assessment, and assist MHC partner agencies in updating housing policy and developing appropriate housing strategies specific to our resident, in-commuting, seasonal, and unhoused populations.
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) passed legislation to protect Lake Tahoe through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Her bipartisan, bicameral legislation to extend the authorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act will help deliver more federal funding to Lake Tahoe to support environmental protection and habitat restoration programs. The bill will now advance to the full Senate for consideration.
“This bill provides needed continuity to the programs that are central to preserving and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin and ensuring equitable access and enjoyment for this and future generations,” said Julie Regan, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. “On behalf of Lake Tahoe’s conservation partners, we appreciate the leadership of Sen. Cortez Masto and Tahoe’s congressional delegation in moving this legislation forward.”
~ Senator Catherine Cortez Masto press release
Community Engagement for Parking Management Program
TAHOE CITY
North Lake Tahoe residents, homeowners, and visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts to help shape a new parking management program under development by Placer County’s Department of Public Works.
Presented to the Placer County Board of Supervisors, the goal of the program is to make more efficient use of existing infrastructure in the North Tahoe region, reduce transportation impacts on the environment, reduce traffic congestion, and minimize regional delays. Although still in the planning phase, the program would include paid parking in public parking lots within Tahoe City and Kings Beach town centers, as well as recreational beach sites, and the establishment of specific residential permit parking zones.
Parking management was originally recommended in the county’s Resort Triangle Transportation Plan, which was approved by the board in 2020. It was developed to work together with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Regional Transportation Plan. Both plans encourage a shift toward alternative modes of travel and away from the use of personal vehicles.
The resort triangle is generally defined as the area shaped by state Route 89, state Route 267, and state Route 28, east of the Sierra Nevada Crest within Placer County. These well-known routes connect the Town of Truckee to North Lake Tahoe communities and frequently suffer from seasonal traffic impacts.
“This year’s record snowfall led to winter peak visitation days at ski resorts and we know that summer peak visitation strains our roadways and parking resources,” said Placer’s public works deputy director, Rebecca Taber. “We’re working hard with our regional partners to come up with solutions to reduce traffic congestion and shift to alternative modes of travel and this parking management program will be a key part of that plan.”
Initial phases of the program would look to establish “pay to park” within commercial town center county parking lots and roadways, as well as existing parking located along SR 28, which would require Caltrans’ participation. The parking management program would also create parking limitations in residential areas within a three-to-five-minute walk to town with permits for residents and guest passes to reduce spillover parking into adjacent neighborhoods. The program has not yet set parking pricing in both Tahoe City and Kings Beach town centers and recreational beach sites.
The public will have a chance to share comments on the proposed parking management program through two in-person community engagement events planned for May 31 in Kings Beach and June 6 in Tahoe City, as well as a virtual meeting to be held later this summer. To learn more, visit placer.ca.gov.
~ Placer County press release
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL is a volunteer service organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Courtesy photo
Volunteer Organization Donates to Help Stop Sex Trafficking
TRUCKEE
On April 25, Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner hosted a program on sex trafficking. Melissa Holland from Awaken and Andrea Chapman and Nancy Settle from Sierra Community House presented an overview of sex trafficking and prostitution in Reno and the Tahoe/Truckee areas. They highlighted the services that both groups offer to help people leave those situations, get into a safe environment, and develop skills and confidence to rebuild their lives.
Because of the generous grant from a local donor, SITD was able to grant $5,000 to Awaken and Sierra Community House. The grants will be used for three projects: $2,000 will be used to prepare backpacks with items that women who are escaping violence or trafficking need such as clothes, shampoo, and underwear; $500 has been used to print “STOP TRAFFICKING” signs that direct people to a 24/7 hotline manned by Sierra Community House; and $1,500 is being used for a celebration for seven trafficked girls who are now graduating from high school.
After the program meeting, SITD members posted informational flyers around the community to help stop trafficking in our area.
SITD holds monthly club meetings at 12 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Truckee airport. All women are invited to join as a guest by emailing info@sitruckeedonner.org.
