We meet 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the Month

12:00 PM

at the San Ramon Community Center Terrace Room
12501 Alcosta Blvd

Zoom on the 4th Thursday of the Month

Join Us!

(No meeting if there is a 5th Thursday in the month)

Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
Weekly Program
Meeting Opening
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The meeting was called to order by President Showtime at 12:24p following a terrific lunch.  Terry announced that this was our first-ever hybrid in-person/zoom meeting thanks to the efforts of Marie Cooper from Above and Beyond Productions.  On the line were Dr. Bill and Alan Love with Dr. Bill indicating that he did not hear a thing during the lunch period but then that was the intent and consequence of not attending the meeting in person.   Terry reminded the group that Shekar Mehta was the RI President and this year’s theme was Serve To Change Lives.  SR Rotary theme was “Reconnecting - Back Together Again”. Following the flag salute, Mr. Chris Gayler, our greeter, honored ex-President Gary Sloan’s tradition of offering some jokes for the members.  The difference is that these are clean and funny. Here are a few examples:
 
Q: What’s the difference between dirt and the Los Angeles Dodgers?
A: Nothing… they both always get swept
 
Q:  What is the difference between a Dodger fan and a baby?
A:  The baby will stop whining after awhile
 
Q:  What do I have in common with the Los Angeles Dodgers?
A:  In a couple of weeks, we’ll both be watching the World Series on television
 
Q:  What do the Los Angeles Dodger and Billy Graham have in common?
A:  They both can make 40,000 people stand up and yell “Jesus Chris”!
 
Q:  Why do Los Angeles Dodger fans keep their season tickets on their dashboards?
A:  So they can park in the handicap spaces
 
Q:  What do the Los Angeles Dodger and possums have in common?
A:   Both play dead at home and get killed on the road.
 
Q:  Did you hear the Los Angeles’s baseball team doesn’t have a website?
A:  They can’t string three “Ws” together
 
Police in Los Angeles responded to a call of a vehicle break-in.  The owner of the vehicle said he had two tickets to a Dodgers game on his dash and someone busted his window and left two more Dodger’s tickets.
 
 
In retaliation and in fairness to this scribe’s beloved Dodgers, here is my editorial response:
 
Q: Why did the Post Office recall their latest stamps?
A: They had pictures of Giants players on them and people couldn't figure out which side to spit on.
 
Q: Why are the San Francisco Giants starting pitchers like orphans?
A: Because they don't know where home is!
 
Q: What is the difference between a San Francisco Giants fan and a pot hole?
A: I would swerve to avoid the pot hole!
 
Q: Whats the difference between the San Francisco Giants and a mosquito?
A: A mosquito stops sucking.
 
Q: What do San Francisco Giants fans and sperm have in common?
A: One in 3,000,000 has a chance of becoming a human being.
 
Q: If you have a car containing a Giants shortstop, a Giants catcher, and a Giants outfielder, who is driving the car?
A: The cop.
 
Q. What does an San Francisco Giants fan do when his team has won the World Series?
A: He turns off the PlayStation 3.
 
Q: What's the difference between a AT&T Park hotdog, and Dodger hotdog? A: You can buy a Dodger hotdog on October 20th !
 
Q: What do you call a Giants player with a World Series ring?
A:  A thief.
 
Q: What do Michael Jackson and the San Francisco Giants infielders have in common?
A: They both wear one glove for no apparent reason.
 
All rivalry aside both the S.F. Giants and L.A. Dodgers had a great season and the coming playoff series is likely to be a classic.
 
After Chris provided his probing insights into the L.A. Dodgers he introduced Marie Galbo who was visiting her old club to the delight of all present.  Marie brought Chris Mafaso as a possible member in the coming months.  Judy Lewis brought her BFF, Pam who may also decide to join this club.  Walt Trembley regaled the club with his adventures in the hospital with COVID one year ago.  Ana re-introduced Jim announcing that our influence may have motivated him to join the Glen Elen Rotary. 
 
In lieu of our traditional  “Bienvenidos” welcome song, President Terry encouraged all members with a “Go Giants” cheer.
 
For those who have been out of touch, President Showtime reminded the club that we meet in person on the 1st and 3rd Thursday, Zoom of the 4th Thursday, Dark on the 2nd and 5th Thursday.
 
 
 
 

 
Anouncements and Presentation
Announcements
 
  1.  The online auction is scheduled for Nov 1 – 9.  If you have not donated $250 in auction items or cash, please do so.
 
  1.  A six-club meeting will be held on October 20th at Amador Rancho Country Club from 6p to 8p with a modest dinner for $10. BYOB and show proof of vaccination.  This may be zoomed as well.
 
  1. Dictionary distributions are in process for 3rd Graders
 
  1. Run for Education event will be held Oct 9-10 with 1300 people signed up.  Rotary will host a Rotary Booth at the Expo.
 
  1. Glen Weber graciously agreed to become the Rotary Foundation Chair with President Showtime donating $1,000 showing his support for this worthwhile cause.  Glen is kicking off the Fall campaign and asks all Rotarians to contribute $100 as a sustaining member, $200 as a double sustaining member or become a full Paul Harris Fellow by contributing $1,000.  He would like all members to contribute by November 30th.  If you have any questions, please text Glen at 926-858-4248 or email him at email4gin@comcast.net.  Alternatively, you can just send him a check.  Rotary Foundation is our benefactor arm of Rotary International.  It is supported solely by individual Rotarians or other contributions supporting projects throughout the world to improve the condition of humanity where it is needed.
 
  1. Ray Giles was honored by the club for having been an excellent Foundation Chair (hard shoes to fill).
 
  1. Happy Hour News:  2nd Thursday from 5p – 6p.  Halloween mixed drinks will be encouraged.  In November, we will have Cooking with Fred.
 
A great many birthdays and anniversaries were recognized at $40 per event:
 
Birthdays:
Marco Bronzini                          Sept  9
Marie Galbo                               Sept 11
Michael Roberts                        Oct 4
Guy Greco                                  Oct 9
Glenn Weber (Ginny)               Sept 13
Norbert Walz (Jo)                      Sept 20
Horace Crawford (Peggy)        Sept 25
John Millich (Teri)                     Oct 4
 
Anniversaries
Patti Hennigan                          Sept 23
Alan Love                                    Sept 25
Michael Roberts                        Sept 25
Jerry Marrs                                Sept 29
Gary Sloan                                  Oct 2
 
Several members objected to being overlooked.  Chris Gallagher celebrating 28 years of marriage on Sept 11.  Colette Lay’s anniversary was September 5th and Helman Welm just remembered that wife, Suzette, just had a birthday.
 
Just to cover himself, President Showtime reminded Dr. Bill that Ruth has a birthday on October 9th.
 
 
 
Gary Sloan reminded his fellow Rotarians that the club invites two members of the Interact Board to gain a better understanding of our club and give a report in what Interact is currently engaged.  He presented Stephanie Li, Secretary of the Interact Club and Danielle Lee, VP Communications who gave the following summary:
 
Old Business:
  • MOD Pizza Fundraiser
    • Brought in around $380 in sales, so around $76 went to Interact
  • Iron Horse Trail Clean-up
    • Around 30 volunteers came to help, picked up lots of trash!
  • After club fair, we have 200+ Interact members this year
 
New Business:
  • Rewire Drive (September 22nd - October 7th)
    • Collecting items for their Monthly Care-Kits for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and families
    • Requested toilet paper rolls, hand towels, coloring books, hand sanitizers, kids' socks, and granola bar
  • MLK Jr. Shoreline Cleanup
    • Date: October 9th /// Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Run for Education Health & Wellness Expo (October 8th - 10th)
    • Helping with set up, clean up, trash & recycling, assisting exhibitors, registration, t-shirt and mask pick up
  • Interact Club Game Night Fundraiser
    • Date: October 15th /// Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Variety of organized games and prizes (free Crumbl cookies & merch), proceeds going to Dixie Fire relief
  • Interkey Event: T4 & Dog-Toy Making
    • Date: October 22nd /// Time: 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Joining forces with Key Club to host our first Interkey event to make dog toys from old t-shirts and cater T4 drinks & snacks
  • T4 Fundraiser 
    • Date: October 22nd /// Time: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
    • Show our flyer or mention the fundraiser, you will get 10% off your order and part of the proceeds will go to Interact and Key Club
  • Walk to End Alzheimer’s (October 23rd)
  • Trinity Center Winter Clothing Drive (October 13th - November 12th)
    • Donating gently used, high-quality winter clothes including coats, jackets, socks, hats, gloves, pants, sweatpants, sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, and more
    • Drop off your items at 121 Fulham Court, San Ramon anytime
  • Interact District 5160 Kick-off
    • Date: November 14th /// Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM /// Location: Sacramento?
    • Games, raffle, lunch, meeting new Interactors, and more!
    • Registration will open soon on interact5160.org (cost: $25)
  • Any drivers for Rotary District Conference on Saturday 10/30?
  • CCC Food Drive volunteer drivers?
    • Date November 13th & November 20th /// Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Day 1: Distribute bags in Cal High neighborhoods 
    • Day 2: Pick up donations from homes 
 
Gary reminded members that we are in need of drivers on November 13 and 20th for the Food Drive and possibly November 14th to Winters, CA for the District Kick-off.
 
Presentation:
 
 
Alex Mehran, Jr. is the President/CEO of Sunset Development responsible for the City Center/Bishop Ranch development.  There have been 3 generations of Mehran’s who were responsible for building a business/community center over the past 75 years.   He how oversees over 6.3 million square feet of commercial, retail and housing.
 
Mr. Mehran provided a comprehensive history of Sunset Development sharing that the first core offices consisted of 5 story office buildings with 250,000 square feet per building.  Originally designed to respond to the outmigration from San Francisco businesses.  Acquiring Pacific Bell and Chevron was a major step in developing the core of the business complex.  The Mehran family chose to reinvest funds into infrastructure and build out the property.  Revenues from leases were $40 per square foot and $8 per square foot of cost in 1970 and 1980.  Now the rent yields $38 per square foot with a cost of $13 per square foot.   With outmigration from San Ramon to Arizona, Texas and other states, Bishop Ranch has 1 million square feet of vacancy (total of 6.3 million square feet of available space.  This prompted the thought to convert Bishop Ranch 6 into housing to achieve “a downtown vision”.  In May 2020, 4500 apartments were approved by the City. 
Bishop Ranch now also caters to smaller business clients with hybrid work becoming more predominant.  In past years, clients wanted inexpensive tenant improvements but now offices want more expensive, upscale TI’s to “keep talent” in the company.
 
Alex explained a misconception that Bishop Ranch “does not pay taxes” to the City of San Ramon.  When Bishop Ranch was conceived, the County and City negotiated a deal whereby the County would receive all of the property tax and San Ramon would receive 50% of the sales tax, a much higher rate than would have been the case otherwise. 
 
A description of the character of the City Center followed sharing a “ring concept” living area centered around pool, gym and other accessories.  He also indicated that he rejected the concept of retail strips below apartment living.  Instead, he has embraced “stoop streets” with sidewalks, small gardens, street parking and parks.  Attempting to stop the outmigration to Silicon Valley, Alex seeks to insure a crafted center with retail integration into the façade.  He briefly shared new stores including Nike and LB Steak House joining the City Center.  They are increasing solar coverage from 60% to 80% and adding a John Muir Health site, senior living and 4500 residential homes by 2024.  Alex delighted in describing the walk around the lake and water features.
 
Be on the look-out for some Austin Martin’s to proclaim the opening of the new James Bond film as well as a new restaurant serving 3 times per day Chow Restaurant and a new addition to the retail line up with a virtual reality store.
 
Jim and Ana complimented Alex on his excellent signage and graphics as well as tasteful design and landscaping of the property.  Mike Conklin shared a story about when he met Ross Perot who asked Mike where he was from.  When Mike responded that he was from San Ramon, Mr. Perot said that he knew Bishop Ranch in San Ramon and used it as a model in Texas.
 
Alex was roundly applauded for his excellent presentation.
 
Jim received the $20 greeters gift but promptly donated it back to the club and Danielle Lee from the Interact Club won $10 having failed to pull the white marble.
 
Our next meeting will be October 21 with Candace Anderson as our CCC Supervisor to give a presentation.
 
President Showtime will once again be in Cabo so the meeting will be chaired by Past President, Chris Gallagher.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 1:20p.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Gary Sloan
Scribe
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