Your weekly GU & G has been updated (twice!)
Posted by Meaghan Likes
on Mar 28, 2015
New & Views by:
Will Portello (again!)
For the second week in a row, this reporter found himself a frantic scrivener of the day’s events. Unfortunately, despite a frantic completion of his notes for submission to the sadistic editor, it turns out that his work was simply disregarded in favor of another reporter, who had simultaneously reported that same meeting. Disregarding the work of genius, the editor made an arbitrary and capricious decision to post the banal recounting of “Mr. Quick and Dirty Reporter,” rather than recognize the sublime majesty in this reporter’s submission. Like Sisyphus, I am bound to suffer.
"SADISTIC" EDITOR’S NOTE: PLEASE REFER TO THE STORIES PAGE OF THE WEBSITE TO READ THE ABOVE-MENTIONED, "LESS QUICK & DIRTY(?!)" REPORTER’S THRILLING ACCOUNT OF THE STUDENT OF THE MONTH MEETING HELD ON MARCH 20TH.
On the meeting: the bell rang at 7:06, just like this reporter wrote about last week’s meeting. Similarly, President Chuck ran the meeting, just like in the GU&G this reporter authored last week. Then we had introductions, with oddly similar timing to how we did it last week. Notice a trend? It’s like the movie “Groundhog Day at Odd Fellows.”
Emily Henderson was introduced, representing the winning team from Trivia Night: Acme Theater. Emily is the District Director for Acme Theater. She appeared to be the only guest, other than the speaker. After introductions, a 
number of members stood up to make announcements about upcoming events. This reporter wrote about those announcements, and the upcoming events last week, but has to write about them again, only seven days later. Pres. Chuck made an announcement that he received a “Paul Harris+4” in the mail, but declined to identify the earner. Roy Kroener, or maybe it was Dennis Lindsey (gets confusing because of the two weeks’ worth of notes in a row…), Stood up to announce that Thursday, April 30 was Taco Night at The Berryessa Gap Winery. The cost is $25. That $25 includes dinner, +2 glasses of wine (What the heck kind of wine goes with tacos? Ripple?). The fun starts at 5:30, and the taco truck start slinging dinner at 6:30. Carolyn Stiver announced that Meals on Wheels sign-ups are available for Mondays and Wednesdays. That makes sense, given the Noon Club’s meeting day… Kidding of course! The Jay Gerber Young Leader Award will be presented to someone very close to the club at 6 PM on April 10, at Odd Fellows Hall. Since that’s only a week away, one could reasonably anticipate this same reporter will be stuck trying to take notes then as well… Chuck Snipes and Keith Watenpaugh then took the floor to announce the winner of the Trivia Night, and award a giant invisible fake check. Joined by Don and Lucas, our trivial leaders presented the $1000 imaginary negotiable instrument to Emily Henderson on behalf of ACME. For those inclined toward culture, ACME will be presenting the “Heart of Robin Hood” at the Davis Art Center stage over Memorial Day weekend, May 22 through the 25th. There be a free barbecue at 5:30 PM, with the show starting at 7 PM.
number of members stood up to make announcements about upcoming events. This reporter wrote about those announcements, and the upcoming events last week, but has to write about them again, only seven days later. Pres. Chuck made an announcement that he received a “Paul Harris+4” in the mail, but declined to identify the earner. Roy Kroener, or maybe it was Dennis Lindsey (gets confusing because of the two weeks’ worth of notes in a row…), Stood up to announce that Thursday, April 30 was Taco Night at The Berryessa Gap Winery. The cost is $25. That $25 includes dinner, +2 glasses of wine (What the heck kind of wine goes with tacos? Ripple?). The fun starts at 5:30, and the taco truck start slinging dinner at 6:30. Carolyn Stiver announced that Meals on Wheels sign-ups are available for Mondays and Wednesdays. That makes sense, given the Noon Club’s meeting day… Kidding of course! The Jay Gerber Young Leader Award will be presented to someone very close to the club at 6 PM on April 10, at Odd Fellows Hall. Since that’s only a week away, one could reasonably anticipate this same reporter will be stuck trying to take notes then as well… Chuck Snipes and Keith Watenpaugh then took the floor to announce the winner of the Trivia Night, and award a giant invisible fake check. Joined by Don and Lucas, our trivial leaders presented the $1000 imaginary negotiable instrument to Emily Henderson on behalf of ACME. For those inclined toward culture, ACME will be presenting the “Heart of Robin Hood” at the Davis Art Center stage over Memorial Day weekend, May 22 through the 25th. There be a free barbecue at 5:30 PM, with the show starting at 7 PM. Moving into Happy Bucks, Sergeant Larry kept the meeting moving. Lucas, having paid approximately $900 in fines to avoid paying $50 in insurance/protection money, finally opted to put up the $50. Wise move. Carolyn Stiver paid a few, and announced the 37th anniversary of her 23rd birthday, or so the author would like to suggest, so long as he remains outside her arms’ reach. AARP is a great organization. Shel took first place in some type of singing two – do, including second-place in “harmony platoon.” The writer has no idea what the heck a harmony platoon is; he’s pretty sure it has nothing to do with that Charlie Sheen movie from the 80’s. More happy bucks. Don Winters forgot about suffrage, and reflexively congratulated Lucas for an award he didn’t receive, again reinforcing why Lucas should have taken the insurance. Jack began talking about the “good ol’ days” at UCLA, heading out to speakeasies, and listening to “The Lone Ranger” on a wireless. He then moved on to talk about a winning streak apparently occurred around the same time. He finished by tossing a buffalo head nickel, the two Mercury dimes in the basket, and asked for an egg cream soda. Clay played the part of the proud father, giving happy bucks for Chloe heading off to UCSF… at Fresno. Vanessa turned 33, which even this history major recognizes is a bigger number than 32. However 32 was, for Ginger Elf, the best year ever. So she gave a few dollars. Chuck Snipes gave happy bucks, profusely thinking Kelly Wilkerson and Meaghan Likes for their help with Trivia Night. Speaking of Meaghan, her husband was voted best window washer in Yolo County, and she threw in some change for it. Dick Berry, Tom Cross, George Warner, and John Youmans all got recognized for having swords. Moving on to the Best of Yolo County: Dennis, Meaghan, Jeff Adamski, Manny, John Youmans, and Roy were all recognized for the rankings of their respective businesses. Finally, Dick Berry threw in a few bucks for the success of Michigan State University.
