Honoring Dedication: The Paul Harris Fellow Award Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. The Club was proud to recognize John McPartland as a Paul Harris Fellow. Named after Rotary’s founder, this award is one of the highest honors in the organization, acknowledging individuals who have made significant contributions to The Rotary Foundation. John was presented with his PHF pin and medallion in recognition of his sustained dedication to Rotary’s global humanitarian missions and his local service efforts.
Investing in Culture: CV Arts Foundation Grant. Continuing the theme of local investment, the Club proudly presented a $1,000 community grant check to representatives from the Castro Valley Arts Foundation. Rotary understands that a thriving community needs vibrant culture, and this funding will help support the Foundation's vital mission of promoting arts education in our schools and ensuring creativity continues to flourish in Castro Valley.
Preserving Our Character: Ken Carbone on the "Flying A" The meeting concluded with an inspiring keynote presentation by a true Castro Valley champion, Ken Carbone. Ken, a lifelong resident and principal of Dolphin Graphics, has spent over 25 years guiding local redevelopment, from the Boulevard redesign to bringing in Trader Joe’s to Castro Valley, and is well-known to Rotarians as the longtime organizer of our popular annual Car Show.
Ken took us on a journey through the restoration of the historic Flying A Service Station on Castro Valley Boulevard. He shared the collaborative vision behind saving this landmark of "roadside Americana" and transforming a vintage gas station into the vibrant community hub it is today, home to Canyons Barbecue, Philz Coffee, and Beyond the Leaf. Ken’s talk emphasized the importance of preserving local history while adapting spaces for modern use, showing how blending nostalgia with innovation creates destinations where neighbors can continue to gather and celebrate Castro Valley’s unique character.
From celebrating John’s service to supporting local arts and cherishing our history, it was a meeting that truly captured the heart of what Castro Valley Rotary is all about.