Events

Please remember to meet at the Elks Club this month!
Sara Sharkey and Christie Fernquest are the 2023 presidents of Sierra Nevada Realtors, formerly Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors.  Sierra Nevada Realtors is committed to the best practices in the residential real estate sales industry.  Sara and Christie will be joined by April LaBrie, CEO, who works with the Board of Directors to manage and steer the association.  They will be talking about the restructuring of the association, and the representation of all six counties.  It's a new year and a new association, united we're stronger!

REMINDER TO MEET AT THE ELKS CLUB:
Carly Norton is the Recycling Education Representative for Waste Management.  Carly will cover residential services, changes in the recycling industry and recycling guidelines in Northern Nevada.  Carly will explain how recycling goes from curbside, to the sorting facility and then to market.  We will learn why Waste Management doesn't actually "recycle", but "diverts" material for manufacturers to recycle with the cooperation of participants.  

REMINDER:  We meet at ELKS CLUB this week!
Years ago Ken attended the intense and incredibly challenging RYLA program in northern Nevada for high school students.  His father, Lee, was a past president of our club in 1990.  Ken now owns a successful Reno computer repair and consulting company, that strives to focus on people rather than technology.  Ken will speak to us about common safety risks online, his approach to talking to clients about computer problems, and being in charge of our digital life!

Since 2010 Kyle has been teaching natural building - adobe, cob and straw bale - across the U.S. and in Mexico.  Last summer Kyle was contacted by a woman from Kenya who is interested in learning the techniques in hope that they will influence local building practices.  On February 18, Kyle and a co-teacher will travel to her village in Kenya for five weeks to lead a build of a complete cabin from the foundation to the roof.  This service trip is being conducted through their 501c3 nonprofit "Be the Change Project".  Kyle will speak to us about the natural building materials, techniques, advantages, and the Kenyan project.

Arianna was born and raised in Reno, and a third-generation graduate of Reno High.  As a teenager, she discovered her love for journalism while working on the school newspaper.

Arianna graduated from Northwestern University with a major in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in English Literature.  She has been with 2 News since 2010 and anchors on weeknights at 4:00, 4:30, and 7:00, and contributes investigative reporting and special projects to the newscasts.  She is also the executive producer and host of Face the State, an in-depth news program that airs on weekends.

Arianna is a proud recipient of a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, second place nationally in the AP Awards for feature reporting, and an Emmy for her work on our "Best Local Newscast."  She has also been recognized by the Nevada Association of School Boards for "Excellence in Education Reporting."  She loves doing any story that has an impact, but especially those with passionate, interesting people.

Arianna will interview a mystery guest live on Wednesday! 

We will hear from three high school contestants that will speak on the subject:
"How have you Imagined Working Together to better the lives of others, and how did you implement your idea?"

Joe is a retired educator whose 35-year career at the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center was devoted to training disadvantaged youth from widely diverse backgrounds.  Born in Reno, he graduated from UNR, served for six years in the Nevada Air National Guard, and earned his doctorate at the University of Oregon.  Dr. Reading will speak to us about multicultural awareness and the ability to work with people of different backgrounds and cultures.

This will be a social meeting, weather permitting, where we will have time to visit and enjoy one another's company.  Come hear what Tom has in mind!  It may have something to do with B.E.E.R.! 

Too often in the past, vital information on crimes failed to reach the police because the people who held it feared retaliation or did not want to testify in court.  Secret Witness was created to provide an avenue for community members to provide information on a crime, while remaining anonymous.
Since being established in 1979, Secret Witness has been serving N. Nevada for nearly 42 years.  The organization is 100% supported by donations from the public and are proud to report that each and every dollar goes towards keeping our community safe.  Its success is only possible due to the generosity of reward sponsors and individual donors that provide the money for rewards to a witness if that information leads to the arrest and prosecution of a crime.
In this week's Rotary program, fellow Sparks Rotarian Mike Hix, a long time volunteer member of the Secret Witness Board, will be speaking about the Secret Witness organization, its beginning and examples of its continued success in the Reno Sparks community.

