The Flywheel

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Program for January 18th

McKinley Williams

McKinley Williams of Contra Costa College

McKinley Williams, President of Contra Costa Community College will discuss why CCCC is considered one of the premier community colleges in the nation. He will also talk about current and new programs at the college, and will provide an update of the long-term facilities planning scheduled to occur over the next 10 years.

 

 

MEETING OF January 11, 2008

Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day

Glenn asked for a moment of silence for Peace, Freedom and Justice.
Henry, in honor of the Reno trail trip admonished us to “Drink often and drink a lot.”

Visiting Rotarians

Doreen Covell of the Pinole Club

Rotarians with Guests

Mark Howe brought Ulrich Weissenberg of Micronized Ultra Tech, Inc.

Sunshine Report

Bill K reports that our former Sunshine Chair, David K, is enjoying retirement and is probably in his bathrobe and slippers instead of getting dressed and coming to the meeting.

Announcements

  • John Niccol admonished the Reno trippers to be on time.
  • E.J. reminded us that the Pinole Club will be honoring Jon Lawlis on January 24.
  • Hank Covell reminded us of the Crab Feed on January 26 (flyer).  We must commit; no “maybes” accepted, because we have to commit to the crabs, who are, after all, giving their all for us.
  • Judy Morgan announced the Chamber’s installation dinner, at which our own Tom Waller will be installed as Chair, on January 25 at the Hotel Mac, and the Chamber Crab Feed on February 1.

Recognitions

Margaret, once again, had not received any information about birthdays and anniversaries and club membership anniversaries, so she asked for volunteers.  No one spoke up, but what are the odds that out of about 50 people there were no birthdays, wedding anniversaries or club membership anniversaries?

Happy and Sad Dollars

  • Ted was happy that it was his umpteenth half birthday and his granddaughter’s first birthday.
  • David Brown wanted everyone to know that he is not the David Brown on the School Board and if you insist upon confusing him he’ll walk out of the meeting.
  • Tom Waller was happy to be the new Chair of the Chamber of Commerce.
  • Josh Genser (there are two of us now so a last name or an initial is required!) was happy upon the birth of his grandniece.
  • Don Lau was happy that his son’s Salesian High School basketball team won a 5-overtime game.
  • Beaver came out of the woodwork to announce that he cares about USC and to thank David for the donation receipts provided to each member.  It might have been just a bit of hyperbole, however, when he said that these receipts mark a high point in the history of Rotary Club treasurers.
  • Syd ransomed Tom Waller’s badge.

Raffle Results

Don Hardison drew a white ball.

 

THE PROGRAM

Protecting endangered species in our back yard

Spotted owl

Nick introduced our speaker, Brent Plater, an environmental attorney who teaches at Golden Gate University. 

Brent introduced us to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a national park stretching along the northern California shoreline from Marin to San Mateo Counties.  Within the GGNRA are found more endangered species than in any other national park on the mainland USA, 33 species of plants, animals and fish. 

This year, 2008, has been designated the GGNRA Endangered Species Big Year. Modeled on bird watching contests, the Big Year is a contest to see who can not only spot each of the endangered species, but engage in an activity to help each species survive. 

For more information, see www.ggnrabigyear.org.

- Rotating Editor, Josh Genser.