VISALIA ROTARY CLUBPAST MEETINGS |
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| February 17 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Announcements: Join Kathleen Remillard and the whole Creative Center gang on the USS Mardi Gra on February 27th. Vic Dossey will be hosting a Easter Celebration on March 31st, and please bring your children o Joke of the Week: The score began at 12 (young) to 10 (old) and the delivery by both teams were exceptional. “Women” being the theme of both jokes sent laughs and chuckles thr Who is this Young Rotarian?: Bill Rose, Gene Yunt, JD Dolan and Russ McKinney were featured this week. JD agreed to join at a higher rate to thank Bianca in President Brian’s office for being so persistent. Bill Rose presented his high school graduation picture from 1954. Gene’s pictures featured a lot of muscle and money, which everyone tried to take credit for (sorry Bruce, no one was buying it) and Russ agreed to join if he didn’t have to listen to rap music. Not sure what that was about, but growing up in that “rap era” myself I would have to agree with Randy Groom a Program: Dick Combs presented his experience of writing a non-fiction book regarding his experiences and time spent in the Soviet Union during the end of the Cold War. What I heard was the bottom line of research, research, research and more research does the trick…and thank God for the internet and UPS. Thank you Dick for a great afternoon! |
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| February 3 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Hello everyone….it’s me again, Lisa. Francie has begun her hibernation in her office for tax season so I will be filling in for her. The meeting was held in a very comfortable room at the convention center this time, which was a very nice change for the echoing hallway they usually place us. When we were all spread-out and it was a nice to see such a large nice-looking group we have. President Brian began the meeting by thanking his right hand man (Dr. Winn), his left hand man (Stan Carrizosa) and his foot man (Dr. Akin) for coming to his aide. He announced he is doing well and has been through a lot of testing, but so far so good. Of course Randy Groom and his great sense of humor had to sit by his side with an emergency staff vest and a number of first aide items on the edge of the stage---JUST IN CASE! ![]() Joke of the Week: Joe Pinto represented the old men and Randy Smith represented the young men. Joe’s was more of factual differences between Man and Woman while Randy’s joke was straight out of the book (the typical golf and men). Old team won closing the gap a bit closer to 10-11 with young team barely holding on. Announcements: Marv Hansen presented Sandy Beals of FoodLink with a check for $25,000 which was raised at the Christmas Tree Auction by the Visalia Rotary Foundation. Sandy thanked everyone and indicated the funds would be spent purchasing healthy choices for many needy families.Student of the month was Kayla from Redwood High School. Kayla excels in a number of areas, but has a passion for film. She brought her parents and younger brother. The Young Man’s Club (and a few select women) Who is this Young Rotarian?: Darlene Mata was first to join and had the most adorable black and white photo her grandmother kept on her nightstand. Jim Wohlford left the meeting before he could explain his pictures so they decided to fine him double. Jim, you will have a lot of explaining to do. Dr. Winn and Christine Statton finished this weeks members. Program: Cydney Oster introduc ed Caio Lopes E Silva, who gave a great presentation to our club about his home country of Brazil, his reaction when he found out he was coming to California (a big Wow!) and his expectation of his trip to the US…..Hollywood stars, beaches and school. Well, he did visit Hollywood, Disneyland is a blast, saw snow for the first time in his life, our ocean is cold, school is fun with sports and music classes ...and last but not least, our food is great…..Subway, Taco Bell, Mexican food…..It was a pleasure getting to know more about Caio and he will be here through graduation and will head home some time in July to attend the local university in Brazil. It was amazing to me that he could barely speak English when he arrived in August, which you would have never known listening to his presentation. |
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| January 27 General Meeting | ||||||||||
President Brian is doing well after his benign vasovagal episode (i.e. he fainted.) As Randy Groom quipped, “We had two doctors, four attorneys, and a mortician on hand…we’re a full service club!” Brian is going through a series of tests to make sure everything is OK. He’ll back next week. In the mean time Justin Mosley stepped up to lead the meeting. Was that a preview of next year’s President’s Club when Justin presented inscribed donuts to Bill Winn and Pete Akin for their aid to President Brian last Joke of the Week: Our “jokers” this week were Joe Leal for Team Old and Al Fisher for Team Young (what’s wrong with this picture?) Joe told a really long joke. Al’s first joke fell flat, so he tried to tell a 2nd joke, but as we all know, it’s the first joke that counts! So Team Old has a point! Now it’s 11 to 9 in favor of Team Young. Justin tried to tell a joke, a real tongue twister, but it was so long nobody realized when it was over! Who is this Young Rotarian? First was Joe Leal. He simply joined the Club, since he already used his allotted talking time on his joke! Next was Victor Perez, but Justin gave it away when he saw the picture and asked “Is Victor Perez here?” Last, but not Announcements: The District Conference is May 14 through 16th at the Visalia Convention Center. Make your reservations! Save the date for CASA of Tulare County’s “Once Upon a Dream” Gala Dinner & Auction on April 24th at the Visalia Holiday Inn. There are various sponsorship levels which come with dinner tickets (and of course you can buy the tickets without a sponsorship!) CASA is also gratefully accepting silent auction items. If you are interested, please contact Willie Case, Auction Co-Chair (at 622-0354), Francie Langley (at 625-3200), or the CASA Office at 625-4007.
