It was Fat Tuesday as the club’s weekly lunch meeting was called to order by President Bobby Reed.
Meeting sponsor Nancy Smith-Fagan gave her time to Reina and Mel Chan of the Olivia Chan Foundation. After the passing of their daughter Olivia from leukemia, the couple found a shortage of grief and healing programs. Their organization is a place where surviving children experiencing grief can find peer-led support groups with kids facing similar challenges, and it’s needed: 1 in 14 California kids will lose a sibling or parent before the age of 18. The Chans are raising money to build a facility in the Sacramento area, modeled after a successful one in Portland.
Put Me In, Coach!
David Brandenburger gave in honor of fellow Rotarian Jim Culleton’s quick help with an urgent print job, and Tim Comstock donated in honor of his daughter’s 16th birthday and the impending traffic jams as a result of her new drivers license!
Club Announcements
- Date change! Due to an event conflict at our regular site, Bobby announced, our club meeting will move from Tuesday, March 25 to Thursday, March 27 – just for that one week only.
- Interact students are still running a drive for care kits to benefit children in local hospitals. Folks wishing to participate should bring items to the March 27 meeting, announced President Elect Nominee Paul Keefer.
- New member Jay King will be hosting the next Fireside Chat on March 12; other Firesides will be hosted in April, May, and June by other members.
- March 20 will be the next Networking Night at Juju Kitchen and Cocktails, sponsored by Harold Bellamy and First Northern Bank, announced organizer Ted White.
- On Sunday, March 23 join Rotarians for a 3-4 mile hike around Lake Folsom starting at 8:30 am. See PP Jim Leet and Forrest Junod for more information.
- Fresh powder! Dave Brandenburger announced the next club ski outing, set for March 19 at Palisades at Tahoe.
- Sergeant-at-Arms Jamie Furlong talked up a pair of upcoming events in our Rotary district, the District Assembly on March 29 at Twelve Bridge High School in Lincoln; and the April 12 District Conference One Day Conference in Anaheim.
Chair of the Day Bob Rosenberg introduced Scott Freshour, emcee for the Sacramento Kings. Missing only the dramatic music and t-shirt cannons, Scott brought the enthusiasm and excitement as he peeled back the curtain and revealed the secrets of the Kings Hype machine! Scott “Fresh” Freshour has worked 21 years for team and shared his story and some secrets.
He attended Sacramento State for art but found a passion in sports marketing through an internship with the Kings as a graphic design intern. His career really took off when the Kings selected him to emcee their games and serve as the stage manager—responsible for everything that happens on the court that is not related to the actual game. From selecting the singers for the national anthem, to creating the games and contests, Scott works with a team behind the scenes that creates these experiences.
The club’s iconic “Light the Beam” signal, introduced two seasons ago, is a huge success – only because the fans embraced it. It started during a season when the Kings were on the upswing, Scott noted, and it might have been a flop had the team not surged to the playoffs.
Having emceed Kings games for 15 seasons and counting, and having emceed 8 NBA All-Star games, Scott recently launched an independent creative agency.
Greeters for the meeting were Joel Hockman, Forrest Junod, and Steve Johanson with photos handled by our resident shutterbug John Swentowsky. Peter Coyl covered it for the Pulse. The wine reception was sponsored by Golden Pacific Bank, and PP Scot Sorensen shared a thought of the day.
Next week’s meeting will feature guest speaker Kulvinder Singh, who will share the rich history and contributions of the Sikh community in Northern California. Click here to RSVP.
Photos Courtesy of John Swentowsky
The following applicant has been proposed for membership in the Rotary Club of Sacramento. All comments related to these membership application must be in writing and sent to President Bobby Reed.
Prospect: Matt Green
Business: Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP
Position: Associate
Sponsor: Nancy Smith-Fagan and Kevin Smith-Fagan