~ SITD press release
TROUT CREEK TRAIL CLOSURE: TDPUD enters the second season of Pioneer Trail Project construction. Work will require Trout Creek Trail Closure. Courtesy photo
Utility District Enters Second Season of Pioneer Trail Project Construction
TRUCKEE
Truckee Donner Public Utility District will soon restart construction work on the Pioneer Trail Pipeline and Pump Station. This project began in September 2022, and will result in a new water pipeline and pump station to serve the Tahoe Donner area. This highly-anticipated water project is critical to the health of the community’s water service, and it will strengthen the reliability of TDPUD’s water delivery system.
This work requires closures to the Trout Creek Trail, as it did last fall. TDPUD and the project contractor, C&D Contractors, have spent time figuring out the best way to approach this project in order to complete the work in this year’s shortened construction season, while also being mindful of the community’s use of this trail and attempting to have the least amount of impact during peak periods. Given this year’s big winter, crews have been delayed on starting the project until after Memorial Day, and the work that remains on the project will take a few months. Recognizing that closing the trail during the height of the summer would be detrimental to the lives of many of our residents and visitors, TDPUD has worked out an accommodating solution.
The trail will close from approximately May 30 to June 30, then reopen for July 4 weekend and remain open through Labor Day. It will then close again until work is finished in the fall. This plan balances the needs of the community with the needs of the utility, and will allow for the project to be completed without cutting off access to the trail during its busiest time of use.
During the closure, the Trout Creek Trail will be closed to all access from the trailhead at Northwoods Boulevard, to about a half mile east of the Trout Creek Bridge. While a section of the trail starting from the trailhead in downtown Truckee will remain open, the trail will not be passable from end to end. Access from downtown Truckee to the Pioneer Commerce Center will remain unaffected.
The new pipeline will connect existing water piping on Northwoods Boulevard to a new pump station located to the southwest of the intersection of Pioneer Trail and Comstock Drive. This project will improve TDPUD’s capacity and resiliency in providing potable water and fire flow into Tahoe Donner. Four fire hydrants will also be added to the Trout Creek Trail area. TDPUD will also be installing $1 million of new primary power and communications conduits in a joint trench along with the water pipeline for future network build out. TDPUD also plans to repave the full width of the trail in areas that are disturbed by construction. For more information about this project and a map of the closure area, visit tdpud.org/pioneerpipeline.
~ TDPUD press release
OPEN FOR THE SEASON: NTPUD announces new boat launch pricing and operation hours. Courtesy photo
Boat Launch Opens for the First Time in Years
TAHOE VISTA
The North Tahoe Public Utility District will open the boat launch at the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area for the first time in two years on Friday, May 26, pending water levels.
The Tahoe Vista boat launch will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., from May 26 through June 23. Beginning Saturday, June 24, the launch will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Operations beyond Labor Day weekend will be dependent on weather, staffing, and demand.
The Tahoe Vista Boat ramp will be open only to motorized vessels that have received a TRPA Aquatic Invasive Species inspection prior to launch. Inspections will not be available at the ramp. For a list of inspection locations and hours, please visit tahoeboatinspections.com.
Residents may purchase a one-time launch pass for $17. For non-residents, the fee for a one-time launch pass is $60 ($17 launch fee and $43 environmental and facility impact fee). One-time launch fees may be purchased in-person at the TVRA boat launch via credit card only, no cash will be accepted at the launch ramp.
Residents may purchase a boat launch season pass (unlimited launches) for $170. For non-residents, the boat launch season pass fee is $600.
Season passes can be purchased online in advance at ntpud.org, and must be picked up in-person at the district’s main office in Tahoe Vista, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Verification of NTPUD residency is required to receive the resident rate. NTPUD residency is defined as a property owner who pays the district’s Community Facilities District (CFD) fee on their property tax bill. For renters, the owner of your property must assign resident benefits to you by completing the NTPUD Assignment of Benefits Form, prior to purchase.