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| January 20 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Janu Joke of the Week: The score is TeamYoung-10 to Team Old-8. Randy Groom for Team Young earned a 10 on the laugh and applause meters. Dick Hopper for Team Old was good, but he couldn’t beat Randy! Student of the Month: Drew Sorensen and Mt. Whitney principal, Jeff Hohne, presented our Student of the Month award to Amanda Roeben. She has a 4.04, she’s taking AP English Literature, she is a philosopher, her writing is broad and deep, and she ties it together beyond her years. Her activities include CSF, Pioneer Partners (to help disabled students,) yearbook editor, golf, track (shot put and discus), and she works at Glick’s behind the counter. Just when Amanda took the microphone to speak, President Brian lost consciousness, falling on the podium. Thank goodness we have enough doctors in this club that Brian was able to get immediate
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| January 13 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Joke of the Week: Bill Whitlatch for Team Old was fined $25! Bruce Nicotero for Team Young received a 15 out of 10 on the laughand applause meters (The highest score yet!) Announcements: Tony Benevento announced the 2010 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign Community Breakfast Honoring Jon Hornburg, will be Friday, February 5th at 7 am, no need to RSVP, just show up. (Guessed I missed “where”…Call Tony!) Also, Tony Benevento received his blue badge today… Hooray! Pat Shannon was on hand today with an update on the Los Alamos, Mexico project to which so many of us contributed last year ($4,500!) He showed slides illustrating how the money was spent on building a house for a family, supplying a refrigerato Who is this Young Rotarian: First we have a lovely young lady at a party in New York…Barbara Berkson…Wow! Ralph Bookoutdidn’t have pictures when he was young so he had a recent picture taken with an Iphone. A young boy made an airplane from his wagon… is it Jerry Lewis? No, it’s Bill Whitlatch! (A propeller won’t let you fly a wagon!) Harry Wood at 24 was thought to resemble Mike Brady of “The Brady Bunch”…or was that “Mr. Rogers?” Thanks to everyone for joining thePresident’s Club! Program: Susan |
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| January 6 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Joke of the Week: Andy Balerud for Team Old and Randy Groom for Team Young tied, so the score holds at 9 to 8 in favor of Team Young. Presentations: The Urban Tree Foundation, who provided the trees we planted in November, presented member participants with hats (they’re act Who is This Young Rotarian: First off was a little guy in overalls, looking like Dennis the Menace, but turned out to be Phil Clinewho was also featured in his Airforce uniform. Next was Dena Cochran at 22 for her first job out of Program: Randy Groom introduced our speaker, John Holt, U S Navy Reserve Commander, and Assistant City Manager of Clovis. With a mixture of good humor, positive thinking, tolerance, and seriousness, John held everyone’s attention as he took us through his adventure to Baghdad when, at 47 years of age, he was recalled to active duty(!) What a surprise! Six weeks of preparation time was allowed from the time he received his orders until he shipped out for training (a week in San Diego for physical, etc, 3 weeks of playing Army to teach Navy personnel the Army culture, then on to Fort Jackson to finish training.) Once landing in Iraq, he was allowed 3 or 4 days to become acclimated to the 120 degree temperatures (no, you don’t acclimate…it’s like |
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| December 30 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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| December 16 General Meeting | ||||||||||
New Member: Welcome to our new member, Lenny Sciacca! We’re glad to have you! Joke of the Week: Don Sharp for Team Old received a mixture of Oooo’s, Groans, and Chuckles, but Al Fisher for Team Young won the trophy this week with 10’s on both the Applause Meter and the Laugh Meter! Announcements: Some of the bidder information for the Wine Auction was misplaced. Please tellJody Grove if you know Guest Bidder #308. They won the bid on a Case of 2004 Perbacco Pinot Noir for $500 and Jody needs the name and address to send them a bill. Also, the Wine Auction Sign-In sheets were misplaced, so please review your invoices when they arrive and tell Jody if you were charged for a guest you didn’t bring or were not charged for a guest you did bring (!) (Thank you for practicing Item #1 of the Four-Way Test!) The Christmas Tree Auction raised $30,000 for the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation. Many Thanks to Gary Geiger for purchasing the Rotary Tree for $3,200! (Well done, one and all!) Hoops of Hope at Mt. Whitney Gym raised $5,000! (Congratulations and Kudos to all who participated!) Ed Sullivan announced that the District awarded our club the International Service Award, so we have another patch for our banner! Our club gifted our foreign exchange student with an El D lettermen’s jacket. (Merry Christmas, Kyle!) Congratulations to Randy Groom, our recently elected board member and newest future president! Who is This Young Rotarian?: First we have Jim Ely as a little guy in a sailor suit, and then again with his sons digging clams in Massachusetts. He joined the President’s Club for $250 “clams”! Next was Adam Peck as an adorable baby and also posing along the Coast during his honeymoon. Ed Sullivan was depicted in a basketball action shot when he played for Airforce as well as several other pictures including “snake hunter” and “Abraham Lincoln”! Ed negotiated withPresident Brian for a discount on the club membership from $275 to $250! (What awesome negotiation skills!) Andy Balerud was in the Navy, but was never assigned to a ship! Apparently he was quite gifted at organizing parties for the Red Cross. He had so much fun he almost re-upped! Thanks to all our new Young Men this week for joining the club! Program: Paige Williams of the Visalia Farmers’ Market and Debb Campbell shared the spotlight today. Paige presented information on our local Farmers’ Market and Debb demonstrated a recipe using seasonal produce. Our market is a Certified Farmers’ Market which means it is registered with Tulare County and the County Ag Commissioner certifies that the farmer is growing his own produce. (An uncertified market would have items purchased for sale.) Local produce is fresher, tastes better, and lasts longer in the refrigerator than what’s available in the grocery stores. The Farmers’ Market has two locations: Mooney at Caldwell every Saturday from 8 am to 11:30 am and Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm during daylight savings time at Church and Main. Debb Campbell gave us various tips and information while putting together her salad highlighting ingredients from the Farmers’ Market. For example, the persimmons that are shaped like a tomato may be eaten fresh, peeling radishes tones down their spiciness because the heat is in the skin, and sectioning pomegranates under water saves your fingers from stains (the seeds drop to the bottom while the other stuff floats!) We’re dark next week, so here’s wishing you Happy Holidays! See you on December 30th! |
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| December 2 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Joke
of the Week: Ron
Hellstern for
Team Young received an 8 on the Laugh Meter, while Andy
Balerud
Student
of the Month: Nancy
Powell introduced
our Student of the Month, Carrie Yin. Carrie is a senior at
Golden West, has a 4.3 GPA,
is taking just about every advanced placement class there is (at
this rate she’ll graduate from college before she starts!) She
is applying to U C San Diego
to major in engineering (Stanford is her 2nd choice…hey,
don’t forget
Cal Poly SLO!)
Who
is This Young Rotarian?: Dave
Miller in
lots of checks and plaids was guessed by Sue
McCallister. Bill
Gerlach wa
Program: Justin Mosley introduced Rev. George Fry who spoke on his participation in the Oxford Round Table (as in Oxford, England!) on the “Politics of Peace and Conflict.” Only 35 people are invited and they come from all over the globe. All the world religions contain within themselves the seeds that can lead either to conflict or to peace. The seeds of peace require people of good will who are open to working with people holding different faith values and beliefs.
