In The News – Wildlife corridors: A new camera study paves the way for wildlife connectivity in Tahoe
August 31, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Sierra Sun on 08/31/2024, Written by Katelyn Welsh
If you ever get the chance to go hiking with Wildlife Ecologist Tanya Diamond and Wildlife Researcher Ahíga Sandoval, don’t be prepared to go fast.
“People hate hiking with us,” Diamond says, “because it takes us forever just to go.”
Calling Cards
Why the slow pace? They’re keeping their eyes peeled for animal scat and tracks. “It’s addicting,” Diamond says, looking for animal signs. Both are certified wildlife trackers and often conduct tracking workshops.
Four vibrant, wholesome young kids in their thirties came by yesterday asking if I would take them on a hike, and share some Tahoe history. I was honored of course, and cautioned them that we would be on a mission. They agreed to be my foot soldiers, and up we trekked, toward Crystal Bay Point…
Along the way I described a regal character in Tahoe history, who lived and died not far from our destination, the former fire lookout atop Crystal Bay. They brought a sprightly dog along which made the sojourn even more pleasant…
So I filled their imaginations with this loveable character, Luigi, a man about their own age, who resided in the Village of Incline away back in the sixties, worked at Kings Castle, and roomed with another wonderful character by the name of Bob.
One sunny Tahoe afternoon Bob arrived home in a state of excitement and shared the good news with Luigi…
“Guess what, Dude? The fire department is testing tomorrow morning for two openings in the force. What say we set our alarm and get over there at six-thirty and give it a try?”
Luigi jumped in with both feet, and they discussed what they might like to purchase when they received their first paychecks.
When the alarm went off Bob jumped up and was out the door. He would be hired by Incline’s finest as a snubber, raise a family, and retire after 35 years in the force with a nice pension. Luigi, meanwhile, slept in, eventually taking a job tending bar at Lefty O’Doul’s in San Franscisco, where he became a popular personality, and celebrated that fact each night when he got off work at two.
I asked my young friends to pick some wildflowers as we wound our way toward the summit. We stopped at the Mark Twain interpretive sign, where I started to speak…
“Luigi, you led a vigorous life, and became the most popular barkeep in the City by the Bay. You were loved by all, and you loved back just a little too hard. Mom always said I was her Coocoo Boy, and you were her Pride & Joy. And I always knew you would be mayor of San Francisco one day, but God wanted you more. The little rabbit that resides here amongst your ashes seems to have inherited your bravery as he just stared down our dog. You made the world a better place when your candle was burning bright, and you still imbue a warm glow in my heart. May you rest comfortably there in eternal peace.”
And we tossed our wildflowers onto the snow-swept, heaven-bound ashes of my little brother, Luigi…
Submitted by North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Tia Rancourt
As Labor Day weekend approaches, marking the end of summer and changing of seasons, we encourage our visitors and locals to plan ahead and recreate responsibly, keeping safety first.
Summer fire restrictions are still in place around the Lake Tahoe Basin, and they differ depending on Fire District as well as state and federal lands. Find your fire district and educate yourself on the current fire restrictions in your area.
Check the weather before participating in outdoor activities. The National Weather Service (NWS) Reno issues Red Flag Warnings to alert land management officials and fire agencies when the potential of critical weather that could lead to wildfire activity.
Boaters, swimmers, hikers, and bikers – check out these safety tips to keep you safe while you recreate!
Boaters:
Wear a life jacket – U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities, and that 85% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
Never go boating under the influence – it is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths.
Use an engine cut-off switch (a safety device that stops a powerboat engine should the operator, or even passenger, unexpectedly fall overboard. Using the engine cut-off switch can prevent propeller injuries and deaths).
Make a float plan – let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Watch the weather – the weather can change quickly at Lake Tahoe, look at the forecast beforehand.
Know what is always going on around you.
Know where you are going and travel at safe speeds – observe local boating speed zones.
Stay connected – have more than one communication device that works when wet.
Swimmers:
Wear a life jacket
Enter the water slowly and feet first. Cold water shock can cause a powerful gasp reflex, which can make it difficult to breathe.
Never swim alone. Have a friend or family member with you in case you need help.
Check the weather for strong wind conditions.
Here are some additional tips for staying safe in cold water:
Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Wear a wetsuit or other appropriate clothing to stay warm.
Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs can impair your judgment and coordination, making it more difficult to stay safe in cold water.
Know your limits. If you are not a strong swimmer, do not go into the water alone.
Be prepared for anything. The weather can change quickly at Lake Tahoe, so be prepared for anything.
Hikers and bikers:
Know before you go – whether hiking or biking, have a good understanding of the level of difficulty of the trail you are taking and a realistic understanding of your own abilities. How far is it? What is the elevation gain?
First Aid – Take a basic first-aid class.
Bring food and water.
Plan what you want to bring based on the weather forecast and how far you are going and what your needs are.
Pack it in, pack it out – Lake Tahoe is a national treasure. Do your part to help keep it that way.
