NEXT MEETING: October 16, 2015

The Biggest Explosion in History, or, How I Learned to Love Magnetars

Remember the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 250,000 people and destroyed coastal cities all around the Indian Ocean? What if someone told you it may have been triggered by an astronomical event in deep space? Peter R. Harvey, UC Project Manager and liaison with NASA is going to do just that, and he doesn’t wear a colander or an aluminum foil hat.

Peter has more than 30 years experience in various space projects, holds a Masters degree in Computer Science from the University of California and has been the Project Manager for the NASA RHESSI project (Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager). Peter has also worked on many other Cal/NASA projects with acronyms too numerous to list here.

So if you want to know about ‘things that go bump in the night’, 35 to 50 million light years from Earth, don’t miss this program.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Treasurer David Brown, Esq., announced that he is still accepting donations for Peres Elementary classroom/teacher supplies. We need about $200 more to meet our goal.
• Don Lau reminded us that his infamous Luau is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 pm at 17 Powderbowl Ct, Richmond. Tickets are still available for $75 (see the Menehune if you want to enjoy some ono-licious grinds with your braddahs).
• Club Director Henry Moe announced that food has been donated for Rotacare and the Interact students will do the cooking.
• President Alan Blavins reminded us that next Friday’s meeting is at Café Soleil, 3550 San Pablo Dam Road (Dan Sanders, please take note).

MEETING OF October 9, 2015

Welcome

President Alan Blavins called the meeting to order, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and asked for a silent prayer for peace.  Herb Cole offered the thought of the day: “I don’t need anger management; I just need people to stop pissing me off.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

• Asst. Governor (Area-8) Alan Baer welcomed guest Antonio Mendoza of the Philippines Consulate and SF Rotary.
• Liliane Koziol introduced Gladys Dodds and her husband Erick Dimlanta
• Other guests: Abel Pineda, field representative for Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

Sunshine Report

Bill Koziol reported that Ralph Hill’s celebration of life is still in the planning stages and should happen in a few weeks.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Alan Baer introduced and swore in our newest member, Mey Saechau, CPA.  Welcome, Mey!
• Scribette Shana Bagley Howe stated that, as mentioned on Facebook, President-Elect Josh Surowitz and Emily have two beautiful newborn girls.
• Bob Dabney gave happy dollars because he has been traveling for the last couple of months.
• Joe “Swampy” Bagley gave $20 happy dollars in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Chicago Cubs.
• Herb Cole had happy dollars for Normie’s anticipated return home tomorrow.
• Erle Brown had happy dollars, reporting that he had a great trip to Ireland and because USC football just lost to Washington.

PROGRAM

Conversation with Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

While we were waiting for Assemblymember Tony Thurmond to arrive (no doubt, stuck behind a train), Alan Baer introduced guest member Antonio Mendoza. Mr. Mendoza is from the Philippines Consulate and also works with the Bataan Legacy Historical Society (see Flywheel: https://richmondcarotaryflywheel/august-21-2015/ ). He mentioned that the Bataan Legacy will be organizing a drive for care packages to be sent to troops sent to the West Philippines Sea for liaison work and training.

After giving a Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, Pam Jones introduced him as our speaker.

Assemblymember Thurmond said that in his first year of office, there has been a steep learning curve with figuring out how to actually get things done. He is often reminded of service above self, because every day he has the opportunity to make a difference. He gave a shout out to Mayor Tom Butt for his work on the West County health services task force.

Assemblymember Thurmond has been busy working on many issues on behalf of his constituents.  These include: affordable housing, funding to prevent children from missing school, and methane monitoring (uh oh, we are back to those aging stars spewing gas…https://richmondcarotary2015/07/?post_type=flywheel ). He discussed the recent change in the way we view affordable housing.  It is no longer just low-income housing affecting those below the poverty line. As housing prices rise, it is now an issue for working and middle classes.  They are being outbid by higher earners paying with cash on homes they might be able to afford.

Assemblymember Thurmond eloquently answered the questions from the peanut gallery. He thanked us all for our support.  His website is here: http://asmdc.org/members/a15/ .    

Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette