marinadock.org

My Fellow Marina Dockers:

Here at The Marina Dock we had hoped to avoid major fallout from the summer's credit crisis, but we are now feeling an autumn chill from slackening donations and warnings of further market upheaval. The ill tidings came earlier this year in the form of financial turmoil that originated in the American home mortgage market. This decrease in donations over the last couple of months was as sudden as anything we have experienced over the last eight years in operation .It is clear the boom is over. What is not clear is whether the financial system faces more jolts like the one set off earlier this week by Merrill Lynch's disclosure that it had written off nearly $8 billion in mortgage related securities, $3 billion more than it estimated just two weeks earlier. Overall perhaps the biggest loss so far from the crisis has been confidence, this financial turbulence underscores that the economic vigor of our donors and patrons remains essential for our continued existence at this location. Whether we want to admit it or not what happens in the markets has a real world economic impact on The Marina Dock and its survival.

Keeping our doors open is a formidable financial challenge even in the best of times but this downturn in the global economy precipitated by the sub prime meltdown is taking its toll on us, and we are definitely feeling the squeeze. A huge percentage of our patrons are renters, and with foreclosures running at an all time high the rental market has become more expensive, especially here in the city which is forcing many lower to middle income people to relocate to less expensive locations around the country. Even though the Feds have again lowered the interest rate the chief economist at P.N.C financial Stuart Hoffman said that the latest G.D.P numbers masked a slowdown since August with signs of increased inflation creeping in to the picture. Since August our revenue has dropped 30% and our cost of goods and services has increased by around 10%. over the last year. I am not an economist, but I play one at the Marina Dock, and if this trend is more than a short-term market adjustment, we definitely have a problem..

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Our Financial Report

This month I am enclosing our financial statement from 2006 to all our donors, when 2007 is ready we will provide it to you as well some time in the New Year. Last month we lost our SLAA groups due to lack of attendance and an inability to pay their rent, this group has been meeting since 2002 and paid us $300.00 a month rent, hopefully we can find a new group to fill that void but Steve D and his fellowship were definitely a big support and they will be missed. In an attempt to save costs this month we are reducing the volume of the newsletter to two pages. Everybody should know by now that running this operation cost money so I will not belabor the point. Again there are a number of ways you can contribute, we take checks, credit card payments or you can donate your, Cars, Trucks, RV's, and Boats. The number to call for vehicle donations is 1-888-686-4483.

Other ways to help you could sponsor a new member that would be anyone of the many individuals who attend meetings and spend all day at our facility because they have nowhere else to go. We usually provide these people with free beverage and snacks we don't or at least I don't spend a lot of time monitoring who pays and who doesn't. You can also bring in your used books a lot of people love our book collection and appreciate when someone brings in highbrow stuff for their perusal. You can also help by monitoring the baskets in the meetings over the last few weeks we have had an individual going around all the meetings not just at The Marina Dock but citywide and helping himself to the proceeds. If you count this up this guy is living large, twenty bucks a meeting, six or seven meetings a day he is doing pretty well for himself in a time of recession. We have appealed to the groups repeatedly to ask at the desk if they have questions about problematic aberrant behavior during the seventh tradition and to start the collection from the back of the rooms with someone physically monitoring the basket all the time.

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My friendship with Frank B, Shytown unexpurgated

We first met in September 1976 at the Compass meeting held at the Apostleship of the Sea 399 Fremont St. S.F. Which Frank stared and it became one of the most popular meetings. There was a problem with so many Mike's attending so Frank gave us all handles, I became Chicago Mike then there was Cadillac, postman N.J. Cabbie etc. A good association with Frank started and it developed into a wonderful friendship as well as he becoming my AA sponsor. Born Francis J. B July 7, 1918 Syracuse N.Y. An unhappy orphaned child he was transferred to various orphanages, because of his rebellion to authority he also engaged in fighting with other kids. Over the many years of conversation with Frank quite possibly his favorite time was found through the intervention of a nun. According to Frank he was always in trouble and so this nun suggested that he help her in the garden. A contentment sweep over him and life was good.

Frank went into the military during world war 11, the U.S.Navy as a machinist mate second class also the U.S. Marine Corps. According to his military discharge certificate he has been awarded four Siver Stars. A few of his combat zones of operation were Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal where he witnessed so much pain and suffering and the loss of many lives. After returning home from the military, the unions needed muscle for hire and Frank became their top man. With time passing booze was not kind to him and finally he surrendered and sobered up and found his way to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Determined to stay sober and be of help to his fellows. Frank found a warehouse at the foot of mission that was vacant and the owner offered it to Frank, which he turned into the Seven Seas a shelter for Seaman. The many stories and photographs I have experienced, most impressive was the flight of stairs, stick's most. When any guy thought Brennan was soft he would introduce him to the long flight of stairs usually headfirst. He had a number of celebrities as residents one such was a fellow highly decorated marine buddy Lee Marvin. Admiral Limits was a big help to Frank he even helped with the cleanup details. The Catholics were sending some of there top members to get some help from Frank. Not being much of a walker changed being with Frank, we walked all over the city, attending meetings, visiting people.

On a few occasions I would advise Frank about certain neighborhoods to stay out of. He replied "what the hell" they need help too. He would stop and talk with anybody, encouraging them to think well about himself or herself. It didn't take long before I was talking like this and it felt good. I would ask Frank every morning upon meeting him at the Arlington hotel on Ellis St. "hey is that shopping bag necessary." Oh yeah, all my papers and important documents are in it. Here is a man that has proven to me more times then I can remember you don't just talk about being kind, you do it. My best two years with Frank was when I was diagnosed with colon cancer and he never let me out of his sight, his schedule was conditional on my needs. He got me a room at the Arlington hotel, during my three surgical operations, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Frank was there. I could roll up my window and yell across the hall to his window hey Frank you got a minute. No matter what the time or who he was talking with him came right over. Sometimes I would wake up to find Frank sitting there reading or writing and asking me did I need anything. He introduced me to people from all walks of life in recovery and no just wealthy people but also those in need. Every dollar in his pocket would be given away.

The real significance of Frank was his gift to help others feel better about themselves; this was not first noticed by me and others who met him. It was an experience I had after thinking once again why is I with this guy? The truth hit that Frank had a higher opinion of me then I had of myself... He saw me in a different way then how I felt about myself. So I asked Frank about this, he answered, it's much better getting out and helping others then staying here and thinking about it. I am grateful to all the people Frank introduced me to that have been so helpful to me. Harry R., Fred K. David B. Big Joe H. Beverly (Legs) C Irish Tony, (whose good sense of humor and Irish wit are good stuff.)

Frank could always be found writing in his 3x5 note book, I asked is that where you keep all your women friend's numbers because he was like a magnet for women. There where so many. But it was his reminder book; I have a few for keepsakes. I am especially grateful to all the people that were there constantly helping Frank. Like Ed (Ad Train) C. Brandon C (Marin) also the flower lady Sandy from Marin. Vern and Patty D., Judy K. and so many others. In order to speak about Frank completely it would take novels, documentaries and motion pictures, which I expect will happen one day. St. Vincent DePaul was very important to him and he spent a great amount of time involved there doing community work. Frank helped start Rosalie House for battered women and children also the Brennan House that served as a follow up center for these women and children. He was involved with other community projects and was helpful to Glide Memorial church and the Rev. Cecil Williams. Frank had his favorite spots to hangout, early morning the lobby of the Arlington Hotel, and afternoons at The Marina Dock. He always was at his best speaking and acknowledging others, and playing down his own achievements.

In 1995 I interviewed Frank with my camcorder which was fun, and I asked him what is your most significant accomplishment in life? After a quiet thought he replied, being myself, Being sober and being reasonably sane. And in closing I leave you with another question I asked Frank regarding helping the hard cases sober up. Well he says I'm still an alcoholic, but not a screwed up active alcoholic, so I help the screwed up practicing alcoholic to become a sober screwed up alcoholic. Frank, my best friend and mentor. He showed me it was ok to be reasonably happy, and in the times I am not, to find someone to talk and help sober up. Living here in Thailand many people in the meetings know about Frank, I have some of his personal items as well as his photos. Maybe I should include a very personal note here. One night Frank called me to say his son and wife's vehicle broke down at Hearst Castle and would I pick them up. I ask where this place is and he said, "you got a map, look it up." Off I go and they are happy to see me, but Frank's son stays with the vehicle to have it repaired so I ride back with Mrs. Brennan. It was an uneventful trip, she thanked me, and said I know you're a good friend of my husband, I agreed that he was a very special guy and her reply was profound, she said, "there is not another one like him."

September 2007
Chicago Mike, Thailand

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FINALLY

So much for my plan to reduce cost and content of our newsletter, Too difficult to pass up on a good story, especially this one, a story that reflects the spirit of fellowship and generosity we associate with Frank Brennan. The Marina Dock is not just a business it is a family with memories and a passion for everyone involved, Our goal is to build, empower and inspire, the dream must never die.

We are coming into the holiday season, a time of celebration and gratitude for most people but lets not forget those less fortunate. Over the next couple of months people will be maimed and die through the actions of others. Drunk drivers and perpetrators of domestic violence will head the list. Violence against women we now know is a learned behavior it can be prevented. Frank was passionate about helping women out of this nightmare of recurring domestic violence he and his friend Bill Riley (deceased) are the ones who developed the programs that gave the city Rosalie House and The Riley Center.

In San Francisco there are more than 9,000 reported incidents of domestic violence against women and children every year. The continued battering of a mother and her children is frequently coupled with her perception that she has no alternatives to this brutality. The only recourse that they have may be a shelter that offers confidentiality and safety. The Riley Center's and Rosalie House houses approximately 100 women and their children every year. Rosalie House serves women and their children who are victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, with priority to those in immediate danger. Referrals come from hospitals, police, social service agencies and by word of mouth. Women seeking shelter should call the crisis line for a telephone intake.
Crisis Center phone number 415-255-0165.

Happy Thanksgiving

"Irish Tony"