President Lane Kay, counting the few short weeks remaining until his retirement, opened our weekly meeting with an energetic ring of the bell.  After the inspirational moment, salute to the flag and song, we shared fellowship over lunch, with a little networking thrown in for good measure.  Moving on to introductions, we welcomed Drizzle, spouse of new member Steve Gibson, Las Vegas Rotary Past Pres. (and honorary member) Russell Swain, and a former member Alan Helms, guest of Past Pres. Drew Levy.

Announcements - We will be presenting a $500 check to the Agassi Boys and Girls Club at 4:15 just before our monthly Birthday Bash on Wednesday, June 19th. The funds will be used to purchase additional books for the Las Vegas Fremont Rotary Reading Room at the Club and bookplates signed by our speakers throughout the year will be placed in each of the new books.  The shopping expedition to the local Barnes & Noble Store will be coordinated by Agassi and open to any of our Rotarians who would be interested in tagging along. This donation is just one of many items funded by the Las Vegas Fremont Rotary Foundation.

Projects Chair Rob Goldstein said final details are almost in place for the Ronald McDonald House dinner on Thursday, June 20th.  Steve Reiter will be providing barbecued chicken, cooked fresh on the grill in the parking lot at RMH, and several other members will be preparing the side dishes.  Additional information will be forthcoming in the next week.

Fundraising Chair Carla Smith will be sending out e-mails to all members to find out who is interested in being part of the Block Party committee for 2013-14.  The planning is going to start much earlier this year and anyone interested should contact Carla as soon as possible.  Speaking of the Block Party, Membership Chair Mike Woodfield requested names and contact information for any guests who attended the party so he can follow up about the possibility of joining Rotary.

His new pinstripe suit

Due to Past Pres. Gary Prater's absence at the debunking (which cost him during cross-fines), Pres. Lane presented Gary's thank you gift for outstanding PR duties at our meeting.  Pres. Lane also extended a very big thank you to Past Pres. Roger Tabor and his bride Amy for hosting the debunking at their home - the perfect venue, with the perfect weather and delicious food.  There wasn't much more Lane could say about the evening, since, to paraphrase a famous Las Vegas quote, "what happens at the debunking stays at the debunking!"  He did offer an apology to Immed. Past Pres. Dulcinea Rongavilla for mispronouncing her name at the party (of course, he was set up by a few past presidents) and thanked her for the 3 year plan begun during her year. He also recognized PP Drew for referring to him as a mensch on facebook, which apparently is a good thing. Additional pictures of the debunking are available on our facebook page and the Club's website.

Dr. Terry Wong upgraded to the Blue Badge of Honor and shared his one Rotary moment, which was short and sweet - "Being a party of the best club in the universe.  What more needs to be said?"  We agree Terry!

And, then the cross-fines - to Teresa Sowers for hot air ballooning with one fella Saturday morning and then being seen at the Aria with another, Dancing With the Stars hunk Derek Hough, later in the day; to Past Pres. Paul Bell for continuing to soak Pres. Lane long after the other past presidents had finished and also for his poor water gun technique; to PP Gary for "having the opportunity to attend the debunking and choosing not to"; and one more to Teresa for also squirting the president after everyone was done, which turned into a confession by Pres. Elect Robin Smith who said it was she who was the culprit.

Ashley & Michael at the Emmy's

Michael Darby and Smile's goal is to reach children when they are a blank canvas. The band/anti- bullying authors want to stop the problem before it starts. They accomplish this with a show that leads by example teaching children to discover the best part of who they are and who they can become. The age group they target is K-3rd grade. The band comes with a world class performance that lifts the children up when they are down and pushes them higher when they are almost there. Children leave the Michael Darby and Smile show educated, motivated and confident.  With Michael Darby on the guitar, partner Ashley Miller tap dances to improv music personalized for the audience.  Pres. Lane was treated to an interactive song about him and his love for golf.  Michael and Ashley have also written a book, I Have a Friend Who..., which teaches children that no matter how different they are, they can still be friends.  Check out their website atMichael Darby and Smile.  And, just a note, the Club purchased several of the books to be donated to the reading room at Agassi. Photos courtesy of their website.