Visited our Club on 9/14/16 and talked about fish.  How big was it?

No, she wasn’t talking about fish.  She talked about some of the issues on the upcoming ballot that will affect our local communities.  Do we want another ½ cent sales tax increase which will fund various transportation investments across Contra Costa County and enacts new countywide land-use policies?  Do we want to replace the Pleasant Hill Library with a brand new one?  And who is paying for all those new BART cars?  What about a gas tax v.s. a parcel tax?  All very interesting and thought provoking issues.  Good bedtime reading when we receive our voter’s guide.  Plan extra time to complete your ballot!  Thanks Karen, for keeping us informed.

Past president and membership chair Kian had the honor of presenting to his Dad, Shahram (Ba) Ameli, his blue badge.

Kian, Shahram, & Beri

At the offsite meeting at Oakmont of Concord President Beri Kasper and Membership Chair Kian Ameli inducted two new members into the Concord-Diablo Rotary Club.  Patricia Ramirez, sponsored by Beri, is a Financial Advisor at Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Beri and Patricia

Wendee Williamson, sponsored by Eric Maldonado, is a Business Development Manager at Arista Business Solutions.

Wendee and Eric

Assistant District Governor Mureleen Benton was present to give our new members a true Rotary welcome.

Mureleen, Beri, Patricia, Wendee, Eric, and Kian

Isaiah Garcia!  Isaiah is the grandson of member Casilda (Cassie) Gonzales.  He is leaving San Francisco for Wakayama, Japan on Friday, July 22 and will return in two weeks.  Isaiah will be staying with members of the Wakayama West Rotary Club.  A very big thanks to the Wakayama Wrst Club members for hosting Isaiah.  In his own words here is what he has to say…

“Hello my name is Isaiah Garcia I’m 19 years old, currently living in Roseville, California.  I just graduated from Oakmont High School where I went all four years.  While I was there, I played football for all four of the years, and also was on the track and field team.  I will be attending Sierra Community College for two years majoring in Psychology this fall and then transfer to a four year college.  I am thinking either Sacramento State or Chico State for the transfer, somewhere not too far from home.  Before high school, I played piano for three years and Bass guitar for one year.  From the help of my mother and her friend Peggy Conley, I was able to successfully publish my own book called “War Poems”, available for sale on Amazon.  I am extremely excited and honored to be chosen to go to Japan.  I know their culture is different than ours, but it is incredibly interesting to me.  I am hoping to bring home some life changes habits from there that I learned and share them with my family and friends.  I would like to Thank everyone for choosing me for having this opportunity.  This is definitely a once in a lifetime adventure and I am very grateful.

 Sincerely,

 Isaiah J. Garcia”

Safe trip, Isaiah, and have a great time!