Category:

JUNE GUEST SPEAKER - Natasha Yim Carter

6/19/2013

Most of Natasha's professional career has been in counseling or social work. She is also a children's book author, freelance writer, playwright, and a mom of three who writes in the midst of transporting her kids to soccer games, gymnastics, volunteering at their shcool, and other parental responsibilites.

To kick off our brainstorming session for our club storybook project, Natasha shared her passion for writing books for children. Willow read on of her stories which is currently making the rounds for publishing consideration.

At this time, Natasha has three published books available for purchase; SACAJAWEA OF THE SHOSHONE, CIXI THE DRAGON EMPRESS, and her first published children's book, OTTO'S RAINY DAY. Seven months shy of its release date, the Junior Library Guild has selected GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS for its 2014 reading list.

SPECIAL GUEST DISTRICT IV DIRECTOR MADDY LEADER

4/10/2013

A special thank you to District IV Director Maddy Leader
for attending our April Business Meeting.

DEB KUBIN - March Guest Speaker

3/20/2013

We were very happy to welcome our March speaker, Superintendent Debra Kubin, to club on March 20th. Being a Mendocino County native, Ms. Kubin is bringing fresh ideas, energy and a sense of community to Ukiah Unified School District. Debra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Davis and Master’s in Educational Leadership from San Diego State. She brings to us experience ranging from teaching at middle and high school levels to her current position as Superintendent. Having three children ages 6, 6 and 8 she is a very busy woman and shows her passion for education in our community. Ukiah Unified is striving to compete with nearby counties in recruiting and keeping new teachers. This is no easy job when faced with our current fiscal environment but with Ukiah Unified having been fiscally conservative Ms. Kubin feels confident that we will be making changes to move forward in having a comprehensible and functional education system. New standards coming across the country are having exciting new learning opportunities for both teachers and students. It was wonderful to hear from our new Superintendent on how positive the outlook for our children is and to learn how our educational leaders are making great strides for our schools.

FEBRUARY GUEST SPEAKER MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN

2/20/2013

Thank you to our February guest speaker, Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman. We appreciate your efforts to bring awareness to the need of mental health services and the opportunity to learn more about the events that took place on the coast in 2011 which have been documented in the book; Out There in The Woods. Book profits benefit three organizations: Matt Coleman Fund, Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation and Mendocino branches of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (N.A.M.I.)
http://outthereinthewoods.com/

JANUARY GUEST SPEAKER LIZ ELMORE, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF UKIAH

2/1/2013

Liz Elmore, Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah spoke at our January club meeting about her program. It was wonderful to hear how much the club is able to do for our community’s children. Below is some information on a specific program SMART Girls as well as ideas and opportunities for club members to become more involved with the Boys & Girls Club.

Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah (BGCU) is an afterschool youth development program which operates each day after school serving the Ukiah Valley. With nearly 600 registered members BGCU has an average of 160 members coming through their door daily. Professional staff and volunteers are on site to mentor youth until 6:30 p.m. offering a variety of specialized small groups such as SMART Girls (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training). SMART Girls currently has 15 youth who participate in a weekly discussion with an adult facilitator who directs the conversation using BGCA curriculum. There is a large variety of subjects discussed such as healthy life choices, drug awareness, and puberty. The facilitator supports girls with making proper choices for their lives, guiding them with growing into healthy, active, responsible, productive adults.

More than 60% of BGCU funding comes from local individuals and special events. March 9 marks our next fundraiser, the Crab Feed. If you would like to participate in organization of the event or by purchasing tickets, please give them a call at 467-4900.

Financial assistance is always welcome, yet there are other ways to assist BGCU such as volunteering your time with a one-time speaking opportunity of sharing your career or personal story or an ongoing scheduled commitment. We are also currently seeking a volunteer with a love for gardening who would like to share that love with youth, taking on the coordination and creation of a back yard above-ground garden. Other volunteers are always welcome for a large variety of projects such as co-facilitating SMART Girls or being a guest speaker. Crocheting, arts, reading, writing and music are some of the other areas you can assist with. Giving the gift of your time is a very special way to assist youth to grow.

email: lelmore@ukiahbgc.org    (707) 467-4900

DEC. 2012 GUEST SPEAKER - TAMI BARTOLOMEI, HANDS ON NETWORK

1/4/2013

Thank you to Tami Bartolomei of the Hands On Volunteer Network for speaking to our club in December. The Hands On Volunteer Network is a volunteer hub for Mendocino and Lake Counties providing non profit organizations much needed volunteers and community members a one stop place to find ways to help our community.

THE GARDENS PROJECT - Thank you Guest Speaker Cassie Dillman!

10/8/2012

Thank you to our September guest speaker, Cassie Dillman, Food Systems Project Assistant for The Gardens Project.

The Gardens Project is a Mendocino County program which supports 14 community gardens throughout the county. The focus is on building community and access to healthy food for our low income residents. With gardens in neighborhoods as well as preschools, volunteering opportunities are vast.

The most recent addition to this program is donated property located behind the HHSA office on Dora Street. What used to be a vacant piece of property is now a lush "oasis" for over 50 families who are learning how to grow their own food and be healthier.

Last year the program estimated that the monetary value of the food grown in community gardens was over $30,000!

For more information on how you can become involved with The Garden's Project, contact Cassie Dillman (707) 462-1955 or cdillman@ncoinc.org

DISTRICT DIRECTOR MADDY HELPS US KICK OFF OUR NEW CLUB YEAR

9/6/2012

Thank you to District Director Maddy for attending our first meeting of the new club year!

GUEST SPEAKER DIANNE DURHAM, UKIAH AWARE

6/20/2012

Thank you to Dianne Durham of Ukiah Aware for speaking to the club this afternoon and to her friend Lillian Vogel for joining us for lunch. Ukiah Aware is a small production company committed to raising the social and cultural awareness of the community of people living in the greater Ukiah Valley area. All community productions are free and open to the public in order to ensure that cost is never a barrier to participation. Individuals, community organizations, and local businesses have the opportunity to invest in strengthening the social and cultural fabric of the Ukiah community by sponsoring a Ukiah Aware community production.
www.ukiahaware.com

MISS MENDOCINO COUNTY, Herron Spence

5/31/2012

Thank you to Verna Jacobs and Herron Spence, 2012 Miss Mendocino County, for joining us at our meeting today. Herron, an 18 year old Ukiah High graduating senior, spoke of the excitement of holding the title this year and of the work she has been doing to spread the awareness of Juvenile Diabetes. We wish Herron all the best as she competes in the Miss California Scholarship Program.