Live Work Play IVCBA Summer 2021 by Just Imagine Marketing and Design

INCLINE VILLAGE CRYSTAL BAY COMMUNITY & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

SUMMER 2021 | VOL. 1

Business Highlight: Max Jones P. 10

Local Heroes Weekend Pullout: July 3–4, 2021 P. 15

Incline Village High School Senior Class Photo 969 Tahoe Blvd. Incline Village, NV 89451

Incline Village Crystal Bay Association

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 5377

P. 19

Executive Director’s Letter

Incline Village High School

Meet Eric Brown

Senior Class Photo

Business Highlight: Max Jones

IVCBVB Urges Visitors to Travel

Healing Process

Profile: Kari Michael

Profile: Tierney Cahill

Informed this Summer

IVGID Parks + Recreation

Commercial Update

The Power of Philanthropy

North Lake Tahoe Fire

TahoeTruckeeTransit.com 28

Profile: McAvoy Layne

Washoe Tahoe Housing

Local Heroes Weekend

Partnership 29

Pullout: July 3–4, 2021

Incline Village’s Famous Flumes

STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Linda Offerdahl linda@ivcba.org

PROGRAM MANAGER:

Ashleigh Lynn Easley ashleigh@ivcba.org DIGITAL CONTENT SPECIALIST:

Madison Schultz madison@ivcba.org

MEMBERSHIP SPECIALIST:

Skyler Jones skyler@ivcba.org

FREELANCE WRITERS

Kayla Anderson GRAPHIC DESIGN:

Rena Angle

LIVE.WORK.PLAY. QUARTERLY:

Kathy Hess-Slocum kathy@ivcba.org CONTRIBUTORS Richard Miner Meghan Ochs Mike Danahey Mary Danahey

Chris Talbot LIVE.WORK.PLAY. DESIGNER: Lori Fulton PHOTOGRAPHY:

LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

SUMMER 2021

BOARD MEMBERS Linda Offerdahl TREASURER/FINANCE: Mike Young BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE: Blane Johnson COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE: Sheila Leijon CHAIR:

LIVE.WORK.PLAY. QUARTERLY:

Kathy Hess-Slocum Julie Malkin-Manning INCLINE SCHOOLS: Mary Danahey COMMUNICATIONS: Lee Weber-Koch QUARTERLY EVENTS:

COMMUNITY LIAISONS DUFFIELD COMMUNITY LIAISON: ENVIRONMENT:

30 + 31

Josh Palmer

Amy Berry

INCLINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL:

PUBLISHING DISCLOSURE NOTICE LIVE. WORK. PLAY. is the official quarterly publication of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Association (IVCBA). Cost to produce and distribute this publication is offset by advertising revenues and budgeted funds. The inclusion of advertising in this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by IVCBA or its Board of Directors of the projects, services or views contained therein. FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES please contact Kathy Hess-Slocum at (775) 846-5656, kathy@ivcba.org

Karli Epstein IVGID: Darren Howard Kendra Murray Ryan Sommers/Tia Rancourt PARASOL TAHOE: Laura Roche/Claudia Andersen SNU: Rob Valli TAHOE PROSPERITY CENTER: Heidi Hill-Drum VISITOR BUREAU/NLTRA: Andy Chapman WASHOE COUNTY COMMISSIONER: Alexis Hill WSO: Sheriff Balaam

INCLINE VILLAG E CRYSTAL COMMUNITY BAY & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

INCLINE VILLAGE REALTORS:

SUMMER 2021

| VOL. 1

Business High

NLTFPD:

light: Max Jones P. 10

Local Hero es Weekend Pull out: July 3–4, 202 1 P. 15

Incline Villa ge High School Senior Clas s Photo

P. 19

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 5377

15–18

Association

Crystal Bay

Local Resident: Chris Talbot

Aiding Your Body’s Natural

Incline Village

6+7

969 Tahoe Blvd. Incline Village, NV 89451

Demographics

COVER PHOTO: Chris Talbot Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

B U I L D

C O M M U N I T Y.

J O I N

I VC B A .

WELCOME...to locals, to our summer locals and to new residents!

incline village crystal bay

Kick off the summer season by attending the Local Heroes 4th of July Weekend! Festivities start on Saturday, July 3 with the NLTFPD Pancake Breakfast and continue with the Local Heroes Parade at 10:00 am on Incline Way. Find the details in the centerfold of this magazine After the parade ends at Sierra Nevada University on Country Club, stick around for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Meet and Greet. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM As we expect a busier season than ever, everyone is asked to be respectful of our environment. Washoe County is helping with its support of Clean Tahoe and its efforts to improve trash removal. Taking Care of Tahoe begins with each and every one of us doing our part. Innovative transportation options such as RTC’s FlexRIDE and TART Connect’s on-demand micro-transit shuttle, as well as the annual East Shore Express all help control traffic to keep us moving. CULTURAL EVENTS ARE BACK! The iconic Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and its Monday night Showcase Series, Classical Tahoe and TOCCATA Summer Music Fest are all back. Check out St. Patrick’s Amphitheater with a performance by McAvoy Layne’s Twain at Tahoe. Insider tip…don’t miss the local bands playing Friday Nights at the Barefoot Bar on Incline Beach. IVCBA Community and Business Association is dedicated to Building Community by supporting the businesses and nonprofits of Incline Village Crystal Bay. Find local news and a community calendar at IVCBA.org. New resident? Be sure to get your Tap into Tahoe Welcome Bag with its community information and special offers from merchants. IVCBA is a membership-based organization; with close to 120 members in just four months, it is growing fast. JOIN US as a community supporter or a business, online at IVCBA.org/join.

IVCBA.ORG

SIERRA N E VA D A UNIVERSITY

LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

...and I am your Washoe County Manager. I was appointed to my position in October of 2019 by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) who, as you know are elected by you, the citizens of Washoe County. The BCC is the policy and lawmaking body that governs the county. My role is to implement the policies and ordinances as directed by the BCC. I manage a workforce of more than 2,700 county employees and an annual operating budget of over $800 million. I work closely with the 24 appointed and elected county department heads including the county sheriff, treasurer, assessor, clerk, medical examiner, and registrar of voters, to name a few. In the short time that I have served in my position I have committed myself to collaborating with our regional and state stakeholders to improve our ability to provide services to local citizens and businesses. In the year ahead, my goal is to improve the county’s outreach and responsiveness to the needs of the Incline Village and Crystal Bay community. We are going to work harder to understand your needs and expectations and respond with a sense of urgency. We are strengthening our Communications Department to improve our communication with your community and we look forward to working with Live.Work.Play. and IVCBA to keep you informed on future developments. In short, the county wants to serve you better and we are making preparations to do so.

MY NAME IS ERIC BROWN

Eric Brown

WASHOE COUNTY MANAGER

EST.

1992

SUN BEAR Realty Management Rentals

Live the Life You Deserve...

Buy or sell your piece of paradise today through Sun Bear Realty & Property Management or let our professionals take care of your property, year-round. 25+ YEARS SERVING INCLINE VILLAGE & CRYSTAL BAY COMPREHENSIVE ADVERTISING, SALES & MARKETING 24/7 SERVICE & COMMUNICATION

To learn more about our professional real estate and property management services, please visit SunBearRealty.com or directly contact us today.

Sun Bear Realty & Property Management 775-831-9000 | info@sunbearrealty.com | 811 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, NV 89451 LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

SUMMER 2021

your

Shahri Masters grew up at Lake Tahoe, staying on for the beauty, the lifestyle, and the people. As a third-generation real estate broker, she followed the family path of real estate and construction. Shahri will bring to you a historical perspective as well as in-depth knowledge of the area, of TRPA and development, and of course –The Real Estate Market.

Helping buyers, Shahri Masters 775-831-8888 sellers, builders, masters@inclineliving.com and investors www.inclineliving.com since 1988. NV LIC. #B1870

Adventure Buddy is waiting.

adopt & save a life at

petnetwork.org (775) 832-4404

Summer is just ! er n or c e h t d n arou Summer Day Camps for Kids ages 5 to 14

FOR MORE INFO:

skiingisbelieving.org/summer-21

y Creating health arts bodies, good he s and happy mind and through sport vice. community ser IVCBA.ORG

LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

Incline Village=IV Crystal Bay=CB

Population by Age

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2010 Summary File 1. ESRI forecasts for 2020 and 2025 ESRI converted Census 2000 data into 2010 geography.

Age IV CB 0 to 4 3.8% 1.2% 5 to 9 4.4% 1.2% 10 to 14 5.0% 1.8% 15 to 24 10.0% 2.4% 24 to 34 11.8% 4.7% 35 to 44 10.6% 7.7% 45 to 54 12.1% 11.2% 55 to 64 16.4% 24.8% 65 to 74 16.7% 33.6% 75 to 84 7.7% 8.6% 85+ 1.5% 2.9%

POPULATION BY

White Alone IV 84.1% CB 95.6%

Black Alone

IV 0.4% CB 0.3%

American Indian Alone

IV 0.3% CB 0.6%

Asian Alone

IV 2.4% CB 1.5%

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SUMMER 2021

Pacific Islander Alone IV 0.1% CB 0.0%

Some Other Race Alone

IV 10.0% CB 2.1%

Two or More Races

IV 2.7% CB 0.0%

Hispanic Origin

IV 21.3% CB 2.9%

Population by Graduate/ Professional Degree IV 22.6% CB 62.8%

Bachelor’s Degree IV 35.6% CB 29.3%

Associate Degree IV 7.6% CB 0.0% Some College/ No Degree IV 18.8% CB 7.9%

GED/Alternative Credential IV 1.2% CB 0.0%

High School Graduate IV 8.9% CB 0.0%

9th to 12th Grade/ No Diploma IV 3.1% CB 0.0%

Less than 9th Grade IV 2.4% CB 0.0%

Affordability

Mortgage

Wealth

Housing Affordability Index

Percent of Income for Mortgage

Wealth Index

IV • 72 CB • 56

IV • 34.1% CB • 44.6%

IV • 208 CB • 336

IVCBA.ORG

LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

CHRIS TALBOT ©

By Meghan Ochs

A Traditional Photographer in Modern Times A FEW MINUTES

into my first conversation with local photographer, Chris Talbot, of Talbot Photography, I realized he was a little different than many still and travel photographers in the present day. No doubt, he has an artistic personality, and perhaps my age was betraying me, but something stood out that was distinguishable relative to many other professional photographers in the digital era. Chris was born in Malibu but his family moved to Incline when he was in grade school. He briefly lived in Hawaii, and other than his years of school at USC, Incline has been his home base. Upon hearing him mention the places he’s lived, all of which are postcard worthy, it seemed only natural that he would become a travel photographer. He readily admits he was inspired by his surroundings from a young age. Unlike a lot of photographers, especially everyday photography heroes armed with a smartphone, Chris actually has a degree in photography. His minor in still photography, was ironically canceled the year he finished the degree, perhaps a bit prophetic considering the watering down of his profession by modern, extremely accessible everyday technology. These days with everyone armed with a camera in their pocket and the ability to alter or edit photos, it can be hard to distinguish professional from amateur or hobbyist. Chris admits this has been a challenge for him as a true professional, which he defines as someone who makes 1/4 to 1/2, or more, of their living strictly on photography. He certainly doesn’t have anything against people with passion or ambition, but does LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

SUMMER 2021

feel that an art has been lost. He refuses to alter his landscape photos as it’s “God’s work, not mine,” and “If it’s not a good picture, don’t take it.” These simple phrases summarize the beautiful simplicity of Chris’ stunning images. On one particular trip to Vietnam, a place he visits and shoots regularly, Chris only took 30 frames. I was shocked by this given my own experience with every iPhone I’ve ever owned. He truly believes in quality over quantity. Unlike so many of his contemporaries, Chris still uses film. He only uses digital when he is shooting for commercial purposes or contract jobs. Chris has worked in many studios over the years, today, he works in the most traditional studio of all, the great outdoors. It’s just him and his camera. While he no longer has a dark room, he is highly skilled in the process. The skill of developing images this way is largely unknown to an entire generation of photographers. Chris’ versatility in both knowing and using older photography methods in addition to his understanding of current technologies and their applications, have allowed him to stay not only relevant in a quickly changing world, but have also granted him great success. He admits he is still learning the business but after thirty years I think it is fait to say he’s ‘made it’. Those who live in the Tahoe area have likely seen many of Chris’s images. He shoots contract jobs for multiple local real estate firms. Chris has also become quite the foodie, using his education and talent in still photography to sell and promote cuisine and cocktails both locally and when he travels internationally, which is often. Most people might be inclined to think that a true photographers job might include a lot of events, like weddings, they wouldn’t be wrong. While Chris no longer shoots weddings, he is no stranger to them, having shot 1,267 weddings over the course of his 32 year long career. He credits weddings and large events with helping to develop his eye. Occasionally, he still shoots a portrait or two for people he knows, but these days, outside of real estate and food promos, he prefers to go back to what helped him fall in love with photography in the first place, travel. One of his favorite places to shoot is Vietnam where he travels regularly and works for a handful of private resorts. Chris has some personal connections there too. His 13 year old daughter, Emma Ly, is Vietnamese and she goes to Lake Tahoe School. He speaks of Vietnam with the same affection that he does of his home here in Incline, with the love and adulation of someone who has obviously experienced the land from both sides of the lens. Chris relationship with the camera and the scenery he shoots might not be as common as it used to be in the photography world, but there is no doubt that his images are timeless.

$2.5

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Chase International continues to lead the luxury real estate market, selling more homes over $5, $10 and $20 million, year after year.

For more information, contact Jenny Johnson at the Incline Village office at 775.691.4382 or jjohnson@chaseinternational.com

30+ YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE COVERING THE ENTIRE LAKE TAHOE AREA “I have a passion for exceeding my clients’ expectations and will only rest when I know their personal needs were professionally handled from start to finish.”

With an enthusiastic approach to life, buyers and sellers alike always feel confident that Mike puts one hundred percent of this time and talent toward each real estate transaction. He is a career leader and motivator who brings a strong business background to the forefront of real estate. He covers the entire Lake region, both NV and CA and has been licensed for 30+ years. Mike is a resource for information in any of these areas and loves working with his clients in showing the history of the various area to help them purchase their Tahoe retreat. Motivated for all the right reasons, you can find Mike in Chase International’s Incline Village office.

MIKE YOUNG LAKE TAHOE REALTOR® CRS SRES NV BS.0029150 | CA BRE 784148

775 771 2391 myoung@chaseinternational.com Incline Village office: 917 Tahoe Boulevard

T H E LEADER IN LUXURY REAL E STAT E

V I S I T: CH AS E I N T E RN AT I ON A L.COM IVCBA.ORG

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CHRIS TALBOT ©

By Meghan Ochs

WHILE TAHOE IS WORLD RENOWNED

for mountain biking, there is one trail that has arguably brought Tahoe more biking fame than any other, the Flume Trail. The Flume Trail certainly isn’t easy, but the scenery far outweighs its difficulty. The beauty of this trail can’t be credited to anyone, but its accessibility, as an acclaimed biking trail can be, meet Max Jones. Max Jones, the owner of the Tunnel Creek Cafe and Flume Trail Bikes, was a professional mountain biker for 13 years. As his resume suggests, Max likes a healthy challenge. When he and his wife Patti McMullan moved to Tahoe in 1982, he soon discovered what would become a life changing one. While out on his bike, Max happened upon what could loosely be described as a trail. His exploration of this ‘Flume Trail’ was a game changer for both him and the community. The Flume Trail was a remnant of the lumber industry and their creation of wooden channels to transport water. When the mills left Tahoe their ‘flume’ routes remained. Upon his discovery in 83’, Max immediately knew he had to ride it but it wasn’t anywhere near rideable. He met the challenge and cleared the trail by hand, daily, the entire summer. He cleared brush, landslide debris and removed piping left behind by a company in the 60’s who had abandon their attempt to revive The Flume. That company dozed all the old wood flume remnants off of the flume. Max knew, even then, that the Flume was something

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special. Officially it is 4.5 miles long, offering a great variety of terrain. However, the locals know it is the scenery that makes this trail exceptional. The lure of the Flume is why media outlets around the world can’t stop writing about it and why biking enthusiasts come yearly to ride it. Max’s story is a bonus. While his trail building days are behind him, he has done plenty since. Max won two national mountain biking championships and rode all around the world. His bike travels in Europe are where the inspiration for his second career was found. As pure as his desire was related to The Flume, it was a similar simple desire for good food and drink that led him and his wife to open the Tunnel Creek Cafe. Those who are attracted to Tahoe by the trail that brought Max acclaim, now stay for the delicious bites and beverages at the cafe built with a similar work ethic using different skills. Tunnel Creek, run primarily by his wife Patti McMullan, offers quality and convenience. Flume Trail Bikes, operated by Max, offers shuttle service to the trail of the same name from the cafe. Max’s accomplishments with the trail and their services to nearby recreation are beneficial to bikers; however, the cafe and its success undoubtedly prove his reach beyond the biking community. There are few residents who have had such a last and positive imprint on the town of Incline as Max Jones. Both the trail he made famous, and its adjacent cafe are popular for different reasons, but both have an indisputable and timeless appeal, adding to Tahoe’s fame and acclaim.

INCLINE VILLAGE & CRYSTAL BAY VISITORS BUREAU

Urges Visitors to Travel Informed this Summer By Madison Schultz Lake Tahoe is a west coast dream — providing snowcapped mountains for winter sports in the colder months of the year, and warm, sunny beach days spent on the lake in the summer. With the perfect lifestyle balance between cold and warm weather that Lake Tahoe represents, it makes for the perfect vacation spot for many individuals traveling from out of town and into the Tahoe Basin. As COVID-19 statistics overall are low, the summer season is in full swing, and many local organizations in the region are planning for a bustling and busy summer. To keep locals, tourists, businesses, and others accountable, The Incline Village & Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau is providing educational tools, programs, and more for those that are traveling into North Lake Tahoe for their summer vacation. “We have a feeling that [this] summer will also be very busy, similar to last year’s summer,” Andy Chapman, President/CEO of the Incline Village & Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau said. The Visitors Bureau decided to take a different approach to the summer tourist season and instead of creating advertisements in populous areas around the nation as the organization has done in years past, they are progressively educating the visitors that have already planned their vacations to the region for this year with key messaging surrounding responsible travel to the Tahoe area. “We’d typically be out there promoting travel, but we feel that there will be plenty of that already, so we’re putting that on hold and more so focusing on key messaging to visitors while they’re here in market,” Chapman said. To kick off the summer season, the main key message point that the Incline Village & Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau is putting out there is informing responsible travel in content and messaging. “We want to inform visitors how to travel responsibly through messaging — meaning what should a visitor expect when they’re here and what do [locals] expect of them when they’re here,” Chapman said. “We also have a series of content videos and other content points about responsible travel available online to inform everyone in

a positive and progressive way.” Along with advocating for responsible travel, the Visitors Bureau is also asking visitors to take the ‘Travel and Responsibility Pledge’ that the organization created. “We’re really putting a lot of effort into this pledge and getting people involved into signing the pledge,” Chapman said. “Primarily [we] are able to digitally promote this through cellphones of the visitors that are here.” The pledge states that whether local or visitor, all should pledge that we should be mindful our impact, and respectful of the magnificent environment of North Lake Tahoe. The pledge is simple, yet powerful in ways that preserve and protect the area and the community. Another way to promote safe and sustainable travel this summer season that the Visitors Bureau is promoting is by utilizing public transit programs in the North Lake Tahoe area. For more information, visit page 28. While the Incline Village/Crystal Bay community is anticipating a busy summer season, the Visitors Center is looking forward to accommodating and educating all in the area a safe, enjoyable summer. “We’re here at the Visitors Center, open seven days a week. We encourage our visitors to come in so we can point them in the direction that they want to go,” Chapman said. “We want to help our visitors understand what demand and capacity issues there may be at certain trailheads, beaches and other public, typically active areas. We can really help the visitors navigate the best options for them to accommodate their stay and make it a great vacation for them but also safe for our environment and community.” Visitors can visit the Incline Village & Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau at 969 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV 89451. For more information on safe travel to the North Lake Tahoe area, visit: gotahoenorth.com/know beforeyougo For more information on responsible travel and the Responsible Travel Pledge, visit: gotahoenorth. com/northlaketahoevideos IVCBA.ORG

