The Pippin

Pippin Longstocking

2011-08-19T10:07:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for August 18, 2011.

August 24 Sean Hayes: National Marine Fisheries Service. Detective
Jon Chown
August 25 San Jose Giants game?
August 31 Club Dark. Watsonville Wetlands Watch tour. PVHS.
Detective Rob Allen. Understand lunch will be some sort of migratory
bird.
September 7 Paul Harris Fellowships. Detective Kathleen King
September 12 Club Lewisburger Meeting at Fairgrounds. Katie Bannister
is Chief Cook. See you shift cashier for your parking pass and ticket.
September 14 Club Dark due to County Fair. Peter Barr cooks 3-7pm if
it is an exceptional burger you need.
September 19 Respect for the Aged Day.
September 21 District Governor. Arley Marley. Detective Gil Courtney
September 28 New and Old Members Introduction. Detective Terry Medina
October 5 Detective Rocky Franich
October 12 Mine and Marty
October 19 Billy Bob Gupta: Twelve Steps Forward and Unlimited Steps
Back to Rotary Enlightenment.
October 26 Ron Kinninger. Seminary Bird Calls.
October 27 Avenues of Service. Doubletree. San Jose.
November 2 Little Richard. Songs from Purgatory.
November 9 Veterans Day Program.
November 16 Ed Murray: Father Knows Best.
November 23 Day Before Thanksgiving. Probably Dark.
November 30 Richard Otto. How Pay Day Loans Changed my Life..
December 7 Alysha Rashad. Loose Lips Lead to Tight Ends.
December 14 Alduos Huxley III. Writing out of Habit.
December 21 Christmas Dark.
December 28 Between Holidays darkness.
February 8 Speech Contest (tentative)
February 29 Mike Wallace: Ben Franklin, The Quintessential American.
March 2-4 Far West PETS.
March 28 Vocational Day. (tentative)
May 6-9 Rotary International Convention. Bangkok, Thailand.
May 30 District Tennis Conference.
June 1 District Golf Tourament.
June 1-3 District Conference. Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe.
June 6 Peru Night (tentative)
June 13 Cabrillo Summer Stage. (tentative)
June 27 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Bishopdale-Burnside Papanui RSA Cnr NZ 6pm.
Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz
Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville High School
Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at California Grill;
San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center;
Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz:
Friday 07:00 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Under recent new RI guidelines, club board meetings need to be held at
a different location each month. Last month's meeting was hosted by
Union Bank and next month will be Hutchinson and Bloodgood. Board
members and other interested parties need to go to the club web site
for clues as to where the October event will be conducted. President
Miljanich wants the search to be like a treasure hunt with prizes,
cookies and sodas for all that can find the meeting. Agendas are now
secret too so you got to be there.

Freedom Rotary is now meeting at the California Grill at 1970 Freedom
Boulevard.

Guests: No student guests, no regular guests and no visiting
Rotarians. President Miljanich also noted the dining tables keep
moving further away from the podium. Breath mints? The tinklers and
singers still welcomed all within earshot…Nice to see Larry back…

Operations: Get your checks in for New Zealand earthquake relief.
Made out to Rotary Foundation…Katie Bannister has marching orders from
Mike Salewske and is trying to get out parking passes and fair tickets
for each crew to their cashier…Mine and Marty is once again very
generously sponsored by Union Bank. Thanks Sahin. Monies raised will
go to five local charities…CASA, Watsonville PAL, Jacob's Heart, Papas,
Watsonville High School Athletics and RI Foundation.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER Broken Sticks…Not sure even a tired
lion could sleep after hearing our version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Detecting…Car sales are down but Al Greeninger's detective income is
up…Watsonville High School class of 1941 members Gene Friend, Ralph
Miljanich's dad and drop out Hal Hyde (special senior socks) all
contributed…Celia Organista has that photo quality smile…3 families
have been found to host our exchange student thanks to Carol Turley's
efforts…Don't ask Melvin Cooper how much a fine is worth to him in the
midst of the debt crisis. Not much…Ciao Venezia Richard Otto…Tony
Valencia was unable to find a steak at the Elks last week noon…Union
Bank and Sahin Gunsel are happy to host our board with or without loan
apps in hand…Lewisburger assignments are subject to unlimited change
orders as per Coach Lewis…Gil Courtney and Grio are not sure when to
show up…Katie Gallegos has asked if we can take online steak orders at
next years BBQ…Susan Olsen has 50 years of service with the Sisters of
Notre Dame and Watsonville has been the beneficiary of that
commitment…Ron and Gingi Kinninger drove all over Northern California
for their anniversary…John Kiley has a hall pass for a few days while
Jackie is in Asheville, NC. Look homeward if you dare…Butter Chopping
101 may be on dental school curriculum if Art and Joanne Hayashi have a
say…John Kane admired the efforts of butter cutters and all other
volunteers at the BBQ…Is that a holiday or Christmas tie
Ralph?...Successful Strawberry Festivals are worth $10 according to
Carlos Palacios.

Programmable…Ron Kinninger, Manny Solano, Stuart Kitayama, Celia
Organista and Murry Scheckman formed a Rotary Human Resources Committee
and got all present certified as Youth Protective Officers. This Blue
Ribbon panel (Ron's term, not this author) took a half hour to tell us
most things harassing and abusive are common sense. President Ralph
repeated the scare tactics of charter pulling for clubs that do not get
this training. So simple yet so many problems?

Homework was to read pages 13,14,15,16 and 17. See Watsonville Police
Department and/or PVUSD for Life Scans.

Pipp

2011-08-10T12:05:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for August 9, 2011.

August 3 Denise York, PG&E: Smart Meters and New Business Rates.
Detective Carol Turley
August 6 Watsonville Strawberry Festival
August 10 Club Barbecue. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Start 5:30.
Dinner 7pm. Kid and Adult Friendly Event. John Kane is counting you
to be there with 124 other guests.
August 13 Day at the A's
August 15 StavVacations and Fear of Flying with Erica J.
August 17 Ron Kinninger: Rotary Youth Protection Program. It is
critical for all in the club to attend. Detective Al Greeninger
August 18 Annual Watsonville and Freedom Rotary Golf Tournament. Ed
Banks.
August 18 Fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes at El Alteno. $30.00
August 24 Sean Hayes: National Marine Fisheries Service. Detective
Jon Chown
August 25 San Jose Giants game?
August 31 Club Dark. Watsonville Wetlands Watch tour. PVHS.
Detective Rob Allen
September 7 Paul Harris Fellowships. Detective Kathleen King
September 12 Club Lewisburger Meeting at Fairgrounds
September 14 Club Dark due to County Fair. Peter Barr cooks 3-7pm.
September 19 Respect for the Aged Day.
September 21 District Governor. Arley Marley. Detective Gil Courtney
September 28 New and Old Members Introduction. Detective Terry Medina
October 5 Detective Rocky Franich
October 12 Mine and Marty
October 19 Billy Bob Gupta: Twelve Steps Forward and One Step Back to
Rotary Enlightenment.
October 26 Ron Kinninger. Seminary Culls.
October 27 Avenues of Service. Doubletree. San Jose.
November 2 Ed Banks. SPCA Hospice.
November 9 Veterans Day Program.
November 16 Murry Scheckman: Father Knows Best.
November 23 Day Before Thanksgiving. Probably Dark.
November 30 Art Hayashi. Pay Day Flossing.
December 7 Katie Gallegos. Crash Test Dummies in Local Schools.
December 14 Terry Medina. Too young to Retire; Too old to care.
December 21 Christmas Dark.
December 28 Between Holidays darkness.
February 8 Speech Contest (tentative)
February 29 Mike Wallace: Ben Franklin, The Quintessential American.
March 2-4 Far West PETS.
March 28 Vocational Day. (tentative)
May 6-9 Rotary International Convention. Bangkok, Thailand.
May 30 District Tennis Conference.
June 1 District Golf Tourament.
June 1-3 District Conference. Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe.
June 6 Peru Night (tentative)
June 13 Cabrillo Summer Stage. (tentative)
June 27 Debunking.

Freedom Rotary is now meeting at the California Grill at 1970 Freedom
Boulevard.

Guests: Sandra Wallace made up again with us and said she is from the
John Fischer school of perfect attendance…Another frequent and much
appreciated guest is Diane Cooley. Diane knows the value of a free
lunch…And the Cooleys guests were Hayden and Sue Salt from Borrego
Springs. Sue exchanged club flags with President Miljanich. She said
the club ranges from 30 or 35 in the winter and as low as 6 in the
summer meetings….Dave…Patty…and the Gallegos kids.

Exchanges…We got to meet our Foreign Exchange student from WUHS,
Brendon Gunn. He is off to Argentina in a few weeks. In exchange we
are getting are getting a student from France. Brendon is interested
in Water Polo, Math and Mock Trials.

Operations: Steve Smith had a mind clearing and focusing prayer from
Japan…Tinklers came to life again with actual glass containers. Sharp
objects might be next…Protestors might begin to see the light if they
could hear us sing about smart and other meters…Gil Courtney won the
raffle with the same ticket #2928.

Detecting…Carol Turley wanted to know if you have been pinned by
Ralph…Just what is a password to Dave Hemrick's ticket account
worth?...There are still plenty of big fish in the ocean near Hawaii as
evidenced by Rocky Franich's latest tourney entry…Most members did not
know Don Cooley could get into any club. Never mind the Bohemian
Club…Poker winners and losers unite…Have you made up online?...Welcome
Margarita Cortez. Misspelling counts…Mrs. Miljanich is on the Y
Board…Is that a holiday tie Ralph?...The whole Osorio family are TV
celebrities…Gil Courtney thinks. The club shakes…Tom Treanor was fined
for something that my notes are illegible…Patty Albright said she is
responsible for the good and bad of Dave Hemrick.

Programmable…Mike Wallace introduced us to Denise York and Gabe
Martinez from PG&E. They came to clear up some of the issues around
Smart Meters.

They admitted PG&E did a poor job initially in misjudging the
importance of dealing with the initial complaints that came in on Smart
Meters. Now there are 8.3Million Smart meters installed with only 15%
more to go. Most are working just fine and are probably not
irradiating whole neighborhoods as the protestors are claiming.

Many of the meter readers are transitioning into customer service reps
like Gabe Martinez. He explains there is an opt out provision for
consumers, but it will cost you. Customers with solar systems already
have a digital meter that is backward compatible. The way we all want
our meters to run.

Wireless communications is the only real new feature of these meters.
The low emitting radio signal broadcasts approximately 45 seconds every
24 hour period. The meter can store up to 3 days worth of data if
radio transmission fails.

The big cultural change at PG&E from the CEO on down is to be more
oriented to the needs of customers and try to include them in planning.

Pipp 8-2

2011-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for August 2, 2011.

August 3 Denise York, PG&E: Smart Meters and New Business Rates.
Detective Carol Turley
August 6 Watsonville Strawberry Festival
August 10 Club Barbecue. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Start 5:30.
Dinner 7pm. Kid and Adult Friendly Event.
August 13 Day at the A's
August 15 StavVacations and Fear of Flying with Erica J.
August 17 Ron Kinninger: Rotary Youth Protection Program. Detective
Al Greeninger
August 18 Annual Watsonville and Freedom Rotary Golf Tournament. Ed
Banks.
August 24 Sean Hayes: National Marine Fisheries Service. Detective
Jon Chown
August 25 San Jose Giants game?
August 31 Club Dark. Watsonville Wetlands Watch tour. Detective Rob
Allen
September 7 Paul Harris Fellowships. Detective Kathleen King
September 12 Club Lewisburger Meeting at Fairgrounds
September 14 Club Dark due to County Fair. Peter Barr cooks 3-7pm.
September 19 Respect for the Aged Day.
September 21 District Governor. Arley Marley. Detective Gil Courtney
September 28 New and Old Members Introduction. Detective Terry Medina
October 5 Detective Rocky Franich
October 12 Mine and Marty
October 19 Billy Bob Gupta: Twelve Steps Forward and One Step Back to
Rotary Enlightenment.
October 26 Ron Kinninger. Seminary Culls.
October 27 Avenues of Service. Doubletree. San Jose.
November 2 Ed Banks. SPCA Hospice.
November 9 Veterans Day Program.
November 16 Murry Scheckman: Father Knows Best.
November 23 Day Before Thanksgiving. Probably Dark.
November 30 Art Hayashi. Pay Day Flossing.
December 7 Katie Gallegos. Crash Test Dummies in Local Schools.
December 14 Terry Medina. Too young to Retire; Too old to care.
December 21 Christmas Dark.
December 28 Between Holidays darkness.
February 8 Speech Contest (tentative)
February 29 Mike Wallace: Ben Franklin, The Quintessential American.
March 2-4 Far West PETS.
March 28 Vocational Day. (tentative)
May 6-9 Rotary International Convention. Bangkok, Thailand.
May 30 District Tennis Conference.
June 1 District Golf Tourament.
June 1-3 District Conference. Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe.
June 6 Peru Night (tentative)
June 13 Cabrillo Summer Stage. (tentative)
June 27 Debunking.

Freedom Rotary is now meeting at the California Grill at 1970 Freedom
Boulevard.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER Broken Sticks… Ed Banks asks
everyone to a part of this years Golf Tournament August 18 as volunteer
or player…John Kane is headlining this years BBQ with beans from
Kathleen King. He may need help with setup and serving too. It is a
kid friendly event. Starts 5:30. Dinner around 7pm. Done by
8:30...Mike Salewske will be out of town for the fair this year so
Katie Bannister has stepped up to the grill and is running Lewisburger
this year…Ron Kinninger will demonstrate what happens when youth go
unprotected on August 17.

