With a nod to Anne Sullivan, who Mark Twain dubbed “The Miracle Worker” for her wonderous work with Helen Keller away back in the 19^th century, I nominate my chiropractor, Dr. Jon, as The Miracle Worker of the 21^st century.

Granted, he did not have sight and hearing issues to deal with like Anne did with Helen, but I brought Dr. Jon a pain in my back that would make a cow bellow.

I have felt bone pain before, and I have felt muscle pain before, but my introduction to nerve pain commanded my total attention, and dropped me to the floor like a stone. Yes, the Sciatic Nerve carries with it all the high-voltage and fire power of the third rail in a New York City subway, and when it comes to surprises there is nothing quite like the Sciatica. 

Where muscle pain will elicit a cry of, “Ouch!” Bone pain will call for a stronger word like, “Damn!” But Sciatic pain is guaranteed to sally forth a laundry list of tightly knitted expletives, as in, “@#$%&*!” (I cleaned that up for the benefit of this fine family journal, but you get the idea.)

So, enter Dr. Jon, who regards the Sciatic Nerve as a member of his family, a member that needs to be cared for and invited to Christmas dinner. He showed me with a model how nerves weave in and out of the spine, and get easily pinched, which hurts like H.E. Double Hockey Sticks, if you know what I mean…

Then he pulled and pried me until I was as flexible as a circus performer, and I’ve never been quite so tall in my long life. But the real miracle came with the exercises Dr. Jon gifted me to take home. I did not take much stock in them at first, but they have earned my endearing respect. 

My favorite, and last to come to the table, is the Sciatic Nerve Floss, where you stretch your extended leg out and about like doing the Hokey Pokey, but different. This procedure flosses the Sciatic Nerve and allows one to slow dance with a minimum of sporadic cries of pain, which comes as a pleasant relief to your dance partner.

There is more good news to share, but the bottom line is I believe I could run the high hurdles tomorrow morning, or perhaps the low hurdles, and finish in the top three.

One of my chief pleasures in life is to witness people at work who are really good at what they do, and Dr. Jon is one of those who commands respect and admiration in his chiropractic practice. I might add, it brings even more pleasure yet to witness a dedicated professional while the pain in your back that is running down your leg, is slowly ebbing away.

In case Mr. Sciatica should ever come calling on you, Dr. Jon’s practice is called Backcountry. And to bring a smile, you might mention that you were referred by one of Dr. Jon’s contented backalaureates…

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

Originally Published in the Sierra Sun, 10/24/2025, Staff Report

Get ready for a night of delicious discovery and community connection at the 18th annual Passport to Dining, taking place Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. This year’s event invites foodies on a culinary journey featuring nearly 25 tasting stations that highlight local restaurants, caterers, breweries, and wineries. Guests will enjoy unlimited tastings, live music, a silent auction, and raffle opportunities.

“Passport to Dining reflects the vibrant culinary scene, entrepreneurial spirit, and community-oriented ethos of North Lake Tahoe,” said Kerry Andras, Kings Beach District events manager. “From artisan bites and craft beers to fine wines and creative cocktails, the breadth of offerings promises an engaging experience for every palate, and a fantastic opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors.”

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When I welcome folks into my home for An Evening with Mark Twain I always encourage them to think about someone they admire who’s been dead awhile, study that person’s life, and bring that person to life through Chautauqua. It doesn’t have to be a famous person, it could be an unknown relative who did something worth remembering. Well, that suggestion struck the flint of a young lady here last night, a recent graduate from Stanford, who told me about her great, great, great Aunt Ada, who hid the Connecticut Charter of 1662 in a tree, saving it from confiscation and revocation by King James.

As she related to me with widening eyes, the legend of the Charter Oak began in 1662 when King Charles II of Jolly Old England granted Connecticut a royal charter guaranteeing representative government and self-rule. “Party On!”

But the party suddenly ended 25 years later, when King James II sent a governor to confiscate the charter and take control of Connecticut. Then guess what? A very smart lady took that charter and hid it in a tree, the hollow of an oak tree to be exact. The newly appointed governor and his men turned the whole town upside down, but never could find that charter in the Oak. 

