Monthly Archives: April 2014
NEXT MEETING: May 2, 2014Forensic Linguistics: Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say?
Language can be used to conceal or deceive, and politics can provide motive. Using video from a real-life event in the 2012 primary season, this talk demonstrates how a linguist analyzes language to determine what is really being said. An innocent-sounding conversation may have violated election law. Our speaker, Joseph Devney, M.A., is a linguist with a particular interest in the intersection of language and law. He studied linguistics at Georgetown University and forensic linguistics at Hofstra University. He has taught at universities in the Bay Area, and given continuing education classes to lawyers on the topic of forensic linguistics. He is a member of the International Association of Forensic Linguists, and spoke at their conference in Amsterdam in 2009. MEETING OFWelcomePresident Liliane Koziol welcomed everyone. Visiting RotariansJeff Mulivihill of Reading Rotary wasn’t here. This is a first for Jeff. Rotarians with GuestsLiliane guest was her husband Ken. Our speaker, Tim Stroshane, also brought along a a guest, his friend Lance Williams. Announcements• Fred Collignon sang (not literally) the praises of BARSHEEP. Fred thanked Pam Jones for her help. • The Rotary District Conference in Vallejo on May 3rd.2014. The 4-way speech contest final will also take place here. Nikki Basa (winner at Richmond Rotary) is in the final. We all wish her success. • June 14 offers the hyperactive Rotarian the opportunity for a hat-trick: David Brown informed us that it will be Peace Garden Maintenance Day. Dirt, sweat, and camaraderie. What’s not to like? June 14th is also Bocce Ball Day for our two teams (talk to Alan Baer if you want in). And Mark Howe announced his shared Auction prize BBQ will take place that afternoon at his house. Bing, bing, bang. • Speaking of auction prizes, Joe Bagley and Connie Tritt’s “Summer Of Love” happening will take place at Joe’s pad on Saturday July 26th 4-6 pm. If you didn’t win this item at the holiday auction but still want to attend, talk to Joe about a suitable level of contribution. • Lilliane made a request for children’s text/reading books to be collected at the club, in two weeks time, for children in India. • Jan Brown advised us that the Teen Mom’s gift-bag preparation would take place here, at our meeting, on May 9th. As in past years, Jan and her helpers will have organized the diapers, blankets, books and other items in a way that enable members to create the gift bags for teen moms at Richmond High School. Clorox, the Linus Project, and Dan Tanita all deserve a thanks for their contributions to the annual event. • The Kiwanis & Rotary Kids Fishing Derby is on Saturday May 31st. We still need chaperones between 9-2pm for 30 kids aged 8-12. One chaperone for each two kids. Hot dog lunch provided. RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsenseThe kindergarten class went on a field trip to the local police station, where a kindly patrolman showed them around. Stopping in front of a “Ten Most Wanted” poster, he explained how citizens often help bring about arrests. “Are those pictures of the bad guys?” asked one six-year-old. The policeman soberly informed him they were indeed. PROGRAMAn update on the California Water Project
Tim Stroshane, senior research associate for the California Water Impact Network returned to provide a follow-up presentation based on Governor Brown’s support for the Twin Tunnel project due to current drought conditions. Mr. Stroshane believes that, if built, the Twin Tunnels project will have significant consequences for the entire state: its residents, agriculture, wildlife. Mr. Stroshane wanted a lively question and answer period, and he got it. Members had many excellent questions about the environmental impacts, the political levers that concerned citizens could (or could not) pull, and the impact of the continuing drought on prospects for the project go-ahead. Alan Blavins, wrung out scribe |
NEXT MEETING: April 25, 2014An update on the California State Water Project
Back by popular demand, Tim Stroshane, senior research associate for the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN), will provide a follow-up presentation based on Governor Brown’s recent decision to go ahead with the Twin Tunnel project because of current drought conditions. A Bay Area urban planner since 1988, Tim took up freelancing on California water issues in 1998 before launching his newsletter, SPILLWAY, in 2000, which addresses California water and development topics. Through SPILLWAY, he associated with members of C-WIN to cover water issues, CalFED and Delta water politics, court decisions on water, and water markets. He brings to C-WIN his extensive knowledge of California water history, law and politics, and his organizational skills to help build the Network at a critical time. MEETING OF April 18, 2014WelcomePresident elect Stoney Stonework filled in for absent Prez Liliane Koziol, and he called the meeting to order at the Richmond Country Club. Nick Despota led the pledge of allegiance and Stoney asked for a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth. Sid Chauvin offered this ponderous thought for the day: “Take the time to be quiet.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJon Lawlis was accompanied by his clearly superior half, Darlene. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsenseJesus was walking through the streets, and he noticed a group throwing stones at an adulteress. He stopped and said to the crowd, “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.” All of a sudden, a big stone came out of the crowd and hit the woman right on the head. Jesus stopped, taken aback, then looked up and said, “Mom…?!!” PROGRAMAn immigration memoir: New White Sandals
