Volume XIII, Issue 11: September 19, 2014

On The Calendar
October 2 - RISE EVENT - Chamber Mixer at the Blue Lake Casino - 5:30 pm
October 3 - HSU Homecoming Parade - 4 pm 
October 4 - Rotary Foundation Seminar at the Monday Club in Fortuna - 10 am to 2 pm
October 4 - RISE EVENT - Tailgate Party at HSU before the Jacks take on the "Hardrockers" from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - 3 pm to Game Time
October 11 - Adopt-A-Highway - meet at the Coastal Nature Center at 9:30 am
October 16 - New Member Social - Plaza Grill - 6 pm
October 23 - Arcata Sunrise Cross Country Championships
November 1 - RISE EVENT - Foundation Dinner North in Crescent City 
November 20 - A Taste of the Holidays

Announcements
President Barbara was unable to be with us for last Friday's meeting, so our peerless and fearless leader was Terri Clark!

Mozara at the Brewery

Terri asked Mozara Abdalla, our Exchange Student from Brazil, whether the beverage in this photo was a beer. It was not, but Mozara did attend our Club's RISE Event just over a week earlier, which was a tour of the Mad River Brewery. Mozara also said that she planned to attend the AHS Football game later in the day. 

Mozara's Word of the Week was "chuva" which is Portuguese for "rain" - a timely term!

Terri Clark tells us that it's a great job, and we know that she did a great job in the role - nominations are open for District Governor, and Rotary Past Presidents are encouraged to apply.

Recognitions and Confessions
Acting President Terri said that when she was President of the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, the Club had a tradition of allowing its members to confess fine-worthy information when the regular Finemaster was not around. Although we no longer assess fines with our recognitions, Terri offered us the opportunity to unburden ourselves last Friday.

Joyce Hinrichs told us that her daughter Kayla was in Baja California as Hurricane Odile was approaching. Joyce said that the situation "was pretty harrowing". Americans were being advised not to go to the airport, because authorities "didn't want a mob scene". But since there was no other way out of the area, and since the hotel had run out of water and food, Kayla and her group went. She was able to board a Southwest plane to Los Angeles. Joyce said that she was thankful that Kayla was able to safely return to the US.

Maggie Kraft told us that her friend (and former Sunriser) Marylee Bytheriver is fighting cancer. So Maggie has been taking care of Marylee's garden on the weekends. She said that people passing by compliment her on how beautiful the garden is. After explaining to many of them that it's not her garden, she's just taking care of it, etc., etc., she decided to save time and just thank them for their compliments. She invited others to join her last Sunday. Scott Heller added that the Community Service Committee has been looking at this type of activity for small-scale projects, so there will be more opportunities in the future. 

Special Daze
Ray Noggle was asked how he and his wife Holly MacDonell celebrated their 4th anniversary on August 21st. "I took my wife to the Sushi Spot and met the District Governor," he said, "which was fantastic, since no one in the group here took him to dinner." When DG Kevin noticed that Ray didn't have his Rotary pin on, he asked why. Ray explained that he had taken it off in the car, and Kevin asked, "Why???"

Carol and Steven Vander Meer had dinner at Moonstone Grill for their anniversary. "Did you have a corner table?" asked Terri. "We did," replied Carol.

Jeff Stebbins coached a soccer game on his (and wife Rachel Chandler's) 17th anniversary. They decided to defer the celebration until the following day. Their situation is complicated each year since their anniversary falls on September 6th, and Rachel's birthday is the following day.

Karen Burgesser said that her husband Steve is in charge of their anniversary dinner each year. Karen told us that her only stipulation is "I've ruled out McDonald's". This year, Steve heard about a "really good deal" at a local restaurant; they had a very good time.

Joyce Hinrichs and Stephen Watson deferred their 29th anniversary celebration. Joyce said that she remembered, but Steve "totally forgot". They planned to attend the Giants vs Padres game this weekend as a present to each other.

