Friday, July 30, 2010

Roots by Cholly Capps

A Little History of Your Rotary Club.
Watch for this series from time to time. These are brief stories about the history of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables and its members. The series was written for the Club's 50th Anniversary in 1996 by Past-President Cholly Capps, who has since moved away.

The Rotary Club of Coral Gables (number 6200) was chartered on March 4, 1946, after the District Governor of Rotary appointed Keith Phillips, Sr., (our Keith's grandfather) then Mayor of Coral Gables, to develop a club. Keith, together with Herbert W. MacDonald recruited the original 24 members of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables. Dr. Otto J. Sieplein was the first president. The meetings were held at the Coral Gables Country Club.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Vol. 65 No. 5 Notes from the Podium

President's Time
Researchers claim to have solved the world's oldest riddle ... they have concluded that the chicken came before the egg. A protein in the chicken's ovary was found that is necessary for the egg. Probably a yolk.

DUES ARE STILL DUE and after tomorrow no more 15% discount on lunch. You know that you could use that savings to pay for your annual sustaining membership contribution (the voluntary one at the bottom of the invoice)to The Rotary Foundation, and still have money left over. REMEMBER - EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR for $2 every week. Pretty cheap when you think about what that money does....

SWEDISH GIRLS COMING TO CORAL GABLES NEED HOMES! Did that get your attention? October 25 the Inbound GSE (Group Study Exchange) Team arrives in our District. We need homes for the five of them for three days. The team leader is Ana Maria Niilson. Isn't that Ann Margaret's real name?? Could it be? If you are able to open your home to one or two girls or the guys, please contact Yoli Woodbridge.

TOMORROW IS JULY 30. That's our Club's first 5th Friday. Join us and bring your BFF, your SO, your BGF or your spouse. We're being hosted at the Hubbard Alvarez Bungalow by Kelly Sastre and Citizens for a Better South Florida from 6 until 8 p.m. Munchies and wine by Lovables. $10 per person. It's also a great way to introduce a prospective new member to our Club. The address is 138 NW 16th Street. It's right by the new Marlins Stadium (or the old Orange Bowl, depending on your frame of reference). See you tomorrow night? Last chance to RSVP is NOW.

HICKS MOVING AND STORAGE HAS BEEN BUSY collecting good stuff for the November Yard Sale. Thanks this week to Miki Spiejers (yes, again) and Ana Fournaris and Clark Ainsworth (who donated the stuff he's not taking to Santiago) and Dan Brandt who has advised us we will have an antique pool table to sell too! Thanks everyone. Keep it coming. We have lots of projects to fund this year.

KRISTIE HOUSE COLLECTION GOES UNTIL AUGUST 5. If you don't want to go to Office Depot and buy school supplies just drop a couple of $$ in the orange bucket on the registration table and the committee will do it for you.

NOBODY'S READING THIS BLOG...know how we know? Nobody identified the minister in last week's Notes. Come on people ... participate. The world's oldest blogger died yesterday at 104. You too could live forever.

DISTRICT DOLPHIN GAME AND TAILGATE PARTY is coming again this year. December 5 the Dolphins play Cleveland. We've got 50 great seats and a free bus and the tailgate party when we get there. Tickets are only $45. Dick Golden and his buddy Ed Morris (who says last year was really FUN) are coordinating so contact either one of them for more information.

Confident, generous, domineering and stubborn. That pretty much describes Leo native Lan Nghiem-Phu who celebrates his birthday on August 3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAN!

CELEBRATING THEIR ROTARY ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK, THE Donald Trombly - six years, J.B. Spence - 11 years and the vanishing Ron Shuffield - 26 years. Rotary's lucky to have you all!

HAPPY DOLLARS
Dr. Randy volunteered for J.B. Spence to take all four Swedish girls but let other who were marginally happy continue to Groh scholarships today including Deena Bell who is "thrilled" to have us come to Citizens tomorrow night to Party. She's on their Board. Bruce Kerestes wanted us to share in the anxiety of the pending birth of his second grandchild ... any minute. J.B. Spence says that the recession is absolutely over and he's rolling in $$. He got a check for $1.26 from the IRS, $1.15 from a royalty on his book and $6.00 from an investment. It's been a lucky week. PP Wiley Hicks is happy to be going to Park City with his son and trekking around the Midwest ending at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. J Guarch had to borrow $5 so he could express his happiness at being married 27 years and celebrating that and his wife's 50th birthday all at the same time in Panama. Then he's taking his son to Auburn for the start of school. Ana Fournaris was grateful to Hicks Moving & Storage and to Clark Ainsworth and Wiley for picking up her junque for the yard sale. Walter Alvarez's son is happy because his gorgeous 6 ft. tall (with legs all the way up to here says dad) girlfriend has arrived from Virginia and it's the first time he's smiled for quite awhile. Yoli Woodbridge was questioning why the good Dr. Randy was being followed down the street by a bevy of young women. He claims they were all coming to Happy Dollars. Luis Boue just paid $5 to stand there. He was trying really hard to make it really hard for Dick Golden to tell one of his now infamous jokes. But Dick Golden finally got his chance to tell us about Chief Kibbitz who's wife is named Three Horses ... nag, nag, nag. Lotsa happiness pays for scholarships so keep on smiling!

Today's Program, "Alfalit Ecuador Grant at Work" was presented by our own Bill Quesenberry. Bill is the chair of the International projects committee this year and he was basically blowing our Club's collective horn while presenting information on the literacy programs that our club has sponsored with Alfalit through the District and Rotary International Matching Grants programs. The way the grants work is we put in $1. The District matches that with $1 and RI matches our club with $.50 and District with $1. So our dollar donation goes out into the world as $3.50. Pretty good return isn't it? Our Club has been involved in International Grants to the tune of $92,300 which has resulted in $270,000 in major projects funding around the world. Rotary Rocks! Coral Gables is awesome!!

NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER is Robert Molleda from the National Hurricane Center. The subject, "Preparing for the Inevitable". You won't want to miss this one for sure!

WORKING ROTARIANS - JULY 29, 2010

Greeters - Rodney Langer & Rolf Frankfurter
Registration - Aaron Glasser
Collections - Carlos Bolado & Abe Horowitz
Head Table - John Wallace
Special Needs - Frank Sexton
Open the Meeting - Dick Golden
Invocation - Jack Witty
Pledge - Bruce Kerestes
Singers - Bill Quesenberry, Deena Bell, Abe Horowitz
DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Mr. Bling Eddie Snow
Given to - Brent Nagel and Bil Quesenberry
Pin Drawing Gift - Deena Bell
Pin Drawing Winner - Abe Horowitz
50/50 Collections - Gloria Burns & Donald Trombly
50/50 Winner - Donald Trombly (!?!?!)


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

by Donald Trombly


"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people ... they are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson





As you go through your week remember ... If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. Count your blessings.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

In the Rotary Spotlight ...


JIM ROEN

Jim and Mary Margaret Roen came to Miami from New Orleans, Louisiana in 1985. At that time Mary Margaret was finishing going to Loyola School of Law in New Orleans at night and working during the day as a medical technologist. Upon graduation she was employed by attorney Stanley Rosenblatt where she worked in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death, products liability and Big Tobacco. Mary Margaret continues to practice law in those areas.

In 1985, Jim worked for Coldwell Banker Commercial Estate on Brickell Avenue. Jim worked in commercial real estate for 15 years during which time he achieved two of the highest professional designations obtainable, the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), considered by many as a Ph.D. in commercial real estate and the Society of Industrial Office Realtors (SIOR). In 1987, Jim, at the age of 44, went to law school and graduated in 1990. Jim practices in the are of business, real estate, breach of contract and commercial debt/judgment litigation. Any type of monetary dispute.

Jim and Mary Margaret have two children, Brandt, 16, and Catherine, 15. Brandt will be a junior at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and Catherine will be a sophomore at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Both children are quite involved in rowing and have done very well.


Jim and Mary Margaret are both AV rated by their peers. Fewer than 3% of practicing attorneys are so rated. Jim and Mary Margaret will be happy to provide our fellow Rotarians with legal counseling in the above areas of practice or to refer you to another AV rated attorney in any other areas of the law. Jim has been a member of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables since May, 1998. His firm is Roen & Schneider, P.A.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Rotary Foundation One Minute Message


District 6990 Simplified Grants provide up to $2,500.00 and allow Rotary clubs to identify, plan, and fund worthy projects in their own communities or internationally. Grants can fund improvements such as kitchen equipment for a food pantry, assistance for after-school programs, dictionaries or encyclopedias for primary school children, or renovations to a playground. The more we contribute to The Foundation’s Annual Programs Fund, the more opportunities and funding we will have for such projects. The Rotary Foundation allows us to “do good in the world” here in our own community, as well as internationally as we go about, “BUILDING COMMUNITIES - BRIDGING CONTINENTS” Every Rotarian Every Year!

Friday, July 23, 2010

New Fisher House at VA Health, Miami


The monthly bingo games we host at the VA Community Living Center, Miami, is one of our Club's long standing outreach projects. We have conscientious member attendance -- even though it's on Saturdays -- and the some 25 vets, and their dog Jericho, appreciate our attention and look forward to our bingo events which include modest prizes and healthful refreshments. Prez SallyB is in charge and calls the balls.....but Yoli's presence looms large as she presides over the treasury of prizes, supplies refreshments from a seemingly secret larder and keeps an eye on everyone. You'll all recall that member "Mick" Zeiller, a Navy veteran, died a couple of years back and his widow, Chardy, donated $5,000 to the VA Community Living Center in his name and there's a commemorative plaque on the wall of the recreation area where we conduct the bingo games. The Club supports the bingo project with these funds.

But this isn't the only involvement we have with VA Miami.

A couple of years ago, our Club donated $1,000 to assist with the construction of a new Fisher House at VA Miami. We responded to a request from Col. Lettie Bien, USA (ret), who was charged with raising two million dollars from the community to complete the five million dollar investment in the Fisher facility, the other donors being the Fisher Foundation and the VA who provided the land.

A Fisher House, as you may know, is a modest but most functional living facility where families of wounded military and indeed veterans with longer term health issues can stay free of charge to be close to their loved ones during convalescence. A Fisher House will have a common area, kitchen, library, and some 20 individual bedroom areas. There are some 38 located at VA hospitals throughout the United States.

The construction of Fisher House Miami is complete (see pic) and the VA team is in process of furnishing the interior areas. It's located near the west parking area of the VA property.

Lettie advises that it will be inaugurated sometime in October and our Club will be invited to attend given our support of the project.

Going forward, while the VA and the Fisher Foundation will support the cost of a basic hotel type staff, the House will need volunteer support also. Perhaps our membership can help. I'll keep everyone advised.


George Reeves

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Vol. 65 No. 4 Notes from the Podium


President's Time

Amid the echoes, Only in America this week, a Marine recruit is suing the corps claiming he suffered heat stroke because they demanded vigorous physical activity in 100 degree heat without enough fresh water ... Rock legend Prince claims the reason he still has hair is because he's played the electric guitar for 30 years. Apparently he believes that all that electricity coursing through his body has kept the hair on his head in place.

DUES ARE DUE now. You can still take advantage of the 15% discount if you pay by the 30th of July. And don't forget your Sustaining Membership. It's only $2 a week for you but for an under-priviledged child in Thailand it's ONE FULL YEAR of education expenses. EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR.

5TH FRIDAY is July 30 at the new headquarters office for Citizens for a Better South Florida. For the neophytes, every month that has five Fridays, RCCG has a party. It's a fellowship thing ... spouses, friends, prospective members can come too. It's $10 per person. You get catering by Lovables and alcholic libations from 6 until 8 p.m., at some Rotarian's place of business. It's FUN. It's cheap. It's a great way to party with your Rotary friends, and who knows where you'll end up for dinner after? RSVP to Terry Long.

THE 2ND-EVER ROTARY YARD SALE COMETH.
In November. But if you want to lose your junque now, we have a warehouse. Call and we'll arrange to meet you there so you can dump your treasures. At the first-ever yard sale we made $10,000. We had some awesome furniture and collectibles. Hopefully we can do that well this time too. All of the proceeds from the Yard Sale will go to the Club Foundation to be used for matching grants for many of our community and international projects.

Enter Leo the Lion, the Sun King. Natives are loyal, pretentious and a little vain. Say Happy Birthday to Gene Witherspoon on July 24.

Did you know that Gloria Burns has been giving kisses for raffle tickets every week for the last 21 years. Happy Rotary Birthday Gloria! Time sure flys when you're having FUN!



HAPPY DOLLARS
Scholarships didn't Groh very much today as Dr. Randy couldn't find many happy Rotarians. They're all on vacation. But we can always depend on Dick Golden for a story about some cows who were artificially inseminated - no bull! Bill Oates came up to say goodbye. He's going to teach at Indiana University for the upcoming school year but he'll be back. JB Spence showed us a story on Consigliere Abe Horowitz. Found the story in Community News, with the photo, in the post office! hmmmm. JB said we should all be very proud of Abe. We are! Dick Golden returned to announce the District Dolphin Football Day. This year it's December 5th. More information will surely follow. We hope more people will be happy next week. Happiness Pays so keep on Smiling!


TODAY’S SPEAKER

Maria Klara Rodriguez
Outreach & Education Program Supervisor
Kristi House


“Ending the Epidemic of Sexual Abuse in Miami-Dade County”


Kristi House was named for a 9 year old girl, pregnant with the child of her mother’s boyfriend 19 years ago. The State Attorney formed a Task Force, and the result was Kristi House. Kristi House was organized to provide services to other sexually abused children and their families.

The Orolowitz-Lee Chirdren’s Advocacy Center, is their headquarters today, located just across the street from the State Attorney’s office. It was opened in 1999. Kristi House works with the Florida Department of Children and Families, the State Attorney’s office, and local law enforcement. A child brought to Kristi house will meet a case coordinator assigned to lead the child through from the first interview, then for a medical examination, and to therapy, all in a home like environment. Services are also provided in satellite office is Miami Gardens and near the Falls. A therapist travels to Homestead to provide services.

Kristi House provides case management, therapy, and transportation free of charge to the child and the non-offending family, as well as community education. Project GOAL (Girls Owning Their Lives and Dreams) has recently been introduced to help children who are caught up in the sex industry. Statistics show that the average age for child prostitution is 12.

The statistics are frightening. One in 7 children is sexually abused while on the internet, 1 in 4 boys and 1 in 6 girls are sexually abused by the age of 18, an average of 56 children per month are brought to Kristi House. There are an estimated 39 million sexual abuse survivors in the US (75% will never even tell someone about their abuse). Kristi House exists to provide these victims with the stability and counseling they need to get their lives back together.

Ms. Rodriguez also graciously thanked the members of RCCG for their generosity over this past month. We've been collecting school supplies for the coming year and our members donated $500 for the same purpose. They are VERY grateful.

WANT A RED TICKET? FORGET YOUR ROTARY PIN? Now you can purchase a pin at the door. The Greeter will have a supply of Coral Gables Rotary Pins, for $5 you get TWO red tickets, two chances to win the pin drawing and you get a pin!

WORKING ROTARIANS - Today, July 22

Greeter - Rodney Langer
Registration - Aaron Glasser
Collections - Abe Horowitz
Head Table - John Wallace
Invocation - Jack Witty
Pledge - Donald Trombly
Singer - Bill Quesenberry
DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - SUPERMAN George Reeves
Given To - Jorge Suarez & Dick Bullman
Pin Drawing Gift - Deena Bell
Pin Drawing Winner - John Wallace
50/50 Raffle Tix - Gloria Burns & Donald Trombly
50/50 Winner - Rob Hatfield (donated to Kristi House)
5-Way Test - Yolanda Woodbridge




THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK by Donald Trombly


"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.





INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW ...

THIS IS THE RECENT WEDDING OF GLORIA ESTEFAN'S SON
TO A BEAUTIFUL SOCIALITE.
RECOGNIZE THE MINISTER?

Maybe there's a prize for the winner!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Community Service - Kristi House School Supplies through August 5th



The Rotary Club of Coral Gables is currently collecting school supplies and donations for Kristi House at the weekly Rotary meetings. Maria Clara Rodriguez, Kristi House Outreach and Education Supervisor will be our speaker this week on July 22.

The drive to provide needy and sexually abused childrne with school supplies will continue through August 5th.

A big THANK YOU to all our generous donors !!!

NEEDED ITEMS: pens, pencils, erasers, 3-ring binders, wide ruler 3-ring paper,
highlighters, pencil sharpeners, spiral notebooks.

You may also donate by cash, credit card, loose change or write a check to The Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc. and we will shop for you.

To learn more about Kristi House and the School Supplies Drive, click on the link below:
http://www.kristihouse.org/support/mocollections.php

I will have a box at the meeting for supplies and cash and credit donations may be made
at the registration table. See me, Yoli Woodbridge, Judy Pantoja, or Bob Schreiber for
more information. Donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Every Rotarian Every Year


Community Service Minute

Coral Gables Rotarians at Work

On the third Saturday of every month you'll find a team of devoted Coral Gables Rotarians down at the Veteran's Hospital playing Bingo. For a couple of hours we spend time with some of the people who have given a lot for the freedom of our country. Now they're old and ill and alone and living in the nursing home. We bring them cookies (sugar free of course) and punch, and entertainment for a few hours. Winners get coupon books worth $5 each in multiples of $20 per win. Coupon books are currency at the VA.

So if, on August 23 you find you've got two hours to spare, join us at the VA Hospital nursing home and play Bingo with the Vets. It means the world to them. It's FUN for all concerned. It will make you feel good, AND these Vets are really cool!

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Rotary Foundation One Minute Message


This week’s The Rotary Foundation “One Minute Message” is about Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY)

Every minute of every day someone’s life is being improved by our Rotary Foundation. Wells are being dug in India, blind children are using Braille typewriters in Brazil, toilets are part of improved sanitation in Sri Lanka, and dental treatment is available to the needy in Nicaragua. In a world where the divide between the haves and have-nots is growing, we as Rotarians must do our part and “do good in the world.”

Every Rotarian, every project, and every contribution makes a difference every year. It's only $2 a week but it means the world to the rest of the world.

“BUILDING COMMUNITIES - BRIDGING CONTINENTS”

Friday, July 16, 2010

Vol. 65 No. 3 Notes from the Podium





Presidents Time
The Blue Folder yielded a story today about a 75 year old woman who required knee replacement surgery after the baseball mascot, Phillie Phanatic sat on her lap. Of course she's suing.

DUES ARE DUE and you can still get a 15% discount on lunch if you pay by the end of this month. That's a chunk of change. Pay early and often. Get your membership card from Terry Long.

FIRST 5TH FRIDAY is July 30, from 6 until 8, hosted by Citizens for a Better South Florida at their new historic Bungalow by the Orange Bowl. Rotarians, partners, and prospective members are invited. $10 per person for cocktails and hors'douvres prepared by Elizabeth Lovables.

GOOD JUNQUE NEEDED for the second-ever Rotary Yard Sale. We have a warehouse. If you want to clear it out of your life call and we will open up for you. Thanks so far to John Wallace, Miki Spiejers, Susan Guttmann and Amanda Hermes for their cool donations.


INTRODUCTIONS
are under attack! Some people think we should loudly proclaim 'HELLO TOM" (or Dick or Harry) to make our visitors and guest fell really welcome. Others would prefer to applaud, while still others adopt a wait and see attitutde. How do you think we greet people each week?

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS ARE ALL CUSP BABIES, they're gentle and conservative like Cancer but loyal and domineering like a Leo. Say Happy Birthday to Debbie Swain on July 19th and Randy Groh on July 20th.


AND SPEAKING OF RANDY GROH
.... Randy was happy to see his partner Dr. Richard Souvrion as our speaker today. He said Dr. Dick has great history with Coral Gables. He was George Merrick's Dentist! Diva Guttman was curious what Dr. Randy had clipped to his belt today, was that an umbrella? She doesn't like the new Hello greeting. Past President Wiley Hicks is happy to be back in the back at his old table, (wearing shades and pretending nobody notices him). He thanked Yoli for his beautiful album of Presidential Memories. Hadley Williams was happy that Fred Baddour brought a full bar to the 4th of July party and since he got to take home the beer he had to be doubly happy. Chris Morrison was rubbing in the statistics from the National College Athletics Rankings, Stanford #1, UF #2, USF #5 UM #58. Todd Lary from the Miami Sundown Club is happy that our club will be co-hosting the Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Germany this year. We'll get to know Sebastian before the year is out. Don Trombly wanted to put our fears to rest ... he's not on a leave of absence. He's actually been working and on another camping vacation. Luis Boue wanted to put Chris Morrison to rest once and for all by infomring him that drugs, curling, bowling and ironing do not count as ranked college sports, so Standford didn't really win! KEEP SMILING. HAPPINESS PAYS!

Will the REAL Dr. Phil Please Stand Up?
The “other” Dr. Phil is a shameless self promoter from Texas. Both are PhD’s that graduated in 1979 but the “other” Dr. Phil has been sued more! Our own Dr. Phil Boswell is a psychologist/psychotherapist in Coral Gables. He practices with his wife, Dr. Barbara Goldman. They specialize in children and adolescents. Unlike Psychiatrists, they don’t prescribe drugs. They do help a lot of people. AND, our Dr. Phil isn’t just entertaining, he has a license to practice!

CORAL GABLES EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH - JULY, 2010
Lydia Calvo-Florentino, Coral Gables Police Department
Sgt. Andrew Wiedenfeld introduced us to his star employee. Lydia works in the records division. One of her primary duties is to oversee the continuing education program for the police officers. That’s just a portion of what she does, and does well. We’re lucky to have such devoted people working for the City Beautiful. Congratulations Lydia and keep up the good work.


