January 23, 2009

SPECIAL DAZE
President Mark recognized Cam Appleton for his birthday, which (once again) fell on New Year's Eve. Cam said that he went out for a very nice dinner, and he noted that each year "there's always a great celebration". Just remember, Cam - the loudest cheering starts at the end of your birthday.

Lynda Moore's birthday was more recent - Sunday, January 4th. She had some friends over, and they enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather. They went outside and "pretended it was summer".

On January 19th, Brett and Tracy Johnson celebrated their very first anniversary. They also wanted it to feel like summer, so they scooted over to Mt. Shasta for the weekend. Brett said that they had a very relaxing time, especially since he ("literally") forgot his cell phone.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Club Foundation Chair Terri Clark was in San Diego recently for the 2009 Rotary International Assembly. Bill Gates was also there, and he announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would award $225 million to Rotary International to help our fight against polio. Terri said that there are still four countries where polio still exists - Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. For more information on the Gates Challenge Grant with links to more information about Rotary's fight against polio, click here.

Marty Lay of the Southwest Eureka Rotary (he moonlights as Terri Clark's husband) was here to invite us to participate in his Club's upcoming fundraiser. On Saturday, February 28th, they will hold an "Indoor Miniature Golf Extravaganza" at Redwood Acres. The group is seeking businesses, groups, and individuals to sponsor one (or more) of their many (mini) holes. Sponsors are encouraged to participate in the design of their hole - and how often do you get an offer like that? Proceeds will support their many community and international service projects. If you have questions or if you would like to sign up, please call Marty at 441-8855 (work) or 839-2389 (home). The operator is standing by.

Cam Appleton provided an update on the health of Hal Fitzpatrick, who has been dealing with heart difficulties for the past few weeks. Hal is out of the hospital, and is steadily progressing. He was scheduled for an appointment this week at Stanford Medical Center, so keep him and his bride Marge in your thoughts and prayers.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS PRESENTATION


Former Sunriser Mark Gorge and his Daughter Ashley joined us last Friday to accept our Club's donation to Special Olympics - Humboldt County. Our contribution will help the organization continue to serve deserving young athletes like Ashley. In the photo above from right to left, Mark and Ashley accept the $500 check from President Mark and Financial Assistance Committee Chair Randy Mendosa.

FINES BY JESSICA
Our Finemaster, Jessica McKnight, awarded Brett Johnson the coveted Gold Pin last Friday to commemorate Brett's achieving "Bold and Gold" status with the recognition he paid for his anniversary.

Orrin "O.P." Plocher is closer to that exalted status because Jessica caught wind of a recent real estate deal. Orrin said that his company, Freshwater Environmental Services, recently relocated its offices. Previously operating out of the principals' dining rooms and breakfast nooks, the firm now has a home away from home (literally) in Sunny Brae Center.

The theme of relocation was echoed when we heard that the CPA firm of Jackson and Eklund has relocated from Arcata to McKinleyville. Along for the ride were two Sunrisers - Janice Newman and Bryan Reeser. The new digs are near Thomas Home Center, and Janice and Bryan agree that they are very comfortable. They don't have a sauna, but they do have a shower.

Jessica had Bryan continue to stand, and she asked Donnie Rosebrook to rise as well. Now, I didn't catch all of the details, but the two apparently went to a sporting goods show together in Las Vegas. There, they worked "twenty-four hours straight", according to Donnie. At what, I don't know.

Donnie took another trip, and this time he took his wife, Jennifer. They traveled to Pittsburgh to watch the AFC Championship. The bad news? They weren't dressed for the cold. The good news? There was a Macy's nearby. The really good news? They were rooting for the Steelers. Next stop Tampa?

"I know tans fade a bit," said Our Finemaster. But Scott Heller had one, and the vestiges remain. The hue was a by-product of a recent trip to Cabo San Lucas. The trip was rather spontaneous - he and Danette "just decided to get away" for a five-day jaunt.

