NEXT MEETING: January 6, 2017

The Contribution of the B-52 to National Security

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This talk provides a pictorial and verbal description of the B-52 Stratofortress, including its development and evolution over the decades. Its usefulness in crises such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, Viet Nam, and the Gulf War will be described. If time allows, George Sakaldasis, Deputy Director for Military and Nuclear Affairs in the National Security Office at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), will describe the time when the bomber and tanker force was taken off nuclear alert as a normal course of business, as directed by the President. Listeners will gain an appreciation for a weapon system that has stood the test of time and will continue to contribute to the security of the country for the foreseeable future.

MEETING OF December 16, 2016

Welcome

Josh Surowitz called the meeting to order and asked Tom Butt to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. In Sid’s absence all those present had to provide their own wisdom

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Darlene Quenville graced the proceedings as a guest of Jon Lawlis

Announcements

  • No meeting on Friday, Dec. 30th
  • Friday, Jan. 6th is first meeting of New Year.
  • Josh thanked the many people who had participated in the auction and announced that we had raised $36,000
  • Dave Brown announced that we had received a donation of $3,000 from Norm Lundberg.
  • Dave then passed the basket around for a special gift to the country club restaurant staff who have been so hard working and helpful.
  • Jan Brown announced that Parchester Village had not received any toys out of the toy drive this year. The basket was passed around again for donations. Norm Lundberg announced that he would match all toy donations from his gift to the club.
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Of the 400 bikes given away last Saturday at the Richmond/El Cerrito Firefighters’ Annual Toy Program more than 250 of them were the result of donations by Richmond Rotary, its membership and friends of the club!!! 

Thanks to all who helped make a lot of kids happy 🙂

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Club Assembly

As traditional, the last program of the year featured a discussion of club financial matters and a chance for members to express their interest in speaker topics, programs and social events. Josh Surowitz moderated the discussion and presented the year-end financial report. He noted in particular that the club had donated $12,500 for bikes. The discussion then turned to programs. Some members expressed disinterest in speakers from nonprofits while others commented that these were central to the club’s activities. Felix would like to see more hands-on activities, and Alan Blavins commented that NIAD is always in need of help. Jan mentioned that she comes to Rotary to be better informed and loves book related programs. Wally suggested field trips to local businesses as a way to recruit new members. Josh and others encouraged him to pursue the idea and said that this was something that had been done long ago but had fallen aside for lack of a person motivated to take charge. The meeting concluded with a discussion of possible group trips. Reno and South Tahoe were both suggested.

 

– David Cole, Rotating Editor


NEXT MEETING: December 16, 2016

An open-ended conversation

paperclips_webThis week we will forego the usual program to spend more time with our Richmond Rotary friends and enjoy an open chat. Topics are wide open. They can include a discussion of great things we used to do and may want to revive, or ideas for new kinds of social events, or an innovative project someone may suggest, or…

MEETING OF December 9, 2016

Welcome

Last Friday a small but spirited contingent of our club met at the Richmond Art Center to enjoy cocktails and camaraderie. We simply welcomed one another, which was more than enough. World problems were brought up and solutions found. We uncorked no more bottles than we consumed, which, again, was more than enough. And maybe we raised enough money to pay for the excellent hors d’oeuvres and staff to serve them. All in all a very nice time.

Announcements

  • No meeting on Friday, Dec. 23rd
  • No meeting on Friday, Dec. 30th
  • Friday, Jan. 6th is first meeting of New Year.
  • David Hammer’s (El Sobrante Rotary)/District 5790’s 8-day Los Puentes/Honduras Water Project has been postponed. A new date sometime after February 2017 is forthcoming. If you would like to participate in or want more information about this project, please contact David Hammer at davidhammer45@gmail.com ). More information.

 

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Holiday Auction, December 2nd. A recap.

hol-auction-drum_2016Live and silent bidding distributed an embarrassment of riches to the highest bidders: trips to Mexico, events, vacation homes, restaurant gift certificates, tours, wine, and many other exciting offerings. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our members and their guests, our club raised some $35,000. The money will help fund local and international projects, including support for local schools and non-profit organizations. Members of the Richmond Fire Department walked out with a sleigh full of donated toys for their toy drive. One firefighter—sorry, we missed recording his name—auctioned off what promises to be an amazing firehouse dinner, raising still more money for bikes for kids.

Thanks to all of you for attending and contributing. You are all humanitarians!

Best wishes for the New Year!


- Nick, pinch-hitting scribe

NEXT MEETING: December 9, 2016
No lunchtime meeting. Holiday party at 5 at Richmond Art Center.

Holiday Cocktail Party

Last year's Holiday Party at the Richmond Art Center

Last year’s Holiday Party at the Richmond Art Center

Instead of our usual lunch time meeting, this Friday we’re gathering at the Richmond Art Center (2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond) at 5 PM to enjoy camaraderie over drinks and party food. Expect a lot of mutual congratulations on our very successful auction last week.

This is a chance to relax with other members without the time constraints imposed by the usual meeting business and guest speakers. We hope you can make it.

MEETING OF December 2, 2016

Welcome

Using his “outside voice” to seize the attention of a jovial throng of Rotarians and their guests, President Josh Surowitz kicked off today’s meeting, whose main business was the Holiday Auction. Josh quick-stepped the meeting through the regular order, beginning with Sid Chauvin’s thought-for-the-day: “Marriage changes passion. Suddenly, you are in bed with a relative,” followed by an Invocation that somehow failed to reach the back of the room. (No matter, it never changes.) OK, on to recognizing a happy gaggle of Visiting Rotarians and Guests. We enjoyed the packed house.

Announcements

  • As we mentioned above, there will be no lunch meeting this Friday. Instead please come to the Holiday Cocktail Party at the Richmond Art Center (2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond),  5PM.
  • No meeting on Friday, Dec. 23rd
  • No meeting on Friday, Dec. 30th
  • Friday, Jan. 6th is first meeting of New Year.
  • David Hammer’s (El Sobrante Rotary)/District 5790’s 8-day Los Puentes/Honduras Water Project has been postponed. A new date sometime after February 2017 is forthcoming. If you would like to participate in or want more information about this project, please contact David Hammer at davidhammer45@gmail.com ). More information.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

auction-drum-2016_250Live and silent bidding distributed an embarrassment of riches to the highest bidders: trips to Mexico, events, vacation homes, restaurant gift certificates, tours, wine, and many other exciting offerings. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our members and their guests, our club raised some $35,000. The money will help fund local and international projects, including support for local schools and non-profit organizations. Members of the Richmond Fire Department walked out with a sleigh full of donated toys for their toy drive. One firefighter—sorry, we missed recording his name—auctioned off what promises to be an amazing firehouse dinner, raising still more money for bikes for kids.

Thanks to all of you for attending and contributing. You are all humanitarians!

And thanks to Shana Bagley, who, despite the revelry of the event, noted the absence of a designated scribe, put pen to paper, and recorded these notes.


-Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette