If you are one of those who doesn't read the whole newsletter... well, then.. I would tell you to read this (especially if you are a member and planning to attend this Thursday's meeting):
This Thursday is the annual Richard D. King High School Speech Contest club competition. The response to contest chair Faris Sabbah’s call for contestants has been off the charts this year. We may have as many as 9 students competing! Not wanting to ever turn away a motivated student, we instead plan to extend the meeting to accommodate all of the speakers. The meeting may run as long as 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Please stay and support the students if you can.
Coming Up | Looking Ahead
Feb 26: Richard D. King High School 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 up to 9 students. Plan for a long meeting... see above for more.
Mar 5: Dr. John MacMillan, Vice Chancellor for Research, UCSC
Come hear about the discovery of biologically active molecules from microorganisms resulting in the discovery of more than 100 new natural products. This research has focused predominantly on the therapeutic areas of infectious disease and oncology, yielding an organic substance that is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
Mar 12: Audrey Lambidakis, Healing Brainwaves Foundation
Audrey Lambidakis, the founder of Healing Brainwaves Foundation, discovered that after her brain injury in 2011, the treatments suggested by fellow brain injury patients were more effective than those prescribed by physicians. The Foundation connects patients with practical tools, emerging therapies, and long-term recovery strategies for those with brain injuries.
We got a great update on 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 12: Dr. Brant Robertson, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, UCSC
Great talk on how galaxies and cosmological structures form and evolve. Professor Brant Robertson in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz talked to us about he leverages sophisticated numerical methodologies and hardware technologies to help answer important outstanding questions about our world.
Our Rotarian of the Month for February is Sharon Hoffman. Only 1 year in the club and already so involved. Sharon - Thank you for all you do.
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 --
Club's St. Paddy's Day Celebration - Ferrante's Home, Saturday March 14, 5:30-10:00pm. Sign up at this link.
Rotary Night at the Santa Cruz Warriors game vs the Rio Grande Vipers - Special Rotary Pregame Fellowship Event at Woodstock Pizza on Front Street!
Saturday March 21st - 4pm-6:30pm - Fellowship/Program/Dinner; Game Tip-off at 7pm!
Community Service Update
-- Tiffany Wise-West --
Lots of opportunities to serve. Sign Up Online for all at this link.
Virtual Community Service Committee Meeting!
Friday, February 27, 2028 at noon (every 4th Friday of the month at noon)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Please join the team or support a Rotarian - This event is family friendly and open to those of all ages.
Team members are encouraged to show up in their sunniest of sunny gear - like this one here!
Beach Boardwalk Aloha Terrace at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
515 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA
Time: 10:30 - 1 pm
Other Updates
-- Dave Price --
Bike Ride Committee Meeting, Tuesday 2/24, 7:15am - Trade-in Real Estate 9000 Soquel Avenue, #200/201. Attend in person or on Zoom.
No BOD meeting on Friday 2/27 due to Dave being out-of-town. Due to the timing of the Club's Guatemala Water Service Trip, departing 3/22, we will have a combined February/March BOD meeting on Friday March 20, 7:15am, West Coast Community Bank (same place)
Largest Gathering of Skiing Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotarians, March 1-4, Lake Tahoe - see Tom Hart if you are still interested. (BTW, I think they will accept you if you are a snowboarder... )
March 1is the deadline for Applications for 2026 Sunrise Firecracker and Bike Ride Beneficiaries. Get those names in!
Housing Matters - Picture This: Belonging Builds Community
-- Matt Bergdahl --
Picture This: Belonging Builds Community is a quarterly storytelling and community-building series hosted by Housing Matters. Each gathering will explore the themes of belonging, connection, and the shared responsibility we all hold in shaping a resilient Santa Cruz County. The first guest is Darrie Ganzhorn from the Homeless Garden Project. More info on the Housing Matters Website.
New Member Induction
-- Tom Hart --
Huge welcome to our newest Red Badgers - Noah Brown and Dina Blair!
Our Rotarian of the Month for February is Sharon Hoffman. Only 1 year in the club and already so involved. Sharon - Thank you for all you do.
