SteveoReno.com

Just got back from a Christmas Party at Pastore Ryan’s new digs in Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe. It was a great party with sushi, wine, Blue Moon beer and tons of great people. I have to give Pastore Ryan props because they are down-to-earth good guys. Not only do they design for sustainability in Lake Tahoe (ecodesign and engineering), but they very much live for their cause as well.

I was talking with Tony Pastore, one of the partners of the group, and he was explaining the plans to renovate their newly purchased office. The new digs is the former Foothill Motel, at the entrance of Kings Beach heading towards Tahoe City. Nothing you would noticed to be honest. However, when their plans are realized, the motel will be transformed into a environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing business and residential space, setting a model for Lake Tahoe business.

Now of course, it would only make sense that an ecodesign firm in Lake Tahoe set a good example, right? It’s good business. Well, I know it’s much more than setting the stage for good PR. Tony Pastore and Andrew Ryan really do believe in preserving  and sustaining the environment when building in our area. Tony explained to me last summer how Pastore Ryan highly encourages biking to work and lowing the everyday footprint on Lake Tahoe; he and Andrew Ryan bike commute whenever possible. I could relate, as I bike commuted for four years in Portland. It’s the simple life change of giving up an everyday luxury, such as an auto, that shows Pastore Ryan care about their environment.

Andrew Ryan talked with me about how important the planning and design phase is in their business. Sure, they can come in and clean up the poor design work, or lack of, when a site is deemed as environmentally unconscience. However, where Pastore Ryan truly shine is when they can create a project from beginning to end. It makes sense that a project will be turn out far better with designers and advisors guiding production crews through construction.

Anyways, that’s my props! You can learn more about Pastore Ryan and their ecodesign and sustainability firm by visiting www.pastoreryan.com

This Friday is the Reno Critical Mass bike ride. It’s good fun as a small group (much larger in the Summer) ride some random route around downtown Reno, show motorists that bikers own part of the road, and demonstrate that they could be having as much fun as us! Well, in the Winter months maybe not so much, but in the Summer it’s rocks! I’ve only been riding this Critical Mass in Reno since September of 2007. The Reno Critical Mass is small beans to the one I used to ride in Portland, but it is growing and I’m stoked to be a part of it!

Just in case you want to attend, the Reno Critical Mass is the first Friday of every month and we meet in the open area next to Java Jungle, in downtown Reno. Find out more on the Reno Critical Mass.

Here’s a peak at September’s ride courtesy of Mr. Scott Paterson of Patterson Grafiks: