ROTARY
Club of Tiburon-Belvedere

Sunday, May 28, 2023

ROTARY IN ACTION

Welcome! We're the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere, and we embrace Rotary International's motto, Service Above Self. We've been serving the community and taking on meaningful projects at home and abroad for almost 46 years. Our focus is on youth, literacy and community, and we believe that reaching out to others makes a better world. Here's what we've supported so far this year.

Rotarians lend a hand at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary

Youth—Investing in the Future

• Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity: Support to provide a safety net of stable housing, guidance and community connections for young people 16 to 25, who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless in Marin County.

• Canal Alliance University Prep: A program to help high school students who will be the first in their families to attend college to achieve their goals.

• Dave Hutton Rotary Award for Service Above Self: An annual award to a graduating eighth-grader with a record of outstanding community service at Del Mar Middle School.

• Dictionaries for Mexico: Sent 50 full-color, illustrated children's dictionaries to students at a school in San Carlos, Mexico, where learning to speak and understand English is a key to success.

• Educator of the Year Awards: Annual awards to outstanding educators in local schools, whose unique projects give children a worldview that encourages them to become good citizens

• Global Book Exchange: Support for the Global Book Exchange in San Rafael, which collects lightly-used books and redistributes them to teachers at schools with limited budgets, disadvantaged families and nonprofits that serve children, as well as schools throughout the world.

• Marielos Fund: A scholarship to send a young woman in El Salvador to medical school.

• Reed School PTA: Funding for playground supplies for Reed School's new Pre-K classes.

• Rotaplast International: Support for volunteer medical teams to provide life-changing surgery for children with cleft-lip and palate in needy communities around the world.

• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards: Scholarships so high school sophomores and juniors can attend a special camp that guides them to develop their leadership skills.

• The Ranch: Scholarships for low-income youth to attend summer day camp.

•  ThinkGlobal Arts: Programs in the for young people in disadvantaged countries, bringing joy and hope into their lives.

• Tiburon Peninsula Little League: Proud sponsor of the Phillies.

Meaningful Projects—Service Above Self

• Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society: Assistance for the community's historial society to do maintenance on the community's landmarks.

• Get Ready to Go 94920: Emergency lanterns for Get Ready to distribute to members at a special event devoted to emergency preparedness

• Marin Housing for All: Rotarian Cindy Siciliano's program to help Marin County's unhoused population.

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Saluting Rotary Educators of the Year, 2023

(l. to r.) Ryan Sonneville, Jawanda Smart, Rotary President Kathleen Defever, George Landau. Photos: Marshall Gross

George Landau began by sharing Article IX of the California State Constitution, which pertains to education.
A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the legislature shall encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral, and agricultural improvement.

He pointed out that it means, in general, that all children in the state will get an equal education, regardless of factors such as race and citizenship

He and President Kathleen Defever then presented an award, a certificate and a check to Jawanda Smart, an 8th grade teacher in English and Language Arts. In addition, she received a bouquet of sunflowers, which symbolize bringing sunshine to kids.

“Thank you so much. I’m honored,” said Jawanda

Kathleen and George then made a similar presentation to Ryan Sonneville, librarian at Del Mar Middle School, who is this year’s honoree from the Reed Union School District.

They noted that we are pleased to honor a librarian, given the pressure many librarians in other parts of the country are currently facing.

“Have they pulled any books from your library?” asked Angelo Capozzi, and Ryan said no.

We spent the remainder of the meeting getting to know the teachers and socializing.

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The brain: The body's operating system

Julia Shumelda is a board advisor, executive coach, leadership facilitator and keynote speaker, who specializes in values-based performance leadership using applied neuroscience.  Among her clients are the Central Intelligence Agency, the New York Stock Exchange and Google. “It’s an honor to have her join us,” she said.

“One thing I love about Tiburon is that wherever you go, you know half the people in the room,” said Julia. “I’m going to speak about your operating system,” she continued, explaining that the only time you’re aware of your operating system is when it blows up.  “Your operating system is basically your experiences,” she explained. It forms our hopes, beliefs, fears and values, and it starts when we’re young and are sponges for information. She added that her usual presentation is two days, but she would cut to the chase to accommodate our time frame.

Neuroscience

“Your brain has three parts,” said Julia.

 1. The most ancient part of the brain is the “lizard brain,” which we know as the brain stem. It’s concerned with physical survival, and “It wants to make sure you live to see another day,” she said. It governs feeding, fighting, fleeing and sex. “Without the four Fs, none of us would be here,” she said. “We can go into flight, fight or freeze if we feel threatened.”

2. The neocortex is our rational brain, and it’s primarily concerned with planning and executing. It’s the rational brain that makes decisions. We might make a list of positive and negatives that looks good but doesn’t feel right. We refer to it as gut instinct, and we need it to use our operating systems and consider past experiences. It lights up during an MRI or PET Scan.

3. The limbic system or emotional brain gives our lives meaning and protects what’s near and dear to us. The limbic system is made up of two small almond shaped parts called the amygdalae which track activity 24-7 and evaluate whether a situation will help you or hurt you. It is designed for short-term bursts of energy and releases adrenalin and cortisol. It’s not designed for long-term sustainability. Cortisol helps blood to coagulate, but when one experiences chronic stress, and the blood continues to coagulate, the result can be heart attacks or strokes.

To prevent negative effects, be aware of the limbic system. The body is primed to flight or flee, so move the body and exercise or meditate. The result of pleasurable experiences causes the brain to produce a cascade of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.

“That’s all theoretical,” said Julia, but she also finds it fascinating. As an example, she referred to a crisis in Brazil in 2013, when people were dying because of a lack of organ donors. In the United States, 40% have checked the box, and everyone knew the statistics, but promoting organ donation didn’t get results in Brazil. “Why didn’t they respond?” asked Julia. She explained that they froze because it was about their own survival. Then the advertising agency Ogilvie was hired to do a campaign. They decided to appeal to something that Brazilians are passionate about: futebol, or soccer. The idea was to hit the limbic system and link soccer to organ donation. They told people that their hearts could hold a passion for soccer in the future, and that if they gave their eyes, others would be able to see the games. They launched the campaign with Club Recife [in northeastern Brazil), and organ donations went up by 60%.

Questions and Answers

“What happens in dreams?” asked George Landau.

“In dreams you are processing some of the things that happened during your day,” said Julia. When you see a dog dreaming, for instance, its paws might be running. She suggested that when you wake up after you’ve had a bad dream, tell someone. Or write about it. “Journal it as a way to process it,” she said. Then go for a beautiful walk.

Azita asked about the human need for connection. “We’re so wired for human-to-human connection,” said Julia, observing that babies couldn’t survive without human connection. “When we feel really connected to someone, there’s something else, a sense,” she said. “When you meet someone, you sometimes feel a synergy or connection.”

Kathleen Defever asked what businesses take away from her training.

Julia explained that she takes the CEO and directors through a two-day session, starting with neuroscience. They go through a long process about values and where they came from. “Even the CIA, they were in tears at the end of the second day,” she said. They continue with coaching after that session, and she asks what’s going well, and what could be going better. It’s tailored to the specific group, not general.

“We are a club that goes out and helps people. “There’s definitely a dearth of that,”  said Kathleen.

“Find something that everyone is passionate about,” Julia advised.

George said that people like him, who are trained in sciences, don’t learn about gut feelings. He didn’t learn about feelings until he went through a divorce and discovered the University of Iowa feelings wheel.

“When I say gut feeling, I don’t necessarily mean emotion,” said Julia. It’s not either the limbic system or neocortex. It could be both. “A gut feeling is basically your brain’s way of saying, ‘We tried this before, and it didn’t work out so well,’” she said, explaining that it’s an instantaneous response. Sometimes we encounter someone, and even without knowing them, we have a gut response.

“I think the kids call that chemistry,” said George.

Julia added that the limbic system is faster than neocortex, because it’s necessary for survival.

John Kaufmann asked about the connection people have with their pets, and Julia explained that the animals we are most connected to have the most developed limbic systems. Dogs, horses and dolphins have the best developed limbic systems. Cats are more aloof, because their limbic systems aren’t as well developed.

Linda Emberson gave the example of a horse that neighs when it sees someone it knows.
Julia added that the pack mentality of dogs is because of the limbic system and the need to be connected, and she observed that horses don’t thrive if they’re alone, because they, too, need connections.

“How did you get interested in what you do?” asked Kathleen.

Julia said that her trajectory jumped around, and this is her third career, give or take.

In college, she had a triple major in philosophy, German language and linguistics and psychology, and her first career was as a teacher of German language and linguistics.

Next, she decided to go to chiropractic school with a focus on neuroscience. She didn’t do the rack or crack ‘em practice, however. Rather, she used neuroscience and worked on drug-free performance enhancement in athletes. She had a patient with a consulting practice, who asked her to speak to a group. When she arrived, she found 1,000 people in the room. She talked about neuroscience and got lots of applause, and the woman recruited her. She became a specialist in emotional intelligence and worked with her for a couple of years and then developed her own practice. “This is my third career and my favorite one,” she said, and she also volunteers to mentor to people who are just going into the business world.

Julia pointed out that the trajectory isn’t always linear, but somehow everything comes together and makes sense.

Marianne Strotz meditates while she’s walking, and Julia said, “Moving meditation is fabulous.”

“Do you ever talk to people about coming to grips with growing old?” asked John Kaufmann.

“We talk about what’s the next chapter,” said Julia, so it’s indirect. The conversation is about what one is going to do next and what will give life meaning and purpose.

“I’ve always taken exception to the term retirement,” said George. “What would I retire to?” He doesn’t use the word, because he believes age is a function of what you do.

Julia said that work often gives one meaning, purpose and joy.

When you retire, “You have to reinvent yourself,” said John.

“Or learn to pay golf,” added Julia.

George said that when he meets someone who has an international career, he wonders how that individual can balance family and work. “I was never able to do it until I quit,” he said.

“You don’t,” said Julia. She believes in work-life harmony and living one’s values in professional life as well as personal life. Things get done more easily and quickly if you have work-life harmony.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

GREAT GUEST SPEAKERS

Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m., Surprise speakers, Tiburon Peninsula Club

If you'd like to be a guest speaker, please send an email to rotary@telli.com
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WHERE TO FIND US

Meetings
If you'd like to visit, we'd be delighted to meet you. We meet at the Tiburon Peninsula Club, 1600 Mar West Street, Tiburon, CA, at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month and at noon on the second and fourth Wednesdays. We'll announce activities and events for months with a fifth Wednesday. Meetings are hybrid, so members and guests can attend either in person or on Zoom

For Zoom meetings, please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81915154482?pwd=MDVHWWVjemovQ2ovdjJkZzczeW9qZz09,

If you'd like to be a guest speaker, please contact Marianne Strotz at strotzproperties@gmail.com or Lata Setty at latapatent@gmail.com

Board of Directors Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors are open to all members and take place monthly at a time to be announced, usually on Zoom. For information, please send an email to judith@telli.com.

Contact
Contact us at rotary@telli.com.

Send mail to Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere, P.O. Box 220, Tiburon, CA 94920.

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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, ¡Flamenco y Fiesta! – Flamenco Dancers, Tapas, Paella, Music, Raffle, Games and more. Belvedere Community Center

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbrotary. Hope you "like" us!

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GALLERY

Celebrating Angelo's 90th Birthday 

Birthday wishes and flowers from George Landau

“I’m very proud to be able to call Angelo one of my great friends,” said John Kaufmann. He has been on missions with him and seen how he wants to help all the beggars in the street in countries like India. “Thank you Angelo for being who you are,” he said.

“The best thing about being a son and the greatest thing a dad can do is be around for his son,” said Angelo Jr. He described his father as a model for compassion, family, courage, confidence, diligence, and persistence. “All these things have made me a better man,” he said.
“My uncle has been a tower of strength in our family. … I really love you,” said Angelo’s niece Denise, the daughter of his brother.

Marianne Strotz met Angelo at a party, where he asked to talk to her for a moment. She’d spent the afternoon slathered in baby oil and baking in the sun so she’d get a tan and look good in her white dress. Angelo asked, “What the hell are you doing to your skin?” and proceeded to give her lecture about the risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin as a result of exposure to the sun. Being from Switzerland, she’d never heard that before, and she didn’t know that Angelo was a well-known plastic surgeon either. Later, their sons went to school together and became sailing buddies.

“Being married to Angelo has never been boring,” said Louise. She recalled that when he got a scholarship to attend Notre Dame University, he asked his mother to get out the trunk. He had never been anywhere beyond his home in upstate New York, but since then, he has traveled all over the world. He got back from Agra, India, two weeks ago and returned to working at the Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce’s Welcome Center and speaking to clubs. In addition, “He’s the popcorn man” and has two popcorn machines.

Angelo said that being married to Louise is the easiest thing he’s done.

“Angelo has been my hero since the first time I met him,” said Steve Wright, who’s known him for many years. Nonetheless, every time they meet, Angelo says that Steve might not remember him. Steve told a story about a Vietnamese girl who was born with her tongue outside her mouth, and how Angelo arranged for her to come to the United States to have treatment, changing her life.

“Maybe I should call you colonel,” said DG Gary Chow. (Because Angelo makes popcorn!) He added that Angelo will do anything to help the cause.

Brian Walker has been on many Rotaplast missions with Angelo. However, “I love him the most because he introduced me to my bride,” he said. That’s why he’s my hero.”

Bill Goldberg told a story about Angelo going out at 3 a.m. to help someone who’d been in an accident and suffered burns.

Angelo added that the victim was a friend of his daughter Jeannie, and he went to the burn center to see how he could help, as treating burns is one of his specialties.

“This man has compassion, but when it comes to Notre Dame sports, there are no survivors,” said Charlie Oewel. He’s watched games with Angelo, when his alma mater, Penn, played Notre Dame, and he was relieved that his team lost. “I treasure your friendship as all these people do,” he said. “Congratulations on your 90th birthday.

Melissa Prandi recalled when she was district membership chair and visited clubs as the Doctor of Rotary membership. “I went around doing the circuit, and people loved it,” she said, explaining that the state of membership is an indicator of the health of a club. Angelo invited her to his home for a membership gathering, and she asked if she could wear her doctor coat, and he said absolutely. “That was our first real connection. Thank you for all you’ve done for so many people,” she said.

TRIVIA

George Landau gives a check from the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere Foundation to Zara Babitzke, executive director of Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity, a Mill Valley nonprofit that rescues young people at risk of becoming homeless and puts them on the path to successful lives.

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BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT

Kathleen Defever plays Bocce. Photos: Marshall Gross

Teammates Kathleen Defever and Angelo Servino

Anastasia Fink, Charlie Oewel and Marianne Strotz

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Scroll down to see our photo gallery of Rotarians at work and play!

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District Governor Gary Chow of the Rotary Club of South San Francisco, administered the oath of office, launching Kathleen Defever's second year as president.

George Landau presented Janet Cerni, teacher/librarian at Del Mar Middle School, with an Educator of the Year award. Her peers in the Reed Union School District selected her for the honor.

Angelo Capozzi and George Landau presented Ben Cambell with an award, a certificate, and a check.

