NEXT MEETING: May 3, 2013

Rubicon Celebrates 40 years!

This year Rubicon will celebrate 40 years as a leading provider of economic empowerment services, mental health care, and legal support. Rubicon’s mission is to prepare very low-income people to achieve financial independence, and to partner with people with mental illness on their journey of recovery. Rubicon’s Executive Director, Jane Fischberg, is excited to speak at the Richmond Rotary and share Rubicon’s recent 2012 accomplishments:
• Placed nearly 500 unemployed people in jobs.
• More than 1,400 children positively impacted by our work with their parents.
• Reduced hospitalization for people with serious mental illness by 54%.
• 1 of only 6 nonprofits nationwide awarded a grant to help fathers coming out of prison take care of their kids
• Awarded Chevron Economic Development grant to support partnerships with East Bay employers to create jobs for low-income West Contra Costa County residents.

MEETING OF April 26, 2013

Welcome

President Jim welcomed the Relatively Rambunctious, Rarely Reclusive, Reasonably Respectful, Remarkably Resolute, Radically Generous, Richmond Rotary Club on a beautiful day. Bob Dabney led us all in the Pledge, and Stoney offered an invocation for freedom, justice and peace on Earth, and in memory of those who suffered in the Boston terror attack. Stoney also read an inspiring excerpt from the Rotary International magazine, about volunteers putting themselves in harm’s way to provide inoculations at personal risk of peril in Sierra Leone.

No Visiting Rotarians,  Rotarians with Guests or Sunshine Report today

Announcements

• Henry Kelman’s celebration of life will be May 11th (not 4th) @ La Strada, 2 -6 PM.
• Richmond Tales – Lot’s happening. We have handbills and posters in English and Spanish….& we are getting more. PLEASE DISPLAY THEM IN YOUR BUSINESSES.
• The Flywheel Project Page for Lost Secrets is live and has all the information about the production that you want to know. https://richmondcarotarylost-secrets-of-the-iron-triangle. Bios of the producer, director. HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR TICKETS YET? Box Office workers to staff with Linda Young and ushers for each of the 6 nights of the show.

• BBQ & Party April 27th 3 PM –  Mark, Stoney, Joe B. and Richard A. hosted. (A great time was had by all!)
• Lacy Dalton show is May 2nd  @ Freight & Salvage in Berkeley for RotaCare.
• Mark your calendars for Cinco de Mayo, which coincidentally is May 5th, parade and booth selling Lost Secrets tickets, Richmond Tales books and water. More info as it develops. WE NEED BALLOON TYING ROTARIANS.
• Bocce Ball Tournament in Martinez June 8th all day.  Pam & Rafael have teams….Josh G. is working on a 3rd team

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

While President Jim passed on Happy $ in favor of more time for the club assembly, Jon Lawlis snuck in some Happy Dollars and announced he would sponsor 50 kids to Richmond Tales. Not to be outdone President Jim coughed up his own pledge for 50 more kids. In typical Richmond Rotary fashion Stoney Stonework, Herb Cole, Michelle Itagaki, Erle Brown, Josh Surowitz and Joan Davis agreed to sponsor 20 kids each for a total of 220 kids!!!

That’s a whopping $1100 bucks in a matter of minutes!!!

Norm’s Nonsense

The businesswoman ordered a fancy floral arrangement for the grand opening of her new outlet, and she was furious when it arrived adorned with a ribbon that read,”May You Rest In Peace.”
Apologizing profusely, the florist finally got her to calm down with the reminder that in some funeral home stood an arrangement bearing the words “Good Luck in Your New
Location.”

PROGRAM

This week the club met for our quarterly assembly to discuss important matters such as membership, the Richmond Tales project, and the budget. An open, productive discussion occurred and we all hope to follow up on these sentiments and turn them into positive action. If you could not make it to the assembly, ask a friend in the club for the low-down, and make sure to make it to the next one!

