Your Get Up & For For March 6

 

Note: This issue is being prepared by a “sub” scriber since we haven’t been able to fill the opening left by a recent departure from our reporter ranks.  During announcements today I pitched the joyful experience of taking notes and reporting either 6 or 3 times per year (i.e. I offered that two Rotarians could share a typical reporter’s duties) but neither individual nor pair has approached me yet to take advantage of this opportunity.  The next open assignment is April 3; hopefully, one or more enthusiastic writers (perhaps even a “pro”-scribe?) will magically appear well in advance of this opening!  Thanks to all for considering this role.  And now, on with the first Friday of March…it was a day for subs, with retired (“asterisked*”) president Gary Johns doing a standup stand-in for our absent leader Tim Daleiden.

                                           

 

 

I was pre-warned by Don Morrill’s wife Sue that Dave Morse and his wife Denise were on the Grand Princess cruise ship that is now quarantined but off-loading in Oakland.  We certainly hope they are not among the 21 passengers who have tested positive for the coronavirus!!  Without Dave at the piano, our perpetually-energetic vocalist Chuck Snipes led reasonably rousing acapella renditions of our traditional openers, Smile and America the Beautiful.  Then Prez-of-the-day Gary explained Dave Morse’s absence before searching the crowd in vain for visiting Rotarians.  Other than our speaker Jeff Reisig, the only announced visitor (by Dave Murphy) was our Brazilian exchange student Marcel. 

                                                                                                             

 

Gary garrulously inquired next about the fate of our illustrious ski team on the recent Rotary race day.  Marc Thompson quickly exclaimed, “We were awesome!  Patsy (Inouye) didn’t break her leg!”  Soon teammate Larry Olsen confessed (but with obvious pride) that they didn’t finished last; in fact, it appears they were 13^th of 17 teams.  Banter on the subject waxed eloquent (did some attendees get a lift?), but ultimately went downhill, and your sub-scribe lost interest.

 

Unfortunately lost too was the announcer, likely female, that Sunday March 8 is International “Women in Rotary” Day!  We should all celebrate the essential change in the 1980’s that has likely doubled the energy, progress, and impacts of this noble worldwide organization.  More announcements: Rose Cholewinski reminded of our Sacramento Kings outing this Sunday against the Raptors.  (This game 2 in a back-to-back, after a road game in Portland that was handily won by the Kings, was highly competitive, and hopefully fun to attend despite the ending!) Don Winters noted progress with both Young Rotarians and Camp Royal, urging continuing support.  Back to baskets, Larry Greene announced that a few slots remain on our annual March Madness board, simultaneously circulating in the collection-ready hands of notable, gamboling gamble-winner Bruce Wolk.  Take two! Or more.  In fact, it’s a twofer this year, since each of the 64 squares can be a winner in either the men’s or women’s NCAA tournament.  Our other Larry (Olsen) next noted that our annual Jay Gerber event will be coming next month, so stay tuned, while considering possible “Young Davis Leader” awardees.

 

Moving alphabetically downward from the Larrys, next up was Lori Raineri reminding us of next week’s Friday the 13^th social, a 5:45 PM Rotary “Membership Cocktail Party” at her place.  Where?  This resourceful sub-scriber went to Lori’s 2/28 emailed invitation, only to find that she purposely left her address a mystery, perhaps to dissuade attendance.  Subsequent research, published here to promote readership, found her address to be 1816 Humboldt Avenue, off Arthur St. in West Davis.  Jim Grieshop, referencing the Peace Corps movie that showed December 6, promised more showings in Sacramento, and he’ll help with finding them.

 

The next announcement was from Will Portello, blasting out, while aggressively striding to the fore, his role as Sergeant-of-the-Day; Happy Bucks, anyone?  You bet- one short of ten:

 

It was no surprise that Sergeant Will needed to counter all this happiness with ongoing fines.  First he swooped in on Larry Greene, for announcing our clearly illegal gambling pool with the Yolo County DA as our speaker-guest.  The next target was Dennis Lindsay, fully adorned this morning with jacket and cravat, belying his presumed retirement; is he headed for court?  Apparently our former Nugget CFO is providing tax service nuggets to those in need, but only until 4/15.  With another “be-lie”, our cruel Sarge required that the four attending members of our ski team (now labeled “losers”) stand and pay $5 each.  And then, with a cheery (Buggsy?) “That’s all folks!”, Commander Portello retired…but before the introduction of our speaker, Chris Martin rose, handed over $20 for the pot, and heartfully thanked the many Rotarians who conveyed personal condolences for last year’s passing of their son.  Chris, not surprisingly away from us for months of grief, was able to invoke some humor with his thanks. He received a standing ovation as our expression of “Welcome Back.” 

 

                                                                                              

 

And now it was time for Lori to introduce the return of Jeff Reisig, our Yolo County District Attorney (DA).  Lori noted first that she knows Jeff through Daisy, and that he is a UC Davis grad.  She met Jeff when his office established the first US “comfort dogs” program. It was seen as radical at first, but now, 12 years later, is viewed as a very successful model; Lori has participated as a volunteer.  (See https://yoloda.org/oyol-videos/yolo-county-comfort-dogs/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvtSlAi5Lno to learn more, and see Daisy in comfort dog action!  Thanks Lori for your role in this wonderful program.)

 

Jeff began with a review of DA responsibilities.  They handle about 5000 criminal cases /year with their staff of 110, including 40 attorneys; this makes them the largest Yolo law office.  He joined in 1997 as a public defender, and in 2007 was elected DA.  He highlighted five areas of service by his office:

                                                                                                                   

In his last available minutes, Jeff first noted that on the subject of race, a Chan Zuckerberg  Initiative review of their office found “No evidence of racial inequality” in the cases they pursue; and then he turned to homelessness.  California is “home” to 47% of US homelessness; which has increased by 33% in Yolo County since 2017.  The top crimes charged to the homeless are drug possession, burglary/theft, resisting arrest, and not appearing for trial.  This subject is personal for Jeff; one of his three nephews, perhaps due to a high school football injury, became addicted to oxycodone, and is now a heroin addict.  It costs him $80 a day to stay high, which he typically makes at rush hour, or stealing at McDonalds.  When caught he gets a citation, but he never shows up in court. His family is well-enough off; they keep trying, but neither they nor the system has been able to help this young man- a poignant example of our failure as a society.  Jeff proposed the following solutions to our homelessness problem: 

 

Last, Jeff showed a wonderful family photo as proof that he has successfully “courted” a wife and a life, outside of the DA’s office.  After this winning presentation, Jeff had time to respond to the following three questions:

 

After much applause, Gary took Jeff on to the book-signing and the Ace gift card, before Dave Heard had him reach in for the Draw-of-the-Day (what, we gamble?).  Out came #815, and next, Mitch Mysliwiec pulled the 7 of diamonds to win…another free breakfast.  Slowly we disengaged and headed out into the first Friday of March, hoping to see a better future in this year of perfect vision!