Support Shelter Pets in Style at the 27th Annual Fur Ball Gala: Tails & Tapas
April 28, 2025 | Member Submitted
It’s almost time to don your finest black-tie attire—with a Spanish twist—and raise a glass (and a paddle!) for a cause that’s close to all our hearts. Pet Network Lake Tahoe invites you to the 27th Annual Fur Ball Gala: Tails & Tapas, taking place on Friday, May 31st at Bowl Incline’s fresh, new event space!
This year’s gala promises an unforgettable evening of Spanish-inspired elegance, vibrant flavors, fine wine, signature cocktails, and live music, all in support of shelter pets who deserve a second chance. Tails & Tapas is Pet Network’s biggest fundraiser of the year—and your ticket is more than just entry to a fabulous night. It’s a lifeline for animals in need.
Proceeds from the evening benefit Pet Network’s lifesaving medical, rescue, and adoption programs. With your support, we can continue to provide care for vulnerable pets—from life-saving surgeries to the daily essentials that help animals heal and thrive.
In addition to the delicious cuisine and festive atmosphere, the night will feature a live auction filled with unforgettable experiences, a fund-the-need paddle raise to help bring a CT scanner to Pet Network (¡ole!), and a few surprises you’ll have to see to believe.
Tickets are on sale now at www.petnetwork.org/furball and are expected to sell out. So grab your seat at the table, bring your appetite (and your dancing shoes), and help us toast to compassion, community, and the incredible pets we serve.
Together, we’ll turn tapas into transformation—one tail at a time.
In early 2024, we at Travel North Tahoe Nevada developed a new three-year Strategic Plan for our organization. During that process, we reached out to stakeholders who are part of North Tahoe’s tourism industry to gather your views on issues that would help inform our planning activity. Now that it’s a year later, we’d like to get your input once again to get your help in assessing our progress.
We ask that you please complete the survey by 5:00 PM on Sunday, March 23.
There are three upcoming events, two in the Duffield Theater:
The Concert Band is performing tonight, 3/12 from 6:30-8pm
It’s Freshman Parent Night tomorrow, 3/13 from 5-7pm
And, of course, the Crab Feed is this Saturday, 3/15 at Incline Bowl.
Tickets are sold out, but you can still participate by making a donation or bidding in the online auction, which will be open until 3/17/25. For more information, contact: tara.cannon347@gmail.com.
The IHS Crab Feed has a generous $125K match from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
Donations, Silent Auction bids (online), and Live and FAN proxies are available on the website link below.
You can bid on Flights over Lake Tahoe, amazing buy-in parties and an incredible Napa trip – a private flight for up to 8 people and two exclusive wineries and chef catered lunch.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we at Sierra Community House want to shine a spotlight on two remarkable women who make a difference every day in the lives of the families and children we serve—Miss Irene and Miss Conchita, the dynamic co-teachers at The Family Room. Their unwavering dedication, patience, and collaborative spirit embody the essence of women supporting and empowering one another.
At The Family Room, Miss Irene and Miss Conchita create an inclusive, nurturing environment where each child’s unique personality is celebrated. Jamie, a caregiver of a child at The Family Room, shared the impact in a beautiful way:
“My child has a cautious personality, and Miss Irene and Miss Conchita have such a wonderful co-teaching relationship. They include her in the class but also give her the space to participate in the ways she feels comfortable.”
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.
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.
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.orgor 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.
In The News – Expanded mental health services in Tahoe basin
February 23, 2025 | Member Submitted
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.”
43rd Annual Incline Boosters Club Crab Feed in Support of Incline High School
February 4, 2025 | Member Submitted
First Look at the New Bowl Incline Space at Incline Center for Events: The Incline Boosters Club is thrilled to announce the 43rd Annual Crab Feed, a cherished tradition supporting Incline High School and its students. This year’s event, presented by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, with the Premier Reception sponsored by Plenium Builders, promises to be a spectacular evening of community and generosity.
Mark your calendars: The Crab Feed will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the highly anticipated, newly designed Bowl Incline Space at the Incline Center for Events. Tickets, tables, sponsorship opportunities, and donation options are now available. Act quickly—within the first 24 hours of sales, we are already halfway to selling out!
Why the Crab Feed Matters: The Crab Feed is the most significant fundraiser for the Incline Boosters Club. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the limited general operating support provided by the school district and the resources needed to create a thriving high school experience.
Did you know that the entire district general operating budget for IHS is just over $25,000—for the whole school year? That’s only $0.47 per student per day. Meanwhile, Boosters’ expenses budget equates to approximately $4.68 per student per day to support all areas of IHS. Without fundraising, those dollars shrink—and the district won’t be making up the difference. As a rural school with unique needs, Incline High School relies on the funds raised by this event to support its students directly. Every donation, ticket purchase, and sponsorship makes a tangible difference.
We are honored to receive a generous matching gift from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, which will match every dollar raised—up to $125,000—for our Fund-A-Need initiatives. Click here to learn more about these initiatives.
