NEXT MEETING: November 1, 2019

It All Adds Up

Tina Akins, District Governor, Rotary District 5160

Tina Akins, District Governor of 5160, will be visiting our Club and giving us an inspirational perspective of what it means to be a Rotarian in 2019-2020. She will talk about the magic of Rotary’s potential, especially in our individual charitable work, which adds up to something much bigger than expected.

MEETING OF October 25, 2019

Welcome

Our President, Jan Brown, opened the meeting.  Brian Fay led us in the Pledge and Jim Findley did the invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth. Sergeant at Arms Alan Blavins gave a thought for the day.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Mac Lingo, Berkeley Rotary. (We tare most grateful to Mac for making a generous contribution to Club 100!)
Bill Koziol, Richmond Rotary (just kidding, Bill—we loved seeing you today!)
Bob Dabney’s guest was his wife, Cheryl Maier
Brian Fay’s guest was his father, Gerald Fay
Ben Therriault, Guest Speaker

Announcements

• Jan asked how many Rotarians will be affected by the possible PG&E power outage coming this weekend and suggested that those not affected should be inviting those folks to dinner on Sunday.
• Bob Dabney via Cheryl Maier alerts our club that The City of Richmond is hosting a site visit to some of Richmond’s parks (including Harbour-8 and Unity Park) which are under consideration for major funding from the CA Parks Dept. Their evaluation will be this Wednesday. If you can help with clean up Saturday, Monday or Tuesday, contact Toody Maher with POGO park at 510-590-1716.
• On Wednesday, October 30, Cheryl urges you to come to the parks (see announcement above). “Folks can walk, sit and have a cup of coffee, take lunch there or do anything that shows we love our parks.” Pres. Jan will be at Harbour-8 Wednesday morning (10am) admiring Richmond Rotary’s Oak Grove tree protectors built last spring! She hopes to see you there! Come to the park – any time!
• Alan Baer announced tonight’s (October 25) TGIFF Halloween Costume Party at La Cuscatlan Restaurant hosted by San Pablo Rotary.  $15 per person for appetizers. No host bar.  Jan is going as Rosie the Riveter! [Late Breaking News: “Rosie” won the best female costume!]
• Fran Smith attended the City of Richmond Homeless Taskforce Stakeholders Meeting on October 17th.  The purpose of the meeting was to share updates on the COR Homeless Taskforce Strategies with other potential collaborators.  Thanks Fran for giving us this update.
• Don Lau reminded all Rotarians about Club 100 — don’t forget to make your $100 donation to the Club to honor our 100-year Club Anniversary and the Miraflores Project.  We need 100% participation from all of our members. Go to the Club 100 on our Website to see if you have donated. If not, get your donation to David Brown.
• Don also mentioned next Friday, November 1 (7:30 am) Richmond Fire & Police will hold a breakfast at Courtyard by Marriott, for the Toy and Food Program.  He encouraged Rotarians to make donations.
• Pam Jones and our Speaker today, Ben Therriault, are on the “Bikes Holiday Program” as Pam relayed our Rotary’s important part of the Toy and Food Program by the Fire & Police Departments.  Again this year, our Club will match the first $2,500 in donations to the bikes being given away. Pam made a $250.00 donation to start off our contributions today.
• Connie Tritt reminded everyone of RotaCare Richmond’s Gala Celebration on Saturday, November 2nd, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at the Richmond Art Center.  RSVP by emailing Richmond Clinic@RotaCareBayArea.org.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Oscar Garcia introduced our Speaker, Ben Therriault, with the Richmond Police Officers Association (POA). Mr. Therriault described the important role played by the POA. This entails insuring safe working conditions, bargaining for just compensation for the vital service the Richmond Police provide, and helping insure that the procedures adopted by the city are good for both the community and police officers.

