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…

The ballots are in, and the winners of our Spring Date giveaway — who will receive two lift tickets to either Sierra-at-Tahoe or Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resorts and a $100 gift certificate to either Mirabelle in South Lake Tahoe or River Ranch in Tahoe City — have been chosen at random from our submissions.

Congratulations to our giveaway winners,
April F. of South Lake Tahoe and Nancy L. of Alameda!

Thank you to all who voted for Tahoe’s best. Look for your favorites in TQ’s Best of Tahoe issue, on newsstands August 2008.

With 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?

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.