Dear fellow Rotarians:
Our August 24 meeting was at the Fairfield Inn at 5pm.
We had 20 ish attendees.
Our August 24 meeting was at the Fairfield Inn at 5pm.
We had 20 ish attendees.
Pam ran the meeting with her usual panache.
Since this next meeting happens on the 5th Thursday of the month there is no meeting- it is a service day. We are helping at Second Harvest at 10 am, Aug 31st, 2023.
Anissa brought guest JM Brown, chief of staff to Bruce McPherson- great guy with lots of insights and sense of humor
Nelson brought his sister Tracy who is charming and also got the hair and looks in the family.
President Pam repeated that we need more attendees at the meeting- Hey- NON ATTENDEES: WTH? (WTH means What The Heck?!) a big part of Rotary is camaraderie, as well as participation in our events. Start showing up!!!
Dr Art had the thought for the day : if at first don’t succeed don’t tell anyone.
Long-ago deposed Prez. Ken is hosting a hike through Nisene Marks forest this Saturday September 2nd. Meet at his house at 365 Danube drive by 10 am if you want to go. Hike will be about 3 miles, 90 minutes. A hill or two and the trails are getting a little dusty so wear shoes/sneakers with a good tread. There will be a rehydration meeting on Ken's front lawn starting 11:30-noonish. Folks are welcome to attend that even if they miss the hike. Guests are welcome.
If the weather cooperates Ken will also open his pool. Beverages are free but all Rotarian attendees are expected to donate to Rotary.
Our next beach cleanup is September 9th
Pickleball clinic is at Win's September 10th. See him or Lowry for details.
Mardi spoke about a school in Africa that she is helping fund raise for. The Event is held September 23rd at Common Roots Farms 11am to 3pm.
Lowry said there will be an event on 10/28 for the reveal of the playground design for the new Jade Street park- pumpkin painting? maybe a Rotary booth?
He also reminded us that signups for all the events are being sent on line.
Mardi was the detective. She ransomed Ken’s wallet back to him.
Our guest speaker was Doron Comerchero from Food What. He is from the Bronx but is a Mets fan.
Doron explained that the program seeks Youth empowerment for food justice.
They employ local teenagers, most of them from low income farm working families.
They employ local teenagers, most of them from low income farm working families.
They follow the farming season and grow food at two sites-UCSC farm and Live Earth. The students get paid for their work.
Doron said they see alot of mental health issues and youngsters trying to break out of their bubble.
The program gives many of them their first job training and first training regarding food and nutrition. The program sees tremendous success in significant diet change and healing in personal lives. It has a high percentage of kids who have been in the juvenile justice system, homeless and trans kids.
This is the programs 17th year. It has helped thousands of students. This year it had 200 applicants for 70 positions.
The students grow food and learn how to harvest and cook it. Guest chefs teach them recipes- a special shout out went to Cabrillo’s chef/professor.
The program partners with Second Harvest for the food the kids do not take home.
There is an October 1 dinner fundraiser at the UCSC hay barn.
Let’s see who we can get to turn out for it!
