We’d love for you to stop by and introduce yourself. We are in the office Thursday through Monday, 10am-5pm. Or please fill out the form below and one of our team members will be in touch to schedule an appointment.
The Ultimate Fun guide
Oh the places you can go to have fun! We created this Ultimate Fun Guide to be a resource for things to do in the Truckee area. It features a handy map and descriptions of over 15 fun ideas. Just fill out your information below and we’ll send it to you.
Public transit is a foundational piece of infrastructure in any community. Regardless of the transit system’s size and the size of the city or county it serves, everything from the local economy to travel-related carbon emissions are profoundly impacted with the availability of public transportation.
According to the American Pubic Transportation Association, more than 50,000 jobs are created with every $1 billion invested in transit, and this isn’t a figure that only applies to a place like New York City, who thrives on a massive ecosystem of buses and subways. Smaller towns like Truckee have access to transit systems with their specific community’s needs in mind, which is exactly what the Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) has created in the North Lake Tahoe Region. Reduced traffic congestion, reduced air pollution, financial benefits to the community, opportunities for individuals to save money by using public transportation, and even safer transportation are the universal benefits of public transit.
But what are the specialized services offered by TART that are custom-built for Truckee residents? First, TART services are free. As part of TART’s longterm system plan that extends through 2025, the transit program eliminated fares along with increasing service hours and frequency to serve their expected annual ridership of just under 51,000 people. The area has various lines that run on various schedules, starting as early as 6 am at some stops and ending service as late as 2 am. From there, getting from Point A to Point B is simply a matter of entering your destination on the TART website and preferred arrival time.
Getting to and from Tahoe’s ski resorts
TART is a functional service for everyday life to some, getting to and from work, doctor’s appointments, or just commuting around the Truckee area in a convenient way that only requires planning but no money. But TART routes are also intentionally designed to get people to many of the area’s ski resorts.
Considering the Tahoe Basin and its associated ski resorts cover such a large area, whereas other ski town destinations are typically more condensed, this is actually a unique and useful asset to local skiers. We’ve all paid exorbitant sums to park at resorts and sat in the gridlock that leads straight in and out of their lots. It’s not fun. Of course, these things happen in any ski town, but add the longer commutes around the area and a day on the hill can quickly become a quest.
For obvious reasons, TART’s free services can alleviate many of those stresses. During the winter months, the Winter Park and Ride program provides TART’s free bus service every 30-minutes during peak morning and evening periods from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends between Truckee park and ride locations to Squaw Valley along the state Route 89 corridor and Northstar along the state Route 267 corridor. This means you can easily leave your car at the appropriate designated point for the day for the day, jump on the bus, and get in and out of resorts for free and without the hassle of parking amidst the masses.
Shuttles
Some resorts also offer dedicated shuttle services for this same purpose. Squaw/Alpine’s Mountaineer operates from 7am to 10pm daily for its Squaw shuttles and 8am to 5pm on weekends at Alpine. The unique shuttle service can be summoned via its mobile app by “any in-valley rider,” and a dog-friendly 4×4 that seats up to 10 and is equipped with ski and snowboard racks taxis riders to and from the resorts.
There are also other specialized shuttle services like the North Lake Tahoe Express, which operates like your traditional shuttle service that requires reservations for scheduled rides from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, connecting to local transit stops.
Ride share services
If mass transit isn’t an option you’re willing to consider, there’s always the growing popularity of ride share services like Uber and Lyft to rely on. They are cheaper than a taxi and most likely cheaper than parking (depending on how far your ride is), and while they will cost more than a free TART fare, there is no logistically planning needed other than plotting your destination on a mobile app. As far as convenient and easy access is considered, ride shares top all other options.
Where to keep your belongings
Every resort will have a daily locker service available. Consider the daily locker cost of about $7 for a small locker to just over $10 for a larger locker per day, and you’ve fully escaped the burden of a car on ski days.
While there’s always the argument for a totally screen-free childhood, it’s not always conducive to modern life and education. When used in moderation, iPads, computers, and even television can be great tools for learning, entertainment, and development. However, research tells us that kids who overuse electronics are more disrespectful, sleep less, become numb to violence, are more aggressive, more prone to obesity, experience a higher rate of cyberbullying and are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems. So how do you find a healthy balance when your children are constantly surrounded by these distractions? A common term for this solution is taking a “digital detox”. The word detox is really short for detoxification, which basically means to find a way to overcome a physical or psychological dependence on something. In this case, the dependence is on electronics. In order to achieve this, a good goal would be to unplug from tech on a short-term basis, which will enable you to spend more time focusing on what is important.
Here are some steps you can take to manage your family’s use of media:
Set a Good Example:
Kids learn more by observing your behavior rather than listening to what you have to say. Make rules about when it is appropriate and inappropriate to have a device active (ie. no electronics at the dinner table, silencing your phone during family conversations). This will send a strong message that being connected with your family comes first, and everything else can wait until a later time. Kids function well within boundaries, and if you have rules in place, it’s easier to respond calmly to future requests for tech use during these breaks.
Set A Time Limit: Establish a maximum time your kids are allowed to spend on their electronic devices. Restricting the time is so important to prevent an unhealthy dependence and potential addiction to technology. Talk to your children about why you are limiting their time and let them know that you are not doing it to be mean, but rather it is because you care for their well-being. Kids just want explanations, and this is a good chance to discuss the “why”. Talk about mental health and the science behind screens. Let them know it is not healthy to create bad habits and that you want them to thrive and have a happy life. Consistency is key here too, so be sure you don’t give in to temptation yourself by breaking the rules, and don’t let them persuade you to let them do the same. Being consistent in sticking with the rules will also leave your kids feeling they can trust you.
Media-Free Time/Zones: Come up with a plan as to where electronics are off-limits within the house. There should be rooms that are dedicated to quiet enjoyment, where one knows they can go and be free from distractions. The same goes for certain periods throughout the day. For example, electronics should be removed from the bedrooms prior to bedtime. A child’s ability to think, verbalize, memorize, understand and learn depends on how much sleep they get at night. Keeping the technology out of their bedroom at night can ensure they don’t disrupt their body’s natural rhythms and sleep cycle.
Media-Free Day: Set aside one full day during the week or on the weekend that is dedicated to activities that don’t involve electronics. Get creative and come up with fun activities like family game day, arts and crafts, or even send them on a photo adventure day with their own cameras. Have each member of the family select an activity or plan a full day of their choice, so that they feel like they are contributing to the cause. This will also allow you to have something to look forward to once a week.
Get Outside & Get Moving: Too much screen time and minds are not the only thing that go sluggish. Occupy your families’ minds and bodies with adventures outside and show them that staying healthy can be fun. Get them interested in the beauties of the real world by taking a hike up a mountain, swimming in a lake, planning an outdoor picnic in your favorite park, or even camping outside under the stars. You can even plan something closer to home by playing “old school” games like Simon Says or Red Light Green Light in your own backyard. Anything to get your family outside of the house and away from electronics which will in turn make everyone a little happier and healthier.
This new trend of working-from-home may be more fantasy than reality for some, especially those who envision working in their pajamas, ditching the long daily commute, sleeping in just a little bit longer, and finally getting to do that exercise routine they have been meaning to start. However, working remotely can be a double-edged sword. Staying productive with all the 犀利士distractions of home, such as entertaining your kids, cleaning the house, visits from friends, and watching the latest episode of your favorite show, can ultimately be much more challenging and require more focused effort on your part. Here are some tips on how you can effectively work from home while taking care of your physical and mental well-being.
Get Dressed/Make Your Bed:
Start off your day by getting fully dressed and making your bed, which may seem like small accomplishments, but it will give you a sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do task after task. As Admiral William H. McRaven said to the graduating class of University of Texas, “By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. And if by chance you have a miserable day, you can walk into your room to a bed that is made – that you made – and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”
Transition Into/Out of Work:
Don’t allow your work time to creep into your personal time in the morning. Use your normal commute time as personal time, by eating breakfast with your family, reading a book or exercising. Exercise is an important part of making the transition from the office job to working at home and will help you to establish a healthy work-life boundary. You will also find yourself much more clear-headed and motivated to work. The same goes for lunch time. Stop working and take a lunch break just like you would if you were still working in an office. Finally, give yourself something that will also signal the end of the workday. Perhaps, setting an alarm with funky, uplifting music to get you out of your chair, dance the stress off, and remind you to put your work aside.
Designate a Work-Space/Limit Distractions:
Try and find a dedicated and comfortable spot to work that you can associate with your job and leave when you’re off the clock. Definitely leave your bedroom, and stay off of the couch, as spaces that are associated with leisure are counterproductive and provide more distractions. Be sure to turn off any notifications that may take your attention away from the tasks at hand.
Having the proper tools at your fingertips will also ensure you work more efficiently. These can include a reliable computer, printer, quality internet connection, an organized filing system, general office supplies, and ergonomic and comfortable office furniture and chair. Some additional items that also are handy are a headset or ear phones so you don’t distract others with your calls, a white noise machine to cancel out background distractions, or even a selection of fun virtual backgrounds for those regular group calls.
Keep Clearly Defined Work Hours:
Set up regular work hours to keep you focused and on-task, to avoid distractions and procrastination. Once you have your schedule, stick to it. Arrive on time and leave at the end of the workday. Make sure you tell your family and friends what your new schedule is and keep personal business to the side until the end of the workday.
Set Boundaries and Expectations:
Sticking to a 9-to-5 schedule may prove unrealistic for many. Employees need to find the schedule that works best for them, and also be respectful that others might work at different times than they do. Many people will find that the only time they can manage to really concentrate is when their kids are sleeping or napping. For others, it might be first thing in the morning when there are less distractions, or late at night after dinner time. Some employees can create intentional work time slots by adding an “out of office” reply during certain hours of the day to focus on work deadlines. It is okay to relay to your colleagues that you might be slower than usual in responding, decreasing response expectations from others and relieving yourself of unnecessary stress.
Create a To-Do List:
A simple to-do list can do wonders for keeping you both organized, motivated, and productive as you work from home. As you create your list, think about big, long-term goals, like finishing a project, as well as small goals, like completing tasks that lead to that big goal. Checking off those smaller goals lets you know you’re making progress, which gives you positive reinforcement throughout your day. Your workload will feel much more doable when it’s not all one giant task.
Take Scheduled Breaks:
When you’re planning your day, be sure you schedule in work breaks. It has been shown that employees, even at home, who take breasks every 90 minutes report a higher level of focus and productivity. Scheduling multiple breaks throughout the day, either to take a long walk around the neighborhood, fit in some jumping jacks or burpess, or even taking your dog for a walk can do wonders for your overall health and energy levels.
Hire a Dog-Walker/Pet Sitter:
You are working from home so it seems silly to hire someone to do these tasks when you should be doing it yourself. However, having someone occasionally visit your home to help feed and care for your furry friends, or take them out for a walk not only ensures they get fresh air and exercise, but that you have some quiet time to complete tasks or important calls free of background barks.
