TAMALPAIS BRANCH NO. 47 A Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation of Retired Men Devoted to the Promotion of Independence and Dignity of Retirement.

Big Sir -- Jake Solomon 415-472-3069 Little Sir-- Jim Norton- 415-491-0816

Secretary - Ned Lawrence - 415-595-1092 Ass’t Sect’y - Charles Stedwell–415-299-1498 Treasurer - Paul Schofield - 415-892-7019

Ass’t Treas.–Will Kaefer - 415-927-1043

A SIR PUBLICATION

MARIN COUNTY FEBRUARY 2018 VOL. XLIV NO. 02 OUR 44TH YEAR

Luncheon Meeting: McINNIS GOLF CENTER, SAN RAFAEL

Fourth Tuesday of the month Happy Hour at 11:00 am, as always

Editor/Publisher - Ron Kosciusko –415-435-0650 Attendance Committee—415-881-7477

Cashier - Glen Ohm - 415-479-5693

Directors: Bob Wilson Tim Leveque Jim Kleiser George Miller Doug Twitchell

BIG SIR’S MESSAGE

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INCORPORATED

State President - Jerry Strain (sirjerry42@gmail.com) Region 10 Director - Jim Filippo 415-892-2063 Area 6 Governor - Sandy Grieves

www.SIR47.ORG Our own website

I write the Big SIR message with very mixed feelings. On one hand, I am proud to serve once again as your Big SIR; for me it is an honor to have been chosen for this responsibility. But I am very sad for the circumstance that led to this place. As most of you know, the Branch elected Paul Bell to be the Big SIR this year, and I am certain that Paul would do a great job. However, Paul felt that he had health issues that would prevent him from doing justice to the job, so he resigned from the position. He did not resign from the Branch, and we encourage him to continue to participate to the fullest of his ability, as his health permits. January continued to be a downer. We lost 2 very dedicated SIR members: Richie Guetter and Cecil Green. Both were WWII veterans; Richie was in the airborne and Cecil was in the merchant marine. Both would have been 95 this year. We will miss their smiling faces, and Cecil’s great singing. Truly, a loss to the Branch. Our first party of the year will take place at Yet Wah restaurant in San Rafael on February 13th. This is the Branch 47 Chinese New Year celebration – the year of the dog - and it is a sit down dinner. Details are printed in the Jan-uary Tamel Talk. (You can read it on the Branch 47 web site) See Tom is coordinating the event. If you have not made a reservation with See, you can still do so until February 9th. Payment must also be made not later than Feb.9th. The cost is $28/pp. Contact See @415-388-5819 or seestom@gmail.com. I encourage all members to sign up, guests and spouses are welcome, too.; it is a festive occasion and should be fun for all

Jake Soloman Big Sir

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February 27th Lunch Menu

Salad Corned Beef, boiled red potatoes and cabbage

Alternative: Penne pomodoro Pasta and vegetables

Rolls and butter

Dessert

Lunch Fees up $1 to $28

February 27th Luncheon Speaker

Forrest Booth

Noted maritime attorney who will speak on the sub-ject of modern day piracy on the high seas.

-Jim Norton

Board Highliights for January 22 Meeting

Big Sir Report: Two of our senior members passed away in

January, Richard Guetter and Cecil Green. Both gentlemen

were military veterans and added much color to Sirs. They will

be missed.

Little Sir Report: The speaker for our monthly luncheon will

be Dr. Schillinger. The general allotted time for speakers is one

half hour for their talk and fifteen minutes for questions from

the audience. Our general recommendation is no more than two

free lunches for speaker and necessary assistant or companion.

It was mentioned that there used to be an Area 6 database for

speakers so that all Little Sirs could have a roster of qualified

speakers to draw from but this is no longer in use

Treasurers Report: Our current balance is $9075.09 with

2018 expenditures of $499.90. Dues of $35.00 will be collected

starting at our January lunch meeting. The audit for 2017 was

completed by the Audit Committee and forwarded to the Area

Governor. Forms 28 and 29 were filled out and forwarded to

the requesting parties. Our finances are in great shape.

Old Business: Jake Solomon conducted the meeting since he

will be Big Sir for 2018 due to the health of Paul Bell. Kurt

Heilman attended the meeting and discussed the ideas for im-

proved attendance at thefour parties that are held annually. Bob

Wilson suggested that the branch sends out an invitation ad-

dressed to Mr. and Mrs. inviting them both to the event. If the

person does not have a spouse, the invitation will be sent to the

member. No decision on subsidizing cost was decided but a

budget committee was formed and the members will prepare

an annual budget and present it to the board for discussion and

approval at a later date. A plan will be implemented on our

annual expenditures which will provide some guidelines for

party subsidies and how to allocate expenditures with the goal

of a break even year as far as expenditures are concerned.

Will Kaefer brought up the guidelines for a Member Emeritus

and since Pete Petrofsky met all the qualifications, and has an

interest in the Investment Club, Pete was voted the Member

Emeritus designation effective immediately. He will be count-

ed as a member but his absence at monthly meetings will not

be recorded by the Membership Chairman.

The Branch Secretary mentioned that there were several mem-

bers who had attained the age of 90 or 95 who had not been

formally recognized and had not been presented with certifi-

cates for this achievement. He will order the necessary certifi-

cates from the state along with certificates for members who

had been in Sirs for 20 years. Once the certificates are here and

framed, a formal presentation will be made at a future meeting.

Branch 68 asked our branch if we wanted to participate in the

purchase of Sirs audio visual equipmentfor use at McInnis

since four Sirs branches use the facility. For a number of rea-

sons, we decided to decline their offer.

Ned Lawrence

Secretary

TRAVEL

Feb 8-16,2018: Tropical Costa Rica. Highlights of this

trip include, air, insurance, 13 meals, gratuities and

guides. You will visit the unique ecosystem of the

Monteverde Cloud Forest, the Doka Coffee Estate, the

Arenal Volcano the Cano Negro Nature Preserve and

much more. Cost is $3299. Jim Stoner, Br 114, 408-

238-8458 or Larry Martinson, 408-528-0746.

Mar 4-8, 2018: Giants Spring Training. 5- day trip to

Scottsdale to see three MBL Cactus league games. Re-

served seats, R/T air for SFO, Accommodations at the

Hilton Garden Inn including breakfast. Hosted dinner

at Talking Stick Resort/Casino and more for only

$1445.00pp. Contact Derlin German, Br. 58, Petaluma,

707-763-6162

Apr 4-14, 2018: Tulip Time in Holland. A 7-night Cruise R/T to Amsterdam aboard AMA Waterways. Celebrate the beauty of the Netherlands and Belgium in the springtime. You will visit the legendary Keuken-fof Gardens, and pass colorful row houses and house-boats, See Ann Franks home then indulge in culinary bliss via Belgium chocolates and stroopwafel. Cost ranges from $4830.00 to $6195.00 based on cabin choice and includes complimentary bikes, unlimited complimentary fine dining and wines, all guides, gra-tuities and taxes, R/T air, choice of excursions, and river view staterooms or suites. John Pletsch, Br.32, 408-274-2992 or Mike Console, 408-246-1080.

May 12-18, 2018: Southern Charm Discovery. Trip

features Jekyll Island, Savannah & Charleston, Jack-

sonville, St Simons Island, Andrew Low House, and

choice of Boone Hall Plantation or Patriots Pt. Naval

Museum. Cost is $2836.00 covers air taxes & fees,

hotel & transfers, gratuities and R/T air, Bill Rodman,

Br 38, 408-274-4521 or Alan Patmore, 408-867-4197.

Questions?? Your Travel Chairman:

Kurt Heilman –415 892-2460

BOWLING

Bowling League bowling is every Friday at Country Club Bowl, 88 Vivian Way, San Rafael.

Start time: 10:45 AM. Come and share the fun!

Contact Paul Schofield, Chair 892-7019

GOLF Chairman Tom Brady, 897-8573

2018 NCGA dues are due. You can send a check to Tom at 149 Wild Horse Valley Road, Novato, CA,

94947-3655

9-Hole Golf at McInnis Park Mondays at 9:00 am, weather permitting

Contact Jack Friesen <friesenjack@aol.com>

TENNIS, ANYONE?

Every Wednesday 9 AM McInnis Park

Bill Donnelly 897-8966 or Glen Ohm 479-5693

BRANCH 47 BOCCE The first Monday of each month; no cost to play. Spouses and guests

are encouraged to attend. We start with Lunch at 12 noon @ the

Swiss Hotel on the Sonoma Square. Then we play Bocce @ about

1:30 pm at Depot Park behind the Swiss Hotel. Bring your own

Bocce balls, if you have them.

Contact: Kurt Heilman @ 415-892-2460 or

heilmanfour@comcast.net to let him know if you want to be on the

mailing list or to join us for lunch and bocce.

SIR ROLLING ROAMERS RV CLUB Join us for lunch 2nd Tuesday of each month

& on our outings.

For information, contact SIR Ray Canziani Branch 22, Wagon Master

(415) 453-4463

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Interested in Dominos??? . Gary Polsky, of Branch 68, is their new Dominos Chairman and would like to hear from anyone who is interested, his contact information is garypolsky77@gmail.com or (415) 710-4949.

JANUARY ATTENDANCE REPORT

Total Members 104

Members Present 68 66%

Guests: 3

Visitors: 0

To call-in non-attendance, order an alternative plate or to

notify you’re bringing a guest/visitor .

Call or Text 415-881-7477

or E-mail sirbranch47@gmail.com

with your request, giving name and badge number

Please call by noon of the Friday

before the lunch date

QUICKEN SIG 2nd Tuesdays, 10:am B. Bloch, GGCS, 415-388-3864

ADVANCED DIGITAL CAMERA STUFF 3rd Wednesdays, vp@ggcs.org

All Wednesday sessions are from 1:30 to 3:30 pm

GGCS classroom First Presbyterian Church Fifth Avenue, San Rafael

All are welcome. Open to all of Area 6.

IN Memoriam Richie Guetter

March 18, 1923 – January 1, 2018 Cecil Green

January 23, 1923 – January 12, 2018 .

INVESTORS LUNCH BUNCH

Second Friday of the month at Sam’s Place

at 1545 South Novato Blvd. Order off from

the complete Breakfast/Lunch menu and

receive individual checks. No reservations are

required. Meeting will start at 11:45, followed by

presentations and discussions.

Contacts:

Will Kaefer 415-927-1043,or

Brian Stompe 415-897-1610

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BRIDGE GROUP

The bridge group meets on the third Thursday of each month at a

member’s home. Play is from 10 am to 2 pm. To reserve space and

get directions for the next event, call or email

Charles Caviness: 415 435-9618

THURSDAY WALKING/HIKING GROUP

1st week each month:Jake Solomon 415-472-3069

2nd week each month Pierre Terrier 415-785-4513

3rd week each month:Al Springstead 415-250-3808 4th week each month: Alan Thomas 415-457-4576 5th week (if applicable): Dee Stuever 415-459-6751

Call leaders for details about future walks and hikes

FISHING

The fishermen meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Novato United Methodist Church at

9:30am. For detailed information,contact SIR Bill Cline, Branch 134, @

415 892-0209

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Summary: Actives - 104 Inactives - 6 Gains: 1 0 Losses: 2 0

PERFECT ATTENDANCE 2017

Erik Boditker, Jack Brandon, Russell Flaum, Bob Gonzalez, Kurt Heilmann, Mike Kelly,

Peter Kerner, Carlos Martin, George Miller, George Pikkarainen, Terry Scott, See Tom

