Trails & Vistas’ art hikes blend world-class artistic expression with a walk in the woods. Following the annual public art hikes in early September, local third grade students get to experience art in nature through Trails & Vistas field trips. Sunshine Tahoe run by Christina Stoever-Young, an avid supporter of arts, culture and the environment, has donated $10,000 to Trails & Vistas in honor of the 10th anniversary of the art hikes this September.

“The purpose of Trails & Vistas is to reestablish bonds between individuals and between individuals and nature. Putting art in this context changes the experience and the audience. We are so grateful for Sunshine Tahoe’s past and ongoing support,” says Nancy Tieken Lopez, Trails & Vistas founder and executive director. “Christina’s valuable contributions – both in expertise, her time and financial support – will undoubtedly culminate in the long term success and ongoing growth of Trails & Vistas.”

10th Anniversary Art Hikes and Evening Concert
WHAT: Experience Art in Nature
WHEN: Art hikes - Every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013
WHERE: Pacific Crest Trail on Donner Summit, Tahoe National Forest (near Boreal Ski Resort)
ART HIKE TICKETS: $30 adults, $10 children. Only available online at TrailsandVistas.org.
EVENING CONCERT (Sept. 7): $20, discounted to $10 per person when purchased with art hike ticket

Attendees from around the country will experience award-winning art in nature. More than 30 participating artists -  including outstanding musicians, exquisite dancers, emotion and thought provoking poets, memorable singers and incredible visual artists - will perform aside stunning alpine lakes and breathtaking vistas.

In addition to the art hikes, a 10th anniversary concert will take place at the Truckee Regional Park Amphitheatre from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. Performers include double-neck guitarist Ian Ethan Case from Boston, MA, Reno Taiko Tsurunokai, a Japanese drum group from Reno, NV and the forty-piece San Jose State Symphony Orchestra plus an opening act by Ann Licater, a world flutist from Los Angeles. Artist Susie Alexander from Truckee will paint while the orchestra plays (everyone in attendance will have a chance to bid on the final product!) and a ballerina from Inner Rhythms will be painted on stage! This is one Truckee summer concert not to miss.

* Advance purchase is highly recommended.

Artists from Boston, Reno, LA, San Jose, Marin, Grass Valley, Truckee and Tahoe are participating in the Sept. 7 and 8  art hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail! Pick a time between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and join a handful of friends for an art hike like no other on Donner Summit this fall. A “sell out” event nearly since inception in 2004, this is one Tahoe Truckee fall event not to miss. And, September is a fabulous time to visit. Trails & Vistas’ art hikes blend world-class artistic expression - live music, dance performances, storytelling, sculpture and painting - with hiking.

More than 30 participating artists including musicians, dancers, poets, singers and visual artists will perform aside stunning alpine lakes and breathtaking vistas. In addition to the art hikes, a 10th anniversary concert will take place at the Truckee Regional Park Amphitheatre from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. The evening concert includes a tremendous opening act by Ann Licater, a world flutist from Los Angeles, double-neck guitarist Ian Ethan Case from Boston, MA, Reno Taiko Tsurunokai, a Japanese drum group from Reno, NV and the forty-piece San Jose State Symphony Orchestra!

WHAT:  Art in Nature: Trails & Vistas 10th anniversary art hikes AND special concert
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013
WHERE: Pacific Crest Trail on Donner Summit, Tahoe National Forest (near Boreal Ski Resort)
ADMISSION: Tickets are available online at TrailsandVistas.org.
Art Hike  $30 adults, $10 children
Concert Art hike attendees can take advantage of a 50% discount ($10) for the concert when purchasing art hike and concert ticket online. Non-hikers can experience the world music concert for $20 advance/$30 at the door.

Trails & Vistas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to create experiences of art in nature that inspires environmental awareness. Partnered with Truckee Donner Land Trust, Inner Rhythms Dance Theatre and the KidZone Children’s Museum, Trails & Vistas and the partnering organizations believe the annual art hikes strengthens the ties between the Land Trust and arts organizations in the Lake Tahoe Truckee region and also increases participants' commitment to building a stronger community and environmental stewardship through creative expression.

Incredible Lake Tahoe vistas, fabulous day hikes, waterfalls and magnificent rock formations await.
Official, in-person launch of the inaugural Trail Challenge is June 1.
Unofficially the adventure begins when online registration opens on May 15! Don't miss the fun with your friends this summer - Get in on the inaugural Challenge!

Tickets on sale on April 22!

Live performances and creativity reign during inspiring guided hikes with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop. Trails & Vistas' 10th anniversary art hikes will take place on the Pacific Crest Trail on Donner Summit in the Tahoe National Forest on Sept. 7 and 8.

Art hikes include music, dance, storytelling, sculpture and painting with the natural environment to create one of a kind art hikes in the Sierra Nevada. The theme for the 10th anniversary art hikes presented by Trails & Vistas is “Reflections.” The hikes will be offered every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 and 8. Specialty hikes include family hikes for those with children, meditative hikes for those wanting an especially quiet and spiritual connection (adults only) and leisurely hikes for those seeking a slower pace. Advance purchase is highly recommended (the event sells out every year): $30 for adults and  $10 for children. The art-hike lasts approximately 3 hours. In addition to the guided hikes, Trails & Vistas 10th anniversary concert will take place at the Truckee Regional Park Amphitheatre from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. Gates open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m. Visit trailsandvistas.org.

Newly independent and locally owned Boice O'Neal Realty serves Tahoe Truckee from three incredible locations - and on February 1 announced new name, identity and space in the Flying A in historic downtown Truckee!

Visit or contact any one of Boice O'Neal's experienced professional agents for the inside scoop on buying and selling in Lake Tahoe Truckee today.

Kudos to Cesar Lopez' atypical design for the incredible new look and logo that Tahoe Truckee residents and visitors will soon be seeing all over town.

Who's noting the news?
Moonshine Ink, Feb. 8, Business Briefs

Sacramento Bee, Business column Feb. 2

Reno Gazette Journal, Feb. 2

Bret Churchman whose passion for his hometown makes it so easy for him to understand why people want to live and vacation in Truckee. After moving away to go to college, Bret eventually realized there really is “no place like home.” With nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, world class skiing and beauty right out the back door, who could blame him? Visit his site.

Sierra Sun Boice O'Neal Realty chooses independent business model

Sold out four years in a row, Truckee’s Historical Haunted Tour has raised more than $31,000 total for Trails & Vistas and the Truckee Donner Historical Society since 2009.

The Historical Haunted Tour began as an experiment by Sunshine Tahoe to support two nonprofit organizations and give an economic boost to historic Truckee during the traditionally slow month of October. It has proven to be a successful fundraising initiative and favorite annual activity. In 2009, 70 tickets were available - the tour sold out three weeks in advance. In 2010, 140 tickets were offered. Once again the tour sold out weeks in advance. In 2011, every resource was stretched to the max, and more than 290 tickets were sold. This year more than 400 people from near and far attended the guided walking tour and enjoyed wine at Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats!

2012 Highlights
• Raised $16,000 through cash sponsors, admission and raffle ticket sales
• Record 400 attendees
• Haunts:  downtown Mountain Home Center, CoffeeBar, MOBO Law, Scraps Dog Bakery, Old Jail Museum and The Pour House.

“We captivate a crowd with engaging stories about Truckee,” shares event producer Christina Stoever-Young of Sunshine Tahoe who attributes the tour’s success to the incredible talent and dedication offered by all of the volunteers and sponsors.

Pre event coverage contributed to another sold out event. Thank you to all of the Tour’s media partners - The Weekly, Moonshine Ink, Sierra Sun and Tahoe Truckee Radio - and everyone who found this news worth covering! Special thanks to Sac Bee, 7 x 7, Cap Radio, Tahoe Culture, www.LifestyleandCharity.com.

The Historical Haunted Tour, produced by Sunshine Tahoe, is an annual fundraiser that celebrates local history with a fun and spooky twist. The script skillfully weaves together previously untold stories from the past with dramatic twists and new haunts every year. Sunshine Tahoe attribute the Tour’s success and popularity to engaging storytelling and high quality performances plus generous community support. Sponsorship, ticket sales and raffle revenue offer the nonprofit beneficiaries operating revenue for field trips, arts and historic preservation. For more information visit truckeehistorytour.com or call Sunshine Tahoe at (775) 527-4485.

Save the dates for next year!
Trails & Vistas 10th year anniversary on Sept. 7 and 8, 2013 - Tickets on sale July 1
5th annual Historical Haunted Tour on Oct. 17 and 18, 2013 - Tickets on sale Sept. 6

Sunshine Tahoe brings together the creative and artistic talent of dozens of volunteers and an incredible research effort spearheaded by the Truckee Donner Historical Society to put on a sell out event in historic Truckee every October - and, the word has spread! More than 70 percent of tickets have already been purchased for this year's Historical Haunted Tour on Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19.
Beneficiaries include the local historical society and Trails & Vistas. Get your tickets today - We dare you!
Just $35 for an entertaining night out on the town complete with treats, wine and haunts. Lodging specials for attendees are available throughout downtown Truckee.

Be a trail leader for the 2012 Trails and Vistas art hikes on Donner Summit!

Calling those passionate about the arts and environment to share the wonders of the Sierra along a peaceful two-hour guided hike on Sept. 8 and 9.

Trail Leaders are storytellers who are comfortable speaking loudly and clearly in front of 25 to 30 people. There will be a training brunch with storyteller extraordinaire Deb Kelly at The Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee, CA on July 29.

To register for the "Finding your voice" trail leader workshop from 9 to 11:45 a.m. on July 29, complete the volunteer form on Trails and Vistas web site by June 30.

How have your dreams been nurtured?
Grown over time? Blossomed with experience?

Unwind, reflect and rejuvenate during Trails and Vistas’ one of a kind art hikes on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 at Donner Ski Ranch in Truckee, CA.

“Expect a unique blend of natural beauty and original art including sculpture, dance, music and poetry. Trails and Vistas will inspire you through your eyes, ears, hearts and minds,” shares Nancy Tieken Lopez, artistic director of the art hikes. Lopez began designing art hikes as a graduate student at San Jose State University in 1992.

Trails and Vistas’ mission is to create art experiences in nature that inspire environmental awareness. More than thirty talented artists will collaborate to present Trails and Vistas signature art hikes, and host sponsor Donner Ski Ranch, located atop Donner Summit, offers sweeping views of the Sierra. The distinctive annual art hikes are a collaborative effort led by founder / artistic director Nancy Tieken Lopez and co-director Elizabeth Archer with vital support from volunteers and regional environment and arts organizations including the Truckee Donner Land Trust, InnerRhythms Dance Theatre and the KidZone Museum.

Tickets go on sale at trailsandvistas.org on July 1. The cost is $30 general admission, $10 for children ages 5 to 12 years old. For more information, visit trailsandvistas.org and Facebook/trailsandvistas.