In The News – Fighting hunger in North Lake Tahoe: How a non-profit is addressing food insecurity
January 29, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published by KUNR Radio, 1/27/2025, Written by Maria Palma
Despite Tahoe’s reputation for affluence, many residents struggle with food insecurity. A local non-profit has been making a significant impact through food distribution.
On a cold Tuesday afternoon, Wendy Conti walked along the tables filled with boxes full of produce and canned goods. She placed cans and produce into a basket. She goes to the Sierra Community House’s Food Pantry in Truckee at least once a week.
She walked through the pantry with her dog Peanut. They browsed through a selection of breads, sauces and vegetables. Originally from the East Coast, Conti moved to Truckee four years ago. A former special education teacher, health issues forced her out of work, and she soon found herself homeless.
The warm natural atmosphere with soothing color tones, green thriving plants, and a trickling water fountain is a nice contrast to the stormy weather outside, as Emily Allina sits in a bright office waiting for her next appointment.
Allina moved to Incline Village in September of 2021 and started a mobile urgent care practice that November. In the early days of the pandemic, she went to Kings Beach to take an advanced wilderness life support class. A friend suggested that Allina should consider practicing medicine on the Nevada side of the lake because there was a need for her kind of specialized health services…especially during covid. (She still treats people dealing with long covid symptoms.)
“It was busy and a big focus for a while,” Allina says. She holds a master’s degree in nursing and has more than 23 years of experience working as a nurse practitioner, in settings such as the ER and critical care transport. When Allina moved here, she wanted to start her own business but didn’t want to take on too much overhead, so she offered mobile care mainly to suss out the need in the community and build up her clientele. Allina also wanted to get more into wellness offerings, and didn’t require a lot of equipment to provide her types of services. Her specialties include emergency medicine, urgent care, integrative & longevity medicine, and regenerative medicine.
In February of 2024, Allina opened a brick-and-mortar office on 923 Tahoe Boulevard, Ste. 100.
“It’s so nice to have a space for patients to come here,” Allina says about High Sierra Restorative Health, which also has lab services now.
When asked what the most popular service is, Allina says that a lot of people—both men and women—are seeking out hormone replacement therapy. Peptide therapies, hormone balancing, and regenerative therapies can help with weight loss, thyroid function, cortisone issues, brain health, restorative sleep, and more. There are also plenty of people who look for that episodic care– like treating a UTI or ear infection—who would rather go to her than anyone else in town.
However, her favorite kind of patient/client is one who takes a proactive approach to their health.
“I like to focus on getting people healthy and then maintaining that longevity,” Allina says. “The earlier you start to investigate your baseline health and optimize it, the better chance you have to prevent chronic, more serious diseases in the future.” She explains that it helps to make sure that: 1) your gut health is good; and 2) your endocrine system/hormonal health is good.
“Those two systems are upstream of everything else,” she says. “It can seem overwhelming to tackle everything in your body at once, so focusing on those two systems are good to optimize first,” she says. Allina also enjoys practicing health and wellness in Nevada, which is quite different from working in a general hospital ER.
“Here I get to establish a relationship with patients and get to follow through with them. ER is episodic, you treat patients for a specific thing and then they’re gone. You don’t get any kind of closure,” she adds.
“Here it’s a journey… I get to see if what I’m doing is working and it helps inform the practice,” Allina says. Plus, getting the opportunity to create a more personal relationship with people helps her tailor treatments to their individual needs.
“I really like the community, and all the patients are great. This really is a wonderful place to live, work, and play,” she says with a wink. “I love helping people who are invested in their health.”
If people are interested in her services but don’t know where to start, the High Sierra Restorative Health website is a good resource. Allina also offers free 20-minute discovery phone calls, available to book online.
“I want to continue to grow, offer cutting-edge treatments and maybe bring in another provider,” Allina says about her goals.
“Healthcare is a science and an art. We look at each person individually. We know scientifically what should work but the art is that there’s no one like you. So, you have to pivot, have to adapt sometimes to treatments because each person is unique. Medicine requires a more personalized approach and frequent visits. That’s the benefit of coming here.”
In The News – Incline Property Management earns accreditation
January 17, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 1/7/2025, Submitted
Incline Property Managementhas earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada (http://www.nationalhomewatchassociation.org). Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. All principals of NHWA Accredited Member companies are background-checked, insured, and bonded.
Lawrence Wodarski has been the owner and president of Incline Property Management since 2009. He spent time in the public sector as a District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration and in the private sector as president of a national non-bank lender and then managing director of a start-up lending venture in the United Kingdom. So, Larry was anxious to use his experience to accelerate the growth of this community-based business that had so much potential.
The new Natural Grocers on 873 Tahoe Boulevard is now open, providing residents and visitors with another way to get fresh, healthy food.
There are only three other Natural Grocers in the state (one in Reno and two in the Las Vegas/Henderson area), making this Incline Village location its fourth Nevada store. “This has been a long time coming, two years in the making,” says Natural Grocers Store Manager Daniel Wescott. “What sets Natural Grocers apart is that the produce section is 100 percent organic, no exceptions. The produce doesn’t last as long because of that but keeping it local and organic is important to the owners,” he adds. He believes that having a Natural Grocers in Incline is a good fit because the demographic of people who live here tend to have healthy and active lifestyles.
Over in the produce section in front of large aloe vera leaves, Wescott shares that every weekend the store hosts a “Sample Saturday” event, where people are encouraged to come in and try new products– or industry favorites that management chooses. “For an hour or so we pick out what we want to sample, and learning what folks want,” Wescott says. “We can special order produce and encourage you to speak up if you don’t see something you want; we always do our best to find it and get it in.”
A big thing for Natural Grocers is that it has its own bulk packaging program, too. There is a whole refrigerated aisle of bulk flour, snacks, dried fruit, nuts, and more that is labeled non-GMO or organic, and free of harmful BPA or phthalates in its packaging.
“We have an entire list of ingredients we will not carry and have a rigorous inspection process,” Wescott says, something Natural Grocers has been doing since 1955.
According to its website, Natural Grocers is highly concerned with the way products “are grown, produced and processed, what they contain, how they are packaged and what is added to them. [It] has a fundamental impact on our health and the wellbeing of our communities.” “I remember hearing a story of a product that was pulled off the shelf because it had an ingredient that didn’t pass inspection, and it was a bestseller. I think that shows a true commitment to its mission,” Wescott says.
Standing in the bulk packaging aisle, I ask him what his favorite food is. “I love the sriracha cashews, and these carob energy chews,” he says, pointing to a 12-oz. bag of them was priced at $5.99, and four good-sized chunks are only 150 calories. (After our meeting, I went back and bought a bag… that paired with a can of High Brew Mocha made me feel clean, light, and ready to charge up the Flume Trail). “Recreation is big here, people are into hiking, biking, skiing…so these kinds of foods are perfect for taking into the outdoors,” Wescott confirms.
Across from the bulk food section, all its meat is displayed and labeled on a bronze, silver, and gold scale, indicating levels of how poultry, fish, and beef is farmed and raised. Another one of his favorite products are the Mulay’s Italian meatballs. “This is a woman-owned company, and they stand up to their quality. My kids love these, and they have no sugar.”
Going down the aisles, Wescott points out body care products made with clean, high-quality ingredients (“setting the soap bar high,” it says) and its own line of packaged organic spices. On the other end of the store, Natural Grocers has more than 7,000 SKU’s in supplements as well as its own nutritional coach who does one-on-one consulting to help people with their dietary needs.
“We’re here for the community and have someone here to talk to about your health issues,” Wescott says.
Natural Grocers has a wide range of products at an affordable price, and you probably won’t have to spend as much time as you do at other stores scouring labels. “Come in and check us out, ask questions. We really want people to talk to us. Food is an intimate thing, and it’s all individual. We want to provide something for everyone.”
What It’s Like to Work There, “I’ve been in retail half my life,” Wescott says (he’s 36 and got his first job at a store when he was 16). “Natural Grocers is very pro crew…we’re all encouraged to try the things here.” Employees get instore credit for every hour worked and a straight ten percent discount on anything in the store, on top of all other benefits.
Natural Grocers also has an {N}power Rewards program for regular shoppers to get discounts, earn rewards, and receive surprise offers.
As we close out 2024, we proudly celebrate our thirty-year anniversary. This remarkable milestone reflects three decades of evolution in media. From the advent of the internet, through the growth of traditional and digital media silos, to the convergence of integrated media channels that provide both offline and online opportunities, EXL Media has been there every step of the way, guiding successful campaigns for our clients and agency partners.
Our loyal clients, dedicated vendors, and incredible team have each played an integral role in our success. Your trust, collaboration, and expertise have been the foundation of our journey, and we want to thank you for making this an incredible ride.
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/6/2024, Written by Brenna O’Boyle
When Will and Ashley Wolford decided to create Iron and Wood, they solved a problem that has long frustrated Tahoe golfers. The problem is the short golf season in snow country.
“I saw this gap in town that there was no winter golf,” Ashely explained. “It just really didn’t exist here. They used to have one in the bowling alley in the 90s, and it was popular. But, of course, the technology wasn’t as good as it is now.”
Local courses only stay open half the year because of the elements. Will said that this helped inspire their 800-square-foot indoor golf facility.
In The News – Alibi Ale Works: Still pouring pints after 10 years
November 1, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/31/2024, Written by Robert Galloway
With an initial vision of a brewery focused on packaging beer and selling it regionally, co-founders Kevin Drake and Rich Romo opened Alibi Ale Works in Incline Village in December of 2014. After about a year, Alibi began wholesaling their beer and quickly realized they might be outgrowing their space.
“This staff room was busy. We went from limited hours, five days a week, to more broad hours, seven days a week,” said Drake. “We were starting to host events and were pretty busy. We already felt like we were partly outgrowing this space, just given its size, limited parking, and all those things.”
In The News – Cakes With a Smile: Happy Tiers Bakery celebrates special moments with a delicious twist
September 18, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 09/12/2024, Written by Le’a Gleason
Sitting at a stunning, handcrafted café table, smiles stretched across their faces, are the proud owners of Incline Village’s Happy Tiers Bakery, Andrea and Jason Jurss, and their 16-year-old daughter and house barista, Lexi. Their son, 13-year-old Heath, stands out on the sidewalk of the town’s Christmas Tree Village shopping center offering passersby samples of blondies and cookies and chattering happily.
All this began with Andrea, a self-taught baker who started her business at home with just a single oven about 8 years ago through the “university of YouTube,” she says.
As a child, Andrea watched her aunt bake wedding cakes and later began making her own children’s birthday cakes. Over time, friends began to request that Andrea create cakes for their special occasions…
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.
Natural Grocers® Invites Incline Village, NV Community to Grand Opening Celebration on July 31, 2024
July 23, 2024 | Member Submitted
Submitted and written by Natural Grocers Incline Village
Customers will enjoy huge savings, giveaways, sweepstakes, samples and more
LAKEWOOD, Colo., Jul. 22, 2024 — Natural Grocers®, the leading family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer in the U.S., is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of its new store in Incline Village, NV on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Located at 873 Tahoe Blvd., this will be Natural Grocers’ fourth store in Nevada. Community members are invited to celebrate the big day with a Grand Opening event including giveaways, spectacular savings, a prize wheel, samples and much more.
Natural Grocers’ good4u® Crew will kick off the festivities at 8:15 AM with a $2,500 donation presentation to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada—its local food bank partner, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the store manager, additional community leaders and special guests. Doors will open at 8:27 AM with exciting giveaways, deep discounts and vendor samples within a friendly, celebratory atmosphere.
“We are so excited to be opening our new store in Incline Village,” said Raquel Isely, Vice President of Natural Grocers. “Natural Grocers has been serving communities in Nevada since 2016. We’ve received countless requests from folks to open a store in this area for years. The Incline Village and Crystal Bay areas offer residents, outdoor enthusiasts and tourists an amazing array of recreational activities. It’s a natural draw to those seeking mountain living, mountain playing, or a tranquil getaway. We believe our store in Nevada will be a friendly, natural fit for the community. We look forward to supporting residents and visitors with all their grocery needs to lead a healthier lifestyle and fuel their adventures, at our Always Affordable PricesSM.”
GRAND OPENING EVENTS – FREEBIES, DISCOUNTS & SWEEPSTAKES
Grand Opening festivities at the new Incline Village location start on July 31 and will include:
Jul. 31: Mystery Gift Cards for First 150 Customers – The first 150 customers in line will receive a mystery Natural Grocers gift card (with varying amounts between $5 – $500)![i]
Jul. 31: Free Natural Grocers Hand-Crafted Poncho – The first 250 shoppers will receive a hand-crafted Natural Grocers Ecuadorian poncho made of alpaca wool. Each item is uniquely woven and is the result of a special collaboration Natural Grocers has with a group of indigenous artisans in Peguche, Ecuador.[ii]
Jul. 31: Prize Wheel – Customers can spin the Natural Grocers prize wheel from noon to 5 PM for a chance to win fun prizes.[iii]
Jul. 31 – Aug. 31: Up to 50% Off – Premium-quality products from every department will be available at special Grand Opening discounts, including 100% USDA Certified Organic bagged blueberries ($2.49/6 oz pkg), bacon and bacon alternatives ($2.99/package), Natural Grocers® Brand Organic Cheese shreds and slices ($2.99/each) and Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Raisins (.99¢/lb).[iv]
Jul. 31 – Aug. 14: Grand Opening Sweepstakes – Customers will have the chance to win fabulous prizes, such as an Aventon e-bike, a $500 Natural Grocers gift card and more. Entry forms will be available at the store.[v]
{N}POWER® MEMBERSHIP
For even more savings, customers can join {N}power, Natural Grocers’ free rewards program for exclusive discounts, digital coupons, rewards benefits, and other members-only features.[vi]
Jul. 31 – Aug. 31: {N}power® members will receive exclusive pricingon items such as Dr. Bronner’s® Liquid Soaps ($12.99/32 oz), Natural Grocers Brand Organic Olive Oil ($8.99/16.9 oz), USDA Certified Organic avocados (.99¢ each/limit 2), and KerrygoldTM Pure Irish Butters ($3.99/8 oz).[vii]
Serving communities with a wide range of natural and organic options since 1955, Natural Grocers will support the Incline Village area with world-class customer service from its knowledgeable and friendly good4u Crew, healthy recipes for all diets and high product standards. Customers will also experience:
A focus on Regenerative Products and Practices: From checkouts free from single use bags, to organic, non-GMO and Always Affordable Natural Grocers brand products and ecologically thoughtful in-store features, the company focuses on regenerative products and practices.
Premium-Quality Products at an Always Affordable PriceSM: Access high-quality organic and natural groceries including 100% pasture-raised eggs and dairy, 100% non-GMO prepackaged bulk goods, and household essentials at an Always Affordable Price SM. Natural Grocers also prioritizes humanely sourced and sustainably raised meats.
Always 100% Organic Produce: From apples to zucchini, Natural Grocers’ organic produce offerings avoid cross-contamination with conventional/GMO items and are grown without synthetic pesticides, practices that are common among grocers with conventional produce offerings. Natural Grocers also does not carry products that use ApeelTM and OrganipeelTM produce coatings, as neither meet the natural and organic retailer’s high product standards.
Body Care That Cares Back: Natural Grocers’ high standards prioritize natural, innovative and ethical body care products .
A Super-Sized Supplement Department: With over 5,000 SKUs, Natural Grocers offers a large selection of vitamins and supplements, backed by Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) third-party certification and ingredient authenticity.
Coming Soon: Nutritional Health Coaching: Customers will have direct access to personalized assistance throughout their health journeys with a Nutritional Health Coach available to serve. Click here to learn more.
A Commitment to Crew: Natural Grocers is passionate about ensuring that its employees can live a healthy, balanced life. The Company is committed to positively impacting Crew’s physical, emotional and financial well-being with free nutrition education programs, excellent benefits and access to the highest quality, affordably priced products.
STORE FEATURES
The company, ever conscious of its environmental impact, has built this store from the ground up using sustainable building features and energy-saving innovations, such as non-toxic building materials and 100% LED lighting. The store will feature a contemporary layout for an efficient, yet friendly checkout experience. Later this summer, local artist Sara Smith will also be enhancing the outside of the new store with a large-scale mural and community art project.
FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA PARTNERSHIP
Natural Grocers will partner with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for its “Bring Your Own Bag Program” to serve people in the Incline Village area who are facing hunger. Each time a customer brings their own shopping bag, Natural Grocers will donate five cents per shopping trip to this organization.
What began in 1983 as a small food pantry powered by passionate volunteers has grown into northern Nevada’s leading hunger relief organization. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization provides food for families in need through more than 155 partner agencies across northern Nevada and the eastern slope of the Sierra in California and direct service programs. It serves more than 153,000 people every month, almost half of whom are children and seniors.
“We are excited about the expansion of our partnership with Natural Grocers as they open their Incline Village store,” said Nicole Lamboley, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. “Long term partnerships are critical in helping serve community members facing food insecurity. Natural Grocers has contributed more than 118,400 meals through donations raised from the “Bring Your Own Bag Program” and food donations to local food bank partners.”
To volunteer or get involved with the organization, click here.
Click here to learn more about Natural Grocers’ Commitment to Community and their “Bring Your Own Bag Program,” benefitting the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers’ flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its “Commitment to Community” and “Commitment to Crew”. In fiscal year 2023, the Company invested $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. With the addition of its new store in Incline Village, Natural Grocers will have 169 stores in 21 states, with its headquarters in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.
[i]Quantity limited to first 150 customers in line at Natural Grocers’ Incline Village, NV location. No rain checks. Limit one gift card per customer 18 years or older. Valid 7/31/24 only. Void where prohibited by law.
[ii]Quantity limited to first 250 shoppers at Natural Grocers’ Incline Village, NV location. No rain checks. Limit one per customer, 18 years or older. Valid 7/31/24 only. Void where prohibited by law.
[iii]Prize wheel available at Natural Grocers’ Incline Village, NV location. No purchase necessary. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Valid 7/31/24, 12 PM – 5 PM only, while supplies last.
[iv]Offers valid only from 7/31/2024 to 8/31/24, are redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers’ Incline Village, NV location, and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
[v] No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open only to legal respondents of the following states who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry: AZ, AR, CO, CO, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes starts on 7/31/2024 and ends on 8/14/2024. For official rules and complete details, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/sweepstakes. Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.
[vi]Customers can sign up for {N}power here. Message and data rates may apply. See naturalgrocers.com/privacy for the Company’s Privacy Policy and naturalgrocers.com/terms for the {N}Power terms of use.
[vii] Must be an {N}power member to receive these discounts. Limit 4 of each item, per customer. Offers valid only from 7/31/2024 to 8/31/24, are redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers’ Incline Village, NV location and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
