Monthly Archives: May 2015
NEXT MEETING: May 29, 2015Free to be Me: How to create your personalized Cancer Survivorship Plan
Dr. Shetti has been Medical Doctor, Department of Radiation Oncology, at Doctor’s Medical Center since 2011, where she evaluates patients in consultation, designs treatment plans, provides follow up care and oversees all departmental clinical and administrative duties. Prior to that, she served as Chief Operating Officer for Students Educating and Volunteering for Health Awareness, an international non-profit organization that increases health awareness and decreases tobacco usage among teenagers in India. Dr. Shetti is a Board member for the American Cancer Society. Dr. Shetti completed her residency in the Department of Radiation Oncology at University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals, and she graduated with honors from University of Michigan Medical School. She holds a B.A. in History from University of Michigan, where she also participated in the Inteflex Integrated Pre-medical/Medical Program. MEETING OF March 22, 2015WelcomePresident Stoney Stonework called the meeting to order at the Richmond Country Club and Dan Tanita led the pledge of allegiance. Stoney asked for a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth. Alan Blavins provided this thought for the day: “Never trust atoms. They make up everything.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsStacey Street introduced her soon-to-be-eleven-years-old daughter, Melissa, who, as a quickly recruited courier messenger, proceeded to surprise her mom with a check for $1,000 as a donation from the Richmond Rotary Club to the Richmond Community Foundation, Stacey’s employer. Thanks, Stacey, for all that you and your organization do for Richmond! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMI-80 SMART Corridor Project
President Stoney introduced Ms. Dana Koefoed (that’s Danish) from CirclePoint, a communications firm in Oakland doing outreach for The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) related to the “I-80 SMART Corridor Project”. As Dana explained (and many of us painfully know!), more than 270,000 vehicles per day use the 20-mile I-80 corridor between the Carquinez and San Francisco Bay bridges, one of the busiest highway sections in the Bay Area (statistically the most congested in nine of the last ten years). The I-80 Project represents one of the most sophisticated Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the state. It is being implemented as a network of integrated electronic signs, ramp meters and other state-of-the-art elements to enhance motorist safety, improve travel-time reliability, and reduce accidents and associated congestion. Real-time traffic information from new and enhanced road sensors will feed variable-speed and blocked-lane signs which will allow drivers to make informed decisions in the event of an incident. Additional improvements include real-time ramp metering at 44 on-ramps to reduce merging conflicts and manage traffic volume. Once the system is activated in late 2015, the ramp meters and real-time message signs along the corridor should contribute to optimized roadway operations and improved safety. All of this will be integrated with and managed from the Traffic Management Center at the Caltrans Bay Area headquarters in Oakland. According to Dana, a similar system has been used in San Diego and Seattle with these results: 10% overall increase in safety, 15% reduction in traffic incidents, and 20% improvement in motorist travel time. Caltrans, the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), in cooperation with the nine cities and two transit agencies along the corridor, are implementing the I-80 ITS Project with a total budget of $79 million from Federal, State, and local sources. Tom Waller, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: June 5, 2015From Nature to Neighborhoods: Developing Youth & Adult Leaders in Richmond
Blanca Hernandez, Program Director of YES, Youth Enrichment Strategies, comes to Richmond Rotary Club to provide an update and overview on YES and its programs. Since 1999, YES Nature to Neighborhoods has provided leadership pathways for youth, adults, and their families through camp and community programs. Each year, YES serves nearly one thousand Richmond youth, teens, parents and community members through four interrelated programs. The YES target audience are residents in Richmond’s Iron Triangle and North Richmond neighborhoods. Blanca joined YES in 2008. Prior to that, Blanca worked for several years with the West Contra Costa Unified School District. It was then that she began to cultivate strong relationships in the community and developed a passion towards working for the well-being of youth and families in the city of Richmond. In her current position, she has the opportunity to share her love of the outdoors by developing and facilitating programming in nature that restores individuals to their essential selves and empowers them to become active residents back in the community. Blanca graduated from the University of San Diego with a B.A. in Literature and completed CompassPoint’s Next Generation Leaders of Color in 2012. She has served for nearly three years on the Health Richmond steering committee, is fluent in Spanish, enjoys painting, writing, and jogging with her dog, Bo. MEETING OF May 29, 2015WelcomePresident Stoney Stonework welcomed guests and Rotarians and called the meeting to order. Connie Tritt 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. Today’s Chauvinism, fresh from the Emerald Isle, “There are two classes of people that need good memories: liars & politicians.” Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMFree to be Me: How to create your personalized Cancer Survivorship Plan
Prez Stoney introduced Oncologist Dr. Madhu Shetti who presented a program based on the need for (if you are a cancer survivor like me) and benefit from a Cancer Survivorship Plan. This was one of our ‘You should have been there…’ programs because there was a lot covered and depending on your own motivation, the topic could have been anything from frightening to boring. Dr. Shetti provided a handout outline of the program that you can get from her at this email address, madhu@shettil.net, (or me) if you are interested, but I’m not going to cover it’s many important details because they are best discussed with a ‘cancer coach’ like Dr. Shetti. Important topics covered during her presentation included the following:
The best part of Dr. Shetti’s presentation was seeing that bright, talented young people like herself are helping all of us deal with life’s real threats. The program name says it all (Cancer Survivorship Plan) and on to the ‘new normal’. Thank you, Dr. Madhu Shetti, on behalf of Richmond Rotary. Jim Young, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: May 22, 2015I-80 Smart Corridor Project
2015 will be a SMART year for motorists on the I-80 corridor! A representative of Caltrans will present an overview of the I-80 SMART Corridor Project, the most sophisticated high-tech network of its kind in California. The project was developed through a partnership between Caltrans, the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee, in collaboration with transit agencies and nine municipalities along the corridor. This important project will be coming online in mid-2015 and will change the way you and your colleagues drive on I-80 and San Pablo Avenue. MEETING OF May 15, 2015WelcomePrez Stoney welcomed all to the friendly Richmond Rotary Club and Tom Butt led us in the Pledge. Stoney offered a silent prayer for freedom, peace and justice. Newly married Tom Waller’s thought was: “if a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong?” Ask your wife Tom! Visiting Rotarians and GuestsMike Barrington, Concord Rotary. Stacey Street’s guest was Kimberly Terry. Accompanying the Consul General were Karina Iqwan and Reza Widamahendra. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMA Snapshot of Indonesia
Past Prez Liliane Kozial introduced The Honorable Ardi Hermawas, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco who was appointed to that position August 21, 2014. He previously served as Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta 2012-14. Consul General Hermawas has 27 years of foreign service experience. Indonesia is the largest archipelago with 17,504 islands with 50,000 miles of shoreline and 252 million people. There are 742 dialects spoken. Indonesia gained independence from Japan in 1945 and in 1998 during the “Reform Era” became a democracy. From 1945-98 they had 2 presidents and since 1998 they have had 5 presidents. Indonesia is the 16th largest economy. Its current leader, President Joko Widodo elected in 2014, served as Governor of Jakarta for 2 years before being elected president. Consul General Hermawas is responsible for Northern California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. If you want more details ask Josh Surowitz. - The Menehune Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: May 15, 2015Recent Developments in Indonesia
Don’t miss this special presentation by The Honorable Ardi Hermawan, appointed as Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco on August 21, 2014. Consul General Hermawan arrived in San Francisco on November 10, 2014, and previously served as the Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta from 2012–2014. He has over 27 years of experience in foreign services, having served as Third Secretary of Political and Social Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Indonesia in Paris, First Secretary for Political Affairs at the Embassy of Indonesia in Budapest, and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs as well as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Indonesia in Tokyo. He also had various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Head of Section for Northern Europe I, Directorate of European Affairs, Head of Sub-Directorate, Southern Europe Affairs, Directorate of European Affairs and Head of Division at the Human Resources Bureau of the Ministry. Consul General Hermawan completed his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at the University of Airlangga, Indonesia, a Graduate-Diplome in International Relations at RSPaC-ANU-Canberra and a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Monash University, Australia. He was born in Padang, West Sumatra and has three daughters with his wife, Yulina Puspasari. MEETING OF May 8, 2015WelcomePresident Stoney called the meeting on time to the 24 Rotarians and their guests present today. Sid’s thought for the day was a definition. “Conference: The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.” Some of you might have noticed Sid looked a little different… he wore a Red Nose in celebration of “Red Nose Day” which is on May 21st (but Sid will be in Ireland on that day so he wore it today, very Irish!), established to raise awareness of kids in poverty. Stoney welcomed new grandmother Pam Jones back from London, where she spent time with the newest member of the family, Penelope Lane (“Penny Lane”). Congratulations, Pam. Stoney also acknowledged club anniversaries: Alan Blavins has been with the Richmond Rotary for 6 years this week. And it was only a year ago that Stacey Street graced our motley crew with her good-natured presence. Visiting RotariansNeville Guard of San Ramon Valley was still confused by being singled out. Rotarians with GuestsJan Brown’s guess were Kathy Anderson & Byron Brown. AnnouncementsGeorge Egan offered the remaining 4 tickets for dinner at for the Kennedy-Kings Scholarship Awards, held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Concord, next Friday May 15th. 6-9pm. The Richmond Rotary was a major donor to the scholarship program. The Culinary Clash! will be held at Kitchen@812. (812 San Pablo Ave. Pinole) on May 20th 2015 6-9pm. Tickets are $30 in advance, $ 40 at the door. For Tickets visit 2015culinaryclash.eventbrite.com RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMTeen Moms gift bag assembly
This fun and productive hands-on event forged direct connections between our members and 34 high schools students who have become mothers. Jan Brown described the history of the project and its importance for the teen moms who receive the gift bags we assemble. She then introduced Kathy Anderson, Teen Parent Coordinator at the YMCA. Kathy helps educate young teens on parenting and keeps them in school. Nick did an excellent Vanna White impression as he took us through the filling of the bags. There were fewer than 34 members present so those members—mostly women—who could quickly compose personalized letters of support had enough time to assemble second gift bags. The gifts were provided by Bert’s Bees (baby shampoo and skin care products), Doris Mitchell (books and stuffed animals), Dan Tanita (dental hygiene kits), and the Linus Project (baby blankets). Richmond Rotary paid for all of her materials. Thank you all. Once the bags were filled and the letters of encouragement written (the challenging part for many of us), the completed gift bags were gathered up. Jan, Don, Herb and Normie delivered the bags to the teen moms the following Tuesday, May 12th at Richmond High School. Our thanks to Jan Brown who has deftly managed this highly successful project each year over the last decade. Thanks, Jan. Alan Blavins, Rotating & Retiring Editor |
NEXT MEETING: May 8, 2015Richmond Rotary’s Teen Moms Project
“A child’s future well-being is determined by age two. What his mother knows can improve his chances.” (The Rotarian, Nov. 2014). This special Club meeting/workshop is now in its tenth year. The Teen Moms Project offers words of hope and encouragement to a teen mom. As West Contra Costa County’s youngest mothers struggle to stay in school while raising a family, Rotarians will pull together personalized care packages of needed baby supplies for youth enrolled in the Adolescent Parenting Program of WCCSD and the YMCA Infant Toddler Center of Richmond High School. Richmond Rotary is grateful to Burt’s Bees and Project Linus for their donations to this effort. MEETING OF May 1, 2015WelcomePresident Stoney called the meeting to order and asked Jonathan Lawlis to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked for a silent prayer for freedom, peace, and justice on Earth, as well as prayers for the poor people in Nepal. Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day was mostly personal: Old age is coming at a really bad time. Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Special Events
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMRevolutionizing the Way the World Eats – One Coconut at a Time
Stacey Street introduced Danielle Herrerias, Manager of People & Culture for Nutiva since 2012. Danielle worked in HR for Read Goods Solar, as well as various management positions for a real estate consultancy, Japanese developer and mortgage companies. She has an MA in City Planning from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and an AB in Biology from Stanford. She lives in Marin with her husband and 3 kids and is an avid runner and biker. Danielle’s presentation, “Revolutionizing the Way the World Eats – One Coconut at a Time” began with the history and origin of Nutiva, and its CEO/Founder, John Roulac, who became interested in the environment when he learned that nuclear waste was dumped 9 miles from his home. He began his life journey: to study natural systems and discover practical solutions to pressing environmental challenges. John is recognized for his expertise on whole foods, organic farming, natural healing, hemp agriculture, forestry, permaculture, recycling and composting, and the conservation of water and energy. He began Nutiva with 500 hemp seed protein bars, and today its core values of Innovation, Purity, Community and Well-Being are embodied in all the company does. Nutiva now offers a range of certified organic products based on the ancient superfoods hemp, coconut, chia and red palm. Danielle shared some details about these, including that coconut oil makes up more than 60% of all sales now that people understand all the great health benefits, that hemp and chia are incredibly high in protein and Omega-3s, and Nutiva uses red palm fruit, not kernels, that don’t harm orangutan territory. Nutiva has been on the fastest growing companies list for 6 years in a row and has tripled in size in the last few years. They are proud to give back to the community, having donated over $2 million to date to sustainable agriculture and other environmental organizations. She showed a short video demonstrating their relationship with TRUPP (The Remember Us People Project) and its founder Barry Dugar (http://nutiva.com/community/outreach/) She noted that most of their employees are based in Richmond, where they moved in 2012. Nutiva is focused on international growth, especially China and Europe, and have a goal of $200 million in sales in FY2016. Danielle and her colleagues also shared some tasty coconut treats with all in attendance! - Stacey Street, Rotating Editor |
As more Americans are diagnosed and cured of cancer, the question of survivorship has become a critical component of long term health and happiness. Please join us for a discussion with Dr. Madhu Shetti on:
Photos by Alan Blavins.
