In The News – Incline High ranks 14th out of 75+ high schools in Nevada
October 24, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/18/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Incline High ranked No. 14 out of more than 75 schools statewide and No. 2,114 out of almost 18,000 public high schools nationally, according to a recent best high school rankings report by U.S. News and World Report.
The Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT) ranked No. 3, Galena High School ranked No. 8 and Reno High School earned the No. 12 slot in Nevada.
“I am incredibly proud of our school community for being ranked 14th in the state by U.S. News and World Report,” said Principal Tierney Cahill. “As a five-star school, this recognition highlights the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families, especially the progress we’ve made in key areas like supporting our multilingual learners in achieving language proficiency.”
In The News – Local ski resorts gear up for winter season with exciting updates
October 23, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/18/2024, Written by Zoe Meyer
LAKE TAHOE – As winter approaches, local ski resorts are making headlines with fresh developments and events aimed at enhancing the skiing experience. Here’s a look at what’s new at some of the area’s favorite destinations.
Mt. Rose
As Mt. Rose prepares for its 60th anniversary season, $2.2 million in renovations are underway, including a complete dining area overhaul with a new Taco Bar, snowmaking enhancements, and trail improvements. The resort’s popular ‘Open Late’ schedule will now include Fridays and Saturdays starting in Feb. 2025.
Mt. Rose has also formed a partnership with Snowball Effect to engage local youth in winter sports and combat declining participation rates. This collaboration aims to bring snowboarding to schools and develop a comprehensive curriculum for young athletes.
LET ME JUST SAY, THERES A LOT of DRESSING UP to do in the next couple weeks! And I’m not even thinking about cold-weather dressing, but I will get to that too.
IVGID puts together this (not really) scary family event for Halloween. This is the “costume parade” of Incline families all decked out for trick or treating before it gets dark. Your ticket is either a child who is attending or volunteer for one of the many organizations that decorate a table on the trail. Or just come down to the Village Green, in costume of course, to watch the fun. Donate to it through ITF
The taste and smell of chili are in the air…. As local restaurants prepare for this year’s Chili Cook-off and Beerfest on Friday at the Chateau, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline. Cowboy boots and hat are not required, but dressing up makes it more festive. Thanks to Rotary fundraisers, over $30,000 is invested in education and youth programs, along with family advocacy organizations.
Friday night is a popular night for Halloween events too….yet another chance to wear that costume. Boys and Girls Club has their annual Harvest Festival in Kings Beach and DID YOU KNOW…Sand Harbor has outdoor movies on Friday night? It’s called Spooky Harbor. This Friday is a Kids Fall Festival, as well as a showing of Trick or Treat Scooby Doo.
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?!
No one is leaving the dogs out, especially not WARF!
October 26: A local animal rescue organization is hosting a Halloween event and dogs are invited! Doggie costumes please! (Don’t you wish there was a costume store in Incline?)
KUNR IN INCLINE!
More local journalism is needed in the region, but especially in Washoe Tahoe, aka Incline Village and Crystal Bay. With the trend moving away from print, radio and podcasts have become an important news source. Find out more tonight at a reception on the UNR campus here in town. (Some of us still call it Sierra Nevada College)
WINTER WARMTH AND WELLNESS
The local churches join forces with Sierra Community House to hold a clothing and “necessities” drive to be sure that local families are ready for winter. Volunteers are needed. If you or someone you know, is among the needy, the “Giveaway” is this Saturday at the Kings Beach Events Center. Contact Lorena Herrera at St. Francis for more information LorenaA@sftahoe.org.
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Top 10 Halloween Happenings in Incline Village & Crystal Bay
October 22, 2024 | Kayla Anderson
Originally Written for IVCBA by Kayla Anderson, UPDATED FOR 2024
Cute costumes, candy, pup parades, Nevada Day, haunted houses, parties, and more are on the docket for this year’s Halloween in Incline Village/Crystal Bay. Here are the events to watch out for:
IVGID (Incline Village General Improvement District) is again hosting the fun Trail of Treats and Terror for the littles leading up to the big day. Music will be available as well as food, drink, and merchandise to purchase from 3:30pm-5:30pm. Reserve your spot online at yourtahoeplace.com and be sure to bring proof of your Incline Village/Crystal Bay residency.