The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is committed to keeping our community safe. If you see something, say something, and call 911 immediately.
We had an early taste of colder weather, but it should be a nice weekend for all of the activities going on.
THE WEEKEND STARTS EARLY with the Tastes of Tahoe tomorrow night at the Chateau. This longstanding event is put on by PEO, a philanthropic organization that raises money for scholarships. Tickets available at The Potlatch (Raley’s shopping area).
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES…
Village Ski Loft has their annual sale. It’s a classic. GO, even if you don’t ski.
Mountain Hardware and Sports has specials all weekend too! Shop their summer stuff…summer is not officially over until September 21. But it may be worth your while to go to Truckee for their annual garage sale….think really good deals on everything that should have sold and didn’t.
ALL of the grocers have specials….check out Raleys, Grocery Outlet, and Natural Grocers. They are all working hard for business. Personally, I find reasons to go to all of them!
Happy Tiers…Always a good place to go on a holiday weekend. Did you know they have a Cake of the Month Club?! Would someone please put me on their list one month? My birthday is June, but I can celebrate life any month of the year!
Incline Liquor…They have a new owner, longtime local Brendan Donovan. If you haven’t ever been there,(MUCH improved interior), check it out. He’s in that little plaza with Incline Cleaners and Mountain Workspace.
Umpqua Bank – Sept 5…come and meet the new branch manager at Umpqua Bank, Aundira Hernandez.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ROTARY CLUB
I hope you have already bought your ducks, because the Duck Drop happens on Monday morning at the parking lot at Aspen Grove. If you have grandchildren in town, they will love seeing the fire truck dropping the ducks! Only in a small town….
SUPPORT LOCAL ART
Be a part of the community mural at Natural Grocers. Local artist Sara Smith has created a mural that embodies the values of our mountain community AND this health-driven store. The public is invited to participate in completing the aspen trees on the bottom. No prior experience or skill is required! Just be part of the community for a few moments and leave your mark on that mural.
I hope you are getting the message….our community WANTS you to be involved! Just say Yes!
Tahoe Living – Take part in shaping the future of our Lake Tahoe community!
August 27, 2024 | Member Submitted
What is “Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin?”
At the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), we recognize that affordable housing is vital for the health of our communities and environment. Many who live and work in the Lake Tahoe Basin are affected by the housing crisis, particularly workers who must commute in from neighboring cities and those who experience sub-standard housing conditions.
To address this, TRPA has embarked on a multiyear project to update the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan, making housing more accessible while maintaining and improving environmental protections.
The Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project promotes equity and climate resilience through improved growth management and meaningful community engagement. Together, we can ensure that everyone in Lake Tahoe has access to affordable, sustainable housing in thriving communities and a healthy environment.
Connections 2050 – The Vision for Lake Tahoe’s Transportation System SURVEY
August 27, 2024 | Member Submitted
Survey for TRPA Connections 2050 – Member Submitted – TRPA
The Connections 2050 Regional Transportation Plan will identify a broad range of projects, programs, and strategies needed to improve Tahoe’s transportation system through 2050. This plan creates a vision for a comprehensive transportation system that seeks to reduce congestion and preserve Tahoe’s environment.
Please help us prioritize transportation projects for the next 25 years, given limited funding. You have a hypothetical $500* to allocate to transportation projects and you may only vote once.
*These numbers are hypothetical, but proportional to costs. Actual amounts will be significantly more.
Natural Grocers® Teams Up With Local Artist, Sara L. Smith for Inspiring Mural Project in Incline Village, NV
August 27, 2024 | Member Submitted
News Provided by Natural Grocers, 08/22/24
Community members are invited to take part in a collaborative mural project on Saturday, August 31, from 10 AM – 2 PM at the new Natural Grocers location at 873 Tahoe Blvd.
LAKEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Natural Grocers®, the leading family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer in the U.S., is excited to announce a vibrant new partnership with Sara L. Smith, a distinguished local artist and community advocate, for a multi-stage, large-scale mural project that showcases the unique flora and fauna of Incline Village. The collaboration will bring a fresh burst of creativity and community spirit to the newest Natural Grocers store located at 873 Tahoe Blvd. Incline Village, NV 89451.
NATURAL GROCERS OF INCLINE VILLAGE & SARA SMITH
Serving communities with a wide range of natural and organic options since 1955, Natural Grocers proudly opened its doors to support the Incline Village area on July 31, 2024. The company, ever conscious of its environmental impact, built the Incline Village store from the ground up using sustainable building features and energy-saving innovations, such as non-toxic building materials and 100% LED lighting. Partnering with a local artist to beautify the outside of the building was part of the plan early on.
“We started focusing on opening a store in Incline Village almost five years ago. As plans progressed, it became evident that we would have ourselves a large canvas,” said Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing at Natural Grocers. “Natural Grocers is dedicated to fostering community engagement, and we strive to support local artists, anytime we can. Sara’s vision not only adds a beautiful artistic element to our store but also encourages our customers to connect with the local environment and each other. Partnering with Sara aligns perfectly with our commitment to community, our focus on regenerative agriculture and our company’s ecologically thoughtful practices and products.”
A SNEAK PEEK WITH SMITH
Smith attended Natural Grocers’ Grand Opening event on July 31 and spoke with the crowd about her vision for the mural and the partnership. Smith brought a small-scale watercolor rendition of the mural project, which was later displayed for customers and Natural Grocers’ good4u® Crew to admire as they were walking in and out of the store.
Smith explained the project saying, “This mural was inspired by the local flora and fauna of the Lake TahoeBasin, particularly our local pollinators. The scene will include a black bear mother and cub, as well as local butterflies and bee species, all being supported by native plants and a healthy ecosystem. As residents and visitors, we can support our wild neighbors by practicing good stewardship of this beautiful place…including supporting chemical free ground and floral habitat for our pollinators around our homes, and by practicing proper food and trash management to keep bears and other wild animals healthy and safe.
“I am grateful for the generous help of a specialist from UC Davis, Rachel Vannette, who gave her time to help educate me regarding local pollinator species and the plants and habitats they need to thrive, which we can easily support in our home gardens. The way we care for our own bodies with healthy food, exercise, and clean water, we can also care our wider ecosystem, and the health of the people and animals within it.”
Several students from the recent “Talisman of the Watershed” workshop series, which was funded by a California Creative Corps grant and taught in partnership with local artist Troy Corliss, have been assisting with elements of the mural, which began on August 5, 2024. The base color priming was done by Kelly Brothers Painting.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION EVENT
Natural Grocers and Smith would like to invite all members of the community to celebrate Tahoe’s beauty and magic and add something to the lower section of the project on Saturday, August 31st, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Labor Day weekend.
The event will be led by Smith and will take place at the ground-level aspen grove sections at the front of the store. “Aspens symbolize our interconnectedness,” says Smith. “By coming together to create, we transform a simple project into a shared experience that reflects our collective spirit and creativity. All ages are welcome, so come contribute and add your mark. Together, beautiful things are possible!”
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers’ flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its “Commitment to Community” and “Commitment to Crew”. In fiscal year 2023, the Company invested $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. With the addition of its newest store in Incline Village, Natural Grocers has 169 stores in 21 states, with its headquarters in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.
Come enjoy the FUN with the Rotary Club of Incline Village at their 24th Annual Duck Fundraising event! Perfect activity for the whole family. Our amazing North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District crew will be dropping hundreds of rubber ducks on a target to win big cash prizes. Buy your Duck Tickets at a sales table on weekends at Mountain Ace Hardware and Grocery Outlet sidewalk and during regular business hours at Incline Cleaners all in Incline Village. All proceeds will go to Rotary projects in our community and globally.
Buy your Duck Tickets online at our website – link below – click on the ticket.
https://tahoerotary.org
WHEN: Labor Day 9/2/24; Drop starts at 9am and completes by 10:30am
WHERE: Lower Green – Aspen Grove, INCLINE VILLAGE
WHO: Rotary Club of Incline Village – Noon We are so grateful to our partners, NLTFPD, IVGID, Mountain ACE Hardware, Grocery Outlet, and Incline Cleaners!!
Contact Lu Sweeney at lurn@me.com for questions and details
In The News – Calif. Employers Association co-hosts joint employers summit with Nev. Association
August 26, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Sierra Sun, 08/26/2024, Submitted
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – California Employers Association is co-hosting the California-Nevada Employers Summit: Navigating Success Across State Lines with the Nevada Association of Employers (NAE) on October 3-4, 2024, at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, Nev. 89451.
The Summit is designed for employers looking to stay informed and compliant with the unique employment laws in California and Nevada. This event will provide the latest updates and essential details to help employers navigate the many new as well as different regulations in each state.
After the legal insights, the event will feature a dynamic speaker discussing the importance of leading with intention in the workplace. This engaging presentation will offer practical tips and strategies to cultivate a purposeful and positive leadership style, so attendees leave with valuable knowledge and inspiration to implement in their organization.
In The News – Community Foundation in Tahoe awards nearly $400,000 in grants to local nonprofits
August 24, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/23/2024, Submitted
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Through the generosity of its donors, Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has once again broken its record on competitive grants made! The Community Foundation is proud to announce that it has granted nearly $400,000 through its Community Impact Grants in 2024, benefiting nonprofit organizations in the Lake Tahoe basin.
These annual competitive grants allow nonprofit organizations to request support focused on the Community Foundation’s five focus areas: well-being, education, arts and culture, environment, and community engagement. Volunteer members serving on the Community Foundation’s Community Impact Committee review each grant proposal and award the most impactful opportunities.
Last year, the Community Foundation expanded this opportunity by inviting its Donor Advised Fund holders to co-invest in the Community Impact Grants by providing summaries of the proposals and giving them the opportunity to make grant recommendations from their funds. These co-investments, when combined with the Community Foundation’s funds, have led to back-to-back record setting years for Community Impact Grants.
