LIVE.WORK.PLAY Holiday 2025

INCLINE VILLAGE CRYSTAL BAY COMMUNITY & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

HOLIDAY 2025

New Era of Animal Care with Pet Network P. 28-29

Local Hero: Jim Dykstra P. 26

Local Business: Iron and Wood P. 6

885 Tahoe Boulevard Incline Village, NV 89451

Incline Village Crystal Bay Association

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

Executive Director’s Letter

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BUSINESS PROFILE: Iron & Wood

Diamond Peak Celebrates 60 Years 22-23

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LOCAL PROFILE: Jim Dykstra is Building the Village We Need 26

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Building Community Where We Live, Work, and Play 14-15 Northern Lights Holiday Community Celebration 19

STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Linda Offerdahl linda@ivcba.org

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER:

Kristin Derrin kristin@ivcba.org

EDITOR OF LIVE.WORK.PLAY MAGAZINE

Kristin Derrin

OPERATIONS MANAGER:

Mike O’Neill mike@ivcba.org

IVCBA.ORG, COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Julie Malkin-Manning Sugar Pine Events & Marketing julie@ivcba.org FREELANCE WRITERS:

Kayla Anderson Kristie Wells

BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT: Mike Young PRESIDENT-ELECT: Sheila Leijon TREASURER: Craig Iverson EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Jason Jurss MAIN STREET: Stephan Porten INCLINE SCHOOLS: Mary Danahey COMMUNITY: John Crockett COMMUNITY: Tiffany Clements BUSINESS: Rick Sweeney

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A Vibrant Jewish Community at Lake Tahoe 32 New Year, New You

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The 11th Annual Tahoe Film Fest 35 HISTORY: Incline’s Old Orbit Gasoline Station 36-37

COMMUNITY LIAISONS ENVIRONMENT: Amy Berry INCLINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL:

Louis Ward/Karli Epstein INCLINE JUSTICE COURT: The Honorable Judge Melissa Mangiaracina INCLINE VILLAGE REALTORS: Laura Vitencz NLTFPD: Ryan Sommers/Andreina Quiroz TAHOE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:

Laura Roche/Claudia Andersen UNR AT LAKE TAHOE: Doug Boyle TAHOE PROSPERITY CENTER: Sarah Schmidt TRAVEL NORTH TAHOE NEVADA: Andy Chapman WASHOE COUNTY COMMISSIONER: Alexis Hill WASHOE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE:

Sheriff Darin Balaam CONTRIBUTORS Richard Miner John Crockett Mary Danahey NLTFPD FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Please contact Mike O’Neill at 805.630-4442 Mike@IVCBA.org PHOTOGRAPHY: Chris Talbot LIVE.WORK.PLAY. DESIGNER & PUBLISHER:

J. Lewis Falconer Art & Design

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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.

INCLINE VILLAGE CRYSTAL BAY COMMUNITY & BUSINES S ASSOCIATION

HOLIDAY 2025

New Era of Ani Care with Pet mal Network

P. 28-29

Local Hero:

Jim Dykstra

P. 26

Local Busines

Iron and Woo

P. 6

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A Taste of the Future

Help IVCBA Light Up the Village This Holiday Season!

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Incline Middle School Exploratory Program 16-17

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Crystal Bay

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A New Era of Animal Care Begins at Pet Network 28-29

Incline Village

EDUCATION: A Look at Lake Tahoe School

885 Tahoe Boulevard Incline Village, NV 89451

Staying Safe, Healthy, and Happy in the Backcountry 8-10

COVER PHOTO: Simi Balter, Dr. Marlène Tremblay, and Dr. Nick Robl of Pet Network © Chris Talbot Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

Photo by Suzanna Luna Munn Scott

Lake Tahoe to Marin | timeless thoughtful interiors | bridgetgiroux.com

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teambradley.org 775-831-2252

HOLIDAY 2025

0073332A & 0071127A

INVESTORS

Welcome to the holiday issue of Live.Work.Play! Along with the usual features on local residents and businesses, we are highlighting IVCBA’s work in beatification and engaging members in all aspects of our community.

incline village crystal bay

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON It’s a time of giving and we have incorporated a forest of nonprofit “giving trees” into our Northern Lights Community Celebration on December 6 at Prim Library on the UNR at Lake Tahoe campus. Come out to support your favorite nonprofits, while enjoying Santa’s arrival on the fire engine, Cocoa with Captain Cola and lots of games and entertainment, including the Incline Elementary School choir.

JINGLE MINGLE Expect to enjoy holiday specials at a variety of retail centers on Saturday, December 13! Shop Local first!

BEAUTIFICATION Incline Village Main Street has been busy…hanging flower baskets last summer and planting bulbs so we “Dance with Daffodils” next spring. The Gateway Roundabout improvements are on target to be installed in spring/summer 2026. Communitydriven projects such as the Gathering Place below Crosby’s in Christmas Tree Village, the holiday lighting, and public art. A fundraising campaign has been launched to support these projects. Look up the Sierra Giving Circle page and make a commitment to join the beautification efforts by donating to the campaign.

GATEWAY ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS Irrigation for succession planting of perennials and a higher profile with iconic granite boulders are among the improvements planned to enhance safety and aesthetics. Located at the bottom of Mt. Rose Highway, it is the gateway to Incline Village AND Crystal Bay. It is the first vision of Lake Tahoe, truly the gem of Washoe County.

LEARN MORE ABOUT IVCBA! We are finally doing an article about our organization, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community and Business Association. We have become a focal point for everything NOT IVGID or Washoe County, providing communications and events, along with support for our businesses and nonprofits. Although we are supported by memberships, at our heart, we serve the entire community. We help our agencies support our community by giving them a contact point and a communication vehicle.

Investor memberships are those agencies, large corporations, and individuals who provide $5,000 - $25,000 annually. We list them all on the right-hand side of this page. But we also highlight at least one of them in every issue of LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Lake Tahoe School is the Investor member highlighted in this issue.

Commissioner Alexis Hill

ABOUT IVCBA We are a membership-based community and business association that works on behalf of the entire community. We have a community website, IVCBA.org, and a weekly SnapShot newsletter. We educate and convene the community on various community initiatives. Join at IVCBA.org.

Linda Offerdahl Dr. Jonathan Smith Kern Schumacher John & Patty Jansen

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B U S I N E S S

P R O F I L E

IRON & WOOD

A Way to Keep Your Golf Game Up in The Worst Weather Incline Village is known for its changing wintry weather, and not everyone is a skier or snowboarder. Fortunately, Tahoe natives Will and Ashley Wolford manage a place behind The Paddle Wheel on 120 Country Club Drive #15 that invites locals and visitors to come in anytime, relax, and play some golf…no matter what Mother Nature orchestrates outside.

With a single bay facing Trackman iO golf simulator screens, golf aficionados can practice their swing year-round at Iron & Wood while using state-of-the-art technology that provides relatable data, which in turn helps improve their game.

“The ball flies higher and farther up here, so it’s helpful to come practice before playing a Tahoe course,” Will says.

Will and Ashley are both from North Lake Tahoe but connected years later after they moved back and met on a blind date at the Tahoe City Golf Course. Ashley is from Incline Village and has been a golf instructor with IVGID for the past few years. After having their first child (now almost 2 years old), the couple wanted to start their own business.

“We wanted to live in Tahoe and knew golf would somehow be a part of that,” Ashley says about how they came up with the Iron & Wood concept. She explains that Iron & Wood is a multi-use venue that caters to locals, visitors looking for something to do, and those who want to take lessons with Ashley.

“People saw the benefit in practicing consistently beforehand and faster improvement in their game. And we use real golf balls,” Ashley says.

Will adds that, along with being in a nice indoor environment, people can actually talk to each other while playing instead of being away from their friends searching for their ball, plus it’s good for beginners because you can move along the course at your own speed instead of having to worry about the pace of play. Iron & Wood gets a mix of non-golfers, golfers, kids, and people who even rent out the space for their weddings, bachelor parties, and birthday parties, although the couple’s ultimate goal is to feed golfers to the course.

“Our goal is to build better golfers,” Will says.

Iron & Wood is rented by the hour, and there are around 400 courses loaded onto the Trackman golf simulator.

Incline Village resident Chris Feroli has been a familiar face at Iron & Wood since day one. After moving to Incline five years ago, he started taking lessons with Ashley about three years ago.

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© CHRIS TALBOT

By: Kayla Anderson

“I’ve been coming here since Iron & Wood opened, I think I signed up right when it started,” Chris says with a grin. “In the winter, I’m usually here twice a week.”

He plays once a week at the Championship Golf Course in the summertime and says his game has improved immensely since he started frequenting Iron & Wood.

“I have way more confidence out on the course. And these two are great; they’re friendly and welcoming. It’s fun to watch their business grow and nice to play year-round,” Feroli adds.

For more information about Iron & Wood or to book a reservation, visit https://www.ironandwoodgolf.com/.

Elevating Care Close to Home

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Members maintain complete ownership and management of local facilities.

S T AY I N G S A F E , HEALT H Y , AND H APPY

IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

Tahoe Multisport

By: Kayla Anderson

The northeastern part of the lake has long been known as a winter wonderland, with acres of trees and mountainous terrain perfect for exploring on cross-country skis or snowmobiles. However, there are some risks associated with recreating in the outdoors, which is why it’s worth taking a proactive approach to being prepared, in good shape, and healthy when adventuring into uncontrolled areas.

Here are some local resources that can help you have the best winter day out in the wilderness: LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

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tahoemultisport.com

For those who are coming to Tahoe sans ski equipment, Tahoe Multisport has you covered. Owned and managed by JP and Belinda Donovan, who are both avid backcountry explorers, their year-round sports shop offers seasonal weeklong or day rentals for cross-country ski equipment as well as a robust selection of both classic and skate equipment.

“This year we restocked our store with a lot more skate skiing boots as the community seems to have a growing interest in that type, as well as parabolic skate skis from Atomic that are easier to turn on going downhill around corners than the traditional straight skate skis,” explains JP. Tahoe Multisport also provides cross-country ski equipment to the local middle school and hopes to expand by outfitting the elementary school children as well.

“Belinda and I both personally love to backcountry ski in and around Incline and do that throughout most of the winter. Sometimes we will bring both cross-country skis and backcountry skis up to do both one after another.”

The best trails for backcountry skiing are accessible off the Mt. Rose Highway, just outside Incline Village. The Nevada Nordic nonprofit (https://nevadanordic.org/) grooms a network of trails with its new Clearapathra snowcat, providing donation-based fun for everyone.

Backcountry Chiropractic backcountrychiroiv.com

As an avid mountain biker and snowboarder, Dr. Jonathan Malley knows how important it is to keep your back in perfect alignment. Along with his wife, Colleen—who is a health coach—Dr. Jon and his team use personalized care for their patients to stay injury-free when skinning up the mountain, to best enjoy all Tahoe nature has to offer. Backcountry Chiropractic’s aim is not only to help their patients alleviate discomfort but also to strengthen the body’s natural ability to heal.

Dr. Jon explains that while most people seek chiropractic care only when they’re in pain, he wishes people would come in before heading out into the backcountry.

“One patient we have skins up the mountain every morning. He has regular hip flexor pain—as that activity is hard on your hips—so he comes in for core rehab,” he says.

Dr. Jon further explains that when going into the backcountry, it helps to be proactive in protecting your body rather than reactive, going to a chiropractor after an injury. To protect your body, Backcountry Chiropractic offers a functional movement program to help people improve their coordination, mobility, and strength.

Backcountry Chiropractic offers complimentary discovery phone calls to help people find the right chiropractic services for them.

Sage Leaf Backcountry Delivery Service www.sageleaftahoe.com

The popular Sage Leaf brunch and dinner spot in Incline Village has since opened a location in Reno and is now offering a backcountry delivery meal service between the two areas. This means if you’re out snowshoeing or cross-country skiing around the Mt. Rose Meadows and work up an appetite, then Sage Leaf will come out in its decked-out snowmobile and bring you lunch.

“We will do our best to accommodate you. We deliver in the general North Lake Tahoe area when there is enough snow on the ground to travel in the backcountry and do our best to accommodate you,” says Sage Leaf Owner Lara Hammett. She adds that this is the restaurant’s first season doing this one-of-a-kind delivery service and believes Sage Leaf is the only one offering a unique backcountry meal delivery service like this in America.

Alibi Ale Works’ Avalanche Education Series alibialeworks.com/events

Incline’s favorite taphouse is all about the snow, hosting a Pray for Snow Party and freeride film premier in November, amongst its regular trivia and line dancing nights. It’s also worth noting that its sister property, the Truckee Public House, also hosts an Avalanche Educational Series with events all winterlong and benefitting local nonprofits, like the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance and Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue.

