The Incline Boosters Crab Feed has been an annual event for longer than we have lived here.  I remember the early years when the parents cooked the crab and pasta. Greg and Lisa Flanders and John Paganelli were the chefs for many years. It has always been a popular community event that sells out with all of the locals gladly supporting Incline High School. When the event moved to the Hyatt, the fundraising was taken to a new level. Under the leadership of Booster President Tara Cannon, the event is moving to the newest events center in town, ICE, aka Incline Center for Events at  Bowl Incline. Owners Steve and Tracy Tomkovicz are transforming it by covering the bowling lanes with flooring to allow an oversold crowd of 300 to eat crab and spaghetti and bid wildly on auction items and “fund a need”.

The Boosters is not just for athletics. Indeed, academics, music, and art are alive and well at Incline High School. The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation has invested greatly in our local youth, the latest commitment being to the transformation of the building and to its academics. The Duffield Theater is truly a community resource and holds sellout crowds of close to 300 for the annual Incline Star Follies, scheduled this year for May 2-3.  I attended the Rotary Speech and Music Contest last week in the Duffield Theater. Tonight, I plan to attend the high school music concert in the Duffield Youth Theater at 6:30.

A big shout out to John Crockett, who has been running our public library and giving people of all ages a reason to visit. It’s not just for books anymore. Activities, including art for adults are offered several times a week. Check out the IVCBA.org calendar to see all of them for the week. John is moving on to a different job as a Data Analyst for Washoe County. Best of luck, John!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY can be celebrated at nearly every bar and restaurant in Incline, but for a really special treat, celebrate with St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. I just attended a wonderful service with Reverent Clare Novak last Sunday and learned about their potluck St. Pat’s lunch next Sunday right after the service.  Kudos to them for housing the Incline Village Nursery School, Tahoe Connection for Families, and the weekly food distribution by Sierra Community House. 

Village Center is celebrating St. Pat’s too!  “Eat Drink and be Irish” and shop the blowout sale at Sierra Verde this Friday. Saturday has a St. Paddy’s Day vibe at Glasses Wine Bar, complete with entertainment. I’m guessing they are not serving green wine, but enjoy their elevated wine selections!

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Snowfest is really coming to Incline this year, thanks in part to Darya Shahvaran with Tahoe Gifting Co., and also a board member of Travel North Tahoe Nevada.  Under her leadership, Christmas Tree Village is having a block party on Saturday! Stroll the entire boardwalk so you don’t miss a thing. Numerous merchants are participating, but Tahoe Gifting is definitely “ground zero” for the party, complete with music.

Starting Friday, join in the fun at Diamond Peak for the UNR at Lake Tahoe Jib Jam from 9:30-3:30, followed by Winter Fest Après fun at the UNR at Lake Tahoe Campus. Food, DJ, Ski movies, and more! AND THEN, it’s off to the Crystal Bay Club for the Electric Flashback Fundraiser for the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation.

What! You missed out on a Girl Scout Cookie order?  Find out if you really can pair a cookie with wine at Glasses’ Wine Bar on Thursday and Fridays. Their “official” Snowfest event is Saturday evening with music by the Ellis/Jones band.

As usual, Bowl Incline has both nights covered with Snowfest events, Friday Night Bowls and Beats, SNOWFEST Edition, and Saturday afternoon with the Strike Derby. I recommend trying their new restaurant, Lane 17 Lounge, as well.

For the most unique event, check out the Nevada Nordic Free Heel Fest sponsored by TNTNV and organized by Tahoe Multisport in the meadow and close to where they groom cross country ski trails open to everyone. SATURDAY ALL DAY!

DID YOU KNOW Tahoe Multisport has a portable sauna?? Polar plunges are very popular and best done in conjunction with a sauna!  Check it out, weekends at the boat launch in Tahoe Vista.

By now, you may have forgotten that there is a TON of events in North Lake Tahoe! Check them all out at North Lake Tahoe’s Snowfest Website: https://www.tahoesnowfest.org

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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE

Richard and I had our first date on Valentine’s Day in 1980. We have had Friday nights ever since. We carried on the tradition even when we had kids once we moved to Incline. Over the years, we became regulars at Azzara’s, Big Water, LeBistro, and the Steak and Lobster House in the Crystal Bay Club. Restaurants that have been here for at least as long as we moved here in 1988.

Last Friday night, we met friends at a NEW restaurant, The Lane 17 Lounge at Bowl Incline.  It was great! The food was very creative and delicious. Owners Steve and Tracy Tomkovicz, along with Manager (and daughter) Alison Hollman, Bowl Incline, are working hard to meet the needs of locals while still being a regional bowling and event center. Game changer: they have purchased flooring to cover the bowling lanes for local fundraisers such as the upcoming IHS boosters Crab Feed on March 18 and the Pet Network Fur Ball on May. 

Mark your calendars!

I don’t really mean to make this Lens about restaurants, but more about favorite places. The Lone Eagle bar and restaurant has been a favorite for many people. The setting is perfect: the only restaurant in Incline is right on the Lake. Sadly, the Hyatt is closing it down at the end of February to begin the total remodel of their lakeside property. To commemorate locals’ love for the Lone Eagle, longtime favorite crooner Luke Stevenson plays guitar and sings weekends through February. Don’t miss it.

What could become another favorite place is Osteria Sierra, the Italian restaurant in the main Hyatt Lodge building. It’s upscale but cozy. Their afternoon tea on the weekends is absolutely decadent. Think scones, a modern version of tea sandwiches, and an assortment of great desserts. Great tea too. Richard is fond of staying, “I am in favor of progress, it’s change I don’t like”. We have seen many changes at the Hyatt over the years, and eventually, all of them have resulted in new favorites and positive changes. What doesn’t change is the Hyatt’s dedication to our local community. Please continue supporting them through this major transition.

Watch for positive changes in Crystal Bay as well. The Cal Neva is making progress; cross your fingers that they will meet their deadline for a December 2026 reopening in time to celebrate their 100th anniversary. I hope to have some news about the Biltmore’s transition to the Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe within the next month. In the meantime, we are grateful to the Crystal Club, the Nugget, Soule Domain, and the Sanctuary Massage and Yoga Studio for keeping Crystal Bay an important part of Washoe Tahoe.

LOCAL HEROES 4th of JULY CELEBRATION

The big change this year: The NLTFPD pancake breakfast, the parade, and the community fair will be on July 3 this year, not July 2. The Incline Village Crystal Bay Veterans Club still holds its breakfast on the 4th, along with the fireworks from RWTB2. Incline Tahoe Foundation’s Summerfest “beer and brats” will be on July 2 on the UNR @Lake Tahoe campus.

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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE

I am SO disappointed that it has been raining instead of snowing…except I am driving to Reno today and glad the roads should be OK. I want to acknowledge all the people involved with snow removal, starting with NDOT, and the great job they do on the Mt. Rose Highway.  Here in Incline, we can thank Washoe County Roads. I swear they are up before I am (and that’s early!), clearing even Lariat Circle.  Well, actually, they do have some priorities. Go to washoecounty.gov/csd/operations/roads to find such interesting information such as “Where is my plow?”. 

THANK OUR SERVICE WORKERS!

You know, “those guys” who show up to clear your driveway and are probably doing your lawn maintenance in the summertime. When it rains, they are not working. Think about that. We really want them here year-round, right? A little recognition (maybe a tip?) goes a long way for someone who is often taken for granted.

Our town is interdependent. It’s not just the people cleaning our homes or our driveways. When there is no snow, there are fewer visitors, which means less business for our merchants.  We cannot enjoy restaurants without supporting the people who work in them, too. 

What can we do to help? Top choice: Eat out more often! Personally, I am planning to try the Lane 17 Lounge Restaurant at Bowl Incline on Thursday night. They promise me there is no kids menu. 

Support our family advocacy nonprofits! They provide a safety net for our families, service workers, and seniors. Here’s the short list of where people go for housing assistance, food insecurity, and mental health. Please consider a donation to them as a show of support for our entire community. Believe me, the nonprofits all feel vulnerable and worried about any federal funding they have.

Sierra Community House:

This is the trifecta for the entire North Shore/Truckee. Family Resource Center, food insecurity, domestic violence and most important right now, the most knowledgeable organization for immigrants. Whether it is for yourself, your housekeeper or yard maintenance crew, Know Your Rights is very helpful. Find it here

Tahoe Family Solutions:

They have a new Executive Director, Jody Wright, who truly understands the family advocacy world. Rental and utility assistance, along with tax preparation and bilingual counseling, this is a go-to for many. Child care is a chronic issue. She is already tackling this issue with her own homegrown version of the HeadStart program starting in March.

Duffield Youth Center/Boys and Girls Club North Lake Tahoe

They have before and after school programs for our two-parent working families, both white and Hispanic, in Incline Village. They already provide daycare for Incline families in Kings Beach. Due to a grant from the State of Nevada, watch for their upcoming early childhood program due to start in 2027.

Parasol Tahoe has the definitive list of all of our family advocacy nonprofits. Click here to see all of the myriad organizations that support Incline Village.

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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE

In addition to being a national crisis, workforce housing hits a small rural mountain community hardest. Employers cannot find employees; snowstorms prevent workers from driving up the hill; businesses have to reduce their hours. It’s a cycle with a detrimental effect on our economy. New businesses are reluctant to open where they may be unable to hire and retain employees, particularly in a cost-effective manner. We all know people who have moved down the hill. Their rent has been raised; their condo insurance is now unaffordable or nonexistent; the property owner has converted the long-term rental into a short-term rental. 

The irony is that we are surrounded by vacant vacation homes. Some are long-standing vacation rentals or owned by the “6 month and a day” residents.  Others sit empty most of the year except for the summer and holiday weeks. With the influx of Airbnb and other companies enabling short-term rentals, some locals have rented out a room or their entire house to vacationers. However, property managers often point out that a short-term rental  is not as good as the long-term rental when taking the whole year into account.  How can we unlock housing stock or convert short-term rentals to long-term rentals?

Washoe County and Placemate’s Lease to Locals Program 

Under Commissioner Alexis Hill’s leadership in 2023, Washoe County approved a Community Reinvestment Grant to implement a program to give incentives to homeowners and landlords willing to rent their properties to local workers. It is Placemate’s Lease to Locals Program.  Read the article submitted by Placemate….

IVCBA Housing Committee 

Some of you may remember the formation of the Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership (WTHP) in 2020. This was composed of agencies, large employers, and interested local organizations and residents concerned about our lack of affordable workforce housing. Washoe County funded two projects through the WTHP that were managed by the Tahoe Prosperity Center. The “Washoe Tahoe Local Employee Housing Needs and Opportunities” study was completed in September 2021. Based on these findings and more community input, the WTHP produced a “Housing Roadmap” in May 2023, a partnership plan to accelerate community housing action in Incline Village/Crystal Bay; it was approved by the Washoe County Board of Commissioners in July 2023. Its initial work was completed, and the WTHP dissolved in November 2023. However, this left a vacuum for actual implementation of the Housing Roadmap. 

After researching various ways to carry forward this effort, IVCBA formed a Housing Committee in June 2024. Its goal is to engage community members in building workforce housing solutions by sharing information, connecting, convening, and creating partnerships for action. Our accomplishments in 2024 include a community survey to find out which workforce housing topics Incline Village/Crystal Bay residents, employers, and employees are most interested in learning more about. The outcome was IVCBA’s Workforce Housing Series, which will offer knowledgeable speakers the opportunity to share effective approaches taken by similar mountain communities and local experts presenting on the housing opportunities and challenges in our region. The inaugural program on Placemate’s Lease to Locals Program, soon to be launched in our community, is Thursday, January 23, from 6-7 pm at UNR Tahoe’s Prim Library in Incline Village. Please join this night of information and conversation in person or on Zoom. Click here to register and learn more.

IVCBA has also created a page on our website to serve as a resource for housing topics. Go to IVCBA.org/Programs/Housing to read available articles and link to various groups. 

Our worst nightmare is playing out in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, California wildfires that are causing horrible devastation and countless people evacuated from their homes.  Our very own fire protection district, NLTFPD has deployed engines and hand crews. Follow their social media site for the latest information: https://www.facebook.com/NorthLakeTahoeFire

How YOU can help:

• Visit https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-communities/disaster-relief to make a donation.
• Sierra Nevada Wildfire Relief Drive: North Tahoe and Truckee have organized a drive to collect needed household and personal items and organize trucks to deliver them to Los Angeles. Bring donations to the Chamber/Visitor Center in Kings Beach by Tuesday, Jan 21. Details at: https://www.facebook.com/NevadaCountyOES

THANK YOU, NEVADA NORDIC!

