Meeting Recap for October 29, 2012
There was joy in Mudville at this week’s Rotary meeting, as the gathered throng celebrated the Giants’ World Series domination, and the River Cats were the talk of the lunch hour, courtesy of our guest speakers.
Before game time, we had the usual warm-ups, in the form of the wine reception, thanks to Gretchen Eischen’s generosity in the vino department, while Paul (Like a Rolling) Stone accompanied on piano. Speaking of Paul, he and the Rotary Rooters (the hardest working band in show business) have been piling up the gigs, and Stone the elder dropped half-a-grand into the Rotary kitty at lunch, courtesy of the Rooters’ latest efforts.
After Doug Crumley’s thought of the day, the pledge, and a tune or two led by Dick Osen, President Peter called up this year’s club historian, Mark Huffman, to provide us with another “Centennial Moment” (a moment from the 100-year history of our club, for you newer Rotarians). The topic this week was the various clubs in town that our club has helped charter. Some may know that we helped charter the Point West club, but that was just some of our later work – go back to 1938 and you’ll find we were at it then as well, sponsoring the Rotary Club of Roseville (I think this whole chartering business was embarked upon so that our softball team had someone to whup on).
Kudos to, Norm Marshall, Todd Sorensen, Bob Daly and the Golf 4 Kids committee for pulling one out of the rain two Mondays ago and putting on yet another successful tournament, won by President Pietro and his foursome (which included Past Prez Jon Snyder), who shot a blistering 59 on the rain soaked course. Not only does Bobby D put on a great tournament, but he also finds lost keys to sports cars, as John Kelly will gladly attest (the latter having donated a C-Note to the club as thanks to the former).
In the cards and letters department, Dean Jacobs is serving a stint in the hospital currently, and would welcome either, I’m sure.
President Peter told us of his love of baseball and life-long relationship with “Your San Francisco Giants!” only brought up to bring our attention to the positive role model in second baseman Marco Scutaro. At the age of 37, after playing with six other teams, finally making it to the World Series, Scutaro demonstrates “do your best” and “never give up.”
On the announcement front, Steve Huffman, working with Reading Partners, is looking for 25 Rotarians (or their spouses, families, etc.) who can help some well deserving but disadvantaged kids bring their reading skills up to their grade level (which is critical to their future learning success). Two hours a week is all that is needed, at a time, date, and school location that is convenient for you. See Steve for details.
Also, if you want to experience the essence of Rotary’s service above self, ask Clayton Lee about the opportunity to join him in the Rotary wheelchair donation project in Peru in December. Clayton promises a life changing experience, and incredible Peruvian sights to behold.
The speaker of the day was Judge Bill Shubb. Actually, Bill introduced the speakers, but his introduction was a bit on the longer side, you might say (for those who know Bill, when minor league baseball is the topic, hizzoner can’t control his enthusiasm). After Bill’s extensive introduction, to the mikes strode Dan Vistica (CFO of the River Cats), and Tony Asaro (their Community Relations man), who shared much about the River Cats, and our history of minor league baseball (which started in our fair city in 1880, with the Sacramento Atlas being our first team).
In addition to their success on the field (which has included 11 division titles in their 13 years here, 4 Pacific Coast League Championships, 2 Triple-A national championships, and 250 players who have gone on to play in the Majors), the River Cats have been an economic force in town, employing 700 workers annually, who spend $6 million of payroll in the economy each year, while the team generates $650,000 in annual sales taxes, and $700,000 in property taxes, for the government coffers. In addition, the River Cats Foundation has donated $1.5 million to local charities since arriving here. Rotary Day at the River Cats will be next April 21st, so plan on being there to support one of the finer gems of our city. JBW