Sign up for the 40th Anniversary Bash and the Rotary Ride's Silent Auction.
We also have have a report, and really cool pictures, on the amazing event held for the Pedal the Pacific riders (and a link to a timely Civil Grand Jury report on human trafficking in Santa Cruz).
Pictures included on yesterday's debunking of Ari Symons.
More volunteers are needed for the Jul 26th Coastal Restoration workday.
Lots of good info in this edition --- read on....
Coming Up | Looking Ahead
Jul 24: Short: Arne Croce, Conflict Resolution Center
Arne Croce will talk to us about the Conflict Resolution Center (est. 1986) which has been helping their clients – businesses, organizations and individuals – find satisfying solutions to difficult problems. Whether the conflict is at home, in a neighborhood, or at work, participants are guided to create their own mutually beneficial solutions through respectful dialogue.
Jul 31: Nora Bianchi, Coastal Kids Home Care
Coastal Kids Home care is the only non-profit pediatric home health agency serving northern California. For the last 19 years, they have improved the quality of life for children coping with injury, short-term illness, developmental delays, and those facing end-of-life. They specialize in caring for kids living with illness or disability where they most want to be - at home.
Recent Meetings
Jul 17: Urban Works Santa Cruz
A nonprofit compassionate care organization, Urban Works Santa Cruz provides recreational therapy for adults with developmental disabilities with the goals of increasing activity and building community among our target population, which includes their families and caretakers.
Jul 10: Dave Mello & RYLA Campers
Dave Mello and RYLA campers spoke to us about the most recent Rotary youth leadership camp, aka Camp RYLA. We heard from Saffron Roohani-Russo, Anna Padilla, Mason Vergo, and Henry Goreki-Cook about the awesome experience they had - learning about their own leadership potential, making lasting friendships and participating in fun, group bonding activities.
Our July Rotarians of The Month are immediate past president Ari Symons and vice-president Mary Alsip. A huge Rotary thanks to both for their leadership. Pretty awesome how easy they made it look.
Member Birthdays
Tiffany Wise-West 7/2
Dave Culver 7/3
Rick Hofstetter 7/6
Rob Morse 7/9
Matt Bergdahl 7/14
Camella Boolootian 7/18
Janet Souza 7/22
Wedding Anniversaries
Peter-Kim Truman 40 yrs
Dave-Jill Culver 20 yrs
Faris-Bianca Sabbah 19 yrs
Lisa K-Matt Rohan 18 yrs
Tracy-Patricia Cotten 15 yrs
Member Anniversaries
Tom Hart 42 yrs
Karen Gosling 18 yrs
Matt Rohan 10 yrs
Membership 24-25 Year End Summary
Arrivals
Matt Bergdahl
Carol Ann Flint
Suzi Merriam
Sharon Hoffman-Manning
Amanda Shaw
John Christensen
Nicole Mason
Departures
Brooke Squires
Hannah Kelley (Satellite)
Jay Weisblatt
Jim Booth
Lucas Junod (Satellite)
Maria Barranco
Rob Gaukel
Charles Baylis
Don Riding
Matthew Marichiba
Patricia Wiltshire
Tony Nethercutt
John Gallagher
Joseph Holquist (Satellite)
Haleigh Washburn (Satellite)
Jeremy Medina (Satellite)
Incoming (as of now....)
Nancy Connelly (Sponsor Rod Caborn)
Cassie Caborn (Sponsor Rod Caborn)
McKenzie DeCicco (Sponsor Rod Caborn)
Colin Crandall (Sponsor Meghan Morse)
Club Happenings and Other News
Pedal the Pacific Rider Support and Celebration Event
Pedal the Pacific is a leadership development program and fundraising event for college-aged women to recognize the power of their voice in the fight against sex trafficking. The team is raising awareness about sex trafficking while raising funds for anti-trafficking programs across the nation.
A celebration event for the riders, who ride through Santa Cruz on their way from Seattle down to San Diego, was held John and Meghan Martinelli's home in Watsonville, on the shores of Kelly Lake. The event was attended by 15+ Sunrise Rotarians, the 9 young ladies who are the Pedal's 2025 Riders, and other friends and community supporters. The riders had been escorted to the Martinelli's home the prior day by a merry band of Sunrise Club bike riders.
The evening got going with meaningful conversation, wine and beer and a sumptuous Taco bar along the lake's edge, then transitioned to an inspirational presentation by the Pedal team. A stellar audio/visual set-up by Jon Winston and Roger Swenson supported brief speeches by the host Martinelli's, Emma Pitcock, Pedal's Applications and Programming Coordinator, each of the Riders and Sunrise President Dave Price. Dessert followed in the form of "to die for" homemade cookies.
Dave presented Emma and the Pedal team a check for $500.00 from the Club's Charities and Grants Fund. With an anonymous match, Sunrise Rotary and its members and the Martinelli's raised over $12,000 in support of the riders!
Shared Adventures Day On The Beach
-- Lisa Krigsman --
On Sat July 12, Rotarian's and hundreds of other community members descended on Cowell's Beach to transform the sand to an accessible space. Our members assisted participants into wet suits so that they could get in the water, as well on to kayaks. Our Club, along with the amazing Dignity Medical staff helped 48 participants into boats with trained kayak guides. The smiles that came back was phenomenal! We look forward to being back on the beach next year and we hope you will be there too!
Sat July 26, 8:30-Noon - Coastal Restoration Workday with Groundswell Coastal Ecology (#3 of 4!); More Volunteers Needed. Location TBD | will email meeting place a couple days before
Sat Aug 16, 9:30-Noon - Common Roots Farm Work Day at 301 Golf Club Drive in Santa Cruz.
- help developmentally challenged residents grow their own food!
- Brown bag lunch on site afterwards - will send an email to coordinate for those interested in staying for a social lunch together.
Sat, Aug 23: Sign up at this link for the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary 40th Anniversary party, 3-7 pm at Roaring Camp. We are doing this in conjunction with SLV Rotary - it is their 40th as well. This will be a Western-themed bash to celebrate decades of service, community, and friendship. This is more than a party. It’s a milestone celebration honoring the shared legacy, impact, and friendships built over 40 years of Rotary in our communities. You can expect: Western vibes, festive tunes, and good ol’ Rotary fun. Your $40 ticket includes a BBQ chicken or Veggie Burger; Side salad, corn on the cob, and a roll; Beer, wine, and soft drinks; Free parking!
Oct 12 Save the Date for Sunset Sail on the Chardonnay. A joint venture between Sunrise and Cupertino Rotary Clubs! More info to follow. (Email I was sent said Fremont, responses said Cupertino, I am going with Cupertino.... know that I will be corrected at some point.....)
Dec 10, Rotary Holiday Party, Mosaic, Downtown Santa Cruz.
Upcoming Satellite Club Meetings
-- Meghan Morse --
7/22 6:30pm beach bonfire social at Twin Lakes
Rotary Ride and Silent Auction
-- Deb Dutra --
The Rotary Ride is holding our the first-ever Online Silent Auction and is looking for stuff. Good items include vacation getaways, gift certificates, wine, services, or anything you all think other people would want to bid on. Be creative. Fill out this form to donate items. You can also contact Deb Dutra.
There are 2 things that I think people should know about.. and I'm using my editorial privileges to share them. Both these articles are worth sharing.... and reading. Yes, that is my opinion :-)
1. The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury put out a report on Human Trafficking in Santa Cruz County. It is timely since that is exactly what Pedal to the Pacific is raising awareness about. The grand jury investigation criticized officials in Santa Cruz County for inadequate data collection, poor collaboration, minimal prosecutions and insufficient training in handling local human trafficking cases. You can read the synopsis in this Lookout article.
2. As most readers of this newsletter know, Faris Sabbah is a Sunrise rotarian. In June, he wrote an OpEd in Lookout that is worth reading. Faris Sabbah: My family fled the Iraqi dictatorship; I’m worried about what Trump’s America is teaching our youth. As stated at the end of the article, "Dr. Faris Sabbah serves as the Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools. Born in Iraq to a Palestinian father and an Ecuadorian mother, he has more than 30 years of experience in public education and is deeply committed to serving the whole child, disrupting inequitable practices and elevating student voice."
ry and its members and the Martinelli's raised over $12,000 in support of the riders!
