NEXT MEETING: March 25, 2016

2015 Paris Climate Conference

Richmond Mayor Tom Butt will present a “show and tell” of his exciting trip to Paris for the UNFCC COP21 this past December, and what it means for the City of Richmond and Marin Clean Energy.  Approximately 40,000 representatives from 196 countries around the world participated. The major story was about how Cities are leading on climate change, and how they use local climate action plans to prioritize strategies to reduce their emissions – including through land use and transportation planning.  You can preview the PowerPoint at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Congress of the Parties 21.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Alan Baer announced that the upcoming District Conference will take place April 1-3. More than 300 people have already signed up. Friday is the free mixer and even if you did not sign up everyone is invited on Friday. There is still time to sign up and pay your $99 for the weekend.
• Alan Baer also announced that the Grand Opening Celebration at the Rotocare Clinic will be on March 31. All are invited to see the new facility.
• Ric Ambrose announced that a special David Park art showing took place on Saturday, March 19, at the Richmond Art Center (Personal Perspectives and the Human Spirit: Contemporary Figuration as an Expression of Humanity).
• David Brown announced that on Saturday, April 9, our district grant project will be installing high reflective street numbers on the curbs of 38 homes in Parchester Village and we will also package a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher for each of the 38 homes.
• Mark Howe announced that every Wednesday he is helping convert old drawings located at Point Molate Building 6 to digital scans. Email Mark if you are interested in helping or for more information.

MEETING OF March 18, 2016

Welcome

President Alan Blavins presided over the meeting. Don Lau led the pledge. Sid Chavin’s thought for the day was what happens is not as important as how you react to what happens. Herb Cole’s thought for the day was John Wooden’s Timeless advice for his players, “Always be on time, be neat and clean, don’t use profanity, never criticize a teammate, have patience, have faith that things will work out if we do what we are supposed to do, don’t whine, complain or make excuses and do your best.”

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• David Brown has been in the Club for 22 years. He stated he has come to every meeting for 22 years both at Mira Vista and Richmond. He is a lawyer so don’t question him on this.
• Hank Covell is happy that his daughter was named CEO of the American Express Asia Division.
• Don Lau is happy that his Alma Mater, Valparaiso Crusaders, are in the NCAA tournament and winning. Go Valpo!
• Pam Jones is happy that her granddaughter turned one and although she is not yet as accomplished as Hank’s daughter, she does have four teeth, can walk two steps, and has more hair than half the Rotarians in our club.
• Erle Brown had sad dollars that the CAL assistant coach is being brought up on charges of harassment and that the Bears are not looking good in the tournament. (As of writing this, they already lost to Hawaii.)
• Ric Ambrose was happy that Oregon is in the NCAA tournament.
• Mark Howe is happy that his daughter will be graduating and even happier that his son, who is older, will also be graduating, which means there’s light at the end of the tunnel for paying no more tuition.
• Henry Moe had a happy dollar that both the Salesian Girls and Boys basketball teams were placed in the Open Division which consists of the 8 best teams in Northern California. The Boys took it to overtime vs De La Salle and the Girls beat Mitty in the first round, then lost a close game to Miramonte in the second round.
• Henry was also happy to announce that the Board approved purchasing Graduation Sashes for the senior Salesian Interact members to proudly wear at the Salesian graduation.

PROGRAM

Rescue, Adoption Center and Sanctuary for Domestic Animals

Josh Genser introduced Lynne Tingle, our guest speaker from the Milo Foundation. Milo is a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue organization founded in 1994. Milo rescues homeless pets in Richmond and from shelters across the state. They also take in or help homeless people’s pets when the owners are unable to take care of them. Milo rescues and finds homes for about 5 animals a day. The Milo Adoption Center is located at 220 South Garrard Blvd in Point Richmond and is open for adoptions every day except Tuesday from 11am-5pm. Visit the Milo web site for more information.

Henry Moe, Rotating Scribe