February March & April Meetings

Posted by Kenneth Macy

February & March Were Challenging Times for SLV

Here are speakers at some of the meetings we held

February 9, Ann Lopez, Executive Director of the Center for Farmworker Families, spoke on the impact of the NAFTA on the farms of west central Mexico.

Alan Leventhal, February 23

Alan Leventhal , archaeologist, discussed the Ohlone Indians of the central California area.

Ryan Okrant, March 16

Ryan Okrant was born and raised north of Bear Creek Road in Boulder Creek. When he heard that his parents had been evacuated from the CZU fire, he hopped on the first plane he could get. He had seen on social media that pet owners were agonizing over not being able to collect frightened animals that bolted during the evacuation. He arrived ready to employ animal advocacy skills he felt were unique and necessary for helping displaced pets reunite with their owners. Ryan founded the ASSERT organization to assist families with pets and livestock in peril due to natual disasters.

Roger Knacke, March 30

For 18 years, Knacke has served as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Penn State University School of Science as well as a professor of physics and astronomy. He presented a fascinating discussion of the new James Webb telescope and some cosmology in general.

Karen Gosling, April 5

Karen is past-president and a long-time member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club. She is Director of Rehad at Dominican Hospital. "As a therapist, your goal is to get people to the point where they enjoy life again after they've had something tragic happen".

Rod Caborn, April 13

Another past-president and long-time member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Club. In 1993 Rod founded First Class Fundraising, which from its inception specialized in large, motivational community-building events. From Pebble Beach to The San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park, and from Tehama to Tesla Motors, he has been inspiring and delighting audiences ever since.

Caroline Mann, April 19

Caroline is Executive Director of the Wings Homeless Advocacy organization. Working with professional case managers, they volunteer time and talent to help homeless participants complete tasks and obtain resources needed to become housed and self-sufficient.