Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

October 5, 2015

Menu:  Deep fried cod or sweet and sour pork, French fries, green beans and dessert.

Matthew Owen led us in the pledge.  Craig Hansen gave the invocation.  When he asked if anyone might need special help, someone in the audience mentioned the 49’ers. 

President Jay Bahner asked for a report from our foreign exchange student Andy Chen.  He had been at the Medieval Festival in Blue Lake over the weekend watching people dressed in sliver painted cardboard beat each other over the head with foam-covered sticks.  He says there’s nothing like that in China.  

There were no birthdays this week.  Hank Ingham was asked how many years he had been married.  29 - with an anniversary coming up on the 11^th.  He was gifted with a fluorescent Rotary hat.

Then all the past presidents were asked to stand up.  There were 14 in the audience, including Past District Governor Dave Dillon.  Jay gave them a hearty thank you and no fine. 

Our Rotary club has given $6,000 to the Middletown Fire Relief fund.  South West Rotary’s annual Halloween fundraiser is on October 24^th at 7pm.  The theme this year is Cirque de Soulless.  The Lost coast Rotaract club will perform circus tricks as part of the entertainment.  $60 a head.  Costumes are encouraged.  Proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels. 

Dave Purdy, former postmaster in Arizona and recent immigrant, announced a gathering at the Adorni Center this weekend.  It will include a demonstration by a Coast Guard Helicopter and rescue boat, feature ROTC and a Girl Scout Troop, and end with the unveiling of the new Coast Guard postage stamp.  You can’t lick that. 

Jamie Carrol is a member of Lost Coast Rotaract, and also occasionally  sings the National Anthem at Rotary.  She previewed a Rotaract fundraiser, “Spooks and Spirits,” which is a guided tour of Old Town on the 30^th and 31^st.  It is a benefit for Rotaract and the Clark Museum.

Jerry Reece was recognized for a recent trip to London, Paris, Spain, and Italy.  He spun the wheel and it cost him $50.  Sue Santche is a 3-time cancer survivor and is raising money for a 3D Imaging Device.  She’s having a Chemo Party that will have lots of raffle items.  Call her at Personal Choice for more information.

Then it was time for the Spengler Howard raffle.  John Winzler won the four-way test coin and Sue Bosch won $10.  J Warren Hockaday drew for the pot and came up with the three of spades. 

Our presenters were our own club member Neil Carnam and his friend Dave Creech.  They flew to Nepal earlier this year to complete their bucket list item- a trek to the base of Mt. Everest.  They started in Katmandu and ended up climbing 17,500 feet to the first base camp.  There were no roads, no motors, no wheeled vehicles.  Everything that came up the mountain rode on the backs of the local Sherpas who could walk for days with 225 pounds on their backs.  The trail had been hand crafted from boulders and was very rough. They got to the Everest base camp and stayed overnight, then started down the mountain.  2 days later the earthquake struck, toppling buildings and sending the terrified residents out into the street.   No one slept indoors for days.

The April 2015 Nepal earthquake (also known as the Gorkha earthquake) killed more than 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000. It occurred at 11:56 NST on 25 April, with a magnitude of 7.8M_w or 8.1M_s  (and a maximum Mercalli Intensity of IX (Violent). Its epicenter was east of the district of Lamjung, and its hypocenter was at a depth of approximately 8.2 km (5.1 mi). It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake. The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 19 making April 25, 2015 the deadliest day on the mountain in history.  The earthquake triggered another huge avalanche in the Langtang valley, where 250 people were reported missing.

Hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless with entire villages flattened across many districts of the country. Centuries-old buildings were destroyed at UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, including some at the Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Patan Durbar Square, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Changu Narayan Temple and the Swayambhunath Stupa. Geophysicists and other experts had warned for decades that Nepal was vulnerable to a deadly earthquake, particularly because of its geology, urbanization, and architecture.

