Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

June 18, 2012

Rev. Matt Messner led the invocation and there was no pledge, presumably because no flag was to be found in the crowded Conference Center Room at St. Joseph Hospital.

Program

While we were busy wolfing down tasty sandwiches, Paul McGinty, our host for the day, welcomed us to St. Joseph Hospital. He reminded us that the $13 million dollars raised from our local community the past 6 years helped us make a $26 million dollar down payment on the hospital reconstruction project, often referred to as “The Tower.” The chief motivation for the project is the 1991 earthquake mandate that says hospitals must be able to withstand an 8.0 magnitude quake.

John Goossens, Director of Construction Services, introduced himself to the club and after chiding Paul for making excuses, proceeded to make excuses for the tardy completion of “The Tower.” He nevertheless is hopeful that it will be stocked and staffed by August, and ready to be licensed and open by this November.

Club member Christian Hill, who is with St. Joseph Area Development Offices, introduced himself as our third tour guide. So we split into three groups and set off on our tour of The Tower at St. Joe’s, following Paul, John or Christian. For my self, I chose ‘Christian’ as our guide since we were touring a Catholic hospital, even though 'Paul' and 'John' are also Biblical names.

First we entered the new Emergency Room (ER). Christian emphasized that it is three times larger than the current ER, which seems a good idea given the amount of crowding one can experience in the old ER. Our guide was also quick to point out that every effort was made to divest the new Tower of a sterile, antiseptic look. It appeared more like a nice hotel than a hospital to this reporter. The large number of trauma rooms were impressive as well as aesthetically pleasing. The new rooms feature some mind boggling hi tech medical equipment including a negative air flow room and cardiac cath lab machines that are state of the art. The heart care unit looks very impressive and intends to make our hospital an inviting cardiac unity for northern California.

St. Joe’s currently is licensed for 146 beds and Redwood Memorial for about 25 beds. We next came to the new main entrance; again the term “nothing sterile” aptly described the look. The large amounts of light streaming in from almost every angle created an inviting atmosphere.

There were large monitors in every unit: reminding us of an airport terminal. This should help people to locate their patient. Questions were raised about HIPAA compliance in light of these ubiquitous monitors. Christian went into a lengthy lecture on the importance of HIPAA.

Outdoor themed light panels above the beds bring light and the natural element inside.

Next we toured some of the 8 rooms in the surgery center: again filled with state of the art equipment from floor to ceiling—but mostly Skytron ceiling by design. While the total number of surgery suites will be about the same as currently in operation, they will be much more technologically advance once the new unit opens.

Speaking of hi-tech: Christian mentioned the DaVinci unit that enhances the view for the surgeons and thus their accuracy for surgical procedures. He added that it could also save the surgeon’s back and thus prolong one’s surgical career. We next viewed more operating rooms, including a urology operating room.

The Progressive Care Unit will have 40 beds in 20 rooms. Better monitoring in the new units will process patients more efficiently.

Room 2227, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Eureka!

Certain plaques recognized major donors to the hospital as we made the tour. Not all were business barons, some were ordinary people who used the resources they had to make a difference.

Saint Joseph Hospital and the sisters of Orange are celebrating 100 years of service that began in our community before World War I.  It employs 1200 people in our county alone and includes some 14 hospitals across the country. With our support we can only hope that they will continue to serve our communities for another 100 years and more.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

June 11, 2012

President Greg Pierson reminded us this would be his last meeting at the podium, and Papa Hank promptly reminded us the President’s birthday is today. So, we bravely sang happy birthday to outgoing President Greg. Keeping it a family affair, Sharon Pierson led the pledge of allegiance. Then, Eric Bergel gave the invocation, praying for us to “live and let live, forgive and forget.” Eric then led us in what is commonly known as a prayer of St Francis.

Visiting Rotarians

Eric Smith of Old Town, Jane Schwalbe of Arcata Noon, Jim Seiler from Fortuna, Jacqueline Debets from Arcata Sunrise, Sharon Cissna of Arcata, Kristin Zeller of Southwest, John Stocum from Old Town and Brandi Easter of Arcata Sunrise.

Guests of Rotarians

Bruce Rupp brought his wife Marilyn; Carlton Nielsen introduced Sharon Pierson; Ken Stoddard introduced his granddaughter who is also President of St. Bernard’s graduating class, also graduated with a 4.0 and other costly all league honors were mentioned.  Dave Dillon brought is lovely granddaughter, Samantha Hovis. Jamie Farrell was also a familiar guest; Eric Bergel’s wife, Kim, sat with him.  

Paul Hagan’s mother who is here to attend the graduation of her granddaughter (Paul’s daughter is graduating from High School).

 

Student guests

Exchange student Tonje Sorum played her guitar for our club.  She played and sang well (albeit softly).

Richard Förster-German exchange student.

Special guests

Zeynep Ertürk, Filiz Büyükavcilar, Mete Eroz, Ilkay Eker, and Ulkem Basdas: all from District 2420 Turkey.

Birthdays

Dean Christiansen (6/1), Mike Downey, Greg Pierson (6/11), Gregg Foster (6/13), Greg Seiler (6/15), Keith Crossley (6/9), Frank Jager (6/5), Aaron Tilch (6/21) and Eric Bergel got the birth hammer from President Greg.

Anniversaries for June

Sally and Phil Arnot (6/1), Tim and Marilyn Gallagher (6/3), Don and Barbara Leonard (6/7), Dan and Karen Price (6/5), John and Jackie McBeth (6/17), Matt and Heidi Messner (6/16), Mandy and Tom Nash (6/14), Wendy Purnell and Terry Dickinson (6/6), Don and Cecilia Smullin (6/14), Jim and Shirley Davis (6/9).  There were a lot of long term marriages celebrated in June, but Al and Marjorie Crnich took the anniversary cake at 63 years of marriage (6/12)!

Well known local musician and teacher, Don Moehnke died on Saturday and his Memorial Service will be Sunday 24^th of June at 2:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka.

Announcements

Past President Carlton has worked hard with regard to membership and has been recognized by Rotary International for his efforts. Receiving a certificate of recognition worthy of framing he was fined $10.

Eric Bergel was thanked for his hard work with youth exchange and Alicia Cox for her work with club promotions and publicity such as videos, brochures, etc. Both received certificates of appreciation.

President Greg also served as sponsor to introduce our newest Rotarian, David Wells. Dave grew up in Myrtletown, went to local schools and on to College of the Redwoods and Stanford. Dave was Track and Field and Cross Country coach at HSU for 25 years, then took over the family business in 1993 upon his Father’s passing. Past President Steve Justus welcomed Dave and challenged him to overcome polio, build ball fields and get to know some fine Rotarians. Dave received his red badge from President Greg.

The program was interrupted by a trio of birthday singers from the Montessori school who sang  a non-traditional version of happy birthday to the President and were cute enough to avoid a fine.

Jack Rieke is our newest Paul Harris Fellow. Eric Smith has been a friend to Jack all the way back to elementary school and praised Jack as a business man. Jack got his start with Payless. In 1995 Jack bought Shafer’s Hardware and has been working hard ever since. He is an avid golfer who has been in Rotary since 1992 and is president of the Henderson Center Merchants Association. Jack has been generous with the community on many levels. Pat Folkins reminded us what it takes to become a Paul Harris sustaining member.

We thanked Maria and her team from Ms. M’s Catering for providing meals for us during the year.

The drawing was for money and a valuable prize, heartily advertised by President Pierson.

Aaron Tilch was caught with a Halibut and a big boat, that he claims was just a ‘write off.’ It cost him $100. When asked how much it weighed--the fish not the boat—re said “Forty pounds.”

Then a gold Harley appeared in full color. It belonged to Steve Justus. Steve put $350 toward his Paul Harris Fellowship.

Mete Eroz was caught skim boarding by our photographer; the judges liked his skim board ride, and he was promptly fined 90 Turkish Lire.

President-elect Nancy Dean said plans are being made to put out a contract for lunches, but other options are also in the mill.

John Bartholomew announced that Humboldt Regional Occupation Program (HROP) has asked club members to serve the students and potential future employees of our community by representing our respective professions to their classes. Your real time professional experience and knowledge may be invaluable to the career path these young ones will choose.  Please sign up (many did sign up, but if you missed the meeting I’m sure you can call John).

Saturday June 30 join us on the Madaket. Departure time is 6:45pm and cost is $20.00 per person. Seats are limited (it’s not the Queen Mary), so contact Mike Cunningham soon at 441-1111 or mike@cmmtax.com.

Program

Rick Littlefield introduced our GSE team from Turkey, who are slowly working their way north (by skimboard?). Rick thanked the host families. Rick spoke very highly of our GSE students’ English and their character, then introduced team leader Ilkay Eker. She lived in the US for a while then returned to Turkey. She has two children and her family company produces re-bar and steel products. Ilkay told us about the regions of Turkey and described what Rotary was doing in her country.

Mete Eroz showed pictures of his family.  He works for Vodafone a British hi-tech company.  He has lived all over Turkey and in Kansas City.  He currently lives in Istanbul and enjoys all sorts of outdoor sports except playing soccer (it’s not easy to be a Turkish guy and not play soccer).

Ulkem Basdas was born in Izmir. Her sister got married and produced a niece recently. She is majoring in engineering and is a PhD student in finance. She works at the Istanbul Borse and likes outdoor sports and travels widely from the looks of her pictures and fluent English.

Zeynep Ertürk has moved all over the many regions of Turkey. She is also well traveled and likes Rotary.

Filiz Büyükavcilar was our next guest. She at first said she was 60 years old; when we were about to ask where she had found the fountain of your, she then revised her age to 36 and disclosed her marital status of 13 years. She has children, teaches math and loves to travel.

Several of our guests had fathers who were in the military and they were asked if they were paid in dollars because they were part of NATO. Answer: yes and no.

The next question was about Islam and freedom of religion in Turkey. The answer: While 85% are Muslim in
Turkey, there is freedom of religion in Turkey.

They were asked about Turkish holidays. The guests mentioned two big holidays: the first is religious holiday celebrating the day they became a Republic and another holiday for celebrating youth. This reporter did not catch the names of these holidays. But they hastened to add they don’t have as many holidays as we do in America!

Ilkay and others gave club banners to President Greg and pinned him with a talisman that would protect him from evil, envy and jealousy. President Greg then presented the GSE team with our club banners as well and then ran one short, taking the brunt of the embarrassment, and compensating by giving them each an official tape measure.

Upcoming Meetings

Next week, June 18, will be St. Joseph's Hospital on-site tour and a map will be sent to each member by e-mail.
 
The following and final week is June 25, 2012, President's De-Bunking!  July 2^nd will be Nancy Dean’s first meeting as our new president.

President Pierson thanked the club for the privilege of being president this past year and adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

June 4, 2012

John Winzler led the pledge of allegiance and Dr. Elias Malki gave the invocation, praying for our nation to be protected from our enemies and compassionate toward the needy.

Visiting Rotarians

Paul McGinty from Southwest and Liana Simpson from Old Town

Guests of Rotarians

Mindy Bussman’s guest was Larney Ford;  

Greg Williston brought Nate Downey; 

Mike Cunningham brought Mark Greenleaf the union representative for HSU;  

Dave Dillon brought his granddaughter Samantha Hovis;  

Eric Bergel brought EHS students (see below) and Ron Perry who runs the lab at Eureka High School (EHS).

Student guests

Tess Armstrong and Izzy Piland both from (EHS).  Tonje Sorum, our exchange student, is going to give a concert later this week at EHS.

Birthdays

Dean Christiansen (6/1), Mike Downey, Greg Pierson (6/11), Gregg Foster (6/13), Greg Seiler (6/15), Keith Crossley (6/9), Frank Jager (6/5), Aaron Tilch (6/21).

Anniversaries

Sally and Phil Arnot (6/1), Tim and Marilyn Gallagher (6/3), Don and Barbara Leonard (6/7), Dan and Karen Price (6/5), John and Jackie McBeth (6/17), Matt and Heidi Messner (6/16), Mandy and Tom Nash (6/14), Wendy Purnell and Terry Dickinson (6/6), Don and Cecilia Smullin (6/14), Jim and Shirley Davis (6/9).

Announcements

Gary and Kathryn Philp are moving to Scottsdale this week. We were encouraged to say farewell to the former Sheriff and wife.

Our Club’s Burls have been posted through May 28^th and we can now read them out at our club web page.

Last Saturday evening at the Ingo mar was a nice tribute to Joe Mark who is moving soon. Thanks to Gregg Gardiner for putting on the event. There were many statements with “whereases and therefores” paying tribute to Joe and his tenure as CEO at St. Joseph Hospital.

John Bartholomew announced that Humboldt Regional Occupation Program (HROP) has asked club members to serve the students and potential future employees of our community by representing our respective professions to their classes. Your real time professional experience and knowledge may be invaluable to the career path these young ones will choose.  Please sign up (many did sign up, but if you missed the meeting I’m sure you can call John).

Don’t miss the Summer Spectacular Blood Drive. Giving blood was never so fun! Tom Schallert encouraged our club to give blood on June 9^th at the Blood Center. Supervised activities for kids include Healthsport Zumba and Kick Boxing Demos and a Mirth First Barbershop Quartet.

Greg Bowen announced we are staffing the beer booth for the June 15^th District meeting in two hour shifts from 11:00am until 7:00pm (somebody has to do it).

Christian Hill announced a community health forum. This forum features some local doctors who will provide tests and information for heart and blood vessel health next Thursday June 14^th from 5:30-7:00pm at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center (next door to Adorni Center).

Don Leonard announced the Group Study Exchange from Turkey arrive Saturday and will still be here to help President Greg celebrate his birthday next Monday June 11^th at our club meeting.

Saturday June 30, join us on the Madaket. Departure time is 6:45pm and cost is $20.00 per person. Seats are limited (it’s not the Queen Mary), so contact Mike Cunningham soon at 441-1111 or mike@cmmtax.com.

Eric Bergel introduced Ron Perry from EHS along with Izzy Piland and Tess Armstrong. A $200 Rotary grant resulted in student transportation, a historical mural and an all-star breakfast. Izzy proposed an ongoing partnership between Eureka Rotary and Eureka High School. Ron Perry thanked us for being involved in the education of students in Eureka.

Nancy Dean said she would like to do something different (going back to an older protocol) for programs. September birthdays thus met with Nancy in the Southeast corner after the meeting to plan programs.

Matthew Owen has been in charge of organizing the programs the past year. President Greg thanked him for providing excellent meetings for 2011-12 that are both informative and entertaining.

Raffle

Liana Simpson and Steve Lafferty won the raffle and were sitting at the same table which stirred suspicions of un-stirred tickets.

Dave Dillon’s granddaughter Samantha was the first Rotary exchange student from her school, traveling to France in 2004-05. That announcement cost Dave $45 and earned him a tape measure.

Treasurer Scott Guild brought in a new partner, Anthony D. Stubbs, CPA, to his firm. He promptly admitted that the firm will not be re-named Aalfs, Evans and Stubbs.

Anthony Antoville earned his own tape measure for going to Eugene, Oregon to complete his credential in long term care management.

Russ Harris got ratted out and was discovered to have caught a 30 lb salmon. It cost him $125.

Matthew Owen said, “Please vote tomorrow, June 5^th,” and did not mention voting for his wife--at least not yet.

Program Speaker

Growing weary of her old job about thirty years ago, Barbara Groom started Lost Coast Brewery in the 1980’s by making beer in her bathtub. Barbara was unable to attend our meeting, but Briar Bush from Lost Coast Brewery (LCB) was the spokesman for LCB today. Around July 1990 the first LCB pub opened. In 1992 LCB moved to 123 West 3^rd downtown and has been there ever since.  LCB is now the 33^rd largest regional brewery in the United States. LCB became the first regional brewery to become larger than 15,000 barrels. This year they are hoping to produce 70,000 barrels of beer; that equals over a million cases. That’s a lot of beer going out to the entire world, including Asia and Europe. Briar explained that while brewing is actually shrinking world wide, the one growing part of the brew industry is local craft breweries like LCB. Since there are about 2,500 breweries registered in the U.S., the 33^rd rank is high. Briar thanked the local population for buying and presumably, drinking, a lot of beer to get LCB off the ground.

Growth has been double digits for quite a few years, and Briar says this year he expects a modest 15% growth. However, the new brewing facility will enable much faster growth. Wholesalers around the country are begging for his beer, and he is trying to make the growth organic and timely. He wants to maintain distribution to his growing market so there have been some self-imposed limitations.  Other limitations to brewing were discussed through an extended question and answer session.

Question: 

What about problems with interstate regulation of alcohol?

Not too bad, said Briar. But the Richardson Grove problem is pretty big because it adds to the cost of shipping. One way to overcome the transportation problem was to transport to the local and San Francisco Bay area first.

Question:

When will the new brewery be up and running? 

The new brewery in Eureka will require a lot of careful planning and thought. Within about two years he hopes to have the brewery up and running; but nobody is quoting him (except me).

Question: 

How many employees do you currently have?

LCB currently employs about 35 employees at the brewery, and when the restaurant is tossed in it comes to more than 80.  After construction, the new brewery will employ many more; I don’t recall that he said precisely how many.

Upcoming Meetings

June 11, Rotary Group Exchange to Turkey

June 18, will be St. Joseph's Hospital - on-site tour

June 25, President's De-Bunking!

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
May 28, 2012

The club was dark today in honor of Memorial Day.