More information about the district’s Resident Benefit Program is available online at ntpud.org.
~ NTPUD press release
MEGAN SEIFFERT was recognized as Woman of Distinction at the Best for Women event. Courtesy photo
Best for Women Event
TRUCKEE
Soroptimist International of Truckee-Donner held an award night to honor Woman of Distinction Megan Seiffert, founder of Headwaters Science Institute, for her many years encouraging and educating youth in science. She founded the Headwaters Science Institute to encourage youth to understand and pursue science. Their mission is “fostering curiosity through science.” Seiffert was awarded $500 to donate to the charity of her choice, which was Headwaters Science Institute.
Kim Bateman, dean, Sierra College Tahoe-Truckee Campus, presented a keynote speech which highlighted the discrepancy of wages between men and women. Bateman concluded by noting how the awards given that night helped women achieve their goals.
SITD provided over $27,000 in financial awards for scholarships and grants. The Live Your Dream Award ($10,000) was awarded to women with dependents needing financial aid to improve their career opportunities. The winners included Jazmin Garcia, Angele Marie Carroll, Christy Kathleen Goldsworthy, and Sydney Taylor. The Career Advancement Scholarship ($16,000) was awarded to women who want to improve their careers through additional education or training. Winners were Malenie Coral, Sabrina Futral, Perla Mendez Mayra Plascencia, Araceli Lopez, and Jasmine Sanchez. The Violet Richardson Award is for a high school girl who volunteers in her community. It was given to Zuridey Vazquez-Lopez from North Tahoe High School. She was awarded $300 for herself and $300 for the charity of her choice, which was the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
~ SITD press release
Paddling Into Summer
TRUCKEE
With an impressive “Just Keep Paddling Bear,” Sierra State Parks Foundation, the local nonprofit partner to the eight California State Parks in the Tahoe/Truckee area, kept its title as master snow sculptors with a first-place finish in SnowFest’s Snow Sculpture Content. The parks foundation stole the show with a massive canoeing bear and extends its gratitude to River Ranch Inn for hosting this wonderful community event.
~ Sierra State Parks Foundation press release
Business Briefs
Martis Valley Massage Expands
TRUCKEE
Martis Valley Massage, a local wellness destination, is excited to announce its expansion in the Soaring Ranch Shopping Center. The grand re-opening is scheduled for June 10 with an open house that will take place from 3:30 to 7 p.m. With the expansion, Martis Valley Massage is tripling its size. It now features six treatment rooms, a river lounge room with a complimentary tea station, and a larger lobby with expanded retail options. The spa now offers an expanded range of services, including massages, facials, waxing, and eyebrow treatments. Notably, the day spa is now offering group packages for parties, celebrations, and retreats. Martis Valley Massage aims to meet the growing demand for exceptional wellness experiences while creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.
On May 9, just under a month after the Town of Truckee council was originally expected to make a decision, council members moved to adopt the 2040 General Plan, Downtown Truckee Plan, and subsequent supporting ordinances and amendments. The decision came after a mid-April delay for the council to soothe community tension over allegations of unheard input. Moonshine Ink reported on reasons behind the delay and reactions in Town General Plan Adoption Delayed, Time Needed to ‘Reestablish Community Trust.’
The main organizations council members focused on meeting with from mid-April to May 9 were Mountain Area Preservation, Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe, and Tahoe Forest Hospital District The topic of proposed height of future projects on Jibboom Street was the most popular topic brought up by members of the public during group meetings, and on Tuesday evening, council members discussed adding a conversation about the revision of height standards in the town’s development code to the Draft Fiscal Years 2023 to 2025 Work Plan. This work plan, which currently recommends advancing 73 policies and action items from the 2040 General Plan, is expected to come before the council for approval in June.
Modifications to portions of the 2040 General Plan were made at the May 9 meeting at the request of MAP, including more detailed descriptions of land use policies (like LU-4.1 Adequate Industrial Land), expanded definitions (such as Riverfront Mixed Use), and additional policies (adopting an environmental justice program). CATT, too, saw its suggestions incorporated, including the addition of a greenhouse gas reduction analysis to the Climate Action Plan portion of the general plan.
