Just when I thought I must surely have read everything Sam Clemens ever wrote, I stumbled onto a speech delivered in Boston away back in 1888, when Sam described the sleeping habits of Siamese twins: “While one sleeps, the other snores.” 

Yet again, Samuel brings a smile to my weathered face. I cannot count the times he has done that over the past four decades, and if each smile adds an extra minute of life, well, I should live comfortably to a venerable old age of one hundred and fifty-seven. In truth, I was not constructed to live more than 75 years, but a close association with my constant comrade, SLC, has allowed me to have a look around at the eighties. Thank you, Samuel! The view is scintillating!

While thumbing through a few more of his speeches, I discovered this gem, tucked away in an address at a Fourth of July Dinner of the American Society of London in 1899…

 “At the end of the party a great dignitary of the English Established Church went away half an hour before anybody else and carried off my hat. He went out first, and of course had the choice of hats. As a rule I try to get out first myself. But I hold that it was an innocent, unconscious act, due, perhaps, to heredity. He was thinking about ecclesiastical matters, and when a man is in that condition of mind, he will take anybody’s hat. The result was that the whole afternoon I was under the influence of his clerical hat and could not tell a lie. Of course, he was hard at it.”

In honor of Sam’s impending 191st birthday, I might like to share with you a few of his secrets to longevity…

“My habits protect my life, while they would assassinate you. In the matter of diet, I have been persistently strict in sticking to things that did not agree with each other’s company, and letting them fight it out on the inside.  

As for drinking, I have no rules about drinking, when others are drinking, I like to help.  I have found that a tumbler full of whiskey in the early evening is a preventative against toothache.  I’ve never had the toothache, and I don’t intend to have one. Giving up smoking is easy…I’ve done it thousands of times. As for exercise, I’ve never taken any exercise, and I don’t intend to take any. Exercise is loathsome. I’ve never seen any advantage in being tired. And as for profanity, there are times when profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer. When angry, count four; when very angry, go ahead and swear. It’s the people’s poetry.

You cannot reach old age by another man’s road. The important thing, the essential thing, is that we endeavor so to live, that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry.”

Thank you, Samuel, for the smiles…    

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

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 9/28/2026, Written by Ryan Sommers, Fire Chief North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District

Wildfire is a year-round risk in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Our dry summers, strong winds and mountain terrain make preparation an important responsibility for every household. Having a plan before an emergency can help families respond calmly and make timely decisions.

Ready, Set, Go! provides a simple framework for understanding what to do as wildfire conditions change.

Ready means preparing now. Learn about the hazards around your home, maintain defensible space, monitor official information and sign up for local emergency alerts. Assemble an emergency kit with medications, important documents, water, food, clothing, chargers and supplies for pets.

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Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 9/22/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola

Spencer Cox, Parker Burnell, and Matt Zupan are a group of friends who decided to put their shared joy for trail running and their love for the Sierra Nevada into a new guidebook highlighting 50 of their favorite trails across eight sub-regions in the Northern Sierra. 

The trio began running together in Tahoe three years ago, but before that, it was thanks to a youth nonprofit organization called SOS Outreach that they would meet. While volunteering as a mentor, Zupan was introduced to Cox who worked at SOS Outreach full-time. 

“We had a couple of connections,” said Zupan. “And [Cox] was good friends with Parker, the other author and he introduced us.” 

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Photo: Spencer Cox, Parker Burnell, and Matt Zupan are the authors of “Tahoe Trail Runs”, a guidebook highlighting 50 trails in the Northern SierraProvided / Matt Zupan

The Reno Jazz Orchestra will celebrate the legendary women who helped shape jazz with “Divas of Jazz” on Oct. 11, 2026, at Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The two-hour performance will pay tribute to iconic vocalists including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, while celebrating the artistry and enduring influence of women in jazz.

“The concert is designed to showcase the profound influence these divas had on the jazz genre,” said Dr. Greg Johnson, music director of the Reno Jazz Orchestra. “We’re excited to bring our guest vocalist, Kathleen Grace, to the stage to capture the spirit and artistry of these extraordinary artists.”

Grace, a vocalist, songwriter and educator, brings a distinctive style that bridges jazz, folk and Americana. Her expressive vocals and authentic approach make her a natural fit for an evening celebrating some of the most influential women in music.

“Kathleen Grace is a perfect fit for this concert and complements the talents and legacy of the legendary divas of yesteryear,” Johnson said.

The evening’s setlist will include such favorites as “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Pennies From Heaven,” “Time After Time,” “Chega de Saudade” and “Almost Like Being in Love.”

Johnson will lead the 17-piece Reno Jazz Orchestra in an evening designed for longtime jazz fans and newcomers alike. The performance begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets are $50 to $60 and include reserved seating. Student tickets are $10 with a current student ID.

Founded in 1997, the Reno Jazz Orchestra carries forward the big band tradition shaped by musicians who have performed with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti. The orchestra’s mission is to present exceptional big band performances featuring jazz standards, contemporary works and selections from the Great American Songbook.

“Divas of Jazz” offers an opportunity to hear these timeless songs performed by a full big band while celebrating the remarkable women whose voices continue to define jazz.