Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific

Third Thursday in September

Street of Dreams: Revitalizing Monterey’s Economy
Thursday, September 15, 5:15 p.m.
Casa Munras Hotel, Monterey

February 2012 Update: FYI, we no longer meet at Casa Munras. Please check the side bar to the right for our current location.

National retailers, a center for outdoor festivals and the arts and a showcase for Monterey’s attractions, both historic and modern. That’s part of the vision that architect Henry Ruhnke has developed for downtown Monterey, and it’s what he and his firm will be developing – with plenty of community input – following the Monterey City Council’s approval of the downtown re-design process.

Please join us on September 15th for Third Thursday, a series of professional development talks and networking opportunities presented by the Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific. Ruhnke will present his vision of what downtown Monterey could become, and talk about how the design and revitalization process will move forward.

A principal at Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects in Monterey, Ruhnke has a Master’s degree in Architecture with an emphasis in real estate development from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and more than 20 years experience with the design and management of architectural projects.

“It’s gratifying that both the public and private sectors are stepping up to the plate and committing resources for revitalization efforts. Revitalization is about economic development – creating new jobs and new opportunities for the long-term health of downtown Monterey,” explains Ruhnke.

The event begins at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2011, at the Casa Munras Hotel, 700 Munras Avenue, in downtown Monterey. The program lasts an hour, but everyone is welcome to stay afterwards for more informal networking and relaxation. There is no charge for guests, and all are welcome.

You can follow our Third Thursday series, and other events at www.MontereyPacificRotary.org.

Upcoming Programs at the Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific

Fun and interesting programs are on tap for September and October at the Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific. We always welcome guests to our meetings, which are usually held Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. at Casa Munras Hotel in Monterey.

On September 29th, Ben Licari will talk about new advances in green construction methods using an old material: concrete. He’s the director of geology and exploration for the Granite Rock Company, and has long experience in exploration and mining, and the stories to go with it.

Ben’s 30 years in mining operations has taken him to California, Nevada, Arizona, and Montana, working as a mine geologist, ore control engineer, mine superintendent, and mine manager. In 1998, he was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the California State Mining & Geology Board as a Registered Geologist. His hobbies include SCUBA diving and underwater photography.

In October, on the 6th, Lindsay Coate will talk about the Ag Against Hunger project in Monterey County. She’s involved in connecting our agricultural community to the food assistance programs that sustain so many of our neighbors here in Monterey County.

Along with her presentation, you can learn how you can take part in meaningful and fun projects such as gleaning fields to provide fresh produce for local families in need. The Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific supports this effort and will be organizing a crew of volunteers that will take to the fields later in the month.

On the 20th of October, Carey McGregor, a meteorologist at the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Monterey, will talk about spending the winter at the South Pole. Living at one of the most remote scientific research outposts on Earth, the unique community at the South Pole station endures six months of darkness and unimaginably cold temperatures.

Service Projects and Networking Make Monterey Pacific Rotary Fun

The Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific is sponsoring an approved $15,000 post-natal testing program in the Philippines. The project was developed and will be carried out by the Rotary Club of Sampaguita Grace Park in Metro Manila.

In July, Monterey Pacific Rotary collected new, useful items for Dorothy’s Place in Salinas, supporting this vital local non-profit with a summer gift exchange. Dorothy’s Place has been serving the homeless and other marginalized populations in Monterey County for nearly 30 years.

August brought us out onto the Recreational Trail in Monterey. The Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific has taken responsibility for keeping one of the most heavily used sections of the trail clean. What starts out looking like a couple of hours of hard work quickly becomes an enjoyable morning working in the community with friends.

Working together on projects that make our community a better place to live is a great way to meet people and build trust. That’s the essence of Rotary. In the coming months, we’ll be working to fight hunger throughout the area, among other projects, and getting together for fun and fellowship.

We’re committed to helping local students. Two college scholarships and hundreds of dictionaries and thesauruses were presented to students at several Seaside schools by the Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific recently.

Amitesh Kumar, Monterey Pacific Rotarian Geoff Cook and Jennaliz Blanco at the formal presentation of the scholarships.

Third grade students at Del Rey Woods, George Marshall and Ord Terrace elementary schools in Seaside received either a dictionary or, in some cases, a thesaurus. The hardback books were given to them personally, and will be theirs to keep as they continue their education for many years. The Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific has been presenting books to Seaside third graders since 2007.

We also sponsor the Interact Club of Seaside High School, and partner with them throughout the year on service projects and scholarships.

Our club meets Thursday evenings at 5:15 p.m. at the Casa Munras Hotel, 700 Munras Avenue in downtown Monterey. As a chartered club of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Monterey Pacific is part of a world wide network of business, professional and government leaders, working together toward the common goal of a better world. In our local district, there are 3,000 Rotarians from every type of organization, business and profession. Membership in one club connects you to every club. Find out more about how Rotary serves our community and the world, by visiting one of our meetings or events, or by going to www.MontereyPacificRotary.org.