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Program for Friday August 29, 2003

Dr. Joseph Marshall, Jr., PhD

The More You Know, The More You Owe!

Dr. Joseph E. Marshall, Jr. is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Omega Boys Club, a violence prevention organization that emphasizes academic achievement and non-involvement with drugs.Through this organization, founded in March of 1987, Marshall has helped send more than 235 young men and women to college supported by the Omega Boys Club Academic Scholarship Fund. To date 83 Omegas have graduated from college and 80 Omegas are currently in colleges across the country.
For complete bio, click here

Door Duty: Paul Hodgen and Joe Nusbaum

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Program for Friday September 5, 2003

District Governor Connie Crawford

Door Duty: Gloria Johnston and Dave Ninomiya

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Program of August 22, 2003

Dr. Robert Hirst, PhD

Dr. Werner gave an insightful and warm introduction to our guest, Dr. Robert Hirst, PhD. Dr. Hirst is a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, and proud to be an English Major. He asked who in the Club holds English degrees and…(I've always wanted to know this)… Ted Abreu and Doc Russ Schultz raised their hands. Dr. Hirst compared himself to Arnold Schwartzenegger - they both have very acceptable accents.

The subject was Mark Twain. Dr. Hirst has for many years been collecting and collating the unpublished letters of Mark Twain, many pertaining to Twain's years in Central California from 1865-1868. Telling quips and stories, and reading from Twain's letters, Dr. Hirst conveyed the humor and wit of this literary giant. Mark Twain was one of the first to develop the art form of the sound bite.

Dr. Hirst has spent the last 35 years working on Twain's papers, especially those located in the Cal Bancroft Library. He has published several books of these papers, and noted that there is still a lot to do. Dr. Hirst presented five books to the Club that contain previously unpublished letters and papers of Mark Twain.

Important Dates
09/05/03 District Governor Connie Crawford
09/10/03 Board Meeting 12 Noon
09/12/03 Club Meets at La Strada in San Pablo
12/05/03 Holiday Auction
12/11/03 Holiday Party

Where to Make Up
Albany        Tuesday       12:30 Mira Vista G&CC
El Sobrante Tuesday       12:15 Joe's of El Sobrante
Berkeley     Wednesday 12:15 His Lordships
Hercules     Wednesday   7:15 am Hercules Senior Center
San Pablo   Wednesday 12:15 San Pablo Casino
El Cerrito    Thursday       12:15 Mira Vista G&CC
Vallejo        Thursday      12:15 World Holiday Inn

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Last Week
It was a small but stalwart group of Rotarians that gathered on a gorgeous day at the Mira Vista. Prez Stoney opened the meeting with a silent prayer for Peace and Freedom on Earth. Yours truly led the pledge of allegiance and the Prez gave the Thought for the Day: The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds - and the pessimist fears that this is true. Sounds like Mark Twain, but the words are by James B. Cabell, clearly an English Major.

Special Event
Mark your calendar on Friday September 5th for Governor Connie's visit to Richmond. Governor Connie Crawford will make her official visit to our club on Friday September 5th at noon. President Stoney would like to make sure that you and your spouse and/or sweetheart will attend this most important and festive meeting. A cocktail reception is tentatively planned for 11 AM. See you there!

Visiting Rotarians
Michael Burleson was visiting from the San Pablo Rotary

Guests
Werner's guest was Father Nick Reina, the new President of Salesian High School. Judy Morgan, or was it our Prez, brought guest Rhonda Harris. Rhonda is a resident of Richmond and a real estate developer.

Announcements
1.The September 12th meeting will be at La Strada.
2.Our Prez is promoting membership this year and the drive is on. All members are encouraged to bring friends and potential Rotarians to upcoming meetings. Growing the size of Rotary is one way to advance the Polio Plus campaign.
3.Gloria Johnston is organizing a Rotary Club Event Planning session at her home on Tuesday, 26 August.

Coming Speakers

Recognitions
Elof Granberg was recognized for his 84th birthday. "Checks in the mail" Elof doesn't look a day over 39. Which was probably his age when he was President of this Club in '72 - OK, the math doesn't quite work. Elof is the hardest working member of the team during our Christmas in April events.

The Prez recognized Jim Beaver for an anniversary, to which Jim expounded "Oh, My God!". His wife has been out of town, so a few details may have escaped him. Jim had a donation to the Carl Rehfuss Fund and added 10 Happy Dollars because he is glad to be back in the Bay Area and enjoyed watching the Dodgers play in Los Angeles(these could have been sad dollars).

Happy/Sad $$
Jonathon Lawlis is back from ANOTHER vacation, this time climbing mountains. Jon contributed a penny for each foot of the 14,433 peak he ascended. It wasn't clear if Jon started at sea level, but our Treasurer hopes so. Donna Uriyu was just happy to be having lunch in good company with good friends. Vice President Herb Cole was sad that our sitting President did not attend last week's meeting when he could have been recognized for his 39th wedding anniversary. When the Prez explained that he was playing golf - well of course, we all understood. Werner Schwarz blamed the New York corridor power outage on Marc Howe. Werner told of waiting on the sidewalk because the hotel would not check him in, and then finally climbing 15 floors in the dark to his room. He had a donation of $1 per floor. Past President David Brown was happy that vision is the SECOND thing to go. And the Prez had $10 for the Club for Herb standing in for him last week.

Raffle
Dr. Herb won the ticket pull and the chance to pull a ball for a $389 jackpot. And he WON! Well Done Herb.

A conundrum for our English Majors: Why is it that roosters crow and crows roost?

Semper Paratus
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