El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel December 10, 2009

Editors:  Gary Buffon & John Ferguson Jr.

Week of December 10,2009     

(www.rotary5160.org)

President Tracy welcomed everyone to the Friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.  Paul led the flag salute and Nobuko provided the thought for the day.

Secretary John:  Introduced today’s guests: Jim Sheppard an attorney here in El Cerrito, Interact Board members: Jonathan Lee, Eric Mai, Keith Soneda, Rebecca Phuong, Ben Leonard, Jake Lengacher, Jessica Ong, Stephanie Wong, Cynthia Fong, Julie Liang, Fernando Monroe and Luke Twombly.  We also had spouses Norma Buffon, Mary Farquharson and Davis Toddhunter with us today.

4-Way Test Presentation: Don asked everyone to recite our value statements today.

Announcements:

-  Tracy announced that there will be a Rotary Luncheon at the Post Meridian restaurant next week.  There was a sign-up sheet.  If you did not sign up or missed the meeting and want to go please email Tracy and let her know.

-    Jim reported on that Reno Train trip and made one last push for anyone that wants to go to get onto the reservation website and get signed up.  If you don’t have the information email Jim.

-   Lee us the results of the November Rotary Foundation two for one program.  As a result of the program there will be twenty more Paul Harris Fellowships granted at the DG visit on Jan 21^st.   Congratulations to everyone and especially to Lee for his diligence in conducting the program.

Happy dollars:  Mark S thanked everyone for acknowledging the health issue that one of his family members is fighting with cards and phone calls.  (Lets keep Mark and his family in our prayers).  Frank is happy to be at Rotary and for the great energy in the room.  Marty is happy about the success of his “give a toy and get a free oil change” program.  He got lots of toys for the firefighter’s toy program.  Jack is happy that we had Rotary wives today.  Davis Toddhunter is happy there are husbands of Rotarians present since he is one.  Michael C is happy he attended a Washington University football game in Seattle (against Cal) and routed for WU since that is where his daughter attends school. Sonya is happy that Alabama Univ is going to the Rose Bowl game and her son got a scholarship to the school as well.  Karen is happy for what our club and its members contributed over $2000 to the firefighter’s toy program.  Kevin is happy to be here today and looking forward to a great 2010.  Don is happy that his son and daughter in law are spending Christmas with he and Mary.  President Tracy is happy that daughter Sarah is in the latest play at the CCCT. 

Sgt at Arms Nancy:   Not on duty today.

Birthday and Anniversary Acknowledgements:  Leeza was on point today and did a lot of catch us on birthdays and anniversaries.  It was a lot of fun but somewhat confusing at times. 

Leeza acknowledges birthday and anniversaries

Today’s Program: 

Jane and Nobuko took over our holiday meeting which consisted of a Christmas ornament (or other items) exchange.  The way the exchange works is that a person chooses a gift and then opens it.  The next person chooses a gift and if they want what the first person has they take it and give the person the gift they selected and then unwrap it.  And so it goes until each person is happy with what they received or trades one time with another.    After much fun and frivolity we were treated to the singing of the twelve days of Rotary.  A song created by our own Glenn Davis and Jane Del Simone over ten year ago.  It was as much fun as it was then.  If you missed the festivities, you missed a great time. 

Kevin holds his gift in the exchange event

Raffle of Inner Wheel baskets and poinsettias: the winners were Michael C and Tracy.  There were six poinsettias raffles off. 

Genie Stone Winner:  Don won the magic stone for January

Today’s Lottery Winner:   Ilhami had his ticket selected and drew a blue marble.  Next week the pot is $145.

Thought for Week:

Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel in order to be tough.

--Franklin Delano Roosevelt