Monthly Archives: May 2018
NEXT MEETING: June 1, 2018
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NEXT MEETING: May 18, 2018Honey 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 May 11, 2018WelcomePresident Connie Tritt welcomed the group. Stacey Street led the Pledge; Herb Cole led the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the Legislature is in session.” (Mark Twain) Connie asked for a reminder of the Rotary 4-Way Test. After a few comments from various members, Connie read it with the hope it will be memorized by all members before the end of her tenure as President….
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMTeen Moms Project, 2018This year the project was overseen by Darlene Quenville because Jan Brown would be in Spain at the time of the Teen Mom packaging and delivery to the Richmond schools. Jan was readily available for any questions that arose! Nick Despota gave an overview of the packaging process to the members. This included writing a short note of support to each mom and the one dad we had this year. The main purpose of this project is to encourage these young parents to stay in school and get their education to insure a better future for their family. This year was one of the lowest number of parents, 22 total: 21 moms and 1 dad. In the past, we’ve had numbers as high as 49 high school students with children. It’s nice to see this number decreasing. The packages are to be delivered to the Richmond High School on Tuesday, May 15, from 9:30 to 10:00 AM. Terri Brown, a Coordinator with the YMCA, will oversee delivery of the packages to the Teen Moms at various schools. Those schools include Richmond High, Greenwood, Kennedy High, Adult School Community/Gateway. This year one of our Rotarians, Tamara Shiloh, owner of the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore in Richmond, will talk to the moms at Richmond High School. A special thanks to the following for their donations to this project: Dr. Dan Tanita, dental care products; Tamara Shiloh, books; Doris Mitchell, books; and Mey Saechao, stuffed animals. Also, a special thanks to the Clorox Company for their donation of Burt Bees Baby Products and Mom/Dad Gifts and to the Linus Project for their donation of beautiful handmade blankets. - Rotating Scribe Darlene Quenville | ||
NEXT MEETING: May 11, 2018Teen Moms Project DayA friend of ours once took a swipe at the Rotary by calling it a “check-writing club.” It’s true that most of the good we do is accomplished through the money we donate to local organizations. Nothing wrong with that. But it’s also true that our members enjoy hands-on projects—anything from planting trees in neighborhood parks to installing free smoke detectors in peoples’ homes. The Teen Moms project is another example. Next Tuesday we’ll pack gift bags with diapers, baby hygiene products, blanket, books and, most critically, personalized letters from Richmond Rotary members. We’ve been doing the project for some 13 years. Because it forges direct connections between teen-age girls and Rotary folks—our members also go to the schools to deliver the gift bags—this project is regarded as one of the most satisfying and effective ways in which Rotary makes a positive impact in our community. We urge you to be a part of it. Be sure to attend on Friday. MEETING OF May 4, 2018WelcomePresident Connie presided over the meeting. She told us that the day before she was in Chacala, Mexico, working with several other Rotarians to make much needed improvements to local elementary schools. “Fresh off the boat,” she also gave a strong plug for getting involved in hands-on projects with the Rotary. Rotarians with GuestsJan Brown introduced Alahmbra High School teacher, Kathy Logan as her guest. And Jerry introduced his friend, Andy Santamaria, a radio program host (among other things). AnnouncementsAlan Baer announced that the El Sobrante Rotary is hosting a pot-luck picnic at the Kennedy Grove Recreational Area, on San Pablo Dam Road, near the “hitching post.” Starts at noon, all are invited. Map. Rotary BARSHEEP TGIF party will be held Friday, May 25th, at a new spot: the Jumping Spoon Restaurant in Hercules. Contact Alan for details. Your Rotary dues at work. And play.A very cool project that your Rotary dues support is the ESCAPE Club at Lovonya Jean Middle School. (ESCAPE is an acronym for Environmental Science, Conservation and Photographic Excursions.) Our club has been helping students take field trips to beautiful locations surrounding the Bay Area since 1990. We recently received a photo report on the group’s latest “escape” to Alamere Falls, where the kids took “a fantastic hike along the coast to a most magical destination.” This is just one way our contributions help create opportunities for the young people in our community.
