Weekly News & Views by: Jim Belenis
Photographs by: Patsy Inouye
GUGO May 24, 2019
This morning was uncharacteristically cool for late May. Climate change had the temperature thermometer reading at 57 degrees when President Rose banged her gavel. With a much-deserved rest for the Piano Man David Morse she led a rather musically-voice-challenged group in the singing Smile and Old Beautiful. Not even Keith Watenpaugh’s son Ram could save the day leading the Pledge of Allegiance on this Memorial Day weekend.
My Apple hearing aid app was on the fritz. About 15 minutes in I saw that Gretchen Peralta was taking notes after we exchanged emails the night before confirming that I was going to be the reporter. Those night emergency room nurses are cut some serious slack by this repeat client. So, this is a collaborative effort (90% Peralta and 10% me). And yes, I will be nice since it was her notes.
John Thayer was a visiting Rotarian. He co-chaired Ribs and Rotary. Despite the rainy weather a huge crowd participated at Central Park the previous Saturday. Former Rotarian Sean Yeo was also here.
Rose went into announcements. Ex-DHS teacher Don Winters talked about trying to get two students to go to Colorado for a Rotary conference.
Former Cal Aggie Ban-duh member Vanessa Erracarte is looking for volunteers to build a tractor shed on June 22nd and June 29th.
Jay Brookman advertised the Memorial Day program at the Davis Cemetery on Monday. It is a very good event to honor those from Davis and Yolo County who have fallen in service of their country.
He is also looking for help with the food committee for Ribs and Rotary next fall.
Rose said that the district Conference held last weekend in Redding had some very good speakers. She said that there was a ton of energy displayed by the attendees.
Ken Firestone asked for people to present the club scholarships at the secondary schools in Davis.
Larry Greene and Jeff Adamski both donated money to the Paul Harris Foundation for help at the bar at R&R and thanked Chuck Snipes for brewing beer. Larry also said the club has good numbers on club donations to the OHF for this Rotary year. 
Marc Thompson had a good video presentation for the upcoming DHS Grad Night. We have done the China Road portion for 24 years now. He needs members to help set it up then take it all down. This is a great event to help keep kids safe and sober that evening.
Happy Bucks: Phi Delta Theta grandpa Dave Heard went to a 1st B-day party for his grandchild.
Vespa aficionado Meaghan Likes said that over 700 people were served at R&R. Thanked those that helped for helping.
VFW Post 6949 commander Jay Brookman is happy that there are 14 days left at DHS and that he will be teaching at the Air Force ROTC next year at Vanden HS in Fairfield next fall.
Ex-DHS basketball coach Rick Stromberg who was Sgt. Fined anyone who has 5 bikes at home $5. He also fined Errecarte for the recent Sacramento Bee Cal Aggie Ban-duh expose.
Our speaker was Simon Pitfield. He is a Maître d’Armes (fencing master) from the French Academy of Arms in Paris. He owns the Davis Fencing Academy where our very own Michigan State University Class of 2000 Hall of Fame recipient Dick Berry is the coach emeritus. Simon talked about the Davis Pentathlon that is 5 years running now. He also demonstrated some of the laser target shooting that is part of Pentathlon with Sean Yao. You can read more about Simon and fencing here: http://www.davisfencingacademy.com/
Heard had the draw of the day with 47 cards and $457 dollars.