Don’t you love October baseball? Me too! It might not be America’s pastime anymore, but this time of year it feels good to hear the crack of the bat and the slap of the glove. I learned to love the game while playing shortstop in Little League. My nickname was, “Tennis Shoe Ernie,” because my feet were so gal-darn big, ground balls always clipped my tennis shoe, then hit me in the chin. I never got anybody out, and parents in the stands took to laughing at me when I started taking to the field wearing a chinstrap. So I feel for today’s hapless White Sox…

In setting an all-time losing record for a season, this year’s Chicago White Sox even managed to hit their catcher in the groin with the ball three times in one inning. My chin doesn’t feel so bad anymore, and I imagine that particular White Sux catcher is looking for work as a Door-to-Door Fuller Brush salesman in Hawaii…

Mark Twain would remember the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. They hold the overall record for losses in the National League with a dreadful 20-134 record. The Spiders won just one of their final 41 games, and their faithful fans in the stands for that one win, were so full of Hazy Wife IPA, that they forgot to applaud…One steadfast fan was heard to say as he was leaving the Spiders’ stadium, “We could volunteer at a funeral home, it would be just as fun!”

I suppose I might someday end up in the Guinness Book of Worst Records myself for being the only clown diver to miss the pool from the three-meter diving board, and walk away smiling. As of this writing I have been disqualified for using the one-meter board along the way. Yes, while still in high school I leaped from the high diving board to the low diving board, intending to dive into the water from there. But that low diving board was so springy, it flung me up higher than I started out, and I ended up missing the pool altogether, but landed on my feet directly in front of the audience, which could not believe what they were seeing, nor could I. However, as I do not have a video, I guess I will have to settle for the few voices who were there to corroborate my World Record leap. “You done it, and I saw it!”

In spite of that singular misfire, I did have a rather successful though short career as a clown diver in a water circus. Did I ever tell you about my favorite trick? Well, that will have to wait for a future column…

 I shall leave you here with a trivia question, which professional baseball team was Mark Twain’s favorite? Right! The Chicago White Stockings…“Wait’ll next year!”

Audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/8/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle

At a debate at Incline High School on Monday, Nov. 30, hosted by the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community Forum and Incline Village Crystal Bay Community Business Association, all 6 candidates for 3 slots on the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Board of Trustees were against outsourcing its recreation facilities, the general manager position and/or administration to a management firm. 

Outsourcing question 

The question stems from an August presentation by Troon management firm to the IVGID board during its general manager search. Troon is known for being a major player in the hospitality and club industry with 35,000+ professionals worldwide and expertise in club operations, food and beverage, sales and marketing, finance and accounting, human resources, procurement, agronomy, legal, technology, retail, design and development, risk management, racquet sports, golf instruction, and HOAs.

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Photo credit: Tahoe Daily Tribune – Brenna O’Boyle

Submitted by Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Spa, 10/4/2024

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on the shore of Lake Tahoe, has received the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award by Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine that provides readers with information on popular travel destinations, hotels, food and beverage, airlines, and more.

“We are thrilled and honored to be recognized as a recipient of Condé Nast Traveler ‘Readers’ Choice Awards’ for 2024,” said Pascal Dupuis, general manager of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “This prestigious recognition is dedicated to all of the hard work of our incredible team, as well as the stunning location and unforgettable experiences we provide to our guests.”

Each year, the highly anticipated Readers’ Choice Awards celebrates excellence in the travel industry chosen by readers of the magazine. Readers from around the world cast their votes for the best travel destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines, and more. Winners of the prestigious award are selected based on various criteria including service, accommodations, dining, cleanliness and safety, location and more. For more information on how the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award winners were selected please visit: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/readers-choice-awards-methodology

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers a year-round getaway nestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, and on the shore of North America’s largest alpine lake. The resort features a private beach where guests can rent boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, or relax in brand-new luxury cabanas or beach lounge chairs. Guests can also explore the natural beauty of North Lake Tahoe through the resort’s Adventure program which offers guided tours and excursions, from hikes to popular area trails to snowshoe adventures. During the winter, the resort provides easy access to the area’s world-renowned ski locations. 

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

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/5/2024, Submitted

LAKE TAHOE, NEV./CALIF. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has launched the next phase of its affordable and workforce housing program, the Tahoe Living strategic priority, and announced today opportunities for additional community representation.

As part of the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project, TRPA is accepting applications for two open seats on the Tahoe Living Working Group and seeking participants to join the Community Partner Group. Both opportunities are aimed toward representing priority communities identified in the award-winning Lake Tahoe Transportation Equity Study that TRPA completed last year.

The agency has also launched a mini-grant program for community-based organizations to help build partnerships, share information, and engage priority community residents and workers.

