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 MARCH 2016 VOL. XLIII NO. 3 OUR 43ND 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: 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

By now everyone has received a letter from the recruitment committee. Have you invited a guest to our monthly lunch-

eon? Why not? The recruitment committee will assist you, if you feel you need a hand, or if you need additional member-

ship applications to hand out. Just ask. Remember, every guest who completes and turns in a membership application at

the luncheon, will receive a free lunch. And, if that guest becomes a member and attends 3 luncheons, his sponsor re-

ceives a free lunch.

On February 10th, our branch had the first of our special events of the year, the Italian Fiesta which took place at Il Davide

restaurant in San Rafael. Many thanks to Sam Parke for organizing the event and making all necessary arrangements. We

had a small but enthusiastic group of members, spouses, and guests. The food was excellent, and because the attendance

was “light”, we were able to have conversations with everyone participating. The downside was that the attendance was

“light.” We recognized that the event was a bit pricey, so we are considering alternatives to replace the crab feed, turned

Italian fiesta for next year.

I came across this quotation in Willie Brown’s column in Sunday’s SF Chronicle:

“ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well- preserved body, but

rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “WOW!

What a ride!’”

I suggest that one way to live life to the fullest is by joining one or more of the many activities and special events associat-

ed with our branch, thereby enjoying the comradery and friendships that come with better knowing each other.

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

either if you are bringing a guest or visitor, or if you will miss the luncheon. Also, you may use it to select the alternative

entrée. YOUR CALL MATTERS.

Coming soon. A new and improved Branch 47 website.

Jake Solomon, Big Sir

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THIS MONTH’S MENU

Salad

Corned Beef, boiled red potatoes and cabbage

Alternative: Penne pomodoro Pasta and vegetables

Rolls and butter

Dessert

JANUARY SPEAKER REVIEW In a little less than an hour, Cecilia Gaerlan, Executive Direc-

tor of the Bataan Legacy organization, guided us through the

seminal events of World War II with a special focus on the

war in the Pacific and with an even sharper focus on the Japa-

nese invasion of the Philippines, and finally an account of the

infamous Bataan Death March which her own father survived.

There was a lot of food for thought here, and perhaps some

new “food,” as Cecilia kept coming back to her main point

that the history of the war in the Philippines needs to be re-

written because “history has been forgotten.” Thus, her mis-

sion and her organization’s mission is to “educate the public

about World War II in the Philippines from both the military

and civilian points of view.” Cecilia”s newsletter states that

“there are many moving and yet unknown stories of World

War II in the Philippines.” I have no doubt about this and was

pleased to read that in 2011 legislation was passed in Califor-

nia to “encourage inclusion of the role of the Filipinos during

World War II in the History curriculum for grade 11.”

As I sift through my notes of Cecilia’s talk, I see many refer-

ences to unknown and untold stories and “how much is not in

the history books.” During her talk I was not able to get a

firm idea of exactly what she was trying to convey, and fur-

ther research on the internet has not been very helpful either.

War is always awful and unclear. My intuition tells me that

most of her thoughts about the war in the Philippines go back

to the April 1942 Bataan Death March, when some 62,000

Filipino soldiers and some 12,000 American soldiers were

forced to march from the southern end of the Bataan Peninsu-

la sixty-five miles north to Camp O’Donnell in five days. As

many as 10,000 of these surrendered prisoners died on the

march; the exact number is unknown. What is known is that

Japanese behavior on the march was brutal, even inhuman.

Cecilia believes, and with good reason, that a disproportionate

number of Filipinos died in prison camps and battle and “their

role has been maligned.” She would go further: “they were

sacrificed.” And then in 1946, President Truman cut survi-

vors’ military benefits which, in her words, was a “betrayal.”

Other grievances smolder: in March, 1942, MacArthur flees

to Australia; Churchill and Roosevelt decide to save Europe

first; as many as one million civilians perished in the Philip-

pines; MacArthur “didn’t expect a Japanese invasion”; the

U.S. began to recruit Filipino troops in Nov. of 1941 but

trained them with “old equipment that didn’t work.”

Despite misgivings such as these, Cecilia acknowledges the

Philippines’ long relationship with the United States which

goes back to 1898. But she wants the history of the war to be

corrected and rewritten where it needs revision. She insists on

“historical accuracy” because we “have a moral obligation to

correct the record.” I think what it really boils down to is this:

Cecilia does not think that the Filipino people have yet gotten

enough credit for their suffering and for their contributions to

winning the war in the Pacific. If you want to know more,

please visit her website: bataanlegacy.org. Thanks, Cecilia

for a most provocative presentation. -–Michael Kelly

THIS MONTH/S SPEAKER

Our speaker for March will be Katherine

Henderson Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Insti-

tute (OLLI) at Dominican University of California,

50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael 94901; 415-482-

2406.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of

Dominican University is an academic program

founded in 2004 and supported by a generous en-

dowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, the

resources of the University, and member donations

tuition.

Little SIR Tim Leveque

SIR Br 47 Tax Party Wednesday

April 13, 2016

Luncheon at the Marin Country Club

11:30 am social time and 12:00 for lunch

Please invite your spouse and friends to join us.

The cost is only $26 / person.

Lunch includes spinach salad, rolls & butter,

choice of main course:

(1) Mushroom & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken,

(2) Sea Bass or (3) Gnocchi Gorgonzola.

Includes brownies & ice cream,

coffee and tea. There is a no host bar.

Please make check payable to SIR Branch 47 and send

Kurt Heilman, 457 Fieldstone Dr., Novato, CA 94945.

Reservation and check must be received by Friday April 8,

2016.Contact Kurt Heilman @ 1-415-892-2460 or

heilmanfour@comcast.net/.

You can buy your tickets at our

Mar. 22 luncheons

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Branch 47 Outings

Executive Committee Meeting, Highlights

February 22, 2016

1.Treasurers Report; Total Fund Balance $12,029.

Includes dues paid from 77 members

2. Big Sir Report

The Italian night attendance was lower than previous years.

Price was $39.00 which was a concern.

The decision to host this event next year will be on a future

agenda.

3. Little Sir Report

Tim Leveque reported that February 23 speakers will be two

representatives from a nonprofit organization that is aiding

illiteracy problems in primary schools.

4. Old Business

Procedures for free lunches around recruitment were discussed

and the following procedures are now in place. A prospective

member with a sponsor and a completed application will have

a free lunch. The sponsor of a new member will be awarded a

free lunch after the new member attends three lunches. The

sponsor will have to notify membership when the third lunch

attendance has been met.

5. Website Update

The newly formed committee has had three meetings and the

progress has been significant.

In the coming weeks the new site will be available and plans to

use the site for recruitment will be in progress. All committee

chairmen will need to be involved in keeping information cur-

rent.

6. New Business

A. Ken Griffin will be asked to buy the wine given at lunches

following the same procedures he has used in past years. Each

member who has a birthday in the month of the luncheon

will receive a bottle of wine.

B. Tom Brady reported that branch 47 golfers had a low at-

tendance at Monday 18 hole golf.

If golf is to be an emphasis for recruitment, some new ideas

need to be discussed and budgets voted upon.

C. Branch 47 is allowed another Honorary Life Membership.

Final decision will be decided in March BEC meeting.

D. The new check signees need to have their signatures record-

ed. This group consists of the Big Sir, Little Sir, Treasurer and

Assistant Treasurer. A meeting at Union Bank has been sched-

uled.

Meeting adjourned at 12:15

Ned Lawrence, Branch Secretary

1. Marin Jazz Group regularly performs at The May-flower Inn, 1533 4th Street, San Rafael, (415) 456-1011, on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of every month from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. No cover, no minimum and.features a full license, a wide selection of beers and great pub food! www,JDJAZZGROUP.com . 2. Novato Theater Company: Mar. 25 – Apr 17 4000 miles. Having biked 4,000 miles from Seattle to New York. This 21 yr. old young man holes up with his 91 yr. old grandmother in Greenwich village. For tickets contact contact novatotheatercompany.org 3. Ross Valley Players: Feb 19 – Mar 6 Arches, Balance and Light (World Prem-iere) For tickets contact rossvalleyplayers.com or call

1-415-456-9555 Ex 1 4. Private Docent Tour of the Railroad Ferry Museum in Tiburon on a week day on March 15th for Br 47 members, spouses & friends. Please reply to “heil-manfour@comcast.net” if interested. AND indicate if you would like to go to lunch that day as well. We will then firm up plans.

5. Free Mill Valley Philharmonic Concert on

Saturday, March 12th

@ 4 pm @ Mt Tamalpais United Methodist Church in Mill Valley. After the Concert, we propose dinner @ 6:30 pm @ Piazza D’Angelo, 22 Mil-ler Way, Mill Valley. Donations for Concert appreciated. Please let me know if you (including your spouse or guests) are interested in Dining @ 6:30 pm @ Piazza D’Angelo after the 4 pm Concert. (I need to know count for making dinner reservations. < As in the past, please bring cash - in case they can not accommodate separate checks.> See below for details on this concert & other concert times. Mill Valley Philharmonic March 11, 12 and 13, 2016. All concerts are free, All seating Is walk-in seating. Haydn’s Reach – Haydn to Ives - Haydn had a signifi-cant impact on the symphonists who followed. PROGRAM: Franz Josef Haydn, Symphony No. 94, Surprise Symphony Sergei Prokofiev, Symphony No. 1, the Classical Igor Stravinsky, Ode: Tryptichon for Orchestra

