SIR BRANCH 171
April 2015
http://branch171.sirinc2.org/
A Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation for Retired Men Devoted to the
Promotion of Independence and Dignity of Retirement
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, April 1
Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Hall
1700 School St., Moraga
Social time begins at 11
Meeting begins at 11:40
BIG SIR MESSAGE: TIM FREEMAN, timfre@comcast.net 283-5945
If you weren’t there you missed a great March Luncheon! How could we miss with our
SIRpremes followed by a great Speaker Dr. Valery Uhl, a Radiation Oncologist,
whose topic was Prostate Cancer. She was frank and really entertaining. It was nice
to have the latest information along with a little dose of humor added to this very
serious topic. A huge Thank You to L/S Tom Marnane who is doing a fabulous job
lining up our Speakers this year. Check out the luncheon photos taken by Russ Aubry
of both members and Valery. NO! I did not pose for any of them.
Hooray! We had four guests at the March luncheon. Good work. Keep those guests coming! This year’s goal
– GROW OUR MEMBERSHIP. We can’t grow without your guests. They are critical to expanding our
membership. Remember 60% of our guests turn into new members.
Please welcome two new members Clair Hotten and Irwin Javinsky who were inducted at the March
luncheon. Clair lives in Moraga and he is retired after a 25 year career in real estate brokerage where he
owned his own firm specializing in apartment complex sales. Irwin lives in the Moraga County Club and is
retired after a 33 year career with Continental Bank and Bank of America in finance and corporate treasury.
GREEN FLAG PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY. Don’t forget you will have a green flag at your table at each
luncheon. Leave the flag upright if you have space available. Lay the flag down if your table is filled.
The sooner you know you have available seating, the sooner everyone can find a place to sit. And please give
a warm welcome to your table guests.
I look forward to seeing you at the April 1st luncheon. And please let me hear from you on ways to make our
club better! Complaints are welcomed too.
Big SIR Tim
LITTLE SIR PROGRAM: TOM MARNANE, chartom@pacbell.net 376-6312
Gentlemen: the input for our speaker for Wednesday, 1 April (April Fool's Day)
Bio for John Briscoe:
John Briscoe has tried cases in state, federal, and international courts, and has
argued before the California Supreme Court, the United States Supreme Court, and
the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. In real property and
environmental litigation he has represented water, oil, mining and real-estate
interests. He practiced in the Land Law Section of the California Attorney General’s
Office.
He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Law of the Sea Institute, University of California Berkeley, and Adjunct
Professor, U.C. Hastings College of Law. He has been a guest lecturer at U.C. Berkeley (poetry), University of
San Francisco (California history), and the University of Southern California (law).
Topic:
John Briscoe will talk to us about the Law of the Sea, past present and future as he sees it. He will weave into
that primary topic some of his thoughts on land and water use in California and if you really pay attention you
might hear some enthusiasm for good food and wine.
March Meeting:
At our March meeting Dr. Valery Uhl spoke to us extensively on the subject of prostate cancer, its identification
and treatment. She was very lucid and to the point and kept the audiences attention riveted. She stayed until
almost three o'clock after the meeting answering questions.
To get more of the flavor see Russ Aubry's delightful photo summary.
Tom Marnane, Little SIR
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Volunteer to be a Greeter
Monthly greeters provide a welcoming start to guests and members at our Sirs luncheons.
At the April meeting there will be a sign up sheet on the back table for greeter volunteers. If you have not been
a greeter for some time, or maybe have never been a greeter, please add your name to the list. Based on our
membership numbers, greeters will only be called upon to serve once every three or four years.
Your support is appreciated in order to facilitate the process of lining up greeters for subsequent meetings. No
volunteer month is required when you sign up; only your name.
Tom Lenz, Greeter Recruiter
The “Strollers” Walking Sub-Group
Our walking group has been gathering for quite some time every Tuesday morning. We now have added
another walking group, the “Strollers” (or “Amblers”). So, if you want a slower pace, try the Wednesday
morning amblers, who meet at 9 by the church. They walk slower, perhaps a mile total, on flat surfaces, but still
have the good conversations and post-walk coffee the Tuesday group has. Good group for creaky knees!
