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January 2018
Editors: Chuck Joyce / Dan Weller
THE BIG SIR COLUMN
It’s important at the beginning of the year to give some thought to
why SIR exists and our role as individuals in Branch 8. The SIR
mission statement is an eloquently simple and clear statement of
why SIR exists: “The mission of SIR is to improve the lives of our
members through fun activities and events….while making friends
for life.” You will hear me repeat our mission statement many times
during the year, particularly when we induct new members and
have luncheon guests.
I think Branch 8 is exceptionally good at providing “fun events and activities” and our
members certainly do improve their lives by participating in our rich abundance of
activities and events. That’s also known as how we make new friends. That’s why SIR
and Branch 8 exist.
Our role as individuals, however, goes beyond participation for our own individual
benefit. All our activities and events only happen when we all pitch in and do our part to
make them available and successful. If you get asked to help with some function,
please give it a shot. The odds are pretty good that you will enjoy being involved.
Phil, Big Sir
LITTLE SIR SEZ
I have lived in California for many years and cannot remember a
year with the number of wildfires occurring in our state. Many lives
lost, thousands of structures destroyed, hundreds of thousands of
acres burned and billions of dollars in damages. What about the
East Bay area and the potential for significant losses in a major
wildfire?
Our speaker for January is Jerry Kent. Jerry began as a Park
Ranger in 1962 and retired in 2003 as the East Bay Park District’s
Assistant General Manager of Operations. He was involved in all
aspects of the District’s management and policies, including overseeing the fire related
vegetation management programs for 32 years. Since retiring, he has continued to
speak and work with the Claremont Canyon Conservancy, local agencies and citizens
groups on vegetation and wildfire issues.
His talk is entitled: What Seniors should Know As California Burns.
Larry Lange, Little Sir
HOTLINE Index © = Spouses/Friends
welcome Activity Page #
General Branch Business
1-4
Biographies 15
Branch Positions 19
Activity Report 2
Arts, Crafts & Hobbies 5
Astronomy 5
Bargain Bites © 5
Birders © 5
Birthdays 16
Bocce ball (All) © 5-6
Book Exchange 6
Book Group 6
Bowling © 6-7
Bridge (All) 7
Car Enthusiasts 8
Computers and Tech © 8
Cribbage 8
Digital Photography 8
Dine In (All) © 9
Dine Out (All) © 9
Dine Out Single SIRs 9
Dominoes 9
Explore & Eat © 10
Fishing 10
Golf (All) 10-11
Heads Up Walkers © 11
Hikers © 11
Ladies Day Luncheon 11
Luncheon Information 4
Membership Report 16
Mexican Train Dominoes 9
Model Railroading 12
Mixer 12
Photo Gallery
18
Pickle Ball 12
Poker
12
Senior Center Activities 4
SIRS at the Games 12
SIRS in the Kitchen 13
SIRS at the Opera 12
Sums In Retirement 13
Sunshine Report 4
Traveling SIRS ©
13
Wine Articles (All) 13-14
Writing your Life Story 14
It’s coming soon – a new Hotline with
more timely articles and less
administrative articles
PLUS better activity web pages with more
photos and videos
PLUS the activity calendar for the entire
month will be in the Hotline.
Page 2 INDEX
RAMP
Recruitment, Activities, Member relations, Publicity.
RECRUITING & DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Remember, January is a “Bring a Guest; Get a Bottle” month
coupled with a $10 off lunch price for first time guests. Ed
Benson would love to clean out his wine cellar so he can
restock.
We are also continuing the “I've Done My Part” program, but
with a new twist. Before, each member whose guest becomes
a member, would receive a bottle of wine and be recognized
from the podium. Starting in January, if your guest becomes a
member, you will spin the “Benson Wheel of Fortune” and get a
chance at various amounts of “Branch 8 Bucks” or a bottle of
wine. You will still be recognized from the podium and receive a
distinctive nametag indicating to all, that you've done your part
to sustain and grow Branch membership. Be among the first in
2018 to get a bottle and spin the wheel (and the distinctive
badge will have your friends drooling…).
There's lots of incentive to make January a bang up month.
Happy holidays,
Thom Watkins, Recruiting Chairman
ACTIVITY REPORT
On December 1, the Branch 8 Activities
Chairmen assembled for our annual
meeting. We reviewed the results from
2017, and discussed goals for improving
activities in 2018.
Currently, we have 52 activities and
events. That is about the same number as
we have had for the past 3 years. In 2017,
we added All About Wine, Geocaching, and
are beginning a SIR Chess group. Unfortunately, we lost
Geocaching, the Bocce Indoor Winter League, Darts & Pool,
and Travelling 9-Hole Golf. These changes are the natural ebb
and flow of our activities. Please remember that 31 of them are
co-ed activities.
A significant advancement is the introduction of the Activities
Calendar. I hope you are using it to find your favorite activity,
and to learn when other interesting activities are meeting. The
Calendar is located on the far right of the top toolbar on the
Branch 8 website homepage.
Our Activity Chairmen will be posting new events for 2018, so I
encourage you to actively use the calendar this year. My thanks
to our Activity Chairmen for developing and maintaining our
healthy activities throughout the year. Attached is a group
photo from our meeting on December 1.
Please take a minute to thank these gentlemen, and offer
encouragement to them. In many ways, they are the lifeblood of
our branch. Their good work is what keeps all of us engaged
with each other as members of SIR Branch 8.
Have a great 2018! I look forward to seeing you on the links, at
the dinners, tasting wine, reading books, and fully participating
in our branch activities.
Activity Coordinator: Steve Schramm
MEMBERS RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The ending quarter meeting of Member Relations Committee
2017 was on November 30th. 17 Members attended and
discussed a full agenda Co- Chair Tom Mohrman, capably
guided the his first meeting as Co Chairman. We had a full
agenda, all items were discussed to the satisfaction of the
attending members.
The conclusions and meeting minutes, will be submitted to the
Branch Executive Committee prior to the January 8th meeting
for their determination for action. We, the MRC as well as the
BEC do encourage you, the members, to tell us what is on your
minds. Your suggestions are what keep us current and aware of
changes we should consider. Your voices are our guidance and
they are important for us to hear and to act upon.
The way to get your suggestions to the MRC and then to the
BEC or directly to the BEC is to contact us. Please always feel
free to do so. You will hear of the recommended actions taken
during the first quarter, some will be announced in January.
Tony de Losada Chairman: [email protected]
Tom Mohrman, Co-Chairman: [email protected]
PUBLICITY AND IMAGE
Budget has been approved for purchasing new SIR Branded
Clothing and Pens, which were a big hit with members after our
testing. Look for new stock hopefully to arrive in January.
Suggestions for what you think we should offer for sale are
appreciated. Contact me,
Dick Brooks: [email protected] or
Ron Maciak: [email protected] or
Thom Watkins: [email protected]
We will start this month to plan for "First Wednesdays" SIR
information booth participation in Walnut Creek. These are
street fair type events with, food , drinks, dancing and fun!
People watching and talking galore! We will have three
members each monthly night for three months June, July, and
August. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to
participate.
SIR BR 8 will also participate in three Area Farmers’ Markets
during the summer months and the Danville Fourth of July
Parade: we are looking for four additional classic cars making
up five SIR vehicles in all! Last year's group is particularly
welcomed to repeat with participating wives and other
sweethearts. Party afterwards?
Tony de Losada Chairman
Page 3 INDEX
ACTIVITIES AT OTHER BRANCHES
Breakfast Call Philip Magen 256-6548
Bridge Lunch 2nd/4thTu Milt Greenstein 376-5589
Historical © Call Rich Sjoberg 254-1661
Stamps Call Rich Sjoberg 254-1661
ATTENDANCE
See Ladies Day Luncheon in Photo Gallery
Bill Peterson, Attendance Secretary
CONCORD COMMUNITY CENTER
FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR SENIORS!
No article was received before the deadline.
Tony de Losada P & I Chairman
COMMENT CARD CORNER
No comment card comments this month because the last luncheon was the Ladies Day Luncheon and comments are not published for that event. Ed.
SinSIRly,
Jim Sowell
ABSENCES & BRINGING GUESTS
If you are going to be absent or are bringing a guest, please call
or email by Wednesday noon before the meeting.
