Yearly Archives: 2013
NEXT MEETING: August 30, 2013The Richmond Museum of History
The Richmond Museum of History is a hidden jewel of the East Bay. Travel through time with Melinda McCrary and learn about the people, discoveries, and events that made Richmond the city it is today. MEETING OF August 23, 2013WelcomeStoney practiced being the president today – next year he is our president for the second time. Alan Baer led the pledge, and Stoney recited his famous invocation. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJohn Folio, the executive director of the Boy Scouts of America and a Danville Rotarian introduced José Rodriguez, who is responsible for West County Boy Scouts. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsenseIt was considered a great step forward in civil aviation when the first fully-automated flight embarked on its maiden transcontinental journey. The engines roared and the plane made a perfect takeoff into the cloudless sky. The plane now airborne, a silky mechanical voice came over the speakers. “Welcome aboard this historic flight, ladies and gentlemen. Simply press the call button if you would like more champagne, served by one of our robot attendants. Even those of you who may have been anxious about flying can relax in the knowledge that this flight is free from the possibility of human error. Every aspect—altitude, air pressure, weather conditions—is being continuously monitored by state-of-the-art computer circuitry, so virtually nothing can go wrong…go wrong…go wrong…” PROGRAMThe Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Jim Young introduced Vernon Dwelly a docent at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. He explained that the Institute now has a $900 million endowment, but it didn’t start that way. The Institute was established with a $12 million donation from Beryl Buck. While the trust was in litigation by adjoining counties anxious for a piece of the action, an oil property within the trust was purchased by Shell oil for $400 million. With the windfall, the board built the now-famous I.M. Pei designed edifice, the Taj Mahal of research institutes that overlooks the hills of Marin. You can see it near Novato as you drive north on HWY 101. The building is open for tours every third Thursday of the month. You may want to visit the Institute’s website. Mark Howe, “Rotating Editor” |
NEXT MEETING: August 23, 2013The Buck Institute on Aging
When Beryl Buck died in the 1970s she left her personal fortune, believed to be greater than $250 million “…for the benefit of the people of Marin County.” Out of her bequest has emerged the Buck Institute, one of the world’s leading research facilities focused on human aging. Vernon Dwelly who is a docent at the Institute, visits Richmond Rotary to review the interesting history of the Institute and how its research may improve the quality of life for those over 60. MEETING OF August 16, 2013WelcomeOn a beautiful summer day, President Liliane Koziol called to order a well-attended meeting at the Richmond Country Club. Gonzalo Ochoa was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Herb Cole offered a silent moment for peace, freedom and justice on earth. President Koziol went on to recognize the passing of Mary Elena Dochterman, wife of Clifford Dochterman, past President of Rotary International, by asking for a moment of silence in her memory. Visiting RotariansLew Clayman was visiting from the Pinole Rotary Club. Dr. Clayman briefly described a project that the Pinole Rotary Club was undertaking, with financial support from the Richmond Rotary Club, to teach basic healthcare in an impoverished area within Nepal that largely has no access to medical care or training of such issues. Rotarians with GuestsTom Waller introduced his guest, Rhys Ludlow, and Jan Brown introduced her guest, Jamie Glidden. Sunshine ReportSyd Chauvin is recovering well from his recent surgery and expects to be back at the Club soon! Announcements
Special EventsGonzalo Ochoa provided us with a look into his life when he gave his “Who Am I” introduction at today’s meeting. Gonzalo described how he immigrated to the United States from Mexico in his teens, how he started working as an automobile mechanic, and how he came to eventually begin his own successful automobile mechanic shop eight years ago. Perhaps most impressive are the five children and two grandchildren Gonzalo has! RecognitionsOur esteemed President, Liliane Koziol, recognized and thanked Tom Waller for all of his efforts as Transition Program Coordinator throughout the transition of the presidency over the past several months. She also recognized Bill Koziol, Henry Moe and Mike Winter for their work in support of the RotaCare Clinic. Josh Genser celebrated his birthday with family in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Mike Winter and his lovely wife celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in Las Vegas. Felix Hunziker and his beautiful wife celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary. Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseSomething to think about … PROGRAM
President Koziol presented Kami Sherpa with a certificate from Richmond Rotary, and the Club donated two bricks in his name to a new school being built in South Africa David Keystone, pinch-hitting scribe |
NEXT MEETING: August 16, 2013Kami Sherpa and the Adventures of Altitude
MEETING OF August 9, 2011WelcomeLovely Liliane, our esteemed leader, was back at podium today. Lesa Macintosh led us the Pledge of Allegiance and Herb Cole offered the invocation. Liliane also publicly thanked Alan Blavins for service above the call of duty for stepping in to write the Flywheel notes when he realized that the assigned scribe, Mark H. was not scribing. Visiting Rotarians and Rotarians with Guests
Sunshine ReportThe consummate British gentleman, Alan Blavins was substituting at the check in desk today for the always ungentlemanly, very funny and lovable Sid Chauvin, who was having his knee operated on. BTW, Alan Blavins was spotted, by your editor, driving the very sexy black Audi sports car that was in the parking lot today—they don’t call it a chick magnet for nothing–Alan’s the man! Announcements
RecognitionsIf there were birthdays and anniversaries recognized on this day, none were recorded. But the times roll on, whether or not the events are recognized. Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseA woman went on vacation with her husband to a fishing resort. While he was taking a nap, she took the boat out so she could sunbathe. She anchored in the bay, and along came the sheriff in his boat and said, “Ma’am, there’s no fishing here. I’m going to have to take you in.” PROGRAMMelanie O’Reilly, Celtic & Gaelic Jazz
Melanie O’Reilly, an internationally recognized Irish jazz teacher, singer, and composer explained that this style of music is unique in that it is sung without musical accompaniment. This confident and entertaining women with a recognizable Irish accent treated us to an example of her art. Unaccompanied, she sang an Irish lament in Gaelic. The house was blown away, evidenced by the vigorous applause. Melanie explained that laments were traditionally sung by women grieving the departure of their husbands, who immigrated to the New World alone. Melanie’s style of music is a blend of Jazz and traditional Irish music. The themes of the her songs span the range of emotion, from sad laments to bubbling celebrations of life. These songs also reflect significant episodes of Irish culture. Melanie’s personal history merits recounting. Her mother was an actress and her father a goldsmith – both pursuits where a deep appreciation of the arts is essential. Melanie was educated as a registered nurse at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh Scotland. Upon completing her rigorous training she visited a psychiatric hospital. Moved by what she found there, she starting singing quietly an Irish lament. The patients could hear the music and gathered around her until the room was full. This experience convinced her that her music is extremeley powerful. It brings people together, and breaks down otherwise impenetrable boundaries. She decided from then on that she could do more good for the world with her music than being a nurse. Once again the power of music was demonstrated to her, when she was asked to sing at the King Arthur Pub in Belfast during the violent period in Northern Ireland know as the “Troubles”. After the performance, she was told that the pub had been bombed a month earlier. Both Catholics and Protestants, hungry for a break in the fighting, attended her performance. She credits her appearance for helping the warring factions come to a peace settlement shortly thereafter. Melanie recently performed at the new “Jim Young-financed” Freight and Salvage theatre across from Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Jazz School, in Berkeley. Her albums are available on iTunes. Search for “Melanie O’Reilly”. Mark Howe, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: August 9, 2012The Role of Arts & Culture in Our World
Singer/songwriter/radio host and music educator Melanie O’Reilly talks about the importance and value of bringing culture and the arts to our local and global communities. MEETING OF August 2, 2013WelcomeAlan Baer stepped in as president for Liliane today. Alan asked Herb to give the invocation. Herb asked for a moment of silence for “peace and freedom on earth”. Sid gave us a thought for the day: “What comes out of your mouth depends on what goes into your brain” Rotarians with Guests
Sunshine ReportThe Sunshine Report is an invitation to all members to offer support to other members who may be in ill health or have suffered losses. Today’s Report brought little sunshine.
