NEXT MEETING: April 5, 2013

Staying Afloat

One of today’s premier marina and waterfront development specialists in the Middle East, Steve Burton has just completed writing a book Staying Afloat documenting his cross-cultural encounters, stratospheric expectations, unimaginable obstacles, hilarious day-to-day adventures, and myths and interpretations faced as an American expat living and working in staggeringly wealth Abu Dhabi for three years. Steve was tasked by the Rulers to design and develop a gigantic luxury yacht marina in the desert from scratch and expect it to become a premier global yachting destination – all within thirty months. His narrative conveys a blend of cultural insight, candor and wit.

MEETING OF March 29, 2013

Welcome

President  Jim “Blind Side” Young called our meeting to order on a beautiful Good Friday. Darlene Almeida had the honor of leading us in the Pledge. Stoney asked all to have a silent prayer for peace, freedom and justice.  Prez Jim offered the following thought from Bobby Burns in honor of our dear friend the late John Nicol, “If there’s another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.”

Rotarians with Guests

Prez Jim had as his guests wife/driver Linda and Shanton Tyson from East Bay Rotoract. Joan Davis had as her guest Rick Ambrose, Executive Director of the Richmond Art Center. Rafael Madrigal had as his guests Rosa Lara (more on her later), Gonzalo Ochoa from B&O Tires, and Jael Myrick, Richmond City Council. Our guest speaker’s guest was Felipe Guzman.

Sunshine Report

Hank Covel reported that Henry Kelman is home and receiving services from Hospice. Calls to Henry are encouraged.

Announcements

• Alan Baer wanted all to know that Richmond Rotary will be 93 years old (Ralph Hill is 90 “also” and not 92!)
• David Brown read a thank you card from our Interact students (Beatrice, Ashley, Hannah and Sponsor Henry Moe) for the opportunity to attend Camp Royal.
• Stoney informed all that the BBQ at Mark Howe’s home with Stoney cooking and Richard Alexander as bartender will be on 4/27 from 3-7. If you did not sign up at Rotary Auction you can pay $50 at the door for a fabulous time
• RotoCare Clinic did open on 3/19.
• TAKE US OUT TO THE BALLGAME! Rafael announced that Rotary Day at the A’s will be 8/31 with the tailgate starting at 3:30 and the game sometime after that and Fireworks sometime after that…hope you will be able to stay awake for all the festivities.
• Richmond Tales Family Festival will be on April 20 from 11-3 at Richmond Civic Center. Jim needs 6 volunteers to sit at the table
• The play “Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle” will have 6 performances in May. Instead of Thursday night shows we will be having Sunday matinee shows. For more information and to get tickets click on “Learn more” on the right side of the flywheel page, “Discover the Lost Secrets”. Our guest Shanton, who grew up in Harlem and is now in a Masters program at St. Mary’s, told us about how important it was for her growing up in Harlem to learn about its history and to have a positive outlook on life through books about Harlem. “Lost Tales” can do the same for students in Richmond.

Special Events

Jim welcomed our newest member Rosa Lara, who was sponsored by Rafael Madrigal (which New Member Team gets credit for Rosa?), to the Club and informed her about how to get from a red badge to a blue one. WELCOME ROSA!

Recognitions

• David Keystone celebrated his 17^th Anniversary on 3/24 and his wife forgot. So why was there a loud round of applause from all the men in the room when he said that?
• Tom Butt celebrated his birthday on March 23 and was sad that this was the first year he was not celebrating his birthday with fellow architect and Rotarian Don Hardison. Tom did celebrate at his grandson’s 4^th birthday.

Happy and Sad Dollars

• Joan Davis was happy to point out that Your Scribe, who placed some happy $ in the box, will be celebrating his 30^th Anniversary with the Y on April 1. Don also invited everyone to come to the 20^th Anniversary of the Hilltop Family Y on Monday April 1^st.
• David Brown, who is always connected to his Giants, was happy to announce that Buster Posey just signed an 8 year $167 million contract.
• Michelle Itagaki was happy to remind all of us to BE HAPPY.
• Josh Genser was sad to report that Doug Millar was not feeling well…get better soon!
• Lynn Martin was happy to get a donation from our Club for Early Childhood Mental Health Program
• Stoney was sad to announce the passing of a close friend.

Norm’s Nonsense

Truth in Advertising …

– A few years ago there was an ad in the motorcycle section of the Oakland Tribune: 1998 Harley “Hog”. This “Chopper” is in great shape because it was formerly owned by a little old lady in Piedmont who only rode it to church on Sundays.

– Clare Valley vintners in South Australia, which primarily produce Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc wines, has developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diruetic. This new wine for Seniors will be called Pinot More.

– A dentist advertised that his charge for pulling teeth was only $100 each. A patient said, “$100 seems like an awful lot for only a few minutes work.” Dentist: “I could pull it slower if you wish.”

PROGRAM

A Day in the Life of Casino San Pablo

Prez Jim introduced James Grant who is the Director of Guest Safety & Surveillance at San Pablo Lytton Casino. The Casino is operated by the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians originally from the Lytton Racheria of Healdsburg, CA.  The Casino is a Class II gaming facility (Nevada style casinos are Class III) where players are playing against each other and not against the casino. The casino gets a cut from all the gaming that goes on whether at the poker table or on the machines. James has been doing security work for Class II and III casinos for some time and is an expert on how customers try to cheat and how to prevent cheating. There was a very lively question and answer period which gave us a good glimpse into how the safety side of San Pablo Lytton Casino works.

 

– Rotating Editor, The Menehune