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Post-pandemic Signs of Life in Incline/Crystal Bay Commercial Real Estate Market By Mike Danahey

THE LAKE TAHOE region’s housing market boom, particularly here in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, has been the talk of local as well as national media.

Here’s a look at what’s happening in the commercial property market in Incline: Trevor Smith of Coldwell Banker and past president of Incline Village Realtors, has leased the space at 925 Tahoe Blvd. to digital marketing and media company ConsumerTrack. ConsumerTrack owner Brett Rossman and wife, Lauren, were featured in a WSJ article about people who left cities during the pandemic to live and work in resort towns. Rossman said the pandemic accelerated their plans to run a virtual office “because being in Tahoe brings so many lifestyle benefits and is a beautiful place to work’. Smith also noted the sale of “Spitsen Lumber at 1054 Tahoe Blvd. to Zoom founder Eric Yuan. Smith said the plan is to convert the spot to use for boat storage. Incline Property Management President Larry Wodarski noted that 869 Tahoe Blvd., which held the Wildflower Cafe, was purchased by the Natural Grocers family of stores. Wodarski also noted that the Centerpoint Building, 865 Tahoe Blvd. is listed for sale. “The current owner had sections of the interior demolished and set up as open space for prospective tenants to build out according to their needs while the lower floor is leased as small executive suites,” Wodarski said. The building at 800 Tahoe Blvd. is a tale of two stories. The second story holds Village Ski Loft, a local institution that’s been in business for more than 40 years. LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

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“They’re a fixture here in Incline and the only full-service ski-shop on this corner of Lake Tahoe. We’re proud to have them as a tenant,” said Scott Dutcher, General Manager at Tahoe Immo, which owns commercial and retail properties throughout the area. The first floor, though, is a different story. Over the years, it’s held a number of food and/or drink establishments, most recently Brewforia, which closed last year during the pandemic. Dutcher said that he has completely gutted the first floor to make it available for showing to interested tenants. Other plans for the building include an extensive exterior remodel. Dutcher noted that there has been a gap in the quality of available commercial space in Incline compared to other towns surrounding Lake Tahoe. However, he sees signs of progress and hopes that the state and county government come through with funding for infrastructure work along Tahoe Blvd, which will help with developing commercial sites along the route. “We still have many office vacancies. They are slowly disappearing but there is no rush to rent office/retail space, like there is for the residential market,” Smith said. Sabrina Belleci, owner and broker at RE/ MAX North Lake in Incline Village feels that as people realize they can live in the Incline area and have a “real job” more commercial space will begin to fill up with tech-related businesses. What this recent commercial real estate activity may indicate, Wodarski said, is “something’s going on in the village, and it is hoped that it will be a renaissance to a commercial core that has largely been stagnant for years.”

Ryan E. Sommers FIRE CHIEF

SUMMER IS HERE, THE SUN IS OUT, AND THE SNOW IS MELTING.

Please be sure you are taking every precaution to protect your home from wildfire by getting a defensible space evaluation. Take advantage of our free defensible space and chipping and services! Requests can be made online. The fire district can issue free tree removal permits for fire hazard trees, but their removal must accompany complete defensible space treatments. Also take advantage of the Residential Curbside Yard Waste Recycling Collection through Waste Management (WM), May 3–July 25 and October 4–30, 2021. For more information call WM (775) 831-2971. For homeowners that have a vacant USFS lot next adjacent to your home, you can adopt a lot/ask about lot stewardship by calling (530) 543-2759. Now is also the perfect time to review your emergency preparedness and evacuation plans, sign up for emergency alerts, and talk to neighbors about the importance of wildfire preparedness. Permanent residents, second homeowners, and vacation homeowners/renters should familiarize themselves with and follow advice found at Tahoe Living With Fire on how to prepare their homes and neighborhoods from the threat of wildfire.

Effective May 24, 2021, charcoal fires are prohibited in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, Nevada. This ban is in accordance with our Federal and State land management officials. Fuel-fired recreational fire pits (e.g., natural gas or propane) are allowed by permit only. To obtain a permit for a fuel-fired appliance, please contact the Fire District, (775) 831-0351, ext. 8107. Fuel-fired appliances shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Natural gas and propane barbecuing are acceptable as long as used within the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations. For more information visit our Outdoor Burning page. We are offering ongoing Moderna COVID-19 vaccine appointments for ages 18+. To learn more and register, click here Please visit the Washoe County website for information on Short Term Rentals (STR) and information on Fire District inspections for STR’s can be found here. In accordance with Washoe County guidelines, the NLTFPD will conduct a defensible space inspection for all short-term rental applications in Incline Village/Crystal Bay that do not have a current compliant inspection. Occupancies with fire protection systems (e.g., fire sprinklers or monitored fire alarm systems) will receive a fire and life safety inspection to ensure the system(s) have been inspected and serviced annually. Systems shall be serviced by a fire protection contractor that is licensed in the State of Nevada and certified by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The owner or owner’s representative shall be on-site for inspections conducted by NLTFPD.

