
Doug and Bill are our foundation chairs for Rotary International


Dear Cap-Ap Rotarians
Our October 26 meeting was lunch at Seascape
We had 21 in person attendees
Lowry ran the meeting. He is going to be assuming full presidential powers.
Pam is going to be coordinating speakers and helping organize our major fundraiser - she has already contacted honorees and picked March 22 at Seascape for the date - please put in your calendars.
Nelson brought his wife Betsey and gave her a touching tribute about how she exemplifies the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. And she's not a member because...? too many other commitments? Including being in charge of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts? Fabulous.
Marcia Dasko was a drop in visitor- new to the area- let's recruit her?
Ana Matheson also joined us - sign her up too!
Lowry reminded all about the Jade street park pumpkin painting which was held 10/28.
We had 80 people at our Cabrillo veterans' benefit pickleball tournament! Awesome. Let's try to get half that many at our meetings. Maybe just a coincidence that the Sentinel ran a big article about pickleball last week, but your author thinks that now that CapAp Rotary has been doing it everyone is joining in.....trendsetters that we are.
And not just trendsetters in sports- we have new Aprons! Look for the Kardashians to be modeling the knock-offs soon.
Will we soon be developing a line of under-apron garments? Accessories?
The Holiday party will be at Sam Nigh's house in Soquel again. Last year's party was full of Rotary spirit, holiday spirit and many of the attendees got full of alcoholic spirits. Ample and delicious food, and the Nigh's house and property are gorgeous!!
Pam was the detective and on topic, the subject was Pickleball
But first there was a well-deserved shoutout to Lowry and Laura for their work putting the tournament together; it took a year to plan which means we are already starting planning for the next one....soon to rival our country's never-ending cycle of presidential campaigns but many would argue- much more utility.....
Some of the vital facts we learned:
Players are called Picklers
"Been pickled" means lost the match
The kitchen is the non volley zone
A "Dink" is a short shot- hopefully someone recorded Karen running in place to simulate the effort entailed
Also hoping someone else noticed that Michele stood up to answer her question like she was still in catholic middle school answering a history question from Sister Mary Elephant?
There are 400,000 players nationwide
Florida has the most picklers and the densest (pickleball) city- Naples
Did anyone else notice that Sgt Jack collects fines with a Cal hat? It is so hard for the Stanford grads to put anything in that....
Nelson was our "guest" speaker.
He provided a very informative speech and slide show on Harper's Ferry, which he and Betsey visited recently. It's much more than just the site of John' Brown's infamous raid (which many people, including Frederick Douglass, see as the real start of the Civil War). It was the 2d armory founded in the USA and is at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in what is now West Virginia, in 1799. It became a mechanized manufacturer of firearms at a rate far greater than hand-built weaponry. It had a series of canals that provided water power to run the machinery.
In addition to Mr. Brown's raid- which resulted in many deaths including a freed slave who tried to stop the raiders, many others were killed- some in combat, the mayor was shot trying to broker a peace deal others were hanged after the fort was re-taken.
When the Civil War began the armory was targeted by the Confederacy which took control of the armory in April 1861 after the small defending union forces retreated and torched the buildings so- much of the original site was destroyed.
The site is a now a national park.
Today's Pickleball Tournament was a blast, and we raised money for two needy causes; for the Cabrillo College Veterans Center and the Community Grants Program that our club operates annually. ALL funds raised stay LOCAL!
The first batch of photos are ready for viewing and download, the rest of the "action" shots were uploaded on 10/23/23!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-0lCFmfqEovgTAEOGL2TGhJM808wHWCw?usp=sharing
Fellow and Female Capitola Aptos Rotarians:
For the many of you who missed it:
Our 10/6 meeting was lunch at Seascape.
Pam led us with her iconic charm and organizational efficiency.
We had 18 attendees- folks- please show up!!!
Dr. Art was absent so we were thoughtless.
Sam was there but no (intentional) joke so we were also humorless.
But what we missed in those we made up for musically: With Rich McAdams on bass and Sam on lead guitar, listeners on the Seascape porch could not have been faulted for thinking Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton were having a Cream revival show, though not sure if Cream ever played the Welcome Song or 4-Way Test song. Maybe we can adapt one of those to Sunshine of Your Love?
Nice to see Kate!!!
