Jim is a Northern California native that grew up on the South and East Bay in the 70's and 80's. He went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and completed his degree in Architecture after which he practiced Architecture for 12 years. In 2011 Jim made a career change into Renewable Energy and has been developing and constructing utility scale solar, wind and battery projects across the US ever since.
Jim moved to Santa Rosa in 2023 after raising his two sons in Berkeley with his wife Ceara, where they both pursue passions in Construction, Architecture, Art, and Sustainability.
CTE Foundation Presentation by Eli Eli, CEO of the CTE Foundation, delivered the featured presentation. He began by clarifying that CTE stands for Career Technical Education — not the football-related brain condition — and emphasized that CTE programs are designed for all students, regardless of whether they plan to attend college. The CTE Foundation operates as a 501(c)3 intermediary nonprofit, working alongside schools, businesses, and community organizations rather than within them. Its work is organized into four areas: 1. Grants and Financial Support: Last year, the Foundation distributed nearly $150,000 in grants to local schools, funding items such as a tire machine for Petaluma Auto Shop and a van for Cloverdale High School. 2. Direct Student Support: The flagship initiative, Path to Purpose, is a county-wide internship program for high school juniors and seniors. In its first year, it received 250 applications and placed approximately 105 students. In year two, applications grew to 350, with approximately 140 placements. 3. Connections to Industry: The Foundation facilitates connections between teachers and industry professionals, making it easier for educators to bring realworld expertise into the classroom. 4. Awareness and Advocacy: The Foundation actively promotes the value of CTE for all students, encouraging schools and communities to celebrate diverse career pathways including trades, healthcare, and technical fields. Key data from the 24-25 Youth Truth Survey highlighted the urgency of the Foundation's work: • Just over 40% of high school students enroll in college after graduation • Less than one-third of students feel prepared for their futures • Only one in four students benefit from connected, work-based learning opportunities Path to Purpose outcomes from year one showed strong results: • 71% of placed students were high school seniors • 56% of placed students identified as Hispanic or Latinx, reflecting county demographics • 6 in 10 students could envision pursuing the career in which they were placed • 1 in 4 students were hired as full-time employees by their host organizations • 91% of students reported feeling more supported, connected, and prepared after the program Eli also showed a student-produced video featuring three interns from Santa Rosa City Schools placed at Santa Rosa Community Health Center, Lima USA, and the County of Sonoma, illustrating the personal and professional growth experienced through the program
Santa Rosa Celebrates Outstanding Volunteers at the 44th Annual Merit Awards
The City of Santa Rosa proudly recognized 13 outstanding individuals and organizations during the 44th Annual Merit Awards Ceremony on September 21, 2026. Since 1978, the Merit Awards program has honored volunteers whose dedication, compassion, and leadership help make Santa Rosa a stronger, more vibrant, and more connected community.
The 2026 Merit Award recipients were selected from community nominations and recognized for their exceptional volunteer contributions in the areas of community beautification, environmental sustainability, cultural enrichment, service to others, and community leadership. Together, these honorees represent the countless volunteers who donate their time, talent, and energy to improve the quality of life for Santa Rosa residents.
The ceremony, held at the Finley Community Center's Person Auditorium, celebrated volunteers whose efforts strengthen neighborhoods, support people in need, preserve local history and culture, promote environmental stewardship, expand educational opportunities, and enhance community well-being.
Leroy Carlenzoli, honored for sharing his engineering expertise and volunteer leadership to support local organizations and improve community infrastructure.
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!
Posted by Rich Randolph, Eloise Tweeten on Oct. 05, 2026
Fresh Water Springs From Friendships
Filters and buckets make potable water possible.
Dear Steve, Cindy, Bonny and Rich,
Thank you for contributing to the Tepic water project!
Please see the email below for an update on this successful Festival of Friendship project. First delivery of filters and buckets was on 9/28 and more deliveries are planned in two weeks. Roughly 100 water filters+buckets were purchased with $6,160 in funds from District clubs and individuals. The exact number will depend on the exchange rate.
This is a good opportunity to brush up on your Spanish as well (or just use Google Translate)! Maybe you’d even like to join the festival next year and visit a village or two? The dates are set: March 6-17, 2027.
Thank you for your contributions! Always room for more!!
Cathy’s Torch. Her Legacy. Our Journey to End Polio.
From October 2-24, 2026, Rotary clubs throughout District 5130 will carry a community relay torch on an extraordinary journey across Northern California, uniting Rotarians, families and communities in the worldwide effort to end polio.
Beginning in Crescent City and concluding in Petaluma on World Polio Day, the torch will travel through communities across Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.
One District. One Mission. A World Free of Polio.
Each participating Rotary club will organize a local event featuring the torch. Activities may include walks, runs, bicycle rides, community gatherings, youth participation and ceremonial handoffs from one Rotary club to the next.
Together, these events will create one continuous District-wide journey of hope, remembrance and action.
The Story Behind Cathy’s Torch
The community relay torch honors the memory of Catherine “Cathy” Ritter and the spirit of service she embodied. In 1984, Cathy participated in a community fundraising torch relay through South Lake Tahoe, where local residents gathered along Highway 50 to cheer on the participants.
Cathy was the daughter of longtime Rotarian Bob Rogers, a polio survivor and member of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol. Her story, together with her father’s experience with polio, gives this District-wide relay special meaning.
Cathy passed away in 2025 following a courageous journey with metastatic breast cancer. As the community relay torch travels from place to place, District 5130 honors Cathy’s life, Bob’s polio story and Rotary’s enduring promise to help create a polio-free world.
The World Polio Torch Relay will begin in Crescent City on October 2 and conclude in Petaluma on October 24, World Polio Day. Follow District 5130 for route updates, local events and opportunities to participate or support Rotary’s polio eradication efforts.
The planned route includes:
Crescent City
Arcata and McKinleyville
Eureka
Ferndale
Fortuna
Garberville
Fort Bragg
Mendocino
Gualala
Willits
Ukiah
Lakeport
Calistoga
St. Helena
Napa
Cloverdale
Healdsburg
Windsor
Santa Rosa
Sebastopol
Sonoma
Rohnert Park
Petaluma
Find an Event Near You
Community members are invited to attend local Torch Relay events, walk alongside Rotarians, participate in community activities and help spread the message that the world can—and must—end polio.
Each participating Rotary club will share its event time, location and participation information through its website and social media pages.
Support the Campaign
Members of the public can support the World Polio Torch Relay through an approved Raise for Rotary fundraising page established by a participating Rotary club.
Each club will provide its own donation button or fundraising link on its website, social media pages and local event materials. Donations made through these approved club campaigns will benefit PolioPlus through The Rotary Foundation and will be credited to the participating club.
Why Ending Polio Matters
For more than 35 years, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have worked to protect children around the world from this devastating disease.
Extraordinary progress has been made, but polio anywhere remains a threat to children everywhere. Continued vaccination, public awareness and financial support are essential until transmission of the virus has been stopped worldwide.
The World Polio Torch Relay represents the determination of Rotary members and communities across District 5130 to finish the work of ending polio.
Follow and Share the Journey
Follow Rotary District 5130 and participating Rotary clubs on social media for photographs, videos and event announcements from communities along the route.
Share the journey using:
#EndPolioNow
#WorldPolioDay
#TorchRelay
#RotaryDistrict5130
Questions?
For information about a local relay event, please contact the participating Rotary club directly.
For general information about the District-wide World Polio Torch Relay, please contact:
World Polio Torch Relay Chair: Renee McKenna
District 5130 Public Image Chair: Marguerite “Maggie” Padovani
After 46 years in Barcelona, Sergio Aragón is keenly familiar with the city’s virtues. He wants people who visit for the 2027 Rotary International Convention to experience its famous architecture, food, and culture — and then explore beyond the city limits. “We’re going to offer our guests the chance to enjoy music, gather together, and sense the flavors not only in the city, but in other cities surrounding Barcelona,” says Aragón, chair of the Host Organization Committee.
Q: When you began planning for the convention, what aspects of the city did you know you wanted to highlight?
A: Its openness, which is very typical of this area of the Mediterranean. Openness, happiness, and enjoying living. The music, the dance, the food, and being able to get together and share with people. And all the unique aspects of a city with a very diverse cultural heritage.
Q: You’ve lived in Barcelona since 1980, correct? How has the city changed since then?
A: One thing that was an extraordinary experience for me, and for so many others, was the Olympic Games in 1992. City leaders revived many neglected neighborhoods to prepare for the Games. The city’s character changed completely. For example, the port area was very popular, but all the surrounding areas were occupied by industrial buildings and shipyards. They weren’t very attractive. The Games completely renewed that area. The city rediscovered its seafront, and now it’s fantastic. You have restaurants, shopping areas, entertainment. It’s really something.
Q: You’ve said that you hope convention attendees will take the opportunity to travel around the region. What are some interesting towns nearby?
A: Salou is around 100 kilometers (62 miles) south. It is a very touristic city, a coastal city with enormous amusement parks, and it’s very friendly as well, very open. The mayor knows us very well.
There’s also Tarragona, another city that’s south of Barcelona. It has an enormous UNESCO World Heritage site with very well-preserved remains of the old Roman town from more than 2,000 years ago.
Q: Are there other places nearby that convention attendees should visit?
A: Castelldefels is a city about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Barcelona. We have a very good relationship with the mayor of that city as well. He’s proposing to organize an event there with the local Rotary club around the time of the convention.
I should not forget other cities in the surrounding area, like Badalona and Girona, both north of Barcelona. They have beautiful city centers.
In addition, 2027 is a great time to visit Santiago de Compostela. It will be a Jacobean Holy Year, so the cathedral’s holy door will be opened. Fourteen Jacobean Holy Years are observed every century. Many people walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It’s famous. It’s very far away, of course. We’re talking 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) away. It’s one of the farthest parts of Spain you can go to from Barcelona.
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Sunrise - Founded June 30, 1986
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Marin Headlands
