Are You Ready for Spaghetti?
February 7
Bingo and spaghetti have a natural affinity. Both originated in Italy centuries ago and eventually came to America. They also form the centerpiece of one of Truckee’s most anticipated charitable occasions, the Spaghetti Dinner, Bingo and Silent Auction hosted by Sierra Senior Services.
This year’s event, set for February 7, will be the eighth annual and is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
‘The annual Spaghetti feed usually brings in anywhere from $13,000 to $18,000 for senior nutrition programs, but we would love to raise $20,000 this year,’ says Executive Director Sarah Deardorff.
The extra dollars are sorely needed given the current budget crunch and an increased demand for services. Clients served by the ‘Meals and Wheels’ program have more than doubled in the last six months, according to Deardorff. At the same time, donations are down and state funding sources, which make up a significant portion of senior nutrition programs, have been reduced.
Bingo and pasta aren’t the only draws. Attendees can also participate in a silent auction and purchase cocktails at the bar.
Young and old alike will enjoy a fun, family night out while coming together as a community to raise funds for Truckee’s seniors.
‘Although the economy is slow, aging is one experience that affects everyone. Giving to Sierra Senior Services allows individuals and businesses the opportunity to reciprocate to the generations that raised us,’ Deardorff commented.
Business sponsorships are still available and donations for the silent auction are also being accepted.
Tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased at the Recreation and Parks Department on Church St., the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce office and at Sierra Senior Services located in the Truckee Senior Center. Bingo tickets must be purchased separately and are $10 for ten games with a special ‘Blackout’ game for $10.
The bar opens at 5 p.m., dinner will be served from 6 to 7p.m. and the silent auction will be ongoing from 5 to 8:30. Bingo games kick off immediately after dinner at 7 p.m. For more information, call Sierra Senior Services at 530-550-7600.
~ Beth Ingalls
Incline Village Christmas Tree Recycling
The Incline Village free Christmas Tree Chipping Program will be offered again! Residents may drop off clean Christmas trees through February 4. All decorations, lights, and tinsel must be removed. Wreaths, stumps, or other green waste cannot be accepted. The drop off location – Preston Field (Nevada Highway 28 at the junction of Nevada Highway 431) in Incline Village – is open 7 days a week during regular business hours. The chipping event is a community collaboration with funding and manpower provided by IVGID Waste Not, IVGID Public Works, IVGID Parks and Recreation and the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. Chipped trees will be used as mulch at IVGID Park and Recreation facilities. 775-832-1284.
CATT Announces Award Winners
The Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe recently announced the winners for their the 2008 Annual Awards Competition. The winners were nominated by fellow members for superior craftsmanship, excellent customer service, innovative design, devotion to CATT and community, or other outstanding characteristic. And the winners are:
• Public Works/Recreation Project of the Year: Crystal Bay Phase 1 Water Quality Improvement, Crystal Bay, Nev., Aspen Developers Corp.
• Sustainable Building Methods Project of the Year: Lost Library at Martis Camp, Martis Valley, Robert Marr Construction
• Residential Project of the Year: Pavich Residence, Tahoe City, Griggs Custom Homes
• Commercial Project of the Year: Flying ‘A’ Building, Truckee, GLA Morris Construction
• New Member of the Year: Wes & Tonya Beyer, W&T Graphix
• Volunteer of the Year: Cris Yturri, ABC Supply Co.
• Professional of the Year: Paul Douglass, Jr., Paul Douglass Jr. Designs
• Supplier/Vendor of the Year: Bob Brown, Hills Flat Lumber Company
• Sub-Contractor of the Year: Craig Price, Craig Price Inc. Plumbing & Hydronics
• Builder of the Year: Jim Morrison, Jim Morrison Construction
CATT phone: 530-550-9999.
Learn to Network
January 20
The Mountain High chapter of BNI, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals among members, is holding a Visitors’ Day. BNI is a great way for businesses to maximize their marketing efforts through word of mouth. The organization generated over 5,500,00 referrals for members’ businesses in 2007 alone, which generated over $2.2 billion worth of business. BNI was founded in 1985 by Ivan R. Misner, Ph.D., author of ‘The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret.’ ‘Our style of networking is based on the philosophy ‘givers gain’– if I help you, then you’ll help me, and we’ll all do better business,’ says Misner. 7 to 8:30 a.m. at The Northwoods Club House, Tahoe Donner, 11509 Northwoods Blvd. Truckee. Call Carmen Carr for reservations at 530-550-5192. bni.com.
Global Warming: Transportation Modeling
February 18
Tackling transportation, which accounts for one third of all CO2 emissions in California, is critical to reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2020. UC Davis Professor Bob Johnston has developed a simple GIS-based urban growth model that answers questions such as which policies would be most cost-effective and how economic impacts would be distributed across households with high or low incomes. This model is now being used by 20 California counties for land use, transportation, and natural resource planning. Johnston will also discuss the implications of the new California global warming laws for the Tahoe Basin. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., lecture at 6 p.m. Rooms 139 & 141, Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, 291 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, Nevada. No-host bar, $5 donation requested. 775-881-7562.
Papoose Preschool Helps Outdoor Students
Papoose Preschool and Infant Care in Truckee raised $500 for the Teacher’s Association for Outdoor and Adventure Education (TAO) this holiday season by hosting a donation-only day of school and infant care on December 6. The Montessori-inspired preschool program has been an ongoing supporter of TAO Education for over two years. ‘This contribution will help assist with gear necessities for local foster children to take part in a 21-day adventure and creative arts program on Donner Summit in the summer of 2009,’ says Mark Keim, Program Director of TAO Education. 530-550-7506.
Ninety-Five Pounds of Food for Project MANA
Friends and families warmed their hearts and fed their souls at the Warm-up for New Year’s event and food drive at The Rock in Truckee. The Dec. 30 event and food drive was a benefit for local hunger-relief organization Project MANA. Participants enjoyed marshmallow roasting by open fire pits, half-priced drinks provided by FiftyFifty Brewing Co., the live acoustics of Truckee Tribe, and the joy of helping community members in need. ‘We are really pleased with the results of the event,’ said Gwen Straley, Community Outreach Coordinator of Project MANA. ‘It is really going to benefit our homebound clients and we thank The Rock for hosting the event and everyone who came out and showed their support.’ To contact The Rock, call 530-550-2252. Sierra Nevada College’s next Fireside Chat, hosted by Andy Whyman, will feature George LeBard, best known for his current role as executive director for Project MANA. This latest up-close and personal look at yet another of the community’s most prolific citizens will be held on Thursday, January 22, at 7 p.m. in the college’s Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, rooms 139/141. 775-832-1310, shelia_leijon@ivgid.org.
Sierra College is Lucky to Have Her
Sierra College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kim Bateman as the new Dean of the Tahoe/Truckee campus of Sierra College. Throughout her 12 years in higher education, Bateman has contributed her talents to many leadership initiatives at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village: co-authoring a new college-wide mission stressing the four sustainabilities (environmental, economic, social, and educational), streamlining general education requirements, pioneering the psychology and interdisciplinary studies programs, and crafting signature programs in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Art Therapy, and Marketing and Digital Arts.
She is also known for her engaging and entertaining teaching style – skills which earned her three teaching awards in the last five years. Bateman has served as a part-time faculty member for the Tahoe/Truckee campus of Sierra College and a full time administrator/faculty member at Sierra Nevada College. Sierra Nevada College President Dr. Bob Maxson, said of Bateman, ‘In all my time as a college president, I’ve never met a college citizen who is more deserving of the ‘most loved’ award—from her students, peers, staff, and administrators. Sierra College is lucky to have her.’ Bateman’s goals for the Tahoe/Truckee campus are to build a strong transfer program, develop site-specific curriculum, and expand offerings by partnering with local schools, community agencies, and non-profits. ‘It will be through collaborative discussions and focused integration that the Sierra College Tahoe/Truckee Campus will be positioned to become the intellectual and cultural center that this community craves,’ Bateman said. kbateman@sierracollege.edu, 530-550-8911.
