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Incline Village news briefs: Vacation rental scams abound on Craiglist

Staff report

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Amid reports of an ongoing rental scam on Craigslist, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department is warning residents and renters to look for specific signs when searching for a vacation rental home on the site.

In some cases, the fraudulent Craigslist listings include pictures and a lengthy description of a real home. The vacationers pay in advance, typically by check or Western Union wire. The “landlord” takes receipt of the money. When the victim arrives at the vacation rental, they learn the home is occupied by permanent residents or already rented.

These types of scams happen across the region, meaning renters and residents in North Tahoe and Truckee fall victim, too. Below are some tips:



Use a credit card: Never use bank wires, certified checks, Western Union or any other service where the money is gone forever immediately after you send it.

Obtain full contact info and verify: Obtain full contact information for the person you are dealing with (name, address, phone number, email, etc.) and verify that information (by using Google search, etc). If dealing with a person, ask for references, especially full work contact info, and verify that contact info.



Your phone calls are answered: If they always have to call you back, then avoid. When they call, ask for a phone number where you can immediately call them back. If they don’t pick up the phone, watch out. Be aware that many scammers use message services (no one answers; you always need to leave a message).

Climate change-focused talk tonight at SNC Tahoe

Oceans are warming, becoming more acidic, and are being depleted of oxygen. How aquatic life reacts to these changes can help us understand more about this monumental issue.

Learn how genetic differences facilitate how resilient some organisms are to environmental stress, and what we can learn from it, at the Thursday, Dec. 8, event “Climate Change Models Using Ocean Species.”

Presenter Andrew Whitehead, associate professor UC Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology, is a comparative genome biologist and molecular ecotoxicologist.

Registration is required. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30-6 p.m. at 291 Country Club Drive in Incline Village on the campus of Sierra Nevada College. A $5 suggested donation will be collected at the door. Visit http://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/.

Toys For Tots Crab Feed Saturday

The annual Toys For Tots Crab Feed and Toy Collection Party will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, from noon to 5 p.m. at Rookies Sports Bar and Grill in Incline Village.

The event will include a raffle featuring several big items, such as a racing jersey signed by Lance Armstrong, an autographed guitar from ZZ Top’s Bill Gibbons and a motorcycle, among others. Fresh crab, shrimp, pasta salad and bread will be served; entry cost is one new, unwrapped toy.

If residents know of any family in need, you can call 775-833-CARE to get a family application for toys. The Incline Village Toys for Tots campaign headquarters is now located in the Country Club Mall, Unit #22, at 120 Country Club Drive, Incline Village. Visit http://inclinevillage-nv.toysfortots.org to learn more.

Toccata’s ‘Messiah’ performances set for Saturday in Incline

The Toccata Tahoe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus’s 12th WinterFest will be highlighted by performances of Handel’s “Messiah,” taking place December 10-23 across the region.

The kick-off concert takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Cornerstone Church, located at the corner of Highway 28 and Country Club Drive in Incline Village.

Other performances are Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in South Reno; Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Carson City; Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m. St. Theresa Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe; and Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Squaw Valley Institute Activity Center in Squaw Valley. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to the concert, or online at http://www.ToccataTahoe.com. Costs vary.

‘The Nutcracker’ performances this weekend

The Tahoe Dance School will present local performances of “The Nutcracker,” an American tradition, this weekend at North Tahoe High School theater, 2945 Polaris Drive, Tahoe City.

“Enjoy this classic holiday ballet performed by local dancers from Tahoe Dance School and Tahoe Youth Ballet,” according to a news release for the performances, which will also feature adult members. “With beautiful costumes, wonderful scenery and a talented cast, this is a holiday treat everyone will enjoy.”

Show dates are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students ($5 more at the door) and are available at these local outlets: Ruffles ’N Ruffnecks and Sugar Pine Cakery in Tahoe City, and The Potlatch in Incline Village Raley’s Center. Call Tahoe Dance School at 530-583-3367.


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