In The News – Washoe County School District chooses new superintendent
May 16, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 05/15/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees unanimously chose Joe Ernst, M.Ed. as the next superintendent. The board and Ernst will begin contract negotiations with a final contract decision expected during the public meeting on May 28.
“We are excited to begin the next phase of the hiring process and look forward to welcoming Joe Ernst to his new position as our superintendent,” said WCSD Board President Beth Smith. “We deeply appreciate the input we have received from our families, staff members, students, and the community at large during this process. Over many years of service to our district, we believe Mr. Ernst has proven his commitment to the students, families, and staff members of Washoe County, and we are ready and eager to move forward together.”
The 2024 Local Heroes Parade, Kids Parade, and Community Fair Registration is open!
May 15, 2024 | Julie Malkin-Manning
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated 2024 Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration, taking place from Tuesday, July 2 to Thursday, July 4. This three-day extravaganza promises fun-filled events and activities suitable for the whole family, including some exciting new additions!
Registration is now open for the 2024 Local Heroes Parade and Community Fair, being held on Tuesday, July 2. This is your chance to be part of this spectacular day of celebration. Hosted by the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community and Business Association (IVCBA) in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline, the Local Heroes Parade is a heartfelt tribute to our esteemed veterans, active military personnel, and beloved community heroes. The festivities commence with the Kids Bike Parade, leading a vibrant procession featuring floats, classic cars, and walking groups, weaving its way from Southwood Blvd to Incline Way, before culminating at the Village Green/Community Fair.
Following the parade, the excitement continues at the Community Fair, presented by the Incline Village Crystal Bay Veterans Club. Attendees can immerse themselves in games, explore information booths, and score freebies from various nonprofits, businesses, and service clubs. Plus, the cool opportunity to get to know those who serve our community through the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Incline Village Substation during the annual Meet and Greet with Captain Amelia Galicia and Lieutenant Joseph Colacurcio.
As the festivities unfold, hunger pangs can be satisfied with delicious brats, sodas, and water from the Highlander Pride Backyard BBQ, a fundraiser supporting IHS athletics. Susie Scoops will also host their annual ice cream eating contest!
Let’s unite to pay homage to our local heroes and bask in community pride!
Ready to dive into the excitement? Click below to register for your desired event:
I usually whistle past the obituaries, but Larry Young caught my eye. He was a scientist who discovered Love Potion Number Nine. Yes, Larry unearthed a chemical that heightens desire, not that the world needs it. A drug that would diminish desire might do the world more good in the long run. But Dr. Young was singing the praises of a chemical to make the heart flutter in a good way when he died of a heart attack at age 59.
Does Dr. Young’s work signal the day when perfect mates will be selected at the pharmacy? I can see the ads now: “Perfect Husband Drive Through.”
So what would Mark Twain say?
“Young people seem to think love is the swiftest of all growths, but in fact it is the slowest. No man, no woman, can know true love until they’ve been married a quarter of a century.”
Why don’t they do a study on the mating drive of cicadas? They build-up a libido underground for 13-17 years before busting sod and singing their odes to Aphrodite loud enough to wake Muddy Waters in his Illinois grave.
Poets? Who will need poets anymore when we have chemicals to stir the passions? Poets will be out to pasture and will be hauling in their signs when Love Potion Number Nine hits the market.
So why have scientists failed to study the mating habits of the cicada? Probably because no scientist can wait 13-17 years for the cicada to come calling. Scientists as a general thing are not patient people. I went out with a scientist once when in college, and just as I was about take her hand she announced without emotion, “You blinked sixteen times in a minute, and that indicates irritable bowel syndrome.”
Personally, I hope the old-fashioned way of finding a mate prevails, that of hanging out on the corner near the ice cream parlor, and watching the girls go by…
But while I’m thinking about it, a person’s last words, as they might show up in an obituary, are so important. I tend to favor, “I done my damndest.” We just don’t want to go out mad, like W. C. Fields, whose fiery last words were to his long-standing mistress, Carlotta: “Damn the whole world and everybody in it but you, Carlotta.” (Carlotta must have been an exceptionally nice person.)
This causes me to consider the possibility of a future life. Hey, if a cicada can take a dirt nap for 13-17 years, and come up singing, why can’t we?
All I know for sure is, we have to make the most of this life we’ve got, choose a good mate, raise some good kids, and make the world a little better place. Above all, while I’m up on this soapbox, please, in this great land of ours, where we can be anything…be kind.
The inspiration to revive the Fourth of July fireworks in Incline Village was a community-driven effort. In September 2023, Shelia Leijon, [Incline Village General Improvement District] parks and recreation director and a former colleague on the original Red, White & Tahoe Blue nonprofit, reached out to Jim Smith, the former chairman from 2007 to 2015. She encouraged Jim to “bring back the fun and fireworks we used to have.” Motivated by this call to action and the overwhelming community support evident from a Flashvote survey in July 2023, where 62.7% of respondents identified fireworks as the most important feature for our Independence Day celebrations, our team was reassembled. This revival was warmly supported by all five IVGID trustees, leading to the establishment of our new nonprofit, Red, White & Tahoe Blue II.
Bringing back the fireworks is not just about lighting up the sky; it’s about reigniting a sense of community pride and participation in a tradition that has historically brought joy and unity to Incline Village. We are committed to ensuring that this tradition continues for the foreseeable future with the support and generosity of our community members and stakeholders.
In The News – Incline Village pickleball players score upgrades
May 14, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 05/13/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Summer is heating up in Incline Village and the pickleball scene is too! Thanks to a generous $3,470 donation from Incline Village resident Sara Shorin, the community’s pickleball courts are getting upgrades.
“Thank you to Miss Shorin for that donation,” said Incline Village General Improvement District Trustee Michaela Tonking.
Incline Village will soon have six new windsocks installed courtside. These colorful windsocks will allow players to read the wind that affects a pickleball’s trajectory. The bright windsocks pointing in the opposite direction of the wind will be a game-changer for strategizing shots.
In The News – Second Annual Lake Tahoe Litter Summit to be held at Thunderbird Lodge
May 14, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 5/13/2024, Submitted
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The 2024 Lake Tahoe Litter Summit is scheduled to take place on May 15, 2024, at the historic Thunderbird Lodge.
This summit aims to address the pressing issue of litter and new waste management solutions in the Lake Tahoe Basin, share best practices among stakeholders, identify current challenges and opportunities for innovative solutions to these problems, and complete the day with new strategies to implement in the following year.
This event is organized by Clean Up The Lake 501(c)3 and is presented in partnership with Lake Tahoe Community College, Travel North Tahoe Nevada, Thunderbird Lodge, The Lake Tahoe Water Suppliers Association, Visit Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Truckee Communication Foundation’s Give Back Tahoe program.
Is There A Doctor in Your House? There Should Be with High Sierra Restorative Health
May 14, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published for the Reno Ice Raiders, Written by Phillip Goodman 02/29/2024
Emily Allina does more than just stitch up Ice Raiders players (or the woeful opponents who meet Roger Hutchinson’s or Tony Tyrell’s fists). When she’s not in the rink, she’s in her brand new office in Lake Tahoeperforming light wound repair or offering consultations for preventative healthcare, or she’s traversing Northern Nevada making house calls for those that don’t have the time or means to get to Tahoe. As part of her practice, Allina provides routine checkups or full lab analyses at fractions of the cost of most primary care physicians (PCPs) and health plans.
The current US model is set up like a sick-care system,” says Allina. “It’s really hard to get in to see your providers for preventative things. And even when you do there’s not much of an emphasis or there’s a pretty big knowledge gap for preventative health care or more integrated health care. What I do uses different modalities of health care using different kinds of treatments or preventative treatments. Also insurance doesn’t always cover the things you want to do for prevention.”
For example, let’s say you’re going on a trip. Some insurances won’t cover a malaria vaccination but they’ll cover your hospitalization that costs exponentially more.
Enter Allina, where an ounce of prevention can save that pound of pain. However, Allina is not advocating canceling your insurance. She is advocating seeing her before you need to implement your insurance.
“Insurance is there for catastrophic issues like if you get hurt, really ill, or need surgery,” she says. “But if you really just want to work on getting healthy and optimizing your health it’s really hard to do with any insurance system.”
So how can Allina help optimize your health right away, whether you’re as active as an Ice Raider or not?
“There’s a lot of things I can help you do to optimize your health,” she says. “First we all need to exercise and eat right. My big focus though is on injury repair and regenerative medicine so I do a lot of platelet rich plasma injections to major joints in off season. People may not need surgery but have an acute injury. It’s an option for healing and repair. Couple that with for example the men’s health for hormone balancing: making sure their thyroid is optimized and that their testosterone is optimized. Those are both important for metabolism and maintaining muscle mass and bone health to prevent osteoporosis down the road. Testosterone is hugely important for stamina, cardiovascular health, cognitive health, sleep, mood and motivation. We’re seeing testosterone declines earlier in men. But we’re also optimizing blood sugar to make sure they’re not becoming insulin resistant for early diabetes which is one of those issues that has a lot of downstream consequences for people. I’ll also check your cortisone levels which affect stress and mood. On top of that I’ll look at your vital nutrients: iron, B12, any deficiencies that cause fatigue or a sub-optimal performance. Once you’ve optimized all that then you can introduce peptide therapy which helps you release more growth hormone which can help increase your injury recovery, workout recovery, and build lean muscle mass. Peptide therapy can also help with your sleep and immune support.”
Peptide therapy doesn’t require constant visits or house calls from Allina. After your initial consultation and a review of your labs, then she can assign a therapy schedule based on your specific goals and needs. The therapies can easily be applied yourself nasally, orally, or via small insulin-like injections.
“I use a lot of these myself,” she says. “I generally try not to recommend things I would not do for myself or my family.”
Her rates as an independent practitioner will vary based on what types of services and treatments you need.
“There may be a little bit more of a cost now but you’re really going to be saving down the road a significant amount of cost because you’re going to start optimizing your health,” she continued. “Then you’re not going to be behind the ball as you get older, then paying thousands and thousands of dollars a month for medications and for specialists. With me you’re hedging for the long term.”
“It’s getting harder to see your PCP for some things so you end up going to urgent care or the ER and you still have the copay or out of pocket costs. You’ll get a better service with me, more in-depth analysis, and better follow-ups. With me you’re not one person in a big system, you’re one person in a small system with more personalized attention.”
Not only do you have the option of making an office visit if you’re in or around Tahoe, she can also come to your home or even workplace in Reno or Carson City and still take whatever samples she may need for a proper diagnosis.
“A large majority of things can be treated at home or mobily like strep throat, pink eye, mono, urinalysis, eye injuries, and more,” says Allina. “So if you’re vacationing in Tahoe and someone in the family gets hurt or sick, you don’t have to pack the whole family in the car and take them to the hospital. I can make the house call to your rental and make the diagnosis with my mobile practice.”
Even though Allina doesn’t take insurance payments, she still generates superbills that you could download from her patient portal and try to submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement, depending on the case. She has also negotiated her lab prices down to one-third to one-eighth the cost of the average local lab prices.
“A full panel of labs which is upwards of 20-25 tests can be done from only a few tablespoons of blood,” says Allina. “At one Tahoe-area hospital you’ll give 12 tubes of blood and that panel will run $2500. I can draw less blood and get the same panel of tests for $400-$500, again depending on what needs to be checked for.”
One more unique treatment she offers is ozone therapy. Per her site, “Ozone is three oxygen molecules (O3) bonded together to create an extremely potent and effective oxidant that scavenges up invading pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds. Intravenous ozone (O3) therapy is used to treat a multitude of acute and chronic illnesses.”
Quick personal endorsement for ozonation: my college roomate acquired an ozonator machine. It connected to our kitchen faucet for washing and sanitizing surfaces. Veggies and fruits washed in ozonated water lasted a week longer in the fridge than the unwashed. We also washed our hockey equipment in ozonated water which removed the odors and bacteria. This writer is a firm believer in the power of O3 and wonders when ozonators will be as common a kitchen/home apparatus as the garbage disposal. You will have to call Alina to find out how 03 can clean you from the inside out efficiently and safely.
Allina’s services and capabilities extend far past the confines of the rink.
“My goal isn’t just to treat the Ice Raiders players,” she says. “My services extended to fans and supporters. I’ll come down to Reno and do consults at your office or home but I can do procedures in my office. I’ve also got in my office an infrared sauna, and a hyperbaric chamber coming soon.”
Any patients in Reno that need more medical assistance outside her area of expertise are referred to her growing network of nutritionists, exercise therapists, chiropractors and more.
A native of Indiana, Allina made her way to Tahoe via Maine, Seattle, and San Diego. Her love of all things nature and outdoors made Tahoe an easy, desirable choice for opening a new practice in 2022. She has been a hockey fan since long before her needlework at Reno Ice. Her father was a team physician for the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL so she would attend games with him while she was still in high school.
“I really like it,” she said about the Ice Raiders’ games and environment. “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people and I’ve been somewhat helpful at games. It’s been more fun than I thought it was going to be.”
Like the Ice Raiders on the forecheck, it’s better to be on offense than playing defense. Don’t wait until you have to play defense with your health. Take offensive control and schedule your consultation with Emily Allina today.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Debuts New Exclusive Spa Buyouts for Groups
May 14, 2024 | Member Submitted
Incline Village (May 8, 2024) – Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on the shore of Lake Tahoe, debuts an exclusive spa experience for groups with “Club Shhhh…” The after-hours spa experience provides private access to the resort’s award-winning Stillwater Spa with two unique programs, “Chillax” and “Feeling the Vibe.”
“We are thrilled to debut a brand-new wellness experience available for our group guests to relax and recharge in the serene atmosphere of Stillwater Spa,” said Julie Orblych, director of spa and wellness at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. “This exclusive opportunity allows groups to buyout the spa space and take part in an immersive experience that can be tailored to fit each group’s preferences.”
“Club Shhhh…” is available between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., after the spa’s normal operating hours. The “Chillax” experience provides exclusive access to the spa facilities for up to 20 people. Groups can relax next to a crackling fireplace in the serene and tranquil spa relaxation area, enjoy luxurious steam showers, and unwind with access to the resort’s heated pool and whirlpools. A spa representative will work with each group to arrange a customized experience ranging from DIY spa treatments such as face masks and scrubs to delicious appetizers and beverages such as green smoothies and champagne.
The “Feeling the Vibe” option transforms Stillwater Spa into a chic night club infused with wellness for groups of up to 30 people. In addition to gaining access to the spa’s relaxation areas and amenities, guests will receive a selection of various mocktails and cocktails, passed appetizers ranging from goat cheese tarts to ahi tuna tacos, a s’mores bar on a private outdoor patio. Additionally, groups have the option to enhance the vibe with the additional of the resort’s resident the resort’s resident DJ JOOLZ. She works with each group to curate a custom music experience with her unique style, entertaining guests with a rhythm of beats and a twist of techno.
In addition to the new “Club Shhhh…” experiences, the resort also recently debuted the “Guests Only” speakeasy-inspired event space. Ideal for VIP functions or intimate occasions, the new venue is located on the resort’s 11th floor and features views of the stunning mountainous setting.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe features more than 50,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space. The resort’s outdoor venues include the Water Gardens, a natural outdoor venue filled with running streams and lush floral landscaping; the Lakeside Cottage Green, a spacious lawn with views of the lake and mountains; and a private beach where groups can arrange lakefront receptions backdropped by the unmatched beauty of Lake Tahoe.
Planners can also opt for indoor/outdoor functionality at the resort’s signature Lakeside Ballroom which provides floor-to-ceiling windows and large sliding glass doors that open directly to the Lakeside Patio. The hotel also provides the Regency Ballroom and adjoining Regency Foyer ideal for large events, the Spa Terrace Conference Center for mid-sized and small events, and the Diamond Peak boardroom.
Additionally, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe offers a robust menu of group experiences through its Adventure Program. Groups can organize private yin stretch yoga classes at the resort’s private beach or in one of the resort’s spacious meeting spaces depending on group preference and weather. The menu also includes meditation sessions, breathe work, archery classes, and group hike excursion to popular local trails.
For more information or to book a meeting at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.
About Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
Ideally situated on the pristine shores of North Lake Tahoe, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a AAA Four Diamond Award winning resort, offers majestic lake and mountain views from its 422 guestrooms, including 32 suites and 24 lakeside cottages. The resort’s design evokes modern alpine luxury with exposed wood beams, rich leathers, and granite features throughout the property. Premium amenities include 500 feet of private beach featuring a 275-foot floating pier, a year-round heated lagoon-style pool and two hot tubs, a 25,000 square foot Grand Lodge Casino, and 50,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor flexible meeting and event space including the picturesque Lakeside Ballroom, Tahoe’s premier lakeside ballroom just steps away from the beach. Additional amenities include a 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa with 16 treatment rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, pet-friendly accommodations, a fully-equipped Hyatt StayFit gym, and an on-site Adventure program which provides guided activities led by the resort’s team of adventure specialists. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino has received numerous awards and recognitions including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards, and more.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV, 89451. For more information, visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or follow the resort on Facebook or Instagram.
About Hyatt Regency hotels
The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 countries around the world. The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centers, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit. For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community. As a hospitality original, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts are founded on openness—our colleagues consistently serve with open minds and open hearts to deliver unforgettable celebrations, effortless relaxation and notable culinary experiences alongside expert meetings and technology-enabled collaboration. The brand prides itself on an everlasting reputation for insightful care—one that welcomes all people across all countries and cultures, generation after generation. For more information, please visit hyatt.com
The Local Lens – Incline Green Clean: CleanUp Day Initiative
May 14, 2024 | Member Submitted
Submitted and written by Incline High School students, Samiya Jenkins & Bekie Sussman
Incline Green Clean, it takes a community to clean our home!!
Our names are Samiya Jenkins and Bekie Sussman. We are juniors and IHS and love being outdoors. Some of our favorite activities include paddle boarding, hiking, and relaxing on the beach. At IHS, we are a part of the National Honors Society (NHS).
In NHS we elevate a culture of scholarship, service, leadership, and character through a service project of our choice. For our NHS, project we are organizing a community trash clean up on June 1st from 9-12am! Our goal is to connect the community by cleaning our home.
We chose this as our project because we love our home and hate to see it getting destroyed. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep our home clean, which is why we want to get the community involved. It takes a community to clean our home!! It is important that we prevent trash from ending up in the lake, which is why we also need to raise awareness. Thus, we are going to Incline Middle School to teach the next generation about the importance of keeping our environment clean.
We created an informative powerpoint on the importance of keeping our beautiful home clean. We hope that they will learn to value their home and take initiative to keep it clean. Furthermore, we are advertising to the whole community! We want as many people involved in our town’s beautification.
This is a great family-friendly event; kids of all ages are welcome. Teaching kids the importance of taking care of the environment and our village is very important, not just one day a year but everyday of the year.
Join us at 9am at the Incline Village Library. The route is created by Waste Not, and we will be cleaning the areas that contain the most trash around the village. Permission slips for children and clean-up supplies (trash bags, gloves, etc.) will be provided at the Incline Village Library. Please join us on June 1st (9-12 am) at the Incline Library to clean our beautiful home!
From 11am – 2pm back at the library is the Incline Village Library Summer Block Party and Summer Reading Kick-off. There will be activities and informational booths from organizations around town. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and get a free book, grab a few friends and play a game or two of cornhole, enjoy free hot dogs, and many other fun summer time activities.
Follow: @inclinegreenclean on Instagram for more updates and education!!
Incline Green Clean, it takes a community to clean our home!!
In The News – Tribune highlights Incline Elementary Principal John Stern
May 12, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 05/12/1979, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Incline Elementary School Principal John Stern started his career as a 2nd grade teacher working his way up the ranks to athletic director, dean of students, and assistant principal.
The Tahoe Daily Tribune has chosen to spotlight Stern for National School Principals recognition in May. In turn, Stern has opted to highlight his teachers.
“Without the teachers in the trenches and staff members in the building, who really make such a positive difference, without those folks who are putting in the work every day, then my job is impossible,” Stern said. “… it’s really about the teachers and what they do for the kids day in and day out. It’s their job that makes the real difference.”
