Spoke Newsletter – Oct 20, 2022

TODAY

THERESA VAZQUEZ, Interact Chair for The Rotary Club of Redlands, will discuss the club’s Interact program for this year and present plans for moving this program forward. She has been consistently working to restart an Interact club and her club rush at Grove School, last week was very successful with 28 students signing up, further proving there is a need for our youth to be led in service to the community and the World.

When THERESA joined Rotary in Big Bear in 2014, she very quickly realized her niche in Rotary was Youth Service. She helped to run the Interact club in Big Bear for three years, before taking a break and eventually moving to Redlands. She is very committed to making Interact an important project for the Redlands club and will be looking for subcommittee members to help. If you are interested, give her a call at (909) 781-7959.

LAST WEEK

CHRIS CATREN, Chief of Redlands Police Department, shared updates about the department starting with the good news that they will be moving into the building on W. Redlands Blvd., near Alabama Street previously occupied by K-Mart within the next 18-24 months. The new location will enable them to enjoy about twice the space they have now. More good news and a great improvement is that every member of the police force is now being equipped with a body cam that they will be wearing while on duty. Recruitment of police personnel is underway with many new recruits being from Redlands, all of whom will receive training in the police academy.

CHRIS explained that crime rates have remained at about the same level in Redlands for the past twenty years although the way attention is being given to the incidence of crime through social media today is somewhat misleading. His caution that we not be misled was very reassuring. CHIEF CATREN expressed special thanks and appreciation to the Police Community Foundation that provides events allowing the department to get close to kids and demonstrate integrity, an exemplary work ethic and positive influence in the community, particularly to young people.

NEXT WEEK

STEVE STOCKTON, President of the Museum of Redlands, will present a tour of the museum. We will adjourn from the Masonic Hall, drive over to the facility to enjoy learning about latest happenings and interesting history about this great facility.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Redlands Chamber of Commerce Dog Jog Saturday, October 22, Ed Hales Park. Check-in 9:30am for start time at 10am. Join us at Smiley Park for vendors and a costume contest at 12:00pm. Further info, go to https://redlandschamber.org/. Ph. (909) 793-2546, M-F 9am-5pm.

RYLA kickoff for Rotary District 5330, Zoom meeting Monday November 7. 6:00pm. Dates and times, policies and procedures and expectations for the two camps to be held in 2023 will be discussed. The goal is 500 students between the two camps. Link and login information for the meeting will be posted by 12:00pm on Monday 11/7. Register to attend at www.ryla5330.org

It’s Election Time! The ballots are out for the November 8 general election. What a pleasure to see two Rotarians from this club offering to serve their community in non-partisan races! ROY GEORGE is running for election to the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Division IV California, and DR. NATHAN GONZALES, current representative to San Bernardino Community College District is seeking re-election, see https://www.gonzales4sbccd.org/

AK SMILEY LIBRARY GALA – BEST EVER!

NATHAN GONZALES, Archivist and Head of Special Collections at Smiley, thanks all of the Rotarians and their spouses who supported the library by attending the gala last Saturday, October 15th. Special appreciation and thank you goes to those who contributed as underwriters and periodical materials sponsors, and especially MYRA PATTERSON, wife of JOHN PATTERSON who NATHAN says created the most “over the top” event Redlands has ever seen!

JOHN TINCHER, Past President, confirmed what a great event the gala was. At least a dozen Rotary couples were there, the place was packed, and the food was outstanding, he said. Email info@friendsofaksmiley.org if you are interested in supporting the library or joining Friends of the Library.

HOW TO JOIN MEETINGS ON ZOOM:

Here is the zoom link to use to access meetings online:

https://06web.zoom.us/j/84574524399?pwd=bkFOTExXOUhyWE5CZGZRUUYoT3gwdz09

If you have questions or problems trying to connect, text or call ROB CLIZBE at 951.532.9775.

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

I’m so happy to be back, my friends. I have missed your faces and corny jokes. I’m looking forward to getting focused this week – we have some work to do as a club to prepare for next year. Stay tuned, more to come.

Editor – Carolyn Hays – Edition No. 16, October 20, 2022