JANUARY LUNCH TICKET WINNER

AL ANDERSON

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BOYS

3rd John Rouch, 7th Marshall Gross, 13th Marty Benson, 14 Al Anderson,

18th Bob Wilson, 21st Les Folk, 28th Hans Schmid

Page 5

BRANCH 47 OUTINGS

1. A unique opportunity suggested by Bob Gonzalez that I highly recommend. Enjoy Vintage Music and tour the lovely Victorian Home of Richard Reutlinger in San Francisco. Con-certs are on specific Sat & Sun afternoons @ 2 pm (doors open @ 1:30 pm so you can tour the old Victorian before the con-cert.). * Feb. 17 &18 Mimi Blais <= Monica & Kurt are attend-ing this concert The location is 824 Grove Street, San Francis-co, CA 94117; the door opens at 1:30 pm and the concert be-gins at 2 pm; the price is $25 per person. Make the check pay-able to Richard Reutlinger and mail it to his home on 824 Grove St., San Francisco, CA 94117. Free champagne and snacks are served during intermission as you enjoy Richard’s fine collection of mechanical musical instruments. Be sure to mention which day you wish to attend and buy your tickets early to guarantee seating. 2. Mill Valley Philharmonic Concert A Mill Valley Philharmon-ic Valentine. Giuseppe Verdi, La Traviata, Prelude to Act I and Brindisi, Gabriel Fauré, Dolly Suite, Giuseppe Verdi, La Forza del Destino Overture,Wolfgang Mozart, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor February 7th, 7:30pm. Dress rehearsal/Concert. Free, walk-in seating. Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, Mill Valley Feb. 11 (sold out) 3. Cinnabar Theater: 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma suggested by Al Anderson. Contact centerstagetick-eting.com or 707-763-8920. Next music venues: Suggested by Al Anderson. Next performances are: Feb. 2-18 Good People . An insightful comedy of class and culture, darkly finny and surprisingly touchng. 4. Ross Valley Players: Jan 18 – Feb 11 The Childrens Hour. Showcasing the destruc-tive power of lies, the play depicts the experiences of the the head mistress of a girl’s boarding school. 5. Marin Theatre Company: Jan 25 – Feb. 18, 2018 “Skelton Crew”. The third of Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit cycle trilogy. At the start of the Great Recession, one of the last auto stamping plants in De-troit is on shaky ground and workers have to decide what to do with their futures. Contact the Box Office at (415)388-5208, boxoffice@marintheatre.org, or visit us during regular Box Office hours of operation: 397 Miller Ave. Mill Valley, CA 94941 6. Weill Hall 2017-18 Season of great performances @ the Green Music Center @ Sonoma State University. For tickets contact gmc.sonoma.edu or 1-866-955-6040. Time and cost vary, depending upon performances. The next performanc-es Feb. 2 Nikolaj Znaider on violin & Robert Kuler on Piano, Feb. 3 Renee Fleming, soprano, Feb. 9 Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, Feb.. 16 Los Angeles guitar Quartet, Feb. 17 Peter Yarrow & Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary)...... 7. Marin Onstage at the Belrose Theatre in San Rafael. Feb.16 & 17, 2018 Sol Flamenco (Joelle Goncalves & compa-ny). 7:30 pm wine & Tapa’s with music, song & dancing @ 8:00 pm. For $25 tickets contact 415-298-1433.

(continued)

SIR Br 47 Chinese New Year's Celebration @ 11:30 am on Tues Feb 13, 2018 at

Yet Wah restaurant, 1238 Fourth St., San Rafael

This is our first party in 2018 to kick off the Year of the

Dog. < The name of 2018 is the Yang Male Earth Dog.

Brown is connected to Earth. Therefore, 2018 is also called

Brown Earth Dog Year. > This will be a sit down Chinese

banquet. The menu includes: CHICKEN CORN

SOUP, MINCED CHICKEN LUTTUCE WRAP, SWEET AND

SOUR PORK, MONGOLIAN BEEF WITH BROCCOLI, LEMON

CHICKEN, WALNUT PRAWN, MU SHU PORK, B & B PORK

FRIED RICE, DESSERT, WHITE OR BROWN RICE. There will

be plenty of food to eat and to take home.

