Against schools more than three times their size—Incline Elementary School’s Makerspace students are making their mark in the world of robotics.
Last month, the IES FIRST LEGO League team qualified for the Northern Nevada State Championship—a first in Incline Elementary’s school’s history and a moment these students will never forget.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: The entire Makerspace program is fully funded by the Incline Education Fund. Which means this opportunity exists only because of donors like you.
Inside the Makerspace, students don’t just learn STEM—they live it. They build robots, write code, test ideas, and solve problems that once felt completely out of reach. Many struggled with math. Some had never tried coding. But each week they step into a space where “I can’t” becomes “I did it.”A highly trained STEM teacher—funded by Incline Education Fund—guides them.
State-of-the-art robotics kits and tools—funded by donors like you—surround them. Suddenly, math makes sense. Engineering feels possible. Confidence grows.
Help us keep this innovative program alive. Your donation will: Keep expert STEM instruction in the Makerspace Provide robotics kits, coding software, and engineering materials Ensure every IES student—has access to high-quality STEM learningCreate life-changing opportunities rarely available in small, rural schools.
Without Incline Education Fund—and without YOUR support—the Makerspace wouldn’t exist. The spark that turned into a State Championship run might never have been lit.
Lake Tahoe School Fifth Grader Becomes a Published Author
December 9, 2025 | Member Submitted
We are proud to announce the publication of a short story by fifth-grade student, Maiia Christoffersen, marking a significant achievement that has transformed her into a budding literary role model for her peers!
Maiia’s journey began last year during a visit from author and illustrator Megan Ricciardi. Megan’s workshop focused on the art of puppetry, encouraging students to craft their own puppets and then write a short story inspired by their creation. The winning story would be selected for publication, and Maiia wrote and illustrated her book Mission: S.A.W.C. for consideration. The rest is history!
Our Librarian, Aly Nugent, says of Maiia’s story, “Mission: S.A.W.C. is a very creative story about what happens to the lost socks (or, as she refers to them, “lost soles”) in the dryer – a problem that all ages could relate to. Lost socks are transported to a magical land called Puppetville, where Maiia’s character, Rosie, comes to life as a sock puppet. Her story is well thought out, outlining the relationships between friends, and leaves room for imagination. Maiia purposely left pages mostly black and white for readers to color in the background, and she leaves room at the end for readers to write and illustrate their own Puppetville adventure for Rosie.”
Following the publication of her book, Maiia has wholeheartedly embraced the role of “visiting author.” She has been touring lower-grade classrooms, reading her story aloud, leading interactive Q&A sessions, and, most importantly, encouraging her younger schoolmates to dive into their own creative writing projects.
Her natural ability to connect with the younger students has made her a powerful advocate for literacy and self-expression within the school community.
“Students laughed along with Maiia as she engaged them not only with her story, but with Rosie, the sock puppet, that inspired her story. Maiia, the author, plays along with Rosie the character during her author visit,” added Ms. Aly. “Students were equally impressed and inspired, and already ready for a sequel!”
For more information about Megan Ricciardi’s Airy Fairy Library, visit airyfairylibrary.com.
Join Us for Jingle & Mingle: A Community Shopping Day
December 9, 2025 | Kristin Derrin
Saturday, December 13 • Incline Village & Crystal Bay
The holiday season in Incline Village and Crystal Bay is a time when our community comes together to support local businesses, reconnect with neighbors, and celebrate the unique character of our mountain town. This year’s Northern Lights Jingle & Mingle shopping day on Saturday, December 13, invites everyone to experience that spirit firsthand.
Local shops and restaurants will be offering promotions, tastings, giveaways, and festive experiences throughout the day. It’s the perfect opportunity to find holiday gifts, enjoy local food and drinks, and support the businesses that make our community thrive.
Tahoe Gifting Co: Join Tahoe Gifting Co. and Inside Incline for Jingle & Mingle on December 13 from 11 am to 3 pm! Enjoy DJ Hardy’s music, festive tastings, ornament-making, laser-engraving specials, and local spirits. A free community celebration at The Cut, bringing neighbors together for holiday fun, creativity, and seasonal cheer in Incline Village.
