As I look at the clear skies over Lake Tahoe, it’s hard to believe the horror created by the Davis Fire just “down the hill”. In the 36 years we have lived in Incline Village, never has a fire seemed so close to us. Although things can change in a moment, we are fortunate to have escaped the fire and the smoke so far. Even so, our families have been affected by school closures and other disruptions. Uncertainty, making plans to evacuate if necessary, have created stress in our lives. It has been harder for workers to get to Incline and even those not traveling, to focus on work. Please remember to support our local businesses in this difficult time.
This is a good time to remember our friends and community in Washoe County. Many people, including some you know that used to live in Incline, have either evacuated or are at risk. Please, reach out personally to those you know and consider making a donation to help others in need.
In this case, a regional village. The Washoe County Emergency Response Team pulls together all of those regional, state and federal agencies that help, and would help us, in case of an emergency, including evacuation. Download and register with CODE RED to stay updated on any evacuations. Local agencies that are involved include Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. Our local CERT, Certified Emergency Response Team remains available to help wherever needed in an emergency. The Incline Village Community Hospital, part of the Tahoe Forest Health District in Truckee, always stands ready to help in an emergency with an Incident command that would be in touch with first responders.
We know how our community comes together from the COVID pandemic. Our businesses, nonprofits and service organizations all pitched in to help. Pet Network is prepared to offer dog or cat food or crates for people in the community in case of evacuation. Our local Rotary clubs help with worldwide disasters, as well as stand ready to help locally as they did with the Angel at Your Door program during COVID. Parasol Tahoe has assembled a comprehensive list of organizations offering assistance, as well as encouraging its donors to give through their donor-advised funds.
I was reminded this morning by the news that today is 9-11, the 23rd anniversary of the al Quaeda attack on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and the airplane crash in Pennsylvania. Yet another reason to be grateful for First Responders.
I am so grateful for this community in which I live and for the agencies, businesses, nonprofits and residents that help create IVCBA’s vision of a thriving community. Help us “build cohesiveness for the sustainability of Incline Village and Crystal Bay”. Join IVCBA as a community supporter for $50 – JOIN HERE
Hundreds of points up, or hundreds down. Whatever, it’s just another day on Wall Street. Blame traders, short sellers, and people that became too comfortable with leverage.
Every so often the stock market runs into a rough spot and prices fall fast if only briefly. One such spot was overdue. Sometimes there are catalysts, usually economic news, but in many cases it’s a matter of profit-taking after a good run. That describes early August. Profits were taken. Cash generated went into energy, utility, financial stocks and fixed income vehicles, all of which rallied.
As you’ve read here I continue to focus on earnings and interest rates, the driving forces that move stocks. For 78 percent of companies second-quarter earnings were better than expected, but the tone was subdued. Several CEOs are saying consumers are under pressure and less confident in the economic future and their own. With the average credit card balance of $6,200 consumers are unable to spend as they’d like.
The macro data also show a softening economy. Not a looming recession but a slow-growing economy. Typically, there are job losses ahead of a recession. We see just the opposite now.
The stock and bond markets are often leading indicators, and if so today the latter is saying demand for credit will moderate or decline in the slowdown, which is why rates on the ten-year Treasury have fallen back to 3.8 percent. For months I’ve been urging investors to nail down bonds or preferreds while rates were higher. The opportunity is still there, though less rewarding. Treasury bond ETFs are already up 3 percent over the last month.
Over many years we have seen several stretches in which stocks sold off as they have recently. Much like the market in 1987 stocks had a good run to new highs this year with the most speculative stocks leading the way. Little remembered is that in 1987 the market then rallied and went on to close higher for the year. Just like then, the bull market isn’t over.
Fortunately, it is no longer a seven-stock bull market. The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is up 10 percent this year and was stable in early August even when the S&P 500 faltered. It is easy to own. So are energy issues, especially Williams Cos (WMB) and Oneok Inc. (OKE). When you own good securities then there is no need to keep jumping into and out of the market.
David Vomund is an Incline Village-based Independent Investment Advisor. Information is found at www.VomundInvestments.com or by calling 775-832-8555. Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
Natural Grocers® Celebrates 69th Anniversary Event, With Epic Savings, Freebies and a Chance to Win Over $126,000 in Prizes, August 15-17, 2024
August 13, 2024 | Member Submitted
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, is pleased to invite our communities to our upcoming three-day Anniversary Celebration!! of the year to celebrate 69 years of serving communities.
To commemorate almost 70 years as a company, we’re offering customers sales of up to 53% off over 500 products, free Snow Cones and other treats, plus an amazing Anniversary Sweepstakes–with a Tesla® Model Y (or $47,000 cash) up for grabs. Mark your calendars, make your shopping list and come celebrate with us!
You can find all the details in our latest press release with PR Newswire.
In The News – From Tahoe Trails to Global Ultramarathons
July 13, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in Moonshine Ink, 07/11/2024, Written by Bill Hatfield
Local runner Adam Kimble describes his journey from casual runner to an ultramarathon career
Adam Kimble had an athletic background growing up in the Chicago suburb of Minooka, Illinois, playing baseball, basketball, and football in high school; he even played baseball at Bradley University. But he had no experience with running as a sport. That all changed a little over a decade ago when he ran his first half marathon.
“Prior to running my first race, I had no running background,” Kimble wrote in an email to Moonshine Ink. “I only ran when sports forced me too!”
In 2024, we recognized trash as the symptom of failed HOSTING: How the tourism industry, business and residents welcome, guide and host 15M annual travelers (60M car trips) coming to visit our US National Treasure in a forest without gates, will determine how much trash remains. And that awareness led to actions that created a Caring Culture!
1- Lake to water transit: The “Tahoe Express” train brings travelers into Truckee, w/connecting shuttles (wait times under 15 min) moving all around the Lake. Microtransit moves people from neighborhoods to transit hubs. Transit also runs from Reno, Carson and Sacramento (hwy 50) (TOT subsidized)
2- Water Ferries connect throughGeo-Centers, where travelers can also get information specific to activities and assets in that region
3- Local Housing: All Short Term Rentals have onsite hosts (like a hotel) to answer questions, ensure safety and provide local housing, along with the ‘Vacancy Tax’ , has increased rentals for locals.
One year course provides an immersive understanding of the watersheds: Carrying Capacity, Indigenous Wisdom, TriNomics Geotourism. Graduates who stay on can live renovated hotels that now support Tahoe docents who have made it cool to care GeoTrack adventures
5- Daphnia Floatingclassroom: Tahoe Science class is taught on the lake. Students also host visitors on weekends to understand, connect and then care about the watershed – first hand.
6-Caring Culture: Every photo posted is tagged #CooltoCare inspiring walking softly so their actions are conducive to sustaining the lake (and welcomed back)
Moving here 25 yrs ago, I was unaware Tahoe was a sensitive watershed/wildlife habitat. The only ‘welcome packet’ I received was on BMP’s?. No realtor or new friend informed me that my actions were directly tied to lake clarity. Or how leading-by-example would help visitors slow down and walk softly to get a real sense of place.
Yes, we have everything we need right now to build a Culture of Caring. Just imagine, it’s easy if you try. The next time you see a traveler struggling, offer some guidance, start with a caring “Hi”.
Sustain Tahoe summer events
July 8th Tahoe 4 H Camp – songs and crafts
Incline Village Welcome Center: Earth Walks and crafting on request email: sustaintahoe@gmail.com
Is There A Doctor in Your House? There Should Be with High Sierra Restorative Health
May 14, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published for the Reno Ice Raiders, Written by Phillip Goodman 02/29/2024
Emily Allina does more than just stitch up Ice Raiders players (or the woeful opponents who meet Roger Hutchinson’s or Tony Tyrell’s fists). When she’s not in the rink, she’s in her brand new office in Lake Tahoeperforming light wound repair or offering consultations for preventative healthcare, or she’s traversing Northern Nevada making house calls for those that don’t have the time or means to get to Tahoe. As part of her practice, Allina provides routine checkups or full lab analyses at fractions of the cost of most primary care physicians (PCPs) and health plans.
The current US model is set up like a sick-care system,” says Allina. “It’s really hard to get in to see your providers for preventative things. And even when you do there’s not much of an emphasis or there’s a pretty big knowledge gap for preventative health care or more integrated health care. What I do uses different modalities of health care using different kinds of treatments or preventative treatments. Also insurance doesn’t always cover the things you want to do for prevention.”
For example, let’s say you’re going on a trip. Some insurances won’t cover a malaria vaccination but they’ll cover your hospitalization that costs exponentially more.
Enter Allina, where an ounce of prevention can save that pound of pain. However, Allina is not advocating canceling your insurance. She is advocating seeing her before you need to implement your insurance.
“Insurance is there for catastrophic issues like if you get hurt, really ill, or need surgery,” she says. “But if you really just want to work on getting healthy and optimizing your health it’s really hard to do with any insurance system.”
So how can Allina help optimize your health right away, whether you’re as active as an Ice Raider or not?
“There’s a lot of things I can help you do to optimize your health,” she says. “First we all need to exercise and eat right. My big focus though is on injury repair and regenerative medicine so I do a lot of platelet rich plasma injections to major joints in off season. People may not need surgery but have an acute injury. It’s an option for healing and repair. Couple that with for example the men’s health for hormone balancing: making sure their thyroid is optimized and that their testosterone is optimized. Those are both important for metabolism and maintaining muscle mass and bone health to prevent osteoporosis down the road. Testosterone is hugely important for stamina, cardiovascular health, cognitive health, sleep, mood and motivation. We’re seeing testosterone declines earlier in men. But we’re also optimizing blood sugar to make sure they’re not becoming insulin resistant for early diabetes which is one of those issues that has a lot of downstream consequences for people. I’ll also check your cortisone levels which affect stress and mood. On top of that I’ll look at your vital nutrients: iron, B12, any deficiencies that cause fatigue or a sub-optimal performance. Once you’ve optimized all that then you can introduce peptide therapy which helps you release more growth hormone which can help increase your injury recovery, workout recovery, and build lean muscle mass. Peptide therapy can also help with your sleep and immune support.”
Peptide therapy doesn’t require constant visits or house calls from Allina. After your initial consultation and a review of your labs, then she can assign a therapy schedule based on your specific goals and needs. The therapies can easily be applied yourself nasally, orally, or via small insulin-like injections.
“I use a lot of these myself,” she says. “I generally try not to recommend things I would not do for myself or my family.”
Her rates as an independent practitioner will vary based on what types of services and treatments you need.
“There may be a little bit more of a cost now but you’re really going to be saving down the road a significant amount of cost because you’re going to start optimizing your health,” she continued. “Then you’re not going to be behind the ball as you get older, then paying thousands and thousands of dollars a month for medications and for specialists. With me you’re hedging for the long term.”
“It’s getting harder to see your PCP for some things so you end up going to urgent care or the ER and you still have the copay or out of pocket costs. You’ll get a better service with me, more in-depth analysis, and better follow-ups. With me you’re not one person in a big system, you’re one person in a small system with more personalized attention.”
Not only do you have the option of making an office visit if you’re in or around Tahoe, she can also come to your home or even workplace in Reno or Carson City and still take whatever samples she may need for a proper diagnosis.
“A large majority of things can be treated at home or mobily like strep throat, pink eye, mono, urinalysis, eye injuries, and more,” says Allina. “So if you’re vacationing in Tahoe and someone in the family gets hurt or sick, you don’t have to pack the whole family in the car and take them to the hospital. I can make the house call to your rental and make the diagnosis with my mobile practice.”
Even though Allina doesn’t take insurance payments, she still generates superbills that you could download from her patient portal and try to submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement, depending on the case. She has also negotiated her lab prices down to one-third to one-eighth the cost of the average local lab prices.
“A full panel of labs which is upwards of 20-25 tests can be done from only a few tablespoons of blood,” says Allina. “At one Tahoe-area hospital you’ll give 12 tubes of blood and that panel will run $2500. I can draw less blood and get the same panel of tests for $400-$500, again depending on what needs to be checked for.”
One more unique treatment she offers is ozone therapy. Per her site, “Ozone is three oxygen molecules (O3) bonded together to create an extremely potent and effective oxidant that scavenges up invading pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds. Intravenous ozone (O3) therapy is used to treat a multitude of acute and chronic illnesses.”
Quick personal endorsement for ozonation: my college roomate acquired an ozonator machine. It connected to our kitchen faucet for washing and sanitizing surfaces. Veggies and fruits washed in ozonated water lasted a week longer in the fridge than the unwashed. We also washed our hockey equipment in ozonated water which removed the odors and bacteria. This writer is a firm believer in the power of O3 and wonders when ozonators will be as common a kitchen/home apparatus as the garbage disposal. You will have to call Alina to find out how 03 can clean you from the inside out efficiently and safely.
Allina’s services and capabilities extend far past the confines of the rink.
“My goal isn’t just to treat the Ice Raiders players,” she says. “My services extended to fans and supporters. I’ll come down to Reno and do consults at your office or home but I can do procedures in my office. I’ve also got in my office an infrared sauna, and a hyperbaric chamber coming soon.”
Any patients in Reno that need more medical assistance outside her area of expertise are referred to her growing network of nutritionists, exercise therapists, chiropractors and more.
A native of Indiana, Allina made her way to Tahoe via Maine, Seattle, and San Diego. Her love of all things nature and outdoors made Tahoe an easy, desirable choice for opening a new practice in 2022. She has been a hockey fan since long before her needlework at Reno Ice. Her father was a team physician for the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL so she would attend games with him while she was still in high school.
“I really like it,” she said about the Ice Raiders’ games and environment. “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people and I’ve been somewhat helpful at games. It’s been more fun than I thought it was going to be.”
Like the Ice Raiders on the forecheck, it’s better to be on offense than playing defense. Don’t wait until you have to play defense with your health. Take offensive control and schedule your consultation with Emily Allina today.
In The News – Incline Middle awaits STEM school designation decision
March 13, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 03/13/2024, written by Brenna O’Boyle
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Incline Middle School will find out by the end of March if it is one of the new schools to receive Nevada STEM school designation this cycle after a visit from the governor’s team last week.
“We are evaluating 20 schools across the state this cycle,” said Tracey Howard, STEM Program Director, Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology. “We are limited to 15 schools annually to receive the (new) designation. We were pleased to see how IMS is leveraging the community to enhance student learning experiences!”
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Lake Tahoe School’s Chess Team are State Champions!
March 11, 2024 | Member Submitted
Submitted by Allie Sacci from Lake Tahoe School
Calling all Bobcat fans: You might not have heard yet, but our very own Chess Team just aced their first year with a phenomenal win at the Nevada State Championship! Last weekend, a group of dedicated students and their families braved the elements to compete in Las Vegas.
For many of these young players, it was their first ever chess tournament. Despite just starting this year, our Chess Team brought home the 2024 NV State Champions title in the K-5 Reserve Division! This victory is even sweeter considering we faced some real competition. Our Bobcats were a small but mighty team, facing off against much larger teams. But that didn’t stop them! Every single player won at least one game (with some ties as well).
Here’s a breakdown of their incredible results:
K-3 Championship
Cal M. – Tied 6th on score, 7th on tiebreaks
Jaiden B. – Tied 24th on score, 25th on tiebreaks
Alex L. – Tied 24th on score, 29th on tiebreaks
Nicholas B. – Tied 39th on score, 40th on tiebreaks
Reya B. – Tied 39th on score, 41st on tiebreaks
K-5 Reserve
Eric I. – Undisputed State Champion!
Alora H. – Tied 3rd on score, 4th on tiebreaks
Abby I. – Tied 5th on score, 8th on tiebreaks
Max G. – Tied 18th on score, 19th on tiebreaks
Jameson H. – Tied 18th on score, 21st on tiebreaks
K-12 Reserve
Acadia H. – Tied 1st place, 2nd on tiebreaks
Kora O. – Tied 5th on score, 5th on tiebreaks
Putting together this championship team in less than a year is a true accomplishment. Huge thanks to Coach Eric for his dedication in leading these amazing students to victory, with support from Mr. Jude and Coach Anastasia.
Here’s a fun fact: out of all the trophies awarded in the lower grade divisions, three of the four girls who won were on our Chess Team – Acadia, Kora, and Alora! Looks like our Bobcats have some girl power on the board. And the good news keeps coming! These talented young players will get to compete again at the Girls’ State Championship right here in Duffield Hall on Saturday, April 20th.
We can’t wait to cheer them on! Congratulations to the Lake Tahoe School Chess Team for this incredible win! Go Bobcats!
Local Spotlight – Nellie Bradshaw-Farafonova – Crystal Bay Post Office
January 2, 2024 | Meghan Ochs
Originally Published in IVCBA Live.Work.Play, Written by Meghan Ochs
Nellie Bradshaw-Farafonova is the senior, and only, passport clerk at the Crystal Bay Post Office. Nellie and her job have a lot in common, on the surface both might seem ordinary in a lovely, predictable way, perhaps even a bit outdated in today’s modern digital world. However, it turns out, her job, just as Nellie herself, is a lot more complicated than meets the eye.
Nellie moved to Incline Village in 94’ with her second husband and their then, two young children. Today, she lives in Crystal Bay and the years between tell an interesting story about a unique woman.
She began what she calls her ‘second career’, the one outside of raising her children, at The Hyatt as a hostess. She soon became supervisor and moved onto the Regency Club and became a concierge manager. In early 2002, she made a big change and moved to Russia to teach English. The move was precipitated by both her divorce in 2001 and 9/11 which impacted tourism. Nellie loved her time and experiences in Moscow, but despite having a multi entry exit visa and visiting on occasion, she desperately missed her children. Listening to Nellie discuss her time in Russia it’s obvious that her time away fed her naturally adventurous spirit. While there, she earned good money to send back to her children and married her third husband who was Russian. In 2005 she came back to Tahoe and was devastated when soon thereafter her marriage ended. However, Nellie’s palpable tenacity kicked in. Nellie started what would become a long term career with The United States Post Office.
Hard work and adaptability seem to come easily to Nellie which is incredibly useful in her role at USPO. The office at Crystal Bay is actually under the jurisdiction of The State Department in Los Angeles and is unique in the number of passports it processes. Prior to COVID, 65-70 a month were processed, now, Nellie and her single member staff, do over 1600 in a 6 month period. People come by multiple travel modalities to get to Nellies office for complicated travel cases. Nellie has an amicable nature that lends well to customer service and she loves all who visit. She notes that her job requires a lot of patience due to the long term nature of acquiring passports. She often encounters angry and disgruntled people. However, she still builds lots of positive personal relationships. She can rattle off names and addresses the same way people remember land line phone numbers. Nellie has obvious, high level people skills.
The Post Office in 2023 might seem irrelevant. Something similar could theoretically, and wrongly, be assumed about Nellie. As a short statured 68 year old woman, she seems quiet and unassuming. Nellie has the appearance of a young and kind grandmother. Talking to Nellie you quickly learn that both of these assumptions about her, and the place she works, are far from the truth. Nellie is anything but quiet, or tame. She is sweet and kind yes, but an emotionally strong, unique woman who forged her own path and collected a lot of stories of adventure, hard work, and heartbreak. As for the place she works, it doesn’t take long to learn how truly important the services she provides really are. Nellie and the Crystal Bay Post Office provide services and basic needs to individuals and families that many take for granted. There seem to be a lot of unspoken parallels between Nellie and her work, perhaps this is why she loves it. Nellie hopes to stay in her current role for awhile longer. She thinks about retirement from her 6 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, job but knows it doesn’t make sense until she becomes a grandparent, or finds a new partner. For now, for the benefit of local residents and wannabe travelers, Nellie will be behind the counter at Crystal Bay in the signature USPO light blue shirt, and navy apron, with her big smile and warm heart, greeting all those who walk through the door.
Pet Network and Local Photographer Nina Miller Team Up To Help Animals Find Forever Homes
November 3, 2023 | Member Submitted
As we’re heading into the cold season and enjoy snuggling up on a comfy couch, perhaps by a crackling fire, we’re inclined to think about ways to spread some warmth.
Pet Network Lake Tahoeand long-time local photographer Nina Miller with Nina · Photography have teamed up to help more animals find a loving, caring forever home by raising funds for Pet Network’s animal rescue programs. Book a pet portrait session this fall, and the full session fee will be donated to Pet Network. Share the love and gratitude you have for your own pet and help other animals find a cozy spot to curl up!
Is your pet the bestest, cutest, quirkiest, sweetest?
Come into the studio in Kings Beach and let’s bring out your furry friend’s personality. If you have more than one, bring them all! The focus is on your pet with minimalist, gorgeous portraits. We can include you or your kids in some photos as well, of course. Feel free to bring props — like a favorite toy, bandana, or holiday themed items for holiday cards.
A win for you, a win for animals in need
To showcase your beloved companion, you can purchase wall art, albums, holiday cards, and more from gorgeous, timeless photos you will love. Plus, your pet will be featured on a dedicated web page!
Holiday spirit with a purpose
Pet Network-branded holiday cards will be available if you’d like to give even more! In the spirit of the season, 20% of the proceeds from these cards will be donated to Pet Network Lake Tahoe.
Come be a part of this collaboration where your pet takes center stage, and your support enriches the lives of animals in need. Book your session today!
About Pet Network Lake Tahoe
Pet Network Humane Society enables pets and people to connect and thrive through compassionate care, envisioning a society where all companion animals receive love and respect as valued members of families and communities.
Pet Network is a 501(3)c charitable organization (EIN: 94-3162646) that relies entirely on 501(c)3 tax-exempt donations from people like you to continue its life-saving mission.
About Nina · Photography
When not behind the camera, Nina loves to travel, in particular with her teenage son back to her native Germany and around Europe. Though she doesn’t have a furry companion of her own, she often dogsits. Her current pet is a leopard gecko.
