Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
September 17, 2012

President Nancy called the 11^th meeting of the Rotary year to order and Lane Strope, a member for 41 years, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and past President in 1991-92 lead us in the flag salute, humorously aided by his blank page of notes!  The invocation was given by Mike Leggins.

Visiting Rotarians

None

Guests of Rotarians

Christine Parris, guest of John Bradley and Dick Storre brought his wife Debbie

We hosted student guests from Eureka HS and our exchange students Larrisa and Franco also joined us for lunch.  Franco was on crutches due to a recent soccer injury.

Birthdays

Steve Beckman (9/18), Ken Daer and Lowell Maffia (9/19), Matthew Owen (9/20) and Stacy Lane (9/23)

Club Anniversary

Chuck Ellsworth has now been a member of Eureka Rotary for two years.

Announcements

Steve Justus reminded us that applications for this year’s Sign Smith grants are due by Sept. 30th – if you know of a deserving non-profit with a major need or project get an application today.

October is Vocational Awareness Month

The Lost Coast Rotaract Softball Tournament is set for Sunday Sept. 30th and they’re looking for a team from Eureka Rotary – minimum 8 players needed, need not be club members.

Foundation dinner is Saturday Oct. 13 in Fortuna.  Tickets are $50 and Pat Folkins has them.  You can also register online by clicking here.

It’s Backpacks for Kids time again – October 4 is our first packing day and sign up sheets were on the tables.  Mindy Bussman is coordinating the packing crews this year and needs your help.  Packing is done every Thursday during the school year at 4:30pm at Humboldt Moving and Storage.  The backpacks are filled with healthy, nutritional food and snacks for the weekends for kids whose families may not otherwise be able to provide it.

Recognitions

Once again President Nancy donned her sunshine hat and handed out the coveted recognition rain stick to deserving members:   

Matthew Owen got his rain stick for his recent trip to Washington, DC.

Dave Tyson was recognized for his recently being honored by the College of the Redwoods for his long ago athletic exploits as a collegiate swimmer.  Dave threatened to model is speedos but mercifully did not and spared the club.

Raffle 

Jason and Steve won the raffle

Program

Assemblyman Wes Chesbro was our guest speaker and updated the club on a whole range of political topics currently facing  the state including:

1. Recently enacted SRA fire fees
2. Efforts to curb marijuana cultivation on state forest lands
3. The State’s continuing budget woes :  Chesbro “You can’t spend money you don’t have”
4. Prop. 30 Governor Browns tax package on the November ballot
5. Pension reform
6. Timber regulations and the new 1% assessment on retail lumber

Note:  President Nancy will be out of town next week and miss the meeting but you still have to come – Ziggy will be presiding in her place.

Respectfully submitted,

Roy Frostensen