Rotary Burl August 4, 2014

LUNCH MENU: Salad bar, roast beef, chicken a la king, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, rolls, dessert.
CALLED TO ORDER by President Gregg Gardiner at 12:25pm with a rousing slide show celebrating the Coast Guard’s birthday on this very day 224 years ago and a special acknowledgement to Ziggy on his anniversary of 28 years with the Army Reserves.THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by visiting District Governor, Kevin Eisenberg. THE INVOCATION was led by: Greg Pierson. A special prayer was given for Wayne Wilson who is home recovering but not receiving visitors. VISITING ROTARIANS: None GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Kathy Cloney-Gardiner introduced Mary Eisenberg, wife of our District Governor, Ray Wickel introduced his wife Pauline, Sue Bosch introduced her daughter Laurie, Dick Storre’s wife Debbie was visiting and Kittie Poterack introduced her son Robbie and a colleague, Lois Cook. BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES: Kurt Barthel’s 65th birthday was August 2nd. Pat Folkins is celebrating his 75th birthday and and 54th wedding anniversary, George Owren’s 50th Anniversary was on August 1st. Greg Williston confessed he is celebrating his 29th anniversary by taking his wife to the Benbow Inn next Monday in lieu of attending Rotary. FOUNDATION MINUTE: Dr. Kim Bauriedel let us know that our former exchange student, Dan, from Russia is doing well. He’s back cooking for a living, which Dan loves, and he is about to apply for his driver’s license. So far he has not had to join the Russian Army - a concern of his. Dr. Bauriedel went on to say that The Foundation is part of what makes Rotary different from any other type of organization. The Foundation was established in 1917 but it didn’t really take off until about 1947 when President Paul Harris passed away and donations were made in his name to the Foundation from Rotary Clubs everywhere. Since that time the Foundation has developed the mission to focus on projects related to health, hunger and humanitarian projects throughout the world. This has included the eradication of Polio in 120 countries. Today only 6 countries are not polio free, and hopefully that number will be at 0 soon. (A country is not declared polio free until 3 years have passed with no cases.) Dr. Bauriedel reminded us how important it is to donate to the foundation and how much good every dollar donated does.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Gregg opened his comments by stating that so far this year his fines have totaled $360 and Kathy says it has to stop as the fines are starting to come out of her clothing budget. He then asked Ziggy, Jay Bohner, Carlton Nilsen and Kathy Cloney-Gardiner to stand up and show everybody how close we are to ending polio. They all stood up and gave us “the sign”. To find the sign yourself, Gregg says to go to 101 things about Rotary, available at the badge table at your next meeting. George Owren, Kathy Cloney-Gardiner, our Rotary Foundation team, Ray and Pauline Wickel and District Governor, Kevin Eisenberg were all asked to stand at the podium. Ray and Pauline recently donated $10,000 to the Foundation, becoming a Major Donor of the Foundation. District Governor Kevin thanked the Wickel’s for their donation amidst a standing ovation. He then went on to tell us that $10,000 represents 6,000 polio immunizations, That’s 6,000 children not at risk to catch a life altering and threatening disease. $10,000 represents completely equipping a school for girls in a country that doesn’t believe in educating women or $10,000 could represent clean water for 50,000 people. The Foundation does so much. Kevin encouraged us to remember to support this worthwhile cause. The Wickel’s received pins and an engraved glass award in recognition of their donation in addition to a second standing ovation.
SPENGLER-HOWARD RAFFLE: A bottle of Riverbend Cellars red wine was won by Kathy Cloney-Gardiner among cries of a fixed drawing. Sadly Corky Cornwell did not win draw the joker and did not win the pot of $120.
GUEST SPEAKER INTRODUCTION BY Gregg Gardiner. According to Gregg, Kevin Eiserberg loves basketball which is why every table in the room has a basketball as a centerpiece today. Gregg presented a slide show on Pride and Joy, Kevin’s theme this year, that exemplified numerous companies and things that utilize the name pride and joy including a bar, tattoos, and a memorial for a dog. But… Kevin’s real pride and joy are his wife and two children.
GUEST SPEAKER: Kevin presented Gregg with a framed photo of a bottle of pride and joy. He also accused Gregg of being the Rodney Dangerfield of Rotary. Kevin went on a tour of Eureka on Sunday with Gregg, and viewed first hand many of the projects accomplished by our Rotary Club. He attended a board meeting earlier this morning and heard how one person at the Rotary Club of Eureka can have a great idea and the entire club works together to make it happen. Kevin said that in addition to his theme, Pride and Joy Rotary International has their own theme, Light Up Rotary. He knows there are a lot of jokes, especially in Humboldt and Mendocino about this theme, but he encourages us all to look past the jokes to see the power of that statement. The President of Rotary, Gary Wong, took his inspiration from Confucius who said, ‘it is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness’. Kevin feels that each club lighting one candle at a time can do a lot, but 35,000 clubs lighting one candle at a time can make an immense difference. He said Rotary stands apart from many other organizations in the world and because of our reputation for ethics and service about self we are allowed entry into other countries when others aren’t. He said, one of your own Rotarians told me this morning that a recent survey conducted to research a coming ballot initiative found that registered voters in Eureka were asked, “what organization do you most trust in Eureka?” Rotary was the number one answer. Kevin said, Rotary should be fun, it’s ok to have fun in fact President Wong insists on it. Kevin suggested we wear our Rotary pins everywhere and maybe consider a tattoo so we can even wear it in the shower. He said not only does it create instant friendships with other Rotarians it also sparks conversation about what Rotary is all about. He asked us to look inside ourselves, feel our pride and joy of being a Rotarian, explain that feeling to other people. If you do that membership is no longer a problem. The Foundation has 6 essential goals 1) Disease Prevention and Treatment 2) Water and Sanitation 3) Maternal and Child Health 4) Literacy/Education 5) Economic and Community Development 6) Peace and Conflict Resolution. In conclusion… Rotary is a beacon of light illuminating the path to a better country and world. Take pride and joy in Rotary. Don’t forget to sign up for an exciting conference on April 24-26th in beautiful Yosemite. Flyers available at District 5130 web site.

