50 Ways to Help the Planet!

Thanks to the The Green Life Newsletter from the Sierra Club

I have learned 50 ways to help the planet. Some of the ideas are ones that I already use and others are new ones I plan to use.

For example one good one that I know a lot of us don’t do is to turn off your computer at night.

How about NOT buying bottled water, buy a reusable container and fill it with tap water (see the link to find out why this is better for you and the planet.

Brush without running the water.

Buy Local.

There are a lot of great ideas and their really simple to do so check it out.

To see all 50 ways click I want to be a super hero and save the planet!

When Thinking Green, Think Truckee!

Did you know that Truckee is one of the greenest towns in America?

Our little corner of the world is beautiful and we want to keep it that way!

Truckee has its own electric vehicle charging station located at Meadow Park.

One of our middle schools, Alder Creek Middle School was recently constructed with green building components.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to build a 10,000 sq.ft. office that will meet the criteria as a Leadership in Engergy and Environmental Designed building.

The town of Truckee also supports local environmental practices.

Truckee Day - A town-wide annual clean-up day takes place the first Saturday in June. Everyone is invited to comb the streets collecting litter. Last year, 1,000 citizens pickup up 9 tons on trash.

Truckee River Day - On a Sunday in October many participants work on projects like planting eroded sites, help to rehabilitate meadows and promote aspen growth.

We love it here, and you will too!

Contact me and I’ll tell you how you too can become a member of this great community!

Vacation Home Rentals Looking Up for the Tahoe/Truckee Area!

Good news for the Tahoe/Truck Area vacation home owners. The Travel Industry Association is projecting foreign and domestic travel to increase 6% this year.

What are they looking for? A bargain,and when looking for a bargain they will be looking at vacation homes to rent as opposed to an expensive hotel.

Get your vacation rental ready for visitors by making sure the kitchen is set up so that everything is conveniently located. Be sure you have enough plates, glasses, and flatware for twice the number of people that are staying.

Have two sets of linens for each bed. Included extra pillows, pillow protectors and blankets. An alarm clock and reading lamp would be considered standard equipment on a bedside table.

Entertain your guests by including board games, video games, puzzles, toys, and a deck of cards. The Living room should have a television with basic cable, DVD player and a few movies for the various age groups.

Make sure that the bathrooms are sparkling clean. Nothing turns a guest off faster than a less than spotless bathroom. Stocking the bathroom with bath and hand towels and wash cloths, the rule of thumb here again is two of everything for each guest. If you are providing soap consider liquid soap in an attractive dispenser.

If you want to impress your guests consider a few perks to make their stay even more relaxing and enjoyable. Consider a washer and dryer, High-speed Internet, hair dryer, Iron, menus for local restaurants, local attraction information, local business information, a street map, fresh flowers, simple but thoughtful items that will enhance their stay. A nice bottle of wine or non alcoholic beverage with a thank you for choosing us card would be a nice touch. Talk to one of the local restaurants about a free entrée gift certificate. That would be a win-win for you and the restaurateur.

Lake Tahoe/Truckee Earth Day Festival

South Lake Tahoe’s event is scheduled for April 19th, 2008, from 10:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Mont Bleu Resort and the North Lake Tahoe - Truckee event is scheduled for April 26th,2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Village at Squaw Valley.

Come and join in and learn about the various environmental issues that affect the LakeTahoe – Truckee Region.

There will be lots of entertainment and music, artwork, speakers, raffles, and the kids zone activity area.

If you would like more information click here Earth Day

Are Conditions Improving for Consumers?

I recently read an article that quoted Lawrence Yun The National Association of REALTORS tm (NAR) senior economist as saying that he predicted that the widening credit availability will help to turn around home sales.

Could this be the beginning of a great new year? I’m certainly trying to keep a positive outlook. Mr. Yun I hope you are correct.

The great rates and availability of mortgage loans are creating a ideal situation for people looking to purchase a home. The rates are expected to climb a bit but will still be favorable.

Of course as many industry experts are quick to point out “Real estate is local” so check with a local real estate expert to give you the best advice in your area.

Truckee Area = Fun!

We sure know how to have fun in the Truckee area! Coming up in March is the 27th annual North Lake Tahoe Snowfest. This is a ten day event, that’s right ten days of FUN.
In my opinion this is the best place to live. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is we know how to have fun.
The North Lake Tahoe Snowfest has something for everyone on and off the mountain. There are parades, races, parties, concerts, theater and lots of food and beverages.
You won’t want to miss this one. Here is the link to the offical fest page www.tahoesnowfestival.com

If you have an upcoming event you would like to post let me know.

If you have any questions about this or any upcoming event or any questions about moving to the Truckee area just give me a call, or email me and I’ll be happy to help you out.

What’s up around the Truckee Area, 2008 SUBARU U.S. Freeskiing Series & Freeskiing World Tour SCHEDULE

I had the opportunity to watch the competition at Squaw Valley. Yet another great reason to live in the Truckee area. There is always something great going on around the Truckee area, ask Tilly to see whats going on and why the Truckee/Tahoe area is a great place to live.

Stop 1: Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open, Telluride CO, February 7-10

Stop 2: Subaru Squaw Valley Freeskiing Open, Squaw Valley, CA, February 14-17

Stop 3: Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte, CO, February 19-23 (World Tour #1)

Stop 4: Subaru Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open, Jackson Hole, WY, March 13-16

Stop 5: Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT, March 18-23 (World Tour #2)

Stop 6: Subaru Freeskiing World Championships and Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Finals, Alyeska, AK, April 9-13 (World Tour #3)

Blazing into its third year, the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series (USFS) and Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) have become the largest cohesive competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing tours in the history of the sport, with the Subaru USFS featuring an unprecedented six stops. With two new locations added to the already impressive roll-call of resorts, both tours culminate at the ultimate big mountain competition venue of Alyeska Resort, Alaska, in April.

The Subaru USFS continues to bring fierce competition to the best Big Mountain Freeskiing resorts inNorth America. The 2008 season will include the Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships at Crested Butte, CO. A longstanding and well-known event, this will be the official stop on both the SubaruUSFS as well as the FWT. Eric “H” Baumm, CBMR On-Mountain Events Director, is thrilled to join forces with MSI for a stop on the tour: “We are so excited to be a part of the U.S. Series and the World Tour.Crested Butte will be a great place to showcase this event and the athletes that make these competitions so unique.” The USFS, which is owned and operated by sports marketing and promotions company Mountain Sports International (MSI) and sanctioned by the International Freeskiers Association (IFSA), now boasts a bigger prize purse than ever before at over $100,000 cash.

Continuing to support the USFS is title sponsor Subaru of America. “Subaru has a long history of supporting organizations and events that resonate with our customers, like the 2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series and Freeskiing World Tour competitions,” said Tim Mahoney, Senior Vice President and CMO of Subaru of America, Inc. “The expansion of the Freeskiing Series this year is a big compliment to the outstanding job that Mountain Sports International does in producing the tour.”

https://www.greentagsusa.org/GreenTags/skiGreen/skiGreen.shtm

Are you ready? It will be here before you know it!

That’s right, I know you are going to hate me for saying it but I’m going to say it anyway! Taxes Don’t worry, what I have to say about it is a good thing and it might even make you happy. I’ll just take the word taxes and add the word incentive and voila it turns into a happy word.

So, what tax incentive am I talking about, renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives.

To find out what is avaiable in your area check out DSIREThe Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.

Is Your Second Home an Easy Target?

You may have heard recently that the Tahoe resort area has been having problems with vacant homes being burglarized.

There are a few common sense ways to help protect your second home from falling victim to burglars.

Having a home in an out of the way locations is a blessing, but there are pitfalls as well and the fact that it is in an out of the way location is attractive to burglars.

When you leave make sure to check all the doors and windows to be sure they are locked and activate the alarm system.

Draw the blinds. If you have automatic blinds see about putting them on a timer to open and close. Put the TV or radio and lights on a timer as well. Put the radio on a talk station so that anyone that approaches your home will hear voices.

Do not leave any valuables near windows or in view of outsiders.

Ask your neighbor to keep an eye out while your away. Hire a neighbor to keep the drive and walkway shoveled.

The key is to make it look like someone is there. A home with a foot of snow on the driveway and newspapers on the walk is a dead give away.

You can get some really good suggestions at www.be-safe.org

Common sense and a good neighbor go a long way!

Truckee Has a Long, Long Winter Sports History

I was just reading an article in the local newspaper the Sierra Sun about how far winter sports have come in Truckee.

I had no idea that it went all the way back to the 1860’s. I can just imagine what the equipment looked like. We’re not just talking about a few locals sledding down a hill. These were actual organized events.

This is a really interesting story. If you want to read it here is the link to the
Sierra Sun