Angelo Capozzi presented Michael Bronson with a Rotary Educator of the Year award at a school assembly.

District Governor Danielle Lallement, Assistant District Governor Anne Sands, President Kathleen Defever (2021-2022) and Past-President Annette Gibbs (2019-2021)

Linda Emberson and President Kathleen presented Cindy Siciliano with a Service to the Community Award for her work helping the homless.

“She is tireless in assisting people who are needier thank herself,” said Linda. “She identifies a need and just jumps in and does it.”

The Rev. Christine Trainor of St. Stephen's Church assisted in presenting a Service to the Community Award to Sunny Lyrek. “She goes above and beyond and always has a sunny disposition,” said Christine, explaining that Sunny helps those at the margins of our community and does it with love and devotion. She has been providing meals for 85 need families since March 2020 and has also been helping the homeless.

Angelo Servino helped with presentation of a Service to the Community Award to brothers Natale and Vittorio Servino of Servino Ristorante and Caffè Acri. "I'm so proud of them," he said. They earned recognition for pivoting the business to create a market and offer items such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper, which local residents were unable to find. They also donated boxes of fresh produce to a local food pantry during the pandemic.

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President Kathleen Defever thanked Annette Gibbs for her service and presented her with native milkweed seeds, a butterfly house, a book about butterflies and a gift certificate so she can create a habitat for Monarch butterflies in her garden. Linda Emberson gave Annette a bouquet of flowers.

District Governor Danielle Lallement gives Kathleen the oath of office. Among the requirements she asked her to repeat: “I will promise to keep healthy, ask for support and above all have fun.”

“We wish you an amazing 2021-2022 Rotary year,” said DG Danielle. “It is my pleasure to introduce to you your president for the 2021-2022 year.”

LENDING A HAND

Angelo Capozzi picking up groceries from the food pantry at The Ranch to deliver to residents of The Hilarita.

Cindy Siciliano, of the Rotary Club of Tiburon Sunset, has been helping the residents of the homeless encampment at Dunphy Park in Sausalito. Linda Emberson and George Landau of the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere joined her on Sunday, March 7, to prepare and serve a pancake breakfast.

Marianne Strotz, Revati Natesan and Geneva Michaelcheck at Happy Hour at the Club at Harbor Point. Photo: Marshall Gross

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Julie Aubrey visited from Rotary International's headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.

(l. to r.) Irene Russell, Kathleen Defever, Helen Lindqvist and Bill Lindqvist at the Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce mixer at the downtown Tiburon firehouse.

HELPING KIDS GO TO CAMP

President Annette Gibbs presented Jessica Hochkiss with a check for $1,000  for The Ranch from the club’s foundation, which will help low-income children attend day camp. “We currently have two large summer camps going on,” said Jessica, and she explained that they take kids to Angel Island every day. “The camp has gone on for 40 years,” she said, and some of today’s campers have parents who attended when they were young.

The Ranch is a nonprofit, and “Every little bit helps,” she said, expressing her gratitude.

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Past-president Linda Emberson and incoming President Annette Gibbs at the Installation Celebration

Lata Setty, Zohre Grothe and Lata's son, Deven Ramachandran

Warren and Irene Russell

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Having fun at the Tiburon Classic Car Show!
Rotary in the community: Cindy Siciliano and Linda Emberson made it look easy, as they spent the day flipping burgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob for scores of happy customers.

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Past District Governor Ron Gin, now district membership chair, presents Mike Keran with a pin in honor of his being chosen Rotarian of the Month for District 5150.

District Governor Jayne Hulbert and First Husband Gene Duffy paid the club a visit.

Cindy Siliciano of the Tiburon Sunset Rotary Club (left) and President Linda Emberson of the Tiburon-Belvedere club get ready to toss goodies to kids at the Labor Day weekend hometown parade. (Photo: Marshall Gross)

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Welcome New Members

Membership chair Angelo Capozzi welcomed new members Neelam Kanwar (upper photo) and Lynn Spitler (lower photo).

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Jim Deitz

It is with profound sadness that President Linda Emberson announces the passing of beloved member Jim Deitz on Friday, July 13. Jim exemplified Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, and his altruistic spirit was a model for everyone. He was devoted to his family, loved dogs and was one of the best. We'll miss him terribly.

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Good Work

(l. to r.) Lisa Brinkmann of Marin Villages accepts a check from Marianne Strotz, and Michael Heckmann presents a check to Michael Keran for St. Vincent de Paul. Photo: Lynn Fox

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Rotarian of the Month

District 5150 named Michael Keran Rotarian of the Month for May. Mike's much-deserved honor is in recognition of his ongoing commitment to St. Vincent de Paul and helping the homeless in Marin County. In addition, he recruits a crew of Rotarians to serve lunch at the St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room in San Rafael every month. May marked the beginning of the 12th year of this service project.

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Annette Gibbs (left) and Shelby Gross joined the Rotary contingent and got into the spirit
of this year's first Friday Night on Main

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Celebrating Earth Day

Having Fun at Friday Night on Main

Angelo Capozzi (left) and Neelam Kanwar planted trees at Homeward Bound as part of Rotary International's initiative to plant one tree for every Rotarian. Photo: Marshall Gross

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Lending a Hand at St. Vincent de Paul

Stalwart volunteers (l. to r.) Klaus Meinberg, Michael Keran and Angelo Capozzi in the kitchen of the St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room in San Rafael. The Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere serves lunch on the fourth Thursday of every month and will begin its twelfth year of volunteering, under Mike Keran's leadership, in May. Angelo is team leader for the club's participation in the REST program, and he and Klaus also served dinner to a group of homeless men at St. Hilary's Church the same day. Service Above Self at its best!

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First meeting at Sam's

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Rotary does REST

The Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedre hosted dinner for a group of 25 homeless men who were spending the night at St. Hilary's Church on Thursday, February 15, as part of the REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter Team) program.

Members of the Rotary crew (above, l. to r.), John Kaufmann, Angelo Capozzi, Brian Walker, Raja Ramachandran and Deven Ramachandran, took a break before serving dinner to guests in Tarantino Hall. Lata Setty, Annette Gibbs, Bill Goldberg, Zohre Grothe, Karl Hoppe and Lata Setty were also on hand to help. The evening featured good conversation, great appetites and uplifting camaraderie, as well as good food.which included homemade lasagna that Deven, Lata’s son, helped prepare as a family Valentine’s Day project, and Mary Kaufmann'a delicious oatmeal cookies and cupcakes decorated with hearts.

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Karen Glader welcomes new member Valerie Marsh to the club and gives her a Rotary pin.

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Rotarians have fun in the Day Before-Labor Day parade.

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Proclamation

The Town of Tiburon issued a proclamation in honor of the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere's 40th anniversary, which we will celebrate in June, and the 100th anniversary of the Rotary International Foundation. Pictured, left to right, are George Landau, President Linda Emberson and Tiburon Mayor Jim Fraser. Photo: Marsall Gross.

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Visitor from Afar

Rehmah Kasule (above left), with President Linda Emberson) is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Kampala/Impala in Uganda. She took the opportunity to visit us when she was at a conference in San Francisco in October. In 2010, she received recognition at the White House for her work in empowering women and met President Obama. She then wrote a book, From Gomba to the White House. She shared an African proverb: “When you walk fast, you walk alone. When you walk with others, you go far.”

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MAKING KIDS SMILE

Marshall Gross donated two beautiful puppets that he won in a gift basket to Rotaplast's mission in Cebu City, Philippines. Dr. Angelo Capozzi (with the big dog) reports that the puppets are making kids smile every day before undergoing surgery, and the mission is going well.

