Sierra Community House: Uniting for a holistic approach to combat domestic, sexual violence

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Five years ago, the decision to merge four local core service organizations – Project MANA, North Tahoe Family Resource Center, Family Resource Center of Truckee, and Tahoe Safe Alliance – was unprecedented and initially met with skepticism. This strategic merger aimed to streamline and enhance service delivery by addressing overlapping services in the community, ultimately resulting in the Sierra Community House (SCH). 

It proved to be a successful endeavor, eliminating confusion, inefficiencies, and retraumatization that individuals faced while navigating multiple services before the merger. By consolidating resources under one roof, SCH made essential services easily accessible in a single location. 

Members of Sierra Community House’s Community Engagement team.
Provided / Sierra Community House

“For me, what is most special about Sierra Community House is the different ways in which we build and support the community and bring people together,” Paul Bancroft, Executive Director at SCH, said. 

With Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) approaching in April, it’s essential to recognize the local initiatives aimed at safeguarding victims of sexual and domestic abuse. SCH operates the only safe house in the area dedicated to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Their local 24-hour crisis hotline serves as a frontline resource for supporting victims in the community.

Survivors in mountain and rural communities encounter distinct challenges. A notable example is the absence of sexual assault nurses in North Tahoe or Truckee, which necessitates victims to travel to Reno for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, crucial for legal proceedings. 

“If there were sexual assault nurse examiners locally, then more people would go in for exams,” Bancroft said. “When people are assaulted and find out they have to go to Reno, they say, ‘forget it.'”

Last year, SCH made significant progress in providing essential services to the Truckee/Tahoe community. They offered emergency shelter to 90 community members for a total of 8,638 nights, assisted 265 individuals in accessing domestic and sexual violence services, provided 1,864 family support services to 714 community members, and facilitated 1,334 legal services for 433 individuals.

These efforts align with national statistics highlighting the prevalence and impact of domestic and sexual violence. For example, research by Chen et al. (2023) reveals that a majority of individuals who experienced contact sexual violence knew the perpetrator, with over 53% of women and more than 29% of men reporting such experiences. Additionally, James et al. (2016) found that 47% of transgender individuals have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by this community. Furthermore, Basile et al. (2022) highlight the disproportionate impact of sexual violence on certain demographics, such as non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women.

SCH offers a holistic approach to addressing sexual and domestic violence, including therapy, housing support, legal consultations, and proactive prevention efforts through partnerships with TTUSD for intimate partner violence education.

The prevention program operates in classrooms and student groups, focusing on teaching respect and consent and addressing unhealthy behaviors. The team’s commitment and goal are centered on breaking the cycle of violence, particularly by starting with youth. They conduct pre and post assessments, evaluations, and tests to gauge shifts in understanding and behavior over time. 

SCH offers transportation services and advocacy to support survivors. While law enforcement can provide transportation, it may not always align with the survivor’s preferences post-assault. SCH also assists survivors in connecting with rape crisis centers outside the area if they were assaulted while traveling here. 

Their legal program is extensive and entirely free. They have crisis advocates and crisis legal advocates who handle civil law matters and guide individuals through legal processes. In cases requiring representation in court, they partner with local law firms. SCH also provides assistance with landlord-tenant legal issues and is the sole provider of comprehensive immigration relief. Their immigration specialist can function as an immigration attorney when needed in cases of sexual and domestic violence.

Despite their significant impact, SCH faces challenges due to funding shortfalls, including anticipated cuts in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding. This funding shortfall is expected to have devastating impacts on numerous organizations, including SCH, which anticipates a $300,000 decrease in funding. 

While the exact dollar amount remains unknown, there are national projections of up to a 40% decrease in VOCA funding. Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence often seek help in situations of life-threatening violence. Because of this, it is imperative that they can access services during these critical times. Yet, the anticipated VOCA cuts not only jeopardize victim services but also place survivors at significant risk. Read more about the implications of cutting VOCA funding at https://nnedv.org/resources-library/impacts-of-fy24-victims-of-crime-act-voca-cuts/.

Efforts are underway to address this issue, with advocacy for a VOCA fix and legislative measures in California to trigger additional funding sources. However, community support is crucial in ensuring continued access to vital services.

“I have two young children I’m raising in Truckee and I look out into the world and it can feel hard to know what to do to make a difference. Being able to have a tangible impact that you can see on the faces of the community members–that is the most rewarding feeling,” Shannon Falker, Operations and Communications Director at SCH, said. 

