High Gear - October 17, 2016 Posted by Rosalie McCloud on Oct 17, 2016 Brilliant sunshine greeted us as we assembled for our luncheon at ye olde Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront.  President Stan called the meeting to order promptly at 12:15P.  Quite a few members in attendance today, plus lots of guests.   Photo: Maki Kobayashi Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation Scott Williams lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Maki Kobayashi delivered the invocation, suggesting that we begin to effect change from within. Guest of the Club and Visiting Rotarians Peter Comaroto introduced Mayor Ann Keighran and his much better half, Sandy Comaroto.   Emily Matthews also introduced our guest and speaker Diana Reddy. Diana retired as Assistant to Superintendent, Sequoia Union High School District. She is a veteran leader with Faith in Action (formerly Peninsula Interfaith Action), a federation of Christian and non-Christian congregations that address social justice having to do primarily with housing, healthcare, immigration, and public safety in their communities.  Diana is supporting the Yes on Measure R steering committee as a member of a coalition in San Mateo addressing displacement issues. Diana Reddy and Donna Colson debated the pros and cons of Burlingame Proposition R with our own Dennis Zell moderating.   Debate partner and City of Burlingame Councilwoman Donna Colson was introduced by Emily as well.  Donna enjoyed a 25-year finance career and has been a small business owner in Burlingame since 2011.  She has served on many City commissions, is on the Executive Board of BCE and Co-President of BIS and Burlingame High School parent organizations from 2008 to present. Donna, her husband, and two teen daughters are Burlingame residents; the girls both attend Burlingame High School. Charles Voltz introduced his guest Mary Hunt and son Tom.   Emily Matthews introduced Wendi Upchurch, looking us over for the third time.  Glad to see you again, Wendi!     Scott Hart of Rotary Club of San Bruno introduced himself because people at the Bad Boys table forgot their manners, for which the entire table was fined $5.00 each!!!  They tried to blame it on Duffy, but President Stan meted out justice.    Announcements President Stan reminded there is a Board Meeting at City Hall this Wednesday at 4:30.  Party-girl Emily Matthews suggested we retire to Steelhead Brewery after the meeting for fun and frolic. All Club members invited.  Yes!!! Mike Horwitz delivered his report on the Golf Tournament and Barbecue.  Spoiler alert:  We netted $54,000 for our scholarship fund!  Dang we’re good. Especially helpful were John Delaney and Marilyn Orr for managing the financial end of things.  Big thanks to Charlie Rosebrook for his best spread yet. Karen Malekos-Smith put her hand to enhancing the room with designer touches.  Thanks to Bob Doerr for making certain communications worked.  Thanks to Jim Shypertt for recording the proceedings on film.  Cary Koh took good care of the  awards. Thanks, Stacey Longwich, for your help! Thanks to Mark Johnson for recruiting the fabulous Diane Dwyer for the live auction, and to those who donated auction items. Shout out to the Marriott for 145 lunches, lots of ice and two rooms at the Monterey Marriott to go with the Pebble Beach Golf.  Marriott also donated a week-end for two, including breakfast and golf at the fabulous Desert Springs Marriott Resort. Thanks to Mark Lucchesi at Mollie Stone’s for his usual generosity.   Cary Koh and Charlie Rosebrook unloaded the provisions.  John Delaney and Marilyn Orr set up check-in and pay tables .  Cathy Jones and Stacey Longwich made $2,450 selling Mulligans.   A very nice guest won the day of golf at Pebble Beach for her bid of $3,000! Mike says this year’s sponsors were the best ever.  Thank so much to our sponsors for their continued support.Thanks to Mike Horwitz for inspiration and coordination.  It took a village, and it was worth it!! Thanks to President Stan for his overall supervision and motivation! REALLY?  $54,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  PLUS…President Stan tried to get $10.00 out of Mark Johnson for being late.  Mark reminded our President that he was already a member of the Presidents Club.    Program Today’s program was a debate on Burlingame Proposition R -  Rent Stabilization.  Participants were City Councilwoman Donna Colson and Diana Reddy of Faith in Action.  Moderating was our own Dennis Zell.’s Club The proposition is available for download on the Burlingame.org website.  Interested parties should read it through. It’s important.  There are 27 pages. Most of the discussion was about the commission that would be formed to oversee housing issues.                                     MOST IMPORTANT: BE INFORMED AND VOTE!!!       HAPPY BIRTHDAY October 29, Bonnie Bertetta! Read more...