Submitted By David Vomund from David Vomund Investments

Stocks and to a lesser degree bonds have had daily swings of a size seldom ever seen.  I am almost getting used to them.  Almost.  Why the volatility?  Has the outlook for earnings and interest rates changed?  Yes, a little better for the former, and yes a little higher for the latter.  There are also valid concerns about Gaza, Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan.  Where on the globe are risks falling?  Nowhere.  No wonder investors are concerned about the outlook.  No wonder prices are volatile.

The March CPI numbers confirmed that making progress on the inflation front is slow going at best.  Increases for a month or two can be explained away.  But four months is a trend.  The CPI understates inflation because some key items (rising mortgage and credit card interest rates, for example) have been removed.  Shoppers are not easily fooled.  They see the pump prices en route to work or the grocery store.  They needn’t be monetarists or think like Milton Friedman to see inflation is still a problem.  

Rising government debt isn’t helping matters.  Unfortunately, the deficit in the trillions will be with us for the foreseeable future and with them upward pressure on inflation.  Interest expense rose 43 percent and is on a course to overwhelm income.  As long as significant reforms to Medicare and Social Security are off the table, deficits will grow and interest expense will become the largest item in the budget.  That’s inflationary.  

The risks from inflation and debt should be on people’s radar (it’s on ours) but there is no reason to change portfolio allocations.  Why?  Because the bond market says so.  If the bond crowd were very worried about deficits and inflation yields would be much higher.  The ten-year Treasury’s nominal yield is 4.6 percent, which after inflation puts the real yield closer to 1.5 percent.  Not a sign that investors are worried that inflation will soar. 

What does all this mean for the Fed and investors?  For starters, the rate cut expected in June is off the table.  There may be no cuts at all this year.  As for stocks, which recently had their longest losing streak since October, we can expect more swings as the interest rate picture comes into focus.  I have often quoted John Templeton, who said stock prices are a lot more volatile than stock values.  Indeed.  All too often we see how true that is.

David Vomund is an Incline Village-based Independent Investment Advisor.  Information is found at www.VomundInvestments.com or by calling 775-832-8555.  Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.

Submitted by Tia Rancourt from North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District

Residential Curbside Yard Waste Recycling Collection will be offered May 6 through July 19, and

September 30 through November 1, 2024, courtesy of Waste Management.

Here’s How:

• At the end of April each residential customer in Incline Village/Crystal Bay, NV received an envelope containing 96 ‘Yard Waste Only’ recycling stickers from Waste Management.

• Conduct your property cleanup by filling heavy duty bags (any color except blue) with vegetative yard waste.

• Securely close/tie the bags. Each bag cannot exceed 40 lbs.

• Attach one sticker to each bag.

• Place the stickered bags curbside on your regular service day during the designated timeframe, May 6-July 19 and September 1 – November 1, 2024.

• If you need additional stickers, you can purchase them from Waste Management’s Incline Village office at 1076

Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV 89451.

Questions? Please call Waste Management 775-831-2971 or email inclinevillage@wm.com.

PREPARE FOR EVACUATION

Visit Washoe County Emergency Management to sign up for emergency alerts, then visit Tahoe.LivingWithFire.info to learn more about evacuation and defensible space.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE EVALUATIONS

Improve your Defensible Space and help prepare your home and neighborhood for wildfire by requesting a free defensible space evaluation.

CURBSIDE CHIPPING

Fire district hand crews will chip your curbside vegetation pile upon request. Please do not include pine needles, stumps, roots, garbage, nails or finished lumber. Branch diameter cannot exceed 6 inches and pile size cannot exceed 1000 cubic feet or (20’x6’x6’).

Defensible Space Evaluations & Curbside Chipping programs begin Monday, May 13, 2024.

Visit www.nltfpd.org to sign up online.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE & CHIPPING SERVICES

Five Steps to Create Defensible Space – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District

Defensible Space is the area between a house and an oncoming wildfire where the vegetation has been modified to reduce the wildfire threat. Defensible Space is simply a homeowner’s properly maintained property. Use the information below as a guide. For more advice on defensible space, visit nltfpd.net or tahoe.livingwithfire.info.

Step 1- Know Your Distance – The recommended distance of defensible space is different for all homes. The types of vegetation and terrain are key factors when deciding how far out to extend the Defensible Space Zone. Most properties need 100-200 feet of defensible space.

Step 2- Remove the Dead – Within the Defensible Space Zone, remove all dead vegetation including dying trees, shrubs, branches, grass, weeds, needles, and leaves. Remove fallen needles and leaves within 30 feet from the house every spring. Do not allow a depth of more than 3 inches of duff and needles beyond 30 feet from the house.

