(The Center Square) – Landlords across the state of California face new limits in how much they can increase the rent of their tenants.
Under Assembly Bill 1482, the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, landlords are prohibited from increasing their rental rate more than 5% plus the rate of inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower, over a 12 month period.
The new statewide cap came into effect on August 1, and will last until July 31, 2027.
“Rent control in general is an extremely bad idea,” Steven Greenhut, director of the Pacific Research Institute’s Free Cities Center, told The Center Square in an interview. “It’s a form of price control, and price controls always suppress supply.”
The maximum rent increase in the San Francisco area is 8.8%. In the Los Angeles area, the maximum rent increase is 8.7%. The maximum in the Riverside area is 8.1%, according to the attorney general’s office.
The maximum increase in the San Diego area is 8.2%. Down from 8.8% the year before, the San Diego area is the only area that is seeing a lower rate than the year prior.
Greenhut attributed the decrease in rent in San Diego to a “building boom.”
“The answer is to build more housing and to make it easier to build housing,” Greenhut said. “San Diego has seen a building boom, and that’s how you reduce rents, through competition and increasing the supply.”
All other counties are limited to an 8.6% increase.
Housing built within the last 15 years, duplexes where the owner occupies one of the units, and single-family homes and condos, if they are not owned by corporations and tenants are served with a written exemption notice, are exempt from the rent increase laws.
Some counties and cities have their own additional rent stabilization laws beyond the statewide caps, which further limit the increase landlords can charge renters.
In the City of Los Angeles, landlords can only increase rent by up to 100% of the change in the Consumer Price Index. The maximum increase is 8% and if the change is less than 3%, the rent may be increased up to 3%, which was the limit this past year.
In Santa Monica, the local ordinance which took effect in 1979, limits rent increases to 75% of the change in CPI, with a maximum increase of 3%. The new rate takes effect on September 1 every year, according to Rose Patel, Santa Monica rent control public information manager. This year the maximum increase was 2.6%.
“Rent control does provide a level of stability for tenants, especially those on fixed incomes, and they know from year to year what their rent increase might be because it is capped at 3%,” Patel told The Center Square in an interview.
Local Santa Monica rent control laws primarily apply to buildings built prior to 1979.
According to Greenhut, rent control laws, in places like Santa Monica where renters can keep apartments for prices below market value, incentivize renters to rent properties long-term.
“In Santa Monica, you’ve got lots of people who have been rent controlled for years, and they actually live elsewhere, but they keep these low price apartments near the beach, and so it transfers the property rights from the owner to the tenant,” Greenhut said.
Under the TPA, landlords are also prohibited from terminating a tenancy without just cause. Under Senate Bill 567, owners who decide to displace tenants to either occupy the residence themselves, or remodel, are required to waive the tenant’s last month of rent or pay the tenant one month’s rent as relocation assistance
The Center Square reached out to property manager associations and tenant advocacy groups, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
The Great Gatsby Festival returns for its 39th yearProvided / Erin Gavlock
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A one-of-a-kind, going-back-in-time experience is waiting for you at the Tallac Historic Site this Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 as the Great Gatsby Festival returns for its 39th year.
“Since the Tallac Historic Site was established, it has been an interpretative center focused on preserving the roaring 20’s, which was the time period in which the estates were built,” said Erin Gavlock, Program Manager at Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Tallac Historic Site. “Since we have these really amazing cultural artifacts here, it’s the perfect location to be able to do such a living history event.”
From vintage and craft market vendors to a pop-up Great Gatsby Bar, classic automobiles, living history camper vans and live jazz music at the Pope Estate, the Great Gatsby Festival is stacked with endless entertainment to transport you out of the 2020’s and into the jazz age.
The festival is home to some of the most unique events Lake Tahoe has to offer, including the Living History Pope House Experience where four to six different characters play roles true to the 1920’s era inside the Pope House. In addition, the Tea & Fashion Show will showcase fashion like you’ve never seen before.
“The fashion show is just about as old as the festival itself,” Gavlock said. “It began in the mid 1980s with a woman named Cherie Oliver who still provides the fashion show for us to this day.”
Oliver and her late, dear friend Deborah Rush teamed up decades ago to bring vintage fashion to the public.
“We wanted people to see not only how beautiful those pieces of clothing were, but also the people who wore them. These were real people, they weren’t just a character in a book or a perfect drawing on a piece of paper,” Oliver told the Tribune.
The Tea & Fashion Show from a previous Great Gatsby FestivalProvided / Yesteryear Sierra
Oliver’s Yesteryear Sierra will display an array of vintage clothing on live models, ranging from all sizes and all ages, some of whom have been modeling with Oliver for over 20 years.
“I love seeing the enjoyment on people’s faces, I love seeing the people dress up and get into the spirit of things. Every show is different, and this year, [the theme] will be ‘Honeymoon at Tahoe: 1900s – 1950s’,” said Oliver.
The show is oriented to Lake Tahoe and will highlight a bride’s first day from her wedding, featuring several wedding dresses, to some old-school lingerie for her honeymoon night. Day clothes, cocktail wear and evening wear will also be showcased.
The fun doesn’t stop there as the Great Gatsby Festival has more than $11,000 value in silent auction and raffle prizes ranging from original artwork, local experiences, vacation stays and food and beverage certificates.
Favorites include a two-night stay at the Historic Camp Richardson Hotel, a Tahoe Tasting Cruise for two, Clearly Tahoe’s guided kayak tour for two, and a two-night stay and dinner for two at the Landing Resort and Spa.
The Great Gatsby Festival will take place starting at 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both Saturday, August 8 and Sunday August 9. General entry is free for all ages, and several paid exceptions include the silent auction and the Tea & Fashion Show which takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m.
When it comes to parking, folks are encouraged to arrive early and carpool as much as possible as the parking lots fill up extremely quickly. Parking is available at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center with a short walk to the Tallac Historic Site. Bike transportation and Uber are also encouraged.
To book your tickets for the Tea & Fashion show or to view the festival’s full schedule, visit the 2026 Great Gatsby Festival webpage.
The Tallac Historic Site is located at 1 Heritage Way in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
To try and decide each week where and what to eat around the basin can be a challenge – there are so many amazing choices. In this feature we’ll dive into dishes that will surely satisfy those hunger pangs and leave you wondering where to go next.
By name alone, I think there are plenty of people that have an idea of what this week’s feature might be all about. Cowboy (or Western in some instances) invokes a particular taste – but not all of them are created equal. In the case of this burger, it’s the perfect storm of freshness meets flavor.
The first prominent feature is this burger’s sheer size. It’s stacked, and I mean Arnold Schwarzeneggar in his prime stacked. Most burgers with onion rings give you one large one, and sometimes two, but here you’re getting a triple dose of perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside rings of sweetness. They are loaded on a brioche bun along with a beef patty, bacon, barbecue sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
If you haven’t guessed, this is a smash and gnash effort to get your mouth around that first bite. But once you do, it’s pure bliss. The burger holds its juiciness while simultaneously giving you charred textures and the bacon’s salty smokiness is the perfect complement to the sweet onion.
The barbecue sauce adds a tangy punch but if I’m being honest, the biggest surprise for me was the choice of cheese. Most of the time you’ll see cheddar used in this style of burger – which is still delicious – but can also add another layer of richness. The mozzarella keeps it light and adds to the already heightened freshness while also giving you that gooeyness it’s famous for.
It’s hard not to like a dish that takes good ingredients and lets them shine. This is a classic example of that and an example that I’d absolutely come back and crush again.
Chico’s Burger is located at 1070 Emerald Bay Rd. in South Lake Tahoe. For menu items and additional information, you can reach them online at chicos-burger.com or by phone at 530-600-0480.
$1 IPA Day – 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Tipsy Putt, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite 101. Celebrate National IPA Day with an ice-cold IPA for just $1! This one-day-only offer is exclusively for Tipsy Putt app users. Simply redeem your coupon in the app at checkout and enjoy your $1 House IPA. Offer Details: 🍺 $1 IPA: enjoy our delicious house IPA for only $1 📅 Wednesday, August 6 📍 Available at all Tipsy Putt locations 📲 Must have the Tipsy Putt app and redeem the coupon at checkout 🔞 Must be 21+ with valid ID While supplies last. We reserve the right to refuse service and comply with all alcohol service and consumption laws.
For more information, visit https://eventvesta.com/events/156414/t/tickets or call (530) 443-4376.
Alex Ramon “Magic” – 7:30 p.m., Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, 15 Highway 50. Harrah’s & Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe prohibits the carrying and/or possession of firearms (Even with a CCW) or other dangerous weapons on the premises. The venue reserves the right to implement security procedures designed to protect the experience for all of our customers. Sale Dates and Times: Public Onsale : Wed, 13 May 2026 at 10:00 AM Additional dates: 8/6, 8/7, 8/8.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/967351186364887/ or call (800) 427-7247.
Art In Nature! – 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2152 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Program Update: The Art in Nature program for this Thursday, July 16, has been rescheduled to the following Thursday, July 23, from 10AM-2PM and the July 30 program will take place from 1:30-4PM. We apologize for any inconvenience. Join local Artist and Educator, Kathy Dewey, for a FREE Art In Nature program held Thursdays in July and August at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. All ages and abilities are welcome and art supplies are provided. These programs are brought to you in coordination with our Interpretive Partner, The Great Basin Institute.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1519028729950400/1519028753283731/?active_tab=about.
Art-in-Nature Workshop at Taylor Creek Visitor Center – 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Taylor Creek Visitor Center, 35 Visitor Center Rd.. Thursdays, June 18, through August 27, 2026. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Join local artist, Kathy Dewey, for a free art-in-nature workshop at the Taylor Creek Visitor. All materials are provided, for a creative afternoon in the forest! Learn to improve your watercolor or acrylic skills, appropriate for most ages. Free!
Parking is free at the visitor center as well.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/art-in-nature-workshop-at-taylor-creek-visitor-center/2026-08-06/.
Classical Tahoe – 5-7 p.m., Ricardi Pavilion at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, 291 Country Club . Classical Tahoe Music Festival returns for its 15th season July 11–Aug. 9, bringing four weeks of orchestral, jazz and chamber music performances to North Lake Tahoe. Featuring more than 70 musicians from across the country, the 2026 season includes orchestral masterpieces like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, the return of Music in Motion with the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, the Brubeck Jazz Summit celebrating jazz legend Dave Brubeck, family-friendly programming and a new chamber concert at Sugar Bowl Resort. Performances take place at the Ricardi Pavilion at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and additional venues throughout Incline Village. The season also honors America 250 with concerts featuring American composers and themes. Tickets and full festival information are available at classicaltahoe.org. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/7, 8/8, 8/9.
For more information, visit https://classicaltahoe.org/ or call 775.372.7904 .
Climate Hike on the Lake of The Sky Trail – 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Taylor Creek, Hwy 89 past Camp Richardson. Step onto the Lake of the Sky Trail and experience a stunning journey from the Taylor Creek Visitor Center to the sandy shores of Lake Tahoe, where every sight, scent, and sound reveals a new Climate Clue. Discover the hidden heroes of the forest—beavers—whose natural wetland‑building superpowers help protect the Sierra from drought and wildfire. Take in panoramic mountain views while learning how shrinking snowpack and earlier runoff threaten California’s ‘frozen reservoir’ and the ecosystems that depend on it.
Feel the icy lake water and explore a shoreline transformed by warming temperatures, algal blooms, and shifting drought cycles. Finish your hike inspired to become a Climate Warrior, empowered with simple everyday actions that help protect Lake Tahoe and the only Earth we have. The trail is out-and-back and less than a mile total. It is mostly flat along a gravel, dirt, and sandy path with benches along the way. This guided tour will be led out by our lovely knowledgeable staff and volunteers every Thursday at 10am between June 17th and September 27th (weather permitting).
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/climate-hike-on-the-lake-of-the-sky-trail/2026-08-06/.
Come Monday Mimosa Brunch at Margaritaville – 7-11 a.m., Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Come Monday Brunch at the Come Monday Café & Bar inside Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe. Daily.
Guests and locals are invited to enjoy breakfast & brunch 7 days a week in Come Monday Café, located on the second floor. Choose from our delicious a la carte offerings or enjoy our signature buffet on weekends and select days.
Add our signature Bloody Marys and Bottomless Mimosas!Signature Breakfast BuffetAdults: $25 (plus tax and gratuity)Kids Breakfast BuffetAge 6-10: $14Age 5 and under: Free with a paid adult
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/come-monday-brunch-margaritaville/2026-08-06/.
Daily Live Music – 12-8 p.m., Gunbarrel Tavern. Daily live music at multiple locations in the Village, including the corner stage at Azul Latin Kitchen, Basecamp Pizza, and Gunbarrel Tavern. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/7, 8/8, 8/9, 8/10, 8/11, 8/12.
For more information, visit https://theshopsatheavenly.com/event/live-music-gunbarrel-tavern/2026-08-06/.
The Heart of Robin Hood – 7:30 p.m., Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Highway 28. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/7, 8/9, 8/11.
For more information, visit https://laketahoeshakespeare.com/event/the-heart-of-robin-hood-10/ or call (800) 747-4697.
Hot August Nights – Gar Woods Grill & Pier, 5000 N Lake Blvd. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/7, 8/8, 8/9, 8/10, 8/11.
For more information, visit https://www.garwoods.com/calendar.html or call (530) 546-3366.
Incline Village Library – Family Story Time – 10:30-11 a.m., Incline Village Library, 845 Alder Avenue. Description For children of all ages with a focus on enjoying literacy and language as a family. Enjoy stories, fingerplays, and wiggle action as part of the experience to encourage a love of books, empower thinking, stimulate creativity, and promote an overall sense of wellbeing. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/11.
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/incline-village-library-family-story-time-1846653?sourceTypeId=Hub or call 775-832-4130.
Indian Creek watering – 9 a.m.-12 p.m., The Divided Sky, El Dorado Fwy. Join our crew for a medium length walk on uneven terrain to water sugar pine seedlings we planted this spring. Wear closed toe shoes and long pants. We can give you a watering backpack if you can carry 20+ pounds. You can also bring your own watering container or use our gallon milk jugs.
For more information, visit https://sugarpinefoundation.org/.
Intro to Fundamental Skills – 3:30-5:30 p.m., Tahoe XC, 925 Country Club Dr. Bike Clinics at Tahoe XC for Ages 14 Whether you’re brand new to mountain biking or looking to tackle more technical terrain with confidence, Tahoe XC’s Summer & Fall Mountain Bike Clinics are designed to help you build skills, have fun, and enjoy our incredible trail network. Led by local rider and certified instructor Kili Lehmkuhl, these small-group clinics offer personalized instruction in a welcoming environment for riders ages 14 and up. From foundational bike handling to navigating technical trails, there’s a clinic for every stage of your mountain biking journey. Need a bike? Mountain bike rentals are available at 50% off for just $30 for all clinic participants. Register Today: https://tahoexc.org/bike/ Questions? Email bike@tahoexc.org.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1766624344694969/.
Jon Sills – 5-9 p.m., Base Camp Pizza. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/9.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Karaoke Thursdays – 9-11 p.m., Description KARAOKE THURSDAYS ARE HERE! Alibi Ale Works – Incline VillageWe’re the thirstiest on Thursdays, not just for some boozy beverages, but for some killer karaoke too! Choose your song or step up for blind karaoke roulette! Best karaoke of the night will win an Alibi gift card! Sing your heart out for free beer and Alibi bites
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/karaoke-thursdays-1663987?sourceTypeId=Hub.
Live at Lakeview – Free Summer Concert Series on the Beach – 4:30-8:30 p.m., Lakeview Commons at El Dorado Beach, 1004 Lakeview Ave. The City of South Lake Tahoe and Visit Lake Tahoe are proud to present the 2026 Live at Lakeview Summer Music Series, returning for its twelfth season of free Thursday concerts on the beach through August 27. Lakeview Commons/ El Dorado Beach.
Here is the 2026 lineup! Presented by the City of South Lake Tahoe and Visit Lake Tahoe.
This year’s series brings a powerful mix of genres to Lakeview Commons—highlighting everything from reggae and folk to funk, Latin fusion, and Americana.
“We’re incredibly proud to bring this beloved tradition back for Season 12,” says Rob Giustina, Owner & Producer of On Course Events. “Live at Lakeview is all about building community—supporting local artists, local businesses, and giving everyone a reason to come together by the lake each week.”
Live at Lakeview is a free concert series hosted every Thursday from 4:30 to 8:30 pm at Lakeview Commons in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. The series kicks off June 25 and runs through August 27.
Each event features two live performances, local vendors, food trucks, and a beer & wine garden with panoramic lake views. Local beer will be served on tap inside the beer & wine garden, courtesy of South of North Brewing Company. Please note that no outside alcohol is permitted within Lakeview Commons Park.
Parking is limited, but community-minded options including biking, walking, carpooling, and ride-shares are strongly encouraged. A free bike valet is offered weekly and operated by a different nonprofit organization each week—100% of tips go directly to their cause.
For details on the full summer lineup visit liveatlakeview.com and connect with @LiveatLakeviewCommons on Facebook and Instagram.
Tap below for more Lake Tahoe Events & Entertainment
South Lake Tahoe Events
Find the best Lake Tahoe events for everyone! Our calendar includes live music, kid friendly fun, festivals &.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/live-at-lakeview-free-summer-concert-series-on-the-beach/2026-08-06/.
Live at Lakeview After Party at Paddle House Brews – 7-10 p.m., Paddle House Brews, 3135 Harrison Ave. Live at Lakeview After Party at Paddle House Brews. DJs on Thursdays beginning at 7:00 pm. Free entry. 21+ after 7:00 pm.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/live-at-lakeview-after-party-at-paddle-house-brews/2026-08-06/.
