INCORPORATED
www.SIR47.ORG
Our own website
TAMALPAIS BRANCH NO. 47
A SIR PUBLICATION
A Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation of Retired Men Devoted
to the Promotion of Independence and Dignity of Retirement.
Big Sir - Jake Solomon 415-472-3069
Little Sir– Tim Leveque415-888-3242
Secretary - Ned Lawerence - 415-595-1092
Ass’t Sect’y - Mike Kelly 415-380-1885
Treasurer - Paul Schofield 415-892-7019
Ass’t Treas.– Lon Sykes 415-479-5369
Directors: Tom Brady
Tom Culhane
Jim Kleiser
Luncheon Meeting:
McINNIS GOLF CENTER, SAN RAFAEL
Fourth Tuesday of the month
Happy Hour at 11:00 am, as always
Editor/Publisher - Ron Kosciusko –415-435-0650
Attendance Committee—415-881-7477
Cashier - Glen Ohm - 415-479-5693
George Miller
John Freel
Doug Twitchell
State President - Donald Dill
Region 10 Director - Jim Filippo 415-892-2063 Area 6 Governor - Frank Sokolowski
MARIN COUNTY
MARCH 2016
VOL. XLIII
NO. 3
OUR 43ND YEAR
BIG SIR’S MESSAGE
By now everyone has received a letter from the recruitment committee. Have you invited a guest to our monthly luncheon? Why not? The recruitment committee will assist you, if you feel you need a hand, or if you need additional membership applications to hand out. Just ask. Remember, every guest who completes and turns in a membership application at
the luncheon, will receive a free lunch. And, if that guest becomes a member and attends 3 luncheons, his sponsor receives a free lunch.
On February 10th, our branch had the first of our special events of the year, the Italian Fiesta which took place at Il Davide
restaurant in San Rafael. Many thanks to Sam Parke for organizing the event and making all necessary arrangements. We
had a small but enthusiastic group of members, spouses, and guests. The food was excellent, and because the attendance
was “light”, we were able to have conversations with everyone participating. The downside was that the attendance was
“light.” We recognized that the event was a bit pricey, so we are considering alternatives to replace the crab feed, turned
Italian fiesta for next year.
I came across this quotation in Willie Brown’s column in Sunday’s SF Chronicle:
“ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well- preserved body, but
rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “WOW!
What a ride!’”
I suggest that one way to live life to the fullest is by joining one or more of the many activities and special events associated with our branch, thereby enjoying the comradery and friendships that come with better knowing each other.
Did you know? We have an e-mail address: [email protected] and a dedicated phone: 415-881-7477. Please use
either if you are bringing a guest or visitor, or if you will miss the luncheon. Also, you may use it to select the alternative
entrée. YOUR CALL MATTERS.
Coming soon. A new and improved Branch 47 website.
Jake Solomon, Big Sir
Page 1
JANUARY SPEAKER REVIEW
THIS MONTH’S MENU
In a little less than an hour, Cecilia Gaerlan, Executive Director of the Bataan Legacy organization, guided us through the
Salad
seminal events of World War II with a special focus on the
Corned
Beef,
boiled
red
potatoes and cabbage
war in the Pacific and with an even sharper focus on the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, and finally an account of the
infamous Bataan Death March which her own father survived. Alternative: Penne pomodoro Pasta and vegetables
There was a lot of food for thought here, and perhaps some
Rolls and butter
new “food,” as Cecilia kept coming back to her main point
Dessert
that the history of the war in the Philippines needs to be rewritten because “history has been forgotten.” Thus, her mission and her organization’s mission is to “educate the public
THIS MONTH/S SPEAKER
about World War II in the Philippines from both the military
and civilian points of view.” Cecilia”s newsletter states that
Our speaker for March will be Katherine
“there are many moving and yet unknown stories of World
War II in the Philippines.” I have no doubt about this and was Henderson Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Instipleased to read that in 2011 legislation was passed in Califor- tute (OLLI) at Dominican University of California,
nia to “encourage inclusion of the role of the Filipinos during 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael 94901; 415-482World War II in the History curriculum for grade 11.”
