Events

Annual Restaurant Walk along Castro Valley Blvd.

District 5170 Governor 2024-25 Insights

Jill Duerig joined Rotary in 2003. Due to a change in jobs, she left the Scotts Valley Club and joined the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley in 2005, serving as its President in 2019-2020. She was an Assistant Governor for Area 4 in 2020-2021 and served as Lieutenant Governor-Avenues of Service from 2021-2023.

Jill is a retired General Manager of Zone 7 Water Agency in Livermore and a former General Manager/Chief Engineer for Scotts Valley Water District. It’s no surprise that her passion for potable water got her involved in the Haiti National Clean Water Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy (HANWASH, a partnership between Rotary’s WASH Rotary Action Group, other NGOs and the government of Haiti). She participates in HANWASH’s Steering Committee and chairs its Project & Technical Work Group. She is also a WASH ambassador and cadré member.

Her husband of fifty years, Tom, started out as her college sweetheart. They have three married children and six grandchildren. So even though her career and Rotary focus may be water, her love of family and her history as a soccer mom, cub den mother, girl scout leader, frequent school trip chaperone, Sunday school teacher, babysitter and grandma cookie maker demonstrates that she lives the motto “Family First.”

Additional details about Jill include:

• Former board member of Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE) in Fremont
• Current member of the Ohlone College Foundation Board in Fremont
• Current member of the Ohlone College Citizens Bond Oversight Committee
• Former member of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) board of directors; former chair of the ACWA Water Quality Committee; former member of the ACWA Groundwater and Recycled Water Committees; former board president of the California Urban Water Agencies (CUWA)
• JD - Santa Clara University School of Law; MS Civil Engineering - Univ of Pittsburgh (PA); BS biology/chemistry Lehigh University (PA)
• Member of the California Bar; Registered Professional Engineer (CA); Certified Water Treatment Plant Operator

What I’m thinking about that might interest You

www.martynemko.com

Named the San Francisco Bay Area's "Best Career Coach," Marty Nemko, Ph.D., has been career and personal coach to 6,000 clients and enjoys a 95 percent client-satisfaction rate. The author of 13 books (250,000 copies sold) including Careers for Dummies, plus 4,000 published articles, including in TIME, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and more than 1,800 in Psychology Today. 26 of his best articles are anthologized in The Best of Marty Nemko, 2021 edition. He teaches methods of inquiry to medical students at the University of California San Francisco. He was the one man in a one-man PBS-TV Fundraising Special, 8 Keys to a Better Worklife. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley with two specializations: educational psychology and evaluation of individuals and programs..

He is married to Barbara Nemko, the Napa County Superintendent of Schools. They have one daughter and one doggie: Hachi, named after a dog so loyal that he waited at the train station for his owner to return for ten years. The archive of Marty Nemko's writings and KALW (NPR-San Francisco) radio program plus a link to his YouTube videos and his books, are accessible from martynemko.com.

We Need Your Help!

We will ahve Rotary booth at the Fall Festival to promote our Club and to feature the RI Polio Plus campaign.  Please wear your favoitre Rotary attire and pin to help with promotion.

Thanks for your help!.

59 Day Trip through America's National Parks

It's time again for the monthly evening social!  Please register and bring a friend or prosepctivce member to join us for some casual Club fellowhsip.  We are scouting out a diffenrent location for next month (Octoiber) for the Interact Club students to join us so please check the monthly calendar on ClubRunner for any future changes in location.

The Biology of Us

Gary Howard will describe his upcoming book, The Biology of Us (Oxford University Press). It is easy to overlook the natural world all around us. Only major life events, such as birth and death, remind us that we are biological organisms. The book describes common but fascinating examples of biology and nature that are hidden in plain sight. Many of our normal activities are examples of evolution: standing up, communicating, telling time, and more.

Gary C. Howard worked 22 years as a science editor and writer for the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco and continues to edit and write books. He received a PhD in biological sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and completed fellowships at Harvard and Johns Hopkins. He is vice-chair of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Education.

The Insurance Crisis in California

The wildfires, legislation, inflation, and other events have taken a toll on the insurance companies in recent years. As a result, several major carriers have stopped offering new policies in the state, and some have even cancelled existing customers. The governor, legislature, and insurance companies have been struggling to find a solution. Todd Anglin is a long-time State Farm agent, and he has been involved in those discussions. He will review the current state of the insurance situation for the club. 

Todd Anglin is a well-known figure in Castro Valley, CA. He has been a State Farm Insurance Agent since 2013. Beyond his professional role, Todd is deeply involved in the community and serves on several boards and committees. He is Chair of the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and Vice-Chair of the Fairview MAC board, on the Castro Valley Educational Foundation, and the California Earthquake Authority Advisory Panel. He is active in the local school board and councils and homeowner associations and is a past president of the Rotary Club. 

teamanglin.com

State Education Update and What's New in CVUSD

Parvin Ahmadi, a member of Castro Valley Rotary and Superintendent of Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) will provide an update  on CVUSD's efforts to support students, new programs and initiatives.

Her career spans 35 years as a teacher, principal, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She has been a superintendent for fifteen years, ten of those years in CVUSD. 

Parvin Ahmadi earned her Bachelor degree at San Jose State University, a Master’s degree in Teaching from Chicago, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California. She also holds a School Management Certificate from  UCLA. 

In addition to her role as the Superintendent, Parvin Ahmadi is active state wide, advocating for public education. Last year she was the President for ACSA , the Association of California School Administrators, which includes 18,000 administrators in California  supporting six million children, and is currently the Past President continuing her work state wide.  Superintendent Ahmadi has taught new superintendents and administrators at the University and Academies for the last ten years. 

She was selected by Senator Weickowski as the Senate District 10 Women of the Year in 2019 for her work in public education and her advocacy for children and families in the Bay Area. Superintendent Ahmadi is a fierce advocate for students, equity, and social justice. 

Castro Valley Ice Cream Social

Join us for a sweet celebration!

Knudsen's Restaurant-Ice Creamery

3323 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546

Entry Fee: $20.00 per person

Interactor students and parents attend for free!

This Ice Cream Social is our way of showing appreciation to the Interactor students for their invaluable assistance during the Restaurant Walk. Come enjoy delicious ice cream, good company, and celebrate the contributions of our amazing Interactors!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Castro Valley Arts Foundation – Planning for Next Season 

After years of watching my children and their friends perform on cafeteria stages, I knew our talented students deserved a real theater.  When the Castro Valley Unified Superintendent called a meeting in 1998 to discuss interest in building a performing arts center on the Castro Valley High School campus, I was first in line.  As a co-founder of the Castro Valley Arts Foundation and an active volunteer since its inception, I am proud of what we have accomplished over the twenty-plus years that I have been involved.

Working with the Castro Valley Arts Foundation has enhanced my life. I have made many new friends, built relationships within the community, acquired new skills, and continued my involvement in the public schools that I hold so dear.  It, also, has allowed me to say “thank you” to a school district and a choral and drama department that gave two of my children a jumpstart on their careers.

Terry Liebowitz graduated from UC Berkeley in Classical Rhetoric and received a teaching credential from California State University, East Bay.  Prior to Castro Valley Arts Foundation, her volunteer hours were been spent in education, the arts and the La Leche League.  She is a writer and a regular contributor to the Castro Valley Forum in the Arts and Entertainment section

Library Services at Castro Valley High School

Dawn Balestreri, librarian at Castro Valley High School, will describe the many services that the library provides to enhance student learning. 

Dawn Balestreri is the branch manager at Castro Valley Public Library.  She joined Alameda County Library in 2010 where for nearly seven years she has worked in Children’s services.

Prior to coming to Alameda County Library, Dawn served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Estonia, worked in public health with San Francisco City and County, and in high tech with PeopleSoft.

Dawn received her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree at San Jose State University in 2010.

I have been blessed to race yachts all over the world. I was regular crew on the Maxi Yacht…KIALOA. This afforded me many opportunities to photograph & publish. I started accepting a range of thrilling assignments, getting magazine covers, and photographing major yacht racing events worldwide.  At my present age of seventy-seven (77), I gladly pick and choose the events I want to attend & photograph.

I’m presently living in Barcelona Spain.  As a credentialed photographer, I am photographing the oldest regularly contested trophy in all of sport, the America’s Cup.  The Cup resulted from a regatta which took place 173 years ago.

I will return home at the completion of the 37th America’s Cup, and look forward to sharing my experriences with Rotary Club of Castro Valley. Please, enjoy what I’ve seen, experienced, and photographically created.

The Rotary Foundation Today: Driving Positive Change Across the Globe

Tim Lundell will highlight how the Rotary Foundation transforms donations into impactful projects that improve lives worldwide and how Rotarians can continue to drive these efforts forward.

