In The News – Incline Village Community Hospital earns Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation
August 26, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 8/26/2026, Staff Report
Tahoe Forest Health System announced that Incline Village Community Hospital’s Emergency Department has achieved Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
The bronze-level accreditation recognizes emergency departments that have established practices and resources designed to support the care of older adults. Incline Village Community Hospital’s achievement reflects the collaboration and dedication of its interdisciplinary team and its efforts to continually strengthen emergency care for the community.
“Older adults can face distinct challenges in an emergency setting, and our team is committed to making sure their care reflects those needs,” said Anna Roth, President and CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “We are proud of the Incline Village Community Hospital team for earning this accreditation and for the expertise and compassion they bring to caring for our older patients and their families.”
The Local Lens – Wildfire Doesn’t Respect Property Lines
August 26, 2026 | Member Submitted
Written by Tom Millhoff
We longtime locals have watched our wildfire reality change—from distant risk to smoky summers, insurance non-renewals and increasingly frequent hot, dry, windy Red Flag Warning days. The recent Reno fires and Public Safety Power Outages are a useful reminder: here in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, we are living with fire.
Choking smoke from the 2020 Caldor and Dixie fires clouded sparked my motivation. Since then, our Upper Tyner neighborhood – the epitome of the wildland-urban interface, worked with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) to become Incline’s first Firewise USA AND Fire Adapted Community. We’ve become safer, more resilient and insurable… even more neighborly.
Our NLTFPD has earned the highest possible insurance rating, and is doing extraordinary work to reduce wildfire risk on public lands surrounding and within our neighborhoods. As I write this, Forester Jason Furmaniak’s aptly named “Worm,” a remote-controlled masticating machine, is munching through manzanita below my house, helping create a 132-foot mosaic of healthier forest and defensible space around Incline’s “Halo” neighborhoods above Mt. Rose Highway. But even the top-rated fire district in the basin can’t do it all.
Wind-driven fires such as the Hawk, Bug, Davis and Caldor fires can throw burning embers a mile or more ahead of the flames. Those embers can jump roads, fire lines and fuels-reduction projects and land directly in our yards. Wildfire resilience is a team sport – we win together.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: wildfire doesn’t respect property lines. Our individual decisions affect our neighbors. The greatest ignition threat to your home is on your own property; the largest fuel source threatening you may be the house next door. The forest may bring wildfire to Incline, but we residents can help determine whether it becomes a house-to-house neighborhood fire. Working together, we can make our communities safer, and our homes more insurable. Fortunately, you can make meaningful progress without a major landscaping project or a huge check.
Start with one easy step: create an Ember-Resistant Zone immediately around your home. Remove needles, leaves, wood mulch and other combustible material where wind-blown embers are most likely to collect. It’s inexpensive, it’s effective, and we’re in peak fire season, so there’s no better time than this weekend.
Ready for step two? Visit the Living With Fire–Tahoe website for practical guidance on home hardening and defensible space. Better yet, call NLTFPD and schedule a free Defensible Space Inspection. Fuels Mitigation Specialist Ryan Dominguez and his inspection team understand our local wildfire ignition and spread risks better than anyone. Why wouldn’t we welcome expert advice to protect our homes and neighborhoods?
No single homeowner can make Incline fire adapted. No fire district can do it for us. But if each of us takes one or two meaningful steps—and encourages the neighbor next door to do the same—the effect multiplies from home, to street, to neighborhood, to community.
That’s how we learn to live with fire. That’s how we protect one another. And that’s how Incline Village & Crystal Bay become a Fire Adapted Community.
About the Author Tom Millhoff has lived in Upper Tyner since the last millennium. He and the Incline High School Wildfire Ambassador team support development of local Fire Adapted Communities.
In the News – Tahoe Community Foundation celebrates 30 Years of philanthropy with $120,000 in anniversary grants
August 25, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 8/25/2026, Staff Report
Tahoe Community Foundation is proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of connecting generosity with community needs and helping create lasting impact throughout the Tahoe region. Since its founding in 1996, the Community Foundation has granted more than $165 million to support nonprofit organizations, community initiatives, and charitable causes that strengthen the communities of Tahoe and beyond.
