April is Maternal and Child Health Month
 
The Rotary Club of Ojai Reminder Newsletter
April 7th, 2023
Bret Bradigan, Editor
 
 


 

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. 
Our 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
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In the beginning...
 
On a remarkably sparkly and pleasant day a bustling crowd filed into the St. Thomas fellowship hall for an afternoon of fellowing and halling. The busy meeting began with Deirdre Daly separating us from our filthy lucre, with Betsy Watson giving us a warm greeting to compensate. The room was ably organized by Bruce Hanson and Rod Owen served up our pledge. 
 
Inspirational Message (Marty Babayco)
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
 
We had lots of guests - a few included honorary members Leslie Clark, Anne Kaplan, with visiting Rotarians Jack McClenahan and Steve White. Dottie Combs, Cassiana McClenahan  also joined us. Haady brought his mini-me, young Kamran Lashkari. Then with a generous and delicious lunch from Jayne Cruz of enchiladas with pinto beans and street corn, we fed a hungry horde.
 
 
The other Bret (Nighman) who is in search of a nickname to distinguish him from the original Bret (Bret Jr., Bret II and Bret the Younger are suggestions) darted about the room with the roving mic and away we went.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
First up was Cindy Frings. With Taste of Ojai a mere 9 days away on April 16th, the tension was palpable. We are running behind on both ticket sales and sponsorships. Otherwise, the event is about to be another lovely success with new restaurants added - including Rory’s Place and a tour of the Ojai Playhouse Theater complete with popcorn. Please, buy tickets for your friends and yourselves, and prepare to have a great time.
 
Bob Davis was hard at work lining up new sponsors, and Fern said we may reach an ambitious goal of surpassing last year’s banner year. The festivities begin at 1:30, with the restaurant and art tour starting at 2 and concluding at 3:30 pm back to Libbey Park for more food, live music and our auction. Kathy Yee lined up a new item - a Firehouse Dinner with firemen which includes riding the equipment. Generous servings of beefcake are free.
 
Committee Meetings include Membership immediately post-meeting, RCOEF on Wednesday, April 12th, Int’l Service on Tuesday the 18th, RCO board meeting on Thursday the 20th.
 
FAMILY OF ROTARY
 
Dr. Fauvre sustained an injury recently and was at Community Memorial for several days. He is recovering quickly at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. His first words after waking up were “What’s going on with Living Treasures?” Get Well cards were passed around.
 
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
 
 
Liz Sampson was inducted by Deirdre. She was recruited by her partner, Bob Eisler (setting a record for the fastest a new member has brought in another) and will be mentored by Betsy Watson.
 
Liz earned her bachelor’s degree at U Penn in English Literature but wisely continued her studies in Business at Wharton. She came west to open a financial advisor firm in Los Angeles, and after many years of working with celebrities and small business owners, she retired last year.
 
She met soulmate Bob during the early days of the pandemic and they now have a brand-new fur baby, a Labradoodle. Liz was the very first woman to join the Friar’s Club, an association of entertainers, which included her dear friend, Milton Berle. To avoid a lawsuit by Gloria Allred, she became a board member, and also served on the board of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. She also hosted a PBS show on finances. Welcome Liz!
 
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
 
 
 
Tony Thacher was honored for his 50 years of membership in Rotary. Kay Bliss talked movingly about Tony’s mentorship, his can-do attitude, his willingness to serve, as well as his incredible follow-through on projects. She also mentioned how much she loved his old truck, which reminded her of her father, also a farmer. She was impressed by his encyclopedic knowledge and wise guidance through the years. 
 
Tony has served virtually in every capacity in the club, from president in 1984-85. Kay especially admired Tony for his support of the Duarte Rotary Club which inducted a woman into membership in 1978 and which lost its charter from Rotary International as a result. After years of litigation, the Supreme Court in 1987 ruled that Rotary must accept women as members and as a show of support, Tony sent the Duarte club a donation and joined as an honorary member.
 
FINING
 
Tessa Turner barely had time to scrape up a few confessions, one which was generously donated by Christine Golden (Museum event coordinated by Marc Whitman for the Poster Contest awards)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Al West told us the heroic story of his driver, George Luna, who rescued two people in the aftermath of a crash on Highway 150 near Steckel Park. George, with typical humility, drove off after saving two lives without a thought for credit. It was only when the local newspaper went in search of the anonymous hero that his role became clear.
 
 
 
 
Fifth Friday at the Ojai Brewing Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On March 31st, in celebration of 5th Friday, fun loving Rotarians congregated at the Ojai Brewery for mellow tunes, mellowing quaffs, and fellowship.  A great time was had by all.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PROGRAM
 
Chuck Graham, writer and photographer with a long list of credits in his 30+ year career, including Backpacker, Men’s Journal and Outdoor Photographer (and the Ojai Quarterly!), talked about his book, "Carrizo Plain".
 
He spent more than 15 years visiting this largest remaining arid grassland in the state (which once covered nearly all the San Joaquin and Central Valleys) and home to more endangered species than anywhere in California. 
 
With recent rains, one of the biggest “Bloom Booms” of wildflowers has already started. The Carrizo is the best place in the state to witness wildflowers, he said. He showed up photos from his book, which included gorgeous displays of Tidy Tips, Coreopsis, desert candles, blazing stars and other rare and beautiful flowers, many of which are now in full blaze.
 
Tule elk, pronghorn antelope, badgers, many different species of owls and hawks, antelope ground squirrels all made appearances, but this scribe found the kit foxes and giant kangaroo rats, with their oversized feet and how they communicate by thumping those giant feet, to be the most charismatic.
 
Chuck’s book, “Carrizo Plain,” commemorated the 20th anniversary of this important National Monument and is available at the Ojai Museum, Bart’s Books and online.
 
 
CLOSING/FINAL THOUGHTS
 
No Meeting Next Week! Club is dark for Taste of Ojai weekend!
 
Life Hack: “Acquiring things will rarely bring you deep satisfaction, but acquiring experiences will.”
 
DING DING!

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

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