NEXT MEETING: December 8, 2017

Five easy steps for a spectacular Holiday Auction

1. Invite friends and colleagues to the Auction.
2. Check our Auction page to browse the latest items: holiday gifts, weekend getaways, lively events. Ask your friends to do likewise.
3. Buy a toy for a kid, but don’t wrap it. Bring it on Friday and contribute it to the holiday toy drive.
4. On Friday, be sure to show up before 12PM. That’s when the fun begins.
5. Spend freely. Every penny we raise contributes to a healthier and more prosperous Richmond. (See the organizations we gave to last year.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Don Lau reminded us that our annual Holiday Auction on Friday, December 8. The fun starts at noon, so bring a friend and enjoy Sid’s infamous eggnog, Blavins’ wine, and live entertainment by Stacey Street.       Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped gift suitable for young teens for the RFD toy drive.
• Pam Jones gave us an update on the holiday bike drive: so far, we have met the Richmond Rotary match amount but we still need more donations so that every family can receive a bike. $49 buys a bike and helmet. December 23 is the give-away at the Downer YMCA if you want to volunteer.
• President Connie Tritt reminded us that on December 15, there is no regular lunch meeting. Instead come to our Holiday Cocktail Party at Richmond Art Center, 5 pm.
• President Connie said she encourages everyone to sign the initiative requiring farm animals to have more space in their cages. Go here to sign: https://preventcrueltyca.com
• If you haven’t done so already, send an email to Jan Brown, giving her your shirt size for a free Richmond Rotary t-shirt.
• RotaCare seeks a board member volunteer.  Please contact President Connie of you’re interested in this wonderful organization.

MEETING OF December 1, 2017

Welcome

President Connie Tritt called the meeting to order and asked Erle Brown to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb Cole asked for silent prayers for peace, hope, and justice. Sergeant at Arms Sidney Chauvin offered a quote for the day: “I’m not t lazy, I just enjoy doing nothing!”

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Mike Winters’ guest was his wife Cindy.
• Tom Butt’s celebrated his 46^th wedding anniversary to Shirley.
• Charlie Fender is marking his 99^th birthday, which means he cruising into his 100th year on earth. Wow.
• And while we’re counting up the years, Mike Winters is celebrating his 50th club anniversary.
• Syd (the Soothsayer) Chauvin’s had a birthday, but he wasn’t revealing much: “It’s the 37th anniversary of my 39th birthday.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• Nick Despota had sad dollars for passing of Sandi Genser Maack. He recognized how fully entwined Sandi was into Richmond’s community and civic organizations.
• Josh Surowitz had mixed dollars: He had a fun time at his holiday action hike. But his son Luke broke his arm. The boy is fine, and Josh was happy to have had access to good care. He was also happy that he has never conspired with Russia. (But can we believe him?)
• Josh Genser had dollars and thanked everyone for their condolences for the death of his sister. The words of support have been wonderful. The family will be celebrating Sandi’s life on Sunday, December 17 at 1:00 pm at Richmond Country Club.
• Josh also informed the group that the Rotary Holiday Auction brandy tasting is coming up, and this is the 8th year Stanfurd [sic] won the axe.
• Jan Brown grateful dollars for knowing Ed Lay, of the Richmond Art Center.
• Jon Lawlis had a happy a twenty because there is a celebrity amongst us. Our Rotary Holiday Auction item, Flight 1967 has gone viral. Captain Nick, flying on autopilot, said nothing about the East Bay Times article.
• Erle Brown gave a sad “bottle” (of unnamed adult beverage) to Josh Genser because he lost a bet about the Big Game.
• Ric Ambrose had sad/happy dollars for Sandi Genser Maack and Ed Lay. RAC is dedicating a metal studio in his honor. And happy dollars because the Ducks are back (Quack Attack)!

PROGRAM

12 days of Christmas - Richmond style

On this day we were visited by Richmond City Manager Bill Lindsay. Bill thanked Richmond Rotary for our contributions to the community. He then gave us the “12 days of Christmas – Richmond style.”

1 day park renovation at Wendell Park (see photo on right).

$2 million negative financial impact in annexing North Richmond (and 2 osprey, Rosie and Richmond, and 2 chicks in their Whirley Crane nest.

3.4% annual rent control adjustment.

$442 operating budget surplus.

500 Richmond promise scholarship applicants (100 up from last year).

6 state-of-the-art bus shelters on Carlson blvd (street improvements grant).

7,000 bikes for a regional bike-sharing program.

$800,000 solar installation at Triangle Court (affordable housing project) from state cap and trade money for 98 residential units.

9000 square feet of commercial leased space at Bart parking.

10 year anniversary of Richmond Build.

11% increase in sales tax receipts; and

12 ferry vessels in the SF bay ferry fleet and 2 more next year (at the Richmond Ferry Terminal).

-Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette and Ducks fanatic