In The News – ‘Not just a ski shuttle’: First electric flying ferry in U.S. hopes to cut commutes for Tahoe locals, increase business across shores
November 30, 2024 | Kristin Derrin
Originally published in the Sierra Sun, 11/29/2024, Written by Eli Ramos
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Local company FlyTahoe is pairing with Swedish tech company Candela to bring the first electric flying ferry to the shores of Lake Tahoe. CEO and founder of FlyTahoe Ryan Meinzer anticipates the unique vessel to start business at the end of 2025, but has high hopes for the impacts the Candela P-12 will bring to the Basin.
Meinzer, a self-proclaimed snowboard fanatic and entrepreneur, said, “Tahoe is my favorite place on the planet.” And for the past 15 years, he says he’s seen issues in transit and traffic throughout the Tahoe basin that impact not only commutes, but the clarity of the lake. “I’ve been thinking about solving this problem for a long time.”
Now, he feels the cutting-edge technology that Candela creates makes that solution a reality. “The hydrofoil technology lowers operational expenses and makes this a profitable enterprise. It’s a rare opportunity to be able to combine purpose and profit like this,” said Meinzer.
As we conclude the 3rd quarter of 2024, we’re proud to share the remarkable strides made in membership growth, community outreach, and business programs, each contributing to the ongoing mission of enhancing Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
Membership Growth Our subscriber base has grown to over 2,100, with 385 new subscribers this quarter alone. Our communication efforts are highly effective, with an average open rate of 60% and a 16% click-through rate. Additionally, we added 5 new members and renewed 28 memberships, reflecting strong engagement within our community.
Communications and Marketing This quarter saw the successful publication of the Live.Work.Play summer edition, highlighting Local Heroes and our July 4th celebrations. The Weekly Snapshot newsletter continues to provide updates and event promotions, now offering advertising opportunities. Social media outreach increases visibility for our members, with over 20,000 impressions in Q3. A “Like What You Read?” campaign also helped expand our subscriber base and community supporters.
Business Programs and Civic Engagement We held a New Member Social in September, welcoming 14 attendees. Our civic engagement campaign included two successful candidate forums in August and September, with planning underway for a Leadership Academy in partnership with Washoe County. Our VIP reception, unfortunately, was canceled due to the Davis Fire, but we quickly utilized Snapshot and social media to update the community on fire resources.
Community and Beautification Efforts Our Local Heroes Parade and July 4th celebration were tremendous successes, alongside the Inclined to Bloom initiative, which encouraged businesses and residents to enhance their properties. Community cleanups, including Rotary Club projects, helped maintain public spaces, while beautification projects continue into fall, focusing on planting bulbs and defensible space clean-ups.
Infrastructure Projects Significant progress was made on our Roundabout Redesign project, with community input through a short survey. Additionally, research for commercial signage led to a strategy for installing solar lamp posts, with the ability to hang merchant signs on them.
COMING IN 4TH QUARTER
Seasonal edition of Live.Work.Play published in time for Thanksgiving
Participation in Basin-Wide ‘Business Walks’ Survey with Tahoe Prosperity Center
Launch of Washoe Tahoe Leadership Academy on November 18 with guest speaker
North Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and IVCBA mixer at Bowl Incline on November 21
Housing Committee program on “Unlocking Housing Solutions” on December 3
Candy Cane Lane & Village community event on December 6
Northern Lights Festival events throughout December
We look forward to continued success in the months ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement!
In The News – NV Department of Taxation subcomittee to determine if IVGID should be placed on ‘fiscal watch’
October 26, 2024 | Kristin Derrin
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/25/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Taxation’s Committee on Local Government Finance appointed a subcommittee to look at Incline Village General Improvement District’s (IVGID) financial irregularities on Wednesday.
