ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. – A long-vacant restaurant space near Nevada Beach is getting a new life – part golf lounge, part craft cocktail bar and elevated eatery, and part social hub – and the owners say it’s unlike anything currently offered in the Tahoe Basin.
Stingers Golf Lounge, located in the former Capisce location, will open to the public on Wednesday, November 19, offering lunch, dinner, elevated drinks, and high-end golf simulators.
A New Concept for Tahoe
Indoor golf simulators aren’t new to the region, but Stingers’ approach aims to set itself apart. The business blends a boutique private-club feel with public access, allowing customers to dine, socialize, watch major sporting events, and play on one of the most advanced golf simulator systems available – Trackman technology with access to more than 300 courses, including Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and St. Andrews.
“This concept doesn’t really exist in this area,” said co-owner Randy Townsend, who has lived and worked in Tahoe for years. “There are simulators in Carson City and Reno, but nothing that’s this elevated and nothing with this level of food and atmosphere.”
The business blends a boutique private-club feel with public access.Provided / Stingers
The team began planning the project in 2021 when the space became available. Because they already owned the building, the biggest challenge wasn’t securing a lease, it was transforming a former restaurant into a modern entertainment venue.
“We had a lot of pressure from our friends to do something fun, festive and social with the space,” added Townsend. “Bringing community together is an absolute must.”
Starting in April of this year, walls were demolished, systems upgraded, finishes replaced, and simulators were installed with much of the work being done by the owners, local tradespeople and friends.
Food, Cocktails and Community
The business partners originally planned to serve only bar food. But early feedback pushed them toward a more complete menu.
“People kept asking, ‘Are you doing real food? Are you doing dinner?’ So, we elevated the concept,” said Stingers’ other co-owner, Scott Wheelon. “We wanted it to feel special – not just a place to practice golf.”
The kitchen menu will range from wings and flatbreads to macadamia-crusted sea bass with house-made sauces along with the self-described best smash burger in town. On the bar side, all syrups and infusions for cocktails are made in-house, including bourbon-infused cherries and ginger-mint syrups.
All syrups and infusions for cocktails are made in-house.Provided / Stingers
Membership Model with Public Access
Led by Golf Director Mitch Wheelon, the golf side of Stingers will operate as a hybrid: open to the public but offering memberships with benefits, including discounted simulator time, 24-hour access, food and beverage discounts, and loyalty rewards. To start, memberships will be capped at 20 to ensure availability.
“It’s easier to add more members than take them away,” Wheelon said. “We want people to feel like they have access and value.”
Public operating hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, with late-night hours on weekends.
Stingers will offer memberships but will still be open to the public. Provided / Stingers
Aiming to Become a Local Fixture
The owners say the business is primarily designed for locals, but they also know that there will be interest from surrounding high schools.
“Instructors can come here with their students and have sessions and actually learn the game during the winter then get outside in the summer,” said Townsend.
While the focus will be on the locals, the team also understands the importance of the visitors and tourists. And even though the business has not yet opened, they are already gaining interest for bachelor and holiday parties as well as corporate groups.
With Nevada Beach campground expanding and limited dining options on that end of South Shore, they expect steady demand.
“We want this to be a place for the community to gather,” Townsend said. “Somewhere to watch the Masters, have dinner, or just hang out with friends.”
“If the response is as strong as we think it will be, we already have plans to build more simulator bays,” Wheelon added.
Until then, the team is focused on opening day and greeting the steady stream of curious locals already knocking on the door.
“They walk by and yell, ‘When are you opening?'” laughed General Manager Meghan Gunn. “So now we finally get to answer.”
Stingers Golf Lounge is located at 178 Hwy 50 in Zephyr Cove, NV. Membership, private party inquiries, bay bookings, and menu information can be found online at stingersgolflounge.com.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Base Camp Pizza Co. has chosen the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe as their nonprofit partner from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Each year, the company selects a nonprofit that supports kids and families, with the team voting at the annual staff meeting to decide the next organization. The staff takes pride in being part of a company that gives back to the community.
During this period, $1 from every Garlic Chips order will be donated to the Club. Customers can also choose to give additional support through a QR code included inside the pocket of their checkbook.
“BGCLT is thrilled to collaborate with such a passionate leadership team and staff at Base Camp Pizza for this year-long fundraising effort,” said Aimi Xistra, director of development at the Club. “Our goal is to raise $15,000 that will support our summer food program. During the summer we have more than 300 Tahoe kids at our Club and provide breakfast, lunch and two snacks throughout the day.”
Coloring pages are available as well, allowing customers to add their name and contact information for a chance to win a $25 Base Camp Pizza gift card. A winner will be chosen monthly beginning in November. The winning art will be displayed at Base Camp Pizza and an overall winner will be chosen in May.
Towards the end of the donation period, on May 4, 2026, the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe will host a May the 4th Be With You fundraising event at Base Camp Pizza. Families are encouraged to dress as their favorite Star Wars characters and show off their best Yoda impression. More details will be shared as the event approaches.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – In advance of the interviews to fill the new council seat, David Jinkens and Keith Roberts weighed in on what they were interested in, while incumbents Mayor Cody Bass and Scott Robbins had no comments for the Tribune.
In an email to the Tribune, Roberts said he was interested in someone who was honest, had deep care and “common sense to make decisions based on what is best for the community.” He also highlighted that he was interested in someone who had “no agenda.”
Jinkens, on the other hand, has expressed much apprehension regarding filling the council seat. “I may not be prepared to vote for any one candidate. My preference is for the council to hold a special meeting before December 12 to make the appointment—allowing time for deeper engagement with each applicant,” he said in an email. “I owe them that respect. And I owe the community my most informed and thoughtful judgement.”
The Tribune reached out multiple times to Mayor Bass and councilmember Robbins, but received no comment.
It’s unclear whether a meeting like Jinkens proposed to the mayor will take place, but the interviews will take place tonight at city council’s meeting.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – When Lexi Heinzer was in the midst of attending grad school to become a marriage family therapist, she was desperate to find a way to boost her energy and offer an escape from the grueling study program. Heinzer soon found Lagree, a high-intensity, low impact fitness method and it wasn’t long before she fell in love.
Lagree Tahoe offers high-intensity, low-impact workouts on a Lagree machine Provided/Lagree Tahoe
“I got certified in 2017,” said Heinzer, “so I started teaching it more than I was actually doing therapy because it made me so happy to see other people leave the workout so happy.”
What exactly is a Lagree workout? For those who don’t know or have never heard of it, Heinzer said, “Lagree is a strength-based fitness program, done on a Lagree machine. It is spring loaded, and it’s what you would do in the gym such as planks, squats, lunges, that type of thing. It’s very high intensity, you’re going to shake, you’re going to sweat on the machine.” The program is considered low impact, allowing anyone of all ages and all bodies to benefit.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down, Heinzer got creative. “I cofounded a website called ‘Lagreeing At Home’, it’s an online platform for Lagree workouts, and my goal was to always have a studio.”
Describing it as kismet, Heinzer crossed paths with entrepreneur and owner of Karacotta Ceramics in Incline Village, Kara Pendl, and their shared vision for a Lagree studio was destined to become a reality.
Pendl previously owned a yoga studio in Austin, Texas. “Even when I had the yoga studio, I would go to Lagree as my workout, and loved it. I had been practicing for about 8 years when I moved to Incline,” said Pendl. “Once I decided to be here full time, I thought ‘oh my gosh, there’s really no workouts that are similar to Lagree. Worldwide, there’s nothing like it.”
Within the first 30 minutes of meeting each other, Heinzer and Pendl shook hands and said, “Okay, we’re opening a studio together.”
Upon its opening, one of the studio’s core values is community.
“It’s been a true blessing, and we keep getting that same feedback from clients that the town really needed this,” said Pendl, with clients coming from as far as Homewood, South Lake, and Reno to get a Lagree workout in.
To expand its community outreach, Lagree Tahoe is doing monthly community events called Apres Lagree, “because everything happens after the burn.” Their first community event is planned for December, and in the works for this event is a relaxing spa night. The studio is partnering with local businesses to provide a sauna, facemasks, and other spa-related activities, completely complimentary to Lagree Tahoe studio members.
“We have an event planned for every month,” said Pendl. “We do want to be that catalyst for connection. It’s not work, it’s not church, it’s something fun. It’s for yourself.”
Lagree Tahoe is hosting their grand opening on Friday, November 21, bringing everyone together for an epic party. “Thania’s Juice is doing the catering, 72 Mile Spirits is doing the bar. We have raffle prizes for all sorts of local businesses. We’re going to have music from a local DJ in town.”
The party-style grand opening is open to the public, but folks are asked to RSVP if planning to attend. The raffle will take place at 7:30 p.m., and includes a grand prize of a free unlimited one-year membership, equivalent to $4400 in value.
In terms of their goals for the studio, “We’re really just trying to focus on providing high-quality workouts,” said Heinzer, “so we want every workout to feel consistent, we want our members to know that our trainers are very educated. They’re sticking to the Lagree method. We have a lot of quality control between our classes, and we want our members to know that they have a safe, effective workout that is also very intense.” Skiers, snowboarders, hikers and sports lovers of all kinds can utilize the Lagree workout method to enhance their endurance and strength.
A variety of classes are available seven days a week, anywhere from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the studio offering private and group classes. Check out their schedule and/or learn more about what they have to offer by visiting lagreetahoe.com.
Lagree Tahoe is located at 930 Tahoe Blvd, suite 202. Their grand opening will be held at the studio starting at 5 p.m., and to RSVP, go to https://app.arketa.co/lagreetahoe/checkout.
Lagree Tahoe is hosting their grand opening on November 21Provided/Lagree Tahoe
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — California State Parks announced that D.L. Bliss State Park will fully reopen to the public for camping and day use on May 21, 2026, following a multi-year waterline replacement project. The reopening marks an exciting milestone for park visitors and local residents eager to return to one of the Lake Tahoe basin’s most beloved parks. Camping reservations for bookings six months out will be available starting Nov. 21, 2025, on ReserveCalifornia.com.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors back to Lester Beach, the Rubicon Trail and the tranquil camping offered at the park”, said Rich Adams, Acting Sierra District Superintendent. “Thank you to the public for your patience during this temporary closure as we completed critical infrastructure upgrades. We can’t wait for you to enjoy this iconic park in the new year.”