You can support SCH’s cause by donating through the link: https://sierracommunityhouse.org/ways-to-give/. Additionally, they have upcoming Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) fundraiser events in collaboration with Alibi Aleworks, including Trivia Night on April 9 at 6 p.m. at their Truckee location and Bingo Night on April 30 at 7 p.m. at their Incline location.

Play Paramount+-themed games at Palisades starting Friday

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. – From the cosmic world of Knuckles to hangouts with SpongeBob and the Ninja Turtles, Paramount+ is taking its immersive brand experience on a snowy adventure this week to Tahoe.

On the heels of a successful debut tour, the streaming platform’s Mountain of Entertainment campaign lands at Palisades Tahoe from Friday 29 through Sunday 31 with The Lodge, a vibrant slope-side hub blending the ultimate ski lodge vibe with encounters themed around Paramount content.

While sipping on a sports-inspired cocktail, attendees can experience CBS Sports at The Paramount+ Pub, play hook and ring toss, or be part of a soccer kicking challenge in a Union of European Football Associations Champions League. The bar will showcase lockers with fan-favorite jerseys, cleats, balls, and team paraphernalia.
Paramount-CBS-Sports-at-The-Paramount-Pub

The Lodge will immerse fans in their favorite movies and shows. It’s a collaboration with Alterra Mountain Company. Alterra Mountain Company is a family of 17 iconic year-round resorts, the world’s largest heli-skiing operation, and Ikon Pass. It is the premier ski and snowboard season pass offering access to more than 50 destinations worldwide. For more information, please visit www.alterramtnco.com.

Activations will spotlight new titles including Knuckles, Halo, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Dora, Mean Girls (2024), and Bob Marley: One Love. It will also celebrate fan-favorite franchises Survivor, Spongebob Squarepants, and Star Trek: Discovery.

After doubling its winter tour stops in 2024, it went to Colorado, Vermont, and SXSW resorts in Austin. Palisades will be The Lodge’s final stop of the winter tour.

The one-of-a-kind experience combines Paramount+’s catalog of movies, shows, sports, news, and kids programming into an engaging playground of activations and photo opportunities.

The Lodge brings the Mountain of Entertainment campaign to life. Fans can immerse themselves in the iconic worlds and characters they stream on Paramount+ against a real mountain resort atmosphere.

Among the headlining attractions is the Knuckles activation, inviting guests into the cosmic animated world by bowling at the Neon Nightz alley while donning the character’s iconic white gloves. For Survivor superfans, a private confessional lets them share their thoughts and strategies like on the long-running reality hit.

The centerpiece is the stunning Paramount Presents theater experience, a lavish celebration of cinema that transports visitors to the glory days of the silver screen. The immersive setting features iconic props, film reels, and other cinematic treasures honoring Paramount’s century-long legacy as the mountain at the heart of the entertainment world.

On the sports side, CBS’s Fanatic Fizz Bar invites die-hard fans to explore the expansive streaming portfolio while sipping themed cocktails and perusing pro locker displays decked out with authentic team merchandise. Ski bums can suit up with their favorite cleats, jerseys, and balls.

Rounding out the Lodge is the Frosty Nick Zone. It’s a colorful, winterized fort filled with characters, activities, and surprises from Nickelodeon’s most beloved kids shows. Young adventurers can take selfies inside the life-size Krusty Krab boat from SpongeBob, chill with the Ninja Turtles at their lockers, get slimed in the portal hallway, or ride high in Dora’s gondola photo op soaring above snow-capped peaks.

The campaign engages consumers with Paramount+’s innovative and immersive activations.

Mountain of Entertainment has something for everyone with its iconic franchises. These characters span news, sports, and originals to movies and kids’ hits.

Attendees can sit in Star Trek: Discovery’s Captain’s Chair, bowl in Knuckles universe, or saddle up, compete and earn a Paramount+ marshal badge in a timed lasso roping game in Lawmen: Bass Reeves.

The remarkable return of Sandhill Cranes

As spring returns to Lake Tahoe, a story of resilience and resurgence is also unfolding. It’s the migration of the Sandhill Cranes – magnificent birds that once upon a time had all but vanished from the Tahoe region.  

“March is a big month for Sandhill Crane migration over and through the Tahoe Region, as thousands of nocturnally migrating cranes will pass overhead,” says TINS co-founder and executive director Will Richardson, “but more and more, these cranes are stopping to spend the summer here.”

Formerly a popular game bird, only an estimated 3-4 pairs were believed to nest in the entire state of California in 1944. In 1970, lawmakers in the state took decisive action granting Sandhill Cranes “fully protected” status. Six years later,  nests were documented in the Sierra Valley, but it was still many decades before they started to reach the Tahoe region. In 2015, a milestone was reached when a breeding pair with a colt was discovered at Teichert Ponds in Truckee. In 2018, a pair began nesting at Grass Lake near Luther Pass, the first documented breeders in the Lake Tahoe basin.

Sandhill Crane in the Sierra Valley
Courtesy of Will Richardson and TINs

“It’s thrilling that these birds have recovered to the point that an increasing number of pairs are breeding in our region, something they likely hadn’t done in over 150 years,” says Richardson, “but people need to be mindful that they are still highly susceptible to disturbance, and should be given plenty of space whenever a nest or a pair with a colt is found.”

The big winter of 2023 led to a major uptick in attempted nesting in Tahoe, with additional breeding either suspected or confirmed at Pope Marsh, Washoe Meadows State Park, and the Upper Truckee Marsh.  Unfortunately, not all of these nests were successful last year. 

“We believe that the Upper Truckee Marsh nest likely failed due to disturbance from recreational paddlers,” says Richardson, “despite the fact that the California Tahoe Conservancy posted clear signage for paddlers to stay away from the active nest.” Other nesting sites, such as those at Washoe Meadows State Park or the Teichert Ponds in Truckee may be subject to disturbance from people walking their dogs off leash. 

The resurgence of Sandhill Cranes in Tahoe is a testament to conservation efforts and the resilience of nature. Still, it’s imperative that the public remain vigilant stewards of these fragile habitats. As these birds reclaim their ancestral nesting grounds, please remember to afford them the space and respect they deserve.   

To learn more about the research and conservation efforts led by the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, visit their website at Tahoe Institute for Natural Science.

EAT This Week: The Burrito Window’s Chopped Salad

To try and decide each week where and what to eat in and around the basin can be a challenge – there are so many amazing choices. In this feature we’ll dive into dishes that will surely satisfy those hunger pangs and leave you wondering where to go next.

Chopped salads can vary widely as far as ingredients go. But, if you had to classify the main thread between them all, it might be the sheer number of ingredients. Typically a chopped salad gives you more than a handful of components, each doing their share of lifting to give you a layered experience. Most of the time you’re not going to get each item on your fork, which always make them a fun option when it comes to salads – case in point with this week’s feature.

The Burrito Window’s Chopped Salad.
Rob Galloway / Sierra Sun

The building blocks in The Burrito Window’s variation contain organic mixed greens, corn, jicama, tomato, mango, black beans, queso fresco cheese, and topped with a cilantro lime dressing. You have the option to add in a protein, but just give your fuel gage (a.k.a your belly) a tap to make sure you won’t be overfilling the tank as the portion size is more than enough on its own.

Immediately the words fresh and crisp hit the airwaves and there is a nice balance of sweetness from the mango that plays well off the earthiness from the black beans. The crunch from the jicama along with the sweet pops of corn dole out multiple layers of texture and when you get the salty hits from the queso fresco, whatever flavor you’re getting it with jumps up another notch.

Although it might be a no brainer to say the dressing is the thing that ties it all together – because that’s simply what dressings do – it does provide an elevation that is another level over ordinary dressings. Maybe it’s just because of the ingredients it’s hyping up and how well they play in the sandbox together, or maybe I was just extremely famished at the time of the tasting. It’s the former, for sure.

The Burrito Window is located at 8501 North Lake Tahoe Blvd in Kings Beach. For menu and hours of operation visit them online at dlish.com/burrito-window or reach them via phone at 530-553-1770.

Entertainment in Tahoe: Easter brunches; Silver Belt; Soy Sauce Nation Stir Fry

The Silver Belt 

Fifty athletes including top pros, wild cards and local legends will be invited to compete in a film-based competition, judged by the athletes themselves. Day one the athletes will be a freeride session utilizing all the amazing terrain in the Silver Belt Gully.

Days two and three introduce a new concept: ShapeShifter. The athletes will identify natural features, such as hips, cliffs and spines to be shoveled, shaped and shifted into a natural terrain park. Once the work is complete it’s show time once again. Cameras roll as the athletes take to the transformed playground, showcasing their skills in yet another breathtaking competition, with their peers serving as the ultimate arbiters of greatness. 

Get ready to witness history in the making as the Silver Belt pushes the progression of freeride. It’s not just a competition; it’s a celebration of innovation, skill, and progression that will inspire you to take to the mountain. 

The Silver Belt will be on Friday, March 29 starting at 9 a.m. through Sunday, March 31 until 5 p.m. at Sugar Bowl Resort. 

