Meeting Recap for February 4, 2013
It was real estate day (sort of) at this week’s Rotary confab, with two experts on the subject at the head table on Monday -- one the guest speaker, the other the Sponsor of the Day, both to be named later.
For, before those gents, we had the customary pre-gavel meet-and-greet, with Leonard (I’m actually related to Homer) Simpson ponying up generously for the fermented grape juice, while “The Admiral”, Randy Friedman, melted faces on piano.
We then had Luann Richardson furnish the Thought of the Day, Dick (Golden Pipes) Osen lead us in America the Beautiful, and Sergeant-at-Arms, Rick Davis, dispense efficiently with his introduction chores.
President Peter then led us in a moment of silence for another of the club’s fine gentlemen that, sadly, we have lost -- the recently-departed Herb Greydanus, who graced our Rotarian ranks for 24 years. Our condolences to Herb’s family.
With Herb remembered fondly, we turned attention to our three newest members who joined the club on Monday – Carrie Owen Plietz, Jodi Davis, and Gregory Walaitis – all of whom hail occupationally from Sutter Medical Center, and were sponsored by the aforementioned Mr. Osen, and the lovely Past President Diane Mizell (that’s 75 new member contest points for those of you keeping score at home).
After some enjoyable conversation time, to the podium strode investment expert #1, in the form of Sponsor of the Day, Bob Rosenberg, who also happens to be Founder and President of Inve$tnet, Inc. Bob spent his $300-and-3 sharing the myriad facets of commercial real estate that he can help you with (essentially, if you can walk on it or in it, Bob can help you with it).
On the announcement front, Barry Goldberg advised that we have some great Brown Bag locations lined up for March 18th, so get ready to sign up in the weeks ahead, while Steven (I’m going to jump out of planes until I need a) Walker alerted us that the next Rotary Happy Hour (aka “New Member Reception”) will be at 3 Fires Lounge on February 20th (Steven and his gang do a great job with these events – drop by on the 20th and see for yourself). Jim (Yosemite Sam) Phillips has a snowshoe walk at Badger Pass lined up with Yosemite park ranger Dick Ewart for Saturday February 23rd. Contact the Rotary office for details.
Ok people, listen up – we’re starting to build a dynasty in the blood drive contest against that morning-meeting band of scallywags that hails from the Point West area, but they’re within an unacceptable 16 pints of catching up to us, so it’s time to get out there and bleed, bleed, bleed! Take up hockey, stand behind horses, or find your way to a BloodSource location and have a donut – however you want to give is fine with us, but get it on your calendar to do some bleeding for Rotary!
Chris Ann Bachtel advises that since our rivalry began, the Point West Club and its more awesome sibling (that would be us) have given over 6,300 units of blood, saving (literally) thousands of lives during that time. So remember, it’s not about who wins the contest – actually, it is, SO GET OUT THERE AND BLEED!
Pres Peter went easy on the tithing this week, but Larry (here come da judge) Marvin dropped in to spread a little wealth ($482, to be exact) that he and his Rotary Rooter pals drummed up (yes pun intended) after their latest round of gigs. Thanks, guys!
After Larry filled the coffers, Past President Fred Teichert commandeered the podium to introduce real estate expert #2 – our guest speaker, Randy Sater, of StoneBridge Properties. Randy was that enjoyable combination of witty and informative, sharing some Sacramento real estate history with us, and giving us the low-down on what will become of the Sutter Memorial Hospital property when it closes in a few years (which, as we learned during the Q&A, was apparently news to Past Prez Rob Scherer). To give a hint, it will be a master-planned development called Sutter Park, and it will be way cool, based upon the info Randy shared.
It’s Sweetheart’s Day at Rotary next week, and Jack Gallagher will be in the house as guest speaker, so come have some laughs with Jack (with or without your sweetheart).