NEXT MEETING: October 30, 2015

California’s Ocean Wilderness: What’s Up Down There?

Dirk Rosen is the founder and Executive Director of Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE), a not-for-profit organization.  MARE supports a healthy ocean by collecting information on deep-sea ecosystems using remote controlled robotic technology.  Dirk founded MARE in 2003 to protect and restore the ocean’s invaluable, yet threatened resources by enabling science-based marine conservation efforts in support of sustainable fisheries for future generations.  He has 25+ years of deepwater vehicle design and operations experience with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and manned submersibles.  He has led or co-led 27 ROV ocean surveys assessing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), exploring our National Marine Sanctuaries, performing fish stock assessments and environmental impacts of wave power and seismic survey sites, evaluating the impacts of fishing gear and recovering lost science equipment.  Currently Dirk and MARE are in the middle of completing California’s final deepwater network of MPAs, those from the Oregon border to Fort Bragg.

Prior to starting MARE, Dirk was president of Deep Ocean Engineering, test pilot for all three Deep Rover 1,000 meter-rated manned submersibles, and a designer/operator of the Phantom and Bandit Remotely Operated Vehicle systems, (of which more than 500 were built).  Later at Hawkes Ocean Technologies he was the project manager for the 11,000 meter rated Challenger, a manned submersible designed to go to the deepest point in the ocean, the Marianas Trench.  Dirk is a registered Professional Engineer, but don’t hold that against him!

MEETING OF October 23, 2015

Welcome

President-Elect, Josh Surowitz, standing in for current President Alan Blavins, skillfully called the meeting to order at the Richmond Country Club. Connie Tritt led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. George Egan asked for a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth. Sid Chauvin (good to have Sid back again!) provided this thought for the day from Mike Ditka of NFL fame: “You will never be a loser until you quit trying.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

  • Pate Thomson was a visiting Rotarian from the Berkeley Club.
  • Jon Lawlis introduced his guest and fiancé, Darlene Quenville.

Announcements

  • We’ll hear more about this at the next meeting but President Alan Blavins encourages Club members (and friends and family) to consider volunteering to help out at the Fifth Annual Day of Giving Thanks dinner event hosted at Salute Restaurant. In this well-organized and worthwhile activity, there are morning and afternoon shifts (9am to 12:30pm and 12pm to 3:30pm) as well as a variety of volunteer positions/roles (from Greeters to Dining Room Assistants to Transportation Assistants and more). Learn how you can help.
  • The Rotary World Peace Concert 2015 will take place at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco on Saturday, November 14. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
  • Pate Thomson from Berkeley Rotary provided an update on the Richmond Rotacare medical clinic, which has been serving uninsured patients for about two and a half years. Plans are now in place to move the clinic about four blocks from its current location at the Brighter Beginnings offices, 2727 Macdonald Avenue, to the new Family Justice Center, 254 24th Avenue, in Richmond. After completing some minor space reconfigurations, the clinic will relocate in December and be fully operational in January. Pate said funding for all this will come from a Rotary District grant supported by donations from the eight BARSHEEP Rotary Clubs. Richmond Rotary’s hoped-for contribution is $1,400.
  • Pam Jones encouraged everyone to get on board with donations for the bike-purchase project for the annual holiday gift-giving event at the YMCA. Each bike costs $47 ($45 for the bike plus $2 for the helmet) and the Club will match giving up to $5,000. About 1200 kids are expected at the event. Last year, over 350 bikes were given away. New Club member, Mey Saechou, reported that she was a happy new bike recipient 21 years ago when she was attending Verde Elementary School. Now there’s a great testimony!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Liliane Koziol introduced the program speaker, Ruben Lizardo, Director of Local Government and Community Relations for the Office of the UC Berkeley Chancellor.

Ruben provided an update on the “Berkeley Global Campus at Richmond Bay” (BGCRB).

The BGCRB project is centered on the 170 acres of Richmond property known as the Richmond Field Station, owned by UC Berkeley for over 50 years. A variety of engineering research work currently takes place on the property.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks presented his vision for the BGCRB to the University’s Academic Senate in October 2014. When it was originally to be launched with funding from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), the project was known as the Richmond Bay Campus.

Under the Chancellor’s leadership, the BGCRB will serve as a new research and action hub in Richmond with a focus on global issues, culture, and collaboration. The LBNL remains a steadfast partner in the BGCRB but this is clearly now a UC Berkeley-led project.

While other internationally focused projects launched by universities have been located abroad, the Chancellor’s plan is to create a global campus in Richmond. The idea is to have the BGCRB be the focal point for an international coalition of academic institutions, the private sector, and community partners who will collaborate on research projects to address global challenges like energy, the environment, health, and the economy.

A lot of this is still very much in the concept stage but the intention is for this to be a new model for global engagement and research integration that will have deep ties to the main UC Berkeley campus and to the local community through a variety of educational, public health, community outreach, labor, and transportation partnerships.

Chancellor Dirks has been clear in his commitment to the Richmond community and how he believes the project can be a real catalyst for Richmond’s south shoreline. Through the South Shoreline Specific Plan, the City of Richmond is leading the way to improve infrastructure and enhance transportation, residential, and commercial development to ensure the Berkeley Global Campus is part of a sustainable and vibrant community that includes jobs, business opportunities, and an array of recreation and social outlets.

Much is yet to be done (defining specific actions, funding, schedules, etc.). Still, things are happening. There’s a BGC Community Working Group, in which our own Josh Genser is serving. An initial set of Working Group recommendations that might become the “Richmond Compact” will be going to the Chancellor in December for consideration. In the bigger picture, UC Berkeley has a couple of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) pending with Cambridge University in the UK and National University in Singapore as potential BGCRB partners.

If you’d like to receive periodic email updates and news about BGCRB, click on this link to sign up.


Tom Waller, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: October 23, 2015

Berkeley Global Campus, Richmond Bay

Berkeley Global Campus, Richmond Bay represents a transformational model for the expansion of educational and research activities. Building on University of California, Berkeley’s international reputation, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s groundbreaking research and the unique setting of Richmond Bay, the new Berkeley Global Campus will be a focal point for an international coalition of leading academic institutions and private sector and community partners. The Berkeley Global Campus will focus on global engagement and research integration with deep ties to the main campus and the local Richmond community through a variety of educational, public health, community outreach, labor and transportation partnerships.

Campus representatives Terezia Nemeth, Development Manager for the Berkeley Global Campus, and Ruben Lizardo, Director, Local Government and Community Relations, will do a brief presentation on the project and the status of Richmond community relationships.

MEETING OF October 16, 2015

Welcome

Prez Alan Blavins called the meeting to order and asked Oscar Garcia to lead us in the Pledge. Alan asked for a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth. He offered this quote: “If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Doris Mitchell’s guest was Adriana Quintero.

Special Events

Tiffany Straus, sponsored by Your Scribe, was formally inducted into the Richmond Rotary Club. Tiffany started as the Executive Director of Early Childhood Mental Health in April and is the wife of past-Rotary President Doug Straus.  Welcome, Tiffany!

Announcements

  • Pam Jones said that the “Buy a Bike” program for the upcoming Christmas Toy Program has begun. One unit costs $47 ($45 for bike and $2 for helmet). Pam indicated the Club has a $5,000 match approved. Please make payments to our Treasurer. The Toy Giveaway is December 19 at the E M Downer Family Y. At the end of the meeting, it was announced that 14 bikes had already been purchased.
  • David Brown announced that we have met our goal for providing $100 to every classroom teacher at Peres Elementary School. Prez Alan gets the privilege of personally delivering a check to each of the teachers at Peres.
  • Liliane Kozial reminded all about the presentation on October 23 regarding the Berkeley Global Campus in Richmond. Presidents of all the BARSHEEP clubs have been invited to also attend. Please make every effort to be there.
  • Alan Baer announced that the San Pablo Rotary Club is having its 3rd Annual Gumbo and Chili Event at Maple Hall on October 24. Alan also provided a heads-up that the Rotary International President will be in the Bay Area on January 3, 2016.  Tickets are $85/person or $800/table. Alan is hoping to put a table together. This event is surely going to be sold out.
  • Henry Moe announced that the InterAct Club is hosting a get-together at Salesian High School. The speaker they have lined up is “the one and only” Dr. Cliff Dochterman on November 18.  You should not miss an opportunity to hear Cliff, a true Rotary legend.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Biggest Explosion in History, or, How I Learned to Love Magnetars

Jim Young introduced our speaker, Peter R. Harvey, UC Project Manager and liaison with NASA. Anytime something gets shot into space it probably crosses Peter’s desk before launch.

Your Scribe was way in over his head with the presentation but I will give it a shot, as follows.

As part of the Space Scientific Laboratory, Peter studies “things that go bump in the night” like Magnetars, which emit enormous amounts of cosmic radiation (huge energy bursts of gamma rays, particles, etc.). Peter and his colleagues believe the energy and related effects from the last detected Magnetar may well have had something to do with the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 250,000 people and destroyed coastal cities all around the Indian Ocean.  Although the Magnetar episode actually happened thousands of years ago, its effects reached earth just prior to the 2004 tsunami. Peter indicated there may have been 4 Magnetars over time and maybe one caused the end of the dinosaurs.

If you want more details, ask Ric Ambrose, who seemed to be asking very good questions.


The Menehune, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: October 16, 2015

The Biggest Explosion in History, or, How I Learned to Love Magnetars

Remember the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 250,000 people and destroyed coastal cities all around the Indian Ocean? What if someone told you it may have been triggered by an astronomical event in deep space? Peter R. Harvey, UC Project Manager and liaison with NASA is going to do just that, and he doesn’t wear a colander or an aluminum foil hat.

Peter has more than 30 years experience in various space projects, holds a Masters degree in Computer Science from the University of California and has been the Project Manager for the NASA RHESSI project (Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager). Peter has also worked on many other Cal/NASA projects with acronyms too numerous to list here.

So if you want to know about ‘things that go bump in the night’, 35 to 50 million light years from Earth, don’t miss this program.

MEETING OF October 9, 2015

Welcome

President Alan Blavins called the meeting to order, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and asked for a silent prayer for peace.  Herb Cole offered the thought of the day: “I don’t need anger management; I just need people to stop pissing me off.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

  • Asst. Governor (Area-8) Alan Baer welcomed guest Antonio Mendoza of the Philippines Consulate and SF Rotary.
  • Liliane Koziol introduced Gladys Dodds and her husband Erick Dimlanta
  • Other guests: Abel Pineda, field representative for Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

Sunshine Report

Bill Koziol reported that Ralph Hill’s celebration of life is still in the planning stages and should happen in a few weeks.

Announcements

  • Treasurer David Brown, Esq., announced that he is still accepting donations for Peres Elementary classroom/teacher supplies. We need about $200 more to meet our goal.
  • Don Lau reminded us that his infamous Luau is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 pm at 17 Powderbowl Ct, Richmond. Tickets are still available for $75 (see the Menehune if you want to enjoy some ono-licious grinds with your braddahs).
  • Club Director Henry Moe announced that food has been donated for Rotacare and the Interact students will do the cooking.
  • President Alan Blavins reminded us that next Friday’s meeting is at Café Soleil, 3550 San Pablo Dam Road (Dan Sanders, please take note).

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Conversation with Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

While we were waiting for Assemblymember Tony Thurmond to arrive (no doubt, stuck behind a train), Alan Baer introduced guest member Antonio Mendoza. Mr. Mendoza is from the Philippines Consulate and also works with the Bataan Legacy Historical Society (see Flywheel: https://richmondcarotaryflywheel/august-21-2015/ ). He mentioned that the Bataan Legacy will be organizing a drive for care packages to be sent to troops sent to the West Philippines Sea for liaison work and training.

After giving a Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, Pam Jones introduced him as our speaker.

Assemblymember Thurmond said that in his first year of office, there has been a steep learning curve with figuring out how to actually get things done. He is often reminded of service above self, because every day he has the opportunity to make a difference. He gave a shout out to Mayor Tom Butt for his work on the West County health services task force.

Assemblymember Thurmond has been busy working on many issues on behalf of his constituents.  These include: affordable housing, funding to prevent children from missing school, and methane monitoring (uh oh, we are back to those aging stars spewing gashttps://richmondcarotary2015/07/?post_type=flywheel ). He discussed the recent change in the way we view affordable housing.  It is no longer just low-income housing affecting those below the poverty line. As housing prices rise, it is now an issue for working and middle classes.  They are being outbid by higher earners paying with cash on homes they might be able to afford.

Assemblymember Thurmond eloquently answered the questions from the peanut gallery. He thanked us all for our support.  His website is here: http://asmdc.org/members/a15/ .    Group shot


Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette

NEXT MEETING: October 9, 2015

Conversation with Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

Tony Thurmond was elected to represent California’s 15th Assembly District in November 2014. The district includes the East Bay communities along the I-80 corridor from Hercules to Oakland.  First elected to the Richmond City Council in 2005, Thurmond served as Council Liaison to Richmond’s Youth Commission, the Workforce Investment Board and the WCCUSD.

His priorities in the Assembly have been a continuation of his priorities as a non-profit leader, school board member, and city councilmember. Specifically, Thurmond focuses on improving the local and statewide economy, improving education from the ground up, and preventing crime.  As a community advocate, Thurmond has helped create job training and workforce housing programs that serve as a model for state efforts at poverty reduction.

Immediately prior to his election to the Assembly, Thurmond’s project, CEO Youth, was improving school attendance and reducing dropout rates.  Recognizing that jobs, education and crime are interrelated challenges, Thurmond believes that, “To get it right, we need to give our youth a California as good as its promise.  To get there, we need to do the real work to improve our schools, reduce dropout rates, create sustainable jobs that preserve our environment and invest in job training opportunities to build a 21st-century workforce.”

A Fellow in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship program, Assemblymember Thurmond is a graduate of Temple University. He did graduate work at Bryn Mawr College, PA where he received dual Masters Degrees in Law and Social Policy and Social Work. He lives in Richmond, California.

MEETING OF October 2, 2015

Welcome

Prez Alan Blavins welcomed guests and Rotarians and called the meeting to order. Jon Lawlis was asked to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Prez Alan led us in the invocation, a silent prayer for Peace, Freedom & Justice. Prez Alan, no doubt thinking about some members giving to the Rotary Foundation and Paul Harris Society said, “When it comes to giving, some people start with nothing.”.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

CPA Mei Saechao, visiting again, hopefully for her last time as a guest as, local girl that she is, she is going to join the club.

Announcements

  • DAB is still looking for contributions to provide the club’s annual $100 gift to all the teachers at Peres Elementary School, a $3,000 goal.
  • Alan Baer made several BARSHEEP related announcements:
    • The San Pablo Club is holding a Gumbo and Chili Cook-off Contest at Maple Hall on October 24th., $20/person. BYO bi-carb. See Alan for time.
    • The Fall Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Society drive is underway. See President Alan Blavins’ insightful comments about giving (below) and know that a rumor was circulating at last week’s post-meeting analysis and debriefing that PDG Laura Day would personally give out this year’s Paul Harris Society recognitions if we have more than two.
    • Alan Baer’s daughter is working with the ECHS Interact Club to raise funds to purchase electric lights to replace kerosene lighting in developing countries. See Alan for more details.
  • Henry Moe is looking for drivers to transport dinners prepared by the Salesian Interact Club to the RotaCare Clinic in Richmond. October is our club’s month to supply the dinners which the Interactors have graciously prepared, but they cannot transport them. Pickup is at the Salesian cafeteria at 5 PM. Drivers are needed for Oct, 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th. This project takes all of 30 minutes to complete. Contact Henry at moeser2000@aol.com

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

ESCAPE Club at DeJean Middle School

David Brown introduced John Iwawaki, today’s speaker and a long time friend of Richmond Rotary, and also his friend and neighbor.

Richmond Rotary has been helping to sustain the ESCAPE Club (acronym for (Environmental Science, Conservation, and Photographic Excursions) at Lovonya DeJean Middle School since the 1990s when John and his sidekick Jason Lau (no relation to Don) started the club at Adams Middle School before it closed. Besides providing students an after-school venue to study and ‘hang out’, once a month the club goes on an outing into the greater Bay Area. For many of the club members, these trips are their first experiences outside Richmond city limits. Local geography that we take for granted, the Golden Gate Bridge & Fort Point, Muir Woods, Rock City at Mt. Diablo State Park and Pt. Reyes National Seashore, are new and exotic. Once a year the club also tries to go to the snow (if there is any) and on a camping trip to Yosemite National Park.

All these adventures are free of charge to the members and that’s what Rotary supports.

During Q&A Jim Young reminded the members of a past  presentation John did when he brought ESCAPE Club alumni. One young woman in particular talked about how the club, “…changed my life.” John said he has had hundreds of similar comments and that’s why he keeps doing it. John then told the story of the 2015 winter snow trip when it actually snowed on the trip. He said one of the mother chaperones was all a twitter. She had never seen snow in her life.

John, you’re amazing! You are a local hero. Keep up the good work.

For those of you who want more information about the ESCAPE Club, check out the club website at http://www.escapeclub.org


- Jim Young, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: October 2, 2015 (BACK AT RICHMOND COUNTRY CLUB)

ESCAPE Club at DeJean Middle School

John Iwawaki, a science teacher and curriculum coach in WCCUSD, will be presenting on the ESCAPE Club at Lovonya DeJean Middle School. The ESCAPE (Environmental Science Conservation And Photographic Excursions) Club is an extra curricular, outdoor education program. Students are given the opportunity to play in the snow, camp in Yosemite, splash on the beach, hike to a waterfall, and many more new experiences in monthly field trips around California. Students are prepped in weekly after school meetings about the ecology, history, and geography of their next destination, and then write about their experiences following the trip.

