LIVE. WORK. PLAY. Summer 2024

Incline Village/Crystal Bay Restaurant Guide 18-20

Beautifying Efforts Underway for Incline Village 22-23

Incline

Incline Public Schools Receive Nevada Governor’s Office Award 12-13

Incline Village Crystal Bay Event and Fundraising Calendar 14

Gambler’s Run Comes Back to the Crystal Bay Club This Summer 24-25 Rotary Youth Exchange 26-27

Incline Village Community Hospital Gets New State-of-the-Art Mammogram Technology 28-29 HISTORY: Old photo sparks interest in first hand accounts by residents 30

COMMUNITY LIAISONS

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

INCLINE VILLAGE MAIN STREET MANAGER: Jonathon Gardner Jonathon@IVCBA.org

FREELANCE WRITERS: Kayla Anderson

BOARD MEMBERS

CHAIR: Mike Young

TREASURER/FINANCE: Craig Iverson

HUMAN RESOURCES: Shelia Leijon

Stephan Porten

John Crockett

INCLINE SCHOOLS: Mary Danahey

PRO-BONO CPA: Craig Iverson

LIVE.WORK.PLAY. PUBLISHER: Kathy Slocum

PRO-BONO ATTORNEY: Alan Tiras

PAST CHAIR: Linda Offerdahl

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: Doug Boyle

TAHOE PROSPERITY CENTER: Heidi Hill-Drum

TRAVEL NORTH TAHOE NEVADA: Andy Chapman

WASHOE COUNTY COMMISSIONER: Alexis Hill

WASHOE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE: Sheriff Darin Balaam

CONTRIBUTORS

Richard Miner

Kayla Anderson

Mary Danahey

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

Please contact Kathy Slocum at (775) 846-5656 kathy@justimaginemktg.com

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.

COVER PHOTO: IVCBA Local Heroes Parade 2023

Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

Photo by Lora Wagener Co.

incline village crystal bay

Welcome to the summer issue of Live.Work.Play!

TAHOE SUMMER TRADITIONS….

What are yours? East Shore beaches? Hiking or biking the flume trail? What about Shakespeare at Sand Harbor or the other music venues? That friendly family competition on the golf course or the bocce ball courts? I love the idea of passing on these traditions to the next generation of families who live here or visit in the summer. Spending the 4th of July week in Tahoe is arguably the most popular longstanding tradition.

LOCAL HEROES 4TH of JULY CELEBRATION

The magazine centerfold is your guide to July 2-4 activities. Get more details at IVCBA.org. But here’s what’s new:

• Red White & Tahoe Blue 2 Fireworks are back on July 4th!

• Incline Tahoe Foundation SUMMERFEST! on July 2 at UNR at Lake Tahoe is the new version of Beer and Brats, but with a focus on family fun.

• Local Heroes Parade and Community Fair also on July 2…don’t miss the Highlander Pride BBQ and Suzie Scoops Ice Cream Eating Contest!

NEW IN INCLINE

THIS SUMMER…

• Natural Grocer is opening up on Tahoe Blvd.

• Bak’d is the new deli in Country Club Centre (formerly Mountain High Sandwich Co.)

• Peticare Pawlour and the Furniture Nook are Village Pet Foundation Thrift’s second location in Christmas Tree Village.

• Alibi’s Sunday Sessions and Tunes on Tap are sponsored by Travel North Tahoe Nevada

• Bar La Loca is replacing FredRicks.

• Tahoe Ceramics Studio in Aspen Plaza (913 Tahoe Blvd)

For those of you returning for the summer, it’s worth your while to stroll through our centers to see what’s new. Have you been to Tahoe Gifting and Lisa Douglas Designs in Christmas Tree? Some things you might miss: Incline Lock in Centerpointe Building replaces the business that Mike and Linda Sullivan retired this year. LeFrancois Engineering is new for those needing help with doing remodels. Smoke Door is that new restaurant in Crystal Bay next to the CBC. In case you haven’t been here since last summer, Grocery Outlet opened last November in Village Center.

INCLINE VILLAGE MAIN STREET

IVCBA is part of a national revitalization program called Main Street USA. We are taking steps to improve our “main street” and town centers. Read about IVCBA’s Beautification Campaign, Inclined to Bloom. It starts with defensible space cleanup in your yard and the green space or forest behind your property. Can we add some color to our town throughout the spring and summer? Plant some tulips and daffodils in the fall so we have color in the spring and look for perennials that are native so they don’t require a lot of water or fertilizer. You will also find an article on sustainability, reminding people to pack out any trash from the beaches and the trails.

