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Veteran comic Howie Nave of “Howie’s Morning Rush” on KRLT displaying his comedic versatility.
When the late-summer Caldor Fire blazed through our region in 2021, Cal Fire estimated 43,000 people, including all 21,500 residents of South Lake Tahoe, were forced to evacuate. Just as in the pandemic, food insecurity was identified as a significant issue. Many community members experienced economic hardships from temporary unemployment and job losses, as well as the
expense of unexpectedly leaving their homes.
After the smoke cleared — literally — and people once again began to resume their normal lives, local talk show host and veteran standup comic Howie Nave developed a solution to aid in the communitywide healing process — laughter!
Howie graciously offered to host a comedy fest, featuring several of his A-list comic friends from around the country, who agreed to waive their performance fees. He called in a favor — or three — and before you knew it, the event was scheduled for December 10 in the historic South Shore Room at Harrah’s in Stateline, Nevada.
He relentlessly promoted the event on his popular morning radio show, “Howie’s Morning Rush,” on KRLT, 93.9 The Lake. The comedy fest would benefit Barton Health Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund, which is aimed at assisting community members battling food insecurity.
Howie also had another motive.
“I wanted to give back in a way where first responders could have a two-hour comedy show and just laugh,” he said. “I was still feeling the anxiety of the Caldor Fire, so I thought by making more people laugh, it would be therapeutic, which is why I invited, free of charge, our firefighters, all members of law enforcement, US Forest Service personnel and others who played such a huge role in ensuring the safety of our community.”
The Caldor Comedy Fest, emceed by none other than Howie himself, with an estimated 750 people in attendance, proved once again that laughter can sometimes be the best medicine!
On behalf of the Barton Health Foundation, we extend our sincere thanks to Howie Nave for his generosity and organizational abilities, and to Harrah’s Tahoe for hosting this unique event as well as for their philanthropic support!
Eddie Ifft is familiar to fans from Comedy Central, the Joe Rogan Experience and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”
Nick Griffin appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman” 12 times, as well as “Late Night with Stephen Colbert,” and several Comedy Central Specials.
Allan Havey has had regular roles on Showtime’s “Billions,” AMC’s “Mad Men” and HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Chris Kiser, Executive Director of the Barton Health Foundation, accepting the check from (left to right) Howie Nave, Nick Griffin, Eddie Ifft and Alan Havey.