SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – El Dorado County health officials have been notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that a South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for plague.
The individual is currently under the care of a medical professional and is recovering at home. It’s believed that the person may have been bitten by an infected flea while camping in South Lake Tahoe area. Health officials are investigating the situation.
“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County, said Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County’s Acting Director of Public Health. “It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present,” he added.
Plague is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by the bites of fleas that have acquired the bacteria from infected squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents. Dogs and cats may also bring plague-infected fleas into the home. People can get plague when they are bitten by infected fleas. Plague can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild rodents, and by keeping pets away from rodent burrows.
Symptoms of plague usually show up within two weeks of exposure to an infected animal or flea and include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes. Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics if detected early.
CDPH routinely monitors rodent populations for plague activity in California and closely coordinates with county health officials. Surveillance activities in El Dorado County from 2021 through 2024 found a total of 41 rodents (ground squirrels or chipmunks) with evidence of exposure to the plague bacterium. To date in 2025, four additional rodents have tested positive. All these rodents were identified in the Tahoe Basin.
Human cases of plague are extremely rare but can be very serious. Prior to the current case, the most recently reported case of human plague in El Dorado County was in 2020, likely exposed in the South Lake Tahoe area. Two people were reported with plague in 2015 after having been exposed to infected rodents or their fleas in Yosemite National Park. All individuals were treated and recovered. Those were the first reported human cases in the state since 2006.
Tips to prevent plague include the following:
Do not feed squirrels, chipmunks or other wild rodents.
Never touch sick, injured or dead rodents.
Do not allow your pets to play with or pick up sick, injured or dead rodents.
Do not camp, sleep or rest near animal burrows or areas where dead rodents are observed.
Look for and heed posted warning signs.
Wear long pants tucked into boot tops and spray insect repellent containing DEET on socks and pant cuffs to reduce exposure to fleas.
Leave pets home if possible; otherwise keep pets on a leash. Do not allow pets to approach sick or dead rodents or explore rodent burrows.
Protect pets with flea control products.
Pet cats are highly susceptible to plague and can pose a direct threat to humans. Keep cats away from rodents. Consult a veterinarian if your cat becomes sick after being in contact with rodents.
If you get sick after being in an area where plague is known to occur, consult a physician and tell them you may have been exposed to plague.
State and local health officials will continue to monitor the situation and any plague-prone areas. To report a sick or dead rodent, please contact El Dorado County Environmental Management at (530) 573-3450. For more information about plague, visit the CDPH website at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/progras/cid/dcdc/pages/plague.aspx
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – In the early morning hours of last Sunday, August 17, El Dorado County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to a call for service at Camp Richardson’s Ice Cream Parlor in South Lake Tahoe. Upon arrival, deputies found a bear helping itself to ice cream.
Fuzzy the bear broke into Camp Richardson’s Ice Cream Parlor. Provided / EDSO
“The deputies could barely believe their eyes as they saw a large bear behind the counter of the shop. With some encouragement, the bear ultimately left, but only after showing interest in the strawberry ice cream,” an EDSO Facebook post stated.
According to the post, Fuzzy the bear caused very little damage and “there was barely any cleanup.”
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The City of South Lake Tahoe announces the implementation and enforcement of updated Vacation Home Rental (VHR) rules. The City began issuing VHR permits in residential areas under the amended VHR ordinance on July 17.
The City opened an initial 60-day VHR permit application period on June 23 for preferred applicants who previously had permits that were not renewed in 2021 due to the passage of Measure T or who had QVHR permits, and who were in good standing. To date, the City has received 608 applications and has issued 66 permits. 293 of the applications were rejected for either not being eligible for the preferred group or not being eligible for a permit at all for various reasons. Property owners that were not eligible for the preferred group may begin submitting applications on Saturday, August 23 at 9 a.m. through the online portal at https://cityofslt.us/2510/Vacation-Home-Rentals.
The amended VHR ordinance contains rules to mitigate potential impacts to neighborhoods, including:
A 150-foot buffer between VHR properties;
Limited VHR occupancy to two per bedroom with up to five children (aged 13 and under) not counting toward the limit;
Requirement that local property managers conduct in person or virtual check in to verify renter identity and obtain renter signature on a good neighbor contract containing VHR rules;
Requirement that local property managers are available to respond to complaints and violations at all hours and every day of the week;
Requirement for indoor noise and outdoor video monitoring devices to allow property managers to detect nuisances before neighbor disturbance and to prevent violations;
Prohibition on weddings, receptions, or commercial activities at VHR properties;
Limited outdoor spa use to 8:00am to 10:00pm;
Prohibition on outdoor amplified music, speakers or other noise-generating equipment after 10:00pm;
Prohibition on parking on unpaved surfaces or neighboring property without permission;
Prohibition on camping or sleeping in tents, travel trailers, campers or RVs;
Requirement that trash and recycling be stored in a bear box or animal-resistant cart provided by South Tahoe Refuse.
“When the City Council voted not to appeal the court ruling on Measure T, we made a commitment to strict enforcement of new VHR regulations. These regulations are intended to address issues such as excessive noise, disorderly conduct, and illegal parking, while supporting our local economy and workers,” stated Mayor Pro Tem, Cody Bass. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department’s Community Services Division will oversee enforcement, with officers available 24/7 to respond to complaints. To report a violation, you may call 530-542-6100 at the time of the disturbance and an officer will be assigned. To report a potential unpermitted rental, you may call the code compliance investigator at 530-542-6071.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Trucks will be prohibited from traveling westbound over State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) as the truck escape ramp in Incline Village is temporarily closed for routine software updates Aug. 20.
The truck escape ramp on westbound SR 431 near Second Creek Drive in Incline Village will be closed Aug. 20 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Commercial trucks with air brakes will be prohibited from traveling westbound over Mt. Rose Highway further than the Mt. Rose ski area. The truck closure is a safety precaution to prevent trucks traveling down the mountain potentially encountering brake issues while the ramp is closed for maintenance. Trucks will be allowed traveling eastbound from Incline Village to Reno.
Closure hours are subject to change.
The truck escape ramp is one of multiple escape ramps across Nevada. The ramps are located adjacent to steep downgrades for out-of-control vehicles to slow and stop away from other vehicles more safely. Any vehicle experiencing braking problems can use a truck ramp.
Additional state highway information is available at dot.nv.gov or by calling (775) 888-7000. For the latest state highway conditions, visit nvroads.com or call 511 before driving. Also follow @NevadaDOTReno on X for traffic and project updates in northern Nevada, and @nevadadot on X, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from across the state.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After reopening with a fresh new look and new attractions in early July, Flight Deck is set to showcase the complete major remodel at their upcoming “Ready for Takeoff” party. The updated space now features a sleek industrial design, expanded bar, and two state-of-the-art golf simulator bays – marking a new chapter for the establishment.
The highlight of the remodel is the addition of two golf simulator bays, available for hourly rental at $66. Each bay offers access to more than 50 virtual golf courses (with more to come), along with driving range features and arcade-style games. Guests can compete in challenges such as longest drive and closest to the pin or enjoy family-friendly options like zombie dodgeball and carnival-style games and eventually the plan will be to develop memberships and coordinate benefits for the simulator bays.
The Flight Deck now offers two golf simulators.Mike Peron / Tahoe Daily Tribune
General Manager Cara DelVulian said the remodel was aimed at enhancing the customer experience and offering more interactive entertainment options.
“We’ve seen a good mix of people using it for serious golf and families just looking for something fun to do,” DelVulian added.
Included in the remodel is a revamped menu that has already drawn praise, with the bacon Swiss burger emerging as the top seller. Other favorites include the loaded steak sandwich and the Vaquero Burger, which features avocado and a signature smoked chili oil.
The remodel includes an expanded bar.Mike Peron / Tahoe Daily Tribune
“That’s one of our signature flavors that you’re not going to find anywhere else,” said DelVulian.
Flight Deck plans to introduce a weekend brunch menu in the coming weeks, with service beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The brunch rollout is timed to coincide with the start of football season.
To celebrate the remodel, Flight Deck will host a “Ready for Takeoff” party on Saturday, August 23. The event will feature live music from Pink Saturn, performing from 8 to 10 p.m., and drink specials including $25 buckets of Corona cans. A closest-to-the-pin competition will also take place from 8 to 9 p.m.
“We’re excited to offer something new and different for the community,” Delvulian said. “It’s a place where people can come together – whether they’re here for the food, the games, or just to hang out.”
Flight Deck Grill & Golf Club is located inside the Lake Tahoe Airport at 1901 Lisa Maloff Way in South Lake Tahoe, CA. For more information look for them on social channels or reach them by phone at 530-600-0622.
Flight Deck will host a “Ready for Takeoff” party on Saturday, August 23. Mike Peron / Tahoe Daily Tribune
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The parking area for Rabe Meadow and the Lam Watah Historic Trail will be temporarily closed while contractors construct underground electrical and communications infrastructure in order to relocate utilities for the Kahle Complete Street Project. The parking area closure is expected to begin on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and is scheduled to last through Tuesday, August 26. The parking area will reopen on Wednesday, August 27.
During the closure, traffic controls will be in place and parking will be available in the Douglas County parking garage on the east side of U.S. Highway 50. Access to Rabe Meadow trails and Lake Tahoe will not be affected.
Kahle Drive provides access to key connections for the Stateline-to-Stateline Bike Trail and throughout Rabe Meadow and the Douglas County community. The Kahle Complete Street Project began construction in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by October 2026.
This Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Project aims to enhance sustainable recreation and transportation by improving public safety, pedestrian and cyclist access, reducing urban runoff into Lake Tahoe, and mitigating wildfire risks and improving the landscape views by burying electrical and communication lines.
This project is a collaborative effort by the Nevada Division of State Lands, Douglas County, Tahoe Fund, Barton Health, NV Energy, Oliver Park General Improvement District, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
RENO, Nev. – The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue HASTY Team invites the community to take on an unforgettable adventure while supporting life-saving missions. The Mt. Rose Summit Challenge pushes participants to their limits on a 10+ mile hike to the 10,776′ summit of Mt. Rose and back, raising critical funds for the HASTY Team’s rescue operations.
Hikers will experience 2,398 feet of elevation gain, crisp mountain air, and breathtaking views of both Lake Tahoe and Reno. Whether you’re seeking a test of endurance or simply a chance to enjoy Northern Nevada’s spectacular landscapes, this event offers something for every adventurous spirit.
Event Details: Location: Mt. Rose Trailhead Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Time: 7:30 a.m. Staggered Start Register: Mt. Rose Hill Climb
Spots are limited—register today and be part of a climb that makes a difference.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office extends a heartfelt thank you to this year’s event sponsors: iSleep, Northern Nevada Financial, Mountain Bounty Farms, Lithia Subaru, High Sierra Restorative Health, 5T Ranch Mini Cows, Tahoe Fund, and Tahoe Distillery/72 Mile Spirits.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./ Nev. – Alex Kostich didn’t originally set out to break any records on the morning of Aug. 5, but he now stands the fastest person to have swam the True Width of Tahoe, from Homewood, Calif. to Glenbrook, Nev. His swim of four hours, 28 minutes and 55 seconds over those 12 miles outpaced the prior record by nearly 15 minutes.
55-year-old Alex Kostich broke the Tahoe width swim record on the morning of Aug. 5. Provided
The impressive accomplishment was born out of loss and heartbreak after Kostich says his husband of 26 years abandoned the marriage in January after meeting someone else.
The Tahoe swim was a part of an effort to heal and rebuild. The record was an unexpected surprise.
“I hope that the record shows resilience in the face of adversity and heartbreak, while also serving as a reminder that life isn’t over at 40, 50, or 60,” Kostich says. “We are capable of groundbreaking achievements and exceptional feats regardless of age, gender, sexuality, etc.”
In the effort rebuild, he set out to accomplish 3-4 pillars this year. But this Tahoe swim wasn’t initially on that list.
After visiting Tahoe for the first time in June, Kostich wanted to find his own personal connection with the lake and began to ponder what that could look like. Around the same time, Pacific Open Water Swim Co., a company that escorts swims and is typically booked out months in advance, happened to have a cancellation.
“I impulsively grabbed the date and committed to the act of doing something outside my comfort zone, for better or worse,” he said. “I’m happy it turned out for the better!”
A white board update during the swim. Provided
The seasoned swimmer, with three decades under his belt and many podium finishes around the world, was still struck with some concern before the swim. That’s because he did not do any cold water acclimatization leading up to it.
It was a combination of adrenaline, a pace that maintained a core body temperature and his mantra of “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable,” that got him through it. In fact, he reports the cold actually didn’t bother him much at all.
Imperative to his success was not only mental and physical preparation, but also a team. That included Lexie Kelly, observer Suzanne Heim‑Bowen, and a pilot from Pacific Open Water Swim Co., with whom he says he shares the record.
ALex Kostich and the team at Pacific Open Water Swim Co. on Aug. 5. Provided
In what he describes as close to an out-of-body experience, he forged a deep connection with the lake and surrounding area in his healing swim.
“There was always a beautiful mystique about it, but it wasn’t until I saw it with my own eyes and swam in it for the first time,” he says, “[that] I really felt the magic take hold.”
Within those four and a half hours, starting in the dark at 4:45 a.m., he shed tears as he contemplated the last 8 months, which were often clouded by heartbreak and loss.
“But I also shed tears knowing that this was but a small step in rebuilding the self-esteem and worth that I had lost along the way,” he said.
It wasn’t just the water that left a mark, but also the people.
“I healed through time spent with others and the hospitality and friendship they showed me,” he said.
That included Kevin Sloane of Fly Truckee Tahoe, who took Kostich on two scouting trips across the lake in his seaplane. Ally Griffith at the Travel North Tahoe Nevada Welcome Center hosted a Thunderbird Lodge tour and rock climber, Jordan Cannon, shared Tahoe’s history with Kostich and inspired his mantra.
Alex Kostich’s ride with Fly Truckee Tahoe. Provided
The new record holder celebrated with a post-record dinner at Chrissy Hill and made more than one stop at Morelos Tacos and Little Truckee Ice Creamery during his visit.
Kostich says he left it all out there in the deep blue and although this summer was his first time in Tahoe, he is confident it won’t be his last.
“It was cathartic, and healing, and my life story with Lake Tahoe,” he says, “has only just begun.”
A group of women from the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California gathered to show their support for the name change of Palisades Ski Resort. | Photo: Ben Rupert, Nevada Indian Territory
To the Washoe (Wašiw) Tribe of Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe isn’t just a beautiful destination, it’s the center of their world. Known in their language as dáɁaw (pronounced “dah-ow), Lake Tahoe and the lands that surround it have always been home. This is grounded in both their oral histories and cultural understanding of time, which is often described as cyclical.
Archaeological evidence supports at least a 12,000-year presence in the region. The Washoe people understand their origins through traditional stories passed down over generations, stories that speak of observing geological changes, like the formation of the Sierra landscape through geological events such as the seiche at Lake Tahoe and the appearance of new plants, such as the single-leaf pinyon pine.
Washeshu Itdeh – “The People From Here”
The Washoe community was, and continues to be, built around family, though the definition of family extends well beyond a nuclear household. Households often included extended relatives and chosen family, and family units worked together in every aspect of daily life. Washoe communities reflect this interconnectedness to this day. Each person, from the youngest child to the most respected elder, played a vital role in the success and well-being of the group.
Winter camps were located in lower elevation valleys with abundant firewood, and families stayed warm through communal effort. As demonstrated by their use of snowshoes, Washoe People were experts at thriving within their homelands despite challenging seasonal conditions.
Traditionally, the Washoe were organized into three regional bands: welmélti (north), ṕáwalu (valley), and huŋalélti (south). A fourth, ťaŋlélti, represented Washoe people living farther west, extending even into what is now California’s Central Valley. While the language remained consistent across these groups, subtle variations in speaking patterns or word choice reflected regional identities.
Today, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California has approximately 1,500 enrolled members, with communities in Carson City, and Gardnerville, Nevada, as well as Woodfords, California, but there are no reservation lands within the Tahoe Basin due to the history of removal and exclusion. Each of these tribal communities retains strong cultural ties to Lake Tahoe.
A Living Culture
The Washoe worldview is rooted in respect, for people, animals, waters, and the land itself. All things are alive and deserving of respect, autonomy, and reciprocity. Rather than dividing the sacred from the everyday, the Washoe recognize the interconnectedness of all things.
Every action was approached with intentionality. Even something such as washing with water in the morning is still important today. Before any gathering or hunting, individuals would wash themselves in water. When a child is born, the father washes off by jumping into a nearby body of water, and even a baby’s first bath is treated as a special event. Children are especially cherished, and the act of making a cradleboard — called a bíkɨs — is deeply meaningful. These baskets are made by matriarchs in the family or community and woven with intention, love, and positive thoughts. In this way, the basket carries with it all the well wishes and intention for the child it is meant to hold, carry and care for.
A Washoe woman weaving a basket. Photo credit: Ben Rupert, Nevada Indian Territory
Language and Elders
Language revitalization is a central focus of the Washoe Tribe today. While many Indigenous languages have been lost or fragmented due to historic government policies like the Indian Boarding School era, the Washoe language is still spoken by elders and taught to new generations.
Elders play a vital role not only as language carriers but also as cultural teachers. While some modern events may honor elders by serving them first today, children were often fed first or given the best to ensure they would be strong and healthy for the future, reflecting a cultural value that prioritizes the well-being of future generations and taking care of the most vulnerable.
Resilience in the Face of Change
Despite the impacts of colonization — including forced relocation, mining activity, the carving up of ancestral lands, and the trauma of boarding schools — the Washoe people have persevered. While their presence within the Tahoe Basin has been diminished, it has never been erased. Many Washoe traditional practices were forced into hiding; however, the Washoe People have maintained a connection with their homelands and traditions.
Government policies restricted traditional practices such as spear fishing and land access, and the creation of private property boundaries blocked the Washoe from returning to family gathering areas. The Olympic Games, held in Lake Tahoe in 1960, took place while the Tribe was still waiting for the resolution of its Indian Claims Commission case, which wasn’t settled until 1968.
Still, the Washoe continue to advocate for land stewardship and cultural education. As a sovereign nation, the Washoe Tribe holds the inherent right to govern itself, creating its own laws, managing its lands, and carrying forward its traditions independent of state or federal authority.
The Annual Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival held at Meeks Bay Resort is a celebration of Washoe culture and heritage. Photo credit: Ben Rupert, Nevada Indian Territory
Today and Ongoing
The Washoe Tribe continues to celebrate its culture through events like the annual Waší∙šiw ɁitdéɁ Native American Basket and Arts Festival, held at the Meeks Bay Resort. This vibrant gathering features traditional arts, food, music, and dance, a public celebration and living affirmation of Washoe and Native American culture.
Waší∙šiw ɁitdéɁ Dates: July 26th and 27th, 2025 from 9am-5pm.
Back in the late spring of 2023, I experienced a wild heart adventure. I called the paramedics, got a trip in an ambulance to Barton. What I thought were allergies turned out to be a warning sign of a cardiac event, leading to a Code Blue. Fast forward to Renown, where open-heart surgery was refused by me. This was followed by a summer of statin hell. Then, angioplasty with stents performed by a gifted cardio doc at UC Davis and I am now living happily ever after.
The thing is, I never knew my high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was low. This is the “good” stuff, plays a role in removing plaque buildup in the arteries. So, after the successful heart procedure and living even healthier, my HDL number soared to a normal level…Minimum blood levels of 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women.
No, I’m not a cardiologist, but as a health author who isn’t immune to the scourge of genes (thanks mom and dad), I’m sharing tips backed up by the American Heart Association (AHA).
1. Eat a Heart-Healthy. Diet How it works: A Tahoe heart-healthy diet can increase your HDL-to-LDL ratio by lowering LDL and total cholesterol levels. Read: Lose the saturated and unhealthy trans fats. Instead, focus on foods rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, soluble fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. That means fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables at stores around the lake. Timeline: A few weeks to a few months. 2. Move It! How it works: Regular physical activity—indoors/outdoors around the lake is a tool for improving cholesterol levels. It directly helps to raise HDL cholesterol. Exercise helps you stay lean and cardio healthier. The AHA recommends at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic activity. Think walking, cycling, or vigorous yard work. I do the rowing machine/dog walks. Timeline: Several weeks to a few months.
3. No Smoking! How it works: Smoking and vaping have a bad effect on cholesterol levels, specifically lowering HDL cholesterol. When people with unhealthy cholesterol levels smoke, their risk of coronary heart disease goes up. But living in amid nature is inspiration to not light up. Timeline: Research reveals that HDL numbers can rise in a few weeks.
4. Keep a Healthy Weight. How it works: Being overweight or obese can lower levels of “good” cholesterol. The AHA states that a weight loss of just 5% to 10% of body weight can improve HDL This is because weight loss can lower inflammation and improve metabolic function, which affects cholesterol metabolism. Timeline: Results in weeks to a few months. But note, while these lifestyle changes can work, consult a healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan for you.
CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and The Ghost Ships. Currently, she is writing the new, revised 2nd ed. of a popular Healing Powers book, 2026. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com
A good night’s sleep is as important for your child as a hearty breakfast. Without enough shut-eye, your child is more likely to struggle in school, on the playing field, and at home.
Snoring can disrupt a child’s sleep and make it hard to fall into a deep sleep cycle. If your child snores or is restless during the day, it may be a sign of something more serious.
Symptoms of a sleep obstruction or disorder often start during a child’s first few years. They may include:
Snoring or difficulty breathing during sleep
Sweating or odd movements while sleeping
Chronic congestion
Daytime tiredness
Aggressive or hyperactive behavior
A rib cage that turns inward during inhalation
In infants, a slow heartbeat and frequent acid reflux
If your child has difficulty breathing during sleep, a sleep study may be recommended by your child’s primary care provider to check for obstructive sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing.
More commonly, a child’s snoring may be caused by larger tonsils or adenoids. This can cause an obstruction in your child’s throat when they are asleep. An ear, nose, and throat specialist can assess your child and determine if a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or another solution is the right treatment plan for your child.
Dr. Alex Manteghi is a board-certified ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician and has completed a pediatric fellowship. He specializes in surgical and nonsurgical treatments for pediatric and adult patients. Learn more about pediatric ENT services by calling 530.543.5815 or visiting BartonHealth.org.
Newsom, who seems to be edging ever closer to a 2028 presidential campaign, proposes to alter the state’s 53 districts to shift five or six seats now held by Republicans into Democratic hands during the 2026 elections.
If successful, it would neutralize efforts by Texas Republicans to gerrymander its districts to gain a similar number of seats. Republicans hold a paper-thin majority in the House of Representatives and Trump has sought mid-decade redistricting in Texas and other red states to block Democrats from gaining control in 2026.
The Texas situation is in limbo because Democratic legislators have fled the state, but how long they can hold out is unclear. Newsom played host to some Texas Democrats last week as he talked up action in California, which would require voter approval in a November special election.
“I think the voters will approve it. I think the voters understand what’s at stake,” Newsom said on Friday. “We live in the most un-Trump state in America.”
Well maybe, but Democratic gerrymandering of California’s districts will not be as easy as Republican gerrymandering in Texas.
In Texas, as in most states, the legislature controls redistricting. Under its current maps, enacted after the 2020 census, Republicans hold 25 of its 38 seats, Democrats have 12 and there’s one vacancy.
Ironically, Democrats fare much better in Texas than Republicans do in California, where the GOP holds just nine of the state’s 53 seats under maps drawn by an independent commission. Newsom, backed by Democratic legislative leaders, wants voters to set aside the commission’s maps for as many as three election cycles and approve a new plan with more Democratic districts.
If Texas moves forward, the proposal, which has not been shared publicly, would require the California Legislature to place it on the ballot after lawmakers return next week from summer recess — and just four days to act under current law. However, the Legislature has often exempted itself from ballot measure deadlines, so one must assume that the proposal will make the ballot.
That’s the easy part for Newsom. He would still have to persuade voters who are no more than lukewarm despite the unpopularity of Trump in California, according to private polling.
Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who championed the creation of an independent redistricting commission, says he’ll oppose Newsom’s plan and Charles Munger Jr., a wealthy scientist who bankrolled two ballot measures to create the commission, says he’ll support an opposition campaign.
Given the stakes, Trump and Republicans would probably flood the state with opposition campaign money while Democrats would do the same, with even more money coming from labor unions and other Democratic allies.
Newsom also faces the possibility of legal battles, such as issues over what data he uses to draw the new districts.
The state commission used numbers from the 2020 census, which pegged California’s population at 39,538,223. The latest estimate from the Department of Finance’s demographic unit is 39,529,000, a tiny difference. However, there are also differences within the state, according to the state’s estimates, with coastal counties tending to lose population while inland counties gaining.
These factors all could be bases for litigation, perhaps including intervention by Trump’s Department of Justice. After the 2000 census, the threat of federal intervention played a big role in the California Legislature’s previous redistricting effort, blocking Democrats from drawing partisan maps.
Prolonged litigation could block Newsom’s plan from taking effect in 2026 even if he gains voter approval this year. This game is just beginning.
Meet Rhea, a gentle soul with a heart full of love and a quiet charm that’s impossible to resist. Known for her friendly demeanor, Rhea brings joy to everyone around her with her sweet and pleasant nature.
While she may be a little shy when first meeting new people, Rhea is blossoming more and more each day, gaining confidence with every walk, tail wag, and kind word. This sweet girl is happiest when she’s by your side, whether it’s exploring the great outdoors on a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing close by, soaking in the comfort of your presence. Rhea thrives on companionship and loves being pet, offering quiet affection in return.
Rhea is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
Rhea is eight years old, but despite her age, she remains playful, often sparking smiles with her cheerful antics. She also has a very cute and playful side that’s so fun to watch! Rhea enjoys toys, romping in the yard, and especially loves the company of other friendly dogs. With the right mix of patience, love, and treats, she’s sure to continue growing into the joyful, confident dog she’s meant to be. She walks great on leash, making walks all that more enjoyable!
Rhea is looking for a forever home that will nurture her spunky, yet gentle spirit and give her all the love and adventures, she deserves. If you are interested in meeting this sweet and sensitive soul, or to learn more about her, please reach out to one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists at 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. Rhea is spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, please visit www.hstt.org.
CRYSTAL BAY, Nev. – On the evening of August 12, close to 60 people gathered at the Incline Village Library to hear about the progress on the Cal Neva revitalization efforts from McWhinney Senior VP of Development-Hospitality Jason Newcomer.
In the hour-long presentation, Newcomer recapped when McWhinney purchased the property (in 2023) and what it has done since.
“Over 1200 people signed up on our website to receive updates and shared stories with us,” Newcomer said. “We’ve never encountered a property with this kind of past.”
Nearly 60 people gathered to receive an update on the Cal Neva project. Provided / Kayla Anderson
McWhinney is a family-owned Colorado-based real estate development/investment firm with a 33-year history of specializing in multifamily, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use acquisitions. McWhinney bought the 13-acre Cal Neva property straddling the California-Nevada state line on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe from Larry Ellison in April 2023.
“Having not developed here, we just wanted to come and listen, and then deliver on our promise,” said Newcomer. McWhinney brought on Proper Hospitality as its operator, believing Proper is ideal at building hotels that match historic relevance with luxury. Its other McWhinney-owned Proper gem is a luxury hotel in downtown Austin, TX. “Proper provides great service and a great aesthetic, each with their unique vibe,” Newcomer added.
He then delved into Cal Neva’s antiquity, describing how the soon-to-be revitalized property is a “refresh infused with history” with intentions to keep the Circle Bar, casino, showroom, and other architectural nods to the Rat Pack era.
“We will bring back the Follies and the Nutcracker,” Newcomer said about beloved Cal Neva events that had to find new homes after lodge’s closure.
Newcomer explained that since McWhinney’s acquisition of the Cal Neva, it put in a temporary stormwater protection system first and has been working with the Washoe tribe to bring in native landscaping elements and restore the health of the surrounding trees. While all the Cal Neva artifacts were lost during its closure and McWhinney’s acquisition, the team has hired local artists to help reimagine historic design elements.
“All that had disappeared when we got the property, so if you all have any leads then know we’ll offer total amnesty,” Newcomer smiled.
Newcomer talked about using fire-resistant materials in the new lodge, restoring the former cabins (“Bears were living in the old cabins, and they were full of asbestos,” he says), but the only new construction will be a spa and fitness center.
In looking at the color tones and exterior renderings, Newcomer admitted that the TRPA wanted McWhinney to soften it even more to blend into the landscape. McWhinney donated the A-frame canopy in the front of the former Cal Neva (worth about $100k in steel) to Donner Memorial State Park.
“We’re cognizant of the scenic impacts—we didn’t ask for more area or heights; we felt we already had everything we needed,” he said about not necessarily expanding the Cal Neva. The tower rooms and suites will seem a bit smaller compared to newer hotels because they didn’t want to rebuild them, however, all of them have a view of either the lake or the mountains.
About the interior, the revitalized Cal Neva will have lots of rich woods and stone materials that are warm and welcoming. Displaying a photo of what used to be known as The Indian Room featuring a bar that stretches from one state to the other– so you can have a drink in California and one in Nevada– Newcomer said, “It’s been a Rubik’s Cube trying to figure out state liquor licenses.”
McWhinney is also adamant about keeping the casino.
“We’ve never had one before at any of our properties, so we’re learning a lot about them,” he explained. “The Cal Neva is the oldest resort casino in the country and possibly the oldest one in Nevada before they even legalized gambling, so we felt like we had to keep it.”
The new Cal Neva will have five different food and beverage outlets, a few of which rotate often.
“We want to make sure it’s comfortable for everyone no matter what you’re wearing, seeing, doing. You can wear jeans and a fleece or be dressed up to go to a show, everyone is welcome. The Cal Neva will have a more sophisticated feel, but we certainly welcome families,” Newcomer addressed to a member of the audience, mentioning there will be a game room/play space for kids.
“But we hope they will be outside enjoying the lake,” he adds.
Newcomer said they have great music already lined up, showing a picture of the Rat Pack. He found historical indication that Dean Martin played Friday nights, Frank Sinatra played Saturdays, and Sammy Davis Jr. played shows on Sunday at the Cal Neva, wondering how a stellar weekend lineup like that would be received today.
“When Frank [Sinatra] built this, he designed the theater to be able to sing at a microphone to a full showroom, so the acoustics are amazing in there,” said Newcomer.
Then Newcomer opened it up for questions.
When asked if there’s a chance that changing costs in materials and economic factors could affect construction progress, Newcomer replied, “Absolutely changing costs in materials could impact this project and we may have to switch out using certain materials depending on their availability and cost. But it’s important to McWhinney to stay true to the aesthetic and inspiration; and our design team is staying openminded to that.”
There were questions about parking– there will be no parking garage or multilevel parking structures; it will all be surface parking with trees surrounding them (300 spaces)—and one attendee was concerned about not enough parking or visitors trying to avoid valet parking by parking on the surrounding neighborhood streets. Newcomer acknowledged that may be a problem, and said they would offer a shuttle service, as well as encourage micro transit/e-bike usage.
The revitalized Cal Neva will have 197 rooms and is planning to have six staff units in the hotel tower but are looking to partner with local companies or organizations that can help provide housing.
Andy Chapman, president/CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada, asked if they will be bringing back the underground tunnel tours.
“The tunnels were filled in when we acquired the property, but a portion has remained open under the bar (in the Indian Room). The tunnels break every safety rule there is but we’re trying to convince authorities to let us open them,” Newcomer said.
When someone asked how much the room rates will be, Newcomer responded, “It will be more expensive than the Hyatt but lower than the Ritz [Carlton].” Newcomer acknowledged that the Tahoe Biltmore is under new ownership, stating, “We haven’t had a chance to meet them, but we would love to partner.”
The new planned opening is sometime in 2027; no date or month set yet. McWhinney originally wanted to reopen by December 2026 to celebrate the historic property’s 100-year anniversary as well as Frank Sinatra’s birthday, but Newcomer admitted, “we realized that’s too ambitious, and we want to do this right.
“We’re excited to be a part of the revitalization of that area [referring to Crystal Bay] by providing quality lodging. And my understanding is that there hasn’t been a new hotel built in the North Shore in over 40 years,” Newcomer said.
Cal Neva is in the process of redoing its website, but you can still see renderings and sign up to receive updates at www.revitalizecalneva.com.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – With a colorful cast of characters, casinos and poker chips, Glen Garrod tells tales of his time as a professional poker player in his book “Missouri & Me, A Poker Odyssey.” Garrod spent much of his time in the card rooms of Tahoe, though his stories span all over the globe. “My heart’s in Tahoe, even though it’s not the place for me these days,” said Garrod.
The book is made up of short vignettes into the world of poker, from when Garrod learned to play to his heart-pounding tournaments and high-stakes bets in the World Series of Poker. In between, he names players like Flyer, Lenny the Levitator, Cowboy Tom and the eponymous Missouri Dave—one of his closest friends and a legend among many poker players.
Garrod wrote the book during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thinking it wasn’t a good time to be playing cards in close proximity with others. He collaborated with an old friend, who was a creative writing professor in Sacramento, to get down a manuscript, writing every night after dinner.
“It was a nice collaboration with a lot of old poker players,” said Garrod, who called them up to hear their perspectives on experiences they’d shared. “And it was nice to revisit poker by writing about it and getting the creative juices going on these stories.”
Garrod had plenty of them—he had to cut down hundreds of thousands of words from his initial manuscript. “Some are funny, some are profound, some are sad. But the stories I have in the book are included for a reason.”
Many of those stories evoke a Tahoe from a different time, where cards were still dealt in the North Shore Club, Crystal Bay Club, and the Hyatt in the north and the Sahara Tahoe and Harvey’s were the setting for plenty of big games.
Garrod was there for many of those legendary times, including the Big Game. “Prior to us starting that, there weren’t any big games in Tahoe. In 1987, the buy-in was $300. In 2014, the last time we ran it, the buy-in was $10,000.”
Even if you’re not a poker aficionado, Garrod recalls those moments where the cards are on the table in a way that non-players can understand. “Not a lot of poker writers talk about the emotions when you’re playing for those high stakes, what influences those decisions and the critical thinking that goes into those big hands, and that’s something I tried to do here.”
Garrod acknowledges that the era he’s written about is very different than now—poker’s legalization in California was a huge shift, and the skyrocketing popularity of the sport after Chris Moneymaker’s win was seismic.
Even the casinos have changed in Tahoe. “I was shocked to see that the casinos charge for parking now! In the old days, they would do anything to get people in there, like serve food on the cheap. Now, the culture has shifted.”
But the culture that Garrod remembers is what he wants to share with readers. “I want people to see that poker, way back when, was a subculture in America. People from all over the country would ply their trade. They were honest, trustworthy men of their word.”
Indeed, Garrod and Missouri Dave, who visited card rooms all across America, were recognized and respected for their character. “We were a fraternity of tight-knit people. There’s not really that close connection these days as far as I’ve seen,” said Garrod wistfully. “But everyone has their own story. We’re all a collection of our own stories and that’s something I’m trying to tell.”
You can read more about the book on the website MissouriAndMe.com. Here’s an exclusive taste of Garrod’s writing on South Lake Tahoe that he shared with the Tribune–a story not in the book, but riveting all the same:
“One of the first places I played poker in a casino card room was at the old Sahara Tahoe. It was a poker room like no other. The dealers and the managers were like one very big happy family, most of whom loved to play poker. There were dealers with colorful names like The Martian, Old Dad, The Kid, Crusher, Blackie, Doggie and the Rat.
The Uncle was known for dealing his shift, taking off his clip-on tie and switching from the dealer’s chair to a players seat and then 16 hours later he’d switch seats again and clip the tie back on. The Hurricane, named for his sometimes volatile antics, though a jam-up poker player would at times be reduced to a tropical storm.
The efficiency, joy, and the esprit de corps the employees of that card room exhibited was infectious to all who entered and made it the absolute poker capitol of northern Nevada throughout the seventies and eighties.
Players like Mr. Hold’em and Missouri Dave became legendary in poker mythology in Lake Tahoe and beyond. When Texas Hold’em became legal in California many from that historic card room were scattered around the Golden State and became poker room managers and casino executives.
Lots of those people from that era remain bonded today. Sparky, the left-handed shortstop from The Nickel Snatchers, the poker room softball team, still deals at what was until recently Harvey’s.”
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The largest beer celebration in the Tahoe Basin is back. On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the 8th Annual Tahoe Brewfest will take over Ski Run Blvd with 40 breweries, live entertainment, and local bites from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. When Brewfest concludes, the celebration will keep going with after-parties at South Lake Brewing Company (6–9 p.m.) and the Libation Lodge (6–10 p.m.). This event will also launch the 2nd Annual Tahoe Beer Week, a seven-day celebration of craft beer across South Lake Tahoe running August 23–29.
Tahoe Beer Week, sponsored by Visit Lake Tahoe, is a unique showcase of the region’s craft beer, food, recreation, and community spirit. The week features exclusive beer releases, tastings, outdoor adventures, food pairings, live music, and community gatherings. Highlighting Tahoe’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and inclusivity, it’s a destination celebration for both locals and visitors.
Official Calendar of Events: Saturday, August 23 – 8th Annual Tahoe Brewfest – Ski Run Blvd VIP: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | General Admission: 1–5 p.m. Benefiting Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
Sunday, August 24 – Tailgate Party – Beer & Games South of North Brewing, 932 Stateline Ave Suite B | 4–6 p.m.
Monday, August 25 – Breezy Squeezy Release Party Cold Water Brewery, 2544 Lake Tahoe Blvd | 2–5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 26 – Beers with Queers – Pride Night Sidellis Tahoe, 3350 Sandy Way | 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 27 – Rooftop Happy Hour – The Landing, 4104 Lakeshore Blvd | 4–6 p.m. Free Concert: Blü Egyptian – South Lake Brewing Co, 1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd | 6–8 p.m.
Thursday, August 28 – Beats & Brews – Live at Lakeview Paddle House Brews, 2544 Lake Tahoe Blvd | 6–10 p.m.
Friday, August 29 – Benefit Concert: Beach Brews – Beach Retreat & Lodge, 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd Local Anthology and Trout Daddies – 7–11 p.m. | Nightclub: Delo in the Mix – Lake Tahoe AleWorX – SL, 31 US-50 #105 – 11 p.m.–2 a.m.VIP and General Admission tickets are available at www.tahoebrewfest.com. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please fill out the form: Sign Up to Volunteer. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. For participation inquiries, email tahoebrewfest@bgclt.org.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – As a record-breaking summer travel season comes to an end, many across the county are preparing to close it out with one last big trip for Labor Day weekend. The good news for domestic travelers is this final getaway will be more budget-friendly, with flights, hotels, and car rentals being more affordable than previous years.
“Millions of travelers are taking advantage of cheaper prices on lodging and transportation this Labor Day weekend,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “Travelers can mitigate costs and maximize the value of their trips even more with the help of a travel advisor and by taking advantage of the many discounts that come with a AAA Membership.”
Video soundbites are available and can be downloaded here. Spokesperson is Julian Paredes, AAA Mountain West Group.
AAA booking data reveals where travel costs are less –and more– this Labor Day weekend:
Flights:
Domestic flights are 6% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
The average price for a domestic roundtrip flight is $720.
International flights are 8% more expensive compared to last year.
The average price for an international roundtrip ticket is $1,470.
Hotels:
Domestic hotels are 11% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
The average cost of a domestic hotel stay booked through AAA is $495 per stay.
International hotels are 2% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
International hotel bookings through AAA average $590 per stay.
Rental Cars:
Domestic car rentals are 3% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year, with the average cost for a rental car being about $545 per stay.
International car rentals are 42% cheaper this year, with the average cost being around $645 per stay.
Hertz, AAA’s car rental partner, says the top destinations based on advanced bookings are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, with the busiest day to pick up rental cars expected to be Friday, August 29.
Gas prices this summer have averaged its lowest prices since 2021. The national average for a gallon of regular last Labor Day was $3.33. Barring severe weather affecting Gulf Coast refineries, gas prices should stay below what they were last year.
Saturday, August 30 is expected to be the busiest travel day for drivers. Afternoon and early evening will be the worst times to hit the road over the holiday weekend.
International travel costs this year are a mixed bag – while hotels are 2% cheaper, airfare is 8% more expensive. European cities make up most of AAA’s top international destinations, but the number one spot belongs to Vancouver. Alaska cruises are wrapping up a strong season, as AAA projected at the beginning of the year with the 2025 Cruise Forecast.
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, and Utah. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.
Have you ever heard the old investment saying, “sell in May, stay away”? It’s an old saying from the Stock Trader’s Almanac in the early 20th century. It is based on the idea that stock returns from May 1-October 31 generally trail the returns from November 1-April 30.
It’s such a cute saying—but does it hold up?
Sort of. If you look at the data for the S&P 500 Index from 1928 to the present, returns from May 1-October 31 average 2.3%, equal to an annual rate of return of 4.6%. Meanwhile, from November 1-April 30, the S&P 500 has averaged an increase of 5.3%, or an annual rate of return of 10.6%. These figures are from the Dow Jones Market Data, and do not include dividends.
In isolation, the numbers support the saying. But in the real world, things are messier. In 2023 the S&P 500 saw a rise of 15% from May-October, and a drop of 5% from November-April, per Fidelity. That’s hardly a reason to “sell in May”. We are also currently facing ever-changing tariffs and unknown economic policies. It is very hard to predict if the factors that have caused this historical phenomenon of lower returns from May-October continue today, and if they are strong enough to overcome the current influences on the markets.
All of this begs the question: how should it impact our investment behavior if we expect the trend to continue?
When you take the 2.3% average for the down months and add another 1.5% to represent a fairly average historical dividend payout for 6 months, you get a return of 3.8%. Double that, and you’ve earned a 7.6% rate of return for a 12-month period. In other words, the so-called ‘bad months’ can still produce a respectable return—so before you sell, you’d need to find an alternative investment that’s both safe and liquid enough (able to be sold quickly and easily) to beat it.
If you sell everything on May 1st, what can you do with that money to earn an average return of 7.6%? Not much. Real estate or private equity might average that or more, but there’s typically not much liquidity. You probably won’t be able to sell those investments in November, when you want to reinvest your money back into the market.
You won’t want to put your money in the bank or into CDs, either, if your goal is to earn more than 7.6%. Neither of those is likely to net you 7.6% unless we have quite a large increase in interest rates. Holding cash? That won’t do it.
As usual, the conclusion is that investors are likely to be better off buying and holding their equities, rather than trying to time the markets. Consistency over the long run is rewarded time and again, while evidence shows that timing the market often leads to lower returns.
Be patient. Don’t sell everything in May just because it’s May, but maybe log out of your trading app for a few weeks and stress a bit less. If you’ve set up a strong portfolio, give it time to work for you.
However you choose to live your seasons, invest smart and invest well!
Larry Sidney is a Zephyr Cove-based Investment Advisor Representative. Information is found at https://palisadeinvestments.com/ or by calling 775-299-4600 x702. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell securities. Clients may hold positions mentioned in this article. Returns are not guaranteed and past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
TAHOE CITY, Calif. – As summer heats up, more and more people are heading to Lake Tahoe to enjoy its beautiful blue waters. Whether you’re boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, or just cooling off along the shore, it is important to remind everyone that Lake Tahoe is as powerful as it is beautiful.
Lake Tahoe is not your average lake. Its high elevation, over 6,200 feet above sea level, and vast surface area create a unique yet dangerous environment. This summer alone, emergency crews have responded to multiple water rescues, including capsized kayaks, engine failures, and swimmers caught in sudden winds. Tragically, there have also been a few serious boating accidents, underscoring the critical need for awareness and preparation. Now is the perfect time to refresh on some important water safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the water.
Top 10 Water Safety Tips for Lake Tahoe:
Always Wear a Life Jacket – Life jackets save lives. Whether you’re boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, or even swimming, always wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket—especially children, the elderly, and weak swimmers.
Check the Weather Before You Go – Lake Tahoe weather can change rapidly. Sudden high winds and storms can create dangerous conditions. Always check local forecasts before heading out and monitor for changes throughout the day.
Know the Water Temperature – Even during summer, Lake Tahoe’s water rarely rises above 70°F. Cold water shock can impair your ability to swim and increase the risk of hypothermia. Limit exposure and wear a wetsuit when necessary.
Avoid Alcohol on the Water – Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times. It’s a major contributor to water accidents. Designate a sober captain for boats and stay alert while swimming or paddling.
Never Swim Alone – Always swim with a buddy, even if you’re experienced. Remote areas of the lake can be deceiving, and emergency response time may be delayed.
Be Aware of Boat Traffic – Stay out of designated boating lanes and make yourself visible in the water, especially while paddleboarding or swimming long distances.
Supervise Children at All Times – Accidents happen in seconds. Always keep young children within arm’s reach and never assume someone else is watching them.
Learn to Recognize and Respond to Drowning – Drowning is often silent. Learn CPR and how to spot subtle signs of distress, like quietness, glassy eyes, or struggling to stay afloat.
Know the Rules and Regulations – Follow all posted signs and local ordinances regarding boating, swimming zones, and wildlife protection. Fines and accidents can result from ignorance.
Carry a Communication Device – Cell service may be limited in parts of Lake Tahoe. Carry a whistle, marine radio, or satellite beacon in case of emergency.
Let’s make the remainder of this summer safe and memorable for the right reasons. Whether you’re enjoying a peaceful paddle or an exciting day of tubing, a few precautions go a long way. Thank you for helping keep Lake Tahoe safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Steve Leighton is the Fire Chief of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, serving the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe, and the communities in Alpine Meadows. Chief Leighton is a 30+ year veteran of the fire service.
Back pain is one of the most common conditions across the globe. The World Health Organization says low back pain is the single leading cause of disability around the world, affecting an estimated 619 million people in 2020. That number was projected to rise to 843 million by 2050 as a result of aging populations and sedentary lifestyles. The National Institutes of Health says that 80 percent of adults in the United States experience low back pain at some point in their lives.
There are many reasons why back pain can occur. Muscle strain, arthritis, herniated discs, and other conditions can contribute to back pain. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke advises visiting a doctor if back pain is persistent. Early diagnosis can prevent chronic issues and rule out more serious conditions.
Get moving
Although moving around may be the last thing on the minds of people experiencing back pain, remaining physically active is essential to good health. Plus, movement actually is the best medicine for back pain itself. A review published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2016 found that exercise alone reduces the risk of back pain by 35 percent. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming and yoga help to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and reduce pain in the process. This can be beneficial to seniors who find low-impact activities are best for their health.
Strengthen core
People now sit for long periods of time, which can contribute to back problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans sit for an average of 10 hours a day, often with poor posture and non-engaged core muscles. Getting up off of seats and strengthening core muscles can prevent back injury and pain.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends two days of strength training per week with a focus on the core, back and hips. Individuals who don’t know how to start safely should consult with a physical therapist or certified personal trainer.
Alternative treatments
It may be easy to take a pill when pain begins, but people may want to explore alternative methods to alleviate pain. Changing ergonomics of work stations or how a person performs activities can help. The American Psychological Association reports techniques like mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce pain severity and improve quality of life. Massage therapy or even acupuncture are additional treatments to consider for back pain.
Back pain is a common complaint as one ages. There are ways to overcome the pain and remain as active as possible.
Chris Anthony makes the point in his Wildfire resilience opinion that environmental activists are against logging, and that approach is short sighted given the fact that forest management helped with the Caldor fire’s encroachment into Tahoe Basin.
We are not against forest management. We are against logging without any oversight. When he says, “FOFA is about increasing the efficiency of forest restoration projects…streamlining approval of certain projects. One key tool is the categorical exclusion (CE), a NEPA mechanism to expedite projects that agencies have ample experience with,” he is in effect saying that logging interests will gain 15 square mile easements where there will be no public oversight of logging. The bill uses emergency authorities to allow NEPA consultation after a project has been completed.
Listen, it is no coincidence that FOFA was introduced after the March 1 Trump executive order to increase logging in over half of national forests. It eases the path to logging and simultaneously offers no money for home hardening, which is scientifically proven to have more of an effect on the survivability of homes in a fire. This is where our tax money should be going, and FOFA gives the appearance of doing something about forest fires while offering incentives to remove large, fire-resistant trees out of our forests, and offers no money for home hardening.
This is no indigenous fire, it is bringing logging to non-populated areas of the forest, far from cities that could use fire suppression.
I’m not saying “no forest management,” I’m saying I want oversight if you are going to log federal forest land which I partially own as a citizen.
Janet Doherty
Misunderstanding the Caldor Fire Won’t Prevent the Next One
Chris Anthony’s defense of the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) logging bill repeats a misleading story: that thinning and other logging protected South Lake Tahoe from the Caldor Fire, while a lack of such logging doomed Grizzly Flats.
It’s worth noting that Anthony is an advisor for BurnBot, the company that was recently awarded a contract to clear forests around Lake Tahoe.
In reality, about half the forest between the fire’s origin and Grizzly Flats had already been logged, thinned, or burned in prescribed fire. Yet under red flag conditions, the fire raced through both thinned and unthinned areas, destroying much of the town.
What Grizzly Flats lacked wasn’t forest management — it was resources. Only 242 firefighting personnel were assigned when the fire hit. Two weeks later, South Lake Tahoe had nearly 4,000 firefighters, along with aerial support, cooler weather, and more time to prepare.
Research backs this up. A 2022 study in Land found commercial thinning killed far more trees than it prevented from being killed in the Caldor fire, and most of the thinned areas around Grizzly Flats burned at high intensity.
FOFA would expand fast-tracked logging projects up to 10,000 acres each, weakening oversight without improving safety. Meanwhile, real solutions — home hardening, defensible space, community preparedness — remain unfunded. According to FEMA, every $1 spent on home retrofits saves $4 in future wildfire recovery costs.
Fire is natural. What turns it into disaster is vulnerable homes and inadequate preparedness — not whether forests were thinned a mile away.
Jennifer Mamola is a California native based in DC
American general, trauma, and critical care surgeon, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, joined CODEPINK, a peace and social justice organization, on Aug. 13 to discuss the impact of Israeli forces on healthcare in Gaza. Without international journalists present, doctors, nurses, and aid workers have become the world’s point of information in the Gaza strip.
As a humanitarian surgeon, Palestine is only one of many conflict-torn places Sidhwa has treated patients. He has also volunteered in Ukraine, Haiti, Zimbabwe, and more. On his first mission to Gaza, he treated a 9-year-old girl who was suffering from sepsis and unknown injuries from a bomb.
Once he was able to inspect her injuries and peel back the bandages on her abdomen, he said maggots spilled out of her side, which had been stapled shut because the surgeon who should have been on duty had been killed. Then, because there were too many patients for the doctors to handle, the girl had been left for days on end without any treatment. The same girl, Sidhwa said, somehow still had her leg attached. Treating her to the extent of his capability took 30 to 40 hours of surgery.
Sidhwa continued on, saying that she is now in Egypt and needs to have her leg amputated. Many other children haven’t made it. The ones who have been maimed — and he said Gaza easily has the most child amputees out of anywhere in the world — can’t be taken care of and won’t survive. Sidhwa spoke of two children sharing a wheelchair and being allowed to leave Gaza accompanied by their aunt, whose own 6-month-old baby was denied the same right by Israel.
DR. SIDHWA gives a talk with CODEPINK on healthcare in Gaza. Photo by Megan Ramsey/Moonshine Ink
Sidhwa’s most recent time volunteering in Gaza was this April, and he is slated to go back again this year despite noting that more aid workers have been killed in Gaza than anywhere else in the world. Having also volunteered in Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia, Sidhwa said the rate of healthcare workers being killed in Gaza is easily 110 times the rate in Ukraine. He said that every person in charge of every hospital in Gaza has either been arrested or killed.
Sidhwa shared an insurmountable level of cruelty faced by Gazans. He described the atrocities inflicted on patients, many of whom will never recover mentally or physically; the rampant starvation and thirst and aid organization’s inability to assure food for volunteers; children shot in the head; children bleeding out on hospital floors crowded with hundreds of other people; hospitals functioning well-beyond capacity; and how, plainly, no amount of medical care can fix Gaza.
He said that Americans and the world are nowhere near doing everything they can.
~ MR
Death at Boca Reservoir
NEVADA COUNTY
On Aug. 12, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office responded to a death at Boca Reservoir. It was reported that a body was pulled out of the water.
The Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation, and has no further information on the deceased or the cause of death has been released. The reservoir, located north of Lake Tahoe, feeds into the Truckee River.
~ MR
Nevada County’s Newest Historical Landmark 1870s Mount Lola Geodetic Survey Site
NEVADA CITY
The Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission announced that the site and remains of the 1870s Mount Lola Geodetic Survey was designated on Aug. 12 as Nevada County Historical Landmark NEV 25-07 by the County Board of Supervisors at its Truckee meeting.
MT LOLA Geodetic Survey site is a newly designated Nevada County Historical Landmark NEV 25-07. Photo courtesy Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission
The landmark will commemorate work done in the 1870s by Prof. George Davidson and his team from the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. They developed quadrilateral base line measurements, which served as the primary triangulation method for surveying and mapping the West Coast of the United States until the advent of GPS satellite navigation in the 1980s. Davidson worked from atop Mount Lola, where evidence of his work remains.
Mount Lola – named for the legendary Lola Montez, who lived in Nevada County in the 1850s – is located in the Tahoe National Forest, yet the Forest Service does not intend to place a marker on the site.
Anyone wishing to visit the site should remember that it is a long and arduous hike up to the 9,143 elevation. The site will be featured in the next edition of the Commission’s interactive map and e-guide, which can be accessed from nevadacountylandmarks.com or the county website.
~ Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Visit Truckee-Tahoe CEO Colleen Dalton to Retire
TRUCKEE
The Visit Truckee-Tahoe (VTT) Board of Directors announced the retirement of CEO Colleen Dalton in September 2025. She led the Truckee Tourism Business Improvement District (TTBID) for a decade and enjoyed a 30-year career in adventure-travel and tourism. Jackie Calvert, current director of tourism management, will succeed Dalton as executive director following a 9-month transition. Dalton will stay on in an advisory role to provide mentorship and continuity for strategic priorities.
VTT’s transition to the next leader began with recruiting Calvert in May 2024. Jackie served 11.5 years at Palisades Tahoe/Squaw Valley Ski Corp in multiple marketing roles. Dalton and Calvert’s overlap period at VTT resulted in the successful renewal of a 10-year TTBID, Visit Truckee-Tahoe’s updated Two Year Strategic Plan, Tourism Economic Impact Report, and Brand position, in addition to the redesign of visittruckeetahoe.com (in progress).