These complementary talks focus on essential tools to take in the backcountry; stress the reality of accidents and how to prepare for a rescue; and backcountry experts talk about what it’s like to be caught in an avalanche—some with firsthand experience. Guest speakers have included representatives from Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue, Garmin, Alpenglow Expeditions, and others. Doors open at 6 pm and the presentation starts at 6:30pm. There are also great raffle prizes, including fun and practical essentials for the backcountry.

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The Tahoe Aesthetician www.thetahoeaesthetician.com

Holding the highest qualification in aesthetics and beauty therapy (CIDESCO) and 12 advanced aesthetic certifications, it’s safe to say that The Tahoe Aesthetician Founder, Kat Langridge, has beautiful skin.

To keep her skin looking radiant year-round, Langridge understands how to protect it in all weather. She explains that depending on the season, you may need to switch up your skincare routine. Incorporating a rich moisturizer or barrier cream in winter climate versus a lighter functional hydrator in summer is a good start, and Langridge emphasizes that you must use SPF sunscreen consistently every day, no matter what season.

Even if you’re not in the Tahoe backcountry often, living in Lake Tahoe is nice for people with excessively oily skin because of its dry climate, but the dry air at high altitudes can also compromise the skin’s barrier function causing trans epidermal water loss.

That’s why Langridge emphasizes the need for sunscreen.

Adamant about supporting Incline Village and giving its residents access to quality skincare treatments, Langridge says, “I offer complimentary in person consultations and want to support my community on their skin health journey.”

O THER R E S O UR C E S T O KEEP ON YO UR R AD A R : The Sierra Avalanche Center www.sierraavalanchecenter.org

This nonprofit is essential in providing up-to-date avalanche forecasts in the Sierra Nevada backcountry, so make sure to check its website before every backcountry adventure (especially during and 1-3 days after a snowstorm).

Happy Tiers Bakery

www.happytiersbakery.com

Need to stock up on snacks before heading out for the day? Consider picking up one (or a few) of the bakery’s delicious signature cinnamon rolls to dive into as a dessert when you reach the top of the mountain.

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We’re committed to addressing key issues in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, focusing on workforce and affordable housing through our Housing Committee. As a long-standing non-profit, we work to create lasting community impact.

We offer air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, luxury vinyl cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and water and fire restoration and mold remediation for services.

As President, I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to supporting growth and enhancing lives in our community.

M I K E YO U N G 775.771.2391 mike.young@sothebysrealty.com NV BS.29150 | CA 00784148

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Love Our Village?

Become a Community Supporter of IVCBA Stay connected and help us build a stronger, more engaged Incline Village & Crystal Bay.

Join Now

Incline Village

770 Mays Blvd.

Incline Village, NV 89451 7am - 9pm Every Day!

Fresh Produce | Organics | Snacks Fresh Meat | Dairy | Frozen Health & Beauty Care | Holiday Gifts And So Much More!

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(excludes alcohol, dairy, gift cards, tax & state bottle deposits)

Valid in-store at Incline Village Grocery Outlet only. One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offer. Duplicated coupons will not be accepted. No cash value. Valid 11/10/25 - 01/10/26.

Savings!

‘tis the season for

Julie Liddicoat

independent owner-operator supported by Brandon Hibbs

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SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY:

A Look at Lake Tahoe School Lake Tahoe School, an independent PreK-8th Grade school in Incline Village, is an active, vibrant, and engaging school community. We are dedicated to creating a joyful and academically challenging learning environment that echoes the wonder of Lake Tahoe, while cultivating a strong sense of community and sparking personal discovery that leads to an extraordinary future for every student. Since opening its doors in 1997, Lake Tahoe School has provided a unique educational experience focused on academic excellence, creative expression, and physical exploration. Each pillar on which our school was founded is imperative to a child’s positive upbringing and development, and nearly 30 years later, we are a thriving community of engaged students, passionate educators, and connected families.

Our innovative programs set us apart and are designed to build a sense of community right here on campus. We believe that, by creating a supportive internal environment, we can better prepare our students to contribute to the world outside our walls. Programs like our Reading Buddies, where students across different grades have the opportunity to read together, create mentorship opportunities, and foster a shared love of literacy. Our Bobcat Families program groups students from different grades into “families” that meet regularly for activities and events, building strong bonds across grade levels and inspiring leadership among our eighth-grade students. Our second-grade class has just started a “Clean Team” initiative, in which they pick up campus trash every Friday. Through our Middle School Advisory program, students meet in small groups with faculty advisors to discuss everything from academic goals to social challenges, ensuring every student feels a sense of belonging.

The spirit of community extends far beyond our campus. We are proud to be active and contributing members of the wider community - from our local Incline Village, to the greater Tahoe Basin, and even as far as Costa Rica! Our students regularly participate in local service projects, such as the semi-annual

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East Shore Trail clean-up and FISH (Friends In Service Helping) food sorting. Our Inclined 2 Read meet-ups bring students and families together, both at our on-campus Bobcat Treehouse Library and at the public Incline Village Library, and our newest Turkey Trot running event on Thanksgiving Day is a crowd favorite! These initiatives teach our students the value of giving back and how communities are made up of individuals who care about the place they live in and its surrounding areas.

We’re excited to invite you to our biggest community event of the year: the annual Winter Market! This event brings together the best of our local community, featuring dozens of vendors selling handcrafted goods, delicious food trucks, live entertainment, a student craft market, and a spectacular raffle.

It’s the perfect opportunity to kick off the holiday season, find one-of-a-kind gifts, and support local businesses. We hope you will join us at Lake Tahoe School on Friday, December 6, for an evening of fun, food, and, most importantly, celebrating the spirit of our community.

Advertise in LIVE. WORK. PLAY. For info on rates please contact Mike O’Neill at 805-630-4442 or Mike@IVCBA.org Shop Local Small Businesses Festive Food and Drinks Give back to your Community!

Shahri Masters grew up at Lake Tahoe, staying on for the beauty, the lifestyle, and the people.

As a third-generation real estate broker, she followed the family path of real estate and construction. Shahri will bring to you a historical perspective as well as in-depth knowledge of the area, of TRPA and development, and of course –The Real Estate Market.

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

NV LIC. #B1870

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Small School. Big Education.

995 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, Nevada

775-831-5828

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO

LAKE TAHOE Where art, science, and the environment meet.

Dedicated to an enriched community and innovative thinking, we welcome the brightest minds in science, art and sustainability to the Tahoe region to conduct research, partner on projects, and participate in community events.

unr.edu/lake-tahoe

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IVCBA

Building Community Where We Live, Work, and Play By: Kristie Wells

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

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A Foundation for Connection

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

Through a mix of founding and tiered memberships, IVCBA quickly earned the support of every major agency - a clear signal the region was ready for a home base of collaboration.

From the start, IVCBA has focused on two priorities: economic vitality and civic engagement. The organization is intentionally apolitical; its mission is to educate and convene - to be the table where everyone can share ideas and turn them into action.

Main Street Momentum

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

Celebrating Community Spirit

From Northern Lights Tahoe in December to the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration, Restaurant Week in the spring, business mixers, and the growing Fall Fest, IVCBA’s events spark connection, conversation, and civic pride. Each gathering One of IVCBA’s greatest achievements has been rebuilding how reminds us that when people show up, community grows Incline Village and Crystal Bay communicate. When the local connections deepen, ideas take shape, and pride takes root. newspaper folded, the community lost its central source of news. Today, IVCBA’s weekly Snapshot reaches more than 3,000 subscribers - residents, second homeowners, and businesses reconnected to the pulse of local life. It also links to regional outlets like the Tahoe Daily Tribune, keeping the community informed and engaged.

Rebuilding Local Communication

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

Together, these touchpoints have restored a shared sense of identity and pride.

Addressing the Housing Challenge

If communication is the backbone, convening is the heart.

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

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

The Power of Membership

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

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

To keep this work growing, IVCBA invites everyone - business owners, nonprofits, agencies, and residents - to become members and help strengthen the fabric that connects us all.

Because when Incline Village and Crystal Bay thrive, we all do.

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Building Skills, Building Community: Incline Middle School Exploratory Program

by Mary Danahey

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Now in its third year, Incline Middle School’s (IMS) signature Exploratory Program continues to redefine what learning looks like. This inspiring program takes education beyond the textbook by giving every student the chance to learn by doing.

Organized into four dynamic arenas—Art & Environment, Technology & Entrepreneurship, College & Career, and Physical Sciences—it invites students to discover new interests, develop real-world skills, and build confidence for life beyond middle school.

More than academics, the Exploratory Program prepares students for the future while strengthening the fabric of the Incline community. By engaging in real-world, projectbased learning, and with the help of local experts and volunteers, students gain not only technical know-how (like math and engineering skills) but also confidence, creativity, communication skills and a sense of purpose.

This fall’s signature initiative, the dog house project, perfectly illustrates what makes the program special. Students in the Technology & Entrepreneurship track designed and built four fully functional dog houses. The project blended teamwork, construction skills, problem-solving, and community service.

Two of the finished houses will be sold, with proceeds funding materials for future classes, ensuring the sustainability of the program. The other two houses will be donated to Liberty Dogs, a Reno-based nonprofit and flagship initiative of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation that provides service dogs to disabled veterans, making the project not just a classroom exercise, but a contribution to a larger mission.

The impact was multiplied by the involvement of the Incline community. Skilled volunteers, including members of both local Rotary Clubs and AAUW, served as mentors to guide students through the process. They brought professional expertise and encouragement to the classes, showing students what it looks

like when a community invests in its youth. They also lent their talents in the Fiber Arts Exploratory, where students crafted dog beds to complement the houses. Together, the volunteers and students demonstrated the power of collaboration: when education, service, and the community come together, remarkable things happen.

The Exploratory Program is more than just a set of classes— it’s a pathway. It introduces students to possibilities they may never have considered, from careers in construction, engineering, and design to potential creative pursuits in the arts. For some students, it sparks a lifelong interest; for others, it provides the confidence to try something new. And for all, it reinforces the idea that learning is most powerful when it is connected to the world around them.

Incline Village thrives on collaboration between those who live, work, and play here and the IMS Exploratory Program embodies that spirit. Bringing together students, educators, and volunteers in a shared project, the program shows how education can enrich both individuals and the wider community.

The dog house project, blended hands-on skills, service and teamwork into a great example of Incline’s unique way of turning classrooms into launching pads for a brighter future.

To learn more about the Exploratory Program and how to support it, go to: https://www.inclineeducationfund.org/

Other IMS Exploratory Classes:

Culinary Arts, Financial Literacy, Veterinary Studies, Web Design, AI, Fiber Arts, Bear Box Beautification, Swimming, Tennis, XC Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Mountain Biking, Pickleball, Bowling

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GIVING MORE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Northern Lights Holiday Community Celebration

By Julie Malkin-Manning

The beloved holiday tradition once known as Candy Cane Lane + Village has blossomed into the Northern Lights Holiday Community Giving Tree Event, offering a richer experience for the entire community. Set for Saturday, December 6th, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM at the UNR Lake Tahoe Prim Library, this year’s celebration expands its focus to embrace the spirit of giving and provide engaging activities for teens and adults, alongside the classic fun for kids.

The event’s centerpiece is the new “Giving Tree Forest.” Local nonprofits and service clubs will showcase beautifully decorated trees, each highlighting opportunities to contribute time, treasure, or talent. This offers a meaningful way for attendees to connect with and support vital community organizations.

While younger children will delight in Santa and Mrs. Claus’ arrival on a fire engine (2:15PM), craft stations, Santa Letter writing stations, and a scavenger hunt, there’s plenty for others to enjoy. Explore interactive nonprofit tables, enjoy youth and community musical performances, and plenty of photo opportunities. The day concludes with an outdoor tree lighting ceremony where the winners of the Giving Tree contest will be announced.

Join your neighbors for this festive gathering that celebrates community, supports local causes like Toys for Tots, and offers holiday fun for every member of the family. It’s a perfect way to kick off the season with joy and purpose.

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DIAMOND PEAK

C E L E B R AT E S 6 0 Y E A R S

By: Kayla Anderson

Sixty years ago, back when Incline Village was becoming a town, 655-acre Ski Incline was taking root as a community-owned ski resort. It celebrated a lot of “firsts” in the Tahoe ski industry at the time, it was one of the first resorts in the area to have original moving magic carpets, the first to have a manmade snowmaking system, and I believe it was the first to have a mascot (Penguin Pete—that was the brainchild of New Zealander Ski School Director Bee Ferrato). In 1985, when it installed the Crystal Ridge quad, it opened a whole new world of black diamond terrain, hence the resort changed its name to Diamond Peak.

