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Kinder Prep at our Favorite School – Custom Learning Academy

Published by Christina on April 19th, 2012, in Recent Projects

Calling all parents and caregivers of preschool students getting ready for kindergarten, Custom Learning Academy (CLA) is ready to assist with your transition with experts on-hand available to discuss your questions or concerns. Locals and out-of-town visitors alike are invited to attend this special evening at CLA on Wednesday, May 2 in Truckee, CA.

By Nicole Cheslock

CALLING ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
Visit Custom Learning Academy in Tahoe Donner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2.

Parents and pre-kinder children are invited to attend an informational evening with healthy snacks and engaging activities at Custom Learning Academy (CLA) in Tahoe Donner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2.

Laurel Parker Kennedy, CLA’s Kinder Teacher, will be hosting the Kindergarten Round-Up in the Kinder classroom located at 12716 Northwoods Boulevard. In addition to teaching kindergarten, Kennedy, who is a UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly graduate, teaches elementary music and art classes. Students love her musical talent, because playing the piano and singing makes learning fun in all subjects!

“We offer the nirvana of kinder programs,” explains CLA’s founder & Credentialed Literacy Specialist, Lisa Crosby, M.Ed. who will speak about early literacy development and best preparation for school in the Fall on May 2. “Our 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. program offers young ones a gentle start, including rest after lunch, for the first few weeks. We have a very sound and effective math and language arts curriculum.”

In addition, CLA Kindergarten students enjoy daily physical education plus weekly science lessons with hands on labs, social studies, fine arts and music classes with singing, rhythm and musical
instruments. Learning is not limited to academics. A fun infused drama curriculum focuses on Emotional Quotient skills and school-wide Friday performances offer a supportive audience.

“This is such a magical time for children to learn to love school and, more importantly, to view themselves as capable learners. Each component of our program is designed for valuable brain development,” adds Crosby who holds numerous secondary education credentials in addition to a K through 8 Elementary Endorsement and Literacy Specialist Credential for teaching all grade levels plus teachers.

Learning doesn’t stop at the end of the traditional school year. Rising kindergarten through fifth grade students participate in highly interactive, playful themed summer camps that take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and cost just $160 per child. Children do not have to be year round CLA students to attend summer camp. Highlights include “Creepy, Crawly, and Wiggly” from June 25 to 29, “Art and Nature” from July 16 to 20 and “Brazilian Rainforests” from Aug. 6 to 10. For a complete list of summer camps and more information about Custom Learning Academy’s tailored approach to K through 12 education, visit customlearning.org or call (530) 587-5470 to schedule a visit.

ABOUT CUSTOM LEARNING ACADEMY
Custom Learning Academy is a full-time, WASC-accredited Kindergarten through twelfth grade non- profit private school offering customized curriculum for every student and an unheard of 10-to-1 student- teacher ratio (or less) in a nurturing learning environment. CLA’s mission is to achieve academic success for each student by providing standards based, self paced learning opportunities and support from teachers with excellent content knowledge and effective communication skills, all in a culture of respect. Call (530) 587-5470 or visit customlearning.org for more information.

 

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A Childhood without Nature?

Published by Christina on February 27th, 2012, in Career Advice, General

To be honest, a childhood without nature is a concept I cannot grasp. My exposure to the great outdoors was almost immediate and the love almost as instantaneous. Like my parents, I was enchanted by the magic in the air.

Mt. Lassen, 1971

Hiking with Dad, Mt. Lassen 1971

As I grew, the opportunities to play and explore exceeded, as did my partners in these adventures. Whether I was with family or friends, solo or with my beloved canine companion, the outdoors never asked me to be anyone but myself.

This freedom of one’s self and vast opportunity for exploration has been woven into the life of my child as well. His worries lift and his mind wanders as we close the door to our modern day leashes. I wouldn’t trade our regular “chats on the trail” for a million dollars and love nothing more than to watch him wander, off on his own, humming a tune without realizing he’s doing so.

I pray this will be a generational gift, once again bestowed on the next round yet-to-arrive. In the meantime, I encourage you to extend your tethers and give the gift of the outdoors to the children in your life. It will benefit their mind, physical health and create memories that far exceed your expectations.

Sunshine Tahoe is a proud sponsor of “Play Again” on Thursday, March 15. Join us to further learn why this connection is so incredibly important.

Connecting with Nature and One Another, by Nicole Cheslock
Do you know any children who have fewer positive outdoor experiences today than you and your friends did at their age? How has playing in nature and outdoor education impacted your personal and social development? Does social media foster looking inward rather than encouraging teens to become active in the broader, non-virtual community?

These topics and more will be explored at Play Again on Thursday, March 15. With generous support from the KidZone Museum, Sunshine Tahoe, Cooking Gallery and Cedar House Sport Hotel, the event features guest speaker Barbara Schneider, Ph.D. and the first Tahoe-Truckee showing of “Play Again.” In the film, six screen-addicted teens take their first wilderness adventure. We will discuss the overarching question posed by the award winning documentary, “What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature?”

Play Again
What: What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature?
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15
Where: Cedar House Sport Hotel, Truckee, CA
Tickets: $15 advance (available online at nicolecheslock.com), $20 day
of (if available). Includes presentation, film and snack.

About Barbara Schneider, Ph.D.
Guest speaker Barbara Schneider, Ph.D. has spent her professional, academic and parental life exploring the ways that individuals and institutions are changed by and leverage experiences in informal learning environments such as museums, aquaria, parks and their own backyards. Schneider’s work has resulted in numerous grant awards,conference presentations and publications. She taught A History of Methods and Evaluations of Informal Learning Environments at Stanford University where she earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teacher Education. In addition, Barbara has a Master’s degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. She resides in Los Gatos with her husband and two daughters but prefers to be in Truckee
whenever they get the chance. “Being the parent of two active children has proven the best teacher of all,” shares Schneider.

About “Play Again”
Tonje Hessen Schei, co-founder of Ground Productions, is a Norwegian filmmaker who directed “Play Again.” At a time when most children play more behind screens than outside, “Play Again” explores the changing balance between the virtual and natural worlds. The documentary follows teenagers who generally spend five to fifteen hours a day behind screens unplug and go outdoors. Through the voices of children and experts (including journalist Richard Louv, sociologist Juliet Schor, environmental writer Bill McKibben, educators Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, neuroscientist Gary Small, parks advocate Charles Jordan and geneticist David Suzuki), “Play Again” explores the role of outdoor play in fostering a sustainable future. Visit
playagainfilm.com for more information.

Nicole Cheslock runs NC Communications, a boutique PR agency serving businesses and nonprofit corporations. She can be reached at (530) 548-5010.

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The Magnificent Richardson House Could Be Yours

Published by Christina on January 28th, 2012, in General

The Richardson House has become a hub of great interest from potential buyers as of late. Up until this stage, it was a concept we weren’t ready to consider.  After several weeks of emotional discussions, we have decided to open The Richardson House, for a period of three months, to the possibility of a sale.

Our potential buyer could be a past guest that fell in love with the house and would love to use it as their second home (all-the-while keeping the business running as a full-time vacation rental).  Another possible buyer could be one of our very own locals, looking for a wonderful family home and very special place to conduct business.  Or, it could quite possibly be an out-of-area investor that shares our long-term vision of the value of owning and operating this unique and completely refurbished magnificent home. Whether we sell, or not, the home will remain very close to our hearts. For now, we continue to carry on in a business as usual capacity providing our stream of guests with the utmost of service. Please remember Truckee locals and their families receive a very special price structure and of course, our local not-for-profits remain invited to use the house anytime it isn’t otherwise booked.  Please contact Chelsea for details – Chelsea@therichardsonhouse.com or 530-563-6874. If you are interested in the possibility of being the next caretaker of this incredible home, contact Ronda Shaw at 530-448-1982, rshaw@dicksonrealty.com and be sure to view the following link - http://truckeetahoehometours.com/tour/11608/10154-High-Street-The-Richardson-House. The house, the majority of furnishings and all major business components are included in the offer. Thank you, as always, for your gracious support!

