Taste of Castro Valley
August 13, 2025 - 5:00-8:00 pm
Castro Valley Blvd
 
Join the Rotary Club of Castro Valley for a fun-filled stroll down the boulevard, where local shops and eateries come together to serve up tasty bites and good vibes. Enjoy delicious samples, meet friendly faces, and discover new favorites along the way. It’s a great way to support the community and have a blast doing it—everyone’s welcome!
 
Overview
Grab your friends, bring your appetite, and get ready to snack, stroll, and discover all the hidden gems our town has to offer!
 

A Tasting Adventure
Stroll along Castro Valley Boulevard, sampling delicious treats from local restaurants, caterers, and businesses. Get your lanyard punched at each stop as you enjoy the flavors.

Food and Beverage Process
As you visit each participating business, your lanyard will be punched for every food stop—track your progress and enjoy tasty bites along the way!

Prizes and Fun
Receive your lanyard and visit as many businesses as possible to win prizes—fun for everyone with chances to win giveaways and surprises!

Cost
$40 per person for tasting at 25+ local business

CLICK HERE for tickets, event details/itinerary, FAQs and event map

President Misti Short:  A Life of Service to Others
 
In her opening address to the Club on July 8th, President Misti Short
demonstrated positive, motivational, inspirational leadership as she outlined ambitious yet attainable goals for both the Club and individual Rotarians. Throughout her remarks, Misti re-enforced and challenged members to live up to the Four Way Test (Service Above Self) and the Rotary International Theme (Unite For Good).   
 
Her presentation addressed the following key areas:
 
  • An introduction to herself
  • Her motivations for serving
  • Her vision for the future of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley
  • The role each member plays in achieving this vision
With her family present ("I met my husband, Brian, the summer before 10th grade in detention...we’ve raised a family of seven"), Misti described her background in and commitment to service others, which eventually led her journey to Rotary. She explained that her experience as a foster child did not meet her expectations, noting she "found people who didn’t care" and subsequently made it her goal to become the kind of person she needed at that time. Over the years, Misti and Brian have fostered 86 children; 83 of these children were reunited with their families, while Misti and Brian adopted the other three.
 
Click here to read more about President Misti's amazing background and journey to Rotary, including photos of her award winning cakes.
2025-26 Vision and Goals
 
After describing her background, President Misti Short described her journey to Rotary and her vision and goals for the Club.  According to Misti, “When I discovered Rotary, it was like finding my people.
 
  • People who serve without asking for recognition.
  • People who lead with their hearts.
  • People who understand that Service Above Self isn’t a motto—it’s a lifestyle.”
Misti shared several examples to illustrate this point.
 
  • A Club member paying a $1200 auto registration fee for a homeless woman living in her car that saved her from losing everything.
  • At the Castro Valley Car Show, the Club giving away a car to a family in need.
  • Donating funds that helped a blind person obtain a service dog through Hawgs for Dogs and Dogs & Deputies.
  • The many new opportunities for partnership for the Club to expand and enhance its work.
The Club has made and is making a real difference in the lives of real people.
 
Our Rotary Year Ahead: A Vision for Connection, Service & Growth
 
Misti began her vision for the Club with “I want to start by saying, this isn’t just another term; it’s not about me; it’s about all of us and Service Above Self. This is a fresh start. A new sunrise. And with it comes new opportunities to lead, serve, and inspire - as a team.  I didn’t step into this role to simply keep things going. I stepped in to help us continue growing with intention, serve with heart, and connect on a deeper level—with each other, and with our community.”
 
Misti then outlined the following goals for the year (Click here to read more about each goal.)
 
