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Upcoming Events
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Peninsula Italian American Social Club
Mar 16, 2018
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
 
MYSTERY NIGHT
Jun 09, 2018
 
This Week's Speaker
Dan Gordon
Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
 
 
 
 
 

Bulletin Editor
Don Shoecraft

SPEAKER

Dan Gordon
Co-founder, Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.
 
The university at Gottingen, Germany, founded in 1020, produced some famous graduates: Otto Von Bismarck, the Brothers Grimm and Dan Gordon, co-founder of Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. of San Jose.
He described matriculating the brewing program there as almost as difficult as mastering fluid dynamics and engineering, though he did correct himself to point out there are some elements of fluid dynamics in brewing beer. He didn't elaborate, but it's easy to believe there are some pretty fancy fluid dynamics going on wtih some of my acquaintances when they quaff.
What got him there was a degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Go Beers!
He and Dean Biersch started their company in 1988 in Palo Alto, creating a brewery restaurant that featured an authentic vibe, German-style beers — particularly their own fermentations — and "real food."
A second restaurant followed in San Francisco in 1992 and a third in Honolulu in 1993. There are now many Gorden Biersch brewpubs in the United States, Canada and Europe. He singled out the one in Daytona Beach on the "Redneck Riviera" for special mention.
Second invention of note is garlic fries, the comestible of local fame which got its start at the old Candlestick. Gilroy Garlic Fries are now sold in 38 venues around the country, accounting for the duo's new sobriquet: Kings of Suds & Spuds.
It takes 3 tons of potatoes and one ton of garlic to slake the hunger of fans at one baseball game at AT&T Park.
"Combined with beer," he said, "it's a complete and balanced diet."
His was a rapid-fire presentation focused on the intense competition in the field these days.
When he and Biersch began there were 240 beer breweries in the country. Today there are 6,000, and two more open every day.
Beer retailers have to push for something new every month. That explains a few new developments in the Gordon Biersch line, such as "Chum" beer specially marketed to San Jose Sharks hockey fans.
Then there's Blaine Steel, the pinball king. This mind-blown space cadet born of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll culture is the marketing creation that soon will be selling Gordon Biersch's new "Tilt" IPA; IPA because, according to Gordon, IPA is the only thing the beer-drinking world responds to these days.
He previewed one TV commercial in which the fictional Steel explained how to be happy. In short, to be happy you have to be happy.
Also soon to debut: Wild Cide, a ready-to-drink Moscow Mule in a bottle (how the hell did they get him in there?) and the most exotic, most rarified and most valuable beer in the world, Hoppoptomus Maximus. This dry hopped beer is so dry and so exclusive "no one will be able to taste it." There are only a few added ingredients, Albanian cow bile and "extra sap to round out the flavor."
Drinking beer turns out to be really fun, made all the more enjoyable by Mr. Gordon's gift to the club, about 20 cases of free Tilt.
Asked if he's "selling out to Coors," Gordon said, "I wish."
 

BUSINESS MEETING

 

Pledge

Mike Peterson
There usually isn't a comment before the pledge, but Mike said he was moved by the mass murder of 17 students at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida by an AR-15-wielding mental case who obtained the weapon legally to observe that the young people who have begun to stand up to the NRA and politicians corrupted by their money politics (my comments, not Mike's) "epitomize what we stand for."
His was only the "epitomize what we stand for" language, the rest mine. Well said, Mike. I hope you don't mind the interjection.
 

News

Peter Webb
He promised "not to mention Trump once" in his news about Presidents' Day. Jimmy Carter had a rocky time in office, leading him to remark after he left office and made public appearances that "It's very nice now. When people wave at me they use all their fingers."
Lincoln: "If I were two-faced, would I wear this one?"
 

Sunshine

John de Russy reported the regrettable news that Aron Hoffman has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and began chemotherapy on Friday. More news on Aron's situation to follow.
 

Visiting Rotarians

San Mateo Sunrise member Jim Rochotte was welcomed and issued a plea for assistance to find clients in need of free home repair. Jim and his club organized Safe@Home to benefit any elderly homeowner who finds minor home repair to be beyond their capabilities or budget. Safe@Home has run out of beneficiaries for this free service. Anyone knowing of a deserving individual should contact Jim at (650) 787-5595 or jimrochotte@hotmail.com.
 

Guests

Steven Tang of Web Solutions (Erin Sinclair), Lisa Nash, marketing consultant (Dick Bennett) and Harriet Pecot, Assistant Director of Gifts at Caminar (Chip Huggins.)
 

Announcements

The Raffle Committee is organizing for the annual event; interested persons should contact President Chris for information about joining the effort.
 
Don Leydig said the SMART program for eighth-graders and high-schoolers will be going back to Hillsdale, Aragon and San Mateo high schools in May to review the progress of some of the 120 students in the pipeline for SMART help.
Todd Foster reminded members to attend the San Mateo PAL fundraiser.
 
50th Anniversary of "Screaming Eagles" Adoption
Sheila Canzian announced that there will be much civic pride and celebration in San Mateo the weekend of March 23rd as the city marks the 50th anniversary of the city's adoption of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, the "Screaming Eagles."A
The city was the only municipality in the Vietnam War era to honor a military unit for its service in that conflict.
The back story is that of Joe Artavia, a soldier in the unit who asked his sister if a city would adopt the unit and boost morale by sending letters. San Mateo responded. Sadly, 20 days after the adoption, Joe was killed in action while rescuing a fellow soldier.
Many activities, including a gala and a parade, are planned. There will be 50 Eagles attending from around the country and you can "Buy a Soldier a Meal" tdo help fundraise for the event. That and tons of additional information is available on the city's website.
 

Don't Forget the St. Patricks Celebration

At the Italian American Social Club
Refer to the announcement at upper right in "Upcoming Speakers" for details about this social event. The St. Patrick's party on Friday night March 16 replaces the regular Thursday luncheon. There will be no Thursday luncheon at Poplar Creek on March 15. Dinner and activities are $50 per person.
It's easy to reserve and buy tickets. Just click the picture below…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Defining Moments

Ross Moilan, Cal Water area manager, had enough to deal with when a 12-inch high-pressure water main broke Feb. 8, flooding St. Matthews School and residents downtown. President Chris, of a larcenous bent, suggested that it must have caused a lot in damages, and "$150 out of all that damage, they won't miss it." Ross, drowning in the logic, floated Chris a "loan."
 

Birthdays

 
 
 
 
 
President Chris Eckert
And a Dictator to (Fashionable) Boot
 
Upcoming Speakers
Mar 01, 2018 12:00 PM
How to boost membership
Mar 08, 2018
Logistics of Team Travel
Mar 16, 2018 6:00 PM
This meeting replaces the regular Thursday luncheon -- NO MEETING AT POPLAR CREEK
Mar 22, 2018 12:00 PM
The best of times can be the most challenging
Mar 29, 2018 12:00 PM
Collaboration with Insects
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