TODAY’S SPEAKER
Dr. Richard Souviron, D.M.D.
“Forensic Dentistry”

Dr. Dick Souviron was the forensic Odontologist who solved the Ted Bundy murder case after the horrific vents on an evening in January, 1978 when four young women at FSU were brutally murdered. Souviron explained that forensic dentistry was first practiced by Paul Revere, who used his dental expertise to identify a body. Souviron works thru the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner, at the impressive Joseph P. Davis facility. The largest in the country it holds 550 bodies, in five separate chambers and includes a facility large enough to examine vehicles and layout parachutes. Dentists are called on to identify remains because it is reliable, fast, accurate, and cheap. A skull can be used to determine gender, race, age and distinguishing features. Some of his other work included identification of the 19 victims of the Chalks seaplane crash in 1973. He shared some of his more recent cases including one in which the unsub attempted to destroy the the teeth, of the victim, but he is able to help with identification with the remaining features, and a photograh to determine who it wasn’t. With examples of bite marks he demonstrated how the pattern left by the teeth is as unique as fingerprints and leads to the criminal identification.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Bianca Fernandez, Kristi House will speak on the needs of abused and battered girls.


WORKING ROTARIANS - JULY 15, 2010

Greeters - Rodney Langer & Hadley Williams
Registration - Aaron Glasser
Collections - Carlos Bolado
Head Table - John Wallace
Special Needs - Frank Sexton
Invocation -Jack Witty
Pledge - Jim Roen
Singers - Dan Scipione, Bill Quesenberry, Rosendo Castillo
Community Service - Terry Long
Introductions - Dick Bullman
DeWitt Law Silver Dollar - Tom Dixon
Presented to Hadley Williams & Betty Metcalf
Pin Drawing Donated by - Dan Scipione
Pin Drawing Winner - Pat Morris
50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Don Trombly
50/50 Winner - Alfredo Iglesias
5Way Test - William Isaias

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
by Rodney Langer


Mark Twain once said,
“there are three kinds of lies ... lies, damn lies and statistics.”

The Gift of Sight Continues !

Although Rotarian, Jo Burke, has passed her matching gift to the RI Matching Grant partnering with the Rotary Club of Chandigarh continues. The Grant provides eye gels
and medicines at a cost of $300 each, to opthalmalogic eye surgery patients, which are performed gratis by eye surgeons in Chandigarh, Punjab, INDIA. Thanks to Jo and our
twin club in the twin City Beautiful in Chandigarh, INDIA, surgeries have been performed
on 108 persons in need to date, saving their sight and enriching the quality of their lives.

Below are the latest surgeries reported by A.P. Singh of the Chandigarh Club.

Surgery No. 105
Ms. Muskan, a 12 years old resident of Bhangi Colony, District Saharanpur, UP was operated successfully for eye-disorder. Dr. Amod Gupta of Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh, operated on her on 26th May, 2010. Mr. Ahmed Hassan, father of the patient is a rickshawpuller in Saharanpur.

Surgery No. 106
Mr. Nasib Singh, a 60 years old resident of Ambala City, Haryana was operated successfully for eye-disorder. Dr. Amod Gupta of Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh, operated on him on 28th May, 2010. Son of Mr. Nasib Singh, working as helper with Contractor of white washing.

Surgery No. 107
Mrs. Bhupinder Kaur, a 65 years old resident of Bassi Pathana, District Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab was operated successfully for eye-disorder. Dr. Ramandeep Singh of Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh, operated on her on 3rd June, 2010. Mrs. Bhupinder Kaur is alone in family and depend on old age pension.

Surgery No. 108
Mr. Rafik Ansari, a 50 years old resident of District Sasaram Rohtas, Bihar was operated successfully for eye-disorder. Dr. Amod Gupta of Advanced Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh, operated on him on 4th June, 2010. Patient is a labourer.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Rotary Foundation “One Minute Message” - PolioPlus

In 1985, Rotarians made a promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio. Since PolioPlus began, the number of polio cases worldwide has declined by 99 percent, thanks largely to the efforts of Rotarians around the world. Rotarians have committed nearly US $881 million toward global polio eradication efforts. Already, five million children are walking who would have been paralyzed, and more than 1.5 million lives have been saved. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for Rotary’s leadership and vision.


There have been no new cases of Polio in India for the last six months. There has been a 99% drop in cases reported in Nigeria over the past year, from 300 cases down to just 3! Rotary has fundamentally changed the game in our favor. And now, with the advances in the vaccine the cost is down to only 10 cents a dose.


None of this would be possible if it weren’t for Rotary’s leadership and vision. What a wonderful legacy we are leaving to the children of the world. Doesn't it give you goosebumps?


