SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – With the aim of supporting its community, Liberty has a company policy which encourages their team members to be involved in community volunteer activities and activism. Since 2017, Liberty has been actively involved with Bread & Broth, a local non-profit organization, by sponsoring a Monday Meal through the Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) program. As an AAD sponsor, Liberty contributes $350 to help Bread & Broth cover dinner costs and joins with Bread & Broth volunteers to host the late afternoon meal.
Rio Guenther, Jennifer Guenther, James Martin, Kate Marrone, Sara Pierce.Provided / Bread & Broth
Monday Meals take place at St. Theresa Church Grace Hall from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and are open to anyone wishing to enjoy a free dinner and nutritious food. The event features a hot, full-course, restaurant-quality dinner, and guests also receive bags of healthy food for meals later in the week.
On Monday, April 6, Liberty hosted its second of six Monday Meal AAD sponsorships for 2026. Representing Liberty were team members Jennifer Guenther, Kate Marrone, and James Martin, joined by Jennifer’s daughter Rio Guenther and Kate’s friend Sara Pierce. As always, Liberty’s AAD team members were a welcome complement to helping the Bread & Broth volunteers serve a communal meal that was both appreciated and needed by the dinner guests attending the event.
During Liberty’s Adopt A Day of Nourishment sponsorship meal, guests enjoyed BBQ pork chops with onion rings, roasted red potatoes, green salad and rolls all expertly prepared by Bread & Broth’s talented volunteer cooks and served by the Liberty Adopt A Day crew. “Thank you to the Bread & Broth crew for making this beautiful meal to share with our community,” shared Jennifer. “Liberty loves seeing the smiling faces!”
Serving at a Monday Meal is a very rewarding experience, not only through interactions with guests but also by seeing the quantity and quality of food served to vulnerable members of the community thanks to Liberty’s sponsorship.
Liberty is commended for its outstanding service to the community and its team members who give generously of their time and effort to aid those in need. Bread & Broth looks forward to welcoming Liberty team members at their next AAD sponsorship meal on June 8th.
To learn more about Bread & Broth or how to donate, please visit www.breadandbroth.org or follow Bread & Broth on Instagram or Facebook.
Looking to add a little more fun, energy, and joy to your life? Meet Tate, an 11-month-old pup who is guaranteed to keep you smiling and moving!
Tate is everything you’d expect from a young dog. He’s playful, curious, and full of life. He absolutely loves being around people and will happily soak up all the attention you can give. Whether he’s greeting you with a wagging tail, sticking close by your side, or trying to convince you it’s time for another adventure, Tate’s happy personality is truly contagious.
Tate is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
This sweet boy thrives when he’s out exploring the world. Walks, playtime, and new experiences are some of his favorite things, and he would love a home that can match his zest for life. Tate isn’t just looking for a place to live, he’s looking for a person or family to share in all of life’s moments, both big and small.
As a young pup, Tate is still learning the ropes and would greatly benefit from continued training, structure, and consistency. The good news? He’s eager to learn and has so much potential. With the right guidance and commitment, Tate will grow into an incredibly well-rounded and devoted companion. Investing time in his training now will pay off in a lifetime of loyalty, love, and companionship.
He’s the perfect match for someone who enjoys getting outside, staying active, and building a strong bond with their dog through training and shared experiences. In return, Tate promises to be your biggest fan, your adventure partner, and your constant shadow.
At the end of the day, beneath all that playful energy is a sweet, affectionate pup who just wants to be close to his people. He’s the kind of dog who will greet you with excitement, make you laugh with his goofy antics, and remind you daily why life is better with a dog by your side.
If you’re ready for a loyal companion who will grow with you, keep life exciting, and fill your home with love, Tate is ready to meet you.
If you are interested in meeting this Tate or learning more about him, please get in touch with one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists, 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. He is neutered, vaccinated, and up to date on his vaccines. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, visit, www.hstt.org.
RENO, Nev. — The Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) recorded a magnitude 5.7 earthquake southeast of Lahontan Reservoir in the Dead Camel Mountains at 6:29 p.m. on Monday, and has been followed by at least 120 aftershocks, of which 17 were over magnitude 3 (as of 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday). The mainshock was located 12.5 miles southeast of Silver Springs and 15 miles southwest of Fallon.
Mapping of the earthquake and aftershocks. Provided / Nevada Seismological Laboratory
The NSL is monitoring the aftershock activity closely and will deploy “aftershock kits,” seismic stations which can be activated quickly, to increase the coverage near the mainshock location. Aftershocks will be frequent in the next few days and can continue for months. There is an elevated risk of a larger earthquake following this one.
There is no known fault at this location, but the earthquake epicenter was only 12 miles north of the epicenter of the region’s last big earthquake, a magnitude 5.7 which struck on in December 2024 in the northern Mason Valley near Parker Butte. Both earthquakes occurred near, but not on, previously known faults.
“This is not unusual in western Nevada, where earthquakes occur on a network of connected faults,” Christie Rowe, director of the NSL, said.
Individual faults that have not had an earthquake in a long time may be hard to discover due to erosion of the landscape.
“When you get a warning or start to hear or feel shaking, the best way to keep yourself safe is to ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On,'” Rowe said. “Prepare for earthquakes in advance by storing food, water, medications and other necessities for potential shelter-in-place. Supply lines and transportation routes can be damaged or overcrowded in the case of a large earthquake.”
Nevada participates in the Great Shakeout every year to practice earthquake preparedness. Sign up for the 10:15 a.m., October 15, 2026 earthquake drill and get more information on how to prepare your school, home and workplace at the Great Shakeout website.
Seismologists in the NSL will continue to monitor earthquakes in the region. For live updates on earthquake locations and magnitude, visit the NSL website.
ROUND HILL, Nev. – The Tahoe Chamber welcomed friends, clients, and supporters from across the South Shore came together yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Mind Body Pilates’ new Round Hill location with an official Blue Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
The event marked an exciting milestone for owner Christina Frohlich, as Mind Body Pilates evolved from the success of Mind Body Physical Therapy. What began as a Pilates offering within the physical therapy office grew in demand, leading to the expansion into a dedicated studio space located nearby. Both the physical therapy practice and Pilates studio are locally rooted and recognized for their personalized, integrative approach to movement, rehabilitation, and whole-body health. The new studio allows Mind Body Pilates to expand access to its specialized wellness services for residents across the South Shore and surrounding communities.
Mind Body Pilates celebrates grand opening of Round Hill location. Provided / Tahoe Chamber
Mind Body Pilates blends Pilates-based movement with physical therapy principles, creating customized programs designed to improve strength, mobility, and overall well-being. Their services support a wide range of clients, from those recovering from injury or managing chronic pain to individuals looking to enhance performance and prevent future injuries. The studio emphasizes mindful movement, proper alignment, and functional strength, offering private and small group sessions, rehabilitation-focused exercise, and individualized wellness programming.
“Christina has created a space that thoughtfully bridges rehabilitation and long-term wellness,” said Jessica Grime, CEO of the Tahoe Chamber. “It’s exciting to see this next step in her business, expanding access to services that support both recovery and overall quality of life in our community.”
The new Round Hill space provides a welcoming, supportive environment equipped with reformers and designed to foster recovery and strength-building in a calm, client-focused setting.
With this expansion, Mind Body Pilates continues to strengthen its presence as a trusted resource for holistic wellness in the Lake Tahoe region, supporting locals and visitors alike in living healthier, more active lives.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is excited to invite community members, partners, and stakeholders to celebrate the completion of its new solar array with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 29 from 2-3:30 p.m. at STPUD on 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe.
This milestone project marks a major step forward in STPUD’s commitment to sustainability, cost efficiency, and reliable service for the community. Attendees will enjoy light refreshments, brief remarks, and a ceremonial “switch-on” moment to officially launch the system.
The new solar array, the largest in the Tahoe Basin, was developed to provide long-term, stable, and cost-effective energy for STPUD’s wastewater treatment plant. By harnessing renewable energy, the system is expected to cut electricity costs by locking in predictable energy rates for decades.
“This project reflects our responsibility to both our ratepayers and the environment,” said Shane Romsos, STPUD Board President. “By investing in proven solar technology, we are reducing costs, increasing energy independence, and supporting a cleaner future for our region.”
Designed specifically for mountain conditions, the system incorporates features to maximize performance year-round. Solar panels are elevated and angled to shed snow naturally, while bifacial solar panel technology captures sunlight reflected off snow surfaces to boost winter energy production. The array is expected to generate approximately 2M kilowatt-hours annually, enough to offset about one-third of the wastewater treatment plant’s annual energy use.
The project was made possible through strong regional collaboration, including partnerships with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, and Liberty Utilities.
“STPUD’s solar project is a community success. By embracing renewable energy, we’re not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Nick Exline, STPUD Board Member. “It’s exciting to see the District lead by example, protecting the environment while delivering long-term value to our ratepayers.”
Notably, STPUD entered into a Power Purchase Agreement for the project, meaning there were no upfront costs to ratepayers. STPUD will pay only for the energy produced, at approximately half the current utility rate, resulting in significant long-term savings.
Beyond cost benefits, the project supports STPUD’s broader sustainability goals. STPUD continues to explore future enhancements such as battery storage and additional efficiency upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.
Community members are encouraged to attend the solar ribbon cutting and learn more about how this innovative project supports both environmental stewardship and responsible financial management.
Event Details: What: Solar Array Ribbon Cutting When: Wednesday, April 29, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Where: South Tahoe Public Utility District, 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe
If your home could use a little extra joy, laughter, and snuggles, look no further than Tootles, this week’s Pet of the Week! At just five months old and 29 pounds, Tootles is the perfect blend of playful puppy energy and heart-melting sweetness.
Tootles is always ready for fun. Whether he’s chasing after his favorite toys, diving into an enthusiastic game of tug-of-war (his absolute favorite!), or showing off his impressive wrestling moves, he brings excitement and happiness wherever he goes. His playful spirit is contagious, and he’s guaranteed to keep you smiling.
Tootles is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
But what truly makes Tootles special is his softer side. After he’s had his fill of playtime, this lovable pup is more than happy to settle in for some quality cuddle time. He adores being close to his people and will gladly curl up in your arms, soaking up all the love and affection you have to give.
Tootles is also learning quickly (he’s mastered the sit command) and eager to please, making him a wonderful companion for a family ready to help him continue growing into the amazing dog he’s meant to be. He would thrive in a home that can match his playful energy while also giving him plenty of cozy downtime and companionship.
If you’re searching for a loyal, fun-loving pup who will bring both adventure and affection into your life, Tootles might just be your perfect match. Come meet Tootles, you just might fall in love.
If you are interested in meeting this super sweet pup or learning more about him, please get in touch with one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists, 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. He is neutered, vaccinated, and up to date on his vaccines. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, visit, www.hstt.org.
The Tahoe TAP podcast returns with its ongoing focus on the Things, Adventures, and People that define life in the Sierra. Hosts Mike Peron and Rob Galloway are back, highlighting the latest stories and developments shaping the Tahoe community — and this week’s episode arrives at a pivotal moment for South Lake Tahoe residents.
With the grand opening of the city’s new recreation facility set for this Saturday, the show features John Stark, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of South Lake Tahoe. Stark has been at the forefront of one of the region’s most significant recent investments: the development of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center, a project aimed at serving residents of all ages while strengthening community wellness and connection.
Since stepping into the role in May 2023, Stark has guided the department through a period of transformation, bringing both strategic leadership and hands-on experience to the effort. Prior to his work in Tahoe, he served as Director of Parks and Recreation in Manitou Springs, and held key roles with the City of Colorado Springs, including overseeing the renowned Garden of the Gods Park — a 1,300-acre National Natural Landmark known for its striking geology and high visitation.
Stark’s background also includes time as a park ranger in some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, including Denali National Park, Redwood National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, giving him a deep understanding of how to balance recreation access with environmental stewardship. A California native with longstanding ties to the Tahoe Basin, he also brings an academic background in environmental and natural resources law to his role.
In this episode, Tahoe TAP explores the vision behind the new recreation and aquatics center, the impact it’s expected to have on the community, and how thoughtful planning is shaping the future of public spaces in South Lake Tahoe.
Incline Village residents heading to the beach this summer will see big changes underway.
Construction is set to begin at Incline Beach in mid-April for a new beach house facility.
The Incline Beach House Project will replace the aging snack bar, tiki bar, and restrooms. Plans include a commercial kitchen, ordering windows, patio seating, fire pits, and restrooms available year-round.
Renderings of the new beach house.Provided / IVGID
“The main goal is to replace the 60 plus year old facilities that are currently at Incline Beach, with modern infrastructure that better meets the needs of Incline Village residents and their guests,” said Paul Raymore with the Incline Village General Improvement District.
During construction, the main entrance to Incline Beach will close. A temporary entrance will open nearby, but parking will be limited.
The “Music on the Beach” concert series will also relocate next door to Ski Beach for the 2026 season.
The nearly 11-million-dollar project has been in the works for nearly a decade.
TRUCKEE, Calif. — A storm dumped fresh snow across the Sierra Nevada on Sunday, quickly erasing March’s dry spell and delivering a strong late-season boost to the mountains. Conditions made for a prime day of skiing and snowboarding in Tahoe.
At higher elevations, Palisades Tahoe and Kirkwood Mountain Resort reported roughly 3.5 feet of new snow. According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, the storm pushed April’s snowfall total to around 70 inches so far, marking the snowiest April since 2022. The season total now sits at approximately 348 inches, or about 88% of the seasonal average for this time of year.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect a stretch of calmer conditions through midweek, with sunny skies and cold temperatures persisting through Wednesday. A weak system could bring light rain and snow showers Wednesday night into Thursday, followed by dry weather returning Friday and Saturday.
Another storm system possible
Despite the brief break, winter is not necessarily finished for the Sierra. Forecasters are tracking another potential storm system that could arrive between Sunday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 22, with additional lingering shower chances through the following week.
“The latest model runs show a closed low dropping down the West Coast,” Allegretto noted on OpenSnow. “These systems don’t have the steering winds of the jet stream, and their track and timing can be difficult to forecast.”
However, if it develops as expected, it could bring conditions favorable for lower snow levels and additional mountain accumulation.
Seven years after a Frenchwoman with property in Douglas County was murdered by her sole immediate heir, her estate was finally settled on Tuesday.
The case involving cosmetics entrepreneur Marie-Alice Dibon’s estate began when her body was found floating in the Oise River near Paris on April 22, 2019. Police were seeking her longtime beau for her murder, asserting he’d drugged and smothered her before stuffing her in a suitcase and dropping her in the river.
Two weeks into the manhunt, the man stepped out in front of a truck. At the time of her death, Dibon owned a Roundhill condo and two corporations in Douglas County.
Her case was turned over to the Public Administrator’s Office because the main heir was dead. The case couldn’t be settled until it was determined Dibon’s mother would inherit most of her estate.
There was also a public administrator case dating back to 2020 on last week’s district court calendar that was closed.
The case was one of 32 still active when elected Administrator Steve Walsh resigned in December 2024. Rather than elect a new public administrator, commissioners converted it to a paid county position.
“We still have 24 cases from the previous public administrator that we are working on closing out,” Community Services Director Brook Adie said. “Our hope, unless we run into challenges, is to have them all closed by the end of June.”
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Celebrating a major milestone, Classical Tahoe Music Festival will return for its 15th season from July 11 through Aug. 9, featuring four weeks of orchestral, jazz and chamber music performances by over 70 musicians from across the country. New this year, the festival introduces a chamber music concert at Sugar Bowl Resort, the return of Music in Motion with the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective and a special night of jazz featuring Brubeck Summit Sextet: Tahoe’s Jazz All-Stars, all part of a season that honors America 250 through its concerts. Performances take place at the Ricardi Pavilion at the University of Nevada, Reno, at Lake Tahoe, as well as at additional venues throughout Incline Village, offering an intimate concert experience set against the Sierra landscape. Tickets are available now HERE.
“I’m so pleased and proud with the way Classical Tahoe’s 15th season has come together. We will be presenting four weeks of concerts of extraordinary range, ” said Laura Hamilton, Classical Tahoe artistic director. “Honoring our nation’s Semiquincentennial, we’ll feature American composers, past and present, throughout the festival. Beyond that, it’s not an exaggeration to claim that there will be “something for everybody,” including inspiring symphonies, hot jazz, chamber music spanning three centuries, classical ballet, internationally renowned guest artists and educational family programming.”
The season opens July 11 with the Summer Gala honoring Carol Franc Buck and featuring American-themed entertainment. It is followed by the Brubeck Jazz Summit from July 12–17, a three-concert series celebrating the legacy of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. The orchestral series begins with a program featuring Charles Ives’ “Variations on America,” Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.”
“I’m particularly excited to work with our guest soloists, who bring so much artistry and virtuosity to our stage,” continued Hamilton. “A special shout-out goes to double bassist Ha Young Jung, who will perform Nino Rota’s Divertimento Concertante with the Classical Tahoe Orchestra and Maestro Eric Jacobsen on August 8. Ms. Jung, who has been part of our orchestra since 2021, will take center stage with this delightful and dauntingly difficult concerto.”
From July 19 through Aug. 9, the festival will showcase a mix of orchestral and chamber performances, in addition to the return of ‘Music in Motion.’ This collaboration with the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective occurs alongside an expanded Chamber Connections program in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music.
A new chamber music concert is introduced at the Sugar Bowl Resort, featuring a reception, drinks and a performance of Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12 “American”. The season finale on Aug. 8 features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Community programming continues with the Family Concert and Music Maker’s Faire, as well as open rehearsals and opportunities for audiences to engage more closely with the music.
FESTIVAL DEBUTS & FEATURED ARTISTS
Classical Tahoe’s 15th season welcomes acclaimed guest artists and returning favorites:
Eric Jacobsen returns as Principal Guest Conductor, leading performances on July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 8
Jerry Bergonzi – Featured artist during the Brubeck Jazz Summit on July 12 and July 14
Brubeck Summit Sextet – World-renowned jazz artists featured on July 16
Tenor Limmie Pulliam – Performs opera arias and American spirituals on Aug. 1
Daniel Stewart – Guest Conductor debut on July 31 and Aug. 1
Emmanuel Ceysson – Los Angeles Philharmonic principal harpist on Aug. 7
Bella Hristova returns with Dvorak’s Violin Concerto on July 31
Roman Rabinovich performs Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 on July 24
ORCHESTRAL MASTERPIECES
Audiences can experience a range of iconic works, including:
Charles Ives – “Variations on America”
Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1
Rimsky-Korsakov – “Scheherazade”
Brahms – Symphony No. 1
Beethoven – Symphony No. 7
Nino Rota – Double Bass Concerto
Dvořák – Violin Concerto
CHAMBER & SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
The festival expands its chamber and crossover programming:
Dvořák — String Quartet No. 12 “American”
Bernstein — Suite from “West Side Story” arranged for brass quintet
Ravel — Introduction et Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet
Recital of Beethoven Piano Sonatas performed by Gilles Vonsattel
STATELINE, Nev. — Nate Bargatze is bringing the Big Dumb Eyes World Tour to Tahoe Blue Event Center on Saturday, July 11th. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m.
Hailed as “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” by The Atlantic Magazine, and “One of the Funniest People,” by CBS Mornings, Grammy & Emmy-nominated comedian, NY Times #1 bestselling author, actor, podcaster, director and producer Nate Bargatze is selling out shows with more than 1.2 million tickets sold in 2024 and over 20 venue records broken this year to date.
He is currently the #1 comedian in the world according to Pollstar, putting him in the company of Coldplay, Madonna and U2. Billboard announced that Bargatze set a record in 2024 for the biggest one-year gross by a comedy performer in history.
About Tahoe Blue Event Center
The Tahoe Blue Event Center is a 5,000 seat arena with an additional 10,000 square feet of meeting room space, located in the Stateline, Nevada area of South Lake Tahoe, nestled between the peaks of Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort and beautiful Lake Tahoe. Opened in September 2023, The Tahoe Blue Event Center will host 125+ events throughout the year including: concerts, sporting events, family shows, conferences, banquets, meetings, trade shows, consumer shows and more.
STATELINE, Nev. – Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe is excited to announce the return of Eric Church as part of its 2026 Summer Concerts season. The multi-award-winning country music superstar will make a two night return to Lake Tahoe, joined by special guest ERNEST, bringing their acclaimed live performances to the Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic on July 15 & 16, 2026.
Eric ChurchProvided
One of country music’s most dynamic and uncompromising artists, Eric Church returns to Tahoe while celebrating 20 years in country music, a milestone that reflects a career built on chart‑topping hits, creative independence, and unforgettable live performances. Known for pushing boundaries and delivering marathon sets that keep fans on their feet, Church continues to solidify his reputation as one of the most powerful performers on the road.
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or APEconcerts.com. Stay up to date with our full lineup and future announcements at Caesars.com
About Eric Church
Eric Church is one of country music’s most influential artists, known for his distinctive sound, fearless songwriting, and electrifying live shows. Over the course of a 20 year career, Church has earned multiple ACM and CMA Awards and released a string of critically acclaimed, chart topping albums. His music continues to resonate with fans through its honesty, grit, and unapologetic individuality. For more information, visit www.ericchurch.com.
With the price of gas rising sharply these last six weeks, a lot of folks are wondering how much higher it can go. The pain at the pump is real—I have personally noticed about a $1.50 per gallon increase in the price of gas throughout the Reno-Tahoe region.
Gas, of course, is only one of the many prices affected by oil. Increases in fertilizer costs make it more expensive to grow crops. Increased diesel costs make construction more expensive. Transportation of goods increases as well when fuel prices go up, so any good that is shipped or transported could cost more as a result.
A less obvious question, but an important one for investors, is: what happens to the stock market when oil prices go up?
Many people assume that rising oil prices automatically mean falling stock prices. In some cases that has been true, historically speaking. Yet I would argue that there is more nuance to this question.
During periods of economic expansion—when the economy is growing and thriving—we often see an increase in demand for oil products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel and therefore an increase in price. This price increase is happening exactly when companies are doing well, growing, and are likely to be increasing in value. In these cases, we might expect to see stock prices increasing while oil prices increase. A perfect example of this would be the years from 2003 to 2007, when the price of oil more than doubled and the S&P 500 produced strong annual gains during that period.
Conversely, “oil shocks”, or extreme spikes in price, often precede market downturns. From 1998 to 2000, oil prices nearly tripled during the same period that stock valuations became extremely stretched before the dot-com crash, and the S&P 500 lost about 50% of its value over the next 2 years. Leading up to the Financial Crisis in 2008, oil prices again tripled, this time over a 5-year period. This added pressure to an economy already facing financial stress. Once again, the S&P 500 dropped approximately 50% from its high. More recently, oil prices surged in the post-pandemic recovery before a bear market hit in 2022.
History gives us patterns, but not guarantees. Today, we are left to guess how rapidly our rising oil prices will impact the stock market. At the moment, things do not fit neatly into one of the scenarios above. While the price of oil has increased dramatically in a short time, we are far from seeing the price triple. We also don’t know what comes next. Will war in the Middle East continue, pulling with it the price of oil and a possible recession? Will we soon see a peace agreement, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, lower oil prices and rapid gains on the stock market?
Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi thinks that a $125/barrel average oil price for the second quarter could be enough to trigger recessionary pressure. Meanwhile, Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial, says that “how persistent higher energy prices are
is just as important as how high energy prices rise.” According to his research, the sooner that that the current conflict in Iran ends and oil prices fall, the better the odds that we can avoid a recession.
In the end, it’s hard to predict the future, so we won’t know how the current surge in oil prices will impact the stock market over the longer run. As always, my best advice is to invest in a way that matches your goals, timelines and risk tolerance. Be prepared for the inevitable ups and downs of the market, and resist the urge to sell when the market goes down.
However you choose to handle the high price of oil, 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.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Plenty of different politicians represent the Lake Tahoe area: straddling two different states, with five counties and overlapping jurisdictions. On the congressional level, Tahoe is represented by Representatives Kevin Kiley and Senators Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. They’ve each provided millions of dollars and introduced different acts to protect the lake. But who’s responsible for what?
Acts to protect Lake Tahoe
Both the Lake Tahoe Restoration (LTRA) Act and the Santini-Burton Act of 1980 were created to preserve Lake Tahoe.
The original LTRA passed in 2000 and pledged $300 million to restore the lake. After a reauthorization in 2016, it was again reauthorized through the efforts of Sens. Cortez Masto, Rosen, Padilla and Rep. Kiley. It officially passed in September 2024 and extends the time for appropriating the funds to 2034.
The Santini-Burton Act authorized the sale of federal land in Clark County to fund the acquisition and management of environmentally sensitive land, totaling over 16,000 acres. However, another act unintentionally limited the funds generated by Santini-Burton to acquisitions and not management.
The Santini-Burton Modernization Act would allow the U.S. Forest Service to use the funds to manage public lands, and would expand the authority of the Washoe Tribe to manage lands. It was introduced to the Senate in late January by Cortez Masto, Rosen and Padilla, while companion legislation was introduced in the House by Kiley. Most recently, the act was heard in the Senate in mid-February.
In January 2025, the EXPLORE Act passed as law. Schiff, Padilla, Cortez Masto and Rosen requested the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior to ensure the Tahoe Basin would benefit from it, such as requests to select bike trails for designation, account for housing and municipal infrastructure, lease USFS land for housing and affirm Tahoe’s qualification as a participant in the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program.
Other bills introduced this year into Congress regarding Tahoe are Rosen’s Truckee Meadows Public Land Management Act and the Save our Sequoias Act introduced by both Sen. Padilla and Rep. Kiley.
Funding for Tahoe
Key funding for projects typically comes from grants or laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2025, that law, which Cortez Masto and Rosen both voted to pass, was utilized to generate $3.1 million to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Tahoe.
In September 2025, Rosen also announced that she had secured over $4 million in wildfire prevention in Nevada. From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, the funding was for creating defensible space in Lake Tahoe.
Schiff at one point had earmarked approximately $1 million for replacing the LeConte, a research vessel at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, though it ultimately did not materialize. It’s possible that Schiff may work with UC Davis to request that money again this year.
Recent federal grants pushed for by Padilla and Schiff were also supported by Kiley.
In Nevada’s 2026 fiscal year, Cortez Masto and Rosen secured over $49 million for community project funding, with Rosen allocating $20.1 million to support preservation, firefighting and additional projects in Tahoe.
The recent $1.2 million for 3900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard’s apartments and $1 million for the South Tahoe Public Utilities Department project on Park were appropriated through community project funding and congressionally directed spending. Schiff and Kiley were responsible for requesting these funds as part of Senate and House committees, though it originated in the House.
Kiley also originated the request for $1.14 million for the Tahoe City Public Utility District improvement at Madden Creek’s Water System, supported by Padilla. Padilla also supported funding for a ladder truck for Bishop, along with emergency backup generators and emergency facility renovation for Mono County
Cortez Masto and Rosen both requested $5 million for the Tahoe Transportation District and Sand Harbor Multi-Use Trail Project.
Nicola Ambra and his wife, Terri Wong, own Gastromaniac in South Lake Tahoe.Provided
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – If you were to tell Nico Ambra in 2019 that in six years, his restaurant would earn a place in the international guide, Gambero Rosso, for its second year in a row while he is drafting up plans to expand, chances are he would be pretty shocked.
When he set out to open his authentic Italian restaurant in Lake Tahoe, he was called ‘crazy’ by friends and fellow restaurant owners in San Francisco. Just two months after Gastromaniac was open, and unforeseen by most, COVID-19 hit the nation.
“I put all my money, all my energy into [Gastromaniac] and after two months, we were stuck,” said Ambra as he held out hope that he, his family, and his dream would make it through the pandemic. “Thanks to the community, we were able to survive. If we were in the city, San Francisco, we’d be gone after a few months. Over here, the local community became our friends.”
Fast forward to present day, and Ambra couldn’t be more delighted with how things have turned out. After Gambero Rosso reached out to Ambra to come back and enjoy another meal in Lake Tahoe, the restaurant was, once again, awarded a spot on their list of Top Italian Restaurants and remains the only establishment in the Tahoe region to do so.
For those unfamiliar, Gambero Rosso is a premiere Italian food and wine magazine. It has been growing in popularity and prestige since 1987.
Among some of the dishes the guide took part in tasting were Gastromaniac’s Gnocchi al Pesto, Prosciutto Arucola Pizza, Arancini, and the M.W. Tiramisu.
Gastromaniac’s Gnocchi al PestoRob Galloway / Tahoe Daily Tribune
“It’s becoming a friendship with Gambero Rosso,” Ambra said. “I hope it’s going to be a long relationship for sure. We’re super happy.”
With plans on the drawing board, Ambra has his sights set on, one day, opening a gelateria offering freshly-made, authentic Italian gelato.
“I’m at the lake, I’m seeing what’s around, and I’m thinking ‘A gelateria would be great,'” Ambra added. He’s recently been back and forth from Italy, learning recipes and taking courses to perfect his gelato methods to create amazing flavors.
Also in the works is a possible Gastromaniac commercial kitchen in Reno. Ambra has hopes of beginning production of pasta and different styles of pizza . “Roman-style, by the slice,” Ambra went on. “And to finally get a bigger pasta machine and the space to really start doing pasta production.”
Although nothing is concrete at the moment, Ambra knows from experience that with hard work and dedication, dreams come true.
Gastromaniac is located at 3091 Harrison Ave #120 in South Lake Tahoe California. To view their menu, visit https://gastrotahoe.com/.
Entering the stadium, I look down on the field and the outfield grass is as green as the color has ever been. The theme from The Natural, Robert Redford’s classic baseball flick of pasts becoming present, reverberates as the players are introduced with a tip of their cap, the boys of summer taking the field for another season in the sun.
With the red, white, and blue bunting lining the outfield fences the scene drips Americana like a hot dog-scented Norman Rockwell. You feel the ghosts of baseball greats — Mickey Mantle and Roberto Clemente are the two names my mind selects — somehow taking it all in and smiling. The coaches and the umps shake hands at home plate like they’ve been doing for more than 150 years and the
game begins.
In the top of the first inning, the Rainiers’ first batter of the season reaches on an error by second baseman
Tommy Troy; in a game as superstitious as baseball it’s not a good omen for the home team, but Aces left-handed flamethrower Kohl Drake bears down and strikes out the second batter. He’s the game’s “K batter,” and his swing-and-miss, per the PA announcer’s echoing voice, means that all draft beers are half price until inning’s end. Though most folks have just sat down, many quickly stand back up and scurry for the nearest concession stand.
BALL OR STRIKE? A Reno Aces batter making the split-second decision to swing or not to swing. Photo by Jon Grant
Drake proceeds to strike out hotshot shortstop Colt Emerson, and then blows one by former San Francisco Giant Connor Joe to strike out the side. In the bottom of the first, Troy makes up for his error by wrapping a sharp single to right and moves to second on LuJames Groover’s walk.
Then strides to the plate a man made for baseball lore — cleanup hitter Luken Baker, all 6’4” 285lbs of him, first baseman, Texas-born, biceps as big as the Babe’s. But Baker quickly shows he’s not all brawn. On a low-and-slow inside curve, though slightly fooled, he keeps his hands back and deftly drops bat-head onto ball, wristing the red-seamed sphere down the left field line for a standup double that scores Troy.
The Aces 1-0 lead holds until the top of the third. With a runner on first, the left-handed hitting Emerson drives an outside fastball over the left-centerfield fence to give the Rainiers a 2-1 lead, the ball nearly hitting the bullseye on the Tahoe Truckee Lumber Company billboard en route to its resting place on the train tracks beyond the stadium.
The jumbotron reacts with a romping closeup of Steve Carell as Michael Scott from the T.V. show The Office. “Nooooooooo!” he shouts in his adult-toddler schtick. “No! No! No! No! No!”
Laughter cleanses the stadium’s palate, and Drake retires the side. The vibes are good — and the Aces rip three hits in their half of the inning, culminated by A.J. Vukovich’s two-out RBI single scorched to center to square the game at two.
Fast forward to the sixth
Cloud-cover has encroached and the Aces find themselves down 4-2. Vukovich starts off the inning by smashing a double deep into the right-centerfield gap, the stadium coming a-roar with chants of “Vuuuuuuu.” A hit batsman, two walks, and an infield single create a rally that scores two runs to retie the game. With the bases still full of Aces, LuJames Groover — the slick-fielding third baseman who already has two hits on the day — connects on a fastball and delivers a shot over the shortstop’s head.
The base hit drives in two, and the crowd is lit like a birthday cake as the Aces take a 6-4 lead. The sun breaks through the clouds, and it seems like the ghosts of Mantle and Clemente have lined up an easy pathway to victory for the home team.
But no.
Baseball will break your heart. Writer and one-time Major League Baseball commissioner Bartlett Giamatti even said, “It’s designed to break your heart.” And so, out of design or whimsey or simple athletic prowess, those darn Rainiers from tepid Tacoma score three dang runs in the top of the seventh to take a 7-6 lead, the clouds returning to dim the sun as sweatshirts are donned and heads shake slowly from side to side.
The home team fails to plate any
runs in their half of the seventh or
the eighth, so we head to the bottom of the ninth with the Aces still
trailing 7-6.
But there’s hope! LuJames leads off the inning with a liner just above a leaping Connor Joe and his outstretched first baseman’s mitt, and Groover is aboard the bag with his fourth hit of the day.
Luken Baker lumbers to the batter’s box and the crowd roars. The big man already has two big hits — and everyone’s hoping he’ll send us home happy with a walk-off homer. But Luken gets down in the count and then watches a hissing fastball streak by on the outside, the ump raising his arm to the sky to indicate that it caught the corner for strike three.
But it’s okay, it’s all good. Vukovich is up next, and the crowd incants its “Vuuuuuuuu” to spur him on. Still, the Rainiers’ closer makes him look foolish and gets two quick strikes. Us fans are on our feet, all manner of rally caps being worn backward and sideways and inside-out in hopes of appeasing the ghosts of Mantle and Clemente into gifting us a groundball with eyes or a little bloop that finds safe haven in that green outfield grass.
But Vukovich chases a curveball in the dirt for strike three, and the Aces are down to their last out.
If we were in Mudville watching the Nine, it would be time for Casey at the Bat. Alas, we’re not in a great American poem from 1888 but rather a real-life game in 2026, so it’s Kristian at the Bat; Kristian Robinson, from Nassau, the Bahaman with number 59 on his back now number one in our hearts. “Let’s go, Kristian! … Come on, Kristian!” He stands tall in the box, bat held strong as he works the count to three balls and a strike.
LuJames leads off first base. Kristian gets a pitch to hit. He swings! He connects! A hard-hit line drive rocketed to right. It’ll get LuJames to third and heck he might even score …
But the game will break your heart. It’s designed to break your heart. The Rainiers’ right fielder charges in on swift feet and extends a long arm, the leather of his glove snagging the sinking liner in its web to record Reno’s 27th and final out.
The stadium exhales a sigh that is a groan, and the game is over.
Us fans pick up our things and head for the exits. But before we leave, we turn, back around to the diamond, to the green of all that outfield grass. It was a beautiful day at the ballpark, and we know it. And Mantle and Clemente nod down from above, and another season of baseball has come back to us, as it has for so long, once more.
Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5 to 10% of the global population, with increasing prevalence over recent decades. Common examples include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
While these diseases’ symptoms vary, their common feature is chronic inflammation driven by immune dysregulation. From a nutrition standpoint, dietary strategies that reduce overall inflammation and oxidative stress help support the overall management of these conditions.
A simple two-fold dietary approach is recommended here: first reducing dietary exposures to foods that are known to promote inflammation and then increasing anti-inflammatory foods.
Reduction of Pro-Inflammatory Foods
A foundational step in managing autoimmune conditions is reducing dietary components that promote inflammation. Ultra-processed foods are a primary concern, as they often contain oxidized fats, additives, and compounds that increase oxidative stress. These foods can generate free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells by taking an electron away from molecules in them. The innate immune system responds to these damaged tissues, perpetuating systemic inflammation.
Diets high in added sugars further exacerbate inflammation through the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs accumulate when excess glucose reacts with proteins or fats, leading to oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory pathways. Elevated blood glucose accelerates this process.
Saturated fats may also contribute to inflammation by impairing insulin sensitivity. Reduced insulin sensitivity can lead to higher circulating glucose levels, indirectly increasing AGE formation and more inflammation.
Additionally, excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids, commonly found in refined vegetable oils, can promote the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids when not balanced with omega-3 fatty acids.
Increase of Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Complementing the reduction of pro-inflammatory foods is the intentional inclusion of anti-inflammatory dietary components. A diet rich in minimally processed, plant-based foods
provides antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients that help regulate immune function and reduce oxidative stress. The antioxidants, in particular, neutralize free radicals. By donating electrons to them, effectively stopping the chain reactions that would otherwise lead to more cellular damage and consequent inflammation.
Fiber-rich plant foods also support gut microbiota health. The fermentation of dietary fiber produces short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which help maintain intestinal integrity and modulate immune responses, especially important in autoimmune conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, such as Crohn’s disease.
In addition, adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids, such as ALA from walnuts, chia seeds, and walnuts, and EPA and DHA from marine sources such as salmon, sardines, and shrimp, is essential. These fatty acids give rise to specialized pro-resolving mediators that actively reduce inflammation and promote immune balance.
Conclusion
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of most autoimmune conditions. While dietary interventions may not cure these illnesses, limiting or eliminating pro-inflammatory foods such as ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and foods with excess omega-6 fatty acids and saturated fats, will limit the dietary assaults that exacerbate inflammation. Maximizing anti-inflammatory foods including vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, herbs, and spices, and marine foods including salmon and shrimp, provide antioxidants, fiber, high levels of antioxidants, and omega threes that reduce inflammation.
It is important to note that dietary interventions are not substitutes for prescribed medications. However, a registered dietitian can provide a personalized, evidence-based anti-inflammatory dietary pattern that supports overall health and complements medical treatment.
About the Author Patrick Traynor, PhD, MPH, RD, CSOWM, CPT, is a registered dietitian and founder of MNT Scientific, LLC (MNTScientific.com), an insurance-based nutrition practice serving South Lake Tahoe, CA; Minden, NV; and Ashland, OR. He holds the Interdisciplinary Specialist Certification in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Virtual appointments are available via telehealth. For inquiries or appointments, visit MNTScientific.com, dial (530)429-7363, or email info@mntscientific.com.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe’s WordWave, a one-act play competition celebrating upcoming playwrights, returns to Valhalla Tahoe May 1-2, at 7 p.m. with a new set of winning plays. The May 2 performance will include a Meet-the-Writer’s Wine & Dessert Reception immediately following in the Grand Hall, with wine sponsored by The Cork and More.
Audiences will meet estranged brothers Leo and Mario, who reunite for their mother’s funeral after five years apart. During a tense car ride from JFK to Long Island, they clash over identity, tradition, sexuality, and family “rules,” in “The Rules” by Domenick Scudera.
In Katherine Rex’s “How Do You Recognize Crazy,” meet an excited, nervous Dr. Elizabeth Morton opening her new psychology practice, hoping to start with an easy patient and to impress her unimpressible father. When her first patient, Sylvia, reveals her reason for the visit, reality begins a precarious dance with perception, one that may be more than Elizabeth can handle. Is Sylvia lying or telling the truth? Would Elizabeth rather find Sylvia crazy than believe her?
In “The Faint Scent of Amanda” by G. Bruce Smith, Thomas reflects on pivotal airport reunions with his estranged mother, Amanda, an aspiring actress chasing fragile Hollywood dreams. Spanning decades, their encounters reveal longing, disappointment, and unresolved resentment as Amanda drifts in and out of his life. Throughout, Thomas grapples with abandonment, forgiveness, and the enduring ache of loving a distant parent.
Each of the three winning playwrights is awarded a $500 cash prize and provided with two nights of accommodation to attend rehearsals and the show, directed and produced at the historic Valhalla Boathouse Theatre.
Domenick Scudera, a theater professor at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Penn., has written full-lengths and one-acts that have been produced from Alberta to Tampa. G. Bruce Smith is the award-winning author of 30-plus plays and two screenplays and has production credits in California, Minnesota, India and Paris, France. Katherine Rex, a playwright, improviser, improv coach, and actor, said she has been making up and telling stories forever. “Some of them are even true.”
The performances are May 1-2, at 7 p.m. at the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre. Immediately following the May 2 performance, a Writer’s Wine & Dessert Reception will be held in the Grand Hall with wine sponsored by Cork & More. Audience members are invited to join for a complimentary glass of wine, dessert, and a meet-and-greet with the writers.
As we move into the spring season and look ahead to summer, I’m excited to invite you to our upcoming North Tahoe Fire Community Day, hosted by the North Tahoe Fire Protection District on June 6, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We’ll have activities for all ages, including opportunities to explore fire apparatus, meet firefighters and fire department staff, learn about Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise programs, observe a vehicle extraction demonstration, and gain an understanding of important safety tips that can help protect your home and family. Whether you’re interested in how our equipment works, want to talk with our team about emergency preparedness, or are simply looking for a family-friendly outing, we encourage you to join us. Stop by for free food and drinks, and enjoy time with neighbors and local partners. Good conversation and a welcoming community are on the menu.
With warmer weather approaching, it’s also a great time to start thinking about seasonal safety. Our team will be available to provide information on topics such as defensible space, emergency preparedness, and ways to stay safe during the summer months.
Special events like this are an important part of strengthening the relationship between our department and the community we serve. While many people see us during emergencies, this is a chance to meet our personnel in a relaxed setting, ask questions, and get a better understanding of the wide range of services we provide, from emergency response and medical aid to fire prevention and public safety education.
We hope you’ll join us for North Tahoe Fire Community Day on June 6, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and we look forward to connecting with the community we are honored to serve.
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters beat the Allen Americans by a score of 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night.
In the first period, Allen got out to an early lead as Spencer Asuchak found the back of the net to make it 1-0. Later in the frame, Devon Paliani scored his team-leading 31st goal of the season as Tahoe tied the game 1-1 heading into the middle frame.
Knight Monsters v AmericansProvided
In the second, Tahoe jumped out in front with a pair of goals as Trent Swick got on the board with his 25th of the season to make it 2-1, and Paliani added on with his second of the game to give the Knight Monsters a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.
In the third, Allen climbed back into the contest as Michael Gildon and Brayden Watts both scored in the final 20 to knot the game at 3. With neither team breaking through in the late portion of the period, the game went to overtime.
In OT, on the power play, it was Kevin Wall scoring a one-time snipe off a pass from Paliani to become the sixth Knight Monster this season to reach 20 goals, and giving Tahoe a 4-3 overtime victory.
The Knight Monsters head to Rapid City for their final road trip of the regular season against the Rush. The first game is scheduled for Friday, April 17. Puck drop is at 6:05 pm PT, with pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network starting at 5:55 pm PT. For more information on upcoming games, visit knightmonstershockey.com.
On essay days in Craig Rowe’s classroom at Truckee High School, the rules are simple: nothing written at home.
Students open their school-issued Chromebooks, log into Google Docs, and begin typing. Rowe can see who made changes, what they changed, and when. If the document has a timestamp of 11:42 p.m. on a Thursday night, he knows rules were broken.
“Here’s something you don’t hear from a teacher,” Rowe tells his students. “I do not want you to do this for homework.”
Just a few years ago, take-home essays were standard practice in English classes. Now, Rowe — who describes himself as an “old-school English teacher” — has moved much of his writing into the classroom, not because he suddenly believes homework is ineffective, but because of artificial intelligence.
Programs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can now generate a competent five-paragraph essay in seconds. They can brainstorm topics, build outlines, write introductions, and edit rough drafts. And while school networks may block these tools, most students carry a smartphone or have a personal laptop that can access them without restriction.
In the Tahoe/Truckee schools, as in schools across the country, the question is no longer whether students will use artificial intelligence. The question is how schools can preserve learning in a world where the work students are asked to do can now be done by a machine.
Administration: Guardrails
At the helm of Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s Technological Services is Ed Hilton. The department’s motto is Where Students Master Technology for Their Future.
“We’ve got to prepare our students for college, career, and life, and technology is one of those things in every career,”Hilton said. “So, ultimately we’re supporting our kids and using those tools that they’ll be expected to use when they move on from Tahoe Truckee.”
One of those specific tools is AI. “After ChatGPT came on the scene in 2023 we decided to test out some tools, especially in Google workspace. We use some productivity tools,” he said. “And I guess what we’re still concerned about is employees using tools that we haven’t vetted. Especially right as things came out, we did a lot of employee training, like to not upload student info so AI is not training on student info.”
Hilton estimates that in their Google and other curriculum tools, “about 1/3 use some sort of AI in the background.”
DISTRACTIONS DISTRACTIONS: Though cell phones are no longer allowed on a student’s person during classtime at many local schools, the constant distraction of the screen — even by school-issued laptops — is noted by both educators and students. Illustrations by Sarah Miller/Moonshine Ink
He was quick to make a distinction on AI: “If you’re talking about up-font AI-use like ChatGPT, it’s just the staff. Students can’t go to ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Only staff have access.”
Each student at TTUSD is given a Chromebook, which is a streamlined laptop running Google Chrome OS, for school use from kindergarten through the senior year of high school. Kids in younger grades leave the laptops at school, older students take them home for homework, the transition happening in middle school. While on their Chromebooks, or while utilizing a school’s Wi-Fi network, up-front AI tools and a variety of websites are blocked.
Yet many students, especially in high school, have their own laptops as well. When not on school Wi-Fi, these computers (not to mention the smart-phone in most middle school and high schoolers’ pockets) have no restrictions on any AI tool or website.
Hilton acknowledged this, and that students utilizing “front end AI” has been problematic.
“As far as academic honesty, teachers are having those conversations,” he said, noting that the district has just finished a draft of its AI policy, which has been in the works since October with input from three public meetings between administrators, staff, and parents, that Hilton believes will be ratified before the end of the school year. “But we are not going to put our head in the sand. AI is definitely part of the students’ future.”
Hilton repeatedly noted that any use of AI in the district has to be “secure” and “safe.” He pushed on the need for transparency and visibility of how students are using it, and averred that there must be guardrails in place that would, essentially, allow students to use some AI tools for schoolwork, but not all of them.
“Any tool should have some sort of scaffolding to students,” he said. “In that, you don’t get the race car right away, we teach you to drive first.”
TTUSD administrators and educators are watching how the test drive goes in another Placer County school. (Though TTUSD spans three counties, the district is under Placer jurisdiction.) Rocklin Unified has, in Hilton’s term, “deployed” more front-end school-wide AI tools, namely Google Gemini, into their curriculum — okayed and even encouraged for classroom and schoolwide use.
“Our students will use AI in their jobs. But it’s come so quickly — the use, the integration and all the different things,” Hilton said. “We want to make sure we are doing it correctly. The question isn’t are we using it or not, but is it beneficial or not? If we come up with educators who say it’s not beneficial, we won’t use it. But putting our head in sand and saying AI doesn’t exist is not valuable either.”
Teachers: Protect the Learning Process
While Rowe assiduously protects students’ writing process from AI, he is also working on ways to implement the newly evolving tech tools.
THING OF THE PAST: Like the disappearance of chalkboards in the 1990s and 2000s, education is seeing pens, paper, and take-home essays become bygone tools as it enters its AI frontier. File image
“What’s the role of AI in classrooms?” he asked rhetorically. “I think there is one. But the balance of where and when to use them is a work in progress with educators, myself included.”
Rowe’s approach depends on his classes, from AP Language and AP Literature courses to his communications class. In the latter, for instance, student presentations are a large part of the curriculum. He not only okays AI-use for aspects of these, but encourages it. “AI tools are really great for research,” he said, noting an example of a student looking into the difference between engineering programs at various colleges, and how just a few years ago the research could “take days” but “now it’s one query.”
He finds a boon in using AI-generated graphics as well. “I feel like for project-based stuff and visuals, AI has some really cool tools. If someone is giving a mini Shark Tank style presentation in my communications class, I encourage them to use AI for their visuals. In the past, students may not have had much for visual aids, and now it’s almost professional level visuals and art.”
While striving to keep ideation and writing a human-powered endeavor, Rowe does see educational benefit from AI’s use on “the back end” of essay-writing. He talks of a student who had a near-final draft of her paper but wasn’t sure if her tone was coming through as intended. The student, Rowe said, “plugged it into AI, into Gemini, and asked if the tone she had intended to use was the tone that came through.” The feedback the student received, per Rowe, was useful.
But as for writing, Rowe is wary of AI taking over too much of the critical thinking and drafting that has always been vital to the creation of an essay.
“I’ve definitely had my days when I’m grading, and I’ll read something that is just so obvious AI, and it’s depressing quite frankly,” Rowe said. “My initial reaction is that, ‘yeah we have to lock ’em down and just handwrite everything.’ And then I calm down and ask myself, “What is our mission?’” He answers his own question with: “It’s not for students to get a good grade in my class but to prepare our young people to be contributors in society.”
Rowe returned to the need for balance, and the importance for discussion. “Everyone is navigating their way through it,” he said. “This is classic where the technology is way out in front of the policies and the teaching methods.”
“The kids,” he concluded, “are adapting to AI really quickly. Much quicker than the educators and the school policies.”
Laurie Cussen, who teaches history and social studies courses at Truckee High, believes in not shortcutting the learning process. “AI is a tool for productivity once you’re out of education [and into the workforce],” she said. “That makes sense, but the learning has to happen before.”
She makes an apt comparison: “My first grader is a perfect example. He is learning arithmetic, addition, and subtraction. We’ve had calculators forever that could do that for him. But it is so much better for his neuropathways for him to do it himself — to learn how to do it himself.”
“We are in neuropathway building,” she said of herself and her fellow teachers. “We need to protect the productive struggle.”
Cussen gave another analogy: As a wrestler becomes a better wrestler through the struggle of wrestling, learners become better learners through the struggle of learning. Though she acknowledges using AI in some of her own lesson planning, she “shies away” from using AI in her classroom “because it is such a convenient shortcut.”
Illustration by Sarah Miller/Moonshine Ink
However, she does see a benefit for students to use AI as “a clarifier of concepts,” going as far as instructing her students to use AI at home to make practice quizzes, referring to it as “as a study companion.”
As for class time, Cussen echoed Mr. Rowe’s sentiments. “[AI] can do any assignment we do in class,” she said, lamenting that the school “is seeing a lot of stuff turned in that is purely done by AI.”
“If you want to ensure that the work is purely student generated, all the work has to be done in the classroom. If you let it go home, you know it’s not all student work.”
“I see class time as preserving the productive struggle, not giving students the cognitive offramp,” Cussen continued. “Protect the space of learning in class, then when you go home, use AI.”
The soft skills of communication, collaboration, problem solving, teamwork, and critical thinking must remain at the core of curriculum, she said. AI proficiency, on the other hand, she observed, can be coached in shorter time spans, through short-courses or future employees, down the road. “Learning the soft skills in school is vital,” she emphasized.
Students: The Reality
Kate and Maria are juniors in AP courses at Truckee High. They have been in TTUSD schools since their elementary school days, and they say this year has been their most academically rigorous thus far. They both want to go to college, with some big names in education on their lists of desired schools. Both are taking an AP-heavy courseload. To protect their privacy, their names have been changed.
Both agreed that a difference regarding AI in this school year is “the teachers are more on edge about it in general.” The students spoke about the restrictions regarding AI-use on tests and certain assignments when on school Wi-Fi and Chromebooks.
“But for online homework, there are no restrictions like that,” Kate said. Both she and Maria have their own personal laptops. They said teachers sometimes do encourage or even instruct homework assignments to be completed with AI. Other times, students simply opt to use it.
“I do think sometimes it’s beneficial to use Chat GPT or Gemini because it can help answer questions you don’t know,” Maria said. “Let’s say there was a formula in math that I can’t remember, it can help me. It’s nice to have a website like Chat GPT you can trust to explain it to you step by step.”
The students echoed the idea of the AI study companion.
“Chat GPT for me is really useful for studying for tests because some teachers don’t give study guides,” Kate said, saying that she copies and pastes content from her Google Classroom page into one of the programs to have the AI generate, for instance, “flash cards for unit three of [class].”
When asked, in their view, if they had ever overstepped the ethical bounds of AI-use on an assignment, Maria answered, “Honestly, not really.” Both described how passing AP tests to receive the valuable college credits means that the student actually has to learn the material. (One cannot use AI tools on the test, for instance.) The two juniors also spoke to a genuine desire to learn for learning’s sake.
Maria stated that she did not use AI before she started taking AP classes. “I think learning has definitely changed a lot,” she said.
Still, similar to what their teachers and administrators have noticed, Kate and Maria also see some students finding workarounds and overly relying on AI, using it, in some cases, to complete the entirety, or the near-entirety, of an assignment.
“I definitely think kids are getting stupider from using it too much,” Kate said.
But both do not blame their peers for the overuse. “It’s just so accessible to just search up the answer if you don’t have time,” Kate said.
As for writing, the juniors find AI to be a key tool. “Honestly, writing is more like a first draft, not editing,” Kate said. ‘If I feel like I need editing, I’ll run it through Chat GPT.”
She usually writes out “one to two drafts” on her own before (and if) she seeks AI editing.
When a human-written draft is “run through” an AI program for editing, per the detection software turnitin.app, it is more difficult to catch than if the draft was initially generated by AI. Further hindrances to detection arise when an AI-generated first draft is edited by a human, when there is mixed AI-human authorship; or when content is too short to provide sufficient linguistic data, i.e., a paragraph-length piece rather than an essay-length.
Kate and Maria also noted using AI as a writing tutor on their essays for the “little things you can use ChatGPT for, like topic points or information … how do I format it …what facts do I put in … to see if I need a smoother transition on this” … “When I have no idea what to write about” and to “put it in and see how it’s going to grade me.”
When the students were asked if they work harder or less hard when they use an AI program like ChatGPT on their schoolwork, the students said: “Definitely less effort because it gives you the exact answer.”
How to not be tempted to use AI or other digital technology? Get rid of the screen.
“In my history class where there’s lectures, you can ask questions while you go over the information and take notes,” Maria said. “You don’t have any technology out, and you’re totally focused on the teacher and what they’re saying. I think that’s more impactful, the lecture and taking notes with pen and paper. Way more beneficial for sure. A lot of times when I take notes on my computer, I get sidetracked and open different tabs. When it’s pen and paper, I don’t have that excuse.”
EDUCATION FINDS ITSELF entering an AI landscape where the unknowns outweigh the knowns and where protecting the productive struggle of learning has become paramount. File image
Nevada: The Transplant and the Chatbot
In North Lake Tahoe, Incline Village schools fall under the Washoe County School District. I spoke with an early-grade elementary school teacher who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. She moved to the district from a state where, she said, schools were moving away from classroom technology. In Nevada, she found the opposite. “All curriculum is online,” she said of her classes. Even when she reads a book aloud, the students no longer gather around a physical copy with pages that she fans while teaching; the book is displayed on a screen.
She acknowledged that not all studies show classroom technology to improve learning outcomes, but in her new district, its use is expanding rather than shrinking. She broached how her school has “just implemented an app for kids to do their reading homework on instead of them reading books and completing a reading log.”
The app is called Paloma. Per its LinkedIn page, the company “is a venture-backed edtech startup that harnesses AI to unleash parents’ untapped teaching potential.” In short, Paloma’s AI generates personalized books aligned to what it knows about a student’s learning needs and personal/familial interests, and texts the student’s family a daily tutoring lesson plan.
“A few parents have actually complained since they do not want their child on technology,” the teacher said.
When I was unable to reach administrators at Incline High School, I turned to the district’s website, where I found something no other Tahoe/Truckee area school site had: an AI assistant. The chatbot introduces itself in writing: “Hi, I’m Ask your WCSD AI Assistant. How can I help you today?”
I asked it a simple question: Do Incline High students use AI?
The response began: “The Washoe County School District acknowledges that AI is rapidly reshaping education and can be a powerful tool for expanding learning.” The answer went on for several paragraphs, outlining both benefits and drawbacks, and included a statement that the district had established a framework “that ensures AI is used responsibly, ethically, and effectively.”
In my conversations with educators for this article, that was the first time I had heard the word “ensure” used in reference to students’ ethical AI use.
I asked the chatbot another question: How come AI is so good for first graders?
It responded that AI can “enhance learning,” “foster creativity,” and “personalize learning to meet individual needs, even at an early age.”
Then I asked a question more specific to writing: Is editing writing?
The AI responded that “editing is an integral part of the writing process,” and that “writing encompasses the entire process from ideation to the final product.” So, I asked a follow-up: Can AI help students with ideating and editing an essay?
“Yes,” the chatbot responded, stating that students are encouraged to use AI for brainstorming, for planning ideas and organizing thoughts, and in editing drafts.
Reading the responses, I wrote an if/then statement in my notebook. If ideation and editing are integral aspects of writing an essay and students are encouraged to use AI for them, then does that not innately represent cognitive offloading of integral aspects of writing an essay?
Yes, I believe it does.
When I returned a few days later and asked the chatbot the same questions again, its answers were similar, but not identical. The AI, it seemed, had learned — and altered its answers in subtle but noticeable ways.
WHAT WAS BROKEN? While old-school teaching methods were not perfect, a lot of students learned just fine for a long time before AI-infused curriculums and cognitive offloading. Illustration by Sarah Miller/Moonshine Ink
Waldorf: Trees Before Tech
Public schools are by no means the only option for students and parents in Tahoe/Truckee. Truckee alone offers a number of private and charter schools. I reached out to many and heard back from some, learning that each is eitherallowing or encouraging AI in its curriculum to varying degrees.
One curriculum, however, stood out as unique — Tahoe Truckee Waldorf’s, which teaches students on three campuses from preschool through eighth grade.
“We are a tech-free school and community,” said Alexandra Ball, the school’s admissions manager. “You will not find tech in our classrooms. We ask our families to be cognizant of screentime at home as well.”
Waldorf schools have been around for over 100 years, and they are built on principles of a comprehensive and holistic education aimed to grow students’ intellectual, creative, artistic, and practical skills. Standardized testing is typically limited, and teachers are given a relatively wider range of curriculum autonomy. Nature, play, music, and imagination are widely emphasized as integral tools for learning. A motto of Tahoe Truckee Waldorf is “Trees before Tech.”
“We are tech free not because we are anti-technology but because we believe in developing children’s cognitive abilities and critical thinking abilities before they are introduced to it,” Ball continued, noting the value of human interactions and dealing with real-life situations as educational keys in Tahoe Truckee Waldorf’s curriculum. “We believe it gives children a better start in life.”
Ball grew up in Washington State and went to The Seattle Waldorf School through eighth grade. She has lived in the Tahoe/Truckee area for “about a decade” and all three of her children are in the Tahoe Truckee Waldorf schools.
“It has been proven that technology is not great for attention spans and things like that,” she said. “Plus, it is not really showing that it helps children in reading, comprehension, or aptitude. Countries typically rated high in education, like Sweden, are moving away from technology and back to paper and handwriting. We are not doing anything revolutionary, we are just doubling down on what’s [been] proven to work.
“I believe strongly in giving my kids and all children the best way to develop themselves. As a parent, before I send my children out to the world, I hope their whole brain is being used.”
Adoption: Playing Catch-Up
By the time I got to high school, auto shop had been removed from the curriculum. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But as an adult who has spent thousands of hours driving, I truly wish my school had found a way to keep that class, and that I would have been taught about the inter-workings of such a crucial thing that my world would entail.
Perhaps it’s the same with today’s students and AI, the auto shop of yesteryear — a tool students will use constantly in their adult lives, whether schools fully embrace it or not.
By many criteria, AI is the most powerful tool the world has ever seen. In reaction, teachers talk about “protecting the productive struggle.” Administrators talk about guardrails. Students talk about accessibility and pressure and time. What they all agree on is that it’s not going away.
When human beings adopt a technology, we adapt to it. We built roads for our cars. We rearranged our living rooms for our televisions. We reorganized our attention spans for our smartphones. And now it’s AI.
Schools are trying to figure out how to adapt to this powerful newcomer — how to use artificial intelligence without letting it replace the very skills schools exist to teach. The technology is moving quickly. The policies, and the classrooms, are trying to catch up.
On a clear and calm Thursday morning, a group of six meets on a pontoon boat at the Tahoe City Marina for a dive. Though everyone there is a return volunteer, Clean Up the Lake Operations Manager Klemen Robnik reviews the plans, everyone’s tasks, and boat and high-altitude-dive safety. After the safety debrief, volunteer Roman Versch, who serves as the group’s boat captain, navigates the boat to the last marked GPS location in Hurricane Bay where the previous divers left off.
Most of the lake’s litter and debris is never seen by people who recreate here, but it is quietly collected by Clean Up the Lake, a volunteer-based (1,300 strong) nonprofit organization. CUTL is on its second circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline — this time at a greater depth.
The lake is still and glassy as volunteer Cole Wagner and Operations Assistant Nick Krozek suit up and plop into the water, followed by Rose Demoret, who serves as the kayaker and primary data collector, trailing after the divers’ bubbles.
“So, each time we go out on a dive, I’m actually running a Strava route, so I’m following as close as I can in the path that the divers take, so that they have that data to analyze and see exactly where they have been,” Demoret said. “The other component to that is sometimes they come across items that can’t be picked up.” In that case, divers mark the heavy or bulky items to return to.
In the sweet spot of about 45 feet below the surface, the divers float slowly through the cold water, scanning the lakebed. At such a depth, nitrox — a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen — allows them to stay under water for longer. Cradled in the silt is a trove of trash the divers gather and aquatic invasive species they document.
NITROX and diver propulsion vehicles allow scuba divers to more efficiently search for debris between 35 and 55 feet deep, a more taxing depth than the 25 feet of the first circumnavigation cleanup. Photos courtesy Clean Up the Lake
This particular day the divers cover 0.37 miles, collecting over 150 pounds of litter including a soggy orange shag rug that looks like it fell off an Austin Powers set. Bulky items like the rug are sent to the surface via an inflated, bright orange heavy lift bag, which Robnik then retrieves and inspects to see what’s attached.
“We usually pull out roughly 500 to 1,000 pounds a month,” Robnik said.
He recalled a full, five-step staircase the crew found in Carnelian Bay, several boat ladders, tarps, chains, and lost anchors.
“It never goes away unless it’s salvaged,” Versch said.
ACCIDENTAL LITTER: Divers pull up all sorts of debris within the 35- to 55-foot range, much of which they believe to have accidentally fallen off boats.
Going the Extra Mile
“Initially I was like, there’s not much at all to do here. Lake Tahoe is so clean and so beautiful,” said CUTL Founder and CEO Colin West. “Under the surface … the problem’s just been perpetuating out of sight and out of mind.”
There are piles upon piles of trash in the lake, according to him. Clean Up the Lake’s 72 Mile Cleanup2 began with a deep-clean pilot-project in 2025 at depths up to 25 feet. The first cleanup successfully collected 25,281 pounds of trash. This year’s haul is anticipated to surpass that amount.
The current project kicked off on the West Shore border of Placer County in December. Because Lake Tahoe is calm and free from recreation traffic in winter, cleanup days are booked through the chilly months, leading to divers in wetsuits coming up shivering.
Clean Up the Lake is now traveling clockwise around the lake, following the contours of the shore and scoping out the 35- to 55-foot-deep swath of lakebed. The dives will continue through summer. As of the Ink’s publication, this second cleanup has completed 23 dive days and three sorting days, removing more than 3,557 pounds of debris.
“Based on those numbers over our mileage,” Programs Manager Jenny Uvira said, “it projected for us to actually collect more trash in 35 to 55 depth range than we did in the original circumnavigation.”
Uvira guessed that the tipping point might happen near the project’s 62-mile mark. West emphasized it’s a projection; the reality has yet to be seen.
DIVE TEAM: Divers Cole Wagner and Nick Krozek and kayaker Rose Demoret make their way to a GPS pin to continue the 72 Mile Deep Clean2. Photo by Megan Ramsey/Moonshine Ink
“The only way we know is once we swim across and clean it up ourselves,” West said.
So, what’s down there? Alpine lakes are barren in regards to plant life, but there is an abundance of litter.
“You can’t see it until it comes up,” Versch explained. “The divers see it underwater. You don’t realize how much trash is really in the lake. And so much more than I ever imagined.”
Clean Up the Lake’s mission is to conserve lakes across the Eastern Sierra.
“I’ve had the pleasure of visiting other areas around the world and I’ve seen what can become of our environment and our underwater environments if we disregard them, if we don’t take action now while we can, to protect them and protect the beautiful, wild, and natural look that it’s been for so long,” West said.
West came up with the idea to start a nonprofit when he traveled to Belize and saw trash-ridden beaches on stretches of unmaintained shoreline.
“And I think Tahoe is one of those few areas that still shows signs of how it’s always been. But unfortunately, you know, the litter, the New Zealand mud snail, the Asian clams, the Eurasian modern milfoil, curly leaf pond weed, goldfish, bass, the invasive [species], the garbage, the algae growth from runoff, and nutrient loading — all these problems are really starting to have a detrimental effect on Lake Tahoe.”
HEAVY LIFT: Klemen Robnik pulls a disintegrating tire from the water after divers sent it up with an inflated lift bag. Photo by Megan Ramsey/Moonshine Ink
The Aftermath of Trash
“I think a lot of people just think we pull trash out of the lake and then throw it out and take it to the dump,” Uvira said, “but it’s so much more than that. We sort our trash into 83 different categories.”
The main categories are plastics, metal, glass, and wood, which contain subcategories such as plastic utensils, plastic fishing gear, and others — within plastics, there are 27 different subcategories. Uvira said sorting the trash helps identify problems in different parts of the lake. Near buoy fields, for instance, divers find items like boat covers and metal bird-deterrents. At the current depth they are focused on, heavier items and lots of beer cans and beverage bottles have settled.
Even though they find so much litter, volunteers and employees of Clean Up the Lake think the lake is becoming cleaner.
“In the past, there was a lot more littering. We do find lots more trash that’s a little bit older. And if we revisit an area after a while, chances are that there’s going to be less trash,” Robnik said about his personal observations in the field. “The environmental consciousness of people has gotten better, and we are noticing a lot more of modern litter is accidental littering.”
But that doesn’t mean the accumulated litter is without its detriments.
