El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel February 11, 2010

Editor: Gary Button

Feb. 10, 2010

President Tracy welcomed everyone to the Friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club. Mark S led the flag salute and Charlie provide the thought for the day.

Substitute Secretary Michael C:   Introduced Albany Rotarians Bob Langbean and Richmond Rotarian Judith Cafca.   Paul’s guest today was Lt Steve B who head up the Patrol Div of ECPD.

4-Way Test Presentation:    Paul led us in reciting the 4-Way Test

Announcements:

• Karen reminded us of the St. Patrick’s Day party at H’s Lordships on Mar 17^th.  There is a sit down dinner as well as music and lots of mixing.  Be sure and sign up for this great event.
  
  
• Kathleen advised of a raffle being held by a local temple that has some great prizes and said she would sell tickets after the meeting.
  
  
• Rotarian Bob of Albany announced their fundraiser on Feb 27^th at Albany middle school where they will do appraisals on two of your valuable treasurers for a $20 ticket to the event. 
  
  
• Carl brought his Janssen Prize award he received in France and passed it around.  This is a prestigious award that has been won by some major players in science.  The first recipient was Albert Einstein.

Happy dollars:  Michael C is $5 happy about the Chinese New Year.  Jane is $5 happy that she has fought off the bronchitis so she can MC the Richmond Chamber crab feed. 

Special Recognition:  Tracy present member-elect Jim Sheppard with a nice plant to take to his wife.  The recognition is for the couples newborn twins. 

Nobuko announced the selling of the great candy she gets from a special source.  Looked like she was doing a pretty good business.  The club gets a portion of the proceeds on these sales.

Sgt at Arms Nancy:   Not on duty today

Today’s Program: 

 Charlie introduced Karen Street a member of the Berkeley Friends organization.  She came to us today to present  a program on promoting nuclear energy as a way to increase our electric power production and at the same time cut the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced by natural gas and coal fired power plants.
Although she was promoting the notion of global warming as a reason for such action, it is common knowledge that our country must find ways to generate more electrical power in a reliable, safe, economical manner. 

Karen had a quality presentation that provided lots of data and information about everything from France’s reliance on nuclear power for a majority of their electrical to safety and other statistics about comparative power generation. In the Q&A at the end of the presentation we were given info on the Gen 3plus nuclear facilities that can now be built with existing technologies.  Also there are currently two or three new facilities in the works as well as upgrading of existing plants. 

The irony of someone from Berkeley promoting nuclear power was not lost on our members.  Karen is a strong proponent for taking action on nuclear energy and backed up here case with good evidence.  This was a good presentation.  Thank you Charlie for having Karen speak to us!!

(Editor note:  I apologize for no photo of Karen.  The picture I took was very blurry, just like the person holding the camera.)

Today’s Lottery Winner:   Nancy had her ticket drawn and pulled the golden marble for the $175 pot and the bottle of wine.   Next meeting the pot is $50.  There were a number of Valentine flowers given out from the raffle tickets this week.

Thought for the Week:

Oh, what a blamed uncertain thing

     This pesky weather is;

It blew and snew and then it thew,

     And now, by jing, it's friz!

--Philander Johnson