Detecting… Murry led them to believe that the gridlock in Wash DC was
over but then the folks realized he was talking about the NFL lockout.
Everyone was fined $1.00 for football's revival…Al Greeninger was fined
for advertising a Toyota when he works for Chrysler…Manuel Osorio was
fined for being so Cabrillo biased during his invocation a couple of
weeks ago…Stuart Kitayama gave a happy fine for skydiving the day
before and landing safely at Manresa…Terry Medina was fined for using
the words "cook the shit out of it" referring to an E Coli incident
WPD was praised for always "getting their man", but Manny wasn't there
so the fine was deferred…Mike Wallace was fined for deferring his
detective responsibilities when he told the group at some of the tables
to choose their person to fine…Murry paid a $50 happy fine for his
oldest daughter is getting married thisweekend…Ron Kinninger was fined
for attending adult entertainment and saying that his wife loves adult
entertainment (The Full Monty)!...Kim Turley and her table were fined
for they couldn't say what billboard replaced the Rotary Intl
advertisement (Jack in the Box) on W. Beach. (Editorial Note…What a
terrible waste of money that was. Impossible to determine the point of
the whole thing!) Jon Chown was fined for using the police logs for
info. Murry tried to compare his "intrusions" to the wiretapping
scandals in Murcochland! Murry was going to have Peter Barr stand up
and not fine you and let you know it was safe to come when he is the
detective. But Murry changed his mind when he saw some of the
projected program topics…All of the financial consultants and bank
employees were fined because they couldn't tell us what the outcomes
would be if the Fed defaults…Giants' fans were fined $2.00 for the
acquisition of Carlos Beltran!

Programmable…Club Assembly gave us all our marching and other
orders…Volunteers in this line and good Rotarions in this line. Now
merge together.

Pippin

2011-07-26T09:14:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for July 27, 2011.

July 27 Club Assembly. Detective Murry Schekman
July 29-31 Gilroy Garlic Festival
July 20 Feast of Lanterns
July 31 Moss Landing Antique Fair
August 3 Denise York, PG&E: Smart Meters and New Business Rates.
Detective Carol Turley
August 6 Watsonville Strawberry Festival
August 10 Club Barbecue. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Start 5:30.
Dinner 7pm. Kid and Adult Friendly Event.
August 13 Day at the A's
August 15 Dormition of the Holy Virgin
August 17 Ron Kinninger: Rotary Youth Protection Program. Detective
Al Greeninger
August 18 Annual Watsonville and Freedom Rotary Golf Tournament. Ed
Banks.
August 24 Sean Hayes: National Marine Fisheries Service. Detective
Jon Chown
August 25 San Jose Giants game?
August 31 Club Dark. Watsonville Wetlands Watch tour. Detective Rob
Allen
September 7 Paul Harris Fellowships. Detective Kathleen King
September 12 Club Lewisburger Meeting at Fairgrounds
September 14 Club Dark due to County Fair. Peter Barr cooks 3-7pm.
September 19 Respect for the Aged Day.
September 21 District Governor. Arley Marley. Detective Gil Courtney
September 28 New and Old Members Introduction. Detective Terry Medina
October 5 Detective Rocky Franich
October 12 Mine and Marty
October 19 Billy Bob Gupta: Twelve Steps to Rotary Enlightenment.
October 26 Ron Kinninger. Celibacy and the Priesthood.
November 2 Ed Banks. Lefthanded Cats.
November 9 Veterans Day Program.
November 16 Murry Scheckman: Liberation Theology in the Classroom.
November 23 Day Before Thanksgiving. Probably Dark.
November 30 Art Hayashi. Popular Uses for Stale Halloween Candy.
December 7 Katie Gallegos. Christmas Crash Wish List.
December 14 Terry Medina. Creaky Consulting in Retirement.
December 21 Christmas Dark.
December 28 Between Holidays darkness.
February 8 Speech Contest (tentative)
February 29 Mike Wallace: Ben Franklin, The Quintessential American.
March 28 Vocational Day. (tentative)
June 6 Peru Night (tentative)
June 13 Cabrillo Summer Stage. (tentative)
June 27 Debunking.

Obon…or simply Bon, is the Japanese version of the Ghost Festival. It
has since been transformed over time into a family reunion holiday
during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and
visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Art Hayashi recited a
Buddhist prayer to celebrate the special day.

Distinguished and Other Guests…Rich Costello is a State Farm agent from
Southern California…Sandra Wallace is still one of our most frequent
visitors…Looks like Margarita Cortez from Loaves and Fishes might be at
the end of her long visitors stint as she is threatening to join the
club.

Freedom Rotary is now meeting at the California Grill at 1970 Freedom
Boulevard.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER Broken Sticks… The club collected
$212 for Baby Grio which we expect Gil to match…Sounds like the
clanking will continue to replace the dingalinging as the plastic cups
go thud in the best of conditions…Ed Banks askes everyone to a part of
this years tournament as volunteer or player…John Kane is headlining
this years BBQ with beans from Kathleen King. He may need help with
setup and serving too. It is a kid friendly event. Starts 5:30.
Dinner around 7pm. Done by 8:30...Mike Salewske will be out of town
for the fair this year so Katie Bannister has stepped up to the grill
and is running Lewisburger this year…Ron Kinninger will demonstrate
what happens when youth go unprotected on August 17.

Detecting…Bill Neighbors had to wait while we collected money for Baby
Grio but came out swinging…Megan House made the Deans List…Gene Friend
and Terry Medina were MIA…State Farm is keeping the big expenditures
secret from local agent Torrente…John Radin has only been an Elk for 50
years…The new Grio gift to the world was a happy fine…Bulldog and Bear
fans wagered a little to keep it interesting…You either know when
Veterans Day is or not….Gene Friend and spouse both have new books
out…Rene Mello missed the raffle by one digit.

Programmable…Just when the headlines get harder to fathom, Susan Olson
brings us four Americorps volunteers to restore our faith in America
and instill the proper level of hope for America. Mary Hellen Gillen
is in charge locally of the federally funded program that pays college
grads $11,800 per year to volunteer in schools, food banks and other
community service providers.

Mary and her charges told us moving stories about people that have
changed their lives and life styles by eating better, exercising and
staying in school. They have come to Watsonville from Detroit,
Jacksonville and Rochester New York because we were close to the beach.
But they stayed because their volunteer work has changed their lives
and made such an impact on our community.

It is programs like this that keep us coming to Rotary and remind us
that volunteers are a key part of what makes America special.
)

Pippinathon

2011-07-18T13:25:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for July 20, 2011.

July 20 Americorps in Watsonville. Detective Bill Neighbors
July 23 Pasta with the Pastors
July 24 Wharf to Wharf
July 27 Club Assembly. Detective Murry Schekman
August 3 Denise York, PG&E: Smart Meters and New Business Rates.
Detective Carol Turley
August 6 Watsonville Strawberry Festival
August 10 Club Barbecue
August 15 Dormition of the Holy Virgin
August 17 Ron Kinninger: Rotary Youth Protection Program. Detective
Al Greeninger
August 18 Annual Watsonville and Freedom Rotary Golf Tournament. Ed
Banks.
August 24 Sean Hayes: National Marine Fisheries Service. Detective
Jon Chown
August 25 San Jose Giants game?
August 31 Club Dark. Watsonville Wetlands Watch tour. Detective Rob
Allen
September 7 Paul Harris Fellowships. Detective Kathleen King
September 12 Club Lewisburger Meeting at Fairgrounds
September 14 Club Dark due to County Fair.
September 19 Respect for the Aged Day.
September 21 District Governor. Arley Marley. Detective Gil Courtney
September 28 New and Old Members Introduction. Detective Terry Medina
October 5 Detective Rocky Franich
October 12 Mine and Marty
October 19 Billy Bob Gupta: Twelve Steps to Rotary Enlightenment.
October 26 Ron Kinninger. Celibacy and the Priesthood.
November 2 Ed Banks. Lefthanded Cats.
November 9 Veterans Day Program.
November 16 Murry Scheckman: Liberation Theology in the Classroom.
November 23 Day Before Thanksgiving. Probably Dark.
November 30 Art Hayashi. Popular Uses for Stale Halloween Candy.
December 7 Katie Gallegos. Christmas Crash Wish List.
December 14 Terry Medina. Creaky Consulting in Retirement.
December 21 Christmas Dark.
December 28 Between Holidays darkness.
February 8 Speech Contest (tentative)
February 29 Mike Wallace: Ben Franklin, The Quintessential American.
March 28 Vocational Day. (tentative)
June 6 Peru Night (tentative)
June 13 Cabrillo Summer Stage. (tentative)
June 27 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom:
Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville
High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at Green
Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman
Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf
Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee
Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Distinguished and Other Guests…

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER Broken Sticks…

Detecting…Detective Mike Wallace continued his efforts to help the City
of Watsonville come up with additional revenue. This time, he suggested
the City could take a page from the Rupert Murdoch scandals and raise
money by selling news tips to the local media. The flaw in that
business plan is that the local media couldn't afford to pay what the
stories are worth, so Al Smith, Manny Solano, Jennifer Squires and Jon
Chown all paid $3 for a good idea gone bad.
As Rotarians were a bit reticent about ratting out their fellows last
week, the Detective had to resort to some group fines. Netflix
subscribers were fined for the 60 percent price increase, but were
allowed to collect the money from others at their table; the two people
who first identified Sherwood Schwartz as the creator of Gilligan's
Island and The Brady Bunch sat down without a fine, while others at the
three back tables paid; the tech-savvy table wasn't savvy enough to
know that the first joint deal between Expedia and Groupon was a
discounted trip to Las Vegas. Finally, in the spirit of the 21st
Century, all Giants and A's fans contributed to a bailout fund for the
Los Angeles Dodgers, who filed for bankruptcy.
In individual fines, Deutron Kebebew and Detective Mike paid the fines
of Rich Otto and Jeanie Johnson, who took over as chairs of the Speech
Contest and Program committees. Jeanie, however, was fined two dollars
for two-timing on our club by signing up as a friend of Salinas
Steinbeck Rotary. Gil Grio paid a fine because his kids needed a
haircut, and Gil Courtney escaped one fine (Carol Channing appearing at
the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Los Angeles) by volunteering for
another (new grandchild)..

Programmable…Police Chief Manny Solano reported last week that he was
improving cell service on Mt. Madonna in advance of the next
earthquake, tsunami or other miscellaneous emergency.

Pippin July

2011-07-13T08:57:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for July 13, 2011.

July 13 Detective Mike Wallace
July 20 Detective Bill Neighbors
July 27 Club Assembly. Detective Murry Schekman
August 3 Detective Carol Turley
August 10 Club Barbecue
August 17 Detective Al Greeninger
August 18 Annual Watsonville and Freedom Rotary Golf Tournament. Ed
Banks.
August 24 Detective Jon Chown
August 25 San Jose Giants game?
August 31 Detective Rob Allen
September 7 Detective Kathleen King
September 12 Club Meeting at Fairgrounds
September 14 Club Dark
September 21 Detective Gil Courtney
September 28 Detective Terry Medina
October 5 Detective Rocky Franich
October 12 Mine and Marty

Distinguished and Other Guests…President Ralph's childhood friend and
fellow Rotarian drove all the way from Corvallis, OR to see Ralph's
first meeting...Ralph's son Chris showed up to see just what his dad
had gotten himself into this time.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…President Miljanich still likes
last years theme…Lewisburger chair Monte Lewis is circulating the
burger roster for this years fair duties…Tinklers knocked and banged on
anything within their reach as we are using a corn-based, sustainable
cup rather than glass…Prayer-Free in 2011 was Ralphs' mantra or he
forgot the invocation?...Baxter Black lovers could get free tickets to
see him in Monterey from Melvin.

Detecting….Gil Courtney showed up out of drag to raise a little money
last week…Other cross dressers such as Dave Hemrick were recognized
large and small for his debunking duties…$5 was the charge for missing
the debunking…A retired Terry Medina was late for the meeting…Jennifer
Squires neglected Patch for a couple of weeks and dove for pearls in
Bali…John Kane broke up the ladies only table…It was a happy day to
have all the Gallegos kids around…Rich Otto said the $55 he won in the
lottery will help him through another down market.

This Year Like it or Not!...President Ralph Miljanich promised to make
our club tech savvy and immediately had trouble keeping his Power Point
presentation alive and well. And no, the rainbow pins he handed out
were not leftover from Jesse Jacksons run for president.

The themes keep getting longer as Rotary marketing committees must have
disbanded. This year it is "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity." Kind
of fails at that roll-off-the-tongue test.

Ralph hopes to emphasize Tradition, Diversity, Club Finances, Member
Support, Activities, Vibrancy and Goodwill. Do what we do best.
Engage new members. Work closely with Freedom. Communications and
Technology. PR.

Sleep mode kept popping up on the screen as club members battled to
stay awake.

Membership goal is to reach 100 from the current 91.

With Ralph's financial market he is planning to invest all our
endowment funds in Greek bonds and other money making vehicles. Next
year we might only be able to offer scholarships for home schooling.

Properly motivated, club members headed out into the fog.

Pippin Spring

2011-05-25T07:38:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for May 25, 2011.

May 25 New and Old Member Program Detective Dave Hemrick
June 1. The Importance of Fathers. Detective Rocky Franich
June 8 Peru Night
June 15 Cabrillo Stage. Detective Inspector Clouseau/
June 21. Red Badge Social. 5:30pm at 730 Martinelli Street. Red
Badgers and Prospective members are invited to meet present and future
club leaders that Terry and Ralph have cultivated.
June 22 Carlols Palacios: The State of the City. (There is no truth
to the rumor the club will be dark today)
June 29 Debunking.

Distinguished and Other Guests…Al Greeninger's guest last week was
retired law enforcement and Lions club member Joe Flores…Roberts guest
was State Farm agent Robert Torrente… Student guests were from E A Hall
and New School. E A Hall students were bragging about their success in
the MESA math and science competition but the New Schoolers left with
the briefcases.

Peru Night…Donations and volunteers are still needed for our big June 8
event. Miguel Vasquez and others are selling $35 tickets and wearing
funny hats til you commit.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Terry is doing it all.

Detecting…My notes say port-a-potty, Terry Medina, yard work, paperwork
and singing…Tractor photos can be very revealing according to calendar
girl Georgann Cowles…Murry Shekman claimed Peter Barr and perhaps
others are avoiding him during his detective stints…Doesn't look good
for present and former City Managers Radin and Palacios in the
follicly-challenged word of munincipal leadership…A few members
admitted to watching American Idol…APB out for Police Captain Nil…Al
Greeninger continues to jam the internet with questionable emails…If
the check did not bounce Gene Friend will celebrate his 67th
anniversary at the rate of $1 per year…Not sure if Steve Henderson
broke or repaired a computer at E A Hall school…Something about John;
Kane that is…Steve Dufour is will to try any gel or other hair product
with the slightest restorative properties…Omega Nu Golf Tournament was
all about winners according to Nancy Korach…Rene Mello was just happy
to be here…For a small fee Manuel Osorio can change your Cabrillo
College transcript up or down.

Tri County Law Enforcement…Watsonville PD is a training ground for
another county as we heard from the new San Benito County Sheriff
Darren Thompson. Darren had been with our local police department for
20 years before going against the advice of the past sheriff Curtis
Hill and perhaps others in running for office. He benefitted from
advertising during the Giants World Series run and the campaign
mis-management of his opponent.

San Benito County ranks 53rd out of 58 California counties in economic
stats. There are 58,000 residents (about the same as Watsonville) in
1400 square miles. Most of them leave San Benito County every workday
morning for employment in other counties. Sheriff Thompson covers that
area with 3 detectives and 3 patrol deputies. With budget cuts he will
lose at least 1 of those offices and expects their average response
rate of 20 minutes to climb higher.

The sheriff is backed up by CHP and local police. One has to wonder
what the fascination is with elected office during these financial
crises where citizens want a high level of public services but are
unwilling to pay for them.
)

today

2011-04-20T10:16:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for April 20, 2011.

April 20 Program is on Guatemala Relief Trip. Detective Rob Allen

April 21 We need volunteers to help wash windows and gas cars at the 7-11 on Main Street. All for tips from 6:30-8am.

Aprils 27 John Larry Grainger. Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

April 28 PV Chamber Business Expo.

May 4. Mike Wallace. The Pulitzer Prize Story. Detective Manuel Osorio

May 6-8 District Celebration 'Conference' at the Santa Clara Marriott.

May 8 Shelter Mothers Day Run

May 11 Detective Murry Sheckman

May 18 Detective Gil Courtney

May 21 Spring Lamb BBQ at Crosetti Ranch.

May 25 New and Old Member Program Detective Dave Hemrick

June 1. The Importance of Fathers. Detective Rocky Franich

June 8 Peru Night

June 15 Cabrillo Stage. Detective Inspector Clouseau/

June 22 Carlols Palacios: The State of the City.

June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Distinguished and Other Guests…Reverend Rita Cortes from Loaves and Fishes…Out Ineract leaders from Watsonville High…Students of the Month from Rennaisance High…

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Terry is finding new members on every sidewalk in town. Last week THE Steve Smith was oriented..Rene Mello discussed "The Intrinsic Value of Carrotcake." More can be found on her website…Understand scheduling the Shelters Mother Days Run on Mothers Day but why schedule the district celebration on that weekend?...

Holier than thou Prayer…Al Greeninger teamed up with St. Francis of Assisi to pray us into being better Rotarians…George Erickson is in charge of raising funds for the new barn at Ag History Project…

Detecting…Women and men were found to be mixing it up at some tables…Hard to chose the best detective but Al Greeninger was surely our most recent detective…Carlos Palacios favorite sister-in-law made the meeting…Richard Otto caught a 10 pound trout at Pyramid Lake…Terry Medina was the guest detective at Freedom Rotary yesterday.

Pippin Booyah

2011-03-22T19:58:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for March 23, 2011.

March 23 New and Old Member Program. Detective Murry Scheckman

March 30 Maurice LeBanc. Give Hope a Hand. Detective Carol Turley

April 1. Rotary Hootenany. Paso Robles.

April 2 Volunteers are needed to help Al Greeniner and others in the Food for Children Drive from 11:30 to 4pm.

April 6 Sahin Gunsel. Turkey…Land of Many Contrasts. Detective Jon Chown

April 6 Richard D King Annual Youth Speech Contest

April 8 Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Golf Tournament. We are looking to form a team to compete.

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

April 9 Flower Fest. Goldsmith/Syngenta Seeds Gilroy.

April 13 Detective Al Greeninger

April 20 Detective Rob Allen

April 21 We need volunteers to help wash windows and gas cars at the 7-11 on Main Street. All for tips from 6:30-8am.

Aprils 27 John Larry Grainger. Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

May 4. Mike Wallace. The Pulitzer Prize Story. Detective Manuel Osorio

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

May 11 Detective Murry Sheckman

May 18 Detective Gil Courtney

May 25 New and Old Member Program Detective Dave Hemrick

June 1. The Importance of Fathers. Detective Rocky Franich

June 8 Peru Night

June 15 Cabrillo Stage. Detective Inspector Clouseau/

June 22 Carlols Palcios: The State of the City.

June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Todays Modern Family…Mistie Wilson had a 6lb 15 oz baby boy named Shane if I got all the details right…

Distinguished and Other Guests…Al Greeninger designated Congresswomen Debbie Johnsen as a perpetual guest. She is in town to show the local Y where the money is buried…This might be the last time John Kane IV is a guest since he bought a house down Martinelli and should be our next new member…Steve Cooley was the guest of Stuart Kitayama…E A Hall 7^th graders with all A's were our guests…

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER, BOOYAH…

Holier than thou Detecting…Gil Courtney changed tables…Carol Turley changes into her Rotary shoes before every meeting…Doug Fischer has changed the art in his office…The Fed is still giving money away…Red ties get Tom House the best judgements in court…How did Al Greeninger get 4 clipbaords…PETS was life changing for a lighter Ralph Miljanich…Singles and couples were all welcome at the scout barbecue according to Rich Otto…Thankfully Manuel Osorio was speaking from notes today.

Manuel Osorio on your Next Career…

You all have taken your first steps to explore your future possibilities and today I would like to share with you my own experiences, educational accomplishments and the occupational choice I made to work at the Community College.

I was born and raised in Watsonville along with 7 sisters and brothers. My education began at home learning from parents and grandparents, both how to work and how to behave.

My formal education began at Linscott elementary school, where I began to learn a foreign language, English.

My father was from Mexico and married my mother who was from Fresno, so Spanish was predominately spoken at home for awhile.

We move to KingCity where I entered the first grade, to San Ardo for the second grade and then back to Watsonville for the third grade. I was held back one year and repeated the third at Radcliff. Also attended HA Hyde and EA Hall. My four years at WHS were very difficult but I did graduate in 1963.

I did have a difficult time making it in school primarily because, since my father was a laborer and did not make much money, family of ten it was difficult for him to house, feed and cloth us by himself. I remember how embarrassed I was because there were time when my mother had to ask for food stamps, and we would have to have food tokens to eat lunch at school. But that was life.

Some of the jobs I remember having as a kid, were selling newspapers down main street,

picking the many fruits and vegetables in this beautiful valley. I recall while I was attending elementary school, my dad would pack up his little pick with homemade camper shell and we would head over to Gilroy to pick prunes. We would spend two months over there. Some time the season would last into the beginning of the school year so my brothers and sisters and I would have to start a couple of weeks behind. When I was old enough, sophomore year in high school I started working in the cannery with my older siblings. I would get out about 2;30pm and go work to the cannery by 5pm and get home by 11pm. Not much time to spend on home work.

I believe one of the reasons I was able to finish HS was because I liked sports. I need to maintain at least a C average in order to play football.

When we were kids my older brother and I would go to help our grandparents with buying groceries on the weekends. Bakelite would make the best tortillas and beans you would die for.

I recall one time she was sharing some words of wisdom with Frank and me. Frank was a hard worker, when it came to field work, I wasn't. She said, Panchito tu vas acer un trabajador, Manuelito tu vas acer un Professor. I'll never forget that.

Anyway, while I was in High school I went to ask the Dean of boys (counselor) if I could get into a college prep program. He said I was not college material and should not waste my time. So, I took drafting, auto mechanics and the other required programs.

Since I was college material and couldn't afford to go to college, I immediately joined the Air Force, a couple of weeks after graduation. I was fortunate to get into engineering drafting on my first assignment to the Strategic Air Command base in Minot North Dakota. Talk about cold. Fortunately there wasn't much to do up there so a friend and I decided to enroll at the Minot Teachers College and went at night.

After some classes in mechanical and electrical drafting I started to really enjoy it and do well. This meant faster promotions. After two and half years in the freezer, I volunteered to be shipped to Vietnam. I really did. Once my tour of duty was up I came home and attempted to get a drafting job. No one would hire me because I did not have a college degree.

So, decided to go to Cabrillo College and see if I could major in Architecture design. Walked into the counselor's office with my portfolio, thinking I was bad, you know four year of experience and all that. Well again, I ran into a barrier. The counselor said I really did not show the potential necessary to major in this field. After all you barely made it through High School with a C average.

That just blew me away.

I had been working at a Mexican grocery store here in Watsonville during the day and was a Switchman for the Pacific Railroad Friday nights and weekends, so I just went back to work. Needless to say I did not give up the following year I went back to Cabrillo, and met with a different counselor who signed me right up.

My first year was great I was holding a 4.0, in then the second year. Then my Social conscience was lit. During the Farm Workers struggles in the late 60's I got involved helping the strikers and developing breakfast program for the children as well as starting the first volunteer tutorial project out of Cabrillo for elementary kids in Watsonville on weekends.

Shortly thereafter I applied and was accepted at UCSC. Received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psycology. Started to work at Cabrillo as a Financial Aid clerk and continued my graduate work at San Jose State where I received my Masters in Counseling Education and Administration. Since I had a good work ethic, I was able to move up the ladder at Cabrillo. Financial Aid Director , EOPS Director , Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Dean of Student Services, Vice President of Student Services Vice President/Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Challenging scholarly environment Cabrillo college

Multiple opportunities Career ladders. Counseling, teaching administration,office woker IT, research, Team building; everyone participates in decision making "Shared governance" System' networking, associations support from other colleges

Transfer education

Passion helping others succeed.

'It is today we must create the world of the future.' Eleanor Roosevelt

'The development of a tree depends on where it is planted.' Edward Joyner Yale Univ. School

Majors or interests

Architectural Design and Engineering

Teaching

Psychologist

Counseling

Always be involved in community, ask questions in class be known by your instructors and people that can write letters of recommendations for you. You'll need them for these scholarships and applications for jobs or college entrance applications.

Extra activities that helped me along the way

Pajaro Valley School District Trustee for 11years.

On many other Boards,

Rotary in my life

Hal Hyde was a Board member at Cabrillo College, I was the President of a Latino organization called Mecha. Muvimiento Estudiante Chicano de Atzlan, and on the Student Senate, so he invited me to attend a luncheon.

Why college is good and why I get excited when I hear young people say I'm going to Cabrillo

Pippin Time

2011-03-09T03:57:00.000-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for March 9, 2011.

March 9 Law Enforcement Program. Detective Mike Wallace

March 12 Success Through Training. Sunnyvale.

March 16 Vocational Day. Speaker Manuel Osorio. Be sure to Wear Green today. Detective Bill Neighbors

March 19 Casino Night.

March 23 New and Old Member Program. Detective Murry Scheckman

March 30 Maurice LeBanc. Give Hope a Hand. Detective Carol Turley

April 6 Sahin Gunsel. Turkey…Land of Many Contrasts. Detective Jon xhoqn

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

April 13 Detective Al Greeninger

April 20 Detective Rob Allen

Aprils 27 John Larry Grainger. Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

May 4. Mike Wallace. The Pulitzer Prize Story. Detective Manuel Osorio

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

May 11 Detective Murry Sheckman

May 18 Detective Gil Courtney

May 25 New and Old Member Program Detective Dave Hemrick

June 1. The Importance of Fathers. Detective Rocky Franich

June 8 Peru Night

June 15 Cabrillo Stage. Detective Inspector Clouseau/

June 22 Carlols Palcios: The State of the City.

June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Thought for the Day…Ham and Pecan Pie all on the same day makes for happy Rotarians…President Medina warned us he would be out of town again last week. No wonder the police department ran so well under his leadership or vacuum of leadership. Pitchers, catchers and retired police chiefs are all gathering in Scottsdale…

Distinguished and Other Guests…Prince John Kane XII was a guest last week and he is being recruited by Freedom Rotary…Bill Neighbors guest was Watsonville PD Detective Morgan Chappell…Artemesia Cortez introduced us to two more great Renaissance HS students last week.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Be sure to fill out and get in your Driver Forms for Vocation Day…Wear green or beware on March 16…RI is offering a Master Card that gives $25 to RI to kick things off.

Holier than thou Detecting…Gil Courtney was a big hit again noting anniversaries, all ham diets, Barney Fife, auto sales and poker winners…Carlos Palacios took home $54 in the raffle in case this weeks detective is reading todays notes.

Ivy grows in Watsonville. Actually ivy is one of those diverse, climate-hearty crops that grows well just about anywhere there is water and light.

Thanks to Lorraine Sandoval, once again a brilliant crew of seven Watsonville and Pajaro Valley High School students is going to visit the Ivies. 8 colleges in 5 days. Places are much closer together on the east coast.

To qualify the students wrote 2 essays, had top grades and went through a rigorous interview process. The trip costs each student $1900. Send checks to Watsonville Ivy League Tour. 250 East Beach Street. Watsonville, CA 95076.

They are also having Pizza Nights at Round Table March 7 and 14 from 5-8 pm. Each of the students pitched in on the presentation and Granite Construction gave them a travel bag.

Feb pippin

2011-02-16T06:47:00.000-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for February 16, 2011.

February 16 Veterans Video. Georgann Cowles is president for Guatemala bound Terry Medina. Al Greeninger is Detective.

February 23 Detective Jon Chown.

February 27 Boy Scouts Skillicorn Fundraiser.

March 7. Chicago Symphony Concert to End Polio. Chicago.

March 12 Success Through Training. Sunnyvale.

March 23 Vocation Day

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

New Members…Jennifer Squires is now a club member and she wrote up our newest member Manny Solano in an edition of her online news call Patch.

Thought for the Day…Todays prayerful thanks were for being able to identify the meat under the gravy (and it was good), that George Erickson would make his detective budget and suggested ways to stop bullying our friends, family and co-workers…Don't forget to include a student in your life for Vocational Day March 23.

Distinguished and Other Guests…Mark Huckelbridge from the main Santa Cruz club and Community Bridges fundraiser made up again with us yesterday…Tom House gave Renaissance High School principal Artemesia Cortez was very greatful for our check of $2825.00 to help with their Program Band. Ms. Cortez had two students with her for lunch that did such an exceptional job talking they should be entered into our speech contest…Jeannie Johnson's guest was her 19 year old daughter Chelsea…

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER… …Carol Turley is looking for 3 families to host an exchange student next year. Our district is sending a student to Argentina and we are still waiting to hear about the specifics on our incoming student…The Boy Scouts Annual Skillicorn Barbecue is February 27 and costs $100 per person or $150 if you are a couple. This is their major fundraiser…Vocational Day is coming up in March or April and is in need of a chairperson.

Holier than thou Detecting…George Erickson fined Terry Medina $0.33 for each of his marriages…When Tony Campos shows up 2 weeks in a row that equals a happy fine for Rocky Franich…Bill Neighbors is very happy to have Manny Solano in the club…Not sure if the $10 fine was for Rene Mello's grandparenting skills, her new radio show or that daughter Misty was a groupie for following the whole thing so closely…Art Hayashi's mom was also 88 recently…THE Poker Group's leader Mark Scurich donated his $65 Super Bowl winnings to the student lunch program…Jeannie Johnson was very proud of Chelseas team finish 2^nd in the national cheer competition…Chelsea popped out her shy stage to banter a little with George…Sitting at the student table only cost Deutron Kebebew $2…Tom House was happy to see his assistant show up with some student certificates hot off the presses…Steeler fans only hope at the game was an equipment malfunction …Gil fined again for imitating Gil Courtney…Compliments to Richard Stauff for coming up with hit lyrics every week…The GQ award did not go to an underdressed Rob Allen…Steve Henderson sent his son to the chamber dinner…George claimed to have 2 pages more of fines in his Evelyn Wood-like performance.

Sometimes our own members…Last week we heard some heartfelt stories about the background of members Carol Turley, Dorma Baker, Tony Valencia and, Sahin Guensel

FebPippin

2011-02-08T19:47:00.001-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for February 9, 2011.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative? Detective Cloiseau.

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

February 27 Boy Scouts Skillicorn Fundraiser.

March 12 Success Through Training. Sunnyvale.

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Thought for the Day…Jeannie Johnson ordered an extra-large order of Chinese food that included some sage advice from a fortune cake she turned into a benediction…President Medina briefly channeled Janis Joplin and did his own version of "Oh Lord, Won't You Buy Me a Mercedes Benz." All domestic vehicle tunes were found wanting.

Distinguished and Other Guests…Jennifer Squires had lunch with us to check out the chief's speech, find out more about becoming a club member and do a further diligence for Arianna Huffington…E A Hall principal Olga de Santa Ana thanked us for being in her corner with Reading Buddies and our playground decorating ideas. We met several great students that handed out 2011 calendars from their computer lab. And they came away with checks for $1526.90 and $940…Deputy Police Chief Robert Knill was sworn in as a member of our club. He is no stranger to Rotary and was a member in Redding. Hope there is room for his Rotary pin among his other chest hardware.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER… President Medina keeps raising the membership bar as long as we keep bringing in new members. Plus 5 more…No visiting Rotarians were in the mix today…Ralph Miljanich is 18 pounds lighter and resting up at home. Very appreciative of our cards, calls and visits and hoping to join us for lunch very soon…The District Governor called Terry to encourage him to encourage us to give more to the Foundation…Carol Turley is looking for 3 families to host an exchange student next year. Our district is sending a student to Argentina and we are still waiting to hear about the specifics on our incoming student…The Boy Scouts Annual Skillicorn Barbecue is February 27 and costs $100 per person or $150 if you are a couple. This is their major fundraiser…Vocational Day is coming up in March or April and is in need of a chairperson.

Rob Allen Detective Mitigation…Right out of the shoot Rob violated the detective guidelines with his use of a four syllable word. Damage done….Jeannie Johnsen's birthday was worth a $1 but her daughters 19^th was worth $19. You can do the math…Extremely successful chamber awards dinners are worth $10 to Theo Wierdsma…The Monterey Herald featured Rich Otto's 88 year old mom telling her WWII story in a Canadian internment camp and called her the Spirit of Hope…By inference Chief Medinas and Solano basked in the recognition of the Police Activities League at the chamber awards dinner…Gander versus dander did not confuse Peter Barr…Steve Henderson looked like a big poker winner and John Kiley had fond memories win or lose…The Ron Kinninger GQ Award goes to Gil Courtney for his plaid boxers…Deputy Chief Knill said welcome aboard…Fine collectors went to the head of the class.

Modern Police Work…You do not get much deeper Pajaro Valley roots than Police Chief Manny Solano with his Hispanic and Croation 3^rd generation background. He has 26 years experience in police work and education that includes Watsonville High School, Cabrillo College and a degree in Organizational Management from Bethany College.

Chief Solano has trained at the FBI and DEA school in Quantico, VA and has 3 sons 14, 20 and 21. In line with Governor Brown's new budget, Manny makes less than his predecessor perhaps because he has not developed the celebrity and showman qualities like Terry. It only took 3 truckloads and one trailer full of memorabilia, citations and commendations to move Chief Medina out of headquarters into civilian life.

The chief is very pleased with the support from Carlos Palacios and the city council. His goal is for the department to be more transparent and collaborative as it faces the special local challenges of gang violence. Overall crime was down 15% last year. Robbery was up 13%. Aggravated Assault down 54%.

Budgets will be further squeezed as grant money dries up and our parolee count climbs. Because of overcrowded jails; more parolees will be electronically monitored but still back in central coast towns. Hopefully confined to their homes.

The positive take away is that crime is generally down and the police managers are using data driven policing to put patrolling officers where crime is most likely to happen. Through public outreach Chief Solano is trying to get more citizens to volunteer in the different committees as well as stop criminal behavior at its earliest stages.

Dia del la Candalaria

2011-02-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for January 25, 2011.

February 2 Dating a Coroner. Detective Rob Allen

February 3 Capitola Aptos Night of Comedy. Michael Prichard. Seascape Golf Club. Contact Bert Lemke for tickets. 688-6642. Bert@seascape-design.com

February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.

February 5 Sunnyvale Rotary Crab Feed.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 12 Success Through Training. Sunnyvale.

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library; Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 07:00 Mequon-Thiensville WI Sunrise. Ozaukee Country Club. 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Thought for the Day…Why do our members with the greatest hearing difficulty sit in the far reaches of the dining hall?

Distinguished and Other Guests…Yavuv V Atila, President of the Monterey Sunrise club, Michael Bethke and Yoletta Cominska/Wizletta Cowinski (sp)of Santa Cruz Sunrise and Mark Huckelbridge of Santa Cruz made up with us.

New School...English teacher Ms. Benziger introduced us to two of her star pupils at New School which has approximately 40 students and is located right behind Target.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER… Ralph Miljanich was out of ICU last week and is now at home and threatens his return by Mid February. Ralph's email address is remrotary@gmail.com

Wallace Detective Agency…The 53 yard line can be a lonely spot for any announcer to land with Gil Courtney at the mike…In 1790 Manuel Osorio sat for a portrait by Goya as a child and 200 years later Manuel looks as spry as ever…By the end of the Sentinel story Michael Bethke begged to hand over a fiver…The Good Times and all of our region now know what we have known all along. Duetron Kebebew is one of our areas future leaders…"Open House" airs at 2pm on KSCO if you do not get enough of Rene Mello at our regular meeting…Thursday nights is Larry Cardon's class on Religious Studies…Our Constitutional knowledge was as good as Congress' selective memories…GM is selling more cars in China than the US. Rocky Franich and Al Greeinger said the more local market still thrills them..

Capitola/Aptos Rotary is sponsoring A Night of Comedy on February 3. Scott Iredell (the haberdasher not the dog breed) and Doug Nakashima, both former Watsonville Rotarians made the announcement last week along with a very funny story of Terry Medina asking Doug to call the cops on some creative stereo salespeople. Tickets are $85.00 and benefits a string of local charities…Before you buy this years Mothers Day card see Terry about a Rotary card for the old girl.

Speakers…Larry Grainger was singing and playing his tunes at a venue other than the Watsonville Elks Lodge so Dr. Stauff filed away his special lyrics and George Erickson led us in just one chorus (thankfully) of Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound…Terry Medina spoke to us in a local Filipino accent about the oldest man he ever arrested. Chief Medina sounded like a recent arrival from Eastern Europe but we lapped up the story just as we always do for a great story teller…We thought they hired Michael Bethke for his repair and construction skills but he told us of his plans for honoring the heroes of 9/11 this September. He compared we patriots in south county to the bra and flag burners in north county which got a few club members dander up. See Celia Organista's comments below. All applaud the effort to remember those who died in 9/11 and the heroes that stepped forward but it is pretty amazing the fairgrounds could handle a large event just before it's largest event of the year…Mike Wallace, Georgann Cowles and Al Greeninger gave us some varied perspectives on programs and how we are all on the Membership Committee. Mike said to remember selectively. Georgann remembered planting the seed for filming our vets memories. And Al said a good program always asks for a contribution.

Celia Organista resisted as long as possible before objecting to some of the comments about the north versus the south part of Santa Cruz County. She made a good point in saying she has realized in the 45 years residing here that we are all one community.

Pippin

2011-01-26T04:51:00.001-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for January 25, 2011.

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

January 29 Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Annual Awards Dinner. Diane and Don Cooley will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Contact the chamber for tickets or Theo Wierdsma.

January 31 Foundation Pledges deadline.

February 2 Detective Rob Allen

February 3 Capitola Aptos Night of Comedy. Michael Prichard. Seascape Golf Club. Contact Bert Lemke for tickets. 688-6642. Bert@seascape-design.com

February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.

February 5 Sunnyvale Rotary Crab Feed.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 12 Success Through Training. Sunnyvale.

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Hope you had the chance to check out the 1-20-11 article in the Good Times about our own Duetron Kebebew. From Ethiopia to San Jose through the foster care system and now the Papas program at Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center…Renee Mello missed the meeting but her publicity and marketing crew made sure we all saw the flier about her new KSCO radio show on Saturday's from 2-3pm called "Open House." Reschedule your nap and tune in…Richard Stauff just keeps on rolling out the hits. Fruits and Veggies sung to the tune of "Love and Marriage." Frank rolls in his grave while we laugh on…Carol Turley helped start the fining with some old material last week…Peter Barr took over from there with highlight of the day being Rich Otto making partner with Edward Jones…Ralph Miljanich made an unplanned visit to CHOMP last week so we all sent him a get well card…The kids are back in school so Ron Kinninger introduced us to two Students of the Month from Rennaisance…I know we had one guest from Freedom last week???Shaws??? and two Capitola Aptos members in Sandra Wallace and Dave Dreyfus…Isaac Shikuma was back in town in property management and joined us for lunch. I used to pick strawberries for a Mr. Shikuma…President Medina is drunk with the success of his membership campaign and is looking for a net gain of 10. District leaders have built a statue honoring Terry and it can be seen by a government housing project in Alviso. And to think only yesterday Terry had been living in his car.

Healthier Outcomes…We got a very interesting (disturbing) Power Point presentation last week from Leslie Goodfriend with an assist from statistician Will Forest. Both have Masters in Public Health and work for Santa Cruz County Health Equities Group.

On the whole we have a pretty healthy county with pockets of poorer health and lower incomes in Watsonville, Live Oak and Ben Lomond. There will soon be a show on PBS explaining the data and suggestions to improve our stats.

Pippin Nation

2011-01-18T21:07:00.001-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for January 18, 2011.

January 19 Reading Buddies gets started again. EA Hall. 11:15am.

January 19 Leslie Goodfriend. More to Health than Healthcare or How Why, Where, When affects your Health. Detective Jon Chown

January 22 Crab and Shrimp Feed at the Portuguese Hall including Terry Medina's auction of Portuguese breads.

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

January 31 Foundation Pledges deadline.

February 2 Detective Rob Allen

February 3 Capitola Aptos Night of Comedy. Michael Prichard. Seascape Golf Club. Contact Bert Lemke for tickets. 688-6642. Bert@seascape-design.com

February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.

February 5 Sunnyvale Rotary Crab Feed.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 12 Success Through Training. Sunnyvale.

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

April 9 Rotary Training Day at the San Jose Doubletree.

May 6-8 District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott.

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…One way to get those three B's going is to bring in new members like sponsor Ed Banks did with Ventura Leon from Wells Fargo Bank on Main Street. Ventura was a member of the Santa Cruz Rotary club in the past…President Medina also drifted into a more esoteric discussion of changing Rotary attendance discussions to engagement and more club flexibility in areas of corporate and associate memberships. Terry seemed happy that this would all be done when Ralph Miljanich is president…All the Yale singers with or without musical background turned out for Richard Stauff's version of the Whiffenpoof Song.

Visitation…Rob Allen bussed in a couple of Wisconsin visitors last week. His aunt Connie Pukaite is a member of the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club and friend Mike Dawson…Castroville member Carolyn Post is the principal at MacQuiddy School and is thinking about joining us…Constantin Gehringer made up with us today from Santa Cruz Sunrise…Sorry that I missed the name of Mr. Alfaro from Chevy in Southern Cal…YMCA board member Richard Dye was a guest along with Richard Gonzalez from Celebrations.

Flashes of Hot Detecting Work…Carol Turley thought about not fining the overfined but soon forgot her pledge…Terry Medina could not stop the avalanche of announcements…Welcome back to Doug Nakashima and Scott Iredell. They knew the detective drill…Some lucky dentist pulled Carol's babies wisdom teeth and Art Hayashi took a hit for the whole surgical team…John Kiley pleaded for a pain reliever of any kind…Your kids and grandkids visit for the holidays. That was $2…Carlos Palacios displayed the new, belt-tightened look so popular at city hall these days…Leaderless Red Badgers begged for direction…Gil Courtney appeared as rudderless as ever…Want to avoid fines then pass the fine basket like the sneaky Sharon Jurach…Stop calling Carol 'killer' Mr. Henderson…Down at Hutchinson and Bloodgood Kari McGee and Mike Machado still accept brown paper bags full of 2010 receipts…Free annual retreat space at Pajaro Dunes cost Dueteron Kebebew $10…A lost Celia Organista found $5 in her wallet…Ralph Miljanich has once again found the Orgasmic Egg Section at your local Safeway…Little birds do not know much about the lottery…Rich Otto knows a prayer for both bull and bear markets…Not sure where the tonsorial artist that worked on George Erickson got or maintains his license or who would feel the need to duplicate the fashionista Steve Henderson…The city had a $53 windfall in this weeks raffle according to winner Carlos Palacios.

Web News goes Local…Just when you thought every source of news was struggling along comes America On Line investing in a network of local news sources called Patch. The head of the local Patch is Jennifer Squires. Known to many local folks for her work at the Santa Cruz Sentinel on the crime beat. Patch is going nationwide.

There are 4 Patch sites in Santa Cruz County. Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Mid County and Santa Cruz. The first thing Patch did locally was to get the vital statistics from each business in south county including a photo which they want to turn into an online Yellow Pages. Jennifer just hired an advertising salesperson so they can soon move beyond the free model and generate some cash flow.

The emphasis will be on breaking news and local sports. They do not sell your email address. Jennifer hopes to move beyond what she called the 'strawberry and stabbings' news scene in the Pajaro Valley. Maybe 'Granny Smiths and Gangs.'

There is a way to comment on any article but if two users flag an article with a negative comment it can be removed from the site. No editorials just the facts according to Ms. Squires who only had a short talk planned but was saved by the excellent questions from your fellow Rotarians. Go to http://Watsonville.patch.com/ to see for yourself.

Pippinopolis

2011-01-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for January 11, 2011.

January 12 Jennifer Squires. Patch. Watsonville's new news source. Detective Murry Sheckman

January 19 Leslie Goodfriend. More to Health than Healthcare or How Why, Where, When affects your Health. Detective Jon Chown

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

February 2 Detective Rob Allen

February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER… Richard Stauff welcomed all with music from Oliver and words right from the heart. "Consider yourself…at home."... Ericksons Pub in Stockholm got a lot of sweatshirt publicity from George last week…Theo Wierdsma reminded us all of the Chamber Awards Dinner January 29^th.

Visitation…Tom Stellings was here from Santa Cruz Sunrise with all his real estate and Chuck Allen connections…Students were all on vacation…The R-P offices emptied out so Jeannie Johnsen could introduce us to Susie Ronzano…Robert Winkler replaced the floor in the Medina bathroom in the shameless plug department…John Kane's guest for the last time was Sahin Gunsel from Union Bank as a couple of minutes later Terry Medina introduced him as sponsor and newest member. Our gain and Pacific Groves loss.

BATA…Murry Schekman introduced us to a couple of rather hip dudes from the Business and Technology club at WUHS. The club is looking for sponsors to host an appearance by Jeff Garcia the comedian. Jeff was so impressed with the drive and enthusiasm of the club members he is putting on the show for free.

Courtney Detective Agency…Gil suffered a bit of a basket boycott as he was fining but no one was collecting at first…Chief Medina mumbled something about Bozo as Gil called for the raffle basket for Theo Wierdsma which was immediately taxed $10…Newest member Sahin Gunsel paid $5 for the privileges…Jacobs Heart was recognized as Organization of the Year and Manuel Osorio's sleeping arrangements cost him…Don Cooley asked that his Lifetime Achievement Award be blasted from the rafters…Congrats to Arne Thirup for being a diligent bell ringer for the Salvation Army and yelling at non-contributors…Name calling is still not acceptable for retired school teachers as Ron Kinninger learned…Gil thanked Art Hayashi for the calendar but asked for New Year floss next time…Al Smith prepared an adequate defense for Carlos Palacios and his inability to get Manny Solano to join…Everyone paid $1 for not having a Koshigi Ball…If your alarm goes off and no gendarmes come to the scene does the Medina family really have an emergency?...Jon Chown suggests a writing workshop for his competitors…Germany is a nice place to meet eligible bachelors according to John Kiley and his daughter Chris…Some Rotarians wondered if Gil's nose print was still on the door from our holiday dark day…All kinds of money was tossed in the hat by Chuck Allen and Georgann Cowles for their Salvation Army work…Ralph Miljanich claims the new Foundation building in Aptos is adequately set back from Soquel Drive to spend all the money we send his way. 46 parking spots and a plug for your electrical car…Some day soon Tom Trainor's wife may recover from the M-80s he exploded to bring in the New Year…Celia Organista paid $5 just because…Two priests came in to hear Al Greeningers confession and thought it would be easier to just buy a car than go through that laundry list…Happy Birthday Dave Hemrick…Use happiness and joy in the same sentence with Al Smith.

Newest Member…Tom Trainor thanked us for inviting him to join the club and that his parents immigrated from Ireland and England in the 1840's. Moms family had some horse thieving in the past and his dad was a little more respectable or at least had not been caught in the act.

Tom was born in LA in 1965 and his family moved to Carmel Valley (still there) in 1972 to escape the smog and traffic and to give him a quiet corner to collect his stamps. A self-proclaimed geek, Tom attended York School. (Their son is at Palma.) He majored in business with a double minor in girls and cars at UCSB,

Smuckers hired Tom in 1988 to work the graveyard shift with the sanitation crew. The thought of rubber boots filling with water still brings warm memories. Tom intended to retire with Smuckers but the plant moved to Kentucky after prolonged labor dispute. That is also a little closer to PG headquarters in Cincinatti.

Bruce Woolpert hired Tom to run the blasting crew at the crew registering 1.7 on the Richter Scale in Menlo Park for each blast. He is now in charge of all Granite Rock equipment maintenance and some labor negotiations. Welcome

--------------------------------------------------

Salvation Army proved once again that they are the one army we need armed and ready to feed, clothe, house and rehabilitate members of the community that are struggling. Chuck Allen, Judy Nielson and Georgann Cowles organized a crew of 45 volunteers to keep the bells ringing this Christmas season for 138 hours. A savings of $1380 f

Major Luis Martinez came out of retirement three years ago to run the Watsonville operation that is in operation 365 days a year. He has been in the army for the past 50 years and he and his wife Maria celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary next May. They are both from Havana, Cuba abd Major Martinez was a Rotarian in Lincoln Heights and Denver.

The shelter has 42 beds for men, 7 rooms for women and children and 7 beds for single women. Chuck Allen chairs the Advisory Board and has helped Major Martinez get the organization out of the red.

Major Martinez brought along 2 guests. He introduced the shelters maintenance man, Vincente as the best employee and hardest working ever. And to Robert who had come to Salvation Army as a crack and alcohol addict and thanks to them he is on a slow but sure track back to a normal life that includes work and school.

Pippinoplos

2010-12-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for December 22, 2010.

December 22 Ignore the early rumors about being dark today. Today we distribute the funds raised at Mine and Marty.   Detective Al Greeninger
December 29 We be dark.
January 5   New Member Program. Detective Gil Courtney
January 12 Jennifer Squires. Patch. Watsonville's new news source. Detective Murry Sheckman
January 19 Leslie Goodfriend. More to Health than Healthcare or How Why, Where, When affects your Health. Detective Jon Chown
January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.   Detective Mike Wallace
February 2 Detective Rob Allen
February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.
February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?
February 6-13 Guatemala Trip
March 23 Vocation Day tentative?
June 1 Peru Night tentative?
June 22 Cabrillo Stage.
June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library; Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Starting with our personal musicologist, Richard Stauff writing a tribute to the Salvation Army bell ringers from the club. And Georgann Cowles could still use a few more ringers.

Visitation…Just back from a mixed martial arts contest was Michael Bethke from Santa Cruz Sunrise and the local fair…Richard Gonzalez is still checking out our club scene according to George Erickson. We could use the party supplies to liven things up a bit…Student Guests this week were from Rennaisance and came with Brian 'Mr.' Love who teaches Bio Science, Health and coaches the basketball team.

BATA…Murry Schekman introduced us to a couple of rather hip dudes from the Business and Technology club at WUHS. The club is looking for sponsors to host an appearance by Jeff Garcia the comedian. Jeff was so impressed with the drive and enthusiasm of the club members he is putting on the show for free.

Newest Member…Monte Lewis aka Coach introduced us to Phil Ibarra.

Reading Buddies held a pizza party last week at EA Hall and is actively recruiting new buddies to start next semester. See Ron Kinninger and help with this program showing great results.

Pulitzer Prize detecting…Mike Wallace led us on a wild car chase and crash with Terry Medina and Carlos Palacios. Since Terry retired criminals are being imported to give local police trainees cheaper on-the-job schooling…Al Greeninger paid as the only car dealer in residence…Don Cooley was retired but he was not sure from what…Other retirees found out about the hottest, new travel sight in Chernobyl…Gilroy High football star Jeff Garcia cost Murry Schekman…Sharon Jurach has a nice panic button on her car keys recently lost…A sling looked very becoming on Theo Wierdsma even if it prevented him from a proper flag salute…A straight face is a skill that eludes Katy Bannister…The top athlete in Santa Cruz County is Stan Nielson's grandson…Fred Skill is dropping out of Rotary in Redding at the end of the year just to keep up with all the other volunteer efforts…Congrats to Dave Hemrick for being club president in 2012-13…$5 welcome to Phil Ibarra….Mike still remembers Gil Courtney telling him 10 years ago what a great face he had for radio…Mike finished off his appearance with a recording of Gary Owens reading a Preparation H ad without rehearsal.

Terry Medina fills in…Terry forgot to confirm this weeks actual program so he recounted the details around the murder of Joyce Coulter. He arrived at the Opal Cliffs area bungalow to find the body of this 30 year old beauty with a sheet around her neck and a knife in her chest.

Her husband was already in the patrol car after calling in the crime and Terry thought this would be a slam dunk. 24 hours tops just to wrap up the details. It appeared her husband, Tom Coulter had entered the house through a back door and had broken a bathroom window frame to make it look like a break in. Coulter had driven from a movie set in San Francisco to Capitola in the middle of the night to see if his wife was having an affair. His car was found 2 blocks from the bungalow.

He was a teamster on the movies set but a had a rugged, actor physique and a deep voice. Terry told him that the whole process would go a lot easier if Coulter just confessed but he was sticking with his story and it was starting to have the ring of truth to it.

Terry had to spend several days on the movie set interviewing Walter Mathau and Robert Duval and hoping his star quality might get noticed. Guess we all know that part of the story. Coulter's story still held up

The night of the murder Joyce Coulter had been drinking coffee at the Edgewater in Capitola and came home via a Cindy's on 41st Avenue. Terry had been living in his patrol car. Unit 539 was a very cramped Chevy Nova with all of Detective Medinas worldy possessions. At 3am that evening Terry heard a call from an Aptos where two men were arrested they mentioned a women by the cliffs.

