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Program for Friday May 9, 2003

Peres School, Spirit of Excellence Kids

Door Duty: Joanie Hiramoto and Markku Pelanne

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Program for Friday May 16, 2003

Sunne Wright McPeak on the BCDC

Door Duty: Paul Hodgen and Ren Partridge

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Program of May 2, 2003

Point Molate

Captain Mark Howe gave a focused and intelligent introduction of the guest speakers. Mark is not a fan of natural attenuation as a site remediation strategy and asked the speakers to address the slow pace of the Navy soil cleanup effort. And what's with all the barbed wire?, he asked.

City of Richmond Redevelopment Director Steve Duran provided some background remarks on the Point Molate property and, in turn, introduced Don Gosney. Don is Chair of the Point Molate Restoration Advisory Board and provided good information about the site. This was Navy property that is now being offered to the City of Richmond. The catch is the property is severely contaminated by decades of fuel terminal operations and the Navy is moving slowly on the cleanup effort. The site is also challenged by close proximity to the flagship industrial operations of the Chevron Refinery, lack of adequate utilities including sewage treatment, and difficult to reach by highway. The City cannot realistically accept the property until the Navy completes the cleanup effort.

The Point Molate property is 412 acres and contains a 1400 foot long pier that served as a primary Coast Guard and Navy fueling facility for many years. There are 20 50,000 bbl underground fuel tanks, 26 residential bungalows, and the Winehaven Building that dates to 1908. Bottom line - the Navy is moving slowly on remediating the property and there are many challenges to private development. Nothing is going to happen very soon with this area.

Happy/Sad $$
Tom Butt was happy that the City Attorney "out-lawyered" the railroad. The great Burlington, Northern & Santa Fe backed down, and Point Richmond can keep the antiquated wig-wag signals at Railroad Avenue. Fortunately, the trains move real slow through that area. Joanne Blum was upbeat about successes with Project Seed. Dr. Gloria is sad she will miss next week's Peres Kids program, but will enjoy visiting her grand-babies in Southern California. Brickyard Cove sailor Oscar Lugo just returned from a month on a 37 ft sailboat voyaging around Cuba - he is now even more appreciative of being a U.S. citizen. Josh Genser was pleased with Christmas in April - he is convinced his kids really enjoyed it even if they will never admit it. Josh was especially happy that our very own Joe Bagley will be honored as owner of the local Small Business of the Year. Congratulations Joe - well deserved. David K felt Christmas in April was a great success, even if there wasn't a fence to build. Dave noted the appreciative emotions expressed by the homeowners and suggests Bart Wallace receive an award for Most Caulk Used for his window work. Dr. Dan Sanders was not happy that he had to miss the event because of problems with his back. Jon Lawlis felt it was a great day and had money for the box held by Sargent at Arms Judy Kafka.

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Last Week
On another rainy day at the Mira Vista, Prez David called the meeting to order and asked our automotive marketing expert, and most outspoken member John Nicol, to lead the pledge. The Thought-for-the-Day was in honor of the upcoming competition the Vallejo Yacht Race, and the almost all Rotarian crew under Captain Mark Bligh Howe: "If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi.

Guests
Rotarians With Guests were Gloria Johnston, who brought a colleague from the CCC Unified School District, Michael Neal. Joanne Blum, also an educator and not to be outdone brought two guests, Helen and Hamid. Captain Bligh brought a guest as well, Doug . Your scribe will do better with names if guests sign-in on the log at the front desk (and OK, your scribe listens-up more reliably).

Visiting Rotarians

Announcements
It only took 10 seconds for Prez Dave to get Prez-elect Stoney to admit that he didn't quite make it to the District Conference in Fairfield. Dr. Werner Schwarz may have been the only attendee from the Club.

Christmas in April. Paul Hodgen received resounding applause for his leadership with Christmas in April. The event was a great success, and appreciated by the homeowners. Paul presented certificates to the long list of participants and had a few extra shirts for those deserving. Paul is most certainly the BEST House Captain this Club has ever had! Rumor has it that Tom Butt was doing gardening with a chain saw making quick work of the petunias.

Check out the hard working Richmond Rotarians at this
year's Xmas in April Slideshow. If you have a slow internet connection, please allow several minutes for show to load

Rotary Day at the A's. A volunteer for this esteemed event has been located. Joanne Blum will coordinate participation, which will raise funds for the Polio Eradication campaign. The date is 21 May. Thanks Joanne.

Rotarians are needed for Camp Royal. Rotarians are invited to stay the week and participate in the entire program. That means sleep on platforms with the campers, listen to the powerful speakers and be available to discuss the impact of the messages delivered. See if you can carve some time out on your calendars and help out this summer June 15-21. A rewarding experience. Contact Elisabeth Andreason - Direct 925-288-3741. Elisabeth.Andreason@morganstanley.com.

Coming Speakers
May 16th - Sunne Wright McPeak on the BCDC
June 13th - The Greatest and Most Deserved Demotion Ever
June 20th - Steve Seskin, Award Winning Songwriter

Recognitions
Dr. Dan America's Cup Tanita had a Birthday the day before tax day. And a week from Sunday he will celebrate his first anniversary with Dana (also an enthusiastic sailor). Dan had a donation to his youngest daughter's Paul Harris. John and Felicia Nicol celebrated their 50th anniversary. John remarked that he is the luckiest man alive to have found a woman that would put up with him for 50 years. John also donated to his daughter's Paul Harris.

Raffle
Joanne's guest Hamid won the ticket and a chance to draw…and then drew out THE ORANGE BALL. $671 dollars to be divided with the Club. You had to see it to believe it.

A plateau is a high form of flattery.

Semper Paratus