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Our Sierra » Nicci Nesmith Hammerel

Posts by Nicci Nesmith Hammerel:

Tahoe Comedy North

Comedy NightIf Pablo Neruda was right, and laughter really is the language of the soul, then spending a Tuesday night at the casino might actually save you. Every Tuesday, Tahoe Comedy North dishes up the funny in the Crown room at the Crystal Bay Club. I was skeptical that stand-up comedy could rally the crowds in Tahoe, but the room filled just as the host warmed up the mic, and the performers kept the jokes rolling from 8–10 pm. I have to admit that the opening comedian had Lis, Sue, Jim and I all squirming in our seats and glancing for the closest exit, but the following act and the headliner raised the bar significantly. Except perhaps for the old folks in front of us that maintained their stoic and disapproving demeanor throughout, headliner Adam Richmond had the room in stitches. Either the guy in front of us didn’t have his hearing aid loud enough or the drinks got stronger toward the end of the night, but I thought the jokes were funny. (It was probably both.) There’s just something remarkable about people who can remind you that even in Tahoe, we can take life way too seriously sometimes.

After the show, Sue split to tend to the kiddies at home and the rest of us grabbed a late night $1.99 breakfast at the Biltmore. For $2 the breakfast never disappoints, but I would probably skip the $4 milkshake next time. The night wouldn’t have been complete if we didn’t stop by the roulette table on the way out. Lady Luck was with us again and I tripled my minimum buy-in. I must confess that I lost $20 on roulette since the last time I blogged, but it’s way more fun to write about the winning moments.

Another great evening out, and we were in home and in bed by midnight. I’m not sure we found salvation, but it felt good to laugh out loud.

Smile — we live in Tahoe!

Girls’ Night Out in South Lake Tahoe

Managing editor Lis Korb at MontBleuWith a husband catskiing in Oregon and a boyfriend couch-bound with a busted knee, what are two Tahoe ladies to do on a Friday night?

Lis and I left the TQ office Friday afternoon and headed to MontBleu not knowing exactly what to expect from the evening ahead. As working girls, we’re not routine patrons to Tahoe’s high-end cuisine scene, so it was a treat to be attending the inaugural night of Ciera Steakhouse’s quarterly food and wine pairing. The event proved to be a wonderfully decadent affair. Our jovial sommelier guided us through a five course meal with descriptive insights into our gastronomical experience. From the caviar and Champagne to the foie gras and Sauterne, the rich flavors indeed hosted “a party in our mouths,” just as our guide had promised. By the time the desserts, cheeses and port arrived, the volume and laughter had increased tenfold and our tablemates regaled us with funny historic anecdotes and intriguing Tahoe lore.

Dinner wasn’t the only success of the evening. Neither Lis nor I are gamblers per se, but I introduced her to the roulette table and it wasn’t long before we’d quintupled our humble minimum buy-in. (Don’t ask questions, just make sure you always have a chip on 23 when Eric is spinning.) We walked away from the table floating on the high from Lady Luck’s presence, and I’m afraid I may have ignited a new infatuation in Lis.

An invitation to join the Blue Gay-La pub crawl was a tempting way to keep the night going, but, alas, my golden/chow puppy awaited us in the car, eager to scarf down the remains of my excellent dinner. No doubt the delicacy of the Kobe beef steak was not lost on his refined 8-month-old palette.

We headed home with excessively full tummies and some extra cash in our wallets. I don’t think we need to make the boys envious by telling them all the details. Ok, that’s a lie. I do think my able-bodied, powder-catskiing husband deserves to feel a little jealous.

So Lis, what are you doing next Friday?