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMThe Multicultural Children's Bookstore in RichmondTamara seamlessly wove her “Who Am I?” talk and today’s presentation into a single fabric. Last year, the author/advocate started a business whose mission is to help children of all ethnic, religious and gender orientations to see themselves as part of our society. Tamara began the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore as a “pop-up” store in Hilltop Mall, organized with the Richmond READS program. But after her initial lease expired, the mall’s management asked her to establish the business as a regular store. The store is stocked with books that reflect the experiences of African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, and Middle Eastern people. Children will also find books about LGBTQ people and people with disabilities. Tamara described two ways in which we can help our children read books that broaden their understanding of the world’s diversity. The first is by hosting a “Wine, Cheese and Books” event at the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore. If you arrange for 10 friends to come to the bookstore during its regular hours, Tamara will provide the wine and cheese. You and friends may (and almost certainly will) be inspired to buy books for your kids and grand kids. Win, win. The second way to support an awareness of the values of living in a diverse and pluralistic society is by sponsoring an elementary school classroom through the purchase of books. Tamara will be delighted to discuss either of these options with you. The Multicultural Children’s Bookstore is located at Hilltop Mall, 2325 Hilltop Mall Road in Richmond. You’ll find it on the 2nd floor between Zumiez and Macy’s. Hours: Close Monday and Tuesday. Open from 11AM to 7PM on Weds.-Sat., to 6 PM on Sundays. Phone: 510 322-4781. Nick Despota, pinch-hitter scribe |
NEXT MEETING: May 4, 2018Richmond's First MultiCultural Bookstore for KidsIt’s easy to find good books, right? Well, if you’re looking for children’s book, not right. Browsing isn’t exactly easy on Internet, and our local bookstores don’t necessarily stock books that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our community’s kids. Tamara Shiloh set out to change that. Stocked with books that reflect African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, and Middle Eastern cultures, she established the Multicultural Bookstore, which offers a welcome resource to the families of our area. The bookstore is located at 2325 Hilltop Mall (2nd floor between Zumiez and Macy’s). Tamarah will tell us about her experience in turning this great idea into a great place to bring kids. MEETING OF April 27, 2018WelcomePast President Josh Surowitz welcomed the group at Cafe Soleil. Oscar Garcia led the Pledge; Herb Cole led the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”My wife and I were happy for 20 years, then we met!” Josh Surowitz and Tom Butt both welcomed the Japanese Delegation from our Sister City, Shimada, Japan. Tadashi Manya, the Deputy Mayor of Shimada, had a few words to share with the Rotary Club. He views Richmond as his second hometown. It was back in 1961 when Richmond, CA and Shimada, Japan become Sister Cities, 57 years have passed since then. Over 500 Richmond Friends have experienced Japan’s culture and stayed with Japanese families or in hotels. There are five Richmond Friendship student guests coming to Japan in June. Shimada Rotarians are looking forward to meeting the new Richmond Friends. The delegation handed out a flyer for the Shimada Big Festival “Obi Festival”, which will be held on three days in October, 2019. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsA long list of visitors today! They fall into 2 categories. All were enthusiastically welcomed.
AnnouncementsSecond Annual RotaCare Bowl-A-Thon, will take place Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Albany Bowl. All proceeds will benefit RotaCare (Richmond). Jon and Darlene and Pam and Neville are planning to attend. We need Club Members to support our team with per-pin pledges and/or fixed-amount pledges. Please send your donation to Richmond Rotary with Bowl-A-Thon noted on the check to David Brown, Treasurer. RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMJim Becker introduced Deb Dyer, the Executive Director of NIAD. NIAD used to be known as the National Institute for Artists with Disabilities but over 4 years ago changed the name to NIAD, Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development. It was founded in 1982 by Elias Katz and his wife, Florence Katz. Deb Dyer has been working with the organization for over 8-1/2 years and is amazed at the quality of the art produced by these wonderful artists. She thanked Richmond Rotary for all their support over the years. NIAD has been in its current location on 23rd Street for 30 years. It’s a place where people learn to make choices and grow. It has many art exhibitions and over 5,000 pieces currently on the web, ranging in price from $5 to $7,000. It currently works with 65 adults each week. The artists earn 50% commission on art sold. The artists are taken to museums, galleries, studios to see contemporary art and take this experience back to the center. The exhibitions change each month. There are 6 – 7 outside curators who choose what will be shown. Digital online viewing is done weekly with the outside curators. The artists are found through the Regional Center. Program fees and grants represent 60% of their budget. $300,000 of their budget needs to be raised from outside sources. $100,000 of art has been sold over the past 3 – 4 years. Richmond has an amazing connection to the art world within a two-block area. At NIAD, they have what’s being exhibited but also a record of what each artist has done before in their files. They currently have 6,000 pieces in the building, worth approximately $1.7 million. These artists learn so much through the process of making and creating art and are so very proud of their work! Deb loves seeing the smiles of pride! Rotating Scribe Darlene Quenville |