MEETING ADJOURNED: (1:30pm)
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia Cox

Rotary Burl 7/28/2014

A scratchy version of “It’s a grand old flag” played over the loudspeakers followed by a bugle call. President Gregg Gardiner called on WWII veteran Ted Welton to lead the pledge and Bill McAuley gave the invocation. In mid-invocation another bugle call sounded. This year is over produced. The meal consisted of chile rellenos, Mexican casserole, chicken enchiladas, Ambrosia salad, and dessert. The president sat alone at the head table, looking forlorn. His birthday is in July, yet no one with a July birthday sat with him. Even the program speakers sat elsewhere. Apparently this is the year of Rodney Dangerfield.

“I don’t get no respect”, he mourned. He fined all the July birthdays $10. 

Kim Bauriedel complains

Kim Bauriedel objected pointing out that it’s up to the prez to announce the rules of decorum before the year begins. Gregg then announced that today was Milk Chocolate Day just to change the subject. Corky Cornwell volunteered to sit at the head table because he was retiring. Gregg then recognized him for wearing nothing but a fig leaf in a recent NC Journal photo. That doesn’t sound very retiring to me. Things were getting weird. Keith Crossley came up to do a new feature “The Foundation Minute” Rotarian Archie Klump of the Cleveland club started the Foundation in 1917 by contributing 26.50. In today’s money it would be $500.


Jesse Klair receives an award.

 The prez then called up Jesse Klair for rebuilding his McDonald’s store on 4th street in Eureka. It took 76 days and cost 2.6 million dollars. All the fixtures are LED lights. The old building was 43 years old, leaked, and had plumbing problems. Gregg presented him with two awards, a Toys For Tots Commander’s Award for feeding all the volunteers, and a Rotarian of the Month Award. Anyone who wants to tour the new facility can come this Thursday 7/31 between 4 and 7 pm. Then we got back on that “no respect” thing. First Gregg fined everyone who missed his first meeting $20. Then he asked each table to discuss the meaning of “respect”. Everyone pretended to do that. Finally he donned a purple Roman Toga and laurel crown and proclaimed himself Caesar.

Et Tu, Brute?

He made everyone shout “Hail Caesar Gregg”. Someone yelled “Where’s Brutus when we need him?” You may think I’m making this up, but even I couldn’t have come up with anything that strange.

Mercifully he ran out of president’s time, forgot to do the drawing, and introduced our speaker twice.

Greg Seiler discourses

 It was fellow club member Greg Seiler whose subject was the Humboldt Business Challenge, a new program to encourage entrepreneur development in our community. Humboldt Business Challenge provides a catalyst for discovering talented and aspiring entrepreneurs, vetting their ideas, and connecting them with the people and resources needed for them to flourish in Humboldt County. It replaces Economic Fuel a similar program started by Rob and Cheri Arkley 8 years ago. Of the 64 teams recognized in a local business competition over the last 8 years, 36 businesses continue to operate today. Thirty-three of those businesses remain headquartered in Humboldt County. Without the creation of the Humboldt Business Challenge, there would be no other catalyst to carry on this successful tradition. This contest will be open to all would-be entrepreneurs, regardless of age or schooling.

Target date for the start is September 3rd. It will culminate in a trade show in 2015. For more information contact Greg Seiler. Talking points: Is our fearless leader a few stories short of a complete issue? More next week.
Submitted by Hank Ingham

Rotary Burl July 21 2014

Burl 7/21/14
You could tell that things were going to be different this year, the year of President Gregg Gardiner, when what appeared to be secret service agents greeted us at the door. Inside, once you got past the table heaped with 101 Things to Do publications, lapel pins and new rosters, all the dining tables had tablecloths and real napkins. On the podium was the great seal of the President of Eureka Rotary. The food hadn’t changed. Fried Chicken, beef tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad bar and chocolate cake. Steve Allen was standing at the podium. He said he was Gregg Gardiner’s press secretary and proceeded to announce the arrival of the President and his entourage.

“Hail to the Chief” played over the loudspeakers as Gregg entered flanked by ersatz secret service agents played by Rotaract members. We all stood as “God bless America” played and he tried to get the club to sing along. They were awful. He called on Ken Stodder to lead the pledge, and Lisa Slack then gave the invocation, which was preceded by an Ode To Gregg. It went something like this: “I’m the president of Rotary, and my name has not two g’s but three. When they say “It’s spelled Gregg? You are pulling my legg!” I say that it’s gnus to mee.” Then Gregg was sworn into office by PP Will Kay, who used a copy of Alice in Wonderland in lieu of a bible. President Gregg said that due to a tight budget this year’s roster was privately funded by Greg and Hank Pierson, Glenn Goldan, and Lane Strope. PP Kim Bauriedel then commented that the great seal should say “President of the Rotary Club of Eureka” rather than “President of Eureka Rotary”. PP Pat Folkins concurred and fined Gregg 101 dollars.

Gregg reminded us of the District Governor’s visit on August 4th. Also this coming Friday at The Ingomar Club pool there will be an opportunity for fellowship from 5pm until someone falls in the pool. It counts as a make-up. Keith Crossley brought Kathy Cloney Gardiner and her daughter Kate Dimmick to the podium. Kate was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by her stepfather Gregg. Finally Gregg asked everyone who had picked up one of his publications at the entrance table to stand. Those who remained seated had to put $5 on the table. Then it was time for the Spengler Howard Science Fair drawing. It’s different this year. The first winner gets a bottle of wine. The second winner gets to draw from a deck of cards. If he draws the joker he gets the pot. If not $10 is added to the pot.

Our speaker was Superintendent of Eureka City Schools Dr. Fred VanVleck. He talked about the need for funds to renovate facilities. There are 10 school sites in the Eureka District and all are over 50 years old. They have leaky roofs, outdated electrical systems and funky restrooms. He stressed the need for up to date classrooms that can help students prepare for and compete in the competitive job market. He would like to bolster our vocational training: Mechanics, culinary arts, welding and woodworking. A bond measure is being proposed for the November ballot. Measure S will provide funds to improve and update facilities and equipment. Anyone with questions can contact him at vanvleckf@eurekacityschools.org. Gregg closed with a quote from Benjamin Franklin and asked us all to bring a guest to Rotary. The meeting ended on time. Submitted by Hank Ingham

Rotary Burl July 14 2014

July 14, 2014




This was the first meeting of Gregg Gardiner’s year as president, and also the first time we met off-site in at least a year.



No chairs unless you brought one.

 The location was Lost Coast’s new brewery, under construction just off Broadway next to Tetrault Tire. Gregg did not attend because he was in Tahiti with his wife on a trip she had planned a year ago. (Happy wife=happy life). No chairs were provided, no toilets and no water. It was like camping indoors.

President Elect Jay Bahner

Jay Bahner was asked to fill in. We met in the soon to be completed meeting room upstairs. It was BYOC – bring your own chair. Lunch was catered sandwiches in black Styrofoam. No drinks. Chuck Ellsworth led the salute to the flag and Dan Price gave the invocation, asking special prayers for Wayne Wilson, who is in ICU.

Barbara Groom and Jay

Our speaker was Barbara Groom, owner of Lost Coast Brewery. She came to the north coast in 1977. 10 years ago she began looking for property to build a new brewery.
Several deals fell through before she found a piece with industrial zoning, and then it took three years to get the plans through the city planning department. She hired an architect from Portland, but he designed a fancy brick palace for her. She fired him and got a designer builder to give her the look that she wanted –that of an old warehouse on the waterfront. She took us on a brief tour.

Fermentation tanks

First stop, the mash tuns, where the mashed grain is steeped in water to extract the sugars. . The tanks were huge, and had to be shipped by truck from Stockton through Richardson’s Grove. Apparently there is a video on Youtube. Then we went to the fermenter where yeast consume the sugars and produce alcohol - making beer.

Finally

The club goes off site

beer goes into another tank to be carbonated, and pumped to the bottling line or the keg filling line. In the center is a big cooler where the cases of beer and kegs are stored until they are ready to be shipped out. A lot of the construction was done by O & M industries and Mercer Frasier. The plant is about a month away from completion. When it’s done it will produce 300,000 barrels of beer a year. The old brewery had a capacity of 70,000 barrels. A barrel = 30 gallons. Tragically, no beer samples were available.

Submitted by Hank Ingham


 



 


 



 

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
July 7, 2014

The Club was dark in honor of the 4th of July holiday.

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
June 30, 2014

The meal: meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, salad bar and dessert.

The pledge went by so fast that I missed who led it. The invocation was given by Dr. O’Brian of St. Joe’s who said he was used to doing it.

Ziggy Ziegenfuss, our outgoing president, had his engineer’s cap and engineer’s outfit on for the debunking.

Gregg Gardiner announced that members wishing to sign up for a committee should make their preferences known, or they would be unilaterally assigned.

Hank Ingham was called on to present his usual power point presentation insulting and belittling the President of the club and calling his tenure a train wreck. No insult was spared. It was the cleverest thing anyone had ever seen.

Next was the ceremonial throwing away of the rosters, followed by Nancy Dean presenting Ziggy with a model train.

Then the crowd was invited outside, where someone had parked a cement truck and garbage truck. An ambulance sat waiting. Dave Dillon talked about admitting Ziggy into the Past Presidents club. He said they took a vote, and 73% abstained.

Carlton Nielsen took the mic and made a comment that everyone wanted a piece of Ziggy, so he was going to put him in handcuffs and attach chains to his wrists, and then have the two trucks put him apart. Cooler heads intervened and the two trucks left, but not before the garbage truck hoisted up a garbage can full of unanswered correspondence from Ziggy’s rotary year. When they left we discovered a trolley parked behind them.

Ziggy posed for pictures and then drove everyone around the parking lot. Let’s all do this again soon.

Submitted by Hank Ingham

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
June 23, 2014

Today’s menu: beef stew over rice, deep fried cod over scalloped potatoes, paper over rock, rock over scissors, scissors over paper.  Dessert was chocolate cake. 

Greg Bowen led the pledge.  Dan Heinen gave the invocation.  He asked us to include Wayne Wilson and Paula Patton in our prayers. 

Matthew Owen introduced his daughter Molly who had just returned from a year of Rotary exchange in Thailand.  She had lots of fun, learned a little Thai, and had to leave quickly when the military staged a coup. 

Gregg Gardiner introduced new member Jerry Reece, former owner of McDonalds in Eureka, who is now in the cruise business. 

PP Tom Schallert encouraged participation in Rotary events. 

Ziggy then tried to rid himself of his remaining t-shirts.  Sue Bosch got one for her 58^th anniversary.  Joan Davies got one for visiting the Dominican Republic.  Ray Wickel got one for driving up from Arizona.  Gary Todoroff got one for going to Swaziland.  Kurt Barthel got one for consulting.  He had about 24 shirts left over that will probably end up in a dumpster, so if you see a homeless person in a blue Rotary T-shirt, don’t mistake him for a Paul Harris Fellow.

Our speakers were –Sequoia Park Zoo General Manager Gretchen Ziegler and Foundation President Chuck Dominic who talked to us about their Watershed Heroes project.  It will include their new displays for River Otters, Salmon and Bald Eagles.  The grand opening is July 26^th.  They have some new exhibits: Bush dogs ,a gray parrot, and Yaks.  Their future master plans include adding a redwood canopy walkway. They will also get some additional animals like wolverines, Tamarinds, and kudzu. 

The zoo is now the oldest operating zoo in California.  It’s also one of the smallest accredited zoos.  It’s owned by the City of Eureka.  The city budget for the zoo is $900,000.  Additional revenue comes from the admission fees, snack bar, gift shop and the Sequoia Park Foundation.  They have two fundraisers:  Zootini on August 14^th, and Brew at The Zoo.  Some money comes from ransoming small children who wander away from their parents.  Unclaimed children are fed to the Bush dogs.  (disclaimer:  Bush Dog is not a political statement).  Thank you for reading this far.  You can go now.

Respectfully submitted,

Hank Ingham