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Upcoming ‘Business Walks’ Will Give Local Businesses a Voice

As we wrap up summer and prepare for winter, the Tahoe Prosperity Center, North Tahoe Business Association, Tahoe City Downtown Association, North Tahoe Chamber, Placer Economic Development, Washoe County, Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association, Travel North Tahoe Nevada, Douglas County Economic Vitality, Tahoe Chamber, South Tahoe Chamber, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County Economic Development are planning lake-wide business walks to gauge the region’s economic success and the business community’s needs.

These walks will include ten questions and will take place between Oct 15th – Oct 17th in person throughout the community. 

Volunteers are needed to help with the business walks. Want to help?

SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER

For more questions, reach out to IVCBA @ info@ivcba.org or TNTNV @ Kim@travelnorthtahoenv.com

Submitted by Christina Fahad

The Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline collected non-perishables for the Sparks-Reno Gospel Mission in Reno. The people in the picture are Robert Esser, Tiffany Clemente, Pam Sheldon and Christina Fahad.

The Rotary collected food for two months, August and September and took it down to their Warehouse. Rotary collected the food and shelved the food among other food that was already there. They put out a barrel at the Incline Rec Center to collect the food from the community. The food is used to feed the Homeless Shelter of about 40-50 men, about 20 women.

They also prepare meals everyday for the homeless men and women who come everyday for a hot meal on Record street. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they give out bags of food to the community in need. And one Sunday a month at Journey Church they give out food and we help people in need.

These are the lowest supplies I have seen of the shelves at the Mission. We need to collect more food. Three men from the Homeless shelter also helped us with the bagging and sorting of food. They were very kind and grateful. Overall it is a gracious time and of human satisfaction to do this. Thank you to all who participated.

Submitted by Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, 9/26/2024

Incline Village (September 26, 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, has partnered with Pet Network Lake Tahoe, a nonprofit animal shelter, to host “Puppy Hour” events. The events are designed to help shelter pets find their forever homes while providing guests with the opportunity to meet and provide socialization and enrichment opportunities for the dogs while they check in at the property.

“Supporting the Pet Network Lake Tahoe is very important to our hotel team,” said Andrew De Lapp, resort manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Through these events, we are hoping to be the bridge that helps to connect shelter pets with travelers who may be looking for their new best friend.”

The next “Puppy Hour” event will take place on Friday, September 27 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. For the schedule of upcoming “Puppy Hour” events and more information on the adoption process, guests are encouraged to reach out to the Pet Network Lake Tahoe directly at (775) 832-4404 or by emailing info@petnetwork.org. 

In addition to the “Puppy Hour” events, the resort regularly donates lightly used towels and sheets to Pet Network Lake Tahoe to provide comfortable bedding for the shelter animals. 

“The animals and team at Pet Network are excited and honored to be a part of an ever-evolving partnership with Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe,” said Simi Balter, executive director with Pet Network Lake Tahoe. “The bonds and benefits of community coming together have never been stronger.”

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe provides a pet-friendly experience for travelers. The hotel features a “fido-friendly” wing with rooms that open directly to a grassy area. People traveling with their pets also receive a welcome “Pawsport” which includes a map of the resort’s dog-friendly spaces, a list of pet-friendly restaurants and pet stores nearby, as well as contact details for local area veterinarians. Guests also receive a dog bed, water bowl, and hotel-branded toys and treats for their pets to enjoy during their visit.

Between September 1 and April 31 each year, the resort’s private beach is open to leashed and well-behaved pets. Guests can also take their pets on multiple trails around the property for a scenic hike and enjoy several spacious lawns located throughout the resort’s grounds.

For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.

About Pet Network Lake Tahoe

Pet Network is a dedicated animal welfare organization committed to finding loving homes for animals in need. Their tireless efforts have touched the lives of countless animals and families. 

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

SMOKE ALARMS – MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU!

Submitted by Tia Rancourt of North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District

As Fire Prevention Week approaches, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reminds us of the critical role working smoke alarms play in keeping families safe from fire.

According to the NFPA, having functional smoke alarms in the home reduces the risk of dying in a fire by more than half (54 percent). Unfortunately, nearly three out of five home fire fatalities occur in homes without smoke alarms or with non-functional ones.

“Working smoke alarms in the home are the first line of defense and can make a life-saving difference during a fire by giving people the time they need to get out safely,” said Fire Marshal John James of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD).

NLTFPD urges residents to follow these essential smoke alarm safety tips:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.

• Ensure smoke alarms meet the needs of all household members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

• Test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

NLTFPD will be conducting Fire Prevention Week station tours with local students, focusing on home fire safety, developing exit plans, and understanding the importance of working smoke alarms. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, please visit fpw.org.