NEXT MEETING: April 25, 2014

An update on the California State Water Project

Back by popular demand, Tim Stroshane, senior research associate for the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN), will provide a follow-up presentation based on Governor Brown’s recent decision to go ahead with the Twin Tunnel project because of current drought conditions. A Bay Area urban planner since 1988, Tim took up freelancing on California water issues in 1998 before launching his newsletter, SPILLWAY, in 2000, which addresses California water and development topics. Through SPILLWAY, he associated with members of C-WIN to cover water issues, 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 to help build the Network at a critical time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

• David Brown announced the hands-on Volunteer opportunity at the Rotary Peace Garden on Saturday, June 14^th at 1^st and Nevin, from 8 am to noon. Please show up to help with clean-up, repairs, shoveling mulch, etc.
• Don Lau reminded the group about the upcoming Salesian Golf Tournament on Monday, May 5^th. Ask Don or Henry Moe for details.
• Alan Blavins still needs volunteers for the Youth Fishing Darby (British for Derby) on Saturday, May 31^st.
• Lynn Martin announced and distributed pretty invitations to all for the Early Childhood Mental Health Program’s 40^th Anniversary to be held on Friday, May 16^th between 4 and 6 PM at 4010 MacDonald Ave., in Richmond, CA.
• Stoney reminded everyone who can to attend the upcoming Rotary District Conference in Vallejo (see details in the Flywheel)
• Stoney also announced that Monday, April 28^th will be Rotarians at Work Day, with a focus on literacy.
• Pam Jones and Alan Baer should be contacted by anyone interested in the Rotary Bocce Ball tournament coming up on Saturday, June 14^th.

MEETING OF April 18, 2014

Welcome

President elect Stoney Stonework filled in for absent Prez Liliane Koziol, and he called the meeting to order at the Richmond Country Club. Nick Despota led the pledge of allegiance and Stoney asked for a moment of silence for freedom, peace, and justice on earth. Sid Chauvin offered this ponderous thought for the day: “Take the time to be quiet.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Jon Lawlis was accompanied by his clearly superior half, Darlene.
Alan Baer was joined by Stacey Street.
Nick Despota was joined by his daughter Krina, who was visiting from Berlin.
Mac Lingo visited us from the Berkeley Rotary Club.
Jeff Mulvihill visited us again as a Rotarian from the Redding Rotary Club.

Recognitions and Happy/Sad Dollars

• Dan Sanders was very happy to have recent health matters in the rear view mirror.
• Alan Blavins was happy that after 26 years, he finally beat his wife… … wait for it … at golf.
• Jon Lawlis was glad a day came he thought never would – his first U.S. treasury SS check was deposited and CLEARED into his checking account. Jon requested the working stiffs of the club to not let up now!
• Herb Cole was sad because he had missed several meetings to attend the funeral of his brother.
• Nick Despota was happy his daughter was visiting and doubly happy because she visits more often after her brother, who lives in San Francisco, started a family 2 years ago.

Norm’s Nonsense

Jesus was walking through the streets, and he noticed a group throwing stones at an adulteress. He stopped and said to the crowd, “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.”

All of a sudden, a big stone came out of the crowd and hit the woman right on the head. Jesus stopped, taken aback, then looked up and said, “Mom…?!!”

PROGRAM

An immigration memoir: New White Sandals

Toula Siakotos, author of New White Sandals, A Memoir, spoke about her recently published book. The memoir recounts her experiences in the 1940′s & 1950′s in a small village in Greece, during Germany’s occupation of Greece and the bloody civil war that followed. As a result of dramatic traumatic events in her family, Toula left her home and the only life she knew and crossed the Atlantic, alone, at the tender age of eleven in search for a brighter tomorrow in a distant land.

- Josh Surowitz, Rotating Editor