2406.
As I sift through my notes of Cecilia’s talk, I see many references to unknown and untold stories and “how much is not in The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of
the history books.” During her talk I was not able to get a
Dominican University is an academic program
firm idea of exactly what she was trying to convey, and furfounded in 2004 and supported by a generous enther research on the internet has not been very helpful either.
dowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, the
War is always awful and unclear. My intuition tells me that
most of her thoughts about the war in the Philippines go back resources of the University, and member donations
tuition.
to the April 1942 Bataan Death March, when some 62,000
Filipino soldiers and some 12,000 American soldiers were
Tim Leveque
forced to march from the southern end of the Bataan Peninsu- Little SIR
la sixty-five miles north to Camp O’Donnell in five days. As
many as 10,000 of these surrendered prisoners died on the
march; the exact number is unknown. What is known is that
Japanese behavior on the march was brutal, even inhuman.
Cecilia believes, and with good reason, that a disproportionate
number of Filipinos died in prison camps and battle and “their
SIR Br 47 Tax Party Wednesday
role has been maligned.” She would go further: “they were
sacrificed.” And then in 1946, President Truman cut surviApril 13, 2016
vors’ military benefits which, in her words, was a “betrayal.”
Luncheon at the Marin Country Club
Other grievances smolder: in March, 1942, MacArthur flees
to Australia; Churchill and Roosevelt decide to save Europe
11:30 am social time and 12:00 for lunch
first; as many as one million civilians perished in the PhilipPlease invite your spouse and friends to join us.
pines; MacArthur “didn’t expect a Japanese invasion”; the
The cost is only $26 / person.
U.S. began to recruit Filipino troops in Nov. of 1941 but
Lunch includes spinach salad, rolls & butter,
trained them with “old equipment that didn’t work.”
Despite misgivings such as these, Cecilia acknowledges the
Philippines’ long relationship with the United States which
goes back to 1898. But she wants the history of the war to be
corrected and rewritten where it needs revision. She insists on
“historical accuracy” because we “have a moral obligation to
correct the record.” I think what it really boils down to is this:
Cecilia does not think that the Filipino people have yet gotten
enough credit for their suffering and for their contributions to
winning the war in the Pacific. If you want to know more,
please visit her website: bataanlegacy.org. Thanks, Cecilia
for a most provocative presentation. -–Michael Kelly
choice of main course:
(1) Mushroom & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken,
(2) Sea Bass or (3) Gnocchi Gorgonzola.
Includes brownies & ice cream,
coffee and tea. There is a no host bar.
Please make check payable to SIR Branch 47 and send
Kurt Heilman, 457 Fieldstone Dr., Novato, CA 94945.
Reservation and check must be received by Friday April 8,
2016.Contact Kurt Heilman @ 1-415-892-2460 or
[email protected]/.
You can buy your tickets at our
Mar. 22 luncheons
Page 2
Branch 47 Outings
Executive Committee Meeting, Highlights
February 22, 2016
1.Treasurers Report; Total Fund Balance $12,029.
Includes dues paid from 77 members
2. Big Sir Report
The Italian night attendance was lower than previous years.
Price was $39.00 which was a concern.
The decision to host this event next year will be on a future
agenda.
3. Little Sir Report
Tim Leveque reported that February 23 speakers will be two
representatives from a nonprofit organization that is aiding
illiteracy problems in primary schools.
4. Old Business
Procedures for free lunches around recruitment were discussed
and the following procedures are now in place. A prospective
member with a sponsor and a completed application will have
a free lunch. The sponsor of a new member will be awarded a
free lunch after the new member attends three lunches. The
sponsor will have to notify membership when the third lunch
attendance has been met.
5. Website Update
The newly formed committee has had three meetings and the
progress has been significant.
In the coming weeks the new site will be available and plans to
use the site for recruitment will be in progress. All committee
chairmen will need to be involved in keeping information current.