Adjustment Period:
Making the transition from an office-type setting to a home office setup can take some getting used to and may take longer from some. It is okay at times for you to feel lonely, isolated, anxious, stressed, frustrated, or even unmotivated. Remind yourself that these feelings are completely normal and allow yourself time to get into a groove. Some periods of adjustment are longer than others, which is why it is even more important to follow the suggestions above to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Featured Floorplan: Cirrus
The Ideal Work-From-Home Space
Picture this…you are sitting in your home office, the smell of freshly brewed, local coffee wafting from your mug, the sun is peeking above the mountains, and a cool breeze drifts through your open window overlooking the swaying treetops. Can you imagine a more inspiring and peaceful setting for your new home office?
Our Cirrus floor plan may be the perfect fit for your new at-home workspace, with its third-floor loft that offers vaulted ceilings, generous windows that brings the outdoors inside, and an inviting balcony to take in the scenery on your regularly scheduled breaks. Enjoy the convenience of having the latest high-speed internet service in your home, allowing you faster access to information and efficient and timely communication.
We are currently accepting lot reservations on three of our rare, creek-facing lots that can accommodate our largest and most generous floor plan. Contact our sales office today to learn more about what this plan offers, and how soon you can get your new office up and running!
When buying a new home, there are many advantages that will save the you a substantial amount of money and aggravation now and in the future. The majority of homes currently on the market are previously owned, and they often come with time-consuming challenges such as repair, maintenance and remodeling. A new home may provide a more fulfilling, less stressful home-buying experience, offer personalization, and require less maintenance that can make a significant difference in your free time, energy bills and overall quality of life. There are many factors to consider as you choose what type of home is the right home for you. Below are some of the advantages of owning a new home.
Customization
When you choose to buy a new home, you can customize many of the home’s design elements to create a retreat that defines your lifestyle. Working with a new home builder gives you the opportunity to put your personalized touch on your home without the hassle or additional costs of installation. You can customize many details including cabinetry, flooring, countertops, and appliances, allowing you to design a space that fits your style, and is tailored to your preferences.
Modern Plans
Pre-owned homes can often be dark, uninviting, or have a chopped-up floorplan. In contrast, a new construction home is a bright and welcoming experience from the moment you walk in the front door. Often with a wide-open floor plan, many new homes boast tall ceilings that give a spaciousness you can’t always find in older homes. Their layouts are thoughtfully designed for the way people need and want to live, often with an open living concept, an eat-in kitchen with an oversized island for informal gatherings, and plenty of windows to illuminate the interior.
Low Maintenance
Built in accordance with the latest building codes and safety regulations, new construction homes are engineered to require less care and maintenance. This is a significant financial benefit, as you are likely to spend less money each month to maintain your home. Modern plumbing, appliances, heating and air also means you won’t have to pay for costly updates to meet safety standards. You will have less to worry about and fewer unexpected expenses after moving in and can spend more time enjoying your new home.
Energy Efficient
Building codes have grown progressively more stringent over the last few years, so new construction homes are built with the latest advances in construction materials and building practices. These energy-efficient technologies offer the benefit of reduced monthly utility bills. Homes are required to meet certain energy standards and requirements including insulated walls and ceilings, energy-efficient doors and windows, and appliances. These features help to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout every season
Home Warranties
The beauty of purchasing a home in a new development, is that the home and everything inside often comes with a builder’s warranty. Most developers will offer a fit and finish warranty that is good for a full year after the construction of the home, and most newer appliances come with a warranty of their own. This means you can buy with confidence knowing the builder will cover the cost of any issues during the warranty period, such as a leaky roof or broken furnace. A new construction home warranty gives you one less thing to worry about during the home-buying process.
Turnkey
New construction homes are a great option for home buyers who want to move right into a home that is “turnkey”. A turnkey home is essentially what it sounds like, a home where you can turn your key in the lock and move right in. While some homebuyers love the idea of renovating a property themselves, those with busy lifestyles, or who lack home improvement skills, may prefer a turnkey property that needs no work. These homes can also be a great opportunity to earn returns without much effort. With a new construction home, you can trust everything is updated, your plumbing will work, and you won’t have any foundation problems that need to be fixed before you can move into the home. Working with a builder will also let you see the home-building process from start to finish and saves the stress of house-hunting too. Overall, moving into a completed home is hassle-free, cost-effective, and less stressful, allowing you to focus on making your house a home.
If you have been in and around Truckee, you may already be familiar with the term “Truckee Love”. The company with the same name started selling clothing and accessories in order to promote supporting small, local businesses in and around the Town of Truckee. Their trendy logo is often displayed on people’s outfits or their stickers plastered on cars, helmets, snowboards, or shops. The term was meant for people to engage with the local community in a variety of ways, and it continues to bear an important meaning more so now than ever. It is a call to action of sorts for our residents to embrace the importance of reaching out a philanthropic hand to our neighbors, and to show our love by helping in anyway we can. It’s the perfect time to set an example of how all of the individuals of a small town can make a massive impact.
Here is a list of local groups that are working to make a big difference in supporting our community. Read on to also find ways that you can help step up and be your own local hero!
Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe – The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe is supplementing efforts by local school authorities and hunger relief agencies by offering dinner services to local families in need in Truckee, Incline Village, and Kings Beach. They are providing a fast “take-and-bake” style dinner that includes a protein, grain, veggie, fruit and milk. To sign up for meal delivery call (530) 582-3760 or email mcarbajal@bgcnlt.org
When:Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (4:00pm – 5:30pm)
Where:
Kings Beach: Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe – 8125 Steelhead Ave
Incline Village: Incline Elementary School – 915 Northwood Blvd
Truckee: Truckee Elementary School – 11911 Donner Pass Rd
Sierra Community House – Last year, four long-standing social service organizations: Family Resource Center of Truckee, North Tahoe Family Resource Center, Tahoe SAFE Alliance, and Project MANA, united to form Sierra Community House. Their goal is to better serve the region by connecting individuals and families with the services they need to thrive. Their Hunger Relief Program (formerly Project MANA) provides immediate relief to anyone who is experiencing hunger.
To sign-up for delivery, please e-mail food@sierracommunityhouse.org or call our message line at (775) 545-4083. Be sure to leave a message with your full name, address with city, phone number, and number of people in the household. Someone will get back to you. Check their website for weekly updates on hours and locations of deliveries: www.sierracommunityhouse.org or call their 24-hour Community Helpline at (800) 736-1060.
Volunteer: SCH is continually looking for assistance with a variety of programs they offer. Please contact their Volunteer Coordinator at (530) 587-2513 for more information and/or fill out our Volunteer Application found on their website: www.sierracommunityhouse.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Volunteer: There is a current mask-making effort being organized for the Sierra Community House (SCH). Masks will be given to the volunteers delivering food to the most vulnerable in our community, as well as to seniors served by SCH. Since these masks do not need to meet the same medical standards, you too can join in the effort by following this simple pattern here. The lead volunteer, Georgia Smith will be coordinating delivery to SCH. Contact her at: georgia.truckee@gmail.com.
Sierra Senior Services – This local non-profit has a Meals on Wheels service that will deliver lunch to local community members that are 60 years or older in the Truckee and North Lake Tahoe areas. To sign up for food delivery call (530) 550-7600 and leave a message, or email info@sierraseniors.org
Volunteer: Many of these recipients are isolated and could use a little connection with the rest of the community. Please consider writing a brief letter, card, or note to a senior, and Sierra Senior Services will deliver it when they drop off their meals.
Send letters to: Sierra Senior Services 10040 Estates Drive Truckee, CA 96161
Volunteer: To volunteer to drive and deliver meals, contact Carolyn at hdm@sierraseniors.org.
Sierra Relief Kitchen – Sierra Relief Kitchen is a collaborative effort between several favorite restaurants in the area. Owners of The Station in Truckee, and Auld Dubliner and Tremigo, in Squaw Valley, have come together and opened up their kitchens to prep food for wholesome meals for individuals and families in need within the North Tahoe area.
When: Thursdays and Saturdays (3:30pm – 5:00pm)
Where: The Station – 10130 W. River Street, Truckee, CA 96161
Donate: Your donation will help cover the cost of feeding those in need within the North Tahoe area. To donate directly to this program visit their Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sierra-relief-kitchen
Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) – TTUSD understands that many people count on them for daily meals through their schools. That is why they will be providing free meals for all children age 18 years and under during the closures of their school facilities. Meals are available for pickup only, and you can go to whichever location is most convenient – it does not have to be your child’s school. Pickup locations are at the front entrance of the following school sites. Lunch, as well as breakfast for the next day, will be provided to each child.
When: Monday – Friday (10:00am – 1:00pm)
Where:
Alder Creek Middle School – 10931 Alder Drive, Truckee, CA 96161 Glenshire Elementary School – 10990 Dorchester Drive, Truckee, CA 96161 Kings Beach Elementary School – 8125 Steelhead Avenue, Kings Beach, CA 96143 North Tahoe High School – 2945 Polaris Road, Tahoe City, CA 96145 North Tahoe School – 2945 Polaris Road, Tahoe City, CA 96145 Tahoe Lake Elementary at Rideout – 740 Timberland Lane, Tahoe City, CA 96145 Truckee Elementary School – 11725 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA 96161
For those with transportation limitations, they are providing a meal delivery service to specific neighborhoods. To request delivery please call (530) 582-2528 or email them at food@ttusd.org. All meals are delivered in marked TTUSD vans.
Truckee delivery locations: Village Green Mobile Home Park (9:00am – 9:10am) Sierra Village Apartments (9:20am – 9:30am) Henness Flats (10:15am -10:20am) Old Rec Center (10:25am -10:30am) Truckee Pines (11:00am -11:15am) Donner Creek Mobile Home Park (11:30am -11:45am)
Lakeside delivery locations: Tahoe Vista Mobile Home Park (9:00am – 9:15am) Tahoma Post Office (10:15am – 10:30am) Grove Street parking lot (Tahoe City) (11:00am -11:15am) 200 Chipmunk Street (Kings Beach) (12:15pm – 12:30pm). 265 Fox Street (Kings Beach Housing) (12:30pm – 12:40pm) 265 Bear Street (Sierra Community House) (12:45pm – 12:55pm)
The Emergency Respite Day Center – This is a volunteer-run shelter in downtown Truckee that provides guests a warm meal, shower, ability to do laundry, health “check in”, and access to counseling.
Where: Lower level of the Veterans Hall: 10214 High Street, Truckee
When: Open Tuesday – Saturday (10:00am – 2:00pm) through the month of April.
The Emergency Warming Center space will continue to stay open on weather-triggered nights and are working to create longer-term shelter options for our neighbors with no place to “shelter in”. Call (530)386-7954 to see if it is open.
Donate: Items Needed: unopened travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, hand cream, disinfectant wipes, Lysol spray, backpacks, and individually wrapped “grab & go” food items such as granola bars, cookies, beef jerky, and fruit cups. Leave all donations in the red donation bin out front of Church of the Mountains at 10079 Church Street, then text or call (775)690-7694 when they are there.