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CHRIS TALBOT

McAvoy

LAYNE

By Meghan Ochs

“Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.” This colloquialism takes new meaning when you meet McAvoy Layne, a well known Mark Twain impersonator. McAvoy is a 78 year old Incline resident who has lived a fascinating life both as himself and as the famous author with local ties. McAvoy’s life took an unusual turn 33 years ago when he was snowed in on Tahoe’s west shore and began reading ‘The Complete Essays of Mark Twain.’ The Essays weren’t his first piece of Twain writing but they were perfectly timed and lit a fire. It took him ten years to complete the entire compilation, but nowhere near as long to alter course and bring Twain to reality in modern times. An impersonator is an actor. Both need to truly immerse themselves in their character. They must wholeheartedly believe they are someone else in order for an audience to connect. It’s easy to see how lines between identities can blur. McAvoy admits the line between himself and Twain is often grey and he slips into Twain without realizing. Three decades in, with more than 4,000 performances, and one can see why those around him often ground him to the present. He has a self imposed rule that every other book must be a non Twain work. Recently, he has focused on writing by women and people of color. This choice is not just a sign of the times, but also one at least partially influenced by Twain himself. McAvoy acknowledges that Twain certainly wasn’t perfect and his writings don’t always age well. Contrarily, he also believes Twain was ahead of his time relative to his peers. Twain was an advocate of women’s equality and a reader of Frederick Douglass. No surprise, McAvoy is as well. Professionally, McAvoy has made an impressive career as Twain. Personally, he credits Twain for making him a better person. Certainly his life as Twain has given him a more storied one. Together, McAvoy as Twain, has been on many adventures. They have performed at the famous Piper’s Opera House, visited the ‘Sandwich’ Islands and climbed inside Sputnik II in Russia. Additional travels included numerous trips to Europe through the State Department for educational LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

SUMMER 2021

purposes. Recently, he filmed ‘Ghost Adventures’, for the Travel Channel and has previously filmed for The Comstock Foundation on PBS. Some local accolades include the former Mark Twain multicultural center. He, McAvoy, also performed on the Tahoe Queen and MS Dixie for 13 summers, two tours a day. Together, all these experiences account for his favorite memories as Twain. As for his favorite writing, ‘Roughing it’ takes the prize; although naturally, it’s hard to choose. McAvoy’s most common gig as Twain has been school visits. These days McAvoy visits schools less frequently as he is nearing retirement. When he turns 80, he plans to turn to gardening and say goodbye to Twain. McAvoy stresses Twain’s cultural importance, he says, “Twain speaks with an immediacy that transcends the ages.” It is for this reason, and surely many others, that McAvoy plans on ensuring that ‘Twain’ lives on after him. Rob Alvey, is McAvoy’s Twain mentee and together they are ensuring that Twain will ‘live’ on. Observing McAvoy in his own house, its impossible not to notice the ‘Mark Twain slept here’ sign hanging just behind him, as well as the naturalness of his painted white hair and the detail with which he thoughtlessly feeds the stellar jay, aptly named Huckleberry, as it chirps outside his window. It is easy to see why he often slips into Twain without noticing. McAvoy smiles sideways and speaks with subtle humor and there is another chirp at the window, presumingly Huckleberry back for more seeds and beer nuts, but no. It’s a different jay, Huckleberry’s girlfriend Emmeline, also purposefully named. In that moment, I was certain I had never seen a better example of life imitating art nor a more sincere form of flattery. Mark Twain does indeed live on and surely he is also flattered.

For Download: dropbox.com/sh/4lhszabyupea1kj/ AADpaPtQpjkV8C3Pe1w7ilona?dl=0 IVCBA.ORG

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Regenerative Medicine: Aiding Your Body’s Natural Healing Process imaging studies and discussion of previous treatments.

How Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Works By Alison Ganong, MD

IF YOU’RE DEALING with arthritis or an

injury, regenerative medicine may be an option to help stimulate healing. The goal of this type of treatment is to regenerate body tissue and techniques can include injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells. Conditions that may benefit from regenerative medicine include: • Rotator cuff partial tears • Tennis elbow • Achilles tendon problems • Knee or hip arthritis • Spine and back pain Regenerative medicine can be provided by a physiatrist — a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. To determine if you’re a candidate for regenerative medicine, your physiatrist will evaluate you based on a physical exam,

h I am here to assist you

before, during and after every transaction.

Pam is an excellent real estate agent who has proven to be thoroughly professional, kind and trustworthy. We originally found Pam on Zillow and decided to work with her to find a property in Incline Village. Pam was very knowledgeable about the housing market in Incline Village and immediately responded to our emails and phone calls with candid and insightful answers. This was particularly helpful for us, as we were shopping for properties remotely from the San Francisco Bay Area. Pam is patient and a great listener and she honed in on exactly what we wanted. Working with Pam was a very pleasant experience - she’s a straight shooter and one of the best real estate agents we’ve ever worked with!

PamF ernandez

Broker-Salesman Lakeshore Realty~across from Incline Beach Mobile 775-742-3096

Broker-Salesman, GRI / NV Lic BS.20002 / 775.742.3096 / TahoePam@Gmail.com

NV License #20002 Learn more Pam and search for 1974 properties at: TahoePam.com Northabout Tahoe Resident since – 11 –

Selling Incline Village since 1988

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When you’re injured, your body responds by delivering platelet cells to the injured area. These platelets begin the repair process by forming a clot in the injured area, which prevents further bleeding and serves as a scaffold for new tissue to grow. The platelets release growth factors to attract the cells, such as stem cells, necessary to heal the area. PRP therapy aids the body’s natural healing process by delivering a higher concentration of platelets directly to the area of need. PRP is formed by drawing a sample of your blood, which is centrifuged to concentrate the blood platelets. The PRP is then injected back into the injured area. In addition to being safe and effective, PRP therapy is a fairly simple procedure, requiring less than an hour in the clinic. Most conditions require only one PRP injection. It may take up to three months to notice improvements, but the benefits last much longer than many other forms of treatment since PRP injections are fixing the problem rather than masking symptoms.

Understanding Stem Cell Procedures

Stem cells help heal injured tissues such as bone, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Following some injuries, our bodies struggle to heal, particularly as we get older. In regenerative medicine, stem cell procedures deliver a high concentration of stem cells to the injured area, aiding your body’s ability to heal naturally. One source of stem cells is bone marrow found in the hip bone. The bone marrow is rich in mesenchymal stem cells, which help heal damaged tissues. In this procedure, a small bone marrow sample is taken from the hip through a needle. The stem cells are isolated from the marrow sample in a centrifuge and injected directly into the injured area using advanced imaging guidance. Patients experience little downtime following this procedure and avoid the long, painful rehabilitation periods that can follow surgery. Research is ongoing as to how regenerative medicine can treat a variety of conditions. Studies show promising results for tendon injuries, muscle strains and knee arthritis in particular. Talk with your care provider whether this type of treatment might be an option for you. Dr. Alison Ganong is a Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physician with Barton Health. Dr. Ganong will host a free Wellness Webinar on Thursday, April 22 at 5pm. Register in advance, or view previously recorded webinars at BartonHealth. org/Lecture. Learn more about Dr. Ganong’s Regenerative Medicine treatments at Lake Tahoe, Incline Village and Carson City, by visiting BartonOrthopedicsAndWellness.com or calling (530) 543-5554.