6. New Business
A. Ken Griffin will be asked to buy the wine given at lunches
following the same procedures he has used in past years. Each
member who has a birthday in the month of the luncheon
will receive a bottle of wine.
B. Tom Brady reported that branch 47 golfers had a low attendance at Monday 18 hole golf.
If golf is to be an emphasis for recruitment, some new ideas
need to be discussed and budgets voted upon.
C. Branch 47 is allowed another Honorary Life Membership.
Final decision will be decided in March BEC meeting.
D. The new check signees need to have their signatures recorded. This group consists of the Big Sir, Little Sir, Treasurer and
Assistant Treasurer. A meeting at Union Bank has been scheduled.
1. Marin Jazz Group regularly performs at The Mayflower Inn, 1533 4th Street, San Rafael, (415) 456-1011,
on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of every month from
7:30 – 9:30 pm. No cover, no minimum and.features a
full license, a wide selection of beers and great pub food!
www,JDJAZZGROUP.com .
2. Novato Theater Company:
Mar. 25 – Apr 17 4000 miles. Having biked 4,000 miles
from Seattle to New York. This 21 yr. old young man
holes up with his 91 yr. old grandmother in Greenwich
village. For tickets contact contact
novatotheatercompany.org
3. Ross Valley Players:
Feb 19 – Mar 6 Arches, Balance and Light (World Premiere) For tickets contact rossvalleyplayers.com or call
1-415-456-9555 Ex 1
4. Private Docent Tour of the Railroad Ferry Museum
in Tiburon on a week day on March 15th for Br 47
members, spouses & friends. Please reply to “[email protected]” if interested. AND indicate if
you would like to go to lunch that day as well. We will
then firm up plans.
5. Free Mill Valley Philharmonic Concert on
Saturday, March 12th @ 4 pm @ Mt Tamalpais United
Methodist Church in Mill Valley. After the Concert, we
propose dinner @ 6:30 pm @ Piazza D’Angelo, 22 Miller Way, Mill Valley. Donations for Concert appreciated.
Please let me know if you (including your spouse or
guests) are interested in Dining @ 6:30 pm @ Piazza
D’Angelo after the 4 pm Concert. (I need to know count
for making dinner reservations. < As in the past, please
bring cash - in case they can not accommodate separate
checks.>
See below for details on this concert & other concert
times.
Mill Valley Philharmonic March 11, 12 and 13, 2016.
All concerts are free, All seating Is walk-in seating.
Haydn’s Reach – Haydn to Ives - Haydn had a significant impact on the symphonists who followed.
PROGRAM: Franz Josef Haydn, Symphony No. 94,
Surprise Symphony
Sergei Prokofiev, Symphony No. 1, the Classical
Igor Stravinsky, Ode: Tryptichon for Orchestra
Charles Ives, The Unanswered Question
Friday March 11th, 8:00pm Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist
Church, 410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley
Saturday, March 12th, 4:00pm Mt Tamalpais United Methodist Church, Mill Valley
Sunday, March 13th, 1:00pm Angelico Hall, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael
Cheers
Meeting adjourned at 12:15
Kurt Heilman-
Ned Lawrence, Branch Secretary
415-892-2460
Page 3
GOLF
3/7 Monday
Foxtail South
3/14 Monday
Chardonnay
3/22 TUESDAY Bennett Valley
Note Day Change
3/28 Monday
Peacock Gap
08:00
08:00
08:30
134
134
151
08:00
47
Tom Brady, 897-8573
9-Hole Golf at McInnis Park
Mondays at 9:00 am, weather permitting
BOWLING
Bowling League bowling is every Friday at Country
Club Bowl, 88 Vivian Way, San Rafael.
Start time: 10:45 AM
Come and share the fun!
Contact Paul Schofield, Chair 892-7019
BRANCH 47 BOCCE
First Monday of each month; no cost to play. Lunch @ 11:45
am (the lunch location varies but is near Sonoma Square),
then Bocce @ 1pm at Depot Park, just north of Sonoma
Square. Bring your own Bocce balls.
