Fellow Rotarians, the wait is almost over! The 19th Annual Tucson Classics Car Show, led by our one and only chairman Dave White, is racing toward the finish line — and it promises to be bigger, better, and bolder than ever.
This isn’t just a car show — it’s our signature service project and premier fundraising event, where horsepower meets Rotary power. Together, we’ll showcase stunning classics while fueling the future of our community.
Here’s the drive: We need all Rotarians in gear — selling tickets, volunteering, and spreading the word — so we can blow past our fundraising goals and deliver outstanding support to this year’s beneficiaries. These organizations are counting on us, and with your help, we’ll deliver in a big way.
At the lunch, you’ll hear the inspiring “Why” behind the Tucson Classics Car Show and discover new ways to get involved.
Let’s shift into high gear and make the 2025 Tucson Classics Car Show the most unforgettable one yet!
Energetic BOBBY LARSON encouraged us to hit the delicious salmon & chicken buffet early. After some fun catching up with our tablemates, BOBBY rang the bell and we all stood. Smooth DAN KALM led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and accompanied by the talented GARY HIRSCH we joined in an enthusiastic chorus of “You’re A Grand Ole’ Flag”!
And then an inspirational moment by enthusiastic MITCH PISIK explaining why of all the spices, our enjoyment of salt best analogizes our enjoyment of Rotary: salt enhances enjoyment of food like Rotary enhances our enjoyment of life. Of the myriad opportunities our club offers, individually we select just the right number of activities, events, service projects for us, enhancing our lives.
The talented DAN called out the names of our numerous guests and we heartily welcomed them with applause! Lots of great looking folks, all encouraged to join our awesome club – love it!
BOBBY announced today’s Cookie Sponsor, JONI CONDIT! JONI runs La Posada in Green Valley and Pusch Ridge. We all appreciate the delicious cookies! You too, should consider sponsoring cookies for one of our meetings, at least for the super cool cookie monster badge! The advertising for your company is cool too.
Commerce advocate MICHAEL GUYMON introduced an illustrious panel to discuss Housing Affordability in Tucson: ANN CHANECKA Director of Housing & Community Development for the City of Tucson, but even more notably a Rotary scholarship winner back when she was 16 years old! DAN RANIERI, President of La Frontera with very relevant 45 years of experience in affordable housing! And DAVID GODLEWSKI, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association!
MICHAEL fielded questions and our guests impressed us with the depth and breadth of their diverse knowledge in the field. Summarized, all agree there is a shortage of all housing in Tucson, as evidenced by the high sales prices and rental costs. Understandably there is a severe shortage of affordable housing. Factors playing a role are the lack of zoned land for development, the long zoning process, long and expensive permitting process, expensive infrastructure & building costs, lack of federal funding for income support in affordable housing. A constant problem is neighborhood opposition to affordable housing projects stopping them from moving forward. Both the City and County recognize the problem and are implementing initiatives to address the various issues, but these all seem to be only able to address the issue marginally.
Most interesting out of the discussion: DAN noted that a big, bold initiative is needed, whereby the City identifies and zones land for unusually high density, very inexpensive development of one of the many versions of Tiny Homes, against or away from neighborhood opposition. Currently no land in Pima County has zoning that would allow such a creative, intensely developed property. He described how easily many hundreds of these units could be inexpensively manufactured and placed on site to have an immediate, significant impact on the local affordable housing crisis. And how there is private and public money available now for such creative solutions.
ANN, DAN, and DAVID were then presented with the book “A Place Called Home” to sign and for us to add to the Make Way For Books library supporting children’s literacy.
BRUCE RICHARDSON presented a blue badge to DRE WILLIAMS! DRE jumped right in to our club, participating in luncheons, hiking treks, and numerous activities. Our Raffle Corvette looks good with DRE in it, shuttling it to our meetings!
The lovely CHARLOTTE HARRIS presented Paul Harris awards to HOOT GIBSON and BRUCE TUNZE! HOOT has been in the club 29 years, this is his +5, and he likes to brew beer for fun! BRUCE is with us for 16 years now, this is his +2, and he loves our car show!
