The Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
June 5th, 2026
Editor--Carl Gross
June is Vocational Month
In the Beginning…
Rotarians and guests assembled under halcyon skies to celebrate service above self and to come together in peace, fellowship, fun, and festivities. President-Elect, Kelley Rasmussen rang the bell, initiating her first meeting. Dave Watson led the Pledge of Allegiance, recognizing Al West.
Inspirational Moment—Wendy Barker—Celebrate!
Wendy delivered more than food for thought:
Today, June 5, like every day of the year, has a lot of opportunities to celebrate. In terms of food-related holidays, today you can celebrate the fact that this is National Moonshine Day, National Ketchup Day, National Veggie Burger Day, Sausage Roll Day, National Donut Day AND National Gingerbread Day.
Or maybe you’d rather celebrate Hot Air Balloon Day, National Start Over Day or Random Acts of Cardness Day (that’s cardness, not kindness – participate by sending a card to someone). It’s also National Co-working Day, HIV Long-Term Survivors Day, National Lincoln Loud Day (named for a cartoon TV character), and National Sorry I was on a Boat Day. That one is billed as your ultimate, out-of-the-office excuse.
If you want to feel small in this big beautiful galaxy, Galactic Tick Day is for you. It’s celebrated every 1.73 years. Our Solar System’s “Galactic Year is about 225 million Earth Years.” That massive journey is translated into human-scale intervals, each called a galactic tick.
And last but not least, today is Thank You Day. Granted, it’s a United Kingdom holiday that was started to thank the unsung heroes during COVID-19. But I’d like to suggest that today we each think about, appreciate, and say “thank you” to those in our own community who make life better. Looking out at this audience, I want to thank each of You. For being Rotarians, for being friends, and for being, each in your own way, a hero in our community. Watch your mail. I might be sending a random card to one of you.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
We welcomed Owen and Courtney Facer, Ed Webster, and Maura Macaluso.
Thank-Yous
Many thanks to our stalwarts who quietly made the meeting possible.
Setup and Tech: Dave Watson, Catherine Lee, and Kelley Rasmussen
Greeter: Kathy Yee
Pledge of Allegiance: Dave Watson
Inspirational Moment: Wendy Barker
Roving Mic: Tessa Turner
Fining: Kelley Rasmussen
Net: Betsy Watson
Editor/Reporter Reminder Newsletter: Carl Gross
Treasurer: Dave Brubaker
Fabulous Food: Jayne Cruise
Announcements
Our Socialistas, Tessa Turner, Cindy Frings, and Janet
Campbell hosted a fun 5th Friday at Ojai Roots.
Cindy, Tessa, and Janet want to remind you that we will be celebrating Sue Gilbreth’s Demotion Party and 2026-27 Board Installation on June 23rd, 5:30-9 PM at Boccali’s. You should have gotten an email with a link to purchase tickets or see Dave Brubaker with a check. Tickets are $50 each and include a robust repast with Dewayne’s famous strawberry short cake for dessert.
Big News—“We are moving!”
Beginning July 10th, we will move our meeting site to the cafeteria at the Matilija Campus. Meeting times remain unchanged.
Kathy Yee recounted her trip to San Miguel de Allende for a Rotary Project with PDG Wade Nomura.
Bill Hatch presented our Student of the Month, Owen Facer. This reporter was remiss in getting his school.
Bret Bradigan was prepared to bestow 4 Paul Harris Awards, but Bill Hatch was the only one present. That makes him a PHF +5. We will hold the other awards for later.
Fining: Kelley Rasmussen
Kelley led a moment of silence for Al West:
Al’s life has been dedicated to forestry and the outdoors. Born in England, he immigrated to the US via Canada in 1952. He was a research scientist, studying the influence of forests on snow on Donner Summit. He was the Ojai District Ranger, Los Padres Forest Supervisor, and moved up the ladder to Washington DC, where he held several positions including National Director of Fire and Aviation, and Deputy Chief US Forest Service. Since his retirement he had volunteered on advisory counsels and board of directors of the International Society of Arborculturists, was the president of the Tree Fund, chairman of the Watershed Fire Council of Southern California, and serves on many local organizations, including the Rotary Club of Ojai, where he is a Past-President. He lived on the East End of Ojai with the love of his life, Joyce. Al, we will miss you.
We are planning a scholarship honoring his name.
Bret Bradigan shared a podcast of Al. Click here for the link:
Al West (1932-2026) : A Life i… - Ojai: Talk of the Town - Apple Podcasts
Tony Thacher regaled us of his interactions with Al.
Don Reed reported on family activities including a daughter who cycled the Atlas Mountains, a son getting his Master’s Degree, and more.
Dave Brubaker recognized Ojai Rotary for $175,000 in scholarships to 13 students.
Gary Liptak attended the awards ceremony at Nordhoff
Bret Bradigan told of the 1960’s “Free Land Scam” where people were forced from their homes.
Mike Weaver had Al as his mentor. He and Susan are celebrating their 58th Anniversary.
Al West will have a memorial service June 20th at 2 PM at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
The Program—Bruce Hanson “Ecovillages in China”
Bruce presented his trip to Weixen Eco Village in Hangzhou Province, China. The community is Buddhist based, having 20 members. They share facilities, economics, and grow all their own foods and medicinal herbs. The leaders of the village rotate regularly. Weixen Eco Village is part of China’s growing network of eco-villages, which focus on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and environmentally friendly construction. These villages often combine traditional Chinese rural architecture with modern eco-friendly technologies, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and organic farming practices. Visitors can experience hands-on activities like vegetable planting, composting, and learning about local ecological practices.
This movement to rural living is growing exponentially, not only in China, but in Sri Lanka and other sites.
He likened the movement to many aspects of life in Ojai.
Thanks, Bruce for an insightful and engaging presentation.
