Spring has sprung here in Saratoga! Flowers are blooming, the weather is mild, and the days are starting to feel longer.
With February being a short month, we only had 3 speakers, but they were a good mix:
Sridhar Pursai presented a number of beautiful photographs from their recent trip to see the Northern Lights. He also gave us a better understanding of what is involved in taking such amazing photographs with tips for us amateur photographers.
Our own Gene Zambetti regaled us with more fascinating stories about our town’s history with a focus this time on the building and opening of highway 85. Who knew that Carol’s Mom was the driving force behind getting this indispensable freeway built – and that Barry was a skateboarding wiz performing stunts at the opening of Highway 85!
Moryt Milo, an editor at San José Spotlight gave us some updates on their newspaper and discussed the value of and need for local newspapers in our community.
Along with the warming of our town, this month is also heating up in our club. This includes more opportunities to hear from our own members:
March 6: Dave Eshelman, AKA John Wayne, will be telling us the story of the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment from his viewpoint as one of the guards
March 13: This will be a very exciting meeting as we host a District 5170 speech contest at our club. Make sure you don’t miss this chance to hear from some of the best high school speakers in our area.
March 20: Carol Woodward will be presenting this week and giving us fascinating insights into the Neurological Science of Design and Color.
March 27: David Hoyt, a leading docent at the Computer History Museum will be providing us some history of the museum and Silicon Valley.
There’s also lots of activities going on outside of our meetings, including our 2nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Potato Bar. So, make sure to get involved and join in on the fun!
As we all know, the Saratoga Rotary Art Show is much more than a weekend event - it is our Club’s largest collective effort and one of the most visible ways we serve our community.
Beginning May 1, the grounds of West Valley College will start transforming as we prepare for our 67th annual Art Show. The 2026 show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 2 and 3, featuring outstanding artists, live entertainment, and food, from local vendors. And let's not forget the wine, beer and mimosas.
Putting together an event of this scale truly takes the entire Club. From contracts and permits to sponsorships, logistics, artist coordination, publicity, and volunteer scheduling, many members have already been working tirelessly behind the scenes. As Art Show Co-Chairs, Maria and I are grateful for the time, expertise, and commitment each of you brings to make this signature community event possible.
We are pleased to report that the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation Board of Directors approved two grants in February totaling $12,300 to fund the following worthy projects:
Saratoga Fire Protection District. Our grant of $7,300 will be used by to purchase a rebuilt engine for our Fire Protection District’s historic 1938 Ford Model A Fire Engine, which be installed by Saratoga community volunteers. The classic fire engine has been out of commission, but we hope to see it with its new engine at the Art Show.
Institute for the Study of Western Civilization. Our grant of $5,000 will provide scholarships for local teachers to take University-level accredited courses at the Institute covering the history, art, culture, challenges, and achievements of Western civilization.
Our club welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse with a festive Lunar New Year dinner at The Grand Dynasty in Cupertino on February 19. The evening brought together 32 members for a wonderful celebration filled with tradition, laughter, and community spirit. The restaurant set the perfect backdrop for ringing in the new year, creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
We were treated to an array of delicious dishes, each one better than the last, making it a true feast to remember. Beyond the great food, the highlight of the evening was the lively conversations and camaraderie shared around the tables. It was a fantastic way to start the Lunar New Year—surrounded by friends, good fortune, and great company.
Step into your Rotary journey with clarity and confidence! The District Learning Assembly on April 11, 2026, atOhlone College is the perfect place to learn, collaborate, and prepare for a strong Rotary year. The DLA will equip you with practical insights, district resources, and meaningful connections to help your club thrive. We encourage all new members and incoming leaders to register and be part of this energizing day of growth and fellowship.
A gift may be expected A gift may be a surprise The giving of a gift Can make you feel alive
You give someone a gift Someone you care about A special gift A thoughtful gift
When you make someone happy And you see that you do There’s a shared pleasure For THEM and for you
A gift can be something For someone you know Or a good deed for a stranger Whom you’ll never know
A gift of time A gift of kindness A gift of help A gift of compassion
There are many gifts You could think of others But none is so endearing As the gift of LOVE
Happy pre-Valentine’s Day to you all
By Sangita Seshadri
You don’t have to be like anyone else to be enough — your light shines brightest when you simply let yourself be you.”
Pooh never tried to be smarter than Owl, faster than Tigger, or braver than Christopher Robin. He just loved his honey, his friends, and the little joys that made him smile. And somehow, that made him special — because he was real.
The truth is, comparison steals the sweetness from your soul. There’s always someone doing more, having more, or going somewhere you’re not — but none of that changes your own magic. You have your own rhythm, your own heart, your own beautiful way of moving through this world.
So be proud of your pace. Be gentle with your journey. Celebrate the little things that make you, you. Because the world doesn’t need another perfect person — it just needs someone genuine, kind, and content in their own skin.
Our February visit to Yosemite National Park was a memorable winter adventure. Vikas and I drove out on a Friday evening knowing that there was a very slim likelihood of seeing the amazing Firefalls. The first day greeted us with cloudy skies and very few visitors, giving us the rare treat of experiencing the park in peaceful, uncrowded conditions. We made our way to Horsetail Fall in hopes of witnessing the famous Firefall, but nature had other plans—there was no flowing water and no sun to create the glowing effect. Even without the Firefall, the quiet beauty of the snow-dusted landscape made the day special.
Mix all the ingredients together in a big bowl. You can add boiled diced potatoes. This dish can be garnished with chopped coriander, chopped green chilies, sliced or diced onions, and shoestring potato sticks. Use your imagination and add color to it. Serve with naan bread, rice or have it as a salad.
As we all know, the Saratoga Rotary Art Show is much more than a weekend event - it is our Club’s largest collective effort and one of the most visible ways we serve our community.
Our club welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse with a festive Lunar New Year dinner at The Grand Dynasty in Cupertino on February 19. The evening brought together 32 members for a wonderful celebration filled with tradition, laughter, and community spirit. The restaurant set the perfect backdrop for ringing in the new year, creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
We were treated to an array of delicious dishes, each one better than the last, making it a true feast to remember. Beyond the great food, the highlight of the evening was the lively conversations and camaraderie shared around the tables. It was a fantastic way to start the Lunar New Year—surrounded by friends, good fortune, and great company.
Step into your Rotary journey with clarity and confidence! The District Learning Assembly on April 11, 2026, at Ohlone College is the perfect place to learn, collaborate, and prepare for a strong Rotary year. The DLA will equip you with practical insights, district resources, and meaningful connections to help your club thrive. We encourage all new members and incoming leaders to register and be part of this energizing day of growth and fellowship.
Our February visit to Yosemite National Park was a memorable winter adventure. Vikas and I drove out on a Friday evening knowing that there was a very slim likelihood of seeing the amazing Firefalls. The first day greeted us with cloudy skies and very few visitors, giving us the rare treat of experiencing the park in peaceful, uncrowded conditions. We made our way to Horsetail Fall in hopes of witnessing the famous Firefall, but nature had other plans—there was no flowing water and no sun to create the glowing effect. Even without the Firefall, the quiet beauty of the snow-dusted landscape made the day special.