The Rotary Club of Newport – Balboa

Intro. of RCN-B/N.B.S.C.A. Exchange Students Going to Okazaki, Japan and Ambassadorial Scholar @ UCI – Shuji Tanaka (RCN-B is Hosting)

Greeting a large group of guest was Immediate Past President Bill Hossfeld with Past President Ed Rennie checking everyone in at the Front Desk. We had 35 guests this evening and approximately and 24 N-B Rotarians.

President AJ Thielen signaled the *Meeting to Order* by the ring of the Rotary Bell at 6:15 P.M. Steve Speer gave the Invocation, President AJ lead us in the Salute to the Flag, followed by Grace Austin guiding the Rotarians in *The Four Way Test,* and AJ almost forgot President-elect Bob Merring that lead us in a patriotic version of *God Bless America.*

We adjourned for a large buffet dinner with a multitude of entry selections.

After dinner, AJ presented Rayna Richardson (Ensign), John Leisure (CdM), Slater Plant (St. Joachim), Nichole Meindl (CdM), Nikola Knaeps (CdM), and Sam Wertheimer (Ensign) along with the two chaperons who are Science Teachers at CdM: Kim Rap and Jennifer Walters.

Pres. AJ talked about recent fund raiser with N.B.S.C.A. and took a “photo op” with Connie and Liddy with Connie introducing her Board of Directors. Following that AJ plugged that he took us out of the “Dark Ages” with
FaceBook and what our Club did in the Community.

Pres. AJ introduced his old grade and high school friend Major Mark Simpson from the Pasadena area, who is a 12 year USMC jet pilot flying the F-18 and currently training pilots in the T-45C jet. Roger McGonegal passed the hat for the disaster victims of the tornadoes in Oklahoma.

It is always nice to induct a new member and PDG Roger McGonegal handled the induction of Justin Peister, with the classification of “General Contractor,” who stated that his was looking forward in giving back to the Community.

Pres. AJ did announce that Dick Dickson would be honored by the Daily Pilot for the Community & Clubs Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to the communities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Rotarian Dickson will be honored at Noon on Friday, June 14th at American Legion Post #291 and if you would like to attend please call President AJ to fill at least one or more tables.

Past Pres. Marc Aarons and Director of International Service introduced UCI Student and Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Shuji Tanka, not to be confused with “Sushi!” Shuji was introduced to our Club at our October 10, 2012 Meeting and since that time he has shared his story with some fifteen (15) Rotary groups with his English improving from 62% efficiency when he was appointed as an Ambassadorial Scholar to now where he is in the mid 90% English efficiency. The 300 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars this Rotary Year are to promote international peace and understanding and Shuji is a great example of the goals and objectives of this Rotary program. I have driven Shuji on a regular basis in our visits to the different Rotary groups where he has or will be speaking over fifteen (15) times and he has been extremely well received by all that have come in contact with him. He will be staying another year in the USA and will be doing internships before returning to Japan to complete his master’s degree in electrical engineering.

Shuji fits the mold of a Rotarian providing *Service Above Self* with his work in Cambodia teaching young people who grew up as orphans Japanese so they can work in the tourist industry catering to the Japanese tourist. Two other summers he worked in India at Mother Teresa’s Orphanage and at Kalighat Hospice where he witnessed people dying in front of his eyes but still giving these people some hope with his friendly warm smile. With a little R & R in Thailand he was involved in a motorcycle accident where his leg was seriously broken with the treat of possibly not able to walk but with Shuji’s positive attitude he overcame that injury and you would never know he was involved in that accident..

He went through the Japanese 9.0 earth quack on March 11, 2011 at his university library near Tokyo, Japan where all the books were thrown from the racks and studies were restricted and transportation was none existent where the students including Shuji were living in his university’s gym. He showed and gave a great overview of the damage done in northern Japan immediately after the quake and recent photos some two years later. It is hard to believe that over 15,000 people were killed and approximately 2,500 people are missing with some 398,0009 buildings damaged or destroyed with 54 nuclear energy facilities damaged and not operating and restricting electrical power in that part of Japan. Helping Japan recover were 142 out of 195 countries from around the world.