Tim joined the newly-chartered Los Gatos Morning Rotary in 2004, and was its President in 2007-08. His service at the District level has continued as Asst. Governor, Lt. Governor, District Conference Chair, Annual Giving Chair, District Trainer, and, in 2018-19, as District Governor for Rotary District 5170.  His post-Governor service has continued as Dean of the D-5170 Leadership Academy, three years as District Trainer, and four years as District Annual Giving Chair.  Tim is a past recipient of the District’s Rotarian of the Year Award, the Richard D. King Award, and the Carolyn Schuetz Award.

share with the Club  joined the newly-chartered Los Gatos Morning Rotary in 2004, and was its President in 2007-08. His service at the District level has continued as Asst. Governor, Lt. Governor, District Conference Chair, Annual Giving Chair, District Trainer, and, in 2018-19, as District Governor for Rotary District 5170.  His post-Governor service has continued as Dean of the D-5170 Leadership Academy, three years as District Trainer, and four years as District Annual Giving Chair.  Tim is a past recipient of the District’s Rotarian of the Year Award, the Richard D. King Award, and the Carolyn Schuetz Award.

Join us for Rotary Club's Evening Mixer at JP's Family Resturant

Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and a great evening of mixing and mingling with community members and friends. Don’t miss this chance to connect and unwind!

Admission: $20.00 per person 

Come join us for a memorable evening!

Join Rotary Club Friends for Holiday Gift Wrapping

Join us for a festive holiday lunch with a purpose! In Rotary spirit, we’ll be wrapping gifts to bring cheer to those in need this season. Enjoy good food, great company, and a dash of holiday fun as we come together to make each package shine. Bring your best wrapping skills—or just a willingness to help—and let’s transform our meeting into a merry workshop of service and fellowship. Don't miss this chance to spread holiday cheer while sharing laughs and warm moments with fellow Rotarians!

The Madrigals Bring Harmony to the Rotary Club

The Madrigals, the premier acapella chorus from Castro Valley High School, will bring their exceptional vocal talents to the Castro Valley Rotary Club. Known for their harmonious and captivating performances, The Madrigals will treat Rotary members to a special performance from 1:00 to 1:15 pm. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the spirit and skill of these young, talented vocalists as they share the joy of music with our community.

Enjoy the holiday season, and we’ll see you in the New Year!

Enjoy the holiday season, and we’ll see you in the New Year!

Enjoy the holiday season, and we’ll see you in the New Year!

What's Happening in the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce

We are excited to welcome Gary Slate, President and CEO of the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, as our featured speaker.

Gary, an East Bay native and accomplished business leader with 24 years of experience, has led seven major retail and small business chains. His career includes notable leadership roles at RadioShack and Target Mobile-Tech, where he rose from a part-time sales associate to Regional Manager overseeing seven states and managing a team of approximately 300 people.

As President and CEO, Gary will share insights into the current activities and future goals of the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s mission is to drive sustainable economic growth, foster a pro-business environment, honor the area's rich history, and work toward a shared economic vision for the community’s future.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the Chamber’s vital role in supporting our local economy and community.

Bill Monsen is a Principal of Monsen Energy Consulting Group, LLC with more than 43 years of experience in the energy industry. He is an expert in electric and gas ratemaking, review and critique of utility electric supply cost-of-service requests, utility resource planning, due diligence for power generation projects, and independent power issues. Bill provides expert witness testimony on utility ratemaking, power procurement, and independent power issues. He has provided assessments of power market dynamics and market prices in various US and international power markets. Prior to becoming a consultant in 1989, Mr. Monsen was an Energy Economist with PG&E.

Bill has a B.S. in Engineering Physics from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Solar Energy Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

A native of Castro Valley, Bill graduated from Parsons Elementary School, AB Morris, and CVHS.

Castro Valley Rotary Club Evening Mixer

Let's kick off 2025 together! Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and community at JP's Family Restaurant & Sports Lounge.

Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Location: JP's Family Restaurant & Sports Lounge
Address: 3600 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Entrance Fee: $20.00 per person

Enjoy the company of fellow Rotarians, share ideas, and celebrate the new year in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Aaron Lewis at 510-283-3760

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Community Engagement at the Office of Dental Health at Alameda County Public Health Department

Join us for an insightful presentation by Arash Alsami, Interim Dental Program Director at the Alameda County Public Health Department. He will discuss the vital work of the Office of Dental Health in promoting optimal oral health for all Alameda County residents. Learn about their community partnerships and initiatives aimed at improving dental care access and education throughout the county. Don't miss this opportunity to understand how local public health efforts are making a difference in our community's oral health.

www.dental.acphd.org