Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon
at Embassy Suites in Seaside, CA, September 30, 2016
The Rooster Crowed! What kind of title is that for a Leadership Luncheon? Well, just hang on and you’ll know soon enough. As far as the luncheon goes, you might say, anyone who was anyone was there. The room was filled with elected officials and those hoping to get elected.
Casey Lucius
During the networking time before the luncheon I was able to speak with Casey Lucius, who is running for Congress against Jimmy Panetta. I love seeing more and more women getting involved in politics and we certainly need more women in Washington. I’m sure Jimmy Panetta will give her a run for her money, however.
Jimmy Panetta
The luncheon began with Jody Hansen, MPCC President and CEO, introducing the Master of Ceremonies, Doug Yount, MPCC Chair-Elect. After a few remarks, he introduced Senator Bill Monning, Senate Majority Leader, California Senate District 178, who was the keynote speaker.
He spoke of our 3 top industries that employ the most employees, Agriculture, Hospitality, and Higher Education and caught us up on the important issues we are facing – water being one of the major ones.
Senator Bill Monning
Assembly member, Mark Stone, from the state assembly then followed with his remarks and then Supervisors John Philips, Jane Parker, and Dave Potter. Sheriff Steve Bernal had a lot to say about law enforcement, but like the others, had only 4 minutes to say it in.
Bill Kampe, mayor of Pacific Grove
There was a great showing by most of the mayors of our area – 8 in all. Mayor Bill Kampe discussed what was going on in Pacific Grove and invited everyone to the Butterfly Parade coming up.
Butterfly Parade, Pacific Grove
Mayor Pro Tem, Carrie Theis, of Carmel invited everyone to the Centennial Parade on October 29th. The Master of Ceremonies had earlier announced that Mayor Steve Dallas of Carmel couldn’t be there, because he was busy finding the horses to pull Grand Marshall Clint Eastwood’s stagecoach in the parade.
Clint Eastwood, Grand Marshall of the Carmel Centennial parade
We’re all looking forward to this parade and even I will be dressed up in period costume following behind the stagecoach as an Ambassador of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
Jerry Edelen, Mayor of Del Rey Oaks
I’ve been to many Mayors panels in recent years and Jerry Edelen, the mayor of Del Rey Oaks, always has a well written humorous set of remarks prepared. This luncheon was no different. This time his “state of Del Rey Oaks” speech was all about the bull frogs and an annoying rooster who was cock-a-doodling every morning and annoying all the neighbors. It was rumored the rooster had escaped from Seaside.
The police were called who set some traps, but this was one smart rooster who took the bait and escaped the trap. Finally one day he just disappeared solving the major problem of the city of Del Rey Oaks. It’s not clear if the bull frogs got him or if he decided to go traveling again.
Mayors Bruce Delgado (Marina), Clyde Roberson (Monterey), Joe Gunter (Salinas), David Pendergrass (Sand City), and Ralph Rubio (Seaside) also presented their 4 minute messages. District Director, Alec Arago, from Sam Farr’s office completed the presentation and both Alec and Sam Farr, US Representative, who was in Washington DC, were thanked for their many years of service in the 20th Congressional District.
It’s always rewarding to see and hear our elected officials and I was very glad I was able to attend this year’s Annual Leadership Luncheon.
Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival 2016 at Stevenson School, Pebble Beach
James Newman, astronaut. Currently a professor of space systems at the Naval Post Graduate School. Logged 43 days in space including 6 space walks totaling 43 hours.
What a great idea Cindy and Jim McGillen had 10 years ago to create a venue for great minds to come together and share their intriguing ideas. Twenty-seven plus nationally renowned authors and innovators gathered in Pebble Beach this weekend to share their knowledge and great ideas with the participants. The attendees were generous sponsors of the festival, paying guests, and educators who were invited as guests. I was lucky enough to be one of the volunteers helping with the event so I was able to hear many of the speakers when I wasn’t on duty..
Secretary Leon Panetta
Secretary Leon Panetta kicked off the festival with a thought provoking speech on Friday night. Prior to serving as the 23rd Secretary of Defense, Panetta (a local Carmel Valley resident) served as the Director of the CIA, White House Chief of Staff, Director of OMB, and before that a Congressman in the House of Representatives from 1977-1993. The amphitheater was packed with an enthusiastic audience.
Thousands of school children of Monterey County participated in the Student Ideas Festival thanks to the Carmel Ideas Foundation. Some students were also given the honor to be student presenters introducing each speaker as they came onto the stage. What an opportunity for students to have such an amazing experience!
Amphitheater at Stevenson School~ John Hennessy speaking.
