Today's Meeting Review!

President Paula opened our meeting this week.

Lydia reminded us that statistics can show us just how lucky we are and reminded us to remember to give thanks for every little thing we have.

Guests: Welcome to Debrinne Ferguson. We look forward to see you again..



2023 FUNDRAISER: As a club we decided that we will continue to hold an ONLINE AUCTION using our GiveSmart format that has proven to be very successful over the many past years. We also hope to hold a separate live event which will be smaller in nature and wonderful sometime in the Spring. More to come on that but in the meantime, we are beginning to accept Club Sponsors.

Again there will be TWO levels, Premier and Grand and both are spectacular! Please share our information with anyone you know who would like to contribute and benefit from a year's worth of advertisement! Here's our information!

Our Speaker This Week

Lauren Thomaselli, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of South Lake Tahoe

Lauren Thomaselli has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe for over 40 years. She and her husband John raised two boys in SLT one of whom made her a grandma in 2019! Lauren has a Bachelor’s degree from CSU Chico and a Master’s in Public Administration from University of Phoenix. As a recreation professional Lauren began her career in the ski industry at a family owned and operated ski resort in 1980. In 1991 Lauren went to work for Heavenly Mountain Resort. While with Heavenly Lauren developed women’s specific programs, coached youth ski racing, and supervised ski school operations through 2007. In 2008, Lauren went to work for the City of South Lake Tahoe as a Recreation Coordinator responsible for developing recreation programs and partnerships. Lauren has always been passionate about contributing to a healthy and vibrant community which is why she has been a revolving door member of Soroptimist of Tahoe Sierra over the years.

Today, Lauren will share an overview of the City’s new Recreation and Aquatics Complex which broke ground this summer.

The project dates back to 2014. Since then there have been 40 public outreach opportunities. Lots of public input. Lots of changes along the way. What didn’t change was the key amenities identified by the public. The project has stayed true to what the community asked for which is multi-generational functionality.

Following Measure T – the citizen driven measure eliminating vacation rentals in neighborhoods - the City expected to see a decline in transitory tax. The recreation plan was shelved so it could be determined what impact that was going to have on the project. In

2020 the project was rejuvenated and in 2022 the project broke ground on phase 1.

The building design is set to be environmentally sustainable. Features will be enhanced over time. Flexible space to suit all community needs. Plans had to change over time. Pickleball wasn’t a thing when the plans started to had to be incorporated along the way.

1^st floor – multi sport gym. Arts and crafts. Dance studio. Opening to outside. Commercial kitchen to accommodate senior nutrition program. Flexible spaces. Natatorium = multi multiple aquatics space

2^nd floor – Elevator access. Walk jog track. Fitness and weight room. Multipurpose/event space. Warming kitchen connected to event space. Overlooking lake.

Aquatics – 6 lane comp lap pool. Leisure pool – zero entry/beach entry. Lazy river resistance training. Program lap pool. Inflatable obstacle course activities/recreation. Pool parties.

Community spaces – large lobby area with Teen space and lounge areas. Childcare space incorporated.

Fitness space – gymnasium. Ball courts. Dividers so multi activity. Trade shows etc. Dance room with flexible virtual fitness capabilities.

Support spaces – locker rooms/restrooms etc. Family spaces.

Timeline

Phase one due to be completed end Dec. Phase two on hold to allow for market stabilization, fundraising and sourcing more competitive bids.

South Tahoe Parks Foundation – 501C3 formed. Seeking donors and fundraising to help support the costs.

This is a very cool 4D map video showing the projected timeline of the project - click here

Plans pushed forward a year with completion projected in 2025. Projected cost - $53 Million - more details here

SITS Member Items & Our Projects

SITS Committees - Chairs please update your descriptions! 

All Members:

New Committees to sign up for... Live Event Team and Online Auction Team. Please click on the link below and choose which committee you want to help out. It's gonna get going very soon!!

Please sign up for your committees of choice here. It's through our committee work that we accomplish so much for the community of Tahoe and the world. We ask that all members select one Technical (how our club operates) and one Service (what our club does) committee. Remember, we can jump in on all committee meetings and activities as desired! For your viewing pleasure see the committee videos we made with Tahoe Production House for full explanations. 

                  Many hands make light work!

Lake Tahoe Historical Society

is offering paper snowflake making classes!

When: November 28th and 29th

Time: 10am

Where: 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd, SLT (Museum)

How: call the museum office to register

(530)541-5458

CHRISTMAS COOKIE & CANDY EXCHANGE

Tis the season to be merry and celebrate the holiday season!

Join your fellow SITS members for a holiday luncheon and a Christmas cookie and candy exchange. Please bring 6 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies or candy pieces. A take home tray will be provided for your convenience.