The park is reopening following the completion of a $5 million waterline infrastructure replacement project, supported by approximately $1.1 million in funding from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The upgrades include installation of a new 8-inch water main, increased fire protection and potable water capacity along 2.9 miles of park roadways, the addition of 25 new fire hydrants, and comprehensive road improvements throughout the park. Park hours will be sunrise to sunset, and day-use entry is $10 per vehicle.
“Pray for snow” has become a familiar refrain across the Tahoe–Truckee area as skiers and snowboarders anxiously await the start of the season. While the region hasn’t seen enough snowfall for resorts to open just yet, Mother Nature seems to have heard a few of those pleas, delivering a hint of winter this week.
Snow levels in the Sierra started around 6,500 feet Monday morning and are expected to drop to roughly 5,500 to 6,000 feet by late afternoon. Precipitation is forecast to move east across the California–Nevada state line later today.
“The heaviest snowfall looks to be this morning, then it tapers off through the night,” said National Weather Service forecaster Justin Collin. “Along the crest, you’ll see no more than 8 inches, but farther south — into Mono County — you might see up to a foot.”
Forecast guidance shows a ridge building over the Reno region by Wednesday, bringing a brief period of drier weather as the current low-pressure system moves east. However, that break is expected to be short-lived: another Pacific low is projected to arrive late Wednesday into Thursday, potentially bringing a new round of Sierra snow later in the week.
As of Nov. 17, the National Weather Service reported 2–3 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, with a total of 4–5 inches, while the Central Sierra Snow Lab recorded 5.2 inches in the last 24 hours and 7.2 inches over the past seven days.
Expected remaining snowfall through Tuesday afternoon includes:
Tahoe Basin: up to 2 inches
Truckee: up to 1 inch
Alpine Meadows: up to 7 inches
Heavenly: 2–3 inches
Mount Rose: 5–7 inches
Homewood: 2–4 inches
Provided
Road Closures and Chain Controls
Eastbound I-80 — Donner Summit
EB off-ramp to the rest area is closed.
Both eastbound and westbound Donner Summit Rest Areas are closed for snow removal. No estimated reopening time.
Eastbound I-80 — Off-Ramp Closure
To Eastbound Observation Point (Vista Point)
Due to emergency work. Expected to end at 12:01 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2025
Route 20 — One-Way Traffic Operation
From the Placer County line to Route 80
Due to falsework removal. Expected to end at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2025
Southbound Highway 267 — Chain Control (R-2)
Starting at Northstar Road
Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow tires on all four wheels. Control in effect as of 11/17/2025 at 9:24 a.m.
Westbound US-50 — Chain Control (R-2)
At Meyers
Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow-tread tires on all four wheels. Effective 11/17/2025 at 9:33 a.m.
Eastbound US-50 — Chain Control (R-2)
At Twin Bridges
Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow-tread tires on all four wheels. Effective 11/17/2025 at 9:33 a.m.
Southbound Highway 89 — Chain Control (R-2)
At Christmas Valley
Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow-tread tires on all four wheels (4WD/AWD must still carry chains). Effective 11/17/2025 at 5:19 a.m.
STATELINE, Nev. — Barton Health announced the appointment of Dr. Kandra Yee as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). A respected physician leader and longtime member of Barton’s medical staff, Dr. Yee brings extensive clinical, operational, and emergency leadership experience to the role.
Dr. Yee joined Barton Health in 2009 as an emergency medicine physician, later serving as Emergency Department Medical Director, Chief of Staff, and most recently Vice President of Hospital Operations. She has also led the region’s emergency medical physicians as CEO and President of Tahoe Emergency Physicians since 2015.
Dr. Kandra YeeProvided
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Yee has earned recognition for her strength in crisis leadership. Her steady, impactful guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout the Caldor Fire emergency response underscored her commitment to patient safety and community well-being. In 2020, Barton named Dr. Yee Physician of the Year, with nominations praising her vision and compassion: “She is a proven leader in a time of crisis, selflessly filling voids and needs when they appear. She is an amazing clinician and human being.”
In her new role as CMO, Dr. Yee will focus on strengthening collaboration across Barton Health and supporting the physician team. Over the coming weeks, she will meet with department leaders to listen, learn priorities, and identify opportunities to enhance alignment and care delivery across the organization.
“It is an honor to serve this community and to support the incredible physicians and care teams at Barton,” said Dr. Kandra Yee. “Having lived and worked here for many years, I am deeply committed to ensuring our patients receive exceptional, compassionate care close to home.”
Barton Health CEO Dr. Clint Purvance expressed strong confidence in the appointment. “Dr. Yee is an excellent choice for this role. Her clinical expertise, integrity, and proven leadership – especially during some of our region’s most challenging times – will greatly benefit our patients and community,” said Dr. Purvance. “Her collaborative approach and dedication to high-quality care make her a tremendous asset to Barton Health.”
For more information about Barton Health, visit bartonhealth.org.
Proclamation Recognizing November 2025 as “Youth Homelessness, Outreach, Prevention, and Education Month”
Regular-Unfinished Business
8. City Council Appointment, Limited Term. Requested Action / Suggested Motions: City Council may either: 1) Pass a Motion appointing a member to serve the remaining term of office until December 2026, in which case the City Clerk would administer the Oath of Office and the newly appointed member may begin serving immediately; or 2) Pass a Motion directing the City Clerk to continue soliciting new applications from additional candidates for consideration December 9 or at an earlier special meeting; or 3) Pass a Motion directing the City Clerk to bring back a Resolution at the December 9 meeting calling for a Special Election to be consolidated with the June 2, 2026, Primary Election, to fill the vacancy.
18. Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board: 1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 170-2025 approving the acceptance of grant funds from the California State Parks, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Division Grant Program in the amount of $148,854 for law enforcement services on the Rubicon Trail and OHV areas within El Dorado County; and
2) Approve and authorize the Sheriff to sign the OHV Grant Project Agreement G25-03-07-L01 in the amount of $148,854 with the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the term October 18, 2025 through October 17, 2026.
Time Allocated Items
9:45 a.m.
Department of Transportation recommending the Board:
1) Approve the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 5249 amending County Ordinance code Section 10.12.180, Parking, Snow Removal – Interference Prohibited and Section 10.12.184 Parking, Snow Removal – Interference Prohibited Lake Tahoe Basin Watershed Area; and 2)Waive full reading of the Ordinance, read by title only and continue this matter to December 2, 2025, for Final Passage
10:30 a.m.
HEARING – Library Department recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 152-2025 setting for election a measure proposing renewal of the Library Special Tax in County Service Area 10, Zone F, South Lake Tahoe at the June 2, 2026, primary election to replace the expiring library special tax
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board is meeting on Wednesday, November 19, at 9:30 a.m., on Zoom and at Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.
VII. PLANNING MATTERS
A. Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin Policy Packages Workshop Session. Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin is a TRPA initiative that aims to address the housing crisis in the Lake Tahoe Basin while maintaining and improving environmental protections. The initiative focuses on updated regional environmental growth management policies to support disadvantaged communities and ensure sustainable housing for residents
The Douglas County Commission will be meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at 1616 Eighth St. Minden, NV. The meeting can be viewed at https://youtu.be/lEtF3lNdW7k.
Consent Agenda
L. For possible action. Discussion on a $770,000.00 contract with Specialized Elevator Service Holdings LLC, dba Koch Elevator, to update two (2) elevators in the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC) and two (2) elevators at the Tahoe Admin building; and authorize the County Manager to execute all contract documents and change orders up to 10% of the original contract price.
Community Development
12.1 For presentation only. Introduction of Ordinance 2025-1656, revising Title 20 of the Douglas County Code, by repealing and replacing: (1) Chapter 20.800; (2) Appendix B – Uniform Code Revisions; (3) Appendix B1 – East Fork Fire Protection District Amendments to the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUI) Codes; and (4) Appendix B2 – Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Amendments to the IFC and WUI Codes. First Reading
About 30 years ago, I came here from Australia on a ski instructor exchange. I still remember flying over the lake after the season wrapped up and knowing deep in my heart I’d be back.
And come back I did.
I married Ben, who I met teaching skiing in Australia, and together we raised two amazing, outdoors-loving kids in Kings Beach. I’ve worked countless jobs to afford the dream, spent 20 years behind the camera as a professional photographer, and taught skiing at Alpine Meadows through last winter. I guess I can finally claim local.
1 of 5
Rainbow over Tahoe from Tahoe Vista, photo by Danielle Hankinson.
Danielle shredding the goods at Alpine Meadows, photo by Randy Salzman.
Sunset at Middle Velma Lake, photo by Danielle Hankinson.
Danielle and her husband, Ben,
on a hike.
Surfing in Kings Beach, photo by Nina Miller
Recently, I checked off a long-time goal: surfing Lake Tahoe. It was freezing, wild, and a little insane, but that’s who we are. We love a challenge, especially when nature’s in charge.
Now it’s time for a new adventure — we’re moving to New Zealand. What I’m taking with me from Tahoe is simple:
Live fully. Play hard. Age is irrelevant. And doing crazy things keeps you alive.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Nevada Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) near the Mt. Rose Summit on Sunday morning, Nov. 16.
Officers arrived on scene before 9 a.m. to the two-vehicle crash.
The highway was closed in both directions for multiple hours between the Slide Mt. Ski Bowl Highway and the Tahoe Meadows while officers investigated the incident.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a vehicle was traveling westbound on State Route 431 when it failed to negotiate a curve, entering the eastbound travel lane. This vehicle crashed into a vehicle that was traveling eastbound on State Route 431 in the eastbound travel lane.
There was one confirmed fatality. It’s unclear which vehicle the fatality was in.
The identity of the deceased has not been released.
The Tribune will provide more updates as they become available.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) and Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) have started an update of their Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan will develop near-term and long-term mitigation actions that reduce risk from drought, floods, winter storms, wildfires, and other natural hazards.
“Community input is essential to set priorities and identify projects,” said Megan Colvey, Director of Engineering with STPUD.
Hazard mitigation means taking actions that reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people, property, infrastructure, the economy, and the environment.
“For every $1 spent on mitigation, we save $6 in disaster costs,” said Colvey. “Planning ahead helps us prioritize safety and protects our assets.”
National studies show communities gain strong value from mitigation investments, with significant savings for every dollar spent. A plan that is updated every five years, also keeps the STPUD and LVFPD eligible for state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant funding.
The update will follow FEMA guidance through a four-phase, nine-step planning process during 2025 and 2026. A Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee will help steer the work and ensure broad participation by residents, businesses, partner agencies, and community organizations.
How to participate
Take the public survey to share your experience with local hazards and ideas for risk reduction. The survey is available in English and Spanish and remains open through November 30, 2025.
Attend the Public Workshop in 2026 once the draft Plan is ready for review.
Benefits to the community include protecting public safety, reducing damage to existing and future development, hardening critical water and wastewater infrastructure, and minimizing service disruptions. STPUD and LVFPD will use community input to identify and prioritize a portfolio of mitigation actions.
“We encourage everyone on the south shore to take a few minutes to complete this survey to help your water/sewer and fire districts understand your concerns,” said Colvey.
If you have questions, call STPUD at (530) 544-6474 or email info@stpud.us.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Lake Tahoe Community College’s (LTCC) Equity and Student Wellness Program and Ally Club, in partnership with Lake Tahoe Pride, invite the community to attend the 3rd Annual Friendsgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 19, from 5-7 p.m. in the Student Center (C-Wing) on LTCC’s campus.
This year’s Friendsgiving shifts its focus toward the essentials of community: shared meals, open expression, and heartfelt connection. Attendees can enjoy a free hot turkey and ham dinner, supplemented by community potluck dishes, and an evening filled with celebration and mutual support.
Event highlights include:
A hearty Thanksgiving dinner and potluck sides
A professional face-painter for kids and adults
Photobooth
Card and board games
An open mic stage for talents, stories, and gratitude
Opportunities to share personal reflections
“In a time when building community is more important than ever, Friendsgiving offers a welcoming space for everyone to come together, be themselves, and find connection,” said Celeste Holmes, Student Parent Engagement Specialist.
While admission is free, attendees are encouraged to contribute in a variety of ways:
Potluck dishes — sides and desserts, especially diet-friendly options
Donations to LTCC’s Basic Needs Center, which supports students’ access to essential pantry and personal care items
Support for the Lake Tahoe Pride Equality Scholarship via check or sticker donations (limited supply, $5 each or five for $20)
Participation in the open mic, with performances, stories, or creative show-and-tells
Volunteers are also welcome and appreciated, with roles available for setup, serving, and cleanup. To volunteer, email laketahoepride@gmail.com.
Please note: This is an alcohol-free event.
For more details or to contribute, visit laketahoepride.org. Questions can be directed to equity@ltcc.edu.
On Sept. 21, 2025, I paddled Tahoe 25 miles on my SUP from Camp Richardson in South Lake to Waterman’s Landing in North Lake. I was inspired by The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, who writes about the Japanese word misogi—a ritual of purification, washing away what no longer serves you so you can return to your true essence. Easter reframes it as doing something so difficult it shakes you to your core and forces you to meet the deepest parts of yourself.
Before this challenge, I had a different kind of misogi—one that nearly broke me. On June 24, 2024, I planned what I thought would be a casual paddle from Kings Beach to Incline Village and back. It took 45 minutes to go out, so I figured an hour to return. I was wrong. I hadn’t checked the forecast or respected how quickly conditions can change on Tahoe. The wind kicked up, and one-foot chop turned into three-foot swells. My board slammed against the waves until I finally fell in. Climbing back up, I couldn’t stand anymore and had to paddle the rest of the way on my knees.
Those five hours back were some of the longest of my life. Every muscle burned. My legs shook from fatigue, and for the first time I felt real fear on the water. I screamed at the wind, the lake, even God. Somewhere between desperation and determination, I started shouting affirmations just to stay focused. I even yelled, “IPA ALL THE WAY!”—a battle cry for my soon-to-launch coaching company, Infinite Potential Advisors. In that moment, it was a cry for survival. Stroke by stroke, I made it back to Kings Beach and collapsed on the ramp—humbled, shaken, and deeply aware I had disrespected Big Blue. That day I learned: Mother Nature always deserves respect.
That harrowing lesson planted the seed for my full-lake misogi a year later. This time, I trained hard, studied the wind, packed carefully, and set a clear intention. I wasn’t paddling for glory or fitness. I was paddling for transformation.
I launched at sunrise from Camp Rich, the lake calm and silent. It was just me and my wife, Roxanne, who would drive home to Truckee and meet me ten and a half hours later at Waterman’s. The whole time tracking my location by phone.
The first few miles felt like meditation—each stroke in rhythm with my breath. But by late morning, the wind began to rise again, reminding me of that June ordeal. This time, I didn’t fight the water. I adjusted. I flowed. I respected the rhythm of the lake instead of resisting it.
Around mile 20, fatigue hit hard. My shoulders throbbed, my legs cramped, and the finish line seemed endlessly far. That inner voice—the same one that once screamed in panic—whispered again: You can’t do this. But another voice rose louder: Keep going, you’ve got this Bruce.
That was the moment I realized misogi wasn’t about the lake. It was about the space between those two voices—the fearful one and the faithful one. The man who once fought the elements, and the one now moving with them.
When I finally reached Waterman’s Landing, I shouted, “IPA ALL THE WAY! I AM A WATERMAN!” Exhausted and grateful, I dropped to my knees. The feeling wasn’t triumph; it was humility. The lake had tested and transformed me.
Paddling Tahoe wasn’t about distance. It was about coming home to myself. Misogi isn’t punishment—it’s purification. It washes away fear and ego until only truth remains.
Now, whenever I look at the lake, I bow my head in respect. Big Blue isn’t just water—she’s a mirror. She reflects who you truly are and reminds you to stay humble, patient, and grateful.
So if you ever feel called to do something that scares you—something that pushes you beyond comfort—answer that call. Your misogi might not be a 25-mile paddle. It might be a mountain to climb, a conversation, or a bold decision that changes your life. But whatever it is, do it with courage, gratitude, and respect for the forces that shape you.
Because when you surrender to the journey, you can find your true strength and unlock your infinite potential.
Seung “Bruce” Lee is a Truckee-based personal development coach and founder of Infinite Potential Advisors. He helps people build confidence, master their mindset, and unlock their infinite potential so they can achieve their goals and live their dreams!
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters end their 11-game road trip with a big 5-1 victory over the Greensboro Gargoyles on Saturday, November 15.
Tahoe scored in the opening 90 seconds of the game as Sloan Stanick notched his 10th goal of the season to make it 1-0 Tahoe, which would be the score heading into the first intermission.
In the second, Adam Pitters made a beautiful stick move to work in and bury a chance to extend the Tahoe lead to a pair of goals. That goal from Pitters was his first of the season. However, in the final five seconds of the frame, Ethan Leyh got a back-door feed from Anthony Rinaldi to cut the lead in half as the Knight Monsters led 2-1 after 40 minutes.
In the third, Tahoe put the game to rest. Jake McGrew scored at the 3:47 mark to make it 3-1, and after a second goal from Stanick on a sharp-angle chance, and a breakaway goal for Jake Durflinger, the Knight Monsters ran away with the game en route to a 5-1 win.
Cameron Whitehead had a highlight-worthy night in net as he turned away 24 of 25 Gargoyles shots.
The Knight Monsters return home on Thursday, November 20, to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is at 10:30 am, with pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network beginning at 10:20 am. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Members of the South Lake Tahoe community are invited to Bread & Broth’s free Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday, November 24 from 4-6 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Grace Hall, 1041 Lyons Avenue.
A traditional, festive Thanksgiving meal will be served featuring turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, and pie for dessert. In addition, dinner guests will be given a food giveaway bag containing dairy products (including eggs, butter, milk), fresh produce, bread, pastries, meat, and canned goods.
Over 75 Bread & Broth volunteers will be working tirelessly to prepare and serve the meal, and a large crowd is expected.
“We begin planning for this dinner weeks in advance, the cooks begin preparing food days ahead of the event, and the servers come in early to set up and decorate the hall,” said Roberta Strachan, Bread & Broth’s Food Coordination Chairperson. “Our volunteers put a lot of love into this special dinner, and it’s reflected in the smiles of our dinner guests each year.”
Please join Bread & Broth in celebrating Thanksgiving and the annual gathering of many members of our community. For more information, please visit B&B’s website at breadandbroth.org, or contact Carol Gerard at carolsgerard@aol.com.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Seven Tahoe Basin resorts are among 70 U.S. ski resorts ranked for visitor value, comparing cost and scale.
HomeToGo’s 2025/2026 Ski Season Report takes into consideration the price of overnight accommodation, daily lift ticket rates, and total skiable acreage to find you the most turns for your dollar.
Here’s how Tahoe resorts stack up against other resorts across the nation and your wallet.
11th – Palisades Tahoe
Falling just outside of the top ten, Palisades Tahoe is the most highly ranked Tahoe resort on the list at 11th. Though pulling a lower score in the ticket price category, Palisades Tahoe’s skiable acreage with two mountains and the area’s overnight accommodation price make up for it. The report gives it a total score of 26.02 out of 30. One overnight stay and one lift ticket costs an estimated $316.66.
Skiable acres: 6,000
Overnight stay: $114.66
Lift ticket: $202
Palisades Tahoe ranked 11th among HomeToGo’s report.Provided / Palisades Tahoe
That compares to the number one ranked resort, Red Lodge Mountain in Montana, at $142.73 (27 score). The last-ranked (70th) resort for value is Aspen Mountain in Colorado at $803.25 (17.42 score).
13th – Sierra-at-Tahoe
Not far behind Palisades Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe ranks 13th on the list with a score of 25.64. Overnight stay price is Sierra-at-Tahoe’s strongest scoring factor, followed by lift ticket prices and then skiable acreage. One day of skiing and an overnight stay is estimated to cost you $262.26.
Skiable acres: 2,000
Overnight stay: $149.76
Lift ticket: $112.50
21st – Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort’s overnight accommodation price and skiable acreage score relatively high, though its lift ticket price is the resort’s lowest scoring category. The estimated price to stay and ski one day at Kirkwood is $287.17, ranking 21st on the valuation list with a score of 25.10.
Skiable acres: 2,300
Overnight stay: $118.17
Lift ticket: $169
26th – Heavenly Mountain Resort
Though scoring high for its size and relatively affordable overnight stay, Heavenly Mountain Resort’s lift ticket price is what takes away from its score. Pulling an overall score of 24.98, the resort is still within the top half of the list at 26th. The estimated total price for an overnight stay and lift ticket is $362.89.