Whether you live here year-round, are a summer local, or here visiting family or friends, there is something in this magazine for you. Enjoy hearing about our locals, our businesses and the many nonprofits that have fundraisers in the summer and fall.

WYLD Peony

By: Kayla Anderson

Just ahead of Valentine’s Day, Wyld Peony owner Jennifer Wechsler opens the doors to her new floral shop on 797 Southwood Boulevard Ste. 15 in Incline Village. A group of people are inside, celebrating amongst the unique array of stems featured front and center.

Picking out some winter white flowers and bluebells for a baby shower I headed to while snacking on a delicious signature cinnamon roll from Happy Tiers, Wechsler expertly arranges them in a nice bouquet, wrapping them with a green ribbon.

Wechsler has always had an interest in botany, growing up in North Lake Tahoe and then going on to earn a degree from UC Davis in environmental horticulture. It was at UC Davis where she met her husband Alan, who was studying law at the time. They moved down to Southern California and Jen had a little composting business on the side that fed her horticultural passion, but she was yearning to get back to Tahoe. Her mother still lived in Incline Village and her brother had just moved back from Washington DC, so in 2014 the Weschler’s came back home. In those following years, Alan started Mountainside Law and Jen worked for a wedding planner/interior designer who specialized in large scale, luxury weddings between Tahoe and Napa Valley. She liked the wedding planning business and even worked at Thunderbird Lodge one summer.

In June 2022, one of Jen’s friends got married and the bride bought some peonies from Costco. She held a flower arrangement party and one of their friends noticed Jen’s skills in how expertly she put them together. Jen took it to heart and decided to start a small flower business out of her garage. She launched Wyld Peony in fall of 2022 after buying a retiring florist’s supply of specialty containers and inventory.

Jen was fully up and running Wyld Peony last winter, working out of her garage and doing Christmas arrangements, weddings, and even decorating that year’s Pet Network annual Fur Ball Gala. After the long 22/23 winter, summer finally came around and business at Wyld Peony really picked up. She quickly outgrew her garage, and it was hard to keep it warm enough for the flowers. Fortunately, the space in the upper level of the Village Center became available, and she took over the lease.

Along with offering seasonal unique stems and arrangements, Wyld Peony provides interesting gifts, local art, and free flower deliveries in the Incline Village/Crystal Bay area.

She has furnished the flowers for all types of events, including corporate gatherings, memorials, weddings, nonprofit special

events, boutonnieres, and corsages for proms. She mostly does custom work and offers floral subscriptions for people who want fresh beautiful flowers all year long.

Regarding her own favorite flower, besides the peony Jen is fond of the unusual.

“I like to pick flowers I haven’t seen before, ones that are interesting and different,” she smiles.

Wyld Peony is located at 797 Southwood Boulevard Ste. 15 in Incline Village and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am5pm. For more information, visit wyldpeony.com.

© CHRIS TALBOT

Pickleball: Avoiding Injuries

By Dr. Jeffery A. Orr

Pickleball is a great low-impact sport — fun and easy to learn for all ages. It has been the fastest growing sport in the U.S. for the past two years. A cross between ping pong and tennis, pickleball is played on a court that can be indoors or outdoors, and tennis courts across the country are being converted to meet the growing demand.

The recent surge in pickleball’s popularity is fantastic — bringing sport, fun, and exercise to many — but, like any sport, it comes with injury risk. The most common pickleball injuries are sprains and strains to knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists, in addition to lower back injuries.

Don’t let the fear of injury keep you from joining the fun — when playing pickleball, keep a few injury prevention tips in mind, including:

Ease Into The Sport: Avoid overuse injuries by starting slow and listening to your body. Speak with your physician if you have pre-existing injuries; they may recommend the use of wrist, knee, or ankle braces.

Check Your Equipment: To decrease wrist/ elbow injuries, use a racket with a properly-sized handle. And investing in a good pair of shoes designed for pickleball or tennis, as opposed to running shoes, will help decrease your risk of ankle and Achilles injuries.

Warm Up: A comprehensive warm-up routine is important before any activity. Before playing, dedicate at least five to ten minutes of light jogging and dynamic stretching of the major muscle groups, including quads, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and lower back.

Use Correct Form: Pickleball is easy to pick up and play, but devote time to learning the appropriate form — don’t rely only on your arms to hit the ball, instead use momentum from your entire body, especially your legs and core. If you’re able, take a few lessons to learn technique and footwork that can help prevent injuries.

Cool Down: After your game, cool down with five minutes of walking and light stretching. Drink plenty of water and eat nourishing food to help your body recover before your next match.

Exercise Regularly and Cross-Train: Varied exercise is not only great for your overall health, but it can help reduce injuries. Regular cardiovascular exercise will decrease fatigue associated with playing pickleball. And strength training can protect your joints from injury, improve your balance, and help reduce your risk of falls — important for pickleball and life.

Pickleball is a great, lower-impact sport to learn and join with friends. By taking a few precautions before beginning play, you can reduce your risk of injury and stay in the game. If you experience any pain while playing, contact your physician or an orthopedic specialist — your issue could be related to equipment, form, or a treatable orthopedic condition, and if caught early, can extend years to your game.

Dr. Jeffery A. Orr is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. He specializes in sports medicine and joint replacement surgeries, including the use of the minimally invasive Mako SmartRobotics system for total knee, total hip, and partial knee joint replacement procedures. Dr. Orr provides orthopedic care to patients in Carson City and Stateline, Nevada, and at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness in South Lake Tahoe, California. He is also a medical provider for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team, providing care to top athletes. For more information, visit BartonHealth.org.

Incline Middle School partners with UNR on Innovative “Trash to Treasure” project

By Mary Danahey

A recent project at Incline Middle School (IMS) has led to cleaner shores at Lake Tahoe and fostered creativity and environmental stewardship among students. The innovative “Trash to Treasure” program was part of IMS’s weekly Exploratory curriculum, offering hands-on experiences beyond traditional academics.

The project began in the fall with the robotics class identifying areas needing cleanup. This led to a series of “community clean-up days,” during which nearly 500 pounds of trash were collected. Phase two involved University of Nevada Reno, Lake Tahoe student Callia Schell, who helped students transform the collected waste into art.

Schell, a student in the University’s interdisciplinary servicelearning pathway, proved instrumental in guiding students through the artistic process. Collaborating with IMS teacher Ginny Holmes’, Schell taught students to imagine, design and create tangible art pieces while also learning how to be good stewards of Lake Tahoe.

The students’ creations were as diverse as they were inspiring. From bottle cap flowers to captivating mosaics of Tahoe, they repurposed the collected trash and brought their artistic visions to life, while simultaneously advocating for environmental sustainability. Their efforts culminated in building a landscape of Lake Tahoe, serving as a reminder of the natural beauty they strive to protect. The artworks were exhibited at the UNR Holman Arts Center.

Students were also able to enroll in an IMS video production

class. Under the guidance of Incline local Baxter Gentry, they produced a compelling PSA advocating for the preservation of Lake Tahoe. Students created slogans like “Love Our Lake” and “Don’t Mess with Tessie” and recorded a rap song at Tanglewood Productions in Reno.

The Trash to Treasure project received support from the Incline Education Fund (IEF) and the Tahoe Fund. IEF Co-founder Mary Danahey hopes the partnership model between IMS, IEF, and UNR will inspire similar initiatives, fostering innovation and environmental consciousness for future generations.

Incline Public Schools Receive Nevada Governor’s Office Award

By Mary Danahey

First and only K-12 STEM Designated School pathway in the state

All three Incline Village public schools have been awarded as Designated STEM Schools by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology (GOSIT). This award highlights each of the school’s commitments to providing a robust STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

These STEM School Designations officially make the Incline schools the first and only vertically aligned schools in the state to achieve this honor. Tracey Howard, GOSIT Program Director, explained that this “means that every Incline public school student is guaranteed a high-quality STEM education across their entire K-12 experience”.

Over the last three years, Incline Village schools, with the support of the Incline Education Fund, have been quietly investing in strategic STEM initiatives at each of the K12 public schools. They have prioritized hands-on learning experiences, integration of cutting-edge technology in classrooms, and partnerships with local businesses and UNR-LT to enhance the K12 educational experience.

One of the standout features of the Incline school STEM initiative is the implementation of interdisciplinary projects that encourage students to apply their knowledge in

real-world contexts. Students in the elementary, middle, and high schools have been engaged in projects ranging from designing eco-friendly buildings using principles of engineering and environmental science to developing coding skills through programming robots. The elementary and middle schools have also recently added dedicated ART programs to their curriculum, giving STE(A)M to their STEM programs.

Each of the schools offer project-based learning programs that foster critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. These projects go beyond state educational standards and help prepare students for the technological and scientific challenges of the future.

This achievement is a proud moment for the Incline Village community and sets a benchmark for educational standards in the region.

INCLINE VILLAGE CRYSTAL BAY EVENT AND FUNDRAISING CALENDAR

August 14

Classical Tahoe Gala

August 15

Shabby Chic “HooDoo in the Bayou: Tahoe Family Solutions”

August 29

Tastes of Incline by Philanthropic Education Organization

September 9

Incline Food & Wine benefit for local youth organizations

Watch for these annual events in November:

Pray for Snow Party at Alibi

UNR Ski Team Ball

Holiday Faire at the Chateau

September 28

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Picnic

October 19

Chocolate Festival for Sierra Community House

October 25

Rotary Chili Cook-off community benefit

Events

Annual Holiday Sale at Incline Thrift Stores

Northern Lights Celebration in December featuring

Tahoe Film Fest December 5-8

Candy Cane Village on December 7

JULY 2 - 4, 2024

Incline Village’s Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration honors the local heroes who make our lives safer and brighter every day.

SCAN

TUESDAY, JULY 2

NLTFPD Flag & Pancake Breakfast

Local Heroes Parade & Kid’s Bike Parade

Community Fair & Washoe County Sheriff Meet & Greet

Highlander Pride Backyard BBQ

Incline Tahoe Foundation SUMMERFEST

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Highlander Pride 3x3 Basketball Tourney

TOCCATA Salute to America Concert

Veterans Recognition Reception

Public Flag Retirement Ceremony

THURSDAY, JULY 4

IVCB Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast

4th of July Fireworks

Presented by Red, White, and Tahoe Blue II

INCLINE VILLAGE/ CRYSTAL BAY Restaurant Guide

By: Kayla Anderson

In April of this year, the IVCBA hosted the inaugural Incline Village Crystal Bay Restaurant Week that highlighted the impressive culinary talents of our community’s experienced chefs. Here are a few of the restaurants that took part in the event, and as we go into summer they are continuing to amaze, delight, and tantalize the tastebuds of IV/CB residents and visitors alike:

Sage Leaf Tahoe

893 Tahoe Blvd. Suite 600, Incline Village

In the winter of 2022, Incline Villagers welcomed the addition of the elevated brunch and dinner restaurant known as Sage Leaf Tahoe. Found across from Starbucks on Highway 28, Sage Leaf owners Shane and Laura Hammet are committed to using local, sustainable, and humanely raised ingredients. For instance, many of the meats and produce in in its burgers and vegetarian meals are sourced directly from Tahoe Food Hub and Niman Ranch.

According to its website, the owners named the restaurant “Sage Leaf” after the hardy, durable plant that thrives in the Tahoe summers and is still steadfast in the winters—like a Tahoe local. The herb itself is implemented in more than its name…find it in the House-made Organic Sage and Cheddar Biscuits and its famous Pineapple Sage Martini. www.sageleaftahoe.com

Rosewood Tahoe

930 Tahoe Blvd. Suite 901, Incline Village

Soon after Rosewood Tahoe opened in March 2023, it won the Tahoe Tribune’s “Best of N. Lake Tahoe & Truckee” and was a finalist in this year’s running. And the nomination(s) are well deserved…its proprietors believe in the simple things—delicious food inspired by family recipes, unique cocktails, and a friendly, inviting atmosphere that keeps you wanting to come back for more.

Mary’s Chicken with the brussels sprouts and whipped potatoes are to die for, but just the customer service alone is five stars. www.rosewoodtahoe.com

Le Bistro 120 Country Club Dr. Suite 29

Incline Village

Owned and operated by head chef David Blair, Le Bistro serves fine dining French fusion cuisine with a contemporary flare. Blair learned how to cook French cuisine at Swiss Lakewood on the West Shore before Le Bistro’s previous owner stole him away, and Blair has been involved with Le Bistro since 1994. When Blair reopened the restaurant in December 2016, he kept the original menu since customers love the filet mignon, gnocchi appetizer, and sea bass.

I’ve had the privilege of watching Blair move around his kitchen on a busy weeknight, and it’s amazing to see his delicious artwork come together. Le Bistro serves a small loaf of freshly baked rustic bread with every meal, and its atmosphere has been called charming and romantic. www.lebistrotahoe.com

Azzara’s

930 Tahoe Blvd. Suite 101, Incline Village

There’s a reason why this family-owned Italian restaurant has been around since 1978 in the Raley’s Shopping Center…its food, drinks, and community service are tried and true.