“This plan is really a reflection of the public input over the last five years,” said Councilmember Jan Zabriskie at the end of the meeting. “We adopted an awful lot of what MAP recommended; it’s a better plan because of their contributions. I would say the same for CATT and the hospital and so many individuals who also participated. Richard Anderson’s piece on the groundwater-dependent ecosystems … Rolf Godon got us to put in a stronger tree-growing preservation program … This plan is full of community input and the staff put in an extraordinary number of hours. I think it’s time to get going on implementing this.”
TFHD’s next steps are not yet certain. Moonshine Ink is actively reporting on what direction the hospital district will take to proceed with its proposed master plan now that it will not be incorporated into the general plan update.
Watch the full council meeting, which culminated in the general plan’s adoption, here. The updated changes are available here.
~ AH
Community Hospital to Add Mammography Services
INCLINE VILLAGE
Tahoe Forest Health System announces that the Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation was awarded a $1.9 million grant by the Helmsley Charitable Trust to support 3D mammography equipment for Incline Village Community Hospital. This grant will cover the cost of the equipment as well as the renovation expenses associated with providing this new service line at IVCH.
Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said this grant will help improve access to essential breast cancer screening closer to home and provide earlier breast cancer detection.
“Long travel times to a facility offering mammography greatly limits access to breast cancer screening, particularly for women living in rural areas like Incline Village,” Panzirer said. “This grant will increase access to mammography breast cancer screening.”
The TFHS diagnostic imaging department identified that there are approximately 4,400 females between the ages of 40 and 100 who live in Incline Village and qualify for mammography screening services. Currently, accessing this care requires driving between 25 and 40 miles.
The Helmsley Charitable Trust recently added Nevada as the eighth state in its rural healthcare program, providing grants to help 10 Nevada hospitals purchase state-of-the-art diagnostic and radiology equipment. In the last decade, the Helmsley’s rural healthcare program has awarded more than $600 million to organizations and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare for rural patients. For more information on the grant efforts of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, visit helmsleytrust.org.
~ TFHS press release
Business Briefs
Ski California, Palisades Tahoe Win Safety Awards
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Ski California was selected as the 2023 Best Guest Safety Program award winner by the National Ski Areas Association at its national convention for the creation and effective use of its digital Mountain Safety Guide. Additionally, NSAA selected Palisades Tahoe, a Ski California member resort, for the Best Overall Safety Program for a large resort. This marks only the second time a state association has been honored with a prestigious NSAA safety award; Ski California was first honored in 2018 for the print version of the Mountain Safety Guide.
In its first season, nearly all of Ski California’s downhill resorts leveraged and promoted the guide through their channels at some point in the season, including integration into websites, blogs, resort apps, social media posts, employee orientations and safety meetings, online ticket and pass sales portals, promotion in high-traffic areas, and more. At launch, site traffic exceeded the hosting limit of the server and an upgrade was required to accommodate site visitors. And because of online translation tools, the guide is viewable in languages other than English.
Designed to be relevant to skiers and riders of all experience and ability levels, the Ski California Mountain Safety Guide features the common set of safety guidelines used at member resorts in California and Nevada.
Completing the safety quiz at the end of the guide with at least 80% accuracy entered participants for a chance to win one of two 2023/2024 unrestricted Ski California Gold Passes. This spring, due to continuous snowfall that extended the winter season for many Ski California member resorts, a robust new prize package was unveiled to encourage skiers and riders to continue to review the guide and take the quiz. Skiers and riders have until July 1, 2023, to review the Mountain Safety Guide, take the quiz, and be entered for a chance to win the Ski California prize package that includes Praxis skis or a Jones snowboard, four 2023/24 lift tickets to the Ski California member resort of their choice, Ski California and resort swag, and more.
Ski California, in collaboration with its design partner, MMGY Origin, intends to make the Mountain Safety Guide available for customization by other industry associations.
