Today we enjoyed Mr. Dennis Zell as our worthy substitute President. Where was President Stan, you ask?   Hope all is well.  The weather report today is spectacular!  We are blessed.  A little rain tomorrow morning just to freshen things up.
 

Pledge and Invocation

Pierre Bouquet was invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.  Went off without a hitch.  The invocation was delivered by Jim Shypertt.  He hopes for World Peace.  Most of us would settle for peace in Washington at this juncture.  For starters, Jim recommended a reading or re-reading of “The Power of Positive Thinking.”  Always a good read.

Announcements

Acting President Zell was chatting up Alden Cunningham, pointing out that he was late, didn’t wear his pin, and probably ended a sentence with a preposition.  Alden said “enough” and contributed $20.  Even so, Dennis Zell went after him to join Stan’s President’s Club.  Gotcha! Alden already is a member.  Good try, Dennis. 
It should be noted Cheryl Fama looked especially attractive today with her brilliant blue eyes, jacket to match, brilliant silver bob.  C’mon, a fashion statement once a year should be acceptable.  She looked delectable.
We lauded Sean Williams  for his work in earning his MBA at Santa Clara.   There probably will be a raise in it for him…

Guests and Visiting Rotarians

Again, not a one.  Acting President Zell spotted a stranger -- guest or visitor?  Bill Teideman introduced  Brad, as in Bradley McCulley, City Librarian, City of Burlingame.  You may know, Bill’s traveling pal Pat Harding recently retired as City Librarian and has been exploring the globe with Mr. Bill.  Brad now  has Pat’s position as City Librarian.  Good for all!  Interesting…

tall, lean Brad spent 12 years as a pastry chef before starting the process of becoming a librarian.  Obviously, he just tasted his creations, as one is expected to do. His cakes are famous around the City.  Welcome, Brad.  Books could be outlawed anytime now, after the November election; you can always go back to baking.   Joe Galligan mentioned your reporter is a more realistic representation of her prodigious talent with chocolate chip cookies.  No cookies for Galligan.

Your Title here

Bill Tiedeman introduced City of Burlingame Librarian Brad McCulley who distributed copies of the Burlingame Public Library Strategic Plan Summary 2017-2019.
Brad appreciates that the folks in Burlingame truly love their library – much more than the folks in other cities love theirs. Recently, the Burlingame Library conducted a survey to determine what features/services the citizens would hope to find in the library.  Fifteen hundred surveys were completed and returned!  People would like to see the library open more hours.  As it is, our library is open seven days a week, comparing favorably to the schedules of neighboring cities.  Mark Johnson commented that there are often lines of patrons waiting for the San Mateo Library to open.Of course, the survey asked for a café. Cafes are popular.  We have one!
More ebooks would be appreciated.  No help from Bill Tiedeman who punches  keys and Amazon immediately produces ebooks.  Golly gee whiz, Bill, how about getting your ebooks from Burlingame Public Library!!!
The survey suggested the fireplace in the Fiction Section be lit.  Actually and appropriately, the Fiction Section has a Fake Fireplace with a Fake Fire!!   Can’t even burn fake news in it.  Adds to the atmosphere, though. An Aquarium and an escalator were suggested.  Also a public microwave. As a nod to the “sharing economy,“ it was suggested our library perhaps store a ‘wet-vac” for those few occasions when a resident may need to vacuum up something wet.  YUCK!  As noted in the Strategic Plan Summary 2018-2019, the vision of the Burlingame Public Library is; An incubator for sharing INFORMATION, IMAGINATION, AND INNOVATION. The mission of the Burlingame Public Library is 'Awaken your CURIOSITY, spark your CREATIVITY, strengthen your CONNECTIONS.'
GOALS:
  1. Provide engaging, customized experiences,          
  2. Build inclusive community connections,
  3. Foster a wide range of literacy and life skills,
  4. Listen to our community and share our stories,
  5. Enable our staff members to thrive, grow, and be deeply engaged in realizing our vision and mission.
The burning question from the audience was whether the Burlingame Library will carry Professor Mike Kimball’s book, if and when it is ever FINISHED!!!  In the unlikely event the book remains unfinished, would the library at least be willing to carry the manuscript?  There will be a manuscript soon, yes?
Librarian Brad McCulley mentioned that there are various rooms in the library that can be used for gatherings and presentations.  There may be a cost for rooms reserved for commercial purposes.
Brad was so excited to hear that the Peninsula Health District will be donating a book to his library in recognition of his excellent presentation today.
 
NEXT WEEK – APRIL 5, 2017 – POPLAR CREEK
Our speaker will be Gisela Zebroski, a novelist, who published two novels, THE BARONESS and MEPHISTO WALTZ.  Her own story is a work in progress under the title of SELFIE SIDEWAYS.
Gisela talks about being born in Latvia; about Berlin after World War II.
 
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS BIRTHDAYS Marilyn Orr on the 1st, Jerry Winges on the 3rd, Karen Malekos-Smith on the 7th, Carol Tanzi on the 9th, John Crosby on the 12th, Fritz Brauner on the 17th, Mike Mahoney on the 17th, Marc Friedman on the 21st, and Barry Parker on the 23rd.