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Tiburon Challenger

Charlie Oewel, representing the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere, accepted a generous check from Ashoo Vaid (middle) of Wells Fargo and tournament director Brendan Curry (right) at the conclusion of the Tiburon Challenger. The funds will go to the club's education projects. (Photo: Getty Images for Revd)

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Rotary welcomes Kimberly Brooks

District Governor Jeri Fujimoto (center) inducted new member Kimberley Brooks (right) as Kimi's sponsor, Joe Lavigne, looked on. Photo: Marshall Gross

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DAY BEFORE LABOR DAY PARADE

Tari Nix and friend pull wagons with books for kids from the Global Book Exchange, as Marianne Strotz walks alongside, wheeling a Rotary sign. (Photo: Marshall Gross)

To see more photos of the parade, go to www.tiburonrotary.org and click on "Photo Gallery."

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President Linda Emberson (left) of Tiburon-Belvedere and President Marilyn Nemzer of Tiburon Sunset hitch a ride with Michael Heckmann in the Day Before Labor Day Parade. (Photo: Marshall Gross)

Dana and Chester (left), making friends.

Winter in August was the theme of the Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce's mixer at the Boardwalk. President Linda Emberson took the prize for the most creative hat.

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Jon Rankin views the on-court action at the annual Bocce Ball Tournament, a fundraiser for Rotaplast International. (Photo: J. Wilson)

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Changing of the Guard

Thanks to President Marianne

President Linda Emberson (left) thanks outgoing President Marianne Strotz (right) for her two outstanding years of leadership with a special Rotary jacket, as Karen Glader, the club's new secretary, looks on. (Photo: Marshall Gross)

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Honors for Angelo

Dr. Angelo Capozzi (left) and Dr. John Kaufmann with a child who underwent surgery during a Rotaplast mission to Peru in May 2016. (Photo: Courtesy of Rotaplast International)

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Service Above Self

Dave Hutton presents the Capt. Dave Hutton Rotary Service Above Self Award to Kendall Hermann, graduating senior at Del Mar Middle School, for her outstanding performance in community service. The presentation took place at a special awards assembly in June. Photo: Marshall Gross

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Teachers of the Year

(Left to right) RUSD Superintendent Nancy Lynch, Bel Aire School's Kelly Morphy, Reed School's Ross Modlin, Rotarian George Landau and Erin Turner of St. Hilary School (photo: Marshall Gross)

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Carnaval!

Mary Kaufmann and Jon Rankin got into the spirit of Carnaval, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere. For more, see the photo gallery at www.tiburonrotary.org. (Photo: Marshall Gross)

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In 1976, Tim Severin decided to test the theory. He built a similar boat, in Bantry, where Tom’s family is from, and he sailed it to North America, demonstrating that Brendan could have done it. [Severin wrote a book about his experiences, The Brendan Voyage, and it was made into a film.]

Severin also encountered a tribe of American Indians with white skin, brown and reddish hair and blue eyes. The name of the tribe was Duhare, a name that comes from ancient Celtic. Their carvings were the same as those in the west of Ireland, and the only person who reputedly reached North America early was Brendan, suggesting that he and the tribe are connected.

Tom’s family coat of arms has a red hand, and legend has it that when the first Europeans came to North America, one of Tom’s ancestors cut off his right hand and threw it to the shore so he could be the first to touch the new land.

“Was your ancestor called Lefty O’Neill?” quipped David Albert.

Terry Graham said she has done some research and discovered that when the first ships arrived from England, some of the tribes met the ships and tried to communicate with the sailors. Welsh sailors understood what the Indians were saying, leading to speculation the natives’ language came from Ancient Welsh, which is also related to Hebrew.

Tom added that the Irish and Welsh languages are Gaelic, and the first people in England and Ireland were Phoenicians, who are from the Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean.

Canal Alliance—a volunteer's perspective