NEXT MEETING: October 25, 2019

Richmond Police Officer's Association

Ben Therrault will give us a presentation about the labor organization that represents all Richmond Police Officers. He will speak on public safety in Richmond and about the past, present, and future of the organization.

MEETING OF October 18, 2019

Welcome

President Jan welcomed a full house at the Richmond Country Club on Friday. The pledge and invocation were led by Pam Jones and Herb Cole respectively.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Due to the special presentation surrounding our speaker and topic, we had many visitors:

Rafael Cartagena and Tracy Giles were both visiting from the El Cerrito Club.
Anna Blackman was the guest of Herb Cole.
Brian Fay introduced his father, Gerald Fay.
Jan Brown introduced her husband, Byron Brown.
Jan also introduced our guest speaker Flora Ninimiya and Janet Ninomiya, the sister and wife of our dearly departed 1978-79 President David Ninomiya.

Other special guests included visiting photographers from the 2010 Blossoms and Thorns Richmond Art Center exhibit: Fletcher Oakes with his wife, Barbara Speed; Ellen Gailing with her friend, Tom Schleis; and Ken Osborn. Also attending was Michele Seville, Arts and Culture Manager of the City of Richmond.

Special Events

• Alan Baer announced that our Club’s newest member, Santa Baer (Alan’s wife), was officially inducted into our club by incoming District Governor-elect Mark Roberts at Santa and Alan’s Bahamas benefit BBQ last Saturday. Welcome Santa!
• Pam Jones announced that Jon Lawlis received his Triple Crown Rotary Pin at the same BBQ. Jon is a rare and generous breed of Rotarian who not only gives his time to our club, but also gives to Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society.

Sunshine Report

• Don Lau reported that Dan Tanita is on the mend after another visit to the hospital. He has sold his dental practice – which means he’ll join the ranks of our retired Rotarians
• Jan Brown was sad to report that Jean Wong, wife of Charlie Wong, passed away unexpectedly last July.

Announcements

• Don Lau reminded members about the goal of Club 100 to reflect !00% support for our Centennial. See the sidebar to make a contribution.
• World Polio Day is October 24. See End Polio Now.
• Nathan Stalnaker, guest of Oscar Garcia, announced a Community Town Hall at the Craneway on Nov. 9 to organize for the establishment of a stand-alone emergency room for Richmond.
• Also on November 9 is Team Rotary BARSHEEP walk for Alzheimers. Support your team!
• Tracy Giles announced a Feb. 3rd Warrior Game and End Polio Now benefit. Stay tuned for details.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

"Blossoms and Thorns" and Japanese Roots in Richmond

Flora Ninomiya presented the movie, “Blossoms and Thorns,” about Richmond’s pre-and post-war community of flower growers and nursery owners whose lives were changed by the forced internment of Japanese citizens during World War II. At the conclusion of the movie Flora told the story of the Aebi’s (also documented in the film) who took on the care of their nursery. Francis Aebi also kept the taxes current. Many years later, as an adult, Flora would learn that the president of the small local Mechanics Bank, Edward M. Downer Jr., would quietly set aside the mortgages due for the nursery properties without telling a sole, not even his family or employees. Those acts of conscience and kindness allowed the Ninomiyas and other Japanese American families to return to Richmond at the end of the war and begin the process of recovery.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Flora and Janet were presented with long stem red roses – David Ninomiya’s favorite flower. Don Lau thanked the Ninomiya’s for their generous pledge to Richmond Rotary’s Centennial Project (see the Miraflores link).

NEXT MEETING: October 18, 2019

"Blossoms and Thorns" and Japanese Roots in Richmond

Flora Ninomiya, is a docent from the Japanese American Citizens’ League. This program will feature a short documentary, “Blossoms and Thorns”, about Richmond’s pre- and post-war community of flower growers and nursery owners whose lives were changed by the forced internment of Japanese citizens during World War II.

Flora will also tell us about two men of conscience who quietly made it possible for Japanese American families to return to Richmond and El Cerrito.

MEETING OF October 11, 2019

Welcome

Our Prez, Jan Brown, opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to Blue Apron’s Richmond Distribution Center.  Hank Covell led us in the Pledge and Herb Cole did the invocation for peace, freedom and justice on earth.  Thought for the day from Jon Lawlis:  “The world is full of good people, if you can’t find one, be one.”  A second thought for the day from Nick Despota, offered as we chowed down on sandwiches and salad:  “Hunger is the best chef.”

Alan Baer reminded everyone of the BBQ to help out the Bahamas at his home this Saturday, October 12th, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Bring along a dessert or drink. Should make your contribution to our Rotary Club with a note to benefit the Bahamas.

Jan suggested we think of someone who hasn’t been to the Club in awhile, and bring them to the BBQ or to the Rotary Lite Meeting, next Tuesday at El Agave Azul Restaurant from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Jan encouraged people to bring a friend to next Friday’s Rotary meeting, where our speaker will be David Ninomiya’s sister, Flora, who will do a presentation on the Mira Flores Centennial Project.  She will be talking about the key individuals who helped Japanese Americans after the internment.

El Cerrito Rotary’s Sip and Savor is coming up at the Berkeley Country Club. See Jan for tickets.

Darlene Drapkin introduced Jeremy, the Assistant Manager of Blue Apron.  He told us about how Blue Apron came to  be, it’s 350 employees here at the Richmond facility, and the company’s vision going forward.  Many thanks to Jeremy for the very informative presentation.

ROTARIANS WITH GUESTS

We were happy to welcome a lot of guests to this meeting.
  Nakele Rechenauer brought Eleanor Byrne and Jane Tong.
Zelfa Chauvin was the far-more-charming guest of her husband Sid Chauvin.
And Cheryl Maier was the guest of her hubby, Bob Dabney.
Our guest speaker was Jeremy Adelson, of Blue Apron.

Announcements

• Rotarian homework: Call a member you haven’t seen for a while. Invite them to join you at Rotary Lite – Third Tuesday, Oct. 16th at El Agave Azul.
• Special Thanks to Santa and Alan Bear for the Bahamas Benefit BBQ last Saturday. Donations can be sent to Richmond Rotary noting Bahama benefit.
• If you haven’t browsed our website in a while, we’d like to call your attention to the Miraflores Centennial Project section. Click the link in the upper navigation bar that is so labeled (cast your eyes upward a couple inches), and notice the links in the menu that appears. “History? Hmm.” Check it out. “Upcoming events? Club 100?” New stuff there. Have a look please.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Blue Apron

Cecilia Orozco and Jeremy Adelson of Blue Apron.

We gathered at the regional distribution facility for Blue Apron. This company delivers precisely portioned quality ingredients, nutritional information, and, of course, instructions –don’t forget the instructions!– that enable subscribers to prepare delicious gourmet food in their own kitchens.  Tasty.

NEXT MEETING: October 11, 2019
Note: On Friday we will meet at the Blue Apron facility. See below.

Blue Apron

Blue Apron is an ingredient-and-recipe meal kit service. Their weekly boxes contain ingredients and also include suggested recipes that are cooked by hand by the customer using the pre-ordered ingredients.

Jeremy Adelson of the Richmond Packaging facility will share Blue Apron’s story and give us a tasty tour. (See Announcements, below, for location.)

MEETING OF October 4, 2019

Welcome

Prez Jan opened the meeting, Mike Winter lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Herb Cole asked for a moment of silence for peace, justice and freedom on Earth.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Visiting Rotarian Governor Elect Mark Roberts was in attendance. Brian Fay brought his dad Gerald Fay. Hank Covell brought his wife Doreen, who is also a Visiting Rotarian from Pinole. Also visiting were Deborah Bryer and Beryl Golden.

Special Events

We were informed and entertained by three “Who am I?” presentations: Carey Hawkins Ash, Fran Smith and Brian Fay regaled us with the stories of their lives and the paths that led them to Rotary. We are pleased to welcome these members to our club.

Announcements

• This Friday we will meet at the Blue Apron Distribution Center, 3151 Regatta Blvd, Richmond. (Directions ) The facility is located in a large warehouse. Please RSVP by Thursday morning. Each RSVP will be given directions and a personal guide if needed!
• Richmond Rotary BBQ Fundraiser for the Bahamas Sat. Oct. 12 2pm. Please RSVP to Alan & Santa Baer.
• We’re trying something new. Because many members cannot make our Friday lunchtime meetings, we will enjoy a friendly social gathering on the evening of the third Tuesday of each month. Dubbed Rotary Lite, our first meeting will occur on Oct. 15, from 6PM – 7:30PM. at El Agave Azul, 12955 San Pablo Ave., Richmond (Directions).
• The Alzheimer Walk Rotary Team BARSHEEP takes place on Nov. 9 Support the team!
• Those of you interested in Richmond history may enjoy attending a talk and movie, Flora Ninomiya / Blossoms & Thorns. The event takes place at the Richmond Country Club on October 18. Invite a friend.
• Mark Howe may have 2 places on his sailboat next weekend for an excursion into the Bay to watch the Navy’s Blue Angels aerobatic team. Contact Mark if you’re interested.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Redevelopment and Brownfields

Ignacio Dayrit, Director of Programs at the Center for Creative Land Recycling, and formerly with the City of Emeryville, discussed redevelopment efforts in the East Bay, and how these programs bring affordable housing and inclusive economic development.

NEXT MEETING: October 4, 2019

Transforming Cities through Land Recycling

Ignacio Dayrit, Director of Programs at the Center for Creative Land Recycling, and formerly with the City of Emeryville, will discuss their redevelopment efforts within the last decade in Richmond, Contra Costa County and the Bay Area, and how these programs can bring affordable housing and inclusive economic development programs.

MEETING OF September 27, 2019

Welcome

President Jan opened the meeting. Guest Stephanie Baer lead the pledge, Herb Cole lead the invocation. Our stand-in Sergeant-at-Arms, Jim Findley, offered the thought for the day.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Byron Brown (The First Husband) was Jan’s guest. Gerald Fay attended with his son and new Richmond Rotarian Brian Fay. Bill Bankhead, Site Coordinator for Sparkpoint Contra Costa College was the guest of Stacey Street.

Announcements

• Richmond Rotary returns “home” on Friday, meeting at the Richmond Country Club.
• The 5160 District Assembly will occur on October 5th in Fairfield, 8:30-1:30. Let Jan know if you’d like a ride.
• The Richmond Rotary BBQ Fundraiser for relief for the Bahamas is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 12 2pm RSVP: Alan Baer http://richmondrotarybbq.rsvpify.com
• The eight Rotary clubs along the i_80 corridor, shorthanded to BARSHEEP (you can figure it out) will hit the pavement for its Alzheimer Walk Rotary Team on Nov 9, The project supports all Rotarians and their families who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Funds will support research into the prevention and cure of the disease. Learn more.
• A Community Town Hall to organize for the establishment of a stand-alone emergency room for Richmond will take place on Sat. Nov. 9. Details here.
• Don Lau encouraged members to make their donations to Club 100, helping to fulfill the club’s commitment to raising $50,000 for the Miraflores Centennial project. Our goal is 100% participation: we are asking that each member make a gift of $100. If you can give more please do. Many already have. Learn more here.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Many Ingredients of a Culinary Career

Nader Sharkes, master chef and Chair of the Culinary Arts Management Program at Contra Costa College, hosted our meeting at the Aqua Terra Grill Restaurant, on campus. Nader gave us an insider’s view of the business of operating a restaurant, while providing solid professional experiences for students who have chosen the vocation.