Young Charles and Jennifer CHIA were abducted on October 18, 1989 on their way home from school.  Nine months later, on July 25, 1990, their remains were found in a shallow grave 8 miles west of Portola California.  The Reno Police Department has allowed Allan to continue to work the case in retirement.  Allan will explain the core of the investigation, and lab work needed for evidence discovered, to bring the case to closure.

Brewing Beer from 40 million year old yeast obtained from Baltic Amber.
Chip Lambert is a research Biochemist with a distinguished career concentrating mostly on microbiology and scientific research to develop cures for many human ailments.  He spent most of his time working in the Bay area for biotech firms as a researcher and manager doing medical research.  He has published over 30 papers on medical research ranging from curbing the effects of snake venom to cancer cures to fighting bacterial infection.  Chip also has 11 patents, and a microscopic organism has been named after him.
Perhaps his most unusual project came when he was called upon to prove or disporve an amazing feat where Dr. Raul Cano from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo claimed to have resurrected 45 million year old bacteria and yeast from amber (fossilized tree sap).  Lambert, a skeptic, was surprised that the cells could be revived after such a long rest.  With the help of a skiing friend who owned a brewpub in the Bay area, they utilized this yeast to brew a beer, and founded Fossil Fuels Brewing Company.
Resurrecting these cells from a liquid nitrogen yeast bank, Rich Scott from Great Basin Brewing Company has brewed a barley and wheat beer using this most unique yeast for us to enjoy at this meeting.

Rotary District 5190, Area 8 is proud to have fellow Rotarian Ms. Irene Perbal as our Speaker. Ms. Perbal will present the story of her family’s life in Holland under the Nazi occupation. Ms. Perbal’s firsthand accounts of her family’s efforts to protect the local Jewish community is both poignant and inspiring. Ms. Perbal is a nationally recognized speaker and historian dedicated to preserving the first-hand history of this dark time.

5:30 p.m. Reception – No Host Bar

6:15 p.m. Dinner

Cost: $65/person (Sparks Rotary will pay half for members)

Please sign-up and pay at a weekly club meeting. 

Entree Choices:

Herb Crusted Chicken
Pan Seared Salmon
Mushroom Tortellini

The Music Contest is an annual event held by Sparks Rotary which invites music students to perform in front of our club.  Several members of the club will serve as judges of the performances, and the winner of the contest will go on to compete at the Area Music Contest at Steinway Gallery in Reno on Saturday, April 8.
Each contestant will play a piece that is a minimum of three and maximum of eight minutes in length.  It's a great opportunity to hear some amazing performances by these high school students!

Three talented high school contestants will compete to advance to the District Speech Contest on April 29 at Harrah's Hotel, Lake Tahoe. The theme for the District Speech Contest is: "How have you imagined  working together to better the lives of others, and how did you implement you idea?"

Achievement Beyond Obstacles (ABO Nevada) provides support and scholarships to deserving high school seniors who have triumphed over hardships and demonstrated personal leadership and courage to reach graduation with the goal of attending college or trade school.  We will hear from nine students who will share their stories and plans.

The 104th annual Reno Rodeo is June 15-24 and promises to be a BUCKIN' GOOD TIME!  With over $2,000,000 in winnings at stake, you'll see rip roarin', boot stompin', jaw droppin' PCRA action!  Each year, over 140,000 fans attend.  It's the 4th richest PRCA tour rodeo, and makes a $42,000,000 positive impact on the Reno/Sparks area economy.  George will share with us plans for this year and the future.

Tom Willadsen has been a Rotarian for more than 20 years.  He currently serves Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church as Transitional Pastor.  He is the author of "OMG! LOL! Faith and Laughter" and "Gratitude on the Prairie" and a contributing writer to The Immediate Word.  His default setting is "Playful."
Tom has two sons, Peter, a graduate student at the University of Kansas and David, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Tom will speak to us about Lessons in Laughter.

REMINDER to those who did RSVP:
Louis' Basque Corner - Dinner, Meeting, and Social

5:00 - 5:45 p.m. - No host drinks
6:00 p.m. - Dinner

Traditional Basque family style meal includes:
Soup of the day, French bread, Basque beans, Salad, French Fries, First Course, Main Entree, Dessert and a glass of house wine.

Main Entree choices:
Sweetbreads, Top Sirloin Steak, Shrimp in white wine sauce and capers, or Roast Leg of Lamb.

$40 includes tax & tip
Please pay Mike Hix at the restaurant

David was born in Reno, graduated from Wooster High School and attended Truckee Meadows Community College.  He began skiing at age 3 at Ski Tavern, and started skiing professionally at age 18.  He followed in his father's footsteps as a ski racer, but then turned to freestyle skiing when he was 11.  David became the first Olympic champion in men's ski halfpipe when the sport debuted on the Olympic program in 2014.  He won the Gold in Sochi in 2014, Gold in PyeongChang in 2018, and Silver in Beijing in 2022.
David is also an author, professional hunter, guide and outdoorsman.
David has more titles to his name than he could have ever dreamed of, a result of setting impossible goals.
David will speak to us about mental toughness and overcoming adversity in all aspects of life.
Go to mrdavidwise.com to learn more.

Volker will act as a spirit guide and explain the differences between whisky and whiskey, bourbon, rye, corn and scotch.  He will outline some whiskey history and important regions and styles.  Tell us what you can taste in the award winning samples Seven Seals from Switzerland will provide.

Join us for the Rotary Club of Sparks 3rd Annual Poker Tournament, a fundraiser for our club's various projects and community efforts.  

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023

Time: 4 p.m. poker start time, check in from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Location: Hidden Valley Country Club

• Texas Hold'em 
• Pre-Sale: $135 (tickets will not be sold at the door)
• Includes 1 alcoholic beverage and heavy hors d'oeuvres
• Optional: $100 for Painting with April (for non-poker players)

Must be 21 years or older to participate.

Please click a registration option on this page (Members or Guests) to register each invidual in your group and then submit payment using the following link:

Poker Player(s) Online Payment Link

Painting with April Online Payment Link

Chris Orr is a host of the travel-adventure TV show Wild Nevada.  The award-winning series features Chris and her co-host Dave Santina taking road trips and exploring recreational opportunities all around the Silver State.
Chris is going to share some of the behind-the-scenes stories from the latest episodes of Wild Nevada.  Chris will discuss how - like with any trip or adventure - sometimes things don't go as planned.
Stay tuned!

Born, the last of 6, to a ranching family in central Montana, Loren ended up as an experimental solar astronomer studying the sun with instruments on rockets and satellites.  This work took him, in 1985, into space on an 8-day mission called Spacelab2 (aka, STS-51F or Challenger 8) in 1985 as a Payload Specialist.  This talk touches on some of the highlights of an interesting life.

We are days away from Kids Free Fishing Day and Adaptive Fishing Day!  Have you signed up for a committee yet?
-Set up
-Nets
-Food
-Coaches
-Face Painting
To volunteer please email Rotaryhelaine@sonic.net., or speak to her Wednesday about how you can help.
Thank you!

The Maison T. Ortiz Youth Outdoor Skills Camp is a weekend-long event designed to give boys and girls outdoor skills training and a fun overnight camping experience.  Named in honor and memory of Maison T. Ortiz, a 15-year-old Galena High School student who was passionate about the outdoors, the camp was created to encourage youth involvement in wildlife-related outdoor activities.  Marty, Don and Randy, camp organizers, will speak to us about the camp, it's location, facilities, age groups, and the events and organized instructional activites included.  

Whitewater rafting is adventurous, wet and wild, and can take you to wonderous places. Come enjoy a pictorial journey through the Grand Canyon, up close and personal.  Carrie and John will share their stories on rafting wonderous rivers.  Prepare to be amazed!

It's time to honor Tom Young.  4820 Vista Blvd., Sparks