Phone: 925-901-4826 (calls are not automatically returned)
Email: [email protected] (a confirmation E-mail
will be sent to you)
IMPORTANT: If a confirmation E-mail is not received, it is the
member’s responsibility to follow up and ensure it was sent to
the correct address. Either resend the E-mail or call the
attendance number at 925-901-4826 by Wednesday noon
before the meeting.
Bill Peterson, Attendance Secretary
FREE LUNCH DRAWING FOR BRINGING GUESTS
As an incentive to bring in new candidates for membership, a drawing for a free lunch will be held in January and in July for
members who bring guests to meetings during the previous six months. You can use the SIR cards available at the check-in table to invite guests. For each new guest sponsored during the six month period, a member will have an entry in the drawing. Bring one new guest, have one chance. Bring 3 new guests, have 3 chances! And for your efforts, you do not have to be present to win.
Those entered for the January 2018 drawing are:
Bill Barber Allen Grossman Bob Barnes Bill Hunter (2) Barry Brown Roger Lamm Ron Brown Bob Poirier Dan Casella Ron Cassano YK Chan Ron Woods Tony de Losada (2) Steve Schramm John Fagan Bob Sherman Al Fahrenkrog Tom DiGrande Alex Go Tom Trice Bud Grisanti (2) Larry Yarberry
LEGAL NOTICE
This notice is available in the Roster and on the web site.
NEW ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL
If you change any of the above, please notify Bob Barnes. If you
need a new member’s email address (or phone number), you
can also contact Bob Barnes at (925) 348-6443 or send him an
email.
JANUARY LUNCHEON MENU
Sonoma Salad
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Cheese Cake
Coffee / Iced Tea
Greeters: Tom Trice & Darryl Skiles
NEED A RIDE?
Those Sirs who do not have transportation and would like a ride
to the monthly luncheon are invited to call: Scott Graff 925-552-
6097, [email protected]
RED DOT BADGES
They belong to our new members; don’t forget to say “Hi” and
introduce yourself. So let’s make them feel at home and let
them feel they can talk about your SIR activities and ask them to
join you.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Since the December Hotline Report, the Committee has
extended wishes for a rapid recovery to Jim Lunn and Erland
Personn.
Since the December Hotline Report, the Committee has extended condolences to the Roger Borgerson family and to Al Fahrenkrog for the death of his son, Michael..
Sunshine Committee ([email protected])
Terry Norton 925-798-6023
Larry Mersmann 925-935-9124
HOTLINE INPUT AND WEB EDITORS
IMPORTANT – SINGLE HOTLINE EMAIL ADDRESS:
Send your articles and photos BEFORE the 20th of the month.
Include meeting information and dates for the following month to
keep your group properly informed about meetings, deadlines
and upcoming events. Late reports may not be included in
the Hotline.
We are delighted to welcome Rick Grayson as a new Hotline
editor. His technical and professional skills with be a great
addition to the Hotline staff.
Hotline Editors (Hotline Coordinator *)
* Dan Weller [email protected]
Barry Brown [email protected]
Rick Grayson [email protected]
Chuck Joyce [email protected]
Jim Ripley [email protected]
Page 4 INDEX
Website Editor, Webmaster, and Activities Page
Derek Southern [email protected]
Asst. Website Editor
Bill Hunter [email protected]
TREASURERS REPORT
November 2017
Receipts
Monthly luncheon $8265.00
Contributions 6.50
Interest 0.14
_______
Total receipts 8271.64
Disbursements
Monthly luncheon 8627.48
Printing & supplies 365.07
Other 264.00
_______
Total disbursements 9256.55
Net loss (984.91)
Cash,beginning 8924.76
Cash,ending 7939.85
ARTS, CRAFTS & HOBBIES
I know there are at least 100 of you out there who have a
special talent or an interesting hobby or you collect things.
Don't be bashful! Share it with us. We all would really like to
see your special art work, carving,
sculpture, wood turning, fishing lures,
match book covers, travel memorabilia,
photographs, silver spoons (even the one
you were born with in your mouth),
baseballs, golf balls, or moth balls. Or
maybe you do taxidermy, collect coins,
make beer, build toothpick castles, make
train cars, fly drones, have a model plane
collection or something really unusual we
don't know about.
All of us old guys like to see stuff and we appreciate people who
collect or have a hidden talent or special skill. SHARE it with
us. It makes the meeting more interesting and I'll even buy you
a glass of wine.
If you have a hobby, special interest collection, art of any form
or a special skill, please consider sharing it with your fellow
SIR. All it takes is an hour before our monthly meeting and we'll
help you get things set up and taken down. In the process, you
may find a new friend who has your same interest and of course
your fellow SIR will appreciate your time and effort. Give me a
call or send an E-mail.. Thanks in advance.
Ron Smith, Chairman [email protected] 925-314-3066 Al Steunenberg, Co-Chairman [email protected]
820-2758
ASTRONOMY
Our theme for 2018 is: “the investigation
of the cosmos”. To begin we will have a
DVD lecture from the “My Favorite
Universe” series given by Professor Neil
deGrasse Tyson. The lecture is
entitled “ The Greatest Story Ever
Told” and present a coherent story of the
cosmos, from the earliest times right up to
the present. The meeting will be immediately after our lunch at
the Hilton. All are welcome.
Larry Lange, Chairman 254-6281 [email protected] Leary Wong, Asst. Chair 930-7024 [email protected]
BARGAIN BITES ©
Next up is Three Brothers from China!
In case you missed out, about 30 of us
gathered at the Himalayan Cuisine in
Downtown Concord on Tues., Dec.5th,
where Ron Maciak arranged for a great
buffet of Tibetan food. We enjoyed a
wonderful evening with our SIR friends
and had a little break between
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Coming up in January, is a return visit to 3 Brothers from China
in Pleasant Hill. We turned to Alex Go, a Bargain Bites regular,
and he met with his friend the owner of 3 Brothers who agreed
to repeat the same menu for the same price. We will have six
tables of 8 each, served family style. The date will be Tuesday,
January 30th. Mark your calendars and watch for the flyer with
all of the details. It should be out around year end.
If you would like to be placed on the Bargain Bites E-mail list,
just send a note to [email protected] and say “Place me on
the Bargain Bites List”. Oh yes, include your name. You will
receive personal E-mails in advance of the Hotline. Again,
thanks for your interest and wonderful support. It makes the
effort worthwhile.
Chairman: Ron Smith 314-3066 [email protected]
Asst. Chairman: Ron Maciak 357-8005
BIRDERS ©
On Monday, January 15 the Birders will be going to Putah Creek, Winters, CA. Our target species will be Eurasian Wigeon, Wood Duck, Common and Hooded Merganser, Green Heron, Osprey, Peregrin Falcon and Phainopepla.
We will be leaving at 8:00 from our usual meeting place in the Sun Valley Mall Shopping Center.
The area can be cold and windy. Bring lunch and something to drink.
Chairman: Leary Wong, 925-457-0807, [email protected]
Page 5 INDEX
BOCCE BALL OPEN PLAY ©
The 2017 Bocce Ball Open season is over.
The last games were on October 20th in
Newhall Park. Friday players were invited
to attend a Brunch at Mel’s Diner
(Treat/Clayton, Concord).
We began play at 8:30 am and played on
the Bocce courts in Newhall Park,
Concord. Newhall Park is located on
Turtle Creek Rd. between Treat Blvd. and
Ayers Rd. Play is open to all SIR members and partners. You
do not require any knowledge of the game as we will show you
how to play and explain the rules that govern the game of Bocce
Ball. We provide all the equipment (Bocce Balls and score
boards). I organize whoever comes to play into teams. If you
have any questions, please call the Activity Chairman.
See you next season!
Chairman: Bob Barnes 686-0106 [email protected]
Assistant Chairman: Danny Rinaldi: 825-0519
BOCCE BALL - LEAGUE PLAY ©
The 2017 Concord Bocce Ball
Federation (CBF) League season has
ended for 2017. All team members
enjoyed the Bocce team play during the
season and are looking forward to
another season next year.
The SIR Bocce team for Branch 8 has the maximum number of
players for 2018. If a player decides not to play in 2018 then I
will ask if any current Bocce Ball players would like to play.
They will be asked on a first come basis from the Members who
are on the Friday Bocce Ball List.