Step 3- Create Separation Areas of dense vegetation that pose significant wildfire threats. Shrubs and trees should be thinned out so they are no longer continuous. Separate shrubs by a distance that is twice their height. Tree spacing varies but typically should be separated by 10’ between branches on average. Large trees (>14” in diameter at 4.5’ from the ground) cannot be removed without a permit issued by NLTFPD or TRPA.

Step 4- Remove Ladder Fuels Vegetation allowing fire to climb up from the forest floor to the canopy, are known as ladder fuels. Smaller vegetation such as shrubs and young trees should be cleared away from beneath larger trees.

Step 5- Lean, Clean, and Green – Remove fuels that ignite easily such as dead shrubs and trees, dried grass, pine needles, firewood, etc. Create a 5-foot noncombustible zone around the perimeter of your home, and keep your landscaping well-maintained

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/18/2024, Written by Katelyn Welsh

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Hyatt’s cozy lodge styled Sierra Café known for serving up a varied American menu for breakfast and lunch has transformed into the chic, elegant Osteria Sierra, with the same mountain views and patio. 

The revamped restaurant hosted an afternoon sampling on Friday, April 12. There, Hyatt General Manager Pascal Dupuis explained inspiration for decor and cuisine came from northern Italy. 

The resort decided to create a new concept for the space around 6-7 months ago. Creators sought to combine traditional Italian charm and alpine allure with fresh pasta made in-house, steaks, seafood, and desserts accompanied with a carefully curated wines and cocktails.

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Michael Lucido, raised at Tahoe by sterling parents, is now CEO of a Reno advertising agency, “Eighty 8 Studios.” Michael recently asked me to portray a fictitious character, Mr. Bundox, King of the Kingdom of Bocce. Michael’s objective is to promote the sport of bocce ball within the lavish courts of Reno’s Renaissance Hotel. So off we went, with his creative crew of six talented technicians, to focus the attentions of the world on the regal Sport of Bocce.

In full disclosure, I have never played bocce ball before. I cannot even spell bocce ball, but that has never deterred me, as, given an opportunity, I am always ready to pretend to be king of just about anything. And thanks to the art of special effects, I can do things with a bocce ball that nobody has ever been seen before, like spinning a bocce ball on my finger, and rolling a bocce ball around on my arms like a Harlem Globetrotter rolling a basketball, I can even pull a bocce ball out of my hat!  

Promising me that my wide-brimmed Panama hat will hide my face, Michael asked me to hop up onto the longest bar in Nevada and do a bocce ball dance. These television commercials are due out next month, and I sincerely hope Michael is right about that hat, for those who criticize my writing never saw me dance.

So what does the King of Bocce do when not coaching bocce ball? Well, most responsibly, he uses his bully pulpit as king to declare cease fires in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan. Who can say no to the King of Bocce? Here is his declaration…

DECLARATION

As King of the Kingdom of Bocce, and Pro Tempore Sovereign of the World, I, Mr. Bundox, do issue this Decree: All parties involved do hereby Cease and Desist Hostilities in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, while allowing the United Nations to author Articles of Sustainable Truce and Lasting Peace. 

In order to tap the brakes on an escalatory path toward dire straits, I shall fly to the United Nations myself tomorrow and deliver this decree. The time has come in this year of our Lord 2024, to put violence on the dustheap of history as a means of solving problems.

Once the cease fires are firmly in place, I shall humbly step down as Pro Tempore Sovereign of the World, and return to my calling as Renaissance coach of the great sport of Bocce Ball…  

Your humble servant and dedicated middleman,

Mr. Bundox,

King of Bocce

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

Originally published by NTBA (North Tahoe Business Association) Newsletter

Every day is Earth Day in North Lake Tahoe

April 22 marks the 54th Anniversary for Earth Day, a day created to inspire everyone to protect our planet. Earth Day was founded in 1970 and is now observed by over 190 countries and more than one billion people. Today, Earth Day is more important than ever and NTBA encourages you to celebrate globally, locally, and all year long! Here in North Lake Tahoe we are lucky to have some of the most impactful environmental non profit organizations that work hard to protect the Lake Tahoe Basin, promote environmental stewardship and education. Explore ways to celebrate, plus check out some local change makers, and see how you can get involved!

Celebrate Earth Day in North Lake Tahoe >

Photo credit: NTBA

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/17/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – As part of Gov. Joe Lombardo and the legislature’s recently approved $16.7 million American Rescue Plan Act, the Boys and Girls Club in Incline Village will receive $500,000 to secure a location for a preschool.

“What we see is the real need is to serve the younger age groups (in Incline Village),” said Mindy Carbajal, CEO of Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. “These funds are to support our Nevada community and to really help and support working families.”

The goal is to expand service for infants through 5-year-old children in Incline Village, Carbajal said.

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Photo: Boys and Girls Club North Lake Tahoe