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Program for Friday November 7, 2003

Cornell Green

Cornell Green (son of the great db for the Cowboys) will talk about his dropout prevention and student motivation program at Peres.

Door Duty: Paul Allen and George Alvarez

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Program for Friday November 14, 2003

Deepflight.com

Graham Hawks has finished his new underwater vehicle, is planning to purchase the entire project from the investment group and will explain what his plans are for the future.

Door Duty: Jim Bates and Charles Belcher

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Program of October 31, 2003

Save Mount Diablo

Prez Stony asked Program Chair Mark Howe to introduce today's guest speaker. Capt. Mark introduced and warmly welcomed Malcolm Sproul, Principal of the Point Richmond environmental consulting firm LSA. Malcolm is a local boy who grew up in the hills right around the golf course and now spends much time working to save Contra Costa County's most famous "hill", Mt. Diablo. He currently serves the grass roots local conservation organization Save Mt. Diablo as its President.

Save Mt. Diablo (SMD) was formed in 1971 by local conservationists who were concerned that rapid suburban growth in central Contra Costa County would cover the mountain. Back then, there were only three small parcels of public land on the mountain plus the Concord Navel Weapons station.

SMD's primary goal is the expansion of public and protected private land on and around the mountain with the objective of protecting the visual integrity of the undeveloped mountain. SMD's primary activity is the purchase of private lands for conversion to the public land. Besides money that it raises from donations, bequests, land gifts and programs like the Heritage Tree Program (individual sponsorship of a tree or grove of oaks, etc.), SMD uses/facilitates parkland acquisition funds from California State bond issues, development mitigation funds (from Blackhawk and the Vaceros Reservoir Projects) city bond funds (used for Lime and Shell Ridge acquisition), and it works with the Trust for Public Land to "bank" land that can later be purchased with public or SMD funds.

While SMD works to prevent suburban development on the mountain, it promotes recreational, educational, agricultural and traditional wildlife land uses. Malcolm was particularly proud of SMD's successful efforts to reintroduce peregrine falcons on the mountain. There are now three nesting pairs.

At the conclusion of his slide show of SMD acquisitions and project sites, Malcolm left the members with the current edition of "Diablo Watch" SMD's quarterly publication, plus the "Autumn on the Mountain" newsletter. The newsletter lists several organized hikes on the mountain for those of you who may have gotten tired of looking at the same ol' cow pies along the fire trail to the old Nike base in Wildcat Canyon. If you missed these publications you can get them on the internet at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html I highly recommend the article "The 'Eye of Diablo'", which describes the origin of the Mt. Diablo beacon and also takes on the myth of, "the world's largest view". For a lot more information about Save Mount Diablo, check out their web page at http://www.savemountdiablo.org

Malcolm ended his presentation with Q&A and a round of applause form the members.

Upcoming Speakers
11/21/03 Berry Sue King - Precious Gems
11/28/03 No Meeting

Important Dates
11/07/03 Community Services Mtg Mira Vista 11:45-12:15
11/19/03 Peres Bedtime Story Night
11/28/03 No Meeting. Happy Turkey!
12/05/03 Holiday Auction and Club Elections
12/11/03 Holiday Party at Mira Vista CC
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
11/21/03 Jim Cannon and Josh Genser
11/28/03 No Meeting
12/05/03 Dick King and Ken Leverich
12/12/03 Theodore Abreu and Charles Wong
12/19/03 Richard Alexander Father Nick

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Last Week
President Stony started the meeting with a silent prayer for peace on Earth. After the Pledge of Allegiance Stony 's thought for the day was from Grantland Wright,, "When the one Great Score comes to write against your name, He marks not that you won or lost, but how you played the game (or something like that)". General familiarity with the Wright piece precludes the need for a completely accurate
quote and produced uproarious comment form the members.

Visiting Rotarians

Guests
Jim Beaver, many thinking he was a guest, introduced his guest, Keith Berks of Mia Production Co., that, "…does productions about teenage issues.'
Dave Brown introduced his ex/continuing partner, Cheryl Black/Brown (or is it Brown/Black, fashionable in either combination).
Paul Washington introduced his guest Bill Thomason who runs a Hedge Fund in Oakland.

Announcements
Jim Beaver announced that it is that time of year again as the club Holiday Auction is right around the corner. It will be held December 5th. Members will be contacted very soon for contributions to the auction, as it is the club's primary fund raising event. Everyone is encouraged to mark their calendar now in order to not miss this great event.

Special Presentation
Earl Brown told the members that the best part of being Foundation Chairman is being able to make special presentations like he is doing today. Earl asked Cheryl Black and her husband Dave Brown to come forward. Earl presented Cheryl with her Paul Harris medal and certificate. The Earl presented Dave with his Paul Harris "One Sapphire" designating Dave a $2,000 contributor to the foundation.

Recognitions
Prez Stony suspended birthdays and anniversaries for the day, but noted that Gloria Johnson has just had back surgery and will be out for a while. The club will circulate a card, but individual well wishes would also be appropriate.

Happy/Sad $$
Paul Hodgen had Happy Dollars for a successful Peres School BBQ. He thanked Dan E. who ran it and Ted A, Judy K. and Prez Stony all of whom helped make it happen. Paul also presented the club with a check for $2,000 from Chevron for the Peres Project, and received an ovation for the Chevron contribution.
Dan E. had $3.00 not-so-sure whether they are Happy or Sad Dollars as his youngest daughter did get her drivers license this week. The rest of his money is going to the insurance company.
John Nicol had Happy Dollars for Jan Brown who stood up at the Richmond City Council meeting and asked, What about us?" (In reference to the City's recent contract award to an Oakland business, otherwise ignoring qualified service provider residents of the city.) Jan thanked John and Rotary for giving her the courage to do that (stand up to the City Council) and reminded the members of the quote from "Odd Bodkins" creator Dan O'Niel, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you place the blame."

Raffle
No one said how much money was in the kitty. Land protector Malcolm picked Ted A. as the rafflee. Ted picked a white ball.

Prez. Stony rang the bell and adjourned the meeting.
Last Minute Editor, Jim Young

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

Pictures From Peres School BBQ

Paul Hodgen & Ted Abreu     Fun For All Involved