Monthly Archives: June 2015
NEXT MEETING: July 10, 2015
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NEXT MEETING: June 26, 2015Horace Stonework DemotionThis is the day of President Stoney’s last official duty for this Rotary year and for him to ring the final bell of his term. We will not reveal to you all that’s in store, but with the assistance of President Demotion Pros, expect a possible reconstruction of his past with some revelations, a possible sweet and sour exposé, maybe even some honey tunes but all in sweet, tangy, spicy excellent gourmet taste that fits Stoney’s amazing BBQ sauce. You might even win a couple of sauce bottles. Who knows? Come and find out. Definitely an event not to miss. MEETING OF June 19, 2015WelcomeStoney presided over the meeting. He shared his thoughts about the shooting in Charleston. “I can’t help thinking about that young man and how he could do such a thing. This is a person, if he had been in interact or Rotaract might have had a whole different life, and we [Rotary] have to work harder to make sure kids have those opportunities so we know that we have done all we can do”. Mark Howe led the Pledge of Allegiance. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsGrier Graff and Pamela Doolan from Berkeley Rotary, Paul Allen, Bill McLaughlin and Clavel Fender wife of Charlie Fender. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMRichmond Rotarians at Work – in Las Varas, Nayarit, MexicoThe speakers for today were Shana Bagley, Josh Genser, Norm Lundberg and Jim and Linda Young who spoke about their incredible trip to Mexico. The Berkeley Rotary sponsored a multiyear grant project to rebuild a school in Mexico. A wonderful slide show was put together and each Rotarian and Linda shared their thoughts on the trip. Shana Bagley said that this trip changed her life and is the big reason why she joined Rotary. Grier Graff , from Berkeley Rotary, was the manager of the project and steered it to completion. The 4 weeks of work was the culmination of many years of preparation and a 3 year multiyear grant from Rotary International. The work day was from 8:30am – 1:00pm which left just enough time for socializing and enjoying the food and drink of Mexico. Congratulations to all who completed this project and especially the group from Richmond Rotary who made us all look good. Henry Moe, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: June 19, 2015Richmond Rotarians at Work – in Las Varas, Nayarit, MexicoFour Richmond Rotarians – Shana Bagley (Howe), Josh Genser, Norm Lundberg, and Jim Young – along with Linda Young, participated in Berkeley Rotary’s 2015 Spring International Project in Las Varas, Nayarit, Mexico. They will share their experiences (and photos) of rebuilding a high school, the stories of the local people whose lives have been touched by this 15+year project, and of the fellowship of working side by side with 25 other Rotary clubs. In 1998, Berkeley Rotary started this project by repairing a broken down, one-room high school in Chacala (about 100 km from Puerto Vallarta). In this remote and poor agricultural town, few students attended school beyond 8th grade. Girls were discouraged from attending school. This successful Rotary project has expanded to neighboring Las Varas, La Peñita, and Zacualpan. Now, 75% of the students go to high school and many are attending college and graduate school. Rotary has rebuilt schools, libraries, a community center, vision center, teaching facilities, and computer, culinary, and chemistry laboratories. MEETING OF June 12, 2015WelcomeStoney opened the meeting with a joke: “ A man goes to the cinema and sitting in front of him is a man with his dog. The dog laughs and smiles at the films funny parts and even cries at the sad parts. This continues throughout the film. At its end, the man leans over and says to the dog owner “Your dog seemed to enjoy the film.” “Yes” replied the dog’s owner. “Which is very strange because he didn’t think much of the book.” This set the mood for the rest of the meeting. Sid’s thought for the day: “The only reason a child has a middle name is that he will know when he’s been real naughty.” Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMCannabis: A look at Local, State and National LawsBill Koziol is a busy man. His working life is split between 20% Real Estate and 70% in his medical marijuana dispensary business. He is the director and a board member of Telegraph Health Center. All this plus a wife and family. Bill told a heartfelt story about how he made his connection with cannabis. When his father was struck with cancer, the combination of chemo and powerful medication made him perpetually nauseous. He couldn’t hold down anything. So he tried marijuana, which restored his appetite and made last days of his life much more comfortable. This changed the way Bill viewed cannabis. Bill gave a history of cannabis in the 20th century, from its introduction for recreational use in the 20’s, through the 30’s where the Federal Bureau of Narcotics got involved, and on to the 1940’s when the industrial uses were exploited (“Hemp for Victory” helped augment cotton and paper production). In 1944 New York Academy of Medicine issued its first report. In 1970 the Controlled Substance Act listed marijuana among many far more dangerous drugs. In 1996, Prop 215 passed, making California the first state to approve Medical Cannabis Initiative, with a shocking 56% in favor. August of 2008 saw Jerry Brown’s Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical use. In 2009 and explained that 12 dispensaries operated in the city of Richmond due to the expiration of the Moratorium. In 2010 the city of Richmond passed an ordinance allowing only 3 dispensaries and 3 manufacturing permits. The city currently collects $180,000 in permit fees and approximately $500,000 in taxes per year. Bill reported that today 23 states plus D.C and Guam permit the use of medical marijuana, some for recreational use and others for medical application only. Seven states have legislation pending. As for California’s future: Bill hopes for (and expects) that a 2016 ballot measure will be passed byt the voters. Field polls currently indicate 55% of likely voters in favor. Currently local municipalities must create their own ordinances. The conflict between federal and state laws remains to be resolved. The Federal Legislation CARERS Act is attempting to de-schedule cannabis. De-funding enforcement actions by the DOJ and DEA may be the mechanism. Everyone present seemed to enjoy Bill’s talk but were disappointed there were no free samples. As for me, I think its high time cannabis was legal and government should move on before everything goes to pot! Alan Blavins retiring scribe. |
NEXT MEETING: June 12, 2015Cannabis Discussion: A look at Local, State and National LawsThe club’s own Bill Koziol will offer some perspective on local, state and national cannabis laws. Bill will give us a brief history of cannabis prohibition and discuss the legal conflict between state and federal laws. Currently, 35 States have medical marijuana laws with four (plus Washington DC) allowing recreational use. MEETING OF June 5, 2015WelcomePresident Stoney Stonework welcomed guests and Rotarians and called the meeting to order. Joe Bagley was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Stoney led us in the invocation, a silent prayer for Freedom, Peace & Justice on Earth. Defining reality as few other people know it, Sid’s Chauvinism for today is: Marriage – An arrangement in which a man loses his Bachelor’s Degree and a woman gains her Master’s Degree. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsMark Porter from the Solano Sunset Club, Vallejo. Special EventsStoney invited Robin Wilson to address the club. Robin thanked Rotary and Rotarians for all the help provided to West County Reads last year including:
Robin ended by asking the club if it would consider helping West County Reads this coming fall with a new book drive. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMFrom Nature to Neighborhoods: Developing Youth & Adult Leaders in RichmondProgram Chair Stacey Street introduced YES Program Director, Blanca Hernandez. Blanca, aware that Richmond Rotary is not a stranger to the programs of Youth Enrichment Strategies, thanked the club for its years of support. She noted that YES is grateful to Rotary and the many other organizations that have helped YES address the cultural barriers that prevent many disadvantaged Richmonders from living more fulfilling lives. Barriers YES focuses on are poverty, violence, fear & isolation. YES’ marquee program for addressing these barriers is the summer family camping program. This program has successfully used camping and the campfire experience of community building and self esteem building to empower local folks. People from the Iron Triangle, N. Richmond and other neighborhoods learn they ‘can do’ the many little things that are community; listing, being a friend/helper, successfully doing something that is a little frightening… . High points of the presentation included: Blanca concluded her presentation by saying because of their effort to keep as many campers as possible this summer, YES is forgoing its annual dinner gala fund raiser and asking supporters contributing directly to the camping program via their Summer Campfire Campaign (http://yesfamilies.publishpath.com/Default.aspx?shortcut=summercampfire). If you are interested in supporting YES, do it before June 30 as every gift made (up to $25,000) will be matched by the local Chamberlin Foundation. Thank you Blanca Hernandez for a good program. Hope to see you at the campfire. - Jim Young, Rotating Editor |