SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

NEXT MEETING: September 22, 2015

Noon – Soda Center, St. Mary’s College

Program: Lawrence Kohl

“The Arts in Lamorinda”

Greeter: Frank May

~~CLUB MEETINGS COMING UP ~

Sept. 25 – Golf Outing at Diablo Hills Golf Course Sept. 25 – Monthly TGIF Social at Mary Cabari’s Home (2 Woodford Dr. Moraga –Across from Campo) *Sept 29 – Dr. Michael J. Barrington discusses his 10 year experiences as a missionary in Africa and his new book “The Bishop Wears No Pants” *Oct. 6 – TBA **Oct. 13 – TBA Evening Meeting at 6:00pm *Oct. 20 – Frank Darling “ Grand Jury at Work” *Oct. 27 – Devon Brogan “The Richmond Neighborhood Project” *Regular Noon Meeting ** Second Tuesday Evening

Guests Michele Robbins – New minister of St. Mark’s Methodist Church

and Guest of Cliff Dochterman Ellen Clark & Ben Noble – Guest speakers from Town of Moraga

Ron Schopke – Guest of Louise Schopke Sue Breedlove – Orinda Rotary Club

CLUB MEETING ACTIVITY In the absence of our peripatetic president Roger, the meeting was convened by Past President Debbie Roessler. The

greeting and thought of the day, attributed to Marco Polo, was presented by Kevin Reneau. Debbie reminded us that there

is a wonderful new exhibit at the Blackhawk museum on the “Spirit of the Old West.” It is worth seeing. She also advised us that the Lamorinda Rotary Club will be sponsoring a “Garage Tour” to see excellent equipped private workshops on Sunday, November 1st. Ron Mucovich, expressed appreciation to Moraga Rotary for

supporting the Serbian Church 50th Anniversary celebration. He also announced that the annual Serbian Food Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3rd from noon till 10:00pm.

FUN AND FELLOWSHIP Gary Irwin started off the Happy Bucks with $20 to brad on

his Family who live in British Columbia who have become dual-citizens of USA and Canada! (See picture and story on last page.)

Angelo Costanza had High Five bucks for Cal’s victory over

San Diego State at last Saturday’s football game! Cal is now 2 and O. Debbie Roessler found a Happy Buck to acknowledge

Queen Elizabeth’s birthday and the fact that she is the longest serving king or queen of England. Frank May shared a High Fiver in two special ways – a visit with Ron Julian who is recuperating from breathing problems

and who is very concerned about the forest fire refugees who have lost their homes; and a special welcome to Sue Breedlove from the Orinda Club. Lad Lynch had a big $10 for the first two victories of his UCLA

Bruins to launch their football season! Barb Bruner cheerfully gave a High $5 for her concern about

all of the families who are victims of the huge Lake County forest fires and the hope that many of her friend’s homes may still be standing! John Erickson reported on a recent visit with George Renworth, now living in a retirement home. He noted that a

memorial bench has been placed in Miramonte Gardens in memory of Pat Renworth. The lucky green ticket was held by Al Simonsen; but alas,

the white marble eluded him!

PROGRAM OF THE DAY

Our program today provided a better understanding of the issues related to community discussions of the “hillsides and ridgelines” of Moraga. The speakers, Ellen Clark, Moraga Planning Director, and Ben Noble, an open-space consultant

for Moraga, presented a very comprehensive explanation of the complexity of the meanings of the land-use ordinances of Moraga. Open-space and land-use has long been regarded as a significant measure of the quality of a community. Within the Moraga community there have been various disagreements over the years on land use, scenic corridors, growth projections, ridge lines, building density, road development, geology stability and other features. The current options are being considered on these issues and other hillside regulations. Ben Noble discussed the current regulations and various

proposed guidelines related to: 1. Ridgeline protection; 2. Remediation of high risk areas and potential geological hazards; and 3. View-shed protection of scenic corridor properties. The speaker explored many examples of the potential guidelines under consideration. It was an interesting presentation on a current community concern.

E-WASTE COLLECTION ON SATURDAY Moraga Rotary’s next e-waste collection day will be held this Saturday, Septembr 19 at the McCaulou’s parking lot in Moraga Shopping Center. Rich Render is again supervising

the event. Workers are needed! As usual, beverages and donuts always seem to show up.

A FEW EDITORIAL COMMENTS “Thank you,” is such a simple little term of appreciation, but

how often it is so neglected or just never said. In a Rotary Club there are so many volunteers who seldom receive a sincere word of “thanks” for their many efforts. At a Rotary Club meeting it is easy to observe how many people never bother to express appreciation to our guest speakers for freely giving their time. We seldom say, “Thanks” to those members who come early to set up the meeting room; collect the lunch money; give the invocation; or even serve our luncheons. Even our club president could use a word of encouragement occasionally. I’m sure everyone appreciates the kind words of “Thank you,” once in a while. I recall an evening in Evanston, Illinois when I was world President of Rotary International, when I frequently just ate dinner alone in the Orrington Hotel dining room. At a nearby table about a half dozen seniors were enjoying their dinner. I happened to notice an older man choking and gasping for air. It was obvious that he was having some serious difficulty in getting his breath. All of the guests around his table were just looking at him in dismay. I got up from my table and walked behind him, picked him up from his chair and performed the Heimlich maneuver a couple times. Out popped a chunk of roast beef from his throat. Nobody in the group said a word. I placed the gentleman back in his chair and went back to my dinner table. Soon, the group finished their dinner and left the dining room. I wondered if I would be charged with assault for holding an absolute stranger around his chest. Later I thought about that experience. Certainly, I didn’t get up to help the choking man for the purpose of receiving appreciation from the group. But in retrospect, it would have been nice if just one person at that table had expressed the simple words, “Thank you.” Volunteering is seldom done for the purpose of receiving appreciation – it is done because there is a worthwhile task to be performed and a volunteer is ready to do it. We all know that there is a lot of willing volunteering done in Rotary. Consequently, when said with sincerity, a “Thank you” is a very nice and thoughtful way to express our gratitude to those who make a Rotary Club run so smoothly. Perhaps we all might do it just a little bit more.

HOW MANY ROTARIANS IN THE WORLD? A report this week from Rotary International Office in Evanston showed that on August 31, 2015 there were 1,220,253 Rotarians registered in the world. This is an increase of 10,722 members since our new Rotary year began on July 1, 2015. We are always pleased to welcome these new members into the fellowship of Rotary.

Food Drive for Fire Victims

Lamorinda Rotary will be conducting a food drive at Safeway Store on Sat. Nov. 21 to solicit $10 bags of food for forest fire victims. Volunteer helpers are needed.

Our Club will also have a collection of money for fire victims in Moraga on Saturday, September 26. Get details at next week’s Club meeting!

Rotary Day at the Golden Gate Fields

The 9th Annual Rotary Foundation Day at Golden Gate

Fields will be held on Saturday, November 21st. Gates

open at 11:00am and lunch begins at 11:30. First race

starts at 12:45pm. Sign up with Frank May since tickets

are limited. The cost is $40 per ticket which includes valet

parking, a wonderful buffet lunch in the clubhouse and

admission to a great day at the races. Six hundred

Rotarians attend from 30 Clubs. This has been a popular

event for our club members over the past few years.

Golden Gate Fields donates 10% of ticket proceeds to The

Rotary Foundation!

Moraga Rotary Golf Tournament Outing The Moraga Rotary Golf Tournament at Diablo Hills 9 Hole Golf Course in Walnut Creek will be on Friday, Sept. 25. Check in at 12:30 and play at 1:00 (expected 2 to 2 ½ hours). Cost is only $28.00 with cart! This fun golf course is just North of John Muir Hospital. Call Herb Wehmeyer (925 376 9478) for your sign-up. That evening is the TGIF Social at Mary Caburi’s home, too!

Rotary Family Fun Day at Six Flags

District 5160 Governor Ken Courville announces a Rotary

Foundation “Family Fun Day at Six Flags Amusement Park,

Vallejo on October 3rd. Park admission from noon to 10 pm.

Costs $40 with $5 dollars of each ticket going to the Rotary

Foundation. Kids age 2 and under are free. All you can eat

picnic lunch including hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked

beans, watermelon, ice cream and soda is served in the private

picnic groves from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Ride the new

“Daredevil Chaos Coaster.”

Moraga Chamber of Commerce Golf and

Tennis Tournament

Moraga Chamber of Commerce invites us to the Fourth Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament at the Moraga Country Club on Sept.

21st– with an auction!! (One of our favorite things!)

Golf: $170 includes practice range, lunch barbeque cart, refreshments, prizes, taco bar/drinks and auction. Shotgun start at noon and the round will include several challenges at different holes. Registration begins at 10:00 am @ the Reception area of the clubhouse.

Tennis: $75 includes refreshments and challenges throughout the tournament, prizes, taco bar dinner and drinks at the Clubhouse, and entrance to the auction. Registration begins at noon with play beginning at 1:00 pm. Registration at the courts.

THIS AND THAT ITEMS

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION MEETS

HIGH STANDARDS A report was recently received that The Rotary Foundation

has earned a 4-star rating by the Charity Navigator for the

eighth straight year! The Charity Navigator is considered

the largest and most prestigious independent evaluator of

nonprofit organizations in the United States. This rating

system places The Rotary Foundation in the top 2 percent

of all U.S. based charities. The President of the Charity

Navigator advised Rotary International that “Receiving four

out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization

adheres to good governance and other best practices that

minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently

executes its fiduciary obligations.” This information is

encouraging as many Rotarians continue to make The

Rotary Foundation one of the recipients of their annual

charitable contributions.

