VITA is a national program sponsored by the IRS that provides free preparation of federal and state tax returns for households with income under $60,000. The goal is to make quality tax preparation services available to low to moderate income households so that they claim all of the tax credits they are entitled to and receive the largest refund or lowest tax bill they are legally entitled to, without having to spend limited financial resources on tax preparation fees.

For more information and requirements to make an appointment please call Tahoe Family Solutions: (775) 413-5145. Currently, appointments are being scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays 4pm-7pm.

What might be my favorite Christmas present I have yet to open. It‘s a gift from a young man I admire, Bryan, who has some issues to deal with in his daily life. You see, Bryan does not talk, or walk, but is a hidden treasure of Nevada history and folklore. And once science taps into his vault of knowledge we might be the first to get to read the next great Tahoe novel. 

I imagine Bryan’s book will start out with his parents, who have been ever so patient and loving in raising him to be the man he has become, strong enough, with a little help from his friends, to take a swim in the waters of the Hawaiian Islands this past summer. I have the picture…

Bry’s Christmas present is a yet unopened bottle of Bareknuckle Brandy with instructions on the label: “Serve with a cigar you cannot afford, and a quote from Kierkegaard.”

Well, as Mark Twain loved his cigars, and Kierkegaard was my go-to-guy in college, Bry’s gift is on the top shelf, patiently awaiting a deserving toast, a toast to be made next week to a person of noble character, gone to another shore. I like to think she will be back, for as our mutual friend Mark Twain tells us, “I have never seen what to me seemed an atom of proof that there is a future life.  And yet – I am strongly inclined to expect one.”

On a lighter note, my college sweetheart just released a memoir, My Three Lives by Tina Cole. If you’re looking for a page-turner, this is it. While working on the set for Hawaiian Eye, she actually turns down advances from Troy Donahue and Bob Conrad. I might be the only living soul to believe that, but I do…

I remember talking to her from a phone booth at the SAE House at the University of Oregon, where we had been pinned, when I heard a banging in the background of her hotel room in Hawaii.

“What’s that banging” I asked, a little annoyed.

“Oh, that’s just Troy, wanting to come in.”

I’m only in Chapter Thirteen and have died three times…

On an even lighter note, photographer and consummate Tintype artist, Rie, just created a classic portrait of Julia Bulette, as portrayed by the intrepid Kim Harris, that will be most helpful in promoting, “Julia Bulette Meets Mark Twain,” during Carson City’s Mark Twain Days in April. 

There is something consoling about living in the 19^th century that I can’t explain. What I can say is, participating in Chautauqua is one of the most gratifying endeavors one can ever partake. Becoming someone else and presenting that someone else to a live audience or a classroom is not reincarnation, but it’s the next thing to it. I would encourage the gentle reader to consider taking up Chautauqua, to discover for yourself how many layers Chautauqua can add to an already interesting life.   

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The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLTRA) will formally transition to the North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) in order to serve communities and promote stewardship. The North Tahoe Community Alliance promotes and manages visitation and collaborates to achieve economic health, community vitality, and environmental sustainability to benefit our residents, businesses, and visitors.

One of the biggest changes that the organization is going to be making is talking with residents, which is a huge transition from a destination marketing organization. Now, funded by a newly formed Tourism Business Improvement District, the NLTRA’s role includes stewardship education, promotion of responsible travel, and off-peak season travel to bolster a sustainable year-round economy. The organization, governed by a Board of Directors and volunteer committees comprised of local business owners and their representatives, also advocates for visitor services, local transportation and workforce housing solutions.

Originally published in the Sierra Sun on 1/30/23. Content submitted to the Sun. Photo from UNR.

RENO, Nev. — New research recently released shows feeding mountain chickadees has no negative impact on the species as long as a few simple rules are followed.

Chickadee Ridge overlooking Lake Tahoe has become a popular snowshoe and cross-country ski destination for those hoping to experience feeding the tiny black-capped birds, often from the palm of one’s hand. The new research from the University of Nevada, Reno goes against what Nevada Department of Wildlife officials have said over the years that for the sake of wildlife, they shouldn’t be fed.

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Originally published in the Tahoe Weekly on 1/23/23. Photo from the Tahoe Weekly.

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center’s has unveiled its Find Tahoe Tessie app, after more than a year of planning and development. Find Tahoe Tessie is an augmented reality (AR) gaming app, which places the mythical Tahoe Tessie in and around Lake Tahoe.

While using the app, players become scientists and throughout the game find scientific tools used for various lake experiments, explore Tahoe through local excursions and apply scientific knowledge that will help find Tahoe Tessie.

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Nevada Nordic now has a dedicated snowshoe trail!

“You asked for it and we made it happen! We’ve snowmobiled a dedicated trail to Chickadee Ridge for our snowshoeing friends! The views and the birds will not disappoint! More signage is on the way. We love having trails for all our winter enthusiasts at Nevada Nordic!”

Washoe County Library is excited to announce the arrival of new Zoom ROOMs. These soundproof pods offer a private, connected workspace for virtual meetings, online interviews, and quiet or collaborative study. Designed by ROOM, Zoom ROOM pods are now available for use at multiple library locations on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Incline Village Public Library is a great space to work and study, and the Zoom Rooms allow people to attend a remote meeting or job interview without disturbing other patrons.  Anyone can use the sound-proof room for up to 2 hours per day and it has been used for meetings, interviews, doctors appointments, as a recording booth, and as a quiet space to work or think.  These rooms are in support of Washoe County Library System’s strategic plan goal of supporting workforce building by providing virtual spaces for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and anyone working remotely.  The Zoom Room in use every day and patrons can stop by the Information Desk to sign up to use it.

One library user said, “The Zoom Room at Incline Village Library was a life saver for my 1.5 hour interview.  Our house is too small and noisy to concentrate with young kids so thank you, thank, thank you for this space!”

Funds for this project have been provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records.

NDOT snowplow operators work in extremely inclement weather and mountainous terrain to help keep roads safe and clear. During storms, crews break into two separate 12-hour shifts, rotating shifts to cover snow removal 24 hours a day. Often, snowplows literally are not turned off until all roadway snow is removed. At the end of a shift, one maintenance staff member will jump out of the plow and another will jump in to continue operating the plow.

During the first three weeks of January 2023, NDOT maintenance crews on U.S. 50 and State Route 28 in Tahoe have dedicated approximately 2,700 work hours to ice and snow removal, spreading nearly 630 cubic yards of salt and sand for enhanced winter driving traction.

Staffing Vacancies

NDOT currently has six permanent highway maintenance personnel dedicated to maintenance of State Route 28 and U.S. 50 on Tahoe’s east shore. There are 14 permanent and temporary staff positions assigned to the highway maintenance crew. With only six of the 14 positions currently filled, the crew has a nearly 60 percent vacancy rate.

While the Department’s challenge in retaining employees is beginning to impact our ability to maintain previous levels of service, NDOT remains dedicated to providing a safe and connected transportation network for millions of Nevada residents and travelers across more than 5,000 miles of state roadway. As part of our commitment to public safety, NDOT highway maintenance staff perform more than 75 critical road maintenance duties – from maintaining and updating roadway striping and incident response to snow and ice removal and pothole repairs.

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Pothole Response

NDOT staff routinely fill weather-related potholes on state roads. But, crews must first prioritize critical snow response tasks such as blowing or scraping back snow from highway roadsides to reduce roadway refreeze and provide additional shoulder space for safety during traffic incidents. Crews will undertake urgent pothole repairs as soon as snow removal and other immediate highway activities such as cutting back roadside snowbanks are complete.

Driving Safety Reminder

Public safety is our top priority, and we remind drivers to slow down and drive safely in icy and snowy conditions.

One of the biggest challenges we see on winter roads is unsafe driving and crashes caused by motorists driving too quickly. Our top priority is traffic safety, and we want to remind all drivers to drive slowly and brake and turn slowly during winter weather. Following all chain controls and winter traffic advisories is critical as well.

NDOT Continues Repaving of Sections of SR 28 This Year

This spring, NDOT will also continue the third year of improvements to repave and improve State Routes 28 and 431.

As part of these improvements, State Route 28 will be resurfaced from the Nevada/California border to Ponderosa Ranch Road.

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