Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Eureka (California) for celebrating its 100th birthday on October 10, 2023. Over a century ago, our Club played a role in the creation of the Eureka Club.
Let's go back to June 2020 when we were on COVID-19 lockdown. I was your Club Secretary at the time and received an inquiry from Kim Bauriedel, M.D., of the Rotary Club of Eureka. He was gathering information for his club's Centennial Celebration and had a setback: the Tubbs fire near Santa Rosa had destroyed his club's archives and he wondered if our Club might be able to offer some valuable information to help him piece together his club's history. Dr. Bauriedel began with a request for information on Leo Lebenbaum. Leo is credited with organizing and creating the Rotary Club of Eureka. I contacted our own Past President Harold Hoogasian who was keeping our Club's archives, and he was able to find that Leo Lebenbaum had been a member of our Club from 1915 to 1925. Leo was a hotelier in San Francisco and had managed the Herald Hotel and later, the Wiltshire Hotel now known as the Taj Campton Place. Leo moved to Eureka to manage the Eureka Inn.
Congratulations to our Club Member Heidi Kühn for winning the 2023 World Food Prize Laureate. She was awarded the World Food Prize for her efforts in turning “mines into vines” by demining war-torn land and turning it back into prosperous farmland for local agriculture to flourish. During the award, Heidi was surprised to learn that prize amount had doubled to $500,000. Previously the award was $250,000. Read the full story here.
Professor Ravinder Sehgal of the Department of Biology at San Francisco State University and a member of our Rotary Club joins us to talk about his work in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.
Join Family House, a new grant partner for the Rotary Club of San Francisco, for an opportunity to set up, serve, and clean up dinner for their community. Event is limited to 10 people, and Rotarians may bring a guest. All must register. Volunteers are encouraged to wear Rotary-branded attire that can get dirty, as well as layers to be prepared for multiple weather conditions. Dinners will be served outside on the Family House patio.
Join the party as our Club celebrates Diwali, India’s Festival of Lights. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. After a delicious Indian lunch, we’ll watch the hit Bollywood movie Om Shanti Om, and then enjoy some traditional Indian sweets. All Club members, our families, and our friends are welcome.
KGO 810 radio talk show host and political commentator John Rothmann, one of our most popular speakers, will discuss his thoughts about the political events in 2023. John always welcomes our questions. This is a Zoom-only meeting.
Bring in the holiday season early by joining us for our Rotary Club's Friendsgiving with lots of food, drink, games, and Rotary fellowship. This event is open to all Rotarians from the Rotary Club of San Francisco, their families, and guests. Registration is limited to 25 people.
It's time for one of our most popular service projects - Thanksgiving at The Arc San Francisco! In the spirit of giving thanks, Rotarians will gather to provide a Thanksgiving feast for participants at The Arc SF. Many hands are needed to either serve or be on the clean-up team; please sign up to help. This is the only Thanksgiving celebration for many of the people we serve that day. And they are most appreciative.
Join us at this service opportunity to stuff diaper bags and organize diapers and wipes for giveaway to clients of the Homeless Prenatal Program. Event is limited to 12 people.
Woody LaBounty, president and CEO of San Francisco Heritage, will present a perspective on San Francisco history, talk about the various neighborhoods, and opine on where San Francisco is today.
Join us at one or both of the Baby Showers at the Homeless Prenatal Program where we will give expectant mothers diaper bags filled with supplies. The party for Spanish speakers starts at 10 AM; the party for English speakers starts at 1 PM. Registration is limited to two Rotarians at each shower.
Club members, friends, and family are all invited to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, at a candle-lighting ceremony plus snacks with wine and other beverages. Tickets are $10 each, but there is no charge for children aged 12 and younger. The deadline to register is 5 PM on Friday, December 8.