Al Donner, 171 Walking Activity Chair
Bill Bondy, “Strollers” Coordinator
LUNCH
LUNCHEON MENU
Lasagne with Meat; Fresh Roasted Vegetables;
Caesar Salad; Garlic Bread; Seasonal Fresh Fruit Salad; Dessert
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HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAYS TO SIRs
 Bill Ausfahl  Larry Beans  Charles Blay  Stew Chalem  Clay Claussen  James Countryman
 Karl Droese  Tim Freeman  Peter Hanelt  Richard James  George Peterbaugh  Clark Vilas
(* = Charter Member ** = Honorary Life Member)
One of the above members from March will win a free lunch if he attends the MaRCH meeting. Members whose birth
month is in March, and who do not see their name in the above list, should call the Big SIR prior to the meeting to
ensure that their names are included in the drawing. NOTE: Members 90 years of age or more will receive a free
lunch on their birth month each year, but they must notify the Big SIR prior to the meeting. Big SIR Tim Freeman can
be reached at timfre@comcast.net or 925-283-5945.
GUESTS AND NEW MEMBERS
$15 Luncheon fee for first time guest
The first time a guest attends a meeting the lunch fee is $15.
subsequent visits as a guest.
The regular luncheon fee will be charged for
Free Lunch for New Member & Sponsor
If your guest becomes a member of our branch, both the member and the sponsor will receive a free lunch the day of
induction.
If you are inviting a guest don’t forget to call the hotline at 925-377-5880. Provide the name of your guest if he is a
first time guest. If you have questions about this policy, call Larry Thompson, Membership Chair (925-631-9528).
BRANCH REPORTS
ATTENDANCE REPORT: CHUCK HEALY eaglerwb@comcast.net 377-5880
KEN HALEY kenhaley@sbcglobal.net 377-5880
We had a good day attendance day. We had 127 for lunch against a guarantee of 124. There were 4 guests, two of
which were new. We had 7 no shows, one of which was a confirmed medical.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE SIR REQUIREMENT TO ATTEND SIX LUNCHEONS OF THE LAST TWELVE.
ALSO, PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE OR SIGN OUT WHEN YOU CAN’T MAKE A MEETING.
Members need to call the SIR 171 "HOT LINE" at 925-377-5880 before 1pm on the Saturday before the meeting if
they are not going to attend (unless they filled-in the "Absence Notification" sheet at a prior meeting), or if they
are bringing a guest.
TREASURER’S REPORT: JIM FULFORD jafulford@comcast.net 254-5419
FEBRUARY 2015
Cash Balance at February 1, 2015
$9,721.21
Month’s Receipts
$3,235.00
Month’s Disbursements
$3,728.25
Cash Balance at February 28, 2015
$9,198.07
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MEMBERSHIP REPORT: LARRY THOMPSON larryandginger@comcast.net 631-9528
TOM LENZ chezlenz@comcast.net 278-1717
JOHN SCHICK jschick@infionline.net 376-9412
CHANGES:
Active
1. Doug Mann # 92 has requested inactive status due to medical reasons
2. Richard Heiberger #153 has requested inactive status due to extensive travel
Inactive
1.
2.
Doug Mann added to inactive status
Richard Heiberger added to inactive status
INDUCTIONS (applicants accepted)
1. Clair Hotten #10
2. Irwin Javinsky #22
Sponsor Jason Evans #9
Sponsor Tim Freeman #139
ACTIVE ROSTER: =161
INACTIVE ROSTER: = 41
APPLICATIONS APPROVED
1. Clair Hotten
2. Irwin Javinsky
3. Paul Ratto
Sponsor Jason Evans #9
Sponsor Tim Freeman #139
Sponsor Tim Freeman #139
APPLICANT LIST = 1
Membership Application Forms are always available at the desk at the meetings, or from Larry Thompson.
ROSTER CORRECTIONS: LARRY THOMPSON 631-9528 larryandginger@comcast.net - None!
NOTICE: Whenever your mail or E-mail, address or phone number changes please do advise Larry Thompson; he will in
turn update the master Roster and advise the Newsletter staff.
SUNSHINE REPORT: MONTE LOGAN MonteGryFx@aol.com 376-0264
Branch 171
It is very sad to report the passing of SIR Marv Duval on Sunday, March 15th. Marv joined SIR's in 2005 and
went inactive this year. Tim Freeman, our current president, said that Marv was a wonderful guy with a great
positive outlook. He was a long time member of Kiwanis. He was such a fun guy. He was born in 1923 in
Oakland. ,He was in World War II in the Army Air Corps. He played basketball at the Univ. of North Dakota and
decided to return to the Bay Area. ,He became very active in local sports as were most in his family. ,Marv played
bridge—and so did his father who, during the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1938, was chosen to be a
partner of the renowned Eli Culbertson. (And you might wonder why Marv plays bridge so well at SIRs). Sally, his
“darling wife” was a special education teacher in the Richmond School District. ,She was very active in raising
funds for the Moraga paramedics for which Marv expressed his thanks to his many SIR friends as well as other
Moraga residents for making the Moraga and Orinda paramedics “TOPS.”
