NEXT MEETING: October 4, 2013

How will the Affordable Care Act affect you?

The Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, has already begun affecting Americans in numerous ways. Our own Rotary member, George Egan, will talk about the personal financial implications of the ACA.

MEETING OF September 27, 2013

Welcome

President Liliane presided over the podium, Red Badge Member Gonzalo led the pledge and Herb led the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Blushing Bride Michele (Itagaki) Smedley introduced her husband Hank Smedley. Josh Surowitz brought Ethen Heinrich, David Brown brought Yvonne Mair-Gill. President Liliane was accompanied by her husband Ken.

Announcements

• Felix is busy getting ready and looking for volunteers for the Tree Planting Day on October 19^th. Correction from last week Alan Blavins is setting up the Rotary tent not Alan Baer.
• We need a total of ten Club members to volunteer on a shift basis at a hot-dog stand on Sunday, October 20, at Golden Gate Fields (“Dollar Day at the Races”). This will enable the Club to receive a $1,000 donation from Golden Gate Fields. See Liliane or Lynn Martin. Shifts are 10-2 and 12-4pm .
• Foundation Day at the Races will be held on November 16. It is a BARSHEEP event and all the monies raised will be a BARSHEEP gift to the Rotary Foundation
• The District Conference is in Chico on Oct 18, 19 and 20
• There will be a Council of Core Members on November 1^st
• The Annual Rotary Auction will be held in the afternoon on December 6 and our Christmas Dinner will be held in the evening of December 6. Bring a cot and stay after the Auction
• Richmond Rotarians will purchase bikes once again at a cost of $45 a piece and several Rotarians raised their hands to purchase to kick off the donating early.
• There will be a Fishing Derby in the spring time and it will be a joint venture between Richmond Rotary and the Kiwanis Club.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

A vacationer from New York found his way into a bar in Billings, Montana, and began some serious drinking. After he was well past the legal limit, he stood up and shouted, “Every last Democrat is a horse’s ass!” The crowd jumped on him and beat him up.

After a week he returned to the same bar, had some drinks, and stood up and shouted, “Every last Republican is a horse’s ass!” The crowd descended upon him and beat him into silly putty again. He asks the bartender, “Who are these people anyway?”

“You don’t understand,” the attendant replied. “This is horse country.”

PROGRAM

Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the Proposed Twin Tunnels

The guest speaker is Tim Stroshane who has served on the California Water Impact Network as a senior research associate since 2008. Tim led an informative talk on the history of the Delta projects and focused on the latest Project idea of the Twin Tunnels. The Twin Tunnels Project would involve, 3 intakes, 30 miles of tunnels underneath the Delta Mud and would deliver water to the south delta to the export pumps of the State Water Project. The costs for the project are in the billions and part of the costs will come from water rate increases and tax payers. Tim provided an excellent outline of his program, which you can download here.

Tim also offered numerous links for more information about the project:

• Tim Stroshane – email: spillwayguy@gmail.com
• Bay Delta Conservation Plan –www.baydeltaconservationplan.com
• California Water Impact Network –www.C-WIN.org
• Restore the Delta – www.restorethedelta.org
• Environmental Water Caucus—Responsible Exports Plan: www.ewccalifornia.org/home/index.php
• Dr. Jeffrey Michael’s blog, Valley Economy –valleyecon.blogspot.com/

NEXT MEETING: September 27, 2013

Bay Delta Conservation Plan & the Proposed Twin Tunnels

Tim Stroshane, Senior Research Associate, joined the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) in 2008. A Bay Area urban planner since 1988, Tim is editor of SPILLWAY (http://www.spillwaynews.net/), a newsletter that addresses California water and development issues, including CalFED and Delta water politics, court decisions on water, and water markets. He brings to C-WIN his extensive knowledge of California water history, law and politics, and his organizational skills in order to help build the Network at a critical time.

MEETING OF September 20, 2013

Welcome

Liliane, Dan Tanita, and visiting Russian dentist Suvorova Natalia

• President Liliane presided over the podium.
• Herb Cole’s thought for the day was “your friends will come and go but your enemies will accumulate, so make as many friends as possible.”
• Mike Winters introduced his neighbor and hopefully soon to be new Rotarian, Avery Otto.
• Liliane welcomed Dan Tanita’s guests Delaina Roland and 12 other dentists visiting from Russia. While promoting international friendship and understanding, Dan has helped coordinate these visiting delegations for several years.

Announcements

• The next Club meeting (September 27) will again be at La Strada Restaurant.
• President Liliane Koziol read a thank-you letter from Kids’ Power, a non-profit to which our Club contributed money to support a workshop for staff and parents so they could help young people build skills to be safe from bullying, abuse and violence. They will send us a report upon conclusion of the workshop.
• We need a total of ten Club members to volunteer on a shift basis at a hot-dog stand on Sunday, October 20, at Golden Gate Fields (“Dollar Day at the Races”). This will enable the Club to receive a $1,000 donation from Golden Gate Fields. See Liliane or Lynn Martin.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

Every year, St. Peter conducted a tour down on earth. “This year,” he told the Virgin Mary, “I’m going to survey all your shrines and compare them to the shrines I’ve seen in previous years.” He took his tour and visited shrines around the world before he came back to heaven and reported to Mary, “I’ve got great news! There are more people at your shrines than anyone else’s. But I noticed one thing–every single statue portrayed you with a sad expression on your face. Why is that?” And Mary said, “Well, you see, Peter … I really wanted a girl.”

PROGRAM

Welcoming Dentists From Russia

Dan Tanita introduced the Russian delegation and said they were here to learn about dental practices. Dan talked about the Rotary Four-Way Test and its application to dental practices and to our lives. As Dan pointed out, Rotarians around the world strive to share those values.

After each of the visiting dentists introduced themselves through a translator, Dan opened the meeting for questions.

The first question had to do with what the Russians are learning on their visit here. They were all very grateful for the many insights and good suggestions that they’ve been exposed to about American dental business practices. They thanked all Rotary Club members for the hospitality and Dan Tanita for organizing the experience.

Lillian asked if there were any dental practices that are much different here than in Russia. The main difference is the way the dental offices are set up. In America, one or two dentists form an office and hire dental hygienists. In Russia, it is not uncommon to have 12-15 dentists in one office and each have different views on dentistry. In America, the dentists have more control to run their practice.

Alan Blavins recalled that, when he was about 18 years old, he got into a fight and had five teeth knocked out. In England, he was able to go to a dentistry hospital and get them repaired by dentists in training. It took over a year to complete the work and it was all free. Alan asked if they have the same type of thing in Russia. All the visiting dentists nodded yes.

What are the costs for dental school in Russia? If you are the strongest student applying for dental school, the tuition is free. Depending on the area you want to go to school, the costs can vary but the average cost is about US$4,000.

Marina, a past visiting Russian dentist, was so motivated by her previous visit and meeting Rotarians that she went back to St. Petersburg and started a Rotary Club. Marina’s son applied to be a part of the next dental delegation and will be visiting with the next group.

NEXT MEETING: September 20, 2013

Welcoming Dentists from Russia

Courtesy of Dan Tanita, a group of twenty Russian dentists will share their experience with the Club during their exchange visit in the Bay Area. Please note that the location of the presentation will be at La Strada Restaurant, in San Pablo. Map.

MEETING OF September 13th 2013

Welcome

This was our first club assembly with President Liliane presiding.  Sid’s thought for the day was” You don’t drown if you fall into water, only if you stay there!”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Typical for this dog day of Bay Area summer, there were none.

Felix Hunziker will be organizing the Club’s activities for Richmond’s Arbor Day, October 19^th.  He is coordinating the planting of 50 trees, with lots of help, at Lucas Park. The holes are already dug so it really is just planting.

Felix suggested that it would be good for membership if we had a Rotary booth at the park on this day on which we’re concerned with sinking roots (ohhh…) Your resourceful scribe, Alan Blavins, volunteered to manage the booth-establishing effort.

The Club is still looking for 10 volunteers to serve beer at Golden Gate Fields Dollar Days on October 20^th, between 10-4. If 10 members volunteer for this stint, the Club will receive $1,000—a fair exchange for several guys and gals drawing suds from a tap for a couple hours each. Do it. Let Pam know you’re in!

Connie Tritt gave us an update on the Foundation Goals. Quickly going reviewing 6 pages of data, she pointed out that Rotarians in our district (5140) raised $540,000 in the 2012/2013 fiscal year. A significant portion of that is returned to the clubs through grants in the coming years. The average donation per member is $155. Our club’s average is $198. (Give yourself a pat on your back.)

Connie explained that is is possible for us to get a 100% EREY(Every Rotarian Every Year) listing if each member donates just one dollar! We can do that.

Announcements

• NOTE: This Friday we meet at La Strada Restaurant, not at the Richmond Country Club! Next Friday, September 27^th, we will again meet at La Strada.
• Liliane told us how please she was to distribute $100 checks for each teacher at Peres School. She also thanked Henry Moe for his help on the Solano Stroll the previous Saturday.
• The Rotary Adventure 2013, District 5160 Conference, will be held at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico, October 18-20^th.
• District Conference, October 18-20^th.
• Tree Planting, October 19^th.
• Consular Corps, November 1^st.
• Day at the Races Foundation Day at Golden Gate Fields, November 16^th.
• Holiday Party and Auction,  December 6^th.
• Crab Feed,  February 8^th.
• Dan Tanita told us why he will be hosting 20 visiting Russian dentists. His reasoning convinced this scribe that it’s for something we can really get our teeth into.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

More Ponderisms …
– If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
– A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.
– To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

PROGRAM

Club Assembly

Liliane presented plans and a budget for the next Rotary year. She began by thanking all the board members. She also distributed a breakdown of the 2013/14 budget, which outlined the expected revenues and planned expenditures for various programs and projects.

Our president starts the year with a $27,329 carry over from last year. This is the club’s highest ever, in the memory of Treasurer David Brown. All programs were itemized, explained and their expenses shown.

Liliane next reviewed planned international projects, which will occur in India, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, and Nepal project.

Nick gave a mercifully brief (though Erle Brown still complained) summary of the changes to the Flywheel (which, we hope you’ve noticed). The new layout leads off with Announcements, consolidates several topic categories, and thanks to shorter blurbs, does little to tax our precious supply of attention. But we still need scribes. BTW, thank Henry Moe! Last Friday Henry volunteered to give scribing a shot. If he likes it, he’ll stick with it.

Lastly (we’re pushing our word count, I know) Josh Surowitz followed up with a rousing report on the status of member recruitment. He reminded all that the responsibility for new members rests with us. Perk alert: Potential members get a free lunch.

NEXT MEETING: September 13, 2013

Club Assembly

President Liliane Koziol, in her first Club Assembly of her term, will lead a discussion about the Club’s budget and the programs and projects it includes.

MEETING OF September 6, 2013

Welcome

Pam Jones reprised her role as Club president some years ago, and stepped in to preside over today’s meeting. President-elect Stony, who would normally do the honors in the absence of our President, wasn’t  sure he could make it in time but did slip in shortly after the opening bell.

Sid’s thought for the day: “Some people find fault as if there were a reward for it!”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Pate Thompson, a Berkeley Rotarian, thanked the club for their matching grant and food for the Rotacare Clinics.

Announcements

• David Brown gave Dan Tanita a club check for $500 for his school free dental program
• Dan then told us about The New Generations Rotary exchange program. Under this program a recent dentistry school graduate from St.Petersburg , Russia, Mr Kokchain Ovanes, will visit and learn and stay with Dan for two weeks.  Josh Genser generously offered to have Mr. Ovanes to stay in his home for an additional two weeks. Dan thanked Josh.
• From the Sunshine Report, we learned Michelle Itagaki is “doing well” after her hip surgery.
• The Rotary Adventure 2013, District 5160 Conference at the Silver dollar fairgrounds in Chico, CA October 18-20th
• Connie Tritt, Foundation Chair, reminded us that our club has set a goal for 2013/2014 of 100% EREY(EREY = Every Rotarian Every Year. ) That means that every member of Richmond, CA Rotary Club will each give at least $1.00 (that’s right, just one greenback!)  to the Rotary Foundation.  Last year we hit 71%.
• Felix Hunziker thanked the club for our increased donation of $2500 for his tree project, where on the city of Richmond’s Arbor Day, October 19^th he plans to plant 50 trees, with lots of help, at Lucas Park. Hands up who wants to help with the digging? Felix thought it would be good for membership to have a Rotary manned (or womanned) booth at the park all day.
• Speaking of membership, Josh Surowitz announced we have two new members at the proposal stage: Jose Rodriguez and Brian Montgomery. He then made an appeal for regular attendance. He was preaching to the converted, though. After all, 50% of our members were absent. That’s not so unusual for a mid-summer meeting, though.
• Pam Jones is looking for 10 volunteers to serve beer at Golden Gate fields Dollar days on October 20^th, between 10-4. If we can find the members, the club will receive $1000.
• David Brown rejoiced that the club raised nearly $3000 for Peres Elementary School. This gives each teacher $100 for school supplies, and Liliane the pleasure of handing out the checks in person.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

More dating ads from a newsletter for a senior community in Florida.

-I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga and meditation. If you are the silent type, let’s get together, take our hearing aids out and enjoy quiet times.

-Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flosser to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.

-Male, 1932 model, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves. Isn’t in running condition, but walks well.

PROGRAM

Bringing Single Payer Healthcare to California

Our speaker was Pat Snyder, a health care policy activist. This is Pat’s second visit to Richmond Rotary. She provided an update on the decades-long effort to bring a single payer system to California. This single payer system promises to be truly universal, leaving no one without medical coverage. It is also more equitable and cost-effective than the complex Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Under a single payer system, everyone pays into a single fund, like most seniors on Medicare do today. Private doctors, clinics and hospitals would then be paid out of that fund.  This system would eliminate the costly burden of billing that providers assume today, and more importantly, it would eliminate the expensive intermediate layer of insurance companies, which place the generation of profit above the provision of health care services.

The lively Q&A zeroed in on the role of government and the limits to what it can efficiently accomplish. Of course, this mirrors the debate about health care nationwide. Who says Richmond Rotary is not a diverse bunch of folks?

Personally. I thought how many more health plans will we need to unravel? It’s enough to make you sick.

NEXT MEETING: September 6, 2013

Single Payer Healthcare in California

Pat Snyder, a former nurse administrator and current health care policy activist, will describe the efforts to adopt a single payer health care system in California. She will look at both the benefits and deficiencies of the Affordable Care Act, and tell us why many health professionals believe we must continue to work for a single payer health care system.

MEETING OF August 30, 2013

Welcome

President Liliane Koziol warmly welcomed a well-attended Labor Day weekend meeting. Rotary’s newest member Gonzalo Ochoa directed our attention outdoors to the stars and stripes on the patio flagpole for the traditional pledge. Hank Covel’s invocation was followed by a thought from Sid Chauvin that trailed off, but may have been “It’s not what you know, it’s what you use …”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Visiting us today, president of San Pablo Rotary, Mack Robinson.
Ric Ambrose of the Richmond Art Center was introduced by Jan Brown. Darlene Quenville was introduced by her sweetheart Jon Lawlis.
City Councilman, Jael Myrick was introduced by Raphael Madrigal.
John “Z” Ziesenhenne of MA Hayes and President of the Richmond Museum of History was introduced by Joe Bagley. Nick Veran of MA Hayes was introduced by Josh Genser. Jim Richardson, an Accountant was also introduced by Josh Genser. Henry Moe introduced Student Guests from Salesian Interact Club: Beatriz Portillo, Hannah Cho and Patricia Torres.

Welcome all to Richmond Rotary!

Announcements

The end of summer signals lots of activities:

• Ragin Cajun Gumbo Fest, sponsored by San Pablo Rotary is Saturday September 21. $28/ea. Call Dennis for tickets at 650-4094 or email SanPabloRotary@gmail.com.
• Jim Young gave a Sunshine report that Michele Itigaki and Hank have tied the knot! (Yahoooo!) Jim also shared that Michele is facing a full hip replacement . . . send good thoughts Michele’s way.
• President Liliane thanked all Rotarians, businesses and Interact Students who provided meals to RotoCare volunteers of Richmond RotaCare’s Clinic. La Strada and La Revolucion provided meals, Interact Students cooked under Henry Moe’s coordination, Rotarians Mike Winter, Bill Koziol, Richard Alexander and Ganzalo Ochoa were drivers. Dr. Dan Tanita was honored for his service as our Rotocare Rep. (https://www.brighter-beginnings.org).
• Your contribution (if you promised one) to school supply spending money for 29 teachers at Peres School is needed now.  Send check to treasurer David Brown.
• Rotary will have a big presence at the Solano Stroll on Sunday, September 8 and needs volunteers to help in shifts with setup, friendly table talk, and take down between 9am and 6pm (http://www.solanoavenueassn.org). A fun way to be a Rotarian. Let President Lilliane know of your availability.
• Dr. Dan Tanita is requesting a home to house a visiting Russian dental student for 2 weeks in the New Generations Exchange. Josh Genser stepped to the plate (but alternates welcome).
• Richmond Rotary needs just 12 fun-loving Rotarians to be at the Rotary Foundation Day at the Races! at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday Nov. 16, 2013. 10% of the net ticket sales will go to Richmond Rotary’s community fund coffers. CAN YOU BE THERE? $35 includes valet parking, admission & reserved Turf Club seating with an amazing Turf Club buffet that includes salads to mouth-watering carving. RSVP to our President.
• The Rotary A’s game and fireworks organized by Alan Baer and Raphael Madrigal is now a memorable part of the Labor Day weekend.
• Put the District Conference on your calendars. Rotarians will have hands-on activities at the Conference in Chico on Oct. 18-20 i.e. preparing 1200 meal packets for victims of landmine disaster relief.
• Proud father Jim Young disclosed that the product of his son’s efforts will soon be shot to the moon.  Not his work alone, mind you. Zion Young is a member of a team of engineers and scientists who assembled and packaged a robot dedicated to the lofty objective of sniffing out dust on the lunar surface. Jim’s family album (PDF, 1.9MB) sports pictures of Zion and colleagues assembling the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer. LADEE will be launched as early as September 6^th (that’s if all the stars are properly aligned, the magic dust duly distributed, and, of course, the weather fully cooperative).  Learn more about this impressive piece of engineering from NASA.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

A young fellow found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, so he decided he needed to find a wife with whom to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  “I may look like just an ordinary guy,” he said to her, “but in just a few years my father will die, and I will inherit $200 million.”

Impressed, the woman asked for his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother.

PROGRAM

Melinda McCrary, Executive Director of the Richmond Museum of History

President Liliane Koziol introduced our program speaker Melinda McCrary, the Richmond Museum of History’s (first) new Executive Director. The Museum was incorporated in 1954 and enjoys its historical home in a Carnegie library, the architectural gem that was once Richmond’s Library at 104 Nevin Ave. In 1980 the building was remodeled to add storage and exhibit space.

In 1988 the SS Red Oak Victory was acquired by the Museum and is the last remaining ship built in the Richmond Shipyards. The Museum is in transition as it rebuilds and expands its board, volunteers and staff. Ms. McCrary is eager to expand the Museum’s educational outreach and update its exhibits. Among the museum’s fascinating collections is a complete collection of the Richmond Independent newspaper from 1910 until after WWII.

The Museum remains focused on acquiring artifacts related to Richmond’s past (so keep it in mind when you clean the attic).  And according to Board President Mr. Z, the Red Oak Victory’s new ambitious goal is to set sail for Normandy on June 5, 2019! Thank you Melinda McCrary for carrying the banner of one of Richmond’s finest assets.

Be sure to visit the Richmond Museum of History: http://www.richmondmuseumofhistory.org