A friend sent me a video entitled, “Nothing but Smiles,” and it was so chockfull of smiles that it brought a tear to my eye. So I thought I might try to recount it here with words that could never do the video justice, but still might bring you, the gentle reader, a smile…

This slow-moving saga begins at a public drinking fountain in a public park with a distinguished looking gentleman holding the water on for his German Shepard, who is lapping away with a look in his eyes that says, “Thanks, Pops, let’s catch a bite to eat on the way home, then settle-in to another rerun of “A Dog’s Way Home.” 

The second scene features another elderly gentleman, this time with two dogs, and the three of them are carelessly exercising on public foot swings, each offering sideways glances of approval to the other two, a sight to make a homeless person smile.

Scene three presents a mature gentleman cuddling two large parrots that are in turn, cuddling him. It’s a lovefest, and they are one loving family. Just to watch makes you want to run out and hug somebody…

Scene four? A toddler busies himself lifting ducklings from a basket, and tossing them one by one, unceremoniously, into a large basin of water, then hosing them down. The toddler seems self-satisfied, while the ducklings appear to be enjoying the novel adventure. It is obvious that the toddler is destined to be a successful businessman someday.

Scene five is reposeful. A large cow and a young lady are sleeping next to each other when the cow lifts his heavy head and plops it down on the young lady’s stomach. Both continue their rest as though nothing has happened. Personally, I would have awakened and bellowed like a newborn calf had it been me.

Scene six, my favorite, highlights a large sea lion and attractive young lady embracing and mugging for the camera, both beaming and both sticking out their tongues at the same time. If you don’t smile at this synchronicity you ain’t right…

In scene seven a large goose flies alongside a speedboat, letting passengers reach out and pet its stomach, and everyone seems gratified.

Scene eight showcases two mountain goats balanced on a precarious precipice a thousand feet in the air, enjoying the scenery as if they were on level ground. Placed in the same spot, my heart would be in my throat and my eyes would be sealed shut.

The ninth scene boasts a young kayaker paddling along without a care in the world. His passenger just happens to be a gigantic Bengal tiger, looking much like the captain of a majestic Indiaman, plowing the great seas under a cloud of sail.

In a closing scene, an elegant lady on a second story balcony is feeding two equally elegant giraffes, and we have to know, thanks to this beautiful video, all of these wonderful characters will live happily ever after… 

Audio: https://anchor.fm/mcavoy-layne

Submitted by The Prosperity Center

Amidst the beauty of Lake Tahoe’s landscapes, a vibrant spirit of unity and innovation flourishes. Close to home in Incline Village, the Tahoe Inc Roundtables, a consortium of local, volunteer-driven entrepreneurial community members, are generating waves of innovation.

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce an endeavor that embodies these principles—a collaboration between the Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC) and Tahoe Inc. This partnership brings together the monthly Tahoe Inc Roundtables and co-hosts the Envision Tahoe Venture Summit, an annual event that highlights the strength of community bonds and the capacity of visionary concepts to drive progress in our region.

Tahoe Inc roundtables serve as an opportunity for community members to connect as business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, collaborating to address the challenges they currently face. Meeting right here in Incline Village, these roundtables offer gateways to invaluable networks and resources, embodying the spirit of collaborative growth that resonates with the heart of our community.

In celebration of Incline Village’s thriving ecosystem, two compelling events await—celebrating advancement and connectivity. The first extends an invitation to join us October 5th, and the first Thursday of each month following at Happy Tiers Bakery, hosted by its proprietors—a local couple who are both instrumental members of the Tahoe Inc community. This monthly gathering provides an inclusive space to exchange ideas and insights with peers, experts, and innovators.

The second event, the Envision Tahoe Venture Summit, is set for Friday, October 20th, co-hosted by the TPC at the newly constructed Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline. This summit will provide an inclusive platform to explore, connect, and propel innovation. Notably, high school students may attend for free, and college students enjoy half-off the registration fee to encourage youth and diversity of voices.

This coming together of Tahoe Inc Roundtables reflects the changing seasons. It acknowledges our shared community fabric and invites us to shape a collective future. This helps inspire us to nurture meaningful discussions, foster collaboration, and elevate ideas with the potential to reshape our path forward.

With anticipation and commitment to our thriving community,

The Tahoe Prosperity Center

Bhante Sujatha has been a monk for over 40 years! We are blessed to have him travel and share his wisdom here in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

ABOUT BHANTE SUJATHA

For more than 25 years Bhante Sujatha has been sharing the message of Loving-Kindness and the practical application of meditation experience with people all over the world. Profound in its simplicity, the message and teachings in this workshop have been life-changing for many of its participants, regardless of religious background. The teaching is centered around the cultivation of self-love. Without a nurtured ability to practice healthy self-love, we cannot be fully present to love anyone or anything else.

Bhante Sujatha, a 40+ year Buddhist Monk, is singularly focused on adding more love in the world.  Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment.  His approach to meditation is deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand.  A joyful, radiant, funny, and wildly energetic monk, Bhante will help you obtain peace that can only be found in deep silence. Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation, but also, “teaching people how to be happy.” For more information visit Bhante’ s website www.bhantesujatha.org

ATTEND A WORKSHOP & MEET BHANTE SUJATHA

Bhante will be at the Sanctuary Tahoe Wellness Center on October 10th where he will be guiding a workshop focused on connecting to your natural healing power in this two-hour workshop and guided meditation.

Activities in this program will include:

• Lecture: “What Is Loving-Kindness?”
• Instruction in the practice of Loving-Kindness.
• A blessing of healing energy with each individual.
• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindess meditation.
• Time for Questions & Answers.

Benefits of this beautiful workshop can include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression.
• Healing and enhancing relationships with others.
• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in life.
• Insights into life’s purpose.
• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment.
• Confidence in attaining unshakable inner peace.

If you miss this first workshop on the 10th or you want to maximize your time with Bhante Sujatha, the Fitness Loft in Tahoe City and Incline Village are also hosting events on the 14th and 15th of October.

On October 14th in Tahoe City Bhante will guide participants to ‘Put Your Practice Into Practice.’ In this 2-hour workshop, Bhante invites us to reflect on our inner and outer lives. He instructs in how to establish and preserve your meditation practice, and take the practice from off the ‘cushion’ and into our daily lives.

On October 15th in Incline Village Fitness Loft, Bhante will focus on, ‘From the Inside Out: How to Build a Healthy Relationship with Yourself.” We cannot count on anything we find outside as a permanent solution that will sustain our happiness, but we can find the love within us to always protect ourselves. Learning to listen inwardly is how we discover joy and an unshakable peace that when fully developed can never be taken away.

MORE INFORMATION ON THESE EVENTS:

The Sanctuary Tahoe – October 10th – $40

The Tahoe City Fitness Loft – October 14th – $25

The Incline Village Fitness Loft – October 15th – $25

FROM THE TEAM

If you have already met Bhante, you know the value of practicing with him, hearing his wisdom firsthand, and having the opportunity to ask him whatever questions you wish. If you have never met Bhante, now is your chance to meet a teacher truly and completely committed to the practice of loving-kindness and the well-being of others.

So have a look at the schedule below and find out what works for you, and don’t forget to consider inviting a friend! We can practice meditation anywhere, but it is important to remember the value of shared experience and the inspiration that comes with collective energy.
Wishing everyone a happy fall season! May you be well, happy, and peaceful.

The Team at
www.bhantesujatha.org

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune on 09/22/2023, Written by Miranda Jacobson

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev.— The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office held their community picnic at the Ridgeline fields at Incline Middle School Saturday, Sept. 16, with hundreds of people pouring in to show their support for local first responders and community. 

Captain of the Incline Village Substation, Blaine Beard, was extremely proud of the turnout, as well as all of the different ways the picnic allowed the community to interact with local agencies and organizations. 

“There’s several hundred people here and they’re continuing to pour in,” said Beard during the picnic. “So it just shows the kind of community we have. It shows the amazing support that we have for the Sheriff’s Office and all the other local entities and agencies as well.” 

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Photo Credit – Tahoe Daily Tribune – Miranda Jacobson