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2025-26
2026
March
  Congressman Sam Liccardo presented at our regular meeting on March 12th. Sam proudly represents California’s 16th Congressional District, a dynamic region that stretches from the coastal communities of Half Moon Bay and Pacifica to the heart of Silicon Valley, including San Jose, Palo Alto, and Mountain View. Before joining Congress, Liccardo served two terms as Mayor of San José, where he led unprecedented economic growth, championed transformative housing initiatives, and positioned the city as a national leader in climate resilience.
 VIDEO of Fred Brew presentation to our regular meeting on March 5th on his Journey to Norway
February
A thank you to Glenn, Fred, Ken, Emilie, Jessie (and Lia) for attending the Scouting Cake Fundraiser on February 28th
   
 VIDEO of Bill Schroh speaking on History San Jose at our regular meeting of February 26th. History San Jose anchors the region's diverse cultural history by offering compelling experiences — exhibitions, festivals, educational programs, and academic research — for audiences to discover the dynamic history of San Jose; and the Santa Clara Valley. Our vision is to enhance San Jose's and Santa Clara County's regional and global recognition, ensuring the rich, diverse history of San Jose is accessible and engaging for all. Locally, we strive to be a key engine in building a more connected, active, and vibrant community where everyone feels like a part of the ongoing story of San Jose and Santa Clara County. Our mission is achieved by focusing on three main categories: Preservation, Education, and Community Events.
 VIDEO of Yara Estrada Lowe, filmmaker, speaking at our regular meeting of February 12th. Yara was born and raised in East San Jose. From an extremely early age, she exercised her gift for storytelling. At last, she was finally able to produce her writer/directorial debut entitled DEMISE. She pulled herself up by her bootstraps with all of the odds against her. DEMISE has been distributed by Gravitas Ventures in North America and was released on major streaming platforms in 2024. The film has gained national and international attention which is no easy feat for a directorial debut. Currently, Yara is working on getting her Holiday rom-com made, entitled Merrily We Go.
 Anshu Chandra spoke at our regular meeting of February 5th. Anahu has 16 years of experience providing eye care in Haiti. She leads a permanent clinic in Fond-des-Blancs, supports mobile clinics, and helps train local eye care professionals, including the Haitian ophthalmology residency program in Port-au-Prince. She holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and completed her residency at SUNY College of Optometry. She has provided life-changing eye care in Nepal, Haiti, Peru, Lebanon, Tanzania, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Indonesia, and India.
January
 Margaret Abe-Koga, District 5 Supervisor spoke at our regular meeting of January 29th. Margaret is the Santa Clara County Supervisor representing District 5. She was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in November 2024 and officially began her term in January 2025. Margaret represents the north county area, including cities such as Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno.
VIDEO of the Almaden Valley - Willow Glen Holiday Celebration lunch at Palermos on January 25th.
 VIDEO of Laura Chmielewski of Team San Jose speaking at our regular meeting of January 22nd. Team San Jose is an innovative partnership unifying the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotels, arts, labor and venues to deliver an exceptional visitor experience and serve as the gateway to San Jose as a destination. Our company manages the San Jose Convention Center and Arts and Entertainment venues including the California Theatre, the Center for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater, San Jose Civic and South Hall.
A large group of Interactors, participants from FCSN, West Valley RCC, and others joined forces to begin a clean up project at the Community Garden located in Edith Morley Park. A big Rotary Thank You! goes out to those who were able to participate.
  
Video of MLK Day Edith Morley Garden Clean Up
 Scott Hughes, District 9 Candidate, spoke at our regular meeting on January 8th. Scott Hughes is running for San Jose City Council District 9 to bring experienced, responsive, and community-rooted leadership to City Hall. With over a decade of hands-on service in our neighborhoods, he knows the people, their stories, and the challenges we face together. For more than 12 years, Scott has worked side by side with District 9 residents to navigate city services and champion projects that have made our neighborhoods cleaner, safer, and more vibrant.
2025 December
Christmas Senior Luncheon at the Southside Community Center
    
Willow Glen Senior Luncheon
Christmas Wrap Party
November
 VIDEO of Angela McConnell speaking at our regular meeting of November 13th on the Montalvo Arts Center. For the past 15 years, Angela has served as the Chief Executive of Montalvo Arts Center, a century old, international multidisciplinary arts center and artist residency located in Saratoga, California. In this role, she has forged mutually beneficial strategic collaborations in the visual and performing arts, increased the operating budget from $4.5 million to more than $7 million, significantly increased the audience, tripled earned income, expanded education and outreach programs, stabilized the institution's budget, established a permanent endowment, and built one of the strongest nonprofit Boards in Silicon Valley.
 Basim Jaber spoke about the Mt. Umunhum Air Station at our regular meeting of September 6th. Basim is a lifelong South Bay native and freelance photographer who has researched the history and geography of Mt. Umunhum and the Almaden Air Force Station since 2006. He continues to archive historic images and artifacts from Almaden Air Force Station and gives many slide show presentations and summit tours to interpret the history of this Bay Area Cold War relic. Basim was the catalyst and driving force behind the effort to save the historic Radar Tower and which eventually led to it's historic designation in 2016.
October
 Councilmember Michael Mulcahy, a San Jose native and lifelong resident of District 6, has dedicated his career to building a stronger, safer, and more economically vibrant city. He and his wife Kimberly raised their three daughters—Claire, Ella, and Camille—in Willow Glen, embodying his deep commitment to the community. His efforts, including the rehabilitation of the Garden Theater and other key properties along Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen, have supported local entrepreneurs, created hundreds of jobs, and preserved a part of San Jose's rich heritage.
 
