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  December 19, 2008  
 Reporter: Ron Brown              Editor:  Ron Brown               Photographer:  Tom Black
Pat Flaharty, President, 2008 - 2009

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

God will provide! An old timer sits on his porch while the rains continue and the river rises.  A city official in a jeep stops and offers the guy in the rocking chair a ride to safety.  Reply: "not to worry, God will provide".  The water is now up to the level of the porch and the police arrive in a row boat and tell the old timer he had better go with them or he will be in serious trouble. Reply: "not to worry, God will provide." Finally the sheriff comes by in a powered rescue boat while the water has reached the seat of the rocking chair.  The Sherif says this is the last chance for the old timer to get to safety, as there is nobody left in town to save him. Same response: "not to worry, God will provide."

 

The inevitable happens, and the old timer is furious when herich 12-19 gets to the pearly gates. He demands an explanation from St Peter as to why God had abandoned him in his moment of greatest need. St. Peter's reply - "We sent 3 people to help you out, what more could we have done?" 

 

Moral of the story: "Yes, God will provide. But you had better be open to how!" I don't know, but all of this seemed to make sense to Rich Shearer.

 

GUESTS, VISITING ROTARIANS, AND SUCH

 

Chris Price - here for the fourth time

Linda McCowan - the main reason we let Skip hang around

Larry Sly - Concord, Contra Costa County Food Bank

Ulrich Luscher Joanne's hubby

Blair Howard - more on here later

Marcia and Brad Howard - Blair's proud parents
Chloe Johnson - daughter of Gillett
Glenda Fillinger - ex-Pres Paul's much better half
Mark von Hoetzendorff - San Ramon Club and guest speaker
 

BIRTHDAYS

 

gillettGillett topped everything with his announcement of family birthdays.  If you can believe this, during the past week his sister celebrated her 50th birthday, his mother her 75th, and his grandmother her 100th. Fines totalled the sum of all of their years. Prez Pat should have that amount figured out shortly.   

  

HELPING WHERE AND WHEN IT'S NEEDED

 

Blair Howard was lauded by Nancy Polis for the extraordinary jobnancy & blair she did as leader of the Opportunity Knocks gift drive for 28 families "adopted" by the Stanley Middle School.  Over 100 bags of gifts were collected. Our club sponsored 2 of these families. Cudo's were also expressed to Mike Edwards, packer extraordinaire,  transportation providers Venera Maysuryants, Krysten Laine and Chuck Kenney, and collections supervisor Debbie Cooper.

 
pat & blair 12-19Blair thanked the club for our strong support. She revealed a plan to expand this worthwhile endeavor to elementary schools next year. Prez Pat presented her with a Rotary service pin and a certificate for a prosthetic hand to be presented to a deserving person in her name. Congratulations Blair! 

 

A TEASER FOR THE UPCOMING CHRISTMAS PARTY SPECIAL EDITION 

 
Mike Edwards was chosen the most accomplished kazoo playermike kazoo 12-19

at the Christmas party this year.  Forunately were subjected to encore of only one chorus of jingle bells. Stayed tuned for a special Lamorindan edition focusing soley on the Christmas party.

     

MYSTERY ROTARIAN

 

This week's mystery rotarian probably has the record for most obscure, least helpful clues yet. Not even a head Dr. could have figured this one out.

 
1. Once had poison oak so badly one eye was swollen shut.
2. Had a nose bleed in the middle of a job interview.
2. Can wiggle ears, one at a time or both at the same time.
 
rich earsIn the final analysis, it could only be Rich Shearer, who has always specialized in the theatre of the absurd. He was pleased to demonstrate his ear wiggling prowess. Despite the clamor for blood by the assembled rabble, Rich either wouldn't, or couldn't, show us a bonafide nose bleed. Thank goodness for small favors! 

 

 PROGRAM:

 
Cal Lee explained his role as the club's conduit to the Paul Harriscal 12-19 Foundation. Every member automatically contributes at least $135 per year as a function of the annual dues process. Cal then introduced our guest speaker, Mark von Hoetzendorff.
 
Mark's 24 year career in Rotary started when he joined the Rotary Club of Chico in 1984, then transferred in 1988 to the Rotary Club of San Ramon where he was President in 1994-95 and Rotarian of the Year in 1977.
 
Mark is a member of the Bequest Society, a Benefactor and a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation, and a Charter Member of the District 5160 Paul Harris Society.
 
He has held numerous positions in the District including Foundation Director, Membership Director, District Conference Chair and Asst. Governor. Mark served as District Governor 2002-03, the "Year of the Kahunas!" He is District 5160's 2006-09 District Rotary Foundation Director. He has served the Zone as Annual Fund Program Strategic Advisor and also taught at the last 3 Far West PETS.
 
mark & hays 12-19Mark began by recognizing Hays Englehart with a Paul Harris Fellowship Certificate and Medalion. Hays transferred to LSR from the LA West Sunrise club 2 years ago. He is a Past Prez of the LA club and is currently co-chair of Membership with Walt Nelson. We were assured that none Hays' Paul Harris contributions found there way into the coffers of the beleagured governor of Illinois!
 
Mark spent the majority of the presentation covering the recent trip that he and other Rotarian colleagues from all over the U.S. took to the Ivory Coast of Africa. This was an humanitarian visit to understand culture and needs, and visit completed matching grant projects in the general area. They also distributed clean water and much needed worm medicine in conjunction with the Rotary club of Abidjan.
 
Of the billion people in Africa, 700,000 live south of the equator.  The mothers do all of the educating, commerce and farming.  The fathers do the building and fishing.  There are an average of 6 children per family, of which 2 are lost in infancy.  The entire families live in a one room 8x10 home.
 
There is literally no waste management available to the general population. However the people do have fresh vegetables and fish to eat. Schools are equiped with only a teacher and a blackboard. Women are taking advantage of micro-loan opportunities to earn a living for their families.
 
The visiting Rotarians spent time at a Project Faire sponsored by 48 clubs in which matching grant projects were presented. Mark and company returned with over 50 identified projects and micro loan opportunities, which were pre-vetted for costs and are ready to roll out when funding is available. Multiple clubs are encouraged to participate in the funding of these projects in order to get broader member participation, and reduce the cash burden on any one club to be a sponsor.
 
Mark felt the trip had been a success in terms of creating good will toward peace and understanding and establishing legitimate and trusted local contacts. The next Project Faire will be held in Benin next October. We were strongly encouraged to have representatives from LSR on this visit.
 
Needless to say we should all be giving generously to the Rotary Foundation to further such great works as poliopat & mark 12-19 eradication. Secondly our own efforts, such as the bridge in Tanzania, led by Joanne Luscher, are sterling examples of great projects that can be sponsored and completed locally, with contacts that we have developed and trust.
 
And, these contributions are deductible! Thank you Mark and keep up the good work. Obviously, Prez Pat thinks you Get It!  
 

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENT  
 
Club: Day after Christmas - Dark - No Meeting
 
Club: January 2, Postino's, 7am first meeting in 2009. Be there!
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