VISALIA ROTARY CLUB

PAST MEETINGS

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 or grandchildren to the event. Rob & Sabrina Shahan will be hosting a St. Patrick’s party on March 12th at their home. Thank you card decorated our tables from Crowley school’s third grade classroom thanking our club for their dictionaries. VT announced a classes/seminar being held on February 26th but I couldn’t hear all the details. And last, a pre products day auction was ‘sum-what’ bid on to attend the Miracle League fundraiser in Las Vegas this weekend with a meet-and-greet with Pete Rose and Dan Marino (Way to go Terry Culotta for setting up as you did, and from one banker to another, I don’t feel you took advantage of the low price, anyone could have bid it up if they wanted too).

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 throughout the room and every cheered TIE, TIE, but how can that be….I was always told some one has to win, and some one has to lose. Greg Meis must have been taught that same lesson, because he just came back to the table with the trophy in hand and no one else put up fuss….I have to say, with “women” being the laugh of the jokes both times….these gentlemen need to be careful. We are all listening.

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 him now.

Randy Groom also announced that his son is now engaged and he daughter was accepted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. President Brian was so proud that she applied he only fined Randy $25 for the announcement…..hint, hint to all members…soft spot for President Brian.

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!

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 week?…the Donut Club? Count me in! Well done, Justin, well done! 

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 least was a small muscle man who grew up to be Randy Smith! There was also a picture of Randy cliff diving.  You learn so much about your fellow Rotarians this way! Randy’s advice as one extreme sports enthusiast to any other: “Don’t ride your motorcycle in the snow!” Thanks to all who joined the President’s Club! 

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. 

Program: Bruce Nicotero introduced Galen Quenzer of the Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County, who thanked Rotary for their help and support over the years.  Grants from the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation have helped the Club renovate the gym, provide ten computers for the learning center, and install security cameras inside and outside. Galen was assisted in his presentation by Jeremy and Nye, current members of the Club.  Jeremy and Nye shared their stories which brought them to the Club. They described the challenges the Club has helped them overcome.  Jeremy lost his mother when he was 10 years old.  Jeremy and Nye have both suffered the loss of a friend and fellow Club member who was beaten to death near home a few months ago. The Club has supported and helped them deal with these tragic events. The Club offers the members positive experiences and opportunities to help them succeed in school and life and it provides a safe environment for them to learn and grow.  Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County is saving children’s lives…Literally.

January 20, 2010

 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 medical attention.  Thanks to Pete Akin and Bill Winn for being in attendance.  Officer John Pree called for medical transport and Randy Groom showed the paramedics the way.  Jerry Schneider, Stan Carrizosa, Drew Sorensen, Justin Mosley, Ed Sullivan,Joe Kuhn and many others chipped in to lend support.   We have a wonderful emergency response team in our club! Later we learned from our Webmaster, Bill Gerlach, that Brian had suffered a benign vasovagal attack.  This is just a fancy way to say Brian fainted. I guess Bill used the big words to save Brian from being teased.  Ever heard of Google? Seriously, Brian, we’re thrilled you’re OK!  So no more standing up front for long periods of time with your knees locked!  Join us next week with the Boys and Girls Club of Tulare County.

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 refrigerator to another family, a stove to another, and the list goes on. They are even paying for a life saving operation for a little boy! You are invited to visit Pat in Los Alamos, his treat at his wife’s B & B, and see for yourself how you are helping these people. Kudos to you, Pat!  

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 Welch introduced our speaker, Scott Barker who wrote “The History of Yokohl Valley.”  Scott lives in Springville.  Currently, Yokohl Valley probably has the lowest population in 12,000 years.    Two people who contributed to the Valley were:  Richard Thew (a retired freighter captain and inventor) and Fred Gill, who, with his three sons, eventually owned 48,000 acres in the Valley for their cattle ranching operations. Scott confirmed details with two sources before including them in the book(on sale at Valhalla’s and Borders for $20.)  I bought a copy for my husband and had trouble putting it down to let him read it!  Joinus next week when our program will be Bruce Kiesling, the Director of the Tulare County Symphony.

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 actually comfortable!) The Foundation was duly impressed that we did something besides write a check! Mike Robertson returned from Amsterdam with a Van Gough Museum t-shirt for President Brian…not your usual shirt! 

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 college with a newspaper. Third was an adorable 3 year old girl who was discovered to be Soapy Mulholland when the picture with her dad while at Berkeley was displayed.  Doyle Pope was a tough one for members to guess until his Fresno City College graduation picture was shown.  Thanks to everyone for joining the President’s Club! 

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 trying to breathe soup!)  Shifts were 12 hours on and 12 hours off, with everyday JUST LIKE THE DAY BEFORE (he felt like he was living “Ground Hog Day!”)  There were pluses to his adventure (he lost 30 pounds…funny how fast it finds you when you return!) and there were negatives (he really missed being part of his kids’ lives.)  Thank you, John, for a fabulous program and thank you for your selfless service to us and to our country!  Next week join us for Scott Barker and the History of Yokol Valley.

