In The News – Bridget Giroux Design: Sierra Nevada-inspired sculptural side tables debut as the studio’s first furniture capsule
April 28, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/28/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
For centuries, the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains and its stunning landscapes have inspired painters, sculptors, songwriters, and artists alike. It was no different for interior designer Bridget Giroux as she was designing five pieces of furniture.
After living in Chicago for over 13 years, eight of those years spent working under Holly Hunt, industry leader in interior design, Giroux then worked for a retail brand, developing textiles and wallpaper before she found herself making the big move to Tahoe with her husband.
“We were just feeling burnt out of city life,” said Giroux. “It was quite the life change from living in downtown Chicago to moving to Tahoe.” Giroux then saw the opportunity for an interior design studio in the area, and she seized it. “That’s when I pivoted from designing products interior designers were using to actually having my own firm.”
By: Kayla Anderson for LIVE.WORK.PLAY magazine – Spring 2026 edition
Using an integrated approach to protecting and improving your skin health has a slew of benefits, such as boosting your self-esteem, confidence, and overall mood (thanks to not being consumed about your perceived flaws). Not only can an aesthetic treatment make you feel better emotionally, but it can also shield your skin from further sun damage, environmental toxins, and the issues that come with aging.
Sometimes the business of cosmetic enhancements can be intimidating, but The Tahoe Aesthetician team immediately puts those worries to ease. Not only are they all beautiful, but these healthy skin gurus are also down-to-earth and understand the importance of feeling good while enjoying the Tahoe lifestyle.
The Tahoe Aesthetician is led by founder Kat Langridge. With over 22 years of experience and education, she opened The Tahoe Aesthetician in the fall of 2024. Shortly after, she was introduced to Cara Harding, a practicing aesthetician who always wanted to perform more advanced procedures. She apprenticed under Langridge before becoming a partner.
“It took a quick minute to realize Kat is so knowledgeable and so good at what she does,” Harding says. “And she has high standards like me, so it was a perfect fit.”
“I’ve always been a lone wolf, and I’m super meticulous, so I’ve been hesitant to work with anyone. But when we met, I knew I wasn’t meant to do this alone anymore,” Langridge smiles.
As The Tahoe Aesthetician recently moved to a new location at 770 Northwood Boulevard, Ste. 5 in Incline Village, Nurse Injector Tricia Walls also joined the team. She worked in neonatal care for many years but always wanted to get into aesthetics. When Tricia and her husband moved from Texas to Incline Village, she began working at a fellow medical spa doing Botox injections. Her favorite service is performing the Halo laser treatment for those who want new fresh skin but aren’t ready for surgery.
The newly renovated Tahoe Aesthetician luxury laser spa has more therapy rooms and a fresh, vibrant, and transformative atmosphere, which is how your skin feels and looks after a treatment. Its variety of services to help people look and feel their best includes SkinPen microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, permanent laser hair reduction, laser therapy, and more. The spa’s innovative aesthetic technology enables The Tahoe Aesthetician to treat and enhance pretty much all skin types and skin conditions. A good example is The Tahoe Aesthetician acquiring the Neo Elite Aerolase laser, which has 36 FDA indicators easily and non-invasively treating skin issues like melasma, acne, wrinkles, skin tags, warts, and pigmentation.
“You can do as much as you want with it, and it works on any skin type,” Langridge says.
Whether you’re a fellow medical professional or customer, it only takes a couple of minutes of talking with Langridge to realize she is incredibly knowledgeable in the world of aesthetics, and she is passionate about helping the Tahoe community.
Langridge always aims to make healthy skincare accessible for everyone and offers complimentary consultations to teens battling skin afflictions.
“It is dear to my heart to help people feel comfortable in their own skin, and acne is often associated with depression, body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem,” Langridge adds. Teens will go to The Tahoe Aesthetician as a last resort to clear up their acne when Accutane doesn’t work, and The Tahoe Aesthetician has successfully treated some of the most difficult cases.
“I get a bunch of juniors and seniors who are getting ready to go off to college come in, and I give them complimentary consultations (with usually heavy discounts),” Langridge adds. In the worst case, Langridge helped a high school football player clear up his acne in six treatments, and his acne never came back.
Being in such an active community, The Tahoe Aesthetician’s state-of-the-art technologies allow them to offer year-round treatments.
“You don’t have to change your lifestyle or hobbies to fit in a treatment,” Langridge adds, although she does mention having advanced services for people who do want downtime and can stay away from the sun.
