NEXT MEETING: June 1, 2018
No meeting this Friday. See you June 1st.

Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard

Join Richmond’s Fire Chief, Adrian Sheppard, for an update on the Fire Department’s accomplishments, challenges and goals for the future. Those challenges can be significant.

Witness the recent fire at the Sims Metal Recycling plant on Cutting Boulevard. In addition to the fighting the fire and protecting the public, after the emergency was addressed Chief Sheppard faced a vote of no confidence in the City Council. Some council members questioned whether the same person can effectively serve as both fire chief and fire marshal, a position which the city lacks.
We know Fire Chief Sheppard will have much to say on the technical and managerial aspects of the critical role he plays in the Richmond’s public safety.

MEETING OF May 18, 2018

Welcome

President Connie called the meeting to order. Don lead the pledge, as everyone’s eyes focused on some unseen point out the window. Herb invoked a wish for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. (You mean this Earth?) And Syd offered a though from that great American counselor, Groucho Marx: “I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.”
Connie welcomed our guests, George and Heidi McCray, from El Cerrito. George was today’s speaker.

Announcements

There will be no meeting this Friday! Stay away. Plant tomatoes. Have an outing at the Bay Shore. Read “Remembrances of Things Past.” Don’t come. (Betcha someone will still show up at the RCC.)

Pam Jones had a brief and not altogether encouraging report on the our performance at the recent Rotary Bowl-a-thon. Richmond Rotary bowlers came in “5th or 6th” in a field of 15. But who’s counting? They had fun.

Pam also announced a Memorial Day bash—best Margaritas north of the border— at the San Ramon Arts and Wind Festival. Visit the booth of the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club on Sunday or Monday, May 27th and 28th for this mildly intoxicating fundraiser.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Bees: The Current State of Affairs

Nick introduced today’s speaker, George McCray of the Alameda County Beekeepers’ Association. Turned out Nick and George recognized each other when they met up last Friday. They worked together on a Poinsett Park creek restoration project back in… oh, must have been the Mesozoic Era. George observed that the plantings around the creek have flourished since then.

Not so bees. Bee populations, George told us, started crashing in the early 2000s. This is a worldwide phenomenon that has resulted in declines of honey bees of between 30% and 90%. Because honey bees are among the world’s most critical pollinators, our food supplies and national economies are at risk. Thank bees for one out of every three forkfuls of food you put in your mouth.

Scientists are not certain about all the possible causes for the sharp decline in bee populations, but there is widespread agreement on these:

• Parasitic organisms, and in particular the Varoa destructor mite, which attacks fat tissue in bees’ bodies.
• Insecticides, especially neonicotonoids. Citing multiple studies linking “neonics” to declining bee populations, the EU recently banned the use of this class of insecticides. The US has not.
• Land management practices and industrial agriculture. Monocropping—growing a single crop year after year on the same land—robs bees of the nutrition they derive from a diverse range of floral resources.
• Climate change also threaten bee survival. As average monthly temperatures rise, flowers bloom earlier in the spring, creating a potential mismatch in seasonal timing between when flowers produce pollen and when bees are ready to feed on that pollen. Bees may fail to migrate to cooler areas to establish new colonies, so bees experience habitat loss.
  

There is a great deal of research, here and abroad, focused on methods and treatments that will reverse the trend and avert a “pollination crisis.” But George described a number of things we can do to aid in the survival of bees:

• Support local beekeeping. Smaller scale, local bee colonies that exploit more diverse habitats aid in the survival of bee populations.
• Buy organic foods. Residual neonic levels are lower in organic fruits and vegetables.
• Vote! Support members of Congress and state legislators committed to following good science. The EPA and FDA have been, or are threatening to, lift regulations—let’s call them “protections”—and those actions are detrimental to the health of honey bees and wild bee populations.
• Support small farmers dedicated to healthier land use practices. Which leads us to…
• Shop locally, and buy only as much as you need. This country grows far more food than we consume. The consequent over-production drives industrial-scale agriculture, which is highly dependent on pesticides.

NEXT MEETING: May 18, 2018

Honey Bees: The Current State of Affairs

Acutely aware of the decline of bees, the world’s all-important pollinators, the Alameda County Beekeepers’ Association is helping support their population and purpose in today’s fragile world. Come learn about the current status of their health, as well as what can we, as citizens, can or cannot do to guarantee their survival.

MEETING OF May 11, 2018

Welcome

President Connie Tritt welcomed the group. Stacey Street led the Pledge; Herb Cole led the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth.  Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the Legislature is in session.”  (Mark Twain)

Connie asked for a reminder of the Rotary 4-Way Test.  After a few comments from various members, Connie read it with the hope it will be memorized by all members before the end of her tenure as President….