So the new governor returned to the Old World, and Connecticut continued to rule itself, thanks in large part to the great, great, great Aunt of my houseguest, who is relating this saga to me. She even told me she has an artifact of wood at home in Connecticut that was cut from the now celebrated Charter Oak…

Eventually, When William and Mary became King and Queen they restored many of the provisions included in the original charter, and the charter served as the state constitution until around 1818…

Well, I was fascinated, and suggested to her that she become her great, great, great Aunt Ada, tell that story in its entirety in first person, and bring that history to life in the classroom and on the lecture platform. After all, the Charter Oak remains a symbol of Connecticut’s enduring tradition of 1662 even today, and it is no coincidence that the white oak tree remains Connecticut’s state tree…

So in closing, I would again ask the gentle reader to select someone you admire who’s been dead for a good while, study that person’s life, and bring that person back to life in Chautauqua. It will give you another life, and one life is not enough.

Time will tell, but I hope I live long enough to get to hear Aunt Ada tell the story of the Connecticut Charter Tree in first person. I for one, and I know many others, will be spellbound, and possibly forget for an hour or so, that we even own a smartphone…

By the way, a bolt of lightning brought down the mighty Charter Oak back in the 19^th century, but the legend lives on…

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

Submitted by Incline Education Fund

Incline Village High School News and events:

If you are, or if you have a current senior in high school, don’t miss out on the IEF – IHS College & Career Fair this Thursday from 6:30-8:30.

Over 300 people have registered to see reps from 16 colleges, all 4 local community colleges, NLTFD, WCSO, ROTC, and the Norther Nevada Building Trades and Electrical Assn. 

Incline High School is offering an after school program for Theater:

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/05/2025, Written by Eli Ramos

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, on average, over half of the homes around the Tahoe Basin were built before 1979. While age isn’t the only determining factor in housing quality, the reality is that many housing options are subject to the changes of the decades: years of weather damage, broken-down facilities, and inadequate repairs that can make a home far more difficult to live in.

Add in changing regulatory standards, higher expenses and the challenges of those who address housing quality and it’s easy to see why these problems go untouched. But leaving it alone leaves a lot of suffering in its wake, and the problem won’t go away on its own—in fact, it’ll probably get worse.

In this article of the Tribune’s ongoing housing series, we’re looking at a problem that affects people already living in the area and how it impacts quality of life.

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Originally Published on North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Facebook Page, 08/24/2025

Celebrating PIO Tia Rancourt 

We honor and celebrate PIO Tia Rancourt, who is retiring after 29 years of dedicated service with NLTFPD.

From classrooms to community events, Tia has been at the heart of our public education and fire safety efforts. Her passion for teaching, outreach, and connecting with people has touched generations of families in Incline Village.

Thank you, Tia, for your commitment, leadership, and heart. You’ve inspired generations, and you will be deeply missed but we are excited to wish her a well-deserved retirement filled with new adventures and time to enjoy all she has given to others.

Please join us in wishing her a happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement! 

Simplified and Passion Focused

Local community foundation, formerly known as Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, is updating its name to Tahoe Community Foundation to better reflect its work in supporting Tahoe communities. As part of its continued commitment to serving the Lake Tahoe region with clarity, connection, and purpose, the organization is simplifying its name to Tahoe Community Foundation and unveiling a refreshed brand identity.

While the simplified name brings more clarity to its role, the Community Foundation’s core values and commitment to kindness and philanthropy remain the same.  There have been no changes made to current board members, staff, or committee members.  Most importantly, the Community Foundation remains dedicated to its donors, grantees, partners, and the region.  “The decision to rebrand follows a period of careful consideration and strategic planning,” says CEO, Claudia Andersen. “Our passion and core values remain the same.  This new name simply helps us tell our story more clearly and to reach more people with our work.”

In collaboration with local designers and a committee of local volunteers, the organization was able to establish a refreshed brand identity that will bring visual strength and recognition to Tahoe Community Foundation.  Built on the principles of the golden ratio, the new logo symbolizes balance, consistency, and trust, and represents bringing sustainability to Tahoe communities in perpetuity.  The organization’s new tagline – Elevating Generosity – conveys that they exist to inspire people to be more charitable and to elevate Tahoe communities through kindness.

