Volume XI, Issue 16: October 21, 2011

YOUTH EXCHANGE UPDATE
President Scott read a note from our Outbound Exchange Student, Grace Lovell, who is currently in Chile. To catch up with Grace, check out her blog, "Gracie Goes to Chile". A link to the blog is placed for your convenience in the sidebar to the right. Her October 20th post may revolutionize synchronized swimming - check it out!

Last week, the Arcata Noon Rotary Club teamed up with our Club to present information about the Rotary Youth Exchange program at Arcata High School. Cam Appleton said that the meeting went very well, but that we need commitments from two additional host families to participate in the program next year. Arcata Sunrise has hosted and sent students for 18 years, and it's coming down to the wire. If you're interested, please let Cam know right away.

This year, as you know, we have a stellar Inbound Exchange Student - Noëmi Schönenberger of Switzerland. Noëmi said that she had a wonderful week, including a trip to Mendocino with Chuck Giannini and his family. She found that she has a taste for abalone, and (says Chuck) raspberries too. Last Friday, Noëmi was very excited about that day's Homecoming activities - just like she's seen in the movies!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
On Halloween Monday, the Lost Coast Rotaract Club is hosting the Spirit and Spirits Tour. The fundraiser will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the North Coast. The tour will wend through the streets of Old Town Eureka, and you'll be fortified with cocktails en route. There's an after party at the end of the ghost tour, and your $30 contribution covers it all! Contact the Lost Coast Rotaract (707-955-5283 or lostcoastrotaract@gmail.com) for tickets or for more information.

There will be a Pumpkin Carvin' Contest at this week's meeting. Organizer Brandi Easter says that the top carver will receive Paul Harris Fellowship credit for a $100 donation to the Rotary Foundation! Bring your pre-carved pumpkin to the meeting - just make sure that it's appropriate for all ages ... and that it won't explode.

A Taste of the Holidays is coming upon us fast. Tickets and flyers will be available at this week's meeting. 

The annual Benefit Breakfast to support the College and Career Center at Arcata High will take place on Saturday, December 11th. Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth announced that the event is seeking sponsors. For $100, you can help fund a great cause and your business name (or your name) will be emblazoned on the event placemats.

RECOGNITIONS
Chief Sunriser Recognizer Bob Johnson exposed us all to possible vertigo last Friday when he displayed Amy and Steve Bohner apparently floating high above Chicago. It wasn't PhotoShopped, however. The couple were on the glass ledge of the Skydeck of the Sears Tower. The acrophobics among us turned away in horror! Amy then teased us, saying that Alchemy Construction is "entering a new phase ... but it's Top Secret!" From cliffhanger to cliffhanger!

Kyle Visser has become a construction supervisor of sorts. He said that he was involved in "supervising" the building of a new home, which was finished in August. Kyle and his wife Natalie were initially planning to live there, but for now they're renting it out.

Things are very busy at Robert Goodman Wines. Bob said that he hopes to open the restaurant adjacent to the existing tasting room sometime this winter. Bob's family is busy, too. All of his daughters are accomplished dancers, and he has to stay on his toes himself to keep up. "I live in this world of women," he said, "and it can go somewhat badly."

President Scott, flanked by his parents, Mary and Doug Heller
President Scott's parents, Doug and Mary, were here for last week's meeting. Bob Johnson said it was a rare opportunity to learn more about our leader. Mrs. Heller said, "We don't want to embarrass him." To which Bob replied, "Oh, but that's my job!"

Karen Burgesser was meeting with representatives of GHD on her birthday. GHD is the Australian company that recently merged with Karen's employer, Winzler and Kelly. Karen said that the merger is "just amazing" and that the W & K employees are really excited about the change. However, the birthday celebration had to wait until that Sunday, but it was a fabulous dinner featuring halibut tacos.

GUEST SPEAKER JON SAPPER: The Decade of Difference
Jon Sapper was named the Rotarian of the Year by the Fortuna Sunrise Rotary last year, and in his non-Rotarian life, he's the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instructional Support Services for the Humboldt County Office of Education. Jon spoke at our Club some time ago to discuss a potential water project in Tanzania. Our club helped with the project and Jon traveled to the site for the dedication.

Jon spoke to us about the first year of the "Decade of Difference" - the initiative to prepare the youth of Humboldt County for their future. The mission is to prepare these young people for productive lives. The effort begins in kindergarten and involves teaching financial literacy, college and career planning, early literacy in math and reading, and teacher training.

In 2008, a group of employers aired their concern that young people were entering the workforce without adequate preparation. They noted that there were many negative implications in the long term. They said that they needed capable employees who were ready to work.

The initiative has had to contend with several issues:
  • An economy in transition
  • Fewer youth in our area
  • The challenges of the marijuana industry
  • The lack of an economic safety net
  • The problem of school dropouts
  • The fact that too few high school graduates continue their training and education 
The initiative is focusing on the following strategies:
John Sapper
  • Implementing kindergarten readiness and early literacy programs to ensure early success for very young children
  • Preparing students to be successful in careers and college
  • Promoting financial literacy and savings;
  • Actively engaging parents, schools, business, and community members
  • Providing activities that promote creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship
  • Supporting and providing ongoing training for current and aspiring pre-K-12 teachers
Jon said that the initiative has had many successes in its first year. Among these are the launch of the work group made up of 100 members of the community, the placement of 65 early literacy tutors working with 190 children, realignment of career technical education programs, and many youth entrepreneurship activities.

In the coming year, the project plans to continue its focus on kindergarten readiness and early literacy, continue to engage the community, expand the financial literacy and entrepreneurship activities. In addition, they hope to secure additional resources to continue to fund and expand the program.

Jon said that none of this can be accomplished in a short time. Even a year or two is just not enough time to put the needed framework into place. That is why the initiative was termed the "Decade of Difference". Enough time to achieve bold goals. For more information visit the Decade of Difference website.

Volume XI, Issue 15: October 14, 2011

ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 24 - World Polio Day - Support PolioPlus and earn double PHF credit for your donation!
October 26 - 2nd Annual Arcata Sunrise Cross Country Championships
October 28 - RCAS Pumpkin Carving Contest (at our Final Friday meeting)
November 17 - A Taste of the Holidays!!!

And don't forget ... Thursday, October 20th, the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka hosts "Martinis by the Bay" at the Wharfinger Building. Bottoms up from 5 to 7 pm!

RECOGNITIONS
Winzler & Kelly has merged with GHD, an Australian engineering and architecture firm. Two Sunrisers are key members of the W & K team - Rebecca Crow was in attendance, and we'll probably hear from Karen Burgesser at our next meeting. Rebecca told us that although GHD has a global reach, they only had a small presence in the US. WIth the merger, Winzler & Kelly has become GHD's West Coast representative.
Rebecca said that because W & K is "a successful business at the top of our game," GHD was impressed. Since W & K wasn't growing quite as quickly as they had hoped, so the merger was a win-win solution.

What happens when Craig Newman, Harry Johnson, and Brett Johnson set out to sea? Tunas fear for their lives! The threesome went out about 38 miles recently and brought home a mess o'fish. Craig said that they stopped after bringing in 20 because "nobody wanted to clean more". 

Wesa's Ladder
Chief Recognizer Bob Johnson then showed a slide entitled "Wesa Up?", which featured the inimitable John Wesa with his "Jacob's Ladder" (shown at right). These devices have been seen in many science fiction and horror flicks. John says that men and women react to the device differently - women ask what it is for, while men just stare at it. Janice Newman then asked, "So what do you use it for?" John said, "See?" John promised that we would have a live demonstration of the Jacob's Ladder at our Pumpkin Carving Contest on the 28th.

Bob also asked John about his recent trip to Bishop, California. John said that he was in the area studying bristlecone pines. John said that it was a hard trip. "I went alone and camped out in my truck." He was doing research for a project he has planned for sometime in 2012. We'll be watching for it.


Last Friday was Joyce Hinrichs' birthday. She planned to take that afternoon and Monday off to celebrate with her mother and her sister-in-law. The festivities were to include a half-marathon on Sunday.

LEGACY: LIVING A LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE
Scott Hammond was last week's guest speaker. He is the father of nine children and the author of "Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father". Scott is also the Sales Manager for Suddenlink Media for Humboldt County.

Scott said that someday, someone is going to give your memorial service. "What they say at your funeral," he said, "will determine what your legacy is." He asked us what we would want people to hear about us.

He asked us also to consider what makes a great legacy, what our legacy message is, what platform we use to convey our legacy, and what media we use. He also provided some questions to start the process:

"What's your content?" Asking this question, Scott says, is the first key. We have to ask the people closest to us to describe us. Ask them to be very frank and open in answering.

"What's your passion?" What would you do all day long, whether you were paid for it or not?

Scott Hammond
"What is on your goal list?" What things do you hope to yet achieve?

"What is your mission?" Why are your here?

Scott had still more questions for us to ponder:

"Who are your legacy people?" Who listens to you? What are your demographics? What is your role in your communities and family groups? Who do you love? Who do you burn for?

"What's your platform?" Are you a writer? An artist? A talker? An athlete? How do you convey the essence of your life?

"What does your legacy look like?" 

To shape your legacy, you need to ponder questions such as these to find your message, convey it to your audience, via your chosen platform. In the end, you will answer the last question, "Was he/she real, or a phony-baloney?"

Volume XI, Issue 14: October 7, 2011

COMING EVENTS
Saturday, October 15 -  "Hearts on Fire" Foundation Dinner North at Blue Lake Casino. Registration has been extended through the day of the event. As a bonus, the dinner is on the same night as the NorCal Fight Fest. I don't think that former RI President Rick King is participating in the fisticuffs, but he plans to speak at the dinner.
Wednesday, October 26 - The Second Annual Arcata Sunrise Rotary Cross Country Run. Beginning at 3 pm, this event features runners from Rio Dell to Orick, from kindergarten through 8th grade. We need course spotters, finish line officials, award presenters, and other help. Please contact Rebecca Crow for more information.
Thursday, November 17th - It's all hands on deck for A Taste of the Holidays!! Sunrisers, we'll be looking for your help - setup to cleanup and everything in between! It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun. Save the date.

ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH
President Scott announced his selection for September's Rotarian of the Month - Cam Appleton. Scott said that Cam is "a great Rotarian, a great family person, and a volunteer fireman" with the Fieldbrook Volunteer Fire Department. To us, Cam is a Charter Sunriser, but to his fellow firefighters, he's Captain Appleton!

MEET NEW MEMBER DEWEY KIEFER
Last week, we gained a new member - Dewey Kiefer, Sales Manager for Arcata Lumber. Dewey's wife's name is Kathy, and they have two children, ages 12 and 15. Dewey is a graduate of Arcata High School, and he enjoys fishing,softball, and watching professional sports. He was sponsored by long-time Sunriser Donnie Rosebrook, and we're happy to have him in the Club!

President Scott, Dewey Kiefer, and Donnie Rosebrook


















NOËMI UPDATE ...
Noëmi on the Golden Gate Bridge
Last Friday, Exchange Student Noëmi Schönenberger told us that she and her fellow Exchangers from District 5130 descended on San Francisco for the annual Blues Buster trip. The weekend was filled with activities, and the group stayed aboard the USS Hornet, an aircraft carrier. (She noted that the quarters were somewhat tiny.)
Noëmi also attended her first American football game, in which the New England Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders 31 to 19. The crowd was probably more notable than the final score however. President Scott showed a photo of a Raiders "Superfan" in a silver mask, which prompted Noëmi to remark, "There were a lot of crazy people there."


... AND NOËMI'S PRESENTATION
Noëmi was also our featured speaker last Friday. She talked about her home country of Switzerland, noting that it is located in central Europe, sharing its borders with Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, and France. The country is located in the Alps, with a temperate climate that varies depending largely upon elevation.The official languages of Switzerland at German, French, and Italian, and the population is approximately 7.9 million.

Noëmi talked about some global brands that are headquartered in Switzerland, such as Nestle, Swatch, FIFA, and (of course) Swiss Army Knives. The national sport is Swiss Wrestling, or "Schwingen". Other important sports include soccer and hockey. She also pointed out that tennis star Roger Federer is Swiss.

The alphorn is an icon of Switzerland, but Noëmi says that it is very difficult to play. "I tried it myself," she said. Also symbolic of the country are its glaciers, although Noëmi says that there are only a few left today. These remaining glaciers are found high in the Swiss Alps. 

What else is strongly associated with Switzerland? Must be chocolate! Noëmi's uncle owns a chocolate factory (Camille Bloch, which makes Torino and Ragusa chocolates), and she brought samples with her for us to try. This prompted President Scott to say, "This is the best speech ever!!"

Noëmi then told us about her family. Her brother, Yannic, is two years younger than Noëmi, and he is her only sibling. Her mother Daniela is a teacher, and her father Alex is a pilot for Swiss International Air Lines. 

When she returns to Switzerland after her Exchange Year, Noëmi will have another two years before she finishes school. She enjoys sports - especially track, where her specialty is high jumping. (And if you've been reading the Spirit lately, you know that she's very good at tennis, as well.)

RECOGNITIONS
We had a little time at the end of last Friday's meeting, so Bob Johnson was able to squeeze in a few recognitions. He led off by showing a photo of a totem pole of Jack-O-Lanterns! This was in the yard of Karen Burgesser, and sadly, I don't have a copy of the picture. Although the carvings were the work of several people (including Sunriser Brandi Easter, whose entry placed 28th in a pumpkin carving contest), five of the Jacks featured the carving artistry of Karen herself. 

Speaking of Brandi ... She was featured in Bob's Vocational Minute last week. As most of you know, Brandi is a commercial advertising photographer, who "fell into the business" as a result of her nearly lifelong love of photography. From third grade through high school on into college (UC Riverside), she continued to take pictures and improve as an artist. Today, she does photography for businesses and also for artists. Brandi said that she has many great local products and great local artists as clients. Sunriser Rina Brodhag praised Brandi for being so willing to donate her time and talent to many local community organizations, including our own Club and Community Foundation.

Lynda Moore recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. It was not your typical vacation, however. She traveled to and from with the a group of veterans of World War Two from Humboldt County. The trip was made possible by donations to Honor Flight, a national organization that transports veterans to the Nation's Capital to allow them to visit their memorials. Lynda said that the trip was amazing, replete with smiles and tears. "It was very emotional," she said. The group first visited the World War II Veterans' Memorial, which has a huge fountain with stations commemorating each major battle of that war. She said that the vets went to stations and discussed their experiences in those battles. They also visited the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial Wall. On the way home, they sang songs, with an emotional rendition of "God Bless America" close to the end of the flight.