Last week’s meeting was a blast! We had a very interesting program sponsored by Robin Milan: Chris Kayser, Owner and CEO of California Organics explained his migration from the auto refinishing industry to box boy at an organic market, to purchaser for what is now Whole Foods, to the conflagration of his first solo effort in the industry in Sonoma and his move to his Nevada County business just in time for 9/11. He showed us the plans for his new store in the old Broad Street Furnishings space across from the National Hotel. Interesting! Thanks, Robin!
Other highlights of the meeting include Derek Poppell’s report on the Tug-of-War Contest at the Grass Valley Rotary Club’s Community BBQ Picnic. Our team of Derek, Laura Crookston, their respective spouses and a (large) friend of Derek’s held their own despite being significantly outweighed and out-equipped by the GV team. John Hazelwood presented us with a banner from the East Honolulu Rotary Club and a laryngitic Eleanor Kenitzer silently presented a banner from the Penzance, Cornwall Club that provided our speaker earlier this year. An interesting meeting, indeed!
Dixie Redfearn gave a committee report for the Club Service Committee and suggested a club fellowship outing to "A Miracle on 34th Street" at the National Theater in December. The response was enthusiastic, so stay tuned. Plans are afoot for a District 5190 trip to a 49ers game sometime this fall or winter, too. The reappearance of my bell (Lucy) prior to my vacation proved short-lived, as she "went loose" during Chris Kayser’s interesting presentation. Any information on her whereabouts will be most appreciated.
pP John Hensley reported on the annual Rock Creek Barbeque. We organize a barbeque lunch for paired special-needs and gifted & talented students from Nevada City schools. It’s slated for October 27th and we need folks to help set up, cook the food, and serve it. If you can help, contact John. We also gave John a round of applause for leading this project for 12 years running. Thanks, John!
Mark your calendars for our new fundraiser for the Club and its scholarship programs – a Wine-Tasting led by local wine broker David Luce. It is slated for November 12th at the Trolley Junction Restaurant from 5:30 to 7:45. It will feature interesting wine, tasty hors d’hoeuvres, good company, and an opportunity to get a good price on wine you’ve tasted. Moreover, you can get your Rotary fix for the day because our Club meeting is moved from that Thursday to the Foundation dinner on the 14th. Tickets are $20 a person and we must limit the event to 40 people, so sign up soon. Treasurer Ellen and Derek Poppell can take your RSVP. Our thanks to them for leading this new effort to raise funds!
In addition, we will be raffling off at the Wine-Tasting a magnum (1.5 liters, or two regular bottles) of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 1997, well-cellared by a local collector. Jordan is a flagship producer of noted Cabernet Sauvignons in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, north of Healdsburg. Here is how noted wine critic James Laube of Wine Spectator magazine described this wonderful wine: “An elegant, graceful style, with ripe cherry, currant, green olive and bell pepper notes that are focused and well-mannered.” You won’t find many magnums anywhere but at the winery and you won’t find them well-aged and ready to drink, so this is a rare opportunity to share something special with family or friends. It originally retailed for $95, but is worth more than that now. Just $5 a ticket and a fine way to support our Club if, for some reason, you cannot make it to the Wine-Tasting. Get your tickets now!
Another date for your calendars is the Area 4 Foundation Dinner on November 14th at the Nevada City Elks Lodge on Highway 49 north of town. Local Rotaractor Sol Henson is the speaker and he is midway through a year-long visit to the Batwa Pygmies in Bwindi, where he is working on water and sanitation programs. It will be an interesting program and a good opportunity for networking and fellowship with Rotarians from all the Area 4 clubs. If you are working on a Paul Harris for this year (and, we hope you are!), we can recognize you at the dinner if your get your funds in before the event. Write your check to "The Rotary Foundation" and get it to pP Bob Buhlis, our Foundation Chair. Talk to pP Bob about making your reservations for dinner, too. We have to give a final headcount on October 31.
Our next program is brought to us on October 22nd by new member Karen Young and will feature an update on Hospitality House. See you Thursday!