Chairman: Bob Barnes 686-0106 [email protected]
Assistant Chairman: Danny Rinaldi: 825-0519
BOOK EXCHANGE
If you read it and liked it, bring it!
“IF YOU READ A BOOK THAT YOU
REALLY LIKED AND WANT TO SHARE IT,
BRING IT TO THE NEXT SIR LUNCHEON
AND DONATE TO OUR
COLLECTION’. However, we have recently
been inundated with books. Some generous
members are bringing boxes of books to donate...not individual
books. The net result is that instead of the collection growing at
a box or two of books per meeting, we are growing at 4-6 boxes.
This is creating a storage issue for us so we are spending a
large amount of time to weed through our collection to reduce
down the number of boxes.
In the future, if any member has a large number of books to
donate, it would help us if they brought only a dozen or so per
meeting, so that we can assimilate them more easily.
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions contact
any member of the book exchange team:
Chairman: Tom Kerns, [email protected] (925-376-8840). Assistant Chair: Alan Curtis, [email protected]
Assistant Chair: Rob Laaback, [email protected] Assistant Chairman: Ray Dewit, [email protected]
BOOK GROUP
We had another good turnout to review
"Wolves eat Dogs". It is one of the
'Anally Renko' mysteries by Martin Cruz
Smith. The plot line centers on the
mysterious suicide of a Russian
millionaire and his association with the
nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. There
was diversity of opinions on the novel. At the next meeting we
will be making choices on the books to be read during
2018. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month
at10:30 AM at the Round Table Pizza on Oak Park in Pleasant
Hill and all Sirs are welcome. Nick Maufe is the chair of the
group.
Steve Tiller, January reporter
Chairman: Nick Maufe [email protected]
BOWLING ©
Winter Leagues
Branch 19 (Concord) sponsors a SIR
league at Clayton Valley Bowl. The
2017-2018 league started on September
6th
. The league consists of 10 four-
person teams. Spouses and guests are
welcome. We bowl starting at 10 AM
every Wednesday at Clayton Valley
Bowl.
The fall session ends on December 27 with a playoff of the first
and second place teams. It appears that the team with the
Branch 8 bowlers (Tom Barnadge and Dan Weller) will not be in
the finals. We are hoping for better results in the winter / spring
session with starts January 3rd
.
Many of the bowlers participate in some of the twenty SIR
bowling tournaments that are held each year. These are a great
way to meet SIRs from other branches.
Contact Dan Weller if you are interested.
SIR State-Wide Tournament Schedules, Applications, and Results Are On Line:
To access the SIR State bowling information, open the state
bowling web site at http://sirinc.org/bowling. You can find
tournament schedules, applications and results on the site.
Upcoming SIR Bowling Tournaments:
DATE LOCATION COMMENTS
Jan 9 Stockton
Jan 23, 24 Napa
Feb 13, 14 Livermore
Feb 20 Stockton No Tap Event
Page 6 INDEX
ACTIVITY CHAIRMAN: Dan Weller 925-935-5510 [email protected] ASSISTANT CHAIR: Jim Erickson 925-939-7925
BASIC BRIDGE ©
We have discontinued the formal lessons and we will have open play with each player rotating after 4 hands. Table Talk is allowed. A discussion is encouraged after a hand has been played. Coaches are available for questions at any time. The Basic Bridge players are getting used to the challenge of playing with new partners each
round.
Our session begins with each table playing a demonstration hand to show how many ways a deal could be bid and played. After the discussion, we have open play at each table. This month the open play produced the following top scores: Mardi and Roger Lockwara were the high scorers because they bid 3 No Trump and made 4. In the open play the best score was 1940, but the score sheet was not signed. However, we think it belonged to Shirl Maufe. If this was someone else's score, please E-mail us and we'll give you the credit.
Learning players are invited to join us on the first Thursday of the month at Round Table Pizza, 1938 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill. We start at 1:30PM and play until 3:30PM. Arrive early for lunch because that is our payment for the use of the room. At the mid-point of the session we will take a break to check our tires because the of the new parking restrictions.
Rod Spicer, Chairman, 935-5306, [email protected]
BRIDGE DUPLICATE 1
The Duplicate Bridge Group I held their
regular session on December 8 at Round
Table Pizza in Pizza in Pleasant Hill. The
top 3 finishers were as follows:
1. Green-Regan 41.5 points
2. Kahl-Schulze 35
3. Tie Hensley-Long & Bushnell-Sherne
33.5
Small slams in clubs were bid and made by the Milano- Plisco
and Bushnell – Sherne teams.
They were played in the vulnerable direction and both teams
earned a nifty 1370 points for their efforts. Apparently, the
contract was not a lay down because another team managed to
go down 1 in a 5 club contract. Top defensive play for the day
was achieved by the Greytak-Spicer team when they set a
vulnerable 3NT contract by 5 tricks. Another interesting board
was one where all pairs bid the same 3 NT contract. That in
itself is unusual: but, the variety of results was even more
unusual. They were all different with 3, 5, 6, and 7 tricks being
made. The Greene–Regan team somehow squeezes out the 7
and it is typical of the play that earned them the top honors for
the day. Thanks to Steve Greene and Steve Greytak for
subbing. Also , thanks to Ernie Sherne for hosting. Dean
Steichen has these duties next month.
Bob Kahl, Chairman 284-8572
Dick Long, Asst Chairman 274-1786 Ton Hensley, Asst Chairman 937-0605
DUPLICATE BRIDGE
No article was received before the deadline.
Jerry Milano Co-Chair 934-
3496 [email protected]
Bud Grisanti Co-Chair 672-
3023 [email protected]
Gary Plisco Co-Chair 939-2483 [email protected]
BRIDGE RUBBER
Our tire checkers took time out of the
Christmas shopping to fill three of our
tables. The top players this month
were: David Bushnell (4490); Raleigh
Davis (3890); and George Schulze
(3750). The scores ran from 1030 to
4490 with the median score being about
2250.
All members are invited to our game which meets on the first
Thursday of the month at 9:00AM at Round Table Pizza, 1938
Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Respond early to Al Welch's
reminder E-mail so we can try to fill complete tables. Bring your
own coffee travel mug or Thermos if you want coffee. We break
for lunch in order to pay for the room.
Chairman: Rod Spicer, 935-5306, [email protected]
Al Welch, Co-Chair, 925-938-4131, [email protected]
David Bushnell, Co-Chair, 925-838-3914,
The top December team of
Steve Greene & Jim Regan playing
with David Bushnell & Ernie Sherne
Page 7 INDEX
BRIDGE - COUPLES ©
On December 18, the Couples Bridge session had five tables with ten couples. Raleigh and Helen Davis took first place with 4,300 points, Les and Carole Hopkins were second with 4,020 points, and Steve and Honora Greytak were third with 2,940 points. Our next session will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, January 15, (our normal 3
rd Monday of each month) at the Mary’s
Pizza on Oak Grove, in Walnut Creek. We always welcome new players, so if
you are interested in joining us, please contact: Ray de Wit ([email protected]) or Ken Main ([email protected])
CAR ENTHUSIASTS
Car Enthusiasts had a great 2017 and
ended the year with the largest attendance
ever at the December Holiday Ladies Day
Luncheon.
Plans have been made to make 2018 even
more active.
We met in November and put an activity
schedule together that has something for every member to
enjoy in 2018. The schedule includes an activity event for each
month with a broad scope of topics, all wheel related in some
way, with several classic car shows, an Air Museum Tour, a
Poker Run event - with prizes, a victory ship tour and/or Rosie
the Riveter Museum visit, and possibly two multiple overnight
traveling events, one to Pacific Grove for a British Car Collection
Tour and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and another to Hot
August Nights in Reno.
All Car enthusiasts will not make every event, but I'm certain we
will have good participation at each by those who can fit it in
their busy retirement schedules. The new event schedule will
be added to the website soon so watch for opportunities you
might want to participate in.
Our group has grown to 29 on the Car Enthusiasts member
roster. It consists of classic car owners, car dreamers, who
might someday find the perfect car for themselves and make a
purchase and members who just want to come join in the
monthly luncheons and B.S. about cars and their historical car
use escapades. Come join in the fun. Twenty eighteen will be
a blast!
If interested in joining the Car Enthusiasts Activity, please
contact any of the folks listed below. We meet on the 1st
Tuesday of each month at 1 PM in the Round Table Pizza
meeting room, Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill. Come a few
minutes early to get your food and drink ordered prior to
meeting. Meetings usually last about 1 hour. Next meeting
Tuesday, February 6th
.
Activity Chair: Chick Lowry - [email protected]
Assistant Chairs
Tom Mohrman [email protected]
Bill Koski [email protected]
Bob McMains [email protected]
COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY ©
There was no Computers & Technology
meeting in December.
The January 18th
’s meeting’s subject for the
Area 16 Computer and Technology
Group [formerly A2CAT] is, Quicken and
its Alternatives.
Quicken split off from Intuit earlier this year and is changing to a
“software by subscription model,” where you will pay annually to
use the program. Phil Goff and Neil Schmidt will discuss the
effects of this upcoming Quicken change and review various
financial management alternatives. You might want to be
thinking about your own financial management efforts and what
features in the program are important to you.
We look forward to seeing you 9:15 AM, January 18, at the
Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive. We ask for a
donation of $5 to cover the cost of the hall rental, coffee and
cookies -- but some months are free, so come and see if our
January meeting is another one of those! All SIR members and
their guests (spouses included!) are welcome to attend. See you
there.
Bill Phelon, [email protected]: 254-8338
CRIBBAGE
The Cribbage Group meets on the First Wednesday and the Third Tuesday of each month. There’s been a PERMENENT LOCATION CHANGE from Treat Blvd in Concord to the Round Table Pizza located at 1938 Oak Park Blvd. in Pleasant Hill. Hours of play are 1pm to 3pm. Please join us if you have played Cribbage or would like
to learn the game. 2017 December Results
Dec. 6th
– 12 players Dec. 19th
- 12 players
1st
- Dan Smith 278 pts. 1st
- Steve Bishop 188
pts.
2nd -
Don Atwater 233 pts. 2nd
- Stan Johnson 171
pts.
3rd
- Dennis Mierzwa 175
pts.
3rd
-- Place Dan Smith
171 pts.
4th
- Steve Bishop 174 pts. 4th
- Joe Maurino 170 pts.
Chairman, Ron Draper [email protected]
Asst. Chairman, Dan Smith [email protected]
Page 8 INDEX
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Our December meeting was the Photo
Group’s holiday luncheon at the Encinal
Yacht Club in Alameda. A jolly group of
13 SIR and spouses populated the bar
and then retired to the dining area for an
ala-carte lunch.
The event was totally free-style and
almost nothing of consequence was
accomplished, except that Jock MacKaig brought in a table top
“photo holder” so members could determine the necessary
“fitment” for our upcoming display of photos at the February
luncheon.
At our January
meeting we will
be finalizing the
planning for our
February
luncheon
display. Our
January host,
Jock, asks that
you E-mail him 6
photos for the
TV loop. Also, please bring any prints you wish to display along
with any antique (or just old) photo gear for possible inclusion in
our table display.
A week or so before our January 19th meeting, Jock will be E-
mailing directions to his home and asking if you will be attending
the meeting. Please respond promptly so he can plan for the
refreshments.
Bill Phelon, Chair: [email protected] 254-8338
Dave Davis: Vice Chair: [email protected] 838-1753
DINE IN # 1 ©
The next Dine In 1 will be Jan 19th,
hosted by the Cassano's. Ron will
prepare a Spanish paella from a region
that departs from the usual seafood
based dish. This one will use short ribs,
sausage, artichoke hearts and green
beans. Seems different but it is
wonderful!
Chairman: Ron Cassano: [email protected]
DINE IN # 2 ©
The next dinner for Dine IN 2 will be hosted
by Roger and Mardi Lockwara on January
11. We are currently looking for one more
couple to join us. If you are interested, give
me a call.
Chair: Bill Eich 925 899
4412 [email protected]
Co-Chair: Bob Price 937-6814 [email protected]
DINE IN # 3 ©
No article was received for this activity.
DINE OUT 1 ©
Come join us for a really simple dinner in February at one of our favorite places, we’ve have been to many times...THE OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY @ 1955 Mt Diablo, Concord, CA 94529. Phone # (925) 687-5030 (across the street from Todos Santos Park). Turn left on Salvio off of Galindo, then right on Mt Diablo. DATE: Thursday, February 22, 2018. Cocktails: 5pm (no host bar) Dinner :
6pm A menu will be placed on the table for everyone to choose their meal: Soup or salad will start the dinner off that night...The following are the MENU selections: 1. Sicilian Meatballs: Meatballs & Spaghetti with marinara sauce 2. Baked Lasagna with 4 kinds of cheese 3. Breast of Chicken Fettuccine with Alfredo sauce 4. Spinach & cheese Ravioli 5. Spinach Tortellini with Alfredo sauce Coffee, Hot Tea, Iced Tea or milk is included. DESSERT: Choice of Spumoni ice cream or Vanilla ice cream PRICE FOR DINNER: $20.00 per person which includes tax and tip. We have a limit of 40 people only. No last minute people…so please call us early to reserve your place! RSVP by February 18th to Don Allen (925) 283-8344 or [email protected] or contact Ken Main (925) 945-1065 [email protected]. Please make your check to Don Allen and mail to: Don Allen, 1009 Dyer Drive, Lafayette, CA 94549.
.Activity Chair: Ken Main Assist Chairs: Don Allen and Jim Ripley
DINE OUT #2 ©
No article received at press time.
Chairman: Jerry Milano 934-3496
EXPLORE AND EAT ©
No new article at press time.
Chairman: Ron Woods
Encinal Yacht Club
Page 9 INDEX
DINE OUT - SINGLE SIRS ©
January 3rd
at Mr. Luckey’s Restaurant
2618 Pleasant Hill Rd. just ½ block north of
Taylor Blvd.
Social time is 5:00 p.m. with dinner at 5:30
p.m.
Host is Clark Morehouse 825-
6768 [email protected]
Mr. Lucky’s has been a popular with our
group, frequently being selected by a member hosting our
monthly event. We look forward to starting the new year with
our members in a familiar restaurant. Last month nine of us
enjoyed the Mexican atmosphere as well as Mexican cuisine at
La Tapatia Restaurant, thanks to our host Glenn Gilman. We
welcomed Bill Barber for the first time and happy to hear he will
return.
If you are single or just single at dinner time and wish to join the
guys for dinner on the first Tuesday of the month, let Chairman
Glenn or the host of the month know and a seat will be saved
for you. Separate checks ensure each pay for his own meal.
Photos in our website - https://www.sirbr8.com/dine-out-single-
sirs/
Chairman: Glenn Gilman 798-5155 [email protected]
Asst. Chairman: Don Atwater, 673-1660 [email protected]
Clark Morehouse, Host 825-6768, [email protected]
MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOES
Mexican Train, a popular Domino
game, is played on the second Tuesday
and third Wednesday of the month
starting at 10 a.m. at Round Table Pizza
1938 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant
Hill. After the game we enjoy lunch and
social time. Newbies and experienced
players are all welcome. Like in golf,
the low score wins.
Results of the December 20th
game:
13 Rounds – Stu Harris 304; Bill Peterson 361; Dan Rinaldi 363;
Clark Morehouse 390; Terry Norton 407; Jerry Ward 437; Larry
Mersmann 485
Results of the December 12th
game:
13 Rounds – Jerry Ward 283; Bill Peterson 328; Clark
Morehouse 374; Don Atwater 420; Stu Harris 435; Terry
Norton;498
Lowest score for 2017 – Bill Peterson 169
Highest Score for 2017 – Don Atwater 706
Check out our website –
https://www.sirbr8.com/mexican-train/
Chairman: Danny Rinaldi 825-0519
Asst. Chairman: Terry Norton 798-6023
DOMINOES
No article was received before the
deadline.
Chairman: Dan Rinaldi 925-381-5486
Co-Chairman: Alan Schulze 925-876-
7537 [email protected]
FISHING - AREA 16
All SIR members and guests are welcome, and indeed encouraged, to participate in fishing trips as well as attend the monthly meetings. Next meeting will be Thursday, January 25th, at the Legend Sports Bar and Grill at the Diablo Creek Golf Course at 4050 Port
Chicago Highway in Concord. Meeting starts at 8:30am, come early.
