I don’t pretend to know the secrets of a good public talk myself, but I have been in the company of good public talkers for many years and have learned a good deal from them. Here is a little of what I have learned…

People don’t want a message; they want a story. So if you wrap your message in a story it will be like wrapping your dog’s medicine in a treat.

First, work your client’s special interest into your opening remarks, then work your client’s special interest into the middle of your talk, and finally, in thanking your client, work your client’s special interest into your closing remarks.

This discipline once prompted the following acknowledgement, “What a wonderful coincidence, Mr. Twain, that you played bridge in the Civil War and on the Overland Stagecoach, and here in Virginia City!  We are all bridge players!” Well, that was no coincidence, but we never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.

Draw mental pictures in your story as often as possible. Chuck Jones, by his own admission, came up with the cartoon series, “Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner,” after reading Mark Twain’s description of the coyote and the jackass rabbit in his book, Roughing It.

Then, while it is still fresh in your mind, go over your material as soon as possible after delivering it. A reporter who once intended to interview Arnold Palmer immediately after Arnie had won a tournament was frustrated to find Arnold out on the driving range, practicing. Be like Arnie, and make improvements while the subject is still warm.

Fear public speaking? A young lady once confided to me that she would rather have a coyote gnaw on her arm, than to speak in public. Have confidence that your personality, sincerity, and your parent’s faith in you, will see you through. Speaking from the heart will always win the house.

As you are called up to the podium, picture the sunny-side-up eggs you are going to have for breakfast the following morning. This will serve to ground you, let you look past the moment, and put your mind at ease.

Practice setting bookmarks in your program in case you are asked a question, or a thought comes to you that you want to touch on, and you will be able to return to the exact spot where you left off without missing a beat.

Try to leave time for a few questions from the audience. I always thought of it as my favorite part of the program, for if you don’t have an answer, at least you can come up with an opinion.

And finally, perhaps foremost, when you are once again alone with your thoughts, and have gone over your program to your satisfaction, give yourself a much deserved pat on the back, because talking in public ain’t easy…

Listen to the Audio: https://anchor.fm/mcavoy-layne

A fundraising event to support science around the lake and beyond while kayaking Lake Tahoe in seven day trip segments.

The Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) at UC Davis, has monitored Lake Tahoe for over 60 years, amassing a unique record of change for one of the world’s most beautiful yet vulnerable lakes.

TERC will be hosting our third annual Circumnavigate Lake Tahoe for Science (TERC CIRC 3), a seven-day kayaking trip around the lake starting June 19 – June 25, 2023. Paddlers will have an opportunity to learn about Lake Tahoe’s ecology, geology and emerging challenges. TERC’s scientific experts will accompany paddlers to illustrate the science being used to restore Lake Tahoe.

Many people have paddled Lake Tahoe, but this event is unique. In addition to each day’s 6-13 miles of spectacular shoreline paddling, you will get to see, share and learn about Lake Tahoe’s ecology, geology and emerging challenges. TERC’s scientific experts will illustrate the science being used to restore Lake Tahoe.

Registration
Come for just a day or two, or join the ranks of the epic few who have completed the entire circumnavigation. Space is limited! A description of each day’s route will be provided during registration.

Join for a day: $100
Join for two days: $200
Join for three days: $300
Join for four or more: $350
Note: Registration is refundable up to 30 days prior to the event. Eventbrite’s fees are nonrefundable.

Paddlers will enjoy:

Complimentary snacks each day.
Shuttle service from takeout points back to put-in points to retrieve your car
Monday, June 19, enjoy a pre-launch coffee/tea and pastries.
Basic strokes demonstration before each launch.
A commemorative TERC CIRC 3 dry bag to keep all your belongings safe from getting soggy.
The unique camaraderie of joining like-minded paddlers in doing a good turn for the lake.
Sunday afternoon, June 25, a complimentary celebratory party with your fellow paddlers to enjoy food, wine, beer, and other refreshments.

Details and Registration >

Originally published in the Sierra Sun on 4/1/23. Written by Miranda Jacobson.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — April is celebrated nationally as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and organizations in the basin are preparing to recognize the month with events that center around raising awareness and supporting survivors. 

On the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, Sierra Community House is doing as much work as they can to spread awareness and offer support to community members in the Tahoe and Truckee area. 

Last year alone, the SCH team provided 677 community members with sexual assault-related services, including advocacy, peer-counseling, safety planning, and through their support with their 24-hour help-hotline. 

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Originally published in the Sierra Sun on 4/4/23.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The Nevada Department of Transportation said will begin to repair potholes and perform other road maintenance in the Incline Village area as soon as weather allows, the agency said in a news release.

Also as weather permits, NDOT this spring will perform permanent repairs of the asphalt roadway on SR28 and the lower section SR431 not paved last season. The entire asphalt surface will be milled down four inches and new asphalt placed in the project area. This will effectively eliminate pothole reoccurrence for many years.

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Originally published in the Sierra Sun on 4/4/23. Written by Staff Report.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources today conducted the fourth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 126.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 54 inches, which is 221 percent of average for this location on April 3.

The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. DWR’s electronic readings from 130 snow sensors placed throughout the state indicate the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 61.1 inches, or 237 percent of average for this date.

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Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune on 3/30/23. Written by Miranda Jacobson.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The general improvement district Board of Trustees met Wednesday, March 22, and discussed a number of items related to the health of the district, ranging from employee benefits to rate changes at Diamond Peak Resort. 

The meeting was led by Vice Chair Sara Schmitz since Chairman Matthew Dent was not in attendance. At the beginning of the meeting, the board decided to defer the budget workshop to Wednesday, April 5, in order to allow trustees more time to digest information and work with staff so that they can further refine numbers and ensure the materials are clear and concise. 

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