SITS News June 26, 2025

Good Thursday to All!

Today’s meeting was opened by our 2025-2026 President Paula. We thank you in advance for your dedication to our club and our community.

There’s a whole lot going on with our club and community, so enjoy the read!

Lydia’s invocation spoke to the armor we can have when horrible things present themselves in our lives as it did for the individuals whose lives tragically ended on our lake this past weekend. It’s important to live each day with gratitude and with thanks.

We welcomed a very special guest, Lia Story. Lia grew up here and worked at our high school for many years. She is currently working for Alpine County Dept. of Education. We loved having you today!

Sunshine

• For our Wendy. You are a warrior and we are all at your wishes. Keep on your path.
• Mark your calendars for a Celebration of Life for our friend and past SITSter, Carol Taylor (and hubby Mike Taylor) on July 26th at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church at 11 AM.
• Sending a big hug to Jeanne who wasn’t feeling perky today.
• Once again, a special thank you to all of our new Board Members. We appreciate your dedication.

Just a moment of awe…….Here’s a picture of our Maria in exercise class doing her planks. Not bad for an 87 year old youngster!

Today’s speaker was Ali Bissonnette of our Lake Tahoe Community College. Ali began her career in education as a teacher in Los Angeles, and then went on to work at a non-profit that used community organizing to help parents transform their local schools. Most recently, Ali worked at the University of Southern California as the executive director of the Center for the Political Future. Despite Ali’s non-traditional career path, she has always grounded her work in education. Ali is thrilled to now be a part of the South Lake Tahoe community. She is inspired by the trajectory of the California Community College system, and LTCC in particular, and believes in the system’s ability to provide a quality education for all students. Ali holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and a Master’s Degree in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University.

Ali shared the amazing story of LTCC’s beginnings and all of what’s been accomplished over the past 50 years. From humble beginnings in a converted motel with a graduating class of 11 students to a 164-acre thriving educational hub with thousands of students. The vision held by those who broke ground on this institution continues to grow and it’s all so exciting! Here are just a couple of highlights.

LTCC is a leader in innovation for educational delivery. This year marks the CDC’s (Childhood Development Center) 30th year serving our youngest students and the students of LTCC Promise Program, are thriving. First-time college students who attend Lake Tahoe Community College full time pay NO tuition for up to 3 years! This Promise is for scholars who wish to complete their Associate degree and or transfer to another college or university within two years, or three if needed for additional coursework and support. The Lake Tahoe College Promise program provides eligible students with the opportunity to combine full-time college attendance with employment and other responsibilities by providing extensive one-on-one support and peer mentoring, a dedicated academic advisor, and much more! 

Whether you’re 18 or 68, if you are a first-time college student and a California resident or AB540 eligible, or a Nevada resident or Dreamer living in the Tahoe Basin, you may qualify! NOW is the time to pursue your goal of furthering your education and entering a career you’ve dreamed about.

And if you haven’t noticed, LTCC now boasts real and beautiful student housing that is scheduled to open this fall! This is a new concept for the community college system in the state and it is so exciting. On campus housing will be affordable, stable housing for individuals to focus on their education. This was a $40,000,000 project funded by the state and it remains on budget and on time! This 100 bed facility offers single and double bed occupancy, each with a kitchenette and community kitchen. In addition there will also be on campus parking (limited spaces) and food service option that can be purchased. Details on qualifying for these services are here.

And there’s more! LTCC has been awarded grants to build our basin, a Public Safety Training Complex. This is a decade-long vision to build a regional training complex and became a reality through Measure F bond, state and federal funding. This center will be used by fire, EMT, forestry, wilderness, and public safety entities. It will be located near the USFS building and is set to break ground in May 2026.

And the vision building doesn’t end here. The property owned by LTCC and funds that could be generated might include a track and things like pickle ball courts as well.

Tomorrow’s 50th Graduation is one for the record books. There will be 290 individuals receiving degrees and 150 receiving certificates. LTCC’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 6pm on the LTCC Soccer Field, marking a moment of pride, reflection, and joy for graduates, families, and our entire campus community. The Keynote Speaker is Joe Irvin, LTCC alumnus, is the City Manager for the City of South Lake Tahoe and has been since May 2020. 

To ensure the continued success and growth of Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC), it is essential for us to actively engage in the vibrant activities and initiatives on campus. By attending fundraisers like the LTCC Taste of Gold, we not only enjoy a delightful experience but also contribute directly to the resources that empower our community. Participating in local voting initiatives for bonds is another crucial way to advocate for LTCC’s vision, demonstrating our commitment to fostering an environment where education flourishes. Furthermore, considering LTCC in your estate planning ensures that your legacy will help sustain this invaluable institution for future generations. LTCC is truly a gem for all of us in Tahoe, and by embracing the opportunities it offers, we can collectively uplift our community and make a profound difference in the lives of women and girls through education and support.

Appreciation to our club from the Lake Tahoe preschool teachers who eagerly selected books to share with their students. Books were donated by our SITS Summer Reading Program. 19 Preschool teachers had the opportunity to select books at a service learning event last night at the Lake Tahoe Community College!

Member Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues continue to be accepted at this time. These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses so they are very important. In addition, Happy Dollars can be paid directly online on our website www.sitahoesierra.org on the Donate button. “Note” what the payment is for to help out our team! Make your payment here.

Our Soroptimist apparel line is ready for purchase! Liz Prestella’s Torq’d clothing line for women is our supporter of this endeavor. Members and appreciators of SITS are now able to purchase apparel and items from her website. See what items are offered and to order go here. Thank you to the SITS team and to Torq’d for all of the hard work.

Club Roster, updated by Andie needs everyone’s attention. If you need to update your information, please forward what you have to [email protected] .

Members, mark your calendars for these important upcoming events:

• SITS is DARK, Thursday, July 3 and July 10.
• American Century Golf Tournament, July 9-13, 2025 Signup to help at our food/beverage booths here! Guests are welcome to help as well. Money earned goes into serving our community! We have openings that we need filled so pass this along!
• Ad Hoc Speaker Committee meeting is open to all! Thursday, July 17 right after SITS to brainstorm speaker ideas. You are invited to come and brainstorm your ideas with us! Questions or suggestions, please get in touch with Nancy.
• SITS is DARK Thursday, Aug. 7.
• SITS RETREAT for all members will be at the home of Cookie Rork on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 9AM – 1PM.
• Fall District V meeting, Sept. 20, Lakeland Village, co-sponsored with SISLT

SITS Social June 29 on the Valhalla Lawn, 4 p.m. Free concert featuring the Alex Lucero Band. Click here for a listen, it’s going to be a fun time. For SITS Members, Misters, and Friends interested in Soroptimist.

Go to Valhalla website for more information. Click here.

NON-SITS

Fun and Opportunities in Tahoe

There’s actually so much going on so you’re going to want to check out the EVENTS tab on www.southtahoenow.com, but here’s a few to get you started!

The Lake Tahoe Historical Society has an amazing lineup of events for us! This next Tuesday at Lakeview Commons, you can enjoy the sounds of the Sierra Alphorn Players!

Here’s a great interview from last year about this group and the music they make!

Our friends at Optimist have activities to calendar! Details are on their website at https://southlaketahoeoptimist.com/

Day In Paradise is July 19th 

Summer Reading Challenge

Help our SITS member and Zephyr Cove Library Director, Vanna Bells, blow out the stats for the library’s summer reading challenge. READERS: Get credit for all the pages you are already turning. If you need a little inspiration to read, this is it! You can get credit for books, books on tape, reading the books you have stacked at home, or items you check out from the library, etc. between May 31 and July 31. Register right now here.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care could use donations of towels if you have some to take to goodwill, take them here instead.

PETAL KINDNESS is a non-profit organization that rescues flowers to uplift others and helps divert green waste from landfills. They are in desperate need of vases. Drop them off at 2941 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Leave behind wooden pallet wall.

Petal Kindness rescues these flowers from the landfill and provides them to non-profits, hospitals, senior centers, and community-based organizations to bring comfort, joy, and healing to our local community members. Donations and volunteers are always needed!

UC Master Gardener’s Free Event. Click here for more information.

Valhalla kicks off its arts and entertainment season on June 6. Experience a sunset concert or an award winning play at the Boathouse Theater. Click here for information on all the events

Blood donations are needed and four are scheduled in our community. Please see details here and make your appointment today!

Zephyr Cove Library’s latest programs for adults

They offer so much, check out their website to see all the wonderful opportunities they have to offer.

www.library.douglascountynv.gov

Looking for up to date resources in our community? Barton Health has a list for all of us and it is actively updated! SHARE this link with others!

ALL YEAR LONG!

LTCC Basic Needs Center is looking for food donations. A variety of foods and basic need items are on the list. Click here for full list and drop off details

If you’d like to donate through our club, please bring your donations to the monthly business meeting and Lisa C. or Andie will make sure they are delivered to the college. Please include an estimate on the value as LTCC needs to keep records of that information.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has a quarterly newsletter to keep us all updated on fire safety info. Their goal is to help people learn about the fuels reduction products they are working on, seasonal fire safety info and other fire dept related news. Click here to sign up for the newsletter

Saint Joseph Community Land Trust has changed their Motel to Home (MTH) program from a loan program to a grant program and we’re hoping this will attract families living in substandard housing, who would like to live in a more permanent and adequate home. Please click here for more details

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless seeks community support in keeping people cared for.

Our South Shore community has been able to sleep better knowing that our homeless population has an indoor option. This winter season marked the seventh anniversary of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) providing warm beds to the most vulnerable in our community.

The office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-4 at the Red Lodge, 1137 Emerald Bay Rd.

More details here

Between Horses and Humans continues to grow! If you’re a lover of youth and a lover of horses, this is a program for you! You can keep up on their information by reading their newsletters here! Volunteers and donations are always needed. BHH Update-they are soon relocating to the Amacker Ranch!

Food Assistance Guide for So. Lake Tahoe. If you know of anyone in need, please share this information. Click and print!