The Local Lens: Back to School & The Beach

BACK TO SCHOOL ALREADY?  Yep. Watch your speed in the school zones.  Our schools have an amazing staff, beginning with the principals, Tierney Cahill at Incline High School, Kari Michael at Incline Middle School, John Stern at Incline Elementary, and Headmaster Bob Graves at the Lake Tahoe School. 

The schools get lots of support from our community. The Incline Village Realtors Stuff The Bus every August with school supplies for each school. Incline Education Fund collaborated with AAUW to fund the UNR Dean’s Future Scholars mentorship program this summer (it’s a camp for Incline Middle School students to help them succeed in school and prepare them for college). And watch for exciting news on all IEF’s literacy projects this year. The first effort is a collaborative one with both local Rotary groups to revamp the Incline Middle School library. 

I want to give a big shout-out to former principal Leslie Hermann and powerhouse Denise Menzies. They both give freely of their time getting “first generation” high school students into college. Leslie founded and runs the Boys and Girls Club Boot Camp to help incoming seniors write their essay and other essentials for those college apps. 

MORE SUMMER FUNDRAISERS

Two events at stunning lakefront estates on Sunday, August 28 support our students. AAUW’s garden party at the “Oasis” raises money for their annual scholarship fund. AAUW also has an online silent auction throughout August. Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation’s Après’ Après’ is an all-out, full-on fundraiser, complete with dinner, music, and an auction. This is a first-time event! If you missed out on the tickets (Darolyn, I will come begging this week, hoping there’s a cancellation), donate to DPSEF online. 

THE BEACHES

Back to school means the beaches are less crowded. If you have been avoiding them due to all those social media complaints about crowds, time to check them out again! Mid-week, of course. I spent a delightful afternoon swimming at Incline Beach yesterday. Plenty of parking. My choice of picnic tables was one in the shade! Even for a Minnesotan like me, that water is cold (but not really). It felt so refreshing! Did I mention how well the IVGID beaches are maintained, under the leadership of Sheila Leijon and Steve Phillips and his grounds crew? They are the unsung heroes of IVGID Parks and Recreation. They are low profile and so competent.

HEART OF GOLD…I’m not talking about the many wonderful philanthropists in Incline. I’m talking about the amazing melons from Fallon. They can ONLY be found at the Farmers Market in Incline Village.  Despite school starting this week, summer is not over! The Farmer’s Market is still open every Thursday in the Incline Library parking lot on Alder. It’s the next best thing to Village Market that used to be in Village Center. Owner Ron Stanger always carried those HOG melons, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh berries, the flavors of summer. The Farmer’s Market is also a great source of seafood from Alaska and meats from Nevada farms. And yes, we miss Village Meats and Eric and Danielle Halstead especially in the summertime.

TAHOE FOOD HUB keeps that farmer’s market vibe going all year long. This is a very entrepreneurial nonprofit, working and educating farmers and the public on best practices to renew our land. Order online (no minimum) and they deliver your order to John and Ashley Brimm’s Mountain High Sandwich Company in the Country Club Center.

VOLUNTEERS

UNR at Lake Tahoe is gearing up for its Tahoe Forum with Sir Richard Branson and Guy Harvey on Friday, September 18. This is an outstanding opportunity for Incline residents. They are looking for volunteers that day. Contact Dianneseverance@unr.edu.

BOWL INCLINE…Fall leagues are forming! Get your team together!

NEVADA JANE: GUS’ BBQ has a new name and concept. It’s a “Tahoe Eatery”!