Some questions were asked and Shuji addressed how Americans complement everyone compared to Japan and that Americans will ask a questions to make sure they understand what is being discussed which is not true in Japan.

Pres. AJ ended the tonight’s meeting with a quote from one of the four original founding Rotarians; Paul Harris. AJ pulled off a very full scheduled meeting and closed the meeting with the ring of the Rotary Bell at 7:47 P.M. so my older brother Dick Dickson could have Eleanor tuck him into bed by 8:30 PM!

Scribe Bill Hossfeld for Rotary Meeting on May 30, 2013

Another great meeting, the evening started with President AJ on edge from his seat with his team playing in the sweet 16 in the other room. Tom Walley extracted fines in an efficient manner as usual he is our best, AJ was happy not have spent $300 to watch Arizona lose at Staples Center.  We inducted two new members Grace Austin & Yukari Johnston, please call them to introduce yourself.

No meeting this Thursday because Friday we will all be at CDM High School Track for the Annual Frank Anderson Track Meet from 3pm- 7pm. Call Art Walton with your rsvp 949-497-4604.

FUNDRAISER!! i am so happy with all the stepping up of auction items, we need more and we need you to attend April 24th and buy tickets to the fundraiser $40 each, use the link below to pay with credit card. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9ZJVRD6C3TMZ4

I got a call from Dr. Raj’s son, he thinks that Raj is getting too old to go to our meetings with the risk of falling it becoming too great. Be sure to call Raj to keep in touch.

Dues are late May 1st, official invoice to follow, please send your $145 to P.O. Box 1944 Newport Beach, CA 92659. If you send it after May 1st it is $150.

Dr. Jerry Klemmer gave a great craft talk about his life, graduating from UCLA and helping Kareem Abdul Jabar relieve his headaches through his chiropractic expertise.

What a great weekend of service with Arbor Day Tittivating and Spirit Run volunteering, really is what Rotary is all about!

No meeting this Thursday but we will have the tree planting ceremony at Sonora Elementary 966 Sonora Rd. Costa Mesa 7:45am on Thursday 7th of March. The school is south of Baker, East of Fairview, West of the 73 and north of Arlington.

Saturday March 9th is District Conference at Chapman University 7:30am to noon. All board members and new Rotarians (blue badge “district” requirement) are encouraged to attend, please talk to Bob Merring 714-444-9944 if you are able to join us. The Okazaki Application is online (top of the website in the middle bar) , if you know any high school juniors please call Marc Aarons 949-371-6272 as we need applicants. Our old sign in laptop is nearly dead, if anyone has one newer than 8 years old please let me know as we keep track of dinner expense and sign in on it.

Go to www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofnewportbalboa there is a nice story written by a local reporter on our Arbor Day tradition.

Do you really care who led the Pledge of Allegiance at the last Rotary meeting? Phew. I’m so relieved since it wasn’t until Richard Oberreiter fessed up to forgetting that he was the scribe the week before that my memory cells were tickled to remind me that February 28 was my turn. So, beginning with fines here we go.

The evening started out with dueling travel plans for the big $40 finees. Among other places, Tom Walley was going to go scuba diving in Indonesia for three weeks, while Jerry Morris was going to go to Gay’s ancestral home of Norway and Scandinavia this summer and next year on a river cruise in the Bordeaux region of France. A happy fine was paid by Liana Sullivan for the safe return of her membership book, and a penance happily contributed by Richard Oberreiter for forgetting his scribal duties.

Our guests and featured speakers Majors Dane Hanson and Dave Goodwin led us in a somewhat less than rousing chorus of the Marine Corps Hymn to kick off the evening’s festivities. Honorary club member Judge Steven Bromberg gave a brief history of the 2003 adoption of the First Battalion/First Marines by a group of citizens from Newport Beach. The goal was to give enlisted families “things they couldn’t imagine,” and over the years the program has grown to annual contributions in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Major Hanson then gave an overview of the command structure and mission of the 1/1, The First Battalion/First Marines comprises about 1,000 active Marines organized into three rifle companies and two line companies. Its primary missions are to locate, close with, fire and destroy the enemy and to repel every assault by maneuvering and close combat, if necessary.

Presenting a slide show about the most recent deployment of the 1/1 in Afghanistan, Major Hanson stressed the strategic importance of the Kajaki Dam and the great store of initiative that the Marines give its combat troops. For example, it would not be uncommon for a corporal to have the authority to request hundreds of thousands of dollars of armament to rain down on the enemy and for the chain of command to follow that recommendation of a 22 year old. He also noted the hardships of war. For example, in many counterinsurgency operations, the Marines may have to be self-sustaining for 24 to 48 hours. This requires them to carry over 100 pounds of gear, including 24 water bottles to keep hydrated in the 100 degree plus temperatures.

Unfortunately, corruption appears to be rampant in the local police, and relationships with the militia battalions of the Afghanis, while cordial, do not appear to be on track for them to successfully prosecute the war after the Americans pull out of the theater. But hope–and American armaments–spring eternal.

Duties this Thursday 21st *Takedown Jerry Klemmer, Scribe Oberreiter, Desk Owens, Invocation Robert Smith, Songs Dickson, Jokes Konence, Fines Morris, Photos Kerr, Greeter Sullivan, if you are unable to perform please find a replacement for your duty.

To see all the pictures from last week go to https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfNewportBalboa , I included one picture of the elusive Wendell Sawyer for your enjoyment.

This week we have Dr. Richard McKenzie a renowned Economics professor from UCI, thanks Lyman Porter for getting us such a great speaker and setting a great example for other members to drum up speakers! We need help with this
badly.

We also have a board meeting upstairs at the BCYC at 4:15pm please come and sit in to participate in the inner workings of our club.

Upcoming events:

• Tomorrow Feb 19th Roger Gilbert’s funeral at Pacific View Mortuary reception to follow at Santa Ana Country Club, members are encouraged to speak at his service but no one person is speaking for the club specifically.
• Tittivating March 2nd 8:30am at the firestation on the corner of Mesa & Acacia by the Newport Beach Golf course. Email John Kerr if you can attend john@psitech.com
• Spirit Run Volunteers March 3rd 5am-10am- right in front of Big Newport Theater. Email Dan Hoffmann dhoffman5@gmail.com
• March 7th 7:45am -Sonora Elementary in Costa Mesa between Newport Blvd & Bristol.
• April 24th Fundraiser to Further the Relationship between Okazaki and Newport Beach, 930 Sushi on PCH. More info to follow.
• No regular meeting on March 7th because hopefully everyone is participating in Arbor Day by delivering trees to schools. Email Bill Hossfeld if you need a school. aysobill@aol.com

No scribes notes this week but we had a very nice night of fellowship and all ladies were treated to a rose. Thanks to Steve Speer for setting it up, Bill Hossfeld for organizing, and Jerry Morris for introductions and getting our cakes.

We are not in our normal room this week, instead go into the room that is straight ahead when you walk in the club. Its the room directly to the right of the bar.

*Setup Hodges, Greeter Hossfeld, Desk Sullivan, Invocation Walt Smith, Songs Wendell Sawyer, Jokes Rennie, photos Currie, no scribe or fines this week. *

I put one of the pictures from the tour that is on Facebook below, panoramic from my new Iphone 5, the rest are at www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofnewportbalboa

It must have been cold, since everyone seemed to be buddle up in their heavy jackets, scarfs and even hats Thursday late afternoon for one of the two tours starting at 4:00 P.M. followed by a second tour at 4:45 P.M. on February 7th. So unlike many other Thursday evening meetings, but this night’s Scribe did see the sun going behind Catalina from City Manager’s Office on the second floor of the New City Hall still under construction.

We had a fabulous turn out with 24 Rotarians and 17 guests including a visiting Rotarian, our Ambassadorial Scholar Shuji Tanaka, 2 potential Rotarians and 14 wives, a daughter of a Rotarian, a special guest of a Rotarian, and a previous past president of our Club that attended the new N.B. City Hall tours plus others that came late thus meeting us at Muldoon’s Pub.

We want to have a special thank you for Assistant City Manager and Project Manager for the new City Hall: Stephen Badum, City Manager Dave Keiff, Principal Civil Engineer from Public Works: Fong Tse, and the person behind the scenes that worked with me to coordinate the tour: Jenny Sude, Stephen Badum’s Administrative Assistant.

