At our Zoom meeting last week we heard from Cory Jacobson, the owner of Phoenix Theatres / Beacon Cinema, who spoke about the devastating impact the pandemic has had on the theater industry, which was severely injured financially when theaters were closed down last March. He credited federal assistance with helping him weather the storm, which he emphasized was not a bail-out, but relief. He indicated that he was confident the Beacon would reopen in March, following appropriate safety protocols. He noted that the reclining chairs and reserve seating helped with social distancing, and that they were eliminating touch-point snacks and credit cards. He noted that he felt it critical to get the building open, with people feeling safe again, and to that end his employees will be getting in service training this week. As an added bonus, Cory committed to donating twenty VIP tickets to our auction.
Gail Molari has announced that MOLARI will be helping the Christian Center with supplies for their new Warming Hut. Rotarians have been invited to join in. The Christian Center opened their warming center and with that, comes the opportunity for them to equip those in need with some basic items. Their regular clothing distribution has been suspended due to COVID. The Center indicated they are most in need of new men's and women's underwear, socks in all sizes, gloves, as well as blankets. If you decide to join in you may bring contributions to MOLARI as you bring in your Auction items! Looking to wrap this project up by March 1, so don't delay.
Congratulations to John and Jess Hudnall on the birth of their new daughter, Julianna, weighing in at 5 lbs. 1.4oz. Everyone needs to cut John some slack for a while. He'll be sleep deprived.
We need your auction items now! We are in the process of setting up all of the online items. No more excuses! Mark your items with your name, what the item is, and donor information, and drop them off at the Molari office at 166 East Street.
Brooks and Alex let us know that the new theme of the auction will be “Rotary Opens Doors” That is this year's Rotary theme it will also keep us from being sued by Mr. Rogers estate - who is not being at all neighborly.
They are also putting out a plea for everyone to get any items they have to Molari’s this week. That will give us time to get them entered in the system and photographs taken for the website. We could really use additional items if at all possible. The Committee requests that you be as creative as possible! As of our last meeting, the Committee estimates we have about $24,000 worth (at a stretch) and would really like to see an additional 18K raised
The auction will take place starting online March 4th and will go on until March 20th. On March 20th we will have a live stream from Pittsfield community television at 7:00 PM. The committee will be sending out an email that you can forward to as many people as possible please also share on any social media!
Last week Joan DiMartino inquired via email whether members would feel comfortable attending meetings at Mazzeo's in March. Since then, Rotary International has requested all Clubs meet virtually to the end of this administrative year (July 1), so it appears meetings at Mazzeo's has again been tabled.
Caption Justin Barter, Corps Officer at the Salvation Army, has contacted the Club with an appeal. Since the COVID-19 pandemic they have been serving their food pantry and meal programs out the door. They are planning to move to sit down meals in their gym on March 1st 2021 to meet food insecurity and social needs of their patrons as long as the COVID-19 positive numbers remain low. They will need volunteers to help make this possible: to help cook, serve and clean up the meals. They serve Brunch Monday through Friday, 10:30A.M to 11:30A.M., and Sunday dinner from 4:30P.M to 5:30P.M. They are looking forward to deepening their partnerships to serve the people of Pittsfield, thus their appeal to Rotary membership.