Built on perseverance and collaboration, Tahoe Community Foundation was founded by local community members who shared a vision: a thriving Tahoe where philanthropy could serve as a powerful force for good. Over the last 30 years, that vision has grown into a trusted philanthropic partner for individuals, families, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders.
Elected officials, agencies, and stalwart protectors of Lake Tahoe gathered at Sand Harbor Nevada State Park August 19, 2026 for the 30th annual Tahoe Summit. Photo by: Corey Rich, Novus Select
U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) hosted the 30th annual Tahoe Summit on Wednesday, where she was joined by Nevada and California elected leaders, leaders of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and professional rock climber and conservationist Tommy Caldwell who delivered the keynote address.
The Tahoe Summit, started in 1997 by former Senators Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein, has played a crucial role in bringing leaders from both states and both parties together to work to conserve the Tahoe Basin.
“For 30 years, the Tahoe Summit has been a testament to what we can accomplish when leaders across all levels of government come together with conservation experts around one shared purpose,” said Senator Rosen. “Our message today is clear: as drastic climate changes have brought new challenges to conservation efforts, we will continue working across parties and both states to make sure we don’t lose this jewel of the Sierra Nevada.”
The annual event brings Lake Tahoe’s federal delegation together to help ensure Team Tahoe has the resources it needs to support Lake Tahoe’s conservation. Over the past 30 years, federal funding has leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in state, local, Tribal, and private investments that have delivered more than 900 projects to protect water quality, reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, and support sustainable recreation.
New Book Inspires Readers to Embrace Retirement as Life’s Most Meaningful Chapter
August 25, 2026 | Member Submitted
Fourth Quarter Mindset – The Joy of Living a Happier Life – By Naseer Rana
Fourth Quarter Mindset – The Joy of Living a Happier Life was officially launched during a virtual event attended by family, friends, colleagues, and readers from around the world. Hosted by Stephanie McKibben, the event featured an engaging conversation with author Naseer Rana, readings from the book, and an interactive audience discussion about retirement, happiness, purpose, and healthy aging.
The book presents a refreshing perspective on retirement—not as the end of life’s productive years, but as the beginning of a new chapter filled with freedom, growth, contribution, and joy.
“Too many people spend decades preparing financially for retirement but very little time preparing for how they want to live,” said Rana. “This book is about helping people design a life that is purposeful, meaningful, and joyful during what I call the fourth quarter of life.”
Drawing on his personal retirement journey, more than three decades of international leadership experience, and research from psychology, neuroscience, positive aging, and longevity studies, Rana introduces the Fourth Quarter Mindset—a practical approach that encourages readers to replace fear with opportunity, regret with gratitude, and uncertainty with purpose.
At the heart of the book are Seven Freedoms of the Fourth Quarter, which encourage readers to embrace:
Freedom of time
Freedom to redefine identity
Freedom to deepen relationships
Freedom to discover renewed purpose
Freedom to continue learning
Freedom to simplify life
Freedom to leave a lasting legacy
Throughout the launch event, Rana emphasized that retirement is not simply about leaving a career—it is about creating a life worth living. He encouraged participants to intentionally prepare emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually for this important stage of life.
The discussion highlighted several practical lessons from the book, including:
Plan for life, not just finances.
Happiness is built through intentional daily habits.
A positive mindset can be developed and strengthened.
Good health and meaningful relationships are more valuable than material wealth.
Small, consistent actions produce lasting change.
One simple habit Rana shared with the audience was beginning every morning by saying:
“It is going to be a great day.”
He explained that this small daily practice helps cultivate optimism and establishes a positive mindset that influences the rest of the day.
The book draws on research from leading studies, including the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Blue Zones research, and findings on the U-shaped happiness curve, all of which suggest that later life can become one of the happiest and most satisfying periods when approached intentionally.
Audience members joined a lively discussion on topics such as preparing emotionally for retirement, balancing financial security with health and relationships, lifelong learning, and whether the book’s lessons apply to younger generations. Rana noted that while the book focuses on retirement, its principles are relevant throughout adulthood because the choices we make today shape the quality of our future lives.
The event concluded with an inspiring message that reflects the central theme of the book:
“The best years of your life are not behind you—they may still be ahead. Every day is an opportunity to grow, serve others, strengthen relationships, and create a lasting legacy.”
Fourth Quarter Mindset – The Joy of Living a Happier Life offers readers a practical roadmap for building a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life by combining scientific research, personal experience, inspiring stories, and simple daily practices.
The book is now available through Amazon in print and Kindle editions, with an audiobook edition planned for release in the coming months.
About the Author
Naseer Rana is a former World Bank Governance Advisor, nonprofit leader, author, and certified life design coach. During a career spanning more than three decades, he worked across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, helping governments strengthen institutions and improve public sector performance. He currently serves as President of Boosting Hope Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities through scholarships, mentoring, and college success programs for underserved students.
Inspired by Stanford University’s Designing Your Life methodology, Rana now helps individuals view retirement as a time of renewal, purpose, and continued growth. He and his family live in the Lake Tahoe region, where he enjoys hiking, lifelong learning, and spending time with family and friends.
For more information, visit Amazon by searching “Fourth Quarter Mindset – The Joy of Living a Happier Life” by Naseer Rana.
Glancing back upon my ten years of living on the Island of Maui, the best party I can remember was thrown by a Russian guy, Rodonovik. And here’s how it came to be…
The 1981 San Francisco Forty Niners made it to the Super Bowl, and I thought it might be fun to have a “Forty Niner Faithful” party to celebrate the occasion and watch the game together on somebody’s TV. So I announced on my morning radio show that I would be taking one representative from the first twelve ethnic groups to call in. Each representative could then bring one guest and a hot dish from his former homeland…
As the names came rolling in, I dropped them into a hat: Nagamini, Macadangdang, Hoopii, Koo….
When we had a dozen faithful I cut it off, and there were some unhappy listeners who let me know they were not going to invite me to their next party.
I mixed our twelve names in a hat and pulled out that lucky person to be honored with hosting the Niner Party at their home: “Rodonovik!”
On Super Sunday here we came, an even dozen 49er faithful of differing ethnic backgrounds with guests and a hot dish from their homeland, all arriving at Rodonovik’s in Kihei at the same time! As none of us knew each other, we wore name tags, and I had a Niner jersey made up that said, “Hi, I’m Joe Montana.”
Well, you never saw such confusion in the kitchen, but the ladies got it all worked out and pretty soon we were seated in the patio area with plenty to eat and drink. Rodonovik had mounted TV’s near the ceiling at both ends of the deck. It was a heartwarming sight.
During the course of the game we toasted and cheered with each Forty Niner score, and during the second half, we took to toasting and cheering on first downs.
When the game was over, and we had won, we went out on the town as one. The ladies were designated drivers, and we were a sight for sore eyes, the most diverse looking gang ever to walk into a Maui bar arm in arm! And because my shirt said, “Hi, I’m Joe Montana,” I was the happy recipient of a few gifted beers. You never saw a more convivial bunch than what we were on that Super Sunday…
Fast forwarding, on my birthday that year I took a call live on the air and heard, “This is Joe Montana, I want to wish McAvoy a happy birthday.”
“Oh, sure!” I demurred, “This is one of my buddies from Rodonovik’s party, I just know it! Besides, I’m Joe Montana.”
“Yeah, I heard about your shirt…”
It was Joe Montana, and I was reduced to an awkward teenager.
“Joe! You’re the greatest!”
It’s embarrassing when your hero is younger than you are, but it’s quite alright when that hero is Joe Montana…
In the News – Incline Wine + Food Lake Tahoe 2026: A vintage-inspired celebration of Napa Valley Estate Wines
August 22, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 8/22/2026, Staff Report
Incline Wine + Food Lake Tahoe returns for its 4th annual flagship weekend from August 28–30, 2026 along the “Sierra Riviera”, blending the timeless elegance of “Old Tahoe” with the world-class heritage of 16 Napa Valley family estate wineries, featuring Laurent-Perrier as the Exclusive Champagne Partner.
