Rotary Club of Eureka, California

November 29, 2010
Meeting of Rotary Club of Eureka

Pledge and Invocation
Dave Tyson led the pledge of allegiance and the invocation was given by Ryan Frey.

Guests of Rotarians
Anthony Antoville, Lynda Pozel and Jack Hopkins were guests of Mike Cunningham; CC Cree was guest of Gary Philp, Eric Bergel's daughter Reesa and business partner Mandy Nash who is with Sundance Painting.

Visiting Rotarians
Ron Ayers from Hamilton, Montana where he claims it is now 8 below zero.

Student Guests
Jasmine Phiengsai and Stephanie Lor of Deca Club were guests of Kathleen Cloney- Gardiner who reported on a conference they attended.

Gabriel Umidon our exchange student from Italy replete with colored hair and football helmet gave us a summary of the football season. In spite of the loss the Loggers posted in the playoffs last week, Gabriel said playing American football was an experience he will never forget. He also experienced his first Thanksgiving, and he is still raising money for his safari; forms are available on our tables at weekly meetings.

Announcements
Greg Williston reminded us that the Blood Bank still needs a pint of blood from all of you and Craig Hansen will buy you a pint for each pint of blood donated (Greg indicated it will be a cold beer with a glass one can take home).

Diane Cipperly announced the 1923 committee meets December 15th during lunch at Woodley Island.

Our Rotary Christmas Party is Wednesday at 5:30pm at the Ingomar Club, and there may be a few tickets left according to Mike Cunningham.

Greg Gardiner reminded us that Toys for Tots program will help needy kids in our county. Toys will go out to 4,800 kids in many parts of the county. Middle school kids who are especially needy will get a chance to come to the Ingomar Club and choose some life goals. Please contact Greg if you can donate either money or a new toy to this worthy cause.


Recognitions
Ron Pierre said that Gary Philp received an award for helping the National Guardsmen serving their country. Gary got a Patriotic Employer and Seven Seal award. But with his name miss-spelled President Carlton gave Gary a pass and fined Ron $50 for misspelling his name (it was Sacramento's fault according to Ron Pierre).

Bruce Emad, Joe Mark and Dr. Bob Green were all on the front page of the Times-Standard for attending a fundraiser for Redwood Memorial Hospital. Bruce and Bob were charged $10 each, but Joe was cited for $50.


Program
President Nielsen said that since drug dogs were coming in a few minutes, early leavers could go out the exit in the corner without fine. No one took him up on the offer.

Our speaker, Officer Katherine Howden, started in the jail (as an officer) in 1987 and wanting to work outside, she shifted to working with patrol dogs in 1997. As everyone knows, illegal drugs pose a huge challenge in our area. Officer Howden gave some reports on the actual numbers of drugs confiscated by Eureka Police Department (EPD). For example, Police in Chicago seized a pound and a half of Methamphetamine; EPD confiscated that much in one single case and many cases are processed each year here. According to officer Howden, fights and resisting arrest are on the increase due to rising meth usage. Heroin seizures also have been large of late, with much of it coming from south of the border. Narcotics dogs are trained to detect cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens and marijuana. They also help in the apprehension of criminals. Hence the need is obvious to purchase another drug dog for the Eureka Police Department (EPD).

The cost of purchasing a narcotic dog is $2500 to $4500 and training another $7,000. EPD is raising the money with community help to purchase the dog, car, training and a year's worth of supplies. The total bill for the new narcotics dog is expected to be around $15,000. These dogs pay for themselves however, in drugs and cash from the apprehension of drug dealers, according to Officer Howden.

After the verbal presentation Officer Howden brought in Taba, a retired drug dog for EPD, and she ended up on the table searching for heroin (pretty spry for a retired canine). The new dog that will be taking Taba's place is a 16 month old black Labrador Retriever named Maggie.


Addenda
Lynda Pozel and Jack Hopkins are raising money by selling calendars for the EPD to obtain a narcotics dog. One means of fund raising for this project is to purchase 2011 calendars at $20 each, or checks can be sent to Hopkins Fine Portraiture. Their web address is www.hopkinsportraits.com, and phone # is 443 3364.

Reminder
Don't forget next week's meeting will be held at the Eureka Inn. Carlton says he has hired a few extra heaters, but bring a sweater and a muffler or two. President Carlton also promised some live music, and there will be a program led by Dave Dillon recounting the history of our club.

Respectfully Submitted,


Dan Price