NEXT MEETING: November 30, 2012

Update on the August 6th fire at Chevron Refinery

Our own Heather Kulp describes that dramatic August afternoon from the vantage point of the refinery offices.

What was the feeling of employees within the plant?

What was learned, and by whom?

And what steps are being taken to avoid this kind of incident in the future?

MEETING OF November 16, 2012

Welcome

Jan Brown led us in the pledge today, and Stoney asked the club for a moment of silence for “Peace and freedom on Earth”. Henry Kelman commented on the stock market.

Rotarians with Guests

• Mark Howe brought his daughter to lunch today who was on break from college at Boulder, where it is now legal to smoke marijuana – should I be worried?
• Mr. Adiago, a friend of Sid’s, was visiting today.

Sunshine Report

Erle Brown, who was still out after his back surgery but doing well, asked us to remember the Crab Feed. The popular event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2^nd.  Tickets are $40 in advance. Download the flyer and ticket order form. Questions? Contact Erle or Henry Moe.

Announcements

• The Club is Dark this Friday. Don’t show up unless you want to eat a bag lunch in your car.
• The always fantastic Heather Kulp will be our speaker the week after Thanksgiving.
• The Holiday Auction is upon us. As of this writing, 32 members remain on the slacker side of the ledger.  Take a few minutes right now to make your donation by going to our Auction page. There you’ll find a handy link near the top of the page. Click it and a form will appear, which enables you to send a description of your item and a photo is you have one. (If you have notified Don, Nick or a member of our solicitation team but there is no green check next to your name on the Auction page, we messed up. Sorry. Send Nick an email and remind him of your donation.)
• Among the more novel of auction items this year is the Banker’s Brunch, which prez Jim Young described from the podium. So what is a Banker’s Brunch? Go the Auction page, scroll down and look for the symbol of the Federal Reserve Bank. (You’ll recognize it.)
• Stoney is planning a Christmas Extravaganza with the El Cerrito Club.  The event will take place on December 15^th,  6:15 PM, at the Richmond Country Club.  The cost of $150 per couple.  You will be entertained by a terrific dance band, a choir, and a magician.  No-host bar. If you’re interested, get you money to David Brown ASAP.
• Felix Hunziker is planning a tree planting ceremony at Pogo Park in early January, Date to be determined.,
• Mike Winter has accepted appointment to that most august body, the Board of the Richmond Rotary.
• We were sorry to learn of the passing of Russ Schulze on November 18th, at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek. Russ was the president of the Richmond Rotary Club in 1969-70. We will post information about the services if it becomes available.

Recognitions

Our scribe did not record any Recognitions on this day.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• Hank Covell donated a few buck to recognize the success of the recent
  Salesian Boy’s and Girl’s Club fund raiser that both he and Stoney attended where the hit 50’s band Poison Ivy played.  $10,000 is what the raised for the club.
• Michelle Itagaki bemoaned the demise of the company that makes her favorite junk food Hostess Twinkies, which is entering bankruptcy. (News flash: as of this writing, Nov 20th, a bankruptcy judge has postponed the proceedings because, apparently, some investors may pony up millions to buy parts of the Hostess operation. Take heart, Michelle. All is not yet lost.)
• Jan Brown wanted to thank the club for being such an integral part of Don’s life and how she was felt so supported by the Richmond Rotarians at Don’s memorial service
• Herb talked about a back surgery that was performed on his son that worked miracles.
• Joan Davis congratulated Josh Genser on receiving the Barbara Obele Community Service award from the Chamber this week.
• And finally Stoney told a joke about an older man who was found crying on the street, he explained that he was so in love with his young girlfriend, they made love all the time and he was so happy.  When asked why he was crying he said “ I can’t remember where my home is”

Norm’s Nonsense

In ancient Egypt a whip master on a royal Nile boat addresses his rowing crew one morning: “Today I have some good news and some bad news for you. First, the good news: You will all receive an extra ration of grog. The bad news is: The Pharaoh wants to go water skiing.”

PROGRAM

Enriching Richmond's Youth: YES

Nick Despota introduced Eric Aaholm, the Executive Director of Youth Enrichment Strategies, or YES.  This Richmond organization brings together children, their families and their school communities through camping trips in our regional and state parks. YES also offers workshops in non-defensive communication, PeaceTalk. In addition, they help teenagers obtain internships in local businesses and community organizations.

After attending a summer camp, teens may take volunteer positions with local non-profits like Solar Richmond, Urban Tilth and others, which offers the opportunity to accept and develop personal responsibility.

YES communication workshops that encourage communication between races, neighbors, and among students which can help to prevent violence from erupting in the community.

Eric gave an example of an obese young women who rarely felt comfortable enough to venture far from her home.  Thanks to her participation in the YES camp, the young woman gradually gained confidence and a more positive self-image.  She has now attended 6 camps and works with Building Blocks for Kids as a volunteer.  She now feels involved and part of the community.

YES’s most recent events, “Walk to Nature”,  offered walking expeditions to nearby East Bay Regional Parks.: Miller Knox Park and Point Pinole. Provisions for the event included watering stations and free food.  Chevron is a major contributor.

YES does not get any funding from the government.  One-third of their funding comes from individuals and the balance comes from foundations.  Under Eric’s leadership, the YES budget has grown from $270,000 to $530,000. He greatly appreciates the funding he gets from Richmond Rotary. Over the last few years, our club has contributed approximately $4,000 to YES.

-Rotating scribe, Mark Howe.

NEXT MEETING: November 16, 2012

Enriching the Lives of RIchmond Youth

Eric Aaholm, Executive Director of Youth Enrichment Strategies, will tell us about the the innovative way that YES improves the lives of inner-city youth and their families.

YES accomplishes its mission by sending hundred of youth, ages 8-16, to week-long summer camps around the Bay Area; by bringing entire families and school communities to Family Camps in the Redwoods; and by offering PeaceTalk communication workshops to our Richmond community.

Learn more about Youth Enrichment Strategies by visiting their website.

MEETING OF November 9, 2012

Welcome

President Jim Young gavelled the meeting to order. Connie Tritt led us in the pledge today, and Stoney asked the club for a moment of silence for “Peace and Freedom on Earth”. Henry Kelman, a person one would swear is a Republican, voted Democratic!

Rotarians with Guests

Henry Moe brought the principal of Salesian High to lunch today.
Ren Partridge brought his wife to lunch.

Sunshine Report

Hank Cavell reported that sunny ole  Erle is recuperating.

Announcements

Prez Jim followed up on a portion of the Rehfuss Fund report from the Club Assembly. The ad hoc committee established to research the Rehfuss Fund determined that:

• Pam Jones is planning on attending the Rotary day at the races and is trying to collect some other Richmond Rotarians to join her. She also reminded us that on December 14 the El Cerrito firefighters would be conducting their annual toy drive – so bring a toy like last year.
• The Holiday Auction is upon us! Now’s the time to declare your auction item. If you have already decided what you’re donating, please go to Holiday Auction page and enter you donation electronically. Past auctions have shown us that events that members attend together sell well. Fellowship is the backbone of Rotary. Don and Heather need more items for the Auction so hurry up and get yours registered on the website.
• Mark Howe has found some folks that want to help paint the Whirley Crane – none other than Henry Moe and the Salesian Roteract club. Stay tuned to this station for more info.
• Stoney is planning a Christmas Extravaganza with the El Cerrito Club. It will be held on December 15 at 6:15PM, at the Richmond Country Club. The cost of $150 per couple. There will be a band and a choir. Interest is high. Get you money in David Brown soon.
• Josh G is having another Scotch mixer and anyone, who pays of course, is welcome. The scribe didn’t catch the date, though. Call or send an email to Josh for more details.
• David announced that the club has received a $10,000 grant from Rotary International for the President Jim’s “Richmond Tales” project. Jim will also be hosting a Richmond Tales project mixer at his house to familiarize the members with the project. Date TBD.
• The next Richmond Rotary board meeting will take place on December 15th, 12:00, at the West County Wastewater board room,  at Hilltop.

Recognitions

• Bruce Harter had a bunch of happy dollars to recognize three electoral victories:  the extension to 2019 of the .075/SF ($10 million annually) school district parcel tax, passage of Jerry Brown’s Proposition 30, and voter authorization of Measure E, which authorizes another $460 million in bond issuance for school construction.  The school board better put their spending caps on.
• Henry Moe introduced Sara Cosby, a mother of two successful daughters who attended Salesian and were leaders of the Salesian Roteract club. She explained how, as a single parent, she raised two “good human beings” – to Sara that means not being selfish. The family was poor but she never took welfare. Instead she trained her girls to work for what they wanted. The girls were involved in Girl Scouts, Roteract, and work for the Contra Costa Times and Extreme Pizza. Elisa, one of the daughters, attends UC Berkeley and the other attends UC Davis, majoring in Public Heath. The girls were active in Roteract. Sara is thankful for the opportunity Roteract provided them.

Happy and Sad Dollars

Happy, sad, who knows? Dollars were contributed but the details weren’t recorded. No matter. The happiness and regret were shared, and the dollars were collected.

Norm’s Nonsense

Courtesy of Dave Calfee.

Sven was assigned to orientation of new army recruits. He was told to sign up as many as possible for the enhanced life insurance benefits, which cost the new recruit an additional $30/month from his allowance.

The officer in charge noticed Sven had a success rating of over 90%, whereas other recruiters averaged only 3-5%. Upon investigation he heard Sven tell his men, “If they send you to Afghanistan and you get killed, the government is going to pay your family $20,000 if you have only the regular insurance; but if you have the enhanced insurance they will pay $200,000; Now which do you think they will send to Afghanistan first?”

PROGRAM

The Wit and Wisdom of Lincoln

Tom Waller introduced Arnold Kuntz the author of the “Wit and Wisdom of Lincoln” today. Arnold explained that depression was the likely motivation behind Lincoln’s renowned sense of humor and Wit.

Humor was the tonic he used to ward off his always present dark moods. And a famous sense of humor it was.

In a typical Lincoln exchange, one day a person visiting Lincoln and was surprised to see him polishing his boots and said “you polish your own boots sir?” and Lincoln responded “whose boots do you think I am polishing?”

Lincolns’ overriding goal in life was to be esteemed by his fellow man.

-Rotating scribe, Mark Howe

NEXT MEETING: November 9, 2012

The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is arguably one of the most admired US Presidents. Arnold Kunst, a life-long teacher and now in retirement as a public speaker, gave his first Lincoln presentation in high school and has been fascinated by the man ever since. Last year, Kunst published a book, “Lincoln 365: A Primer on Patriotism as Lived by Abraham Lincoln”. In this Rotary talk, Kunst shows us that, when a man is as comfortable in his own skin as Lincoln was, there’s always a touch of humor to his wisdom (and vice versa).

MEETING OF November 2, 2012

Welcome

President Jim Young brought the full house to order—excellent turn-out today—with a warm welcome to all. Ren Partridge led us in the pledge today, and Stoney asked for a moment of silence for “Peace and Freedom on Earth”.

Sunshine Report

Erle Brown and John Nicol are doing well according to Hank Covell.

Announcements

• The 2012 Holiday Auction is upon us! Now is the time to post your auction item on the Holiday Auction page of this website. Have you already decided what you’re giving? Then there’s no time like the present.

All members are expected to donate an item. Recent past auctions have demonstrated that social events for members are very popular. Fellowship is the backbone of Rotary. For example Heather Kulp and husband Barry are planning a South African BBQ, complete with exotic delicacies.

• Mark Howe, always a glutton for punishment, wants to get a group together to finish installing the Whirley Crane and get it painted. Anyone want an Egret nest – only 3’ in diameter and occupied part time? This will be hard work, somewhat dangerous and take a long time to complete. Our goal is to finish it by the end of next year. Things are looking up in this area of the Point Potrero Marine Terminal but the Whirley Crane is in bad need of some lipstick.

• Stoney is planning the Richmond/El Cerrito Rotary Clubs’ Christmas Party, a real extravaganza judging from his preview. Both a dance band and a choir are booked for the gala event. The gala will be held on December 15th, starting at 6:15 PM at the Richmond Country Club. The cost is $150 per couple, or $75 for individuals. Give your checks to David Brown.

• Do you have a friend or colleague who might make a good Rotary member? Why not invite him or her to another social gathering, Happy Hour Lite, which will take place this Wednesday, November 7th at 5:00, at the Mallard Yuppie Bar (a first class joint) on San Pablo, in Albany. (Drop the word “Yuppie” if you’re looking it up on Google.) Bring potential members.

Special Event

Michelle Itagaki was awarded her Blue Badge today. Congratulations, Michelle!

Recognitions

Although folks were recognized, and their birthdays and anniversaries acknowledged (and paid for!), their names weren’t recorded and today’s large lunchtime group quickly slid into Happy and Sad Dollars.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• Josh Surowitz was disappointed in the Tigers performance at the World Series, Ya Think? Go Giants!
• John Wilson was happy “as a pig in the sunshine” to see Sid back to the club.
• David Brown, a diehard Giants fan, was disappointed that the Series was not won in San Fran.
• Heather Kulp had dollars, both happy and sad, about the events surrounding hurricane Sandi. An East Coast transplant, she was relieved to hear that none of her family or friends suffered too badly. However, she reminded us that thousands of people weren’t so lucky. The devastation, and the loss of life and property, continue.
• Alan Blavins caught a 120 pound fish on his recent trip to South America. This is not a fish story. He passed around the pictures to prove it. Watch for a presentation by the English Angler in the near future.

Norm’s Nonsense

It was only her second date with the diehard baseball fan, and Jane was a little nervous. It was her fault they arrived at the stadium a full hour after the game had begun. Taking her seat, Jane glanced up at the scoreboard. It was a tight pitcher’s battle, bottom of the fifth, 0 – 0.
“Look, Charlie,” she exclaimed in relief, “we haven’t missed a thing!”

PROGRAM

Richmond Rotary's Role in the new Rotacare Clinic

The Executive Director of Brighter Beginnings, Barbara McCullough, outlined the progress in establishing a RotaCare Clinic in downtown Richmond. Brighter Beginnings and a group of Rotary Clubs are funding a Rotocare Clinic at the Brighter Beginnings. The clinic will serve un-insured West County Residents on Tuesday evenings once a week from 4-8 PM.

The clinic is currently under construction, with total construction costs estimated at $70,000. Their annual budget is around $100,000. All of the professional medical staff are volunteers.

Medical professionals from Kaiser, Sutter and other medical facilities will be staffing the clinic. The clinic is still looking for volunteer electronic health records administrative people. They also are looking for people to provide food on Tuesday evenings. Maybe that is where we can help.

An initial Open House is scheduled for 12/6/12 from 5-7PM. They are located at 2727 Macdonald in Richmond and the Grand Opening is scheduled for 1-14-13.

A group of stalwart Richmond Rotarians are volunteering to provide food for the staff on Tuesday evenings, for a month. Following a rotating schedule, other participating Rotary clubs will cover remaining months. For more information, or to find out how to contribute your time to the project, please contact EJ Shalaby.

– Rotating scribe, Mark Howe