You can also send a tax-deductible financial donation to:
Church of the Mountains (UFA-EWC)
P.O.Box 1209
Truckee, CA 96160
Volunteer – Those interested in volunteering can contact the Emergency Warming Center coordinator to see if they need assistance at comumc@sbcglobal.net
Tahoe Forest Health System – This is Truckee’s one and only hospital that serves all of our community’s needs. The Health System is urgently optimizing mission-critical health care needs for their patients. They have established a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund that will help fund additional staff, equipment, and supplies – all needed to treat the evolving epidemic.
Tahoe-Truckee Community Foundation – The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), in conjunction with Give Back Tahoe, has done a tremendous job in collecting donations and raising funds for a variety of local, non-profit organizations. In 2019, they raised approximately $370K through donations from 920 generous donors, making a huge difference for North Tahoe-Truckee. They also gave away more than $12K in challenge grants to participating organizations.
The Tahoe-Truckee Emergency Respond Fund – will provide flexible resources to nonprofit organizations that are working within our community and are impacted by COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
In coordination with public authorities and healthcare experts leading the response to this health crisis, along with community organizations and funding partners, TTCF is responding to local needs by ensuring 100% of contributions to this fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations swiftly as needs arise.
Donate: Local philanthropy will help to address this community crisis. Donate to TTCF's Emergency Response Fund to help Tahoe-Truckee with immediate and long-term relief of the coronavirus crisis. Gifts of all sizes- big and small- make a huge difference! To donate visit https://ttcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1825
Here is a list of some of the local recipients empowered by donations from TTCF:
Achieve Tahoe
Arts For The Schools
Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe
Emergency Warming Center
Friends of Truckee Library
Gateway Mountain Center
Headwaters Science Institute
High Fives Non-Profit Fund
Humane Society – Truckee/Tahoe
Inner Rhythms Performing Arts
Lake Tahoe Dance Collective
Mountain Area Preservation Fund
North Tahoe Arts Incorporated
Sierra Community House
Sierra Senior Services
Sierra State Parks Foundation
Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships
Slow Food Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Food Hub
Tahoe Fund
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Tahoe Truckee School of Music
Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Wellness Centers
Truckee Donner Land Trust
Truckee Roundhouse
Truckee-Tahoe Swim Team
Truckee Trails Foundation
Mountain Area Preservation (MAP) – MAP is a grassroots non-profit organization advocating for open space and smart community planning. It recently created a COVID Community Support Fund through the generosity of a few MAP members who care about supporting our small businesses and community needs, such as our medical community. MAP has donated a $3,250 COVID Community Support grant to Coffeebar’s Frontlines Program this month.
Donate: If you'd like to support MAP's COVID Community Support grant, contact Alexis Ollar at Alexis@mapf.org or call (530) 582-6751.
Coffeebar’s Frontline Program – One of Truckee’s local stops for delicious coffee drinks and a unique, fresh menu. This ever-expanding, community-focused company is offering all the medical professionals working tirelessly in our crisis, complimentary coffee drinks and baked goods.
April will bring some additional glow to our skies this month with the Lyrid meteor shower. The shower spans between April 16th-25th, but the 22nd and 23rd will produce the most vivid show of the month. The peak of the shower pairs perfectly with the New Moon, which means the cosmic bursts won’t be competing with the moons light, giving us more chances to make wishes.
What are the Lyrids?
The Lyrids, which peak during late April, are one of the oldest known meteor showers you can see today. The first records of viewing them date as far back as 2,700 years. (The first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 BC by the Chinese.) Every year in late April, the Earth passes through the tail of the Comet Thatcher, causing a spectacular meteor shower. Comet Thatcher was discovered on April 5th, 1861 by A.E. Thatcher, an犀利士d it’s the pieces of space debris that originate from this comet that interact with our atmosphere to create the Lyrids.
The Lyrids are known for their fast and bright meteors, though not as luminous as the famous Perseids in August. In general, Lyrids can surprise watchers with as many 10-20 Lyrid meteors per hour during their peak, although outbursts as high as 100 per hour are possible.
Where Do Meteors Come From?
Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids. When comets come around the sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them. Every year the Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.
The Radiant
The point in the sky from which the Lyrids appear to come from, the radiant, is the constellation Lyra (also known as the harp). Lyrids appear to radiate out from the star Vega, the brightest start within this constellation. This constellation is also where we get the name for the shower: Lyrids.
Lyrids frequently leave glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through the Earth’s atmosphere that can be observable for a few seconds. It is best to view the Lyrids away from their radiant, as they will appear longer and more amazing from this perspective. If you do look directly at the radiant, you will find that the meteors will be short—this is an effect of perspective called “foreshortening”. Viewing Tips
The Lyrids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the dark hours (after the moon sets and before dawn). Find an area well away from city or street lights so that you do not have any interference from light sources. Dress warmly and come prepared with a sleeping bag or blanket and reclining lawn chair. Position yourself so that your feet are facing east and you are looking upwards taking in as much of the sky as possible. Once your eyes adjust to the darkness, you will begin to see meteors, but be patient. The show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to try and count as many as you can.
This fabulous cosmic lightshow is the perfect distraction from the Coronavirus, and is a great opportunity to get outside and practice social-distancing in a constructive way.
Indoor Easter Egg Hunt – Not everyone has the ability to host a hunt outdoors, especially if they do not have a yard or face poor weather conditions. Bring the fun into your home with an indoor egg hunt, rain or shine. Get creative on this room-to-room hunt by placing eggs or candy in unusually clever spots: in a glass in the cupboard, in shoes by the front door, tucked away between couch cushions, or in the pocket of a jacket in the hall closet. The possibilities are endless, and this makes for a challenging and longer-than-usual Easter egg hunt. For younger kids, consider narrowing down the search area to just a few rooms, and broadening it for older kids. You can even ramp up the “wow” factor on prizes for the older participants by including dollar bills or lotto tickets inside the eggs.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt – Who doesn’t love a good game of hide-and-seek? However, instead of the seeker searching for a person, the end result is an Easter basket filled with goodies. Simply stuff plastic eggs with consecutive clues that lead to the next egg until eventually the hunters find the biggest prize of all. This is a great way to get your kids to collaborate together to solve a mystery, and it makes for a fun and satisfying end to their hard work.
Virtual Tour Easter Egg Hunt – Arrange for a virtual Easter egg hunt in your neighborhood with friends, neighbors, and even local businesses. Participants can do a block by block hunt for “eggs” while keeping a safe physical distance.
• Use an app like Nextdoor to setup a special group of people and/or neighbors who would like to participate in the event. People can either add their specific address or set up a participating map identifying each property involved. Personal residences or even local businesses are invited to be a part of the action.
• Place these “eggcellent” pictures around the exterior of your home. Some ideal locations include windows, light poles, trees, mailboxes, or even in a flowerbed.
• Challenge your neighbors to find the most “eggs” in the neighborhood, and offer a small prize for the person who uploads the most photos. The gift could be something as small as a gift card or a basket filled with Easter-themed goodies.
• Not much of a budding artist? You can download these free printable designs to decorate in any way you choose, but the more colorful the better so as to be seen from the street. https://coloringfolder.com/easter-egg/
Pin the Tail on the Bunny – This holiday is the ideal excuse to play this crowd favorite, which is usually saved for birthday parties. Well considering spring is a time for rebirth, the timing makes perfect sense. This also is a great distraction for the kids while you recuperate from that epic egg hunt.
Easter Bingo Game – This is a fun Easter-themed spin on an old classic that is enjoyed by everyone young and old. Simply print out these free bingo game cards and hand out to each participant. You can use a variety of items to mark your spots, including Hershey’s kisses, jelly beans, and even coins. One person announces a specific object on the game board, and each player places a token to cover that square. Whoever gets five objects in a row yells out “BINGO” and is declared the winner. There are different types of Bingo games you can play including four corners, bulls eye, and blackout.
Easter Egg Toss –You don’t really need to be outdoors to enjoy this fun-filled, field-day game. It’s guaranteed to be a good time and could get really messy, but that is all part of the fun! The rules are pretty simple and straightforward too. First, you will need an equal number of players, as each team will be divided into pairs. All teams begin by standing an equal distance apart. One player on each team begins by tossing a raw egg to the other teammate. If the teammate catches the egg successfully, then they both take a step back and the game continues. If the egg is dropped, but not broken, the teammate may pick it up and throw it back (lucky for them). If the egg breaks on the ground or in someone’s hands, then the team is now out of the game. The game continues until there is only one team left without a broken egg. One important note: be sure 犀利士to wear some old clothes in case an egg breaks on you!
Crafts:
Dyeing Easter Eggs – Nothing says Easter quite like the tradition of dyeing eggs. Instead of doing the basic food coloring in vinegar routine, try pumping up your dyeing techniques with glitter, nail polish, tie dye, melted crayons, and even rubber cement. Your eggs are sure to visually stimulate appetites prior to getting devoured.
Easter Egg Music Shakers – Fill plastic egg containers with rice, beans, popcorn kernels or beads and tape up to create a nifty musical instrument for little ones. Experiment with different fillings to create a variety of sounds. https://www.pre-kpages.com/upcycled-plastic-egg-music-shakers/
Easter Slime Eggs – This is the perfect spring sensory play idea that does not involve candy. You can use this recipe as a quick holiday activity to keep kids busy, or even for use as a basket-filler. It is easy to make and offers hours of slimy, glittery fun for your little ones. https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/easter-slime-recipes/
Sugar Cookie Egg Decorating – Not enough eggs on hand? No problem. Homemade sugar cookies or even store bought dough will work sufficiently in this decorating craft. For some inspirational decorating tips, tricks, and holiday-themed styles follow this link: https://www.greatgrubdelicioustreats.com/easter-sugar-cookies/
Recipes:
Make the most of your home-bound Easter by creating an assortment of tantalizing dishes guaranteed to tempt even the most discerning taste buds. The selection of mouth-watering options are endless, but here are a few of our favorites found on Pinterest.
Everyone deserves a night off from daily duties in the kitchen. Go ahead, take a break, and treat yourself or your family while helping support local businesses the safe way. Below is the current operating list of some of the Truckee restaurants, breweries, and wineries that are ready to fill your bellies and your cup.
Alibi Ale Works/Truckee Public House – Offering appetizers, soups, and sandwiches. Growlers, canned beer, wine, cider and sodas, kombucha, teas and juices. Take out (12:00pm – 7:00pm) – Order online www.alibialeworks.com
Best Pies – Pizza, salads, sandwiches, entrees, beer, wine, and pre-mixed cocktail jars. To Go & Delivery (1:00pm – 8:00pm) (530) 582-1111 www.bestpiespizza.com
Cha Fine Teas of Truckee – Specializes in loose-leaf tea, spices and accessories. Order for pickup or curbside delivery. Will ship tea to your home (11:00am – 3:00pm) (530) 536-5043 www.chafineteas.com
COMO/ROCO – Spanish/Japanese cuisine including appetizers, entrees, sides, and family meals. Takeout (12:00pm – 8:00pm) (25% off all menu items, 50% off all beer and wine) – Order online www.rocotruckee.com
Cornerstone Bakery – Assortment of sweet pastries, cookies, and cakes. Call to order for pickup (8:00am – 4:00pm) (530) 563-5322
Cottonwood – Soup, salad, small and large plates, pasta specials, sides, and family portions. (Bottled wine and beer 40% off with takeout orders). Call ahead or order on-line for takeout (4:30pm – 7:30pm) (530) 587-5711 www.cottonwoodrestaurant.com
Drunken Monday Sushi – Japanese small plates, noodles, sushi, beer, wine, and sake to go. Order for pickup. Home delivery beginning March 18th (530) 582-9755 www.drunkenmonkeysushi.com
El Torro Bravo – Authentic Mexican cuisine including appetizers and specials. To go orders (11:30am – 9:30pm) (530) 587-3557 www.etbtruckee.com
Fifty Fifty Brewing Company – Brewery offering pub fare, make-at-home meals. Beer, wine, cocktails, spirits to go. Groceries for delivery too. Monday-Saturday (530) 587-2337 www.fiftyfiftybrewing.com
Flame of India – Traditional Indian curry dishes and tandoori. Takeout (11:00am – 10:00pm) (530) 563-5078 www.flameofindiatruckee.us
Full Belly Deli – Monday – Featuring breakfast, sandwiches, subs, and wraps. Monday-Friday, Curbside pickup and delivery (Truckee only)(7:00am – 3:00pm) (530) 550-9516
Glenshire Pizza Company – Appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta, burgers, desserts, wine and beer to go. Order online, curbside pickup and delivery, Wednesday-Sunday (530) 536-5100 www.glenshirepizza.com
JAX at the Trac犀利士ks – Milkshakes, burgers, and other American classics. Takeout. (8:00am – 8:00pm) (530) 550-7450 www.jaxtruckee.com
Marty’s Café – American breakfast and lunch plates with French twist. (25% off menu prices). Call to order pickup. (2:00pm – 6:00pm) (530) 550-8208 www.martyscafetruckee.com
Morgan’s Lobster Shack and Fish Market – Seafood, sandwiches, and salads. (25% off for locals) Takeout (11:00am – 8:00pm) (530) 582-5000 www.morganslobstershack.com
Old Town Tap – Italian fare, snacks, salads, pizzas. Takeout (12:00pm – 8:00pm) (530) 563-5233 www.oldtowntaptruckee.com
Siam Cuisine – Curries, noodles, and other Thai classics. Takeout (11:00am – 3:00pm, 4:30pm – 9:00pm) (530) 550-0503 www.siamthaicuisinetruckee.com
Smokey’s Kitchen – Breakfast and BBQ lunch, family/party packs, beer and wine to go. Takeout or curbside delivery (8:00am – 3:00pm) (530) 582-4535 www.smokeyskitchen.com
Squeeze In – Breakfast items including omelets, sides, and kids options. Order online for to go or curbside delivery (8:00am – 1:00pm) (530) 587-9814 www.squeezein.com
Sweets Homemade Candies – Chocolates, truffles, popcorn, brittles, fudge and more. Monday-Saturday open for orders for shipping, delivery, or curbside pickup (10:00am-2:00pm) (530) 587-6556 www.sweetshandmadecandies.com
Tahoe Food Hub – Place order for Harvest or Order box on Tuesday for Thursday pickup. (530) 562-7150 www.tahoefoodhub.org
Truckee Food Shop – Sandwiches, seasonal entrees, sides, and assorted desserts. Wednesday-Sunday (11:00am – 4:00pm) Call ahead for takeout, curbside and delivery options (Truckee only) (530) 214-8935 www.truckeefoodshop.com
The Pub at Donner Lake – Selection of pub faire, and beer and wine to go. Wednesday-Sunday (11:00am – 9:00pm) (530) 448-8550 www.thepubatdonnerlake.com
Trokay – Gourmet soups, mains, sides, and wine. Order for curbside pickup Friday-Tuesday (3:00pm – 7:00pm) (530) 582-1040 www.restauranttrokay.com
Truckee Tavern and Grill – Selection of appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, entrees, grilled items, and sides (25% off all menu items, 50% off all beer and wine) Takeout (12:00pm – 8:00pm) (530) 587-3766 www.truckeetavern.com
Village Pizzeria – Italian menu featuring appetizers, salads, piadines, pastas, pizzas and specialties. Takeout, curbside avail upon request (11:30am – 8:30pm)(530) 587-7171 www.villagepizzeria.com
Wild Cherries Coffee House and Bakery – Breakfast and lunch, featuring salads, sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, tea, and smoothies. Order for pickup, curbside or delivery (7:00am – 3:00pm) (530) 582-5602 www.wildcherriescoffeehouse.com
Zano’s Family Italian & Pizzeria – Italian fare including appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta, calzones, jerky, and entrees. Wine, liquor, and cocktails to go. Free toilet paper with large pizza order (12:00pm – 7:00pm) (530) 587-7411 www.zanos.net
Zuri Coffee Company and Bakery – Coffee, espresso drinks, tea, breakfast and lunch. Order online for pickup or curbside delivery (530) 536-5151 www.zuricoffee.com
LIBATIONS:
The Pour House – Selection of wines and cheese. Monday-Saturday, phone orders for pickup outside (12:00pm – 6:00pm) (530) 550-9664 www.thepourhousetruckee.com
Truckee River Winery – Selection of wines. Curbside pickup (downtown location) and delivery (6 bottles or more) (530) 587-4626 www.truckeeriverwinery.com
Uncorked Truckee – Selection of wines. Pickup and delivery (case or more) (530) 550-5200 www.uncorkedtahoe.com
If your vision for a new condo, townhouse, or single-family home includes an organized and clean neighborhood, odds are purchasing that new home will also include joining a homeowner’s association or an HOA.
