A section of Victorian Square during the cook-off.

Are you ready for some of the country’s best ribs?  It’s here!  The Nugget Rib Cook-Off is back in Sparks for it’s annual festivities!  Starting on September 1st and ending on September 6th, attendance is free and they are open daily from 11 am to 9 pm (except Monday which will be open from 11 am to 5 pm).  Come and enjoy scrumptious ribs from 24 different cookers from as far away as New Jersey and Florida that have come to compete for the bragging rights of being the “Best in the West.” Along with addicting baby-back ribs, most cookers have brisket, pulled pork, hot links and beef ribs.  Among the rib-eating frenzy there will be a rib eating championship, craft vendors, a children’s zone (open every day of the event) and live music every night.  The bands performing are: Mumbo Gumbo, Del Castillo, Jack Ingram, Gin Blossoms, Asia and Buster Blue.  So if you love ribs and are going to be in the Reno/Tahoe area this week, you don’t want to miss this event!!

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Lake in the Sky Air Show at the Lake Tahoe Airport

This year marks the Lake Tahoe Air Show’s 21st anniversary. Join in the celebration at the biggest and best air show in the High Sierra! The Lake In The Sky Air Show at the Lake Tahoe Airport, in South Lake Tahoe, CA on Saturday, August 28th, 2010.  Be there at America’s High Altitude Air Show for all the action! You’ll see many of the country’s top aerobatic performers including living legends like Bill Cornick and Jon Melby. Plus you’ll see the amazing Spencer Suderman defying gravity in his famous Pitts.  You won’t want to miss the spectacular opening ceremonies Warbird ‘fly bys!’ And then get up close to several vintage Warbirds and military static display aircraft, including the Air Forces C-17 Globemaster, and the #1 rated fighter plane of WWII – the legendary P-51 Mustang. Plus many more Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corp aircraft on display.  Homebuilt, experimental, Highway Patrol, CALSTAR, CAP and other aircraft are also invited to participate. And our ever-popular Flying 5K Run is back.

The events begin bright and early at 8:00 am with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast (serving food until 11:00 am).  The opening ceremonies begin at 10:15 am, and the planes take flight at 11:00 am.  The closing ceremonies begin at 3:30pm.  From 7:00-9:00 am and 12:30-1:15 pm, children ages 8 – 17 can take a free airplane ride!  There will also be food booths and vendors, and a children’s area.

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Food & Wine Tasting at "Sample the Sierra"

Don’t miss the first ever “Sample the Sierra” – a cooperative effort to increase awareness of the region’s bounty, heritage, culture and activities through a market-to-table event featuring tastings from the Sierra Nevada’s best chefs and restaurants–all created with local produce, and paired with local wineries and breweries. Food and wine tasting will be from 1-4pm. A regional marketplace will include products such as, honey, jams, olive oil and soaps. A juried, original art show will feature pottery, painting, photography and handmade crafts by regional artists and artisans. Live entertainment, including storytellers, acoustic musicians, and regional activities will round out the program. Festival admittance is free; food & wine tasting $20, food only $10, kids $5.  The event will take place on Ski Run Boulevard.  So head up up to Tahoe this weekend to beat the heat and enjoy a taste of the Sierra!

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A woman dressed in 1920's-style clothing for the Gatsby Festival.

Come take a step back in time to the 1920’s at the 25th Annual Great Gatsby Festival in Lake Tahoe.  Enjoy the Vintage Faire at the Pope Estate at the Tallac Historic Site (near Camp Richardson on Highway 89). There will be antiques, vintage clothes and accessories, live music, interactive historic house tours, a vintage auto show, multiple vintage vendors, food, ice cream, cotton candy, old time kid’s games, wandering musicians and jugglers, a raffle and sale of the annual Gatsby poster.  Past issues of the poster have become collector items; be sure to come early to get yours!  Costumed tour guides will also be interpreting the history of the estates.  The festival will take place August 14 & 15 from 10-4.  The event is staffed by volunteers, many dressed in Gatsby era costumes!

Sunday afternoon of each Gatsby Festival the Tahoe Heritage Foundation holds the annual Gatsby Tea.  Volunteers decorate and host tea tables and serve Gatsby era sweets and savories.  The highlight of the afternoon is the fashion show of vintage clothing; themes have ranged from “pack for a cruise” to “summer at the Lake” to “wedding trouseau.”  Tickets are $35 each or $350 for a table of up to ten guests and are sold through the Tahoe Heritage Foundation office; the event generally sells out early.  Call Joyce at (530) 544-7383 for reservations.

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Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor

If you have never experienced the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, it is something I highly recommend checking out while you are visiting Lake Tahoe.  Located in Sand Harbor (near Incline Village on the north east shore of the lake), they construct the stage with the lake as a backdrop.  This year’s festival is already underway and will continue through August 22nd performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) most evenings at 7:30 (view full schedule).  As part of the festival experience, check out Shakespeare’s Kitchen, offering a medley of appetizers, complete dinners, vegetarian entrees, children’s portions and tantalizing desserts to enjoy during the performance.  A fun experience for the whole family with beautiful views!

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A view of Marlette Lake from the Flume Trail

A beautiful, and strenuous, mountain bike trail is the Flume Trail.  Running between Spooner Summit and Incline Village, it takes you through some very picturesque sights.  After the first tough 4 miles (where you climb approx. 1,000 feet in elevation), it levels out and takes you around Marlette Lake, high cliffs above Lake Tahoe for some stunning views of the lake and Sand Harbor.  If needed, you can rent a mountain bike from Flume Trail Mountain Bike Rentals at the trail head at Spooner Summit.   All of their bike rentals include helmet, pump, spare tube, & water bottle.  To get back to your vehicle at Spooner Summit, they offer a shuttle service back from Incline Village at an additional cost.  A truly beautiful trail not to be missed!  (moderate to advanced riders only)

A view of Lake Tahoe from the Flume Trial

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Delicious Indian Cuisine at Taj Mahal, South Lake Tahoe

If you are looking to enjoy some great Indian cuisine while on your Tahoe vacation, I highly recommend Taj Mahal.  Located inside the Quality Inn, the decor is a bit dated, but the food is really incredible.  It is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.  For lunch everyday they offer a buffet from 11:00 – 3:00 (in addition to their regular menu); there are usually a couple of meat dishes and a few vegetarian dishes.  I believe the price is $9.99 for the buffet and the food is absolutely delicious!  My personal favorite buffet dish is the Chicken Tikka Masala.  The lunch buffet items are different everyday and they give you unlimited, freshly made naan bread throughout the meal.  For dinner, they have the same menu as lunch, but they don’t offer a buffet.

Taj Mahal is located at 3838 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.  Their number is (530) 541-6495.  They do not currently have a website.

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Riva Grill in South Lake Tahoe

The Riva Grill is located on the lake in the Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe.  With a contemporary, nautical decor, it offers a perfect environment for enjoying a relaxing dinner, grabbing some lunch in the Bar & Grill or having one of their infamous Wet Woody drinks while enjoying a beautiful view of the lake!  Their outdoor deck has stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and heat lamps to keep you warm while you dine during the cool Lake Tahoe evenings.  During warmer days in the summer months, their tall glass windows that look out towards the water all slide open to give you an outdoor feeling while still be indoors.  Their menus consist of delicious,  California cuisine, and they have a very respectful wine list and full bar.

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Lake Tahoe Golf Course

Of all the golf courses in South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Golf Course has a truly beautiful setting.  Nestled in a meadow, it also has gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and forest.  Whether you are an accomplished player, novice, beginner or just someone looking for a relaxing atmosphere, Lake Tahoe Golf Course has something for everyone.  Some of the amenities the course offers are: a clubhouse with spectacular views, grass driving range, putting and chipping facilities, golf cart rentals, PGA professionals on staff and a full pro shop.  Located by the Lake Tahoe Airport, it is just a short drive from anywhere on the South Shore.

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Celebrity Golf at Edgewood

It’s that time of year again!  The American Century Championship is back for Edgewood’s annual celebrity golf.  The tournament started today, and runs through Sunday, July 18, 2010.  As usual, the list of celebrities (actors and sports personalities) is quite long.  Some of the celebrities include: Charles Barkley, Don Cheadle, John Elway, Dan Quayle, Ray Romano, Tony Romo… and the list goes on and on!  The event is open to the public; you can purchase tickets on-site, online or at either Raleys location in town.

I also happen to know that the well-known chef, Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-in’s and Dives & Guy’s Big Bite on the Food Network and Minute To Win It on NBC), will be hob-knobbing around the course on Saturday.  Check out this clip from his surprise visit last year:

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