LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Summer 2023

STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Linda Offerdahl linda@ivcba.org

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, IVCBA.ORG, COMMUNITY EVENTS: Julie Malkin-Manning Sugar Pine Events & Marketing julie@ivcba.org

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Kristin Derrin kristin@ivcba.org

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM MANAGER: Michelle Geary michelle@ivcba.org

GRAPHIC ARTIST: Grace Hubrig grace@ivcba.org

FREELANCE WRITERS: Kayla Anderson John Crockett

BOARD MEMBERS

CHAIR: Linda Offerdahl

TREASURER/FINANCE: Mike Young

BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE: Blane Johnson

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE: Sheila Leijon

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE: John Crockett

INCLINE SCHOOLS: Mary Danahey

FINANCE & PRO-BONO CPA: Craig Iverson

LIVE.WORK.PLAY. PUBLISHER: Kathy Slocum

PRO-BONO ATTORNEY: Alan Tiras

COMMUNITY LIAISONS

ENVIRONMENT: Amy Berry

INCLINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL: Louis Ward/Karli Epstein

INCLINE JUSTICE COURT: The Honorable Judge Alan Tiras

INCLINE VILLAGE REALTORS: Kendra Murray

NLTFPD: Ryan Sommers/Tia Rancourt

PARASOL TAHOE: Laura Roche/Claudia

Andersen

UNR AT LAKE TAHOE: Dr. Jill Heaton/Doug Boyle

TAHOE PROSPERITY CENTER: Heidi Hill-Drum

TRAVEL NORTH TAHOE NEVADA: Andy Chapman

WASHOE COUNTY COMMISSIONER: Alexis Hill

WASHOW COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE: Sheriff Darin Balaam/ Captain Blaine Beard

WC CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD: Diane Heirschberg

CONTRIBUTORS

Richard Miner

Kayla Anderson

John Crockett

Mary Danahey

PHOTOGRAPHY: Chris Talbot

LIVE.WORK.PLAY. DESIGNER: J. Lewis Falconer

PUBLISHING DISCLOSURE NOTICE

LIVE. WORK. PLAY. is the official 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 Slocum at (775) 846-5656, kathy@justimaginemktg.com

COVER PHOTO: JP Donovan & Belinda Quené Tahoe

Multisport

Photographer: Chris Talbot Printed

incline village crystal bay

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

KICK OFF the summer with the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration! The centerfold of this magazine lists all the activities for July 2-4. Sunday starts with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District pancake breakfast and flag raising at the fire station on Tanager. The parade is next, followed by the Community Fair and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Meet and Greet on the Village Green. New this year is a Backyard BBQ by the Incline Highlanders to support the athletics department at Incline High School. The Incline Village Crystal Bay Veterans Club organizes activities to honor vets, including the famous (for its mimosas!) pancake breakfast on July 4 on the Village Green.

IVCB SKYSHOW ON THE 4TH!

Travel North Tahoe Nevada and the SkyShow Alliance are bringing back the drone show for the second year. More entertainment and food trucks will keep the crowd entertained until the laser show and the drone show begin after dark. We are proud to say our very own Visitor Bureau is at the forefront of providing sustainable initiatives like this more environmentally friendly alternative to fireworks. They also bring the popular rideshare service, the TART Connect to Incline Village and Crystal Bay.

SUMMER MEANS MUSIC IN INCLINE VILLAGE

Not a week goes by that one of the myriad cultural organizations brings music to Incline Village. TOCCATA starts it out with their Red White and Tahoe Blue concert on the weekend before the 4th. Classical Tahoe, the Showcase concert series at Sand Harbor, music on Incline Beach on Wednesdays and Fridays… wow!

WALK LOCAL

You already know I want you to Shop Local and support our local businesses. But, did you know, how many walking paths there are in town? When that East Shore Trail is uber-busy, discover the foot paths, not just the sidewalks that meander through our Village. Start with the Bear Walk by the D.G. Menchetti Visitor Center!

IVCBA

The community and business association is the force behind communications in Incline….IVCBA.org, SnapShot newsletter and this magazine, as well as the community-wide events for July and December. Please support us! Join today at IVCBA.org.

Have a great summer!

Alexis Hill Washoe County Commissioner

Patty & John Jansen Kern Schumacher Dr. Jonathan Smith, OD

KERN SCHUMACHER

By Kayla Anderson

Kern Schumacher is living proof that if you work hard then it is quite possible to live the idyllic Tahoe lifestyle, complete with a home on Lakeshore Boulevard staring out at Big Blue that everyone wants to host their party at.

Schumacher is the definition of an entrepreneur, getting his start in business when he was just six years old. He sold vegetables to his neighbors and mowed lawns. A few years later, he started a chemical bottling business and sold products to his doctors, medical supply businesses, and others before selling it off just before graduation.

Their neighbor worked in surplus materials and gave Schumacher a head’s up when he heard about a bunch of railroad ties for sale. Schumacher saw how ties were used in landscaping, and he bought his first set when he was just 16 years old. The government was selling 400 of them, Schumacher put in a bid and won.

“They were selling them for 37 cents apiece, and I found some high school kids to help me get them and store them over in Danville,” he says.

A few years later, when he was 19, he heard that San Francisco was getting rid of all their redwood rail ties that were under the Bay Bridge. He bought all of them, re-sanded the ties and sold them off to landscapers, ranchers, and do-ityourselfers, making 4-5 times what he bought them for and became the nation’s largest supplier of worn railroad ties.

As he grew the business, he soon talked his dad into helping him buy a materials base in Utah. A&K Tie Company (now called A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.) moved its headquarters into the naval base’s former railroad roundhouse in 1963. Between 1970 and 1980, the company’s sales grew to more than $30 million with only 10 percent of its business derived from railroad ties.

In the early 1970s, his accountant told him that it would be beneficial to move to a state that didn’t charge state income tax, and he thought of the East Shore of Lake Tahoe.

“I used to come to Tahoe in the 1950s and waterski to Sand Harbor. We’d have the whole beach to ourselves- because George Whittell Jr. lived there- until the caretaker would kick us off,” Schumacher recalls.

He bought a place on Shoreline Drive in Crystal Bay, then property on Lakeshore Drive in Incline Village in 1975. He built his expansive home on it in 1986 and has been here ever since.

“I like the weather here in the summertime; you can’t beat it,” Schumacher says. Along with boating, Schumacher also plays tennis every day on his own courts and opens his home up to special events and fundraisers.

He hosts the Oscar de la Renta fashion show every summer (generally the first week in August) and this year a Tahoe

Fund event is planned where the upper echelon politicians of California and Nevada will convene. Schumacher gives up his home for weddings, birthday parties, and it’s even the premier spot for the Beach Boys to play (as a fundraiser for Tahoe Forest Hospital).

“Hosting events are fun; most of them are catered and fully planned out- I just provide the facility,” he says. Last year events at his home raised a lot of money for the local ski team and the Boys & Girls clubs; the Sierra Angels also met there.

When asked what drove him to become an entrepreneur at such a young age and become what he is today, Schumacher replies, “I don’t know…my parents made me work when I was eight years old. And I wanted to make money.” To be successful, he believes that you must have the initiative to make something of yourself.

“I think that people get too lazy when stuff is given to them, and how they are raised probably has a lot to do with it. My parents only gave me housing, and I had to work to get to where I’m at.”

And now at 83 years old, Schumacher can sit back and enjoy the benefits of those many years of hustling, dedication, and solid work ethic that allowed him to get where he is at todaythe ultimate freedom to play tennis on his own courts, take one of his boats to Garwoods for Wet Woody Wednesdays, and wiggle his toes in the sand while watching the Beach Boys in his own backyard.

BUSINESS PROFILE

THE RODRIGUEZ FAMILY A Staple in the IV/CB Community

By Kayla Anderson

On a bright sunny Lake Tahoe afternoon, Harlan Rodriguez was nice enough to invite me over to his family’s home located in the heart of Incline Village. There, Harlan and his parents Gabriel and Gilda welcome me inside where I learn about their family’s living legacy.

Gabriel and Gilda moved to Incline Village from Mexico City in 1990, when Gilda’s brother Mario prompted them to come. The couple liked the area so much that they stayed, Gabriel working as a plumber and then later both working for a housekeeping company and then in property management (for the two-story building on E. Enterprise Street comprised of apartments and

commercial spaces in what IVCBA President Linda Offerdahl calls “Harlan Plaza”). In 2012, the Rodríguezes bought the laundromatone of the commercial spaces in the building- and two years later bought the whole building. Harlan Plaza is a two-story building with 28 living spaces on the second floor and 11 commercial spaces on the bottom floor. Business included are: the Mexican market, the HIVE collection, Louie’s Barber, Incline Door and more. There are 19 Rodriguez family members who live and work in Incline Village. Harlan has four siblings, who all help out with the businesses, and a smattering of nieces and nephews. His nephew Allen goes to high school in Incline, another goes to Truckee Meadows Community College, and one works in construction.

The Rodriguez Family

When asked what they like about Lake Tahoe, both Gabriel

and Gilda say “todo”. Everything, they smile. “It’s a calm place compared to Mexico City,” Gabriel adds. He’s been doing property management for 24 years now, and loves everything about his job, too.

“The maintenance work, cleaning off the snow, interacting with the tenants. It’s nice to have our own property and take care of it,” says Gabriel. Gilda helps a lot around the building, too.

Many people got their start in Incline Village before moving to other places within the Northern Nevada area, thanks to the affordability of their apartments.

“We encountered people who wanted to live in Incline and happened to have a place available,” Harlan says. “This is a stepping stone to moving somewhere else in town or around the lake,” he adds. People mainly found out about the Rodríguezes via word of mouth and needed a place to live. “Mucho, si,” Gabriel says when asked about whether many of their former tenants still live in the area. Harlan mentions though that many of their former tenants were forced to move to Carson City or Reno because of the exponential rent increases or landlords coming in and reclaiming their properties. Many of those former tenants (and new inquiries) were reaching out to the Rodríguezes wanting to move back, but by then the complex was full.

A handful of tenants have been in the complex for seven or eight years, one family even lived in “Harlan Plaza” for 20 years,

the son growing up with Harlan. When tenants stay in a place for that long, it’s a testament to how great the landlords are.

“I like to think we’re good managers and that’s why people come looking for us,” Gabriel agrees. They both agree that it’s hard not being able to offer everyone a place to live who wants to move (or come back) to Tahoe.

“Our goal is to keep doing what we’re doing, maintain the property, keep helping those looking for a place to live, and give people an affordable home,” Gabriel says.

“One day we may buy more property, maybe open another laundromat,” Harlan says.

While Gabriel and Gilda do miss some things about Mexico City like the food and their family (“There’s nothing like it even in California and Arizona,” they all say), Incline Village has been their home for more than three decades, and they now have 19 family members who also live in Incline who help with the business, go to school here, and work other jobs. When I joke that they should buy an event venue for their own family reunions and holiday celebrations, Gilda laughs, “That would be great”.

“This has always been home to me,” Harlan adds. “I graduated in 2010 and a lot of my friends grew up here. I try to help [the community] through Rotary and whenever I have a project, they [Gabriel and Gilda] give me advice. We’re a team.”

THE TOP ACTIVITIES TO DO IN IV/CB THIS SUMMER

By: Kayla Anderson

In Incline Village/Crystal Bay, we went from the fourth winter to full-blown summer quickly, which makes it the prime time to get out and enjoy everything that the East Shore has to offer. Therefore, if you’re looking for ideas on family-friendly activities- outdoors or indoors- then here are some suggestions for things to do on this northeast corner of the lake:

1. Go on a nature hike with TINS (Tahoe Institute for Natural Science) Sticking to its motto, “We connect people of all ages to nature”, this Incline Village-based nonprofit works tirelessly in hosting events for the community yearround, because when you understand the Tahoe environment and its flora and fauna better than you are more likely to take care of it. Between butterfly counts, bird walks, and Native Species Day, there is always something going on with TINS. Most events are free, and donations are always appreciated, or you can become a member for just $35/year. Try to catch an early morning Bird Walk on Village Green if you can…you’re bound to learn something new. www.tinsweb.org/

2. Go golfing at the Championship Course or the Mountain Course. The greens are in great shape due to the natural snowmelt slow drip irrigation system, and IVGID’s Championship Course and the Mountain Course are open and ready to play. The 18-hole Championship Course located at the Chateau has long and challenging fairways with a few peeks of Lake Tahoe while the executive 18hole Mountain Course up on Wilson Way is better to work on your short game. If you don’t care about your score, then check out some of the golf courses’ signature events such as Nine & Wine on Thursday evenings at the Mountain Course and club demo days at the driving range on Fairway Boulevard. IVGID also maintains a pickleball/tennis center and disc golf

course adjacent to the Recreation Center which also make for perfect summertime activities. www.yourtahoeplace.com

3. Rent some gear at Multisport Tahoe and take it to the beach. Bike, paddle, and kayak all in the same day with Multisport Tahoe, your premier place to rent gear that complements the Tahoe atmosphere. Owned by Incline Village native JP Donovan and his partner Belinda Quené, they will hook you up with whatever you need to have the perfect Tahoe day. Multisport Tahoe also offers guided tours, which are well worth the money if you want to learn more about the area and not deal with any traffic or parking hassles. tahoemultisport.wordpress.com/

4. Visit Thunderbird Lodge. Grab your friends and family and visit the iconic Thunderbird Lodge set on the grounds of former playboy George Whittell’s estate. You’ll meander through his mansion, go through secret tunnels, visit his card room, and peek at the legendary Thunderbird yacht resting in its own private boathouse (unless it’s out on a cruise). Visitors will also learn about Captain Whittell’s role in conserving a big chunk of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline and much more. Guided tours go out Tuesdays and Fridays; reservations are required, and shuttles depart from the Travel North Tahoe Nevada Welcome Center at 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. thunderbirdtahoe.org

5. Take a Tahoe Star Tour at Spooner Lake. Expert astronomer Tony Berendsen is expanding Tahoe Star Tours to include night sightings out at Spooner Lake where guests can use state-of-the-art Celestron telescopes to get an exclusive look at what shines brightest out in the dark sky. Lake Tahoe is unique in that there’s virtually no light pollution, therefore what you can see will be sure to amaze you. Berendsen has put on astronomy events in Lake Tahoe for more than 20 years, and he’ll be hosting Tahoe Star Tours at the Spooner Lake Visitor Center on select Thursday and Saturday nights starting in June. https://www.tahoestartours.com/

6. Ride the Flume Trail. Explore the East Shore and take in panoramic views of Big Blue on two wheels with the help of Flume Trail Bikes. Located on the east end of Incline Village

behind the Tunnel Creek Café, Flume Trail Bikes rents mountain bikes, Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes to take on the Tahoe East Shore Trail, and a shuttle service to Spooner Lake and Tahoe Meadows. After your ride, grab a brew and a snack at Tunnel Creek Café and catch live music there every Saturday evening from 5pm-8pm. flumetrailtahoe.com/

7. Walk the Tahoe East Shore Trail. Speaking of the Tahoe East Shore Trail, you can simply park in the lot in front of Tunnel Creek Café and walk the paved path all the way to Sand Harbor State Park. The well-maintained path hugs the shoreline, allowing one to bike, roll, or stroll down to the beach. www.tahoefund.org

8. Go on a tour with TERC (UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center). Learn all about the ecology and clarity of the lake at Tahoe’s only science center located on Country Club Drive in Incline Village. Peruse the interactive exhibits, find out about the creatures that inhabit the lake, and hear about how it’s changing and what TERC is doing to help preserve the clarity of it. Tours are held throughout the summer on Tuesdays-Fridays at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm as well as on Saturdays at 11am and 12:30pm. Tickets cost $5-$10 per person; buy your ticket in advance through tahoe.ucdavis.edu/tahoesciencecenter.

9. Visit Bowl Incline. Someone once posted on social media asking where one could go in Incline Village to get a drink, enjoy a decent meal, and have some fun, and one person responded that there’s one place where you could do all three… and that’s Bowl Incline. Along with several brandnew bowling lanes, an outdoor patio has firepits, cornhole, and a bar. Inside, the Ohana Diner has a lunch and dinner menu designed by the famous Sam Choy along with signature cocktails that you can enjoy in bright retro-themed booths. There are pool tables, a full arcade, and flatscreen TVs while the second floor over the bowlers has an axe-throwing setup and lounge area. This place has something for everyone- no matter what the weather is like outside- and it’s also available to rent out for special events. www.bowlincline. com/

Incline Elementary and Incline High School receive STEM School Designation from Nevada Governor’s Office

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology (OSIT) awarded both Incline Elementary and Incline High School their coveted Nevada Governor’s STEM School Designation. The ceremony took place at the Governor’s Office in Carson City on May 16th, 2023. This seal of approval means that both IES and IHS meet the highest standards of STEM instruction and are models for schools around the state.

Incline Education Fund worked closely with both IES and IHS school staff to apply for the OSIT designation. IEF will apply for the Incline Middle School designation in 2024-5. This would make Incline Village the first and only STEM Designated K-12 school system in the state of Nevada.

The Nevada Governor’s OSIT only recognized 13 schools for the award this year. These are schools that demonstrate exemplary performance in STEM and have comprehensive, school-wide systems in place to support STEM learning. This award acknowledges that these schools implement high-quality, research-based, hands-on instruction. OSIT schools also partner with the community to develop relationships and authentic learning opportunities. Both Incline Elementary and High Schools have proven that they demonstrate these practices.

For the last two years, with the launch of the highly successful, IEF-funded makerspace, Incline Elementary School has focused on providing a high-quality science,

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Trina Kleinhenz, the IES makerspace teacher, coordinates with each of the K-5 teachers to tie the STEM curriculum into their grade-level classwork. This collaboration creates a unique opportunity to engage students in real-world problem solving, creative design, critical thinking and career opportunities through STEMfocused formal and informal education.

Principal John Stern said, “I am extremely proud of all of our teachers and students and this “Developing STEM School Designation” proves the high-quality education that IES provides to the Incline community”.

Incline High School was awarded the “Established STEM School Designation” for their Engineering & Entrepreneurship program and the work they are doing around individualized college and career guidance.

Engineering & Career & Technical Education Teacher

Adam Shoda joined IHS this fall and brought his 20year experience of instruction and his work with the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum with him. His PLTW classes are managed under a Simulated Workplace classroom management model, which provides students with skills that prepare them for future professions, including leadership roles and how to work as a team to complete real-world tasks.

STEM learning at IHS is not confined to the obvious science, math, engineering and tech classes. The STEM tenets of problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration are woven throughout a student’s IHS experience. Other examples include the

highly successful “We the People” AP US Government & Politics class, the Stormwater Quality Leadership Program, the Culinary Arts program and the Podcast Studio.

The OSIT award also recognized IHS’s “Learning through Interest/Internship Program” (LTI) led by Deirdre Carney. Ms. Carney is the IHS Internship Coordinator and works directly with students to expose them to a variety of fields, including STEM. Her position is funded by the Duffield Foundation and is implemented through an advisory model that is focused on student interests. Students begin the LTI program with informational interviews with community mentors that may lead to shadowing opportunities or internships. These mentors offer students exposure to realworld experiences that seek to highlight relevance to their academic learning.

IHS Principal Tierney Cahill stated that “IHS is honored to be recognized as the first and only high school in the Washoe County School District to receive the OSIT award. It is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the quality work of our students. We could not have achieved this milestone without the community support from both the Duffield Foundation and the Incline Education Fund.”

Incline Education Fund is dedicated to the task of tying the STEM programs at all three Incline public schools together to create the first and only K12 STEM Pathway in the state. They are launching a STEP Up for STEM fundraising campaign with a goal of $300,000 to stabilize these exciting programs. Funds will be used for STEM program costs, academic tutors & mentors to get students to grade-level competency, equipment/technology and new programs to keep the curriculum cutting-edge.

For more information about these programs go to: Inclineeducationfund.org

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!

PBroker-Salesman

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

NV License #20002

North Tahoe Resident since 1974 Selling Incline Village since 1988

Tahoe Fitness Loft is a boutique fitness studio o ering small group classes, private and semi-private instruction for Pilates Group Reformer, Barre, TRX, Spin and Personal Training. We partner with you to set, achieve and maintain your personal fitness goals in a modern, clean and safe environment.

Classes are o ered 7 days a week. Current class schedule can be seen by visiting our website: www.TahoeFitnessLoft.com

Private sessions can be made by calling for an appointment. 775-548-5002 Single class and group class packages are available for purchase online. Personal consultations are complimentary.

TWO LOCATIONS

Incline Village at the Village Center 760 Mays Blvd. Tahoe City at the Boatworks Mall 760 N. Lake Blvd.

IT’S BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE.

Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration

Incline Village & Crystal Bay’s Premier 4th of July Event

July 2–4, 2023

Schedule of Events

Sunday, July 2

• North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Flag Raising & Pancake Breakfast

• Local Heroes Community Parade & IVGID Kid’s Bike Parade

• Local Heroes Community Fair & Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Meet & Greet

• Highlander Pride Backyard BBQ

See the full schedule, register for the parade, and more

Monday, July 3 Incline Village Veterans Club Events

• Veterans Recognition Lunch Sponsored by Cornerstone Church

• Flag Retirement Ceremony

Tuesday, July 4

• Incline Village Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast

• Incline Village Crystal Bay July 4th SkyShow

Thank You Sponsors

The Drone Show is BACK!

Incline Village Crystal Bay SkyShow

Presented by the IVCB SkyShow Coalition

The Incline Village Crystal Bay SkyShow is set to light up the night again on July 4th, and your support is needed. The 2023 event will be bigger and more inclusive, featuring music, entertainment, family-friendly activities, food & beverages, plus the iconic laser and drone show! Get the details and learn more about donating at ivcba.org.

Get the Details

REALTOR® OF THE MONTH

Incline Village REALTORS® named Mike Chamberlain the Good Neighbor of the Year in 2019, and he has continued to shine in his community efforts as the June 2023 Good Neighbor of the Month. Among his contributions, Mike played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Board for The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and the Rotary Club of Lake Tahoe - Incline Village. Additionally, he currently holds the positions of President for Incliners, a social group for seniors, and for the International Wine and Food Society's Lake Tahoe Branch. Mike's dedication to his community is undeniable, as he also serves on the Board of the Incline Village Golf Club and the Incline Village REALTORS®.

MIKE CHAMBERLAIN

Innovative Incline School Programming Middle School Style

Middle school is a tricky developmental time for humans. It’s when we start to become self-confident enough to both be a part of and separate from a variety of groups. It’s when we are most keenly aware of how our peers are behaving and when labels like math nerd or class clown can stick. Importantly, it’s also when academic interests begin to solidify. Research has shown that if a student does not show interest in a particular subject, like STEM for example, by 4th or 5th grade, they will not do so. This is particularly true for higher-level classes (like STEM) as students will not have the basic skills needed to take courses later on.

Luckily, Principal Kari Michael and the staff at Incline Middle School understand this complicated developmental time. They know that relationships are built on shared experiences, interests, and goals and they work to provide those shared opportunities for students.

When students feel a part of a group, they also tend to work harder, care more, and invest in the cohesion and success of the group. IMS has done a great job creating a number of avenues for students to build those relationships while experiencing new activities. Here are a few examples of the unique programming offered at IMS.

WEDNESDAY EXPLORATORY SESSION

Principal Michael developed this weekly program to help students re-engage in school post-pandemic and/or to have an opportunity to get caught up in subjects that they may need more support in.

Students who are on-track academically can choose from a variety of experiential opportunities, while those who need academic support can work with a subject teacher in their area of need.

Several options are offered each quarter and are meant to broaden student interest and allow them to challenge themselves. Students choose from a variety of themes and with the generous support of our local community, have been able to go off-campus and learn more about different subjects. Incline Education Fund sourced and funded student activities in partnership with local businesses. From skiing with Nevada

Nordic and Tahoe-Multisport, to leadership classes with Bowl Incline, to a glimpse into the animal world with Pet Network and to Incline Education Fund sponsored water safety lessons and a spring special with Truckee’s Gateway Mountain Center, IMS students can widen their horizons, develop new interests and even start thinking about potential future careers.

THE IMS ROBOTICS PROGRAM

Incline Education Fund was recently awarded a $50k grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology to scale up the robotics program at Incline Middle School. The curriculum is aligned to Nevada Academic Content Standards for Computer Science and integrates a final, capstone project each semester. Those projects give students the opportunity to address a real-world issue and require them to present their solution to a public audience. Robotics is offered both as an elective class and an after-school LEGO Robotics Club. Additionally, IMS has created a Girls Who Code Club that is supported by the local AAUW chapter.

The program is proving to be highly successful. Levels of student engagement, teamwork, and collaboration have exceeded expectations and the capstone projects are a great way to showcase student work.

This robotics program is a bridge for those students interested in STEM, as they can solidify skills they’ve developed in the Incline Elementary School Makerspace program and build the foundation they need to succeed in the Incline High School Engineering & Entrepreneurship program. Incline public school students can now take dedicated STEM courses from K-12th.

WELLNESS ZONE

IMS has also created a place where students can learn to address their personal emotional regulation skills. The Wellness Zone is a quiet space where students can get 1:1 academic support or work independently on a project. It is also a space where counselors can run small groups and provide lessons to our special needs students. Detailed Wellness Zone data reports are proving the effectiveness of students having access to a space where they can go to get help when needed.

Back On Track for Summer Activities

By Dr. Greg Burkard Jr.

During colder months, it can be challenging to maintain normal workouts, and most people regress even if they’ve stuck to a regular fitness routine. To complicate this reality, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the back can tighten and become less flexible, making them more injury-prone.

Before you spring into activity, take extra care by easing into your workouts and adopting healthy habits — your back and spine with thank you.

When first starting out, follow a few best practices:

• Ease In. By easing into your activities, you reduce the risk of injury that could sideline you for weeks. Your first workouts may also result in muscle soreness, and though you may not feel the pain immediately after a tough workout, about two days later the soreness may be so intense that you can’t lift your arm above your head — resulting in more missed workouts.

• Start small. Slow, gentle exercises, such as walking or stretching, are low impact and enough to wake up your body. Start with 10 minutes every day or every other day for a week. Then increase to 15 minutes the following week. Add five minutes to your workout each week until you’re walking for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. If you’ve been sedentary for weeks, check in with your health care provider before ramping up your activity.

• Gently progress. A good rule of thumb: Aim to increase your weight, time, speed or intensity no more than 10% per week. 10% of 10 pounds of weight is 1 pound, so safely increase strength training workouts by adding 1 pound per week. Similarly, if you’re running 5 miles per hour, a healthy increase would be 5.5 miles per hour next week. Also, keep in mind that running on hard ground is higher impact than running on a treadmill — which

can cause extra strain on your joints and back. Make sure your body is ready before you progress to harder running surfaces.

• Stretch it out. Supple, well-stretched muscles are less prone to injury, and the large muscles in your back — responsible for much of our movement — are no exception. Properly stretch the muscles that will be used in your activity — practicing the twisting motions of golf or the explosive motions of tennis — before you begin.

• Patience is key. The longer your break, the more time you’ll need to get back on track. So, if you worked out three to four times per week prior to your fitness vacation, it will take about four to eight weeks to get back up to speed.

Whether you plan to hike, tee up for a round of golf, or hit the trails on your bike, use these tips to protect your back and safely prepare for an active summer.

Dr. Greg Burkard Jr. is an interventional pain and sports medicine physiatrist with Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (TOSM), offering non-surgical solutions for back pain at the Center for Orthopedics & Wellness in South Lake Tahoe, and the TOSM office in Carson City, Nevada. To learn more, call 530.543.5554 or visit BartonOrthopedicsandWellness.com.

Spring/Summer Summer/Fall Weekend Hike Series

Ages 2-8

Location: North Tahoe from the meadows - Incline Village and Sand Harbor - we meet at various trail heads for a day of hiking, art, friendship and outdoor fun.

Hours:

Full Day 9 am - 4 pm

Half Day 9am-12pm, 12pm-4pm

Cost: Full Day $85, Half Day $65 Snacks, Enrichment classes and materials included.

Lunch $15

The Top Can’t Miss Special Events in IV/CB This Summer

By: Kayla Anderson

While there are plenty of things to do all summer long in this northeast corner of Tahoe, there are a few prominent events in Incline Village that are worth carving out time in your calendar for. Between drone shows, art hikes, theatre performances, and classical concerts with the nation’s top musicians, here are a few one-of-a-kind experiences to take part of this summer:

July-September: Take in Tahoe’s classical music at its best with TOCCATA

Following its early summer Classy Classics concert series and “Soiree Musicale” fundraising events, rumor has it that TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for its Fourth of July concert, an August concert series, and a 9/11 memorial concert. Visit toccatatahoe.org for

Heroes 4th of July Celebration presented by the IVCBA

Our very own Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association is organizing the 4th of July Celebration this year with pancake breakfasts, a BBQ, flag retirement ceremony, and more. Be sure to catch the parade that goes down the main street of Incline Village starting at 10am on Sunday, July 2nd and the July 4th SkyShow activities from 7pm-11pm at the Incline Village Ridgeline Ball Fields. ivcba.org/events/local-heroes

June 30-August 20: See Little Shop of Horrors at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has been around since 1972 and each year it has just gotten bigger and better. In 1979 a stage was built exclusively for the festival at Sand Harbor State Park, and hundreds of Shakespeare fans came to see the nine performances. Nowadays upwards of 33,000 attendees catch one (or a few) of the many productions held there, and the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program reaches more than 8,500 children in the Tahoe basin. This year’s featured show is the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors; to see a schedule of events or to buy tickets, visit laketahoeshakespeare.com .

July 9-August 17: Dance the night away with Classical Tahoe at UNR at Lake Tahoe

Every summer, the nation’s top classical musicians come together in Incline Village for a 16-concert series at the intimate outdoor pavilion located at UNR at Lake Tahoe. In this year’s four-week series, musicians from the MET Opera Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and more will delight and entertain attendees by playing beautiful tunes that match the peaceful Tahoe setting. For more information or to buy tickets, visit classicaltahoe.org .

Incline Education Fund and Nevada

First-Gen Network expand mentoring program in Incline Village

In the fall of 2020, the Incline Education Fund (IEF) initiated contact with the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Education and Human Development, to explore potential mentoring opportunities to bring to the middle school students of Incline Village. As a result of those discussions, the Dean’s Future Scholars (DFS) program expressed interest in trying to find a way to support the low-income, firstgeneration college students in the Lake Tahoe basin.

The DFS program is a grant-funded program that began in the College of Education and Human Development 23 years ago with its first cohort of 50 students. It has grown to serve 1,620 students throughout the Reno, Sparks and Pyramid Lake region. Students are recommended for the program during their sixth-grade year and are provided free mentoring and summer programming through high school graduation and beyond. Last year, 396 students from 34 different schools were regularly mentored by DFS college student mentors, and the program additionally served 280 students during its annual summer program, where students gain exposure to college life while earning high school, dual credit, college credits and a paid internship.

IEF’s vision to bring additional support to the students of Incline Village became a reality when the Executive Director of the DFS program, Dr. Mariluz Garcia, received news in the final days of the 2021 Legislature that state lawmakers, in an effort championed by Senator Heidi Seevers-Gansert, had allocated $4 million for the DFS program into Senate Bill 461.

The bill used American Rescue Plan funding to support a variety of COVID-19 related efforts, including an educationoriented priority to assist first-generation college students who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Dr. Garcia created the Nevada First-Gen Network (NFGN) as an umbrella organization to conduct a state-wide needs assessment, distribute $2.5 million of the funds through a micro-grant program, and increase direct services and

outreach throughout the State of Nevada.

As a result, the DFS and IEF launched a pilot program last summer to offer a free 3-week summer camp where students engaged in various STEM, leadership, art, outdoor activities, and college and career readiness programs. Students spent time in both Incline Village and at the main campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Due to the success of that DFS-Incline pilot program, IEF requested that the NFGN team extend their enrichment opportunities into the academic school year. In response, NFGN mentors regularly visited Incline Village schools to offer mentorship and academic support, including robotics, arts and culture.

IEF and NFGN are now excited to announce an expansion of the summer program at Incline Village this summer to run five days a week from July 10 through Aug. 4. Students will again travel to Reno twice/week for regularly scheduled DFS programming. The remainder of the week will be spent in Incline at the new University of Nevada at Lake Tahoe campus, engaging in STEM projects, leadership opportunities, career aspirations and community recreation.

Over the past year, IEF and NFGN have successfully brought much needed mentoring and educational opportunities to the elementary and middle school students of Incline Village. The 2023 summer program will take this collaboration to new heights by being able to utilize the beautiful University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus with energetic middle school students who are eager to learn, connect, and experience college life.

For more details about this program, please visit the Incline Education Fund website at www.inclineeducationfund.org or the Dean’s Future Scholars website at www.unr.edu/dfs.

JP DONOVAN & BELINDA QUENÉ Tahoe Multisport

By Kayla Anderson

The snow melted and the chickadees are singing, marking the time for residents and visitors alike to come out of their dens and start enjoying the outdoors. But there is so much to do between biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding…where to start?

It usually depends on what kind of equipment you have, who you’re with, and the easiest/safest way to get to the beach.

Fortunately, Tahoe Multisport is a small locally owned business located in the upper corner of the Upper Village Center (on 797 Southwood Boulevard Unit #10 next to Tahoe Family Solutions in Incline Village) run by JP Donovan and Belinda Quené. They are both passionate about the outdoors, extremely knowledgeable about the East Shore (and greater Truckee/Tahoe basin) and are open year-round to ensure that you and your friends have a good time.

On a warm sunny afternoon, Quené is outside rearranging their quiver of kayaks and paddleboards. Inside is an inviting reception area and rooms of equipment including cross-country skis, poles, boots, paddles, and e-Bikes.

young, then moved to Lake Tahoe in 2014 after college when she got a job at Northstar California.

“I came here to ski, and liked the idea of living by a lake,” she says. After that first winter season, she stayed in the area and continued working seasonal jobs until she met Donovan at the climbing gym the following year.

Before Donovan met Quené, he was renting out paddleboards as a side job, storing them at his house, and delivering them to customers when they booked the gear online. As his side hustle grew, he acquired more SUPs and eventually needed more space to store them all.

“Then we started doing this full time,” he says. Seeing what Backroads was doing, Donovan also had the goal of hosting tours and needed gear to do that. At that time, stand-up paddleboarding began taking off and he responded to the growing trend by investing in some inflatable ones.

“The equipment has gotten better in the last 10 years and there are a lot of advantages to paddleboarding- it’s easier to get on the water and you’re able to see down to the bottom of the lake. I also saw the advantages to inflatables- I like that you can take them in a backpack and not have to get one only on a beach,” Donovan adds

Tahoe Multisport

Many people in the IV/CB area know of JP Donovan, who grew up in Incline Village and spent a lot of his life running cross-country and competing in triathlons. Quené was born in South Africa and relocated to the United States with her parents when she was

However, he says he felt stifled in putting on tours while trying to keep up with purchasing enough equipment, so he decided to rent out the equipment first. “Then I met Belinda, and we started working and growing the business together,” Donovan explained.

© CHRIS TALBOT

They opened their brick-and-mortar business in March of 2021, and being in a place like Tahoe and operating an outdoor multisport company during the pandemic helped sales (when businesses were allowed to reopen).

“We got busy when covid hit,” Quené adds. Tahoe Multisport started renting out SUPs first, but then found that when the lake got colder their customers preferred kayaks since there was less of a risk of falling in.

Providing not only the boards, boats, and bikes but other accessories as well (like bike trailers, baby seats, and dog carriers), Tahoe Multisport noticed that people would bike down to the beach with a kayak trailer or inflatable SUP. Customers were renting multiple types of equipment in one transaction, which is how they came up with their business name.

“The other day we had people renting snowshoes, kayaks, and bikes all in the same day,” Donovan reiterates, back in the springtime when we still had an abundance of snow.

“When we moved into this shop, we bought a bunch of bikes to offer an activity when it’s windy out, too,” Quené says.

