We look forward to a meaningful and inspiring presentation by Past District Governor Dave Bianchi, PolioPlus chair for District 5190, as he shares the powerful story behind Rotary’s enduring commitment to eradicating polio worldwide.
Dave was born and raised in Fallon, NV where he was active in 4-H. He received his degree in Finance from the University of Nevada and was commissioned into the Army. He also met and married his best friend Lois while at the university. He joined the Northwestern Mutual in 1971 serving on the boards and as president of his professional associations retiring after 50 years. He was also elected twice as a national trustee of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
He was an active Jaycee and Toastmaster and served on the board of the Conference of Christians and Jews. In addition, he was the first president of the Truckee Meadows Boys and Girls Club, served on the founding board of PBS Reno and was a founder of Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful and the College of Business Alumni Association. He is a past president of the Planned Giving Council for University of Nevada, Reno. He is also past president of the Education Alliance of Washoe County. He has served three times as board president for his church.
Dave joined the Rotary Club of Reno in 1982 serving as president in 1988-89 the year the first female joined the club. After serving the district as the Youth Exchange Chair he was selected to be District Governor in 2005-06. He has also chaired the Rotary Leadership Institute and served as the District Foundation Chair and Polio Plus Chair. He was recently asked to once again chair the Polio Plus campaign for the remainder of this Rotary year. He is also part of the district Visioning Team.
Dave is plus one major donor, a member of the Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus Society and he and Lois are Bequest Society members.
In 2022 he was named as the Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Nevada, Reno.
Dave and Lois have three children, two of whom were RYE students and four grandsons, one of whom was a RYE student and another who attended RYLA.
Last week, Rotarians enjoyed an informative and thought-provoking presentation from Harry Hall, retired chemical engineer, who shared his perspective on nuclear energy — a topic that has sparked both innovation and concern since the dawn of the atomic age in 1945.
Today, nuclear power provides about 20% of electricity in the United States and roughly 10% worldwide. Mr. Hall explained how nuclear plants generate power much like fossil fuel facilities — by producing steam to turn turbines — but without combustion. He emphasized that U.S. plants are built with multiple safety systems, including thick steel-and-concrete containment structures designed to prevent radiation release.
The discussion included a review of Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011). While Chernobyl was the most severe due to design flaws and operator error, Three Mile Island resulted in no significant radiation release thanks to strong containment systems. At Fukushima, the devastation was primarily caused by the tsunami itself, not radiation exposure. Still, these events deeply affected public confidence and slowed industry growth.
Mr. Hall also addressed concerns about nuclear waste, noting that although it must be carefully managed, the total volume produced over decades is relatively small and securely stored. He highlighted nuclear power’s reliability, long plant lifespan, low carbon emissions after construction, and small land footprint. Emerging technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) will make future nuclear projects more affordable and flexible.
In closing, Mr. Hall emphasized that nuclear energy remains the cleanest, safest, most reliable sources of large-scale power, generating comparatively small amounts of waste. He noted if we hope to maintain our current standard of living while reducing pollution, nuclear power must be part of the solution. No other single energy source can meet today’s growing demand — especially with expanding data centers and new technologies.
Our club, in partnership with other local Rotary clubs, Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, and Wally’s Pizza Bar, is proud to co-sponsor the highly successful Third Annual Ethics and Leadership Conference for high school students.
As in previous years, the conference will be offered in two sessions:
Session One
March 9 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Students from Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, and John Adams Academy
📍 Bayside Church, 800 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills
Session Two
March 16 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Students from El Dorado Union Mine, Classical Conversations, Pacific Crest Community, and Community Learning Academy
📍 Green Valley Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville
Rotarians are encouraged to participate as mentors in this outstanding conference and may volunteer for one or both sessions. The first two years were a tremendous success, and we are excited to expand the program even further this year.
1) Peace is not the absence of conflict, it's the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. Ronald Reagan
2) If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede the cannon shots. Napoleon Bonaparte
3) An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi
Featured Rotarian:
N/A
Announcements:
Adam Marshall:
1) Volunteers Needed to Serve Lunch and Support Staff at Buckeye School on Monday, February 23, as they return to campus following a recent tragedy affecting their school community.
2) Bob Dorr Visit, a small contingent of members will present a card and "Lion of Rotary Award" recognizing Bob's more than 40 years of Rotary Service, at a future date. Please contact Laurie Edwards, who is coordinating the effort.
3) Chamber Mixer- On Thursday, March 5th at 5:30 PM, our club will be hosting the Chamber Mixer at the CSD. As a result, we will be dark for lunch that day.
4)Area 6 Foundation Dinner is Thursday evening, March 26. We will be dark at noon. Placerville Rotary is hosting it at the Shakespeare Club in Placerville. Social begins at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at 6:15 PM.
5)The 2026 Rotary Multi-District Conference, called the "Far West Fest," will take place May 1-3 in Reno, Nevada, at the Grand Sierra Resort, bringing together Districts 5190, 5220, 5170, and 5240 for a joint event focusing on fellowship, project showcases (House of Friendship), and collaborative ideas, with early bird registration available. Attending so far from the club: Adam and Sally Marshall, Don Fuller, Dan Gott and Gary Clarke.
6) Happy Birthday this week to Shawn Khales and Ben Foulk's wife, Ali.
7) Mentor Volunteers Needed for Tomorrow's Leaders Conference. Please refer to bulletin article for information on how to sign up.
Gary Clarke:
1) Wine Committee Meeting- following regular club meeting. We are looking for additional participants this year.
2)Bike Run - February 24 Teamsters are transporting bicycles from El Dorado Disposal to Folsom Prison.
Dave Sargent - Chamber Mixer - March 5. All members are encouraged to participate in the Chamber Mixer. This is an excellent opportunity to network, strengthen community connections, and share the Rotary story. We plan to elevate our Rotary presence with strong visuals, conversation-starting name tags, and business cards for members to distribute. Members are asked to complete the back of their Rotary business cards with their name, contact information, and our meeting location so they can personally invite guests to attend one of our upcoming lunch meetings.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
Ben Foulk: $20 Happy - $10 for wife Ali's birthday and $10 for surviving brutal back surgery.
Dave Sargent: $10 Unhappy for the passing of the spouse of our one of departed cherished Rotarians.
Dick Marshall: $10 Happy for being pain-free.
Birthdays in February
Sarkis Matossian
David Tavernetti
Shawn Khales
Dave Sargent
-----Spouse/Partners----
Geoff Brooks
Mark Villanueva
Ali Foulk
Anniversaries in February
Vickie Christensen and Perry McLain
Rotary Join Date in February
David Tavernetti: 18 years
Upcoming Sergeant at Arms Assignments
Please arrive early, serve as greeter, take attendance via the sign-in roster at the front desk, lead the pledge, introduce guests, provide words of wisdom, and other duties as requested. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify President Adam.
Feb 26 Tom Elken
Mar 05 Bill Ettlich
Mar 12 Ben Foulk
Mar 19 Don Fuller
Mar 26 DARK at noon - Rotary Foundation Dinner in Evening
Apr 02 Dan Gott
Apr 09 Rich Grieco
Apr 16 Shawn Khales
Apr 23 Cheryl Motassian
Apr 30 DARK at noon - 5th Tuesday Social in Evening
