Posted by Jim Culleton on Jul 26, 2018
Rotarians were greeted by Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen, & Pajak) on the piano upon entering the hallowed halls of the Greek Orthodox Church.  We were greeted by Bindu Jaduram (Tri Counties Bank), John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography),.  Dr. Winston Eddy (Retired Doctor - UC Davis Medical Center) provided the wine for the pre-lunch reception.  Todd Andrews (Andrews Construction, Inc.) kept the mood festive by riding his bike through the tables, almost a Tour de France cobblestone Sacramento version?  Many others were clad in bike jerseys in anticipation of the Sacramento Century push!  This included Mike Gilligan who was accused of wearing and unauthorized Todd jersey!
 
Marlene Fitzwater (The Health Communication Research Institute, Inc) gave the thought for the day and challenged us to keep doing what we’re doing.  Make the world a better place. Stand up. Don’t sit down.  Keep doing what you’re doing.
 
Lots of guests, prospective members, and visiting Rotarians were introduced by Elfrena Foord.
 
We had a moment of silence for Past President Ed Weidner today, how passed away on July 12th.  He was a member of this club for 62 years.
 
Virginia Wade donated her time as a “Meeting Sponsor” to Anne Descalzo (AVP Community Banking SAFE Credit Union)  promoted Sacramento EDGE (affiliated with the Chamber)  21-40 year olds are encouraged to invest in the community.  “Are you ready to take it to the next level?”  EDGE stands for Engage, Develop, Give and Empower.  These young professionals are donating their time and energy to a different Non Profit each year via events, advice, and support.
 
 
 
 
 
“Let’s Educate Someone” was busy!  Norm Marshall’s (Headwaters Construction Inc.) son sent great wishes and thanks back to the club after our “thumbs up” photo reached him overseas.  He had previously sent a photo of his battalion with the American Flag and a huge explosion in the back ground.  Susan Sheridan poked fun at current President Diane Woodruff coaxing her onto a Ferris wheel during the Rotary Convention in Toronto.  No bungee jumping photos were displayed, but a few canned photos elicited groans from the crowd.  Susan graciously donated.  Nancy Teichert donated $700, which equated to $100 for each decade Fred had been a Sacramentan.  Fred, somewhat  tardy, (but no one cared) graciously donated the same amount back to Nancy’s Eddie Mulligan once he wrestled the microphone away from her.  Gabriel Gendron (Lyon Real Estate) and Kelly Moran (Moran & Associates) celebrated a nephew’s graduation from West Point!  A long struggle to get in, much perseverance, ended with a remarkable graduation ceremony back East.  Dr. Barbara Arnold (Barbara J. Arnold MD Inc.) is displaying paintings in the KVIE gallery until August 10th.  She hopes to sell all of her paintings.  40% goes back to KVIE and she also generously donated to Sacramento Rotary.
 
Announcements included Hal (Bartholomew & Wasznicky LLP) and Berverly’s Annual Poolside BBQ at their home in Elk grove on August 5thLuAnn Richardson (Re/Max Gold) and Mike Bullington (Northwestern Mutual Financial Network) lauded President Diane’s ping-pong skills with a short victorious video over Tim Mattheis (WMB Architects) Challengers can step up during the poolside BBQ next month.  Rotary Softball was gain victorious John Swentowsky reported.  Two more games until the playoffs start next month.  We are hoping the trophy returns to the club.
 
President Diane kicked off the discussion of the Sacramento Century Challenge by declaring bike shorts are like “wearing a girdle with a diaper in it!”  She revealed why Sacramento Crisis Nursery was chosen as this year’s beneficiary. Todd Andrews continues to work the bike trail and Folsom Dam area trying to recruit new riders.  This is a big reason why #’s are up! 
 
Susan Sheridan provided an overview of past Sac Centuries with a video/photo montage.
 
Early check in at O’dark thirty, rest stops at Dave Pumpkin Patch, Husick (both ways) all gathered chuckles at photos from the past three years. Over the river via barge to Isleton and Capital Mall, preparations completed the slide show presentation.  Bike Valet will again be available.
 
Bobby Reed of Capital Tech Solutions led the discussion on social media promotion for the Sac Century.  He along with Kelly Moran is driving the PR team to sign up more sponsors, riders and volunteers.  Social Media via Facebook Ads, Twitter and Instagram continues to add followers and post new information about the beneficiaries and participants.
 
Michelle Amaral (Dick James and Associates, Inc.) won $100 towards her Eddie Mulligan as Bobby offered up the prize to whomever could share the Sac Century Ad the fastest via Facebook.
 
Todd Koolakian, Director of Philanthropy of the Sacramento Children’s Home gave a brief overview of SCH and it’s 8 programs, one of which is the Crisis Nurseries.  He showed a short video of their many services that counter abuse and neglect.  He introduce Ebony White Davis who oversees two nurseries that provide respite for children 0-5 who are facing gamily challenges.  Clients can stay for as short as one hour and as long as 30 days. 
 
 
A Parent, Carmit Poyras, gave a firsthand account of her struggles and lauded the many benefits of the Crisis Nursery.  Clients are provided diapers, clothing, food, baths and most importantly comfort.  Carmit couldn’t provide basic things and said, “I need help.”  The Crisis Nursery stepped in and gave her a safe place/haven to leave her newborn son.  The environment was clean, calm, secure and in her words, “serene.”
 
Todd then solicited donations from the audience, which were very generous:
 
$2500: Ted White (Sacramento Delta Property Management), Diane Woodruff, Eric Solis (Solis Financial Strategies Group of Wells Fargo Advisors), Gabriel and Kelly
 
$1000: Elfrena and Bruce (Colliers International), President Elect Jim Leet (Boutin Jones Inc.), Jim Streng, Todd Andrews and his father in law, Patrick Furlong, Past President John Frisch (Newmark Cornish & Carey), Bob and Dan Cole (CPG West), Dr. Winston Eddy
 
$500: Tina Reynolds (Uptown Studios, Inc.), Michelle Amaral and Shadi Fox (Dick James and Associates, Inc.), Marlene Fitzwater, Past President Walter Dahl (Dahl Law, Attorneys At Law), Brad Towne (Law Offices of Bradley S Towne), Margo Fowkes (OnTarget Consulting, Inc.), Past President Dan McVeigh (Downey Brand LLP), Tim Mattheis, Jim Olsen, Larry Gilzean (Spare Time Clubs), Jeff and Callie Setzer (Setzer Forest Products), Jack and Karen Diepenbrock (Diepenbrock Elkin Gleason), Ed Melia, Linda Geery (Gilbert Associates, Inc.), Dr. Dick Wertz.
 
$250: Steve Huffman, Jonathan Marz (Diepenbrock Elkin Gleason), Tom Engel, Jeanne Reaves (Jeanne Reaves Consulting), Chris Ann Bachtel (First Northern Bank), Mark Luhdorff (ANPAC Bio), Jeff Curcio (Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP), Ron Crane (DCA Partners)
 
$100: Heidi Hershenhouse (Apercen Partners, LLC ) , Kathe Nathan (The Merchants National Bank), Liz McClatchy (Safety Center Incorporated), Jim Relles (Relles Florist), Past President Peter Dannenfelser  (Architectural Arts), John Swentowsky, Art & Kiefie Breuer, Don Ellwanger, Rob Scherer, Bob Daly (Financial Network Wealth Advisors), Becky Roberts (Central Valley Community Bank), David Brandenburger (Newmark Cornish & Carey), Robyn DeLong (Coldwell Banker), Brian Turner (Law Office of Brian H. Turner), Latoya Wong (Club Manager), Bob Mclean (McLean & Tillotson Construction) and Clayton Lee (C.K.L. Trust).
 
Elfrena left us with the “Skip Smile of the Day,” If there is a will….there are relatives waiting to get into it.  Next meeting will feature Adam Schomer who documented his motorcycle journey through the Himalayas.
 
As always, thank you John Swentowsky for the photos!