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    Julie Mangada Ph. D., Buck Institute
Date:     March 18, 2016
Volume 2015/16--Issue E14-36
Scribe: Greg Jacobs
Photog: Tom Lambert
Co-Editors: Tom Boag/Jack Dunlap
Club President 2015/2016: Rick Wilson


 
  At the Bell
 
President Rick called meeting to order at 12:15.
 
Tom Lambert led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Keller McDonald led us in rousing rendition of I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.
 
Ken Silveira furnished three quotes for the day:
 
“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”  (Khalil Gibran)
 
“There’s no such thing as overachievers; there are only under estimators.”  (Author unknown)
 
“Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.”  (Winston Churchill)
[Therefore we must have a very successful club. – Scribe]
 
 
  Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
Bud Daveiro announced there are no visiting Rotarians.
 
Mike Ferguson introduced guest, Lynda Hopkins, Fifth District Supervisorial candidate.  (Organic farmer, small business person, but more important, a Stanford grad!  [Yes!  -Ed.];
 
Larry Ford introduced Peggy Rogers, Bob’s spouse, and Gerry Riley-Ford, Larry’s spouse; 
 
Barbara Beedon introduced Ellen Harrington;
 
Jack Dunlap introduced spouse, Ruthie Dunlap;
 
And Pauline Pellini introduced two Interactors from Brook HavenNithid Veravit, and Myriam Rosas, who then introduced themselves and proudly announced they were involved in two fund raisers there: A bake sale, and Pennies for Porridge.
 
   Craft Talk
David Still was next batter up to give a craft talk.  He pointed that as a manager, he always made sure that he had someone in the office that could do PowerPoint – Very wise, and indicative of someone who had a successful career. 
 
David grew up in Ventura with 3 siblings and, while they were not wealthy by any means, “the beach was free”.  His father was a firm believer in the “18 and Out” theory of child raising and, fortunately, David did want out.  But there were a few “lost years” immediately after that – except for one fortunate thing.  He met his wife Nan, at age 19.  They have been married for 44 years, with great 3 kids.
 
Dave and Nan worked through college and Dave’s first job, which he really loved, was with the U.S. Department of Immigration in the Department of Justice, stationed in Calexico.  Four years later he was transferred to San Francisco.  David related that he has many stories, but his memoirs, for some reason, remain unpublished.  In the 80’s and 90’s he was investigating marriage fraud, and was once interviewed by a Hollywood screenwriter.  Not long after, there was a TV show about a guy who tried to hide an illegal wife.  Any resemblance between the guy on TV and David was purely coincidental.
 
After 9/11/2001, the world of immigration services became very serious.  David was placed in charge of a region from Bakersfield to Oregon.  As he says, “A lot of people worked very hard to keep us safe.”  The Immigration Service was abolished in 2003 and he became Director of Immigration and Citizen Services. 
 
SF Federal Court Judge Patel decreed that the courts would no longer perform the naturalization ceremony, so David took on that most serious charge.  Most of the time ceremonies were held at the Masonic Auditorium in The City.  There he would swear in up to 1,500 new citizens.  He asked the candidates for citizenship to renounce all allegiance to any other country, and when he finished and heard them all say “I do” – He then heard a large roar from the new citizens, families and friends.  He has never forgotten that moment.
 
Dave also thanked Frank Mayhew, Bob Cugini, and Richard Power who brought him into the club.
 
  Announcements
 
Michele Kimble was invited up next to the lectern.  (You will note that this Scribe used the correct word for it – It is not a podium, which is something you stand on.) [Must be a Stanford grad - Ed.]
 
Talk about Friendship Dinners – She went to hers at David and Carolee Schriebman’s house, and dined with them, Peggy Rogers, Mia and Jim Del Prete, Katy and Scott Spyrka, and Michele was with her husband Dave.  She had a wonderful time.
 
 
President Rick retook the lectern and announced Career Day at the Analy Gym on March 31, 5:30 to 7:30 pmWe need to send 5 more Rotarians to talk about careers.
 
Rick also announced that there will be a memorial for Vince DaLuiso on April 3, from 2 to 5pm at the Subud Hall in Sebastopol
 
 
  Recognitions
 
The President then began to act very presidential, exercising absolute authority over all who were before him.  Bud Daveiro was fined $35 because his wife Sharon got a “new” used car.  
 
Michelle Kimble was fined $35 because she is helpful.  
 
Nao Noguchi who acts as a Superb Sgt at Arms was, nevertheless, fined the going rate, $35. 
 
Harry Polley, the Acknowledged “Dean” (hyperbole) of the club, and legendary Gatherer of New Members was still dinged $35.  
 
Jim Raffini, despite lending needed help to the AK, also lost $35 to our Merciless President (This hurried catching up on fines seemed somewhat unseemly – At least that’s what I heard.) 
 
Rick Williams was the next victim of the $35 axe. 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Prandini, another used car aficionado, one of which he bought for wife Rosanne.  Only a $35 fine for the car – and $5 for being used. 
 
And the final insult, which was a levy of $35 on Bob Cary, despite being named Top Builder of the Year for his Balletto project.
 
Next Week's Program
With the bloodbath finally over, we learned that the Trade Path Awards will be sheparded by Mike Carey, and Rick Williams.
 
The Raffle
 
Brad Benedetti had the winning ticket, but that was it. The pot gets bigger and the odds better.
 
 
 
Speakers
Mar 25, 2016
 
Apr 01, 2016
 
Apr 08, 2016
 
Apr 15, 2016
 
Apr 22, 2016
 
Apr 29, 2016
 
May 06, 2016
 
May 13, 2016
 
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Sebastopol Rotary Club 2015-2016 Board Meeting
Rick's house
Apr 12, 2016 5:30 PM
 
Sebastopol Rotary Club 2015-2016 Board Meeting
Rick's house
May 10, 2016 5:30 PM
 
Interclub Bocce Ball Tournament, BBQ & Family Day
Juilliard Park
Jun 11, 2016
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
 
Programs
Julie Mangada Ph. D. – Buck Institute
 
Julie Mangada is a microbiologist and Director of the K-8 Education Program at the Buck Institute in Novato.  She specializes in stem cell research and Parkinson’s disease.  
 
Julie did a magnificent job of explaining the latest in Stem Cell research in 25 minutes.  First she told us about old theories that have been “buried in the Graveyard of Dead Science.”  For example, it was believed that we used only 10% of our brain.  We use 100% (Maybe some less effectively) of our brain every moment every day.  And we do not kill brain cells so that we reduce the total number of cells.  There are nerve cells that constantly create new cells.  
Stem cells can be used to repair brain cells – so you can transplant stem cells to help replace cells in Parkinson’s patients and reduce their symptoms.
 
She reviewed the 5 types of stem cells: human embryonic stem cells; adult stem cells; iPS cells; SCNT cells; cancer stem cells.  
 
Embryonic stem cells come from IVF clinics which have “left over” cells after the process of fertilization is completed.  These stem cells can be used for creating different cells.  
 
Adult stem cells are created by different types of body tissue and never lose the characteristics of the tissue where they originate. 
 
iPS cells are created from any cell in the human body, and by a biochemical process can changed to other types of cells.  Julie explained it simply – “The cells read a few pages of a DNA string.”  They may help with Macular degeneration, Diabetes, and possibly spinal cord injuries.  And all you have to do is send away for a kit to make them –Well, sort of.  
 
SCNT cells are used in cloning, like Dolly the Sheep.  Scientists are trying to clone the nucleus of a human cell.  
 
Finally, cancer stem cells are used in cancer treatment research.
 
Whew!  Exciting information, opening whole new paths to human health and well being.
 
 
 
  The Final Bell
 
President Rick thanked Julie Mangada for her fabulous talk [What a teacher!  -Ed.]  and presented her with a bottle of our very own Pinot for Polio.  He then rang the bell and ended the meeting.

 
Read more...
Program for March 25, 2016
 
 
Read more...
Program for April 1, 2016
 
 
Read more...
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