“The subcommittee that we’ve just appointed, one of the duties I’m going to ask the subcommittee to do is to make a recommendation as to whether you should be placed on ‘fiscal watch’,” said the committee’s Chairman Marvin Leavitt. “Or whether we need to take some action other than that or whether they feel like you’re making efforts to resolve the situation … their intent is to not only assist you, but also make a recommendation as to what we need to do subsequent to that.”
State law authorizes placing local governments under “fiscal watch” when they exhibit specific conditions including serious internal control deficiencies, insolvency, failure to meet payment obligations, questionable investment decisions, unauthorized expenditures, misappropriation of funds, and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
The community briefing surrounding the Davis Fire was Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Depoali Middle School, located at 9300 Wilbur May Parkway in Reno.
Expect to hear from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1, a Complex Incident Management Team. Southwest Incident Management Team 1 is helping to increase the management capabilities for this fire while continuing to work with local agencies. Truckee Meadows Fire representatives and other responding agencies will be there for information. *Washoe County Update
CLICK HERE to sign up for CodeRED notifications here to be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts. Registering for CodeRED increases the likelihood that residents will receive these urgent notifications.
Introducing Snapshot’s Advertising Program Exclusive to IVCBA Business Members
September 9, 2024 | Kristin Derrin
IVCBA is excited to announce a new advertising program designed to give local businesses an affordable way to reach an engaged audience. With an impressive average 65% open rate and 25% click rate, Snapshot’s subscribers are highly interactive, making this a valuable opportunity for businesses looking to expand their reach.
For just $150, participating businesses will get three banner ads over a three-month period. These ads can highlight events, sales, and promotions, offering a great way to drive traffic and boost engagement. Each ad will include a clickable link to the advertiser’s chosen URL, maximizing exposure and generating leads.
In The News – IVGID trustees discuss financial issues, operations
September 2, 2024 | Kristin Derrin
Originally Published by the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/30/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Board of Trustees met on Aug. 29 for a three-plus hour meeting that addressed financial concerns, operational matters, and more, reflecting the complex challenges it’s currently navigating.
One pressing issue was the finance department’s staffing needs. The board deliberated on recruiting a director of finance. This position has become increasingly critical given the district’s ongoing financial challenges.
Trustee Raymond Tulloch emphasized the importance of finding a candidate with suitable government experience, particularly in Nevada Revised Statutes.
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Community Fundraiser Events
August 19, 2024 | Kristin Derrin
As summer fades, the fundraising season in Incline Village and Crystal Bay is heating up! Our community’s incredible non-profits are gearing up for a series of exciting events. With tickets still available, now’s the time to get involved. Many of these events also feature silent auctions and are open to donations from our generous community. Check out these 11 must-attend fundraisers as we head into the fall!
St. Clare’s Montessori – Sunday August 25th
Benefiting Scholarships for St. Clare’s Montessori School
Join St. Clare’s families and staff at Alibi Ale Works Incline Village Public House on Sunday, August 25th, from 4-7 pm (free for the community). Live Music, kids activities, beers, pizza, fantastic raffle and an incredible silent auction. More Details Here: DRINK BEER, BUILD A FUTURE
PEO – Tastes of Incline – Thursday, August 29th
Benefit for Local Scholarships
Thursday from 4:30pm – 7:00pm join the community at The Chateau for Tastes of Incline. Tickets are available at The Potlatch. More info: TASTES OF INCLINE
AAUW’s Garden Party – September 15th (Silent Auction starts 9/1/24 – 9/18/2024)
Benefit for Scholarships
Tickets still available for the Lakeside Garden Party. Step into a picturesque paradise at our Garden Party on September 15. The event will be held at a lakefront estate in Incline Village, Nevada where every corner of the property is adorned with the splendor of nature and the allure of art. Silent Auction goes live September 1st.
Spend the day at Incline Wine + Food and explore the 6-acre lakefront estate in a walk-around wine tasting and a one of a kind gathering with Wineries + Bubbles + Fun + Food offering a sense of place rooted in the timeless essence of Lake Tahoe—the Lakefront Estate Lawn at Kern Schumacher’s Residence in Incline Village. Silent Auction Items are still being accepted.
2nd Annual Endless Summer Pickleball Smash – Sunday, September 8th
Benefit for Pet Network
Get ready for the ultimate mixer! You’ll play a minimum of 6 games, each with different partners and opponents. The first to 11 points wins each match. Your admission includes a scrumptious catered dinner, two drink tickets, and after-party fun!
Grab your Lederhosen and your furry (or not) friends, you’re going to BARKtoberfest! Includes dinner, unlimited beer, and live music by Jacked Up Tahoe.
34th Annual Chocolate and Wine Festival – Saturday, October 19th
Benefit for Sierra Community House
We are looking forward to celebrating our community and all we have accomplished together with an evening of decadent chocolate creations, wine tasting, heavy appetizers, live music, and an engaging and interactive program. Our theme this year is Masquerade.
What an incredible three days of Local Heroes 4th of July Celebrations! We hope everyone enjoyed all the great community events. The Local Heroes Parade and Community Fair was a great success!
We want to thank all our volunteers; we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to Tiffany Clements (WCSO), who organized all the volunteers for decorating the parade route! It looked great!
Thank you to the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District for the Pancake Breakfast and flag-raising to kick off the three-day event. Also, thank you for kindly pulling the IVCBA ‘Future Local Heroes’ Float in the parade; there were a lot of happy kiddos!
Thank you to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office for the ‘Meet & Greet’ at the Community Fair and for bringing the horses!
Thank you to TK for organizing the Kid’s Bike Parade and the Community Fair Kids Olympics!
Thank you to Susie Scoops for supplying the ice cream at the Community Fair and hosting the famous Ice Cream eating contest.
Thank you to Highlander Pride for the Community Fair BBQ and the Highland Pride Basketball Tournament. Thank you to the Incline Tahoe Foundation for a very successful Summerfest! Thank you to the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline and the IVCB Veterans Club for the pancake breakfasts, flag retirement ceremony, and all you do for the Local Heroes Celebration.
And, of course, thank you to Red, White, and Tahoe Blue II for bringing back the fireworks. That was an incredible firework show! A perfect way to end a successful 3-day Celebration!
It takes a village to bring about such a successful event. So many people came together to create 3 days of celebration. A big appreciation to Julie Malkin-Manning with IVCBA for the incredible event organization!
Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration is less than two weeks away! This three day event is packed full of fun events for the whole family. So if you are looking to enjoy the festivities with your kiddos, look no further.
TUESDAY, JULY 2ND
10AM:Local Heroes Bike Parade:Start the parade off with all the local kids in town and bike, scooter, or walk with the TK and the Kids Bike Parade. Registration is necessary as well as a signed Waiver, all due by June 23rd. Get creative and decorate the bikes with streamers, flags, and of course dress festive!
10AM: Local Heroes Parade: Maybe you want to ride in the parade. Numerous floats encourage kiddos to join. The IVCBA ‘Future Local Heroes’ Float encourages kids and parents to dress as a local hero—fire, police, doctor, you get the idea. If you want to get involved, reach out directly to kristin@ivcba.org.
AFTER PARADE: Community Fair: Directly after the parade, join the community at our local community fair. The parade will end at the Village Green, so head over and enjoy the fun. Most businesses have kids’ games, crafts, giveaways, and fun! IVCBA plans to have some fun games out, stickers, and kid-friendly activities. NEW THIS YEAR: IHS Track & Field + XC team are running Youth Olympics – with prizes!
11AM – 3PM: Washoe County Sheriff Meet & Greet: During the parade and Community Fair you will come say hello to our local Sheriff’s at the Community Fair Meet & Greet. There will be firetrucks and sheriffs vehicles for the kids along with horses!
