The Flywheel
This Week's Program: November 13th,
2009
Understanding the Shot-Spotter
Sergeant David Harris of the RPD visits Richmond Rotary to describe and discuss the “Shot Spotter” program that uses microphone and computer technolgoy to locate gun fire before dispatchers learn of it.
Sgt. Harris is also regularly on night patrol and might offer some insights into why there have been so many shootings lately.
Last MEETING: November 5th, 2009
Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day
Prez Glenn Daggs welcomed the group. Henry Moe led the Pledge. Markku provided an “invocation” in which he noted a derivation of the saying, “It is better to leave your mouth shut and be thought a fool, then to open it and remove all doubt.” Henry Kelman said a prayer and called for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings.
Visiting Rotarians
Mac Lingo visited from the Berkeley Rotary Club.
Rotarians with Guests
Bob Dabney brought John Christianson. George Egan had a guest and Jon Lawlis had two and your humble rotating editor is terribly sorry for having missed the names and is now frantically racing to leave for Capitola. A thousand apologies!
Announcements
- Beaver and the Don exuberantly exclaimed the Holiday Auction was less than a month away and that Mr. Lau will be kicking everyone’s *ss with his “tiny fists of fury” if they did not come through, and soon, with donations for the event! Send your auction item descriptions to Don today!! The Auction will be December 4th. Bring checkbooks, rich friends and your generosity!
- Liliane Koziol announced that 2 weeks ago, Rotary received the Global Citizen Award for Polio Eradication and in recognition of the Rotary Award for Polio.
- Glenn Daggs recognized the Halloween Shipyard event was a success and thanked everyone who worked hard!
- Sid Chauvin announced the Reno Train Trip would once again take place this coming January and that Xmas was the cutoff date for getting him the money! Make sure to pay Sid ASAP if you want to go on this magical journey!
- Alan Baer announced the annual Holiday Party, to be at Hs. Lordships in Berkeley on 12/19/2009. Tickets go on sale next week!
Recognitions
Werner celebrated a birthday on November 3, and had a check for the foundation.
Happy and Sad Dollars
Herb Cole was glad because he shared a birthday
with a fellow Rotarian’s wife.
Monique le Conge was sad because she missed
the Halloween event last Friday at the Shipyard but was happy
because she completed her obligations to the Librarians Organization
and her son is now just a single step from joining the U.S.
Navy!
Erle Brown was happy to be back in the good
ole US of A after a wonderful trip to Ireland, and also had
a happy $100 for Peres school.
Dave Brown had a happy $100 for Peres school
and quickly got another five generous members to pledge $100
as well.
Michael Gill was very happy because he was
almost finished recording his own rock & roll / jazz CD,
and was signed by a label!
Nick Despota had happy-then-sad-then-happy
dollars because after a wonderful event last Friday he discovered
his laptop was stolen, but became happy again when Michael
Gill’s company, Transcept Pharmaceutical, Inc., generously
donated a laptop to him after learning of the theft!
Norm’s Nonsense
A man phones home from his office and tells his wife, "I have a chance of a lifetime to go fishing for a week, but I have to leave right away. So pack my clothes, my fishing equipment, and my blue silk pajamas. I'll be home in about an hour to pick them up." He goes home, grabs everything, and rushes off.
He returns a week later and his wife asks if he had a good time. He says, "Oh yes, great! But you forgot to pack my blue pajamas!" His wife smiles and says, "Oh no, I didn't. I put them in your tackle box."
Raffle Results
Dave Brown drew the white ball.
THE PROGRAM
Promoting adult literacy
Our club was very lucky to have had Sherry Drobner, of the Richmond Library. Sherry directs an adult literacy program in its effort to help the 50% of Richmond residents who are not fully literate. She discussed the Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) in Richmond. Under her direction, the Richmond LEAP program has demonstrated amazing results. Though the state average time for someone to stay in such a program is commonly 4 hours, in Richmond’s LEAP program it is 40 hours. People come most frequently to LEAP because of economic circumstances and the need for literacy-based opportunity. In addition to literacy, the LEAP program also focuses on the equally important challenge of numeracy. Volunteers that stick with the program have had life changing experiences and the program could always use more volunteers and all forms of support so that it can continue its successful and important work.
- Rotating Scribe, Josh Surowitz
