Gia Biaggi is a former teacher and administrator, and the founder of Magnolia Project. She has a B.A. in International Studies from Kenyon College, an M.Ed. from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, and a CTE Credential. Gianna grew up in Sonoma County, and graduated from local public schools.
Kidnapped; David Templeton's Semi-Involuntary Return to His Playwriting Roots
Our speaker for August 21, 2025, was David Templeton, award winning Sonoma County playwright. David is also a dedicated reporter, journalist, currently an editor of the Petaluma Argus-Courier newspaper, and an arts and entertainment contributor to the Press Democrat. David has written a host of award-winning plays, including “Pinky,” “Polar Bears,” “Wretch Like Me,”” Galatea,” and “Featherbaby.” “Featherbaby’s” world premier will be at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park on August 29. He has also worked on the Press Democrat’s “You Don’t Know Peanuts” podcast as a developer and co-host. David has interviewed over 5,000 people in his journalistic career.
David got his start in theater as a youngster when his mom, a lounge singer, took him to play rehearsals. As a child he spent lots of time in theater-related activities, including listening to singing and music, and seeing plays and variety shows with lots of crazy stuff like stunts, bar brawls, and bullwhips. It was always interesting and exciting! The first play he ever saw was James Baldwin’s “Blues for Charlie,” which got him hooked on the theater and the notion of writing plays. He wrote his first play, “Grumpy,” in the 3rd grade. By the time he was 21, however, reality set in and he started working on the swing shift at newspapers. He wrote short stories and did journalism but didn’t have the time to actively pursue writing plays. Then, in 2019, while having dinner with friends one night and telling them about a play he was going to write, his friends told him he was being “kidnapped” and took him to a hotel for 3 days. They insisted that he write something and present it to 30 people in 6 weeks! He put something together for the group and turned it into a play that he’s now performed 150 times.
He has now written another 9 plays and is working on another. He wrote “Pinkie” about his efforts to impress a girl when he was young. “Pinkie” has been in 7 productions in different theaters. He wrote “Polar Bears” after his wife died. The story is about his obsession with his kids believing in Santa Claus. “Gallatea” was about a robot and his therapist. The idea for his new play, “Featherbaby,” came from living with a girlfriend who had a parrot who hated him. The girlfriend left him with the parrot, and they surprisingly bonded and became friends. The play is about bonding, companionship, and friendship between a parrot and the two competitive jigsaw puzzlers who live with him! He is now writing his 10th play which he will be doing in junction with the Montgomery High School Theater Department. It’s a radical departure from his usual plays for a variety of reasons, including the fact that instead of being a one-man or limited cast show there will be 14 teenagers on stage! He’s excited about this new production.
A warm Sunrise Rotary thank you to David for the wonderful program. We look forward to seeing your shows!
Click HERE to view a limited time recording of David Templeton'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!
Past Elsie Allen High School Interact Student Wants You to Read This!
Luz lived with her mother, a Spanish speaking house cleaner, and younger sister. She was very active in our Interact Club and a dedicated student. We purchased a laptop for her, and she was a recipient of our scholarship.
Luz was reluctant to go away to college and leave her family. I remember conversations with her as she was deciding what to do. She attended Davis, I believe, and returned home often to help her mother and sister. Family was always her top priority……and still is.
~Stacy
CALL TO ACTION! PLEASE READ :)
This is the last time I use my voice, my story, and my life to try to create change in the United States. For the last time, I step out of the shadows to share not only my story, but the story of so many who silently struggle, worry, and sacrifice their lives and happiness for the American Dream. A dream now tainted, shattered… a nightmare lived by millions.
My name is Luz Hernandez. I am a proud DACA recipient since 2015 and a first-generation college student who tried—over and over—to give back to my community. I was brought to the U.S. at the age of six and spent my life trying to be accepted by this country. A country that once opened doors for me to thrive, to grow, and to become the best version of myself—a version devoted to serving the community that raised me.
I am a proud Elsie Allen High School LOBO! Yes, I attended a predominantly Latino school—one now on the verge of shutting down, not because it isn’t needed, but because the system is broken. A system that was never designed for people who look like me. A system that swallows dreams whole. Believe it or not, my dream was to work my way up to become Elsie’s principal. Crazy, right? I had big plans. I even tried to save my school by running for the SRCS board, to take over Elsie’s district. But I wasn’t allowed to do the one thing I knew I would excel at. And for those who know me—you know I would have killed it.
If you’re still reading—thank you. Thank you for hearing me out, because it means one thing: I’ve successfully left the country I once called home and are now back where it all started, Leon, GTO, MEXICOOOO! After 20 years of living in the U.S, my family and I have decided to leave due to the political climate. After 20 years, I leave the country that has given me so much but has now broken my spirit, my dreams, and my hope.
For the last time, I speak on behalf of the targeted group this administration continues to push into the shadows. For the last time, I use my voice for something I believe in. For the last time, I ask you to keep sharing my story.
In March 2024, I became one of the first DACA recipients to speak at a TEDx event—TEDxSonoma County—where I shared my story of growing up undocumented. A year and a half later, I write this goodbye letter from my empty low-income apartment. A place once full of life now holds nothing but a mattress and a suitcase.
It’s surreal—because a year and a half ago, I stood on a TED stage. Me. An undocumented, first-generation college student, a DACA recipient. Me. And for what? All my hard work… for what? Was it never enough?
I cry as I write this—not from sadness about leaving, but from the pain of being rejected by the country I once loved. People tell me I’m giving up, throwing it all away. But what about me? I’ve been reduced to a number, a token, a “success story” used to inspire donors. My story has been sold for years—marketed as resilience and determination—yet behind it all is sacrifice, exhaustion, and the feeling of being disposable.
There are 538,000 active DACA recipients and 11 million undocumented people in this country. We are your neighbors, friends, coworkers. We cook your meals, pick your produce, build your roads, and maintain the spaces you live and work in. For years, our stories have been used as selling points. And still, nothing changes.
I have given this country everything—my grit, my youth, my dreams and for the first time, I am taking back control. For the first time, I am leaving by choice. I am done being a story that sells, because at the end of the day, that’s all I’ve been allowed to be.
The irony of asking you to share my story one last time is that I’m not asking for pity or for it to be used as a selling point—but as a call to action. I want you to know this because I’m not alone in feeling this way: stuck, unseen, disposable. And I want you to understand that good people are leaving. People like me.
Not to toot my own horn, but I’m a hoot. I’m determined, vocal, resilient, hard-working, driven, selfless, caring—and above all, I know how to connect with and inspire our youth. I’m someone who believed deeply in the power of democracy. The same democracy we were taught to honor while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in school. The same democracy that convinced me I could one day become one of the good politicians. Because believe me when I say… I had so much more to offer than this.
I don’t know exactly what Mexico holds for me, but I’m excited to find out just how far I can go. My confidence is back, and I’m ready for whatever path lies ahead. I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason, and I trust that I went through this because God and the universe have something better waiting for me—something I truly deserve.
If you don’t fight for others, fight for your rights as Americans. Do not let them win. Do not let them turn your life upside down for political or monetary gain. Your voice matters, you matter!
And to my students, please reach for the stars and go even higher! I will forever believe you can do whatever it is you set your mind to! You have all accomplished so much at such a young age, keep going! Keep showing up for yourselves! I will always and forever cheer you on because you can beat the odds! I love you all and make me proud!
Steve Herron wears the smile of sweet success as he exits his duty distributing food for over 80 hungry local people.
This is the area known as "The Bay". Between noon and 2 PM Monday through Friday cars lineup and occupants receive their monthly allotment of two bags of groceries. Usually, two or three volunteers staff this area. One person is assigned computer duty to record recipients. Other volunteers transfer the two grocery bags to the vehicle. One bag contains non-perishables, the other produce. On this day, Wednesday, potatoes, onion, pears, and apples.
One potato, two potato... on this day a dozen reds went into every bag along with half a dozen Washington State apples, pears of varying size and a HUGE white onion, or in the translation of bi-lingual Sunriser Doug Shureen, "cebolla" seboya.
Every volunteer contributing to F>I>S>H>'s output wears a smile, hot feet and a enjoys each proceeding meal a bit more knowing they took hunger away from eighty plus people.
Paul O Rear is aways willing to make room for your volunteer smile!
Decades ago, Tom Smothers began a song with those lyrics only to be interrupted chidingly by brother Dick.
As with much of the Smothers Brothers dialogues, relevance continues to resonate.
Read on for your invitation to discover more of the truthful treasury stored and exchanged in the trunks and roots and leaves of trees.
This event showing comes with District 5130 Environmental Committee support.
Ten tickets have been reserved for Sunrise members and friends. We are including Elsie Allen Interactors in our invitation. They have most to gain in drawing attention to environmental education. September is Rotary International's Basic Education and Literacy monthly theme. What better way to increase our fluency on this issue!
A man walked into a job interview and sat down with the hiring manager. After a few minutes of small talk, the manager asked, “What do you consider your biggest weakness?” The man thought for a moment and replied, “I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist.” The manager raised an eyebrow and said, “Really? Everyone says that. Can you give me a real weakness?” The man nodded and said, “Alright, I can be overly honest.” Intrigued, the manager asked, “What do you mean?” The man replied, “Well, for example, I’m not a fan of your tie!” The manager chuckled and said, “Well, at least you’re honest! But that might not get you the job!” The man smiled and said, “Touché! Maybe I should work on my tact instead!” They both laughed, and the manager appreciated the humor, leading to a successful interview!
Larry A. Lunsford selected to be 2027-28 Rotary International president
By Etelka Lehoczky
Larry A. Lunsford, a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA, is the selection of the nominating committee to become Rotary International’s president for 2027-28. He will officially become the president-nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
Larry A. Lunsford, a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA, is the selection of the nominating committee to become Rotary International’s president for 2027-28.
Lunsford attended Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, on an academic scholarship, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. He first encountered Rotary when he received a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to spend the 1981-82 academic year at the University of Newcastle in Australia.
A certified public accountant, Lunsford spent seven years working for Ernst & Young before joining a family-owned business, Bernstein-Rein Advertising, in 1990. He is currently executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Bernstein group of companies. He has held positions on the boards of the Kansas City Spirit Festival and the Variety Club as well as serving as director of a local bank and treasurer of the Epilepsy Foundation for the Heart of America. He has also served on Truman State University’s alumni and foundation boards and received the university’s Distinguished Service Award.
Lunsford joined the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza in 1991 and has since served as district governor (2001-02), RI director (2013-15), and trustee of The Rotary Foundation (2021-25, vice chair 2024-25). He has been a member of RI committees, including the Executive Committee (chair 2014-15), Membership Growth Committee (chair 2016-18), and Nominating Committee for President of RI (chair 2023-24). He also has served on The Rotary Foundation’s Executive Committee (chair 2023-24), Finance Committee (chair 2022-23 and 2024-25), and Participant Experience Committee (chair 2023-24).
Lunsford has been awarded The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service, and the RI Service Above Self Award. He and his wife, Jill Lunsford, have two children and one grandchild. They are Major Donors, Bequest Society members, multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation, and Sustaining Members.
The members of the Nominating Committee for the 2027-28 President of Rotary International are:
Ann-Britt Åsebol, Rotary Club of Falun-Kopparvågen, Sweden (chair); Mahesh Kotbagi, Rotary Club of Pune Sports City, Maharashtra, India (secretary); Basker Chockalingam, Rotary Club of Karur, Tamil Nadu, India; Jose Sepulveda Fayad, Rotary Club of Pachuca Plata, Hidalgo, Mexico; Hans-Hermann Kasten, Rotary Club of Aachen-Frankenburg, Germany; Muhammad Faiz Kidwai, Rotary Club of Karachi Karsaz, Sindh, Pakistan; Katerina Kotsali-Papadimitriou, Rotary Club of Pendeli, Greece; Roger Lhors, Rotary Club of Pont-Audemer, Eure, France; Chi-Tien Liu, Rotary Club of Yangmei, Taiwan; Anne Matthews, Rotary Club of Columbia East, South Carolina, USA; Pat Merryweather-Arges, Rotary Club of Naperville, Illinois, USA; Akira Miki, Rotary Club of Himeji, Hyogo, Japan; Julio Silva-Santisteban Ojeda, Rotary Club of El Rímac, Lima, Peru; Vicki Puliz, Rotary Club of Sparks, Nevada, USA; Nicki Scott, Rotary Club of Hub of West England District 1100, Gloucestershire, England; Elizabeth Usovicz, Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA; Young Suk Yoon, Rotary Club of Seoul Hoehyon, Seoul, Korea
— 4 August 2025
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Sunrise - Founded June 30, 1986
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