3rd wednesday, november 20, 2019 elks lodge, 4249 el ... · marc haberman steve pomeroy larry wray...

November/December 2019 of 7 SIR Branch 35 Trail Tips

Branch 35 web site: www.sirinc2.org/branch35/ November/December 2019

3rd Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Social Hour 11 a.m. – Lunch 11:55 a.m.

Please, IF BRINGING A GUEST OR

NOT ATTENDING!

CALL 650-823-0702

or E-MAIL [email protected]

by SATURDAY, Nov 16th (Leave name and badge #)

PROGRAM

Speaker: Marc Berman, California Assemblymember Topic: “Update from Sacramento”

Marc Berman was elected to the California Assembly in November 2016 to represent the 24th District, which includes southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. In the Assembly, Marc serves as chair of the Committee on Elections and Redistricting and the Select Committee on the Census. He also chairs the Select Committee on the Master

Plan for Higher Education in California, which is taking a methodical review of the 1960 Master Plan to ensure that California’s higher education system works for students in the 21st century economy. Marc has authored legislation in the Assembly covering a diversity of issues, including climate change, education, housing, and mental health. In the 2017-18 legislative session, 31 of Marc’s bills were passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor.

NOTE: This is a combined November/December issue of Trail Tips. There will be no separate December issue. The next issue will be published for January, 2020.

The Big Sir Says . . . It has been an honor to serve.

It has been an honor to serve you as Big Sir in 2019. I was supported by Little Sirs, Andy Danver and Stan Barkey, and members of our Branch Executive Committee. It was gratifying to see Branch 35 thrive and enhance lives of members with stimulating speakers, a wide range of fun activities, and social events.

Our top priority was recruitment. We had excellent luncheon speakers throughout the year. Headliner Michael McFaul attracted eleven guests in October - a record number. Many members invited friends to lunch for the first time. Sponsors of new members received special recognition on our Honor Roll. Your extra efforts turned around two years of declining membership. I thank you all!

We are fortunate to have a continuum of members willing to serve Branch 35. It will be my pleasure to present your 2020 Branch Executive Committee at the November 20th meeting. Carol and I are looking forward to seeing you at our favorite social event - the Holiday Luncheon on December 11th. But most of all, I am looking forward to next year’s luncheon meetings, sitting at your table with you.

Sign up soon for the Holiday Luncheon (see page 6).

Peter

(+1) means sponsored new member in October

http://www.sirinc2.org/branch35/


ROSTER CHANGES

Active Members: 340 Net Monthly Change: +4

NEW MEMBERS

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: 10+ YEARS

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

During the social hour before every luncheon, 11:00 a.m.

Bring a few and take a few – FREE! After the meeting, residuals go to Friends of the Library of Los Altos.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Ed Aquilar Peter Lau Ernie Robertson

Don Cameron Wendell Lehr Ken Sauer

Wayne Dexter John Lemes Jay Siedenburg

Lou Ercoli Bob Lindblom Pete Squire

David Falconer Bob Moss Bob Taggart

Bruce Firpo Peter Mueller Darryl Walker

Ben Gikis Bill Nugteren Eli Wismer

Marc Haberman Steve Pomeroy Larry Wray

Mike Kallbrier John Reimann

Rehearsal: 2nd Wednesday, November 13, 10:00 a.m. in the Choir Room, Los Altos Methodist Church. Pre-Meeting Rehearsal: November 20, 11:00 a.m., Elks Lodge. Parody Writers: Bob Simon, David Skurnick Accompanist: Don Cameron Bob Simon will write the parody for the November meeting. All are welcome to join our singing.

Every Monday and Thursday, starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Rinconada Park Courts – Located on Hopkins Avenue, off Newell near Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. We play a relaxed doubles spin in open format. Sirs and non-Sirs alike are welcome.

We are pleased to announce that the third Dining In group has been formed and is meeting regularly, making new friends and having fun. Contact Alan Gaudie for more information and/or to join.

GROUP OUTINGS We have had two successful group outings to see

the San Francisco Giants in the last few years. Next year we are planning another outing to see the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, April 5th against the Los Angeles Dodgers. We will be getting lower box seats again next year. Pricing is not yet available from the Giants but should be less than $50 per seat. I will be taking orders at the November meeting. The deadline is December 1st. Ben Gikis, Special Activities

2nd Thursday— November 14th, 2019, 11:00 AM Wives and guests welcome Rain cancels ride; Helmet mandatory

Location: Foster City Bay Trail

Ride: We will ride the flat Foster City Bay Trail for about 10 miles from the

Oracle Headquarters to the Poplar Creek Golf Club at Coyote Point for

lunch, and then return (approximately 20 miles round trip). It might be windy,

so bring a jacket or windbreaker. Directions: Get off Highway 101 at Marine Parkway/ Ralston. Turn right on Marine Parkway, then an immediate left onto Oracle Parkway. The meeting point is a tree-shaded parking lot with restrooms to the left of this intersection. If the parking lot there is full, backtrack over the creek to 401-501 Island Parkway and park in the Oracle lot. Ride your bike across the pedestrian bridge to the meeting point. If you plan to ride or have questions, please contact Jim Lunt as above or Gordon Tong - [email protected] or 408-242-0557.

Usually there is no ride for December.

We start back up in January with Steven Creek/Shoreline Park (Mt View)

Ken Allen (Wanda) 650-949-0864 858 Renetta Court [email protected] Los Altos, CA 94024 Toshiba Memorty

Bowling, Computers, Hiking, Bicycling, Baseball Day, Dining In, Football Day, Walking, Wine Tasting, Woodworking

Dick Henning (Paulette) 650-965-5020 1915 Milano Way [email protected] Mountain View, CA 94040 Foothill College

Computers, Travel, Antique Cars, Book Club, Bocce, Coins, Dining In/Out, Football Day, Poker, Theatre, Wine Tasting

Jay Jager (Martha) 65-595-0904 293 Arundel Road [email protected] San Carlos, CA 94070 Jager Creative

Bowling, Bridge, Computers, Travel, Tennis, Hiking, Bicycling, Photography, Astronomy, Bocce, Economics, Gardening,

Investments, Pickle Ball, Pool, Wine Tasting, Woodworking Ian Wall (Julia) 650-464-3051 81 Irving Avenue [email protected] Atherton, CA 94027 EPRI

Travel, Bocce, Chorus, Crab Feed, Dining In/Out, Walking, Wine Tasting

Mark Temme 25 Vern Schmidt 16 Hutch Hutchinson 24 Tom Gregory 15 Freddie Schwalbach 23 Tony Vankessel 15 Carl Moyer 21 Chuck Dunker 14 Bob Garten 19 Bob Taggart 14 Wayne Grove 19 Chuck Cory 12 Don Mattson 19 Carl Lambert 12 Ken Sauer 19 Ken Naylor 11 Bob Shaw 19 John Files 10 Bill Young 19 Ray Taylor 10 Ian Thomson 17

Bill Baker Jr. Jeff Jenks Tim O’Meara Ian Band Balbir Kalsi Ray Piontek Stan Barkey Cliff Kancier Jim Quillinan Bob Carr Bruce Karney Bob Rayl Jr. Andy Danver Buck Kendrick Karl Reseck Del Fillmore Dick Knock Jim Sandstrom Les Fisher John Kolb Mark Sarjeant Alan Gaudie Vijay Kumar Tom Slappendel Rod Hall Dale LaGalle Ron Stefani Brian Hardy Jim LaRoy Don Willoughby Mike Hurley Larry Low Bill Young

BOOK SWAP TIM TOPOLE -650-793-0838 [email protected]

TRAIL BIRDS DAVID SKURNICK 650-650-473-9263 [email protected]

TENNIS SYD JACOBSEN 408-738-3233 [email protected]

DINING IN ALAN GAUDIE 650-964-6510 [email protected]

BIKING JIM LUNT 408-252-6804 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]





Member Profile P RON NAKAMOTO 408-440-2330 [email protected]

This monthly article highlights one of our branch members. We hope that you enjoy knowing a little more about your fellow members and the interesting life they have had. If you have someone you would like to nominate or if you would like to help author an article, please email [email protected].

Joseph A. “Joe” Cioni “On my first day as a young accountant just out of college, the senior accountant to which I was assigned said to me, ‘You will find that your advancement in this firm will depend not on what you know, but who you know’. I have found that statement so true over a 40-year career as every significant position I have landed was a result of knowing the right person. “I was born eighty years ago in Cumberland, Maryland, a sleepy city located

on the Potomac River, between Baltimore and Pittsburg, in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. My parents were first generation Americans of Italian immigrants from the Abruzzi and Umbria areas of Italy. I was the oldest of four children. Baptized a Roman Catholic, I was taught by elementary school nuns and served as an altar boy for eight years. “I attended LaSalle High School taught by Christian Brothers. I found that football was my favorite sport and was the starting quarterback my junior and senior years. In addition, I joined as many extracurricular activities as I could. My senior year, I was editor of the school newspaper, captain of the bowling team, president of my senior class, and valedictorian of my graduating class. I received awards for ‘Outstanding Student-athlete‘ and Excellence in Mathematics, Physics and Journalism. Nice resume in 1957. Today, that might get me wait-listed at top colleges. “My father was a self-taught electrician. He taught me how to repair and rewind burned out fractional horsepower motors. I remember working next to him in his electric motor repair business in our garage. My first real job was delivering newspapers earning $3.50 a week. I worked as a pin-boy in a bowling alley earning $0.05 per line, stock-boy for a clothing store earning $10 a week, and pump jockey at a gas station also at $10 a week. The local daily newspaper noticed my journalistic qualities and gave me a job as a sports reporter covering weekend athletic events and my by-lined articles appeared in the Sunday edition for a year. That job paid me $1 per hour. “During my junior year in high school, Congress enacted President Eisenhower’s Reserve Forces Act (RFA) of 1955, an alternative to the draft wherein you served six-months active duty followed by 7 ½ years of reserves in the U. S. Army. I joined the reserves five days after my 17th birthday. Two weeks after graduating from high school, I shipped off to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for eight weeks of basic training, then spent four months at Fire Control Instrument Repair School (MOS 403.1) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. This was my first time outside of Cumberland and it was a culture shock. I learned quickly that the world is not full of nice people. “After the Army experience, I applied to several colleges. I was accepted to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore with a full scholarship. I earned a degree in Business and Industrial Management with an emphasis on accounting. Hopkins, better known at that time for its Lacrosse team, did not offer athletic scholarships so I tried out for the football team. I played on the freshman team and then earned varsity letters each of my final three years. I was awarded the game ball in 1961 after

throwing three touchdown passes in an 18-6 upset over Hampton-Sydney (we didn’t have very good extra point kickers in those days). “My junior year, I started dating Susan Cibelli, who I met when she was dating my sophomore year roommate. We got married in 1963 and will be celebrating our 56th anniversary this year. We started and then lived in the New York area until we decided to move to California in 2011 to be near our children and grandchildren. Our son, Joe and his wife, Patti, have produced a handsome grandson, Enzo, and our daughter, Anastasia and her husband, Pat, have produced a beautiful granddaughter, Abigail Anne. “My career has taken many paths. Upon graduation, I took a position with one of the Big-Eight public accounting firms in New York City. I passed the CPA exam on my first try and rapidly advanced from junior, to senior, to supervisor accountant. When I was promoted to Account Manager, I noticed I was working harder and longer and got fed up with public accounting and decided to switch careers to corporate financial management. “Somehow, I got drawn to consumer product companies with difficulties, so I morphed into a turnaround specialist. I have taken a company public and taken another through bankruptcy. I have been the CFO of two significant turnarounds, and have also been a CEO, COO, Treasurer, and a Facility General Manager, among other positions. “Here is an interesting story from that time. I landed a position as VP and CFO of Pollio Dairy Products, Inc., a Long Island-based, family-owned Italian cheese company (the Federal Prosecutor of the Eastern District of Long Island was on the Board, a friend of mine and recommended me for that position). The company had significant operating and financial reporting problems. The President, brought in by the family to turn things around, was literally managing the company by the size of the daily bank balance since there was no meaningful management data emanating from the accounting department. Employees who had access to inventory were stealing it; employees who collected customer cash were stealing it; employees who delivered product were not required to account for it. The warehouse manager wore an ankle holster with a loaded pistol. The accounting department, however well intentioned, had no leadership, guidance or purpose. I put my skills to work and instituted, first a basic then later a fully integrated, management information system. After several months, the plant manager of the cheese manufacturing plant in Corning, New York resigned. I volunteered to act as the plant manager while a replacement was sought. During that period, I learned how to make vats of mozzarella and ricotta cheese. All of this activity in the first year as CFO earned me the ‘Employee of the Year’ Award. Once the operating and financial problems were resolved the company grew and became profitable. The family eventually sold the business to Kraft who appointed me President of the company. After two years, Philip Morris acquired Kraft and I learned that being a small fish in a Fortune 50 Pond wasn’t any fun. I resigned after a year of dealing with MBAs who never had any real world, bottom-line responsibilities. “Several stops later, I was named VP Finance of Remington Products Company (the electric shaver company, not the gun company). I was part of a new management team brought in to turn the company around. Victor

Kiam owned both Remington and the New England Patriots at that time. Facing financial difficulties, Kiam made a decision to sell the Patriots to Robert Kraft (current owner) and take on a 50% partner for Remington. You can form your own conclusions about that decision. In any case, Remington was mired in operating difficulties and losing a lot of money. The new management team turned the company around in two years and it was later sold to a leveraged buyout firm which installed their own management team so I departed… with a reasonable payout. I was soon recruited by a turnaround management firm, for which I consulted for the next three years. I was constantly on the road providing



consulting and leadership roles to companies in difficulty around the U.S. including Memphis, TN, Enid, OK, Fayetteville, NC and Chicago. “My work has taken me across the world. I lived in Italy for a year, spent a month in Rio de Janeiro, reorganized businesses in England, Australia, Japan and Canada, negotiated deals in Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland and Scotland and did some tax business in Liechtenstein (how many people have ever been to Liechtenstein?) The issues I encountered would fill a textbook (someday, I might write one). I tired of the continuous travel and retired in 2002. Two weeks later I was bored, and, again through knowing two of the right people, managed to get hired by both St. John’s University and the State University of New York-Farmingdale as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting, teaching two to three courses a semester at each school. Teaching was enjoyable. The good students loved me and the not-so-good students didn’t because I made them work. Today’s “snowflakes” would probably boycott my class because of my unreasonable expectations – like doing homework and passing an occasional exam. “When we moved to the Bay Area in 2012, our son introduced us to a couple who took us to dinner at the Olympic Club. The husband, aware that I liked to golf suggested I look into an organization called the Sons In Retirement. I checked it out on-line, in particular the golf programs and decided to join Branch 35. I also got involved in the Golf Committee of Branch 35 and this past year was named Golf Chairman to succeed Bob Garten who retired after 18 years. I also joined the NCGA as a Tournament Official. Golf now keeps me busy over 100 days a year. I managed to shoot my age for the first time on Labor Day of 2012, shooting a 73 at Crystal Springs (17 pars and one bogie) and have managed to do it a couple of times a years since then. The feat of which I am most proud is shooting 74 at Spyglass Hill when I was 75. I also won the NCGA Senior Net Championship in 2016. “Having just turned 80 (can’t believe I am an octogenarian), I have been fortunate with health, family, friends, and the ability to enjoy life, mainly on my terms. I hope your retirement is the same.” *******************************************

Every Friday, 10:00 am to noon. Wives and guests are welcome. Location: The two Bocce Courts in Cuesta Park, Mountain View accessed from Cuesta Drive, using the turnoff and park entrance at Menalto Dr. Parking is near the tennis courts and restrooms. The Bocce Courts are next to the lawn area by the parking lot. Invitation to New Members of Branch 35 (and ones who have joined recently): You may wish to check our Bocce Ball activity. The cost is zero. The site we play at is reasonably central (Cuesta Park, Mountain View, next to Los Altos). No equipment required—we bring that each week. Rules are simple. The time together with other Sirs is always enjoyable. The physical activity required is modest (walking back and forth on a ~100-foot court after each game and rolling a ball for each time you are up). The playing site is attractive. No need to sign up or pre-register. So all positives. We will look forward to your coming to the courts and participating with us.

