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– Tim Leveque- 415-888-3242

Secretary - Ned Lawerence - 415-595-1092 Ass’t Sect’y - Mike Kelly - 415-380-1885 Treasurer - Paul Schofield - 415-892-7019

Ass’t Treas.– Lon Sykes - 415-479-5369

A SIR PUBLICATION

MARIN COUNTY JANUARY2016 VOL. XLIII NO. 1 OUR 43ND YEAR

Season’s Greetings to all; hopefully everyone had great holidays with family and friends. At Branch 47, 2016

begins with change, not only with new leadership, but with a new venue. Our new year resolution is to make

your branch even better. I am excited about that because we have a new recruitment committee – Bill Donnelly,

Kurt Heilman, Norm Jensen, and Doug Twitchell as well as Big Sir and Little Sir. As John Freel reported in the

last Tamel Talk, the committee’s purpose is to help all of us grow our branch. You will be hearing from the

committee throughout the year.

Activities List. Many of us have changed interests since we completed our preferences. Doug Twitchell has been

updating the lists for committee chairmen. There may even be additional activity groups if we can identify

participants. If you have not filled one out lately, you will be given an opportunity at the January luncheon.

Did you know? We have an e-mail address: sirbranch47@gmail.com and a dedicated phone: 415-881-7477.

Please use either of them if you are bringing a guest or visitor, and if you will miss the luncheon. Also, you may

use it to select the alternative entrée. YOUR CALL MATTERS.

Luncheons. Please note All luncheons this year will be at the McInnis Golf Center in San Rafael on the 4th

Tuesday of each month

Reminder. Your 2016 dues are due on January 1st and delinquent on January 31st. You may pay Paul Schofield at

our January 26th luncheon or you may mail him your payment.

Jake Solomon, Big Sir

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: Tom Brady Tom Culhane Jim Kleiser George Miller John Freel Doug Twitchell

BIG SIR’S MESSAGE

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INCORPORATED

State President - Donald Dill

Region 10 Director - Jim Filippo 415-892-2063 Area 6 Governor - Frank Sokolowski

www.SIR47.ORG Our own website

Deadline for Submitting Material for the February Tamal Talk will be noon

January 27 Please submit your material to

Ron Kosciusko at 415 435-0650 or to

ROnkoz@sonic.net

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THIS MONTH’S MENU

Salad

Pot Roast with mashed potatoes and vegetables

Alternative: Grilled Chicken breast with potatoes

and vegetables

Rolls and butter

Dessert

NOVEMBER SPEAKER REVIEW Californians for Western Wilderness

At the SIR meeting of November 24, 2015, we were fortunate to

have Michael J. Painter as our guest speaker. Michael, son of our

revered and now deceased member Lou Painter, bears a strong re-

semblance to his father and displays a similar degree of intelligence

and confidence.

Michael explained that this agency is an unincorporated citizens

group founded for the purpose of securing protection for the remain-

ing wilderness areas in the Western United States. The organiza-

tion’s major focus is to create a constituency in California for wil-

derness in the West, and to encourage and facilitate direct citizen

democracy through participation in administrative and legislative

actions affecting wilderness and public lands in the West. Humor-

ously, Michael said that it was “Dad’s fault” that he became in-

volved with this agency. In his youth, Michael said that he had had

much exposure to outdoor activities. He was camping with his fa-

ther at age four.

The focus of Californians for Western Wilderness encompasses Na-

tional Parks and Monuments, forests under the Bureau of Land

Management (BLM), the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Defense

Department. The concentration that Michael covered focused on the

State of Utah. Utah has a high concentration of National Park lands

and comprises Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonland and Capitol Reef.

Fifty-five percent of the entire state is under the Bureau of Land

Management. Escalante National Monument was established in

1996 (Clinton Administration). Land that started out as national

monuments often later became national parks.

