More than 400 attendees took to the bike path in South Lake Tahoe to march for No Kings IIIVictoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The No Kings III (NKIII) rally had a monumental gathering at Lakeview Commons following a massive march by upwards of 400 participants from Ski Run Blvd on Saturday, March 28. A river of people, signs and American flags stretched down the bike path on U.S. Highway 50.
The event was organized by 50501 Tahoe in partnership with South Lake Tahoe Indivisible.
Founder and chairman of the Young Democrats Committee at LTCC, Beck Machin-Ward, along with many others, have been working with the city and the police department to plan the event.
In comparison to their last event, Machin-Ward noted the turnout was about 200-300 more people, just at the start of the rally around 2:30 p.m.
“I am beyond stoked. I think every time we have an event, we see hundreds of people come out. These are the people that really make up our republic,” said Machin-Ward. “They’re the people that fight on a daily basis to ensure we have democracy, liberty and freedom.”
The No Kings III rally was organized by 50501 Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe IndivisibleVictoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
As car horns rang out consistently in support of the protest, the event had free a taco stand, a sign-making station and booths attended by advocacy members.
Among those participating in the demonstration were long-time locals who dubbed themselves Chief Slowroller, Chuckles and Ricky who have lived in Tahoe for more than 50 years.
When asked what brought them to the NKIII rally, Chuckles said, “We’re hanging on to our democracy,” with Ricky adding, “We’re supporting the Constitution. That’s how [America] got to 250 years, with that Constitution.”
South Lake Tahoe was one of many No Kings protests happening across the country on March 28, including demonstrations from Truckee, Reno, Sacramento, and San Francisco to Minnesota, Chicago and New York.
According to Machin-Ward, another protest in South Lake Tahoe is currently in the works for May Day. More details to follow.
Along with carbohydrates and fats, protein is one of the three macronutrients our bodies need every day. Each gives us energy, but protein plays a special role in keeping our bodies strong and healthy.
Why Protein Matters
Protein helps build and repair tissues like muscle, skin, bones, and hair. It also helps your body make hormones, enzymes, and antibodies which support your metabolic health and immune system. Because of these important jobs, getting enough protein each day is essential.
Everyone’s protein needs are a little different. Age, activity level, and overall health can all affect how much you need. The general recommendation for adults is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. This amount usually works for people who are less active.
Adults who are more active — like many people living in the Tahoe region — may need more. Pregnant women and adults over 50 years old also have higher needs. These groups may benefit from 1.1 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Spreading protein across all meals and snacks helps the body use it best.
Protein should make up about 10–35% of the calories you eat each day. For someone eating about 2,000 calories per day, protein intake usually ranges from 50 to 175 grams per day.
Protein in Foods
You can find protein in both animal and plant foods. While many packaged foods now boast added protein, it’s best to meet most of your needs with whole foods.
Here are some common sources:
3 oz cooked poultry, meat, or fish: 18–26 g
3 eggs: 18 g
1 cup Greek yogurt: 22 g
1 cup cottage cheese: 18 g
8 oz cow’s or soy milk: 8 g
1 cup cooked lentils, chickpeas or black beans: 13–18 g
½ cup tofu: 9 g
2 oz cooked whole wheat pasta: 8–10 g
1 oz nuts or 2 Tbsp nut butter: 7 g
½ cup quinoa or farro: 4 g
½ cup potato, corn or peas: 2–3 g
Balanced Meals
A meal with 3–4 ounces of cooked animal protein, plus whole grains or starchy veggies and a garden salad, will give you around 30 grams of protein. A vegetarian meal can also provide about 30 grams of protein. For example, try 1 cup of beans, 1 cup of cooked quinoa, and a garden salad with nuts.
Choosing leaner animal proteins — like fish, shellfish, skinless poultry, eggs, and non‑fat dairy — can also help keep saturated fat lower for overall health.
Protein needs vary from person to person. A registered dietitian can help you find the amount that’s right for your body and lifestyle.
Jen Trew is a registered dietitian nutritionist with Barton Health. Barton dietitians are available for consultation. For more information or to schedule nutrition counseling, call 530.543.5825 or visit BartonHealth.org.
One year ago, Joan, my wife of 58 years, died of complications related to multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that can often go undiagnosed until it begins to seriously damage one’s health, as it did in her case.
I didn’t know much about the disease at the time, but I’ve learned a lot since then. March is Myeloma Awareness Month, and I want to share information that may be helpful to others.
Multiple myeloma affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, which can lead to bone lesions, including those in the spine. For the majority of patients, the most frequent early warning signs are:
Increased total protein and/or an increase in IgG or IgA levels
Abnormal protein in the urine
Unexplained anemia
Unexplained increase in serum creatinine
However, particularly in its early stages, multiple myeloma symptoms may be absent. Red flags that should warrant additional investigation include:
Fatigue, severe tiredness or lethargy
Frequent infections, fevers and/or chills
Persistent or recurrent unexplained back or other bone pain
Increased difficulty walking
Joan had most of these red-flag symptoms, and they worsened in the last years of her life. She experienced back pain for years and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, for which she was prescribed physical therapy and pain medicine. Although her pain continued to worsen and her bloodwork showed signs of anemia, no one suggested the cause might be something more serious.
Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, yet many doctors encounter it infrequently, and it’s easy to confuse the symptoms with common symptoms of other illnesses and conditions, including arthritis, diabetes and Lyme disease.
Knowing what we know now, Joan should have undergone testing for multiple myeloma. Diagnosis typically involves several steps: blood and urine tests to detect abnormal proteins and irregular blood cell counts; a bone marrow biopsy to examine plasma cells; imaging scans to identify bone damage or tumors; and genetic testing to guide treatment decisions.
If testing had been done in a timely manner, Joan might have been diagnosed earlier. Though we’ll never know for sure, treatment could have lessened the suffering she experienced and extended her life.
As much as I would like a do-over, the best I can do now is to encourage others with symptoms of multiple myeloma to seek testing. As we grow older, it’s easy to believe that bone pain is simply a result of aging. But if you or a family member is experiencing pain without a clear underlying cause, or is experiencing pain alongside a constellation of other health issues, do not hesitate to ask for additional testing. That request could end up saving your life or the life of someone you love.
For further information, visit Blood Cancer United (bloodcancerunited.org) and the International Myeloma Foundation (myeloma.org).
Tony Cupaiuolo, professor emeritus at Pace University, lives in South Lake Tahoe. He is a volunteer ambassador with Blood Cancer United.
In an earlier column, we shared how the El Dorado Community Foundation (EDCF) works behind the scenes to strengthen local philanthropy and respond to community needs. But an important question often follows: Why should donors choose to give through the Foundation and hold their charitable funds here?
The answer is simple yet powerful, because doing so amplifies impact, protects donor intent, and keeps generosity rooted in the community it is meant to serve.
When individuals, families, businesses, and organizations establish funds at the El Dorado Community Foundation, they are not just making a gift. They are creating a long-term charitable partnership. Funds held with us are professionally invested, carefully stewarded, and governed by policies designed to ensure compliance, accountability, and transparency. This structure allows donors to focus on what matters most, their philanthropic goals, while we handle the complexity behind the scenes.
One of the most meaningful benefits of holding funds at EDCF is the assurance that donor intent is honored over time. Whether a donor wants to support education, environmental stewardship, arts and culture, human services, or a specific nonprofit, the Foundation serves as a permanent guardian of those wishes. Long after individual circumstances change, charitable priorities remain protected and are carried forward with special attention to the donor’s wishes.
Local expertise is another key advantage. As a place-based foundation, EDCF maintains a broad, up-to-date understanding of El Dorado County’s needs, opportunities, and challenges. We work closely with nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community leaders, giving us insight that national institutions simply cannot replicate. This allows us to help donors identify impact opportunities and respond thoughtfully to both immediate needs and emerging issues.
Holding funds locally helps strengthen nonprofits in practical ways. Grants made through the El Dorado Community Foundation are supported by due diligence, financial oversight, and relationship-building that help ensure charitable dollars are used effectively. Beyond grantmaking, EDCF invests in nonprofit capacity through trainings, collaboration, and technical assistance, helping organizations become more resilient and sustainable over time.
For donors, a fund at EDCF offers flexibility. Donor-advised funds, scholarship funds, field-of-interest funds, designated funds, and agency funds can all be tailored to meet different goals. Donors may choose to be actively involved in recommending grants or take a more hands-off approach, trusting the Foundation to carry out their intent. As charitable priorities evolve, funds can adapt while remaining anchored in the donor’s original purpose.
There are also important administrative and legal benefits. The Foundation manages compliance with charitable regulations, grant agreements, reporting, and recordkeeping; these tasks are often time-consuming and complex when handled independently. Modest administrative fees support this stewardship, ensuring funds are managed responsibly while sustaining the Foundation’s ability to serve the community for future generations.
Perhaps most importantly, holding funds at EDCF keeps charitable assets working locally. While many donors could choose national or commercial charitable platforms, funds held at EDCF remain connected to El Dorado County. Investment earnings, grantmaking, and community leadership all stay close to home, reinforcing a cycle of local impact.
Choosing to give through the El Dorado Community Foundation is ultimately an act of trust. It is trust in local knowledge, in careful stewardship, and in the belief that philanthropy is strongest when it is rooted in community. By holding funds with EDCF, donors help build a permanent charitable resource that supports today’s needs while safeguarding tomorrow’s possibilities.
Your generosity is personal. Our impact is collective. Working with El Dorado Community Foundation allows both to endure. We invite you to learn more about the Foundation at eldoradocf.org or stop by our Placerville office to discuss your philanthropic goals.
RENO, Nev. — Following the warmest recorded winter in Nevada, a heat wave broke numerous monthly temperature records for the state last week. The record temperatures were paired with an already low snowpack.
“To have these two unprecedented, exceptional events happening at once is a combination that is particularly concerning,” Nevada State Climatologist Baker Perry said.
The heat wave set a new Nevada statewide March monthly high temperature record of 106 F in Laughlin, south of Las Vegas, shattering the previous record of 100 F by 6 F. Perry said the temperatures across the state were exceptional for several reasons.
A screenshot of the view from the Jack’s Peak ALERTWildfire camera, where the nearby Jack Creek Upper SNOTEL station is reporting no snow on the ground and water year-to-date precipitation is 75% of normal.Provided / ALERTWildfire
“It’s not just that we broke monthly records, but it’s by how much we broke the monthly records, and not just in one place,” Perry said.
Typically, monthly temperature records are broken incrementally, while daily temperature records can have larger margins. During the week of March 16 though, temperatures kept increasing throughout the week across the West. Monthly high temperature records were smashed by up to 8 degrees in some places in Nevada. Perry noted that the persistence of the heat has been remarkable, as Reno has already recorded seven days over 80 F in March, while the previous record was two days over 80 F.
Perry, who is also a professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Nevada, Reno, publishes climate and drought reports for the state regularly. His most recent quarterly climate outlook, published on March 11 with colleagues in the Nevada State Climate Office, warned that record temperatures exceeding 15 F above normal were possible.
Unprecedented statewide snow drought
Despite near normal winter precipitation and big snowstorms in mid-February, the state is facing an unprecedented snow drought. The lower elevation snowpack was largely obliterated by warm, moist air and wind just days after the winter storm, causing a melt event that resulted in the second highest daily snowmelt recorded in the eastern Sierra in winter, only after the 1997 flood. Instead of snowmelt taking place gradually in April and May, it took place quickly in late February and into March. Abnormally dry and drought conditions have expanded across the state in recent months and last week’s record heat will likely accelerate drought development.
“It depends on what the weather does the next couple months,” Perry said, “but it doesn’t bode well for summer.”
SNOwpackTelemetryNetwork (SNOTEL) sites are installed around the state and provide remote reports of snowpack. The Elko NWS representatives, Trent Davis and Jonathon Bongard, said that 70% of the SNOTEL sites in northern and central Nevada are currently reporting 0 inches of snowpack.
“The record-breaking heat compounds the problem of the low-to-nonexistent snowpack this historically dry season,” representatives from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Elko said.
However, reservoirs in the state, besides Lake Mead, are well-stocked, which will provide some relief should drought conditions expand.
Summer wildfire concerns grow
“This stretch of daily high temperature records across Nevada is unprecedented,” Dan Berc, a Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS in Las Vegas, said. “These hot temperatures coupled with low snowpack raise concerns for an early wildfire season across the area.”
Due to the melting snow and more rain, soil moisture has been high across much of the state, which may prompt vegetative growth.
“Record heat over the previous weeks has put us into early ‘green up’ for the year,” Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Division Chief August Isernhagen said. “This, coupled with many other human impacts on the landscape, has created potential for unprecedented conditions this ‘fire season.’ It is worth reminding the public that the majority of our starts, and nearly all of our catastrophic fires are human caused. Regardless of the state of the landscape, a lot of how our fire season plays out this year is yet to be determined and will depend on our own actions as humans in the outdoors this summer.”
Dawn Johnson, a Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS in Reno, agreed with Chief Isernhagen, explaining that the early green up results in a longer time frame for fine fuels to cure and become ready to burn.
“For the mountains, losing snowpack this early also means a longer time for the heavy timber to become drought stressed,” in absence of other weather systems, Johnson said, “so they can also become a fire concern earlier in the season.”
A glimmer of hope is on the horizon, however, with a cooler and stormier pattern expected to develop at the beginning of April. Johnson said that may be too little, too late.
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters fell to the Rapid City Rush by a score of 5-3.
In the first period, although many shots were fired on net by both sides, Rapid City was the lone team to find the scoreboard as Ryan Chyzowski hit the back of the net to make it 1-0 Rush going into the second.
Knight Monsters v Rapid City Rush on Marvel KnightProvided
In the middle frame, the Rush added on to their lead with a power-play goal from Quinn Olson to go up 2-0. With both teams reaching the 30-shot mark in this period, Tahoe goaltender Jordan Papirny and Rapid City netminder Connor Murphy were both tested often.
In the final period, Tahoe stormed all the way back. Tucker Ness started the scoring with his first career professional goal to make it 2-1 Rapid City. Trent Swick would score his 23rd of the season to tie the game at 2, and in the final five minutes of regulation, Louka Henault scored his second with Tahoe to give the Knight Monsters a 3-2 lead. However, the Rush tied the game just 17 seconds later on a goal by Brett Davis, and then went ahead 90 seconds later on another Davis goal. After Cameron Buhl buried an empty-net goal, Rapid City collected a 5-3 victory on Friday night. The win was Rapid City’s eighth-straight victory against Tahoe.
The Knight Monsters return home on Saturday, March 28, 2026, to take on the Rapid City Rush at Tahoe Blue Event Center for night one of First Responders Weekend. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm, with pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network beginning at 6:50 pm. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
The phrase “buy low, sell high” sounds like the perfect investing formula. I’d say pretty much any investor would sign up for being able to repeat that outcome over and over.
In order to achieve the “buy low, sell high” outcome, there are two possible strategies. In the first one, you keep some cash free and then wait for the market to drop, or for the stock you want to drop. Once it does drop, you buy at the lower price and then hold on and wait for it to recover. At some point, when the stock has gone up enough to meet your goal, you sell it and bank your profit. Then, you sit out of the market with your cash on the sidelines and attempt to repeat it.
While this strategy sounds fairly simple, there are some problems with it. It is essentially the same as timing the market, and as I’ve explained previously, there is strong evidence showing that timing the market most tends to reduce the average return for an investor. You would need to correctly guess when the market is near its low, and again when it’s time to sell—a very hard combination to successfully achieve.
Another reason that the strategy doesn’t work is because it keeps capital on the sidelines instead of in the market. It can take months or years for a stock to drop to what you might view as a good price, and your dollars sit on the sidelines in the meantime. That money is most likely in a cash equivalent where average earnings are well below the average gains of the market. Even worse, what if the price of the stock or fund that you are tracking never does go down? You could be missing huge gains in the market!
Generally speaking, it can be smart to keep investable assets out of the market if you don’t want those assets exposed to market risk. It is not a good idea, in general, to hold money out of the market that you intend to invest in stocks. On average, time that your money is out of the market and sitting in cash is time that you’ve lost out on possible growth in the market.
The second strategy for achieving the “buy low, sell high” outcome is simpler: buy a diversified group of stocks (via mutual funds or ETFs) and hold on to them for the long run. There are no guarantees in investing, but over the past 100 years the S&P 500 Index has an average gain of about 10% per year. If you owned all 500 of the companies in that index, you would no doubt have some winners and some losers among them. But overall, you would be buying your portfolio low and selling it high, which is exactly our goal. Taking it a step further, more diversification using smaller companies and international stocks can help reduce dependence on any one part of the market.
More than one hundred years of evidence shows us that keeping cash on the sideline is not a reliable way to increase your investment returns. If you have cash that you want invested in the market, do it. If you want to hold onto some cash, that’s fine, but I don’t recommend doing that with monies that you intend to invest in the market. Try not to get caught up in timing things, where you can end up missing out on periods of strong gains in the market.
How ever you choose to handle your cash, invest smartly 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. Past Performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The newly released Final Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice for the Caldor Fire Restoration Project offers restoration details for the roughly 11,700 acres of national forest lands in and around the Caldor Fire area.
“This decision will guide active forest management activities that will help accelerate post-fire recovery and enhance community protection,” said Deputy Forest Supervisor, Rosalie Herrera on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. “Proposed restoration measures are designed to restore meadows and streams, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce hazardous fuel loads in areas affected by the Caldor Fire.”
Proposed restoration activities include:
Thinning surviving tree stands and nearby unburned trees
Removing diseased, insect-infested, fire-killed, or damaged trees
Preparing areas to plant native seedlings
Using approved herbicides to support reforestation
Implementing prescribed fire
Restoring stream channels, meadows, and aquatic and aspen tree habitats
Improving wildlife habitat, including Protected Activity Centers
Due to the time-sensitive nature of the proposed action and the continued deterioration of forest stands in the Caldor Fire burn area, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit received an Emergency Action Determination for this project. This action waives the pre-decisional objection process and uses other emergency authorities to expedite project implementation. Preliminary survey and site preparation actions are planned to start in spring 2026.
The Final Environmental Assessment, Decision Notice, maps and supporting documents are available on the project webpage. Or contact Robert Lorens at robert.lorens@usda.gov for more information.
STATELINE, Nev. – Tickets for the 37th annual American Century Championship, celebrity golf’s most popular tournament with more than 80 sports and entertainment superstars, go on sale online, April 1, no fooling!
Daily General Admission Tickets, and week-long Grounds Badges for the July 8-12 extravaganza will be available online beginning at midnight, April 1 at: www.eventbrite.com(Link becomes active on April 1 and tickets are only available online through the official American Century Championship channel.)
Tickets for Wednesday’s and Thursday’s Celebrity-Amateur play are $50 each day with Tournament rounds Friday, Saturday and Sunday at $60 daily. A Grounds Badge for all five days – Wednesday through Sunday – is just $175, a savings of $105. The number of daily tickets is limited with Friday/Saturday sellouts typical, so fans are encouraged to act now to secure their spot among the stars. All ticket purchases will be online in advance – same day tickets will not be available at the gate.
For active duty and retired veterans, a limited supply of complimentary tickets for one person plus a guest for either Wednesday or Thursday rounds is available beginning April 1, two tickets maximum. Visit https://acc.spinzo.com for instructions.
The tournament will feature sports stars including Hall of Famers from the NFL, NBA and MLB, active and retired players, and Hollywood actors, comedians, and entertainers. The three-day, 54-hole event includes a $750,000 purse, with $150,000 going to the winner, plus a charity component for local and national non-profits.
South Shore’s most popular special event has received player commitments from fan favorites Stephen Curry, Charles Barkley, Travis and Jason Kelce, Colin Jost, Tony Romo, Miles Teller, Ray Romano, Nate Bargatze, Rob Mac, Larry the Cable Guy and Jack Wagner, who along with Jim McMahon, are the only two players who’ve competed in every tournament.
Current NFL stars include Baker Mayfield, Davante Adams, Trevor Lawrence, Kyle Juszczyk and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Hall of Famers feature Jerry Rice, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher and Dwight Freeney.
Defending champion Joe Pavelski returns along with top players Annika Sorenstam, MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz, former Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe and NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen. Retired MLB superstars include Albert Pujols, Hall of Famer Joe Maurer, Kevin Millar and Chase Utley.
As the celebrity field expands, fans can follow American Century Championship’s social channels for announcements as well as a current list of participants: americancenturychampionship.com.
The tournament’s format and setting perfectly complement Tahoe’s awe and vibe, with players and galleries enjoying beachfront and mountain views between the action. Boats line the stretch of the course along the par 3, 17th hole, bringing a celebratory summer atmosphere. Spectators directly along the green enjoy good-natured bantering with the players as they shoot free throws at the temporary basketball hoop adjacent to the tee box and toss footballs and souvenirs to fans.
The 2026 American Century Championship will utilize the Modified Stableford format whereby points are awarded by score per hole. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, a George Fazio design, has been rated by Golf Digest Magazine as one of “America’s Top 100 Golf Courses.”
American Century Investments, the title sponsor of the championship since 1999, continues its role in partnership with NBC Sports, theLake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the South Tahoe community. The tournament’s host hotels are Caesars Republic (formerly Harveys) and Harrah’s along with community partners including Bally’s, Golden Nugget and Margaritaville. American Century Investments offers $1 million for an ace on No. 17 during the three competitive rounds split with the Stowers Institute for Medical Research; Mastercraft Boats will be offering a $325,000 X24 speedboat for an ace on No. 12, Friday through Sunday (Jimmy Rollins sailed home last year with an ace and Tim Brown, the former Raiders wide receiver, also won a boat in 2024), and Travis Mathew provides giveaways, interactive games and items for purchase. For a list of all 2026 tournament sponsors: americancenturychampionship.com.
Since its inception in 1990, the American Century Championship has donated more than $8 million to local and national non-profits.
Antonio Benitez pictured with several Lake Tahoe College Promise studentsProvided/Antonio Benitez
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For many people, their aspirations of going to college are just that – aspirations. Whether you’re nurturing dreams of a career doing what you love, or you want to learn more about a subject that has always piqued your interest, turning your hopes into a reality can be hard if what you’re lacking are the finances to make it happen.
Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is opting for a bold way to break those financial restraints for first-time, full-time college students, and they’re doing so through the Lake Tahoe College Promise program.
First piloted in 2018, the program was launched through a replication grant out of the City University of New York (CUNY). In 2019, it became institutionalized with LTCC deciding to allocate funds toward it through public-private partnerships and state funds. Through local donors, those on the Nevada side of the basin are also eligible to enroll in the program.
“We started with 11 students, and now we have about 400 students,” said Antonio Benitez, Director of Lake Tahoe College Promise. “Ever since the Fall of 2019, our goal has been 100 new students and we just doubled that this year.”
Benefits of the program include up to three years of free tuition, $100 in book credit every term for the first two years, priority registration for classes, priority access to LTCC’s lending library which provides books, laptops, and calculators. In addition, students are given free tours to four-year universities, with the program even covering transportation, hotel and meal costs.
“We do as much as we can to remove the financial barriers so that students can focus on their education,” said Benitez.
As an LTCC alumni, Benitez credits much of his success to LTCC and the opportunities made available to him during his time at school. After graduating in 2016, he felt a sense of responsibility in returning to the same college and community that helped shape him so he can find ways to give back.
“Because of LTCC, I was able to transfer to UC Berkeley. I eventually got my masters in 2025, and with 100% confidence, I can say that without LTCC and them giving me the opportunity, I would not have been able to do that.”
Benitez enjoys a number of highlights as director of Lake Tahoe College Promise, but what takes precedence are the students he works with as he continues to do for others what was done for him.
“Listening to [students’] stories, their motivations, listening to their ‘why’ as to why they’re here, and just seeing students go off and then come back, that is extremely powerful. I just had a student today come from UCLA and say ‘thank you’,” Benitez said. “I wasn’t even expecting that visit, and it’s things like that that keep me going.”
Currently benefitting from Lake Tahoe College Promise is Gabriel Altunsu, a dual citizen to Türkiye and the United States. After determining his student aid index (SAI) number through FAFSA, his score was extremely low, meaning the lower the score, the more aid you need. During his first quarter at LTCC, he began searching for programs assisting low-income students.
He isn’t the only one hindered by the burden of not being able to afford a higher education. According to an analysis conducted by the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and reported in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrations, low-income students can’t afford 95% of colleges. Federal student loans aside, the analysis found that 70% of colleges were deemed unaffordable to lower-income students.
“As someone who has always tried to scrounge up nickels and dimes while also sending money back home, being able to have my textbooks paid for has saved me, really,” Altunsu said. “Because there was no way I was going to be able to afford them in the first place.”
Along with his praise for the program, Altunsu could not speak more highly of Benitez, noting how much he genuinely cares for everyone around him.
“Antonio has gone beyond his responsibilities as a director, an employee, as a citizen, to actually get to know who I am, the challenges I face as a student, my financial problems, and he has done everything possible to help me solve every problem that has come up,” said Altunsu.
With plans to earn an associate degree in political science at LTCC, Altunsu has his sights set on UC Berkeley for a bachelor’s degree followed by an international law degree as a double major in international relations.
“With those degrees, I want to be able to work in the United Nations and focus on advocacy for impoverished communities worldwide,” Altunsu said.
For students like Atlunsu, Lake Tahoe College Promise is the cornerstone, a vital step in achieving what once seemed impossible.
Since their institutional goal was doubled, Benitez now wants to focus inward. “Even though our three-year graduation rates are way above the national average, I want to continue to grow those numbers. I want to continue to grow our transfer numbers, our retention numbers and opportunities to partner with local businesses to help secure jobs for our students after graduation.”
UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe offer workshops and classes during the summer monthsProvided/Sandy Gainza
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – When it comes to horticulture in the Tahoe Basin, spring looks a lot like uncertainty. How long will the warm weather last before a cold front rolls in? Is it too soon to plant those vegetable seeds outside?
Some of the answers to these questions require years worth of experience planting in the Sierra Nevadas, just ask Sandy Gainza – UC Master Gardener of Lake Tahoe who has been gardening her entire life.
The UC Master Gardener Program is an education and outreach program made up of volunteers who provide intensive horticultural education, sustainable landscape practices, and pest management to communities statewide through the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. They offer workshops as well as school and community demonstrations.
Prior to living in Zephyr Cove, Gainza grew up gardening in Solano County, a very fertile area of California. After her move, she found herself having to make some adjustments.
“As far as trying to create a garden of plants you would like to grow rather than plants that want to grow in Tahoe, it’s a culture shock to a lot of people that move up here,” Gainza said.
Many can be fooled by the warmer weather during the early spring months, assuming it’s safe to begin planting for the season.
“We Master Gardeners caution everyone not to get too excited about warm weather in March because it still could freeze and snow up until mid-June,” Gainza said. “In fact, it’s important to point out to everyone that snow and freezing temperatures can happen any month of the year up here.”
As for this ‘in-between winter and spring’ window in Tahoe, what can you do? Gainza and the UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe have some tips:
Identify climate zones
Weather and temperatures can vary depending on which part of the lake you’re gardening in. “Advice that you give somebody from my part of the lake won’t help somebody that lives in a colder part of the lake,” said Gainza. Lake Tahoe’s USDA climate zones range from 6b-7a, according to the UC Master Gardener website. To locate your climate zone, visit https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-lake-tahoe-basin/tahoe-friendly-garden-planting-zones-lake-tahoe.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapProvided/UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe
Begin planting seeds indoors
With the possibility of freezing temperatures during the early spring months in Tahoe, Gainza warns that planting outside too early could lead to disappointment. If you want to get a jump on your garden, utilize indoor planting until the weather shows consistently warmer temperatures. In reference to the UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe newsletter, you can start most vegetable and herb seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost, using tools like grow lights, humidity domes and heat mats.
Research wildlife in your area
One of the best ways to maintain and sustain your garden is to be aware of the wildlife that may want to use your crops and plants as snacks, such as squirrels, mice, birds and bears. “Wildlife are going to come out, they’re going to be hungry and they’re going to be looking for lovely things to eat. Lots of times, those things are the ornamental plants that people plant up here that have delicate foliage and taste good,” added Gainza. Practicing safe pest control methods that don’t harm wildlife should be researched if you’re looking to keep certain animals out. However, creating a garden that benefits the ecosystem in Tahoe is also important. Planting native plants to invite wildlife in could aid in restoring Tahoe’s natural habitat. To learn more about beneficial wildlife habitat resources, visit https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-lake-tahoe-basin/central-sierra-lake-tahoe-basin-master-gardener-tahoe-2
Seeds that do well this time of year:
Potatoes
Sunchokes (Jerusalem artichoke)
Kohlrabi
Beetroot
Carrots
Onions
Leeks
Garlic
Kale
Swiss Chard
Lettuce
Arugula
Spinach
Snow peas
UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe will be attending festivals throughout the summer including Earth Day at Lake Tahoe Community College on April 18, 2026. You can also find them every Tuesday at the El Dorado County Certified Farmers’ Market.
UC Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe will be at Earth Day Festival at LTCC on April 18Provided/Sandy Gainza
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – With the highest fuel prices in the nation, California’s average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 23 cents this past week and $1.21 in the last month, reaching $5.84. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 10 cents from last week and one dollar since last month, climbing to $3.98. Crude oil prices remain high as the Iran conflict nears the 4-week mark.
“The national average could reach $4/gallon in the coming days for the first time since August 2022,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Gasoline demand remains on the rise as spring break season continues, another factor in surging pump prices.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.72 million b/d to 8.92 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 244 million barrels to 241.4 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day.
Regular vs. Premium: Pay close attention to the words “recommended” and “required.” If regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. Choosing premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy.
Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle (e.g., trunk, cargo area, etc. ) as weight increases the amount of effort it takes to move the vehicle.
Avoid Excessive Idling: When idling, car engines use up to one-half gallons of fuel per hour. Warm engines take about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. Shut off your engine when stopped for more than a minute and if it’s safe to do so.
Check Tire Pressure and Align Tires: Maintaining proper tire pressure reduces your tire’s friction with the road. Less friction means less energy is needed to move, resulting in using less gas. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average.
Take Advantage Of Fuel Rewards: AAA members can save at the pump over Spring Break by signing up for Shell Fuel Rewards®. Members who register now through April 30 will get 35¢/gallon off their first fill at participating Shell stations, and all AAA Fuel Rewards members will save 10¢/gallon during that time period, which is an additional 5¢/gallon compared to the standard Fuel Rewards discount.
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $2.03 to settle at $90.32 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 6.9 million barrels from the previous week. At 456.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 0.1% above the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 41 cents. In California it’s 46 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($5.84), Hawaii ($5.33), Washington ($5.30), Nevada ($4.86), Oregon ($4.86), Arizona ($4.63), Alaska ($4.57), Idaho ($4.25), Illinois ($4.23), and Utah ($4.16).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($3.25), Kansas ($3.27), Iowa ($3.31), Nebraska ($3.38), Arkansas ($3.39), South Dakota ($3.41), Missouri ($3.42), Minnesota ($3.43), North Dakota ($3.43), and Mississippi ($3.56).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (50 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), South Carolina (46 cents), California (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Idaho (43 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (29 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Utah (32 cents), Nebraska (33 cents), Iowa (34 cents), Maryland (34 cents), Vermont (34 cents), South Dakota (34 cents), Delaware (36 cents), and New Mexico (36 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at gasprices.aaa.com.
Born in Hanford, California, to Sam and Rosie Borges. Grew up in Lemoore, California until the family moved to San Jose in 1955. Sam sold tractors and created a side job cutting wood, recruiting Rosie and his 3 boys to cut, deliver and stack 200 cords of Oak wood a year. The family moved to Tahoe in 1965 where Sam started a sleigh ride business (after Dave won a pony in a local raffle) at Stateline on a handshake agreement with Brooks Park. The hard work
as a youth laid a foundation for Don’s later achievements as an athlete. All of the Borges boys excelled at sports. Don became a multi-sport competitor at South Tahoe High School, graduating in 1970. He was a 3-sport varsity letterman: football, track and basketball. Don liked to say that he was voted most valuable player his freshman year in basketball, then Coach Bartholomew told him to go out for wrestling. Don shared the title of Most Valuable Athlete his
senior year with his close friend John Phoenix.
Don got his College degree at Sac State, Home of the Hornets. Don said the fight cry is “BZZZZZZ, Keep those stingers up!” To pay for college he drove home every weekend in his dune buggy (with a visqueen top and no heat!) to park cars at Harvey’s. After graduation he returned to Tahoe and taught for 37 years at STHS, including teaching math, coaching football and wrestling, and becoming Athletic Director for many years. Don just loved sports. Even before becoming AD you would find him at virtually every game. In the bleachers of a freshman softball game you would see the parents, and Don, the only non-parent spectator!
Don touched many lives here in Tahoe, teaching several generations of families. His students called him “By the books Borges”. Many of the girls teasingly called him “Gorgeous Borges.” His fellow teachers said that they went to the staff meetings because Don always kept it entertaining. He would end his Athletic Director staff report with “And remember, if you can’t be an athlete, be an Athletic Supporter.”
Sam and Rosie began waterskiing in their 30s and took to it immediately, becoming speed ski champions of California for a decade. Don could ski practically from the time he walked! Wherever in the world Don and Kath ventured, like Hawaii, Tahiti, Europe, Thailand, every vacation had to involve water and swimming every day. He has run Borges Waterski and Wakeboard school for 50 years. One special family, the Sylvio’s from LA, have been coming to Tahoe every year for the past 50 years to ski, first with Rosie’s Waterski School and then several generations with Don. As many as 40 still come up every year to ski with Don. They have become like family.
Don had many lifelong friends, especially his STHS Class of ’70 buddies who have remained extremely close to this day. When Don and Kath would have “the gang” over, it became a joke that, as the time approached 9 pm, Don would stretch, yawn, and then point to the front door and kick everyone out! and announce that he needed his “beauty rest,” always with good humor.
Don lived to make people smile, always entertaining and funny. Especially when he led large groups in singing the theme song of “Bonanza.” Who knew it had words! Well, if you had Lorne Greene’s Greatest Hits like Don has, you’d know!
It’s probably appropriate to end his life while doing laps in a swimming pool with a heart attack. His passing will leave a huge hole in many people’s hearts.
Don is survived by his wife Katherine who he always called “The love of my life;” brothers Dean, Dave and Dwight (and acquired brother Bob Lopez); along with their families and legions of friends. AND, the light of Don’s life, their yellow lab EmmyBay (named for Emerald Bay).