Goodbye Polio! Thank you Rotary! "Bridging Continents, Building Communities"


Saturday, July 10, 2010

Joint Water Filter Project with Twin Club in Chandigarh, Punjab, INDIA



Heard yesterday from A.P. Singh (photo left) in our twin club in Chandigarh, Punjab INDIA. The RI Foundation (India) now has
all the funds for the school water filter project. The Chandigarh
Rotary Club is awaiting distribution from RI INDIA to start the
project, which is expected to take 3 months to complete. from
start to end.

$10,000 will supply 92 schools with drinking water filtering equipment purchased locally in India and installed in schools in poor areas where drinking water quality is considered unhealthy.

The Rotary Club of Coral Gables contributed $4,100 to this project from contributions by club members, the Rick and Margarita Tonkinson Foundation and our Charitable Fund. This is a DDF (District Designated Funds) project, not an RI Matching Grant.
To learn more about our twin club in the City Beautiful Chandigarh, named just like Coral Gables, visit their website at http://www.rotarychdmidtown.org/

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Vol. 65 No 2 NOTES FROM THE PODIUM


President's Time
Every new President seems to have a gimmick. Sally B is no different ... enter the BLUE FOLDER. An idea borrowed from Past President Frank Sexton, she promises that she will keep us up to date on the important things happening around the country. Only in America. It was a good week for drunks with good aim, after the World Beer Pong Tournament in Atlantic City awarded $50,000 in prizes. Said one contestant; "we get hammered and make cups all day. That's my life."

DUES ARE DUE. Pay by July 30 and get a 15% discount. Added to the bottom is a voluntary contribution to The Rotary Foundation of $100. Every Rotarian Every Year should be giving $2 a week to continue Rotary's work around the world. Our Club's Foundation Goal is 100% Sustaining Members. Help us meet that goal.

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE Today and the rest of the month we'll be collecting school supplies for Kristi House. It all goes for the young women in need. Also, buy a decadent ice cream sundae outside by the desserts. The Westin is donating all of the proceeds to Give A Kid The World. So bump up your cholesterol count and have some ice cream. VA Bingo is Saturday, July 17 from 1 until 3 p.m. Only two hours out of your life but it means the world to the Vets.

Cancer natives are gentle, conservative and slightly defensive.
Happy Birthday to Don Vickers on July 12
.


SCHOLARSHIPS KEEP GROHING
...

Dr. Groh is back and he is unhappy because Susan keeps asking him the same question 30 times, what did you get in Hawaii???? Debbie Swain is VERY HAPPY. GO HEAT!!!! Chris Tyson will be making up at District 1190, Western Switzerland starting next week. Chris Morrison Membership Chair for District, was in Grand Bahama last week for the Chartering of a new Rotary Club, Grand Bahama Sunset on Friday and the installation of the Freeport Grand Bahama Island Club on Saturday. Good excuse for water sports. Dick Golden had a parable instead of a joke...he found a wallet and didn't know what to do but he wanted to learn a lesson. Guess he didn't learn it when the lion got his hand. Rosendo Castillo paid his $5 for the long winded introduction he gave his lovely wife France and his report on the fun that everyone had at the Rotary Convention in Montreal. Bill Martinez was very sad at the passing of Miami Herald reporter Bea Moss who was a great lady and gave Rotary much publicity. A Memorial Service will be held at Stanfill on Saturday at 4:30. Frank Sexton related a charming story about the Rotary Centennial Park that we created in Chris Morrison's year as President. He had the opportunity to see just how cool it is when he spent the afternoon with his two grandsons, Nicholas and Derrick as they frolicked on the jungle gyms. Susan Guttmann was excited that Dr. Randy had returned and again asked the all important question ... did he get a LEI while in Hawaii. But she was more excited about the possibility of LeBron with the Heat. Dick Golden returned to offer a suggestion for applauding our visitors and guests. He says we're kinda "white bread" about it so he issued a challenge to do it better. He'll check back with us later. Happiness pays so keep on smiling!


Working Rotarians July 8, 2010

Greeter - Rodney Langer
Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz
Head Table Assignments - Debbie Swain

Special Needs - Frank Sexton

Open the Meeting - Dick Golden

Invocation - Jack Witty
Pledge - Dick Bullman

Singers - Dan Scipione

Introductions - Dick Bullman

Happy Dollars - Randy Groh

Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Winner - Rob Hatfield

50/50 Sales - Gloria Burns

50/50 Winner - William Isasis

Dewitt Law Silver Dollars - Elizabeth “Lovables”

Given To - Yoli Woodbridge & Joan Reitsma
5 Way Test - Dick Golden


Barbara Stein, David Arisco and the cast from Actors Playhouse's new show, "Are We There Yet" entertained us today at the meeting with songs from what is sure to be a really hilarious show all about the buttons your parents push your whole life. It's a musical and a Family Survival Guide. It opens July 9th. Don't miss it.



NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER Dr. Richard Souviron, D.M.D., will discuss forensic dentistry and how he helped secure convictions for both Ted Bundy and Richard Specter. This is a program you don't want to miss.

Rotary Club of Coral Gables meets weekly on Thursday at 12:15 at the Westin Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables. We start on time. We end on time. We always have a good time. Join us sometime!


Wednesday, July 7, 2010

5 Way Test for Coral Gables Rotarians


In keeping with the promise to have FUN this Rotary year, at the last meeting we unveiled the 5-Way Test of the things that Coral Gables Rotarians think, say and do ...we believe completely in the first four but this year, the fifth will really tell the tale! IT MUST BE FUN FOR ALL CONCERNED!


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

First Fifth Friday


Click on image for larger view.

In most countries with a five-day work week, Friday is the last workday before the weekend and is, therefore, viewed as a cause for celebration or relief. Most months have 4 Fridays and once in a while, a month has a fifth Friday: That is reason to celebrate.

On July 30th, you’re invited to come to the first 5th Friday for this Rotary year. 5th Fridays are held at a Rotarian’s place of business in any month that has five Fridays. So we are celebrating at Citizens for a Better South Florida’s new headquarters at 138 N.W. 16 Avenue, Miami, near the former site of the Orange Bowl. Past President Kelly Sastre is the CEO for Citizens and President-Elect Debbie Swain sits on the Board of Directors.

The CITIZENS Bungalow, formally known as the J. Hubbard Alvarez Bungalow, is the best example of a Belvedere Bungalow in the City of Miami. It was saved from the bulldozer by Dade Heritage Trust, which used its Preservation Fund to purchase the building in August, 2003.

The J. Jacob Hubbard house had been built circa 1921 in the Lawrence Estate Land Company Subdivision. It was home to Rolando and Mercedes Alvarez for 40 years, who enjoyed sitting in the rocking chairs on the breezy front porch with its oolitic limestone piers. Health problems and a desire to live near their daughter in Orlando, however, made a developer’s offer to buy the property, demolish the house and construct an apartment building sound attractive.

This event is for the Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables and their guests. However, if you are interested to know about our organization, please pre-register using PayPal at our club's website and come join us as our club's special guests.

A Rotary Foundation Minute


The Rotary Foundation was the vision of a single Rotarian, Arch Klumph. A member of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, Ohio, Klumph served as the RI President during the1913-14 Rotary Year. In 1917, Klumph declared that “we should accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world in charitable, educational, and other avenues of community service.” His vision and a contribution of $26.50 left over from the RI Convention helped to establish the charitable and humanitarian arm of our organization, The Rotary Foundation.

Due to the hard work and generosity of Rotarians worldwide, The Rotary Foundation has improved lives for over 90 years. With ongoing financial support, The Rotary Foundation will continue to carry on Klumph’s dream well in our second century of service, as we go about the task of “BUILDING COMMUNITIES - BRIDGING CONTINENTS”.

Coral Gables Rotarians can do their part to support The Rotary Foundation by donating $100 a year to EREY. Every Rotarian Every Year giving just $2 a week to the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation can make a difference for all we do. Imagine if EVERY ROTARIAN, all 1.2 million, gave $100 a year to The Rotary Foundation ... that's $120 million for our charitable and humanitarian projects EVERY YEAR.

The Prez Sez


If you weren't at the Installation lunch last Thursday, be sure to pick up your official "Coral Gables Rotarian At Work" shirt and the new Rotary Club of Coral Gables 65th Anniversary Rotary pin from Terry when you check in at the next meeting. We have enough for everyone.

Rotary is such a great organization, and Coral Gables is such a great club! We've been bridging continents and building community for 65 years. We need to let people know who we are. In honor of our 65th year,(and because we are such a cool club) everyone gets the t-shirt. That's also why we've got the new Coral Gables Rotary Pin. Wear both proudly. They only belong to a chosen few ... Rotarians from Coral Gables.

Get ready to party, to have fun, and to make the Rotary Club of Coral Gables BIGGER, BETTER AND BOLDER in the coming year. Wear your shirt. Wear your pin. Be PROUD that you are a Coral Gables Rotarian!!.