Announceme |
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| Wine Auction | ||||||||||
Wow!
Talk about a Won derland!
Thanks to Joe Kuhn and the Marriott staff who
REALLY did a make-over on our meeting room for the Wine Auction!
The room resembled an extensive grape arbor/patio complete with a
fountain (with actual water in it!), the gentle sounds of birds
chirping, and itsy bitsy lights sparkling everywhere! It was
like stepping into another world!
Many thanks to Michael Phelps,Joe Pinto, and
the entire Auction Committee for a job well done! (The auction
made $26,390!) Thanks to everyone who participated, donated, bid,
bought, etc! We are dark this Wednesday in anticipation of
the Holiday! Happy Thanksgiving! |
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| November 7th Tree Planting | ||||||||||
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Who |
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| October 28 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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:
Danny Little from Visalia Rescue Mission gave us a very nice
presentation highlighting the "Feed the Hungry" Garden
(not feed the "Hungry Garden"…I was envisioning
carnivorous plants like ‘Little Shop of Horrors’…well,
it’s Halloween, after all!) The Mission has a couple of acres at
their new location and it was suggested to put in a garden.
Volunteers started the garden and J
R Shannon took
up the cause along with Bill
Gargan to
provide tractor work and irrigation system (they be talking
‘farming’!) There should be a crop of vegetables before
year-end! Folks in drug recovery can work in the garden as part of
their program. It’s anticipated to have enough produce to share
with food pantries. Danny believes this garden and the fabulous
community support received will transform their ministry! The
Visalia Rescue Mission has trucks available to pick up furniture,
clothing, household goods, etc. When you give to organizations
like the Mission you know where your money is going (as opposed to
giving to the panhandlers, who make about $35 an hour to support
their drug habit…well, I guess you know where your money is
going in that case, too!) Joke
of the Week : Dean
Glass for
Team Old did well, but Team Young pulled out their heavy hitter, Al
Fisher,
for the win this week. The score is now 8 to 7, in favor of Team
Old. Who
is this Young Rotarian : Dick
W Announcements :
1) Contact Randy
Smith if
you are interested in helping replace old and dying trees in
downtown Visalia (no, we’re not replanting old trees…we try
the resurrection thing at Easter time!) Saturday,
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| October 21 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Today
we had a visiting Rotarian from the United Kingdom! It’s been
awhile since we had a visitor from farther away than County Center
or Fresno, so this was like a special treat! : Sue McCallister for Team Young read an Ogden Nash Poem about politicians, but Rob Fox for Team Old won the trophy with an 8 on the Shout Meter. It’s 8 to 6 in favor of Team Old! (Sorry, Sue, I guess this club just isn’t into poems as jokes, even one by Ogden Nash!) Student
of the Month New Members : Al
Fisher interviewed
two new members: Bill
Wittman sponsored
by Justin
Mosley and Terry
Culotta sponsored
by Michael
Phelps. Welcome! We are
delighted to have you join us! Who
is That Young Rotarian ?
First off was Anil
Chagan at
about age 30; guessed with some hints. Next it’s not one of the
Bee Gees but Rick
Wehmueller; this one took so
many hints I’d have to say our group was well and truly stumped!
Last, but not least, was good ol’ Susan
Wel Program :
Our guest today was Jason Meyers of Sprint Car Racing fame. His
car was parked in the Plaza for all to inspect. A sprint car is
comparatively lightweight, with the engine in the middle, and the
driver sits behind the engine. The sport started in 1903 with a
car going 60 mph, and now the cars get up to 150 mph. The engine
can be changed in 11 minutes! The attraction to the sport is how
fast things happen and how the fans can still get to the drivers
to meet, greet, Calendar |
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| October 14 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Announcements: 1)
The First Annual Rotary Chile Cook-off was a relaxing and fun way
to hangout with fellow Rotarians. There were about 12
booths. Not only could you vote for your favorite chili and
salsa, but you could also vote for the best decorated booth. Al
Fisher spearheaded
the “Holy Smokers.” In keeping Program:
Lee Goldstein introduced the candidates for our City Council
Candidates Forum. There are 9 candidates running for 3 City
Council positions and we had 8 of the 9 candidates participate in
our forum: Mary Wheeler, Jesus Gamboa, Greg Collins, Mike Lane,
Paul Fry, Warren Gubler, Steve Nelson, and Andrew Miller. The
candidates come from various backgrounds and have various
experiences to bring to the table. Topics of concern
included the budget (we have a reserve but property taxes and
sales tax revenue has declined), security (less revenue means less
to spend on public safety), and planning for the future (we need
smart growth and we need to help downtown businesses as well as
Mooney Blvd. businesses,) A great big “Thank You” to Gene
Yunt, and Lee Goldstein for putting together this
program. Next week, (did I hear correctly?)…Outlaw Car
Race Driving?
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| October 7 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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No,
our program was not the District Governor (although our guest did
received a standing ovation!), today we were privileged to have as
our spe Announcements:
1) Marv Hansen appealed
on behalf of the Visalia Rotary Breakfast Club Golf Tournament to
be held October 16th, at Valley Oak Golf Course;
Registration at 9 am, tee time at 11 am; crab dinner afte Student
of the Month: Drew
Sorenson and Dr.
Todd Oto presented
the award to Redwood High School student, Shareena
Sarabian. Shareena, with a GPA of 4.1, excels at Math and
participates in various activities including varsity tennis and
Science Olympiad. She plans to be an engineer and is looking
to attend Cal Poly (go Mustangs!) or UCLA. Who
is this Young Rotarian:
First we have a young Duane
Scott, guessed by just about everybody, except me! I even knew
his picture would be up today and I still didn’t recognize him!
Next, Randy
Forester in
his 1956 Porterville High School seni Joke of the Week: Drew Sorenson for Team Young received a 10 on the Applause Meter as well as a collective “Eew!”, while Lane Fry for Team Old sort of fizzled. The trophy goes to Team Young this week and the score is 7 to 6 in favor of Team Old! Join us next week for the Visalia City Council Candidates Forum!
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| September 30 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Joke
of the Week: Tony Benevento for Team Young received
a 10 on the Moan Meter. For Team Old, Mike Torres was
awarded a 10 on the Laugh & Applause Meter: 7 to 5 in favor of
Team Old!
Who
is this Young Rotarian: Mike
Boyd was
difficult to recognize with a full head of hair when he starte Program: Karen
Lindbergh introduced
two students from the World Link Student Exchange Program:
Ferangiz Bagirova and Nurjemal Muradova presented our program
today on their home country of Turkmenistan. The girls presented a
great overview of their country, its history, food, dress, etc,
and had displays set up for us to peruse after the meeting.
Both girls studied English intensely for 1 to 2 years to qualify
for the exchange program. They were amazed at the variety of
food in the grocery stores in this country. They said they
have homework every day at home compared to a couple of times a
week here. In Turkmenistan they go to school 6 days a week instead
of 5. This was a delightful program! Join us next week
for Austin Gutwein and “Hoops of Hope.”
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| September 23 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Program: This week our program was presented by David Hosely, President of
The Great Valley Who is That
Young Rotarian? First
off was our only member taller than President
Brian: Brent
Calvin at 10
years in his Visalia Raiders football uniform and another even
younger picture with his younger brother. Next was Tom
Cutler at 19
or 20 in a picture taken at the supermarket (what a Joke of the
Week: President Brian for Team Young was awarded about a 4
on the Applause Meter and Mike
Robertson for
Team Old received about an 8 on the Laugh & Applause Meter.
The score is now 6 to 5 in favor of Team Old (Rah! Rah!) elp the youth in our community through
various non-profit organizations. Contac t Derrick
Groppettiif you’re interested in participating and/or
donating. The 1st Annual
Rotary Chili
Cook-off & Softball Challenge is Saturday, October 10that
the Visalia Rawhide Baseball stadium starting at 2 pm, judging at
4 pm and softball challenge at 4:30 pm (3 innings or 30 minutes!)
Vote on your favorite chili, salsa, and best decorated booth.
There are planned activities for the kids in the Kid’s Zone with
Bounce Houses and Games. Adults $20 and children under 10
are free. Register to attend with Mark
Shannon. Join us next week for Karen
Lindberg, World Link, Inc. FLEX program Foreign Exchange
Students. (I’m not sure I’ve phrased this correctly, so be
sure to attend and discover the reality!)
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| September 16 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Joke of the Week: Greg Meis for Team Old, with an 8.5 on the
laugh/applause meter, beat out Stan Carrizosa for Team
Young, with a 3.5 on the moan meter…Team Old wins the cup this
week and the Announcements: Get your appetite, chili, and salsa recipes ready for
Our First Annual Chili Cook-off October 10th (chicken
will also be served.) We need ball players…we’re talking 3
innings or 30 minutes! Contact Mark Shannon and let
him know if you coming/participating so he can get a head count.
The cost is $20 per person and kids are free. This qualifies
as a make-up and proceeds go to the Visalia Rotary Community
Foundation! Everyone is invited to ServiceMaster’s 25th Anniversary
celebration, Thursday, September 24th, at their
corporate office. Our Wine Auction is Nov 18th at
the Marriott. Let the committee know what you’ll be
donating! Student of the month: Drew Sorenson and Jeff Hohne (Mt Whitney
Principal,) presented the award to Ryan Chung. Ryan, who was
born and raised in Visalia, also attended Mt. View and Divisadero.
Ryan has a 4.60 GPA (yeesh!) and it sounds like he has taken just
about every Advanced Placement class offered, is president for
just about every club on campus, and plays any sport connected
with water! He is planning to attend Stanford, major in chemistry,
an Who is This Young Rotarian.
First we had a tough one: Mike Schauffele as a child
(picture taken at the end of WW2) and also pictured 1 year before
he married. Next was a young boy, about 5 or 6, who turned out to
be Stan Carrizosa, and another picture of Stan with longish
red hair and no moustache. His celebrity look-alike was
Danny from the Partridge Family! (Stan’s life if it had turned
bad!) Who stole the Ronald McDonald statue from the Mooney
Blvd. McDonald’s to become Gary Geiger’s hero? Why,
it’s a young Phil Mirwald! (You know how it is…the
parents are Program: Stan
Carrizosa
presented us with an update on the Visalia Unified School
District. Stan expressed his appreciation to our community
for supporting our schools. The District struggles with the
budget, but the
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| September 9 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Program: Rob
Mayben, a graduate of Golden West High School and now a special
education teacher has developed a “Desktop Desk.” No,
it’s not a computer program…it’s a tilting platform that
attaches to a table Announcements: Cydney
Oster introduced
Kyle, our Rotary Youth Exchange Student. We still need two
host families for Kyle. Please contact Cydney if you’re
interested. Mark
Shannon announced
our first Annual Chili Cook-Off to be held Saturday, October 10th at
10 am to benefit the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation.
All four Visalia Rotary clubs plus the Woodlake club are
participating. The price is $20 per person and kids are
free. There will also be a Salsa Recipe Contest and a softball
tournament. We need 10 players, so contact Tom
Seidler or
Mark Shannon if you’re interested. Nancy
Lockwood asked
those proposing new members to completely fill out the Membership
Proposal Forms. Last Wednesday President
Brian raised
$2,720 for Make-a-Wish by shaving his head, plus the Club donated
$3,000. Justin
Mosley and
Gerry Schneider’s reneging on their promise to shave
their heads during their presidencies earned them digital pictures
of what they would look like bald. See, you guys don’t
look bad bald...you should reconsider…and it’s for a great
cause! Joke
of the Week: Al
Fisher for
Team Old was off the charts on the Moan Meter, but, Randy
Groom for
Team Young was off the charts on the Laugh Meter, so Team Young
wins this week! Welcome
New Members: Ken
Melban, proposed by Ron
Hellstern, was raised in Dinuba, graduated from Dinuba High school
then attended Fresno Pacific. He moved to Visalia last
November. His business, Communications Department,
represents Ag in California. Jonathan
Graham(Matt’s brother), proposed by Rocky
Pipkin, graduated from Golden West High School and went on to COS
and Cuesta. His company does general remodeling. (Rocky is a
friend of Jon’s in-laws…guess the investigation was positive!) Who is that Young Rotarian?: First we had Doug Berg (this is the first
picture I have been able to guess correctly!) at 18 and at 25, as
pro duced by Doug’s wife, Judy ( turn in your pictures if you
want to have some say in which ones are displayed for all to see!