LAURA MELLO, Regional Major Gifts Director with Rotary International flattered us complementing our dynamism and generous giving compared to other clubs in her region! You can always move back to your Wildcat alma mater, LAURA, we’re all here for you!
DAN KALM announced the raffle draw and I did not win. Again. Darn it. At least the proceeds raised go to an awesome cause!
DAN also listed the numerous Rotary member businesses (9) that won the Reader’s Choice Awards. Congratulations to our members!
SHANNON ROBERTS / FAH SAETAN gave a Happy Jackson to announce the upcoming Boy Scouts Gala on Nov. 15th.
DAVE WHITE amped us up to sell more car show entry / raffle tickets with the show just three weeks away!
And another Happy Jackson moment by AIMEE GRAVES announced that CHRIS EDWARDS and his son are raising money for The Haven shelter to help women in need. Thanks CHRIS!
Via video, Rotary Youth Exchange student Amity Claggett expressed deep gratitude to us for her experience in Japan. JEANNE ZETAH asks everyone to recruit potential exchange students now, because the Rotary Youth Exchange deadline to apply is coming up in November. Also recruit for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp this January.
BOBBY closed out the meeting and enthusiastic MITCH toasted our close! What a fun meeting!
Upcoming Events Around Town (EATS) – Wednesday, October 8, 2025
It’s that time again—EATS week is just around the corner! We're looking for members to host our next round of Events Around Town at restaurants across the city. Interested in hosting? Let the Rotary office know your chosen location and how many guests you can accommodate. Just a reminder: each attendee will cover the cost of their own meal.
Prefer to attend instead of host? Great! Some locations will soon be available on the home page of the club website under "Upcoming Events." You’ll pay for your meal, but the connections and conversation are always on the house!
A huge thank you in advance to our wonderful hosts—and don’t forget, there will be no regular lunch meeting on Wednesday, 10/8/25.
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of camaraderie, conversation, and, of course, whisky! Join us for the Rotary Whisky Fellowship hosted by Jeff and Tiana Ronstadt at their beautiful home. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP early!
Date: Wednesday, October 8 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Home of Jeff & Tiana Ronstadt 2800 N. Camino Principal
Cost: $20 plus an interesting bottle of whisky (And yes, you absolutely get to take your bottle back home!)
Due to the virtually unprecedented enthusiasm of such a vast array of our fellow Rotarians - Tom and I have arranged yet again another evening of throwing axes.
(We guarantee that the event and location are professional and safe - and accordingly minimal casualties are anticipated).
This is a great time. A wonderful opportunity to have fun with your fellow Rotarians (and potential new members - who you are highly encouraged to invite them to join in the festivities.).
Date: October 10 @ 5:30-7:30 Location: St Hubert's Hatchet House (check out their web-site) 908 West Prince Road Food? Yes. Pizzas; Mozz sticks. Beverages? Soda,water, beer (yup, beer).
Do we have a sponsor? You bet... Tom's employer Anchor Wave Digital Marketing Agency is generously doing so.
Will there be prizes: Oh yes, there will be prizes.
What are they?: A ceremonial axe for the two best throwers. Donated by Tom Lickliter
How to RSVP: Tom@anchorwave.com (If affirmative. Negative responses would be both perplexing and too painful) By when? 4:00 October 8. Can I wait to RSVP: Not a great idea - as there is a limit of 50 people. We have sold out in the past. We will again. Cost: $25 - which includes 2 hours of axe throwing, and all the aforementioned munchies and beverages you so desire. Instructions provided.
We'll be partaking in a bunch of fun and competitive games. Any questions: Tom@anchorwave.com
It's going to be a blast. You don't want to miss this unique party.
We are excited to have Tommy Lloyd, UA Basketball Coach, speaking on October 15th.ALL members must sign up on the club website www.tucsonrotary.org to attend under "Upcoming Events". Deadline to sign up is Friday, October 10th at 12:00pm. If you have an optional meal request, please note your selection in the "COMMENT SECTION" when registering. The meal options are listed below. When registering, please register all guests. If a Prospect, please note in the Comment Section. GUEST FEE: $35 billed to your account. PLEASE REMIND YOUR GUEST TO EMAIL sflores@premiumparking.com TO VALIDATE THEIR LICENSE PLATE FOR FREE PARKING OR STOP AT GUEST SERVICES OUTSIDE THE MEETING ROOM TO VALIDATE THE PLATE NUMBER.
The Car Show Friday Night Dinner will take place the evening of October 17th at the Gregory School, 3231 N. Craycroft, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost Per Person is $20 (includes two drink tickets, cash bar after) and will be billed to your account. The dinner is Lucky Wishbone Chicken. Registration is on the Website www.tucsonrotary.org under “Upcoming Events”. Be sure to register your guests. The deadline to register is Friday, October 10th. Hope to see you all there!
Please join the Wine Fellowship at El Corral Restaurant for wine tasting and small bites on Thursday, October 23 from 5:30-7:00p. The cost to participate is $40 per person, payable upon arrival at El Corral. Guests of Rotarians are also welcome.
To assist us in planning, please register using this link. This will allow us to provide an accurate guest count for El Corral. Please register by Tuesday, October 21.
We look forward to seeing you at El Corral on October 23!
The Rotary Club of Tucson Cycling Fellowship will start up once again. The dates are November 8th and November 15th. The Ride starts 8 AM at the St Philips Plaza Campbell and River on the South side near the REN coffee shop. We will ride the loop going West. The ride is for all riders of any ability and the pace and distance is entirely up to the rider. This ride is meant to be a fun training ride in preparation for the El Tour de Tucson. Riders should wear Rotary jerseys if possible.
The Rotary Club of Tucson members will participate in the El Tour de Tucson on Saturday, November 22, 2025, raising funds for Rotary International’s PolioPlus program. This premier cycling event features routes from 32 to 102 miles, all starting and finishing at the Tucson Convention Center.
Local Rotarians will ride as part of the "Ride to End Polio" team. Donations to support these riders are encouraged.
Community members can support the effort by donating to riders or joining the ride. Every dollar helps bring the world closer to being polio-free.
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
We’re excited to highlight a new way for you to make your donations directly to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation – all from the comfort of your own home! Simply head to our website, where you’ll find the gold Donation button at the top right of the menu bar. Whether you're contributing to our Scholarships, making a General Donation, or supporting our Local Charities, your generosity will help fund important initiatives that uplift our community.
But wait, there’s more! If you're joining us for lunch at the next meeting, don’t forget to look for the blue scholarship cups on the tables. These cups now feature a QR code that will take you straight to the Donation Page with just a quick scan. No need for cash or checks – donate right from your phone!
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of our Foundation. Your donations directly benefit our community and empower us to continue making a meaningful impact. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rotary office.
Let’s continue to do good in our community – with a click, a scan, and your generous heart!
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dvocate MICHAEL GUYMON introduced an illustrious panel to discuss Housing Affordability in Tucson: ANN CHANECKA Director of Housing & Community Development for the City of Tucson, but even more notably a Rotary scholarship winner back when she was 16 years old! DAN RANIERI, President of La Frontera with very relevant 45 years of experience in affordable housing! And DAVID GODLEWSKI, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association!
BRUCE RICHARDSON presented a blue badge to DRE WILLIAMS! DRE jumped right in to our club, participating in luncheons, hiking treks, and numerous activities. Our Raffle Corvette looks good with DRE in it, shuttling it to our meetings!
o brew beer for fun! BRUCE is with us for 16 years now, this is his +2, and he loves our car show!
The Car Show Friday Night Dinner will take place the evening of October 17th at the Gregory School, 3231 N. Craycroft, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost Per Person is $20 (includes two drink tickets, cash bar after) and will be billed to your account. The dinner is Lucky Wishbone Chicken. Registration is on the Website 
The Rotary Club of Tucson Cycling Fellowship will start up once again. The dates are November 8th and November 15th. The Ride starts 8 AM at the St Philips Plaza Campbell and River on the South side near the REN coffee shop. We will ride the loop going West. The ride is for all riders of any ability and the pace and distance is entirely up to the rider. This ride is meant to be a fun training ride in preparation for the El Tour de Tucson. Riders should wear Rotary jerseys if possible.
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
