The View, 5/7/15, Rotary Park update

Next week: Real estate on the Mendocino Coast: a status update on this industry, brought to us by our own member Kira Meade.

President John Cottle opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thought for the Day: Louise Heath Leiber – “There’s always room for improvement, it’s the biggest room in the house.”

Dean shares a Membership Report.

Membership Report:
Dean shared a video from Rotary International/UK and Ireland, showing how we all have skills and how giving our time through Rotary makes a real difference in the world. “The future of our club is in your hands” — we need to think about succession planning and growing our club. Membership “how to” brochures are available from Dean.

Happy Dollars:

Gunter shares happy dollars, and a photo of the Italian astronaut who made his day.

–  Guenter saw an interesting message a few days ago that caught his attention and made him happy. An Italian female astronaut reached the international space station, with an espresso machine she had invented for use in space.

Guenter shared this photo of the first Italian espresso in space!

– Heather is happy that she got to attend a B Corp Leadership Development day in Berkeley last week, with Tom and Jennifer from Harvest Market.
– Matt is happy that a couple of clients have entered escrow on their houses – the market is hot right now.
– Dean is happy to be here, and happy for the sunshine.
– John C. is happy to have a promising new hire for administrator of Sherwood Oaks.

Sunshine Report:
Hooray for Jerry being back! Joe is still recovering from shingles, and is almost ready to get out and about again. We look forward to him joining us again soon.

Announcement:
There are only 3 cards left for the raffle drawing — several folks bought extra raffle tickets today for $5 each, to improve their chances of winning.

Monday, May 11 is our next Board meeting, at noon, at the Mendocino Hotel. Topics: 4th of July event planning, and more!

Fundraising for Shelter Boxes for earthquake relief in Nepal is going great. Tom started a fundraising promotion through his stores, and raised $4600 at the cash registers; he’s added another $1000, as did another individual. In total, $9,606.58 has been raised so far toward the goal of $10,000. Ww would like to purchase ten Shelter Boxes at $1000/each. Rotarians answered the call, and we raised the rest needed during our meeting!! $10,000 raised — thank you Tom for spearheading this effort!

Today’s Program:

Cornelia talks with the club about Rotary Park and the Rotary Foundation.

Cornelia, club member and President of our own Rotary Foundation, talked with the club about the Rotary Park Art Competition and the future of the park.

The Foundation – or its designated committee – is developing rules and fees for park use. Also, Matt is spearheading park maintenance.

The Chatter Bischoff Art Competition for Rotary Park is very important for us to generate public support and a range of ideas for the design and use of the park. The Art Competition deadline is May 22, and entries can be turned in at the Mendocino Community Center. Please talk to all your artist friends and encourage them to participate!

The most beautiful Town Square in the US, according to Parade Magazine, is in Tennessee. It has a beautiful gazebo. Cornelia showed a photo of this winning park, and showed photos of several other gazebos in town squares.

A lot of the local retailers don’t want a gazebo, “because of Healdsburg,” according to Cornelia — while Healdsburg is beautiful, the local retailers feel it’s overly developed and “citified.” Cornelia said that for everyone who wants a gazebo, there’s someone who doesn’t want one in our park. This is why the art competition is so important — it gives us a forum for broad community input for the design and use of the park.

Cornelia shares photos of several beautiful town squares.

During Second Saturday in June (June 13), we will host an art show of all the artists’ entries at Community Center in Mendocino. Please plan to be there. There will be a questionnaire to determine interest in the different elements presented in the various design proposals, and this feedback should help us with our presentation of ideas to the Historical Review Board.

Cornelia led a discussion about how we could use the park with local organizations, and fundraising potential for our Rotary Club. She strongly feels that nonprofits should partner for all fundraising events, and not do them alone.

It was suggested to go to Pinterest and look at backyard gazebos — this might be a place to find a smaller, friendlier design compared to the Town Square photos we were shown today. Any new landscaping needs to consider that there is probably minimal to no water to irrigate with. Another member said there is a well on the property that could be activated, and there is power nearby. The power may cost a maximum of $5000 to set-up/activate a post and meter.

A steady stream of revenue will be needed to maintain any building that we decide to put in the park. This needs to be considered as part of any planning.

First and foremost, the design process needs to include community input, and our focus needs to be on the Art Competition. The deadline for submissions is May 22.

We have general consensus that we want some kind of development, though nothing too big or ostentatious, so that it is low impact and fits in with the character of the town.

Please work to generate enthusiasm and entries for the Rotary Park Art Competition. The club will try to get photos of other Rotary Parks within our Rotary District for comparison and ideas.

Gary didn’t manage to draw the joker (with a 1 in 3 chance!).

Today’s Raffle Winners: Gary and Jerry. No one drew the joker (out of only 3 cards!!), so by prior agreement, half of the $300+ goes to the Shelter Box fund, and half goes to the Rotary Park fund.

John C. proves that there was a joker in the deck — the last card that was never drawn!