In The News – Tahoe boating season kicks off with stronger protections
May 7, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 05/07/2025, Staff Report
Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection stations, boat launches, and marinas are opening for the 2025 boating season and aquatic invasive species management agencies are encouraging boaters and paddlers to stay up to date with strengthened procedures to protect the lake from the spread of aquatic invasive species. Changes this year include mandatory decontaminations and additional processing time for motorized boats traveling from other areas, as well as more roving non-motorized inspectors at popular recreation areas.
As of May 3, all three regional watercraft inspection stations, at Meyers, Calif., Spooner Summit, Nev., and Alpine Meadows, Calif., are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Due to longer inspection times, boaters are encouraged to take advantage of the optional appointment system, at TahoeBoatInspections.com/appt. Walk-ins and appointments are accepted until 4:30 p.m. to allow adequate time for decontamination.
In The News – Highlanders swim team wraps up regular season, prepares for Regional Championships
May 7, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune, 05/07/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
The Incline High School boys and girls swim team are preparing for regionals after wrapping up their regular season on Saturday, May 3 in Reno, Nev. against Churchill County High School and Wooster High School.
The teams were both victorious and defeated. While the girls won against Churchill, they fell to Wooster. The boys inversely came up short against Churchill, yet bested Wooster.
Individually, Sophomore Jayden Mendoza won the 500 Freestyle event, outpacing his personal best time by 23 seconds.
Celebrate Mom Locally in Incline Village & Crystal Bay
May 7, 2025 | Kristin Derrin
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 11th—what better way to spoil Mom than with one-of-a-kind gifts and experiences from our amazing local businesses?
Thoughtful Gifts from Local Shops
The Potlatch A longtime favorite, The Potlatch offers Lake Tahoe-inspired jewelry, cozy apparel, and home décor. Their turquoise pieces and signature necklaces are perfect for moms who love a touch of the Sierra spirit.
Panache Located in the Raley’s Shopping Center, Panache features stylish women’s fashion, accessories, and home goods. Consider a chic handbag, artisan candleholder, or a beautiful coffee table book to delight Mom.
Forever Rox This family-owned jeweler specializes in custom diamond and gemstone creations. Owner John Roxburgh crafts timeless pieces, including popular diamond hoop earrings that make for a memorable gift.
Tahoe Gifting Co. Now with a storefront in Christmas Tree Village, this woman- and veteran-owned business curates personalized gift boxes that capture the essence of Lake Tahoe.
Golf Incline: Looking for a gift for Mom? The Championship golf shop staff is happy to help you shop and pick out a great gift. For non-golfers, there are some great options like Incline Village logoed drinkware, accessories, and activewear that can be worn around town, on the trails, on a boat, on the beach, etc.
Fresh Blooms from Wyld Peony: For a vibrant floral arrangement, visit Wyld Peony in Incline Village. They offer a stunning selection of bouquets that can brighten Mom’s day and home.
Wyld Peony nestled in Incline Village at Village Center is a floral studio known for its wild, artful arrangements and charming tchotchkes. With a focus on luxurious blooms and creative designs Wyld Peony delivers stunning floral work for special occasions holidays or simply to brighten someone’s day. This Mother’s Day order a one-of-a-kind arrangement that’s sure to make her feel celebrated. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM. Order anytime at wyldpeony.com or call 775.298.2799.
Book in for Fun: Iron and Wood Book Mom a session at Iron & Wood to get ready for the golf season. Fun for the whole family, enjoy friendly competition with family and friends, and improve your skills on our state-of-the-art indoor Trackman iO golf simulator, the same technology used by the PGA Tour and many professionals worldwide.
The Sanctuary Tahoe: Incredible spa treatments and wellness packages. Treat Mom to a massage or facial and watch the stress and tension melt away.
Live Music at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Enjoy live performances at the Cutthroat Saloon on May 10 and 11 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It’s a relaxing way to end the day with Mom.
Check in with all our local restaurants for reservations and specials.
Celebrate Mother’s Day by supporting local businesses and creating lasting memories in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Whether it’s a thoughtful gift, a delightful meal, or a shared adventure, there’s something special for every mom.
Did I miss anything or any business? Please let me know so I can add ~ Kristin@ivcba.org
It’s that time of the year when the weather is getting nicer and kids are itching to get out of school and on with their summer vacation. Here are some camps and activities to keep them entertained:
Mountain Bike Teams
The Diamond Peak Mountain Bike Team (DPMBT)- For two-wheeled rippers around ages 6 and older, the DPMBT invites them to come and improve their skills by riding some of the best trails in the Tahoe basin. Experienced coaches are happy to guide athletes from their first mountain bike ride to national competitions, but if they want to just ride for fun then that’s okay, too. Rides are tailored to riders in the Mini Shreds (ages 6-8) and Cross Country Team (ages 9-plus) groups. For more information, visit https://www.dpsef.org/programs/mountain-bike-team .
Lake Tahoe School Youth Mtn. Bike Summer Camp, July 21-25– The Lake Tahoe School in Incline Village also hosts a five days of off-road cycling morning rides for kids ages 9-13. Nothing too easy and nothing too hard, the group rides 10-12 miles per day. Transportation, snacks, and mountain bike gloves are provided, but the camp is limited to only seven campers and likely to fill up fast.
Daisy Day Care Saturday Summer Camp
Running one of the only licensed home daycare centers in North Lake Tahoe, Daisy Day Care Founder Harmony Shreve has been a licensed childcare provider for more than 25 years and has “loved every minute of it.” Her Daisy Day Care’s Saturday Summer Camp (for ages 2-10) offers a great opportunity for kids to explore, learn, and have fun outdoors. Each week, the camp meets at a different trailhead near Incline Village and go through a curriculum that includes yoga, hiking, breathwork, nature lessons, and snack breaks. Season passes for the Saturday sessions are on sale until May 31st but there is a limited supply. https://tahoedaisydaycare.com/ .
Incline Village Library
The Washoe County Library System has activities for kids and adults available all year long, but summertime is when the real fun starts. Along with the Summer Reading Program, the Incline Village Library will have Camp STEAM for kids ages 6-11 on June 24-25th and Art Camp for Kids ages 7-12 for three days July 8-10th. In the two-day Camp STEAM, kids have fun with science, technology, engineering, art, and math, diving into these five innovative topics through engaging experiments over two days.
The creative three-day Art Camp for Kids in July explores different art techniques inspired by famous artists. They’ll learn about a new artist, experimenting with painting and crafting in fun hands-on activities as well as collaborate on a group art project and create their own masterpieces to take home. Registration for both programs is required, visit the library on 845 Alder Avenue to sign up.
Tahoe Family Solutions Camp Explore
Tahoe Family Solutions will be having its popular and successful Camp Explore come back this summer, with overnight camping trips for 3rd-8th graders and the Backpacking Group for 6th-8th graders. Campers explore the Sierra Nevada trails, lakes and peaks with their new friends as well as take part in activities such as hiking, swimming, kayaking, crafting, learning outdoor safety skills, and making s’mores around a campfire. Since these camps are free this year (thanks to the generosity of community donors) and meant for kids who wouldn’t have these opportunities otherwise, they fill up extremely fast. Registration opens in April.
Boys & Girls Club of NLT (BGCNLT)
The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe offers several daily and multi-day specialty camps at its locations throughout North Lake Tahoe, including the Kings Beach Clubhouse, the Truckee Elementary school site, and the Duffield Youth Program – Incline Village.
Its summer camps and activities feature themed weeks, beach days, sports, arts & crafts, STEM activities, field trips, and more. In addition to its standard camps, BGCNLT hosts specialty camps such as mountain biking, kayaking, paddle camps, and hiking excursions. BGCNLT summer camps are open to kids in K-5th grade and teens in 6th-12th grade. Registration opens April 1st. To access the current summer day camps, specialty camps, and field trips digital guide, visit www.bgcnlt.org. Offerings are subject to change.
Nike Swim Camp at UNR at Lake Tahoe
Open to competitive swimmers ages 10-18, the coed Nike Swim Camp is designed to take those skills to the next level by providing a better understanding of swimming fundamentals. Overnight campers stay on campus in dorm rooms and meals are included, but extended stay/commuter participants can come as well. This camp is best for teens who have competitive swimming experience and can swim at least 50 meters in all four competitive strokes: fly, back, breast, and freestyle. For more information, visit https://www.ussportscamps.com/swim/nike/university-nevada-reno-lake-tahoe-swim-camp
IVGID Summer Camps
The Incline Village General Improvement District will host tennis camps, junior lifeguard camps, basketball camps, and more this summer; for more information about its current and upcoming programming visit www.inclinerecreation.com.
Ambassadors Soccer Camp
Get ready for another epic summer soccer camp! Cornerstone Church and Ambassadors Soccer Camps bring you a camp focused on children ages 5 – 14 that creates a five-day (Monday – Friday) soccer experience. Campers will play and compete in a fun, safe and positive environment facilitated by Christian mentor-coaches from around the world. Our soccer camps also include a daily Bible time where children will hear more about the Bible and faith in Jesus through our Toward the Goal curriculum.
TRPA and the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation have prepared a survey to assess the needs of the entire region: SURVEY >
ATTEND THE IVR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WORKSHOP ON MAY 22, starting at 5:30 at the Chateau. Details in the attached flyer. This is sponsored by the Incline Village Realtors. The Housing Committee is helping to organize it and promote it. It is the second event in the Workforce Housing Series. Please invite anyone who is looking to buy property and would like to hear about overcoming the considerable barriers.
Update on Lease to Locals
This is a vehicle for “unlocking existing housing stock” by giving an incentive to landlords to open up a new rental or convert a short-term rental to a long-term rental. It is funded by Washoe County. Since February, one landlord has been accepted into the program, with three more in application review. Of the 54 property leads, almost half have expressed a strong interest. Learn more at: https://placemate.com/lease-to-locals/
Community Outreach Clare, Linda, and River have made presentations and spoken with several community groups, including the two Rotary clubs, AAUW, St. Vincent group at St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.
Workforce Housing Series
#1 was the event on Placemate’s Lease to Locals at UNR in January.
#2 is the IVR First Time Homebuyers Workshop
#3 is TBD and tentatively planned for the fall.
TRPA’S Living Communities Working Group
Jim McNamara is the Washoe County representative. Chris Wood is the alternate and will be attending meetings on behalf of Washoe Tahoe. The committee is in the second phase of its efforts to make housing more accessible while maintaining and improving environmental protections. The current phase of policy review and capacity building is called Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin. The Phase 2 amendments for height and density are intended to make deed-restricted multi-family projects more viable. Washoe County has just finished a series of public input meetings to consider the viability of those policies in Washoe Tahoe.
Find resources and information on various housing topics on the housing page!
About IVCBA Housing Committee
The IVCBA Housing committee was formed last year to replace the Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership that managed the housing study and roadmap funded by Washoe County. Its goal is to be a clearinghouse for housing information in Washoe Tahoe and to work to find housing solutions in the community. It consists of community members with a breadth of experience and knowledge.
Community Engagement and Outreach – Clare Novak and River Coyote Finance – Laura Levine Kalisch Redevelopment and Development – Jim Clark and Mike Young Policy and Strategy – Chris Wood and Kathie Julian Programs – Laura Levine Kalisch and Christina Fahad Organization – Linda Offerdahl
Sponsors: Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline and Rotary Club of Incline Village
In The News – 3 Tahoe athletes to compete in first Freeride World Championships
May 5, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 05/05/2025, Katelyn Welsh
ORDINO ARCALÍS, Andorra – Of the eight freeride skiers and snowboarders representing the United States in the FIS Freeride World Championships in February, close to half are from Lake Tahoe. The event takes place February in Ordino Arcalís, Andorra, a location in the Pyrenees, known for challenging freeride terrain.
Tahoe City’s Lily Bradley, Truckee’s Ross Tester, and South Lake Tahoe’s Molly Armanino are representing the U.S. in the ski division.
In The News – Long waitlists, low turnover, and high demand: Lake Tahoe’s affordable housing
May 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/2/2025, Written by Eli Ramos
As prices for housing continue to climb, with non-equivalent wage increases, finding affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult, even for those earning above 80% of the area median income. What does “affordable housing” actually refer to? Here in the basin, who is it meant to serve? And is there enough of it to help those who need it?
Defining affordable housing
Affordable is a tricky term to nail down in the housing sphere, since it’s often used to refer to something that anyone, regardless of income bracket, can pay for. It’s also been used to address the undue burden for most people renting and owning a home—that the combined cost for the housing payment and utilities shouldn’t make up more than 30% of the income for those paying (an uptick from the 1980s, where that number was 20%.)
The Joy Foundation and Tahoe Joy Festival proudly announce that the
May 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Tahoe Truckee School of Music will be the 2025 beneficiary of the 3rd annual Tahoe Joy Festival. A portion of the proceeds raised at the music festival will contribute to the school’s mission, allowing them to spread joy through music across North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. The free Tahoe Joy Festival is set to take place on Sunday, June 8, from 12 pm to 7 pm at Commons Beach in Tahoe City, showcasing local musicians, artists, and community nonprofits along with an exciting lineup on the Community Stage.
Ben Martin, Executive Director of Tahoe Truckee School of Music (TTSM) said, “Being the beneficiary of the Tahoe Joy Festival will provide financial support to TTSM so that we can offer more services to the community to learn and share music.”
For 15 years, TTSM has worked to fulfill their mission to ‘cultivate life skills and community through music for all ages, regardless of experience, ability, or financial resources’ in the Tahoe-Truckee area. They offer lessons for youth and adults including Music Foundations, Rock Band and Song Group and resources such as Instrument Loan, Recording Studio, and a Community Performance Booking Service.
TTSM student Jasmine Shick said of her five years at the school, “Learning how to read music, improvise, play an instrument, and conduct yourself in front of people even when things go wrong, has helped me in lots of different aspects of my life; it can really help you to think out of the box and look at new ways to learn and explain things.”
According to Martin, donations from the Tahoe Joy Festival will specifically help TTSM’s free instrument loan program, scholarships for lessons, student performances, and a new venture with Tahoe Truckee Unified School District that brings music learning to 2,000 Tahoe-Truckee students.
“The Tahoe Joy Festival stands out more than most other summer concerts in Tahoe because it offers a full day of free music, while also donating proceeds to a local nonprofit each year,” said Matt Axton, Tahoe native and founder of the new Joy Foundation and Tahoe Joy Festival. “We really want to emphasize that this is a benefit music festival, aiming not only to support regional musicians and artists but to also raise money for amazing community nonprofits like the Tahoe Truckee School of Music.”
TTSM will once again host the Community Stage of aspiring musicians from the school. The Community Stage lineup includes Jasmine Shick, Coco & Eliot, Jonathan Hennion and one more soon to be announced.
Coco Lowe, a TTSM alumna whose duo Coco & Eliot graced the Tahoe Joy Festival Community Stage in 2024, is scheduled to perform again this year. She said, “Performing at the Tahoe Joy Festival is an opportunity to share my love of music with my community in front of one of the most beautiful backdrops anywhere.” Lowe continued, “This year holds particular significance as it will be one of my final performances with my brother before he heads off to college.”
Martin expressed that having TTSM students, both young and adult, performing the Community Stage provides them with the opportunity to highlight their talents to the broader community, outside of the school setting, and in front of a significant audience. He mentioned that this opportunity allows the community to hear young performers and professionals they might not usually encounter, inspiring both children and adults to pursue music learning. In 2024, the Tahoe Joy Festival had more than 2,500 attendees.
Regarding TTSM’s collaboration with the Tahoe Joy Festival, where it serves as both a beneficiary and host of the Community Stage, Martin stated, “Ultimately, it’s about values: spreading joy and sharing music.”
Support from sponsors, volunteers, and donations is essential in keeping the festival free for everyone. All net proceeds will be distributed to TTSM. To get involved or learn more: https://joyfoundations.org/tahoefest/participate
I have a hundred-page file in my laptop just bristling with short phrases and quips that I hope might spruce up a column someday, and that file has been most helpful over the past 26 years. But today I was struck by the novel idea of writing a column backwards. That is to say, why not start a column with a random bunch of locutions, and try to weave them into a single subject matter to make a point. So what the hell, let’s splatter some haphazard words onto this page, then see if we can make some sense out of it all. Here we go…
I have found there are times when it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for me to write a column that is not high-sounding rot. Cervantes reminds us, “The best end aimed at in all writing is to instruct and delight.” I don’t see it! I can write a column to instruct, or I can write a column to delight, not both!
I believe I could write a column about her, but then I am only a dwarf star in her Milky Way, who could not run a successful tattoo parlor that also sells ammo and kitty-litter. But I feel too much delicacy to speak about it…
At the moment I am feeling nothing but tears and flapdoodle, soul butter and hogwash, and lunacy leavened by a cynicism to make no end of trouble.
In the fullness of time I shall write about a topic so provocative as to produce a desire for the consolations of religion. For as everyone who lives south of the North Pole knows, a journalistic journey of a thousand miles begins with the first wrong turn, just as internet feedback loops lead to self-fulfilling prophesies.
However, it has just occurred to me with great force that whosoever commands the seas commands the trade of the world, and whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world. The only difference between countries lies in their ability to swear musically.
What we need most now is a movement of humanity toward greater unification. But
the internet is keeping us from becoming a cultured people. Even movies are merely, “Kiss-Bang-Crash!” And internecine war is about kids on both sides getting killed. And too, in this general aura of badassery, one beautiful lady I know of is accepting remuneration as a spokeswoman for Xeomin, a brand of injectable Botox alternative that she says makes her look “less pissed off.”
Meanwhile, peace, progress and human rights remain our three inextricably linked goals. And when all is said and done, at the end of a 500-word opinion column written backwards, this bitter Earth is not so bitter after all…
Creating a Resilient Tahoe: Fire Adapted Communities for Wildfire Preparedness
May 1, 2025 | Member Submitted
Submitted by TRPA, May 1, 2025
Three months ago, the devastation of the LA wildfires unfolded as flames spread from the chaparral into the neighborhoods of Palisades and Altadena. Living in Tahoe, residents face similar risks, and a team of Lake Tahoe fire, forestry, and conservation agencies say communities here have the chance now to significantly lower the risk of another catastrophic wildfire. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) is calling on every resident and property owner in the Tahoe Basin to help them protect Lake Tahoe and has the know-how to help you Get Defensive.
Living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) means choosing to live next to or within forested areas – beautiful, yet vulnerable. That proximity increases the threat to people and homes in the event of a major wildfire.
Local fire agencies and land managers are making major strides to reduce these risks by conducting fuels reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface, like prescribed burns and tree thinning. These projects promote forest health and help minimize the amount of flammable vegetation. The TFFT is a collaborative partnership of local, state, regional, and federal organizations leading this work. The team works together to plan, fund, and implement forest health and wildfire mitigation projects across jurisdictional boundaries, making the region more fire-resilient at a landscape scale and has treated more than 99,000 acres in the Lake Tahoe Basin to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.
But creating a resilient Tahoe is a shared responsibility – so what can residents do?
As we’ve seen in recent wildfires, wind can carry embers miles ahead of the main flames. These embers will ignite smaller fires when they land on anything flammable, whether that’s piles of dry pine needles near homes or landing inside attic vents, which is more common that you might think. Creating and maintaining defensible space (the buffer between the house and flammable vegetation) and home hardening (using fire-resistant materials on homes) are critical steps homeowners can take to reduce risk. With summer around the corner, it’s the perfect time to rake pine needles, access free curbside chipping services from local fire agencies, and sign up for evacuation alerts and prepare go-bags in the case of an evacuation. This work is critical and TFFT agencies are providing the support needed to prepare Lake Tahoe for the next wildfire.
While these tasks can feel overwhelming when done alone, TFFT partners are here to help.
That’s where programs like Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods come in. Under the guidance of a neighborhood leader or leadership committee, Fire Adapted Communities work together to host defensible space workdays, prepare evacuation plans, and share wildfire preparedness tips and resources. Firewise USA is a nationally recognized program that operates within the framework of Fire Adapted Communities to create fire-resilient neighborhoods. Like Fire Adapted Communities, Firewise USA neighborhoods create three-year action plans and annual work reports in addition to hosting annual workdays. Becoming a Firewise USA neighborhood may assist in keeping or lowering the rates of your fire insurance. From workdays to barbecues and block parties, these programs foster a connected and prepared community.
In the Tahoe Basin, these programs are supported by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and local fire agencies. Neighborhood leaders in existing Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods offer guidance, resources, and encouragement to help others get started. As wildfire intensity across the state increases, it’s natural to feel anxious. But being a part of a community that’s actively working to reduce wildfire impacts can bring peace of mind. As wildfire patterns shift, community-driven adaptation is becoming more important than ever.
To join or start a Fire Adapted Community or Firewise USA neighborhood, visit Tahoe Living With Fire for more information, or contact the Fire Adapted Communities Program at the Tahoe Resource Conservation District by calling 530-543-1501 ext. 114 or emailing fire@tahoercd.org.
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About the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team
The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.
