Weekly News & Views by: Will Portello
Photographs by: Jim Belenis
 
 
     President Manny kicked the meeting off at 7:09 AM, ringing a dainty little bell that was well suited to his undersized dainty little fingers, while rocking his Britney Spears head microphone.  Go figure. Visitors were scarce; word of the presidency must be spreading.  Max Mack, a cyclist, was a guest.  Rose introduced her friends: Lynne, Kendra, and Marian.  They all run big swim schools.
     We had a postcard from Clay.  Apparently he has confused “enjoying retirement” with “spending time in Fresno.”  Aaack.
     Rose gave a heartfelt and touching report on John Youmans’ condition.  As an update, he was involved in a bike accident on Highway 1 near Jenner, although no details are really known.  A 19-year-old passerby found him, and stayed with him until Lifeflight arrived.  He sustained a brain injury, and a broken neck, but is able to move his hands and legs.  In Rose’s words, he is a “[expletive deleted] fighter!”  Please send her texts, pictures, good thoughts, prayers, and keep John in our hearts.
     Tim Daleiden apparently had left the room during a meeting.  He is now the Oktoberfest Chair.  Oktoberfest is October 1.  Buy a sponsorship.  See TimJay Brookman, in full sartorial splendor of cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirt, announced that he is on vacation, and remaining so for the foreseeable future.  He visited the Guam Rotary Club, and gave us a banner.  Dick Berry announced that he ran into someone for whom we’d made bird boxes.  We may make more bird boxes.
     Which brings us to Sergeants… Sgt. Rick Stromberg sidled to the front of the room, and immediately drew Manny’s attention to the missing bell and gavel, which the Sergeants had fortuitously located.  Manny got the bell back for free.  But, owing to his breach of fiduciary duty, he had to pay $10 for the gavel.  Which his stumpy digits could not grasp, leading him to resume using his dainty little bell.
     Carolyn Stiver was in La Jolla, and is now doing the backpack challenge again.  Apparently she’s running short on office supplies.
     Vanessa made a surprise announcement about trying to get workers for Rainbow City on July 30.  Chuck Snipes is moving from Sycamore up to Hermosa in North Davis.  Lucas Frerichs attempted to purchase Sgt.’s insurance; unfortunately, the named insured on the policy may not always be consistent with the identity of the individual being fined.  His problem, not the Sergeants.  Maybe Andrew Yang can help Lewis with an additional insureds rider, or an umbrella policy, or something? Brian Sway paid $5.00 for his own Dodger cap.  The “why” completely escapes me.  The club’s former candidates, Sydney, Don Winters and Lucas all opted out of going to Philly, Cheesteak notwithstanding.
     Susanne Rockwell introduced Maria Contreras Tebbutt, a bicycle evangelist.  She runs a bike garage at Douglass Junior High School in Woodland.  Her goals are to decrease car trips and increase bike safety.
     Maria told us about going to a Boy Scout meeting where none of the Scouts rode their bikes, and instead were shuttled and dropped off.  She also talked a bit about the complaints in town each year concerning new students who don’t know how to ride bikes. She said that bike education is more comprehensive and fun than most people realize. 
     Maria then talked about her goals of car-free living.  She cited a UCD Institution for Transportation study which found that expanded biking and e-bike use could substantially cut CO2 emissions by 2050.  Robb Davis, the mayor, is car free.  She also mentioned Tim Bustos of UCD Transportation and Parking Services, who is also car free.
     Apparently, ownership of a number of bikes requires several versions, like shoes (or, in Nancy Storm’s case, boats).  One for each occasion.  She thinks bikes have a real transportation advantage, since 8-12 bikes can fit into the space required for one car. Maria also discussed how Woodland is making strides  in providing bike opportunities, and she is looking for a rails-to-trails type connection between Davis and Woodland for bikes. 
     Maria started riding one day by just cycling up Road 102 to Woodland.  She thinks cycling is motivational, and keeps her fit.  She pointed out the number of students who get dropped off at school by car-driving parents, who jostle for position closest to the school, so that the kid can run in and get breakfast. 
     Some of her current efforts include creating a program where all bikes sold come with basic “Rules of the Road”.  She also is involved in low-cost helmet distribution.  Her goal is to educate people about bikes, bike safety, and bike maintenance.
     John Clay questioned whether there shouldn’t be licensing requirements for bike riders.  She dodged the anti-American core of the question by noting that New York City has a program to teach all kids to ride bikes by the end of the 2nd Grade.  Maria believes UCD students shouldn’t bring cars to school.
     Manny took a gratuitous swipe at William Kopper, an esteemed member of the Bar, for some imaginary slight involving cycling purity.  He then pointed out that E-bikes are like doping. As the Reporter has determined to test the viability of “car free,” all Larry’s Bike Club members will meet at 7:00 am at his house on Saturday, and will pull his Air Nautique ski boat up to Lake Berryessa using nothing but their bikes.  Please bring a length of chain.
     Chuck Cunningham won the draw of the day.  Then he won a free breakfast. Nothing more.