In The News – Northstar vice president, GM joins Tahoe Fund Board of Directors
September 8, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Sierra Sun, 9/8/2026, Staff Report
Tara Schoedinger, vice president and general manager of Northstar California Resort, has joined the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors. Schoedinger’s extensive leadership experience spans technology, public service, and mountain resort operations, and will help advance the nonprofit’s efforts to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.
“Tara brings a unique perspective and diverse experience to our Board of Directors that is sure to be a tremendous asset to our efforts,” said John Jones, Tahoe Fund board chair. “As we continue to pursue new opportunities to improve the Tahoe environment, her contributions will be invaluable.”
In The News – Keep Tahoe Blue Fashion Show raises record-breaking $1.67 million for Lake Tahoe conservation
September 2, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 9/2/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
It’s safe to say that the 57th annual Keep Tahoe Blue Fashion Show, held on August 1 in partnership with Oscar de la Renta, was an all-around success as the event marked a record-breaking $1.67 million to support Keep Tahoe Blue’s mission of preserving Lake Tahoe.
First created in 1969, the Keep Tahoe Blue Fashion Show started with only 100 guests. Bill Blass, the original designer for the Fashion Show, made an iconic appearance on Rubicon Beach.
“They threw down plywood right onto the beach and Bill Blass presented his collection, barefoot, with just a handful of models,” said Kristin Keane, Major Gifts Officer for Keep Tahoe Blue. “People were sitting at picnic tables with boxed lunches. It was very humble beginnings, very lowkey grassroots, and suffice it to say, it’s been growing ever since.”
Originally published with Keep Tahoe Blue – Newsletter 8/19/2026
Lake Tahoe’s future has never depended on one solution.
It depends on collaboration that lasts, science that guides action, and people who keep showing up when the next threat reaches the shoreline, forest, or boat ramp.
That spirit will be on full display today, August 19, when the 30th annual Lake Tahoe Summit returns to Sand Harbor. Hosted this year by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, the Summit marks three decades of leaders, scientists, Tribal voices, environmental advocates, agencies, and community members working across boundaries for the Lake. Keep Tahoe Blue is proud to have been deeply involved from the start.
The annual tradition began in 1997 with a visit from President Clinton and Vice President Gore that helped launch a new era of bi-state collaboration at a time when Lake Tahoe’s clarity was in decline. Today, that partnership continues through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, which brings together more than 80 partners and has delivered more than 900 restoration projects across the Basin.
That progress matters. So do the challenges ahead.
This month, we’re looking at resilience in action, new tools to contain invasive weeds, stronger defenses against golden mussels, wildfire preparedness during a hot, dry summer, and a chance to double your impact for Lake-saving work.
Join us on 9/7/26, Labor Day, at 9 am in Incline Village at the Aspen Grove Village Green for this entertaining, family favorite event! The Rotary Club of Incline Village – Noon has had a Duck Race or Duck Drop as its main fundraiser for more than 25 years. We partner with North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) to drop buckets of numbered rubber ducks on a target to pick winners of wonderful cash prizes.
Buy your Duck tickets in Incline Village at a sales table in town on weekends in front of Mountain ACE Hardware, Grocery Outlet, Happy Tiers Bakery, or online using our QR code! For more information, contact Lu Sweeney at 510-334-5343 cell/text.
Garden Party to Benefit Scholarship Fund in Support of Incline Village High School Senior Women
August 5, 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. For tickets and additional event information, visit https://tahoe-nv.aauw.net/events.
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.
Growing to Meet the Community’s Mental Health Needs
July 28, 2026 | Member Submitted
For many years, the Tahoe Family Solutions (TFS) mental health team has worked within limited office space, making it difficult to keep pace with the growing need for counseling services in the North Lake Tahoe community.
That changed this month when we moved our entire mental health program into a dedicated counseling center less than a mile from our main office on Incline Way. The new location features a welcoming reception area, private offices for every clinician, and a dedicated play therapy room designed specifically for children.
Tahoe Family Solutions was founded in 1991 with the primary goal of providing mental health services to the community. As additional needs emerged, we expanded our programs to support children, families, and individuals in new ways while remaining committed to that mission. Today, we serve approximately 200 mental health clients each year, and demand for counseling and related services continues to grow.
The expanded facility is more than a new address. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to making quality mental health care more accessible, comfortable, and effective for everyone who walks through our doors.
Creating a Safe, Consistent Space for Healing
One of the biggest benefits of the new office is consistency.
Previously, therapists often had to share space, which meant clients might meet in a different office from one appointment to the next. Now, each therapist has a dedicated office where clients know exactly where they’ll be every visit.
Katie O’Hara, MA, LCPC, who serves as a mental health therapist and clinical manager for Tahoe Family Solutions, while maintaining her private practice, works with adults, couples, teens, and children. She believes the new location will create a more welcoming, consistent experience for both clients and clinicians.
“This way everyone gets their own space and our clients know where they’ll be every time,” O’Hara said. “There’s something about consistency that I think makes clients feel safe. They’ll be able to look forward to being in the same room every time they meet with their therapist.”
Each office has been designed to feel warm and welcoming, with comfortable furniture, sensory tools, and personal touches.
“Even something as small as having a couch and little fidgets can make a difference,” she said.
The new play therapy room gives younger children a dedicated space where they can process emotions and experiences through play in a developmentally appropriate setting.
Expanding Access to Care
Getting care isn’t always as simple as making an appointment. Transportation, cost, language, and availability can all stand in the way. The new counseling center helps remove many of those barriers.
Located on the public bus route, the office is easier to reach for clients without reliable transportation. Counseling services remain free, ensuring finances are never a barrier to receiving care.
The expanded space will ultimately allow us to increase appointment availability and reduce wait times.
“With the additional money we’re able to get from grants and private donations, we’ll be able to add more hours for our therapists,” O’Hara said.
Language access is another important part of expanding care. The team includes three Spanish-speaking clinicians, allowing many bilingual and bicultural clients to receive services in the language they’re most comfortable using.
“There are just as many Spanish speakers as there are English speakers on the waitlist, so having bilingual therapists providing their services has been incredible,” O’Hara said.
While Tahoe Family Solutions has provided interpreters when needed, she says speaking directly with someone who understands both their language and culture creates a different experience.
“It’s an unmatched experience being able to sit across from someone who you share a similar cultural background with,” she said.
The expanded services have been made possible through generous community support, including funds raised through Shabby Chic, grant funding, and donor contributions.
Comprehensive Mental Health Services
Working with a team of professionals, TFS offers mental health care for children, adolescents, and adults through a range of services, including:
Child, Adolescent and Family Counseling
Parent and Child Interactions
Healthy Family Relationships
Success in School
Play Therapy
Conflict Resolution
School Adjustment
We also provide psychiatric care through licensed psychiatric provider Dr. Sukhi Johal, who works with children, teens, and adults to evaluate symptoms, diagnose mental health conditions, and develop individualized treatment plans.
Psychiatric services include:
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
Medication management for anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, and more
Ongoing support and check-ins to ensure treatment is working
Collaboration with our in-house therapy team for integrated care
The Importance of Mental Health
Although awareness of mental health has improved in recent years, O’Hara believes there is still work to do.
“If someone has a broken bone, they’ll go to the doctor,” she said. “But if someone is going through a broken heart, they’re more likely to think, ‘I’ve got this. I can handle this.’”
She encourages people to think of therapy as routine care rather than a last resort.
“I think going to therapy is kind of like going to the dentist, but for your brain,” she said. “Our mental health is everything. It’s how we interact with the world. It’s how we perceive things. It’s how we form connections, or sometimes struggle to form connections. Our mental health is at the forefront of everything, and it’s just as important as our physical and spiritual health.”
We hope the new counseling center will help even more individuals and families find the support, healing, and hope they need.
Mental health services are currently provided free of charge through Tahoe Family Solutions, although donations are always appreciated. Community support helps us continue expanding access to quality mental health care for everyone who needs it.
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
PTSD NOW!’s 4th Annual Thank A Vet Golf Tournament
July 7, 2026 | Member Submitted
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, this year’s tournament raised more than $100,000 to provide free, life-saving mental health services for service members, veterans, and their families.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this event possible.
I’ve attached a few photos from the tournament in case you’d like to include them in your upcoming newsletter. (I will sendyou more photos because the other four wouldn’t attach.)
Thank you again for your continued support of PTSD NOW! and for helping us share our mission with the Incline Village community.
In The News – Pet Network Humane Society Offers Free Adoptions This July
July 3, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/03/2026, Staff Report
Pet Network Humane Society announced sponsored adoptions this July, made possible through the incredible generosity of Bev & Doug Keil, longtime supporters of Pet Network. All adoption fees for animals are waived for the entire month, ensuring that deserving shelter pets find loving homes just in time for summer.
This heartwarming promotion doesn’t stop at simply finding homes—every dog and cat adopted will come equipped with a Fi GPS collar, offering pet parents peace of mind and an extra layer of protection for their new companions.
The Reno Jazz Orchestra will present two themed summer concerts in Reno and Lake Tahoe: A Jazz/Rock Odyssey in July and A Tribute to George Benson in August.
A Jazz/Rock Odyssey will be performed July 28 at Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village, Nevada at 7:30 pm and July 29 at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno at 7:00 pm.
The orchestra will return in August with A Tribute to George Benson, scheduled for Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. at the University of Nevada’s Nightingale Concert Hall in Reno and Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village, NV.
Singer Matt Mauser will join the 17-piece orchestra for A Jazz/Rock Odyssey, a program that moves from swing to retro horn-driven music to classic rock.
“From Frank Sinatra’s smooth swagger to Elvis’ rock ‘n’ roll grooves, and Tom Jones’ powerhouse hits, Matt Mauser brings the music of these unforgettable artists to life through dynamic performances that entertain audiences across every generation,” Music Director Greg Johnson said.
Johnson said Mauser brings both crooner and rock sensibilities to the performance.
“There are very few entertainers who can traverse the vocal versatility terrain in the manner Matt can,” Johnson said. “Without missing a beat, he can casually croon Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ then roll into a toe-tapping rendition of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues.'”
For A Tribute to George Benson, guitarist Colin Cook and vocalist Kyle Rea will perform with the orchestra at both concerts. The program will celebrate Benson’s blend of jazz and R&B with selections including “Breezin’,” “Give Me the Night,” “This Masquerade,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Never Give Up on a Good Thing.”
“Both concerts will feature big band classics, smooth grooves and iconic hits celebrating one of music’s most influential artists,” said Dr. Greg Johnson, music director of the Reno Jazz Orchestra.
Cook, a Los Angeles-based guitarist, is a member of the Stanley Clarke Band and appears on Clarke’s forthcoming 2026 album Last Train to Sanity. He has performed in more than 20 countries and has appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival and NPR’s Tiny Desk series. He also is an instructor for the music-learning platform Rocksmith.
Rea studied opera, jazz and piano at the University of Nevada, Reno, and leads the 25-piece Kyle Rea Orchestra. He has headlined concerts at Reno’s Artown Festival, performed at private events and appeared with the Reno Jazz Orchestra.
Founded in 1997, the Reno Jazz Orchestra continues a big band tradition shaped by musicians who performed with artists including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti. The orchestra says its mission is to create big band performances featuring jazz standards, contemporary works and selections from the Great American Songbook.
