Author: Kayla Anderson

My name is Kayla and I live in North Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Along with snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, and golfing, I love to read, write, and drink coffee. As a full-time freelance writer, I regularly contribute to The Tahoe Weekly, the Sparks Tribune, and Enjoy magazine. To see samples of my work, view all of my recent articles here. I’ve also written a few eBooks. I'm also excited to announce that I co-authored a book with Stuart Thornton titled Northern California Road Trips out in stores now! It is the perfect companion for a trip around Northern California, spelling out where to go, what to see, and what to do in the state's coastal and inland regions. This comprehensive guide also includes a variety of maps, images, and information about national parks such as Lassen, Crater Lake, Yosemite, and more. I hope you enjoy reading Northern California Road Trips as much as I enjoyed writing it and that you find a place (or a few) that you connect with. I'm currently working on the second edition of this book, set to be released in Summer 2023.
< Back to Community News

The Local Lens – Kid-Friendly Food Options in the Village

September 8, 2026 | Kayla Anderson

By: Kayla Anderson

Everyone knows that kids can be picky eaters, but sometimes you just want to go out and enjoy a nice meal at a place where you don’t have to cook and do the dishes. Fortunately, these restaurants offer delicious dishes for everyone: 

The Alibi Ale Works- Incline Public House, 931 Tahoe Blvd., IV

While out with a group of friends, a seven-year-old in the group ordered a pretzel…and it came out shaped as a mustache just like in Alibi’s logo. Within minutes, the mustache pretzel was consumed by everyone, and we had to order another one. 

Drake says it’s an adult food that kids happen to love, and even though Alibi is mostly known for its beer, it’s always been a family-oriented establishment.

“When we opened the Truckee location in 2017, we had a pretzel on the menu, and it was selling well,” Alibi Ale Works Owner Kevin Drake says. “Then in 2018, a line cook came up with the idea to shape it into a pretzel. We work with Truckee Sourdough to produce it, and it’s been a huge hit ever since. It’s warm, soft, a little buttery, and it comes with the cheese and mustard dipping sauces. I honestly can’t eat any other kind of pretzel now.”

The Alibi Incline Public House also has a nice big kitchen where it can make full-size pizzas and keep a dedicated kids menu with cheeseburger sliders, chicken tenders, a hot dog, and a grilled cheese sandwich on it. 

“We have all the basics covered for kids,” Drake says. “[But] the mustache pretzel has become pretty iconic at Alibi.” 

Sage Leaf Tahoe, 893 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 600, IV

Our very own IVCBA’s Mike O’Neill says his kid Finn loves the Sage Leaf kids burger with the restaurant’s logo branded into the bun, but the French toast sticks, quesadilla, and pasta are popular, too. 

“We make all of our own pasta fresh in house daily,” says Sage Leaf Tahoe Owner Lara Hammett. “And we use organic flour that isn’t enriched or bleached with additives. The cool thing about the French toast sticks is we use Truckee Sourdough and dip them in creme bruleé batter and the kids love it. It’s served with Vermont maple syrup.”

However, the kids burger is still the fan favorite as well as unique to the Reno/Tahoe area. The meal consists of a 6-oz. Niman Ranch patty nestled in a Truckee Sourdough brioche bun and served with hand cut housemade fries for about $12. 

Inclined Burgers & Brews, 901 Tahoe Blvd., IV

On a warm summer day, Inclined Burgers & Brews was packed with people on their lunch break as well as what seemed to be multi-generational families. Inclined Burgers’ menu is robust to say the least, with variations of burgers, fried chicken, and breakfast filling a decent-sized TV screen above the bar. A kids version is in the lower corner of that menu, even though anyone of any age can order from it. 

While hamburgers are understandably the most popular item on the kids menu, they also offer grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets meals. I got the chicken nuggets, which cost $14.95 with a small fry and drink included. I made myself an Arnold Palmer out of the soda fountain, and within minutes my chicken nuggets came out piping hot, with a heaping number of shoestring fries and housemade buttermilk ranch with it.

I was halfway through my meal when I noticed that Inclined Burgers & Brews also serves an alcoholic Frosé drink (made of rosé wine, vodka, and watermelon-strawberry slush) and “Incline Loaded”, spicy, and garlic parmesan chicken nuggets along with the classic version, making this a place eager to come back to. 

Notable Mentions:

T’s Rotisserie, 901 Tahoe Blvd., IV- The Swing family have been pillars of the community for generations now, continuously keeping Incline locals and visitors well-fed with its affordably delicious Mexican food, so it’s no surprise that they keep a kids menu. The tacos, burrito, and cheese quesadilla provide perfect portions for young’uns, and while T’s Owner Jamie Swing says that his own kids are super picky, his daughter will eat the cheese quesadilla and bean & cheese burrito. 

Bowl Incline, 920 Southwood Blvd., IV – Bowling alleys aren’t typically known to serve unique upscale fare alongside the pins and polished lanes, but having a Sam Choy’s Ohana Diner within Bowl Incline makes it the exception. While the poke nachos or spicy pineapple salmon bowl may be too adventurous for little taste buds, the “Future Bowler Menu” for kids 12 and under provides favorites such as a hamburger, popcorn chicken, teriyaki chicken, or cheese/pepperoni pizza. 

Mofo’s, 868 Tahoe Blvd., IV- I’ve always loved Mofo’s for its salad bar and buttery pasta, but it turns out kids are a fan of it, too. Named to evoke the idea of getting “more for your money,” this 40-year-old restaurant serves a kids menu with tried-and-true favorites like cheese pizza, lasagna, homemade pasta, and meatballs made from longstanding family recipes.

< Back to Community News

The Tahoe Aesthetician

April 28, 2026 | Kayla Anderson

By: Kayla Anderson for LIVE.WORK.PLAY magazine – Spring 2026 edition

Using an integrated approach to protecting and improving your skin health has a slew of benefits, such as boosting your self-esteem, confidence, and overall mood (thanks to not being consumed about your perceived flaws). Not only can an aesthetic treatment make you feel better emotionally, but it can also shield your skin from further sun damage, environmental toxins, and the issues that come with aging. 

Sometimes the business of cosmetic enhancements can be intimidating, but The Tahoe Aesthetician team immediately puts those worries to ease. Not only are they all beautiful, but these healthy skin gurus are also down-to-earth and understand the importance of feeling good while enjoying the Tahoe lifestyle. 

The Tahoe Aesthetician is led by founder Kat Langridge. With over 22 years of experience and education, she opened The Tahoe Aesthetician in the fall of 2024. Shortly after, she was introduced to Cara Harding, a practicing aesthetician who always wanted to perform more advanced procedures. She apprenticed under Langridge before becoming a partner. 

“It took a quick minute to realize Kat is so knowledgeable and so good at what she does,” Harding says. “And she has high standards like me, so it was a perfect fit.”

“I’ve always been a lone wolf, and I’m super meticulous, so I’ve been hesitant to work with anyone. But when we met, I knew I wasn’t meant to do this alone anymore,” Langridge smiles. 

As The Tahoe Aesthetician recently moved to a new location at 770 Northwood Boulevard, Ste. 5 in Incline Village, Nurse Injector Tricia Walls also joined the team. She worked in neonatal care for many years but always wanted to get into aesthetics. When Tricia and her husband moved from Texas to Incline Village, she began working at a fellow medical spa doing Botox injections. Her favorite service is performing the Halo laser treatment for those who want new fresh skin but aren’t ready for surgery. 

The newly renovated Tahoe Aesthetician luxury laser spa has more therapy rooms and a fresh, vibrant, and transformative atmosphere, which is how your skin feels and looks after a treatment. Its variety of services to help people look and feel their best includes SkinPen microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, permanent laser hair reduction, laser therapy, and more. The spa’s innovative aesthetic technology enables The Tahoe Aesthetician to treat and enhance pretty much all skin types and skin conditions. A good example is The Tahoe Aesthetician acquiring the Neo Elite Aerolase laser, which has 36 FDA indicators easily and non-invasively treating skin issues like melasma, acne, wrinkles, skin tags, warts, and pigmentation.

 “You can do as much as you want with it, and it works on any skin type,” Langridge says. 

Whether you’re a fellow medical professional or customer, it only takes a couple of minutes of talking with Langridge to realize she is incredibly knowledgeable in the world of aesthetics, and she is passionate about helping the Tahoe community. 

Langridge always aims to make healthy skincare accessible for everyone and offers complimentary consultations to teens battling skin afflictions. 

 “It is dear to my heart to help people feel comfortable in their own skin, and acne is often associated with depression, body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem,” Langridge adds. Teens will go to The Tahoe Aesthetician as a last resort to clear up their acne when Accutane doesn’t work, and The Tahoe Aesthetician has successfully treated some of the most difficult cases. 

“I get a bunch of juniors and seniors who are getting ready to go off to college come in, and I give them complimentary consultations (with usually heavy discounts),” Langridge adds. In the worst case, Langridge helped a high school football player clear up his acne in six treatments, and his acne never came back.

Being in such an active community, The Tahoe Aesthetician’s state-of-the-art technologies allow them to offer year-round treatments. 

“You don’t have to change your lifestyle or hobbies to fit in a treatment,” Langridge adds, although she does mention having advanced services for people who do want downtime and can stay away from the sun. 

No matter what your skin goals are, a certified and credible aesthetician at The Tahoe Aesthetician is happy to meet with you to curate a program tailored to your specific situation. And for a five-star rated luxury medical spa, The Tahoe Aesthetician’s services are a lot more affordable and accessible than you may think. 

“A lot of people think skincare or improving their skin is out of touch for them, and I’m trying to break those barriers. I don’t feel like taking care of your skin should be a luxury; I believe it’s a human right,” Langridge adds. 

For more information about The Tahoe Aesthetician, visit https://www.thetahoeaesthetician.com/. 

< Back to Community News

Iron & Wood—A Way to Keep Your Golf Game Up in The Worst Weather

January 7, 2026 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in the Holiday Issue of IVCBA’s Seasonal Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY, Written by Kayla Anderson

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.

“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/.

< Back to Community News

Diamond Peak Celebrates 60 Years

January 7, 2026 | Kayla Anderson

Originally published in the Holiday Issue of IVCBA’s LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine, written 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. As an avid snowboarder, I applied for winter ski resort jobs at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, and Sunriver in Bend, Oregon, in October 2006. 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, I worked with fellow chair bumpers from New Zealand, Australia, South America, and beyond, on J-1 visas during their summer breaks.  

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 2007-2009. During that stint, our marketing team created some signature events that are still in place 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 lived 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 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!

READ MORE AT LIVE.WORK.PLAY MAGAZINE

< Back to Community News

In The News – The Tahoe East Shore’s Best Patios

September 11, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/11/2025, Written by Kayla Anderson, Tahoe Magazine

Thanks to a high number of sunny days and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, people flock to Lake Tahoe to golf, bike ride, get married, eat good food, and most of all, be outside when the weather’s nice. Here are some of Incline Village/Crystal Bay’s best patios chosen for their views, ambiance, friendly staff, and/or exceptional fare: 

Sage Leaf Tahoe

https://www.sageleaftahoe.com

READ MORE >

Photo provided: Crosby’s

< Back to Community News

The Local Lens – Admiring Incline’s Public Art

September 9, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

This is my favorite time of the year, when things start to quiet down but the weather is still nice and the lake is as warm as it’ll ever be before the snow starts to fall. It’s also the perfect time to catch up with friends at the farmers market, bike or hike along the East Shore Trail, or simply stroll around the streets of Incline taking in the public art. 

As an art aficionado myself, I love that Incline Village has no shortage of public art and in recent years more has been coming on the scene. Therefore, now is the best time to check out these vibrant public art pieces scattered throughout town. Here are a few new and popular ones:

Highway 28/Highway 431 Roundabout Critters

Ten years ago, locals petitioned to fix the bottlenecks at highways 28 and 431, and then one of Nevada’s largest roundabouts was installed. To fill in the middle of the circle with something pleasing to look at, the Incline Roundabout Public Art nonprofit enlisted the help of June Towill Brown, a local sculptor. She created a bronze bear, deer, and coyote sculptures (donating about $250,000 of time and materials), which still stand today amongst the sagebrush and native plants. 

“5 Kids in a Tree” at the Incline Village Library

If you can’t wait to crack open that book after you leave the library or are trying to finish one you’ve got, then the benches in front of the “5 Kids in a Tree” sculpture out front is a good place to relax and tuck into a novel. The detailed rambunctious bronze statue was created by Ken Ross and donated by longtime residents/book lovers Andrew Whyman and Barbara Perlman-Whyman.

“Buddha’s Eye” at UNR at Lake Tahoe

Originally established as a liberal arts college, 20 years ago, sculptor Robert Wick created and donated a bronze sculpture called “Buddha’s Eye” to the college. Wick’s public art sculptures reflect the union of land, architecture, and art, and this dynamic piece can be viewed in front of the Prim Library. 

Trash to Treasure Painted Bear Boxes

Two years ago, Incline Middle School collaborated with the Incline Education Fund and UNR at Lake Tahoe to create a “Trash to Treasure” initiative, which involved promoting and participating in community cleanup days and then taking that collected trash and turning it into public art. This year, the school has expanded the effort, working with IVGID to paint bear boxes around town. The painted boxes represent a canvas for change and sustainability; a couple of them are at the softball fields and the Recreation Center.  

New Tunnel Creek Café Mural and Signage

Those hiking or riding the Flume Trail above Tunnel Creek Cafe may notice a new forged metal sign and mural leading up to Flume Trail Bikes. Local artist Ryno had some paintings hanging up in Tunnel Creek Café, and the folks at Tunnel Creek worked with Flume Trail Bikes to hire Ryno to paint the mural.

The signs leading up there were recently created by Sustain Tahoe’s Jacquie Chandler and her partner to better direct people up to Flume Trail Bikes; the one at the entrance has a nice bench to sit under. 

Around the same time that Ryno created the Flume Bike Trails mural, he also painted two colorful mountainscapes on the front of the Incline Storage buildings on Highway 28.

“I painted them both late last fall… it snowed a couple days right in the middle of each one which dragged it a little longer than expected. My inspiration came from old retro ski posters from the 70’s Everyone just wants either Tahoe landscapes or bears up here so I try to at least paint them differently than the normal since I’m rarely able to paint in my forte.”

Natural Grocers Community Mural

Last year when the new Natural Grocers opened, the Colorado-based company teamed up with Kings Beach artist Sara Smith, known for her intricate animal portraits, to paint a mural on the side of their new building facing Highway 28. With the help of some high scaffolding, she filled the top part near the roofline with an image of our crystal clear blue lake and Tahoe’s animals/pollinators, then invited the community to come out and leave their mark on the lower half. In late August of 2024, people picked out stencils and paint then got to work on their creations, filling in the blank wall. If you ever drive by, look at the wall and find the brown bunny sitting in the grass…it was created by yours truly. 

Get Out and Find Some Art

There are a few other public art pieces in town, but these are some of the newer, more well-known ones. The best thing to do is to get out, walk around, and see how many you can find! 

< Back to Community News

IVCBA Wellness Resource Guide

August 19, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

From IVCBA’s Seasonal Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY – Summer Edition – Written by Kayla Anderson

The IVCBA Wellness Resource Guide, featured in LIVE.WORK.PLAY., spotlights local IVCBA Member wellness providers in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. From yoga, massage, and acupuncture to personal training, chiropractic care, and spa services, the guide showcases businesses like The Sanctuary Tahoe, Tahoe Fitness Loft, Stillwater Spa, and more, supporting community health and well-being.

  • The Sanctuary Tahoe

The Sanctuary on state line offers a full range of services such as therapeutic massage, yoga, acupuncture, counseling services, and wellness in a lovely and relaxing atmosphere. For more information, visit https://thesanctuarytahoe.com/. 

  • Tahoe Fitness Loft

Over on Mays Boulevard close to Grocery Outlet, Tahoe Fitness Loft offers personal training, Pilates, Barre, TRX, spin, and kickboxing classes. Drop in for a trial; www.tahoefitnessloft.com.  

  • Lakeside Personal Training with Trish McKowen

Trish McKowen believes that real, lasting transformative change is possible which is why she became a personal trainer more than 25 years ago and still strives to help her clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Learn more about her method at https://lakesidepersonaltraining.com/. 

  • San Soma Massage

Far beyond traditional, San Soma’s highly trained and experienced therapists offer a tranquil journey into therapeutic healing and mind/body alignment. To see what revitalizing and healing services are offered, visit https://www.sansoma.com/. 

  • BACKcountry Chiropractic

BACKcountry Chiropractic stays on top of the latest chiropractic tools and treatments so you can stay flexible, healthy, and limber to enjoy all the backcountry Tahoe activities you love. https://backcountrychiroiv.com/ 

  • Barton Health PT

The comprehensive care team at Barton Health evaluates and treats you when your ability to function is impaired by injury, disease, or illness. Learn more at: https://www.bartonhealth.org/health-services/rehabilitation/physical-therapy/

  • IVCH Physical Therapy and Medical Fitness

The Incline Village Community Hospital offers a hands-on approach in developing an individualized treatment plan that can relieve symptoms, improve your physical abilities, and return you to your healthy lifestyle. https://www.tfhd.com/ivch/services/physical-therapy-medical-fitness/

  • Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

At Stillwater Spa, experience the ultimate in relaxation and recovery with its innovative touchless therapies such as cryotherapy (to reduce inflammation and boost recovery); floatation therapy (for stress relief); and the Harmony BioAcoustic Mat for deep relaxation and improved mobility. https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/tvllt-hyatt-regency-lake-tahoe-resort-spa-and-casino/spa

  • High Sierra Restorative Health

High Sierra Restorative health is a modern, premium Tahoe area concierge clinic focused on helping people live stronger, longer, and youthful lives by using the most up-to-date testing and treatments to optimize their health. https://restorativehealthnv.com/

  • Incline Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

Studies show that regular acupuncture treatments can increase the number of T-cells in the body, helping one from getting sick. Fortunately Incline Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine is well versed in the health benefits of acupuncture. https://pammurphylac.com/ 

  • Move Mountains 

Move Mountains hosts events and provides consulting to engage your mind and body to ultimately creating a happier, healthier you as well as build a stronger, more successful team around you. https://www.movemountains.com/

< Back to Community News

In The News – New Opening for Cal Neva Set for 2027

August 18, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published with the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/18/2025, Written by Kayla Anderson

On the evening of August 12, close to 60 people gathered at the Incline Village Library to hear about the progress on the Cal Neva revitalization efforts from McWhinney Senior VP of Development-Hospitality Jason Newcomer.  

In the hour-long presentation, Newcomer recapped when McWhinney purchased the property (in 2023) and what it has done since.  

“Over 1200 people signed up on our website to receive updates and shared stories with us,” Newcomer said. “We’ve never encountered a property with this kind of past.” 

READ MORE >

Photo: Revitalize Cal Neva

< Back to Community News

If You Take Care of These Incline Businesses, They’ll Take Care of You

July 29, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

By: Kayla Anderson – Originally Published in LIVE.WORK.PLAY Summer 2025 Edition

As a local business, it can be tough navigating the seasonality of economics in this town, especially when so much relies on tourism. That’s why it can help to offer incentives to keep people coming back, and make customers feel valued. Here are some Incline businesses that offer loyalty programs, clubs, happy hours, and more: 

Known for their incredible stromboli, pizza, and sandwiches baked on housemade breads, you can’t go wrong with anything on Incline Bak’d’s menu. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-5pm, the best time to visit is from 3pm-5pm when happy hour is going on. During that time, buy a draft beer or wine and get a slice of pizza for only $2, or a pizza slice for $4 if you don’t get a drink. Be sure to indulge in a couple of delectable made-with-love cookies while you’re there…you can get two for $5 during Happy Hour. www.inclinebaked.com

On Tuesdays-Fridays from 3pm-6pm, Glasses Wine Bar also hosts a happy hour, offering customers 15 percent off glasses of wine ordered from behind the bar or 10 percent off to those out of the wine dispensers. Four varietal wine tastings are available during its Happy Hour as well, available at the bar only.

If you’re a high level wine enthusiast, the Glasses Wine Bar Wine Club also has two types of tiered subscriptions offered, costing between $95-$149 quarterly. Both tiers include four bottles of wine, discounts on merchandise/additional bottles of wine, free wine tastings, and more. Glasseswinebar.com 

Using a Santa Maria-method of grilling over red oakwood-fueled open pit, Gus’ has made a name for itself with its signature melt-in-your-mouth LATS (its smoked, grilled, and sauced-up chicken legs and thighs). Their open pit and relaxed indoor atmosphere with a full bar and 140” TV make Gus’s a popular shifter spot. Speaking of which…Gus’ has a happy hour from 4:30pm-5:30pm Thurs.-Mon. with beer, wine, and cocktail specials to pair with $2 street tacos. http://www.gusbbqtahoe.net/ 

Marie Antoinette famously said, “let them eat cake!” which no doubt has me thinking that she’d be a fan of Happy Tiers’ Cake of the Month Club. Members of the club receive one gigantic piece of layered cake once a month for an entire year, which is perfect for sweet treat lovers and fans of cakemaker Andrea Jurss’s artistry. Memberships usually go on sale sometime in January and are limited to 25 participants. 

Happy Tiers also offers a variety of VIP packages for families and businesses who have regular celebrations throughout the year; packages include monthly gift cards and regularly distributed sweet treats for your employees and/or loved ones. www.happytiersbakery.com

  • Wyld Peony, 797 Southwood Blvd. Ste. 15, Incline Village

Incline’s newest floral boutique, Wyld Peony, specializes in uniquely customized floral arrangements, capturing the thoughtfulness and beautiful personality of the giver and receiver. Holding a degree in environmental horticulture from UC Davis, Wyld Peony Owner Jen Weschler knows her stuff when it comes to flowers and takes your special event to the next level with her lovely bouquets. 

On top of that, you can give yourself or someone else the gift of flowers all year long with a Floral Subscription—having the freshest, seasonally available flowers arranged and delivered to you at intervals of your choosing. https://wyldpeony.com/

  • Alibi Ale Works– Incline Public House, 931 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Alibi Ale Works has a secret/not-so-secret club that rewards its beer lovers with exclusive benefits. Limited to 250 people per year, it costs $100 annually to be a part of Alibi Anonymous, and in turn members get discounts off pints, cans, bottles, growler refills, merchandise, food, and more. Members also receive access to growler fills on limited beers, early access to new beer releases, and access to the AA Facebook group which fosters connections with fellow members. 

If you join AA, just be sure to always bring your special membership token every time to visit an Alibi location, otherwise beers may be on you. Open to people ages 21 and older. https://alibialeworks.com/

No matter how young, fit, or healthy a person is, altitude sickness can happen to anyone, and being at 6,220 feet above sea level can affect people differently. Therefore, if you find yourself spending a full day hiking, biking, or having an active day on the lake and afterwards feel sick or lightheaded, the Go2 Aroma Oxygen Bar is there to give you a boost. Fifteen different aromatic treatments are available on the oxygen bar aroma menu and one 10-minute session can get your energy levels back to 100 percent. 

If you’re a fan of oxygen bars, Go2 Aroma Oxygen Bar also sells gift cards so you can save on multiple sessions. https://www.oxygenbartahoe.com/ 

< Back to Community News

The History of Incline’s Music on the Beach

July 22, 2025 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in the IVCBA Magazine LIVE.WORK.PLAY. – Written By: Kayla Anderson

Sometime in the late 2000s, IVGID decided it was going to sell concessions—and alcohol– at its beaches. A few members of the community were opposed to liquor sells, but since people could bring their own alcohol in anyways, the resistance was weak. IVGID staff set up a small table and tried it, but then other residents didn’t think it was fair for IVGID to compete with the private sector since its costs were so low. 

The original owner of Incline Spirits, Will Brigham, was paying attention to the topic and attending the IVGID Board of Trustees meetings. When IVGID agreed to let a private business take over alcohol sales at the beaches, Brigham went around and asked all the local bars if they wanted to bid on the project. No one was interested, so soon Incline Spirits opened The Barefoot Bars at Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar. 

“In the beginning, IVGID let us have a 10’x10’ tent and we wanted to bring something to the beach that didn’t involve a cooler, like make pina coladas and Mai Tai’s,” Brigham says. 

In trying to get people to visit the tiki bars as well as being a musician and lover of live music, Brigham had the idea of starting Music on the Beach. He partnered with his neighbor and fellow musician Mitch Harbaugh to bring in local bands. 

 “Will and I have been involved in the local music scene all of our lives,” Harbaugh says, “and Will started creating a vibe not only with the beach guests but amongst the bands. There’s a lot of talent around the lake…we got a pulse and kept it consistent, and it elevated the quality of the entertainment.”

Harbaugh credits Brigham for creating something built for the minor leagues that ended up being pro ball. 

“Mitch is dead on. I remember doing text message campaigns blasting out locals specials and the band lineup; I was really guerilla marketing it [Music on the Beach]. But consistency is key, and we kept the same hours, playing in any kind of weather,” Brigham adds.

“As soon as the tiki bars opened, my wife who had worked for Goldfish Properties for 18 years said that no one complained anymore about paying to get into the beach,” Harbaugh says. 

Soon everyone wanted to play there, and Music on the Beach was drawing 6[00]-900 attendees. Will and his wife Aimee Miller eventually sold Incline Spirits to Miles and Mayra Hendrickson, who kept Music on the Beach going. 

“Miles and Mayra have done a great job with Music on the Beach. They continued with the exact vision I had and made it better in ways I couldn’t have imagined. They made it a destination for locals. It’s great to go down there and see that huge crowd,” Brigham says. 

When Miles and Mayra bought the place, they inherited me. We’ve been doing this for 14-15 years now and what it’s turned into is freaking incredible. 

“You can usually find me dancing in front, I’ve created a lot of wonderful memories here. And we leverage the crowd to keep it G-rated and positive, non-political, promote kindness and goodness and community,” Harbaugh adds. 

“There’s this couple, a retired colonial and his wife. The wife has Alzheimer’s but Music on the Beach is what keeps her fired up…she doesn’t remember a lot, but she looks forward to this. They had their 65th wedding anniversary at Music on the Beach, and she had her 84th birthday at the beach. This truly is a community thing, it’s a chance to celebrate us locals,” Brigham adds.

Since IVGID recently approved its Beach House Project, Incline Spirits announced this will be its last summer hosting Music on the Beach. 

“I have mixed emotions about it. I’m not affiliated with Music on the Beach anymore, but I have been a part of it. I know IVGID put a lot of money into building the new beach house, but I would just hate for Music on the Beach to lose its magic; there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears going into it. The aloha we show our guests and community…I don’t want to lose that. 

“Music on the Beach has a giant piece of my heart with it. We’re very grateful for all the community support and all the love we’ve received. I’m honored to have been a part of it,” says Brigham. 

The Incline Village Barefoot Bars host live music on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm-7pm throughout the summer. To see the 2025 Music on the Beach band lineup, visit https://inclinespirits.com/barefoot-bar/. 

Sign up for our weekly SnapShot newsletter

Translate