Monthly Archives: November 2015
NEXT MEETING: December 4, 2015It's Our Annual Holiday Auction!We won’t mince words. The money raised in this hour-and-a-half will fund our community programs and grants for the remainder of the year. It’s that important. Please be there early– at least by 12 PM. Bring friends or colleagues. Check out the auction items, drink, and eat. We want to start the Live Auction promptly at 12:30. Plan to spend more than you had planned to spend. That’s not a lack of fiscal discipline, it’s yielding to your better angels. (C’mon, you know you have them.) Haven’t submitted your auction gift yet. Please do it now. MEETING OF November 20, 2015WelcomePresident Alan Blavins called the meeting to order, asked Program Coordinator Stacey Street to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and asked for a silent prayer for peace. Menehune Don Lau offered a holiday auction-themed the quote of the day: “It is better to give — and then buy it back.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsJim Young introduced as his guest his lovely wife Linda Young. Special EventsStacey Street introduced and Alan Blavins inducted new member David Cole. David owns Bay Tree Publishing and is on the board for Masquers Playhouse. Welcome David! Who Is She?Scribette Shana Bagley Howefinally gave her “Who Am I?” to rousing applause. Congratulation, Shana! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMJim Young introduced Rev. Dr. David Vásquez Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, to talk about migrating faith. He explained: California and our nation were shaped by the aftermath of the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad that connected east to west across the United States. Conflict and opportunity brought people from everywhere, gathering this “most heterogeneous mass of humanity ever assembled since the confusion of tongues.” People have migrated to California, and the United States following trade, just like Joseph in the book of Genesis, and people currently risking their lives to leave Central America, Africa, Syria, and elsewhere in the Middle East to find a better life. In this time of tragedy (the push of conflicts around the world), we must remember that, historically, people’s movements follow the trade routes (the pull toward opportunity) and the positives of migration (52% of Silicon Valley startups such as Yahoo, Intel, Google, and Amazon were founded or co-founded by foreign born people). Reflection is desperately needed to discover alternate ways to engage our increasingly interconnected world. The experiences of people on the move can offer wisdom and open our minds as we seek to find ways to respond to this time of unprecedented migration. In forming our policies and opinions, we must not forget that migration is at the core of our own story. - Shana Bagley Howe, your rotating Scribette (whose great grandfather Capitano Luigi Baglietto migrated to San Francisco by jumping his Genovese merchant ship in 1886 and was never naturalized). (Cellphone Police: Mark Howe please turn off your ringer!) |
NEXT MEETING: November 20, 2015Migrating FaithMigration is at the core of the sacred texts of many traditions. Adam and Eve must leave the garden of Eden; Abraham and Sarah venture out with nothing but a promise; Siddhārtha Gautama the prince who becomes the Buddha begins his path to enlightenment by traveling around his kingdom; Jesus begins his life as a refugee hiding from Herod; the prophet Mohamed’s return from exile to Mecca is traced back as one of the pillars of Islam. Join Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy for a conversation about the sustaining power of religious narratives that speak to our own stories of change——migrations across national or physical boundaries or beyond personal boundaries of belief and experience. Rev. Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California – a progressive, interdenominational Christian seminary committed to preparing spiritually and theologically rooted leaders for social transformation. A committed pastor, a nationally recognized immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change. (Pictured: The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Mosacio, 1425.) MEETING OF November 13, 2015WelcomePresident Alan Blavins called the meeting to order and asked Tom Butt to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day, from Aesop, of Fables fame: We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. President Alan called for a moment of silence for peace on earth and good will to all. Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMContra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District and YouYour Scribe today introduced speaker Andrew Pierce, noting his appropriate name for the subject matter… Andrew has worked for almost ten years for the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, providing public health education outreach in the form of public speaking engagements throughout the county. A “vector” can be any creature that can cause serious danger or discomfort to humans. Vectors include mosquitoes, mice and rats, ticks, yellowjackets and skunks. The District, not technically a government agency, but one providing free services to all residents of the county, was created over 90 years ago when residents banded together after facing significant public health challenges. Andrew described the challenges created by the different vectors, focusing mainly on mosquitoes. He explained the ways the District helps prevent these challenges and also takes care of issues when they occur. Some highlights:
Visit contracostamosquito.com for more information. - Stacey Street, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: November 13, 2015Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District and YouAndrew Pierce, Community Affairs Representative with the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, will be presenting valuable information regarding mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, rats and mice, skunks, ground-nesting yellowjackets, and ticks. Mr. Pierce will discuss the District’s free services that are available to all Contra Costa residents regarding these insects and animals, what the District does to protect public health, and what residents can do to protect themselves and their neighbors. Free literature and fun giveaways will also be made available. MEETING OF November 6, 2015WelcomePresident Alan Blavins presided over the meeting. John Wilson led us in the pledge and Sid’s thought for the day was: The problem with political jokes is sometimes they are elected. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsStacey Street guest was soon-to-be Rotarian David Cole Jerry Feagley’s guest was Tino Silva. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMPipeline Safety. And what is a fiduciary?We hosted speakers for two programs today. Sarah Winter and Treva Reid from PG&E described the company’s Pipeline Safety Initiative. PG&E has the 811 program, in which company personnel come out and mark underground lines before you dig. They also locate possible issues with trees that would hamper efforts to get to problems lines in the event of a catastrophe. You can go to www.pge.com to find out more about PG&E’s Programs. Franza Griffin is a lawyer of 30 years and a fiduciary. Franza described a range of situations in which the services of a fiduciary is necessary. She represents clients who are unable to manage their assets, or managing another person’s assets improperly, as in the case of elder abuse. Henry Moe, “Rotating Editor” |
NEXT MEETING: November 6, 2015What is a fiduciary? Do I need one and why?Franza Giffen has been an attorney for more than 30 years. Her practice has included estate planning, personal injury, small business formation and real estate. Since 1981 she has served the Contra Costa County Probate Court as a Probate Referee, appraising assets in estates going through probate. Her real estate broker’s license has assisted her in understanding the selling, renovating, managing and purchasing real estate for clients as well as in valuing property. Franza will discuss the roles fiduciaries adopt and will provide some examples of how cases evolve. She will also touch upon elder abuse, mandatory reporting and choosing other attorneys to represent her in her cases. Community Pipeline Safety InitiativeFollowing Ms. Giffen’s presentation, Treva Reid and colleagues will tell us about PG&E’s Pipeline Safety Initiative. Te utility’s pipeline infrastructure requires a systematic inspection and maintenance program to maintain public safety. We’ll learn what the entails. MEETING OF October 30, 2015WelcomeAlan Blavins presided over the meeting and held a moment of silence for peace, freedom and justice on earth. Connie Tritt led the pledge and Sid Chauvin’s (great to have him back) thought for the day was to respond is positive to react is negative. Visiting Rotarians and GuestsGuest Linda Young attended with Jim Young. Special EventsBob Dabney received his Paul Harris award. Congratulations, Bob! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMDirk Rosen is the founder and Executive Director of the Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE), a non-profit organization. MARE supports a healthy ocean by collecting information on deep-sea ecosystems using remote controlled robotic technology. Dirk founded MARE in 2003 and is a registered professional engineer. Dirk discussed the use of the deep sea camera to track fish populations and damage to the ocean bottom. You can see much more about MARE at www.maregroup.org. - Henry Moe, Rotating Editor |