Crosby’s Tavern & Grill: Crosby’s is going all out for Jingle & Mingle with an exclusive lineup of holiday drink deals, special appetizers, and festive treats. Guests can enjoy $7 Cosmos and Pom-Tinis, $5 Mammoth Double Nut Brown Ale drafts, $8 holiday sippers, and a Belaire Gold Brut split with French fries for $20. Select bottles of wine are also half price and more! Plus, Crosby’s will be offering Mrs. Claus’ complimentary Christmas cookies to add a festive finishing touch.
Village Pet Foundation: Village Pet Foundation will be serving champagne and treats.
Karma: Christmas Karaoke
Happy Tiers: Spend $12 or more and get free hot cocoa.
Mofo’s: Pizza Specials
RALEY’S INCLINE CENTER
Mountain Hardware & Sports: Take advantage of their holiday promotion: donate $1 for a chance to draw a 10%, 20%, or 50% off coupon for your entire purchase. Shoppers are also entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card.
The Potlatch: Offering 10% off storewide, a complimentary gift with purchases over $100, and free gift wrapping. A great destination for jewelry, home décor, and Tahoe-themed gifts.
Forever Rox: 20% off jewelry.
Azzaras: Half off glass of wine when you mention Jingle & Mingle.
INCLINE PLAZA
Incline Acupuncture: Free balancing auricular acupuncture from 11-3.
Luxe Nails: Wine and treats.
VILLAGE CENTER
Grocery Outlet: Mini Wine sale all weekend long and Wine Tasting from 1-4.
Pet Network Thrift Shop: Sale: 25% storewide and 50% off pin tags. Refreshments and Beverages. Raffle ticket for every $10 purchased for a $50 gift card to the thrift.
Wyld Peony: Adult beverages and snacks, specialty wreaths.
STARBUCKS PLAZA
Susie Scoops & Village Toys
These two neighboring family favorites make a perfect combined stop:
Susie Scoops: Purchase a Susie Scoops Gift Card valued at $25 or more & receive a FREE Kid’s Scoop! Plus, the first 25 customers will receive a FREE Susie Scoops Insulated Tote! Plus, the first 25 customers will receive a FREE Susie Scoops Insulated Tote!
Village Toys: Tiered discounts—15% off purchases over $100, 20% off over $200, and 30% off over $300—plus a reusable shopping bag with purchase.
Together, they offer fun, treats, and gifts for all ages.
OTHER SPECIALS AROUND TOWN
Iron & Wood: Stop by to experience the golf simulator discounts. Gift card promo and clothing discounts.
Hyatt Lake Tahoe Resort and Spa: Join for High Tea – Osteria prix-fixe menu
Lakeshore Realty: Hot chocolate and letter-making supplies to write a letter to Santa, as well as a box for Santa letters.
Welcome Center: 20% all merchandise in the Incline Village Welcome Center
Make a Day of It
Stroll through Incline Village, visit your favorite shops, try something new, and take advantage of specials available only during this event. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, sampling treats, or enjoying the festive atmosphere, Jingle & Mingle is a wonderful way to celebrate the season.
Our small businesses support community events, local programs, and the overall character of our town. Jingle & Mingle is an opportunity for residents to show their appreciation and help these businesses continue to thrive.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 13, and join us for a festive day of shopping, dining, and celebrating the best of our community.
“The Nutcracker” ballet has been a global holiday classic for decades, with its music ringing of Christmas.. For the past six years, the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective has performed this magical ballet with a Tahoe twist on the weekend before Christmas. The production features a cast of local children with professional dancers in the lead roles.
This season, Incline’s Lily Bonner, a 6th grader at Lake Tahoe School, will dance the role of Clara, the young girl who dreams that her toy Nutcracker comes alive and becomes a prince. Lily has studied ballet since the age of 9 and has been dancing with the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective in Incline Village and Tahoe City for the past three years. After auditions in late September, Lily found out that she had been cast in this coveted role. “I felt super excited, and when I found out, my stomach jumped, and I wanted to start rehearsing immediately. I was so excited.”
Lily rehearses six days a week, and other student dancers from around the Tahoe Basin have had weekly rehearsals since the beginning of October. Rehearsals take place after regular ballet classes and continue through the performances on December 19-21. Other dancers from Incline Village include Silas Lefrancois as Lily’s on-stage brother, Fritz, Blake Brockman, Sofia Sacci, Rose Davison, Grace Hughes, Harry Hughes, Emilia Cruz, Aspen Conway, Allison and Charlotte Meyer, Miya Lefrancois, and Calixta Cordoba Sosa.
New York City Ballet’s Indiana Woodward will travel to Tahoe for the third year to dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Boston Ballet’s Lawrence Rines Munro will dance as her Cavalier.
In 2023 and 2024, a generous grant from the Tahoe Community Foundation, formerly known as Parasol, funded delightful new costumes and updates to the sets and technical equipment which greatly elevated the presentation. The sets were designed to evoke the historic Tahoe Tavern in the 1920s and the Land of the Sweets, where Hot Chocolate, Marzipan, and Christmas Cookies dance across the stage.
Christin Hanna, Founder and Executive and Artistic Director of the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, trains and rehearses the 51 young dancers in the cast, many of whom have been dancing in her Tahoe City and Incline studios for years. Part of the tradition of this ballet is that dancers can measure their success in both artistry and technique as they grow up dancing new and more challenging roles. This year, Romi Broglio and Miriam Kallmes, high school students and senior members of the LTDC Company are dancing the soloist roles of Snow Queen and Dew Drop. In the Tahoe production’s 2019 premiere, both girls began performing the roles of little mice. Hanna says, “When I look at our youngest ones in their party scene dresses, I know that in a blink of an eye, they’ll be teenagers in lead roles. It’s the perfect example of hard work and discipline paying off.”
Performances take place in the theater at North Tahoe High School on Friday, December 19th at 7pm and Saturday and Sunday, December 20th and 21st at 3pm. Tickets start at $30, with a limited number of “Pay What You Can” tickets available, at www.laketahoedancecollective.org
Maestro James Rawie proudly announces the 21st annual production of HANDEL’s MESSIAH now presented by Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. The series includes performances in five distinct locations. The Reno-Tahoe-Gardnerville and South Lake Tahoe communities continue enjoying this wonderful holiday MESSIAH tradition.
Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on March 23, 1742 and was conducted by its composer, George Frederic Handel. It continues to be a masterpiece that has left audiences in awe for 279 years. Tahoe Philharmonic’s production is a celebration of the holidays and includes not only favorite selections from Messiah Parts One and Three, but also seasonal carols that the audience will be most welcome to join in singing.
Joining the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus for this production are Anne Davidson, Anna Helwing and Debbie Sessions, sopranos; Lorelei vanPeborgh and Michele Izor, mezzo; Michael Lloyd, tenor; and Stuart Duke, baritone. TahoePhil Chamber Orchestra features Cliff Richardson as concertmaster; Katie Cardoza and Nick Haines as continuo; with Joshua Dunlap and Cortez Montalbo on Baroque trumpets. All performances will be conducted by Maestro James Rawie, TahoePhil’s Founder and Executive Artistic Director.
Tickets are available online at www.tickettailor.com/events/tahoephilharmonic or at the door 30 minutes prior to each concert. General admission is $30 adults; preferred seating is $40 and $15 for youth/students and Premium seating is $50 adults/$25 youth. Seniors enjoy a $5 discount in all seating areas. All students under 23 (with ID) are free.
WHERE and WHEN
Saturday. Dec. 13.. 6:30pm RENO: St Luke’s Lutheran Church • 3835 Lakeside Dr
Sunday. Dec. 14.. 3:00pm RENO: St Rose of Lima Church •100 Bishop Manogue Dr
Friday. Dec. 19.. 6:30pm INCLINE: St. Francis Catholic Church- 701 Mt. Rose Hwy
In The News – Special nighttime snowboarding filmfest starring Curtis Woodman’s “Wayfinder” to premiere at Incline Village Cinema
December 8, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/8/2025, Staff Report
Professional snowboarder Curtis Woodman invites the Tahoe snow community to the world premiere of his latest self-produced snowboarding film Wayfinder on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Incline Village Cinema in North Lake Tahoe at 10 p.m. for a special nightime snowboarding celebration!
Curtis will speak briefly before the screening and will be available afterward for pictures and autograph signing. A product toss from sponsors: Spring Break Snowboards • The Donut Shoppe • ThirtyTwo • Union Bindings • Raen Eyewear • Drop MFG • New Greens • Flojoy • Drink Coffee Do Stuff • Higher Elevation – Official Genius and a new pair of snow shoes from Verts!
Upcoming Opportunities to Engage in Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin
December 8, 2025 | Member Submitted
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is calling on community members, nonprofits, and partner agencies to continue sharing ideas and provide feedback on how to incentivize housing that is affordable while protecting Lake Tahoe’s unique environment. See the next box for more details on the draft proposal.
Wednesday, January 28 – The TRPA Governing Board will consider an action to move the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin proposed policies forward for analysis in an environmental impact statement (EIS) to be conducted next year.
Wednesday, February 11 – APC will hold an environmental scoping meeting for the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin EIS.
Community members can submit written comments in advance to publiccomment@trpa.gov, or attend any of the meetings virtually or in person to provide comments during designated public comment periods.
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 11/13/2025, Written by Ella Clifford
As the winter holiday season approaches, Tahoe/Truckee prepares for its yearly transformation into a winter wonderland. One minute it’s sweater weather and the mountain towns are full of fall colors and then – boom – they’re decked out in lights and holiday cheer.
While there are many elements that contribute to a winter storybook feel, holiday lighting can add the finishing touch.
Holiday lighting comes in many different shapes and forms. Whether it’s a torchlight parade at Granlibakken, a tree lighting at Palisades Tahoe, or a festival of winter lights in South Lake, each town participates in creating its own unique glow.
Flirting with death releases pheromones that make you feel more alive than before. Or as Winston Churchill put it, “Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result.”
I’ve only had that feeling once in my life, but it proved true to form…
I got into a gunfight with a gentleman from North Vietnam, and he was as bad a shot as I was, thank goodness. We jumped around behind some trees while firing handguns at each other like a couple kids in a schoolyard, without result. I might have done better to throw rocks at him than shoot aimlessly with my .45 caliber…
Mercifully we both ran out of ammunition about the same time, and in place of opting for hand-to-hand combat, we looked each other over, shrugged our shoulders, and walked away. I have never felt so alive, and I’ll bet my Golden Gloves that my gentleman friend from the north felt the same way. In fact, he might be relating a similar story to his grandkids today…
“Oh, away back in ’66 I got into a skirmish with a Marine who was just as bad a shot as was I. We ducked behind the few trees between us, while firing our sidearms as we saw fit. But neither of us could hit a tent from the inside. When we both ran out of ammunition, we looked bemused at each other, shrugged our shoulders and walked away.”
Sometimes running out of ammo is an acceptable resolution to a conflict. I walked on air for the rest of the day following that flirtation with death, and felt more alive for the encounter…
I sometimes wonder what that gentleman from North Vietnam is doing today. I would love to call him up and ask, “Hey, do you remember shooting at a Marine while jumping around behind a few scruffy trees away back in ‘66? Because if you do, I want to fly over there and buy you the adult beverage of your choice.”
I don’t imagine I’ll ever have that glorious opportunity, but it would put years onto my already ancient life if I did. Hell, I don’t even know where we were, Hill 881, the Rockpile, the Razorback? I just don’t know…
We left some good men behind us, good men on both sides. And I guess God was on both sides too now that I think about it…
These days I’m feeling an intriguing sense of euphoria, and wondering if I might be flirting with death on a more natural plane, being older than Mathusalem’s horse and all. It’s a delicate feeling that I hope does not come with a prescient and immediate call to another shore. I’m not going to think about it, but will accept it as simply a signal of gratitude for living a long life following a gunfight at the Vietnam OK Corral between Two Guys Who Could Not Shoot Straight…
In The News – New Heli-Skiing tours unlock access to remote mountains between Tahoe and Mammoth
December 4, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/04/2025, Written by Petra Molina
On a winter roadtrip up Highway 395, it’s hard not to stare out the window and imagine carving lines down the untouched peaks that rise beyond the road. This winter, that daydream edges closer to reality. Sweetwater Heli, a new helicopter-skiing operation, is launching with a promise to deliver skiers and riders into some of the most remote mountains between Lake Tahoe and Mammoth.
“It’s almost like the opportunity to create a ski resort without the chairlifts,” said co-founder Mark Johnson.
The Sweetwater Mountains provide more than 180,000 acres of exclusive terrain for the operation — a 184,320-acre range spanning about 288 square miles. Its highest point, Mount Patterson, is an 11,673-foot volcanic peak, surrounded by five additional summits rising above 10,000 feet. Most of the range lies within the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.