No longer able to sleep, Terry hustled down to the county jail for coffee, breakfast and to ambush these two suspects. Over coffee Vince Reagan told Terry it had not been his idea to kill Mrs. Coulter. Vince pinned it all on Buzz Carr.

Reagan and Carr had been on a crime spree burglarizing homes and the night of the murder they were just looking for a women and found their victim at Cindy's. They followed Mrs. Coulter home and distracted her at the front door while breaking in the back door. Tom Coulter is a friend of Terrys to this day and often calls from exotic locations with a free ticket for Detective Medina.

Todays Pippin

2010-12-15T06:22:00.001-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for December 15, 2010.

December 15   Detective Mike Wallace
December 22 Ignore the early rumors about being dark today. Program has to do with the charities receiving the Mine and Marty funds.   Detective Al Greeninger
December 29 We be dark.
January 5   Detective Gil Courtney
January 12 Detective Murry Sheckman
January 19 Detective Jon Chown
January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.   Detective Mike Wallace
February 2 Detective Rob Allen
February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.
February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?
February 6-13 Guatemala Trip
March 23 Vocation Day tentative?
June 1 Peru Night tentative?
June 22 Cabrillo Stage.
June 29 Debunking.

Nearby Make-ups: Monday Watsonville High School Interact Club:12:34 in the Library; Scotts Valley: Monday 12:15 at Hilton; Freedom: Tuesday Santa Cruz Sunrise 07:15 at De Laveaga Golf Club. Freedom 12:15 at Green Valley Grill; San Lorenzo Valley: Wednesday 07:15 at Mt Herman Conference Center; Capitola-Aptos: Thursday 12:15 at Seascape Golf Club; Santa Cruz: Friday 12:15 at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge…Castroville

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Franco Vaca and John Kane brought Tony Valencia from Univision as their guest….Phil Ibarra was a guest for the last time as he is joining the club…Sahin Gunsei from Union Bank was a guest of the club for the last time as he is leaving the Pacific Grove Rotary club and running the branch in Watsonville.

Toys for Tots…Rich Otto's office is a collection point for Christmas toys for underprivileged kids in the Marine's Toys for Tots. The gifts should be unwrapped and for 3-12 year olds. Semper Fi.

Missing in Action Detecting…Gil Courtney showed up a little dazed last week. That is more dazed than normal so Peter Barr filled in at the last minute…City water quality issues dominated the fines…Everyone seemed in a particularly good mood before, during and after the detective work…President Medina topped off everything with a happy fine of $20 because he was having such a good time.

Student Guests…Stuart Kitayama introduced us to E A Hall principal Olga de Santa Anna and 4 of her top students. Special thanks from Olga for Reading Buddies and our partnership….Other Rotary visitors were Russ Hobbes from Santa Cruz and Sandra Wallace from Capitola Aptos.

Sometimes the best programs are put on by our own club members and last Wednesday was no exception. Our first speaker was Larry Cardon who told us his roots go back to 1773 in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. His family has been in every war the United States has fought except the Civil War when his relatives raised and sold mules to the Confederates. We assume they were good mules and did not hurt the cause.

After a 3 year stint in the army Larry married Cornelia which has only lasted for 57 years. They have 6 children. Two of them have special needs and were adopted. Larry came to Watsonville in 1972 and worked at Sylvania Labs for two years and Pacific Bell.

At 48 Larry had a heart attack, retired from Pacific Bell and went into business for himself remodeling and repairing homes. He joined Rotary in 1984 and has been club secretary since 1987. Other boards Larry has served on are Notre Dame School, Head Start and LULAC. He teaches a Bible history class and enjoys wood working and fishing.

Larry is the kind of gentlemen that serves quietly and allows other leaders in the club to look like real stars. He is a big part of the glue that keeps Rotary moving forward and on mission as anyone who has served on the board will attest.

Katy Bannister grew up in Port Townsend, WA where her dad worked from Crown Zellerbach after his and her moms military career in the Pacific. Katy was sorry to miss our Veterans Day program but really enjoyed ringing the Salvation Army bell this Christmas season.

The family moved south to Antioch where Katy was active in Brownies and 4H and then attended Santa Cruz High School and Cabrillo College in our area. Her degree from San Francisco State is in Physical Distribution and Management and she got here MBA 3 years ago.

She has been a waitress and catering manager at the San Francisco Tennis Club and had jobs in New Jersey, Alaska and Squaw Valley. Then there was Nordstroms, Manpower, Cisco and today Hewlett Packard where she works from her new home in Watsonville making sure that Wal Mart has enough ink and paper.

Phil Ibarra does not know what the reaction will be at Freedom Rotary when they find he has joined our club. Traitor? Rebel? Phil said there was no singing at Freedom and they had the voices to go along with that rule.

He is currently working with Monte Lewis and was born and raised in Watsonville. His parents were field workers in Arizona and his dad worked in the canneries here as well as Meadow Gold, All State Insurance and Sears. His father was the first Hispanic real estate agent in town and recently died of Parkinsons.

Phil is a single dad with two daughters in local schools and very active in sports which he loves to attend. He went to Watsonville High School, Cabrillo College and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

He has done collections with Lou Ward at Valley National Bank, consumer financing with such honest dealers as Rocky Franich, and wrote mortgages at Great Western Bank before working with conventional mortgages and private monies at with Mike and Monte Lewis.

Dave Hemrick moved to Watsonville in 1971 and Mark Frederickson invited him to join Rotary 6-7 years ago after being president of Kiwanis. Dave feels it is very important to be involved and give back to the community.

His siblings were all born in the Atlanta area and Dave was born in 1948 in Kinston, North Carolina. He says it is flat as a pancake and is in the southwest part of northeast North Carolina. It is in the Inner Banks region where they have experienced the ups and downs of tobacco and the textile industries. Kinston is also the birthplace of Dwight Clark and Tyrone Willingham.

Dave's father gave him a 5 iron with a cutoff shaft when he was five. More clubs and a golf bag followed as Dave really admired the form and style of the older boys. At six years old he would swing, drag his bag and club about ten feet to his next shot. One day he really connected and got to put the club back in the bag with a flourish. Standing Tall! A golfing career was born.

Dave's high school basketball team were state champions at the time Pres Maravich was coaching in Raleigh. The father of 'Pistol Pete' Maravich.

He was drafted in the Army in 1969 but ended up in Heidelberg Germany when most young men were heading to Vietnam. In the meantime, his family had moved to Watsonville and Dave was able to find them using skip tracing and other techniques one learns in the collection business.

While Dave was trying to make up his mind which college to play golf for his dad said he could work at the agency. That is where Dave is today after buying the company from his dad in 1979.

Dave's eldest daughter Ashley lives in London, Lindsay works in the burn unit in Santa Clara County and his youngest Katie works at the agency and helps coach basketball with Dave at Aptos Junior High School.

Pippin

2010-11-13T18:08:00.001-08:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for November 15, 2010.

November 17 E A Hall School visit. Noon. Reading Buddies invites you to come and see their good works at 11:30am.

November 23 Pajamas Needed. Last year Santa Cruz Sunrise donated 1065 pairs of pajamas to needy kids.

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We be dark.

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1 Program. Steve Henderson and Ralph Miljanich. Watsonville Rotary Finance 101. Detective Rocky Franich.

December 8 New Member Program. Detective Gil Courtney.

December 15 Detective Mike Wallace

December 22 Dark? Detective Al Greeninger

December 29 We be dark.

January 5 Detective Gil Courtney

January 12 Detective Murry Sheckman

January 19 Detective Jon Chown

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

February 2 Detective Rob Allen

February 5 Capitola Aptos Rotary major fundraiser.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Franco Vaca brought Tony Valencia from Univision as his guest. .Manuel Osorio brought a guest, friend and WWII vet to todays meeting but the editor never caught his name…Another guest, Richard Gonzalez was told by President Medina how much a Rotary membership would help his party rental business…Larry Cardon reported a slight change in the Board of Directors for next year…Georgann Cowles reports 21 club members have signed up to be Salvation Army bell ringers…John Kane hit his number for $51 last week.

Toys for Tots…Rich Otto's office is a collection point for Christmas toys for underprivileged kids in the Marine's Toys for Tots. The gifts should be unwrapped and for 3-12 year olds. Semper Fi.

Tom House introduced us to Rachel Benziger and her students from New School. Rose Guzman and George Gonzalez. Still one of the best parts of our meetings to hear how these high schoolers have met adversity and gone one to excel in school

Mad Hatter Detecting…Jon Chown had the non veterans all kick into the detective fund…The Marines were celebrating either their 75^th or 235^th anniversary according to Rich Otto…Wine and Rose attendees all paid an extra couple of bucks and Kathleen King sang a $5 tune of success…Lifetime Achievement awards are going for $10 according to Don Cooley…Al Smith had been fined last week for his reelection…Manuel Osorio seemed to have a hot and cold relationship with Cabrillo College…Jon thought that even running unopposed Bill Neighbors got about the same percentage of votes as Al Smith…Judy Nielson said she would keep Stan around for another 75 years.

Remembering Santa Cruz County's War Dead…We are lucky to get some very good speakers at Rotary but it is doubtful we have had anyone more passionate, well researched or with such a wonderful delivery style at Robert Nelson last week.

Mr. Nelson was in the army in Europe during the Cold War, got a degree in History and Business, followed by a career at IBM, a Masters in Theology, an educational consultancy and finally an author. We have probably missed a lot. He is that accomplished.

Six years of research went into this book to find out that approximately 400 citizens of Santa Cruz have given their life in combat. This information was found in many places starting with the War Department, National Archives and matching up personal biographies and photos.

It was a Fall day in 1861. Information about Civil War dead came in over the telegraph and that is how President Lincoln got the news about the death of his best friend, Edward D. Baker. He was also the first known war casualty from the Pajaro Valley.

Prior to serving in the Civil War Baker fought in the Mexican War and then joined the gold rush of 1849. Ending up in the Salsipuedes district of the valley rather than the gold fields where he subdivided and developed the area. He was also the first senator from the new state of Oregon. Wonder if that is where the name Mt. Baker came from?

The most recent area resident to give the ultimate sacrifice was 24 year old Navy Petty Officer Gerard Rosetto from Corralitos. Gerard graduated from Aptos High School in 2001 and he died at the Desert Training Center in Fallon, Nevada when his helicopter hit some high tension electrical lines.

Our most famous former resident of the Pajaro Valley is Carl "Pop" Polithka. He is recognized at the National Areospace Museum for his wartime heroics along with Gary Powers in the section called Spies in the Skies.

Around here Pop was best known for buzzing fields, flying under telephone lines and even buzzing his wife's (Helen Gregg) classroom. He went on to train other Army Air Corps pilots and then joined the Aero Reconnaisance in the Pacific. General George Goddard said he was the most important areo reconnaissance pilot of WWII for discovering the Japanese fleet near New Guinea, eluding the Japanese zeroes that were after him all over the Pacific and photographing the enemy at their most vulnerable.

Mr. Nelsons final story was about an orphan and former student out at St. Francis School named Richard Campos. Throughout his life, no one had wanted Richard except the brothers out at St. Francis and he was killed by a Vietnamese sniper. The press got wind of the story that his body went unclaimed at the Oakland Army Depot and he is now buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery next to Admiral Nimitz and other famous military brass.

Pippin

2010-10-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for October 11, 2010.

October 12 Past Presidents Meeting to nominate Presidential candidate.

October 13. Club Dark. Mine and Marty on the 14^th.

October 16 Salinas Steinbeck Golf/Bocce Tournaments Salinas GCC.

October 19 Lewisburger Distribution Night. 5:30 pm. Stan and Judy Nielsens.

October 20 Program Partners in Service. PDG Emmanuel Nwankpa of Nigeria. Detective Al Greeninger

October 21 Avenues of Service. 4:30-9 pm. Doubletree San Jose. See Rene Mello.

October 24. Polio Eradication Day. 11:30am Walk across Golden Gate Bridge. 6:30pm Light Eradicate Polio lights at Ferry Building.

October 27. Program. Annie Morhauser from Second Harvest Food Bank. Holiday Food Drive. Detective Manuel Osorio

November 3 Program. Gordon Yamate. Japanese American National Museum. Detective Murry Scheckman

November 6 Wine and Roses. 6-9pm. See Kathleen King for tickets.

November 10. Veterans Day Program. Robert Nelson. Remembering Santa Cruz County's War Dead. Detective Jon Chown.

November 17 E A Hall School visit.

November 23 Pajamas Needed. Last year Santa Cruz Sunrise donated 1065 pairs of pajamas to needy kids.

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We be dark.

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1 Program. Steve Henderson and Ralph Miljanich. Watsonville Rotary Finance 101. Detective Rocky Franich.

December 8 New Member Program. Detective Gil Courtney.

December 15 Detective Mike Wallace

December 22 Dark? Detective Al Greeninger

December 29 We be dark.