Notices will be sent for a “Celebration of Life” when time allows.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fabian Gomez, 37, was sentenced on Monday by Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, between August 2020 and May 2022, Gomez and others worked together to sell methamphetamine in and around South Lake Tahoe. Over those two years, Gomez also worked alone to sell both heroin and methamphetamine. While most of Gomez’s distribution happened in and around South Lake Tahoe, the investigation uncovered that some of the drug supply was coming from Sacramento. Gomez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, on Dec. 8, 2025.
Epifanio Ramirez, another defendant charged in this case, was sentenced on Jan. 12, 2026, to 24.5 years in prison for three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Ramirez pleaded guilty in September 2025.
The charges in this case arose from Operation Bear Trap, which law enforcement agencies began in 2020 to address the growing problem of methamphetamine distribution in South Lake Tahoe. Gomez was charged along with six other defendants in 2022, who were collectively charged with methamphetamine and heroin distribution. Over the course of the operation, law enforcement agencies have interdicted methamphetamine, heroin, and numerous firearms, including “ghost” pistols and assault rifles (firearms manufactured without serial numbers, making them harder for law enforcement to trace).
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) has released for public review the draft environmental document for the Van Sickle Bi-State Park Safety and Equitable Access Improvements Project (Project).
The Project includes:
0.4 miles of paved shared-use trail connecting the park entrance to the California day-use area and the state boundary line
a new park entrance plaza
a new state boundary line monument
two new picnic areas
accessibility improvements to existing restrooms
improvements to the existing parking lot to improve storm water management and snow removal and storage.
The Conservancy invites all interested parties to comment on the Draft Supplemental Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration/Initial Environmental Checklist for the Project, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Code of Ordinances and Rules of Procedure.
The draft environmental document is available for a 30-day public review period from March 26 to April 27, 2026. Visit tahoe.ca.gov/van-sickle-improvements to review and comment on the environmental document. The public may contact Scott Cecchi, Scott.Cecchi@tahoe.ca.gov, with any further questions.
TRUCKEE, Calif. – Until official investigations conclude, much about the avalanche near Castle Peak that killed nine people remains unknown. Many looking back at the event are asking the same questions: Why was a guided group of skiers traveling during such a powerful storm? What factors shaped that decision? And could anyone be held legally responsible?
To better understand the legal framework surrounding the incident, the Tahoe Tribune spoke with trial lawyer Mark Ellis, founding partner of Ellis Law Group.
“Guides and the company that employs the guides have a legal responsibility to not increase a risk that already exists whenever you go into the backcountry,” Ellis said.
If they do, that could be classified as negligence.
“Negligence involves conduct which we say is below the standard of care of what a reasonably careful person would do to protect themselves and or others,” Ellis said.
In court, determining negligence typically revolves around four key questions: Did someone owe a duty of care? Who did they owe that duty to? Was that duty breached? Did that breach cause damages?
“Hiking or skiing in the backcountry is dangerous, and it was particularly dangerous on the weekend that these folks were at Castle Peak,” Ellis said.
The Sierra Sun had begun tracking the forecasted storm cycle on Feb. 12, when OpenSnow identified it as California’s first significant system since the holidays. At the time, forecasts predicted 3 to 5 feet of snow across Tahoe ski areas and the western slopes of the Sierra, with the storm expected between Feb. 16 and Feb. 19. The storm ended up being one of the snowiest storms on record for the region.
Officials said the group was concluding a three-day guided backcountry trip to the Frog Lake huts. The trip was operated by Blackbird Mountain Guides, one of several companies offering guided backcountry ski and splitboard excursions in the region. The guided group departed on Feb. 15 and was attempting their return on Feb. 17, when the fatal avalanche occurred.
Ultimately, a court would need to determine whether the guides or guide company acted improperly or whether the group encountered risks inherent to traveling in the backcountry.
Factors investigators and courts may examine
“I’m not saying there is a case and I’m not saying there’s not a case,” Ellis said. “But these are some factors that you would look at.”
Those factors include:
The experience level of the guides.
The experience level of the participants.
What participants understood about the risks involved.
The judgment exercised by the guides and whether it was appropriate under the circumstances.
Whether economic incentives may have influenced a decision not to cancel despite dangerous conditions.
One question, Ellis said, stands out and may eventually be examined.
“Why did they decide to leave the cabins or huts and hike out?” he said. “I don’t know the answer to that, but it will be important.”
Ultimately, courts would examine whether the decisions made at the time were reasonable given the conditions.
He cautioned against evaluating those decisions based on what is known now. People often critique decisions using information that only became clear after the outcome was known — a perspective that is not necessarily relevant in court.
“Hindsight is golden and 20/20 after catastrophic situations like this,” Ellis said.
How recreation companies protect themselves
If an accident occurs, outdoor recreation companies often rely on two major legal protections.
The first is the liability waiver participants are typically required to sign before activities such as guided ski trips, whitewater rafting excursions or even purchasing a ski resort pass.
“The efficacy of the release really depends upon the language,” Ellis said. “Some are drafted very well and some are not drafted as well and don’t give seamless coverage.”
The second protection is the legal doctrine known as assumption of risk.
“That is the concept that you’re going to undertake a risky recreational activity, and you assume the risk of getting hurt,” Ellis explained. “In many cases you often get a motion to dismiss the claim right out of the box based upon these two defenses.”
A tragedy of unusual scale
Outdoor recreation accidents — and the lawsuits that sometimes follow — are not uncommon, Ellis said.
“Accidents happen all the time. Lawsuits happen all the time,” he said.
What makes the Castle Peak avalanche distinct, however, is the scale of the tragedy and the experience level of those involved, he said.
According to the victims’ families, the group was made up of seasoned backcountry skiers. Blackbird Mountain Guides said all of the trip’s guides were trained or certified by the American Mountain Guides Association in backcountry skiing. Each guide was also an instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education — the industry standard for avalanche education — and certified to teach.
For now, many questions surrounding the avalanche remain unanswered. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and determining whether negligence played a role may ultimately depend on details that have yet to be made public.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, announces the appointment of David Campbell as executive pastry chef. In his new role, Campbell will lead the resort’s pastry program, overseeing menu development, production, and presentation for all dining outlets, banquets, and special events while elevating the overall dessert experience for guests.
Chef David Campbell
“We are delighted to have David join our team at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe,” said Pascal Dupuis, general manager of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “His extraordinary talent, global experience, and creative vision are the perfect complement to our team, and we look forward to seeing the incredible desserts he will craft for our guests.”
Campbell brings more than three decades of international pastry experience to the resort. Throughout his career, he has worked across the Caribbean, the United States, Macao, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, France, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi, developing a distinctive global perspective rooted in technique, creativity, and cultural influence. His extensive travels have shaped a refined and thoughtful approach to flavor combinations, presentation, and innovation.
“I am honored to join the culinary team at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and to bring my global pastry experience to such a beautiful and inspiring destination,” said David Campbell, executive pastry chef at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino.
“I look forward to creating desserts that celebrate both artistry and flavor, and to crafting memorable moments for our guests through chocolate and other sweet creations.”
Campbell’s desserts will be featured across the resort, including at Osteria Sierra, the resort’s signature Italian restaurant known for its handcrafted pastas and wood-fired pizzas, and Tahoe Provisions, a casual café offering grab-and-go pastries, coffee, and quick meals. This allows both guests and locals to enjoy his creations throughout the day, whether sitting down for a full meal or picking up something on the go.
Campbell frequently draws inspiration from chocolate when developing desserts, pairing classic techniques with global influences. His creative approach is further informed by the work of Japanese painter Riusuke Fukahori, whose intricate goldfish artwork symbolizes happiness and good fortune in Japan. Campbell is an avid reader of pastry and savory literature and regularly follows leading culinary publications from Japan, Spain, and France to stay current with international trends.
With his international background and creative vision, Campbell looks forward to enhancing the resort’s pastry offerings and contributing to the continued evolution of its culinary program.
For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.
FIVE LAKES RECREATION AREA, Calif. – Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue (TNSAR) released more details regarding its response to the plane crash that occurred on Sunday afternoon.
Team members approached the crash site in the Five Lakes area from both land and air.
Assistance from Care Flight through its Crew Card program allowed two TNSAR team members to be flown directly to the crash site.
“This marked our first mission utilizing this program,” TNSAR said, “and we’re grateful for how seamlessly it came together.”
Meanwhile, about 20 additional team members approached on foot, carrying skis on their backs. They were able to hike to the Five Lakes area via private property, called the White Wolf Tahoe, which the owner, Troy Caldwell, granted access to.
TNSAR’s Scott Meyer operated a PistenBully 100 snowcat up KT access road at Palisades Tahoe, navigating over the crest and into Five Lakes for the first time, assisting with the transport of the deceased pilot.
Reports reveal that the white aircraft was experiencing engine trouble before it went down.
“Our hearts are with the pilot’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. The aviation community here in Truckee is a close-knit one, and this loss is felt deeply by so many across our town,” TNSAR said.
The Tribune will provide more details as they become available.
To try and decide each week where and what to eat around the basin can be a challenge – there are so many amazing choices. In this feature we’ll dive into dishes that will surely satisfy those hunger pangs and leave you wondering where to go next.
Without a doubt, if you’re a fan of Chinese food, you’ve seen some variation of this week’s feature. Or maybe better yet, you’ve seen this week’s feature, and you asked yourself, “why gives it that deep pink hue around the exterior?” Regardless of your connection (or non-connection) to this week’s dish, it’s a delicious endeavor worth diving into.
Kung Pao Hustle’s Char Siu PorkRob Galloway / Tahoe Daily Tribune
In this dish, everything starts with the pork. It is marinated and glazed in a five-spice honey mixture before barbecued to perfection. It’s served with a Chinese barbecue sauce and sliced bok choy for a nice little variation from bite to bite.
If this pork was an Elvis song it would be “Love Me Tender.” It’s so juicy, tender and packed with flavor that your taste buds would literally give you a death stare if you didn’t partake. A little savory, little sweet it also folds in walks of earthiness from the spice. And once you take a dip into that sweet and savory sauce, it’s game on when it comes to flavor.
Whether you grab it with the veggies on the plate, or a side of rice, you are in good hands when it comes to flavor. And if that flavor ever makes its way into your weekly menu, you’re surely going to see how this dish might find its way into your weekly rotation.
Kung Pao Hustle is located at 2100 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe. You can reach them online at kungpaohustle.com or by phone at 530-420-8424.
Three Ways to Plan a Walkable Meeting Near Tahoe Blue Event Center
When your attendees can move from keynote to cocktails without waiting on a shuttle, everything clicks a little more easily. And when the lake is just down the block, even the space between agenda items starts to feel like part of the experience instead of time lost in transit.
That’s what makes meetings in South Lake Tahoe stand out. Tahoe Blue Event Center gives planners a flexible, state-of-the-art home base for conferences, conventions, sporting events, and large-scale gatherings, all within a walkable entertainment district filled with hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and lake views.
Below are example pairings based on planners’ most frequently requested event needs. The beauty of Tahoe’s ultra-walkable district is that these plans are simply starting points. Hotels, dining, and after-hours experiences can be mixed and matched to create the flow that fits your group best.
Option 1: Closest to the Action
Best for: Tight agendas, limited walking, and schedules that need everything right there.
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe and Bally’s Lake Tahoe Resort Casino put your attendees just steps from Tahoe Blue Event Center, making them especially convenient for expo-heavy programs, general sessions, and packed agendas where every minute matters. When people can get from their room to the venue in just a couple of minutes, the whole day feels easier.
Perfect pairings include:
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe: 500+ rooms, about a 2-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
Bally’s Lake Tahoe Resort Casino: 430 rooms, about a 2-minute walk and shares a parking lot with the event center
Ciera Steak + Chophouse: A AAA Four Diamond Award-winning steakhouse option for a more elevated group dinner
The Oyster Bar: A choice seafood spot inside Golden Nugget that adds variety without sacrificing convenience
Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger: A casual late-night option that’s open 24/7, perfect for your night-owls and early-risers.
Option 2: Dining, Nightlife, and Built-In Energy
Best for: Multi-track meetings, flexible agendas, and groups that want built-in dining and after-hours options.
Maybe you want walkability, but you also want more built into the experience. More breakout flexibility. More dining options. More ways for the evening to keep going once the badges come off.
Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe and Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino make that kind of setup easy. Both are within a short walk of Tahoe Blue Event Center, giving planners room to build an event that feels connected without feeling confined. This is a great approach for meetings with layered agendas, multiple session types, or groups that want after-hours options baked right into the destination.
Perfect pairings include:
Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe: 400 suites, about an 8-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe: 742 rooms, about a 7-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Lake Tahoe: Perfect for a splashy hosted dinner
Wolf by Vanderpump: A stylish choice for VIP dinners or high-energy evenings
Lake Tahoe AleworX and Noel’s Apothecary: Go-to nightlife spots for post-event socializing without adding transportation to the mix
This option gives attendees options while keeping everyone in the same orbit. It lets your event expand naturally without losing that all-together feel.
Option 3: Lake-Centered Experiences
Best for: Executive gatherings, incentive-style programs, and events that want more of Tahoe built into the experience.
If you want attendees to feel Tahoe in a bigger way, consider staying nearby at The Landing Resort & Spa or Edgewood Tahoe Resort. Both keep Tahoe Blue Event Center close, but position the lake front and center in your overall program.
These properties are a natural fit for executive retreats, incentives, and programs with welcome receptions, VIP moments, or built-in scenic downtime. Edgewood delivers a luxury experience with direct lake access and golf course views, while The Landing offers a boutique, lakeside setting with a quieter, more intimate feel. As the furthest walk on this list, The Landing pairs well with Lake Link, Tahoe’s free on-demand shuttle, for easy transfers.
Perfect pairings include:
Edgewood Tahoe Resort: 154 rooms plus villas, about an 11-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
The Landing Resort & Spa: 82 rooms, approximately a 15-20 minute walk to Tahoe Blue Event Center. Lake Link recommended for some groups
JWB Prime Steak and Seafood: An upscale option for hosted dinners or executive groups
Lakeside Dining: California-inspired cuisine on the waterfront and on property at The Landing Resort.
Brooks’ Bar & Deck: A relaxed lake-and-golf-course atmosphere with unmistakable Tahoe character
This is where business and backdrop start to blur in the best way. A morning session can lead to a lakeside lunch. A productive day can end with sunset views and a dinner your attendees will actually remember.
A Smarter Way to Plan in South Lake Tahoe
Regardless of what you choose, South Lake Tahoe makes it easier to create meetings that feel connected, attendee-friendly, and distinctly elevated. Tahoe Blue Event Center gives you the anchor. The surrounding hotels, restaurants, and after-hours options help everything else fall into place.
Start your RFP with the Visit Lake Tahoe meetings team and plan a walkable agenda around Tahoe Blue Event Center for your next South Shore event.
At around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, an aircraft traveling from the Monterey Regional Airport to the Truckee Tahoe Airport crashed southwest of Olympic Valley in the Five Lakes area between White Wolf and Granite Chief Wilderness.
The pilot, killed in the crash, was the only person on board. The six-seat plane, a 1973 Beechcraft 36 Bonanza single-engine piston aircraft, was registered to James Wholey from Saratoga. Wholey is registered as the co-owner.
According to the Truckee Tahoe Airport, the aircraft was hangered at the airport. The accident occurred outside the Truckee airport’s airspace. The main investigators are the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
CHP Air Operations out of Auburn and Care Flight performed the initial aerial search,
and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue was deployed to help with the rescue.
What’s with the lack of snow this winter in Truckee/Tahoe, and will it change the business of snow down the line?
These questions typically surface every time there’s a relatively warm winter, and/or one with little snow, and that has certainly been the case for winter 2025/26. Compared the 1991 to 2020 stretch of measurements, on March 22, 2026, the accumulated snowfall taken at UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab was 75 inches shy of the median.
A 25/26 WINTER PREDICTION: The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center issued a forecast for the 2025/26 season in November 2025, anticipating a La Niña year, which yields stronger trade winds pushing warm water toward Asia. The movement of cold water tends to bring drought in the southern U.S. and heavier precipitation in the north and Canada. Courtesy graphic
This winter was anticipated to be a La Niña year — a natural climate pattern known for colder sea temperatures, with wetter conditions in the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada, and warmer, drier conditions in the southern parts of the U.S. The Truckee/North Tahoe area held an equal chance of experiencing either set of conditions.
“The season started slower than expected with relatively dry conditions until the new year, when we saw as much as 10 to 12 feet of snow in a few days,” wrote Ski California President John Rice in an email. “Most resorts went from zero to 100, reminding us that it can take just one storm in the Sierras to get it started. We did not experience much weather between that event and the second major storm cycle that brought another 10 feet of snow, only to be followed up with several inches of rain.
“The season is not over yet,” he added. “We could still see a March Miracle or an April Fools snow event. The East Coast was favored by Mother Nature this winter over the West.”
AN EAST WIND: Jan. 8 at Palisades Tahoe featured a new east wind — seen here blowing snow from Headwall face toward and into Sun Bowl — signaled the onset of the high-pressure ridge that lasted until mid-February. Photo by Jon Grant/Moonshine Ink
Still, many local ski resorts are ending their seasons earlier than usual. Sierra-at-Tahoe closed March 22, its second-earliest closure ever after the 2014/15 winter. It’s impossible to separate low snow from our economies’ reliance on tourism — more than 60% of the Tahoe Basin’s economic output, the Tahoe Prosperity Center reports, relies on it. And in Truckee, tourism supported roughly 1,670 jobs and generated $63.7 million locally in 2024. With a 4.5-degree Fahrenheit increase in average daily minimum (nighttime) temperature since 1911, and increasingly fewer days when it’s even cold enough to snow, as the Tahoe Environmental Research Center reports, the business of winter can’t be static.
“The East Coast was favored by Mother Nature this winter over the West.”
~ John Rice, Ski California president
Various local resorts speak to their realities of the collectively less-than-impressive 25/26 winter, and what their mindsets are for future spring shoulder seasons that bloom earlier and earlier. Moonshine Ink reached out to multiple ski shops for additional comment, but they declined to comment.
“Despite being open only 84 days, it felt like a really great season,” said Molly Casper, the marketing and communications coordinator for Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, which closed on March 11. “We had some really great events … If you have enough packed snow and cold temperatures overnight, skiing is fantastic at Tahoe XC. The groomers were incredible. We stayed open as long as we could.”
Tahoe XC operates year-round, with mountain biking programming, nature camp, and other summertime opportunities. The nonprofit is also in the process of raising funds to open a new lodge near North Tahoe High School, “where we can support a more year-round business model and create longer-term employment for our employees,” Casper said. “I think that’s the real downside of being a seasonal business is not being able to sustain employment for as long as we want. The community really shows up and it’s impossible to say we had a bad winter with all that support but it’s bittersweet to end the season and not see each other every day.”
Even without snow, Tahoe XC is still hosting the Tahoe Nordic Expo on April 4. Casper said it was always known there might not be much snow by then, but events are happening regardless, including biathlon training, a backcountry clinic, a virtual panel, and a ton more.
Such warmer-weather approaches are common among “every resort in business today,” per Rice. “Some [are] more aggressive than others [in opportunities], with investments in mountain biking, sightseeing, hiking, events, weddings, and other activities,” Rice wrote. “Mountain playgrounds are in demand year around and ski resorts, especially those on public land, are ready to provide outdoor recreation without snow. Since ski resorts have the most to lose regarding climate change, we don’t get into the politics of the debate, rather focus on sustainability practices and use our position to educate our guests and employees to do their part to take care of our environment.”
8,260 FEET: With its high base elevation, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe received all snow (no rain) in the late-December storms and was fully open for the Christmas-New Year’s week, when this photo was taken. Photo by Jon Grant/Moonshine Ink
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has a different outlook on this winter, literally and figuratively.
“We do have our clear advantages during leaner times,” said Mike Pierce, marketing director for the resort, which has the area’s highest base elevation at 8,260 feet.
He said that his team is “fighting the PR battle” on the general perception that conditions aren’t ideal and it’s been a short winter. With about 240 inches of snow this season, Mt. Rose will likely stay open until April 26.
In general, he noted December was unique, with more competing ski teams from other resorts on the slopes than usual.
“The community really shows up and it’s impossible to say we had a bad winter with all that support but it’s bittersweet to end the season and not see each other every day.”
~ Molly Casper, Tahoe XC Marketing and Communications Coordinator
As for eyeing future warming, Pierce said Mt. Rose will continue its investment in snowmaking: “We have 80 guns on the hill, and we will continue with that.”
Rice echoed this snowmaking sentiment. “Snowmaking has come a long way with new technologies and ways to convert water to a frozen, non-consumptive use. As snow is stored on mountain slopes, it returns to the groundwater and rivers during as the snow melts.
Despite a slow start and few weather events, as well as tragedies like the avalanche at Castle Peak, Rice said the season has shown “a normal pattern of activity” and encouraged ongoing education, like through Ski California’s Mountain Safety Guide.
“Having worked in the ski industry for over 40 years, I have witnessed low snow, normal snow totals, and extreme snow seasons,” Rice wrote. “Weather is always changing, and the ski industry is always adapting. It’s important to remember that one season doesn’t signal a trend.”
As we approach the one-month commemoration of the avalanche at Perry’s Peak on Feb. 17, the Truckee/Tahoe community continues to grieve deeply after what is to date the deadliest avalanche in modern California history.
Nine individuals — six women who were part of a friend group on a backcountry skiing trip, and three mountain guides (two men and one woman) — were killed by an avalanche during whiteout winter conditions. All were described as passionate and skilled backcountry skiers.
Many questions remain, the most significant of which centers on why a group of knowledgeable skiers elected to venture out at all, and to take the path they did during dangerous winter conditions and amid an active avalanche warning. While the event itself remains under investigation on a multitude of fronts, with the possibility of lawsuits, enough core information about what took place exists to create a timeline of events.
Moonshine Ink conducted numerous interviews, reviewed reports, and sorted through volumes of information to better understand what happened on that snowy Tuesday in mid-February.
Sunday, Feb. 15, to Monday, Feb. 16
In the days leading up to Sunday, Sierra Avalanche Center forecasters note weak snowpack structures and flag them as “a concern for future storm-loading events,” adding that such layers in the past have contributed to avalanches.
At 6:49 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15 — a few short hours before four Blackbird Mountain Guides are scheduled to meet the groups they will guide —the Sierra Avalanche Center issues its first backcountry avalanche watch since Dec. 25, 2025.
“A powerful multi-day winter storm arrives this evening,” notes the report. “Snowfall is forecast to begin tonight and continue for several days.”
THREE DAYS LATER: On Friday, Feb. 20, helicopter crews were finally cleared to fly over the site of the Feb. 17 avalanche. By the time of this photo, additional snow had covered up signs of the avalanche (upper middle of this shot) and its debris. Mitigation efforts to curtail additional avalanches had not yet been performed. Photo courtesy Sierra Avalanche Center
Blackbird itself also calls for vigilance. On a social media post the same day, Blackbird guide Jan Czyzewski and founder and guide Zeb Blais post an observation from Mount Rose near Incline Village, saying, “Pay close attention to @savycenter and use extra caution this week!” and referencing a buried, weak, faceted layer in northerly aspects. “This weak layer could lead to some unpredictable avalanches!” reads text on the video. “Typically we’d expect small amounts of faceting between big storms, but with a crust and extended dry period for the month of January into February, faceting has been a driving force in the snowpack.
“The result is a particularly weak layer in many northerly aspects, across various elevation bands. As we move into a large storm cycle this week, pay close attention to places where faceting has been particularly strong — avalanches could behave abnormally, and the hazard could last longer than normal.”
Blackbird’s day-one itinerary for Frog Lake huts trips is to meet at a trailhead off I-80 in the morning, venture to the huts, unpack, and tour the area. “After we’ve had our fill of riding for the day,” the trip-specific website states, “we’ll settle back into the huts and prepare for dinner.”
According to Strava data from Blackbird guide Niki Choo, one of two who guided the group of eight female friends, Choo’s group begins its tour from the Donner Summit SNO-Park. About 4 miles later, after slipping down into the Frog Lake basin via Frog Lake Notch (a steep gully beneath Perry’s Peak), they likely drop gear off at the huts before setting out for another 2.5 mile-loop around Perry’s Peak, back to the notch, and down to the huts.
The following morning, Feb. 16, Choo’s Strava data shows another tour, this one 5 miles long in the Horse Hill area northeast of Frog Lake. While Monday begins the start of a five-day snowstorm that will become the third-snowiest on record, only 2 inches fall on this day, according to OpenSnow.
Horrific conditions, just whiteout conditions. It’s a known area where we have a lot of search and rescue missions — that Castle Peak, Peter Grubb Hut, Frog Lake Hut area — so we train in that area; they knew the terrain. That doesn’t make it easier for them with the snow conditions and wind conditions. What was going through my mind is hopefully they can get there, to the six that were sheltering in place.”
~ Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon
Three modern huts are available for booking at Frog Lake, a circular, subalpine lake northwest of Donner Lake by about 3.5 miles, all owned and managed by Truckee Donner Land Trust. In total, 20 guests can sleep across the huts, each of which provides electrical outlets, flushing toilets, hot and cold water, gas stoves, and other amenities.
Serving as the communal space is the Eschenbach Backcountry House, providing a kitchen, fireplace, sitting areas, and map room for planning out recreation options. The Ginger Hut is a renovated summer cabin from before the land trust purchased the site, and is where “hutmeisters” stay to offer a mixture of hospitality and maintenance for guests.
TDLT staff said the majority of reservations are claimed months in advance, with any remaining spots filling in from there.
“[There are] closed periods in the spring and fall for maintenance, admin, and the general challenges of getting there in between [seasons],” said Greyson Howard, communications director for the land trust. “We’ve typically seen both summer and winter over 80% to over 90% occupancy.”
Various guide service options are available, though not required, to reach Frog Lake, particularly helpful for those with “concerns about safety or navigation in visiting the backcountry huts,” as stated on the land trust website, which also lists the following guide options (completely separate from land trust operations): North American Ski Training & Climbing, Alpenglow Expeditions, Alpine Skills International, Tahoe Mountain School, Blackbird Mountain Guides (which offers gear/food porter services), Backcountry Babes, and Dirt Gypsy Adventures (a trailhead shuttle).
Such guiding companies will make reservations for groups just like any guest would.
THE VIEW FROM THE NOTCH: Skier Miles Barker looks out over Frog Lake in December 2024. Routes into the area via trails from the north and northwest often result in skiers dropping down into what’s called Frog Lake Notch, the top of which is pictured here. Courtesy photo
Tuesday, Feb. 17
The Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC) is one of 14 Forest Service avalanche centers in the U.S.
Forecasting and potentially issuing avalanche watches and warnings starts with daily field work and monitoring the snowpack from the beginning of the winter to late April. SAC observers go out into the forecast area, which comprises 1,500 square miles in the greater Lake Tahoe area, from Yuba Pass on Highway 49 to the north to Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 in the south. Forecasters observe the weather, the snowpack, and any other signs of instability in the snow.
Next, SAC takes the day’s observations, along with their expertise, and uses a tool called the Conceptional Model of Avalanche Hazard. The CMAH identifies the key components of avalanche hazard and structures them into a systematic, consistent workflow for hazard and risk assessments. There are four sequential questions to answer when assessing avalanche hazard:
What type of avalanche problem(s) exists?
Where are these problems located in the terrain?
How likely is it that an avalanche will occur? and
How big will the avalanche be?
“From that, we can figure out our avalanche problems and move from there to the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale,” SAC lead forecaster Brandon Schwartz said.
The NAPADS is a system that rates avalanche danger and provides general travel advice based on the likelihood, size, and distribution of expected avalanches. It consists of five levels, from least to highest amount of danger: 1 (low), 2 (moderate), 3 (considerable), 4 (high), and 5 (extreme). Danger ratings are typically provided for three distinct elevation bands. Although the danger ratings are assigned numerical levels, the danger increases exponentially from one to the next. In other words, the hazard rises dramatically in the higher levels on the scale.
Also factored into SAC’s forecasting is the snowpack history of the season to date combined with what occurred at weather stations overnight, such as wind. SAC works closely with the National Weather Service in Reno. In the afternoon, avalanche forecasters meet to discuss the information gathered that morning and see what other observations come in over the course of the day.
“And then the following morning, the forecaster who was authoring the [forecast] is looking at what happened overnight on weather stations in terms of temperatures, winds, snowfall, looking at cloud cover,” Schwartz said. “And then looking at the day’s weather forecast from the National Weather Service, getting on the phone with them for any clarifying questions, potentially jumping into an online chat with other forecasters to get consensus about any last-minute variables that may be dependent upon the weather forecast, and then moving forward on authoring the day’s avalanche forecast.”
The forecasts are issued by 7 a.m. every morning.
Avalanche watches are issued first, in advance of anticipated storms. Warnings, meanwhile, are issued the same day as dangerous, extreme conditions are occurring or highly likely. Avalanche warnings are pushed out through the National Weather Service on high (4) and extreme (5) days because of its reach to the media, according to Schwartz. If a storm fizzles out or changes direction or intensity, the watch expires and no warning is issued.
“Then the cycle starts over again and we go back in the field, try and get information to verify the day’s forecast, and gather more information to move forward to the next 24-hour cycle,” Schwartz said.
6:29 a.m.
Early the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 17, SAC rates the avalanche danger a 4 at all three elevation levels (above, near, and below treeline). A critical warning, authored by Schwartz, is issued for the Tahoe/Truckee area:
“Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours. Large avalanches may run through treed areas. If attempting travel today in non-avalanche terrain, be certain that there are no steeper slopes connected to the terrain you are traveling, either above or to the side.”
An additional line in the avy report reads: “Anticipate that any organized rescue efforts may be significantly delayed or may not occur if you experience a mishap in the backcountry under these conditions.”
HUNKERED DOWN: The three huts available for rent opened for visitors in 2022, though the Truckee Donner Land Trust was considering the general concept of hut construction even before the June 2020 land purchase. Twenty guests total can sleep in the trio of buildings. Photo courtesy land trust
During winter, SAC’s daily avalanche report is available to Frog Lake guests. Some told the Ink the report is printed out and posted in the Eschenbach Backcountry House each morning, others said an iPad with internet access is available for guests’ use, and the report is accessible from there.
The Truckee Donner Land Trust lists three winter over-snow routes to reach the Frog Lake huts: from the Castle Peak and Johnson Canyon trailheads, and a Donner Summit Rest Area route. (Based on Choo’s Strava data, the group did not follow any of these trails exactly to reach the huts on day one, though the Donner Summit Rest Area route is closest in alignment.)
No route recommendations are provided to groups by hutmeisters.
At 7:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol – Truckee announces the closure of Interstate 80 to big rigs at Alta eastbound and Nevada stateline westbound. By 11:05 a.m., the freeway is completely closed “due to whiteout conditions and poor visibility.”
Checkout of the huts is by 10 a.m., though based on reporting by the New York Times, the 15 skiers — two touring groups combined into one for the departure — reach the ridge of Perry’s Peak, 500 feet above the huts, around 10 a.m.
“Guests are able to stay at the hut longer in the event of conditions preventing them from leaving,” the land trust shared in an email. “There is emergency food/water available.”
Jim Zellers — a pioneering big-mountain snowboarder and mountaineer who holds first snowboard descents of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Kenya, and New Zealand’s Mt. Cook, among others — has been based in Truckee/Tahoe for most of his adult life.
“I was out [Feb. 17] too,” Zellers said of a backcountry tour he and his wife, Bonnie, went on in Ward Canyon. “It was pretty much a whiteout, so if you were too far from your partner you couldn’t see them.”
He possesses vast backcountry experience in, and knowledge of, the Castle Peak area where the avalanche occurred. He has been to the Frog Lake huts “maybe 40 times,” both stopping in on day trips as well as for multiple-night stays.
“I’ve hiked up exactly where it took place,” he said of the avalanche site. He pointed out its unique and dangerous cross-loaded nature — the snow not exclusively accumulating directly over the ridge and vertically, but from side-to-side as well, adding pressure to the snowpack. “It was a few years ago, we skinned right across it. Bonnie and I got up there and we were like, ‘Whoa, this is a whole cross-loaded slope.’ It’s not super obvious from afar, but when you’re right there in it, you can definitely see it and feel it.”
Perry’s Peak is the 8,320-foot-tall peak overlooking the north-northwest side of Frog Lake. The name, not an official U.S. Department of Agriculture-recognized one, is an honorific to Perry Norris, former longtime executive director of the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
Zellers stated that he knows other skiers and riders who have also experienced what he and Bonnie felt that day on the slope, but that it has remained a relatively widely traveled exit path from the huts.
“I love going out that way,” he said. “It’s truly one of the more peaceful, beautiful ways going out.”
Roughly 11 a.m.
As of press deadline, it remains unknown what triggered the Perry’s Peak Avalanche, since ongoing snowfall after the event covered evidence.
What is known is that while the group is passing downslope of Perry’s Peak, close to the Red Dot Trail, the avalanche breaks loose — ending up the length of a football field and 6.5 feet deep, classified as a D2.5 soft-slab slide (a D3 avalanche is powerful enough to destroy a building).
Thirteen members of the 15-person party are caught in the slide, which descends 400 feet from the peak on a 38-degree slope. With terrain traps on the sides, all the snow is funneled into a very narrow area and condensed considerably into a depression, resulting in a debris field in a small box area of less than 30 by 30 feet.
According to New York Times interviews, one buried individual — Anton Auzans — digs himself out and he, along with the two not caught in the avalanche, including Jim Hamilton, unburies others, among them three alive.
Those under the snow have about a 47% chance of survival upon initial burial, according to the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education. After 10 minutes completely buried, those odds drop significantly.
11:30:58 a.m.
The Times further reported that Auzans is the one who calls 911 dispatch to report the avalanche and that nine or 10 people remain buried.
From there, incident details obtained by Moonshine Ink show the steps taken to maintain communication with the party, coordinate additional responders, and home in on the exact location of the survivors for rescue.
Within five minutes of the 911 call, requests for assistance start rolling out to Cal Fire, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Forty-six personnel begin to respond immediately.
The Garmin emergency beacon belonging to one party member’s husband is activated and reported to Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Between 12 and 1 p.m., incident command (IC) is established at the Alder Creek Adventure Center, about 4 miles away from the avalanche site as the crow flies. Boreal Mountain California (about 3 miles away) serves as the staging area.
“We staged at two areas because we deployed ski teams from two areas — both Alder Creek Adventure Center and Boreal,” shared Nevada County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Quadros in an email. “Reaching the survivors as soon as possible was the goal to prevent further loss of life. IC locations vary by incident and could be at a staging area or at a different location altogether depending on the circumstances at hand. Accessibility and available resources for IC are common factors.”
12:41 p.m.
The party of six survivors stays in contact with dispatch via call, text, and satellite phone. It’s about 20 minutes before 1 p.m. that the surviving guide, who serves as the main point of contact, informs 911 that they’ve moved away from the avalanche debris to a spot among trees.
Snow continues to fall heavily, with low visibility.
Victims are buried beneath between 5 and 8 feet of snow. Per the AIARE, a 6-foot deep burial requires moving at least 10,000 pounds of snow. The survivors also face the threat of another potential avalanche sweeping in from above.
Off the mountain, search and rescue teams are permitted by Caltrans to pass through traffic control on I-80.
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HEADING OUT: On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at about 3 p.m., search and rescue teams deployed from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center, each a few miles away from the incident location. Their goal: to extract the six known survivors. A Sno-Cat team also launched from the adventure center. Photos courtesy Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
HEADING OUT: On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at about 3 p.m., search and rescue teams deployed from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center, each a few miles away from the incident location. Their goal: to extract the six known survivors. A Sno-Cat team also launched from the adventure center. Photos courtesy Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
3 p.m.
The following is recorded on the incident’s event log by NCSO:
[Search and Rescue] teams are deploying from Boreal as well as from Alder Creek Adventure Center (editor’s note: a Sno-Cat team also launches from Alder Creek). [A unit] is in contact with iPhone emergency services as they are in good satellite text contact with one of the subjects in the field. Advised six subjects are accounted for out of the group. The six are remaining put, one subject advised he was coughing up blood, no other injuries reported.
The subjects advised they cannot pinpoint the location of where subjects are possibly buried due to snowfall.
The six subjects are in the trees at the base of the avalanche and possibly made a makeshift shelter with a yellow tarp.
Also part of this update is the arrival of two Blackbird Mountain Guides members at the incident command center. These two want to deploy into the field but are advised not to. “The guides deployed into the field anyway,” is noted in the log. Blackbird did not respond to Moonshine’s request for comment.
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ANNOTATED TRAGEDY: Photos and illustrations provided by the Sierra Avalanche Center show the likely start zone and debris field of the avalanche. Courtesy photos
ANNOTATED TRAGEDY: Photos and illustrations provided by the Sierra Avalanche Center show the likely start zone and debris field of the avalanche. Courtesy photos
5:36 p.m.
More than six hours after the avalanche, search and rescue makes contact with the survivors. The Sno-Cat team from Alder Creek advances 2 miles, then skis in the remainder of the way.
“Horrific conditions, just whiteout conditions,” Sheriff Moon describes. “It’s a known area where we have a lot of search and rescue missions — that Castle Peak, Peter Grubb Hut, Frog Lake hut area — so we train in that area; they knew the terrain. That doesn’t make it easier for them with the snow conditions and wind conditions. What was going through my mind is hopefully they can get there, to the six that were sheltering in place.”
First aid is administered, eight deceased individuals in total are accounted for, and the group is escorted out back to the Sno-Cat. Two of the six, explains Moon, are not mobile; they cannot walk because of their avalanche injuries. “We were able to safely get them the 2 miles from that location to the Sno-Cat and four others were able to get to the Sno-Cat themselves.”
A little before 11 p.m., Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reports the rescue of six avalanche survivors, and that two of the six have been transported to Tahoe Forest Hospital.
Estimated snowfall calculations for Tuesday at Castle Peak, per OpenSnow: 22 inches.
THE INCIDENT: Locations and routes taken by those involved in the avalanche at Perry’s Peak on Feb. 17. Alleged exit route is based on reporting by The New York Times. Information presented is to the best of our knowledge. Map courtesy Google Earth/illustrated by Lauren Shearer/Moonshine Ink
Wednesday, Feb. 18, to Thursday, Feb. 19
The six survivors have been rescued, but there is still more work to do for responders. They need to safely access the avalanche zone to recover the nine bodies of those killed in the slide — one of whom has not yet been located.
Adding to the complexities, several feet of additional snow have fallen since the avalanche occurred. Thus, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, lead agency on the incident, must evaluate the scene and ensure that the area is safe for searchers before sending them back out again. This includes avalanche mitigation.
“We have to reach people before we can help rescue people,” Moon says. “And those decisions are made on-scene by the folks that are going to be getting deployed and making sure they have the right equipment, the right training, and the confidence that they can reach the folks … Last night, I commend them for knowing that they had six people that had survived and they wanted to get there as soon as they could. They took some risks, clearly.
“Today, looking at it, the risk is still as high with the mission moving to a recovery; we want to really make sure that our first responders are safe.”
As of 6:52 a.m. Wednesday morning, the SAC’s avalanche warning remains in place, stating “increased uncertainty exists with ongoing reactivity of these buried weak layers under this large storm snow load. The potential continues for large to very large avalanches occurring in the backcountry today.”
Weather, too, remains a challenge. Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo says, “Unfortunately we’re kind of at the will of Mother Nature at this point, and going to have to wait for hopefully a decent break in the weather and make sure we get every last soul off that mountain.”
Just after 8:30 a.m., Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is notified. When a workplace incident results in a death, or a serious event causes the hospitalization of three or more employees, an immediate, mandatory OSHA investigation is triggered.
At about 11 a.m., Sheriff Moon says Blackbird “has been very cooperative, providing us the individual information from their trip. They also had members arrive at our location when we deployed into the field and they responded with us. They wanted to do everything they could to assist.”
Multiple attempts to deploy helicopters to perform reconnaissance of the incident area, check for travel routes, and search for the remaining individual have failed.
The National Guard and California Highway Patrol are marked as “unable to fly.” Placer County Sheriff’s Office’s Falcon 30 “is unavailable.”
Initially, Care Flight Truckee plans to fly out two observers, but by 3:30 p.m., that reconnaissance is also delayed. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office: unable to fly.
“Due to hazardous weather conditions,” Quadros shares in a press release, “avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today.”
Circa 10 minutes to 4 p.m., the National Air Guard is established as accepting helicopter recon for Friday, Feb. 20.
Thursday morning, the U.S. Forest Service issues a closure on National Forest lands and trails near Castle Peak. The closure is planned through March 15 or until public safety measures are mitigated.
“Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations,” the announcement says.
OSHA opens its investigation.
In the late afternoon on Thursday, families of six avalanche victims release a statement, which reads in part:
We have many unanswered questions, but here is what we know at this time: Eight close friends planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake huts outside Truckee, California. The trip had been organized well in advance. They were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains. They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip. They were fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment.
~ From the families of Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt
That evening, Blackbird founder and local Zeb Blais releases a statement that all guides were either trained with American Mountain Guides Association or certified in backcountry skiing, and that each was an instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
“In addition,” the release stated, “guides in the field are in communication with senior guides at our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions. There is still a lot that we’re learning about what happened. It’s too soon to draw conclusions, but investigations are underway.”
Friday, Feb. 20, to Saturday, Feb. 21
The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reports that from Feb. 16 to the morning of Friday, Feb. 20, a total of 111 inches of snow have fallen, making it the third-snowiest five-day period on record.
To ensure the safety of search and rescue teams recovering the remaining bodies, the sheriff’s office considers several methods for performing avalanche control leading up to Friday, including use of explosives, according to Quadros. The agency that answers the call in the required timeline is none other than California’s largest utility company.
“Ultimately, PG&E ended up being the quickest viable option,” Quadros wrote in an email.
DANGER ZONE: Avalanche mitigation operations on Feb. 20 were conducted in partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric, using two helicopters with Bambi Bucktes. Crews relied exclusively on water dumps to improve snow stability. Courtesy photo
Friday brings clear skies, meaning flights are a go. First, CHP and Care Flight conduct reconnaissance missions of the Castle Peak area above Frog Lake. On board the Care Flight helicopter are two ski patrollers: Chad Weiland, a Care Flight paramedic and Sugar Bowl patroller, and Ivan McGurk, a Palisades Tahoe patroller and volunteer with Nevada County Sheriff Search and Rescue. McGurk is also a member of the Care Flight Crew Card program, which authorizes specially trained personnel to be transported by Care Flight to incidents such as the Castle Peak avalanche.
The flight lasts about 20 minutes, from 11:19 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
“We flew to the scene and assessed the slope for avalanche hazards,” Weiland said at the Feb. 20 NCSO press conference. “We circled Perry’s Peak several times and flew into the valley to survey the full avalanche path. The purpose of the flight was to provide aerial visibility of the terrain features and recommendations for appropriate avalanche mitigation.”
Weiland told Moonshine Ink that he and McGurk observed that the slide path was heavily wind loaded.
“We saw the primary avalanche path on that slope, it was north-northwest facing,” he said, explaining that the face gets a lot of wind scouring. “The wind loading was definitely more pronounced than I expected it to be on that slope.”
The Care Flight crew could not see the debris from the avalanche since it was in the trees and it had snowed more since the incident, nor could they see the crown at the top. But Weiland said he was surprised that the avalanche path appeared smaller than he expected it to be.
“It’s a well-known avalanche path, but it’s relatively small,” he said. “It connects to other potential avalanche paths, sort of skiers’ right of that path. The size of the path … almost was undersized for the incident, is how it felt to me.”
Close to 3 p.m., NCSO alerts the public that avalanche mitigation is beginning.
After the recon information is relayed to PG&E, the company flies two of its helicopters — a UH60 Black Hawk and a Bell 407 — from its base at the Red Bluff Airport 36 miles south of Redding to Truckee. The helicopters conduct an overview of the scene before starting PG&E’s unique form of avalanche control — rather than explosives, using buckets of water.
The Black Hawk helicopter is equipped with a 150-foot-long line attached to a Bambi Bucket, which is used to pick up 660 gallons of water from a small, nearby lake that isn’t frozen for a series of seven water drops, resulting in a total of 4,600 gallons of water.
A Bambi Bucket is a lightweight, collapsible, helicopter-slung device used for aerial firefighting, capable of carrying anywhere from 72 to over 2,600 gallons of water.
While these water drops are routinely implemented to fight fires, since 2023 PG&E has also used them for avalanche control at its Helms Pumped Storage Facility located at 8,100 feet in the Sierra National Forest above Fresno.
“Our goal was making the area safe for the search and rescue teams to go in and recover the victims,” said Pete Anderson, PG&E senior manager of helicopter operations, in a press release.
Anderson, who has been with PG&E for 29 years, described this as his proudest moment at the company.
“We played a small part in helping these people get back with their families,” he said.
Using water drops for avalanche mitigation is rare.
“This was the first I’d ever heard of it being used,” said Weiland, a seven-year ski patroller. “It’s really creative, but it’s sort of an unstudied mitigation technique.”
SAC reports that no additional avalanches are triggered by the water drops, making it safe for rescuers to enter the area and retrieve the bodies.
Five of the nine deceased individuals are recovered, and the last body is located.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announces its launch of an investigation into whether there is criminal negligence involved with the event.
The following day, Saturday, Feb. 21, the National Guard and CHP recover the last four bodies through a combination of aerial operations and snowcats driven to Frog Lake. The multi-day search-and-rescue effort concludes at 10:58 a.m.
The nine deceased individuals are identified and their information is released to the public:
Andrew Alissandratos (34) of Verdi, Nev.
Carrie Atkin (46) of Soda Springs
Nicole (Niki) Choo (42) of South Lake Tahoe
Lizabeth (Liz) Clabaugh (52) of Boise, Idaho
Michael Henry (30) of Soda Springs
Danielle Keatley (44) of Soda Springs and Larkspur, Calif.
Kate Morse (45) of Soda Springs and Tiburon, Calif.
Caroline Sekar (45) of Soda Springs and San Francisco
Katherine Vitt (43) of Greenbrae, Calif.
Alissandratos, Choo, and Henry were Blackbird Mountain Guides.
The agencies involved with response, rescue, and avalanche mitigation were: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office; Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue; Placer County Sheriff’s Office; Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue; Washoe County Sheriff’s Office; Washoe County Search and Rescue; California’s Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; California Highway Patrol Air Operations; Care Flight Truckee, a service of REMSA Health; Pacific Gas & Electric; United States Forest Service; California State Parks; Truckee Fire; OpenSnow; Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center; Boreal Mountain Ski Resort; Truckee Tahoe Airport; Town of Truckee; Truckee Police Department; Truckee Donner Land Trust; and California National Guard.
IN REMEMBRANCE: Roughly 500 people showed up the evening of Sunday, Feb. 22, to a vigil in downtown Truckee to commemorate the avalanche victims. Photo by Ted Coakley III/Moonshine Ink
Sunday, Feb. 22
A vigil, hosted by the Town of Truckee, is held Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at the eagle statue in Downtown Truckee to commemorate those lost in the avalanche. An estimated 500 people attend.
Monday, Feb. 23
The U.S. Forest Service lifts its closure on all Tahoe National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area.
Friday, Feb. 27
SAC forecasters and search and rescue teams return to the avalanche site. SAR members dig out the victims’ remaining equipment — mostly skis and poles — while the forecasters gather additional data on the terrain.
Ongoing (as of press deadline)
SAC continues to work on the incident report, which will document the details of what the forecasters have named as the Perry’s Peak Avalanche, including contributing factors to the event.
Blackbird Mountain Guides issue a sorrowful statement on the loss of its three guides, and stated it is not accepting new reservations at this time.
The incident remains under investigation through the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, as well as by OSHA — limiting many individuals in speaking with Moonshine Ink.
“We are looking to determine if there were any factors that would be considered criminal negligence,” Quadros wrote. “It is too early to know if criminal charges will be applicable, as the investigation is preliminary and remains active and ongoing.”
This winter was a wake-up call for me. The unseasonably warm temperatures that became ubiquitous with every weather report, the fall weather that dragged into the end of December, and rain instead of snow all led me to an uncomfortable realization — climate change is here. Now I find myself grappling with the reality of our changing climate as both a ski industry professional and an environmental journalist. I am beginning to find these markedly separate careers colliding in ways I hoped they never would.
In 2023, when I first began my foray into journalism and transitioned from full-time ski patroller to full-time student and part-time patroller, I wrote an article for a science reporting class at UNR on a study published in the scientific journal Climate Dynamics. My article was titled Must Go Higher: New Study Predicts Warmer Winters and Higher Snowlines for the Tahoe Basin. I thought the portrait of a Tahoe that was impacted by climate change was still in a very far-off future. I was wrong.
When I found more dirt than snow this past December and opted for hiking and biking in place of skiing, I couldn’t help but think back to the lines I wrote just a few seasons ago:
“A study tracked the snowpack in the Sierra over the past 70 years and found a stark rise in snowlines … Under unabated climate change conditions, the Sierrawill lose approximately 57 percent of their snowpack in the second half of the 21st century.
“Most of this snow loss is predicted to happen during the shoulder seasons of fall and spring, and at mid-elevations. Not only would the ski season window shrink, but so will the area of skiable terrain as snow becomes relegated to the highest and coldest of elevations and the chilliest of months.”
This fall, I kept waiting for that feeling of a cold breeze on my face or a frosty morning with the delicious crunch of frozen earth underfoot to tell me winter was on the horizon. When halfway through December the mountains were still mostly bare and instead of snow I had fresh strawberries in my garden in Carson City and confused irises sprouting out of the earth, I began to officially freak out.
A small bit of solace came from scientist Benjamin Hatchett of Colorado State University. He reminded me that recency and confirmation biases can play a large part in our perception and that unless I had specific long-term data surrounding said strawberry harvest, it could have some aspects of natural variability entwined in it, alongside climate change.
One piece of relief came when I asked him about the long dry spells we had earlier this season. He had run the numbers.
“So, I just took the longest dry spell period of each winter and then you see if there’s a long-term trend there. And, so, we don’t see a signal for the dry spells getting longer with time, which is good. There is a lot of variability, which is not surprising,” Hatchett said.
GOT DIRT? Dirt patches dot the southeast-side face of a peak in the Tahoe National Forest this winter.
Although that high pressure system may have turned out to just be a dry spell, it did also serve as a potential dry run for what we may see under a warmer, less snowy future.
“We should learn from what happened in these low snow years because that’s what we expect to see more of,” said Hatchett. “So, how do we manage that in different ways? How do we try to ski what you can? And use the water more wisely?”
Whether a dry spell is a dry run for the future or not, this winter’s warm start gave many of us a run for our money, literally. Seasonal workers can relate to the anxiety of a shoulder season that drags on. As a seasonal employee, you rely on stacking cash in the peak summer months to squeak through the lean season into winter where the promise of work awaits come November.
But halfway through December this year, most mountains were only operating at a fraction of their footprint, if at all. The high season was around the corner, but we were missing a very important element — snow. For many, it was either get another job, dig into savings — if there are any — or fill out unemployment paperwork.
This loss of revenue is costing the economy millions: around $252 million annually to be exact, according to the 2024 article How Climate Change Is Damaging the US Ski Industry. The piece, published in the peer-reviewed journal Current Issues in Tourism, found that by the 2050s, ski seasons are projected to shorten between 27 to 62 days under unabated climate change, resulting in a loss of over a billion dollars annually. This is for the industry as a whole, but I fear what the local implications will be.
A FINE LINE: Much of the area’s terrain is at mid-elevations.
I return to my words from seasons ago:
“Much of the Tahoe Basin’s skiable terrain is at mid elevations, but it is these precise elevations that are now hanging in a delicate balance, dancing a fine line between above and below freezing temperatures.
“The Central Sierra snow line currently sits at an average between 7,380 – 8,200 feet above sea level during the peak snow season. In the second half of the century, that number is projected to rise to between 8,690 and 9,020 feet.
“This spells trouble for the Basin, as the majority of Lake Tahoe’s skiable terrain is between lake level at 6,225 feet and around 9,000 feet.”
Put simply, we are going to run out of mountain.
Andrew Schwartz, director of the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory and Protect Our Winters science alliance member, already sees the writing in the snowpack.
“We are starting to see our winter precipitation switch to more rain than snow,” Schwartz said. “We see the shoulder season — months like October, November, May, April — those are transitioning really quickly. Even December is moving very quickly towards a rain-dominated month. And those signals are from the 1970s forward. They’re also accelerating.”
It’s not just scientists who are witnessing this but many other ski and snow professionals. Brennan Lagasse, a professional ski guide with decades of experience in the Sierra and a sustainability professor at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, said: “You’re losing quite a bit of skiing from lake-level up right now. In Lake Tahoe, a great but sad example is Homewood … Homewood skis right down to lake level. Over the past few years… we’re getting much more rain on snow events than we have in the past.”
The probable future of snow in the region is laid out in stark detail in the 2021 scientific paper A Low-To-No Snow Future and Its Impacts on Water Resources in the Western United States, published in Nature. And for someone who loves and relies on snow for enjoyment and employment, the future is pretty damn bleak.
The paper stated that the onset of low-to-no-snow seasons will occur in the 2060s for most basins in the American West, but in California this will appear in the late 2040s. And under unabated climate change, or business as usual conditions, we have between 35 and 60 years before low-to-no snow becomes persistent across the West. In addition, the article found that in the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada, around 45% of losses are expected by 2050.
In other words, unless drastic reduction in emissions happens, and fast, our snowpack is f*cked.
The authors did caution that the exact time frame of the emergence of these low-to-no-snow conditions is highly variable based on the models used. Regardless, the question is no longer if but when.
“Realistically speaking in the West, we’re kind of at a tipping point. We’ve seen climate change impact our winters. We’ve seen that start to accelerate,” Schwartz said. “Around 2025 to 2035 is when this is going to really shift how our winters look in California and the Western U.S.”
He added that although there is not necessarily an average year, especially with the boom-and-bust nature of the Sierra Nevada snow patterns, that as climate change progresses there will be even larger variability.
“It’s not to say that we won’t get snow, but it’s going to be kind of punctuated by bigger periods of rain and warmer temperatures,” Schwartz explained. “I think this year’s a really good analog for what we’re going to see more of in the future before we transition to being rain-dominated towards the end of the century.”
Having the understanding I do of snow and how resorts function through my experience as a patroller both within the Tahoe Basin and internationally, to say I am concerned is an understatement. I don’t think people realize how quickly this is barreling toward us. I know I didn’t.
“I always tell people, if you want to know what is to be expected for the future of winter, look at what all the ski resorts are doing, and they’re all installing mountain bike trails,” Schwartz said.
The Tahoe Basin is changing. Our snowpack is changing.
EARLY SPRING: Thin snow cover is seen above Donner Lake and along highway 80 in early February. Photo courtesy Kat Fulwider
Perhaps it is apropos that when I wrote that initial article, it too marked a transition in my career from the ski world to journalism. Just a couple of seasons ago, the impacts of climate change seemed far away. Somehow it feels closer now. I knew I would always worry for the next generation’s future, but it’s happening before our eyes. And this season it hit me, and now I worry about not only my future, but that of my friends and my colleagues, and for our careers.
Now as I revisit this original article again, likely with many more climactic and personal transformations looming on the horizon, I am discovering yet another newfound perspective. Among all this worry and fear, there also lives an inextinguishable spark of hope, of joy for the sport in whatever form it takes. And even as the future warms, this spark is stoking a fire in me to get after it, and to ski ’em while I got ’em.
A stacked astrological deck greets us March 12 in the ephemeral, dreamy, mutable waters of Pisces — as Mars, the north node, Mercury retrograde, and the sun are all now moving through it. Aries, Pisces’ neighboring and fiercely initiating cardinal fire sign, holds a lineup of Neptune, Saturn, Venus, and Chiron. With most planets in their two territories, these powerful and fundamentally different archetypes will shape the astral tides of this season. You may feel pulled to meditate, dream, and commune with universal truths one day while sensing an urgent desire to act, to initiate, and to take charge the next day.
March 18 brings a sweet, creative new moon in Pisces. Mercury remains retrograde in Pisces until March 20, the very day the sun enters Aries to mark the spring equinox. The following day, the sun joins with Neptune — amplifying imagination, vision, and the collective consciousness. Inspiration will run high, but clarity will require discernment, both personally and in the world at large.
On March 24 the sun meets Saturn, the planet of responsibility and structure. This might feel like a “testing energy,” with extra effort being required to both keep your cool and maintain forward progress. A beautiful full moon in the Venus-ruled sign of Libra invites balance, beauty, and harmony on April. 1.
NATURAL MAGIC
The ancient Celtic name for the spring equinox is Ostara, and it is a beautiful time to plant seeds while naming intentions for the coming cycles of your life. On the morning of March 20, gather seeds, soil, containers, a small bowl of water along with paper (divided into small pieces), and a pen.
Write out at least four qualities that you wish to cultivate, such as peace, love, connection, and/or prosperity. Place the pieces of paper in the bottom of your container and gently layer soil on top of them. Hold one seed at your heart for each intention and, as you plant them one by one, name the energy you are planting. Press the seeds into the soil, and water them in. As you pour the water, recite aloud, “As these plants grow from soil, so do my intentions manifest in my life.”
Under the Libra full moon on April 1, light a white or pink candle. Write one relationship pattern you are ready to release and one pattern within yourself you wish to strengthen. Offer gratitude for the opportunity to grow and to be of greater service to those you love — and then burn the paper.
