Say Good-bye on Saturday to Sunshine Deli owners John and Debbie Sullivan and say hello to new owner Marley at their farewell party from 2-4. When John and Debbie Sullivan took over Sunshine Deli 12 years ago, they brought new life to this local restaurant on Incline Way. In the early years, they took their lunch business to local businesses, bringing sandwiches and salads to people who couldn’t  leave for a lunch hour.  Their catering business was a labor of love, including service to Rotary lunches and TBX breakfasts, among others. They were my “go to” caterer for numerous IVCBA events too. The new owner has Laotian heritage and New Zealand roots, where she lived for many years. She will bring new international flavors to the Deli, including signature dishes like “Andaz biscuits (cookies)” and sausage rolls. The IVCBA staff sampled them on Monday, and we approve.

Are we thrilled to be Dancing with Daffodils?! Thanks to everyone who planted daffodil bulbs last October. I want to give a shout-out to:

IPM – daffodils at Raleys Incline Center and Natural Grocer

IMS students with direction from Mary Danahey of Incline Education Fund

IVGID – thanks to Steve Phillips and his grounds crew

Christmas Tree Village and property manager Tony Robinson

Tahoe Immo and property manager Scott Dutcher 

Steve Blaney and friends

Lori Bard and the Tahoe Trekkers

And all of you who either picked up some bulbs from IVCBA or supplied your own!

FUN LEARNING EVENTS

I so appreciate all the “big city” events right here in our little Village. UNR is rolling out the Tahoe Discovery Lab and Innovation at Tahoe,  thanks to UNR Professor Chris Jeffrey.   The Tahoe Series features him this Thursday at 6pm at the Prim Library on the Lake Tahoe campus. Title of the talk: Learning from Resilience: Nature’s Innovation and Multidisciplinary Discovery. Watch for the one on May 7 as well.

Probiotics…do you take them “just because your mother told you to”? Alina at Natural Grocer will explain WHY they are so important on Saturday at 11 am. Pretty sure you will get a recommendation on which ones are actually effective! It’s a good reason to shop healthy and stock up on your other supplement needs. See you there!

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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

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 4^th 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.

TRUE NORTH SURVEY FOR TFHS >

UNR STATEGIC PLANNING SURVEY >

WINTER COMMUTER SURVEY >

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

Guest Writer, Samantha Zechman – University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe

Having moved to Incline Village just six months ago, one thing quickly became clear: this is a tight-knit community that truly shows up for one another. Each weekend event, local news story, and Facebook post has revealed a village that rallies together, generous with its time, supportive of its neighbors, and deeply invested in the well-being of the place it calls home.

When I was given the opportunity to plan Winterfest, the vision for the event came naturally. The transition from Sierra Nevada University to the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe has brought change, and with change often comes uncertainty. What felt most important was creating space for connection: connection to the campus, to one another, and to the future of this evolving partnership between the university and Incline Village.

Winterfest became our invitation.

As we celebrate the seasonal shift from winter to spring, we also celebrate a renewed relationship between the university and the community, one rooted in transparency, collaboration, and shared experiences. This campus belongs to the community as much as it belongs to our students, and Winterfest reflects that belief.

With the support of Linda Offerdahl and Denise Menzies, my introduction to Incline Village has been both joyful and inspiring. Together, we secured more than 20 local organizations to lead family-friendly activities, offer health and wellness resources, share local eats, and provide live entertainment. The afternoon promises something for everyone.

Children can enjoy hands-on arts and crafts with Pet Network and the American Association of University Women, free books from the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline, interactive science demonstrations with university staff, and face painting from local volunteers. Community members can test their coordination with the sheriff’s department, photos at festive backdrops by the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and Diamond Peak staff, and dance to the upbeat sounds of the local band, Jacked-Up. Guests will also enjoy a special demonstration by the Sierra Alphorn Players, competitions led by Achieve Tahoe, and the inaugural color powder toss at 5:30 p.m. on the main lawn, set against the backdrop of the campus.

Guests can also enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, and sno-cones, offered by local donors. These treats will be available on a donation basis, with proceeds supporting two outstanding educational programs serving students with special needs: The Newton School and the Path to Independence Program at the University of Nevada, Reno.

This component of Winterfest is especially meaningful. In previous roles as an Assistant Principal of Specialized Services and as a Special Education teacher, I had the privilege of working closely with students and families navigating unique learning journeys. Supporting programs that expand opportunities for students with disabilities is not just important, it is personal. I am honored to help elevate the work these organizations are doing in our broader community.

Winterfest is about more than a single afternoon of celebration. It is about showing up for one another, opening our doors wider, and recognizing what is possible when a community and its university grow together.

Join us March 7 from 2 to 6PM at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. We look forward to celebrating with you!

IVCBA Members, if we missed your event or special please let us know so we can update: kristin@ivcba.org

Valentine’s Day in Incline Village and Crystal Bay isn’t just about candlelit dinners; it’s about community, creativity, and finding meaningful ways to connect with the people (and places) we love. Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, family, or simply treating yourself, here are some local ways to make February 14 feel special.

Tahoe Gifting: Just Because – We like you and we Love to Party

If you’re looking for something relaxed, creative, and community-driven, Tahoe Gifting is kicking off Valentine’s Day with a feel-good afternoon at The Cut—and no, you don’t need a reason other than they like you.

This free, low-pressure event is all about slowing down and enjoying where we live and who we get to share it with. Come solo, bring your favorite person, or gather a few friends and make an afternoon of it.

What to expect:

• Tastings with Minden Mill Distillery
• Charcuterie snacks
• Create a custom love-potion room spray with Sierra Soapbox Candle Co.
• Design a bag charm or keychain at the new charm bar
• On-site laser engraving so your piece is unmistakably yours

Add cozy music, projected visuals, and The Cut’s welcoming energy, and you’ve got a Valentine’s celebration that’s more about connection than convention.
Free event. RSVP encouraged.

Fundraiser: Tahoe Family Solutions – Heart of Giving Award Brunch

Start Valentine’s Day by celebrating generosity and community impact at this meaningful fundraiser honoring two local champions.

The Heart of Giving Award recognizes individuals whose generosity, leadership, and commitment have made a lasting difference for children and families in our region. This year’s inaugural award is presented to Joe & Polly Wolfe, whose deep care for the Lake Tahoe community continues to inspire connection and positive change.

Details

• Date: February 14, 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Location: Brunch at The Chateau, Incline Village
• Tickets: $100 individual | $850 table of 10
• Dress: Country Club Casual

Join Tahoe Family Solutions for a heartfelt morning of celebration, philanthropy, and community.

Valentine’s Day Dining at Sage Leaf Tahoe

Looking for a cozy, elevated dining experience? Sage Leaf Tahoe is offering Valentine’s specials that hit all the right notes.

Dinner Special (Dinner Only):
House-made Langostino & Feta Ravioli with sautéed cherry tomatoes, peas, and a rosé cream sauce

Dessert Special (Available All Day):
Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée with macerated strawberries and strawberry coulis

Perfect for date night or dessert first.

Family-Friendly: H’Art & Harmony at Incline Elementary

Celebrate creativity, music, and community at H’Art & Harmony, an evening showcasing art and live music from Incline Elementary School students.

Enjoy student performances, an inspiring art exhibit, hands-on crafts, a fun raffle, and snacks available for purchase. This joyful, family-friendly event brings together students, families, and friends in support of arts education—and reminds us that love shows up in many forms.

More Valentine’s-Week Fun Around Town

There’s plenty happening beyond dinner reservations:

• Paint & Sip – Love Edition at the Cut
• Cocktails at Elevation: The Love Edition at the Cut
• Northstar Ski Resort Ice Skating & Cocktails

Valentine’s Experiences & Dining Around the Basin

Also check out Valentine’s offerings at:

• Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
• Crystal Bay Casino – Live Music with Big Gigantic “Bring The Funk Back”
• Bowl Incline – Après patio drinks and music
• Local favorites, including Bite, Big Water Grille, and Happy Tiers Bakery

Don’t forget to grab your flowers at Wyld Peony for stunning, locally crafted bouquets. Perfect for Valentine’s Day and guaranteed to make someone smile. They have tons of Valentine’s Day flowers, fun gifts, and flowers in-store only.  There will be some premade cash and carry bouquets, small gift items (jewelry, teddy bears, etc.), and cute little premade arrangements in fun containers (disco ball, glass heart).  And they will have all the usual items available online and by phone.   775.298.2799

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Whether you’re dressing up, creating something meaningful, giving back, or simply gathering with good people, Valentine’s Day in Incline Village and Crystal Bay is full of ways to celebrate connection—local style.

Fresh snow arrived today, just in time for the Ullr Fest on Friday! It’s the first big community fundraiser for the year, raising funds for young skiers through Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation. Watch the torchlight parade at Diamond Peak and don’t forget your Viking helmet! If you are not a skier, but love the Olympics, why not attend the Evening of Champions on Saturday at the Hyatt to benefit the Ski Team? Olympians Marco and Anna Sullivan are on hand for a Meet and Greet.

I come from a Minnesota/Scandinavian heritage that believes in showing love by sharing a cookie platter after (and before!) every meal during December.  I cling to the tradition of a cookie exchange with my girlfriends in Tahoe, but I gotta tell you, the enthusiasm is waning. Stepping on the scale in January was my first clue that the cookie tradition had to stop! After the holidays, many of us are trying to detox and eat clean, whatever that means! Find out at Natural Grocers this Saturday and Feb 7 at their 11am “Hack Your Health”  classes taught by Alina Neacy.  Teaser: Balancing your blood sugar is more than just cutting cookies from your diet.

The healthy theme continues in February, right around the corner. February is Heart Health Month at Tahoe Forest Health System.  The balmy weather this winter makes it easy to get over to Truckee for their noon workshops on Wednesdays. Exercise and diet are obvious ways to promote heart health, but DID YOU KNOW that gum disease, stress, and dairy also affect your heart?  Find out more at www.tfhd.com . Now for the fun part… Friday, February 6, is Wear Red Day!  For those of you who remember my  Dress The Party costume store, red is still my favorite color. I can’t fit into that hot leather dress from the 80’s that is still in my closet, but I will break out one of my red sweaters.  I hope you will too!

LIKE WHAT YOU READ?

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

Originally published in the Holiday Edition of LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine, Author: Kristie Wells 

When Incline Village lost its traditional Chamber of Commerce more than a decade ago, something vital went missing — a unifying voice for businesses and a meeting ground for residents. Out of that gap, the Incline Community Business Association (ICBA) was formed in 2009 to keep connections alive. But it wasn’t until 2021, amid the isolation and economic strain of COVID, that the organization was reborn as IVCBA, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association. With renewed structure, funding, and vision, IVCBA set out not just to rebuild a chamber but to rebuild community — one that reflects the unique character, challenges, and spirit of Washoe Tahoe.

A Foundation for Connection

IVCBA’s story begins like many great community efforts – with a local business owner who saw a need and rallied others to fill it. After decades of volunteering in schools, service clubs, and local boards, and running her beloved shop, Dress The Party, Executive Director Linda Offerdahl helped relaunch IVCBA with a simple but powerful solution to the challenge that hobbles many small-town associations: sustainable funding.

Through a mix of founding and tiered memberships, IVCBA quickly earned the support of every major agency – a clear signal the region was ready for a home base of collaboration. From the start, IVCBA has focused on two priorities: economic vitality and civic engagement. The organization is intentionally apolitical; its mission is to educate and convene – to be the table where everyone can share ideas and turn them into action.

Rebuilding Local Communication

One of IVCBA’s greatest achievements has been rebuilding how Incline Village and Crystal Bay communicate. When the local newspaper folded, the community lost its central source of news. Today, IVCBA’s weekly Snapshot reaches more than 3,000 subscribers – residents, second homeowners, and businesses reconnected to the pulse of local life. It also links to regional outlets like the Tahoe Daily Tribune, keeping the community informed and engaged.

That same connective thread runs through the Merchant Map (spotlighting shops and services), the digital Vibe Map for quick wayfinding, Welcome Bags that introduce new residents to local resources, and Live.Work.Play, a magazine published three times a year featuring stories, news, and ways to get involved. Together, these touchpoints have restored a shared sense of identity and pride.

Addressing the Housing Challenge

If communication is the backbone, convening is the heart. “Whether it’s transportation, housing, or family advocacy, we work to bring all segments of our community to the table,” Offerdahl said.

When Washoe County completed its housing study and developed a regional roadmap, the ad hoc Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership was dissolved, leaving a gap in local coordination. IVCBA stepped up to fill that void, forming a Housing Committee to keep workforce housing front and center. The issue remains complex, with no easy solutions, but the committee’s ongoing work ensures housing stays a visible priority for county officials and agencies supporting local residents.

Main Street Momentum

On the ground, IVCBA’s Main Street program is reshaping the look and feel of our town, one small victory at a time. The goal isn’t to change Incline’s character but to enhance it through walkability, beautification, and pride of place. The Incline to Bloom initiative first brought planters and seasonal décor to commercial corridors, and now thousands of daffodils are being planted across public spaces to brighten spring in the Village. A new community gathering area in Christmas Tree Village, funded in part by a Main Street grant, shows what’s possible when merchants, property owners, and volunteers work together. And stewardship of the Highway 28 roundabout, our gateway to the lake, ensures visitors and residents alike are greeted with care and welcome.

Celebrating Community Spirit

From Northern Lights Tahoe in December to the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration, Restaurant Week in the spring, business mixers, and the growing Fall Fest, IVCBA’s events spark connection, conversation, and civic pride. Each gathering reminds us that when people show up, community grows – connections deepen, ideas take shape, and pride takes root.

The Power of Membership

IVCBA’s nimble, “pivot-on-a-dime” approach allows it to respond quickly to community needs – whether planting bulbs, hosting leadership receptions, or coordinating with agencies to solve problems. Its greatest achievement, though, is both simple and profound: IVCBA has given Incline Village and Crystal Bay a framework for positive collaboration among residents and businesses, nonprofits and agencies, full-time and part-time locals alike.

A thriving community isn’t built by one project or one person – it’s built by many hands working together for the place we all call home.

To keep this work growing, IVCBA invites everyone – business owners, nonprofits, agencies, and residents – to become members and help strengthen the fabric that connects us all. Because when Incline Village and Crystal Bay thrive, we all do.

I thought I was a city girl for the first twenty years of living in Incline. We had a high-rise apartment in downtown Minneapolis in the early 80’s…in our single days! When we moved to Incline to start a family in 1988, we kept a home in Minnesota for frequent visits. I assumed we would go back to a downtown lifestyle. Hmm. Not anymore, now that we are seniors. I still go back for family visits, and I get my city fix by staying with our daughter Nicole and her wife, Patty, in their urban home in south Minneapolis. BUT  today’s Lens is about the benefits of living in a small town, especially in Incline, whether you are a senior or raising a family.

HELPFUL NEIGHBORS

IVCBA’s Marketing & Communications Manager, Kristin Derrin, tells the story of coming back to Incline after living abroad for 4 months. Her family arrived in the middle of the storm to find that their neighbors had plowed their driveway so they could get into their house. Many of our full-time residents moved here when they were much younger. They count on neighbors to check on them and help them out. 

SUPPORT FOR SENIORS

Sometimes those longtime residents need more help to get by. Sierra Senior Services and Washoe County provide Meals on Wheels, delivered by Jim Dykstra and other volunteers who take time to do a wellness check as well. Incliners offers a variety of activities, including a potluck at Diamond Peak during the winter season.

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

Myriad organizations make Incline family-friendly. Most families need after-school care like that offered by the Duffield Youth Center. I want to give a shout-out to Daisy Day Care, which now offers a babysitting service on Friday nights and ski & ride camp as childcare on Saturday and Sundays. 

APRES SKI

I used to love the after-ski experience and miss it now that I don’t downhill ski. BUT I am tempted to go to Bowl Incline for those Après Ski parties on their patio! 

GREAT LOCAL BUSINESSES

I never tire of talking about our 3 local markets, our hardware store, and the businesses that offer staples so we can skip the trip to Mt. Rose, especially in bad weather. Please patronize them and let them know how glad you are that they are here.

LIKE WHAT YOU READ?

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