March 9, 2018
NEXT MEETING: March 9, 2018
Early Childhood Mental Health: An Update
The Early Childhood Mental Health Program (ECMHP) offers a variety of services to support the emotional health of families and caregivers with young children ages birth to six who face challenges in their home, school or community. All services are free to families and provided in both Spanish and English.
Richmond Rotarian Tiffany Straus, is the Executive Director of ECHMP, will provide an update on the organization’s programs, accomplishments and goals. Tiffany holds a Master’s Degree in Health Education and has over 20 years experience in public health advocacy and non-profit management.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Stacey Street announced that the West Contra Costa Literacy Coalition will hold a special event at Hilltop on Sunday, March 11, from 1 to 4. Tamarah Shiloh, our club’s newest member, is looking for volunteers for the event to read to children.
- Sid Chauvin announced that the Board of Directors’ Meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 15 will instead take place on March 22 at the usual location, La Strada Restaurant.
- The Rotary Club of El Sobrante will host a Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner with all the fixings for $30, on Saturday, March 17, at the Masonic Hall on El Portal Drive. For more information or tickets, contact Scott Maskell at 223-4756 or John Bernardin at 223-8274.
- Richmond Trees will be planting trees on Saturday, March 11, from 9 AM to 12 noon. Meet at Wendell Park, at Esmond and 26th. Rotary will provide lunch. Wear your Rotary T-shirts.
MEETING OF March 2, 2018
Welcome
President Connie Tritt presided over the meeting with her usual verve.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
- Alan Baer’s guest was his wife, Santa.
- Josh Genser’s guest was Mike Caldwell, Josh’s barber. Josh wants to propose that Mike be inducted to the club but keeps forgetting how to initiate the process. Connie offered to help make it happen!
Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars
- Jan Brown offered a sad dollar for being late and a happy dollar because she got new tires on her car from member Gonzalo Ochoa at G&O Tires on 23rd Street and they did a fantastic job.
- Alan Baer told us that two weeks ago his 93 year-old Dad had a stroke and is recovering. Alan visited New York with wife and daughter—and he’s happy not to be on a shopping trek through the streets of Manhattan anymore!
- Herb Cole was happy that he cleaned his closet last week. Wearing a suit and tie today, he told us he discovered a 2001 Rotary Centennial Rotary shirt, and a tie and tie clip that belonged to his Dad when he was a Rotarian. He just wore it today to look nice! Herb was also relieved that Josh Genser knows a barber!
PROGRAM
What's Happening at the Richmond Art Center
Richmond Rotary’s own Ric Ambrose, Executive Director of the Richmond Art Center (RAC), gave us a refresher on the Richmond Art Center and its many contributions to our city and the Bay Area. Ric took over the reins at RAC, an 81 year-old organization, just over the five years ago when it was in need of new leadership. Ric observed that in every person lives an artist. He cited the motto of Hazel Salmi, RAC’s founder in 1936: “Make. See. Learn.”
RAC is distinguished from other East Bay Art Centers. It provides art curriculum to spur creativity for all ages. The Center offers six different programs including metal, ceramics, painting and sculpture. Sixty different classes are offered each quarter, seven days a week. Scholarships are also available. RAC is pleased to offer after school programs to serve WCCUSD students.
Many renowned artists launched their careers at RAC, burnishing its excellent reputation outside of Richmond.
RAC operates on a $1.4 million budget, which represents a doubling since 2005. Its funding draws from multiple sources, public and private: the City provides 25% and the balance comes from foundation grants, individuals’ contributions and class fees.
- Darlene Drapkin, “Rotating Editor”