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Program for Friday December 19, 2003

Old Timers Day

Elof Grandburg, Ralph Hill, Bud Martin, John Nicol will tell a story of their choosing about the old times.

Door Duty: Richard Alexander Father Nick

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Program for Friday December 26, 2003

Happy Holidays

No Meeting

Door Duty:

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Program of December 12, 2003

Gretchen Glover - EBMUD

Gretchen Grover of EBMUD made an interesting presentation on the various layers of regional government that impact the Bay Area. Using a slide presentation that worked through the alphabet, she demonstrated the considerable baggage of government layers that impact local business and our taxes.   "A" was for ABAG - the Association of Bay Area Governments. A planning and coordinating entity, it duplicates many activities of "M", the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Since MTC controls most of the money, the logic of merging escapes ABAG, and they are resisting. "B" was for the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, known fondly as the anti-development commission. "I" the Integrated Waste Management Authority. One of my favorites was "L" for LAFCO, the Local Agency Formation Commission that decides jurisdiction boundaries/annexation/incorporation issues. Well, you get the idea. Thanks for an interesting program Gretchen.

Who Am I?
Working toward the coveted Blue Rotary Badge, Paul Washington presented his Who Am I. Paul was born in Colorado in 1969 and had a happy boyhood despite difficult economic circumstances. From an early age Paul knew he wanted to be an attorney, and worked his way through college. He obtained college assistance from several sources, including a Rotary scholarship. Paul attended law school at CAL and started his career in business acquisition law. He later started his own investment banking firm. Thank you Paul for an interesting Who AM I, and welcome to the Club.

International Project
Director George Egan has mailed a description of this year's International Project with a donation request to all club members. "The Children of Deva" project will build a new trade school in Deva, Hungary. Please write a check for the maximum donation and mail it back to George before 12/31/03. 100% of the monies collected will go directly to the project and can be applied towards a Paul Harris award.

Upcoming Speakers

Important Dates
01/25/04 Annual Reno Train Trip
02/20/04 Help celebrate Rotary's 99th B'day
06/04/04 D-Day meeting on The Red Oak Victory

Door Duty Reminder
12/26/03 No Meeting
01/09/04 Joseph Bagley Michael Winter
01/16/04 James Beaver Bart Wallace
01/23/04 Donna Bell Donna Uriyu
01/30/04 Joanne Blum Joseph W. Thomas
02/06/04 Erle Brown Stanley Teaderman
02/13/04 Tom Butt Daniel Tanita
02/20/04 Herbert Cole
02/27/04 Henry Covell Loren Straughn

Where to Make Up
San Rafael   Monday       12:15 Seafood Peddler
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
Pinole         Thursday      12:30 Outback Steak House
Vallejo        Thursday      12:15 World Holiday Inn

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Last Week
At the regular meeting on Friday, Prez Stoney rang the bell and asked for a moment of silent prayer for Freedom and Peace on Earth. Dan Ercolini led the pledge. The Thought for the Day: "We should all be concerned about the future, because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there" - Charles Kettering 1876-1958.

This was a memorable week for Richmond Rotary. Thursday evening's Holiday Party was well attended and the Mira Vista gave us good decorations and their best in service. It was unusual to remain at table and be served instead of finding the buffet line. The Pinole Valley High School Choir provided dynamic holiday entertainment, as did the dance band that followed. We have some high stepping dancers in this Club, including Charlie, Ren, Elof and the Prez himself. And there were lovely ladies everywhere. Thanks Stoney for returning this event to its traditional format and for a great event.

Last Holiday Auction Item: The Prez conducted a luke-warm auction for a Weekend at the Concord Sheraton. When it became clear that we didn't have anyone bidding from Utah or even out-of-town, i.e. someone who wanted it, Dan Ercolini was nice enough to take it for 50 bucks.

Visiting Rotarians
Visiting Rotarians were Bill Frank from the Hercules Club, Jack Freethy from El Cerrito and Gil Ferrey from Berkeley.

Rotarians With Guests
Rotarians with Guests were Paul Washington, who brought Michael Dunham, and Jon Lawlis with Roy Swearengen.

Recognitions
Prez Stoney recognized Norm Lundberg for a birthday - Norm graciously rose to the challenge even though his birthday and wedding anniversary are both in March. Two self-admissions followed - Tom Butt has been willing to write a check but couldn't figure out who to write it to; Leslie Levy said a check would be in the mail. David K was recognized for the Sunshine Report and announced that Hans Shaper was recovered enough to be with the Club today- to considerable applause.

Announcements
Joint Meeting with Berkeley. Gil Ferrey of the Berkeley Club announced the joint Richmond / Berkeley meeting January 21st at His Lordships. Other clubs will also be present for a special program by Brian Shul. Brian Shul is a retired SR-71 pilot and will speak on what it was like to fly the world's fastest, highest flying jet. This joint meeting will be in place of our regular meeting that week. Don't miss it!

Perry's School Fundraiser. Paul Hodgen announced the Sunday, January 18th fund raising event at Loft 11 in San Francisco. There will be food and dancing, and funds will go to the Dance Club. Tickets are $45 single and $80 double.

Happy/Sad $$
Elof Granberg had a happy $5 that Prez Stoney had put on the best party this Club has ever had. Judy Kafka was happy to observe during the party that, surprisingly, the guys in the Club cleaned up pretty well. Prez Stoney fined himself for not wearing a tux, as threatened, and claimed it doesn't fit anymore. Erle Brown contributed happy dollars just to get Josh Genser to standup. And Josh was waiting in the wings to acknowledge that somehow CAL bested the Cardinals. Rhonda Harris had a sad contribution on the passing of a client who had also become a friend. And Paul Hodgen was happy that he had a car full of toys from the Holiday Party donations.

Raffle
Lucky Richard Alexander, home between USN duty stints at the Pentagon, won the pull, but somehow grabbed the wrong color ball

Semper Paratus