Skiable acres: 4,800
Overnight stay: $137.89
Lift ticket: $225
36th – Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is in the middle of the field and scored strongest in overnight stay price, likely due to its proximity to Reno. Its lift ticket and size round out a total score of 24.27, putting the resort midway on the list at 36th. The total estimated price to ski and stay in the area is $262.57.
Skiable acres: 1,200
Overnight stay: $88.57
Lift ticket: $174
56th – Northstar California Resort
With a combined lift ticket and stay price of $486.22, Northstar California Resort ranks 56th on the valuation list. Its poorest scoring quality is its lift ticket price. Combined with its overnight stay and size, it scores 22.88 and ranks 56th.
Skiable acres: 3,170
Overnight stay: $241.22
Lift ticket: $245
57th – Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Although more affordable than many resorts, Diamond Peak Ski Resort ranks 57th, likely due to its size score as a smaller mountain. Scoring a 22.75 overall, its overnight stay price and lift ticket price total $329.75.
Skiable acres: 655
Overnight stay: $169.75
Lift ticket: $160
The cheapest lift ticket in Tahoe
Mountain size and overnight stay aside, here are how lift ticket prices compare among Tahoe resorts, according to the report.
Sierra-at-Tahoe – $112.50
Diamond Peak Ski Resort – $160
Kirkwood Mountain Resort – $169
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe – $174
Palisades Tahoe – $202
Heavenly Mountain Resort- $225
Northstar California Resort – $245
Top 10 resorts on the reportnationwide
Red Lodge Mountain – Montana
Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park – Washington
Bridger Bowl – Montana
Whitefish Mountain Resort – Montana
Brundage Mountain Resort – Idaho
Purgatory Resort – Colorado
Schweitzer Mountain Resort – Idaho
Mt. Bachelor – Oregon
Wolf Creek Ski Area – Colorado
Sunrise Park Resort – Arizona
Creating the report
In creating the report, the organizers first created a list of ski destinations with a minimum of 300 acres of skiable terrain. After compiling those resorts and their total skiable acreage, they found the median nightly cost per person for an overnight accommodation, and the Jan. 10 cost of a lift ticket.
Each resort was given a score in each category, ranging between 5-10. A perfect score in each category would produce a 30-point total score.
There’s a professional sports team in the Tahoe Basin. They play “AA” minor league hockey down in South Lake. They’re called the Knight Monsters and they’re damn good.
Heading down to opening night on a Friday back in October was a true Get Out & Go experience. I was driving through Cave Rock and arriving at Stateline’s Tahoe Blue Events Center before I could say “Alexander Ovechkin scores again” five times fast.
Parking wasn’t bad, and I soon found myself amid a sea of teal-clad fans as we converged upon the arena like some sort of hydra-headed Tahoe Tessie, people erupting out of the restaurants and casinos, the home-team hoots and hollers bellowing louder with each step.
Walking into the stadium the buzz grew, the excitement, the vibe, that hum of humanity you feel at big events as tangible as a powder turn. You know it when you’re in it, and a Knight Monsters game has it.
You grab a dog and a drink and you take your seat, looking around at the 4,200-person capacity arena to realize there’s not a bad seat in the house, everyone in the stands so close to the action that you’re all part of the action.
FACE-OFF: The action on the ice is up close and personal. Photos by Mike Montalbano
The lights dim and the player introductions ensue, the P.A. announcer’s voice like Michael Buffer and we’re all ready to rumble — the sternum-vibrating sound system and the laser-light show making you think you’re at some $500 concert when your ticket costs less than a tenth of that.
The puck drops, and so ensues the chaotic and gladiatorial symphony on ice that is a pro hockey game. The skating — deft grace and power, extemporaneously choreographed — borders on a Baryshnikov-like dance. The checks into the boards come at you fast and visceral and loud, the hits clanging with way more intensity than anything a football game, with its far-from-the-field seats, is able to offer.
The players jeer, and the players jest. The players fight. There is bad blood and there is good will, and the game skates on. You are in it, the moment, off your living room couch and out of your house, rubbing elbows with other human beings as you cheer for
the home team and talk mess to the refs, together.
FANS IN FRENZY: The crowd stands from their seats to celebrate a Knight Monsters goal.
Then the Knight Monsters score, a one-timer to the back of the net and the teal-clad crowd rises up as one big uproarious being. You smile and high-five the stranger next to you as a chant erupts, and though it’s your first game it’s a chant you’ve somehow always known:
“Let’s! Go! Ta-hoe!!!”
Da-da da-da-da.
“Let’s! Go! Ta-hoe!!!”
The league and a player
The Knight Monsters are in their second season of play in the ECHL — the westernmost team in what used to be called the East Coast Hockey League, but which now goes simply by the acronym to reflect its growing reach. The team is an affiliate of the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, and being “called up to the big club” is every skater in a teal jersey’s dream. Many players you’ll watch will be in their early 20s, just starting out their pro careers not unlike the Hanson brothers in the classic minor league hockey flick, Slap Shot.
But the Knight Monsters also have, in 36-year-old team captain, Luke Adam, their own Reggie Dunlop, Paul Newman’s character in the film — the aging star playing the game for as long as his body will let him. Adam is now in his 18th year of pro hockey (in addition to four in Canada’s ultra-competitive junior leagues). He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NHL draft, yet, in all, has played only 90 career games in the NHL, the equivalent of just over one full season in “The Show” during that time.
Then, as the game goes on, you come to see that Adam is truly great at what he does. His skating, his knowledge of the game, his ability to anticipate — to see things that other players simply cannot and do not see — becomes evident.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: Knight Monsters captain Luke Adam accepts player of the game honors after the home opener.
He scores two goals in the home opener and does a bunch of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet as he leads his team to a 6-3 victory. When called back out onto the ice after the game for being named a player of the game, he cradles his son under one arm, skating around the ice and waving to the crowd with the other.
And while the rest of us hop in our work trucks to go to work, or put on our ties or dress pants to go to work, or stare at our laptop screens to go to work, Luke Adam still gets to put on shoulder pads and skates to go to work — and then show a roaring crowd what grace and power look like, what excellence looks like, when a human being is doing what he is truly meant to be doing.
In many ways, Adam is what minor league hockey is all about. I’d encourage you to get out & go watch him and his fellow Knight Monsters play.
Upcoming home games:
Nov. 20-22
vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates
Nov. 28-30
vs. Tulsa Oilers
Dec. 3, 5, and 6
vs. Rapid City Rush
Visit knightmonstershockey.com for ticket rates and packages, and more details.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Started by a small group of women who belonged to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and enjoyed knitting and crocheting, the Knitters Guild of Incline Village, gathered together to support the Winter Warmth &Wellness campaign on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
Members of the Knitters Guild have been creating and donating items for many, many years. This year, Knitters Guild donated more than 150 knitted and crocheted articles, which included hats, scarves, blankets, cowls, shawls, among other items.
More than 25 years ago, Winter Warmth & Wellness (as it’s known today and for the past 10 years), was part of a clothing distribution during a Thanksgiving food sharing program to needy families in the North Lake Tahoe community. Items such as gently used winter wear, household necessities, personal care items, hand-made hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and more are collected at locations throughout the north shore of Lake Tahoe, with drop off points at a variety of locations, including Village Church, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Cornerstone Community Church, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, and North Tahoe Event Center.
Collection takes place mid-September to mid-October, when the weather changes, and the goods are offered toward the end of October. This year, distribution took place on October 25 at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach, and more than 130 families benefited from the generosity of the community.
Members of The Knitters Guild, part of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church’s community outreach program, meets on an informal basis and visit with each other, sharing patterns and ideas. The group has evolved into one that finds pleasure in making warm clothing and blankets for families who need them in Incline Village and around the Tahoe basin area.
Members live in Incline Village, Tahoe City, Truckee and as far out as Spanish Springs. The Knitters Guild meets every Wednesday from 1– 3 p.m. in the library of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 341 Village Boulevard, Incline Village, NV.
Several hundred items are handmade and donated to numerous organizations each year, including Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, which receives layettes for newborns, and blankets for Long Term Care patients; hats, scarves, mittens and other warm items are part of the Winter Warmth & Wellness event each October. The Gene Upshaw Cancer Center in Truckee is grateful for chemo caps, made of very soft yarn for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Eddy House in Reno also benefits from the hats and scarves created and donated by the members of the Knitters Guild. The Guild receives support from the community by donations of yarns, patterns and knitting needles and crochet hooks.
Over the years, and before the COVID pandemic, the Guild members were also part of the Incline Village After-School Program as they taught knitting and crocheting at the Incline Elementary School on Monday afternoons.
For further information, please contact Millie Szerman at MillieSz746@gmail.com or call 775-833-3311.
LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is providing opportunities over the next three months to learn about and give feedback on policies intended to increase the availability of affordable and workforce housing in the Lake Tahoe Region, the agency said today. Following a year of meaningful engagement with community members, housing experts, and decision makers through the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project, TRPA will launch an environmental impact statement (EIS) process in early 2026 and is seeking feedback on draft policy recommendations to include in the study.
“Most of Lake Tahoe’s essential workers and underrepresented community members are burdened by housing costs and that’s causing impacts to both our environment and communities,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “The Tahoe dream shouldn’t be out of reach for so many families, seniors, and local workers who are commuting into the basin for jobs. We’re driving innovative environmental policies to address this massive challenge, and we want to ensure the community’s voices are heard.”
Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin is a multiyear project to make housing more accessible while maintaining and improving environmental quality. The project will modernize land-use policies and the regional growth management system to ensure new building and redevelopment projects increase access to affordable and workforce housing in a thriving, protected environment, according to the agency.
TRPA will hold a workshop and public presentation on draft policies to include in the EIS at the November 19 Governing Board meeting. Additional presentations are scheduled for December and January meetings to finalize the scope of the EIS.
The EIS will analyze short- and long-term effects of proposed policies on regional environmental goals, including improved water quality, reduced vehicle use, and evacuation planning by emergency management and law enforcement agencies. Visit TahoeLiving.org for more information and to get involved.
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters were kept off the scoreboard as the Greensboro Gargoyles earned a 2-0 shutout victory on Friday night.
The Gargoyles tallied their first goal of the night in the first period as Wade Murphy found the back of the net on a sharp-angle chance with Greensboro short-handed to give the Gargoyles a 1-0 lead.
In the second, neither team found success as Tahoe goaltender Zane McIntyre and Greensboro netminder Connor Ungar played phenomenally throughout the evening.
In the third, with an empty net for the Knight Monsters, Greensboro was able to break through on the open net and come away with a 2-0 victory.
McIntyre played outstanding for Tahoe, stopping 26 of 27 shots he faced. For Greensboro, Ungar stood tall in net and pitched a 30-save shutout to give the Gargoyles their second consecutive win on home ice.
The third and final game of this series takes place tomorrow night at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, with puck drop at 4 pm PT. Pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network begins at 3:50 pm.
The Knight Monsters return home on Thursday, November 20, to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is at 10:30 am. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
Meet Marcus, a gentle soul with the softest fur and the warmest heart. At five years old, Marcus may not be able to see the world around him, but he feels it in the most beautiful ways. Every sound, scent, and touch paints a picture for him, one filled with comfort, trust, and love.
Marcus is blind, but that hasn’t dimmed his spirit one bit. He moves through life with quiet confidence, relying on his remarkable sense of hearing and smell to explore and connect. What he lacks in sight, he more than makes up for in affection; he absolutely loves being near his people, soaking up every pet, snuggle, and kind word.
Marcus is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
He’ll thrive in a calm, consistent home where he can learn his surroundings and feel safe. Toys that crinkle or jingle, the scent of catnip, and a familiar voice calling his name will bring him endless joy. Marcus may be a special cat, but what truly makes him extraordinary is his ability to love without limits.
He’s ready to show his forever family that even without sight, life, and love, are still absolutely beautiful. Come visit him today and see if this handsome boy is your perfect match! If you are interested in learning more about Marcus, please reach out to one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists at 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. He is neutered, fully vaccinated, and microchipped. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, please visit www.hstt.org.
Running is one of the best and easiest ways to stay fit and enjoy the beautiful mountain air. But running can also lead to injuries if you’re not careful. Knowing how to prevent the most common running injuries will keep you on your feet and moving toward your goals.
Run With Purpose
Before lacing up, think about why you’re running. Are you chasing weight loss, boosting heart health, or just wanting to connect with friends? Your goal shapes how you run. For example, if you want to improve cardiovascular fitness, shorter, faster runs may work best. If weight loss is your aim, steady, longer runs at a comfortable pace are key. Setting clear goals keeps you from pushing too hard and risking injury. This can also help maintain motivation.
Warm Up and Cool Down
Never skip your warm-up or cool-down. Spend 5 minutes walking or jogging gently before you start running to loosen up your muscles, especially your calves and hamstrings — they play a big role in your stride. After your run, cool down at a slower pace and stretch to keep muscles flexible and injury-free.
Maintain Awareness
It can be nice to run with a friend you can chat with, or wear headphones. However, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings; whether cars are on the road or if there are roots you could trip over on a trail. Animal interactions are unlikely but can occur as well.
Invest in the Right Shoes
Not all running shoes are created equal. Make sure you have proper fitting shoes and consider buying new ones when they start to wear out. Typically, this is about every six months. If you are new to running, it may be beneficial to visit a specialty athletic store where the experts can match shoes to your foot type and running style. Proper footwear cushions your feet and prevents many common injuries.
Watch for These Common Running Injuries
· Achilles tendinitis: Pain and stiffness at the back of your ankle and calf. Stretching and rest are your best friends here.
· Plantar fasciitis: Heel pain from inflammation under your foot. Ice, stretching, and proper shoes help ease this.
· Shin splints: Sharp pain along your shinbone, often from overdoing it or running on hard surfaces. Rest, ice, and gradual training adjustments are key.
· Patello-femoral syndrome: Commonly called runner’s knee, this presents as pain around the kneecap. Maintaining hamstring flexibility and avoiding overuse can help prevent this.
Running is a great way to keep healthy and enjoy the great outdoors. Work with your healthcare team if you experience pain or injury while running to make sure you don’t lose momentum and can keep hitting the trails.
Dr. Jeffrey Orr is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, treating patients throughout the Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley region. Learn more about orthopedics at Barton Health online at BartonHealth.org or call 530.543.5554 to schedule an appointment.
Driving south on Schaffer Mill Road in Truckee, navigating between wealthy communities such as Schaffer’s Mill, Martis Camp, and Lahontan, a small offshoot provides access to Hopkins Village, a 50-unit affordable housing project with quite the storied history.
To purchase in the single-road neighborhood, one must fit the buyer requirements: household income at 180% or lower Area Median Income (in 2025, this is $152,190 for one person) and working an average of at least 30 hours a week for an employment site within Tahoe Truckee Unified School District boundaries. The units — three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom half-plexes — currently sell for $615,000 to individuals and market rate to employers looking to house employees. As of press deadline, two units remain for sale.
But the affordability aspect has sputtered since the neighborhood’s completion. The Hopkins Village Homeowners Association faces a $76,582 deficit, and the first residents to move in have seen their HOA dues rise by 146%, from a quarterly $420 in December 2022 to $1,037. This in addition to supplemental tax bills after a delay in parcel reassessment. Now, to shore up a projected operating loss, residents are required to pay a special assessment to the tune of an additional $1,500 per unit by Feb. 1, 2026.
“This [special] assessment is intended to cover,” stated a notice sent to all Hopkins residents in August, “the cost of the California Fair Plan fire insurance for 2025, offset accumulated operating losses, and begin repaying reserve funds that were borrowed over the past two to three years to manage rising operating expenses.”
“I could afford this when I moved in,” a current resident told Moonshine. “My theory was, well, I’ll progressively make more money and maybe the interest rates will go down, or as I pay more off the mortgage, I’m going to be lowering my payments. I felt pretty confident going into it and had no idea all of these other things could come so quick, so expensive. I truly feel for the people who are here with kids on fixed incomes. What are they supposed to do?”
Placer County Tahoe Housing Specialist Tim Cussen said Hopkins Village residents are experiencing the same financial pains others are. “I wish insurance wasn’t so crazy in California,” he continued. “And I certainly feel for them. That is a sharp increase, especially if they were at all borderline comfortable with the cost and then all of a sudden they go up [and residents] had to absorb not only the monthly, but the special assessment … I think all homeowners associations in California, especially in the Basin or in Tahoe in general, Truckee, Placer, Nevada County — they’re all feeling the same crunch.”
A recently released U.S. Census Bureau study found that the average monthly payment for California condo/HOA households in 2024 was $278. Hopkins residents’ monthly payment is $345, plus the $300 special assessment per month from October 2025 through February 2026.
“How do we best prepare people for the total cost of home ownership?” asked Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “Partly, it’s these unseen costs. Insurance, there’s no cap on it. [Residents] can predict their mortgage, their utility bills are going up, mostly out of their control … but fire insurance … it is incredibly expensive for all of us.”
A NEIGHBORHOOD COMPLETE: All but two of the 50 units in Hopkins Village are filled with local workers. The project, which started in 2003, took quite a bit of effort to cross the finish line nearly 20 years later. “Do I regret it? No,” said developer Dan Fraiman, who considers the project a financial loss. “Because I’m still alive and I have a great family and I learned a ton. It has been an amazing learning lesson and it has been a stepping stone for me in my business and personal careers. I’m here seven years after starting that thing, still learning lessons from it.” Photo by Wade Snider/Moonshine Ink
Hopkins Village’s complex history began when the Martis Camp development was approved back in 2003. On condition of its approval, the Placer County Board of Supervisors required the construction of 50 workforce housing units. Thus, Hopkins Village.
The first 10 units were constructed by the original developer, DMB/Highlands Group, in the early 2000s. But the Great Recession’s impact on market-rate homes stalled further progress, and DMB/Highlands was allowed to let the rest of the project languish.
It wouldn’t be until 2020 that forward progress on the remaining 40 units was made, when DMB/Highlands, Placer County, and local developer Dan Fraiman signed a contract for DMB/Highlands to give Fraiman the Hopkins Village land so he could bring the project across the finish line.
Even that final leg faced hurdles. Fraiman told Moonshine in 2023 the project faced, as reporter Julie Brown wrote, “millions of dollars in losses, much of which stacked up when unavoidable global challenges stymied the construction industry from the outset of the [Covid-19] pandemic: supply-chain delays, skyrocketing prices for materials, truck driver shortages, repairing damaged modular units, and other issues.”
After a back-and-forth with Placer County, the Hopkins Village price per unit for qualifying workforce residents was increased from $550,000 to $615,000.
As a homeowners association in California, Hopkins Village is not explicitly required by statute to maintain financial reserves, though maintenance of such is generally recognized to be a sound practice within the Davis-Sterling Act and other California court decisions. For example, Civil Code § 5550 requires an HOA board to conduct a reserve study to inspect “the accessible areas of the major components that the association is obligated to repair, replace, restore, or maintain.” The reserve funding plan lays out how the HOA expects to fund such components.
I think all homeowners associations in California, especially in the Basin or in Tahoe in general, Truckee, Placer, Nevada County — they’re all feeling the same crunch.”
~ Tim Cussen, Tahoe Housing Specialist, Placer County
Hopkins’ reserve fund balance has dwindled over the past two years, according to the HOA’s 2025 budget, which was shared with Moonshine Ink by a resident. The HOA’s total budgetary forecast for 2025, which includes anticipated dues, reserve fund replenishment, fund losses from previous years, fire insurance, and expenses puts it $76,582 in the hole. With the special assessment being levied, that loss goes down to $1,582.
Some of the largest 2024 expenses, of a total of $156,211, were insurance at $62,750 ($45,000 was budgeted) and snow removal at $37,500 ($30,000 had been budgeted).
The most expensive anticipated 2025 line item is insurance, at $82,500 (a 31% increase from 2024). Other notable expenses: Snow removal at $40,000 (6.6% increase); management at $31,947 (equal to 2024).
Hopkins HOA board members declined to comment.
One major point of consternation over the budget is the claim that the large deficit is due in part to “a previous decision by the builder, who held the majority vote at the time, to not sufficiently increase HOA dues to cover the rising operational costs.” This is an excerpt from a public comment submitted by Hopkins Village resident Andrea Buxton in June (and undersigned by other residents and HOA board members).
Cussen said he has not seen anything to substantiate the claim.
Fraiman stated, “I paid the dues for years. What happened is you didn’t have all the costs. The insurance was less because there weren’t 20 more buildings sitting there, there weren’t 40 more driveways to plow. All the costs were much lower … We started finishing units and then somebody would be like, ‘Oh, I need to get my roof shoveled,’ and the HOA would go shovel the roof … All of a sudden you had a lot of people there who all had needs.”
He also wonders if the HOA reserve was being paid into while Martis Camp owned the property, since Fraiman didn’t acquire the land until 2020.
“I would guess that there’s probably a lot of HOAs that are finding themselves in a pinch where construction costs have gone up. They have not been saving enough money, and now they’re hit with these maintenance costs and they have to do these assessments.”
MBK Chapman, a California-based legal practice of real estate attorneys, noted in a 2026 fact sheet, “Years of underfunded reserves are now colliding with the real costs of repairing roofs, roads, elevators, pools, and façades. More and more associations that failed to save responsibly are resorting to special assessments in the $40,000 [to] $60,000 range per unit.”
“Boards that neglected to save gradually are now resorting to one-time demands that devastate homeowners financially,” another MBK Chapman article stated. The law office added that HOAs in general have raised regular assessment dues as well.
Buxton became a resident of Hopkins Village in August 2024. She considers the fact that she had a down payment from a residence she’d just sold in Tahoe City the only reason she was able to afford to live there in the first place.
Buxton has been vocal about her affordability concerns by making the aforementioned public comment to Placer County, applying for a North Tahoe Community Alliance grant to cover the deficit (which failed), and compiling a letter of support from fellow Hopkins Village residents.
I personally believe people have to hope they can own a piece of this area. You’ll rent for a while; we all did … with the hope you can purchase. I’m committed to solutions that give that hope to that future workforce that they can grow roots here.”
~ Supervisor Cindy Gustafson, Placer County District 5
One solution Buxton suggested was requesting that Placer County take on road maintenance and snow plowing to eliminate about $40,000 from the HOA’s budget. “Why should the low-income housing development have to pay for their own road maintenance and snowplowing when (some) rich neighborhoods don’t do that?” she asked.
Cussen said such a request (which has been made many times by more developments than Hopkins Village) is unlikely, as it would set a precedent. Furthermore, he added, feasibility is an issue: “There aren’t any county-maintained roads anywhere near Hopkins Village … [The closest is] a few miles away … State Route 267 is maintained by the state, and Schaffer Mill Road is a private road maintained privately by, I think, the collective of golf course communities.”
While Placer County created the Hopkins Village condition of approval for the Martis Camp development, the jurisdiction has no connection aside from ensuring the deed restriction is met.
“Placer County is not affiliated with the HOA in any way,” Cussen said. “We don’t have any legal obligation or ability to step in. We are not a property owner there, so we really have no formal affiliation with the homeowners association. We have been asked by the homeowners association to provide funding, which we had explored, but have not provided for fear of the precedent that it sets.”
Sup. Gustafson said she did reach out to residential communities adjacent to Hopkins, asking if they could incorporate the 50-home neighborhood into their snowplow coverage area. “I have not heard back,” she said. “It is certainly something that we could look for partnership from those groups. But if we take care of Hopkins snow removal, what about [the other affordable housing neighborhoods?]”
Multiple workforce housing projects in Truckee/Tahoe function as tax credit projects, such as Coldstream Commons, Kings Beach Housing, and Truckee Artist Lofts — with more on the way.
“All tax credit projects are rentals,” Cussen explained. “You don’t have homeowner’s association dues, per se. But when the jurisdiction is doing for-sale and ownership opportunities for lower income or income-restricted units, they do have kind of a calculation method where the maximum cost of ownership, including the homeowner’s dues, cannot exceed a certain place in relation to that income level.”
Hopkins Village is the only deed-restricted for-sale project in Eastern Placer County.
The Martis Fund provides down-payment assistance to qualified working families in Eastern Placer and the Town of Truckee. Hopkins Village residents can qualify, though the fund did not have a specific amount that’s been dedicated to them. Placer County has its First-Time Homebuyer Loan Program, though applications are not currently being accepted because of a high volume of submissions.
“I personally believe people have to hope they can own a piece of this area,” Gustafson said. “You’ll rent for a while; we all did … with the hope you can purchase. I’m committed to solutions that give that hope to that future workforce that they can grow roots here. [Hopkins Village] may give us ideas of how we ensure they’re adequately prepared … I’m very hopeful because I think these people just bought at a time when the insurance just went off the charts and hopefully it’ll come back down.”
Fraiman was asked in May 2023 if he regretted the project. Then, he said everything was still up in the air as it wasn’t yet completed.
Now, he says: “The chips are still falling. I haven’t actually sold all the units yet with that, and I’m still paying taxes, insurance, water bills, heating bills. I would say I don’t regret the project. For Truckee and a landmark project as one of the first, if not the only for-sale deed restricted project around … I have had people who bought units call me and thank me for such an amazing, affordably-priced house and how thankful they actually are to own a home in Truckee. Imagine that [for the] evil developer.”
Financially, though, Fraiman said the project is a failure.
“The construction cost is more than what we’re selling the units for,” he said. “And now the cost to still carry the [unsold] units. When I started, I thought those things would be sold in two years. … [But] I have six bedrooms, two units, and zero calls on ’em. The insurance is insane for an unoccupied finished unit.”
Further, Fraiman is frustrated by the lack of interest by employers amid an employee housing crisis that’s plagued the Truckee/North Tahoe region for years. He said he’s spoken with Tahoe Forest Health System, the Tahoe Truckee Workforce Housing JPA, Alterra and Vail ski resorts, golf courses, local small businesses, and more.
“I could not get one entity, one business in Truckee to buy one unit,” Fraiman said. “Everyone says, ‘Hey, we need housing for our employees.’ This is why this project is such an enigma for me, as I thought what we were building was something that was in high demand.”
While employer-owned housing in Hopkins Village is allowed to be sold at market rate, Fraiman said he’s willing to offer the $615,000 price to interested parties.
Current Hopkins homeowners can resell their homes at market rate.
“If the bottom falls out and they have to sell for other changes in their life, they can sell for market rate,” Gustafson said, “but we don’t want to see that. We want to keep these people in our community.
You may know it as a go-to in Tahoe/Truckee’s yoga-verse or for its growing music scene, but Mountain Lotus in downtown Truckee is also fast becoming a haven for your next delectably healthy and affordable meal out.
A big step in the metamorphosis happened last June when it brought on Rich Selden, experienced know-your-farmer culinarian/restauranter, as executive chef and director of food and beverage.
A MAN IN HIS ELEMENT: Rich Selden came aboard as Mountain Lotus’s executive chef and director of food and beverage in June. Photos by Wade Snider/Moonshineink.
“With Rich in place, we are ready to become a wellness destination, a true healing-arts studio: mind, body, stomach,” says Alex Rey, Mountain Lotus marketing manager. “We have some great-tasting restaurants in town, but there is something about a homecooked meal. And with the organic ingredients we offer, the nutrition we offer, it really feels like you’re getting a homecooked, nourishing meal at a really good price point.”
In a time when the $30 burger seems to have become the norm at many area restaurants, at The Café, Mountain Lotus’ plant-based, Pacific-Rim-themed restaurant, both versions of its Bahn Mi still ring in at $17. You can get three (damn good) breakfast options for under $13; and the shiitake miso soup, which fills you up more than some $20 meals in these mountains, only runs you 10 bucks.
A life in food
Selden has been entwined in the region’s culinary scene since he started Electric Blue Elephant, his farm-to-table vegan food truck in Incline Village, back in 2011. He eventually moved the operation down to Reno where he then ran two hip-and-healthy restaurants, Café Deluxe on Wells Avenue and The Deluxe at the Biggest Little City’s vegan mecca, West Street Market. For three-plus years before his hiring by Mountain Lotus, Selden was at the Tahoe Food Hub, the renown slow-food market.
But Selden’s experience in, and love for, food goes way farther back than his time out West.
“I come from an Italian and Jewish household in Long Island, and my mom and grandma were always cooking,” he says. “I was exposed to a diverse food culture from a very young age, and we were always going around the city; to Flushing, to Queens, eating amazing Chinese, Japanese, all kinds of ethnic food. That’s when I kind of fell in love with Asian food in general.”
Selden moved to Reno to finish college in 2003 while also being pleasantly introduced to Vietnamese food and unpleasantly introduced to the absence of the mom-and-pop eateries he loved so much in New York.
THE CAFÉ at Mountain Lotus in Truckee is open for breakfast and lunch, serving Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
After graduating, Rich moved to Tahoe to pursue skiing full time and “found an itch to scratch with food.” That’s when he broke into the food truck scene, and his winding culinary path led him straight into the open petals of Mountain Lotus.
He plans on changing The Café’s menu with the seasons, creating apex dishes based on what’s available from the local food shed and paired for the essence of the time of year. Summer’s light and fresh Cali bowl, for instance, has been replaced by fall’s yaki bowl, a hearty serving of teriyaki chicken or tofu, jasmine turmeric rice, shiitake mushrooms, kimchi, persimmons, and sauteed seasonal veggies, including winter squash.
It’ll stick to your ribs and help you take on the cold. Plus, it just tastes really good.
It’s all about who you know and why you do it
One of the great strengths that Selden brings with him to Mountain Lotus is his decade-plus-long relationships with area farmers and producers. Forged from his time in Reno that afforded him the oppprtunity to work intimately with its Great Basin Community Food Co-op; from his experience with the sustainable- and giving-oriented Tahoe Food Hub; and his foremost fervor for finding the finest of naturally farmed foods, Rich’s relationships allow him to buy direct — keeping ingredients organic and fresh, and price points low.
He’ll regularly buy from five to eight different farms each week, ranging into the Grass Valley/Nevada City/Penn Valley and Capay Valley to the west.
FROM THE FARM to the plate to your table; Selden serves up another order of Mountain Lotus’s hand salad.
A husband and a father entrenched in the Tahoe/Truckee community (his wife, Mary McCallam, owns and runs Mountain Song in the herbal medicine sphere, and his son is a student at Tahoe Expedition Academy), Selden takes his ingredients seriously. He explains that, “‘Organic’ has a USDA definition of essentially being food that is produced either without pesticides or with pesticides that are approved by the USDA.”
Rich Selden’s definition of organic goes further than that. “We [Mountain Lotus] serve food that is never touched by pesticides and is completely non-GMO,” he notes. “All of our farmers are vetted by California Organic, certified, or they are utilizing organic procedures that they have communicated and that we have seen firsthand.”
