November 10th Meeting

In honor of Veteran's Day (November11th) our meeting was designed around honoring and recognizing veterans in our club as well as remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice - their life - for the freedom we have in America!  God Bless America!

Our speaker this evening was Russ Sempell, a charter memeber of NAMI presented a program on "Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and Help for Our Veterans."  

Visiting Rotarians - Tim Jalving - West Rotary, and Barry Rosenfield - West Rotary

Guests - Tina Nicholson and Diane Tifft (Sandy Foster), Brandy Gasper (Anne Fonseca) and Richard Galpin (John Vasinda)  A note on our vistors and guests.  Tim came roaring in a hot Porsche (he works for Family Motors); Richard Galpin is from Imbibe, for a wine and cheese club this guy could be a real asset.

Flag - Sandy Foster, Greeter - Lynne Hall, God Bless America - Robin Paggi (Fast and Loud)  Good Job Rotarians

Are President Carol Smith has returned from her vacation in Hawaii - ALOHA.

John Vasinda took over president's duties last week.  The Scribe (me) forgot she was the scribe so that is all the information you will get about last weeks meeting.

Tickets are being distributed by Jeremy for Moonlight in Casablanca.  Besure to get your packet and start selling those tickets.  Ticket tracking has been improved. 

WOW!!  Miramontes Interact Rocks.  Approx 20 interactors showed up to serve at our pancake breakfast last Saturday.  Thank you for all the Rotarians and showed up and worked.  For those rotarians who just showed up to visit, thank you for your support. 

When traveling and staying in a hotel, remember to swipe all the shampoo, conditioner and body lotion in your bathroom for the Elderly.  Bring your collection to Jeanne.  If you signed up for the Gleaners assisting with the event or cleaning up, that is this Sunday ( I think)  If in doubt call or email jeanne jeanne.tunnicliffe@chw.edu. 

Robin thanked all the rotarians that brought doggie gifts for the SPCA tree.  Next Wednesday bring cookies.  Can't read my notes so I don't remember exactly why, but it is for a good cause.  Oh by the way, if you don't bake you can buy.

Hot off the Press: update on Cecil's wife Karen Martin- She has been called to report to the hospital, as there is a Liver available.  The surgery started Thursday at 6am (EST) she should be in recovery by time you all read this story.  Thoughts and/or Prayer or both to the Martin Family, the surgeons, caregivers and very importantly to the Donor Family.  Our club with BBRC raised $7,500 to help with travel and living expenses for the Martin Family while in Virginia.  Karen will need to stay 3 months in Virginia close to the transplant center until she can travel home. 

Hotter off the Press:  Just got word: the surgeon who was harvesting the liver, rejected it.  Karen is back on the waiting list.  She is number one.  What did Denise say about the lesson of "patiences". 

Next Week a Board Meeting after the regular meeting.  Come prepared so it can be concluded within an hour.

Christmas Party at the Vasinda's lovely home on December 17th.

December 15th is the deadline for Early registration for Rotary International. 

Carol read a moving piece " Six boys and 13 Hands" in Honor of all our Veterans.  All current military members and veterans were ask to stand so we may honor their service.  Thank you Joe Hansen (Marine), Andrew Fishkin (Army), Tim Jalving (Army).  Not Present was John Tait (Army) (By the way if John Tait had a duty at the meeting, I just remember I was suppose to do it for him). 

Club Anniversary - Mary Lee (1 year). 

Fines all male table - John Vasinda $5.00 however, he brought the wine guy as a guest so I don't think he should have to pay. 

Joe Hansen reported that 32 boxes were packed and brought to John Vasinda to be shipped to Major Chris Rodgers.  These were mailed on the US Marine 235th Birthday.  Way to go Twilight.

Dixie introduced Russ Sempell, from NAMI of Kern County.  National Alliance on Mental Illiness - Kern County Affiliate.  NAMI Supports, Educations and is a Advocate in helping families with a family member with mental illness.  He educated us as to the suffering of our veterans with mental illiness.  We lost 58,000 Soldiers in Vietnam, but we have lost 175,000 veterans of the Vietnam war to suicide.  In helping Military Families and Veterans they have a program called FrontLine which works with those families "Saving Lives and  Saving Families". 

Have a wonderful week. 

Sandy Foster

One last note from the scribe, I don't know how to do spell check in this program so I apologies if any misspelled words.  I should have done it in word then copy pasted, as I can't copy paste it in word now to check due to security, so don't send me any emails saying I can't spell.  I already know that.