VISALIA ROTARY CLUB

PAST MEETINGS

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Congratulations and Announcements: Keep sharing Rotary and congratulations to Henry Howison for obtaining his Blue Badge!  Hooray!  Craft Talks wanted.  Let the Board, Susan Welch, or Rocky Pipkin know if you are interested in making a presentation. See Ed Sullivan to learn how far along you are toward a Paul Harris Fellow Award.  Although funds donated to the Rotary International Foundation are not kept locally, they still do great things around the world.  We didn’t have an Eagle Scout today, but we had a World Link exchange student from Pakistan speak.  He was a little skittish about the Scouts at first.  The uniform was a new concept for him.  He had never been camping or hiking (he hiked five miles just to see lady bugs!) He has been here four months, but he is so impressed with Boy Scouts that he would like to re-introduce it into Pakistan!  (Priceless!) 

Daniela’s Minute:  Karen Lindburgh, our Youth Exchange Officer, gave Daniela her Christmas gift from the Club: a Redwood Letterman’s jacket!  What a special gift! 

Smile Club:  Dean Singh traveled to Russia in general and Yalta in particular.  He played pool on Stalin’s pool table, which was imported and the legs were shortened to accommodate Stalin’s stature.  (I’ll bet you NEVER heard people call out from a crowd:”Hey, Stalin, stand up!”  No indeed…Off with their heads!) Nola Sherman is smiling at her five grandchildren and is proud of her son.  Thanks to both of you for joining the Smile Club! 

Program:  Dr. Carmina and Dr. Araim, the cousin of our member, Dr.Omar Araim, shared with us their enthusiasm for the Kaweah Delta Cardiac Surgery Program.  Dr. Carmina has been at Kaweah Delta for twelve years, after leaving the Mayo Clinic (I wonder what enticed him to leave the May Clinic?)  He said our new cardiac surgery facilities at Kaweah Delta Hospital are the best you can find anywhere!  Although Dr. Araim is experienced in cardiac surgery, he is also interested in lung surgery and diseases of the lungs (we have much lung disease in our Valley.)  Our Kaweah Delta Cardiac Surgery Program under such experienced surgeons has a long track record of excellent survival rates.  You have to be proud and thankful that we have such a fabulous local program!

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Announcements:  Wayne Yada representing Wish Upon a Star presented President Gerry with a Thank You Plaque and polo shirt for his “hair sacrifice” (very nice.)  Our Showcase Auction is scheduled for March 9th at the Marriott; notify Susan Lucas or Susan Winey of your contribution; volunteer to help even if you’re not on the committee list; the Club voted to cut back on events so help make this, our only fundraiser, a successful one!  

New Members:  So far this year we have seven new members including our newest member, Ben Weldon of State Farm proposed by Tony Benevento.  Ben’s motto is “A day without helping is a day without fulfillment.”  Welcome, Ben!  Our goal is 25 new members this year, so keep sharing Rotary! 

Smile Club and Traveling Rotarians:  Megan Travioli is smiling at her new granddaughter born on Thanksgiving.  We were treated to pictures of V. T. Tsvirinko and his family of six boys and their families (count ‘em…SIX!) all smiling to be in this country and free to attend college and practice their faith (Christians were not allowed to attend university in the Soviet Union!)  With big smiles, Steve Dwelle and his fiancée, Debbie, were married in the Thunderbird VIP Room.  Dick Watson is smiling from a great New Year’s Eve and being healthy enough to attend our meeting!  (Yes, we be talking BIG smiles!)  Gene Yunt brought back books for President Gerry from Shanghai, but Gene’s daughter still has them safely locked in the trunk of her car!  Eric Shannon brought President Gerry a book from Hawaii about Pearl Harbor.  Thanks to all those who joined the Smile Club and Thanks for the books! 

Program:  Stacey Beachy, Director of Corporate Partnerships at the International Agri-Center could have joined the Smile Club because she’s so proud of the launch of their new AgWarriors Program.  Enjoy a spectacular evening of fine dining, entertainment by the 82nd Airborne Division's All American Chorus, and a keynote address from President of the United States, George W. Bush.  The Ag Warriors’ Gala, on February 15th, will support returning veterans with an interest in securing jobs in the agricultural industry.  With the help of California State University Fresno, Cal Poly, and College of the Sequoias, returning veterans will receive valuable training that will prepare them for careers in agriculture.  Stacey also introduced Adam Sabourin, currently Operations Manager at Bennett and Bennett in Hanford, and former Captain in the United States Army.  His message:  American veterans are loyal, trained, motivated, and responsible individuals who can enhance your business.  The AgWarriors Program is looking for internships from local businesses and word-of-mouth advertising.  Just another reason and great way to welcome our veterans home!

Announcements:  For any members who haven’t noticed, our meetings now start at 12:15 pm and are scheduled to adjourn at 1:15 pm.  Susan Winey started begging for donations for the Visalia Rotary Showcase Auction (her words!)  This is our only auction and is to be held March 9th (eeew!  Tax season!)  The committee is asking for the donations early (by the first of February!)  Inform the Committee about your auction item by contacting Susan at susanwiney@aol.com .  We are only 20% of the way to our membership goal, so keep sharing Rotary and recruit, recruit, recruit! 

New Member:  Today we welcome Ed Lynn, Visalia Police Lt., proposed by Floyd Westbrook.  Ed is the District Commander at the new substation near Target.  He has been with the Visalia Police Department 30 years, he enjoys what he does, he tries to do good things for this community, and he feels Rotary is the place for him!  Words cannot describe the immensely positive impression he made on those present today!  Ya just had to be here! 

Daniela’s Minute:  Daniela wasn’t here but she raised $460 toward her “Build-a-Bear” project and delivered the bears to children in the hospital.  Daniela won’t be here next week either because she volunteered to be a Scicon councilor.  Ya just gotta be impressed and proud of Daniela! 

Smile Club:  George Allen gave President Gerry a book from his travels.  President Gerry went to New York City, saw some shows, and visited the 911 Memorial.  I don’t remember President Gerry mentioning anything about bringing back any books for his book project!?!? 

Program:  Patricia Stever-Blattler, Executive director, Tulare County Farm Bureau, represents the professional business of agriculture.  Trish grew up in Exeter, went to Cal Poly SLO (Go, Mustangs!) and earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Ag Science (Aa-ggeeeee!)  The goal of the Bureau is to protect the richest and best farm land through land use advocacy, being involved with government representation and regulation, and conducting a robust public outreach and education program.  Our area supplies the world with 80 specialty crops.  (Too bad the metropolitan areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles don’t have adequate outreach and education programs to teach their populations that without farmers we would be naked and very hungry!)

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Boy Scout of the Month:  Eagle Scout, Josiah Alter of Troop 317, made safety signs (for example “no hunting” and “cross at your own risk”) for the Dry Creek Preserve.  Phases of an Eagle Scout project include substantial planning, approval, fundraising, execution, and post project.  Thank you, Josiah, for giving us some insight into becoming an Eagle Scout.

Smile Club: Glen Morris is smiling because the Christmas Tree Auction was a wonderful success.  Pete Cowper is smiling because the Viva Blunt third graders smile when they receive their dictionaries.  Paul Sonier is smiling from the tax deduction he’s getting by joining the Smile Club before yearend.  Bill Winn is proud of Susan Lucas running her first meeting (she did a great job!) and he read the words to the ol’ camp song about the smiling lady thinking the crocodile is tame as she rides him down the Nile, but at the end of the ride the lady was inside and the smile was on the crocodile!  Alex Peltzer brought a book back from Washington D.C. and plans to join the club when he has something to brag about.

Program:  Randy Smith gave our first craft talk of the day.  Now the manager of Screw Conveyor Corporation, Randy started working for the company in the shop.  It was amazing to learn all the different types of conveyors and all the things conveyors help move.  A screw conveyor is a humongous screw turning in a pipe or trough; it moves raw materials while it turns.  A drag conveyor has a card that scrapes raw materials through the trough, and bucket conveyors move raw materials upward at a greater degree than the other conveyer types.  Examples of raw materials are sand for glass, spices, metals, ice, and salt, nuts, oranges, rice, cotton seed, and the list continues.  Some conveyors need to drain the raw materials and thus the trough is a screen.  It was an eye opener to learn all the ways conveyors are part of our lives.
Jon Pree gave a very inspiring craft talk.  Jon was born and raised in Alaska.  He moved to Visalia in 1994.  When he was born the doctor said he would never be able use his hand or arm.  His folks made him use his hand and instilled in him the drive to push and keep going.  At a young age he became involved in martial arts, wrestling and various other sports.  He became a medic and worked on a cruise ship for awhile.  Eventually he entered his current profession of law enforcement.  Jon challenges us to take advantage of the New Year, to mentor someone, and to push them.  His message: Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone; embrace the challenges this year.  Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
Well said, Jon.  Well said. 

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Another year, another Holiday Party!  Many “Thanks” to Laurie Isham and her committee.  This year our All-Visalia-Clubs Rotary Holiday Party must be rated a success!  There were more people in attendance, they wore festive holiday togs, and there were noticeable numbers of members from other clubs in Visalia.  There were lots of delicious dishes, yummy petite fours from Bothof’s (my personal favorite!), a variety of beverages to wet your whistle, and plenty of room to visit whether standing or sitting.  The band played plenty of fun music AND THERE WERE ACTUALLY PEOPLE DANCING!  Not just a couple or two, but the dance floor was almost crowded and we have members that can Jitter Bug!  President Gerry was sporting his spiky hairdo, now that he has hair to “do.”  (No, Gerry, it doesn’t make you look younger…just scary!  Your office help is just playing a joke on you; they don’t really like it!  I can hardly wait for your hair to be long enough to go back to its Pre-Save-the-Brave look!)  Congratulations and “thank you” to everyone for the bounty of books collected (I had to go back to the car to fetch mine…glad I put them in the trunk the day before!)  Tune in next week for more Rotary news: same Rotary time, same Rotary channel!

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Today we honored the survivors of Pearl Harbor.  Never forget.

Congratulations:  Congratulations to Doug Berg, our newest board member and future club president! 

Daniela’s Minute:  Daniela spent a week experiencing Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Hollywood.  (She ate breakfast with Mickey and Minnie!)  In her words: “Incredible!”

Smile Club and Traveling Rotarians:  Tom Cutler smiles about Sherrie and the boys; they are really special! (That’s so sweet!) Tony Correia smiles for his grandkids. (There’s a lot of that going around!) Fred LoBue is proud of his kids and grandkids; with 8 girls he goes to a lot of dance recitals! (You’re such a good grandpa!) Rob Fox spent a couple of days in New York with his 15 year old and attended the Packers game (Rob is from Wisconsin!)  Pete Akin was our only Traveling Rotarian this week. He took a trip to Idaho and gifted President Gerry with a bottle of salad dressing created by a restaurant owner turned salad dressing manufacturer…there was such demand for the product! (It’s very expensive!)

Program:  Dr. Joe Malli of the Kaweah Sleep Center delivered a timely program on sleep deprivation.  This is a comparatively young area of study and great strides have been made in the last 30 years.  How we handle sleep and the quality of sleep is as important as what we do during the day.   Workdays should be no longer than 14 hours, limit the time on a task, exercise, and take rest breaks of 5 to 20 minutes.  Naps need to be the correct kind; if they keep you from sleeping at night they are the wrong kind of naps. (No more falling asleep in the recliner in front of the TV!)  Studies have shown that if you are receiving the appropriate amount of sleep you should not be sleepy and bored in the afternoon…just bored!  We need approximately 7 hours of sleep a night; more or less increases the risk of death (!)  (We be talking VERY serious stuff here!)  Sleep Apnea is a different condition but it can create sleep deprivation.  Sleep deprivation can manifest symptoms similar to depression. Symptoms of sleep deprivation include:  increase in appetite, shakiness, headaches, increased pain sensitivity, irritability, poor concentration, aggression, apathy, time and place disorientation, loss of emotional control, paranoia, sleepiness, hallucinations, memory lapses, slow speech, and decrease in immune function.  In fact, mice deprived of sleep on a continuous basis died of septic shock (infection) not heart attack or stroke.  It’s very important to correct the condition before you suffer irreparable damage. I don’t think anybody fell asleep after lunch today!

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Congratulations and announcements :  Rotary Holiday Party December 14th 6pm, please tell your spouses!  Please bring children books!  There will also be books for sale at the event.  Christmas Tree Auction is Dec. 2 nd , still looking for donations.  Rotary Foundation has already raised almost $20,000 for the tree!  Parks Foundation will grant money towards a long range plan to enhance Rotary Park.  Rotary grants were awarded to the following organizations: Blanket Ladies, Turkey Transit Singers VEAC, County Computer Program.  To the relief of many Rotarians, Wednesday meetings will now end at 1:15pm, they will start at approx 12:15pm.  The Literacy Committee is delivering dictionaries to third grade classrooms during December- keep up the good work!  Henry Howison, a Paul Harris Fellow, was officially “pinned” by President Jerry today, don’t tell Jan. 

Al Fisher Joke (not verbatim) :  Cop says to an older guy what are you doing out at 1 am?  “I’m going to a lecture on the evils of alcohol on your mind and body.”  Cop goes where is that?  “Home.”

Daniela’s Minute :  Celebrated her first Thanksgiving.  She found it very strange so many people were shopping at 5am on Black Friday.  Jerry’s reply: “Welcome to America!”

Smile Club and Travelling Rotarians :  Uncle Matt is proud of his new niece and nephew.  After much nagging from Bill Gerlach, President  Jerry gave him and Larry Rambaud their belated gifts for joining the smile club .  Dick Watson , over the Thanksgiving holidays, went to Maui.    Mike Shannon was also in Hawaii and happened to go to the Fresno State game, one of the few they’ve managed to win

Side Program :  John Crowe escorted 86 year old ex-GI, Al, to Belgium where a plaque was being dedicated to the soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge.  On December 19, 1944, after Al’s gun was disabled he was given a 5 minute lesson on how to shoot a bazooka.  After his quick lesson, he took out tiger tanks while being shot at by German machine guns!  Many heart felt thank yous were given by the locals.  They were also fortunate enough on their way through France to not just watch, but partake in the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.  What a trip!

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Announcements and Congratulations: Reminiscent of days gone by, our meeting started with song as the Turkey Transit Singers performed to kick off their annual holiday fundraiser.  Keep sharing Rotary so we can welcome new members.  The Rotary Yellow Pages has a Holiday Bonus available, so log on, and sign-up!  Tell your spouse that our Holiday Party will be December 14th at the Marriott at 6 pm.  Congratulations to Doug Meis’ daughter, Christine, recipient of the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award andCitation for Meritorious Service.  Keep in mind that any meeting of Rotarians getting together to serve counts as a make-up; put the number of your make-ups on the sign-in sheet (no date required.)  

Daniela’s Minute:  No “time” today, minute or otherwise; she’s sick.  Get well soon, Daniela! 

SmileClub and Traveling Rotarians:  Joe Mackey of Forcum/Mackey Construction joined the club.  Nancy Lockwood of the Lockwood Agency is proudly smiling at her grandkids, her daughter who recently married, and her son serving in Afghanistan.  (There are lots of reasons to smile!)  Fred Lo Bue returned from the Western Growers’ Association Board with a book, “The Kids Guide to Giving” (his 10-year old granddaughter couldn’t put it down!)  Don Groppetti was “forced” to take a five day vacation between business trips.  He broughtPresident Gerry some Lemoncello (it disappeared at Halloween…I’m  Trick-or-Treating at his house next year!) some Chianti (his brother drank it!)  and a bottle of Grappa (so if the Novocain doesn’t work for patients President Gerry can drink the Grappa and not hear the screams…are we talking Halloween again or the Little Shop of Horrors?)  

