NEXT MEETING: April 26, 2019

SparkPoint

SparkPoint is a network of nonprofit partners that support members of the community through financial education and coaching to achieve and sustain prosperity. Meghan Cadmus, Site Coordinator at the Contra Costa West office, will tell us about the people who SparkPoint Contra Costa serves, how the program works, and how you can register or refer others for the services.

MEETING OF April 19, 2019

Welcome

At 12:30 pm, President Jerry Feagley opened the meeting and welcomed members and their guests. Pam Jones led us in the Pledge this week. Herb Cole did the invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth. No thought for the day – Sid was absent.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Visiting our club was Steve Kirby, of the Hercules Rodeo Club. Steve was also our speaker

Bob Dabney brought his daughter was as a guest. We apologize for not recording her name.

Announcements

  • President Jerry Feagley advised that Feagley Realtors is having a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Monday, April 29th, 5p-7p at 2284 San Pablo Ave, Pinole, (above Antler’s Tavern)
  • El Cerrito Rotary is celebrating its 70th year as a Rotary Club.  They have invited us to join them on Thursday, May 2nd, for a luncheon in celebration around 11:30 or 12:00 at the Berkeley (formerly Mira Vista) County Club
  • San Pablo Rotary’s “Night in Tuscany” event April 26th at San Pablo Maple Hall.  Cost is $45. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/747176138811707/
  • “Taste of the World”, sponsored by Hercules Rotary Club, May 11th, 5p-8p, Hercules Library $15 per person
  • Salesian Golf Tournament is coming up April 29th at Richmond Country Club.
  • San Francisco German Band Annual Concert, May 18th, St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, 2:00 p.m.
  • Hercules Rotary Day at the A’s Game, July 13th, all are welcomed to join. Contact Hercules Rotary for more details.
  • Pam Jones is looking for team members for the bacce ball game at Martinez Golf Course, Saturday May 11th.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Rotary International Projects

Steve Kirby presented an excellent slide show about his trip to Columbia. There he visited various school projects, where, with Rotary assistance, the schools have been provided needed supplies and materials. The people were very hospitable, and the accommodations, the food and the drink were all very good. There trip schedule allowed plenty of time for parties and tours. Steve talked about issues with the Internet and cell phone, the result of the fact there are no IT people to keep the technology up and running. He said there about seven Rotary clubs in Colombia.

Steve told us about the upcoming visit from Shimada, Japan representatives. Shimada is the sister city of Richmond. The visit was a result of a meeting and agreement between the mayor of Shimada and Richmond back in the 70’s. He suggested that we apply for a national grant and send a group of representatives from BARSHEEP to Shimada in October for about a week or two. He said the grant covers hotel, airfare, and registration. Information about applying for the grant may be available now.

Steve urged us to get more involved in Rotary International and visit some of the other countries needing assistance. He recommended BARSHEEP also send representatives to assist with the coming projects in Kenya and Colombia again.


Tamara Shiloh, “Rotating Scribe”

NEXT MEETING: April 19, 2019

Rotary’s International Service Opportunities

Steve Kirby, of the Rotary Club of Hercules, attended the Columbia Project Fair to entice Rotarians to get involved in Rotary International’s global community. Here’s your chance to have your questions answered about International Service opportunities.

MEETING OF April 12, 2019

Welcome

At 12:30 pm, President Jerry Feagley opened the meeting.  Pam Jones led us in the Pledge this week.  Herb Cole did the invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth.  As Sid was absent, there was no thought for the day.  We missed you, Sid.

Josh Genser brought up last Saturday’s work project at Harbour-8 Park where they made protective barriers around the oak trees.  Thanks to all those who participated: Josh, Jerry, Tamara, Felix, Darlene D., Norm, Jan and Byron.  Great pics on the Rotary site.  And to those who did not attend……raspberries to you!! =)

Jerry informed us that Henry Moe asked if the Club would be willing to assist the Salesian Interact President  to attend the Reno Convention in May. The cost would be $547.00 to cover the conference fees, room, etc. Many Rotarians offered donations sufficient to cover it, or very close. We thank all who volunteered to chip in for their generosity.

Announcements

  • Jerry Feagley made a number of announcements. He reminded everyone that Sunday, April 13th, is the Richmond Art Center’s “Party Richmond” fundraiser (5:30-9:00 pm).
  • El Cerrito Rotary is celebrating its 70th year as a Rotary Club.  They have invited us to join them on Thursday, May 2nd, for a luncheon in celebration around 11:30 or 12:00 at the Berkeley (formerly Mira Vista) County Club
  • Salesian Golf Tournament is coming up April 29th at Richmond Country Club.  They are looking for players and tee sponsors.
  • San Pablo Rotary’s “Night in Tuscany” event April 26th at San Pablo Maple Hall.  Cost is $45.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Darlene Drapkin introduced our speaker, Amanda Elliott, Executive Director of Richmond Main Street Initiative.  The organization is dedicated to commercial revitalization of the Downtown Richmond area and to improve the image of the Downtown area.  It is part of National Main Streets throughout the nation.

In 2012, business improvement district was started.  They get funding from the commercial businesses in the area.  Most of the funding goes towards cleaning and maintenance.

In 2009, streetscaping was provided on Harbour Way and Macdonald Avenue. In 2010, streetscaping was also provided on Nevin Avenue.

Training and Workshops to potential business owners, such as “Finance Your Business” being offered April 24th, 6:00-8:00 pm.

Lots of free Community Events – June thru September outdoor events include:

  • Healthy Village Festival – June 29 (10 am – 2 pm)
  • Music on the Main Concerts – July 24 & August 28 (5 pm – 7:30 pm)
  • Chill with a Cop – August 17 (11 am – 1 pm)
  • Spirit & Soul Festival – September 21 (1 p – 5 pm)

There was $16 million in private and public investment in the downtown area last year.

Richmond Main Street is now located in the Downtown Richmond Visitor Center.

There is currently an RFP for a Richmond-themed store.

We have put art in some of the vacant downtown storefront windows.

Have worked with the youth in the area – 39 kids participated in Youth Entrepreneur Day.

12th & Macdonald Project (2 blocks) – 256 unit of homes initially, with a total of 600 housing units and potential 60,000 sf in retail space.

Community is much more engaged.  Taste of Richmond Event coming up, too — May 18th at Riggers Loft Wine Company (2 – 6 pm).

For more details, look up www.RichmondMainStreet.org.


- Rotating Scribe Darlene Quenville

NEXT MEETING: April 12, 2019

Richmond Main Street Initiative

The Richmond Main Street Initiative is dedicated to revitalizing historic downtown Richmond as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban village. That means offering products, services, arts and entertainment that reflect our community’s rich and diverse heritage. Its programs and events are a vital part of the urban village concept. Richmond Main Street sees new businesses coming to our downtown in the near future, and Amanda Elliott, its Executive Director will tell us all about it.

MEETING OF April 5, 2019

Welcome

Prez Jerry rang the bell and called the meeting to order with Oscar Gracia leading us in the Pledge, Herb Cole offered a moment for peace, freedom and justice. Sid Chauvin offered: “Seconds count, especially when you are dieting!”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Tamara Shiloh introduced Prez Jerry’s guest, Nakele Rechenauer.

Announcements

  • Last Saturday Josh, Jerry, Tamara, Norm, Felix, Darlene D., Jan and Byron (note honorific bolded text for the hubby) joined teams from Pogo Park to install protective tree circles around the 21 oaks planted at Harbour-8 Park. Educational signage for each tree will follow. Check out the photos on Facebook.
  • Ric Ambrose invited all to the Richmond Art Center “Party Richmond” fundraiser on April 13 5:30-9:00pm.
  • Incoming Prez Jan Brown noted that it was Richmond Rotary’s 99th Anniversary and provided all with the semi-long red rose to take home in the spirit of Dave Ninomiya who use to bring red roses to Rotary every week and a reminder of our upcoming 100th Anniversary Mira Flores project.
  • Oscar Garcia updated all on the Chavez Day of Service on May 30. There were many Rotarians as well as members of the community who participated with tree planting, clean up and painting.
  • Prez Jerry invited all to the San Pablo Rotary “Night in Tuscany” event 4/26 at San Pablo Maple Hall. Cost is $45.

We’d love to, but…

We’d love to share the results of our Online Communications survey with you—what our members most value in the Flywheel, how they use the website—but we can’t. Not yet. We need another dozen of you to take a couple minutes to take the survey before we can claim the results are significant.

So please, if you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do it now. It only takes about 3 minutes. Your responses will give us a better idea of what we should strengthen and what we can let go.

When the survey form opens, click OK to begin.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Read-Aloud Program in Richmond Schools

Prez Jerry introduced Gabriella Bracamontes from Read Aloud who indicated that the program started in 1995 at E M Downer Elementary School, has 112 volunteers and has given away 91,000 books and other reading material.

Gabriella introduced Executive Director Crystal Merrill, who told us that the program is a relationship-based program and not a tutoring program. Students are referred to the program by teachers and require parent consent for the student to participate.

The program is now available at Downer, Coronado, Dover, Montalvin and Washington Elementary Schools. This summer the program will be available at Booker T Anderson Recreation Center.