Toula Siakotos, author of New White Sandals, A Memoir, spoke about her recently published book. The memoir recounts her experiences in the 1940′s & 1950′s in a small village in Greece, during Germany’s occupation of Greece and the bloody civil war that followed. As a result of dramatic traumatic events in her family, Toula left her home and the only life she knew and crossed the Atlantic, alone, at the tender age of eleven in search for a brighter tomorrow in a distant land. - Josh Surowitz, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: April 18, 2014Fleeing civil war, building a life in America
Toula Siakotos, author of New White Sandals, A Memoir, will talk about her recently published book. The memoir recounts her experiences in the 1940’s & 1950’s in a small village in Greece, during Germany’s occupation of Greece and the bloody civil war that followed. As a result of dramatic traumatic events in her family, Toula left her home and the only life she knew and crossed the Atlantic, alone, at the tender age of eleven in search for a brighter tomorrow in a distant land. MEETING OF Friday April 11, 2014WelcomePrez Liliane was busy with Cal Day duties at the UC so Secretary, ADG-In-Waiting PP Alan Baer called to order the stalwart few of the Richmond Rotary Club. The lovely Stephanie Baer was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Waller led us in the invocation. Sergeant at Arms Sid Chauvin’s absence deprives us of Words of Wisdom for the day. Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsenseMore quotes from W. C. Fields … PROGRAMThe Richmond Community Foundation and the role of philanthropy
Acting Prez Alan interdicted the otherwise well known Josh Genser, but with a different ‘hat’ as he is Chairman of the Board of the Richmond Community Foundation (RCF). Josh began his presentation about the RCF asking a series of thought-provoking questions about contributions, ‘giving’ and philanthropy in general. He noted that many people today have surprisingly large net worth, surprising to themselves as well as others. Also many people do not have a clear idea of their net worth and this statement seemed to be supported by a show of hands when only about half the members acknowledged that the did know this important but ever changing number. Then asking the rhetorical question, ”How many in the room plan to leave an estate to their heirs?”, Josh suggested that if that estate was only 90% of actual value:
Josh also provided a short history of the RCF which started in the early 1990s with settlement proceeds from the General Chemical sulfuric acid spill litigation. RCF started as the Richmond Children’s Fund and developed and operated Richmond College Preparatory K-6 Charter School on Florida St. next to Nystrom Elementary School. The school opened to enrich and improve academic performance and opportunities in the community but eventually concluded that the entire neighborhood needed to be improved, not just the schools. So RCF launched the Nystrom United Revitalization Effort (NURVE) to rebuild the whole community around Nystrom school. This has included the school MLK Jr. Park, and the community center. RCF is also very proud of its unique collaborative, umbrella organization model for otherwise uncoordinated community 501c3 non-profits. As an example of this success Josh describe SparkPoint Richmond which is a one stop, financial crisis intervention service agency that helps low income people resolve serious problems and perform standard tasks (like income tax preparation) essential to living in a modern economy. The RCFs services to donors are particularly valuable in a community like Richmond that has 186 community 501c3 nonprofits interested in helping the community and your donations. As RCF ED Jim Becker said during the Q&A, Not all nonprofits are equally efficient in helping the community or leveraging benefit from donor funds (or something like that anyway.) Thank you Josh G. & Jim B. for an informative program about the Richmond Community Foundation. Substitute, substitute, substitute Editor Jim Young, standing in for Josh S., Tom W. & Dandy Don Lau |
NEXT MEETING: April 11, 2014The Richmond Community Foundation
The mission of The Richmond Community Foundation (RCF) is to help build the capacity of the Richmond community by serving as a Community Leader, Collaborator, and Broker, and by leveraging assets of all kinds in order to create and sustain a strong, healthy city. Josh Genser, RCF Board Chair, will talk about how the organization seeks to make philanthropy and philanthropists more effective in delivering good deeds in Richmond. In fact, how can we all become better philanthropists? MEETING OFWelcomeOur lady President Liliane Koziol welcomed everyone while standing alone at the head table. The pledge was lead by Jonathan Lawlis, the invocation by who else but Stoney? Visiting RotariansJeff Mulivihill again! Will he ever join? Rotarians with Guests.Liliane had 6 guests from across the world. 5 students of International House, Berkeley. They were: Hatti Sudell, of the U.K. (I got to use my first language: English), Patricie Mavubi (Ruwanda), Sider Dlamini (Swaziland), Michel Brun (France), Saddig Nuru (Botswana), and their bus driver Willie Bennett. Announcements• The UC Berkeley International House has announces its Springfest. The country of Focus this year is Korea. The event takes place on Saturday April 12th, between 10-30 am and 4pm. For more information, send an email ihousespringfest@gmail.com or call 510.642.9461 • The club received a thank you letter from “Kids Power”, expressing gratitude for our support of their work. • Henry Moe informed us that Nikki Basa (winner at Richmond Rotary) won again and moves on to the next round in Vallejo on May 3rd.2014. Rock on Nikki! RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s Nonsense“Madame Fortune Teller, tell me: “Are there golf courses in heaven?” PROGRAMBotswana the Desert Country that Blossomed with Independence
