Suzanne Collinsworth-Smith, Editor

September 11th, 2009

September is New Generations Month

Upcoming Programs and Events

Presented by Program Chairman, Leland Hammerschmitt and his crew.

September 18th-Al West and Dave Brubaker/Get Acquainted Talks

September 25th-Dr. Laura Danly-Curator Griffith Observatory

In the Beginning....

President Scott Smith welcomed members and guests, called on Ren Adams to lead us in the Pledge and Andi Bloom to read the 4-Way Test. He then called for a moment of silence in remembrance of 9-11. Scott followed that with the following:

Time is passing, yet for us, there will be no forgetting September the 11th . We remember where we were when we first heard. We remember the fire and ash. We remember the rescuers who died in honor. We remember the last cell phone calls. We remember the families that live in grief, for loved ones lost that day, and in the ensuing violent aftermath throughout the world. We remember the funerals of the children. We remember and we hope. We hope for our children. We hope they can succeed where we have failed…and live to have a chance to make the world a safer place.

After lunch was served, the meeting reconvened at 12:30 PM. President Scott thanked the Sergeant at Arms committee for set up, Andi Bloom and Ren Adams for greeting, John Rennell for manning the microphone and Suzanne Collinsworth-Smith for being Reminder Editor. Scott passed on greetings from Peter Haggerty who is recuperating at home and welcomed back Charlie Thompson.

 

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Scott introduced visiting Rotarian Nick Oatway from the Ojai West club. He then called for the introduction of guests, introducing first his guest, our first lady, Betsy Smith.

Fred Fauvre introduced our PEP student of the month along with his mother and school officials Peter Aguirre and Lynn Burns.

Terry Twichell introduced (on behalf of Nic Frank) a special guest, Jeff Vogel.

A special introduction was made to welcome Shari Skinner. Shari took the mike and stated that her involvement in Rotary had started with Scott as they were inducted together. She expressed her appreciation for her wonderful Rotary experiences including the International convention in Australia and the NID in India. She also expressed appreciation for the personal support of Rotary friends in her business and personal life.

We also welcomed back Charlie Thompson.

 

 

 

PEP Student of the Month: Andy Hill

Dr. Fauvre, just back from China, introduced the PEP Student of the Month from Sunset School—Andy Hill. Andy, a 6th grader was accompanied by his mother Kristi Hill, his principal Peter Aguirre and Vice Principal Lynn Burns. Andy was honored for his good work in the classroom and in physical education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcements. . .

  • Scott will be away in Bosnia next week working on the Land Mine Project. Larry Wilde will be at the podium

 

  • Scott Eicher announced there are 27 vendors for this year's Taste of Ojai. He has ready the tickets that were ordered last week and more tickets available. Go to: http://www.tasteofojai.com

 

  • Nick Oatway of Ojai West announced their upcoming Chile Cookoff which will include chile, 3 bands and boat trips on Lake Casitas. Save the Date—Saturday, October 3.

 

  • Scott announced the appointment of Cari Guerrero as Vocational Chair. A round of applause welcomed Cari to her new position.

 

  • Kay Bliss gave us an update on the work in Agadez. As a result of last week's appeal, our club collected $4000 which was in Leslie's hands and 450 bags of millet had been distributed feeding 450 families for a month. More is needed, so see Kay if you wish to contribute.

 

 

  • Drs. Marty Pops and Carl Gross presented facts on the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Shown here is a hand sanitizer which will be used at our meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Marty also reminded us of the Health Seminar Saturday morning, 9:00 AM at Soule Park on the subject of eye care.

 

  • Meetings this week: Sgt At Arms Committee—after the meeting today, International Committee Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 AM at Café Emporium, and Membership Wednesday, Sept. 16, noon at The Gables

 

 

Fining

John Rennell led and abbreviated fining session fining first himself for his coming birthday. Other confessions filling the pot included:

  • Kay Bliss birthday
  • Maggie Cerminaro birthday, anniversary and club anniversary
  • Jack Jacobs birthday
  • Todd Beaty who confessed to being the JINX for the Oklahoma football team—he has been at their last 7 losses
  • Tony Thacher sported a eyepopping T-shirt celebrating his participation at Arthur Ash stadium in NYC where Ojai was named the 2nd best tennis town in America.

 

  • Ren Adams announced a “shredder day” Saturday, sponsored by Ojai Valley Community Bank
  • Leland announced his 9 th club anniversary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Program

 

Laura Whitney presented and inspiring program about her passion and work at the Ojai Foundation. As the Executive Director of the Foundation Laura works internationally toward their mission: To strengthen individuals, families, schools and communities by teaching ways to listen and speak from the heart, to honor life's many passages and to expand our connection with nature. Film presentations highlighted the work of the foundation which includes The Senior Rite of Passage—a 5 day workshop for high school seniors, the Council of Schools in Los Angeles which teaches listening skills to children and a program in the Middle East to bring Jews and Arabs together to foster understanding.

Thank you Laura—the world will surely benefit from what you do.!

 

Final Thoughts

In adjourning President Scott reminded us that Larry Wilde will run the meeting next week, requested positive thoughts for his trip to Bosnia, Bob Skankey's and Leslie Clark working in Niger and Carl Gross and Bob Skankey's upcoming trip to Honduras. He reminded us to support Taste of Ojai—that's how we keep the doors open and sent love to Shari.