Observer for April 23, 2013
AT THE GONG
President Tony, ever alert, gonged us to order promptly at some time when the big hand was someplace and the little hand some other place (around 12:18 PM). Your scribe for the day asked the assembly to pledge our allegiance to Old Glory. Waxing philosophic, the assemblage heard the wisdom of 3 wise people:
“One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before going to bed.” Bernard Baruch.
“Open your eyes look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living.” Bob Marley.
“Life is like an onion: you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.” Carl Sandburg.
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS
Our visiting Rotarian of the day was Greg Knell, past president of the Mission San Rafael Club.
Technically not a guest, we welcomed back past president Terry Molloy.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLUB
The Finland GSE team is in town! Our own Christine Goodin has been escorting the four delightful team members and their team leader through the Bay Area. They will be appearing at the Terra Linda Club on April 29. Be sure to attend to hear about their home country and their experiences in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area.
Jeanne Friedel announced that the club is going to the ball game, to watch the mighty San Rafael Pacifics demolish its opponent, the East Bay Lumberjacks. Hold open the evening of July 23 for some fun at the ball park (evening game, no lunch meeting).
Lauri Hammer announced that the scholarship committee will soon be meeting with applicants for a Terra Linda College Scholarship. Be sure to mark your calendars for one of the best meetings of the year, May 21, when the winners and their parents will be our guests for the presentation of the scholarship awards. Marin County School Superintendent Mary Jane Burke is scheduled to be the presenter.
On a more somber note, President Tony announced that the Club Board of Directors began proceedings to terminate the membership of Mary Gomes based on recent acts. A special meeting of the Board to hear and decide on the matter has been set for Thursday, May 2 at 5 PM at the Frank Howard Allen office, 700 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael. All members are invited to attend.
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
When President Tony asked for “good times” volunteers, many hands rose. Lauri Hammer proudly announced that her daughter recently completed her first National Triathlon, and did quite well for the first time at this level. In celebration she donated $100, a bell ringer.
Hillary Spaulding, the parent of another athlete, announced that her son won a 400 meter high hurdles competition, contributing an undisclosed amount.
Wayka Bartolacelli is celebrating her 27th anniversary as a realtor, and still enjoys the profession. She is also contributing an undisclosed amount.
Helmut Sommer contributed $100 to the literacy program in celebration of his granddaughter’s 1st birthday.
Trevor Henley confessed to the 32nd anniversary of his birth. Most of us celebrated slightly higher numbered anniversaries (usually 39+) than his.
RAFFLE/MARBLE
Lee Page won the raffle door prize, a surprise gift to be determined by your scribe. Jeff Moss bought the lucky marble ticket and proceeded to draw an unlucky marble.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Our program presenter was Matt Stevens, Community Outreach Director for the SMART Train, who updated us on the progress of construction and equipment acquisition. Over 65% of Marin County voted in favor of building the Smart Train, with the yes votes in Sonoma County approaching 70%.
Matt reminded us that rail transit is part of the history of the North Bay, starting in 1868, with Marin and Sonoma County commuters using the rail and ferries to reach their places of business in San Francisco. The last passenger train in the North Bay road the rails in 1958.
Matt informed us that the 70% of the rail corridor will have a bike path, encouraging the use of people peddle power. Service on the new train system will begin in late 2014 or 2015. The rail cars have been ordered from a Japanese company that built a plant in Illinois to construct the equipment.
Trains will each be two cars, but SMART is contemplating purchasing a third car to be between the two locomotives. One of the considerations as to length of the trains is make sure they do not block traffic while stopped at stations.
The initial service will run between Santa Rosa and the transit center in San Rafael. When funds become available, the future extensions will go as far south as the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and north to Cloverdale.
President Tony then gonged the meeting to a close.
Your scribe for the week,
Marty Malkin