Today's meeting was opened by President Shelly

Invocation: Lydia reminded us that gratitude changes our perspective with this quote by Melody Beattie.

Guests: We welcomed Carol Haase to our meeting this morning. Always good to see you!

Our speaker this morning was Catherine Howells from South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling. She is the Environmental Compliance Manager at STR and has previously worked for Clean Tahoe and The League to Save Lake Tahoe.

Catherine came to tell us everything we ever wanted to know about the new California SB 1383 and STR's new three cart system. The purpose of SB 1383 is to reduce methane gas emissions from organic waste rotting in landfills. It redirects this waste to composting which produces much less CO2 and provides a useful product. Since one third of all waste is organic, and since methane is 12 times more detrimental than CO2, this will make a big difference. California regulations require that waste management companies like STR now collect different materials in different waste streams and not mix them together, hence the three cart system with provisions for Trash, Yard Waste and Recyclables. They must provide containers to consumers that are color coded and labelled. They must provide education and outreach,which Catherine was doing today, and they must monitor for compliance, this is not optional. All customers in California must participate. The ambitious goal is to reduce organic waste in the landfill by 75% and recover 20% of all edible food (to be given away, not thrown away) by 2025.

Each customer has a choice of size for their carts. Trash carts come in 95 gal., 65 gal., and NOW 35 gal. Since so many customers requested smaller carts, STR has negotiated with their manufacture to provide them. If you have already requested a larger cart and would prefer and smaller one, STR will be sending information shortly on how you can change your order. Trash will be picked up every week and should be rolled out to the end of your property line, but not in the street right of way, just as you do now. The STR employees will be bringing your carts back to your property, just as they do now.

Recycle carts come in 65 gal. and 95 gal. and are collected every two weeks. When your carts are delivered during the late summer of 2024, you will get a packet of information that tells you how to use them what goes in them and when your pickup days are. Just like now, recycled materials should be cleaned and as dry as possible to avoid attracting bears. There will be no more plastic blue bags as all recyclables are put directly into the cart.

Yard Waste carts come in 95 gal. size and are collected every other week. If you have more that will fit, you can use the compostable paper yard waste bags, or you can drop it off at STR for free. Only yard waste is allowed in these carts, NO FOOD. Again, this is to prevent bears from attacking your yard waste carts. The only cart that is bear resistant, is the Trash cart. So you may put your food waste in the Trash cart. Tahoe has received a waiver from the state of California to be able to do this. Most communities are able to put their food waste in the yard waste cart, but we are not able to do that because of the bears. If you prefer to keep your food waste out of the trash stream, you can get a smaller sealed container from STR for food waste and drop it off once per week at their facility for free. Tahoe Master Gardeners also have classes on composting at home.

Not only is this new system better for our environment, STR employees will benefit from this change. They will not have to jog along side the truck in the road way or hurt their backs lifting heavy cans. STR expects fewer workmans comp claims, a savings that will be passed on to the ratepayers. This new system will eliminate all the plastic waste from blue bags and trash bags put out at the curb. STR expects to capture more yard waste and recyclable material with the new system. How many workers will be laid off, you ask? STR expects no workers to lose their jobs. They will have more need for drivers and helpers because they are adding 7 new routes and there is a different truck for every waste stream--trash, yard waste and recycle.

This state mandated project will cost STR $10 million. They have received a grant from The Recycling Partnership and are seeking other funding. But starting in 2025, ratepayers may see up to a 4% raise in their rates for two years. From their website: "All South Tahoe Refuse rates are evaluated by a third-party firm, then are reviewed by the South Tahoe Solid Waste Management JPA before being presented to each jurisdiction for their consideration.​"

Thank you Catherine for your informative presentation and patient answering of our questions. For more information visit their webpage: 3-Cart System

SITS Member Items & Our Projects

Challenge Day at the Middle School on November 30th Volunteer sign up- Middle School Challenge Day November 30th Volunteer Sign Up   There will also be an assembly on December 1st which is around 2 hours for all 7th and 8th graders. If you are interested in attending this please let Theresa Papandrea know. To learn more about Challenge Day, click here.

Committee Communication!

From our Social Committee!

• Oakland Jazz Choir on Saturday, November 18th at 6:30 pm

Valhalla Boathouse (Evening of Christmas Faire). Get tickets promptly  here!

• Christmas Cookie Exchange Saturday, December 16th at 11:00 at Carol Gerard's home. More details later!

From our TECH Committee!

If you have tech needs, we have a new email address that you can use.

techhelp@sitahoesierra.org

For anyone who wants extra, hands on, help, with all that's going on in town and the holidays, Laurie F will provide a personal, private tech lesson for you! Simply contact our Sitster and she'll get you in the know! Please check your "SITS Calendar" and make sure you can access it, if not, call or email Laurie.