Program:  Liz Gonzalez of Chanel KMPH 26 grew up in Sanger and as anchor, reporter, and producer; she can be seen on “Great Day” at 5 am.  (She gets up at 1 am! Ouch!)  In school she got in trouble for talking and now she gets paid to talk (a career made in heaven!)  A good news story has proximity, prominence, impact, timeliness, uniqueness, and conflict; the story should grab your interest and make you care.  Much of the news is rather negative, and as we learned last week, polls show that the number one type of news people want is crime stories.  However, Liz tries to end her shows with a positive “kicker” that is hopefully positive or silly, but not negative.  For Liz, if you wake up, it’s a “Great Day!”

Francie's View...

Congratulations and Announcements:  Our club recently made donations to Soled Out For Kids (provides shoes for Washington Elementary children); the Justice Run and the Chrysanthemum Sale for Family Services; and Drug  Court .  Rotary Yellow Pages has a holiday promotion, so log on and check it out. Donate to the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation for the Christmas Tree Auction and  our club will match your contribution up to a certain limit (I didn’t catch the limit amount!.)  Save the Date: Our Rotary Holiday Party will be December 14th at 6 pm at the Marriott; prime rib and turkey buffet dinner.  Bring a wrapped children’s book for ages 2 to 8 (indicate on the outside the appropriate age.)  Congratulations to our Students of the Month, Arali Luna and Jorge Gutierriz.  Each Rotary club is taking a high school and our students are from Golden West.  Both students are inspirations and would like to enter the health care profession.  Keep talking up Rotary and recruit members!  Note that we will be dark on November 23rd. 

Daniel’s Minute:  This week is Cowhide Week.  Every day at school has a theme.  She’s so excited!  (That’s great that she’s so well integrated in her school!) 

Smile Club and Traveling Rotarians:  Welcome to our new members.  Doug Berg is proud to be a Rotarian with the opportunity to know great people like Greg Meis and to be a part of the open discussions at our Foreign Affairs Roundtable. (Well said, Doug!) Mike Wileyloves playing banjo with his grandkids.  Matt Bixler looks forward to going home to his family (his kids were Hansel and Gretel for Halloween; how cute is that!)  Joe Mackey joined the Club anonymously.  (Thanks!)  Dean Singh returned from a six week trip with books for President Gerry.  Dick Watson (good to see you, Dick!) returned from a 6,000 mile railcar trip with a puzzle because he couldn’t find an appropriate book (and we certainly don’t want an inappropriate book!) 

Program:  I think it’s fair to say we had a real live TV star today.  Liz Harrison spoke frankly to us about her profession and the effects on her life.  The media can be a blessing or a curse: There are neat folks like Victor Perez who saved an abducted child and then you have Herman Cain on the firing line.  There always two sides to a story.  Liz herself experienced the negative attention of the media when her son was arrested.  Liz received an Emmy for her story on our troops being trained for the desert.  She and her cameraman endured a “hotel” constructed of three stacked storage containers and no running water.  She tried to use the latrine during the night and was taken “prisoner”…before she could get comfortable!  She is thankful to be where she is in her career and believes it is a calling.  Liz Harrison really gave us a great program.  (Now I’M excited!)

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Daniela’s Minute.  Daniela dressed as a pirate for Halloween.  It was a special “treat” for her to go door to door asking for candy...they don’t have Halloween in Switzerland and adults NEVER dress up! (That’s just sad!) So, President Gerry, did Daniela use your pirate costume? 

Smile Club:  Sue McCallister of ColorspotPrinting.com (shirts printed overnight) shared a new twist in t-shirts: funeral shirts with pictures of the deceased…of course those are usually for gang shootings! Sue not only joined the Smile Club but agreed to host a Fireside.  (Well done, Sue!) Greg Meis, pictured with the Lone Ranger, joined the Smile Club and ‘wowed’ us with his various accomplishments and honors received (if you ever see a “Meis Park” it was probably named after him!)  Our traveling Rotarians this week were Steve Dillard and John Crowe.  Steve brought books to President Gerry from his Los Angeles/Oregon/Las Vegas trip (I hope I got that right…I can’t decipher my notes!)  John brought two books for the book program with a military slant; one was about the Civil War at sea (not your usual book!) 

Program:  Our District Governor, George Wade, began by awarding Paul Harris Fellows to Henry Howison and Fred LoBue (you guys are so special!)  George also presented a surprised Scott Jacobsen with “The Quiet Rotarian Award” for always being there to give assistance to others. Scott received a special pin; there are only 57 of them in the District.  Wear it, Scott, with our pride in you! The Governor’s message (which is also the President’s message!) emphasizes three things.  First, strengthen your family at home and your community family by being involved with other Rotary clubs and activities involving your families.  Second, find what you do well and build on it (for example Rotary International’s project to provide clean water, eliminate disease, and promote peace in the world through the Youth Exchange Program)  Third, instigate positive change; live in peace to change peace in the world; and open all we do to non-Rotarians.  Out of respect for these tough economic times, George ruled there will be no fines this year for Rotarians sharing information about their businesses.  (Arrrgh!  Be there another mutiny a-brewin’?) George’s favorite charity is Rotary International.  Keep it near and dear to your heart.  It is the engine that allows Rotary to do the work of God on this earth.

Smile Club Inductees

Announcements:
Last Monday, October 24 was officially “World Polio Day”.  However, it is not too late to go on-line to make a contribution, or if you are so inclined to write a check to submit to Gerry.  (www.rotary.org/contribute).

Rotary Yellow Pages is offering to any Rotarian who signs up now will receive an additional 6 months free.  That’s 18 months for $50 or $100 with the bonus page.  Please take the time to consider this as it will definitely help your business and it promotes vocational scholarships for the students in our communities.  Do business with a Rotarian! Sign up at www.RotaryYP.org

President Gerry and the other Club Presidents fielded a team in the Breakfast Rotary Golf Tournament (& Crab Feed).  They did not win. Another team made of Gary Paden, Phil Cline, Doug Berg and Gary Beckers also participated.  They did not win either.  Gary blamed their poor performance on the constant distractions created by Team Schneider.

Our first ever Firesides are booked beginning this week, but there are still three dates available for those interested in getting together to make new acquaintances, experience the fellowship of Rotary and share in good food and drink. This is the best opportunity to get to know some of our newest members and have a great time while doing it!  Contact Susan Lucas, Susan Winey, or President Gerry if you are interested in attending on these remaining dates:  Friday November 4th, Saturday November 5th or Saturday November 12th.

Gerry reminded everyone of our membership goal of 20 new members this Rotary year. “Everyone knows a potential Rotarian out there; they just don’t know it yet”.

Smile Club
Soapy Mulholland has been travelling “all over the place”.  She has been to Sacramento, Washington D.C., and spent 9 days/nights in Hawaii and I believe she said Breckinridge.  She presented President Gerry with a book (somewhat used) on “Oceans”.  She volunteered to join the “Smile Club” without even being asked.  Thank you Soapy!

Don Hutton and Larry Rambaud both said they had been travelling.  Don does not want to join the “Smile Club” at this time and Larry says he will join today if he doesn’t have to stand up and say anything.  Gerry accepted his offer.  Don is on the hook for a later date.

Daniela’s Minute
Our Youth Exchange Student Daniela did a wonderful job of educating the Club about her home in Switzerland (not Germany!).  We learned about the geography, climate, language and location of her home town, Wettingen. Daniela shared some intimate family photos depicting her mom and dad and siblings. They appear to be very close and happy and I am sure they are missing her very much.

Program
Our program this week was fitting, due to the closeness of Halloween.  Dallas Pattee from the Tulare County Historical Society presented “Tales from the Tomb”.  Dallas has a fascination with cemeteries, not a morbid one, but in a historical sense; she finds it very interesting to get into the background of some notable pioneers who are buried in the Visalia Cemetery.  There is a group from the Historical Society who dress up in period costumes and play the parts of some people from those pioneer days in Tulare County.  Dallas told many stories including some about some our Club’s member’s ancestors.  Mike and Steve Chrisman are a couple who have descended from some of these interesting characters. During the question and answer session Dallas was asked about any ghosts that may be hanging around the cemetery and she told of a Civil War Ghost that has made his presence known over the years.

			Larry Rambaud is camera shy
Smile Club Inductees

Francie's View...

Announcements: Sign up for the Rotary Yellow Pages before the end of October and take advantage of the Sign-Up Bonus.  Donate at least $100 to the Polio Project during the week of October 24 to 28 and Rotary International will match it.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Encourage your loved ones to learn about this disease, how to notice it, and how to survive it. Firesides are here; Susan Lucas will be contacting you with your time and place for connecting with a small group of fellow Rotarians.  Evelyn Muros is our Youth Exchange Student in Taiwan; click on the Link in our website and keep track of her adventures!  We need a couple of members to share the task of writing the newsletter articles from February 1st to April 18th and periodically the rest of the year when Francie can’t attend a meeting.  Explore your creative writing skills! Contact Francie at 625-3200 orfrancie@visaliacpas.net.  Many “Thanks” to Lisa Nunes for her past help (she’s extra busy while Janet Robertson is recovering.) 

Daniela’s Minute:  Daniela we’ve missed you!  She toured the San Juan Islands on a very small boat for a week, braving the rough seas, and then last week she took a vacation from us! 

The Smile Club:  Randy Smith is always smiling with his wife, three boys, and their significant others while traveling to Yosemite and hiking in the Canyonlands; Randy gifted President Gerry with several children’s books.  Mike Toomey’s oldest daughter modeled for a Mothers’ Day Fashion Show; Daddy’s “little” girl is a little beauty and Daddy has a nervous smile!  Dustin Stewart has seven reasons to smile including 2 chickens who wondered into his family Christmas Picture; for his 30th birthday his wife gifted him with a helicopter flight (that would give me a nervous smile!)  Jim Hurlbutt and his wife spent 16 days on bus with 18 other people (and apparently did not go postal!); they visited a Rotary Club in Lisbon and Jim brought President a large book of animals.  Amy Pack, returning from the San Juan Island trip with Daniela, brought President Gerry a children’s book and ice cube molds that are shaped like teeth (that’ll call for a second look!)  Eric Shannon brought President Gerry a book and a ball cap from Chicago (now that’s an orange hat!) Thanks to everyone who joined The Smile Club and for those who are already members, “Thanks” for the gifts! 

Program:  California State Senator Jean Fuller was our guest today.  Her district is the largest in California and is larger than seven states!  Her husband retired so he could fly her from location to location within her district.  Having grown up on a farm in Shafter, she is working diligently to procure water.  She had some interesting insights on Governor Brown.  He is very open and willing to speak with you and he is a good problem solver.  However, he delegates to his staff and if they don’t want to do it…they don’t!  He’s struggling now in his efforts to work with the legislature because it’s a different critter than last time he was in office.  Since the legislature almost never agrees, Senator Fuller has a real challenge trying to accomplish anything in Sacramento. 

Smile Club Inductees

Francie's View...

Announcements:  Consider hosting a Fireside to connect with your fellow members.  This type of get together can take whatever form the host chooses:  dinner, snacks, dessert, etc.  Don’t miss out on the Rotary Yellow Pages Sign-up Special during the month of October. Rotary International is sponsoring a 2-for-1 donation campaign the week of October 24 to 28 for donations of $100 or more to Polio Plus.  Visit www.rotary.org/contribute to donate and click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug_O7QjyQlI to view an incredible video.  Evelyn Muros, Youth Exchange student to Taiwan, is feeling more settled after two months in Taiwan.  She understands Chinese better now with the help of one of her school’s English teachers.  She is enjoying playing soccer at a local university and playing golf with her host dad.  Her classmates, school staff, Rotary, and host family are very supportive and welcoming.  Look for additional updates from Evelyn in the coming months. 

Program:  Today was our City Council Election Forum with Amy Shuklian, Raymond Macareno, Luke Feldstein, Bob Link, Greg Collins, and J.J. Macrae.  Amy Shuklian is nearing the end of her first four year term.  She has not missed a council meeting in six years (!)  She’s about the community not a political party; she is against electing council members by district because it will limit the responsiveness of council members to only those in their district.  Raymond Macareno, a fellow Rotarian, sees serving on the City Council is service above self.  He believes transparency of the Council’s activities and oversight is very important. He plans on asking many questions to encourage a high level of transparency of the City Council for the public.  Luke Feldstein wants to keep Visalia a good community like he remembers when he was growing up.  His first priority is public safety.  Bob Link has been a member of the City Council for 12 years with 4 years as mayor.  He has been instrumental keeping Kaweah Delta Hospital in downtown, cleaning up Recreation Park, and encouraging Fresno Pacific University to stay in Visalia.  Public safety is also #1 for Bob.  Greg Collins served on the City Council in the past.  He was a member for 20 years, four of which were as Mayor.  He brings vision for the community, he’s fiscally conservative, and he strives to improve the least advantaged neighborhoods in order to improve the entire community.  He believes that developing a sound infrastructure gives businesses the support to supply jobs to the community.  J.J. Macrae is running for City Council to give back to the community by safeguarding individuals’ rights and freedoms.  All of the candidates are interested in growth and attracting new business.  Many thanks to Lee Goldstein and Gene Yunt for moderating today’s forum.  Remember to vote!

Francie's View...

Announcements:  Check out the Rotary Yellow Pages and take advantage of the sign-up specials!  Keep sharing Rotary and consider sponsoring a new member so we can reach our goal of 25 new stars this year (on average we are behind.L)  Congratulations to our Past President, Justin Mosley, who finally got married amidst a double-take ceremony where the groom and best man were twins and the bride and maid of honor were twins (now, which one are you?)  Hopefully the correct couple went on the honeymoon! 

Daniela’s Minute – Our Swiss Watch:  No “time” today; she’s on a ship in Puget Sound!  Feel free to include Daniela in any trip or activity you are planning to enrich your experience as well as hers! 

Smile Club:  Gary Geiger is smiling because he bought his wife a Lamborghini and since she didn’t like it he agreed to make the sacrifice and drive it himself!  Tom Seidler is proud that 20 Rawhide alumni are playing in the big leagues!  Wayne Yada is smiling because his “garage-mahol” houses his beloved Woody and 2 other projects waiting in the wings!  Dave Miller learned that in order to take his wife to Tuscany he had to go to Italy (guess his wife is smiling!)  Susan Winey went on a road trip to Yellowstone and environs, returning home still married!  Thanks to all for joining the club!  Byron Riegel once again brought President Garry some books; this time as a result of his trip to Yellowstone! Thanks, Byron! 

Program:  Craig Wheaton of the Visalia Unified School District joined us with his Annual State of the School District presentation.  We have seen steady improvement in various benchmarks:  graduation rates are up 5%, more kids are at grade level compared with last year, standardized test scores have improved, and Exit Exam results have improved.  Since 2002 seven new schools have been built with 3 of the schools financed from developer fees.  The next project will be a middle school, which costs twice as much as an elementary school and will require a bond measure.  Our District is committed to quality neighborhood schools and we are in no danger of having too many schools.  With budget cuts rampant in all areas of government and industry, the District is dedicated to providing non-curricular activities for students such as sports, band, choir, orchestra, art, drama, etc.  These activities engage students, keep them interested in school, help the children avoid gang involvement, and reap greater rewards than their minor share of the budget.  Consider attending our high schools’ musicals and “Visalia’s Most Talented (a great variety show!)  See for yourself that the vast majority of our young people are doing good things!