NEXT MEETING: April 26, 2013

Club Assembly

This is the quarterly Club Assembly, an open-forum opportunity to review Club priorities and projects, to discuss the merits of new initiatives, and to generally opine on topics that contribute to a strong, healthy, and enjoyable Club environment. Y’all come!

At the request of the Board of Directors please do not bring guests.

MEETING OF April 19, 2013

Welcome

President Jim welcomed everyone to the Relatively Rambunctious, Rarely Reclusive, Reasonably Respectful, Remarkably Resolute, Radically Generous Richmond Rotary Club.  Bill Koziol led us in the Pledge to the Flag. Herb Cole gave the invocation asking for Peace and Freedom on earth. President Jim gave the thought e day, reflecting on “Does art reflect life or does life reflect art?

Visiting Rotarians

There were no visiting Rotarians today

Rotarians with Guests

There we no Rotarians with guests.

Announcements

Mike Winter had an announcement from Kathleen Kelman. Henry Kelman’s celebration of life will be May 11^th at La Strada Restaurant from 2 to 6pm.

•       Richmond Tales Family Festival is tomorrow Saturday April 20^th at Civic Center Plaza

a.       Still need Rotarians to person our booth in the afternoon from 1-3:30

b.      This a big opportunity to introduce Rotary to people in Richmond that don’t know we are here and would like more information about i. Our club and our projects ii. Peace and Ambassadorial Scholars iii. Tickets and promotion for Lost Secrets and Rotary

•       Richmond Tales-

a.       We have handbills and poster in English and Spanish. Please display them in your businesses. The Flywheel Project page for Lost Secrets is live and has all the information you want to know

Have you bought your tickets yet?

• Special volunteer needs for the play at the East Bay Center

a.        Sunday rehearsal chaperones every Sunday except Mother’s Day untl opening night 56/17.

b.      Thanks Don Lau and the Y for covering chaperones on 4/14

c.       Other play needs:

i.       Costume and prop scroungers

ii.      Costume experts like Shelly Lau, who can find specific period outfits

iii.      Sewers who can alter clothing for actors

iv.      Heavy duty sewing machine on loan

v.       Box office workers to staff with Linda and usher for each of the 6 nights of the show.

vi.      See President Jim

•  Board of Directors meeting Taking Care of Business

a.       Renewed membership in Richmond Chamber of Commerce

b.       Approved a Rotary Global Grant of $3000 for the Pondicherry Indai School Improvement and Hygiene Progem

c.       Approved new language in the Rotary bylaws addition for a new Non Discrimination clause. This will be voted on next week.

•  A reminder that next week April 27^th is the Barbeque and party at Mark Howe’s home from 3pm to 8pm.  Hosted by Mark and Stoney
•  A reminder for the Lacy Dalton fundraiser May 2^nd at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley
•  Mark your calender for Cinco de Mayo, which coincidentally is on May 5^th.  We will have a booth and will be selling tickets to Richmond Tales, books and water.
•  Remember the Bocce Ball Tournament in Martinez, June 8^th all day. Pam Jones and Rafael Madrigal have teams.
•  Please sign up for Rotary Night at the A’s.  It is a fireworks game, Saturday August 31 6pm game time, 3:30 is the tailgate party with hot dogs and chicken.  It will be a fun time for all.
•  Jan Brown is once again doing the Teen Mom Project at Richmond High. This year there are 31 mothers, fewer than previous years, which is a good sign. Nick Despota is helping to coordinate the program.  The packets to will be put together on Saturday, June 1^st.  Thanks to Dan Tanita for donating, toothbrushes, paste and floss and also to the Lions Club for their donation. If you would like to write an encouraging note to the moms, it would be appreciated.

Recognitions

• Bill Koziol celebrated a birthday and an anniversary in April. He and his wife celebrated in the Gold Country.
• Nick Despota had a birthday but was not here to be recognized.
• Dan Tanita is officially a senior citizen on his birthday this year.
• Ralph Hill celebrated his 38^th wedding anniversary and if you can believe he also celebrated 65 years in Rotary. Congratulations!! He donated $100 to the newly established John Nicol scholarship fund
• Rafael Madrigal just celebrated his 5 year anniversary of being a member of the club.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• President Jim had a happy dollar because the Community Policing in the city of Richmond has shown that Richmond is no longer  a desirable destination for recent parolees from San Quentin.
• Joe Bagley had happy dollars just to be at the club – A big thank you to Joe for the excellent cutouts of the models of the characters from Richmond Tales that will be used as a display at the Festival!

Norm’s Nonsense

Mother Teresa died and went to heaven. God met her and asked if she was hungry. Mother Teresa said, “I could eat,” so God opens a can of tuna and some rye bread and they share it. As she ate, Mother Teresa looked down into Hell and saw the people there eating huge steaks, lobsters, expensive wine, flaming desserts. Mother Teresa said, “I’m really glad to be in heaven, God, but why do we just eat tuna and rye bread while down in Hell they’re eating like kings?” God said, “Well, for just two people, why bother to cook?”

PROGRAM

The Eastshore State Park

Tom Waller introduced our guest speaker Patricia Jones, Executive Director of Citizens for East Shore parks. She gave us an interesting story behind and updates about the Eastshore State Park, which came into being in December 2002 after 7 years of work on the part of Citizens for East Shore Parks.  The park stretches 8.5 miles from the foot of the Bay Bridge in Oakland through Emeryville, Berkeley, Albany to Richmond at Pt. Pinole Regional Park and the Richmond Marina. We are blessed in Richmond to have 32 miles of shoreline,  more than any other Bay area city. With protection and restoration Richmond’s shoreline could be the crown jewel of the Bay area. So why is important to preserve open space.? We need open space to refresh ourselves and maintain our quality of life.  Think of Central Park in New York and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. We also need to protect the public lands from industrial pollution that is prevalent around the Bay. CESP is working to acquire additional land that will add to the park area. These include Bruener Creekside, the Freethy property and the Murray property. She mentioned that the Rod and Gun Club is off limits for the parks. How can we help?  By supporting the purchase of land for parks. Saturday April 20 is Earth Day and there is an event at Wildcat Creek and April 27^th is an event regarding the Watershed project at the Albany Shoreline.  Thanks for the information on the shoreline that is literally in our back yard.

Next week:  Club Assembly

Open mic to discuss club issues.  Be there or be square.

At the request of the Board of Directors please do not bring guests.

NEXT MEETING: April 19, 2013

The Eastshore State Park

Come hear the story behind and updates about the Eastshore State Park, which came into being in December 2002 after seven years of work on the part of Citizens for East Shore Parks. The Park stretches 8.5 miles from the foot of the Bay Bridge in Oakland through Emeryville, Berkeley and Albany to Richmond (Point Pinole Regional Park and the Richmond Marina).

MEETING OF April 12, 2013

Welcome

President Jim Young welcomed the Relatively Rambunctious, Rarely Reclusive, Reasonably Respectful, Remarkably Resolute, Radically Generous Richmond Rotary Club on another beautiful day. Red Badger Heather Kulp led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Stoney offered an invocation for freedom, justice and peace on Earth.

Rotarians with Guests

Jon Lawlis, Jim Young and Richard Alexander were all accompanied by their lovely wives.

Sunshine Report

Our wonderful, beloved Henry Kelman passed away this weekend after the meeting. He will be deeply missed.