ROTARIANS AT CALIFORNIA

INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL Seen hobnobbing with screen-star Tab Hunter at the

opening of the Independent Film Festival at the Rheem

Theatre last week were Lou & Debbie Roessler, Marv &

Joyce Ellenberg, Dianne Wilson, Herb Wehmeyer and

Mary Caburi. Thanks to all who supported the highly

regarded local Film Festival!

VOLUNTEERS HELP ORINDA ROTARY Orinda Rotary annual deluxe Car Exhibit had three entries

from Moraga Rotary – John Erickson, Lou Roessler and

Tony Schoemehl. During the evening “Dancing with the

Cars Dinner”, Frank May, and John & Mary Sue

Erickson volunteered to help as highly experienced bar-

tenders. Sue Breedlove, Past President of Orinda

Rotary, thanked all who helped our Rotary neighbors!

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES Barb Bruner reported that we have about 35 more books

to take to the Contra Costa Juvenile Hall library, thanks to

the efforts of Evie Michon. Also, we have arranged again

for Moraga Rotary to provide student-edition magazines for

the children in local schools. The 3rd and 5th grades

students will receive National Geographic and the 4th

graders will receive Time Magazine. Besides the Moraga

schools, the subscriptions will go to the Canyon School

and a deserving low-income school in Oakland.

SCHEDULED GREETERS & INVOCATORS

9/29 – Doug Damaschino

10/6 – Al Simonsen

10/13 – Dianne Wilson

10/20 – Peter Metzer

10/27 – Tony Schoemehl

11/3 – Debbie Roessler

11/10 – Mike McCluer

11/17 – David Kruegel

See Herb Wehmeyer to schedule and sign-up for your

future greeter/invocator opportunity.

DID YOU EVER WANT TO VISIT THE UNITED

NATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY? Each year Rotary International sponsors a program at the

United Nations building in New York. This year “Rotary

Day at the UN” will be held on Saturday, November 7th from

9:30am till 4:30pm. In addition, The Today Show that day

will feature Rotary International’s polio plus program at

6:30am in Rockefeller Center. Other side events are

available for Friday and Saturday evening. This annual

event is a very special occasion and worth the trip to New

York. You can find some information on www.riunday.org.

Acting President Debbie Roessler presents polio vaccine

donations to speaker, Ellen Clark in appreciation for an excellent

program.

Ben Noble explained many of the options being considered by

the Town of Moraga for preserving open-space and ridge lines.

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS Sept. 19 – E-waste Recycling Sept. 25 – Club 9-Hole Golf Tournament at Diablo Hills Golf Course & TGIF Social at Mary Caburi’s Home Sept. 26 – Collect donations for Fire Victims in Moraga Center in front of Safeway Store. Oct 3 -- Rotary Family Field Day at 6 Flags Nov 21 – Rotary Day at Golden Gate Fields Dec 8 – Moraga Rotary Christmas Party Mar 12, 2016—A Nite at the Races

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-16 at the

President………………………………………….Roger Gregory President-elect …………………….……….........Kevin Reneau

Past President………………………………….Debbie Roessler Secretary……………………………………........ .Kevin Reneau

Treasurer…………………………………………….... Lad Lynch Community Service Chair…………………......Barbara Bruner

New Generations.…………………………………...Rich Render

International Service Chair………………….Tony Schoemehl Public Relations ………………………………..…… Gary Irwin

Membership…………………………………….......... Frank May Director at Large…………………………….….. John Erickson

Director at Large ………………………………..Marv Ellenberg Director at Large……………………………… Cliff Dochterman

Director at Large ……………………………………...Linda May

President, Rotary International………Ravi Ravindran District Governor…………………….……Ken Courville

Assistant District Governor………………Mark Roberts

Newsletter Editor for September – Cliff Dochterman

Gary Irwin shared the news that his family members, living in

Vancouver, have become dual citizens of USA and Canada. He had a few Happy Bucks to note the occasion! Here the happy family is pictured with the Citizenship Judge. Darren Irwin, a

Biology Professor at the Univ. of British Columbia is pictured with wife, Jessica and daughters, Maja and Anna.

Kevin Reneau opened the meeting with a rather obscure quote from Marco Polo to the amazement of Acting President Debbie Roessler. In the background Tony Schoemehl and Al Simonsen check smart phones for accuracy of the quote!

LAST WORDS After a long day on the golf course, my foursome stopped in at a “Hooter’s” to have some hot wings and a cool beverage. The Hooter’s waitresses were, of course, very attentive to giving us excellent service. After being there a while, one of my friends asked, “Which one of these Hooter’s girls would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?” I told them, “The one who knows how to repair elevators!” I guess they thought that I’m just old, tired, and don’t get out a lot any more.