SITS News September 4, 2025

Published Sept. 4. 2025

President Paula opened our meeting at the Keep Tahoe Blue center.

Today’s Sunshine

• Continues for our Wendy. You are a warrior and we are here for you.
• Continued prayers for Jim Barr and family. Hoping Jim gets home this next week. We know his team is a strong one. We are also at the ready for our SoroptiMister.

Our guests: Ernie Claudio and Rick Pence joined us this morning for this special presentation. You guys are welcome anytime!

Today was a special treat as we toured the new Keep Tahoe Blue facility. Our tour was led by two accomplished ladies, Courtney Thomson, Engagement Manager and Marilee Movius, Sustainable Recreation Manager. They explained that this new building is in a more visible location near the center of town, the beach, Lakeview Commons and the Middle School where they hope to do some outreach. The building was designed using LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principals and they are seeking a Gold certification. Some interesting facts about the construction:

• The original structure was not torn down, but redeveloped.
• The building is insulated with recycled denim material which is more resistant to pests.
• It is located near bus and bike lanes to promote alternative transportation
• The shingles are specially designed to reduce and absorb air pollution
• The HVAC system brings in fresh air from the outside.
• The lighting is responsive to movement and uses natural tones which brighten during the day.
• The office furniture is second hand
• The wood for the railings was reclaimed from the Caldor fire.
• They used local contractors and artisans when possible
• There is a roof garden on the second floor which is tended by Tahoe Outdoor Living
• In the Aster Family Cafe, the tiles are recycled and no disposables are used–real plates and cups only.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe was founded in 1957 to protect Lake Tahoe’s water quality by using science, advocacy and community engagement. As their slogan “Keep Tahoe Blue” became more and more popular, they transitioned to that familiar name to lesson confusion. They are an environmental non-profit funded mainly by donations. Their influence is far reaching as they advocate for Tahoe in Sacramento, Washington D.C. and work with similar organizations around the world.

A large part of the space is designated to the Spurlock/Evers Environment and Education Center. The exhibits seek to educate the public about why Lake Tahoe is so special and what they can do to help “Keep Tahoe Blue”. Once people have an understanding of the threats to the lake–litter, aquatic invasive species, climate change, and over tourism, they are more likely to do their part in caring for the Lake. The exhibits in the educational Center were created in partnership with TERC (Tahoe Environmental Resource Center), and have planned upgrades in the next few years. Here you can learn about sediment, learn about how plastics are polluting the lake, take a pledge to take a specific action, and check out the volunteer activities and events on offer.

Although Keep Tahoe Blue organization has many experts and a theme to “Use science to inform good policy”, they would not be as effective without their many volunteers. Here is a sampling:

• Eyes on the Lake-Learn how to recognise and report invasive species for removal
• Tahoe Blue Crew–Adopt a parcel of land and keep it litter free. Best done with friends!
• Pipe Keepers–monitor water quality and keep Tahoe pollution free from stormwater
• Tahoe Forest Stewardship Days–Help restore meadows, streams and forests
• Snapshot Day–Help monitor water quality around the lake on one day. SITS helps fund this activity.
• Citizen Science Tahoe App–download this free app and report environmental concerns real time
• For more information or to get involved click HERE.

Keep Tahoe Blue also hosts community educational events. A speaker series is planned for the education center featuring Sierra Sustainable Builders on Sept 12, Dr. Charles Goldman on Oct. 2 and Tahoe Master Gardeners later in October. To join their email list for all the latest information click HERE.

For a special gift or sustainable merchandise with the Keep Tahoe Blue logo, check out their shop on the lower level of the building at 2877 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

We want to thank Cortney and Marilee for a very informative and inspiring tour. Our community is fortunate to have committed, intelligent people like them who care so much about Lake Tahoe.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE Rocks it! Last week we announced the delivery of backpacks for our youth in Lake Tahoe. We have two pics to share with everyone. Cristal from Catalyst Community happily accepted the backpacks with schools supplies to give out to their clients. And, a big smile and thank you from Principal Pat Harnett, along with our Shelly Martinez, at Tahoe Valley for their backpack supplies. AGAIN, thank you to our community for making this happen.

Committee Reports:

• Don’t forget! All Committee budgets are due to Lois or Andie by September 22.
• We need more people to help register attendance for the morning meeting. To volunteer, sign up for the Attendance/Hospitality/AV committee here.
• Paula will email the survey results to the membership

We are sponsoring, along with the noon club, the SNR District 5 “Fall Into Service” meeting on Sept 20, 2025 at Lakeland Village with a social gathering at Idle Hour on Friday night the 19th. Registration is $40 per person and includes appetizers on Friday and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Our club will be responsible for providing the continental breakfast. Paula has assembled a team to help her with the details of the meeting–Jeanne, Lisa C., Cookie, Nancy, Lydia and Shelly. For more information, and to register, click here. We’re so excited that the Keynote Speaker is our Ruby Award Winner, Andrea Drew.

SITS Member Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues and Happy Dollars continue to be accepted at this time. These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses so they are very important. 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!

SITS Committee Signups~ Go to our signup listing for this new year of our fabulous club 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.

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!

TOMORROW! Get your party on with the Tahoe Ballet & Performing Arts Pink and Black Fundraiser! Follow them here!

Free Performance, Sept. 26. For more information click HERE.

Join CASA for their 2nd annual Family Fun Day, happening on Saturday, September 27, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Hangar Lake Tahoe, 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Read details here.

To register for the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless FACES event, click here.

Vista Rise Collective (previously Live Violence Free) is always looking for volunteers. There are many opportunities, for both direct and indirect services. Cash donations are always welcome, but every Tuesday they accept non cash donations such as furniture, clothing, etc. For more information about volunteering, donations and/or services provided click here.

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

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.

Zephyr Cove Library’s latest programs for adults

Check out their website for opportunities offered.

www.library.douglascountynv.gov

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

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 10th 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!