(The Center Square) – Xavier Becerra was elected governor of California Tuesday.
With 75.8% of precincts partially reporting, Becerra has 4,446,976 votes or 64.6%, compared to Republican Steve Hilton’s 2,440,639 votes or 35.4%.
The numbers came at 11:30 p.m. Pacific time from the Secretary of State’s Office, which showed Democrats also won other executive branch races, including attorney general.
Becerra claimed victory, putting out messages on social media saying “Xavier Becerra Elected Governor of California.” Another messagesays “Gracias, California.”
Speaking to supporters Tuesday evening, Becerra, who is succeeding termed-out Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, said the last two years of the Trump administration have been difficult.
“Higher prices, more wars, corruption and lawlessness, but we hung in there and fought back,” said Becerra. “It felt like ‘Mission Impossible.’ We knew it was Mission Necessary. And tonight, sisters and brothers, because of your tireless work, we can proudly utter the inspiring battle cry of our beloved and departed sister and warrior, Dolores Huerta: ‘¡Sí se puede!’ Yes, we can.”
Becerra is a former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, California attorney general and U.S. House member.
On the campaign trail and in debates, Becerra pointed to President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Hilton as bad for California, adding that Hilton would do the president’s bidding on issues such as taxes and immigration.
Hilton said years of Democratic rule in Sacramento have made life difficult for people in the Golden State. Hilton also accused Becerra of “hiding” from voters.
In a speech to his supporters, Hilton thanked people for their votes.
“It looks like we didn’t win this time,” said Hilton. “People in this state are crying out for change, and it is our responsibility to fight like never before to bring that change for people who really need us now more than ever, so change may be delayed, but change is coming.”
Attorney general
In the race for California attorney general, Rob Bonta defeated Michael Gates.
With 44.5% of precincts partially reporting, Bonta has 4,375,479 votes or 64.3% compared to 2,427,162 or 35.7% for Gates. Again, that was at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday with 75.8% of precincts partially reporting.
Bonta, the Democratic incumbent, has campaigned on being a law-and-order attorney general, pointing to many fraud busts since he was elected in November 2022. He has also sued the Trump administration 100 times since President Trump re-entered office in January 2025. Bonta has portrayed himself as being a consumer-friendly attorney general, with lawsuits against big companies including Paramount Skydance for its plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount settled out of court, something Bonta and other attorneys general involved say they helped get for the people of their states.
Bonta’s campaign did not respond to The Center Square’s requests for interviews or comments.
A lifelong resident of California, Gates is a former deputy U.S. attorney. He is also a former city attorney for Huntington Beach. While there, Gates said he was tough on crime.
“I’ve made Huntington Beach one of the top 10 safest cities in the entire state of California out of nearly 500 cities,” Gates told The Center Square in May 2026. “We’re in the top 1% of safest cities in the state of California because of my tough-on-crime stance and my prosecution efforts here in the city, basically not putting up with anything and enforcing the law to the fullest extent.”
Other executive branch races
Down the ballot, Democrat Eleni Kounalakis was leading Republican Jennifer Hawks for state treasurer.
With 48.9% of precincts partially reporting, Kounalakis, the current lieutenant governor, had 3,724,917 or 64.6% of the vote compared to 2,040,807 or 35.4% for Hawks.
Kounalakis has a background in housing and finance. Hawks is a retired business executive.
In the race for controller, Democrat Malia Cohen has 3,713,242 or 64.4% of the vote compared to 2,054,399 or 35.6% for Republican Herb Morgan.
This is with 48.9% of precincts partially reporting.
For secretary of state, Democratic incumbent Shirley Weber was ahead with 3,779,730 or 65.3% of the vote while Republican Donald Wagner has 34.7%. This is with 48.9% of precincts partially reporting.
Lastly, the race for insurance commissioner featured an all-Democratic, neck-to-neck matchup between candidates Ben Allen and Jane Kim. With 48.9% of precincts partially reporting, Kim has 2,575,323 or 51.5% of the vote. Ben Allen has 2,428,296 or 48.5%.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) celebrated a milestone during its 33rd Annual Golf Classic Weekend, October 17-18, raising more than $120,000 to support local youth while celebrating 30 years of partnership with Edgewood Tahoe. The weekend brought together golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and community members for two days of comedy, creativity, and golf.
Kicking off the weekend Saturday night, Joe Praino & Friends: Comedy Show & Dinner welcomed more than 50 guests to The Barrel Room in South Lake Tahoe. Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner provided by MacDuff’s Pub before an evening of stand-up comedy featuring Joe Praino, Howie Nave, Pete Cestaro, and Matt Knudsen. The comedians kept the audience laughing throughout the evening, making for a fun start to the fundraising weekend.
The following morning, 144 golfers arrived at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course for the 33rd Annual Golf Classic. It was a beautiful Lake Tahoe fall day, providing perfect conditions for a round of golf. Golfers started their morning with complimentary bagels from Tahoe Bagel Co. and coffee while entering the on-site raffle and browsing the silent auction, both featuring prizes generously donated by local and regional businesses. They also had time to grab a Tahoe Blue Vodka bloody mary, warm up on the driving range, and pick up their boxed lunches, generously provided by Beach Hut Deli, before the tournament began.
Before golfers headed out for the shotgun start, Aimi Xistra, BGCLT Development Director, and Kathi Jensen, BGCLT Board President, presented Edgewood Tahoe with a 30 Years of Impact Award, accepted by Corinna Osborne, Edgewood Tahoe Chief Operating Officer. The award recognized three decades of Edgewood generously donating its golf course and facilities for the event, a partnership that has helped support generations of local children and teens.
“For more than three decades, Edgewood Tahoe has been proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe and its mission to create brighter futures for our local youth,” said Corinna Osborne. “Our longstanding partnership reflects our belief that being part of this extraordinary community comes with a responsibility to give back. As the Club celebrates 35 years of making a difference, we are honored to continue supporting its meaningful work for generations to come.”
Following the presentation, golfers headed out onto Edgewood’s beautiful course for an afternoon of friendly competition. On-course bars hosted by Tipsy Putt, FiftyFifty Brewing Co., Lake Tahoe AleWorx, Tito’s Vodka, Cold Water Brewery, and Proximo Spirits kept the festivities going throughout the day.
While golfers were out on the course, 14 guests gathered for the second annual Paint & Sip Luncheon at Edgewood Tahoe. The afternoon began with lunch at Brooks’ Bar & Deck before guests moved into a guided painting experience led by local artist Charlotte Castillo. Participants created their own fall landscape paintings while enjoying wine courtesy of Lava Cap Winery and taking in the beautiful autumn scenery.
At the conclusion of the tournament, golfers gathered in Edgewood’s North Room for an awards reception and taco bar, generously sponsored by Play Park Hotels and hosted by Edgewood Tahoe. The reception provided an opportunity to celebrate the day’s accomplishments and recognize the tournament’s top teams and players.
A huge congratulations to this year’s winners:
First Place: Ichiban – Ken Katai, Ken Balestrieri, Kevin Lee, and Dominick Hoover
Second Place: Lake Tahoe Bally’s – Alex Chang, David Rodrigues, Tim Hill, and Bryan Savea
Third Place: MacDuff’s – Tullin Valdez, John Sillis, Mandi Olsen, and Eric Easter
The Club sincerely thanks the many sponsors and community partners who helped make this year’s Golf Classic possible. A special thank you to Pro Partner Desolation Hotel and Eagle Partners Maggie’s, Sorensen’s, and Station House Inn, along with Hole-in-One Partners Barton, Weidinger PR, Embarc, and Toyota, which brought a 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid SE AWD to Hole 17. BGCLT also extends its gratitude to the businesses and individuals who contributed food, beverages, and other donations throughout the weekend. For a complete list of appreciation, visit www.bgcltgolfclassic.com/sponsors.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the 40 volunteers who generously gave their time throughout the weekend and to the entire Edgewood Tahoe team, including the golf operations staff, food & beverage staff, cart barn, and valets, for their hospitality and dedication. The Club is especially grateful to Edgewood Tahoe for 30 years of partnership and looks forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.
“This event is so special to our community, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out this weekend to support our local kids,” said Aimi Xistra. “A special thank you to the Edgewood Tahoe team. We couldn’t do this without them, and we look forward to another 30 years of making a difference together.”
Now in its 33rd year, the Annual Golf Classic has raised more than $1.1 million for the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. Funds raised throughout Golf Classic Weekend directly support affordable after-school and school-break programs, meals and snacks, academic support, and enriching opportunities in STEM, art, sports and recreation, character and leadership development, and social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
For more information about the Annual Golf Classic and ways to support local youth, visit www.bgcltgolfclassic.com.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Marcella Foundation’s 2nd Annual Fall Food Drive is underway. With a simple $20 grocery run, community members can help provide a Thanksgiving dinner to families in need. Folks can pick up a Fall Food Drive tote bag at a participating collection location, fill it with Thanksgiving sides, and return it to the collection bin. They are asking for bags to be filled and returned by Friday, November 20th so the food can be distributed before Thanksgiving.
Filled bags will be matched with a donation of a turkey from the El Dorado County Community Turkey Drive that Kings Meats, a butcher shop on the west slope, organizes. Together, they plan to provide 500 Thanksgiving meals to families in South Lake Tahoe.
Already in less than one week of the food drive running, community members have filled 45 bags! If you would like to fill a bag with food donations, you can find them at one of our participating locations:
Artemis Lakefront Cafe
Azul Latin Kitchen
Basecamp Pizza
Cascade Kitchens
Compass Real Estate
Cuppa Tahoe
Crazy Good Bakery
Desolation Gym
Early 90’s Coffee
Edgewood Tahoe Resort
Elevate Wellness Lounge
Ernie’s Coffee house
Flow & Glow Wellness Med Spa
Fox & Hound
Margaritaville Lake Tahoe
Meyers Elementary School
Mountainhouse Church
Sierra Community Church
Sierra House Elementary School
South Lake Brewing at the Y
South of North Brewing
South Tahoe Public Utility District
Tahoe Bagel Al Tahoe
Tahoe Bagel on Kingsbury
Tahoe Family Hearing Clinic
Tahoe Green Dispensary
Tahoe Valley Elementary School
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Woods
Tillson Law
Whiskey Dicks Saloon
All of these local businesses, schools, churches, and offices have collection bins out to accept non-perishable food donations–any canned or dry food item that is unexpired, unopened, and in good condition is accepted. Whether you are able to fill a bag with donations or bring in a canned item or two, it makes a difference.
These participants have also signed up to have staff members fill a Fall Food Drive bag to help reach the goal of 500 meals:
Keep Tahoe Blue (staff only)
Knight Monsters (staff only)
Lake Tahoe Unified School District (staff only)
South Tahoe High School (students and clubs)
South Tahoe Refuse (staff only)
Tahoe Kids Academy (students and family only)
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (staff only)
Tahoe Rim Trail Association (staff only)
All food donations go to local recipients, such as Christmas Cheer All Year, Family Resource Center, Phoenix Food Pantry, Bread & Broth, Boys & Girls Club, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, SOS Outreach, Catalyst Community, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, and many more.
Welcome back to Ask Talie Jane, where great design meets real life! I’m Talie Jane, your interior design expert, bringing you fresh ideas, clever solutions, and insider tips to make your home beautiful, functional, and uniquely yours.
Today’s Hot Topic: How Ceiling Design Is Transforming Modern Interiors
For decades, interior design has concentrated on walls, floors, furnishings and finishes, leaving ceilings largely untouched. Today, designers are challenging that convention, recognizing the ceiling as a powerful architectural element capable of transforming a room’s proportions, atmosphere and visual identity.
Often called the “fifth wall,” the ceiling offers an opportunity to introduce character without sacrificing valuable floor space. From sculptural wood details to sophisticated color treatments, this overlooked surface is becoming an essential component of contemporary interior design.
One of the most enduring approaches is the use of architectural millwork. Exposed beams, decorative coffers and linear wood slats can introduce rhythm, texture and a sense of craftsmanship. In modern homes, natural oak and walnut add warmth, while painted beams provide a cleaner, more understated interpretation. The key is proportion: detailing should complement the room’s scale rather than overwhelm it.
Color is another increasingly effective tool. Painting a ceiling a muted green, deep blue or warm earth tone can create intimacy and establish a distinct mood. Contrary to conventional assumptions, a darker ceiling does not automatically make a room feel smaller. When balanced with appropriate lighting, wall colors and furnishings, it can create depth and a sophisticated sense of enclosure.
Wallpaper and decorative finishes offer further possibilities. A subtle botanical pattern can bring softness to a bedroom, while a metallic or textured finish can introduce understated glamour to a dining room or powder room. For a more architectural effect, limewash and other specialty coatings provide visual movement that flat paint cannot replicate.
Lighting deserves particular attention in ceiling design. Recessed fixtures can deliver discreet illumination, while statement pendants and chandeliers create focal points. Cove lighting, concealed within architectural recesses, produces a soft indirect glow that emphasizes ceiling geometry without exposing the light source. Designers increasingly combine these approaches to create flexible environments suited to different activities and times of day.
Practical considerations, however, remain essential. Ceiling height, existing structural elements, electrical access and installation costs should inform every decision. Elaborate
treatments may be less appropriate in rooms with limited vertical clearance, where a simple tonal finish or carefully positioned lighting can achieve a similar sense of refinement.
Ultimately, a well-designed ceiling demonstrates that exceptional interiors depend on more than beautiful furnishings. By looking upward, homeowners can discover an underused design opportunity, one that adds architectural interest, reinforces a room’s character and brings cohesion to the entire space.
Have a design or construction question? Send it to Natalie@TalieJaneInteriors.com, and you might see it answered right here in the next column.
Talie Jane is the Owner and Principal Designer of Talie Jane Interiors, an award-winning, full-service design firm serving the Lake Tahoe and Napa/Sonoma regions. She is also the co-owner of Talie Jane Construction, a design-driven general contracting firm specializing in luxury remodels.
If you are a homeowner with a mortgage, have you ever thought about paying off your mortgage early?
For many homeowners, there is no decision to make; you need to have extra money in your budget each month to allow you to allocate extra funds to your mortgage. In today’s economic environment, many families simply don’t have that extra cash flow.
For those who do have enough cash flow to pay down their mortgage early, the choice often boils down to a question of basic math versus quality of life; as in, will paying your mortgage off early save you money, and will it improve your quality of life in some way?
I’ll simplify this a bit, but the math works something like this: if you can earn a better rate of investment return on your extra funds than you can save by making early payments on your mortgage, then you should probably invest your extra dollars. If paying off your mortgage early will save you more than you are likely to make investing, you should probably do that.
As an example, on a home with a $500,000, 30-year fixed mortgage at 6% interest, an extra $100/month mortgage payment will reduce interest payments by approximately $57,000 over the duration of the mortgage, while paying off the home about 2.5 years early.
There are, of course, some things to consider in your mathematical decision. Taxes factor in, since investment earnings will likely be taxed and your mortgage interest could be deductible, if you are someone who itemizes deductions. The anticipated rate of return on your investments is a big question; historical returns have been much less predictable over 3-5-year periods than over 20-30-year periods. Unless you are investing in cash-like investments or bonds that are aligned with your future cash needs, it is very hard to know what your actual rate of return will be. Meanwhile, you’ll know exactly how much interest you are saving by paying off your mortgage early.
Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey, two of the most popular personalities in personal finance advice, both support the idea of paying your mortgage early, with a few caveats. They see the benefit of living debt-free as having a bigger impact on your life than whatever extra dollars you might be able to build in your investment account. Ramsey touts the psychological and financial freedom of fully owning your home.
The caveats? Both Orman and Ramsey agree that keeping some asset liquidity is important. Before paying down your mortgage, most financial advisors agree that you should have a 3-6-month emergency fund built up and all high-interest debt, like credit cards, paid off in full. It makes no sense to pay off a 7% mortgage while you have 25% credit card debt! In addition, it is important to note that once you put extra money into your home, accessing that money can be difficult. Home equity is not the same as cash.
While the mathematical answer might favor investing your extra funds if you are lucky enough to have a 3% mortgage, Ramsey would still encourage you to pay off your mortgage early. In his view, the psychological freedom that comes with living debt-free wins out.
Finance and investing are rarely as simple as deciding how much to invest and then picking a bunch of investments. The question of whether or not to pay off a mortgage early is a perfect example of the interplay of dollars, risks, emotions, and other factors. A smart financial advisor can help you evaluate the financial trade-offs, but some honest, in-depth conversations are needed before decisions are made. If you don’t have an advisor, those conversations need to happen with the decision-makers in your home.
However you handle your mortgage, 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.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford’s election as the state’s first Black governor marks a historic milestone for Nevada and for a large part of the country, where Black residents have faced generations of racial discrimination and political disenfranchisement.
Ford defeated Republican Joe Lombardo to become Nevada’s next governor and the first Black governor west of the Mississippi.
The state’s history makes the victory particularly significant, said Tyler D. Parry, chair of UNLV’s Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender and Ethnic Studies.
In the early and mid-20th century, Nevada earned the nickname “Mississippi of the West” as Black residents encountered racial segregation and discrimination in communities across the state.
Those conditions extended beyond Las Vegas and Reno to smaller Nevada towns, Parry added.
“There was always this notion of a very real and vivid disenfranchisement that Black people confronted when they moved to the state,” Parry said. “The enactments of segregation didn’t look very different from the towns and places that they left east of the Mississippi.”
During the mid-20th century, several Reno businesses and casinos displayed “Whites Only” signs at their entrances.
The 1960 Winter Olympics at what was then known as Squaw Valley brought renewed attention to those practices, as civil rights activists organized protests and challenged local businesses. A year later, activists staged a sit-in at Reno’s Overland Hotel. Nevada ultimately passed a comprehensive Civil Rights Act in 1965.
Parry said Black political representation developed gradually in the decades following desegregation. A lack of resources in Black neighborhoods, including Las Vegas’ Historic Westside, continued to create barriers to political participation.
For Parry, Ford’s win represents a significant moment for Black residents in Nevada and communities throughout the West.
“The fact that this place, once nicknamed ‘Mississippi of the West,’ now has a Black governor, that means a lot,” Parry said. “That means something. That means that things can change.”
(The Center Square) – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday commuted the death sentences of all 548 inmates on California’s death row, prompting swift and sharp criticism from district attorneys, law enforcement and advocates of homicide victims.
Newsom reduced the death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The move marks the largest mass grant of executive clemency in modern U.S. history.
The decision applies to 529 men and 19 women currently held on California’s death row, which is the largest condemned population in the Western Hemisphere.
In defense of his executive action, the Democratic governor framed capital punishment as an irredeemable mechanism within an imperfect judicial system.
“State-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s legal values,” Newsom wrote in what he called an “Open Letter to All Californians.”
Newsom, who is leaving office in January after being termed-out, said he accepts “sole political and personal responsibility” for the decision, while acknowledging the profound grief and backlash the action would bring to victims’ families. Newsom has had a moratorium on the state carrying out executions since he signed an executive order on March 13, 2019, but a future governor can overturn that.
California has not executed anyone since 2006. However, local district attorneys across California have continued to seek capital sentences in trial courts.
Newsom’s announcement of the commuted sentences drew condemnation from crime victim advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement groups, who noted that California voters repeatedly rejected statewide ballot initiatives to repeal the death penalty, most recently affirming capital punishment in 2012 and 2016. Critics argue that the problem with broad executive clemency is that it overrides jury verdicts and legal statutes enacted by voters.
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami slammed Newsom’s decision, pointing specifically to the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, whose killer’s death sentence was commuted under the action.
“Newsom, the same person who supported & backed Gascón in SF and LA, unilaterally, without talking to Gabriel’s family, just commuted Gabriel’s killers sentence,” Hatami said in an X post. Hatami was referring to former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, who was criticized for being soft on crime.
“To me, little Gabriel will always be an example of courage. His case, his life, his death and his trial will always be with his family, with my family, with his friends and with our community,” Hatami said. “No matter what Newsom did today, Gabriel will never be forgotten.”
Hatami recounted the horrific details of the abuse Gabriel suffered and the trial testimony that led to the death penalty verdict.
“The ultimate punishment is truly appropriate for the defendant, even though it does not even compare to what the defendant did to Gabriel,” Hatami added, quoting his trial arguments. “No one who does this to a child can ever be called a victim. A victim is a child who was muffled and stuffed in a box. Who was forced to eat cat litter and cat feces. Who was forced to eat his own vomit. Gabriel is truly an example of courage. The defendant, on the other hand, is a true example of an evil coward.”
Meanwhile, human rights groups praised Newsom’s decision as a landmark shift in criminal justice reform. Amnesty International USA Executive Director Nadia Daar called the mass commutation a “decisive and powerful step away from the use of the death penalty.”
“Governor Newsom’s decision turns that long pause into meaningful and lasting progress against an inherently cruel, discriminatory and irreversible system,” Daar said in a press release.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors has selected Paul Peschel to serve as the Interim General Manager beginning November 16, 2026.
Peschel, a California Registered Civil Engineer, has experience as a public utility executive in water, wastewater, electric utilities, infrastructure, and public-agency management. He previously served as General Manager of both the Hi-Desert Water District and Kings River Conservation District, and most recently served as Assistant General Manager of Water Operations for the Modesto Irrigation District.
During his service with Imperial Irrigation District, Peschel provided leadership across both water and electric utility functions and managed a multidisciplinary organization of approximately 137 permanent employees.
Paul Peschel Provided / STPUD
“The Board believes Paul’s breadth of experience and demonstrated public-sector leadership will provide valuable stability and support for the District during this interim period,” said Shane Romsos, Board President. “We are pleased to welcome him to STPUD and look forward to working together to continue serving our community.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the Board and District employees to continue providing reliable water and wastewater services to the South Lake Tahoe community,” said Peschel. “My initial focus will be on listening, learning, supporting the team, and helping the District advance its priorities during this transition.”
South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Board of Directors has initiated a nationwide search for the next General Manager. The Board anticipates completing the recruitment and selection process in April 2027.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — American Legion Post 795 invites the community to honor the nation’s veterans at its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will take place at the American Legion Hall, located at 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Rear Admiral Carlton D. Moore, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (Retired), whose distinguished military career spans more than 30 years. Throughout his service, Moore held numerous leadership positions involving maritime security, military readiness, and emergency response. His extensive experience and dedication to public service will bring a meaningful perspective to this year’s commemoration.
The ceremony will also include 11 first responders representing local fire departments, police, sheriff’s offices, and the U.S. Forest Service. Boy Scout Troop 594 will serve as the Color Guard, presenting the nation’s colors and demonstrating the importance of passing the traditions of patriotism and service to future generations.
Observed annually on November 11, Veterans Day honors all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The occasion provides an opportunity for the community to recognize their courage, sacrifices, and continued contributions to society.
American Legion Post 795 remains dedicated to supporting veterans, their families, and the South Lake Tahoe community. Through events such as this ceremony, the Post hopes to strengthen the connection between veterans and the community they have served.
The ceremony is free and open to the public. Veterans, active-duty military personnel, families, students, and community members are encouraged to attend.
Join American Legion Post 795 on November 11 at 11 a.m. to honor those who have served and express appreciation for their dedication to our country.
MINDEN, NV — For families throughout northern Nevada, navigating the transition to senior living is one of life’s pivotal moments. Older adults seek to maintain their autonomy and vibrant social lives while family members often carry the quiet worry of balancing safety, healthcare needs, and daily physical support. Too often, conventional retirement facilities force families into a compromise where they trade personal freedom for clinical oversight, or security for a sterile, institutional atmosphere.
Valage Senior Living at Carson Valley is reshaping that narrative. Conveniently located at 973 Ironwood Drive in Minden, the community combines the warmth of a high-end mountain retreat with comprehensive healthcare solutions. By providing both individualized assisted living and specialized Journey memory care on a single campus, Valage ensures older adults across Douglas County can age with dignity and continuous peace of mind.
Assisted Living Built Around Autonomy and Lifestyle
Assisted living at Valage centers around empowering residents to live each day on their own terms. Instead of enforcing rigid schedules, our team partners with each resident and their family to develop a custom care plan with preferences and physical needs in mind. Whether an individual requires discreet help with medication management, mobility support, or assistance with personal dressing and bathing, care is delivered seamlessly in the background, allowing personal independence to remain at the forefront.
Nestled along Ironwood Drive in Minden, Valage Senior Living at Carson Valley blends modern, maintenance-free retirement living with round-the-clock professional support. Provided
Beyond daily physical care, the community is thoughtfully engineered to foster an engaging, maintenance-free lifestyle. Residents choose from contemporary studio and one-bedroom apartment floor plans that feature expansive windows with panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains, safety-equipped bathrooms, and ample living spaces.
Daily life at Valage mirrors the experience of a mountain lodge. Residents can begin their mornings with light fitness classes in the wellness center, enjoy afternoon socializing in the sunlit community lounges or spending quiet time in the landscaped outdoor courtyards and raised garden beds. Dining is an essential pillar of the community’s lifestyle: executive chefs prepare scratch-made, balanced dishes served restaurant-style every day, transforming daily meals into vibrant opportunities for connection.
A Groundbreaking Approach to Memory Care
For individuals navigating Alzheimer’s, dementia, or related conditions, Valage offers a dedicated, intentionally designed memory care neighborhood known as Journey. Guided by the community’s M.A.P.S. philosophy – Meaningful, Active, Personalized, and Safe – the Journey program abandons traditional clinical approaches in favor of a holistic, person-centered program.
The Journey framework is built on five essential pillars:
Living With Dignity: Caregivers empower residents by offering simplified, confidence-building choices throughout the day, such as selecting between two favorite outfits or menu options.
Engaging the Senses: Sensory-rich programming like therapeutic music, aromatherapy, and tactile exploration is woven into daily schedules to alleviate anxiety and encourage positive recollection.
Culinary Connections: Chef-crafted meals are paired with culinary demonstrations and mealtime assistance in a homelike dining room.
Personalized and Holistic Care: Wellness plans celebrate each resident’s unique life history, favorite hobbies, and existing strengths rather than focusing on limitations.
Team Collaboration: Specially trained professionals partner closely with local healthcare providers and family members to ensure harmony between medical needs and emotional well-being.
Revolutionary Fall Detection and Campus Safety
Safety is foundational to every aspect of Valage. In the Journey memory care neighborhood, the physical space incorporates secure interior corridors, gentle wayfinding cues, and the private courtyard, enabling residents to safely enjoy fresh air and sunshine.
Furthermore, Valage has set a new regional benchmark by integrating cutting-edge healthcare technology directly into its memory care suites through the SafelyYou fall-
detection system. Utilizing advanced AI video technology with strict privacy controls, SafelyYou automatically detects over 99% of on-the-ground events, instantly notifying the on-site 24/7 care team.
By analyzing real-time footage of how a fall occurred, clinical teams can pinpoint root causes and immediately deploy proactive strategies. Nationally, communities utilizing SafelyYou have experienced an average 40% reduction in overall falls and up to an 80% decrease in fall-related emergency room visits. For Carson Valley families, this level of rapid, informed care offers unparalleled reassurance.
A Trusted Partner for Carson Valley Families
Transitioning a loved one to senior living is not merely a logistical change; it is an emotional journey for the entire family. By providing expert 24/7 care and specialized memory care programming, Valage allows adult children and spouses to step away from the exhausting demands of primary caregiving and return to their cherished roles as devoted daughters, sons, and partners.
Whether your family is exploring active assisted living with personalized support or seeking a compassionate, secure haven for a loved one with memory loss, Valage Senior Living at Carson Valley delivers a community rooted in comfort, innovation, and respect.
To learn more about current memory care availability or to schedule your personal, private tour, please contact the dedicated community line directly at 775-441-7232.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Another vital piece of electrical infrastructure needed for FlyTahoe’s mixed fleet of hydrofoil ferries has been installed at the Tahoe Keys Marina in the form of a marine power pedestal designed to support direct-current fast-charging (DCFC) capabilities, making it the first of its kind in South Lake Tahoe.
Ryan Meinzer, founder and CEO of FlyTahoe pictured with South Lake Tahoe’s first DC fast-charging pedestal.Provided / FlyTahoe
Ryan Meinzer, founder and CEO of FlyTahoe, and his team have been working to develop a sustainable water transit network, partnering with manufacturers Candela and Vessev to operate both 30-passenger and 10-passenger ferries on the waters of Lake Tahoe.
Now, after two years of working with Suntex Marinas, owners of the Tahoe Keys Marina, FlyTahoe has secured the first-ever DC fast charger pedestal in South Lake Tahoe. This marine infrastructure has a 100-amp, 480-volt three-phase supply and is the third charger installed on the lake as part of the marina’s redevelopment project.
The two other chargers are located at Homewood High and Dry Marina on the west shore and Tahoe City Marina on the north shore, both of which were the first-on-the-water electric boat charging stations in the United States.
Meinzer told the Tribune that one of the overarching goals for FlyTahoe is to connect shoreline communities.
“If we’re connecting shoreline communities, what we’re doing is we’re increasing accessibility, inclusivity, and socioeconomic mobility around the entire lake. So there’s no more north-south. We are one.”
South Lake Tahoe’s DC fast charger will not only provide faster vessel turnaround for FlyTahoe’s mixed fleet of both 30-passenger and 10-passenger vessels, it marks a stepping stone for the foundation being built by FlyTahoe to make ferries possible for locals and visitors to utilize.
“It’s just like with an airline,” Meinzer said. “You have different planes for different routes. It’s the same thing. The 30-passenger vessel will be leveraged for the cross-lake [north-south] route.”
In terms of the socioeconomic side of the equation, Meinzer touched on affordability for locals. South Shore offers a large inventory of lower-priced, entry-level homes, duplexes and condos, along with incentives such as South Lake Tahoe’s Long-Term Rental Incentive Program, making it an attractive place to live, in terms of affordability. If South Shore residents were interested in working on the North Shore, FlyTahoe is striving to make getting to work more efficient.
“If there’s a way to get across the lake in 30 minutes with our sustainable water transit network, instead of driving the hour and a half, what this does is it boosts the socioeconomics and has a net benefit to everyone around the lake,” Meinzer said. “But if we’re not doing that responsibly, and in an environmentally-stewardship type of way, then what’s it for?”
The ferries, which are battery-operated and run on hydrofoil technology, align with Lake Tahoe’s environmental standards and have been included as a highlight in the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Connections 2050 Regional Transportation Plan.
Public-private partnerships between FlyTahoe and other lakeside entities have not been announced yet. However, the Tribune is following along and will provide more updates ahead of FlyTahoe’s launch scheduled for 2028.
Both Vessev VS-9 10-passenger and Candela P12 30-passenger ferries can charge at Tahoe Keys Marina.Provided / FlyTahoe
If you’ve ever wished you could have all the love, wiggles, and fun of a big dog wrapped up in a compact little package, allow us to introduce you to Bluebell! This adorable girl looks like a pocket-sized pup, but don’t let her petite package fool you, she has a personality that is anything but small!
At just under 45 pounds, Bluebell is the perfect combination of cute, bubbly, and ridiculously lovable. She’s a happy-go-lucky girl who believes life is better when you’re close to your people, getting plenty of attention, and receiving the occasional compliment on just how cute you are (which, to be fair, will happen frequently).
Bluebell is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
Bluebell has two main love languages; people and toys. Squeaky toys are at the top of her list, and she’s always ready to show off her playful side. Once the toys are put away, she’s more than happy to switch gears and settle in for some quality cuddle time. Her adorable wiggles and affectionate personality make it nearly impossible not to fall in love.
At two years old, Bluebell has plenty of fun and adventure ahead of her. She’s looking for a family who will appreciate her playful spirit, shower her with affection, and give her a place to call home. She loves going for walks and gets along with other dogs that like to play in a more mellow way.
Come meet Bluebell at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. We have a feeling this little pocket pup will take up a whole lot of room in your heart!
Bluebell is spayed, vaccinated, and up to date on her vaccines. To learn more about her, please call/email one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists, 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. To view more adoptable pets, visit www.hstt.org.
A school of Kokanee Salmon (a type of Sockeye salmon) swimming upstream to spawn. Getty Images
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – As water temperatures begin to cool and bouts of autumn precipitation make their way across the region, Kokanee salmon spawn season has become a highly anticipated spectacle since they were first introduced to Lake Tahoe in 1944. Yet with minimal snowpack last season and early spring weather, stream flow rates are dismal, and many are wondering how the Kokanee salmon will fare this year.
Ideal water flow conditions for spawning
When water temperatures drop, it signals to Kokanee salmon that autumn has arrived. This typically occurs between late September through November. Spawning is triggered by a rush of cold water, either from tributaries or through releases from dam management seen at Fallen Leaf Lake into Taylor Creek.
In 1972, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Fallen Leaf Lake Protection Association and the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) was put in place to allow LTMBU to manage the discharge of water from Fallen Leaf Lake through the Anita Baldwin Dam.
“This agreement requires us to maintain the lake elevation above a certain level on September 30 of each year,” said LTBMU Hydrologist, Robert Gibson. “After this date, the LTBMU begins discharging more water to mitigate the risk of flooding during the winter months as required by the MOU. There are no specific thresholds for the discharge schedule, and we strive to balance a variety of resource needs with the existing water conditions.”
In ideal Kokanee spawning conditions, sandbars caused by dry periods are washed away from the mouths of creeks through both snowmelt and precipitation, creating an influx of stream flow. Because Kokanee salmon are landlocked, they rely on this stream flow.
We saw these perfect spawning conditions in 2021 when a historic, late October atmospheric river storm brought downpours that flooded Taylor Creek, allowing the Kokanee to swim upstream to spawn.
When successful Kokanee salmon spawning takes place, it fuels the ecosystem. Because the salmon die shortly after spawning, it creates a high-calorie feast for wildlife before winter sets in. Bears, bald eagles, ospreys, river otters, minks, coyotes and raccoons, along with scavengers like the Steller’s Jays and crows, all reap the benefits of a thriving spawn season.
A young bear fishes for kokanee in Taylor CreekJim Grant / Tahoe Daily Tribune
Current conditions causing delays
According to LTBMU Aquatic Biologist, Sarah Muskopf, stream flows and water availability in the majority of streams entering Lake Tahoe are at their lowest conditions in the fall because they are snowpack driven. Although some streams have groundwater influences and can provide more consistent flows, this is not the case for Taylor Creek.
Due to the lack of the snowpack from the previous winter season, mixed with little precipitation throughout the months of September and October, current conditions for Kokanee to spawn are not very optimal because of a lack of water storage.
“This means we release flows when natural precipitation is in the forecast so when fall spawners are triggered by environmental cues (in this case increased flows) and move upstream, the flows can be maintained to ensure the entire reproductive cycle can be successful,” said Muskopf. “Redds (eggs) deposited by Kokanee need sustained flows that provide cold and well oxygenated water. After the eggs are laid, they incubate in the gravel for a few months and need sustained flows for survival.”
Muskopf notes that the highly anticipated annual salmon run relies on the entire reproductive cycle to be successful.
“We not only need to use the available flow to trigger upstream movement of adult kokanee (typically 2-4 years old) but also the flows to support egg and fry development,” explained Muskopf.
Unless there’s enough water to provide sustained flows from the initial release in the fall through the following April, weather and forecast depending, the run will happen later in the fall, possibly in the months of November into December.
