President Paul called the meeting to order at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, quipping that he hoped everyone had managed to find parking. With preparations underway for the church’s upcoming Greek Festival, parking was harder to come by than usual.
For our Thought for the Day, Hillary Schmeel offered a different way of thinking about introverts and extroverts. Introverts, she explained, start the day with a pocketful of coins and gradually give them away through their interactions. Extroverts start with an empty pocket and collect coins, and energy, as the day goes on. Hillary admitted that after years of thinking she was an extrovert, she has realized she may actually be an introvert. Her challenge to the room: figure out which one you are, and keep an eye on those extroverts stealing all your coins.
Welcome New Members!
Three New Members! It was a big day for membership as the club welcomed three new Rotarians: Sylvia Enriquez, Joe Barr and Salvador Ramirez. Sylvia is an education leader with Heritage Peak Charter School and has worked closely with Rotary Interact Club at her school. Joe is executive director of Access Sacramento and brings more than three decades of experience in journalism, media and communications. Salvador is director of philanthropy at Christian Brothers High School, where he leads fundraising.
Know Your Rotary Network- What's Behind the Badge?
Know Your Rotary Network. Maggie Hopkins of Surroundings Real Estate and Lending got the spotlight this week. Maggie has originated loans for 23 years and has practiced real estate since 2006, reported presenter Elfrena Foord. Maggie’s company offers what she calls a “well-moved” approach, helping clients with much more than simply buying or selling a house. That can include everything from purging and donations to estate sales, painting, home improvements, marketing and financing.
Club Generosity. PP Walter Dahl celebrated a trip to Croatia with his wife Sarah and contributed $250 to the Sacramento Century Challenge. PP Scot Sorensen added $100 to the Sacramento Century Challenge. Christie Holderegger contributed $100 toward her Paul Harris. Rhonda Poppen contributed $250 to the Century Challenge in honor of her father-in-law, William Poppen Sr., who’s celebrating his 90th birthday this weekend. Elfrena Foord doubled up on the generosity, contributing $100 toward Forrest Junod’s Eddie Mulligan and another $100 to the Century Challenge in honor of Bruce Hester. She and Bruce bumped into Forrest in the Denver airport, and they ended up carpooling home from SMF. (Apparently, once you’ve been in Rotary long enough, there really is no such thing as traveling anonymously.) Forrest also stepped up with a contribution.
Featured Speaker
Keeping Tahoe Blue. Chair of the Day David Brandenburger introduced our featured speaker, Dr. Stephanie Hampton, director of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Dr. Hampton gave Rotarians a fascinating look at Lake Tahoe and the changing science behind its famous blue water. UC Davis scientists have studied Tahoe since the 1950s. Today, one of the center’s biggest concerns is water clarity, which declined through the 1990s before leveling off at roughly 70 feet. (The goal is to reach 78 feet by 2031 and restore its historical level of 97 feet by 2076.) While attention has traditionally focused on sediment entering the lake, scientists are increasingly studying phytoplankton, microscopic plant life that reduce clarity. Warmer air and water, more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow, and wildfire smoke and ash ultimately impact Tahoe’s clarity. Dr. Hampton encouraged people to support efforts to keep pollutants out of the lake.
Dee Hartzog generously sponsored the wine reception. Matthew Romsa served double duty as a greeter and this week’s Pulse reporter. Fellow greeters included Ken Barnes and Bill Shubb. Joe Quilici served as our photographer and made himself particularly easy to spot, sporting a purple shirt while wielding a bright red camera. (Subtlety was apparently not part of Joe’s photographic strategy.)
The club will be DARK on Tuesday, October 13.
A big thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Sacramento Century Challenge. Your time, energy, and generosity made it possible!
