The Flywheel
Archive issue

NEXT MEETING: December 7, 2012

Annual Holiday Auction

It’s finally upon us. Our biggest fundraiser of the year is finally upon us. Over 75% of our members have contributed to the Holiday Auction. That tops past years by a considerable margin. We know that most of those who still haven’t chipped in will do step up in the remaining days.

A few reminders:

1. Show up a bit earlier than usual on Friday: 12 o’clock. This will give you time to mill around and check out the Silent Auction items. Because we’re setting up in new diggs, the Richmond Country Club, the extra time will be helpful. Sid will be lubricating the masses with his high octane egg nog so you won’t lack for pre-game entertainment.

2. If you’re inviting guests but they’re not arriving with you, remind them that we’re no longer at the Mira Vista Country Club. They may reflexively go to our former home at the top of Cutting Boulevard. If you think they may need it, mail a link with directions.

3. RSVP! Our President has asked that we all RSVP by email so the staff at the Richmond Country Club can prepare the right amount of food and table settings. If you haven’t done so yet, do it now.

4. Finally, check out our Holiday Auction page now. A lot of new items were added in the last couple of days. You’ll be buying gifts for the holidays anyway, so why not spend your money in a way that benefits organizations and in our community. That’s what this event is all about.

MEETING OF Noveber 30, 2012

Welcome

President Jim Young was delighted that he needed to request another table be set up to accommodate all the members and guests that showed up on this rainy Friday. “Warms my heart.”

Jim also reminded everyone to invite guests (preferably those with deep pockets) to next week’s Holiday Auction. To ensure the Country Club staff prepares the right amount of food, he asks that you send him an email letting him know if you’re coming and how many others you’ll be bringing.

Announcements

Stoney reminded all about the Rotary Holiday Party. The details: December 15th starting at 6:30 pm at the Richmond Golf and Country Club.
The El Cerrito Club will be joining us and we expect a grand turnout. The festivities include the Pinole High School Choir, a visit from Santa, a wandering magician, and dancing to the GTS Band.

The cost is $75.00 per person. Your dinner are roast beef, baked salmon, pasta with vegetables. If you are attending then please let Jon Lawlis know the dinner choice for yourself and your guest if you are bringing one. He needs to finalize this before Friday.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

And yes, many people rose to declare their reasons for happiness, and a few, for sadness. But even though their names cannot be inscribed here, let it be known that happy dollars out performed sad dollars by 17:1. But outside, the sky was beginning to darken, and by the end of the day sadness stocks were up, trading at +4 points. Stay tuned for market updates in future Flywheels.

Norm’s Nonsense

An oldy but goody from our friend, Norm.

The old guy’s buddies gave him a big bash for his 80th birthday. In the middle of the room was a big box shaped like a cake. Hidden in the box was a naked woman. When a friend pulled the top off the box, the woman jumped out and headed straight to the birthday honoree.
She said to him: “I can give you super-sex.”
The old guy replied: “I’ll take the soup.”

PROGRAM

Update on the August 6th fire at Chevron Refinery

Heather Kulp began by expressing apologies from everyone at the Chevron refinery to the people of Richmond for the August 6th fire. She told us that Chevron was making payments to area hospitals for the treatment of those who suffered health problems resulting from the fire. No one at the plant was seriously injured.

She stated repeatedly that since the accident, everyone at the plant has been working diligently to insure that something like this will not happen again. Chevron engineers have also issued reports to other refineries nationwide, detailing the conditions that led to the fire.

Heather showed pictures of the refinery unit that revealed the extent of damage, evidence that there was no explosion. Had there been an explosion, she explained, the damage would have been much more widespread.

Heather took questions from the members.