"Smile Club" Inductees

Francie's View...

Announcements:  1) Sarah Scott and Michael Boudreaux spoke to the club about participating in “Project Homeless Connect 2011” scheduled for November 3.  Volunteers and donated services are needed to provide the homeless on that day (for example: haircuts, dental services, etc.)  Half the homeless are homeless for the first time and a large percentage are children.  Contact Mike if you would like to participate or contribute.  2) Our webpage now has a link to the Rotary Yellow Pages.  This is a pilot project and if it goes well it may be adopted by Rotary International. 

Daniela’s Minute: Last Monday Daniela’s leadership class went to Tulare for a student leadership conference where the students enjoyed sharing ideas and listening to speakers. (She wasn’t sounding as bored with school today!) 

Smile club: Tony Salierno is smiling about his 5 grandchildren, his great grandchild, and the home of his birth is an historical building (but not because Tony was born there!) because the house was built by Joseph H. Dalton a famous ship designer and builder.  Tony not only joined the Smile Club but he also sang a song he wrote.  (‘Nuff said!)  Dave Burr joined the Smile Club and received a standing ovation!  He also told us an interesting story about being solicited.  (It made him feel young again!  Whoops!  Wrong club!)  Brent Calvin is smiling at his family and joined the club after presenting our program.  (“Thanks!” to all of you for joining the Smile Club!) 

Program:  Brent Calvin, Interim Superintendent/President of the College of the Sequoias expressed his appreciation for our Club, his privilege of membership for almost 10 years, and his enthusiasm for COS.  Brent spoke about three of the many issues on its plate.  The first issue is the budget which is supplied by the State of California at $4,500 per fulltime equivalent student (to a maximum of 8,700 students.)  This is reduced by student fees and property tax assessments received by the College.  The college had 10,600 fulltime equivalent students which means approximately 9 million dollars was not funded at all.  A third of the funds from the State will not be paid within the year but over 10 years!  (Ouch!)  Second, due to some bond measures, the College has been able to build and improve facilities in Hanford, Tulare, and Visalia.  These funds were approved for these projects and may not be used for other needs or the funds must be returned to the State and the State will send the funds someplace else.  (We don’t want THAT!)  Third, student extracurricular activities engage the students and cost very little of the budget.  Studies show that students are more likely to succeed if they are involved in something besides classes.  Thanks, Brent, for an interesting and informative program!

"Smile Club" Inductees

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This ‘n’ That: Josiah Prescott shared his Eagle Scout Project: a 911 Memorial of the Twin Towers constructed of cinder blocks.  One “tower” is 9 feet tall and the other is 11 feet tall (as in 9-11.)  One “tower” is in memory of the victims and the other is dedicated to the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  It is a striking memorial and rates as one of the best Eagle Scout projects we’ve seen.  Steve Dwelle explained what happened at the Reno Air show Races.  The airplane that crashed was highly modified and had more horsepower than usual which means the nose wants to pull up.  The pilot needed more down nose trim.  The trip cap pitched up and the pilot lost control (I sure hope I wrote that down correctly!)  Loss of consciousness from high G’s usually occurs over 9 to 15 seconds, but a quick application of 9 G’s in 4 seconds can cause you to go straight to unconsciousness.  This is apparently what happened to the pilot at the air show.  Thank you, Steve for that interesting and informative information. Byron Riegel took a break  from traveling to visit us and broughtPresident Gerry a couple more books.  Thanks, Byron! 

Daniela’s Minute (aka The Swiss Watch):  They don’t have doggie bags or free refills in Switzerland.  It’s considered rude if you take leftovers home(!)  

Smile Club:  Lisa Nunes is proud of her daughters, 8 and 5, who play baseball and soccer.  Thanks for joining! 

Program: Rocky Pipkin introduced our program “Reflections of a World War II Hero,” about racing great, Smokey Yunick, presented by his daughter, Tricia.  Smokey grew up in Pennsylvania and was in charge of the crops and farm animals.  He built a tractor at 14.  He started motor cycle racing and acquired his nickname from his smokey Indian motorcycle.  During the war he was sent to Visalia to train as a fighter pilot and had a natural talent for flying.  He was only 17, but he paid a priest for a fake birth certificate!  (What’s wrong with this picture?)  He flew 50 missions over Europe and built his own B-25 out of scrap from a junk yard in Italy.  After the war the fighter vets were adrenaline junkies and turned to auto racing to feed their habit.  His love was the Indy 500.  He was a consultant for car manufacturers and he experimented with alternate energy.  Bomber pilot, Casanova, stock car racer, Indy car racer, and inventor; he was never satisfied. Go to smokeyyunick.com for more information about this colorful character! Today’s meeting contained all kinds of interesting information and announcements, but, due to space constraints I had to include only some of them.  I hope everyone understands!

"Smile Club" Inductee

September 14, 2011

Francie's View...

Announcements:  Many “Thanks” to our club for raising $2,780 plus the $2,000 from the Board Approved grant to benefit Wish Upon a Star!  Keep looking for prospective members; we need 20 to stay even and 25 to increase. 

Daniela’s Minute – Everyday of the week the class schedule is different in Switzerland, but here it’s the same old thing every day!  (Daniela is bored; just like our kids!  Some things are universal!) This is like vacation to her, and her classes are easy, except for Spanish 2 and Pre-Calculus because they are not in German.  (Wait a minute…Calculus is numbers…that should be the same no matter what the language!) 

Smile Club:  Marilynn Mitchell is smiling as Woman of the Year and the President of the Creative Center Board of Directors.  (Thanks, Marilyn, for arranging for our Club Roster to be printed by Josten’s!)  Tom Beene, Vice Chairman at Large for Visalia Community Bank, brought President Gerry, 2 hundred dollar bills (not surprisingly they were shredded) and a pineapple with a smile on it from Hawaii (no…wait…little fib...the airline wouldn’t allow Tom to bring fruit home on the plane.  We learned, to our dismay, that Tom’s feelings were hurt over last week’s article, because allegedly “the Webmaster” called him a “fruit.” If you carefully read last week’s article, “the Webmaster” did NOT say “Tom is a fruit” - according to my offspring’s rules.  Be this a warning to you all: Tom has VERY sensitive feelings.  I will have a stern talk with the Webmaster and tell him to not call Tom a “fruit!”)  Dick Combs, hurricane tracker, chased a hurricane in Nantucket, celebrated his wife’s birthday, enjoyed his 4 indescribable grandkids, and brought President Gerry some children’s books.  Byron Riegel, the “Powder hound,” returned from skiing in Chile and gifted President Gerry with bilingual books about the Andes.  (Thanks Byron!) Dereck Wisehart took his family to Maui and brought President Gerry a one of a kind Smile Club gift (possibly with a special beverage inside, although exactly what wasn’t described.)  Karen Lindberg, visited Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and brought President Gerry a book entitled “Who Pooped in the Park?”  (I’m sure the park rangers would like that question answered, too!)  Smile Trivia: A smile uses as few as 6 facial muscles while frowning uses as many as 20 muscles! 