When: Saturday, December 10th

Time: 11am to 1pm

Contact Carol Gerard to RSVP by Sunday, 12/4

(310)256-1019 carolsgerard@aol.com

space limited to 25 people

Festive Christmas sweaters encouraged!!!

Health Women Healthy World Committee will be supporting the Bread and Broth program with funding AND in person support.  Mark your calendars for January 30th and March 6th. 

On January 30^th we will be cooperating with 'Lasagna Love' to provide the meal. We will need about 5 ladies on each night. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Kim Valverde. She will be sending out a sign up sheet closer to the event dates, but call early if you want to ensure your spot!

Challenge Day at STHS is confirmed for February 13, 14, 15, and 16, 2023. 25 volunteers are needed for each of the days. If you'd like to volunteer contact Theresa Papandrea directly at tahoesafekids@gmail.com . Let her know you're with SITS. And if you have friends who are interested, please share! We are awaiting the dates for STMS. And if you're not familiar with this amazing opportunity for our youth and all the volunteers, check the program out here. 

THE HOLIDAYS ARE JUST AROND THE CORNER!!!

Shop your heart out and support our efforts!

SITS can earn funds with your shopping!

Please share this information with family and friends!

One of our members has moved premises and has some appliances that are old but still in good working order:

Stackable washer/dryer gas unit

A small refrigerator 

Microwave

Please call Karen Johnson if you know of anyone who could use them. 530.545.9193

NON-SITS Fun and Opportunities in Tahoe

Share Your Thoughts in the Lake Tahoe Resident Survey

As a resident of the Lake Tahoe region, we need your perspectives and experiences related to tourism and outdoor recreation. 

The Tahoe Fund has joined with more than a dozen organizations to create a shared Destination Stewardship Plan. This plan will collectively redefine how destination management can better serve the greater Tahoe region — now and into the future.

Everyone has a role in this process, which is why we need your input.

Please complete this critical 5–7-minute survey that will help guide and improve tourism and outdoor recreation management efforts. Your responses are anonymous and confidential.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Laptops to Cambodia

Susan Glasson is returning to Cambodia in January 2023 for her third Karma Yoga Cambodia retreat. This is a message from her:

One of the schools we like to support is Journeys Within Our Community. They have requested good condition, used laptops for their college age students. My goal is to take 10 to donate to this program. Several of you have already reached out to me about donation. Journeys is a Truckee based non-profit.  Journeys Within Our Community is a tax-exempt non-profit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the US tax code (Tax ID #47-0953817). All contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with US tax law. JWOC is also a registered not-for-profit organization in Cambodia. Here is their website if you want to check them out.

https://jwoc.info/

 I also want to make sure that the computers are scrubbed of all the personal data. I just spoke to Ron Norton from the non-profit, ComputerCorps, in Carson City. They are willing to check out the computers, scrub the personal data and load an operating system. He will do this for a very nominal fee if all computers come to him at once and we can certify that they are being donated to a 501(c).  

Here is the link for ComputerCorps if you want to check them out. They are an amazing group right in our backyard!

https://www.computercorps.org/sample-page/

Please let me know if you have a laptop for this donation. I would like to have them collected by November 20th so Ron has time to make sure they are ready to go. Feel free to pass the word to your community (Rotary, Soroptomists, etc). Just make sure the laptop is in working order and that there is a working charger. If you want to have it scrubbed on your own, that's fine as well. - sfglasson@gmail.com

The Lake Tahoe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Happy Homestead Cemetery present WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 2022.

A ceremony honoring active and deceased Military Personnel, Veterans, and First Responders.

Dec. 17, 2022 at 9:00 AM

1261 Johnson Blvd, SLT 96150

It's everyone's job to

Remember, Honor, Teach

Vitalant Blood Donation Sites:

Friday 11/18/22

Tahoe Douglass Fire District

Kahle Center - Tallac Activity Room

236 Kingsbury Grade Rd

Stateline, NV

11am-5pm

Friday 12/02/22

South Lake Tahoe Community Gymnasium

1180 Rufus Allen Blvd

South Lake Tahoe, CA

12pm-5pm

Friday 12/09/22

Share Your Christmas Food Drive - Bloodmobile

1627 Hwy 395

Minden, NV

11:30am-5:30pm

Tuesday 12/20/22

CA Whole Foods South Lake Tahoe - Bloodmobile

3600 Lake Tahoe Blvd

South Lake Tahoe, CA

12pm-4pm

To schedule an appointment online click 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.

The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless has accomplished so much thanks to their leadership and many volunteers. You can read about all that's been done thus far here.



Here is the latest newsletter 



Homeless coalition completes purchase of three South Lake Tahoe motels; move-ins begin - donation list at end of this article. Our assistance throughout the year makes a difference in the life of another and in the health of our community!