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!

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.

There’s only a few days left to let your creative juices flow, entries are due Sunday, May 22.  This post is from the Truckee Downtown Merchant Association and Switchback PR + Marketing, Inc.

Remember the wonderful summertime community vibe of last year‟s Downtown Truckee Thursdays? Truckee Downtown Merchant Association‟s (TDMA) 2011 design contest invites local artists to get their creative juices flowing and submit a design that captures this popular weekly summer event series. The winning design will be printed on t-shirts that will be sold throughout the summer.

“We believe this is a great way to commemorate this colorful annual event series,” explains Alyssa Westenburg, TDMA president. “We are looking forward to seeing how the community‟s many talented visual artists will interpret this event in design.”

According to Westenburg, the judging panel will select the winner based on the design that best captures the spirit of the event and downtown Truckee.

Quickly becoming a feel-good summer mainstay, Downtown Truckee Thursdays 2011 will kick off on June 16 and continue through August 19 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The summer event was launched four years ago by the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association in an effort to highlight and revitalize the town and underscore a “Think Local” mentality. Offering a host of children‟s activities, live music, art, the Foothills Farmers Market, a beer garden and vendors of all ilk, it‟s no wonder this lively weekly event is on both locals and visitors must-do list.

With free parking, folks stroll through the downtown district, popping into its interesting shops, sampling food and wine, listening to music at the train depot and catching up with friends and neighbors. Partnering with various non-profit organizations each week, the TDMA provides attendees with entertaining themed events along with kid-friendly activities including a bounce house, arts and crafts and much more.

Last year the 10-week event garnered over 7,000 attendees and event organizers expect a significant increase again this year. The summer-long event is organized and funded by the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, through grants from local organizations Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce and Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, private sponsors, the Town of Truckee, and participating vendor fees.

To submit a contest entry, send the design by email to info@truckeethursdays.com or drop it off at the California Welcome Center located in the downtown train depot. For more information about participating in Downtown Truckee Thursdays either as a vendor, entertainer, non-profit or sponsor, contact info@truckeethursdays.com or visit www.truckeethursdays.com. For contest updates and upcoming event details, “like” Truckee Thursdays on Facebook.

Guests receive a Truckee Card to experience town like a local. The Truckee Experience Card includes complimentary gifts such as a wine and cheese tasting at Moody’s, mimosa at Squeeze In, bath soap from Riverstone Home Gifts, dog cookie from Scraps and deals from Burger Me and Tahoe Tea Company.

Accommodations • Built when Truckee was a Wild West railroad town, The Richardson House is an architectural gem that boasts a rich history yet, at the same time, offers guests a vacation home with modern conveniences. A stay at The Richardson House combines history and elegance with state of the art amenities including wireless Internet access and cable TV as well as the comforts of large living spaces and featherbeds. A large, modern kitchen, spacious parlor and private bedrooms with connecting bathrooms make the house an extraordinary and affordable lodging alternative for visitors.

House Manager Chelsea Walterscheid explains, “No details were missed in the meticulous restoration of The Richardson House. Antique furnishings, Victorian textures and inviting hues engage the senses at every turn. The Richardson House provides a truly unique experience. Each bedroom has a distinct character and provides historical ambience, luxury and comfort.” For example, Christine’s Room is cherished for its sunset views and beautiful light. It overlooks the Rocking Stone Tower, one of the few naturally occurring rocking stones in the world. Ivy’s Room has high ceilings, a tall window overlooking the garden and a handicap accessible private bathroom.

Grant Palmer from Mill Valley recently rented house and said, “I’m a sucker for unique, older places that are pieces of history and The Richardson House fully fits that bill. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere fulfilled the needs of everyone in my family.” Truckee resident Cesar Lopez hosted a family reunion at The Richardson House and said, “Everyone was enraptured by the beauty, inside and out. Afternoon talks on the gazebo, chats in the kitchen, reminiscing in the family room, and dinner talks were all made more wonderful by the house’s beautiful charm. Three of my relatives are over 90 years old and the convenient disabled access room was perfect. Rex’s Rumpus room was a huge hit with the kids.”

Community Giving • As a leader in supporting arts and culture, The Richardson House actively gives back to the community. The Truckee Donner Historical Society receives a portion of all bookings. In addition, The Richardson House is a proud sponsor of Trails and Vistas art hike and the Historic Haunted Walking Tour.

Holiday Special • The home, complete with the Truckee Experience Card, on-site caretaker and concierge, is a steal at $650 per night (2 night minimum) and $4,100 for a full week through January 31, 2011. Reservations are now being accepted for the holidays and 2011. Call (530) 563-6874 or visit www.therichardsonhouse.com to check availability and book the home.

One home, in particular, continues to stop us in our tracks – The Richardson House.  The phenomenon is something that neither of us can explain. She’s so astute, like a proud dame overlooking historic Truckee ― a Queen overseeing her regime.

Because of our love for this house, a desire to leave a legacy for the unique Town of Truckee, and nothing short of raw determination, The Richardson House is now our home. (Although, I must caution, the use of the word “our” is extended to the community-at-large.) Our intent is to reintroduce her as a place many can enjoy. Whether her living areas are used as meeting places sites for non-profit organizations, her yard as a solstice for those looking for a quiet place to read or a couple to celebrate a special day, or her bedrooms enjoyed as a respite by locals and their guests alike, The Richardson House will soon return to Truckee society in all of her splendor.

Richardson House, Historic Truckee

Colleen Dalton, E-Business Marketing Director Booth Creek Ski Resorts, Inc., a fellow Trails and Vistas board member, recently recommended a quick and easy article on “how to” create such a statement - Mission Statements.

In this age of information technology, it’s more imperative than ever to make sure you can provide a quick, cohesive and interesting description of your business.

Although it would be amazing to have a dependable, wholesome and highly recognized celebrity endorsing our product, it’s simply not in the budget for most.  Not to worry though, endorsements from local celebrities can go a long way.  Read on:

A very dear friend of mine writes a “Shop Talk” column for the Reno Gazette Journal.  Her husband always raves about the fact that as soon as she promotes a product in the weekly column, sales for this particular item go through the roof.  In addition, she attends and writes columns or short stories about all the major charitable events in the region.

Only recently, she joined the world of Twitter and now has over 300 followers.

Whether I’m buying tanning lotion, looking for someone to repair the heel of a high heel or trying to decide whether or not we should attend a fundraising dinner, I always turn to her first.

In her own right, she’s become a regional celebrity spokesperson.  It’s not because she gives me excellent referrals, it’s because she gives them to the entire region.

Who is this person in your community?  Are you connected?  Can you enhance this relationship?

Before adding this as a possible action item on your to-do list, read David Port’s article “Boost Your Brand” and discuss with your management team and/or board of directors.  Economically, it could be a fantastic and economically feasible way to promote your brand.

Here it is, 2009 and I’ve decided (with ample nudging from a few friends and Bryan’s team over at Fuze) that my time to leap from a long chat over coffee to, well, a blog.

What is a blog?  According to WordNet it’s something you read, write or edit – a shared online journal.  Back in 1999 blog was added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.   It’s defined by MarketingTerms.com as a frequent chronological publication of personal thoughts and web links.

As I scroll further into the online abyss of blog descriptions before me, I realize in ten years or so, the definition remains basically the same – I write, and if you’re captivated (or with hope, partially interested) you’ll read.

Here we go…