News Briefs
Opportunity to Support Fire Relief Efforts
WASHOE COUNTY
The Davis Fire has burned thousands of acres, forcing residents to evacuate, leaving families without power, and closing schools in Washoe County. Joe Lombardo, Nevada Governor, has declared a state of emergency.
United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra created the Davis Creek Fire Emergency Assistance Fund to provide immediate relief and support to those affected by the fire. Donations will help with provisions of essential resources such as food, shelter, medical supplies, and emergency financial assistance to families in need.
During this time of crisis, UWNNS will be foregoing all administrative fees associated with processing to ensure that full donations go where needed the most.
Donate at classy.org/campaign/emergency-assistance-fund/c618240.
~ Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation enews
How Sierra Nevada Forests Can Help Solve Climate Change, Rural Economic Decline, National Housing Crisis
SIERRA NEVADA
In the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada, a transformative and scalable climate change solution is unlocking financial resources to address the wildfire and housing crises, forest health, and rural revitalization.
The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment and the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) have formed a pioneering partnership to commit to the future of regenerative forest practices and the revitalization of rural economies. TTCF’s Forest Futures campaign has awarded the Sierra Institute and its Mosaic Timber operation a $1-million grant to advance this ambitious goal.
This investment leverages $3 million in grants from CalFire and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and is aided by the work of Mass Timber Strategy. It culminates a 2-decade vision to transform unhealthy, overcrowded forests into the bedrock of a thriving, regenerative economy. This renewed forest-based economy mitigates wildfire risk, supports recovery efforts post-wildfire, and simultaneously offers an affordable housing solution.
Central to this vision is establishing small-scale manufacturing operations that use wood removed from overgrown local forests and properties to produce Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). CLT is an innovative building material that offers a carbon-smart, fire-resistant, and seismically sound alternative to traditional construction methods. CLT is derived from “woody biomass” — small and mid-sized trees, alive and dead, many of which traditionally hold little to no market value.
This project will not only reduce disposal costs and create well-paying local jobs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable economic development. By reintroducing small-scale, localized manufacturing and milling operations, it will provide a significant boost to the local economy. The facility, located in Taylorsville, will help the North Tahoe/Truckee region process timber from its overcrowded and high-risk forests, offering an additional place for woody biomass processing.
Philanthropy plays a significant role in making large projects pencil. Please consider donating to Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation’s Forest Futures Campaign and help reach a $2 million match this year.
~ Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Sierra Institute for Community and Environment press releases
Grants Available to Women With Independents
TRUCKEE
Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner is accepting applications for Live Your Dream grants, available to women who are head of household, have a dependent, and wish to enhance their training or education. These grants of up to $4,000 enable women to get additional training or further their education. Applications must be completed by Nov. 15. Access the application at soroptimist.org/our-work/live-your-dream-awards/apply-for-the-live-your-dream-awards.html.
~ Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner press release
General Election Will Offer Choices on Federal, State, and Local Issues
NEVADA COUNTY
In less than a month, voters will receive ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election. The ballot will offer voters choices on candidates for federal, state, and local offices. Voters will also be able to weigh in on 10 state propositions and three local ballot measures.
Federal offices up for election are President of the United States and U.S. Senate. Due to Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death in September 2023 before the end of her term, voters will have the opportunity to vote for candidates in two separate contests on the ballot. One contest is the regular election for the full 6-year term ending Jan. 3, 2031. The second contest is to fill the vacancy now held by Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newson to complete Feinstein’s term.
State offices that will be on the ballot are State Senate District 1 and State Assembly District 1.
Information on federal candidates and the 10 state propositions is available at voterguide.sos.ca.us. Information on candidates for State Senate and State Assembly will appear in the local voter information guide.
Ballots will be mailed by Oct. 7 and can be returned as soon as they are received. Early voting is available at the Government Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City and at Truckee Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Rd. starting Oct. 7. All drop boxes will be open by Oct. 8. See the Nevada County elections website for more information on the election, how to register to vote, and vote center and drop box locations at nevadacountyca.gov/elections.
~ Nevada County press release
More Than $190,000 in Grant Funds Awarded to Local School District
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Excellence in Education Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of $190,748 in grants to support 60 educational projects across the district. This year, key themes among the funded grants include literacy, math, and science.
Approximately $38,000 was allocated for supplemental books, with a significant focus on decodable readers due to the district’s shift to the Science of Reading. Nearly $75,000 was dedicated to math and science projects, including $34,000 in total for 255 graphing calculators for local high school students.
A particularly exciting grant was awarded for an Anatomage Tablet for Truckee High School. This cutting-edge tool provides students access to two human cadavers in a three-dimensional format, allowing detailed study and dissection.
Other noteworthy grants include music production software, climate action robotic kits, a kiln, materials for expanding transitional kindergarten classes, an exercise machine, and more.
On Aug. 7, Laura Brown, Executive Director at Excellence in Education, presented a check for $186,819 to support 53 district grants. An additional $3,930 was issued to Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, a charter school within the district, to support seven more grants.
Beginning Sept. 20, Excellence in Education is kicking off its first-ever fund drive to raise $20,000 for even more classroom and district-wide grants. Every donation — $10, $100, or $1,000 — brings the foundation closer to its goal and makes a lasting impact on students’ lives. For more information or to donate, exined.org.
~ Excellence in Education Foundation press release
Fire Districts Offer Chipping Services
LAKE TAHOE
Local chipping services are currently available and ready to be used by residents throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin to assist in defensible space work.
Each fire district hosts chipping programs which can be requested by local individuals and neighborhoods. Chipping programs provide a chipping crew to a local residence and chip the debris created through defensible space work. This valuable resource can greatly assist in community efforts to manage fuels around homes and improve overall wildfire preparedness.
The residential curbside chipping program is grant-funded to support property owners as they create defensible space, with a goal of reducing vegetation that would be fuel during a wildfire. This program is not to be used by tree service and defensible space contractors. Large piles left by contractors will not be chipped.
Request chipping from a local fire district and learn more about their specific guidelines:
- North Tahoe chipping services
- North Lake Tahoe chipping services
- Lake Valley Fire chipping services
- Tahoe Douglas chipping services
- South Lake Tahoe chipping services
~ Tahoe Resource Conservation District press release
Placer County Ranks Number One for Firewise Communities
AUBURN
Placer County is now the top-ranked county in the United States and California for the number of communities participating in the Firewise USA program, with a total of 98 Firewise USA Communities.
The Firewise USA program takes a local, proactive approach to wildfire prevention, reducing the risk of property damage and protecting lives.
Insurance is a primary motivator for homeowners to participate in the Firewise USA program, as it can lead to substantial savings on insurance premiums. Homeowners could save an average of 5% to 15% on the wildfire portion of their insurance policies.
Since the inception of the Firewise program in 2007, Placer County residents have invested $37.4 million in fuel reduction efforts, removing over 435,000 cubic yards of fuel waste and devoting over 383,000 hours to these initiatives.
For more information about the Firewise USA Community program in Placer County, or to join or start a Firewise Community, visit placer.ca.gov/5739/firewise-usa-community-program.
The regional coordinator for the Firewise USA program in Placer County can be contacted by email at fireready@placer.ca.gov or by phone at 530-886-FIRE (3473).
~ Placer County press release
Chocolate and Wine Festival to Benefit Community
NORTH TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Sierra Community House, a local organization that empowers the community through family strengthening, crisis intervention, hunger relief, and legal services, announced the 34th Annual Chocolate and Wine Festival to take place on Oct. 19. Enjoy live music by Sneaky Creatures and a live and silent auction that will benefit Sierra Community House’s programs.
This event takes place during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Sierra Community House provides survivor advocacy, emergency shelter, and family support, so attendees will directly contribute to initiatives that support those in need.
In the past year, Sierra Community House helped 265 community members access domestic and sexual violence services.
This year’s theme is a Masquerade Ball. Prepare for an evening of elegance and mystery. Guests should plan to don their most enchanting masks and glamorous attire from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Grand Ballroom in Incline Village. Tickets are $200 and can be purchased at one.bidpal.net/tahoechocolateandwinefestival. Learn more about the Sierra Community House at sierracommunityhouse.org.
~ Sierra Community House press release
Thirty Days of Free Storage Offered to Fire Evacuees
RENO
The U-Haul Company of Northern Nevada announced that it is making facilities in Reno and Sparks available to provide 30 days of free self-storage and container usage to residents fleeing the Davis Fire.
The 30-day free offer applies to new self-storage and U-Box rentals and is based on availability. People seeking more information about the U-Haul disaster relief program or needing to arrange storage services should contact the participating location nearest them:
U-Haul Moving and Storage of Double Diamond located at 10400 S. Virginia St. and U-Haul Moving and Storage of Spanish Springs located at 11425 Digital Ct., Sparks.
~ U-Haul Moving and Storage press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Utility Company Honors Board Member’s 37 Years of Service
TRUCKEE
Truckee Donner Public Utility District named a newly-built water pump station the Joseph “Joe” R. Aguera Pump Station, in recognition of Aguera’s 37 years of commendable service. A ceremony was held at the pump station on Aug. 28, which included Aguera’s family, friends, colleagues, and local agency leaders.
Director Aguera was first appointed to the TDPUD board on May 30, 1987. Aguera’s time on the board saw him presiding over major events like the consolidation of the Donner Lake and Glenshire water systems into the TDPUD system and the utility’s transition to a 60% renewable energy portfolio. He also guided TDPUD in maintaining affordable rates, pursuing capital projects to upgrade infrastructure, and endorsing adaptive financial planning and governance that allowed TDPUD to weather economic recessions and supply chain challenges.
He has announced his intent to not run for re-election and step down from his office as director at the end of the 2024 term.
~ Truckee Donner Public Utility District press release
Airport Welcomes New Director of O&M
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Tahoe Airport District Board of Directors and staff would like to offer a warm welcome aboard to the new director of operations and maintenance, Vincent Wawrzynski. Vince will be stepping in to replace retiring director of O&M, Dave Hoffman, who has been with the airport for 22 years. Dave will be staying on for a while during the onboarding transition and will be greatly missed upon his retirement.
Vince started his career working the flightline at San Jose International Airport and graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in aviation operations. He then joined the Marine Corps and served as an F-18 pilot, along with various significant maintenance and staff roles. After his service, he worked with San Jose State University to create new courses around aviation careers, and aviation safety and security. In his spare time, Vince started and operated a brewery, became an ocean solo circumnavigator, and built an RV-7 aircraft.
~ TTAD newsletter
Business Briefs
Roundwood Furniture Suffers Loss Due to Fire
KINGS BEACH
Local craftsman Andy Cline suffered a devastating loss due to a structure fire at his shop and office, Roundwood Furniture, in Kings Beach. Cline survived, though sustained serious burns and is currently receiving treatment at the UC Davis Burn Center.
Cline was a week away from the annual Reno Tahoe International Art Show, where he is a prime sponsor. Some of the art and furniture that he was planning to exhibit perished, making the situation more challenging. Cline’s friend, Philip GilanFarr, has set up a GoFundMe, writing, “I hope together, as a community, we can provide him the support he needs in this life-altering situation, both financially and in renewed, strengthened friendship. Join me in committing our positive energy toward an incredible human.” Donations are being accepted here.
~ Help Cline Rise from the Ashes Go Fund Me
Mountaineer Adds to Winter 2024/25 On-Demand Transit Services
OLYMPIC VALLEY
After record-breaking ridership last winter and in response to the most recent passenger survey, Mountaineer, the service that offers free, on-demand winter microtransit in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, announced it will again expand its operating schedule for the 2024/25 season.
An additional van will join the Alpine Meadows fleet on weekends and holidays to increase capacity and reduce wait times during peak demand periods. In addition, the operating schedule within Alpine Meadows will be extended by 5 hours per day to offer 5 days a week (Thursday to Monday) service from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., matching the hours offered daily in Olympic Valley. Mountaineer will operate longer this season, with 3 more operational days scheduled than last winter.
This winter, Mountaineer will operate 12 nine-passenger, dog-friendly vans equipped with ski/snowboard racks and one ADA van, between Dec. 7, 2024, and April 20, 2025, as follows:
- Daily in Olympic Valley from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Thursday through Monday in Alpine Meadows from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with additional service offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 25, Dec. 31, Jan. 1, and Feb. 18 and 19.
- Daily between Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Passengers can request rides through the Mountaineer app, which is free to download in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Daily daytime inter-valley transportation will continue to be provided by Palisades Tahoe between the two base areas by the Base to Base Gondola and the Palisades Tahoe Express Shuttle when both mountains are open, weather and conditions permitting. Click for more.
Placer County’s TART Connect free on-demand microtransit service between Olympic Valley and Tahoe City, and between River Ranch and Tahoe City, is offered daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. during TART Connect’s winter operating season. Request these rides through the free TART Connect app.
Learn more about Mountaineer and its operating schedule for the 2024/25 winter season at mountaineertransit.org.
~ Mountaineer press release
Adventure Van Expo Returns
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Palisades Tahoe announced the return of the Adventure Van Expo, a 2-day celebration of van life culture and outdoor adventure vehicles. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, providing an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and van life aficionados to explore the latest in custom vans, overland rigs, and cutting-edge gear.
The Adventure Van Expo will feature everything from fully customized camper vans to rugged overland setups. Attendees can expect to see van conversions, meet with industry experts, discover products for off-grid living, and enjoy live music, food, and local brews. Those looking to show off their custom builds are encouraged to sign up for the DIY Contest. Tickets may be purchased online here or in person at the expo box office.
~ Palisades Tahoe press release