They have made the beautiful pristine winter wilderness this side of the meadows on Mt. Rose accessible to anyone who can put on a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes. This includes seniors like me! They groom cross country ski trails and have great signage. We may not have much snow in Incline, but the trails still have plenty. I just did the green Rattlesnake Trail, about 2 miles of gentle up and down groomed tracks. Other trails will take you to Lakeview with the famous Chickadee Ridge on the way. Park around that flashing light sign and climb up one of the many sets of “stairs” people have made. To support their work to maintain these free trails, make a donation to this charitable organization, Nevada Nordic:  https://nevadanordic.networkforgood.com  . 

RENT FROM TAHOE MULTI-SPORT!

This humming vibrant sports equipment (and some retail) shop in the upper Village Center(next to Tahoe Family Solutions Thrift Store) rents and sells used cross country skis and other winter sports equipment. Locals JP Donovan and his partner Belinda are very helpful. Check out their website to see tours, their year-round gear and their Sauna Experience on Lake Tahoe!  Find downhill ski rentals and lots of retail at the Village Ski Loft, corner of Tahoe Blvd and Northwood. 

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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Did anyone else slip and slide in their car and on foot this week? It was crazy! Here’s my winter driving tip: Avoid intersections where there is a small incline upon which you might have to stop. Notably, the intersections approaching Tahoe Blvd from Village, Southwood from Village Center, and going uphill on McCourry and College toward Mt. Rose. Take another route! 

IVCH WALK-IN CLINIC 

Why do kids get sick on the weekends when it’s hard to see your normal doctor! Did you know that the Incline Health Center(second floor at our hospital) has a walk-in clinic on the weekends? Whether it’s an emergency, regular care, or after hours, our gem of a hospital has us covered. There’s a lot of flu and other illnesses going around…stay safe! 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Tahoe Area Plan revisions:  

Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 3:00pm – 5:00pm at the Incline Village Community Center (Activity Room): 855 Adler Ave next to the Library.
View the current Tahoe Area Plan online. View information about the current update on the TAP update webpage.

Workforce Housing Series presentation on Placemate’s Leasing to Locals program:

Date: Thursday, January 23 at 6pm at Prim Library on UNR@Lake Tahoe campus

Register to attend in person or attend on zoom…

SHOUT OUT TO IVCB COMMUNITY FORUM

This group meets the first and third Fridays in Incline Library at 9am and on zoom. Get updates from our local agencies, find out what people are talking about and get the list of upcoming meetings and events from Moderator Denise Davis. If you get on their mailing list, you will find links to every upcoming meeting and agency that makes a presentation. More info

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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE

The storm last Saturday didn’t prevent a lot of people from coming out for the Jingle and Mingle Holiday Shopping Event …our businesses thank you! I hope  you could find most everything you needed without going down those slippery roads to Reno or Carson. Those businesses still need your support. Here are some last-minute gift suggestions:

GIFT CARDS!

Especially…Happy Tiers, Mofo’s, and Koi Sushi have been shut down for nearly two weeks due to Christmas Tree Village plumbing problems. You can still support them by buying gift cards and placing special orders. 

“BEST-KEPT SECRET” PLACES TO SHOP

THE GIFT SHOP  at the Incline Village Community Hospital has great bargains and cute stuff! It is run by the North Lake Tahoe Community Health Care Auxiliary.

THE WELCOME CENTER at 969 Tahoe Blvd. If you think it’s just for tourists, think again. They have great T-shirts and other Lake Tahoe logo’d items that make great gifts.

HIGH SIERRA GARDENS: Yes, you can still get your Christmas tree there, but they have a really cute gift shop too!

LOCAL IN-DOOR RECREATION: Not everyone skis, and if the weather outside is really frightful, head to Iron and Woods indoor golf in the Country Club Center. Don’t forget that Bowl Incline has more than bowling/ PLUS they have an adult-oriented new restaurant upstairs, Lounge 19. 

THE HYATT: I could speak about the Hyatt in many categories; certainly, their gift shop is fun too. A Stillwater Spa gift card will make Santa a very popular guy. But DID YOU KNOW… they are serving ‘HIGH TEA” on the weekends? Everything you expect like scones, savory tea sandwiches, selection of teas and even champagne or a cocktail. Check out their gingerbread display at the same time.

THANK YOU TO ROBIN GLASGOW 

Long-time Executive Director Robin Glasgow is retiring. Thanks for your years of service!

CHRISTMAS AND HANNUKAH SERVICES

Go to the Northern Lights page to get a list of all the services, but if you have kids, don’t miss the “A Very Cornerstone Christmas” on December 21!

