Your Weekly Get Up & Go has been Updated

     Members and visitors were greeted by piano music played by Dave Morse (the Elder) that included the Soliloquy heard during much of the “Civil War” television series and another melody that is often heard at Christmas time. The crowd seemed small at first, but grew to fill nearly all the tables. After President Manny Carbahal started the meeting at about 7:10 am with a ring of the bell, those present were able to sing hearty renditions of “Smile” and “America the Beautiful”.

     While still trying to be heard over the noise of continued conversations, President Manny called on Keith Watenpaugh to introduce his daughter. Bill Kopper introduced his wife, Carolyn (I think Carolyn introduced herself... Did Bill pull a Cliff and we missed it?), and today’s speaker. Patsy Inouye introduced Carolyn Ganeuco. And Jacques Franco was also visiting. Postcards had been received from Clay Brandow, who had been to Winters, and Carolyn Stiver. President Manny then asked for announcements. Vanessa Errecarte reminded us about the work day at Patwin and Jack Latow provided details about the need for wheelbarrows, cordless drills, and other tools. This is supposed to be an easy and fun project. And Carolyn Stiver will be circulating a Meals-on-Wheels signup sheet looking for help on Mondays. (We now have a need for help on three Wednesdays next quarter... If you can help on 4/5, 5/31 or 6/28, email Carolyn here).

     Larry Olsen answered President Manny’s call for the Sergeants, and lead a St. Patrick’s Day singing of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”, with a piano introduction by Dave Morse (the Elder), to the following words (were drunkenly sung):

When Irish eyes are smiling sure it’s like the morn in spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy, all the world seems bright and gay.

But when Irish eyes are smiling, sure they’ll steal your heart away.

Then Sergeant Larry got down to business ahead of happy bucks. First, all members with Irish heritage were told to contribute $5 to the Sergeant’s fund. Clay Brandow paid $5 for having married a full blooded Irish woman, Brooke Connolly, and Sergeant Larry made his own contribution for knowing someone living in Ireland. Hot Dogger fans were then told to pay $5 for reasons that were lost in the commotion over Ireland. Bob Poppenga and Don Saylor were fined $5 for having been mentioned in the paper as attending an event where Delaine Eastin announced that she is a candidate for Governor of California. Bill Kopper and Jim Smith were awarded $5 recognitions for recent bicycle accidents, although both were present and walking. Nathalie Mukome lost $5 to the Sergeant despite not remembering the reason. And Nancy Storm was recognized for the success of a protogee of her husband Todd at a recent Lake Berryessa fishing contest, which prompted Chuck Snipes to relate that one can go to the University of Georgia on a fishing scholarship. And David Morse (the Younger) admitted after being grilled by the Sergeant that PETs had been good, even though he had not returned with gifts for all members of the Sergeant’s Committee. Finally, Sergeant Larry got to happy bucks. Carolyn Stiver paid, but the recorder didn’t hear why. Vanessa Errecarte was happy that Jack Latow was helping with the work day at Patwin. Susanne Rockwell was happy about being Irish. (I think they were all three happy to be red heads and still have souls.... they were looking at you Will Portello... It's a shame you missed it!) David Morse (the Younger) was glad for David and Chucks’ musical talents, and Lori Raineri was happy about a message, of which there are no details in the notes. Nancy Storm was very happy that Lucas Frerichs filled in to run Student of the Month when she was sick last week, and she

 encouraged all present to attend the Yolo Crisis Nursery Crab Feed. Last, but far from least, Rose Cholewinski was thankful about the success of Trivia Night.

     Moving on to the program, Bill Kopper introduced today’s speaker Levi Bridges, a journalist from UC Berkeley, with a presentation about migrant carnival workers. Covering this subject required Levi to become a “carny” because workers wouldn’t give interviews. He started in games, where he was supposed to be paid a commission, and was then moved to rides without being paid for games. Levi found that workers were paid for many less hours than were actually worked and they were required to sign fictitious time sheets showing fewer hours, and then paid in cash. Although the public might wonder about the safety of carnival rides, it is hard to put them together wrong. The real danger is to workers who must set the rides up and take them down while working with heavy parts and short time frames. Living conditions are often very poor - sleeping under equipment, in tents, in cars, and sometimes motels. Cooking is done outdoors and sanitary facilities are often unavailable. Most workers come from Mexico, and many from the same town, where they are hired by recruiters, who might be linked to organized crime and can blackball workers who complain about conditions. So it is very difficult for workers on a VISA from a foreign country to take advantage of the U.S. legal system. Those who have tried found themselves without any work. There were many questions for which answers will, hopefully, be found in a publication that Levi is working on.

     In the draw of the day, Vanessa Errecarte drew a ticket held by Rose Cholewinski, who then pulled a Jack (or Joker.. alternative facts?) to win the pot of more than $990. Congratulations and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to Rose. Next week we get to start over. Then President Manny must have rung the bell to end the meeting, but I didn’t hear it.