Since its inception in 1999, the ESCAPE Club has gone on 130 field trips, all free for the students. It is run completely by volunteers, and funded by corporate and private donation, and an occasional grant. For over 10 years, Richmond Rotary has contributed a significant percentage to its annual budget. For more information, visit the ESCAPE Club web site.

MEETING OF September 25, 2015

Welcome

Club President Alan Blavins called the meeting to order at Cafe Soleil in El Sobrante and asked David Brown to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Alan asked for a silent prayer.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

  • Dan Tanita, DDS, introduced 6 dentists, who are visiting from various cities in Russia as part of the 14th annual visiting-dentists program hosted by Rotary. They kindly made a donation to Richmond Rotary. In Russian, “Спасибо”!
  • Jim Young brought his wonderful wife Linda Young.
  • David Brown bought his neighbor and boat partner David Moss.
  • Stacey Street introduced Tyra Worthy and Jorge Lopez.
  • Other guests were Meg Saechou, Gladys Dodds, Winifred Toms, Karen Fenton, Hillary Crosby, and Kate Burkhart.

Announcements

  • Note that, beginning October 2, Richmond Rotary Club meetings will resume at the regular location, the Richmond Country Club.
  • Although not announced at the meeting, quite a few cellphones rang during the meeting and presentation.  Please remember to turn off your ringer and to not take calls inside the meeting room.  We do like your funky ring tone, Club Director Dan Tanita, DDS.  Get down!
  • Treasurer David Brown, Esq., announced that he is still accepting donations for Peres Elementary classroom/teacher supplies. We need about $1,000 more to meet our goal.
  • Asst. Governor (Area-8) Alan Baer mentioned that sign-ups might still be possible for the Rotary Foundation Fun Day taking place at Six Flags Vallejo on Saturday, October 3. Check out the District 5160 home page.
  • For those who missed the last-Friday-of-the-month BARSHEEP social on September 25 at Nong Than Restaurant in El Cerrito, make a note for next month’s get-together. Alan Baer will be letting us know about location.
  • Alan Baer also reminded us that October 1 is the last day to sign up for the April 1-3, 2016, District Conference for the reduced price of $79 (increases to $99 thereafter). Sign-up/log-in at this web site.
  • Bill Koziol circulated a card to Sgt-at-Arms Sid Chauvin for everyone to sign.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

West County Schools

Jim Young introduced Steve Chamberlin and Elliot Haskell of the Chamberlin Family Foundation (CFF) who gave a detailed and informative presentation on “Smart Philanthropy” (phrase coined by Club Director Jerry Feagley).

CFF is a private foundation that is currently focusing on K-12 public education in West Contra Costa County (where the Chamberlins have lived for the last 20 years) and Hawaii (where they grew up). This topic hit home for many people – which is the likely reason for the many parent and teacher guests in today’s audience.

CFF’s goal is to give every child in the district the opportunity to have a great education, regardless of economic background. CFF has invested over $6M in West County K-12 education and has also developed properties to attract top-notch public charter schools that must meet stringent performance/demographic criteria and operate on the same per-student State funding as schools that are part of the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD).

CFF claims they are completing their new-construction property projects faster and cheaper (per student seat) than WCCUSD (for example, ~$24,000 for the CFF Hilltop project versus ~$200,000 estimated for WCCUSD’s Pinole Valley High School). To date, CFF properties are leased by Windrush, Aspire, and Summit Tamalpais charter schools.

Public charter schools are increasing in popularity and in performance compared to WCCUSD schools, giving parents and students more/better educational choices. The students are selected by lottery and the waiting lists are hundreds of students long. CFF doesn’t run the charter schools; instead, it builds facilities to attract the very best charter schools. CFF founder Susan Chamberlin’s dream is that people will lie about where they live so that they can attend school in West County. To learn more about the Chamberlin Family Foundation, please see their website

*** On October 7, 2015, from 4:00-7:00pm, CFF is holding an open house at their newest location (Aspire and Summit shared campus) at 3040 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond. For more information and to RSVP, go to this web site.

Although Sid Chauvin (we miss you Sid!) was not present to give a quote for the day, Steve Chamberlin gave us one to hang our hats on: “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48, also used by Bill Gates).


Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribe