President's Message
New Hope and New Beginnings
 
The beginning of each new year brings the opportunity to reset and create a vision of the year ahead. During the holiday season, we prioritize our family, take a break from work, rest, relax and make resolutions for 2023. Here is a concept I use to help guide me through this process - REALISTIC OPTIMISM. We know that pessimism does not create the mindset and actions to improve our lives. And Pollyanna optimism is doomed to failure. Setting unrealistic goals will leave us deflated and derailed. While I want to be quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, that is not realistic for my age.
 
With realistic optimism, in 2023 our club can look forward to making a larger impact in our community. In 2022 we added the Literacy Program, a $10,000 donation to Tri-Valley Haven and $9,700 Ukraine mobile health unit project to the list of annual Rotary community projects and grants. In 2023 our Rotarian Foundation is approximately doubling the grants to a higher level of $160,000. The Rotarian Foundation and both Livermore clubs are considering support for LVJUSD district-wide Ambassadors of Compassion program. The approval of a Covid relief grant of $25,000 will provide another one-time revenue to distribute in our community. A very realistic optimistic goal is that the Rotary Club of Livermore with greater financial resources can make a larger impact in the community and Rotary will be seen a major contributor through our Public Image efforts.
 
As you make your personal 2023 resolutions, perhaps you can also revisit your role in the club. Can you attend more meetings? Can you connect with members at a higher level or at greater frequency? Can you participate or serve on committees? Be realistic and realize that a small incremental improvement by all will result in a much larger impact. Our theme this year is Imagine Rotary. Now is the time to imagine your idea of Rotary.
 
May your 2023 bring you even greater happiness!
 
Kevin McCallum
 
 
 
On January 31, we will meet at 8:30 am at Las Positas College. Use this link to RSVP by 1/9: 
 
Upcoming Meeting Programs
Jan 17, 2023
Sarah Palmer & Grant Committee
Jan 24, 2023
Daniel Curtis
Jan 31, 2023
LPC President Dyrell Foster
Feb 07, 2023
Josh Jonas
Feb 14, 2023
Wolfgang Stoeffl
View entire list
HYBRID MEETING DETAILS
 

We meet Tuesdays, gathering at 7:00 am and starting at 7:15.

This month, you are welcome to attend in person at Homewood Suites by Hilton, 5400 Wolf House Dr, Livermore or you may attend via Zoom.

Following our January 31st meeting at Las Positas College, we will begin to try alternate meeting venues.

Check your email on Saturday mornings for information from Kevin.
THE GRAPEVINE
 
Club members receive The Grapevine following each Tuesday meeting. Please reach out to Kevin Drake if you would like to receive a copy in your inbox.
News and Upcoming Events
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AS A CLUB
 
On Tuesday, December 13th, we celebrated the holidays and being with one another in our first holiday social since Covid. Thanks to Bennie Le Bourvellec and Roy Porfido for planning the event, and hats off to Deb Tacker for being our MC. We had a great time dining and socializing at Wood Family Winery. Here are a few pictures from the fun event. 
 
To top off the evening, Dave Goulart was crowned King of the Ugly Sweaters! Pictured above: 2022 King Dave with Former King Dennis.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Heather Hartman & Marty Roberts
 
This past month we had the honor of welcoming two new members to the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley! Welcome to Heather Hartman and Marty Roberts!
 
 
Pictured above: Membership Director Graham Scott, Lori Souza, Heather Hartman, and President Kevin McCallum.
 
Thanks to Lori Souza for inviting friend and neighbor Heather Hartman to attend our club meetings. Heather learned about Rotary through her daughter Abby's involvement as a Granada High Interactor. As Lori's friend, Heather has already been part of our World Series and Super Bowl pools. She is active in our community, serving as an adult literacy tutor at the Livermore Library, a volunteer at the Tri-Valley Haven Thrift Store, and a member of the Granada High School Site Council. 
 
An interesting coincidence: Heather, like our club president, is from Canada. She and her husband, Jason, have two children.
 
Welcome, Heather!
 
Pictured below: Kevin McCallum, Sherri Simoni, and Marty Roberts.
 
 
We have already welcomed Marty to our Chili Cook Off, both as a chili cook and as the chef and owner of Marty's Joint Food Truck. And we remember enjoying his comfort food while supporting the Pedrozzi Foundation at Music in the Vineyard this past summer. Thanks to Sherri Simoni for inviting Marty to officially join our club!
 
Marty was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He then moved to Southern California and then to Livermore. He and his wife, Megan, have lived in Livermore for 31 years. Before owning Marty's Joint, Marty worked as a bartender for 15 years. His hobbies include gardening and wine. Marty is taking his appreciation of wine to a new level, as he has earned the title of "Certified Sommelier," as a Level 2 Sommelier. 
 
Welcome, Marty!
CELEBRATING THE STUDENT OF THE MONTH
 
We were delighted to meet December Student of the Month, Lexi Neubauer, at our meeting on December 13th. Principal Conover shared that Lexi makes Granada High School a better place. Throughout her 4 years at GHS, she has been active in the Leadership Program and the GHS Stunt Team. She founded the GHS Pickleball Club. She has been on the Granada High Honor Roll each trimester of her high school career. And she is the 2022-23 Homecoming Queen.
 
Pictured below: Lexi, with the congratulatory sign placed in her front yard by our Youth Services Director, Suzanne Richerson.
 
 
SUPPORTING TRI-VALLEY HAVEN
 
Thanks to the success of our Chili Cook Off and the generosity of our sponsors and members, we have the funds to invest in our community. We were proud to present $10,000 to Christine Dillman, Acting Executive Director of Tri-Valley Haven. Our donation will support the new Domestic Violence Shelter by providing beds for those in need.
 
 
Pictured above: President Kevin McCallum, Tri-Valley Haven Director Christine Dillman, and Community Service Director Dave Goulart.
 
SHARING HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH VETERANS
 
We continued our annual tradition of bringing holiday cheer to the residents at the VA Hospital in Livermore by delivering lunch and treats on December 15th. This year new members Dustin Battaion and Heather Hartman joined longtime Rotarian Dennis Gambs. Because of Covid, we did not have the opportunity to meet directly with the veterans. VA Recreation Specialist Kim Pham was optimistic that we we will again be able to visit in person in 2023. Dennis speaks for all of us when he said, "The interaction with the Veterans is still the best gift."
 
 
Pictured above: Dustin Battaion, Heather Hartman, Dennis Gambs, and VA Recreation Specialist Kim Pham
REMINDER: DEADLINE IS JANUARY 20
 
Community organizations are encouraged to seek support for their ongoing efforts or their special projects that contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community. The Rotarian Foundation of Livermore, our shared foundation with the Noon Club, is accepting applications for Community Grants through January 20, 2023.
 
Thanks to the recent and generous bequest of Dr. Martin Plone, the Foundation is able to award more funding in 2023 than in the past. Community Grants may be awarded for up to $5,000, or between $5,000 and $50,000, depending on the project.
 
Complete information including the application on the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore website. 
 
 
 
 COLLIERS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
GEORGE WINEINGER
 
 Colliers Global Commercial Real Estate has been the Industrial and Office Sales and Leasing specialist in the Tri-Valley for 28 years. George Wineinger has been with Colliers for over 20 years, serving Livermore and the Tri-Valley communities, while also serving as an active Rotarian. 
 
You may Contact George at  george.wineinger@colliers.com.
LIVERMORE BUTCHER SHOP
 
 Livermore Butcher Shop is owned and operated by the Cusimano family, who have been serving the Livermore community since 1998 through the family child care home facility known as Veronica's Daycare (aka Mommy V). The goal of Livermore Butcher Shop as a business is to dig deep roots into the community, honoring the heritage of Livermore so that the community feels proud of where they live - this is why the butcher shop is named after the City of Livermore.
 
When you walk into the butcher shop you will feel like you are in a time warp. You will find personalized service, homemade gourmet products from Mommy V, high quality meat and local products, including products from the surrounding Tri-Valley area. Livermore Butcher Shop is growing and making lifelong memories with the families of Livermore every year. Livermore Butcher Shop hopes to be a vital part of the present and future of the Livermore community. 
 
Visit the Livermore Butcher Shop at 282 South L Street, Livermore, or online at livermorebutchershop.com.
KITTY HAWK DENTAL CARE

Dr. Kimberly King offers comfortable, personalized Family Dental Care. She has served our community for over 20 years, rebuilding smiles and creating lifelong relationships as the owner of Kitty Hawk Dental Care in Livermore, CA.
 
Visit online at kittyhawkdentalcare.com, or call 925-371-8880, or stop by the office at 55 Wright Brothers Avenue, Livermore.
WALL AND CEILING ALLIANCE (WACA)
 
WACA is a wall and ceiling nonprofit trade association that promotes and advocates for the welfare of its members and industry. Their contracting members make up one of the most highly skilled and experienced union work forces in Northern California and in the United States. The organization supports this community by providing vital resources through educational forums, technical assistance, government advocacy, labor relations, industry promotion and unified representation. WACA further helps the community with an undergraduate scholarship program created to support the future workforce of the construction industry. To date, the association has awarded over $125,000 in scholarship funds and counting. As a Pleasanton Chamber member, WACA’s past and present contributions to the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce have allowed them to continually grow the economic vitality of the East Bay community by helping local businesses thrive.
 
Visit them online at wallandceilingalliance.org.