Seretes Khama, the paramount Chief of the largest tribe the Bamangwato, was educated in Oxford, England, in the 1959s, after being banished to Britain for marrying Ruth Williams (1948), a white English woman. Winston Churchill decreed that the exile should be “permanent”. In 1956 he returned to Africa, after Khamas fellow chiefs traveled to London to appeal his banishment. He returned to become Chief in 1963. Fast Forward to 2014: 48 years. President Khama encouraged mineral exploration in the early 70’s: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, soda ash and cobalt. Botswana is the largest producer of diamonds in the world by value. The country now produce 30 million carats per year. The diamond dealer Debawana is moving its London-based international sorting and marketing operations entirely to Gaborone. Ten percent of the diamonds produced will be sold there. This adds 5 billion to Botswana’s GDP. The per capita revenue has risen from $80 to over $17,000. Tourism has becomes second only to minerals as an income producer with over 300 lodges and permanent tented camps in game parks. Twenty percent of the country is set aside as game preserves. The 8 miles of roads have been transformed into over 4,000 miles of paved roads—the most miles per capita of any nation. There has been a steady reduction in poverty from 59% in 1986 to 23% in 2008. Botswana has consistently been ranked as the least corrupt country in Africa: 32nd in the world, and less corrupt than 9 EU countries. There are 9 free years of education and 300 secondary schools. And lastly, The University of Botswana created in the 1970’s today has a student population of over 10,000. Alan Blavins, our back-from-holiday Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: April 4, 2014A visit from the Consul General of Botswana
The Consul General of Botswana, Honorable Charles Frankel will introduce us to Botswana. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country’s conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. MEETING OFWelcomeAlan Baer presided over our meeting today, since president Liliane was away on some other Rotary business. Alan led the pledge, and Herb Cole recited Stoney’s now famous invocation. Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsenseYogi Berra spent most of his adult life in baseball, both as a player and as manager. Even though this Hall of Famer never got past the 8th grade, he is known for his philosophical observations and remarks, most of which are understood only by him. We recently printed some of his quotes and following are some more… – “It ain’t over til it’s over.” PROGRAM
Leah Mcintosh, the accomplished sister of our very own Lesa Mcintosh, was introduced today by her sister. Leah has served the community through her work on the library commission, the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, and in many other capacities. Today she serves as the Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator of HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, Contra Costa County). HICAP provides free and objective information and counseling about Medicare. Their volunteer counselors help understand clients’ specific rights and health care options. HICAP is funded by the federal government. Its volunteers are required to commit 30 hours per week after 10 hours of training. Is not easy and most volunteers are cut from the program. Rigorous training is necessary to competently understand a complicated program like medicare. The program helps eligible people 65 with the basic medicare questions: where is the local office that I enroll at, who do I talk to, how old do I have to be to qualify and other basic rules of the program. Because HICAP is government-funded, no one tries to sell a participants anything. All services are provided free of charge. Its mission is to offer counseling, advocacy, information, and community education. Mark Howe, Rotating Editor |
Our speaker was Consul General of Botswana, Honorable Charles Frankel. Mr. Frankel opened his talk by saying he will have to tell the truth because a Botswana student was present. His talk took the form of “Botswana Then, 1960, and Botswana Now, 2014”. It was captivating as well as very informative. With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation Chuck showed us how large Africa is and exactly where Botswana was ( I wasn’t sure). Some 70% of the country was desert, namely the Kalahari.
In 1966 Botswans became independent. Population stood at 600.000. Of those, 20,000 lived in the new Capital Mafeking. Per capita income was in the 10% poorest nations: $80 annually. There were only 8 miles of paved roads. No government schools or hospitals. Three private secondary schools. And fewer than 10 college graduates. The economy was dependent on beef exports. Main income source was remittances from Botswana miners, all men, in apartheid South Africa. Chief Seretse Khama became President, and Gaborone the new capital.
