That Club Assembly... wasn't it really good? More of that please.... Amirite?
Coming Up | Looking Ahead
Feb 12: Dr. Brant Robertson, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, UCSC
How do galaxies and cosmological structures form and evolve? What is the nature of dark matter? How can deep learning better our understanding of astrophysical phenomena? Learn how Professor Brant Robertson in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz leverages sophisticated numerical methodologies and hardware technologies to help answer these important outstanding questions.
 
Feb 19: Cabrillo College: Educating Today’s Students, Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce
Join us for a conversation about how Cabrillo College is responding to evolving student demographics, expanding high-demand programs, navigating budget challenges, and strengthening student support services to ensure student success.  
 
Feb 26: Annual Speech Contest
Faris Sabbah will facilitate the annual Rotary speech contest for high school students. The theme this year is Service Above Self and we will hear from 4-6 students. 
Recent Meetings
Feb 5: Club Assembly
That was a pretty great meeting. President Dave presented the findings from the club survey that was sent out in December 2025 - you can view the results here and here. The summary slides, shared at the meeting, are here. Lots of good interaction, discussions and next steps.
 
Jan 29: Polar Plunge & Santa Cruz High Interact Club
Special Olympics Polar Plunge - Suzi Andrade & Jennifer Hall
and Santa Cruz High School Interactors - Maya Rae, Violet Young + 6
 
 
Jan 22: Lee Butler & Bonnie Lipscomb
Downtown Santa Cruz - Preparing for Today and Tomorrow

Links:

Meeting Recordings are on-line on our website
Meeting Photos are also online
Club Website has lots of good info including the Club Calendar
Weekly Zoom (if you don't want to, or cannot, attend in person)
For those who are high on the Rotary Kool-aid, check out the District 5170 events calendar

Our Rotarian of the Month for February is Sharon Hoffman. Only 1 year in the club and already so involved. 
Member Birthdays
 
Eileen Beaudry  2/2
Karen Gosling 2/2
Peggy Alberti 2/12
Peter Truman 2/14
Bob Keet 22/17
Maureen Tapiz 2/20
Suzi Merriam 2/27
Wedding Anniversaries
 
Sean & Kandi Venables 54 yrs
Rob & Trish Morse 37 yrs
Dave & Mary Mello 32 yrs
Member Anniversaries
 
Constatin Gehriger 36 yrs
Sean Venables 35 yrs
Rick Hofstetter 35 yrs
Hilary Bryant 25 yrs
Betty Bullard 9 yrs
Janet Russell Keller 4 yrs
Chris Benkert 3 yrs
Sharon Hoffman 1 yr
Club Happenings and Other News
Upcoming Socials & Other Dates 
-- Sigfrid Garman --
 
The Social Committee Meetings will now be held on the SECOND Thursday of each month immediately following the Sunrise Club Meeting at The Grille at Delaveaga.
 
Our next social is Tuesday, February 17 at 6p at Tramonti, 528 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. Red badgers and prospective members are encouraged to attend!
Community Service Update
-- Tiffany Wise-West --
 
Lots of opportunities to serve. Sign Up Online for all at this link. 
 
River Health Day with Coastal Watershed Council 
Saturday February 14 | 10 am - 12 noon
Location on San Lorenzo River TBD
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Virtual Community Service Committee Meeting!
Friday, February 27, 2028 at noon (every 4th Friday of the month at noon)
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Rotary District 5170 Community Winter Farming Day!  
Saturday, Feb. 28, 9am - 1pm, lunch included
Common Roots Farm, 301 Golf Club Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Get a tour of the farm | Help fertilize perennial crops | Help with mulching & weeding| Weather permitting, sow annuals in the greenhouse
Let's have a good showing right in our own town!
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Jose Neurodiversity and Environmental Sustainability Committees
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March 7 is the Special Olympics Polar Plunge!
Beach Boardwalk Aloha Terrace at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
515 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA
Time:  10:30 - 1 pm
 
 
Red Badge Induction
-- Tom Hart --
 
Great picture of the December induction ceremony for Elizabeth Bunch and Meredith Cook with sponsors George Bunch and Suzi Merriam.
 
Tech Tips
I may do this on a pretty regular basis... or maybe not. We shall see...
 
At last week's club assembly, the Reveille was discussed at our table. One person said that they wished there was a button to hit and reply to the Reveille. Folks - it is totally possible. Please click reply in your email program and the reply will come to me. I am more than happy to forward it to others, as needed.
 
How do I click reply, you ask? Well... now I am not sure how to help you :-)
 
Always open to feedback and making this newsletter more relevant... Simply reply to this newsletter with your thoughts!