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!

Joke of the Week:  Ron Hellstern for Team Young received an 8 on the Laugh Meter, while Andy Balerud for Team Old only received a 3 L.  However, Andy brought President Brian a bottle of something (recommended for a radiator!) and President Brian told several Tiger Woods one liners to save the day!

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 2^nd 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 was guessed after the hint “he takes a nap during Rotary meetings” (that could be almost anybody!) and was pictured with his grandsons. Next was no, not Tony Orlando, but Tony Salierno with hair at a Wish Upon a Star 50’s Dance. Lastly we had Dave Burr in a hula skirt and coconuts! After a tremendous amount of haggling and debate everyone finally joined the President’s Club at one level or another. Thanks!

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. 

Announcements:  1) President Brian has the Application for District Governor nominees, if anyone is interested.  2) It is time once again for the Dictionary Project, (Pete Cowper does a wonderful job with this! Thanks, Pete!) Contact Pete if you’d like to help pass out dictionaries to third graders.  3) We donated a Desktop Desk to Able Industries (Wonderful!) 4) We are dark next Wednesday because our Rotary Christmas Party for all four Visalia Clubs will be next Wednesday evening, 6 pm at the Marriott.  Remind your spouses/significant others and remember…dress up! Bring canned food, rice, and/or beans for the Rescue Mission. Don Sharp has arranged for live music (Thanks, Don!) Encourage members from the other Rotary Clubs to attend. I’ll see you Wednesday evening with glitter and good cheer for one and all!

Who would have thought planting trees could be so much fun? Bright and early Saturday Morning at 7:30 am approximately 15 to 20 Visalia Rotarians assembled at Phil Hornburg’s parking lot to reconnoiter and plan the attack. The objective: Replace dead and dying trees in downtown Visalia. Off we marched to target locations armed with gloves and shovels, invading downtown Visalia in mass. It was wonderful to have so many people helping with this project. (Many hands make light work!) We sure gave Cal Trans a run for their money! However, I have a greater appreciation for why it takes so many Cal Trans workers to do anything…you need someone to hold the shovels, someone to encourage and cheer for everyone (Good Job! WooHoo! Hey, could you pick up the pace? Remember to break up the root ball!), and you need a couple of folks to take turns digging because, hey, we went to college so we wouldn’t have to do manual labor, right? With so many helping hands we were finished in about an hour and a half! People were scouring the town looking for more trees to replace! One team even had the honor of digging up a live tree! No, it wasn’t a mistake! It was a tree that had decided to produce fruit, and this particular tree produced VERY NASTY smelling fruit, thus, it was not welcome in downtown Visalia. (Go figure!) The team of Larry Akey, Dick Watson, and Pete Cowper (subsequently joined by Randy Smith, Bruce Nicotero, Gerry Schneider…have I missed anyone?) demonstrated great endurance and fortitude as they attacked the "stinky tree!" What a team! (At times they were convinced the devil had a hold on the taproot keeping that tree in the ground!) They were determined to get that exceedingly healthy, yet apparently evil, tree out of the ground and they succeeded! (Tell a guy he can’t do something and watch the determination take over! "That tree won’t get the better of us!" Ooof! Ooof! Ooof! More power!) As tempted as they were to pull that tree out of the ground with a chain and a truck, they won the battle with nothing but brute strength! Many thanks to everyone who helped with our planting effort! It was great fun, and some folks even brought their kids to help! I have to say, in all humility, I was pretty much useless. If I had to remove a tree by myself, the dead tree would still be there! I simply have no strength! Nada! Zip! But next time, I’ll know to bring a broom in addition to the gloves and shovel (and an ax, and a pick, and a branch cutter!) because at least I can sweep the dirt off the sidewalk and back into the hole!

: 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 Watson was pictured as a little guy with a push-car-airplane and then as a big guy with a real airplane. Monique Miron received whistles for her graduation picture! (Congratulations on your baby boy!) Scott Jacobsen stumped the group with his picture golfing, but you couldn’t see his face, so the "stumping" doesn’t really count! Alex Peltzer traveled to the "Holy Land" (no, not Goshen!) in South Bend, Indiana and brought President Brian "Nuts for Notre Dame." Thanks to all of you for joining the Young Man’s and a Few Select Women’s Club! (Alex not only joined the club, but paid Dave Burr’s $1 so he could join the club, too! What a guy!)

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, November 7^th; meet at 7:30 am at Phil Hornburg’s parking lot (1220 W. Center Ave); bring gloves and a shovel. This has not been well attended in the past, so please show up and make a difference to our beautiful city! 2) Joe Pinto reminded us to attend our Wine Auction, November 18^th, 5:30 pm, at the MARRIOTT this year (!) We need silent and live auction items. We will also have plenty of premium wine at the $150-per-bottle-wine-table (maybe that means we don’t have to worry about the wine tasting like hair tonic from being stored in someone’s hot garage during the summer!) 3) RSVP to Scott Jacobsen, 452-2962, to attend our Visalia Rotary Tailgate Party on November 21^st from 11 am to 2 pm kickoff; fee is $10 per person. 4) Phil Hornburg announced that our Visalia Rotary Community Foundation will sponsor a tree at the Christmas Tree Auction, December 4. This year proceeds will go to the emergency fund. Your contribution $250 goes toward your Karl Weiss Fellowship and you receive a star. 5) Congratulations to new Blue Badge recipient, Ken Melban: Well done! 6) Laurie Isham requests you save the date for our Rotary Christmas Party on December 9^th. All Christmas Party Committee members please attend the meeting next Wednesday, 11:30 am, at the Marriott before our normal club meeting. 7) Thanks to Joe Kuhn for the great Halloween luncheon décor (someone must have sore hands from carving all those pumpkins!) 8) Thanks to Mimi Stemkoski for playing the piano during our gathering! 8) Keep good thoughts in mind for Floyd Westbrook…it looks like joint surgery is in his future. 9) Mark your calendars that we will be dark November 11^th for Veterans Day. 10) Join us next week to give our District Governor his customary standing ovation!

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!Joke of the Week

: 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
: Mike Waters, Principal of El Diamante, introduced Carly Yoshida. Like so many of our Students of the Month, Carly is amazing! She is ASB President, she has a 4.17 GPA, she participates in a variety of clubs/sports, she is very nicely spoken, and she’s Homecoming Queen! (Naturally!) Carly’s first college choice is U C Berkeley with Stanford a close second. She plans to major in English and minor in Music Performance; then it’s to law school with a career in politics. (She noticed that Ogden Nash poem!)

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 Welch on a pack trip. (That was "ol’" not "old" !) John Estes was abroad cruising for 5 weeks and he’s sick of ships, but he saw amazing things in Europe, Asia, and Africa! He gifted President Brian with a bottle of Lemoncello blessed by the Pope! Thanks to everyone for joining the Young Man’s and a Few Select Women’s Club!

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, and obtain autographs. The race teams spend so much time on the road together going from race to race that they are like family. The deciding factor in the races is the condition of each different track. Thanks to Jason for an entertaining and informative program!

Calendar

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 with President Brian’s Young Man’s Club theme, the “Holy Smokers” booth was decorated to resemble a frat party, with empty beer boxes and beer bottles used as decorations along with some standup cardboard cutouts. (My daughter took offense at the “frat party” comparison…guess the Greeks these days aren’t supposed to revolve as heavily around beer as in my college days!) Lee Goldstein, whose “Cowboy Chili” was made with green chili, decorated his booth with a cowboy theme. Congratulations to Al Fisher for his first place chili, to Lee Goldstein (runner up for his chili) and President Brian (runner up for his salsa.) Oh, yes, there was also the ballgame, however, the “Holy Smokers” ball team got smoked! Thanks to Kimberly Luna for all the work she did for us.  We had a great time!  Plan to attend next year! 2) Bruce Nicotero announced our club collected $385 toward Rose Bowl Parade Rotary International float.  Thanks to everyone who contributed!

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? Plan to attend our meeting and find out!

No, our program was not the District Governor (although our guest did received a standing ovation!), today we were privileged to have as our speaker an angel on earth and a modern miracle, Austin Gutwein, the founder of “Hoops of Hope.”  Touched at the age of nine years old by the plight of children in Africa orphaned by AIDS (at nine Austin didn’t even know what AIDS was!); Austin decided to raise money by shooting free-throws.  That initial effort raised $3,000. Austin, now at age 15, (yes, that’s correct, 15!) and his “Hoops of Hope” program have raised a cumulative $1.5 million. In conjunction with World Vision, Hoops of Hope has become the bricks and mortar to build a school and 2 clinics in areas in Africa hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic.  With the composure and whit of a veteran speaker this young man is like a one-person Rotary International, except instead of passing out polio vaccine he’s delivering hope!  Visit hoopsofhope.org for the full story! 

Announcements:  1) Marv Hansen appealed on behalf of the Visalia Rotary Breakfast Club Golf Tournament to be held October 16^th, at Valley Oak Golf Course; Registration at 9 am, tee time at 11 am; crab dinner afterward at the Holiday Inn. 2) Don Sharp informed us that October 21st Jason Meyers, professional race car driver, will bring a sprint car to the convention center. Come see this awesome machine! 3) Joe Pinto reminded us that our wine auction (proceeds of which fund our contributions to Rotary International) will be Nov 18^th at the Marriott at 5:30 pm; Please respond to requests from the wine committee for contributions of items. 4) Bruce McDermott thanked everyone who contributed to the waiters’ race. 5) First Annual King of the Grill Tri-tip Cook-off will be Oct 24th across from Mineral King Bowl at 3 pm with judging at 6 pm.  Contact Brent Calvin for more info. 6) Past President Ed Sullivan, returned from Colorado and FINALLY received his past president pin! 