Take the kids trick or treating in the safe and well-lit areas within the Country Club Center from 4pm-6pm before heading over to Mill Creek. FUMO, Cool Mess, Austin’s, Incline Spirits, Mountain High Sandwich, and other businesses will have candy.
For over a decade, MUSTACHE HARBOR has been thrilling audiences across the country with their spot-on renditions of the smoothest music from the 1970’s and 80’s, all performed with the highest level of musicianship and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, DOORS AT 7PM – This is a 21 and older show.
Join Sand Harbor State Park for Halloween movies and Trick or Treat Fun! Movies start at 7:00 pm at the Sand Harbor Stage. The event is free, but park entry fees apply.The October 25 showing of Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! will also include a Kids Fall Festival with games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, etc. Get more information.
Join Sand Harbor State Park for Halloween movies and Trick or Treat Fun! Movies start at 7:00 pm at the Sand Harbor Stage. The event is free, but park entry fees apply. Visitors should come prepared with blankets or chairs, a flashlight, and warm clothing. Sand Harbor will not be offering concessions and does not have lighting after dark. This showing is Rated R.
Get ready for a howling good time at our Halloween Fundraiser, benefiting our beloved dog rescue! This year, we’re pulling out all the stops to ensure a fun-filled day for you and your furry friends. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26th, from 11 AM to 3 PM at the charming Tunnel Creek Cafe, located at 1115 Tunnel Creek Road. LIVE MUSIC, SILENT AUCTION, FOOD, COSTUME CONTEST AND MORE…
The Haunted Carnival will take place on Thursday, October 31 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the resort’s Regency Ballroom. Entry is a $10 donation which will include five carnival tickets that can be used on games and activities, and additional tickets will be available for purchase for $1 each. Validation will be provided for the resort’s self-parking lot. The Haunted Carnival will feature a costume contest with several prizes. Families can also test their skills with several traditional carnival games including ring toss, duck pond, and a bean bag toss with prizes for winners, as well as several activities such as face painting, crafts, a photo booth, and a bouncy house. Hyatt Haunted house is later in the evening for Teens and Adults.
From 5-8 pm, families can dress up and enjoy food, monster trucks, a glow room, a haunted house, carnival games, face painting, and more to celebrate Halloween. Admission is free, there is a small fee for Haunted House, and the memories are priceless at the Clubhouse on 8125 Steelhead Avenue in Kings Beach.
Join fellow teens for some trivia, games, drawing challenges and snacks at our Halloween themed party. Join the fun at the Incline Village Library, 845 Alder Ave, after school from 4-5 pm.
Lucky for us, Nevadans get an extra holiday right around Halloween to celebrate the founding of the Silver State (it was deemed the 36th state admitted into the Union on October 31, 1864). Head down to Carson City on the Saturday beforehand for a day full of festivities, including the famous Nevada Day Parade downtown that travels in front of the capitol building.
Whatever you do, be safe, brush your teeth after eating all that candy, and take the TART Connect if you’ve had too much fun and need a safe way to get home. Happy Halloween!🎃
Placemate is a housing marketplace focused on connecting vacation homeowners with local residents seeking long-term rentals in popular vacation towns. By facilitating matches between property owners and vetted locals, it aims to address the housing shortage faced by local workers in these areas.
The platform also offers a “Lease to Locals” program, incentivizing property owners to convert their short-term rental properties into long-term housing for local communities.
Over the past few months, some members of the housing committee and others from several organizations, including Washoe County, have met to discuss the implementation of a new program that Washoe County is funding to address housing shortages in Washoe Tahoe. The project is in its final stages before being released into the community. We expect the project to come online in the next couple of months.
Join IVCBA and the Incline Village Housing Committee, Thursday January 23rd, 2025 for the first ‘Workforce Housing Speaker Series’ on Placemate and it’s role in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Please register – UNLOCKING HOUSING STOCK THROUGH PLACEMATE
Thanks to a generous grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Tahoe-Nevada, the Incline Education Fund (www.inclineeducationfund.org) has successfully completed its fundraising efforts to bring Skill Struck’s Chat for Schools AI platform to both Incline High School (IHS) and Incline Middle School (IMS). This community-supported initiative will launch a two-year pilot program that introduces an advanced, AI-driven learning tool designed to level the playing field for all students.
Developed by Skill Struck, Chat for Schools personalizes lesson plans and supports diverse learning styles, using a Socratic method of questioning to encourage critical thinking and deeper learning. The platform also provides real-time, personalized support in coding and computer science, enhancing student engagement while promoting independent problem-solving skills. Its multilingual capabilities are particularly beneficial for English Learners (EL), helping them keep pace with more advanced coursework despite language barriers. By integrating AI into the classroom, educators can offer more tailored learning experiences, ensuring every student can succeed in an increasingly digital world.
According to IHS Engineering teacher Adam Shoda, Chat for Schools is a valuable classroom tool. “The platform will allow me to give more one-on-one instruction to my students in the classroom, while challenging other students to think beyond immediate answers. This is NOT about replacing a teacher with a computer, but an opportunity for me to target in-person instruction. By using Chat for Schools’ response history, I will be able to uncover specific areas where a student may need more support or is eager to move ahead in their studies.”
While Incline Education Funds’ purchase of the Chat for Schools platform and training is limited to IHS and IMS, the program’s introduction creates broader opportunities for the Washoe County School District (WCSD). Thanks to IEF’s contract, all other WCSD schools will also be eligible to run their own limited AI pilot programs through Skill Struck.
A leader in the Incline School’s K12 STEM Pathway, the Incline Education Fund continues to bring innovative and technologically advanced academic opportunities to the Incline Schools and is part of IEF’s broader effort to become “Model” schools for the state.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Incline Education Fund for their diligent efforts in securing funding to support K-12 education in the Incline community. Their unwavering dedication ensures that Incline’s elementary, middle, and high school students have access to invaluable resources and opportunities, helping them thrive academically and beyond. Thank you for your commitment to our future generations.”
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Announces Haunted Carnival Community Event for Halloween
October 21, 2024 | sdbx
Submitted by Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Spa
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on the shore of Lake Tahoe, announces a Haunted Carnival for Halloween. The family-friendly event will provide an evening of Halloween fun while raising money for the Incline Education Fund’s “Step up for STEM” program.
“We look forward to welcoming our local community and resort guests for a fun-filled event the entire family will love,” said Andrew De Lapp, resort manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Families can enjoy a variety of traditional carnival games, tasty carnival treats, a haunted house, and several Halloween-themed activities all while supporting a great local organization.”
The Haunted Carnival will take place on Thursday, October 31 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the resort’s Regency Ballroom. Entry is a $10 donation which will include five carnival tickets that can be used on games and activities, and additional tickets will be available for purchase for $1 each. Validation will be provided for the resort’s self-parking lot.
The Haunted Carnival will feature a costume contest with several prizes. Families can also test their skills with several traditional carnival games including ring toss, duck pond, and a bean bag toss with prizes for winners, as well as several activities such as face painting, crafts, a photo booth, and a bouncy house. Guests can also enjoy carnival-themed snacks including popcorn, cotton candy, and more.
Additionally, the event will provide a scary haunted house designed for older children and adults.
All of the proceeds from Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe’s Haunted Carnival will be donated to Incline Education Fund’s “Step up for STEM” program. Through community support and recently-awarded grants, the program has funded the launch of the makerspace program at Incline Elementary School, a robotics program at Incline Middle School, and an engineering and entrepreneurship program at Incline High School. For more information on the “Step up for STEM” program, please visit https://www.inclineeducationfund.org/program/step-up-for-stem/.