Mountain Lotus’ food is also completely seed-oil free.
Selden discourses on the restaurant industry’s widespread use of seed oils — canola, peanut, soybean, sunflower, et al. — and how, despite their having been touted as “healthy oils” since the ’70s, they are actually heavily refined, produced using a high-chemical extraction process.
That’s why Mountain Lotus uses avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and, on occasion, animal fats such as tallow or gee in its food preparation. “Our seed-oil-free menu fits the overall athletic and wellness ethos of our mountain community,” Selden says.
As a self-proclaimed “label fanatic,” if there is something the chef may be considering to use in his kitchen but can’t buy directly, Selden will “dive really deeply into that product’s producer to make sure they have transparency and are using whole foods.”
The culinary troubadour also speaks of a sort of philosophic manifesto, one that he encourages diners to take with them wherever they look at a menu: “There is nothing wrong with asking questions about where your food is coming from,” he states. “They [the restaurant] should be able to tell you who their producers are and where their food is coming from.”
Seems like an obvious enough statement, right?
“But the list of restaurants who cannot is long,” Selden laments, his voice singed. “Longer than we think. Most of the time they are buying their food from large food distributers. I think that needs to change in restaurants. I think restaurants need to be operating at a higher level of integrity.”
ALL ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS: Selden’s relationships with area farmers allow him to get the freshest, most organic offerings.
To witness the revolution of integrity in food — how it is procured and how it is prepared — look no further than Mountain Lotus. Take a hot vinyasa class or see the studio’s next Afrolicious or Rambo Party show. And let its natural, from-the-farmer-who-Rich-shook-hands-with-a-day-and-a-half-ago food give your body, your mind, and your soul the fuel it deserves.
The Café at Mountain Lotus is open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday; elixirs and adult beverages are available in addition to food. Mountain Lotus also offers full-service and bespoke catering through Provisions, its 4×4 food truck. Go to mountainlotusyoga.com/food for menus and more details.
Ever since DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) fired thousands of federal probationary employees without cause in February 2025, I have lived in a state of dread. This was just the opening salvo of actions taken in the name of reducing costs and improving government efficiency that have, instead, created an unprecedented level of chaos, inefficiency, and outright fear among the government workforce.
The motivations are murky, but it doesn’t take a lot of critical thinking to determine that these moves were driven by an astounding lack of knowledge and expertise at the highest levels of government, political retribution, and potential for grifting by those currently in power. Transparency has been non-existent, and the evidence is flimsy for how current efforts to reduce and reorganize our government institutions will lead to improved outcomes.
Since this all began, I have closely followed this assault as it impacts public land management agencies. I worked as a hydrologist for the US Forest Service in the Lake Tahoe Basin for almost 30 years. Through my connections with former colleagues in the Forest Service, I know how extremely damaging the threatening messaging and ongoing chaotic efforts to reduce the government workforce and spending have been to hard-working, highly qualified individuals and to the agency overall.
Because federal employees are prohibited from talking openly, there has been little visible evidence of the destruction that has occurred in our federal land management agencies. But it is there, and the cracks are turning into ravines; we will likely feel the impact for decades. The pipeline of research, planning, and implementation to address fire risk, control invasive species, protect water quality, improve forest health, and maintain recreation infrastructure has been severely compromised. Coupled with workforce reductions are numerous assaults on legislative guardrails like the proposals to rescind the Roadless Rule and the Public Lands Management Act, and budget cuts for critical public land management programs.
Just to be clear, I do not think everything should go back to the way it was before Trump was elected. There is always a need for continuous assessment of government efficiency. During my career, a large-scale reorganization of the Forest Service, including major workforce reductions, occurred under Clinton/Gore, but the process was transparent and civil servants were treated with dignity.
The Trump administration is betting that most people buy into a general assumption that government agencies and employees are inefficient and wasteful. It also knows that most of us have very little knowledge about how specific government agencies work.
During my 30-year career, I worked with colleagues who often performed beyond their pay grade and were passionate about their work and our agency’s mission. From my perspective, this administration is not taking meaningful steps to improve government efficiency; it wants to break it. And it needs to know we are watching.
What terrifies me now is the level of threat I perceive does not seem real to so many. And because of that, not enough people will rise above the overwhelm to take action. But there are things you can do to fight back.
Join one or two advocacy groups that are working for public lands. Sign up to give them a small, automatic monthly donation and then take two minutes to sign and send their form letters when they appear in email messages or social media posts. Better yet, take a couple more minutes to personalize your message to identify a specific place on public lands in Tahoe or elsewhere
that you are concerned about, and why it matters to you and your family.
I have chosen to support Outdoor Alliance and the Natural Resources Defense Council based on my research on their organizational effectiveness, understanding of the issues, and ability to craft timely and on-point messaging.
This administration has embarked on a flood-the-zone strategy for dismantling the infrastructure that manages public lands, which has taken decades to create. It needs to be met with a tsunami of resistance. I hope you will join the wave.
~ Sue Norman lives in Tahoe and currently serves on the Sierra Nevada Alliance Board. She recently published her memoir, RISK, A Life Saved by the River, and is working to help others amplify the power of the written word to protect public lands. Learn more at susannormanauthor.com.
Hyperbaric therapy is Tahoe’s newest health treatment.
Tahoe Hyperbaric, located inside Kensho Wellbeing by Camp 1 fitness in Truckee, has found its niche in Tahoe/Truckee’s growing wellness community. It even caught the attention of a world-class super middleweight boxer, who made a pitstop while visiting the gym.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) makes use of oxygen’s healing capabilities. Although only FDA-approved for a select few diagnoses, Tahoe Forest Health System Chief Medical Officer Brian Evans states that breathing near 100% oxygen (the air we breathe only contains 21%) while in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber increases oxygen delivery throughout the body and can improve wound healing and injured tissues.
PEACE AND SERENITY: Tahoe Hyperbaric patients can relax in the chamber for their 60- to 90-minute sessions, taking a nap, doing work, or even watching a movie. Photos by Wade Wade Snider/Moonshine Ink
Tahoe Hyperbaric owners Michael and Jessica Canon began the business after their own positive experiences using hyperbaric therapy for neck stenosis and Lyme disease. Michael, who didn’t want to use Botox and pharmaceuticals, said he and Jessica turned to naturopathic answers.
“Beneficial outcomes (when used for appropriate indications) include faster wound healing, reduced risk of limb loss for severe diabetic foot ulcers, improved outcomes after certain radiation injuries, and reversal of pressure/embolic injuries,” said Evans.
Though Tahoe Forest does not provide HBOT services, Evans recognized the positive clinical evidence for approved medical uses, such as for treating skin grafts. He further noted that there is limited evidence for non-FDA-approved uses.
The Canons said they felt the positive impacts of HBOT early on in their own treatments, and the lack of HBOT treatments in the Tahoe area encouraged the couple to provide a solution rather than continue driving to Reno.
TAHOE HYPERBARIC’S chamber is a single pod patients sit in for treatment while monitored by an attendant.
“We feel that even though there’s a relatively small number of disease processes that are approved for treatment, we feel there’s a lot of evidence that it helps with a much wider range of health issues,” said Michael.
Being claustrophobic, it helps Michael that the chamber they purchased is roomy enough for a comfortable chair and an ottoman. The chamber also delivers oxygen through a mask rather than filling entirely with the gas, which reduces the risk of sparks. Tahoe Hyperbaric’s chamber generally increases the atmospheric pressure to the equivalent of two of Earth’s atmospheres (2.0 ATA), allowing for greater oxygen absorption in the blood.
“We’ve been doing research on it for a year and it’s amazing how many things it helps,” Michael said. “[The treatment’s] just been kind of guarded and hidden in the background in hospitals for severe burn victims, radiation victims, surgical victims, because it repairs skin really quickly.”
JESSICA AND MICHAEL CANON are the proprietors of Tahoe Hyperbaric. Initially hoping for HBOT therapy closer to where they lived, they decided to expand HBOT treatment to Truckee/Tahoe themselves.
Part of the couple’s hope for Tahoe Hyperbaric is to make the treatment more accessible to the Tahoe community. Michael said that by June, barely four months after opening, they reached 100% occupancy and now plan to expand from their singular chamber.
“We want to be able to give back a little bit and help people out,” Jessica said.
The Canons aim to open their second location in Incline Village in January 2026. Additionally, they’re working to make an ADA accessible chamber, and they don’t bar entry to those who can’t afford it, providing discounted and even free sessions for some.
Joe Miller, a 78-year-old Tahoe Hyperbaric patient, has had multiple traumatic brain injuries throughout this life. He commented that his family seems susceptible to traumatic brain injuries, and was encouraged by his paramedic and firefighter son to try hyperbaric treatment. To prevent further neurological degradation, Joe and his wife committed to HBOT.
“Both of us just feel more lucid,” Miller said. “You feel kind of more aware — I guess just greater level of awareness and greater level of connection to this experience that we call ‘just living moment by moment.’”
The Millers now go to Tahoe Hyperbaric regularly, with plans to complete 30 sessions each over two months. Miller emphasized that it makes sense that hyperbaric treatment works. Having worked developing medical rehabilitation centers, Miller said traumatic brain injury patients generally had to learn to live with their condition. Perhaps things are different now.
Though traumatic brain injuries aren’t FDA-approved for treatment, Tahoe Hyperbaric’s telemedicine consulting doctor, chiropractor Dr. William Buhram, said hyperbaric treatment is great for brain injuries because of its anti-inflammatory nature.
“We’re treating the body for the inflammatory process because the hyperbaric medicine — with going down 2 ATA — has the ability to create an endogenous effect on the body,” Buhram said. “The arteries are able to carry 10, 20 times more red blood cells to every tissue in the body, including the brain.”
Miller said that while the treatment’s functionality is subjective, he believes he and his wife have felt improvements to their brains’ executive function because of their hyperbaric treatment.
His most recent brain injury was sustained on Aug. 2 while riding his bike to Coffeebar on Jibboom Street, where he hit an improbable crack in the road. Though he does not remember the crash, he reportedly went over the handlebars. Miller recounted four severe concussions throughout the years, which left him unconscious or with amnesia, and how he has noticed a difference in his cognitive function.
“It’s now 10 weeks post-injury and we’re now three weeks post-initiation of the HBOT,” he said. “Things simply feel more clear to me.”
