In The News – Santa, Skiing and Festive Fun: 10 Holiday Events in Lake Tahoe
December 12, 2023 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in Lake Tahoe This Week, 12/12/2023, Written by Shanie Matthews
Immerse yourself in the spellbinding magic of Christmas in Lake Tahoe. From cookie decorating to heartwarming breakfasts with Santa, the festive spirit is alive and thriving, promising an unforgettable experience for the holidays. Continue reading to learn about 10 fantastic ways to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones.
Kick off the holiday cheer at Diamond Peak, where Santa and Penguin Pete join forces to spread joy. On these two magical days, you and yours can witness the merry duo handing out candy canes and capturing cherished moments in photos with children. Be sure to not miss any of the fun!
Christmas Tree Village Center Sip and Shop – Saturday, December 16
December 11, 2023 | Julie Malkin-Manning
IVCBA is excited to present a season full of fun and festive events as part of Northern Lights, including Sip & Shop events, featuring local merchants in Incline Village. With a total of five official shopping centers in our beautiful village, our local merchants and business owners are gearing up to make your holiday shopping a joyful experience. They’re here to help you find the perfect gifts while having a great time in the process.
On Saturday, December 16 from 11-3 PM, explore the vibrant offerings of Christmas Tree Village, during the final IVCBA Northern Lights Sip and Shop event of the season.
Thania’s Juice Bar, a beloved haven for fresh and fabulous juices and homemade vegetarian/vegan bites crafted with love, beckons you to savor village favorites. Delight in gluten-free tomato basil soup, grilled cheese, and black bean and corn quinoa while replenishing your energy for sipping, shopping, or snowy adventures with their freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, and smoothie bowls.
Embark on a savvy shopping spree at the newly opened Village Pet Foundation Thrift Store, where store-wide sales, giveaways, FREE mimosas in bedazzled champagne glasses along with goodies to nosh on await you. This volunteer-run organization, established in 2022, passionately supports pet families in need of financial assistance in the Lake Tahoe basin. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to provide veterinary care for domestic pets in our community. Explore more about their cause at https://www.villagepetfoundation.org.
In the heart of Christmas Tree Village, two exciting businesses have recently opened their doors. Start your journey at Tahoe Gifting Co., where mulled wine accompanies a curated selection of locally designed goods for all ages and occasions. Matthew and Darya, the owners, specialize in creatively personalizing gifts for home warmings, celebrations, holidays, and corporate events. Visit their female and veteran-owned retail space and explore the magic at https://tahoegiftingco.com.
Lisa Douglas, who you may know from her good work with the noon Rotary, invites you to step into Lisa Douglas Designs and transform your Tahoe spaces. Immerse yourself in lush accessories, art, furniture, and rugs. During the Sip and Shop event, enjoy a glass of wine and connect with Lisa as she helps you create your perfect haven.
Karma Tahoe, A Consignment Boutique, led by Kim Lewis, offers a treasure trove of gently used trend forward and classic clothing, shoes, and accessories for the entire family. As a consignee, sell items no longer serving you and keep the karma going by shopping in-store with cash or credit. Kim and her team curate selections to match local charitable events, ensuring you’re both stylish and philanthropic. www.karmatahoe.com
Happy Tiers Bakery, the sweet sensation in Christmas Tree Village, is a haven for delectable treats and locally roasted Coffeebar coffee. Join Jason and Andrea Jurss at the Happy Tiers Café for a delightful experience featuring gluten-free options, macarons, scones, Challah bread, and more. During the Sip and Shop, engage in a cookie decorating contest, enjoy a hot chocolate station, participate in raffles, and marvel at a gingerbread house. Explore the sweetness at https://www.happytiersbakery.com.
Crosby’s Pub, owned by Russell Jones, invites you to savor family-style service with options for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for all-day brunch, lunch, or dinner, find your spot at the bar to sip a specialty cocktail and enjoy sports or gaming. With 10 digital gaming machines and ample TVs, Crosby’s Pub is your go-to destination for a memorable time. During the Sip and Shop event, Crosby’s will be offering the following COMPLIMENTARY appetizers and beverages to guests who mention they came for the Sip and Shop. Meatball & Mozzarella flatbread, Chicken Caesar flatbread appetizers, Pomi-Tini Martini, Tahoe Blue Dirty Martini, and Mammoth Double Nut Brown Ale draft. Discover more at https://crosbyspub.com.