The Ancestral Pueblo was abandoned by its inhabitants about 900

years ago. In recent times the public has looted this hallowed

ground including arrowheads and similar historical items. In 2009 it

was estimated that 40,000 items were looted from this area. Re-

maining items have been housed at a warehouse in Salt Lake City.

Utah includes the last wilderness of all of the western states. The

Forest Service manages the California wilderness. Utah is working

on continuing problems and is trying to reach solutions. The local

Native American tribes have not been included in discussions.

Oil and gas fields are another concern. Equipment is used to estab-

lish potash ponds and according to the Forest Service this is prolifer-

ating. Off-road vehicles cause damage to areas and raise and spread

toxic dust. The Bureau of Land Management is trying to regulate off

-road vehicles. With weather changes that are apparent and a great-

er accumulation of dust, snow is melting faster and sooner than it

used to. There are many problems that CalUWild are dealing with

and confronting currently and publicly.

CalUWild firmly believes that private individuals can make a differ-

ence in the management of public lands if they possess the tools and

information that are needed to be effective advocates for precious

land. CalUWild has just one membership requirement: each member

must agree to take one action a month to help protect our wilder-

ness—a letter to the editor of CalUWild or to a member of Con-

gress, or a comment on a management plan prepared by an agency.

The strategy has proven so successful that groups based on the

CalUWild model have sprung up in many other states.

Alan Thomas

Sir Branch 47 Italian Fiesta

(Replaces Crab Feed this year)

February 10, 2016

Il Davide’s Lucca Room (901 A Street Social Hour at 11 (Tomato Bruschetta and Rare Red & Stonecap Chardonnay $7 a glass) Sit down lunch at 12 First Course: Insalata Davide (organic greens, toasted walnuts, golden raisins, feta cheese, balsamic dressing) Second Course...choice of: Pollo Carcofi (Mary’s organic chicken breast, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, capers, lemon wine sauce), Capesante al Tartufo (sautéed sea scallops in a black truffle sauce with shiitake mushrooms & white truffle salt), Fettuccine Rustica (fettuccine with olive oil, garlic,dried tomatoes, spinach, kalamata olives, toasted pine nuts, feta, E.V.O.O VEGETARIAN) Bread, butter, coffee and tea Dessert: Vanilla Panna Cotta

$39 per person Please purchase tickets from Sam Parke at our lunch on Tuesday, January 26th (McGinnis Golf Club)…or Email...Sam Parke@comcast .net or Call 1-415, 435, 4279 Note, Please park in the San Rafael A Street Garage

between 3rd and 4th Avenues (only 50 cents per hour and right next to the restaurant) Sam Parke

SIR’S GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP

“Reading Maketh The Full Man” We meet in Hangar 5, Hamilton Field, Suite 200, Marin

Community Foundation; January 28, 2016:

An outside read will be chosen at a later date.

Sam Gill will lead the discussion.

.

Dick Locke, Chair, Howard Bassett, Emeritus Chair; Al

Crozier & Dan McGreevy, Ass’t Chairs, Jim

Rohde, email master, Don Pierce, Google man.

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Branch 47 Outings

Executive Committee Meeting, Highlights

November 23, 2015

1) New recruitment committee members to be Bill Donnelly,

Kurt Heilman, Norman Jensen. Also will have Big Sir and

Little Sir as members.

2) 81 Branch 47 members have paid dues.

3) EC voted to accept John Hancock and Herb Jones as new members.

4) Roster will be complete after November 24 lunch-possible new pictures. Board members will be sent copy after next lunch. 5) EC voted to have 150 copies of 2016 roster printed in color 6) Secretary should thank MCC for services.

7) Possibly make following members inactive due to non-attendance: Berwyn Forsythe, John Massocca, Don Barber,. Robert Brid-well. Voted to defer for now. 8) Recruitment Committee-Discussed a possible recruitment letter written by Bill Donnelly to be sent to all members. EC Authorized $150 for this.

9) In regards to new lunch site, will announce at November lunch then send out a notice to all members before January lunch. 10) Next EC meeting scheduled January 4, 2016.

