The event was sponsored by the Computer Information Services Department at Santa Rosa Junior College. The college generously supplied the space for the expo and workshop rooms. Their booth displayed work done by students in Dr. Barbara Heiman’s Advanced Photoshop class shortly after the tragic events of September 11. The bold red, white, and blue of American flags and flowers showed through the dozen or so prints adorning the information booth. “The students could use flags and/or flowers to express themselves about what has happened,” Dr. Heiman said. “They’ve done a wonderful job.”

Low attendance didn’t stop vendors like CompUSA, new to MCE this year, from connecting with customers and showcasing their products. Customers saw products, then went to their nearby store and made purchases that very day. Big supporters of the event are Adobe Systems, CE Software, Intuit, Strider Software, Drive Savers, and Casady and Greene. Even though they could not all attend, software donations helped the club generate revenue through the silent auction, run by Kathy Aanestad. “It’s unbelievable how generous vendors and individuals have been,” she exclaimed. “Look at some of the items!” she says pointing to a table loaded with software.

A Fistful of Herbs
For the fourth year, MCE teamed up with Sonoma County’s Herb Festival, held on the grass outside the cafeteria. Sage-wielding folk could be seen checking out software at MCE. In contrast, software-clutching techies were spotted in the aromatherapy booth at the Herbfest.

It’s a Wrap
At 4:00 p.m. the backup signal of the party supplier’s truck could again be heard as the driver negotiated the narrow path to the entrance of the hall. Strong men jumped out of the truck and scooped up the tables that had been knocked down and stacked outside the hall by the club’s strong men and women. Wayne Till, board member and club librarian, gave the floor a final sweep before the doors closed.

Most of the time, that’s the end of it and everyone goes home. One very nice thing about MCE and our club president’s enthusiasm for taking care of a hardworking crew is that the planning committee, guest speakers, and vendors are all invited to a barbecue at a nearby rustic setting before hitting the road after a long day. Baked brie, tri-tip, marinated chicken, and incredible desserts were the backdrop for a networking session that allowed participants to connect with each other, since they were too busy to do much of that at the expo.

— Veda Lewis, NCMUG