Home Page | Rotary Club of Morro Bay

We hold meetings on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tues of each month on the bay. On the 3rd Tues of each month, we host a "Rotary Bump Night" at local restaurants. When a 5th Tues occurs in a month, we host an "On-Site Exploration" at a local venue.

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Venue Map

Bill Peirce - Courageous Person and Amazing Rotarian!

It is with great sadness that we mark the loss of our good friend and fellow Rotarian, Bill Peirce. Bill passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill lived a full live with many amazing accomplishments. To name a few, he was a three term Morro Bay City Council member, Rotarian since 2009, RCMB President 2011/12, RCMB Treasurer for many years, Communications consultant at Coast Electronics for 22 years, Morro Bay Citizen of the year, Morro Bay Police Volunteer (President), Paul Harris Recipient, RCMB Dan Reddell Humanitarian Award recipient, Neighborhood Watch member/advocate, Morro Bay Merchants (President), and Caroling Cop Cars major supporter.

A memorial service will be held to honor Bill on June 4th, 9:00am at Tidelands Park.

Bill was a big part of Morro Bay and a big part of our Rotary Club. He will be missed dearly. Please keep Bill, his son Billy and previous wife Randy in your thoughts and prayers. They were diligently by his side through his battle.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"

Abraham Lincoln

Bill's years were full of life and love for Morro Bay!

Adopt A Teacher - Del Mar Elementary

We had our BIG reveal for our Adopt Teacher program last week. For the past five months select Rotarians volunteered to provide a special goodie bag each month for 20 teachers at Del Mar Elementary School. We did this in partnership with the Morro Bay Quota Club who picked up the remaining 3 teachers to make sure all teachers were included. Both club's members identities had been secret until last week when they stood behind their teacher's bag at the reveal. It was a great program and the teacher's were more than grateful with joy that permeated the entire room. Big THANK YOU to Jessica Weiss who spearheaded this entire program.

Group photo of very grateful amazing Teachers, amazing Rotarians, and amazing Quota Club members at the reveal.

We Support SLO NOOR Foundation

David Parro, Executive Director with SLO NOOR Foundation attended our Tuesday meeting to accept a check for $2,000 as part of our Community Grant program and our theme "Help Us Help Others." We are proud to support SLO NOOR Foundation and the incredible work they do in our communities to provide free medical, dental, and vision care to all adults in need. Pictured left to right is President Tim, David, and Jill Copsey our amazing Community Grants Coordinator.

We Support SLO Food Bank

Branna Still with SLO Food Bank attending our Tuesday meeting and was presented with a check for $1,500 as part of our community grant project and theme "Help Us Help Others." SLO Food Bank does amazing work within our communities and we support them! Pictured left to right is President Tim, Branna, and Jill Copsey our Community Grant Coordinator.

Franklin Riley Park

Past-Councilmember Marlys McPherson and Glenn Silloway, current president of the Historical Society of Morro Bay, shared with our Club the vision behind the designation and development of Franklin Riley Park overlooking the Morro Bay and Tidelands Park at our Tuesday meeting.

Direct Relief Presentation

We had a Zoom presentation from Greg Mora with Direct Relief at our Tuesday meting. We are always amazed at the incredible amount of work this NGO agency does to aide others in need. Thank you Greg and THANK YOU Direct Relief for all that you do. Some of the highlights of what they do are below. To learn more about Direct Relief click on this link. Direct Relief

Humanitarian Relief

Direct Relief works to equip health professionals in resource-poor communities to meet the challenges of diagnosing and caring for people in need.

Disaster Relief

Every day, Direct Relief prepares the most vulnerable communities worldwide for more frequent, more destructive emergencies. And when disasters strike, Direct Relief responds fast, effectively, and efficiently to get medical resources where they need to be to save lives.
United States

Direct Relief operates the largest charitable medicine program in the United States.

Community Health

Direct Relief’s longstanding approach of supporting community-based facilities providing essential health services is a key strategy throughout the world.

Maternal Health

Direct Relief’s humanitarian health efforts place particular emphasis on protecting women through the critical periods of pregnancy and childbirth.

