DIGITAL EDITION No. 262 April 4, 2018  EDITOR: Kris Anderson PHOTOGRAPHER: Kris Anderson PUBLISHER: Richard Lazovick

Our Program For Wednesday, April 11, 2018

NOTE:  Meeting will be at St. Rose!

ADULT LITERACY SERVICES – SC LIBRARIES

Alisa Adams

Adult Literacy Program

Mission 
The Sonoma County Library Adult Literacy Program provides one to one tutoring for adults who wish to improve their literacy skills.  Our program is learner-centered – we work with the student in accomplishing his/her goals.

Location
Central Library Annex (behind the Central Library)

What qualifications do I need to become a tutor?

  • Tutors must be at least 18 years old, speak English and have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Previous tutoring experience is not required. 
  • Tutors must attend an orientation and a free training workshop.
  • Both student and tutor work together for a minimum of six months for two hours per week.
  • For more information, including orientation dates and times, call our office at (707) 544-2622 or email us at literacy@sonoma.lib.ca.us.

Services we offer:

Basic reading and writing
Students work individually with a tutor for a minimum of two hours per week.

Families for Literacy
This program introduces reading as a family value to adult learners who have at least one preschool child and are enrolled in the basic reading and writing literacy program.

Inmate Tutoring
Tutors work individually with inmates on basic reading and writing at the two detention facilities in Sonoma County.  A special security orientation and clearance through the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department is required of all tutors in the inmate program, along with a two year commitment.

725 Third Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 544-2622
Library Hours: M-F 10 am – 3 pm; Sat 10 am – 1 pm; Closed Sunday

UPCOMING PROGRAMS 

Wednesday April 11, 2018: Adult Literacy Services – S C Libraries – Alisa Adams  
Wednesday April 18, 2018: Vietnam Memoirs: Angel’s Truck Stop – Angelica Pilato 
Wednesday April 25, 2018: The Power of Rotary:Domestic Violence – Peg Rogers 
Wednesday May 2, 2018: City Manager – Sean P. McGlynn

USEFUL LINKS

Visit our district at: http://www.rotary5130.org
Check out Rotary International at: http://www.rotary.org
Come see us at: http://rotarymeansbusiness

NOTE:  All images are clickable. Click on the pictures to see them in full size.
NOTE:  Hover your cursor over the pictures to see descriptions.

Opening Ceremonies:

Yale Abrams led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  Jeanne Levin spoke of the importance of friends for her Reflection.

Sunshine Report:

We were all happy to see Tim Fawcett back at the meeting today.  For those that do not know, Tim fell off his roof on December 16th.  He is on the mend, but has a way to go.  He loves phone calls as he is not able to drive at this time.

Visitors:

Willie Tamayo, Co-Founder and Vice President Board of Directors-La Tortilla Factory and Sergio Canavati, Sonoma State University Professor.  Janet Moore, wife of Michael Moore.  Bill Pedersen’s son.

Visiting Rotarians:

We had a bunch of ex-presidents visiting today:  Les Crawford, Barbara Beedon, and Bob Stone

Raffle:

We were down to 3 marbles and $188 in the pot.  Rich de Lambert had the lucky ticket, but he did not pull out the lucky marble.  Next week you have a 50/50 chance to win!

Joke of the Day:

Cathy told us the story of Moses, Jesus and an old man out on the golf course. Moses and Jesus were bragging about getting a hole-in-one.  Needless to say they fell short and the old man hit a miraculous shot after which Jesus says to Moses, “That is the last time I make a bet against my old man!”

Birthdays for April:

Ginny Cannon, Casey Carter, Andrea Geary and Debi Zaft were serenated by Past President Jose with the Mañanitas (Mexican happy birthday song).

Announcements:

Casey D’Angelo is recruiting mentors for the New Gen program for this fall.

Ray Giampaoli says the raffle proceeds are now about $145,000.  BIG thanks to Brandon Uhrich for securing $35,000 from one donor!  The drawing for the winner of the $25,000 prize is Monday from 5:30-7:30 [Note new location-Villa Restaurant at 3901 Montgomery Drive].  If you are coming, please let Debi Zaft know, ASAP.

Jeff Kolin says that sponsors are continuing to come in for the Giro Bello. We are 2/3’s away from our goal of $35,000!  Keep up the good work!

Past Presidents Day:

Jose decided to change the format for our past president’s meeting.  Instead of having each past president introduce themselves, he used a PowerPoint presentation with each slide displaying the past president’s baby photo and images of the responses he had asked each to provide him prior to the meeting.  In addition to their baby or childhood picture, he asked them: Where were they born?  What college they attended? What was their first car? What was the most memorable thing about their presidency? and name one item or place on their bucket list. The presentation was somewhat interactive, as members had to shout out the president’s name based on the baby photo and other images.  In many cases, that was not difficult as many past presidents have not changed a bit, even sporting the same hair style.  Many common themes were highlighted, like lots of crappy old Fords! LOL!  At the end, Jose thank each of the past presidents for their service and contributions to Rotary.  Those who came today were:  Debi Zaft, Kathleen Archer, Jose Guillen, Jeanne Levin, Fred Levin, Dan Balfe, Peggy Soberanis, Yale Abrams, Joel De Silva, Les Crawford, Mark Burchill, Barbara Beedon, Steve Olson, Charlie Howard-Gibbon, Will Haymaker, Michael Moore, Bill Rousseau, Bill Pedersen, Steve Marburger, Norm Owen, Bob Stone, Chuck Bartley, Rich de Lambert and Marnie Goldschlag.  Please forgive me if a missed anyone! The PowerPoint can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.

Willie Tamayo and the History of La Tortilla Factory

The change in the past presidents’ meeting also included a speaker.  For the occasion, Jose invited Willie Tamayo, a co-founder of La Tortilla Factory, to join in the celebration of our past presidents’ service by sharing his life’s journey as a very successful business and community leader.

Willie’s parents both came from Mexico.  His father got his citizenship through the Bracero Program during World War II.  They settled in Omaha, Nebraska. They had 5 sons and made sure all of them got college education.  His parents believed in education and he, too, sees education as the great equalizer for opportunity and prosperity.  Willie earned his business and marketing degree from UC Berkeley and applied his knowledge and skills to grow and differentiate the family business.  Willie’s oldest brother came to California to work.  Willie came out to visit during the fall from the Midwest and pretty much said, “I’m not going back.”  Eventually the whole family moved to California. The family decided they wanted to start a family business and so La Tortilla Factory began in 1977 on North Dutton Avenue where simply Vietnam was recently relocated. 

At that time tortilla companies were all small family run businesses, but in 1986 things changed.  The family wanted to get their product into the new Food for Less store that Mike Runyon had recently opened. Mike said their price point was too high.  A big player in the market, Mission, was selling at a lower price.  Mike was afraid their product would not sell, but he gave them a chance.  Today, La Tortilla Factory products are distributed in all 50 states, Canada and Asia.  They operate their own distribution for California and their products use all local products and vendors.

That was the beginning of “differentiation.” How could one stand apart?  Quality ingredients, low carb and organic tortillas made the difference.  They spend $54 million on employees, they have a payroll of about 698 people, they sold about $138 million locally last year and paid $9.5 million in county taxes.  They consider La Tortilla Factory employees as family and make sure all employees have good benefits, such as medical insurance for them and their families and assistance for continuing education.

Willie also shared his and his family’s involvement in promoting education and social wellbeing in the community.   His most recent endeavor is the creation of the Elsie Allen High School Foundation, which has raised more than $500,000 for scholarships for Southwest Santa Rosa students.  As he puts it, education is the great equalizer, making a positive difference in the lives of our students.

Willie was thanked for sharing his life’s journey and leading with humility, paying it forward and making a difference in our community.

Closing: 

Jose thanked everyone who helped at the meeting, Joel, Will, Pete, Bob Higgs, Chip, Robby, Yale, Jeanne, Jack Abercrombie and specially Debi and closed with a leadership quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. honoring him and remembering him as a peaceful leader.

Jose also reminded everyone that our next meeting,
April 11th, will be at St. Rose.

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Rotary Rhine River Cruise   August 19-26, 2019

Come join us on a seven-night Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the AMA Kristina. Click on the link below for information on pricing, itinerary, etc. The early booking discount still applies for bookings made by April 30, 2018.

 Click here for flyer.

 

Governor, District 5130

Bob Rogers, Rotary Club of Sebastopol

Attendance Secretary

Debi Zaft P.O. Box 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Board of Directors

Kathleen Archer, Ray Giampaoli, Steve Marburger, Jackie McMillan, Diane Moresi, Laura Held, Peter Holewinski, Steve Baime and Jeff Kolin