Live Music at AleWorX Lake Tahoe – 9-11 p.m., Lake Tahoe AleWorX, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Lake Tahoe AleWorX Music Series. Drink. Dance. Feel Good! Presented to you by Lake Tahoe AleWorX. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. #Goodvibesonly
Check the Music calendar for times and specifics.
Why We’re Here:Our goal as a company is to provide the very best food and beverage experience for our locals and visitors throughout the upcoming summer. From Memorial to Labor Day Weekend we plan to host live entertainment EVERY evening. With both our Y and Stateline locations, we are in a unique position to be able to cater to two of the major niche markets within our #VisitLakeTahoe community.
Music is Life. That’s why our hearts have beats.The Venues:ALEWORX AT THE Y
Lake Tahoe AleWorX at the Y
Our Y Taproom opens with two glass paneled garage doors to a beautiful large patio featuring several fire pits and a permanent built in stage for entertainment. The stage is large enough to comfortably accommodate a large 5 piece band and has a natural forest backdrop making for a serene environment to enjoy some good music, a cold beer and a wood fired pizza with the whole family!
ALEWORX STATELINE
Lake Tahoe AleWorX Stateline
If you’re looking for a party, AleWorX Stateline is where you want to be! Our Stateline location lies right in the heart of the casino corridor between Harrah’s and Bally’s. The foot and drive by traffic exposure at our Stateline location is unparalleled in town. Our Stateline operation differs from that of our Y location in that it features a full bar where we focus on craft cocktails but inevitably carry the whole gamut of party supplies!
Check out Lake Tahoe AleWorX on Instagram
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/lake-tahoe-aleworx-summer-music-series/2026-08-06/.
Mark Sheets – 6:30-10 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave. Additional dates: 8/6, 8/9.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=2.
Roger Collins – 12-3 p.m., Base Camp Pizza.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Ron & Maureen Ashley Oasis Chamber Music Series: Harp and Friends – 5-7 p.m., Description Thursday, August 6 at 5:00 PM Ron & Maureen Ashley Oasis Led by harpist Emmanuel Ceysson, this program highlights the harp’s remarkable range and color in intimate and luminous chamber selections. From the refined elegance of French Baroque gems by Couperin and Rameau, heard here on solo harp, the concert unfolds through Jean Cras’s richly textured Quintet and Cynthia Lee Wong’s evocative Shoreline, culminating in Ravel’s shimmering Introduction & Allegro, a masterpiece of a “mini harp concerto” that places the harp at the center of a kaleidoscope of sound. Artists Emmanuel Ceysson, solo harp Érik Gratton, flute Nathan Hughes, oboe Daniel Gilbert, clarinet Laura Hamilton, violin Laura Lutzke, violin Katie Kadarauch, viola Zoë Martin-Doike, viola Anne Richardson, cello Program François Couperin: Les Barricades mystérieuses (1717) Jean-Philippe Rameau: Menuet from Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin (c. 1726-1728) Jean Cras: Quintet for flute, violin, viola, cello, and harp (1928) Cynthia Lee Wong: Shoreline for oboe, viola, and harp (2018) Maurice Ravel: Introduction et Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and string quartet (1905)
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/ron-maureen-ashley-oasis-chamber-music-series-harp-and-friends-1663879?sourceTypeId=Hub.
SAILING CLUB, YACHT ROCK PARTY W/ PIER PRESSURE – 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Tessie’s Cocktails & Chords , 18 US-50. Sailing Club launches at Tessie’s with Tahoe’s smoothest & grooviest party starters, Pier Pressure. Captains Orders – grab a cocktail and head to the dance floor. Sailing Club offers a night of high-energy yachty fun that keeps the room rocking from start to finish. Rascal Flatts ticket holders receive a BOGO cocktail with their concert ticket.
Jamie Saso 8 pm
Pier Pressure 10 pm
Grab a drink and settle in for a night of yacht rock party anthems.
Experience the yachty energy firsthand—book your table today.
Lounge open 11 AM Daily. For large party reservations or tables before 10 PM, call us at 775.586.5014 or email: VIP@tessiestahoe.com
For more information, visit http://tessiestahoe.com/events or call 6194547421.
Senior Dance Night – 6-8:30 p.m., Fox Cultural Hall, 8707 N. Lake Blvd. Join us for a traditional old time dance! Learn the traditional dances like the waltz, fox trot, and other classics. Senior Dance takes place every first Thursday of the month. $5 per person. Dance lesson at 6pm. Dance, 7:00-8:30 pm. Cookies, drinks, and treats for sale.
For more information, visit https://chamber.truckee.com/events/details/senior-dance-night-08-06-2026-77117.
Ted Kennedy – 8-11 p.m., Noel’s Coffee and Apothecary.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Tommy Ciccone – 6-9 p.m., Heavenly Corner Stage.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Trivia Night at Tipsy Putt – Tahoe – 7-10 p.m., Tipsy Putt, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite 101. Trivia Night at Tipsy Putt! Free to play, prizes for winners Join us every week for Trivia Night at Tipsy Putt, hosted by the pros at DJ Trivia! It’s free to play, with fresh questions and fun challenges each week. Bring a team of 2–6 or come solo—meet new people and join a team, no pressure. Prizes go to the winners, and cold beer is always flowing. Test your knowledge and kick back with us! FREE RSVP to add it to your calendar so you don’t miss out!
For more information, visit https://eventvesta.com/events/152741/t/tickets or call (530) 443-4376.
Friday, August 7
2027 Four Winns H2 Demo Day at North Lake Tahoe Boat Rental in Tahoe Vista – 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., North Lake Tahoe Boat Rental, 7220 N Lake Blvd. Join Tahoe Boat Repair and Storage for our 2027 Four Winns H2 I/O Demo Day on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM at North Lake Tahoe Boat Rental in Tahoe Vista, California.
This is your opportunity to experience the performance, comfort, and premium craftsmanship of the all-new Four Winns H2 I/O on the beautiful waters of Lake Tahoe. Whether you’re an experienced boater or have never driven a boat before, everyone is welcome—no boating experience is required. Our knowledgeable team will guide you through the entire experience and answer any questions you have about the boat’s features and handling.
This is a one-day demo event only happening Friday August 7th, 2026. To participate, all attendees must reserve a time slot in advance and sign a liability waiver before their scheduled demo ride. Space is limited, so book your preferred time today and discover why the 2027 Four Winns H2 I/O is one of the most exciting boats on the water.
Four Winns H2 Demo Day is located at North Lake Tahoe Boat Rental 7220 N Lake Blvd Tahoe Vista, CA 96148.
For questions please call, 530-553-1288 or email us at, sales@tahoeboatstorage.com.
For more information, visit https://tahoeboatstorage.com/events/ or call 530-553-1288.
Annie Davidson – 3-6 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
BIG BLUEgrass Benefit Concert 2026 – 4-8 p.m., Sugar Pine Point State Park. A bluegrass benefit concert supporting Sugar Pine Point State Park and our Tahoe State Parks! Dance to professional live bluegrass bands overlooking the Big Blue at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Tasty food vendors, beer, and wine are available for purchase. Doors open at 4 pm. Music begins at 5 pm and goes until dark. Parking is $10**. Are you a bluegrass or bluegrass-influenced band, and want to play in 2026’s concert? Apply below!
For more information, visit https://sierrastateparks.org/events/big-bluegrass-benefit-concert-2026.
The Classical Continuum – 7-9 p.m., Description Artists Eric Jacobsen, conductor Emmanuel Ceysson, harp Classical Tahoe Orchestra Program Claude Debussy: Danses sacrée et profane for harp and string orchestra (1904) Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite (1944) -Intermission- Gustav Mahler: Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 (1905) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 “Haffner” (1782)
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/the-classical-continuum-1663885?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 298-0245.
Country Fridays: Line Dance Night – 9-11 p.m., Description Join us every Friday for line dancing and cold beer on the Incline Public House dance floor. Dust off your best boots and come ready to party!
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/country-fridays-line-dance-night-1677365?sourceTypeId=Hub.
DJ DELO in the Mix – 9-11:30 p.m., AleWorX Stateline.
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/dj-delo-in-the-mix/2026-08-07/.
Fireball Fridays – 12 a.m., Tipsy Putt, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite 101. Kick off your weekend with Fireball Friday!
Every Friday until 8 PM, enjoy a $7 Fireball shot, an $11 beer & shot combo, or grab the crew and tackle the Fireball Shot Ski for $19.
It’s the perfect excuse to raise a glass before your next round of mini golf.
For more information, visit https://eventvesta.com/events/156431/t/tickets or call (530) 443-4376.
Fireside Chat – 6:30-7:30 p.m., Edgewood Tahoe Resort, 180 Lake Parkway.
For more information, visit https://sugarpinefoundation.org/.
Jose “Manny Maze” DJ Meza – 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Noel’s Coffee and Apothecary.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance – 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Obexer’s Boat Company, 5300 W Lake Blvd, Homewood, CA. The Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance celebrates its 52nd anniversary August 7-8, 2026 on Lake Tahoe’s scenic West Shore with a must-see Marque Class: Riva! Concours is North America’s premier wooden boat show. It is renowned as a showcase of some of the most well-preserved and restored wooden boats in the world and is unrivaled in its exhibition and preservation of maritime tradition. Presented by the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation and its perpetual partner, Tahoe Luxury Properties, the Concours experience features luxury shopping, live jazz music, cuisine prepared by local chefs, the fully stocked Watering Hole bar, and our famed Silent Auction. A portion of the proceeds from your Pass goes directly to the Lake Tahoe community. This isn’t just a show. It’s a lifestyle. Additional dates: 8/7, 8/8.
For more information, visit https://laketahoeconcours.com or call 7758514444.
Lakeful Dead – 6-10 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Celebrate Jerry Garcia week w/ mem. of Boogie Zoo, Wolf Jett and Tahoe Dead Project!
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/tahoes-too-dead/.
Live Music – Gar Woods Grill & Pier, 5000 N Lake Blvd. Rustler’s Moon, 8:00 – 11:00 PM Additional dates: 8/7, 8/8.
For more information, visit https://www.garwoods.com/calendar.html or call (530) 546-3366.
Meet the Artist ~ Mackenzie Thorpe ~ August 7 – 8 – 12-5 p.m., Marcus Ashley Gallery, 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Ste 23. RSVP to get your chance to meet a master of art for the heart, Mackenzie Thorpe. Additional dates: 8/7, 8/8.
For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-artist-mackenzie-thorpe-august-7-8-tickets-1983049443267 or call (530) 544-4278.
Peter R. Wilson – 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Cutthroat’s Saloon at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, 111 Country Club Drive. Peter Wilson at Osteria Sierra at the Hyatt Incline Village
For more information, visit https://www.bandsintown.com/e/108036616?app_id=pkvts0on0m&came_from=287&utm_medium=api&utm_source=partner_api&utm_campaign=event.
Porterhaus – 6:30-10 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Sidewalk Sound Waves – DJ Montague – 5 a.m.-9 p.m., AleWorX Stateline.
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/sidewalk-sound-waves-dj-montague/2026-08-07/.
Stephanie Fagliano – 8-10 p.m., Social House.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Stuff the Bus – 1-4 p.m., Description Incline Village Realtors
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/stuff-the-bus-1875708?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 831-3777.
Thunderbird Lodge/Whittell Mansion Tour – Thunderbird Lodge/George Whittell Estate, 5000 State Route 28. Exclusive Tuesdays and Fridays guided tours let you explore the magic and mystery of the historic Thunderbird Lodge and Whittell Estate grounds. (Wednesdays from July 8 through September 2)
Learn about Captain Whittell’s conservation of Lake Tahoe’s Nevada shoreline and see his world-famous mansion, including secret tunnels, the card house, and the legendary Thunderbird yacht (when available).
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
Tours are on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm, May 26 – October 16, 2026. 75-minute lodge and estate tour.
Get your tickets online here
Shuttles depart from the Travel North Tahoe Nevada Welcome (Visitor’s) Center, 969 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV 89451. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to departure. No private cars allowed at the Thunderbird Lodge. For more information, call 1-800-GO-TAHOE (1-800-468-2463).
Afternoon upgraded wine and cheese tours are available each Tuesday and Friday (plus Wednesdays July 8th – September 2nd), in the afternoon at 2:00 pm. Wine & Cheese Tours
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/thunderbird-lodgewhittell-mansion-tour-2/2026-08-07/.
Wine Tasting at Black Bear Lodge – 5-7 p.m., Black Bear Lodge, 1202 Ski Run Boulevard. Join us at Black Bear Lodge for our Summer Wine Tasting Series, happening every other Friday from 5–7 PM. Enjoy an evening of curated wines from a featured winery, live music, and the relaxed gardens of Black Bear Lodge. Sip, unwind, and discover something new with each unique tasting experience throughout the summer.
For more information, visit http://tahoeblackbear.com/events or call 5305444451.
Young Toddler and Me Group – 9:30-10:30 a.m., Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness, 2170B South Avenue. Description Parents and caregivers with their toddlers, 12-24 months old, are invited to join together to share the joys and challenges of parenting in a supportive, caring environment. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents and caregivers, offer encouragement, and gain valuable insights from Barton Health professionals on child development and parenting strategies. Guest speakers will include a pediatrics physician, pelvic floor rehabilitation therapist, speech development specialist, and baby sign language nurse. For more information and to view the schedule of guest speakers, visit BartonHealth.org .
For more information, visit https://business.tahoechamber.org/events/details/young-toddler-and-me-group-08-07-2026-25592.
Saturday, August 8
Al Tahoe Firewise Community Yard Clean Up Day and Document Shredding Events – 10:10 a.m.-12:02 p.m., #1 Event – Yard Clean Up – Next to Al Tahoe Fire Station#2 @ 2951 Lake Tahoe Blvd. and , #2 Event – Document Shredding American Legion Lot @ 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd.. Al Tahoe Firewise USA is conducting 2 events on August 8th from 10am to 2pm to promote their defensible space efforts and activities. Both events will be at 2 locations on Lake Tahoe Blvd. The Yard Clean Up event will be staged next to Fire Station #2 in Al Tahoe, and the Document Shredding will be at the American Legion lot. Event highlights include a “Meet and Greet” BBQ, with/refreshments/donation, free limb and small tree chipping signups, a Fire Resistant Paint demonstration, defensible space, home hardening, and insurance updates, and evacuation Go Bag distribution. Multiple fundraising/donation opportunities including document shredding, wood art, and Tahoe Tea Towels, will support the Al Tahoe Firewise “Helping Hands” program that provides free commercial defensible space services to our disadvantaged elderly, Veterans, disabled, low income “Neighbors in Need.”
For more information, visit http://altahoefirewise@gmail.com or call 530-541-4141.
Apres Ski Party – 3-6 p.m., Sierra Surf Club, 425 North Lake Boulevard.
April & Sheldon – 5 p.m.-12 a.m., Bowl Incline, 920 Southwood Blvd. Gourmet dining upstairs in the restaurant above the bowling alley at Bowl Incline — live performance by April & Sheldon duo while you dine.
For more information, visit https://www.bandsintown.com/e/107984215?app_id=pkvts0on0m&came_from=287&utm_medium=api&utm_source=partner_api&utm_campaign=event.
Bluesberry Jam – 6-10 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (Blues and Rock)
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/bluesberry-jam-2/.
Guided Rainbow Trail Walk – 10-11 a.m., 2152 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Join us for an enchanting journey through nature’s vibrant palette on the Guided Rainbow Trail Walk. Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of South Lake Tahoe, this guided walking tour at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the forest as our knowledgeable guides lead you along the Rainbow Trail. Discover the diverse ecosystems, and learn about the unique flora and fauna that call it home. The Guided Rainbow Trail Walk provides an opportunity to connect with your national forest and appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors. Don’t miss the chance to explore one of South Lake Tahoe’s hidden gems and experience the magic of the Rainbow Trail. We look forward to welcoming you on this educational walk! This tour is offered, free to the public, every Wednesday & Saturday at 10am between June 17th and September 27th. Be sure to bring water, waterproof shoes and please leave all pets and food/scented beverages at home or in the car. Additional dates: 8/8, 8/12.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1035573822210868/1035573882210862/?active_tab=about.
IFBB Pro NPC Tahoe Show – 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Bally’s Lake Tahoe, 55 Highway 50. As you wind up the mountain pass and Lake Tahoe comes into view, the excitement starts. Inside a classic, Sinatra-era showroom, the lights rise and the stage comes alive. This is a bodybuilding show that feels bigger the moment athletes step on stage.
More than a competition, the Tahoe Show is an experience athletes remember and fans talk about long after the final pose—handcrafted trophies, surprise donuts backstage, and details you don’t see anywhere else.
IFBB Pro Bikini athletes return, with the Top Five IFBB Pros earning points toward the Mr. Olympia.
Top 5 IFBB Pros and all NPC Open Overall winners will take part in an exclusive photo and video shoot aboard the legendary 54-foot Tahoe Star yacht on Lake Tahoe.
Date & Time: October 8 • 10:00 AM Additional dates: 8/8, 8/8.
For more information, visit https://centerpodium.com/events/tahoe-show/ or call (702) 493-3974.
Jon Sills – 3-6:30 p.m., @South of Nort.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Kristen Stephens (of the Imposters) – 12-4 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Country/Folk/Pop w/ amazing vocals!
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/kristen-stephens-of-the-imposters-3/.
Logan Eastep – 7-10 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Macbeth – 7:30 p.m., Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Highway 28. Additional dates: 8/8, 8/12.
