Volume 72 Issue 1

Sept./Oct. 2024

Calendar of Coming Events

Wed., Sept. 4 - Hike, Pt. Lobos

Thurs., Sept. 12, 10:00 A.M. - Romancing the Coast tours Hacienda Farm.

Wed., Sept. 18 - Hike, Ribera Road Beach

Sat., Sept. 21, 2:00 - 3:30 P.M. - Sept. Branch Meeting, 10 propositions on Nov. state ballot; Center for Spiritual Living, 400 W. Franklin, Monterey

Wed., Sept. 25, 11:00 A.M. - Hike planning meeting, 211 Soledad Dr., Monterey

Wed., Oct. 9, 9:00 A.M. - Romancing the Coast tours Pt. Sur Lighthouse.

Sat., Oct. 19, 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. - Oct. Branch Meeting, meet Tech Trek campers; fundraiser; Maureen Vieth home, 25320 Boots Rd., Monterey

SEPTEMBER BRANCH MEETING

Date: Saturday, September 21

Time: 2:00 – 3:30 P.M.

Place: Center for Spiritual Living, 400 W Franklin St, Monterey (Click for a map.)

NEED HELP ANALYZING PROPOSITIONS ON THE NOV. STATE BALLOT?

Like many of us, figuring out the pros and cons of each California proposition is a challenge. Help is on the way! Our September Branch program will feature speakers from the League of Women Voters of Monterey County. You’ll get an expert, unbiased look at each of the 10 propositions on the November ballot. Each analysis will help us understand the purpose/objective and the potential impact of each proposition and help you make an informed decision on how you will vote on November 5^th. The League speakers, MaryEllen Dick and Dennis Mar, are both past presidents of the local League. Both have made these “Pros and Cons” presentations for numerous election cycles.

Please RSVP by September 16 to Chris Parmentier at (408) 427-2740 or cmparmentier@gmail.com.

Chris Parmentier and Joanne Webster - Co-Directors, Program Committee

OCTOBER BRANCH MEETING

Meet Our 2024 Tech Trek Campers

Date: Saturday, October 19

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.

Location: Maureen Vieth's home, 25320 Boots Road, Monterey (Click here for a map.)

This past summer you sent 12 rising eighth grade girls to Tech Trek, a week-

long STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Camp put on by AAUW California at college campuses around the state. It was our largest class ever, and to serve as many girls in 2025, we need your financial support.

These budding STEM professionals attended classes on robotics, environmental science, structural engineering, web design and more. They networked with professional women in a variety of STEM fields, benefited from hands-on workshops and interacted with women who modeled the breadth of STEM careers. They connected with like-minded girls their own age who shared their interest in STEM and built new friendships. They worked hard and had fun.

“I'm really thankful that you chose me and gave me the chance to participate in camp. Having this opportunity has made my parents proud and I'm proud of myself, too.” - Fresno Camper

Nine girls attended camp at CSU Fresno, two attended Camp Carson at UC Santa Cruz and one attended Virtual Camp. Two campers were recipients of Karen Hall Memorial Scholarships. Karen was a tireless cheerleader and effective organizer for Tech Trek for many years, and it was special to see her family and friends honor Karen through a donation to Tech Trek.

"I am thankful you selected me. I loved every memory but especially having the chance to experience university life." - Fresno Camper

Our fundraiser is on October 19. Please join us to meet some of our campers, hear their experiences and give your financial support. This is our only fundraiser so we need your help to make it a success. Bring a friend if you can, this is a great meeting to engage possible new members. 

Carpooling is recommended. Please RSVP to Fatima Dias by October 15 at mafadimo@yahoo.com or (831) 917-4693.

Fatima Dias and Gail Widener - Tech Trek Co-Directors 

Pictured are Junior Counselor, Em; campers, Ivy and Kalea; and Dorm Monitor, Gail Widener from Monterey County Branch at Camp Carson at UC Santa Cruz.

The 2024-2025 season got off to a good start with the well-attended August picnic at Whispering Pines Park.

PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE

Dear Members and Prospective Members,

As your newly elected Co-Presidents, we are honored to take the leadership reins. A huge THANK YOU to Fatima Dias and Joanne Webster who have masterfully steered our branch for the past four years, helping it thrive and provide community for its members amidst a world-wide pandemic. We have emerged from a very challenging time, a vibrant, active, and growing branch that has so much to offer.

As we look towards a new year and a new Board of Directors, we would like to recognize the many successes of the past year. One especially notable success was the Tech Trek Program which raised funds to enable 12 young girls entering 8th grade to attend a STEM-focused camp. This year’s camp has been held as of this writing and we understand that the camp experience was life-changing. Our Local Scholarships team raised an impressive $30,000 this past year, permitting them to award scholarships to 12 amazing young women attending college and universities.

Our Program committee, Romancing the Coast program, Walking Group team, and Great Decisions program continued to offer engaging social and educational programs to our members throughout last year. We thank the leaders who have done such a great job organizing and leading these programs.

Finally, a huge WELCOME to the many new AAUW members who have joined our branch in the past year. We do hope that you will find a niche within the organization. Whether it be attending programs, volunteering to serve on a committee, or donating to a scholarship, we hope that you will support our Board in making AAUW–MCB a flourishing success in the coming year.

Here's to 2024-2025!

Fondly,

Debbie Hobbs and Anne Albano - Co-Presidents

Branch Leaders for

2024 - 2025

Elected Board

Co-Presidents:

Anne Albano

Debbie Hobbs

Membership VPs:

Kenis Dunne

Judy Nejasmich

Treasurer:

Pat Fletcher

Secretaries:

Noelle Hetz

Andrea Madsen

Board Support

Historian:

Suzanne Schmidt

Appointed Directors

Program Planning:

Chris Parmentier

Joanne Webster

AAUW Funds:

Gabriele Simbriger-

Williams

Local Scholarships:

Maggie Pedersen

Maureen Vieth

Public Policy & Gov Trek:

Sharyn Siebert

Tech Trek:

Fatima Dias

Gail Widener

Communications:

Caryl Rojas

Bonnie Lockwood

DEI Coordinator:

Joanne Webster

Activity Leaders

Books:

A.M. - Kathy Poulson

Banned Books -

Suzette Cavanaugh &

Kenis Dunne

Joy of Reading - Marilyn

Erickson

P.M. - Miriam Lilley

Storytellers - Arlene

Coffman

Great Decisions:

Maggie Pedersen

Hiking:

Chris Parmentier

Ardith Peck

Romancing the Coast:

Linda Hanger

Gourmet Group

Kathy Poulson

PUBLIC POLICY

AAUW California will be rolling out a Get Out The Vote campaign in mid-September. As we are non-partisan, we may support candidates for non-partisan positions, and our GOTV campaign is just that. Also, we never use our branch name in any way without full approval of our board. Stay tuned on our branch efforts.

Sharyn Siebert - Public Policy Director

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Last May the Local Scholarship Committee awarded twelve $2500 scholarships to students entering their junior year of college. This is the highest amount we have ever awarded, and it is due to the generosity of members and friends, and to our supportive grantors, Pebble Beach Company Foundation and Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Service (MPVS). The students were thrilled to receive our scholarships!

Thank you all for attending our Scholarship Program in June. We heard from four of our twelve 2024 scholarship recipients and met their families. It was heart-warming to hear their stories of determination, struggle, and success on their path to a four-year college education. Please see the list of our amazing 2024 recipients.

Your donations are putting us on course for another very successful year, but we are not there yet! Please note that we accept donations all year! Local Scholarships Program is a 501(c)(3) program. You may donate through your IRA or Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), or by sending a check. Kindly make your check payable to AAUW-MPB Local Scholarships and send it to our LS treasurer:

Kathy Poulson

1092 Presidio Road

Pebble Beach, CA 93953-3124

In September, Maureen Vieth will assume the Co-Coordinator position to replace Sandi Berman. The Board wishes to thank Sandi for her stellar work on the committee in securing our grants.

Maggie Pedersen, Sandi Berman, and Maureen Vieth - Local Scholarships

The Storytellers met in the lovely garden of Linda Hanger in July. Pictured from left: Linda Hanger, Eileen Tremain, Arlene Coffman, Suzanne Schmidt, Mardi Taubert, Claire Scalzo, and Nancy Soulé. Not pictured are Cam McAra, Ruth McMaster, Judy Giordano, and Fran Muir.

HIKING GROUP

Hikers and those would be hikers, please join us for some great fall hikes. Not only is the scenery beautiful but the camaraderie of your fellow hikers can’t be beat.

September 4 - Pt. Lobos, led by Kathy Greenwald

September 18 - Ribera Road Beach, led by Deborah Stern

September 25 - Hike Planning Meeting at 11 A.M. at Chris Parmentier’s home, 211 Soledad Drive, Monterey. Details will follow later. We will be planning walks/hikes for October through December at this time. Questions? Call Chris at (408) 427-2740.

Chris Parmentier and Ardith Peck, Coordinators

Palo Corona Hike last May: Chris Parmentier, Pat Fletcher, Nancy Soulé, Kathryn Greenwald and leader Sue Henderson.

Hike at Ft. Ord Dunes State Park, Aug. 2024: Nelly Wright, Ardith Peck, Nancy Edwards, Sandi Grimmer and Andrea Madsen.

ROMANCING THE COAST

RTC events are always open to all members, and guests are also welcome.

Thursday, Sept. 12, 10:00 A.M. - Hacienda Farm Tour

9:30 Carpool, California Pizza Kitchen parking lot, Del Monte Center

Nile Estep, owner of the multi-faceted “Hacienda” in Carmel Valley, will give us a tour of his farm and his amazing operation that offers artisan workshops (sand sculpting, blacksmithing, ceramics) as well as events (live music, line dancing, trivia nights, live animal experiences) that are open to the public. After touring the farm, participants can opt in for U-Pick-It flower bouquet and pumpkin harvesting. We will enjoy lunch at the Hacienda’s café, 7180 Carmel Valley Road (between Baja Cantina and Earthbound Farm) in Carmel Valley.

RSVP to Linda Hanger, LindaJHanger@gmail.com or 831-915-9260 by Sept. 10.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. - Pt. Sur Lighthouse Tour

Have you ever wondered about the lighthouse on the way to Big Sur? The Pt. Sur State Historic Park and its lighthouse have been an aid-to-navigation along the scenic Big Sur coast since August 1, 1889. This is your chance to tour the property and see the fantastic views without waiting in line. Secure your spot now. The cost is $15 per person to the first 20 people who sign up. We will have two docents just for our group.

All participants must be able to walk uphill with an elevation change of 360' including two sets of stairs; one with 61 steps, the other with 37 steps. The tour will visit the lighthouse, fog signal room, carpenter/blacksmith shop, barn, head keeper’s residence and Visitor Center/Gift Shop.

No pets even in a vehicle, no food or beverage other than water, and no beach access. Participants are encouraged to dress in layers and be prepared for wind and sun exposure. If weather causes cancellation, you will be contacted.

When your check is received, you will be given specific details for our tour. Please send your $15.00 check per person (guests encouraged) to Julie Smith, 8 Calera Canyon Rd., Salinas, CA 93908. Further questions: (831) 500-1785.

Save the Date: Nov. 7, Monterey Water One Tour

Linda Hanger, RTC Coordinator

RTC toured Leonoff Glass Studio and Gallery in Carmel Valley. He makes beautiful glass sculptures, vases, ornaments, and pumpkins. To show us one of his processes, he made a vase while we watched and asked questions.

GREAT DECISIONS

Enrollment for our 2025 group is now open!

If you would like to be part of a group that explores global issues, Great Decisions group is for you! Every year we partner with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) to participate in their Great Decisions Program.

Starting in late January, we will meet to discuss eight current, controversial topics based on a booklet written by the FPA. Participants meet on Zoom for eight consecutive weeks and take turns leading the discussions. Our meetings are held on Thursdays, 2:00-3:30 p.m.. We start with the viewing of a short (20 min.) video followed by our group discussion. Attendance is not mandatory for every meeting. We know things come up!

To view the topics for the 2025 Program, go to Foreign Policy Association (fpa.org). The last day to enroll is Oct. 31. Cost of the booklet and materials is approximately $26.00.

Contact Maggie Pedersen at maggiep52@hotmail.com or 713-206-6507 if you are interested in joining this enlightening activity! If you miss the enrollment period, please contact Maggie.

Maggie Pedersen - Coordinator

NEW GOURMET DINNER GROUP

Our AAUW branch had a gourmet dinner group for 25+ years that ended about the time of Covid. Several people have asked if it’s going to form again. It was enjoyable to dine in small groups and get better acquainted with other members. Since Kathy Poulson chaired this group for a few years, she has offered to help organize it. If you’re interested, please email Kathy at abeachlov@gmail.com. If enough respond, she will arrange a get-together in September. No one needs to commit but just come and share their interest and thoughts. Although there was a previous format for how the group planned their dinners, a new group can set whatever ground rules/plans they’d like. Again, if you’re interested, please email Kathy.

MEMBERSHIP

Kenis Dunne & Judy Nejasmich, Co-VP Membership

To protect the information of our members, membership information about new members and changes for current members will not be shown in the newsletter. Instead, we will list their names, for you to go to the password-protected online directory (see the third column below) to see what is new, allowing you to make changes in your printed directory. - Editors

Directory Updates

If there are errors or changes in your directory listing, please tell us so corrections can be made. - Editors

Tama Olver has a slight change to her email address. See it in our online directory.

New Members

Delphia Edwards

Diane Middaugh

Caroline Moyer

Marian Sosnick

Georgia Jo Van Dam

Marna Wheeler



Cyndie Zikmund

Online Directory

The password to our protected online directory on our website in the Member Center is on the second page of your pink membership directory. (If you cannot find it, call Kenis Dunne or Judy Nejasmich.) This is where all of our members' contact information is readily accessible.

http://mpb-ca.aauw.net

NEW MEMBER BIOS

Delphia Edwards

Delphia is a graduate of San Diego State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in history and English, and an elementary teaching credential. She received a Learning Disability Specialist credential from San Jose State University. She and her husband Mike have two married sons and three grandchildren. They worked and raised their family in San Jose, then moved to Monterey three years ago. Her career includes teaching in Australia, infant intervention specialist, high school special education teacher, resource specialist, program specialist, and Disability Rights/Behavior Intervention support coordinator. She has joined our Banned Books Club and is interested in checking out Romancing the Coast, Hiking, and Great Decisions. She was a board member and officer of Momentum for Health for nine years. It is a non-profit association providing mental health services in Santa Clara county. She continues to support its goals of providing access to community mental health services and removing the stigma of mental illness.

Diane Middaugh

Diane has a BA and MA from San Jose State University. She is interested in a day book group, Hiking Group, Romancing the Coast, and the Local Scholarships committee.

Caroline Moyer

Caroline graduated from Mills College with a BA in Biology and worked as a lab tech for several years before starting a family. They were in the US Navy and traveled all over the world. She received a math teaching certificate from San Diego State and then taught math for 15 years. Her teaching credential was earned at St. Mary's College Moraga. She enjoys book clubs and hiking. They also enjoy taking their two grandchildren to National Parks all over the U.S. In our branch, she is interested in a daytime book club, Hiking Group and the Local Scholarships committee.

Marian Sosnick

Marian has a degree in Merchandizing and Business from San Diego State University. She is interested in the book groups, Romancing the Coast and the Program Committee.

Georgia Jo Van Dam

Georgia has a BA from Augustana College and an MA from University of Illinois. She is a professor at MPC in English and Philosophy. She likes music and dance, and world travel (especially loves Australia). In our branch, she is interested in Evening Book Group, Hiking Group, Romancing the Coast, Gourmet Group, and the Program and Local Scholaships committees.

Marna Wheeler



Marna received a BA in Education from San Francisco State University. She taught grades 1-4 for 15 years and Special Ed as a Resource Specialist for 14 years. She wrote the book "No Sweat Alphabet" to introduce sounds and syllables of the alphabet. She and her husband Steve have five grandchildren. They love to travel the world. She is in three book groups. She is interested in Hiking Group, Romancing the Coast, Gourmet Group and Program Committee.

Cyndie Zikmund

Cyndie recently moved to the Monterey Peninsula from the Bay Area and retired on February 29, 2024. Her 45-year career in high tech spanned engineering, product management, and marketing at several established tech companies and countless startups. Though she is a technologist at heart, her new love is writing creative nonfiction. After receiving an MFA in 2020, she created her aspiring author website (www.cyndiezikmund.com) and started looking for like-minded book nerds to share her passion. She's a hobbyist winemaker and is also interested in sharing wine and great eats.

Board Meetings

Sept. 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Pasadera Clubhouse

100 Pasadera Dr.

Monterey

Oct. 3 at 1:00 p.m.

CFMC, 2354 Garden Rd.

Websites

AAUW-MPB

https://mpb-ca.aauw.net/

==========

AAUW-CA

http://aauw-ca.org

Nov./Dec. Messenger

Please email articles for the Nov./Dec. newsletter to

Caryl Rojas by Oct. 15.

AAUW DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS

If you paid the full $115 AAUW yearly dues, $69 of that is tax deductible. In addition, any donations to our charitable funds will be tax deductible for a tax year if paid by December 31st of that year and if you itemize deductions. Note that a donation to any of these three areas can also be made in honor or in memory of a friend or family member. More information and a donation form (optional) may be found at this link to our website. If making a donation directly from an IRA as a qualified charitable donation (QCD), consult your tax advisor or www.irs.gov for further information.

Tech Trek

Make check payable to "AAUW-CA SPF"

with "Tech Trek, Monterey Peninsula"

in the memo line.

Send to AAUW MPB

P.O. Box 1786

Monterey, CA 93942

AAUW Fund

Make check payable to "AAUW"

with "AAUW Fund"

in the memo line.

Send your check to Gabriele Simbriger-Williams

P.O. Box 1786

Monterey, CA 93942

or donate at aauw.org, including your member ID for branch credit.

Newsletter Schedule

Newsletters are published around the 1st of the months of September, November, January, March and May. There will be short "eblasts", containing reminders or special announcements. If you do not receive a newsletter, please contact us so we can fix it. Please note that newsletter content will relate only to AAUW and branch matters, a policy of AAUW National.

Caryl Rojas & Bonnie Lockwood, Newsletter Co-Editors