Chips from the Buzzsaw Weekly Newsletter of the

Rotary Club of West Sacramento

Volume 65, No 17

November 12, 2013

Club 558 of District 5180

PO Box 288 West Sacramento, CA

95691

Meets Every Friday at Club Pheasant

at 12:15

CELEBRATE—ROTARY IS A GIFT SPEAKER PROGRAM

November 15th

Eric Vink, Executive Director, Delta Protection Commission

November 22nd

Korene Houston, US Secret Service

November 29th Club Meeting

December 6th Club Meeting

December 13th

Morrison C. English, Jr., Chief US District Judge

November 8st, 2013—Meeting Summary

Presiding: Mike Campbell

Pledge: Robert Mitchell

Blessing: Tim Carnahan

Song Leader: Dick Marshall

Polio Plus Matching Drawing: Jeremiah Smith

Raffle: Valued at $725 — Denice Seals drew the Queen of Hearts.

Program: George Visger, The Visger Group, Traumatic Brain Injuries

Speaker George Visger is a former professional

football player. He explained his history with the

sport starting with his 3-years as a starting

defensive tackle at the University of Colorado. He

was selected by the New York Jets in the draft and

ended up ultimately playing for the San Francisco

49ers. During a game in 1980, George sustained a

concussion in the first quarter, yet he played the entire game by clearing

his head with smelling salts each time he came off the field. Following

the 1981 season, George underwent his first knee surgery. Several

weeks later, he developed hydrocephalus, “water on the brain” and

underwent emergency surgery. Two additional brain surgeries were

performed 10 hours apart and he was given last rites. Upon retiring

from football, George returned to school and completed his degree in

1986. He survived additional brain surgeries along with several gran-

mal seizures. In 1990, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in

Biological Conservation, despite developing dyslexia and major short-

term memory deficits from his surgeries and seizure medications. He

has undergone nine brain surgeries. From his own struggles, George

has become a well-known expert in traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In

2010, he formed the Visger Group, a TBI consulting organization with

the goal of raising the awareness of TBI in football, injured military

veterans, and other venues. His expertise is being used aid in the

recovery of victims of TBI.

DARK

President Mike Campbell recognized all the members in the club who have served our Country in honor of

Veterans Day.

November is Rotary Foundation Month!

CHIPS FROM THE BUZZSAW | Volume 65, Issue 17 2

Guests and Visitors November 8st 2013

Visiting Rotarians None

Guests Gary Fenick Matt Singer

OBJECT OF ROTARY

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the: ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD: The application of ideal of service by every Rotarian to his/her/ personal, business and community life;

FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideals of service.

VOCATIONAL CORNER

By Drew Gidlof, Vocational Service

This week our Vocational Corner is featuring a long time member of our club and the guru

of our city levees, Ken Ruzich

After high school Ken spent eight years in the Air Force, got married, and returned to

school and earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California. For the

past 35 years he has been manager of a local government agency, Reclamation District #900,

that provides storm drainage and flood protection within the City of West Sacramento.

When Ken started in West Sacramento, the city had a fairly small developed area that

consisted of residential, commercial, and industrial sections, with the remaining area

primarily in agricultural production. Since that time, most of the agricultural areas have

been urbanized. This has required expansion of the existing storm water pumping system as well as

reconstruction and improvement of the levees that surround West Sacramento. In 1994, the reclamation

district was transformed into a new agency, the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency. This new

agency has the responsibility for the current $600 million levee improvement project. Ken is now the

manager of the agency. The agency is under contract with the City of West Sacramento to manage the levee

project which was necessary to meet the latest levee performance standards from the Corps of Engineers

and will take a number of years to complete. Ken spends a lot of time involved in the project, but also

manages the ongoing maintenance and operation of the current flood control system.

Ken is married to Liz and has three grown children. He has been a member in Rotary for 34 years, served

on the board for numerous years, and was president in 1987-88: the year the Polio Plus campaign was

initiated at the club level by Rotary International. Ken was amazed by the terrific response by our club

members to assist in that effort.

President Mike Campbell continued his recognition of outstanding members in the Mighty Rotary Club of West Sacramento. Tim Kwong and Steve Heringer were acknowledged for the their contributions to the club. Tim served as our photographer and Steve for delivering Meals on Wheels.

CHIPS FROM THE BUZZSAW | Volume 65, Issue 17 3

Leadership Team

President *Mike Campbell

Past President *Mark Engstrom

President Elect *Ken Wilson

Treasurer *Chris Bradford

Secretary *Randy Carlson

Sergeant at Arms Andy Wallace

Membership *Troy Bird

The Rotary Foundation *Barry Kalar

5 Avenues of Service

Community Service *Christian Montgomery

New Generations *Joanie Kapell *JoAnn Moffett

International Service *Paul Kolarik *Bill Bevier

Vocational Service *Drew Gidlof

Club Service *Shaun Morrow

Public Affairs *Pat Hill

Program Speakers *Bob Walker

Literacy Program Chairs Dayton Gilleland Steve Lewis

Bulletin Editor Peter Anderson

*Board Member

Birthdays & Anniversaries

October Birthdays Chris Bradford 1st Kathleen (K.O.) O’Leary 1st Patty Palamidessi 13th Charlie Frank 15th Jorgen Bateman 18th Heine Roikjer 29th

Ken Wilson 30th

October Anniversaries None

Club Calendar

January 12th

Rotary Day at the Kings

Mondays: Route 1

11/18 Tim Carnahan and Patty Palamidessi

Mondays: Route 5

11/18 Dick Marshall and Troy Bird 11/25 Jeanne and Mike 12/2 Joanie Kapell and JoAnn Moffett 12/2 Paul Kolarik and Ken Bryant

Wednesdays: Route 5 11/13 Don and Judy Ratley 11/20 Jeff Post and Randy Carlson 11/27 Lyle Bassett and Bob Ceccato 12/4 Tony Schwall and Armando Omega

Thursdays: Route 1

11/14 Tom Wallace 11/21 Dave Kamminga and Steve Heringer 11/28 Thanksgiving—no delivery 12/5 Ken Ruzich 12/12 John Raney

Thursdays: Route 2 11/14 Leonor Dicdican and Charlie Frank 11/21 Ron Morazzini and Len Thomas 11/28 Thanksgiving—no delivery 12/5 Debbie Oto-Kent and Jon Pearman 12/12 Mike Campbell and Dan Ramos

Thursdays: Route 5 12/5 Shaun Morrow 12/12 Mark Engstrom

Your Newsletter Crew Photos by: Editor:

Dave Peter Kamminga Anderson davidkamminga@frontiernet.net peter_anderson1444@yahoo.com

Deadline for Article Submittals is Mondays, 12:00 noon

Denice Seals missed pulling

the Joker. How appropriate

that she pulled the

Queen of Hearts.

There is the Joker. Only 41 cards

remain in the deck.

CHIPS FROM THE BUZZSAW | Volume 65, Issue 17 4

Bell Ringers

Chris Bradford x2—for the amazing achievement of the Delta Junior

Saints.

Ken Wilson—for his 62nd birthday.

Bob Collins—for reaching retirement age without retiring.

Steve Heringer—for his father’s 95th birthday

Shaun Morrow is getting cross

training to be a future club

secretary.

YOUR LINKS TO ROTARY

www.rotaryclubofwestsacramento.org

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rotary-

Club-of-West-Sacramento/12087025467716

www.rotary.org

Rotary District 5180

http://www.clubrunner.ca/

portal/home.aspx?did=5180

Newsletter:

http:/ /www.clubrunner.ca/Data/5180/

H T M L / 2 1 0 1 2 6 / D i s t r i c t L I N K -

Sept.andOct.2013.pdf

4 Way Test

Of the Things we Think, Say or Do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all con-cerned?

Andy Wallace presents a

“prestigious” award, this time to

Ike Parsons.

Dick Marshall pulled out

all of his Stanford gear in

honor of their victory

over Oregon.

Bob Collins is too

young to retire

Ken Wilson announced

that members can sign

up for this year’s Senior

Gift Giving program.

Contact Jeremiah Smith

if you are interested in

volunteering.

CHIPS FROM THE BUZZSAW | Volume 65, Issue 17 5

Heine Roikjer with his guest

Gary Finick.

2013-2014 Rotary International President

Ron D. Burton

2013-2014 Rotary District 5180 Governor

William Short

2012-2014 Rotary District 5180 Assistant Governor

Judy Foote

District 5180 Rotary Clubs Meeting Times and Locations So You Can Make Up Each Week

Day Who When Where Who When Where

Mon Foothill Highlands 12:15pm Lions Gate Restaurant Walnut Grove 12:30pm Tony’s Place

Sacramento 12:15pm Red Lion Hotel –Woodlake Fair Oaks 6:45pm Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse

Tues

Oroville Sunrise 7:00am The Monday Club Oroville Noon The Monday Club

Rancho Cordova Sunrise 7:00am Cordova Casino Marysville 12:15pm Peachtree Country Club

Sutter Buttes Sunrise 7:00am The Plaza Room at Hillcrest Rancho Cordova 12:15pm Rancho Cordova City Hall

West Sacramento Centennial 7:00am Collins Teen Center Looms Sunset 5:30pm Indian Creek Country Club

Sacramento Breakfast 7:15am Evans Kitchen Carmichael 6:30pm Ancil Hoffman Golf Course

Arden Arcade Noon Ruth Cris Steak House - Pavilions

Wed

Rocklin/Loomis Basin 7:00am Whitney Oaks Golf Club South Placer Noon Whitney Oaks Golf Club

El Dorado Hills 7:15am Community Service Building Citrus Heights 12:15pm Citrus Heights Community Center

Laguna Sunrise 8:00am Valley Hi Country Club North Sacramento 12:15pm Doubletree Hotel

East Sacramento Noon Evan’s Kitchen Yuba City 12:15 Hillcrest Plaza Room

Elk Grove 12:15pm Vince’s Restaurant Midtown Sacramento 5:30pm Café Bernardo

Folsom Lake (Folsom) Noon Empire Ranch Golf Club Rancho Murieta 7:00pm Rancho Murieta Country Club

Thu

Historic Folsom 7:00am Lake Natoma Inn Lincoln Noon Lincoln Women’s Club

Roseville Sunrise 7:00am Gingers Restaurant Roseville Noon Sierra View Country Club

Yuba Feather River Sunrise 7:00am Gary’s Place South Sacramento Noon Iron Steaks Restaurant

Pocket-Greenhaven 7:30am Aviators Restaurant Folsom 7:00pm Rotary Clubhouse-Lew Howard Park

Gridley Noon Parish Hall

Fri Orangevale 7:00am La Placita Restaurant Natomas 7:15am Hampton Inn, North Natomas

Point West-Sacramento 7:00am Doubletree Hotel Granite Bay 12:15pm McCormick & Schmick’s Restaurant

A pair of Matts:

Matt Morrow with his

guest, Matt Singer.

Ken Bryant appears

to be volunteering to

“Celebrate Rotary”

with a contribution

of funds.

Tim Carnahan appears to be fully

cognizant of the speaker and the

topic, not sure about

Ron Chambers.