Weather (and other) Warnings!
Our featured Speaker last Friday was Troy Nicolini of NOAA's National Weather Service in Eureka, who talked about preparing for various natural hazards we face in our area.

Troy said that sneaker waves are the "number one natural hazard killer in Humboldt". These are ocean waves that catch people off guard, with life-threatening consequences. When you walk near the ocean, you may be lulled by the rhythm of the waves. About every five to twenty minutes, a larger wave will occur. This happens because most of the waves cancel each other out; that is, the energy from one incoming wave is usually dissipated when it meets another wave. 

However, when the energy from the second wave is added to the first wave, the strength and height of the combined wave is much greater than the preceding waves. This produces a sneaker wave. 

Watch out for That Sneaker Wave!!

Troy said that more sneaker waves seem to be generated when the tide is rising, but the phenomenon occurs throughout each day. He warned us not to be fooled when the ocean seems calm. He also cautioned us to avoid steep beaches, rocks, and jetties; keep a close eye on children when you are near the ocean; never turn your back on the ocean; and don't go into the surf after your dog.

Of local weather-related natural hazards, the most dangerous is hail. "Pea-sized hail," Troy told us, "a half inch thick on the road gets people in trouble around here." The Weather Service has joined with CalTrans and the Highway Patrol to educate drivers about the danger, and what to do. If you find yourself on a hail-covered road you should:

• Ease off the gas pedal
• Don't slam on the brakes
• Avoid over-correcting

Troy made the distinction between chronic and acute hazards. River flooding, like the floods of 1964, are acute problems. Another was the tsunami that hit Crescent City, also in 1964. That tsunami was generated by a distant earthquake. More destructive but less frequent is a tsunami generated by a local quake. The last local example occurred about 300 years ago. 

If another locally-generated tsunami occurs, Troy said that our warning will be the shaking itself. In the event of a major earthquake, drop, cover, and hold on. Don't head for the door until the shaking ends. When it's over, you have about 20 minutes to get to high ground. "Everybody is surprised how far you can get in 20 minutes." Once you reach high ground, stay there, since the waves may continue for hours. 

Troy closed by encouraging us to prepare for the next earthquake. If your home has a post and pier foundation, you should reinforce the connection between house and foundation.

Also, he suggests, make sure that heavy items are not stored in high locations. "Look at the places where your children sleep," he said. "If you have your prized bowling ball over your child's bed, that's not good." 

Troy also noted that climate change is another event to prepare for. "Climate change will bring wetter wet years and drier dry years," he said. Even though the change is happening over a number of years, we need to be aware of its impact.

In summary, Troy said that we should not be fooled - not by 20 minutes of calm ocean; not by 20 to 300 years without a major earthquake, tsunami, or flood; and not by the slow creep of climate change. Other areas aren't fooled by time - they have tornados and hurricanes on a regular basis. He advised us not to be tricked by the unpredictability of the dangers we face.

Volume XIII, Issue 10: September 12, 2014

On The Calendar
September 20 - RISE EVENT - "Equivocation" at the Redwood Curtain Theatre - 8 pm
September 24 - RISE EVENT - Youth Exchange Welcome Party at Moonstone Beach - 5:30 pm
October 4 - Rotary Foundation Seminar at the Monday Club in Fortuna - 10 am to 2 pm
October 4 - RISE EVENT -Tailgate Party at HSU before the Jacks take on the "Hardrockers" from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - 3 pm to Game Time October 23 - Arcata Sunrise Cross Country Championships
November 1 - Foundation Dinner North in Crescent City 
November 20 - A Taste of the Holidays

Announcements

RCAS on the Road

Last Friday, we were on the road! We were on our first Field Trip of the year, traveling through the early morning fog to the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. The Center is home to Friends of the Dunes, and Executive Director (and Sunriser) Carol Vander Meer welcomed us, and gave a brief presentation. But first, we had our usual Club business ...

President Barbara told us that the start of the Backpacks for Kids program was delayed, so we will begin filling the bags after our meetings beginning in October. As always, we will also need volunteers to pick up and deliver to the school. Watch for the signup email from President-Elect Howard.