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TRUCKEE’S 2011 HISTORICAL HAUNTED TOUR ATTRACTS RECORD NUMBERS AND DONATES MORE THAN $9,000 TO BENEFICIARIES

Published by Christina on January 18th, 2012, in Recent Projects, Startups

Save the dates for 2012 Historical Haunted Tour –Thursday, October 18 and Friday, 19, 2012

Truckee’s October 2011 Historical Haunted Tour raised more than $9,000: $4,640 was donated to the Truckee Donner Historical Society and $4,640 to Trails & Vistas. This was possible based on record ticket sales and proceeds from a prize packed raffle that took place at Moody’s Bistro, the tour’s host sponsor.

Photo by Scott Thompson

The Historical Haunted Tour is an entertaining fundraising event that celebrates town history with a fun and spooky twist. During the walking tour, residents and visitors are guided to interesting sites where they hear engaging tales performed by talented singers and performers. The tour, scripted by the event beneficiaries (Trails and Vistas and the Truckee Donner Historical Society) skillfully weaves together previously untold stories from the past with dramatic and funny twists.

“The Historical Haunted Walking Tour has been successful in bringing
together two organizations with completely different missions and
molding their goals and philosophies into a wonderfully entertaining
program that brings Truckee’s sensational historical headlines
together with arts and culture to create an event that has people
coming back year-after-year,” explains Chelsea Walterscheid, President
of the Truckee Donner Historical Society. She adds, “The money raised
helps with our on-going preservation efforts.”

Trails and Vistas founder Nancy Tieken Lopez echoes Walterscheid’s
sentiment, “The tour offers a creative peek into Truckee’s rich
historical past. Proceeds support our mission to create the region’s
only art-hike, an exquisite experience that takes places in nature
every September.”

The Historical Haunted Tour began as a three-year experiment by
Sunshine Tahoe to build support for the two nonprofit organizations as
well as provide an economic boost to historic Truckee. In 2009, 70
tickets were available. The tour sold out three weeks in advance. One
hundred and forty tickets were offered the next year, and once again
the tour sold out weeks in advance. In 2011, all hands were on deck,
every resource was stretched to the max, and more than 290 tickets
were sold and there was a 60 person waitlist. More than $6,000 in
donated raffle items from The Richardson House, River Street Inn, Squeeze
In, KidZone Museum, The Pour House, Mark McLaughlin – The Storm King,
Scraps Truckee, Dorinda’s Cafe and Johnstone Studios significantly
contributed to the 2011 fundraising effort and provided exposure for
local businesses.

Stefanie Olivieri, owner of Cabona’s, the oldest retail store in
historic downtown Truckee, said, “It was a great experience personally
and a good opportunity for our business. Lots of people came in after
the tour and told us how much they enjoyed learning the history of our
business.” Olivieri confirmed that the event brought shoppers to her
business. Additional sites included Tourist Club, International Order
of Odd Fellows and Masonic Hall, Train Depot and Art Obsessions at
Truckee Mercantile.

Over 60 community volunteers make the tour possible. “Even our most
gracious thanks would not be enough to show them our appreciation to
help promote the dying art of oral history to help promote historic
preservation, local arts, dance and land stewardship,” explained
Walterscheid.

Event organizer Christina Stoever-Young of Sunshine Tahoe attributes
much of the tour’s success to the collaborating nonprofit
organizations and incredible talent and dedication offered by all of
the volunteers including performers and tour leaders. “We captivate a
crowd and tell them stories in a way they can hardly forget,” she
says.

Photo by Scott Thompson

Attendee Mary Taitano, a Reno resident, shares, “I’ve never thought of
Truckee as a historical exclamation point. However, the tour was
enlightening, engaging and entertaining. Who knew Truckee had as
sordid a past as the rest of us!? This quaint little town harbors
stories and family histories that would widen even the most unenthused
eyes.”

Volunteers, donors and attendees are encouraged to save the dates for
the next tour: Thursday, October 18 and Friday, 19, 2012. Tickets will
go on sale in August.

 

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Let’s Not Forget Etiquette

Published by Christina on November 29th, 2011, in Career Advice

Tis the season and I couldn’t resist re-posting this particular piece.  Enjoy!

As the holidays approach, I feel this is an ideal time for all of us to take a good look at our individual image and how it rolls into personal as well as business standards.  A great deal of the material I’m presenting can be credited to my grandmother, Myrtle Mae Miller and my mother, Christine Diane Gazaway.  I’d also like to give credit where credit is due so let’s not forget Emily Post.

Invite

Host

An invite will provide invitees a clear idea of the type of event being hosted.  For a formal to semi-formal event, a custom invite with or without an RSVP card is highly recommended.  If you do not include an RSVP card, please be sure to provide both a phone number and email address for RSVP’s as well as an RSVP by date.  And for heaven’s sake, please hand address each invite.  I can think of nothing worse than a mailing label on such a special invitation.

For casual to children’s parties, feel free to customize a fold over or postcard invite, perhaps something whimsical that represents the theme of the event.  Making these types of cards at websites such as Kodak Gallery, Shutterfly and Mac (to name only take a few) take little more than a few fun photos, all the relevant details and maybe 30 minutes of your time.  While I’m not a big fan of eInvites, they can save a great deal of time and electronically manager your RSVP list.

Attendee

At the very least, read your invite and observe the tone your host / hostess has set.  Do you feel you’re part of a large list of people or invited to something a little more intimate?  Your interpretation of this invite is critical as it will intrinsically drive you to take the next steps which should include:  checking your calendar for availability, contacting your significant other and or a date (if appropriate) to join you, planning to purchase and wrap a gift (again, if appropriate) and most importantly – RSVP.

RSVP

I cannot emphasize the RSVP aspect enough, if someone has gone to the trouble to make you feel important, please take the time to respond to their invitation.  If you do plan to attend, please be on time or within 15 minutes or so of the start time.  If you plan to be over 20 minutes late, please let your host / hostess know in advance and give them a time to expect your arrival.  Often they will wait to raise a glass for a toast, serve a meal or embark on another special part of the party until you arrive.

Attire

You always want to look your best for a party, casual or formal.  Put your best foot forward, back to personal branding.  If dressing for the occasion isn’t your forte, ask your significant other, a friend, family member – anyone with fashion sense in your life to help.  To simplify this advice here’s a quick scenario – if you don’t have time to take a shower after the gym and decide to “pop on over” please do everyone a favor and pass on the party itself as it’s obvious to everyone (especially your host or hostess and / or honoree) that the party is not important to you.

Gifts

If your host / hostess has any special requirements it should be noted within the invite.  Many people are supporting charities or simply asking people not to worry about a gift, either way please take the time to read the fine print and respond accordingly.  Please keep in mind, if this is a shower or engagement type of event, the host or hostess will most likely be available via email or phone to let you know whether or not the honoree is registered and if so, where.  This is a quick and easy way to shop in advance (usually online) and for a little extra money a gift can be wrapped and delivered on your behalf.

As the hostess of many “no gift please” or “charitable” parties, I must admit, a gift for your host / hostess is always a kind gesture.  Flowers, a candle, a nice bottle of wine – all winners (among many others) and a great way to make someone who’s been working incredibly hard to pull of a great event feel absolutely fantastic.

Speaking of feeling fantastic, the last act is the most meaningful and memorable – the thank you note.

Thank You

For the record, sending an email after an event doesn’t qualify as a formal thank you for any sort of occasion above casual.  A personal phone call would be nice but if you’d like to really seal the deal, write a note to the host / hostess and (now don’t fret when you read this) place it in an envelope, address, add a stamp and mail.  If you don’t have nice paper to write a proper thank you note, it sounds like this is something you’ll need to add to your personal and professional repertoire, I recommend starting with Cranes – classic and elegant, always a winner.

Tis the season to make assumptions and as a professional event planner, brand manager and regular hostess, I encourage you to take pause, be considerate and most importantly – be thankful.

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By Mikal E. Belicove, Facebook Posting Techniques that Really Work

Published by Christina on August 24th, 2011, in Social Media

A dear friend recently published this succinct and interesting article, I find it a fresh perspective to a challenging subject.