The Latest Renovations and Venues at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore
From fresh dishes to new accommodations, from extra activities to advanced meeting spaces, South Lake Tahoe is constantly innovating. The only elements we strive to leave unchanged are the natural ones. In fact, you can marvel at the stunning peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the strikingly blue waters of our eponymous lake right from your room, game, meeting, table, trail, or entertainment venue. That’s because everything you need is within walking distance on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Add 365 days of outdoor recreation and 24/7 entertainment to the mix, and you have an equation that can’t miss.
Activities
Go ahead; play like it’s your job. Our fresh mountain air can stir up inspiration like nothing else. And you can easily incorporate this new batch of activities into any event itinerary, or try our ever-popular horseback rides, guided nature walks, hot air balloon excursions, and lakeside yoga sessions.
Get a front row seat to colorful granite stones and pristine waters beneath your kayak while taking in picturesque mountains that frame the shoreline all around you. The Summit Shores tour from Clearly Tahoe is a 1.5 to 2-hour guided paddle that’s designed for all skill levels. Expert local guides provide a smooth journey and share about the geology that formed the Tahoe Basin as well as the local flora and fauna.
Heavenly Mountain Resort aims to keep you connected. In addition to offering skiing and snowboarding lessons, restaurant options, lodging properties, and event space, this local resort now provides a bike haul program. Mountain bikers and Class 1 e-bike riders can upload their bikes to the mid-station for access to our community network of trail systems. So your group can keep calm and roll on.
The latest offering from Lagree South Lake, this low-impact yet high-intensity strength workout is intense on muscles but gentle on bones and joints. With plenty of group options, these trained teachers redefine team-building exercises.
Accommodations
If you like options, upgrades, and renovations, you’ve come to the right place. South Shore hotels, resorts, cabins, bed and breakfasts, and campsites are updating their amenities left and right.
With its cozy fires and bubbling hot tubs, The Iceberg Tahoe is anything but cold. Fully renovated in 2025, this hotel is the ideal combination of a remote, tucked-away feel with close proximity to shops, trails, restaurants, and ski slopes.
Sure, your group could cluster inside a conference room, but wouldn’t you rather be sipping cocktails poolside in a cabana? Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe now features The High Dive Pool + Lounge, a venue that claims to be Lake Tahoe’s second greatest body of water. It looks promising, but we’ll let you be the judge.
With in-room gas fireplaces, private terraces or balconies, and separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, Edgewood Resort just completed a comprehensive redesign of its lodge rooms and suites. Edgewood also added a 5,600-square-foot lakefront ballroom that can host up to 250 guests for receptions and corporate events, a 2,100-square-foot heated deck for outdoor ceremonies and gatherings, and a lakefront private dining space for up to 40 guests.
After a $45 million comprehensive renovation, Gurney’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa plans to open its doors in 2027. The 7.6-acre lakefront resort also includes a cafe, pizzeria, restaurant, and dessert shop alongside a health and wellness spa, meeting spaces, and private beach access.
Restaurants & Bars
The following establishments have just joined our lineup of delectable South Shore provisions. Hot tip: JWB Prime Steak and Seafood released an updated menu. Even hotter tip: We developed a group dining guide for planners so you can spend less time organizing and more time tasting.
Japanese A5 Wagyu. Bread with Black Truffle Butter. White Cheddar Lobster Mac & Cheese. Those are just some of the dishes you can order at the latest restaurant within Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe. Might as well pair it with one of their award-winning wines. Cheers.
This is not your grandmother’s afternoon tea. Edgewood Tahoe recently launched a modern tea experience with thoughtfully curated sips and small plates. Hosted inside the resort’s fine dining restaurant, your tea and cakes come with sweeping panoramic views. Who knows, you might just brew up your next big idea.
Building on the momentum of the resort’s rebrand and summer 2025 debut, Caesars Entertainment has launched pool enhancements, meeting and convention spaces, and a bar and lounge area with live music seven nights a week—right at the center of the casino floor.
Find your untapped potential at the newest taproom and cafe. Select from indoor and outdoor spaces with firepits, a stage—even a whimsical garden tucked beneath the pines where winding brick pathways, soft market lighting, and atmospheric landscaping create a charming, almost secret-garden feel. Paddle House specializes in private events, and the food is just as good as the brews. Their blueberry mascarpone cake is a local delicacy.
Try chef-led culinary experiences that pair tastings at handpicked local restaurants with the history, hidden stories, and neighborhoods that make the South Shore unique. From progressive dinners to private sightseeing and food tours, it’s a memorable way to bring a team or client group together over great food and a deeper taste of Tahoe’s local character.
Transcend Your Agenda
All of these exciting transformations happening in South Lake Tahoe combined with our existing offerings means that the only thing missing is you. Browse venues for events, meetings, and conventions of all sizes, or book your group accommodations to secure the choicest spot for your crew. Your guests will feel so invigorated, they might just push back their return flight (which is a great time to mention that we’re only a short drive away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport). Ready to make a move? We’d love to see your RFP.
Sure, we’re a little biased, but there’s never a bad time to visit Lake Tahoe. Pick a season, any season. Celebrate summer in the Sierra with a hike to Emerald Bay State Park or make a splash at Pope Beach. Discover why Tahoe winters are legendary for skiing and holiday fun at the Heavenly Village and Ski Resort. If you want to avoid the high season crowds, visit Lake Tahoe in the spring to hit the slopes in sunglasses and a t-shirt, or come in the fall when the mountains are painted in autumn colors and hiking is at its best. Regardless of when you visit, there’s plenty of Lake Tahoe things to do.
TL;DR: South Lake Tahoe has been named Expedia’s #1 Trending Destination for 2027, following a 195% surge in travel searches. Discover why this year-round mountain destination is capturing travelers’ attention worldwide.
The secret is out! South Lake Tahoe is capturing the attention of travelers worldwide, and Expedia’s latest travel trends report confirms it.
According to Expedia’s Unpack ’27 travel trends report, South Lake Tahoe saw a remarkable 195% year-over-year increase in travel searches, earning the top spot among trending destinations worldwide.
And it’s easy to see why. From sparkling blue waters and sandy beaches to breathtaking alpine scenery, South Lake Tahoe offers something unforgettable in every season. Visitors can hit the slopes at world-class ski resorts, explore scenic hiking and biking trails, cruise across the lake, or simply relax and take in the mountain views. Add exciting entertainment, delicious dining, and a wide variety of places to stay, and you’ve got a destination worth discovering again and again.
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, a romantic mountain escape, or a memorable family vacation, South Lake Tahoe delivers an experience unlike anywhere else.
Who doesn’t love that cozy autumn feeling of walking to your mailbox, or a drop box, or an in-person voting center to cast your vote for local, state, and national leadership?
2026 is a midterm year, meaning no voting for the U.S. president and vice president. With that spotlight off, local races receive more, much-deserved attention. Ideal, since that’s where voters have the most power to effect change. But without presidential candidates on the ballot, there tends to be considerably less participation. In 2022’s midterm election, 36% of California’s voting age population cast a ballot compared to 53% in 2024’s general. In Nevada for those same years, 41% bumped up to 58%.
The irony isn’t difficult to spot: Rules and codes over local development, utility rates, transportation options — these and hundreds more decisions happen in your neck of the woods and are made by the people you vote into office. But it doesn’t have the same drama or them-versus-us vibe, so it might not feel as critical to participate.
We hope reviewing the answers provided by candidates in the following pages adds a reason to your pros and cons list about voting on or before Nov. 3. There are very real issues at hand and critical decisions being made, and who you vote for could turn the tide one way or the other.
For our election coverage in our October edition, we took a methodical approach to the jurisdictions and special districts featured: Those we questioned in person as part of the Truckee Candidate Forum on Oct. 8 — Truckee Town Council, Tahoe Forest Hospital District, and Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District — were not included in print. (You can re-watch those forums, which took place Oct. 6 and 8, at ttm.ompnetwork.org.
A North Shore Election Forum took place Oct. 6, where state candidates participated in a Q&A. Find the recording at firsttuesdaybreakfastclub.com.
Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association is hosting an IV-CB Community Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Duffield Theater at Incline High School. It will be broadcast live and available afterward at youtube.com/@iv-cbcommunityforum9730.
We also touch on Measure P, which goes before all voters within the TTUSD boundaries.
You’ll find three district-specific questions asked of the candidates, who were allowed no more than 125 words in response per answer. Please sit with their answers and mull over who you believe would best fill an empty seat on a board, then responsibly fill out your ballot and cast your vote by Nov. 3. A healthy democracy depends on participation.
For uncontested races and other information, view our 2026 Election Tracker at tinyurl.com/5f4w5j4c.
Residents must register to vote by Oct. 19. Same-day voter registration is possible, but must be done at a county elections office, polling place, or vote center. Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations.
Residents must have registered to vote in person or by mail by Oct. 6. Same-day voter registration is possible and must be done in person at a polling location. Visit tinyurl.com/mrfcsc7p for a list of early voting locations.
Two years ago, the Incline Village General Improvement District was in a precarious spot. Fraud allegations, financial issues, failed recalls, and a general manager spot that couldn’t seem to be kept filled — interim GM Bobby Magee, who resigned after three months, followed by Kent Walrack, who lasted a similar length of time before being terminated by a new board. That same month, January 2025, the still-current GM, Bob Harrison, was put in place.
Earlier this summer, Trustee Mick Homan wrote a piece for Moonshine saying that at long last, things are looking up. “With key hires in HR and finance to supplement the existing team, focus shifted to three priorities,” he wrote. “Improving organizational health, restoring financial discipline, and advancing long-term capital planning.”
The shape of that progress looks different to different people. There are three candidates running for two seats on the IVGID Board of Trustees, with only one incumbent running for reelection: David Noble. That means there’ll be at least one newcomer, either Harry Swenson, who ran in 2024, or Ryan “RB” Brooks. The candidates touch on cost discipline, transportation, and utility management.
Candidates were limited to 125-word responses per question, and they have been edited for style and clarity. Order of replies determined by a randomizer.
1. Public transportation has been identified as a critical option to reduce traffic, lower pollution, expand mobility, and more. December 2025’s cancellation of TART (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit) Connect’s microtransit services and the Aug. 1, 2026, discontinuance of IVGID’s Senior Transportation Program have created a gap in public transportation needs across Incline Village/Crystal Bay. What do you see as the most critical way(s) IVGID can support or encourage expanded public transportation options?
Brooks: The end of these programs left us without on-demand transit for the residents who depend on it most: seniors, workers, and people without a car. As I see it, IVGID’s most critical role is to restore service quickly and on solid legal footing. IVGID’s counsel has advised that [Nevada Revised Statute] 318 doesn’t allow the district to operate transportation directly. Rather, we should let a local 501(c)(3) run the service and receive state and federal funding directly, including [Nevada Department of Transportation’s] [Federal Transit Administration] Section 5310 and Older Americans Act funds and Washoe County senior service contracts. IVGID’s role would be to convene partners and help prepare grant applications. Any direct financial support would be reviewed by legal counsel first, so we don’t trade one lawsuit risk for another.
Editor’s note: Words in brackets were added by editors and do not count against word count.
Noble: IVGID representatives have been in discussions with county representatives since April to strongly encourage restarting/funding TART, which would assist all residents, including seniors. Those discussions have included the use of at least some of the taxes generated from STRs in unincorporated Washoe County (over 90% of those revenues come from STRs in Incline Village and Crystal Bay), which currently go to the county, Travel North Tahoe Nevada (formerly the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau), and the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Unfortunately, IVGID is prohibited from providing public transportation service, unless it is tied to at least one of IVGID’s recreation venues.
Swenson: I would work with the board and amend the long-standing contract with Washoe County to ensure senior transportation services are fully funded by the county and are consistent with services offered in other towns/districts of the county. For instance, the county provides discounted Lyft rides and taxi services for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income residents. We need to ensure our community is aware of the services available.
IVGID has the responsibility of providing transportation according to the contract with Washoe County; therefore, the elimination of services was wrong. The problem appears to be budgetary and due to the services provided by IVGID going beyond what the county provides in other communities. Services should have been reviewed and refined rather than eliminated.
2. IVGID provides essential utilities while also operating an extensive recreation system. How would you determine which responsibilities should take priority when the district faces competing financial, infrastructure, and community needs?
Swenson: Maintaining and updating our water and sewer infrastructure is critical. Much of it is still original and in state of disrepair. We’ve had too many water main and line breaks. We need to budget and execute on a plan to get it upgraded and properly maintained. At the same time, we need to make the maintenance of our existing facilities, such as the recreation center, a priority. We should budget for these things first and then determine what additional projects can be accomplished. Only projects that can be delivered should be contained in the budget that results in your beach and recreation fees. This would resolve the over-collection of fees from our community while keeping our facilities in good repair.
Brooks: Tier 1 – Public health, safety, and legal obligations. Water, sewer, and effluent systems come first because they protect residents and the lake, and regulations aren’t optional.
Tier 2 – Taking care of what we already have. Before paying for anything new, IVGID should fully fund the repair and replacement of its existing pipes, pumps, facilities, and equipment.
Tier 3 – Core recreation at the heart of our community. Each IVGID facility should be evaluated on cost, usage, and how close it comes to covering its expenses. But keep a holistic approach.
Tier 4 – Wants. New amenities, expansions, and nice-to-haves come last.
Three rules would guide me in how I apply this:
Keep the money where it belongs.
Plan on a five- to 10-year horizon.
Show our work.
Noble: Water and sewer services take priority over all recreation venues because those services are essential to daily life. IVGID recently completed the effluent export pipeline project under Highway 28 — a $62 million-plus project finished a year ahead of schedule and $13 million-plus under budget. Looking forward, I believe reinvestment in IVGID’s water service and ski area should be priority. Wildfire preparedness measures (pipe replacement, backup generators, etc.) need to be accelerated for our water delivery system to be better prepared for future wildfire events. Diamond Peak is the only venue that generates a profit for the community ($1 to $5 million/year), yet no meaningful investments have been made in nearly 20 years — lodge, lift, and snowmaking upgrades are long overdue to address declining skier visits.
3. The past few years have seen ups and downs in the facility fee amounts district property owners pay annually. For example, in the fiscal year ending 2023, residents paid $780. In 2024, that amount dropped to $455. In 2026, due to impacted district finances, the annual fee went up to $1,375. The current IVGID board said the latest increase will help ensure district financial stability and the ability to manage current and future capital facilities. Do you think the board and staff have handled the financial instability well? How would you seek to maintain or improve district financial management moving forward?
Noble: The facility fee was kept flat from 2010 to 2023, while construction, labor, and food prices rose considerably over that period. The fee went up to $1,375 to begin addressing years of deferred maintenance and capital projects that languished due to analysis paralysis. I led the effort in early 2025 to hire IVGID’s new GM, who has rebuilt the finance department. We now have the right personnel in place for IVGID to comply with all applicable fiscal and accounting protocols, resulting in a clean (no exceptions or disclaimers) [Fiscal Year] 2025 audit. IVGID will be removed from the state’s fiscal watch list once the anticipated clean audit for FY 2026 is filed in November, which will enable IVGID to access additional financing tools for future projects.
Swenson: IVGID is collecting money for projects without the ability to complete in the budgeted year for many years; it’s resulted in excessive cash reserves. The excessive cash build-ups have also allowed your money to be used where it wasn’t intended or budgeted. The lower-fee years were during a time when the board linked the fees to the ability to deliver projects and services; they didn’t over-collect but collected for what was achievable. Last year’s capital improvement plan was for $30 million of projects and barely executed on $6 million. Now, with the tripling of fees, they’ve collected another $40 million out of your pockets. The board needs to budget and collect only for projects and services it can deliver, nothing more. Apply proper fiscal management!
Brooks: The current board and staff faced the problem honestly. They built a long-term capital plan, ranked the most critical projects, and stabilized the general fund. The effluent pipeline replacement finished a year early and under budget. That’s real progress.
Going forward, I would:
Instead of raising fees, pursue cost savings and revenue generating opportunities. For example, we have a $400,000 line item for the replacement of golf carts. Let’s solicit sponsors like Titleist or Nike to brand and sponsor the golf carts.
Index the fee to construction costs every year with a published formula.
Autumn Color Reflected in the Twilight
Caples Lake, Calif.
Fall is here, and for photographers, it’s the most exciting time of the year. Grab your gear and head to the mountains. Great images may seem easy, but capturing world-class ones is not as simple as it appears. I have five key elements that I look for in a single image:
1. Color: The sky and landscape should be bursting with color. Brilliant blue skies, glowing sunsets, and vibrant fall foliage make images pop.
2. Water: I prefer a one to three-second exposure to soften the water into a creamy flow of motion. Reflections double the foliage and sky color, creating beautiful, mirrored compositions.
3. Strong Compositions: Find a solid center point, such as an is
olated tree or a splash of color. Your eye should wander around without being led out of the frame. S-curves and diagonals make images more dynamic.
4. Old Things: Ghost towns, dilapidated buildings or barns, and remnants of bygone eras are not only enjoyable to discover, but they are often weathered, rusted, or in disrepair, captivating viewers.
5. Weather: Clouds, snow, and rain can all enhance an image. Cloudy days reduce the contrast of shadows. The first snowfall of the year is a must-see, and a gentle rain to wash away dust is always welcome.
I haven’t yet captured a photo that incorporates all five elements, but I’ll keep trying!
It being a midterms year, Moonshine Ink sought to create a political education column, speaking with academics on the state of politics in the country. In this edition of the Politics Brief, Moonshine spoke with Teaching Assistant Professor Owen Fite, Ph.D., from the University of Nevada, Reno’s political science department. Answers were lightly edited for style and clarity.
You teach a class on political philosophy, so I’m wondering if you can define democracy and tell me about how it has evolved since its creation? Why didn’t the founding fathers go with a direct Athenian democracy?
To give the general synopsis of what Athenian democracy was, it wasn’t monolithic, it wasn’t static. It changed over different years in which it existed. But the most radical take … that I think is worth juxtaposing from today is a democracy in which you had 6,000 citizens who showed up to the Pnyx — the assembly. It’s this hilltop in Athens. And the first 6,000 citizens that showed up there got to be essentially congress members for the day.
Those citizens would be voting yea or nay on the various proposals that were submitted by [a] council of 500. This was still restricted to Athenians, even if there were other city-states and areas that were under Athenian rule. This was still a very exclusive form of citizenship that also did not include women or children or slaves. But these people also were paid.
As a way to make this more accessible even to the poor, you could get paid essentially a day’s wage to show up and do your citizenry duties. And so you had a form of citizenship that allowed for such participation and allowed for real engagement, whether it’s because you were picked by lottery to be one of these more deliberative council members in this smaller body of 500, or you always having this right to show up early to this assembly with 5,999 other folks and vote yea or nay on these various proposals. I don’t think I need to explain to you how different that is from democracy today.
Aristotle gives you a theory as to three noble forms of government — what are pure, virtuous forms of government: benevolent kingship, aristocracy, and polity, or what also might be translated to a constitutional polity of sorts.
The perverted forms, or the forms of government that end up taking shape if the noble ones end up being corrupted, are: tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy. Democracy is seen as mob rule, rule of incompetence, rule of those who are subject to material needs. In other words, people are selfishly going into these assemblies looking for what they can get. If they don’t have their needs met, they’re going to be even more desperate and selfish instead of deliberating and thinking of a collective communal good.
And it isn’t until we get to John Locke and what we would call the introduction of liberal democracy that we get kind of this 180, where we get essentially the English Civil Wars, and we get this re-understanding that government is based on consent, individual’s agreement to enter into a social contract and accept legitimate authority.
[The founding fathers] had a lot of liberal ideas to pull from, they draw from Lockean philosophy, and so they have the basis of a liberal democratic government, but one that is still supposed to be based on rationalism, that is still supposed to exclude women, those who are not educated enough, like children, those who are supposed to only be property owning. In other words, still this idea that those who can’t provide for themselves are going to corrupt a public body, seeking their own selfish good if they don’t have their own material sustenance met.
And what one could clearly argue as real skepticism of the everyday citizen, the fact that the Senate was not able to be elected until we get to the 1900s shows that the founding fathers didn’t want everyday people in charge of affairs. The fact that the electoral college existed meant another layer of insulation in which individual people could not express their concerns. By just keeping it in the House of Representatives, it allowed some sort of representation based off citizens, which is still a very exclusive circle.
Not everyone could be a citizen … that would be specifically capped by a Senate. It’d be capped to really make sure that all these warnings made by political philosophers over the last thousand years [about] a tyranny of the masses, a tyranny of the uneducated, would never really take shape.
ZOON POLITIKON: Politics isn’t simply Congress or voting, says Owen Fite, it’s the network of relationships and decisions that shape how we live together. File image
As politics becomes wrapped up in every facet of life, what would you say to somebody who says that they’re not political? How does this tie into Aristotle’s idea of the zoon politikon?
Zoon politikon translates to political animal.
And this is an assumption made by Aristotle that people are political creatures. In other words, politics is not something we should avoid. Politics is the very essence of being human.
The fact that humans have ideas of what is good and bad, what’s better and worse, what is righteous, what is sincere, what is emotion, these are all very human things. And all of this has to do with politics. In order to understand this you have to have a more capacious definition instead of an institutional definition of politics just being Congress or voting.
But politics at its origins is the practice of compromise, of agreeing. Well, that’s what it’s like to be a person. The only way one could avoid politics would be living out on an island by themselves with no interaction with anyone else.
But even that is still the consequence of politics. For example, [if] some different treaties or different governments agreed not to populate this one island,[then] even if someone avoids all politics, the very absence of politics … requires politics elsewhere. And so that’s a different answer, though, to how someone who tells me they’re not political, how I’d respond to them.
I would do a long Socratic kind of back and forth if I had all the time in the world and I was invested in really getting this through. I would ask, ‘What does it mean to not be political?’ I’d throw it on its head. And if someone said, ‘Oh, it’s just I like my job and I like watching my TV.’ I’d ask, ‘Well, how do you have your job? What are the economic forces at play? What are the facts of insurance, the subsidies, the workplace protections, the fact that you have a home, the zoning, the roads that get you from here to there, the fact that you have TV, that you have internet connection here and there, that everything that leads to you being a part of another’s world, that’s political.’
It is interesting because I feel like some of the people I’ve talked to think it’s pointless. They think that they don’t have influence, or maybe they think that there’s no point in voting in the presidential election because they think that the only potential power that they have is within local elections.
What I would call a meaningful distinction of what you brought up is the difference between having agency and influence versus control and masterdom. Yeah, people in the U.S. right now do not have control over their politics.
They do not have a masterdom over politics unless they are one of those few exceptions of a political party elite or Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos-type billionaires. That doesn’t mean someone doesn’t have influence. If I were to have a conversation with individuals, I would probably take it as local, scaled down as possible to think of what influence have you had on friends, on family, on the community, and I would interrogate them or challenge them to say, how is that apolitical? You convincing a friend to watch a certain show over another, going to this event versus another, joining this club, spending their time doing this and that.
Whether they’re subtle or not, they have interconnections with ideas of what is better, what is worse, what are ways that we want to associate, we want to cohabitate, we want to live together, what institutions we want to make, whether they’re formal or informal.
What I problematize about the definition that you cited is that it’s really restricted by an institutionalist type of thinking that, yes, if you only work with institutions and you expect institutions to completely reflect what you want, it’s going to feel like you have no agency, but that’s only one avenue of politics.
The most radical changes over history, the biggest political change happens outside of formal institutions. It creates new institutions over time. You as an individual are not going to do that. You don’t have that control or masterdom, but that’s where you don’t get these big critical junctures until it actually takes up across a large group, a large mass of people.
