Yearly Archives: 2018
NEXT MEETING: September 7, 2018Calle 23, the 23rd Revitalization InitiativeRichmond Darlene Rios Drapkin has been managing Calle 23, 23rd Street Revitalization, a comprehensive community-driven initiative to develop the economic potential of Richmond’s 23rd Street commercial corridor. Its objective is to make the commercial district more pedestrian friendly for its residents, build upon the sense of community and attract new shoppers. She’ll share successes to date and the challenges of this ambitious undertaking. MEETING OF August 24, 2018WelcomePrez Jerry called the meeting to order in the Community Room at The Shops at Hilltop. Mark Howe led us with the Pledge and Herb Cole offered a prayer for Peace, Freedom and Justice. Tamara Shiloh (playing the role of Sid Chauvin) offered: Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy “The Mother” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsAlan Baer brought as his guest his daughter Stephanie. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMThe Center for Enamel ArtProgram Chair Darlene Drapkin introduced our speaker Judy Stone, founder and board president of the non-profit Center for Enamel Art. Judy formed the Center to provide a hub for educating and inspiring people about enameling. Unfortunately, we were not able to view her Power Point presentation, but did receive handouts with pictures of the art pieces. You can download the presentation here. (7MB, Power Point) Enameling is the process that fuses glass and metal using high heat. The Center currently has a 1,000 square foot facility in Santa Rosa, but Judy is hoping to open a site in Richmond on Macdonald Ave. This site would have space for workshops, an art gallery, sell products, and have meeting space maybe even a coffee shop. Judy is looking for help including board members, donors, folks to help with securing the building in Richmond, and participate in workshops. If you want to help or learn more visit https://www.enamelcenter.org/ The Menehune, Rotating Editor |
NEXT MEETING: August 24, 2018
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NEXT MEETING: August 17, 2018Riggers Loft Wine CompanyKevin and Barbara Brown, owners and winemakers of R&B Cellars, and owners of Riggers Loft Wine Company, tell their story of being in the wine business. In particular, they will discuss their latest chapter at Riggers Loft Wine Company, and what it means to them to be part of the vibrant Richmond community. Kevin and Barbara will also bring R&B Cellars wine for those in attendance to taste! MEETING OF August 10, 2018WelcomeMeeting called to order by President What’s-his-name* Pledge was led by Jim Findley, and the invocation was given by Herb. Syd’s Thought-for-the-day was “Did you ever wonder whether your purpose in life was to act as a warning to everyone else?” We welcomed one visiting Rotarian, Jan Feagley from El Cerrito Rotary. Our guest list was long this week. Undoubtedly they came to hear our Congressional Representative, Mark DeSaulnier: Andres Abarra
Rosemary Corbin, the former Mayor of Richmond Suzanne Gordon, a writer interested in Veterans’ issues, guest of Tom Butt Byron Brown, guest of Jan Brown Kaki Logan, an instructor at DVC, guest of Jan Brown Greg Murphy Niels Poulson Lydia MacBride Richard MacBride David Schoenthal, a candidate for City Council Carol Frank, Associate Director of Early Childhood Mental Health, a guest of Nick Jeff Sloan, the new Executive Director at Early Childhood Mental Health, also a guest of Nick Joe Mata Shanelle Scales-Preston Kathleen Sullivan, from GRIP Sharla Sullivan, no relation to Kathleen, from EBMUD Neil Zarchin, who works for the Food Bank AnnouncementsDavid was happy to report that last week we raised $3,100 to send to the Shasta Community Foundation to help with wildfire recovery. But, hold your horses, with contributions made today, we’ll be sending $3,500! RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMCongressman DeSaulnierOur speaker was introduced by Darlene, who, apparently anticipating that someday she would be in charge of programs, promised herself when she jointed Rotary that one of her first programs would be Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. Congressman DeSaulnier touched on a number of issues facing Congress: Working with Mayor Butt, Congressman Desaulnier talked the Postal Service into retaining Richmond’s downtown post office, which had been slated for closure. Congressman DeSaulnier also addressed the controversial topic of Immigration. He and several other Representatives visited border crossings and shelters to see for themselves the problems, especially those caused by the separation of children from their families. Congressman DeSaulnier said that there have been and are now pending several bipartisan bills that would address the immigration mess and that would pass with broad support, but that the Republican leadership won’t let them come to a vote because they prefer to use immigration as a wedge issue. The Congressman also talked about economic inequality, transportation and infrastructure, and answered several questions.
*That’s Jerry Feagley, whose self-given nickname is What’s-his-name. - Josh Genser, Rotating Scribe |
NEXT MEETING: August 10, 2018A VIsit from Congressman DeSaulnierThis Friday we are honored to be hosting US Congressman DeSaulnier, serving the 11th Congressional District. Congressman DeSaulnier will give us an update on his recent work in Congress: bills he’s supporting and opposing, his recent trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, and whatever else he cares to share about the state of the nation and its relation to our local community. MEETING OF August 3, 2018WelcomePresident Jerry welcomed everyone and reminded us of the Rotary International “elevator speech”—a very succinct statement of what the Rotary is and what we do: “We’re a leadership organization of local business, professional and civic leaders. We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and through that, we’re able to get things done in this community. “ Jan Brown led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Sid reminded us to “Never buy a car you cannot push”. Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMImpressions from the Middle East, from Rafael CartagenaJerry Feagley introduced our speaker, Rafael Cartagena of the El Cerrito Rotary Club. Rafael shared a 5-minute video, a 60 Minutes segment, that looked at conditions for laborers in one Middle Eastern country. After the video played, he recounted his impressions from Dubai, Qatar, and Kuwait. He discussed his impressions of women’s evolving status and workforce issues. Some of the takeaways for this scribe were:
- Connie Tritt, Pinch-hitting scribe |
NEXT MEETING: August 3, 2018Impressions from the Middle East - Rafael CartagenaRafael Cartagena, El Cerrito Rotary Club member, will share a visual travelogue of his journeys in three Middle Eastern country: Dubai, Qatar, and Kuwait. He’ll present his impressions of women’s evolving status and workforce issues. He will also contrast those impressions with those in his native El Salvador and his present home in this country. Please join us for this fascinating geographical and sociological tour. MEETING OF July 27, 2018WelcomeIn week 3 of his Presidency, Jerry Feagley tested a new swing where gavel meets bell to get the attention of a full house of Rotarians. Mayor Tom Butt led the pledge, Herb Cole reminded us of our shared world vision, and Sid Chauvin asked, “So when is this ‘Old enough to know better’ supposed to kick in??” Visiting Rotarians and GuestsSimon Ellis introduced his guest and son, Matthew Piatt. Welcome Matt! Announcements
RecognitionsHappy and Sad DollarsNorm’s NonsensePROGRAMPowerPlant ParkDarlene Drapkin introduced today’s speaker, Larry Westland. A longtime commercial real estate broker, Mr. Westland is promoting PowerPlant Park in Richmond located near the Dotson Family Marsh Trail and scheduled for completion in 2019/2020. It will be one of the first facilities of its kind in California, dedicated to the highest quality grade cultivation and processing of medicinal cannabis. Its 18 acres will include 44 state-of-the-art environmentally controlled greenhouses that offer tenants of the Park a complete production facility for the medicinal (not recreational) market from seedlings through harvesting and onsite pre-testing. Tenant growers are expected to generate 400 jobs (that include a vetted employee process). Adjacent to the Bay Trail, the facility will also include a conference hall, restaurant, electric cars and a BART shuttle. Privately financed, the PowerPlant Park promises to maintain high standards in production for both tenant users and outside growers who wish to utilize one or more of the Park’s many processing components. Mr. Westland (a former school teacher) also traced the fascinating history of cannabis and US policies that have affected public perception, regulation, and use since hemp was first cultivated in 1795 at Mission San Jose. Richmond seems poised and ready as the benefits of medicinal marijuana in health and wellness become better understood and appreciated. For more information about PowerPlant Park visit: https://powerplantpark.com. Thank you Mr. Westland for your presentation to Richmond Rotary - Jan Brown, scribe-of-the-day |