Almaden Valley-Willow Glen enjoyed a night of bocce ball at Campo di Bocce.
 VIDEO of Jill Duerig speaking on The Rotary Foundation at our regular meeting of October 15th. Jill has been active in numerous local and statewide water organizations but one of her favorite pastimes is as a member of the Livermore Valley Rotary Club, especially given all the services the club provides to the community. She is a Past District Governor for Rotary International District 5170.
 Dave Cortese, State Senator, spoke at out regular meeting of October 9th. Senator Dave Cortese was elected in November of 2020 to represent State Senate District 15 which encompasses much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Along with his accomplished career as an attorney and business owner, the Senator previously served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for over a decade, with four years as Board President, on the San Jose City Council for eight years, including two years as Vice Mayor, and as a trustee for the East Side Union High School District for eight years.
 VIDEO of Lenka Wright, Communications Specialist, speaking on"The age of misinformation", What can we do about it and the role of Generative AI at our regular meeting of October 2nd. Lenka is an Almaden Valley resident, Dynamic, media savvy communicator with broadcasting background, expertise in crisis communications, storytelling and building meaningful relationships with the public, media and other stakeholders through strategic communication.
September
 VIDEO of Gail Pellerin, Assemblymember, presenting at our regular meeting of September 18th. Gail was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 28th Assembly District. Assemblymember Pellerin served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County from 1993 until her retirement in December 2020. Gail served as President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials from 2010 to 2012 and as co-chair of the Secretary of State’s Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee.
 VIDEO of Karen Philbrick presenting at our regular meeting of September 11th. Karen is the executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San José State University. Dr. Philbrick leads two competitively selected multi-university consortia: the California State University Transportation Consortium (CSUTC), which unifies the surface transportation research and workforce development efforts of the 23-campus California State University system, and the Climate Change and Extreme Events Training and Research (CCEETR) Program funded by the Federal Railroad Administration.
 VIDEO of Robert Freiri of the Morgan Autism Center presenting at our regular meeting of September 4th. Robert joined Morgan Autism Center in April 2025. With forty years of experience in nonprofit management and a deep commitment to fundraising, Robert is excited to bring his skills and passion to MAC. Robert was recently the Executive Director of Gateway Center of Monterey County, an agency that supported the Developmentally disabled through day and residential programs.
August
 Dan Rusanowski, sports broadcaster for the San Jose Sharks, presented to our regular meeting on August 28th. Dan is best known for being the radio play by play announcer for the San Jose Sharks since the team’s inaugural season in 1991-92. He has also provided play by play call for other sports, including hockey, baseball, and sports car racing. In 2013, Dan was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in the sports category.
DU Fundnraising BBQ at the Horseman's Association
 Herb Ritter, 5170 District Governor met with our club officers before our regular meeting and the rest of the club on August 7th. Herb lives and breathes Rotary's motto, Service Above Self. He has been a pillar in our District for over three decades — serving as Past Club President, Membership Chair, Conference Co-Chair, Assistant Governor, and now the District Governor for 2025-26.
July
Two Interact Directors, Ian Gomez Area 7 and Ryan Luu Area 8, presented to our regular club meeting on July 31st about their personal and club goals for the coming year. A planned event in September is a "Walk-a-Thon" to help raise funds for their International Project, to be nsmed later.
Almaden Valley-Willow Glen Rotarians participating at the 9th Annual Superhero Summer Festival at the Almaden Lake on July 26th. The Vet ducks from the OCC were a very popular item at the Festival
   
 Anna Laveria May, Comic and Rotarian gave us her life story at our regular meeting on July 24th. Anna (known simply as Anna May on the comedy scene) is a former international swimsuit model turned restaurateur turned elected official turned business owner turned actress/comedian. She donates all her comedy show earnings to charity because she makes okay money as a real estate broker.
 VIDEO of Ray Riordan, Director of San Jose Office of Emergency Management, speaking at our regular meeting on July 17th. Ray was hired following the historic February 2017 Coyote Creek Flood, and assisted the City in its recovery from the flood and instituting action to address the over 240 items identified in the post disaster after action and improvement report. Ray is a Certified Emergency Manager, recognized by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and he serves as the elected Chair for the California Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network
 The all male faction of the Almaden Valley-Willow Glen Rotary club welcomed Suresh Narayandas Harjani from the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Elite Dist 3201 South India on July 10th.
 
And Suresh returned to our club on the 24th to exchange flags.
 Dan Orloff presented to our regular meeting of July 10th on the topic of San Jose Rocks. San Jose Rocks seeks to weave together stories of the past and present about a place where creative people have converged to shape the soundtrack of not just California, but the United States and the world. The San Jose Rocks website is sanjoserocks.org |
Grapevines
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