Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/28/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

Catherine Breed was already back to work the very next day after swimming over 60 miles around Lake Tahoe in just over five days.

“I think I’ll crash tonight, but I actually feel fine right now,” she said the day after she completed the swim.

She navigated the lake via The Lake Tahoe Water Trail, a 72-mile water route along the shoreline. A part of her goal with this swim was to draw attention and awareness to the trail, which offers day and overnight routes with wayfinding markers, campgrounds, as well as launch and landing sites posted along the entire route.

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Photo provided by Catherine Breed

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/28/2025, Staff Report

Keep Tahoe Blue has announced, Jean-Michel Cousteau, a world renowned oceanographer, is set to headline the first event in the environmental nonprofit’s 2025 Speaker Series, taking place at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe’s Wayne L. Prim Campus on Saturday, August 23.

Keep Tahoe Blue’s 2025 Speaker Series will feature innovators, pioneers, and changemakers in the fields of science, conservation, and sustainability at three events in the late summer and early fall. The speakers were selected to fascinate, inspire, and motivate people from all walks of life to better understand — then protect — not just Lake Tahoe, but treasured outdoor places around the globe.

The first keynote speaker is an explorer, diplomat, environmentalist, educator, film producer, author, architect, and diver. For over six decades, Jean-Michel Cousteau has dedicated himself to inspiring people of all generations and nations to act responsibly by protecting the ocean and our planet’s water ecosystems, which are so intricately connected to the survival of all life.

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Photo provided: Carrie Vonderhaar

Last week’s column reminded me of a love affair out there on Old Cape Cod…

To punish me I guess, our program director at WOCB sent me to a resort to host a remote broadcast of a backgammon tournament on a Sunday afternoon. My first reaction, which I kept to myself, was, “You’re condemning me to death by a thousand papercuts. I don’t even know how to spell backgammon!”

Well, I went, and that was this boy’s lucky day, for mine eyes fell upon her. She wore a fuzzy yellow sweater that highlighted the ringlets of dark curls that adorned her shoulders. I was bewitched, bewildered and speechless. But girding my courage, I approached her with microphone in hand, and asked if I could interview her. 

She waved both hands to shoo me away, then placed an index finger to her lips to signal she was speech impaired, which she was not…  

I fell irretrievably in love with her, set down my microphone, and asked if I could buy her an iced tea. She smiled and said yes. I then worked up my courage to ask her for a date on Monday evening for dinner and a show, to wit she told me she already had a date to attend the Bruins game. I was crushed, but she also told me she worked at a dress shop in Hyannis, so at least I knew where I might find her. Jane was her name.

That Monday evening I went to a new friend’s house for Monday Night Football and was put in charge of burgers on the grill outside. I shared with my new friends that the love of my new life, Jane, was at the Bruins game and my life was ruined.  Then, while I was outside tending the grill, I heard, “McAvoy, come in here! We switched over to the Bruins game during halftime, and a beautiful lady stood up in the stands with a sign that said, “I Love You, McAvoy!”

“Heaven take me now!” I howled, then returned to my grill with a smile and a spring in my step.

The next day I wandered downtown to look for her dress shop, found it, and there she was, looking gorgeous.

“That was really something special that you did last night.” I stammered.

“And what was that?” she sang along innocently.

“You know, the sign…”

“The sign?”

Abruptly, I realized I had been hoodwinked, and I resolved to avenge those who sent me on this fool’s errand… 

But what was gratifying and memorable about that hoodwinking is what she did next. Once she realized that I had been bamboozled by my friends in such a cruel manner, she purloined from my program director, my Boston Marathon training route, went out there one morning, and planted a hand painted sign alongside my route that read, “I love you McAvoy!”  Well, when I came upon that sign my heart stopped beating and leaped into my throat… 

To be continued…

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

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/24/2025, Written by Leah Carter

The Nevada Division of State Parks hosted a public input workshop at the Spooner Lake visitor’s center last week to provide information on a new Master Plan for the Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park. 

While the workshop itself had just a few members of the public who attended—which rangers estimated at just around a dozen—an online form for feedback received over 700 responses. 

The aim of the plan is to provide a comprehensive management strategy for the state park over the next two decades. Staff are taking into account feedback regarding what kinds of trails should be built and where, and how to improve the recreational experience while meeting conservation goals. The plan will also take into account potential events and educational opportunities.

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Photo provided by Katelyn Welsh

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/24/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

Here are 11 business where your purchase can make an impact on Lake Tahoe
Whether it’s sipping a beer that benefits Tahoe or resting easy in a lodge that has kicked plastics to the curb, these businesses offer opportunities for you to join a collective effort to preserve, protect and “Keep Tahoe Blue.” 

That slogan may be familiar to you. It’s from the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s iconic “Keep Tahoe Blue” stickers, adhered to countless water bottles or bumpers, perhaps your own. 

The League to Save Lake Tahoe has been at the forefront in protecting and preserving Lake Tahoe since the organization’s formation in 1957. In one of its latest collaborative efforts, the League has partnered with like-minded businesses to compound Keep Tahoe Blue efforts with the creation of its Tahoe Blue Business Program. From practices that reduce carbon footprints or spread the word on responsible recreation to creative avenues of inspiring action, here are how these eco-minded Tahoe Blue—businesses are using their sphere of influence to benefit Lake Tahoe. 

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Originally Published in the IVCBA Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY. – Written By: Kayla Anderson

Sometime in the late 2000s, IVGID decided it was going to sell concessions—and alcohol– at its beaches. A few members of the community were opposed to liquor sells, but since people could bring their own alcohol in anyways, the resistance was weak. IVGID staff set up a small table and tried it, but then other residents didn’t think it was fair for IVGID to compete with the private sector since its costs were so low. 

The original owner of Incline Spirits, Will Brigham, was paying attention to the topic and attending the IVGID Board of Trustees meetings. When IVGID agreed to let a private business take over alcohol sales at the beaches, Brigham went around and asked all the local bars if they wanted to bid on the project. No one was interested, so soon Incline Spirits opened The Barefoot Bars at Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar. 

“In the beginning, IVGID let us have a 10’x10’ tent and we wanted to bring something to the beach that didn’t involve a cooler, like make pina coladas and Mai Tai’s,” Brigham says. 

In trying to get people to visit the tiki bars as well as being a musician and lover of live music, Brigham had the idea of starting Music on the Beach. He partnered with his neighbor and fellow musician Mitch Harbaugh to bring in local bands. 

 “Will and I have been involved in the local music scene all of our lives,” Harbaugh says, “and Will started creating a vibe not only with the beach guests but amongst the bands. There’s a lot of talent around the lake…we got a pulse and kept it consistent, and it elevated the quality of the entertainment.”

Harbaugh credits Brigham for creating something built for the minor leagues that ended up being pro ball. 

“Mitch is dead on. I remember doing text message campaigns blasting out locals specials and the band lineup; I was really guerilla marketing it [Music on the Beach]. But consistency is key, and we kept the same hours, playing in any kind of weather,” Brigham adds.

“As soon as the tiki bars opened, my wife who had worked for Goldfish Properties for 18 years said that no one complained anymore about paying to get into the beach,” Harbaugh says. 

Soon everyone wanted to play there, and Music on the Beach was drawing 6[00]-900 attendees. Will and his wife Aimee Miller eventually sold Incline Spirits to Miles and Mayra Hendrickson, who kept Music on the Beach going. 

“Miles and Mayra have done a great job with Music on the Beach. They continued with the exact vision I had and made it better in ways I couldn’t have imagined. They made it a destination for locals. It’s great to go down there and see that huge crowd,” Brigham says. 

When Miles and Mayra bought the place, they inherited me. We’ve been doing this for 14-15 years now and what it’s turned into is freaking incredible. 

“You can usually find me dancing in front, I’ve created a lot of wonderful memories here. And we leverage the crowd to keep it G-rated and positive, non-political, promote kindness and goodness and community,” Harbaugh adds. 

“There’s this couple, a retired colonial and his wife. The wife has Alzheimer’s but Music on the Beach is what keeps her fired up…she doesn’t remember a lot, but she looks forward to this. They had their 65^th wedding anniversary at Music on the Beach, and she had her 84^th birthday at the beach. This truly is a community thing, it’s a chance to celebrate us locals,” Brigham adds.

Since IVGID recently approved its Beach House Project, Incline Spirits announced this will be its last summer hosting Music on the Beach. 

“I have mixed emotions about it. I’m not affiliated with Music on the Beach anymore, but I have been a part of it. I know IVGID put a lot of money into building the new beach house, but I would just hate for Music on the Beach to lose its magic; there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears going into it. The aloha we show our guests and community…I don’t want to lose that. 

“Music on the Beach has a giant piece of my heart with it. We’re very grateful for all the community support and all the love we’ve received. I’m honored to have been a part of it,” says Brigham. 

The Incline Village Barefoot Bars host live music on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm-7pm throughout the summer. To see the 2025 Music on the Beach band lineup, visit https://inclinespirits.com/barefoot-bar/. 

Originally published in the TRPA Newsletter, 07/18/2025, Written by Julie Regan

When you open your front door in Tahoe, you’re never far from a forested trail, a lake view, or an expansive meadow. Such access to nature is one of the basin’s greatest gifts, where residents and visitors find peace, connection, and play. While it may feel effortless, this abundance of public land didn’t happen by accident.

Fifty years ago, public access looked very different. In 1971, only 13.5 miles of Lake Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline were publicly owned. Today, thanks to land acquisitions from willing sellers, that number has more than doubled to 34 miles. All told, roughly 90 percent of the Tahoe Basin is now protected public land for all to enjoy.

Though easy to take for granted, our right to enjoy it was recently challenged.

When language surfaced in a Senate reconciliation bill suggesting public lands could be sold, the outcry was swift. In a region where open space is a shared heritage, the idea of privatizing public lands struck a nerve. Thanks to a strong public response and congressional support, especially from U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley, the language was removed.

Public lands at Tahoe not only keep us healthy and feed our souls, but they also fuel our local economy. While we have many challenges facing our public lands today, including growing an ethos of care and stewardship, Lake Tahoe is a national model for fostering the triple bottom line where the environment, the economy, and communities collectively win. This moment has shown us that even 50 years of progress in land conservation is not written in stone—it requires ongoing effort.

This summer marks an important chapter in that effort. On August 6, the annual Tahoe Summit returns, gathering federal, state, Tribal, and local leaders to chart the future of restoration in the basin. Since the first Summit in 1997, the event has symbolized bipartisan commitment and regional collaboration to protect Lake Tahoe.

Born from that first Tahoe Summit, the Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) has become the engine behind conservation in the basin. Under TRPA’s leadership, more than 80 public and private organizations—collectively known as #TeamTahoe—have delivered 800 plus EIP projects over nearly three decades. These projects restore forests and watersheds, preserve habitats, and improve transportation and sustainable recreation. The work helps Lake Tahoe remain one of the clearest lakes on Earth.

Yet new threats continue to emerge. Aquatic invasive species—including those not in the lake, like the golden mussel—are a growing concern. While many assume that the risk lies with boats, these invaders can just as easily spread from kayaks and paddleboards without proper cleaning. Also critical is forest health, especially as hotter, drier seasons remind us just how fragile our forests are. Litter, erosion, and traffic congestion continue to demand our attention.

Tahoe’s progress in these areas has always come from collective action.

Destination Stewardship recognizes that residents, visitors, businesses, and agencies have a role to play. It means taking the shuttle to and from Emerald Bay, installing stormwater best management practices on your property, staying on designated trails, and leaving no trace. It means welcoming newcomers with guidance—by sharing the ways you care for Tahoe.

Because the right to enjoy public lands comes with a responsibility to protect them. We don’t have to care for these lands. We get to.

The upcoming 29th annual Tahoe Summit marks an opportunity to celebrate and amplify our work. Protecting public lands isn’t a one-time achievement, it’s a forever quest. I hope you’ll join me and keep us moving in the right direction.

Julie W. Regan is Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

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Photo: TRPA