Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Headed to Atlanta? Well, skip the hotel you had in mind and stay at this unassuming, historic option instead. One of our editors called it the “most beautiful” hotel in the peachy city.
On the agenda:
But first: Inside the vacation-home tax drama in South Lake Tahoe.
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This week’s dispatch
To tax or not tax?
For Amanda Yen, a Business Insider fellow, her grandparent’s vacation home in South Lake Tahoe is “the stuff of legend.”
It’s where her parents fell in love, where she’d spend winters learning how to ski, and the place where she’d always imagined getting married.
However, a proposed annual tax measure on last Tuesday’s ballot that was voted down by local residents made her family question whether they’d keep their house. Measure N would’ve made their cabin, which her grandparents bought in 1984 for $113,000, much more costly to keep. It suggested vacation homeowners pay $3,000 in 2026 and $6,000 every year after to benefit the local economy.
I spoke to Amanda after the measure failed to pass on Tuesday to see where things stand.
What’s been the initial reaction from second homeowners now that Lake Tahoe locals voted against Measure N?
The overwhelming feeling among second homeowners in Lake Tahoe is relief. Still, the problems that supporters of the tax raised — like declining funding for education and out-of-control home prices — are urgent. Year-round and seasonal residents need to put their heads together to fix it.
What are you hearing from locals — who supported the tax and opposed it — now that the measure has been voted down?
I spoke to Amelia Richmond, one of the architects of the tax, shortly after it failed on the ballot. The message she gave was pretty similar to the vibe of Kamala Harris’ concession speech — facing defeat, but not defeated — and looks forward to working with the opposition on future affordable-housing policy solutions.
Local opponents were jubilant, but they’re also ready to come to the table and work with supporters of the tax on a new solution. As Steve Teshara, one of the opposition leaders, put it: “Tonight, we celebrate, and tomorrow it’s back to work.”
Put down the supplements
Over the past several years, a plethora of new supplements have emerged, promising to boost human longevity and keep people feeling young. Now, longevity doctors are scrambling to get people to slow down.
BI spoke with several longevity medicine doctors who are recommending patients stop taking many of the flashy new supplements they learned about online. They can cause subtle build-up in the kidneys and liver, impacting your longevity.
When it comes to supplements, less is more.
Set sail on the Mekong River
Cruises are all the rage this year, but flashy megaships aren’t for everyone. Enter: the luxury river cruise. One writer spent nine days traveling through Vietnam and Cambodia aboard the Scenic Spirit.
Her nine-day trip was sweetened by a larger-than-expected room, complete with a butler, walk-in closet, and a convertible balcony.
See inside the deluxe cabin.
What to order at a steak house
Despite the name, there’s far more to eat at a steak house than just, well, steak. For one trained chef and food writer, crab cakes, fresh oysters, and fries are typically must-order dishes.
Still, some meals aren’t worth the splurge. She suggests skipping the chicken breast and wedge salads. And unless you’re in New England, don’t even bother with the clam chowder.
This, not that — steak house edition.
Also read:
Generation Fido
Almost a third of millennials have pets — and they’re obsessed with them. In an online survey, more than a third of millennial pet owners said they’d turn down a higher-paying job to spend more time with their animal companions.
Millennials are spending more time and money on their pets, but pet trainers and veterinarians say that could have a downside. Excessive pampering could lead to health and behavioral problems for Spot and Mittens.
Why you might want to ease up on the coddling.
What we’re watching this weekend
- “The Penguin”: HBO’s crime drama, a spinoff of 2022’s “The Batman,” airs its finale this weekend.
- “Yellowstone”: After a two-year hiatus, the Paramount Network hit returns with the second half of its fifth season.
- “Arcane”: The “League of Legends” show, one of Netflix’s most successful animated series ever, also kicks off its second and final season.
See the full list.
Deals we love
- Smart Ray-Bans: These Wayfarers can do more than protect your eyes; they can take photos, videos, and calls, too. The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses come in three different styles — here’s how to buy them.
- Tried-and-true work bags: Don’t trust just any old tote with your work essentials. We’ve spent years testing to find the best work bags for women that balance style, organization, and comfort.
- Dry skin begone: Cold weather can be tough on skin and cause dryness to worsen — but our guide to the best dry skin moisturizers is here to keep you hydrated and protected.
More of this week’s top reads:
The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.
Read the full article here