All of the patients Moonshine spoke with felt some kind of effect from their treatments, whether it was reduced pain, stronger immune systems, or improved ability to rest. Birgit Johnston, who fractured her tibia in a downhill ski accident, noticed that she was experiencing quicker recoveries after workouts and better sleep after her HBOT treatment. She said her Oura ring (a smart ring used to monitor activity and sleep) also tracked a lower resting heart rate, which she attributes to HBOT.
“It made it easier to get back to doing the activities I love doing — which is great for mental health,” Johnston said. “As you know, we all love being outside in Tahoe!”
While Johnston has now resigned herself to Nordic skiing, another patient, Sean Reagan, dreams of making it to Alaska in the spring. He suffered an injury after taking a ski to the knee last February. He managed to get back out on the slopes at the end of the season, powering through on mostly one leg, but hopes to use his continued treatment to get back to 100% strength and go on the trip up north.
“I felt like I was months ahead on my knee recovery,” Reagan said. “The original diagnosis was, like, six to 12 months before you can get on skis.”
Reagan also considers his sessions a potential preventive measure for dementia. In fact, medical doctors see more clinical evidence for the effects of hyperbaric therapy on dementia and Alzheimer’s.
“Preclinical and small clinical studies have explored HBOT for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-type pathology and have shown some promising signals in limited trials,” Evans said. “But the evidence is preliminary.”
He also noted that, while promising, HBOT is currently not a medically accepted treatment for Alzheimer’s. However, Buhram emphasized that hyperbaric treatment is still in its infancy. Even though there haven’t yet been enough clinical trials, that does not mean it doesn’t work. Buhram also spoke of the power of pharmaceutical companies when it comes to diagnoses and treatment. He sees HBOT as an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment, believing it can treat “pretty much everything under the sun.”
“[It’s] been really exciting to say we brought something, we offered it up, people are trying it and it’s actually helping,” Jessica said.
Last fall, somewhere between one class ending and another beginning, I noticed an email titled: “I Have News,” with the request I call. That evening, after I’d given my corrections and handed out the last pair of fresh pointe shoes, I picked up the phone and called. Two kind voices told me something astonishing: I’d been chosen as the recipient of the Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund’s Juniper Award for my commitment, imagination, and fearlessness in the performing arts.
It took a moment to sink in. The words award and fearlessness rarely appear in the same sentence as snow tires, but as I soon learned, Jeff Hamilton thought they should. His wife, Carolyn, explained that during Jeff’s cancer treatment he wanted to honor ordinary people who make a difference — not through grand gestures, but through steady devotion. “He wanted you to be able to buy a new set of snow tires if that’s what you need,” she said.
That made me laugh, because it was perfect. For most of my adult life, I’ve been balancing on the edge — not in the cutthroat ballet clichés of television and film portrayals, but in the quieter suspense of figuring out how to pay rent, make rehearsal, and still show up for my restaurant shift. You learn to keep your balance on very uneven ground, both financially and emotionally.
Now, as the sole full-time employee of Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, my days are a swirl of spreadsheets, grant applications, and costume fittings, wedged between 29 hours a week of teaching and rehearsals. Head to the grindstone, I move from barre to balance sheets to backstage. The rhythm of keeping it all afloat leaves little time to pause, let alone for applause. So, when that call came, what struck me most wasn’t the money — it was that someone, somewhere, had noticed.
Because here, in a mountain community celebrated for its outdoor recreation, art is not the obvious priority. The majesty of nature surrounds us, but it can also make an artist feel very small. Creation happens indoors, in silence — not on a ski slope or trail. That isolation runs deep, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if what you’re building matters beyond the studio walls.
That’s why this award felt so meaningful. It wasn’t a popularity contest. It was a carefully curated recognition — not about visibility or social standing, but about quiet, consistent commitment. Someone took the time to see what happens behind the scenes, in the long hours and invisible labor that make beauty possible.
One of my mentors, the Balanchine ballerina Deborah Wingert, once told me:
“Do what you do, because you do it well. The people who understand will come.”
She was right. Support isn’t about persuasion; it’s about integrity and trust. In dance, “support” is literal — the partner’s quiet strength beneath your leap, or the choreographer who makes sure to use your “good side.”
Over the years, that invisible hand has taken many forms: donors, sponsors, volunteers, and foundations who believe in the work not because it’s trendy, but because it’s true. Eighteen years in, our little organization has become a home for artistry in the mountains — a place where young dancers can take risks knowing there’s a net of trust beneath them.
I think back to 2006, when I nervously applied for a $500 grant from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation to bring my New York company here for a week. After a phone interview with Phyllis McConn and her volunteer committee, we received an enthusiastic yes. That moment planted a seed — and the foundation has remained a dedicated supporter of Lake Tahoe Dance Collective from its founding to this very day. It wasn’t just funding; it was faith that has grown alongside us, season after season.
Jeff Hamilton understood this. “What am I if I’m not helping?” he asked while establishing his legacy fund and going through chemotherapy at the same time. Helping isn’t about grandness — it’s about steadiness.
And so, no — I didn’t buy snow tires. I bought a plane ticket. I took a trip to Europe to fill my soul with art, landscapes, people, and food — to stand in the birthplace of creativity and refill my sense of wonder. I came home carrying that joy back into my classes and productions, ready to support my dancers with a renewed sense of fearlessness, commitment, and imagination — the very tenets of the award that made me feel seen.
To be all alone and realize who you have at your back — that’s support. If you want someone else to feel the support I have, nominate them for a Juniper Award and let them feel the warmth of the spotlight.
To nominate someone for a Juniper Award, or to support this fund that annually awards individuals throughout the community, visit jeffhamiltonlegacyfund.com.
~ Christin Hanna is a dancer, teacher, and lifelong arts advocate. In 2008, she founded Lake Tahoe Dance Collective to bring professional dance and education to the Tahoe community —something she longed for as a young artist growing up here. She’s the recipient of the 2024 Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund Juniper Award for Arts and the Performing Arts and was named an Arts Icon of Placer County in 2023.
Living in the mountains teaches you to plan ahead. Whether it’s preparing for winter storms, dry summers, or wildfire alerts, people who live in mountain towns know how to stay ready. The same kind of planning applies to personal finances, especially when your income changes with the seasons.
As a Lake Tahoe local and someone who works closely with communities across the region, I’ve seen how common it is for people to earn more in one season and less in another. You might be a ski instructor in the winter, a construction worker in the summer, or a small business owner whose income depends on tourism. When your paycheck varies, budgeting and saving can feel frustrating or out of reach.
But here’s the good news. With a few intentional habits, it’s possible to build a financial cushion that supports you through slower months and helps you work toward bigger goals like buying a home, saving for college, or retiring with confidence.
The first step is to take stock of your income and expenses over a full calendar year. Look at when you’re earning the most and when things slow down. This simple exercise helps you understand your financial rhythm, which is key for planning ahead.
Once you understand your income rhythm, the next step is to set aside some money during your busy months to help cover expenses during your slower months. Think of this as a seasonal savings cushion. It’s not the same as a long-term emergency fund or retirement savings. This is short-term savings you can tap into when work slows down.
You don’t need to save a huge amount all at once. Even $50 to $100 a week during your higher-earning months can add up. One way to make this easier is by setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to a savings account. Keeping this money out of sight can help reduce the temptation to spend it.
UPS AND DOWNS: Living in a tourist economy often means that incomes can fluctuate with the seasons. There are steps you can take to ensure your budget stretches the whole year. Designed by Sarah Miller/Moonshine Ink
Having this financial cushion gives you peace of mind. It means you’re not scrambling or relying on credit cards when work slows down. You’re simply using money you already allocated and set aside.
The next step is creating a monthly budget. When doing so, base it on the income from your slowest month. This might feel overly cautious at first, but it helps prevent shortfalls later. If you earn more than expected, that’s great. You can use the extra to grow your savings fund or pay off debt. Planning for the minimum gives you a stronger foundation.
If You’re Self-Employed, Take These Extra Steps
Many mountain residents work for themselves or combine multiple seasonal gigs. If that’s you, a few extra habits can go a long way. Start by separating your business and personal finances so you can clearly see what you’re earning and spending. Some people even pay themselves a set “salary” each month to help normalize their income and stick to a consistent budget.
Also, remember to plan for quarterly tax payments and set aside a portion of your earnings during peak months. It’s easier to stay on track when you don’t have to scramble during the off-season.
And when you receive a larger-than-expected check or a seasonal bonus, take a moment to pause. Instead of rushing into a new expense, think about whether those funds could give you breathing room later. A savings fund, debt payment, or contribution toward a long-term goal may be more valuable than a short-term reward.
Think Like a Long-Term Investor
Unpredictable income is its own form of volatility. Much like the ups and downs of the financial markets, your paycheck can shift depending on weather, tourism, or industry demand. When income becomes uncertain, it’s tempting to react emotionally. Many people spend quickly when money is flowing or panic when it dries up.
But seasoned investors are often reminded to stay the course during market swings. The same mindset can help with personal finance. Instead of reacting to the highs and lows, focus on consistency. Save steadily when you can. Stick to your plan during slow months. Know that financial progress often comes from small, repeated decisions over time.
Shift From Surviving to Thriving
Living in a place as beautiful as Tahoe can be a gift. It can also come with financial pressures, especially when it comes to housing, transportation, and childcare. The goal is not just to get by, but to feel confident and prepared for what’s ahead.
Financial literacy is not about having all the answers. It’s about having the tools and mindset to make decisions that fit your life. For parents, it might mean teaching your kids to save their allowance. For young adults, it could mean building credit slowly and responsibly. And for all of us, it means staying grounded during uncertain times and preparing for what we know lies ahead, even if we do not know exactly when.
There are great local resources to help you take control of your finances, including U.S. Bank, where we provide free financial wellness tools and workshops. These services can help you learn how to budget, set goals, and use banking tools that support your seasonal lifestyle.
Living in the mountains has taught me to appreciate the quiet, prepare for the unpredictable, and lean on community when needed. Financial planning works the same way. It’s not about predicting every bump in the road. It’s about being resilient, thinking ahead, and taking steady steps that give you peace of mind.
If you are navigating seasonal income, you’re not alone. Start small. Ask questions. Use the resources around you. And remember, just like prepping for winter, financial preparedness is something we can all get better at with practice.
