Having observed the many fascinating features of mankind for 82 years now, I have come to believe that we are one warring tribe, constrained only by mothers, wives, and an occasional daughter. With the possible exception of Joan of Arc, women are the peacekeepers. They keep the home fires burning.

In the past few years the Russian quest for empire in Ukraine has cost a million killed or wounded. How can we read such a staggering number without a visceral reaction? We can, and we do. 

The story of Adam & Eve is enduring because there were only two of them. Perhaps if we were to annihilate ourselves down to a remaining two, one of those two, guess which one, might show some concern. 

Warfare has become so sterile we seldom ever even see the eyes of the foe anymore. Where we used to grab an adversary by the beard to teach him a lesson, today it’s, “Send In The Drones!” Russia claims it can produce 4,000 drones a day. All too suddenly the skies are filled with snipers that hover over a battlefield for 45 minutes before swooping in for the kill.

The year 2025 has delivered A.I. driven mini-submarines, fighter jets and cockroach spies to the business of warfare. In our highly combustible world, computer vision and robotic killing machines are now accessible, mass-producible and affordable, thus making the third year of war in Ukraine deadlier than the first two years combined.

Mark Twain told us, “No civilization can be perfect until exact equality between man and woman is included.” I might like to take that a bridge further, “No civilization can be perfect until rule by women is empowered.”

Let’s face it men, we are too quick to turn to violence to settle our grievances. I confess to having said it myself once in a tavern as a young man, “Don’t make me come over there!” Then again, I fought in Vietnam in the Marine Corps for no good reason. We’re friends with them now, in fact, the white suit I’ll be wearing tomorrow night while speaking as Mark Twain, was made in Vietnam…

Testosterone is the culprit in the arena of increased aggression. And so we hear the expression, “That’s anger on testosterone.”

I saw a thought-provoking piece of Judy Chicago’s art recently that simply asked, “What if women ruled the world?” It caused me to think about the possibility, remote as it may be, and I hope it might cause you to think about it too. 

With congratulations to President Trump for his good work in brokering a ceasefire in the Middle East, we have left the ruling of our world up to men for far too long, while the weapons of war have increased in their lethality. We don’t want an unthinkable WWIII. So if we can get this done before we blow ourselves up, wouldn’t it be nice? 

What If Women Ruled the World?

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

Submitted by TRPA, 10/14/2025

Quick actions by boaters and paddlers this year helped prevent the dangerous golden mussel and other aquatic invasive species from entering the Lake Tahoe watershed, according to agencies leading the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), which manage the watercraft inspection program, reported that inspectors performed more than 4,700 decontaminations in 2025, a 60 percent increase compared to the previous year. 

Inspectors attribute the dramatic jump in decontaminations to actions taken earlier this year to confront the threat of golden mussels, a new and highly invasive mollusk discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta of California one year ago. 

In March 2025, the agencies enacted mandatory decontaminations in addition to the mandatory inspections that have been required since 2008. A required stop at one of three regional inspection stations only applies to vessels that don’t have an intact inspection seal from their last haul out from Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, or Echo Lakes. 

This season, trained watercraft inspectors intercepted 72 watercraft traveling to Tahoe with aquatic invasive species, 14 of which had invasive mussels onboard.

2025 by the numbers:

4,700 motorized vessels decontaminated

72 vessels intercepted with AIS on board

14 interceptions of invasive mussels 

60% of boats arrived Clean, Drained, and Dry

Since 2008:

123,000 watercraft inspected

“Our inspectors were on the front lines of defense against golden mussels, which brought a strong sense of purpose and exceptional teamwork,” said Thomas Boos, AIS prevention coordinator at TRPA. “We are grateful to our inspectors, boaters, and partners for keeping Lake Tahoe and surrounding waterbodies protected as we face this new threat.”

If introduced, golden mussels would irreversibly harm Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem, recreation, and water quality. Since their discovery last year, golden mussels have already been detected as far south as Silverwood Lakenear San Bernardino. 

Tahoe Keepers Clean, Drain, Dry their gear

Protecting the Tahoe Basin from invasive species extends beyond the watercraft inspection stations. Agencies and partner organizations rallied this season to augment non-motorized outreach and stewardship programs to reduce the risk of transport on kayaks, paddleboards, and fishing equipment. From billboards, to an interactive exhibit, to a chance-to-win campaign, partners in the basin broadcast one clear message: Clean, Drain, Dry all gear to protect the lake.

2025 non-motorized prevention by the numbers:

800 new Tahoe Keepers certified

4 free CD3 machines located around the lake

4 roving inspectors:

10,000 craft inspected

17,000 people connected

30 beaches protected

Since 2008:

• 8,300 Tahoe Keepers certified

The free Tahoe Keepers training program saw one of its biggest years for new certifications and the addition of a fourth roving inspector helped thousands of recreators learn how to Clean, Drain, and Dry their gear.

“It wasn’t until I worked at the watercraft inspection station that I saw how vulnerable the lake is to invasive species,” said Leland Li, a watercraft inspector turned roving inspector. “The folks I talk to are the same—people care and want to protect the lake but may not be aware of all the threats. When beachgoers are educated, they spread the word to others and amplify the effect of our work.”

Winter Operations Begin

Mandatory inspections and decontaminations continue to be essential in protecting the Jewel of the Sierra. To maintain access for boaters visiting in the winter, inspection and decontamination will only be available by appointment on select Wednesdays at the Meyers, Calif. inspection station. Winter inspections have shifted away from the year-round launch ramps, however boats with an intact Tahoe inspection seal can go straight to the ramp. Appointments for winter decontamination can be made at TahoeBoatInspections.com/appt.

