Gallery Keoki Entices the Artiste In All of Us!

Looking for something different to do in Squaw Valley? Check out Gallery Keoki, one of the Village's most successful and interesting shops. Co-owned by long-time Tahoe resident and photographer Keoki Flagg and international art dealer Mark Steingard, the gallery features modern masters such as Picasso, Chagall, and Miro, to name a few. Just about every art medium is represented, from oil paintings to scultpture to glasswork, and also includes Keoki's own collection of travel, scenic and sports photography. If you are going to the Village just to browse, or perhaps are looking for that next investment piece for your home, Gallery Keoki is not to be missed! They are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year to serve you!

Donner Lake Bike Path Planning Suspended

Courtesy of Sierra Sun

The Town of Truckee will need to approve another $2 million to build bicycle lanes along Donner Lake, members of the town council learned last week. At the same time, the Truckee Town Council has been asked to approve more money to complete the bicycle plans after the design firm spent all the planning funds previously budgeted. A heated debate broke out at Thursday’s council meeting over the design contract for bike lanes on Donner Pass Road. Originally planned for construction last summer, two 4-foot lanes and a number of drainage improvements would create better bicycle access to Donner Lake as well as manage storm runoff along the North Shore. Challenges from water-quality standards, road widening on the hillside, parking and private stairways in the public right-of-way have delayed construction until next summer, causing design firm Bickett Engineering to deplete the $384,458 the town budgeted for the plans, said the firm’s Andy Alvarado. The new cost estimate of $5.5 million is a significant increase over the project’s previously approved funding of $3.7 million, according to staff reports. But when town staff and Bickett Engineering came before town council, some council members were angered, saying the firm didn’t live up to its end of the contract. “I feel extorted and I feel used,” said Council Member Josh Susman of the contract amendment. Dan Warren, general manager of the Glenshire Devonshire Residents Association and a cycling advocate, urged the council to move forward despite the increase, because of the importance of safe bicycle access to Donner Lake.In the end, the council agreed to delay its decision and explore the town’s options. No date has been set for the item to return.

A Very Merry Christmas to You!

Christmas Eve is upon us, and it is a beautiful sunny day in Lake Tahoe. All the ski resorts are in full-swing, and there is plenty to do over the next few days with your family and loved ones. Here are a few local events you may want to check out! And have a safe and joyful holiday!

Squaw Sessions Teen Freeride Ski & Snowboard Camp Squaw Valley USA December 22, 2007 - January 6, 2008. This premiere camp for teens focuses on the origins of the freeride movement at Squaw and sharpens skills for mastering terrain park and big mountain skiing & riding. Camps are available in one day or multi-day participation. Coached by pro skiers and riders. Ages 13-17. Details: 530-581-7130.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade Squaw Valley USA A family favorite and Squaw Valley tradition! The holiday shines at Squaw with this annual torchlight parade down the mountain at night. Details: 530-583-6985.

Christmas Eve Church Service Sierra Bible Church is holding an evening church service tonight at 6 pm. Come join fellow worshippers to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas! Sierra Bible Church is located at 11460 Brockway Road, across from the Mountain Home Center.

Northstar-at-Tahoe is holding many different events fun for the whole family, like a Candy Cane fun race, ice-skating, Santa-sightings, and a non-denomination church service.

Kid's Cookie Race Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort. All participants are rewarded with cookies after finishing their loop on Sesame Street. Fabulous fun and free for kids 4 -12 years. Activities start at 12 pm.

Local Movers and Shakers

Local ski company gives the big boys a run for their money!



Gardnerville native and self-described ski bum Casey Hakansson had no intention of founding a company back in 2003, when he pestered local snowboard designer Ben Harmon into helping him craft one pair of skis in Harmon’s shop.
“I just thought it would be cool to ski on a pair of skis I made,” said Hakansson, 29. “I put a rental binding on it and shared it with all my friends.”
According to Hakansson, that first ski, loosely based on the K2 Seth Pistol model, rode pretty well, if you were on top of it.
“If you weren’t, it pretty much rode you,” he said. “And it didn’t like turning, unless you were going fast or it was really steep.”
Four years later, Hakansson and his partners, doing business as Moment Skis, are producing several models of skis and poles from a warehouse and selling them through ski shops and over the Internet. Their styles vary from park to all-mountain, have bright andy warhol-ish graphics, and Moment even has the sense to adequately provide for the female skier with 3 different skis. To check out this ski manufacturer locally, go to The Sports Exchange, located at 10095 W. River Street in Historic Downtown Truckee. Priced at in an affordable range ($399-$625), this is a ski you should make some time for if you want to rock the ski industry boat!

Making a Difference in Tahoe

I have lived in the Sierras for 15 years, ever since graduating from UC Davis in '92. I worked in alot of coveted and not so coveted positions, as is typical with a single ski bum looking to just make a living-barely. But as the years went by, I discovered that living, working, breathing just for myself was becoming less attractive and more self-centered. I wanted more, wanted to make a difference. I became involved with Disabled Sports USA Far West last ski season and it affected me in an exhilarating way. For you who are familiar with Alpine Meadows ski area, this is the same program that has historically been known as the Adaptive Ski Program. The longest continuously running adaptive ski program in the US, the Adaptive Snowsports Instruction began at Donner Ski Ranch in 1967 with a small group of Vietnam Veteran amputees. Since then, it has been adopted by the national organization of Disabled Sports USA, a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing year-round sports and recreation opportunities to people with disabilities. In addition to snowsports, Disabled Sports offers adaptive summer programs in water skiing, cycling, golf, white water rafting, camping and 4wd adventures. I am so honored to be a part of such a life-changing, attitude-affecting group; I was a witness to it's affect on the faces of the students I helped assist, their smiles widening as a break-through was made, snow was touched for the first time, or the sensation of sliding down the hill exploded into giggles. I volunteered as an on-hill volunteer, assisting the PSIA trained instructors during lessons, and learned more about compassion, sensitivity, goal-reaching, flexibility and communication during those 7 or 8 lessons than I have during my entire adult life. Truly, it feels more of a gift to me than to the students I helped! I am currently on a clinic track to equip me with the skills to teach stand-up skiers within the program. I am excited to have this new opportunity within reach, and can't wait to begin this new season making a difference in more lives!

Disabled Sports USA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing unique experiences to people with all disabilities, including physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. To learn more about volunteer or employment opportunities, or if you or someone you know would like to learn more about the different programs and how to sign up for them, go www.DisabledSports.net, or call (530) 581-4161.

Pre-Holiday Madness

With only two weeks to go before Christmas Day, the pressure is on to ramp up the personal and professional giving. I am fortunate to have friends who share special ideas for a night out or a meaningful gift so I thought I would share them with you too. Want to enjoy yourself in Truckee or Lake Tahoe before the masses arrive? Here are some upcoming events to help get you in the spirit:

Resort at Squaw Creek is hosting "Magical Memories" on December 12th and 19th from 9am-8pm. Activities include breakfast with Santa, ice-skating, family snowman making contest, polar bear plunge, and more! For more information, call (530) 581-6686.

Blues Traveler is coming to the Crown Room at the Crystal Bay Club in Crystal Bay! Performance is December 14th at 9pm, and is not listed on Blues Traveler's website. For more information, go to Crystal Bay Casino's website, and buy your tickets today!

SnowGods Ball returns! This legendary event supports Squaw Valley's Ski Patrol and Avalanche Education. This year's theme is Retro, and costumes are encouraged. Musical guests are Aphrodesia and DJ Mancub. Held at the Olympic House in Squaw Valley on December 15th, doors open at 8pm, and tickets are $15 advanced/$20 at door. Must be 21. More information: (530) 581-7260.

Special Gifts that won't break the bank:

Markmakers.com: This special site is geared towards children, but needs the help of parents. It teaches our little ones the lesson of giving to others, especially those in need. This site is great in that it allows for the child to decide where money should be allocated (medical, animals, shelter, etc.), and a donation can be split between different needs. Check out the website, it is worth the time!

Reno Motor Sports (RMS) Holiday Sale: This motorsport mainstay is offering sales on stocking stuffers like videos, as well as bigger ticket items like jersey/pant sets, and boots. Prices dropped by 10%-25%, so check em out if you or your loved one is a moto-geek! RMS is located at: 964 Terminal WayReno, NV Phone: (775) 322-1499

Winter is just a snowstorm away!

Today marks the first real snowstorm of the 07-08 season, with an expected 16+ inches over 7,000 feet. That's good news for resorts like Sugar Bowl, Squaw Valley and Northstar. With the holidays just 3 short weeks away, the nail-biting by resort executives has been to the quick, and so the latest precip couldn't have come at a better time. Gazing out my home office window, I start to feel the giddiness that rises up in most of us who live in the Sierras as the snowflakes fall. The expectation of another great ski season, cold, fluffy powder days, and blue skies are just a few things that go through my mind, and I can't wait to share them with friends, family and clients who participate in my offer to give an intimate tour of the mountain. I think my first love, skiing, is what drives me to strive for such a cooperative relationship with my clients...I want to share that love, and in doing so, it opens doors for much more than a client/Realtor relationship. Friendships are made from commonalities, and I wish that all my client relationships evolve into friendships on some level. So here's to the snowstorm that's kicking it all off this season! And here's to many friendships made because of it!