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Rotary News
Rotary Meeting
Here with us today Amber Jenifer Alex Geof During this week's meeting, Elfrena Foord (which, by the way, is the only Ford that is popular these days), noted insightfully that we Rotarians were particularly well behaved this week and wondered at the cause of such docility. Having only gone to State College (but it was Sac State, people!), it took this author a while to realize that it must have been because of all of the cops in the room! The head table was chock full with U.S. Marshalls (as in Tony Amador), Norm Marshalls (formerly Marshall Marshall of LA County), former cops (Ed the sign man Weidner), CHP (think Dick Noonan), and the current heavy hitters - District Attorney Jan Scully, and Chief of Police (and guest speaker) Rick Braziel. Even the Rotary rascals will behave with that much heat in the room! Speaking of Past President Ed Weidner, he commandeered the podium for a moment to share that he was a police officer in 1952 (retiring from service in 1955 when his moonlighting sign business was making him too darn much money), and announced his desire to return to the force, hopefully joining the vice squad (he's retired from the sign business now, so he has time during the day). No word yet from Chief Braziel on the status of Ed's return to duty. Peter Dannenfelser provided us with this week's "Rotary Minute" (which, in a style unfamiliar to Rotary, Peter actually kept to a minute), enlightening us on the Rotary Ambassador Scholarship program. Rotarians worldwide have donated $5 million big ones to provide over 38,000 deserving young individuals a chance to experience life abroad, with our local District donating $100Gs this year toward this youth enriching program. Another Rotary program was highlighted when Thomas Gilbert Jr. shared with us some of his recent experiences in Austria, courtesy of the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program. And to prove that what goes around comes around, the wine for this week's reception was provided by Jon Affonso, who learned about the nectar-of-the-gods during his RYE venture to France in his youth, and is now the owner of Sacramento's newest winery, Rail Bridge Cellars. Thanks for the vino, Jon. After Rotary's ultimate go-to guy, Art Brewer, quickly fixed the microphone, Chief Braziel enlightened us on the goings on down at the police station. A 28-year veteran of the force, triathelete who has competed in the Iron Man competition in Kona, and author of Cop Talk (a best seller in the law enforcement community), Chief Braziel spoke with an honesty and candor that was truly refreshing to hear from a government official. OK, a quick advertisement - Top Gun Tim's Writer's Squadron is looking for a few good men - and especially women -to join its ranks of Rotary meeting journalists (and I couldn't be using that word more loosely). Writing skills are barely necessary (as proven by the drivel you've been reading), and we don't care if you misconjugate, dangle your participles, or even like to use the word "ain't" (we're a non-judgmental bunch down here in the press room). If you like to put pen to paper and are looking to join a (light duty) Rotary committee, this is the place for you. E-mail John Wood at jwood@mcgeethielen.com and we'll get you enlisted in President Tim's writer's brigade. JBW Some more pictures can be seen at this online slide show: |
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