How do the Rotary clubs that you have been reading about get the money that they put into improving our community, locally and around the world? The most common method is through community fundraisers. The Rotary Club of Corral de Tierra uses this method. For years it has been holding a highly popular crab dinner in the spring. Usually, it also includes an auction with special community-donated items. Sometimes it has included live music as well. But at the crab dinner, the highlight is the crab itself. 

A few special factors make this dinner so popular. First, the crab is usually bought live and fresh from Monterey Wharf. The crab is purchased a maximum of two days before the event to ensure freshness. Experienced volunteers take the crab apart for cooking. Most crab is washed before cooking, but this can remove the tasty natural juices called “crab butter.” To preserve the crab butter for flavor, Corral de Tierra Rotary only gives it a light washing. The crab is then cooked in Monterey Bay natural saltwater on-site at the crab dinner. As fast as the crab is cooked, it is whisked to the waiting tables piping hot.

The evening is fun with great conversation, congeniality, and delicious food. What a great way to spend a Saturday evening! Some people wait all year for this delectable feast. As with everything else, prices have risen. The cost of a ticket is now $90 per person, but it is a charity and uses the proceeds to better our community. For ticket reservation call Terry O’Connor at

831-206-0701.