Epic Pass Announces Epic Discounts
BROOMFIELD, CO
Since March 24, Epic Passes have been available for the 2021/22 season. Concurrently with the opening, Vail Resorts announced a reset of all North American pass prices with 20% price reductions across the board. “It’s a bold move to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the value and flexibility of a pass,” the company said in a statement.
“For less than $500, skiers and riders can access Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood with two of the most popular Epic Pass options for California and Nevada residents,” the release continues. Pricing is as follows:
- Tahoe Local Pass is $495 (down from $619)
- Tahoe Value Pass is $423 (down from $529)
- The new Epic 1-Day Pass is $67 and an Epic 7-Day pass is $57 per day
- The Epic Local Pass is now available for $583 (down from $729 last season) and the full Epic Pass is priced at $783 (down from $979), both with access to Vail, Park City, Breckenridge, Stevens Pass, Whistler Blackcomb, and more
In addition to access to the mountains, all passes come with Epic Mountain Rewards again this year, which amount to 20% off on-mountain dining, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals, and other perks.
~ Vail press release
Plumas Bank Relocates to Reno, Acquires Feather River Bancorp
RENO, YUBA CITY, QUINCY
On March 11 Plumas Bancorp announced a merger with Feather River Bancorp, which stipulates that the former will acquire the latter at a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $21 million. As of Dec. 31, 2020, on a pro forma consolidated basis, the combined company would have approximately $1.3 billion in assets and $1.1 billion in deposits. It will operate 14 branches throughout Northeastern California and Western Nevada.
Feather River, headquartered in Yuba City, California, is the parent company of Bank of Feather River, a 13-year-old bank with approximately $182 million in assets as of Dec. 31, 2020. Bank of Feather River operates from its sole location in Yuba City.
“We are thrilled to announce our merger agreement with Bank of Feather River,” said Plumas president and CEO Andrew Ryback. “From Quincy to Yuba City, our companies share a connection to the people and businesses who have built their livelihoods alongside California’s winding Feather River. Bringing together the team of local experts at Bank of Feather River with Plumas Bank’s technology and small business expertise offers even greater services for the Yuba City marketplace. We look forward to providing long-term value to our combined shareholders, clients, team members, and the communities we serve.”
Just a few days later, on March 15, Plumas announced the relocation of its corporate office to 5525 Kietzke Ln., Reno, Nevada, which, a press release from the company states, “demonstrates its ongoing commitment to increase services for businesses based in the Northern Nevada region.” Plumas Bank first opened a loan production office in Reno in 2006, followed by branches in Reno and Carson City in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Plumas Bank will remain headquartered in Quincy, California, and Ryback will split his time between the bank’s administrative office in Quincy and Plumas Bancorp’s corporate office in Reno. In the past year, Plumas Bank facilitated the distribution of funds through the paycheck protection program to over 1,800 businesses.
~ Plumas Bank press releases
Tahoma Market, Formerly PDQ Market and Deli, Reopens
TAHOMA
It’s a Tahoe institution. “Tahoma Market originally opened in 1943, serving the community and guests of the Tahoma Hotel, where the overnight room rate was just $4,” Constance Churchman of Tahoma Market shared with the Ink in an email. “[We] served the local community and guests of the Tahoma Hotel with food and ‘fountain lunches.’”
The market, which also housed a Western Union station to communicate with the world, was once called the PDQ Market and Deli, and is now open after a two-year renovation. “We did a soft-open mid-January and have been busy ever since,” Churchman said. “The store’s design is open, light and airy — a really pleasant place to shop and work.”
The deli continues to make its bread in-house every morning for sandwiches that are famous in their own right around the lake. Bread choices include white, wheat, cheese, jalapeno cheese, pesto, and garlic. Other options include breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and homemade pizza, along with a full coffee bar. The complete menu can be found on the website at tahomamarketdeli.com/menu. You can also order pizza ahead by calling (530) 525-7411. The market carries essential everyday groceries along with a selection of fresh produce, beer, wine and liquor.
“We make it a point to try and support local business,” explained Churchman of the deli’s philosophy. “We are so grateful to be a part of this community. We’ve received so much support and positive feedback from both locals and visitors.”
~ BL
Get Juiced!
INCLINE VILLAGE
Through their passion for health and wellness, sisters Emme and Maea Wistrom started an Incline Village-based cold-pressed and unpasteurized juice business, which they are calling EverGreens Juicery. Currently, their products are only available to North Lake Tahoe residents for delivery. Juice orders placed online are pressed and delivered to customers each Sunday for maximum freshness. Each juice blend focuses on different wellness benefits, such as being anti-inflammatory or helping with digestion.
Since the two first started the business over the winter, their small-batch juices have been selling out weekly. The Wistroms plan to enter the Incline and Truckee farmers markets this summer while continuing their delivery service, and, as the business expands, they hope to have a physical storefront open for EverGreens by 2022.
For more information about EverGreens, or to place an order, visit evergreensjuicery.com
~ Gabby Dodd, Special to Moonshine Ink
The Mountain Collective Returns
ASPEN, SNOWMASS, CO
On March 16, The Mountain Collective announced the return of The Mountain Collective Pass for the 2021/22 season. After debuting in 2012/13 with four resort partners (including Squaw Valley), the pass has grown to a roster of 23 destinations across the globe. This year’s new teen pass will provide “discounted access for young rippers aged 13-18,” explains the collective’s press release. Pricing for passes is as follows, for a limited time: $499 for adults, $129 for kids (12 and under at time of purchase), and teen passes run $399 USD (ages 13-18 at time of purchase).