James Breitmayer Secretary

1. Weill Hall Green Music Center, Sonoma State University. This is a series of great performances on the week ends. Next Performances are on:

Sat. Jan 16 @ 7:30 m, Kahane/Swensen/Brey Trio , Fri. Jan 22 @ 7:30 pm,Marc-Andre Hamelin on piano, Sat Jan 23 @ 7:30 pm, Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band. Tickets start @ $35

To order tickets go online @ c.sonoma.com, or

call 1-866-955-6040.

2. Marin Onstage theatre & Music: Jan 15-30 A coming of age in the 1980’s where two young adults get into trouble, trying to find a way through issues of women and money.

Cost is $12-$25 Contact 1-415-448-6152 to obtain your own tickets Or visit their website marinonstage@gmail.com

3. Pacific Empire Crab Feed Sat. Jan 30, 2016 from 5 pm to 9 pm @ Petaluma Veterans Bldg., All you can eat crab with pasta, salad, garlic bread and

homemade desserts. Cost is $50 each or $60 @ the door.

Available at www.pacificempire.org or by calling 1-877-772-0087 => Contact Kurt Heilman @ heilmanfour@comcast.net if interested in setting up a

Captain’s table of 8 Br 47 SIRS for $500 (with linens, china & silver).

4. Novato Theater Company:

Jan. 29 – Feb 21. This (Cajun) Midsummer Night’s Dream is an hilarious adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy with a Cajun-French expressiveness, music,

storytelling, voodoo, etc. all in a Bayou Setting. For tickets contact: Novavatotheatercompany.org

Cheers

Kurt Heilman

1-415-892-2460

TRAVEL

Dec 26, 2015-Jan 3, 2016: New Year’s Celebra-tion on a Western Caribbean Cruise. Board the Norwegian Dawn for seven days of freestyle cruising and visiting the following ports of call. Co-zumel, Roatan, Harvest Caye, and Costa Maya. Cost starts at $2350 which includes home pick up, RT airfare, all shipboard meals, and all trans-fers between locations. Phil Manriquez Br 1, San Bruno, 650-871-5009. Dec 29-Jan 2, 2016: New Year’s Eve at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. This AAA Broadmoor five star hotel is the Grand Dame of the Rockies. Tour includes home pick-up, RT air-fare to Denver from Sacramento, Royal Gorge Bridge and lunch on the Royal Gorge train. City tour of Colorado Springs and much more. Cost $1975 includes taxes, fees, and gratuities. Lee Suess, Br 96, 209-296-2235.

Dec 29-Jan 2, 2016: New Year’s in Scottsdale. Ring in the New Year at the fabulous Hilton Dou-ble Tree Paradise Valley Resort. Enjoy tours of Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix & Scotts-dale for New Year’s Eve highlighted with a won-derful dinner along with Popular music of the Big Band era! Contact Bruce Bentley, 831-465-6590, for more information.

Jan 9-19, 2016: Mexican Riviera Cruise. 11 day

of the sun-kissed Mexican Riviera filled with rich

culture, bright flowers, scenic vistas and, definite-

ly, Fun in the Sun. Get a taste of the rich heritage

in this vibrant country, from the friendly people

and authentic Mexican cuisine. Cost from $1485.

Bruce Bentley, Br.20 Santa Cruz, 831-465-6590.

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

Season Completed for this year.

Tom Brady, 897-8573

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

TENNIS, ANYONE?

Every Wednesday 9 AM McInnis Park

Bill Donnelly 897-8966 or Glen Ohm 479-5693

REMEMBER:

Our regular lunch dates are on the

FOURTH TUESDAY, of

every month

BRANCH 47 BOCCE First Monday of each month; no cost to play. Lunch @ 11:45 am (the lunch location varies but is near Sonoma Square), then Bocce @ 1pm at Depot Park, just north of Sonoma Square. Bring your own Bocce balls. Contact: Kurt Heilman 892-2460 or heilmanfour@ comcast.net to let him know if you want (1) to be on the mailing list & (2) to join us for lunch, play bocce or both.