Taking place at a private 6-acre lakefront estate in Incline Village, Lake Tahoe’s flagship wine + food weekend offers guests three tiers of access: the ultra-limited Grand Reserve La Paulée multi-event pass, the VIP Reserve single-day pass, and Estate general admission.
The Destination for Napa Valley Family Estate Wine Enthusiasts
“By focusing on family-owned Napa Valley estates each with a unique heritage at a private lakefront venue, we’ve established Incline Wine + Food as the definitive flagship wine weekend for the Lake Tahoe region,” says Founder Daniel Clark. “It’s a celebration of the unique heritage, legacy, craft, and community that defines both Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe.”
Enjoy an evening outdoors while helping Washoe County better understand the quality of our night skies. Washoe County is looking for volunteers to take simple nighttime observations as part of a community science project that will help guide future dark skies planning. The survey will establish a baseline of existing sky darkness and inform upcoming updates to Washoe County lighting code relating to dark skies.
Participants will:Visit one assigned location in Washoe County at night between Wednesday September 9th and Sunday September 13th Measure the darkness of the night sky using simple instructions.
Enjoy an evening under the stars while contributing to an important community projectNo experience is needed and everyone is welcome! Sign up to participate and learn more about Washoe County’s dark sky code update project. After you sign up, we’ll send you everything you need, including a training invite, your survey location, and easy step-by-step instructions.
In The News – 30 years of activism celebrated at Tahoe Summit; leaders discuss the next 30
August 21, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 8/21/2026, written by Katelyn Welsh
Team Tahoe is now looking to the next 30 years after celebrating the 30th Tahoe Summit at Sand Harbor State Park on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) hosted the annual event at the park’s amphitheater, where attendees heard from other lawmakers and regional leaders on the successes over the last three decades and their vision for the next 30.
Participants also heard from U.S. rock climber and Tahoe resident, Tommy Caldwell, who provided the summit’s keynote speech.
Start the School Year Safely: Back-to-School Safety Reminders
August 21, 2026 | Member Submitted
As students head back to the classroom, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) is reminding everyone to use a little extra caution on our roads and around our schools.
The start of the school year means more students walking and biking, increased activity at bus stops and crosswalks, and more traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. With more students also using e-bikes to get to and from school, it is especially important for both drivers and riders to slow down, stay alert, and be aware of their surroundings.
A few extra seconds of patience and attention can make a big difference in keeping our students safe.
Important Safety Reminders
For Drivers:
Slow down and follow posted speed limits in school zones and neighborhoods.
Watch for students at crosswalks, intersections, and bus stops.
Obey school bus signals and never pass a bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
Give bicyclists and e-bike riders plenty of space.
Put phones and other distractions away while driving.
For Students & Parents:
Review and practice a safe route to and from school.
Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever possible.
Stop, look both ways, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
Wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bicycle or e-bike.
Stay visible, avoid distractions, and follow the rules of the road.
E-bike riders should ride at a safe speed and stay alert for vehicles, pedestrians, and other cyclists. Review the safest route to and from school before the first day.
Backpacks:
Use both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly.
Keep backpacks light. The National Safety Council recommends backpacks weigh no more than 5% to 10% of a child’s body weight.
A Message from NLTFPD
Back-to-school safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you are behind the wheel, walking to class, riding a bike or e-bike, or dropping a student off at school, we all have a role in helping students get where they are going safely.
“A few extra seconds can make all the difference. Slow down, put the distractions away, and take the time to look for the student in the crosswalk, getting off the bus, or riding alongside you,” said Fire Chief Sommers. “Keeping our students safe is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role in making sure they get to and from school safely.”
On behalf of everyone at NLTFPD, we wish our students, families, teachers, and school staff a safe, healthy, and successful school year.