Cost is $28 / person. Please invite spouses and other

guests to help us celebrate the New Year. . Reserva-

tions required. Or contact See Tom @ 415-388-5819

or seestom@gmail.com. One hour free parking vali-

dated by the restaurant. The deadline for making both

reservations and payment is Friday Feb.9, 2018

(Outings continued) 8. College of Marin Performing Arts. Contact “pa.marin.edu” or 415-485-9385 for more details and tickets. * Friday, Feb. 23, 2018 @ 7:30 pm Music Faculty Recital Spring 2018. The College of Marin's music faculty take the stage for their annual recit-als! Repertoire to be announced; donations benefit the Col-lege of Marin music student scholarship fund. * Wed, Feb. 28, 2018 @ 11:10 am Soul & Heart – Singer’s choice Recital. @ the Lefort Recital Hall / PA 72, Performing Arts Building The singers delve deeper into their performance of art songs and arias (Brahms, Fauré, Copland, and the like), as well as music thea-tre from the Great American Songbook.

Cheers, Kurt Heilman

1-415-892-2460

AREA 6 MONTHLY MEETINGS

Br. # Branch Phone 7 The Club at McInnis Park 1st Thursday 415 456-3763 22 The Club at McInnis Park 1st Tuesday 415 924-4862

47 Club at Mcinnis Park 4th Tuesday 415 881-7477 Happy Hour - 11:00 am; Luncheon - 11:45 am 68 The Club at McInnis Park 2nd Tuesday 415 479-3286 134 Embassy Suites 1st Tuesday 415 892-0209 ATTENDANCE: Failure to attend three consecutive meetings without giving prior notice to the Attendance Chairman, and/or failure to attend at least 6 meetings within the previous 12 months, may result in termination. Condensed from Rule 100 of State Policy Manual Attendance at another branch meeting, duly recorded with the Attendance Chairman of that branch, will be credited to a member's attendance record (Rule 101).

Call the branch phone listed above to secure a guest spot.

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE Please report SIR illnesses or deaths to

Bill Donnelly at 415 897-8966

THIS MONTH’S ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

TAMALTALK, SIR Branch 47 Ron Kosciusko, Publisher 402 Hilary Drive Tiburon, CA. 94920

Thursday Feb 1 Walking Group Friday Feb 2 Bowling Monday Feb 5 Bocce Monday Feb 5 9 Hole Golf (Maybe) Wednesday Feb 7 Tennis Thursday Feb 8 Walking Group Friday Feb 9 Bowling Friday Feb 9 Investors’ Lunch Bunch Monday Feb 12 9 Hole Golf Tuesday Feb 13 Rolling Roamers Tuesday Feb 13 Fishing Wednesday Feb 14 Tennis Wednesday Feb 14 Valentine’s Day Thursday Feb 15 Bridge Friday Feb 15 WalkingGroup Friday Feb 16 Bowling Friday Feb 16 Chinese New Year Monday Feb 19 9 Hole Golf Wednesday Feb 21 Advanced Digital Camera Wednesday Feb 21 Tennis Thursday Feb 21 TamalTalk Deadline for Mar Thursday Feb 22 Walking Group Monday Feb 26 Nine Hole Golf MondaY Feb 26 Executive Committee Mtg Tuesday Feb 27 Branch 47 Luncheon Wednesday Feb 28 Tennis

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will meet

Monday, Febuary 26, 2018. 10:30 AM at the

McGinnis Park Golf Club Boardroom

350 Smith Ranch Road

San Rafael, CA 94903

BRANCH 47 LUNCHEON MEETINGS IN 2018

Fourth Tuesday Of The Month January 23 (Tuesday) July 24 (Tuesday) February 27 (Tuesday) August 28 (Tuesday) March 27 (Tuesday) September 25 (Tuesday) April 22 (Tuesday) October 23 (Tuesday)

May 22 (Tuesday) November 27 (Tuesday) June 26 (Tuesday)

DATES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING The Monday preceding the Fourth Tuesday

Branch 47 Luncheon Meeting

Jan. 8 Jan. 22 July 23 Feb. 26 Aug. 27 Mar. 26 Sept. 24 Apr. 23 Oct. 22 May 21 Nov. 26

june 25