Category: Events

26.09 Clean Up Los Alamos Day & More

Greeting Rotarians,

We have a full meeting this week, with new members, international fellowship, an interesting program, and plenty of opportunities to put Service Above Self into action.

Welcome to the club, Kathryn!

We are excited to induct Kathryn Born into the Rotary Club of Los Alamos! Please come tomorrow to welcome K as they officially join our club. We look forward to putting their talents and interests to work in Rotary.

Introducing Exchange Student Filippa

Our Rotary Youth Exchange student Filippa Andersson will join us this week to introduce herself, tell us a little about Denmark, and share how her exchange in New Mexico is going so far.

Youth Exchange is one of the most personal ways Rotary advances international understanding. Hosting a student gives our entire club an opportunity to learn about another culture while giving a young person the chance to become part of ours.

Trey is also having a good time in Switzerland checking out the sights and making friends.

This Week’s Speaker: Tom McCrory

Our guest speaker this week is Tom McCrory, who will be speaking about geothermal technology.

As energy technologies continue to evolve, geothermal offers some fascinating possibilities for producing reliable energy from the heat beneath our feet. Come ready to learn and bring your questions!

Sat, Sep 12 – NJROTC 5K

Support the LAHS NJROTC program by participating in their Extreme 5K. Run, walk, cheer, or otherwise come out and support these students.

Sun, Sep 13 – Lost Almost Triathlon

The Lost Almost Triathlon is happening Sunday, and volunteers are still needed! If you’re available to help, please sign up. This is a great opportunity to support a local community event and help East Park Pool.

Fri, Sep 18 – Homecoming Parade

Come out for the Los Alamos Homecoming Parade and help us show some Rotary spirit!

2024 Homecoming Parade
2024 Homecoming Parade

Sat, Sep 19 – Clean Up Los Alamos Day

Clean Up Los Alamos Day is September 19. Please consider joining us for a cap sorting event at PEEC from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Once we’re finished sorting caps, head up to Pajarito Mountain for Ullrfest! Service in the morning, fellowship in the afternoon — that’s a pretty good Rotary Saturday.

Rotarians sort caps for ABC Promise benches.
Rotarians sort caps for ABC Promise benches.

Sat, Oct 4 – Oktoberfest

Our Oktoberfest fundraiser is less than a month away, which means now is the time to start getting the word out. Please invite friends, share the event, talk about it at work, and help us promote it throughout the community. A successful fundraiser depends on more than what happens on October 4 — it depends on all of us helping build attendance beforehand.

If everyone brings a few people who aren’t already part of our Rotary circle, we can turn Oktoberfest into both a successful fundraiser and a great introduction to what our club does in Los Alamos and around the world.

Global Grants

I’d like to commit $3,000 in support for three Global Grant projects — $1,000 each — from the projects we’ve recently discussed:

Salud para Todos — GG2799460 — Builds 10 community telemedicine modules with satellite internet and TytoCare technology across seven municipalities in Chihuahua’s Sierra region. It is expected to provide about 12,000 consultations per year for 12,749 residents while reducing the need for long-distance medical travel.
View Salud para Todos slide

Potable Water Treatment Plant — GG2688080 — Provides sustainable chlorinated drinking water to 250 homes and two schools in rural Soatá/Tipacoque, Colombia, benefiting about 1,200 people, along with community training in maintenance, sanitation, hygiene, and responsible water use.
View Potable Water Treatment Plant slide

Nursing for Hope — 3rd Edition — GG2799687 — Provides educational and financial support to very low-income FEMAP nursing students in Ciudad Juárez, helping prevent students from dropping out because of financial hardship while addressing the city’s shortage of qualified nurses.
View Nursing for Hope slide

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26.08 Youth Exchange, International Project Fair, Oktoberfest, and More

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

August is already shaping up to be a busy month for Rotary, with opportunities to serve here in Los Alamos, connect with Rotarians across three districts, support our youth programs, and start looking ahead to some major fall activities.

Welcome to Los Alamos, Filippa!

Please join us in giving a warm Rotary welcome to Filippa, our inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from Denmark!

We are excited to have Filippa in Los Alamos for the coming year and look forward to introducing her to our community, our club, and a little bit of New Mexico culture along the way. Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the best examples of Rotary’s commitment to international understanding, and we hope everyone will take an opportunity to get to know her and help make her year memorable.

Meanwhile, Trey is now in Switzerland, where he is attending language camp as he begins his year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. He has arrived safely and is getting an intensive introduction to German, Swiss life, and the adventure that comes with spending a year halfway around the world.

With Filippa arriving here while Trey begins his year abroad, we have a wonderful reminder of what Youth Exchange is all about: building understanding one student, one family, and one friendship at a time.

International Project Fair — August 21–22

Rotarians from Districts 4110, 5470, and 5520 will gather in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, August 21–22 for the Tri-District International Project Fair.

The Fair brings clubs with service ideas together with potential international partners and supporters, particularly for projects that may become Rotary Foundation Global Grants. Clubs will have an opportunity to present projects, learn about needs throughout our region, and build the international relationships that make Rotary projects possible.

Our club is planning to participate, and we hope the Fair will help us strengthen existing international partnerships while identifying new opportunities for meaningful service.

For anyone developing a project for the Fair, project abstracts are being requested around August 15, so please reach out soon if you have an idea that should be represented.

Rotary Oktoberfest — Sunday, October 4

Save the date for a new Rotary Club of Los Alamos fundraiser!

Our Rotary Oktoberfest is confirmed for the afternoon of Sunday, October 4, at Bathtub Row Brewing Co.

Bathtub Row is providing the venue without an event fee and has offered to donate $1 from each beverage sold during the event. Local musician Jamie O’Hara is already scheduled to perform on the patio from 3–5 p.m.

We are still working through food, sponsorship, and other event details, but expect an afternoon of music, food and drink, fellowship, and fundraising for Rotary service projects.

More information will be coming soon, and we will need plenty of Rotarians to help with sponsorships, promotion, setup, and the event itself. Please start spreading the word and mark October 4 on your calendar.

Purple Pinky Is Coming Back

Our Purple Pinky campaign will return this Rotary year as we continue supporting Rotary’s effort to eradicate polio.

Proceeds from our Purple Pinky activities will go directly to PolioPlus, helping Rotary and its partners continue the work of reaching children and finishing the job of global polio eradication.

The date and details are still being finalized, so watch for an announcement and opportunities to volunteer. Our goal this year is to make Purple Pinky more visible in the community while reminding people that Rotary has been at the center of the fight against polio for decades.

Join Us at the Friday Night Concerts

Our Rotary presence at the Los Alamos Friday Night Concert Series continues throughout the summer.

These evenings are an easy and enjoyable way to represent Rotary in the community. Come spend some time at the Rotary table, visit with neighbors, tell people what Rotary does, and invite someone who might make a great future member.

You don’t need a sales pitch — just come enjoy the music and share your own Rotary story.

Looking Back: RYLA 2026

Another successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) season wrapped up in July after two weeks of leadership camp for young people from across District 5520.

The boys’ and girls’ camps challenged participants through team-building, leadership development, service, communication, and plenty of new experiences. Judging from the daily RYLA journals, campers left with stronger friendships, greater confidence, and memories that will last far beyond the week itself.

Thank you to the Rotarians, counselors, volunteers, clubs, and families who helped make RYLA possible. Programs like RYLA demonstrate what Rotary can accomplish when we invest directly in the next generation of leaders.

Rotary at the Rodeo Parade

Thank you to everyone who helped decorate, organize, walk, ride, wave, and represent Rotary in the Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade on August 8.

Community events like the parade give us an opportunity to be visible not simply as an organization that meets for lunch, but as neighbors who are actively involved in Los Alamos.

Thanks to everyone who helped put Rotary out in front of the community!

Membership Dues Reminder

If you have not yet paid your 2026–27 Rotary Club dues, please do so as soon as possible.

Annual dues are $250 for the Rotary year. Dues support our club’s operations as well as our obligations to District 5520 and Rotary International.

If yours are still outstanding, please get them to Vince. Members who need to make other payment arrangements should reach out rather than letting dues linger.

There’s Plenty Ahead

Between Youth Exchange, the International Project Fair, Friday Night Concerts, Purple Pinky, and our first Rotary Oktoberfest, there are many ways to participate during the next few months.

You don’t have to do everything. Pick something that interests you, invite somebody along, and get involved. The more of us who participate, the more fun we have — and the more Rotary can accomplish.

Have a spare minute? Read a Rotarian Minute!

26.07 Concert Tonight, Exchange Student Presentations Tuesdays

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

Come hang out with us tonight at the Friday Night Concert and share your Rotary story with members of the community. We’ll be setting up in the non-profit row at 5:30.