11AM-3PM: Backyard BBQ with Highlander Pride (High School Students):After a fun morning, you are all probably hungry, so head over to Aspen Grove, for some food! The non-profit group Highlander Pride will host a Backyard BBQ cooked by Cheer and Golf teams on the Village Green to benefit all Incline High School athletics and athletes. Brats, hot dogs, soda, and water will be available for donation. Pricing is a “suggested contribution” as this is a fundraiser. Additional donations will be gratefully accepted.
1PM: Ice Cream Eating Contest presented by Susie Scoops: Get ready for every kids favorite event, all you can eat ice cream! And it’s a contest! This is held at the Village Green during the Community Fair.
4PM – 7PM: Incline Tahoe Foundation – Summerfest: Incline Tahoe Foundation (ITF) presents SUMMERFEST at the UNR Lake Tahoe Campus! There will be a watermelon eating contest for the kids as well as Beer-tasting for the parents. Incline Spirits has organized beer tastings from 12 breweries featuring 24 craft beers, wine and soft beverages. Tunnel Creek Cafe is providing great food options and Incline Bak’d will be serving an assortment of mouth-watering desserts. Live Music from ‘Jacked Up’ with lawn games and fun for the whole family. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3RD
9AM: Highlander Pride Basketball Tournament: This fundraiser for the Incline High School Boys Basketball team, this tourney is open to all – there are both grade level and open divisions. The entry fee is $50 per team, and there are prizes for champions. Contact TK to Register: 714-404-8592
6PM – 8PM: Veterans Recognition Reception – Sponsored by Cornerstone Church: Head over to Aspen Grove for a tribute to veterans and active duty personnel with a reception in their honor, immediately preceding the flag retirement ceremony. This is a free event.
DUSK: Flag Retirement Ceremony: All are welcome to bring old and worn flags to retire in the traditional manner with a ceremonial retirement opportunity. The event will begin at 7:45 PM with a bugler and bagpiper. The flag retirement burning will be timed with sunset at The Village Green.
THURSDAY, JULY 4TH
8AM – 12PM: IVCB Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast: Don’t want to make breakfast for the whole family, no problem, head over to Aspen Grove for the IVCB Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast. Enjoy Pancakes, bacon, sausage, and blueberries, plus optional Mimosas and Bloody Marys to support local Veterans! $10/Adults ages 12 & up; $5/ ages 6-11; FREE/ 5 & under. Tickets are available at the door.
9:30PM: 4TH of July Fireworks Presented by Red White and Tahoe Blue II:Near Incline Beach – After a hiatus of five years, we’re thrilled to announce the return of our awe-inspiring Independence Day fireworks display to Incline Village & Crystal Bay. Once ranked as the 6th Best Fireworks in the Country, we’re committed to reviving this beloved tradition with even more splendor and community spirit. Learn more About Red White & Tahoe Blue II – This will be very busy, parking limited and big crowd, so recommend planning accordingly with littles.
Expect a lot of people throughout the three days. Parking can be tricky, so pack sunscreen, hats, water, extra snacks, etc. We love to see your photos, tag us on social media @ivcba and stay safe.
In The News – Candidates speak plus community updates at Incline forum
May 20, 2024 | Kristin Derrin
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 05/20/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Incline Village/Crystal Bay Community Forum recently held its bi-monthly meeting, which brought together residents and community leaders to discuss pressing issues and hear from candidates for Washoe County Commission, Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Board of Trustees, and Washoe County School District Board.
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief Ryan Sommers started the meeting with updates on wildfire awareness, defensible space evaluations, and filing complaints with the Nevada State Insurance Commissioner regarding homeowner’s insurance issues.
“We absolutely know there’s an issue (with wildfire insurance),” Sommers said. “It is statewide. California is going through it. Nevada is now definitely going through it. I’ve been in contact with our delegates in Washington D.C., a local lobbyist, and a national lobbyist. We are definitely doing our due diligence. We’ve also met with the Nevada State Insurance Commissioner.
