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THE MT. HAMILTON OBSERVER

http://branch38.sirinc2.org/

THE VOICE OF SIR CHAPTER 38

December 2019

Dear SIR 38 member:

Warm greetings as we begin December and the beginning of another winter. Hopefully we will again be blessed with moderate to mild weather relative to the rest of the country.

December also marks the end of 2019, a year of many uncertainties. Perhaps the most significant uncertainty was created by the Villages Club Board when they proposed changes to Rule 1.40. Without question the main objection from SIR 38 to the Villages proposal was the rule that would not allow non-Villagers to be listed as “members” of SIR 38. Unfortunately, we will need to wait until at least the end of January 2020 to see the final version of Rule 1.40. While it is difficult to predict the outcome, Villag-es Board meetings to date suggest the Board will not approve our main objection.

Another uncertainty which occurred in 2019 is the request by SIR 114 to have SIR 38 consider allowing SIR 114 to merge with SIR 38. As you read this newsletter, discussions regarding a potential merger are just beginning. It is anticipated the final decision on

this possibility will be completed by late January 2020.

Still another uncertainty in 2019 was the decision to suspend the Wine Raffle program due to significant financial restrictions by the state which prevent SIR 38 from conducting a “positive return” using our traditional wine-purchase/raffle model. The Raffle committee is in the process of creating a different Raffle model which, if accepted, will meet the state requirements and be financially beneficial to SIR 38. If this occurs, the wine Raffle program will resume in early 2020.

Some of the certainties that did occur in 2019 were the highly successful Dinner/Dance programs for SIR 38 members and their significant others. This included The Valentine’s Dinner Dance and the Mystery

Theater Dinner.

Other certainties included the Speaker programs that were highlighted by healthcare as well as science-oriented presentations.

Importantly, we will close out the 2019 Speakers program with another exceptional presentation on December 17 entitled “New Astronomical Observations in 2017”. The presentation will be given by Dr. Horace Hines who will describe the life cycle of stars as they relate to the creation of a neutron star. Dr. Hines will then briefly explain what a neutron star is; what happens when neu-tron stars merge; and how heavy elements are created in the universe. Dr. Hines will then describe the merger of two neutron stars that was detected August 17, 2017. This promises to be an educational presentation on a major discovery made in 2017 about an event that occurred millions of years ago.

I would like to close out my “End of Year” Newsletter by recognizing and thanking a select group of SIR 38 members who are true “SIRS” and should be given a special title, namely, The “Platinum Knights”. The “Knights” gave a new meaning to the term” Vol-unteers”. The Knights not only took on leadership positions but significantly improved the contributions of their position to SIR 38 and in most cases expanded the role, responsibilities and outcomes made by their position

The “Platinum Knights” for 2019 include: Lee Thompson; Steve Gilbert; Joe Henry; Gary Hill; Richard Warren; Ed Updegraff, Jerry McQuiddy, and Burt Snitz.

Please join me in thanking the “Platinum Knights” for their outstanding contributions to SIR 38 for 2019

Best regards & Merry Christmas

David

Branch 38 Big SIR

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IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND A MEETING, CALL:

Chet Purcell 238-6488 or

Jim McLeod 270-7659 or email:

br38cannotattend@sirinc3.org

Call by Thursday prior to the meeting

IF YOU FAIL TO CALL YOU MAY CHARGED $18.00 THE COST OF THE

LUNCH

DECEMBER LUNCH MENU

Chicken Enchilada with rice beans, cookies or brownie for

desert, coffee or hot tea.

You may order vegetarian option within 7 days prior to the meeting date by e-mailing Albert Salcedo at asalcedo@the-

villages.com. He will confirm the order by e-mail. If you have any food allergies communicate that to Mr. Salcido.

You cannot order a vegetarian option menu on the day of the meeting.

From The Sunshine Chair:

Dan Affouttit died Sunday, the 24th from throat cancer. This was a surprise because we thought his chemo/

radiation treatments were working.

Is one of our SIR 38 ill? If you know of a fellow SIR who is ill, has passed away, or whose wife is ill, or has passed away; please let our Sunshine Chairman, Gary Hill, know by calling or emailing, Gary Hill, at 408-274-8086 or (email: carngar@gmail.com).

Horace Hines - SIR 38 Speaker December 17th

Headline: SIR 38 Luncheon – The Life Cycle of Stars & Creation of a Neutron Star.

During our SIR 38 luncheon in the Fairway Room at the Villages Clubhouse on Tuesday, December 17th, Horace Hines will briefly describe the life cycle of stars as they relate to the creation of a neutron star. He will go on to describe the merger of two neutron starts that was de-

tected August 17, 2017. He will briefly explain what a neutron star is, what happened when they merged, and

what we learned about how heavy elements are created in the universe. The talk will be geared towards a high school level.

Horace received his doctorate in biophysics from the University of Cali-fornia, Davis in 1976. He enjoys talking about science and physics in particular. He feels if he can make it understandable to the general pub-lic, he understands it better. Horace is not an astronomer but likes to read the published papers and watch programs like NOVA.

Non-SIR members wishing to attend the presentation should arrive at the Club-house at 12:30pm.

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NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP REPORT

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP = 136 NEW MEMBER GOAL FOR 2019 = 25 NEW MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED TO DATE = 14

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK-------LET'S KEEP SIR 38 GROWING

SAY HELLO TO 2 NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED IN NOV.

BRIAN TRACT PETER DUKE

HOW TO SPONSOR A NEW SIR 38 MEMBER

1. Invite a qualified friend or neighbor as a guest to a SIR 38 FREE LUNCH

2. Provide SIR 38 brochure & reading material + newsletter

3. Sit with your guest at lunch and introduce him to as many SIR member as possible

4. Call your guest the following day to answer any questions

5. Invite him to become a member and fill out application.

6. Deliver application to recruiting or membership director ASAP

7. Invite him to next meeting for induction, (arrive at 11:15 for short meeting

8. Act as host at future meetings to provide comfort level for new member

9. Discuss new member's interests: (golf, tennis, bocce, etc. and introduce

him to appropriate SIR 38 member & get him involved.

10. Invite him to attend the board meeting at 10:00am before the lunch.

DO YOUR PART--SPONSOR A NEW MEMBER—HELP OUR CLUB GROW

SEE JERRY MCQUIDDY FOR DETAILS.

December Birthdays

Dave Baxter, December 1 Ed Millett , December 3 Vinny Venezia, December 9 Al Lumas, December 12 Bill Travis, December 12

Sterling Bundesen, December 14 Tom Stoiber, December 17 Steve Gilbert, December 19 Young Kim, December 21 Shel Schumaker, December 22

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Monthly Wine Opportunity

We are attempting to restore the “Wine Opportunity” to our monthly meetings. It has been very popu-lar over the years, and a good source of revenue for our needs. The reason we stopped doing it was be-cause of requirements imposed by the State.

An annual license is required to conduct a raffle, and a special report must be submitted in September every year. The report contains a requirement that at least 90% of the gross receipts received from the sale of raffle tickets must be used for the beneficial or charitable purposes of the organization con-ducting the raffle. This means a maximum of only 10% of the gross receipts can be used for the item(s) being raffled.

As an example, we typically sold about $150 at each meeting in raffle tickets. In order to meet this new requirement, we could only spend $15 of the raffle income on the wine. Do you think we could raise $150 raffling off one, or two bottles of wine?

However, if the wine is donated, or if $’s are donated to purchase the wine this appears to be OK. This is how other organizations are satisfying the requirement.

We have applied for, and received, a license. As long as we have a license and comply with the State’s rules, the Villages are satisfied and we are good to go. What should we do?

raffle off one, or two bottles and hope to raise 10 times the cost of the wine

ask for donations of bottles of wine (as long as there is no cost incurred, the 90/10 rule is easily met)

ask for donation of money to purchase the wine (same outcome as (2)

establish a wine purchase fund (this may not be acceptable)

Other, what ideas do you have?

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SIR 38 COMMITTEES AND ACTIVITIES

Attendance Chet Purcell, Jim Mcleod

Auditor Mohan Aiyagari, Lee Leonard

Badges Chet Purcell, Jim McLeod

Bannerman Tom Lance

Birthdays Walt Hlavacek

Bocce Manager David Franklin

E-Mail Contact Nick Yannaccone

Food & Beverage Doug Canepa

Golf Shel Schumaker, Karl Reid ,

Ed Millett

Greeters Doug Turner, Bill Beardsley

Historian Joe Henry

Invocation & Pledge Ed Cavanaugh, Peter Unruh

Luncheon Programs David Rollo

Lunch Tickets Manho Lieuw

Membership Burt Snitz, Charlie Passalacqua

Member Relations Paul Miner

Newsletter Richard Warren

Nominating Lee Thompson & Directors

Photographer Steve Mori. Tom Stoiber

Publicity Chair Al Lumas

Recruiting Jerry McQuiddy

Roster Richard Naftzger, Nick

Yannacone

Song Leader Bill Rodman

Special Activities Gary Hill

Sunshine Gary Hill

Transporter Ed Millett

Travel Bill Rodman

Webmaster Nick Yannaccone

Wine Opportunity Committee Lee Thompson

HELP

Have you moved?

Changed your e-mail address?

New Telephone Number?

Let us know so we don’t get wrong info in the member database.

Non—responsibility Clause: All tours and other activities arranged for an by Sons in Retirement, Inc and its branches are for the convenience and

pleasure of the members and their guests who desire to participate. Sons in Retirement do not assume responsibility for the well being or safety

of the participants or their property an any matters pertaining to said tours, trips or other activities

Chapter 38 2019 Officers

Big SIR David Rollo

Little SIR Steve Gilbert

Secretary Vacant

Asst. Joe Henry

Treasurer Karl Reid

Asst. Treasurer Bob Evans

State President

Ed Benson

Region 4 Director

Patrick O’Keefe

2016okeefe@gmail.com

Area 11 Governor

Bob Grande

bobgrandey@yahoo.com

2019 Directors

Gary Hill Paul Miner

Burt Snitz Lee Thompson

George Southland Ken Rem

Honorary Life Members

Bill Beardsley

Richard Natfzger

Bill Rodman

Joe Henry

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SIR 38 - 2020 EVENTS

CALENDAR

BEC MEETINGS FROM 10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM

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FROM BILL RODMAN’S TRAVEL

DESK

*****UPCOMING EVENTS*****

*****SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT***** *****ALLEN DAILY’S PASSING & SERVICE*****

*****PROPOSED TRIPS*****

Dec 4, 2019 ◆South Pacific Islands◆ (Br 32) Es-corts Mike Console (408) 246-1080 and John Pletsch (408-274-2992. Ten or eleven night round trip cruise from Papaete, Tahiti aboard the Paul Gauguin, a luxuri-ous small ship (max 332 guests).

*****ONE DAY TRIPS*****

Dec 4, 2019 ◆Beach Blanket Babylon◆ (Br 62) Es-corts Jim Hohenshelt (408) 394-7226) or Roy Jordan (408-735-8765) Here’s your chance to attend the “Beach Blanket Babylon Holiday Show” which the news says will be the last ever Beach Blanket Babylon show. There will be lunch at Swiss Louis Restaurant on Pier 39 prior to the show. Capitol Expressway at 12:30 PM, re-turning at approximately 8:30

*****PRESENTATIONS*****

Presentation at 2025 Folle Blanche Drive, San Jose, 95135 at The Villages. Date: October 24, 2019 at 1:30 PM for July 11-20, 2020◆Canadian Rockies by Train

featuring the Calgary Stampede◆ rsvp to Bill Rodman (408) 274-4521 or Alan Patmore (408) 867-4197. Book now and save $100 per person; book at the presentation & save an additional $50 per person. <<<$150 pp sav-ings>>>

***OVERNIGHT AND LONGER TRIPS***** August, 23 – September, 9, 2019◆15 day luxury cruise from London (Dover) to Iceland and Norway aboard the Pacific Princess ◆ (Br 54). Escort Arkady Belogolovsky (408-253-3956). Co-escort Joe Salamida (408-767-2838).

September 7-22, 2019 ◆AMA Waterways TASTE OF

BORDEAUX◆ (15 days) Branch 114 Escorts Jim Stoner (408-238-8458 and Larry Martinson (408-528-0746). Vis-it the heart of the world's wine country PLUS Basque Spain and the Loire Valley Chateaux

July 11-20, 2020 Canadian Rockies by Train featuring the Calgary Stampede. Highlights: Alberta, Calgary Stampede, Banff, Lake Louise, Athabasca Glacier, Jas-per, Maligne Lake, Vancouver. (Br 38) Escort Bill Rod-man 408-274-4521 TO MAKE RESERVATIONS - FIRST Con-tact the Tour Escort!, then send him your check made payable to the listed travel agen-cy. Make sure your phone number, address