I am off to my happy place, Minnesota , tomorrow. Thanks to all of my loyal readers. I will be back with the Lens in January!

Tahoe Film Fest Celebrates 10 Years!

The Tahoe Film Fest may be the best-kept secret event in Tahoe! Seriously, if you have never been to one of their films, this is the year to try it. Opening night is Thursday, and multiple films are shown each day through Sunday. Thank you to Robert Roussel for his “labor of love” and close connections to Hollywood and New York for this amazing and accessible film fest. Need another reason to go? All proceeds benefit the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center right here in Incline on the campus of UNR@Lake Tahoe. 

Lake Tahoe School Winter Holiday Market 

I just got back from Vienna and their fabulous Christmas Markets. Julie and I have dreams about putting on such an event here. Lake Tahoe School has the next best thing because it is indoors…their Winter Holiday Market this Friday night, December 6. They manage to find unique vendors that will help you find something for that person who is impossible to buy for. Take those gifts you bought to Glasses on Saturday night, December 7 to have them gift wrapped, courtesy of WARF. And drink some wine while you’re there! 

DECK THE HALLS 

Don’t miss out on what has become the best-ever Christmas show in Incline. It’s called Jennifer Street Parade of Lights, but it is so much more than just lights. It is set to music as well. Thanks to the Harrells for this annual production! But don’t be discouraged from doing your own lights at your home or business. Although we are not technically calling it a contest, we plan to scout the streets and post photos of the best displays we see! Hot tip: Lakeshore Realty ALWAYS has a display worth driving by. And, if you are out driving at night, why not go see the unofficial “Community Tree,” You can see it on Incline Way, just past the Rec Center in the middle of the forest leading to UNR@Lake Tahoe.  

CANDY CANE LANE  

I have to mention it…it’s THIS Saturday from 2-4. This is Incline’s community tree lighting (kind of, because it’s already on) and holiday celebration. Santa is delivered by the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, and the cute little kids from Incline Elementary School will sing. EVERY (I’m exaggerating) social club and nonprofit will be there to greet you, hand out goodies to kids or have activities for them to do. Get your informal photo with Santa! Oh, park the car at the Rec Center, write a letter to Santa at the Rec Center and walk through Candy Cane Lane to get to the Village!  

GIVING TUESDAY 

It was just yesterday, so I guarantee you it’s not too late to make a donation to your favorite charity and it will probably be matched by some magnanimous local anonymous donor! Thank you to everyone who gives generously of their time, talent and treasure to our community. 

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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE

So much to be grateful for this season, but I want to focus on those that address food insecurity in our community…

• Sierra Community House and its many volunteers who made sure that goody bags, complete with a turkey, reached homes throughout North Tahoe/Truckee, including Incline. 
• The Village Church with its always on hand food boxes, St. Frances with its Food Ministry, and St. Patrick’s and Cornerstone who serve many families in need.
• Food Bank of Northern Nevada works behind the scenes by being a major supplier for Sierra Community House, and Raleys and Grocery Outlet donates surplus food.

SHOP SMALL SATURDAY

After the mobs of shoppers in Reno on Black Friday, chill out on Saturday and keep it local!

High Sierra Gardens….The place to get a fresh Christmas tree and their gift shop is still open!

The Potlatch…Go for the jewelry at 10% off, but those cutesy holiday hostess gifts sell out early and their selection is the BEST!

Karacotta Ceramic Studio…is offering an ornament-making workshop

Mountain Hardware and Sports….make it a family experience…something for everyone… DIY guys, affordable sports clothing for kids, holiday and housewares, and Christmas lights!

The Village Ski Loft…all those brands you love…either make someone happy or make your own list!

Not a shopper? Don’t feel bad, go visit one of the newest businesses in town, Iron and Wood in Country Club Center. Yes, it’s a golf place, kind of like TopGolf where everyone can hang out and spend a few hours bonding over your golf swing. They encourage bring drinks and food over from nearby Fumo, Austin’s, Incline Spirits, and Bak’d.

GIVING TUESDAY

This is your chance to give to the myriad non-profits that make our community so supportive. Whether it’s the family advocacy organizations like the ones mentioned above and Tahoe Family Solutions, Incline Education Fund for the schools, or Shakespeare and the many cultural non-proifts, BE GENEROUS!

LIKE WHAT YOU READ?

IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE