City of San José public art director Michael Ogilvie has led numerous public art projects and programs at the City of Las Vegas, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Clark County, and the City of San José. He has spearheaded public art efforts that have reduced tagging and gang markings by 80% in blighted neighborhoods, beautified buildings and bridges, reduced psychological trauma in abused and abandoned children, honored the fallen, memorialized the past, enhanced investment portfolios, reduced litter and pollution, and created a better future for residents. With two decades of public art experience, he knows and understands public art is not a luxury, it is a necessity and it is as diverse and versatile as the communities we inhabit. Michael received a BA in Art from the University of Nevada, Reno, and an MFA in painting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has exhibited his art and comics nationally and internationally. He has published five graphic novels and has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. His most recent iteration of illustrated stories Territorial Legends chronicle the overlooked and remarkable lives of obscure iconoclasts. Michael resides in the Bay Area with his wife who is a professor of art at Ohlone College.

Our community grants application period is open until 10/1. Thanks to our generous members, we have $150,000 to distribute. Here are links to the grant guidelines and application that you can share with local nonprofits (both can be found on our website under Applications):

Guidelines: https://sjrotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Community-Grant-Application-7.2020-1.pdf

Application: https://sjrotary.org/community-grant/

Location: Gordon House, 1690 Senter Rd, San Jose

Date: Saturday, July 23

Time: 8.30am-3:30pm

Volunteers: Friends and family welcome!

Registration: Please register through this dedicated page: http://vhub.at/sanjoserotary



Questions? Contact Jen Simmons at 408.807.3550 or jen@jensimmonsdesigns.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Homeless Impact Committee (“HIC”) continues to work in the summer to put together and distribute hygiene kits for the unhoused in Santa Clara County. Please join us for the July hygiene kit assembly build on Saturday, July 23rd from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Blach Construction, 2244 Blach Place #100, San Jose.

If you cannot attend, you can still help by working at your home to put together 24 individual kits. Materials can be delivered to you.

Rotarians, family members, and students who need community service hours, are welcome to participate. Please contact Sarah Janigian, sarah.janigian@gmail.com, if you plan to attend or need information.

President Sal opened the #5352nd meeting of the Rotary Club of San Jose to order. Rotarians introduced their guests and visiting Rotarians. New member Rachael Barclay was introduced by her sponsor Ron Zraick. Blue Badges were presented to Barbara Marshman and Pat Lucas. President Sal thanked the Board of Trustees for hosting the greeting line. For the Youth Exchange, Pam Foley introduced outbound exchange student Zachary Lyon, the first exchange student since the pandemic started. Zachary will be going to Hungary, and he chose it for its unique qualities. Pam mentioned that the Youth Exchange Committee is looking for volunteers. President Sal announced that the Unhoused Impact Committee is assembling unhoused homeless hygiene kits, and is looking for volunteers to help on Saturday July 23 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Blach Construction at 2244 Blach Place #100 in San Jose.

President Sal provided an update on the Gordon House Deck. Many people were there last Saturday helping with the project. Lunch was provided by Adolfo Gomez of the Mezcal Restaurant. Volunteers are needed again on Saturday July 23 to work on the project, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For the Golf Club update, President Sal let everyone know that the Club was out at the Almaden course last week, and there was a lot of fellowship and fun which continues the President’s theme of Let the Good Times Roll.

Doug Smith announced that the Firesides are coming up the week of August 21. Firesides are a chance to socialize and get to know one another better outside of meetings and committees. Doug is looking for hosts for some of the Firesides at homes or places of business. If hosts need help they can reach out to the Fun and Friendship Committee. Larry Stone introduced and interviewed Scott Knies of the In Depth Downtown, as he steps down after 34 years at the helm. Scott was instrumental in starting the San Jose Downtown Association at the same time that he was leading The Fencing Center. He described the early years and the growing relationship with the Redevelopment Agency, which provided seed money for a business improvement district. On a personal note, he was born in the South, and moved all over the country in his youth. He studied journalism and fencing at San Jose State University. He was driven to fencing by the mental and physical aspects of the sport, and his journalism education helped with the communication necessary to run the Downtown Association. Scott talked about the beginning of the Downtown Association and the emphasis on redevelopment infrastructure. From a spiritual perspective, Scott talked about how his 25 years of sobriety shaped his perspective and that he uses as a design for living. In terms of mentors, his fencing master was instrumental in shaping him. He also talked about how the pandemic and telework has impacted downtown and the use of space. Scott reminded the group that Dine Downtown runs from July 21^st to July 31^st. He described the city as a living organism in terms of construction projects and connecting the core to downtown west. Scott reminded us about the important relationship between the city and San Jose State University, as well as the need to keep first-tier arts here in San Jose. To sum up the discussion, Scott emphasized the need for us to provide help in order to address the issues that downtown businesses are having. Our club made a contribution to the San Jose Jazz Aid Fund to honor today’s speaker. President Sal announced that next week’s speaker is Michael Ogilvie from the City of San Jose, who will present on public art. Also, there will be a performance taken from Fun Home by the City Lights Theater Company at next week’s meeting.
The hybrid Zoom-Live meeting was adjourned by President Sal at 1:15 p.m.
To view this week's broadcast, click here.

Respectfully submitted by Martha Wapenski, Meeting Summaries Committee.
Photos taken by Carl Cilker and Jeff Faulkner, Photography Committee.

To view the full set, click here.

New Jersey born, long-time Philadelphia resident and new West Coast resident, Rachael is a 15-year hospitality leader and operator who just joined the Capital Club team as General Manager in early April. Rachael particularly enjoys learning about spirits and wine, with a particular interest in craft cocktails. In June 2021, Rachael had her first daughter, Luna, and in her time away from the club enjoys exploring her new home in the Bay Area with her partner, Eleazar.

I joined Rotary because I am looking to get involved in a life-changing way both personally and professionally. I am very busy with a toddler and my new home at the club, but I want to be an example for my daughter and what an organization to join, with such amazing and accomplished community leaders. It has been a very challenging two years, and it is my hope that I can help position the Capital Club most effectively as a community partner.

Click here for the Rotary Club of San Jose's Membership Application.