Program:  Jackson Taylor, Central California Manager of Engage 360 is helping people save money on their utility bills through increased awareness, participation, and change in behavior.  81% of Californians strongly believe everyone should reduce their energy use, yet we are still wasting 25% of the energy we buy!  Things to do:  Set your air conditioner at 76 degrees (check!), buy an energy efficient television (it’s on my Christmas list!), use a smart power strip (that’s on my husband’s Christmas list!), install a programmable thermostat (check!), use fans to supplement your AC cooling (check!), buy a fridge thermometer and set your fridge at 39 degrees and your freezer at 5 degrees (check!), and upgrade your weather stripping and caulking (“Hello, Handyman?”)  Go to their website for more ideas: engage360.com

"Smile Club" Inductees

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Congratulations and Welcome:  Congratulations to Greg and Barbara Meis celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary! Welcome to our new members:  Sarah Heaney sponsored by Nola Sherman, Nathan Hernandez sponsored by Robert Groeber, and Santos Pradosponsored by Wayne Yada.  We’re thrilled to have you join us! Membership is our life blood, so all members be proud, wear your pin, and share about Rotary with those you meet.  We have 4 new members this Rotary President Year, so we need 21 more!  

Our Swiss Watch:  Daniela straightened her hair and painted her nails hot orange!  (I straightened my hair when I was 14; trust me, Daniela, let your hair “do” what it wants!) 

Smile Club:  Dave Heaney joined the Smile Club because he turned 65 and he’s still functioning (that’s wonderful!)  Past President Brian Hyde is smiling about his three kids (ya just can’t help it!)  Our Smiling Mayor, Bob Link, is making another run for city council and his grandson was catcher for the Cal Ripken World Series Champs!  Larry Akey returned from his Honduras Medical Mission (they treated 500 people!) with children’s books in Spanish for President Gerry.  Tom Beene went to Hawaii, but they wouldn’tlethimbringpineapples or other fruits on the plane (hey, they apparently let YOU back on the plane…they must have mettheir “fruitquota”!)  Our Rotary Club puts a smile on Laurie Isham’s face! The answer to our Smile Quiz from 2 weeksago: Mother Teresasaid “We shall never know all the good thatasimplesmile can do.”  

Program:  Alistair Robertson,Pediatric Oncology Social Worker at Children’s Hospital of Central California talked really fast and seemed to cram an hour long presentation into 20 minutes filled with oodles of facts. CHCC is the 2nd largest children’s hospital in California; it’s one of the top 10 in the nation; it provides the same treatmentasSt.Jude’s which uses CHCC’s techniques (!); leukemia has a78% survival rate in children and only 50% survival rate in adults; more kids are being cured but more kids are developing the disease.  Wish Upon a Star grants wishes to very ill children which gives themhopeandsomething positive in their future.  Even for terminally ill children it gives the families happy memories of their child.  A “committee” of vintage Rotary members said I shouldn’t give President Gerry credit for bravely shaving his head while he whined about changing his mind (too late!).  Various comments included “He looks like Jerry Brown,” “Hey, it’s a buzz cut like in the air force,” “Whoops, the shaver broke half way through the cut,” “Dad, you can’t shave your head…I’m still in high school,”  Thanks, Gerry, it will grow back!  (See, that’s “hope” for the future!)

"Smile Club" Inductees

Francie's View...

What a fabulous program today!  Victor Davis Hanson (who has such a lengthy list of achievements his introduction almost turned into a program of its own) is an expert in Classical Studies (e.g. ancient Greek and Roman studies) and military history.  I believe he said he is also a 6th generation farmer of orchards and vineyards.  Dr. Hanson validated our fears and then gave us hope. 

Is America in decline?  In studying the Classics the notion that decline is predetermined based on enemies, environment, and disease is not supported.  Greeks and Romans, in their time, overcame overwhelming challenges during their dominance in power only to be overturned by a mere fraction of the forces that they had previously defeated.  Decline is a choice that society makes.  Society must believe it is better than the alternative. 

Currently we have a multi-trillion debt ceiling, we are borrowing 40% of expenditures, Social Security won’t sustain itself, you can’t retire because there is no place to invest your funds, those entering the workforce can’t find jobs, and we are in the slowest recovery since the 1930’s.  The European Union is not viable, the common currency has failed, and there is massive default of the Euro.  We have tremendous natural resources but we are not producing. 

However, he is still optimistic!  Compared to the Middle Ease, Libya, China, Russia, etc. we live in Paradise!  We have been in our current situation before.  We have advantages.  We have the largest and longest lived democracy in the world and the only non-parliamentary system with checks and balances in the judicial, executive, and legislative branches giving us stability.  We have 15 of the top 25 universities in the world.  We have innate strength with oil reserves second in the world and the richest farming area of the world.  The United States is the only major multi-racial society where there is no internal war; where people can invent themselves and enjoy a level of freedom other countries do not have while the lights stay on and the water doesn’t poison us. 

We have created an arrogant and ignorant generation.  We need to teach our students TO think not WHAT to think; increase retirement age because people on average live to age 78 instead of 58; the masses need to get off their duffs and productivity should be rewarded; our expectation for a utopian society is unrealistic; and we need a leader to say “You’re pretty well off and you need to make some sacrifices!”  We need a consensus to save agriculture and bridge the gap of understanding between the growers and the consumers.

I think that if Dr. Hanson was running for office he would have been elected today!

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Program:  Amy Pack introduced our program today as we have two students returning from Youth Exchanges:  Oscar Rios from France and Chantale Yunt from Thailand.  Host families are needed for students who have come to our area.  Contact Amy if you are interested.  Oscar and Chantale told of their challenges and joys during their year abroad. One word describes the program: amazing!  The kids are amazing, the experience is amazing, the host families are amazing, and the year is amazing. The kids miss home when they arrive at the country they visit and then they miss their host families and new friends when they return home! 

Daniela’s Minute – Our Swiss Watch: Via a multiple choice quiz in German (!) we learned that Daniela’s favorite activity is climbing and her mom is a pastor.

Smile Club:  Dave Burr doesn’t join president’s clubs and he hasn’t given President Gerry any feedback, positive or otherwise (and this surprises you, President Gerry, because?...) Bill Gerlach is smiling about his grandsons moving from the terrible 2’s to the trusting 3’s! (you betcha that’s something to smile about!) Gene Yunt is proud papa and smiling to have his daughter, Chatale, back from Taiwan. Lee Mirviss returned from a road trip with his wife, Lynn, and brought President Gerry a t-shirt from Mt. Rushmore “a true experience!”  Francie Langley (aka moi) is smiling in a picture with her daughter, Jessica, when Jessica received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology (rule #1: don’t analyze your parents!)  and how can ya not smile at a picture of a smiling Bert Kat? Just don’t get me started on my pets! Our Sergeant-at-Arms, Tom “The Hook” Cutler, had to wrestle the microphone away from me! (I think that’s how the term “Sergeant-at-Arms came about: they ‘arm’ wrestle the unruly!) I’m sorry, but I still think it’s funny that the cats taught the parakeet to purr!  (I’m trying to restrain myself…REALLY…I am!) Smile Quiz: Who said “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do”? For the answer, see next week’s article!

Newest Inductees into President Gerry's "Smile Club"

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Congratulations and Announcements: We had a visiting Rotarian today, Jake Woo, from Guam. Jim Wohlford introduced our special guests: the Bronx team from New York playing in the Cal Ripken World Series; their favorite thing about California is In-n-Out Burger! Congratulations to Bill Winn for 40 years in our club (Woo Hoo!) Congratulations to Tom and Marsha Peltzer on 51 years of marriage! August is membership month.  Get out there and share rotary! Bill Gargan introduced Tyler Mariuchi, from the Bull Dog Foundation.  The Foundation funds scholarships and provides for various team needs.  They are having a fundraiser in Selma, at Caterpillar on August 28th; tickets are $250 a couple, including food and drinks.  Come out and support our Dogs!  Al Fisher announced the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation Annual Dinner will be September 22nd at the Visalia Country Club in celebration of their 20th Anniversary; it’s $50 per person which counts toward your Karl Weiss Award. 

