Rainbow Lodge for Sale
Just a year after the Rainbow Tavern & Lodge reopened for business, the Soda Springs lodge is back on the market. Craig and Wendy Mitchell from Rocklin, along with Craig’s parents, purchased the inn and the surrounding 114 acres in December 2013 from a court-appointed receiver, which had been operating the building since 2011. The Mitchells renovated the building, renamed the historic lodge, and updated the restaurant’s menu. The Rainbow Tavern & Lodge opened to the public Feb. 2014. However, Rainbow Tavern & Lodge is currently for sale for $1.97 million. Real Estate Agent Alison Elder is advertising the property as a “property located on Donner Summit [that] has been refreshed with substantial improvements and is fully operational as a bar, restaurant and lodge … Or, create a family legacy and simply enjoy the property as your own private, luxury retreat…” Info: therainbowlodge.com/for-sale.html ~ Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Mt. Rose Tahoe to Increase Minimum Wage
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe will increase its minimum wage for all its employees to a new minimum of $11 an hour. The increase represents a 33 percent increase over the standard $8.25/hour mandated minimum wage in Nevada. Effective Sept. 1, the wage increase will affect employees in nearly all departments at the resort. Mt. Rose’s increase puts its entry wage $2.75 above the $8.25 per hour mandated minimum wage in Nevada, and $2 over the mandated $9 minimum wage in California. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe will begin hiring for a variety of seasonal positions for the 2015-16 winter season on Oct. 1. Info: skirose.com
Sugar Bowl and Woodward Implement Unrestricted Season Pass
Sugar Bowl Resort and Woodward Tahoe have partnered on a 2015-16 season pass that offers unrestricted access to both Sugar Bowl Resort and the Woodward Tahoe facility for the entire winter season, plus unlimited access to the Woodward Tahoe facility for the remainder of summer and fall. Prices vary and passes can be combined with Royal Gorge passes. Skiers and snowboarders who have already purchased a 2015/16 season pass from Sugar Bowl or a Woodward Tahoe Bunker pass have the option to receive a full refund on their prior purchase when buying this product instead. The combo pass will be sold exclusively by Sugar Bowl Resort. Info: sugarbowl.com/seasonpass
Truckee Photographer Completes Two-Year Commission for Donner Museum
The newly completed Donner Memorial State Park Museum, which opened June 6, features the panoramic murals of local photographer Elizabeth Carmel. In 2012 the California Department of Parks and Recreation commissioned Carmel to provide six dramatic wall-size photographic murals for the new museum. She was tasked with creating photographic murals that convey the beauty and power of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and serve as backdrops for exhibits about the people and events that have taken place at the Donner State Park site. In order to capture images with enough detail to create large mural sized prints, Carmel used a high resolution 50 megapixel camera and digitally stitched together multiple frames of each scene. Because of the need for specific weather and environmental conditions, it took two years for Carmel to complete the photography for the project. Info: elizabethcarmel.com
‘We’re Open, You Win’ Contest Encourages Visitors to Kings Beach
Through Sept. 16, residents and visitors can enter to win $500 cash and weekly prize packages at more than 25 participating Kings Beach businesses. The “We’re Open You Win” Contest is part of North Tahoe Business Association’s marketing campaign, which is designed to encourage people to visit and do business in Kings Beach this summer. Visit any participating Kings Beach business to fill out an entry form. A drawing will take place every Wednesday. Info: (530) 546-9000, northtahoebusiness.org
Tahoe Home Prices Continue to Rise; Incline Sales Down, Tahoe City Up
The Lake Tahoe real estate market continued to see an uptick in median home prices this quarter, up 14 percent to $525,000, according to Chase International. Overall sales around the lake dipped slightly from this time last year, with Incline Village seeing decreases across the board and Tahoe City seeing healthy improvements. The median price of a home rose 14 percent on the East Shore and the South Shore, and 7 percent in Tahoe City. Incline Village saw a 4 percent drop to $850,000. Incline also experienced a 23 percent drop in sales volume, a 15 percent drop in units sold, and a 24 percent drop in homes selling for more than $1 million. Tahoe City saw the biggest improvement with an 8 percent increase in sales volume, 14 percent jump in units sold, and 18 percent surge in homes sold for under $1 million. Truckee saw a 10 percent drop in sales volume and 6 percent decrease in median home price.