There’s a fine line between a scientific approach to marketing on Facebook and a haphazard shotgun approach. For those of you who prefer not to “point and shoot,” a new study from a San Francisco-based social media strategy firm offers an in-depth analysis of the top 20,000 Facebook Pages and up to a quarter million posts in an effort to determine the most useful posting techniques.

In the just-released report called Engagement and Interaction: A Scientific Approach to Facebook Marketing (link opens a PDF file), Momentus Media. provides answers to the seven most frequently asked questions by Facebook page administrators:

  1. When’s the best time to post? While weekends and off-peak hours from 2pm to 5am are the times when page admins are least likely to add a new post, those are the posts that receive the highest interaction rates. Thursdays, on the other hand, shoulder the highest number of postings during the week and the lowest interaction rate. And since a high level of postings results in a lower interaction rate from users, it only stands to reason that posting in off-peak hours means you’ll gain more interaction from fans.
  2. How many times should I post per day? You’d think too many posts would offend your followers but the report suggests frequent posting increases interaction. As you might suspect, fewer posts reduce the chances users will see them. And while unsubscribe rates go up after three posts per day, they level off at higher frequencies. The secret is to find that balance between optimizing interaction and managing unsubscribes, which is going to be different for every business.
  3. What type of content elicits the most interaction? By far, photos generate the highest interaction rate for the six varieties of content, with status updates ranking No. 2. Others — in descending order — include video, music and links. The fact that links are at the bottom is interesting, considering they are posted the most often. Photos rank at the top because they’re visual, easy to digest and they elicit emotion.
  4. Should I ask fans to Like or Comment on my posts? Absolutely. Just by taking advantage of a “Like” call to action boosts your interaction rate by 216 percent. Momentus Media analyzed 49,266 Page posts, comparing interaction rates for posts with “Like” and “Comment” calls to action and those without. And while only 1.3 percent of status messages had a call to action attached, those who used “Like” or “Comment” showed a huge boost in interaction rates.
  5. Should I ask my fans questions? You’d think that by asking questions you’d get a better interaction rate, but such is not the case. However, Facebook page admins looking to achieve the highest comment rate should pose questions and then directly ask for fans to reply with comments.
  6. How long should my status messages be? According to this study, size does matter. While there’s a higher posting rate for shorter posts (especially those that stay within the 140-character limit for cross-posting purposes on both Twitter and Facebook), interaction increases as the length of the status message increases.
  7. How long do my messages remain in the Newsfeed? In the first hour of a Facebook status update, half of the users who will click on the post will have done so, with 90 percent of the clicks occurring within nine hours of the post going live.

What’s your best strategy for boosting interaction with your company on Facebook?

(c)2011 Entrepreneur Media, Inc.

“About the Author: Mikal E. Belicove is an Entrepreneur Magazine Columnist, Contributing Writer & Blogger and the co-author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook.” For more information, please visit www.MikalBelicove.com.”

 

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Truckee’s Historic Haunted Tour Returns

Published by Christina on August 17th, 2011, in General

It’s baaaaack!

OLD TRUCKEE, photo compliments of the Truckee Donner Historical Society

With new haunts, new stories and a know-no-boundaries costume contest, the 2011 Historical Haunted Tour promises guests an unforgettable experience in historic Truckee on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21, 2011. We’re delighted to announce that Moody’s Bistro and Lounge returns as this year’s host sponsor and the tours, departing every 15 minutes will leave from Moody’s beginning at 5:45 p.m. Enjoy a glass of wine or nonalcoholic beverage to calm your jitters before you walk along this year’s spectacular route which will include the Tourist Club, Cabona’s, the International Order of Odd Fellows and Masonic Hall, Train Depot and Art Impressions at Truckee Mercantile. We’ll also award prizes for the best historic costumes each night of the tour so get funky, scary or elegant and come in costume! Tickets cost $30 per person at  www.truckeehistorytour.org (adults only). The tour sold out in 2009 and 2010 so reserve your tickets today to guarantee a place for your sweetheart and friends.

