The “We Are Community” project launched on May 12, 2020. Its goal is to help bring awareness to the Truckee community and demonstrate the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses, which have been hit hard due to the shutdown. Small businesses are adapting their business models as they prepare to overcome the challenging weeks and months ahead. This project is a labor of love by photographer and local environmental advocate, Court Leve. Through visual storytelling, the goal is to support local businesses and the Truckee community at a time when we need it the most. www.theiruntoldstory.com for more.
We Are Community – Court Leve
July 21, 2020
Shortly after the initial shut-down due to COVID-19, Court started working with more than two dozen businesses to tell their stories – raising awareness and looking for ways the community could try to support each other. Local filmmaker, director and producer Bevan Waite of Mountain Grown Media took an interest in the project and turned the tables, getting the story from Court’s perspective. COVID times have been chaotic and stressful and we continue to face a lot of uncertainty and huge challenges. Our community is awesome and we need to remember where we live is amazing, not just the physical beauty, but what makes our home so unique – the people.
We Are Community – Crux Events
July 14, 2020
One of the sectors hardest hit by COVID has been the event space – concerts, conferences, rodeos, fairs. You name it, they’ve all been cancelled for the remainder of 2020 and until there is a vaccine, large-scale events are not coming back anytime soon. Hear from James (Woody) Woodruff, the owner of Crux Events. Learn more about Crux Events by visiting www.cruxevents.com
We Are Community – Truckee Donner Land Trust (TLDT)
We Are Community – Mark Larson of Truth Tattoo
June 30, 2020
Mark Larson is the owner of Truth Tattoo and has been operating in downtown Truckee since 2006. Truth Tattoo is now up and running again and looking forward to getting back to work! Mark talks about his craft and how COVID-19 has affected his profession and personal life. You can learn more about Truth Tattoo by visiting https://
We Are Community – Truckee Roundhouse
June 23, 2020
Like many, the Truckee Roundhouse has been hit hard financially due to the COVID-19 shutdown. They had to cancel their main annual fundraiser, the Maker Show & Fair, annually held in June. This is an amazing community space that needs the support of the community.
The Truckee Roundhouse is a 501(c)3 California non-profit corporation whose mission is to run a ‘makerspace’ in Truckee, California for the benefit of our entire community. The Truckee Roundhouse supports the teaching, learning, and practicing of a wide variety of crafts, skills, technologies and arts. Their vision is to become a sustainable, self-funded, permanent fixture in the Truckee/Tahoe community offering consistent benefit and fostering economic growth. Their values include entrepreneurship, inclusivity, community collaboration and “do-ing”.
To learn more visit www.truckeeroundhouse.org and to donate; https://www.truckeeroundhouse.org/donate-today
We Are Community – Roy Tuscany of High Fives Foundation
June 16, 2020
Roy Tuscany sustained a spinal cord injury while skiing and as a result, founded the nonprofit High Fives Foundation. Nonprofits like High Fives rely on donations, mainly through fundraising events. With the limitations due to COVID-19, it’s important to keep nonprofits such as Roy’s in mind as their revenue streams are critical in helping them provide their services to the community. “High Fives focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and provides resources and hope if they do happen.”
We Are Community – Alanna Hughes
June 9, 2020
Alanna Hughes has been a practicing potter for 25 years and is one of the founding members of Riverside Studios in Downtown Truckee. Alanna and Riverside Studios have been a driving force in the art community in Truckee and like many, their business has been impacted by COVID-19. Alanna discusses pottery, community and the importance of shopping locally.
We Are Community – Support Truckee Together
June 2, 2020
Hear the shared message of several small businesses in Truckee of coming together as a community, “shopping small” and dining locally. Now more than ever we need to support each other, our businesses, our neighbors. We are only at the start of this long journey. Let’s come together, work together.
We Are Community – Heather River
May 26, 2020
Heather River is the owner of Bespoke and Atelier in downtown Truckee. She is also a mom to two young kids. To say her hands are full would be an understatement, yet she found time to paint rainbows and spread smiles all over Truckee.
We Are Community – Restaurant Trokay
May 19, 2020
A moment in time with Restaurant Trokay in downtown Truckee with owners Nyna and John. Restaurant Trokay shifted their entire business model in three days after the shut-down due to COVID-19. They are pivoting and adapting day-by-day.
We Are Community – Truckee
May 12, 2020
Truckee businesses are beginning to reopen, but with capacity and visitor restrictions, they still need our support as much as ever to make it through this pandemic. Stay strong, stay safe. We are community!
www.courtlevephoto.com Instagram @courtleve, Facebook: Court Leve