ARTICLE
Well, we can be very horrified at this time of year after all that our world, nation, our state and most importantly our county, has endured since March. We have been devastated by a virus that has no boundaries, we have been weakened to the knees by the wrath of wildfires that scorched our mountain communities and we are still here standing in the face of it all. There is a saying that comes to mind, “Humble on the outside and confident on the inside.” How true that quote is today. Forgive me for a moment, but I was born and raised as a sport fanatic. October is the beginning of the fall sports season that captivates my interest. It is Major League Baseball (MLB) playoff time, the National Football League (NFL) is in full motion, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) is just getting started. However, this year is very different. Yes, we have the MLB playoffs after a COVID-19 shortened season. The NFL is oddly watched on National TV where there are no fans in the stands in California stadiums, or sparse crowds in other stadiums where those states allow fans to attend. We watched “the bubble NBA playoffs” where the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned champions for the 17th time. Something was amiss from the playoffs besides the weirdness of players and coaches wearing masks on the sidelines and “fans” in the stands via Zoom. Nonetheless it was entertaining if you are a fan. The real missing part of the NBA playoffs was our hometown Golden State Warriors were home watching instead of playing. Why am I taking time to write about sports as we make every effort to conquer a virus, stay safe by following the Governor’s BluePrint Metrics of Economic Recovery, at the same time pressing forward to encourage buyers to Shop Local? Because we are in this fight to win, just like those professional athletes whose inspirational play leads their teams to victory. You see, it is absolutely essential to be in the game and give it your all. What does that mean for your Chamber? What does that mean for our members? And what does that mean for our community? We need to be resilient in the face of adversity. Earlier this month, the Chamber staff began the 2021 membership renewal process, asking members to continue to support your Chamber as the voice of the business community. We understand the significant struggles small and medium size businesses and nonprofits have to combat and we are with you every step of the way. As a way of helping you, the Chamber has offered discounts to members who renew their 2021 membership early. While the dollar discount amount may not be a large sum, we believe it shows that your Chamber staff cares about your business as much as you care about us. We see signs around our community that state: “We are in this together.” That statement is true to its very core. We are stronger when we are united in battle. For non-members who read this column regularly, I encourage you to support our mission through your engagement and participation in Chamber events. We have a couple of fun events coming up that may lighten your stress level. Our first attempt at a Carpool Movie Night with the Chamber hosted by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and sponsored by Santa Cruz County Bank, the Dream Inn, and Scott Design is coming up this Sunday, October 18th at 6pm. You can get your tickets here: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Carpool-Movie-Night-with-the-Chamber-4222/details Another fun event to break up your work week is our Virtual Trivia Happy Hour next Wednesday, October 21st - A time to Network and Recharge, co hosted by Woodstock's Pizza with special guest, Thomas Todd, a former Jeopardy contestant and host of a weekly trivia program with the Washington Post. You can register here: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Virtual-Trivia-Happy-Hour-A-Time-to-Network-Recharge-4219/details In closing, community engagement starts with you. Please take part in Chamber and other community events and be an engaged citizen in our community by enjoying the value of friendship with partner organizations that make Santa Cruz County special. As an avid history buff, one of my life heroes is Theodore Roosevelt who was a giant of a person more than a century ago. His quote below is my message to the community. “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Stay Safe, Be Strong, and Buy Local.
Well, we can be very horrified at this time of year after all that our world, nation, our state and most importantly our county, has endured since March. We have been devastated by a virus that has no boundaries, we have been weakened to the knees by the wrath of wildfires that scorched our mountain communities and we are still here standing in the face of it all. There is a saying that comes to mind, “Humble on the outside and confident on the inside.” How true that quote is today.
Forgive me for a moment, but I was born and raised as a sport fanatic. October is the beginning of the fall sports season that captivates my interest. It is Major League Baseball (MLB) playoff time, the National Football League (NFL) is in full motion, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) is just getting started. However, this year is very different. Yes, we have the MLB playoffs after a COVID-19 shortened season. The NFL is oddly watched on National TV where there are no fans in the stands in California stadiums, or sparse crowds in other stadiums where those states allow fans to attend. We watched “the bubble NBA playoffs” where the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned champions for the 17th time. Something was amiss from the playoffs besides the weirdness of players and coaches wearing masks on the sidelines and “fans” in the stands via Zoom. Nonetheless it was entertaining if you are a fan. The real missing part of the NBA playoffs was our hometown Golden State Warriors were home watching instead of playing.
Why am I taking time to write about sports as we make every effort to conquer a virus, stay safe by following the Governor’s BluePrint Metrics of Economic Recovery, at the same time pressing forward to encourage buyers to Shop Local? Because we are in this fight to win, just like those professional athletes whose inspirational play leads their teams to victory. You see, it is absolutely essential to be in the game and give it your all.
What does that mean for your Chamber? What does that mean for our members? And what does that mean for our community? We need to be resilient in the face of adversity. Earlier this month, the Chamber staff began the 2021 membership renewal process, asking members to continue to support your Chamber as the voice of the business community. We understand the significant struggles small and medium size businesses and nonprofits have to combat and we are with you every step of the way. As a way of helping you, the Chamber has offered discounts to members who renew their 2021 membership early. While the dollar discount amount may not be a large sum, we believe it shows that your Chamber staff cares about your business as much as you care about us. We see signs around our community that state: “We are in this together.” That statement is true to its very core. We are stronger when we are united in battle.
For non-members who read this column regularly, I encourage you to support our mission through your engagement and participation in Chamber events. We have a couple of fun events coming up that may lighten your stress level. Our first attempt at a Carpool Movie Night with the Chamber hosted by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and sponsored by Santa Cruz County Bank, the Dream Inn, and Scott Design is coming up this Sunday, October 18th at 6pm.
You can get your tickets here: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Carpool-Movie-Night-with-the-Chamber-4222/details
Another fun event to break up your work week is our Virtual Trivia Happy Hour next Wednesday, October 21st - A time to Network and Recharge, co hosted by Woodstock's Pizza with special guest, Thomas Todd, a former Jeopardy contestant and host of a weekly trivia program with the Washington Post.
You can register here: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Virtual-Trivia-Happy-Hour-A-Time-to-Network-Recharge-4219/details
In closing, community engagement starts with you. Please take part in Chamber and other community events and be an engaged citizen in our community by enjoying the value of friendship with partner organizations that make Santa Cruz County special. As an avid history buff, one of my life heroes is Theodore Roosevelt who was a giant of a person more than a century ago. His quote below is my message to the community.
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Stay Safe, Be Strong, and Buy Local.