  • Strengthening Our Committees: Rotary isn’t meant to rest on the shoulders of a few.  It thrives when we work as a Club.
  • Growing Our Membership - with Meaning: Whether you are a new member or a longtime Rotarian, the Club is committed to helping you grow, engage, and find purpose within our club. Together, we thrive when every member feels valued, empowered, and connected to Rotary’s mission of service above self.
  • Expanding Our Reach Through Signature Events: Our club shines brightest when we’re in the community, not just in lunch, committee, or Board meetings.
  • Reviving Rotary Spirit Through Connection: The heart of our Club is our members - not just what we do, but how we do it together.
  • Wearing Our Why: This year, let’s wear our Rotary pins proudly - not just at lunch meetings, but in public. Every pin is a conversation starter. “Let me tell you what Rotary is doing in this community.”
Final Message from Misti
 
“We have something special in this club. We’ve got legacy, we’ve got heart, and we’ve got people who show up. But I believe we’re just getting started. This is our moment to reignite passion. To raise up new leaders. To do the work that no one else is doing  and do it with joy. I’m not asking the same people who show up every week to give more—you already give so much. I’m asking those of you who’ve been waiting on the sidelines. This is your moment to step in… To now stand here, shoulder to shoulder with each of you, in a club built on Service Above Self… it humbles me.”
 
(Click here to read more the Club's Vision and Goals for 2025-2026.)
On June 24, President Dan Willits presided over his last meeting as the 2024-2025 Club President.  He used the opportunity to summarize the successes throughout the year and thanked everyone who served as a Board Member, Committee/Event Chair, or volunteered at the many events.  President Dan stressed the everyone's efforts contributed to the Club's success.
 
The Club’s aligned its efforts this year with the Rotary International theme - The Magic of RotaryPresident Dan noted that the Club sought to create magic through its events and service projects that attracted the community to Rotary.  Dan commended District Governor Jill Duerig for making District 5170 one of the top performing District in Rotary. 
 
 
Vrushali Nanjundappa, Rotary District 5170 Assistant Governor for Area 4, recognized Dan for his service as President during the meeting.  Photo by Gary Bosley
 
The History of Polio Plus
The following article was provided by Club member Ceta Dochterman.
 
With a great deal of help from my brother, former Rotary International President Cliff Dochterman, I have written up the following information about Rotary International and Polio. There are thousands of Rotarians, spouses, committee members, volunteer workers, and generous donors who are part of the Rotary story.
****************************
Do you know how Rotary became involved with Polio Plus?   Maybe you just know that every March Rotary sponsors a PolioPlus drive, but now  “.…the rest of the story”.  Click here to Read me about the history of PolioPlus.
Past Events Returning in
2025-26. 
Watch for information.
June 2026
May 2026
Rotary Club
of Castro Valley
Chartered
June 16, 1953
 
Misti Short, President 
 
 
“At Every Sunrise, a New Day to Serve”
 
This emblem features Lake Chabot at sunrise, with the Rotary wheel as the sun. On the shore stand a veteran and his service dog—two powerful symbols of strength, sacrifice, and purpose.
Together, they embody Service Above Self: the veteran who served our country, and the dog who now serves him. Both still willing to serve others—selflessly, humbly, and with heart.
Let this emblem be a daily reminder that each sunrise brings a new opportunity to serve with compassion, courage, and connection.
 
Contact information
https://castrovalleyrotary.org/
President@castrovalleyrotary.com
510.500.5667
 
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2117
Castro Valley, CA 94546
 
Hybrid Lunch Meetings
Tuesdays at 12:00-1:30 pm
  • Except 3rd Tuesday of the month for Social Mixer at 5:30 pm - see monthly calendar for details
In Person 
The Meadows Restaurant at 
Redwood Canyon Golf Course
17007 Redwood Road 
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Via Zoom
Please click on the Zoom link embedded in the weekly meeting invite.
 
  Venue Map      
 
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Director

July 2025

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Upcoming Events
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Ray Wallace
    July 4
  • Eric Haas-Stapleton
    July 8
  • Heidi Hausauer
    July 13
  • Kimberley Alexander
    July 28
  • Virginia Degner
    August 4
  • Bernie Kempen
    August 15
Anniversaries:
  • Monica Lee
    Edward Molyneaux
    July 16
  • Randy Vanderbilt
    Debbie Vanderbilt
    July 19
  • Gary Howard
    Shirley Valdivia
    July 24
  • Christian Carr
    Robin Reuben
    July 26
  • Dan Willits
    Kristy Willits
    July 29
  • Obse Lubo
    Naati Tollera
    August 8
  • Mark Poniatowski
    Leslie Poniatowski
    August 13
  • Cliff Sherwood
    Billie Sherwood
    August 24
  • Kimberley Alexander
    Terry Alexander
    August 30