The Flywheel
Archive issue

NEXT MEETING: September 27, 2013

Bay Delta Conservation Plan & the Proposed Twin Tunnels

Tim Stroshane, Senior Research Associate, joined the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) in 2008. A Bay Area urban planner since 1988, Tim is editor of SPILLWAY (http://www.spillwaynews.net/), a newsletter that addresses California water and development issues, including CalFED and Delta water politics, court decisions on water, and water markets. He brings to C-WIN his extensive knowledge of California water history, law and politics, and his organizational skills in order to help build the Network at a critical time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The next Club meeting (September 27) will again be at La Strada Restaurant.
• President Liliane Koziol read a thank-you letter from Kids’ Power, a non-profit to which our Club contributed money to support a workshop for staff and parents so they could help young people build skills to be safe from bullying, abuse and violence. They will send us a report upon conclusion of the workshop.
• We need a total of ten Club members to volunteer on a shift basis at a hot-dog stand on Sunday, October 20, at Golden Gate Fields (“Dollar Day at the Races”). This will enable the Club to receive a $1,000 donation from Golden Gate Fields. See Liliane or Lynn Martin.

MEETING OF September 20, 2013

Welcome

• President Liliane presided over the podium.
• Herb Cole’s thought for the day was “your friends will come and go but your enemies will accumulate, so make as many friends as possible.”
• Mike Winters introduced his neighbor and hopefully soon to be new Rotarian, Avery Otto.
• Liliane welcomed Dan Tanita’s guests Delaina Roland and 12 other dentists visiting from Russia. While promoting international friendship and understanding, Dan has helped coordinate these visiting delegations for several years.

Recognitions and Happy/Sad Dollars

• Liliane thanked Alan Baer for the idea to have a booth at the tree planting day.
• Josh Genser had happy $’s that he was on NPR and the News Hour talking about the city of Richmond taking underwater homes under eminent domain as well as in the Contra Costa Times newspaper saying he was the only one in the city thinking straight.
• Erle Brown had happy $’s because he saw Josh on the TV News report and appreciated his words of wisdom.
• Herb Cole had happy $’s that the dentist delegation is here. He made the observation that Russian women dentists are generally much prettier than American women dentists.
• Erle Brown had a few more happy dollars for the dentists being here and for the fact that several dentists were from his and Phyllis’ favorite part of Russia when they visited there.

Norm’s Nonsense

Every year, St. Peter conducted a tour down on earth. “This year,” he told the Virgin Mary, “I’m going to survey all your shrines and compare them to the shrines I’ve seen in previous years.” He took his tour and visited shrines around the world before he came back to heaven and reported to Mary, “I’ve got great news! There are more people at your shrines than anyone else’s. But I noticed one thing–every single statue portrayed you with a sad expression on your face. Why is that?” And Mary said, “Well, you see, Peter … I really wanted a girl.”

Program

Welcoming Dentists From Russia

Dan Tanita introduced the Russian delegation and said they were here to learn about dental practices. Dan talked about the Rotary Four-Way Test and its application to dental practices and to our lives. As Dan pointed out, Rotarians around the world strive to share those values.

After each of the visiting dentists introduced themselves through a translator, Dan opened the meeting for questions.

The first question had to do with what the Russians are learning on their visit here. They were all very grateful for the many insights and good suggestions that they’ve been exposed to about American dental business practices. They thanked all Rotary Club members for the hospitality and Dan Tanita for organizing the experience.

Lillian asked if there were any dental practices that are much different here than in Russia. The main difference is the way the dental offices are set up. In America, one or two dentists form an office and hire dental hygienists. In Russia, it is not uncommon to have 12-15 dentists in one office and each have different views on dentistry. In America, the dentists have more control to run their practice.

Alan Blavins recalled that, when he was about 18 years old, he got into a fight and had five teeth knocked out. In England, he was able to go to a dentistry hospital and get them repaired by dentists in training. It took over a year to complete the work and it was all free. Alan asked if they have the same type of thing in Russia. All the visiting dentists nodded yes.

What are the costs for dental school in Russia? If you are the strongest student applying for dental school, the tuition is free. Depending on the area you want to go to school, the costs can vary but the average cost is about US$4,000.

Marina, a past visiting Russian dentist, was so motivated by her previous visit and meeting Rotarians that she went back to St. Petersburg and started a Rotary Club. Marina’s son applied to be a part of the next dental delegation and will be visiting with the next group.

Henry Moe, Rotating Scribe