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 RichMcAdams, 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.
Al was the detective and his genre suggested repressed pyromania. He took the club through the interesting and hopefully coincidental history of the five locations where our club held meetings, or tried to, that caught fire. We should probably not disclose that if we are looking for different venues
Our guest speaker was supervisor Zach Friend. Zach spoke up the challenges facing government, non- governmental organization and our citizenry and the weaponization of institutions
If most politicians were like Zach we wouldn’t have these problems?
Julie asked some very good questions tying in the presentation from Matt Machado a few weeks ago regarding conditions of our roads. Zach explained that while Proposition 13 resulted in Santa Cruz county receiving seven cents on the dollar back from the state for road work, we get 56 cents on the dollar returned for schools, other funds for other projects and services.
Regarding the Brown Act, Zach praised the transparency requirements for public proceedings but said the ban on discussions between individual members of the board hampers progress on legislation. He noted that the state legislature imposed restrictions on local government but not itself
Zach also said that incorporation of Aptos as a city was legally possible but, as he explained, not financially viable.
Unquestionably the highlight of Zach’s presentation was ongoing updates texted by Zach’s wife Tina, live from the little league game in San Diego. We could not ask for a better storybook ending. Zach’s son Elliott struck out the other side on nine pitches in the top of the first extra inning, then doubled in the tying run and scored the winning run from second base sliding across home plate. The whole club erupted in cheers.
Claire McAdams won the raffle but was not present to collect. Best luck to her for quick recovery from her oral surgery.
Kate wanted everyone to know that she correctly answered Ken's trivia question about who was the first Rotarian to climb Mount Everest but she could not unmute herself on zoom: Sir Edmund Hillary
On another note our club member and future president Lowry sent us a picture with the president of the Rotary Club of Melbourne - Australia
Our next meeting is lunch at Seascape clubhouse, June 1st.
Hope to see everyone there – contact the members you know that haven’t been showing up and urge them to come