The 3,500 students who have participated in the program attend a 30-minute session once a week. Support for the program includes: volunteering time to work with a student; volunteer at book giveaways, book sorting, technical support, fundraising; donate books; and tax deductible contribution. For more information, please visit http://read-aloud.org


The Menehune, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: April 5, 2019

The Read-Aloud Program

This presentation will provide a general overview of the Read-Aloud Volunteer Program and our work in five underserved elementary schools in Richmond, San Pablo, and Montalvin Manor. We will discuss volunteer recruitment and elaborate on the successes of the program. Read Aloud is a well established non-profit organization working in the district since 1995.

MEETING OF March 291h, 2019

Welcome

President Jerry welcomed everyone to the “friendly Richmond Rotary Club”. Sid announced that “the work of the world does not wait to be done by perfect people.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Rotary pennants from around the world—collected by our members during their travels over the years— were hung in honor of our special guests: 9 teenagers from Shimada, Japan (Richmond’s Sister City) and their chairperson. They ranged in ages from 14-17 and each was from a different school in Shiamada. Each of them introduced themselves, told us their age, and what school they went to. They were:

Eri Yamada
Sana Amano
Kakeru Tanimura
Mio Sugimura
Yuta Sugimura
Kosei Morishita
Naho Otsuka
Kaon Muramatu
Kunihiki Iwamoto

 

Co-Chair of the Shimada contingent, Evan Sirchuk spoke briefly on behalf of the group, and photos were taken with the speaker, Supervisor John Gioia.

Also in attendance at this meeting was Fran Gallati—a guest of Jerry and Tamara, John Tysell, a guest of Don Lau’s and Steve Kirby of the Hercules Rotary Club.

Announcements

  • Don Lau encouraged us to participate in a foursome in the Salesian Golf Tournament that was coming up. He also notified us that there were opportunities to sponsor a tee ($250) for publicity and a good cause.
  • Pam Jones reminded us that she is putting teams together for the upcoming Bocce Ball tournament (May 11th) .
  • Jerry reminded us that it is TGIFF and this evening’s gathering is at Due Rose in Pinole. It is sponsored by the Pinole Rotary Club and is a BARSHEEP event. All are encouraged to attend
  • Jerry also announced the upcoming Bayou Boogie event on April 21, 2019, sponsored by the Albany Rotary club.
  • On behalf of the Pogo Park project, Jerry asked us if anyone knows a Mason . If you do, please contact him.

Flywheel and Website Survey

We are considering making changes to the Flywheel and this website. Our goal is to make it unnecessary to have scribes take notes and later write finished versions of the Flywheel. At the same time, we want to maintain or even increase attendance at our meetings.

To help us evaluate our options, please take about 3 minutes to complete this survey.
When the survey form opens, click OK to begin.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

County Supervisor John Gioia

Today’s speaker was John Gioia, the current chair of Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors. He began by noting that this was the most partisan and difficult time of his 21 years on the Board. His secret – listen to everyone so they feel heard.

His presentation focused on these 5 initiatives:

  • Air Quality. Of the top 10 worst areas in California, the Bay Area has two: West Oakland and Richmond/San Pablo.
    1. A 30-person team will focus on improving air quality in these districts. They will map by car the emissions over a period of 1 year.
    2. The new initiative will require ships to plug in while docked at their harbors.
    3. Will also require all buses to be zero-emission by 2040.
  • Transportation issues
    1. These are regional issues that cannot be solved by city or county. Other nearby cities must also cooperate.
    2. One problem is that transit is costly in Contra Costa County because the population is sparse.
  • Health Care
    1. Two hundred thousand people out of 1.1 million people in Contra Costa County are on a subsidized medical plan.
  • Youth and Children’s Issues
    1. They are developing a budget for youth and trying to improve their services. They have created a Children and Youth council which will involve the whole family.
    2. “Kid’s First” is a real help for youth as it has funds set aside for kids. He was a part of creating that process.
  • Sustainability Commission
    1. Recently the County government joined MCE, thereby making it easier to choose energy generated through renewable sources. Two years ago Supervisors Gioia and Glover formed the Sustainability Commission. Its mission is to advise the Board on measures it can take to help insure it reaches the greenhouse gas reduction targets specified in the County’s Climate Action Plan.

In a Q&A session, Sid when we would get another hospital in West County. Mr. Gioia reported some statistics related to the County Hospital that closed. 80% of the patients had been on MediCal or Medicare. Only 10% were covered by a commercial payor and 10% were self-pay (uninsured). Since MediCal reimbursements fall short of covering the cost of services, the hospital was losing $20 million per year.

Evan Sirchuk asked about the Ryse Center (where the teens had visited earlier in the day). He had heard the good news that the Center now own that property they occupy and intend to use it as a hub for other non-profits. Mr. Gioia reported that he was very proud of the work that was being done at the Ryse Center.


- Connie Tritt, “Rotating Editor”