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.

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/

Agenda review: Town Council, Nevada, Placer Supervisors, Olympic Valley PSD and more

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Truckee Town Council will meet on Tuesday, March 26 at 5 p.m. at 10183 Truckee Airport Road. 

View in person at 10183 Truckee Airport Road or remotely via http://ttctv.org/

Presentations

5.1 Recognition of Women’s History Month. Poem read by Nevada County Poet Laureate Kirsten Casey: “Objects in the Pockets of Women in History.”

5.2 Proclamation for Hope Week.

5.3 Proclamation for California Arts and Creativity Month.

5.4 Truckee Cultural District and Cultural Plan.

5.5 Town Manager Report.

Discussion Items

7.1 River Revitalization Steering Committee Update and Contract Amendment with East River Public Relations for River Revitalization Project Communication Support. Recommended Action: That Council receive an update from staff and the River Revitalization Steering Committee regarding the progress of the River Revitalization project and authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract amendment with East River Public Relations to increase the contract amount by $50,000 to a total of $90,000 to support project communications, outreach, and outreach collateral.

7.2 Bioenergy Feasibility Study. Recommended Action: That Council receive the Bioenergy Feasibility Study and direct staff to pursue opportunities to partner on a project that utilizes an Air Curtain Burner (ACB) to dispose of woody biomass.

7.3 Public Hearing to Consider 2024 Development Code Update; Ordinance 2024-04 (Zoning District Regulations, Trailhead Parking, Retaining Walls, Downtown Parking, Home Occupations, Detached Living Areas, Food Trucks, Demolition Review and Clean-Up Amendments). Recommended Action: That Council: (1) Conduct a public hearing and introduce Ordinance 2024-04 to amend the Truckee Municipal Code, Title 18 Development Code for Zoning District Regulations (Section 18.06.040), Trailhead Parking (Section 18.16.030, Table 2-10, and Chapter 18.220), Retaining Walls (Sections 18.30.070.C.3, 18.30.120.F.6 and 18.140.020), Downtown Parking, (Section 18.48.110), Home Occupations (Section 18.58.120), Detached Living Areas (Section 18.58.220.F), Food Trucks (Section 18.62.030), Demolition Review (Chapter 18.83) and Clean-Up Amendments; and (2) Determine the amendments to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

See the full agenda here

Olympic Valley Public Service District 

The Olympic Valley Public Service District Board of Directors will be meeting on Wednesday, March 26 at 8:30 a.m. at 305 Olympic Valley Road. 

F. Old and New Business. Members of the public may address the board on each agenda item, up to three minutes or longer based on direction from the Board President.

F-1 First Draft of FY 2024-2025 Budget and Rates.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment and approve mailing/posting of proposed rate structures in accordance with Proposition 218.

F-2 Fire Department Long-Term Modeling.

Information Only: Receive information on the status of the Fire Department, draft financial modeling, revenue generation measures, and the LAFCO process; accept public comment; and provide direction to staff.

F-3 Fire Department Annual Report.

Information Only: Review item and accept public comment.

F-4 Adopt Resolution 2024-03 Acknowledging Receipt of Annual Fire Inspection Services Required by the California Health & Safety Code.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment, and adopt Resolution 2024-03.

F-5 OVPSD/Olympic Valley Mutual Water Company (OVMWC) Emergency Intertie and Mutual Aid Agreement.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment, and adopt Resolution 2024-04 authorizing the Interim General Manager to execute the Emergency Intertie and Mutual Aid Agreement with OVMWC.

F-6 Award Contract – OVPSD/ OVMWC Water System Intertie Project.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment, approve contract with Longo, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $596,575, and authorize the General Manager to execute contractual documents. 

F-7 OVPSD-OVMWC Emergency Intertie Project – File California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment, and authorize staff to file a CEQA Notice of Exemption with Placer County by the adoption of Resolution 2024-05.

F-8 Award Contract – Well 3 Rehabilitation Project.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment, approve contract with Carson Pump, LLC in an amount not-to-exceed $38,600, and authorize the General Manager to execute contractual documents. 

F-9 Placer County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) – Special District Representative Election.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment and cast a ballot for the commissioner and alternate commissioner.

F-10 Residential Green Waste Dumpster Rental Rebate Program.

Proposed Action: Review item, accept public comment, and adopt Resolution 2024-06 authorizing the district to implement a rebate program for the rental of six-yard green-waste-only dumpsters from July 1, 2024, through June, 2025.

F-11 Fuels Management Program.

Information Only: Review item and accept public comment.

F-12 Records Retention Schedule Revision.

Proposed Action:  Review item, accept public comment, and adopt Resolution 2024-07 approving revisions to the records retention schedule.

See the full agenda here

Placer County Board of Supervisors

The Placer County Board of Supervisors will be meeting on Tuesday, March 26 at 9 a.m.

The meeting can be viewed in person at 175 Fulweiler Avenue, Auburn or remotely at https://www.placer.ca.gov/boslive

10:30 a.m.

3. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE AGENCY

2023 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Reports – All Supervisorial Districts

  1. Conduct a public hearing, receive comments and authorize staff to submit the 2023 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
  1. Determine the proposed action is not a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Sections 15378(a) and (b)(5).

Public Works

7C. Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facility Upgrades Project | Award Construction Contract to TNT Industrial Contractors, Inc.

  1. Approve the award of competitive Bid No. 20481 to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, TNT Industrial Contractors, Inc., of Sacramento, California, for the construction of the Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Facility Upgrades Project in the amount of $663,400 and authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to execute the contract, subject to County Counsel and Risk Management concurrence.
  2. Authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to execute change orders up to $45,670 consistent with Public Contract Code Section 20142 and the Placer County Procurement Policy Manual.
  3. Determine the proposed actions are exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b).

See the full agenda here.

Nevada County Supervisors

The Nevada County Supervisors will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, March 26 starting at 9 a.m.

The meeting can be viewed in person at 950 Maidu Avenue or remotely at www.nevadacountyca.gov/boardmeetings and www.YouTube.com/c/CountyofNevadaCA.

Consent

14. Resolution rescinding the Regional Surface Transportation Program fiscal year 2023/24 unused allocations in the amount of $14,774.50 for the Donner Pass Road Improvement Project and reallocating those funds to General Maintenance (Res. 23-155). (All dist.)

17. Resolution approving the contract between the County of Nevada and Litter Works for litter abatement services in parts of unincorporated East County, in the total amount of $14,750 for the period of April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, and authorizing Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the contract.

See the full agenda here

North Tahoe Public Utility District Special Meeting

North Tahoe Public Utility District will be holding a meeting on Wednesday March  26 at 11 a.m. The meeting can be viewed in person at 8318 North Lake Boulevard, Kings Beach or remotely via  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89708752874

General business 

1. North Tahoe Event Center Status Update and Strategic Review
2. Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Strategic Focus and Draft Budget Parameters Discussion
3. Approve General Liability, Property, and Cyber Insurance Program for 2024/2025 (effective April 1, 2024)

See the full agenda here

Truckee Tahoe Airport District

The Truckee Tahoe Airport District is meeting Wednesday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting can be viewed in person at ​​10356 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA 96161, and via live web streaming: http://ttctv.org/live‐meeting/truckee‐tahoe‐airport/.

Action Items

8. LAFCO Selection of Special District Representative and Alternate 

9. Board of Directors Insurance Revision

Discussion Items

10. Community Benefit – Wildfire Mitigation – Agency Partnership

11. Board Committee Assignments and Ad Hoc Committee Reports

  1. Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Joint Powers Authority Update
  2. Town of Truckee River Revitalization Steering Committee
  3. Climate Transformation Alliance Report
  4. ACT Attendance by Board of Director

See the full agenda here.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Advisory Planning Commission is meeting at Wednesday, March 27, at 10:45 a.m., on Zoom and at Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.