Sam Azzara opened his first Italian restaurant in 1956 in Stanton, Calif., before moving up to Incline Village in the seventies, and ran Azzara’s for almost 30 years before his daughter Andrea and her husband took it over in October 2006. Andrea studied culinary management and hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, before moving back to Incline and raising her family here, while keeping Azzara’s alive and strong. You can’t go wrong with any of the pasta al dente or pizzas; when I’m short on time the stuffed artichoke with a glass of wine is always my go-to. www.azzaras.com

Rookies

930 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Osteria Sierra at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort

111 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

The Hyatt recently turned Sierra Café into a revamped Italian restaurant called Osteria Sierra. Open daily for breakfast from 7am-11:30am and dinner on Tuesdays-Saturdays from 5pm-9pm, Osteria’s executive chef Alan Kubler makes housemade pastas, cocktails, and desserts. Entrees range from $29$52, from the vegetarian Spaghetti al Pomodoro consisting of fresh hand cut spaghetti, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and basil ($29) to the Linguine all’ Aragosta made of fresh linguine, cold water lobster tail, saffron velouté, and squid ink coral ($52). www.hyatt.com

Open 11am-10pm daily, Rookies is the place the locals go after their softball game or to watch the game. Along with offering a fully stocked bar, Rookies serves pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, tacos, nachos, and a variety of classic appetizers like onion rings and mozzarella sticks. Many of its pizzas are named after baseball players such as the Cal Ripken (Sausage, pepperoncini peppers, garlic, mozzarella cheese), Bo Knows (Rookie’s signature buffalo sauce base, red onion, buffalo chicken tenders, cool ranch, and fresh cilantro), and The Babe (sausage, ham, bacon, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese), available in 8-in., 14-in., or 16-in. pies. The Coco Crisp dessert isn’t on the menu anymore, but maybe it just changed names to the Brownie a la Mode since Crisp isn’t in the big leagues anymore. www.rookiesmenu.com

Smoke Door-Lake Tahoe Saryo 9980 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach

On the western edge of Crystal Bay, the wooden building that used to be Mellow Fellow has changed hands and transformed into a sleek, somewhat secretive Japanese eatery known for its multi-course menu and live-fire cooking technique. Everything is made in-house, and like Sage Leaf, many ingredients are sourced from the Tahoe Food Hub.

Available by reservation only (as this fine dining restaurant only has 26 seats), foodies can opt for the 6 Course Tasting Menu ($128) or the 10 Course Harvest Tasting Menu ($198) which includes Japanese A4 Wagyu steak. Beverage pairing is an additional $98-$128. No children under the age of six are allowed. www.instagram.com/smokedoor_tahoe/

Parents

BEAUTIFYING EFFORTS Underway for Incline Village

By: Kayla Anderson

Local businesses and entities in Incline Village/Crystal Bay recently started collaborating on ways to make the northeastern corner of the lake look nicer, welcoming, and more accessible to visitors and residents alike. One of the most exciting initiatives to be launched recently is the Incline Village Main Street Beautification Campaign.

Businesses have been complaining about the lack of having a “main street” in Incline Village for a long time, therefore the IVCBA has partnered with the Incline Tahoe Foundation (as well as Main Street America and Nevada Main Street) to launch this new initiative. According to the Incline Tahoe Foundation, the purpose of the campaign is to facilitate and support transformational strategies for economic revitalization and commercial core redevelopment of Incline Village.

Thanks to a one-time community reinvestment grant for $75,000 from Washoe County, the Main Street Beautification Campaign is revitalizing Incline’s commercial core through a dedicated focus on

organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality. Committees for the Main Street Beautification Campaign are chaired by volunteers that are all collaborating towards building a better Incline Village with a consistent design with elements that are incorporated into the landscaping, lighting, signage, and public art.

Some of the first projects underway to help fulfill this goal include: promoting spring and fall community clean-ups with local organizations; working with local landscapers to create a better-looking commercial area; improving commercial zone signage; reviewing the current landscaping in the Highway 431/Incline Village roundabout; identifying, enhancing, and promoting public art; reviewing and possibly installing new streetlights to increase safety while also considering the effects of light pollution; and more.

The IVCBA just hired Incline Village Main Street Manager Jonathon Gardner to help these Beautification Campaign efforts and his passion for the project is noticeable.

Gardner reiterates that the Main Street Beautification Campaign-- under the national Main Street America umbrella-- will help revitalize, re-engage, and build connections in communities across the U.S.

“Incline Village is a family-oriented community. Incline Village Main Street has a goal and vision to create an inclusive community feel, a unifying force. The four pillars that that are paramount to this campaign include a focus on 1) design; 2) promotion; 3) organization; and 4) economic vitality.

“Inside the design category is what we’re calling Inclined to Bloom, and within that we’re focused on commercial signage, improved landscaping, and a few other things. We formed a committee with local architects, developers, and community members who have expertise or interest in commercial signage and help us come up with a vocabulary for what this is, what it will look like.

“We want everyone’s input, bring as many opinions as we can and then use that information to form a plan and implement it,” Gardner says.

He explains how nice it would be to have a commercial signage plan in place to give Incline Village continuity and make businesses more approachable and welcoming. “Many businesses use temporary banners and sandwich boards to draw people in because current regulations and bureaucratic red tape don’t allow for much more than that. But we want to let our businesses have proper signage that’s well-lit and will enable them to reach customers better than ever before, while cleaning up the aesthetic of Incline Village to make it more accessible and attractive,” Gardner says.

Other projects part of the redesign phase of Incline Village includes changing the design of the Hwy 431/ Hwy 28 roundabout a bit and building a more defined walking path around the main part of town.

“The roundabout should be designed to welcome people to the lake,” says Gardner, explaining that the Main Street committee focused on this includes landscape architects, engineers, and utility service providers to help change the look and feel.

“Right now, the bronze animal sculptures are beautiful, but they are not to scale and and are hard to see,” Gardner says. “We want to bring them into the heart of Incline Village to make them more accessible, so that people can appreciate their beauty. They are important to the community; we want to keep them around.”

Gardner reiterates that there are many other ideas/ plans in the works, all centered around the Main Street project to help establish a stronger sense of place.

“This is the thing Incline Village is missing. We’re well in the works on a few of these pieces in the effort to unify Incline Village. Something is going to happen this fall,” Gardner smiles.

For more information about the IV Main Street Beautification Campaign, feel free to contact Jonathon Gardner directly at jonathon@ivcba.org. To donate to the Incline Village Main Street fund, do so through the Incline Tahoe Foundation at https://www.inclinetahoe. org/incline-village-main-street.html.

GAMBLER’S RUN COMES BACK TO THE CRYSTAL BAY CLUB THIS SUMMER

By: Kayla Anderson

The northeast shore’s newest booming summer music festival is back as the multi-day Gambler’s Run returns to the Crystal Bay Club Casino for its second year in a row.

For a while now, the staff at the Crystal Bay Club have been wanting to create an event where locals and visitors could gather at the Tahoe’s northern state line to enjoy the great music that the casino is known for, along with enjoying delicious food, drinks, and local arts & crafts vendors.

This is the second year of the Gambler’s Run, which will take place July 26-28, 2024, on Crystal Bay Club grounds.

Last year the CBC hosted 26 bands over three days, but this year the Gambler’s Run has been condensed down to include bigger names that will be playing longer sets. In its inaugural 2023 year, local-ish bands such as Six Mile Station and Hot Buttered Rum played while this summer California native favorites Donavon Frankenreiter, Jackie

Greene, and The Mother Hips are on the bill. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will also be back, headlining on Friday night with special guest Karl Denson and playing the afterparty on Saturday night.

Crystal Bay Club will have the same general setup as it did last year for the Gambler’s Run, with two stages outdoor and indoor with live music going 2pm-midnight for all three days. The casino also added a kickoff party this year with Grammy nominee Samantha Fish for Thursday night (July 25th).

“It’s a diverse group of musicians including funk, jam, bluegrass, americana,” says CBC General Manager Eric Roe. A lot of these bands have played at the Crown Room over the years as well.

When asked why musicians like playing at the CBC, Roe replies, “Our acoustics are amazing in the Crown Room. We have a rich music history and good energy here in the North Shore. We have a lot of passionate music lovers here.”

Along with a variety of food trucks and local artisan vendors that had already signed up by early May, Roe adds that they’re “collaborating with some big heavy hitter nonprofits” on the sustainability front this year, too. The Tahoe Fund, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada Alliance, and Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) are just a few organizations that will be giving educational talks between band sets. This year’s festival will be implementing sustainable practices and to be as waste-free as possible. “Zero waste, zero plastic” is what they’re shooting for, Roe reiterates. Although there is no camping available at the Crystal Bay Club, the CBC has partnered with Incline Lodge to offer Gambler’s Run room packages.

“The majority of festivals offer camping so finding lodging partners was a big goal for us this year,” he says. When asked what his favorite part of the festival was last year, Roe replies, “The overall vibe out there was just incredible. And it looks like it will be well-attended this year.

“We’ve been collaborating with musicians [throughout the year] to give the people what they want. We want to make the Gambler’s Run about them [the audience], for them,” Roe says.

“It has been a goal of mine to get outdoor national acts on the North Shore for years now, so to finally see that come to fruition was incredible,” he adds.

2024 Gambler’s Run tickets are capped at a thousand people per day and as of early June, there were still a few 3-day passes available for purchase. “But I would get them sooner than later,” says Roe.

For more information about this year’s Gambler’s Run, visit https://www.crystalbaycasino.com/gamblers-runmusic-festival/.

