In The News – Local author creates guide to California State Parks
March 18, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 3/17/2026, Staff Report
Moon Travel Guides, a bestselling guidebook publisher for over 50 years, is proud to announce its new guide, Moon Best of California State Parks: Top 50 Parks in the Golden State.
According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, 68 million people visit California’s popular state park system annually, and this brand-new, one-of-a-kind book covers the best sights and experiences across 50 parks, making it an essential resource for residents and visitors alike.
Moon Best of California State Parks, written by Jenna Blough and Kayla Anderson, reveals fun roundups of the best parks for wildlife, history, family travel, and more, plus detailed hike descriptions marked with distance, duration, effort level, and trailheads—so park visitors can hit the trails with confidence.
It’s spring in Lake Tahoe… Actually, with temperatures in the 70s at Lake level this week, it almost feels like summer! But we’ve still got snow on the slopes and a slate of great spring events coming up that you won’t want to miss. So read on for event updates, and then make plans to join in the fun!
Pro Tip: 2026-27 season passes are on sale now and include spring access for the remainder of this ski season. It’s the best deal in Tahoe!
New Date for Dummy Downhill – Sunday, March 29The big news is that we are pushing the Dummy Downhill event forward to ensure we have enough snow to build the dummy launch ramp. The new date is Sunday, March 29. Everything else about the event remains the same – same incredible creativity, same entertaining dummy flights, same fun DJ dance parties.
Saturday, March 21 – Spring Summit Pop Up Bar
Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a beverage at Snowflake Lodge will appreciate the incredible views available all over the mountain. For one day only, that view gets elevated to the top of the Crystal Express chairlift for the Spring Summit Pop Up Bar. We’ll offer a selection of canned beers, cocktails, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic options, plus packaged snacks for sale at the custom-made snow bar on top of Crystal Ridge. Click here for full event details.
Note: Spring Summit Pop Up Bar is only accessible to intermediate/advanced skiers and snowboarders who can ski/ride down Crystal Ridge.
Friday, March 27 – 60th Anniversary $60 Lift Ticket Day + DJ Party
Enjoy old-school pricing with $60 lift tickets, $60 ski or snowboard rentals packages, and $60 first-time learn-to-ski and learn-to-ride lesson packages on March 27. There is no limit to the number of lift tickets available on our $60 days, but the learn-to-ski/ride packages are subject to availability. Click here for full details.
The fun continues in the afternoon with DJ Dom spinning tunes on the Loft Bar Deck from 2 – 5pm.
Saturday, March 28 – Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival & SkiMo Race.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of ascending and descending a mountain under your own power. At Diamond Peak’s 7th annual Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival, rather than riding the chairlifts to the top of the resort, participants will climb the slopes using whatever human-powered method they prefer – skins, snowshoes, running shoes, etc. – then ski, snowboard, snowshoe or run back down to the finish line.
It’s part endurance challenge, part in-bounds adventure, and completely customizable to participants’ personal fitness levels.
The competitive divisions require pre-registration, and the Beer Luggi offers a pre-registraion discount. So don’t delay – get registered today.The discounted pre-registration deadline is March 27!Register now and save big compared to the day-of rates! (Reminder: There is no day-of registration in the competitive divisions – you MUST register in advance.)
The Local Lens – Main Street Revitalization & Restaurant News
March 18, 2026 | Linda Offerdahl
We will be “Dancing With Daffodils” soon! Remember those 7,000 bulbs planted last fall? Be on the lookout for daffodils near you or throughout our commercial areas. Send photos of daffodil sightings to Info@IVCBA.org. Daffodils reflect the hardy nature of people who live here year-round. We know we will get snowed on again this year, but we keep popping back up! We are so fortunate to enjoy this unprecedented stretch of warm weather, but remember what I say about spring: It’s really only the month of June, and then all of a sudden, it’s summer on the 4th of July!
Incline Village Main Street is the IVCBA program that champions beautification and revitalization projects. It brings you daffodils, flowers in pots, and hanging baskets, and works to create a cohesive look to Tahoe Blvd. The Gateway Roundabout improvements are on track for this spring and will create a sense of place for the gateway to the East Shore of Lake Tahoe, also known as the gem of Washoe County. Irrigation to support perennials and other vegetation will reflect the natural beauty of the Tahoe Basin.
COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION
Sometimes I feel like I live “under a rock”, but even I have been hearing the buzz about the new restaurant going into the old Rookies building in Raley’s Incline Center. I have met with James, who works for a restaurant implementation company, on behalf of the building owner. Although they have not finalized the name or menu, I can safely tell you it is not going to be a steakhouse (as the current rumor). Watch for casual dining and a “provisions” hub for “grab and go” food items for picnics or family dinners.
One could say there is a restaurant revitalization underway throughout Incline. Rosewood in Raleys Incline Center is expanding into the old Jiffy Pizza space; details still to come. Across the street at Incline Plaza, Bite expanded its space last year, and La Loca adds a fun Mediterranean vibe at the end of the boardwalk. Country Club Center is still a “go-to” place for restaurants. People who go looking for Austins will not be disappointed to find Paxton’s.
I need another paragraph to cover more restaurant changes! Have you seen the renovated Glasses Wine Bar in Village Center? Gamechanger! Go see it. Sunshine Deli has changes coming up too. Long-time owners John and Debbie Sullivan are retiring and turning the business over to Marly. Marly has a Kiwi accent but has roots in the Southeast Asian country of Laos. New lunch place: Happy Tiers is expanding, both their food options and adding a location in Kings Beach.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Tahoe Forest Health System and UNR at Lake Tahoe both want your feedback and insights into future programming. True North is the hospital’s campaign. Their survey is already out. Two listening sessions are planned for Incline in the next couple of weeks. Also, TNT/TMA is conducting a Winter Commuter Survey to better understand commuter needs and encourage the use of alternative transportation.
The CAB meeting next Monday…They have asked Tahoe Family Solutions and Sierra Community House to speak to the need for workforce housing. They hope to attract the attention of the Reno Housing Authority, which has also been invited to the CAB meeting. Washoe County has asked RHA to explore the possible use of the old elementary school site for workforce housing. Tahoe Transportation District announced in December that they were no longer trying to build a transportation hub there; presumably, there could be more discussion about it at its April 1 board meeting.
Linda’s “hot tip” for enjoying the nice weather: Take advantage of the East Shore Trail in this off-season when you can probably get a parking place!
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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 The News – Pet Network Lake Tahoe announces the 28th annual Fur Ball: The Pet Gala
March 17, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 3/17/2026, Staff Report
Pet Network Lake Tahoe announced the return of its signature annual fundraiser, the Fur Ball Gala, reimagined this year as The Pet Gala—a black tie celebration of iconic New York style and philanthropy.
This year’s theme, The Pet Gala, invites guests to dress to impress and show up for something bigger: helping Pet Network strengthen shelter care and expand vital community programs that keep animals healthy, safe, and homeward bound.
As daylight saving time begins, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) is reminding residents to take a few minutes to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
The seasonal time change is a simple reminder for households to test their alarms and replace batteries if needed. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are among the most effective and affordable tools for protecting lives and property, providing early warning in the event of a fire or dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, generators, and vehicles. Without a functioning detector, carbon monoxide can quickly reach dangerous levels inside a home without occupants realizing it.
NLTFPD encourages residents to take the following safety steps:
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly
Replace batteries at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
Install alarms at every level of the home, including inside and outside sleeping areas
Keep fuel-powered equipment, such as generators and snowblowers, well away from doors, windows, and garages
Residents are also encouraged to ensure their household has a home fire escape plan and that all family members know at least two ways out of each room.
If a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm activates unexpectedly, residents should treat the situation seriously and move outside to fresh air immediately. If you suspect an emergency, call 911.
A Message from NLTFPD
“Taking a moment during the time change to check your alarms is a small step that can make a big difference,” said Fire Marshal James “Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms provide critical early warning during an emergency and help give families the time they need to get out safely.”
Learn More& Stay Informed
For additional guidance on smoke alarm safety and the importance of changing alarm batteries during daylight saving time, residents can visit resources from the National Fire Protection Association:
Isn’t it too bad that we are clever enough to create a weapon so powerful as to deter our enemies, then we have to start knocking off our enemies before they replicate that same weapon, and knock us off…
Where does it all end? May I humbly suggest Drawing Down Weapons of Mass Destruction until our world is free from the threat of devastation by our own hand. And let us start tomorrow, before an accident metastasizes, and it’s “Bye-Bye-Baby!”
I carry my last words around with me just in case I can’t remember what I want to say should the time come…“Thanks, Mom!”
Presently, we find ourselves awaiting a call for brotherhood, followed by a wave of harmony to unite the human race. The time is upon us when good folks can no longer afford to remain silent…
President Teddy Roosevelt wrote to a friend in 1897: “In strict confidence…I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one.”
Yes, and he said that back in the slow-moving days when warfare was still confined, for the most part, to the battlefield.
Are we too self-centered to call for brotherhood? If so, the last words ever heard here on Earth just might be, “Hands Off that autonomous weapon!”
Yesterday a black gentleman with a saxophone reached out to me and asked, “May we play you a song?”
“Of course,” I respond, “I’d be honored.”
An Asian lady sang along, and they played the sweetest music…
“There is still a chance that they will see…There will be an answer, let it be…”
When the music stopped I hugged them both. They invited me to join them for tea and the three of us walked arm in arm to the teahouse. They told me they knew I wrote a column for this noble journal and asked if I might comment on some current events of the day.
I abjured that there were many folks better qualified to comment on current events, but I might like to offer one little adjunct to complement their noble rendition of “Let It Be.”
Let us ask our 195 nations of the world to remember today what Benjamin Franklin quipped during the signing of the Declaration of Independence two hundred and fifty years ago.”
“We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
Old Ben was not above using double entendres as a declaration of self-preservation in defiance of possible peril. We can all learn from Old Ben…
Once inside the teahouse my new friends struck up a 1985 song by USA for Africa, and we all joined in with the lyrics…
“There comes a time, when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one.”
It’s a powerful piece of music, a piece of music that could rightfully become a 2026 anthem for all nations of the world, in welcoming a peaceful dawn…
In closing, there will come a time, when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one. That time is now…
Washoe County has appointed Ryan Gustafson as assistant county manager, effective March 30.
Ryan Gustafson
Gustafson has served Washoe County since September 2017 and currently leads the Human Services Agency (HSA) as director. In his new role, he will transition from leading HSA to supporting countywide priorities and strategic initiatives as part of the County Manager’s leadership team.
Gustafson brings more than two decades of experience in human services, with a professional background focused on child welfare and children’s mental health. His public service career began in 2000 and includes experience with the Washoe County School District, the State of Nevada, and local psychiatric facilities.
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Gustafson holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2007, Gustafson became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and spent several years in private clinical practice.
Throughout his career, Gustafson has focused on strengthening systems that support individuals and families and improving access to services for vulnerable members of the community. During his tenure as director of HSA, he helped guide programs and partnerships that provide critical support to residents across Washoe County.
As assistant county manager, Gustafson will work alongside County Manager Kate Thomas and the executive leadership team to help advance the County’s strategic priorities and continue delivering essential services to the community.
I have exciting news to share. Incline Village Main Street has approval from NDOT to install the Gateway Roundabout improvements! IV Main Street is the IVCBA program that addresses revitalization in our community. Improving the roundabout enhances the entrance to both Incline Village and Crystal Bay, the gateway to Lake Tahoe from Reno. Beautification projects like this are what I call “low-hanging fruit”. It is a placemaking project that unites the community around a common cause.
This is the second time the community has rallied around the roundabout. The first time was in 2012 when NDOT installed the original roundabout. A traffic circle was needed, and the community supported it. Bronze animal sculptures designed by local artist June Brown were funded by key community members. Native perennials were planted to complement the sculptures. Over time, invasive plants have overrun the roundabout; the lack of irrigation has prevented the flowers from fully reaching their potential to bloom. The low-mounding design of the roundabout led to cars accidentally crashing into it, rendering the bronze sculptures an “endangered species”. Hence, the need for improvements 14 years later.
Gateway Roundabout Improvements
Improving esthetics to reflect the natural beauty of the East Shore and safety are the goals of the planned improvements. Iconic granite boulders, fir, and aspen trees, along with a succession of perennials, are part of the new design. Irrigation will be installed to support the new plantings. The entire traffic circle will be mounded higher to improve visibility. The bronze animal sculptures will be repositioned on the roundabout.
Community input was gathered through Main Street focus groups and stakeholder meetings. Incline Village Main Street design team, led by Steve Porten and Christine Karnofsky, coordinated public input for the initial sketch. Dale Smith, Smith Design Group, Larry Wodarski, IPM are also on the design team. LA Studio Landscape Architects provided the final design. Structural and engineering plans were developed by Lefrancois Engineering, which is also the project manager. Mike has worked closely with NDOT, Washoe County, IVGID, and TRPA to get the plans permitted for installation this spring.
I will be providing more information about Incline Village Main Street in subsequent Local Lens blogs.
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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
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Announces 2026 Wine Pairing Dinner Series
March 11, 2026 | Member Submitted
Nikki Ritcher
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, announces a wine pairing dinner series for 2026 at Osteria Sierra. The series will feature curated dining experiences highlighting renowned wineries from around the world, each paired with a four-course prix fixe menu crafted by the resort’s culinary team.
“We are thrilled to offer elevated dining experiences that bring guests together around exceptional food and wine,” said Andrew DeLapp, resort manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Our 2026 wine dinner series will showcase iconic wineries paired with delicious dishes prepared by our incredible chefs at Osteria Sierra.”
The wine dinner series will feature monthly events from March through June 2026, offering guests the opportunity to explore a diverse range of celebrated wineries and thoughtfully paired menus in an intimate setting.
Upcoming wine dinners include:
March 19th: Celebrating Women in Wine with Pahlmeyer April 23rd: Duckhorn, Celebrating their 50th Anniversary May 21st: ZD Winery June 11th: L’Ecole June 25th: Honig
Guests attending the wine dinner series can enjoy exclusive savings on overnight accommodations with a special offer of 20% off the standard room rate when booking with offer code LTWINE.
For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.
About Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
Situated among the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers a premier destination based in the nature-infused setting of North Lake Tahoe. The resort is home to an on-site Adventure program offering daily guided activities to help guests explore the Tahoe outdoors with everything from group hikes and archery classes to meditation sessions. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, and a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino. The resort also boasts the 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa featuring a variety of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments as well as state-of-the-art touchless therapies including the Cryobuilt Cryochamber, “Pearl” a revolutionary float orb, and the “Harmony” bioacoustic mat. The property showcases premier dining opportunities at the brand-new Osteria Sierra offering elevated Italian cuisine, pub-style fare at Cutthroat’s Saloon, and grab-and-go selections at Tahoe Provisions. Additional culinary delights include afternoon tea service on the weekends and a selection of world-class pastries created by the resort’s renowned team of pastry chefs. Recognized for excellence, the resort has garnered numerous awards including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV, 89451. For more information, visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or follow the resort on Facebook or Instagram.
About Hyatt Regency hotels
The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 countries around the world. The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centers, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit. For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community. As a hospitality original, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts are founded on openness—our colleagues consistently serve with open minds and open hearts to deliver unforgettable celebrations, effortless relaxation and notable culinary experiences alongside expert meetings and technology-enabled collaboration. The brand prides itself on an everlasting reputation for insightful care—one that welcomes all people across all countries and cultures, generation after generation. For more information, please visit hyatt.com
Improvements to the Gateway Roundabout are the current project for Incline Village Main Street under the auspices of the IVCBA community and business association. The improvements enhance safety and aesthetic features, with irrigation as a primary component. The community was engaged in the original project implemented by NDOT and reflects the public-private collaboration in place now.
Since “The Gateway to Lake Tahoe’s” christening in October 2012, the roundabout has been the symbolic entrance to the north shore of Lake Tahoe and features a significant public art display of life-size bronze sculptures by world-renowned sculptor, June Towill Brown, of Incline Village.
It was early March 2007 when Don Kanare was sitting in a line of cars waiting to turn left from the Mt. Rose Highway onto Tahoe Boulevard. It dawned on him that there had to be a better way to make the traffic flow smoothly through this intersection.
He thought about how his cat, Spumoni, would run from room to room in a circle around the house, but if a door was closed, it was like a stop sign. Don thought if we had a roundabout that would fix the problem.
It was this moment of inspiration that led to the creation of the Incline Village roundabout, which he affectionately calls Spumoni Circle and is known as The Gateway to Lake Tahoe.
Coincidentally, in early 2007, the community was engaged in the Incline Visioning Process, where residents could share their ideas and plans for the future.
Kanare’s idea for the roundabout was initially supported by the Infrastructure Committee, consisting of Incline Village residents Gene Brockman, Bill Landry, and Jim Nowlin.
After years of planning and hard work, the roundabout was constructed during the summer of 2012 as part of a major project by the Nevada Department of Transportation to improve roadways on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
The new roundabout immediately improved traffic flow, reduced air pollution by eliminating cars idling at the intersection, and created an aesthetically pleasing gateway for visitors and residents alike.
It was also an ideal location for one of the largest outdoor public art displays in the state.
“It was an honor to be selected by the Incline Village Roundabout Committee out of many submissions to create a monumental entrance to Lake Tahoe,” said June Towill Brown.
“This long project turned out to be a labor of love for me, starting with studying the habitat of local animals that the committee wanted to be incorporated in the roundabout. The vision was to celebrate Lake Tahoe‘s natural surroundings for all to share. It warms my heart that the inspiration and meaning of this Gateway to Lake Tahoe will be honored and cherished by generations to come.”
The Gateway Committee, consisting of Jim Clark, Jim Nowlin, and Don Kanare, worked with the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation to raise funds to complete the project’s public art display. Together, with the help of Incline Village residents Lee Weber Koch and Janet Pahl, the group raised $110,000. F.W. Carson Co., a family-based and Incline Village business, donated all the rocks and boulders on which the bronze statues are mounted today.
Black Bear: Funded by The Jerry Stewart Family
In memory of Lois Stewart: Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and community volunteer
Trout ~ within the Brown Bear Sculpture: Funded by Community Donations
Bobcat: Funded by Donald M. Kanare
In Memory of his cat, Spumoni, who provided the inspiration for the Roundabout
Mule Deer: Funded by the Ted Fuller Family
OTHER BRONZE STATUES:
Raccoon: Funded by Lynn & John Schiek
Squirrels: Funded by Harlan Braaten & the Margaret & Manny Sylvester Charitable Fund
Coyote: Funded by Community Donations
Stellar Jay: Funded by Nancy & Wade Hampton and Laurie Sweeting
In October 2012, a formal dedication ceremony was held to honor all the supporters of the Incline Village Roundabout project.
Today, the Gateway to Lake Tahoe is a spectacular landmark that greets over three million people each year as they travel along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, while providing a much safer and memorable entrance to one of the most beautiful places in the world – and where we are proud to call home.
