Volume XI, Issue 41: May 25, 2012 - Final Friday!

A Moment with Noëmi

Noëmi Schönenberger, our Rotary Exchange Student from Switzerland, had a quiet week leading up to our last meeting. I hope she caught her breath, because she was headed into Memorial Day weekend. If you're in Indianapolis, that means Indy Cars, but in Arcata, we're talking Kinetic Sculptures!! We'll hear her take on the race soon ...

Rotarian of the Month for May

As usual,Rina Brodhag was staffing the front counter last week, collecting money and checking in Rotarians and guests. President Scott walked up to encourage her to be in the meeting area at the start of the meeting. Unfortunately Rina showed her customary dedication, so she  was still counting cash and tallying up guests when Scott named her Rotarian of the Month for May. Scott noted that "Rina only gets to eat half of her breakfast". She also does a superb job as our Club Secretary, and (sometimes) as Scott's secretary. Thanks for all you do, Rina!!

Recognitions with Romi

Last week's Roving Recognitionist was Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth. She asked Barbara Browning about an article that ran in the Times-Standard on Sunday, May 20th on Mind Mapping. Barbara said that Rotary "Kid" Megan Breyer had contacted Barbara to say that the article inspired her to use Mind Mapping to plan her upcoming Graduation Party. 

Romi then launched into a trivia game designed to bring the history of two prominent Sunrisers to the attention of the latest wave. I deliberately used the singular "history" because the Rotarians under discussion met in high school and were married back in 1971. Each served a term as Club President, and both served as Club Secretary. They have two musician sons - 37-year old Michael, and Ryan, who is 33. Of course she was talking about Janice and Craig Newman, who have also hosted 13 Exchange Students and who have attended 7 Rotary International Conventions. Both have been very active at the District level, especially with the Youth Exchange program.

Foundation Final Friday Auction - Part Won

Our first item on the auction block last week was a ginormous plate of cookies, which were donated by someone whose name was not recorded by Your Editor. However I did provide the winning bid, once Auctioneer Bob Johnson saw me fidget.

Angelo Baciagaluppi provided the next prize - a gift certificate valued at $180 for computer/network services from his business, Nylex. Travis Schneider won, and will be tuning up his system in the near future.

One full hour of massage sounds soooooo relaxing ... Ceva Courtemanche was the donor, and Angelo Baciagaluppi was the winner. He may need it after he tackles Travis's computer.

Then came "Romi's Reciprocal Ripper" - a Makita reciprocal saw that was snapped up by Harry Johnson. The power tool came from Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth's toolbox.

Is tequila as relaxing as a massage? Jessica McKnight donated a complete margarita-making package, and you'll have to check with winner Amy Bohner to get the answer.

World Community Services Committee Report

During a break in the auction frenzy, several members of the World Community Services Committee reported on the projects they (and we) have supported this year, Here are the highlights:

• Our Club continued its support of the Mongkol Borei Primary School in Cambodia. Our contribution of $2,000 funds a classroom of 25 students from financially disadvantaged families.
• In collaboration with the Rotary Club of Eureka, we helped purchase playground equipment for children in Tomsk, in Siberia, Russia.
• We coordinated with Barbara Rabia O'Loren and the Roshni Centre for Women to provide a Women's Family Planning Workshop in Pakistan.
• In Cameroon, we provided funds to allow 17 Baku Pygmy children to attend primary school. This was supported in part by a Rotary District Simplified Grant.
• Nine Clubs from Rotary District 5130 (including ours) participated in a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant to provide support for AIDS orphans in Nigeria.
• We supported a microcredit lending program in Colombia, providing small loans to individuals starting businesses.
• Our club rovided fluoride treatments for the children of Cofradia, Mexico with the help of Project Amigo.
• In Botswana, we are working to provide a clean water system for an impoverished village.

The members of the committee emphasized that the reason we are able to do so much around the world is due to the efforts our Club Members make during our main fundraisers - A Taste of the Holidays and our Spring Fundraiser. 

Our thanks to the committee members: Chair Howard Stauffer, Co-Chair Jim Maher, Bryan Reeser, Bob Goodman, Barbara Browning, Jacqueline Debets, Harry Johnson, Rebecca Crow, and Julie Schaefer. (If I missed anyone, I apologize.)

Foundation Final Friday Auction - Part Too 
The second half of the auction began with a bottle of wine, which represented a larger contribution from Travis Schneider. The package also included 3 dozen oysters and a stay at his company's newly refurbished campground on the Eel River. Outdoorsman Bob Johnson was the winner.


The next package was donated by Ron Sharp and Barbara Browning. It was tickets to any show in this year's Dell'Arte Mad River Festival, along with a stay in the couple's guest house in Blue Lake, including a homemade breakfast. Orrin Plocher will be the beneficiary of Ron's and Barbara's largesse, er generosity. 


Two platters of cookies were donated by the Mendosa family. Rumor has it that they were baked over open candle flame during a power failure. One plate was purchased by Ian Schatz, and the other went to Joyce Hinrichs.


Auctioneer Bob Johnson contributed two rounds of golf at Baywood Golf and Country Club, which were snapped up by Dick Johnson.


Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth provided an Earth Bag, which contained an ice cream maker and coffee. The winning bid was made by President Scott Heller.


Our last item was definitely not the least. It was a basket filled with local Humboldt goodies and a $50 gift certificate. Matt Babich won that prize.


Thank you to all who donated and purchased items. With your help, we raised another $960 to support the great programs of the Rotary Foundation!

Volume XI, Issue 40: May 18, 2012

Sunrise, Sunset with Noëmi 

Last week, President Scott displayed a photo of Rotary Exchange Student Noëmi Schönenberger watching a lovely sunset. Although I don't have that picture available, I was able to crib Noëmi's new Facebook profile shot. 

Scott also shared something from Noëmi's Facebook page, and I will share it as well:

  

"A year has passed and now we stand on the brink, of returning to a world where we are surrounded by the paradox of everything and yet nothing being the same. 

In a couple of weeks we will reluctantly give our hugs and, fighting the tears,we will say goodbye to people who were once just names on a sheet of paper to return to people that we hugged and fought tears to say goodbye to before we ever left.

We will leave our best friends to return to our best friends.

We will go back to the places we came from, and go back to the same things we did last summer and every summer before.

We will come into town on that same familiar road, and even though it has been months, it will seem like only yesterday.

As you walk into your old bedroom, every emotion will pass through you as you reflect on the way your life has changed and the person you have become.

You suddenly realize that the things that were most important to you a year ago don't seem to matter so much anymore, and the things you hold highest now, no one at home will completely understand.

Who will you call first?

What will you do your first weekend home with your friends?

Where are you going to work?

Who will be at the party Saturday night?

What has everyone been up to in the past few months?

Who from school will you keep in touch with?

How long before you actually start missing people barging in without calling or knocking?

Then you start to realize how much things have changed, and you realize the hardest part of being an exchange student is balancing the two completely different worlds you now live in, trying desperately to hold on to everything all the while trying to figure out what you have to leave behind.

We now know the meaning of true friendship.

We know who we have kept in touch with over the past year and who we hold dearest to our hearts.

We've left our worlds to deal with the real world.

We've had our hearts broken, we've fallen in love.

There have been times when we've felt so helpless being hours away from home when we know our families or friends needed us the most, and there are times when we know we have made a difference.

Just weeks from now we will leave.

Just weeks from now we take down our pictures, and pack up our clothes.

No more going next door to do nothing for hours on end. We will leave our friends whose random e-mails and phone calls will bring us to laughter and tears this summer, and hopefully years to come.

We will take our memories and dreams and put them away for now, saving them for our return to this world.

Just weeks from now we will arrive.

Just weeks from now we will unpack our bags and have dinner with our families. We will drive over to our best friend's house and do nothing for hours on end.

We will return to the same friends whose random emails and phone calls have brought us to laughter and tears over the year.

We will unpack old dreams and memories that have been put away for the past year.

In just weeks we will dig deep inside to find the strength and conviction to adjust to change and still keep each other close.

And somehow, in some way, we will find our place between these two worlds.

In just weeks. 

Are you ready?"

Helping our Local State Champions!

Our Club recently responded to a request by the Mad River Youth Soccer League to help fund its U14 team, which recently won the State Championship. Next month, the team will travel to Colorado to compete in the Western Regionals. Their record this year is 27-0-0.

Here's hoping that they make it all the way to the National Championship in July! Good luck, guys!!

On the Calendar

• Sunday, June 3: Kids, Crabs, and Rotary at the Arcata Ballpark 
• Friday, June 8: We welcome the Top 10% AHS Seniors
• Sunday, June 10: Orick School Move 
• Friday - Sunday, June 15 - 17: District 5130 Conference in Fortuna  

Jessicognitions

Once again, Ms. Jessica McKnight presided over the Recognitions portion of our weekly meeting, and she called upon her fellow recognitionist, Bob Johnson, to give us the "whether" report from Hawaii. Bob said that he weathered a few crises while he was visiting with his younger son, who is in college there. Aaron had torn up his knee, and it was up in the air whether he would need surgery. That meant that there was a question whether Aaron would be able to attend summer school. While things were being sorted out, Aaron turned 21, so Bob bought him a beer. The results are in - no to surgery, yes to summer school.

Jessica then turned to another Bob (Goodman), who was, in the days leading up to the Humboldt Arts Festival, was filling holes. There were a few rough patches in the area around the Robert Goodman Wine Stage, so the concrete was being poured to make the area safe. Bob also received a second plug for his new Juice Bar, which probably had its best weekend of the year, courtesy of the Festival.

Although he was not a Sunriser when his anniversary took place on March 25th, we still wanted to hear what Angelo and Michelle Baciagaluppi did that day. They occupied the northwest corner table at Moonstone Grill, enjoyed the beautiful view, and celebrated 12 years of marriage. Congratulations!


Ceva Courtemanche's birthday started on May 2nd, but "it's great - it's still going on!" Her husband Doug sent flowers, her in-laws had a party for her, and after the meeting, she was planning to head out to the ranch for the weekend. 

Julie Vaissade-Elcock as part of a multi-birthday celebration. Her daughter's birthday was included, as was her own, and "Mothers Day was wrapped in there" as well.

Mothers Day was also part of Bob Goodman's birthday, since they coincided this year. "Oftentimes I have to share my birthday with Mothers Day." It was not a complaint, however. After all, there was a big party all day long, right outside his business. 


Bob Johnson said of his birthday on May 15th, "It wasn't a month, it wasn't a week. It was Tuesday." It was his first day back on the job following his Hawaii junket. He received greetings from AARP, which would really, really like to count him as a member. 


Jessica continued the "Getting to Know You" program, which allows us to re-connect with long-time Sunrisers. This time her subject was Jacqueline Debets, who is a fifth generation Humboldt resident. She did attend high school in Corvallis, Oregon, but she's back now. Jacqueline has been married to Rick Bend for 12 years, and they have a son - Rotary Kid Luc. 

Jacqueline was a founding partner in Lost Coast Communications, which owns radio stations KHUM and The Point. She now works for the County of Humboldt in Economic and Workforce Development. Her focus for the last few years has been the Prosperity program, now in its "Prosperity 2012" phase. 


She said that in the first phase of the program, they sought input primarily from local industries and identified "Targets of Opportunity". In the new phase, they have formed
19 Citizen Action Teams to come up with ideas for direction. 

Jacqueline reminded us that our local economy "is built by people who are building their own businesses".

Eyewitness News - Dateline Bangkok!
Our featured speakers last week were Sunrisers Terri Clark and Cindy Sutcliffe, who recently attended the Rotary International Convention in Bangkok, Thailand. The threesome (which also included Terri's husband Marty Lay) arrived a day early, and visited the House of Friendship. It was a relatively peaceful visit, compared with the next day - after about 30,000 additional Rotarians arrived.

Cindy said that in Thailand, "Orchids grow like weeds." To which Terri added, "That's because orchids love hot, humid weather." It was Orchid Season the whole time they were there. We saw many photos from the Conference, featuring luminaries such as RI President Kalyan Banerjee, and the Chinese Magician (with his 40 or so masks). 

The Opening Ceremonies featured a procession of flags from every Rotary country, and the featured speakers were wonderful and inspiring. They included Angelique Kidjo, a singer-songwriter from Benin, who has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 2002, and who also founded the Batonga Foundation, which helps create educational opportunities for African girls. Another impressive speaker was Gillian Sorensen, who serves as a Senior Advisor at the UN Foundation, responsible for outreach to non-governmental organizations. Other presentations that moved Cindy and Terri were given by Dr. Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank, a pioneer in microcredit lending, and Hugh Evans, a 27-year old humanitarian, and Amanda Martin, a former Rotary Peace Fellow.

Terri and Cindy reported that the End Polio Now initiative, which sought to raise $200 million by June 30th of this year, achieved its goal almost two months early. This qualifies the program for a match by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but don't put away your checkbooks - we still have "this far" to go.

Our Traveling Sunrisers met with our Inbound Exchange Student for the coming year - Fa Sillapajarn, and they also visited with the a former Exchange Student who had been sponsored by the Southwest Eureka Rotary Club. The remainder of their sojourn included touristy stuff like visiting the Grand Palace and viewing Buddhas both Gold and Reclining.

Volume XI, Issue 39: May 11, 2012

The News From Noëmi
Noëmi Schönenberger, our Rotary Exchange Student from Switzerland, recently received the Arcata High School Senior Award for "Best Personality". Julie Vaissade-Elcock can attest to Noëmi's winning personality, as they recently traveled to Las Vegas together. President Scott tried to ask, but Noëmi said, "I went to Vegas and I can't talk about it." But she succumbed to the Presidential Pressure eventually. She said that they had a great time, taking in the sights including the fountains at the Bellagio Casino. They also went to the Phantom of the Opera stage show and the Titanic exhibit. They even had time to do a little shopping!


Introducing the Newest Sunriser, Ian Schatz

Joyce Hinrichs, Ian Schatz, and Cam Appleton

Last week, we welcomed a new member into our Club - Ian Schatz. Ian's classification is Alarm and Security System Operations, and his Sponsor is Cam Appleton. Ian is the Operations Manager for Advanced Security Systems. He manages their Central Monitoring Stations, and coordinates staff and implements software upgrades and standard operating procedures. He is also responsible for special projects, field training, and the office staff.


Ian is a graduate of both Arcata High School and Humboldt State University, and he and his wife Elizabeth have two daughters - Jasmine, who is 18 years old, and Brianna, who is 15.


Ian is a hiker and mountain biker who also enjoys swimming in our local rivers. His other interests include audio and video production and performing musical theater.


Coming Distractions

Wednesday, May 23   Freshman Mixer

Friday, May 25          President Scott's Last Final Friday

Sunday, June 3          Kids, Crabs, & Rotary

Friday, June 8           Arcata High School Top 10% Graduating Seniors
Sunday, June 10        We help move Orick School!

Monday, June 11       GSE Team in Eureka

Friday, June 15         District Conference begins in Fortuna

Friday, June 22         The last meeting that is under President Scott's control

Friday, June 29         We Debunk President Scott

Friday, July 6            We are Dark (No Meeting)

Friday, July 13           President George Cavinta takes over ...

Announcements
Cam Appleton read a letter from our Outbound Exchange Student, Grace Lovell. Grace is in Chile, and she said that she recently moved offshore to Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island. While there, she hopes to learn how to scuba dive. For more information, check out Gracie's blog - the link is in the column to your right.

President Scott reminded us that next month's District Conference is "virtually free", since it will be held in Fortuna. Don't miss the celebration!

Jessica's Recognitions!
Since Bob Johnson was in Hawaii, Jessica McKnight took the podium for Recognitions. She said that we have many new members who weren't around to hear the Craft Talks of the "old, crusty members". Although she's not crusty, Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth was selected for an update last Friday.

Romi said that, although she was born in Hollywood, her father's midlife crisis brought the family to Humboldt County. He initially hoped to live off the land, but "fortunately, there was an opening at HSU for a professor. The family moved in time for Romi to attend Arcata High, and then Humboldt State.

While at HSU, Romi was playing Ultimate Frisbee when she met her husband Glenn Tinseth. The couple moved to Corvallis, Oregon to work at Oregon State University. They have two wonderful daughters, Skye and Zoe.

Romi is back at Humboldt State working as an Outreach Coordinator, a role she loves. She gets to tell prospective students the wonders of attending HSU. She says that the biggest hurdle is the university's lack of recognition; as she put it, "H - S - Who?" She traveled a lot in the past year, but she said that everytime she would drive home, "my heart would flutter".

Jessica told Romi that "you really exemplify 'Service Above Self'". As part of their transition from Oregon back to Humboldt County, the family spent a year volunteering at Project Amigo in Colima, Mexico.

Guest Speaker Gabrielle Parkinson of the United Way
Gabrielle Parkinson has been with the United Way for about four years, and she was on hand when the local UW organization merged with United Way of the Wine Country. The organization is based in Santa Rosa, but it continues to have a strong presence in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties - the region that Gabrielle is responsible for.

Gabrielle said that she was also involved in the United Way about 20 years ago, but the current organization has a new focus. It looks at the needs of its communities and areas that can be strengthened. The agency concentrates its efforts in three areas: helping young people achieve their potentials through education, helping families and individuals become financially independent, and improving the health of the people it serves.

United Way's "Schools of Hope" program was launched in 2010 to help raise the level of literacy of our children. There are 19 schools in Humboldt County that participate in the program, and Gabrielle said that the number will increase next year.

The Redwood Community Action Agency has partnered with the United Way in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA assists those with low to moderate income help preparing their taxes. Certified volunteers help these families and individuals get the most out of their returns.

Gabrielle also told us that the Community Switchboard, which has served our area for many years, will soon transition into the statewide "211 California" program. This will allow 24/7 access to operators who are trained to assist callers with non-emergency referrals and information.

She also let us know that the local VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) group will meet at the County Office of Education on Tuesday, June 12th from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. They will discuss ways to augment existing disaster relief funds. Gabrielle said that this group is a good fit with the spirit of Rotary.

For more information, visit the United Way of the Wine Country website.

Volume XI, Issue 38: April 27, 2012

Rotarian of the Month

President Scott announced his selection for Rotarian of the Month for April last Friday - Brenda Bishop! Brenda has worked tirelessly this year, scheduling (and sometimes rescheduling) our weekly programs, and she worked hard on A Taste of the Holidays. Great job, Brenda!!

Announcements

Attention would-be Visiting Rotarians and/or Guests: Our Club will not be meeting at our usual venue this Friday. Instead, we are holding Fireside Meetings - our annual planning sessions held in the evening with small groups. Please join us next week, as we resume our regularly scheduled programming ...

As is our tradition, our farewell party for Exchange Student Noëmi Schönenberger will take place at the annual Kids, Crabs, and Rotary celebration at the Arcata Ballpark on Sunday, June 5th. For those who are unfamiliar with the event, we invite Little Leaguers from throughout Humboldt County to join us for the Humboldt Crabs' Opening Weekend. The Sunrisers serve hot dogs and other picnic treats to the kids (and the players) as we celebrate the beginning of the baseball season.

Recognitions With Bob Johnson
Bob was finally able to catch up with Rotarian of the Month Brenda Bishop. He had heard of an "altercation" that had taken place at the Sacramento Hyatt not long ago. Brenda said that she was staying at the hotel for a gathering of California Welcome Center officials, and she wanted to take photos of the beautiful architecture in the neighborhood, including the State Capitol Building. So she took her camera with its looong telephoto lens to the top of the hotel and began shooting. Apparently, the State Police thought a different type of shooting might be taking place, and soon they had Brenda surrounded. They told her to drop the camera, but her reply was, "Are you kidding? This is a $3,000 lens!" So she ever-so-gently laid it down, and no one was hurt. 

Attorney Mark Bruce was paired with District Attorney Paul Gallegos for a recent career talk at a local elementary school. Mark said that he does what he usually does when young people express an interest in becoming lawyers. "I try to talk them out of it. I don't need more competition!"

Lynda and Michael Moore celebrated their 27th anniversary on April 20th. The couple enjoyed an anniversary weekend in Willow Creek.

Barbara Browning's birthday was April 23rd, and she celebrated with a small party that involved pizza. The next day, she held a painting party, which provided a good start for the project.

Bob's Entertainment Update included a few items that have now passed their freshness date (including his own announcement about the Living Rooms performing at the Robert Goodman Tasting Room last Friday). However, it did provide an opportunity to let the world (or at least Our Club) know that Bob Goodman has also opened a Juice Bar that also serves sandwiches. Check it out when you can ...

Foundation Final Friday!!
Susan Jansson and Kathy Fraser were recognized for their generosity. Susan received recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow for her contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Kathy was already a PHF, but her additional donations allowed her to name her husband Bill as a Paul Harris Fellow as well. Congratulations and a "Tip of Paul's Hat" to both Sunrisers!

Kathy, Terri, and Susan

Foundation Chair Terri Clark said that this year's Rotary International Convention will be held from May 6th through the 9th in Bangkok, Thailand. She and her husband Marty Lay plan to attend - it will be Terri's 10th Convention and Marty's 5th. She advised us to begin saving for the next one, which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. Terri says that the Conventions are a great experience.

As part of the Foundation Final Friday Experience, we held an auction last week. All of the proceeds are donated to the Rotary Foundation.  Half of the amount of each winning bid is credited toward the donor's Paul Harris Sustaining Fellowship, while the other half goes toward the buyer's Fellowship.

Laura Montagna provided a set of books on the history of Humboldt County; the winning bidder was Kathy Fraser. Kathy also donated a prize - a gift certificate for a pair of shoes from North Soles Footwear. The winner was Jessica McKnight.

Rotary Kid Mary Crow said that she wants to earn her own Paul Harris Fellowship, and she got her start by donating a plate of home-baked cookies that were purchased by Your Editor (and they were delicious). Rina Brodhag brought a crafty gift of six note cards in a paper crafted objet d'art. Frequent bidder/purchaser Joyce Hinrichs topped the bidding.


Janice Newman donated a set of three CDs, each of which featured one of her two sons (Ryan and Michael). Music lover Terri Clark snapped those up quickly. Orrin Plocher brought a wooden motorcycle model that had been crafted by his father. This piece of Plocher-Art was purchased by President Scott.


Brenda Bishop said that the California Welcome Center, which houses the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, offers the works of many local artists and craftspeople. She donated two birdhouses created by Linda Miller. One was purchased by Rebecca Crow, and the other went to Ceva Courtemanche.


A tote bag containing several hair care products and a pricey hair dryer was provided by Julie Schaefer. When President Scott passed, Donnie Rosebrook provided the top bid. Dan Johnson donated a cast iron skillet filled with barbecue goodies such as Buffalo Bark and a baster. Susan Jansson won that package. Ron Sharp donated the final auction item of the day - a framed landscape photo in conservation framing. Karen Burgesser took home this lovely prize.


In all, $1,100 was raised in support of the Rotary Foundation's many great programs.