On with the program: MacK Walker introduced Gary Wegener. Gary is a Rotarian from Woodland. Is a graduate of Cal, and is the Director for the City of Woodland Public Works. In August 2014, he rode his motorcycle solo across Russia. Once again pondering the potential for a trans – Russia ride, Gary contacted Cliff Dochterman, Past Rotary International President for some assistance. Cliff put them in touch with some former Russian District 
Governors, who in turn put them in touch with local Rotary clubs in Russia. After giving us a brief view of the statistics of Russia, Gary started laying out his equipment for us. He was writing a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, a touring bike intended for paved roads. He took along a satellite communicator, a Garmin GPS, a Google translator, and a Sygic Cell Phone with GPS. His original planning involved significant research on Booking.com and AirBnB.com. However, after contacting Vladimir Domsky (who started Rotary in Russia), he was put in touch with local Rotarians, and stayed exclusively with those members. His ride would stretch across nine time zones, and over 7100 miles. Initially, he flew to Seoul, Korea, where he unpacked his bike. He experienced some difficulty getting the bike into the country, but it worked out. After being well fed on Korean barbecue, he set off on a ferry from Seoul to Vladivostok. His general travel across Russia would have him meeting a group of Russian Rotarians on the outskirts of town. They would take them into the town, and put them up. He found the houses well – furnished, and comfortable. They had a number of Western amenities, and were not unlike homes in the United States or Europe. Because of the Russian admiration for Harley – Davidson motorcycles, he was put up in the Harley – Davidson Clubhouse in one town. The roads were generally an outstanding shape. He stopped in Ulan Bator, and got to experience some Mongolian culture. He was highly impressed by the public structures in Ulan Bator, and noted that there were no homeless. Outside the city he was invited into a yurt, and learned a harsh lesson about the unwise practice of American stomachs imbibing mares’ milk and homemade hooch. The trip went well. There are few political discussions, with the exception of his attendance at a school one day, when he was repeatedly questioned (although the teachers would cut off the lines of questioning). Generally, when Gary was very guarded in his conversations, so as to avoid political discussions. Once he hit the Baltic, he experienced a significant problem when a bolt lying on the roadway punched a hole in his motorcycle crankcase, bringing the expedition to a rapid end. Gary skipped the tail end of his trip and flew home.
Governors, who in turn put them in touch with local Rotary clubs in Russia. After giving us a brief view of the statistics of Russia, Gary started laying out his equipment for us. He was writing a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, a touring bike intended for paved roads. He took along a satellite communicator, a Garmin GPS, a Google translator, and a Sygic Cell Phone with GPS. His original planning involved significant research on Booking.com and AirBnB.com. However, after contacting Vladimir Domsky (who started Rotary in Russia), he was put in touch with local Rotarians, and stayed exclusively with those members. His ride would stretch across nine time zones, and over 7100 miles. Initially, he flew to Seoul, Korea, where he unpacked his bike. He experienced some difficulty getting the bike into the country, but it worked out. After being well fed on Korean barbecue, he set off on a ferry from Seoul to Vladivostok. His general travel across Russia would have him meeting a group of Russian Rotarians on the outskirts of town. They would take them into the town, and put them up. He found the houses well – furnished, and comfortable. They had a number of Western amenities, and were not unlike homes in the United States or Europe. Because of the Russian admiration for Harley – Davidson motorcycles, he was put up in the Harley – Davidson Clubhouse in one town. The roads were generally an outstanding shape. He stopped in Ulan Bator, and got to experience some Mongolian culture. He was highly impressed by the public structures in Ulan Bator, and noted that there were no homeless. Outside the city he was invited into a yurt, and learned a harsh lesson about the unwise practice of American stomachs imbibing mares’ milk and homemade hooch. The trip went well. There are few political discussions, with the exception of his attendance at a school one day, when he was repeatedly questioned (although the teachers would cut off the lines of questioning). Generally, when Gary was very guarded in his conversations, so as to avoid political discussions. Once he hit the Baltic, he experienced a significant problem when a bolt lying on the roadway punched a hole in his motorcycle crankcase, bringing the expedition to a rapid end. Gary skipped the tail end of his trip and flew home. Overall, the trip lasted 30 days, the weather was fantastic. He had a few observations about Russia: (1) there are few motorcycles east of Moscow; (2) Russians love Harley Davidson’; (3) the Russians took great care to lock his motorcycle up, hidden, every night. He noted the houses often had a steel plate over the door, allegedly a vestige of communist times. (4) there were policemen everywhere, and (5) he really didn’t have complaints about Russian drivers.
After Gary was finished, we moved to Draw of the Day. Fewer than 15 cards remain, and the pot is over $1300. Meaghan’s number was pulled, and she turned out to be the proud winner of a free breakfast.