When Jessica called out John Wesa's name, he groaned, "What now?" And Jessica admitted that the story was a bit stale, but John's photo was in the paper. It was an article about John's show a few months ago at Redwood Memorial Hospital. John doesn't do many shows at hospitals, but the staff and administration at RMH really appreciate the art, and there is a growing sense of community among the artists who show there.

ERIN DERDEN-LITTLE DISCUSSES THE REDWOOD ROOTS FARM
Our guest speaker last Friday was Erin Derden-Little, the Program Director for Redwood Roots Farm. After she graduated from Arcata High School, Erin served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. Erin then interned at Redwood Roots Farm. She earned her Masters Degree from UC Davis before returning to the Farm to develop its educational programs.

The Farm's mission is to serve as a community center and resource, and to cultivate stronger connections between people, their food, and the natural environment. Janet Czarnecki is the Farm's sole proprietor, and her strong background in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) led her to offer shares to others. Shareholders pay between $450 and $550 per year, for which they receive a weekly supply of organically grown vegetables throughout the growing season.

Erin was asked to develop educational programs for the Farm, and she has taken on four major areas: Farm internships, community workshops, youth programs, and education internships.

In her talk, Erin focused on the Farm's youth programs. Her approach is to give young people a hands-on, garden-based learning experience, with a "fresh food emphasis". She also tries to relate the things students have learned in school to a practical environment. To that end, she helps organize field trips to the Farm for elementary school students. She seeks a collaboration with the students' teachers. The Farm's education programs reached about 500 students in 2007 and 475 in 2008. These students are from 12 local schools.

Erin plans to "grow" the program, looking to establish ties with after-school programs, summer school, and community groups. She hopes to build on the students' experiences by scheduling repeat visits that will expand upon what was learned in previous trips. She is also looking to set up a summer camp in the near future.

Erin says that she hopes that children who visit the Farm will be encouraged to make better food and health choices, that they will leave more ecologically literate, that they will be empowered with strengthened life skills.

To visit Redwood Roots Farm online, click here.

Special Quiz from the January 16th Meeting!

Can you identify the owner of these slightly mismatched socks?

Hint - it isn't Julie Vassaide-Elcock - she took the photo! (Thanks, Julie!)

January 16, 2009

SPECIAL DAZE
George Cavinta's birthday was December 29th, and President Mark asked him about it. George said that he had dinner with his wife and some friends. Oh, yeah - he had a cocktail. "A" meaning "one"?

Scott Heller celebrated his recent (January 13th) birthday by skipping the morning's Sunrise Board Meeting, then having a special lunch and a special dinner. "Lots of eating was involved," he said.

Dick Johnson (aka Your Editor) forgot that he had a birthday not long ago - it was December 20th. His son Brody was not much help in remembering the event, but Dick said that a dinner out with the family was definitely a large part of it.

Last Friday was Leslie Lawson's birthday, and she quickly invoked this seldom-remembered Arcata Sunrise tradition: when your birthday occurs on a meeting date and you actually attend said meeting, the fine is waived. Her savings were slated to help fund a dinner at the Sea Grill and a movie that evening. In a few weeks, she and Bette plan an excursion to Tahoe.

Randy Mendosa's birthday was Monday, January 5th. He celebrated by working all day, then taking in an Arcata City Council study session. "Did they sing 'Happy Birthday' to you?" asked President Mark. Sadly, no.

Once upon a time, there was a baby born on New Year's Day named John Wesa. His parents earned a $20 United Airlines gift certificate for their timing. John said that he asked his wife Rita for something special, and as he finished that line, WHOOOOSH!!! He shot flames from his hand over the head of Janice Newman, seriously violating her air space. John showed us the device he used to create the effect, saying, "I'm working on ones that shoot out of other parts of your body."

Michael and Sharon Boreing celebrated their anniversary on January 2nd with a special dinner out and a movie.

Later in the meeting, Kathy Fraser volunteered that on December 28, she and husband Bill celebrated their 38th anniversary. "We only remember it about a third of the time," she laughed. So maybe it's really their 38th year, but only their 13th anniversary?

KASPER KRONICLES
Kathy Fraser reports that our Inbound Exchange Student, Kasper Troelsen is very busy. Almost every night after school he has rehearsals for the upcoming Arcata High School musical. Watch this space for more information about the play.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bryan Reeser said that several members of our Club were on hand to distribute dictionaries to 140 third graders at Jacoby Creek School, Pacific Union School, and Arcata Elementary School.

Amy Bohner told us that our Club received a grant that will help us provide scholarships for the swimming lessons that we are sponsoring in conjunction with HealthSport. The lessons will be twice a week, with each session lasting four weeks. We will offer 16 full scholarships and several partial scholarships.

Amy also said that the Historical Homes Walking Tour has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 21. A signup sheet was passed about at the meeting, and it will probably resurface this Friday.

President Mark said that the Ferndale Rotary is holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, February 7 - a steak and lobster dinner. The event will take place at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds.

The theme for this year's spring fundraiser is DISCO! (Stayin' alive ... stayin' alive ...) As always, this is an all-hands event, and we need each member to sell a table, sell individual tickets, and/or provide an auction item. Live auction items will be valued at $750 or more, and some of these may be smaller items combined with a common theme. Bob Moore is once again the point person for the live auction.

FIELDBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATION
Our Club recently provided $700 to the Fieldbrook Fire Department so they could acquire CPR training mannequins. It was proving to be difficult to borrow this equipment from other agencies, but with our help, they were able to purchase four adult-size and four baby-size mannequins.

PROGRAM: SABRINA DeLASHMUTT OF HOSPICE OF HUMBOLDT
Our guest speaker last week was Sabrina DeLashmutt, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Hospice of Humboldt. Sabrina said that when her mother was dying a few years ago, she did not understand what hospice services were. Her mother was in North Carolina, and Sabrina traveled there to help her as she could. After her mother's death, she learned about some of the services that hospice agencies provide. She received bereavement help from Hospice of Humboldt, and soon found herself volunteering with the group. Not long ago, she joined the staff.

Hospice of Humboldt is 30 years old and serves about 100 patients, half of whom are diagnosed with cancer. Serving those patients are 70 paid staff and about 150 volunteers. The staff includes a doctor, nurses, aides, and social workers. Volunteers often provide respite to family caregivers.

Hospice workers deal with pain - physical pain, of course, but also mental and emotional pain. This help is provided to the patient and to the families. Bereavement counselors help family members deal with their grief, both one on one and in groups.

Referrals to Hospice come from a variety of sources. Doctors and other medical professionals are a common referral source, but family members and concerned friends can also refer patients to the program. Self-referrals are common. The program serves patients who have received a diagnosis indicating that they have six months or less to live. Sabrina said that this is not a rigid rule. If a patient is clearly in declining health or has been admitted to the hospital for a chronic illness more than twice in the past year, he or she may be a potential Hospice patient.

Sabrina noted that most Americans with health insurance have a hospice benefit in their policy. Others may have long-term care insurance. However, Hospice will not turn a patient away who is unable to pay for the service.

There are several ways to support Hospice of Humboldt. Monetary donations are gratefully accepted, as are donations to the Hospice Shop. And you may choose to volunteer, as Sabrina did. For more information, visit the Hospice of Humboldt website.

January 9, 2009

FIELD TRIP TO THE ALZHEIMER'S CENTER
Last Friday's meeting was held on the road again. This time, we traveled to the Senior Resource Center in Eureka. While we enjoyed breakfast in the dining room, the Center's Executive Director provided some background for our visit to the Alzheimer's Center.

Joyce said that the total cost of the project is nearly $4.9 million dollars, $4.3 million of which has already been raised. She told us that the Kresge Foundation has offered a Challenge Grant to help pay the balance. When the Center raises an additional $380,000, the Foundation will provide the remaining $200,000.

Both Joyce and Maggie Kraft, who manages the Adult Day Health Center for the Senior Resource Center, emphasized that the current facilities are doing their best, but the needs of those with dementia are complex. The new facility will have a special lighting system to minimize the variation inside the building, regardless of the weather outside. There will also be indoor walking areas and an indoor garden, and soundproofing throughout.

Other components will help the seniors using the facility to cope. The staff area (virtually non-existent in the current Adult Day Health Center) will be separate from the program areas. In addition, visitors to the building will enter a reception area that is also blocked from the program. Even the kitchen will be set apart, giving program participants a relaxing environment with minimal disruptions.


Maggie Kraft of the Senior Resource Center leads Sunrise Rotarians on a tour of the Alzheimer's Center, currently under construction.

December 19, 2008

SPECIAL DAZE
President Mark recognized Hal Fitzpatrick for his recent (December 2nd) birthday. When asked how old he is now, Hal said that the birthday was "my second anniversary of forty".

Speaking of anniversaries, Craig and Janice Newman recently celebrated their 37th! They went out to dinner, of course, but they did start the day with a Rotary meeting.

THE KASPER REPORT
Our Exchange Student from Denmark, Kasper Troelsen, gave a report on his activities since his last visit to our Club. He and the Newmans have been "decorating like crazy". Janice noted that Kasper was able to place the star on top of the tree without standing on a chair or ladder.

Kasper said that the traditions surrounding Christmas are similar in Denmark, but the traditional dinner is duck with rice pudding. Our Club continued one of its own long traditions by giving Kasper a (yet-to-be-published) Arcata High School yearbook.

PRESENTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Randy Mendosa heads up our Financial Assistance Committee, and he and President Mark presented a check from our club to the Humboldt Red Cross. Executive Director Barbara Caldwell said that the funds would be used to help replenish the local chapter's Disaster Relief Fund, which has taken several unexpected hits lately. There have been "an extraordinary number of fires" recently, leading to an unanticipated depletion. If you would like to make a further donation, visit the chapter's website at http://www.humboldtredcross.org.

Event Chair Bob Johnson gave us a quick update on the Taste of the Holidays. Although we experienced a "significant drop in revenue," he noted, "that was to be expected given the economy". Still, Treasurer Kathy Fraser provided an income report showing that we did net over $10,000 for the event.

The 2008 Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament is now history. George Cavinta said, "The Arcata Tigers won for the first time in 13 years!" Thanks to all who participated. You can still help by purchasing an AIBT t-shirt - contact Lori Breyer for details.

On December 27th, Harry Johnson will be traveling to Mexico to volunteer at Project Amigo, and he hopes to take clothing along with him - children's clothes, new or gently used are sought.

FINEMASTER TIME
Our esteemed Finemaster, Jessica McKnight, asked Chuck Giannini about a not-too-recent trip to Sacramento. Sir Charles said that he visited his grandchildren, but he got another thrill - he got to ride along in a race car. "We did five or six laps at 110 miles per hour," Chuck said. He didn't get to drive, but it was exhilarating. It was also "hot, noisy, and small" in the vehicle.

Terri Clark was in Kauai for Thanksgiving, and while there, she made up at the Rotary Club of Kalepa Sunrise in Lihue. For her travels (and for the fine she paid), Terri is now Bold and Gold, and she has a new magnetic Rotary pin to prove it.

PROGRAM: AHS MADRIGAL CHOIR
The Madrigal Choir made its traditional holiday pilgrimage to our meeting. Director Carol Jacobsen told us that the group will be working very hard to raise funds to participate in a festival this fall in Verona, Italy. In the short term, they will travel to the Bay Area to attend a festival somewhat closer to home.

The group performed White Christmas, No Rocks (Cryin' Out for Me), The Holly and the Ivy, Santa Baby, Cool Yule, and Carol of the Bells.