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Announcements

• Reminder:  Second Annual RotaCare Bowl-A-Thon, will take place Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Albany Bowl.  All proceeds will benefit RotaCare (Richmond). Jon and Darlene and Pam and Neville are planning to attend.  We need Club Members to support our team with per-pin pledges and/or fixed-amount pledges.  Please send your donation to Richmond Rotary with Bowl-A-Thon noted on the check to David Brown, Treasurer.
• The 10th Annual Rotary District 5160 Bocce Challenge – May 19th – 9:30 a.m. at Martinez Waterfront Park.  Pam and Connie are planning to attend, in search of more players!

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Teen Moms Project, 2018

This year the project was overseen by Darlene Quenville because Jan Brown would be in Spain at the time of the Teen Mom packaging and delivery to the Richmond schools.  Jan was readily available for any questions that arose!

Nick Despota gave an overview of the packaging process to the members. This included writing a short note of support to each mom and the one dad we had this year.  The main purpose of this project is to encourage these young parents to stay in school and get their education to insure a better future for their family.

This year was one of the lowest number of parents, 22 total: 21 moms and 1 dad.  In the past, we’ve had numbers as high as 49 high school students with children. It’s nice to see this number decreasing.

The packages are to be delivered to the Richmond High School on Tuesday, May 15, from 9:30 to 10:00 AM.  Terri Brown, a Coordinator with the YMCA, will oversee delivery of the packages to the Teen Moms at various schools.  Those schools include Richmond High, Greenwood, Kennedy High, Adult School Community/Gateway.

This year one of our Rotarians, Tamara Shiloh, owner of the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore in Richmond, will talk to the moms at Richmond High School.

A special thanks to the following for their donations to this project: Dr. Dan Tanita, dental care products; Tamara Shiloh, books; Doris Mitchell, books; and Mey Saechao, stuffed animals.  Also, a special thanks to the Clorox Company for their donation of Burt Bees Baby Products and Mom/Dad Gifts and to the Linus Project for their donation of beautiful handmade blankets.

NEXT MEETING: May 11, 2018

Teen Moms Project Day

A friend of ours once took a swipe at the Rotary by calling it a “check-writing club.” It’s true that most of the good we do is accomplished through the money we donate to local organizations. Nothing wrong with that.

But it’s also true that our members enjoy hands-on projects—anything from planting trees in neighborhood parks to installing free smoke detectors in peoples’ homes. The Teen Moms project is another example.

Next Tuesday we’ll pack gift bags with diapers, baby hygiene products, blanket, books and, most critically, personalized letters from Richmond Rotary members.

We’ve been doing the project for some 13 years. Because it forges direct connections between teen-age girls and Rotary folks—our members also go to the schools to deliver the gift bags—this project is regarded as one of the most satisfying and effective ways in which Rotary makes a positive impact in our community. We urge you to be a part of it. Be sure to attend on Friday.

MEETING OF May 4, 2018

Welcome

President Connie presided over the meeting. She told us that the day before she was in Chacala, Mexico, working with several other Rotarians to make much needed improvements to local elementary schools. “Fresh off the boat,” she also gave a strong plug for getting involved in hands-on projects with the Rotary.
Herb Cole offered the invocation. He spoke the formula, “peace, freedom, and justice,” that calls out qualities that seem to be short supply these days. Gotta work on that.

Rotarians with Guests

Jan Brown introduced Alahmbra High School teacher, Kathy Logan as her guest. And Jerry introduced his friend, Andy Santamaria, a radio program host (among other things).

Announcements

Alan Baer announced that the El Sobrante Rotary is hosting a pot-luck picnic at the Kennedy Grove Recreational Area, on San Pablo Dam Road, near the “hitching post.”  Starts at noon, all are invited. Map.

Rotary BARSHEEP TGIF party will be held Friday, May 25th, at a new spot: the Jumping Spoon Restaurant in Hercules. Contact Alan for details.

Your Rotary dues at work. And play.

A very cool project that your Rotary dues support is the ESCAPE Club at Lovonya Jean Middle School. (ESCAPE is an acronym for Environmental Science, Conservation and Photographic Excursions.) Our club has been helping students take field trips to beautiful locations surrounding the Bay Area since 1990. We recently received a photo report on the group’s latest “escape” to Alamere Falls, where the kids took “a fantastic hike along the coast to a most magical destination.”

This is just one way our contributions help create opportunities for the young people in our community.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Multicultural Children's Bookstore in Richmond

Tamara seamlessly wove her “Who Am I?” talk and today’s presentation into a single fabric. Last year, the author/advocate started a business whose mission is to help children of all ethnic, religious and gender orientations to see themselves as part of our society. Tamara began the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore as a “pop-up” store in Hilltop Mall, organized with the Richmond READS program. But after her initial lease expired, the mall’s management asked her to establish the business as a regular store.

The 3 Amigos: Tamara Shiloh, Deborah Day and Robin Wilson

The store is stocked with books that reflect the experiences of African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, and Middle Eastern people. Children will also find books about LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Tamara described two ways in which we can help our children read books that broaden their understanding of the world’s diversity. The first is by hosting a “Wine, Cheese and Books” event at the Multicultural Children’s Bookstore. If you arrange for 10 friends to come to the bookstore during its regular hours, Tamara will provide the wine and cheese. You and friends may (and almost certainly will) be inspired to buy books for your kids and grand kids. Win, win.

The second way to support an awareness of the values of living in a diverse and pluralistic society is by sponsoring an elementary school classroom through the purchase of books. Tamara will be delighted to discuss either of these options with you.

The Multicultural Children’s Bookstore is located at Hilltop Mall, 2325 Hilltop Mall Road in Richmond. You’ll find it on the 2nd floor between Zumiez and Macy’s. Hours: Close Monday and Tuesday. Open from 11AM to 7PM on Weds.-Sat., to 6 PM on Sundays. Phone: 510 322-4781.

NEXT MEETING: May 4, 2018

Richmond's First MultiCultural Bookstore for Kids

It’s easy to find good books, right? Well, if you’re looking for children’s book, not right. Browsing isn’t exactly easy on Internet, and our local bookstores don’t necessarily stock books that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our community’s kids.

Tamara Shiloh set out to change that. Stocked with books that reflect African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, and Middle Eastern cultures, she established the Multicultural Bookstore, which offers a welcome resource to the families of our area.

The bookstore is located at 2325 Hilltop Mall (2nd floor between Zumiez and Macy’s). Tamarah will tell us about her experience in turning this great idea into a great place to bring kids.

MEETING OF April 27, 2018

Welcome

Past President Josh Surowitz welcomed the group at Cafe Soleil. Oscar Garcia led the Pledge; Herb Cole led the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth.  Sid Chauvin’s Thought for the Day…”My wife and I were happy for 20 years, then we met!”

Josh Surowitz and Tom Butt both welcomed the Japanese Delegation from our Sister City, Shimada, Japan.  Tadashi Manya, the Deputy Mayor of Shimada, had a few words to share with the Rotary Club. He views Richmond as his second hometown.  It was back in 1961 when Richmond, CA and Shimada, Japan become Sister Cities, 57 years have passed since then. Over 500 Richmond Friends have experienced Japan’s culture and stayed with Japanese families or in hotels.  There are five Richmond Friendship student guests coming to Japan in June. Shimada Rotarians are looking forward to meeting the new Richmond Friends.

The delegation handed out a flyer for the Shimada Big Festival “Obi Festival”, which will be held on three days in October, 2019.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

A long list of visitors today! They fall into 2 categories. All were enthusiastically welcomed.

Announcements

Second Annual RotaCare Bowl-A-Thon, will take place Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Albany Bowl.  All proceeds will benefit RotaCare (Richmond). Jon and Darlene and Pam and Neville are planning to attend.  We need Club Members to support our team with per-pin pledges and/or fixed-amount pledges.  Please send your donation to Richmond Rotary with Bowl-A-Thon noted on the check to David Brown, Treasurer.
• Alan Baer announced we need people to sign up and donate to the Salvation Army Walk-A-Thon.  If we support this cause significantly, we will get our Rotary name on their van. Alan passed around Pledge Sheet.
• Oscar Garcia announced first tree watering for newly planted trees will be this Sunday, April 29th.  He and Felix will let us know how the watering process goes.
• Trina Jackson, of the City of Richmond Council Office, presented a lovely gift of tea from the Japanese Delegation from Shimada. The tea can be steamed or roasted.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Jim Becker introduced Deb Dyer, the Executive Director of NIAD.  NIAD used to be known as the National Institute for Artists with Disabilities but over 4 years ago changed the name to NIAD, Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development.  It was founded in 1982 by Elias Katz and his wife, Florence Katz.

Deb Dyer has been working with the organization for over 8-1/2 years and is amazed at the quality of the art produced by these wonderful artists.  She thanked Richmond Rotary for all their support over the years. NIAD has been in its current location on 23rd Street for 30 years. It’s a place where people learn to make choices and grow.

It has many art exhibitions and over 5,000 pieces currently on the web, ranging in price from $5 to $7,000.  It currently works with 65 adults each week. The artists earn 50% commission on art sold. The artists are taken to museums, galleries, studios to see contemporary art and take this experience back to the center.

The exhibitions change each month.  There are 6 – 7 outside curators who choose what will be shown.  Digital online viewing is done weekly with the outside curators. The artists are found through the Regional Center.  Program fees and grants represent 60% of their budget. $300,000 of their budget needs to be raised from outside sources.  $100,000 of art has been sold over the past 3 – 4 years. Richmond has an amazing connection to the art world within a two-block area.

At NIAD, they have what’s being exhibited but also a record of what each artist has done before in their files.  They currently have 6,000 pieces in the building, worth approximately $1.7 million.

These artists learn so much through the process of making and creating art and are so very proud of their work!  Deb loves seeing the smiles of pride!