We are also looking for another host family for our Exchange Student Mozara. The portion of her stay still to be covered will begin soon after Thanksgiving through early spring. If you would like a rich cultural experience or if you know a family who would be a good fit, please let President Barbara know.

Gateway to the Dunes
Carol Vander Meer has been involved with Friends of the Dunes (FOD) in various capacities for over 10 years. She started as a volunteer docent, then she worked for the organization part-time, and eventually became its Executive Director. 

She told us that some believe incorrectly believe that the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center was originally an old WWII bunker or Quanset Hut, and it does resemble both. However, it was built in 1985 by Charles and Rachel Stamps, as their retirement home. Following their passing, The "Stamps House" was sold to FOD along with 113 acres of adjacent property.

Carol Vander Meer

The renovation of the building began in 2010, and required "gutting everything". Carol said that the Stamps had used old tires to hold the sand in place on the roof. During the renovation, volunteers had to remove and dispose of about 3,500 tires. Carol also noted that the floor of the building has been lowered about three feet - the tops of the counters against the walls are at the original floor level. This was done to accommodate radiant heat and a planned second floor. FOD moved into the building in 2011, and Carol considers it the "Gateway to the Dunes".

The organization has been in existence since 1982. Carol told us that it started as a volunteer support group, which over the years has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Carol handed out copies of a map of Humboldt Bay's Beaches, Dunes, and Wetlands. The map was produced by FOD in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and you can view a copy by clicking HERE.

Carol narrated a brief slide presentation that highlighted many of FOD's projects. She started with the group's Mission Statement: "Friends of the Dunes is dedicated to conserving the natural diversity of coastal environments through community supported education and stewardship opportunities." 


Volunteers make up the Dune Ecosystem Restoration Team (DERT), which works to remove non-native invasive plants to allow space and resources for native plants and animals. DERT volunteers meet most Saturdays, and once you work at three sites, you will receive a free DERT shirt!

Carol said that she is most proud of one of the organization's program for schools - Bay to Dunes. Seventeen years ago, as a volunteer, she helped FOD get a grant to begin this program. Bay to Dunes has touched almost all of the elementary schools in Humboldt County over the years, with about 2,000 children exploring the dunes, supplemented by in-class visits by FOD staff and volunteers. Carol recently encountered a woman who remembered her from when her class took a field trip to the dunes years before.

FOD also has the Coastal Naturalist Program for students in junior and senior high school. This also provides hands-on opportunities to investigate coastal ecosystems, which may fuel an interest in future conservation careers!

Carol discussed the varied topography found in the dunes, which allows the area to support such diverse plant species.
She showed photos of several of those species, noting their ability to adapt to their ever-changing environment. 

For a wealth of additional information about the area and about Friends of the Dunes (including how to become a member), visit http://www.friendsofthedunes.org/

Manila SWOT Proposal
Scott Heller is the co-chair of our Club's Community/Senior Service Committee. At Friday's meeting, he reminded us that we have long been committed to the Manila area, noting that our Adopt-A-Highway section of Samoa Boulevard runs directly through the community, saying that "we own the road from the Mad River Slough to the Samoa Bridge".

He told us that the Committee is planning a new project in the area - assisting the new Manila Family Resource Center, which is housed in two buildings on the Manila School campus. The plan is to take our SWOT model (Serving With Our Talents), and providing an "Extreme Makeover", much as we did in our initial SWOT project with the McKinleyville Family Resource Center in August 2010. 

Our Club will once again head up a group of volunteers that will provide a wealth of services - building, painting, organization, etc. - to help the new Center better serve its public. Click here to watch a Laura Montagna's video discussing the Center's needs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NckvCw0LZ7o. Carol Vander Meer noted that this is an opportune time for us to provide needed assistance to the Manila community. The project will provide welcome focus to an area that is ready to come into its own.

President Barbara is excited about the latest project. She said that Governor-Elect Erin Dunn has asked her to head up a district-wide SWOT Committee, which will help each Club in District 5130 develop a SWOT project. (Barbara drafted Scott as her co-chair at Friday's meeting - we'll see whether it sticks!)

Volume XIII, Issue 9: September 5, 2014

On The Calendar
September 11 - RISE EVENT - Mad River Brewery Tour & Fellowship - 5 pm
September 12 - FIELD TRIP!! - Our Friday Meeting will be at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center (Friends of the Dunes) - 220 Stamps Lane in Manila
September 17 - RISE EVENT - Pints for Nonprofits at the Tap Room - Proceeds to the Arcata Chamber of Commerce - Featuring Cadillac Ranch
September 20 - RISE EVENT - "Equivocation" at the Redwood Curtain Theatre - 8 pm
September 24 - RISE EVENT - Youth Exchange Welcome Party at Moonstone Beach - 5:30 pm
October 23 - Arcata Sunrise Cross Country Championships
November 1 - Foundation Dinner North in Crescent City

Rotarian of the Month
President Barbara named Karen Burgesser our Club's Rotarian of the Month for August. "Anything I do," Barbara said, "Karen is there - and she makes it beautiful." Karen is very good at making sure that the details of an undertaking are handled. Barbara continued, "If I have a big idea, I can rough it out ... but Karen is there noticing the small details, and making everything so much better."

Karen has served in many capacities over the years, but this year, she is outdoing herself! She is co-chairing the Membership Committee, scheduling and facilitating the orientations of new Sunrisers and completing their paperwork. She also co-chairs the Program Committee, managing the program schedule and sending notices out about each week's program.

Barbara also reminded us that Karen is a great gardener who "shares her beautiful flowers with us all". Congratulations, and thank you, Karen!!

Craft Talk
Last Friday, Chris Jelinek gave his Craft Talk. He started by thanking us for welcoming him into the Club. "I'm just so honored and glad to be here," he said. "It's a wonderful experience. I really look forward to the fellowship and to really getting engaged with projects."

He showed photos of his wife Kim and his two daughters - Emma, who is 16 and a junior at Arcata High School, and Alyssa, who at 14 is a freshman at AHS. Chris said that the family leads a very active lifestyle. Although Chris has traveled a bit - to Costa Rica as a high school student, and later to Europe - he said that his children are more well-traveled. Both girls are competitive swimmers who are members of Humboldt Swim Club. Emma does particularly well in open water events.

Chris said that he loves the outdoors, and he showed a photo where he was pulling crab pots out of the bay, followed by a picture from a recent hike in the Trinity Alps. He is an avid runner - he prefers trail running, but he also participates in road racing and marathons.

He became locally famous in 2012 when he went missing while on a 26-mile solo run in preparation for an ultramarathon. "I went for a run," he explained, "and I ran out of trail and did some off-route work which led me very deep into some very, very steep, inhospitable country. I had my dog to keep me warm throughout the night." He continued, "For the record, I knew exactly where I was the entire time - I was not lost, I was just about a day late."

 "I am a firefighter," Chris said, "It's pretty much all I know how to do at this point." He has been a first responder since 1992, spending most of his career with Humboldt Bay Fire, where he is a Battalion Chief. He told us that his department has a family culture, dedicated to serving the community.

Chris serves on a couple of state boards, including the Northern California Training Officers Association. He recently did a series of classes on the hazards that the marijuana industry poses for firefighters. The dangers are posed by grow houses, hash lab explosions, and drug houses. Chris jokingly refers to the presentations as the "Ganja Roadshow".

Chris Jelinek

The association also presents a training symposium each fall, and because Chris was away teaching a class during a board meeting, he found that he had been named to head up the event to be held this year. A lot of his time this summer has been spent preparing for the symposium, which will take place in November.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys woodworking. Earlier this year, he was on a walk with Kim along the mouth of the Mad River, when he found a large piece of driftwood. He took it home, sawed it into rough-hewn lumber, and made a table from it.

