Member news from Tahoe Prosperity Center and IVCBA
As we head into the holiday season, we invite our community to celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 29 by supporting the entrepreneurs, makers, and local employers who keep Tahoe’s economy vibrant. Small businesses are the backbone of our region—they provide jobs, spark innovation, and reflect the unique character of our mountain communities. Whether you’re shopping locally, dining out, or recommending a favorite business to a friend, your support makes a real difference. This Small Business Saturday, let’s show up for the businesses that show up for Tahoe every day.
Here are local resources highlighting our small businesses:
In The News – Lagree Tahoe Fitness Studio aims to bring new health and wellness program to Incline Village
November 18, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 11/18/2025, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
When Lexi Heinzer was in the midst of attending grad school to become a marriage family therapist, she was desperate to find a way to boost her energy and offer an escape from the grueling study program. Heinzer soon found Lagree, a high-intensity, low impact fitness method and it wasn’t long before she fell in love.
“I got certified in 2017,” said Heinzer, “so I started teaching it more than I was actually doing therapy because it made me so happy to see other people leave the workout so happy.”
What exactly is a Lagree workout? For those who don’t know or have never heard of it, Heinzer said, “Lagree is a strength-based fitness program, done on a Lagree machine. It is spring loaded, and it’s what you would do in the gym such as planks, squats, lunges, that type of thing. It’s very high intensity, you’re going to shake, you’re going to sweat on the machine.” The program is considered low impact, allowing anyone of all ages and all bodies to benefit.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Announces New and Returning Food and Beverage Experiences
November 14, 2025 | Member Submitted
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, announces two new culinary offerings at its signature Italian restaurant, Osteria Sierra. Guests can now enjoy a thoughtfully curated three course prix fixe dinner menu with optional wine pairings, as well as the return of the popular Afternoon Tea service on weekends. Both experiences highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and Osteria Sierra’s signature Italian flavors.
“We are thrilled to introduce two new dining experiences at Osteria Sierra,” says William Stout, director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. “Each experience showcases fresh, seasonal ingredients and the approachable Italian flavors our guests love, whether they are joining us for a relaxed afternoon gathering or a memorable evening out.”
The new prix fixe dinner menu features a three course Italian inspired experience, beginning with a choice of antipasti such as grilled baby artichokes with pepperoncini aioli and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, followed by hearty pasta and seafood selections, and concluding with a classic tiramisu dessert. Guests can expect dishes that balance comforting, familiar flavors with thoughtful seasonal touches, creating an elevated yet approachable dining experience. Optional wine pairings are thoughtfully selected to complement each course and highlight the nuances of both the food and the wines. The prix fixe menu is available Sunday through Thursday at Osteria Sierra between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. through December 18, 2025. Reservations are recommended and can be made by visiting opentable.com/osteirasierra.
In addition to the prix fixe dinner, Osteria Sierra invites guests to enjoy a refined Afternoon Tea experience every Friday through Sunday between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The service features a curated selection of premium teas paired with home baked scones, delicate pastries, and gourmet sandwiches crafted by the culinary team. Guests can also enhance their Afternoon Tea experience with optional beverages, including sparkling selections for a festive touch. This leisurely weekend tradition offers an opportunity to relax, catch up with friends, or celebrate a special occasion, with each element thoughtfully designed to provide a memorable and sophisticated afternoon.
For more information or to book a stay at 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
Beginning November 1st, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) benefits will be delayed until the federal government reopens and funding resumes, leaving many of our neighbors without critical support to put food on the table. We are already hearing from families who don’t know where their next meal will come from—and we expect that number to rise sharply in the coming days.
As the only food pantry in our region, currently serving over 700 families a week, we’re mobilizing every resource we have to bridge this gap. We are anticipating a 30% minimum increase in demand. Food insecurity is already one of our community’s greatest challenges, and this loss of benefits will push even more families to the edge.
Saturday’s 35th Annual Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival was a beautiful celebration of community and compassion focusing on hunger needs in our community. The outpouring of support renewed our commitment to continue meeting the growing needs of local families every day.
Now, we need your help more than ever to meet the growing demand for food assistance. Here’s how you can make an immediate difference:
Join the 2.38 Plate Club – Become a monthly donor and sustain our Hunger Relief program. It costs us about $2.38 to provide a meal to a community member. Because of our strong partnerships and food rescue efforts, your donated dollars go much further. Your monthly contribution will help sustain the growing needs of our community.
Make a one-time gift. – Every dollar counts. We also accept gifts of stock and from donor advised funds. Checks may be mailed to: Sierra Community House, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 Tax ID: 94-2985554
Volunteer – Help us pack and distribute food to local families. Sign up here
Advocate – Share our mission and raise your voice for policies that protect food assistance.