Brian has ways of obtaining them anyway!); Byron Riegel, shown in a deep sea outfit
during naval flight surgeon training at 27; Lisa Nunes as the Portuguese
“Little Queen” at 7 years old (too cute!); Ray Schlick in a picture taken 40 years ago (the last time
he wore a tie); Larry Akey’s high school
graduation picture in a white dinner jacket (that’s what they
wore for graduation pictures on Long Island!) Larry also
brought President Brian a miniature boat and cherry blossom honey
from Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan; Mike Shannon next to his 1956 Chevy
when he was 20. (Mike picked up more girls then than now!)
He brought President Brian a t-shirt from Mt Rushmore and a can
displaying the “backside” of Mt. Rushmore! Everyone of
our “youth-en-ized,” whoops!...I mean newly rejuvenated
members joined the Young Man’s Club. Thanks to you all!
Join us next week for Stan Carrizosa with the Visalia Unified School District update.
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| September 2 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Joke of the Week: You may recall, last time Team Young and Team Old
each LOST a point for their This year’s Shave the Brave Program brought us CHP Officer Scott Harris, Visalia Police Department’s Mark Lyon, and Tulare County Probation Department’s Joe DeRose. President Brian was enticed to let Don Estes shave his head for a flurry of bids from members and a lure from President-elect Justin Mosley saying that if Brian shaved his hair this year, Justin would shave his next year, Gerry Schneider agreed to shave his the year after, and Justin stated that Susan Lucas was on board to shave her hair during her presidency. However, after Brian’s hair came off Justin, Gerald, and Susan said they had their fingers crossed! It’s a good thing they have already joined the YMC, otherwise I hate to think of the fines for thwarting our noble president! Join us next week for Rob Mayben, Golden West Graduate Developer of Desktopdesk, and let’s see if President Brian has some retaliation in store for his treacherous board! |
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| August 26 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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We stretched the most entertainment I’ve seen yet from “Who
Is This Young Rotarian?” Joining the Joke of the Week: Watch out comedians, this Rotary group is a toug Announcements: *) Dustin
Stewart received
his blue badge for completing his tasks in just a couple of weeks.
Congratulations, Dustin! *) Greg
Meis has
volunteered to serve at the District Level. Thanks, Greg!
There are still two positions available, so contact Justin
Mosley if you
are interested. *) We received a nice “Thank You” from
CASA for the $1,000 donation we made. I extend my personal
“Thanks” to our club. *) Keep looking for new members.
We continue to lose members to death, retirement, moving, etc.
Now we’ve lost Tom
Beene to
retirement! BooHoo! We’ll miss you, Tom! Al Fisher introduced
our speaker this week, Gilbert Fernandez, Chaplin at the Youth
Detention Facility. Coming from a similar background of
those to whom he ministers, Gilbert is able to truly reach these
children. They come from abusive homes, many have been
victimized, some have parents that are incarcerated, they come
from a culture that tells them they are n
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| August 19 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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It’s
Rotary
COGS Night at the Ballpark! Time to see the wonderful NEW
Rawhide Stadium!
I even heard a rumor that there was a special place for Rotarians
that was AIR-CONDITIONED! Well, I wish I could say I had a
fabulous time, but, I was not allowed into the park because I had
contraband…yes,
it’s true, I had a substance that is apparently illegal to bring
into the stadium…that substance was a bottle of water (!)
Heaven forbid! Now, you need to understand the chain of
events here. Last year I didn’t get to eat, because, last
year I waited in an incredibly slow line for food and then I was
told that I was supposed to get into a different line for food.
However, when I went to the other line, I was told “No” go
back to the line I left. Well,
by that time I had lost my spot in line and I was too hungry to
stand in line for
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| August 12 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Wednesday,
August 19th we
are dark at noon so join us instead for the COGS event at the
Rawhide Ballpark at 6 pm. Free for COGS members (members 3
years or less) and spouses; for o Joke
of the week: Mike
Torres for
Team Young (Laughs and applause) Program:
Steve
Salomon
- State of the City: Challenges and Milestones.