Chris said that he always closes his emails with the phrase, "The journey is the destination". The story behind that line, he said, combines different elements of his life. Seven years ago, while Chris was training for an Ironman Triathlon, he attended a family reunion in Anaheim. There, he learned that a cousin had signed up for the same race. They competed together, and his cousin's wife made up 50 t-shirts bearing a logo for "Team Jelinek". Each time the two competitors would make the loop for the cycling and running, they would pass a large group of enthusiastic supporters wearing the shirts, bearing the motto, "The Journey is the Destination".

Recognitions
Last week, Dustin Littlefield provided a special recognition of Sunriser Tomas Chavez. Tomas has been a member of our Club for two years, sponsored by Angelo Bacigaluppi. He serves on the Recognitions Committee and on the Vocational Development Committee.

Tomas is from Hesperia, California, and after graduating from the local high school, he attended Humboldt State, earning his degree in Business Administration in 2006. "He is a family man," Dustin told us. "He has his wife Heidi and his son Cruz, who is three years old."

Heidi wrote the following tribute:

My husband Tomas Chavez is the most important person in my life, other than his "Mini-Me" [Cruz]. He teaches me to be hard-working, honest, always have faith in God, and be a true person. He is loved by everyone who comes into his life. Tomas is a wonderful loving father, and my partner through life. He loves camping with his family, making precious memories with his three year old son Cruz, and nothing beats football season with his boy ... "49ers - yeah, baby!"

Tomas has worked for Sequoia Personnel Services since 2006. Dustin spoke with co-worker Michael Kraft, who had this to say:

Tomas is truly a great guy and a valued colleague. I edit the Business Sense column for the Times-Standard. Prior to my thinking of joining Sequoia Personnel Services as an employee, I sought out Tomas as one of three younger businesspeople I wanted to add to the column rotation. I knew that he would have good things to say to our local business community.  He is widely known to be the future of our business, a key part of its present, and a rising leader in Humboldt County. I think it's fair to call Sequoia Personnel Services a work hard / play hard place, and Tomas fits in well with that culture. President Barbara should fine him without mercy! Kidding aside, Tomas is a great person, great family man, hard worker, future pillar of the community, and a great ambassador for Rotary International.

Steve Thomas, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, said:

I don't have a record of how long he has worked as an ambassador, but I know it's been a few years. Tomas is someone I know as an ambassador, and a personal friend.  I can say without hesitation that I trust him immensely and can ask him to do a job, and without hesitation he takes it to the highest degree. He's likeable, friendly, honest, and trustworthy, and an excellent role model for his son. I am very proud to call him a personal friend and believe that Rotary is very lucky to have him as a member.

When Dustin asked Tomas what he likes to do in his spare time, he replied, "What the **** is spare time?" When he's not busy, he likes camping and sports - he roots for the Kings along with the 49ers, but he is true to his SoCal roots as a Dodgers fan.  We're happy and lucky to have Tomas as a Sunriser.

Rebecca Crow and her son Max participated in the recent Kevin Ebbert Memorial Run put on by HealthSport. Rebecca said that it was a beautiful morning, and they saw parts of the Arcata Community Forest that she hadn't been to before. They were prepping for the Arcata Sunrise Cross-Country Championships, which will be held in late October.  Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth, Mark Burtchett, and Tami Camper-Dart also participated in the event.
We then heard from our globe-trotting international explorer and President-Elect, Howard Stauffer. In his quest for new and unusual cultural experiences, Howard most recently attended the Burning Man Festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. He traveled with several local friends.


Howard said that 55 thousand people converge on a "playa" 12 miles by 23 miles northeast of Reno. The festival lasts about a week each year, leading up to Labor Day, for "partying and other experiences". Howard said that he isn't much of a party person - "I don't drink, I don't smoke - so what did I get out of it? I got a lot out of it!"

It rained the first day they were there, so Howard walked around with clay clinging to the soles of his shoes. The group had a mobile home, a tent, and a shelter for their kitchen.

"You go as a different persona," Howard told us. Many of the attendees wear costumes, and he was no exception. His costume recalled his pre-retirement gig as a math professor - he was "Captain Infinity", complete with goggles and a vest festooned with equations.

Howard said that his "peak experience" was playing a piano that was out on the playa. He drew an audience, and "one very attractive female came up to me afterwards, and said, 'This has been the best experience I've had at Burning Man.'"

The playa provided a temporary home for over 150 immense sculptures. Internationally known artists design and construct the pieces. Howard said that it was like a Dali painting out amid the sculptures on the desert floor. He said that you are encouraged to climb on the sculptures and interact with them. At the close of the festival, the works are all burned, along with the central 40-foot Burning Man sculpture.

Between the Sound Camps and Theme Camps, there was always activity, commotion, and noise. There were also Art Carts - trucks decorated with bright colors and designs. One of these featured Humboldt County art legend Duane Flatmo. The only breaks in the activity seemed to come between five and six in the morning, when it became relatively quiet.

Howard called it a "Transformational Experience", and he noted that an Oklahoma Rotary Club offered a make-up meeting at the event.

"Fueling" the Humboldt Business Challenge
Our Featured Speaker was Greg Seiler, a member of the Rotary Club of Eureka (Noon), a member of the Headwaters Fund Board, and a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Greg was on hand to discuss the new Humboldt Business Challenge.

Greg Seiler

Greg said that the US owes a debt of gratitude to small business for helping us emerge from the 2008 financial crisis. The recovery was driven by small companies who created the majority of new jobs since then. Humboldt County is a hotbed of entrepreneurial spirit - we have the highest rate of business ownership per capita in the state.

Owning a business is a risky proposition, Greg noted. Starting one from scratch is even more difficult - only about 20% of such businesses survive for five years or more. It is a myth that the companies that succeed from such beginnings are run "by the seat of the pants". Actually, over 80% of the businesses that survived more than five years started with a business plan in the first year. "in fact," Greg said, "the biggest differentiator between survival and failure with start-ups is regular reporting of critical business metrics."

Given the importance of planning for success, organizations and competitions have been formed to help potential entrepreneurs engage in that process. To that end, Rob and Cherie Arkley and their Security National Corporation donated nearly $1 million over eight years to help fund the Economic Fuel program in Humboldt County. The program involved students and recent graduates of HSU and CR. Last year, the Arkleys discontinued their support for a variety of reasons.

Greg received the news that Economic Fuel would be discontinued via a call from the program's coordinator, Rachel Callahan. He, in turn called Dawn Elsbree, who at that time was the Executive Director of the Headwaters Fund for the County (and a Sunriser). Dawn put together a group to look into creating a successor program.

The first thing the group considered was whether the program would provide benefits sufficient to warrant the effort that would be required. They asked what the success rate for Economic Fuel graduates in creating durable businesses. They also considered whether the program met the appropriate economic threshold. Greg said that a common metric for economic development is that it should cost no more than about $35,000 to create a new durable job. They asked whether a new program would have broad-based community support.

They determined that Economic Fuel had recognized 64 teams over its eight years of operation. Thirty-six of the businesses that grew out of those 64 teams are still operating, and of those businesses, 33 are headquartered in Humboldt County. "These businesses are interesting and diverse," Greg stated. "They produce our food, fix our phones, build our gates, make movies, educate our children, store our stuff, [and] shred our documents."

If each of these businesses had just one employee, the $35,000 per durable job threshold would have been easily met. Since most have several employees, the jobs were created even more economically.

The group polled businesses and community leaders to determine the potential level of support for a successor event, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Greg said that the "long and growing" list of sponsors includes several Sunriser-owned businesses. He told us that "virtually everyone we've reached out to ask for support has said yes".

Here is a description of the new event, from its Humboldt Business Challenge:

The Humboldt Business Challenge is a catalyst for discovering talented and aspiring entrepreneurs, vetting their ideas, and connecting them with the people and resources needed for them to flourish in Humboldt County. We believe entrepreneurs are vital to Humboldt County’s prosperity and economic development. We provide incentives to promising entrepreneurs in cash awards, in-kind prizes and meaningful recognition.

Greg said the group believed that finding entrepreneurs was probably the easiest part, but what would constitute "meaningful recognition"? They decided to offer services that might be hard for emerging companies to afford, and they included the ever-popular cash prizes as well. While Economic Fuel focused on students and recent graduates, the new competition has expanded its outreach to existing companies that are looking to expand their offerings.

The competition will take place in three phases: the "Idea Phase", the "Analysis Phase", and the "Market Prototyping Phase". During each of these phases or stages, the participants will receive feedback from the judges, and some will receive incentives and awards.

The process will help the participating entrepreneurs connect with a network. They are likely to find their accountant, their attorney, mentors, and others who will help their business grow, beyond the timeline of the challenge.

Greg closed by recognizing some of the people who have helped bring the Humboldt Business Challenge into being. He first thanked Rob and Cherie Arkley "for starting the tradition". He also thanked the Economic Fuel competitors for providing motivation for future participants. The mentors and the judges have played critical roles in helping the competitors succeed. The Coordinating Committee has been instrumental in designing and promoting the new event. HSU and CR have set up classes to help potential participants prepare for the challenge. And the sponsors, both past and present, have provided the needed capital to make the event a reality.

For more information, please visit the Humboldt Business Challenge website at http://humboldtbusinesschallenge.org/.

Volume XIII, Issue 8: August 29, 2014

FOUNDATION FINAL FRIDAY!

Announcements
Mozara Abdalla told us last Friday that she had a great time meeting with the other District 5230 Inbound Exchange Students - whitewater rafting and also going to the water park. She said that she made a lot of new friends. Somehow, as her boat was heading for the rapids, Mozara ended up in the middle of the boat. The guide said that she was "riding princess". That inspired President Barbara to ask Mozara how to say "princess" in Portuguese -  it's "princesa" (PRIN-sez-zah). Barbara then gave Mozara the traditional summer gift from our Club - a warm Humboldt hoodie!

Dustin with President Barbara

Dustin Wallace, the recipient of our 2013 Four-Year Memorial Scholarship, was a guest last Friday. He is attending Humboldt State University, majoring in Rangeland Resource Science, focusing on grasslands and desert environments. As he has done for the past four years, Dustin worked on a sheep ranch this summer. When he completes his degree, he plans to work as a range specialist. 

On the Calendar
September 11 - RISE EVENT - Mad River Brewery Tour - 5 pm
September 17 (or 24) - RISE EVENT - Youth Exchange Welcome BBQ at Moonstone Beach
September 20 - RISE EVENT - "Equivocation" at Redwood Curtain Theatre - 8 pm
October 2 - RISE EVENT - Arcata Chamber Mixer at Blue Lake Casino - 5:30 pm
October 4 - RISE EVENT - HSU Homecoming Tailgate Party - 3 to 6 pm

Special Daze
George and Diana Cavinta celebrated their 23rd anniversary on July 20th. Well ... sorta. George took son Andrew to see the latest "Planet of the Apes" movie, because Diana was moving Georgie (another son) up to Eugene, Oregon. Since then, they have celebrated with "quite a few dinners". Barbara asked about Georgie's plans - he will attend Lane Community College for a couple of years, then transfer to the University of Oregon. 

On August 14th, Praj and Alisa White celebrated their anniversary by having "a large feast at the house with a couple of guests and family". They didn't play poker that day, but "probably the day before and the day after". He explained that "Logan has been holding Texas Hold'em tournaments at the house" recently. Praj also confirmed that the family has moved from McKinleyville to a new home in Bayside.

Effective August 21st, Terri Clark has been married for 32 years to "the most tolerant man in the universe - really!" (That would be Marty Lay.) Terri's anniversary coincided with the special RCAS Board Meeting with District Governor Kevin Eisenburg. "But last year," she noted, "He was president [of the Southwest Eureka Rotary], and his board meeting was the same night. So we've had two anniversaries in a row where we did Rotary, and that's probably enough." The following evening, they did go to Moonstone Grill, where they occupied a corner table and had a lovely time. That lovely time included the discovery of a new martini - "My  Wife's Pepperoncini Martini". 

Randy and Lisa Mendosa enjoyed "Pizza Night at Home" for their anniversary on August 26th, since it was a school night. However, since it was a milestone anniversary (Number 25), they planned a Saturday date to go to their traditional anniversary restaurant - Larrupin's.

August 28th was the 21st anniversary for Ian and Elizabeth Schatz. Since their marriage is now old enough to drink, they planned to take a bottle of "something" up to Trinidad and go to Larrupin's Friday evening.

Recognitions
President Barbara won the first "Selfie Drawing". The Club will make a $25 contribution to her Paul Harris Fellowship account. You could win at our next Final Friday - all you have to do to enter is send Ceva Courtemanche a selfie! 

Ceva also hosted an Arcata Sunrise version of "The Price is Right", with contestants Bryan Plumley, Scott Heller, and George Cavinta. The trio was vying for a second $25 PHF contribution. Here were the questions:

• What is the price of a bundle containing the following ways to contribute to the Rotary Foundation - a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Membership, Paul Harris Fellowship, and a Bequest Society Membership? ($11,100)
• What percentage of all dues-paying members need to be Paul Harris Fellows for a Rotary Club to be considered a "Paul Harris Fellow Club"? (100%)
• What milestone number of Paul Harris Fellows was reached in 2005? (1 million)

Foundation Final Friday

Mozara with Terri Clark

Our Club is very close to achieving "Every Rotarian, Every Year" recognition. To earn that honor, every member of the Club must contribute at least $10 to the Rotary Foundation. Many Sunrisers, of course, contribute much, much more that that amount. However, this recognition shows that each member of a Rotary Club has an understanding of the value of the mission of the Rotary Foundation. If you haven't made a contribution yet, please do so. Our total Foundation donations for the year, before last Friday's auction, were above $3,500, so we are well on our way toward our goal of $11,500!

Lori & Terri

We recognized a new Paul Harris Fellow last Friday - our Exchange Student Mozara Abdalla. Elevating our Exchangers to Paul Harris status is a relatively new tradition for our Club, but it's a good one. We also recognized Sunriser Lori Breyer and former Sunriser Cindy Sutcliffe for achieving multiple PHF status.

We added to our Club totals with our Final Friday Foundation Auction. All proceeds from the auction are donated to the Foundation, with half of the winning price credited to the donor and the other half credited to the purchaser. Here are last week's

Cindy & Terri

details:

• Karen Burgesser donated a garden package containing a flowering Christmas Cactus, a Paul McCartney cap (from Karen's trip to see the legend at Candlestick Park), cards featuring pictures of flowers from Karen's garden (two in a two-sided frame), a Barefoot Wine bag and stopper, a Virgin America two-fer offer, and a few other goodies. Your Editor snatched up that bundle.
• A Corn Hole Set, complete with two corn hole boards and eight beanbags, all decorated with SF 49ers logos was provided by Tomas Chavez. The whole set went home with Scott Heller.
• Angelo Bacigaluppi pitched in a Mad River Brewery Extravaganza that contained assorted brews and a gift card to the brewery's Tap Room. Craig Newman will make good use of that!
• Tami Camper made Brigadeiro (delicious-looking chocolate treats) with the help of Exchange Student Mozara. Lori Breyer and Rina Brodhag each took off with a plateful.
• Rotary Kid Mary Crow is working toward her second Paul Harris Fellow recognition! She donated a batch of her yummy snickerdoodles, and the winning bid came from Janice Newman.
• The final Final Friday Auction item came from Ed Christians. It was a "Complete Greeting Card Kit", containing cards for all occasions, and stamps, too! Joyce Hinrichs will be able to stay in touch with her peeps, thanks to her winning bid. 

And thanks to all who donated and purchased (and those who bid up the items). We added another $705 to our Club's Foundation total for the year!