The Los Alamos Rotary 1312, Inc., Board of Directors cordially invite you to attend our 17th Annual Crabfest Fundraiser & Live Auction event on Saturday, Feb. 22. This year, our event will take place at the Cottonwood on the Greens venue. Please extend this invitation to your family, friends, neighbors and business associates. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support to help us provide the same level of local, regional, and international service programs, such as Meals of Hope, Local Scholarships, Youth Exchange, LAHS Memorial Garden, and more.
In response to several requests, take-out orders will be available this year! This year, in-shell crab will be served.
Please pay by check ($80/person) to:
Los Alamos Rotary 1312, Inc., PO Box 986, Los Alamos NM 87544
Rotary’s history reminds us that peace is not passive—it is built, nurtured, and sustained through intentional action. Rotary International with the Rotary Action Group for Peace continues this mission by:
Empowering communities with sustainable peace projects
Equipping future leaders through Rotary Peace Fellowships
Strengthening Peacebuilder Clubs to amplify local and global impact.
Our legacy is not just in what we have done—it is in what we continue to do. Every conversation, project, and partnership brings us closer to a world where peace is not just an ideal, but a reality.
So how is our Club recognizing February PeaceBuilding month?What steps are we taking now to promote peace worldwide?
We are joining with the Santa Fe Centro Rotary Club in a project to hold a Peace Conference and raise a Peace Pole in Santa Fe. The conference will be held at La Fonda on October 3rd, and the Peace Pole will be placed Mescaione Park on the corner of Paseo De Peralta & Hillside Ave just below the Cross of the Martyrs.
We will be inviting other NNM clubs & the public to attend and plan to invite speakers from LANL, our sister city in Japan, and Hiroshima as well as local speakers from UNM & Southwestern College who will guide us in ways to embrace peace in our lives & actively participate in peace building.
For over 100 years, Rotary International has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, championing international aid and peace initiatives across the globe. With over 46,000 clubs worldwide, Rotary’s commitment to “Service Above Self” transcends borders, cultures, and politics, allowing it to respond swiftly with the help of organizations like USAID to provide immediate and long-term aid to communities in need, particularly in response to natural disasters, poverty, and health crises. Relying solely on voluntary contributions through its Rotary Foundation, the organization funds projects that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as disease prevention, clean water access, education, and economic development.
One of Rotary’s greatest international contributions is its role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has worked alongside partners like WHO and UNICEF to reduce polio cases by 99.9%, saving millions of children from paralysis and death. Rotary continues to fund vaccinations and surveillance efforts in regions where the disease remains a threat.
Rotary members from 21 districts, in partnership with UNICEF, are working with local governments to develop and implement immunization programs to protect 100,000 children from rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and cervical cancer across nine South Pacific Island countries, including Kiribati and Fiji. The Give Every Child a Future project is committed to strengthening the immunization programs in each country so that these vaccines continue to be delivered to future generations of children. Tarawa, Kiribati. 28 March 2023.
Through partnerships with organizations like ShelterBox, Rotary has provided emergency shelter, food, and supplies to families affected by earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and conflict. Beyond direct aid, Rotary actively promotes global peace by addressing the root causes of conflict—poverty, lack of education, and inequality. Rotary Peace Centers train peacebuilders and conflict resolution experts who work in diplomacy, law, and international relations. Each year, Rotary Peace Fellowships provide scholarships for professionals to study at leading universities, equipping them with the skills to mediate disputes and foster reconciliation in conflict zones. Additionally, Rotary supports grassroots peacebuilding efforts, from youth education programs to interfaith dialogue initiatives. Rotary members work in communities to reduce tensions, combat extremism, and promote understanding among diverse groups. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice and opportunity.
Rotary members and other volunteers pack supplies at a warehouse is Zamosc, Poland, approximately 60km (27 miles) from the border with Ukraine. Zamosc is a major hub for people displaced by the conflict and a centralized coordination location for aid from clubs in Europe. The Rotary Club of Zamosc Ordynacki rents a warehouse where daily shipments of food, water, clothing, blankets, and medical supplies are sorted and prepared for transport to all regions of Ukraine. 27 April 2022. Zamosc, Poland.
Rotary’s commitment goes beyond immediate relief to catalyzing self-sustaining projects in the following areas:
Ensuring communities have access to safe drinking water, reducing disease and improving health.
Funding schools, scholarships, and literacy programs to empower future generations to break the cycle of poverty.
Combating infant mortality, malnutrition, and maternal health for healthier families and stronger communities.
Providing microfinance programs and vocational training help people gain skills and financial independence.