Charles Ives, The Unanswered Question Friday March 11

th, 8:00pm Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist

Church, 410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley Saturday, March 12th, 4:00pm Mt Tamalpais United Method-ist Church, Mill Valley

Sunday, March 13th, 1:00pm Angelico Hall, Dominican Uni-versity of California, 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael

Cheers

Kurt Heilman-

415-892-2460

TRAVEL

Feb 12-Mar 2, 2016: Australia & New Zea-land Cruise. Start in Sydney with a tour then board the MV Sydney for a bay cruise and a 2 night stay at the Rydges World Square Ho-tel. Next you will board the Diamond Princess with stops in Melbourne, Hobart, and stops in New Zealand. Trip includes air, transfers, all shipboard meals, 2 cocktail parties, and all port taxes and government fees. Also includ-ed is Trip Insurance covering pre-existing medical conditions. Cost $6085 to $7315 de-pending on cabin. Larry Martinson, Br 114, San Jose, 408-528-0746 or Jim Stoner 408-238-8458. Mar 10-16 ,2016: Azaleas, Plantations & Cajuns. Experience the hospitality and charm of the south through educational tours of Natchez, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans. See spring in full bloom with the sur-rounding flowers at historic sites and planta-tions. 3 nights Baton Rouge & 3 nights New Orleans 7 day, 13 meals from $2105 Bruce Bentley, Santa Cruz, Br 20, 831-465-6590 Mar 12-31, 2016: South America Cruise. I8 day cruise starting in Santiago, Chile where you will board the Star Princess for a long cruise of South and Central America ending in Los Angeles. Costs of $3660 to $5260 de-pending on cabin selection include home pickup, transfers, meals and entertainment aboard ship, all departure and port taxes, all driver and porter gratuities. Rollo Parsons, Br 141, San Jose, 408-268-5245 or Brian Serpa, 408-227-7658. Mar 25-Apr 10, 2016: Big Band Voyage Across the Atlantic Ocean. 16 day all inclu-sive cruise across the Atlantic on the Crystal Symphony. Relish the blissful luxury of days at sea, highlighted by visits to Bermuda, the Azores, Barcelona,, Bandol, and Monte Car-lo. Cost from $3665. Ken Richter, Br.146, Walnut Creek, 925-689-6217.

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

3/7 Monday Foxtail South 08:00 134

3/14 Monday Chardonnay 08:00 134

3/22 TUESDAY Bennett Valley 08:30 151

Note Day Change 3/28 Monday Peacock Gap 08:00 47

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 4

FEBRUARY ATTENDANCE REPORT

Total Members 102

Members Present 78 76%

Guests: 1

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.

SIR’S GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP

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

Community Foundation; March 24, 2016:

Killing Patton, by Bill O’Reilly. 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.

INVESTORS LUNCH BUNCH

Second Friday of the month at the Chevy’s

Restaurant, 123 Vintage Way, Vintage Oaks,

Novato. The Lunch is $19.00, 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

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, @

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

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

PERFECT ATTENDANCE 2015

??

FEBRUARY LUNCH TICKET WINNER

Richard Guetter

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY WINNERS

Al Anderson, Laszlo Folk, Marshall Gross,

John Rouch, and Hans Schmid.

MARCH BIRTHDAY BOYS

3rd Don Kuchta, 9th Bob Fields,13th John Freel, 13th Herb Husen, 16th Tim Leveque,17th Peter Kerner

18th Richie Guetter, 18th Pierre Terrier, 22nd Pete Brajkovich, 22nd Norbert Hudobnik

26th George Vaio, 29th Ara Apkarian

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

FIRST CLASS

Wednesday Mar 2 Personal Computers Class Wednesday Mar 2 Tennis Thursday Mar 3 Walking Group Friday Mar 4 Bowling Monday Mar 7 Bocce Monday Mar 7 Golf Tuesday Mar 8 Rolling Roamers Wednesday Mar 9 Tennis Thursday Mar 10 Walking Group Friday Mar 11 Bowling Friday Mar 11 Investors’ Lunch Bunch Monday Mar 14 Golf Wednesday Mar 16 Tennis Wednesday Mar 16 Digital Camera Stuff Thursday Mar 17 Bridge Thursday Mar 17 Walking Group Friday Mar 18 Bowling Monday Mar 21 Executive Board Mtg Tuesday Mar 22 Lunch Tuesday Mar 22 Golf (Note date change) Wednesday Mar 23 Tennis Thursday Mar 24 Great Books Thursday Mar 24 Walking Group Wednesday Mar 24 Tamal Talk Deadline for April Friday Mar 25 Bowling Monday Mar 28 Golf Thursday Mar 31 Walking Group

If undeliverable Return to Sender

Place First

Class

Postage

Here

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will meet

Monday, March 21, 2016. 10:30 AM at the

Marin Community Foundation, Suite 200

Hangar 5, Hamilton, Novato