Eureka Rotary October 24, 2016 Meeting

It was Matthew Owen’s 14th meeting of the Rotary year. Ken Stodder led the flag salute and Nathan Nilsen gave the invocation. Carly Robbins then toasted Paula Patton’s involvement in Backpacks for Kids. Paula received the “Community Partner of the Year” award from Food For People. The Times-Standard gave them placements in the newspaper. Jerry Reece was then asked to do a craft talk. He used to own a McDonalds franchise in Eureka but he sold that and now he and his wife Becky have a travel agency. He informed us that there is a benefit cruise for St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial Hospital from July 29 thru August 5. They are going to Alaska ‘s inland passage. Cost is from $1,199 per person. Matthew reminded us that December 17th is the date of the Rotary Christmas Party. Elan Firpo was recognized because her partner Zach Zwerdling formed a firm of his own with his son. Dennis Hunter bought a trailer, and so did Nancy Dean. The beneficiary of all that was Jay Bahner. Everyone paid 200 dollar fines. Our speaker was Larry Ciecalone, General Manager of KEET TV. He said they were “changing their brand” because people found it confusing. The will now be PBS North Coast. He wants to build a new building. His concept is called The North Coast Innovation Center. He envisions it as a massive hub for just about everything. He wants to partner with KIEM, Lost Coast Outpost, Access Humboldt, KHSU and the Times-Standard. He also wants to partner with non-profits, the City of Eureka, the Fire Department. The building will be 150,000 square feet. Right now the need money for other things. They need 160,000 to achieve their 800,000 goal and stay on air. They are also looking for 160,000 for equipment to start a 5th channel that will be exclusively kids programming.. They recently got 1.1 million from PBS but they spent it. You can look forward to some pledge drives.
Staunchly submitted by Hank Ingham

Eureka Rotary October 17th meeting

Matthew Owen presided. Hank Ingham led us in the flag salute. Bruce Rupp gave the invocation, noting that former Rotarian Sid Hansen’s wife had recently passed away. Our newest Rotarian Arnie was quickly introduced, so quickly that I didn’t get his last name. He was a former Rotaractor, teaches during the school year and is a commercial fisherman in Alaska in the summer. Pat Folkins noted that the recent Toys For Tots fundraiser netted 32,000 for the little tykes. Also coming up quickly the Rotary Foundation Dinner. It’s Sunday 10/23 . Cocktails at 2 steaks at 3pm at the Elks club, I presume. Linda Wise was recognized for being Kiwanis Woman of the year…and donated 120 to the club. John Fullerton got the Times-Standard endorsement for City Council, but wasn’t there to be fined. Will Kay added a grandson to his family on October 5th. Dennis Hunter boasted of his first great grandchild and contributed 146 dollars to completing another PHF. Lisa Slack gave a report on the Clark Museum fundraiser. The Rain made them change it from a street fair to an indoor affair, but it was successful. When it came time for the program it turned out that the first and second choices for a speaker didn’t materialize. Matthew Owen stepped into the breach. His topic: Travel Hack. He told us how he and his wife travel for free and stay for free all over the world by taking advantage of free miles offered by various credit cards and free hotel rooms given out as part of Hotel Loyalty programs. He applies for new credit cards every 91 days collects the free miles offers, then cancels each one before he has to pay an annual fee. He also applies for an upgrade 24 houirs before his flight so he can get 1st class. It sounds complicated, but it seems to work.
Submitted by Hank Ingham

October 10, 2016 Meeting

Burl 10-10-2016
Kay Escarda of the League of Women Voters led us in the pledge. Matt Messner gave the invocation. Special thoughts went out to Corky Cornwell, who is being treated for cancer. Members of the League were introduced, including Rolin Richman, retired HSU President. They were here to moderate a discussion of local measures S, U, and V. A yes on S authorizes a tax on marijuana cultivation. $1 a square foot for outside grows, 2 for mixed light , and $3 per square foot for indoor grows. Other counties have passed taxes of up to $25 per square foot. The tax revenue goes into the general fund. Craig Hansen asked the panel why we couldn’t use the system of fines that were set up to prevent environmental damage from timber operations. Measure U advocates a ½ cent sales tax whose revenue goes exclusively to road repairs. Mark Lovelace is for it. He said we have a 2 million dollar backlog for road repairs. Measure V is the Mobile Home rent stabilization act. It would set up rent control to keep affordable housing available for low income people. Remember to vote in November.
Submitted by Hank Ingham

10-3-2016 Burl

President Matt Owen presided . He asked one of the members of the League of Women Voters to lead us in the Pledge. Greg Pierson gave the invocation. His theme was “to every time there is a season” Today’s meeting started 15 minutes early because the League of Women Voters accepted our invitation to hold a debate. We heard from Heidi Messner who won her Eureka City Council, Ward 2 race unopposed, telling us a little about herself. She has worked for Boeing and UPS and also had her own business, making clothing. She came to Eureka to help Matt pastor the Faith Center. We also had John Fullerton and Austin Allison, the two candidates for Eureka City Council, Ward 4.John emphasized his experience and history of volunteerism. The youthful Austin Allison talked about making a change and looking to the future. In addition we heard the pros and cons of Measure P, the ward-only system of voting. Mayor Frank Yeager spoke against Measure P, saying that the ward system takes away 4 opportunities to vote for those who will be running the city. Another man, whose name I didn’t get, spoke for the measure, saying that it would save money because people would spend less on advertising. We can’t have that. There were a few questions, during which Richard Storre’s cell phone rang. Apparently Jack MacDonald’s phone rang too. They were fined. It must be noted that there was a bigger crowd than usual for the debate. I didn’t know we had that many members. The Press was there too. Brittany Comak from News Channel 3 interviewed up a storm. Then the meeting was over; too soon, like summer.
Submitted for your edification by Hank Ingham

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

June 6, 2016

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steven Lafferty

Next up was Bill McAuley to lead our invocation.  He asked us to remember several of our fellow Rotarians who were suffering from Health issues.  Walt Shimasaki is battling cancer.  Don Leonard just underwent back surgery.  Jim Howard was taken to the hospital just his morning by Chuck Ellsworth, and Dennis Hunter recently broke his ankle.

Pat Folkins reminded us that today is the 72^nd anniversary of the Allied landings into occupied France during World War II, now known as D-Day.  Our club has two members that served in World War II, Al Crnich, and Ken Stoddard.  Pat also talked about our North Coast Honor Flight program, and that it has taken 427 World War II veterans back to Washington D.C.  Pat also showed a photo of our veterans laying a wreath at the World War II Memorial on their last trip.

Kim Bauriedel talked about his most recent visit with Walt Shimasaki.  He presented Walt with a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of our club recognizing him for his 56 years of service to Rotary. 

Liz Smith and Maggie Kraft were our two visiting Rotarians.

President Jay got Gregg Gardiner, Elan Firpo, and Kurt Barthel on their feet and thanked them for attending as we have not seen much of them recently.

Kim Bauriedel brought as his guest the new Boys Scouts executive for Humboldt County.

Birthdays in June:

1^st Dean Christiansen and Matt Murrish, 3^rd Robert McLaughlin, 5^th Frank Jager, 6^th Mark Murgia, 9^th Keith Crossley, 10^th Greg Sparks, 11^th Greg Pierson

Wedding Anniversaries in June:

3^rd Chris Freeman, 7^th Don Leonard, 9^th Jim Davis, 11^th Robert McLaughlin, 11^th John Fullerton, 12^th Al Crnich

June is also a busy month for Rotary Membership Anniversaries:

Al Abrahamson, Bill McAuley, Neal Carnam, Mike Martin, Gary Todoroff, Dave Dillan, Greg Pierson

Recognitions:

President Elect Matthew Owen agreed to be recognized if the Warriors sweep the Cavaliers.

Gregg Gardiner was recognized for his year as Rotary President and for all of the community projects he has been involved in.

Elan Firpo was recognized for attending a recent Warriors game.

President Jay asked us to be on the lookout for an upcoming email regarding the Back Packs for Kids Fundraiser.

Program:

Maggie Craft lead us through the ins and outs of the Area 1 Agency on Aging.

The Club was dark on May 30th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

May 23, 2016

Lunch Menu: salad bar, ribs, chicken casserole, rolls, mixed vegetables, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Christian Hill.  The Invocation was led by Gary Todoroff.

President Jay noted that Past President Ziggy Ziegenfuss’s wife, Ruth passed away last week.  He asked for a moment of silence to honor her passing.

VISITING ROTARIANS: Shelly Nilsen Southwest Rotary.

GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Kim Bauriedel introduced Dr. William Parks, Chief Medical Officer at St. Joseph Hospital. Neal Carnam introduced his guest. Nancy Dean introduced Carly and Annalisa from Lost Coast Rotaract.

STUDENT GUESTS: None.

BIRTHDAYS:  Larona Farnum.

ANNIVERSARIES: Jennifer and Robert Budwig.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Jay announced that the Past Presidents will be meeting tomorrow to discuss his request to make Walt Shimasaki a lifetime honorary member of the club.  There is a board meeting tomorrow.

Carly Robbins reminded us that the Backpacks for Kids Fundraiser is underway.  Old Town Rotary and Rotary Club of Eureka are currently tied for pledges.

RECOGNITIONS: Bruce Smith was fined $200 (50% to Foundation and 50% to Paul Harris) for recently traveling to Mexico for his twin sister in laws 50^th birthday bash. 

Ray Wickle was recognized for being at the meeting.  He’s been at his winter home in San Diego for the past few months, although he said he was faithfully attending a Rotary Club meeting in the San Diego area.  

Dan Heinen attended a ceremony at KEET TV that thanked the Rotary Club for their sponsorship of the Homework Hotline program.

SPENGLER-HOWARD RAFFLE: Rotary Coin: Dan Heinen. $10: Dan Heinen (again). Paul Helliker drew a card for a pot of  $100 and won the consolation prize of a Rotary paperweight.

GUEST SPEAKER: Connie Beck is the Director of Health and Human Services for Humboldt County (DHHS). She started in January of 2016 but has an over 20-year history with this organization primarily in administration and finance.  They have over 1,200 employees, and 39 to 40 site locations in Humboldt County. They manage a 165 million dollar budget and run numerous mandated programs including mental health, water quality, veteran programs, public guardian programs, child welfare services and many more.  They are currently running a recruitment program for foster parents as they are desperate to find foster parents. They are currently evaluating how to reorganize the organization of DHHS and are waiting for the new Chief Administrative Officer to be hired to finish that process. She is not filling some key positions that have come open until the restructuring decisions have been made. There are some programs like homelessness that the community tends to think DHHS is responsible for but in reality they don’t receive any funding for unless the person qualifies for one of the mandated programs, such as mental health services.  Questions and Answers followed.  

MEETING ADJOURNED: 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox