Inspirational Moment, Pledge, and Song – Fred Lindberg announced this would be his last meeting. He thanked us for a wonderful 15 years of friendship and fellowship. He said it’s been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of such an amazing group.

 

Fred and his fiancé, Christine, purchased their dream house in Santa Barbara 2 years ago. He had been commuting to TO since then a couple days a week to practice medicine. He’s retiring from practice and is now going to look for a Rotary club in Santa Barbara that feels right.

 

The most recent bad news, Fred was diagnosed with Gleason 8 prostate cancer. The good news is that they’re probably catching it early. He will soon be having surgery.

More remote bad news is that he has gone through 2 divorces in 10 years, the most recent 6 years ago. The good that came from that is that he has the happiest and healthiest relationship ever with Christine.  

 

Fred recently visited the Amazon and was wearing a Muiraquata around his neck, a sacred green stone amulet from Amazonian Indigenous folklore, frequently shaped like a frog, turtle, or fish, acting as a symbol of protection, luck, and fertility. Traditionally carved from jade or nephrite, these artifacts are associated with legends of the warrior Icamiabus (or Amazons) and are often worn as pendants, bringing blessings of the water and moon. Legends say Icamiaba women met with men once a year, dived into the “Mirror of the Moon” lake to gather green clay, and molded these amulets to give to their partners. It’s considered a “living guardian” against diseases, swords, envy and evil spirits.  

 

Fred then led the Pledge and “God Bless America.”

 

Mike Pruner has been the Chili Cook Coordinator for the past two years and is happily turning over the reins to Mike Ladd after this Chili Cook-off. He also attended his 8-year-old grandson’s play at school and it was the best 2^nd grade play he’s ever seen.

 

Matt and Teresa Lallo are celebrating their 65^th wedding anniversary next week.

 

Pat Hanley was excited to announce Dorothy Sullivan joining Team Rubicon.

 

Ken Warner said 16 pints of blood were collected last week which would save more than 16 people’s lives. Ken said to remember that he’s coming back!

 

Kim DeBroux had the dad and devastating news this week of the loss of Teresa Horvet, Laura Conway’s mom and husband, Gerry, and Diane Hebert (Wife of former member Mike Hebert), let’s keep our arms around their families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marissa Buss presented the orientation for the Chili Cook-off and said be sure to wear your yellow vests. She showed a wonderful video of last year’s Chili Cookoff and all the members looking foxy wearing their yellow vests with tons of smiles and having a great time!

 

Danny Lambert has done the best-ever in sponsorships at $37,150.

 

Craft brew is not as popular as in previous years so other beer was also purchased through Allied.

 

Mike Pruner has saved the club about $5000 in not including ICS cooks (International Chili Society). They would never bring enough chili and would cost the most in prizes and judges. Even without the ICS, Mike has managed to bring in 32 chili cooks.

 

Jim Young who is a non-Rotarian, has been running the car show for years. As of Thursday, there were 112 cars registered. Per Paul Dryman, there could potentially be over 100 more as the car show usually held on Sunday at the Reagan Library, was cancelled.

 

Monica Murrietta is in charge of non-food vendors. There were 27 non-food vendors.

Kim DeBroux and Eduardo were in charge of 13 food vendors.

 

1423 VIP tickets were sold online and were sold out. Last year there were 10,000  in attendance, where the highest attendance was in 2024 at 12,000 attendees.

 

Thank you to the CLU football team for their help this weekend as well as MANDO, Next Gen – Craft Brew Festival (only working it so they could drink craft brews), Explorers helping with parking, and the Scouts of America (Larry Baker’s troop).

 

 

Marissa also thanked Cherry Wang for working so hard on the work assignments.

 

Marissa Buss’ 11-1/2 year-old-daughter, Liv, asked her mom how long she was going to continue chairing the Chili Cook-off. Marissa said as soon as we gross a million dollars. The most we have grossed to this point was $750,000, so it would be a few more years. Liv said she wants to take over as chair when Marissa steps down. The trick is that she loves to drive the golf carts!

 

It’s Vicki’ Arndt's 27^th year as a Beer Booth Captain.

 

Have fun everyone!