No matter where they’re coming from, people tend to rent equipment and take it to the beach or on the bus that runs to Sand Harbor, as Tahoe Multisport is conveniently located next to the temporary/future transit center as well.

Considering that the local beaches are always a bit vague on how many people they let in, when, and who, Tahoe Multisport can also be a vital resource for how to best enjoy the lake or surrounding trails no matter what time they arrive.

“People come here and don’t know where to go, and we can help save the day…if parking is full or it’s a busy time and people just drove from a long way away to experience Tahoe,” Donovan says. Especially when taking a tour with someone who intricately knows the area.

Open year-round, Tahoe Multisport also provides winter equipment. The owners have rented out cross-country equipment to the Gateway Mountain Center, different Boys & Girls clubs around the Tahoe area, Tahoe Expedition Academy, and Strider Gliders. Tahoe Multisport has equipped the Incline middle school high school with snow equipment, and they store winter gear for UNR at Lake Tahoe.

At that moment, a local guy brought back a pair of kids’ crosscountry skis that he rented for the season, grateful that he didn’t have to buy and store them at his house.

Since business was picking up even when there was still a lot of snow on the ground, I wondered if they ever ran out of equipment.

“We do sell out of bikes sometimes, but we offer online bookings for all tours and rentals. We accept rentals as far as a year out, and we do last-minute walkups. There’s about a 50/50 of each [people booking online and just coming in],” Donovan says.

“Unless it’s a holiday weekend, you can usually reserve gear the night before,” Quené adds.

With the ease, convenience, and accessibility to Tahoe’s East Shore beaches, going to Tahoe Multisport for all your summer outdoor equipment needs is a no-brainer.

“We’re set up to be the emergency last minute outfitter for the outdoors,” Donovan says.

For more information about Tahoe Multisport or to book a tour/ reserve equipment online, visit https://tahoemultisport.wordpress com/.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

By John Crockett

Sustainable transportation is a movement to efficiently connect people and places while also supporting the local economy and protecting the environment. The goal is to get people where they want to go using modes of transport that are efficient and affordable, lower carbon emissions, and reduce dependency on private vehicles. In addition to improving air quality and decreasing particulates in the lake, sustainable transportation decreases traffic helping locals and visitors get to the beach or trailhead, employees get to work, and provides better access for emergency vehicles on our crowded roadways. With expanded bus and microtransit service schedules or using foot or pedal-powered options, the opportunity to go sustainable this summer is easier than ever.

Washoe County recently adopted a Tahoe Transportation Plan with a vision of creating mobility in the basin that is cohesive. “The county is working to improve sustainable transportation options like walking, bicycling, and using transit to give people safe and affordable mobility options,” says Amy Cummings, Nevada Planning Manager for Parametrix, the consulting group that produced the plan. While the plan recommends long-term solutions including interconnected trails and mobility hubs outside the basin, the county is seeking grant funding to improve crosswalks throughout Incline Village this year.

While widespread use of electric and alternative-fuel vehicles is still years away, the availability and reliability of public transportation options is key to sustainability. Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transportation’s Connect microtransit program expands its schedule during the summer months to 8 am to midnight daily. Riders of the free and on-demand service use an app to get an estimated pickup and dropoff time before booking a ride.

Recently concluding a pilot program, TART Connect had over 550,000 riders in two years with the Incline Village and Crystal Bay zone being the most popular. “The more you can use microtransit, the more cars are off the road. As a resident, if you can get a ride from your house or work to the doctor’s office and back and leave the car, that helps all of us,” says Andy Chapman, CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. A majority of riders are local residents but Chapman hopes to see more visitors use TART Connect to attend a show at the Crystal Bay Club or go to local restaurants.

In addition to the microtransit service, TART also operates free bus service reliably connecting all of North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. The East Shore Express, the free shuttle taking riders from a depot on Southwood Boulevard to Sand Harbor State Park resumes on June 24. Shuttles run continuously from 10 am to 7 pm, seven days a week.

Ebikes are another sustainable solution and use continues to grow. The electric boost of pedal-assisted bicycles is ideal for covering ground in a hilly town. With a basket or cargo rack, you can pick up lunch from a local sandwich shop, cruise to a trailhead or lookout, stop by the beach, and then head into town for dinner, all without breaking a sweat.

Reminders on safety and etiquette come with each ebike rental at Tahoe Multisport at Upper Village Center. “We require everyone to take a helmet,” says co-owner Belinda Quene. “Watch out for people backing up out of driveways. All of our bikes have bells, use them when approaching people to give them a friendly hello.” Take caution when crossing streets, even at designated crosswalks, making sure drivers see you first. While ebikes are permitted on shared-use paths like the East Shore Path and Lakeshore Boulevard, be ready to slow down, ring your bell, and be ready to brake when approaching others.

Each rental comes with a bike lock and the option for add-ons like a cargo trailer for carrying inflatables, as well as pet carriers. “Most of our customers go to Sand Harbor [State Park], lock their bikes up, and enjoy the beach for a few hours.” Other renters include locals trying out ebikes for a possible future purchase or for visiting family and friends.

This summer is a chance for everyone in Incline Village and Crystal Bay to change how they get around. “We’re looking to reduce congestion, increase safety, and reduce vehicle miles. The more we can get cars off the road, everyone will have a better experience,” says Karl Hasty, Tahoe Transportation District Manager. On your next day or evening out, try a convenient sustainable transportation option and support the environmental health of the Tahoe region.

INCLINE VILLAGE EBIKE RENTALS

Big Blue Bike Rentals - bigbluebikerentals.com, 628233-1681, 111 Country Club Drive, inside the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

Flume Trail Bikes - flumetrailtahoe.com, 775-2982501, 1115 Tunnel Creek Road, in the East Shore Path parking lot

Tahoe Multisport - tahoemultisport.wordpress.com, 775-750-7386, 797 Southwood Blvd., in the upper lot of the Village Center Village Ski Loft - www.villageskiloft.com, 775-8313537, 800 Tahoe Blvd., at the corner of Tahoe and Northwoods Blvds.

Vista Trail Bikes - vistatrailbikes.com, 775-298-7431, 893 Tahoe Blvd., in the Starbucks parking lot

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.

I absolutely would recommend anyone who lives in our community take this program. Every day brought new information that I hadn’t learned before.”

— Leslie Masterpool 2023 WCLA Graduate

JACK AND PAUL FRANKLIN: BUILDING INCLINE VILLAGE

By Richard Miner

When Jack Franklin was teaching young US Army airmen to fly B-17 bombers at the Yuma Army Air Corps base in the waning months of WWII, he never imagined that in a few short years he would be one of the first building contractors to both live and build in the forest that was still owned by recluse millionaire George Whittell on the shores of Lake Tahoe. After mustering out of the service in 1945 Franklin moved his wife Bernice and newborn son Paul to Reno, Nevada where he took up a position with Capriotti Construction as a project superintendent and estimator. The senior Franklin, born in Sadler, Texas in 1924, soon discovered the joys of spending time at Lake Tahoe which starkly contrasted with the arid flatlands of his youth, and when he could afford it they bought a small plot of land in Kings Beach to build a cabin for weekend and vacation getaways.

They insulated the two-bedroom, one-bath cabin so they could spend winters there and they had indoor plumbing, which many cabins of that time didn’t, but they heated their place only with a central fireplace burning readily available cordwood. But even before the place had been completed in that summer of 1954, they had decided they preferred living at Lake Tahoe over Reno and so made the move to Kings Beach permanent. Because of his work, Jack had obtained contractor licenses in both Nevada and California, and moreover had already constructed two homes in Reno, one in 1946 and another in 1948. So Jack “hung out his shingle” here and soon had a contract to build his first house in what was then known to locals as just plain “Incline,” doing a home on Vivian Lane for Bill Michaud in 1955.

Over the next 5 years Jack built nine more homes at the Lake, including six along the Lake (Ray Plunkett, Don Reynolds, Ken Brown, Ed and Jackie Black, Fred Black and Felner & Ford), two on Pine Cone Circle (the Horgans and Clair Morrison)--the Horgan place still stands at number 1657, and a home for a name lost to history in Crystal Bay. All this plus a remodel on Pine Cone Circle for Dick Graves. He also built two homes in Agate Bay, CA, one in King’s Beach, and another in Tahoe City. One more project was an addition to the Kings Beach Methodist Church.

In the years before 1960 George Whittell and others had sold several dozen plots of land in the area between Sand Harbor and Crystal Bay so this already developed property was not initially included in the 9000 acres that became Incline Village. The map that accompanied my article on the Crystal Bay Development Company’s city planner Raymond Smith (Live.Work.Play Holiday 2022 issue) shows these areas along what is now known as Lakeshore Boulevard. After the CBDC purchase a whole new set of challenges arose. Nevada law required an administrative oversight structure for the new community and the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) came into being June 1, 1961. To manage IVGID the CBDC nominated a board of trustees that was appointed by the county. The board in turn appointed its first General Manager, John Uhalde. who served without pay (he was already on the CBDC payroll as Project Manager) until 1967 when Wallace White was hired to replace him. Wally was the first General Manager to be hired by the board and paid by IVGID funds.

With the creation of IVGID new demands were made on local building contractors. Washoe County still administered zoning, building permits and inspections but a new layer of bureaucracy was involved to deal with the construction of the infrastructure. The plan for the new community had been drawn by CBDC, not the county, although the county had approved it, and construction of the infrastructure of the town was a constant challenge for builders. Water lines were run up the streets past all platted lots, but waste disposal for private homes was via septic systems, which is why the residential lots in the lower portion of town were of a size that would accommodate septic tanks and leach fields. With the creation of TRPA in 1964 all of this was about to change.

During this early period of Incline Village’s history Jack’s son Paul Franklin was growing up at the Lake. Paul had moved with his folks to Kings Beach in 1954 and attended the local elementary school which was within walking distance of their home on North Avenue off Highway 267. The school had just two classrooms with grades 1-3 in one room and 4-6 in the other. He was then bussed to Truckee for high school, which started in grade 7. After graduation Paul enrolled in an engineering program at UNR where he met his eventual wife Sandy White. Sandy was the daughter of Wallace

White, who was the director of the Washoe County Health Department and later became IVGID’s second General Manager. Paul was drafted in 1967 and he and Sandy married just before he was sent to Viet Nam as a communications specialist. Returning to civilian life in 1969 Paul took a job with Byars Construction Company which had the contract from IVGID to build the new sewer system that TRPA mandated to replace Incline’s residential septic systems. Paul was a scheduler and compliance engineer and became intimately familiar with the streets and terrain of IVCB.

In 1978, Paul and Jack decided to join forces and formed the Franklin Builders Company. From the beginning Jack’s operation controlled costs by minimizing overhead. He worked out of his home and Bernice answered the phone and kept the books. All the equipment needed was stored on the job site or rented as necessary. Jack tried to do just one major project at a time—starting a foundation in the spring, having the structure enclosed by October, and working inside through the winter to have it ready by the next summer while a new project was just starting. And they never did any advertising, relying instead on wordof-mouth to bring in new business. There was one exception. As a birthday surprise, Bernice secretly had the company name painted on the doors of Jack’s old pickup truck. Yes, Jack was surprised, and as Paul suggested, quietly pleased. In all, the Franklins individually or together built nearly 90 homes in the Lake Tahoe area, most of them in IVCB. When Jack retired in 1984, Paul continued the tradition of personal attention to each project, never tying up resources in equipment or physical offices or a warehouse for supplies. It could be said they pioneered in home building the “just in time” system which only later came into vogue in manufacturing.

While interviewing Paul for this article I was reminded that many aspects of the construction business at Lake Tahoe have changed since the days when lumber barons and mining magnates dictated the rules—the environment and

government regulations be damned. Paul remembers driving down Mt Rose highway and seeing a brown plume of water flowing out into the blue of Lake Tahoe from the areas adjacent to our present day IVGID beaches as runoff from polluted streams and highway and construction debris found its way into the Lake. Today contractors and property developers--many if not most of whom now live outside the basin--still roll their eyes at the mention of the TRPA or “the bureaucrats” who live in Carson or Reno, but you have to admit Lake Tahoe itself has not looked better in years.

Paul Franklin retired as a contractor in 2014 and still lives with his wife Sandy in Incline Village in the home he built on Eagle Drive in 1989.