Grass Valley businessman Robert Brewer shot this photo as he was flying last week over his house on Scotts Flat Lake, east of Nevada City.

“I was flying my Aviat Husky A1B... Snapped this shot of a Piper Super Cub that landed (on the lake) in front of my house,” Rob writes. “Thought you would

like it.”

Montoliva wins big gold at SF wine meet

We just heard great news from Mark and Julianne Henry at Montoliva Vineyard and Winery in Chicago Park: Their 2008 Sierra Bella was awarded Best of Class for blended Italian varietals in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Which is a way of saying, they won the gold of the gold.

They also earned a silver medal for their 2007 Sangiovese in the Sangiovese class, also in the category of Italian varietals. Their 2007 Aglianico took a bronze medal and will be released in late summer.

“At which point, it will be even better,” Mark writes.

They specialize in Tuscany-style wine and can be reached at (530) 346-6577.

Tahoe Institute for Natural Science discussed at Audubon Society

The Sierra Foothills Audubon Society February meeting will feature guest speaker Will Richardson on the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science.

The meeting is slated for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2. in the Madelyn Helling Library's community room on Maidu Avenue in Nevada City.

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is a member-supported nonprofit seeking to advance the natural history, conservation, and ecosystem knowledge of the Tahoe region through science, education, and outreach.

TINS has a long-term goal of bringing a world-class interpretive nature center and educational facility to the Tahoe area, but in the meantime engage in a diversity of programs to promote greater appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of the natural resources of the Tahoe region.

This talk will present an overview of what TINS is doing, with a focus on their outreach, citizen science, and research programs. Richardson will highlight a few of the research projects for more in-depth discussion (illustrated with lots of photographs!)