For more information, visit https://laketahoeshakespeare.com/event/macbeth-16/ or call (800) 747-4697.
Mustache Harbor – 8 p.m., 14 NV-28. Mustache Harbor returns to the CBC on Sat. Aug. 8th at 8pm! Tickets: $20 ADV / $25 DOS I Ticket Link: https://tixr.com/e/185413 For over a decade MUSTACHE HARBOR has been thrilling audiences across the country with their spot-on renditions of the smoothest music from the 1970’s and 80’s, all performed with the highest level of musicianship and state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/4508948296043320/.
Mustache Harbor “Yacht Rock Forever!” – 8 p.m., Crystal Bay Casino, 14 Highway 28.
For more information, visit https://devildogshows.com/event/mustache-harbor-yacht-rock-forever-3/ or call (775) 833-6333.
Neon Nights – 8 p.m., Alibi Ale Works – Incline Public House, 931 Tahoe Blvd. Description New for summer 2026, DJ Papi Chulo will be set up in our magical mythical beer forest every Saturday from 8-10pm for NEON NIGHTS!Expect groovy vibes from our local DJ, glow in the dark beer pong, and potentially hi-lighter fairies partying with you.Dress up and dance it out Saturdays at Alibi! This just might be the highlight of your summer.
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/neon-nights-1771823?sourceTypeId=Hub.
Old to Gold: Jewelry Swap in Tahoe featuring Asqqu Creations – 3-5 p.m., 2048 Dunlap Dr #4. Refresh your jewelry collection at our Jewelry Swap in Tahoe! Bring your unwanted jewelry—broken, vintage, modern, or gently loved—and swap it for new-to-you treasures. Browse a variety of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more while giving pre-loved pieces a second life. Plus, discover Asqqu Creations’ Barter System—trade jewelry you no longer wear (or pieces you’d like redesigned) in exchange for a custom jewelry design created just for you! Please only bring gently used items. Bring a bag! This jewelry swap is hosted by Julie Garrett-Wright. Julie Garrett-Wright is the owner of Asqqu Creations, a jewelry and functional art business that creates unique pieces from recycled materials. A passionate supporter of sustainability, community, and the arts, she has hosted and attended numerous clothing swaps, helping foster connection and conscious fashion. Her creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment to community make her a valued member of the Swap Society network.
Clothing tip: wear form fitting tank tops or shorts underneath to lessen exposure when trying on clothes. (Optional)
IItems accepted at this swap:
Jewelry (in any condition – broken, vintage, modern, or gently loved)
Clean gently used clothing (No rips, tears, stains or need of repair)
Shoes
Items NOT ACCEPTED:
Items worthy of donations are not accepted at this swap.
No undergarments are accepted at this swap.
How it works:
Purchase a ticket and swap 1 item for 1 item or join the Swap Society and swap till you drop with the “shopping pass”. Members unlock unlimited swapping at all locations, and other perks!
Leftover items are either saved for the next swap or donated to Vista Rise Collective and Christmas Cheer
460 pounds have been donated to Christmas Cheer thanks to previous swaps and 46 pounds to Vista Rise Collective! This extends the life of garments, keeping them out of the landfill and helps those in need.
Schedule:
First 20 minutes, check in and mingle with other swappers
Swapping begins and continues throughout the event with wrap up starting 30 minutes to end of event
Arrive on time for the best picks!
Location is the Tahoe Clothing Swap
2048 Dunlap Dr #4, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 – ADDRESS
Interested in collaborating with The Swap Society as a vendor or sponsor? Email community@theswapsociety.com
For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/old-to-gold-jewelry-swap-in-tahoe-featuring-asqqu-creations-tickets-1992950028183 or call 1111111.
Paella on the Patio – 5:30-8 p.m., Description Newton Northern NV is a K-12 non-profit school for students diagnosed with Autism and similar disabilities. We’d love for you to join us at our upcoming fundraiser, Paella on the Patio, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Zephyr Wine Bar in South Reno. This special evening will raise critical funds for our Promise Fund, which directly supports student programs, educational resources, and opportunities that make a lasting impact.
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/paella-on-the-patio-1859571?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 358-0808.
Saturday Makers’ Market w/ Live Music – 3-7 p.m.,
For more information, visit https://tahoebackyard.com/event-calendar.
Saturday Makers’ Market w/ Live Music by Sonik Rewind – 3-7 p.m.,
For more information, visit https://tahoebackyard.com/event-calendar.
Season Finale: Beethoven’s 7th – 7-9 p.m., Description Artists Eric Jacobsen, conductor Ha Young Jung, bass Classical Tahoe Orchestra Program Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (1936) Nino Rota: Divertimento Concertante for double bass and orchestra (1967) -Intermission- Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 (1812)
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/season-finale-beethoven-s-7th-1663890?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 298-0245.
Sidewalk Sound Waves – DJ Delo – 5-9 p.m., AleWorX Stateline.
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/sidewalk-sound-waves-dj-demo/2026-08-08/.
SLT Clothing Swap – 3-5 p.m., bff tahoe, 2540 Lake Tahoe Blvd. It’s time to refresh your wardrobe by exchanging your gently used clothes for something you will love. All shapes and sizes are welcome!
Join our WhatsApp group to stay in touch and connect with other swappers! https://chat.whatsapp.com/DYJYS6AYB392SDnVyC3xLq
Come enjoy light snacks and beverages while you shop! 👗👚 Mingle with likeminded fashionistas!
Swap Till You Drop!
Please bring a MINIMUM of 5 clean items. Gently used shoes, clothing, and accessories. No rips, tears, stains or need of repair.
Bring a bag!
Clothing tip: wear form fitting tank tops or shorts underneath to lessen exposure when trying on clothes. (Optional)
Location is 2540 Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe (in midtown, behind Coldwater Brewery in the Swiss Chalet Village shopping center)
For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/slt-clothing-swap-tickets-1256704800889?aff=oddtdtcreator or call (530) 725-9296.
Sonik Rewind Classic Rock & Blues Band in Kings Beach – 5-7 p.m., Tahoe Backyard, 8428 Trout Ave. . Sonik Rewind is Coming Back to Tahoe Backyard! Sat. August 8th 5-7 pm. Meet us out at the beer garden for food, drink, Maker’s Market and dancing under the trees! Classic Rock from 60’s 70’s 80’s and BEYOND! GET UP & DANCE. Kid friendly and FREE! Like/Share/Subscribe #livemusic#tahoebackyard#kingsbeach#foodanddrinks#kidfriendly#classicrock#tahoe #makersmarket
Tahoe City Day Historical Walking Tours – August 8, 2026 Tahoe City, CA Tahoe City Day Historical Walking Tours Celebrate Tahoe City Day with Free Historic Walking Tours, registration is required. Stroll through downtown as knowledgeable guides share insights into Tahoe City’s early days, historic landmarks, and cultural heritage. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, these tours provide a meaningful way to connect with the area’s rich past. Learn More
For more information, visit https://www.visitplacer.com/event/tahoe-city-day-historical-walking-tours/.
Tahoe Club Crawl Spring/Summer 2026 – 8-11 p.m., Aleworx Stateline 31 US-50. Tahoe Club Crawl is an organized VIP nightlife tour of the Tahoe South. With the purchase of your ticket, you will receive a welcome shot at 3 out of 4 stops, appetizers, free indoor games at Tipsy Putt and VIP entrance into Peek Nightclub, Lake Tahoe’s hottest Club! You will meet amazing people and have the night of your lives. We meet every Saturday at 8:00 PM Aleworx Stateline, unless told otherwise. Be Sure To Check Out our Ice Cream Shop, Aloha Ice Cream Tahoe “Winner of Best Ice Cream in Tahoe 7 Years In A Row” (Opened Seasonally)
Venues Subject to Change At Anytime, No Refunds
For more information, visit https://tahoeclubcrawl.ticketsauce.com/e/tahoe-club-crawl-spring-summer-2069?aff=cityspark.
Tahoe Show Prejudging – 11 a.m., Bally’s Lake Tahoe, 55 Highway 50.
or call (775) 588-3515.
Taste of Gold – 6-8 p.m., Lake Tahoe Community College, Haldan Art Gallery. It’s the can’t-miss event of Tahoe’s summer season! Join us as we gather under the pines to enjoy light bites and libations as we raise funds to support student success at Lake Tahoe Community College.
Taste of Gold , the LTCC Foundation’s annual fundraiser in support of students and academic programs, takes place on Saturday, August 8, from 6 to 8 pm. Enjoy an evening on our beautiful alpine mountain campus, with award-winning California wines, local craft beers, and a generous sampling of tasty treats from Lake Tahoe-area restaurants and eateries.
Proceeds from this event directly benefit students by supporting programs including the Lake Tahoe College Promise, a
program offering Lake Tahoe locals
free tuition to first-time, full-time students for up to three years, as well as Student Success Grants. These programs support bright, hard-working students who can reach their full potential with your support.
Taste of Gold’s 2026 location
will blend the quiet comfort of shady pine trees and the sweet summer sun on the community playing fields, adjacent to LTCC’s campus.
Interested in becoming a Taste of Gold
event sponsor ? To honor their generosity, our VIP Sponsors get exclusive access to all the wine and beer tastings, plus delicious bites, for one hour from 5 to 6 pm before regular ticket holders arrive. It’s our way of thanking you for going above and beyond in supporting LTCC student success.
For more information, contact LTCC Foundation Executive Director Nancy Harrison at
harrison@ltcc.edu
or call 530.541.4660 ext 245.
For more information, visit https://www.ltcc.edu/calendar/#event-details/8b204aec-7e40-412b-a76e-2a7c9c781e1d or call (530) 541-4660.
Ted Kennedy – 5-9 p.m., Heavenly Corner Stage.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Will Murillo – 8-10 p.m., Social House.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=2.
Writers in the Woods Speaker Series: Lauren Hough – 7-8:30 p.m., Description Join us for an evening with NYT bestselling author Lauren Hough, our featured Writers in the Woods speaker. Lauren Hough was born in Germany and raised in seven countries, and West Texas. She’s been an Air Force airman, a bartender, a bouncer, a construction laborer, a driver, a green-aproned barista, and a cable guy. She’s the author of the New York Times bestselling essay collection, Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Granta, Texas Highways, Huffpost, and The Guardian. She’s a writer at large for Texas Highways. She lives in Austin with a dog named Woody Guthrie.
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/writers-in-the-woods-speaker-series-lauren-hough-1768073?sourceTypeId=Hub.
Sunday, August 9
Chamber Music at Sugar Bowl – 5-7 p.m., Description In partnership with Sugar Bowl Resort Sunday, August 9 at 5:00 PM Lake Mary, Sugar Bowl Resort, Donner, CA Artists Laura Hamilton, violin Kristi Helberg, violin Sarah Adams, viola Lanny Paykin, cello Program Franz Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 “The Joke” (1781) Antonin Dvořák: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, “American” (1893)
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/chamber-music-at-sugar-bowl-1663895?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 298-0245.
Chili Monroe – 3-5:30 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Concerts at Commons Free Summer Concerts 2026 – 4-7 p.m., Commons Beach, 400 N Lake Blvd. Concerts at Commons returns to Commons Beach in Tahoe City for another summer of free live music on the shores of Lake Tahoe! Join us Sunday evenings from June 14-Sept. 6 (NO SHOW JULY 5) for live bands, dancing, community fun, food, shopping and unforgettable Tahoe sunsets. New for 2026, FREE shuttle service will be available to every concert from Olympic Valley and the West Shore through partnerships with Palisades Tahoe and TNT-TMA. Free bike valet will also return this summer courtesy of Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition. 2026 Concerts at Commons Lineup: June 14 – Collectivity June 21 – Wild Child June 28 – Joy and Madness July 5 – No concert July 12 – Moga Family Band July 19 – Big Blue Guitarmageddon July 26 – Poor Man’s Whiskey Aug. 2 – Broken Compass Aug. 9 – New Monsoon Aug. 16 – Boot Juice Aug. 23 – Scott Pemberton O’Theory Aug. 30 – Allmond Bros Band Sept. 6 – Blues Monsters and Friends Learn more at ConcertsAtCommonsBeach.com #TahoeCity #ConcertsAtCommons #LakeTahoe #LiveMusic Mestizo Beat | Clare Foster, TCDA
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2124077915100148/2124082931766313/?active_tab=about.
Gospel Brunch – 12:15-2:30 p.m., Noel’s Coffee & Apothecary , 31 US-50 #102. Noel’s Coffee & Apothecary In Stateline, NV (located between AleWorx and CVS Pharmacy) now has a Gospel Brunch every Sunday from 12:15 PM until 2:30 PM featuring live Gospel music, croissant sandwiches and craft coffee. Come feed your spirit, soul and body!
Greg Case – 5-9 p.m., @Heavenly.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=2.
Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series – Tedeschi Trucks Band – Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd,. Summer, Music, Family Friendly
The Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series has some of the hottest music acts under the stars, located across the street from our resort.
Starting on 08/09/2026 and ending on 08/09/2026
For more information, visit https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-lake-tahoe/things-to-do-in-lake-tahoe/events/lake-tahoe-summer-concert-series-tedeschi-trucks-band.
Marlette 50k, 10-Miler, Spooner Lake 5K and 10K – 7:30 a.m., Spooner Lake Nevada State Park, Rivian Waypoints. Spooner Lake 10K and 5K. Spooner Lake is nestled in the Lake Tahoe Basin, surrounded by aspens and over 12,000 acres of forested open space. The course circumnavigates the lake on very scenic singletrack trails. Don’t miss out on the 50K or the 10 Miler! The Marlette 50K is an adventurous journey through some of the world’s most scenic and challenging trails. Starting at Spooner Lake in Nevada’s Lake Tahoe State Park, this run showcases miles of epic trails and breathtaking views. Imagine a pristine Sierra single track surrounded by 360-degree vistas of Lake Tahoe, Marlette Lake, and the Carson Valley and Range. The Marlette 10 Miler starts at Spooner Lake, looping around it before transitioning to an out-and-back on the Tahoe Rim Trail. The course completes its loop around Spooner Lake as it nears the finish. This beautiful run provides stunning views of North Canyon, Lake Tahoe, and Snow Valley Peak. All the details of this Tahoe Trail Running Series can be found here: https://tahoetrailrunning.com See less
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1285240510484390/.
Midnight Chef (solo) – 11 a.m.-3 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Great acoustic musician from Argentina
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/midnight-chef-solo/.
Miki Rae Garrison – 12-3 p.m., Heavenly Corner Stage.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Moxy Ruckus Duo – 5-9 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Monique D and Co. are back for a fun evening of tunes
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/moxy-ruckus-duo-4/.
Seasonal Reverse Happy Hour – Tipsy Putt, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite 101. Cheers to Tahoe Summer Nights!
Join us Sunday through Thursday from 8pm to close for Reverse Happy Hour!
50% off All-You-Can-Putt passes and 50% off draft cocktails (with purchase of All-You-Can-Putt).
Your games pass unlocks unlimited mini golf and 1–2 Putt™ rounds all day—so if you start earlier and keep your wristband on, you’ll still score half-off cocktails that night.
Members? You’re always in luck! Enjoy 50% off draft cocktails during Reverse Happy Hour without a games purchase!
Late nights, great drinks, and endless putting! Cheers to that!
For more information, visit https://tipsyputt.com/event/summer-reverse-happy-hour-tipsy-putt-mini-golf-drink-specials/2026-08-09/.
Shawn Campanini – 12-3 p.m., Base Camp Pizza.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=2.
Sidewalk Sound Waves – DJ Demo – 5-9 p.m., AleWorX Stateline.
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/sidewalk-sound-waves-dj-demo-2/2026-08-09/.
Yoga in the Beer Garden – 11 a.m.-12 p.m., South Lake Brewing Company, 1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Stretch, sip, and soak up a Tahoe summer morning. Enjoy a one-hour all-levels yoga class in the Beer Garden followed by a delicious beermosa. The perfect way to kick off your Sunday.
Bring your own mat or towel and join us for a relaxed morning of movement, fresh air, and community. Please make sure to add-on Beermosa if you’re staying for a pint. Only $5! Yoga participants only.
For more information, visit https://www.southlakebeer.com/store#!/Yoga-in-the-Beer-Garden/p/846265781.
Monday, August 10
Beach Cleanup – 8:30-10 a.m., North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd.. Join the North Tahoe Public Utility District at the North Tahoe Event Center every Monday from June 1 through August 27 to help keep our beaches and community clean. Meet on the Lakefront Patio at the North Tahoe Event Center at 8:30 a.m. to fuel up on fresh-brewed coffee and doughnuts before we head out to pick up trash. It is a rewarding way to kick off your week while giving back to the lake we love. Event Details When: Mondays, June 1 – August 31 Time: 8:30-10am Location: North Tahoe Event Center, Lakefront Patio
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/749766891496884/749766928163547/?active_tab=about.
Bowl Incline – Disco Bowling and DJ Beats – 4-9 p.m., Description Bowl Incline from 4pm – 9pm More Info
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/bowl-incline-disco-bowling-and-dj-beats-1857674?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 831-1900.
Chel Mandell – Visiting Artist Lecture Series – 7-9 p.m., Description UNR at Lake Tahoe – Holman Arts : Visiting Artist Lecture Series
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/chel-mandell-visiting-artist-lecture-series-1844624?sourceTypeId=Hub.
THE CONCERT: A Tribute to ABBA – 7:30 p.m., Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Highway 28.
For more information, visit https://laketahoeshakespeare.com/event/the-concert-a-tribute-to-abba/ or call (800) 747-4697.
Desolation Wilderness Trail Work Backcountry Camp – 7 a.m.-4 p.m., TRTA Office, 128 Market Street, Suite 3E. Additional dates: 8/10, 8/11, 8/12.
For more information, visit https://tahoerimtrail.org/event/desolation-wilderness-trail-work-backcountry-camp-8-10-2026-8-13-2026/.
Elemental – Live at the Launch – 6-8:30 p.m., Joyride Boat Rentals, 7010 N Lake Blvd. Live at the Launch is a FREE music series at the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area, brought to you by the North Tahoe PUD Rec & Parks. Join us every Monday in August for a fabulous evening of live music featuring the best local bands. Grab your friends, pack a picnic, and bring your dancing shoes. This is the perfect way to make your Mondays magical! August 10 : Elemental | Classic hits with reggae, latin & world grooves. Live looping & feel-good party vibes with a lounge edge
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1783246666375465/.
Incline Village Library – Write Your Life – 2-4 p.m., Incline Village Library, 845 Alder Avenue. Description Join fellow writers in writing and sharing memorable moments and experiences. Come to one or come to them all!
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/incline-village-library-write-your-life-1848811?sourceTypeId=Hub or call 775-832-4130.
Jamie Rollins – 12-3 p.m., Base Camp Pizza. Additional dates: 8/10, 8/12.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Jon Sills – 12-3 p.m., Heavenly Corner Stage.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Kris Munn – 8-11 p.m., Noel’s Coffee and Apothecary.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Sean Hodge – 5-9 p.m., Base Camp Pizza.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Tuesday, August 11
Armstrong trail watering Unit 13 – 8:30-11:30 a.m., Oneidas Street, Oneidas St. Join our crew for a medium length walk on uneven terrain to water native pine seedlings we planted this spring. Wear closed toe shoes and long pants. We can give you a watering backpack if you can carry 20+ pounds. You can also bring your own watering container or use our gallon milk jugs.
For more information, visit https://sugarpinefoundation.org/.
August 11th Tahoe Inc Roundtable – 5:30-7 p.m., Za’s Lakefront, 120 Grove Street. Organizing & Accelerating Tahoe’s Innovation Ecosystem
For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/august-11th-tahoe-inc-roundtable-tickets-1983574199828.
Baby & Me Group – 3-4 p.m., Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness, 2170B South Avenue. Description Parents and caregivers with their babies, 0-12 months old, discuss the joys and challenges of parenting, support each other, and learn about child development and parenting from Barton Health professionals. Guest speakers will include a pediatrics physician, pelvic floor rehabilitation therapist, infant CPR specialist, and community childcare champion. For more information and to view the schedule of guest speakers, visit BartonHealth.org .
For more information, visit https://business.tahoechamber.org/events/details/baby-me-group-08-11-2026-25193.
Benefit Concert (Rock/Covers/Country/Funk) – 3-9 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Free admission, music by Bread and Butter, the Imposters, members of Pizza Fingers + Wolf Jett, etc
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/benefit-concert-rock-covers-country-funk/.
Echo Tree Watering – 8:30-11:30 a.m., The Divided Sky, El Dorado Fwy. Join our crew for a medium length walk on uneven terrain to water native pine seedlings we planted last fall. Wear closed toe shoes and long pants. We can give you a watering backpack if you can carry 20+ pounds. You can also bring your own watering container or use our gallon milk jugs.
For more information, visit https://sugarpinefoundation.org/.
Free Food Distribution and Health Screenings – Truckee | Distribución sin costo de alimentos y exámenes de salud – Fecha en Truckee – 2-4:30 p.m., Sierra Community House, 265 Bear Street. Sierra Community House’s Hunger Relief Program is a food pantry that provides hunger relief services through weekly food distributions and other community food programs. The Tahoe Forest Health Resource Advocate team partners with Sierra Community House at this event, providing free health screenings and linkage to medical care, health education, and insurance. Blood sugar screenings and blood pressure screenings will be available.
*Health Screenings only available on second Tuesday of each month in Truckee
General Information about Sierra Community House Food Distribution Program:
Community Pantry Food Distribution takes place every Tuesday from 1-5:30 p.m. at our Truckee Warehouse – 12116 Chandelle Way Unit 2D, Truckee.
Walk-Up Food distribution takes place every Wednesday from 3-4:30 p.m. at our Kings Beach Office – 265 Bear St, Kings Beach.
Walk-Up Food Distribution takes place every Thursday from 2-3:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church – 341 Village Blvd., Incline Village.
All are welcome, services are free, and no proof of income, ID, or other documents are required to receive services.
If you need an alternative way to access food assistance, please call 775-545-4083 or email food@sierracommunityhouse.org.
Households may attend one distribution per week at the location that is most convenient for them
Descripción El Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria de Sierra Community House (Sierra Community House’s Hunger Relief Program) es una despensa de alimentos que ofrece servicios de ayuda alimentaria a través de distribuciones semanales de alimentos y otros programas comunitarios. El defensor de recursos de salud de Tahoe Forest Health se asocia con Sierra Community House en este evento, ofreciendo exámenes de salud sin costo y vinculación con atención médica, educación en salud y seguro. Se ofrecerán exámenes de azúcar en sangre y presión.
*Los exámenes de salud solo están disponibles el segundo martes de cada mes en Truckee
Información general sobre el programa de distribución de alimentos de Sierra Community House:
La distribución de alimentos de la despensa comunitaria se lleva a cabo todos los martes de 1-5:30 p. m. en nuestro almacén de Truckee – 12116 Chandelle Way Unit 2D, Truckee.
La distribución de alimentos a pie se lleva a cabo todos los miércoles de 3-4:30 p. m. en nuestra oficina de Kings Beach – 265 Bear St, Kings Beach.
La distribución de alimentos a pie se lleva a cabo todos los jueves de 2-3:30 p. m. en St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church – 341 Village Blvd., Incline Village.
Todos son bienvenidos, los servicios son sin costo y no se requiere prueba de ingresos, identificación u otros documentos para recibir los servicios.
Si necesita una forma alternativa de acceder a la ayuda alimentaria, llame al 775-545-4083 o envíe un correo electrónico a food@sierracommunityhouse.org.
Los grupos familiares pueden asistir a una distribución por semana en el lugar que les resulte más conveniente.
For more information, visit https://www.tfhd.com/events/free-food-distribution-and-health-screenings-truckee/2026-08-11/.
Jeff Connor – 7-10 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=5.
NAMI Support Group – 5:30-7 p.m., South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd. . NAMI Support Group – 5:30 – 7 pm, South Lake Tahoe Library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. The NAMI Support Group meets the second Tuesday of every month at the South Lake Tahoe Library. We provide free, peer-led support for those with a loved one living with mental illness. For more information visit www.namieldoradocounty.org.
For more information, visit http://namieldoradocounty.org or call 530-306-4101.
Nicole Cooley – 5-9 p.m., Ba.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Taco Tuesday – 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Tipsy Putt, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite 101. Taco Tuesday at Tipsy Putt
Tuesdays just got a whole lot tastier. Join us every Tuesday at any Tipsy Putt location for our unbeatable Taco Tuesday special: choose any 3 tacos for just $10 and enjoy $3 off margaritas all day and night.
You can mix and match your favorites to create the perfect trio. Whether you’re craving something classic or want to try a little bit of everything, Taco Tuesday is the best way to build a full meal without breaking the bank.
Pair your tacos with a refreshing margarita, challenge your friends to a round of mini golf, and make Tuesday your new favorite day of the week.
Available all day, every Tuesday, at all Tipsy Putt locations.
For more information, visit https://eventvesta.com/events/152639/t/tickets or call (530) 443-4376.
Tahoe Improv Players | June 16, July 21, August 11 – 7 p.m., Valhalla Boathouse Theatre. Join the Tahoe Improv Players as they take the stage on three separate evenings this summer at The Boathouse Theatre, celebrating 32 years of turning audience suggestions into hilarious, spontaneous scenes. As Lake Tahoe’s longest-running comedy show, they always bring their best to Valhalla. It’s Tahoe’s best value in family entertainment, with discounts for children 12 and under. Your kids won’t stop laughing. It’s simple: Tahoe Improv Players make stuff up, and you laugh.
For more information, visit https://valhallatahoe.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=269.
Tahoe Improv Players | June 16, July 21, August 11, & September 3, 2026 – 7-9 p.m., Boathouse Theater, Tallac Historic Site. Join the Tahoe Improv Players as they take the stage on three separate evenings this summer at The Boathouse Theatre, celebrating 33 years of turning audience suggestions into hilarious, spontaneous scenes. As Lake Tahoe’s longest-running comedy show, they always bring their best to Valhalla. It’s Tahoe’s best value in family entertainment, with discounts for children 12 and under. Your kids won’t stop laughing. It’s simple: Tahoe Improv Players make stuff up, and you laugh.
All ages welcome | Concessions available
For more information, visit https://valhallatahoe.com/event/tahoe-improv-players-june-16-july-21-august-11-september-3-2026/2026-08-11/.
Tai Chi with Mark – 8-9 a.m., North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd.. Discover the benefits of Tai Chi with the 24 Short Form. Stay sharp, move with confidence, and improve balance, coordination, and relaxation through gentle, flowing movement. Tuesdays (June 2–August 25) | 8:00am-9:00am North Tahoe Event Center (Lakefront Patio) Under 18 must be with an adult Drop In: $10/Resident, $15/Non-Resident Season Pass (12 classes): $100/Resident, $125/Non-Resident
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1026027386752536/1026027406752534/?active_tab=about.
Tommy Ciccone – 12-3 p.m., Base Camp Pizza.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=4.
Wednesday, August 12
Alpenglow Sports Mountain Running Club | Craft Demo | Tahoe XC Loop – 5:30 p.m., Tahoe XC, 925 Country Club Dr. A summer evening on the Tahoe XC trails with Craft and Tim Tollefson! Come out to try their newly released Kype (read Ship-pah) Gravel trail shoe and get the inside scoop straight from the team at Craft. This shoe is a direct evolution from their Skype Pro road shoe. After many of their athletes were using the road shoe for trail races, they worked directly with them to update it with features that would help it perform best on the trail too. These are a result of the collaboration between Craft and their athletes. We can’t wait to hear what you think! And, if you aren’t interested in trying any shoes, no problem! You are still encouraged to join us for a 6 mile evening loop (check out the route here — https://www.strava.com/routes/3482476048592680492). This run is zero drop, meaning you will always be with the group no matter your pace, and there will be all ages and ability levels attending.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1208276188131725/.
Anais Reno – 7:30 p.m., Valhalla Boathouse Theatre. New York-Based Jazz Singer And Composer, Anais Has Been Artistically Very Active, Involved In The Performing Arts Since Age 8. After Winning The 2016 Forte International Competition’s Platinum Award At Carnegie Hall, She Won The Jazz Award In The American Traditions Vocal Competition, The Mabel Mercer Competition And The Julie Wilson Award. Studying Voice Since 2013 With Sarah Tolar As A Recipient Of The Recanati-Kaplan Scholarship Program At The 92nd Street Y As Well As With Her Father, A Former Opera Singer, Anais Graduated In The Spring Of 2021 From LaGuardia High School Studying Drama, And Now Attends SUNY Purchase, Studying Jazz Voice And Operatic Technique With Sherry Overholt As An Ella Fitzgerald Scholar. Anais Has Had A Rapidly Growing Career As A Singer With A Love For Jazz And The Great American Songbook. Since Age 10, She Has Had The Opportunity To Perform In Prominent Venues Such As Birdland, Carnegie Hall, Rose Hall, The Django, Dizzy’s Club, Chris’ Jazz Café, Madison Square Garden, The Caramoor Jazz Festival, PizzaExpress, The Edinburgh Jazz Festival, And Others. While At These Venues, She Has Been Joined And Hired By A Slew Of Acclaimed Jazz Musicians Such As Gary Smulyan, Chris Byars, Emmet Cohen, Peter Bernstein, And Many More. Anais’s Debut Album Celebrating The Music Of Duke Ellington And Billy Strayhorn, Titled Lovesome Thing: Anais Reno Sings Ellington & Strayhorn With The Emmet Cohen Trio, Was Released In 2021 And Received International Critical Acclaim, Climbing To Number 6 On The Jazz Chart After Performing In The Top 10 For 4 Consecutive Weeks. Anais Was Featured On Good Day NY’s “New York State Of Mind” Welcome-Back-To-New-York Video With A Wide Variety Of Stars Including Idina Menzel And Stephen Colbert, And She Sang “America The Beautiful” For The 2021 9/11 Mets/Yankees Game. In February Of 2024, She Released A Live Album Recorded In London With PX Records Titled At PizzaExpress: Live In London. Her Sophomore Studio album, “Lady Of The Lavender Mist” , was released May 2025 under Club44 Records, featuring Peter Bernstein, David Wong, and Joe Fa
For more information, visit https://valhallatahoe.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=265.
Anaïs Reno – 7:30-10 p.m., Boathouse Theater, Tallac Historic Site. New York-Based Jazz Singer And Composer, Anaïs Has Been Artistically Very Active, Involved In The Performing Arts Since Age 8. After Winning The 2016 Forte International Competition’s Platinum Award At Carnegie Hall, She Won The Jazz Award In The American Traditions Vocal Competition, The Mabel Mercer Competition And The Julie Wilson Award.
Studying Voice Since 2013 With Sarah Tolar As A Recipient Of The Recanati-Kaplan Scholarship Program At The 92nd Street Y As Well As With Her Father, A Former Opera Singer, Anaïs Graduated In The Spring Of 2021 From LaGuardia High School Studying Drama, And Now Attends SUNY Purchase, Studying Jazz Voice And Operatic Technique With Sherry Overholt As An Ella Fitzgerald Scholar.
Anaïs Has Had A Rapidly Growing Career As A Singer With A Love For Jazz And The Great American Songbook. Since Age 10, She Has Had The Opportunity To Perform In Prominent Venues Such As Birdland, Carnegie Hall, Rose Hall, The Django, Dizzy’s Club, Chris’ Jazz Café, Madison Square Garden, The Caramoor Jazz Festival, PizzaExpress, The Edinburgh Jazz Festival, And Others. While At These Venues, She Has Been Joined And Hired By A Slew Of Acclaimed Jazz Musicians Such As Gary Smulyan, Chris Byars, Emmet Cohen, Peter Bernstein, And Many More.
Anaïs’s Debut Album Celebrating The Music Of Duke Ellington And Billy Strayhorn, Titled Lovesome Thing: Anaïs Reno Sings Ellington & Strayhorn With The Emmet Cohen Trio, Was Released In 2021 And Received International Critical Acclaim, Climbing To Number 6 On The Jazz Chart After Performing In The Top 10 For 4 Consecutive Weeks. Anaïs Was Featured On Good Day NY’s “New York State Of Mind” Welcome-Back-To-New-York Video With A Wide Variety Of Stars Including Idina Menzel And Stephen Colbert, And She Sang “America The Beautiful” For The 2021 9/11 Mets/Yankees Game. In February Of 2024, She Released A Live Album Recorded In London With PX Records Titled At PizzaExpress: Live In London. Her Sophomore Studio album, “Lady Of The Lavender Mist” , was released May 2025 under Club44 Records, featuring Peter Bernstein, David Wong, and Joe Farnsworth.
Tickets: $35 | Members: $31.50
Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 7:30 PM
All ages welcome | Concessions available
For more information, visit https://valhallatahoe.com/event/anais-reno-august-12-2026/.
Baby Lapsit – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Kings Beach Library, 301 Secline Street. Baby Lapsit is a 30 minute program with an additional 30 minutes of play afterwards that includes books, songs, rhymes, bounces, an d playtime for babies 0-24 months and their caregivers. https://www.placer.ca.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=52638
For more information, visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,157,158,214,102,38,44,39,29,30,31,32,33,34,124,125,126,127,128,35,25,150,86,88,84,129,90,89,85,134,110,103,45,72,123,91,40,202,137,138,41,163,160,164,161,162,22,112,215,104,92,47,48,139,54,172,133,212,204,210,208,206,207,209,51,173,174,175,94,118,119,55,79,78,80,77,74,26,76,140,75,71,56,68,95,170,171,165,167,166,168,169,28,141,142,143,144,145,148,146,149,213,147,57,109,176,177,178,179,180,181,182,58,59,60,14,106,64,135,120,65,107,108,116,73,93,97,155,195,130,36,70,66,122,69,100,203,121,183,191,194,190,193,192,184,185,186,187,188,189,61,114,98,205,211,99,156,198,27,52,53,197,67,136,105,63,117,200,201,199,96,101&showPastEvents=false.
Jaime Saso – 5-9 p.m., Base Camp Pizza.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=5.
Jamie Rollins – 6-9 p.m., Heavenly Corner Stage.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=5.
JRAD Cooley Duo – 5-9 p.m., AleWorx at the Y, 2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. AleWorX debut, feat. Connor Herdt (Boot Juice)
For more information, visit https://laketahoealeworx.com/event/jrad-cooley-duo/.
Line Dancing – 7:30-9:30 p.m., Cascade Kitchens, 1030 Tata Ln. Description Dust off your boots, it’s time to dance! Starting 10/8, we’re hosting Line Dancing every Wednesday, 7:30-9:30 PM. No cover, all ages welcome, and beginner-friendly! We’ll sprinkle in a few lessons so everyone can join the fun. Come kick up your heels with us!
For more information, visit https://business.tahoechamber.org/events/details/line-dancing-08-12-2026-24779.
Line Dancing – 7:30-9:30 p.m., Cascade Kitchens, 1030 Tata Lane.
For more information, visit https://business.tahoechamber.org/events/details/line-dancing-08-12-2026-24779.
LIVE MUSIC – Sage Leaf Tahoe – 5-8 p.m., Description Every Wednesday 5pm – 8pm Best selling drinks are, the bees knees, the sage leaf and the Bloody Mary. They have been the top sellers since we opened our incline village location in June 2020 Best selling food items are the sage and cheddar biscuits, any of our house made organic pastas, the Tahoe blue French toast and our bone in Niman ranch pork chop, duck fat fries with house made truffle aioli, and of course our Angus burger our huge favorites. Sage Leaf Reno opened on 3/7/2026 and we have two patios, a completely remodeled bar, and a spacious dining room good for large groups and intimate celebrations. We have happy hour daily from 3-5pm at Reno, and happy hour daily 5-6pm daily in Incline Village. Both restaurants are open 7 days a week for brunch and for dinner We do half off all bottles of wine on Sunday dinner. We offer vegan and vegetarian options as well as all the meat lovers favorites. We have something for everyone at Sage Leaf Reno and Tahoe. Live Music every Wednesday 5pm-8pm in Tahoe location We are open for Mother’s day and Father’s Day brunch as well as dinner and we strongly encourage reservation at both locations Incline Village location opened 6/4/2020 We also offer backcountry delivery service (think catering while you’re snow shoeing or snowmobiling) during winter snow dependent. We are family owned and operated. Husband and wife team who have lived in Incline Village since 2012. Raising our two small children here in our tight knit community. www. Sageleafreno.com and www.Sageleaftahoe.com
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/live-music-sage-leaf-tahoe-1704198?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 413-5005.
The Movement and Pepper – HIGH TIDE SUMMER TOUR – 7-10 p.m., The Hanger, 2401 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. THIS IS A 21+ SHOW. DOORS AT 6PM SHOW AT 7PM PARKING INFORMATION: ON SITE PARKING IS LIMITED AND IS $10 PER VEHICLE. IF YOU’RE GOING TO DRIVE, GET HERE EARLY. LEAVING YOUR CAR OVERNIGHT IN OUR LOT IS OK WITH US. OVERNIGHT CAMPING HOWEVER IS NOT PERMITTED. PLEASE CONSIDER RIDING YOUR BIKES AND OR USING RIDE SHARE. THERE IS PLENTY OF FENCE TO LOCK YOUR BIKES TO. IF OUR LOT IS FULL YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL PARKING AT THESE LOCATIONS, WHICH WE HAVE RENTED FOR THE DAY : 971 & 981 SILVER DOLLAR AVE (BEHIND THE SHELL STATION), 80 PARKING SPACES – MAPS LINK. PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT MINI GOLF NEXT DOOR – YOU WILL BE TOWED
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/930533339566191/.
Pick-Up Cricket – 5:30-7 p.m., North Tahoe Recreation & Parks. Discover something new, meet other players, and help bring cricket to North Tahoe! Learn the basics and participate in a short-sided game every Wednesday on our synthetic field during this 7-week program. Equipment is provided. Days: Wednesdays Start Date: July 15 End Date: August 26 Ages: 18+ Location: North Tahoe Regional Park Field #4 Free to attend
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1663312288249093/1663312311582424/?active_tab=about.
Pick-Up Cricket – 5:30-7 p.m., North Tahoe Recreation & Parks North Tahoe Recreation & Parks, 6600 Donner Rd. Discover something new, meet other players, and help bring cricket to North Tahoe! Learn the basics and participate in a short-sided game every Wednesday on our synthetic field during this 7-week program. Equipment is provided. Days: Wednesdays Start Date: July 15 End Date: August 26 Ages: 18+ Location: North Tahoe Regional Park Field #4 Free to attend
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1663312288249093/1663312311582424/?active_tab=about.
Poetry at The Backyard: Poetry and Open Mic – 6-8 p.m., Join us under the trees at Tahoe Backyard for our annual summer Poetry Night series hosted by Tahoe Poetry Collective. This year we’re offering up an open mic in a welcoming and encouraging setting. Musicians, poets, writers, comedians, and anyone else wishing to share their work on mic are welcome. All ages and speakers of any language are welcome to participate.
For more information, visit https://tahoebackyard.com/event-calendar.
Swinging Wings Wednesday – 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Tipsy Putt, 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite 101. Wednesdays are for wings — and winning! 🍗⛳ Join us for Swinging Wings Wednesdays, where great swings earn even better bites. Play 9 holes and unlock 12 wings for just $9. Even better? Members get FREE games every Wednesday plus 12 wings for $9. It’s our favorite day of the week for a reason. Bring your crew, sip on your favorite drinks, and make a little midweek magic with mini golf, bold sauces, and unbeatable deals. 🔥 12 wings for $9 when you play 9 holes 🏌️ Members: Free games + $9 wings 🍺 Drinks, games, and good vibes 📅 Every Wednesday Swing big. Sauce boldly. See you Wednesday. This offer is available exclusively at our Tahoe, Sacramento, and Emeryville Tipsy Putt locations. Be sure to visit your preferred location’s event page to confirm their Swinging Wing Wednesday details and specific day of the week.
For more information, visit https://eventvesta.com/events/152736/t/tickets or call (530) 443-4376.
Tahoe Talk on the Water – 5:30-8:30 p.m., Tahoe Gal. Enjoy a relaxing evening of free-flowing fine wine by Highway 12 Winery , a riveting talk by a specialist in their field, and the great company of like-minded outdoor lovers while aboard the iconic paddleboat, the Tahoe Gal. Tickets are $60 per person and include the cruise and a guided program. Dinner is availab le, with menu items ranging from $12 to $25 (e.g., sandwiches, salads, and small plates). A cash bar will be available. Seats are limited, so a reservation is required. This is a fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the many great works of the Sierra State Parks Foundation. We highly recommend guests arrive at 5:30 pm as the boat leaves sharply at 6 pm! We predict the boat will return to the docks at 8:30 pm.
For more information, visit https://sierrastateparks.org/events/tahoe-talk-on-water-august.
Ted Kennedy – 7-10 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=5.
Wednesday Music at Ski Beach – 4-7 p.m., Description Wednesdays at Ski Beach – Incline Village – IVGID PASSES Required
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/wednesday-music-at-ski-beach-1745180?sourceTypeId=Hub.
Weekly Movie Night at Tahoe National – 8-10:07 p.m., 850 CA-28. Join us every Wednesday for a cozy movie night in the brewery (projector room)! Bring your blankets, pillows, and low chairs—get comfy and settle in. We’ll be alternating family-friendly nights and adult movie nights all summer long. Movie Lineup: (Please note: Movie titles are subject to change. Be sure to check our website for the most up-to-date lineup and schedule before attending.) • May 20 – Finding Nemo • May 27 – Casino Royale (2006) • June 3 – Shrek • June 10 – The Big Lebowski • June 17 – Frozen • June 24 – Jurassic Park • July 1 – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang • July 8 – TBA • July 15 – TBA • July 22 – Pulp Fiction • July 29 – The Sword & the Stone • August 5 – The Wolf of Wall Street • August 12 – Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) • August 19 – Pirates of the Caribbean • August 26 – Jawbreaker • September 2 – The Emperor’s New Groove • September 9 – Paranormal Activity Please Note: • On adult movie nights, no one under 18 is permitted after 8 PM. • If you’re planning to dine with us, please keep in mind the movie begins promptly at 8 PM each Wednesday. • Seating is first come, first served—come early and get cozy
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1326823816042070/1326823859375399/?active_tab=about.
White Thorn Wednesdays – 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Keeping our trails open and ride-able requires continuous brushing and maintenance. TAMBA will be hosting White Thorn Wednesdays again this summer to provide this much needed trail maintenance. We will be working on trails all around the lake. Keep checking the event for the most current work location and information.
We will start the season off with working on Incline Flume trail on the North Shore. Our first day will be Wednesday May 27, 2026. We will meet at the trailhead at the upper trailhead 10:00 am.
Please sign up here! Select “Incline Flume” as the work location.
Please remember to bring the following:
– Long Sleeve Shirt
– Long Pants
– Helmet (bike ok)
– Long Finger Gloves
– Eye protection
– Sturdy Shoes (over the ankle boots recommended if doing rockwork
– Food/Snacks for the day
– Plenty of liquids
– Backpack
– Rain gear if thunderstorms are forecasted
If you have any questions, please email Jake Groce, at Jake@tamba.org.
Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you at the trail day!
For more information, visit https://tamba.org/event/white-thorn-wednesdays-4/2026-08-12/.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) will host a Club Job Fair on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Angel of Tahoe Clubhouse. The Club is hiring Youth Development Professionals for all six sites in Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, and Zephyr Cove.
Youth Development Professionals lead engaging, high energy programs for an assigned age group (TK, elementary, or middle school) at their assigned Club site. This part-time, after-school role covers everything from sports and STEM to homework and the arts. Hours run Monday through Friday, between 12 and 6 p.m., with up to 29 hours a week during the school year and up to 40 hours a week during school vacations.
Job perks include earned time off, paid holidays and sick leave, and retention and referral bonuses. Pay ranges from $23-27 per hour, depending on experience. Applicants must be 18 years old, hold a high school diploma (or equivalent), and have a passion for working with children.
“Our Youth Development Professionals are the heart of everything we do,” said Jude Wood, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. “This role gives someone the chance to show up every day for local kids, helping them build confidence, try new things, and get the academic support they need. It’s meaningful work, and it strengthens our entire community.”
Walk-ins are welcome to the Club Job Fair on Saturday between 2-4 p.m. No reservation is required. All participants should bring a resume and list of references, and expect to stay until 5 p.m.
After the job fair, all selected applicants must attend a job training on Tuesday, August 11 from 1 to 5 p.m.. The job will then resume on Monday, August 17.
The Angel of Tahoe Clubhouse is located at 1100 Lyons Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. All open positions can be viewed at bgclt.org/careers or Indeed.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Mechanical and hand treatments to remove hazardous fuels in powerline corridors are underway on Lower Kingsbury Grade on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Project work is taking place Monday through Friday, with no work occurring on weekends. Work is expected to continue through the end of November 2026, as conditions, staffing and weather allow.
For public safety, access to some areas may be temporarily disrupted when work is taking place. The public should be aware of thinning activity and keep a safe distance from equipment. Hazards may be present even when operations have ceased for the day.
Forest visitors can expect to see crews working, heavy equipment, hand thinning and mechanical cut-to-length tree removal. Cut-to-length tree removal involves cutting the entire tree, removing the limbs and cutting it into sections prior to moving log segments to the landing. Fuels reduction work will be followed by future mastication and prescribed fire treatments.
The Kingsbury Project aims to treat approximately 342 acres and is part of the NV Energy Resilience Corridors Project to reduce excess fuels in powerline corridors and promote healthy and resilient forests while protecting homes and communities from wildfire.
STATELINE, Nev. – The Heavenly Village is welcoming the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West – Golden West Brass for a special free public concert on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the heart of Heavenly Village.
This inspiring evening of music offers residents and visitors the unique opportunity to experience one of the U.S. Air Force’s premier musical ensembles in an intimate outdoor setting. The performance is free and open to the public.
Golden West Brass is one of the most versatile chamber ensembles within the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, featuring two trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion. Known for their musical excellence and engaging performances, the ensemble regularly appears at community concerts, educational outreach events, military ceremonies, patriotic celebrations, and major sporting events throughout the western United States.
Over the years, Golden West Brass has performed at numerous distinguished ceremonies, including memorial services aboard the USS Midway and the honorary promotion ceremony of Brig. Gen. Buzz Aldrin, demonstrating the professionalism and excellence that define the United States Air Force.
As part of the Band of the Golden West, the ensemble’s mission extends far beyond performance. Through music, they strive to honor those who have served, inspire patriotism and resilience among Airmen, Guardians, and communities across the nation, and strengthen the connection between the United States Air Force and the American people.
“The opportunity to host the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West at Heavenly Village is truly an honor,” said Dreu Murin, Spokesperson for the Heavenly Village. “Their performances represent the very best of our nation’s military musicians while celebrating service, sacrifice, and community. We are excited to welcome both locals and visitors for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.”
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy dining, shopping, and entertainment throughout Heavenly Village before the concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees are encouraged to bring a chair if desired.
This special performance is part of Heavenly Village’s ongoing commitment to bringing exceptional entertainment and meaningful community experiences to South Lake Tahoe throughout the year.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Local non-profit organizations are invited to apply to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority for $82,000 in funding resulting from the recent American Century Championship. Applications must be completed by Thursday, Sept. 10 by 5 p.m.: 2026 American Century Championship Donation Request Application.
Title sponsor American Century Investments in partnership with the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and NBC Sports, are once again committing funds to area service groups with priorities based on impact and need regarding youth, environment and community service.
To qualify for financial considerations, organizations must be in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., or in Douglas County, Nev. and meet 501(c)3 nonprofit guidelines. Each entrant is required to provide their mission outline, specific details on how the donation will be applied, and how community impact will be measured. Applications will only be accepted online.
Awards will be presented to recipients at the LTVA Board of Directors meeting, Oct. 8. Since 2009, donations exceeding $2.4 million have been distributed to more than 95 Tahoe area non-profits assisting 12,000+ individuals.
During this year’s event, NBC and American Century Investments continued an annual $10,000 donation started in 2024 to support the South Tahoe Recreation & Aquatic Center. A baseball themed dedication ceremony was conducted at the new center to honor the memory of Tim Wakefield, a long-time tournament participant and Boston Red Sox pitcher with his framed jersey installed adjacent to the pitching machines and batting cages donated in his name. For contribution information: www.SouthTahoeParksFoundation.org.
NBC continued its Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship with the Lake Tahoe Community College awarding $10,000 to student Valery Gonzalez towards tuition at Chico State University. Valery’s educational goal is to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
The tournament also provided $12,000 to the South Lake Tahoe Football Boosters for their ecological efforts during the tournament, raising 2026 local donations to $114,000.
The American Century Championship is conducted annually at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev. The area’s largest annual special event featured more than 90 sports and entertainment celebrities in a 54-hole competition aired on NBC Sports, Peacock and NBCSN. American Century Investments, the event’s title sponsor since 1999, continues its role in partnership with NBC Sports,theLake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the South Tahoe community. Since its inception in 1990, the American Century Championship has donated more than $8.5 million to local and national non-profits.
Lake Tahoe Community College’s Intensive Spanish Summer Institute offers students opportunities to learn, converse, and experience the language, arts, and culture together in person.Provided/LTCC
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For its 33rd year, the Intensive Spanish Summer Institute (ISSI) at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) has come to a close, wrapping up a week filled with celebration and education as more than 400 students studied grammar and a wide variety of distinct cultures from across the Spanish-speaking world through 16 levels of instruction.
During its inception in 1994, ISSI was created by Sue O’Conner, former bilingual coordinator for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, and Diane Rosner, former Dean of Instruction at LTCC. The program’s aim was to bridge gaps in the development of the Spanish language and culture for teachers, both in community occupations and within the unified school district.
Starting with just three levels of Spanish while serving 145 students, ISSI has blossomed over the last 33 years into an immersive and unforgettable experience. With levels ranging from beginner to high-superior, participants are given opportunities to develop their Spanish language skills through grammar instruction, mini-courses, conversation, and cultural breakouts that include literature, music, dance, film, culinary arts, and more.
“One of the hallmarks of this [program] is to show that Spanish, like English, is not a monolithic language. This is a language that is spoken in 22 different countries as an official language,” said Sarah Harmon, a long-time adjunct college professor who has taught Spanish and Linguistics for over 20 years.
Harmon first instructed at ISSI in 2022 before running the entire academic side of the program in 2023, and while people of all ages have traveled from all over the country to participate in ISSI, the preparation and organization for the week-long program is no easy feat. Harmon is teaching Brandon Scutt, ISSI’s newest academic coordinator, how to bring the academic side of ISSI all together.
Like Harmon, Scutt started his journey with ISSI as an instructor in 2018. He’s been teaching Spanish for 20 years, and aside from ISSI week, you can find him in the classrooms of Truckee High School.
Together, Harmon and Scutt share a love for ISSI and all the unique ways it has enhanced the lives of students looking to strengthen their Spanish.
“This is an opportunity for you to be immersed in the language for an entire week. So it’s almost like traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, but you can do it right here in Tahoe,” Scutt said.
A day in the life of an ISSI participant earning 2.5 units of credit starts with a conversation or warm-up followed by grammar instruction. Monday through Thursday afternoons, students can attend a series, where the instructor picks one topic and builds on it across those four days, allowing students to go deeper into a subject over the course of the week.
Educator Richard Guagliardo teaching other ways to say ‘you’ in Spanish during a breakout.Victoria Mastrocola / Tahoe Daily Tribune
From Tuesday through Friday afternoon, participants are given a choice to attend breakouts of their choosing, and there are different ones each day. The classes are a little more than an hour long and immersive engaging.
There are several ways to choose a breakout – you can go by what interests you, deciding between themes including culture, history, grammar/vocabulary, and travel. You can also choose a breakout by skill level or by day. Watercolor painting, Latin American magical realism, Mexican cinema, culinary traditions of Puerto Rico and Colombia, the array of choices is astounding.
“We focus a lot on grammar with core grammar classes, but you really can’t separate the culture from the language. It’s why we learn the language. That’s what connects us,” said Scutt.
The Tribune was lucky enough to sit in on one breakout in particular: “La ceremonia de mate: Mucho más que sólo una bebida – The Mate Ceremony: Much more than just a drink”.
Taught by profesora Makela Brizuela, Argentina’s most iconic drink, yerba mate, was brought into the spotlight as students discovered its Indigenous origins, the customs and etiquette for sharing the drink, as well as the reasons it has continued as a tradition in everyday life across Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil.
As students sat at their desks and listened to Brizuela, they were given several spoonfuls of loose leaf mate to smell and touch before receiving a cup and verbal instructions to create their own yerba mate tea using a packet of raw sugar, hot water and a mate spoon (bombilla). Their smiles of delight as they tasted their creation were reflected throughout the room.
Students made their own yerba mate drinks during a breakout session.Victoria Mastrocola / Tahoe Daily Tribune
“I really love this program,” said ISSI participant Sacha Ortega after the breakout. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to practice Spanish, hear Spanish, speak Spanish with your friends and make new friends, and of course, spend a week in Tahoe.”
Ortega traveled to Tahoe from San Francisco to participate in ISSI for her fourth year in a row. Being a student again is what Ortega said she enjoys most, and her goal is to eventually become fully fluent in the language and enjoy her retirement in a Spanish-speaking country.
Friday afternoon of ISSI week typically ends with a fiesta as everyone enjoys delicious food, live music and celebrations.
During the fiesta, the Tribune spoke with Aaron Greig, another student at ISSI. Like Ortega, Greig journeyed to Lake Tahoe just for the program. His son wanted to get better at Spanish and it turned into a family affair. Coming from Berkeley, he, his wife and their son split up at LTCC, tackling ISSI individually and at their own pace.
“We thought, ‘Let’s all go to Tahoe and learn Spanish together!'” Greig said. “The energy here is wonderful and positive. The community feeling is palpable.”
Harmon noted how grateful she is that the Lake Tahoe community and LTCC have embraced ISSI and the participants who come to the basin for the program. From Jeff DeFranco, LTCC’s outgoing Superintendent and President to the local businesses and CONNECT who handles ISSI’s decorations, vendors and the event side of the program, Harmon said their support means everything.
As ISSI wrapped up its 33rd run, new friends hit it off, new skills were built, and new memories were made.
“If you’re somebody who’s local and you’re on the sidelines about participating, maybe just take the plunge and do it because there’s so many great opportunities during this week and we’d really love to see people participate in our program,” Scutt added.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On Saturday, August 8, Al Tahoe Firewise will be putting on a yard clean-up and document shredding fundraiser for the neighborhood, which will include a barbecue, fundraising opportunities, demonstrations and insurance updates.
Firewise is a recognition program that educates owners and residents about what they can do to reduce fire risks on their property, including programs like defensible space and home hardening. Communities can be nationally recognized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and can also learn more through the Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s Living With Fire site.
The Al Tahoe Firewise community is the largest in the Tahoe Basin and was the first to be nationally recognized as a Firewise community in South Lake Tahoe. The group formed in part due to concerns over evacuation issues seen in the Camp Fire, and has formed partnerships with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) and Lake Valley Fire Protection District.
Their events will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 10:00 a.m, to 2:00 p.m. The document shredding fundraiser will take place at the American Legion Lot, 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, while their yard clean-up will take place at Fire Station 2, 2951 Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
The yard clean-up will have a barbecue with refreshments as well as sales of baked goods, wood art and Lake Tahoe tea towels.
At the event, you can also apply or nominate a disadvantaged “Neighbor in Need” through their Helping Hands program, which will help those who cannot clear their yards of fuels without assistance.
If you didn’t get a chance to download the Tahoe Tap podcast, don’t worry. We have you covered. Here’s a recap of the interview portion of the podcast.
Lake Tahoe may look much the same as it did decades ago, but according to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan, the issues facing the basin have evolved dramatically.
Appearing on the Tahoe Tap Podcast, Regan reflected on more than 30 years living in Tahoe and over two decades with the TRPA, discussing everything from wildfire risk and transportation to affordable housing and the future of Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity.
“The one thing that has not changed is our community’s love for this lake,” Regan said. “To be able to look out and see Lake Tahoe every single day – it takes your breath away, no matter how long you’ve been here.”
While the beauty remains constant, she says the challenges have grown more complex.
A Different Tahoe Than Two Decades Ago
Since joining the TRPA in 2003, Regan has watched the basin transform.
Housing affordability has become one of the region’s most pressing issues. Visitor habits have shifted from casino-focused vacations to outdoor recreation, placing new demands on roads, trails and public lands. At the same time, climate change has intensified wildfire threats, ushering in an era of “mega-fires” unlike anything Tahoe experienced decades ago.
Despite those challenges, Regan pointed to nearly $3 billion in environmental restoration and community investment since the late 1990s as evidence of the region’s long-term commitment to protecting the lake.
“We’ve put tremendous investment into restoring the lake, our forests and our communities,” she said. Redevelopment Instead of Expansion
Large redevelopment projects continue to reshape communities around the lake, from Barton Hospital and Edgewood to the Cal Neva redevelopment, Homewood Mountain Resort and other high-profile proposals.
Regan emphasized that TRPA’s role has evolved into one of collaboration rather than simply regulation.
“Our job is often to help facilitate projects between multiple agencies,” she explained. “Nobody does everything in Lake Tahoe.”
She also noted that many approved projects have taken years (even decades) to materialize because of financing challenges rather than regulatory hurdles.
Meanwhile, smaller redevelopment efforts have quietly transformed communities around the basin, citing projects such as the Crossings at Tahoe Valley, Natural Grocers in Incline Village, the Tahoe Blue Event Center and numerous business renovations.
“We’re not building sprawling new subdivisions,” Regan said. “We’re fixing what we already have while improving environmental conditions.”
Transportation Vision Extends Beyond Roads
Transportation remains one of Tahoe’s biggest challenges, but Regan believes the region finally has momentum.
She highlighted the new Spooner Mobility Hub, which will combine a permanent aquatic invasive species inspection station, park-and-ride facilities, trail connections and expanded transit service along the East Shore.
The project, funded through a combination of federal, state, local, and private dollars, represents what Regan calls the “Tahoe way” of collaboration.
More broadly, she pointed to TRPA’s long-range “Connections 2050” transportation plan, which envisions seamless travel throughout the basin.
That vision includes:
Expanded transit between North and South Lake Tahoe
Additional bike and pedestrian trails
Connected mobility hubs
Improved town centers
Potential future waterborne transit across the lake
“We want people to be able to park their car when they arrive and not need it for the rest of their visit,” Regan said.
Funding remains the largest obstacle. Regan acknowledged ongoing discussions surrounding potential basin entry fees but said no single solution exists.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy Tahoe,” she said. “The challenge is finding sustainable funding without making Tahoe inaccessible.”
The Lake Comes First
When asked which issue she would solve instantly if given the chance, Regan didn’t hesitate. “The lake,” she said. “It’s always the lake.”
Her goal remains restoring Lake Tahoe’s legendary 100-foot clarity.
Today, annual average clarity hovers around 70 feet, far below historic levels but significantly improved from the steep declines seen decades ago.
Scientists had hoped clarity would already be improving toward an interim goal of 80 feet, but recent progress has stalled.
Researchers are now examining whether warming water temperatures, climate change and new forms of algae are slowing recovery despite decades of restoration work.
“We’re holding our own,” Regan said. “But we want to figure out what’s preventing us from getting back to that 100-foot goal.”
She stressed that lake clarity remains the central benchmark because improvements to transportation, forest health and watershed restoration all contribute to cleaner water.
Two Threats Keep Her Up at Night
Asked about Tahoe’s greatest environmental threats today, Regan named two. Catastrophic wildfire and aquatic invasive species.
The recent spread of golden mussels in California’s Delta has heightened concern among resource managers because the species can hitchhike on boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and even children’s water toys. Unlike other invasive species, once established they are virtually impossible to eradicate.
“The best thing we can do is keep them out,” Regan said.
She praised Tahoe’s nationally recognized watercraft inspection program while warning that warming lake temperatures could make Tahoe increasingly vulnerable to invasive species in the future.
Tackling Tahoe’s Housing Crisis
Housing affordability continues to rank among TRPA’s top priorities.
Regan discussed the agency’s ongoing “Tahoe Living” initiative, which is evaluating policy changes designed to encourage workforce housing throughout the basin.
Potential reforms include:
More accessory dwelling units
Increased duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes
Incentives for year-round rentals
Better connections between housing and public transportation
“We need to shift the market toward smaller homes that local working families can actually afford,” she said.
TRPA expects its governing board to consider policy recommendations next year following completion of environmental review.
Looking Toward the 30th Tahoe Summit
This August marks the 30th annual Lake Tahoe Summit, a milestone that holds special meaning for Regan. She attended the inaugural summit in 1997 as a young reporter covering President Bill Clinton’s visit – a moment she credits with shaping her career.
“It changed my life,” she recalled. “Seeing everyone come together around a common purpose to protect Lake Tahoe was incredibly inspiring.”
Nearly three decades later, Regan says the annual gathering continues to unite federal, state, tribal and local leaders around a shared mission.
“It’s never one and done,” she said. “Protecting Lake Tahoe requires sustained commitment, sustained investment and continued collaboration.”
As the basin confronts increasingly complex environmental and community challenges, Regan remains optimistic.
“I feel like the stars are aligning,” she said. “We have the partnerships, we have the vision, and we have more political will than ever before. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m bullish about Lake Tahoe’s future.”
(The Center Square) – The California Department of Justice has spent $19.2 million in the last 18 months in 82 different lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday morning.
That has saved an estimated $207.1 billion worth of federal taxpayer-funded programs and services for Californians, Bonta said.
The announcement was made in a press conference at the California Department of Justice building on Tuesday. Bonta also said in that conference that much of Trump’s actions as president in his second term have been unlawful, prompting a flurry of lawsuits that the California Attorney General filed against the federal government, often joined by other states attorneys general.
“He has been blatant and brazen in his unlawfulness, he has been consistent and frequent in his violations of the law and his trampling over the Constitution,” Bonta said. “Over the last year and a half, we have taken Trump and his administration to court 82 times. Not because we want to – we’d rather be suing him zero times.”
Follow-up calls and emails went unreturned to the California Department of Justice, in which The Center Square asked for a fuller breakdown and justification of how Bonta came up with the $207.1 billion savings for Californians.
A bill passed last year, SBX1-1, authorizes the California Department of Finance to appropriate $25 million to defend the state against actions taken by the federal government, according to a Department of Justice report. The Department of Justice has so far gotten $19.2 million of that money. That report also said that the roughly $19 million has contributed to but not sufficiently covers the cost of litigation against the federal government since Trump was re-elected to the White House.
Approximately 83% of the time, Bonta said, the California Department of Justice prevailed in their lawsuits. Bonta secured 21 final orders siding with California, 45 orders granting early relief, and eight cases where the Trump administration settled, Bonta said. All those cases played out across multiple levels of the judiciary system, including in trial court, appellate court and in the U.S. Supreme Court, he added.
Some of those cases challenged the Trump administration on a $10 billion funding freeze to childcare and family assistance programs in California and four other states. Other legal challenges targeted the federal government’s actions on tariffs, the deployment of the National Guard and birthright citizenship, among other issues according to an annual report from the California Department of Justice.
“The Golden State has long set the precedent on what it means to defend civil liberties on the state and the federal level,” Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, said at the press conference. “We must put an end to the federal overreach that puts lives at risk, tramples on our Constitutional rights and creates uncertainty across our communities.”
Assemblymember Natasha Johnson, R-Lake Elsinore, said she would rather see efforts go towards finding funding for measures like Prop. 36, a 2024 public safety measure that has received little to no new funding in the last two years.
“I don’t want to see any cases, period,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “I think staff is spending time on reports and cost savings, and at the end of the day, I want to make it very clear that the will of the voters has to be fully funded. We shouldn’t be fighting the government. We should be funding Prop. 36.”
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — If you’ve been hiking, cycling, paddling or spending time outdoors around Lake Tahoe this week, you’ve likely noticed hazy skies and the distinct smell of smoke.
The smoke affecting the Tahoe Basin is primarily drifting in from the Gann Fire burning in Calaveras County. The wildfire, which ignited Monday evening near Valley Springs, has burned approximately 9,360 acres.
“While the westerly winds will help to clear the smoke that was carried from the north on our recent northerly winds, it will also be carrying with it smoke from a newer fire in central California (Gann Fire),” the Reno National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion.
According to NWS, smoke and haze from regional wildfires could bring periods of reduced air quality throughout the week. Smoke conditions may fluctuate from day to day depending on wind direction and fire activity.
The smoky conditions coincide with a heat advisory in effect from 8 a.m. Wednesday through 8 a.m. Sunday for portions of western Nevada and northeast California, including the Tahoe Basin. Forecasters are warning of hot daytime temperatures and limited overnight cooling, warning about the moderate to major risk of heat-related impacts without protective action.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – During its regular meeting on August 11, 2026, the South Lake Tahoe City Council will consider approval of an employment agreement with Hilary Roverud for appointment as the City’s next City Manager.
Roverud has served as Interim City Manager since February 2026, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the City organization, ensuring continuity of services, and implementing the policies and priorities established by the City Council. Prior to her appointment as Interim City Manager, she served as the City’s Assistant City Manager beginning in October 2023.
Roverud brings more than twenty-five years of public sector planning, development, and leadership experience, including 21 years with the City of South Lake Tahoe. Throughout her career, she has held progressively responsible positions within the organization, including Planning Manager, Deputy Director of Development Services, Director of Development Services, and Assistant City Manager.
As Assistant City Manager, Roverud provided organization-wide leadership in transit coordination, economic development, communications, and innovation initiatives. She led the establishment of the South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority and serves as its Executive Director. She also launched the City’s Business Visitation Program to strengthen relationships with the local business community and spearheaded the creation of a Data and Innovation Program Manager position to improve data management and operational efficiency across City departments.
Roverud holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), a Six Sigma Lean Green Belt in Government, and has completed executive leadership and economic development training through numerous professional organizations, including the International City/County Management Association and the California Association for Local Economic Development.
“Hilary’s deep understanding of South Lake Tahoe, her long-standing commitment to public service, and her steady leadership during this transition have made her an exceptional choice for consideration,” said Mayor Cody Bass. She has served this community for more than two decades with professionalism, integrity, and a clear focus on strengthening City services. The Council looks forward to considering this appointment and, if approved, working with Mrs. Roverud as she leads the organization, supports City staff, and continues advancing the City’s Strategic Priorities for the South Lake Tahoe Community. “
The City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, beginning at 9:00am. The meeting agenda and staff report will be available prior to the meeting on the City’s website.
An attorney argued that because a man was sentenced to prison for two felonies for coercion and domestic battery with strangulation, prosecutors couldn’t seek a consecutive sentence for misdemeanor domestic battery and stalking.
Aidan Lee Knight, 21, appeared in Tahoe Township Justice Court on Tuesday where he was convicted of domestic battery and stalking against the same survivor he admitted trying to strangle when she was 16.
Knight is serving a 2-5-year prison sentence in a Dec. 17, 2024, in connection with that case. He admitted those charges and was sentenced in June.
Justice of the Peace Michael Johnson delayed sentencing on the misdemeanors while Jason Gunnell and Chelsea Mazza determine the legality of making those sentences consecutive to his prison term. Knight is scheduled to return on Oct. 13.
Gunnell asked for concurrent sentences for the domestic battery and stalking charges, but Mazza sought to have 120-day suspended sentences consecutive to the prison term, which means he would serve them upon his release.
Knight said he and the survivor were still boyfriend and girlfriend and that he hoped to move past the beating he gave her. Gunnell was quick to counter that statement, since Knight has been under a no-contact order since shortly after the incident.
“This is more of a wish on Mr. Knight’s part,” Gunnell said.
Knight agreed saying he hasn’t talked to her directly, which would constitute a new crime, but has heard from people who know her.
• A South Lake Tahoe man is seeking to represent himself in a July 13 felony domestic battery case.
Garret Richard Vanwey, 29, appeared in Tahoe Township Justice Court on Tuesday with attorney Max Stovall prior to a preliminary hearing set for next week.
Vanwey is accused of using a hammer to question his former girlfriend after he tied her up. He was arrested on July 19. According to the Sheriff’s Report he is on probation in El Dorado County and has domestic battery convictions in 2020 and 2023. A third domestic battery in seven years is a felony.
(The Center Square) – Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that California is set to increase the statewide minimum wage to $17.40 per hour.
The increase, which is a .50 cent bump from the current $16.90, will go into effect on January 1, 2027. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and has not changed since 2009.
The Center Square reached out to Governor Newsom’s office requesting an interview but was referred back to a press release.
“For years, Donald Trump and Republicans have blocked efforts to raise the federal minimum wage while handing tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations,” Newsom said in the press release. “California has chosen a different path — one that rewards work, grows the economy, and puts working families first. We believe if you work hard, you deserve a decent paycheck. They think $7.25 an hour is enough. We don’t.”
But economists say increasing the minimum wage can destroy jobs, making it tougher for the people it is trying to help.
“This is bad economically,” Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow of business and economics at the Pacific Research Institute, told The Center Square in an interview Tuesday. “It’s a policy that is deceptively kind, but in practice, it destroys opportunity and worsens the business environment. It’s just the wrong way to go.”
The statewide minimum wage increases automatically each year under California Labor Code 1182.12. The annual adjustment is made to keep pace with inflation and is based off of the Consumer Price Index.
According to Rebekah Paxton, research director for the Employment Policies Institute, rather than help with affordability, the increase will increase cost-of-living conditions in the state and limit job opportunities for Californians.
“Decades of economic research shows that this would kill a significant amount of jobs,” Paxton told The Center Square in an interview on Tuesday. “It’s going to continue to raise prices that businesses have to charge, therefore also contributing to inflation, not making it better.
“It will also leave folks who remain employed potentially with fewer scheduled hours because it’s now making it so expensive for businesses to employ their workers,” Paxton added.
According to Winegarden, the population that could potentially be helped the most by the minimum wage increase is also the population who could be hurt the most.
“If you are a low-skilled worker and you get to keep your hours, and you get the minimum wage increase, you’re going to benefit the most,” Winegarden said. “The people who are going to be hurt the most are the ones who lose the job and now have an income of zero.”
Paxton added that workers in the hospitality and food industries specifically, as well as young workers, are going to be hurt.
“Typically, folks who work in industries like hospitalities, restaurants, and retail are going to be hard hit by this,” Paxton said. “Also a large number of minimum wage earners are 16 to 19 year olds, so folks who are looking to get career experience with their first job, are going to be disproportionately affected.”
An EPI analysis found that a $1 increase in the minimum wage can lead to upwards of a 5.5% increase in prices.
“When the minimum wage goes up, it increases the cost of keeping those employees on staff or hiring new ones, and so a lot of times businesses raise their prices that they charge to absorb some of those increases in labor costs,” Paxton said.
Paxton said that minimum wages hikes are squarely the responsibility of business owners to absorb.
“If you have very few skills to begin with, it’s harder to get a job, and the higher you force somebody to pay you, the less opportunities that there’ll be. So in effect, you’re punishing those companies willing to hire people with low skills, and so you’re going to create less opportunities,” Winegarden said. “This just gives people less opportunity to kind of climb the economic ladder.”
According to Winegarden, businesses are being transferred additional costs because of the failure of the income support system.
“Rather than focusing on the minimum wage, what we should be focusing on is how can we ensure that there is a standard safety net that gives people an incentive to get the skills to continue working, in effect earning income that outgrows the need for income support,” Winegarden said. “It’s really a responsibility for all of society. It’s not a responsibility that should be thrusted upon people who are willing to hire them.
“We have this minimum wage because we have an ineffective income support system,” Winegarden added.
In 2023, Gov. Newsom signed a law that made the minimum wage for fast food workers $20. The law went into effect in 2024, and has cost Californians thousands of jobs, The Center Square has reported.
In San Diego, a new minimum wage law went into effect for hospitality workers on July 1. Under the City of San Diego Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance, wages increased for specified workers at event centers, amusement parks, and hotels.
Workers at San Diego event centers must be paid $21.06 per hour, and workers at covered hotels and amusement parks must be paid $19 per hour. The wages will increase every year on July 1 until they reach $25 per hour in 2030.
SLTFR responded to a broken steel gas line at San Francisco and Pasadena AveVictoria Mastrocola / Tahoe Daily Tribune
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – At around 9:16 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) received a call of a 3/4-inch steel gas line that broke underneath a piece of construction equipment on San Francisco and Pasadena Avenues.
At 9:20 a.m., SLTFR Engine 2 was first on scene, followed by Southwest Gas and together, they addressed the breakage caused by a machine that grinds up asphalt.
“The machine was cutting the asphalt away, and it ran over the gas line and broke it,” said Holt Cawelti, acting Captain at Fire Station 2. “We secured the area, we wet down the area with our hoseline and once the gas company arrived, we assisted them as a back-up team.”
Cawelti said a jackhammer was used to break away asphalt in order to access the line.
No injuries were reported, and crews were able to shut off the gas supply and mitigate the breakage within the hour.
Caution tape tags the trees that have been poisoned at Burnt Cedar Beach.Petra Molina / Sierra Sun
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Washoe County Sheriff’s Office officials say a series of intentional tree poisoning incidents at Burnt Cedar Beach dating back to 2022 appear to be connected, adding new details Tuesday as the investigation continues.
Incline Village Patrol Captain Joseph Colacurcio said investigators have documented 28 affected trees over three separate incidents. Six trees were damaged in 2022, another six in 2024 and 16 more were discovered this year.
“Looking forward, if the trees were to die, we are looking at well over $300,000 in damage,” Colacurcio said.
Because each incident occurred in the same area of Burnt Cedar Beach and followed a similar pattern, investigators believe the cases are connected.
Incline Village General Improvement District staff said several trees poisoned in the 2022 and 2024 incidents died within months and had to be removed. Stumps from the 2024 incident remain visible at the beach.
Stumps from trees poisoned in 2024 are still visible at Burnt Cedar Beach.Petra Molina / Sierra Sun
Investigators are awaiting the results of soil samples to determine what substance was used in the latest poisoning. Colacurcio said laboratory testing could take several months.
While investigators believe the poisonings were intentional, Colacurcio said it is too early to determine a motive.
“Maybe it’s malicious, they might have intent, but I can’t speak to motives at this time,” he said.
Previous investigations into the 2022 and 2024 incidents did not identify a suspect.
Colacurcio noted that Nevada law provides criminal penalties for intentionally damaging trees and other vegetation, and anyone responsible could face substantial charges.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask anyone with information about the incidents to contact the Incline Village Substation at 775-328-3001 or submit an anonymous tip through Secret Witness.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – After breaking the Lake Tahoe True Width record last summer, 56-year-old Alex Kostich from Los Angeles returned to Tahoe on Monday and broke another record.
“I really just wanted to have a good swim and try to be under 4 hours,” he said, after he accomplished his goal with room to spare at 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 51 seconds, outpacing Colombia’s Jorge Angel’s six-year record on the 10.6-mile Vikingsholm swim by 31 minutes.
Alex Kostich swimming through Emerald Bay for the final half-mile before the finish, passing Fannette Island and its iconic stone tea house.Provided / Alex Kostich
The swim from Cave Rock, Nev. to the beach below the historic Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay, Calif. is the second swim in the Lake Tahoe Triple Crown, which includes the Lake Tahoe True Width (12 miles) he completed last year, this year’s Vikingsholm swim and the Lake Tahoe Length (21.3 miles).
In making a habit of coming to Tahoe and breaking records, Kostich has begun to develop superstitions, such as eating at Morelo’s Tacos as his last meal before the swim. It was his last meal before last year’s True Width crossing, so he thought it best to continue that tradition.
“I’ve stayed in touch throughout the year with the proprietors there (Omar, Mari, and Chris) and so it was a nice reunion to see them and enjoy their delicious tacos before my swim the next day!”
He also stopped by another favorite shop, Tahoe City’s Leffler Leather, where he purchased shoes that he says brought good luck.
Alex Kostich’s last meal before the swim at Morelo’s Tacos. Provided / Alex Kostich
Alex Kostich’s visit at Tahoe City’s Leffler Leather IMG_3363
These two shops, along with Emerald Bay Lodge, he says, made his Monday record a team effort.
For Kostich, Tahoe is just as much about the community as it is about swimming, if not more. “I hope it’s apparent how much I value and appreciate the local community,” he says, “I’ve come to know since last year.”
Support extended beyond the land and onto the water. One core memory from the swim was the unexpected messages of encouragement that came via text from family, friends, and the swim community, relayed to him on a whiteboard from a boat as he swam.
It helped Kostich push through a particularly difficult two-mile section in the middle of the lake where he was battling waves.
“Naturally, this swim was metaphoric in terms of the real-world challenges so many people face,” he said, “but it made me aware of the importance and beauty of this sense of community and support.”
When embarking on these swims, boats pilot athletes, while observers ensure proper recording and adherence to rules. Athletes also often have someone who helps feed them and keep them fueled during these marathon swims.
Kotisch completed Monday’s swim with the support of Sylvia Lacock of the Pacific Open Water Swim Co. and the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association, feeder Suzanne Heim-Bowen, Mikey Flaherty, and observer Kat Filley.
The repeat Tahoe swimmer now has his sights set on completing the Triple Crown. To do that, he’d have to complete the 21.3 miles of the Lake Tahoe Length swim, which he explains is often cited as more difficult than the English Channel due to freshwater, reduced buoyancy, and the 6,000-foot elevation.
“I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday’s humbling success,” he told the Tribune on Tuesday, “and feel maybe I should commit myself and hold myself accountable.”
Kostich in front of the Vikingsholm castle on Aug. 2, the day before his swim, to assess the conditions at the finish line.Provided / Alex Kostich
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) announced a transformational $250,000 gift from local philanthropists Kyle and Jessica Aster that will fully fund the 2026 work season on the Meeks Ridge Trail, one of the organization’s most ambitious trail projects to date. The generous donation will enable TAMBA to push toward its ultimate goal of completing the final two miles of trail, reconnecting Meeks Bay to Lost Lake on Tahoe’s West Shore for the first time in decades and bringing a once-lost historic route back to life.
Crews working on Meeks Ridge Trail.Photo credit: Goldin Photography
The gift marks a defining milestone not only for the Meeks Ridge Trail, but for the future of trail development across the Lake Tahoe Basin. As one of the first major trail construction projects to move forward following approval of the U.S. Forest Service’s Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project, Meeks Ridge represents the beginning of a new chapter in expanding and improving Tahoe’s world-renowned trail network.
“This extraordinary act of generosity is about so much more than funding a trail,” said Drew Bray, executive director of TAMBA. “It’s an investment in the future of recreation and community in Tahoe. Thanks to Kyle and Jessica’s incredible generosity, we’re not only completing one of the most exciting trail projects in the Basin—we’re demonstrating what’s possible as we begin bringing the vision of the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project to life.”
Once complete, the Meeks Ridge Trail will create a spectacular 12-mile loop by connecting with the General Creek and Lost Lake trail systems. The sustainably designed trail will provide hikers and mountain bikers with access to breathtaking granite landscapes, expansive views of Desolation Wilderness, and rare old-growth forests while restoring a route that has been inaccessible for generations.
Since construction began, TAMBA volunteers and professional trail crews have built four miles of trail through rugged backcountry terrain. This summer, crews are tackling the final two-mile section—the most technically challenging portion of the project. The work requires the expertise of professional trail building crews, extensive logistics, and hundreds of volunteer hours to safely construct a sustainable trail through steep, remote terrain.
The timing of the gift is especially significant as Tahoe enters a new era of trail planning. Earlier this year, the U.S. Forest Service approved the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project, establishing a roadmap for up to 45 miles of future trail opportunities while expanding Class 1 e-bike access across more than 100 miles of existing trails. The approval followed years of environmental review, public engagement, and collaboration among land managers and community partners.
While each future trail project will require its own design, environmental review, fundraising, and construction, the completion of Meeks Ridge demonstrates how that vision can become reality through strong community involvement and local investment.
“Much of Tahoe’s world-class trail network is what it is thanks to the hard work of TAMBA’s dedicated staff, volunteers, and trail builders,” said Kyle Aster. “They’ve become one of my favorite organizations to work with, and it’s deeply meaningful to be able to support their efforts to complete the Meeks Ridge Trail.”
The project also reflects TAMBA’s longstanding partnership with the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and other public agencies to build sustainable, environmentally responsible trails that improve recreation while protecting the landscapes that make Tahoe unique.
As work continues on Meeks Ridge, TAMBA hopes the project will inspire others to support the next generation of trail investments throughout the Basin.
“The Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project gives our community an unprecedented opportunity to thoughtfully expand Tahoe’s trail network,” continued Bray. “Completing Meeks Ridge is the first step on that journey. We hope this incredible gift inspires others to join us in building the next generation of trails that will connect communities, improve access, protect natural resources, and create unforgettable outdoor experiences for decades to come.”
Construction on the Meeks Ridge Trail is entering its final phases, with work expected to be completed in 2027. Community contributions help support the work still ahead and will help bring this landmark trail closer to completion. Learn more at www.tamba.org.
The east end of downtown Tahoe City has a problem. Two of the town’s biggest properties — the Lighthouse Center and Boatworks Mall — are in trouble. The former’s anchor tenant and property owner, Safeway, moved to the other end of Tahoe City last fall. The Lighthouse space has been empty ever since, partly due to Safeway’s refusal to sell to another supermarket. MJD Capital Partners, which owns Boatworks, defaulted on its loan in January. The property is now in foreclosure and goes to auction next month.
“I think the majority of commercial square footage in our town is tied up in those two properties, so I think it’s concerning to the entire community and to the whole region, really, when you lose key commercial properties to service our needs, especially in such great lakefront locations,” said Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson, who represents North Tahoe.
Safeway
Safeway vacated the Lighthouse Center last October. The grocery store was the center’s only street-front business; all other businesses, like A Santé Lakeside Fitness and Tahoe National Brewing Co., are in the back of the building. (CVS and the Tahoe City Post Office are in a separately owned building.)
When Safeway left, hopes were high that another grocery store would purchase the building. Tahoe City had been left with only one grocery store since October 2023, when Save Mart lost its lease to make way for Safeway’s relocation. The remodel ultimately took two years.
Word of residents’ growing frustration with the gaping vacant space at Lighthouse and lack of the current Safeway’s ability to keep up with demand during peak visitor months reached Sup. Gustafson. On June 9, she wrote a letter to Safeway’s corporate headquarters in Pleasanton, California:
“The continued vacancy of this highly visible property has become a significant community concern. Residents frequently describe the site as an eyesore and a missed opportunity at one of Tahoe City’s most important commercial locations. In addition, I continue to hear frustration from community members regarding reports that Safeway has limited or discouraged opportunities for other grocery operators or potential buyers to utilize the property.”
SAFEWAY’S former location has been sitting empty since last October. The company is blocking other grocery stores from buying the building. Photos by Melissa Siig/Moonshine Ink
A local real estate agent confirmed that the former Safeway building is for sale with a non-compete clause.
“Apparently it keeps falling out of contract,” the realtor wrote to Moonshine Ink. “They have turned down offers of $10 million and started to list it at $12 million, but they wanted a deed restriction and clause in the purchase contract that it could not be leased to or used as a grocery store.”
Gustafson has heard the same thing directly from supermarkets that have tried to purchase the building.
“I’ve been told that by people who have tried to acquire the property,” she said. “Other grocery stores that are in the region have tried to acquire this site.”
Numerous phone calls and emails by Moonshine Ink to multiple Safeway corporate officers and media relations were not returned.
On June 22, Gustafson’s office received this response from Todd Paradis, Safeway real estate manager based in Hawaii:
“Thank you for your recent letter sharing concerns raised by some residents of Tahoe City regarding Safeway’s new store and our intentions for the site of our previous store. We are in the process of reviewing the concerns raised and will discuss them internally. We will be in touch.”
Six weeks later, her office still has not received a follow-up response.
On July 22, Gustafson sent a letter of support for California Assembly Bill 1857, also known as the Grocery Store Access Act, to the state senate. The act, which was introduced in February, would ban corporate grocery chains from using restrictive property covenants to block new supermarkets from opening in spaces they have vacated.
“For the residents of Tahoe City, this legislation represents more than good public policy,” Gustafson wrote in the letter. “It represents an opportunity to remove unnecessary barriers that have prevented our community from attracting new grocery investment and restoring a vital commercial property to productive use. Communities should not be forced to choose between an underperforming grocery store and no grocery store at all.”
Gustafson said she now understands how Safeway won the lease for its current location.
“I think it’s very clear Safeway could outbid because they knew they were going to capture the market by not selling to another grocery store,” she said.
THE BOATWORKS MALL is in foreclosure and will go to auction in August, making the future of its tenants uncertain.
Boatworks
With MJD’s default on its $14-million loan in January, its failure to pay property tax, and the Boatworks now set to go to auction in Roseville on Aug. 12, there are concerns that the mall could face the same fate as the neighboring Safeway building — becoming a large, vacuous, empty space.
“I think that if we are looking down the barrel of having [another] ‘Henrikson Building East,’ that is a detriment to our community,” said Jeff Hill, Jake’s on the Lake general partner, referencing a dilapidated, empty building that used to sit on the opposite end of town. “We all have this vision of what we want our community in town to be. And I think that this is just another tipping scale of adversity that is, all eloquence aside, just sad.”
Jake’s has had a contentious relationship with MJD since it bought Boatworks, where the restaurant is housed. That is one reason this summer is Jake’s final season in Tahoe. After 48 years, it’s closing its doors in October unless the new owners present a deal too good to refuse.
“Due to the dynamic with the landlord and other outside factors, a path hasn’t really been presented to be able to move forward,” Hill said. “Should a path illuminate, we would walk it, but I just don’t see what that would be.”
MJD has not been communicative with tenants about its financial situation and foreclosure. The owner of Mountain Lotus Yoga found out about the auction when Moonshine Ink reached out to him, and Tahoe Fit owner Katie Peterson said every time she asked the company about the auction, they denied it.
“I did approach them about the auction a couple of times. And they’re still, to this day, denying that that’s even happening. So that part is slightly puzzling,” she said. “They say it’s a real estate financial issue they are working with.”
Tenants also complained about MJD’s neglect of the building. The electricity was turned off twice due to unpaid bills, and so was the water. The company cut back on garbage collection and maintenance staff. The mall’s main bathrooms got so bad at times that some tenants refused to use them.
“I feel that they definitely tried to run it on a shoestring budget,” said Allison Yonto, owner of the Tahoe Wine Collective. “And you saw that happen about, I want to say two or three years ago, when we lost our full-time maintenance guy.”
Hill agrees.
“I would say that whatever financial duress has fallen upon MJD has been reflected on the Boatworks itself,” he said. “The time and care and consideration have not been cultivated to the degree that we wish within our community.”
Fears of Boatworks becoming vacant are not unfounded. The building is currently only half occupied. Many businesses — Geared for Games, Tahoe Core Pilates, Tahoe T-Shirtery — had already left in anticipation of the structure being torn down to make way for MJD’s massive redevelopment proposal; Acorn Home Furnishings & Design is leaving at the end of August. The tenants are also all on a month-to-month lease (except for Jake’s), which only adds to the uncertainty. The mall’s other restaurant and anchor tenant, Hacienda del Lago, closed in 2021.
ONE OF Boatworks’ staple businesses, Hacienda del Lago, shuttered its doors in 2021. The space remains empty.
According to Yonto, only eight businesses in the Boatworks are open on a daily basis. She thinks MJD did not do enough to attract customers to the mall.
“There was definitely a disconnect of thinking that just because it’s a building on the North Shore on the water, that it would just always be busy. Foot traffic is a big problem getting people to come through here,” she said. “I don’t think they [MJD] did us any favors by not doing marketing regularly, by allowing spaces to go vacant, especially a lakefront restaurant space. They were just unfamiliar with how it works up here.”
Though MJD founder and CEO Marie Murphy did not admit to the impending auction, she issued a statement to Moonshine:
“We deeply love Tahoe, and are integral, long-standing members of the business community here. Our site has always reflected this love and stewardship for Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City. We are working through addressing current financial headwinds.
Despite the challenges we have faced, our focus remains on finding solutions that allow us to move forward and create a destination serving residents, businesses, and visitors — one that will bring much needed vitality, employment, and tax revenue to Tahoe City, while preserving the character of this amazing place.”
Yonto has a word of warning for the Boatworks’ next owner.
“Whomever takes this building over, I feel like they need to realize that if they don’t help the tenants that are here, the tenants aren’t going to get any better [financially],” she said. “We’re not going to magically start making more money until this building has some reason for people to come here, and the vacant spaces are definitely not that [reason].”
“Hard to put into words how freeing it is,” Jimi Brenner said while taking a break from an afternoon at the downhill mountain bike trails. Brenner lives and works on an orchard around Auburn, he likes biking, he is into metal fabrication, and when he was 29, his car slid off the road into a big oak tree. He became paralyzed from chest down.
JIMI BRENNER on his adaptive bike. Trails for these bikes should be at least 58 inches wide, according to High Fives. Photo courtesy Jimi Brenner
Brenner found the hospital-provided wheelchairs not to his liking, so a year after his injury, he built his own. “I’ve always been the outdoorsy person,” he said. “I can’t get stuck inside much.”
Three years after his accident, Brenner rode a bike again. The bike was adaptive to his injury, lent to him at the High Fives Community Bike Day, a fundraiser open to everyone.
High Fives was launched in 2009 after its founder, Roy Tuscany, overshot a ski jump and became paralyzed from the waist down. Tuscany received help from his community and started High Fives to “prevent life-changing injuries and provide resources and hope if they happen.” Since then, High Fives has served over 1,000 athletes in a multitude of sports and funded more than 1,900 grants.
After receiving a grant from High Fives and the Kelly Brush Foundation, whose mission is “to inspire and empower people with spinal cord injuries to lead active and engaged lifestyles,” Brenner was able to buy one of the bikes, which start at $15,000. But he didn’t know where to ride it. “Auburn has a lot of real tight single track,” he said. “It’s hard to ride independently.”
In 2021, High Fives collaborated with Sky Tavern Bike Park, located off Mt. Rose Highway, to build a trail suitable for adaptive riders. “We wanted to include several [adaptive specific] design features,” said Becca Lefanowicz, director of brand and creative for High Fives. For instance, “that it would be wide enough for adaptive bikes that have a wider and longer frame.”
I DID IT! Estocado is triumphant after a downhill mountain bike run.
A High Fives adaptive trail must be at least 58 inches wide, a standard that unaffiliated organizations like Lee Canyon resort in Las Vegas have begun to copy. Because adaptive mountain bikes have a lower clearance than standard ones, the trail is also maintained to avoid what Lefanowicz calls “pinch points” — areas that would be too rocky for the low clearance of an adaptive bike. Brenner described the Sky Tavern trail as “super fun, super flowy.” It’s also one of two locations for the High Fives Community Bike Day in June, July, and August this year.
Since the Sky Tavern installation, High Fives has put in another adaptive-friendly trail at Sierra Vista in Reno.
“Most trails are not too far off,” Brenner said, “there’s maybe just a little something on them [that makes them not suitable for an adaptive bike].” But on Brenner’s new-model Bowhead Reach with a tilting mechanism, he said that “98, 99% of the trails — I can ride on them.”
ALL SMILES: High Fives collaborated with Sky Tavern Bike Park, located off Mt. Rose Highway, to build a trail suitable for adaptive riders, which Estocado happily bombs down. Photos courtesy High Fives
Brenner said it’s big news in his community when a new trail like this is put in. “It’s more open space you can get out and explore.” This, he said, is the point. And Lefanowicz added that the word she most commonly hears from people who use the adaptive trails is “independence.”
There was a moment at the second-ever Gambler’s Run in 2024 when The Main Squeeze was covering Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” and it all kind of came together for Crystal Bay Casino’s production/marketing manager Sam Shear.
“It was right at dusk,” he said. “The golden hour light. The energy of the band, the energy of the crowd. It was epic. All the work we’d done, a lot of things had to line up to make that moment happen.”
MUSICAL CONNECTION: A festivalgoer and a musician are in sync during a daytime set.
Things did line up and that moment did happen. More moments happened last year and more moments will happen in 2026, the festival gaining momentum like some incendiary fiddle solo played against a devil down in Georgia. This year, the String Cheese Incident leads its biggest lineup yet, headlining three days of deep-pooled musicality with their Thursday night set.
Formed in Colorado a good 30 years ago, the band has shredded strings and lit up audiences around the world with its bluegrass meets funky-country-rocky-jazzy-reggae-infused sound that offers a pinch of psychedelia and throws in a warm breeze
for good measure.
IT’S ALL GRATITUDE AND GOOD TIMES in the front row at dusk at Gambler’s Run.
The band’s name stems from a cheese-heavy food fight the members had in a bar back in the ’90s. They’ll be coming off a two-night run at Red Rocks Amphitheater before rolling the dice in Crystal Bay as part of their five-month Just Keep Spinning tour.
Red Rocks has a 9,500-person capacity, a typical venue size for the band. Gambler’s Run, on the other hand, is capped at 1,000. A faraway lawn seat won’t exist at the festival, and access to the front rows won’t cost $500-plus — so fans will see and hear and feel the cheese-grating up close.
“String Cheese is about the biggest act we can get,” Shear said. “We’ve had them in the Crown Room, but this is a new time for a new setting.”
That setting is outdoors. That setting is intimate. That setting is Tahoe air and golden hour light and the mysteries of the night. And visuals.
“A lot of focus is also on the art, the eye candy of the festival,” said Shear, who was coy with details to not give away too much and spoil first-impression surprise and intrigue. “It’s an all-encompassing experience. We’ll transform the festival grounds as much as possible.”
Those adorned grounds will be played from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with the gates opening at 3 p.m. for food and craft vendors, and high-energy afterparties in the Crown Room raging until midnight or so.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters headlines Friday’s lineup with its own sweet Colorado-born style that has continued to evolve and delight music lovers since its 1993 platinum rock album Sister Sweetly, featuring the decade’s iconic and seemingly immortal (for good reason) “Bittersweet.” The soulful sounds and rhythmic beat of The California Honeydrops will get Saturday night’s airs swirling and the dancefloor moving.
But Gambler’s Run isn’t just three consecutive big-name concerts; it’s a music festival that features eight hours of music per day and over 10 bands that run the gamut. Also performing are the Humboldt funk machine Diggin Dirt, the electronic-instrumental synthesis of the groovy Octave Cat (featuring Jessie Miller of Lotus), and the Nashville-based Grateful Dead-influenced punk rockers Sicard Hollow, among others.
Sicard Hollow’s guitarist Alex King shared his thoughts: “We love music festivals, casinos, and lakes. Gambler’s Run is a perfect place … because it crosses off all three of those boxes. Let’s party.”
Three-Pronged Event
In addition to the intrepid tunes and dynamic art, Gambler’s Run also features a core contingent of activities and activism at its nonprofit village.
The nonprofit tine is a who’s who of local ecological stalwarts: Keep Tahoe Blue, Sierra Nevada Alliance, Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), UC Davis, Restoring My Lake; and, from Colorado, Conscious Alliance. Each entity helms an interactive booth and leads an engaging activity that ties back to its message. Festival-goers are provided a punch card; punches are earned by doing the activities; completing all the activities gains entry into drawings for signed posters and other rad prizes.
A main component of the activism for the festival itself focuses on sustainability. “When we started Gambler’s Run four years ago now, we were like, ‘We are in Lake Tahoe, we should be as conscious of our environment as possible.’”
THE OUTDOOR GROUNDS at Gambler’s Run hosts bands from 4 to 10 pm. before the event moves into the Crown Room for the afterparties.
A main cog in that activism/sustainability wheel was to phase out plastic cups by phasing in aluminum ones. The CBC began doing so at the first Gambler’s Run in 2023 and it’s now become standard practice at every show it hosts. No single-use plastic cups, not one; stats showing the switch having already saved close to 100,000 plastic cups and thousands of plastic water bottles from ending up in landfills.
That’s the type of action that helps the world keep spinning and the music keep playing. And summer music festivals right here in the Tahoe Basin, without having to undertake some distant drive in some super-hot direction, are a good thing too.
“If you’re a local,” Shear concluded, “you know the Crystal Bay Casino; what we do is live music. This is our masterpiece — three days of music, art, activism. Come on over and hang out.”
Wade Snider, master photographer, believes that every photo taken should be planned for months. In accordance with his tight hierarchy of strict guidelines, he camped out for ages, waiting for this exact photograph. On day 90, lightning struck. The beagles lined up. The bear was there. All he had to do was hit the shutter. The world softened for a bit. The birds, awestruck, quieted their ritualistic song. When the day returned to focus and time resumed ticking, all that was left was a photograph. Seen here.
With summer in full swing, the Cancer new moon on July 14 offers a welcome invitation to slow down, to rest, and to reconnect.
On July 18, Uranus in Gemini trines Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, an amicable transit that highlights both the tension and harmony between abstract ideas and collective technological transformations underway. Two days later, Jupiter in Leo forms a trine to Neptune retrograde in Aries, while also opposing Pluto — encouraging examination of values and relationships to the world’s changes.
The sun enters Leo on July 22, followed by Mercury coming out of its retrograde transit on July 24. Expect a certain momentum to return to a plan of yours that’s been stalled.
A major collective shift occurs on July 26 as the north node enters Aquarius and the south node enters Leo. This new nodal cycle will be playing out for 18 months and encourages us to participate more consciously in worldly happenings.
Leo-season energies amplify on July 29 when Jupiter conjoins the sun during a full moon in Aquarius. With Pluto in conjunction to the full moon, this lunation brings expansive emotional and subconscious transformation. Pay attention to what needs to be released as well as what’s coming up that needs to be celebrated.
Venus enters Libra on August 6. This will bring balance, a focus on beauty, and an inclination to socialize. August 7 and 8 may feel more reactive, with the Gemini moon transiting first Uranus and then Mars. To give yourself time to take in the full picture, endeavor to pause before responding to things.
On August 12, we have a powerful solar eclipse. The Leo new moon also joins the south node, with Jupiter and Mercury also in Leo. This day will illuminate old stories of identities and patterns that may surface for review.
NATURAL MAGIC
There are many transits happening in this time that relate to collective change and how that is personally significant, highlighted by the nodal shift into the signs of Aquarius and Leo exactly on July 26; consider setting aside twenty minutes a day between July 19 and August 2 to honor both the transition and your own evolutionary growth. Begin with ten minutes of heart-centered meditation. Place one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly, breathing slowly as you imagine your awareness dropping from your head to your heart.
Then spend ten minutes reflecting and journaling. Consider these prompts: When I shift perception from my head to my heart, what changes within me?What is my unique gift to the world? How can I use my creativity in service to something larger than myself?
Bees. These remarkable bugs are more than just fuzzy visitors to flowers or “scary” insects that sting. They are vital pollinators who play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our mountain ecosystems and the planet as a whole.
When most people think of bees, they picture the classic honey bee: living in its bustling hive, making honey, and serving the queen. However, honey bees are not native to North America and their highly social lifestyle represents only a small fraction of the world’s bee species.
In fact, the vast majority of bees around the world and in the Sierra Nevada are solitary, up to 85% living quiet, independent lives that often go unnoticed by humans. In these species there are no queens, no workers, and no hives.
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A SWEAT BEE (Halictidae) nuzzles into flax in South Lake Tahoe. Photo by Nina Miller/Moonshine Ink
Van Dyke’s Bumble Bee (Bombus vandykei) atop a sage in Truckee. Photo by Will Richardson
A MASON BEE (Osmia montana) visits a Senecio in Page Meadows above Tahoe City. Photo by Will Richardson
Rather, every female bee is essentially a one-bee construction crew, food gatherer, and parent all rolled into one. After snowmelt, they find or build suitable nests, collect nectar and pollen, and create a carefully stocked nursery for future offspring. After supplying the nest chamber with food, the female lays a single egg, seals the chamber, and begins the process of preparing the next chamber for another egg. Once her work is complete, her life cycle comes to an end and the next generation develops during the winter months to emerge in the spring.
Meanwhile, male bees have a simpler life. Their lifespan lasts only a few weeks and equates to: emerge, compete to find a mate, reproduce, and that’s about it.
Native Tahoe/Truckee bees come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some wear the familiar yellow-and-black striped patterns while others look like tiny flying jewels, shimmering in the sunlight with their metallic greens, blues, or bronze. When identifying whether an insect is a bee, a helpful clue is to look for yellow, dusty pollen clinging to its body. Female bees often carry pollen on specialized hairs attached to their legs called corbiculae (or “pollen pants”), and other species will tote it on the underside of their abdomens.
Tahoe/Truckee Bee Diversity
One of the most interesting solitary bees around Tahoe/Truckee are leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.). These tiny architects carefully cut out near-perfect circles from leaves or other plant material and carry them back to their nests. They then use the leaf pieces to form the structure of their nursery chamber cells, and, like wallpaper, the leaf material lines and protects the chamber to promote growth of beneficial microbes.
Gardeners sometimes notice the neat circular holes left behind by the leafcutters and wonder, “What happened?” Fortunately, it’s most often good news. The holes rarely harm the plant as a whole, and the “damage” is little more than a tiny rental fee, paid in exchange for excellent pollination services.
Mason bees (Osmia spp.) include another type of solitary bee found in our area. These small critters have dark bodies and an often iridescent sheen, and can easily be mistaken for a fly. However, they are all bee: widely considered some of nature’s most efficient pollinators. A single female has been known to pollinate up to 2,000 blossoms in one day.
Her pollinating power comes from how she carries pollen. Instead of packing it tightly on her legs, the mason bee female carries it loosely on the underside of her body, allowing her to transfer more pollen between flowers. Around Tahoe/Truckee you can find mason bees living in natural cavities such as hollow stems and holes in wood, but they will also readily occupy homemade bee boxes with paper or cardboard nesting tubes placed near flowering plants (a fun project for your yard).
For other bees, that patch of exposed dirt in your yard or a downed log out back can be prime real estate too, so leave them be!
Of course, no discussion of Sierra buzzers would be complete without mentioning bumble bees (Bombus spp.). The fuzzy giants of the bee world, bumble bees are larger, louder, and easier to spot than many of their smaller relatives.
Unlike most of the area’s native bees, bumble bees are social insects, forming small colonies led by a single queen and supported by a female workforce. Their colonies, however, function very differently from honey bee hives. As fall approaches, the workers die off, leaving only the newly mated queens alive, seeking shelter underground where they overwinter beneath the snowpack. When spring arrives, each queen emerges to build an entirely new colony from scratch.
Truckee/Tahoe is home to several bumblebee species, including the endangered Western Bumble Bee (Bombus occidentalis). Not long ago, at Sagehen Creek Research Station, Dr. Nina Sokolov of UC Berkeley found 23 Western Bumble Bees in just 45 minutes, a remarkable find given this species is endangered and difficult to find across the state of California. Perhaps Truckee is a hotspot for this species? More research and time will tell, but for now this is encouraging for Bombus occidentalis.
Supporting the Bees That Support Us
Bees play a critical role in maintaining our region’s biodiversity. Their services support the plants that provide food and shelter for countless other species, while encouraging outcrossing among the plants themselves, increasing genetic diversity and creating stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities of organisms.
Sadly, not all news is good, and our bees face many challenges. Habitat loss, disease, pesticide exposure, and climate change all threaten native bee populations. Habitat loss from human development destroys both nesting sites and the flowering plants bees depend on. Pesticides may directly harm the pollinators or indirectly kill the plants they rely on. Climate change creates timing mismatches between flowers and the bees’ emergence.
Fortunately, communities throughout our nation are recognizing the importance of protecting pollinators, and Truckee has an exciting opportunity to join that effort. The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is leading the charge to designate the Town of Truckee as an official “Bee City.” TINS and other partners through Bee City USA intend to protect native pollinators through education, habitat restoration, and conservation. While the designation is an important milestone, its true value lies in the community actions that follow.
POLLINATORS: One of Truckee/Tahoe’s most common and widespread bumble bee species, Yellow-faced Bumble Bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) visiting a yarrow and showing a packed pollen basket. Photo by Will Richardson
Residents can help in surprisingly simple ways; planting native flowers and leaving patches of bare soil, dead wood, and dried stems all work to create nesting opportunities. Even participating in community science projects using iNaturalist, a free app that helps identify plants and animals while collecting data for science and conservation, can help researchers better understand local bee populations. In this way, every yard, garden, school, neighborhood, and human can become part of the solution.
So, the next time you hear a faint buzz while hiking a trail, walking through a meadow, or tending your garden, take a closer look and try to appreciate the bee for who it is and what it does.
These remarkable insects may be small, but their impact is enormous. Quietly and tirelessly, our native bees sustain the wildflowers, forests, and vibrant landscapes that make the Sierra Nevada the wonderful and biologically diverse place that it is.