The Community Foundation continues to deepen its commitment to helping donors make confident and meaningful investments in their community. As the Community Foundation expands its programs, building on the $137M in grants that have been awarded to nonprofit organizations, more individuals and families are turning to the Community Foundation as a partner in their giving.

By simplifying its name, Tahoe Community Foundation is able to strengthen its ability to serve as a trusted partner and resource for the region, focusing on who they are and what they do, and Elevating Generosity in Tahoe and beyond.

 To learn more about Tahoe Community Foundation, visit www.TahoeCF.org.

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About Tahoe Community Foundation 

Tahoe Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating community philanthropy, serving as a resource for donors to make confident and meaningful investments in their community, and offering nonprofit organizations support, insight, and strategy. Tahoe Community Foundation is a pillar in the community, serving to create meaningful and lasting impact, and to Elevate Generosity in Tahoe and beyond.

Natalie Erquiaga

Submitted by TRPA, May 1, 2025

Three months ago, the devastation of the LA wildfires unfolded as flames spread from the chaparral into the neighborhoods of Palisades and Altadena. Living in Tahoe, residents face similar risks, and a team of Lake Tahoe fire, forestry, and conservation agencies say communities here have the chance now to significantly lower the risk of another catastrophic wildfire. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) is calling on every resident and property owner in the Tahoe Basin to help them protect Lake Tahoe and has the know-how to help you Get Defensive.

Living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) means choosing to live next to or within forested areas – beautiful, yet vulnerable. That proximity increases the threat to people and homes in the event of a major wildfire.

Local fire agencies and land managers are making major strides to reduce these risks by conducting fuels reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface, like prescribed burns and tree thinning. These projects promote forest health and help minimize the amount of flammable vegetation. The TFFT is a collaborative partnership of local, state, regional, and federal organizations leading this work. The team works together to plan, fund, and implement forest health and wildfire mitigation projects across jurisdictional boundaries, making the region more fire-resilient at a landscape scale and has treated more than 99,000 acres in the Lake Tahoe Basin to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.

But creating a resilient Tahoe is a shared responsibility – so what can residents do?

As we’ve seen in recent wildfires, wind can carry embers miles ahead of the main flames. These embers will ignite smaller fires when they land on anything flammable, whether that’s piles of dry pine needles near homes or landing inside attic vents, which is more common that you might think. Creating and maintaining defensible space (the buffer between the house and flammable vegetation) and home hardening (using fire-resistant materials on homes) are critical steps homeowners can take to reduce risk. With summer around the corner, it’s the perfect time to rake pine needles, access free curbside chipping services from local fire agencies, and sign up for evacuation alerts and prepare go-bags in the case of an evacuation. This work is critical and TFFT agencies are providing the support needed to prepare Lake Tahoe for the next wildfire.

While these tasks can feel overwhelming when done alone, TFFT partners are here to help.

That’s where programs like Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods come in. Under the guidance of a neighborhood leader or leadership committee, Fire Adapted Communities work together to host defensible space workdays, prepare evacuation plans, and share wildfire preparedness tips and resources. Firewise USA is a nationally recognized program that operates within the framework of Fire Adapted Communities to create fire-resilient neighborhoods. Like Fire Adapted Communities, Firewise USA neighborhoods create three-year action plans and annual work reports in addition to hosting annual workdays. Becoming a Firewise USA neighborhood may assist in keeping or lowering the rates of your fire insurance. From workdays to barbecues and block parties, these programs foster a connected and prepared community.

In the Tahoe Basin, these programs are supported by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and local fire agencies. Neighborhood leaders in existing Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods offer guidance, resources, and encouragement to help others get started. As wildfire intensity across the state increases, it’s natural to feel anxious. But being a part of a community that’s actively working to reduce wildfire impacts can bring peace of mind. As wildfire patterns shift, community-driven adaptation is becoming more important than ever.

To join or start a Fire Adapted Community or Firewise USA neighborhood, visit Tahoe Living With Fire for more information, or contact the Fire Adapted Communities Program at the Tahoe Resource Conservation District by calling 530-543-1501 ext. 114 or emailing fire@tahoercd.org.

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About the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.

For more information, visit Tahoe Living With Fire.