Continued aftershocks occurred throughout Nepal at the intervals of 15–20 minutes, with one shock reaching a magnitude of 6.7 on 26 April at 12:54:08 NST. The country also had a continued risk of landslides. A major aftershock occurred on 12 May 2015 at 12:51 NST with a moment magnitude (M_w) of 7.3. The epicenter was near the Chinese border between the capital of Kathmandu and Mt. Everest. More than 200 people were killed and more than 2,500 were injured by this aftershock. Neil and Dave made their way to the airport where they waited for days for a flight.  They had made it to Everest and survived and now it was time for the next item on their bucket list, sleeping overnight in the Devil’s Playground . 

Submitted by Hank Ingham with help from Wikipedia.  There will be a test on this, and a bonus will be given to anyone who can pronounce Swayambhunath.

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

September 14, 2015

Lunch was raviolis, fried chicken, corn, garlic bread, our usual lovely salad bar, and berry cake.

"The Cartel"

Ziggy Ziegenfuss led us in the Pledge of allegiance, and Tom McMurray led our invocation.  We observed a moment of silence for Ron Nicholson (Valley of the Moon) who passed away recently.  Ron had been involved with our own Kim Bauriedel in our numerous projects with our Siberian Rotary clubs since 2001.  Tom also asked us to keep Steve Brodhag (SW Eureka) in our thoughts as he faces some health challenges.

Liana Simpson was our only visiting, well kind of visiting, Rotarian.

Andy, our exchange student from Taiwan, joined us.  He is doing well and getting use to Eureka High.  His first host family is Christian and Sally Hill. 

Klark Swan and Carly Robbins joined us from Lost Coast Rotaract.

Birthdays this week:  Jesse Klair, Ken Daer, and Matthew Owen

Anniversaries this week:  Phillip and Alana Nicklas, Dave and Patti Tyson, Corky and Annie Cornwell, Greg and Jenny Bowen, and Hawley and Laura Butterfield

Carol Rische also celebrated her 15 year Rotary Anniversary with our club.

Nancy Dean talked to us about our Sign Smith Fund grants which applications are due for soon. 

President Jay talked about District Governor nominations, and that our club was on the District Nominating committee this year.  If you are interested in pursuing the DG path please contact President Jay.

The Boys and Girls Club’s fundraiser is coming on September 26^th.  It will be held at the Elks Club starting at 5pm.  Both President Jay and Dennis Hunter have purchased tables and we are all encouraged to attend.

There is a District 5130 Lake County Fire Relief fun being set up.  More info will be coming soon on how to donate.

Linda Wise turned in her Red Badge for a much more appealing Blue Badge.  Way to go Linda!

President Jay then had Greg Williston on his feet to talk about what he does and his hobbies.  Greg is the Regional Manager for SHN Consulting Engineers and Geologists, which means he manages the project managers.  They work with small communities in Northern California.  They employ 100 folks, 50 of whom are at their Eureka location.  In his spare time Greg works on his house, does woodworking, and polishes fossilized sand dollars with a granite polisher.

Sean McLaughlin was on his feet next.  Sean is the Executive Director at Access Humboldt.  He manages the local benefits of our area cable franchise agreement with Suddenlink.  Access Humboldt is located on the Eureka High campus, has four public access cable channels, and plenty of equipment to help you edit video and content you would like to see on their public access channels.  Sean has long been a supporter of internet adoption efforts and enjoys reading on technology and associated regulations.  He moved to Humboldt from the great State of Hawaii.

Then it was time for a little non-gambling to benefit the County Science Fair.  George Owren won the Four Way Test coin, $10 went to John Winzler, and Greg Seiler missed picking the joker for $350, but received a cool four-way test paperweight.

Our program was from Rosemary Den Ouden.  She is the Director of the Humboldt Independent Physicians Association.  They help to manage health plans, improve health care delivery, and recruit physicians in Humboldt County.  98% of health care providers in Humboldt are members of their organization.

The title of her presentation was the Super Utilization Project.  The premise behind this project was to track and analyze members of our community that are disproportionately frequent users of emergency rooms in our county.  She noted that, as a nation, health care costs have risen 42% in the past 6 years.  Currently this averages about $8000 per year in medical costs per American.  Norway has an annual per capita expense of $4000 for health care related expenses.  The US life expectancy rate, when compared to other industrialized countries, is not commensurately higher as compared to what we are paying per capita. 

The top 1% of health care users are responsible for 20% of the dollars spent nationally on health care.  The top 5% of health care users are responsible for 50% of national health care expenses. 

This Super Utilizer tracking project worked to identify the most frequent users of our local emergency rooms in order to reduce ER utilization, and to understand why they were relying so heavily on the ER’s for their health care needs.  In a 6 month period some of the patients that they tracked had gone to the ER more than 80 times, and average of once every 2.25 days.  The study found that most of the Super Utilizers had a primary care physician.  The average Super Utilizer’s health care expenses, incurred on an annualized basis, were $28,000. 

The study found that assigning a care coordinator to frequent ER users was key in reducing the number of times they went to the ER.  Care coordinators primary role is to translate and clarify for the patient what their options were to achieve a better end result for their medical issues.  This also reduced annualized costs per participant. 

Lastly, she noted that mental health and substance abuse treatment is not available as they need to be in Humboldt County.  This lack of availability of treatment contributes greatly to ER overutilization.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Carlton Nielsen

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

August 10, 2015

Aloha Lunch Menu:  Salad bar, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour pork, rice, vegetables, rolls, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jack MacDonald.  The Invocation was led by Craig Hansen.

Dennis Reinholtsen was our visitor from Fortuna Rotary.

Nancy Dean introduced Winship Middle School Interact Club visitors… Sheila- Principal, Leah- Advisor, Linley – Interact President (granddaughter of Jim Davis), and VP and Treasurer of the  Interact club were also there. 

Joan Davies introduced her daughter, Elizabeth Harper and Matthew Owen introduced Christina Giovanni.  President Jay introduced his guests, Roger and Bridget McCourt (today’s speakers).

Keith Crossley gave the Rotary Minute and noted that our Rotary International President sent an email out that for 1 year Nigeria has had no polio.  Tomorrow there will have been no polio in Africa.  Keith urged all Rotarians to step up and donate to end this disease.  $306 million is needed to reach the outlying areas of Pakistan, the last country at this time to have cases of polio.  The Bill and Linda Gates Foundation matches all Rotary donations 2 to 1.

This week’s birthdays include Past President and Past District Governor, Dave Dillon, Rick Littlefield, Gary Todoroff, Keith Crossley’s wife, Carole Crossley.  Anniversaries include Virginia Bass and Matthew Owen – 9 years, fined $15; Dave & Carol Dillon, Ken and Kay Stodder - 42 years, $42 fine; Greg and Laura Williston - 30 years, $30.

Gregg Gardiner presented President Jay with a Hanalei Bay T-shirt from the current President of the Hanalei Bay club in Kauai.  This is the club Past President Gardiner founded and was President of.

Bruce Emad and Hank Pierson took a backpacking trip with their mules to the top of a mountain.  In recognition of this momentous event they were asked to spin the wheel.  They both spun $15 which doubled to $30 if they didn’t answer the question correctly.  The Cartel’s question posed by Ken Stodder… What did Sir Isaac Newton invent? (The Cat Door.)  The mule-packing duo was unable to answer the question and somehow, due to the mathematical prowess of our President, ended up paying $60 each as a fine.

The Winship Interact Club was asked to step to the front of the room and were enthusiastically welcomed into the club, receiving their official banner.  Nancy Dean noted that this Interact club was made possible by Gregg and Kathy Gardiner who started the process.  She also noted that this club has already completed a number of projects.

Will Kay won a Rotary coin, $10 by Ray Wickle and Suzette from the Interact club drew from the deck of cards for a pot of $230 but received a Rotary paperweight.  Ken Stodder won a Happy Camper mug, which he claimed would make a great anniversary gift for his wife.

Roger and Bridget McCourt, our guest speakers, are the head of the Salvation Army in Eureka. They arrived in Eureka 4.5 weeks ago.  The Salvation Army was founded by itinerant pastor, William Booth in 1865.  He was known for working with the poor in East London.  He saw the original Salvation Army as a training ground to introduce people to God and how to attend church.  Today the Salvation Army is in 27 countries.  They preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and help people without discrimination.  They’ve been in Eureka since 1888.  They provide multiple services adult rehabilitation, veterans affairs, prison ministries, elderly services, combating human trafficking, missing persons, services for children, housing for homeless, helping when needed as with the fires that are currently happening here.  Roger served 400 – 500 meals last week at the Hayfork evacuation center.  

The Salvation Army in Eureka has a canteen truck (currently under repair) that was originally founded by the Eureka Rotary Clubs 20 years ago.  They provide 3,500 families with assistance each year, last year they provided 300 Thanksgiving boxes and 500 meals at Christmas, in addition to toys.  Bridget said that if you are looking for ways to support, they need volunteers to ring the bells at the red kettles at the holidays- that’s where 75% of their budget comes from.  About 20% of their clients are homeless locally.  They try to find ways to help people out of their situation, not just provide services.  The Salvation officers are all ordained pastors.  Bridget first joined the Salvation Army in 2000. A co-worker invited them to church and, after a little prodding, they finally went.  That night Roger went into a diabetic coronary and the pastor of the church showed up and stayed with he and his wife through the entire scary time.  When Roger’s job as an IT person ended due to a merger, the Salvation Army asked him to come work with their youth and then he gradually ended up where he is today.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

August 3, 2015

Lunch Menu: Salad bar, chicken nuggets, roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ken Stoddard. The invocation was led by Greg Williston.

Traveling Rotarians, Baron Manfred and Baroness Ingra were visiting from Washington.

Rick Littlefield introduced Stephen Prokop, Superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks (also our program today).  Steve Justus introduced Eric from Sweden who is married to Steve’s Finn “daughter”.  Gregg Gardiner introduced John McManus from the Serenity Inn, Kurt White General Manager of Bayshore Mall, and Gregg’s daughter Kate.  Jerry Reece introduced his son-in-law, Bill.  Pat Folkins introduced Rick’s wife and his grandson Eric. Dr. Kim Bauriedel introduced his wife Sile.  Christian Hill introduced his son Jack Hill.  Jay Reed introduced his daughter Evangelina.  Jason Eads introduced his mother Janet Eads, his wife Stacey and their daughters Hannah, Olivia and Helen.  Mindy Bussman introduced her best friend’s daughter, Kylie and her son, Nate who she rented for the bring your son or daughter to Rotary day. Carlton introduced his sons.

Kurt Barthel, Pat Folkins, David Hull’s wife Crystal and Steve Justus are all celebrating birthdays.  Steve noted that today is his youngest grandaughter’s 1^st birthday and insisted on being fined. After spinning $25 on the Rotary Wheel, President Jay turned that into a $50 fine by having Ken Stoddard ask a double or nothing question, “How many noses does a slug have?” (Slugs have a total of FOUR noses.) The Cartel gave Steve a thumbs down for having the incorrect answer and Steve increased the total fine to $150 in recognition of his granddaughter.

A special anniversary, Ken Stoddard celebrated his 43^rd year in Rotary on August 1^st.  Anniversaries included George and Gail Owren- 51 years, Pat and Sheila Folkins- 55 years, Craig and Lisa Hansen, Tom and Karin McMurray, Greg and Mary Sparks, and Susan and Brian Tissot. Pat Folkins volunteered to sing the Rotary wheel in honor of his 55^th anniversary and landed on the $15.  Double or nothing question… What is a group of bears called? (A group of bears is a SLOTH.)

Gonged for $30.

President Jay reminded everybody to wear a Hawaiian shirt next Monday.  In fact he reminded us 3 times during the meeting so it sounds like it would definitely be in your best interest to wear a Hawaiian shirt Monday. August 27^th is cook your own steak Coast Guard Night at the Elks Lodge.  President Jay still needs more people to sign up. 

PP Gregg Gardiner asked Jaison Chand, John McManus and Kurt White to come to the front of the room.  Gregg noted that Bayshore Mall was doing some remodeling last year and contacted him about possible groups that could use things like benches, trash cans, planters and a large playground structure.  Eureka City Schools and the Boys and Girl’s Club both received a number of items and Serenity Inn received the playground structure. 

John McManus is the Executive Director of the Drug and Rehabilitation Program at the Serenity Inn, which provides low-income transitional housing.  Before the donation of the playground structure the kids were playing in the parking lot when he first arrived.  He noted that for kids who have already gone through so much in their lives it’s nice to let them be kids.  As a thank you to Bayshore Mall, John gave Kurt White a beautiful framed thank you letter and provided the Rotary Club of Eureka with a photo of the kids playing on the new structure.  Jaison Chand headed up the construction of the playground and said that Del Biaggio and DCI Construction donated the help of a carpenter to assist and a number of the residents at Serenity Inn volunteered their time to make it happen. Serenity Inn is still in need of a commercial BBQ, benches and picnic tables if anybody knows of items that are available.  In honor of Kurt White’s donation PP Gardiner said that the Rotary Club of Eureka had made a substantial donation to the Rotary Foundation in his name. 

Elan Firpo was brought into the club by her sponsor, Jaison Chand.  PP Nancy Dean gave the PP address.

A Rotary coin was won by Jack MacDonald and Jason Eads.  Pat Folkins drew from the deck of cards for the joker and a pot of $210 but received a consolation egg timer instead.

Rick Littlefield introduced our guest speaker Stephen Prokop, Superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks as well as being Rick’s son’s boss.  Stephen has a BS in Marketing and came to Redwood National and State Parks in 2013.  His wife Christine is a nurse at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City where they reside.

Stephen said that Redwood National and State Parks is one of the few partnerships between national and state parks in the United States.  The park runs from Orick to Crescent City.  It was formed in 1994 because visitors were confused about which part of the park was Federal vs State and because it helped with the overhead expenses as so many costs were being duplicated.  Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek are all encompassed by the National Park.  It was originally established in 1968 and the economic impacts to Humboldt County are significant.  It is estimated that 79 million dollars is added to the economy each year from the parks and 700 jobs are created. 1.3 million visitors come each year and this is a low estimate.  Congress recently allotted 6 million to acquire 6 acres in Orick. which will make this park the largest old growth Redwood forest in the world. This new addition will include a $10 million dollar visitor center that will be built at the site of the old Orick Mill. This is intended to be a grand entrance to the park for visitors.  The Save the Redwood League is financing the entire visitor center and John Muir's grandson is slated to be the guest speaker at the grand opening ceremony in 2016. Congress has voted additional money to hire youth for the centennial event there will be Kayak tours, a reintroduction of the California Condor, etc.

Other noteworthy things at the park include the work they are doing with the Yurok Tribe at the mouth of the Klamath. The National Parks owns 1,200 acres there are they are working with the tribe to protect the culturally sensitive sites. The Park is also working with Cal Trans on the Last Chance Grade bypass. The committee is currently looking at 7 possible alternative routes. The Park has an active social network including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube that he encourages everybody to visit.  His priorities include improving the volunteer program, improving ADA access, and dealing with the sudden Oak Death disease, which has affected some Oak trees in the park.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox