NEXT MEETING: Ocotber 31, 2014

Halloween: Holy or Hellish?

As today’s lunch falls on Halloween, or “All Hallow’s Eve,” Sister Mary Greenan, FMA, Assistant Principal of Salesian College Preperatory School, will once again delight the club with an entertaining review of the history and traditions of the holiday. Figure out for yourself if Halloween is Holy or Hellish!

MEETING OF October 24, 2014

Welcome

President Stoney Stonework called to order the Richmond Rotary Club. “Big Erle’ Brown was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Stoney led us in the invocation, a silent prayer for Freedom, Peace & Justice on Earth… Sid, consulting his Dictionary of Real Definitions defined “Compromise” – The art of dividing a cake in such a way so that everyone preserves they each got the biggest piece.

Visiting Rotarians

Past-president and RotaCare champion Pate Thompson from Berkeley Rotary, and Doug Millar, Past-president of San Pablo Rotary visited our club today. Welcome!

Rotarians with Guests

Josue Rodriquez, VP & Manager of the First Bank San Pablo attended as Guest Doug Millar’s guest.

Sunshine Report

Great sunshine (we could use more rain), no Sunshine Report.

Announcements

  • Heather Kulp and Stacey Street (henceforth referred to as the Awesome Sisters) suggested that the club should move the Xmas Party to January 24th and re-theme it as the Winter Wonderland Party. Lots of good reasons for doing this staring with less social and cultural completion and better choice of everything else. In a straw vote the members present agreed so we are off to a Winter Wonderland. The date is tentative but preferred. Watch for future announcements
  • Don ‘The Menehune’ Lau announced the upcoming Richmond/El Cerrito Firefighters Toy Drive Breakfast Fundraiser Oct. 31st, 6:30 AM at the Courtyard Marriott at Hilltop. The breakfast is FREE! Participants will be able to purchase raffle tickets for a cornucopia of prizes including the Menehune’s mystical Hawaiian incantation that will allow you to pass effortlessly through the rush hour traffic on I-80.
  • Pate Thompson told the club about the great virtuoso fiddle and world music concert that will be held at Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, Nov. 13th at 8 PM. The concert is a benefit for the RotaCare Free Clinic in Richmond and features world renowned Scottish Fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cello maven Natalie Haas. This world class World Music concert benefitting Rotary’s RotaCare is not to be missed.
  • Jim Young announced the continuing Rotary – West County Reads Children’s Book Drive with 14 bins still available for placement. Thank you Alan Baer and Mark Howe for taking more bins! As there has been some confusion over ‘what is a children’s book, Jim gave a short demonstration with examples. NOT CHILDREN”S BOOKS – Mao’s ‘Little Red Book’, anything by Nietzsche, “The Rotarian” & “National Geographic”. CHILDREN’S BOOKS – “The Little Engine that Could”, “The Wizard of Oz” and Jim’s personal favorite, “The Big Book of Real Trains”. Those still wondering about children’s books can consult this link to Amazon’s Children’s Book Categories http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=4

Besides placing a book collection bin at your place of business, church or favorite hangout, here’s what every Rotarian can do to support the Book Drive:

    • Clean out your bookshelves and donate gently used children’s books you no longer want.
    • Volunteer to collect books once or twice a week (see Mark Howe or Jim Young).
    • Volunteer to help sort books at TBD times.
    • Donate cash. Donations will be used to purchase Spanish/English paperback dictionaries and bilingual children’s books. Make checks payable to “The Ed Fund-WCR”.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Prez Stoney introduced Berkeley PP Grier Graff and his faithful Scottish companion Past-president Pate Thompson, who are visiting Richmond Rotary to describe and promote Berkeley’s Spring International Project in Las Varas Mexico. There are a lot of facts about this ongoing project including ease of access via the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, manageable cost in the $1,350 for 8 days AND air travel, overnight accommodation in the seaside community of Chacala and a lot of Rotary fellowship. I’m going to bullet point some of those facts below, but the standout fact is the measurable impact Berkeley Rotary has had on the local communities of Chacala, La Penita & Zcualpan in the 15 years since the project, projects really, began in 1998.

Pate explained that it all began in 1998 when he dropped anchor of the then remote village of Chacala while sailing the tropical coast of Mexico. Chacala was a remote, picturesque, charming and extremely poor seaside village. This poverty was exemplified by the broken down high school building that was under used as no young people went to school beyond the 8th grade. The Berkeley effort started with building a second story instructional center and laboratory on the existing one room high school. Pat is justifiably proud of the fact that now 75% of Chacala youth go on to high school and many go on to the University. This includes a local doctor that grew up in Chacala and now practices medicine there.

So this story goes, around the other agricultural communities in the area including La Penita, Zacualpan and now Las Varas. Grier said that the many years of effort have developed real alliances with the local communities including the co-sponsoring Rotary Club of La Penita and the parent/school communities in each project towns. Grier said that in this part of Mexico Rotary projects are seen for their product as well as their promise.

Speaking of the project Grier said:

  • The project will build or finish out three new laboratories, a teaching kitchen and a new science/computer lab.
  • Work will be done by teams of visiting and local Rotarians and school parents and students.
  • The original high school building in Las Varas that prompted this project was an old tobacco drying shed.
  • The Global Grant supporting the project is for $160K and is the largest grant in District 5160 this year.

About travel and accommodations Grier said:

  • Project teams in three, 8 day travel/work cycles, will begin arriving April 21st and end May 15th.
  • Cost is expected to be $500 air fare, $850 for room, board and transportation from Puerto Vallarta and daily between Chacala and Las Varas.
  • All skill levels are needed and will be used.
  • There are 26 participating Rotary Clubs so there will be great Rotary fellowship
  • The workday will be from 8 AM to 1 PM. And that includes travel time to Las Varas.
  • Margarita Time starts at 5 PM each evening on the beach unless it is moved up.
  • Reservations can be made starting in November with Berkeley Rotary by contacted Project leader Grier Graff, gg@berkeleyrotary.org or 510-653-4500. Watch for flyers announcing additional information and sign up for the project e-newsletter.
  • You may also want to spend a few days in Puerto Vallarta. In that case you may want to bring more cash.

Prez Stoney thanked Grier and Pate for one heck of a service opportunity and an outstanding example of Rotary International projects working right here in District 5160.

A note on last week’s program

If you missed Menbere Aklilu’s “Who Am I” program last week and want more information about the GRIP-Saluté Thanksgiving Celebration, go to http://www.salutemarinabay.com/news-and-events/salute-thanksgiving-fund. There you can also find a KTVU video clip about the 2012 Thanksgiving Celebration at Saluté Restaurant.


Rotating Editor, Jim Young

NEXT MEETING: October 24, 2014

The Las Varas High School Project

Since 2003 Berkeley Rotary has led a series of service projects in the State of Nayarit Mexico. Today Berkeley PP Grier Graff visits Richmond Rotary to discuss the next project, renovation and modernization of La Prepetoria High School in the town of Las Varas. Grier will describe Berkeley’s success co-sponsoring with the La Penita, MX and Paradise, CA Rotary Clubs, building on a decade of service with Mexican Rotarians. Grier will also describe the technical parts of the actual renovation project. Because this project has easy access through the International Airport at Puerto Vallarta, MX, Grier is hoping you might consider a week of international service in Mexico in April/May 2015.

MEETING OF October 17, 2014

Welcome

President Stoney Stonework called to order the Richmond Rotary Club. Felix Hunziker was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Stoney led us in the invocation. Sid provided a definition as the Thought for the Day – What is a Yawn? Possibly the only time a husband gets to open his mouth.

Sunshine Report

Bill Koziol who hasn’t been around much himself lately said his project in Oakland, Oaksterdam, is completed and he hopes to be more of a regular at Rotary.

Special Events

Prez Stoney then asked Red Badger Jerry Faegley, holder of the oldest Red Badge in club history, to come to the podium and do his Who Am I.
Jerry didn’t know where to begin so he decided to talk about who he is today and not who he was when he got his Red Badge decades ago. Born 5 days after Pearl Harbor in 1941 in Pittsburg PA, Jerry moved west because of the memorable stories his 6th grade teacher told about San Francisco. He didn’t quit make it to SF. He first landed in Phoenix for two long, hot summers and the on to Hayward. He ended up in real estate after he met Mac Hammett and Don Bartells and 45 years later he is STILL in real estate. And that is after a lot of ups and downs, developing 300+ single family homes, starting a bank (ouch), lots of laughs and lots of sweat and hard work. Jerry feels good enough about continuing in real estate that he has just opened a new office in Albany to compliment his office in Pt. Richmond and doesn’t see any reason to stop now. Jerry has been married to Jan for the past 39 year and admitted that the reason he is doing his Who Am I is because Jan just joined EC Rotary and he wants to get his Blue Badge before she gets hers. Jerry and Jan live alone now but have a blended family of 5 adult children. Jerry noted that their son Brad has Down Syndrome and has inspired their lives to be leaders in local philanthropies supporting Down Syndrome research and family support.
Keep up the good work Jerry!
Prez Stoney then asked Stacey Street where her Red Badge might be? When she said she didn’t know, Jon Lawlis asked her to come to the podium to receive her new Blue Badge as the newest Blue Badger in Richmond Rotary. Stacey has been organizing and promoting the club’s programming as Program Chair and didn’t skip a beat as she promoted the dedication of the Warrior’s Basket Ball Court at MLK Park Monday 10/20 and the CC College Hall of Fame Awards inducting Sandi Genser-Mack 11/01. Can’t keep a good promoter down!

Announcements

  • Jon Lawlis announced that it’s past time to collect the club’s annual contribution to the new school year for the teachers at Peres Elementary School. This is the clubs $100 gift to each teacher to help cover their out-of-pocket expenses which are known to be in excess of $100. Checks, cash or money orders to DAB. Jon said the goal is $2,500 this year.
  • Foundation Director Connie Tritt passed out an analysis of annual fund giving for the last four years. She also said November would be a Paul Harris Contribution Match Month with PH Points being matched to every dollar given. In the past this has been done for first time Paul Harris giving. Watch for Connie’s e-mails promoting all Paul Harris giving in November.
  • Connie also said this month’s Member Mixer at the Baltic was sparkly attended and the November Mixer will be at a new location…TBD, stay tuned for a survey about Satellite Club Meetings. Josh Surowitz said the club has been talking about alternative meeting ideas for a long time because many of our members cannot spend 2 hours at a weekly lunch meeting. Member input is essential to get this planning right.
  • Jim Young announced the beginning of the Rotary –West County Reads Children’s Book Drive with the bins at the back of the meeting room. Thank you John Wilson for bringing six bags of books to start the drive off. Besides placing a book collection bin at your place of business, church or favorite hangout, here’s what every Rotarian can do to support the Drive:
    • Clean out your bookshelves and donate gently used children’s books you no longer want.
    • Volunteer to collect books once or twice a week (see Mark Howe or Jim Young).
    • Volunteer to help sort books at TBD times.
    • Donate cash. Donations will be used to purchase Spanish/English paperback dictionaries and bilingual children’s books. Make checks payable to “The Ed Fund-WCR”.

Thank you to Don Lau, Stacey Street, Tom Butt, Jerry Feagley & Mark Howe for taking bins for your places of business. Stay tuned for e-mails and suggestions on how to get kids books and who to ask first.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

"I walk in freedom"

Jim Young introduced new member Menbere Aklilu, owner and Hostess of Saluté Restaurante at Marina Bay. He said he didn’t know what was better in their acquaintance, the several years of lunches and dinners in the best Italian Restaurant in West County or the more subtle realization that Richmond was really lucky to have an angel among us. With that, Menbere, Menbi to her friends and customers, came to the podium.

I was born in Ethiopia and raised by my Mom, a single mother. Life was very difficult. My mother made wine and ran a small hotel & restaurant. When I was 10, on Easter Day, a thug in the military shot and killed my mother in the restaurant. In a state of shock and desperation I was taken in and raised by my older brother. While growing up I went to acting school and went into Ethiopian TV and entertainment. There I met a television producer on assignment in Ethiopia. He invited me to Rome and we got married. Unfortunately this relationship was not good and became very abusive. When I was nine months pregnant with my son I had to run away and I became homeless. Faith intervened and I was rescued by Nuns who got me into a homeless shelter where I gave birth to my son. We continued to live in Italy until my son was 11 and then, with very many difficulties, we came to this great county.

So much happened! But through friends of friends, other Italians, I met the owner of Saluté. The circumstance of this meeting is interesting as my friends, Italian gentlemen, were indiscreetly discussing me in Italian. When I told them of their indiscretion in perfect Italian they were shocked! “Oh my God”, they said, “She is not only beautiful but she speaks beautiful Italian and excellent English (which is not true). We must hire for Saluté.” So I was hired on the spot. I began working at Saluté at $7.00/hour. I began working my way up doing everything, but as you all know it is hard to live on even $10/hour.

After six years the restaurant was being sold. I needed to find another job, but my customers came to me and said, ‘Menbi, you should buy Salute.’ Oh how impossible! I have no money and live paycheck to paycheck. One of my very good customers said, ‘Menbi I will loan you the money.’ ‘Menbi I will loan you the money.’ So I bought Salute! How crazy! The restaurant was very successful. I paid back the loan in 11 months but said to my friend, ‘How can I ever really pay you back?’ He said, ‘Help other people the same way I’ve helped you.’ So four years ago I decided to invite homeless people to Salute for a real sit down Thanksgiving dinner. That year we served 300 dinners compliments of Salute. Year two we served 600 dinners. Last year we served 1,300 dinners and I asked doctor friends if they would also help the homeless people and families get flu shots. So we also ran a flu shot clinic with their volunteer help and the support of the community health department. Because last year was also my 10th anniversary of Saluté I gave the homeless people coupons for 10 take-out dinners that they can use whenever the wish.

In addition, I also invite local high school students to come to Salute for lunch and a class in etiquette. I know that many of them have never had the opportunity to learn about the finer things in life but, they need to know about them so they too can live gracefully and without fear.

This year at Thanksgiving Salute is again going to host homeless people, disadvantaged families and Veterans, but it is getting to be big event! So I have created a 501c3 non-profit corporation as a way of helping more people volunteer and donate to their needy neighbors. It is the GRIP-Salute Thanksgiving Celebration and you are all invited to donate and/or volunteer this coming Thanksgiving.

Menbi concluding by saying, “In this country (America & Richmond) I walk in freedom. Who am I among all these successful people? You make me bold! You make me special! I love you back!


- Rotating Editor, Jim Young.

NEXT MEETING: October 17, 2014

Everywhere I Walk, I Walk With Freedom

Menbere Aklilu was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Italy where she worked with family restauranteurs in Rome. She brings her international experience and her own special flair to Saluté e Vita Ristorante. Saluté E Vita remains a home away from home for all lovers of food, art, wine, friends and most of all family. In addition, Menbere is a role model in the community, and gives back in many ways. Menbere will describe key experiences from her life, and she will also discuss  “The Saluté Thanksgiving Fund” and plans to host Thanksgiving dinner for US Vets this year.  For more information, visit www.salutemarinabay.com/news-and-events/salute-thanksgiving-fund.

MEETING OF October 11, 2014

Welcome

Welcome

President Stoney called the meeting to order and asked John Wilson to lead the pledge. Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day was the confusion of one person in a room is multiplied by the number of people in attendance.

Announcements

  • President Stoney reminded everyone to join For Richmond at a no-cost Community Dinner on Monday October 20, 2014. The guest speaker will be Ambassador Andrew Young, widely recognized for his life’s dedication to humanitarian service and the improvement of social and economic conditions for all. The dinner will take place at the Lovonja Dejean Middle School multi-purpose room. Doors open at 6:00pm with dinner at 6:30pm Click Here
    to reserve a seat.
  • A benefit for the Rotacare Clinic will be held on November 13, 2014, in Berkeley. More information to follow.
  • Jim Young told the club that the West County Reads Book Drive will start in the next several days  with identified WCR/Rotary bins placed around town, i.e., in members businesses, churches & temples and other hangouts.Rotary will also solicit books, and go to locations like schools and libraries with large numbers of children’s books to donate. Club members will be asked to help in both pickup and delivery of books to the sorting & storage areas. The project goal is to resupply the WCR book inventory with gently used children’s books, suitable for children from newborn to 12. Fiction and Nonfiction books are needed. Picture books, easy readers, simple science books, chapter books, ones on animals, especially for children & young students. The ‘gold standard’ for WCR, if we can get them are bi-lingual books in Spanish & English.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Hope in Impossible Places

Angela Mason has devoted her life to being a voice for suffering children and travels the world on humanitarian missions. Angela has visited countries all over the world. Her focus has become water and sanitation since both affect children greatly in many areas of the world. There is only 3% fresh water in the world. Every 20 seconds a child dies from drinking contaminated water. Water shortage and sanitation are two of the biggest issues that will plague the world for a considerable amount of time. You can visit her website at angela@elevenplusyou.com . She also mentioned the Kumpi Mayu Foundation that focuses on Clean water for all – drop by drop. You can visit their website at www.kumpimayufoundation.org.


- Henry Moe, Rotating Editor

NEXT MEETING: October 10, 2014

Hope in Impossible Places

The mission of 11plus is to assist individuals, families, foundations and businesses in addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Its work is inspired by social innovators who actively pursue solutions to these problems. Many of us have the intention and resources to contribute significantly to their efforts, yet the reality of our busy lives doesn’t make it easy. 11plus was created to help close the gap between making a meaningful personal contribution and the barriers that can get in the way. The goal is to promote a more inspired and sustainable kind of global philanthropy. 11plus refers to founding principals, Marc (1) + Angela (1, also the luncheon speaker) plus the experienced team of consultants, clients, grantees and partners who collaborate in this endeavor to bring about life-changing results.

MEETING OF October 3, 2014

Welcome

President Stoney called the meeting to order and asked Jon Lawlis to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day was the definition of a conference room: a place where everyone talks, no one listens and all disagree later. Stoney called for a silent prayer for freedom, peace and  justice on earth.

 

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

  • Jon Lawlis introduced his beautiful and talented daughter Alyssa.
  • Joe Bagley introduced his equally beautiful and talented wife Rita.

Announcements

•    President Stoney Stonework reminded everyone that the next meeting on October 10th would once again take place at La Strada, our last “away” meeting for a while.
•    In Don Lau’s absence, President Stoney reminded everyone to join For Richmond at a no-cost Community Dinner with Ambassador Andrew Young, who is widely recognized for his life’s dedication to humanitarian service and the improvement of social and economic conditions for all. The dinner will take place at the Lovonja DeJean Middle School multi-purpose room on Monday, October 20, 2014. Doors open at 6:00pm with dinner at 6:30pm. Click here to reserve a seat.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

President Stoney introduced Dr. Elnora Tena Webb, President of Laney College, the flagship of the Peralta Community College District.  Despite some technical difficulties, Dr. Webb shared a brief presentation about the history, current state of affairs and strategic goals of Laney College, including expanding the student body and the campus, and doubling the percentage of students who transfer to other higher education institutions. She also mentioned the ongoing goal to provide course offerings (such as welding, machine work, medical-related, etc. ) that lead to work-ready credentials/certificates, since not everyone transfers on to four-year universities. Dr. Webb fielded questions about Laney College and the other colleges in the Peralta district, and how they compare to other community colleges such as University of Phoenix or online colleges.  It was noted that some of these other community colleges seem to have a better reputation despite being much more expensive and offering an equivalent, if not inferior, experience.  The main obstacles the California Community College system faces are lack of funding, and lack of awareness.


- Stacey Street, Rotating Editor