In The News – How an Incline Village HOA received a 33% insurance reduction amid wildfire driven increases and non-renewals
December 4, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/04/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
After a gamut of increasing premiums and a notice of non-renewal, the McCloud Condo Association in Incline Village ventured to try something new this year when it came to insurance. The result yielded a 33% premium reduction.
The association worked with RockRose Risk, a new company within this last year that is redefining how property coverage works in high-risk areas.
In The News – Residents sad to see micromobility service go: TART Connect Nevada ends Dec. 11
December 3, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/3/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
Neighbors are stepping up and offering rides as the news of TART Connect’s termination in Nevada circulates online and leaves users wondering what to do when the the app-based service comes to an end.
The free on demand curb-to-curb shuttle has been imperative for some to get to work and the store with full-time residents making up 65% of its ridership.
The cancellation impacts TART Connect Zone 3, covering Incline Village and Crystal Bay, where residents are saying the service has helped them access the town, especially during storms.
In The News – Residents sad to see micromobility service go: TART Connect Nevada ends Dec. 11
December 3, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/03/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
Neighbors are stepping up and offering rides as the news of TART Connect’s termination in Nevada circulates online and leaves users wondering what to do when the the app-based service comes to an end.
The free on demand curb-to-curb shuttle has been imperative for some to get to work and the store with full-time residents making up 65% of its ridership.
The cancellation impacts TART Connect Zone 3, covering Incline Village and Crystal Bay, where residents are saying the service has helped them access the town, especially during storms.
Experience the Magic at the Northern Lights Holiday Celebration
December 3, 2025 | Julie Malkin-Manning
Get ready to immerse yourself in the festive spirit! The annual Northern Lights Holiday Celebration is this Saturday, December 6, from 2-5:15 PM, and it promises a day filled with joy, community, and unforgettable moments. This cherished tradition brings us all together to kick off the holiday season in the most wonderful way.
Give the Gift of Joy with Toys for Tots
One of the most meaningful parts of our celebration is the opportunity to support Toys for Tots. You can help bring a smile to a child’s face by donating a new, unused toy at the collection station.
Want to make your donation even easier? You can pre-purchase toys at Village Toys, or at the event, as they are offering a special discount for all items intended for the drive. Additionally, Susie Scoops will be donating 50% of the proceeds from kids’ ice cream scoops to purchase more toys. It’s a wonderful way to teach the joy of giving while enjoying a sweet treat.
Giving Tree Forest
At the center of it all is the Giving Tree Forest; a magical display of more than 30 trees decorated by local nonprofits, service clubs, and community groups. Each tree tells a story about the organization’s mission and how you can help; whether through a donation, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.
Guests can vote for their favorite tree!
Capture Holiday Memories
What’s a holiday event without a picture with Santa? Bring your cameras and your biggest smiles for a special photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Santa Stop. They will arrive via NLTFPD Fire Engine at 2:15PM. It’s the perfect chance to tell them your holiday wishes and create letter to Santa to place in Santa’s Mailbox, which IVGID’s elves will send to the North Pole.
You’ll also find other fantastic photo ops throughout the event. Be on the lookout for Diamond Peak’s mascot, Penguin Pete, Daisy Trails Preschool’s Gingerbread house and representatives from the Washoe County Sheriff’s office who will be joining in the festive fun.
Community Organizations
It wouldn’t be a celebration without games and crafts. Organizations from all over the region are hosting tables with interactive activities for kids and adults alike, including an elf scavenger hunt and holiday card making stations.
In The News – Tahoe Fund launches $10K challenge to improve backcountry access for all
December 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/02/2025, Staff Report
The Tahoe region offers some of the best winter outdoor recreation in the world, but parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads often make the backcountry difficult to access. To help the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance tackle these issues, the Tahoe Fund is launching a new $10k matching challenge to the community.
The first 100 people to donate $35 or more by December 31, 2025 will unlock a $10,000 gift to Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA) in celebration of their 10th anniversary. Donors to the challenge will also receive a TBA membership that corresponds to their gift level. Membership tiers are $35, $150, or $500, and include the following benefits:
In The News – Director, Incline High graduate will have two films at 11th Tahoe Film Fest
December 2, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune, 11/25/2025, Written by Eli Ramos
Jennifer Tiexiera, a graduate from Incline High, is showing “SPEAK.” and “Rebbeca”, two documentaries at the 11th Tahoe Film Fest this year. Both films explore culture, underrepresented voices and a sense of belonging—all themes that are close to Tiexiera’s heart.
Tiexiera was born in Oakland, but moved to Tahoe when she was eight years old. “My dad had a dream of raising us here, and to this day, it’s still one of the most beautiful places in the world to me,” she said. Tiexiera attended Incline High and said she felt so much love and support from her community her. In fact, she and her partner still own businesses here, including the cocktail bar Gaviota, which she says they made as a place for locals.
Still, Tiexiera said she was conflicted. Leaving the Bay Area and coming to Tahoe did raise questions for her, especially around her identity. “I left and didn’t look back for a really long time.” As a filmmaker, her work has typically been in films that follow themes of cultural identity and social justice. She is one of the co-founders of Lady & Bird, a female-led documentary production company focused on telling stories from underrepresented voices.
Welcome to the Lake Tahoe School Winter Market, a festive and vibrant event designed to delight every member of the family! While parents explore the local small business booths and festive raffle, our older students take center stage by hosting their own small shops within the market, gaining real-world experience in entrepreneurship. Younger children are also cared for and entertained: our dedicated Student Council will be offering a supervised babysitting service for children in Kindergarten through 4th grade, and the evening will be filled with beautiful music, including a special performance by our talented LTS student choir.
STUDENT MARKETS
The Lake Tahoe School Student Market is a foundational experience in entrepreneurship, offering all registered LTS students a real-world platform to create, market, and sell their own homemade crafts and goods. This hands-on opportunity allows students to take full responsibility for their business, including all signage, pricing, and collecting payments. To ensure a successful and well-managed experience, while any LTS student can sign up for a booth, all elementary school students are required to have an adult helper with them at their booth for the entire duration of the market. This unique feature of the Winter Market fosters creativity, business acumen, and self-confidence in our young entrepreneurs.
BABYSITTING
Looking for a chance to shop, socialize, and enjoy the market hands-free? Drop your little ones off at the Student Council’s Holiday Kid-Zone! Our dedicated Student Council members are hosting a super fun babysitting service for children in Kindergarten through 4th grade as a fundraiser for their spring dance. For a suggested minimum donation of $25 per child, your kids will be treated to a cozy evening featuring a festive holiday movie, fun activities, and, best of all, a very special visit from Santa Claus himself! It’s a night of holiday fun for them, and a stress-free shopping spree for you!
The Local Lens – Community Holiday Tree Lights Up on Saturday!
December 2, 2025 | Linda Offerdahl
This year’s dilemma of finding a tree to designate as the official Incline Village Holiday Tree was solved by the fire district’s fuels crew! While reducing hazardous fuels in the First Creek drainage area, they found a beautiful 12-foot White Fir. They cut and installed it in front of the Prim Library on the UNR at Lake Tahoe campus. Thanks to Sheila and Ken Leijon, the tree is decorated with solar lights. The lights will be officially turned on this Saturday, December 6, at the Northern Lights Community Celebration.
The (free) festive event on Saturday starts at 2 pm when Prim Library opens its doors to the community to view the 30+ nonprofit “giving trees”. There are multiple contests; locals are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree, along with enjoying a multitude of entertainment and activities sponsored by service clubs and nonprofits.
Whittier Trust is the premier sponsor of Northern Lights. Raleys is donating sandwiches. IVCBA, UNR, IVGID, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office are all active participants in organizing the event.
Think of it as a giant open house in Incline Village. You will want to stop in every center. The Do Not Miss places are The Potlatch in Raley’s Incline Center and Tahoe Gifting Company at the Christmas Tree Village.
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Are you ready to experience the magic of cinema at Lake Tahoe? Great films are meant to be seen on the big screen — with a crowd that laughs, gasps, and applauds together. The 11th Tahoe Film Fest returns December 4-7, 2025, with screenings at Incline Village Cinema, Village Cinemas at Northstar, and the Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room.
This year’s lineup is nothing short of spectacular. The festival opens with JAY KELLY, which earned an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler. The festival closes with DEAD MEN WALKING, the third installment in the Knives Out series, featuring Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, and Jeremy Renner. Other major highlights include: IS THIS THING ON?, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, alongside Will Arnett and Laura Dern. SONG SUNG BLUE, a musical drama starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson and WICKED: FOR GOOD, another dazzling journey through the Land of Oz.
International cinema also takes center stage with several submissions for the 2026 AcademyAwards Best Foreign Language Film with SENTIMENTAL VALUE (Norway), IT WAS JUST ANACCIDENT (France), SIRAT(Spain) and THE SECRET AGENT (Brazil).
Of course, no Tahoe festival would be complete without a world-class ski film! This year, TetonGravity Research presents its 30th annual film, PRESSURE DROP. The lineup also features NOBU, a new documentary about chef Nobu Matsuhisa, inspired by the buzz around a possible Nobu restaurant at Lake Tahoe. Incline High School graduate Jennifer Tiexiera returns home with two acclaimed new documentaries — REBBECA and SPEAK. Also screening are Jimmy Chin’s LOVE + WAR (National Geographic) and Tasha Van Zandt’s A LIFE ILLUMINATED, both festival favorites. Rounding out the program, the festival honors Indigenous voices with four powerful films: REMAINING NATIVE, FREE LEONARD PELTIER, COURAGE, and YANUNI (produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival).
The Tahoe Film Fest proudly thanks its founding partners: Travel North Tahoe Nevada, North Tahoe Community Alliance, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Film PlacerCounty, Crystal Bay Casino, and the Sierra Sun.
Individual tickets and festival passes are available online at tahoefilmfest.com, or at theater box offices on the day of each screening.
A Village-Wide Celebration: Jingle & Mingle Returns to Incline Village
December 1, 2025 | Kristin Derrin
At IVCBA, our mission is to build community and grow cohesiveness for the sustainability of Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Through this work, we design, promote, and support events that bring people together during the most spirited time of year, our Northern Lights Holiday Festival.
One of the highlights of Northern Lights is the return of Jingle & Mingle, a festive community celebration happening Saturday, December 13, from 11 AM to 3 PM. This year’s event anchors itself in Christmas Tree Village, transforming the area into a lively holiday hub filled with shopping, tastings, craftsmanship, and cheer.
A Holiday Hub at Christmas Tree Village
This year’s Jingle & Mingle shines a special spotlight on Christmas Tree Village—Incline Village’s nostalgic, winter-ready gathering place where local shops, eateries, and creative spaces come alive for the season. Tahoe Gifting Co., located at The Cut, anchors the celebration with beautifully curated Tahoe-inspired gifts, artisan-made goods, and special holiday promotions. Throughout the Village, businesses will offer seasonal treats, shopping specials, and festive experiences, making it the perfect place to stroll, sip, shop, and soak in the holiday spirit.
Village-Wide Festivities
Beyond Christmas Tree Village, merchants and restaurants throughout Incline Village will offer their own specials, snacks, and holiday experiences. With dozens of local businesses joining the celebration, Jingle & Mingle is the perfect opportunity to shop local, eat local, and support the community while enjoying a relaxed, joyful afternoon around town.
What to Expect
While this year’s event is centered at Christmas Tree Village, you’ll find holiday cheer all across Incline Village. Enjoy:
Unique gifts, discounts, and holiday promotions from participating merchants
Seasonal bites, drinks, and tastings from local restaurants, cafés, and bars
Hands-on holiday activities and festive pop-ups for all ages
Community gathering spaces filled with twinkling lights, décor, and holiday music
At Christmas Tree Village, Tahoe Gifting Co. and Inside Incline will host an elevated holiday experience featuring:
Music by DJ Hardy
Special tasting menu from Paxton’s Lake Tahoe
Ornament-making station by Good Livin’ Ceramics
Spirits tasting with Minden Mill Distilling
Holiday laser-engraving specials and gift ideas
This is your chance to discover new businesses, revisit long-time local favorites, and enjoy the festive spirit that Northern Lights brings to our community.
Celebrate Together
As Tahoe Boulevard glows with lights and the holiday season settles in, we invite you to wander, explore, and connect. Jingle & Mingle is a celebration of everything that makes Incline Village special, our small businesses, our creative community, and the neighbors who bring it all to life.
We want to hear from you! Share your Jingle & Mingle adventures, tag us on social media, and let us know your favorite stops and experiences.
See You There
Bundle up, bring a friend, and join us for a festive Saturday supporting the heart of our community.
