Nicole Cheslock

101 fun things for families, couples and individuals to experience in Olympic Valley, CA (best know as Squaw Valley). Appeared in Jan . 17 print and online issue of The Weekly.

Truckee’s fame as a destination for ruffians, outlaws, cutthroats and their ilk was infamous. Bar room brawls and gunfights filled the town. Ladies of the night entertained men night after night. And, nasty fires consumed homes. However, there was force that fought lawlessness and vice This group of men, the 601s, struck terror in the heart of the evildoer...

Imagine, for a moment, that your backyard is one of the original ski hills in the Tahoe-Truckee region. It is your pride and joy, it is your livelihood and it is your passion. Welcome to the life of Lincoln Kauffman who lives in a house nestled into the hill near Chairlift 1 at Donner Ski Ranch.

Patty and Jeff Baird set out to create an oasis, a place in the Sierra Nevada where guests can truly unwind and explore the beauties of the outdoors.After completing The Cedar House, the Bairds added an on-site high tech event center and the Stella restaurant. And in May 2010 the Bairds fulfilled their vision as a year-round launching pad to outdoor adventures with the purchase of Tahoe Trips & Trails . . . experience the authentic thrills that come from being immersed in the natural environment.

Whether you are passing through or looking to spice up your normal routine, let this list of Top 25 things to do in Tahoe City inspire your creativity, sense of adventure and zest for Tahoe.

Focus on Alpine Meadows' For Women by Women ski camp for regional events magazine (www.theweeklymagazineonline.com)

Jalal al-Din, the poet known as Rumi, wrote "When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy." Flowing fresh water, colorful sunrises, magnificent sunsets, clean air and the changing Aspen leaves offer just that in Truckee, CA - soulful joy.

I was ready for adventure - not the adrenaline- fueled whitewater rafting kind of Sierra adventure, but instead a taste of the "Old West," a getaway to a bygone era and chance to connect with the past... Download PDF to read more

Can you imagine a more stunning locale then Lake Tahoe to experience stand up paddling? Four years ago, Marcus Tingle stood on the shore, where he spent most of his childhood, and realized this "Alpine Caribbean" offers idyllic conditions for flat-water paddling. He said to himself, SUP's going to go nuts up here."

One of my fondest memories from childhood ski vacations is going out for a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie - the gooey kind with semi melted chips - with my mom. If we had been in Tahoe, this definitely would have taken place at the Wildflour Bakery in the Olympic House at Squaw Valley...

Lake Tahoe offers more than skiing and hiking trails.

The first Wanderlust took place in Olympic Valley (better known as Squaw Valley) in 2009. Fast forward to 2011 and there are more than a dozen Wanderlusts events from coast to coast. "Mindful living, a focus on conscious consumption are all things we stand for used to be marginalized, hippie, lefty ideals but over the past ten years they have been accepted by mainstream culture," explains Jeff Krasno, who founder Velour Music Group with good friend Sean Hoess. Together they created Wanderlust with Schuyler Grant, Krasno's wife. It's difficult to imagine better founders than this accomplished trio. Krasno loves music. Years ago he convinced Hoess to leave a high paying job to launch the record label and Grant, Krasno's sweetheart since college, opened her first New York yoga studio in 2002. Krasno saw the yoga movement "expand and explode" and came up with the idea for Wanderlust - a festival that combines music with soul and yoga.

It’s 8 a.m. and the Dam Café is buzzing. Long-time regulars including Bob Sweigart and Rick Raduziner are enjoying morning coffee over newspapers and conversation, some baskets remain on tables from the early birds who have already eaten, and my mouth is watering for a Veggie Breakfast Burrito and Yerba Matte Latte.

Dale is the visionary behind Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique, a restaurant that has been in business for thirty-four years, twenty-two in the present Tahoe City location on Lake Tahoe. Four years ago Wolfdale's launched an on-site cooking class to coincide with the weekly Farmers Market, and the experience is delicious.

Eating well on a budget is a common challenge across the nation. This article examines eating well on a budget - as a foodie - in Truckee/Tahoe.

Heaping with whole black beans, rice, shredded lettuce, guacamole and melted cheese, the soft veggie taco at T's Mesquite Rotisserie keep me coming back for more. Each soft taco comes with two white corn tortillas. That’s right, double tortillas. The huge cheese quesadillas, tasty rice and beans and, fulfilling veggie burritos also make Ts one of my favorite places for a bite out. And, based on the crowds, I’m not alone...

I couldn’t resist turning onto Truckee Airport Road for breakfast at the Runaway Café on a recent morning. The cafe, true to its name, is next to the runway at Truckee Tahoe Airport in Truckee, and breakfast is served from 8 until 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the fresh lunch salads at the counter, the colorful chalkboard and menu announcing “Breakfast Made Fresh & Made To Order.” With just three choices for breakfast, it wasn’t hard to make a decision...

There are literally more than five dozen items on Crosby’s menu. That count doesn’t even include fresh squeezed juice vodka cocktails, all the tempting sides or scrumptious desserts. It does, however, include sandwiches, burgers, tacos, salads (and, taco salad), steaks, pork chops, eggs and waffles. Call it your favorite place to watch the game (there are eleven new flat screen TVs, after all), the best casino bar in the region, an Irish Pub or even your family’s spot for brunch. People may debate the factors that make Crosby’s a great place. My take – hands down – includes two precise ingredients. One is the outdoor patio. The second? From the time the door opens, 11 a.m. during the week and at 9 a.m. on the weekends, Crosby’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Something magical happens a few hundred feet after exiting Highway 267 onto Henness Road, just 12 miles from Lake Tahoe and a couple miles from historic downtown Truckee, CA A short, peaceful drive (or bike) reveals hills, greenery and just a couple new mountain homes before PJ’s Bar & Grill appears. Overlooking expansive lawns, the venue couldn’t be better for enjoying a relaxing snack, appetizer or meal. It’s quiet. The service is exceptional. The ingredients are fresh. The dishes are delicious. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily.

The Char Pit, a destination burger joint in Kings Beach, offers more than immediately meets the eye. Sure there are the old fashioned and specialty burgers that have drawn visitors from near and far for nearly 50 years, but that’s not all...

However you incorporate olive oil - drizzled over farm-fresh tomatoes or roasted vegetables and meat, in fresh salsas topping grilled fish, integrated into superb summertime desserts, or in exquisite salad dressings - using true extra-virgin olive oil will enhance every bite.

Marty's Cafe is located in the heart of historic Truckee, CA. In just one year, the intimate, 10-table eatery has captured the attention and frequent business of long-time locals and Lake Tahoe visitors. read more at http://theweeklymagazineonline.com/2013/12/simplicity-finest/

What makes an exceptional taco? Is it homemade tortillas complete with unique fillings, or recently caught fish, shredded cabbage and a squirt of lime juice? Is it fresh ingredients prepared on the spot with a dash of hot sauce? Try the Taco Station in Truckee, CA.

Literature review of evaluation strategies used across environmental education initiatives, museums, health and social marketing programs.

The Spitzer family cabin was a cherished winter weekend getaway and summer retreat built on the end of Washoe Drive in Olympic Valley, CA (best known as home of Squaw Valley USA) 1956. The cedar beams, siding, doors and even dining room table were sourced from a pencil factory in Berkeley. A few pieces of the original cabin remain and will, no doubt, be put to use in a new home featuring the same phenomenal views that captivated Norm and Jean 60 years ago...