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 senior picture; he doesn’t remember what was going on then!  Bob Link’s picture was guessed by members, non- members, and new members, alike. All Bob could tell us about his picture was that he was somewhere talking about something! Lee Goldstein had a beard at 35 when he was appointed to the planning commission in Claremont, CA. (I guessed one!) Lee volunteered to be a hair donor for those without! Drew Sorenson’s picture was guessed by many, but, gee, I’m sorry Drew, I just didn’t see you in that picture! Thanks to all of you for joining the President’s Club! 

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!

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! 

Announcements: (1) Laurie Isham announced the Pro-Youth Heart After School Program Community Breakfast, hosted by Visalia Community Bank and Buckman Mitchell, will be October 21st.  The National Teacher of the Year will be the guest speaker for the event.  It’s free!  Contact Laurie if you’re interested. (2) Turn off your cell phones, people!  Willie Case was fined $25 for his cell phone going off! (3) Sign up for the Chili Cook off! This needs to be successful in order to do it in the future and open it up to the community! Remember, the proceeds benefit the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation. Contact Mark Shannon to sign-up. (4) Bruce Nicotero requested contributions for the Rotary International Rose Parade Float Committee.  This float will represent Rotary International, but it’s not funded by Rotary International.  Give donations to Bruce Nicotero.  This float is good public relations for Rotary! (5) The Sequoia Riverlands Trust fundraiser at Crawdaddy’s will be Oct 7^th from 5:30 pm to 7:30pm.  The price is $50.  Contact Soapy Mulholland for tickets. (6) All members are welcome to attend our club’s Executive Board Meetings, usually held the 3^rd Thursday of the month at the offices of Ruddell, Cochran, Stanton, Smith, Bixler, Wisehart, 1102 N Chinowth. 

Who is this Young Rotarian:  Mike Boyd was difficult to recognize with a full head of hair when he started college (the hair was gone by the time he graduated!)  Dean Glass was a challenge to recognize, too.  He doesn’t know how old he was in his picture. His biggest concern back then was…forget it…he joined the club! Next was our adorable Laurie Isham as a baby and then a picture of her with Dick and her first of 4 daughters. Gorgeous!  Just about everyone guessed Tom Peltzer’s picture correctly with sideburns, and borrowed coat and wide tie!  Willie Case was recognized in his U S Army uniform and in his picture as Young Man of the Year, for which he joined the YMC for $300! No, it’s not Buddy Holly, it’s Harvey Hecht fresh from medical school graduation in Detroit in 1964.  Harvey came to Visalia via Los Angeles, and Badger.  Everyone joined the club…Thank You! 

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.”

Program: This week our program was presented by David Hosely, President of The Great Valley Center.  The Great Valley Center is a regional planning and action center that operates at the local and valley wide level.  His topic was “One Voice.”  Dr. Hosely stressed the need for communities to come together to address challenges faced by our valley.  For example, the drop-out rate is a leading indicator which predicts the quality of our workforce in 10 to 30 years.  It is projected that by the year 2025 there will be a million jobs unfilled because of lack of education with 200,000 of those jobs in the Valley.  Students need to be encouraged to finish high school and go on to trade school, community college certificate programs, or degree programs.  By coming together as a community, we can raise awareness to battle issues such as this.

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 guy will do for a girl friend!)  Harry Foster in about 1970 with his wife was a tough one to guess but someone actually guessed correctly!  And “No” our next contestant was not Eddie Haskell, but Jim Collins in his San Luis Obispo Senior High School graduation picture (Go Tigers! I graduated from SLOSH, too, and even though I LOOK like I graduated with Jim Collins I actually graduated almost 20 years later!) Jim’s biggest concern was surviving school (“You had to study!”)  Thanks to all of our rejuvenated Rotarians for joining the President’s Club!

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!)

:  Bikers United for Kids Toy Run is October 8^th.  Our club donated $2,000 to G For Kids, Inc. to help sponsor this event, the proceeds of which go to help the youth in our community through various non-profit organizations. Contact Derrick Groppettiif you’re interested in participating and/or donating.  The 1^st Annual Rotary Chili Cook-off & Softball Challenge is Saturday, October 10^that 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!)

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 score is tied at 5 to 5! 

Announcements:  Get your appetite, chili, and salsa recipes ready for Our First Annual Chili Cook-off October 10^th (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 25^th Anniversary celebration, Thursday, September 24^th, at their corporate office.  Our Wine Auction is Nov 18^th 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, and eventually earn his doctorate in chemistry so he can become a professor of chemistry.  Well done, Ryan! 

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 away for the weekend, the party starts…it seemed like a good idea at the time!)  I guessed another one: Mike Toomey at 15 or 16 when his biggest concern was he might not reach 120 pounds!  What would pictures be without a football player shot? Eric Shannon with a moustache in his Redwood football jersey was a difficult picture to identify! (He was identified by a fellow Shannon…is that fair?..guess so!) Eric’s follow up picture was four generations of Shannons at a Redwood game:  Mike, Eric, J.R., and our much missed C R “Dick” Shannon. Eric brought President Brian some souvenirs from the Fresno State/Wisconsin game, i.e. a Bucky the Badger Shirt and a suspicious bottle!  Thanks to all of you for joining the Young Men and a Few Select Women’s Club!  Guess that makes it the YMFSWC! The acronym is almost as long as the name!) 

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 they are working to positively resolve the issues.  Enrollment is up in our schools even though enrollment is down in California overall.  Six new schools have been built since 2002.  The District is staying focused on their primary mission to teach and serve our children.  Since 2002 our schools have increased their Academic Proficiency Index from 624 to 747, on average, with the goal of 800. This translates to almost doubling the number of students performing at grade level between 2002 and 2009 from 5,921 to 10,985. Visalia is one of the few districts with a music program (thank goodness!)  78% of students in grades 9 to 12 are taking college prep classes.  Our graduates are attending all 10 UC colleges, most of the CSU campuses, and some of the finest private colleges and universities.  Thank you, Stan, and all your staff, teachers, etc. for a job well done! Next week: Dr. David Hosely, Ph.D. with “Can We Have a Great Valley?”

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 or desk, allowing special education and handicapped students access to a flat surface, thus enabling them to perform “desk work.”  The desks have clear plastic tops under which worksheets/templates may be placed so the students can write on and erase the plastic. The desktops can also be used for dining, are easy on/off, and portable. Inspired by Neil, a wheelchair bound student placed in Rob’s shop class for “socialization” (just to watch the other kids,) the Desktop Desk allowed Neil to work on projects along with the other students. Rob developed the Desktop Desk in his home shop, has a patent pending, manufactures the tops in China, and is totally self-funded. Hitting trade shows, Amazon.com, and catalog companies, Rob is working to get these out to those who need them.  Rob is truly an angel among us and a miracle happening!  What an amazing person! It gives you that little clutch at your heart and sparks the eyes to tear!  

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 10^th 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!) 

 

Joke of the Week:  You may recall, last time Team Young and Team Old each LOST a point for their jokes, so this week the Chairman of the Joke Committee pulled in the big guns…you guessed it… Al Fisher!  Al told jokes on behalf of BOTH teams!  Since Al was called in as damage control, I think both teams should get the point they each lost last week reinstated and I think both teams should receive an additional point!  Hey, it’s not easy for a member to get up and tell a joke (unless you’re Al Fisher or Randy Groom) so I don’t think the teams should be punished!  Outstanding Student of the Month was awarded to Terryn Weeks from Golden West High School.  Joining Terryn were his mom, grandmother, teacher, and coach.  Terryn is a bright and insightful individual.  He’s also an enthusiastic member of the football program and the drama department.  What a personality and what an inspiration to everyone he meets! Ya gotta see Terryn to believe him! Terryn has a 3.8 GPA and is striving to become a pharmacist.  Keep up the good work, Terryn!  Who is that Young Rotarian:  This week we had a real cowboy at a tender age, Gerald Steiner.  The picture, taken 80 years ago, sported Gerry at age 6 on a pony delivered to his home by Santa Claus! Next we saw Rob Fox in a sailor uniform at age 18 right out of boot camp.  Rob served 5 years in the service and enjoyed telling officers where to go as he was an air traffic controller.  Gerry and Rob both joined the Young Man’s Club (YMC) as did proud grandpa, Rick Strid, for his new granddaughter.  Congratulations, Rick!Tom Broderson returned from Boston with duck-call-thingys for each of President Brian’s children and joined the YMC. Brian may be so irritated by those duck calls he may fine Tom extra!  Announcements:  “The Rotarian, the Magazine of Service” is now searchable through Google, on line at www.rotary.org. We still have two District level openings; contact Justin Mosley if you’re interested. The Tulare Rotary Club is having a blood drive September 11^th at the Tulare Veteran’s Memorial Building.  Mark your calendars for our wine auction on November 18 and while you’re at your calendars, save the date for our Christmas Party on December 9^th! 

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!

We stretched the most entertainment I’ve seen yet from “Who Is This Young Rotarian?”  Joining the Young Man’s Club (YMC) were 1)Rocky Pipkin for his picture in a snorkeling outfit.  He also returned from a fishing trip in Alaska and brought President Brian “Polar Bear Hot Chocolate” for the kids (that’s so thoughtful!), peanut filled moose nuggets (naturally!), and a book entitled “Goodtime Girls of the Klondike” (parlez vous hubba hubba?) 2) Dick Combs as a little feller complete with chocolate ice cream on his face (about a 9 out of 10 on the Stump-‘Em-Scale) 3) Nancy Lockwood at 5 and again at about 17 compared to Jennifer Grey of “Dirty Dancing” fame.  Nancy denies the resemblance! 4) Ruben Chavez as a cross country runner and is now retired from the Marines, and 5 & 6) Greg Hardcastle with a crew cut and Harry Tow as his basketball coach.  This was 10 out of 10 on the Stump-‘Em-Scale!  A record! Thanks to all of you for joining the President’s Club and providing some light entertainment! 