No matter what your skin goals are, a certified and credible aesthetician at The Tahoe Aesthetician is happy to meet with you to curate a program tailored to your specific situation. And for a five-star rated luxury medical spa, The Tahoe Aesthetician’s services are a lot more affordable and accessible than you may think.
“A lot of people think skincare or improving their skin is out of touch for them, and I’m trying to break those barriers. I don’t feel like taking care of your skin should be a luxury; I believe it’s a human right,” Langridge adds.
Q1 2026 marked a strong start to the year, with momentum across membership growth,brand visibility, and community-driven initiatives. Key efforts focused on strengthening IVCBA’s value to members through updated membership tiers, enhanced marketing and communications, and increased event engagement. At the same time, progress continued on Main Street beautification, housing initiatives, and Gateway Roundabout improvements, while strategic planning and partnerships positioned IVCBA for a highly active Q2 and summer season.
Communications & Marketing
This quarter focused on strengthening IVCBA’s visibility, brand presence, and member value through consistent communications and targeted marketing efforts. The SnapShot newsletter maintained strong performance, while new opportunities were introduced to highlight local businesses and partners. Key efforts included:
Parade and Community Fair scheduled for July 3, 2026
Looking Ahead to Q2
IVCBA will continue building momentum with a full calendar of programs and events:
Annual Meeting (last Tuesday)
Monthly Networking Happy Hours (May & June)
Lunch & Learn programming (TBD)
Incline Green Clean & Summer Kick-Off (June 13)
Continued preparation for Local Heroes and summer programming
IVCBA Staff IVCBA’s core team continues to support community growth, member engagement, and strategic programs throughout Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
Kristin Derrin, Marketing & Communications Manager – Editor of SnapShot and Live.Work.Play.; leads all marketing and communications. (kristin@ivcba.org)
Michael O’Neill, Operations Manager – Oversees membership, office operations, Biz Buz mixers, member socials, and welcome bags. (mike@ivcba.org)
Tahoe Joy Festival Reveals 2026 Music Lineup for 4th Annual Event
April 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
Free Benefit Music Festival Celebrates Regional Musicians, Artists, and Community at Commons Beach, North Lake Tahoe
The Joy Foundation has announced the 2026 music lineup for the 4th Annual Tahoe Joy Festival, a free benefit music festival featuring an eclectic mix of musicians from the Lake Tahoe and Northern California regions. The festival will take place Sunday, June 7, from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Headlined by Dead Winter Carpenters, the event will bring a full day of high-energy, roots-driven music and connection to Commons Beach.
“This year’s lineup reflects what Tahoe Joy Festival is all about — bringing different sounds, different
influences, and different people together in one place. From Americana and roots to funk, rock, and, for the first time, Latin music, we’re creating a space where everyone can feel connected through music,”
commented Matt Axton, Musician and Founder of the Joy Foundation and Tahoe Joy Festival.
DEAD WINTER CARPENTERS
Headlining this year’s festival, Dead Winter Carpenters are a Tahoe-based Americana band known for rich harmonies, storytelling, and high-energy performances. Their sound reflects the spirit of the mountains and the community, making them a natural anchor for a day of music on the shores of Lake Tahoe.
MATT AXTON & BADMOON
Led by festival founder Matt Axton, Matt Axton & Badmoon blend Americana, country, and rock ’n’ roll with heartfelt songwriting and a strong connection to Tahoe’s musical roots. Their performance brings a personal and authentic energy that lies at the heart of the festival.
LAZWELL
LAZWELL delivers a genre-blending mix of funk, soul, and rock driven by groove and improvisation. Their infectious live energy invites the crowd to move, connect, and share in the moment – a perfect fit for the spirit of Tahoe Joy Festival.
LITTLE HURRICANE
Little Hurricane delivers a raw, “dirty” blues-driven sound rooted in gritty guitar work, driving rhythms, and soulful vocals. Blending garage rock, Americana, and blues, the project brings a stripped-down intensity that resonates in an intimate, open-air setting like Tahoe Joy Festival.
SONIDO SUENO
Sonido Sueño brings a vibrant fusion of Latin rhythms and global influences, creating a lively, danceable sound that invites connection across cultures and generations. Their addition marks an exciting expansion of the festival’s sound, reflecting Tahoe Joy Festival’s commitment to inclusivity and shared experience. “I’m especially excited about this year’s lineup and the experience it creates,” Axton continued.
“What sets Tahoe Joy Festival apart is our focus on bringing people together through diverse sounds and shared moments—all rooted in free music and shared joy. Adding a band with Latin influences like Sonido Sueño expands that vision and reflects the inclusive, evolving community we’re building together.”
COMMUNITY STAGE
In addition to the main stage performances, Tahoe Joy Festival features a Community Stage highlighting local talent, including a performance by North Lake Tahoe band Winter Grain, and a showcase of student musicians from Tahoe Truckee School of Music. The Community Stage reflects the Joy Foundation’s commitment to supporting emerging artists and creating opportunities for young musicians to share their voices.The Community Stage is a powerful example of how the festival shows up for the community—creating space for local voices and setting it apart from other summer music experiences in Lake Tahoe.
PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT
The Tahoe Joy Festival is made possible through the generous support of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, which provides access to Commons Beach, and the North Tahoe Chamber. Their support, combined with local business sponsorships, helps ensure the festival is free and accessible to the entire community.
Additional information on the North Tahoe Chamber is included below.
TAHOE JOY FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 7th, 2026
Commons Beach, Tahoe City
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Free
ABOUT THE NORTH TAHOE CHAMBER
The North Tahoe Chamber, whose purpose is to cultivate collaborative partnerships, serve as an engaging catalyst, and drive economic impact, has supported a vibrant business community and enhanced the quality of life for North Lake Tahoe residents and visitors since 1954. The Chamber’s priorities, developed in collaboration with the Business and Chamber Advisory Committee, include economic development, advocacy, business services, community vitality, visitor engagement, and workforce development to benefit local businesses and their employees. Using tourism revenues generated by the North Lake Tahoe Business Improvement District (NLT-TBID) these priorities are realized through robust member benefits.
Learn more and become a member at northtahoechamber.com.
ABOUT JOY FOUNDATION
Founded in 2025 by musician Matt Axton, the Joy Foundation supports independent artists and strengthens communities through high-quality music events and educational programs that celebrate music history, performance, and artistry.
ABOUT TAHOE JOY FESTIVAL
The Tahoe Joy Festival is a free, one-day benefit music festival held annually at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. A signature event of the Joy Foundation, the festival amplifies regional and youth musicians, local artists, and nonprofit partners while creating inclusive, family-friendly experiences. Through live music and community connection, Tahoe Joy Festival raises awareness and funds for local nonprofits and celebrates the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe.
The Tahoe Joy Festival, now in its fourth year, was founded by Matt Axton as a tribute to his father, entertainment icon and Tahoe City resident Hoyt Axton, whose most famous hit “Joy to the World”
(“Jeremiah was a bullfrog”) inspired the festival’s spirit. The event reflects Axton’s vision of bringing a little more joy to North Lake Tahoe through music. Learn more at joyfoundations.org/tahoefest.
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 04/09/2026, Written by Megan Ramsey
Editor’s Note April 9: Corrected depths in the pilot project and clarified amounts of litter collected.
On a clear and calm Thursday morning, a group of six meets on a pontoon boat at the Tahoe City Marina for a dive. Though everyone there is a return volunteer, Clean Up the Lake Operations Manager Klemen Robnik reviews the plans, everyone’s tasks, and boat and high-altitude-dive safety. After the safety debrief, volunteer Roman Versch, who serves as the group’s boat captain, navigates the boat to the last marked GPS location in Hurricane Bay where the previous divers left off.
Most of the lake’s litter and debris is never seen by people who recreate here, but it is quietly collected by Clean Up the Lake, a volunteer-based (1,300 strong) nonprofit organization. CUTL is on its second circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline — this time at a greater depth.
Photo: NITROX and diver propulsion vehicles allow scuba divers to more efficiently search for debris between 35 and 55 feet deep, a more taxing depth than the 25 feet of the first circumnavigation cleanup. Photos courtesy Clean Up the Lake
In The News – Pet Network Lake Tahoe launches ‘Tahoe Tailblazers’ Summer Camp
April 7, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/07/2026, Staff Report
Pet Network Humane Society is turning summer into a movement with the launch of its Tahoe Tailblazers Summer Camp, an immersive, high-energy program designed to empower youth, strengthen community connection, and bring its mission of “radical good” to life.
Held July 20–24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pet Network’s campus (401 Village Blvd., Incline Village), Tahoe Tailblazers is designed specifically for children ages 6–8, offering a unique, age-appropriate opportunity to engage, learn, and give back.
At a time when families are seeking meaningful, enriching summer experiences, Tahoe Tailblazers fills an important community need, creating space for young children to connect with animals, build empathy, and understand the power of helping others. Through hands-on shelter experiences, crafts, games, and interactive learning, campers won’t just hear about animal rescue, they’ll actively participate in it.
In The News – Incline Village locals teamup on Welcome Center remodel
April 7, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 4/3/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh
The white and green-trimmed clock greets an average of 50,000 visitors each year as they enter the front doors of Travel North Tahoe Nevada’s Welcome Center. The interior that greets guests on the other side of those doors will soon look different once the current remodel is complete.
