SITS News July 17, 2025

Today’s Wrap Up !

After a busy time at Edgewood last week, President Paula welcomed everyone to another beautiful Tahoe day and SITS meeting. Again, thank you to our fearless leaders Paula and Jeanne for all of their preparation and cheerleading. And thank you to the members and “friends of SITS” who helped to man the booths which help us to bring in funds for our club’s efforts, but also bring a face to SITS in our community.

Today we welcomed Ernie Claudio as a repeat guest. He says he finds our group refreshing! Join us anytime, Ernie!

Invocation: Lydia quoted Anthony Bourdain this morning and advocated for everyone to “walk in someone else’s shoes. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move!” If you can’t physically travel, read books, eat exotic food, or watch a travelogue movie. Travel builds bridges and opens eyes to other perspectives.

Sunshine

• Continue for our Wendy. You are a warrior, and we are all at your disposal. 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.

Today’s speaker was one of our own! Ms. Hellen Barclay.

Hellen is described as “Seasoned, detail-oriented, and results-oriented professional with extensive experience in banking management and business operations.” We know her as a community member with the belief that together, we can all work to make the lives of others better.

Hellen was born into a large family in Kenya with a progressive Father who believed that his daughters as well as sons should get an education. Hellen has a BA and an MA in Commerce. She as also studied computer science and is the Manager of BMO Bank in South Lake Tahoe. Thanks to Hellen, BMO Bank is a sponsor of our club and the work we do in the community.

Hellen started by reading a letter from her sister, Lucy, who is a teacher in Kenya. Lucy filled Hellen in on the school’s achievements and thanked Hellen for all the support and encouragement she has given. She also called out our Soroptimist Club for the financial support we have sent over the years.

Hellen then related how after her husband, Doug’s, death she became connected with a Kenyan family in Reno. They introduced her to a group of Kenyan Women who support each other through many challenges. They also share spices and gifts from their homeland. One of the reasons they organized was to raise money to support women who wanted to go back to Kenya when a loved one passed away. She never knew there were so many Kenyans in Reno! She is now quite active in this group and it has given her an outlet, support and another family!

In order to raise money for scholarships and small projects in Kenya, this group is putting on a Kenyan Party with Kenyan food and games. The party is on Saturday, August 2, from 1-4pm at Miraloma Park, 3000 South McCarren Blvd. See the flyer below.

Some of the dishes being served at the party are chapati (flatbread), samosas, Sukuma Wiki (collard greens cooked with onion and tomatoes), Kachumbari (a type of salsa), Ugali (cornmeal), and Mandazi (fried donuts). The cost is $40 for adults and $15 for kids over 5.

We hope to see you there at the fun Kenyan Party. It was so good to have Hellen back among us and we want to thank her for sharing with us this morning.

AND there’s MORE! Here are just a few items to consider and SHARE!

• Are you a public media consumer? Public television is under threat NOW. Read and learn more here and contract your ELECTED representative.
• Kahn Academy is the most spectacular educational tool for anyone at any age in so many subjects and it’s FREE to use. (You can support it and that’s encouraged). This is a resource that reaches the smallest nooks and crannies of our world. YOUR children and grandchildren can benefit from this resource. Go here to their website to learn more and watch a 60 Minutes report here.
• From the National Cancer Institute, here’s a Breast Cancer Risk Calculator. Another tool to consider. SHARE! Here’s a great Today’s Show interview with Olivia Munn and how this tool saved her life.

SITS 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.

SITS Newsletter wants YOU! Our newsletter is amazing and so is our team! The process is easy to learn and your commitment time is scheduled by you! You can prep ahead of your publication and make it a snap. Our team will be happy to teach you the point-n-click program and we’ll be at your side throughout the year. Sign up for your weeks now!

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.

Members, mark your calendars for these important upcoming events:

• 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. You can sign up here for food: https://signup.com/go/JJNuYdd
• Fall District V meeting, Sept. 20, Lakeland Village, co-sponsored with SISLT

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!

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

Day In Paradise is July 19th 

Kenyans in Reno Summer Party!

August 2, 2025 at Mira Loma Park beginning at 1PM.

Family friendly event filled with food, games, and traditions.

It’s that time for our annual Music on the Beach to benefit Tahoe Arts Project.

August 21, 2025 on the beach at Lakeshore Lodge.

Suggested donation of $20 for an amazing night of music and community .

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!