MEN’S CLUB
Our June 6 meeting got off to a fine start with a salute to the USA flag (aka Old Glory), then a welcome for two new members. First Chad Gloetzner introduced himself, and then Dr. Gary Ward did the same. Welcome, gentle- men. Nice to have you in the Men’s Club.
President Geoff Dunlevie provided an update on the planning process leading up to the big 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, one of our Club’s most popular annual events. While it is mostly a fun and tasty occasion for the entire community—you are all invited—it is also an important fund-raising activity in support of the Men’s Club’s annual scholarship awards.
Putting on this event demands much planning. Where do you get enough fresh buttermilk for 500 pancake break- fasts? How about the sausages? Don’t worry, we’re on it. Fifty or so volunteers are busy now getting it all together. They are all excited to join with the community to celebrate 4th of July, 2023.
Next up at the June 6 meeting, members met Jonathan Zaidman, aka JZ, engagement director of the Ecology Center of San Juan Capistrano. The Ecology Center got its start in 2008. As of 2022 they had 300,000 on site visitors; donated 100,000 pounds of food; deployed or trained 500 Artisans / Farmers / Chefs and 2,500 volunteers. All this activity is possible because of The Ecology Center’s 5,000 donors. It is quite an operation.
Check out their web site, the ecologycenter.org. It contains loads of pictures and copious information on all the activities, events, classes, and products available so close to home. You can even visit there for special dinners on many Fridays, or you can order recurring deliveries of fresh veggies and produce right to your home’s front door. Or, just go shop the wealth of fresh produce, vegetables, and snacks at the Ecology Center Store on Alipaz at Del Avion in SJC.
At the second monthly meeting on June 20, Men’s Club member and current Dana Point City Councilman John Gabbard provided an update on the many successes and few challenges on the City’s agenda. Fresh off the success of passing the fiscal ‘23 and ‘24 Dana Point operating budgets of $42 million plus, and with annual city revenues reaching new highs, Councilman Gabbard was ready and able to discuss a variety of topics, from new rules for ADUs, to the scourge of unlicensed and unregulated E-bikes. It was a fine, interactive presentation, as expected.
If you are not yet a member of the Men’s Club, please be our guest at one of our two monthly meetings. You will experience friendly social interactions, stimulating presen- tations, and enjoy a fine, hot breakfast, no charge to you.
—Tim Moore
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