What were the highlights of the new Newport Beach City Hall tour? First, I must say that this is one of the best planned city halls I have had the pleasure in seeing since I have been dealing with governmental agencies starting with the City of Newport Beach in 1960 when I was working for an architectural design firm. In talking to City Manager Dave Kiff during the second tour, they started the process over five years ago when the City approved Measure “B” in February 2008. At that time, the City had many more employees than today so when occupied in another two months you may say they over built. Attached is the *Project Overview* that was sent out
to all that participated in the tours for information.

What I think the Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson did a great job of listening to all the needs and comments and put together an extremely functional design the will be heavily used by our Community. Environmentally, it was designed to meet at least a LEED Silver certification but that could be elevated to Gold for this 98,000 square foot structure. The budget for this project is $131.4 that includes the total Civic Center, parking structure, library expansion, two park and open space areas that are tied together by a pedestrian bridge over San Miguel Drive. Based on the City’s monthly reports that are released, they are still within the approved final budget for the total project. A comment was made by either the Kiff or Badum, that the City just received a proposal for the old City Hall property that more than exceeded their expectations (don’t know any more but I am sure it will be in the papers soon).

The spaces are designed to expand at peak times such as the City Council Chambers and nice community room that can open up to accommodate a very large attended meeting. A wonderful lawn area between the building and the parking structure for community functions or to be able to be rented for private functions when not being used by the City is very nicely planned and convenient to parking.

I was most impressed by how the spaces will really assist both the City Staff and those that will need the services of the City to be conveniently served. Especially liked the how one will interact when working with staff on planning, engineering, and building needs during the planning and permit process. It is the first city I have seen that has space to handle the construction documents correctly for both the staff and customers. The Finance Service section has greatly been expanded and is conveniently located compared to a three window area that is hard to locate in the existing City Hall.

I think the biggest asset in the complex is the Emergency Coordination Area in the basement area facing the Library. It is not only centrally located in the Community but was designed to be “ready to roll” to guide community emergency needs.

They are running a little behind schedule for occupancy but they are hoping to be fully operational in less than two months including the Library. Per City Manager Dave Kiff, they are planning a really great dedication and tour of the facility when it opens which I hope we can all attend to see the final results.

I think everyone seemed to be impressed with the tours and all the comments I heard were positive as we all adjourned to Muldoon’s for some great fellowship, great food and we had fantastic service by our waitress. But we were a little disappointed that there was no dancing on the tables this year!?!

BOY! Do we have a great deal on our Club’s Calendar in the next two months, so please scan below and put some of these dates in your calendar and we hope to have you involved:

- February 14th is our Club’s Valentine’s Party at BCYC starting at 6:00 P.M., – Steve Speer coordinating,
- February 21st is our regular Meeting of RC of N.-B. with Fellowship at 5:45 P.M. and meeting in session at 6:15 P.M. Dr. Lyman Porter has invited the head of UCI’s Economics Department to be our Guest Speaker plus this is also Election Night with Bob Merring and Martin Pitha coordinating the elections for the Officers and Directors for Rotary Year 2013-2014. – Steve
Speer, Bob Merring and AJ Thielen coordinating,
- February 28th is our regular Meeting of RC of N.-B. with Fellowship at 5:45 P.M. and meeting in session at 6:15 P.M. Program has not been confirmed. – Steve Speer, Bob Merring and AJ Thielen coordinating,

