In The News – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District receives $700k grant for emergency systems upgrades
August 10, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/10/2025, Staff Report
The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to support critical emergency systems enhancements throughout the District.
The grant supports NLTFPD’s ongoing efforts to modernize equipment and infrastructure, enhancing emergency communication and response systems to improve public safety and operational efficiency in the Incline Village and Crystal Bay communities. These upgrades will strengthen the District’s ability to respond to emergencies and build long-term community resilience.
“This generous funding is a significant step forward in advancing the District’s commitment to protecting life and property,” said Fire Chief Ryan Sommers. “We are deeply grateful to the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation for recognizing the importance of investing in community safety and for their ongoing support of our mission.”
In The News – New tech advances a decades long Tahoe algae monitoring program
August 8, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/08/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
Innovations at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center are taking its decades-long algae monitoring program to new heights with the help of two aerial assets. The advancements could have important implications in the future for public safety and recreation.
Previous monitoring was limited to diver sampling, but there’s only so much of the lake that divers can realistically cover. The program is now keeping tabs on the entire shoreline thanks to a helicopter and drone.
Lake Tahoe’s 72 miles of shoreline and 191 square miles of surface area make any type of monitoring challenging. “It’s a big lake,” Brandon Berry says, staff researcher at the center, “so, that’s where the tech comes into it.”
In The News – Thru the basin; A guide to thruhiking the Tahoe Rim Trail
August 8, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/08/2025, Written by Laney Griffo
There are many ways to experience and enjoy Lake Tahoe in the summer, from sunbathing on the beaches to splashing in the lake’s crystal clear waters. For those looking to hike, bike or take their equine friends into the woods, there are hundreds of miles of trails in and around the basin.
Nothing beats one of Tahoe’s more well-known trails, the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165+ mile single- track trail that takes users across alpine ridgelines, through wildflower meadows, and ancient forests, and to pristine high alpine lakes.
In The News – Not your typical ad: Billboards donated to raise awareness of Tahoe’s latest threat
August 7, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/07/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
Whether you arrive to Tahoe via Interstate 80, Interstate 580, or Highway 50, if you pay attention, you’ll notice billboards that differ from a typical ad. Rather than marketing a good or service, the billboards appeal to the desire to protect Lake Tahoe against its latest threat.
“STOP GOLDEN MUSSELS,” one such billboard reads in Reno, Nev.
Over the years, the Lake Tahoe basin has successfully prevented the introduction of other invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels, in large part due to strong policies and inspections, but the golden mussel is new player, spotted for the first time in North America in October.
Yes, in Finland around this time of year, they host a wife carrying contest. Here’s how it works in case you might like to consider entering. At the starting line you stand behind your wife, lift her up and have her sit on your shoulders, where she can then lean back with her knees hooked over your shoulders, and her feet pointing toward the starting line. Got the picture? Good. You might want to practice this technique at home with a physical therapist on hand.
As you can imagine, there are some basic rules to abide by, for example your wife must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 108 pounds. And if you two are divorced, that’s okay. You can even carry somebody else’s wife if you don’t have one yourself, and her husband happens to be out of town.
As a caveat, there is a water hazard along the course that is about one meter deep, which could place your wife’s head under water for a few seconds, so your wife might want to consider sporting nose plugs or perhaps a snorkel.
So how did this Finlandish contest get started, anyway? Well, I’ve heard it told, that in the last century Herko was having dinner with his wife Helmi when he broke out a bottle of Red Lingonberry Wine, which Helmi just happened to be allergic to. Well they consumed that bottle and were toasting to the abundance of grain that year, when Helmi broke into a heavy sweat and shouted, “Herco, get me to Sonkajärvi!”
Well, Sonkajärvi was about a half mile off, so with that, Helmi jumped onto Herco’s back, and off they went to Sonkajärvi!
Helmi survived, and the saga survived as well, enduring today as Finland’s Wife Carrying Championships.
So you might be wondering, what is the prize for winning the World’s Wife Carrying Championships? I thought you’d never ask. The grand prize is the winners’ total weight in beer. So next you might want to ask, “Hey, what if she doesn’t like beer?”
Well, she can change horses in the middle of the stream so to speak, and find a more magnanimous husband next year, with no hard feelings…
I know this is hard to believe, but matches made in heaven have been made while competing in this most singular competition. One couple, who had not met before race day, were married at the finish line by a man of the cloth, who was stationed there for just such an occasion. Happily, some compassionate Finns loaned the lady a decent dress, and the man some tolerable trousers. It was said that there was not a dry eye on that Finnish gravel track…
So there it is, your chance to see Finland, home of the Northern Lights.”
As wildfires grow more intense across the West, the North Shore of Lake Tahoe faces an urgent reality. Our community is surrounded by forest, beauty, and risk. But with action, collaboration, and local leadership, we can protect our homes, preserve our safety, and remain an insurable mountain town.
That’s why the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), with support from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) and other agencies, launched a community-led initiative to help neighborhoods become more fire-adapted.
What Is a Fire-Adapted Community?
A Fire-Adapted Community (FAC) is one where residents understand wildfire risk and take responsibility – individually and collectively – for reducing hazards. Neighborhoods and HOAs are encouraged to first become a Fire Adapted Community with support from the Tahoe RCD and NLTFPD. This unlocks access to resources like home evaluations, year-round chipping, defensible space guidance, educational materials, and help organizing clean-up events.
Once organized and actively engaged in fuel reduction, communities can apply for national recognition through the FireWise USA® program, which formalizes wildfire preparedness efforts and can help neighborhoods retain or even improve insurance coverage and premiums.
Lessons from Local Leaders: Success in Action
At The Village at Incline HOA on Country Club Drive, residents took on a major challenge. Their 30-unit complex, nestled in a forested, park-like setting, was surrounded by dense vegetation and over 200 highly flammable junipers. After consulting with an arborist and fire officials, a core group of homeowners – Shawn O’Hara, John Costa, Lauren Accinelli, and David Hoffman – developed a long-term fuel reduction plan. They cut the number of junipers in half, cleared vegetation within five feet of all buildings, and launched regular pine needle cleanups to maintain defensible space.
With support from the Tahoe RCD and NLTFPD, they became Incline’s first FireWise-recognized group in 2022, a step that helped maintain insurance and even earned premium discounts for some homeowners.
In Upper Tyner, residents Tom Millhoff, Caroline Peck, and Myles Riner developed a three-year plan to track yard waste, document defensible space work, and host clean-up days in their neighborhood of 370+ homes. Their efforts earned recognition as both a FireWise neighborhood and an official Fire Adapted Community – the first in Incline Village to achieve both.
These communities didn’t just protect their homes, they created templates others can follow. They’re even offering to share fuel reduction plans, data-tracking tools, and neighborhood survey templates with new leaders.
Where Fire Risk Is Rising
Fuels experts point to neighborhoods with south-facing slopes between 10–20 degrees as especially vulnerable, due to faster vegetation drying and higher ignition potential. Identifying leaders in these areas is a top priority this year for the NLTFPD.
But every homeowner can take immediate action. The most critical step? Clear your Ember Resistant Zone (ERZ) – the first 0 to 5 feet around your home. This area should be free of pine needles, flammable plants, stacked wood, or mulch. Instead, use gravel or other non-combustible materials. Post-fire studies show that homes with a maintained ERZ are far more likely to survive. It’s one of the most important steps any homeowner can take right now.
What You Can Do
You don’t have to go it alone. FAC and FireWise programs are built on community action. Whether you lead a cleanup, knock on doors, or help a neighbor clear brush, your efforts matter.
Here’s how to get involved:
Become a Fire Adapted Community or FireWise Leader. Tahoe RCD and NLTFPD will help organize, train, and connect you with other volunteers.
Educate neighbors. Pick up free emergency info fridge magnets at the fire station for community distribution and placement in vacation rentals.
Download the Smart911 App. Get emergency alerts and evacuation notices from Washoe County and Tahoe Alerts.
Host a yard clean-up day. Invite neighbors to clear pine needles, trim trees, and improve defensible space.
Track your progress. Metrics like hours worked or bags of debris help qualify your area for FireWise recognition.
Building a Safer Future
Wildfire resilience isn’t just the job of firefighters, it’s a community-wide commitment. From removing flammable landscaping to hosting block parties that build neighborly trust, small actions add up.
Hotel operators and short-term rental owners have a responsibility to help guests understand local fire conditions, safety expectations, and evacuation plans. Clear communication, through signage, welcome materials, or digital guides, can make all the difference in an emergency. We all play a vital role in keeping both visitors and the broader community safe.
If you want to help protect our mountain town, and keep it livable and insurable for generations to come, now is the time to act. Be the neighbor who sparks change.
To learn more or sign up as a neighborhood leader, contact the Tahoe RCD at 530-543-1501 x104 or visit www.tahoercd.org.
The Local Lens – Leadership, Service & Local Events
August 6, 2025 | Linda Offerdahl
Congrats to Captain Joseph Colacurcio who is now officially the captain of the Incline Substation of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Affectionately nicknamed “Cola”, he has spent many years working in Incline and being a positive leader in our community. Please also welcome Aaron Tracy, newly promoted to Lieutenant, second in command at the Incline Substation. Under the strong leadership of WCSO Sheriff Balaam, the substation does more than just “keep the peace”. Captain Cola, Lieutenant Tracy, and the deputies participate in community meetings and gatherings and help residents. Mark your calendars for the annual Sheriff’s picnic on September 27.
ROTARY CLUB NEWS
The TWO clubs in Incline are active in the community in many ways. I want to highlight two of them. The Morning club is conducting a food drive for the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission. Bring canned goods to the bin at the Rec Center. Labor Day will see the annual “Duck Drop” for the noon club. You can also thank Rotarians for the “Peace Park” in front of the Chevron station and the beautiful flowers at the bus shelters.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
It’s been a while since we have heard much about the projects in Crystal Bay. Get an update on the Cal Neva next Tuesday, Aug 12 at the Incline Library. Their website, www.revitalizecalneva.com will tell you that the completion date is a bit of a moving target, but sometime in 2027. This property is approaching 100 years of existence next year. With the recent news about the failed plans for the Biltmore to become a luxury hotel resort, the revitalized Cal Neva promises to bring a much-needed facelift, along with a new venue for both visitors and locals(and jobs!) to Crystal Bay.
INCLINE LIBRARY
To prepare for writing the Lens each week, I look at the calendar at IVCBA.org. The sheer number of offerings at the library is impressive. They have events/activities for all ages. If you are still entertaining summer guests, consider taking a break from the Lake, etc., and stop in.
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
Tahoe Philharmonic Presents “We Remember” – A 9/11 Memorial Concert Series Honoring Service, Unity, and Reflection
August 6, 2025 | Member Submitted
The Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus proudly presents We Remember, a powerful 9/11 memorial concert series that honors the lives lost, the bravery of first responders, and the enduring spirit of service in our Northern Nevada communities.
This year’s program features Mozart’s Requiem, one of the most profound and spiritually intense choral works ever written to honor the dead. A Requiem—from the Latin requies, meaning “rest”—is a musical setting of the Catholic Mass for the dead, traditionally performed to remember and reflect. Mozart’s Requiem expresses grief, reverence, and transcendence through its unforgettable choral and orchestral writing.
Also featured is Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a Romantic-era favorite known for its emotional lyricism and dramatic flair. The concerto will be performed by acclaimed guest violinist Jennifer Choi on the world-renowned “Firebird” Stradivarius, made in 1718. Its sweeping melodies and expressive beauty offer a moving contrast to the solemnity of the Requiem.
History of the 9/11 Memorial Concert
In the wake of 9/11, Maestro James Rawie was deeply moved to honor first responders through music. On September 11, 2002, he led the Puerto Rico Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra in three memorial performances of Brahms’ Requiem in San Juan, Ponce, and Guaynabo—concerts that also featured Beethoven’s immortal Fifth Symphony.
Maestro Rawie went on to found TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony in Lake Tahoe in 2006, where he continued the 9/11 Memorial Concert tradition for 19 consecutive years, beginning with Mozart’s Requiem. In 2024, Rawie founded the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, and now carries forward the tradition with this new ensemble. Each year, Maestro Rawie selects from among the four great Requiems—by Brahms, Verdi, Fauré, and Mozart.
For 2025, the first full season of Tahoe Philharmonic and the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, he has once again chosen Mozart’s Requiem.
Concert Dates & Locations:
Sunday, September 7, 4 PM – Reno Christian Fellowship, Reno
Wednesday, September 10, 7 PM – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Incline Village
Friday, September 12, 7 PM – St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, Reno
Sunday, September 14, 4 PM – St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Reno
We offer free admission as a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to those who dedicate their lives to the safety, health, and well-being of our community. From emergency personnel to medical teams, and from military members to veterans, these individuals embody courage, selflessness, and service. This concert series—rooted in remembrance and reflection—is our way of saying thank you.
“The 9/11 memorial concert is a tribute not just to memory, but to community,” says Debbie Sessions, soprano soloist. “Through music, we reflect, heal, and come together.”
In The News – IVGID appoints trustee to panel for new Director of HR
August 6, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/31/2025, Written by Leah Carter
Incline Village General Improvement District board members met to appoint a trustee to the interview panel for the Director of Human Resources, which is set to be filled over the coming months. Michelle Jezycki was unanimously approved for the role by all trustees present, but abstained. “I feel like it’s like voting for myself so I’ll abstain,” said Jezycki.
Trustee Mick Homan praised Jezycki’s human resources qualifications in the human resources field. “I would make a motion to appoint Michelle,” said Homan. “I think it’s pretty obvious to me she’s an HR professional and is equipped to do it.”
IVGID additionally hosted a community open-house, specifically regarding capital improvement projects including the Incline Beach House, effluent export pipeline, effluent storage tank and Snowflake Lodge.
Exciting News – Welcome Our New PIO, Andreina Quiroz!
August 6, 2025 | Member Submitted
Submitted by Tia Rancourt, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, 08/04/2025
We’re excited to share that Andreina Quiroz has officially stepped into the role of Public Information Officer for the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District!
Andreina has been part of our NLTFPD family since 2019, serving as our Executive Administrative Assistant and Board Secretary. Her strong communication skills, in-depth knowledge of the District, and passion for community engagement make her the perfect fit for this new role.
She began her PIO journey on July 29th and will be working side by side with me until August 22nd, which also marks my retirement date. During this transition, we’ll be working closely together to ensure a smooth handoff of all PIO duties.
Please join us in congratulating Andreina on her well-earned promotion and help give her a warm welcome as she takes on this exciting new chapter with NLTFPD!