A First Look at the New Venue: This year’s event will unveil the newly reimagined Bowl Incline Space at the Incline Center for Events. This innovative venue, with its extraordinary design and creative touches, will transform for the evening, featuring beautiful flooring laid across the lanes to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Additional Details and How to Get Involved: Attendees will enjoy an upscale nautical ambiance—imagine the feel of a luxurious yacht with the sun shining, a light breeze, and great company. It’s a setting you won’t want to miss! For event details, to purchase tickets or tables, or to explore sponsorship and donation opportunities, click here. For frequently asked questions about the event, visit our FAQ page.
To learn more about the Incline Boosters Club and its mission, click here.
Media Contact: Incline Boosters Club, Tara Cannon – tara.cannon347@gmail.com, 562-208-5059
About the Incline Boosters Club: The Incline Boosters Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Incline High School students through fundraising, volunteerism, and community partnerships. Our mission is to enhance the educational experience for every student and ensure our school is equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
In The News – Fighting hunger in North Lake Tahoe: How a non-profit is addressing food insecurity
January 29, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published by KUNR Radio, 1/27/2025, Written by Maria Palma
Despite Tahoe’s reputation for affluence, many residents struggle with food insecurity. A local non-profit has been making a significant impact through food distribution.
On a cold Tuesday afternoon, Wendy Conti walked along the tables filled with boxes full of produce and canned goods. She placed cans and produce into a basket. She goes to the Sierra Community House’s Food Pantry in Truckee at least once a week.
She walked through the pantry with her dog Peanut. They browsed through a selection of breads, sauces and vegetables. Originally from the East Coast, Conti moved to Truckee four years ago. A former special education teacher, health issues forced her out of work, and she soon found herself homeless.
From Incline Village to Nepal: Helping a Remote Himalayan Village Thrive
January 29, 2025 | Member Submitted
Submitted and Written by local residents Helen & Eric Durfee, 1/25/2025
Longtime Incline Village residents Helen and Eric Durfee are dedicated board members of the Basa Village Foundation USA, regularly traveling to Nepal to support the remote village of Basa. From donating ski jackets to funding education, supplies and keeping power on through hydroelectic projects, the Basa Village foundation helps improve the lives of the people of Basa.
Basa is a remote village in Nepal, off the beaten path, in the foothills of the Himalayas, south of Mt Everest. It consists of 63 households primarily engaged in subsistence farming. Jeff Rasley, after many trips to Nepal, founded the Basa Village Foundation USA (https://bvfusa.org) in 2008, to improve the way of life for the people of Basa. I’ve been on the board since 2001. Some of the projects that BVFUSA has completed include providing safe drinking water in the village, building a school and funding three of the five teachers, providing school supplies and computers, a small hydroelectric project for lights in the homes, rebuilding the school after the 2015 earthquake, clean burning stoves in the homes, among other projects.
Last year we funded an animal husbandry project to build up a local co-op herd of goats and pigs. Having a staff to care for, and protect, the animals will provide jobs and the selling of goat milk, yogurt, cheese, and young animals themselves will provide income for the village. This project entailed building sheds, pens, and fences, leasing land, and the purchase of twenty five pigs and twenty five goats.
We work closely with our sister foundation, Basa Foundation-Nepal, which is headed up by Niru Rai. Niru is from Basa and now lives in Kathmandu. Niru started and owns Adventure Geo Treks (https://www.adventuregeotreks.com) and hires his guides, porters, drivers, cooks and staff from Basa. Together, we define a need, determine a solution, create a budget; then BVFUSA funds the project, monitors the progress, and evaluates the success of the project after completion. Basa Foundation-Nepal oversees the project, provides the volunteer labor, and gets the materials to Basa, mostly by oxen, donkey, and on men’s backs.
Education is crucial for the 85 students in the K-5 school. The Nepali government pays for the Nepali language and math teachers; BVFUSA pays for the English, science, and the social studies & computer science teachers. The five year funding that BVFUSA previously established ran out in 2024. The teachers are now working without pay and will move on if new funding is not forthcoming. Many, or most, of the young people of Basa will have to leave for places where they can find employment so having some education is essential. Knowing some English is important if they end up working in a tourist based business. One of the projects we are funding immediately is for the teacher’s salaries to keep the students learning.
The second project is to expand the animal husbandry project that we started last year. Unfortunately, nineteen of the pigs died of swine flu and need to be replaced, along with adding to the number of goats and pigs. We will continue to pay the salaries of the staff working the farm and have also increased the budget to provide for veterinarian visits as needed and medicine. We expect the farm to be self sustaining in two to three years.
This is a brief explanation of what the Basa Foundation is and what we do. You can get more information by going to our website (https://www.bvfusa.org). Helen and I have been to Basa and met many of the families there. We found the people to be very kind, supportive, and hard working. They are most appreciative of everything the foundation has done.
If you managed to read all the way here, thank you, and thank you for your consideration. All donations make a difference, no matter the size, and are appreciated. Don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me if you have any questions.