- February 26th through March 8th covers our 44th year of Arbor Day activities:
- Tuesday, February 26th at 7:00 P.M. with two activities at the same time:
- Presentation of seedlings of the Carrotwood trees to Newport Beach’s Mayor and City Council at the opening of their meeting at the
City’s new City Council Chambers on Avocado Ave. – Bill Hossfeld coordinating,
- Presentation of seedlings of the Carrotwood trees to the President and members of the N-MUSD Board of Education at the
opening of their meeting at 2985 Bear St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 – Jim DeBoom coordinating,
- Titivating on Saturday, March 2nd starting at 8:30 A.M. located at the Back Bay Fire Station #7 and Training Facility, 20401 Acacia, St, N.B. 92660 (northwest corner of Mesa Dr. and Acacia St. near the intersection of Mesa Drive and Irvine Blvd. – adjacent to the
driving range that borders Mesa Drive). Bring some rags and dress warm and enjoy some special treats and fellowship – John Kerr and Bill Hossfeld coordinating,
- March 4th through March 8th – Rotarians bring approximately 2,500 seedling Carrotwood trees and make a special Arbor Day
presentation to some 40 public and private schools in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. If you have not signed up, please call or E-mail Bill Hossfeld, we are hoping to have 45 to 50 of our members participating during our Arbor Day activities,
- Tuesday, March 5th @ 6:00 P.M. will be a presentation of seedlings of the Carrotwood trees to Costa Mesa’s Mayor and City Council at the opening of their meeting at the City Council Chambers, – Bill Hossfeld coordinating,
- Thursday, March 7th starting at 7:45 A.M. (this is the official date for Arbor Day in California) is the Dedication of a large tree at
Sonora Elementary School, 966 Sonora Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (maps will be available at our meetings on Feb. 21st, 28th, and at Titivating) – Principal Christine Anderson and Bill Hossfeld coordinating.

The Mayor of Costa Mesa, C.M City Council, Supt. Dr. Fred Navarro, N-MUSD Board of Education, our Honorary Member Jack Hammett (Pearl Harbor and “D” Day survivor) will lead the Flag Deck in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Sonora’s band will be part of this Dedication and Celebration of Arbor Day.

- March 3rd is the Spirit Run scheduled at Fashion Island in front of Fashion Island Cinema. – Diane Daruty and Dan Hoffmann coordinating,
- March 9th is District 5320’s Assembly at Chapman University starting at 8:00 AM to Noon in Orange. Free to all Rotarians and recommended for all Officers, Board Members plus all new members that have joined in the past year. – Bob Merring coordinating for Club involvement,
- Friday, April 5th are the Frank E. Anderson Memorial Track and Field Newport Beach Championships starting at 4:00 P.M. with a fellowship following at Muldoon’s. – Art Walton coordinating,
- Wednesday, April 24th is the Newport Beach Sister City Association and RC of N.-B.’s Fund Raiser for the International Student Exchange Program between Newport Beach and Okazaki, Japan. Details forth coming – Lauren Reeves (future Mrs. Pittman) and A.J.
Thielen coordinating,
- Sunday, May 26th ? A blessed event!

Proud to be a Rotarian and your Scribe for February 7th’s Meeting

Bill Hossfeld

Many thanks to Bill Hossfeld for covering for me as I had to attend the TD Ameritrade conference last week in San Diego! Many are asking where to park for Thursday’s tour starting at 4pm, I have included the picture below. Note the open parking lot that is to the left of Avocado and below Civic Center Dr., the big building says Telles Properties (not sure if it actually says that on the building but in this picture it does). If you have an extra hard hat Bill asks that you bring it. No duties this week as we will not have the usual ceremonies. We are going to Muldoon’s after so if you can’t make the tour be sure to stop by the bar. Below please find the Anchor Watch from last week and find some great pictures at www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofnewportbalboa

Thursday January 31, 2013****

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Bill Hossfeld, substituting for President AJ, got tonight’s meeting started by having Roger McGonegal give the Invocation, quoting a Hindu passage. The Four-Way Test was given by Jerry Klemmer and the Pledge of Allegiance by Nathan Owens. Bob Merring led us with a rousing song “Happy Wanderer”. Roger McGonegal introduced Jeff Borquardt and repeat guests Bob White and Herb Norman. Hunter Cook provided all of us with new directories.****

** **

Following a fine dinner Laina Sullivan provided us with a great joke, something to do with the President screwing the working class, the
government being asleep and that the future was in deep shit. Finemaster Victor went missing, so there were only Happy fines from John Kerr, Roger McGonegal and Art Walton.****

** **

The announcements for this week included a reminder about next week’s meeting starting at 4 PM at the new city hall, and the need to sign up, since we will be issued hard hats! Other announcements were for Arbor Day (still need people), club elections, the District conference on March 9th, the track meet on April 5th and RILA in the last week in April.****

** **

The program for this evening was provided by Gary Konecne. He has volunteered for the past 13 years with Disabled Sports of Orange County. One of their main activities allows at least ten disabled people the opportunity to go snow skiing! Phong Lee narrated a video of the skiing, the people and the equipment used. The equipment is provided free by the club and Mammoth Mountain provides everyone with free 3-day passes once a month, from November through May. It is quite an undertaking. Thank you Gary!****

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See you all next week.

Your scribe,

Dave Hodges

Duties this week: desk Merring, setup/takedown Owens, Greeter Oberreiter, Invocation McGonegal, jokes Sullivan, Fines Currie, Scribe Hodges, Songs Merring

Go to https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfNewportBalboa for last weeks pictures.

Join us this week for Gary Konecne’s Ski Group Presentation. 1-31-13 6pm-7:45pm, please reply to Steve Speer’s email.

This scribe was met by Pres. Elect. Bob Merring on the steps leading into the BCYC before being greeted with a handshake and smile by
Jerry Klemer at the front desk. During Social Hour I had the opportunity to meet visiting Rotarian Herb Norman along with James Morgan plus saying hello to Laina Sullivan, Bill Hossfeld, Terry Rousselot, Roger McGonegal and others.

Pres. AJ kicked off the meeting by asking Gary Konecne for the Invocation, Yours truly in the 4-way test, Bob Merring the Pledge of Allegiance and Jerry Morris in his own rendition of Happy Birthday to Pat Riley (our pianist) and myself. Introductions included Herb Norman, and Bob White by Roger McGonegal; Harry Kip by Richard Oberreiter; Dr Grace Austin and Yukai by Pres. AJ.

Following a delicious buffet dinner Pres. AJ introduced Art Walton who told a great $5.00 joke; and then made several announcments such as attending the LA Mayorial debate at LA5, Track meet, Arbor Day, RILA and mini Fundraiser plus future meetings starting with next weeks program about Gary Konecne ski trip to Mammoth, visit to City Hall, Valentines Day Party and Economics Professor from UCI.

Finemaster Bill Hossfeld enjoyed removing $$$ from Steve Williams for his travels; Linda Klevatt for son visiting from Chicago; Gary Myers expectant Grandfather of numbers 5 & 6 (one better be a boy) or their could be 7 & 8. Happy fines came from Roger McGonegal for being a part of the Incoming District Governors Conference in San Diego; Andy Campbell back from another Golf Trip; Jerry Morris for creating his own rendition of “Happy Birthday”; Laina Sullivan for successful opening of 1st store in Australia this past Saturday and FREE YOGURT DAY on Monday Feb.4 from 4-7PM at all stores. There are two in Costa Mesa, Five in Irvine and one in Huntington
Beach.

Many of our best programs come from our own members and Richard Oberreiter was no exception with a craft talk about his family; wife Shelli and daughters Lauren and Simone plus his latest adventure and third start-up company “The Mando Group” a Swedish based program clinically proven to achieve recovery from eating disorders and obesity …

Another great evening at Rotary…

Your Scribe, Dick Dickson

Meeting was opened by AJ Thielen at 6:15. AJ led us in the song “God Bless America,” Terry Rousselot led us in the 4 – Way Test followed by the introduction of guests:

Bill Hossfeld introduced former District Governor from 2009 – 2010 Brett Gerdes; Walter brought his wife, Barbara and her daughter Jane; Lauren introduced Bridget Waller & her fiancé Mark Pitman; James Morgan is a Rotarian visiting from Pomona, Bill Davies wife Jeannie, John Eagle, supporting speaker gordon Duffy, Dr. Grace Austin visiting, Grace’s friend, Ukari, visiting from Irvine. 

1. Joke Master Rick Weiss was the joke master and he told a joke about a man whose family thought he had a hearing problem, much to their demise, he was fine and he learned a lot about his family while sitting quietly amongst all their chatter and gossip.
2. Fines:

a.  Bob Merring had his wife present

b.  John Kerr’s kids were home for the holidays

c.  Miyuki announced this was her last night in her 30’s, as her birthday was the next day and she was happy to be spending it with her Rotary Club

d.  Lauren provided a black boa for Miyuki, a bottle of wine and is thrilled her soon to be husband, shares the same birthday as Miyuki (who will be a bridesmaid in Lauren’s upcoming wedding)

e.  Our past District Governor Brett Gerdes was thrilled to be at the meeting, also.

