El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel September 24, 2009

El Cerrito Rotary

The Wheel

Editors:  Gary Buffon & John Ferguson Jr.

Week of September 24^th    

(www.rotary5160.org)

www.elcerritorotary.org

President Tracy welcomed everyone to the Friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.  Frank led the flag saluted and Joe gave the thought for the day.

Secretary John: Introduced Debra Robinson a friend of our guest speaker and John Stasie a graphic design company owner.  Also attending today was Jack Brown, Andy’s son.  Also we were honored to have Glenn Davis with us.  Glenn joined our club in 1951 so that means he has spent 58 years being a good Rotarian and a role model for us all.

4 Way Test Presentation:  Gary B did this using the Interact Club as an example of how the test applies.

Paul Keith was awarded his blue badge by Membership Director John F. 

Paul positions his new badge while John congratulates and Pres Tracy looks on

Announcements:

Þ      Steve asked if anyone knows what happened to the Genie Stone.  We apparently need a new rock so we have a tangible stone.

Þ     Andy who has the Genie Stone gave us an update on new products to help you protect and keep you house’s gutters clean and in good repair.

Þ     Blaine gave us our last reminder of the blood drive on Saturday. 

Þ     Marty told us about the city having trees that can be obtained by residents for planting in the front yard of their property.

Happy dollars:   Don has $2 for taking four exchange students on his boat and for his exciting trip to the Reno Air Races (which he recommended to everyone).  Jack had $20 for Glenn Davis being with us and for Ilhami being able to staff the Rotary concession stand at GGFs on Sunday.  Gary B is happy for the upcoming Oasis Night that Norma and her troupe host every year.  Don’t miss the evening of great dancing on October 10^th at the Veterans building on Stockton.  If you want tickets see Gary.  Paul had happy dollars for his new blue badge. Pat is happy she had a great time visiting Canada and enjoying the 25^th anniversary of the Monterey Bay aquarium party.  Alan Liu is happy to be back (his fellow Rotarians are glad he is back).  Sonya is happy for the successful Chamber Mixer she hosted.  Tracy had $10 for her daughter’s birthday and to have Glenn Davis with us as he is her sponsor.  Ilhami is happy Glenn Davis was with us because he too was sponsored by Glenn.

Sgt at Arms Nancy:   Not done today

Today’s Program: 

Marty introduced Leigh Robinson, a former teacher, who does a lot of traveling, to tell us about his seventeen day trip to the Mount Everest base camp.  A trip he took in 2006 during late March and early April.  We were treated to a nice Powerpoint presentation to which Leigh provided an interesting narrative of the story of the trip from beginning to end.  We were treated to a lot of very interesting stories about overloaded helicopters, Yaks on the narrow trails and the challenges on being on a trip where it truly is the wilderness and in addition the only transportation for the last part of the journey is animals (human and beast of burden).  We also learned a lot about the most dangerous airport in the world that is at an elevation of 9380 feet.    This was a great presentation and if you missed it you will have to read the book “Into Thin Air” to get a flavor of the things that Leigh shared with us. Thank you Marty for having Leigh share this experience with your fellow Rotarians.

Leigh Robinson wearing the down vest used on his trip to Mt Everest Base Camp

Today’s Lottery Winner:   Andy had his ticket pulled and his son Jack drew the black marble costing $5.  Andy did win the bottle of wine.  Next week the pot is $90.

Genie Stone Winner:  Joe had his ticket pulled and will have the magic stone for October.

Thought for Week:

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear.

--Mark Twain