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

Page 44

See what’s happening Statewide in SIR

www.sirinc.org/sirhappenings/

To see all that SIR has to offer:

www.sirinc.org

NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE REPORT

Total Members 104

Members Present 83 80%

Guests: 2

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

COMPUSIRS

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

PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PC only) 1st WEDNESDAYS

DIGITAL CAMERA STUFF 3rd Wednesdays

Russ Flaum 415-897-1017 WEBSITE DESIGN SIG

3rd Tuesdays Paul Bell sfpaulsf@gmail.com

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

GGCS COMPUSIRS classroom First Presbyterian Church Fifth Avenue, San Rafael

All are welcome. Open to all of Area 6.

INVESTORS LUNCH BUNCH

Second Friday of the month at the Chevy’s

Restaurant, 123 Vintage Way, Vintage Oaks,

Novato. The Lunch is $18.00, and will start at

11:30, followed by presentations and discussions.

Contacts:

Pete Petrofsky 415-472-0985, Will Kaefer 415-927-1043,

Brian Stompe 415-897-1610

Page 5

BRIDGE GROUP

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

member’s home. Play is from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. To reserve space

and get directions for the next event, call or email

Charles Caviness: 415 435-9618

c.caviness@sbglobal.net

THURSDAY WALKING/HIKING GROUP

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

2nd week each month: Jim Hancock (Br.151) 415-492-0883

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

$1859.22 money has been received from state for 122 trans-fers. Branch 122 transfers will be considered to have paid 2015 dues.

Paul Schofield, Treasurer

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, @

TREASURER'S REPORT

For December 31, 2015

Checking Account Balance : $ 10,371.39

General Fund Balance: $ 10,923.05

Custodian Fund Balance: $ (551.66)

Total $10,371.39

Total Dues Paid to date: $2, 836.00

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Summary: Actives - 104 Inactives - 7 Gains: 0 0 Losses: 0 0

PERFECT ATTENDANCE 2015

??

NOVEMBER LUNCH TICKET

Herb J BIRTHDAY WINNERS

NOV Marv Mizis, Erniini, and Bob Gonzalez

DEC Eddie Simon, and Herb Jones

JANUARY BIRTHDAY BOYS

9th Paul Markavage, 20th Ken Griffin, 20th Mike Kelly,23rd Chuck Herbert, 23rd Cecil Green,

28th Norbert Winter,29th Jim Breitmayer

AREA 6 MONTHLY MEETINGS

Br. # Branch Phone 7 The Club at McInnis Park 1st Thursday 456-3763 22 The Club at McInnis Park 1st Tuesday 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 479-3286 134 Marin Country Club 1st Tuesday 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

FIRST CLASS

Wednesday Jan 2 Personal Computers Class Monday Jan 4 Bocce Monday Jan 4 Golf Wednesday Jan 6 Tennis Thursday Jan 7 Walking Group Friday Jan 8 Bowling Friday Jan 8 Investors’ Lunch Bunch Monday Jan 11 Golf Tuesday Jan 12 Rolling Roamers Wednesday Jan 13 Tennis Thursday Jan 14 Walking Group Thursday Jan 14 Great Books Friday Jan 15 Bowling Monday Jan 18 Golf Tuesday Jan 19 Website Design SIG Wednesday Jan 20 Tennis Wednesday Jan 20 Digital Camera Stuff Thursday Jan 21 Bridge Thursday Jan 21 Walking Group Friday Jan 22 Bowling Monday Jan 27 Tamal Talk Deadline for February Wednesday Jan 27 Tennis Thursday Jan 28 Walking Group Friday Jan 29 Bowling Monday Jul 27 Executive Committee Meeting

If undeliverable Return to Sender

Place First

Class

Postage

Here

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will meet

Monday, January 4, 2016. 10:30 AM at the

Marin Community Foundation, Suite 200

Hangar 5, Hamilton, Novato