Joke of the Week:  Watch out comedians, this Rotary group is a tough crowd!  Gone are the days of tolerance for jokes!  If the joke bombs your teams will lose points! Phil Luna for Team Young barely received a reaction, while Dino Simoni for Team Old received about a 3 on the Moan Meter. Sounds like it’s time for our “Primo Joke Tellers” to step forward…do we have any of those? 

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 not responsible for their actions, and they have learned to question authority.  Gilbert works with these minors from a non-denominational approach.  His goal is to make disciples and help them learn from their mistakes.  Gil assists the minors to stay in contact with their family. A new aspect of his ministry is testing the minors for career aptitude and interest, giving them a goal for a future they never thought of, let alone thought possible.  Routinely working 50 hours per week, he doesn’t see his position as a job (Wow!) Gilbert has such passion for his career that these kids can’t help but be positively affected by his work.  If you are interested in supporting this investment in our youth, contact Al Fisher or Calvary Chapel, Visalia, attention Gilbert Fernandez.  Next week our meeting is “Shave the Brave,” so bring your beards and full heads of hair (how long since YOUR last hair cut?) and come early to find a parking space! 

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 another 45 minutes in the nasty Valley heat.  OK, so this year I figure I’ll go to Rotary Night at the Ballpark, but I’ll eat first so I don’t have to go without food at the end of a long day.  It was a challenge to find the Rotary check-in, because it was different than last year (naturally, this year everything is NEW and wonderful.) I should have run the risk of having my car vandalized in the nearby neighborhoods because it would have been closer than the parking lot.  As I walk along I find a sign on the side of the stadium wall declaring “TICKETS” but I’m still looking for some Rotarians.  Finally I see a sign over one of ticket windows for “Rotarian Check In.”   I hand over my meal card to be punched and I receive two tickets: one for admission and one for food including either a beer or soda.  Well, I’m not eating since I don’t trust the system, I’m not drinking the beer because I’m driving, and I’m supposed to stay away from soda.  I climb the two flights of steps to gain admission to the park and I am told I can’t come into the stadium because I have a bottle of water.  I understand that the ticket-scanner-person is just doing her job. Consequently, I have no idea if the new Ballpark is wonderful or not. Hopefully everybody else who showed up was allowed admission, enjoyed the new facilities and, had a great time with all my Rotarian buddies in my stead.  If we do this again next year I guess it will either be “third time’s the charm” or “three strikes and you’re out!”

Wednesday, August 19^th 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 other members the price is $10 for adults and $5 per child.  Check in at the main entrance.  You can use your meal card to pay at check-in. (Note on your calendars that our regularly scheduled meeting in two weeks will be at the Convention Center.) 

Joke of the week: Mike Torres for Team Young (Laughs and applause), Susan Lucas for Team Old, (Applause and shouts!) Team Old wins (Now the score is 3:3!) Announcements:  Our club received a letter from Rotary International, asking our club for people to serve at the District Level.  This is a BIG honor.  There are three open spots.  See Justin Mosley if you are interested.    Confessions:  Bruce Nicotero, took a trip to Vancouver, Washington and brought President Brian a cap form the “Bite-Me Bait Company”, but he didn’t go fishing!  Who Is This Young Rotarian:  Mike Torres joined the Young Man’s Club (YMC) for his pictures when he raced cars as a kid and when he was one of the last draftees (he went to Germany…tough duty, but somebody had to do it!) Mike Wiley, joined the YMC and brought a toupee to help us identify him in his picture during his music days playing in country bars.  Music keeps him young! Gary Paden, already a member of the YMC, was recognizable by many members in his pictures: one fishing and one being sworn in as a lawyer after just passing the bar exam.  Michael Phelps joined the YMC for his picture resembling Glen Campbell!   Steve Salomon joined the YMC for some cute pictures with his kids when he was about 25 years old.  Don Groppetti joined the YMC for $350 because he’s so proud of the birth of his 2^nd granddaughter (so long as he’s paid for the Cash for Clunkers!) 

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 include reducing 25 positions and the City Council approved using some emergency funds, but we will still have a deficit.  The City is positioning itself to qualify for stimulus money by having plans in place for appropriate projects. The City is also applying for a grant for energy saving projects.  Some accomplishments include Macy’s moving into the Gottschalk’s site (hoping to open before Nov 1^st), Sequoia Mall has revitalization strategies, the old Copeland’s building will become a Rite Aid, and the Santa Fe Overcrossing is scheduled for completion by 2010, to name only a few.  Thanks, Steve, for the great job you do for the City!  Turn in your e-mail address to Steve to sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter.  If you’re interested, you can view the city budget on the website, or ask Steve for hard copy. Next week we are dark at noon so come to the Rawhide ballpark in the evening!  Let’s play ball!