Daniela’s Minute - Our Swiss Watch: This week she visited Yosemite, went square dancing, and wore a cowboy hat (they have cowboy hats in Switzerland, but they don’t wear them?) 

Smile Club:  Stan Simpson joined the club while smiling as a major sponsor of Cal Ripken.  Mike Chrisman’s brother, Steve Chrisman, is smiling but there were kids present so we didn’t get the details!  A picture of Ruben Chavez at his last Marine Corps ball demonstrates that Marines don’t smile as much as the other branches of the military, but he joined the Club anyway! Gary “Big Smiles” Herbst joined the club because his kids are smiling with perfect teeth after Gary’s substantial investment in the dental industry! FYI, anyone can join the Smile Club anonymously, just as Ron Hellstern did today’ just let President Gerry know! Thanks to everyone who joined the Smile Club.  It’s nice to see you once in a while…see you smiling, that is! 

Program: Nick Rossi, minority staff director for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (and John Barbis’ son-in-law,) gave us insights into congressional committees. Much of the business in Congress is conducted in committees.  The committees hold hearings 2 or 3 times a week.  Experts are brought in to explain issues at hand to the congressmen.  Some of the hearings are to learn about the possible effects of proposed legislation while other hearings investigate why certain situations that should not have happened, managed to happen anyway. Nick gave us an interesting and informative presentation.  We hope he’ll want to make his wife happy again and come talk to her dad’s Rotary Club in the future!

		ALL SMILES!

Francie's View...

Announcements and Congratulations:  Congratulations and Thanks to Greg Meis for 39 years in our club, all of them with perfect attendance, and 24 years setting up our meeting room. (Does that mean I have to write these articles for another 20 years?) Congratulations to Dave and Lynn Burr for their 48th wedding anniversary.  Congratulations to Mike and Sharon Shannon for their 54thwedding anniversary.  The Rotary Club of Visalia has a Face Book page; check it out (just don’t ask me how to find it. I need a “Face Book for Dummies” book!)  Bruce Nicotero and The Communication Committee will be gathering your individual preferences for delivery of the newsletter: email only, mail only, or both. Be sure to let him know your choice. (Bills will still be mailed bi-monthly.) Sarah Scott, who grew up in Visalia, has obtained $3.7 million of federal funds for our community to address homeless in our area. (Contact Ralph Bookout if you would like to discuss the effectiveness of this endeavor!)  

Smile Club:  Amy Pack is smiling as the first host family for our exchange student from Switzerland, Daniela Baumberger.  Additional host families are still needed so contact Amy if you’re interested. Phil Cline is smiling with his 5 year old granddaughter and his wife of 40 years; he’s a lucky, lucky man! Fishing makes Gary Paden, the “Smiling Judge,” smile!  Robert Groeber also loves fishing, according to his surrogate Smile Club joiner representative, Drew Sorensen!  Mike Shannon is smiling at his twin great-grandkids (can’t blame him!) and he brought President Gerry a book about the Oregon Trail. Thanks to all of you for joining the Smile Club! 

Program:  Geoff Hinds, the CEO of the Tulare County Fair, says he doesn’t just work 5 days a year! Acting as an Emergency Response Center, the fair grounds are open 365 a year and the Agency is actively booking other events all year long (such as wedding receptions, quinceaneras, swap meets, races, etc.,) because they will be losing all state funding for 2012.  It is cost prohibitive to provide super star acts, but there will still be 20 hours of unique entertainment:  ya gotta have a hypnotist at a fair; this year will be the first year to have pig races (he doesn’t know why folks love to watch pigs run in circles!); of course, the destruction derby is a favorite, especially for Pete Cowper (a former whiplash attorney!) who would like to see the alcohol booths moved closer to the stands!  Next year tractor pulls may return since the Ag Expo quit doing those. Zzzzzzzz Sorry! Lately I’ve been falling asleep over my Nintendo DS.  I’m drinking coffee and tossing back 5-hour Energy like tequila shots, but it’s not helping! However, everyone else is awake for a change! I plan to be wide awake next week so join us as our program will be Nick Rossi and the “Update on the Hill.”

Francie's View...

Smile Club:  Mike Torres is smiling after receiving the Small Business of the Year Award for Frank’s Appliance; Congratulations! (He requested to be on the Dave Burr Plan! Good luck with that!)  Lane Fye is smiling for all kinds of accolades: real estate superstar, golfer, gentleman farmer, fisherman, campaign manager and…Mr. Awesome????    (Be sure to supply President Gerry with pictures for the overhead if you plan to join the Smile Club or you’ll find your name attached to someone off the internet!) Steve Dillard is smiling for his Advanced Micro Systems (large and small networks solutions.) Harvey May asked to cut the chase and join the Club without trying to explain his pictures! Eric Shannon returned from Oregon and is smiling at his grandkids! “Congratulations” to all and “Thanks” to all who joined the Smile Club! 

Program:  Before splitting into our assigned committees to set goals for the upcoming year, President Gerry related his experiences at the Rotary International Convention in New Orleans.  Holding true to Rotarian tradition, New Orleans greeted visitors with supreme hospitality.  Even with the various presentations (Bill Gates encouraged the Polio Project to keep the momentum; the last 1%will be the hardest to reach) there was time for partying (after all, it IS New Orleans!), touring (Anne Rice’s haunted former home…how appropriate!) and shopping (River Walk Shops.) Local excitement included the threatened flooding by the Mississippi River.   With mimosas in hand, President Gerry had a fabulous time (we wouldn’t expect less from him!) Next year Susan Lucas goes to Thailand! (Hope you like it hot; Thailand has two seasons: hot and dry or hot and wet…what a choice!)  

Announcements:  Your prayers and positive thoughts are requested for Janet Robertson of the County Center Club in ICU after a bicycling accident.  Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Bill Nash, a member of our club for 56 years.  Congratulations to Floyd Westbrook on his 40th wedding anniversary to Jeanette, and congratulations to HarryWood, married to Ruth for 49 years.  There has been a change in our dues schedule:  $300 a year; no additional charges for birthdays or anniversaries; $100 billed each year for the benefit of Rotary International (which replaces the wine auction…now a “non-event!”); Christmas Party is $40 and the Showcase Auction is $50. Tom Brodersen introduced Lauren Billys. Lauren is a 2006 Redwood graduate raising funds to participate in the October Pan American Games in Mexico with an evening August 27 at 5:30 pm featuring the DeBoer Royal Friesians, 16500 Rd. 152, Tulare; call 625-2700 for tickets. Mimi Stemkoski announced Celebrant Singers will perform at the L J Williams Theatre near the end of August, but I missed the date, so contact Mimi for additional information. (L).  Next week, join us for Geoff Hinds, CEO of the Tulare County Fair and on August 17thNick Rossi from the FBI will FINALLY be here!

Francie's View...

Program:  Wrestling With Life.  Max Lupercio is a local youth minister and is usually called upon to mentor youth to avoid gangs and drugs.  He received an e-mail about a young man who needed help, but this young man wasn’t into drugs or gangs; he was into school, work, and sports.  His name:  Arian Lucatero.  Arian spoke to us about being encouraged to attend college by one of his Highland Elementary School teachers.  Arian’s dad made it to second grade and his mom made it to sixth grade.  When Arian was in seventh grade his dad was deported to Mexico and the family followed, except for Arian. Arian chose to stay in this country and go to school with the goal of ultimately attending college.  Arian lived in Sacramento with relatives, excelling in his studies and soccer.  When things didn’t work out there he returned to Visalia at the beginning of his freshman year.  He lived in various homes and garages, all the while working and continuing to excel in school and participate in sports, especially wrestling.  Eventually he found himself living out of his car.  He applied to various programs designed to help youth, but he didn’t qualify for these programs because he didn’t have kids, didn’t do drugs, wasn’t in a gang, wasn’t out of work, etc.  He spoke to his high school counselor who called Visalia Youth Services and he was taken on personally (as opposed to part of their program.) As a result of many emails, Max Lupercio took Arian into his home.  Arian says this changed his whole life.  He didn’t have the same worries, so he was able to concentrate on his school work and stay in wrestling.  He graduated from Mt. Whitney, plans to attend COS, and hopes to transfer to Santa Clara. After college he wants to start a non-profit in Visalia to help kids in gangs. He also wants to bring his family to Visalia.  Arian said he was tempted by gangs, but that was one of his father’s biggest worries; so to prove his father wrong and make his mom proud he managed to stay out of gangs. There are no words to adequately describe Arian Lucatero.  I am left speechless with my mouth hanging open in wonder and amazement! 