There will be a service for family members only.
Branch 174
It is sad to report the passing of long time SIR Branch 174 member Chuck McCoy on February 23. Chuck was
inducted into Branch 171 in August 1997 and moved to Branch 174 in 2009 and was still listed
active. Services were held last February 28th at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. A brief biography of
Chuck, as per the SIR's website Member Biographies page, follows:
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CHARLES S. (“Chuck”) McCOY– Inducted in 1997
Chuck grew up in Winnetka on Chicago’s North Shore.
Chuck graduated in both chemical engineering (Cornell) and mechanical engineering (LSU)—thanks to World
War II—and went to work for Chevron after a few years in Army Ordinance. Some thirty-eight years later, he
retired and, with his new wife, Joye, started his own consulting business. They traveled the world and lived it up.
Finally, Chuck and Joye retired to enjoy golf and more local travel.
Chuck was active in the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church where he tended the gardens and performed
various jobs. They enjoyed old friends, the Orinda Country Club and local affairs. Chuck was on the regional
library board for Lamorinda. Chuck enjoyed visits with his ten grandchildren living across the country.
•••Please try to contact SIR's with illnesses to offer your support and encouragement and keep them in our thoughts and
prayers. A friendly call is welcome. Cards and letters are always appreciated. If you are aware of an ill SIR, please let
Monte Logan know by e-mail or phone.
KNOW YOUR SIR – Clair Hotten
Clair is a forty-one year resident of Moraga. He was born in Langdon, North Dakota. His parents moved to the Puget
Sound area in Washington State in 1943. He attended Foster Jr./Sr. High School near Seattle and the University of
Washington. From 1959 to 1969 Clair worked in the printing and document reproduction departments of the Boeing
Company. He started out as a blueprint cutter/folder and worked his way up to supervisor of the printing department
where he was in charge of 106 people that printed over 20 million 8 ½ impressions per month.
In 1969 Clair and his family moved to the Bay Area where he started a new career in sales with the A. B. Dick Co., selling
offset printing presses. For nine years he was one of the top selling producers for the company. In 1978 he entered
Commercial Real Estate Brokerage and worked in that field until his retirement in 2007. For the last twenty-five years he
had his own firm, where he specialized in the sale of apartment complexes in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano
Counties.
Clair and his wife, Mary Jo, have been married 51 years and have three children and three grandchildren. The children
include a married son in Los Angeles, a married daughter in Berkeley, and a married daughter with three daughters in
Hopkinton, New Hampshire. He was involved in the incorporation of Moraga, coached youth baseball and was one of the
founders and first president of the Moraga Baseball Association. Clair enjoys reading, attending jazz and classical
musical performances, following sports, especially Bay Area teams, and dining out.
------------------------------------------------------------------Know Your SIR is edited by Dave Humm dmh2@silcon.com 376-5895. We would like to have all of our
members, who wish to do so, be included in this directory. Please write down the salient points of your life (1/2
page) and provide it to Dave (via e-mail if possible). It will then be written up in a future newsletter. Dave has
copies of all past “Know Your SIR” reports. Access to them is available via e-mail; or a hard copy can be had for
the cost of printing.
SIR 171 MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
When you see an article about a SIR 171 member, please send to Stan Holcenberg at sholcenb@comcast.net.
The deadline for the receipt of information for each newsletter is the 15th of the month. Thanks.
BRANCH 171 NEWSLETTER: Editor STAN HOLCENBERG sholcenb@comcast.net, 3954 Campolindo Drive,
Moraga, CA 94556. The deadline for receipt of Newsletter material by the Editor is the 15 th of the month. E-mail is
preferred.
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BRANCH ACTIVITIES (Branches 171 & 174)
ACTIVITIES
The Activities below that are highlighted in blue bold have content that has changed since the last newsletter.
Activities Chairman
Apple Users Activity
Astronomy
Barbershop Harmony
Bocce Ball
Bowling
Bridge
Computers and Technology
Couples Dining Out
Fishing
Golf
Historical Adventures
Investment Group
Pinochle
Poker
Stamp Group
Table Pool
Tennis
Travel
Walking
Wine Tasting
ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN: RALPH BLUMENTHAL (Br. 171) (ralphblu@comcast.net or 254-6935
Now that we have Couples Dining Out functioning, we would like to initiate even more couples
activities. How about “Couples Dining In” or “Couples Go the Movies” or “Couples Book Club”? These
are just a few suggestions, you may think of a few more.
And remember, if anyones wants to start an activity of any kind -- book club, chess, cooking, current
events discussions etc. etc. please let me know so I can assist setting it up.
Ralph’s role is to keep in close contact with each of the chairmen of the branch activities to understand what they are
doing and how things are going, determine if they are planning any special activities that they want the rest of the branch
to know about, determine if there is anything special that requires assistance, and understand what a typical activity is
like. Also, Ralph keeps in communication with the other branches in the area to determine if there are activity
announcements that should be made to our branch.
Please let Ralph know if you have any suggestions for additional activities or if you would like to chair any of the open
activity groups.
APPLE USERS ACTIVITY: DICK MACY (Br. 171) m.hobie@comcast.net 376-1180
At each meeting we discuss Apple computer, IPAD, and IPHONE applications and have a Q&A on
problems, and a sharing of new ideas on the use of these devices.
Our meetings are held in the conference room at the CC County Supervisor office at 3338 Mt. Diablo
Blvd., Lafayette, on the fourth Monday of each month at 10:00 AM to noon. The location is the fire
station building across the street from El Charro restaurant. Enter left side door at top of steps.
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ASTRONOMY: OPEN – COULD BE YOU! (Br. 171) GEORGE COBB (Br. 174) gecblue@aol.com 200-7749
LARRY LANG (Br. 8)
We meet the second Monday of each month in the Tilden Room at the Concord Hilton Hotel on Diamond
Boulevard. Our meetings commence at 1:30. Please join us for an entertaining meeting. All are welcome.
Call or e-mail George (GECBlue@aol.com) for details and further information.
BARBERSHOP HARMONY: BRAD DEWEY (Br. 171) ebdewey@att.net 376-3349
RON LEIKER (Br. 174) leikerinda@comcast.net 376-3884
The SIRpremes are basically a barbershop octet. We sing songs in four-part harmony. By having two
people on each part, the problems caused by absences are greatly reduced – obviously. We meet just
about every Tuesday for one hour. We take a few minutes to discuss the affairs of the world, and then
get down to business, working on one or two songs, finishing by partaking of some delicious cookies,
freshly baked by Brad’s wife, Carol. Our self-determined purpose has been to add a little variety to the
monthly luncheon meetings of Branches 171 and 174, plus the Christmas luncheon with our ladies. Our
only other singouts have been for the Moraga Movers and at Sam Zorich’s birthday party.
BOCCE BALL: BILL BONDY (Br. 171) WBondyO@aol.com 254-1266
JOE FITZGERALD (Br. 174) joefitger@aol.com 376-4656
WHEN = GET READY FOR BOCCE BALL 2015 !! First game will be played from 10:00 AM sharp to
12:00 noon on Tuesday May 5th and on Friday May 8th, and will end mid October with a luncheon and
games at Campo De Bocce restaurant in Livermore.
WHERE = The Moraga Commons Park, behind the bandstand. Park is located at the corner of Moraga
Road and St. Mary's Road.
COST = $2.00 Basically to cover the rental and upkeep of the course.
WHO = SIRS Branches 171 and 174.
Contact for Tuesdays if needed. Bill Bondy - 254-1266
Contact for Fridays if need. Joe Fitzgerald 376-4656
WHY = Just for fun. No set teams, no experience needed, no scores recorded, canes welcomed. Good excuse to get out
of the house.
BOWLING - AREA 2: OPEN – COULD BE YOU! (Br. 171) LLOYD WEST (Br. 19) 228-9037
Area 2 Tournament bowling is held at Diablo Lanes in Concord on the 4th Thursday of each
month. Be there at 9:30 am. League Bowling is also available every Wednesday at 10 am. There
is also open bowling on Tuesdays at 10 am for practice. More members are welcome. Call for more
information.
BRIDGE: GREG TCHERKOYAN (Br. 171) gresta2@sbcglobal.net 838-0361
STEWART KNUDSEN (Br. 174) svknudsen619@aol.com 376-4919
We meet at the Moraga Hacienda on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Please
arrive by 9:50 am. Play starts promptly at 10:00 am. Bring $5 and a bag lunch. Call Greg or Stu for
further information.
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COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY: OPEN – COULD BE YOU! (Br. 171)
DEREK SOUTHERN (Br. 8) Derek.southern@gmail.com 253-1646
NEIL SCHMIDT
The Area 2 Computer and Technology Group announces that our next meeting will be at the Walnut
Creek Elks Lodge on Thursday, April 16th at 9:30 am. Sirs and their guests are welcome and invited to
attend.
Our speaker will be Nick Klowski and he will discuss 3D Printing! It’s amazing the range of products
which a 3D printer can produce; from biological items such as bones to replicas of archeological
treasures or fossils. Some uses are more trivial, exact models of bride and groom to adorn a wedding
cake for example! When did this technique start? What other uses lie in store for the printer? Come and
find out.
Meetings of the Area 2 Computer and Technology Group are held the 3rd Thursday of each month (except June and
December) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive. Whether you are a beginner
or a seasoned user, we try to offer something for everyone. Some months we ask for a donation of $5 to cover the cost of
the hall rental, coffee and cookies, other months are free.
COUPLES DINING OUT SAM ZORICH (BR. 171) samzorich@yahoo.com 376-7799
This is a new activity and Sam Zorich is the Chair. The group dines out every second month on
Wednesdays at 6pm. It's an opportunity for the ladies to not have to prepare a meal. We
encourage more couples to join us.
Five couples had such a good time at our first dinner at Chef Chou that the owner kept looking over
wondering when we were going to leave.
Next dinner is Wednesday April 22, in Orinda at SERIKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT -- 2 Theater Square , Suite 118.
Arranged by Brad Wait.
DOMINOES Tom Westhoff 376-2609 westhoff40@comcast.net
The new SIR 171 Domino group meets every Thursday at Moraga Royale at 1:00pm. Contact Tom
for information and to determine space availability.
FISHING: KARL DROESE (Br. 171) kdroese@comcast.net 376-0468 DICK THOMSON (Area 2)
All SIR members and guests are welcome and, indeed, encouraged to participate in fishing
trips as well as attend the monthly meetings. Next meeting will be Thursday, April 23, at the
Legends Sports Bar and Grill at the Diablo Creek Golf Course at 4050 Port Chicago Highway in
Concord, starting at 8:30am.
It’s been mostly about trout, mainly from San Pablo Reservoir. Fishing there were Ernie Wong,
Pete Gates, George Vogt, Reggie Fromm, Karl Droese, Rich Fiscina, Terry Miller, Mike Corker,
and Carl Moyer. Everyone caught fish. The one’s we kept were mostly between one and two
pounds - no giants yet. Carl Moyer, Ernie Wong, and Ken Konzak fished the shore at Shadow
Trout caught by
Cliffs for a couple of trout. Shadow Cliffs is still too low to launch our boats - but it is filling.
new SIR member
Two boats tried for sturgeon by the mothball fleet. Rich Fiscina took Pete Gates, Tom Boltz,
Pete Johnson
and Ron Maciak, Carl Moyer took Terry Miller. Only a few small sturgeon were caught on a
gorgeous spring day. April 4th is the opening day for Salmon in our area. April 15th is the
opening day for rockfish from the ocean. We have great expectations. Meanwhile Tom Kostik continues his fun and
productive striper fishing in the delta. Soon black bass will be occupying his time.
Activities scheduled for April and May include: a fish fry; several striper/sturgeon/black bass trips to the Delta; trout fishing
at Shadow Cliffs, San Pablo Reservoir, Lake Berryessa, Lake McSwain, Lake Davis, and Los Vaqueros; and Halibut
fishing on SF Bay.
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GOLF – 18 HOLES: GENE BELL (Br. 171) gdbell1@comcast.net 284-1786
TONY SCHOEMEHL (Br. 174) tonyliby@comcast.net 376-1471
Any members who are interested in joining the Golf Group, please complete the application that Is
available at the following link -- http://branch174.sirinc2.org/golf/home.htm There is also a 2014 schedule
and contact information at the link.
HISTORICAL ADVENTURES: TED WESTPHAL (Br. 171) tawiii@att.net 283-2172
Several openings are available for those of you who wish to tour the Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory on Tuesday May 12. And many more sign-ups are needed for our tour of the Computer
History Museum in Mt. View on Thursday, June 11. Please let me know by phone or e-mail (2832172 or tawiii@att.net). Also, there will be an opportunity to sign up at our April luncheon.
INVESTMENT GROUP: OPEN – COULD BE YOU! (Br. 171) GARY MOORE (Br. 174) mooregh1@gmail.com 254-8742
David Sutton (Br-8) 686-0158; Leary Wong (Br-8) 457-0807
The Area 2 $ums Investment Group will meet on Wednesday April 22, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. at the
Legends restaurant at the Diablo Creek Golf Course, 4050 Port Chicago Highway, Concord.
Our guest speaker in April will be Brian Pretti, Partner and Chief Invesstment Officer of Capital
Planning Advisors, in Walnut Creek. Brian’s topic will be "Through the Global Financial And
Economic Wormhole". On the surface, the general economy and markets appear as if all is well. But Brian will discuss
how underneath we are watching one of the most anomalistic economic and financial market cycles we've ever seen.
Just what is the character of the current domestic and global economies and what are the key points we need to watch as
investors?
Brian has been an investment management professional for over three decades. Prior to joining Capital Planning
Advisors as Partner and Chief Investment Officer, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for
Mechanics Bank Wealth Management since 1990 where he was instrumental in growing assets under management from
$150 million to over $1.4 billion. Brian is a sought after public speaker on the topics of the financial markets and
economy, and has been quoted in Barrons, the Financial Times, San Francisco Business Times and Comstock's. Brian
was the founder, publisher and editor of ContraryInvestor.com, a subscription based investment research website serving
institutional, private and retail investors from 1998-2012, and continues to write for numerous well known investment
websites such as ZeroHedge and Financial Sense.
Brian holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP(r)) designations as well as having
earned an MBA in Finance from San Francisco State University, a BS in Economics and BA in Business Administration
from the University of San Francisco.
The Legends restaurant opens at 7:00 a.m., so come early and have a leisurely breakfast with your colleagues prior to the
meeting. Plan to attend this meeting and bring a prospective SIR.
PINOCHLE: BILL KORN (Br. 171) blairkorn@comcast.net 376-1643
The Sirs pinochle game is held every Wednesday morning at 9:30 at the Moraga Royale on the corner
of Country Club Drive and Moraga Road. We play in a comfortable private room and many of us stay
there for a delightful lunch, at a very minimal cost. The Wednesday game is moved back to Tuesday on
the Sirs meeting day. We hope you can attend as we have a good time. If you don't know pinochle we
will teach you, as it is not difficult. We hope to see some new players in the near future.
POKER: OPEN – COULD BE YOU! (Br. 171) DICK MEDEL (Br. 174) 376-5568 & BILL WIEGMANN (Br. 174)
bigwieg@comcast.net 376-6088
Our low-stakes poker group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12:30 to 4:30pm.
We meet at various locations. To join us please contact Dick or Bill for information.
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STAMP GROUP: LARRY BEANS (Br. 171) larrybeans@comcast.net 376-7306; Rich Sjoberg (Br. 174) 254-1661
We meet on the Friday following Branch 171 lunch meeting at 9:30 am. PLEASE NOTE NEW
LOCATION – Larry Beans’ home at 20 Carr Drive in Moraga. Please call Larry or Rich for more information,
or if you would like to attend.
TABLE POOL: OPEN – COULD BE YOU! (Br. 171) AREA #2: BILL WEINBERG 682-0962
We usually have three or four pool games going when we meet on the 1st & 3rd Mondays at 11:30
am at Masse's – 2721 North Main in Walnut Creek. The cost is $5.00 for as long as you want to play.
We also have SIR members from other branches joining us and we usually play about 2 hours but not
everyone stays for the final curtain. Haven’t played in years? Come join us. All SIRs are welcome.
TENNIS: JIM COUNTRYMAN (Br. 171) jcountry@comcast.net 631-1766
RALPH THORNICROFT (Br. 174) grtincal@aol.com 376-8140
The Tennis Group plays at St. Mary’s College every Tuesday and Thursday. Times vary between
8:00am and 8:30am, depending on the weather. Players are at varying skill levels, mostly around the
3.0 range. Members’ wives are invited to join us, so let them know they are welcome. Call Jim or Ralph
for information.
TRAVEL: BOB SPELLMAN (Area 2 Chmn.) bobnjo@astound.net 934-8428
JOE TRACY (BR. 174) jotracy@comcast.net 954-7801
JIM LUNN (Br. 8) 551-3329; BOB HAGLER (Br. 8) 934-7620; HARRY REITER (Br. 19) 709-2820
July 22-28, 2015: Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Trip will include baseball games in New
York and Boston. The Highlight will be the Baseball Hall of Fame and induction ceremonies at
Cooperstown. Travelers will enjoy home pick-up, airport transfers, professional tour host, RT airfare, 6
night accommodations, all taxes and gratuities. Cost $2,975.00. Contact Ken Richter, Br. 146, 6986217.
Aug 21-Sep 12. 2015: Treasures of France a River Journey from Normandy to Provence. A 22 day
river cruise aboard a deluxe river boat. The highlights include visits to D-Day Beaches of Normandy, Beaujolais, Burgundy
Regions ,Lyon, and other river towns. Prices range from $6499 to $8299 which include airfare, 22 nights
accommodations, 59 meals, 17 sightseeing tours with audio headsets, all transfers, luggage handling, and beer or wine at
dinner. Pre and Post trips are available. Contact Ken Richter Br. 149, 698-6217.
Aug 21- Sep 1, 2015: Paris & Highlights of Normandy a Seine River Cruise. 12 day cruise aboard deluxe river boat with
visits to Paris, D-Day Beaches of Normandy, Vernon, Honfleur, and Rouen. Prices range from $3699 to $6199 including
10 night accommodations, 29 meals , 9 sightseeing tours with audio headsets and beer or wine
at dinner. Two for one airfare is available plus Pre or Post trips. Contact Ken Richter Br.146, 689-6217.
Aug 31-Sep 12, 2015: French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy, Beaujolais & Provence. 12 day river cruise on deluxe
river boat with visits to Lyon, Avignon, Vivier and Beaujolais-Burgundy regions. The prices range from $3999 to $6649.
Trip includes10 nights accommodations, 29 meals, 8 sightseeing tours with audio headsets, and beer or wine with dinner.
Two for one airfare is available plus Pre & Post trips. Contact Ken Richter Br 146, 689-6217
Oct 10, 2015: Fleet Week on the San Francisco Belle. The Belle is a San Francisco Landmark That evokes the City’s
charm. There will be no better vantage point to see the Fleet Week Air Show than directly under the planes. Cost $128.00
includes RT deluxe motorcoach transportation, cruise on board the SF Belle, reserved seats on board ship, hosted buffet
luncheon, music entertainment, special viewing of the Blue Angels and gratuity. Contact Ken Richter, Br 146, 689-6217
Dec 7, 2015: The Holidays are Blooming in the Valley. Your first stop will be at Hilmar Cheese Factory, where your guide
will step onto your motorcoach for a tour through their facility, followed by a delicious hosted buffet lunch. After lunch you
will have time to shop in their large country store. Next stop will be Duarte Nursery to view their amazing Holiday
Poinsettias. Their greenhouses hold one of the largest selections of Poinsettias available. You will tour the facility with
time to shop before departing for home. Cost $54.00 pp including RT motorcoach, hosted lunch, tours and driver gratuity.
Contact Ken Richter, Br. 146, 689-6217.
10
WALKING (and talking):
AL DONNER (Br. 171) aajdonner@gmail.com 376-1594
LYLE DECK (Br. 174) lgdeck@aol.com 254-3829
Walking is Easy, Fun, Good for Us and Conversational
The bi-walking group ("bi" meaning we include members of 171 and 174) continues to grow as
more SIRS and potential SIRS discover the pleasures of a Tuesday morning walk with fellows as
wise as you and I !!
We have at least a dozen guys walking every Tuesday morning, leaving at 9 from the parking lot
across from the Serbian church.
The walks generally make about 3 miles round-trip. And as we gain more guys we find the diversity
of pace naturally resolves us into several clusters, from fast (SIR Al Dessayer being our fastest) to moderate walking
pace.
So we find that some will walk the whole route, while others will do less distance before reversing and returning, all
dependent on how far they want to walk. But there always is a buddy or 2 or 3 at your pace.
So try us out, even bring a buddy SIR or possible new member.
And if you want a significantly slower pace, try the Wednesday morning amblers, who also meet at 9 by the church. They
walk slower, perhaps a mile total, on flat surfaces, but still have the good conversations and post-walk coffee. Good group
for creaky knees!
WINE TASTING: GENE BELL (Br. 171) gdbell1@comcast.net 284-1786
JON LEUTENEKER (Br. 174) jonleuteneker@comcast.net 376-7035
There are now two wine tasting groups. Both are couples events and normally held in-home starting
about 7:00 p.m. with a cost per person averaging about $15. Jon Leuteneker is chairman of the
group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month - this group has a full roster. Gene Bell is
chairman of the group that meets on the third Tuesday of each month - membership in this group
may still open.
11
MARCH LUNCH - PHOTOS and COMMENTARY (with some planned typos)
NOTE: Additional photos are available each month on the poster boards as you enter the meeting place.
RUSS AUBRY
touchless@darkersun.com 510-644-2692.
12
SIR ORGANIZATION 2015
STATE PRESIDENT
REGION 6 DIRECTOR
AREA 2 GOVERNOR
BOBBIE HARISTON
RICHARD DE VOE
ROBBIE ROBINSON
SIR Inc. Website:
Area 2 Website:
Branch 171 Website:
http:/www.ririnc.org
http://area2.sirinc2.org/
http://branch171.sirinc2.org/
BRANCH 171
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
BIG SIR
LITTLE SIR
SECRETARY
ASST. SEC.
TREASURER
ASST. TREAS.
TIM FREEMAN
TOM MARNANE
JOHN SCHICK
AL DONNER
JIM FULFORD
HAL D’AMBROGIA
COMMIITTEE CHAIRMEN
283-5945
376-6312
376-9412
376-1474
254-5419
284-1723
MEMBERSHIP
GREETERS
ATTENDANCE
LARRY THOMPSON
TOM LENZ
JOHN SCHICK
TOM LENZ
BRAD WAIT
631-9528
278-1717
376-9412
278-1717
254-1321
ACTIVITIES
RALPH BLUMENTHAL
254-6935
NEW MEMBERS
CHAPLAIN
INDUCTIONS
HISTORIAN
PIANIST
AL DINNER
DICK MACY
LARRY THOMPSON
JOHN DAHL
FRANK GRANNIS
376-1474
376-1180
631-9528
687-7636
284-2724
SUNSHINE
MICROPHONE
BAR MGMT
MONTE LOGAN
376-0264
CLAY SEALY
376-4481
RICK FEND, LEW EDWARDS,
& LARRY CORREIA
1994 BILL TEUTSCHEL (DECEASED)
1995 DAN REGO
1996 JOHN DAHL
1997 RAY HORTON
1998 ELLS LANGLEY (DECEASED)
1999 CHARLIE DINES (DECEASED)
2000 JIM SWEENY (DECEASED)
2001 CLAY SEALY
2002 DENNIS BROSSART
2003 BILL MUESER
2004 GENE BELL
2005 TOM KELLY
2006 DAN FLOWER
2007 BILL SUMNER
2008 FRED GEORGE
2009 JIM GIBNEY
2010 DICK MACY
2011 PHIL ARTH
2012 KARL DROESE
2013 JOHN HAFFNER 2014 SAM ZORICH
WEBMASTER
BRANCH AUDIT
GARY BORELLI
KEN FISCHER
BOB MEADOWCROFT
TOM LENZ
MIKE DONOVAN
ACTIVITY
BRANCH 171 COORDINATOR
BRANCH 174 COORDINATOR
AREA 2 CHAIRMAN
APPLE USERS
ASTRONOMY
BARBER SHOP HARMONY
BOCCE BALL
BOWLING
BRIDGE
COUPLES DINING OUT
COMPUTERS & TECH.
DOMINOES
FISHING
GOLF – 18 HOLES
HIST. ADV. & VETS
INVESTMENT
PINOCHLE
POKER
STAMPS
TABLE POOL
TENNIS
TRAVEL
WALKING
WINE TASTING
DICK MACY 376-1180
OPEN
BRAD DEWEY 376-3349
BILL BONDY 254-1266
OPEN
GREG TCHERKOYAN 838-0361
SAM ZORICH 376-7799
OPEN
```
TOM WESTHOFF 276-2609
KARL DROESE 376-0468
GENE BELL 284-1786
TED WESTPHAL 283-2172
OPEN
BILL KORN 376-1643
OPEN
LARRY BEANS 376-7306
OPEN
JIM COUNTRYMAN 631-1766
GEORGE COBB
RON LEIKER 376-2845
JOE FITZGERALD 376-4656
LARRY LANGE 254-6281
DIRECTORS
LARRY THOMPSON
AL FOLEY
RALPH BLUMENTHAL
STAN HOLCENBERG
MIKE DONOVAN
AL DONNER
SAM ZORICH (PAST BIG SIR)
631-9528
376-2809
254-6935
283-5466
376-0387
376-1474
376-7799
PAST BIG SIRs
PUBLICITY
LADIES DAY
376-6151
631-0328
631-0194
278-1717
376-0387
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
JOHN HAFFNER, SAM ZORICH, PHIL ARTH, RAY HORTON
NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
STAN HOLCENBERG
283-5466
PHIL ARTH
376-3784
JOHN HAFFNER
330-9930
PHOTOGRAPHER RUSS AUBRY
510-644-2692
KNOW YOUR SIR DAVE HUMM
376-5895
EDITORS
HONORARY LIFE AND HONORARY SENIOR LIFE MEMBERS
JOHN DAHL RAY HORTON CLAY SEALY TED WESTPHAL
AL DONNER 376-1594
GENE BELL 284-1786
13
STU KNUDSEN 376-4919
LLOYD WEST 228-37
FRED BOLTON 932-1580
DICK CURRY 376-5541
DEREK SOUTHERN 253-1646
DON KAVANAGH 254-5906
PETE GATES 937-2035
JIM WILLEY 689-3199
GARY MOORE 254-8742
LEARY WONG 457-0807
BILL KORN 376-1643
DICK MEDEL/BILL WIEGMAN 376-5568/376-6088
RICH SJOBERG 254-1661
BILL WEINBERG 682-0962
RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140
JOE TRACY 954-7801
BOB SPELLMAN 934-8428
LYLE DECK 254-3829
JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035