So where were we? Oh, yes it's ...
FINE TIME!!
President Mark levied the first fine of the day, noting that Bryan Plumley had submitted a company check for his dues. The problem is that the check was for $8.90, and it was made out to, er, Bryan Plumley. It seems that there were "two green checks in my wallet", and we initially got the reimbursement check.
Finemaster Jessica McKnight took over, and asked Terri Clark about her impending career change. She is leaving the Co-op after almost exactly ten years. When asked about the departure, she confessed, "I have a low tolerance for being referred to as a Nazi."
Scott Heller made a recent "pilgrimage to Las Vegas". Boy, that's a different type of Pilgrim than we usually hear about at Thanksgivingtime. It seems that he took his tricky truck to a trade show there - SEMA (stands for the Specialty Equipment Market Association) to represent the folks who put all the fancy doodads into it. Unlike the majority of the exhibitors, Scott's truck was one of the few that made it to the show under its own power.
THE STATUS OF THE HUMBOLDT BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Loren Sharp is an expert in getting rid of stuff. He has experience in destroying chemical weapons, and he is currently in charge of dealing with the used up fissionable material from PG&E's Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant.
Loren gave us an update on the ISFSI plan for the plant. (ISFSI stands for independent spent fuel installation.) Earlier this year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the fuel load strategy, then they reviewed the dry runs. Loading fuel rods into storage containers began in late July.
There are a total of 390 spent fuel assemblies to be stored. These will reside in five dry casks - 80-ton concrete cylinders with welded tops. Once these are sealed, they are vacuum-dried, decontaminated, and moved out of the reactor by a special piece of construction equipment called a "crawler". A sixth cask is being prepared to contain the reactor's internal equipment and any small pieces of fuel that remain. The first five casks have been placed in an underground vault designed to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake. The casks will remain in place until a permanent storage facility is approved by the federal government.
November 14, 2008 - Part I
SPECIAL DAZE
Bruce LeBel celebrated his recent birthday (November 13th) with a special dinner. But his big news is that he has offered his services to the coming Obama Administration. Maybe we'll hear more on that front soon?
Last Friday was Rob McBeth's birthday, and his plans? "I'm going to a very expensive restaurant," he said, "the Humboldt Brewery."
Joyce Hinrichs was a late arrival, but President Mark still recognized her for her October 14th birthday. Joyce said that in true Sunrise style, it was a birthday month. She was the subject of a surprise party well before her birthday, and later in October, after some traveling, she ran a half-marathon!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Janice Newman provided an update on the activities of our Exchange Student from Denmark, Kasper Troelsen. She said that he finished his performances in "Arcata High Live", the AHS talent extravaganza. Several Sunrisers caught the show. He's headed for Grants Pass (soon or maybe already) to meet up with a friend from Denmark who is also an Exchange Student, based in Roseburg.
Leslie Lawson said that, since the Taste of the Holidays is our alternate meeting this week, and we will be dark the day after Thanksgiving, our time to prepare for Foster the Spirit will be short this year. This is the program where individual Sunrisers provide presents for local foster kids. We'll get the information on our kids at our first meeting of December, and we'll get them to the recipients the following week. Be ready!
Leslie also reminded us that the Foster Care Holiday Party that will take place at the Adorni Center at 5 pm on Thursday, December 4th. She said that the event organizers have asked for about 12 volunteers to help out. Please contact Leslie for details.
The AIBT is not far off, so neither is the AHS Career & College Center Pancake Breakfast! The hotcake happening is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th, and Romi Hitchcock Tinseth has tickets now. Get yours now!
TASTE OF THE HOLIDAYS - THIS THURSDAY!!
The last report said that Scott Heller needs you to turn in your ticket money ... Michael Boreing and his Set-up/Decorating team will begin work at the Community Center at 8:30 am on Thursday ... Jim Maher is still looking for wine pourers ... And if your schedule or religion doesn't allow you to participate on Thursday night, show up at the Community Center Friday morning at our usual meeting time - Chairman Bob will putcha to work hauling stuff back to storage.
SEE YOU THURSDAY NIGHT!!!
Watch for November 14, 2008 Part Two sometime during Thanksgiving Week ... I'll also post photos from Taste of the Holidays.
Bruce LeBel celebrated his recent birthday (November 13th) with a special dinner. But his big news is that he has offered his services to the coming Obama Administration. Maybe we'll hear more on that front soon?
Last Friday was Rob McBeth's birthday, and his plans? "I'm going to a very expensive restaurant," he said, "the Humboldt Brewery."
Joyce Hinrichs was a late arrival, but President Mark still recognized her for her October 14th birthday. Joyce said that in true Sunrise style, it was a birthday month. She was the subject of a surprise party well before her birthday, and later in October, after some traveling, she ran a half-marathon!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Janice Newman provided an update on the activities of our Exchange Student from Denmark, Kasper Troelsen. She said that he finished his performances in "Arcata High Live", the AHS talent extravaganza. Several Sunrisers caught the show. He's headed for Grants Pass (soon or maybe already) to meet up with a friend from Denmark who is also an Exchange Student, based in Roseburg.
Leslie Lawson said that, since the Taste of the Holidays is our alternate meeting this week, and we will be dark the day after Thanksgiving, our time to prepare for Foster the Spirit will be short this year. This is the program where individual Sunrisers provide presents for local foster kids. We'll get the information on our kids at our first meeting of December, and we'll get them to the recipients the following week. Be ready!
Leslie also reminded us that the Foster Care Holiday Party that will take place at the Adorni Center at 5 pm on Thursday, December 4th. She said that the event organizers have asked for about 12 volunteers to help out. Please contact Leslie for details.
The AIBT is not far off, so neither is the AHS Career & College Center Pancake Breakfast! The hotcake happening is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th, and Romi Hitchcock Tinseth has tickets now. Get yours now!
TASTE OF THE HOLIDAYS - THIS THURSDAY!!
The last report said that Scott Heller needs you to turn in your ticket money ... Michael Boreing and his Set-up/Decorating team will begin work at the Community Center at 8:30 am on Thursday ... Jim Maher is still looking for wine pourers ... And if your schedule or religion doesn't allow you to participate on Thursday night, show up at the Community Center Friday morning at our usual meeting time - Chairman Bob will putcha to work hauling stuff back to storage.
SEE YOU THURSDAY NIGHT!!!
Watch for November 14, 2008 Part Two sometime during Thanksgiving Week ... I'll also post photos from Taste of the Holidays.
November 7, 2008
Come to "A Taste of the Holidays"
Thursday, November 20th from 5 to 8 pm
Arcata Community Center
Thursday, November 20th from 5 to 8 pm
Arcata Community Center
Bob Johnson, our Taste of the Holidays Chieftain, said that posters are available for the event. It's coming quickly, so be ready and sell those tickets. Michael Boreing could use help on the day of the event - they'll start setting up and decorating at 8:30 am, and continue until it's finished. Other committees also need your assistance - be ready for a flurry of sign-up sheets at our next meeting. And if you haven't gotten together with your team members to provide a prize for the Dutch Auction, give 'em a call before our next meeting (the last before TOTH).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Janice Newman gave a brief update on our Exchange Student from Denmark, Kasper Troelsen. He took part in the Arcata High Talent Show the last two weekends, playing an original composition on the piano.
If you're planning to attend the International Conference in Birmingham, England (or even if you're just thinking about it), see President Mark. He has all the information and forms for the event.
President Mark also provided a follow-up to our recent meeting with the Arcata Volunteer Fire Department. The City of Arcata approved the lot line adjustment they needed to be able to proceed toward construction of the new Fire Station/Community Facility. They expect to close escrow on the property soon.
Barbara Browning said that there is "room for two more" to
travel to Colima, Mexico for the week of January 9 - 17. If you go, you'll be able to be part of Project Amigo's Vision Week project. Contact Barbara for more information.
Once again, we were reminded that Jessica McKnight is a thespian (at least she "pals around" with them)! She said that the Redwood Curtain Theatre is presenting "Getting It"; a play written and directed by Dell'Arte veteran Jane Hill. For more information on the play, click here. The play will continue through the next two weekends.