Kate told us there's a free symphony audience social picnic at Paradise Park (off Hwy 9) on October 13 from 4-6. Meet other music lovers, enjoy food, and learn about the upcoming season from Maestro Daniel Stewart.
We are volunteering at Loves and Fishes Nov. 9 at 9am- Dr. Art is coordinating,
Win was the detective. He denied it but his questions about Fall seemed taken from one of his wife's elementary school quizzes.
A few things that we learned - pumpkins are native to South America, the Egyptians were the first to use scarecrows
Win had great questions but might want to study up on the names of our members.....
Our guest speaker was Kristen Brown, the Vice mayor of Capitola.
She is quite a good speaker and handled the crowd well.
She is a 4th generation local and is now running for the seat that Zach Friend is vacating. But she didn't do any campaigning. She gave a very informative presentation on the many projects going on in Capitola.
Thanks to a concerted effort by many and $10million in funding, the Capitola wharf rebuild is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2024- weather etc permitting. The renovations include widening the wharf and adding new concrete coated fiberglass pilings. Kristen diplomatically handled questions about the Coastal Commission's role.
Kristen also reported that the library was completed, the roadworks in progress include a pedestrian overpass at Chanticleer, and auxiliary lanes; Santa Cruz Metro is adapting its routes to accommodate the changes in ridership and is purchasing about 60 hydrogen powered buses. Nelson volunteered that he rode the bus recently and greatly enjoyed it. He lied about his age to get the senior discount though...
The name of the all-access park at Jade Street has been selected- Treasure Cove. Pam noted that Leo's Haven is already crowded so there's already a need for additional facilities.
Rick Klevins won the raffle but wasn't in attendance to collect
Our next meeting is Thursday at Fairfield. The meeting starts at 5- bring beverages. Dinner starts at 530. At 6 our RYLA members will give presentations and at 630 Assembly member Dawn Addis will be our guest speaker. We are greatly looking forward to hearing from our leaders of tomorrow and today.
Hello Capitola Aptos Rotarians:
For the majority of our members-who did not make it to our September, 28 evening meeting at Fairfield Inn
For a change of palate pleasing we had a pizza and salad dinner at a reduced price.
The 18 in-person attendees seemed to enjoy it. Mardi was on zoom.
We finished most of the wine and champagne the members brought- waste not...
Kelly got a jump on the rest of us at the golf course
We had red solo cups for Rotacare - that is very millennial of us
Lowry ran the meeting
We had no musicians so no songs
Dr Art quoted Natalie Wood- "The only time you can change a man is when he's a baby."
Mark Twain said "the only person who really wants change is a baby with a wet diaper."
Dostoevsky said "Everyone thinks about changing the world but nobody thinks about changing themselves."
So, if we put those 3 together- are we blaming baby boys for not changing their own diapers?
Check out the calendar for online events. Some of them:
Pickleball tournament Oct. 21st
Park Street cleanup Oct. 22d
Nelson spoke for a few minutes on why/how important this is not only for keeping the street clean but for keeping the trash from washing onto the beach and into the ocean
Pumpkin painting is Saturday the 28th
The memorial of life for Suzy Hamlin was at the big room at Seascape on September 17- many Rotarians were among the hundreds who filled the room to honor and remember Suzy. Rich gave a heartwarming and tearjerking tribute to her. She was truly a blessing to the world and was truly loved by many.
Joanie Stokes' 90th (really?) surprise party was at the Seascape porch (our room) on Sept. 24. There were at least 40 attendees and the surprise was complete....despite the tables of women unable to keep quiet while Joane approached the room and Eric and Ken were trying to shhhhh them so they wouldn't spoil the surprise. A great time for a great woman.
Joanie's husband Graham was the Detective at our 9/28 meeting
We got a historical geography lesson
We learned : Ethiopia was formerly Abyssinia; Ghana was formerly the Gold Coast, Thailand was formerly Siam.
Nelson quipped, " I met a guy and asked him if he was from Thailand. He said Yes-siam'" (say it).....
Our guest speakers were Brian and Jamie King who run the non-profit group Mountains to Sea. Brian is a former teacher who dedicate his skills to helping kids with problems - Jamie is his life and business partner.
They run the program through local high schools. They take groups of 10 kids once a week for 12 weeks into nature in a supportive environment and do activities like sailing, hiking and climbing, all tech-free. For most of the kids it is their first meaningful "outdoor" experience.
They encourage group participation, trust building and being non-judgmental. They set small goals that are challenging but achievable.
The responses from the students and the schools are very positive- their program is very successful.
A great organization doing great things for the youth in our communities.
See everyone Thursday at lunch at Seascape!
Our August 3 meeting was lunch at Seascape
We had a low turnout- only few attendees in person and none on zoom
Are the rest of you on vacation? Still hungover from debunking?
Lowry multi tasked- running the meeting and doing the tech since Nelson was elsewhere- well done though Mr. co-President
Welcome back Dave DeMatteis! It had been about 2 years?
Dave said he'd been over the hill(geographically) and had some health issues but he looks great and still has that resonant baritone voice like a classic radio announcer.
Nice to see Mardi in person
Anissa looked very patriotic in her red white and blue outfit
Our only guest was our speaker
Dr Art's thought for the day was a quote about the strength of a nation not being based on the stature of its leaders but the stature of the millions of mediocre people who strive to make it excel
Rich told the daily joke: this one was about how kids learn that drinking whiskey will prevent worms
Lowry played a video of Lisa speaking about her daughter to announce the good news that the design of the all access park in Capitola was accepted!
Aug 31st is our service day at Second Harvest
Our next beach cleanup is Sept 9th
Which is also the weekend of the Capitola art and wine festival
The efforts to support the bookclub for kleptomaniacs has failed because they took everything literally
Matt was the detective and the topic was dogs in recognition of dog days
Among other things we learned:
Collie was the most popular breed in 1905
Only 77 million dogs in the USA
Matt is looking forward to not being dogged (sorry) about the Cabrillo name change after the vote next week.
Solution proposed by us- Wetstein U. All in favor?Continuing on the dog theme, our Guest speakers was Melissa Wolf of Unchained. Melissa gave a presentation about her non profit organization which has local disadvantaged and at risk youth train abandoned dogs as mutual therapy. After an 8 work interactive program the dogs are fostered out to welcoming families. The kids are coping with disabilities, abuse, addiction, incarcerated parents or combinations of those. The dogs have been abandoned or returned to shelters. The kids and dogs share past experiences of abuse and abandonment and so there is a natural empathy. Also, unlike humans, dogs are honest about their emotions, loyal and non-judgmental,
Shelters are overflowing now as there was a surge people not being able/willing to cope with dogs after taking them in during covid. 90% of the dogs in the program are adopted.
Melissa said that many of the kids are skeptical of their future- they expect to die young, not have opportunity. Maybe helping dog can change that- the kids report feel better about future
The program got a resounding endorsement from director of Monterey county youth probation.
They are trying to expand into jails Santa Cruz and to hire a therapist for the kids.
A wonderful program- Melissa offered an invitation to anyone who wants to attend the next graduation ceremony but warns to bring tissues.
Michele B won the lottery but...she was taking her boy to college so no winner.Membership Monday was Aug 7th at Cantine and it was fun! We had Laura, Michele, Bill, Art, Sandie, Mardi and Pam who brought her guest Tarah-let's cheer for her to join us too!Guess Who: Trivia photos taken last week for detective/fundraising:Our next meeting is at Fairfleld Inn.
Join us in the heart of Aptos for an afternoon of wine tasting. Discover local Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, while strolling through Aptos Village businesses. The Wine Wander is a partnership with the Capitola-Aptos Rotary, Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Aptos Village Businesses.
Tickets are $45 before June 1, $50 after June 15
Participating Wineries:
Aptos Vineyard
Bargetto Winery
Big Basin Vineyards
Doon to Earth
El Vaquero Winery
Integrity Wines
Kings Mountain Vineyard
La Vida Bella Vineyard
Left Bend Winery
Lester Estate Wines
Sante Arcangeli Family Wines
Silver Mountain Vineyards
Villa del Monte
Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery
Participating Businesses:
Aptos Vineyards Tasting Room
Betty Burgers
CaliCoastal Boutique
Cantine Winepub
Caroline’s Thrift Shop
Doon to Earth Tasting Lounge
Magnolia Fine Gifts & Gallery
New Leaf Community Market
Sante Arcangeli Tasting Lounge
Sarah’s European Skin Care
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.
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/85672887390?pwd=WmtST0haZGl0WHk5RUZERm4zNkU5Zz09
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