The Wheel – April 14, 2021

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Due to the recent concerns about the COVID-19 virus and a desire to follow the suggestions of health care professionals, the club will be having virtual meetings until further notice.

“The Rotary Club of Stockton Begins the 2nd Century of Service to the Stockton Community”
(74)

Activities

• Call to Order and Welcome! President Gary Frush welcomed members and guests to the Virtual Rotary Club of Stockton 2021 meeting!
• Pledge of Allegiance & Four Way Test – Blain Bibb celebrated his birthday by leading us in the Pledge and 4-Way test.
• 

  Maria Velasco

  Thought for the Day – Maria Velasco: Appreciation was the theme. Rotarians have always given their 100% in whatever they do. Rotary Club of Stockton surpassed its goal for the “209 Giving for Literacy”. Thanks to all the Rotarians for their donations and the commitment towards making the community a better place.

• Special Thanks Today to – Matthew Grizzle for orchestrating these meetings, Corie Stewart our Zoom meeting entry coordinator, Dudley Drake for his work on speaker recruitment, Leena Mittal for continuing to taking notes (thank you Leena), and Eric Duran for the ultimate publication of the Wheel!
• Visiting Rotarians – (none)
• Guests of Rotarians – (none).
• Paul Kozlow for SRE – Lindsay Bureaux from Dignity Health: Because of the donations received from organizations like Rotary, they were able to provide comfort kits for homeless people when they were discharged. The care packet contains essential items like Drawstring bag, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, rain poncho, blanket, etc. Dignity Health also provides care to the homeless people.
• Rotary News:  Rotary Direct – Latest sign up: Liz Hull! Total members registered in Rotary Direct for Foundation giving are 17! Please consider signing up; it’s easy to do! Please call President Gary (209-601-3631) or Linda Guinn (209-639-1482) to sign up.  Goal is 150 members.
• Club Service & District Calendar for 2020-2021 – Click HERE for the latest list! Don’t miss out on some great activities that may or may not happen in the near future (due to the COVID-19 virus.)

Directions for members on how to make a payment to Rotary Club of Stockton: Click on “$ Online Payments” in the blue bar at the top (or click this blue box)

Club Announcements

• Hybrid Live Meetings @ Stockton Golf & Country Club – President-Elect Kevin Kauffman: Coming soon – Go “live” Wednesday at noon later in April. Initially it would open for only a few members with the meeting broadcasting from the Country Club. About 30 people would be allowed to register afterwards for an in person meeting. More details to follow in emails. The members can chose Zoom option as well.

When (if) we (ever) resume regular meetings..

• Use That Credit Card at The Meeting – You may now pay for lunch, raffle tickets (minimum Credit Card Purchase of $5.00) and other purchase at the Club meetings with a credit Card.
• Potential Members – To encourage Club members to bring a potential member to the Wednesday meetings the Rotary Club of Stockton will pay for the 1st meal of a potential member brought by a Club member. For the proper procedure when proposing a new member, read this document.

Meeting Note takers needed for the New Year! Thank you Leena Mittal for volunteering to continue taking notes! Your help is much appreciated! Now it’s time for someone else to step up! PLEASE Consider volunteering (Like Leena has done) for a once a month (or more) opportunity to keep the Wheel rolling along. Our Wheel editor will appreciate you stepping up to assist! What’s a better way to know what’s going on in your club? -editor. Contact Corie Stewart at corie@gemcorp.com

Guest Speaker

Speaker: Dr. Alan Carpenter
Introduced by: Past-President Dudley Drake

Introduction
In 2019, Alan Carpenter and his wife, Betsy, rode their bicycles across America from Anacortes, Washington, to Bar Harbor, Maine, on the Northern Tier Cycle Route. They covered 4,168 miles during their 58-day journey.

Dr. Alan Carpenter – Ride Across America
Dr. Alan Carpenter shared pictures of his bike trip across America from Washington to Maine. Dr. Carpenter and his wife did this trip on their bikes. They rode everyday rain or shine. He shared their experiences as they stopped for food, shower and shelter. During the journey they met kind families and people who loaned their home for shower and provided food and shelter. They also stopped at one of the bike camps. This bike camp used to be a house and was donated by the owners to be used by the bikers for a night stop. Dr. Carpenter shared pictures of beautiful, breathtaking views along their way. Dr. Carpenter shared a lot of pictures and inspired everyone to take bike trips and enjoy the locals along the way.

Next Meeting: April 21, 2021
Pam Heaney, Mike Higgins, Dan Leavitt and Virginia Madueno “Stockton Diamond Grade Separation”

Mike Higgins is the consultant project manager, working on behalf of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation project.

Mike has worked at HDR Engineering for the past 3 years.  Mike was born and raised in San Joaquin County, and currently lives in Lodi.

Dan Leavitt is the Manager of Regional Initiatives for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA).

Dan’s responsibilities include managing San Joaquin’s and ACE service expansion planning, network integration studies, environmental studies, and agency coordination and advocacy efforts for the San Joaquin’s and ACE services.

In 2015, Dan was appointed by Governor Brown to be a Board Member of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. He is a long-time supporter and user of public transportation and a life-long resident of California.

Virginia Madueno is President of IMAGEN LLC and is one of the outreach specialists working
with HDR and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission on the Stockton Diamond project.

Virginia is an avid train traveler and supporter and over the last five years has helped to champion the expansion and support of ACE and the San Joaquin’s Amtrak service throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

Virginia is a former Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Riverbank and currently serves as Chair for the California Commission on Boating and Waterways, appointed by Governor Brown in 2013.

Upcoming Speakers

(Virtual unless otherwise noted)

April 2021

• 28 – Stuart Spencer – Executive Director of the Lodi Wine Commission

May 2021

• 05 – Chuck Myers, “The Hornet Carrier”
• 12 – Past District Governor Robert Deering, Jr., “Human Trafficking”
• 19 – TBD
• 26 – Jonni Redick, “Leadership in Turbulent Times”

Birthday Celebration Challenge!!!

July finals 14/15 or 93.3%
August Wrap up – 10/11 or 90.1%
September Birthday Celebrations: 15/15 for 100% participation!
October Finals 14 of 14 = 100%
Both September and October were 100 percent participation.
November birthday challenge was 87.5%.
December Challenge Wrap Up: 90% Participation

2020 Challenge Total:  76 of 81 for 93.8% – Thanks!

January Birthday Challenge: 10 of 10 for 100%!
Final Wrap for February – 10/10 participated = 100 %
Final Wrap for March – 13/13 participated = 100 %

YTD: Now 5 months @ 100% = September, October, January, February, March

April Birthday Challenge – 17 Members

Birthday Recognitions

Weeks 1-3: 

• $1,000 (Double-Heart Stopper!) – Blain Bibb 4/6 ($100 BR and $400 for anniversary and $500 for Rotarian friendships (Melanie Vieux and Colleen Stewart). Total $1,000 (50/50))
• $250 (Bell Ringer!) – Judy Chambers 4/14 ($250 BR 50/50)
• $50 – Cheavy Lema 4/15 $50 SRE

April 2021 Birthdays…

Photos…