THANK YOU FIRST RESPONDERS, VOLUNTEERS & DONORS

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1 "Best Medium Size Club in District 5130 FY " Rotary Club of the Valley of the Moon 6520 Oakmont Drive, Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA Volume XX Issue No. 13 Chuck Broward, President November 3, 2017 ( THANK YOU FIRST RESPONDERS, VOLUNTEERS & DONORS The Four-Way Test of things we think, say or do: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned? OPENING President Chuck Broward rang the opening bell at 7:30 a.m. The flag salute was led by Jim Spangler. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rich Irwin told us of his harrowing fire evacuation. He had never met his neighbor across the street, but met him at 3 a.m. the night of the fire and was helped out. We ve all been faced with our own situations over the last few weeks, so here s what Rich has to impart: 1. What s your relationship with your relatives? 2. Who are your friends? 3. Do you know your neighbors? As you know, Rich is blind, but not from birth. He said, 47 years ago his vision was good. Then he started losing his sight in increments and finally, totally blind. He wrote an inspirational poem 15 years ago: One who sees, questions what they see Are my eyes deceiving me? One who has seen questions whether it is as remembered. Does it still look as it did?

2 One who has never seen questions not. I need not care how it is seen, only that it is. (Editor s note: Rich handed me his notes, however they were in Braille!! Rich has a rich sense of humor!!) VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS Sgt-at-Arms Mike O Brien announced that we had our favorite visiting Rotarian Timothy Fawcett, along with guests Alan Silow and Jackie Ryan. MISC. ANNOUNCEMENTS Gay Weir presented Alan Silow, Executive Director of Santa Rosa Symphony, with a check from our club for their Youth program. Alan announced that anyone who has lost their home can attend the concerts for free. The symphony has already lost over $100,000 in revenue. They ll be doing a free benefit concert sometime this month and it ll be announced. All donations will go to the victims. Arnie Lamb, our Treasurer, will get an early issue of dues out next week and looks forward to everyone s participation. Ken Young reminded us that the Annual Veteran s Luncheon is next Thursday and today was the last day to buy tickets. BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES Jim Carty had a birthday and his, with her amazing skill of making tasty lemonade from sour lemons, got them a reservation at the fabulous Awahnee Hotel in Yosemite, just in time to be evacuated. So they met up with her much-beloved cousin in Sacramento and had a wonderful birthday celebration. John Brodey had a birthday. Some time back, they had reservations to go to a time share in Mexico City, but an earthquake hit. So they changed their plans and had reservations to fly to Cabo on October 10 th, but they were evacuated from here and had no clothes or ID, so that was cancelled. Then, on his birthday, Cristie got up and went to work, not even acknowledging his special day. She finally called and asked him to meet her at their house, so he thought for sure it was a surprise party for him. Nope, just a meeting with the painters. Finally,

3 he mentioned it was his birthday and she admitted she forgot, so off they went to dinner at In & Out Burger! Peter Copen celebrated with his cat. Of course, you had to know there d be a story with this remark. He woke up to the smoke from the fire, so started to evacuate. They got the carrier out for the cat, who immediately sensed it was going to the vet and ran to hide. They had to decide if it was them or the cat, so they left without the puss. He knew he d be paying for leaving the cat, so headed back and was stopped at the Melita Road block. They offered $500 to their favorite charity if they would let them in, but no go. They sneaked around that block, but was stopped at the entrance to Oakmont and sweet-talked their way in to save the cat. Val Hulsey spent her birthday helping her son rescue his car, which had broken down in Sonoma. He didn t have AAA, but she did. That being said, she evacuated along with Barb & Jim to PDG Bob Rogers lovely home in Sebastopol. Her cat, Ms. Blue, was well taken care of by Shawn & Paul Hetherman, who drank her beer and cleaned her gutters, but came back and replaced the beer. Rich Irwin s birthday was yesterday and he celebrated a big one 75. That didn t seem so bad until somebody reminded him he s 3 quarters of a century old!!! His newfound neighbor friend called and came over to share a bottle of champagne. George & Caroline Keller celebrated an Anniversary, but they forgot. Helen & Ken Young celebrated their 57 th Anniversary. Friends in Tahoe called and invited them up there for 4 lovely days away from the fire devastation. Club Anniversaries were acknowledged for Gay Weir, David Beach, Mike O Brien & Mikki Schmidt- Petersen HAPPY DOLLARS Peter Copen is just plain happy. Went to dinner at Pleasanton restaurant and had bullfrog legs! John Derby had us stand and sing Happy Birthday to everyone. Arnie Lamb brought an award device for the Curandero, John Brodey. As his job requires a lot of care and avoidance of evil spirits, he brought a little dragon thingy (something he was throwing out).

4 Marie Theilade evacuated to a wonderful vacation in the Panama Canal. Gay Weir, finally after 4 years, is moving into Oakmont Gardens. Her old neighbors bought coffee & doughnuts for the 1 st responders, who allowed them in to rescue their dog. There are a gazillion needs, so she listed the highest priorities, which are: Temporary housing Children s backpacks, counseling, transportation to & from school Insurance deductibles Other needs are: Help for small businesses to re-open Renters who had no renter s insurance Immigrant issues Weatherization of hillsides & areas prone to possible flooding Health care issues RAFFLE Anne Gero had Mike O Brien draw the ticket for the $81.50 jackpot. Jim Carty s number was drawn, but he didn t win. SPEAKER Our speaker, Charles Lindner of Council on Aging understandably wasn t able to make it, so Claudette Brero- Gow talked about our VOM Rotary Fire Relief Committee, which consists of herself, Chuck Broward, Barb Spangler, Fred Polkinghorn, Susan Boak and Mike Isola. There are quite a few miscellaneous issues to discuss. Many firefighters lost their homes as they fought to save Oakmont. Also, a press release should be issued telling the public why their dollars should come to Rotary. So, put on your thinking caps and have suggestions for the committee. This is going to be a very long project not just day or months, but possibly many years. The floor was opened up for questions and suggestions and many very good ones. It was suggested that perhaps Oakmont could open up temporary rentals to displaced people who are under 55. In Napa, Sonoma, Lake & Mendocino counties, 67 Rotarians lost their homes. Barb Spangler went to a Rotary meeting at the main Sacramento club. She said it was a huge club and the members dressed in suits & ties, very different from us. They passed the hat and raised $22,600 for District 5130 Fire Relief Fund. It was suggested that Claudette send an to our members with addresses to mail our donations.

5 Needless to say, the present alert system is not working. Many were awakened by neighbors, friends or family to evacuate. The siren was suggested, but Claudette suggested that some men can t hear that high pitch. Cell phone notification might not work as everyone doesn t keep their cell phone by their bed at night. Also, many here are too weak to open their garage door when the power it out. Some of the COPE teams worked well together, but other neighborhood COPE teams didn t respond as they were trained to do. Some longtime residents have never even met their COPE leaders. The OVA will be holding a special workshop to discuss and incorporate ideas. It was also suggested that perhaps Shelter Boxes be brought in for temporary housing. Also suggested if you don t know how to text on your cell phone, learn!! This is a sure-fire way to communicate even when cell towers are down and calls can t get through. Our guest Rotarian Timothy Fawcett was in the tech industry and says texting takes just a small sliver of band width, so go through. Learn to text. Marie Theilade had the name of a Disaster Supply Center, 3095 Kerner Blvd, Unit 1, San Rafael, CA You can get information from them at info@disastersupplycenter.com or call them at President Broward thanked everyone for their valuable input and closed our meeting at 8:45 a.m. by having us stand and recite the 4-Way Test. MEMBERSHIP Share Rotary with your friends. We should invite business friends and neighbors to a meeting. Who do we do business with, what neighbors do we know, what former Rotarians could be asked to join us? Clip and save the invitation below to give to a friend, neighbor, or business associate. Please tell or Caroline or Shawn Hetherman if you are bringing a guest. When introducing your guest at a meeting please do not introduce them as a prospective member. No one can be a prospective member until the Board votes on their application. Just introduce them as my friend or neighbor or whatever is appropriate. Guests and potential Rotarians are invited twice at the Club s expense. MANY PEOPLE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE JOINED ROTARY HAD SOMEONE ASKED THEM! Cut and put in your wallet You are invited as a guest of to attend a breakfast meeting of Valley of the Moon Rotary. The Club meets Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m. at the Quail Inn Restaurant 7035 Oakmont Drive in Oakmont. UPCOMING PROGRAMS DARK (Vets Day luncheon on ) Images from South Africa, Maureen McGettigan

6 DARK - Thanksgiving ERRORS & OMISSIONS Editor: Star Power ( starpower7@att.net or phone ) Publisher: Jack Monahan Photographers Jack Monahan, Maureen McGettigan President: Chuck Broward; President Elect: Shawn Hetherman: Secretary: Valerie Hulsey; Treasurer: Arnie Lamb; Sergeant-at-Arms: Mike O Brien VOM Rotary Club Directors: International Service Director Art Fichtenberg Youth Service Director Terry Metzger Community Service Director Pat Gooler Vocational Service Director Frank Sites Fund Raising Director Susan Boak Club Service Director Caroline Keller Rotary Foundation Director Mike Isola Membership Director Shawn Hetherman Public Relations Director John Brodey