Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Thursday October 21, 2021 - 5:30pm Social
with Chris LaCentra of G.I. Junk

Zoom continues - Same ZOOM link works.
Watch this space for further updates!!!

Downpour and Downsize

Two similar words—downpour and downsize—have very different connotations for me.  One of course is positive, but for me the other one is. . .challenging.

First of all, this week’s rain began with last night’s downpour—a welcome ⅝” here on Pasquale Road that began while I was watching the Seahawks and Steelers battle it out to an eventual overtime finish. During the last quarter, one player was knocked down with possibly a very serious injury, and we were reminded that this is a game with some serious consequences. (Someone in my household worries that football may not be beneficial to all concerned.)  Nearly simultaneously, a good-sized tree limb broke off and fell on our deck, so there was violence inside and outside our TV room.

And now on to downsizing. A couple of years ago, the same person who worries about football was worrying about all the stuff throughout our house that no longer had purpose. We called GI Junk who came and within an hour had divested us of carpet roll ends that were too heavy for us to remove from storage; a big refrigerator relegated to the garage that, although seldom plugged in, used more electricity than it should have; old cross-country skis that took part in getting lost one day in the midst of nowhere during an impending snowstorm; and more. This was stuff that wouldn’t have sold in a future Rotary rummage sale but did need to go.  I must admit it—downsizing for a good cause makes it hurt a little less.

G.I.Junk with Chris LaCentra

G. I. JUNK is a veteran owned and operated family full service junk removal and salvage company. Owner Chris LaCentra is a proud veteran of not one but two branches of the US Military. He served in the US Navy and the US Army. He's always lived a hard-charging lifestyle, and upon receiving his honorable discharge from the military he became a Hollywood stuntman for 16 years. Then in 2012, he decided to move to the Gold Country to start a family with his wife who grew up in Grass Valley. 

While searching for a new path, Chris was applying at a local landfill when he was struck by the amount of usable, renewable, and potentially upcyclable items were being trashed. Since then, he has had a vision to start a company that could serve his community and give back to veterans. 

Chris founded G.I. JUNK in 2018 with one truck and a lot of determination. His company strives to limit the amount of junk clogging up our landfills and set the highest standard of recycling/donating/upcycling in this industry.

An opportunity for you!  Nevada County Food Bank packaging - Only 1 1/2 hour

We have an opportunity to volunteer at the Nevada County Food Bank next month. Here are the details so please let me know if you are willing and able to help out! 

We are looking for 6 volunteers on November 9th from 10AM-11:30AM to pack home delivery boxes for homebound elderly and disabled clients.  Many of you have already volunteered here and know what a fun filled and rewarding time it is!

Around Area 4 ~ Trick or Tri Tip

Grass Valley Rotary is again hosting their Trick or Tri Tip Drive Thru BBQ Santa Maria Style. 

Drive through on October 31 between 4pm and 6pm at Lyman Gilmore Middle School, 10837 Rough and Ready Hwy, Grass Valley.

$15 per meal or $50 Family Meal (feeds 4).  Meal includes Vaquero portion of Santa Maria Tri Tip, salad, traditional pinto beans, salsa and garlic bread.

Order by October 24, 2021 at www.GVROTARY.ORG

Your Dues and Happy/Sad Shares make a difference!

Keep up the Happy/Sad Bucks!  Your Happy/Sad shares give us glimpses of what is going on in your life beyond Rotary.  They are special moments together especially since so much of our time is on Zoom.  Your associated "bucks" provide a base for us to continue our special services to our community and beyond.  Thanks for sharing you and for following the Four Way Test with your Happy Buck pledges to our Club!

Stay connected and informed

Robin monitors our news@ncrotary.org email. You can direct questions to that email or to your Club Presidents. 

CoP Dave (and Tom)

Upcoming Events - ZOOM, LIVE and/or HYBRID

Zoom until further notice!

October 21 Social HYBRID - ZOOM: Chris LaCentra: GI Junk

October 24 - World Polio Day

D5190 Polio Plus Society: As a Rotarian and supporter of Polio Eradication, Rotary’s Number One Priority, you can participate in the Countdown to History as a member of the PolioPlus Society of District 5190. PolioPlus Society members can help Rotary make history by continuing to contribute a minimum of $100.00 per year until the World Health Organization certifies that polio has been fully eradicated because ... Until the world is polio-free, every child is at risk.

October 28 Lunch HYBRID - ZOOM:- Phil Mahoney, District 5190 Polio Plus Chair

November 4: Social HYBRID: DG Anita Daniels Governor Visit 5:30pm;
4:00pm pre-meeting with Board

November 6: Rotary Ecology Day 9am - 12:30pm General Session - ESRAG Conference; Click to register here.
ESRAG’s Western North America Chapter (Big West) invites all Rotarians and friends to a free conference Saturday, Nov. 6 in celebration of Rotary Ecology Day, starting at 9 am Pacific Time.  This is a festival of world-class speakers, films, and discussion sessions for all ages.  

The keynote speakers are Project Drawdown Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Foley and atmospheric scientist Dr. Donald Wuebbles, a member of the Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The producers of the Feedback Loops films narrated by Richard Gere are presenting too!

November 9: 10am -11:30am Service project at Food Bank of Nevada County box packaging

November 11: Lunch

November 18: Social Sol Henson, Sierra Streams

November 24:  - Thanksgiving with our Families and Friends

December 2: Social Co-Presidents

December 9: Social Annual Holiday Party

April 20, 2022 Wednesday evening: Area 4 Foundation Dinner Hosted by John Baker & 49er Rotary

Special Dates

Club Leadership