With the best start to the ski season in many years, ski enthusiasts are excited about this winter.  Most Tahoe area ski resorts are already open or will be in the next several days, so skiers can start taking advantage of this great snow now.  For those who did not purchase a season pass or who are interested in skiing a different mountain, will have the opportunity to ski at significantly reduced rates on a handful of days this year.  Courtesy of the ski resorts, several non-profit organizations are holding Ski Day fundraising events for their organization.

Dec 18^th $25 at Sugar Bowl for Excellence in Education

Jan 2^nd-7^th at Northstar $25 for Excellence in Education

Jan 8^th & 9^th at Royal Gorge $15 trail pass for Excellence in Education

Jan 9^th at Sugar Bowl $30 for Tahoe Women’s Services

Jan 14^th at Bear Valley for Sierra Avalanche Center

Jan 22^nd at Mt. Rose, price announced later for Sierra Avalanche Center

Jan 23^rd at Boreal $25 for Excellence in Education

Jan 23^rd at Tahoe Cross Country $15 trail pass for Excellence in Education

Feb 6^th at Northstar for Sierra Avalanche Center

Feb 27^th at Kirkwood for Sierra Avalanche Center

Mar 19^th at Sugar Bowl $25 for Excellence in Education

Mar 20^th at Homewood, Community Benefit Day, a portion of the day’s ticket proceeds to benefit Excellence in Education. Tickets at Homewood ticket booths that day only.

Mar 27^th at Sugar Bowl for Sierra Avalanche Center

April 1-close at Northstar $35 for Tahoe Women’s Services, tickets good for one day during the month of April.

April 3^rd at Alpine Meadows, Community Benefit Day, a portion of the day’s ticket proceeds to benefit Excellence in Education. Tickets at Alpine Meadows ticket booths that day only.

April 10^th at Squaw Valley $25 for Excellence in Education

Excellence in Education Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that supports quality public education within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District.  Tickets for all Ex in Ed events are available the week prior to the event at Porter’s Sports.

Tahoe Women’s Services is a non-profit organization reducing the incidence and trauma of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault in the Truckee Tahoe area.  Tickets for Tahoe Women’s Services events are available at their website: www.TahoeWomenServices.org.

Sierra Avalanche Center is a non-profit organization in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest.  Tickets for SAC’s events can be purchased at their website: www.SierraAvalancheCenter.org.

Tickets are limited for all events and can usually only be used for the day of the event.

What a great way to ski on a budget and support great local organizations!

I am so excited to say that I just signed up for the winter veggie share with Mountain Bounty Farm, located in Nevada City.  Every Wednesday there is a delivery to Truckee, with drop offs at 3 sites including Glenshire, Downtown Truckee and behind Mountain Hardware.  You have the option to purchases Winter Veggie Share ($624/season)  or Winter Citrus Share for ($263.50/season).

The farm follows the CSA Model, Community Supported Agriculture, taking funds upfront from community members to create organic produce and bringing it directly to your kitchen table.  The farm used human powered equipment for the most part with hoes, wheel barrows, bikes and carts and converted one of their tractors to electrically powered just last year.

For a couple years now I have been contemplating sign up for this amazing local organic option but have continuously procrastinated due to the up front costs.  Each year my family is going more green and eating more organic and I have more and more appreciation for eating local.  The cost breaks down to just $26/week which is merely a breakfast our for our family or a quick sandwich stop on the go.  This is a much better option for my family, to eat local, support organic farmers and contribute to the health and well being of my growing boys.  My only regret at this point is that it took so long to sign up!

Check out their website and LIKE them on Facebook if you have further interest.  The weekly deliveries are posted, for instance last week was a bon bon squash, carrots, turnips, green cabbage, spinach, dino kale, sweet red peppers, onions, 2 baby heads of lettuce, broccoli and arugula, not bad for a weekly produce supply in the veggie drawer in our household fridge.

Following the pumpkin patch from 12-3PM is BIG TRUCK DAY, my son Colby’s personal favorite!  It will be his 3rd year  going and each year it gets better.  This is yet another free admission event open to all.  It is located in front of the rodeo grounds (next to the skate park) in the big dirt lot.  If you or your children have the slightest interest in FIRETRUCKS, TRACTORS, SNOW PLOWS, CEMENT TRUCKS, ETC. this is the place to be.  It really is a good time and all for FREE, unless you have a sweet tooth, there is a bake sale with yummy treats.

I am sad to say this Saturday October 16th I’ll be missing both events (you can find me at an open house in Tahoe Donner at 11864 Rhineland Ave.) but my husband Erik will be there with Bennett and Colby.

For some more fall fun check out Apple Hill.  Located just outside of Placerville, this is a great day trip for all.  Comprised of 16 original ranches, you can find everything from pumpkin patches to pony rides and of course apples of all varieties.  Go to www.applehill.com.  My families favorite farm is the all inclusive Boa Vista Orchard.  It has it ALL, pond to fish, pony rides, restaurant, candy shop, craft fair, apple store (pies, jams, apples galore). Below are the details of this farm as well as a couple Apple Hill pictures from last year!!

Whatever you are doing with your family and friends this fall season, enjoy!  There are so many amazing things to do in the Truckee/Tahoe region.  It is a beautiful time of year to be out in nature alone with the landscape or with hundreds for all the holiday festivities.

2952 Carson Road Placerville, CA (530) 622-5522 Season: Open all year Hours: Daily 8am – 5pm Wine Tasting Daily 11am – 5pm Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Lake Tahoe’s first-ever involvement in the race will feature more than a lap and a half around the Lake beginning at the Calif./Nev. border in South Lake Tahoe with the Stage 1 finish at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort in North Lake Tahoe. North Lake Tahoe also hosts the Stage 2 start at Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

The Amgen Tour of California covers more than 800 miles, traveling between 15 host cities over the course of eight days from May 15-22, 2011. Last year’s date change from February to May allowed the Tour de France-style road race to visit locations that would not have been possible previously, including a visit to Big Bear Lake. Due to the incredible success, the race will remain in May to provide fans with the most action-packed race possible.

The race will wind through miles of beautiful California terrain, beginning with the first-ever visit to Lake Tahoe, a well known cycling destination and home of “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride.” The race will travel through some of the state’s most scenic landmarks, with the overall finish in title-sponsor Amgen’s hometown community of Thousand Oaks.
What a great opportunity and great publicty for our area!!

With the extended winter weather, summer seemed like it would never get here, but just when warmer temps were starting to feel unattainable…BOOM….SUMMER’S HERE!!  I was on a trip over the weekend to a friends cabin in Silver Lake (near Lake Almanor) driving home with dirty kids, bug bites and smoky clothes, I couldn’t help but smile sitting in summer road construction with the window rolled down and an 89 degree temp reading in the car.  I am doing my best to abstain from any type of complaint about being too hot or the traffic and delays from seasonal road work.  To think that I had my down jacket on 2 weeks ago when the snow was flying is hard to imagine, but I’m just glad the floats in the 4th of July parade aren’t going to have to chain up!!

With all that said, there are some great events going on over the holiday.  Check out below for some of them and see the Tahoe Donner and Truckee websites for additional information.

TAHOE DONNER BEACH CLUB MARINA

Saturday July 3rd and Sunday July 4th the Tahoe Donner Beach Club Marina will be providing special hours.  With the gates opening at 6AM, you can launch your boat or just get an early start unloading beach gear before the crowds hit.  Also, there will be a shuttle service between the beach parking lot and the high school parking lot from 10AM-10PM on the 3rd and 10AM-midnight on the 4th for overflow parking.  The fireworks will be the night of the 4th with great visibility from Tahoe Donner beach.  For more info contact the Tahoe Donner Beach Club Marina at (530) 587-9460.

TAHOE DONNER DOWNHILL CLEANUP

Every year hundreds of things get buried under the snow around our homes, businesses and play areas.  Wednesday June 30th is a great time to contribute to the annual clean up by going to the Tahoe Donner downhill area.  Trash bags, clean up gear, water and snacks will be provided.  Just show up at 10AM and enjoy some good exercise while you clean the area!  For more information, contact the downhill ski area at (530) 587-9463

FREE CONCERT AT PIZZA ON THE HILL

If you are looking for something to do Saturday July 3rd before the local parade and firework festivities, head out to Pizza on the Hill in Tahoe Donner for some good eats and great tunes from 6-9PM.  If pizza’s not your thing, just bring a picnic and blanket to enjoy the music.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT!!!

For any of you visiting town or locals who just want a night out, Tahoe Donner is offering a $15 (per child) opportunity to do so for kids ages 4-9.  Games, pizza, movie and story time will be part of the festivities so get out there for an evening hike, bike ride or dinner in town.  Call the Recreation Info Hut at (530) 587-9413 to register.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, FUN RUN AND PARADE ON THE 4TH

Whether you are running or just watching, the Truckee Fun Run is a good time all around.  All ages are welcome for the one mile run which starts just before the parade at Tahoe Forest Hospital; ends at train depot. Info: (530) 426-3313, truckeefunrun.com

Support the Truckee Fire Department and enjoy a great breakfast before the parade starts.  Come to the central fire department located next to Wild Cherries and donate (recommend $5/person) for great pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.  Great activities with bounce slide and fire truck tours for the kids.  Come early (I like to go around 7:30 or as it get’s crowded quick!!  My husband Erik Jitloff will be there flipping flapjacks, so come meet some local fireman and support a good cause. The parade starts here so after your belly is full, pull up a lawn chair and enjoy the beginning of the parade or drive downtown and watch the end with commentary and local vendors.

So bring your own boats or find a different activity because the river will be calm and quiet (compared to normal) this weekend with the late snow melt.  The last time this happened was in 2006.  For more info see recent article in the Sierra Sun.

On Tuesday evening there was a great party hosted at Fifty/Fifty where the check of $4000 was passed along to Truckee Trails.  They plan to use the money for environmental feasibility studies and preparation for the final stages of the Legacy Trail connecting Regional Park to Glenshire.  Currently there is work being done to add 3/4 of a mile to the trail which will complete the summer 2010 stage but there are still about 3 miles to go so any funding towards the project is greatly appreciated.

Truckee Trails is an amazing foundation and I had the privilege to meet a couple of the women working with the project.  To learn more about this and other Truckee Trails projects and events check out their website.