SEE THE NOVEMBER TRAVEL BULLETIN ON THE WEBSITE.

December 30, 2019 – January 3, 2020 New Year’s In Vieux Carre , New Orleans, LA.

The next meeting of the SIR Financial Investment Group will be on Wed.. Nov. 6; at 1PM at the Los Altos branch of First Republic Bank. Please come with of ideas for topics.

Bridge Players?? Looking for a game?? SIR has one! We meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. We’re looking for a few more players. We play at participant’s homes mostly in the Los Altos area. It is a friendly game, not too serious, but we’re all improving our game as we go. If you’re interested, give me a call or drop me an email. Mark Levi, Chair.

4th Friday, November 22, 2019. Meet at 10 a.m. Wives & Guests are welcome. Location: To Be Determined Hike Details: A location will be determined based upon suggestions from members and considering expected weather on hike day. Hikes are typically on moderate trails for about 5-6 miles. We hike in nearby hillside parks and open space preserves usually within a driving distance of 25 miles. Hikes start at the trailhead at 10:00AM. Bring water, a trail lunch, hiking shoes and clothing for weather conditions. We had a great hike to the top of Black Mtn. on Oct. 25. Due to the Holiday season, there will be no scheduled hike in December. Contact me by phone or email if you would like to attend the November hike, and if you have a suggestion as to a location. I will send out an email about November 16, detailing the selected location. If you have not been receiving the hiking emails and would like to be included, let me know and I will add you to the list.

Every Tuesday, 1:00 p.m., at Homestead Lanes, Homestead & Stelling, in Cupertino. There are two sets of standings listed below: First are the results for the second week of the current Fall Session. On the next page you will find the final results for the Summer Session and a photo of the winning team. We always have room for new bowlers – “significant others” are also always welcome. Cost is $15 per week. Call either Doug or Bob if you have any questions.

FALL SESSION – WEEK #2 1ST PLACE – Al Delfino, Harold Kaye, Arnie Satterlee, Joe Enos

2ND PLACE – Patti Shaffer, Gerry Shebar, Bob Taggart, Larry Low

3RD PLACE-TIE – Rick MColloch, Doug Anderson, Candy Eastham, Tim Eastham

3RD PLACE-TIE – Nancy Jones, Michael Ibarra, Alan Gaudie, Jay Jonekait

5TH PLACE-TIE – Ruth Ososkie, Ken Jones, Jerry Ososkie, Phil Vanderwerf

5TH PLACE-TIE – Ranney Thayer, Mark Castro, Rich McGrath, Gabriel Ibarra

5TH PLACE-TIE – Joe Geist, Jim Holman, Gerry Cooley, John Faucett

5TH PLACE-TIE – Les Fisher, Fred Emmenegger, Ron Nakamoto, Bob Garten

HERE ARE THE LEADERS – WEEK #2

HIGH SERIES - SCRATCH 1st – Bob Garten: 524 2nd – Jay Jonekait: 521

HIGH GAME - SCRATCH 1st – Tim Eastham: 192

2nd – Ruth Ososkie: 191

HIGH HANDICAP SERIES 1st – Gerry Cooley: 653 2nd – Michael Ibarra: 648

HIGH HANDICAP GAME 1st – Arnie Satterlee: 234 2nd – Alan Gaudie: 233

BOCCE BALL NORM PASS – SCHEDULE/ CANCELLATIONS 408-737-7639; [email protected]

FRED SCHWALBACH – PLAYER

DEVELOPMENT 408-257-9713; [email protected] JOHN RICHARDSON - SUPPORT 650-996-7787; [email protected]

TRAVEL LARRY GARDNER 650-776-1970 [email protected]

INVESTMENTS JIM DUNAWAY 408-255-9244 jedandled@sbcglobal

BRIDGE MARK LEVI 650-305-9132 [email protected]

HIKING DELL SMITH 650-968-5006 [email protected]

BOWLING

BOB TAGGART 650-321-2654 [email protected] DOUG ANDERSON 415-407-4000 [email protected] Prizes: Alan Gaudie




BOWLING SUMMER SESSION – FINAL STANDINGS

1ST PLACE – Doug Anderson, Mark Castro, Jim Holman, Rich McGrath

2ND PLACE – Fred Emmenegger, Alan Gaudie, Gabriel Ibarra

3RD PLACE – Al Delfino, Larry Low, Arnie Satterlee, Jay Jonekait

4TH PLACE – Les Fisher, Harold Kaye, Phil Vanderwerf

5TH PLACE – Patti Schaffer, Gerry Schaffer, John Faucett, Tim Eastham

6TH PLACE – Rick McColloch, Bob Taggart, Bob Garten

7TH PLACE – Ranney Thayer, Gerry Coolie, Joe Enos

8TH PLACE – Michael Ibarra, Jerry Ososkie, Ron Nakamoto

HERE ARE THE LEADERS – FINAL STANDINGS

HIGH SERIES - SCRATCH 1st – Bob Taggart: 619 2nd – Tim Eastham: 562 3rd – Joe Enos: 561

HIGH GAME - SCRATCH 1st – John Faucett: 224

2nd – Rich McGrath: 214 3rd – Gerry Cooley: 209

HIGH HANDICAP SERIES 1st – Phil Vanderwerf: 702 2nd – Larry Low: 686 3rd – Alan Gaudie: 679

HIGH HANDICAP GAME 1st – Fred Emmenegger: 260 -TIE 1st – Joe Enos: 260 -TIE 3rd – Arnie Satterlee: 252 -TIE 3rd – Bob Garten: 252 -TIE

NOTE: Ron Grace will be collecting 2020 NCGA dues at the November lunch. The renewal and new member dues are

$39 for 2020.

GOLF RESULTS

Jim Holman Conquers Shoreline for Round of the Month

“The Round of the Month” recognizes the best performance relative to the course rating. Jim Holman’s net 60 at Shoreline on Oct. 17 was 6.9 strokes “under.” Jim won the Nicklaus flight by 7 strokes thanks to this outstanding round.

Why are Some Scores and CTP Distances Printed in Red?

Special accomplishments deserve special recognition. We take note of Closest to the Pin distances of three feet or less and net scores that are six or more strokes lower than the course rating by printing them in red.

SIGN-UP for the following by November 20th with John Gerich, 650-969-6679, [email protected]

GOLF JOE CIONI, GOLF CHAIRMAN 516-448-6721, [email protected]



2019 Holiday Luncheon

Wednesday, December 11th

Palo Alto Elks Club

Social Hour at 11am

Luncheon at noon

Entertainment by MVHS

Madrigal Singers

Registration Deadline is

November 29th

Form on last page.

MOVIE REVIEW Abominable. This animated tale is a sweet and

enjoyable adventure that follows the efforts of a young girl Chinese girl, Yi, to get a Yeti back to his family in the Himalayas. The film handles grief, hope and the importance of family as the audience gets to experience Chinese culture. The film is full of wit, music, unique customs and language as we travel with Yi and her friends to Mount Everest. The Yeti possesses magical powers that allow him to transform the environment to aid them on their journey home. Vibrant colors, original dialogue and an engaging story make this one of the best animated films in memory. The movie will appeal to all age groups, so take the kids and grandkids and enjoy. Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor. ---Jim Quillinan

3rd wednesday, november 20, 2019 elks lodge, 4249 el ... · marc haberman steve pomeroy larry wray...

Documents