Tahoe City, CA

Gourmet Ski Tour Fundraiser, Tahoe City, California, Sunday, March 11, 2012

Get ready for the 11^th Annual Gourmet Ski Tour this Sunday, March 11, 2012. This is the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association’s (TCCSEA) big annual fund raising event of the season.

It’s the best of both worlds – ski, or snowshoe while sampling great cuisine from some of Tahoe’s finest, local restaurants. Eat, drink and be merry while you’re on Tahoe snow! It’s a great way to have some fun in the snow while support a great local group.

So here are the details:

11^th Annual Gourmet Ski Tour Fundraiser

1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2012

Tahoe Cross Country Ski Center, 925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City, CA 530.583.5475

www.TahoeXC.org

Cost: $32 Adults

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. The fun continues with Margaritas and Live Music by “Drunken Neighbors”

If you’ll be up here in the greater Tahoe – Truckee, California area and want to ski and enjoy a gourmet day this is the event for you.

For more information on Gourmet Ski Tour Fundraiser check out the Tahoe Center XC Center’s website here.

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs - Laura Allen, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, ABR®, RSPS, ePRO, Previews Property Specialist, DRE# 01473598, 530.414.1260, www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com Laura@TahoeLaura.com, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Tahoe City, California

Start your Tahoe Property here. Check out the following neighborhoods and areas in the Lake Tahoe - Truckee, California Area.

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 11, 2012

It’s that time of year to “Spring Forward”! While I hate losing that hour of sleep, I do love the extra hour of daylight in the evening. It also means we’re one month closer to summer time in Lake Tahoe!

On Saturday night, March 10, 2012, before you go to sleep remember to set you clocks ahead one hour unless you’ll be you’ll be up on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2 a.m. when you can do it at the official time change.

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs - Laura Allen, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, ABR®, RSPS, ePRO, Previews Property Specialist, DRE# 01473598, 530.414.1260, www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com Laura@TahoeLaura.com, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Tahoe City, California.

Start your Tahoe Property here. Check out the following neighborhoods and areas in the Lake Tahoe - Truckee, California Area.

SnowFest! 2012 - Schedule of Events, New Snow in Tahoe City, California

It's Friday, March 2, 2012, and it finally stopped snowing here in Tahoe City, California. While snow in February and March is not unusual, what is different this year has been the lack of snow storms, when compared to last year’s near record breaking snow fall totals.

I’m here on the West Shore of Tahoe City, near the Sunnyside Resort area, and by mid-afternoon yesterday we have between 1.5 – 2 feet of new snow.

This new snow has come just in time for the 31^st Annual SnowFest that will officially kick-off today, Friday, March 2, 2012. Anyone who has been wishing for more snow so they can snowshoe, cross country ski, downhill ski, snowboard, snowmobile, sled, or just play in the snow, you’re going to get another chance to do that with this storm. Check out the what the weather was like yesterday:

This snow storm will certainly enhance the upcoming SnowFest! events. SnowFest! has become the largest winter carnival in the west. Event organizers plan all-year to make this winter event and experience one that will bring people back year-after-year. This year the ten days of fun for SnowFest 2012 will officially begin on Friday, March 2, 2012, and will end on Sunday, March 11, 2012.

Here’s a look at the upcoming SnowFest! Events:

Thursday, March 1, 2012 (Pre-Kick Off Party)

5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Kick Off Party at Garwood’s in Carnelian Bay, CA

Friday, March 2, 2012

12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Space Cowboy’s and the Unimog – KT-22 Sundeck, Squaw Valley, CA

4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Mamasake Extreme Food Challenge – Mamasake Patio, Squaw Valley, CA

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Downtown Truckee Snow Ball Poker Walk – Registration located next to the Train Depot, Truckee, CA

6 p.m. – 7 p.m. SnowFest Queen Coronation and Laser Show Display – KT 22 Deck Squaw Valley, CA

7 p.m. – 7: 30 p.m. SnowFest Opening Ceremonies with On-Mountain FIREWORKS presented by Coors Light - Squaw Valley, CA

7:30 p.m. Opening Night Party – Olympic Plaza Inside KT-22 Deck, Squaw Valley, CA

9 p.m. 3^rd Annual Hot Dog “80’s Retro Party” – Cornice Cantina, Far East Building, Squaw Valley, CA

9 p.m. Free Mumbo Gumbo Concert – Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, NV

Saturday, March 3, 2012

7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Pancake Breakfast by the North Tahoe Firefighter’s Association – Tahoe City Fire Station, Tahoe City, CA

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rahlves’ Banzai Tour – KT 22 Bazai, Squaw Valley, CA

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Parade Watching Party at Rosie’s Café, downtown Tahoe City, CA

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tahoe City SnowFest Parade – downtown Tahoe City, CA

11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Paint the Bear – North Tahoe Arts, Tahoe City, CA

12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Pete ‘n Peters Post Parade Party, downtown Tahoe City, CA