Smile Club:  Lee Goldstein is a director on our board and a retired doctor of optometry (they gave the old guy the youth committees!) Lee has been a member of our club for over three years and a member of Rotary for 30 years before this club.  He really likes Rotary and what it does.  Lee, we really like having you here! Willie Case’s granddaughters make him smile.  Tony Benevento is smiling because ServiceMaster by Benevento won the ServiceMaster Top International Award at their International Convention in Memphis Tennessee (only 5 businesses out of 4500 receive this award.) Thank you to Lee, Willie and Tony for joining the Club.  Keep on smiling! 

Announcements:  August 5th Daniela Baumberger from Switzerland and our incoming youth exchange student will visit us.  Thanks to Tom Seidler, Tom Beene, Matt Bixler, Dean Glass, and everyone who helped to make our Rotary at the Rawhide evening a great time; calendar it for next year!  A reminder for members who must leave our meetings early: please continue to excuse yourself to the speaker. Steve Dillard introduced Paden Law, an Eagle Scout and graduate of El Diamante High School.  Paden reroofed the old log cabin at Mooney Grove Park; his finished product looks great! Next week is our club assembly.  It’s billed to be the “bestest” and most “importantest” meeting of the year (President Gerry is a challenge to spell-check!) Don’t miss it!

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Many “Thanks” to Tom Seidler and his staff for another enjoyable evening of Rotary at the Rawhide.  This is just a nice relaxing time to connect with members and enjoy baseball.  Thank goodness we have the use of the air conditioned Hall of Fame Club!  Dinner vouchers allowed us to choose whatever we wished for dinner. (Once again, I ate too much!) We had the option of viewing thegame from the Hall of Fame Club or the stands.  President Gerry threw the opening pitch.  It’s a good thing he threw the pitch, because if I had done it I would have needed to walk the ball to the catcher…no way I could throw it that far! (Guess who was always the last to be picked for the team in school!) I was sitting near the edge of the Club room, so my view of the flag was blocked when it came time for the flag salute.  “Thank you”Bruce Nicotero for pointing me in the right direction!  If you missed it this year, plan to attend next year; it’s a fun evening!

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Announcements: Congratulations to Don Sharp, our newest city councilman. (He can keep Bob Link company!) We will be dark next week at noon and we’ll meet at the Rawhide Ballpark for an evening of baseball fun at 6 pm. There will be a special window for Rotarian Check-In.  Adult beverages will be available (so long as you act like an adult!) The air conditioned Hall of Fame Club will be available for our use. Invite your family and friends; adults $15 and children $10.  

Smile Club:  President Gerry thanked everyone for the warm feedback and support for his Smile Club (however “smile” is not spelled “i-m-p-e-a-c-h!”) Share a photo, event, or anything else that makes you smile.  Traveling Rotarians are requested to support our Literacy Year and gift the President with a grade school suitable reading book (booze is good, too!) The Smile Club continued with Board (not “bored) introductions spotlighting Susan Winey this week. Susan is both a Redwood grad and an FSU alumna.  She trained for accounting with Don Westbrook, and now works at the Estes Institute. Congratulations to Phil Hornburg, our Man of the Year! Phil joined the Smile Club, as did George Allen (who is proud of his daughter who passed the bar exam, and his son who has started Green Thumb Gardening.) Mike Schauffele, returning from an unexpected trip to Germany. Mike brought President Gerry 6 samples of “water” except it’s only 60% water…hmmm…the next Board meeting might be stumbling room only! Thanks to all our new Smile Club members! 

Program:  Harvey May, Membership Chair of the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation, gave an overview of the Foundation and explained the difference between Paul Harris and Karl Weiss awards:  a Paul Harris Award is recognition for a level of giving ($1,000 increments) to Rotary International Foundation; a Karl Weiss Award is recognition for a level of giving ($2,500 increments) to our local Visalia Rotary Community Foundation. The Foundation board consists of members from four of the Visalia Rotary Clubs.  Since only 2% of the annual earnings pay for administration, 98% of the income earned from the investment portfolio is distributed as grants to local organizations.  In 15 years our Foundation has awarded $1,225,000. (Yay!) Paul Sonier presented a $9,500 grant to Meriel Heinsohn, Chairman of the Associated Charities. Associated Charities provides funds to local school nurses to assist children they observe in need of special help (e.g. coats, shoes, etc.) Other grants this year include Golden State YMCA ($25,000), Ivanhoe School Readiness Project for preschoolers age 3 to 5 ($21,000), and Friends of the Fox ($9,500). Various scholarships are also awarded each year.  Mark your calendars for September 22 for the annual Foundation Awards Dinner at the Visalia Country Club.  We’ll be dark next week at Noon, so join us at the Rawhide at 6 pm.  Cowboy up!...Whoops!...I mean…Batter up!

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President Gerry started his first meeting early…If he starts early will he be demoted sooner?  Our new President’s club is the “Smile Club.”  Let President Gerry know what photo, story or event makes you smile, be it about you or those close to you, so you can share and join the President’s Club. Traveling Rotarians are requested to bring an elementary grade children’s book for the President gift instead of booze…what about the 3 B’s?...Books, Booze, and Beads!  Ed Sullivan was the first to join the Smile Club, but President Gerry warned Ed that although other members might become fine free when they join The Club, this might not be true for Ed.  Now, Gerry, two wrongs don’t make a right…Past-President Ed paid for his error with a Mutiny.  You certainly don’t want those mean ol’ pirates to come after you, do you?  I hate to think what they might do to the poor ol’ Tooth Fairy! Also joining the President’s Club were President Gerry and his Board, introduced with alleged pictures of their smiles and brief self-biographies, as time allowed, until it was time for our Program. Thanks to all those joining the Smile Club! 

Program: Dick Eckhoff, Chairman of the 2011 Tulare County Advisory Committee on Redistricting spoke about the challenges of the task at hand, the requirements of the project, and the tools used.  Of special note is the software they are using to develop new boundaries which calculates the population of a proposed area. This provides an efficient way to propose new boundaries and determine the population characteristics of the area. Boundaries are required to be re-drawn after every census.  Required criteria are: 1) strive for “one person one vote,” and 2) strive for racial groups in need of protection to have a district or two where they are the majority.  Another goal is to avoid splitting communities and to preserve contiguity wherever possible. When their work is completed, the Committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. (I hope I got this stuff correct!)  Their website is linked to the County website for more information. This year, ProYouth Heart is the beneficiary of the speaker donations. (Way cool!) 

Announcements:  Mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 20th for Rotary at the Rawhide; cost is $15 per person; family and friends are welcome; we’ll be dark at Noon that day.  Our new member directories are available; many thanks to Marilyn Mitchell and Jostens.  Welcome to our newest member, Henry Howison, sponsored by President Gerry Join us next week for presentation of Visalia Rotary Community Foundation Grants; July 20th in the evening for Rotary at the Rawhide at 6 pm; and the 27th for Arian Lucatero, “Wrestling With Life.”  The new year is off to a great start!