Announcements
Recognitions
Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseNorm attests that these are real ads, placed in a newsletter for a senior community in Florida: -Sexy, fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, 80’s, slim, 5’4″ (used to be 5’6″), Searching for sharp-looking, sharp-dressing companion. Matching white shoes and belt, a plus. -Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband, Looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. Dizziness, Fainting, Shortness of breath not a problem. -I can usually remember Monday through Thursday. If you can remember Friday, Saturday and Sunday, let’s put our two heads together. PROGRAMRichmond Police Explorers
Gerald Tong, a 12 year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, talked about the RPD Explorer Program. After a serious scandal several years, when the program was nearly terminated, the program was re-staffed and is functioning well again. The Explorer Program is a division of the Boy Scouts and gives students interested in law enforcement careers a first-hand experience of the work. The Explorers are often used by the Police Department for traffic control, and other support activities. They also frequently do ride-alongs in the patrol cars. A testimonial about the benefits of the program was presented by Cadet Guzman, now an RPD officer. Before he joined the Explorer, Guzam hung out with the wrong crowd, did poorly in school, and lacked a sense of direction in his life. He said the program taught him how to present himself professionally, how to listen, and how to speak to adults. Most importantly, he became a role model for his younger brother, Jaime, who, following his big brother, enrolled in the Explorer Program. Mark Howe, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: August 2, 2013Richmond Police ExplorersOfficer Jerred Tong, accompanied by 3 Richmond Police Explorers, will tell us about the Explorer Program. The program strives to create interest in law enforcement by exposing youth to the many duties police officers perform, while building the self-confidence and character. By teaching these young men and women to new skills and challenging them to overcome obstacles, the program prepares them for a career in law enforcement and gives them the tools to be successful in any profession they choose. MEETING OF July 26, 2013WelcomeLiliane, our newly-inducted president, asked Stoney to perform the invocation. He asked us for a moment of silence for “peace and freedom on earth”. Sid gave us a thought for the day but I’ll be dammed if I could understand it. Sunshine & Rotarians with Guests
Announcements
Recognitions
Happy and Sad Dollars
Norm’s NonsenseA heavily inebriated gentleman is going ice fishing. He starts to drill a hole with his auger when a loud booming voice says, “There’s no fish down there!” PROGRAM
Last Friday, Patrick Roche of Contra Costa County’s Department of Conservation and Development presented the county’s proposed climate action plan, aimed at meeting the goals of AB32. Under AB32, all government bodies must create plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 15% below baseline levels by 2020. Due to the heavy concentration of power plants and oil refineries in Contra Costa, GHG levels are very high relative to other counties at 18 million metric tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere annually. However the majority of these sources are under the jurisdiction of the Air Quality Management District so Contra Costa County’s plan addresses only 1.6 MMT of GHG emissions. The largest component of the sources under the county jurisdiction are transportation related at 29%. Other large CO2 sources are related to commercial and residential building mechanical systems. The county’s climate action plan addresses the task of reducing these GHG by:
Mark Howe, Rotating Scribe |
Our guest speaker, Kami Sherpa, is a member of Rotary and has climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest 6 times, Mt. Kilimanjaro 3 times, and has trekked up many, many other incredibly high, steep mountains the rest of us may have only seen in movies or on TV. Kami leads guided mountain climbing expeditions throughout the world, and he spoke about his experience climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest on behalf of Rotary International. Kami provided us with amazing photographs of his Everest expedition, and he described the intense nature of the undertaking (though he did call it a much safer undertaking now, than in years past).
Kami Sherpa has climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest 6 times, Mt. Kilimanjaro 3 times, and has scaled many other mountains. He has worked as a leader or guide on trekking and mountaineering expeditions, and as a news reporter and cameraman for Nepal Television. Kami will share with us the excitement and adventure of his high-altitude passion.