2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. 22 Annual Garwood’s Polar Bear Swim, Garwood’s, Carnelian Bay, CA

9 p.m. – 12 a.m. 4^th Annual “Snowdown” with the Space Cowboys – Lakeside Pizza, Tahoe City, CA

9 p.m. Tainted Love Concert – Crystal Bay Casino – Crystal Bay, NV

Sunday, March 4, 2012

9 a.m. 36^th Annual Great Ski Race – Tahoe XC Center, Tahoe City, CA ends in Truckee, CA

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rahlves Banzai Tour – KT-22 Banzai, Squaw Valley, CA

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Special Olympics North Lake Tahoe Polar Plunge – Hyatt Regency, Incline Village Private Beach, Incline, NV

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wacky Winter Bowling – Tahoe City Golf Course, Tahoe City, CA

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Arbor Car of Tahoe Man Contest – Tahoe City Golf Course, Tahoe City, CA

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sunnyside Luau, Sunnyside Resort, Tahoe City, CA

5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Blind Pigs and Speakeasies: Prohibition Pub Crawl – Tahoe City – Multiple Sites, Tahoe City, CA

Monday, March 4, 2012

4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Jake’s Mardi Gras Party, Jake’s, Boatworks Mall, downtown Tahoe City, CA

7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Broomball Tourney – Resort at Squaw Creek Ice Skating Rink, Squaw Valley, CA

8 p.m. Hacienda Margarita Races and Twister DJ Party – Hacienda, Boatworks Mall, downtown Tahoe City, CA

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Cornice Cantina’s Sundeck Ski Race – Cornice Cantina, Squaw Valley, CA

6 p.m. Glamour Girls Night Out – Hacienda, Boatworks Mall, downtown Tahoe City, CA

7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Pete ‘N Peter’s Bar Game Olympics – Pete ‘N Peter’s, downtown Tahoe City, CA

9 p.m. Beer Gardener’s Local’s Night Party – Rosie’s Café, downtown Tahoe City, CA

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Truckee River Winery’s Ice Carving Extravaganza – Truckee River Winery, 11567 Brockway Road, Truckee, CA

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Bunco Babes Bunco Bash – North Tahoe Event Center, Kings Beach, CA

7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Truckee’s Fastest Bartender Competition – Tourist Club, 10110 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA

Thursday, March 8, 2012

4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Cornice Cantina’s Bloody Mary Masters Competition, Cornice Cantina, Squaw Valley, CA

4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. West Shore Café Toccata “Baroque Masters” and Antinori Wine Dinner, West Shore Café, 5160 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA

8 p.m. Hacienda Unofficial Thursday Grand Prize Night – Hacienda, Boatworks Mall, downtown Tahoe City, CA

8 p.m. – 11 p.m. Pete ‘N Peter’s Fastest Server Contest – Pete ‘N Peter’s, downtown Tahoe City, CA

9 p.m. Rosie’s Bingo Night – Rosie’s Café, downtown Tahoe City, CA

Friday, March 9, 2012

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dick Linkey Rotary- Annual Ski Challenge – Northstar at Tahoe, Northstar, CA

4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Bridgetender’s 4^th Annual Rib Fest, Bridgetender, across Fanny Bridge, Tahoe City, CA

7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Dress the Part(y) Incline Karneval Pub Crawl, Incline Village, NV

Saturday, March 10, 2012

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. North Tahoe Public Utility District Pancake Breakfast – North Lake Tahoe Event Center, downtown Kings Beach, CA

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Final and Super Final “Silver Belt Banzai” – Sugar Bowl Resort, CA

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Dress up your Dog Contest – North Tahoe Events Center, downtown Kings Beach, CA

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SnowFest! Kings Beach Parade

12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Caliente After Parade Party and SnowFest! Queen Raffle

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. New York Hot Dog Stand “Hot Dog Eating Contest” – 8369 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach Chevron, downtown Kings Beach, CA

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kings Beach Friends of the Library Snow “what” Building Contest – Kings Beach Library, Kings Beach, CA

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. SnowFest! Après Ski Party – Alpine Meadows Ski Area Lodge, Alpine Meadows, CA

5 p.m. – 9 p.m. ARC and NLT Family Resource Center “2012 Snow Fiesta” – North Tahoe Boys and Girls Club, Kings Beach, CA

9 p.m. Creekside Benefit Concert – Dockside, 700 North Lake Blvd. (At Tahoe City Marina), Tahoe City, CA

Sunday, March 11, 2012

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Final and Super Final – “Silver Belt Banzai”, Sugar Bowl Resort, CA

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Citizen’s Against the Clock X/C Biathlon Event, Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, CA

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ta-Hoe Nalu Arctic SUP Race, Blue Onion Café, Hwy 28 and Hwy 267, Kings Beach, CA

12 p.m. – 4 p.m. River Ranch Annual Snow Sculpture Contest, River Ranch, Hwy 89 South at the entrance to Alpine Meadows, CA

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tahoe Donner Ididarun Dog Pull Race – The Lodge Restaurant, 12805 Northwood’s Blvd. Tahoe Donner, Truckee, CA

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Gourmet Ski Tour Fundraiser – Tahoe Cross Country Ski Center, 925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City, CA

8 p.m. Fine ‘N Funky SnowFest! Fashion Show – Hacienda, Boatworks Mall, downtown Tahoe City, CA

Get ready to have a lot of fun. For a complete calendar of events and more details, check out the SnowFest 2012 schedule here, or better yet plan to be here in Lake Tahoe and have some winter fun!

Thinking about getting a home or cabin here in Tahoe? Start your Tahoe Property here. Check out the following neighborhoods and areas in the Lake Tahoe - Truckee, California area.

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs - Laura Allen, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, ABR®, RSPS, ePRO, Previews Property Specialist,DRE# 01473598,530.414.1260,www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com Laura@TahoeLaura.com, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Tahoe City, California.

Leap Year, February 29, 2012 - How will you spend your extra day this year?

It’s that time again, when we all get an extra day – Leap Year! While I struggle with the fact that another four years has slipped by, I know that this is an opportunity to make this extra day really count.

What will you do with your extra day? Will you make a few extra calls? Schedule an extra meeting? Get your Sweetheart a gift to remember the day? Take the family out to dinner? Perhaps this is the day that you’ll plan to do something very special later this year, like a vacation, or special event.

Sometimes making your day special can be as simple as giving a smile to everyone you meet, or doing something nice and unexpected for someone else. It’s not about money, or putting on a big production, it’s about making the ordinary, something more, making that extra time count.

This year I plan to do something nice for someone that isn’t expecting anything other than another Wednesday. It may be as simple as letting another car get into traffic, or letting someone go ahead of me in line, but I’ll wait and see what opportunities happen that day. My goal is to do as many random acts of kindness as I can.

On a personal note, I will surprise my guy with an alpenglow picnic at Commons Beach in downtown Tahoe City, California. My menu is very simple, a bottle of great wine, or champagne, I’ll make some chocolate covered strawberries earlier in the day, and I’ll include some crackers and cheese just too round things out. I have no idea what the weather will be like. It may be a snow blizzard, or we may see a spectacular alpenglow in Lake Tahoe. It doesn’t matter what the weather will be like, the point will be to make a Wednesday, my extra day, a special day.

So there’s my plan to turn my extra day this year into a memorable one. I’d love to know how everyone else will spend their bonus day. How will you spend your extra day, February 29, 2012?

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs - Laura Allen, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, ABR®, RSPS, ePRO, Previews Property Specialist,DRE# 01473598,530.414.1260,www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com Laura@TahoeLaura.com, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Tahoe City, California.

Start your Tahoe Property here. Check out the following neighborhoods and areas in the Lake Tahoe - Truckee, California Area.

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs - Laura Allen, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, ABR®, RSPS, ePRO, Previews Property Specialist,DRE# 01473598,530.414.1260,www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.comLaura@TahoeLaura.com, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Tahoe City, California.

West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California, Real Estate Price Trend Report

Real estate is a local market. Even in the Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California area not all neighborhoods and communities are experiencing the same market conditions.

Let’s take a look at the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, California, which is made up of several communities. Some of the well-known neighborhoods and communities on the West Shore include: Tahoe City, Tahoe Sierra Estates, Tahoe Woods, Lake Tahoe Park, Talmont, Alpine Peaks, Pineland, Timberland, Ward Creek, Skyland, Tahoe Pines, Tahoe Swiss Village, Homewood, McKinney Shores, Chamberlands /the Chambers Landing area, Tahoma, Glenridge, Meeks Bay, and Rubicon Bay.

This area is approximately 15 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline and starts with Tahoe City, California where Highway 28 meets Highway 89 South ending in the Rubicon Bay area right before the D.L. Bliss State Park / Emerald Bay area.

Many people do not know that Tahoe City, California is located on both the North Shore and the West Shore areas of Lake Tahoe. The downtown area of Tahoe City is located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, while the Truckee River and Fanny Bridge is located on the West Shore of Tahoe City. As a result of Tahoe City being a defining point for the two shores, you will find Tahoe City on both the North Shore and West Shore market reports.

The West Shore, Lake Tahoe area has had a significant price correction over the past few years. The average median sold single family home sales price has dropped -41% since the market peak in 2006.

So where is this market headed? The following graph shows the West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California pricing trend, which looks like we may have put in a pricing bottom.

If you’d like more Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California real estate information, read Tahoe Laura’s Luxury Homes most recent real estate newsletter.

Start your Tahoe Property here. Check out the following West Shore neighborhoods and areas in the Lake Tahoe - Truckee, California Area.

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs - Laura Allen, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, CRS, ABR®, RSPS, ePRO, Previews Property Specialist,DRE# 01473598,530.414.1260,www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com Laura@TahoeLaura.com, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Tahoe City, California.