1. Announcements

a.  Newport Beach Rotary Club’s web site includes a calendar, important date to remember is Feb 7, when we meet at the Newport Beach City Hall at 4:00. Park in the parking structure and be prepared to wear hard hats during the tour.

b.  Facebook Page – 54 people “LIKE” us, including our pianist, Pat Riley and we had 133 views on our page last week alone!

c.  Club Conference will take place in May 2nd – 5th at Knott’s Berry Farm.  Everyone needs to come on May 3rd because for a mere $25 (historically don’t quote AJ) all the clubs in the district maintain a booth where they serve food and alcohol.

d. Feb 2, Car Show at San Juan Capistrano

e. We need a Presidential candidate to serve for the term coming in a year and a half

f. Arbor Day – new members will be assigned to Senior members to help plant the 2500 carrot wood trees

g. Track meet – Friday, April 5, Art Walton is looking for an “apprentice”

h. Brett, the Past District Governor, gave a Paul Harris pin to Barbara, from Walt’s wife. “No one deserves a Paul Harris award more than she does.”

i. John Kerr also received a Paul Harris Fellowship pin plus one.

1. GUEST SPEAKER

Lauren then introduced our Guest Speaker Gordon Duffy, who started the “Duffy Fitness Institute” in Irvine. His speech included very valuable information about the:

“7 Myths Killing Americans today” & “Tips on Anti-Aging”

We spend 90% of our health insurance in the last 3 years of our lives. Life in America begins to decline at an average age of 48 and the average age to die is now 75.

Gordon Duffy continued his interesting and eye opening speech which included these major topics:  Why Exercise?, It’s Not Your Fault (we don’t have proper programs or corrective exercises), How is Functional Longevity Accomplished, When the Body Starts Burning Sugar, Hormonal Levels during Anaerobic Exercise, Standing Tall to be Well, How to Live at the Highest Functional Level, Goals of Exercise & Nutrition, Corrective Exercise Programs, Strength Training vs. Treadmill & Stairmaster Activity.

Mr. Duffy recommends the Chek certified & Poliquin certified programs. He also told us that Pilate’s programs don’t build body strength (it’s just yoga with strings) as there’s no hormonal release and doesn’t allow your body to burn sugar – the most essential element of any exercise program. Other recommendations included don’t work out more than 45 minutes a day, but rather pay your dues at the gym and then go out and have some fun and running more than 400 meters will age your body very fast! Rather focus on lunging, squatting, pushing, pulling and twisting your body for maximum benefits.

At the end of his presentation, AJ informed Mr. Duffy that a donation in his honor has been made to the Rotary Foundation, which is helping to eradicate polio.

The meeting ended with this very important quote from Ben Franklin:

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

It was great to see so many familiar faces again, since this was the first time your scribe was able to attend a club meeting since the move to Thursdays.

President AJ Thielen kicked off the meeting with an invocation from Dick Dickson, Four Way Test from Lauren Reeves, and Rick Weiss leading us in song. Sorry, I missed who was tasked with leading the flag salute, since I was distracted by the arrival of our Manhattans from the bar. This is, of course, a generally positive hazard of meetings starting at cocktail hour. But I digress.

Guests this evening included Aaron Clem, Erica Watson-Currie, James Morgan, and Bridget Waller.

AJ gave one of the most effusive introductions in recent memory to Anna Wong as she made her way to the front as the Jokemaster.

Finemaster Dan Hoffmann raised funds for the Club Foundation by fining Ed Rennie (for recent trips to the Caribbean and Palm Springs including the Palm Springs Film Festival) and, in absentia, Markee Fritchlee, who is still recovering from way too many back-to-back-to-back health hits lately.

Happy fines came in from Bob Merring (showing significant restraint about Stanford at the Rose Bowl), Roger McGonegal, Walt Smith who was told by his doctor that there was nothing left to fix, Dick Dickson (informing that they are planning on his 99-year-old mother-in-law’s 100th birthday), a happy but nervous Rick Weiss in honor of son Remy’s getting his first driver’s license, and President AJ for getting his wedding date set after visiting “every possibly venue in Orange County.”

Announcement included Art Walton reminding all that this year’s Frank Anderson Memorial Track Meet will be on Friday, April 5. AJ informed us that our February 7 meeting wil be an on-site pre-opening tour of the new City Hall, followed by dinner at Mudoon’s Irish Pub. Upcoming Arbor Day festivities include Saturday morning Titivating on March 2, and a March 7 ceremony to plant the large tree.

The District Assembly will be held on Saturday, March 9 in the morning at Chapman University. All newer members and the incoming Board should attend–not to mention the rest of us who can have an opportunity to hear about new programs and strategy for Rotary.

PDG Roger McGonegal then presented Nate Owens with his first Paul Harris Fellowship, and recognized Dick Dickson and Bill McClellan for their many significant contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

For our evening’s speaker, we welcomed new member Diane Daruty for her Craft Talk. Dianne is a CPA and attorney, though she describes herself as “retired” from those professions as she focused on community and youth service since the birth of her second child.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Diane for nearly seven years now (our kids are in school together), and when she describes her running activities and the youth programs she has put into place, she’s being very modest. Having seen first hand how many kids are touched by the after school running programs she started–especially in these days of limited physical education funds–I can assure you that she’s already exemplifies the Rotary concept of Service Above Self.

It’s especially fitting that Diane has joined us. Just as our club saved the original city track meet years ago, Diane stepped up and saved the Newport-Mesa Sprit Run and started a new foundation to keep it going (our club is now also a Spirit Run sponsor), plus Diane’s son Matthew participated in the Okazaki exchange two years ago. And did I mention she’s also a nationally ranked marathoner?

On a side note, due to time and scheduling restraints, I’ve had to resign from the club’s Board, but I am very pleased to write that Past President Richard Oberreiter has been appointed to fill the PR Director Board position.

Have a great week fellow Rotarians,
Victor Currie
Scribe

It was a beautiful and cool evening at the BCYC and President AJ invited Past President Hossfeld to do the invocation, it was thorough, I think we blessed the whole world!

Announcements:
-This Wednesday 19th 6pm-8pm is our annual holiday party. $45 members $55 guests, if we don’t have your check yet please email Steve Speer.
-Go to https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfNewportBalboa for realtime updates of our club.
-We NEED help from the membership with writing the Anchor Watch, please let me know if you are interested.
-Next meeting is January 10th join us for Diane Daruty’s craft talk!
-Please check your checkbook register that you paid your dues 2 months and 17 days ago, due again on Jan 1, 2013 $145 but after Jan 30th $150.
-Please contribute to Rotary International www.rotary.org then click member access and if you forgot your password just click forgot my password, its easy. I just contributed to the Annual Fund Share which comes back to the district in 3 minutes time. Call 866-976-8279 for help.

Gary Konecne tickled our fancy and Tom Walley found some end of year RCNB Foundation Contributions. Bill Hossfeld has raised over $1500 for the First Battalion First Marines. If you want to deliver the gift certificates to the troops on Wed 19th please call Bill.
Roger McGonegal inducted two new members pictured below Dave Hodges and Jerry Klemmer. Send them and email introducing yourself.

Castro, Communism, Cars and Cigars
That was the name of PDG Jim de Boom’s presentation to the club on Thursday night. Flying directly from LAX to Havana, the flight crew asked for all newspapers and magazines the passengers had brought on board. The Cuban government limits what information from the outside world, Cubans can have. There are 4 government controlled TV stations in Cuba and no internet for the citizens. Hotel guests have 30 international TV stations and internet available to them.

Cuba is stuck in the 1950′s according to Jim. He shared photos of 1959 and older American cars in primo shape. Little to none in the way of new building in Havana since the revolution. Casto nationalized all property and businesses in 1960 after the Bay of Pigs invasion. The upper class and middle class left for Florida leaving only one class, the lower class who depend upon the government for free housing, medical and dental, electricity, and a monthly food rationing card that provide rice, beans, milk, cooking oil and 1/4 of a chicken per person every 15 days.

The tour include small cities, town squares, youth orchestra, a seniors center, a Catholic Church, Hemmingway’s home and a lot more.

Jim would go back again. He liked the food and the friendly people. Currently the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council has trip planned for Cuba departing May 7, 2012. Visit www.nmiinterfaith.org for details.