Volume 73 Issue 2

Nov./Dec. 2025

Calendar of Coming Events

Wednesday, November 5 - Butterfly Sanctuary hike - A Change!

Tuesday, November 11 - Social Justice Informational Meeting

Wednesday, November 19 - Asilomar to Spanish Bay hike

Thursday, November 20, 10:00 am - RTC - Peninsula Potters Studio, 2078 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove

Saturday, November 22 - November Branch Meeting, The Monterey Center for Spiritual Living, 400 W. Franklin Street, Monterey

Wednesday, December 3 - Carmel Meadows hike

Sunday, December 14, 2:00-4:00 pm - Annual Holiday Party, Pat Fletcher's home, 6 Overlook Place, Monterey

Wednesday, December 17 - Pebble Beach hike

Saturday, January 24, 2:00 pm - January Branch Meeting, The Monterey Center for Spiritual Living, 400 W. Franklin Street, Monterey

Tuesday, January 27, 1:00-3:00 pm - Bocce, City of Monterey Bocce Courts adjacent to Custom House Plaza

Presidents' Message

Greetings from Anne and Debbie...

We are excited to share that for FY 2025, the Monterey County Branch of AAUW has achieved all five stars in AAUW's Five Star Program, which is designed to help branches align with AAUW’s strategic priorities and advance its mission of achieving gender equity for women and girls.

As noted by the grantors,

“This distinction reflects exemplary leadership and impact across

Advancement, Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming, and Communications & External Relations. Your branch has set a powerful example of mission-aligned, sustainable work that strengthens your community and AAUW nationwide.”

As we head into our busy year of AAUW programs and activities, thank you to our hard-working Board of Directors and Activity/Group Leaders. These women continue to bring important educational programs to you as well as creating opportunities to be with other members through the walking group, Romancing the Coast, and many other activities. 

Finally, we also celebrate the success of the Tech Trek and Local Scholarship Programs, and the AAUW Fund. Promoting opportunities for girls and women is the heart of our organization. Keep these programs in mind when budgeting your annual gifts.  

Best,

Anne Albano and Debbie Hobbs, Co-Presidents

November Branch Meeting

Date: Saturday, November 22

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Location: The Monterey Center for Spiritual Living, 400 W. Franklin Street, Monterey. (Click here for a map.)

Educating Future Marine Biologists

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) is known for a hands-on, field-oriented approach which places their students, faculty, researchers, and staff at frontiers of marine science worldwide where discoveries are being made. 

Our speaker, Petra Dekens, is the Executive Director of MLML. Dr. Dekens holds a MS Degree from UC Santa Barbara in Marine Sciences and a Ph.D from UC, Santa Cruz in Paleoceanography.

We encourage you to bring family and friends, including any students you know who might be interested in marine science and the MLML program.

Please RSVP by November 18 to Christine Parmentier at cmparmentier@gmail.com. 

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

Annual Holiday Party

Date:   Sunday, December 14

Time:   2:00 - 4:00 pm

Place:  Pat Fletcher's home, 6 Overlook Place, Monterey (Click here for a map.)

It is almost time to ring in 2026. We welcome members, prospective members, and partners to join us for our Holiday Party at the home of Pat and Peter Fletcher.

Attendees are asked to bring a bite size appetizer or dessert according to the information below as well as wine or another beverage to share. As our party will be in a private home, we will not have table seating so please plan your special treat accordingly.  

Last names A-P:  Bite-size appetizer

Last names R-Z: Bite-size dessert

We invite you to bring a new or gently used unwrapped book to be donated to local children for the holidays. Books for any child’s age are good; bilingual books are especially appreciated. 

Please RSVP by Friday, December 12 to Pat Fletcher at 408-373-5800 or pfletcher02@gmail.com. Let Pat know if you need to reserve a driveway spot due to mobility issues. Parking is on the street, which is hilly. Plan on carpooling, if possible. Drop off your dish/beverage in front of the house before parking, if you wish. 

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

Preview of January 2026

Program Meeting

California Condors

Restoring California Condors to the wild since 1997

Ventana Wildlife Society has made remarkable progress - rebuilding a wild population from zero to over 100 condors in Central California. Yet every year, condors face devastating losses, mostly from ingesting spent lead ammunition. 

Our January 2026 program will be presented by a speaker from the Condor Recovery Program at the Ventana Wildlife Society. 

Save the Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Watch for more details in the January/February 2026 newsletter.

Our Purpose

AAUW advances equity for women and girls by championing success in higher education — a vital pathway to economic security. For over 140 years, AAUW has led the fight for gender equity through advocacy, funding, and collective action.

Strategic Priorities

1.    Fund Higher Education

·      Provide grants and fellowships for women in underserved communities

and underrepresented fields like STEM.

·      Support women in academia and research.

·      Build networks for alumnae to lead and expand AAUW’s impact globally.

2.    Remove Barriers to Success in Education and the Workplace

·      Champion legislation supporting paid family and medical leave, paid sick

days, pay equity, and workplace harassment protections.

·      Promote inclusive, safe, and accessible educational environments through

enforcement of Title IX and other civil rights laws.

3.    Strengthen AAUW’s Reach

·      Support an effective network of states and branches through aligned

strategies and initiatives like the Five-Star Program.

·      Grow organizational sustainability through member engagement and

impact evaluation.

Call to Action

In a time of growing challenges to education access, AAUW must meet this moment. This strategic plan renews our commitment to higher education as the key to equity and empowers a stronger, unified movement to create lasting change.

Social Justice/Advocacy

The Social Justice/Advocacy committee is hosting an informational meeting on Tuesday, November 11 at 11:00 am at the home of Sharyn Siebert. The purpose of this committee is for our Monterey County Branch to explore what we can, on a non-partisan basis, do toward advancing our mission locally of equity for women and girls. Because Carmel by the Sea currently does not have street addresses, please RSVP to sharynsiebert@comcast.net or call (831) 809-4918 for directions to her home.

It is suggested prior to the meeting, visit the AAUW California website at https://www.aauw-ca.org/public-policy/. It has highly informative newsletters and talking points about Proposition 50, as well as other important data.

Sharyn Siebert - Public Policy and Gov Trek Liaison, Director

Bocce in the Park

Date: Tuesday, January 27  

Time: 1:00-3:00 pm

Location: City of Monterey Bocce Courts adjacent to Custom House Plaza. Click here for a map.

We now have a new group called Bocce in the Park. We will play quarterly and will rotate between the Mondays and Tuesdays in an attempt to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. 

We had our first fun games in September and everyone seemed to have fun. The future gatherings will be Monday, April 27; Tuesday, July 28; and Monday, October 26. 

We will play at the courts at the Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey; more information will come out before each outing. We may need to cap the number of attendants at 24 so sign up once this is announced. Hope to see you there. Please contact Claire Scalzo for additional information at claireascalzo@gmail.com.

Deborah Stern and Claire Scalzo, Coordinators - Bocce

*****

Here are some images from the first Bocce, and the Wine and Whine.

Group at the Wine & Whine

The Wednesday Afternoon Book Club has openings for a few members. We generally meet the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 pm in each other’s homes, but due to holidays, will meet Wednesday, November 12 for our planning meeting and Wednesday, December 10 for a holiday no-host lunch. We have enjoyed a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Email Nancyksoule@yahoo.com for more information.

Hiking Group

November 5 - A change! Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, leader Nancy Edwards. Meet at the gate to Asilomar Conference Grounds at 9:30 am, for a 2.5 mile loop. Those who wish can get a latte or tea in Phoebe's Cafe. There is parking on Asilomar Blvd or the cross street - Sinex Ave. RSVP to Nancy Edwards at njfedwards44@gmail.com or (831) 238-3603  (cell).

November 19 - Asilomar to Spanish Bay, leader Randy Clark

December 3 - Carmel Meadows, leader Caroline Moyer

December 17 - Pebble Beach, leader Nancy Coss-Fitzwater

For more specifics about each hike, please call the leader.

Chris Parmentier and Ardith Peck, Coordinators - Hiking Group

Romancing the Coast

Peninsula Potters Studio and Showroom

Date: Thursday, November 20

Time: 10:00 am

Location: 2078 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove

(located in the Russell Service Center) (Click here for a map.)

We will have a tour and demonstration of making pottery, and learn about the firing process and use of glazes. After the tour, we will have lunch at the nearby Fishwife Restaurant.

Please RSVP by November 14 to Nancy Edwards, by text (831) 238-3603 or njfedwards44@gmail.com. Let her know if you're going to lunch.

Nancy Edwards, RTC Coordinator

Gourmet Lunch/Dinner Group

Do you like to eat delicious homemade food? 

Do you want to meet new people? 

Do you enjoy trying new recipes?

Then the Gourmet Group might be just what you are looking for. We are now organizing new groups for this fall. We have groups for singles and couples; groups for six, eight, and ten people. We have evening groups and Sunday afternoon groups.

If you are interested or want more information, please contact

Ann Donaldson (ann@wjdonaldson.com or 831-372-4251) or

Julie Smith (smith.julie333@yahoo.com or 831-500-1785).

Please indicate: if you are single or a couple; how many you would like in your group; do you wish to meet during the afternoon or evening? Are there other people you want to be grouped with? Do you want to be a substitute?

Cheers and Bon Appetite.

Ann Donaldson and Julie Smith, Co-Coordinators - Gourmet Groups

Tech Trek On Track 

Thanks to Your Support

Thank you all for your support of the Tech Trek Fundraiser with a special shout out to our hostess Maureen Vieth and our “caterer” Claire Scalzo. It was a delightful afternoon hearing about this transformative experience.

“I found my people, girls who liked science or math as much as I do,” was the common theme the campers shared with our group. They did everything from fighting Zombie Squirrels (Fresno Camp) to applying physics concepts to evaluate the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (Camp Carson). They learned about aviation, plant propagation, climate issues, vaccines, stem cells, structural engineering, and much more through hands-on workshops and classes. 

Several were inspired by the professional women they met to consider careers they’d never heard of prior to camp. Their parents talked about how they’d been nervous to send their daughter away, but thrilled at the enthusiasm and energy the girls gained over the week. 

In all, five of our girls spoke at the fundraiser, including a virtual camper from the COVID era who has come back twice as an in-person counselor. We also heard from Camp Carson Nurse, Suzanne Schmidt, and Dorm Monitor Gail Widener. We learned that you don’t have to have a STEM background to relish being a volunteer at a Tech Trek camp.  

Thanks to your generous donations, we are on track to meet our fundraising goal of $20,000. We have been notified that camp fees will increase next year although not by how much. That will give us enough to send at least 12 girls to in-person camp and maintain a reserve. If you haven’t donated yet, it’s not too late.

In the next few months we’ll recruit girls from North County, Seaside, Los Arboles, John Gutierrez and El Sausal Middle Schools for next summer’s camp. There will be opportunities for you to participate interviewing the girls so watch for notices. Thanks again for all your support.

Tech Trek is a 501(c)(3) so you may donate through your IRA or Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), or by sending a check. Our Tax ID # is: 68-0463071. If you donate through a DAF, the check will be sent directly to Sacramento, as AAUW-CA holds the 501(c)(3). It’s critical that you include in the memo line that the donation is for Monterey Peninsula Branch. If you write a check from your regular checking account, please make checks payable to: "AAUW-CA SPF" with "Tech Trek, Monterey Peninsula" in the memo line. Mail checks to:  Noelle Hetz, 200 Hawthorne Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Each of the campers spoke about her enriching experience.

A sincere thank you to our fabulous members.

Fatima Diaz and Gail Widener, Co Directors - Tech Trek

Membership

Directory Updates

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

Cheryl Moore has a new address in Monterey. See the online directory.

New Members

 Chanelle Argueta

(student)

Valerie Cantley

Judy McCormick

(returning)

*****

See the online directory.

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 or do not have a directory, call Judy Nejasmich at 831 238-2280.) This is where all members' contact information is readily accessible.

http://mpb-ca.aauw.net

New Member Bios

Chanelle Argueta

Chanelle is a new Student member of our Branch. She received one of our Local Scholarships two years ago and is studying engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. While her studies may prevent her from actively participating in Branch activities, we hope to see her from time to time during school breaks. 

Valerie Cantley

Valerie attended UCSB and UCI, earning her BA. She is interested in Great Decisions, Hiking Group, Romancing the Coast and Gourmet Group.

Judy McCormick

Judy recently rejoined our Branch after a brief hiatus. Judy lives in Carmel Valley and is an active participant in the Wednesday Afternoon Book Club. She loves to read and travel, and has a goal to travel to Africa.

Nancy Coss-Fitzwater and Judy Nejasmich, Co-VP - Membership

Board Meetings

Nov. 6 at 1:00 pm

CFMC, 2354 Garden Rd.

Monterey

Dec. 4 at 1:00 pm

CFMC, 2354 Garden Rd.

Monterey

Websites

AAUW-MCB

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

==========

AAUW-CA

http://aauw-ca.org

January/February

Messenger

Please email articles for the January/February newsletter to

Caryl Rojas and

Bonnie Lockwood by

December 15.

AAUW Deductible Donations

The full amount of National dues you paid is tax deductible as a charitable donation. (This does not include State and Local dues.) 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 more information.

Tech Trek

Make check payable to "AAUW-CA SPF"

with "Tech Trek, Monterey Peninsula"

in the memo line.

Send to Noelle Hetz,

200 Hawthorne St.,

Monterey, CA 93940.

(Tax ID # is 68-0463071)

AAUW Fund

Donate at aauw.org, or write a check payable to "AAUW".

Send your check to Gabriele Simbriger-Williams,

1822 Links Drive,

Seaside, CA 93955.

Local Scholarships

Make check payable to "AAUW-MPB Local Scholarships".

Send your check to

Kathy Poulson,

1092 Presidio Road,

Pebble Beach, CA 93953.

(Tax ID # is 81-0567656)

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.

Bonnie Lockwood and Caryl Rojas, Co-Editors - Newsletter