April 25, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

Lunch: Stir Fry with Chicken or Tofu

63 degrees and overcast at meeting time.

President Carlton Nielsen was absent, President elect for 2012-13 Nancy Dean called the meeting to order. Carol Riche led the Pledge and Dan Heinen led prayer

There were no visiting Rotarians, no student guests, and our exchange student Gabriel was on vacation in the Bahamas. And yet here I am, taking notes in Eureka. Sigh.

Mary Johnson brought a guest, Nick, the new Safeway Pharmacy Manager.

Mike Cunningham brought a new to the area attorney, Arthur Nielsen.

Birthdays and Anniversaries are in the book, congrats to all.

From May 6^th-8^th, the district conference will be held in Reno. 2-for-1 drink coupons and $5 in free slot play are available to anyone interested in going.

Today's Presidential Hat: Fisherman’s Fisherwoman’s Cap.

Dan Heinen’s youngest daughter was married recently. He likes the in-laws and sent the happy couple to his timeshare in Cabo for their honeymoon. $100.

John Fullerton and Mike Cunningham were each fined $30 for being accountants. Seems cheap to me, and most likely deductible.

Craig Hansen had a new house built, which took 15 months. After a dizzying recitation of various numbers associated with the project, he was fined $48.50.

PROGRAM

Lori Dengler is a geology professor at HSU and a world-renowned Earthquake expert. She heads to Japan in a few days and reminded us that in the event of an earthquake, we are all going to die there are a few things you should remember.

First, stop, drop, and roll until the fire is out. Drop, Cover, and hold on while the shaking is still going on. Assuming you have maintained bladder function, try and count how long the earth moved. Over 20 seconds and there is going to be a tsunami.

Lori pointed out that since we meet at the Wharfinger, we should walk, to prevent traffic jams, and to head toward Broadway, to avoid being killed. Lori says the tsunami can strike in 8 minutes and that the trip to Broadway is a ten minute walk. At this point the mathematically inclined club members began inching closer to the door.

Dr. Dengler also said that to avoid a tsunami, you should stay dry. I should have gone for my PhD, this stuff is so easy!

To lighten the mood, Lori suggested that in the event of a real emergency, “no one will come to save you,” and “you should have a weeks worth of food on hand.” Thanks Doc!

Fred Griffith asked a long question about either living at Target or using low income housing to block the oncoming wall of water, and the meeting ended 4 minutes early.

--Gambling Interlude—

$10 GP, $10 JMcB

Respectfully Submitted,

John Harper

April 18, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

Flag Salute and Invocation

Fred Whitmire led the pledge of allegiance and Ryan Fray the invocation.  

Guests of Rotarians

Club President Carlton Nielsen’s brother Erik Nielsen and his girlfriend Inese Krole graced our meeting, Lowell Maffia was the guest of Mary Johnson and Nick Bertell attended with Stacy Lane.

Visiting Rotarians

Our only visiting Rotarian was Kathy Philp from Fortuna, guest (and wife) of Gary Philp.

Student Guests 

Our exchange student Gabriel Umidon arrived safely in the Bahamas.

Announcements

Nancy Dean represented our club at the local science fair and commended the event and its sponsors.

Kim Bauriedel introduced Doug Lanning as our newest Paul Harris Fellow, after giving a bit of the history on the Paul Harris Foundation.   Currently the Foundation collects about 100 million dollars annually to relieve poverty, increase literacy, provide health care and support many other causes.

Eric Bergel says we will soon be getting two female exchange students: one from Norway and another from Brazil. Both are musicians and quite young at age 14 years.  He would like to find more host families.

Tim Gallagher reclaimed his lost credit card from President Nielsen (apparently without fine). 

Recognitions

Bill McAuley survived the tax season and arrived at Rotary only to face a fine; but he argued that he should get a credit for showing up the same day that Brian Papstein was speaking. Fine was reduced from $30 to $20.

Jason Eads did very well in a recent cook-off of the California Barbecue Association. He was pleased, as were the judges, with his ribs, chicken and other savory animal body parts.  That’s $80 Jason.  He decided to complete his second Paul Harris Fellowship.

Birthday

Ken Stodder turns eighty-five this week and assured us that he was not there when Paul Revere rode to warn his neighbors. 

Program

Brian Papstein needs no introduction to our club and soon found out that a majority of our club have either spoken, advertised or been associated with Eureka Broadcasting. In radio there are two distinct separate customer bases: listeners and  advertisers.  These two have little or nothing to do with one another—at least on a personal level.  Radio should provide a slice of life, and while no station reaches “everybody,” because each has to try to find its niche in terms of music style, age group, ethnicity, every station hopes to reach somebody.  Brian says that today’s radio stations are often doing a delicate balancing act between free speech and politically correct mandates put forth by the FCC.  A lengthy question and answer period ensued.  E.g., How do they know how many listeners they have in our community? Surveys by Arbitron and others, says Brian.  The average American spends about three hours per day listening to their radios and Brian spends many more keeping Eureka Broadcasting on the air and serving the community. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price

April 11, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

Jesse Clair led the flag salute and Tom McMurray offered a prayer, giving thanks for our many freedoms and all those who uphold them.

Visiting Rotarians

None.

Guests of Rotarians

Nick Bertell was a guest of Stacy Lane.  Michael Kraft was a guest of Gregg Foster, Thomas Mulder a guest of Joe Mark, Ron and Kat Combs were guests of Dave Kuta, and Eric Bergel’s guest was Brian Gerving.

Announcements

Greg Pierson said that the information from the Fireside talks will be very helpful when his regime begins and if we haven’t participated already he would like us to sign up by contacting him or his father Hank. 

 




Pat Folkins thanked Scott Guild for serving as our NCAA auctioneer and President Carlton for buying many losers. Winners will be announced and paid next week. 

Bob Palmrose celebrated his 80th Birthday today....Happy Birthday, Bob!

Gregg Gardiner talked about the honor flight program for WWII Vets.  Gregg, Keith Crossley and Steve Justus are putting together a fund to assist those whom Tom Brokaw called “Our greatest generation.” These funds will allow vets to visit the WWII Memorial, which was recently completed in Washington, D.C.  About a thousand WWII vets are dying every day, so time is of the essence.  Seventy applications have been received from our area so far; 150-170 applications are expected. Some more funds could be used for this project.

Mike Martin recently returned from a gold digging adventure, having found some rare and precious coins.  He was given a bright and shiny disc from President Carlton for $60. Thanks Mike.   




Jim Howard made a donation of $100 which this author believes goes to the vets.

President Carlton, sporting a hat from the Rotary Club in Siberia, encouraged those who no longer look like their picture to get a new one. 

Delicious oysters were passed around while we were all getting and receiving fines, softening us up for the coming presentation on those tasty shellfish.

Program

Greg Dale is General Manager of Coast Seafoods Company. He addressed the club on the tools and trials of his trade. Dale claims the oyster industry actually brings money into the county as opposed to pot that circulates it within the county. Oysters are environmentally friendly and sustainable, having been used as a food for thousands of years. Native Americans farmed them early. The indigenous Olympia oysters that were native to our area were pretty much wiped out by San Francisco’s appetite for the tasty (and expensive) things. Oysters have been raised in Humboldt Bay since about 1910.  More success came after 1950 when the Eastern oysters replaced the native oysters.  In the 1950’s Japanese oysters came across the Pacific; these oyster “seeds” were propagated in Humboldt Bay around 1955.  Roger Smith built oyster racks in the 1960’s and within a year they all fell over because they were eaten by worms.  Later versions of the rack were pressure treated.

Amazing BBQ'd oysters enjoyed by all during Greg's presentation.

In the 1990’s the oysters were switched from bottom culture to long-line culture because keeping them off the bottom allows a better harvest. Most of the oyster sales from Humboldt are within the US, but they are also shipped to Singapore, Japan and Korea.

The French eat a lot more oysters than Americans and have a better love life according to Greg.  There are currently forty-nine employees working in oyster beds in Greg’s business and Greg said nothing about their love lives.

In order to grow, Greg says his industry needs continued good water quality and a stable regulatory environment--neither are easy to come by. But, Greg is still excited about the potential to expand the oyster business in Humboldt by allowing bids for expanded oyster
beds.

According to Greg shellfish improve the estuary health by serving as the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Our city and county have spent a lot of time improving the quality of water in Humboldt Bay so that oysters can be grown.   Dale closed by thanking the city and county for placing a high priority on keeping our bay clean and healthy and thus a good area to grow oysters.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price

April 4, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

Lisa Slack was called upon to lead the pledge.  Ron Pierre gave the invocation.  His message was “There’s a lot of good in the worst of us, and a lot of bad in the rest of us.” He looked meaningfully at our president when he said “worst”.   

Kim Bauriedel then came up to tell us that a new district governor had been selected.  Kim had applied for the position, filed the paperwork, and done the interview.  Then, he said, God sent him a message.  The day he was to go to Ukiah the big slide happ

ened.  The committee picked Lane Campbell of the Sebastapol Club to be DG, and Kim said it was probably for the best as he was a little OCD for the DG position.   

 

George Owren asked for help in stuffing “Backpacks for Kids”.  He needs volunteers on Thursdays at 5:15pm.   

 

President Carlton reminded the club that Firesides will be held this week and next.  He is hosting one on 4/12 and said “If you don’t like the current administration, don’t come.”  I wouldn’t put out too many snacks, Carlton.   

Carol Rische granted $2,500 to Mobile Medical Office.  Terri Clark Exec Director and PDG accepted the check that was for training staff.   

The parade to the podium continued with Gregg Foster introducing Michael Craft accepting a check for $500 for junior achievement.   

The president frisbeed Mike Downey his blue badge.

Gregg Gardiner introduced Jessie Klair, new Rotarian and owner of McDonalds in Eureka at 4^th St, Arcata and McKinleyville.  He came to the US at 13, learned English, got a job at McDonalds and worked his way up from clerk to manager of 19 locations.  He saved his money and bought his own stores.  He is living the American Dream.  The rest of you are slackers.   

 

Dennis Hunter gave the PP speech.  Tom and Tess Schallert brought their daughter Monica up, and endowed her with a Paul Harris Fellowship.   

John Gierek Jr. broke his string of non-attendance to make the announcement.  John had a baby six months ago, and said he was too embarrassed to attend because he had stretch marks.   

President Nielsen then forgot the drawing for the second week in a row, and asked Murl Harpham to introduce our speaker, Bill Gillespie, interim chief of the Eureka Fire Department.  He proceeded to relate the history of the department.  In 1864 the department was created.  The first piece of fire fighting equipment was “The Torrent” a hand pumper.  More efficient steam pumpers followed.   In 1903 they installed a citywide fire alarm system.  Back then; firemen worked a 72-hour shift.  Now days they work 48 hours, and then get 96 hours off.  The Eureka Fire Department shares resources with the Humboldt Fire Department.  He said Measure O had helped his department maintain its workforce.   

Carlton then concluded by asking if we knew any astronauts, headhunters, muleskinners, dominatrixes, or spider monkeys that would make good Rotarians.  Stacy Lane informed him that all the spider monkeys had joined the Southwest club because it was the “fun club”. (not true, Hank!  lol)  Meeting over.

 

Submitted by

Hank Ingham

March 28, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

New member Mandy Nash was asked to lead the pledge.  Ryan Fray did the invocation.   He noted that internet pioneer and advocate Chris Crawford had died.  

Eric Bergel announced that the search had begun for six families who would be willing to host the 2 exchange students that will be coming shortly.   

George Owren will be heading up the Backpacks for Kids Program.  He needs volunteers too.   

NCAA update:  Nobody bought VCU, so it belongs to the club.  Scott Guild bought Butler for $25 (but spent $400 on other teams)  Corky Cornwell bought Kentucky at $175.  Carlton Nielsen bought Uconn for $150 but invested a total of $800 in the contest.   

Stacy Lane came up to the podium to refresh the club’s memory about http://eurekarotary.blogspot.com, which is the latest step in the evolution of the Burl.  Each week is available on the web.  Bookmark the address to keep up on meetings you have missed.  Printed copies will now be available next to the badge box for those who are internet challenged.  It is read by people all over the world, from Siberia to Senegal.  If you wish to be a Burl writer, there are openings.  No one, of course, is as talented as I am, but don’t let that stop you.   

Carol Riesch plugged the Senior Resource Center’s home delivered meals program.  As a fund raiser, three local restaurants have pledged 15-25% of their sales on certain dates to “Meals on Wheels”.  On April 5^th 5-9pm it’s Las Cazuelas in Fortuna.  On April 10, 4-9pm it’s the Plaza Grill in Arcata, and on April 20 5-9pm Hurricane Kate’s in Eureka.   

Two blue badges were recently awarded to Mandy Nash and Anthony Antoville.   

Carlton donned his fining hat, an ill-fitting homburg that once belonged to Hobart Brown and proceeded to honor six Rotarians who had been members for 50+ years.  Jack Morton, Dick Nash, Charlie Strope, Walt Shimasaki, Al Crnich and John Winzler.  If you assume that they attended every meeting and adjust for inflation, that’s $44,200 each for meals.  Add 21,600 lame jokes by the presidents of the club and throw in $7500 in fines and it’s a wonder that they didn’t defect to the Elk’s Club (which I understand has very good food).  He then held up a Rotary banner from Denmark and said that Martin, last year’s exchange student sent it because his relatives had all joined Rotary Clubs as a result of his experience here.  Then he announced that next week’s meal will be lutefisk in honor of Martin.   

Tom McMurray introduced our program speaker, Dr. Elias Malki.  He was born in Lebanon and became a US Citizen by choice.  He speaks Arabic, Hebrew, and obviously, English.  He hosts a Christian television program that is broadcast from Cyprus and reaches 20 million viewers.  As a result of the program he is very well know in the middle east and has talked with many world leaders.  He is an expert on the politics of the region.  95% of those living in the “fertile crescent” are now Muslim.  Christians are discriminated against, even sent to “reservations” (Iraq) . Iraqi Christians have declined from 2 million to 500,000.  He has written a book called “Ambassador of a Higher Power."  Call Tom McMurray to order a copy.   

Carlton then closed the meeting by reminding us of the following classifications are unfilled:  Sturgeon wrangler, Cleavage Instructor, Dervish, Wheelwright, and Assassin.

Lutefisk:  A dried whitefish prepared in lye.  Lutefisk is made from cod is notorious in Scandinavia for its powerful and offensive odor.

Respectfully submitted by 

Hank Ingham

March 21, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

Harley Smith was chosen to lead the pledge.  Being a head taller, he was hard to miss.  Greg Williston did the invocation beginning with “Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.”

 It was noted that long time Rotarian Bob Dedikam had passed away just short of his 82^nd birthday. Paul Brisso came up to the podium to recall Dedikam’s skills as a business attorney, and then asked for a moment of silence in remembrance. 

Saturday March 26 is a workday for volunteer Rotarians –getting Cloney Field ready for baseball season.  Call Gregg Gardiner for details. 

Eureka High Students students (and cousins) Sunny & Betty spoke to the group about the school's AVID program.

Former Rotary exchange student, Paula Willi, returned for a visit.  She thanked the club for allowing her the opportunity to live in our community and stated how the improvements she made here with her English has now allowed her become an international flight attendant with Swiss Air.....a very delightful girl indeed.

Carlton (yes, he’s still president) became a ‘cheese head’, donning the yellow plastic chapeau particular to Green Bay Packer fans.  It was no surprise to the crowd, who thought he’d been a cheese head all along. 

Larona (La’ Raw’ Nah) Farnum was recognized for recent favorable press about Timber Ridge in the Times Standard. $55. 

John Winzler was finally recognized for his firm’s new building.  He asked for mercy, because the firm was moving out a building he owned into one built by someone else.  Awww-let’s take up a collection.   He added that he was about to be recognized as Boy Scout Citizen of the Year.  Carlton sold him DVD worth $130. 

Then it was time for the drawing, which goes to fund the Humboldt County Science Fair.  Nancy Dean attended the annual ceremonies, and learned that our county has the highest number of science fair winners per capita in the state.  Money well spent. 

Our program speaker was Brent Ferguson of the Humboldt County Animal Shelter.  He said the shelter was built in 2004 when the Sequoia Humane Society got out of the animal control business.  They have housed 14,703 animals since them, and only euthanized 3%  (441).  That’s an excellent track record, especially since the facility is located next to a shooting range. Volunteers keep the rate down, moving animals to other shelters if the pound gets too full.  Stray animals and adoptable animals are featured on www.petharbor.com.  If your dog is missing, check the site.  Adopting a pet from the shelter is simple....a few pages of paperwork, an ok from your landlord, and $65-148 for a dog, $65-100 for a cat.  That includes spaying or neutering, de-worming, micro chipping, and a temperament test. Then they do the same thing to the your pet.  Remember, “Teaching a child not to step in dog doo is as valuable to the child as it is to your carpet…”

Faithfully submitted

By Hank Ingham

March 14, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

President Carlton and yet another interesting hat!

Don Smullin led the pledge of allegiance and Dan Price the invocation encouraging us to remember our friends in Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami.

Matt Messner  introduced Gary Hays from Rotary club Thailand and Kelly Lehman was the guest of Greg Bowen. 

Tim Gallagher introduced James Barnett and Nicole Castanzo with Youth Relay for Life (May 21-22).  They urged us to make donations to the event which has raised many thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. 

President Elect Greg Pierson said our District Assembly is coming up April 1^st (no joke). Greg also encouraged us to sign up for Fireside Chats so that he can receive input for his term as president.

 

Steve Justus’ wife Deborah is recovering well from a stroke and broken wrist.  Steve commended St. Joseph Hospital for its compassionate care. Steve offered to pay another $190 toward another Paul Harris Fellowship.

Ken Stoddard’s grandson is going to send him to the poor house for winning the St. Bernard’s MVP for football and basketball and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.  Ken earned a Rotary coaster.

Brian Papstein took the podium and began the bidding for the NCAA tournament, which proved fun and went a bit slower than usual due to a few empty seats in the middle of the Wharfinger Building.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price