April 23 2018

Burl Report-37th Meeting of the Bruce Smith Presidency

April 23th 2018, promptly starting at 1PM-President Bruce related that today’s program is The League of Women Voters District 4 Supervisor candidate community forum and was being filmed for Access Humboldt.  Because the program would likely last longer than usual, he would be efficient about presenting Rotary business today.

Lunch main courses Sweet & sour pork, Cod fillets.  There were also potato and fruit salad options. Dessert was what could be described as 50/50 cake.

Pledge of allegiance was led by a fellow Rotarian-didn’t catch the name

Invocation was led by Greg Williston.  Kim Bauriedel let everyone know that Jean Shimasaki passed on March 17, 2018.  He also asked for prayer for the East family of the 8 year old child who recently died from drowning at Big Lagoon.  

Birthdays:  Justin Golnick , Jack Rieke and Steve Laufferty

Anniversaries:  Anthony and Maryruth Stubbs.  

Guests:  Lynn Dugaw, Camera people from Access Humboldt (not named), many representatives from League of Women Voters including Byrd Lochtie, Carol Masterson, Kathy Johanson, Becky Simpson and P. Winston.  District 4 candidates, incumbent Virginia Bass, Mary Anne Lyons (Local Educator) and Dani Burkhart (Environmental Planning Consultant).

Announcements:  Matthew Owen Announced that on the previous Thursday Locks and Helmets were donated to a child from the Betty Kwan Chinn Center.  There was humorous banter regarding a no hitter at the Boston Redsocks recently.  The last time that happened was 25 years ago.  The Rhody Parade is set for the coming Saturday between 9AM-12PM.

Sign Smith Raffle Winners:  $1-Ted Loring, $10-Ziggy Ziegenfuss, Gift Certificate to Vista Del Mar went to Brad Mettam, 1st Drawing for the gold was Kenneth Stodder who picked the 2 of Spades and  2nd drawing for the gold was Sean McLaughlin who also did not pull the joker (didn’t see what card it was)

Program:  District 4 candidate community forum moderated by Birdie Lochtie.  Birdie delivered a statement about what the League of Women voters does and explained the rules of the forum.  Each candidate begins by talking about their background and why they are running.  Questions could be written by audience for the panel to answer.  The entire forum with questions asked and answered can be seen beginning Friday 4/27 on Access Humboldt.

Candidate websites:  Virginia Bass www.bass4supervisor.com,  Dani Burkhart www.dani4supervisor.com  and Mary Ann  Lyons  www.facebook.com/maryannlyons4supervisor (no website was found but a Facebook page is present-all candidates for 4th district also have a Facebook Page)  

Meeting ended with sage words from the President Smith at 1:30PM.

April 16,2018

Burl Report-36th Meeting of the Bruce Smith Presidency

Lunch main courses were spaghetti, kielbasa with a potato salad option, and “melt in your mouth” chicken cacciatore.  Dessert was from all accounts was a delicious chocolate s'more bar.

Pledge of allegiance was led by Keith Snow-Flamer

Invocation was led by Greg Williston.  Kim Bauriedel noted that Peter Vallerga is doing much better.  Bruce asked for a moment of silence to support his recovery.

Anniversaries of Rotarians:  George Owren  14 years, Nancy Dean 12 years, and Steve Lafferty 6 years

Birthdays:  Ken Stodder who is 93 and a huge Boston Red Socks fan….also took the opportunity to let the membership know that 4/16 is the “Real” Patriots Day when the famous ride of Paul Revere occurred.

Anniversaries:  Anthony and Maryruth Stubbs.  Tony was not in attendance because he was no doubt either celebrating or finishing his taxes (he is an accountant)

Visiting Rotarians:  Eddie Morgan, Roger Lorenzetti and Lori Dryer 

Guests of Rotarians:  Lane Strope brought Lynn Dugaw, Tom Shallert brought and introduced Kate Willhouse who will be his replacement at the blood bank.  This announcement was confirmed as notice of retirement therefore Bruce indicated a fine which Tom offered $100 for the Paul Harris Fund.

Announcements:  District training in Fortuna this weekend 8-1PM, Nancy Dean brought forward a Times-Standard article that honored students, two of which are interact members Jamie Ann Robbins and Brody Van Vleck. Matthew Owen announced that the next lunch meeting 12:30-1:30 would be League of Women Voters.  Candidates for 4th District Supervisor will be talking about their campaign and vision.  He also talked about the fence removal project along the tracks near the Adorni Center that has been ongoing by Lane Strope and “Done in a Day” participants.  That area will be set aside as part of another dog park.  Rick Littlefield told of Eureka Natural Foods 33rd anniversary and their Earth Day Celebration that will happen at the ENF on Broadway 4/22.  There will be a beer garden and face painting.  Neal Carnum was asked to talk about his recent adventures by Bruce the President.  He has been skiing and Jacksonville, FL and San Francisco.  Bruce suggested these activities might generate a donation to a Rotary cause and at that point Neal offered $100 to Polio Plus.  Carly Announced backpack for kids was not happening this week due to Spring Break but resume the following Thursday at Humboldt Moving and Storage at 4PM.  The lunches will go to Grant Elementary

Sign Smith Raffle Winners:  $1-Matthew Owen, McDonalds-misplaced ticket, $10-Neal Carnum, Gift Certificate to Vista Del Mar went to Bruce Rupp, 1st Drawing for the gold Linda Wise who drew 7 of hearts, 2nd drawing for the gold was Bruce Rupp who drew 3 Diamonds

Bruce called for a show of hands to select President-Elect-Elect as a candidate Carly Robbins.  Majority if not hands raised.  She was present and extended her thanks and honored feelings.

Speaker:  Alana Powell, Executive Director of Humboldt Made and the Eureka Visitors Center.  Offices at the Clark Historic Museum.  Video shown-Queen City of Salt & Fog-A Redwood Seaport.  She explained her role and the functions of both organizations. 

Humboldt Made: www.humboldtmade.com. Is funded by Headwaters and helps young enterprises get established and helps them markets and grow outside of Humboldt County.  They also promote buy local campaigns.  They have 91 members who can benefit from help in marketing, use Logo of Humboldt Made Brand on products, participate in mixers, have access to other members, address common issues like transportation and distribution, and until established can be represented inside Humboldt Made booths at food expositions like Expo West.  Brand is growing and becoming recognizable therefore these spaces are larger.  So far, 17 businesses have taken off and are now nationally distributed.  Top 3 sellers Cypress Grove, Fire & Light, Eel River Brewery.

Eureka Visitor Center. www.visisteureka.com  .  Won RFP from the City of Eureka to be the visitor service at The Clark Historical Museum.  Involved in the following activities of things coming up:  Eureka Friday night Market between 2 & 3 St on E St.  May 18th through October 5-8 PM, Beautification Grand Event-Table of collective dinners 6/30th  2nd Street between E & G, Mural Festival in August where 10-12 murals will be painted in Eureka, and a square dancing festival (there is a large following in Eureka).

Meeting ended with sage words from the President Smith at 1:30PM.

April 10, 2018

The menu was ham slices or turkey rolls, your choice, accompanied by mashed potatoes with ham bits.  The usual salad bar and a dessert of yellow cake rounded out the repast.  Bruce Smith was on assignment, so president elect Brad Mettam filled in.  Rick Littlefield led us in the flag salute, and Matt Messner gave the invocation. 

President Elect 2035

He asked us to remember Jim Hoff and Jim Davis in our prayers. Greg Williston complained that he went to the “Done In A Day” Project location and no one told him that it had been cancelled.  He found another person to help him and they worked anyway.  Nancy Dean, Ken Stodder, and Jay Bahner had their Rotary anniversaries.  Tom Schallert noted that the Bloodmobile was almost ready to be shipped to Africa.  Then it was time for the drawing.  Apparently two Rotaract members came to the meeting last week, pooled their money for five tickets, and drew the joker. No one was that lucky this week.  Our presenter Tony Smithers was from the Humboldt Eureka Convention and visitors Bureau. Their funding comes from the bed tax.  He had other interesting things to say, and then the meeting ended.  You should have been there.

There were 40 Rotarians at the meeting.  I think we need to have a better turnout.

Our President Elect

Rotary Club of Eureka Burl 6-24-2017

Ken Stodder led us in the flag salute and Tom McMurray gave the invocation, mentioning that he thought God is a hound dog and so was our president.  He liked that.   It was Matthew Owen’s last meeting. Keith Crossley came forward to accept a Paul Harris donation from Virginia Bass. There were awards for Nancy Dean and Carlton Nielsen, Rotarians of the Year. 

Matt Murrish got a plaque for delivering  200 Dictionaries single-handedly.  We cruised down memory lane together, remembering the 10.000 we gave To Betty Kwan Chin, the 110 frozen turkeys we gave to the Rescue Mission, and the 40 bunk beds we had put together for The Rescue Mission and Betty. 

Then the Debunking began, led by Jay Bahner.  Will Kay , as Comey, and Paul Brisso as himself accused Matt of not following the four-way test.  Owen was escorted out of the room and came back dressed as Hillary Clinton, the candidate for whom he had guaranteed a win last November.  Chuck Ellsworth had a Trump mask on, and repeatedly demanded that Hillary be jailed. The assembled Rotarians voted him guilty, and he was handcuffed and left the Elks Lodge in the back of a police car, sirens and lights going.

That was it in a Nutshell.

Hank Ingham

Matt Owen dressed as Hilary walks to the waiting Police Cruiser.

Rotary Club Of Eureka June 19, 2017

Boys and Girls Club check

Brad Mettam, loser.

Our Presenters

Matt's Daughter Molly



Paul Harris Fellows

Rotary Club of Eureka June 12th meeting

Three meetings remain (including this one) in the tenure of our esteemed President Matt Owen. Such a pity: we won’t be having another program about the Rose Parade. Jim Davis led us in the flag salute and Carlton Nielsen gave the invocation.

Dennis Hunter

Greg Seiler was recognized for having attended the meeting. We obviously have lowered the bar on recognitions - and attendance for that matter. Al Crnich was celebrating his 69th Wedding Anniversary, John McBeth his 50th, and Alicia Cox was honored for her 15th year in Rotary. “I love Rotary” she exclaimed. Keith Crossley came to the podium to award some Paul Harris Fellowships. Neil Carnam got his 3rd PHF. Michael Cunningham got his 8th. Then Michael’s mother Mary Cunningham got her first. Carly Robbins said that Food For People’s Produce Market is starting up this Thursday. It’s like the farmer’s market, except that the vegetables are free to low income folks. Food For People is located at 14th and Summer Streets in Eureka.

PHF recipients

Recognitions: Ken Stodder $100 for his 3rd great grandson and 3rd great granddaughter, Dennis Hunter $100 for his grandson. Jay Bahner won $50,000 at Blue lake Casino and sold 13 RV’s last week. Not a bad week. Hank Pierson is celebrating his 80th birthday and his son Greg got married -$120. Ilan Firpo brought in a filled change canister. Good for her.

Rosa and Milia

Our presenters were Rosa Dixon and Milia Lando childhood best friends and the owners of Natural Decadence, a wholesale bakery specializing in Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, peanut free, non GMO desserts.

 They started the business because their children had allergies and problems with gluten, and they have been quite successful. 8 months after they opened Whole Foods approached them and asked to carry their pies. Now they have 28 products and distribute to half of the country. Last year business more than doubled. Apparently there is a strong market for gluten free vegan pies, their best sellers. They brought in some samples of their cookies, which were great.



Alicia Loves Rotary

Submitted by Hank Ingham

Captain Hank

Rotary Club of Eureka June 5 th 2017 Meeting

Matthew Owen is down to his last four meetings. Thought you would want to know. Marine Corps staff Sergeant Jason Wattle led us in the flag salute. Dan Heinen gave the invocation. Lots of people have birthdays this month. Wayne Wilson, Frank Yeager, Keith Crosby, and Greg Pierson, to name a few. Keith Crosby, speaking for Paul Harris, thanked Paul Brisso, Don Smullin, and Jay Bahner for completing additional Paul Harris Fellowships.


Clara says goodbye.

Our exchange student Clara from Italy is going on her Western Safari trip soon and then hops on a plane to Italy. She’ll be back to attend college. Matthew is having another “Done In A Day” project this Saturday. 9am at 14th and Williams. Bring a lawn mower. Jack Reike finally picked up his NCAA winnings-$125.00 –for a $1200 investment. Gregg Gardiner came from Hawaii for a rare visit. His wife Cathy is in remission and doing well. Dan Heinen boasted that he had been in Mexico.

Sergeant Wattle

Our presenter was Staff Sergeant Jason Wattle, local Marine Corps recruiter and son of Virginia Bass.(our president’s main squeeze). Sergeant Wattle has spent the last 16 years in 32 different countries including Afghanistan in 2009. He talked about the Afghanis making their own home-made explosives and the various anti-personnel devices they created. He was happy to be stateside and doing recruiting. He said his biggest challenge was getting applicants to pass the urinalysis test. What a pisser. A celebration of Ray Wickel’s life will be held this Saturday 1-3pm at Baywood Golf and Country Club.

Penned by Hank Ingham

Would someone wake Don?