Expanding Access Improving Affordability

Outpatient MRI Now Open

Offering competitive pricing to regional outpatient MRI clinics The Outpatient MRI Unit at Stateline Medical Center expands access, improves affordability and delivers the high-quality patient experience. Specified Outpatient MRI services will cost $1,125* and patients without insurance and choosing a cash pay option will receive a discount of 30% resulting in an out-of-pocket cost of only $787*. *Radiologist fee will be additional. Price subject to change.

530.543.5850 165 Highway 50 Stateline, NV 89449

bartonhealth.org/medical-imaging

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Kari Michael By Mary Danahey

VETERAN EDUCATOR KARI MICHAEL started her job as Incline Middle

Every student deserves new opportunities to be successful with the support of a team who believes the same,

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School principal last July, during the heart of the lingering pandemic. Michael came to the IMS principal job after spending 14 years serving in various roles at Incline High School. There she had stints as special education department leader, dean of students and assistant principal. “I come from a long line of educators… “it’s in my blood” Michael said. “Both grandmothers and my mom taught at Kings Beach Elementary School. My grandmothers were there before there were schools in Incline Village. My sister is a music teacher, and many of our cousins are also teachers or principals.” Michael said she didn’t become a teacher with visions of someday being a principal. She was a special education teacher for 13 years before becoming an administrator. However, she feels her classroom experiences have left her prepared for the position. “My work as a special education teacher informs my practice daily. Clear expectations. Solid communication. No judgment. Follow through on consequences and move on. Reset. Every student deserves new opportunities to be successful with the support of a team who believes the same,” Michael said. She believes that it is important to always emphasize “to move on and create more positive memories to replace the negative.” To that point, Michael said she looks at the current crop of Incline Middle School students and sees their greatest potential. “I want to push every middle school student to reach for the stars knowing that this community will support them every step of the way,” Michael said. That support includes a tech drive, led by the Incline Education Fund and Jr Boosters, which raised more than $100,000 and which is allowing all IMS students to be lent new laptops to use for their studies. While life has been overwhelming the past year, especially for working parents, Michael said keeping in touch with students and their families long past graduation day keeps her motivated. “I am grateful for the relationships I have made during my educational career,” Michael said.

SUMMER 2021

Mary Knows Incline Village Resident of Incline for over 25 years

Mary Jurkonis Broker-Salesperson, Dickson Realty M » 775-772-1514 E » mjurkonis@dicksonrealty.com NV LIC: BS.145621

— bixbyauctions.com — We are a local small business that know the charities in the Tahoe area. Our primary focus is helping local charities succeed with what is usually their biggest event of the year. We don’t just show up the day of the event and wing it. We are there during the whole planning process.

Want to ensure that your next fundraiser succeeds? Bixby Benefit Auctioneers can help! With Bixby, you can trust you’ll receive: • A dedicated and experienced local team with strong regional ties • Access to attractive auction items • Donor targeting

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Advertise your business and help support IVCBA Circulation 7,000 Direct mailed to Incline Village and Crystal Bay each quarter. Next issue will deliver mid November. Deadline is October 22 for space. Contact Kathy Hess-Slocum 775.846.5656 | kathy@justimaginemktg.com

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INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL’S NEXT PRINCIPAL, Tierney Cahill, comes to the post with

an inspiring backstory which sheds light on innovative techniques in education she’ll be bringing up the hill with her. Back in 2000, challenged by the 6th grade class she taught at Sarah Winnemucca Elementary School in Reno, Cahill wound up running for Congress. She had her class run her campaign, offering a prime example of projectbased learning and winding up becoming the Democrat’s nominee in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. That experience caught media attention, including an NPR piece, Ms Cahill Goes To Washington and led to Cahill writing a book with Linden Gross. Ms. Cahill for Congress One Fearless Teacher, Her Sixth-Grade Class, and the Election That Changed Their Lives Forever (2008, Penguin/Random House) garnered national attention and a CSPAN interview by Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton in April 2009. During her 31+ years as an educator, Cahill has had the opportunity to study at both the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is currently taking part in a program on school finance run by Georgetown University. Of coming to Incline High, Cahill said that she is looking forward to the opportunity, as “there’s potential for innovation and creativity in a small school that is more difficult to create in a larger system.” Cahill’s approach to education allows for students being involved in solving real world problems. Her main focus this coming school year, though, will be to find ways to re-engage students back into school, past the pandemic and the havoc it has wreaked on education. “I am concerned about the anxiety and mental health issues of young people. Isolation has not been kind to many children,” she said. “it’s going to be important to really be in tune with our students, build relationships and help them achieve their personal goals.” Cahill added, “I think we just need to meet kids where they are and not stress them out. This was a worldwide pandemic. How about saying, great job getting through a horrible time. It’s going to get better, and we’re going to be by your side to help you.”

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THE NEWLYREMODELED INCLINE VILLAGE TENNIS & PICKLEBALL

Center offers eight tennis courts, 12 pickleball courts, and a fullystocked Pro Shop. The center is located at 964 Incline Way (adjacent to the Recreation Center). During the off-season, the Tennis & Pickleball Center underwent a major renovation, with a brand-new patio area, upgraded bathroom facilities, and a much-improved customer experience. We’d like to invite the entire community to come see the new facilities. Clinics, socials, mixers, tournaments, and youth camps are offered throughout the summer months, welcoming locals and visitors alike. Our professional and friendly staff is available to arrange your next game, find you a perfect hitting partner, or answer any racket, stringing or tennis/pickleball gear questions that you may have.

SAVE THE DATE: INCLINE TENNIS OPEN & INCLINE PICKLEBALL OPEN

These are THE local tournaments of the year. Win bragging rights as the best player/team in town as well as great prizes. The Incline Opens are fun-filled competitions with men’s and women’s singles and doubles divisions, as well as mixed doubles, for players levels 3.0–5.0. Advance registration is required. Visit inclinetennis.com for full details. TENNIS OPEN: Aug. 6–8 (Friday through Sunday) PICKLEBALL OPEN: Aug. 13–15 (Friday through Sunday)

BOCCE BALL & SUNSET SOCIALS

Join players at the new bocce complex (located at the Incline Village Recreation Center) for friendly competition bocce ball, wine, music, light appetizers and fun. Open to all adults and seniors ages 21+. Stay afterwards for the optional post-bocce potluck. Please bring an item to share, your favorite beverage, and personal picnic supplies if you plan to stay for dinner. Thurs. through Sept. 2, 4–6 pm (dinner following) $8 or $6 with IVGID Picture Pass (per week) LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

SUMMER 2021

55+ HIKING SERIES

Join IVGID Senior Programs every Tuesday for guided hikes to beautiful Lake Tahoe locations. Bring water, lunch and sunscreen (camera and hiking poles suggested). Wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Advance reservations are required. See the Senior Programs page on inclinerecreation.com for full details. Tues. through Oct. 26, 8:30 am–3:30 pm $13 or $10 with IVGID Picture Pass (per week)

55+ MOUNTAIN/E-BIKING SERIES

Ride with friends on beautiful local trails. Join fellow bikers on pre-planned routes, researched and selected by IVGID Senior Programs staff. Following these morning rides, join the group for an optional, no-host lunch at one of a variety of local restaurants. Mountain bikes or E-Bikes are welcome. Bring water, helmet, sunscreen and snacks. Please bring/wear appropriate clothing and gear. Meet at 9:15 am in the Recreation Center parking lot prior to departure. Advance reservations are required. See the Senior Programs page on inclinerecreation.com for full details. Weds. through Oct. 27, 9:15 am–12 pm $13 or $10 with IVGID Picture Pass (per week) TO FIND OUT MORE: yourtahoeplace.com/ivgid

THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Enjoy strolling the East Shore Trail? Like to see the views from the Incline Flume Trail without having to hike up a steep trail? Appreciate the clear waters running through 3rd Creek? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have the Tahoe Fund and its many partners to thank. The Tahoe Fund’s mission is to use the power of philanthropy to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy. Transformational, collaborative projects that will build a balance between the human and natural environments. In the past few years, the organization has leveraged $3 million in private funds to help project partners secure more than $50 million for environmental improvement projects. The Tahoe Fund has built its reputation as an action-oriented organization managed by the thoughtful, dedicated leadership of its deeply committed board. Perhaps most impressive, this team has fostered public-private collaboration in a way that successfully supports what it set out to do — fund environmental projects around the Lake Tahoe Basin that improve forest health, lake clarity, sustainable recreation, transportation and stewardship. The organization has collaborated with more than 20 partners to make these projects possible. The Tahoe Fund’s ability to offer financial support to key projects has been achieved through the generous contributions of members of its Stewardship Circle, the Green Bucks guest donation program that invites local business patrons to contribute $1 for Tahoe, and contributions from local businesses and individual donors in support of specific projects. The organization is currently focused on a new singletrack trail at Tunnel Creek, and is working with partners on the next section of the East Shore Trail that will connect Sand Harbor to Spooner Summit. Ready to help make an impact? Learn more about the Tahoe Fund and how to become a supporter at tahoefund.org.

Amy R. Berry, CEO TahoeFund.org

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THIS SUMMER, leave your car behind with

many free transportation options to link you to work and play! TART (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit) takes you where you want to go. Whether traveling from Incline Village to Truckee, Crystal Bay, Kings Beach, Tahoe City or the West Shore, just leave the driving to TART! Heading out for a day to hike or bike along the trails, swim at the many beaches or enjoy an evening out? With realtime transit information, and extended hours and frequency you can plan your trip and leave your car at home. Just go to TahoeTruckeeTransit.com to plan your trip. Beginning June 24 through Labor Day, TART has an exciting new offering — TART Connect! The free, on-demand, curb-to-curb shuttle service along the North Shore. It runs daily from 8:00 am–Midnight. Just download the App for TART Connect! For more information: TahoeTruckeeTransit.com/summer21 or beginning June 24, call (530) 214-5811. TART Connect will operate in three zones. Zone 1 provides service within Dollar Point, Tahoe City, Sunnyside, Homewood, and Tahoma. Zone

2 provides service within Brockway, Kings Beach, and Tahoe Vista. Zone 3 provides service within Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Users in each zone can request an on-demand ride using the TART Connect app for pick up in as little as 15 minutes! More Summer offerings include: extended Night service on the North Shore and in Truckee; daily TART service on the North Shore; free park and ride service to leave your car and hop on TART or TART Connect; East Shore Express Shuttle service from Incline Village to Sand Harbor and RTC FlexRIDE on-demand shuttle service from Reno to Incline Village/Sand Harbor. Find out more at TahoeTruckeeTransit.com/summer21. If you are flying into or out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport, consider the North Lake Tahoe Express airport shuttle service. 24-hour advanced reservations provide service on three routes, including Truckee, Incline Village and Tahoe City with stops along the way including service to Northstar and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows. For reservations go to northlaketahoeexpress.com or call: ( 833) 709-8080.

Heading to North Lake Tahoe or Truckee? ,

Leave the car behind with so many transit options to choose from this summer.

Car Free Summer Fun in 2021! Hop on the TART bus and head to the beach, hit the trails, shop, dine, or go out and see live music and leave the driving to us.

Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit · Daily Regional Routes · Night Service · Truckee Dial-a-Ride · Free Park and Ride: Weekends July 3–Labor Day Express shuttles from Northstar parking lots to/from Kings Beach; Truckee Tahoe Unified School District to/from Tahoe City.

TahoeTruckeeTransit.com/Summer21 LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

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NEW TART Connect–Get the App! 6/24–9/6, 2021 | 8am–Midnight–Daily On-demand, free curb-to-curb shuttles serving the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.

Zone 1: Dollar Point, Tahoe City, Sunnyside, Homewood, Tahoma. Zone 2: Brockway, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista. Zone 3: Incline Village, Crystal Bay.

Just tap, relax and go. Pick up within 15 minutes within each zone. (530) 214-5811

Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership TO STUDY HOUSING NEEDS AND STRATEGIES FOR INCLINE VILLAGE AND CRYSTAL BAY A NEWLY FORMED WASHOE TAHOE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP is coordinating a needs assessment and strategies for local resident housing in the Incline Village and Crystal Bay areas of Lake Tahoe. This is the last section of the lake to have this type of housing analysis completed, and will provide important guidance on how the area fits into the greater Lake Tahoe region. Thanks to a public-private partnership effort to support this project, the Tahoe Prosperity Center is proud to once again serve as the convener for this important issue, bringing together a diverse group of local stakeholders with technical guidance from an expert consulting team. Of primary importance to this study is input from residents, local employers and employees. Please note, there will be two community surveys in the area this summer — one related to this issue of local resident housing and the other coordinated by IVGID regarding Ordinance 7.