Managing individual food drop-offs can be challenging for our small team. While we deeply appreciate the community’s desire to help by donating food, monetary donations go even further. They allow us to buy fresh, healthy food in bulk and reduce waste and storage challenges. For this reason, we are not currently accepting food donations, but your financial gifts and volunteer time make a huge difference.
Read a blog from Patrick Kratzer, our Director of Hunger Relief, which includes details on local food rescue efforts, here.
Thank you for standing with us during this critical moment. Because of you, our community is stronger, more connected, and better nourished.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Debuts Day of the Dead Specials at Cutthroat’s Saloon
October 14, 2025 | Member Submitted
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on the shore of Lake Tahoe, debuts a special menu and live music for Dia de los Muertos. The holiday-themed menu will be served at Cutthroat’s Saloon between Friday, October 31 and Sunday, November 2.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to join us at Cutthroat’s Saloon in celebrating the rich traditions of Dia de los Muertos,” said William Stout, director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Through vibrant flavors and heartfelt celebration, we hope to honor a meaningful cultural tradition that celebrates both life and remembrance.”
El Trio de Dos, a local mariachi band will perform in celebration of the holiday between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on all three days. Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, El Trio de Dos chose to settle down in Sparks, Nevada to bring their authentic culture to the local community through mariachi music.To preview the music of El Trio de Dos, please visit https://www.facebook.com/ElTrioDeDos/
The special menu consists of Chile en Nogada Relleno, a ground beef filled poblano chile dressed in a walnut-nogada sauce with dried fruit, vanilla and pomegranate. Diners can also enjoy a Shrimp Esquites Corn Soup consisting of epazote herb, mayonnaise, queso fresco, chili powder and lime. Additionally, the menu includes the Huitlacoche Sope, a Mexican truffle with house-made thick tortillas, sour cream, queso fresco, guacamole and fresh spicy red salsa. Pan de Muerto or “bread of the dead” is also featured on the menu, a traditional Mexican custard filled sweet bread served with orange blossom water.
The menu will incorporate three cocktails including a ‘Smokey Sout’ shaken with Mezcal, cucumber, jalapeno, lime and agave, a ‘Jamaica Hibiscus Margarita’ served on Ice with a house-made hibiscus syrup. The third cocktail includes the rich and elegant ‘Carajillo’, a shaken espresso Licor 43 topped with espresso beans.
To learn more about Cutthroat’s Saloon and the other dining options at Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com/Dining
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
Ideally situated on the pristine shores of North Lake Tahoe, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers majestic lake and mountain views from its 422 guest rooms, including 32 suites and 24 lakeside cottages. The resort epitomizes modern alpine luxury with its exposed wood beams, rich leathers, and granite accents. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a private beach with a 275-foot floating pier, a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino, and 65,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting and event space, including the picturesque Lakeside Ballroom, Tahoe’s premier lakeside venue. Additional features include a 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa with 16 treatment rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, pet-friendly accommodations, a fully-equipped Hyatt StayFit gym with Peloton bikes, and an on-site Adventure program offering guided activities. 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 in the West 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
Originally published in the Lake Tahoe School ‘Bob’ Cats Notes – 10/13/2025
In the final playoff game of baseball’s National League Divisional Series this year, Philadelphia pitcher Orion Kerkering was on the mound. Pitching with two outs and the bases loaded, the batter hit a ball right back to Kerkering. Momentarily bobbling the ball, the pitcher panicked, threw wildly to the wrong base, and the Los Angeles Dodgers scored to win the game and the series.
While millions of baseball fans were either ecstatic or wildly disappointed, I couldn’t help but think of how Kerkering felt in that moment. In particular, the most telling image sent out as the game ended showed Kerkering standing alone on the field, head bowed deeply, as the celebrating Dodger players rushed past him to congratulate their teammates. To Kerkering, alone in his thoughts, the world seemed over, perhaps never to be positive again.
Later in the clubhouse, and following an outpouring of support from his teammates, Kerkering dutifully answered reporters’ questions. Although obviously subdued and on the verge of tears, he concluded his interview with a poignant and significant note of optimism. When asked what was next for him, he responded, “… hopefully, keep pushing. Get over this hump.” Noted baseball writer Joe Posnanski put it more succinctly, “… baseball is designed to give you hope. Spring training will come again.”
It is difficult for any of us to fail at times, whether in minor things in life or, hopefully, not on a national stage. As I watched Kerkering go from potential hero to an embarrassed goat, I could not help but wonder, at the same time, how vital hope is to all of us. Strong people recognize that resilience in the face of defeat or failure is the quality that matters most. Having the support of teammates or friends as you pick up the pieces and move on is also critical to our futures – it’s all about hope.
At Lake Tahoe School, hope is a critical aspect of the learning process. Life and learning will always be full of mistakes, failures, and oftentimes lost opportunities. How we deal with these situations and how we move on is just as important as what it took to get to this point. Our students approach their learning, embracing its inevitable ups and downs, knowing they have the support of their teachers to help them discover the correct answer, the proper technique, and perhaps a new perspective on the problem.
Whether in the classroom, on the stage, or on the field or court, LTS students are given the freedom to both make mistakes and to learn from them – all with the hope of making things better. Effort, practice, and the hands-on support and coaching of their teachers help students overcome their initial disappointments. While hope is a powerful tool, how dashed hopes or derailed dreams are handled is even more critical.
Life is ultimately a story of moving forward. Positive teachers, caring parents, and good friends and teammates are key to this, and making learning the central aspect of this process. At Lake Tahoe School, all these elements come together as an intentional part of the learning process. On the national stage or in the quiet of the classroom, hope in the face of mistakes or failure sustains us and makes us better for believing and practicing it. As former President of Yale University and later Major League Baseball Commissioner, Bart Giamatti once said about baseball, “It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart.” For all of us, even Orion Kerkering, it’s how we handle the pieces that remain that is the key to life.
Welcome back from the break! Have a great week ahead.
In The News – Sun Bear Realty & Property Management acquires Vacation Station and Incline House Cleaning
October 10, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/10/2025, Staff Report
Sun Bear Realty & Property Management in Incline Village, Nevada, has recently acquired the well-established Vacation Station short-term and long-term property rental business and its subsidiary, Incline House Cleaning.
‘We are happy to announce our recent purchase of Vacation Station and Incline House Cleaning, both of which are long-time businesses based in our hometown of Incline Village,” said Blane Johnson, owner of Sun Bear Realty & Property Management. “We thank Don Cauley and Kathleen Savino for trusting us to continue their well-respected operations and wish them the best as they retire and enjoy their new adventures in life.”
“With this purchase, we look forward to welcoming their staff to the Sun Bear team,” said Johnson.
In The News – Washoe County Sheriff’s Office hosts educational seminar on e-bike safety in Incline Village
October 9, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/09/2025, Staff Report
With the growing popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and motorized bicycles in our community, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is hosting an educational assembly to help students, families, community members, and bike enthusiasts understand the rules, responsibilities, and best practices for safe riding.
The interactive assembly will cover topics including:
The differences between bicycles, e-bikes, and motorbikes
Helmet requirements and safety tips
Traffic laws that apply to all riders
Common misconceptions about e-bikes and motorcycles
How safe riding protects riders and the community
“Understanding the rules and safety practices for bicycles and e-bikes is essential for preventing accidents and keeping everyone safe in our vibrant community, where biking, driving, and other modes of transportation intersect for work and pleasure,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam. “We encourage parents and students to join us, ask questions, and learn how to ride responsibly.”
Wildwood Open Lands Foundation first cinematic Creation
October 8, 2025 | Member Submitted
We are celebrating the release of Wildwood Open Lands Foundation’s first cinematic creation, The Sheldon Massacre Expedition, a story of our team’s backcountry, citizen science, vehicle-based journey through Northwestern Nevada during May 2025.
You can view the film at the Wildwood Expedition YouTube Channel here:
The project is undertaken in partnership with our friends KP at Zero Declination and Kurstin at Bikepacking Northern Nevada. Endless gratitude and appreciation of both KP and Kurstin, without their effort, this project would never exist.
Please enjoy the film. Join us on Saturday, October 18th at Alibi Ale Works, Incline Village Public House in Incline Village, NV where we will be screening the film with members of the team. We will be partnering with Travel North Tahoe who will also be showing a short film. The free, public event begins at 7pm. See you soon!
The Incline Justice Court is proud to announce a number of exciting updates. First, the court has a new website, which can be found atwww.washoecounty.gov/ijc/. We invite the community to check it out to see what the court has to offer the community.
Second, starting in July 2025, the court entered into a collaborative agreement with the Neighborhood Mediation Center and implemented a mandatory mediation program for all small claims cases. The court is excited about this program and the opportunity for litigants to attempt to reach an agreement outside of the courtroom setting, whenever possible.
Finally, the court is currently seeking a bilingual (Spanish/English) Interpreter/Clerk to join our team.
