Events

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

President Paul Kaplan kicks off his first meeting at the Elks Lodge.  His theme for the year is RAMS - Rotarians Actions Motivate Success!
Please note:  We are meeting at the RENO ELKS LODGE this week.

David Atherton is a New Life Coach who specializes in helping those suffering from substance abuse issues post-rehab.  He worked 22 years in the mental health field working 17 years with mentally ill youth, and 5 years with mentally ill inmates.  David has combined all of that with his 11 years free from drugs and alcohol to create his business Atherton New Living.  As a part of his business David helps local companies with employees who are dealing with, or have a loved one dealing with mental health needs and substance abuse issues.

Shaelene Tims is a dedicated Realtor and rancher, who balances her professional life with the responsibilities of running the Historic Hussa Ranch in Cedarville with her husband Nick.  The Hussa Ranch was established in 1911.  Shaelene and Nick's commitment to the ranch and its vision for a sustainable future is unwavering.  Shaelene will share her unique journey and the importance of sustainability in modern farming practices.  She will share her insights and experiences, shedding light on the challenges that rural and small producers like Hussa Ranch encounter.  Shaelene will take us on a journey through the rich heritage of the ranch and how they are overcoming obstacles to build a brighter future.  We will learn about the power of community, the importance of supporting local family-run farms, and the values that guide their commitment to ethical farming.

The Walker Basin Conservancy leads one of the most ambitious restoration projects in the Western United States: saving Walker Lake and reversing its ecological collapse.  Since the 1850's, Walker Lake has declined by more than 90% by volume due to agricultural diversions of the Walker River.
The Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with ranchers, farmers, and community members to reverse the ecological decline of Walker Lake by acquiring and protecting water rights in-stream to increase flows to the Lake.  To date, they have acquired 53% of the flows necessary to restore Walker Lake.  Over the last decade, they have also opened public access on more than 12,000 acres and 29 miles of the Walker River that had been closed off for more than a century, and have re-established native plant communities and improved wildlife habitat on thousands of acres of former hay fields.
This year, Walker Lake is reaping the benefits of an historic water year as snowpack continues to melt, increasing flows in the Walker River.  As of July 31, Walker Lake is up almost 15 feet!  Peter will share with us the positive impact they see for longterm restoration of the Lake.
 

Sparks Rotary is celebrating our 75th year in the Sparks Community.  Larry Harvey, Vicki Puliz and Mike Hix will introduce our new 75/75 project.  75 acts of service and leadership to commemorate our 75th year.  We are people of action, and leaders - Larry, Vicki and Mike - will speak to us about this exciting goal!  

The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world's largest free hot-air ballooning event.  The event has floated into the hearts and minds of Reno's visitors and locals alike for 42 years.  With upward of 100 balloons, and more than 150,000 in attendance each year, the event is a permanent fixture in our September skyline.  September 8-10 you will see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about Reno skies.  Pete Copeland has been Executive Director for 12 years and will share with us exciting details of this years event.

The race is on!  The largest animals ever and what Nevada Ichthyosaurs have to do with it.  Recent fossil discoveries have challenged the status of the blue whale as the largest animal to ever inhabit our planet.  New contenders are the Nevada State Fossil, the Ichthyosaur Shonisaurus and a peculiar ancient whale from Peru.  NV ichthyosaur fossils tell the striking story of how these fish lizards of the Middle Age of the Earth evolved to enormous size in a geological instant.  One of these was named past president Tom Young!
Dr. Martin Sander is professor of vertebrate paleontology at the University of Bonn in Germany and has researched the amazing NV ichthyosaurs in the field and lab for over 3 decades.

