In The News – Tahoe Fund welcomes 3 new board members
July 15, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published by the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 7/15/2026, Staff Report
The nonprofit Tahoe Fund announced today that Tom Baxter, Chris McNamara, and Tom Seeliger have joined its Board of Directors. Each of the three bring valuable professional experience and deep connections to the Tahoe region that will help advance the efforts of the organization to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.
“I’m pleased to welcome Tom, Chris, and Tom to the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors and excited about the invaluable experience and leadership each brings to our efforts,” said John Jones, Tahoe Fund board chair. “All three have strong histories of supporting the Lake Tahoe environment that will be beneficial as we continue to pursue opportunities to bring transformational change to Tahoe.”
The Local Lens – Bringing World-Class Music to Incline Village
July 15, 2026 | Member Submitted
Written by Joanne Taylor, Development Director at Classical Tahoe
Joanne Taylor is the Development Director at Classical Tahoe. A native Nevadan and graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, she has spent a lifetime enjoying the beauty of Lake Tahoe—from summers on its beaches to winters in the surrounding mountains. She is proud to help bring world-class music and arts to the community she has long called home.
Each summer, Classical Tahoe presents a four-week, world-class jazz and classical music festival in an intimate outdoor pavilion nestled in the majestic pines of Incline Village, at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Lake Tahoe campus. Featured are top jazz players and principal musicians from major orchestras throughout North America, including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, L.A. Phil, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few.
Bringing together the more than 100 musicians who join us over the next four weeks on stage, in classrooms, and in the community is no easy feat. We begin planning each season immediately after the current one concludes.
Strategic planning and budgeting come first, led by Classical Tahoe’s Executive Director, David Pratt, with input and participation from staff and the board. (Note that when I mention staff, I’m referring only to three full-time employees, myself included, and a handful of contractors.) Simultaneously, Artistic Director Laura Hamilton begins to put together the classical programs and hire musicians, guest artists, and conductors. David works closely with Laura to accomplish this, among many other things, including coordination with the Brubeck Jazz Summit. Festival Administrator Anna King Box begins to set up ticketing and seating for subscribers. During this time, I am focused on securing corporate and individual sponsorships, grants, and major gifts. I also work to get housing hosts for musicians (we’re always looking for new housing hosts, so contact me if you are interested!) And, all of us, along with a committee, start planning our annual gala. We’re exhausted by December!
Now celebrating its 15th season, Classical Tahoe presents more performances, reaches more students, and engages more community members than ever before. We’ve accomplished this through important partnerships with the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, corporate sponsors and foundations (too many to name!), and other arts organizations such as the Brubeck Living Legacy and Lake Tahoe Dance Collective. And, of course, there are the hundreds of individuals who believe in our mission and support our organization through contributions and volunteerism. Add to that the commitment and generosity of our 18 board members, and you have the formula for our success.
The 2026 Classical Tahoe festival dates are July 11-Aug. 9. Click here for a complete Classical Tahoe 2026 Festival program guide. Many of the performances are sold out but there are still tickets available for the concerts below. And don’t forget—orchestra rehearsals are free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m., offering a rare opportunity to watch world-class musicians at work.
Thursday, July 16 – The Sound of Today: Contemporary Masters Sextet
Featuring Roxy Coss, Lucas Pino, Michael Rodriguez, Rachel Eckroth, Gerald Cannon & Bryan Carter. Special appearance from Chris and Dan Brubeck.
7 PM | Classical Tahoe Ricardi Pavilion
Friday, July 17 – The Future of Jazz: Brubeck Jazz Summit Rising Stars
Featuring Chris and Dan Brubeck, summit participants, and Contemporary Masters Sextet
August 1 – Family Concert and Music Maker’s Faire: Kids Take the Stage
11:00 am – 2:00 pm | Classical Tahoe Ricardi Pavilion, 291 Country Club Dr., Incline Village.
This concert and day of music exploration for families, is priced to reduce the cost barrier for some to attend. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults, though Classical Tahoe will happily waive the ticket price for anyone that asks.
Whether you’re attending your first concert or returning for another unforgettable season, we invite you to experience the artistry, inspiration, and sense of community that make Classical Tahoe so special. We look forward to seeing you.
Check Out the Monthly Thrifty Thursday & Community Festivities
July 15, 2026 | Member Submitted
🛍️🎉 THRIFTY THURSDAY IS ALMOST HERE! 🎉🛍️
Get ready for one of the best shopping days of the month! Grab your friends and spend the day exploring amazing deals, unique treasures, and supporting the local businesses and nonprofits that make our community so special. ❤️
🌟 THRIFT STORE HIGHLIGHTS 🌟
🛋️ Tahoe Family Solutions Thrift Store ✨ 50% OFF ALL Indoor Furniture 👕 Fill a bag of clothing for just $20 (White tags excluded) 🎟️ Spend $25 or more and be entered to win our Thrifty Thursday Raffle!
🪑 Village Christian Thrift Store 👔 Men’s Shirts & Tees – 50% OFF 👖 Ladies Pants & Jeans – 50% OFF 🛋️ Furniture – 50% OFF
🐾 Pet Network Thrift Store 🛍️ 25% OFF Storewide!
👞 Village Pet Foundation Thrift Store located in Christmas Tree Village 👟 50% OFF ALL Shoes 📚 FREE Book with Any Purchase (Limit 2 books per customer) excludes table books
🪑 Furniture Gallery (Unit 15) 🚪 Special Back Room Sale! You never know what hidden treasures you’ll discover!
🌟 PLUS MORE GREAT DEALS! 🌟
🍓 Grocery Outlet Fresh produce specials all day long! 🎟️ Spend $25 or more at Grocery Outlet, bring your receipt to Tahoe Family Solutions Thrift Store, and you’ll be entered into our raffle!
🧦 Yami Leo’s Little Shop 🧦 50% OFF All Socks
🚲 Tahoe Multisport 🚲 Sale on used child & kids’ bike seats and trailers.
🌸 Wyld Peony 🌺 15% OFF Tahoe Love Merchandise
🍷 Glasses Wine Bar 🍷 Happy Hour starts at 3 PM
🌮 Lupita’s 🌮 2-for-1 Street Tacos from 2 PM–5 PM (Dine-in only)
❤️ Shop local. 🛍️ Save big. ♻️ Support local nonprofits and small businesses. 🎉 Make a day of it and discover your next great find!
📍 Village Shopping Center – Incline Village 🗓️ Thursday, July 16
Every third Thursday all summer long! We can’t wait to see you! ☀️🎉
In The News – Tahoe from the cosmos: Former astronaut Jerry Linenger talks Lake Tahoe, PBS’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Space’
July 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/14/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
As Jerry Linenger looked out from his porthole window on the space station Mir, his eyes were searching for that familiar, turquoise landmark tucked inside the snow-clad peaks of the Sierra Nevadas below.
“[Lake Tahoe] is a very special place on the planet,” Linenger, retired U.S. Navy flight surgeon and former astronaut, told the Tribune. “I think people that live up here realize that. It’s hard to miss it.”
Linenger, now an Incline Village resident, first became acquainted with the Lake Tahoe region during a formative summer between his junior and senior years through a National Science Foundation scholarship where he studied Environmental Science at the Foresta Institute.
Garden Party to Benefit Scholarship Fund in Support of Incline Village High School Senior Women
July 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
The American Association of University Women, Tahoe-Nevada Branch (AAUW Tahoe-NV), located in Incline Village, invites the community to its signature Garden Party on Sunday, August 30, 2026, an afternoon of delicious food, local art, and philanthropy in support of Scholarships and Career Technical Education (CTE) grants for graduating senior women from Incline Village High School.
The biennial event will be held at the stunning Joyous Journey Art Park, an estate park in Incline Village. Attendance is limited to just 100 guests, creating an intimate and memorable experience.
Guests will enjoy:
Gourmet catered appetizers
Wine and a signature garden cocktail
A wine grab
Local artists and artisans
An exciting silent auction featuring resort getaways, cooking classes, Mah Jongg lessons, unique experiences, and much more
“Every ticket purchased helps open doors for local young women as they pursue higher education and career training,” explains Esther Levandoski, AAUW Tahoe-Nevada’s Fundraising Co-Chair. “It’s a wonderful afternoon filled with beautiful gardens, great food, wonderful company, and the opportunity to invest in the future of our community.”
Tickets are $100 per person, with all proceeds benefiting AAUW Tahoe-Nevada’s Scholarship and Career Technical Education Grant Programs.
AAUW Tahoe-NV awards Scholarship recipients up to $4,000 each year of their college career as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and continues as a full-time student. Currently, AAUW Tahoe-Nevada supports 12 qualified college students. This past year, AAUW Tahoe-NV awarded a total of $46,000 in scholarships and Career Technical Education Grants.
AAUW Tahoe-NV Branch sponsors a monthly meeting in Incline Village that features speakers on a broad range of subjects to its 140 members. The Branch also has many interest groups (Outdoor Enthusiasts, Book Club, and a Great Decision discussion group, to name just a few).
The AAUW Tahoe-NV Branch is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation registered with the Nevada Secretary of State (Federal Tax I.D. #943055754), whose purpose is to further AAUW’s mission in advancing equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Contributions to the Scholarship Program and Community Action Grant efforts qualify for a federal tax deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 170.c. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 USC 170c.
For further information on the AAUW Tahoe-NV organization or to contribute to their efforts, please go to their website: https://tahoe-nv.aauw.net
Unlocking Workforce Housing Initiative Hosts Employer Forum & Breakfast to Support Local Workforce Homeownership
July 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
North Lake Tahoe employers invited to July 22 event focused on housing resources, employee retention, and local workforce stability
The Unlocking Workforce Housing initiative, led by local real estate, lending, escrow, title, and credit counseling professionals, will host the Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at The Chateau in Incline Village. This event is sponsored by the Incline Village Realtors Association and IVCBA.
The event is designed to help North Lake Tahoe employers connect their employees with trusted housing education, homeownership resources, financing options, below-market-rate housing opportunities, and local assistance programs.
Breakfast and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m., sponsored by Columbia Bank. A presentation from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. will highlight local, state, and federal employer resources that can help Lake Tahoe employees find realistic housing solutions. The event will conclude with an employer networking session from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. focused on stabilizing the Tahoe workforce through shared ideas, needs, and solutions.
“Most people do not realize there are approximately 100 below-market-rate condos in Incline Village for low- and moderate-income households, or that loan and grant resources are available for essential workers,” said Laura Levine Kalisch, Chair of the Workforce and Fair Housing Committee and Senior Loan Advisor at Columbia Bank. “Our goal is to bring accurate information directly to employees where they work and help employers support the people who keep our community running.”
The initiative is supported in part by grant funding from the National Association of REALTORS®, spearheaded by Dr. Laura Vitencz, CEO of Incline Village REALTORS®. The grant supports outreach, collateral creation, web resources, and Spanish-language translation where needed.
“This program is about connecting the workforce with real resources and trusted local guidance,” said Dr. Laura Vitencz. “By partnering with employers, we can make housing education more accessible and help employees better understand the pathways that may be available to them.”
The July 22 event will also feature the initiative’s newest workforce homeowner family, highlighting how education, local resources, and one-on-one support can help make homeownership possible.
The Workforce Homeownership/Housing Resource Program is available at no cost to participating employers and can be tailored for onsite workshops, staff meetings, morning crews, administrative teams, or other employee groups. Workshops may include homebuyer education, financing options, down payment assistance, below-market-rate housing opportunities, budgeting, and individual confidential follow-up support.
Event Details
Employer Workforce Housing “Live Where You Work” Forum & Breakfast
Photo Caption: Local REALTORS®, housing professionals, and school leadership gather at Incline Elementary School for an Unlocking Workforce Housing workshop designed to connect Tahoe employees with homeownership education, housing resources, and local support. Pictured left to right: Amanda Mueller, REALTOR®; Sarah Zabel, M.Ed., Principal, Incline Elementary School; Dr. Laura Vitencz, Ph.D., CEO, Incline Village REALTORS®; Suzie McSherry, REALTOR®; and Laura Levine Kalisch, Workforce Housing Committee Chair and Senior Loan Advisor, Columbia Bank.
Unlocking Workforce Housing is a volunteer-led initiative connecting local employers and employees with homeownership education, housing resources, financial assistance programs, and trusted local professionals. The program supports workforce stability, employee retention, and long-term community sustainability in Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe.
If you’re seeking sunshine, sandy beaches and some of the best hiking and biking trails in the Tahoe-Truckee region with postcard-worthy panoramic lake views, Incline Village is where you need to be. Nestled on Nevada’s sparkling east shore, Incline Village is an oasis of outdoor adventure, stunning scenery and an incredibly vibrant community.
Boasting Sand Harbor State Park, East Shore Trail, Flume Trail, Monkey Rock, Rifle Peak, Diamond Peak and a lakeshore with pristine sandy beaches, Incline Village is truly an alpine paradise made for adventure-seekers. You can hike, mountain bike, paddleboard and see an incredible sunset from a world-class beach all in one day!
Below, I have created an action-packed weekend itinerary to take your outdoor adventures to the next level. Have the best time and come back soon!
In The News – Swinging for mental health care: Golf tournament supports service member interventions
July 13, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 7/13/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh
An organization providing mental health care assistance to service members raised funds for the cause during a round of golf at the Incline Village Championship Golf Course on June 15.
PTSD NOW! is an organization based out of Incline Village that advocates for solutions that support military personnel experiencing stress or depression during deployment or after. Interventions include immediate, no-cost access to mental health in its mission to reduce suicide and improve long-term well-being.
The organization raised over $100,000 at the 4th Annual Thank A Vet Golf Tournament. In doing so, it brought together sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and community partners.
I met Eglantine in 1964 aboard an ocean liner on my way to the Old World, we were both 21. Coincidentally we were also reading books of philosophy by Sarte, hers in French, mine in English, and her manner was so enchanting, well, I fell in love with her…
At one point she suggested, “I know you are heading to South Hampton, but disembark in Cherbourg with me…we can walk through Paris barefoot.”
I had some money waiting for me at American Express in South Hampton, but what was a twenty-one-year-old boy going to say to an invitation like that?
So we disembarked in Cherbourg and hopped a train for Paris, reading aloud as we went, and the more she read, the harder I fell…
At last we arrived in Paris and off came our shoes. This was heaven on the half shell. About then, as I was intending to kiss her for her mother, her mother appeared, and gave me a straight-arm-shiver with one hand, while dragging Eglantine off with the other, and shoving her into a cab. My last glimpse of Eglantine was out the back window of a taxicab, and there I was, barefoot and broke in Paris.
I hardly ever cry, but I think I did, as I did not know a soul, and did not speak the language. I did learn to hitchhike fairly well, and I must have given Eglantine my mother’s address, because when I arrived back home to America my mother handed me a letter from Eglantine. She had an artisan’s hand, and I tucked it away for safe keeping. But with life in a college fraternity, and then the Marine Corps, and domiciles in Cape Cod, Carmel, Kauai and finally Tahoe, Eglantine’s letter went missing, until last month, when it surfaced just as my son came to visit with his charming French partner, Oriane. Of course I retrieved Eglantine’s letter and handed it to Oriane…
“Will you be so kind as to read this letter to me sixty-two years later?”
Oriane read to me in her lilting French accent while I pictured Eglantine in my mind’s eye. The last line went something like this, “Please, Macky Boy, come visit me before you are too old.”
I looked to my son and asked, “Do you think I’m too old?”
“No, Dad, I think you have a chance.”
So I’m saving all small change, and placing careful bets on a few fast ponies with a trip to visit Eglantine on my mind. Her return address is on the envelope, and her mother must have been promoted to glory by now, so Eglantine and I could finish our books by Sarte, and have time, brief as it may be, to get to know each other. So it is, that I’m looking forward to being in the arms of Eglantine, a happier place than where she left me, barefoot and broke in Paris…
In The News – Wildfire Preparedness Isn’t Just About Defensible Space
July 10, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 07/09/2026, Written by John Manocchino and Jessica Abrams
With the snow melted, the annual yard cleanup begins. Walk around the house and the chore list grows: rake pine needles, trim branches, clear the roof, and create defensible space. These little steps can help protect your home.
But wildfire preparedness is not only about protecting our property physically; it’s also about protecting ourselves financially. Many of us are aware of the immediate threat of wildfire, but we may not have considered the financial consequences that can follow.
The first area to review is your homeowner’s insurance. For years, Tahoe/Truckee homeowners have faced non-renewals, premium increases, shrinking coverage, or difficulty obtaining coverage at an affordable price. Because of this, it is important to understand what your policy really covers.
