July 31, 2007
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT . . . . . BOARD MEETING NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, AT 10:15 A.M. AT WILLOW PARK . . . PLEASE CONTACT PRESIDENT SHORT IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AT DICKDESA@COMCAST.NET . . .
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OPENING
President
Richard Short opened the meeting and asked Bob Crossett to lead us in
the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Bruce Johnson’s thanking God for
Ernie and Maxine Crooks and their example of faithfulness as they have
been married seventy years today and asking the Lord’s Blessing on our
meal and fellowship, remembering those who serve overseas and at home to
protect the freedoms we enjoy, including our speaker for today, Alameda
County Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert and his team..
PROGRAM NEXT WEEK
August 7 Union City Mayor Mark Green
GUESTS
Lots of visitors today, including Owen’s Erma Smith and their daughter, Kelly Cole, and her son, Jonathon, who would be receiving a Paul Harris Award from Grandma and Grandpa Smith; Ernie’s bride of seventy years, Maxine, and their son, Gene.
ERNIE AND MAXINE CROOK CELEBRATE 70 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
We were blessed to have Mr. and Mrs. Crook celebrate their 70th Anniversary at our Club meeting today!
They also brought their son, Gene, with them. President Short asked all present to stand if they had been married for thirty or more years and there was quite a group! However, when he came down to over fifty years, there were only five standing: Ernie Crook, Dick Short, Sal Tedesco, Owen Smith and Andy Kennelly! It should be remember that Mr. Crook is the sole active member from the founders of our Club!
PAUL HARRIS
PRESENTATION
Owen and Erma Smith have a great family tradition: presenting a Paul Harris to each of their grandchildren! Today Jonathon received his Paul Harris, the seventh grandchild to receive the honor! Present also were Jonathan’s mom, Kelly (Smith) Cole. After a few opening comments by Owen, Bruce Johnson had the privilege of presenting the Paul Harris certificate, pin and medallion to Jonathon.
FOUR-WAY TEST PRESENTATION
President Short presented the history of the Rotary Four-Way Test (written in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor and adopted by Rotary International in 1943) and how each of them work together for the betterment of all relationships: personal and professional.
REMINDER REGARDING AUGUST 21 BBQ
NOW is the time to commit to attend our second annual BBQ at the Rowell Ranch picnic area! Tickets are $35 each and are available from Dwight Perry or Cliff Sherwood (actually there are no tickets, but both will take your checks and confirm your reservation!). Cliff also told all who volunteered to assist at the BBQ that volunteers will receive additional information in the near future.
RECOGNITTIONS
$150 Bruce Johnson - birth of 5th Grandchild (George Bruce Monk)
$ 25 Jeff Moore - 5th wedding anniversary
$ 25 Beth Moore - 5th wedding anniversary
$ ?? David Fleser
PROGRAM
CV Rotarian and Alameda
County Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert was our program today! Chief Sheldon
told his story of growing up in Castro Valley and attending Redwood
Christian Schools through the eleventh grade and then transferring to
Castro Valley High School to take advantage of the ROP program to become
and EMT. Yes, our Chief’s desire to serve can be tracked back to his
early years!
'The Chief made some opening remarks and then played a DVD that truly explained what the Alameda Fire Department now does and is able to do better than ever before, including assisting in Emergency Preparedness, terrorist attacks, hazardous material spills PLUS fire.
The
Alameda County Fire Department covers approximately 461 square miles
with a daytime population of 249,467 people using two battalions hosting
eighteen fire stations with eighteen engine companies and four ladder
truck companies! The fire department also has much specialized
equipment, including Air/Light/Support Unit, one Heavy Rescue Vehicle,
three Zodiac Boats, 2500 Gallon Water Tender
Dozer and a Hazardous Material Response Vehicle! And we are also
covered with Specialized Response Teams: Hazardous Materials, Urban
Search & Rescue, Water Rescue. Chief Sheldon is responsible for 284
authorized employees plus fifty reserve firefighters!
Our Chief is very concerned about the safety of our fire stations and stated that in the next few years, seismic upgrades must be done, and the expense will not be small. However, it is necessary. More information will follow on that topic at a later date.
The Chief also brought Aisha Knowles to explain the Vial of Life program, whereby members of the community are asked to write down their medical needs and place them in the refrigerator and post decals on the front door and the refrigerator. (Side note: Aiesha was an all-everything athlete at Mt Eden High School and her Dad used to play basketball for Bruce Johnson over thirty-five years ago . . . and Bruce recognized her name and, of course, told the story!).
Many thanks to both Chief Gilbert and Aiesha for a tremendously important and informative program today! For more information about the Alameda County Fire Department visit http://www.acgov.org/fire . . .
THE HUNT FOR THE CORRECT MARBLE
Chief Gilbert reached into the marble sack and pulled out Dr. Kennelly’s ticket and with $88 at stake and 15 marbles in the sack . . . . reached into it and . . . won . . . $5.00 . . . Congratulations!
FUTURE PROGRAMS
Aug 7 Union City Mayor Mark Green
Aug 14 Ms. Monica R. Des Jarlais, Moreau Catholic High School's new president
Aug 21 DARK --- Don’t forget the BBQ tonight!
Aug 28 Hayward Jaycees
See you next week!
