SHORT Program: We will hear a brief update from a past beneficiary: MTNS2SEA
MAIN Program: Mireya Gomez-Contreras, exec director who helped found Esperanza Community Farms, will talk to us about their sustainable community agriculture project that increases food security and good health among families living in the Pajaro and Salinas Valleys. The farms cultivate fresh, pesticide-free, vegetables and fruits, then deliver bi-weekly CSA boxes directly to members’ homes. They are a Food Hub which means they actively manage the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of produce from local and regional small producers to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand. The story is an inspiring one and their work impacts all those involved - whether grower or consumer.
Aug 20: NO ZOOM
Dr. Enrico Ramirez Ruiz
Professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UCSC
Where did the building blocks of life come from? The answer lies in the hearts of distant stars and mighty explosions such as supernovae, which help spread fundamental elements to galaxies far and wide, where they can spark new life. The talk explores how hundreds of millions of celestial events have forged the elements that make up the Solar System, Earth, and us. Travel deep inside a giant star nearing the end of its life and witness the collision of stellar corpses. From the oxygen we breathe to the iron in our blood, the silicon in Earth’s mantle to the uranium that warms our planet’s core and helps give our planet its protective magnetic field, we owe it all to the stars!
Aug 27:
SHORT: Coastal Watershed Council
MAIN: Red Badge Bios
SHORT Program: We will hear a brief update from a past beneficiary: Coastal Watershed Council.
MAIN Program: We will have 2 Red Badge Bios. Come and enjoy getting to know some of our newest members.
Our Rotarians of the Month for August are the amazing core firecracker team of Deb Dutra, Dina Blair and Eileen Beaudry. There were so many who made the firecracker a success - this team went above and beyond and pulled it all together. Ladies - thank you so much!
Member Birthdays
Dina Blair 8/3
Matt Mohan 8/5
Curt Ridgeway 8/8
Chris Benkert 8/17
Mark Junod 8/22
Lisa Krigsman 8/23
Roger Swenson 8/25
Carol Ann Flint 8/26
Tony Gionnotti 8/28
Meridth Cook 8/29
Tom Knott 38 yrs
Randall Leonard 18 yrs
Tracy Cotten 14 yrs
Tony Gionnotti 13 yrs
Curt Ridgeway 9 yrs
Mark Davidson 8 yrs
Matt Bergdahl 2 yrs
Colin Crandall 1 yr
[George Bunch came and found me last week to tell me that I missed his anniversary in the last Reveille. That Reveille was in Jul and still had Jul dates... Congrats, George. 62 years is something!]
Club Happenings and Other News
Upcoming Community Service
-- Lisa Krigsman & Others --
Sign-up for all community service events on the sign-up sheet, unless otherwise noted. Make sure to click correct tab at the bottom.
Gleaning Continues - Help Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County rescue fresh produce! Sign up here in advance
Upcoming Socials & Other Info
-- Deb Dutra, Tiffany Wise-West & Others --
Auction Items Needed
Deb has sent out a few emails about needing items for the online auction to support the Rotary Ride. Fill out this form if you have a donation you can make. You can also contact Deb at debbie@synergylearningsystems.com | (408) 483-9505
The 2026 gear has landed, and it's some of the best-looking work we've done — the lighthouse, the pier, that sunrise. Not everyone can ride, but everyone can sure get some gear, right?
Social after 8/13 Bike Training Ride
Chris Benkert is sending out info about the upcoming training rides - hopefully people are getting those emails. After the bike training ride on 8/13, there will be a social at Spokesman. The crew will reportedly wander around from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Humble Sea and all in between. Ride is at 8:30, should be done around 1:00 pm.
Treasure Cove Grand Opening
Please join County Park Friends and the City of Capitola in celebrating the grand opening of Treasure Cove and the fully renovated Capitola Community Center at Jade Street Park on Tuesday, August 25 at noon. Jade Street Park was a past beneficiary of our Club.
Board Service Mixer
-- Hilary Bryant --
Join Community Foundation Santa Cruz County for our annual board service mixer on Aug 20! Guests will learn more about putting their experience and skills to work for the benefit of our community, while board members of nonprofit partners share about their board vacancies and other volunteer opportunities.
Local nonprofits and their board members in attendance will offer testimonials on the rewards and value of giving back through board service. Kevin Heuer, our Director of Engagement & Impact, will share information and resources for community members looking to join a board.
Intended audience: current nonprofit board members, community members interested in board service, nonprofit executive directors (if accompanied by a trustee). RSVP today.
Pictures and Info from Events Past.....
-- Jon Winston, Tiffany Wise-West & Others --
Rotarian's assisting at United Ways - Stuff the Bus!
This event that took place on Saturday, August 1, was pretty well attended. Way to go, Rotarians. More photos online.
Debunk Dave Potluck
What a great turn-out to celebrate IPP (immediate past president) Dave Price and the high energy Rotary spirit he brought to each and every meeting!
This last photo is of all the Past President's in attendance at the event. Quite a showing. More pictures online.
Also, are you willing to share your "Rotary Why"? Record yourself or have someone else record you with your phone: ~30 seconds with your name, how long you have been in Sunrise and answers to one or two of the following questions - What do you love about SC Sunrise Rotary? What inspires you about Rotary? Why are you a Rotarian/ What is the coolest thing you have done related to Rotary?
Upload your video to this google drive folder and you will see it on social media and club meetings in the future! Thanks to the 8 Rotarians who have already recorded their Rotary Why video!
OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS + COMMITTEE CHAIRS - Please register for the inaugural Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit 2026 for District 5170 which takes place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in San Jose, California. Hosted by District Governor Geeta Kadambi, the event unites local Rotarians and nonprofit partners to share project ideas, foster community collaboration, and learn from guest speakers. Come support our local nonprofits tabling at this event! ALL SUNRISE MEMBERS WELCOME!
FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK & MORE FEEDBACK
Vocational Committee: Interested in mentoring a Rotaractor? Please take the new UCSC Rotaract Club's survey. If you are retired, answer the questions based on your profession you retired from. You will be hearing more about mentoring opportunities for Rotoractors and Interactors in the coming months!
Share (1) your talents, skills, and passion (2) whether you might be willing to record your "Rotary Why" video and (3) whether you have fruit trees we can pick for Second Harvest by clicking HERE!