January 5 Detective Gil Courtney

January 12 Detective Murry Sheckman

January 19 Detective Jon Chown

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony. Detective Mike Wallace

February 2 Detective Rob Allen

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Michael Jordan…To the tune of 'Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore'; 'Amazing Grace' and other songs in our hearts and minds we celebrated the life of Michael Jordan last week. How lucky we have been for so long at Rotary to have Mike whether he was singing in the choir, advising the board, tinkling his welcome glass or giving us a hug. Thanks for sharing and giving us so much…Mike wants you to know that your loan has been approved and there is no prepayment penalty for giving back to the community.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER…Franco Vaca brought Tony Valencia from Univision as his guest. The #1 network as per Terry Medina…Katie Bannister from HP in charge of corporate planning was Mike Wallace's guest and is interested in joining…Prospectus Immortalus award goes to Bill Neighbors….Tom House introduced us to Vanessa Garcia and Sheila Velasquez. Students of the Month at Renaissance High School…Al Greeninger reports his membership committee has 4 applications in process for new members… Scout Troop 599 has 3 new Eagle Scouts including Al Smith's son Matt Smith.

Divine Detecting…George Erickson had lots of material last week that he entertained the club with…He asked Georgeann Cowles to call and remind Dave Baker about upcoming events…Hal 'Go Bears!' Hyde said Cal still had plenty of luster even if they were eliminating a couple of D-1 sports…The Post Office found Don Cooley's plastic lacking in credit worthiness but his cash was honored. Might give you some idea of the judgement abilities in that institution…George was very pleased to get a card from Ed Banks…Just because Gil Courtney was present and disruptive the charge was $5…Snitchers and Enablers all pay for stolen sirens by Bonnie House and Georgann Cowles…A 5^th term is in order for Al Smith…Jon Chown said his new hat could compete with Steve Henderson's andTerry Medina for size and style. No one could see or count any cattle…Wine and Roses publicity cost Kathleen King…Great music awards to Richard Stauff…Murry Schekman promises an inspirational talk to the Wildcatz football team…Visits to the high school principal helped Gene Friend remember who was who in a 1941 photo.

Wetlands Watch…Joan and Lou Rose gave a very inspired talk last week about their work at Wetlands Watch in and around our 6 freshwater sloughs. They are working with Pajaro Valley High, Amesti School and many other volunteers to clean up the sloughs, plant native plants, eliminate non-natives and train our next generations.

This 20 year old non profit charges are to 1) educate youth 2) protect the land and 3) return the sloughs to a purer state.

The city of Watsonville has built 6 trails around the sloughs for recreation and to observe the bird migration on the Pacific Flyway. We need birds to eat insects and birds need the seeds from native plants to thrive. So far Red Wing Blackbirds, Burrowing Owls and Red Legged Frogs are some of the species that have made a comeback.

It is through dedicated volunteers like the Roses that we build community.

Pippin goes Red (meat), Black and Orange

2010-09-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for September 8, 2010.

September 13 Monday Lewisburger at fairgrounds

September 14-19 Santa Cruz County Fair.

September 15 Fair Week. No meeting.

September 22 District Governor Roger Hassler Visit. Detective George Erickson

September 26 Carol Turley Triathalon. Seacliff Beach.

September 28 San Rafael Harbor Sunrise dark for Visoning meeting. No breakfast.

September 29 Program. Rick King "Who touched you?" Detective Mike Wallace. Rick King wants everyone to bring a perspective member to this meeting. It is not a request.

September 30 to October 2 13^th Annual Ride from Healdsburg to Santa Cruz with Sunrise Rotary.

October 5: Trivia Challenge to benefit Volunteer Center.

October 6

October 13. Club Dark. Mine and Marty on the 14^th.

October 16 Salinas Steinbeck Golf/Bocce Tournaments Salinas GCC.

October 20 Program Lou Rose: Watsonville Wetlands Watch

October 21 Avenues of Service. 4:30-9 pm.

October 24. Polio Eradication Day. 11:30am Walk across Golden Gate Bridge. 6:30pm Light Eradicate Polio lights at Ferry Building.

October 27. Program. Annie Morhauser from Second Harvest Food Bank.

November 3 Program. Gordon Yamate. Japanese American National Museum.

November 10. Veterans Day Program.

November 17

November 23 Pajamas Needed. Last year Santa Cruz Sunrise donated 1065 pairs of pajamas to needy kids.

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We may be dark?

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1

December 8

December 15

December 22 Dark?

December 29 Dark?

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

February 6-13 Guatemala Trip

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER! Terry wished he had come up with that one himself.

Guests…Don Cooley's guest was Diane Cooley and Rene Mello's stepdaughter Misty Wilson was a guest again too. Maybe not for long as she has picked up an application…There were no visiting Rotarians or student guests but Tony Campos showed up as the meeting started and he is kind of like a visitor.

Reading Buddies…For seven years Olga de Santa Ana has been the principal at Mintie White and has now added E A Hall to her governance. She was a guest of the club and was presented with a Rotary traffic sign warning motorists to "Drive Carefully. Protect our Children." Even got Carlos Palacios to agree to mount the sign which should make it easier for Reading Buddies to make it across the street safely.

Mine and Marty…Sharon Jurach in addition to your baby photo needs donations for the auctions. Local charities to benefit this year are CASA, YMCA, Womens Shelter, our endowment and Jacobs Heart.

Lewis and other burgers…Our monument to red meat now has a new paint job to help us sell more burgers this year. If you still need a free pass to get into the fairgrounds for your shift get a hold of Mike Salewske. Don't forget Monday night is the night to have out weekly meeting at the fairgrounds. No Wednesday meeting.

Prospects…Remember that Mike Wallace and Rick King want you and your member prospects are invited to hear Rick on September 29. Rick still knows how to bring in new members while they laugh, then cry, then sign their membership cards.

District Governance…Rene Mello reminds us to pick our level of giving and commit by the time the District Governor shows up on September 22.

Detectivity…Jon Chown showed up in an unusually prepared manner last week calling on Raiders fans. Oops….The fly in was a big success according to Theo Wierdsma…Judy Doering Nielson gave $5 then $10 and then Tom Stepovich stepped out of the shadows with another $5 for doings in Alaska and at Ag History…Hats no matter what their gallonage should not be left on the table or off Steve Henderson's head during the meetings…Carlos Palacios related some of the problems with the ex-chief of WPD and how police irregulars now show up in Melvin Cooper's TV ads…Somewhere between the AC and the automatic windows is a personal recall notice from Al Greeninger…Murry Schekman tells us to not bet on improvement…Golf is Rotary business in Rocky Franich's world…Jon fined some misc. golfers and the raffle winner John Kane too.

Raffle…Arne Thirup woke up Tom Stepovich long enough to claim his $51 raffle winnings.

Proposition 21---Randy Widera brought many amazing statistics about our county and statewide parks and why everyone should back Prop 21 which will charge and additional $18 on each auto registration. Wasn't that how Grey Davis lost his job to Arnold?

Randy has been interested in the stewardship of local lands since he was a cabin leader at Outdoor School. One of the campers said he was like the 'baby bears bowl of porridge." Just right. Or in it for the long haul according to Randy.

For statistics…About 50,000 acres in Santa Cruz County are part of state parks. That's about 20% of county lands that are not on the tax rolls…About 50% of the county coastline is included in a state park. This park land is why the quality of life is so high in the county as recognized by United Way in their annual assessment.l

There are only 139 employees on the staff of county state parks in the county that help maintain 300 buildings for the 11 Million visitors to state parks here. On top of that 450 volunteers donate their time.

The state parks like Sunset, Manresa and Natural Bridges are here due to legislation passed in the 1930's. In theory the state cannot dig into these funds or reduce their support for state parks but most reasonable people would probably doubt the state could keep their hands of these funds in some manner.

Prop 21 is a neat solution to the problem of funding state parks but it seems to fuel the disfunction that is state government.

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation…Nice talk on Tuesday morning at Santa Cruz Sunrise by Mark D'Orio, Director of the sanctuary foundation. His group is trying to raise the last $3 Million of a $16 Million project that is the Santa Cruz Exploration Center. He already has commitments for $1.6 Million of the $3 Million.

The marine sanctuary stretches from Marin County to San Simeon and goes from 30-80 miles offshore. Monterey was also in the running for the center but Santa Cruz Boardwalk area won out when the city donated the land. Santa Cruz can bill itself now as the gateway to the sanctuary.

The center is for school age children but will have a state-of-the-art classroom for all ages as well as exhibits that include declining fish populations, water quality and water runoff. Admission will be free and the center is partnering with the Seymour Center.

Labor Day Pippin

2010-09-08T06:03:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for September 8, 2010.

September 1 Program. Congressman Sam Farr. . Detective Rocky Franich

September 8 Program. Randy Widera. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Detective Jon Chown

September 13 Monday Lewisburger at fairgrounds

September 14-19 Santa Cruz County Fair.

September 15 Fair Week. No meeting.

September 22 District Governor Roger Hassler Visit. Detective George Erickson

September 26 Carol Turley Triathalon. Seacliff Beach.

September 28 San Rafael Harbor Sunrise dark for Visoning meeting. No breakfast.

September 29 Program. Rick King "Who touched you?" Detective Mike Wallace. Rick King wants everyone to bring a perspective member to this meeting. It is not a request.

October 5: Trivia Challenge to benefit Volunteer Center.

October 6

October 13. Club Dark. Mine and Marty on the 14^th.

October 16 Salinas Steinbeck Golf/Bocce Tournaments Salinas GCC.

October 20 Program Lou Rose: Watsonville Wetlands Watch

October 21 Avenues of Service. 4:30-9 pm.

October 24. Polio Eradication Day. 11:30am Walk across Golden Gate Bridge. 6:30pm Light Eradicate Polio lights at Ferry Building.

October 27. Program. Annie Morhauser from Second Harvest Food Bank.

November 3 Program. Gordon Yamate. Japanese American National Museum.

November 10. Veterans Day Program.

November 17

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We may be dark?

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1

December 8

December 15

December 22 Dark?

December 29 Dark?

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER!

The Watsonville Rotary was called to order by President Terry with a hoop and a holler.

Rocky Franich was a detective that was working hard while most of us vacationed.

Gene DiCicco was welcomed and fined... Arnie Thirup's grand kids swam to Alcatraz after which he bailed then out... Franco Vaca returned from a visit to his family in Mexico… Katie Gallegos was elated her two kids were in for surgery and were doing fine... Art Hayashi celebrated 37^th wedding anniversary while Mrs. Hayashi pondered her options... Steve and Sharon DuFuor are the only father-daughter team in our club and both were present... Ralph Miljanich and his cohorts at the Community Foundation distributed $826,000 in grants around the community while investing in their new site across from the Aptos Safeway.

Congressperson Sam Farr was the speaker. When Gene Friend came in, Farr turned to him and said, "Good to see you Gene." Gene was one of his supporters when he moved from Supervisor to State Assembly way back when (I believe 1980). He commended us for being one of the oldest clubs in the area and still being alive and growing. His first Rotary experience was when he was 11, his Dad grabbed him and said, "I have to make up Rotary," and took him to the hotel in Castroville. Sam had the winning ticket and got the prize, a bottle of Bourbon. He said he never got a sip, so later became a scotch drinker.

Congressman Farr reflected the two parties have flipped. It used to be the tax and spend Democrats, now it is the cut taxes, borrow and spend Republicans. He said they did it all with a credit card, two wars, tax cuts for the rich, raised taxes for the rest of us, and deregulated us into a recession.

Sam talked about what Congress is trying to do. Not new programs with new bureaucracies but expand the pool of money for education and small businesses.

Congressman Farr commended Watsonville for having created enterprise zones to help businesses and with Salud La Gente so the community was able to participate in health care programs.

He called Terry a 'beautiful human being.' And celebrated his long relationship with him and others in law enforcement in the area.

Pippin Unaffected by Cool Summer Weather

2010-08-20T07:59:00.001-07:00

Fellow Rotarians,

Golf tournament was fun and successful yesterday.

Lewisburger needs painters, cooks and red meat lovers.

Mine and Marty could use ten volunteers to go along

with Union Banks generous sponsorship.

It is loads of fun being of service to our community.

Link on...

http://watsonvillerotarypippin.blogspot.com/

Cheers,

Peter A. Barr
860 Avocado Road
Corralitos, CA 95076
Cell (831) 254-1474
Home (831) 728-3706
Fax (831) 728-9616
Email Luoar@aol.com

August is National Goat Cheese Month

Pippinopolis

2010-08-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for August 20, 2010.

Aug 21 6:00 PM: AHP fundraiser kickoff "Save our tractors - Build a Barn" Dinner/Concert with Monterey Bay Caterers and Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours.

August 25 Program Misa Garavaglia. Survivors Healing Center. Detective Murry Scheckman

August 28 Young Farmers and Ranchers Testicle Festival.

September 1 Program. Congressman Sam Farr. . Detective Rocky Franich

September 8 Program. Randy Widera. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Detective Jon Chown

September 13 Monday Lewisburger at fairgrounds

September 14-19 Santa Cruz County Fair.

September 15 Fair Week. No meeting.

September 22 District Governor Roger Hassler Visit. Detective George Erickson

September 26 Carol Turley Triathalon. Seacliff Beach.

September 28 San Rafael Harbor Sunrise dark for Visoning meeting. No breakfast.

September 29 Program. Rick King "Who touched you?" Detective Mike Wallace. Rick King wants everyone to bring a perspective member to this meeting. It is not a request.

October 5: Trivia Challenge to benefit Volunteer Center.

October 6

October 13. Club Dark. Mine and Marty on the 14^th.

October 16 Salinas Steinbeck Golf/Bocce Tournaments Salinas GCC.

October 20 Program Lou Rose: Watsonville Wetlands Watch

October 21 Avenues of Service. 4:30-9 pm.

October 24. Polio Eradication Day. 11:30am Walk across Golden Gate Bridge. 6:30pm Light Eradicate Polio lights at Ferry Building.

October 27. Program. Annie Morhauser from Second Harvest Food Bank.

November 3 Program. Gordon Yamate. Japanese American National Museum.

November 10. Veterans Day Program.

November 17

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We may be dark?

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1

December 8

December 15

December 22 Dark?

December 29 Dark?

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER! Rotary make ups were John Kegebein from San Lorenzo Valley and Jan Weaver the past president from Scotts Valley.,,Nick Leon drove the Interact students to the meeting and he is from San Jose East….George Erickson's guest was Frank Lopez from Lopez Photography…Terry Medina had paid for Bill Neighbors to have lunch with us as he is running unopposed for City Council and is more than a prospective member according to Terry….Al Greeninger introduced us to our latest member in the person of Kathryn Llewellyn-Hearne. Terry Medina gave her the longest welcome to Rotary speech in District 5170 history and yet no one told the club what she did for a living. FYI she is the director of the YMCA on Sudden Street. It might just be called the Y these days. Terry mentioned a secret handshake for all red badgers.…Other guests were Mary Rocha and Jasmine Vaca. Jasmine was in charge of another successful raffle won by Jeannie Johnson who immediately gave all $60 to the Interact raffle in an attempt to parlay even bigger winnings….Very nice thank you note from Jacob Schekman who is using a $1000 scholarship to attend San Jose State…Gil Courtney did not know that Jerry Beyersdorff can be found every Wednesday on the golf course.

Friends in the News…Union Bank has named Elaine Genevro market president for Northern California, based in San Francisco. Formerly Genevro was market president for Central California. Genevro joined Union Bank in 2003 as a senior vice president and regional manager when Monterey Bay Bank, where she served as director or retail banking was aquired by Union Bank…Union Bank has once again sponsored Mine and Marty so our raised funds can go right to work in the most undiluted of ways.

Membership Development…Al Greeninger passed on Rick King's demand that we all bring a prospective member to the September 29 meeting. Warn your guest that Rick does not stop speaking until all members and guests have had a good laugh and a good cry. Al also said that Rotary International added 75,000 members the year Rick King was president of R.I. so he knows about adding a member of two.

Lewisburger…Monte Lewis has discovered how to send email blasts so we are getting at least twice daily updates on the roster. Help needed to cook certain dates if you have some spare time.… Ed Banks has found himself in charge of painting the booth and will be looking for help with that job.

Golf Tournament…Seemed like a big success with over 100 golfers and something like 33 sponsors. Some questions still are out there like what happened to Doug Fischer's playing partner golf clubs between the clubhouse and their first tee? Since Terry Medina has taken off his uniform he has jumped to the very edge of the fashion runway. Not sure if he was wearing pants, shorts or culottes for the tourney. But they were hot!...The golfers teed off a couple of minutes behind schedule and everything went smoothly from there. Dinner was on time and everyone left the clubhouse in time to watch the Giants win one.

Detecting in the Free World…Manuel Osorio learned a few new detective moves at the Petroleum Club in Bakersfield…Anyone that cut into his detecting time with their announcement was fined $2 and told to take their seats…Solid Gold Bears are only $5 for Cal alums like Hal Hyde…Jeopardy answers were New Orleans, Evanston, IL and 1989…Arne Thirup's license requires him to wear glasses so he found some old sunglasses that make him legally blind…Rocky Franich's golf license plate somehow cost Ed Banks…With an editorial and a Happy Fine Murry Schekman said how pleased he was with his sons thank you note…Other Jeopardy answers were 1916, Havana, 1911 Belfast, and Sakuji Tanaka…That was Manuel fading into the Bakersfield twilight.

Boy Scouts Jamboree…Interesting article in the New York Times…

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/us/31boyscouts.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Interact…Mike Wallace and Nick Leon introduced the club to the hottest Interacters in the hottest Rotaract district in Rotary. Nick also reminded us what an overachiever District 5170 is like the million dollars we just raised to end polio. Our district also was behind the successful campaign to start "New Generation" as the fifth avenue of service.

District 5170 is made up of 54 regular clubs with approximately 4,000 members. Our district has 98 Interact clubs composed of 6,000 members. Only 23 of them are in Santa Cruz County and they are mainly at UCSC.

BBB Aug 2010

2010-08-04T08:07:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for August 3, 2010.

August 4 Program Club Assembly. Detective Carol Turley

August 7: Salinas Valley Half Marathon - Rotary Club of Salinas.

Sunday Aug 8th 1:15PM Summer Pops Concert with the Watsonville Community Band at the SCC Fairgrounds. Fundraiser for Youth Music Program.

August 11 Club Barbecue. Ag History Project Building. Cocktails 5:30. Dinner 7pm. $20.

Aug 14th: AHP evening of Henry Washburn's film narrated by Ron Tyler, and ice cream social at the Codiga Bldg.

August 15: Kitchen Tour to benefit Volunteer Center.

August 18 Program: Rotary and Youth. Nicole Walker (Exchange Student) and Nicholas Duval (President UCSC Rotaract.) Detective Manuel Osorio

August 19: Freedom and Watsonville Rotary Golf Tournament - PV Golf Club.

Aug 21 6:00 PM: AHP fundraiser kickoff "Save our tractors - Build a Barn" Dinner/Concert with Monterey Bay Caterers and Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours.

August 25 Program Misa Garavaglia. Survivors Healing Center. Detective Murry Scheckman

August 28 Young Farmers and Ranchers Testicle Festival.

September 1 Program. Congressman Sam Farr. . Detective Rocky Franich

September 8 Program. Randy Widera. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Detective Jon Chown

September 13 Monday Lewisburger at fairgrounds

September 14-19 Santa Cruz County Fair.

September 15 Fair Week. No meeting.

September 22 District Governor Roger Hassler Visit. Detective George Erickson

September 26 Carol Turley Triathalon. Seacliff Beach.

September 28 San Rafael Harbor Sunrise dark for Visoning meeting. No breakfast.

September 29 Program. Rick King "Who touched you?" Detective Mike Wallace

October 5: Trivia Challenge to benefit Volunteer Center.

October 6

October 13. Club Dark. Mine and Marty on the 14^th.

October 14 Thursday Mine and Marty

October 20 Program Lou Rose: Watsonville Wetlands Watch

October 27. Program. Annie Morhauser from Second Harvest Food Bank.

November 3 Program. Gordon Yamate. Japanese American National Museum.

November 10. Veterans Day Program.

November 17

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We may be dark?

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1

December 8

December 15

December 22 Dark?

December 29 Dark?

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER!

Detecting with Rob Allen… The main fines were President Terry for presenting a confounding protocol question about how to address him, and he answered that he would like to be addressed as "Presidente Comandante en Jefe del Club Rotario de Watsonville"; also, Ed Banks was roundly fined for the extra PR Rob gave the Rotary Invitational he is helping to organize by quizzing him on the basics of it:

Boy Scouts Jamboree…Interesting article in the New York Times…

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/us/31boyscouts.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Bigger Better Bolder

2010-07-28T06:59:00.001-07:00

Rotary Club of Watsonville Pippin Newsletter for July 28, 2010.

July 28 Detective Rob Allen

July 28 National Night Out

August 4 Program Club Assembly. Detective Carol Turley

August 7: Salinas Valley Half Marathon - Rotary Club of Salinas.

August 11 Club Barbecue. Ag History Project Building. Cocktails 5:30. Dinner 7pm. $20.

August 15: Kitchen Tour to benefit Volunteer Center.

August 18 Program: Rotary and Youth. Nicole Walker (Exchange Student) and Nicholas Duval (President UCSC Rotaract.) Detective Manuel Osorio

August 19: Freedom and Watsonville Rotary Golf Tournament - PV Golf Club.

August 25 Program Misa Garavaglia. Survivors Healing Center. Detective Murry Scheckman

August 28 Young Farmers and Ranchers Testicle Festival.

September 1 Program. Lou Rose: Watsonville Wetlands Watch. . Detective Rocky Franich

September 8 Program. Randy Widera. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Detective Jon Chown

September 13 Monday Lewisburger at fairgrounds

September 14-19 Santa Cruz County Fair.

September 15 Fair Week. No meeting.

September 22 District Governor Roger Hassler Visit. Detective George Erickson

September 26 Carol Turley Triathalon. Seacliff Beach.

September 28 San Rafael Harbor Sunrise dark for Visoning meeting. No breakfast.

September 29 Program. Rick King "Who touched you?" Detective Mike Wallace

October 5: Trivia Challenge to benefit Volunteer Center.

October 6

October 13. Club Dark. Mine and Marty on the 14^th.

October 14 Thursday Mine and Marty

October 27. Program. Annie Morhauser from Second Harvest Food Bank.

November 3 Program. Gordon Yamate. Japanese American National Museum.

November 10. Veterans Day Program.

November 17

November 24 Day Before Thanksgiving. We may be dark?

November 25 Thanksgiving.

December 1

December 8

December 15

December 22 Dark?

December 29 Dark?

January 26 Larry Grainger and the Santa Cruz County Symphony.

February 9 Speech Contest. tentative?

March 23 Vocation Day tentative?

June 1 Peru Night tentative?

June 22 Cabrillo Stage.

June 29 Debunking.

Random Notes…BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER! Sounds like Chief Medina should help some of those RI Presidents pick their themes for a year. Nothing tepid here. These must have been the instructions Terry got at the police academy. And all to the accompaniment of his personal siren. Someone please check the agenda of his PETS training. Some of the inmates have escaped and disguised themselves as the general public…Dr. God showed up in the person of Reverend Erickson and all he had for inspiration were the recycled words of Murry Sheckman…Then we sang "Thanks for the Rotary" and our welcome song to the tune of "When You're Smiling." Our bandleader and pianist must still be grinning…Visiting Rotarians were curious to see what a skinny, retired police chief looks like were Michael Bethke (SC Sunrise), Alan Dow and Angelo Dibernardo (Santa Cruz) and Sandra Wallace (Capitola-Aptos)…There is some threat of a Guatamela Project…Raffle tickets sold particularly well in the hands of Jasmine Baca…Al Greeninger is teaching the Membership Committee how to stratergize as he has helped the American auto industry do for decades…John Kane reminded us that the club barbecue is at the Ag History Building on August 11. The best New York Steak you are going to have all year and only $20. Call John Kane at 714-1085 when that wave of volunteerism hits you…Coach Monte Lewis reminded everyone to sign up for a Lewisburger shift…The Rotary Club of Derbyshire England sends us greetings and a toast…It took Arne Thirup several minutes to realize he was the big raffle winner last week. Maybe we should call the number earlier in the program to speed things along.

Detective of the Day was Mike Wallace with his highest ratings yet on the applause meter…Photos of Ricardo Rocha cost the city nothing…Memory chips are installed in modern camera for a good reason according to chip-less Jon Chown now reporting for a Zen news service out of Asia…The new financial reforms do not apply to local car dealers Rocky Franich, Al Greeninger and Melvin Cooper…Kari McGee ought to be in pictures after her acting for the debunking…HAPPY FINES…$10 worth of love greeted Colleen Richards first grandbaby…Alex Korach rescued an unconscious man…Seattle is the new capitol of free love for George Erickson's 4 year old grandson…Dave Hemrick had a great weekend that included a flooded world headquarters, broken toe and busted spoke on his century ride. No mention of his dog in this country song of a time…The Red Cross thanks David Baker for his fundraising efforts…Jacob Sheckman is an All American lacross player while his father is now the Assistant Superintendent in charge of Secondary Education…Al Smith is the proud dad of an Eagle Scout and Michael Bethke is the handy person in charge of the Eagle project flagpole…Sheriff Wowak has seen Chief Medina act out many parts but reminds him most of the famous Peter Sellers.

Program of Success…Last week Sheriff Phil Wowak spoke to the club. He is one of the rare folks in law enforcement that have worked nearly every department in the office and then has the executive skills to manage those same departments. S-1 is his call sign when you listen in on your police scanner.

Another unusual part of Sheriff Wowaks personality is liking to speak to community groups. He looks at the citizens as his partner in improving the department. Phil's career started with Capitola Police in 1983 and last year he ran unopposed for the office of sheriff/coroner. His wife thanks you for your vote as she half expected to see her husband lose even without any opposing candidate.

Budget cuts have hit the Sheriff's department hard but there has been no reduction in the 140,000 people that live in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. He has 311 beds for overnight guests at the jail in Santa Cruz one dorm holding 260 inmates at the Watsonville facility. The $49,000,0000 budget also includes 5 service centers in San Lorenzo Valley, Live Oak, Aptos, Summit area and Mesa Village.

The centers are staffed by 4 deputies and 75 volunteers that put in over 12,000 hours last year including crime reports, vacation home checks, abandoned cars. They do not water lawns or feed pets or carry guns but the volunteers are a big part of the department that the sheriff would like to grow.

Sheriff Wowaks longer term vision include a crime lab and a headquarters in mid county along the Highway One corridor. The offices are 701 Ocean Street were meant to be temporary in 1973 when they moved in. 37 temporary years.

There are 11 beats in the county for the 55 sheriff on staff and they are generally sent to the areas with the greatest chance of an incident. That means there are 7-9 patrol officers out there at any one time most days. Sheriff Wowak has only 2 deputies on disability at this time which seems extremely low when compared to our local CHP station.

Sheriff Wowak really understands the concerns of the citizens and does an excellent job of sharing his goals and objectives. Nothing should be inferred by the fact that he knew Gil Courtney on a first name basis.