News Briefs
Kick Off Summer with the Made in Tahoe Festival
OLYMPIC VALLEY
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
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
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
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
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.
~ Palisades Tahoe press release
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