Rotary’s hierarchical structure allows clubs to diffuse their efforts across international, regional, and local projects. By working with Rotary International, Rotary District 5520, and other Rotary clubs, Rotary Club of Los Alamos has been able to send an ambulance from White Rock to Ukraine through US Ambulances for Ukraine and build drinking water systems in Guatemala. We also organize Meals of Hope food packing events for The Food Depot which distributes food across northern New Mexico. Through the Purple Pinky campaign, we raise awareness and funds for PolioPlus which provides vaccinations to children in polio-endemic countries. The LAHS Interact Club supports these efforts, but also spearheads their own projects. For example, they raised money to combat human trafficking in South America through Vos Tambien, provide Shelterboxes for Syria and Turkey earthquake victims, and held a peace glow and fundraiser for Ukraine. In my upcoming presidential year, I hope to lead our club in funding a solar-powered well and greenhouse project for remote desert communities of the Navajo Nation and our endowment to support the many worthy humanitarian organizations facing crises around the world.
Rotary’s work is driven by volunteers and donors who believe in making a difference. Consider joining us a member, volunteer, or donor with our club or the Rotary Foundation and its global initiatives. As conflicts persist and humanitarian challenges evolve, Rotary International remains steadfast in its commitment to service. Even in the face of adversity, people united by a common purpose can create a more just and compassionate world.
We invite you to join us for Crabfest—our biggest fundraiser of the year—only a week away on Saturday, February 22 at 5:30pm at Cottonwood on the Greens. Please purchase tickets in advance. It will feature a delicious meal, an auction of unique and interesting items from around the world, and opportunities to learn more about our local and international projects. Email losalamosrotary1312@gmail.com for more info.
This week, I’ll be sharing about my recent trip to Bolivia. I’m not sure I can condense two weeks of adventure and exploration into 30 minutes, but I’ll try! If you can’t make it in person, you can also join on Zoom.
Crab Fest Feb 22
Crab Fest tickets are now available. Join us at Cottonwood on the Greens on February 22. Doors open at 5:30. Crab legs are served at 7:00. There is also an auction if you’d like to donate something. There are only 150 seats so get yours before they’re gone!
Pancake Breakfast May 4
Our club will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge on May 4 from 7a-11p. We’re still looking for about six volunteers so if you can help, please talk to Linda Bullock!
You can find all of our upcoming events on the calendar.
This week, we honor the life and legacy of civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King. King believed life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” As Rotarians, we have the opportunity and duty to carry forward his vision by addressing the pressing needs in our communities and promoting peace, equality, and justice. Whether it’s through local service projects, global humanitarian efforts, or mentoring future leaders, our actions should reflect that shared belief in the dignity and worth of every individual. Let’s take inspiration from Dr. King’s dream of a more unified world and continue his legacy by recommitting ourselves to building bridges of understanding, empowering those in need, and leading with purpose.
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke
This Week’s Speaker: District Governor Yasser Murga
Join us this week as District Governor Yasser Murga visits us in Los Alamos. Yasser was first introduced to Rotary through RYLA in 1996. He is currently working with District 4110 to provide wheelchairs to individuals in Juarez, Mexico, promoting RYLA 2025, and focusing on membership growth.
He also mentioned our next District Conference wiil be in April, in El Paso TX.
Did you know District 5520 now has a podcast? Check out the most recent episode with Yasser to learn more about his priorities before his visit!
RYLA 2025 Registration Now Open!
RYLA scholarships are now available for $950 per camper. The RYLA kickoff was on January 7, but there will be additional meetings throughout the year. The boys’ and girls’ camps are July 13-19 and 19-25 respectively.
RYLA aims to empower youth leaders entering their senior high school year through exposure to experts in a variety of fields at camp held at the Manzano Mountain Retreat. These include astronauts, judges, lawyers, physicians, and business owners who offer tools and support to help campers develop leadership skills they can rely upon for the rest of their lives. 7-10 campers will share a cabin with 2 Counselors for the entire week who will support and guide campers through the 4-Way Test in a fun way through games and physical activities.
Experience the “Magic of Rotary” with exciting events: a welcome at the new ”Children’s Museum at La Nube”, networking with fellow Rotarians, a night of baseball with the Chihuahuas, and hands-on service projects.
I hope the new year is off to a good start and everybody is still sticking to their new year resolutions! As a club, I hope we can commit to recruiting new members, collaborating on new projects, and making more of an impact in our local communities and abroad. I’m currently recharging my soul in Bolivia, mountain biking the world’s deadliest road, watching the pink flamingos of the altiplano, hiking to new heights, exploring ancient Incan temples, and embracing the colorful traditions. Meanwhile, I’m also keeping an eye out for opportunities to collaborate with the local Rotary clubs. See below for a Rotary sighting from Uyuni, home of the world’s largest salt flat.