Announcements

• The Richmond Tales Family Festival will be Saturday April 20th at the Richmond Civic Center Plaza.
  1. Volunteers are still needed to man/person the Rotary booth in two shifts of three hours from 10am to 4pm.
  2. The Festival needs “haulers and fetchers”. Lots of books have been donated to the Fest to be given away to young folks for free.
  3. Alan Baer is picking up a load of 50 boxes in Concord on Wednesday, April 17, and could use help. Please see or call Alan.
  4. Someone with a truck is needed to pick up 20 boxes of books at the Pinole Middle School Friday Morning and deliver them to the Civic Center Auditorium before the Rotary meeting. Looks like Henry Moe has volunteered but may need some help himself.
  5. Mark Howe and Jim Young are picking up Berkeley Rotary’s Canopy Booth on Saturday morning before the Festival. Help will be needed in setting up the Canopy Booth about 9am before the Festival starts. Sid has volunteered. Any others?
  6. Volunteers at the Festival Rotary booth have a big opportunity to introduce Rotary to the public attending the Festival. Information can be provided about our Club and projects, Peace and Ambassadorial Scholars, and Polio Plus. And we can also sell tickets to the Lost Secrets play performances in May.
  7. Over 2,000 visitors are expected to attend the Festival so there is a real need for all kinds of volunteers (friends and family members, etc.). This is a great occasion to show the Rotary flag to the Richmond community!
  8. Here are Jim and Linda Young in the Richmond Tales cut-out intended for fun by kids of all ages at the April 20 Festival. Thanks to Jan Brown for the art work and to Joe Bagley for making the cut-out happen.

• Regarding the May performances of the Richmond Tales play at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, there is a lot happening!
  1. The Project Page for Lost Secrets is live. See “Discover the Lost Secrets” in the upper right corner of this Flywheel page and click on “Learn more” for all the information about the production that you’d ever want to know (bio’s of the producer, director, and actors; online ticket purchasing through “Brown Paper Tickets”; an online ticket order form for blocks of tickets). For any questions about tickets, see Ticket Master, Linda Young.
  2. There are special volunteer needs for the play at the East Bay Center. Can you or someone you know help out?
     1. Sunday rehearsal chaperones. Please remember service above self. (Notice that Don Lau and the West County Y volunteered chaperones for Sunday, April 14.)
     2. Costume and prop scroungers (people willing to take a list of three or four things and hunt them down in the garages and thrift stores of West County).
     3. Costume experts like Shelly Lau, who has a special knack for finding specific period outfits.
     4. People who can sew and alter clothing to actor sizes.
     5. Snack providers for Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday rehearsals.
• The next Richmond Rotary Board of Directors meeting is Thursday, April 18, noon to 1:30pm at La Revolucion, upstairs.
• BBQ and Party April 27 at Mark Howe’s home, 3pm to 8pm, with Stoney, Joe Bagley, and Richard Alexander all playing important parts. (Admission only $50 for those not previously on the list by way of the Christmas auction.)
• Mark your calendars for Cinco de Mayo, which coincidentally occurs on May 5. There will be a parade and a Rotary booth selling Lost Secrets tickets, Richmond tales books, and water. More info as it develops.

Recognitions

• Heather Kulp’s birthday was March 27. She did not have “the funnest” birthday since she went to a leadership training session in San Ramon.
• Herb Cole turned 75 on April 2.
• John Wilson celebrated 55 years of marital bliss on April 12.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• Erle Brown was sad to write his GD tax bill, and he wouldn’t mind so much if the dummies in Washington weren’t squandering it away!
• Tom Waller was happy to have been blown away by the Every 15 Minutes presentation at Concord High School and hopes it is taken up at Richmond High School.
• Joan Davis was happy about the best ever youth summit this year, and has a great vehicle for Erle to alleviate his taxes this year!
• David Brown’s sister is cancer free a year after her bone marrow transplant!!!
• Henry Moe had 5 happy dollars, one for every Rotarian signed up so far for the Salesian Golf Tournament.
• Mark Howe was sad about Henry Kelman, who had turned out to be one of his best friends.
• Don Lau was glad the YMCA would be renamed the E. M. Downer Family YMCA.

Norm’s Nonsense

Some ponderisms.

• If 4 out of 5 people suffer from diarrhea, does that mean one out of 5 enjoys it?
• Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racecar not called a racist?
• If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

PROGRAM

Heather Kulp and Her Career in Africa

As her “Who am I?” presentation, our own Heather Kulp delivered a fascinating account of her time in Angola over 10 years ago. She worked for an organization that rebuilt communities affected by conflict. “Yes”, she told us, she did have a life before Chevron! Her important work focused on great projects, including resettling child soldiers and enabling communities to come together after decades of conflict.

It is hard to tell looking at her today, but there was a time when her gender was in some question – at least by the natives! In very traditional sections of Angola, on the African southwest coast, the bushman in the south had very little experience with white people, and were confounded that a woman could wear a top! Those bushman are indeed traditional, and in fact the oldest people in Africa.

When Heather arrived in Angola, the decades-old war was just wrapping up. The infrastructure was decimated and the people exhausted. Clearly, the work Heather and her colleagues did there was immensely important to those who needed help the most, and very much in the Rotary spirit!

NEXT MEETING: April 12, 2013

Heather Kulp and Her Career in Africa

Heather Kulp gives us an in-depth look at the non-profit work she did in Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Angola. Into this account, Heather will weave her “Who Am I” presentation.

MEETING OF April 5, 2013

Welcome

President Jim Young welcomed a large room full of Rotarians and guests. Stephanie Baer led us in the Pledge to the Flag. Stoney Stonework gave the invocation asking for Peace and Freedom on earth.

Visiting Rotarians

We had District Governor Laura Day and Assistant District Governor Fred Collignon visiting today.

Rotarians with Guests

We had 10 guests from the International House at UC Berkeley. President Elect Liliane Kozial was nice enough to bring the whole group to experience a Rotary meeting. Stephanie Baer and Gonzalo Ochoa were guests of Alan Baer. Lesa McIntosh was the guest of Linda Young.

Sunshine Report

Our long time Rotarian Henry Kelman is at home requiring hospice care. Please send your thoughts and prayers for Henry.

Announcements

• President Jim wanted to remind everyone to pay their property tax due by April 10.
• President Jim asked for volunteers to work at our booth at the Richmond Tales Family Festival on April 20 in the Richmond Civic Center Plaza. We need two teams of three Rotarians from 10am to 4 pm. This is a literacy advancement program working with West County Reads which is also picking up books. Six volunteers are also needed for the Rotary booth.
• Tickets are on sale for the 6 shows in May of “Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle” at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Richmond.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and Seniors. See Rotary Project Page for more information on Lost Secrets. For tickets go to Ticket Master or see Linda Young or buy online.
• Tom Waller announced that on April 11-12, Concord High School is having their biennial production of “Every 15 Minutes”, a national program supported by the California Highway Patrol and numerous other agencies and organizations. The program provides a powerful dramatization that challenges students to think carefully about drinking or texting while driving, about personal safety, and the importance of making mature, responsible decisions when lives are involved. Anyone interested to drive to Concord with Tom on Friday morning, April 12, to experience the impactful concluding student assembly should contact Tom directly. This is a program that Richmond Rotary is investigating in order to possibly be a catalyst for getting it started at a high school in Richmond.
• David Brown accepted a $5000 check from Wells Fargo that will go to help our “Richmond Tales” project.
• Mark Howe announced that April 27^th from 3-8pm is the Holiday Auction Barbeque at his home. Anyone who didn’t buy into the event during the Holiday Auction last December can pay $50 to the Club and join in the fun. Should be a great time with plentiful food and beverages.

Special Events

• District Governor Laura Day presented Pam Jones with her Paul Harris +5 award which means that she has donated $5000 to the Rotary Foundation. Congratulations Pam!
• Lesa MacIntosh with East Bay MUD was inducted as a new member in Richmond Rotary! Congratulations Lisa! She was sponsored by Rafael Madrigal.

Recognitions

• Stephanie Baer was given a Rotarians at Work T shirt for helping with Richmond Tales PowerPoint at other Rotary clubs.
• Dan Tanita was recognized for his picture in the local newspaper about the Peres Dental clinic and dental care in schools.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• David Brown had a happy dollar to celebrate opening day for the Giants season.
• Nick Despota had happy dollars to celebrate an upcoming 4 week road trip to the desert and other Southern California destinations.
• Dan Sanders was happy to celebrate a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta.
• Connie Tritt was celebrating Tax Season.
• Fred Collignon, Assistant District Governor, wanted to announce the Rotacare fund raiser May 2 at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Lacy J Dalton is the headliner.
• Hank Covell mentioned the formation of the John Nicol scholarship fund in honor of our dear member who recently passed. John joined Richmond Rotary in April of 1970.
• Mark Howe had a happy dollar since Joe Bagley will be the entertainment at the April 27 Barbeque.

Norm’s Nonsense

An old woman is sitting in a rocking chair on her porch, petting her cat, Puff.

A fairy appears and says, “I’m here to give you three wishes.”

The old woman says, “I wish I were 21 years old and beautiful again.” Poof! She is.

“Now I wish I had a million dollars, and this old house were a mansion.” Poof! Done.

“And now, I wish that Puff were the handsomest man in the world and deeply in love with me.” Poof!

Suddenly she’s in the arms of the handsomest man in the world. He kisses her and says, “Darling, aren’t you sorry you had me fixed?”

PROGRAM

Staying Afloat

Steve Burton told us his amazing story of working in Abu Dhabi for three years building a gigantic luxury marina where money was no object. These were some of his impressions.

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a tiny, wealthy, monarchial, class-based, predominantly Muslim Arab country the size of Maine, is extremely safe for Westerners.
• Abu Dhabi is the largest of 7 emirates that comprise the UAE. It has 90% of the land area and 94% of crude oil reserves (which equal 10% of the world total).
• The UAE was founded in 1971, only 42yrs old. It was the fastest transition from 3^rd world to emerged world status in 20^th-21^st century. It has the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world (estimated at $2-3 trillion).
• Steve was introduced to what became his project in 2006. The presentation he gave was a 2-minute video where the Royal Family would give the project a yea or nay. It was a dream-come-true project for any company on the planet. He was offered a job on the spot, although he was not looking. He assembled a $1-billion marina portfolio in one year.
• The exercise was always to think outside the box (for example, Ferrari world and Burj Al Khlifa, the world’s tallest building, in Dubai).
• One of the related projects was a $40-billion man-made island which included a Formula 1 race track .
• There was no business plan, permits, inspections, planning commissions, environmental review, and no attorneys, because everything was built to be the finest in the world.
• The Nationals (Emiratis) comprise only 1/6 of the UAE population of 800,000. They basically don’t have to work.  Free healthcare, housing, education, and no-interest loans. You get the picture. Unlike anywhere else in the world.

NEXT MEETING: April 5, 2013

Staying Afloat

One of today’s premier marina and waterfront development specialists in the Middle East, Steve Burton has just completed writing a book Staying Afloat documenting his cross-cultural encounters, stratospheric expectations, unimaginable obstacles, hilarious day-to-day adventures, and myths and interpretations faced as an American expat living and working in staggeringly wealth Abu Dhabi for three years. Steve was tasked by the Rulers to design and develop a gigantic luxury yacht marina in the desert from scratch and expect it to become a premier global yachting destination – all within thirty months. His narrative conveys a blend of cultural insight, candor and wit.

MEETING OF March 29, 2013

Welcome

President  Jim “Blind Side” Young called our meeting to order on a beautiful Good Friday. Darlene Almeida had the honor of leading us in the Pledge. Stoney asked all to have a silent prayer for peace, freedom and justice.  Prez Jim offered the following thought from Bobby Burns in honor of our dear friend the late John Nicol, “If there’s another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.”

Rotarians with Guests

Prez Jim had as his guests wife/driver Linda and Shanton Tyson from East Bay Rotoract. Joan Davis had as her guest Rick Ambrose, Executive Director of the Richmond Art Center. Rafael Madrigal had as his guests Rosa Lara (more on her later), Gonzalo Ochoa from B&O Tires, and Jael Myrick, Richmond City Council. Our guest speaker’s guest was Felipe Guzman.

Sunshine Report

Hank Covel reported that Henry Kelman is home and receiving services from Hospice. Calls to Henry are encouraged.

Announcements

• Alan Baer wanted all to know that Richmond Rotary will be 93 years old (Ralph Hill is 90 “also” and not 92!)
• David Brown read a thank you card from our Interact students (Beatrice, Ashley, Hannah and Sponsor Henry Moe) for the opportunity to attend Camp Royal.
• Stoney informed all that the BBQ at Mark Howe’s home with Stoney cooking and Richard Alexander as bartender will be on 4/27 from 3-7. If you did not sign up at Rotary Auction you can pay $50 at the door for a fabulous time
• RotoCare Clinic did open on 3/19.
• TAKE US OUT TO THE BALLGAME! Rafael announced that Rotary Day at the A’s will be 8/31 with the tailgate starting at 3:30 and the game sometime after that and Fireworks sometime after that…hope you will be able to stay awake for all the festivities.
• Richmond Tales Family Festival will be on April 20 from 11-3 at Richmond Civic Center. Jim needs 6 volunteers to sit at the table
• The play “Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle” will have 6 performances in May. Instead of Thursday night shows we will be having Sunday matinee shows. For more information and to get tickets click on “Learn more” on the right side of the flywheel page, “Discover the Lost Secrets”. Our guest Shanton, who grew up in Harlem and is now in a Masters program at St. Mary’s, told us about how important it was for her growing up in Harlem to learn about its history and to have a positive outlook on life through books about Harlem. “Lost Tales” can do the same for students in Richmond.

Special Events

Jim welcomed our newest member Rosa Lara, who was sponsored by Rafael Madrigal (which New Member Team gets credit for Rosa?), to the Club and informed her about how to get from a red badge to a blue one. WELCOME ROSA!

Recognitions

• David Keystone celebrated his 17^th Anniversary on 3/24 and his wife forgot. So why was there a loud round of applause from all the men in the room when he said that?
• Tom Butt celebrated his birthday on March 23 and was sad that this was the first year he was not celebrating his birthday with fellow architect and Rotarian Don Hardison. Tom did celebrate at his grandson’s 4^th birthday.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• Joan Davis was happy to point out that Your Scribe, who placed some happy $ in the box, will be celebrating his 30^th Anniversary with the Y on April 1. Don also invited everyone to come to the 20^th Anniversary of the Hilltop Family Y on Monday April 1^st.
• David Brown, who is always connected to his Giants, was happy to announce that Buster Posey just signed an 8 year $167 million contract.
• Michelle Itagaki was happy to remind all of us to BE HAPPY.
• Josh Genser was sad to report that Doug Millar was not feeling well…get better soon!
• Lynn Martin was happy to get a donation from our Club for Early Childhood Mental Health Program
• Stoney was sad to announce the passing of a close friend.

Norm’s Nonsense

Truth in Advertising …

– A few years ago there was an ad in the motorcycle section of the Oakland Tribune: 1998 Harley “Hog”. This “Chopper” is in great shape because it was formerly owned by a little old lady in Piedmont who only rode it to church on Sundays.

– Clare Valley vintners in South Australia, which primarily produce Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc wines, has developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diruetic. This new wine for Seniors will be called Pinot More.

– A dentist advertised that his charge for pulling teeth was only $100 each. A patient said, “$100 seems like an awful lot for only a few minutes work.” Dentist: “I could pull it slower if you wish.”

PROGRAM

A Day in the Life of Casino San Pablo

Prez Jim introduced James Grant who is the Director of Guest Safety & Surveillance at San Pablo Lytton Casino. The Casino is operated by the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians originally from the Lytton Racheria of Healdsburg, CA.  The Casino is a Class II gaming facility (Nevada style casinos are Class III) where players are playing against each other and not against the casino. The casino gets a cut from all the gaming that goes on whether at the poker table or on the machines. James has been doing security work for Class II and III casinos for some time and is an expert on how customers try to cheat and how to prevent cheating. There was a very lively question and answer period which gave us a good glimpse into how the safety side of San Pablo Lytton Casino works.

– Rotating Editor, The Menehune