Monthly Archives: July 2016
NEXT MEETING: July 29, 2016Generating Solutions to Ensure West Contra Costa Students Thrive
MEETING OFWelcomeIn Josh Surowitz’s absence, Alan Blavins presided. He called the meeting to order and asked Henry Moe to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Alan then asked for a moment of silence for world peace. Sid had a thought for the day from Charles de Gaulle, “I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to politicians.” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsSid brought Joe Kelman, a regular and welcome guest. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMThe Cruelest Crime - Acid Attacks
Our speaker was Joe Doser, an Environmental Health Specialist. He addressed the problem of acid attacks, a phenomenon he described as an extreme form of domestic violence. Worldwide there are about 1,500 such attacks a year, though the reporting and recordkeeping likely underestimate the problem. Most such attacks occur in poor countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Uganda are the most common). The victims are primarily women, and the face is the target. The attacks are disfiguring. They often cause blindness, and they are frequently fatal. Because such attacks take place in extremely poor areas, victims rarely have access to swift medical care. Doser pointed out that there are several international organizations dedicated to serving the victims of acid attacks. He asked Rotarians to visit the websites and share information about the subject. He alo announced his willingness to speak to any group, large or small, on the topic. He provided a handout that included the following resources: Acid Survivors Trust International (acidviolence.org) and Center for Rehabilitation of Survivors of Acid and Burns Violence (ceresav.org). There is also a link to an organization that is helping the child acid victim whose photo moved him to this work (childfoundation.org). - David Cole, Scribe of the Day |
NEXT MEETING: July 22, 2016The Cruelest Crime - Acid Attacks
Each year more than 1500 people are victims of acid attacks. These attacks tend to occur in certain Third World countries, though it is not unheard of elsewhere. Joe Doser, Environmental Health Specialist for Contra Costa County, will discuss how he first came to learn about this issue, why he got involved, and what certain organizations and governments are doing to help the victims and hopefully end these terrible crimes. While this is understandably a very difficult subject to hear about, he hopes people find the information he will share worthwhile. MEETING OF July 15, 2016WelcomePres Josh Surowitz presided over the meeting. Erle Brown kicked off the pledge, and Herb Cole offered the invocation. Sid’s thought for the day: “Once you lick the frosting off a cupcake, it becomes a muffin—and muffins are healthy!!” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsStephanie Baer and James Baer, daughter and son of Alan Baer joined us on this day. Mara Lockowandt and Charlene Smith were guests of Stacey Street. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMYesterday's Instruments Today
Lisa Grodin, the Director of Education for Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and the Music Director for the Junior Bach Festival, presented spirited renditions of violin music by Corelli, Bach, and others Baroque composers on an instrument of the times. Lisa explained that early music shares with American jazz the notion that the music would not be played strictly as written, but rather improvised and ornamented by individual performers. She demonstrated that different bows were more suited for particular styles, some rendering a silky sound, others snappier and crisp. Lisa gave us a full picture of professional musicianship that encompasses education, scholarship, and performance. - Henry Moe, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: July 15, 2016
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Educator and Richmond native Natalie Walchuk will discuss how GO Public Schools strives to give every child in West Contra Costa a quality education and prepare them for work in the twenty-first century. The organization supports a coalition of students, families, educators, and community allies united around generating solutions to ensure that every West Contra Costa student thrives. Together this coalition works to develop community leadership, enact practice and policy shifts, and ultimately improve student learning outcomes.
Alan and his twin sister were born during the Blitz, and it was evident from the baby pictures that the expression Alan wears today was already apparent in infancy. Don presented compelling photographic evidence of Alan’s love of foreign adventure, sexy women, and challenging fish (did we get that right?).