NEXT MEETING: February 9, 2018

Buddhist Economics

Clair Brown is a professor of economics and author of Buddhist Economics: an enlightened approach to the dismal science (Bloomsbury Press, 2017).

Clair will address the question, How can our economy provide the quality of life we want? The answer takes us to the heart of the difference between free market economics and Buddhist economics: focusing on well-being and not only income. According to Buddhist economics, people desire to live meaningful and worthy lives, where people care for themselves and family, the community, and the environment. In free market economics, people push ahead to maximize their own income and fancy lifestyle. These two models lead to very different ways of structuring our economies to maximize social welfare.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Just another reminder that our meetings now start promptly at 12:00 noon (not noon-ish). See you then.

 

MEETING OF February 2, 2017

Welcome

President Connie Tritt welcomed the group; Erle Brown led the Pledge; Herb Cole led the invocation with a prayer for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin provided the thought for the day… “If I cannot drink bourbon or smoke cigars in Heaven, then I shall not go!!” (Mark Twain).

With this Flywheel we welcome a new scribe into our hallowed circle of scribblers, Darlene Quenville. As you read, you’ll she is a competent and accurate writer and—icing on the cake—sent the Flywheel notes several days before the deadline. When you see Darlene at the next meeting, be sure to thank her for stepping up.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

We welcomed a visiting Rotarian from Pomona, CA today, Grace Sanchez.

Special Events

Our Annual Crab Feed was a huge success this year. Treasurer David Brown reported this event in the past has made between $3,500 and $4,000 but this year had a profit of $6,500. Great job to all those who made it a really great Crab Feed.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Erle Brown had happy dollars to celebrate the successful Crab Feed Fundraiser. Not only is it one of our major fundraisers, but it is for the Salesian High School Interact Club as well. The Interact Club usually makes about $500 for this event but this year they made over $1000. Well done!!
• Erle also had happy dollars for heading to Mexico and said… “See you in March”!!
• Jan Brown had happy dollars and a big thank you to all the volunteers who put on an amazing Crab Feed this year.
• Jan Brown also had happy dollars for the Courageous Conversations Workshop for Rotarians she recently attended along with fellow Rotarians, Pam Jones and Lilliane Koziol. It dealt with listening to understand and how to deal with conversation between polar opposite groups. It was very enlightening.
• Jan was happy that her “Couch Potato Warrior Game” Event was held and they had a lot of fun with Tom and Shirley Butt, Oscar Garcia, Rick Ambrose and others.
• Herb Cole had happy dollars that Erle Brown was going to be gone to Mexico soon.
• Connie Tritt had happy dollars that she expects the Eagles to be trammeled by the Patriots!
• Jim Findley had sad dollars for the loss of his friend, Wayne Baker, who just two weeks ago was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Stacey Street had sad dollars for missing the Crab Feed.

PROGRAM

In Search of the Great Paraiba Catfish

Past-president of Richmond Rotary, Alan Blavins and his son, Joshua, enjoyed another fishing expedition in the area of Manaus, Brazil in November of 2017. They were flown via small plane into a remote area on a river 50 miles off the Amazon River and stayed at the Picaupau Lodge, which consisted of four cabins built on stilts as the river can rise 10 feet. They were located in a rugged remote area, hundreds of miles away from anything. Breakfast was at 6:00 a.m, they left at 7:00 a.m. and fished until 5:00 p.m.for six days in 90 degrees heat. Lots of bees, insects, parrots and howling monkeys to keep them company.

Each day their guide would search for small berries, which were used to catch bait fish. The bait fish were used to catch what they were looking for “Paraiba Catfish”. Alan and his son caught several smaller catfish with weights of 10, 50 and 60 lbs. (not that I’d call those small). But it was Alan’s son, Joshua, who finally hooked the big one — a 150 to 170 lb., 7-foot long “Paraiba Catfish”!   It was approximate 2 years old. Alan shared amazing trip pictures of the fish caught, videos reeling some of the fish in, and beautiful scenery. A special thank you to Alan for sharing this amazing trip.

Darlene Quenville, Rotating Scribe