Presentations took place in several different venues. Speaking here in the outdoor amphitheater is John Hennessy. After a 16 year term as president of Stanford University he is being hailed as transformational after remaking the university from the inside out.
John Hennessy
He is now the founding director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars program designed to lure the best students in the world for graduate education at Stanford with the goal of “doing good for the world”.
Cara Hale Alter founder of SpeechSkills ~ author of The Credibility Code:How to Project Confidence and Competence When It Matters Most
The other venues included a large auditorium and small break out sessions in classrooms.
Cara Hale Alter
Cara Hale Alter was a popular speaker who has provided training to the world’s leading companies and top-100 law firms. She teaches how to project confidence and competence. Don’t miss buying her book on the subject complete with video demonstrations! Just as an aside story about Cara, she and I both recognized each other when she checked in at the registration desk, but couldn’t figure out how we knew each other. We finally figured out she had been my Jazz Dance instructor 25+ years ago in San Francisco!
The Credibility Code by Cara Hale Alter
Dr. Bernie Roth was very interesting and a kick to listen to. He is a Stanford professor who is the Rodney H. Adams Professor of Engineering and is also a co-founder of Stanford’s “d-school” which teaches “design thinking”. Early this year I completed Stanford University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certification program which included a day at Stanford learning all about design thinking so I was very interested in what he had to say.
Dr. Bernard Roth in his break out session.Dr. Bernard Roth, a Stanford University professor.
His book, The Achievement Habit is a “Don’t Miss” read.
The Achievement Habit by Bernard Roth
The authors all had book signings in the bookstore and there were long lines of people clutching their books in hand for a personal moment with the authors to get a personalized autograph.
Authors L-Hampton Sides and R-Peter Ricchiuti signing their books for eager readers.
The amazing array of authors is just too long to include in a short blog entry. There was Dan Buettner who discovered the Blue Zones where there is the highest concentration of centenarians; Kathlyn Cooney, an archaeologist who has researched ancient Egypt; Professor Andrew Fraknoi, who makes astronomy a joy to learn about, and Mas Matsumoto, an organic peach and grape farmer who had written about the family succession on a family farm.
Mas Masumoto, an organic peach and grape farmer with a story.
There were so many more stunning presentations with great ideas flowing that there isn’t room to talk about them all. Just make a note in your calendar to come next year last weekend in September to the
I know many of us as young girls dreamed of meeting a knight in shining armor (or maybe even being a damsel in distress) and being whisked away to his castle on horseback – do you think our doggie friends have similar dreams? During “Car Week” which is just beginning Alain Pinel Realtors decided to do something different. Local architects, designers, and builders were invited to imagine and create “Canine Cottages” in different architectural designs pairing our love of both homes and our pets.
“The Tudor” designed by Helen Okada and built by Jim Yates Construction
These “doghouse masterpieces” are being auctioned off at Alain Pinel Realtors through Tuesday August 16th via a Silent Auction manned by SPCA volunteers. All monies collected go to the SPCA to help fund their efforts in caring for animals and currently they are very busy attending to animals misplaced by the Big Sur fire keeping them fed and safe and providing homes.
SPCA event chair (on right) and a volunteer
Today’s young women aren’t into fairytales so much so perhaps a more modern theme would work for today’s modern pooch!
Contemporary designed by Sterling -Huddelson & constructed by Carrol & Strong Builders, Inc.
You can bid on these Canine Cottages from 10am-4:00pm from Saturday August 13th – Tuesday August 16th. Then on Tuesday from 4:00pm-7:00pm there will be a grand reception at Alain Pinel Realtors where the Best of Show will be awarded and the results of the Silent Auction will be announced. Don’t miss this event of the Season! Entry fee is $50 ~ all proceeds benefit the SPCA.
Green/Smart home designed by Jeselnick architect & construction by Hare Construction
Then for the thoroughly modern and politically correct pooch we have the Green/Smart home complete with a natural roof and fountain.
Jeselnick Architect & Hare Construction
Colonial by Bakker Construction – modeled from a historic home in Pacific Grove
Our Monterey Peninsula is filled with history and historic homes and this next doggie abode has a history of its own. It is a colonial design and patterned off a real historic home in Pacific Grove on Central Avenue that was remodeled by Bakker Construction.
Doggie treats and playthings in the lid.Note the side door entrance for our doggie.
Ok, I guess you are all wondering which is my favorite? What can I say, I’m a “fairytale/castle girl”!
Susan Clark, Alain Pinel Realtors admiring the Castle.
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to help the SPCA and have fun at our grand reception! Tickets available at our offices or online.