 

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A Hike Like No Other…

Published by Christina on July 22nd, 2011, in Recent Projects

If you have not yet attended Trails & Vistas, I highly encourage you to purchase your tickets for this annual, sell-out event. You will be enchanted, entertained and moved by the incredible art presented in raw nature on this two-hour expedition.  If you would prefer to hike at a comfortable pace, Trails offers a leisure hike. Into finding your inner Zen? Sign-up for the meditative hike. And for the children, the family hike is the perfect option.

TRAILS & VISTAS ART HIKE ANNOUNCES ARTISTS AND TICKETS

Sept. 17 and 18, 2011 at Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park

Experience art and nature in a completely new way during the Trails and Vistas “Reflections and Rhythms” art hike on Sept. 17 or Sept. 18 at Spooner Lake in the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. Tickets, offered at 2009 rates through Sept. 1, are now available at www.trailsandvistas.org. The cost is $30 for adults and $10 for children when purchased before Sept. 1, 2011.

Event details

  • What: Guided 2.5 mile art hike
  • When: Sept. 17 and 18, 2011
  • Where: Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park
  • Tickets: $30 adults/$10 children available at www.trailsandvistas.org (prices increase Sept. 1)

Trails and Vistas Artistic Director, Nancy Tieken Lopez, explains, “The purpose of Trails and Vistas is to reestablish bonds between individuals and between individuals and nature. Nature belongs to all of us and putting art in this context changes the experience and the audience.” Musicians, poets, sculptors, dancers and performers interact with participants to create a cherished experience between people and between individuals and place. In “Reflections and Rhythms,” audience members will walk along a gentle two and a half mile single-track trail, with an experienced guide, pausing at creative, artistic expressions.

While earning her masters in fine arts degree at San Jose State University, Nancy Tieken Lopez thesis project was Spring Streams, an art hike held at Alum Rock State Park. Spring Streams evolved into the Truckee-based nonprofit organization now called Trails and Vistas. Today the art hike, in its’ eighth season, is collaboration between artists and nonprofit collaborators including the Truckee Donner Land Trust, InnerRhythms Dance Theatre and the KidZone Children’s Museum. Trails and Vistas 2011 sponsors include Christina and Kent Young of The Richardson House, For Goodness Sake, Cedar House Sport Hotel, and Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation.

Artist highlights

Since the beginning of Trails and Vistas, dancers from the InnerRhythms Dance Theatre have brought unforgettable performances to the art hike. Elizabeth Archer, Trails and Vistas’ co-director and the director of InnerRhythms Dance Theatre, hopes that the experience inspires audience members. “Discover your own rhythm. Trust that there is a rhythm inside of you. Once you discover it, you are completely loyal to it,” says Archer.

Award-Winning Children’s Artist and REMO Endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator Norman Jones will perform this September. Jones is from The Rhythm Child Network, a group formed in 2003 that uses drums and movement to foster creativity. By using the drum as a vehicle for building confidence, communicating positive messages and encouraging group dynamics, Rhythm Child helps people connect with their inner rhythms. Visit www.rhythmchild.net to learn more about this art hike newcomer.

Famous for her magnificent egg art and inspirational storytelling, Cathee vanRossem-St.Clair, a Truckee resident, returns to Trails and Vistas. St. Clair’s painted eggs have earned national recognition. One of her eggs, The California Thrasher, created for the Whitehouse Christmas Tree, is now in the National Archives. “Like most artists, my creative journey began at an early age. Since I lifted that first crayon, storytelling and language – the language of birds, the language of the earth, and the silent language we humans use to interact with our inner and outer landscapes, have fed my art. Images from dreams, observations, and quirky musings push their way into my sketchbooks to this day,” shares St. Clair about the beginning of her artistic journey.

Another Tahoe-Truckee local resident, Emily Tessmer of Orenda Blu Music, will share sacred chants during the art hike. Tessmer explains the root of her inspiration and muse, “The river of music has carried me back to my ancestors…I feel the embrace of the divine like never before. The miracles are continually abounding in my life and my heart calls for the caress of my grandfathers and grandmothers in their wisdom.” She adds, “I am so grateful to be a part of Trails this year. Being a part of it last year was so inspiring and contributed to all that I envision for this year at Spooner Lake.”