Mofo’s Pizza and Pasta has been nestled in the Incline Village area ever since 1986, three generations strong! This cozy establishment highlights their passion for market-fresh ingredients, honest cooking, and an enjoyable atmosphere. Our menu features a selection of dishes, all made in-house by our team of talented chefs. Don’t blink on the fresh salad bar and great lunch specials. Learn more at https://www.mofospizza.com/
While not within Christmas Tree Village, two IVCBA member businesses on Tahoe Blvd. are ready to assist with your local shopping needs. Dive into the 23-24 ski season with Elko and the expert team at Village Ski Loft, offering everything from outdoor shells to skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, goggles, gloves, and more. Experience their tuning expertise to ensure your equipment is in peak condition. Transitioning to biking and hiking during the “other” season, they’ve got you covered at www.villageskiloft.com.
Talbot Fine Art Gallery, another gem on Tahoe Blvd., showcases the breathtaking work of local photographer Chris Talbot. Explore his captivating imagery and discover other local artists, including Rabia Adil. Rabiaz Art is an abstract artist who orchestrates emotions and ideas through strokes of her brush creating captivating visual journeys and memories. As you browse, find Tahoe-related stocking stuffers like buttons, stickers, and Chris’ acclaimed 5-star representing the 5-counties around Tahoe flag in various designs. Inquire about Chris’ Around Tahoe Tours, known for garnering excellent reviews and teaching even locals something new. Visit www.Talbotfineartgallery.com to immerse yourself in the artistic wonders.
Christmas Tree Village and its surrounding areas are abuzz with excitement and the spirit of the season. Venture out and explore these delightful establishments, each offering a unique touch to make your holidays truly special!
In The News – Third annual Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week starts Dec. 11
December 10, 2023 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in The Sierra Sun 12/09/2023, Submitted
TAHOE CITY, Calif. – From athlete panel sessions about backcountry safety to guided on-snow events and a film fest, the third annual Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week is chock full of events and online content curated by Take Care Tahoe. From December 11-16, 2023, both novice and experienced backcountry enthusiasts will have opportunities to learn how to safely recreate in the backcountry this winter.
“The collaboration we see leading up to and during Backcountry Safety Awareness Week is awesome and it goes beyond one week in December,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, executive director of the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance. “The efforts during this week help further everyone’s common goal of getting folks out and enjoying our public lands – and doing so safely.”
Started in 2020 to help educate the growing number of people who venture into the Tahoe backcountry about the importance of safety, preparedness and etiquette, Tahoe Backcountry Safety Awareness Week convenes experts and partners in the Tahoe Basin and beyond to offer educational sessions, panel discussions, film screenings, opportunities to test safety equipment and more.
Published in Live Work Play (Fall 2023), Written by Kayla Anderson
The mother/daughter interior design firm behind Bridget Giroux Design has taken Incline Village by storm ever since it was incepted in fall of 2022, and its client base and business continue to grow.
Both named Bridget (as well as a baby Bridget who was just welcomed into the world this past September), it all started when Bridget Giroux moved to Incline Village in 2021.
Giroux grew up in the Bay Area, and her parents Bridget and Bob Crowe moved to Incline Village 13 years ago. As the Crowes built a life on the East Shore, their daughter Bridget pursued a career in design. Giroux moved to the Midwest and went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Upon graduation, she worked at a luxury workroom that specialized in bedding and linens at one of the top designers in the area and later got a job with renowned American designer Holly Hunt working in design and product development. Giroux traveled all around the world for that job for six years and then covid came, bringing her traveling to a halt.
“Covid changed the way we thought about what life would look like,” Bridget Giroux says.
Being back on the West Coast again, Giroux found a remote job continuing interior design, met her husband, and they thought for the first time ever of moving out of the city.
“At that point I knew how the industry worked and two things struck me about Incline: 1) I couldn’t believe how many artists are here; and 2) there are so few places for them to show their work,” Giroux adds. “No one in Incline was really embracing that, so we saw an opportunity here to bring in this new perspective.”
The pandemic also brought a new demographic of residents moving to Northern Nevada who had an appreciation for contemporary fine art and home decor.
At the same time Bridget Giroux Design was launched, longtime Incline Village resident Piper Monika Johnson moved her fine art gallery from Incline Village to Truckee. Piper M. Johnson and the Bridgets met, and they began sharing artists. In the small office space above Drink Coffee Do Stuff, the Bridgets started hosting popup exhibitions. Its first few artists had roots in Incline, such as abstract artist Susan Watson, still life/landscape artist Mary Nagal Klein, illustrator Liz Paganelli, and mixed-media artist Jason Forcier. Since Giroux has such a sophisticated eye for design and a small showroom that does not keep regular hours, the Bridgets are highly selective in what artists they work with.
“The pop-up model works well because it creates a sense of urgency,” Giroux says.
“There’s a nice mix of longtime locals and visitors who come to these popups, and it’s never crowded at our events. We have a targeted mailing list and personally invited people via email, so it feels more exclusive, although anyone is welcome to attend,” she says.
However, hosting popup exhibits for local artists is more of a passion project; the main breadth of their business is derived from more extensive interior design projects.
Bridget Giroux Design has worked with at least 10 Incline Village residents on their house projects, everything from full-on remodels to light interior refreshes. They’ve done four very large renovations, replacing all the furniture, window treatments, cabinets, sinks. Bridget Giroux Design also does art consultations, and helps people figure out what’s worth keeping or getting rid of.
“That’s our bread and butter, redoing the flooring, trim, paint, lighting,” Giroux says.
They recently began a project where they helped gut an entire home down to the studs, putting in new tile, cabinetry, backsplash, vanity sinks- pretty much everything- in the kitchen and bathroom.
They’ve worked with clients and their homes as far away as Maui to Kings Beach, Glenbrook, and Glenshire, but they’re mainly focused on Incline Village.
“We take on different projects of different scales,” Giroux adds.
In December 2022, Bridget Giroux Design also hosted a monthlong Holiday Sip and Shop on the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. It’s something that they will bring back this winter season since last year’s popup was so successful.
“People wanted to shop locally and support artists,” says Giroux.
“We curated the popup tight- every single in the store was super special, nothing you could find anywhere else,” she says, explaining that they target high-end customers looking for heirloom-quality home furnishings. Most items they sell during the popups are $600-$1400 apiece, which could include handwoven throws, fresh floral arrangements, and even high-end candles that smell like Hidden Beach. Bridget Giroux Design works with a porcelain ceramist who lives in South Lake Tahoe and creates dishwasher-safe “modern fine China” dish sets that cost anywhere from $200-$450.
“Our ethos is in the popups and art exhibits. We shop, and use as much local as we can, trying to support art and the artisan ecosystem.”
“We learned so much last year from those. We’re going to bring back a ton of bestselling items,” Giroux explains, adding that people were calling in July asking if they’ll have certain things back in stock. Everything that the design team carries is handmade, artisan quality. The fall/spring holiday popups are great because you can get specially curated items right here in Incline Village without having to worry about driving to Reno.
In looking towards the future, along with getting ready for the holiday popup, Giroux says the business is currently focusing on their existing clients and will be taking on new clients this November for 2024. The Bridgets pride themselves on their ability to find upscale items that complement a relaxed mountain lifestyle.
“It’s possible to live with beautiful things that are not necessarily precious but aesthetically comforting, special, that tell a story,” Giroux says. Like Adrienne [Belair’s] porcelain ceramic work that’s dishwasher safe, easy to live with, yet handmade and artistic. “People want their homes to be practical,” she says.
“We are unique in that my mom and I come to every single appointment; the two of us are there throughout the entire process from start to finish. People seem to appreciate that we live here in town, understand the nuances of living in Tahoe, and work personally with them on their needs,” Bridget Giroux says. Her mother Bridget Crowe is active in rotary, the Incline Business Exchange, board of realtors, and does a lot of volunteer work.
“We do ‘everyday luxury’ projects and are trying to establish ourselves as a design resource for people. Our mission is to share these cool people who are making amazing work,” Giroux says.
“We are still evolving and growing,” Bridget Crowe says.
This year’s Bridget Giroux Design Holiday Sip and Shop popup will run from the day after Thanksgiving from 5pm-8pm and then open Fridays-Sundays from 11am-4pm through December 23rd. For more information about Bridget Giroux Design, visit www.bridgetgiroux.com.
Village Plaza Sip and Shop | Thursday, Dec. 14 4-6PM
December 5, 2023 | Julie Malkin-Manning
IVCBA is excited to present a season full of fun and festive events as part of Northern Lights, including Sip & Shop events, featuring local merchants in Incline Village. With a total of five official shopping centers in our beautiful village, our local merchants and business owners are gearing up to make your holiday shopping a joyful experience. They’re here to help you find the perfect gifts while having a great time in the process.
On Thursday, December 14 from 4 – 6 PM PM, visit the following merchants in the Village Plaza (located at the corner of Village and Tahoe Blvd.) for a festive and fun Sip and Shop event.
Clearly Tahoe – the company that rents those very cool clear kayaks, invites kids of all ages to get creative with ornament making at their Incline Village Adventure Gift Shop. Don’t forget to explore their unique and one-of-a-kind gift selection, perfect for the adventure junkie in your life. Locals enjoy a year-round 10% discount! www.clearlytahoe.com
Village Toys, Incline’s exclusive toy store, and the adjacent Susie Scoops Ice Cream and Boba Shop create an atmosphere dedicated to play and joy. Owner Blake Goldenberg is a proud supporter of Toys for Tots in North Lake Tahoe, offering a generous 20% discount on all charitable gift purchases until December 15 – the last day to donate. https://www.villagetoys.com
Susie Scoops, conveninelty located right next to Village Toys, is offering free kids scoops of ice cream at and 20% off all purchases during the event only! They are also holding a raffle to win a Monopoly Lake Tahoe edition – the perfect way to spend a family night during the holidays. www.susiescoops.com
Visit Britney Bladel and her team of amazing State Farm Insurance agents for a special treat. Santa will be by the fireplace, and they’re hosting sips and snacks for families. While they love entertaining, they are also committed to ensuring you have the coverage you need for peaceful nights. https://www.yourtahoeagent.com.
Join us in celebrating the season of giving and joy at our community’s vibrant businesses!
It’s a big week for Northern Lights and all the festivities in Incline! Seriously, I don’t know where to start and stop, so the best thing, go to IVCBA.org and look at the Northern Lights calendar to get the details. Here are some highlights:
Santa is at Incline Library…today! Bring food or (new) mittens, hats, etc. for their giving tree. Check out their Makers Space for making ornaments and gift tags.
All our faith-based members have events throughout the month, not just Hannukah (whichstarts tomorrow!) and Christmas services. The Christian churches have great music during the Advent season. Here’s the big picture of faith-based events in December….
This weekend, St. Patrick’s has a beautiful creche (nativity scene) display.
St. Francis is hosting TOCCATA’s Messiah(and singalong!) on Friday, December 15.
Our newest member, the North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation typically has a Hannukah party, still waiting for the date, but UNR @ Lake Tahoe has started a Chanukah tradition with an event on December 14.
An old-fashioned Christmas Pageant at Cornerstone on December 15th! Especially for families with young children, A Night In Bethlehem will share the Christian story in an entertaining way that still gets the message across.
Truly, there is something for everyone….my wish is that this season of giving brings out the best in all of us.
November lived up to its reputation as a historically strong month and the rally continued into December with the S&P 500 reaching a 2023 high. The summer selling ended in October and the bull market that began in October 2022 continued. I’m not sure why market lows often occur in October.
The recovery to its 2023 high came after the S&P 500 dropped 10.3 percent. For those that own non-profitable technology stocks it was a wild ride. Those that owned dividend payers received their dividends while they waited for stocks to recover. And then there are those that panicked and sold when stocks were low. Oh well.
Investors should expect pullbacks of 10 percent or more. That happens most years. It even occurs during the best years. Since 1928 there have been 34 years where the S&P 500 gained 20 percent or more. Among those 34 years, stocks fell 10 percent or more during the year 16 times!
Why the recent strength in stocks? Credit prospects for interest rate cuts sooner rather than later. Sooner being in next year’s first half. Also, there are trillions of dollars in cash equivalents earning five percent. Some of that cash moved back into stocks and some into fixed income. More cash will find another home as rates slide. Add it up — falling rates and lots of cash — and the market has a tailwind.
I expect interest rates to work their way lower. For that reason I have recommended vehicles including preferreds with yields ranging from 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent. Ares Capital yields closer to 10 percent. My approach: have some exposure to vehicles that will do well if rates rise (floaters) and others if they fall. The latter include fixed preferreds from Axis Capital (E), PartnerRe (J) and RenaissanceRe (G), three large reinsurance companies. While their yields have come down and their prices have edged higher they are still attractive to those who want to nail down an income stream.
Among stocks the focus for many continues to be on the Magnificent Seven, as they are known. These big-cap technology stocks distort market returns because they loom so large in the S&P 500 (approx. 30 percent). But the equally weighted S&P 500 (symbol RSP) only has marginal year-to-date gains. Mid-cap and small-cap ETFs, like iShares Russell 2000 (IWM), haven’t participated. That is changing now. Bottom line: there are a lot of opportunities and money market cash will fuel the rallies.
David Vomund is an Incline Village-based Independent Investment Advisor. Information is found at www.VomundInvestments.com or by calling 775-832-8555. Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
In The News: Tax-smart ways to donate stock to your favorite nonprofit
December 5, 2023 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in The Reno Gazette Journal 11/28/2023, Written by Kathryn Kelly
Did your stocks appreciate considerably in the past couple of years and you are wondering how to minimize capital gains taxes? In this season of Giving Tuesday and year-end charitable donations, an often overlooked win-win option is to donate stock, real estate or other non-cash assets you have held for at least a year to a nonprofit cause you care about and get some tax benefits.
Why not just write a check instead? Because by the time you sell the stock and pay capital gains taxes, you may lose up to a third of the original value. That excess value goes to the IRS and not to the nonprofit.
But not that many know about donating stock. According to a recent study by Fidelity Charitable, only half of respondents knew you could even donate stock, and fewer than one in five have actually done so.
Quick Space – Creating Environments Where Humans Thrive
December 5, 2023 | Member Submitted
Quick Space is committed to creating environments where humans thrive by offering portable business solutions and exceptional service. We proudly rent and sell portable business solutions to assist our community and remove space obstacles. We understand the importance of providing every team with appropriate working climates and the role that plays in recruitment, productivity, and retention.
After the 2008 recession impacted the company, Quick Space rebuilt itself into the area’s leader in portable storage and temporary office space. Additionally, our leaders recognized the market’s needs and expanded into site solutions and portable restroom services. With this expansion, Quick Space grew into the region’s premier source for temporary solutions. The company’s original staff of 7 grew into more than 75 employees. Owner Scott purchased Quick Space in 2009 as the company aligned with his leased-asset-based investment strategy. Dick Stufflebeam served as the accountant through the transaction, stayed on and eventually becoming General Manager for the company. He recently retired as General Manager but continues to handle the property management for Quick Space. In 2018, Rob Heaton was named General Manager. Today, Quick Space has over 100 employees, and is expanding business every day.
Quick Space responds to our customers quickly with exceptional service supported by an extensive and adaptable inventory. We are accountable to the customer, our community and team.”
The IES Scholastic Book Fair is this week. Stop by and grab a few great gifts for the holidays!
Save the Date: The second annual IES Holiday Parade is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 22nd at 10:00.
INCLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Join IMS on Dec 14th @ 5pm for the Annual Winter Concert.
IMS Jr Boosters has partnered with Got Sneakers? A recycling program that extends the life of used sneakers through a reuse and recycling program. Every shoe donated also helps raise money for IMS students and athletes. Please donate your gently used sneakers at IMS today!
IMS Jr Booster Holiday Fundraiser
Love See’s Candy? Now you can enjoy your favorite chocolates delivered to you or as a gift and help IMS Jr Boosters. Use this link to access the Sees’s Candy Yum Raising page.
INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL
Next Monday is Highlander Day! Incoming middle school students get to visit IHS on Dec 11th from 9-11.
IEF would like to send a warm welcome to the new Athletic Director, Sam Banghart, Sam is a Reno native and UNR graduate and will officially start his new role on Dec. 22nd.
New Course offering:
IHS is now offering a dual-credit Emergency Medical Services course.
This TMCC course will be offered on the IHS campus from Jan 9-May 24th. During 8th period.
Students should see one of the counselors for more info.
Huge shout-out to our 6 All-State Footballers! Congrats to: Tommy Williams, Colin Combs, Cameron Bodel, Johnny Santiago, Alex Briggs & Colton Barraza