Images

Image: Roving Inspector McKenzie Arave shows a paddler a vial of preserved invasive species to help convey the importance of Clean, Drain, and Dry protocols. Rovers made contact with 17,000 beachgoers this summer. Photo by Ludovic Fekete, Clean Up the Lake.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Leaving an abusive situation can be especially tough in mountain communities like ours, where geographic isolation, limited housing, and the reality that “everyone knows everyone” can create unique barriers. While the federal government may be shut down, our doors are open, our team is here, and our services remain available to every community member who needs them.

Last week the Truckee Town Council honored our domestic violence advocates and gave their official proclamation acknowledging our team’s support for survivors across the North Tahoe region. I hope you’ll join us for our DVAM Purple Walk in downtown Truckee on October 16, a powerful reminder that no one has to walk this path alone. Our team is deeply committed and uniquely equipped to support survivors and we hope to see you there! 

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are creating a community where every person has the opportunity to live in safety, with dignity and hope.

During the third quarter of 2025, IVCBA continued to strengthen its role as the voice and connector for the Incline Village and Crystal Bay businesses and community. 

Communications & Marketing

Marketing and communication efforts expanded significantly this quarter to further support local business visibility and community connection. The SnapShot subscriber list grew to over 3,300, representing a 34% increase from Q2, and newsletter advertising opportunities became available, providing members with a new way to reach local audiences. 

A major milestone this quarter was the launch of the Printed Merchant Map, distributed throughout town with stickers and QR codes linking to IVCBA’s new Digital Map, developed in partnership with Travel North Tahoe Nevada. This interactive online guide highlights local businesses, providing both visibility and SEO value for members. IVCBA also continued to build collaborative relationships with community agencies and businesses. 

Membership, Programs & Events

Membership engagement remained strong in Q3, with a continued focus on outreach, relationship building, and program development. Eleven new members joined, and sixty three their memberships. The new Business Network Happy Hour launched in August at Alibi Ale Works, quickly becoming a monthly tradition held on the first Thursday of each month at rotating venues such as Raley’s and Bowl Incline.

The popular Member Highlight feature continued to drive engagement, with positive feedback from both featured members and the broader community. The new Mi Comunidad Council launched successfully, hosting two meetings, one with an enthusiastic turnout and another with a smaller but engaged group.

Community connection remained at the heart of IVCBA’s events this quarter. 

• VIP Reception on September 9 introduced new leaders to the community 
• Member Social on September 14
• Biz Buz Mixer with Pet Network on September 26 

Each event reinforced IVCBA’s commitment to fostering collaboration and meaningful relationships among local businesses and residents.

Housing Committee

Affordable and workforce housing continued to be a priority throughout Q3. IVCBA encouraged attendance at TRPA’s Housing Workshop in July and welcomed a presentation from the St. Joseph Land Trust on its innovative TAHOE Program, designed to help local residents purchase the homes they currently rent. The presentation, held on September 15, provided valuable insights into how partnerships can help address housing challenges in our community.

Main Street Beautification

Beautification and placemaking efforts remained active this quarter under the Incline Village Main Street initiative. A new Main Street webpage was launched to share updates and engage the community. A gathering space was also developed below Crosby’s at Christmas Tree Village, creating a welcoming area for residents and visitors. Throughout the summer, terra cotta pots and hanging baskets were mostly successfully maintained, thanks to community and volunteer efforts.

The annual Main Street stakeholder meeting was held in August, bringing together local partners to discuss ongoing improvements. A major highlight of the quarter was the launch of the Sierra Giving Circle, which raised a preliminary $200,000 during its inaugural “Roots to Revitalization” fundraising dinner on September 14. Donations were made through IVCBA’s charitable partner, the Incline Tahoe Foundation, supporting future beautification and revitalization projects.

Gateway Roundabout Improvements

Progress continued on the Gateway Roundabout enhancement project. Lefrancois Engineering presented its 30% completion plans to NDOT, and the designs received verbal approval from the Main Street Committee to move forward. Construction and landscaping improvements are scheduled for Spring 2026, marking a major step toward improving this key community entryway.

Looking Ahead to Q4

Building on the momentum of Q3, IVCBA will continue to drive connection, visibility, and community progress in the months ahead. Upcoming priorities include:

• Monthly IVCBA Networking Happy Hours
• Fall Fest – October 11 at the Village Center
• Joint NTCA + IVCBA Mixer – November 13 at Alibi Ale Works
• Workforce Housing Series: “Housing Insecurity in Paradise: New Solutions to a Chronic Problem” – November 17
• LIVE.WORK.PLAY Fall/Winter Issue release
• Northern Lights Celebration:  Candy Cane Village on December 6 is expanding to include a Community Giving Tree, a “forest” of giving trees for nonprofits. Jingle & Mingle events at local shops on December 13th. 

IVCBA Staff

IVCBA’s dedicated team continues to support community growth, member engagement, and strategic initiatives across Incline Village and Crystal Bay:

• Michael O’Neill, Operations Manager – Oversees membership, office operations, Biz Buz mixers, member socials, and welcome bags.
• Kristin Derrin, Marketing & Communications Manager – Editor of SnapShot and Live.Work.Play; leads all marketing and communications.
• Julie Malkin-Manning, Events Manager (Sugarpine Events & Marketing) – Coordinates all IVCBA community events.
• Linda Offerdahl, Executive Director – Leads organizational strategy and community partnerships.