OTHER NOTABLE NORTH LAKE TAHOE CONCERT SERIES HAPPENING THIS SUMMER

Live Music at Incline Beach, Incline Village:

The Incline Spirits Barefoot Bar at Incline Beach hosts live music on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm7pm. Must have a valid IVGID Picture Pass card to enter. inclinespirits.com/barefoot-bar

Music on the Beach, Kings Beach:

This free summer concert series hosted by the North Tahoe Business Association takes place on Fridays from 6pm-8:30pm. northtahoebusiness.org/music-on-the-beach

Concerts at Commons Beach, Tahoe City:

This is a free concert series hosted by the Tahoe City Downtown Association and Tahoe City PUD that takes place on Sundays from 4pm-7pm. concertsatcommonsbeach.com

Tunes on Tap

Alibi Ale amphtheatre sunset concert series will be held each Thursday 7-10 pm at the Incline Village location. alibialeworks.com/incline-public-house

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

By Mary Danahey

Incline Village actively participates in the global Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program, a Rotary International initiative aimed at promoting cultural understanding and personal development among young people. This program offers high school students the opportunity to live and study abroad, experiencing life in a different country while staying with host families.

As part of Rotary District 5190, Incline Village hosts two clubs: the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline (the morning group) and the Rotary Club of Incline Village (the noon group). These clubs are currently co-sponsoring a student from Brescia, Italy, who is attending Incline High School.

The Rotary Youth Exchange program emphasizes leadership and community service. Students are selected based on their adaptability, academic performance, and enthusiasm for cultural exchange. By stepping out of their comfort zones, participants build self-confidence, resilience, and global awareness, preparing them to become responsible global citizens and future leaders.

Exchange students must be between 15 -19 years old and are sponsored by Rotary clubs in over 100 countries. These students attend local schools for a full academic year and live with multiple host families. Living abroad provides an opportunity to learn a new language, develop a deeper understanding of oneself, and mature.

Host families are expected to provide room and board for 3-4 months. Local Rotary groups cover school fees and offer a small monthly stipend for student expenses. Each student is responsible for round-trip airfare, travel insurance, spending money, and additional personal expenses.

The Rotary Exchange program is an exciting opportunity for both students and host families to develop new perspectives and lifelong friendships. Contact your local Rotary club to learn more about exchange opportunities for your student or to become a host family at: www.rye5190.org

“We have had the privilege of hosting exchange students for over 10 years. We now have an additional 5 family members all over the world and that is difficult to explain how much it means to us.”

RIck Sweeney, Rotary Host parent

Incline Village Community Hospital Gets New State-of-theArt Mammogram Technology

By: Kayla Anderson

A week following the ribbon-cutting of the new Genius AI™ 3D Mammography™ (Genius) technology at the Incline Village Community Hospital (IVCH), the IVCH Foundation’s Executive Director Karli Epstein, Data & Finance Analyst Jane Day, and the hospital’s radiologists and doctors are still giddy about the new upgrade.

And as they should be…this is a big deal. The Genius is a game-changer for Incline Village residents, visitors, and those in surrounding areas. Using advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, it significantly increases the detection of breast cancers while simultaneously decreasing the number of patients asked to return for more testing. The Hologic system recommended for women of all ages and breast densities allows radiologists to pinpoint the size, shape and location of abnormalities more effectively, leading to better detection and peace of mind for patients.

According to the hospital’s website, the Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam is the only FDA-approved superior mammogram available for women with dense breasts compared to 2D mammography alone.

“Mammo’s haven’t been here for more than 20 years, and this can take imaging and biopsies, it uses AI to assist, it’s state-ofthe-art equipment. It uses data algorithms to diagnose issues, and it is good at reading through high density breast tissue. We’re hoping women—and men—will use this for routine preventative care before something becomes more serious,” Jane Day says.

Day and Epstein explain that they’ve identified at least 4500 women who go out of Tahoe to get their mammograms, traveling to Reno, Carson City, Truckee, and other outlying areas to receive this kind of care.

Therefore, this new advanced mammogram machine keeps patients here in Incline where they can get a better, quicker diagnosis and subsequently better, quicker, and more accurate treatment.

“Since everyone in North Lake Tahoe must go to the Truckee hospital that only has one mammogram machine, there’s usually a line. Having this new mammogram equipment here [at the Incline Village hospital] will reduce that wait time, making it more convenient and accessible for everyone,” Epstein adds. The IVCH Foundation was able to acquire the Genius partially thanks to a gift from the Helmsley Charitable Trust that was also used to purchase new x-ray and 128-slice CT equipment.

“Their mission is to improve healthcare in rural areas,” Epstein says, explaining that the Helmsley’s moved to Northern Nevada and performed a critical care assessment in their new home, determining that Incline Village could greatly benefit with this new diagnostic imaging equipment.

The Foundation received around $3.5 million total in grant funding, and then took 2-3 years to match those funds to cover the entire cost (it was around $7.2 million for the equipment and to build the rooms).

“This is the biggest fundraising campaign we’ve ever done,” Epstein adds. Now she believes that the new imaging machines at IVCH are better than anything that the Truckee hospital has, and possibly in the entire Truckee/Tahoe region.

“Better imaging is better outcomes. We went from a 16-slice to a 128-slice [CT scanner] and it can show one with contrasts and one without, so the patient doesn’t have to go to the radiologist twice. You can see real-time blood blockages, and plaque in your heart. You can see kidney stones before they ever become an issue,” Epstein says excitedly.

Day adds that this is a great resource for cancer patients and does wonders for stabilizing stroke patients, significantly speeding up their treatment and recovery.

“Basically, everything’s new, making it the best CT scan in rural Nevada,” Epstein says.

Dr. Laning Andrews had just stabilized a stroke patient that morning and commented, “With this tele neurology system, it’s basically providing an ondemand neurologist. They [patients suffering from a stroke] go straight to the CT scan machine before I even see them. In my 25 years of being a doctor, I’ve never seen anything like this.”

In the situation that morning, Dr. Andrews gave the patient blood thinners and sent him to Renown, where the additional team of doctors found the blood

clot and pulled it out that day. “That [new CT scanner] is the biggest game changer ever,” he says.

Being able to diagnose and treat patients that quickly speeds up their recovery process and they experience fewer residual symptoms.

“Being in a rural hospital, the better the technology is then the better the care is. It’s about coming up with the right diagnosis and getting them to the right place quickly,” Dr. Andrews says. A lot of this new imaging equipment at the IVCH helps immensely with preventative care, too.

“A lot of people take for granted the healthcare facilities available here. We’re a minimum 35 minutes away from the next urban area and this is a big destination with seniors and young families considering healthcare. People put off preventative screenings if it’s not easy to do. Mammograms and colonoscopies can be done here, and colon and breast cancer are on the rise-- now they’re suggesting people get screened when they’re 45,” Day says.

“Karli and I have been really proud of the changes that’ve taken place in the last decade; we want the community to know that they’re well taken care of. This is a vastly different place than it was even three years ago,” she adds.

“Here you should feel very assured that you’re walking into a hospital with state-of-the-art technology and receiving the best care,” Epstein adds.

“And if radiologists get excited, then it’s something,” Dr. Andrews smiles.

The IVCH saw their first mammogram patient on June 4th. For more information about the IVCH’s new state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging technology, visit https://www.tfhd.com/ diagnostic-imaging-and-briner-imaging.

OLD PHOTO SPARKS INTEREST IN FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS BY RESIDENTS

By Richard Miner

One of the most interesting things about living here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the shores of Lake Tahoe comes from the fact that we who are fortunate enough to reside or even visit here can literally walk in the almost still quivering footsteps of some of the most interesting characters this part of the world has known. And to add physical presence to legend, some of the artifacts left by these characters are still visible around us to this day. In saying this I mean no disrespect to the Native Americans who called this area their home for centuries before our forefathers first set sights on Tahoe, but when I was asked to contribute articles about the history of our community I envisioned a period of time that began much more recently than the Washoe elders would have imagined.

That said, with so many subjects to consider, I’ve tried to focus attention on sights which are still in evidence and people who are still among us or only recently departed in the historical sense After several years of offering perspective on these subjects, I am constantly reminded that still living among us are some of the earliest “modern” residents of this area, and that we are still surrounded by the physical presence of their recent but rapidly vanishing artifacts—buildings, structures, trees still bearing the scars of human activity and the like.

So in this issue of L.W.P. I pay brief homage to a slice of our history that spans the end of George Whittell’s ownership of the shoreline at what is now Incline’s Ski Beach and the early days of it’s possession by The Crystal Bay Development Company. I want to use this as an opportunity for any of our readers or their friends to contact me via my editor Kathy Slocum’s website to add to our history by suggesting topics for future articles and/or to offer to contribute their own recollections of life here during their lifetimes. As spice for this offer, one subject about which I know very little is the old trailer park which once stood at the foot of where Village Blvd. meets the beach at Lakeshore Drive. Do any of our readers have any memory of this once vibrant little community and/or the people who lived or vacationed there? And do any of you have other subjects or memories of early Incline or Crystal Bay you would like to help me explore in future issues of L.W.P.? If so, please email kathy@justimaginemktg.com

View of the Incline Trailer Park circa 1960 from Lake Tahoe showing the caretaker’s house and some of the residents period “mobile homes.”

Believe it or not, the caretaker’s home was moved when the park closed to 940 Village Drive where it exists to this day.