This is President Rachel’s third week, Ed Prieboy lead us into our daily prayer, did a very nice job being thankful. Kim May lead the Pledge and Sandy Villella quoted the Four-way Test.
Past President Debbie presented Rachel with a Rotary banner. We had several guests including Regional manager John Thorpe and Tom Priscape from Environmental Concepts, Cliff Stockmyer a Rotarian from Lincoln Nebraska, Holly Cate - Dale Machen's daughter and former member, Elisa Mascia Exchange Student, Grace and Sarah Harris – Chad’s daughters, Richard Jemison from Land Strategies and Kim Goodnough from Michelle’s Place.
Announcements:
Host an Italian Rotarian; we are in need of host families for the International Exchange August 22nd through 25th. They need a place to sleep, breakfast, and transportation to meetings, there may also be a need for some dinners.
Our Group Study Exchange will go to India January 24th to February 25th , the deadline for the Take a team application is August 24th. The Cultural Exchange is looking for team leaders also and the application deadline is August 21st.
Karrie Reuther announced our Literacy benefit concert will be held at Wiens Winery August 24th 2012 and will feature Casey Abrams from American Idol as the opening act and the main Act will be Lee Rocker, originally from The Straycats. Tickets are available on-line at our TemeculaRotary.net web-site. There are also full tables available for the event, proceeds will benefit our Imagination library project.
Karen Schneider announced our Del Mar Races trip is sold out; some folks still need to pay for your tickets. Please connect with Karen or Susie if you still need to pay.
The Polio Pig went to Jana Swenson’s office for the week. Sandy Villella was presented with the Paul Harris and Pin that he won in the drawing from the demotion party for his participation in club events during the year.
Dave Thompson received a Plaque for 20 years of perfect Attendance, in Rotary, Go Dave!
Kim May announced that Salvation Army is accepting applicants for their back to school shopping spree, where they will take about 200 school aged children shopping at JC Penny.
Program:
Rotary Youth Exchange Train Trip was presented by Elisa Mascia our exchange student. The 32 Youth Rotarians started their trip in Hollywood, Venice Beach and Santa Monica, travelling across America hitting most of the states. Highlights of the trip for Elisa were the Getty museum, and a bike ride in San Francisco across the Golden gate bridge; she said it was cold, windy and rained but still fun!, One of the most interesting things was a huge wall full of gum, she said it was disgusting, but she and her friends put their gum on the wall!
They also went to the original Starbucks in Seattle, and her favorite city was Chicago. She loved the Chicago train station, and the Sphere sculpture. They went onto one of the tallest buildings in the world with a glass balcony, looking down onto the city.
She felt the trip to Niagara Falls was disappointing because she expected it to be bigger, they also went to the Canada/ US border. Once they arrived in New York City there was a heat wave of 110 degrees which made it definitely too Hot! Her impression was that there are too many people and the streets were full of Taxis, but she enjoyed Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty. The group went to ground zero where they experienced feelings of sadness while viewing the wall with all the names of those who lost their lives in 9-11.
The 4th of July was spent in Boston and they felt the fireworks were the best they had ever seen. Finally, they went to Washington DC and saw the Whitehouse; All in all it was a great trip and she made many new friendships.
President Rachel asked her “what was your most favorite part of all your time here in America”? Elisa started to cry with happiness saying “it was all so awesome”. She thanked Rotary and her Rotary family, saying she will never forget them and is very grateful for everything.
Bolivia Rotary Project, Presented by Judy Zulfiqar
Judy’s brother was part of this project working with children and families in Bolivia, teaching them skills to make income for themselves and their families; like handmade bracelets that are sold around the world. Teaching them performance art like juggling, street performances etc, where they earn tips for their performance, instead of begging they are learning creative ways to make money which gives hope to their communities. The whole video can be viewed at performinglifebolovia.net
Project Peanut Butter, Presented by Allison Drago
This organization was founded by a Doctor in 2004, providing treatment at no charge to hungry and sick children. Project Peanut Butter distributes special formula, peanut based that has proven very effective and is saving children’s lives. The woman are able to treat their children at home, which in turn is safer than a hospital environment where they are exposed to many germs, due to such low immune systems. 95 % of the children are recovering from starvation, when put on the peanut formula. In 2009 Rotary funded the factory buying equipment etc, donating with the support of 11 clubs, and 2 districts totaling $33,000. In the Philippines, the project is serving over 500 kids per day. The formula is made locally, therefore bringing jobs to these communities and providing an income for some families.
Raffle is up to $40.00, Esther had the winning ticket, but she did NOT pick the winning card.
Thanks very much to Jane Laskin for an excellent recap of the meeting!