“If the litter’s not removed, the thousand-plus tires we’ve removed break down and turn into microplastics, make their way into drinking water,” West said. “I’ve seen tons of wildlife entanglement in our lakes of huge, beautiful trout being caught in fishing lines.”
Uvira commented that though the overall weight of plastic that they collect tends to be lower than that of other materials, the number of fragments and microplastics is high. The more plastic degrades, the smaller the particles become, and the harder they are to remove from the drinking water Tahoe provides.
Elizabeth Everest, the consulting environmental scientist and GIS expert for CUTL, noted that when debris like rubber begins to break down, it introduces toxins into the water.
cole WAGNER, a certified diver and one of the 1,300 volunteers with Clean Up the Lake, drops into the water with a splash before descending with his dive buddy. Photo by Megan Ramsey/Moonshine Ink
“Once items have been removed from the lake, there’s less of an impact moving forward,” she explained. “But obviously, as things break down, those small pieces that can’t be physically removed are going to remain in the lake for a really long time.”
The effect of toxins in the water, changes in the ecosystem caused by aquatic invasive species, and rising temperatures accumulate and worsen without actions from organizations like Clean Up the Lake.
“These cleanups are fixing the mistakes of our past. We’ve got decades and decades of litter that’s stacked up underneath lakes here,” West said. “Fresh water is one of our most crucial resources and is only going to become more important as we have 73-degree stretches [all] month long in March [at] 7,000 feet. Climate change is happening. It’s here. It’s been in Tahoe all month long. So, we need to protect these freshwater resources that we have.”
Clean Up the Lake remains optimistic, dive by dive, pound of trash after pound of trash removed.
“I feel like we are making strides, and we’re going in the right direction,” West said. “And hopefully we can continue to spread this work.”
The team emphasized that the sooner debris is removed, the less it will degrade and impact water quality. You don’t need a scuba tank to pitch in.
“If you see a piece of trash, pick it up,” Demoret said. “It’s really pretty easy to keep a little plastic bag or an extra bag with you to collect a little bit of trash any time that you go out. If everybody does a small impact picking up a couple trash items on the shoreline, then one, they’re not going to end up in the water, and then two, it won’t be on the shoreline for people to see. You don’t have to make a huge effort.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Join Clean Up the Lake on Earth Day, April 22, for a cleanup at the Tahoe City Marina. Find more opportunities for volunteering at cleanupthelake.org/volunteer
In early March, Washoe Tribe members led a ceremony to support Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue volunteers who had been responders at the devastating Feb. 17 Castle Peak avalanche. While details are private, two statements were shared with Moonshine Ink.
Darrel Cruz, Washoe Tribe member, said, “I want to acknowledge the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and thank them for their dedication to the community and for their recent response to the Castle Peak avalanche tragedy.
“We all go back to our roots for the basic spirituality of healing and in times like this, this is what neighbors do for each other.”
~ Darrel Cruz
“Team members who responded to the emergency felt a degree of trauma and grief having to confront what they had to go through that left them with a need to heal. TNSAR reached out to people of the Washoe Tribe to ask for a ceremony to help them heal and replenish their soul through a Washoe sweat ceremony. The Washoe replied and held a special ceremony for the TNSAR team members.
“We all go back to our roots for the basic spirituality of healing and in times like this, this is what neighbors do for each other.”
Troy Corliss, TNSAR volunteer, answered, “Tahoe Nordic SAR thanks the Waší:šiw members for welcoming our request and hosting the sweat lodge ceremony for us. Meeting you and participating in the ceremony helped us to move through a difficult time. We are grateful to you for sharing your customs and guiding us through this ceremony of prayer and healing. May we continue the friendship that you have offered to us.”
Frank LaMarque passed away peacefully on Dec. 16 after a prolonged struggle with respiratory disease.
Born in St. Louis, MO, to Frank and Lillian LaMarque, Frank attended Sumner High School and later the University of Missouri, where he made friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Courtesy photo
During the Vietnam War, Frank enlisted in the military, serving as a medic in the US Army. While stationed in Germany, Frank met Suzanne and Clarisse Robert, and, at their invitation, came to Lake Tahoe. One look at the lake, and Frank decided he was never leaving.
For the next 56 years, Frank made Tahoe City his home, starting by managing Joe Marillac’s Squaw Valley ski shop. Frank later opened Frank’s Tunes, which later became Jobey’s Records, which he co-owned for many years. He later moved to become a supervisor for Sierra Rainbow Painting for over 25 years, and lastly, as he was approaching retirement, he worked at A Santes Lakeside Fitness.
Frank married Andrea Streepy and fathered a daughter, Aisha Carmel, who tragically died in early adulthood, leaving four grandchildren, for whom Frank acted as guardian until his death.
Before his health betrayed him, Frank’s love for the game of golf would have him on the course in Tahoe City regularly, keeping the greens keepers busy repairing divots. When he finally got a hole-in-one, he became an incurable golfaholic.
But what he did cure was his struggle with alcohol. A recovered alcoholic, Frank threw himself into the AA program with passion and became a model for others on their path to sobriety. In his 35 years sober, he sponsored many people and literally saved many lives.
His huge grin, infectious laugh, and heart of gold will be sorely missed by all the many friends he had in this community and by all that he touched along the way.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at the Tahoe City Golf Course.
When the news turns grim and market volatility increases, it can feel like uncertainty is everywhere. Scroll through the headlines and it makes sense why investors feel uneasy.
A war in Iran and an ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine have led to a surge in global energy prices, sparking fears of higher inflation. Evidence suggesting tariffs put on imported goods have been passed through to us, the consumer and small business, putting further upward pressure on inflation.
Recently reported weak job growth may be signaling a slowing economy. Combine all these concerns and we have the makings of 1970’s stagflation: slow growth and high inflation. Truckee, and our region more broadly, are not immune to these global influences.
The recently released Business Listening Tour conducted by the Truckee Chamber ofCommerce reflects these concerns. According to Chamber President and CEO Jessica Penman, chamber members report thinning margins while revenues remain steady. These anecdotal reports likely reflect cost pressures due to tariffs, among other influences.
With stories like these, it is a normal reaction to wonder, “Should I be doing something with my investments right now?”
This reaction stems from the same fight-or-flight instinct that helped our ancestors survive physical danger. When we feel threatened, our natural response is to react quickly. While a market decline is not a physical threat, our brains can respond as if it were. When portfolios fall and uncertainty rises, the urge to act can be strong.
Feeling uneasy during volatile markets is completely normal, but reacting too quickly is where many investors get into trouble. Looking back at the last 100 years, some terrible things have happened: among other events, a depression, a world war, an assassinated president, an oil embargo, a global financial crisis, a pandemic, and yet the market keeps moving upward, although not in a straight line. While every downturn feels unique in the moment, history tells a consistent story — disciplined investors with a thoughtful plan are rewarded for staying the course.
A sound investment strategy does not rely on predicting the terrible thing. Instead, it is built on accepting that terrible things do happen, and that markets will process the information, look forward, and adjust accordingly.
Our reaction to market fluctuations is one of the biggest challenges in investing. The biggest influence on our portfolios is not investment performance; it is investor behavior. We are emotional beings, especially when it comes to our money, and human behavior often works against us during volatile periods. Recognizing how emotions and psychological biases can influence financial decisions is a valuable skill.
One of the most common biases we carry is loss aversion, the tendency to feel the pain of loss more strongly than the satisfaction of gains. Discomfort like this can trigger a strong urge to act, to sell, or to wait until things look better. Unfortunately, these decisions are often made after markets have already declined rather than before. And because markets are forward-looking, by the time “things look better,” a recovery is well underway. This is a sure way to go broke by selling low and buying high.
Two other behavioral traps that frequently appear during volatile markets are herd mentality and recency bias.
Herd mentality occurs when investors act based on the actions of others. If everyone around us seems worried, that anxiety can spread quickly. If others are reacting to the headlines we are also seeing, it makes sense to feel that we should be doing something too. Following the crowd has historically led to poor investment decisions.
Recency bias is the tendency to place weight on recent experiences and assume they will continue indefinitely. The most recent experience influences our perception of risk, and, during downturns, investors may feel things will only get worse. Conversely, during strong rallies, confidence grows and risk-taking increases. Neither is a healthy long-term investment approach.
Two time-tested ideas should guide your investment philosophy. First, markets tend to be remarkably efficient at incorporating available information into prices. Second, diversification matters. Since none of us has a crystal ball and we cannot predict which sectors or countries will outperform next, it makes sense to hold highly diversified investments. If not at least one of your investments is making you mad all the time, you are not diversified.
Investing, in many ways, is about preparation. Living in the mountains, we do not wait until the first snow to think about firewood or snow tires. We prepare ahead of time because we know that winter storms are inevitable.
Markets work the same way. Portfolios should be built not just for sunny days, but for the storms that inevitably appear. And when the storms arrive, as they always do, the investors who prepared ahead of time are usually the ones best positioned to stay calm, stay disciplined, and stay invested.
~ Jessica Abrams and John Manocchio are CFP® professionals with Pacific Crest Wealth Planning serving the Truckee/Tahoe region. Both Jessica and John are passionate about their community and volunteer service. Jessica is an active member of the Rotary Club of Truckee and John is an active member of the Truckee Optimist Club.
The market, like our weather, is showing signs of early spring. Sales activity was up with the sun across all micro markets in the Tahoe Sierra and Incline Village MLS. With listing inventory generally down and buyer activity high, we are seeing some multiple offer situations and properties selling above asking. The warm sunny weather has brought buyers out in force, and everyone’s eyes tilt toward summer.This bodes well for sellers who are looking for an early season deal. We’ll see if the activity stays strong or the market fades with the snow.