Tuesday Speakers

Join us this Tuesday at noon at United Church for our regular meeting to hear some our past and upcoming Rotary Youth Exchange students talk about their adventures.

2026 Youth Exchange
2026 Youth Exchange

Welcome our newest member Kathy!

Soeaking of Rotary Youth Exchange, our newest member Kathy Landschulz was an exchange student. She has spent her career in the medical industry and after many, many, MANY years of consideration, has finally made the decision to become a full member in our Rotary Club. We are looking forward to our shared success with her help this year!

Kathy Landschulz is inducted into Rotary Club of Los Alamos by her father and longest-standing member Chuck Tallman and current Club President James Wernicke.

Fall Fundraiser TBD

We are working on a Fall fundraiser, but we need to get it organized now. If you’re interested in helping us secure a venue, food, music, or sponsors, please let us know.

Cap Sorting in August

We also need to do more cap sorting for our ABC Promise project. If you would like to help coordinate a meeting space and time for that, please let us know. We did it at PEEC last month.

26.06 End Of Year Party Tomorrow, Plastic Cap Sorting Saturday 

Greeting Rotarians and Friends,

There is no lunch meeting this week. Instead, we’ll be meeting at the Bullocks’ home for an end of year party at 6pm this Tuesday. Here’s directions. It’s pot luck style BBQ so bring a side, dessert, and/or drinks and we’ll provide the grilled stuff. We’ll also have a quick recap of the 25-26 year and talk about plans for 26-27.

If you missed any of our lunch meetings, check them out our YouTube channel.

Plastic Cap Sorting This Saturday

We will be sorting plastic caps this upcoming Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) for the ABC Promise Project. We have almost 500 pounds of plastic caps to sort through before they can be transported to a recycling facility where they will be melted down and molded into outdoor furniture for our community.

You can also support the program by setting up plastic cap collection bins in workplaces, schools, and community spaces, and donating temporary storage space in your homes, businesses, and community spaces for collected caps until enough material has been gathered for transport. Here’s a flyer you can print and tape to your collection bin.

ABC Promise Plastic Caps
ABC Promise Plastic Caps

Club Officer Training Resources

This weekend, we had an officer training summit. The breakout sessions were recorded and shared to the District YouTube channel. I’d sure love to have more officers this year so check them out and see if anything looks interesting to you!

District Performance Survey Due By June 12

This is a quick reminder to complete our District Performance Survey. With only a short time left, your input is especially important. If you have already submitted your response, thank you so much!

District Performance Survey

And here’s our club’s member survey for the 25-26 year. Please let us know how you felt about this year and where you want the club to go next year.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

26.04 Junior Scholarship Selections, Kathy Landschulz Classification Talk

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

Join us this week to help us review Junior scholarship applications. Having many members participate helps ensure a fair process that reflects Rotary values.

We’ll also have Kathy Landschulz’s second reading for induction. She will be giving a classification talk as well.

Know anyone that would make a good Rotary candidate? Invite them to a meeting!

End of Year Party June 9

The new Rotary year starts July 1. We will have an end-of-year pot luck at the Bullocks on June 9.

Help Wanted

If anyone would like to serve as a board or committee member role next year, we’d sure appreciate it.

Interact Bake Sale This Week At Teen Center

The Los Alamos High School Interact Club is holding a bake sale every day this week from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m and Saturday from 11-2 p.m. in front of the Los Alamos YMCA Teen Center, located at 475 20th St, Los Alamos, NM 87544.

Community members are encouraged to stop by, purchase baked goods, and support the efforts of these local students committed to making a positive impact. Proceeds from the bake sale will support the club’s local and international community service initiatives.

Interact, Rotary International’s service club for youth ages 12–18, empowers students to take action through hands-on projects that address community needs and promote global understanding.

For more information about the Interact Club and its service projects, please contact Los Alamos High School or Rotary Club of Los Alamos.

District Conference & PEEC Treehouse Cleanup This Weekend

Greetings Rotarians & Friends,

We need your help cleaning up the PEEC Treehouse this Saturday 9am – 12pm. Please bring rakes and gloves if you have them. We also might need a pickup truck.

District Conference Starts Now

See you this weekend at the Santa Fe Plaza Hilton! You can check out the agenda here.

2026 District Conference
2026 District Conference

26.03 Strategic Planning & Scholarships

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

District Governor Elect Laura Gonzales, Past District Governor Dick Jones, and District Governor Nominee Mark Goodman will be leading our strategic planning this week. We will also be reviewing scholarship applications. Members should have received applications from Linda Bullock. This is also your last chance to submit nominees for this year’s Sonny Brown Awards.

Laura Gonzales
District Governor Elect Laura Gonzales presents to the club.

A New Type Of Youth Exchange Is Coming!

We are participating in a new short term youth exchange that we hope will be able to allow more youth to participate. It’s only 6 weeks so perfect for a summer. It’s open to 17-19 year olds so if you know a student or would like to host one, please let us know!

Rob Metcalf exchanges flags with Annabelle Rosette. Annabelle spent a year in Spain as part of Rotary Youth Exchange.

Rotary District Conference April 9

The Rotary District 5520 Conference 2026 will take place April 9–11, 2026, at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza in historic Santa Fe. Rotarians from across the district are invited to gather for a weekend of fellowship, inspiration, and celebration, featuring keynote speakers Raj Sisodia and Alan Mallory. Highlights include opening sessions, leadership workshops, the All-Club Luncheon, youth program showcases, and the District Awards Gala, along with opportunities to connect with fellow Rotarians and enjoy Santa Fe’s vibrant culture. A special conference hotel rate is available through March 18, and attendees are encouraged to reserve early and plan time to explore the city during the conference weekend.

2026 District Conference
2026 District Conference

PEEC Treehouse Cleanup April 11

Please join us to clean up the PEEC Treehouse on Saturday April 11 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in preparation for the Earth Day Festival. We will be cleaning out brush as well as doing some treehouse repairs. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. If you can bring a rake, it would be appreciated.

2024 Clean Up Los Alamos Day at the PEEC Treehouse
2024 Clean Up Los Alamos Day at the PEEC Treehouse

Pajarito Trails Information Fair April 25

The Pajarito Plateau Trails (PTS) initiative is hosting a Trails Information Fair on Saturday, April 25, at Co-op Park, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for our local organizations to shine. This event is designed as a community “drop-by” to help residents plan their upcoming trail season while showcasing the diverse outdoor experiences in our area. The PTS is offering free booth space for any stakeholder groups to promote upcoming events, recruit volunteers, or demonstrate the “cool stuff” that makes their trail work unique. Since the success of our trails depends on this coalition model, we want to ensure Rotary’s various interests are well-represented. If you are passionate about local trails and would like to participate, please let me know! The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, April 7.

Flowers and Caps

Just a reminder I still have flowers bulbs to give out from our Rotary friends in Enkhuizen, Netherlands.

We’re also progressing on collecting bottle caps. Hopefully gas prices stabilize before we’re ready to make the trip!

YIR,

James Wernicke

26.03 LARSO Director Ramon Garcia

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

After returning from a recent trip to Greece, I was reminded how powerful the idea of civic participation is across cultures and centuries. Walking through Ancient Agora of Athens—where some of the earliest ideas of democracy were debated—made me reflect on how communities organize themselves to solve shared problems. While the scale may be different, the spirit is familiar: people coming together to serve their neighbors and improve the places they live. That same spirit is what animates Rotary, whether it’s supporting local organizations, celebrating ethical leadership in business, or simply gathering each week to exchange ideas and strengthen our community.

This Week’s Speaker

Ramon Garcia is the Executive Director of the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO), where he oversees programs that support independence, wellness, and social connection for older adults in Los Alamos County. He leads the organization’s senior centers, transportation and meals services, and a variety of educational and recreational programs that help seniors remain active and engaged in the community. Through partnerships with local agencies, volunteers, and community organizations, Ramon works to expand services and ensure that older residents have access to the resources and opportunities that support a high quality of life. The Rotary Club of Los Alamos is pleased to welcome him as this week’s speaker to share insights on LARSO’s programs and the evolving needs of the local senior community.

LARSO Director Ramon Garcia

Upcoming Events

Strategic Planning & Senior Scholarship Review March 24

We will be meeting at United Church on March 24 at 12:00 PM for strategic planning with District Governor Elect Laura Gonzales and to review senior scholarship applications. It’s not that demanding, but your participation is essential to the integrity of the process.

Student Scholar 2025

Sonny Brown Award nominations due March 25

The Sonny Brown Business of the Year Award recognizes businesses across Rotary District 5520 that exemplify Rotary’s commitment to service, integrity, and ethical leadership. Established in 2005 in honor of Past District Governor and Rotary International Vice President Sonny Brown, the award celebrates companies that demonstrate outstanding employee relations, high-quality products or services, and meaningful community involvement by both management and staff. Rotary clubs throughout the district are invited to nominate local businesses in several categories—including small, medium, and large non-Rotarian-owned businesses, as well as an at-large category for Rotarian-owned businesses—highlighting organizations that embody Rotary’s values in both business practices and community engagement. Winners will be recognized at the District Conference and receive tickets to a special presentation by keynote speaker Raj Sisodia. Nominations are due to Dick Jones by March 25, 2026.

Sonny Brown
Sonny Brown

Rotary District Conference April 9

The Rotary District 5520 Conference 2026 will take place April 9–11, 2026, at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza in historic Santa Fe. Rotarians from across the district are invited to gather for a weekend of fellowship, inspiration, and celebration, featuring keynote speakers Raj Sisodia and Alan Mallory. Highlights include opening sessions, leadership workshops, the All-Club Luncheon, youth program showcases, and the District Awards Gala, along with opportunities to connect with fellow Rotarians and enjoy Santa Fe’s vibrant culture. A special conference hotel rate is available through March 18, and attendees are encouraged to reserve early and plan time to explore the city during the conference weekend.

2026 District Conference
2026 District Conference

PEEC Treehouse Cleanup April 11

Please join us to clean up the PEEC Treehouse on Saturday April 11 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in preparation for the Earth Day Festival. We will be cleaning out brush as well as doing some treehouse repairs. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. If you can bring a rake, it would be appreciated.

2024 Clean Up Los Alamos Day at the PEEC Treehouse
2024 Clean Up Los Alamos Day at the PEEC Treehouse

Noche Mexicana Charity Dinner May 2

Things are starting to come together for our Noche Mexicana charity dinner May 2 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM at Fuller Lodge. We are planning a Mexican-style buffet dinner, tequila tasting, local mariachi and dance performances, and a charity auction. We could use assistance with planning as well as hosting on the night of the event. If you would like to help, please email James.

The show at Viva Mexico never disappoints!
The show at Viva Mexico never disappoints!

26.02 Special Performance Today At Noon From LAHS Orchestra

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

Sorry for the jet-lagged update, but we will be gathering today at the United Church of Los Alamos at noon to host nine talented Los Alamos High School students. They will be performing selected orchestra pieces for us—it’s a wonderful opportunity to support our local youth and enjoy some incredible music.

Los Alamos Middle School Orchestra performs at Duane Smith Auditorium, conducted by Michelle Rosette
Los Alamos Middle School Orchestra performs at Duane Smith Auditorium, conducted by Michelle Rosette

Celebrate Chuck’s Birthday This Sunday

Chuck Tallman will be celebrating his 95th birthday this Sunday, March 1, 2026 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM at The Patio Room, Oppenheimer Place (1001 Oppenheimer Drive). Your presence is considered enough, but if you wish to honor him with a gift, please consider a donation to his favorite causes: Rotary, LA Choral, LALOE, Youth Mexico Mission, International Society Barbershop, or the United Church Chorus.

Chuck has been a member of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos since 1971 and has been active in recent community events, such as volunteering for the Purple Pinky project at Barranca Elementary in October 2025.

A Bench for Caps Update

Our club has officially been accepted into the A Bench for Caps (ABC Promise) initiative. This project focuses on collecting plastic bottle caps that would otherwise end up in a landfill and recycling them into high-quality community benches. We are currently working with the LAHS Interact Club to help expand the collection efforts. Keep saving those bottle caps and asking your friends and communities to do the same. We will provide more details on specific collection points as we get participants. and acceptable plastic types soon.

Upcoming Speakers

In the last update, I mentioned the new changes to the meeting format. Well, there’s been some additional speaker meetings. Sorry about the constant changes, but keep watching for updates in these newsletters. These speaker meetings will all occur at noon at United Church.

  • March 10: Ramon Garcia on Los Alamos Senior Centers
  • March 24: District Governor Nominee Laura Gonzales on Club Strategic Planning
  • April 14: Cory Styron on Los Alamos Community Services Department
  • May 12: Cindy Padilla on United Way of Northern New Mexico

Noche Mexicana Fundraiser Dinner May 2

Expect a night of great food and community spirit as we raise funds for our local and international projects. More details to follow as coordination happens. We could definitely use volunteers to help with that.