YOU CAN TAKE THE SURVEY HERE: ENGLISH s.alchemer.com/s3/WashoeTahoe-Housing-Survey

SPANISH s.alchemer.com/s3/Washoe-Tahoe For more information visit our housing page on our website at: tahoeprosperity.org/housing-study

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INCLINE VILLAGE’S

Famous Flumes In 1880,

after establishing a successful logging business in nearby Little Valley and with the timber mostly gone on the east side, Walter S. Hobart — already a successful Comstock businessman--and partner Seneca “Sam” Marlette — the former Surveyor General for the State of Nevada — planned to move their operations to the Lake Tahoe side of the mountains where fresh stands of timber were just starting to be cut and hauled out. They chose the spot now known as Incline Village for their new venture and set about enacting an ambitious plan to collect timber from all over the north end of the lake and milling it (does “Mill Creek” ring a bell?) at a new sawmill to be built here. The man to manage this ambitions plan was none other than John Bear Overton who not coincidently also had held a similar position for the Virginia and Gold Hill Water Company (V&GHWC). But how to get all this milled timber and cord wood across the mountains and all the way down to the Carson Valley on the other side where trains from the Virginia and Truckee Railroad could haul the timber up to the mines in Virginia City? To begin with, they planned to build a short steam powered cable car affair to haul milled timber and cord wood up the side of the imposing mountains; the ox and mule team pulled wagons used elsewhere in logging just would not do. But how would they get the timber from the ridge tops across the rest of the mountain range and down to the Carson Valley on the other side? Well it wasn’t for nothing that Walter Hobart was also an owner of the V&GHWC which since the early 1860’s had been supplying Virginia City and nearby Gold Hill with that most precious commodity that mining, ore milling and the miners who worked the mines could not live without. Water. Initially much of the water that Ol’ Virginy depended upon, at least once the meager supplies available from wells and mine shafts up there had played out, came from sources on the west side of the Carson Valley. The principal source was up the Franktown Creek watershed which ended at a small lake named for Hobart himself near his Excelsior sawmill. By the early 1870’s “his” Virginia & Gold Hill had already built dams, box flumes and iron pipes to convey that precious water across the valley to Virginia City. But the demand was insatiable and the existing sources were running low, so the water company surveyed the options and LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

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upon the analysis of engineer Hermann Schussler planned to drill a nearly 4,000 foot tunnel through a mountain just north of Marlette Lake at just the right level to allow water from that lake to flow via a new flume and the new tunnel to bring water down to their previous distribution location below Hobart Lake and then on to Virginia City using the existing flumes and piping. With this knowledge and the completion of the tunnel in 1877 the possibility now existed that timber could also be transported by flumes and the tunnel from the west side to the east side of the mountains. To cement the deal, so to speak, the water company was also building a new flume called the North Flume from Third Creek below what we all now know as Tahoe Meadows down to the entrance of their new tunnel to supplement the planned water flow from Marlette Lake. This water could also be used to move lumber through the tunnel and on down to the Carson Valley, so moving their sawmill operation to the shores of Lake Tahoe just a few miles from the new tunnel was not such a big gamble after all, right? With the North Flume in place and the tunnel open, the socalled Incline Railway was constructed with cars on opposite tracks lifted or lowered by a cable affair turned by a steam powered Bull Wheel located a short distance above where the North Flume crossed on it’s way to the tunnel. In order to allow for the incoming box flume water to be able to power the V-flume to move lumber as well as to continue to be used as drinking water for Virginia City, a device was created just below the Bull Wheel to split the flow with water going into the V-flume into which the lumber was dropped during the day and then divert the water to a box flume to continue to flow at night when the sawmill was not operating. The box flume continued on to the tunnel at a lower level than the V-flume. When the V-flume reached the tunnel it was then perched directly on top of the box flume for the ride through the tunnel. The two flumes then separated at the Eastern Portal and went their separate but initially parallel ways down to Red House — a flume tenders station — where the water company’s existing facility mixed the Hobart Lake flow with the new water. A short note about flume construction is appropriate here. Historically, almost all flumes designed to carry water--at least in the mountains--were box flumes, so called because of their rectangular design with flat bottoms and vertical sides. The sides and walls were usually double planked and sand was used in the bottom to help seal them from leakage. In addition, since they carried potable water, they frequently needed to be covered to keep out debris and buried if possible to ground level to minimize the need for bracing and prevent freezing in the winter. The V flume, named for its shape, was invented because it was not only easier to construct but also required less water to move logs and less likely to get obstructed, especially if moving milled timber or cordwood which could get crosswise and jam up. V flumes were

even used “dry” if the slope was steep enough and frequently greased with butter or animal fat which in many locations was cheaper and more available than wagon grease. That said, all the Incline area flumes were fed with stream or lake water. To supply the new sawmill at the foot of the newly built Incline Railway, a narrow gauge railway was built to haul logs from Sand Harbor in the south after the original line to the north along the water to the area near the current Burnt Cedar Beach proved unsuitable. A spur line running a quarter mile inland from the beach was built to intersect with short V-flumes bringing timber down from logging operations on both Third and Incline Creeks in the general area where the route 431 traffic circle is now located. Incline Flume, originally known as The North Flume, was a box flume and was constructed by the water company immediately after the tunnel was opened to provide even more water than the Marlette Flume could supply. It ran from Third Creek just north of the current Mount Rose Highway near the location of the unrelated, and now dry Incline Lake down the mountain pulling water from several streams as it went including First, Second, Mill, Tunnel and Incline Creeks. It crossed present SR431 from north to south where the large parking area exists today just above the lookout. There’s a small parking area on the south side of the highway where the flume continued in a semicircular path following the terrain slowly descending the Incline Creek valley until reaching the Bull Wheel location. That flume and the trail that rests on its path takes about 9 surface miles to cover the 4.5 mile distance as the crow flies and drops approximately 6 feet every mile. The Marlette Lake Flume was constructed by the water company after it purchased the original dam there in 1876. They raised the height of the dam and built a flume that ran down towards their new tunnel which was still under construction. The Marlette Flume was initially planned to intersect the new tunnel as much as 200 feet higher than it eventually did. Is it possible Hobart, et. al. convinced the water company directors that lowering the tunnel level to accommodate a log V-flume as well would be a win-win? History seems to say Yes. Even today there is still evidence on one or both ends of the rock above the as-built tunnel openings that work may have started at a much higher level before being shifted downwards to the final level. By 1894 or so, most of the timber on the west side of the Carson Range had been logged off as it had been 20 years earlier on the east side, and Hobart, Seneca and Overton closed

down the business in Incline and moved operations to an area just north of present day Truckee where they had purchased considerable virgin forest land. The railroad, sawmill and many of the employees moved. The land around Lake Tahoe began to return to nature, albeit largely without trees — it was a virtual moonscape for many years to come. The flumes ceased to operate except from Marlette Lake and through the tunnel which continued to supply water to Virginia City and to the State Capitol in Carson City which, I add in conclusion, it still does to this day albeit with steel piping instead of box flumes.

Richard Miner PAST PRESIDENT, INCLINE VILLAGE & CRYSTAL BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COPIES OF MAP ABOVE AND OTHER MAPS FOR PURCHASE: KEITH PATTISON KEITHPAT789@GMAIL.COM.

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