We are honored to have Stacy Graham, District Governor 2023-2024, speak to us about her theme; "Rotary From The Heart".
Stacy's home club is Auburn Gold Country Rotary.  She has served as Assistant Area 5 Governor, District Conference Chair, Visioning Facilitator, and Club President for 3 terms.  Her financial contributions to Rotary has earned her membership in the Paul Harris Society, the Polio Plus Society, and the Bequest Society.
Stacy was born, raised and lives in Grass Valley, California.  She owns and operates The Master Technicians, Inc, and Rogers Automotive Repair, Inc.  Stacy has received awards in her pioneering/mentorship with women in the automotive repair field, and in 2013-2014 received the Auburn Journals Businesswoman of The Year Award.

JA BizTown is an education program offered by Junior Achievement (JA) that provides students with a hands-on learning experience in a simulated city environment.  It is designed to teach young students, typically in elementary or middle school, about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and the economy.
In JA BixTown, students become employees and business owners in a miniaturized city, where they run various businesses, manage finances, and make real-life decisions in a safe and controlled setting  Through this interactive program, students learn essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
The program aims to prepare students for their future roles as responsible citizens and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions.

...Event SOLD OUT...
Tuesday, September 12, 12:00 p.m. we meet at Robin's hangar at Reno-Stead Airport.  Enjoy a catered sit-down Mexican food lunch and program by rotarian Tom Hall, esq. on "Pathways to Aviation".  Tour the "pits" and experience the pilots, planes and crews up close.  Roam amongst the incredible aircraft to see what goes on behind-the-scenes as they prepare to race.
Robin has arranged for a "people mover" to meet us at Gate 180 entrance to take us to her hangar.  No steps or walking required.  Plus, the hangar is equipped with all conveniences, including a lavatory.
Mark your calenders - TUESDAY, September 12.  This is the final year for the National Championship Air Races at Reno-Stead Airport, the world's fastest motorsport.  Don't miss it!
Reservations Required to get Wristband Pit Pass for entrance.  RSVP to Sally Oliver by August 28.

Alicia Barber, Ph.D. is an award-winning writer, historian, and founder of the historical consulting firm Stories In Place.  Specializing in the cultural history and built environment of Nevada and the American West, she writes and speaks about the intersections of public memory, cultural landscapes, and community identity, and collarborates frequently with government agencies, museums, architects, and community groups to create dynamic public history projects about Nevada and its people.  Alicia will speak to us about the 4th STREET-PRATER WAY CORRIDOR.

Members Jeff, Jim, Richard, Andy and Diana will speak to us about their approved service projects.  Bring your calendars!  Let's support their projects with help through service and leadership!  WE ARE "People of Action"!

Mike will be joined by Christina Erny, VP of Marketing, and Art Jimenez, Executive Director of Tourism, to speak about the direction and implementation of RSCVA's plans, programs, goals and objectives in the convention and lesiure marketplace.  We will also learn how RSCVA was formed, facilities owned, and how revenue is generated and distributed. 

It's our birthday week and we are celebrating!  Come share your stories of the past 75 years.  Larry Harvey is asking that you please bring items such as pictures, or past presidents gifts, that can be displayed at our 75th celebration at the Nugget on Saturday.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SPARKS ROTARY! 

Mikalee is a Sparks resident and local author, and this fall we will see publication of the second edition of her best selling local guide book, "100 Things to Do in Reno Before You Die."  Mikalee will be blending information about the book and her signature speaking topic - the need for humor and humanity in leadership and marketing.  

Ending homelessness in Washoe County is an audacious goal, but it's starting to work.  Since the Cares campus opened two years ago, unsheltered homelessness has been reduced by 42%.  If we hold our collective resolve, Washoe County will be a model for the West.  Kate and Par will share with us how they are leading the charge in solving the challenge.   

Chris has served as Sparks Police Chief since 2004.  Chief Crawforth will share with us how he works to meet the needs of the Sparks community through residential outreach, filling police officer vacancies, and helping the homeless through the department's Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement (H.O.P.E.) Team.  We will learn how The HOPE Team assists those experiencing homelessness through a boots-on-the-ground approach, where needs are assessed and then aligned with field-based services and local Medicaid resource partnerships.