The pass includes two days of skiing or riding with no blackout dates at each of the 23 partners (46 total days), a 50% discount on all additional days, and for a limited time, a third bonus day offer at the resort of the passholders’ choice.
“As travel restrictions related to the Covid pandemic are beginning to lift, TMC is hopeful that passholders will have the opportunity to visit as many destinations as possible next season,” the release continues. “However, to provide passholders with peace of mind, the ‘No Questions Asked’ refund guarantee returns, allowing passholders a full refund upon request any time prior to August 31st, 2021.”
No new resorts have been added to the pass for the 2021/22 season, though last winter marked the addition of five new partners: Sugarloaf, Maine; Panorama, British Columbia; Sun Peaks, British Columbia; Grand Targhee, Wyoming; and the Chamonix region of France.
Passes are available online at mountaincollective.com.
~ TMC press release
New Creative Licensing Solutions for the Food Industry
NEVADA CITY
Nevada County’s Environmental Health Department announced the kickoff of Platform Kitchen Operations, designed to benefit permitted food entrepreneurs through these uncertain and trying economic times. This new model allows Platform Kitchen operators to team up with and work out of permitted commercial kitchens within Nevada County. The collaborative approach brings new opportunities for both established commercial kitchens, existing caterers/temporary food facilities, and fledgling entrepreneurs.
The PKO program launched on Feb. 8, and allows operators to work in a permitted space during set hours, store items there, and run a pick-up or delivery-only model business. No dine-in seating will be permitted. The annual permit fee
(Nov. 1 to Oct. 31) for PKO is $288.30, with additional fees for the application and initial inspection.
Those wishing to start a PKO, and already have an approved commissary picked out, need to fill out the questionnaire and contact NCDEH to start the permitting process. If you are just starting and want to operate as a PKO, review the questionnaire and call NCDEH with questions.
More information, including the questionnaire, can be found at mynevadacounty.com/platformkitchen.
~ Nevada County press release
Ralphs, Food 4 Less Donate Over 28 Million Meals in 2020
LOS ANGELES
On March 24, the partnership of grocers announced that in 2020 it raised nearly $5 million in funds and donated 9.8 million pounds (or 28.2 million meals) of food to local communities while diverting more than 85% of waste from local landfills in California. Ralphs Grocery and Food 4 Less are both divisions of The Kroger Co. and have been running a campaign dubbed Zero Hunger, Zero Waste, “the company’s bold vision to end hunger in our communities and eliminate waste across the company by 2025,” according to the joint press release.
Each year, Ralphs and Food 4 Less are in the top five Kroger Divisions for achieving total waste diversion.
“We are driven by our ‘food first’ mission that no matter who you are, where you’re from, how you shop or what you like to eat, everyone deserves to have fresh, affordable, and easy-to-enjoy food,” said Vanessa Rosales, director of corporate affairs at Food 4 Less. “We are dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve, and grateful for the progress we’ve made towards our 2025 goal.”
~ Ralphs/Food 4 Less press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Sergeants Promoted to Lieutenants
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Police Department has announced the promotions of Sergeant Danny Renfrow and Sergeant Lisa Madden to police lieutenant. Both of their appointments were effective March 10.
Renfrow has 17 years of law enforcement experience with the Truckee Police Department. During his career, he has worked in patrol, in investigations as a detective, as a field training officer, and as an administrative sergeant. As a sergeant, he supervised patrol teams, served on the major incident team, managed the traffic unit, and is currently part of the dive team.
Madden started her law enforcement career with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, where she worked in the courts, corrections, and patrol. She joined the Truckee Police Department in 2010. During her career with Truckee PD, Madden has worked in patrol, in investigations as a detective, was part of the Adventure and Recreation Community team, and a field training officer. As a sergeant, she supervised patrol teams and was the training and field training officer coordinator.
Police Chief Randall Billingsley also announced the promotion of Officer Jake Donohue to police sergeant. Donohue’s appointment was effective as of March 21.
Donohue has been an invaluable member of the Truckee Police Department, working as a patrol officer, traffic officer, and officer in charge.
~ Town of Truckee newsletter
Truckee Representation on Nevada County Committees
NEVADA CITY
Hardy Bullock, supervisor for Nevada County’s District 5, has made a series of appointments to committees.
- Airport Commission: James Good
- Building and Accessibility Standards Board of Appeals: Charles Faber
- Fish and Wildlife Commission: Kevin Murphy
- Historical Landmarks Commission: Bernie Zimmerman and Barbara Czerwinski
- Planning Commission: William Greeno
- Sewage Disposal Technical Advisory Group: open
- Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Commission: Nikki Riley
“I spent a lot of time talking with the existing commissioners and learning about their service,” Bullock stated in an email to Moonshine Ink. “It was important to me that anyone interested in serving understood the commitment, the time, and what responsibilities are included in the position. I’m very happy to be working with our new commissioners and I believe they represent a broad complement of viewpoints, which is critical. Local government is a great way to contribute. If you have a concern about our community, a seat at the table is reserved for you, problems are solved by people who care enough to serve.”
~ AH
Tahoe Forest Health System Welcomes New Physician
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Health System announced that Michael Peter Hagen Jr., MD, has joined their team at the Tahoe Forest MultiSpecialty Clinics. As a family medicine provider, Dr. Hagen provides comprehensive health care, including preventive care and chronic disease management, to people of all ages. Dr. Hagen attended medical school at Texas A&M College of Medicine and completed his family residency at Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program. He is fellowship-trained in sports medicine from the Methodist Willowbrook Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in family medicine and sports medicine.
The office of Dr. Hagen is located at 10978 Donner Pass Road, Truckee. New patients are accepted. For appointments, please call (530) 582-1212.
~ TFH press release
