Events

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2022 Rotary Club of Castro Valley Chili Cook-off scheduled for May 13, 2022, has been postponed until May 2023.  Watch for more information.

The Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade celebrating the community of Castro Valley, and the 100th edition of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, is "Back in the Saddle" for 2022.

For information, and to register to sponsor or march in the parade, visit the event website here:

rowellranchrodeoparade.com

Dr. Ray Wallace, former Executive Director of International Programs at CSUEB, will offer “Ruminations on Worldly Matters”. 

Former Executive Director of International Programs at CSUEB, Dr. Ray Wallace will offer “Ruminations on Worldly Matters”. 

The Committee will meet on Monday, May 23, 2022, at 6:00 pm via Zoom to discuss the 2016 film “Loving," which is based on the real-life story of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving, who were married in 1958 in Washington, D.C. When they returned home to Virginia, where interracial marriage was illegal, they were arrested.   Zoom link for the meeting is 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84357188167?pwd=RHFuNzJYMXlreVlMMllnLzdKY2dUZz09

Howard Morrison, Associate Publisher of the Castro Valley Forum, will describe the operation and working of the Forum.

Bill Nott will describe the trials and tribulations of moving out of a home after 35 years.

Bryce Sonsteng is a Research Analyst at Mirador Capital Partners, a Registered Investment Advisor in Pleasanton, Ca.  He researches economic cycles, macro-economic risk and public software companies.  In addition to Mirador, he also serves as an Investment Analyst at Tri-Valley Ventures, an early-stage Venture Fund focused on Software, Life Sciences and Deep Tech companies.  Mr. Sonsteng graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Business Finance and graduated with a Business Leadership Award.

Bryce Sonsteng from Mirador Capital Partners will speak on "Considerations for Consumers and Businesses in the Face of Significant Inflation in the Economy."

Bryce Sonsteng is a Research Analyst at Mirador Capital Partners, a Registered Investment Advisor in Pleasanton, Ca.  He researches economic cycles, macro-economic risk and public software companies.  In addition to Mirador, he also serves as an Investment Analyst at Tri-Valley Ventures, an early-stage Venture Fund focused on Software, Life Sciences and Deep Tech companies.  Mr. Sonsteng graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Business Finance and graduated with a Business Leadership Award.

For details including registration, click here.

President Dwight Perry will provide a review of his year as President of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley and President-Elect Lytrel Carter will preview his upcoming year as President. 

President Dwight Perry will review his year as President of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley and President-Elect Lytrel Carter will preview his year as President.

The Club will demote 2021-2022 President Dwight Perry and install 2022-2023 President Lytrel Carter and his Board of Directors.

There is no lunch meeting on July 5 due to the 4th of July holiday.

Gordon Fosty will speak on Tracking Global Warming.

Michael Kusiack will speak on Understanding the Recent News on Incorporating Castro Valley.as a City

Howard and Kaser will describe how the three major bays on the US West Coast (San Francisco and San Diego Bays and the Puget Sound) came into being and what will ultimately happen to them, based on their recent three books on the subject.

The Club will host its Annual BBQ for members and invited guests. The cost is $30 per person, payable at the event. Children are free.

Julie Sumiki, President of the Castro Valley-Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, will provide an update on the state of the Chamber including upcoming events and benefits of business.  She is a fully licensed agent in Property and Casualty, Life and Health Insurance and owns and operates Julie Sumiki State Farm Insurance Agency in Castro Valley, CA. Julie has a Bachelor of Business Administration and from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

Julie will provide an update on the state of the Castro Valley-Eden Ara Chamber of Commerce.  She is a fully licensed agent in Property and Casualty, Life and Health Insurance and owns and operates Julie Sumiki State Farm Insurance Agency in Castro Valley, CA. Julie has a Bachelor of Business Administration and from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

Mike Sklut has many years of experience in television on both sides of the camera. Since 2019, he has been the digital sales manager for KTVU Fox 2 in Oakland. He oversees all local and national digital sales for KTVU. Prior to that, for 5 years, he was digital sales manager for KPIX (CBS 5). In his earlier career, he appeared on air in both news and entertainment programs, including a 10-year run as host of High School Sports Focus on KICU TV36.

Mike Sklut has many years of experience in television on both sides of the camera. Since 2019, he has been the digital sales manager for KTVU Fox 2 in Oakland. He oversees all local and national digital sales for KTVU. Prior to that, for 5 years, he was digital sales manager for KPIX (CBS 5). In his earlier career, he appeared on air in both news and entertainment programs, including a 10-year run as host of High School Sports Focus on KICU TV36.

Mr. Boller will talk about the criminal justice system in Alameda County.   Greg has advocated for disadvantaged children and families in truancy prevention, domestic violence, and special victim cases.  He has 20 years of criminal justice experience and knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare issues.  He served on boards for the Alameda Boys & Girls Club and Alameda Meals on Wheels.  He is also a member of the Public Health Commission of Alameda County. A native of the City of Alameda, he earned his B.A. at UC Davis, J.D. at Georgetown University, and M.P.A. at Harvard’s Kennedy School.

Greg Boller, Assistant District Attorney, Alameda County. Mr. Boller will talk about the criminal justice system in Alameda County.   Greg has advocated for disadvantaged children and families in truancy prevention, domestic violence, and special victim cases.  He has 20 years of criminal justice experience and knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare issues.  He served on boards for the Alameda Boys & Girls Club and Alameda Meals on Wheels.  He is also a member of the Public Health Commission of Alameda County. A native of the City of Alameda, he earned his B.A. at UC Davis, J.D. at Georgetown University, and M.P.A. at Harvard’s Kennedy School.

The Rotary Club of Castro Valley will have a tent where we will promote our Club as part of our ongoing membership campaign. Carol Bigelow has secured volunteers for all of Saturday, September 10th and most of Sunday, September 11th slots are filled. Carol will be looking to fill the remainder of the Sunday slots during the luncheon meetings on August 23rd and 30th. 

When all the slots are filled, the full list of volunteers will be posted on Club Runner and sent by email to all members. 

Dr. Zelinka is an atmospheric scientist, who researches climate change. He is interested in how much global warming we should expect from increasing greenhouse gases. This inevitably leads to the study of clouds, which cool the planet by reflecting sunlight back to space and warm the planet by reducing the infrared radiation emitted to space. How the balance of these competing effects changes as the planet warms (known collectively as the ‘cloud feedback’) largely determines how much warming accompanies increasing greenhouse gases. He use theory, observations, and global climate models to investigate these challenging questions. He has a BS in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University, an MSc and PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Washington.

Mark Zelinka, PhD, Lawrence Livermore Lab

Dr. Zelinka is an atmospheric scientist, who researches climate change. He is interested in how much global warming we should expect from increasing greenhouse gases. This inevitably leads to the study of clouds, which cool the planet by reflecting sunlight back to space and warm the planet by reducing the infrared radiation emitted to space. How the balance of these competing effects changes as the planet warms (known collectively as the ‘cloud feedback’) largely determines how much warming accompanies increasing greenhouse gases. He use theory, observations, and global climate models to investigate these challenging questions. He has a BS in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University, an MSc and PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Washington.

This inagural evening social mixer will be an opportunity for our members to enjoy an after-hours get together, build club memnbership and increase awarewness of Rotary in our community.

Fee: Member $20.00, Member + Guest $30.00, Walk-ins $30.00 includes food and a cash bar on site.

Mr. Kiehn is a film projectionist, historian and restorer at the Museum where they have shown films every Saturday night since January 2005 (except during the pandemic). He graduated from SF State University with a BA in art (with an emphasis on photography). He was a motion-picture camera technician at Adolph Gasser’s rental facility and Cinerent West for 20 years. He did film editing and sound recording, but he also developed a serious interest in the history and the technology of filmmaking and, more specifically, the early film industry in Niles area of Fremont.

Niles: The Movie Capitol of the World in the 1910s

David Kiehn, Silent Film Historian at Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

Mr. Kiehn is a film projectionist, historian and restorer at the Museum where they have shown films every Saturday night since January 2005 (except during the pandemic). He graduated from SF State University with a BA in art (with an emphasis on photography). He was a motion-picture camera technician at Adolph Gasser’s rental facility and Cinerent West for 20 years. He did film editing and sound recording, but he also developed a serious interest in the history and the technology of filmmaking and, more specifically, the early film industry in Niles area of Fremont.

Jaimie Orfanos is the Economic & Civic Development Manager for the County. She has extensive experience in managing large-scale projects for the county. She has a BA in anthropology from UC Davis and a certificate in project management from UC Berkeley Extension.

Kristin Perrault is a specialist in the Economic Development Department. She has a BA in hospitality and tourism management from SF State University. Kristin Perrault is a specialist in the Economic Development Department. She has a BA in hospitality and tourism management from SF State University.

Development in Castro Valley

Jaimie Orfanos and Kristin Perrault, Economic & Civic Development Department of Alameda County, will describe the various improvements planned for Castro Valley.

Jaimie Orfanos is the Economic & Civic Development Manager for the County. Her previous projects for the county include overseeing the She has extensive experience in managing large-scale projects for the county. She has a BA in anthropology from UC Davis and a certificate in project management from UC Berkeley Extension.

Kristin Perrault is a specialist in the Economic Development Department. She has a BA in hospitality and tourism management from SF State University.

Savita Vaidhyananthan has been a Rotarian since 2007, and served the Cupertino Rotary Club as its President in 2013-2014. In addition to being President, Savita served as her club's World Community Service Chair, on the club's endowment fund board, club board of directors, and in many other positions. She has also led teams on various World Community Service projects in India. During Savita's year as club President, the club passed the 200 membership mark for the first time. In the following year, the club won the award for Outstanding Philanthropic Organization from the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

Savita is a graduate of the District 5170 Leadership Academy, and currently serves as our District Community Service Chair.  She has served on the Cupertino City Council for four years, and also served as the city's Vice-Mayor and Mayor. Savita has been married for over 30 years to R. Doc Vaidhyanathan, a tech entrepreneur. They have a married daughter who lives and works in San Francisco.

You’re cordially invited to our October 18^th Social / Mixer gathering at the Castro Valley Marketplace.

Come mix and mingle with our Rotarians and find out more about the Castro Valley Rotary Club.

The Castro Valley Rotary Club is a humanitarian service organization that brings together individuals, businesses and professionals to work together to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a no-host bar with us! We also have a special event planned for the evening, and yes, you’ll have to show up to find out what that is.

Admission:    Members $20 - includes guests.

                      Non-Members $30

For more information, please contact Aaron Lewis at 510-283-3760.

Blaine Torpey is superintendent of the Eden Area Regional Occupational Program. EAROP serves high school juniors and seniors in Hayward, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, and Castro Valley Unified School Districts. It provides outstanding training in a variety of careers, including auto repair, welding, construction, cyber-security, medical and dental assisting, graphic design, and biotech, at all high school campuses and at its main campus in Hayward. Mr. Torpey became superintendent in August 2022, after serving as principal of Castro Valley High School for eight years. Before that, he was a teacher and assistant principal at CVHS and Redwood Alternative High School for nine years. He has a BA in anthropology and music from San Francisco State University. 

Orrin Mahoney is a long-time resident of Cupertino, California. After graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1967, he came to California to work at Hewlett-Packard and received a Master’s degree from Stanford while working there. After a 35 year management career at HP, he retired and devoted his time to community activities. He is a former member of the Cupertino City Council, and has served twice as Mayor.

In addition to many other community groups, he is an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Cupertino. As part of the Club’s International Service activities, he has participated in 11 project trips to Mexico, China, India, and Central and South America. He was District 5170 District Governor in 2017-2018, and is the District TRF Chair this year.

Orrin Mahoney is a long-time resident of Cupertino, California. After graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1967, he came to California to work at Hewlett-Packard and received a Master’s degree from Stanford while working there. After a 35 year management career at HP, he retired and devoted his time to community activities. He is a former member of the Cupertino City Council, and has served twice as Mayor.

In addition to many other community groups, he is an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Cupertino. As part of the Club’s International Service activities, he has participated in 11 project trips to Mexico, China, India, and Central and South America. He was District 5170 District Governor in 2017-2018, and is the District TRF Chair this year.

Gregory Ahern was born in Oakland, California, and is a lifelong resident of Alameda County. He graduated from Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward in 1975. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Saint Mary's College in Moraga. Sheriff Ahern was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1980, was promoted to Sergeant in 1986, promoted to Lieutenant in 2000, promoted to Captain in 2003, promoted to Commander in 2005, and promoted to Assistant Sheriff in 2006. On June 6, 2006, Gregory J. Ahern was elected Sheriff and became the 22nd Sheriff of Alameda County on January 8, 2007.

Sheriff Ahern has been actively involved in the development and implementation of a  number of programs that have proven to be highly beneficial to the citizens of Alameda County, including the Youth and Family Services Bureau, Drug Education and Enforcement programs, Cold Case DNA Unit, D.U.I. Enforcement Unit, and coordinator of the Strategic Planning process for the future health of the organization. Sheriff Ahern also initiated the Urban Shield tactical training exercise that provides a training venue to several thousand first responders each year. The focus is to test the skills, tactics, and equipment of the participating tactical teams, as well as first responders' regional ability to coordinate and sustain law enforcement, medical, and emergency services in the event of a large-scale terrorist attack or natural disaster.

https://www.alamedacountysheriff.org/about-us/sheriff-bio

Gregory Ahern was born in Oakland, California, and is a lifelong resident of Alameda County. He graduated from Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward in 1975. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Saint Mary's College in Moraga. Sheriff Ahern was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1980, was promoted to Sergeant in 1986, promoted to Lieutenant in 2000, promoted to Captain in 2003, promoted to Commander in 2005, and promoted to Assistant Sheriff in 2006. On June 6, 2006, Gregory J. Ahern was elected Sheriff and became the 22nd Sheriff of Alameda County on January 8, 2007.

Sheriff Ahern has been actively involved in the development and implementation of a  number of programs that have proven to be highly beneficial to the citizens of Alameda County, including the Youth and Family Services Bureau, Drug Education and Enforcement programs, Cold Case DNA Unit, D.U.I. Enforcement Unit, and coordinator of the Strategic Planning process for the future health of the organization. Sheriff Ahern also initiated the Urban Shield tactical training exercise that provides a training venue to several thousand first responders each year. The focus is to test the skills, tactics, and equipment of the participating tactical teams, as well as the first responders' regional ability to coordinate and sustain law enforcement, medical, and emergency services in the event of a large-scale terrorist attack or natural disaster.

https://www.alamedacountysheriff.org/about-us/sheriff-bio