Our Friday the 13th meeting wasn’t scary. Instead it was a celebration of a life well lived by a dear friend and outstanding Rotarian, Allan Jacobs.
Opening: President Mike gaveled the meeting to order at approximately 12:14.
After a Flag Salute lead by yours truly.
Tony Thacher lead us in the following invocation in remembrance of Allan:
“John Muir wrote, ‘Going to the woods is going home.’
“Allan Jacobs was trained to put one precise word after another, and another, focusing on preserving our legacies for those who will follow us. Much like he would do in putting one foot in front of the other on a birthday hike to the top of the ridge overlooking the Ojai Valley. This valley, where he was born, raised, worked and died.
“We all have many memories of him to share and of his attributes as a good friend and fellow Rotarian. But let us in this moment focus on furthering those two passions of his: providing as best we can for the further education of our young people and preserving the access for all to the land in which we live.
“Allan, may you rest easily in the hope that we, as Rotarians, will strive to follow your example.
“For truly, as you taught us, ‘Going to the woods is going home.’
“Amen.”
Allan’s wonderful wife, Janet, their children, and his siblings and extended family were then warmly welcomed and invited to the buffet table.
Resumption: President Mike called the meeting back to order at 12:30, thanking:
· Our Sergeant-at-Arms, Rob Roddick, and his dedicated crew, for setting up the meeting room;
· Your Reminder Editor, for the leading the Flag Salute;
· Tony Thacher, for the invocation.
· Al West, for serving as Greeter;
· Suzanne Scar, for [wo]manning the front table; and
· Bryant Huber and Steve-from-the-morning-club for setting up our wonderful new sound system.
Then, after welcoming visitors, Andy Cantwell and Christine Golden were ushered into the Club as Red Badge Members.
Announcements: Suzanne Scar & Ren Adams reminded everyone to attend our upcoming Taste of Ojai – and called for additional volunteers.
Allan Jacobs Memorial:
· Al West began by summarizing Allan’s many years of service – both to the Club and to the Educational Foundation – and by presenting a Paul Harris +3 pin to Allan’s wife, Janet. Janet responded by announcing that there will be a celebration of Allan’s life at 11:00 on Saturday morning, October 28th.
· Next, President Mike read a letter from Bret Bradigan – expressing his own devastation with Allan’s death, and celebrating Allan’s life as a “Living Treasure”.
· Don Reed acknowledged our Educational Foundation’s indebtedness to Allan “for his significant volunteer efforts and work in support of the Foundation…”
· Collin Jones then spoke movingly about his long and personal friendship with Allan and Janet – for eighteen years.
· This was followed with brief remarks by Lerie Bjornstedt, Bill Prather, Allan’s brother Jack, Bob Davis, Deirdre Daly and Marty Babayco.
Program: Opioid Epidemic in Ventura County-Patrick Zarate
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to an excellent presentation by Patrick Zarate, COO of Behavioral Health in Ventura County, on the Opioid Epidemic and what the county is doing to control it – beginning with the development in 2012 of the Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup.
Conclusion: President Mike closed the meeting at 1:30 – with Henri Nouwen’s admonition that we not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise.
