Volume XII, Issue 32: March 22, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President George in his "other" uniform

Fa Sillapajarn, our Rotary Exchange Student from Thailand, told us about another busy week. She had a nice dinner with a friend who was an Exchange Student last year. But Fa didn’t have a lot of time for socializing – she said that, since she missed a week of school during her recent trip to Hawaii, there was a lot of work to catch up on.  Fa is looking forward to Easter, because her host mom, Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth, told her that “we’re going to eat a lot!”

Logan White is our 2013-2014 Outbound Exchange Student, and he will be heading for Italy this summer. As mentioned previously, he has teamed up with two other Exchangers to host "The Places We'll Go!", to raise money for their adventures. Logan said that, due to scheduling conflicts, the event will now take place on Sunday, June 9th. For more information or to order tickets, contact Logan at 845-2922.


The decorations from the Spring Fundraiser were used the following day for Arcata High's Safe & Sober Fashion Show. Students Sydney and Arianna were on hand last Friday to thank us and to let us know that their fundraiser was also a great success.

FUNDRAISER WRAP-UP
Our Spring "Superheroes" Fundraiser was quite a success, Event Chair Dan Johnson told us last week . Although our income was a little below our goal, we did raise a total of almost $75,000. Very impressive for an all-volunteer event! We all owe a great deal of gratitude the other Event Committee members:

• Dan Johnson, Event Chair
• Caley Mitchell, Assistant
• Ceva Courtemanche, Arcata Sunrise Co-Chair
• Kevin Pelascini, Arcata Volunteer Fire Department Co-Chair
• Craig Newman, Ticketing
• Mark Burtchett, Guest Seating
• Sean Campbell, Bar
• Rick Gomes, Bar
• Dan Curtis, Food Preparation
• Frank Toste, Food Preparation
• Arly Allen, Table Service
• Cam Appleton, Raffle
• Susan Jansson, Silent Auction
• Dawn Elsbree, Silent Auction
• Scott Heller, Silent Auction
• Ceva Courtemanche, Live Auction
• Jessica McKnight, Models
• Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth, Models
• Orrin Plocher, Clean Up
• Janice Newman, Programs & Acknowledgements
• Lori Breyer, Cashier
• Bryan Reeser, Permits & Insurance
• George Cavinta, Arcata Sunrise Rotary President
• Dave White, AVFD President & Slide Show
• Justin McDonald, Interim Arcata Fire Chief

In addition, Dan thanked Howard Stauffer for being there to assist with the clean-up on Sunday afternoon.

I know I speak for the entire Club in expressing our great appreciation to Dan for leading us through yet another successful Spring Fundraiser. As he has said, this is the main event that allows us to help so many people, both in our community and around the world. Thank you Dan!


SPECIAL DAYS
March 2nd was Bryan Reeser's birthday, and he managed to celebrate even though his wife was outta town. "I went to the Clam Beach Inn," he said. Evidently, the festivities involved shuffleboard, pool, and Donnie Rosebrook. Under intense questioning from Kahuna Kavinta, Bryan admitted that he had turned 43.

Jacqueline Debets wasn't asked, but volunteered that Friday, March 15th was her 48th birthday. She took the day off to spend time with her family, which included watching (or reading?) "The Gruffalo" with her son Luc.

FOURTH FOUNDATION FRIDAY
On the fourth Friday of each month, we celebrate the Rotary Foundation. Last Friday, Foundation Chair Terri Clark noted, was World Water Day. For many years, the Rotary Foundation has been funding clean water projects around the world. Click here to take a look at one project sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale.

We celebrated Foundation Friday with an auction. As usual, all proceeds are donated to the Rotary Foundation - the amount paid for each item is credited equally to the Paul Harris Sustaining Fellowship accounts of the donor and the buyer.

The first item on the auction block was a three-tier serving stand. It was donated by Julie Vaissade-Elcock, and purchased by Lori Breyer. 

Bob Goodman donated a bottle of his winery's 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was picked up by Bryan Plumley.

An "Enjoy the Redwoods" package was provided by Lori Breyer. The prize, which included a beautiful small quilt of a redwood forest scene, was won by Janice Newman.

A pair of special Sponsor Tickets for last weekend's Redwood Coast Jazz Festival were donated by Jim Maher. Music lover Bob Johnson put forward the winning bid.

The last item of the day was a very large yellow "Zen Bowl" from Fire & Light Originals, donated by Ron Sharp. It was purchased by Rina Brodhag.

A FEW WORDS FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT JESSICA
Jessica McKnight will be taking the reins of our Club in a few months, and last week, she encouraged us to attend the District Assembly. The event is a great way to learn more about Rotary, whatever role you play (or want to play). "There's something for everyone," she noted. The event will take place Saturday, April 6th at Mendocino College in Ukiah, with an introductory dinner the previous evening. Jessica reminded us that the Club will pay for your registration - all you have to do is get there (and there will be some carpool seats available as well). Contact Jessica for more information or sign up online.

Jessica also told us that the 2013-2014 Rotary Theme is "Engage Rotary, Change Lives".  To see RI President-Elect Ron Burton engaging Rotary - Gangnam Style - Click Here!

Volume XII, Issue 31: March 15, 2013

FA'S TRAVELOGUE
Last week, Fa Sillapajarn told us about her recent trip to Hawaii. Fa and other Rotary Exchange Students from District 5130 visited the islands with long-time Youth Exchange supporters Roger and Debbie Coate.

The group had to leave their hotel in San Francisco at 4 am to catch their flight, and "everyone was so sleepy". Fa slept for three hours on the plane, so she was refreshed when they arrived in Honolulu. She said that her room was not ready when they arrived, so she went to the beach, which was "so cool".

Exchange Student Fa Sillapajarn

Her adventures included snorkeling with a group of fish and a huge turtle and seeing dolphins. On the way back from snorkeling, she saw two whales. "It's the first time that I've seen them," she said. "It's like my dream."

The group also visited Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial and a coconut farm (where Fa learned how to open a coconut). They also hiked in the rainforest, where they came upon a waterfall in the rain. Fa said that she got in the water, and it was so cold that they were shaking.

Rain was also a factor later in the trip, causing the cancellation of a planned luau. In lieu of the luau, the Exchange Students went to a restaurant for dinner, and many of the students participated in an impromptu karaoke party.

On her last full day in Hawaii, Fa walked on the beach and saw sea lions. She scared us a bit when she said that she got a tattoo, but she quickly assured us that "it is not real". Whew! It was two coconuts in water and the state of Hawaii. She also had a headband and wristbands made of flowers.

That evening, Fa and the other students went to a show that included a hula dancer. That was followed by dinner ... "Oh - I ate a lot." She had rice, two kinds of pasta, a fruit bowl, fried chicken, chocolate pudding, coconut cake, chocolate cake, brownies, and pineapple.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
"Oh, The Places We'll Go!" is the name of the fundraising event for three soon-to-be Outbound Rotary Exchange Students. They are Rowan McClelland-Bishop, Molly Owen, and our own Logan White. The trio will host a steak and salad dinner on Saturday, April 13th at the Bayside Grange. Tickets are $25 per person in advance, or $30 at the door. There will be live music and a silent auction. For tickets or for more information, call Logan at 845-2922.

Super Kahuna reported that the proceeds from our Club's fundraiser nearly reached $75k. Thanks for all the great work by a mighty group of Sunrisers!

President-Elect Jessica McKnight encourages all of us to attend the "River of Knowledge" 2013 District Assembly, which will take place next month. On Friday, April 5th, there will be an introductory dinner at the Barra of Mendocino Winery in Redwood Valley. The Assembly will take place the next day at Mendocino College. All Sunrisers who attend will be reimbursed for their registration fees for the event. To register, CLICK HERE.
  
Jessica was "fresh back" from PETS (the President-Elect Training Seminar), and she is working to prepare for her Presidential Year. She said that she plans to share all of the results of the recent multi-district survey that many of us participated in earlier this year. She did want to discuss four things:

1. We have a very healthy Club.
2. Membership is an important theme for Rotary, and although the overall numbers have remained somewhat static over the past several years, membership has declined in North America. Jessica asks us to think about the people we know who would make good Sunrisers, and invite them to our meetings.
3. Incoming District Governor Helaine Campbell has challenged all of her Clubs to take on a "green"project involving one of the many rivers in our region.
4. The District Assembly is an opportunity for all Rotarians to learn more about the great organization they belong to.

SPECIAL DAYS
Tuesday, March 5th was Craig Newman's birthday. He celebrated by spending four hours packaging and sending tickets for our Club's Superheroes Spring Fundraiser. He did let down his hair the next day, partying with Janice and their two sons. Michael was visiting from Albany, New York, and Ryan was up from Santa Rosa. Ryan didn't stay long, however - his band Groundation was going back on tour, starting in New Zealand.

As happens most years, Amy Bohner's birthday occurred exactly one week after Craig's. She was out of town for the weekend before, and she continued her relatively new tradition of giving gifts to random strangers. The big news was ... "I AM 40!!!"

LOST COAST ROTARACT VISITS
Last Friday, we received a visit from a group of "Rotarians in training". That was how Savannah Edwards described herself and her fellow members of the Lost Coast Rotaract Club. Savannah is LCR's President-Elect, and she was accompanied by Jasmine, Jessica, Maria, Arnold, Liz, and Ashley. Last week was Rotaract Week, and LCR members had been traveling about, raising awareness of their Club. 

Lost Coast Rotaract is involved in many projects, including helping victims of the earthquakes that disrupted the economy in the Qinghai province of China, participating in Food for People's Backpacks for Kids program, and providing financial support for local nonprofits. In addition, they help local Rotary Clubs with many events and projects, including our own Taste of the Holidays.

The group's fundraisers include their Wine Pull (held monthly, as part of Arts Alive in Eureka), the LCR Softball Tournament (scheduled in late summer/early fall), the Food and Wine Pairing & Art Auction (in October), and Spirits and Spirits: Old Town's Haunted Halloween (also in October).

Savannah asked us to let potential members know that their Club meets on the first and third Fridays of each month at Los Bagels in Eureka. Rotarians are also encouraged to visit. (It counts as a Make-up meeting!) For more information, visit the Lost Coast Rotaract Facebook page.

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITY
Bruce Smith was "drafted" to coordinate the visit of the 2013 Group Study Exchange team from France. The team will be here from May 9 - 26, and Bruce is looking for host families. Ideally, he said, we would have 12 families lined up for the 6 team members. In addition, we would like volunteers to drive the GSE team to its various destinations, and businesses that can provide tours of their operations. 

Bruce is making the rounds, looking for a commitment from each Club of at least one host family and one volunteer. Bruce can be reached by e-mail at bruce@premieradvisor.com. 

Volume XII, Issue 30: March 1, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Logan White is our Outbound Exchange Student for the coming Rotary/school year, and he will be heading to Italy this summer. On April 13th, he and three other Outbounders are raising funds for their Exchanger years by hosting a steak dinner at the Bayside Grange. The event will cost $25 per person, and it will include an auction and live music. Logan said that he and his fellow Exchange Students are "very motivated". For more information, contact Logan by clicking here.

We also heard from Fa Sillapajarn, who is our current Inbound Exchanger from Thailand. She said that there was no school during Presidents' Week, so she had some time off. She said that she went snowshoeing, which was fun but taxing. Fortunately, she received an assist from the family dog to make it up one hill. She said that she was looking forward to Saturday, when the District's Exchange Students planned to gather for a birthday party for a member of their ranks, and to say goodbye to Franco Calleja-Lorenzini, the Rotary Exchange Student from Chile who was injured in a skiing accident several weeks ago. Franco is returning home to continue his recovery. Fa was also looking forward to traveling to Hawaii this week - I'm sure we'll hear all about it at our next meeting on March 15th.
  
SPECIAL DAY
Julie Schaefer's birthday was February 11th, and she was with family, but at a trade show in San Francisco. We provided a belated, but heartfelt and tuneful rendition of "Happy Birthday".

ROB'S RECOGNITIONS
Last Friday's Master of the Recognition Arts was Rob McBeth. He called upon Jacqueline Debets to ask about her impending trip to Australia. She said that the plan to spend about three weeks there, visiting family and doing some diving. Her young son Luc pointed out that a "BOAT!" will be involved.

Rob put up a photo of Jim Maher, at a sporting event. Jim said that it was an Arcata High Girls' basketball game, and he was rooting for his daughter Jaime. The AHS Girls won the game, and they went on to win their first game of the North Coast Section Championships  as well. 

Dick Johnson was asked about a photo of Brody in a tuxedo, with his date admiring him. Dick said that he had taken the picture on the night of the Junior Prom. Brody'sdate was Vivian Harp, who was one of the artists who had worked on our contribution to last year's Pastels on the Plaza. Dick served as the couple's driver for the night, which lasted into the wee hours. 

Tomas Chavez was recently "Living the Dream" - at the ice cream shop of that name in Old Town Eureka. Tomas said that their flavors include Jalapeno Lime and Maple Bacon. 

Lori Breyer went skiing recently "for the first time in years". She was at Mt. Rose, which is about 1/2 hour from the University of Nevada Reno - her daughter Megan's school. Her other daughter Kate was there, along with Lori's husband, her brother-in-law and her sister-in-law. 

Congratulations to Robert Goodman, who was named the Business Leader of the Year by the Arcata Chamber of Commerce. Bob was modest of course, saying, "They must have run out of worthy candidates."

ASSESSING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY
Our Guest Speaker last week was Dr. Don Baird, the Public Health Officer for Humboldt County. Dr. Baird joined us to discuss issues affecting health in our community, and he began by showing a video about public health (click here to access the video).

Dr. Baird discusses "health drivers"

Dr. Baird said that all health issues start locally, and he noted that while our county is ranked high among California counties with regards to our physical environment, we rank much lower in our health outcomes. Most of the health issues our residents and their practitioners deal with are preventable. They are caused by alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and obesity. 

Dr. Baird and the Public Health Department would like you to review the draft of the 2013 Community Health Assessment, and to comment on it. You can access both the Assessment and the Survey by clicking here to visit their website.