Contact: Kurt Heilman 892-2460 or heilmanfour@ comcast.net
to let him know if you want (1) to be on the mailing list & (2) to
join us for lunch, play bocce or both.
SIR ROLLING ROAMERS RV CLUB
Join us for lunch 2nd Tuesday of each month
& on our outings.
For information, contact
SIR Ray Canziani Branch 22, Wagon Master
(415) 453-4463
TENNIS, ANYONE?
Every Wednesday 9 AM McInnis Park
Bill Donnelly 897-8966 or Glen Ohm 479-5693
REMEMBER:
Our regular lunch dates are on the
FOURTH TUESDAY, of
TRAVEL
Feb 12-Mar 2, 2016: Australia & New Zealand Cruise. Start in Sydney with a tour then
board the MV Sydney for a bay cruise and a
2 night stay at the Rydges World Square Hotel. Next you will board the Diamond Princess
with stops in Melbourne, Hobart, and stops in
New Zealand. Trip includes air, transfers, all
shipboard meals, 2 cocktail parties, and all
port taxes and government fees. Also included is Trip Insurance covering pre-existing
medical conditions. Cost $6085 to $7315 depending on cabin. Larry Martinson, Br 114,
San Jose, 408-528-0746 or Jim Stoner 408238-8458.
Mar 10-16 ,2016: Azaleas, Plantations &
Cajuns. Experience the hospitality and charm
of the south through educational tours of
Natchez, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New
Orleans. See spring in full bloom with the surrounding flowers at historic sites and plantations. 3 nights Baton Rouge & 3 nights New
Orleans 7 day, 13 meals from $2105 Bruce
Bentley, Santa Cruz, Br 20, 831-465-6590
Mar 12-31, 2016: South America Cruise. I8
day cruise starting in Santiago, Chile where
you will board the Star Princess for a long
cruise of South and Central America ending
in Los Angeles. Costs of $3660 to $5260 depending on cabin selection include home
pickup, transfers, meals and entertainment
aboard ship, all departure and port taxes, all
driver and porter gratuities. Rollo Parsons, Br
141, San Jose, 408-268-5245 or Brian Serpa,
408-227-7658.
Mar 25-Apr 10, 2016: Big Band Voyage
Across the Atlantic Ocean. 16 day all inclusive cruise across the Atlantic on the Crystal
Symphony. Relish the blissful luxury of days
at sea, highlighted by visits to Bermuda, the
Azores, Barcelona,, Bandol, and Monte Carlo. Cost from $3665. Ken Richter, Br.146,
Walnut Creek, 925-689-6217.
Questions?? Your Travel Chairman:
Kurt Heilman –415 892-2460
every month
Page 4
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
COMPUSIRS
Summary: Actives Gains:
Losses:
QUICKEN SIG
2nd Tuesdays, 10:am
B. Bloch, GGCS, 415-388-3864
PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PC only)
104
0
0
Inactives -
7
0
0
PERFECT ATTENDANCE 2015
??
1st WEDNESDAYS
DIGITAL CAMERA STUFF
3rd Wednesdays
FEBRUARY LUNCH TICKET WINNER
Russ Flaum 415-897-1017
WEBSITE DESIGN SIG
Richard Guetter
3rd Tuesdays
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY WINNERS
Al Anderson, Laszlo Folk, Marshall Gross,
John Rouch, and Hans Schmid.
Paul Bell [email protected]
All Wednesday sessions are from 1:30 to 3:30 pm
GGCS COMPUSIRS classroom
First Presbyterian Church
Fifth Avenue, San Rafael
MARCH BIRTHDAY BOYS
3rd Don Kuchta, 9th Bob Fields,13th John Freel,
13th Herb Husen, 16th Tim Leveque,17th Peter Kerner
18th Richie Guetter, 18th Pierre Terrier,
22nd Pete Brajkovich, 22nd Norbert Hudobnik
26th George Vaio, 29th Ara Apkarian
All are welcome. Open to all of Area 6.
INVESTORS LUNCH BUNCH
Second Friday of the month at the Chevy’s
Restaurant, 123 Vintage Way, Vintage Oaks,
Novato. The Lunch is $19.00, and will start at
11:30, followed by presentations and discussions.
Contacts:
Pete Petrofsky 415-472-0985, Will Kaefer 415-927-1043,
Brian Stompe 415-897-1610
FEBRUARY ATTENDANCE REPORT
Total Members
102
Members Present
78
Guests:
1
Visitors:
0
76%
March 24, 2016:
To call-in non-attendance, order an alternative plate or to
notify you’re bringing a guest/visitor
.
Call or Text 415-881-7477
or E-mail [email protected]
with your request, giving name and badge number
Killing Patton, by Bill O’Reilly. Sam Gill will
lead the discussion. .
Please call by noon of the Friday
before the lunch date
SIR’S GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP
“Reading Maketh The Full Man”
We meet in Hangar 5, Hamilton Field, Suite 200, Marin
Community Foundation;
Dick Locke, Chair, Howard Bassett, Emeritus Chair; Al
Crozier & Dan McGreevy, Ass’t Chairs, Jim Rohde,
email master, Don Pierce, Google man.
BRIDGE GROUP
The bridge group meets on the third Thursday of each month at a
member’s home. Play is from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. To reserve space
and get directions for the next event, call or email
Charles Caviness: 415 435-9618
[email protected]
THURSDAY WALKING/HIKING GROUP
1st week each month: Jake Solomon 415-472-3069
2nd week each month: Jim Hancock (Br.151) 415-4920883
3rd week each month:Al Springstead 415-250-3808
4th week each month: Alan Thomas 415-457-4576
5th week (if applicable): Dee Stuever 415-459-6751
Call leaders for details about future walks and hikes
FISHING
The fishermen meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at
Novato United Methodist Church at 9:30am. For detailed
information,contact SIR Bill Cline, Branch 134, @
Page 5
THIS MONTH’S ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
Wednesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday
Monday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Thursday
Wednesday
Friday
Monday
Thursday
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
2 Personal Computers Class
2 Tennis
3 Walking Group
4 Bowling
7 Bocce
7 Golf
8 Rolling Roamers
9 Tennis
10 Walking Group
11 Bowling
11 Investors’ Lunch Bunch
14 Golf
16 Tennis
16 Digital Camera Stuff
17 Bridge
17 Walking Group
18 Bowling
21 Executive Board Mtg
22 Lunch
22 Golf (Note date change)
23 Tennis
24 Great Books
24 Walking Group
24 Tamal Talk Deadline for April
25 Bowling
28 Golf
31 Walking Group
TAMALTALK, SIR Branch 47
Ron Kosciusko, Publisher
402 Hilary Drive
Tiburon, CA. 94920
If undeliverable Return to Sender
AREA 6 MONTHLY MEETINGS
Br. #
Branch Phone
7 The Club at McInnis Park 1st Thursday
415 456-3763
22 The Club at McInnis Park 1st Tuesday
415 924-4862
47 Club at Mcinnis Park 4th Tuesday 415 881-7477
Happy Hour - 11:00 am; Luncheon - 11:45 am
68 The Club at McInnis Park 2nd Tuesday 415 479-3286
134 Embassy Suites
1st Tuesday
415 892-0209
ATTENDANCE: Failure to attend three consecutive meetings
without giving prior notice to the Attendance Chairman, and/or
failure to attend at least 6 meetings within the previous 12 months,
may result in termination.
Condensed from Rule 100 of State Policy Manual
Attendance at another branch meeting, duly recorded with the
Attendance Chairman of that branch, will be credited to a
member's attendance record (Rule 101).
Call the branch phone listed above to secure a guest spot.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE
Please report SIR illnesses or deaths to
Bill Donnelly at 415 897-8966
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will meet
Monday, March 21, 2016. 10:30 AM at the
Marin Community Foundation, Suite 200
Hangar 5, Hamilton, Novato
FIRST CLASS
Place First
Class
Postage
Here