Melina Wallisch: Embracing the Moments In Between
People are her muse. Nature her backdrop.
With years of being photographed as a professional dancer and model, she has successfully translated her skills behind the lens to capture the heart and soul of her subjects.
Meet Melina Wallisch of South Lake Tahoe. She photographs people.
Christin Hanna of Tahoe Youth Ballet
Her goal is to team up young, emerging dancers with more experienced professionals for engaging evenings of classical and contemporary ballet. Tahoe Youth Ballet premiered in June 2009 to a standing ovation and rave reviews.
Meet Founder and Artistic Director Christin Hanna of Tahoe Youth Ballet.
The Ski Bum Life by Gary Bell
Someone asked me the other day if I was a ski bum.
This was a question that had me standing there going, “huh well uh.”
Geoff Clarke, Sustainable Mountaineer
His obsession with backcountry skiing and adventure all started at age eight. He’d hike up Hobbit Hill in South Lake Tahoe with his dog, Sugar, and ski down.
As the adventures have grown longer and more challenging since chasing Sugar four decades ago, he’s still charging.
Meet Geoff Clarke; mountaineer, backcountry guide, photographer and green builder.
David Butler Wins “Poetry Out Loud” Heads to State finals March 15
David Butler, a senior from South Tahoe High School, took first place in El Dorado County’s inaugural “Poetry Out Loud” competition on February 9th.
In the first round, Butler delivered a flawless performance of the 19th century British poet John Clare’s lyric poem, “I Am!” followed in the second round by a humorous recitation of Marge Piercy’s, “For the young who want to,” a contemporary poem that speaks to the difficulties of being an artist.
Butler is headed to the California state finals in Sacramento on March 15, 2010. Congratulations David! read more →
Long Live the Real Skiers by Gary Bell
So you have your new super fat twin tip skis or that new board with rocker. You can ride switch all day long, throw down corked threes in the big pipe, you’ve dropped the cross on Mount Tallac, won a race or two during gay week and skied Powderhouse in the full moon! Yep pretty hot, right? Well let me tell you about two of my favorite skiers first and then we can take a vote.
This article is a reprint from the January 2010 issue of Tahoe Mountain News found throughout South Lake Tahoe.
Poetry in Motion: Pro Nordic Skier Debbi Waldear
Her competitive spirit was nurtured at a young age racing sailboats in the San Francisco Bay area with her dad. Along with trail running and skiing, her athletic prowess translated into a lifelong passion for fitness and being in the mountains.
Meet eight-time cross country ski racing World Masters Champion, Debbi Waldear.
The Pied Piper of Truckee Ben Jammin’
Catch Me if You Can: Keeping pace with Truckee’s Ben Jammin’
by Jackie Varriano, Moonshine Ink
Truckee local Ben “Jammin’” Martin gets around. You might know him as a guitar player in the duo After Eights, maybe you used to sing with him at open mic night at Trio Wine Bar, or play with him now at open mic at the Fat Cat in Tahoe City. Maybe you have taken a ukulele lesson with him, or have a child that takes guitar lessons from him.
This article is a reprint from the December-January edition of Moonshine Ink, the Independent News Source for Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.
Ski Like a Girl. Ingrid Backstrom of North Lake Tahoe.
She defines the phrase “ski like a girl.”
But this is no ordinary girl. Or skier.
North Lake Tahoe pro freeskier Ingrid Backstrom.
Jamie Anderson, Slopestyle Phenom
Jamie Anderson, a South Lake Tahoe native, is easily considered one of the top female snowboarders in the world.
And, she just won the women’s snowboard slopestyle final at the first stop of the 2009-2010 Winter Dew Tour in Breckenridge, earning a 92.00 in the final, the highest score earned in a women’s snowboard slopestyle event in the history of the Winter Dew Tour. Anderson threw out a backside 180, a switch back 540 and a backside tailslide on the rainbow rail.
Skiing Legend Daron Rahlves Becomes Restaurateur in Truckee
Daron Rahlves, the most decorated American Downhill and Super G skier in history, has a number of passions, with skiing and food are at the top of his list. So it’s logical that Rahlves recently joined the ownership team of Moody’s Bistro & Lounge, an acclaimed restaurant in Truckee, one of the most popular ski towns in America.
Yes Lake Tahoe, There is a Santa Claus
A bearded, smiling man named Thomas O’Connor was praying for answers about what to do with the rest of his life as he walked down Northwoods Boulevard in Incline Village one morning in 2004.
Then someone leaned out of a car window and called out, “Santa, we love you!” His prayer was answered just like that.
Eco-Champion David Hansen saves Embassy Suites $330K in Energy Bills – So Far!
He cut his teeth with Robert Redford building the award-winning eco-friendly Spa at Sundance Resort in Utah in 2001.
Meet David Hansen, Director of Engineering at Embassy Suites Resort in South Lake Tahoe.
At Sundance, Hansen and his “green” team were given creative license to build a spa that would reflect Redford’s life long stewardship practices and merge nature into the overall sustainable design. Sharing the same philosophies, Hansen and Redford made the perfect team.
Todd Offenbacher: Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Creator
He’s on a mission.
Turn every single person on to the outdoors and fitness. Period.
With his hilarious antics and positive attitude on and off the screen, Todd Offenbacher, world-class climber and Resort Sports Network (RSN) host, embraces every day to the fullest and encourages us all to do the same. While he has taught us all not to take ourselves or life too seriously, Todd has made it his passion to remind us why we chose to live in this special place.
South Shore Drum Chick Liz Broscoe goes Big
It all started when she was just a little girl.
The beat and rhythm of life filled her blood, overflowing with creativity.
Now, she’s sharing her passion for west African drumming and dance with Lake Tahoe.
Meet Liz Broscoe, South Shore Drumchik.
JJ Morgan Jazzes up Truckee
He has been the driving force behind Moody’s reputation as a venue for talented jazz artists.
He also started the Jazz Artists in Residence series held every July, that offers local kids a chance to play with jazz greats, who teach them about various instruments and music for free.
Pro Bike Racer opens Frame Shop in South Shore
She’s a pro mountain bike downhill racer.
And art framer.
Meet Tasa Herndon.
North Tahoe’s Summer Superstars
Four North Tahoe and Truckee athletes recently completed awe-inspiring accomplishments, defining the strength and beauty of Tahoe mountain culture.
by Seth Lightcap, Moonshine Ink
This article is a reprint from the September Print Edition of Moonshine Ink, the Independent News Source for Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.
Ty Dayberry. Freeheel skier extraordin – AIR.
He started telemark skiing at age 10.
By 21, he’s taken his freeheel art to a higher level.
Bela Vadasz receives AMGA Lifetime Achievement Award
He’s been doing it for 30 years.
IFMGA guide Bela Vadasz, who started Alpine Skills International located in Truckee was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).
Leslie Ames, Sustainable to the Core
Her laid back style, love of nature and athletic prowess energize her multiple passions that naturally unfolded for this South Lake Tahoe native.
From white water kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, sailing, hiking or running her solar energy business, Leslie Ames personifies a local green business that was inspired by her roots.
Year-round Surf Shop in Incline Village
Did you know that surfing is a year-round sport in Tahoe?
Especially on the north and east shores where our prevailing southwesterly winds stack up the waves. And, thanks to stand up paddle boards and our passion to get out in any type of weather.
Soulcycler Rick Gunn on the Road Again
After three years, 33 countries and 25,811 miles around the globe by bicycle, he’s back on the road again.
Rick Gunn, photojournalist and bicycle adventurer, aka Soulcycler, is headed down another path of travel and self-discovery, this time starting in Scotland.
Eco-stylist Heather River of Truckee
Her energy and creativity is endless. It all stems from her deep appreciation of the environment, fashion and functional art.
As a seamstress, shop owner, full time college student, community volunteer and artist, Heather’s tastes and talents are manifested in her latest creations.
Meet Heather River, eco-stylist and entrepreneur from Truckee.
Polly McGehee of Bodywise Massage
Polly has been the owner of Bodywise Massage in Tahoe City for 16 years. Last year she became a certified Visionary Craniosacral Therapist.
Remembering Shane McConkey
Lake Tahoe and the world lost one of the most beloved and profound big mountain skiers and BASE jumpers on March 26th; and a wonderful human being.
Not only did Shane McConkey charge while skiing, it’s how he lived his life. On and off the slopes, he brought joy and excitement to every interaction.
Shane’s generosity with his friends and family and humbleness in his business and skiing achievements exemplify a life well lived of epic proportions.
Corey Rich – Adventure Photographer & Entrepreneur
He has waded across crocodile-infested rivers in Papua New Guinea, lost cameras to Saharan Desert sand storms and suffered through blizzards in the Andes.
Just to capture that moment, and the athlete’s prowess. We’re glad he’ll go to any length to feed our appetite for adventure.
Melissa Lanitis Gregory. In Loving Memory.
She loved art, chocolate, red wine, dogs, recycling, her old and new friends, and her community.
But above all, she loved her sons, Griffin and Gordie, and her adoring husband, Alan; and her father.
Robb Gaffney M.D. Author & Ski Icon
Robb Gaffney M.D. began studying the slopes of Squaw Valley when he was in college. He has skied Squaw for 20 years and is the author of Squallywood – A Guide to Squaw Valley’s Most Exposed Lines.
Alpine Meadows Patrol Dog Trading Cards now Available
Aside from the safety factor they provide, the Alpine Meadows Patrol Dogs’ “cute factor” is off the Richter scale so Alpine has found a way that guests can take the dogs home with them – sort of.
Ten Alpine Meadows Patrol Dog trading cards are now available at various locations around the resort’s base facility.
Gary Murphy, Tahoe’s Legendary Snow Forecaster
For 38 winters, Gary Murphy has been counting. From the first flakes to be released from the restless skies of autumn to the serendipitous torrents of May, Gary Murphy is counting; watching; and recording snow’s detail to the point of minutia.
Shaun Palmer, Snowboard Icon still on Top
He has nine Winter X Games gold medals in four different disciplines, six in snowboardcross, and was also the 2001 ESPY Action Sports Athlete of the Year.
Meet Shaun Palmer, legendary snowboarder.
Stian Solberg Backcountry Junkie
He’s a snow chaser.
His focus on backcountry riding, discovering new snowboarding destinations, and almost year-round travel means he doesn’t compete in contests. Instead, Stian is known for progressing the sport from an all-mountain perspective – riding challenging natural terrain with style and grace.
Meet Stian Solberg, the newest addition to Sierra-at-Tahoe’s Elite Team.
South Shore Mountaineer Carving a Niche
His deep love of the Sierras drives his passions.
They made it! Alaska to Argentina by Bike to raise $ for schools.
On February 10th, the members of team A2A (2 are from North Shore) arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina.
They rode their bikes 15,120 miles (that’s over 137 mile days) from Alaska to Argentina.
Why?
Tahoe’s Backcountry Babe: Rosie Hackett
Known affectionately by her friends as Rosebud, she is the head instructor in Lake Tahoe for Babes in the Backcountry.
They call her Rock Star. read more →
