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Program for Friday January 16, 2004

The Richmond Main Street Project

Dennis Holloway explains how the Richmond Main Street Program plans to revitalize downtown Richmond.

Door Duty: James Beaver and Bart Wallace

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Program for Friday January 23, 2004

Dana Rambo speaks on Prop 56

Door Duty: Donna Bell and Donna Uriyu

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Program of January 9, 2004

Heidi Machen, WTA

Mark Howe introduced our guest speaker Heidi Machen. Heidi is the Public Affairs Officer for the S.F. Bay Area Water Transit Authority(WTA). The WTA was created in 1999 by the California Legislature to investigate future transportation needs and a ferry system. The organization has recently published a Regional Traffic Relief Plan that was the subject of Heidi's slide presentation. With a 250% increase in traffic projected over the next 20 years, and decreasing Federal and State dollars for transportation, a regionally funded plan is considered to be critical. The plan envisions new transit options such as:
Fremont Station to Silicon Valley Bart extension
Oakland Airport Bart connection
New rail over Dumbarton Bridge
Many new Muni and bus connections to Bart and
The Ferry System
31 new ferry boats on 7 new routes connecting cities
such as Richmond, Hercules, Pittsburg and Antioch

The cost? About $1.5 billion for capital projects and $1.63 billion for transit operations ($48 million annually from 2016 -2040). Funding would be accomplished by a $1 toll increase on the seven State-owned bridges. And we will all have a chance to vote on the plan, and toll bridge fee increase, on the March '04 ballot.

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

Upcoming Speakers
01/30/04 Don Hardison speaks on The Easter Hill Project.
02/06/04 Dr. Granty Dorsey, UCSF on Malaria
02/13/04 Valentines Day Program - Love Songs

Important Dates
01/21/04 Joint Meeting with Berkeley at His Lordship's
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
01/30/04 Joanne Blum and Joseph W. Thomas
02/06/04 Erle Brown and Stanley Teaderman
02/13/04 Tom Butt and Daniel Tanita
02/20/04 Herbert Cole
02/27/04 Henry Covell and Loren Straughn

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Last Week
It Star of screen and television, President Stoney opened the meeting asking Dr. Dan Sanders to lead the Pledge. Our President provided two Thoughts for the Day: Christmas is over and business is business; The best you can get is an even break - Franklin Adams. The Prez was right - one of those wouldn't have been enough.

Visiting Rotarians
We had a Visiting Rotarian from San Diego Club "33", Todd Hoff.

Rotarians With Guests
Charlie Fender brought guest Christina Adams, a student at the Golden Gate Law School. Werner Schwarz brought two guests Bianca Turk who is an exchange student in Berkeley from Germany, and her boyfriend, Daniel, a Tech Sergeant in the German Air Force.   It is no surprise that Daniel wouldn't trust Bianca alone with the Dr. Herb Cole introduced Roy Swearengen a former Rotarian from Pinole.

Sunshine Report
No sunshine in this report. David K reported that Dan Tanita's mother passed away, as did Pam's father. We extend our condolences and sympathy to Dan and Pam.

Recognitions
Pam Jones brought in the New Year with a Birthday. Despite the hour of bad jokes at the first meeting of the year - including blond jokes - Pam had a donation for the Rotary Foundation. Jim Beaver had a birthday which was an excuse to give him another round of applause for the $12,800 job he did for us at the Holiday Auction - with the help of Donna Bell and Don Lau - Jim had a donation for the Carl Rehfuss Fund.

Announcements
Mira Vista Country Club Rule: Prez Stoney announced the policy of the Country Club - No Bluejeans. This attitude is one reason why Levi Company stock is fast declining. Don Lau announced the YMCA Breakfast at the Richmond Auditorium. This coming Thursday. Berkeley Club Joint Meeting. This meeting will be held Wednesday, 21 January at His Lordships in Berkeley. And despite a previous announcement, there will be a regular meeting that Friday as well. The Prez announced that finances for the year are in very good shape due to the success of the Holiday Auction.

Happy/Sad$$$
Jim Young was happy that sailor Mark Howe now has a 60 ft boat dock in Brickyard Cove(and an adjacent home) on which he can take physical liberties if he so chooses without having to deal with marina management. Jan Brown had dollars to recognize her new Spokewise business name and web site. Dan Ercolini was just happy to be back amongst Rotarians. Charlie Wong had a happy 5 that Cal made it into a bowl game - any bowl game. Retired Ted Abreu is happy to be back at work again. Vice President Herb accused Past Prez Dave Brown of being a CAL fan before he located Erle, and was delighted that USC is #1 in the Country.

Presentations
Rotary Foundation Grand Poobah and Cal fan Erle Brown made a Paul Harris Award presentation. Jon Lawlis, who has been an outstanding supporter of the Rotary Foundation for many years, was awarded a Rotary Pin with 4 stones, recognizing donations above the $5000 level. Jon was recognized with a standing ovation.

Paul Washington, having met all requirements for "senior" club status, was awarded his Blue Badge. And there was another standing ovation. Welcome Aboard Paul.

Raffle
The raffle ticket writer selected his own ticket, but Paul Washington pulled a chicken egg, not the golden goose.

And a special treat - the chorus verse to Semper Paratus (Always Prepared)
We're always ready for the call
We place our faith in thee
Through surf and storm and howling gale
High shall our purpose be
Semper Paratus is our guide
Our fame and glory too
To fight to save or fight and die
Aye Coast Guard, we're all for you