Monthly Archives: March 2013
NEXT MEETING: March 29, 2013A Day In the Life of Casino San Pablo
James Grant, Head of Security for Casino San Pablo visits Richmond Rotary to talk about what does and does not go on at an urban casino. Mr. Grant says he is looking forward to the question and answer period. MEETING OF March 22, 2013WelcomePresident Elect Liliane Koziol filled in for Prez Jim Young and welcomed the club on a beautiful day. Josh Genser led us all in the Pledge, and Stoney offered an invocation for freedom, justice and peace on Earth, in special memory of our esteemed long-time member John Nicol. Visiting RotariansBob Romero visited us from the Walnut Creek lunch club, where he is their President-elect. Rotarians with GuestsJon Lawlis was with his lovely wife, Darlene. Sunshine ReportHank Covell let the group know that although Henry Kelman has been having a very hard time of it, that he is starting to feel somewhat better. Announcements
Recognitions
Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseAlaska’s Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and be observant. They advise that outdoor enthusiasts wear bells on their clothing and carry pepper spray. They also recommend watching out for fresh signs of bear activity, and learning the difference between black bear and grizzly bear dung: Black bear dung is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear dung has little bells in it and smells like pepper spray. PROGRAMFishing Surinam. Fishing London.
Our Richmond Rotary Club has had some adventurers over the years, but none seem to be on a level with Alan Blavins, who regaled us with his images and commentary about his most recent expedition – to Suriname. Alan started taking these trips with his son, 20 years old at the time, after watching “River Monsters” on National Geographic. Though Suriname is in South America, it is not so easy to get to. So much so that they first had to fly to Amsterdam. Apparently, though Suriname boasts the most pristine jungle in the world. It also has more casinos than Las Vegas, in its capital. But clanking slot machines are not what brought the Blavins men to Suriname. After a dangerous ride down a river a million miles from anywhere, they first caught Piranha for bait, including 5 and 8 pounders. They then proceeded to catch 20 enormous and beautiful fish in less than an hour. The reason being that that part of the river had never been fished! Words cannot describe how these creatures appeared. A hundred degrees plus, right on the equator, they slept on hammocks on a tarantula-infested porch. They also caught a 120-pound cat fish!
Pinch-Hitting Scribe Josh Surowitz |
NEXT MEETING: March 22, 2013Fishing Surinam. Fishing London.
Alan Blavins will delight the club with pictures and highlights of his recent trip to Surinam, plus a “Fishing Lesson Near London”. Look out for the 8 pound piranha! MEETING OF March 15, 2013WelcomePresident Jim Young called our meeting to order on a nice day with many of us looking forward to the weeken. Red Badger Felix “Tree Man” Hunziker had the honor of leading us in the Pledge. Stoney asked all to have a silent prayer for peace, freedom and justice. Prez Jim offered a thought for health and wellness for all! Visiting RotariansJulie Gee was visiting from the El Sobrante Club. Rotarians with GuestsPrez Jim had as his guest wife/driver Linda and Joan Davis had as her guest Holly Henke, Director of Development for the Richmond Community Foundation (and a former Rotarian). Sunshine ReportHerb Cole is still in Texas tending to mom. John Nicol has been released from the hospital and is at home. All are encouraged to visit. Stoney reported that Henry Kelman is in Kaiser in San Rafael, room 4018?, calls are welcomed. Announcements
Special EventsThere was a brief Club Assembly and discussion regarding potential Club projects that the Board is considering. They are as follows:
Please talk with fellow Rotarians about what you think would be good project(s) for the Club to take on. Recognitions
Happy and Sad DollarsTo allow enough time for presentation of project proposal (see Special Events, above) we deferred our customary Happy and Sad Dollars. Norm’s NonsenseOnly talking animals are allowed in bars. – A penguin waddles into a bar and asks the bartender: “Has my dad been in here today?” -A dog walked into a bar and said to the bartender: “I’m a talking dog. Do you have a free drink for a talking dog?” -A grasshopper hopped into a bar and the bartender said: “Say, we have a drink named after you.” PROGRAMThe California Symphony
Prez Jim introduced Betty and Tom Overhoff with the California Symphony in Walnut Creek, a regional symphony and possibly the “best kept secret” in the County. Betty is involved with sales for the Symphony and Tom is the president of the board. Formed 26 years ago, the Symphony has an annual budget of $1.2 million. They recently hired a new 28 year old conductor Robert Trevino. Tom told us about a local school program called “Sound Minds” funded by the Richmond Community Foundation and offered to 1st grade students at E M Downer Elementary School. They are also part of Music in the Schools that was started in 1992 and has served 55,000 kids in 75 schools. We were all encouraged to go to the California Symphony and if you do Betty will probably be the one to greet you at the door. The Menehune, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: March 15, 2013The California Symphony. And more...
Betty and Tom Overhoff, with the California Symphony, will introduce us to a premiere cultural resource of Contra Costa County. The California Symphony’s programs are performed at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.The California Symphony also conducts and exciting and renowned music education programs, including “Sound Minds” which was launched in the Richmond/San Pablo area just this last year. website of the California Symphony. And the “more…”? We will have a short discussion focused exclusively on possible future projects. Lasting only 15 minutes—call it a “Mini-Assembly”—we’ll hear from members advocating possible volunteer projects. The discussion will be carried over to the next Board meeting, or the next Assembly, scheduled for April 26th. MEETING OF March 8, 2013WelcomePresident “One Eye” Jim Young called the meeting to order on another beautiful, sunny day at the Richmond Country Club. Lilliane Kozial had the honor of leading us in the Pledge. Stoney gave us the invocation and also noted there was a great editorial response regarding Rotary’s PolioPlus. Henry Kelman was back in the saddle with a Thought for the Day…”Dow was over 14K!” Rotarians with GuestsHenry’s brother Joe, no stranger to the Club, was his guest. Sunshine ReportHerb Cole is in Texas tending to mom. John Nicol is at Kaiser Richmond (3rd floor?) and guests are welcomed. Announcements
Special EventsPrez Jim had “Rotary at Work” T-Shirts for your scribe, Don Lau, and Joe Bagley, for helping out at the RotoCare Opening. Felix Hunziker, Lynn Martin, Alan Baer and daughter Stephanie were also treated to new T’s. RecognitionsNo birthdays, weddings or club anniversaries… zero, nada. Are we already starting to see the dwindling of the baby-boomer generation here in our club? Or is early spring the season of low births and few matrimonies? Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseHaving been invited to his friend’s wedding anniversary party, the man asked which apartment he should go to. “Go to the 11th floor,” the friend instructed. “Find apartment G, push the buzzer with your elbow, and when the door opens, quickly put your foot against it.” “Why such an elaborate plan?” asked the perplexed guest. “Well,” cried the host, “you’re not planning on coming empty-handed are you?” PROGRAMLead Like Lincoln
Lilliane introduced our speaker for the day, author Arnold Kunst, who offered an insightful look at our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Kunst began by telling us about Lincoln’s tremendous accomplishments, achieved in the face of the dimmest possible outlook for the continued existence of the young nation. In fact, James Buchanan the 15th President, thought he would be the last president of the United States. Mr. Kunst explained that Lincoln struggled to hold together a nation starkly divided by deeply opposed ideologies, a nation comprising 19 free states and 15 slave states. Given these conditions, Lincoln’s position at the top of the presidential pantheon was incredibly improbable. Nor did Lincoln’s apparent personal qualities suggest that he could fulfill the role of president: physically unattractive, suffering from chronic depression, lacking in administrative experience, foreign policy and military knowledge. Yet Lincoln did not step away from the challenges he faced during the country’s time of crisis. His capacity to lead rested in no small part on his ability to inspire people with the depth of his thoughts, the clarity of his expression, and the power of his rhetoric. We should all be able to “lead like Lincoln!” The Menehune, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: March 8, 2013Lead Like Lincoln
This Friday’s speaker, Arnold Kunst, will tell us how Lincoln’s leadership style, which forged a 19th century victory when victory was anything but certain, can be emulated by the harassed 21st century business and professional community. Mr. Kunst, who holds an M.A. in history, has fine-tuned his speaking skills with Toastmasters International. His Lincoln presentations, as well as his recently published Lincoln 365, arose out of an award-winning speech entitled ‘Lincoln Was a Loser.’ MEETING OF March 1, 2012WelcomePresident Jim Young called the meeting to order on a beautiful, sunny day at the Richmond Country Club. Dan Tanita had the honor of leading us in the Pledge. Stoney gave us the invocation and there was no Thought for the Day. We missed you Henry! Rotarians with GuestsMark Howe had as his guest Germana Maci, Prez Jim’s guest was wife Linda, and Alan Baer introduced Marin Trujillo, Community Engagement Coordinator for WCCUSD, who was representing Bruce Harter. Sunshine ReportIt was good to see Bill Kozial who did not have a report. Hank Covell reported that John Nicol was doing well and always looks forward to a phone call from Rotarians. David Brown expressed concern for Erle Brown’s liver. Prez Jim let us know that he cannot see out of his right eye…so everybody took advantage of his blind spot. Announcements
Special EventsMarin Trujillo was introduced and asked to speak about the book “Richmond Tales.” Marin gave a very compelling overview of what the book the book has meant to him and to the students in the school district. It has given students a sense of pride in the rich history of Richmond spanning the days when the Native Americans lived in the area, to the WWII boom, the Civil Rights movement and on into the future. It is written from the point of view of two children a boy of Mexican decent and a girl who is African American. There is excitement in the community about the book becoming a play “Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle” through the efforts of our Rotary Club. RecognitionsJoe “Swampy” Bagley did the honors: Your Scribe and his wife celebrated their 24th Anniversary in February. It also happened to be the 29th Anniversary of Dan Tanita and Your Scribe joining the Club one day apart (Quota??) Jerry Feagley, who is in pursuit of being the longest person to have a Red Badge, celebrated his 6th Anniversary in the Club. When are we scheduling his “Who Am I?” Bob Dabney celebrated 9 years in the Club. Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseYou know you are getting old when …. PROGRAMComing to a child's mind near you: the Bay Area Storytelling Festival
On May 17 they are having a Study Trip day when students from local schools can come to the Craneway to learn about storytelling. The cost is $350 to sponsor a class to attend so if anyone is interested sponsoring a group you can contact Jean at jellisen@sbcglobal.net Jean shared the impact that storytelling can have in enriching the lives of the young and old. Jean used storytelling to get her adopted son to learn more about his new community through the eyes of a dog named “Gonzo.” Jean does work with a number of local schools and emphasized that the best way to learn about one’s family history is through asking elders to tell stories about the past. If you were not there you missed Rafael Madrigal’s Urban Legend story about the “White Witch of Wildcat Canyon” Ask him about it some time. The Menehune, Rotating Editor |
Not satisfied with the amount of fishing they had done, the Blavins men hopped back on a plane, but this time to the UK, where Alan’s son has a fishery. Using an incredible technique with a 6-meter rod without reel, they managed to catch a 50- carp. Not a bad fish story!
Michelle Itagaki had the privilege of introducing our speaker Jean Ellisen, a trained storyteller, who was at our Club to help promote the Bay Area Storytelling Festival which will be held at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on May 18-19.