Sustain Tahoe is proud to announce the expansion of its Bear Aware Campaign with a new round of the popular bear magnets to promote awareness and responsible coexistence with Tahoe’s black bears. The initial success of the bear magnets (that easily stick and peel off any metal surface, like cars and bear boxes) has inspired a renewed push to print and distribute at least 13,000 more before summer, ensuring that the message of bear conservation reaches even more locals and visitors.

Tahoe is bear country. Long before people settled in the region, black bears roamed freely—and they still do today. However, their survival now depends on human awareness and action. Sustain Tahoe’s Bear Aware magnetic stickers serve as a visual reminder that there are, in fact, bears. So drive carefully, secure food properly, and respect bear habitats while hiking and picnicking. The campaign aims to reduce bear-human conflicts and protect these iconic creatures.

To fund this next phase, Sustain Tahoe is seeking 50 businesses or individuals to raise $10,000 a year to keep this campaign active. Higher quantities mean lower production costs, allowing more magnets to be spread across more vehicles, bear boxes, bikes, and gear throughout the Tahoe watershed and beyond.

How Businesses and Individuals Can Help:
For a $200 annual donation, supporters will receive:

·       Their business logo and information featured on the Bear Aware web page

·       Inclusion in press releases about the campaign

·       A customized appreciation plaque to display in their business

·       Increased brand visibility, as each sticker includes a QR code linking to the Bear Aware campaign, extending the reach of this important message

Donations are tax-deductible, participating businesses gain valuable exposure by contributing to the protection of Tahoe’s cherished black bears., making this initiative a win-win for both the environment and local businesses.

Get Involved Today

Visit: www.sustaintahoe.org/tahoe-bears.html
Select “Jasper’s Memorial Campaign”
Donate $200 to become a Bear Aware member

Working together we can attempt to help Tahoe become a safe and thriving habitat for our beloved black bears while fostering a community committed to environmental stewardship.

About Sustain Tahoe

Sustain Tahoe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering responsible tourism and environmental awareness in the Lake Tahoe region. Through initiatives like the Bear Aware Campaign, Sustain Tahoe aims to educate and inspire both residents and visitors to engage in sustainable practices that protect Tahoe’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Jacquie Chandler

Sierra Senior Services (SSS) was formed in 2001 out of a service club project in Truckee to bring Meals on Wheels (MOW) to our region.  The program has grown steadily over the years to include Truckee, Kings Beach, Tahoe City, the West Shore, Olympic Valley, and Incline Village and Crystal Bay.  SSS operates a commercial kitchen and congregate dining site in Truckee which will produce over 45,000 fresh, nutritionally balanced meals this year.  

The MOW program expanded to Incline Village and Crystal Bay in June 2013 with 3 initial participants.  It has continued to grow and hit a new peak on February 18, 2025 of 22 active participants (probably over 200 people helped over the years).  We will be splitting Incline Village into 2 dedicated routes starting Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  SSS has received a vehicle donation for the expansion, but needs to increase its volunteer driver base for Incline Village and Crystal Bay from 8 to 15 as quickly as possible.

The role of an Incline Village/ Crystal Bay volunteer driver looks like this:

1) Arrive at the Village Church parking lot at 11:15 AM

2) Enter the combination on the lockbox on the tree to access the MOW car key

3) Enter your information and beginning mileage on the car’s mileage log clipboard

4) Drive to Kings Beach meeting point to exchange empty ice chest, hot bags, and route binder for current day’s food and route binder.

5) Use paper route binder or the electronic phone AP routing software to deliver the specified meals to 8-15 participant’s homes (food is generally received by participants at their front doors with exchange of greetings and determination that everything seems good).

6) Deliveries and paperwork are usually completed by 1:15 PM and you can enjoy the free lunch provided to volunteers.

Most volunteer drivers find the experience very rewarding and often couples work as a team.  Volunteers usually drive the same day each week or fill in open days as needed.  The SSS staff is responsible for filling the shifts Tuesday through Friday (with frozen meals available for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday delivered on Friday) so volunteers are free to pick the days they drive.

More information about Sierra Senior Services and a volunteer application can be found at : sierraseniors.org or by contacting Lorena at 530-550-7600 to arrange an informational ride along.  Volunteer drivers must be fingerprinted for senior safety and will be trained by SSS.

This program has helped many of your friends, neighbors, and members over the years.  Please help us find additional volunteer drivers so we can continue to offer the same quality program and have capacity to serve our growing senior population.

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 02/24/2025, Staff Report

Additional mental health therapists added to the team at Tahoe Family Solutions.

Tahoe Family Solutions (TFS) has long provided mental health and psychiatric care at low or no cost in the Tahoe basin. They are delighted to announce the addition of two new therapists to the team, including one who is bilingual/bi-cultural. 

While long-time and cherished Patrick Keilty, MFT remains on the team until his retirement at the end of 2025, the addition of Katie O’Hara, MA, CPC-1 and Lesley de la Riva Longoria, MFT-I, CADC-I allow us to expand our availability to additional individuals and families who seek services in the beginning of March, including those for whom Spanish is their first language. In addition, there is ample time to transition those currently seeking services to the new therapists and provide seamless continuity of care. Both O’Hara and de la Riva are skilled at working childhood through adulthood, families and couples, and those in crisis.

The American Psychological Association reported in 2023, “The Covid-19 pandemic era ushered in a new set of challenges for youth in the United States, leading to a mental health crisis as declared by the United States Surgeon General just over a year ago.” 

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