June Program Chair: Donna Bernard
June 6 – “Hong Kong and Bangkok – Two Amazing Asian Cities”
Speakers – David and Anne Sonner
Hong Kong, once an ancient Chinese fishing village, is now a major international financial center. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has also undergone much growth and modernization. David and Anne Sonner will share their trips to Hong Kong and Bangkok. (Their longer trip to India was in between, and will be another program for a later time.) They will show lots of travel photos of famous places and everyday life, and will briefly discuss history and current events of Hong Kong and Bangkok. David and Anne have been members of the University Club for a long time.
Introduction: Gene Smith
Fellowship: Rizek Abusharr
Greeters: Doug MacKenzie and Larry Wicksted
June 13 – “The Reluctant Volunteer: Peace Corps Work in Brazil”
Speaker – Peggy Constantine
Peggy Constantine will speak about her book, The Reluctant Volunteer, and talk about what happened when she lied to her college sweetheart, Tim, and told him she was excited to join him in the Peace Corps. Challenging times ensued during training and their first few months in Brazil, and the newlyweds were tested. But then an unexpected thing happened. Peggy fell in love with the country and the people. Her presentation will feature numerous photos illustrating the work she and Tim did in the elementary schools and the high school in their town, their travels, their friendships and the events that made their experience so unforgettable. Peggy Constantine, a graduate of the University of Redlands, is a retired elementary school teacher and worked until recently as a senior adjunct professor at the University of La Verne. Her essays have been published in the L.A. Times, the University of Redlands alumni magazine and the Claremont Courier. She is a member of The Claremont Forum Writers’ Group and Claremont United Church of Christ. Peggy and Tim have lived in their Claremont home since 1972.
Introduction: Art Parker
Fellowship: Tom Helliwell
Greeters: Pat Kelly and Art Parker
June 20 – “Understanding the Middle East Conflict: Progress and Challenges”
Speaker – Ardi Rashidi
Do the complicated issues of middle east conflict overwhelm and confuse you? Have you wondered about human rights issues and “fake news”? This is a must-be-there presentation by a past president of the University Club who has served at every level of the United Nations Association. You will not want to miss this discussion, which will certainly make clearer issues of Kurdistan rights and global obligations. Middle east conflict needs voices that understand truths. Ardishir Rashidi-Kalhur is a system and products design and analysis engineer, working for his own company, RDI Engineering, that serves the heat treating, semiconductor and aerospace industries. He has several patents in his name and has received Engineer of the Year Award for his design of the Navy’s underwater MK-50 depth sensors program. He designed and developed safety components for the cooling and propellant systems for NASA’s International Space Station Servicer Module and the Orion Project. In parallel, Ardishir has served and led several organizations including founder of the Kurdish-American Education Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational information on Kurdish history, defending human rights and promoting the aspiration of the Kurdish people to self-determination. He has authored many articles on Kurdish history, human and political rights, faith and global issues.
Introduction: Art Sutton
Fellowship: Ed Ansell
Greeter: Milt Wilson
June 27 – “The Claremont Energy Vision”
Speaker – Devon Hartman, Executive Director, CHERP Inc.
Devon Hartman will discuss the past successes and future goals for Claremont in its drive toward net-zero energy use. Energy efficiency offers a tremendous, low-cost energy resource that is already saving Claremont millions of dollars in utility bills, while increasing quality of life, comfort, indoor air-quality, and home values for over 400 Claremont households to date. Learn more about the benefits of the Claremont Energy Challenge, the South Claremont 50 Home Challenge, and the new Claremont Locally Grown Power Solar PV factory. Mr. Hartman has 35 years experience in architecture, construction and business organization, and was CEO of HartmanBaldwin Design/Build Inc. Since retiring from his company, he has created CHERP – the Community Home Energy Retrofit Project, a non-profit that educates cities, organizations, contractors, manufacturers, realtors, and building owners about the benefits of energy efficiency and reduction of fossil fuel use in buildings throughout California and beyond. His work has won many awards and been featured in many national publications. He developed a LEED Platinum project in downtown historic Santa Barbara, and received the 2015 Linda Wigington Visionary Leadership Award for the building science industry.
Introduction: Mel Boynton
Fellowship: Rich Phillips
Greeters: Sam Mansour and Bob Knell
Birthdays: Lucy Lynch
Bulletin Committee Members: David and Anne Sonner