For more information or to book a getaway to 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, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers majestic lake and mountain views from its 422 guest rooms, including 32 suites and 24 lakeside cottages. The resort epitomizes modern alpine luxury with its exposed wood beams, rich leathers, and granite accents. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a private beach with a 275-foot floating pier, a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino, and 65,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting and event space, including the picturesque Lakeside Ballroom, Tahoe’s premier lakeside venue. Additional features 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 with Peloton bikes, and an on-site Adventure program offering guided activities. Recognized for excellence, the resort has garnered numerous awards including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best in the West Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards.
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
In The News – Coming Together to Tackle Tahoe’s Housing Crisis
October 20, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in Moonshine Ink, 10/10/2024, Written by Karen Fink
Today, about half of Lake Tahoe’s workforce lives outside the Basin. Collectively we have watched residents move away from the lake or face greater housing insecurity as smaller cabins and affordable rentals become ever scarcer. Large homes and condominiums are gradually taking their place. Even though access to affordable housing serves a basic human need, here and in mountain communities across the nation it is increasingly difficult to provide.
As the next phase of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Tahoe Living program launches this fall, it is time to move beyond the low-hanging policy fixes TRPA has made thus far and start examining the fundamental changes needed to address inequities that have been building in our systems for decades. To do this successfully we need the creative ideas of as many community members as possible.
In early 2024, MAP, an environmental advocacy group, initiated legal action against TRPA, challenging amendments to its Regional Plan that MAP claimed violated the Tahoe Regional Planning Bi-State Compact. These amendments, which relaxed restrictions on height, density, and coverage for projects in town centers, raised concerns about potential overdevelopment and its associated environmental impacts, including increased pollution and wildfire risks.
By mid-2024, the parties reached a settlement that emphasized collaborative policy-making. The agreement included adjustments to housing policies to prioritize lower-income and workforce housing. Furthermore, TRPA agreed to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for future housing phases, ensuring thorough environmental assessments moving forward.
My America of today reminds me of a sign I saw in the oldest bar in Nevada, “Lost Dog! Blind in one eye, missing one foot, recently castrated, goes by the name of LUCKY!” That’s us all over. We are blind in one eye when it comes to dealing with the causes of climate change. We’re hopping on one foot in pursuit of gun safety, and well, yes, feeling particularly lucky when sidestepping a castration…
A lady hailed me from across a parking lot today and motioned for me to roll down my window. We talked for five minutes about saving the world, and I felt rejuvenated and refreshed on the drive home. I don’t know about you, but I need more of that kind of interaction. There’s something health-giving about looking into a stranger’s eyes, seeing that singular smile, hearing that singular laugh, and absorbing some wisdom…
She said, “We really do need to conduct a fair and just election, end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and get back to making art and music and babies. Where we were once able to conceive of our world as round, instead of flat, it now behooves us to stop behaving like our world is inexhaustible. With eight billions of peoples roaming the globe, things do tend to run out, and just when you need that thing the most.”
I thanked that lady for hailing me and regaling me…
We each have a bully pulpit, no matter how small, so it becomes our personal obligation to use that bully pulpit to mitigate social incivility that leads to hatred, and all too often, violence. I like to try to remember what our mutual friend, Mark Twain, reminds us, “It’s the little things that smooths people’s roads the most.”
So let us stand up and sound the clarion call to terminate the bane of internecine wars, mass shootings, and political hostility.
We have the United Nations and the World Bank, but it’s conversations over the clothesline that will be the saving of us…
What if all ladies in the world were to go on strike, so to speak, and demand that we stop the killing before they will have anything more to do with us men, well, I’m no longer a betting man, but I will bet that killing as a problem solver between men will drop into the annals of profane history…
I would recommend that this history altering strike should begin on New Years Day, 2025 and hopefully last not more than a month…
We might all agree that it’s not going to happen, but we can revel in the prospect that if it were to actually happen, well, we might just find ourselves feeling like that lost dog, “Lucky!”