Trout continue to be our
main winter prey. Pete
Gates, Paul Dubow, Carl
Moyer, Ray Pixton, Bob
Hillaker, Lee Clark, and
Brion Beetz all participated.
Some days were fruitful,
some sad. Tom Boltz and
Tom Kostik caught stripers,
on other trips Tom Kostik got
more stripers, black bass,
and steelhead. Joe Miscione
and son caught a sturgeon
too big to keep and some
stripers. Rich Fiscina and Pedro Contreras got crab and
rockfish from the ocean. Ken Konzakk enjoyed some steelhead
flyfishing.
Contacts are Paul Dubow (415-495-6504) and Carl Moyer
(925-685-5243.)
GOLF - 18 HOLES
Welcome to a new golfing year. Now
meet your 18 Hole Golf Committee for
2018: Chairman- David Platter,
Communications Director- Bill Koski,
Membership/Handicap/Data- Buddy
May, Treasurer- David Green, Assistant
Treasurer- Mike Boltz, Special
Tournaments-Jim Erickson/Don
Sanderson, Golf Course Manager- Don Dennler, Marshals
Director-Mike Anderson, Website Coordinator-Barry Brown,
Advisers-Mike Hennessy/Dwane McGlothin. These are the
guys that make 18 Hole Golf the success that it is.
For PGA professionals shooting in the low-mid sixties is
considered a feat. However, as we grow older the scores rise.
For a SIR golfer breaking 80 is a feat in itself, as is breaking net
60. In Branch 8, we do have a few that have done so. On Dec
14th at Franklin Canyon Jack Schweitzer shot a 79 net 56. On
Nov 6th at Franklin Canyon Don Sanderson carded a net 57.
Raleigh Davis has
a nice striper.
Phil Scimonelli and Bob
Hillaker got these nice trout.
Page 10 INDEX
Blue Rock, Sept. 12th Buddy May gross 78, Tilden July 24,
Steve Schramm, gross 76 also on July 11th, Franklin Canyon
Steve shot a gross 73 net 57. These guys deserve an Atta Boy.
2018 will be a fun year with our monthly “Creative” tournaments
courtesy Jim Erickson-Don Sanderson as well as our annual
trip to Saddle Creek October 10-11 handled by Bill Koski,-
Jack Bybee. Are you ready for some golf????
Bill Koski, Communications: 672 7650 [email protected]
GOLF - 9 HOLES
No rain for the last four weeks seemed
to entice players out despite chilly
weather! We had over 20 players turn
out every Wednesday and most
stayed afterwards to enjoy some
beverages, food and fellowship
The Marshalls roster for 2018 has
been filled, thanks to all who volunteered. The 2018 schedule
should be posted on the web site by the time this edition of the
Hotline reaches you.
For 2018 Barry Brown is continuing as Chair with Phil Philpot
and Dick Brooks as Assistant Chairs. Dick has agreed to
maintain our stats and handicap table for those without an
official NCGA handicap. To everyone who plays with us, all the
very best for Christmas and have a great 2018. See you on the
first tee!
Barry Brown, Chair: [email protected] (925) 930 8026
Phil Philpot Asst. Chair: [email protected]
(925) 937 2260 Dick Brooks, Stats & Board member [email protected]
GOLF – COUPLES ©
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
The SIR ladies have had two
big treats this week. First of all
the LADIES LUNCHEON at
Roundhill was such an elegant
beginning of this Holiday
Season. The atmosphere was
filled with good cheer, delicious
food and sentimental entertainment.
Thursday, December 14th
, eleven couples including Marshals
Roger & Mardi Lockwara, Paul & Sue Derby. Mike & Sue
Hennessy, Dean & Marilyn Steichen, Les & Carole Hopkins,
Ron and Linda Maciak, Bob & Daphne Olson, Bill Konie Collins,
Leo & Judy Barrella, and Gordon & Margaret Batesole. The
weather had the feel of a winter chill, but it became a perfect
temperature as the day unfolded. All eleven couples stayed for
lunch, and once again, fellowship and fun define Sir Couples
Golf. Statistically there were at least 18 pars and at least four
birdies for the day. For those who simply love to play golf, there
were lots of sand traps as well as a few lost balls; thus we can
all carry 14 clubs.
Having 22 golfers stay for lunch is almost a record event;
thanks to Roger and Mardi for their marshal skills. We are a
‘tight knit group,’ but there is still room for growth. If interested
in golfing with the most phenomenal group of golfers ever,
please join us on the 2nd
Thursday of each month. Marshals
rotate, and you will be given instructions for the day’s play by
the marshals of the month.
Thursday, January11 marshals will be Gordon & Margaret
Batesole, and they will send out notifications. Our modified
shotgun start time will be 10:00 (meaning be on the first tee at
9:50 am.)
Sir Couples Golf is open to anyone who would like to join in a 9-
hole 2nd
Thursday group. For more information, you may contact
chairperson Paul Derby-925-283-1784 at
[email protected]; or Asst. Chair – Paul Hersch -925-
933-7403 at [email protected]. Truly we have as much
fun off of the golf course as we do playing golf.
WEBSITE: www.sirbr8.com.
Chairman: Paul Derby [email protected]
Asst. Chair: Paul Hersch [email protected].
HEADS UP WALKERS ©
January 2018 Walks
One-hour walks start at 9:30 AM and
usually are on flat surfaces. Most walks
are “out and back” which means you walk
for 30 minutes at your own pace, then
turn around and walk 30 minutes back to
the starting point. At 10:30 AM, we leave
the trail for coffee, refreshments and
spirited conversation. Spouses and dogs welcome.
12/28/2017: Lafayette: Moraga Olympic. Meet at the eastern
trailhead parking lot, north of Olympic Blvd. & west of Pleasant
Hill Rd. Note, parking may be full. Try the smaller lot at the west
end of Olympic, or hang out in the larger lot and wait for
someone to leave. Cafe: Noah's New York Bagels. Leader:
Dave Allen
1/4/2018: Pleasant Hill: Concord , Hester Park. Meet at
Hester Park, corner of Hookston & Bancroft, street parking on
Hampton or Hookston, adjacent to the park. Cafe: Noah's New
York Bagels. Leader: Dave Morse
1/11/2018: Pleasant Hill: C.C. Canal. Meet in the shopping
center parking lot at the corner of Taylor & Morello, (North of the
service station). Cafe: Panera Bread Cafe. Leader: Erland
Persson
1/18/2018: Walnut Creek: YV canal Walnut Ave.. Take
Ygnacio Valley Rd. Turn South on Walnut Ave (do not turn on
Walnut Boulevard). Go a short distance and turn left on Naranja
Drive. Park there and walk back to Walnut Ave. The trail starts a
few feet from Naranja. Cafe: Whole Foods. Leader: Jim
Erickson
1/25/2018: Concord: C.C.C. Regional Trail, Via Montanas.
Take Treat Blvd east. Go 3/4 mile past Oak Grove and turn left
on San Miguel. Turn right on Via Montanas. Turn left into the
Parking Lot just past the bridge over the canal. Cafe: Peet's
Coffee. Leader: Jim Kawal
Page 11 INDEX
2/1/2018: Martinez: Martinez Regional Shoreline. Exit i-680
N. At last offramp to Martinez. Turn left on Marina Vista. Turn
right on Ferry St. And cross the RR tracks. Meet at the first
parking lot on the left. Cafe: Starbucks Martinez . Leader: John
Brooks
ACTIVITY CHAIRMAN: Dan Weller 925-935-5510
ASSISTANT CHAIR: Erland Persson 925-932-5328
ASSISTANT CHAIR: Jim Kawal 925-228-8821
HIKERS - SIR HIKERS ©
December 2017 SIR Hikes
For more details on these 2 hikes,
including directions, ride-sharing,
what to bring, map, pictures, and
optional lunch see the SIR Hiker web
page at http://www.sirbr8.com/hikers/
Easy Hike Jan 9th
2018: Heather
Farm Park to Civic Park. This easy 5.5 mile hike will start from
The Garden's at Heather Farm Park trail head, walking past the
Horse Stable and Dog Park to the Contra Costa Canal Trail
West, to the Iron Horse Trail South, to the Creek Walk in Civic
Park. We will then return to Heather Farm Park, circle around
the lake, past the All Abilities Playground, tour the Botanical
Garden and end at the Greenery.
Hike Leader: Tom Mohrman 516-242-1635
Hard Hike Jan 30th
2018: Briones Reservoir Bear Creek Trail.
This is a ONE WAY SHUTTLE HIKE. This is a 5.5 mile hike on
mostly a single track trail with approximately 600 feet in
elevation largely gained during the first 2 miles. The hike is
almost entirely on Bear Creek Trail running along the south
shore of Briones Reservoir. Great views along this partially
shaded route. We will meet at 9:30 AM at the Orinda Staging
Area, then organize cars to shuttle everyone to the Bear Creek
Staging Area.
Activity Chairman: Dave Davis; (925) 838-1753;
LADIES DAY LUNCHEON
Special thanks to the following groups and individuals who made donations to the Ladies Day Luncheon on December 11. Their holiday gifts contributed to a successful SIR event. Restaurant Donors
• Flemings Steak House
• Taheri's Restaurant
• Texas Back Forty BBQ
• Rocco's Restaurant
• Scott's Restaurant
• Genova's Restaurant
• BevMo Wine Gallery Golf Course Donors
• Diablo Hills - 4 certificates
• Lone Tree
• Boundary Oak
• Franklin Canyon
• Diablo Creek Other Donors
• Wine Finders 1, 2 and 3
• Ed Benson
• Grocery Outlet
Thank you to all of the donors to our Ladies Day
Luncheon. See you in the new year!
(See pictures of the event in the Photo Gallery.)
MODEL RAILROADING
We’ve changed the location of our model
train layout! Design and construction of
the HO layout will begin soon. Please
stay tuned for future announcements on
the direction of the group. There will be
an exciting project for us to assist with in
2017! Watch the Hotline for details.
Instead, members of the Model
Railroading Activity are encouraged to visit one or several of the
many existing Train Club layouts in the Bay Area. Over the next
few months, please consider visiting: The Golden State Model
Railroad Museum in Point Richmond (www.gsmrm.org); the
Carquinez Model Railroad Society in Crockett
(www.cmrstrainclub.org); and the San Leandro Historical
Railway Society in San Leandro (www.slhrs.org). Please check
websites for open house events.
Note: This Activity will hopefully soon be an Area 16-wide area
of interest.
Asst. Chairman: Dick Grube 687-0779
PICKLE BALL
The Pickleball Group took some time off in 2017 due to the summer heat and an illness in the fall. So now that a new year is about to begin, we will try to start up again. An E-mail will be sent out a few days before our scheduled date to remind everyone. We are still playing at the Willow Pass Park courts
Hikers tour Black Diamond Mines
Page 12 INDEX
on the 3rd Tuesday starting at 10am. Also, we are encouraging spouses to come and join in. Anyone interested or has questions can call Tom Trice 925-778-1748 (home) or by (cell) 510- 853-9744 or by E-mail
[email protected]. I’ll be seeing you on January 16th, if the weather is cooperating.
Chairman: Tom Trice (510) 853 9744
MIXER
Meets last Tuesday of the Month at
Stanford’s in Walnut Creek from 3pm to
6pm. Check our website for more
information.
Chairman: Jack Sagen 925-376-2749
]
POKER
Players wanted. Come join us for poker!
We now have 10 groups: playing days are
shown in the table below.
First Monday First Tuesday First Friday
Second Tuesday First Wednesday Third Wednesday
Third Thursday Fourth Monday Fourth Tuesday
Fourth Thursday
Our groups meet either from noon to 3:00 PM or 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Group members rotate as hosting. We play 5¢ – 10¢ – 25¢ with no wild cards and a three raise max. It’s an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon with a great group of guys! Chair: Dan Franklin 310-4900 [email protected]
Asst: Ekk Keller 685-1505 [email protected]
Ass’t: Ron Draper 939-5740 [email protected]
SIRS AT THE GAMES
With the cool winter weather, the SIRs at the Games group normally looks into basketball games in our area. Recently, we asked for your feedback about ticket prices and location. Thank you to those members who responded.
As a result, we decided that ticket prices to the Golden State Warriors are too high for
our tastes. Though the GSW games are exciting, it is virtually impossible to find affordable seats in a good location at the Oakland Arena.
In the past, the California Golden Bears basketball games have been lightly attended by SIR members and guests. It is not easy to navigate BART and bus transportation to a game in Berkeley.
Consequently, we are focusing on St. Mary's men's basketball in Moraga. The McKeon Pavilion is a short drive, and St. Mary's is one of the strongest teams in the nation. As of December 20, the Gaels have a record of 10 wins and 2 losses.
We have acquired group of 8 reserved seats to the Portland game on Saturday, January 27, at 8:00 pm. The tickets are only $27 per ticket, and are located in Upper Reserved Section CC in this small arena. We will see an excellent basketball game between two very competitive teams.
Please contact Steve Schramm ([email protected]) if you are interested in purchasing tickets for you and your friends/family.
Remember, spring baseball is not that far away. I look forward to seeing you at the games in 2018!
Thanks, Steve Schramm,Activity Chairman, SIRs at the
Games
SIRS AT THE OPERA
January's HD opera from the NY Met will be Puccini's beautiful tragic opera Tosca, first performed in Rome in 1900 to great popular acclaim. Tosca has remained one of Puccini's most popular operas, along with La Boheme and Madama Butterfly. It will be seen locally on January 27 at 12:55pm, with the recorded performance on Wednesday, January 31, at 3:00pm and 6:30pm. Our
HD Bolshoi ballet will be Romeo and Juliet, on Sunday, January 21, at 12:55pm. It is a dance version of Shakespeare's enduring love story.
Please note that because of ongoing renovations, the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill Century theaters have unpredictable schedules, so it will be wise to check the newspaper or on-line same day to be sure which local theater is carrying these events. Also note that at least for now, the "live" matinee is delayed to 12:55, the same local time here as in New York.
If you would like to be on the SIRS at the Opera E-mailing list,
you will receive advance newspaper critical reviews of the opening night performances of the operas. E-mail me at [email protected] to be added. (Unlike many of the SIR activities, there are no obligatory attendances or notifications. All you get is the E-mail, the rest is up to you.)
Chairman: David Bushnell – E-mail: [email protected] 925-838-3914
SIRS IN THE KITCHEN ©
Sirs in the Kitchen Christmas Was
Merry...
Sixty Sirs in the Kitchen and
spouses/partners/girl friends/etc., enjoyed
an open house at Casa Benson on
December 19. Particular hits were tri tip
with chimichuri sauce, Jim S's pot of beans,
shrimp with EC Ed's cocktail sauce and the
usual buffet items of meats, cheeses, dips, veggies and
whatever.
A grand time was had by all, and special thanks go to our sous
chefs Ron M. Chris and Jack who kept the food coming and our
bartenders Tony, Tom, and Roger. Of course we couldn't have
done it without all the help of the couples who kept the buffet
stocked and helped clean up. It was truly a merry event!
Page 13 INDEX
Our first 2018 meeting will be on January, 16 and we'll be
featuring a favorite menu item, soup. Yes we'll be serving three
or four varieties of that winter staple, and the soups featured will
be selected by the vote of the attendees. We missed holding
the SitK soup Kitchen last year, so this will be a real treat.
Sirs in the Kitchen is now at 52 members. If you want to join,
drop Executive Chef Ed an email ([email protected]), call
him (925-943-7011) or catch him at the monthly meeting. So
far, we’ve always had room for anyone who was able to attend,
and our typical luncheon turns out 25 to 30, or so. You don’t
have to be an experienced cook (our members have all levels of
cooking ability) or have a kitchen and dining area large enough
to accommodate all of us. The usual shared cost for the
luncheon and wine is $20, and that’s the best deal in town.
SUMS IN RETIREMENT
Our next meeting is Wed January 24 at 8 AM at the Legends Restaurant at the Diablo Creek Country Club - Port Chicago Highway, 1/4 mile north of Highway 4 in Concord.
Our speaker will be a new Branch 8 member, Jamshed Gandi, CPA, CFP, CVA, MS (Tax), who will tell us all we need to know about the new tax law.
The Legends opens at 7 AM. Come early and have a leisurely breakfast with your colleagues prior to the meeting.
