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Rotary Tuesday Meeting
Welcome to Rotary Club of Sacramento!
Sacramento

P.O. Box 2528
Fair Oaks , CA  95628

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m.
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Ballroom
600 Alhambra Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95816
United States of America
Phone:
(916) 929-2992
Email:
info@rotarysacramento.com
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The Pulse for the Week of June 24th, 2025

President Bobby’s Demotion: Tacos, Teasing, and the Blazer Heard 'Round the Club

It would’ve been a surprise had President Bobby’s send-off been anything but a party. Hosted at the McKinley Village Clubhouse, Rotarians and friends gathered after hours (a.k.a. Rotarian Happy Hour, instead of lunch hour) to properly “demote” our fearless, fashion-confused leader. There were tacos, beer, wine, fellowship, and just a dash of lighthearted public shaming — the Rotary way!

PP Todd Koolakian served as emcee, kicking things off with some thank-yous: greeters President Bobby and Lev Kaganovich; photographer Joe Quilici, and Pulse reporter Christie Holderegger. David Brandenburger graciously hosted the wine reception. 

Then things took a turn…

PP Todd opened the official roast, spotlighting President Bobby’s term with affection and just enough snark. The crowd was treated to commentary on Bobby’s unique fashion sense, his ever-vanishing hairline, and the undeniable fact that he’s been sneakily demoting himself since March. Todd summed it up best: “President Bobby is proof that you can run Rotary, lead a company, coach Little League, and still dress like you're headed to a backyard BBQ...in 2004.”

President-Elect Kerry Wood sent a heartfelt video message all the way from the Rotary International Conference in Calgary. She thanked Bobby for his leadership and promised to carry the torch, ideally while wearing more professional attire.

Then came Justino Santana, Bobby’s direct report, loyal Rotarian, and self-proclaimed style interventionist. He proudly admitted to helping pick out the famous blazer. Little did he know it would be the only blazer Bobby would wear. Ever. To everything. 

David closed out the roasting session with more of a highlight reel than a roast, giving props to Bobby’s impressive push for new membership (35 new members was a big goal!) and a jump in service projects. Basically, Bobby was crushing goals while dressing like he was still waiting for his Uber to a Kings game.

In true Rotary fashion, President Bobby was awarded a plaque and some gift cards to his favorite tap room and sports store. A gift card to Men’s Wearhouse was seen as wasteful.

And then, plot twist: President Bobby turned the tables. He roasted PP Todd, David Brandenburger, Justino, and PP Kevin Smith-Fagan with the finesse of someone who’s been saving these burns for a year. But the biggest surprise? A “roast” of LaToya … which turned out to be a heartfelt, emotional toast to the quiet powerhouse who keeps Rotary running smoothly behind the scenes. Everyone joined the round of applause. So well deserved.

President Bobby wrapped up the evening by thanking his family, the board, and all the Rotarians who made this year a success.

We hit major milestones this year all while laughing, serving, and occasionally wondering if President Bobby would be wearing a ball cap or THE blazer or both?

Cheers to you, President Bobby — you’ve led with heart, humor, and just enough confusion to keep us entertained.

Photos courtesy of Joe Quilici

The Pulse for the Week of June 10th, 2025

No one else may be counting, but upon convening the club luncheon, President Bobby Reed reminded all of us on Tuesday that it was his last meeting before his demotion. Maybe he’s eager to pass the torch!

Meeting sponsor Dee Hartzog donated her speaking time to Laura Heintz, CEO of the Stanford Sierra Youth and Families program. The 125-year-old program works with older foster children to find them nurturing homes, serving about 2,800 children per year. The program is searching for more foster parents with its “Seeds to Bloom” program for children from 12 to 14 years of age.

Two new members were inducted into the club. First up was Kiersten DeLong, CEO of Runyon Saltzman Inc., who was sponsored by PP Diane Woodruff and Maggie Hopkins. Steve Faryabi, owner of International Protection and Investigation, was inducted immediately thereafter – bumping DeLong as newest Rotarian! Steve was sponsored by David Brandenburger and Steve Shiflett.

 

Nancy Smith-Fagan announced the 14 college-bound students who won scholarships from our club. The scholarships and winners are: 

  • the Derek Ian Arnold (Vianey Estrada, Delta HS) 
  • the Oleta Lambert (John Barnes, Rio Americano HS)
  • the Harold and Lilla Strauch (Ella Jones and Silvia Sawires of Rio Americano HS)
  • the Rotary Foundation (Ziqi Lin and Mariana Sousa of West Campus HS, Aaron Thompson of Bella Vista HS, Yenedith Matinez of Delta HS, Manuel Nonones and Kennedy O’Gilvie Joplin of McClatchy HS)
  • the Robinson Crowell (Maryam Raspoli and Evan Yu, West Campus HS)
  • the Jim & Mary Jo Streng (Edgar Tellez-Peres and Julia Clauson, Bella Vista HS). 

The scholarship committee was co-chaired by Nancy Smith-Fagan and PP Diane Woodruff and included Jaydeep Balakrishnan, Craig Alpha, Joe Quilici, Peter Coyl, Mike Polis, Brad Schmidt and Ann Solomon.

Maybe to prevent incoming President-Elect Kerry Wood from greeting us at her first meeting with news of a dues increase, President Bobby said it would be $50 more a year.

Bobby announced the community grants awarded during his term. Recipients are:

  • CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) at $5,000
  • Saint John’s Program for Real Change ($2,500)
  • Stanford Sierra Youth & Families ($2,500)
  • UCP Sacramento ($5,000)
  • Olivia Chan Foundation ($5,000)
  • ACCIS (Arab Community Center for Integration Services) $5,000
  • Sierra Nevada Journeys ($3,000)
  • Josh’s Heart ($5,000)
  • Friends of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse ($5,000). 

The selection committee was chaired by Mary DeLeo and included Shirlee Tully, Christie Holderegger, Ann Solomon, Tom Bacon, Kelly Huffman, Megan Wygant, Bill Wygant, Mike Polis, Lee McBay, Nancy Smith-Fagan, Jackie Kirkwood, Dee Johnson and PP Peter Dannenfelser.

“Put Me in Coach” participants included Tim Comstock, who wanted to honor Reed for his term as president and the fact that his children are headed back to school. PP Linda Geery gave toward PP Kevin Smith-Fagan’s Eddie Mulligan in honor of her recent trip to Fairytale Town. President Bobby contributed for a fun night going to the A’s game in a boat and on the group’s way home, Bobby water skied in his cargo shorts.

President-Elect nominee Paul Keefer announced that he is searching for an apprentice to learn how to run the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and take over when his presidential term begins.

Guest speaker Deirdre Fitzpatrick, an anchor and reporter for KCRA, opened her remarks with a thank you – it was the first time she arrived for an appearance and found a parking spot reserved for her!

Fitzpatrick and producer Dave Manoucheri spent five years researching and filming a documentary on two children, now adults, telling the horrors of Auschwitz as seen through their young eyes. The film is titled “Always Remember Your Name,” because their mother who was also in the camp wanted to know they were not just the numbers tattooed on their arms.

Andra and Tatiana Bucci were four and six years old when they were taken in Italy by the Nazis. Many children were quickly executed at the camp but the sisters believe they were saved because Dr. Josef Mengele thought they were twins whom he could use for medical experiments. With the aid of a camp guard who befriended the cute girls, they survived and ended up in an orphanage run by Sigmund Freud’s daughter. After two years, they were reunited with their parents who had also survived the camp.

Fitzpatrick and Manoucheri became very close with the families and traveled with them to visit Auschwitz with school children. Andra Bucci, who lives in Sacramento, has made more than 40 trips to recount her childhood memories of the concentration camp with middle-school aged children touring the camps. She also has spoken to schools in Sacramento and across California. Since the fall, the documentary is being used in Sacramento schools with a curriculum KCRA helped develop. 

 

Manoucher said the documentary picks up where The Diary of Anne Frank ends to explain how these children endured. He emphasized that survivors are aging and how important it is for us to tell their stories. As the world says, “Never again.”

Here is a link to see the 70-minute documentary.

Greeters included PP Ken Noack, Jim Olsen and Dick Noonan. Jim Henderson took photos and the Rotary Club hosted the wine. Nancy Teichert served as Pulse reporter. Megan Wygant offered the Thought of the Day. 

No meeting next week! Our next gathering will be the Bobby Reed demotion party. It’s a 5pm gathering at the McKinley Village Clubhouse on June 24. Click here to RSVP. 

But you can get your Rotary fix this Saturday morning 9-noon when the Rotary Roadies perform at the Killdeer Farms farmers market in West Sacramento. You can marvel at the pollinator garden planted by our club, do some Father’s Day shopping, and sway to the sublime sounds of Kerry, Shirlee, Rachel, Kevin, Jeff, Mark, K Dub and Tom. 

Photos courtesy of Jim Henderson

 

The Pulse for the week of June 3rd, 2025

The Greeks famously said, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” This week, as we gathered at Discovery Park, we got to appreciate the truth of those words.

Mile One of Discovery Park is the Rotary Club of Sacramento’s official adopted mile and the focus of our monthly clean-up efforts. But, as President Bobby told us, it was also the site of a RCOS tree-planting program in 1985. More than 450 native shade trees were planted in Discovery Park that year through our club’s efforts – and those “Rotary Grove” trees, now fully mature, provided current Rotarians with much appreciated shade. 

We were joined by Ryan Drury, board secretary for the American River Parkway Foundation. The foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the ARPF above and beyond the county’s efforts. Ryan is also the grandson of past club legend Oleta Lambert – whose mention provoked audible expressions of surprise and delight.

Ryan shared information about the programs that underpin the Foundation’s mission “to lead and inspire the community to conserve and nurture the American River Parkway as a unique, accessible resource for everyone to enjoy.” A staff of six support more than 5,600 annual volunteers (including Rotarians in service to Mile One) in efforts to stem invasive plant species, maintain trails, and keep the parkway clean. That last one is particularly important: in addition to our clean-up efforts, the foundation tracks the garbage removed from the river and parkway on community cleanup days – each biannual day of service removes about 44,000 lbs of garbage. Rest assured, everyone present was sure to properly dispose of their lunch trash. 

The American River Parkway Foundation also provides wildlife habitat remediation services and education programs for underserved schools through a partnership with Sacramento County Office of Education.

Drury’s talk was short, sweet and informative. Learn more about the American River Parkway Foundation here.

 

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

In a full-circle moment, President Bobby “two meetings to go” Reed shared that his demotion is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24 at 5pm, and will take place at the McKinley Village Clubhouse – the same place his presidency began. 

Sergeant-at-Arms Jamie Furlong shared that next Monday (June 9) is the District 5180 Awards Night, taking place at Safetyville from 6-8pm. RCOS is up for a number of awards, including “best chili” (rooting for you, Tom “it tastes better with” Bacon)

Now we can say “we knew them when:” the Rotary Roadies are now officially pros! Join them at the Killdeer Farms farmer’s market on June 14 from 9-noon to witness the Roadies’ first paid gig. Like their predecessors the Rotary Rooters, the band will donate the earnings to the club foundation.

It takes a village to make these meetings happen, especially for a special offsite like this one. PP Kevin Smith-Fagan provided the sound system and AV support (much appreciated by this reporter). Michael Mui and Bryan Murray served as the official greeters, with many unofficial greeters joining in. Dee Hartzog hosted the wine reception. Steve Shiflett was on the spot as your photographer. And Megan Wygant served as the day’s Pulse reporter. 

We will be back at our normal location next week for a conversation with longtime KCRA reporter Deirdre Fitzpatrick on her recent documentary “Always Remember Your Name,” about two of Auschwitz’s youngest survivors.

We normally say “get out there and be good Rotarians,” but in this week’s Thought for the Day, Maggie Hopkins made a particular proposal: Sacramento has 265 sunny days of the year, and is surrounded by natural beauty. She challenged us to make more time to “step outside, and let Nature do what it does best – reset us.” So do that!

The Pulse for the Week of May 13th
After President Bobby Reed gaveled us in, the Thought for the Day was presented by PP Todd Koolakian. Todd had been asked on short notice to comment at the recent district conference on the Magic of Rotary. He plugged in a few details into chatGPT and lo and behold: a brilliant speech appeared for Todd. Despite the fact that Todd delivered the speech in his usual oratory excellence, we were most amazed by the AI generation.

 

We inducted a new member! Matthew Romsa leads fundraising efforts for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates. Megan Laurie and Justino Santana nominated Matthew.

Our affiliated Interact club members gave a short presentation. There are 14 members who achieved 15 service projects encompassing 273 hours! 

Bryan Murray gave a quick thank you/recap on our recent Golf for Kids golf tournament, noting the bevy of club members whose hard work powered a great success.
Jamie Furlong reported on the recent club mulching project at Killdeer Farms. She encouraged all to attend a community event at Killdeer Farms on Saturday, June 14 from 9am to noon. Our own Rotary Roadies will provide live music!
PP Jim Leet was our meeting sponsor. He dedicated his time to exposing the horrors of human trafficking in Vietnam. Rotary International has partnered with World Vision to attack this human tragedy, and our club is serving as the lead club in the United States on the project. A horde of Rotarians responded with donations of support, among them PP Jim Leet, PP Walter Dahl, PP Jon Snyder, PP Wes Yee, John Phair, Barbara Arnold PP Brian Van Camp, Clayton Lee, Buddy Hubbert and Ed Melia. 
Announcements included:
Fireside – next one is May 28 at PP Todd Koolakian’s home.Theatre Night – group trip to enjoy Million Dollar Quartet on June 5.Compassion Committee – Steve Huffman reported that Jim Phillips recently moved to a care home, and Steve encouraged club members to write Jim notes of support.District Awards assembly – Jamie Furlong reported District 5180 will have this annual gathering June 9 from 6 to 8 PM at Safetyville.Loaves & Fishes – we need volunteers for both the morning and midday shifts on May 29.Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services – Nancy Smith Fagan is organizing a volunteer push to pack food supplies on May 30 from 1 to 4 PM.
Chelsea Carbahal from Raley’s was our guest speaker. She presented an overview of the company’s history and current operations.

Thanking the meeting organizers, President Bobby Reed made sure to salute greeters Jim Mattesich, Matt Page and PP Bob Miller. The meeting’s Pulse reporter was Jim Culleton, with photography duties handled by John Swentowsky. The wine reception was hosted by Hadley Wilson.

It’s off to the Aerospace Museum next week for our annual Armed Forces Day meeting. Write yourself a reminder that on May 20, we are not meeting at the Greek church!    

 

Photos courtesy of John Swentowsky, Owner of Swentowsky Photography

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The Pulse for the Week of May 20th, 2025

Seated among aircraft of the past, members of the Rotary Club of Sacramento were welcomed to the Aerospace Museum of California on the club’s annual Armed Forces Day.  Our meeting began with the dulcet tones of the Jimmy Hendrix “Star Spangled Banner” as a slideshow presentation honoring our Rotary veterans played.

President Bobby Reed called the meeting to order after the posting of the flags for the branches of the Armed Forces and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 John Swentowsky’s thought of the day included a menagerie of quips and quotes around patriotism, including this by Mark Twain: "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”

Karen Jones (Vice President of Advancement at the Aerospace Museum of California) shared some details of their rebirth from the pandemic. As one of the only museums open during that time, the museum pivoted towards STEM education. They acquired one of the cameras and jets used to film scenes in the 1986 film “Top Gun” and reimagined the museum, focusing on how the past can inspire the future.  Last year they welcomed 51,000 students and over 110,000 visitors. She shared the story of how the museum inspired one young visitor from juvenile detention to turn his life around and pursue an education in science. The museum can truly be a launching pad for inspiration.

In Honor of Armed Forces Day many Rotarians gave in recognition of veterans in their lives.

President Bobby announced:

The featured program began with a video highlighting the first few minutes of Marine Corps Boot Camp followed by a memorial slideshow of Rotarians who served their country.

Retired USAF pilot Colonel Joe Scheimer from the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks shared his riveting experiences in Laos during the Vietnam War as a pilot in a secret campaign (the Steve Canyon Program).  He highlighted US covert ops with Laotians to disrupt North Vietnamese forces. Pilots flew commercial aircraft (the O-1 Bird Dog) with a Laotian interpreter in the rear seat.  American military pilots flew with no uniforms or identification, but were provided a gold bracelet as barter in case they were shot down or captured. Twenty-three of the Air Force Ravens died during the Secret War.

Our meeting concluded with a recording of Taps.

Greeters for the meeting were Rachel Minyard, Josh Pelz and John Phair. Peter Coyl served as Pulse reporter,  and photographs were taken by Joe Quilici.  Our wine sponsor by Matthew Romsa,  who provided delicious California wine.

With no meeting next week, we look ahead to June 3 at the Greek Annunciation Church.

Photography Courtesy of Joe Quilici

 

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Pulse for the Week of April 29th, 2025
President Bobby Reed kicked off the meeting with Music from The Masters—a choice that was a definite hit with the golf crowd as the club readies for its Golf for Kids fundraiser on May 9.
 
Bryan Murray offered the thought for the day, reflecting on the impact of social media. His advice for restoring peace and calm in our lives? Step away from the screen and take a walk outside. A reminder we can all use.
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Jamie Furlong did a great job maintaining order and warmly welcoming a large number of guests.
 
Meeting sponsor Kelly Huffman donated her speaking time to Mindy Johnston of Safetyville, USA. Safetyville has recently acquired a refurbished fire truck for children to explore, and they’re sprucing up several buildings. To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit www.safetycenter.org.
 
We were also pleased to induct our newest member, Matt Green, an attorney at Murphy Austin. Matt was sponsored by Nancy Smith-Fagan and PP Kevin Smith-Fagan. Outside of his legal work, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and 1-year-old daughter. He’s a Dodgers fan—but maybe we can flip him. Be sure to say hello to Matt at an upcoming meeting!
The Golf 4 Kids beneficiaries joined us to share the impact of our donations. A spokesperson from Ralph Richardson School introduced several students and described programs our support helps fund—such as the pool program, student trips, and graduation events. Bouquets along the head table honored past students who are no longer with us, a touching tribute.
 
Our club’s Golf 4 Kids outing will be held on May 9, 2025, at William Land Park Golf Course, with a reception afterward hosted by Fairytale Town. Click here to register.
 
The “Put Me in, Coach” donations segment brought out the generosity in the room. Notable moments included Mike Miklaus donating on behalf of umpires and high school baseball, and President-Elect Kerry Wood contributing in honor of Shirlee Tully, one of the original visionaries behind the upcoming Big Day of Giving.
 
Chair of the Day Bob Rosenberg introduced guest speakers Nia Towne and Chris Bruno from Capital Public Radio, who discussed the station’s recent successes – news initiatives, listener growth, and financial stability. Addressing the organization’s recent financial challenges, they emphasized new transparency measures to ensure best practices. With newly expanded geography coverage, Cap Radio serves more of the region than ever before with its offerings that include news reporting and music.
 
President Bobby saluted our greeters: Chi Soo Kim, Ed Melia, and Mike Miklaus. Smiles were plentiful, and our meeting photographer Joe Quilici captured them beautifully. The Pulse report was prepared by Matt Page. The wine reception was generously sponsored by Megan Wygant—a much-appreciated contribution that helped set a warm tone for the meeting.
 
No meeting next week because of Golf 4 Kids. So our next meeting will take place on May 13, 2025, at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Our luncheon speaker will be Raley’s senior executive Chelsea Carbahal. Register now.
 
Submitted by Matt Page
 
Photos Courtesy of Joe Quilici
 
Pulse for the Week of April 15th, 2025
The mood was festive as the club gathered to celebrate Jean Runyon Day at its April 15 luncheon. The presentation of the Jean Runyon Award honors the legacy of a Sacramento icon and our club’s first female member.
 
PP Diane Woodruff presided over the meeting, which opened with a couple songs from our own Rotary Roadies that set a tone of appreciation and optimism.
 
While club members eagerly anticipated the announcement of the Jean Runyon awardee, first came a surprise presentation of a new Sacramento Rotary Fellow! The SRF is the club’s highest award, explained PP Kevin Smith-Fagan, and he extolled the colorful life and numerous Rotary achievements of the honoree: Tom Bacon. A shocked Tom introduced the party of family and friends who snuck in for the presentation, including his YIP mentee Kyre Roberson, his son Willy, and his fiance Kim Clark.
 
Meeting sponsor PP John Frisch ceded his time to fellow club member Josh Pelz, who outlined the bevy of financial services offered by his team at Merrill Lynch. Josh stressed their focus on close relationships with each generation in a client family to foster continuity. “We pride ourselves on being their financial advisor for life. Literally.” Josh also noted the firm helps small businesses with retirement plans, and he encouraged Rotary professional connections – specifically estate/trust attorneys and CPAs from our club he can refer to clients.
 
Maggie Hopkins, who chaired the Jean Runyon Award selection committee, invited committee member Rhonda Poppen to outline the impressive accomplishments and personal esprit that made this year’s honoree a deserving winner: Jamie Furlong. Donning the red jacket, Jamie in trademark humility remarked the challenge before her is to keep growing toward being worthy of the honor.
 
The Roadies returned to the stage to serenade Jamie with “Let it Grow,” saluting her passion for flowers and the natural world. Then, Noelle Furlong, a singer and twin sister of Jamie, mesmerized the crowd with an enthralling rendition of “Over the Rainbow” on the occasion of the twins’ 40th birthday.
 
Club Announcements
  • Rotary shirts – Joe Quilici encouraged club members to join him in ordering club embroidered logo shirts, pointing to an email blast with details;
  • Day of service opportunity – Jamie Furlong alerted club members of a forthcoming service day at Killdeer Farms, building on the successful first one last month. Look for details in a forthcoming email.
 
Put Me In, Coach!
Donations flowed in tribute to Jamie and Tom. Among those giving were PP Todd Koolakian, PE Kerry Wood, Rick Davis, Maggie Hopkins, Tom Bacon (his family in attendance plus Jamie), guest Rotarian Christina Dyer (Noelle and Jamie), and Nancy Teichert and her guest Leah Corrigan. Rhonda Poppen toasted her daughter’s new job.
 
Featured speaker Kierstan DeLong, CEO of RSE (Runyon Saltzman, Inc.), remarked upon her commitment to carrying on the excellence and integrity established by her predecessors and especially founder Jean Runyon. “Jeanitude,” the agency’s annual day of community service, embodies that desire. Kierstan quoted Maya Angelou in noting RSE’s core values: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
 
PP Diane made sure to acknowledge wine sponsors Robyn DeLong and Tim Comstock; meeting photographers Joe Quilici and Virginia Wade; Pulse reporter PP Kevin Smith-Fagan; and greeters PP John Lemmon, Bob McLean and Dave McKie. Kathy Herrfeldt delivered the Thought for the Day.
 
 
No meeting on April 22. Next meeting will be April 29, with lunch speaker Frank Maranzino of Capital Public Radio.
 
Photos Courtesy of Virginia Wade and Joe Quilici
Pulse for the Week of April 8th, 2025
“The only person you can change is yourself.” Such was the wisdom from luncheon speaker Michael Lopez, an expert in the psychology of effecting change.
 
President Bobby Reed called the meeting to order and invited PP Kevin Smith-Fagan to share a thought for the day. Building on the theme of change, PP Kevin quoted Bob Dylan and reminded listeners that before rejecting outright a proposed change that feels uncomfortable, “at least give it a listen.”
Meeting sponsor Dennis Cook donated his time to the Exodus Project, which provides support services to help formerly incarcerated individuals transition back to civilian life successfully. The organization’s head, Rabbi Seth Castleman, outlined the mentoring, counseling and job training provided by Exodus Project, and he appealed for volunteer mentors to join this important effort.
 
 
Foundation Recognition.
 
Foundation chair Larry Gilzean announced Eddie Mulligan awards recently earned ($1k contributed to our club foundation). First EMs: Craig Alpha, Sharna Braucks, Bhavnesh Makin, Michael Mui, Matt Page, Ann Solomon. Second EMs: Kim Mueller, Virginia Wade. Third EMs: Laura Heintz, Buddy Hubbert. Sixth EMs: Chris Ann Bachtel, Craig Brown, Mike Gilligan, PP Diane Mizell, Dick Osen, Bob Rosenberg. Seventh EM: PP Bob Cole. Eighth EM: Jack Bowker (in memoriam), PP Beverly Brautigam, Bruce Hester. 11th EM: Eric Solis. 23rd EM: David McKie.
Paul Harris recipients ($1k to Rotary International Foundation). First PH: Craig Alpha. Second PH: Dennis Cook, President Bobby Reed, Judy Kjelstrom. Fourth PH: Dick Osen. Fifth PH: Craig Brown, Bob Rosenberg. Sixth PH: PP Beverly Brautigam, PP Diane Mizell, Eric Solis. Eighth PH: Elfrena Foord, Bruce Hester.
Larry also saluted new Legacy Circle member President Bobby Reed, and Larry announced a new giving opportunity, the Trailblazer, made for a $10k gift during the donor’s lifetime (like an estate gift made early!).
 
Put Me In, Coach!
Among those making celebratory contributions were PP Jim Leet (his Florida Gators winning the NCAA basketball title); Dave Brandenburger (honoring parents’ 59th wedding anniversary); President Bobby Reed (son Eli’s first Little League homer over the fence); and PP Scot Sorensen (son Kai earning conference track honors for standout performance at Pacific Lutheran University).
 
Club Announcements
  • our Discovery Park cleanup day is this Saturday, April 12, reported Joe Quilici
  • Wildflower hike recap - PP Jim Leet recapped the successful outing with about 20 attendees
  •  International Service Committee - Clayton Lee shared updates on a couple initiatives
  • club apparel – Joe Quilici is working on branded shirts that will be for sale; specifics to follow.
 
Chair of the Day PP Peter Dannenfelser introduced guest speaker Michael Lopez, a former military intelligence officer and corporate executive who is now an expert on the science behind how humans grapple with change. Michael coupled the chemistry of change (neuron growth, dopamine release, etc.) with practical tips to become good at making change. Among his messages. “Motivation moves us from habits to change.” “People change when their environment changes.” “The pursuit of progress is progress.” He encouraged the group to embrace stress, because it’s a trigger for desired change. And instead of prejudging based on entrenched habits, he encouraged the group to approach situations with learning and curiosity: “Assume you’re wrong!”
 
President Bobby thanked wine sponsor PP Jon Snyder; meeting photo John Swentowsky and Pulse reporter PP Kevin Smith-Fagan; and greeters Bhavnesh Makin, Norm Marshall and PP Dan McVeigh. Joe Quilici won the day’s Rock Star award for excellence at the mic.
 
It’s Jean Runyon Day at next Tuesday’s meeting. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT NOON. In addition to the Jean Runyon Award, the meeting will feature live music from the Rotary Roadies. The luncheon speaker will be Kierstan DeLong, CEO of the marketing firm Runyon Saltzman (Jean Runyon = Runyon Saltzman!).
 
Photos Courtesy of John Swentowsky
 
 Pulse for the Week of April 1st, 2025
“Trust” by Christie Holderegger
 
Sharing his excitement, President Bobby Reed asked who, like he, had attended the Sacramento historic occasion Monday evening when the Athletics debuted at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Among those at the ballgame were Kathy Herrfeldt and Sarah Hodge, both of whom were working the game as team staff.
 
Craig Alpha shared his thoughts on the immense value of trust, closing with a quote from Warren Buffett. "Trust is like the air we breathe. When it's present, nobody really notices. But when it's absent, everybody notices." 
 
Meeting sponsor Surender Singal donated his time to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Sacramento. CASA’s Jackie Simon shared the impact that a CASA volunteer makes on the life of a child in foster care. CASA volunteers advocate for thousands of foster children, navigating court appearances, bureaucracy, and multiple placements – often as the only adult fighting for the best interests of the child. This challenging, hugely rewarding work can have profound benefits on vulnerable children, impacting their education, well-being and future. Volunteers are needed, especially male CASAs. Learn more at sacramentocasa.org or call (916) 875-6460.
 
Our club’s outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student Joe Hernandez shared his appreciation for the mentorship of PEN Paul Keefer as Joe prepares to spend a school year in Argentina. He looks forward to meeting new people, learning about a new culture and representing our club.
 
Put Me In Coach
 
Sarah Hodge donated toward her next Eddie Mulligan (EM) by thanking Kathy Herrfeldt for recruiting her to work A’s games; Sarah also announced her new position as executive director of development at YMCA of Superior California. Maggie Hopkins celebrated the fruition of her six-year odyssey getting a building permit for a construction project. Ann Solomon donated to her EM in celebration of a great experience at a recent Kings game.
 
Club Announcements
 
. Compassion Committee – Steve Huffman asked for caregrams for PP Brian Van Camp, who broke his pelvis skiing in New Mexico.
. Protect the Environment – the club needs volunteers for a Discovery Park cleanup on April 12 from 9-11 a.m.
. Hiking Club – PP Jim Leet encouraged more Rotarians to join the hiking crew on April 6 as they seek wildflowers around Folsom Lake.  Meet at the Black Miners parking lot at 1 p.m.
. Golf 4 Kids – PEN Paul Keefer reminded us the golf outing is just six weeks away. For more information on volunteering, golfing or donating items, reach out to Paul.
 
Judy Kjelstrom introduced luncheon speaker Dr. Richard Pan, a former longtime state legislator. Dr. Pan is a pediatrician with degrees from Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh and Harvard School of Public Health. An ardent vaccine advocate, laid out the facts on the validity of vaccines and the impact they have had on eradicating polio, battling measles and preventing unnecessary deaths. How do you debunk false narratives on social media? Amid the unfounded skepticism of the current environment, Dr. Pan suggested we continue to fight, to talk about it, and to share the science-based evidence.
 
President Bobby thanked greeters PP Jim Leet, Sedrick Burkes and Judge Kim Mueller; wine sponsor Steve Huffman; Pulse reporter Christie Holderegger, and club photographer of the day, Jim Henderson.
 
Next Tuesday’s lunch will feature an insightful talk by Michael J. Lopez—former military intelligence officer, corporate executive, and bestselling author. Discover why change efforts fail and how leaders can overcome resistance, build momentum, and create a culture of growth using insights from neuroscience and behavioral science.
 
Photos Courtesy of Jim Henderson
Pulse for the Week of March 27th, 2025
On a Thursday that felt like a Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Sacramento gathered in our usual spot to hear Mary Teichert, upcoming CEO of Teichert Inc., share insights into one of California’s oldest businesses – and debunk a few urban legends! Turns out, the success of Teichert is driven more by smart and ethical decision-making than by a secret gold horde hidden somewhere beneath Sacramento.*
 
Hello, Dolly!
March is sometimes recognized as Women’s History Month. As it was the last meeting of the month and our speaker was a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, Rhonda Poppen’s Thought for the Day quoted the great female philosopher Dolly Parton, whose wisdom includes this favorite: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and be more, then you are an excellent leader.”
 
And welcome, bees!
Jamie Furlong took the mic to share photos and information from a recent Rotary service project to Killdeer Farms in West Sacramento. The pollinator garden planting day included 14 Sacramento Rotarians, one member from Roseville and 2 Rotary family members – and more than 165 plants. Jamie concluded her presentation (which was chock-full of photos showing Rotarians having a good time) pointing out this work was entirely funded by a Rotary District Grant. Have a project you believe is worthy of district involvement? Talk to Jamie to learn how you can apply for future opportunities.
 
Club Announcements
  • Hiking group – Join Past President Jim Leet and other Rotarians for a guided wildflower hike around Folsom Lake on Saturday April 6 at 1:30pm
  • Fireside – just 5 spaces are left for the April 23 fireside at Justino Santana’s home. Sign up soon!
  • Park cleanup day – April 12 is Spring Cleanup Day for the American River – save the date and keep your eyes open for an email invite soon.
  • Meeting sponsorship – looking to get the word out about your business or a nonprofit you support? The Sponsorship Committee is looking to fill the last few sponsorship opportunities of President Bobby’s term. See Josh Pelz for more info.
  • Interact Club – PEN Paul Keefer thanked Rotarians for their participation in the recent PCI Interact Club art supplies drive – the club will host a shoe drive next. Stay tuned for where you can deliver your gently used shoes.
  • Compassion Committee – Steve Huffman reported that longtime member Hal Strauch has been diagnosed with cancer. His wife is asking that we keep him in our thoughts as they determine the most successful course of treatment.
Put Me In, Coach!
Christie Holderegger made her gift in honor of the Teichert family’s contributions to Sacramento, while PE Paul Keefer honored Mary Teichert for her support of the Capital College and Career Academy, and guest Steve Boutin donated as he recalled how much his dad loved the club.
Joel Hockman’s gift honored Dolly Parton; PP Dan McVeigh celebrated his 40th anniversary of becoming a parent; and PP Todd Koolakian made a gift saluting David Brandenburger’s quick action spotting a nascent fire at Sacramento Children’s Home that was quickly addressed thanks to passerby Dave’s alert. Kathy Herrfeldt celebrated the visit of her sister, Cindy. And finally, PDG Fred Teichert made a gift in honor of his daughter, Mary, and her numerous past visits to Rotary during Daughters’ Day.
 
Our Speaker of the Day: No Stranger to Our Club
Mary Teichert will represent the fifth generation of family leadership for Teichert, Inc. when she steps into the CEO role next Tuesday. With a BA and an MBA from Harvard, Mary worked at Bain & Company and Apple before joining Teichert as a quality assurance technician.
 
Her remarks covered the company’s long history and their core values. “How we do business is as important as what we do.” Adolph Teichert founded the firm in 1887, landing state contractor license #8 – the oldest active today. (Licenses issued today are numbered over 1.1 million). Over the years, Teichert has built monumental public infrastructure and diversified operations to include construction materials like concrete and rock products, and Teichert initiatives now include even solar energy.
 
Mary spoke about the need for good workers in construction – an industry regarded as “future-proof” that pays well and won’t be supplanted by AI. She called for recruiting women into the field, since the construction workforce is aging and is only about 8 percent female. But she didn’t sugarcoat the realities of a career in construction: you get up early, and you work outside.
 
Setting the mood for the meeting were greeters Megan Laurie, PP Todd Koolakian and Clayton Lee, with Tom Bacon hosting the wine reception. Virginia Wade served as the photographer for the Day, and Megan Wygant was the Pulse reporter.
 
Join us next TUESDAY at our normal time, day, and place to hear from Dr. Richard Pan about the state of public health in Sacramento County.
 
*According to urban legend, as discussed in the meeting, the amount of gold "accidentally" mined by Teichert through their gravel operations is stashed in a gold-filled family cave beneath the city. Mary said that she hopes someone in the family will share its location with her soon.
 
Photos Courtesy of Virginia Wade
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Pulse for the Week of March 18th, 2025
Though it was the day after St. Patrick’s Day, our club celebrated nonetheless. Members wore everything from blinking bow ties to stylish green jackets. Our tables were decorated with shamrock necklaces for those needing Emerald attire, along with green mints and chocolate gold coins. PP Kevin Smith-Fagan entertained us with an Irish song. Money is green, although PP Bob Miller reminded us in his Thought for the Day that “true wealth is not of the pocket, but of the heart and of the mind.”
 
Meeting sponsor PEN Paul Keefer introduced his colleague Tim Ribota of Pacific Charter Institute. Tim outlined PCI’s notable success in student reading achievement, especially among kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.
 
Put Me In, Coach! donations
 
President Bobby celebrated a week spent with his son’s class at Sly Park. Rick Osen donated so he could share a picture of David Brandenburger in high heels at a Christian Brothers fundraiser. Tim Comstock contributed in honor of speaker Kelly Brothers, who still supports Arden Park soccer long after his own kids’ participation. Brite Bowker pledged money in honor of his late father, PP Jack Bowker, who died December 5. He also donated in honor of PP Bob Cole, Bowker’s best friend, who accompanied him to the meeting.
 
Club Announcements -
 
Meeting Date Change! Our next meeting will be held on THURSDAY, MARCH 27, instead of the customary Tuesday because of a scheduling conflict. 
 
Interact Club charitable drive. PEN Paul Keefer reminded members to bring toys and books next week for our Interact club’s drive for Shriners Hospital.
 
Pollinator Garden installation. This Saturday, March 22, club volunteers will plant a pollinator garden at Killdeer Farms in West Sacramento, and organizer Jamie Furlong (323-229-2885) seeks volunteers.
 
Networking Night. Ted White announced the next networking evening will be March 20 at Juju Kitchen (1501 L St.); first drink’s on the club!
 
Millie Stone’s birthday party. Elfrena Foord invited everyone to drop by Millie’s house (36 Keel Court) for her 101st birthday luncheon next Tuesday between 12:30pm-2:30pm.
 
Fireside Gathering. PP Todd Koolakian said the next fireside will be April 23 at the home of Justino Santana.
 
Park Cleanup. Justino Santana invited members to participate in a Discovery Park clean-up on April 12.
 
Hiking Group. PP Jim Leet invited all to join him on a hike to see wildflowers on April 6.
 
Clayton Lee reported on his recent Zimbabwe trip, where Rotary International has created a tree nursery so village residents won’t cut down all the trees needed for the rainforest. He presented President Bobby with a pennant from the Rotary club in Harare.
 
Bob Daly introduced as guest speaker the noted Irishman Kelly Brothers, a wealth advisor with Genovese Burford & Brothers. Kelly recently returned from his aunt’s funeral in Ireland, where he met up with about 50 relatives. His Irish heritage is strong. Kelly’s father grew up in County Wexford and was sponsored into the USA by a cousin in the Bay area. Kelly’s mother was from Galway, and he shared several humorous family anecdotes, including the time his mother attempted to smuggle poteen, Irish moonshine, through US customs as holy water. (It didn’t work.)
 
Ireland is doing well economically as a member of the European Union, he noted, and his own kids are seeking Irish citizenship because of the EU passport.
 
On the American economy, Brothers opined the stock market was due for a correction in 2025. Key issues include the impact of Trump tariffs and whether Trump tax cuts due to expire in 2025 will be renewed; that could have a big impact on estate planning and philanthropy.
 
Elfrena Foord played the piano at the wine reception while PEN Paul Keefer, Tim Comstock and Judy Kjelstrom greeted our members. The wine reception was sponsored by Rick Davis and PP Peter Dannenfelser. Joe Quilici was on photog duty, and Nancy Teichert wrote the Pulse report.
And, finally, the Rock Star award for excellence at the microphone was given by Jim Culleton to Ted White.
 
Next week’s meeting will feature guest speaker Mary Teichert (daughter of PDG Fred Teichert), who was recently promoted to President and CEO of the Sacramento construction firm Teichert Inc. Click here to RSVP for the March 27th club meeting.
 
Photos courtesy of Joe Quilici
 
Pulse for the Week of March 4th, 2025
It was Fat Tuesday as the club’s weekly lunch meeting was called to order by President Bobby Reed.
 
Meeting sponsor Nancy Smith-Fagan gave her time to Reina and Mel Chan of the Olivia Chan Foundation. After the passing of their daughter Olivia from leukemia, the couple found a shortage of grief and healing programs. Their organization is a place where surviving children experiencing grief can find peer-led support groups with kids facing similar challenges, and it’s needed: 1 in 14 California kids will lose a sibling or parent before the age of 18. The Chans are raising money to build a facility in the Sacramento area, modeled after a successful one in Portland.
 
Put Me In, Coach!
David Brandenburger gave in honor of fellow Rotarian Jim Culleton’s quick help with an urgent print job, and Tim Comstock donated in honor of his daughter’s 16th birthday and the impending traffic jams as a result of her new drivers license!
 
 Club Announcements
  • Date change! Due to an event conflict at our regular site, Bobby announced, our club meeting will move from Tuesday, March 25 to Thursday, March 27 – just for that one week only.
  • Interact students are still running a drive for care kits to benefit children in local hospitals. Folks wishing to participate should bring items to the March 27 meeting, announced President Elect Nominee Paul Keefer.
  • New member Jay King will be hosting the next Fireside Chat on March 12; other Firesides will be hosted in April, May, and June by other members.
  • March 20 will be the next Networking Night at Juju Kitchen and Cocktails, sponsored by Harold Bellamy and First Northern Bank, announced organizer Ted White.
  • On Sunday, March 23 join Rotarians for a 3-4 mile hike around Lake Folsom starting at 8:30 am.  See PP Jim Leet and Forrest Junod for more information.
  • Fresh powder! Dave Brandenburger announced the next club ski outing, set for March 19 at Palisades at Tahoe.
  • Sergeant-at-Arms Jamie Furlong talked up a pair of upcoming events in our Rotary district, the District Assembly on March 29 at Twelve Bridge High School in Lincoln; and the April 12 District Conference One Day Conference in Anaheim.
 
Chair of the Day Bob Rosenberg introduced Scott Freshour, emcee for the Sacramento Kings. Missing only the dramatic music and t-shirt cannons, Scott brought the enthusiasm and excitement as he peeled back the curtain and revealed the secrets of the Kings Hype machine!  Scott "Fresh" Freshour has worked 21 years for team and shared his story and some secrets.
 
He attended Sacramento State for art but found a passion in sports marketing through an internship with the Kings as a graphic design intern. His career really took off when the Kings selected him to emcee their games and serve as the stage manager—responsible for everything that happens on the court that is not related to the actual game. From selecting the singers for the national anthem, to creating the games and contests, Scott works with a team behind the scenes that creates these experiences.
 
The club’s iconic “Light the Beam” signal, introduced two seasons ago, is a huge success – only because the fans embraced it. It started during a season when the Kings were on the upswing, Scott noted, and it might have been a flop had the team not surged to the playoffs.
 
Having emceed Kings games for 15 seasons and counting, and having emceed 8 NBA All-Star games, Scott recently launched an independent creative agency.
 
Greeters for the meeting were Joel Hockman, Forrest Junod, and Steve Johanson with photos handled by our resident shutterbug John Swentowsky. Peter Coyl covered it for the Pulse. The wine reception was sponsored by Golden Pacific Bank, and PP Scot Sorensen shared a thought of the day.
 
Next week’s meeting will feature guest speaker Kulvinder Singh, who will share the rich history and contributions of the Sikh community in Northern California. Click here to RSVP.
 
Photos Courtesy of John Swentowsky
Pulse for the Week of March 11th, 2025
Spring was in the air at ye olde Rotary meeting this week, as that smoothest of orators, Past President Todd Koolakian, filled in for El Presidente, Bobby Reed, who was off camping with a bunch of 6th graders in Sly Park (if you can’t understand Bobby’s slang at next week’s meeting, blame the kids).
 
Past Prez Todd kicked things off with an acknowledgment of this week’s meeting crew  -- Jay (now where did I put that Grammy) King, Dee Johnson, and Moira Doherty as greeters, and a trio of Johns (Swentowsky, Goralka and Wood) as Photographer, Wine Sponsor, and Pulse Reporter.
 
Next up was Gabe Gendron, who gave us a meditative Thought of the Day (reports of Rotarians falling asleep during this relaxing part of the meeting were mostly exaggerated), and then it was over to Sarge-at-Arms, Jamie (she won by a) Furlong, for the weekly intros.
 
Another of our members vaulted into the rarified air of Rotary this week, as a Sacramento Rotary Fellowship was awarded to the most deserving Virginia Wade (for you newer Rotarians, a Sacramento Rotary Fellowship is the highest honor that our club bestows to a member).
 
John Swentowsky provided the intro, sharing some nuggets, such as Virginia being a former model for Weinstocks, and meeting her long-time partner (and now husband), Ed, at the community mailbox on their street (try pulling that off on e-mail).  Congratulations, Virginia, for an honor most deserved.
 
Kathy Herrfeldt was the Sponsor of the Day, donating her $350 to the club, and her 3 minutes to Sophie Moeller of Achieve Tahoe, which is a favorite charity of Kathy’s.  And that’s a reminder, fellow Rotarians – if you want to benefit the club and highlight a favorite charity of yours, become a Sponsor of the Day, and donate your time to your favored cause.  Eddie Mulligans, Paul Harris’s, and Lee-Phairs are vital, yet only a Sponsor of the Day benefits the club budget directly.
 
It’s a busy time at Rotary for the next fortnight, with our next Rotary Networking night on March 20th, a Service Day planting a Pollinator Garden at Kildeer Farms in West Sacramento (courtesy of a Rotary Grant that Jamie Furlong obtained for the club – well done, Jamie!) on March 22nd, and a hike (more like a walk) with Jim Leet in Folsom on March 23rd.  See the Rotary calendar online for details (and by the time you’ve read this, Jay King will have already hosted our latest Fireside on March 12th – thanks, Jay!).
 
With Opening Day a few weeks away, Kathy Herrfeldt announced that she’s planning a club outing at a River Cats game and will schedule the date when she has about 20 committed Rotarians.  Contact Kathy for details and to express your interest.
 
Chair of the Day Steve Brandenburger stepped forth to introduce our guest speaker, Kulvinder Singh, who shared with us some history of the Sikh people, and the relevance of California (particularly Northern California) in their history in the United States.
 
The first Sikhs arrived in the U.S. around 1906, and now number in the hundreds of thousands, with over half living in California, particularly Yuba City and Marysville, where approximately 10% of the population is Sikh.  It was an interesting look into the culture of our Sikh neighbors.
 
John Swentowsky won this week’s “Rock Star” award for his prowess with the mic (with Jamie Furlong earning an honorable mention), and next week’s speaker will feature a return visit from Kelly Brothers, who will talk with us about the economy, investments, and (with St. Patrick’s Day just passed), no doubt a good Irish joke or five.
 
Plan to attend next week, and if you can’t be good between now and then, be discreet (that’s the 5th element of the 4-Way Test that just never caught on).
 
The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th, has been moved to Thursday, March 27th. Please update your calendars.
 
John Wood
 
Photos courtesy of John Swentowsky
 
Pulse for the Week of February 25th, 2025
Did you know that Sacramento is one of the most flood-prone cities in the United States? And also that more than a third of Californians live in wildfire hazard zones? Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, joined us this week to speak about two key aspects of California natural resource stewardship – water stewardship and fire prevention.
 
But before Secretary Crowfoot, we heard about several important service projects, welcomed several new guests, and learned about several networking opportunities coming up. Let’s get down to it. 
 
Past President Linda Geery provided the Thought for the Day – Langston Hughes’ “Dreams” – adding an invitation for Rotarians to dream of peace, and hope; and to be grateful for our ability to be in community together, doing work that makes a difference. Read “Dreams” here.
 
David Rowen, a nurse anesthetist with Rotoplast, was invited to share more about the good work of Rotoplast. While not formally affiliated with Rotary, it was founded by a Rotarian with the goal of bringing life-changing therapeutic plastic surgery to patients in developing worlds. This is most frequently cleft palate treatments for children, but also regularly includes burn treatments for children and adults. Since its founding in 1993, Rotoplast has conducted more than 300 service trips and treated over 20,000 patients.
 
Kathy Herrfeldt shared her experiences at last weekend’s Habitat for Humanity housing dedication, where 15 Rotarians helped install the final fenceline for a new Habitat project – and celebrated with seven families who were given keys to their new homes that day. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento has provided thousands of families with access to affordable home ownership, as well as programs to support low-income, home-owning seniors to age in place. Families have to provide 500 hours of sweat equity as a down payment for a home, and must qualify for a mortgage. This is truly not a handout of a free home, but a hand-up to home ownership for hardworking families in our community, and Kathy and the other participating Rotarians considered themselves lucky to be part of Saturday’s dedication.
 
Club Announcements:
Theatre Night: There are five tickets left for the Tina Turner musical at Broadway Sacramento next Thursday (tix $90). Contact PP Todd Koolakian for details
 
The next Fireside Chat will be at the home of new member Jay King on March 12 – a signup sheet will be going out shortly.
 
The next Networking Night will be on March 20 at Juju Kitchen and Cocktails. Come enjoy a drink with friends; appetizers are covered by Harold Bellamy and First Northern Bank. Signups will also be emailed out shortly by organizer Ted White.
 
Interact students joined us to share that they are running a supply drive for care kits to benefit children in local hospitals. Folks wishing to participate in the supply drive should bring their items to the March 25 meeting.
 
Steve Huffman recently visited Rotarian PP Bob Cole in his new digs at the James Monroe Manor. Bob sends his best wishes to all his Rotarian friends.
 
Put Me In, Coach: Elfrena Foord, PP Linda Geery, and Nancy Teichert made gifts in honor of Rotoplast, the late club member Scot Crocker, and time spent with a dear niece, respectively.
 
Water and Fire – opportunities for conscious stewardship:
CA Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot oversees an agency charged with stewarding California’s forests and natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. It also protects natural places, wildlife and biodiversity, and helps oversee the clean energy transition of the sixth largest economy in the world. In his comments, he focused on two high profile policy areas – water stewardship and wildfire containment.
 
Water Stewardship. Did you know California has more variability in hydrology year over year than any other state? We’re consistently either battling drought or flood – the driest three-year period in 175 years came to a close with the wettest three weeks in California history. This volatility is expected to become more extreme as climate change continues to advance. Water stewardship in this context includes flood protection, water conservation, and also bridging national and local water projects to ensure that water is collected, conserved, and moved to where it is needed most.
 
Secretary Crowfoot made a point that water issues are economic issues – impacting housing and urban planning, yes, but also economic development far beyond agriculture. The CNRA’s goals include diversifying California’s water sources (capturing more rain and runoff), and upgrading statewide water infrastructure, much of which is currently 75-100 years old.
 
Crowfoot briefly touched on the CNRA’s involvement with the Delta Conveyance (Delta Tunnel) and the reasons he supports it:
  • There’s a 75% chance that an earthquake would impact surface levees, causing flooding and water loss, where underground the water supply is protected.
  • Moving water transport underground protects the water supply from salt water intrusion as sea level rise will bring Bay saltwater further up the Delta
 
Crowfoot noted Sacramento is among the most flood-prone cities in the United States, and he  praised Hon. Doris Matsui for her diligent efforts to gain flood protections for Sacramentans.
 
Wildfire Mitigation. CalFire is considered the most sophisticated fire fighting force on Earth. Unfortunately, they’re the best because California requires a high-performing wildfire-fighting force – more than a third of Californians live in wildfire hazard zones.
 
It’s also important to note that 57% of California forests are federally owned and managed – and California will spend about $400M of state money this year alone to protect state-owned land that abuts the federal land.
 
Over the past five years, in response to wildfires, the CalFire budget has doubled – and investments in tactical fire prevention went up tenfold.
 
The goal of all these investments, Secretary Crowfoot said, was to build our resilience, so Californians can continue to live, grow, and thrive amidst the challenges of the beautiful wild resources among which we live.
 
Christie Holderegger, Buddy Hubbard, Kelly Huffman and Steve Huffman serving as greeters for the day, while Rhonda Poppen hosted the wine reception. Megan Wygant was the Pulse reporter, and photog John Swentowsky captured the mixing and mingling of all who were present.
 
Next week, our speaker will represent a complete 180 from this week’s topic – Scott “Fresh” Freshour is MC for the Sacramento Kings and will share stories from behind the mic and ahead of “the beam.”
 
Photos Courtesy of John Swentowsky