The event drew about 300, including charter members retired optometrist Don Roberts, retired school administrator Pete Carona and retired civil engineer Ted Fairfield. Roberts has been an active member of the club for all 50 years. Joining him with nearly as much time serving others (he joined two months after the club was chartered) was retired architect Jack Bras whose work can be found in many buildings around town.
To celebrate the 50 years, the three clubs have donated a big clock that is located in Rotary Park downtown at the bridge over the arroyo. The park is a joint venture with the city.
As one who was an active member for about 30 years, I share in the celebration of all of the service projects around the world. As guest speaker Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert observed, Rotary takes on big challenges. The biggest to date is eradicating polio world-wide, a goal that is in reach. It was Rotarians connecting with Rotarians around the world that provided the impetus for the World Health Organization and eventually the Gates Foundation to join in the effort.
In 2014, there were just 74 cases of polio worldwide. Pakistan had 59 people diagnosed and has had 22 diagnosed this year through last week. It is the hot spot with other cases in scattered African countries and Afghanistan (five cases over two years).
Bargain shoppers living in the Tri-Valley area and beyond no doubt celebrated last week when the Nordstrom Rack opened a 35,000-square-foot store in the new Persimmon Place shopping center in Dublin.
Previously, shoppers had to go to Marina Square in San Leandro, Fremont or Sunvalley in Concord to get an everyday bargain on Nordstrom clothing and other merchandise. I have occasionally frequented the Rack in San Leandro because it is an excellent place to find quality shoes at a value price to say nothing of suits when I wore them professionally.
Stopping in their recently, I noted one major change—large steel grates that are open during the day, but closed to block the doors and front windows at night. I suspect that will not be seen in Dublin and it was something new for me in San Leandro.
The new Dublin shopping center also will have a Whole Foods and Home Goods, both of which are scheduled to open this month.
