Originally Published in the Holiday Issue of IVCBA’s Seasonal Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY, Written by Kayla Anderson

Incline Village is known for its changing wintry weather, and not everyone is a skier or snowboarder. Fortunately, Tahoe natives Will and Ashley Wolford manage a place behind The Paddle Wheel on 120 Country Club Drive #15 that invites locals and visitors to come in anytime, relax, and play some golf…no matter what Mother Nature orchestrates outside. 

With a single bay facing Trackman iO golf simulator screens, golf aficionados can practice their swing year-round at Iron & Wood while using state-of-the-art technology that provides relatable data, which in turn helps improve their game. 

“The ball flies higher and farther up here, so it’s helpful to come practice before playing a Tahoe course,” Will says. 

Will and Ashley are both from North Lake Tahoe but connected years later after they moved back and met on a blind date at the Tahoe City Golf Course. Ashley is from Incline Village and has been a golf instructor with IVGID for the past few years. After having their first child (now almost 2 years old), the couple wanted to start their own business. 

“We wanted to live in Tahoe and knew golf would somehow be a part of that,” Ashley says about how they came up with the Iron & Wood concept. She explains that Iron & Wood is a multi-use venue that caters to locals, visitors looking for something to do, and those who want to take lessons with Ashley. 

“People saw the benefit in practicing consistently beforehand and faster improvement in their game. And we use real golf balls,” Ashley says. 

Will adds that, along with being in a nice indoor environment, people can actually talk to each other while playing instead of being away from their friends searching for their ball, plus it’s good for beginners because you can move along the course at your own speed instead of having to worry about the pace of play. Iron & Wood gets a mix of non-golfers, golfers, kids, and people who even rent out the space for their weddings, bachelor parties, and birthday parties, although the couple’s ultimate goal is to feed golfers to the course.

“Our goal is to build better golfers,” Will says. 

Iron & Wood is rented by the hour, and there are around 400 courses loaded onto the Trackman golf simulator. 

Incline Village resident Chris Feroli has been a familiar face at Iron & Wood since day one. After moving to Incline five years ago, he started taking lessons with Ashley about three years ago.

“I’ve been coming here since Iron & Wood opened, I think I signed up right when it started,” Chris says with a grin. “In the winter, I’m usually here twice a week.”

He plays once a week at the Championship Golf Course in the summertime and says his game has improved immensely since he started frequenting Iron & Wood. 

“I have way more confidence out on the course. And these two are great; they’re friendly and welcoming. It’s fun to watch their business grow and nice to play year-round,” Feroli adds.For more information about Iron & Wood or to book a reservation, visit https://www.ironandwoodgolf.com/.

From IVCBA’s Seasonal Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY – Summer Edition – Written by Kayla Anderson

The IVCBA Wellness Resource Guide, featured in LIVE.WORK.PLAY., spotlights local IVCBA Member wellness providers in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. From yoga, massage, and acupuncture to personal training, chiropractic care, and spa services, the guide showcases businesses like The Sanctuary Tahoe, Tahoe Fitness Loft, Stillwater Spa, and more, supporting community health and well-being.

• The Sanctuary Tahoe

The Sanctuary on state line offers a full range of services such as therapeutic massage, yoga, acupuncture, counseling services, and wellness in a lovely and relaxing atmosphere. For more information, visit https://thesanctuarytahoe.com/. 

• Tahoe Fitness Loft

Over on Mays Boulevard close to Grocery Outlet, Tahoe Fitness Loft offers personal training, Pilates, Barre, TRX, spin, and kickboxing classes. Drop in for a trial; www.tahoefitnessloft.com.  

• Lakeside Personal Training with Trish McKowen

Trish McKowen believes that real, lasting transformative change is possible which is why she became a personal trainer more than 25 years ago and still strives to help her clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Learn more about her method at https://lakesidepersonaltraining.com/. 

• San Soma Massage

Far beyond traditional, San Soma’s highly trained and experienced therapists offer a tranquil journey into therapeutic healing and mind/body alignment. To see what revitalizing and healing services are offered, visit https://www.sansoma.com/. 

• BACKcountry Chiropractic

BACKcountry Chiropractic stays on top of the latest chiropractic tools and treatments so you can stay flexible, healthy, and limber to enjoy all the backcountry Tahoe activities you love. https://backcountrychiroiv.com/ 

• Barton Health PT

The comprehensive care team at Barton Health evaluates and treats you when your ability to function is impaired by injury, disease, or illness. Learn more at: https://www.bartonhealth.org/health-services/rehabilitation/physical-therapy/

• IVCH Physical Therapy and Medical Fitness

The Incline Village Community Hospital offers a hands-on approach in developing an individualized treatment plan that can relieve symptoms, improve your physical abilities, and return you to your healthy lifestyle. https://www.tfhd.com/ivch/services/physical-therapy-medical-fitness/

• Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

At Stillwater Spa, experience the ultimate in relaxation and recovery with its innovative touchless therapies such as cryotherapy (to reduce inflammation and boost recovery); floatation therapy (for stress relief); and the Harmony BioAcoustic Mat for deep relaxation and improved mobility. https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/tvllt-hyatt-regency-lake-tahoe-resort-spa-and-casino/spa

• High Sierra Restorative Health

High Sierra Restorative health is a modern, premium Tahoe area concierge clinic focused on helping people live stronger, longer, and youthful lives by using the most up-to-date testing and treatments to optimize their health. https://restorativehealthnv.com/

• Incline Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

Studies show that regular acupuncture treatments can increase the number of T-cells in the body, helping one from getting sick. Fortunately Incline Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine is well versed in the health benefits of acupuncture. https://pammurphylac.com/ 

• Move Mountains 

Move Mountains hosts events and provides consulting to engage your mind and body to ultimately creating a happier, healthier you as well as build a stronger, more successful team around you. https://www.movemountains.com/

Originally Published in IVCBA’s Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Summer Issue, Written by Kristie Wells

As wildfires grow more intense across the West, the North Shore of Lake Tahoe faces an urgent reality. Our community is surrounded by forest, beauty, and risk. But with action, collaboration, and local leadership, we can protect our homes, preserve our safety, and remain an insurable mountain town.

That’s why the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), with support from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) and other agencies, launched a community-led initiative to help neighborhoods become more fire-adapted.

What Is a Fire-Adapted Community?

A Fire-Adapted Community (FAC) is one where residents understand wildfire risk and take responsibility – individually and collectively – for reducing hazards. Neighborhoods and HOAs are encouraged to first become a Fire Adapted Community with support from the Tahoe RCD and NLTFPD. This unlocks access to resources like home evaluations, year-round chipping, defensible space guidance, educational materials, and help organizing clean-up events.

Once organized and actively engaged in fuel reduction, communities can apply for national recognition through the FireWise USA® program, which formalizes wildfire preparedness efforts and can help neighborhoods retain or even improve insurance coverage and premiums.

Lessons from Local Leaders: Success in Action

At The Village at Incline HOA on Country Club Drive, residents took on a major challenge. Their 30-unit complex, nestled in a forested, park-like setting, was surrounded by dense vegetation and over 200 highly flammable junipers. After consulting with an arborist and fire officials, a core group of homeowners – Shawn O’Hara, John Costa, Lauren Accinelli, and David Hoffman – developed a long-term fuel reduction plan. They cut the number of junipers in half, cleared vegetation within five feet of all buildings, and launched regular pine needle cleanups to maintain defensible space.

With support from the Tahoe RCD and NLTFPD, they became Incline’s first FireWise-recognized group in 2022, a step that helped maintain insurance and even earned premium discounts for some homeowners.

In Upper Tyner, residents Tom Millhoff, Caroline Peck, and Myles Riner developed a three-year plan to track yard waste, document defensible space work, and host clean-up days in their neighborhood of 370+ homes. Their efforts earned recognition as both a FireWise neighborhood and an official Fire Adapted Community – the first in Incline Village to achieve both.

These communities didn’t just protect their homes, they created templates others can follow. They’re even offering to share fuel reduction plans, data-tracking tools, and neighborhood survey templates with new leaders.  

Where Fire Risk Is Rising

Fuels experts point to neighborhoods with south-facing slopes between 10–20 degrees as especially vulnerable, due to faster vegetation drying and higher ignition potential. Identifying leaders in these areas is a top priority this year for the NLTFPD.

But every homeowner can take immediate action. The most critical step? Clear your Ember Resistant Zone (ERZ) – the first 0 to 5 feet around your home. This area should be free of pine needles, flammable plants, stacked wood, or mulch. Instead, use gravel or other non-combustible materials. Post-fire studies show that homes with a maintained ERZ are far more likely to survive. It’s one of the most important steps any homeowner can take right now.

What You Can Do

You don’t have to go it alone. FAC and FireWise programs are built on community action. Whether you lead a cleanup, knock on doors, or help a neighbor clear brush, your efforts matter.

Here’s how to get involved:

• Become a Fire Adapted Community or FireWise Leader. Tahoe RCD and NLTFPD will help organize, train, and connect you with other volunteers.
  
• Educate neighbors. Pick up free emergency info fridge magnets at the fire station for community distribution and placement in vacation rentals.
  
• Download the Smart911 App. Get emergency alerts and evacuation notices from Washoe County and Tahoe Alerts.
  
• Host a yard clean-up day. Invite neighbors to clear pine needles, trim trees, and improve defensible space.
  
• Track your progress. Metrics like hours worked or bags of debris help qualify your area for FireWise recognition.
  

Building a Safer Future

Wildfire resilience isn’t just the job of firefighters, it’s a community-wide commitment. From removing flammable landscaping to hosting block parties that build neighborly trust, small actions add up.

Hotel operators and short-term rental owners have a responsibility to help guests understand local fire conditions, safety expectations, and evacuation plans. Clear communication, through signage, welcome materials, or digital guides, can make all the difference in an emergency. We all play a vital role in keeping both visitors and the broader community safe.

If you want to help protect our mountain town, and keep it livable and insurable for generations to come, now is the time to act. Be the neighbor who sparks change.

To learn more or sign up as a neighborhood leader, contact the Tahoe RCD at 530-543-1501 x104 or visit www.tahoercd.org.

Originally Published in the IVCBA Magazine, LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Summer issue – Written by Kristie Wells

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is undergoing a significant transformation, with a full property redevelopment planned for completion by the end of 2027. While construction continues, the Hyatt remains committed to serving the Incline Village community by offering a variety of local experiences and maintaining community connections.

Among the current highlights is a wine dinner series hosted at Osteria Sierra, showcasing a selection of wines previously featured at the former Lone Eagle Grille. These dinners focus on evolving menus and thoughtful wine pairings, with the culinary team inviting feedback from attendees to refine future offerings.

Cutthroats Restaurant continues to provide a welcoming environment for locals, including a longstanding discount for IVGID pass holders. This summer, the restaurant will offer Happy Hour from Monday to Thursday (3–5 pm) and live music performances on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (6–8 pm).

The Hyatt will also participate in the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, joining the Local Heroes Parade and hosting a complimentary barbecue at Incline Beach from 12–4 pm on July 4th.

Whether you’re interested in live music, fine wine, or simply supporting a local business during a time of change, the Hyatt has something for you this summer.

For those interested in learning more about the property’s redevelopment and future plans, visit https://bit.ly/hyatttahoerenovation.