Some seek power, others seek fortune, others yet seek fame, but most folks just want to lead healthy, happy lives with their family, friends and neighbors. So how about a campaign to make America kind again, MAKA, a movement to encourage thinking with the heart ahead of algorithms and artificial intelligence.

We have a literary society in Carson City, “The Never Sweats,” and our common bond is, “Love of History and Love of Community.” We meet for lunch once a month to regale in conversation about books, essays, journalism and fanciful stories. One always comes away from these gatherings feeling smarter and better off. We can’t take on any new members at present, as we have filled the Mark Twain Room at the Fox to capacity.

Incline Village boasts a similar society, OLTAC, The Old Lake Tahoe Athletic Club, whose common bond is, “The older we get the better we were.” We gather together to watch sporting events on television or play poker while smoking cigars and sipping whiskey. Our motto is, “I don’t give a _____ what you think!” Yes we do swear on occasion, but our swearing is lighthearted, musical, and carries no guile. Not unlike the Never Sweats, OLTAC is camaraderie at its best.

Having friends in both of these first-rate societies, I feel I am a better person for the association, and yet I know little about any member’s political or religious beliefs. All I know about my pals for sure is that they are cultured, well-read, well-traveled, and kind.

So I think I’ll have some red baseball caps made up that say, MAKA and give one to each of our honorable Never Sweats and OLTAC members in good faith.

I have recently changed my voter registration to No Political Party, so I can better examine everybody else’s political and religious beliefs, and not try to push my political or religious beliefs onto anybody else. Just because someone has beliefs that are not congruous to our own, does not mean we have to dislike that person, or worse yet, consider them to be an enemy. We need to lighten up, show some compassion, and exhibit some kindness toward those who do not believe as we do.

On my journey toward making America kind again, I try to imbue my life with music, instrumentals mostly, though I do like Barbara Streisand’s words, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” And too, friends who lend a little light-hearted humor and warmth to my day are always appreciated. A kind word, a smile, a wave, a tip of the hat, these are gestures that carry goodwill and benevolence. Our world, our country, our community is sorely in need of more of these heartfelt gestures. 

So let us each be a living Statue of Liberty, in the spirit of that wonderful gift from France, and honor our American ideals, and liberty and democracy…

Audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 4/11/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

The bill goes by Senate Bill 83 this legislative session, but it’s not the first time a bill of this kind has seen Nevada legislative chambers. This bill, and those prior like it, are important for maintaining Lake Tahoe’s clarity, environmental health, and accessibility.

The reason—the bill is the mechanism that funds Nevada’s portion of the Environmental Improvement Program, which is a project-based multi-agency collaboration across both California and Nevada to improve Lake Tahoe’s environmental health.

“What we do is so critical to the environment of Lake Tahoe and restoring the lake and the basin,” Kevin Fromherz says with the Nevada Division of State Lands, which is the agency sponsoring the bill. “The success of this funding will be success of these projects.”

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Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 04/10/2025, Ted Owens

Forgotten document highlights the rotary club’s role in hospital’s creation

In preparation for Tahoe Forest Hospital District’s 75th Anniversary, a curious document was discovered in some old files.

A handwritten, three-page letter dated Oct. 10, 1951, to Tahoe Forest Hospital District Director Jim Sherritt. The motivation for the letter appears to be in response to a note Sherritt sent to “Hobie” Snider inquiring about how the whole quest for the hospital started. At the time, the hospital was not yet open; it was, in fact, still under construction.

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Courtesy Image: Moonshine Ink

Originally Published in Moonshine Ink, 04/10/2025, Written by Alex Hoeft

With a winter dialed in at 95% of normal snowpack as of press deadline, the dry days of 2025 are ahead. Folks, welcome to wildfire season.

The season typically starts in May each year, though Moonshine has quoted some people over the years talking about how the season is beginning to stretch on both ends beyond its traditionally recognized timeframe (May through November).

In this edition’s YATA, we take a look at which communities in our coverage area are “fire adapted,” meaning they’ve established such preparation efforts as packing go-bags, creating evacuation plans, and signing up for emergency alerts; and “Firewise,” a national program recognizing neighborhoods that have completed specific criteria as completing a wildfire risk assessment, 3-year action plan, and more. The two designations can be performed concurrently.

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Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/08/2025, Staff Report

Classical Tahoe returns for its 14th season from July 12 to Aug. 10, bringing four weeks of world-class orchestral, jazz and chamber music performances to North Lake Tahoe. The festival features 16 captivating concerts with an exceptional lineup of over 60 elite musicians, conductors, dancers and artists.  Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Tahoe, Classical Tahoe offers an intimate and immersive concert experience where music and nature harmonize to create unique performances. Events will be held at the Ricardi Pavilion at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and various venues throughout Incline Village. Tickets are available for purchase online here.

“Our open-air venues create a deep connection between music and nature. Over four immersive weeks, audiences can experience a diverse lineup, from jazz to ballet, symphony orchestra to chamber music,” said Laura Hamilton, Classical Tahoe artistic director. “Each performance is designed to be a ‘WOW’ moment that lingers long after the final note.”

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