Easter Keg and Golden Egg Hunt

Sugar Bowl is hosting the annual Easter Keg & Golden Egg Hunt on, you guessed it, Easter! You could win a season pass or a free keg! For the adults-only challenge, find the Easter Keg stashed somewhere on the slopes (don’t worry, it’s empty!) and Sugar Bowl will trade you for a gift card, valid for a real keg. There will also be a family-friendly Golden Egg Hunt. Find it and win a FREE 2024/25 Unrestricted Season Pass!

The Easter Keg and Golden Egg Hunt will be on Sunday, March 31 starting at 9 a.m. at Sugar Bowl Resort. 

Grand Easter Brunch 

Join the Ritz Carlton for this special Easter Sunday to celebrate with friends and family. Enjoy Bottomless Mimosas. Keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny!

The Grand Easter Brunch will be on Sunday, March 31 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Ritz. $165 adults, $70 for children ages 13-18, $35 for children ages 3-12. 

Easter at Crosswinds 

Don’t have a church to go to this Easter? Come celebrate with Crosswinds. Come for a free pancake breakfast, photos with the Easter Bunny, and raffles for the whole family.  

Easter at Crosswinds will be on Sunday, March 31 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Crosswinds in Truckee. 

Easter Champagne Brunch Buffet and Egg Hunt 

Join Granlibakken on Easter Sunday for their annual Easter Brunch Buffet, including a visit from the Easter Bunny and egg hunts for the kids. The buffet menu features house-made breakfast favorites, brunch specialities, and desserts, plus coffee, teas, hot chocolate and juice. For adults 21+ enjoy free-flow mimosas for an additional $20.

The Easter buffet will be on Sunday, March 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Granlibakken Tahoe. Book a spot at https://www.granlibakken.com/local-events/easter-brunch 

Soy Sauce Nation Stir Fry

Be at Soy Sauce Nation’s Stir Fry at Woodward Tahoe for this AAPI-focused snowboard event that welcomes everyone, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, for a unique experience. Come ride a custom park built by Woodward, and savor food, prizes, art, and the gathering of Pros, Flows, Industry Heads, Friends, and Families. This event is a space to not only celebrate who we are, but recognizing where we come from and all the diversity of nationalities and backgrounds in the snowboarding community. 

The Soy Sauce Nation Stir Fry will run all day from Wednesday, Marcy 27 through Friday, March 29 at Woodward Tahoe Boreal Mountain Resort.

Nevada County approves $250,000 contract with Community Foundation

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors approved a three-year contract today with the new
Community Foundation of Nevada County to help with emergency preparedness and further other county priorities.
The foundation will receive $83,333 a year to:

  • administer the Nevada County Relief Fund, which assists residents following the
    declaration of a local emergency.
  • explore western county becoming a “Community Organization Active in Disaster” to
    better coordinate local disaster preparedness.
  • facilitate collaboration between the county and nonprofits.
  • coordinate with the County’s Economic Development Office on community initiatives
    that align with Board priorities.

The Community Foundation of Nevada County recently received its 501c3 nonprofit status. The foundation will provide a two-to-one match of $500,000 to the county funding. This will provide three years of operating support totaling $750,000 over the three years.

“The Community Foundation Board of Directors is excited to launch our formal partnership with the County,” said Cristine Kelly, interim chief executive officer. “Community foundations build bridges across sectors, work with local governments to help leverage public funding, and can expand the impact of philanthropy in areas such as climate resilience, disaster relief and community health,” said Cristine Kelly, the foundation’s interim chief executive officer. “We look forward to working together to build a more healthy and vibrant Nevada County.”

Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Heidi Hall said the foundation is a welcome development in the community. “I’m looking forward to partnering with them to achieve many of our community and Board goals,” she said.

“Seeing this resource countywide is exciting. Community foundations are important partners who can quickly respond to community needs during an emergency and help tackle big community topics like housing and environment,” added Board of Supervisors Chair Hardy Bullock.

County Executive Officer Alison Lehman said the benefits of a foundation go beyond providing financial resources to support community projects.

“It acts as a catalyst for sustainable development, a convener of diverse stakeholders, and a collaborator in solving complex community issues,” she said. “Nevada County views the foundation as a partner in fostering a resilient and vibrant rural community.

Truckee Town Council moves forward with findings from biomass, bioenergy study

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Truckee Town Council met on Tuesday, March 26, to discuss Wildephor Consulting’s Biomass/Bioenergy study involving the use of an Air Curtain Burner (ACB) to manage woody biomass. 

There remains significant concern among community members regarding the environmental impacts of this project. Several community members have expressed a desire for more detailed clarification regarding the project. Despite these concerns and requests for clarity, the Council ultimately made the decision to proceed with the Biomass project as outlined in the study.

For a summary of the Bioenergy Feasibility Study, please refer to the previous Sierra Sun article at https://www.sierrasun.com/news/wildephor-consulting-unveils-biomass-bioenergy-study-findings-to-truckee-fire-protection-district/

The Council received updates from Staff and the River Revitalization Steering Committee concerning the ongoing progress of the River Revitalization project. One of the key agenda items was the authorization for the Town Manager to execute a contract amendment with East River Public Relations, aimed at increasing the contract amount by $50,000 to reach a total of $90,000. This increase was intended to bolster project communications, outreach efforts, and the development of outreach collateral.

The meeting began with a brief reminder of the overarching purpose behind their efforts, highlighting the river as a focal point for the town’s development strategies over the years. Recent momentum in downtown development, particularly with the West River Park Project, has underscored the importance of incentivizing the revitalization of the river corridor. This effort aligns closely with the town’s General Plan update, which has integrated various policies, goals, and development standards specifically tailored to the river corridor’s land use and planning.

A significant step in the revitalization process outlined in the town’s draft FY 2023/24 workplan was the formation of a stakeholder advisory committee. This committee, currently comprising 18 members, serves as a platform for community input and engagement in the revitalization endeavors, focusing initially on aspects such as river health, access, community vitality, and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the area.

To facilitate broader community involvement, the Council announced upcoming opportunities for participation, including the invitation for interested parties to join action teams integral to the project’s implementation. The deadline for applications to these action teams was set for this Friday, March 29. Additionally, a community engagement window for feedback and review of project goals and themes was scheduled for April 15 through early May, with exact dates to be confirmed soon.

Further enhancing community engagement, the Council planned in-person workshops, including one at the river’s Northern Trailhead on April 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a second workshop conducted in Spanish, tentatively scheduled for late April or the first week of May.

The Council ultimately decided to approve the contract amendment, increasing the funding by $50,000 to support aspects of the project, including communication strategies, outreach initiatives, and the creation of outreach materials essential for effective community engagement and project progress.

The consent calendar was approved with the exception of item 6.6 regarding support for Assembly Bill 2234, which focuses on Electric Bicycle Safety Training. The recommended action was for the Council to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for this bill. However, there was a point of contention regarding the support for age limitations within the bill. The Council indicated that they support the bill if amended to remove the age limitation clause. However, Mayor Dave Polivy expressed a different stance and proposed pulling the action entirely, suggesting a reevaluation or alternative approach.

Council held a public hearing to discuss the 2024 Development Code Update, outlined in Ordinance 2024-04. The recommended action for the Council included conducting the hearing and introducing the ordinance to amend various sections of the Truckee Municipal Code related to Zoning District Regulations, Trailhead Parking, Retaining Walls, Downtown Parking, Home Occupations, Detached Living Areas, Food Trucks, Demolition Review, and Clean-Up Amendments.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Nevada County Poet Laureate Kirsten Casey recited a poem titled, “Objects in the Pockets of Women in History.” 

Truckee High’s Hope Squad students participated in a proclamation for Hope Week. This initiative holds particular importance as suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the US in 2021, with California ranking 45th in the nation for suicide deaths. In response, TTUSD established the Hope Squads in 2020, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. These students, nominated by their peers, planned and executed events during Hope Week from March 11-15 to promote a message of hope and support within the Truckee community.

Truckee was acknowledged for its unique cultural standing as the only cultural district in the High Sierra region and one of only four rural cultural districts in California. The month of April is officially recognized as Art, Culture, and Creativity Month, highlighting the town’s commitment to nurturing and celebrating artistic expression and cultural diversity.

Visitor enjoyment in Tahoe is notably above the national average, indicating a strong desire for Truckee to evolve into a world-class cultural and arts destination alongside its existing reputation as a recreational hub. The forthcoming plans include developing a countywide arts and culture master plan, fostering inclusive community engagement, creating a shared cultural vision, establishing a roadmap for community action, and launching a regional marketing campaign. This comprehensive approach emphasizes the belief that “Artwork is real work.” 

The next Town Council meeting will be on Tuesday, Apr. 9 at 5 p.m at Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road.

The Smells of a Tahoe Winter…and where to find them

Being in Lake Tahoe in the wintertime is magical, with being in the trees, untouched snow, and fresh lake water conjuring up memories of the quiet, natural environment that we all know and love. Therefore, it makes sense for Tahoe aficionados to try to come up with a smell that conjures up some of those feelings, trying to recreate the scents of fresh air, snow, sugar pines, ponderosas, and Lake Tahoe itself through candles and soaps. Or local herbalists use Sierra-foraged plants to make medicines that help bolster one’s immunity during flu season or fix muscles tired and sore from snow shoveling. Cardamom, cedar, peppermint, CBD, and elderberry may start making their way into your nasal periphery, allowing you to power through and stay healthy during a seemingly never-ending winter. These are the best smells of a Tahoe winter: 

“Not Coffee” from the Woods Apothecary

After the temperatures dropped and the first few days of autumn set in, Gina Woods of the Woods Apothecary packed up all her tinctures, loose leaf teas, skin care products, special formulas, and more and moved them over to her new location at 2264 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. Amid the moving process, I met Woods en route and she let me sniff some of her warmest winter concoctions. 

Cold and flu fighter syrups, digestive bitters, and even smoke relief respiratory teas are a part of her collection, but Woods carries a slew of natural medicines that could alleviate any physical or mental need. Woods is a doula and regularly holds events, workshops, botanical bodywork sessions and does private consultations, along with making herbal remedies that can be slathered on, dropped under the tongue, or consumed as a straight syrup or tea. “I place people with their plants, and I make lots of tea and medicines for the wintertime,” she says. 

Gina Woods with some elderberries grown in her yard.
Kayla Anderson / Tahoe Magazine

As the Beastie Boys plays in the background, Woods opens a bag of masala chai loose leaf tea and I take a big whiff. The loose leaves with notes of cardamom and ginger come through the strongest. “This is used to keep warm and keep that digestive fire going, and it’s good for the immune system,” Woods says. Next, I smell a fire cider, with a strong vinegar scent followed by chile pepper and honey. “It helps with sinus infections, stimulation, your viral system,” Woods explains.

I then stick my nose in a jar of “Not Coffee”, consisting of a brown powder made of ground up chicory, dandelion root, cacao, and functional mushrooms (Reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga). 

“There’s no caffeine in this, and it nourishes the liver and has adaptogens,” Woods says. It smells earthy, hearty, strangely energizing. For a hot drink that keeps you focused all day without the headaches or caffeine crash, “Not Coffee” hits the spot. 

We smell porcini mushrooms harvested from her backyard that Woods uses to make a soup broth (she grows and harvests many of her own herbs). I don’t know if it was the “Not Coffee” still lingering in my nose, but I thought that the mushrooms smelled sweet, rich, with almost a raw cacao scent to it. “I could see that…there is a lot of polysaccharides substance to it,” she says.

Woods sprays a rose mist in front of us, the heavenly scent used to restore balance, and a jar of nettle leaf then comes out, smelling like seaweed. 

At the grand opening of the new Woods Apothecary, Gina held elixir tea tastings and introduced her new botanical lab/kitchen which also acts as a basecamp for her Materia Medica homeopathy classes and outside forage workshops. The Woods Apothecary is a great place to go to keep you and your loved ones healthy and well and bask in the natural healing properties of Tahoe. 

www.woodsapothecary.org 

“Releaf Rollies” from Tahoe Petrichor

The name “petrichor” is a Tahoe smell in itself, defined in the dictionary as: “a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather” and the natural scent is what defines the company. Products like Bearly There tinctures, Botanical Balance spray, Mindful Mist, and Releaf Rollies/Boulder Balms are handmade therapeutic remedies to help ease any pain, perfect for the active outdoor enthusiast. Believing in “pure water, real food, and plant medicine” to treat one’s body with love and the brain with honor, Tahoe Petrichor uses locally sourced, sustainably harvested raw herbs to make its extracts and infused products. 

The Mindful Mist is a light floral spray that doubles as a face toner. It’s perfect to spritz on your body, your face, and in and around your yoga mat to soak in extra antioxidants, hydration, and botanicals expressed from ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, and locally distilled incense cedar oil. 

Tahoe Petrichor Releaf Rollies at Bespoke Truckee
Kayla Anderson / Tahoe Magazine

It’s a customer favorite, generating all five-star reviews, but the “Releaf Rollies” are the Tahoe Petrichor product most found in places like Gaia’licious Global Gifts in South Lake Tahoe and Bespoke Truckee. The lavender/sagebrush/rosemary one I inhaled smelled earthy and sweet, with a hint of a wintergreen Lifesaver to it. It’s made with locally harvested yarrow and distilled sagebrush oil, and the CBD helps relieve joint, nerve, and muscle discomfort. This roll-on balm is perfect to take hiking, and the best part is that Tahoe Petrichor also makes Rollies for your pup. 

https://www.tahoepetrichor.com

“Happy Heart Oxymel” from Sierra Roots Wellness

From nourishing whipped butters and spicy seaweed salt to bee pollen & wild nettle elixirs and loose leaf herbal respiratory steams, Sierra Roots Wellness medicines keep the body’s airways open and its digestive system functioning properly all winter long.

Bespoke Truckee carries certain Sierra Roots Wellness products including the Allergy & Sinus Buddy, Cardamom Ginger Tummy Tincture, Strawberry & Milky Oats Shrub, Wild Cherry Bark Syrup, and Happy Heart Oxymel. Made with apple cider vinegar and raw honey (the two ingredients that make an oxymel an oxymel) along with hibiscus flowers, cinnamon, ginger, rosebuds, and hawthorn berries, the Happy Heart Oxymel syrup sold in an 8-oz. bottle goes great when a tablespoon or two of it is combined with tea, bubbly water, or in certain nonalcoholic cocktails. It’s perfect to take on a backcountry ski day when you need to warm up. 

Sierra Roots Wellness medicines at Bespoke Truckee
Kayla Anderson / Tahoe Magazine

Made right here in the Sierra Nevada, Sierra Roots Wellness products can be found in Truckee at the Tahoe Food Hub, Namaste Holistic Healing and Yoga Center, and Bespoke. Owner Mary McCallum also hosts workshops and classes often at The Peace Offering in Truckee, teaching people how to make their own medicines or herbal holiday gifts. 

https://sierrarootswellness.com/

“Sierra Cement” Candle from Sierra Soapbox Candle Co. 

“Created out of cabin fever and inspired by the seasonal struggles faced by locals in a mountain town” as its website states, the Sierra Soapbox Candle Co. nails it when identifying and sharing scents of the everyday experiences of a Tahoe resident. Its “Locals Only” candle “smells like you can’t park there”, which is the culmination of santal, cardamom, and amber. The “Wood Stack” smells like juniper, swearing, soft pine needles, sap, and splinters…all dead on with the senses of when you’re trying to stock up your wood pile for winter or tromp through snow 30 feet away from your house to dig it out and bring it in. 

All its candles smell like Tahoe, but its “Parking Lot Apres-Ski”, “Chairlift Cheers” and “Sierra Cement” really take the cake when it comes to winter scents. The “Parking Lot” candle made of teakwood and leather mittens “smells like it’s legal in California” and the “Sierra Cement” smells like “I can’t shovel anymore”- which anyone who lived through the 2022/23 season in Tahoe can appreciate. The black cardamom, cinnamon, and cream Sierra Cement goes better in a candle than it does on the slopes. 

Sierra Soapbox Candle Co. candles
Kayla Anderson / Tahoe Magazine

Sierra Soapbox Candles are sold at Gaia’licious, Cuppa Tahoe, Champagne & Chocolates, and Holiday Market in South Lake Tahoe or The Potlatch in Incline Village. 

www.sierrasoapboxcandleco.com 

“Tahoe Blue” Soap from Lather & Fizz

In business for more than 20 years, walking into a Lather & Fizz store in Tahoe City or Palisades Tahoe is an aromachologist’s dream. Bath and shower soaps, hand creams, body butters, and more fill the air. Colorful displays and one-of-a-kind bath collections make this a sought-out place for souvenirs and holiday gifts. 

The P.S. I Love You soaps and Fresh Roses hydrating toner mist are romantic and relaxing scents, perfectly complementing a special occasion or at-home spa day. The After Workout collection with its green glycerin soap or Skin Souffle with lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary is a nice gift for men, adequately sluffing off the sweat and stink, leaving your loved ones smelling fresh and sparkling clean. The shower gel even has crushed walnuts for a gentle exfoliation. The Claytime Complexion Soap is also a great gift for teenagers. 

Lather & Fizz’s signature Tahoe Blue soap is likely the most popular- and most stolen/kept soap from the local hotels that have it- body cleansing product that it sells. The blue glycerin is as clear as the lake itself, yet smells of wild gardenias, tangerine, and wild berries fragrance oils. 

Most scents come in shower vapors, massage bars, and bath bombs as well, and Lather & Fizz sells a variety of bath and body products in gift sets to match any occasion. 

https://latherandfizz.com/

“Tahoe Sugar Pine” and “Ponderosa Pine” Candles by SnowxFlower@Etsy

Artist, illustrator, and South Lake Tahoe resident Christina Hale is a DIY’er who works at Gaia’licious part-time and came out with her own line of candles and bath bombs. The “Tahoe Sugar Pine” candle smells uncannily like the actual tree while the “Ponderosa Pine” is sweet and earthy, with hints of butterscotch, sage, and pine. 

SnowxFlower@Etsy candles by Christina Hale
Kayla Anderson / Tahoe Magazine

“I always put my nose in the bark of ponderosa trees and tried to figure out how to recreate it,” Hale smiles. Her candles are made in hand sanded jars with etchings of Lake Tahoe in them, filled with different scented soy and beeswax, and topped with fun little Tahoe-esque trinkets. The candle burns down into the Lake Tahoe etching, giving the room the candle is in an illuminating glow. 

Hale also sometimes makes bath bombs with coconut oil, sodium bicarbonate, and pure essential oils, either lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint. “Peppermint is my favorite, the smell of winter,” she says. 

https://www.gaialicious.com/

Nevada County Assessor urges businesses to file Business Property Statement to avoid penalty

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Assessor Rolf Kleinhans reminds business owners in Nevada County that there are less than five weeks to file your Business Property Statement with the Assessor’s Office. The Statement filing period is open from January 1 through April 1, with May 7, 2024, being the last day to file without a 10% penalty. Businesses can file their Business Property Statements (BOE 571-L) electronically, or by filling out a paper form.

Who Must File?

If the Assessor sends you a notice to file letter, the law requires that you either eFile your statement, or complete, sign and return a paper statement to the Assessor’s Office. Also, any business that owns Personal Property and/or Fixtures having a total combined cost of $100,000 or more is required to file a Business Property Statement even if the Assessor does not request that you file one.

Filing Electronically

Notice to file letters were mailed out in late January with the pertinent information required for electronic filing. One of the biggest advantages is that once a business enters the prior year acquisition cost information into the eFile system, the information will automatically be carried forward each year, saving the business time and resources. Another advantage is that the business will receive confirmation that their Business Property Statement has successfully been filed, giving the business owner peace of mind.

Filing and Mailing a Paper Statement

Businesses may choose to download a paper Business Property Statement through the e-filing web portal if you have received a notice to file letter. Please note that all information, including prior year costs, will have to be entered on the form every year. Paper forms must be filled out, signed, and postmarked or delivered to our office by the May 7 deadline, or they will be considered late and subject to a 10% penalty. Paper Business Property Statements can also be downloaded by visiting Cal Assessor eForms and then typing in “571-L” to download a fillable form.

Need More Help?

For additional information please visit our Business Property webpage. If you need us to re-send the notice to file letter or have any further questions, please email us at business.property@nevadacountyca.gov or call 530-265-1259.

Tributary Whitewater prepares for rafting season as Sierra Nevada forecast soars

LOTUS, Calif. – Tributary Whitewater is gearing up for a promising white water rafting season in California and Oregon after a strong winter, a crucial link between the mountains and rivers. The Sierra Nevada mountains will particularly provide a steady surge of runoff from April through July. This optimistic river flow forecast follows a recent winter storm that swept through the Tahoe region early March, significantly boosting precipitation and snowpack accumulation.

“We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming rafting season is shaping up to be one of the best yet,” said Tributary Whitewater’s Owner, Jeremiah Copper. “The recent storm has us excited to run trips on rivers that are not always guaranteed, including the North Fork American River, East Fork Carson River and North Yuba River.”

Traditionally October through April marks the wet season in California, with precipitation playing a pivotal role in determining river flows. The March storm set the stage for promising river conditions in the coming months.

“The recent boost in snowpack has us eager to get on the river,” said Copper. “Our season starts at the beginning of April and we can’t wait to share these highly sought after river trips, that rely on natural flows, with clients.”

The North Yuba River, located near Downieville CA, offers highly sought after Class IV trips which only run during high snow years. East Fork Carson River two-day rafting trips near South Lake Tahoe, also rely on natural flows from snowmelt, feature hot springs and Class II rapids perfect for young families ages 4+. Near Sacramento, North Fork American River rafting trips will also run this spring season and are highly sought after Class IV trips. Additionally the Owyhee River in Eastern Oregon features four-day rafting trips with hot springs, relies on natural river flows and has a strong spring season ahead. 

As excitement builds for the rafting season, the team at Tributary Whitewater remains committed to providing safe and memorable experiences for adventurers of all skill levels.

More information on the full list of white water rafting trips can be found on Tributary’s website at TributaryWhitewater.com.