Scribe Notes, December 19, 2019

 

By:  Hermann Welm

 

 

Our President, Colette “Lady Grizzly” Lay, opened the meeting by reminding us that the new R.I. President is Mark Daniel Maloney, of Decatur, Alabama, and his theme for the year is “Rotary Connects the World!”  Our Greeter, Lourdes Ylagan, led us in the Salute to the Flag.   She then presented her Thought for the Day:  “Magic goes to those that believe in it.”

 

Lourdes went on to invite everyone to a “Simbang Gabi,” a Filipino event held at St. Jan of Arc Church, on San Ramon Valley Blvd.  Thru December 23^rd, following the 7:00 to 8:00 pm Mass, there will be a free Filipino dinner accompanied by appropriate music.  On the 24^th the Mass will be held at 5:30 in the morning!

 

Mike Thelen was called upon to lead the group in the singing of the Patriotic Song.  He chose “God Bless America!”

 

Visiting Rotarians:  Elizabeth Carrillo of the Galaxy club.

 

 

Other Visitors:  Jim Burch, Commodore of the Jack London Yacht Club, our Speaker.

 

 

Announcements: 

 

As has been noted in prior issues of the Crow’s Call, the Wheelchair Foundation will be making a trip to Monterrey, Mexico, in February to distribute chairs to those in need.  You may choose to join them and fellow Rotarians from the Danville/Sycamore club or purchase one or more wheelchairs for them to take along.  The cost per chair is only $75.00!

 

PP Marie Galbo, Mike Thelen and Norbert Walz were thanked for their outstanding efforts in managing last week’s Senior Center Holiday Luncheon!  It seems the word went out among the seniors that we were collecting stuffed animals (as in toys, and NOT embalmed or taxidermic specimens, Gallagher!) for the San Ramon Police Department.  Officers keep them in their vehicle to hand to children stressed by difficult situations.  Over one hundred were donated and this was far too many for the SRPD to use, so Edgardo Carrillo took the balance and donated them to his favorite Christmas charity, the Salvation Army.  They were very appreciative because they had come up short of gifts for children!

 

In Horace Crawford’s absence, Karen McNamara collected the final batch of $20 Gift Cards (and $20 cash donations) for the homeless at the Trinity Center.  All are welcome to join Horace at 11:00 am, Tuesday, the 24^th, at the Center, 1300 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek, to pass out the cards!

 

A reminder that the club’s Christmas Party will be held this upcoming Saturday, at 6:00 pm, at the Crow Canyon Country Club!

 

Lady Grizzly announced that Edgardo Carrillo needs to resign his role as Sergeant at Arms and that Julie McKinney will be taking over.  Edgardo stated that he is simply too busy to handle this position, but scuttlebutt has it that he discovered that it was inappropriate to wear his Marine Corps Dress Blues to each of our meetings!

 

Speaking of Edgardo (again!), he noted that the Rotary clubs have reserved tables at the Crow Canyon Country Club’s New Year’s Eve Party.  Please call the CCCC and let them know if you’d like to reserve seats at one of these tables!

 

Glen and Ginny Weber visited with PP Art “Crash” Kubal recently in Palm Desert, where he and Sandy now live.  They send us Season’s Greetings!  Art is still a member of our club because he couldn’t find a single club in the Southern California area that would accept him!  Yes, Art, we are well known for our tolerance!

 

This Scribe reminded all that the “permitted time” for trimming trees and large shrubs is expiring soon!  Officially, it should be done by the end of December (“November December are the months to remember!”), however, as loyal Rotarians you have special dispensation to use the first week of January as well!  Any other time of the year will likely cause the destruction of active nests and the baby animals in them!

 

Not mentioned by this Scribe at the meeting is a reminder that January 21^st is “National Squirrel Appreciation Day.”  Start thinking about what you can do for (not “with, ”Gallagher!) your furry little friends!

 

 

Recognitions:  None.

 

Good News/Fine Free:   Julie Fiedler noted that her (new) boyfriend’s birthday was recently celebrated by them.  An audible GASP came from those assembled upon finding out she has a boyfriend, new, old, or otherwise!  She won’t introduce him to us for a while since he needs to be thoroughly prepped for that experience!

 

PP Chris Gallagher  --  yes, him again  --  is now a Big Shot with the Blackhawk Police Special District.  Does he know yet that as Chair of the Citizen’s Committee which runs the contract with the County Sheriff’s Department, he does NOT get to wear a uniform?  He is, however, charged with increasing the annual tax/fee/levy/assessment that each homeowner has to pay.  Good luck with that election, Chris!  Everyone just loves tax increases! 

 

Marv Remmich announced that he will have his next birthday on Christmas Day!   Poor guy!  Never in all these years did he have “His Day” properly prioritized!  Explains a lot!

 

 

 

Ana Dominguez and Jim Burch spoke about the Jack London Yacht Club.  Haven’t heard of it?  Well, Jim is “Commodore” and Ana is “Vice Commodore” of this new organization, which has nothing to do with Jack London Square in Oakland!  It is sorta headquartered  --  without benefit of an actual marina  --  in Glen Ellen, California, on the banks of Sonoma Creek!

 

After the disastrous wild fires in the area, in 2017, Ana and Jim wanted to do something to help the community recover and hit upon the idea of a boat race on Sonoma Creek using scale models of Jack London’s ketch, the “Snark.”  (for Chris G:  Ketch  --  a two-masted, fore-and-aft-rigged sailboat with a mizzenmast stepped forward of the rudder and smaller than the foremast.)  They designed and built, using fire-damaged Redwood and an automated CNC machine, 35 hulls, outfitting them with masts, lines and sails plus GPS transceivers.  These were sold for $1,000 each to boat owners and set adrift on Sonoma Creek in five heats.  The boats’ progress down the creek was monitored by computer on that momentous Race Day, cheered on by their owners.  Five hundred people watched this event!

 

Including the $100.00 Membership fee for joining the Jack London Yacht Club, the event raised about $80,000 the first year!  Four San Ramon Rotarians and their spouses bought a joint ownership in a boat:  Toby (Barry & Cindy), Tucker (Brent & Terri), Sloan (Gary & Barbara) and Gallagher (Chris & Renee).

 

About $30,000 was donated to Valley of the Moon schools and non-profits on “Dispersal Day” in which the Smothers Brothers participated.  The next DINNER AUCTION will be held on SUNDAY, January 19, and will no doubt include most of the current 35 boat owners, plus owners of another 25 or so boats yet to be built. The actual race will be Saturday, April 18.  The race will be televised by a local station.

 

Ana and Jim should be very proud of their Jack London Yacht Club!  As we are of them!

 

 

Raffle:   The Greeter’s Gift of a very good bottle of sparkling wine was won by this Scribe;  the chance of drawing the gold marble was won by  Edgardo Carrillo.  Unfortunately, he pulled out a blue one and had to settle for $10.00 in cash!  Next week’s prize must be approaching $200, Marco! 

 

 

Next Week’s Program:   DARK, John!  The meetings will resume January 2, 2020.

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year to all!