Cheryl LaFranchi is a third-generation rancher with a rich heritage deeply rooted in the Sonoma County agriculture industry. Actively involved in ranching since 1983, she has dedicated her life to the preservation and advancement of the agriculture industry as well as giving back to the community she grew up in. In 2001, she took the reins as the sole manager and operator of Oak Ridge Angus, a sprawling 1200-acre property located in Knights Valley, CA. With a commitment to excellence and as one of the few sole women-operated ranches in the U.S. she nurtures approximately 400 cattle at one time. As a purebred Angus ranch, Cheryl has strategically focused on the development of genetic superiority for over four decades, harnessing modern-day genetics through innovative techniques such as ultrasound and DNA testing. Educated at Fresno State, where she earned her BA in Economics, Cheryl has also been recognized in various publications and media outlets. Her work has been featured in Sonoma Magazine, the Napa Register, Angus Journal, California Cattlemen's Association publications, and the Press Democrat. She's a sought-after voice in the ranching industry, having appeared on numerous podcasts and news segments. With her unwavering commitment to ranching excellence, sustainability, and community involvement, Cheryl LaFranchi is a true trailblazer in the industry, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
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!
Sunrise Philanthropy Director Steve Zwick inspected our 2022 District Grant adaptive swing seat installation in the children's play area at Howarth Park.
The seat above, one of two included in our grant, is designed to give upper body support. Contrast it to the adjacent drop in model and the advantages are apparent.
Also at Howarth Park, in the upper youth adventure area is the youth seat, strong enough to support sporty Steve. Can you see what is missing? It is in the next view.
Our inspiration for the swings was brought during our program on June 10, 2021 by Dan Pulcrano, CEO of the North Bay Bohemian Weekly. Dan’s presentation also included a pitch for a program sponsored by his club. The San Jose Rotary Club developed the practice of installing adaptive swings to allow accessibility for all children, including children with special needs, in city parks. Our own, Rich Randolph, took the challenge for our club and after years of persistence, succeeded!
On the safety harness, note the Rotary logo. These seats are the first Rotary sponsored projects at the park. It is through support to The Rotary Foundation which made this happen: Contributions to the foundation are re-directed to the District they come from on a three year look back period. The swing seats funding originated in donations "planted" in 2019. Thank you supporters!! Your Paul Harris Sustaining contribution provides a dividend here in District 5130, right in Howarth Park and as you saw last week, at Elsie Allen High School for their Marching Band! You have definitely Created Hope in the World!
Merle Hayes, Willie Billeter and daughter Amelia greeted and directed garden visitors. On the inside. . . .
Demonstrations of garden features, craft activity for young growers and Master Gardener promotions.
Recognize the sun shade? This day they provided a bit of warmth and cover of the misty air. Hundreds of visitors discovered new dimensions of soil, seeds and bugs. The Sonoma County Master Gardeners planted multiple seeds of interest in home gardening and sustainable landscaping.
Master Gardener Tim Coyne illustrates appropriate trees for Sonoma County's next century of climate forecast.
An excellent display of noble California's oak natives drew much attention. The pathology of Sudden Oak Death was graphically explained in lay-persons terms.
Master Gardeners, an outreach of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension held today's Jamboree to introduce the public to the Demonstration Garden at Los Guilicos. Exhibitors included a Petaluma garden, Rising Waters from Sonoma State University, Proctor Terrace School and succulent sales by the Master Gardeners. A follow up event is in the works for next May.
Sunrise is proud to partner with Sonoma Master Gardeners.
Introduced this last week at the club is the “Rotary Foundation Pick-A-Square” board.
There are 100 squares with values equal to $5, $10, $15 and $20 each (there are even a few at $0).
Members can defer a recognition (fine) by pulling a Square, or just pull a square and pay for what ever the value is.
Once all 100 squares are pulled, and names assigned to the squares, all the names will be put into a hat, and President Debra will pull 1 square, and that person will receive a $1,000 PHF !
There are currently 95 squares still available. Don’t miss your opportunity to help the RI Foundation in their endeavors to End Polio.
Lets get this board sold out by Foundation Month (November)!
M.J. Girard is currently an on air personality on KOWSfm.com His “Roots of Rock” is broadcast every Sunday morning at 7 AM
Wrapping up the holiday in Tennessee, visiting Brushy Mountain Penitentiary, which is now a distillery, DollyLand amusement park which was truly an excellent experience and then the Country Music Hall of Fame, which was unbelievable in its memorabilia. When I was broadcasting from Texas, I had the honor of working with Bob Luman, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrel, Marshall Tucker Band and most of the local Central Texas talent, not the least of which was Willie Nelson, who I had the privilege of introducing on stage.
I’ve ordered over 250 Classic country songs that will be incorporated into the “Roots of Rock” repertoire, honoring the true history of rock music, along which the Blues, Jazz and Gospel. At lot of country-rock was established in SoCal in the 70’s. Ronstadt, Byrds, Poco, Eagles etc.
Incidentally, the gas prices here in Tennessee are under $3.00! Which just makes me think that California is not playing fair with those of us that use the highways and byways…but I digress!
This holiday season will be a blessing as we all pray for peace, not only here at home, by around the world.
Thanks for the support and requests made at Girard.org The tunes will be placed into rotation a.s.a.p.
So very glad to be on our way back to the Golden State …there’s no place home sweet home.
A guy goes to see his grandmother and takes one of his friends with him. While he's talking to his grandmother, his friend starts eating the peanuts that are on the coffee table, and finishes them off.
As they are leaving, the friend says, "Thanks for the peanuts."
The grandmother says, "Yeah, since I lost my dentures I can only suck the chocolate off 'em."
After July 2021 floods that killed hundreds of people, leveled homes, and inundated centuries-old buildings in northern Europe, Rotarians committed millions of euros to help rebuild devastated communities. Nearly two years later, Rotary members along the Ahr River, a Rhine tributary, did not forget the river itself or its fish. Over one week in March, the Rotary clubs of Remagen-Sinzig, Adenau-Nürburgring, and Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (all in District 1810) released thousands of salmon smolt in a roughly $16,200 restocking. In Schuld, the Adenau-Nürburgring club offered fish-shaped baked treats to children, and a fisheries expert explained the day’s task. “It is crucial to involve children directly in these activities,” says Alex Schoep, a co-president of the Adenau-Nürburgring club. “They have experienced the horrors of the flood catastrophe firsthand, and it is very important that they re-establish a more positive relationship with the Ahr, a river that characterizes and dominates the region.”
Barbados
The Rotary Club of Barbados has created a series of financial literacy workshops with the help of club members who are financial professionals, including bankers, insurance agents, actuaries, and wealth managers. Dubbed Save, Spend, Thrive, the program includes classroom sessions, mentorship opportunities, and social media messaging. The workshops began in January with sessions for residents and former clients of a center for people with substance use disorders. The effort expanded in April and May through a collaboration with a church in Bridgetown. Topics include debt management, household budgeting, saving, and retirement planning. “To date we have served approximately 100 people, most of them women,” says club member Jamella Forde.
This story originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of Rotary magazine.
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After July 2021 floods that killed hundreds of people, leveled homes, and inundated centuries-old buildings in northern Europe, Rotarians committed millions of euros to help rebuild devastated communities. Nearly two years later, Rotary members along the Ahr River, a Rhine tributary, did not forget the river itself or its fish. Over one week in March, the Rotary clubs of Remagen-Sinzig, Adenau-Nürburgring, and Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (all in District 1810) released thousands of salmon smolt in a roughly $16,200 restocking. In Schuld, the Adenau-Nürburgring club offered fish-shaped baked treats to children, and a fisheries expert explained the day’s task. “It is crucial to involve children directly in these activities,” says Alex Schoep, a co-president of the Adenau-Nürburgring club. “They have experienced the horrors of the flood catastrophe firsthand, and it is very important that they re-establish a more positive relationship with the Ahr, a river that characterizes and dominates the region.”
The Rotary Club of Barbados has created a series of financial literacy workshops with the help of club members who are financial professionals, including bankers, insurance agents, actuaries, and wealth managers. Dubbed Save, Spend, Thrive, the program includes classroom sessions, mentorship opportunities, and social media messaging. The workshops began in January with sessions for residents and former clients of a center for people with substance use disorders. The effort expanded in April and May through a collaboration with a church in Bridgetown. Topics include debt management, household budgeting, saving, and retirement planning. “To date we have served approximately 100 people, most of them women,” says club member Jamella Forde.