Service. What else would you expect from the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe? It started off with a phone call from the concierge at the Manzanita Restaurant in the Ritz.  She was wondering if we would like to have a chilled bottle of champagne at our table when we arrive, since tonight we would be celebrating the recent engagement of life-long local, Megan Ganong and her fiance, Jesse Shirley. After choosing our champagne, we then were asked what inscription we would like on the delectable plate of dessert chocolates that would be presented to Jesse and Megan after dinner in celebration of their commitment to each other. We decided on something really original: Congratulations!

Young and in love!

The drive to the Ritz from Alpine Meadows took much longer than anticipated; forty minutes in all. The best part about it, however, was that it got better with each mile.  The beautifully paved road, no potholes in sight, winds gently for a couple of miles and by the time we reached the Ritz, we felt like we were in the clouds!  The views of Martis Valley and Northstar were spectacular and the hotel itself was commanding, yet welcoming. We were greeted at the valet by a handful of handsome, young men with impeccable Ritz manners (I have thought, on occasion when the door is closed for the um-teenth time in my face, that it might be beneficial for my three boys to spend some time at the Ritz boot camp). (more…)

The holidays brought plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation and indoor entertainment. In just those couple holiday weeks, we had the opportunity to downhill ski at Alpine Meadows Ski Area and Squaw Valley USA.  When we felt like we needed to get a good cardiac burn, we headed over to Tahoe XC, for some ridiculously anaerobic skate skiing (the ultimate calorie burner…think , eggnog, cookies, holiday parties!). 

Any idea where this is?

Following those exhausting skate skiing days, we recovered by enjoying some snowmobiling from Tahoe City to Northstar and relaxing on the deck in the sunshine with a hot chocolate. In the evenings, time was spent with close friends and family and then on New Years Eve we were treated as guests to the clean-cut, San Francisco band called Diegos Umbrella at the Plaza Bar at Squaw Valley USA.

In case the above forms of recreation and entertainment don’t do it for you, if you are in the know, you can follow the underground pond hockey players around in hopes of finding perfect skating ice.  The average Lake Tahoe or Truckee pond hockey player has played hockey as a child, but is of the age where they realize that they are not invincible and ‘no check’ hockey is no longer just for sissys; rather, it is now for the more intelligent, wise and experienced players. The other players usually on the ice are the up-and-coming children of the ‘no check’ players.  (more…)

After participating in a meeting today with TRPA consultant, Leah Kaufman and TRPA representative, Abby O’Keefe, what I have learned about the new TRPA Shorezone Plan is that there are still a lot of unanswered questions. A multitude of questions regarding the permitting of new and existing moorings (boat houses, boat lifts and buoys) in Lake Tahoe were offered, many times the response being, “I don’t think that the TRPA has yet considered that scenario”.  It appears that there will be many scenarios regarding the permitting of moorings that are unique and may not fit under general rules allowing the permitting of moorings. (more…)

Great news for the town of Truckee! A first-time homebuyers’ assistance program was recently passed. This will help buyers with the downpayment of their home and allow many new buyers to take this exciting step forward! Below are the details of this new assistance program.

Abstract: The Town of Truckee, in partnership with its Redevelopment Agency, has established a first-time homebuyer’s down-payment assistance program (a.k.a. “silent second”) to increase for-purchase housing opportunities. The program is geared towards working folks in three income classifications that are prevalent locally: “low-income”, “moderate-income”, and “above-moderate income”. Program participants are required to either live or work within the Town’s boundaries. This down-payment assistance program targets the existing housing stock, with most all forms of residential dwellings eligible to participate (i.e., single-family detached homes, duplexes, tri-and-four plex units, condominiums, and even manufactured homes – so long as the unit has a permanent foundation).  (more…)

Looking for a place to store your boat this season? Owens Brothers Transfer Co. is currently offering some great deals for indoor boat storage! Information is provided on the left. Click on the image for an enlarged version…