COLLEEN DALTON retires from Visit Tahoe-Truckee this September, succeeded by Jackie Calvert. Photo courtesy Visit Truckee-Tahoe
Among her many accomplishments, Dalton served with the Truckee Chamber of Commerce from 2015 to 2020 as director of tourism & economic development, overseeing Truckee’s first TTBID. During her tenure, Dalton guided the creation of the Truckee Jobs Collective, Truckee Core Values Fund, Truckee Cultural District, “Base Camp for a Big Life” brand position, and Citizen Quality of Life surveys. Dalton also developed Truckee’s Economic Impact of Tourism Report, first measured at $149M in 2019 and then $245M in 2024, of which 85% is local spending by lodging guests.
Tahoe Forest Recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Health System has been recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program (NQMBC), the highest level of recognition offered by the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC). The certification is awarded to breast centers that demonstrate excellence in quality performance and accountability through rigorous data collection and benchmarking against national standards.
Achieving Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence status confirms that Tahoe Forest Health System not only meets but exceeds national quality standards. It further reflects the organization’s investment in the latest technologies, clinical best practices, and a culture of continuous learning.
Jackson, Wyoming, has Center for the Arts. Aspen, Colorado, has Wheeler Opera House. Ketchum, Idaho, has Sun Valley Pavilion. Truckee/North Lake Tahoe? A patchwork of borrowed spaces and makeshift stages — or a drive to Reno.
“We have world-class filmmakers and musicians and incredible acting talent and also students that are coming out of our high school that are going on to some of the best art schools in the country, if not in the world,” said Kellie Cutler, program manager at Truckee Cultural District, Nevada County Arts. “But we do not have a state-of-the-art performing arts center.”
The appetite for a true performing arts venue is undeniable, yet the region has repeatedly stumbled where others have succeeded. Proposals have been approved, funding sought, spaces identified — but hardly any actual spaces have materialized. Now, with one venue having recently closed its doors, the question feels sharper than ever: Why can’t Truckee/North Lake Tahoe build — and sustain — the high-quality performing arts venue that the region longs for?
BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Craig Hall and Indiana Woodward, from the New York City Ballet, perform in Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain. Photo by Jen Schmidt
Art Finds a Way
Still, the lack of a venue hasn’t stopped the creative community from performing.
The area boasts a vibrant performing arts scene, even if sometimes underground, with organizations producing theater, music, dance, film, and more. Yet many of these groups operate without access to a dedicated performance venue.
Instead, performances happen wherever space can be found. Be it at the Salty Gebhardt Amphitheater in Truckee Regional Park, in high school auditoriums in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe, or at the Truckee Community Arts Center. While these spaces provide valuable access, none were built specifically for the demands of live performance. They lack the acoustics needed for orchestral music, the backstage space for full-length plays, or the lighting and sound systems required for professional-level dance or film. And still, the fixes are far from elegant.
“In our Nutcracker, the middle curtain closes and the guys in their tuxedos have to literally un-Velcro the first act’s set design and walk it into the middle school hallway. This should be a button that gets pushed,” said Christin Hanna, founder and artistic director of Lake Tahoe Dance Collective. “It shouldn’t have to be this hard. And so, personally, I’m really facing burnout.”
To be fair, the region offers plenty of great spots to consume live music — often for free — including concerts at the Crystal Bay Casino and outdoor summer music series in local parks. But what’s missing is a versatile, purpose-built venue that can support a broader spectrum of the performing arts: theater productions, film screenings, orchestral concerts, dance performances.
Years of Planning, Still No Stage
The limitations of the existing spaces aren’t lost on the region’s arts leaders, or audiences. But for some, the reason we don’t have this space already is straightforward. “All these ski towns built performing arts centers to attract people during the summer. Well, we have a lake, so we don’t have a performing arts center. It’s literally that simple,” Hanna said.
Still, a high-quality performing arts venue is a dream that has been on the community’s cultural to-do list for more than two decades. It was, and is, on Hanna’s too.
Around 2006, a group of local leaders and arts advocates formed an arts advocacy group made up of members from Truckee and North Lake Tahoe, including Cutler and Hanna. “That arts council was really driven towards exploring the potential for a state-of-the-art performing arts space in the region,” Cutler said.
At the same time, Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District surveyed the community about whether it preferred a performing arts facility or a new pool. When the bond measure ultimately funded the pool, arts advocate Keith Vogt took the performing arts concept to Placer County and launched the Stages at Northstar project.
Proposed for 22 acres near the entrance to Northstar California Resort, Stages at Northstar included plans for a 150-seat studio theater, 150-seat multi-use room for visual arts and special events, 650-seat proscenium theater, and 2,500-seat outdoor amphitheater. The project secured a long-term sublease from Vail Resorts and began fundraising, with an estimated $60 million needed for construction and endowment. Despite early momentum, the project stalled and never broke ground. In 2021, the Truckee Regional Arts Foundation, the nonprofit responsible for the project, officially withdrew its application, citing fundraising challenges and impacts from the pandemic.
A DRIVING FORCE: Kellie Cutler, at right, program manager at Truckee Cultural District, Nevada County Arts, has been a champion of the arts in Truckee/Tahoe for decades, most recently in her role with Nevada County Arts. Photo by Wade Snider/Moonshine Ink
In 2019, hopes resurfaced with Truckee Art Haus & Cinema in the Railyard development. The initial proposal called for a 12,200-square-foot venue with three auditoriums and the option for performing arts, a meeting hall, and a bar. The Truckee town council approved the project, but financing became a barrier — specifically, a $250,000 traffic mitigation fee.
Meanwhile on the North Shore in Tahoe City, similar efforts also stalled. In 2017, the nonprofit Siren Arts set its sights on transforming the vacant fire station in Tahoe City into a performing arts venue. By 2019, the group had submitted a formal proposal for the space. But like other proposals before, and after, the project has yet to move forward, and the vacant building was most recently being considered as the headquarters for a nonprofit.
A Venue Off the Ground, Then Grounded
The Fox Cultural Hall in Kings Beach marks one of the most recent and tangible efforts to establish a permanent performing arts space in the region. Housed in the former Brockway Theater, the venue was reimagined under the leadership of Eve McEneaney, then-executive director of Arts for the Schools (AFTS).
The renovation was a grassroots effort, supported by investments from the building’s owner and community fundraising for equipment and interior improvements. The 325-seat space opened in 2023 with the hope of becoming a cultural anchor for North Lake Tahoe, offering live performances, community events, and arts education.
But even with initial enthusiasm, Fox Hall also ran into struggles of its own.
Earlier this summer, AFTS made the decision to conclude its residency and programming at the Fox Hall. “This choice comes as part of our long-term commitment to deliver arts education and enrichment directly within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. By embedding our services on campus, we can align more closely with TTUSD’s strategic goals.” Lindsay McIntosh, the newest executive director at AFTS and a Juilliard School alumna, wrote in an email to Moonshine Ink, “While the Fox has been an incredible base, AFTS’s current board has decided to transition programming responsibilities to a new community collective, allowing us to detach from venue management.”
While she couldn’t say who makes up this new collective, she did say the nonprofit is actively collaborating with several passionate partners who share the vision for a vibrant performing arts hub. “These organizations are exploring ways to assume stewardship of the Fox Cultural Hall, carry forward its mission, and continue providing our community with a welcoming cultural outlet,” she said.
A Path Forward?
In a community with such pressing needs as housing and workforce retention, some may wonder how the arts fit in. For Jen Callaway, town manager for the Town of Truckee, it isn’t an either/or.
“One of the things in the general plan update that came out most often was community character and retaining community character,” Callaway said. “I think as staff, when we hear that, it’s a balance of having arts. You need those services as well to have that character. So, I think we try to allocate resources accordingly. A lot of our resources are going towards housing, and we’ll also spend time towards arts and supporting the arts.”
STAGE DREAMS: Christin Hanna founded Lake Tahoe Dance Collective 18 years ago, starting with a $500 local grant and growing into a renowned studio with national recognition today. However, she faces burnout from the heavy lifting it takes to produce shows on makeshift staging. She says, “One can only imagine what might unfold if we had, quite simply, a space to enter and move — a room made for dancing.” Photo by Lorrin Brubaker
A dedicated, high-quality performing arts venue in Tahoe/Truckee is possible, advocates say, but only if several major hurdles can be cleared. Land, funding, and long-term sustainability must align. Without those pieces, any new space risks becoming a financial strain rather than a cultural asset.
“Until the town or a city can take on giving either the land for free or helping pay, there’s no way to create a space,” McIntosh said. “To run an actual venue, you need not only a general manager, you need an executive director and you need an artistic director. You need people to clean the space and stay there until 2 in the morning. You need a sound guy.”
The Town of Truckee’s primary focus has been the proposed theatre in the Truckee Railyard, where a development agreement is in effect. Still, if a donor or developer were to come forward with a different viable location, the town would be open to discussion.
“We’re not going to say no,” Callaway said. “We might have to go through a different process for that depending on zoning and land use. But if there’s somebody that’s interested in a project and they’re very set on a location, we’ll have a conversation. The easiest path will be the Railyard.”
The town could also consider concessions, such as reduced rent, to help make a project more financially feasible, but any decision would require a town council vote. Pointing to the Railyard, she noted past support in the form of land contribution and equipment assistance.
“I think we’ve indicated we’re willing to support in some form. The question is how much and what it looks like,” Callaway said.
But finding and identifying an operator remains the biggest challenge. “We’re trying to be in the convening support role to the extent that we can, but local governments typically are not operators of theaters,” Callaway said. “I can’t say it doesn’t happen anywhere, but it’s not really the expertise that we have, but it is a gap that we have in the community. And so, something we’re interested in trying to support if there’s a role for us.”
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN: The ambitious Stages at Northstar project envisioned multiple state-of-the-art performance spaces nestled near the resort — but despite early momentum, the project never came to fruition. Rendering from Tahoe Regional Arts Foundation Facebook page
The proposed event center in Truckee’s The Old Lumberyard project has sparked some interest. Located on the former site of Truckee Tahoe Lumber in eastern downtown Truckee, the development is a vision of the Cross family, who owned and operated TTL for four generations until its sale earlier this year. The new project is designed as a mixed-use commercial and retail space. At 17,000 square feet and three levels, the project’s event center could host a range of events — but in its current iteration, it’s designed more for weddings and corporate functions than performing arts.
Still, the door isn’t closed. “If the town came back to us and said, ‘Hey, we really want to re-look at this event space, would you be willing to pivot and see if performing arts could be better included?’ We will absolutely come to the table,” said Aimee Schaller, President of CF Holding Company. “We’re huge supporters of the arts and we’d love to see something go in. It just has to make sense. It has to be fiscally responsible.”
That’s part of the challenge. What a theater needs is different from what music or dance require. “Even if you had all the money in the world, how do you create the perfect space that meets the needs of all the different organizations that are going to be using it? It’s tough,” Schaller said.
Hanna remembers a study commissioned as part of the 2006 advocacy group that recommended a network of venues. “It’s best for the region to have different size venues that are appropriate for different things throughout the triangle of Kings Beach, Tahoe City, and Truckee,” she said. “Which I firmly believe in. Because for me, for dance, we need a lot of stage space. You don’t need that for a piano trio.”
“In the absence of a true performance center, we find ourselves endlessly patching the holes in a leaky vessel — time, energy, and resources diverted toward makeshift solutions that might otherwise enrich our programming and enliven the quiet seasons with more performances, said Hanna. “The Lake Tahoe Dance Collective already performs a small miracle with every modest means we have. One can only imagine what might unfold if we had, quite simply, a space to enter and move — a room made for dancing.”
There may also be a glimmer of hope on the lake. In Crystal Bay, the historic Cal Neva — once host to the Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe — is undergoing a major renovation, and, according to Hanna, there’s talk of reviving its original performing arts space.
According to the project’s website, the space is tracking an opening in 2027. “It’s a good space with a good soul, and I’m very hopeful on that,” Hanna said.
But no matter how inspiring the concept, the same obstacle looms: funding.
Despite the region’s significant wealth, philanthropic support often flows elsewhere. And with major civic efforts already underway — like the campaign to build a new Truckee library — community capacity is limited. The library, many say, is a model of what it takes to bring a project of that scale to life.
“I think it’s a great example of what is involved in community effort in getting a project like that built,” Cutler said. And Schaller agrees. “I wish we could get a group of people, like the Friends of the Truckee Library that are, like, we are making this happen.”
Looking for That Spark
Across the country, performing arts venues are still rebounding from the pandemic, navigating changing audience habits and declining attendance. Tahoe/Truckee is not immune to these challenges, and any new venue will need more than walls and a stage — it will need a solid plan for programming and operational sustainability.
“We’re looking to our sister cultural district, the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, which has historically been embedded with beautiful performing arts venues,” Cutler said. “Yet many venues across the country and performing arts communities are really struggling post pandemic because people have changed their habits. It’s easier to stay home and view on Netflix than it is to go buy a ticket and see a performance.”
Just down the hill, Grass Valley is one step ahead with the 42,000-square-foot Crown Points Venue, a performing arts complex designed to anchor the local creative economy and serve as a regional draw.
The arts can be an economic engine. “The amount of money that people spend when going to a performance — they buy an outfit, they go to dinner, they get a babysitter,” Hanna said. “The arts can actually be a driver of the economy.”
She has seen it firsthand with her dance company and their performances. “I started with a $500 grant from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation 18 years ago, and I run a performing arts nonprofit that now has national recognition, and we’re educating our students,” Hanna said. “We’re commissioning new works, and our budget’s now over $350,000 annually.”
The talent is here, and the vision hasn’t gone away.
But realizing it will take more than enthusiasm. It will require buy-in from local institutions, alignment among community leaders, and philanthropic investment from those who call this place home — part-time or full. And whether that moment is coming soon, or still years away, the conversation isn’t over. It’s just waiting for the curtain to rise.
There’s the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence. There’s the a2 + b2 = c2 of a right triangle. And then there’s the acoustically perfect concert-hall ratio known as “the shoebox.”
“It creates the perfect environment for sound to essentially enhance itself,” says Ken Hardin, artistic director of InConcert Sierra, which is building the organization’s very own shoebox as part of the new Crown Point Venues in Grass Valley. “The basics are that the ceiling is half the width [of the room] and the width is half the length, which allows the note to bellow after the sound is made, letting it live in the room for a longer time so it can make a richer sound.”
(The reverb knob on an electric guitar essentially tries to mimic what the shoebox design does naturally.)
Hardin proceeds to orate on the shoebox and acoustics at length, sounding like some Merlin of music as he spins phrases and philosophies on intervals and intonation, octaves and overtones, resonance and reverb. He speaks eloquently of the acoustic genius of the European cathedrals built in the 900s to 1300s, and how the modern shoebox design evolved from them as more of an everyman’s solution to sound.
Still, when it’s completed in the latter half of 2026, Crown Point’s shoebox concert hall will be one of only 12 of its kind in the United States, one of only two with a seating capacity under 1,000 — and the only one in a rural setting.
Crown Point Venues will be worldclass, and it will be right here in the Sierra Nevada.
STANDING OVATION at a recent InConcert Sierra show at its current temporary home. Photo courtesy Valle Visions Photography
A Long Journey
It was the German writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who told us that if we are bold, mighty forces will come to our aid. That sure seems to be the case with the little shoebox that could.
“It’s been an ambitious project from the outset,” says Julie Hardin, InConcert Sierra’s executive director and Ken’s wife. “And there’s been serendipity everywhere.”
Crown Point Venues is the latest effort by InConcert Sierra to find a permanent home. Founded in 1946 to provide classical and choral music to the region, InConcert has gone through at least seven significant home bases over the years, starting out in the Grass Valley Veteran’s Memorial Building and moving around to local churches, schools, theaters, and cultural centers. It is currently back to putting on its concerts in a church, which does have high-end acoustics but presents limitations on scheduling flexibility, the types of music that may be presented, and overall growth potential.
Thus the continued search for the forever home. The organization got close to purchasing something in 2015 but it ultimately did not work out. Still, the effort was not without a boon — a patron saw the struggle and approached Ken to ask him what it would take to keep the dream of a dedicated concert hall alive.
“Well,” Ken joked, “if you had a million dollars in your back pocket, we could make some progress.”
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CONCEPT ART of the completed Crown Point Venues, which will house a ‘shoebox’ concert hall, a black-box theater, and a conference center. Courtesy photo
WHAT WILL BE: Concept art of the completed shoebox concert hall.
The woman looked at Ken. “I was thinking more along the lines of $2 million,” she said.
After many conversations and considerations, the gift was ultimately made in 2018. InConcert continued its search for a building, and then March 2020 and the pandemic came along. Before the real estate market soared, the bottom fell out, especially in the office-space segment.
“We identified a building that had been home to a big tech company,” Hardin says of a potential home for their new concert hall. “The place was huge.”
Roughly 1 whole acre under roof, the asking price had already dropped due to the pandemic, and InConcert was able to purchase it for even less. A building that was appraised for tax purposes at $8 million was obtained for $2.1.
“It was crazy,” Hardin recounts, speaking to some of that serendipity his wife speaks of.
After cutting through the red tape, InConcert finally took possession of the building in March 2023. Seventy-seven years after its founding, the organization had finally found its forever home. Thirty-six hours later the roof collapsed.
“It was devastating,” Hardin acknowledges. “That Snowmaggedon storm hit and about 14,000 square-feet of roof collapsed under the weight. The storm kept on and 3 days later another section of about 10,000 square feet collapsed. We were reeling.”
But all was not lost. In fact, the silver lining came to shine through rather bright.
“After a while we came to see that Mother Nature had done us a big favor,” Hardin says.
InConcert was already planning to remove a portion of the roof in order to raise it and achieve the vital ratio for the shoebox. Mother nature simply accelerated the demolition and got them an insurance payout to boot. Mighty forces indeed.
Versatile Venues
In addition to the shoebox acoustic concert hall, a completed Crown Point will also feature a black-box theater with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, a 35-foot ceiling, and a moveable stage and seating.
“Any theater group can come in and do whatever they want,” Julie says. “Plays can be put on traditionally or ‘in the round’ [the stage located in the middle of the seats], and the catwalk for the lighting will be top-notch.”
Further, a designated conference center will feature an on-site kitchen and over 300 banquet seats to fulfill a need for the many area nonprofits, as well as for outside entities desiring a destination retreat. As icing on the cake, Crown Point will have ample parking, a rarity in the locale.
Tours of the in-progress venue are being offered on a reservation basis. And the shoebox has already received its share of awed visitors.
“We literally have musicians from all over the world coming by to experience it,” Ken says. “They usually walk in, talk or sing a bit, and then ask, ‘Can I go get my instrument??’”
The fight over the future of Olympic Valley and Palisades Tahoe has been going on for a long time. Fourteen years, to be precise. In that time, a 5-year legal battle ensued after Sierra Watch filed a lawsuit in 2016 against Placer County for approving the project. The environmental group eventually prevailed, but in 2023 the ski area resubmitted its plans with only minor changes. When the county approved the project again in 2024, Sierra Watch sued a second time, this time joined by Keep Tahoe Blue (also known as the League to Save Lake Tahoe).
The cycle of approvals and lawsuits seemed like it would go on forever until, out of the blue, the parties announced July 8 that they had reached an agreement — Palisades will reduce the total number of bedrooms by 40% and commercial space by 20%. In return, the plaintiffs agreed to drop their lawsuit.
So, what changed? Why were the two sides able to come to an agreement now, after more than a decade of fighting and getting nowhere?
What brought the parties together in January was a mandatory settlement agreement issued by the court, which was triggered by Sierra Watch and Keep Tahoe Blue’s lawsuit at the end of last year. As Sierra Watch Executive Director Tom Mooers explained, “It’s basically the court saying, ‘Get in a room and work it out before going through the expensive trouble of litigation.’”
Sierra Watch and Palisades had been here before after the 2016 lawsuit was filed. How were things different this time?
While all parties signed a confidentiality agreement, making the content of the discussions private, who was at the negotiating table is no secret. Sierra Watch and Keep Tahoe Blue’s representatives had not changed — Mooers had been leading the fight and discussions with Palisades and its parent company, Alterra Mountain Company (and before that, KSL Capital Partners), since the beginning, just like Keep Tahoe Blue’s representative, chief strategy officer Jesse Patterson.
But the people sitting on the Palisades and Alterra side of the table were not the same ones. Over the course of the proposed project’s lifespan, there have been four Palisades CEOs — Andy Wirth, Ron Cohen, Dee Byrne, and now Amy Ohran, who was named to the position almost 1 year ago. Last fall, Alterra also replaced its vice president of real estate, Bryan Elliot, with Arden Hearing.
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NEGOTIATING PARTNERS: The key players in the landmark agreement between Palisades Tahoe, Sierra Watch, and Keep Tahoe Blue include Alterra Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development Arden Hearing. Courtesy photo
NEGOTIATING PARTNERS: The key players in the landmark agreement between Palisades Tahoe, Sierra Watch, and Keep Tahoe Blue include Keep Tahoe Blue Chief Strategy Officer Jesse Patterson. Courtesy photo
NEGOTIATING PARTNERS: The key players in the landmark agreement between Palisades Tahoe, Sierra Watch, and Keep Tahoe Blue include Sierra Watch Executive Director Tom Mooers. Courtesy photo
NEGOTIATING PARTNERS: The key players in the landmark agreement between Palisades Tahoe, Sierra Watch, and Keep Tahoe Blue include Palisades CEO Amy Ohran. Courtesy photo
“It’s like when you say the same thing over and over. It was the same voice on our end — it was me. It was Tom,” said Patterson about the League’s message that the project would have negative impacts on the lake. “It’s not like we had new people saying something differently. We had the same people saying the same thing and [this time] it landed.”
Ohran attributes some of the success of the negotiations to the fact that both she and Hearing were new to the discussions.
“I am new as is my partner at Alterra leadership, Arden,” Ohran said. “Being new really gives rise to listening in a different way. As we both got up to speed on the project, we really took to heart the opportunity to listen deeply and identify if we could come to some common ground. We took it as an opportunity to see if we could build a different relationship and understanding with both Sierra Watch and the League.”
A major motivation to reach an agreement was most likely the hundreds of thousands of dollars each side would spend on legal fees pursuing and defending the second lawsuit, and, for Palisades, the delay this would cause the development.
“We found at conference that we understood there could actually be resolution as an alternative to more years of litigation,” Mooers said. “All parties agreed to that and agreed to talk further.”
Ohran said that Alterra recognized the need to change course.
“We had support and empowerment from our company Alterra to come to a different outcome … and have the ability to move Palisades Tahoe forward,” she said. “Obviously, the original vision for the Village Specific Plan was conceived in a different era. The timing was right to take a look at how we could not only get a different outcome, but to evolve the plan to something that is more reflective of what we heard from the community and certainly in negotiations with Sierra Watch.”
Negotiations took 6 months, which Mooers said may seem like a long time, but considering the two parties had been fighting for 14 years, was an accomplishment in and of itself.
“These negotiations are a great example of how people can come to the table to be open to new ideas and negotiate in good faith and establish common ground, and the result is not just successful negotiations but a revised vision for the future of Olympic Valley,” he said.
Patterson and Mooers both said that while they would have liked to have seen the development reduced even more, the end result is a project that all sides can live with.
“Not everyone got what they wanted, but a lot of good came of it and we found alignment,” Patterson said.
The agreement also marks the end to a contentious chapter in Tahoe’s history.
“The uncertainty that hung over the valley for so many years was in and of itself a problem,” Mooers said. “I do get the sense that people are really grateful that we can move forward with a better sense of what the future holds for the region, not just furthering a cycle of litigation and uncertainty.”
Other changes in the agreement include a smaller Mountain Adventure Center with a recommitment to excluding the controversial water park (Palisades announced last September that it was removing all water park features), replacing the subdivision marked for the base of Shirley Canyon with a conservation easement, and no additional development in the specific plan area for 25 years.
Placer County still needs to approve the amended agreement, which Ohran said will happen at the end of this year or in early 2026.
Michelle Okashima started fostering dogs as a teenager, and her love for helping them has only grown. Her life always had dogs in the mix.
When Okashima’s rescue dog, Virgil, started suffering from neurological issues caused by a gunshot wound in his youth, she said he’d fall over and list to one side as he walked. Not wanting Virgil’s old age to be spent lying around, she looked for a wheelchair for the time he had left.
Pat Abbey, founder and chairperson of Village Pet Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance for pet medical bills, offered Okashima a grant for a wheelchair. Okashima thought it was extreme to buy one for what was most likely going to be a short period of time — and wondered whether the foundation could simply loan her a wheelchair.
ROLLING FREE: Virgil enjoyed his newfound freedom at the Tail Wagger 5K. Courtesy photo
Pat liked the idea, and the two women decided to start a program for just that purpose. And so, Virgil’s Happy Wheels, a free wheelchair-loaning program at Village Pet Foundation, was born. In early May of 2025, Virgil became the first dog to receive a loaner wheelchair. The project, led by Okashima, gained traction as she spread the word from her pet store, Hot Diggity Dog & Cat. Abbey said that soon they were providing the service all the way to Fernley.
“The goal is to keep a dog who has a lot of life left in them living their best life,” Okashima said.
Dog wheelchairs provide support to dogs with weakened, immobile, or injured back legs, allowing them better mobility. Some quad wheelchairs have four wheels to support each of the dog’s legs. Running anywhere from $200 to $700, some chairs, as in Virgil’s case, are only used for an animal’s final stretch in their old age and many pet owners can’t afford the cost.
When vets found out about Virgil’s Happy Wheels, some told Abbey they had been euthanizing dogs whose owners couldn’t afford wheelchairs.
HOT WHEELS: Indy strapped into her wheelchair at the Incline Village 4th of July parade. Courtesy photo
“When you’re faced with the option of euthanasia or getting your dog a wheelchair, it’s a tough one,” Okashima said. “We take that … monetary consideration out of the equation.”
Abbey said Village Pet Foundation operates under the philosophy that they’ll never let a pet get euthanized for lack of money for medical services, including wheelchairs, and 9 dogs have now been fitted for free by Okashima. Virgil’s Happy Wheels has 12 chairs so far: in sizes for small, medium, or large dogs, plus more in backstock. Dogs in need are given a wheelchair fitted to them and when they’re done with it, it’s returned.
“We’ve had some pretty remarkable stories,” Abbey said. “I just picked up a plaque for a woman. She donated a wheelie to us, and they had rescued a dog from Iraq, and they brought her back — and she had been injured in Iraq. She was a paraplegic, and they brought her back and got her a wheelie.”
Abbey said the donor wanted to remember her dog by passing on the wheelchair to another dog, to give that canine the same kind of freedom it had allowed her own. That chair has already been given to a new dog in need.
Virgil’s chair is also now back in the program, having fulfilled its purpose of keeping the dog’s world wide open before his passing. Okashima said he was unstoppable with his wheels, lighting up as he greeted people and happily wandering around.
GOOD TIME: Mobility can be lip-lickin’ good. Courtesy photo.
“When it comes to immobile pets, you either get help or you don’t,” Abbey said.
One of the first recipients of a chair was Amanda Anderson’s Pitbull-Weimaraner mix, Tulip. Anderson knew Okashima and reached out shortly after Virgil’s Happy Wheels was started. Okashima immediately helped, fitting Tulip with a wheelchair that had adjustable wheels, straps, and an adaptable pink frame.
“It definitely was my miracle for that time,” Anderson said. “My mom always tells me to look for miracles and that was my miracle, and Tulip’s. I would just really want to make sure that people know how wonderful it is — and how wonderful it is for Michelle to be doing this for our community.”
While most dogs perk up at the sight of shoes being put on or a leash being brought out, Anderson said Tulip gets excited when the wheelchair comes out because she knows that she’ll be going on a walk. Without the chair, Anderson said Tulip can’t make it far before her back starts to sag and neurological issues take over her hind legs. The wheelchair, however, gives Tulip a taste of her old life of 20-mile runs and Tahoe hikes.
“The only thing that I would really want to just get out there is just how great of a program it is and how amazing Michelle is for doing it and getting it together for people in need,” Anderson said. “I was clueless on what I was going to do. You know, here is my dog that can’t barely walk anymore.”
The wheelies, as Okashima and Abbey call them, allow dogs to live their lives, granting them mobility to explore and move themselves around. For Christine Vernon’s dog, Indy, an almost 12-year-old Pitbull-Boxer mix who has had a few leg surgeries, the wheelchair has been a form of physical therapy, rebuilding muscle.
IVY “TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET,” said Okashima about fitting the 9-year-old German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix. Photo courtesy Sheila Rouse
Indy had been a very active dog, and Vernon learned about Virgil’s Happy Wheels a few months after she had started carrying Indy around because of an ACL injury and arthritis. Now that Indy has regained more muscle from using her wheelie, she can go for short walks without the wheelchair’s help. While in her wheelchair, Indy can play ball, her favorite activity. Vernon said that without the wheelchair, Indy would likely over-exert herself and risk reinjury.
“It’s hard seeing dogs get old and not being able to do as much even though they want to, so it’s nice that she doesn’t seem as depressed anymore,” Vernon said. “She’s naturally a very happy dog.”
While most of the Virgil’s Happy Wheels dogs are older, Village Pet Foundation has two torn ACL cases in relatively younger animals that will be needing rehabilitation. Abbey said the vet was pleased to know that they can rehab in a wheelie. They’ll be the first two to rehab with Virgil’s Happy Wheels.
The success of Virgil’s Happy Wheels has been overwhelming for Okashima and Abbey, who both hope the program’s reach can continue to spread throughout the country, helping any dog in need. This fall, they’re planning to organize a puppy paralympics in Incline Village.
“Even though I lost Virgil, he created this wonderful legacy,” Okashima said.
While the world spins madly on and things are never particularly quiet in the Truckee/Tahoe area (let alone the United States as a whole), we at Moonshine have happy news to share. For the 13th year in a row, our free and independent newspaper took home notable awards from the National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
This is an annual competition where we submit what we think represents the best of the best of the Ink. The following pieces received recognition from judges who thought mighty high of our work done in 2024:
Judge’s comments: The balanced, well-organized, and clearly written article offers a path forward to other communities who may be struggling to recapture cooperative governance.
First place: Story-Series – Best Business Story: One and Done by Melissa Siig
DOG IS HER COPILOT: Eve Quesnel is one of a group of eight volunteers who call themselves the “Subaru squad.” Each week, they make the rounds to local supermarkets to collect bread leftovers that are donated to Sierra Community House. Quesnel is often accompanied by her Border Collie, Kate, who sometimes finds herself buried in loaves of bread.
First place: Story-Series – Best Non-Profile Feature Story: The Subaru Bread Run by Eve Quesnel
Judge’s comments: This is the kind of story that newspapers find — that they tell — that are lived in their communities. Well-written. Amazing photo. Total package!
ENGLISH DOES IT AGAIN: Moonshine cartoonist Mike English was the talent behind the cover of the October 2024 edition, which included plenty of local election coverage. The front-page design took second place in the 2025 Better Newspaper Contest. Illustration by Mike English/Moonshine Ink
The moon will conjoin Uranus in early degrees of the mutable air sign Gemini on August 16, activating the upcoming Uranus and Pluto trine which will be exact on August 20. A harmonious transit between two outer planets, this trine has been known to bring full-swing societal changes throughout history.
This transit will be an energy in which we marinate for years, amplified by a sextile to Neptune in the fire sign Aries with outer planets in air signs. Themes of communication, technology, and transformation are thick topics and worthy of discussion; already AI has blurred the line between reality and illusion — making in-person communication, meditation, and heart-centered connection more important now than ever.
The sun enters Virgo Aug. 22 with a new moon, with both the sun and moon at the significant initiation point of 0 degrees Virgo.
New moons are times for setting new intentions, and it will be especially potent with this alignment. Mars in Libra will square with Jupiter in Cancer on September 4, offering an opportunity for a positive check-in on relationships, home life, and the balance between them. September 7 is a total lunar eclipse in Pisces, which, although not visible from our area, will be a powerful time of reset for all.
NATURAL MAGIC
For the collective reshaping of thought and reality that Uranus and Pluto will bring, consider creating an altar to honor the air element. For your altar, collect objects that represent ‘air’ — a feather, a bell, bubbles, a dream catcher, a wand, or a wind instrument all work well. Visit the altar daily, saying the invocation (or something similar) of, “Air Spirit, please help my breath to flow deeply and my mind to stay clear as the winds of change move freely through me.”
Adding breath work in a ‘4-count in,’ ‘4-count hold,’ and ‘4-count out’ flows beautifully.
Further, for the Pisces full moon eclipse, a ritual bath would help support the release that this lunation offers. An infusion of the herb butterfly pea makes a blue water that you can add to the bath, along with your favorite fresh flowers. Light a candle, set the intention to let go of your fears, and enjoy the nourishment of a sacred bath during the full moon eclipse.
in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program