Home ownership, of course, is one major marker of freedom in our country, which can make an HOA unattractive to some prospective buyers. There are fees to pay and rules to follow, so the likelihood of painting your front door highlighter pink diminishes in communities governed by an HOA. But outside of some simple guidelines, which are often in place to keep the entire community you live in maintained (not just the home you buy), joining an HOA can be a highly valuable investment.
What Exactly Is an HOA?
An HOA is simply a governing organization within a planned development community. They are typically run by residents, and as mentioned, membership can provide everything from security services to landscaping, or they simply enforce compliance for participating homeowners in the community to ensure homes are maintained to a certain standard. As a neighbor, most find this assurance appealing knowing their common areas are both secure and clean.
When buying in a new development community, you should view HOA membership as a part of your home purchase. To put it in the simplest terms, moving into a gated community or condominium community, homeowners purchase their individual unit while they have shared ownership in the surrounding community. HOA costs more or less cover those responsibilities, tasks, maintenance or amenities within the community.
HOAs and Elements at Coldstream; What’s Included?
In Truckee’s Elements at ColdStream community membership within the homeowner’s association includes a variety of covered tasks and maintenance items. Snow removal during the winter ensures roads, paths, and even your own personal driveway are clear and safe before, during, and after storms. (If you are new to the area, you’ll learn quickly just how valuable it is to have those duties taken off your own plate.) During the spring, summer, and fall months, the HOA is responsible for the landscaping of common areas and each homeowner’s lot outside of each patio area.
In addition to maintaining the common areas of the development, it should be noted that the Elements at ColdStream HOA takes care of some important items of all the residences. These include roofing, gutters, downspouts, fencing, and the painting, staining, repair, replacement and care for the exterior building surfaces. Many new homeowners do not realize that these items are responsibilities they need to address when facing homeownership. However, with our HOA membership these daunting tasks are handled for you.
Benefits of HOA Membership
In your near future, HOA memberships can help make the transition into a new home immeasurably easier. Many homes are purchased with a need for some hefty (and costly) TLC, requiring time and hard work before a house starts to feel like your home. With things like landscaping and pathway managed for you on the exterior of each unit, a new homeowner can focus solely on their individual projects and designing components within their home. You should also consider that some of these costs, like snow removal, for example, would otherwise either require your own time or your money to contract out the services.
The monthly cost of joining an HOA really is an investment that brings long-term value. While your individual property is maintained, surrounding properties are maintained to the same standards, preventing decline both in your own unit and in the rest of the neighborhood. Ask any homeowner and they will tell you that maintaining or even improving your property value is key to the longevity of your investment.
It’s 2020 so it’s a safe bet you’ve heard the term “smart home.” In theory, they sound like something George Jetson would escape to at the end of the day; sensors, security cameras, speakers, thermostats, lights, and even entertainment electronics all controlled from one central, voice activated hub in your home. Just saying it sounds futuristic and complicated but in practice, new homes can be made more convenient, comfortable, and most importantly more safe, when common appliances are automated.
The allure of it all can be strong. Imagine coming home, hands full with bags of groceries, and being greeted by voice activated lights. There’s no more endlessly searching for the lost television remote because you can simply command your television or speakers to turn on once you enter the room. And you can leave town for the weekend with peace of mind knowing you can always simply check security cameras from an app on your smartphone. This is just scratching the surface. If this all sounds enticing for your new, modern home, consider a few basics to enter the smart home world:
Thermostats
Winters get cold in Truckee. This isn’t exactly groundbreaking news. Nonetheless, we can agree this makes the thermostat one of the most important utilities in a Truckee home, maybe even the most important.
The advantage of smart home thermostats is that many can be programmed to learn appropriate temperature settings in your home. They can perform tasks like adjusting the heat at specific times you are likely to be home or turning it off altogether when you’re likely going to be gone for extended periods. They can also accommodate your favorite temperature settings in different rooms of your home, which in the long run can help you conserve energy and save money.
Security and Surveillance
Smart homes are most often associated with automating common daily tasks. While that may streamline and simplify much of your time spent at home, smart home appliances can (more importantly) make your home safer in may ways.
Things like smart door locks allow you to replace physical keys with special pins or even fingerprint ID technology. Indoor security cameras and outdoor security cameras can not only monitor the goings-on in and around your home, many can also be equipped with motion activated features that alert you to certain movements and activities — an obviously valuable tool when you’re gone for extended periods, carrying the ability to see live streaming footage on your phone. There are even smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which, in the spirit of all smart home devices, outperform their analog predecessors. The Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector, for example, can connect to other smart devices in your home as well as your phone and can distinguish between different types of fires.
Home Entertainment and Common Appliances
Everything from smart refrigerators to home vacuums, sprinkler controllers, blinds and shades, televisions, home speakers, lights, and more comes in a “smart” version for your home.
Lights, thermostats, and security features are the most common, basic smart home appliances and beyond that, how much you plan to transform yours into a smart home is entirely up to you. If adjusting lighting to your liking just by walking into a room simplifies your life then it’s worth considering. If having a sprinkler system that operates on an automated watering schedule saves you both time and money throughout the year, consider it a worthy investment.
Asking questions like these will actually help you decide how much to invest in your overall smart home build, with costs ranging from hundreds of dollars to several thousand depending on just how much you’d like to automate your home life. So this leads to the most fundamental way to start exploring your own smart home options:
There’s likely a way to automate that task with voice control and monitoring systems that connect through a central hub. While the upfront cost of some appliances (plus your central hub or smart home assistant) may add up, they will likely save you either time, effort, money, or all of the above.
So what will you do to make your home a “Smart Home” this year?
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