From SITS COMMITTEE Signup!

Our SITS club and all that we do are driven by the committees that we maintain. All members are asked to join at least ONE Service Committee and ONE Technical Committee. Service is what we do and Technical is how we roll! Please signup for your committees here. And remember, you are not limited to participating in any of the fun. YOU can attend any committee meeting or event!

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!

Join Mayor Cristi Creegan along with community leaders, residents, businesses, agencies, and organizations for a unity walk to honor United Against Hate Week. 

United Against Hate Week, which is recognized from November 12-18, is a call for local civic action to stop the hate and biases that pose a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Across the state, 100’s of cities and organizations are also taking a stand against hate by coming together throughout the week. 

On Thursday, November 16, our community will come together to take a stand against hate. The unity walk will begin at Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) parking lot and will follow along the bike path to Champion’s Plaza and then will loop back to LTUSD parking lot. At Champion's Plaza, the Mayor will share a proclamation for United Against Hate Week and community leaders will also briefly speak.

“The importance of coming together and showing support for one another is crucial, especially with the increase in hate we've witnessed not only in the U.S. but globally. This event provides an excellent opportunity for our community to recognize that hatred, discrimination, and prejudice have no place here and to show support for targeted groups and all residents. Our goal as a city is to promote a welcoming and inclusive community for all, this week, and every week, and this is one way to acknowledge this intention,” stated Mayor Cristi Creegan.

When: Thursday, November 16, 5pm

Where: Meet at the LTUSD parking lot, 1021 Al Tahoe Blvd.  

Lake Tahoe Historical Society is celebrating their 55th Anniversary on Sunday, November 19th from 2-4 at the South Tahoe Senior Center. There will be speakers, food and the event is free.

Valhalla Holiday Faire

coming Nov. 17-19. More information here.

Optimist Tree Lot is opening soon!

Yes, it's that time of year again and YOU can get your Ben Kunibe tree to make your holiday home spectacular and support the kids in our community! This has been a community tradition for years!

Details from our Optimist friends here.

Click here for full details of flyer below

Important information for your family from TASK

Tahoe Safe Alliance for Kids is providing information to educate the community on fake fentanyl and other counterfeit drugs. Click HERE to learn more.

The Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK) shares a new campaign each month through its "Did You Know" series. This month, TASK is sharing ways to tackle the winter and holiday blues in both Spanish and English. To read the whole story click on Winter Blues

How would you like to make 100x the difference with your donation!

Great way to spend your donation tax deduction dollars or make a huge difference donating on someone's behalf for Christmas!

Click here for full details and to donate

 SENIOR PROJECT JUDGING: We would like to invite you to judge the single class of Senior Projects for Fall 2023! We will have our usual June presentations later this school year but for now, we have a class of 35 excited seniors who need some judges to present to and we would love to have you. It is a very easy and positive program.

This term's presentations are on January 26, 2024. Arrival time to STHS is between 1:45pm and 2:00pm with a start time of 2:15pm.

We need around thirty judges this term so if you are interested or know anyone who would like to see our young adults and their final project, please email us at seniorproject@ltusd.org! 

South Lake Tahoe High School

Senior Project Coordinator

1735 Lake Tahoe Boulevard

South Lake Tahoe, California 96150

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

League to Save Lake Tahoe's Keep Tahoe Blue Volunteer Portal!

For all of those who want to help keep our Lake Tahoe prestene, here's a portal which you can now see the events and programs which are available to volunteer for! SHARE this with your family and friends! Portal here!

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.

They are also in great need for warm clothing items and will accept donations at their office

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

More details here

Tahoe Learning Haven - Click here for all their information and a link to each month's newsletter.

Blood Donations are Needed!

Our Nation continues to have a blood shortage everywhere. Giving blood is giving life. So GIVE!

Vitalant Blood Donations. Click here to find a blood draw near you!

Wed - Mon Carson City Vitalent Donation Center

256 Winnie Lane,Carson City, NV.

Click here to find more dates and locations

Upcoming Blood Drive Locations:

Wednesday, 11/29/2023

Division of Welfare Carson - Bloodmobile

1470 College Parkway

CARSON CITY, NV, 89703

Open 11:00 AM - 2:15 PM

Get Directions

Friday, 12/01/2023

South Lake Tahoe Community - Gymnasium

1180 Rufus Allen Blvd

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, 96150

Open 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Get Directions

Monday, 12/11/2023

CA Whole Foods South Lake Tahoe - Bloodmobile

3600 Lake Tahoe Blvd

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, 96150

Open 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Get Directions

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!