NEXT MEETING: March 16, 2018

Dirt World Bike Park

Dirt World is a 2-acre public bicycle terrain park now under development on the Richmond Greenway just East of Unity Park. Designed for mountain bikes and BMX bikes, the park will feature jumps, obstacles and multiple pump tracks for riders of all skill levels at this exciting new neighborhood park. Located on a regional trail and just a few blocks from a BART station, Dirt World will be the largest bike skills park in the East Bay, providing much-needed infrastructure for local bikers.

The park is also an innovative brownfield remediation project combining urban greening, public art, environmental justice and a community-build approach to create a unique recreational opportunity in the Iron Triangle Neighborhood, improving access and equity in one of the most disadvantaged communities in the state.  Find out more at http://www.dirtworld.org/

Dirt World is seeking contributions to help reach the $30,000 construction budget as well as participation and support in the Phase 2 community-build portion of the project to construct other park amenities later this year. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/richmond-bike-park-final-sprint/donate

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Sid Chauvin let us know that Plumber Union Local 159 is looking for apprentices.
• Josh Genser reminded us about the tree planting on Sunday 3/11

MEETING OF

Welcome

Prez Connie called the meeting to order on a bright Friday afternoon. Tom Butt led us in the Pledge and Herb Cole provide a silent moment for peace, justice and freedom. Sid Chauvin offered the following from George Burns: “The secret to a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Alan Baer had as his guest his wife Santa, Cecilia Orozco brought her 3 almost 4 year old daughter Ruby, and Tiffany Straus brought her HR Director and Mayor of Hercules Chris Kelley.

Special Events

Prez Connie inducted our newest member Tamara Shiloh to our Club to a standing ovation!

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

Ric Ambrose did the honors for Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars.

• Erle Brown celebrated a birthday during his trip to Mexico
• Your Scribe celebrated his 29^th Anniversary to Shelly and 34^th Anniversary with Rotary.
• Erle also had Happy Dollars for a great time in Mexico with all of his Rotary friends and his bottles
• Nick Despota bemoaned the scheduling difficulties of his 1967 party but was happy to be headed to Europe
• Jan Brown was sad that Bill Lindsay is leaving since he has been our best City Manager.
• Hank Covell just came back from dog sitting in Arizona.
• Alan Baer was happy about the Kaiser video that featured daughter Stephanie.
• Tamara Shiloh was happy to be a new member and happy that her books have been purchased by a group in Las Vegas
• Your Scribe was happy to spend 2 weeks in Hawaii with his dad, attending his nephew’s wedding and having lunch with former Rotarian Michael Fenley.

PROGRAM

Stacey Street introduced our speaker, our own Tiffany Straus, Executive Director of Early Childhood Mental Health Program (ECMHP). Started in 1974 as the Therapeutic Nursery School the program serves children from 0-6 years of age in West County. The program helps young children who get kicked out of preschool because of behavior issues. ECMHP works on the physical, emotional, and mental health issues faced by these young children to prepare them for elementary school. Programs include: Individual/Family Play Therapy; Licensed Therapeutic Nursery School; WRAP around services (family support); and Parent Support Groups. ECMHP serves over 500 families per year 87% families of color and 100% low income. Tiffany shared 2 success stories that illustrated the important work being done by ECMHP.

The Menehune, Rotating Editor