$UMS Chairman Tom Henry [email protected]
Co-chair Dave Sutton [email protected]
TRAVELING SIRS ©
No article was received for this Activity.
Chairman Traveling SIRS: [email protected]
925-890-9245
WINE – BARGAIN WINES
The end of this year and the beginning of 2018 are filled with the holidays. but no venues to announce for Bargain Wines. We
plan to investigate some promising options either late in Jan. or early Feb. 2018 and will e-mail the membership then.
We are always looking for new members and encourage anyone with a possible interest to contact us. We select wines for our members to taste and evaluate. We look for values in the $10-$12 range, rate
them and take the leftovers for a dinner that follows.
Ratings are posted for everyone on the branch website, so you can check out what many of us, in attendance, thought were worth buying.
Please contact either Jim Warner or Dennis Mierzwa. We will be more than happy to give you a full explanation of how we operate.
Chairman: Jim Warner, 457-9979 Assistant: Dennis Mierzwa, 938-5343
WINE - CELLAR FILLERS ©
January 2018 SIR Branch 8 Hotline, Cellar
Fillers Wine Activity (CFWA) The next
meeting of CFWA is scheduled for Friday,
January 26, 2018. We need a volunteer
host with room for 12 to 14 tasters. Please
let me know if you can take on the duties of
host. It will be the usual format with a simple
lunch of sandwiches and fixin's provided by the host, followed
by tasting of five white and five red wines. Bring your glass(es).
Attendance is limited to about 12 members, applicants or guests
depending on the capacity of the host's home. CFWA is a great
activity to introduce a guest to SIR. Spouses and SO's are
welcome at our other five wine activities, such as Wine Finders
I, II, and III, Bargain Wines, or All About Wines. Please get your
reservations to me ASAP and let me know if you would like to
join me on the purchasing committee October 25.
The cost of the activity varies with the number of attendees, but
usually runs around $10.00. I will send a list of attendees and
directions when a host appears. There will also be a cancel-by
date, after which you will be responsible for paying your share of
the cost. For those members of Branch 8 who are not yet on
the CFWA email list please let me know if you would like your
name added. If you have questions contact:
Jim Sowell, Chair, [email protected], (925) 939-4670 or
(925) 457-7746 cell
Jim Warner, Ass't Chair, [email protected], (925) 935-
8032
WINE FINDERS 1 ©
No article was received for this activity.
Chair : WF-1: Bob Price [email protected] (925) 937-
6814 Co-Chair: Tony de Losada
[email protected] (925)
945-1730
WINE FINDERS 2 ©
The holiday party of all groups was hosted by Jack Sagen. He is the ultimate host! About 25 attended. The food and drink was terrific. Jack served his famous chili. We left satisfied and in the spirit of the season.
Ron Cassano
[email protected] (925)
944-1238
Page 14 INDEX
WINE FINDERS 3 ©
No article was received for this activity.
Chair WF-3: Larry McEwen
(925) 939-3216
ALL ABOUT WINES ©
Friday evening, Dec. 15, 13 of the members gathered at the home of Tom and Barbra Anders. The wine theme was CA Central Coast, Paso Robles AVA. The guest speaker,
Don Brady, winemaker at Robert Hall Winery, Paso Robles and his wife Kasi traveled the 4+ hours to be with us. The evening started by gathering a plate of appetizers brought by the members and a sit-down presentation by Don. He presented for tasting 2 Robert Hall Wines and 2 Brady Vineyard wines. Along with these very high quality wines Don gave a presentation with a framed large map he brought of the Paso Robles Wine region. This included grape growing and wine making practices he uses to make high quality wines at very affordable prices at Robert Hall and Brady Wines made at Robert Hall Winery.(most in the $16 to $28 range.) Don was surprised at the knowledge of the group as the 30-45min. planned talk with Q/A flowed with interest to just more than one hour. Don encouraged all to now try the six wines he had seen opened in the adjoining room as they were good examples of wines from the Paso Robles AVA. This began a social hour with informal wine tasting and judging sheets for each of these wines. (Wines with results to be found on soon to be setup AAW website.) Varietals included: Viognier, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. The judging results ranged from 85 to 93 points (2 wines). During one of the next two events the plan is to have as a guest a professional wine judge to go through an evening’s tasting/judging with us. The next event for SIR AAW is planned for Thurs., Feb. 22.
Chairman Tom Anders [email protected]
707-322-4500
WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY
We write short stories about events in our lives that are of interest to us and perhaps will be to our progeny. Meeting as a group and sharing stories (always voluntary) triggers our memories and keeps us inspired. We meet on the fourth Tuesday at 10:00
a.m. at Vintage Kensington Place (in the
second floor Game Room), located on
Geary Road near North Main in Walnut
Creek, just off I-680.
You will receive a syllabus to guide you in writing your own life
stories
Dick Brewer 925-933-0876 [email protected]
Page 15 INDEX
ACTIVITY CHAIRMEN & BRANCH 8 LEADERS’ BIOGRAPHIES
Dean J. Steichen, Honorary Life
Member
Born and raised in eastern South Dakota, I studied Chemical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology for 2 1/2 years before dropping out and entering the computer field with Litton Industries in Southern California. After working for 2 years, I returned to Dakota Wesleyan University and
graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Economics with a Chemistry Minor.
I didn’t remain a bachelor for long as I married Marilyn Rennich of White, S.D. the weekend after graduation and soon departed for the University of Washington’s MBA Program. Upon graduation in 1968 from the UW, I worked for Standard Oil Co. of California (Chevron) Computer Services Department in San Francisco for 12 years and taught Information Systems Classes at night for Golden Gate University (GGU). I worked for Lucky Stores as EDP and Corporate Audit Manager, Mervyns as Director of Information Security and The GAP as Information Center Director and Director of Information Security before retiring in 2002.
Marilyn and I moved to Danville, Ca. and have two children (Adrianne and Geof). Adrianne is an Architect in Oakland and Geof is a supervisor for Vivint (Home Security Monitoring) and is a US Army Reservist in Provo, Utah. I have 2 grown grandchildren (Signy and Colin).
I joined Sons In Retirement in 2002, and served in Branch leadership positions including several committees, Attendance Secretary, Little SIR, Big SIR and BEC. I continue to serve as a Director and Presenter for the Area 16 Computers & Technology Activity and other Branch or Area Committees. I was elected Area 2 Governor in 2009, Region 6 Director in 2011 and State Chief Administrative Officer in 2017 & 2018. I am a member of the State Growth & Membership Committee, State Training Chairman 2017 and the Chairman of the State INFOSYS Committee. I was awarded a State HLM in 2013 for my SIR State contributions.
.
Marv Kreitz, Honorary Life
Member, Big Sir 1991
Marv was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Christmas Day 1924. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis and entered the Navy in June of 1943. While in the Navy he was sent to the University of Wisconsin where he met his wife to be Ruth Shenkenberg. Marv served on the
U.S Cincinnati, a Cruiser involved in convoy duty in the North Atlantic. On board ship, he was engaged in tracking the Wolf-Pack Subs that were preying on convoys in the North Atlantic, as well as participating in the Invasion of Southern France. In June of 1946, he was discharged and married Ruth and they began a wonderful life together.
Marv attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota,”under the GI Bill”. While in college, he had the honor, based on outstanding achievements in studies and collegiate activities, to represent the State Of Minnesota at the National Association of Manufactures 57th Annual Congress of America in New York.
In 1954 when he graduated with a B.S Degree in Business Administration, he went to work for Montgomery Ward's Mail Order Division in St Paul Minnesota. In 1958 he was promoted and transferred to the Catalog Plant in Oakland CA. In 1986, after 32 years of service, Marv retired when Wards closed its’ Mail Order Operation. At the time he retired, Marv was Regional Catalog Sales Manager with 13 District Managers under him and over 200 stores that covered seven western states including Alaska which he really loved.
Marv and his wife Ruth lived in Walnut Creek for 59 years. They loved to travel together throughout the US. Europe and South America. Ruth has golfed 3 holes in one and Marv had 0. Marv was actively involved with SIRS for some 30 years going through the chairs of Little SIR, BIG Sir Treasurer for 7 years and Director for three more years and because he and a friend set up many Golf outings and other activities he was honored by being made a Life Time Member. After 10 years a Senior Life Time Member. “Joining SIRS was one of the best things I’ve done...” –Marv
Page 16 INDEX
Membership Data for Deember 2017
BEC Approval: 1/8/2018
Applicants Inducted: 2
Name Badge Sponsor
Members Requested Active Status: 0
New Applicants: 0
Name Badge Sponsor
Applicants Attended Orientation: 0
Name Badge Sponsor
Applicants Induction Date:1
Name Badge To Be Inducted
Herb Friedman MD-170 Tentative for 1/8/21018
Applications Withdrawn Date: 0
Name Badge Reason
Members Requested Inactive Status: 2
Name Badge Reason
Howard Berkman MD-506 Monthly Meeting absences
Rod Hughes MD-508 Moved to Florida
Active Members Resignation: 2
Name Badge Reason
ZIP Zaro MD-285 Member health, age
Larry Feigenbaum MD-49 Transfer to Branch 128
Inactive Members Resignation: 0
Name Badge Reason
Austin Prindle MD-509 Member - health
Membership Totals
Group - Status Number
Members - Active 339
Applicants – To Be Inducted 1
Members - Inactive 17
Obituary Report:
Name: Roger Borgerson
Inducted: 2/2/2001
Deceased: 12/7/2017,
Activities: Antique Cars.
Digital Photography,
RVing, Wine Club
SIR Certificates – December
Name Certificate Type
Harry Hubinger Senior
SIR Birthday – January 2018
Day Name Day Name
1 Jamshed Gangi 15 Phil Philpot
1 Mike Hennessy 18 Steve Greene
1 Buddy May 21 Martin Simmons
3 Bruce Kostrzewski 22 Youssef Tavassoli
3 Mario Moratorio 25 Terry Mason
4 Hal Tatro 26 Dave Sutton
9 Tom Kerns 27 Jerry Daykin
11 Ken Belfer 27 Rich Mohr
11 Rob Laaback 28 Ian Dunn
11 Bob Bogardus 29 Hans Pable
13 DeWayne Ruwe 29 Bernie Rosner
15 Rick Grayson 29 Russell Schleske
Page 17 INDEX
PHOTO GALLERY
On Monday , December 11th, we held a successful holiday Ladies Day
Lunch for 279 SIRS and their beautifully dressed spouses. The food, Christmas decorations and ambiance were excellent. Many thanks to Round Hill Country Club, the local merchants, golf courses and Branch 8 Wine Finders who provided wonderful door prizes. Many thanks to the gentlemen of the Ladies Day Committee who ensured the success of the day, despite some best efforts, from the chairman, to make success difficult. I appreciate all your help. – Nat Bitton
Ladies Day Luncheon
Page 18 INDEX
Mt. Diablo Branch No. 8 Branch Officers
Big Sir Mike Long 925-930-8401 [email protected]
Little Sir Phil Trapp 925-648-4056 [email protected]
Secretary Erland Persson 925-932-5328 [email protected]
Membership Secretary
Asst. Bob Barnes 925-348-6443 [email protected]
Attendance Secretary
Asst. Bill Peterson
Rob Laaback 925-676-5295
925-938-5228 [email protected]
Treasurer
Asst. Ron Cassano
Dennis Fitzpatrick 925-944-1238
925-209-3547 [email protected]
Directors Tony de Losada
Steve Schramm
Barry Brown
Dan Weller
510-566-2661
925-222-0801
925-930-8206
925-935-5510
[email protected] [email protected]
Attendance Positions
Hilton Coordinator Bill Peterson 925-676-5295 [email protected]
Member Badge Greg Ryan
Jack Sagen 925-676-0133
925-376-2749 [email protected]
Branch Positions
Activity Coordinator
Committee Members Steve Schramm
Dave Davis
Tom Kerns
Dan Weller
Nick Maufe
925-222-0801
925-838-1753
925-202-5922
925-935-5510
925-719-2504
Audit
Asst. Dave Sutton
Vito Magliano 925-686-0158
925-228-9251 [email protected]
Certificate Creator Barry Brown 925-930-8206 [email protected]
Chaplain
Asst. Fred Nelson
Dick Brewer 925-689-6714
925-933-0876 [email protected]
Historian Steve Schramm 925-222-0801 [email protected]
LDL Organization Nat Bitton
Ed Dijkman
Ron Maciak
Dave Morse
925-798-2064
925-680-7756
925-357-8005
925-938-3078
Nominating Committee Don Atwater
Ed Benson
Bill Hunter
Ron Smith
Derek Southern
925-673-1669
925-943-7011
925-285-5670
925-314-3066
925-253-1646
Procurement Dick Brooks 925-228-6959 [email protected]
Luncheon Positions
Drawings – Lunch Ticket
- Birthday
- Tickets
Big Sir
Dick Brooks
Rob Laaback
925-899-4653
925-938-5228
Greeter Organizers
Asst. Darryl Skiles
Joe Miscione 925-827-3818
925-284-2163 [email protected]
Guest Check-In
Asst. Dennis Mierzwa
John Sutton 925-938-5343
925-787-7726 [email protected]
Lunch Meal Tickets
Terry Vinson
Bob Olson 925-934-2194
925-376-6388 [email protected]
Lunch Organization Bill Peterson 925-676-5295 [email protected]
Need-A-Ride Scott Graff 925-552-6097 [email protected]
Pianist Dave Platter 925-283-9146 [email protected]
Song Meister Brian Woolf
Carl Moyer 925-932-0590
925-685-5243 [email protected]
Speaker Committee Larry Lange
Tony de Losada
Ron Brown
Bill Espey
925-254-6281
510-566-2661
925-283-8172
925-945-0626
Page 19 INDEX
Mt. Diablo Branch No. 8 Membership Positions
Applicant Orientation Chairman
Asst. Dave Perkins
Mike Anderson 925-256-9569
925-229-0680 [email protected]
Email Distribution Dave Perkins 925-256-9569 [email protected]
Branch Support Tony de Losada 510-566-2661 [email protected]
Member Picture Gallery DeWayne Ruwe 925-229-0162 [email protected]
Member Relations Chairman Tony de Losada
Multiple members 510-566-2661 [email protected]
New Member Follow-up Ron Smith 925-314-3066 [email protected]
Publicity & Image Chairman
Tony de Losada
Dick Brooks 510-566-2661
925-228-6959 [email protected]
RAMP – Chairmen Members
Recruitment
Activities
Member Relations
Publicity
Thom Watkins
Steve Schramm
Tony de Losada
Tony de Losada
925-330-3780
925-222-0801
510-566-2661
510-566-2661
Recruitment Chairman Thom Watkins
Ed Cohn
Tony de Losada
Don Dennler
Joe D’Angelo
Stan Johnson
925-330-3780
925-954-7600
510-566-2661
925-687-6483
925-519-0505
925-938-7016
Roster Bob Barnes 925-348-6443 [email protected]
Sunshine Chairman Larry Mersmann
Terry Norton 925-935-9124
925-798-6023 [email protected]
Technology Positions
Technology Coordinator Open
AMS Members Dan Weller
Dave Davis
Bill Hunter
Nick Maufe
Martin Simmons
925-935-5510
925-838-1753
925-947-6947
925-719-2504
925-586-2704
Audio Dick Brooks
Hans Pable 925-228-6959
925-672-2564 [email protected]
Computer Help (MAC)
Computer Help (PC) Dick Brown
Dwane McGlothin 925-676-9048
925-798-2868 [email protected]
Infosys Team
Asst.
Asst.
Dan Weller
Rich Knowles
Martin Simmons
925-935-5510
925-370-6239
925-586-2704
Laptop Manager Bob Barnes 925-348-6443 [email protected]
Photographer Bill Phelon 925-254-8338 [email protected]
Photo Gallery Editor DeWayne Ruwe 925-229-0162 [email protected]
Projector and Screen Bob Barnes 925-346-6443 [email protected]
Web Master
Asst. Derek Southern
Bill Hunter 925-253-1646
925-947-6947 [email protected]
Hotline Position
Coordinator
Editors rotate as defined by
Coordinator
Dan Weller
Jim Ripley
Barry Brown
Chuck Joyce
Rick Grayson
925-935-5510
925-891-4007
925-930-8206
925-788-1295
925-228-8191
Publisher Rob Laaback 925-938-5228 [email protected]