We also had a Zoom check presentation with Executive Director Shelby Kardas. Although the real check was sent by snail mail, Shelby joined our meeting from Oregon and thanked us for the donation to their incredible cause. With proceeds from our golf tournament fundraiser we were able to donate just over $6,000 to Stove Team. That will allow them to build approximately 600 more stoves for families in need in developing countries. To learn more about Stove Team International click on this link https://www.stoveteam.org/

We also presented a check to Wendy Lewis (in person) with El Camino Homeless Organization. ECHO was an organization who applied for one of our Community Grants. We were excited to support ECHO and fully fund their request as one of our Help Us Help Others campaign. Picture is of President Tim, Wendy Lewis and Jill Copsey who is our Community Grant Coordinator. To learn more about ECHO click this link El Camino Homeless Organization

Jack Smith - Horatio's Drive and The Lincoln Highway Electrified!

Jack Smith was our presentation on Tuesday and it was a presentation to remember. Jack started us off with a video of his original exploration in 1984 when he and three other friends skateboarded across the U.S. What an adventure!!! Jack in the picture above is holding a electric skateboard that he retraced the original route with years later. Jack then enlightened us on his latest adventure of driving an Electrified Volkswagon van across the US with Mike Adamski. Mike and Jack's long time friend Larry Newland were also in attendance. Jack and Mike are actually starting the adventure the first week of May. If you want to follow them, click on the link, to track them across the U.S. on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/An-Electric-Tribute-to-Americas-First-Road-Trip-and-The-Lincoln-Highway-100581362575101

Picture of Larry Newman holding the original skateboard Jack used in 1984, Mike Adamski, and Jack Smith holding his electric board.

Wendy Lewis - El Camino Homeless Organization

Wendy Lewis with ECHO was our presentation today at lunch. She updated us on how much ECHO is doing to provide help and housing for the most needy in our communities. To learn more about ECHO and the incredible work they are doing click on this link ECHO

At our Noon meeting we also presented some of our Central Coast Golf Classic Tournament trophies. Receiving 1st Place Trophies working off President Tim's right shoulder, David Feldman, MBHS golf team members Kalvin Smith and Jonas Smith (not present MBHS golfer Jackson Orgill), 2nd Place Trophies went to MBHS golf team member John Riley (not present MBHS golfer Nathan Hyman, and Chris & Leslie Sigler, and 3rd Place Trophies to MBHS golf team member Noah Kimbrell (not present MBHS golfer Talon Hawk, and Nick Athanasakos, & Tom Zhender. Big congratulations to all!!!!!

Astrid Gallagher - An Amazing Lady!

Astrid Gallagher was our guest presenter today and inspired us all with her true life story about contracting polio as a college student which resulted in her living inside an iron lung for a period of time. Eventually she recovered, married, had three children and taught school for many years in New Jersey before she and husband Lee moved to SLO. Her polio returned very slowly over the years and now she is confined to a wheelchair and has a full-time caretaker. Polio has been a life journey for her and her positive outlook and spirit are unmatched. To learn more on what Rotary has done to eradicate polio world wide click on this link Rotary End Polio Now!

District Governor Dana Moldovan Visit

We were very excited to have our very own DG Moldovan visit our Club and give us an update on what is happening. We presented her with flowers and a puzzle of Morro Bay (Thanks to Jude Long:).

DG Moldovan also presented awards earned during their Presidential years to Past President Jeff Jones (RCMB President 2020/21) and Past President Melissa Davis (RCMB President 2019/21). Jeff Jones was also recognized as a member of the Paul Hariss Society and received a three ruby Paul Harris pin. Jude Long and Mary Leizear also received District Governor Recognition Certificates for their amazing contirbutions to our Club.

Rotary Club Morro Bay Drive Thru BBQ

Some of the BBQ Crew working the bread before butter and garlic. Chief Jody Cox, Jeff Jones, and Peter Starling. We sold over 90 full meals in our efforts to raise funds to "Help Us Help Others."

The bread work is never done! Pete Zotovich at the grill, Rich Riedel in the background, Mike Williams, and Elsie Casida, with Mary Leizear over her shoulder.

Assembly line work with Mary Leizear, Tim Olivas, Doug Riddell, and Jill Copsey. Fun was had by all and we made more than $2,600 for our "Help Us Help Others" campaign.

John Solu making his list and checking it twice, you know the rest!!

Retired Morro Bay Fire Chiefs Steve Knuckles and Jeff Jones

It is predicted the last disastrous fire seasons will flame again. Two of our own, Chiefs Steve Knuckles and Jeff Jones provided us with a thorough update on recent fire outcomes as well as helped to prepare us for the anticipated 2022 fire season.

Previous Morro Bay Firefighter Carla Wixom, Retired Fire Chiefs Steve Knuckles, Jeff Jones and Mike Pond.

Phase II Morro Bay Police Department Service Project Completed

We completed Phase II of our service project for Morro Bay Police Department. Phase I was pressure washing the Police Department and Phase II was getting a bench in front. The Bench was purchased from Neil Farrell. Neil got the bench from past Mayor Janice Peters. Neil lovingly refurbished the bench to the beautiful state you see it know. The bench was secured to the sidewalk in front of the Police Department and offers a place for people to comfortably wait and enjoy the beauty of Morro Bay. Thank you to all who supported this service project.

Central Coast Top Tracer Golf Classic

RCMB CENTRAL COAST TOP TRACER GOLF CLASSIC - BIG SUCCESS

Picture below of the amazing RCMB Crew that made the day such a success. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!!

The Rotary Club of Morro Bay held our Central Coast Top Tracer Golf Classic on Saturday to raise funds for Morro Bay High School scholarships and for Stove Team International. Big Thank you to our many sponsors and for the amazing golfers who showed up and followed rule #1 = HAVE FUN! We had three times with the first two times being sold out. Several members of the Morro Bay High School Golf Team also showed up and showed us a positive future is in store for golf.

This was a fun event and we raised more than $10,000 which will be split between MBHS Scholarships and Stove Team International.

Walter Heath - Creating a Home Garden

We had the pleasure of having Walter Heath for a Zoom presentation at our noon Rotary meeting last Tuesday. Walter established Morro Bay In Bloom and is on the board of America In Bloom. Walter also spreads the good word about Morro Bay worldwide, which has garners national recognition and awards. Two points I picked up from his presentation were; 1 - when planting milkweed to help Monarchs make sure it is "Narrow Leaf Milkweed," 2 - Morro Bay is in Zone 9B for gardening.

Ann Vileisis - Author

We had a incredible Zoom presentation from renowned author Ann Vileisis at our Tuesday noon Rotary meeting. Ann is the author of "Abalone-The Remarkable History and Uncertain Future of California's Iconic Shellfish." Her talk on the history of Abalone along the California Coast really resonated with many of our members because of Morro Bay's history with this incredible species. Her book is a great read for anyone wanting to learn more about Abalone. Thank you Ann!

RCMB Bicycle Group Photos

Some photos of our Rotary Club of Morro Bay Bicycle group. This is a informal local Rotary bicycle group that focuses on riding, when we can, having fun, and drinking coffee. The rides are random but if you are interested reach out to members Mike Pond, Jeff Jones, or Tim Olivas.

Members Jeff Jones and Mike Pond on West Cuesta Road

Members Mike Pond and Tim Olivas on Oats Peak MDO.

Member Tim Olivas with San Luis Obispo De Tolosa Club Past President Tom Zehnder at Pismo Preserve.

SERVICE PROJECT MORRO BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

On Tuesday, January 18^th at Noon we moved forward with our Service Project of pressure washing and cleaning the exterior of the Morro Bay Police Department. Big thanks to Greg Hardcastle, Mike Pond, Police Chief Jody Cox, Mike Williams, John Solu, Doug Riddell, Jeff Jones, Mary Leizear, and Judy Salamacha for showing up to help. We also had Lori French, Gretchen Hardcastle, and Judy Salamacha bake goodies for the Police Department, Fire Department, and Harbor Department which Judy delivered. BIG thanks to publicity chair extraordinaire Jude Long for getting the Estero Bay News to visit and witness/document our project. It was also great to see John Weiss make an appearance and cheer us on. Thank you all!!!!

Sparkling Clean MBPD

Kelly Vandenheuvel - Pacific Wildlife Care

Kelly Vandenheuvel was our program this week and she brought Denali, a Red-Tailed Hawk and Alice, a Great Horned Owl as part of her presentation. We met outside and we could not have asked for a more beautiful day. Both Denali and Alice were well behaved and put on a great show. Kelly has been a volunteer re-habber and educator for Pacific Wildlife Care since 1984. Pacific Wildlife Care rehabilitates and releases back into the wild native wildlife that have been found, sick, injured or orphaned. Thank you Kelly!

Retro Bill

Retro Bill was our amazing presentation and he did not disappoint. Such a positive uplifting message and program. We need to get him in every elementary, middle, and high school in our county. One of a kind and our best program of the year. Thank you Retro, keep doing what you do! If you don’t know Retro Bill visit retrobill.com

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Lighted Boat Parade 2021 - Huge Success

1st Place Winner of Lighted Boat Parade 2021

Close to 10,000 on-lookers lined the Embarcadero to enjoy the 2021 Morro Bay Rotary Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, December 4^th. The weather was reminiscent of the holidays, a beautiful evening with a chill in the air. Crowds filled the restaurants, the balconies and sidewalks to watch the parade of 22 decorated boats ranging in size from 17 to 71 feet. Local non-profits including Central Coast Women for Fisheries, Knights of Columbus, Lion’s and Rotary served up chili, sausages, cookies, and hot chocolate that was quickly sold out.

Rotarians John Solu and Melissa Davis announced and described the boats as they passed by the judges: John Headding, Jillian Montgomery, Sue Olivas, Dean Sullivan, and Michael Wambolt. First Prize of $500 went to the Persistence owned by Nick Taron from Morro Bay. The sleigh decorations with a giant reindeer and carolers dressed like elves caught the eyes of the judges. Second Prize of $350 went to the Wake-n-Bake owned by Mike Leal from Paso Robles and the Third Prize of $150 went to the Western Explorer owned by Roy Arnold of Paso Robles. Boats were decorated to look like whales, seahorses, Christmas trees, snowflakes and Santa flying a plane. The Bay was filled with thousands of glittering, colorful lights everywhere including sailing masts lighted high into the night sky.

While the Morro Bay White Caps Band played, Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted a never-ending line of children, parents, and dogs at the Rotary Santa House. Complimentary photos with Santa were given to families along with each child choosing a gift to take home with them.

Rotary President Tim Olivas mused that “Yes, it was a great showing for the Lighted Boat Parade! Good to see some semblance of life returning to semi-normal”. Children were happy, boats were beautiful and residents and tourists were thrilled to spend the evening on the Morro Bay waterfront.

Big THANK YOU to Jude Long for providing this article, picture, and all of the publicity she did for the Lighted Boat Parade.

On Site Exploration - SLO Botanical Garden Tour

Checking out the cool air cannon in the children's garden

When a 5th Tuesday occurs in a month we have an On Site Exploration. On November 30th (5th Tuesday), we had a wonderful tour of the SLO Botanical Gardens with Director Chendra Lor leading the tour. Thank you to Chendra and thank you to SLO Botanical Gardens. SLO Botanical Gardens is one of our chosen Service Projects this year.

End Polio Forever Campaign Update

A quick update on District 5240's campaign to End Polio Forever which ran from October 24th to November 24th. We had 16 members and 2 non-members engage in the campaign and we raised a total of $715 for the The Rotary Foundation's efforts to eradicate polio forever. We had 2 members donate $100 and they will be recognized as Polio Plus Society members. All others who donated at least $25 received an "End Polio Now" pin. A big thank you to all who engaged and made contributions to this worthy campaign and cause.

To learn more about District 5240's Polio Plus efforts visit District 5240 Polio Plus

New Member Robin Duke-Balango

New Member Robin

We are excited to welcome new Rotary Club of Morro Bay member Robin Duke-Balango. Robin was sponsored by Nancy Ford, attended three meetings and met with out membership chair to learn more about Rotary before being officially recognized as a new member. Jeff Jones our membership chair is seen introducing Robin to members at our November meeting. If you are interested in being a member please reach out to Jeff and he can explain the process.