Yours in Rotary, James Wernicke
This Week’s Speaker: LAPD Chief Sgambellone
We are honored to welcome Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone as this week’s guest speaker. With a distinguished career in law enforcement and a commitment to community safety, Chief Sgambellone has been a vital leader in ensuring Los Alamos remains a safe and thriving place to live and work.
As Chief of Police, he has implemented innovative programs and fostered strong community partnerships to address local challenges. Today, he will share insights on the current state of public safety, the department’s ongoing initiatives, and how we can all play a role in fostering a safe and connected community.
Santa Fe Peace Conference in October
The Santa Fe El Centro Rotary club is hoping to hold a peace conference in October of this year as well as erecting a peace pole in one of the Santa Fe parks. La Fonda has generously offered to host the luncheon and the club is busy recruiting speakers. They also hope to have an art show of work done by local school students that to auction off to raise funds. The club has already committed $500 towards this expense. It would be much appreciated if our club could add a donation to our budget.
You may have noticed there hasn’t been a newsletter in a while. That’s because between tying off loose ends on work projects before the long holiday break, planning family adventures for the break, and enjoying said adventures, I’ve been really busy! But I finally have some downtime, relaxing with family and friends in Mexico. I hope you all are relaxing, surrounded by those dear to you.
Tales from Mexico
Although our trip was primarily destined for Huasteca Potosina, we stopped to meet with members of the Rotary Club of Monclova whom I first met at the Bi-District Conference last month. They’re working on some interesting service projects including bringing clean water to schools and a mobile healthcare clinic to service rural areas.
We met with members of the Rotary Club of Monclova on the first night of our trip.
As you enter and leave Monclova, there are prominent Rotary signs showing their meeting times and locations.
Trey & I rappelled down a 164-foot cliff next to Cascadas de Minas Viejas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
After swimming behind a waterfall, diving through a submerged cave, climbing up through a hidden cavern, we popped out here for this family photo at Puente de Dios, San Luis Potosi, Mex.
Cuetlaxochitl (poinsettia) on display in Alejandra’s hometown of Durango, the colonial capital of Mexico.
Our next club meeting will be January 7. LAHS Interact Club President Alyssa Sun will present what Interact has been doing this year. I won’t spoil it, but they’ve been doing a lot!
December Club Party Recap
Our club’s holiday party at Muy Salsas was a great chance to catch up with members and their families, reminisce on what was accomplished in 2024, and start looking forward to what’s to come in 2025. To those members who couldn’t make it, we missed you! Here’s some pictures shared by members.
2025 Crab Fest Coming Soon!
Club President Greg Viola is currently working out the logistics with Cottonwood on the Greens and Knights of Columbus to host our biggest fundraiser. We need all the help we can get with advertising, sponsorships, and serving meals. Have some ideas? Please share them at the next meeting or email board@rotarylosalamos.org.
Bagel & Bingo Breakfast January 10
The Los Alamos Community Foundation is a hosting a free community breakfast Friday, January 10 8:30-10 AM at the Betty Ehart Senior Center where you can learn more about what’s coming up (grants, programs, meetings, etc.) and share your ideas for creating a stronger community!
As we enjoy delicious meals and cherished company this holiday, let’s take some time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for, and extend our gratitude to the community that supports us, the partners who join us in our efforts, and each one of you who dedicates your time and talents to making an positive impact in our community and beyond. Thank you for being an integral part of this Rotary family. May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, joy, and food comas.
Yours in Rotary, James Wernicke
LAHS Interact Club Raises $1334 To Combat Human Trafficking
Dear Rotarians,
Bob and I attended the Interact fundraiser last night in support of Vos Tambien, a non-profit in Argentina that works to prevent human trafficking. A representative from the organization gave a very informative presentation about Vos Tambien’s work and the heart-breaking circumstances they try to alleviate, especially among women and children. A sobering comment: “Drugs can only be sold once; a child can be sold over and over and over.”
With donations, a bake sale, and silent auction, Interactors raised $1342. They are to be congratulated for their hard work, attentive planning, and enthusiasm. We are so fortunate to have them representing Rotary!
See you on December 3rd. In the meantime, best wishes for a healthy and abundant Thanksgiving!
– Linda H.
Flowers For Linda
Dear Rotarians,
On behalf of our Club, I ordered this arrangement from Flowers by Gillian for Linda Bullock as she recovers from her recent fall. She assured me the flowers are beautiful and lifting her spirits!
– Linda H.
RYE Student Annabelle Rosette On Spain
Last week, Annabelle Rosette presented on her experience with Rotary Youth Exchange last year in Spain. During her time abroad, she fully embraced the culture, immersing herself in the language, traditions, and daily life of her host community and international friends. In addition to Spanish, she took Latin and Greek classes, walked the Camino de Santiago, and hiked the Pyrenees.
2025 Zone Institute Early Registration Ends Nov 30!
After an absence of 15 years, the Zone 26/27 Institute will be held in Albuquerque next October 23-25, 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Rotary beyond our communities and our District. Every Rotarian is welcome to attend the Institute but, based on my experience as a Club President and Governor, Club and District leaders will especially benefit from the Zone Institute experience!
You’ll meet Zone leadership as well as Rotary International and Rotary Foundation leaders. You’ll meet Rotarians from our Zones with lots of programs and ideas. Rotarians from West Texas to Hawaii, from New Mexico to the northern border (and even Vancouver, BC) will be there!
Experience peer-to-peer sessions, presentations on topics as diverse as AI, experiences of our Peace Fellow, a Polio Day project, dedicating a Peace Pole and, of course, presentation of District 5520 Governor-Elect Jeff Weinrach and Clare.
Early registration at considerable savings is available now through the end of November. Register now HERE or using the link on the attached flyer! See you there!
Tom Walker District 5520 Zone Institute Support Co-Chair
At tonight’s meeting, the County Council will recognize community organizations and Los Alamos Gives. Show your support by wearing your community organization shirt and nominating them for a chance at a $1000 grant. Visit https://losalamosgives.org for more info on how you can support location community organizations.
The Los Alamos High School Rotary Interact Club is hosting a silent auction supporting a local anti-human trafficking program called Vos Tambien! The event will be on Saturday, November 23, 6:30PM to 8PM at Fuller Lodge! There will be a guest speaker, a live string quartet, baked goods, and hot chocolate! Many local businesses have donated coupons and products to auction off, so this is your chance to get lucky!
Bi-District Conference Recap
This past weekend, I attended our Bi-District Conference in Juarez, Mexico to see what’s new with our southern neighbors in District 4110.
Friday’s icebreaker was an opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with old acquaintances over glasses of sotol, Chihuahua’s agave-based social lubricant. The conference ceremonially opened with a warm welcome of the conference back to Mexico and exchange of gifts between District Governors Sergio Tejeda and Yasser Murga.
After the opening ceremonies, it was off to the dinner hall where members traded flags of their home countries and were treated to a mariachi performance.
At Saturday’s Project Fair, the Monclova club presented their work providing purified water to schools in their hometown. Many students in their community suffer from diabetes and other health effects due to drinking sugary drinks because there is no safe water available to drink in their schools.
Other Global Grant projects included the prevention of Rickettsial (tick-borne) disease, improving math education through gamification, a sensory chamber for children with neurological impairments, and cooling chambers to reduce the harm of oxygen deprivation in premature births. Other projects included providing cataract surgeries, meals for afterschool programs, orthopedic surgeries, wheelchairs, heart surgeries, and an ambulance to communities in need. More details about these projects can be found at 4110-5520.com.
There’s a big world of Rotary outside of our club. Here’s some links to learn more:
This week, Kurt Schoenberg will present his follow-up talk on fusion energy.
Kurt is an accomplished physicist and scientific leader with over 30 years of experience at large and complex R&D organizations, facilities, and projects. At the Los Alamos National Laboratory, he developed and led major research initiatives in neutron-based science, high energy density physics, inertial confinement science, magnetic fusion energy, plasma-based manufacturing, plasma-based space propulsion, and more. Most recently, Kurt was a member of the senior management team at Los Alamos, where he was Director of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) and Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for Experimental Physical Sciences. As LANSCE Director, he led the Laboratory’s premier accelerator-based facility for national security, energy security, isotope production, and fundamental science research. He also directed experimental physical science research in material science, nuclear physics, and plasma physics within the Physical Sciences Directorate at Los Alamos.
Today, Kurt is managing partner of Applied Science Enterprises LLC, a scientific consulting company providing science-based counsel to government and industry. He also serves as the Spokesperson for the High Energy Density Physics Collaboration (HED@FAIR) at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR).
Kurt received his B.S. in Engineering Physics with high honours from the University of Illinois in 1972 and earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1979.
Welcome Our Newest Member, Victoria Garcia!
Last week, Victoria Garcia was inducted into our club. Victoria is a dedicated and results-oriented Sales Manager with over a decade of experience in the Senior Care industry. She combines strong client relationship management skills with a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors through compassionate, safety-focused service. Bilingual in Spanish, she excels in cross-functional communication, project management, and training development. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She also designed this year’s Meals of Hope flyer. Welcome, Victoria!
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