Joke of the Week: Team Old represented by Gerry Schneider wins via the applause meter.  Doyle Pope, representing Team Young, received mixed laughs (but no moans!) Thanks for participating!  Announcements:  Nov 18^th is our Wine Auction at the Marriott, so save the date! Youth Exchange: Kyle is here! Cydney Oster is our first sponsor, but we need two more sponsors. Please contact President Brian or Cydney Oster if you’re interested in being a sponsor. Pick up your new Rosters! Thanks to Wayne Yada, Premier Graphics, and Dave Miller (round of applause!) First Clogs event of this club year is scheduled for the August19^th at 6 pm at the ballpark (playing San Jose Giants.)  All members and their families are invited to attend and enjoy the ballpark’s new air conditioned VIP Hall of Fame Club! (…and it’s free!) Please RSVP to Susan Lucas (901-6673) for a head count.  Who is that Young Rotarian: Wayne Yada had a challenging picture.  Wayne joined the Young Man’s Club (YMC) for his pride in his car. The Gruesome Twosome: Steve Chrisman and David Hyde, were the subjects of a picture when they were little tykes arguing over a toy (how cute is that!); they both joined the YMC, after a cursory debate! John Heinsohn’s picture was guessed (fishing back east) and he joined the YMC twice for $500!!!! He can be any age he wants! Confessions: Promotion teaser for True Crime: Gary Paden joined the YMC for the recent interview in his chambers concerning a case from 20 years ago. This program airs Friday, August 21^st, at 10 pm or on Channel 246 at 7 pm on direct TV. Many thanks to our new members of the YMC! Gene Yunt interviewed Visalia’s 10 and 12 year old All Stars going to the Cal Ripken World Series. What charming young athletes! It gives me hope for the future! 

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 and the public is in the dark about the situation in Sacramento. We need good government and it needs to be efficient. Legislators need to look out for the welfare of all their constituents and not just the special interests.  Businesses need to be cultivated, not forced from our state with frivolous laws that serve no real purpose. The governor is trying to reduce expenses, but our legislature is not on board with business oriented improvement. Some of the solutions to overcome current challenges are: reform of civil service department of personnel to allow private sector competition in management positions;  reform contract system;  establish a joint audit committee instead of separate committees;  abolish term limits (bureaucrats are running our state instead of our elected officials); have a two year budget instead of a one year budget; majority vote for approval of budget, and 2/3 vote for change in taxes;  legislators should forfeit all pay until the budget is approved;  redistricting and expansion of the legislature so legislators can keep in touch with their constituents instead of just the special interests; go to a part time legislature so our legislators have to work like the rest of us; and convert to a nonpartisan legislature.  Thanks, Tom, for an interesting and enlightening program! Join us next week for “State of the City” presented by Steve Salomon.

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. New Rosters are now available.  Pick up one and check out your color photo!  Wow!  Fancy! (Thanks to Dave Miller (our photographer), to Wayne Yada, and to Premier Color Graphics!) The 2^nd Dinuba Sunrise Rotary Benefit Golf Tournament is October 3^rd.  Contact Steve Sunderland, 559-901-2714 between 8 and 5, M-F, if you’re interested. 

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, barely registered on the Moan Meter, and tried to sneak in a “second-joke-save.” (Better luck next time, Rocky!)  

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 a cowboy/girl golf towel. Mark Shannon joined because his youngest daughter, Brenna, recently competed in a couple of performing arts dance competitions, one of which was in New York. Brenna also won the opportunity to compete in Anaheim, and landed a one year contract out of Hollywood.  (Congratulations!)   Mark gifted President Brian with beer from Coney Island and a golf cap.  Nola Sherman joined the YMC for her magazine cover picture (Tulare County: Nola’s Arc.”) and for her sprained ankle which she injured trying to help a client.  (What a trooper!) Joining the YMC this week during “Who is That Young Rotarian” was Bill Nash, for a picture of him in an old car that cost him $25. Dave Nash also joined the YMC for his picture as a young ‘un (guessed by Sue McAllister) and his picture that resembles “Anchorman.” Don Hutton and his son, Jason, joined with their Father/Son picture taken before moving to Visalia to escape Orange County. (Don, we’re glad you escaped to Visalia!) 

Program: Walt Hill, of Resource Lenders, recounted his trip to the All Stars Game with his son, Aaron Hill.  Aaron was the starting 2^nd baseman for the American League.  Besides visiting the sights of St. Louis, they were treated to the excitement of four snipers assigned to protect President Obama while he threw out the opening pitch. Aaron made the All Stars by the vote his fellow ball players in the American and National Leagues. Aaron is very humble, he’s very grateful to be playing baseball, and he was in awe of his fellow All Star Team Members. (What a truly nice guy!) Aaron is the 2^nd from Visalia to go to the All Stars. Walt donated a ball cap to the club which was auctioned off.  Gary Geiger won the bidding at $500. (Gary, you’re a real sport!) Mark your calendars: on August 19^thwe will be dark at noon for an event at the ballpark. Next week our program is Tom Johnson, recently retired Secretary of the State of California Veterans Affairs. Batter up!

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 all of you! 

Steve Chrisman spoke about the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation, established in 1991, to help the community through monetary gifts.  The 1^st 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 Foundation as much as possible. (Go Team!) 

Board Members presented an overview of their committees today and joined the YMC (Rah! Rah!): President Elect, Justin Mosley, for the tushie shot with his twin brother at about 18 months old; Gerry Schneider, the Dick Clark of Rotary, joined after confessing his insecurity with joining Presidents’ Clubs (Gerry, when you fall off the bike you just have to climb back on it!) His counselor, Tom Brodersen, prepared a document to guarantee that Gerry is fine free, but President Brian refused to sign it under direction from HIS counsel, Phil Hornburg! Gerry will join for $278. (That a boy!) Susan Lucas joined for a couple of very pretty pictures (Too cute! Your pictures look like your granddaughter!)  Bruce Nicotero joined the YMC for his 1986 picture at 36 (he had a mustache then, too!) Dave Miller joined the YMC for his young picture. Matt Bixler (Baby Herman?) and Heather Bixler joined the club for pictures when they were kids.  President Brian, in an effort to “keep his secretary happy,” gifted Wayne Yada with a board member polo and Wayne doesn’t have to join the club…yet…! Last but not least, President Brian joined the YMC for a couple a pictures when he was even younger than he is now…is that possible? (Yaaaaay, Team!) 

Matt Graham and Derek Groppetti spoke about Interact and would like all members to support Interact by attending events. Tom Cutler spoke about the Community Project at Goshen Elementary School. All four local Rotary Clubs are joining together to upgrade the playground equipment and install drinking fountains near the field area.  (Hopefully the equipment and water foundations won’t be vandalized!)  Cydney Oster spoke about the Youth Exchange.  Our club is the sole sponsor of Kyle from Brazil.  We need 2 more host families. Rotary membership is not a requirement for host families.  Let Cydney know if you or anyone you know is interested in being a host family. What a lot in one meeting! I’m ready for a nap, for sure! Join us next week for Walt Hill, “Highlights from 2008 MLB Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.”

Jim Hurlbutt returning from Peru with gifts for President Brian of an Inca hat and Peruvian liquor, is so proud of his daughter graduating from UCLA he’s joining the YMC for $300! In our “Who is this Young Rotarian” segment we have joining the YMC:  Chuck Sanford, whose picture was not identified (I think it was the lack of a beard!)  Joe Pinto joined the club with a couple of pictures, one at five years old with Santa.  Joe Mackey joined the club with his picture compared to Dale Earnhardt. Bill Whitlatch didn’t want to join the club because he wanted to stay old and therefore agreed to a $25 fine for his son finishing college. 

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 the Week was a tie between Russ McKinney for Team Old and Al Fisher for Team Young.  The Moan Meter registered the highest for Al, but Russ didn’t even register on the Moan Meter.  Maybe next time, Russ! 

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!

Joining the YMC (Young Men’s Club) this week:  Christine Rowan has merged Christine’s Travel with Lewis Travel. (By the way,Barbara Berkson is retiring so she can spend more time doing as she pleases! Congratulations, Barbara!) Joe Kuhn made an amazing pinball like golf shot that landed in the restroom. “Who’s That Kid?” featured pictures of Phil Hornburg at 35 running for office as county legislator in New York and Francie Langley at 27 after her first child (John) was born. Dave Burr, handsome as always, in his USC fraternity picture opted for a $23 fine as opposed to joining the club. Members are doing really well identifying the members in these pictures.  Brian, I guess you need to get baby pictures for folks to make it more challenging!  Phil Hornburg displayed a picture of President Brian from 20 years ago.  (Sounds like payback to me!) Thank you to all our new members!  Joke-out contestants this week were Joe Kuhn (Young Team) and Randy Smith (Old Team).  Old Team won with much laughing and groaning! 

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 positive!)  Thank you from the Dictionary Project to Pete Cowper for his dedication!  Mark your calendars for the Wine Auction on November 4^th at the Marriott.  September 1^stis the deadline for applications to join the board of the 2010 Montreal Rotary International Convention. (Easy now, there’s plenty of forms for everyone!) 

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 loose?)  Our second goal is to develop core stability (No crunches! Now we’re talking!)  Goal 3 is power and explosiveness (this one scares me a little!) 4^th is functional strength training, or training with a purpose (I think I’m getting confused!) and 5^th is specific conditioning (Ok, I KNOW I’m confused!) There may be a couple of more goals like Nutritional Strategies (moderation is the key!) but the goals started to get blurry for me! Other points: Don’t diet, change the way you eat, with the emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Drink 8 oz. of water for every 20 pounds you weigh. (I’m floating awaaaaay!)  Eat healthy at least 85% of the time. (That means chocolate and alcohol in moderation!) Fitness is mandatory to increase longevity, vitality, and energy. (I think this brings us back to 30 minutes of exercise a day!) Thanks, Justin, for a motivating presentation!  I’m going to go home now and feel guilty about falling asleep in front of the TV!