The Pulse for the Week of September 23rd, 2025

Meeting sponsor Ruth Tesar donated her time to Anthony Garcia, VP of the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy board of directors. Anthony shared his many Rotary engagement opportunities as a young person, which ultimately led to his involvement with the Academy. The Academy’s purpose is to equip aspiring entrepreneurs for success through training such as business plans, mock investor presentations, and team-building exercises.

New members! President Kerry inducted two new club members:

• Dr. Dafang Wu of Northern California PET Imaging Center is sponsored by Brad Schmidt and Ruth Tesar. Brad described Dr. Wu’s background and expertise in neuro imaging.
• Hayden Nabers of Turton Commercial Real Estate is sponsored by PP Bobby Reed and David Brandenburger. Of note, Hayden is into pickleball and DJ’ing during his off hours.

There was a long line for opportunity to share club announcements:

• Please RSVP for lunch! President Kerry stressed the importance of RSVPs to the weekly meeting. Last week the caterers served 97, but only 56 RSVPs came in.
• Sac Century urgent volunteer needs. PP Bobby Reed requested one pickup truck and driver as a “SAG wagon” support vehicle helping Sac Century cyclists who break down. We also need two ride-along passengers for support vehicles along the route. And if you want to volunteer somehow on event day, just show up. There will be a job for you.
• Sac Century support. PP Diane Mizell announced there are plenty of opportunities remaining to sponsor the Sac Century Challenge.
• Brown Bag lunch sites. Tom Bacon announced the opportunity to host a Brown Bag lunch day on October 21.
• Hiking Club. PP Jim Leet reported the recent Cosumnes River Preserve hike was a success and shared photos of club members enjoying the morning.
• Discovery Park cleanup. Jim Henderson reported that several club volunteers gathered for the recent American River Clean-up. The effort collected 600 pounds of trash!
• Theater Night. President Kerry announced there is one ticket remaining for this Thursday evening’s “& Juliet” performance.

Next President Kerry opened the floor for Levels of Giving:

• Ruth Tesar donated to Dr. Wu’s Eddie Mulligan.
• Tina Roberts donated in celebration of her 27th wedding anniversary, to include 25 years as co-workers.
• Christie Holderegger donated to her Eddie Mulligan to celebrate her 31st wedding anniversary.
• Brad Schmidt donated in celebration of his 16-year-old daughter passing her drivers license test.
• Liz McClatchy donated to her Eddie Mulligan and to his Paul Harris in honor of the marriage engagements of two grandchildren.
• Sarah Hodge donated in honor of PP Kevin Smith-Fagan and Jim Culleton assisting her with an upcoming fundraiser for the YMCA of Superior California.
• John Swentowsky donated to his Eddie Mulligan to celebrate the completion of a strenuous 9-mile Tahoe hike – and the fact he and his wife have some peace now that their daughter’s young family, after a five-month stay, moved out! (The baby girl was welcome to stay).
• PEN Paul Keefer donated to his Eddie Mulligan to celebrate his son’s successful start to his career.
• Lastly, PP Bobby donated to his Eddie Mulligan to celebrate his middle schooler son’s 6:15-minute mile as part of the cross-country team.

PEN Paul Keefer introduced the day’s guest speaker, Sacramento City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum. A continuing theme during the presentation was his belief a tax increase is inevitable to bolster the many projects the city has before them. He covered numerous issues, including the imminent hiring of a new city manager; Railyard and Blue Diamond Property developments/re-developments; the need for qualified candidates to serve as police officers in open positions already funded; capital projects like Sutter Park Landing and a zoo expansion; and 1,000 new beds to mitigate the need within the population of homeless people.

Pluckebaum, a Democrat who represents the city’s fourth district, said the most controversial issue that city leaders encounter is parking. Another looming concern is housing – the Sacramento population has grown by 10 percent in the past decade without new residences to match the growth. As a result, the city remains 45k residential units behind pace and keeps falling further behind.