Our Sierra

Tucked into South Lake Tahoe shopping centers, these two booksellers have existed quietly for the past two decades. But when it comes to selection, their diverse collections speak for themselves.

Keynote Used Records & Books
2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 541-6967

Over 10,000 used books as well as rows of LPs, 78s and 45s stock this 1,000 square foot store dedicated to giving such media a second—or third, fourth, fifth—life. While there’s always an abundance of literary fiction, poetry, and jazz and rock records, the selection varies; currently, owner Ray Hadley says art books are in great supply. Most finds run in the $5 range, but rare and collectible items—like a 1928 Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra record—can reach triple digits.

Bookworks
3330 Lake Tahoe Boulevard Suite 9
South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 541-6818

It’s floor-to-ceiling books at this nonprofit shop, where donated book sales benefit the South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center.  From kids’ stories and cookbooks, to robust Western and romance sections, the shelves are stacked with just about any type of read you could desire. And with a friendly volunteer staff, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for—for a good cause.
Read about more Tahoe bookstores in our Spring 2008 issue…

Besides being talented, smart and ridiculously good looking, we at Tahoe Quarterly also pride ourselves on our big, generous hearts. Which is why Lis, Nicci and I walked over to the Incline Village fire station to donate blood today. I’m totally kidding—we went for the free donuts.

Anyway, it was a fine enough experience, at first. The nurses were all extremely professional (which I always imagine is hard when you have to ask every person about their drug sharing habits with prostitutes in third world countries). I do, however, prefer blood drives in Pennsylvania, where someone always dresses up as a blood droplet, looking like a giant red Hershey kiss.

It was Lis’s first donation, so Nicci and I waited until she had the needle in her arm to talk about donations-gone-wrong—veins that can’t be found, sadistic nurses, etc.

As the veteran blood donors, Nicci and I finished first, pumping it out quick and painlessly, then walking over to the snack stand to load up on carbs and fluids. Which is where I started feeling kind of funny. Suddenly I wasn’t in my chair anymore, but on the floor staring groggily at the ceiling while two men stuffed pillows under my head.

“So is she the first one to pass out today?” Nicci asked, and I was not proud to hear that I, indeed, was.

Regardless, drained and embarrassed, it felt nice to do a good deed. Luckily, the Tahoe Basin has plenty of other opportunities for those looking to volunteer. There’s the Bear League in Homewood, the Boys & Girls Club in South Lake Tahoe and Kings Beach, Project MANA in Incline Village, and numerous other foundations and community support networks surrounding The Lake. So whether you are helping the poor or unconscious on your back in a fire station while someone named Todd tries to get your blood pressure under control, please enjoy your service, as it makes our community a better place.

Angora fire victims still need your help. Donate food, clothing or your time at the Community Care Center of Tahoe at the Y’s Mikasa Building (open through the end of the month) or the Community Disaster Resource Center (CDRC) in the Pine Cone Plaza on Highway 50. The CDRC aims to be a conduit between fire victims and available services, offering case workers to help with insurance and contractor issues, material goods, financial assistance, counseling and other services. Call (530) 542-4656 or e-mail laketahoecdrc@yahoo.com for more information.

Tahoe bid farewell to one its beloved community members, Marvin the porcupine, this September. If you had never had the pleasure of meeting Marvin, the constant companion of BEAR League executive director Ann Bryant, he was a sight to behold. Though at first intimidating with his wide girth and formidable quills, Marvin was actually a quiet, amiable animal who loved to relax in his red wagon. Bryant carted him to dozens of community events each year, including Earth Day celebrations at Squaw Valley, fall festivals in Tahoe City and Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care open houses in South Lake Tahoe.

Marvin was rescued by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care after he was hit by a car eight years ago. Unable to return to the wild, he was taken in by Bryant and has lived with her ever since. I first met Marvin on Commons Beach in Tahoe City three years ago. Though at first afraid to pet him, after witnessing his docile nature, I was enamored—and amazed that he never left his red wagon! A year and a half later, while in a volunteer training course for Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, I bore witness to Marvin’s wild side. He moseyed slowly around the convention room, bumping into walls and tables.

His premature death—porcupines can live up to 20 years—is attributed to liver cancer, with which he fell ill about a month before passing. Plans are in the works to commemorate Marvin, perhaps with a bronze statue. Donations can be made to the BEAR League with the notation, “Marvin’s memorial fund.” For more information, visit www.savebears.org.