Great Gold Arrives
TRUCKEE
David Steele, creator and restaurateur (with chef Thomas McNaughton) of Ne Timeas Restaurant Group in San Francisco, opened Great Gold, formerly in San Francisco’s Mission District, in Truckee on Nov. 6.
Steele and others made a conscious decision to close the San Francisco restaurant this past August, but what many people didn’t realize at that time was that plans were already in motion to open Great Gold in Truckee. For the past 20 years, Steele has been splitting his time between San Francisco and Tahoe, and recently made the decision to make the latter his primary residence.
Great Gold is located in the Pioneer Commerce Center. With its rebirth in Truckee, Steele has evolved the cuisine away from strictly Italian-American classics, embracing its new location with cuisine dubbed “Mountain Italian.”
~ David Steele email
Mountaineer Shuttle Service Returns
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Squaw Alpine Transit Company, the nonprofit formed as a collaborative effort by Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ homeowner associations, lodging properties, and the ski resort, announced the return of its complimentary Mountaineer on-demand shuttle service provided within the two valleys during the 2020/21 winter season.
SATCo is conservatively approaching the upcoming winter season due to COVID-19 tourism impacts resulting in decreased assessments and based on uncertain skier visits to the resort community. A Mountaineer vehicle fleet of six is scheduled to offer service starting Dec. 17 through April 11, 2021 in Squaw Valley, Thursday through Monday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., and in Alpine Meadows on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. SATCo is prepared to be as responsive as possible to shifts in demand throughout the season amid the pandemic and its dynamic effects on visitors to the resort community.
The free Mountaineer app will always have the current days and hours of operation throughout the season. Inter-valley transportation services will continue to be offered between the two resorts via the Squaw Alpine Shuttle operated by Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows ski resort.
Learn more about SATCo and Mountaineer online at squawalpinetransit.org.
~ SATCo press release
Elevation Opens to Local Communities
TRUCKEE/NORTH TAHOE
Elevation is a new day program for adults with developmental disabilities. The program serves individuals 18 years and older who reside in the Truckee/North Lake Tahoe areas. Marliese Bankert, former program director and manager for Choices (Truckee’s only day program that closed in September), is Elevation’s program manager.
Currently, Elevation is connecting with clients through Zoom classes and one-on-one outdoor meetups, and is following all COVID-19 protocols. “Elevation recently found a site in the downtown Truckee historic district and is busy getting ready for the day when the clients can once again meet together. The site will feature a retail space where clients can display and sell their original art and promote their own entrepreneurial businesses,” the program’s press release reads.
When the building opens, Elevation will welcome the community to take a tour and experience the activities. To visit, volunteer, or teach a specialized class, Elevation invites the public to reach out to: Marliese Bankert, marlieseb83@gmail.com, (530) 386-0890; or Mandy Lis, mlis@truckeeelevation.com, (901) 239-0337.
~ Elevation press release
Truckee Ed Group Fills Local Niche
TRUCKEE
Kristen and Andy Giordano recently launched Truckee Education Group, a business focusing on tutoring services, developing relationships with school-aged children, and helping them through whatever challenges they face to be successful in school. It’s a one-on-on advisory opportunity that’s lacking in local schools, Kristen Giordano told Moonshine.
“[We’re] focusing on the whole child and focusing on the whole person,” she continued. “[That’s] a piece we’re really passionate about. Kids won’t work well and meet their goals if they’re not feeling stable and safe.”
Truckee Ed primarily focuses on middle- and high school-aged students, but has resources in place for elementary ages as well. The brick and mortar location is at 12242 Business Park Drive, Suite #1 in Truckee, currently for outdoor meetings with COVID-19 restrictions in place, with remote options also available.
The Giordanos recently left Sugar Bowl Academy after working at the college preparatory for 14 years. Joining them are Nata Calabro, Colin Hull, and Shannon Decker, M.Ed. More information about Truckee Education Group can be found at truckeeed.com.
~ AH
15th Annual Virtual Winter Speaker Series
TAHOE CITY
On Thursday, Nov. 19, Alpenglow Sports will welcome local guide Dave Nettle as the first speaker of the 15th annual Virtual Winter Speaker Series, presented by Peak Design.
Established in 2006, the Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series is a free event designed to motivate, inspire, and educate. Traditionally held at Squaw Valley’s Olympic Village Lodge, it’s a five-part series that features one show per month from November through February. Due to the pandemic, Alpenglow Sports will take the 2020/21 season “on the road” to living rooms around the globe in a virtual capacity.
In addition to Nettle, other presenters this season include famed athletes Cody Townsend (Dec. 3), Angel Collinson (Jan. 7), Ingrid Backstrom (Feb. 4), and Vasu Sojitra (Feb. 25).
Admission for all virtual Winter Speaker Series shows is free and all ages are welcome. To register for Nettle’s kick-off show, Sheltering in Place, and to purchase automatic entries into the giveaway, visit wildboundlive.com/events/alpenglownettle. Access information to the event will be emailed following registration.
The much-loved and highly anticipated in-person raffle will still be held, virtually this time, with tickets available for purchase before each show. Proceeds from the raffles will benefit the five hand-picked nonprofit organizations for the 2020/21 season including the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Community House, the Tahoe Fund, and the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science.
~ Alpenglow Sports press release
Town Offers Outdoor Dining Restaurant Resiliency Grants
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee is excited to offer a grant program for restaurants wishing to extend outdoor dining through the winter in support of COVID-19 adaptations. The restaurant resiliency grant application period closed on Oct. 13 with 27 applications received; 20 from the downtown business district and seven from other areas within the town.
This grant program is a component of the Truckee Winter Wonderland program, a partnership between the Town of Truckee, Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, Truckee Chamber of Commerce, and Sierra Business Council to keep Truckee’s downtown and business districts vibrant and successful throughout the coming winter.
The town recently received a $400,000 CARES Act Economic and Community Resiliency Grant from Nevada County to fund the downtown portion of this program and provide enhanced holiday lighting. Truckee’s town council has approved additional funding to extend outdoor dining support throughout Truckee.
For an overview of the grant, to see the list of approved applications, and for updated information about outdoor business activity guidelines, visit townoftruckee.com/government/town-manager/economic-development/outdoor-dining-grant-program.
~ Town of Truckee press release
Art Gallery Owners Launch COVID-inspired Art Subscription Service
TRUCKEE
Olof and Elizabeth Carmel, owners of the Carmel Gallery in Truckee, have launched a new art subscription channel, naturestream.tv, featuring streaming art displays and ambient nature films. Their newly released naturestream.tv apps provide instant access to the Carmels’ fine art photographs and ambient nature films on televisions, mobile devices, and computers.
The couple have owned and operated their gallery since 2006, where they sell their limited edition photographic prints. Naturestream.tv is their newest venture, created with the goals of expanding access to their work during the COVID era and connecting viewers to the benefits of experiencing nature’s beauty. More information on the Carmel Gallery is available at thecarmelgallery.com.
~ Naturestream.tv press release
Art Haus Needs Help
TAHOE CITY
It’s a difficult time for movie theaters. Not only have most cinemas in the U.S. been closed for six months or longer, but when reopening, owners are confronted with two challenges: Many people do not yet feel comfortable inside enclosed spaces for two hours, and major studios continue to push back big releases to the spring or summer of 2021.
In the past few weeks, the two blockbusters theaters were counting on for fall (Black Widow and No Time to Die) were delayed until spring. This was the nail in the coffin for many movie theaters, and Regal Cinemas announced last month they are closing all theaters in the U.S. If movie theaters do not have a product to show, they cannot stay in business.
With the reality that it may not have any major movies to run, the Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema is facing a dire six to nine months. While the theater always strives to be creative and inventive in its programming, it asks the community for support in any way possible so that it can still be in business this time next year.
A few ways you can help:
- See a movie! Buy concessions
- Buy a gift card, in person or online
- Buy an Art Haus or drive-in t-shirt
- Watch movies through Art Haus’ virtual cinema
- Buy a growler and fill it up with the Haus craft beer, hard cider, or kombucha.
~ Art Haus e-newsletter
Wellbeing ‘Moving and Evolving’
TRUCKEE
Wellbeing at 10075 W. River St., Suite B is permanently closed.
As of Nov. 1, Wellbeing will begin a new chapter as Kensho Wellbeing Center in partnership with Camp 1 Fitness in their location at Pioneer Commerce Center. “At our new facility, we will expand our services to include fitness testing and collaboration with acupuncture and physical therapy,” the team wrote in an email to Moonshine. “We look forward to continuing with you on your path to wellbeing!” Contact (530) 536-0346 to book your appointment, and visit camp1fitness.com/wellness or kenshowellbeing.com for more information.
~ BL
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Alterra Creates New Company Divisions
DENVER, COLORADO
Alterra Mountain Company Chief Executive Officer Rusty Gregory announced leadership promotions and organizational changes as the company looks toward its long-term future, while navigating the upcoming winter season during the pandemic.
Alterra is adding two new divisions to the company: hospitality and real estate. These divisions will work in parallel with the mountain division, made up of the company’s 15 North American mountain destinations. The hospitality division is responsible for elevating the guest experience and growing the offerings beyond the company’s current 45 lodging properties, over 100 food and beverage outlets, and various membership clubs. The real estate division is responsible for growing the overall appeal of each destination by combining strategic on-mountain and base-area development.
~ Alterra press release
New Leadership at Diamond Peak Ski Team
INCLINE VILLAGE
To lead continued development and execution of the Diamond Peak Ski Team’s mission, vision, and values, DeeDee Cole Driller has been appointed as the program’s director.
Cole Driller grew up skiing and racing in Vermont and competed for the University of Vermont and the U.S. Ski Team before heading to Tahoe, for “just one winter” in 1984. For more than 35 years, Cole Driller has been coaching skiers of all ages.
Prior to becoming the DPST Mighty Mite program director, Cole Driller coached and managed ski teams at Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, and Homewood.
~ DPST press release
Sierra Avalanche Center Hires ED
TRUCKEE
Avalanche educator and California Avalanche Workshop founder David Reichel joined Sierra Avalanche Center as the organization’s new executive director Oct. 7. In his new capacity, Reichel will lead the nonprofit’s avalanche awareness, fundraising, and avalanche forecasting support missions.
Reichel is a long-time avalanche educator, mountain guide and professional avalanche observer in the Tahoe region. He spent the last several years coordinating Sierra Avalanche Center’s social media presence while also working in the field as a professional observer. In 2014, he founded the California Avalanche Workshop. He has nearly two decades of professional snow and avalanche experience across three continents, as well as a track record of nonprofit administration.
~ Sierra Avalanche Center press release
Tahoe Truckee Media Manager Appointed to National Board
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Truckee Media manager Rory O’Farrell has been appointed to the National Board of Directors of the Alliance for Community Media, joining the board in November.
O’Farrell has been with TTM (formerly TTCTV), an educational and government media center, for more than 10 years.
As a member of the Western Regional Board of the ACM, O’Farrell has organized the annual WAVE awards for community video excellence for the past three years.
The ACM works to protect the interests of these access centers, and the communities they serve, to advance their causes through cable television and the Internet.
~ TTM press release