Looking a bit farther ahead, Romi Hitchcock Tinseth told us to reserve the morning of Saturday, December 13th for the annual breakfast to benefit Arcata High's College and Career Center. The event, which is held in conjunction with the Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament, this year honors Jackie Foote. Jackie headed up the Center until she passed away earlier this year.
RECOGNITION CITY
Finemaster Jessica McKnight took aim at Your Poor, Defenseless Editor last Friday. And it's all because my band, Two-Car Garage, played at the Halloween Harvest Festival at Redwood Acres recently. I told her that that Festival and the Spring version are regular venues for us now. This time, Kasper and some of his fellow Exchange Students listened for a bit, and got some "sexy" balloon hats.
Janice Newman (who was the likely leak of the above information) was recognized for the adventures of a more well-traveled band - her son Ryan is in a "Roots Reggae" band called "Groundation". The band was featured in the Times-Standard's entertainment magazine, Northern Lights a few weeks ago, and they were scheduled to perform in Denver last weekend as part of their Western States tour. Ryan recently told Janice that he wouldn't be able to make it home for Thanksgiving - the band is playing in New Caledonia. (You head for New Zealand and hang a right.)
Jessica asked Bryan Reeser about his housing situation, and he said, "I already told you about that." But the topic was not Bryan's own house, which is undergoing renovation, but where he is ... "I moved in with Rosebrook," he said. Apparently, a beer or two needs to be replaced?
So far, according to Jessica, Kathy Fraser's grandbaby is "the light of your life". But there is new light on the horizon - Kathy's son and daughter-in-law are expecting. They live in Reno, and they are all very excited. Kathy's daughter-in-law would like her to come visit when the baby is born for, say a month or two.
Brett Johnson was quick to share the news of his new home recently. But he has other good news - he and wife Tracy are expecting their first little one soon!
Bob Moore is a prisoner no more! In early October, he completed a swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco. The feat took only 33 minutes. (Just think how fast it would have been if there had been guards shooting at him.
WORLD INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRIP TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
In August, a party of six traveled to Southeast Asia to attend the dedication of the reconstructed Vangtang Village School in Laos. Two travelers were Sunrisers - Howard Stauffer and Jessica McKnight. The other four were supporters of the cause - James Hitchcock, David Hitchcock, Jeff Knapp, and Sarah Stauffer. All but Sarah were at our meeting last Friday to discuss their adventure.
Funding for the reconstruction project came from the Arcata Sunrise Rotary, the Arcata Rotary, the Eureka Rotary, Bob Thompson and Far and Away Cycling, Hans Eide, and Ben Fairless. The project was handled in three phases: Phase One, which took place in the last half of 2007, was the construction of the foundation. Phase Two saw the building of the walls and roof, which was completed in early 2008. The final phase ended this summer, and culminated with the school's dedication on August 28th.
The original village school could only accommodate two grades; it was dilapidated and had dirt floors. The new facility has room for five grades, and it serves two villages.
The group had many adventures on the journey, which lasted 30 days - mostly traveling via bicycle. However, there was an elephant ride involved. For more details, please check out Howard's account of the trip at
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4109&v=N8
October 31, 2008
The Hallowe'en spirits were in evidence at our meeting on October 31st ... at least we had a line-up of Jack O'Lanterns waiting to be judged. But more on that later.
TASTE OF THE HOLIDAYS
Taste of the Holidays Chair Bob Johnson reminded us that the event is only a couple of weeks away (Thursday, November 20). He introduced his committee:
Visiting Rotarian Kim Bauridel relayed a message of thanks from the Rotary Clubs of Siberia. For several years, Kim has spearheaded the efforts of local Clubs to help the people of the area, and our club has participated. The project includes providing medical equipment to hospitals and support for an orphanage in Minsk.
CRAFT TALK
Rebecca Crow joined our Club recently, and she gave a multimedia Craft Talk last Friday. I read on the screen that she was born October 23, 1973, and her full name is Rebecca Stansel Williams Crow. She is married to Abe Crow, and they have two children - four year old Mary, and Maxx, age two. Rebecca opened her talk with a fanfare ... literally. She pulled out a green and brass mini trumpet/cornet, and let fly.
Rebecca was born in Pittsburgh, and raised in Pepperell, Massachusetts. The family lived there until she was a 15 year old sophomore. They relocated to Pleasanton, California, where Rebecca graduated from high school. Rebecca moved to Arcata to attend Humboldt State, where she became a member of the Marching Lumberjacks. Rebecca's father was an electrical engineer, and she followed in his footsteps, majoring in the subject at HSU.
Following her college graduation, she moved to Baltimore, and worked for MDE. (I think that is the Maryland Department of the Environment, but I'm not certain.) She missed the Humboldt County ambience, and returned to Arcata, where she now works at Winzler and Kelly Consulting Engineers.
FINE BY EVERYONE
Before calling Finemaster Jessica McKnight to the podium, President Mark asked Romi Hitchcock Tinseth about the Foundation Dinner. It seems that she won the big cash prize of $1,000! Congratulations, and by the way, our cut is ...
Jessica had a few things to talk about with John Wesa, though. John submitted an entry in the Jack O'Lantern contest that required a bit of dry ice. Apparently, he had a few pieces left over, because there were many reports of suddenly "bubbling coffee" from tables near him.
Don Andrews was recognized for his daughter Sara's appearance on the special 100th episode of Monk. She played the wife of Eric McCormack (who [SPOILER ALERT!] turned out to be the Bad Guy). Don said that she is also receiving residuals for a Hershey's commercial.
Brett Johnson told on himself, saying that on Halloween (that very day), he would be receiving keys to his new home!
FOUNDATION FINAL FRIDAY
Club Foundation Chair Terri Clark provided a Polio Plus Update last Friday. Our Club has committed to giving $1,000 for the next few years to help the Rotary Foundation's final efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. She cited efforts in Afghanistan, where 1.8 million children were recently immunized, and in Pakistan, where the spread of the disease has been stemmed. Larry Myers, a Past Governor of District 5130, said that "local and governmental resistance" is being overcome, but there are still logistical, geographical, and cultural barriers that are prolonging the fight.
Part of our effort to help all of the Rotary Foundation's great programs is through our Final Friday Foundation Auctions. All of the proceeds go to the Foundation.
The first items last week came from our intrepid travelers to Southeast Asia (who were in Laos to help dedicate a village school that we support), Jessica McKnight and Howard Stauffer. The items were beautiful shawls that were purchased by Jason White and Joyce Hinrichs.
Another item came directly from Vangtang Village, where the Mongkolbury School is located - a woven wicker backpack. This also included a bottle of wine, from this side of the Pacific. Cam Appleton was the high bidder.
Cam was also a donor to the auction, providing a basket of goodies and a large quantity of freshly-pressed apple cider. Joyce Hinrichs provided her second winning bid of the morning!
JACK O'LANTERN CONTEST RESULTS
After the votes were counted, the following individuals were recognized for their pumpkin-carving prowess:
OTHER SPECIAL DAZE
President Mark called on Jacqueline Debets to discuss her anniversary, which took place on September 5th. Her "wonderful husband" Rick Bend treated her to a two-day horseback ride, complete with evening champagne.
Bob and Susan Johnson celebrated their anniversary with a visit to a winery. However, there was also mention of a "white trash trailer", but (this will shock my loyal readers) I missed the details.
Hal and Marjorie Fitzpatrick went out for a lovely dinner for their 36th anniversary, on October 21st.
And, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Bob Goodwin, who turned another year older the day before our meeting.
TASTE OF THE HOLIDAYS
Taste of the Holidays Chair Bob Johnson reminded us that the event is only a couple of weeks away (Thursday, November 20). He introduced his committee:
- Scott Heller is in charge of Ticket Sales
- Michael Boreing is heading up Decorating and Setup
- Barbara Browning is coordinating the Dutch Auction
- Jim Maher is the Wine Tasting Czar (or Tsar, if you're old-fashioned)
- Amy Bohner is corralling the Food Vendors
- Julie Vaissade-Elcock is taking care of Promotion
- Bruce LeBel and Bryan Plumley will jointly harangue you into helping with the Clean-Up after the show
IN OTHER NEWS ...
Visiting Rotarian Kim Bauridel relayed a message of thanks from the Rotary Clubs of Siberia. For several years, Kim has spearheaded the efforts of local Clubs to help the people of the area, and our club has participated. The project includes providing medical equipment to hospitals and support for an orphanage in Minsk.
CRAFT TALK
Rebecca Crow joined our Club recently, and she gave a multimedia Craft Talk last Friday. I read on the screen that she was born October 23, 1973, and her full name is Rebecca Stansel Williams Crow. She is married to Abe Crow, and they have two children - four year old Mary, and Maxx, age two. Rebecca opened her talk with a fanfare ... literally. She pulled out a green and brass mini trumpet/cornet, and let fly.
Rebecca was born in Pittsburgh, and raised in Pepperell, Massachusetts. The family lived there until she was a 15 year old sophomore. They relocated to Pleasanton, California, where Rebecca graduated from high school. Rebecca moved to Arcata to attend Humboldt State, where she became a member of the Marching Lumberjacks. Rebecca's father was an electrical engineer, and she followed in his footsteps, majoring in the subject at HSU.
Following her college graduation, she moved to Baltimore, and worked for MDE. (I think that is the Maryland Department of the Environment, but I'm not certain.) She missed the Humboldt County ambience, and returned to Arcata, where she now works at Winzler and Kelly Consulting Engineers.
FINE BY EVERYONE
Before calling Finemaster Jessica McKnight to the podium, President Mark asked Romi Hitchcock Tinseth about the Foundation Dinner. It seems that she won the big cash prize of $1,000! Congratulations, and by the way, our cut is ...
Jessica had a few things to talk about with John Wesa, though. John submitted an entry in the Jack O'Lantern contest that required a bit of dry ice. Apparently, he had a few pieces left over, because there were many reports of suddenly "bubbling coffee" from tables near him.
Don Andrews was recognized for his daughter Sara's appearance on the special 100th episode of Monk. She played the wife of Eric McCormack (who [SPOILER ALERT!] turned out to be the Bad Guy). Don said that she is also receiving residuals for a Hershey's commercial.
Brett Johnson told on himself, saying that on Halloween (that very day), he would be receiving keys to his new home!
FOUNDATION FINAL FRIDAY
Club Foundation Chair Terri Clark provided a Polio Plus Update last Friday. Our Club has committed to giving $1,000 for the next few years to help the Rotary Foundation's final efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. She cited efforts in Afghanistan, where 1.8 million children were recently immunized, and in Pakistan, where the spread of the disease has been stemmed. Larry Myers, a Past Governor of District 5130, said that "local and governmental resistance" is being overcome, but there are still logistical, geographical, and cultural barriers that are prolonging the fight.
Part of our effort to help all of the Rotary Foundation's great programs is through our Final Friday Foundation Auctions. All of the proceeds go to the Foundation.
The first items last week came from our intrepid travelers to Southeast Asia (who were in Laos to help dedicate a village school that we support), Jessica McKnight and Howard Stauffer. The items were beautiful shawls that were purchased by Jason White and Joyce Hinrichs.
Another item came directly from Vangtang Village, where the Mongkolbury School is located - a woven wicker backpack. This also included a bottle of wine, from this side of the Pacific. Cam Appleton was the high bidder.
Cam was also a donor to the auction, providing a basket of goodies and a large quantity of freshly-pressed apple cider. Joyce Hinrichs provided her second winning bid of the morning!
JACK O'LANTERN CONTEST RESULTS
After the votes were counted, the following individuals were recognized for their pumpkin-carving prowess:
- Coolest - John Wesa
- Creepiest - Glenn Tinseth
- Most Humorous - Kasper Troelsen
- Best Overall - Katie Breyer
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