“Knowing that the building is going to be seen by a lot of tourists,” remodel architect Dale E. Smith, at Smith Design Group, explained, “I wanted it to be an excellent representation of North Tahoe.”
Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) felt the best way to do that was to hire local companies that are not only familiar with North Tahoe, but can also keep dollars circulating in the local economy.
In The News – Cal Neva to start new chapter following quarter billion-plus financing deal
April 3, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 4/3/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh
A $298 million financing package may soon change the state of the Cal Neva. The historic venue is one of a handful of major properties at North Tahoe’s state line that once welcomed visitors, but are now boarded and fenced, creating somewhat of a hospitality desert there.
Colorado-based real estate investment and development firm, Realberry, along with hospitality management company, Proper Hospitality, announced the recent closure of the large financial deal on April 2.
100 years after it first opened, the financial package marks a new chapter for the Cal Neva, set to open under a new name in 2027 as the Lake Tahoe Proper Resort and Casino.
Originally published in the Tahoe Gifting email newsletter, 03/31/2026
There’s a lot happening at The Cut, from our 5-Year Anniversary Edition of Meat & Greet to a lineup of creative workshops with local makers. If you’re planning to preorder meat for the event, don’t wait too long, orders close March 31 and pickup will be at the party on April 4. After that, we’ve got plenty more cozy, creative reasons to get out of the house and join us.
Tahoe Philharmonic (Lovers of Harmony) Orchestra and Chorus continues Maestro James Rawie’s 21st annual WinterFest with the “Passion of Bach/The Joy of Handel” concert series March 31 thru April 5. Maestro Rawie presents for the 21st consecutive year the sweeping drama of J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (Part 2 – performed in English). This epic performance features antiphonal orchestra, chorus, and his most demanding vocal solos. Experience the universal power and emotion of Bach’s largest and yet most personal work, a spiritual journey for all. Maestro Rawie was the Founder and Artistic Director of TOCCATA for the past 19 years, presenting more than 500 classical concerts and soirees throughout the Reno/Tahoe Basin. Tahoe Philharmonic is now under his Artistic Direction.
Bach takes a personal approach to retelling the Passion story through music. The piece touches on basic human problems: love, hate and betrayal. Bach’s music, with unrivaled variety and breadth, brings the text alive and compels the listener to respond to the drama. Although Bach uses Biblical passages, with soloists portraying characters in the drama and the chorus acting as his disciples or the angry crowd, the most moving texts are written specifically for this work. Bach brings the listeners in on the action by having the chorus represent us, reacting to the story or answering questions raised by it. And many solo arias are Bach’s most deeply-felt responses to what is occurring. The “Passion” is an oratorio, not an opera, and Bach relies on the power of the music alone to illuminate these texts. Part of Bach’s brilliance is how sensitive he is to the text settings. Minor and dissonant chords underlie texts on suffering and sacrifice; the music turns to major keys when the subject is redemption. Listen, too, for Bach’s “word-painting” — a raindrop-like staccato to depict falling tears, or a musical earthquake following Jesus’s death on the cross, or his “halo” represented by the strings alone. If you follow the text as you listen, your spirit will be moved.
Two of this year’s performances include selections from parts 2 and 3 from Handel’s Messiah. Following the Passion, which ends with Jesus in the tomb, Handel’s selections focus on the life of Jesus and the resurrection, culminating in the finale, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, Amen, and the famous Hallelujah chorus.
When and Where:
Tuesday, March 31 7pm RENO: St Thomas Aquinas Cathedral (310 W 2nd St);
Saturday, April 4 4pm MINDEN: CVIC Hall (1604 Esmeralde Ave.)
Sunday, April 5 4pm RENO: St Rose of Lima Catholic Church (100 Bishop Manogue Drive)
Tickets are available at the door for all concerts or online at www.Tahoe-Philharmonic.com. General admission to PASSION/MESSIAH concerts is $30 for adults. Preferred seating is $40 adults/$15 youth and Premium seating is $50 adults/$25youth. Benefactors row is $100/seat. Under 23 years of age are admitted free in general admission seating , to most regular season concerts in 2026. Seniors enjoy $5 discount in all areas. There are “back row” seating tickets at no set charge, just donate what you can afford for this concert.
TahoePhil / Maestro James Rawie’s 21st Anniversary Summerfest begins June 1-9 with Classics+, featuring Beethoven’s Symphony #5 “Victory” and Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor with guest pianist Jennifer Savage.
