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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 21, 2024

Rotarians fete foreign diplomats, Washington, D.C.,  February 24, 1937,  On the left and right are the presidents of two local Rotary clubs, along with the ambassadors of Russia, Italy and Germany. Rotarians fete foreign diplomats, Washington, D.C., February 24, 1937, On the left and right are the presidents of two local Rotary clubs, along with the ambassadors of Russia, Italy and Germany.

Meet the Radical Rotarians

The Rotarians are mindblowing. If you're picturing a bunch of business people eating breakfast or lunch together in a banquet room, networking and talking about doing some do-gooder stuff for their community—that's an accurate picture. What's missing is the scope of the Rotarians' do-goodery—which is vast, as you will learn below. And maybe also the depth of the comaraderie, which I found touching in my brief brush.

I've been to a handful of Rotary Club gatherings, all in San Jose in the company of Dan Pulcrano, publisher/editor of Metro Silicon Valley, where I worked as news editor. The Rotary experience surprised me. I was surprised at one breakfast when Larry Stone, then and now the quick-witted Santa Clara County tax assessor and then-Rotary president, came to the podium amid a gale of boos. (Even in deep blue San Jose, businesspeople do not cheer for the tax collector.) (Maybe you had to be there.)

Nancy Pelosi addressed a Rotary luncheon I attended in 2009, where she did a Q&A with Rep. Zoe Lofgren while Tea Party protesters carried signs decrying Obamacare on the street below. The Rotarians—a presumably rather conservative bunch—gave these powerful, liberal women a warm welcome.

At another event, a young woman who had received a Rotary scholarship to spend a year abroad stepped up to thank her benefactors. She tearfully told them they had blessed her with a life-changing experience—and detailed the ways that she had grown. 

It makes sense that the organization known offically as Rotary International would focus its charitable giving on programs that give American kids opportunities to see the world—I hadn't known that. Again, as you will see, that is barely the tip of the iceberg of good that this organization does.


The First 'Service Club'

The remarkable story of a group of independent buisnessmen who built an organization, with the twin goals of fellowship and community betterment, that exploded into a global network—despite opposition from fascists, communists, and the Catholic Church.


Doing Good: Rotary International

A sign for the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose, California.
The first service club is over 100 years old and still doing good in the world.


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San Benito County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://sanbenito.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and San Benito County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Fall! cookbook.


Easy coffee cake is packed with fresh apples and almonds

This ideal autumn cake is packed with apples and almonds.
Recipe: Apple almond coffee cake with streusel topping


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Ecology Action logo Ecology Action

Ecology Action states its mission concisely: “Reduce emissions.” The nonprofit group advocates for innovative energy, water, and transportation solutions in communities across California.

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From Our Media Allies

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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/18/2024)

Church Brothers Farms Recall Green Onions Due to Possible Health Risk

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/18/2024)

TreeHouse Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Waffle Products Due to the Potential for Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/18/2024)

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Image of State of California seal. State of California   (10/15/2024)

John Laird CA Senate 17:
State Senator John Laird joins Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/11/2024)

Enoki King Mushroom Farm Recalls Enoki Because of Possible Health Risk

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Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
Addis Issues Statement Statement on Chumash Heritage Marine Sanctuary Designation

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Albertsons Companies Voluntarily Recalls 12 ReadyMeals and Store-Made Deli Items Containing a Recalled Chicken Ingredient Supplied by Fresh Creative Foods Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/10/2024)

Sprouts Farmers Market has Voluntarily Recalled Select Lots of Our Chicken Street Taco Kits Supplied by Fresh Creative Foods, Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/10/2024)

Reser's Fine Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Number of Meal Kits Due to Recalled Chicken from Ingredient Supplier (BrucePac)

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