We go back to the heart of it, which is politics only exists with others. You as an individual are not going to change everything in politics by yourself. It’s all part of a collective action problem, a collective effort.
Three seats of the five seats on the Truckee Fire Protection District board are up for the midterms, but none of them are seeking reelection, which means come Jan. 1, 2027, there’ll be three new faces overseeing the fire district’s budget, policies, and overall services for the community. This is especially notable considering the district’s current legal battle against Placer County over property tax allotment, such impending capital projects as a new headquarters fire station, and the recent union formation.
Candidates were limited to 125-word responses per question, and they have been edited for style and clarity. Order of replies determined by a randomizer.
1. Truckee Fire says a decades-old property-tax allocation problem in Placer County has cost it roughly $40 million since the 1970s. What is your understanding of the district’s claim, and what role should the board play in pursuing a resolution that supports reliable fire and emergency medical services while considering the impact on other taxing agencies? (Read more on this situation at moonshineink.com: Truckee Fire Sues Placer County Over Decades of Unpaid Property Tax.)
McThorn: Unfortunately, there is a confidentiality clause with the legal case, and I do not have all the factual information. Once on the board, I can better understand the issue. From what I know, this should have been addressed many years ago by prior chiefs and boards.
I am not for taking from other special districts within Truckee. This appears to be the threat from Placer County and am not sure that is legal. If the case is won, it should come from the Placer County general fund and not our special districts. Moving forward, the funds should be allocated appropriately to Truckee Fire. If elected, I will share all factual information that is legally allowed so we can move forward responsibly.
Rintala: The district has not been receiving funding from the fire service taxes paid by residents in a portion of Placer County. The district has spent many years trying to resolve this with Placer County. The fire taxes other district residents pay should not have to make up for the funding removed from our region. As a community member, I am not convinced that our local agencies are overfunded by the taxes collected for the TFPD, as the county suggests. The board should seek out and review available information and pursue the case with the entire community we serve in mind. The district should also be ready and willing to engage with other agencies to understand potential impacts.
Witherspoon: Truckee Fire deserves fair, durable funding without destabilizing schools, healthcare, sanitation, or neighboring districts. I reviewed the Zone 7 tax-area records, and the allocation snafu locked into place after Proposition 13 is there for anyone to see. The sanity check is whether Placer County or Northstar [Community Services District] would provide fire protection with those allocations. Quite simply, they wouldn’t. Correcting this historical imbalance will have a financial impact on the county and/or our local special districts. The board should protect the district’s legal position while making settlement the priority. I would require transparent reporting on legal costs, verify the service-cost analysis, and bring Placer County and affected agencies into structured negotiations.
Brown: The lawsuit is active against Placer County by Truckee Fire. This case should be guided by fairness, fiscal responsibility, and what is legitimately owed to our fire district. We have been pursuing a fair resolution with Placer County for decades; with better communication this could have prevented the lawsuit. While retroactive funding may not be recoverable, we should establish a fair path forward. Our emergency services remain unchanged for these areas while local taxpayers bear the costs. I believe there are sufficient resources to reach an equitable solution without negatively impacting other agencies. The court should make a ruling and Truckee Fire will acceptingly move forward. If settlement is needed, I would support collaboration, transparency, and a fair outcome for all involved.
Golden: I completely agree that we cannot take resources away from our schools or healthcare district. A zero-sum fight between local emergency services and education is not the answer.
At the same time, we have to be honest about the problem. Billions of dollars of development have occurred in the Martis Valley, creating more people, more homes and more fire risk, while Truckee Fire remains understaffed. I believe Placer County needs to be part of the solution. We should work toward a long-term agreement that better recognizes the cost of protecting these communities.
My goal would be simple: make sure the tax revenue generated here is helping provide the services needed here, while working with our neighboring agencies rather than taking resources away from them.
2. Significant capital projects are on the horizon for Truckee Fire, including Station 90, a new headquarters fire station, and a regional training facility for Truckee and its partner agencies. What are three specific ways the board of directors might hold the line on fiscal discipline during the planning and implementation of these and other projects?
Golden: Fiscal discipline doesn’t mean saying no to every major project. It means making sure we’re building what our community actually needs and getting the most value for every taxpayer dollar.
I’m particularly supportive of seeing the regional training facility through because I believe it can make Truckee and our neighboring agencies better prepared while sharing cost and resources. I would work directly with partner agencies to make that happen.
Training matters. Firefighters cannot be expected to perform at their best during a structure fire if they can’t regularly practice those skills. Technology, equipment, and fire behavior continue to change, and we have to keep our firefighters current. I would expect strong budgets, accountability, and regular oversight while investing in training that keeps our community safe.
McThorn: The new station 90 is still in the early phase and changes can be made. From what I know, there is not a definitive funding plan. There should be a collaborative effort moving forward with all stakeholders, Transient Occupancy Tax, and community input. Fiscal responsibility is always a priority with public funds. It is a good plan with an attached fire station from what I have seen.
The need for a regional training facility should be a priority. Our goal should be to keep our firefighters within or close to our district when training. Training is a top priority, and Truckee is one of the most uniquely challenged areas in the country. Our firefighters need to be ready at all times.
Rintala: With three new board members, the prospective capital projects should be reviewed starting with a thorough needs and benefits analysis as we look to modernize and grow with our community. The district is healthy and should explore accessible funding options while prioritizing the most important capabilities we can afford to pursue. These are high-impact projects that can improve capability and service quality if well planned. A fire station is a large investment. Community-supported funding must be considered in the context of overall community needs, aging infrastructure, and resource availability. The board needs to honor and protect the existing partnership with voters that brought us wildfire risk reduction through Measure T funding and plan to build forward in concert with other community providers.
Witherspoon: Representing taxpayer interests starts well before construction. Station 90’s 18,000-square-foot concept carries a preliminary estimate of about $24 million. At that scale, the district must validate and prioritize needs, compare smaller and phased alternatives, identify external funding, and show that construction will not weaken reserves or service levels. Any capital plan must address upgrades to aging stations and prioritize the highest needs. For greenlit projects, I would require updated cost estimates and public board approval at design milestones, bid awards, and significant change orders. For a regional training facility, each partner’s capital contribution, operating share, governance rights, maintenance obligation, and exit terms should be documented before Truckee commits. We should fund what crews need, what population growth demands, and what the tax base can sustain.
Brown: I believe a new fire station can be an important investment in our community’s safety, but we need strong safeguards before committing significant taxpayer dollars. I would support a thorough feasibility study, independent cost estimates, realistic construction timelines, and a clearly defined project scope. The board should establish a firm budget with appropriate contingency reserves, require competitive bidding, and have any significant scope or cost changes return to the board for approval.
We should also evaluate long-term operating and maintenance costs, secure outside funding where possible, and regularly review the project against established milestones. Most importantly, the community deserves transparent reporting throughout the process. Good planning means anticipating challenges before they become expensive problems and ensuring we build what Truckee needs while protecting taxpayers.
3. Earlier this year, Truckee firefighters joined the Sierra Nevada Firefighters Local 3800 union. What changes, if any, have you observed in the district’s internal communication, collaboration, or service delivery since then? As a board member, how would you support a constructive working relationship among executive staff, the board, and union members?
Brown: I respect the employees’ choice to go union and encourage good collaboration. The transition and relationship are new and priorities should be open communication to build trust, accountability, and a strong working relationship. We can work together to build a problem-solving partnership and I’m positive the union relations will continue to develop. Since the unionization, the board has approved a change in service for the better with regard to daily minimum staffing levels. The staffing levels are now increased by two personnel, making a mandatory of 10 personnel. This is an important improvement from the previous minimum staffing of eight. There is always room for revision and conversation to increase these levels in the future based on district needs and fiscal availability.
Golden: I believe the most important thing is that everyone remembers we’re on the same team. Our firefighters, executive staff, and board may have different perspectives, but we all have the same responsibility: providing the best possible fire and emergency medical service to our community.
Since firefighters joined Local 3800, I believe the board should embrace that relationship, not treat it as an obstacle. I would make a point of listening to our firefighters and understand what they’re seeing on the ground, while also respecting the responsibilities of the chief and board.
Good organizations communicate openly, address problems directly, and hold each other accountable. I would work to build that relationship: one that’s based on respect, transparency, and a shared commitment to the people we serve.
McThorn: Since unionizing, the internal communication seems to be strained. With my experience in labor and management communications and negotiations, I will bring stability, open lines of communication, and straightforward discussions. I have learned over my career that such communication will always prevail. It will unify and gain trust among labor and management and build a stronger fire district. The firefighters and prevention officers are front line and have the best insight for positive change. As a board member, I would like to see monthly labor and management meetings with set achievable goals, and a monthly report to the board. To be a truly effective union it takes the labor group to be proactive and communicate factually. We must work together to better serve our community.
Rintala: The union relationship is new and all parties still have to learn how to work with each other under a new system. Attending board meetings over the last year and listening to firefighters, I’ve observed difficulty from all sides while individuals remain mission-driven and strive to deliver outstanding service to our evolving rural community. TFPD’s extraordinary firefighters, staff, and leaders work with many response partners for rapid, scalable, and reliable emergency response. The national advocacy from the union promises to bring guidance to our team that helps keep our firefighters, residents, and visitors ever safer in emergencies. The board should actively guide respectful engagement from the boardroom to the front line putting our community and our Truckee Fire team ahead of turf battles.
Witherspoon: I am not inside the organization and will not claim firsthand knowledge of private workplace dynamics. Public statements surrounding the unionization suggest employees wanted a more consistent voice in district decisions. I have seen no evidence that unionization has diminished service, and I support employees finding a constructive way to be heard. I welcome the perspective a regional union can bring from peer fire districts. As a board member, I would support scheduled labor-management meetings, anonymous employee climate surveys and more transparency with staff, e.g., livestreaming board meetings so employees can follow them remotely. The board should respect collective bargaining and the chief’s chain of command while ensuring employees can raise concerns safely. Constructive labor relations are necessary to sustain excellent public service.
What does the midterm election look like through the eyes of young voters in the Tahoe region? We asked five Gen Zers, ages 19 to 23, about whether they plan to vote, the issues that matter most to them, how well political parties represent them, and how they feel about voting in California and Nevada. Their answers reflect a generation that is engaged but not necessarily aligned, with concerns ranging from the cost of living and housing to international conflict, data centers, healthcare, and the economy. Respondents are listed alphabetically, with the order rotated throughout the Q&A.
Ella Brandt, 23
From Tahoe City
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Female
Registered as: Democrat
Ella Brandt is a Cal Poly alumnus currently working at a marina on Lake Tahoe.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
Yes, I will be voting. I think it’s a pivotal and impactful time to be able to utilize and exercise my right to vote and take part in our democracy, especially given where I stand on who controls the House and Senate.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
Cost of living and health care are two of the biggest issues in this midterm. The propositions on our ballot could bring real relief on housing, health care, and taxes. This is largely important to help the well-being of families and workers across California.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
I think the Democratic Party ultimately represents me better than any alternative. When I weigh my options, the party aligns more closely with my values, particularly environmental sustainability, access to health care, and Congress holding the President accountable.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
It’s hard to sum up all Californians in one way, and voting is how every part of the state gets heard. I like being Californian overall, but living in Tahoe, I think I may have a different perspective than most Californians. For instance, we deal with seasonal crowds and a housing market that’s hard for locals to afford.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will likely vote in person.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I am in full support of this. Individuals with that much wealth and accessibility to money should contribute to the communities around them. It would bring a meaningful influx of money to those who need it.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
I am not currently following any specific local race.
Brenna Ritchie, 21
From Incline Village
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Female
Registered as: Democrat
Brenna Ritchie is a Rangeland Ecology and Natural Resources Management student at Montana State University.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
Yes, of course, they are still important votes because it changes options for the primary elections: if you have an opinion in the primaries, then you should have a vested interest in the midterms.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
Economics and cost of living and also data centers! Data center policy is something that every American citizen can rally behind, regardless of party, because they affect so much of our future and use of resources. Specifically, our future water use and land use are drastically impacted by data centers, and these are the two most important things for American agriculture — which is ultimately what keeps us all alive.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
Not super well — both are quite polarized on issues. Neither party tries to see the perspective of the other- and both are losing followers because they are so far leaning. I think there is a huge hole in American politics for someone who is middle ground on issues to collect voters from both parties due to their evenness and views for both sides.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I love being a Nevadan — I love being part of a swing state where your voice actually matters — especially in a contentious time right now with data center controversy.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will be voting by mail, and no I don’t have any reservations about using it — I trust the mail service to send packages, cards, and more, and I see sending a ballot as the same thing. I have faith in our hardworking citizens to deliver it, and for people counting them to act as upstanding Americans and do the right thing- as long as it gets counted, I don’t care through which avenue I vote.
6. What local election are you following, if any?
I am not following many local elections because I am not currently living there, but I do hear and keep tabs on the IVGID elections from my dad.
Hazin Burtt, 19
From Truckee
Ethnicity: Mixed
Gender Identity: Male
Registered as: Independent
Hazin is a professional rock climber.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
I will be voting in the midterms because I believe that one vote can make a difference.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
I believe the most important issue is our president and getting him impeached. If we cannot loosen the control of the Republicans in Congress, then we will have to suffer the consequences of his actions.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
They represent me well, but they don’t cover all my opinions on things. But that is to be expected. They represent me more than the Democrats and much more than the Republicans.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I don’t feel terrible about it because while Gavin Newsom makes some terrible decisions, he does some good for the environment.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will be voting in person, I like the sticker and the small trip out to vote at a poll.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I am in support of this but I do wish the percentage was higher. It would allow so many people to live their lives with what should be the basics, but who currently cannot.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
I am not following any local races currently.
Emmett Roberts, 22
From Olympic Valley
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Male
Registered as: Independent
Emmett is a Tufts University Alumnus currently working as an electrical engineer.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
I will vote in the midterms. I mostly want my vote to reflect how I feel the president is handling his term by voting on congress members. So while I will be voting for state government and propositions, my main motivation is to vote for congress members.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
The biggest issue for me is the international conflict and the US’s involvement. I am very against the conflicts, and our government is not only funding Israel with weapons and money, but also making little diplomatic progress towards a ceasefire with Iran.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
I am nonpartisan so I feel it represents me pretty well. I have ideals that align with multiple different parties, and even if most of them are more aligned with the Democratic Party, I don’t think its current image is one I fully support or agree with.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I feel good about being Californian, the people in California share mostly the same important social and political viewpoints as me.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will be voting in person.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I think it is a good idea if implemented correctly. I will be voting for it, but I don’t want the money used improperly and I don’t want to drive billionaires out of the state, which could severely decrease state tax revenue and have other economic consequences.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
None.
Luke Bracco, 23
From Truckee
Ethnicity: White
Gender identity: Male
Registered as: Independent
Luke Bracco is a mountain guide and from Alamo, California. He has lived in Tahoe on and off for his entire life.
1. Will you vote in the midterms? Why or why not?
Yes, definitely. Midterms decide who’s in Congress and who sets policy at the state and local level, and those decisions affect day-to-day life more than people realize. Skipping them means letting other people choose for me.
2. What do you think is the most important issue in the midterm election and why?
The economy and unemployment are issues that have my attention. Housing and healthcare are equally important, but hinge on the stability of a consistent paycheck. Holding work is critical to being able to build a life, and for people my age, that’s a huge source of uncertainty.
3. How well does your political party currently represent you and why?
I lean Democrat and it’s the closest fit, but not a perfect one. I agree with the party on a lot of social and policy priorities, but I don’t always feel it puts enough focus on jobs and affordability, which are important issues to me.
4. In a national (political) context, how do you feel about being Nevadan or Californian?
I have mixed feelings living here. California is a leader in innovation, climate policy, and culture, but it also falls victim to political issues seen at a national level. It’s frustrating that critical issues like cost of living and housing fall behind more divisive social issues. We spend too much time fighting over ideas that affect a relatively small portion of the population and ignore ones that truly affect the lives of everyone.
5. Will you be voting by mail or in person? If by mail, do you have any reservations about using this method?
I will vote by mail. It’s convenient and I have no reservations about it.
6. On the ballot is a billionaires tax, a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of individuals worth over $1 billion. The tax is meant to subsidize healthcare, education and food assistance for Californians. Are you in support of this and why or why not?
(Editor’s Note: This question was asked only of Californians.)
I’m torn on the billionaire tax. I like the goal of funding healthcare, education, and food assistance, and I think the ultra-wealthy can contribute more, but I worry about the application. Whether it’s a true one-time tax, how wealth gets valued, and if the money actually reaches those programs are some questions I’ve raised. It also strikes me as a headline political move, another easy to support or protest idea that keeps us from talking about long term, harder to address issues.
7. What local election are you following, if any?
I’m not following a specific local race. Honestly, I haven’t seen much coverage of local issues, and I think that’s a gap in how elections get covered.
The Lake Tahoe camping season may be winding down for the summer, but there are still a few places to enjoy sleeping under the stars this fall.
Milky Way over Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe | Photo: Rachid Dahnoun
Lake Tahoe is a popular camping destination all summer long; however, for the hardy outdoors people among us, year-round camping opportunities exist around Lake Tahoe. Fall is a fantastic time to enjoy the changing leaves, fewer crowds, and quieter beaches and trails, and the cooler temperatures are perfect for long hikes and mountain bike rides.
Fall colors around Lake Tahoe. Photo by Carol Chaplin.
Here are some of your options for camping this fall in Lake Tahoe:
Campground by the Lake, season runs from April through the end of October (weather permitting).
D.L. Bliss, Donner Memorial, Emerald Bay, and Sugar Pine Point are OPEN during the winter for hiking and snowshoeing, but these parks are CLOSED to camping beginning mid-September (varies by park).
Bring extra layers (temperatures drop at night), and don’t forget your sleeping pad! While you are here, make sure you check out all the beautiful fall colors.
South Lake Tahoe Camping | Photo: @keeptahoe.local
Easy Ways to Build Attendee Wellness into Your Meeting at Tahoe Blue Event Center
Today’s attendees expect more than productive meetings—they’re looking for experiences that leave them feeling energized, inspired, and genuinely refreshed.
Fortunately, South Lake Tahoe makes that easy.
Located just steps from the shoreline and surrounded by mountain scenery, Tahoe Blue Event Center gives planners the opportunity to weave wellness into the agenda without adding complicated logistics. A 20-minute walk, a quick yoga session, or an express spa treatment can provide the reset attendees need before the next keynote or networking event.
Whether you’re planning a multi-day conference or looking to elevate a single afternoon break, here are a few planner-friendly wellness experiences that fit seamlessly into your schedule.
Start the Day Lakeside
There’s something about the crisp mountain air and calm waters of Lake Tahoe that immediately shifts your mindset.
Before the first session begins, invite attendees to gather at a Lake Tahoe beach for a guided breathwork or yoga session, light stretching, or a simple morning walk along the shoreline. Clearly Tahoe’s clear-bottom kayaking tours are well-known for a reason. Whether your group prefers a serene early morning paddle or the LED glow sunset tour, you’ll get to discover hidden coves and quiet moments that make the lake feel like it belongs only to you. Their expert local guides enhance the experience by sharing history, geology, and facts about the plants and animals of Lake Tahoe.
For the most unreal views and unforgettable experience, Lake Tahoe Balloons is an excellent treat for small groups.
Turn a Coffee Break into a Mountain Break
Networking doesn’t always have to happen inside the convention center. Even a short outdoor break helps attendees recharge while taking in one of the country’s most iconic alpine landscapes.
Just up the street from the Tahoe Blue Event Center, Van Sickle Bi-State Park offers miles of scenic hiking trails that begin practically at your doorstep. Planners can encourage attendees to take a short hike during longer breaks or organize small-group walking meetings through the towering pines and granite outcroppings.
Because trails vary in length and difficulty, groups can easily tailor the experience to fit a one-hour break or a longer afternoon of free time.
Schedule Time to Truly Recharge
Sometimes, the most productive thing attendees can do is slow down.
South Lake Tahoe is home to several wellness businesses that make it easy to add restorative experiences before or after meetings.
For something truly unique, Tahoe Forest Baths offers one of only two authentic Japanese cedar enzyme bath experiences in the United States. Guests relax in naturally heated cedar and living enzymes designed to promote relaxation, circulation, and recovery, with the option to finish their visit at an oxygen bar.
Looking for movement instead? OMNI Tahoe offers hot yoga, barre, dance, and therapeutic fitness classes that work well for small groups or individual attendees seeking an active reset. Those looking for quick recovery after travel can also visit Revive Well Tahoe, where IV hydration, wellness shots, and halotherapy help guests feel refreshed before another full day of meetings. Another excellent choice is Elevate Wellness, a premier facility offering many wellness treatments and an onsite apothecary and gift shop.
Fuel Better Conversations
Wellness doesn’t stop with movement.
South Lake Tahoe’s growing collection of health-conscious restaurants makes it easy to keep attendees feeling their best throughout the day. Schedule a networking breakfast at Sprouts Natural Food Café, enjoy fresh island-inspired fare at Freshies Ohana Restaurant & Bar, or plan a group lunch at Verde Mexican Rotisserie, where fresh ingredients and lighter options help attendees stay energized for afternoon sessions.
Wellness Plans for Every Forecast
One of the advantages of planning a meeting in South Lake Tahoe is having flexibility no matter the weather.
Sunny skies make outdoor wellness breaks effortless, while cooler temperatures provide the perfect excuse to unwind indoors. Schedule yoga at OMNI Tahoe, book book services at the Spa at Edgewood to pamper yourself, or simply utilize Tahoe Blue Event Center’s outdoor event lawn whenever conditions allow. The venue’s versatile indoor and outdoor spaces make wellness programming simple to incorporate throughout your event.
Meetings That Leave a Lasting Impression
The best meetings don’t just deliver valuable content—they leave attendees feeling better than when they arrived.
With walkable access to hiking trails, lakeside gathering spaces, wellness studios, restorative spa experiences, and nourishing dining, Tahoe Blue Event Center makes it remarkably easy to build moments of renewal into any agenda. Whether it’s a sunrise breathwork session, a midday walk through Van Sickle, or a cedar enzyme bath after the final keynote, these simple additions help transform meetings into memorable experiences.
When wellness is built into the schedule, everyone leaves with a little more energy, a little more inspiration, and every reason to come back.
Sure, we’re a little biased, but there’s never a bad time to visit Lake Tahoe. Pick a season, any season. Celebrate summer in the Sierra with a hike to Emerald Bay State Park or make a splash at Pope Beach. Discover why Tahoe winters are legendary for skiing and holiday fun at the Heavenly Village and Ski Resort. If you want to avoid the high season crowds, visit Lake Tahoe in the spring to hit the slopes in sunglasses and a t-shirt, or come in the fall when the mountains are painted in autumn colors and hiking is at its best. Regardless of when you visit, there’s plenty of Lake Tahoe things to do.
Everyone should be able to experience awe-inspiring Lake Tahoe, especially working professionals who are constantly in front of their screens. Good thing the South Shore is full of accessible and adaptive experiences that planners can use when setting up accommodations for attendees and their travel companions. The mobility impaired, the visually impaired, and the hearing impaired can all enjoy Tahoe time, as well as those with cognitive, sensory, and mental health considerations.
Make the most of South Lake Tahoe’s 365 days of outdoor adventures and 24-hour entertainment scene. Choose from 143,000 square feet of event space options and over 10,000 hotel rooms nestled beside diverse restaurants, energizing nightlife, and epic views that are designed for every body and mind.
Accessible Activities
When it comes to team building, there’s plenty to do on the South Shore. Here are just a few of the opportunities available to your group. We also have this handy interactive accessibility map, highlighting locations with the best services to accommodate a wide range of accessibility needs.
Skiing
South Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Mountain Resort offers skiing and snowboarding programs with accommodations, including private lessons for bi-ski, 3 track, 4 track, and tethered skiing, as well as lessons catered to visual impairment, hearing impairment, and cognitive concerns. The resort’s gondola and mid-mountain observation deck are also fully accessible. And you have even more options to explore. Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood provide adaptive ski programs in addition to accessible lifts, restrooms, and guestrooms.
Camping
For accessible campsites, look no further than Campground by the Lake. Nevada Beach is another great option with campgrounds, paved paths, shoreline walkways, firm sand, and accessible facilities.
Tube Tahoe sets the standard with pristine snowy terrain and views of both Mt. Tallac and Echo Summit. Plus, they regularly host special needs community events.
Climbing
The climbing initiative at Blue Granite Climbing Gym promotes inclusivity while providing under-resourced youth and underrepresented populations the opportunity to experience rock climbing. They have adaptive tools available for use, and they often host events dedicated to the disabled community.
Scenic Cruises
Welcome aboard the M.S. Dixie II at Zephyr Cove. Its main deck, restrooms, dining spaces, and outdoor areas are accessible. And if you select the sunset dinner cruise option, get ready for unreal vistas of Emerald Bay.
Accessible Destinations
These recreational hubs are able to serve all kinds of visitors and will definitely enhance any agenda.
Beaches
Connelley Beach features ADA parking, Mobi-mats®, and an ADA outdoor restroom. With the Healthline Medical All Terrain Beach Wheelchair at Lakeside Beach, the Wheeleez Sandcruiser Wheelchair at El Dorado, and the Mister Boardwalk® walkway at Nevada Beach, your entire group can marvel at the stunning scenery.
Trails
The Ed Z’Berg Nature Trail at Sugar Pine Point State Park is a 0.7-mile paved loop with educational signage that guides you through a shaded forest. This park includes accessible picnic areas, restrooms, and a wheelchair-friendly fishing pier. Our Lake of the Sky Trail is unpaved but relatively flat, which means it’s suitable for some power chairs. The property also features an audio tour and information in Braille. Approximately 4 miles in length, the fully accessible Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is a paved route through towering pines and serene meadows.
Historic Sites
Originally coined the “Grandest Resort in the World”, Tallac Historic Site offers the chance to roam through the fully wheelchair-accessible Baldwin Museum, Valhalla Community Events Center, and Boathouse Theater.
A local haven filled with boutiques, eateries, and a movie theater, Heavenly Village contains wide, navigable walkways. You’ll find the wheelchair-accessible Heavenly Gondola here, as well as Braille signage at the Observation Deck.
Accessible Events
From adaptive ski days to Journey of Hope cycling, from red-carpet celebrations to community outreach, Access Tahoe is a grassroots organization dedicated to creating access for all. Visit their Instagram page for the most recent list of upcoming events.
Accessible Transportation
Traveling to Lake Tahoe without a car? No problem. Lake Link, the South Shore’s free public mico-transit system, provides on-demand, app-based rides. Our bus system is also free to use and ADA accessible. Our meetings district is compact and has wide, well-paved sidewalks, making the downtown area easy for all to enjoy.
Let’s Meet
The mountains are calling, and so is the continent’s largest alpine lake. You can answer by browsing event, meeting, and sports venues designed for gatherings of every size. Our wide range of lodging options provide luxury amenities, stunning scenery, and flexible spaces that deliver results instead of routine.
Located 6,224 feet above sea level, South Lake Tahoe elevates your experience at every turn. Ready to make a move? We’d love to see your RFP.
Explore Places to Stay
Stay in Lake Tahoe
Find the perfect accommodation that matches your unique preferences and ensures an unforgettable experience at Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is an ancient marvel filled with 37 trillion gallons of 99.9% pure, sapphire blue water that we are fortunate to recreate in and around. Please respect its pristine nature and that of the surrounding forests and mountains by packing out all you pack in. If no trash container is handy or is filled, take your trash with you and find another appropriate receptacle.
Come Back Again. And Again.
Things to Do in Tahoe for Every Season
Sure, we’re a little biased, but there’s never a bad time to visit Lake Tahoe. Pick a season, any season. Celebrate summer in the Sierra with a hike to Emerald Bay State Park or make a splash at Pope Beach. Discover why Tahoe winters are legendary for skiing and holiday fun at the Heavenly Village and Ski Resort. If you want to avoid the high season crowds, visit Lake Tahoe in the spring to hit the slopes in sunglasses and a t-shirt, or come in the fall when the mountains are painted in autumn colors and hiking is at its best. Regardless of when you visit, there’s plenty of Lake Tahoe things to do.
See What’s New for the 2026/27 Lake Tahoe Ski Season
Family Skiing Heavenly Mountain Resort Lake Tahoe
Winter is never far away when you’re high up in the Sierra Nevada, and our resorts are bringing the fun back with expanded services and shorter wait times.
If you’ve been dreaming about snagging first-chair on a powder day or plan to head out with the family for a vacation that makes you wonder if you are in a real-life Hallmark movie, there’s no destination quite like South Lake Tahoe. Find out what’s new and what to expect at Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts this upcoming 2026/2027 season.
Upcoming events include the Toyota Air and Après event, tentatively scheduled for March 5 – 7, which promises an action-packed experience. The resort will construct an impressive 45-foot jump at the base of a World Cup trail. Expect professional athletes to astound with their gravity-defying tricks under the mountain’s illuminated night sky.
Heavenly Resort will continue with a reservation-based parking system for winter 2026/2027. Click this link for more details.
If you are new to Heavenly, it can seem daunting to navigate the four base lodges, with two in California and two in Nevada. Click here for the basics, including where to park, shuttle bus services, and how to access the mountain.
Skiers and Boarders at Kirkwood Mountain Resort Lake Tahoe
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is scheduled to open on Friday, December 4th, marking the beginning of the 2026-2027 Lake Tahoe ski and ride season!
Events and freeride competitions return this season, including the Winter Solstice Kickoff Party, New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Women’s Weekend, Proud to Be Me Week, Banked Slalom, Slush Cup, IFSA competitions, and the Freeride World Qualifier.
Kirkwood is continuing their reservations-based parking program to improve guest arrival and reduce congestion on weekends and peak days. This initiative will feature free, paid, and complimentary carpool parking options until noon.
Sustainability remains a priority, with plans to enhance food waste digesters, improve waste sorting, and implement automated dumpster sensors to minimize landfill contributions.
Kirkwood is known for deep powder and runs for even the most avid enthusiast to test their mettle.
Sierra-at-Tahoe marks its 80th anniversary this winter with a season of nostalgic events and special celebrations. Projected opening day in late November or early December, weather permitting.
The resort is also rolling out a new mobile app featuring an interactive trail map, activity-based badges and rewards, and on-mountain leaderboards.
For weekends and holiday periods, Sierra-at-Tahoe will use a parking reservation system designed to improve access and support carpooling. Reservations will be complimentary for passholders and for vehicles carrying four or more people.
Tahoe’s snow tubing parks are almost ready to roll for the season, offering fun for all ages and skill levels. From groomed lanes to laughter-filled runs, tubing is one of the easiest ways to dive into winter play. Check operating dates below, and get ready to slide into the snowy season.
If you’ve been following OpenSnow’s Bryan Allegretto for his Lake Tahoe forecasts, you know he’s passionate about accurately predicting what the surrounding mountains will get. He’s the voice of reason when other news outlets and weather services hype up FEET of snow, only for the reality to fall far short. But even for “BA”—as he’s known—the storms in the first week of February 2025 were way off, and by a huge margin. In fact, it was his worst prediction in his nineteen-plus-year career. I had the chance to chat with him to get the inside scoop on what went wrong.
BA’s Soul Crushed
Bryan Allegretto enjoying one of Tahoe’s famous storm cycles when the forecast was spot on.
BA takes his forecasting seriously—so seriously that he’s been keeping a scorecard to track just how spot-on (or not) he’s been. Over the past nine seasons, his predictions for every storm across the Tahoe Basin have been off by just 1.5 inches on average. But during the first week of February, things went way off course. He was off by anywhere from 5.5 to 12.9 inches, with some mountains missing the mark by as much as 2 feet! Normally, when he’s that far off, it’s because the storms delivered more (think: colder, fluffier powder). This time? As far as he can remember, it was the first instance they delivered way less.
Atmospheric Rivers are Tough
One of the many warm storms during the wet n’ wild Jan 2017 season
Lake Tahoe’s weather is infamous for its feast-or-famine cycles, and a big reason is that up to 50% of California’s precipitation comes in the form of an atmospheric river. These intense bands of moisture originate from the tropics and slam into the Sierra. If Lake Tahoe is lucky enough to be on the cold side of it, we get huge snowfall. But if not, it means rain—LOTS of rain. And that’s exactly what happened during the first week of February.
Alarm Bells Ding
As the storms began to arrive in the 5-day window, BA was already mentioning how concerned he was about the forecast. First, the band of moisture was narrow at only 50 miles wide which is tiny in the scope of the globe. If the storm moved even a few miles north or south, the amount of liquid we get would be drastically cut. Then there was the problem of temperatures. It set up a battle royale of two giants – cold air to the north and the warm subtropical air flowing into the northern Sierra. Depending on who wins and when, this “could make a BIG difference in snowfall totals.”
Worst Case Scenario Happened
And that’s exactly what happened. Instead of the storm staying focused on Tahoe, it quickly moved north. While the National Weather Service predicted 30 inches of liquid and BA estimated 22 inches as a conservative forecast for the week, the greater Lake Tahoe area only received a meager 6-12+ inches. The moisture tap shut off before the cold air could move in, and the snow ratios—usually around 10:1—were closer to 7:1. The result? A rude awakening after the storm passed.
“Biggest Temperature Gradients as Far as I Can Remember”
A lot of this came down to how cold it was to the north—a real tease for weather forecasters. It was snowing all the way to the beach in Oregon and even in Susanville. With that much cold air up north, it seemed like it would force its way south, but it didn’t. Instead, the warm air took over. Not just in Tahoe, but across the entire West, where everyone got hit with rain. Jackson Hole was in the 50s, and even Utah saw rain!
Models Aren’t Gospel but a Tool
The GFS model… Snow porn at its finest. For the 1st storm in the larger cycle it predicted nearly 12 inches of liquid! The ENTIRE week only got 6!
The best tool for weather forecasters today is still the weather models. But as BA pointed out, “These are global models. Each micro-climate has its own set of errors. You need to understand these nuances and apply them to your forecast.” Take the GFS, for example. The U.S. model, affectionately known as “snow porn,” always assumes snow ratios are way too high, predicting crazy amounts of snow—and it’s nearly always wrong. Then there’s the Canadian model, which tends to underforecast how much snow places like Mt. Rose will get. The real voice of reason? The European model. Statistically, it’s proven to be the most accurate, and now with A.I. to help fix its errors, it’s getting even better.
OpenSnow Will Learn and Get Better
In the end, BA summed it up best: “It’s hard to forecast storms in the mountains.” But that’s exactly what drew Bryan to this field in the first place—the challenge of forecasting and getting it right. Sometimes, like the week of February 1st, 2025, you get it wrong. But that’s an outlier, and the team at OpenSnow is using it as a learning tool. Instead of taking a back seat, they’re constantly working to improve their product. They’ve even hired a full-time A.I. developer to create their own OpenSnow A.I., which is processing 40+ years of data to correct model errors and improve predictions.
And it’s not all about enjoying the summer for pickleball. The folks at OpenSnow use the “off season” as a chance to reflect and improve. That’s when they discovered the Canadian model’s issue with the Mt. Rose snow forecast. They’re always striving to get better.
We get how tough forecasting can be, and we hope this behind-the-scenes look helps explain the challenges involved. Big kudos to him—and to all of the OpenSnow team—for the hard work they put in!
Sandcruiser Wheelchair at 