Challenges include sales tax is revenue down, we have the first
property tax decline since Proposition 13, and the State is
expected to take back approximately $5.5 million. Some of
the steps to close budget shortfall
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| August 5 General Meeting | ||||||||||
Joke
of the Week:
Team Old represented by Gerry
Schneider wins
via the applause
Dena
Cochran,
introduced, Tom
Johnson who
served 29 years at KDDH before being appointed and serving
as California Secretary of Veteran Affairs for 5 years. Tom
presented some perceptive and concise comments concerning our
State Government. We are facing adverse times in Sacramento now
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| July 29 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Announcements:
At the first board meeting Boy Scout Troop 3302, which we sponsor,
was awarded $1,250. The Board also made the difficult
decision to increase annual dues by $60 a year. However, dues will
now be billed semiannually. See President
Brian if you
are interested in applying for a Rotary International Master Card.
Your use of the card earns points for our club and for Rotary
International. Talia Eager, outgoing exchange student, spoke about her upcoming year in Argentina. She’s really “excited.” Talia gave us a small orientation on Argentina via slide show. She promised to send us monthly updates. (Did I mention she’s REALLY “excited”?) Joke
of the Week Trophy was awarded to moi, Francie
Langley, representing Team Old (I actually received applause!
That’s much better than the Moan Meter! Thanks to you all for
your support! Team Old has got to stick together!) Rocky
Pipkin, for Team Young, Thanks
to those joining the YMC this week: Steve Creel went
to Wyoming for a golf tournament (he said it was a religious
experience.) He brought President Brian Program: Walt
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| July 22 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Club
assembly today! Lots to do! No cheerleaders…Whew! We received a
“Thank
You” from Elizabeth Anders, because Bill Gerlach’sservices
saved the sight of a young girl named Iliana. (Bill, you’re our
hero!) Al Fisher interviewed new members Sue
McCallister, Omar Araim, and Dustin Stewart today.
Welcome to Steve
Chrisman spoke
about the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation, established in
1991, to help the community through monetary gifts. The 1st gift
was $7,000. This year grants of $70,000 have been awarded to
Associated Charities, CASA, Family Services, FoodLink, and Visalia
Rescue Mission. Danny Little, representing Visalia Rescue Mission,
was present to receive a check for $5,000 and Betty Miller,
representing Associated Charities, received a check for $8,000.
All members are encouraged to support the Board
Members
presented an overview of their committees today and joined the YMC Matt
Graham and Derek
Groppetti spoke about Interact and would like all members
to support Interact
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| July 15 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Jim
Hu Tony
Salierno and Ron
Burris were
each fined $25 for use of their cell phones. There were some
murmurings that Tony was fine free because he had already joined
the club, but I can’t find in past articles where he joined the
YMC. It sounded to me like he said he had been a member of
the Rotary Club of Visalia for a long time and could he be excused
from the fine (sorry, Ed!) Joke
of th Terry Ommen, retired Captain of the Police Department, presented our program on the History of Visalia with “Now and Then” pictures of Visalia. This was a wonderful program! People came to this area in the 1860’s because land was available for homesteading. Covered by an oak forest, the land was marshy from the Sierra to the Tulare Lake Basin. The soil was fertile and almost anything could be grown. Tobacco was a fairly big crop, as well as the mosquitoes bringing malaria(!) Next week we’re having a club assembly. Have we had those before? If not, I hope there won’t be chairleaders…I’m not in the mood! |
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| July 8 General Meeting | ||||||||||
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Joining
the YMC (Young Men’s Club) this week: Christine
Rowan has
merged Christine’s Travel with Announcements: Randy
Groom announced
that our club donated $2,000 to a project supported by several
local organizations to remodel the fire chief’s vehicle into a
campus safety vehicle for our schools. (Something Well,
one of President Brian’s goals for the Young Men’s Club is to
have fun and that sentiment was echoed by Justin Levine, our
program for today, owner and head trainer at the California
Fitness Academy. Justin is very energetic and enthusiastic
about fitness…passionate, even! He says you need to make
fitness a lifestyle, have fun, and do something you like.
(Ok, let’s see, what do I like to do that would contribute to my
fitness?.. I’m not coming up with anything!) Justin explains
that we need to develop mobility, flexibility, and good posture as
our first goal. (Does that mean we walk upright and
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