Twenty years ago, I was working in the wakeboarding industry in Orlando, Florida, and soon missed having four seasons—I had to buy a sweater every time I came home for Christmas. Therefore, also being an avid snowboarder, when October 2006 rolled around, I applied for winter ski resort jobs at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, and Sunriver in Bend, Oregon. Diamond Peak called me back first.

By December 2006, I had moved to Carnelian Bay with three guys who also secured jobs at Diamond Peak (I spent my first night in town going to the ICBA’s Christmas Tree Village Pray for Snow party, where I met one of my bosses, Mike Bandelin). As a lift operator, my fellow chair bumpers came from New Zealand,

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Australia, South America, and beyond, working their summer breaks on J1 visas.

Ed Youmans was the general manager, and Mike Bandelin was the mountain manager at the time, and they were both great to work for. Mike had worked at the resort since he was 17 years old, and hailing from Vernon, New Jersey, I believe Ed became the GM in 1995.

Ed used to tell unbelievable stories of his time working at Action Park, now fondly remembered as “The World’s Most Dangerous Waterpark.” Diamond Peak Ski Operations Manager Jay Rydd used to work with Ed at Action Park, and I’m sure he has his own stories to tell.

The Lift Op Life

Before Diamond Peak renovated its ski school, there used to be a locker room facing out to the Lakeview chairlift that we used to call The Bunker because it was partly underground. Every Friday night, we had little impromptu rail jams outside The Bunker, where we would drag a barbecue out into the snow and find things like trash cans, fences, and unused railings that we could slide off on our snowboards (the whole freestyle skiing scene hadn’t come into existence yet). In January, after we got several storms that dumped feet of snow, the cat drivers pushed piles of it under the Lakeview chairlift and behind The Bunker. Ski School carved the snow piles into a gigantic sea turtle and the other a 10-ft. long whale with pinecone eyes. Tourists who didn’t ski came to Diamond Peak just to take pictures of the whale. At one of our Friday night rail jams, we tried to jib off the top of the whale and touch its tail without breaking it off.

The Beginning of Diamond Peak’s Iconic Events

In April 2007, the IVGID marketing coordinator position opened.

I applied for the year-round position and got it. I worked at Diamond Peak as the IVGID marketing coordinator from 20072009. During that stint, our marketing team came up with some signature events that are still around today. The marketing director at the time, Milena Regos, came up with Last Tracks, and it’s crazy to think she struggled to sell the concept at the time, while there’s now a waitlist for it. We also put on quite a few successful Dummy Downhills, the Luggi Foeger Uphill Downhill Race, and new events have come on the scene, like Ullr Fest and Pi Day. My favorite event happened only once, though, and that was Bruce Spring Skiing Day. My late coworker Jay Abdo and I came up with it to celebrate the first day of spring and drum up some business after the holidays. Despite Ed being from New Jersey, he was not a Bruce Springsteen fan and hated the idea of us celebrating The Boss. But we did it anyway…we brought in a Bruce Springsteen cover band and gave everyone named Bruce a discounted lift ticket (we were liberal about who qualified). About a hundred people showed up to ski and dance the afternoon away…a few Bruces but mostly season passholders.

The Memories Continue

Thanks to Diamond Peak hiring me as a lift operator when I wanted to move to the West Coast, I have been able to live in North Lake Tahoe for almost 20 years. Over that time span, I’ve known people who’ve met, fallen in love, and raised their families based on some kind of Diamond Peak connection.

And every time I ride the mountain, not only do I recall dozens of other stories, but I see new memories being formed, consistently proving that the community connection has remained strong. Cheers to another 60 years!

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A Taste of the Future: Incline High School’s Culinary Arts Program

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Written by Mary Danahey Incline High School is turning up the heat on student learning. With the opening of its brand-new, professional-grade kitchen, the school’s new Culinary Arts program blends creativity, technical skill, and realworld experience—preparing students for careers in one of the region’s fastest-growing fields.

Students learn the fundamentals of cooking, baking, food safety, and nutrition while exploring the artistry and innovation of the culinary world. In their now state-of-the-art kitchen, they practice everything from knife skills and menu planning to plating, presentation, and hospitality.

“The Culinary Arts program gives students real-world experience that goes beyond recipes,” said Neal Young, IHS’s Culinary Arts teacher. “They’re learning teamwork, time management, and problem-solving in a setting that mirrors a real world kitchen. These are skills they can take anywhere—into college, a career, or life.”

The new kitchen was made possible through the generous support of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, whose funding enabled the complete build-out and modernization of the space. Their investment created a professional-grade culinary lab that now serves as both a classroom and a setting for collaborative efforts with local chefs, restaurant owners, and hospitality leaders to provide guest instruction, mentorship, and internship opportunities.

In the coming months, the Culinary Arts team hopes to open a student-run restaurant, offering setmenu dining experiences where students can learn everything from front-of-house service and hospitality to back-of-house preparation and plating. It’s a bold next step that connects students’ learning directly to the real world— and to the community they serve.

“Programs like Culinary Arts are what make learning come alive,” said Tierney Cahill, Principal of IHS. “They give students the chance to connect passion with purpose—and to see that what they learn today can shape the opportunities they have tomorrow.”

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L O C A L

P R O F I L E

JIM DYKSTRA

IS BUILDING THE VILLAGE WE NEED

By: Kristie Wells

In 1991, while living in Costa Rica, CPAs Jim Dykstra and his wife wandered into Incline Village, fell in love with the Sierra, and bought a home on the spot.

They moved in full-time in 1999, raised two kids through Incline schools, and never looked back.

Dykstra held controller and CFO roles with Dole across Latin America, followed by 11 years with the Tahoe City PUD. A cancer survivor who endured four years of chemotherapy and two stem-cell transplants - and now 18 years in full remission - he treats every day as a gift to be paid forward.

Service is where Jim shines. As a deacon at The Village Church, he’s helped distribute more than 15,000 food boxes over two decades. He brought Meals on Wheels to Incline Village and Crystal Bay in 2013 and still drives the route, checking in on seniors with a warm meal and a smile. He maintains a closet of medical gear for neighbors, supports Winter Warmth & Wellness, pitches in on Toys for Tots, reads with elementary students, and even leaves wagons on the East Shore Trail so dogs don’t burn their paws.

Want to help build that vision or volunteer to drive Meals on Wheels for a much needed second route in Incline Village? Jim’s ready to take your call at Meals on Wheels: 530-550-7600

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© CHRIS TALBOT

Next on his list: transforming the former library into a multigenerational community hub. Picture a day in motion - morning “Mommy & Me” meetups, midday games and socials for seniors, afterschool hangouts for teens, and evenings filled with clubs, faith groups, classes, and community programs. One place. All ages. Shared energy.

SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE Sierra Senior Services

www.sierraseniors.org • Meals on Wheels: www.sierraseniors.org/meal-delivery

Washoe County Senior Services www.washoecounty.gov/seniorsrv

Incline Village Library

washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/incline-village • Adult art Classes • Bridge and Mahjong • Knitters Guild meets here

Senior Recreation Services

www.yourtahoeplace.com/parks-rec/programs/adult-senior-programs • Active Senior Programs: www.yourtahoeplace.com/parks-rec/programs/adult-senior-programs/#adults • Health and Wellness Programs: www.yourtahoeplace.com/parks-rec/programs/adult-seniorprograms/#health-wellness • Senior Programs and Clubs: www.yourtahoeplace.com/parks-rec/programs/adult-senior-programs/#seniors

Incliners •

Social dinners and Happy Hours: www.incliners.org

IVCBA Family Resource Guide ivcba.org/resources/community-resources

WEEKEND SKI CAMP! AGES 2 – 10 | 9 AM – 1 PM Weekly sessions running NOW THROUGH SPRING! Forest-style play, balance training, hiking, and ski-skill fun!

SIGN UP:

Bring your own gear or rent for $10 Meet at Daisy Trails 775-624-8898 TahoeTotsOnTrails@gmail.com

Advertise in LIVE. WORK. PLAY. For info on rates please contact Mike O’Neill at 805.630-4442 or Mike@IVCBA.org

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A NEW ERA OF ANIMAL CARE BEGINS AT PET NETWORK By: Sierra Collins, Guest Contributor

A Facility Built for the Future

The remodel introduced advanced diagnostic and surgical tools rarely found in shelter medicine. A CT scanner, ultrasound, endoscope, ventilator, and dedicated ICU now give Pet Network the ability to diagnose and treat animals at a level once thought impossible for a nonprofit shelter and animal hospital.

“Our remodeled hospital allows us to provide faster and more detailed diagnoses, more advanced surgeries, and better outcomes for the most vulnerable pets in our community,” said Dr. Marlène Tremblay, Hospital Medical Director.

On September 18, a ribbon cutting in Incline Village marked a milestone not just for Pet Network Lake Tahoe, but for the future of animal care in the Tahoe Basin. What had long been envisioned — a hospital capable of meeting the most complex medical needs of both shelter and community pets — is now a reality.

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Pet Network is also the first facility in the nation to house the MyVet i3D+ CT scanner update, positioning its hospital at the forefront of veterinary technology. Combined with its AAHA accreditation, a designation awarded to fewer than 15% of veterinary hospitals nationwide and as only the 11th shelter in the country, the remodel places Pet Network among an elite group of organizations leading the way in community and shelter medicine.

A Home-Grown National Leader

Pet Network’s journey as a 501(c)3 non-profit began more than three decades ago when a group of passionate volunteers came together to address the lack of animal welfare resources in Incline Village. What started as a grassroots effort to rescue and rehome pets has grown into one of the most respected animal welfare organizations in the region.

Over the years, Pet Network has expanded its mission beyond adoption to encompass medical treatment, wellness, and community education. The opening of its community hospital was a pivotal step. And today, with the remodeled medical and surgical suites, the organization has become a recognized national leader in diagnostic tools and standards of care.

“This facility redefines what a community hospital and animal shelter can be,” said Dr. Nick Robl, Director of Community Medicine. “It’s not only about what we can do here in Tahoe, but demonstrates the potential for integrated Shelter and community medicine.”

in bringing the remodel to life with thoughtful design and precision execution.

“This is by far the most advanced and thoughtfully equipped medical space I have ever seen in a Shelter,” said Dr. Nick Robl, Director of Community Medicine. “The layout and technology improve our efficiency at every step, allowing us to treat animals more effectively.”

Community Investment, Tangible Results

While the newly remodeled surgery suite is striking in its design, its true value lies in what it makes possible: more timely A Ceremony Grounded in Legacy diagnoses, access to advanced procedures, and lifesaving and Gratitude outcomes for pets who might otherwise go without care.

The ribbon cutting gathered a cross-section of the people who The project was funded through the generosity of donors, made this transformation possible. Alan Wechsler, Board Chair, foundations, and community partners; a reminder that the was joined by Dr. Marty Fineman, Pet Network’s original shelter hospital belongs not only to Pet Network, but to the wider veterinarian, and Beverly Keil, longtime board member and Tahoe community. supporter. Their presence underscored the continuity between Pet Network’s beginnings and its future.

When you walk through this new space, you understand This milestone would not have been possible without the instrumental support of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, whose generosity continues to shape animal welfare in Tahoe and beyond. Alongside individual donors and community champions, their investment helped turn vision into reality.

Construction partners Mark Tanner and Robbie Jamison of Tanner Construction were also recognized for their role

immediately that it’s more than an upgrade,” said Simi Balter, Executive Director. “When you see the difference this makes for an animal in need, it’s immediate and powerful. This is a facility built to save lives, and knowing our community came together to make it possible is something I’m very proud of.”

Pet Network’s expanded capabilities will serve animals from across the region, strengthening bonds between animals and their guardians for years to come.

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HELP IVCBA LIGHT UP THE VILLAGE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! The Incline Village Crystal Bay Association (IVCBA) is delighted to bring festive cheer to our community by managing the holiday lighting along Tahoe Boulevard. From swirl-wrapped trees brightening key intersections to sparkling trunk wraps and décor from local businesses and shopping centers, the entire village comes alive with warm, welcoming light.

These twinkling holiday trees invite locals and visitors alike to slow down, explore, and enjoy the seasonal spirit throughout Incline Village. As part of our Main Street Program, IVCBA partners with the Incline Tahoe Foundation, making all contributions to the Holiday Lighting Fund fully tax-deductible.

Join us in creating a magical atmosphere this holiday season—your support helps keep our village shining bright.

To donate, visit www.inclinetahoe.org/holiday-lights.

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MOUNTAIN JUDAISM:

A Vibrant Jewish Community at Lake Tahoe By: Jessica Teitelbaum Picture this: Shabbat services on the beach as the sun sets behind the mountains. A camping trip under the pines to prepare for the High Holy Days. Skiing down a snowy slope in a rainbow tutu to celebrate Purim. Noshing on brisket and brews beneath the Sukkah. The Tahoe Jewish Community (TJC) is unlike any other — vibrant, welcoming, and deeply rooted in the spirit of our mountain lake home.

TJC unites members from Temple Bat Yam (TBY) in South Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation (NTHC) on the north shore, and Jewish residents throughout the surrounding mountain towns and Carson Valley. Together, we celebrate what we call “Mountain Judaism” - a joyful, natureconnected expression of Jewish life inspired by Lake Tahoe’s beauty. As inscribed on the Ark that holds the Torah at TBY, “I lift my eyes to the mountains.” (Psalm 121) Led by Rabbis Evon Yakar and Lauren Ben-Shoshan, our close-knit community thrives through shared leadership, creativity, and connection. Whether joining for Shabbat by the water, Purim in the Powder, Rosh Hashanah on the shores of Sand Harbor or on a reflective Jewish New Year hike through Spooner State Park, or Hanukkah’s spirited “Vodka & Latkes” celebration, each event strengthens our sense of belonging. As one member put it, “The feeling you get from immediate family and close friends applies here.

We see each other at the market, on the slopes, and in the sanctuary.”

Among our granite peaks, pines, and the gem of creation – Lake Tahoe, Judaism has truly found its home. To learn more, visit tahoejewishcommunity.org

Join us for our annual Vodka and Latkes Hanukkah Celebration on December 10.

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Incline Village REALTORS® is delighted to announce the recipients of their annual awards.

775-831-3777 inclinerealtors.com 940 Southwood Blvd., Suite 103 Incline Village, Nevada 89451

LAURA LEVINE | 2025 AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

Laura Levine, representing Columbia Bank, is the honored recipient of the Affiliate of the Year award. Her dedication and tremendous contributions this year, along with her consistent support of REALTORS®, fellow affiliates, made her an invaluable asset. Laura’s enthusiasm and collaborative approach is apparent to all. She is always ready to lend a helping hand. Laura goes above and beyond to ensure that those around her and this community feel supported and valued. Laura’s dedication and generosity have left a lasting impact on the community and strengthened the bonds between professionals and residents alike. Laura’s contributions to the success of this community truly exemplify the spirit of this award.

JANET PAHL | 2025 GOOD NEIGHBOR OF THE YEAR

The Good Neighbor of the Year award is proudly presented to Janet Pahl of Caldwell Banker Select RE, whose generosity and community spirit are apparent in every interaction. Janet’s dedicated involvement, generous contributions of time, and commitment of resources has made a significant and lasting impact on those around her Janet’s unwavering support of local causes, especially through her ability to network with our community in all walks of life and bring her expertise to bear in helping others, reflects a deep dedication to making the community a better place for all. Janet’s efforts continue to inspire others to give back and uplift those in need.

SEAN MCDONALD | 2025 REALTOR® OF THE YEAR

The prestigious REALTOR® of the Year award is presented to Sean McDonald of Caldwell Banker Select RE, whose exceptional leadership and commitment to honor both the Association and the community are noted by his peers as outstanding. Sean’s dedication, inspiring leadership and readiness to proudly represent Incline Village REALTORS® at the local, state and national level set him apart. Sean’s quest for elevating the profession and leading by example has supported the success of IVR this year and his fellow REALTORS®. Sean has made a true difference in the real estate community.

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New Year, New You:

EMBRACE THE NEW YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE

By Kathleen Holoyda, MD

Some treatment options include: The start of the New Year is a natural time for reflection and personal growth.

• Medical grade skin care We focus on making positive changes that • Injectable fillers such as Botox® and Juvéderm® enhance our well-being and confidence • Laser Treatment such as Clear + Brilliant® and Fraxel® by setting goals, cultivating healthy • Surgical options such as facelift, brow lift, liposuction, habits, and embracing new experiences. tummy tuck, breast augmentation/ reduction Personal transformation can be achieved This year, let’s make a commitment to nurturing our mental, through various means, such as improving physical fitness, emotional, and physical well-being. There are numerous pursuing educational endeavors, engaging in mindfulness avenues to explore and by embracing different paths of selfpractices or enhancing self-care routines. improvement, we can embark on a fulfilling journey of growth and self-discovery in the year ahead.

For some individuals, improving their appearance may be a consideration within their personal journey. It can be a way to address specific concerns or insecurities, helping individuals Kathleen Holoyda, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon providing plastic and reconstructive surgery services from align their physical appearance with their inner confidence.

Barton Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery offices in Incline Village, NV and South Lake Tahoe, CA. For more information Plastic surgery treatments, approached with careful or to schedule a consultation, call 530.543.5799 or visit consideration and guidance from professionals, can provide a means to achieve desired changes and is a way for some to BartonHealth.org. embrace their individual beauty.

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A N A M A Z I N G L I N E U P AT

The 11th Annual Tahoe Film Fest

Are you ready to experience the magic of cinema at Lake Tahoe?

Great films are meant to be seen on the big screen — with a crowd that laughs, gasps, and applauds together. The 11th Tahoe Film Fest returns December 4-7, 2025, with screenings at Incline Village Cinema, Village Cinemas at Northstar, and the Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room.

This year’s lineup is nothing short of spectacular. The festival opens with JAY KELLY, which earned an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler.

The festival closes with DEAD MEN WALKING, the third installment in the Knives Out series, featuring Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, and Jeremy Renner. Other major highlights include: IS THIS THING ON?, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, alongside Will Arnett and Laura Dern.

SONG SUNG BLUE, a musical drama starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson and WICKED: FOR GOOD, another dazzling journey through the Land of Oz. International cinema also takes center stage with several submissions for the 2026 Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film with SENTIMENTAL VALUE (Norway), IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (France), SIRAT (Spain) and THE SECRET AGENT (Brazil).

Of course, no Tahoe festival would be complete without a worldclass ski film! This year, Teton Gravity Research presents its 30th annual film, PRESSURE DROP. The lineup also features NOBU, a new documentary about chef Nobu Matsuhisa, inspired by the buzz around a possible Nobu restaurant at Lake Tahoe. Incline High School graduate Jennifer Tiexiera returns home with two acclaimed new documentaries — REBBECA and SPEAK. Also screening are Jimmy Chin’s LOVE + WAR (National Geographic) and Tasha Van Zandt’s A LIFE ILLUMINATED, both festival favorites. Rounding out the program, the festival honors Indigenous voices with four powerful films: REMAINING NATIVE, FREE LEONARD PELTIER, COURAGE, and YANUNI (produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival).

