oneReno Seeks to Keep Mt. Rose Local
MT. ROSE
A group called oneReno is attempting to purchase Mount Rose Ski Tahoe by leveraging a unique variety of investors, including people who might bring just a couple of twenties to the table. The resort went on the market about two years ago. The oneReno Mt. Rose Campaign, whose mission is to keep the mountain in local hands, expects private investors to bring the large majority of capital but also welcomes smaller donations in exchange for a sense of ownership.
“The crowdfunding angle is one that no one had considered,” said Ben Gaul, marketing director for the group. “It’s an opportunity to say ‘I have some sort of ownership in Mt. Rose.’” Aiming to raise $15 million to $30 million, oneReno is looking for debt partners, equity partners, and top tier as well as bottom tier crowdfunding sources.
Launched in early August, the group is gaining traction online, with nearly 1,000 likes as of Moonshine Ink press time. “I put the [Facebook] page up and this thing got wings,” Gaul said. “People are definitely interested.” Info: facebook.com/onerenomtrose ~ ME
Kelly Brothers Paint it Forward
TRUCKEE
A local teacher who was recently diagnosed with the devastatingly aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma was given the gift of a renewed home. Gianna Harrington, a 5th grade teacher at Glenshire Elementary, was the recipient of Kelly Brothers Painting’s first annual Paint Charity Giveaway. Surrounded by her students, Harrington watched as a small army of volunteer painters transformed her house on Aug. 27. The Kelly Brothers giveaway provides the gift of free paint and services to a Tahoe/Truckee local and welcomes nominations for deserving families or nonprofit organizations. Info: kellybrotherspainting.com
Café Spice Closes, New Indian Restaurant to Open
TRUCKEE
Café Spice, a Truckee restaurant located in the Deerfield Plaza shopping center, closed its doors Aug. 17. The eatery, which focused on providing “busy people with affordable, delicious meals inspired by India, Asia, and the Middle East,” opened in November 2013. Owner Christa Finn said business volume wasn’t sufficient to continue. “We weren’t getting the traction we needed, so we pulled the plug,” said Finn, who added that there are no plans to do another restaurant in the near future.
Finn will refocus her efforts on Pour House, a wine shop she co-owns with her husband Dean Schaecher. Spice chef Carl Simoneau plans some R&R as he decides where to take his career next. For diehard fans, Café Spice will post recipes on its Facebook page for a short while.
The location was taken over by an Indian restaurant. The owner, from Reno, is the franchisee for the Subway in the same shopping center. Info: facebook.com/spicetruckee ~ ME
Introducing Buttermilk Mountain Apparel
OLYMPIC VALLEY
A new brand dedicated to delivering contemporary outdoor apparel for women is coming to a trail near you. The line is built around a focus on natural fibers, fun and wearable colors and patterns, and the all-important-fit to deliver staples women will want to wear everyday. Designed for athletic females who won’t compromise on styling, the Buttermilk difference is in the details. The inaugural line, launched in early August, consists of four pieces: the Whitney Short ($129), the Buttermilk Chammy ($79), the Solstice Snap Raglan ($109), and the Kiah Tee ($69). Find the wares online and in a traveling pop-up shop — a yellow and white 1962 Shasta Compact trailer — cruising around the mountain west. Info: buttermilkapparel.com
BOB Provides Brokerage Services for Businesses
TRUCKEE
Do you want to know what your business is worth? Do you want to buy or sell a business? Launched Aug. 1, Business Opportunity Brokers (BOB), licensed in California and Nevada, provides expert services for both buyers and sellers looking to streamline their business ownership transition.
“[BOB] will provide business owners with the worth or value of their business,” said Karen Norris, CPA, certified business valuator and founding partner. “We can do this in preparation of a sale, or we can provide this to an owner who is curious about what their business is worth in the marketplace — maybe just thinking about a sale in the future.” The BOB team includes Karen Norris, Ron Hemig, Jessica Barton, Jim Hemig, and Connor Marshall. Info: info@businessoppbrokers.com
Dining for Schools Cards
NORTH LAKE TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Dine for 50 percent off at more than 50 North Lake Tahoe/Truckee restaurants with the purchase of a Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation Dining for Schools card. On sale now, the project helps raise money to support Tahoe/Truckee schools. Cards are available for purchase for $50 at Safeway (Truckee and Kings Beach), Save Mart (Truckee and Tahoe City), Mountain Hardware and Sports (Truckee), The Store (Tahoe City), and online. For a complete list of participating restaurants and valid dates of use, visit exined.org.
Vail Resorts Supports the Trout Creek Pocket Park
TRUCKEE
Vail Resorts announced support of the Trout Creek Pocket Park, which is a Mountain Area Preservation project located at Bridge and Jibboom Streets in downtown Truckee. Vail will provide a grant that will go towards the fabrication of the interpretive panels for the kiosk as well as future alternating public art for the park highlighting local environmental initiatives and stewardship. In addition to the financial commitment, Vail Resorts is organizing an employee work crew from Northstar California Resort for EpicPromise Day on Sept. 20 to assist MAP with the landscape planting, existing vegetation thinning, and site clean-up along Trout Creek.
Mountain Bounty to Farm Through the Winter
NEVADA COUNTY
Celebrating 20 years in business, Mountain Bounty Farm announced that it will begin growing winter veggies here in Nevada County for their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) customers, estimating that between 10 to 15 percent of the shares will now come from the farm. “Although our mountain location is inherently limited when it comes to winter growing,” said John Tecklin, farmer/owner of Mountain Bounty Farm, “we have been slowly extending our season over the years and experimenting with pushing the limits of what we can grow.” To fill the rest of the boxes, the farm will primarily work with Pinnacle Organic Produce in San Juan Bautista and Route 1 Farms in Santa Cruz. According to the Farmers’ Market Coalition, for every $100 spent at a farmers’ market, $62 remain in the local economy and $99 remain in the state. Info: mountainbountyfarm.com
Tahoe Mountain Resorts Grants
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation has begun its annual grant process and is now accepting applications with a special focus on youth and environmental programs from local nonprofit organizations that exemplify the foundation’s commitment to improving the quality of life in the Tahoe/Truckee community. Last year, TMRF awarded more than $340,000 in grants and scholarships to 35 area nonprofit organizations and programs, local students, and community events. Applications are due by noon on October 31. Info: tmrfoundation.com
