May 22, 2015
NEXT MEETING: May 22, 2015
I-80 Smart Corridor Project
2015 will be a SMART year for motorists on the I-80 corridor! A representative of Caltrans will present an overview of the I-80 SMART Corridor Project, the most sophisticated high-tech network of its kind in California. The project was developed through a partnership between Caltrans, the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee, in collaboration with transit agencies and nine municipalities along the corridor. This important project will be coming online in mid-2015 and will change the way you and your colleagues drive on I-80 and San Pablo Avenue.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Mike Barrington, Rotary Club of Concord, asked for support for a project that they have in Ethiopia for teenage girls who have been physically or sexually abuse. They are building a computer lab and he asked for our support. A number of generous Rotarians each donated $100 to the cause. Thanks all
- Mr. Sunshine Bill Kozial checked in with both Ralph Hill and Charlie Wong. Both are doing well and phone calls to them would be great. Call Ralph at 510-821-7347.
MEETING OF May 15, 2015
Welcome
Prez Stoney welcomed all to the friendly Richmond Rotary Club and Tom Butt led us in the Pledge. Stoney offered a silent prayer for freedom, peace and justice. Newly married Tom Waller’s thought was: “if a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong?” Ask your wife Tom!
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Mike Barrington, Concord Rotary. Stacey Street’s guest was Kimberly Terry. Accompanying the Consul General were Karina Iqwan and Reza Widamahendra.
Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars
- Bill Kozial was happy he will doing a camp out with his 5 year old. Whiskey might help.
- Jim Young, Josh Genser, and Norm Lundberg all gave glowing reports on the Rotary trip to Mexico. It was a wonderful trip, 9 days building a school (glad they did not need to pull a permit), and a great reminder of what Rotary is all about.
- George Egan was happy to celebrate his “second” birthday and we are too!
- Jerry Feagley was happy he avoided a speed trap coming to Rotary.
- Herb Cole was happy that for the 5th year Rotary provided gift bags to the teen moms at Richmond High, but sad that the “Thrill is gone” BB King RIP
- Hank Covell was happy that Salesian Boys and Girls Club had a successful Spaghetti Dinner raising over$20,000
PROGRAM
A Snapshot of Indonesia
Past Prez Liliane Kozial introduced The Honorable Ardi Hermawas, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco who was appointed to that position August 21, 2014. He previously served as Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta 2012-14. Consul General Hermawas has 27 years of foreign service experience.
Indonesia is the largest archipelago with 17,504 islands with 50,000 miles of shoreline and 252 million people. There are 742 dialects spoken. Indonesia gained independence from Japan in 1945 and in 1998 during the “Reform Era” became a democracy. From 1945-98 they had 2 presidents and since 1998 they have had 5 presidents. Indonesia is the 16th largest economy. Its current leader, President Joko Widodo elected in 2014, served as Governor of Jakarta for 2 years before being elected president. Consul General Hermawas is responsible for Northern California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. If you want more details ask Josh Surowitz.
- The Menehune Rotating Editor