Public Hearings

Possible findings and direction regarding Regional Plan Goals and Policies (DP-5) that guide adaptive management towards Transportation and Sustainable Communities Threshold Standard 1 (TSC1), including possible direction to amend the revenue milestone

See the full agenda here

Tahoe Donner Association

The Tahoe Donner Association will be meeting on Friday, March 29 at 9 a.m. The meeting can be viewed in person at 11509 Northwoods Blvd, Truckee or remotely via https://tahoedonner.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qYIvV4FISo-1XFyFu0G-rg#/registration

9:30 a.m. – Town of Truckee Special Service Area – 1 (TSSA-1) The Town of Truckee engineering staff will present information on the Truckee Special Service Area (TSSA) -1 Funds and planned 2024/2025 capital improvement projects. The Board of Directors will consider providing guidance to TDA staff to communicate board feedback to the Town Council on the use of the TSSA-1 funds by the Town of Truckee on capital improvement projects benefiting Tahoe Donner residents for transportation, trails, and emergency access and egress. 

10:15 a.m. 2023 Annual Audit Report – The Board of Directors will be presented with the Tahoe Donner Association 2023 Audit Report from McClintock Accountancy, Inc. for their review and consideration for acceptance.

11:00 a.m. 2023 Member Survey Additional Analysis – The Board of Directors will review and discuss additional analysis on the 2023 Member Survey focused on member value and amenity access. Following discussion, the Board of Directors may request staff follow-up or provide direction on the findings. Continued after lunch break at 12:45 p.m.

1:30 p.m. Management Update – The Board of Directors will receive an update from the General Manager, and may provide direction to the General Manager for future Board consideration, on the following:

A. 2024 Operating Budget Cost Recovery Plan

B. Downhill Ski Lodge Replacement Project Status

See the full agenda here

North Tahoe business groups unite with shared roadmap

TAHOE CITY, Calif. – Three leading organizations in North Lake Tahoe have joined forces with a comprehensive “Alignment Roadmap” to boost efficiency, collaborate, and support the local business community.

The Tahoe City Downtown Association, North Tahoe Chamber, and North Tahoe Business Association officially unveiled the strategic plan in January after an eight-month development process, said Alyssa Reilly, executive director of the North Tahoe Business Association.

It is a work in progress.

“It was great! It was very well received by our community, and our businesses here,” Reilly said. “It’s really coming together and bringing all of our communities together across the board.”

When the plan was unveiled in Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Truckee, Carnelian Bay, and other lakeside communities, there was a quick presentation followed by community feedback.

“We are on the pulse of what the community needs …,” Reilly said. “We were spot on.”

The roadmap outlines shared priorities across four core focus areas: business services, community vitality, economic development, and advocacy.

The goal is to work together to create a thriving North Shore business environment. By aligning efforts, the Tahoe City Downtown Association, North Tahoe Chamber, and North Tahoe Business Association can provide streamlined operations, and unified messaging, and maximize our impact.

A key objective is simplifying membership by offering a single structure across the three groups, providing a clearer value proposition for North Tahoe’s over 400 businesses spanning Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Truckee, Carnelian Bay, and other lakeside communities.

The roadmap identifies specific priorities for the first year of implementation, including launching a regional business advisory committee, creating data resources for decision-making, supporting shop local programs, and producing year-round community events.

On the economic development front, the partners plan to identify opportunities for revitalizing town centers, promoting a more walkable environment, and recruiting new businesses to the region. Advocacy efforts will establish a unified voice on regional, state, and federal issues.

The roadmap represents a new era of strategic partnership. It allows the organizations to work in lockstep to drive progress on vitality, and growth, and make North Tahoe a better place to operate a business.

The collaborative plan acknowledges potential challenges but expresses an overarching commitment to supporting the area’s business community through coordinated action. Regular coordination meetings and shared communication channels are planned to track roadmap implementation.

United, the Tahoe City Downtown Association, North Tahoe Chamber, and North Tahoe Business Association are stronger advocates for a sustainable, year-round economy in North Tahoe, Reilly said. The roadmap provides a guide for realizing the vibrant, welcoming vision for the region.

Funding for the strategic initiatives will be sourced primarily through tourism taxes and fees assessed on lodging and visitor activities.

Year one priorities include:

  • Provide virtual resources like the member-plus app and create a support network offering human resources, legal, employee retention, labor law updates, and marketing resources.
  • Generate data resources (business surveys, lodging barometer, labor market data, symphony) for decision-making.
  • Launch the North Tahoe Business and Chamber Advisory Committee.
  • Implement a shop local program
  • Produce year-round events in each district including mixers and events to unify the community.
  • Promote events and activities being produced and implemented by associations
  • Identify the right partner(s)/contractor to complete the study identifying opportunities in each town center, the gaps, and a regional economic strategy to support efforts toward supporting each district to be more walkable, vibrant downtown cores.
  • Put together a strategy to execute the study.
  • Leverage the opportunities of the California Jobs First (CERF) funds as part of the workforce development efforts.
  • Complete parking management plan in King Beach (phases 1, 2)
  • Create a Regional Advocacy Priority Plan/List that includes specific priority projects/actions from each district/association and outlines goals and roles.
  • Work together to build support for a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) renewal.

Empowering farms, enriching communities: Inside the force of Tahoe Food Hub

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Tucked away in the Truckee/Tahoe area lies a transformative force in the local food scene: the Tahoe Food Hub. This initiative isn’t just about providing fresh produce; it’s a comprehensive endeavor that promotes regenerative farming practices, fosters fair market opportunities for family farms, and strives to enhance access to locally sourced food.

At the helm of this movement are dedicated individuals like Daniel Barstein, Chairman of the Board at Tahoe Food Hub, who envisions a future where farming is sustainable, profitable, and beneficial for both producers and consumers alike.

The Tahoe Food Hub’s mission is clear: to build an equitable marketplace rooted in values that ensure fair prices for farmers and equal access to quality food for consumers. This starts with rigorous production standards that farmers must meet, emphasizing regenerative agricultural methods, responsible husbandry, pasture-finished practices, and sourcing local ingredients for specialty products. 

Regenerative farming practices, such as increasing biodiversity, species rotation, and allowing animals to graze in produce fields, naturally sequesters carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This process also enhances soil resilience, improves farm profitability, and benefits ecosystem services.

“We really feel like agriculture is one of the best ways to mitigate the effects of climate change,” Maddie Rohner, Program and Communications Manager at Tahoe Food Hub, said.   

By adhering to these standards, the Food Hub not only supports environmentally conscious farming but also strengthens the local economy by providing farmers with fair compensation.

“We serve that middleman role of partnering small farms with school districts. We give farmers a fair market opportunity by buying produce at a price that allows them to sustain their farm,” Barstein said. “Any fundraising for Tahoe Food Hub goes back into our farming community.” 

One of the key initiatives driving the Tahoe Food Hub’s impact is its Harvest to Order program, an online farmers market that connects consumers with a bounty of sustainably grown fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, eggs, and pantry staples sourced within a 100-mile radius. This not only ensures freshness but also creates market opportunities for family farms while reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation. Shop online at https://tahoefoodhub.localfoodmarketplace.com/Index 

However, the Food Hub’s commitment to community welfare extends beyond commercial transactions. Through their Giving Box program, they guarantee access to fresh, local produce for all, with a focus on supporting those facing food insecurity. These boxes, containing a variety of fruits and vegetables, are delivered weekly to families in need. Donate at https://www.tahoefoodhub.org/donate-1 

The Food Hub actively supports nutrition assistance efforts by partnering with organizations like the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s Food Pantry Program, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and Calvary Chapel. 

Additionally, the Tahoe Food Hub extends far beyond its online platform and community partnerships with a physical space. The Farmacy, their brick-and-mortar shop located at 12116 Chandelle Way, Unit D1, in Truckee, CA., is a testament to their belief that “food is medicine.” Here, customers can find fresh produce, grocery staples, and specialty products, all sourced from local farms and makers. 

With an annual investment of $1.2 million supporting 50 local farms and initiatives like the Giving Box program distributing 18,000 boxes since 2020, the Food Hub’s impact is tangible and far-reaching. By choosing to support this endeavor, individuals not only contribute to a healthier environment but also empower local farmers and ensure that everyone in the Truckee/Tahoe community has access to nutritious food.

EAT This Week: Shadyside Lounge’s Chicken Tinga Taco

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.

