Volume XIX
Number 33

Tuesday
Oct. 21, 2003

KATHLEEN PATTERSON
OUR GRACIOUS HOSTESS
By Steve Yost

Kathleen Patterson

On Thursday, October 16th, Kathleen Patterson hosted our club to an open house at her business,  Central Valley Hardware. This event took the place of our regular Tuesday meeting of that week.

Kathleen and some of her employees greeted guests at the door; each person was given a small plant to take home.

Once in the main area one could wander around the newly refurbished store and out into the new garden supplies area. Along the way one could munch on goodies provided by second generation Mike Smith (Sunshine Market) and drink wine provided by fifth generation Krisi Raymond.

The favorite activity was taking a turn spinning a large wheel. Everyone won a prize, but if one was exceedingly lucky, the pointer stopped on the double star space and the prize for that was a new propane fired bar-b-que. Rumor has it 4 people won

Kathleen's son Steve will become president in January. He will be the third generation to run the business, which was started by Pat and Evy Patterson after World War II.

CALIFORNIA'S FIRST RECALL ELECTION
By Jim Meehan
 

Mike Smith

While we did not have any visiting Rotarians at the Oct 7th meeting, there were several guests including Diane Dodge. Tony Albright introduced Diane as new to St Helena, and taking on a position at Wells Fargo. She has replaced Rotarian William Thompson who recently moved to Ukiah in a new banking management position with Wells.

Today's "Fine Master" was Mike Smith. His questions focused on California's "Recall Election." He did well with questions about the actual names of some of the lesser-known candidates on the ballot to stump our members. Rob Andreae correctly identified the porn star!
 

PROGRAM

"GIVING YOUR ASSETS AWAY
AND MAKE MONEY DOING IT"
(Subtitled: If you believe this,
I've got a bridge you might like to buy)

President Phil Toohey introduced our speaker and fellow St. Helena Rotarian, Bob Hoffman, as a person with a multi-faceted business background, including areas of real estate and finance. He is currently working with a number of non-profit boards of directors to help in their philanthropic asset giving programs.

Bob had a slide show that gave examples of three different asset donation scenarios that he helped develop, with others, in conjunction with Queen of the Valley Hospital. These programs usually target individuals who may have a substantial asset, in the form of real property; own shares in an organization without a ready market for easy selling; or have cash assets that they have accumulated over their lives.
 

Bob Hoffman

The program is to encourage these individuals to make a gift of these assets to a charitable organization. And yet, still use the value of the assets to increase their own wealth through annuities and/or other tax benefits in their life times and the life of their progeny.

Bob made it clear that three criteria should be met before entering into an asset donation plan.

• First, that the couple making the donation must be sure that they will maintain financially security by this approach.
   
• Second, they need to make necessary provisions for their children as it relates to these assets.
   
• Lastly, that they should be sure that they are seriously committed to the community about their donation and not just looking for a tax break or exemption.  

This is certainly a very important topic for all Rotarians as they mature and acquires assets that are of value to themselves, their children and their community. While there was not time for Q & A at the end of Bob's program, it reminded this reporter of a book from the mid-nineties called "Die Broke – a Radical Four-Part Financial Plan" by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levine. For those who might be thinking about their future financial planning, this may be an interesting read and follow-up to Bob's fine presentation. 

A HIGH FIVE FOR SUZAN
By Steve Yost
 

At our September 30th meeting, President Phil opened the meeting with a High Five for Suzan Rada for coaching her teen soccer team to a win in their first game. Also, he reminded us there will be a Foundation Dinner in Santa Rosa on November 8th.

Phil Toohey   Suzan Rada

Jake Scheideman

FINES AND SUCH

Jake Scheideman was our Fine Master this week. He started off by pedaling 4 tickets to the October 1^st Giants-Marlins game to President Phil for $220.00 -- not bad. Then, carrying on the baseball theme, he proceeded to fine 10 of our members who either answered the questions regarding the Giants correctly or not -- it didn't seem to matter.

Rob Andreae made a little speech about how the Oakland A's had done much better in World Series play but was booed down by the Giants fans.

Dave Brotemarkle and Alan Fowler must not work too hard because they whipped off the correct answers to their questions without hesitation.

Dave Brotemarkle   Alan Fowler

PROGRAM

SB-2 (BURTON): HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

Our guest speaker was Patrick N. Cifor, Executive Vice President, Benefits Access Insurance Services who told us if SB-2 becomes law, firms with 50 or more employees are going to be buried with health care costs; many firms will leave the state; firms outside the state won't hire new employees in California.

He stressed it is time our society gets back to Consumer Driven Healthcare, meaning people should take care of their own small stuff but be covered for big expense. Did you know 40% of health care insurance is used for prescription drugs? He feels the only candidate in the election of October 7th who would help bring balance to the state government laws on mandatory health care is Arnold Schwarzenegger, as he is not tied to any of the lobby groups who control most political candidates.

In the Q & A period, Carol Collison reminded Patrick there are Rotarians who are democrats, but he did not back down. For further information call him at 1-800-486-4410 ext. 8704 or email at pat@forbenefits.com.

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