Feb 27, 2017

Rotary Club of Eureka Meeting February 27, 2017

President Matthew Owen asked the oldest WWII veteran to lead the flag salute. That would be Ken Stodder. Dan Heinen gave the invocation. President-elect Bruce Smith gave a report on our most recent fundraiser, “Mardi Gras with a Purpose”. As you may recall from our last episode, the prize winners were determined by hiding sugar medallions in the cupcakes. Someone unknowingly ate one of the medallions without realizing he or she had just consumed $2,000. There was no getting it back. Bruce put the names of those who bought tickets in a hat, and drew a ticket. The lucky winner was Ziggy Ziggenfuss. Bruce thanked Clark Swan, Jerry Reece, Nancy Dean, and a host of others who helped with the raffle.

Boast, Roast, and Toast entries included Dan Heinen, who was named a Champion of Hope by his company for his charitable endeavors. Steve Allen went on a trip to Maui. Not to be outdone, Matt Messner went to Panama and Russia. Jack MacDonald received recognition because he didn’t know how to turn his cell phone to vibrate. Jerry Reece said his son just completed a short cartoon for Nick at Night or some network. Then Matthew said he flew to Washington D.C. for 11 dollars round trip. He saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museum.

Betty Chinn was our speaker. She is an advocate for the homeless and works so hard that she only sleeps 2 hours a night. She has a homeless center . She finds jobs and housing for the poor and unfortunate. She gives them “a hand up, not a handout. She was presented with a check from our club for $10,000 dollars.
Briefly penned by Hank Ingham

Feb 14, 2017

Rotary Club Of Eureka Meeting February 13, 2017

President Matthew Owen rang the bell, which hasn’t been stolen by another club for a long time. What happened to the good ole days? The menu was ham slices or ribs, scalloped potatoes, vegetable medley, and fruit cobbler. It doesn’t get much more exciting than that. Vanessa Christman, new head librarian at the Humboldt County Library, was asked to lead us in the flag salute. Nathan Nilsen gave the invocation. Susan Johnson got up and announced that they we putting on a play called “ Jane Doe in Wonderland” at Ferndale Rep on March 11st. The play is about human trafficking. They are raising funds so that they can continue to perform the play at high schools. Jerry Reece and Bruce Smith were both wearing Mardi Gras costumes. Jerry reminded us that the annual Rotary fundraiser, Mardi Gras with a Purpose, is this Friday at the Sequoia Conference Center. $4,000 is hidden in the cupcakes but you have to attend to get a cupcake. There is a 250 dollar prize for best costume.

Then, as a complete non-sequitur, Jerry said that in Vegas if you bet that Lady Gaga wouldn’t show cleavage in the Super Bowl half time show you could have won 185 dollars. He’s losing it. Christian Hill prognosticated about March Madness. We’ll have the usual bracket bidding for teams as a fundraiser. Glenn Goldan was recognized for showing up, Dennis Hunter donated 100 to polio plus because he was celebrity auctioneer at Mardi Paws the Sequoia Humane Society fundraiser. Elan Firpo brought in a canister of change. Change is good. Carlton Nielsen said that his son was going to Switzerland as a Rotary Exchange Student.

Our speaker was Vannesa Christman, new head librarian at the Humboldt County Library. She said the three questions that annoy librarians are “you must not be very busy, no one is reading anymore” “Libraries are still around? Aren’t they obsolete because of new technology?” and “you work in a library. It must be so relaxing to be around books all day” She refuted all of these. Our library has 99,000 card holders. They check out 500,000 books a year. The library has internet connections and staff to help you access it. They have audio books. They have language CD’s. They even have e-books. The future of the library is as a community gathering place. They are open 12n-5pm Tuesday through Saturday and stay open til 8pm on Wednesday. They need more funding.
In remembrance of the Dewey Decimal System, Hank Ingham

Feb 8, 2017

Rotary Club of Eureka Meeting February 6 2017

The Menu was breaded fish cutlets, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding. Our president Matthew Owen was back from his fact finding tour of Hawaii. Hank Pierson led us in the flag salute. Greg Williston gave the invocation. Matthew then queued up a longish video that Lost coast Outpost made about the new bunkbeds at The Eureka Rescue Mission. He was prominently featured along with his wife Virginia. It wasn’t near as funny as the Saturday Night Live clips he shows. Jerry Reece reminded us of the upcoming Rotary Fundraiser, Mardi Gras with a Porpoise, Friday 2/17 at the Sequoia conference center. Specialty drinks include the bourbon street sour, Big Easy martini, and Hurricane Bruce. There will be beer and wine and music by the Dixieland Gators. Lisa Slack announced that the Clark Museum is holding a Tea Party at 3pm on February 12th. Come see their new 1960’s exhibit. Matthew said our Rotary Club gave away $60,000 in scholarships last year.

Our speaker was Doug McCorkle, Real Estate Marketing Director for the town of Scotia. Investors subdivided the company owned town and are selling off the houses. Most of them were built a century ago. The first phase has 40 homes, most with 2 bedrooms and one bath. Prices range from 150,000 to 200,000. They have all been inspected and will be ready to sell as soon as they form a community Services District. The hotel and restaurant are also for sale or lease. Eventually they hope to sell off all 270 homes. For more information go to scotialiving .com.
Scripted by Hank Ingham

Feb 1, 2017

Rotary Club Of Eureka meeting January 30, 2017

The menu was beef ribs, fried chicken, tater tots and mixed vegetables, some whom were in the audience. Who should we find at the podium but Linda Wise. Matthew Owen was out of town on another one of his free trips to Hawaii so she was acting President. Bruce Smith led us in the flag salute. Bruce Rupp gave the invocation. Dennis Hunter was recognized for being in Rotary 40 years. Jerry Reece reminded us that The annual Rotary fundraiser Mardi Gras with a purpose is to be held at the Sequoia Conference Center February 17th . You should already have gotten your tickets in the mail. There is a token in one of the cupcakes worth $4,000 so don’t swallow anything lumpy or you’ll have to wait a few days to see what you have won. Boast, Roast and Toast: Bruce Smith said that there was a bright side to being in the hospital. He lost 35 pounds. He donated $5 per pound to the foundation. That’s $175 in American money.

Our speaker was Dr. Don Baird from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services. He talked about the increasing number of deaths from Opiates and Opioids. Oxicontin and fentanyl are widely available as well as designer drugs created by chemists. In 2012 -2014 Humboldt County had 33.9 deaths per 100,000 people. The state of California averaged 11.6 per 100,000. The median age for overdoses is 50-59. Mortality statistics are for drug users and don’t count those who mix alcohol with drugs. He said the area needs more treatment centers. Apparently there are none in Eureka for opiate abusers. Meth use is up an astounding 75% this year. He doesn’t know why. Houston, we have a problem.

Injected by Hank Ingham