By popular demand, Chief Red Hawk will return to Trails and Vistas. He uses stories to inspire people to reflect on the value of the land, and he shares wisdom about animals and the natural environment. He is the winner of two TELLY awards and performed at the Winter Olympics ceremonies in Utah. The most captivating aspects of Red Hawk’s storytelling are the stories of his Native American ancestors that he shares through music and song.

Angelika’s Healing Music is another returning artist. She is an internationally acclaimed performer, composer and recording artist whose main intention is to promote oneness, peace, healing and goodwill through music. Angelika sings ancient Sanskrit healing chants and mantras in different languages and performs original songs, sharing love and celebration accompanied by a handmade tamboura monochord and twelve-string guitar.

Angelique Benicio, an illustrator and sculptor, is driven to convey impressions of the living experience with a child’s sense of wonder. She is a published children’s book illustrator, has worked in France as a freelance illustrator and as a painter and sculptor for French cinema productions.

Visit Facebook and the Trails and Vistas web site at www.trailsandvistas.org for updates on artists and to purchase tickets for 2011.

 

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Add a Little Humor

Published by Christina on June 22nd, 2011, in Startups

“The more you explain it, the more I don’t understand it.” – Mark Twain

Staying on point and communicating key messages can become quite challenging in today’s world of information overload. When contemplating your strategy please remember humor, it can offer a new angle to a tired message. The following is a quick overview of a recent challenge faced by The Richardson House.

The Challenge:

The Richardson House was a B&B prior to becoming a luxury vacation rental. The Truckee / Tahoe community-at-large has continued to assume the house is operating as a B&B, despite dozens of efforts to reintroduce the home as a vacation rental through multiple mediums from print and radio to special events and public speaking engagements – to name a few.

The Risk:

To send a humorous and “out of the box” media release to our favorite local editors without causing offense to current and prospective guests.

The Result:

A fun and informative, well-received local history piece from the president of the Truckee Donner Historical Society.

June Print Edition
Published: June 19, 2011

Business Briefs
Submit yours to editor@moonshineink.com.

Editor’s Note: Despite being a vacation rental for over five years, the Richardson House has found it hard to get the word out that it is not a bed and breakfast. So the vacation rental’s staff put together this friendly, and hilarious, reminder that drives home the message by hitting us right in the funny bone.

You Know You Are a Truckee Local If…

1.  Snow in June is an inconvenience but not a surprise.

2.  You know the Richardson House is now a six-bedroom luxury VACATION HOME.

3.  You know the large, white cross next to Truckee Elementary is a historic landmark, not a religious symbol holding up “the finger” at the separation of church and state.

4.  You know the Richardson House does not serve breakfast because it is NOT a B&B, unless you slip Chelsea a crisp Benjamin, then she’ll serve up whatever you like.

5.  You know where Hooligan Rock is and what its original purpose was; you don’t just blindly drive by it on your way to fight the crowds at Safeway.

6.  You know the Richardson House is available to rent (yes — the entire house, folks), and is perfect for family/friend gatherings, small weddings, and corporate retreats.

7.  You know that the little cemetery on the road to the current cemetery is a Catholic cemetery. It was developed the same year as the one on the top of the hill, making it neither “older” nor “newer” than the other and shouldn’t be referred to as the “Old Cemetery.”

8.  You know the Richardson House kicks back discounts for locals and their friends, contact chelsea@therichardsonhouse.com.

9.  You know that the abandoned, postwar rooms on the corner of Jibboom and Bridge streets were built as a highway hotel and were never “cat houses,” no matter what your Uncle Jimmy told you.

10.  You know the Richardson House has not been a B&B for over FIVE years; no, really, it is NOT a B&B!! Info: therichardsonhouse.com.

Moonshine Inc.

A perfect place for happy hour - The Richardson House

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Tour Historic Truckee

Published by Christina on June 10th, 2011, in General

Would you like to spend an amazing day in historic Truckee, California?  Nicole Cheslock has paved the way.  Enjoy - http://www.theweeklymagazineonline.com/fea/feat1.html

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