Valley Clubs Update: May 2016

Kiwanis of the Valleys

On April 2, the club spent the day sprucing up the day Scotts Valley Senior Center. Under the direction of SV Senior Center executive director (and Kiwanis member) Darshana Croskrey, weeds were pulled, flowers were planted, gutters were cleaned and walls were patched. It was a fun and productive day.

Demolition of the old ceiling at the site of the soon-to-be Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center took place on April 9th with the help of community volunteers, including some Kiwanis members. The venue is shaping up to be one of the best in the county.

Sponsorship commitments from local businesses for this summer’s Music at Skypark concert series have begun rolling in, but additional sponsors are always welcome. Proceeds benefit local school music programs. Information is available on our website: www.kiwanisofthevalleys.org

Winners of our two college scholarships will be announced soon. Additionally, the annual Kiwanis awards at SV Middle School and SV High School will be presented during the upcoming graduation season.

Kiwanis fielded two teams at the annual Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids sake at Surf Bowl on 4/23. Team members did well raising money, but not so well on the lanes!

Kiwanis meets 7:00 am every Wednesday morning at Bruno’s BBQ. The second Wednesday of each month is an evening meeting at Bruno’s at 6:30 pm. We invite you to join us.

Valley Women’s Club

The Valley Women’s Club (www.vwcweb.org) volunteers ran the first recycling center in the San Lorenzo Valley within three months of its founding in 1978. Since then it has grown to offer California Refund Value (CRV), and accept a wide range of materials, at its sites in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond (at the Refuse Transfer Station) and Felton under contract with Santa Cruz County so those who don’t have curbside pick-up may still have full-service recycling opportunities.

Recently, massive reductions in scrap value for recyclable materials, and reductions in reimbursement for service amounts by the County, have impacted the SLV Redemption/Recycling Centers. This has slowed down improvements, like the installation of a new baler (funded through a RecyCAL grant) due to the need for a large generator, site improvements in Boulder Creek and the purchase of a Paper Shredder (so Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley residents and businesses can readily have their private documents shredded securely).

Donations are needed to complete these projects. Please send donations to The Valley Women’s Club, PO Box 574, Ben Lomond, CA 95005, specifying the funds are for the Recycling Center’s improvements.

Volunteers are needed for the Redwood Mountain Faire, on Saturday June 4th and/or Sunday June 5th. For four hours of volunteer time, you receive free admission to the Faire so you can enjoy it before and after your shift on that day. To volunteer, please go to slvrmf.ivolunteer.com/2016vwc! With 22 bands on two stages, juried arts and crafts, wonderful children’s activities, delicious foods, beer and local wines, and entertainment surprises, the entire family will enjoy the event. See both the music and arts line-up, and get discounted tickets at www.redwoodmountainfaire.com.

Exchange Club of Scotts Valley

The Exchange Club of Scotts Valley will be hosting Casey Lucius PhD on Wednesday, April 27 at 5:30 pm at Bruno’s BBQ (upstairs). Casey is extremely accomplished with an MA in National Security Affairs focusing on Chinese foreign policy and decision-making and a Ph.D. in Political Science, focusing on Vietnam’s political decision-making process. She is running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Casey Lucius will address: “how we can advance our national security interests against ISIS.”

Thank you Police Chief Weiss for sharing your insights last month on “Creative Leadership,” We truly appreciate you taking the time to speak with us.

The Exchange Club of Scotts Valley welcomes all supporters of our local first responders to sponsor this year’s Blue and Gold Banquet, honoring Scotts Valley Police Officer and Fire Fighter of the Year. Sponsorships from Local Businesses and Citizens help fund the event so that all police and firefighters are able to attend at no charge.

If you would like to honor these fine dedicated folks with a sponsorship please let us know. All sponsors are recognized at the event. Please call Chris 462-3293.

We meet every 4th Wednesday of the month at 5:30 at Bruno’s. All are invited to enjoy a sociable hour with a speaker of local Interest.

Rotary Club of Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley Rotary Presents
James Garner Tribute to Johnny Cash! 

Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ReGeneration Church/Calvary Chapel 1500 Green Hills road in Scotts Valley. Opening the show at 6 p.m. — The Sada Springs Jug Band. In addition, there will be a live auction between 7:30–8:00 pm. Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2494111

Show your ticket to your server at Bruno’s BBQ between 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. on May 21 and Bruno’s will donate 50% of non-bar items to the event.

Highlights from our recent meetings:

• Kristi Cole, Community Manager, American Cancer Society explained the Relay For Life throughout Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County.
• Water Warriors Guatemala Water Project. One out of six people in the world do not have safe drinking water. Jim Zenner is creating a coalition of Rotary Clubs to secure a Global Grant that will forever change the lives of 160 Mayan families.
• Ocean Guardian School Program. Seaberry Nachbar spoke about the Ocean Guardian School Program. She’s with the NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries and they’re promoting ocean conservation in our local schools. They provide project for students related to the conservation of local watersheds, the world’s ocean, and/or special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. Great opportunity for local schools!
• Jay Dunlop, Executive Director of Monterey Coast Preparatory School. Mr. Dunlap has dedicated his career to serving the students who were underserved, disregarded or uninspired in school. His personal mission is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive as a thinker and as a human being.

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Submitted by Jim Melehan