The Tahoe Film Fest proudly thanks its founding partners: Travel North Tahoe Nevada, North Tahoe Community Alliance, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Film Placer County, Crystal Bay Casino, and the Sierra Sun. Individual tickets and festival passes are available online at tahoefilmfest.com, or at theater box offices on the day of each screening.

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INCLINE’S OLD ORBIT GASOLINE STATION

By: Richard Miner, Past President of the Incline Village and Crystal Bay Historical Society Few buildings in communities around the North Shore of Lake Tahoe have attracted more attention for longer than the Orbit gas station on SR 28 at the entry to Incline Village from the Crystal Bay side of town. But the deeper this author got into the history of this landmark, the more complicated telling its story became. With the relocation of SR31 (now 431, the Mount Rose Highway) completed in 1959, in time for the 1960 Winter Olympics to be held at Squaw Valley that year, the need for a gas station between Reno and the California border at Kings Beach became a necessity. Enter Jack A. Ferguson, Senior, who purchased property at the then junction of Nevada State Highway 28 (now Lake Shore Blvd.) with the newly completed Mount Rose Highway. Jack purchased the land from the Crystal Bay Development Company in a deed signed on the 25th day of April, 1961. The property is to this day still owned by Jack Ferguson’s heirs under the business name of Village Springs LLC.

west, making a sharp turn down to Lakeshore Blvd. (then SR 28) to form a T-intersection. In so doing, it literally wrapped around the Orbit station property between what is now a small Washoe County public park and the gas station site. SR 28 then continued straight towards Crystal Bay, slightly below the current alignment of that highway. Thus, the Orbit gas station was in a perfect location for travel between the California border and Reno or the east shore of Lake Tahoe.

A feature of “our” Orbit station that has always attracted attention is its design, which is usually classified as “Mid-Century Modern” by architectural standards but is more commonly known as “Space Age” or “Googie” architecture. Our station is popularly associated with a series of gas stations built in California in the late 1950s and 60’s, which featured reinforced concrete “flying wing” designs, some of which are still extant in the Sacramento area. At least some of these “Googie” style gas stations built around Sacramento are The new Mount Rose Highway followed a significantly different path than today. In 1961, the new roadway curved towards Crystal attributed to an architect named Ed Ward, but Ward had nothing to do with the Incline Orbit station. Local architect Phil Gilanfarr, Bay on the uphill side of the current roundabout and proceeded LIVE.WORK.PLAY.

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whose father also practiced architecture here, is currently involved with the design and planning of the future use of what I will simply call the Orbit property for Village Springs LLC. Phil was very helpful in my research and supplied a copy of the original correspondence between Washoe County and the actual architect retained by Jack Ferguson to design his Orbit station, one Sherrill Jay Broudy. Broudy later achieved success in Southern California as a designer and manufacturer of wall panels and mid-century modern furniture via a Los Angeles-based company named Forms and Surfaces, a successor of which is still in business in Carpinteria, CA. It is probably lost to history as to how Ferguson and Broudy came together to create our Orbit’s station striking design, but the evidence is clear: Sherrill Broudy was the architect for the Incline Village project. A search of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) database at the time lists Sherrill Jay Broudy of Los Angeles, CA, but not a single major building for which he was responsible, not even Incline’s Orbit gas station. However, according to architect Gilanfarr, Broudy was also the designer of a pounded brass door, which, to this day, still decorates the front door of a house on Fairview Drive in Incline Village. How Ferguson and Broudy got together to design the Orbit station still remains a mystery, but Ferguson had business dealings in the Los Angeles area that may have led to a client/patron relationship. And Broudy’s involvement in the Orbit project then might have led to the door covering commission. mentioned above—but this is just speculation.

In any case, the Broudy design was quickly finalized, and construction began in the summer of 1961. According to Gilanfarr, the structure is steel-framed, anchored in stone-faced concrete piers on opposite sides of the building where the structure meets the ground. Timber beams were bolted to the steel, and a shake roof of plywood paneling covers the soaring wings, which are the major visual feature of the design. The resulting structure was surprisingly rigid despite its lateral overhangs and has remained amazingly intact after 65 years of Sierra Nevada weather, which has wreaked havoc with lesser structures. The contractor for the project has still not been identified, but progress was rapid, and Washoe County records indicate that a Certificate of Occupancy for the new gas station was issued on June 14, 1962.

A lot of misinformation surrounds the names of gas stations associated with the Orbit “brand,” which cropped up across

California and elsewhere in the early 1960s. But over the years, many independent stations, and for that matter, even large resellers like Costco, purchased their gasoline from private distributors who were not directly affiliated with the large refiners like Chevron or Shell. However the the last affiliation for Incline’s Orbit station was, at least from the decals still visible on its doors, none other than one of the largest domestic oil refiners, Texaco. That said, all the research I’ve done indicates there was never a gasoline refiner or distributor named Orbit. Here’s a quote from a Google search on the subject: “Orbit was not a gasoline distributor in the 1960s; it was a brand of gas-station-branded gum sold in the 1960s. The name Orbit was associated with gas stations for a period of time, but the brand is most famously known as a brand of chewing gum sold by the Wrigley Company.”

So there is still a lot missing from establishing the provenance of Incline Village’s Orbit gas station. Jack A. Ferguson, Sr. and his wife, Mary Ann, divorced, and the record shows the ownership of the station property was transferred to one “Mary Ann Ferguson” on April 26, 1996. On May 3, 2004, Washoe County records show that “M.A. Ferguson” transferred ownership of the property to Village Springs LLC, which remains the owner of record to this day. Jack Senior remarried and passed away over a decade ago, but Mary Ann—as of a year or so ago—was still alive, and their daughter, Catherine, now heads the Village Springs LLC. Village Springs retained the services of Incline architect Phil Gilanfarr to develop a variety of plans for how best to use the property going forward. These plans are still a work in progress today.

Photo Credit: The photos used in this article were taken by Incline resident Roland Schumann in September 2025. Mr. Schumann has generously given the author one-time permission for their use. These images are copyrighted by Mr.Schumann.

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