Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 01/20/2025, Written by Anna Kristina Moseidjord

During the last storm of 2024, a small but dedicated group of Tahoe surfers spent the day surfing frigid waves near Incline Village. The group, mostly born and raised in North Lake Tahoe, are some of only a few surfers who surf storm-generated waves on the lake. 

“There’s very few people who want to be out there,” says Westan Lubin, one of several Truckee locals who was out a couple weeks ago. “It’s an awesome experience whenever you can surf the lake because everyone that’s out there is just super excited — and you have to be excited, like be super amped, or else you’re freezing.”

The conditions for surfing the lake are rare, and are an inherently intense time to be out on the lake.

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Photo Credit: Martin Gollery Tahoe Surfing

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 1/20/2025, Written by Leah Carter

Local agencies are forging ahead with plans to expand access within the State Route 28 Corridor and reduce reliance on private automobiles.  The plans are part of a series of initiatives to expand access to existing trails through new parking lots and transport options, improve safety and reduce reliance on private automobiles.

The most recent developments in these plans are primarily funded through a $24 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. This funding supports the next immediate phase of the State Route 28 Corridor Management plan, which will see the completion of several accessibility points from Sand Harbor State Park to Thunderbird Cove, one of the most popular recreation areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

“Our goal in SR28 is to build another 1.8 miles of trail beginning at Sand Harbor State Park,” said Jim Marino, the Deputy District Manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. The trail, he says, won’t be at lake level. “It will be up where the East Shore Trail is now, not on the lake line.”

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“A Groovy Kind of Love” is a brand-new song to me in this year of 2025, as I had never heard of “The Mindbenders,” at least not until I landed on a music station that featured music of the 60’s, and wondrously discovered a few of the hits I missed while I was in the Marine Corps. I don’t have to look to the wall in Washington to remember the real losses, but it gave me a lift to hear a few of the singles that were popular while I was gone. The Monkees’ Greatest Hits never made it to Cam Lo, nor did the Supremes, “You Can’t Hurry Love,” not to mention, “96 Tears” by the Mysterians…

No, the only song I remember hearing in thirteen months over there in the Nam was sung by an old Montagnard woman, whose teeth were stained brown from chewing so many betelnuts. I’ll never forget her heavy accent…

“Nine, ten, eleben o’cock, we gonna Cock-a-Doodle-Do!”

Then she smiled a smile that would scare a cat. Well, it was enough to bring a tear to my eye, for it was the first and last music I would hear in thirteen months over there. I wanted to hug her but was afraid she might shoot me.

The first thing I did when I rotated home in ’67 was to thank God, and the next thing I did was to turn on the radio, find some popular ’67 music, and turn it up. That’s when Aretha Franklin stole my heart and stomped it flat. I still listen to, “I Say a Little Prayer,” even today.

And when Aretha got together with Ray Charles, well, that was, and still is, heaven on earth to me.

Nowadays I count on live music to keep me in a good humor, and we have an abundance of it here at the north shore of Lake Tahoe, music from the talented likes of Donna Axton, James Rawie, Susan Horst, Patty Gegenheimer, Linda Pittman, and Mary Collins to mention a few…

As the news director that lies fallow inside of me, I would like to interview Vladimir Putin, and the first question I will ask him will be, “Mr. President, what music do you listen to?”

My guess is he might stare at me for thirty seconds before answering abruptly, “Next question!” And therein lies the problem. World leaders should be required to listen to a half-hour of music a day, their choice, though I would like to squeeze a little Aretha Franklin in there, given the chance. Were we all to listen to half an hour of music a day I have to believe we would be having more block parties and fewer acts of violence in this smoldering world of ours…

In closing, I will stand by my maxim, when it comes to judging the sixties in America, we can feel confident and satisfied in boasting, “We had the best music!” 

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

Submitted by Millie Szerman

A new 3-class series of Mah Jongg instruction starts January 25th! If you’re interested in learning this age-old tile game or if you just want to brush up on your skills, Millie Szerman will be teaching Mah Jongg at the Incline Community Center (next to the library) in Incline Village.

Join Millie on the following Saturdays, starting at 10:30 a.m. until Noon:

January 25, February 1, and February 8.

A charge of $20 for the series of three classes will include printed materials, as well as a copy of the current 2024 card which is ESSENTIAL for this game. Pre-registration is a MUST! For more information, please contact Millie at 775-833-3311 or email MillieSz746@gmail.com. 

Originally Published in the Sierra Sun, 1/10/2025, Written by Zoe Meyers

For pet owners in the Tahoe Basin facing impossible choices between unaffordable veterinary care and losing their companions, the Village Pet Foundation (VPF) has emerged as a beacon of hope. Founded in July 2023 by a dedicated group of animal welfare volunteers, this nonprofit is rewriting the narrative for families in financial distress, saving pets from euthanasia and giving them a second chance at life.

“Usually when I talk to people, they’re at their wits’ end. Their pets are dying. They can’t afford it. They’re just looking for help,” Pat Abbey, Founder and Chairperson of VPF, said.

In just 18 months, the organization has saved 78 pets, far surpassing its initial goal of aiding 25 animals per year. These rescues include cases like Oso, a nine-year-old Labrador mix rescued from a suspected dog fighting ring. Oso’s life took a turn for the better when VPF funded her emergency care, ensuring her safety and recovery.

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Photo: Gordo swallowed a piece of clothing. The obstruction was situated so that he could drink but not eat. His loving mom tried for weeks to get Gordo treated but couldn’t afford the surgery costs as a single mother of four. VPF immediately stepped up and paid for all his vet care. Provided / Pat Abbey