I. Love. Tacos. I’m even working on an article for our upcoming edition of Tahoe Magazine that highlights 24 tacos to taste around the region. 24! So needless to say, I’m up to date on my taco tutelage, and as part of that search, I came across this week’s feature – and was also able to check out Shadyside for the first time. Both the experience and the taco left a great first impression.

Shadyside Lounge’s Chicken Tinga Taco.
Rob Galloway / Sierra Sun

When it comes to chicken tinga, nothing about it is quick and easy. The chicken gets slow simmered in a bath of ingredients like charred tomatoes, orange, chipotle, and traditional Mexican spices. That concoction gets placed on a local six-inch flour tortilla and topped with their spicy pickled red onions, queso fresco cheese, avocado crema, and cilantro.

The key to any type of chicken taco is not to let that chicken dry out. No need to worry about that here. The chicken is insanely moist and beaming with deep and rich flavors. And maybe it’s all the time it spends in the pot, but there really is a home-y feel to this dish – like it just came from your grandmother’s kitchen.

The pickled onions add a crunchy texture component and a bright tartness that balances well with the creaminess from the crema and the saltiness of the queso fresco. You can definitely feel the impact from the chipotle as the smokiness dances around with the spices to create a flavor bomb that detonates on your taste buds. Everything about each of the components coming together feels like they’ve been hanging out as friends for the past 50 years.

If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of this dish (as well as the other taco I tried) – but you’ll have to read about that one in the summer magazine. All good things to those who wait. Or just go down now and try all the flavors for yourself. You can thank me later.

Shadyside Lounge is located at 1770 W Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City. For more information visit them online at tahoeshadyside.com or reach them by phone at 530-584-2985.

Driven by service: The legacy of Auto and Tire Doctor’s commitment to community

TRUCKEE, Calif. – At The Auto and Tire Doctor, exceeding expectations is not just a motto—it’s a way of life. “Our thing is going above and beyond. Our staff is full of people who will do anything to help out,” Allen Amunson, new owner of Auto and Tire Doctor, said.

The roots of this business run deep, spanning many decades of service to the local community. This year marked a significant milestone as the original owner, John Lamoreux, passed the torch to a familiar face—Allen, a long-time employee, and his wife, Megan. 

Amunson started at the bottom, working as a lube technician, cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors, and, after proving his dedication and passion for cars, steadily climbed the ranks to become the general manager and now proud owner of the establishment.

Allen Amunson standing in front of his new shop, Auto and Tire Doctor.
Provided / Megan Amunson

“Allen’s a giver, an amazing boss, and loves to give back to the community,” Daniel Knapik, Head Service Advisor at Auto and Tire Doctor, said.

Having dedicated ten years of his life to this business, Amunson’s love for cars and commitment to customer service are evident in every aspect of his work. 

“This is something John started 40 years ago from the ground up. It is priceless. You can’t sell your baby to someone you don’t trust,” Amunson said. “We focus on genuine connection and service at Auto Doctor and really want that to continue. We want to bring customer attentiveness into our family.” 

Allen and Megan share a common vision—to build not just a business but a community. “Our main goal is to help somebody else. A lot of people depend on us when they are in a bind,” Allen said. 

Their commitment to giving back extends beyond the confines of their shop. From participating in Auto and Tire Doctor’s annual car giveaway to dressing up as Santa Claus, they are actively involved in uplifting the community they cherish.

“If we hit the lottery, I would still be here tomorrow. It’s not work for me,” Amunson said. 

As they continue their legacy of service and compassion, The Auto and Tire Doctor isn’t just fixing cars—they are forging bonds that epitomize the small town feel.

EAT This Week: Sage Leaf’s Braised Bacon Tacos

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.

Anytime you have bacon in a dish, my ears perk up. Anytime there’s a mention of tacos, I am at full attention. So you can imagine what it’s like when you have a combination of the two like in this week’s feature. And yes, it’s every bit as scrumptious as the name might sound.

Starting with the outside and working our way in, flour tortillas are grilled to give them a nice smoky flavor and flaky texture. They are loaded with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar cheese, black beans, shaved purple cabbage, pickled onions, and the star of the show: thick cut bacon, which was slow braised in a bath of water and garlic for about four hours before getting a final griddle on the flat top. They are garnished with fresh cilantro and served with their scratch made salsa verde (roasted tomatillos, onion, garlic, jalapenos, lime juice, and cilantro).

Right off the bat, the aroma of bacon fills the air before the plate is even set down. You could put me in a hyperbaric chamber full of just this smell and I would probably pay money for it. I’d come out wanting bacon, of course, but it legit makes the jowls start foaming.

The beans yield an earthiness that plays off the bacon incredibly well. The salsa brightens up the entire dish and there are great pops of acid with the pickled onions. There’s a soft creaminess from the eggs, and to balance out that texture, the cabbage comes in with a pronounced crunch. Safe to say there are no wasted ingredients here. Everything does it part to bring you the complete essence of bacon and everything you want in a breakfast taco.

You get two tacos per order so if you find yourself staring at only one before you know it (I know this from experience), slow down and savor all the flavors that are dancing around this dish. You’ll be happy you did.

Sage Leaf is located at 893 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 600 in Incline Village. For menu, hours of operation and more information visit them on the web at sageleaftahoe.com or reach them by phone at 775-413-5005.

Truckee Town Council moves forward with Village at Gray’s Crossing Car Wash

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Truckee Town Council met on Tuesday, March 12, to address the appeal regarding the Village at Gray’s Crossing Car Wash. Despite acknowledging the concerns of community members, they determined that the car wash aligns with the approved plan. Therefore, adhering to the Staff’s recommendation, they voted to deny the appeal and proceed accordingly.

The project site for the car wash, situated at the southern end of Gray’s Crossing, features a 3,883 square foot car wash with a 100-foot car wash tunnel capable of servicing up to five cars simultaneously, with a throughput of 45 cars per hour. It includes 13 parking stalls and nine vacuum stations. Noise impact emerged as a concern, with proposed measures such as polycarbonate doors aimed at reducing noise levels by 14 dB. Despite environmental reviews indicating compliance with noise ordinances and acceptable traffic levels, 30 opposing comments were received prior to the meeting, citing concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety, hydrology, water quality, and noise.

The appellant contested the project’s conformity with the Gray’s Crossing Specific Plan, arguing that the addition of a car wash contradicted the plan’s original purpose of supporting recreational uses and residential. They questioned the necessity for another car wash in town and expressed dismay over the project’s size increase without the inclusion of a community-serving gas station. The appellant urged the Council to conduct an environmental review to address and mitigate adverse impacts before proceeding with the project.

In response, the applicant defended the project’s compliance with the specific plan, asserting that gas stations and car washes were permitted uses either together or independently. They emphasized the community benefits of the car wash, including its low water usage and modern stormwater management features.

During the public comment section, community members expressed frustration and distrust, fearing adverse impacts on the environment and equity issues if the project were approved.

Ultimately, the Council, while empathizing with community concerns, decided to proceed with the Staff’s recommendation due to the project’s technical alignment with the allowable land use in the plan. Additionally, they stipulated that the car wash would close earlier during summer months to mitigate noise pollution.

Also during the meeting, the Dark Skies Spring Awareness Campaign and Lighting Rebate Program were discussed. Recognizing the environmental, health, and energy efficiency benefits of dark skies, the Council acknowledged the significance of implementing measures to preserve them. The proposed Dark Sky Rebate Program for Residential and Commercial Exterior Lighting, with a total allotment of $50,000 from the Town, is scheduled to launch from April to the end of the year.

Under this program, residential rebates will be set at $75 per fixture, with a maximum allowance of four fixtures per building, while commercial rebates will be $50 per fixture, with a maximum allowance of 50 fixtures per building. Council opted to increase the fixture allowance for residential units to eight fixtures.

Following deliberation, the Council ultimately approved the Dark Skies Lighting Rebate Program, recognizing its potential to promote dark sky preservation and enhance sustainability efforts within the community.

And lastly, during the month of March, the Town of Truckee acknowledges the compassion of its residents and commemorates the accomplishments of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross, who has served as a beacon of hope for neighbors in need. The Red Cross’s mission is to alleviate human suffering during emergencies, and they have demonstrated this commitment through recent responses to various crises, including the Oroville Dam operation, apartment flooding near Donner Lake, an avalanche in Olympic Valley, and the installation of life-saving fire alarms for seniors in the Brockway area.

The next Town Council meeting will be on Tuesday, March 26 at 5 p.m at Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road.

Vail Resorts lowers earnings expectations beyond already low guidance

Vail Resorts, in a call to investors on Monday, lowered its guidance beyond what it had issued in January, citing weather concerns at its North American ski resorts.

In January, the company told investors it expects earnings for fiscal 2024 to be “in the lower half of the guidance” it had issued in September. On Monday, CEO Kirsten Lynch said that due to the season-to-date underperformance, the company is lowering its guidance for fiscal 2024 and now expects net income attributable to Vail Resorts to be between $270 million and $325 million, and resort reported EBITDA for fiscal 2024 to be between $849 million and $885 million.

“While we are lowering guidance for the fiscal year, we know that the financial impact of the weather disruptions was greatly mitigated by our advance commitment products, which create stability for our company, our shareholders, and our communities in exchange for an incredible value to the guest,” Lynch said.

The news did not come as a surprise to investment banks, which had already begun downgrading ratings and lowering price targets on the stock before Monday’s remarks.

Bank of America, on Friday, downgraded its Vail Resorts stock rating from buy to neutral and set a price target of $250, down from $285, saying the company’s earnings goals could get more challenging in the future.

Morgan Stanley, on Thursday, gave the company an equal weight rating and kept its price target nearly the same, going from $247 to $248.

Truist Securities maintained a buy rating in a note issued Monday but lowered its price target to $265 from $290, pointing out that Vail Resorts has cited disappointing weather in numerous forecasts in recent years.

“Following several consecutive years of weather-driven disappointments, we are going to begin 2025 financial expectations with a more conservative overall stance/base case,” wrote analyst Patrick Scholes, who covers Vail Resorts stock.

Scholes, during the question-and-answer portion of Monday’s call to investors, asked if the disappointing performance was coming from out-of-town visitors, in-state guests, or both.

“Both segments were impacted due to the snow conditions,” Lynch said. “Across the board, we saw impacts.”

Lynch said all of the company’s North American resorts saw challenging snow conditions through January, saying this year saw 42% lower snowfall across the Western North American resorts compared to the same period in the prior year.

But during the prior year, Vail Resorts also cited weather for lowered earnings expectations. This came even though many areas of the country saw record snowfall during 2022-23, contributing to record visitation for ski resorts in North America.

In a similar call one year ago, in which the company also reduced its guidance, Chief Financial Officer Angela Korch said season-to-date results at the company’s eastern U.S. resorts were negatively impacted by periods of both unseasonably warm and extremely cold weather, which disrupted operating days.

In January 2023, while explaining to investors why season-to-date destination guest visitation at western U.S. resorts was below expectations, the company cited extreme weather that had caused resort closures and airline disruptions.

The volatility caused by unpredictable weather did result in a bright spot in the company’s projections issued Monday, however. Resort reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization in the second quarter increased approximately 8% compared to the prior year. This, Lynch said, was primarily driven by the stability created by the company’s season pass sales, which increased 8.3% compared to the prior year.

“Given the unfavorable conditions across our North American resorts, we are pleased that our results for the quarter demonstrate the resiliency of our strategic business model and our network of resorts and loyal guests,” Lynch said.

Lynch also pointed out that while the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period may have been disappointing this season, by the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, conditions had improved in Vail Resorts Rocky Mountain and Eastern resorts. By Jan. 15, Vail Mountain’s snowpack had swelled to 115% of the 30-year median. Snowpack on Vail Mountain is currently at 106% of the 30-year average.

The good snow conditions, however, have not resulted in an immediate improvement in visitation, Lynch said.

“We expect a portion of the lower visitation is related to the challenging conditions in the first half of the season as well as a shift in visitation patterns,” Lynch said. “Despite the decline in season-to-date visitation relative to the prior year period, we are pleased with lift revenue growth driven by the stability created from the season pass program, the strength in ancillary spending per skier visits across our ski school, dining, and rental businesses, and the improving trends as the season progresses.”

This story is from VailDaily.com.