

Our May 26 meeting was dinner at the Fairfield Inn in Capitola, our speaker was Supervisor Zach Friend and we had three of our seven scholarship recipients in attendance!
We had about 25 members in person, none on zoom, five guests and three of our scholarship recipients. We had to borrow chairs from the lounge and napkins from the restrooms. We had far too much macaroni salad, but that sweet potato casserole (AKA the Vegan tofu meal that everyone thought was for them, not just the vegan eaters!!) was a big hit and the chicken with optional barbecue sauce was delicious
Remember that there is no bar there so we are relying on members to bring wine! Several of us did but not enough-we ran out of wine too: that’s bordering on inexcusable, especially since there’s no corkage fee (unlike the notorious rule at one of our other venues).
Music was provided by an illustrious trio. Members could be forgiven for mistaking their voice for the Kingston Trio or the Three Tenors while their rock ‘n’ roll evoked memories of rock god trios like Cream or Emerson, Lake and Palmer. But it was our very own Al DeCamara, Sam Nigh and Rich McAdams, performing under the moniker of Under the Influence. Which might explain Al's exuberance as detective.
By now, most everyone knows of the tragic death of our dear Suzi Hamlin, killed by a drunk driver, crossing the road in Virginia in the middle of Rich and Suzi’s cross country vacation. Co-PE Pam flew back to help Rich. Rotarians have been sending him our heartfelt condolences. Despite the unimaginable grief and shock, Rich took the time to send thanks for our support and for the camaraderie and compassion of Rotary that has been shown to him.
Prior to the start of the meeting, Laura led us in observing a moment of silence in memory of Suzi and in support of Rich.
Two of our three new red badges were in attendance, Rich McAdams, and Lisa Harvey-Duren.
Our three scholarship recipients in attendance were Olivia Harris from Soquel HS and Samantha French and Jordi Martinez from Aptos HS.
Michele brought her friend Gayle Pitman, VP of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success at Hartnell College.
Eric brought his friend David and David's daughter. The daughter is Samatha French, one of our Scholarship recipients.
Michele announced that Sip for Second Harvest is June 25 from 1-4 pm at Seascape Golf club.
Our next Membership Monday Happy Hour is at Cantine at 5:30 to 7:00 on June 5th.
Fellow Cap-Ap Rotarians:
Our April 13 lunch meeting was at the Fairfield Inn.
Those of you who haven't been yet should check it out to see how you think it compares with other venues.
It's on 41st Ave, about 1/2 mile past the Capitola Mall. We have a large, well- lit dedicated room, functioning wifi and cell service. But no bar...
The a/c functions well, a bit too well at one point as the board meeting turned glacial for a few minutes. But that was resolved.
Lunch was deli sandwiches catered by Garden Deli.
Co-Pres Kendra ran the meeting.
We had about 20 members and a few on zoom including Secretary Nelson, Mardi and Doug D.
Dr. Art provided the thought and joke of the day: It is risky to speak to the press they might report it
Al did the welcome song a la Herbie Hancock on his portable keyboard.
Konstantin chimed in on glass percussion.
Announcements:Please bring two bottles of wine (~ $20 each value) to Kendra this meeting as we will be using them at Kentucky Derby Fundraiser as game prizes.Please use the Eventbrite Link to purchase your Derby party tickets today! There are quarter page fliers that Kendra can print and get you to hand out to your friends and neighbors and dog walker! Invite your kids and their friends, literally everyone you KNOW!
Huge Thanks to our current Derby sponsors:Costello Wealth StrategiesPenrose, Chun & GormanAptos Travel Medicine1st Capital Bank
Members:
Apologies for the late Hubs- emergency motions filed by opposing counsel in 2 cases and a sick wife and paralegal (2 different women but equal goddesses) have impeded progress. All are well and justice prevailed.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta pictured with Club Co-Presidents Kendra Cleary & Laura Grinder
Our February 16, 2023 lunch meeting was at Seascape. We had 31 members and guests attend. We were in the little room due to Seascape Construction. Our Speaker was our Congressman Jimmy Panetta, who absolutely noticed and commented on the smallness of the room we were in. No luck convincing him that our group size had increased and fill the room better!!
In 2022 our Grant Recipient organizations were:
For Kids Foundation Monterey Bay https://www.forkidsfoundationmontereybay.org/
Grey Bears https://greybears.org/
Monarch Services https://www.monarchscc.org/
Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes https://www.pvloavesandfishes.org/
Safe Schools Project https://safeschoolsproject.org/
Santa Cruz Symphony https://santacruzsymphony.org/classical-music-classrooms
Veterans Memorial Building: https://www.veteranshall.org/revised-home-page/
Volunteer Center, Literacy Project: https://scvolunteercenter.org/programs/literacy-program/
Siena House https://www.sienahouse.org/what-we-do
Teen Kitchen Project https://teenkitchenproject.org/about-us/
Walnut Avenue Center http://www.wafwc.org/whoweare
Your Future Is Our Business https://yfiob.org/about-us/
Meals on Wheels of Santa Cruz County https://communitybridges.org/mealsonwheels/
Our 2/2/23 lunch meeting was at the Fairfield Inn on 41st Ave. in Capitola-a few hundred yards West of the Capitola Mall.
Informal poll shows the attendees generally liked the room. Busy Bee's catered the meal. Michele the co-owner is a member of Santa Cruz Rotary and also catered deposed-President Ken’s debunking, informal food reviews were also mostly positive and Michelle came by at the end of our meeting to introduce herself and thank us for the business! The owner of the Fairfield Inn is a fan of Rotary--believes in and supports our mission and seems eager to accommodate us--a marked change from indifference/annoyance.The board is soliciting further input on the location, venue amenities, parking, food, attitude….Nelson sent out a schedule of the next several meetings- make sure to read it and to NOT show up someplace where you are the only attendee.And please RSVP!
Our January 26, 2023 lunch was at Seascape. Remember, our February 2 lunch is at the Fairfield Inn on 41st Ave. in Capitola. Do not go to Seascape at noon unless you want to avoid all of us AND get a $20 fine.
We had 18 attendees in person and 4 on zoom.
Kendra ran the meeting with her usual charisma and organization- impeded only by a new microphone system that randomly disconnected and announced the disconnection in a Lauren Bacall-esque sultry near-whisper that seems more appropriate for pay for view R rated movies than the wholesomeness of our meetings.
Kendra's announcement: PLEASE respond to her emailed RSVPs
Dr Art's thought for the day: Don’t argue with a fool in public because people might confuse the two of you. (Has he been to court lately?)
In order to keep everyone safe in this post-pandemic world, we are having hybrid meetings for all our regular Rotary club meetings, we meet at either noon or 6pm, check the calendar to determine if it's a Lunch or Dinner Meeting!
Join us in person at: ((Check the Club Calendar for location!!))
Join our Zoom Meeting HERE:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
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