David and Ginny Freeman and the Sonoma Valley Author's Festival
Our speakers for Thursday, February 15, 2024, were David and Ginny Freeman, co-founders of the Sonoma Valley Author’s Festival. Before retirement, David was in the financial services business for 30 years. He held senior management positions with a variety of companies and joined Ashford Capital Partners LLC as a partner when he moved to San Francisco in 1997. He served on a variety of boards of directors for charitable organizations in New York and San Francisco, including positions with Episcopal Charities and Cities in Schools. He was also the President of the Nor Cal Chapter of the American Liver Foundation. Ginny’s professional career spanned positions with Arthur Anderson & Co, the Bank of America (in tech support, IBM in sales, staff, and management roles), and as a self-employed Executive Assistant for high net-worth clients, businesses, and foundations. She also started PixElation LLC. Ginny has also been active in a private women’s club and as chair of the program committee, where she helped organize speakers, authors, and field trips for the membership.
David and Ginny created the Sonoma Valley Author’s Festival after David “retired” and they moved to the wine country. The main goal is to encourage literacy for children and adults by bringing in great authors for speaking engagements. The first events were in 2017, so they’ve had six live programs and one online program during the height of covid. The main live event encompasses three days and is held at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in April. The list of past speakers and break-out hosts is too extensive to include, but the 2024 speakers will include (among others) David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wager), Doris Kearns Goodwin (presidential historian and author), Admiral James Stavridis and Elliot Ackerman (co-authors of 2034: A Novel of the Next World War), Amy Tan, Akhil Reed Amar (Yale Professor and Constitutional Scholar), and Dr. Deepak Srivastava (science and technology visionary).
Another Festival event is Student’s Day, when they bring more than a dozen authors and thought leaders to share their experiences and ideas with middle and high school students across the Sonoma Valley. Last year’s speakers included Silvia Vasquez-Lavado (humanitarian, mountaineer, and explorer), Ada Limon (24th Poet Laureate), and Danielle Feinberg (Pixar Studios). The Festival also hosts Authors on the Plaza, a free, family-friendly special event on the Sonoma Plaza. Some of the most recognizable recent speakers at Authors on the Plaza include Abraham Verghese, Poet Laureate Ada Limon, and humorist Dave Barry. The Festival also publishes Sonoma Valley Author’s Festival 360, a virtual version of the event. 360 is free and open for 30 days after first publication.
This year’s festival is set for April 26-28. Books by the speakers are for sale and also donated free to students in connection with Student’s Day (they’ve donated 3,000 books to students!). Putting on the event is very expensive; the speakers require speaker’s fees and travel expenses and the Mission Inn is not inexpensive. One-half of the ticket event price is used to pay the expenses for the free events.
Thank you David and Ginny for the marvelous presentation. The Festival is a wonderful addition to the artistic and educational culture of the wine country, and we appreciate all your outstanding efforts putting it on!
Click HERE to see a limited-time recording of Ginny and David's presentation.
On a regular basis, our resident photo pro Warren Smith, submits pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
At the end of the day, it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about what you've done with those accomplishments. It's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back.
The secret of health for both Mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
M.J. Girard is currently an on air personality on KOWSfm.com His “Roots of Rock” is broadcast every Sunday morning at 7 AM
As I listen to the windblown precipitation beating down upon the skylights, I recall the many cold and massive storms that blew across the skies as I was growing up in Potter Valley. My broadcasting career began in Mendocino County in my senior year, 1966.
This past month we celebrated “Black History” as we do every February. The fact is, we need to celebrate Every Day…because Every Day is a Holiday! Music is a big part of our daily lives, we listen to the sound of our environment, the birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees, the sounds that surround us.
Lynda and I screened the motion picture “One Love” Sunday afternoon, the story of Bob Marley. We both agreed that it is Academy Award worthy. Bob was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter and guitarist. He was the force behind the genre, world renowned for his spirituality and outspoken support of democratic social reforms.
Born in humble origins, Marley began his professional musical career in 1963, forming the band “The Wailers” and releasing their first album “The Wailing Wailers” in 1965, which included the single “One Love” a reworking of “People Get Ready.” The album established Bob Marley and the Wailers as the first band to showcase the reggae style across the world.
Marley received many awards and accolades during his lifetime, as well as after his untimely death on the 11th of May 1981 of cancer. The recently released film accurately depicts his career, to include the attempt on his life. Well worth viewing.
For those who didn’t catch my previous programs on KOWSfm.com, featuring the highlights of our black sisters and brothers singing, please visit the website and hopefully, enjoy the shows. Incidentally, we are always looking for talented people to present themselves on the air. We do train… (choo choo..) it’s not intimidating at all, it’s like learning to drive…(no insurance needed!)
This Sunday’s program will feature Bob Marley as we close out February. Spring is right around the corner…. (Please hurry). The live Roots of Rock will return 17 March after our brief holiday in Puerto Vallarta, visiting family and friends…in the sun!
'Word of mouth' about Sunrise Rotary's special asset the "Golden Hammer," Leroy Carlenzoli, has spread all across the county and beyond. Requests pour in, from far and wide, for his specialty, "Greenhouse." However LeRoy cannot fulfill one of them all by himself. A 'whole bunch of people' are needed to 'raise the roof.' And this includes YOU. Contact Leroy to offer your availability. And, when the time comes, he will 'invite you to the party.
Rotary's Peace Academy brings enlightening clarity to the effects resulting from Positive Peace Building: Reduction of Food insecurity, prevention of domestic violence, improved mental health, collaborative artistic creativity and advances in literacy-numeracy to name a few measures comprising a country's Global Peace Index.
Within the Peace Academy's curriculum are the repeated concepts of stability and resilience. Civil stability depends on a constructive dynamic between attitudes, institutions and structures operating to establish and maintain sustainable peace. While the role of these social and political entities seems obvious, even simple, only a read of the newspaper is evidence they are anything but rock solid.
Our opportunities to serve as Peace Builders are abundant and our responses robust: Redwood Empire Food Bank apple, carrot and potato patrol, boxing line or community garden/landscaping build awareness and equity in resilience. Our vision and dental missions to Vietnam and Nicaragua cleared cavities and cataracts and a bit of naivety as well. Two of our partnering Nicaraguan families, the Fonseca's and Rafael and Ninoska's lives have leveraged not hundreds, but thousands of people's healthcare resources and quality of life immensely. Combined efforts in fundraising, logistics, instrument cleaning, supply inventory here and abroad are measures of how we are advancing the pathways to peace, goodwill and better understanding.
The Peace Academy provides a window to see just how we can and do make a difference. Rotary Brings Hope to the World. Load up, keep on delivering!
A guy said to God, "God, is it true that to you a billion years is like a second?" God said yes. The guy said, "God, is it true that to you a billion dollars is like a penny?" God said yes. The guy said, "God, can I have a penny?" God said, "Sure, just a second."
Minneapolis-St. Paul set to host Rotary’s 120th international convention in 2029
The largest convention Minneapolis will host in 2029
EVANSTON, Ill. (Feb. 5, 2024) — Rotary International today announced Minneapolis-St. Paul as the winner of the provisional bid to hold its annual international convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center, May 26-30, 2029.
More than 15,000 Rotary members and participants from around the world will gather in the Twin Cities to connect, learn from each other and various experts, and share ideas for bringing positive, lasting change to communities across the globe. The event is expected to inject an estimated $30.4 million in both direct and indirect business sales, and will utilize hotels in Minneapolis, Bloomington, and St. Paul, as well as most of the Minneapolis Convention Center.
“I am excited to welcome Rotary members from across the globe to the Twin Cities and the State of Minnesota for their international convention in 2029,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “Rotary members do incredibly important work to improve lives and strengthen communities here and throughout the world.”
“Minneapolis is the right city to host the 120th Rotary International Convention and Rotary is a fabulous organization to welcome,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “With more than 15,000 attendees and strong values of service, diversity, and leadership – this event will have an enormous impact on our community and we look forward to showing off our world-class city.”
The winning bid was led by Rotary clubs in Minnesota and Iowa. “We’re thrilled that Minneapolis will once again host Rotary’s biggest gathering,” said Tom Gump, Chair, Host Operating Committee, 2029 Rotary International. “We look forward to working with Meet Minneapolis Tourism Bureau, the Cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington and the State of Minnesota to plan the largest Rotary event in Minneapolis since the last convention we hosted in 1974.”
“Abundant in fresh water, nature, and cultural diversity, Minneapolis – the City of Lakes, is the ideal location for our members and participants to connect and celebrate our friendships, cultures, and shared commitment to making a positive difference in the world,” said Rotary International President Gordon McInally.
Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. More than US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation—Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service—to support these and other initiatives over the last 100 years.
About Rotary
Rotary unites a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.4 million people of action from more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.
Rotary International Vice President Pat Merryweather-Arges
“Rotary members from throughout the world are looking forward to 2029 when we can all join together in the multi-cultural city of Minneapolis, in the heartland of America,” said Pat Merryweather-Arges. “Minneapolis is host to many large conventions due to the warm hospitality of the residents and the endless amount of entertainment, sports, shopping, and natural habitats and reserves. While it is five years away, we are already packing our bags, making plans, and looking forward to Minneapolis in 2029!”
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter
"This event marks a significant opportunity for our vibrant Twin Cities community to showcase our spirit of service, diversity, and leadership," said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. "We look forward to hosting more than 15,000 attendees and providing an ideal setting for connection, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas that will undoubtedly contribute to positive, lasting change in communities worldwide."
Mayor Tim Busse
“Bloomington is looking forward to working with Minneapolis and St. Paul to make the Rotary International 2029 convention a huge success. With the Mall of America and our experience welcoming the world to Minnesota, I know Rotarians are going to really enjoy their time here. And I know from my own experience with historic Rotary #9 in Minneapolis that our Host Organizing Committee and all our volunteers will be ready to shine in 2029.”
Melvin Tennant – President & CEO, Meet Minneapolis
“We have a robust and active Rotary community. We are excited and eager to help our local Rotarians showcase the spirit of Minneapolis to their fellow members,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. “Our city’s tourism and hospitality workers have built a reputation for their welcoming, inclusive, and authentic spirit of service. I know they will help create memorable experiences for all Rotary International Convention attendees.”
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Sunrise - Founded June 30, 1986
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