October 6, 2015

NEXT MEETING: Oct 13, 2015

6 pm -– Soda Center, St. Mary’s College

Program: Fire Chief Stephen Healy and Marshal

Kathy Leonard of MOFD

“California Wildfires”

Greeter: Dianne Wilson

~~CLUB MEETINGS COMING UP ~

*Oct. 20 – Frank Darling “Grand Jury at Work” Oct. 20 – Board of Directors meet at 5:00 Trinity Hall *Oct. 27 – Devon Brogan “The Richmond Neighborhood Project” *Regular Noon Meeting ** Second Tuesday Evening

~CLUB MEETING ACTIVITY~

Today’s meeting was opened by President Roger with a rather wimpy ringing of the bell. Greeter Al Simonsen finally found something in his wallet to read. Rather than “E Pluribus Unum” or the equivalent, it was a nice observation that setbacks and failures can be looked on as opportunities as well. He led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Guests were: Axel & Dana Araquistain and daughter Ariela, the Employee of the Month. Also, Norman Sison, owner of the Golden Palace restaurant. James Allan, our speaker, and Lou Roessler. The Rajah asked for help from the Club members to identify good speakers and interesting subjects, and then following up to schedule a program. Several Rotarians have helped with this in the past, but he would like more participation in this. President Roger and P-E Kevin Reneau will be attending a District function in Fairfield about how to obtain District and other types of grants to fund our projects.

Raffle: The winning green ticket was held by Peter Metzger; but sadly, for him, he could not find a white marble. Only a few marbles left, and one of them is the lucky white one.

~FUN AND FELLOWSHIP~

Angelo Costanza gave a Happy Buck for yet another Cal football victory plus their top-25 national ranking. Other Cal grads and groupies were shamed into giving one also. Lad Lynch was strangely silent and didn’t give a Happy Buck. Gary Irwin gave a High Five to celebrate the completion of the Pacific Crest Trail in a single season (a “thru hiker”) by his and Carol’s great-nephew, Michael McNicol, and his greeting in Canada by his Canadian relatives. There are fewer “thru hikers” than climbers of Mt. Everest; it is a 6 month hike covering about 2650 miles from the Mexican to the Canadian borders, often in nasty weather, and it really takes dedication and focus to be successful.

Michael McNicol (bearded) greeted in Canada by his Irwin cousins.

~EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH~

Our 45th Employee of the Month is Ariela Araquistain, who was nominated by her employer at the Golden Palace restaurant, Norman Sison. Ariela is very popular among the customers, although her hours have been reduced because she has entered nursing school. She received four $25 gift certificates from Safeway, but none from restaurants (for obvious reasons).

Employee of the Month Ariela and boss Norman Sison, flanked by her parents.

~WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND~

We have collected more than $3200 for wildfire relief, including $1,000 sent from a community donor. The Board will make an allocation of funds to be sent to Rotary Clubs located in the affected areas.

~ JUVENILE HALL LIBRARY~

Barbara Bruner has arranged for a tour to the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall Library on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 3:00 pm. At that time the books being donated by our Club members will be delivered. Also, an informative presentation by a County probation officer will be given to Rotarian visitors. All members are welcome to join the tour group.

~TGITLFOTM ANNOUNCED~ The Moraga Rotary social for Thank God it’s the Last Friday of the Month (see acronym) will be held at the home of Carol and Gary Irwin, 454 Fernwood, on October 30 (duh) at 6 pm. Plan to bring adult beverages and good nibblies, and maybe a few prospective members so they can see what we are really like.

~PARTY HEARTY AT ROSSMOOR~

Reminder – Rossmoor Rotary holds

their annual fundraising dinner & auction

this coming Saturday, October 10th at

5:00 pm at the Rossmoor Event Center.

This is their 30th annual fundraiser.

Tickets are available for $125 each.

Dinner includes a choice of

Braised/Shredded Skirt Steak or Chicken

with Yellow Rice or a Roasted Vegetable

Paella. The theme is “A Night In

Havana” with music by Tito Gonzalez &

his Ensemble.

~PROGRAM~

Our speaker today was James Allen, Professor of Archaeology at Saint Mary’s College and expert and consultant on shipwrecks and relics in the Bay Area.

Prior to 1848, very few ships came to San Francisco Bay because the town was a small backwater in a remote province of Mexico. However, when gold was discovered, many ships brought fortune hunters to the Bay, and many ships were abandoned when their crew left for the gold fields. Eventually, these abandoned ships clogged access to the port, and the city officials developed a plan of mapping and selling underwater property, and the owners were required to surround their lot with pilings and fill the lot. Usually, a ship was sunk on the lot, and eventually the port was cleared of floating ships. The source for a lot of fill were the large sand dunes lining the shore of the southern waterfront, which is flat now.

Prof. Allan estimated about 227 ships have been sunk in the Bay, but very few ships have been found because the tidal currents in the Bay are strong and because the huge deposits of silt that were washed down the rivers from hydraulic gold mining probably covered many ships. They have used remote sensing devices to find some ships near the Red Rock abandoned marina in Richmond.

Rajah thanking Prof. James Allan

Many ships have been found when filled areas of the City have been developed. Remains of the ships “Apollo” and the “William Gray” were found under Levi’s Plaza. The muni tunnel that goes to the Giants ballpark passed right by the ship “Rome”, sunk in 1850.

Many artifacts were recovered from the yard of Charles Hare, a ship breaker (dismantler) from Boston, which was located near the Hills Brothers coffee buildings. Remains of the ship “Candace” was recovered, and saved for further display by the Port of San Francisco.

Prof Allan was given a certificate that 200 doses of polio plus vaccine was donated in his name, and he was asked to sign a book for the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall Library.

~NEXT WEEK’S MEETING~

The Rajah speaks: Don’t forget our regular meeting next Tuesday evening @ 6:00 pm right here in the Soda Center, Orinda Room. The speaker will be Stephen Healy, Fire Chief of Moraga Orinda Fire Department; the topic is

"California Wildfires -- And How they affect you and your family." A good program to bring your spouse and think about the potential of fires in our area and what you would do!

~CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT~ Several highly skilled Rotarians and friends, led by Community Services Chair Barbara Bruner, gathered after the lunch to mark, sew, and cut out Christmas stockings at the Holy Trinity Hall (thanks to Ron Mucovich). We need about 250 stockings this year, as the incarcerated population is less than last year. Participating Rotarians were Debbie Roessler, Evie Michon, Dick Vance, Cliff Dochterman, Linda Campbell, Alka Mulakahari, Lad & Leslie Lynch, John & Mary Sue Erickson, Gary Irwin, and the Rajah. Friends helping were Lou Roessler, Lois Hruska, Claire Barney, & Ronit Sniter. The project schedule is (save the dates): Nov 7, 3-5 pm – Decorate stockings at Hall Nov 22 5 pm – Pot luck dinner and stocking stuffing. Dec 24 – Giving the filled stockings at Hall.

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS

Oct. 30 – TGITLFOTM at Irwins’ Nov 7 – Decorating Stockings at 3pm at Juvenile Hall Nov 21 – Rotary Day at Golden Gate Fields Nov 22 – Stocking stuffing & pot luck dinner Nov 27 – November TGITLFOTM social ?? Dec 8 – Moraga Rotary Christmas Party Feb 10 – Fab 5 Interclub Luncheon at Rossmoor Mar 12 - A Nite at the Races Fundraiser Apr 1-3 – District 5160 Conference in Woodland

SCHEDULED GREETERS & INVOCATORS

10/20 – Peter Metzger

10/27 – Tony Schoemehl

11/3 – Debbie Roessler

11/10 – Mike McCluer

11/17 – David Kruegel

CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT, PART I:

Rotary Day at the Golden Gate Fields

The 9th Annual Rotary Foundation Day at Golden Gate

Fields will be held on Saturday, November 21st.

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-16 at the President………………………………………….Roger Gregory President-elect …………………….……….........Kevin Reneau Past President………………………………….Debbie Roessler

Secretary……………………………………........ .Kevin Reneau Treasurer…………………………………………….... Lad Lynch Community Service Chair…………………......Barbara Bruner

New Generations.…………………………………...Rich Render International Service Chair………………….Tony Schoemehl

Public Relations ………………………………..…… Gary Irwin Membership…………………………………….......... Frank May Director at Large…………………………….….. John Erickson Director at Large ………………………………..Marv Ellenberg Director at Large……………………………… Cliff Dochterman Director at Large ……………………………………...Linda May

President, Rotary International………Ravi Ravindran District Governor…………………….……Ken Courville Assistant District Governor………………Mark Roberts

Newsletter Editor for October -- Gary Irwin