Yes, the September 9 lunch meeting of the Rotary Club of Sacramento had a little bit of everything. Back the Blue? Check. Software training? Pickett’s charge? Yup. Personalized aprons? Of course. Oh, where to begin.
Gaveling us in, President Kerry Wood welcomed meeting sponsor Bajrang Moran, who dedicated his time to the Sacramento Police Foundation, where he serves as board chair. This nonprofit supports Sac PD with community engagement, workforce pipeline and youth leadership, public safety training, and officer wellness and professional development. Bajrang acknowledged fellow club members Jay King and Bryan Murray for board service at the organization, and he invited club members to consider a philanthropic investment in leading Sacramento into a new era of public safety by fostering a resilient, efficient and empowered police force.
Sarah Hodge gave a quick tutorial on using the new, improved ClubRunner phone app that’s a handy tool, in particular its club directory. Like, maybe you need to type Steve Johanson’s name for some reason and need the correct spelling. Bam.
President Kerry acknowledged mid-September birthday Rotarians Matt Green, Kierstan DeLong, David Motes, PP Kevin Smith-Fagan, Hadley Wilson and Steve Johanson.
Lionel Kristoffy, our Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student from Switzerland, is settling nicely into his year at Rio Americano High School, he said. He made sure to thank PE Paul Keefer and current host Maggie Hopkins for making his transition a happy one.
It’s Sac Century action time! President Kerry exhorted every club member to take an active role – and to respond generously to PP Diane Mizell’s outreach for your monetary support of our signature fundraiser for the Crisis Nursery at Sacramento Children’s Home. And to volunteer, visit sacramentocentury.com.
On the generosity topic, numerous Rotarians made club contributions celebrating good news. These included PP Jim Leet’s 47th wedding anniversary, PE Keefer’s salute to the RYE team, Michelle See’s enthusiasm for new robot Sophie at her Monster Laundry operation, Rhonda Poppen’s launching of a new grantwriters’ organization, and PP Todd Koolakian donating in honor of Tom Bacon’s heroic fundraising efforts as a Challenge Champion for Sac Century (over $10k this year already).
Club Announcements -
. Rotary After Dark! Tuesday, September 30 from 4:30pm-7pm, instead of a lunch meeting, our club will gather for some social time at SacYard Community Taphouse in East Sac. Our beloved DIck Osen will be a featured guest. And hitting the stage at SacYard will be our energetic Rotary Roadies providing live music.
. Hiking Club. On September 21 at 1pm, PP Jim Leet will lead a modest 3.3 mile flat stroll at the bucolic Cosumnes River Preserve.
. Theater Night. Just three tickets remain for our club outing to enjoy the musical “& Juliet” on Thursday, September 25. Learn more from PP Todd.
. Fireside gathering. The next Fireside is Thursday, October 16 at the home of Dave McKie. Look for an email invitation.
. Ridership Recruitment for Sac Century. Ruth Tesar implored club members to spread the word among their networks to bolster ridership for the Sac Century.
. Apron order for Loaves & Fishes. The deadline approaches for ordering your own personalized apron to wear while volunteering with the club at Loaves and Fishes; contact Maggie Hopkins for details.
. Auto pay update. If you like your credit card information kept on file for automatic payments for the club and/or foundation charges, please email Barbara Clegg for a new authorization form. To download the form, click here.
Community grants update. PP Bobby Reed presented on several grants made in June 2025 with charitable funds available near the conclusion of his term: $10k for Golf for Kids beneficiaries; $10k for a building refurbishment at Safetyville USA; $15k to fix the Fairytale Town castle moat; and $10k for a Hanami Line cherry blossom tree at Matsui Park.
Know Your Fellow Rotarians. Josh Pelz and his wife Marcella were featured in a bio presented by Elfrena Foord. Marcella hails from a Hmong household with traditional practices, meaning Josh had to pony up a dowry – in cash. The occasion of a niece’s birth meant a celebratory slaughtering of a pig. The couple is going strong after 15 years of marriage. Rick Davis was the subject of a profile offered by Robyn DeLong. We learned about his curious intellect and passions for books, diorama Civil War battles, antique maps (there’s a roomful), and his globetrotting. Rick’s currently writing a book about the wonderful life of his late daughter.
Keynote Speaker. Karen Ross, secretary of agriculture for the State of California, dazzled the room with her command of ag data. The Golden State is a national leader in milk production, tree nuts, wine (fourth largest maker in the world), cattle, strawberries and much more – with a 2024 crop value of over $60 billion. She identified key threats and solutions on issues such as climate change, invasive pests, water, labor, and saving small farms.
Len McCandliss sponsored the wine reception. Greeters were Lev Kaganovich, PP Diane Woodruff, and John Wood. PP Kevin Smith-Fagan served as Pulse reporter, and Virginia Wade was the meeting photographer. Dave Brandenburger delivered the Thought for the Day, and PP Scot Sorensen introduced the keynote speaker.
The owner and chef of elite restaurant Canon, Brad Cecchi, will speak at our next club gathering on September 16 in our customary location, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
Len McCandliss sponsored the wine reception. Greeters were Lev Kaganovich, PP Diane Woodruff, and John Wood. PP Kevin Smith-Fagan served as Pulse reporter, and Virginia Wade was the meeting photographer. Dave Brandenburger delivered the Thought for the Day, and PP Scot Sorensen introduced the keynote speaker.
