There are several presenters, beginning with Pat; Liz wanted us to see how many different areas there are; and listen carefully because each person will be asked to sign up for something; and Liz wanted to impress on all that this is not just an activity for fun, but a fundraiser for our foundation. “We can have fun too!” someone wailed, and Elizabeth agreed but noted that no one should feel they can just show up and have fun but do nothing at the event. Each person has to realize that we’re going to need your help, and that everyone has to recognize their responsibility for raising money for the foundation.
Patricia spoke first: A sheet was passed around of potential people to contact to ask for donations for the auction. Those who see the names of someone they can approach to ask for a contribution, put your name beside the name of the person, business, company or restaurant etc.. Liz noted that the reason that Mary and Patricia created the list was to avoid too many people going into a business to ask for a certificate; we just want one person to do so. There is also a letter that can be sent to each potential contact. Patricia is in charge of the auction, and she has a lot of help; as she’s never done this before. Her name is up there with Susan and Ginger. For example, Charise got a night and a golf excursion at the Ritz that we are hoping to swap it with a Ritz at Tahoe. And, Liz added, all club members are responsible for auction items. Patricia will create a form to use.
Kate suggested that we say more on the poster about who we are and what we do, to get people’s attention. Shirley went to Belmont and San Carlos, who said we can use their poster, to save money. We used part of their poster to brighten up ours; on the back of it you’ll see more about what Rotary does. She looked at last year’s card and it didn’t tell anything about Rotary – so, why should someone go to the event? Who is Rotary? She talked to January Hooker, who everyone knows; we can use one of January’s works of art.
Then attention was turned to the Magic of the Coastside Lobsterfest event, set for August 23, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the I.D.E.S. Hall at 735 Main St. in Half Moon Bay. There will be dancing to the live music of Claddagh.
Editor's Note: The table of assignments for the event follows; just click on the "Read more" box for the entire list.
Planning team meeting summary, May 29, 2025: Careful attention was given to the various areas of responsibility for the many pertinent aspects of the event, and those were as follows:
Area of Responsibility | Person Responsible | Status | Next steps |
Committee leads | Irwin (Nancy), Liz | Ongoing | Complete permits and insurance forms |
Event space | Liz | IDES Hall |
Bella to submit alcohol license |
Food | Liz | NELC confirmed | Submit completed county permit |
Auction | Patricia | Confirm focus | Patricia to store auction items at her office; Mary to send Patricia spreadsheet on auction items; Mary to apply for raffle permit from state; All club members to solilcit items for auction; Focus on sports items |
Band | Bella | Claddagh Band confirmed | Bella to obtain promo info to use in publicity; Band fee is free beer, lobster and $550 |
Bar | Dustin | Dustin has secured beer donation | Dustin to obtain donations of beer and wine for the bar |
Budget | Mary | Preliminary created | Ask Mary to expand 2025 budget to include detail and $150 per ticket pricing plan (drinks separate) |
Decorations | Nancy | Ocean theme | Establish plan with cousin Barb |
Dessert |
| Need lead | Identify lead |
Foundation grants | Liz | Completed | Meet with Big Wave and Maiden Voyage Productions to explain their participation in the event |
Program | Liz |
| Nancy to help Liz put program together |
Publicity | Shirley Nancy | Finalizing designs with January Hooker | Print poster once completed; Print banners once have info Nancy to join Shirley on this area help to promote using same venues, etc as last year including SM Journal, Patch, Buzz, Facebook, HMB radio (Ginger asking Ralph); Shirley to ask about adding promo to monthly happenings in Coastside Magazine at no cost to us |
CLUB MEETING April 17, 2025
The community room of the Half Moon Bay Was comfortably filled with Rotarians when President Irwin rang the bell.
Liz started the meeting with several thoughts, beginning with “probably the most important thing you’re going to hear all year long:” the philosophy of Charles Schulz, creator of “Peanuts:” who celebrates his 75th birthday this year: (the room applauded). She said, you don’t have to answer these questions, just think about your answer; listen to the whole thing and you’ll understand the point: Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners. Name the last five Miss America winners. Name ten people who have won a Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. Name the last six Academy Award winners for Best Actor or Best Actress. Name the last (something) of World Series winners. Not so easy, right? She went on: … Most of us don’t remember those headliners. They’re not second-rate achievers; they’re the best in their field. But the applause fades and the awards tarnish. Now try this one; they’re soon forgotten; their accolades and certificates get buried with their owners. Try this one: Name a teacher who helped you get through school. Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time. Name five people who taught you something worthwhile. Think of few people who made you feel appreciated and special. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. It’s a lot easier, isn’t it?
Answering murmurs followed each question. The lesson is, the people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They’re the ones that care the most. And that’s who I think we are as Rotarians; we live it every day. And lastly, because it’s Pride Month, she quoted something “beautiful” she saw online: “I choose love, I choose inclusion, I choose empathy, I choose compassion, equality, dignity, diversity, I choose community, kindness, and integrity, honesty, respect. I choose justice. I choose facts, peace and the planet. I choose humanity, because I choose love. The local parade, she said, is the 29th of June, and it’s free to register unless you want a $35 tee-shirt; just sign up so they know how many are coming. There are five from our area who will join us there. She thanked Irwin and resumed her seat to thanks and applause.
Kevin asked who still had to bring wine to donate for our fundraiser? A lot of people, someone said; Irwin recounted that it was one red, one white, at least $25 worth.
Then Irwin made some jokes, “to lighten up:” A guy walks in to a psychiatrist’s office. The psychiatrist asks what he does for a living? Answer: an auto mechanic. The psychiatrist says, get under the couch.
Someone pointed out that life is a joke, but we’re having fun. Joe Brennan asked, why does a cardiologist earn so much more than an auto mechanic? The auto mechanic opens your engine; fixes the valves and puts the head back on; the cardiologist does a similar valve job, right at the exhaust pipe, they do the same thing; just ask the mechanic.
“On short notice, that was pretty good, Joe,” said Kevin.
More quips followed: Rosi offered something she saw at Safeway on a sticker on a van: “Aging is so cool; everybody’s doing it.”
Ginger chimed in: How do you know there’s an elephant in the refrigerator? Footprints in the Jello.
Irwin had the last one: Two guys are in the bathroom, and one guy says, “I just had a prostate operation.” The other guy says, “Wh-wh-wh- is a p-p-prostate operation f-for???” The first guy says, “I used to pee like you talk.” That drew groans and boos. Irwin presented the prize: a chocolate éclair for whomever could answer this: How many appendages does a lobster have? Some guessed, eight. But the correct answer was 10, (I think from Kevin. “Insider!” Irwin laughed.
Announcements followed: Renee said next Thursday, June 12 is the Relay for Life fundraiser, for which Liz had passed out flyers. It will go from 5 to 7 and there will be chili, garlic bread, cupcakes, wine, beer, soda, water, and a silent auction. She hopes to see everybody there – no pressure! Liz added that on July 10, Rose will host a luminaria decorating event at her house, and on the 19th we will walk in the Relay. Renee also has flyers for the July 19 Relay walk, for people to post in their businesses. Renee specified that her office is at 85 Main St., HMB. Liz said they’d brought samples of the raffle prizes for both June 12 (a la Wendy who was part of Rotary briefly) and one for Relay for Life on July 19. Each team contributes a raffle prize, to help raise money to fight cancer. And Wendy is making a gigantic one for Lobsterfest.
An update followed on ***, who Liz said is doing well; she had had a bout with a skin infection because her immunity is low, and will have her last scan this month. Kevin announced that he will take over from Irwin as club President on July 1, with his first meeting scheduled for July 3. The next day is July 4, the Good Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July parade down Main St. in Half Moon Bay. What he wants to do is, instead of a meeting on Thursday, July 3, is have our meeting on the Fourth with a big showing of club members to march with our signs saying “Come join us, help us do good works in the world!” He asked that everyone who is able to walk, to walk, and join us for a lunch meeting even though it’ll be hard to get around the area after the parade. Perhaps meet at Cameron’s??
More announcements? Ginger is in France and says bonjour (hello!) and plans to join the painting event that evening (Friday, the 20th) at Barterra. Everyone is invited for a glass of wine and to paint, and Ginger has paints and easels ordered – you may not be a pro, she said, but after all, everybody is an artist. Rose gave an update on Ralph, saying he is home from the hospital. She quoted his a text message saying he “feels like doo-doo” but we sent a card signed by club members. She said he sounds great and his sense of humor is “definitely there.” He’s at home – reach out to him. Jack McHugh was also mentioned; he too is getting better. Specifically, Ralph had a heart bypass and Jack had pneumonia. And Charise will have hip surgery.