My Shot

My Shots are essentially our version of an Op-ed. These opinion pieces are either submitted to the paper, then vetted and edited by the opinion editor, or solicited based on our desires for hitting certain topics. My Shots are Moonshine Ink opinion pieces that must take a stance on an issue — typically starting with a problem, establishing an argument for your stance, then answering with a call to action.

Word limit for a traditional My Shot is 600 words, and as of 2021 we are accepting longer (1,000 word count limit) submissions on a case-by-case basis. Email editors@moonshineink.com to submit yours!

How Pickleball Helped Diane and Jim Fisher Beat COVID-19

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Incline Village retirees Jim and Diane Fisher could be seen pre-COVID day in and day out on the pickleball court, which they attribute to their own ability to beat off the disease.

A Tip from the Grand Master of Good Times

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The Alibi Truckee general manager gives you all his reasons why shopping local is particularly important as the pandemic heats back up.

Salutations, Sanitation Agency

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TTSA’s lab director just quit in protest of the culture and practices of the agency. Her reasoning is outlined in this My Shot.

Schools, Parents, and Racism

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Do schools have an obligation to address racism directly? Absolutely, says one family who dealt with school and racism personally, through comments made by their own son.

Help Our Children by Taking the Census

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California census deputy director Emilio Vaca appreciates the sense of community he has found in our region, and advocates, for the sake of our children, that everyone take the census.

And Then They Shut the Forests

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First came the disease, then the economic downturn, and now (the last straw for this My Shot author) wildfire has gotten so bad it’s forced the closure of the forests. This piece presents a path forward to never allow this to happen again.

What the Murder of George Floyd Means to Me as a Truckee Resident

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As an African American living in Tahoe/Truckee for 10 years, Robert Watts (head chef at Drunken Monkey Sushi) shares his perspective on the protests following George Floyd’s killing by police in Minneapolis.

Mask Wearing, Social Distancing Enforcement Falls to Truckee Business Owners

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Truckee residents concerned about the role businesses have played in enforcing COVID distancing and mask wearing restrictions argue that the town and its police force should play a stronger role.

Community Empowerment Through Beach Clean-Ups

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While a big tourism year for Tahoe’s north shore has brought this My Shot author a sense of a lack of control over litter and other degrading impacts, but he encourages action, like his own newly established Monday beach clean-ups, to fight that feeling of powerlessness and make a difference.

Masks and Privilege

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For someone who held the hands of COVID-19 patients, treating them for 40 to 60 hours a week and contracting the disease caused by the novel coronavirus herself, masking up is a social justice issue.