Monthly Archives: October 2017
NEXT MEETING: November 3, 2017Visit Richmond CAMatt Lewis, Executive Director of Visit Richmond CA (formerly Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau) is honored to present to the Richmond Rotary. Matt will discuss Visit Richmond CA’s efforts in celebrating the Richmond story. He will discuss the Bureau’s efforts in supporting local events and going outside of Richmond to encourage new opportunities. Matt is proud to represent Visit Richmond CA and loves the great spirit, effort and energy of the people of Richmond. MEETING OF October 27, 2017WelcomePresident Connie Tritt presided over the meeting and welcomed everyone. Dan Tanita led the pledge, Herb Cole offered the invocation, and Syd had a memorable thought-for-the-day, which, unfortunately, was not recorded and, memorable or not, we forgot it. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMMarketing and Branding the City of RichmondOur own Rotarian, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt presented an update on a branding and marketing initiative begun in 2015. The $105,000 cost of the contract with North Star, the firm conducting it, has been covered entirely by private donations. No city funds were used. A small remainder, $3,000, is needed to cover the final bill on the study. Tom welcomes contributions. The study was conducted because the current city logo, dating from 1977, is not highly regarded. Most people are unable to interpret what it means. Tom felt that a less ambiguous, more attractive graphic identity can attract new investment. A survey determined that residents held a number of well-known negatives—high crime, poor streets, blight, dysfunctional politics, schools. But perceptions of Richmond have been steadily improving over the last 8 years. And although it’s difficult to erase the negatives, Tom emphasized, we can build on the positives—and we have. Tom reviewed the city’s highest-rated assets: its shoreline (32 miles long, more than all other East Bay cities), its affordability, the Rosie the Riveter WWII National Historical Park, and the Richmond Promise program. He noted that the city is regarded as a leader in social justice issues. Curiously, respondents in the survey scored Chevron both as a negative (pollution) and a positive (tax base). Tom described the process of developing a new logo for the city (shown above). It was the product of an extensive process that included surveys of residents and outside stakeholders. He many variations that the branding and marketing committee screened. The group settled on a logo that emphasized the city’s waterfront location, environmental stewardship, and its history. Beneath the logo is a “strapline” that reflects this: Bay Front, Home Front, Out Front. Will this become Richmond’s official logo? Tom doesn’t think a vote to adopt it can pass in city council as long as he his mayor. However the logo can be used unofficially for business communications and marketing. He encourages us to do exactly that. Darlene Drapkin, “Rotating Editor” |
NEXT MEETING: October 20, 2017State of the City
Our own Rotarian, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt will present an update on the State of the City. He will provide highlights including key accomplishments, challenges and goals moving forward. He will discuss the City’s finances, staffing changes, real estate updates and environmental achievements. MEETING OF October 20, 2017WelcomePresident Connie Tritt called the meeting to order. Stacey led us in the Pledge to the Flag. Herb invoked deeper thoughts and higher powers. Syd’s thought-for-the-day: “Even duct tape cannot fix stupid, but it can muffle the noise.” Visiting GuestFor the last time, Darlene Quinville was welcomed as the guest of Jon Lawlis. See below. Special EventsConnie inducted Darlene and into the Richmond Rotary so her guest status is officially over. Darlene is now one of us. Connie also conferred Oscar Garcia with his blue badge. Yeah! And thought she wasn’t prepared for it, Cecilia Orozco stepped up to Connie’s invitation to give her Who Am I? presentation. Cecilia attended Richmond High School and UC Berkeley. She aspired to a law degree but for reasons of romance and opportunity she turned her sights to real estate, a field in which she now enjoys a successful career. Cynthia told us she gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping people—and since she has 3 small kids, she gets a lot of practice. Congratulations, Cecilia, on earning your blue badge. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAM
|
NEXT MEETING: October 20, 2017Honey Bees: The Current State of AffairsAcutely aware of the decline of bees, the world’s all-important pollinators, the Alameda County Beekeepers’ Association is helping support their population and purpose in today’s fragile world. Come learn about the current status of their health, as well as what can we, as citizens, can or cannot do to guarantee their survival. MEETING OF October 13, 2017WelcomePresident Connie called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jan. Erle gave our invocation. Syd thinks: “I do not trip over things, I do random tests of gravity.” We welcomed 3 visiting Rotaracters from UC Berkeley:Taylor Lee, District Governor; Kylee Nebust, District Lt. Governor; and Vani Topkar Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMA Double-header: Berkeley Rotoract and In Defense of AnimalsAt this meeting we had two presentations. Berkeley Rotoract
Defense of Animals: Fighting for Animals, People and EnvironmentConnie introduced our speaker, Fleur Dawes, of In Defense of Animals. IDA has a number of initiatives to help animals all over the world: IDA operates three sanctuaries:
Wildfires raging to the north of us provided the opportunity for an on-the-spot demonstration of what Defense of Animals is ready to do. Ms Dawes told Jan Brown that her organization could provide a volunteer to feed or evacuate Jan’s brother’s cat, located in Calistoga. (As it turned out, a local fireman was able to rescue the cat so the service was not necessary. But In Defense of Animals has been providing this service for other residents in areas affected by the fires.) For more information, visit idausa,org.You may also want to download a a short article about the organizations mission and campaigns.
Josh Genser, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: October 13, 2017
|
NEXT MEETING: October 6, 2017The History of RichmondLocal Historian Karen Buchanan will present an entertaining slideshow on the early history of Richmond. Ms. Buchanan is a Richmond resident and history hike leader. She is a very active volunteer in the Richmond Community, involved with many local organizations, including the Point Richmond History Association, the Women’s Westside Improvement Club, the Richmond Main Street Initiative, Visit Richmond CA, and Point Richmond Music. Ms. Buchanan is an autodidact with an insatiable curiosity and a lifelong love of history. She has had a long and varied career, including working as a United States Senate Page, a Stand-up Comedian, Legal Secretary and for the past 21 years, a public servant with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District, currently managing workers’ compensation and liability claims for the District. MEETING OF September 29, 2017WelcomeConnie Tritt presided over the meetings at Café Soleil. Sid Chauvin in his usual sagacity, shared this sobering thought: “Alcohol doesn’t solve any problems, but then neither does milk.” Rotarians with GuestsJon Lawlis introduced Darlene Quenville, Herb Cole presented his wife Norma The “other” Darlene (Drapkin) introduced Leslie Lundin, from LBG Real Estate that bought the Hilltop Mall in July, 2017. Ms Lundin gave a quick report on plans for the mall. Sears, Walmart and Macy’s will remain in the improved, “Shops at Hilltop”. The complex will be an entertainment center, of sorts. LBG plans to add a movie theater. They will buy the presently dark JC Penny building. The coompany will bring in a grocery store, perhaps a spa, and two coffee shops, including Fast Track coffee. They’ll add popp-ups for the jolidays. Leslie invited Rotarians to refer any interested parties. They’ll visit the current layout to add future housing and optimize the existing 6,000 parking spaces. Announcements• We’re back at the Richmond Country Club this week. RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMOakland’s Retail Renaissance: What’s the Scoop?Keira Williams has been a retail analyst at the City of Oakland since 2001. Despite brick & mortar retail giving way to online shopping, restaurants and service businesses are gaining strength. “Experiential” shopping is popular. Locally owned businesses are growing the local economy. Small retail creates a sense of place. Keira advises working comprehensively to prepare neighborhoods to make them safer and more inviting. One litmus test of success: If woman feels safe moving about town, Oakland’s revitailization efforts are succeeding. She offered several other observations: Retail doesn’t always need to occupy the bottom floor. Gentrification issue is overplayed since the improvements the bring are good for everyone. The current high lease prices are a bubble and are unlikely to persist into the future. Darlene Drapkin, Rotating Scribe |